A Neat Cottage on the borders of an extensive forest and about three
Miles from the Sea. It is ready furnished except two rooms and a
Closet.
The delighted Wilhelminus posted away immediately to his brother, and
shewed him the advertisement. Robertus congratulated him and sent him
in his Carriage to take possession of the Cottage. After travelling for
three days and six nights without stopping, they arrived at the Forest
and following a track which led by it’s side down a steep Hill over
which ten Rivulets meandered, they reached the Cottage in half an hour.
Wilhelminus alighted, and after knocking for some time without
receiving any answer or hearing any one stir within, he opened the door
which was fastened only by a wooden latch and entered a small room,
which he immediately perceived to be one of the two that were
unfurnished—From thence he proceeded into a Closet equally bare. A pair
of stairs that went out of it led him into a room above, no less
destitute, and these apartments he found composed the whole of the
House. He was by no means displeased with this discovery, as he had the
comfort of reflecting that he should not be obliged to lay out anything
on furniture himself—. He returned immediately to his Brother, who took
him the next day to every Shop in Town, and bought what ever was
requisite to furnish the two rooms and the Closet, In a few days
everything was completed, and Wilhelminus returned to take possession
of his Cottage. Robertus accompanied him, with his Lady the amiable
Cecilia and her two lovely Sisters Arabella and Marina to whom
Wilhelminus was tenderly attached, and a large number of Attendants.—An
ordinary Genius might probably have been embarrassed, in endeavouring
to accomodate so large a party, but Wilhelminus with admirable presence
of mind gave orders for the immediate erection of two noble Tents in an
open spot in the Forest adjoining to the house. Their Construction was
both simple and elegant—A couple of old blankets, each supported by
four sticks, gave a striking proof of that taste for architecture and
that happy ease in overcoming difficulties which were some of
Wilhelminus’s most striking Virtues.