To Miss Fermor, at Silleri.
Rochester, July 24.
I am obliged to wait ten minutes for a Canadian gentleman who is
with me, and has some letters to deliver here: how painful is this
delay! But I cannot leave a stranger alone on the road, though I lose
so many minutes with my charming Emily.
To soften this moment as much as possible, I will begin a letter to
my dear Bell: our sweet Emily is safe; I wrote to Captain Fermor this
morning.
My heart is gay beyond words: my fellow-traveller is astonished at
the beauty and riches of England, from what he has seen of Kent: for my
part, I point out every fine prospect, and am so proud of my country,
that my whole soul seems to be dilated; for which perhaps there are
other reasons. The day is fine, the numerous herds and flocks on the
side of the hills, the neatness of the houses, of the people, the
appearance of plenty; all exhibit a scene which must strike one who has
been used only to the wild graces of nature.
Canada has beauties; but they are of another kind.
This unreasonable man; he has no mistress to see in London; he is
not expected by the most amiable of mothers, by a family he loves as I
do mine.