around me through a magnifying glass,[1] and that every tree spreads at least a quadruple proportion of foliage before my eyes beyond its real produce. At present, I can truly say I pass nothing unadmired. I am in the situation of one caught in love; my heart—my poor heart—my Edmond, is caught, and the Sylvan Deities have engaged all my attention. The great Berkeley, upon his return from Killarney, told the friend to whom he was describing its beauties that the utmost exertion of all the powers of art might repair a ruined Versailles, but that God alone could make a Killarney. I never felt the spirit that I am sure then warmed his lordship so strongly as I have done since my last arrival in England. I would prescribe previous banishment to any one who had a mind to enjoy real solid pleasure from the prospect of natural or artificial beauties. But I shall fill my paper before I say a word upon any other topic than that of rural beauty. You think me mad already, in all probability. I heard from Southwell[2] just when I left home; he was then well, and going upon a ramble into the country with his father.
I met Fitzgibbon[3] at Bath, on his road to the Hotwells. His unparalleled effeminacy, I am now convinced, is unconquerable. Change of kingdom has, I think, rather increased his unnatural delicacy of manners. His dishabille was not by any means remarkable after a long journey from Oxford, but it gave him great concern that I should meet him in such an undress. Risum teneatis.
I hope, my dear Ned, to hear from you immediately. Direct to me at Crewe Chetwood’s, Esq., at Plasissa, near Chester. If I return by way of Bristol, which as yet is not determined, I shall perhaps be in London for a few days; and for that purpose, shall leave home a fortnight sooner- ↑ This graphic sketch of Ireland at that time came from a strong imagination. So backward was she in moral or, in other words, civilized influences, that it seemed to affect things physical—not even the trees appeared to produce their due proportions of foliage!
- ↑ A relative of Lord Southwell, to whom there are future allusions.
- ↑ Afterwards Earl of Clare, so well known in the disturbed periods of Irish politics. His character, whatever his dress may have been in future life, exhibited anything but effeminacy.
