The Annals of the Poor | Page 6

few days.
Finding that she was wanted in some household duty, I did not remain
long with her, but left her with an assurance that I proposed to visit her
parents very shortly.
"Sir," said she, "I take it very kind that you have condescended to leave
the company of the rich, and converse with the poor. I wish I could
have said more to you respecting my own state of mind. Perhaps I shall
be better able another time. When you next visit me, instead of finding
me in these noble walls, you will see me in a poor cottage. But I am
happiest when there. Once more, sir, I thank you for your past kindness

to me and mine, and may God in many ways bless you for it!"
I quitted the house with no small degree of satisfaction, in consequence
of the new acquaintance which I had formed. I discovered traces of a
cultivated as well as a spiritual mind. I felt that religious intercourse
with those of low estate may be rendered eminently useful to others,
whose outward station and advantages are far above their own.
How often does it appear that "God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty and base things of the
world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, and things
which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should
glory in his presence!"
It was not unfrequently my custom, when my mind was filled with any
interesting subject for meditation, to seek some spot where the beauties
of natural prospect might help to form pleasing and useful associations.
I therefore ascended gradually to the very summit of the hill adjoining
the mansion where my visit had just been made. Here was placed an
elevated sea-mark: it was in the form of a triangular pyramid, and built
of stone. I sat down on the ground near it, and looked at the
surrounding prospect, which was distinguished for beauty and
magnificence. It was a lofty station, which commanded a complete
circle of interesting objects to engage the spectator's attention.
Southward the view was terminated by a long range of hills, at about
six miles distance. They met to the westward another chain of hills, of
which the one whereon I sat formed a link, and the whole together
nearly encompassed a rich and fruitful valley, filled with cornfields and
pastures. Through this vale winded a small river for many miles: much
cattle were feeding on its banks. Here and there lesser eminences arose
in the valley: some covered with wood, others with corn or grass, and a
few with heath or fern. One of these little hills was distinguished by a
parish church at the top, presenting a striking feature in the landscape.
Another of these elevations, situated in the centre of the valley, was
adorned with a venerable holly-tree, which has grown there for ages. Its
singular height and wide-spreading dimensions not only render it an
object of curiosity to the traveller, but of daily usefulness to the pilot,

as a mark visible from the sea, whereby to direct his vessel safe into
harbour. Villages, churches, country-seats, farm-houses, and cottages,
were scattered over every part of the southern valley. In this direction
also, at the foot of the hill where I was stationed, appeared the ancient
mansion which I had just quitted, embellished with its woods, groves,
and gardens.
South-eastward I saw the open ocean, bounded only by the horizon.
The sun shone, and gilded the waves with a glittering light that
sparkled in the most brilliant manner. More to the east, in continuation
of that line of hills where I was placed, rose two downs, one beyond the
other, both covered with sheep, and the sea just visible over the furthest
of them, as a terminating boundary. In this point ships were seen, some
sailing, others at anchor. Here the little river which watered the
southern valley finished its course, and ran through meadows into the
sea, in an eastward direction.
On the north the sea appeared like a noble river, varying from three to
seven miles in breadth, between the banks of the opposite coast and
those of the island which I inhabited. Immediately underneath me was a
fine woody district of country, diversified by many pleasing objects.
Distant towns were visible on the opposite shore. Numbers of ships
occupied the sheltered station which this northern channel afforded
them. The eye roamed with delight over an expanse of near and remote
beauties, which alternately caught the observation, and which
harmonized together, and produced a scene of peculiar interest.
Westward the hills followed each other, forming several intermediate
and partial valleys, in a kind of undulations, like the waves