may

afcend from below like water through fand-perhaps both causes are combined -the circumftance is common, and we need not recur to any extraordinary principle."

The ladies were liftening to the mountain-philofopher with great attention; when the guide whispered who it was they had accidentally met, and gave all the traits of his character the fhort time afforded, The converfation now had more of the company to join in it-"The water is delicious," fays a lady, " and makes admirable punch," faid a gentleman—” But, there is the punch-bowl below," faid another, pointing down to the lake-" That bowl," pleasantly replied Adraftus, 66 was once as full of fire as it is now of water"-here he was interrupted by a general interjection of furprize-he continued-" This mountain was once a volcano; that round bafin is the crater-it bears a general refemblance

to

to twenty other mountains in Wales, all which have their craters; now become small circular lakes of a vast depth."

This language was by no means underftood by the company, who knew more of punch-bowls than craters, and poor Adraftus was confidered as a little cracked, by all, but the person to whom the guide had defcribed him, who very oddly conceived an idea, which afterwards produced a refolution we fhall again have an occafion to mention.

When the ham, cold beef, and chickenpye were eaten, and the punch drank; the company having finished their bufinefs, bade adieu to Adraftus, and departed. He traced them down the different stages of the mountain, remarking the diminution of objects by distance, and their increasing faintnefs by aerial perspective. After waiting to fee the fullmoon in opposition to the fetting fun, he

alfo defcended; and with his usual occupation of mind came home-but the moon furveyed through his telescope robbed him of fome hours repofe.

As the company proceeded to Brecon, the guide acquainted them more at large with all he knew, and all he had heard of Adraftus: and although a great part of the latter was untrue, yet that perfon mentioned above, and whom we will call Crito, who was one of those characters that fancy themselves geniuses-that they have tafte, and presume to be critics in the arts-" moft ignorant of what they're most affured"-who never felt any real pleafure in his life, tho' he was ever in fearch of it-This perfon remarking the occupation of mind and cheerful air of Adraftus, conceived that retirement was the only plan for enjoyment, and determined alfo to retire-which accordingly not, long after he did, choofing for his retreat a folitary place among the

lakes

lakes in Cumberland. Finding himself in a few minutes, very stupid; and in a few hours, the most miserable of mortals, and conceiving fome difpleafure against Adraftus, by whofe example he had been mifled; he very prudently determined to refume his former mode of life, but in way back to call on Adraftus. Being at Brecon directed to his cottage, they had the following converfation

his

C. The last time we met was on that mountain-do you recollect me, Sir?

A. I dare fay I fhall foon-an acquaintance begun on a mountain, with me is a facred thing-it is not like an introduction at a formal vifit.

C. I fee that you have ftill that cheerfulness which led me firft to imagine it was your retirement that produced fuch happy effects-in confequence, I also retired-with much difficulty I held out U 3

one

one day; and on the next, if I had not left my dismal folitary cell I must have fent to the next town for a cord or a piftol. You fairly took me in.

A. Admirable! a perfon like you acquainted with the world (for fo I fuppose) must often have heard that there is no trusting to appearances-perhaps I am a cheat-but I will not deceive you-I really am as I appear-your mistake was in thinking that you and I are beings of the fame class-What fays the poet? "Man differs more from man, than man from beast."

C. This is certain, that I find no pleasure in folitude, you do.

A. You again mistake-folitude is to me the moft dreadful of all ideas-for which reason I am never alone.

C.