"I belong to a country that will never more be conquered!”

From hence we proceeded to Barnet, a long straggling place, noted for a decisive battle between the houses of York and Lancaster, in which the King-making Earl of Warwick was slain. A pillar is erected to mark the spot, where the slaughter was the greatest.

Reaching Highgate, I caught the first view of the capital of the British empire, and never could it have been seen to more advantage. The declining sun gilded its lofty spires, the atmosphere was uncommonly fine, and the volumes of smoke which generally envelope this proud city, were lifted to a sufficient height, to allow one of the sublimest and richest landscapes that eyes ever beheld. I was rivetted to the spot; and I would advise every person, who wishes to enjoy a coup d'œil of London, to repair to Highgate for that purpose. I had heard so much of the burlesque oath administered here, and approved so much of - its spirit, that I determined to enrol myself

R

among its observers. You know it runs, that " one is never to eat brown bread when he can have white, unless he likes it better," and a long string of similar asseverations, which it is easy to keep from violation.

In passing through the streets of London to the Adelphi, where we have taken up our residence in a splendid Hotel, I will not attempt to describe the sensations I felt, or the variety and grandeur of objects that every where presented themselves.

My perambulations through the metropolis will furnish ample subject for another epistle; and as I have once more the happiness to think that I am within a very moderate day's journey of you, I expect to hear of you by return of post, with a list of commissions to execute for Be assured, my dear sister, that the more commands you lay upon me, the more you will oblige me, and that I am ever with the truest regard, yours,

you.

183

LETTER XVII.

Rapid Glance of the Metropolis.

MY DEAR LOUISA,

London, September 25.

I was awakened early in the morning after our arrival in London, with the ringing of bells, in joy for its being the anniversary of the King's Coronation. Never did I hear such a mingled peal; yet the bells of St. Mary Overy seemed to me to sound far sweeter than all the rest.

To attempt a particular description of London would be inconsistent with the nature of this correspondence. I shall therefore content myself with giving you a general idea of the place, and a brief account of what I have seen.

The united cities of London and Westminster stand on a gentle declivity, on the northern bank of the Thames, the winding course of which they follow for several

miles. On the south side of the river lies Southwark; but though these are the principal component parts of what is denominated the metropolis, numerous villages extend from it in all directions to a considerable distance, so that it is impossible for a stranger to determine where London begins or ends. It is plentifully supplied with excellent water, the streets in general are broad, well paved, and lighted; and the houses, which are chiefly of brick, covered with tiles, are commonly four stories high. It is frequently obscured by smoke, but standing on a gravelly soil, being kept very clean, and having the advantage of such a noble river, where the tide rises and falls with great force, it is as healthy as any city of equal extent can possibly be. The air certainly loses its elasticity in the interior parts, as I very sensibly perceived, but habit reconciles the natives to this inconvenience: and they probably suffer more from luxurious and irregular modes of life, than from any local disadvantages. London, Blackfriars, and Westminster Bridges, each possess their peculiar