hands are employed before one little pin is fit for use; yet it seems that a circumstance which at first sight would be supposed to enhance the price of the article, is the very reason that it can be offered so cheap. By performing only one part of the operation, the manufacturer acquires a surprising fa. cility in his department; and thus the result is very different from what it would be, if each began and finished the whole. We took a ride one clear morning to Birdlip Hill, about four miles distant, and enjoyed one of the finest views that can be imagined, over the rich and fertile vale of Gloucester, watered by the meandering Severn. I am told, however, that the landscape from this spot is not to be compared with that from Frocester Hill, in this same county, on the road between Bath and Gloucester; as the Severn from the latter appears in all its glory, and there are no intervening hills to limit the expansive - view. Highly gratified with our reception at Gloucester, we now directed our course towards Cheltenham, leaving Robin Hood's Hill on the right, between two and three miles distant, and which, from the singularity of its form, and its abrupt rise on all sides from the level of the plain, forms a remarkable object in every direction. After we lost sight of this, other hills at a distance arrested the eye; but on the whole the road to Cheltenham is flat and uninteresting; and we almost entered this place of fashionable resort, before we were aware that it was near. Cheltenham owes its rise and present grandeur, infinitely less to the caprice of fashion, than to the salutary virtues of its waters. Here, as has been well observed, "the afflicted resorted in search of health; they found the goddess propitious to their prayers; they returned again to pay their vows; and brought beauty and elegance in their train *." Within the last twenty-five years Chel Guide to the Watering Places. a tenham is almost wholly a new creation. Except the church, there are few public or private buildings remaining of an earlier date. The antiquary therefore will find it barren spot for his researches; but they who have taste to relish the modern, the convenient, and the agreeable, will consider this as a most desirable summer residence. The houses are chiefly built of brick, and the streets are clean and well paved. The lodgings are in general excellent, and so numerous, that between 2 and 3000 strangers may be accommodated at once. At this moment, there are upwards of 2000 votaries of health or pleasure here; and the only difficulty they experience, is from a scarcity of water-yes, of water! to drink. The old well, as it is called, was drank dry the first morning after our arrival,, before nine o'clock; and though I had a glass by way of tasting, and quite enough to satisfy me, I saw numbers who arrived rather late, pressing and squabbling, as if it had been the elixir of life for which they were contending *. As we are to stop here ten days at least, in my next I shall be able to give you some account of the amusements of the place. My next, did I say?—I hope to call it my last; for although I have not heard my fa ther's express sentiments on the subject, I know he participates in the ardour I feel to embrace you; and that he has no idea at present of extending his journey any farther. When we meet, my dear sister, how many things shall I have to tell you, which it was impossible to commit to writing. But I will not raise your expectations too high. Would to God you were now with us! I am sure my father would have sent for you, had he not intended to see you soon. He is too good, too indulgent, to neglect any opportunity of giving pleasure, where it can be done with a regard to duty. Indeed * Since this was written, another spring has been discovered by Dr. Jameson, in every respect equal to the original, and indifferently used with it. I should mention, that we do not mean to remove from the Hotel; and unless we' were to take lodgings, it certainly would be less proper for you to be with us. I wish I knew on what day I could give you my hand, and with it my heart-but this uncertainty will soon be removed. Write, my dear sister, to your ever affectionate brother. I LETTER XI. Description of Cheltenham. MY DEAR LOUISA, Cheltenham, August 24. AM quite captivated with Cheltenham, its company, and amusements; and I found the following lines strictly applicable to it in its present state, though they were written upwards of twenty years ago: Each neighbouring country its tribute bestows, 3 |