Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/217

Rh I remember some verses written by one of their gens d'esprit et de société, an hour before his death, in which he calls on the Loves and Graces to surround his couch, that he may die with the murmur of their kisses in his ears! This is something more than 'adjusting the mantle before they fall.' It is also taking care that the trimmings are not tumbled." Mile after mile flew rapidly; and soon came upon the traveller's ear that deep murmur, like the roar of the mighty ocean, which, even at such a distance, tells us that we approach London. Gradually the hedges and fields give way before long rows of houses; and a few single domiciles, with plats of turf cut into patterns, and bunches of daisies dusty and dry as if just dropped from the wreath of a figurante, are what the orientals call so pleasant and rural, so convenient for stages and Sunday. Soon one straight line succeeds another; and we know the wilderness of streets is begun, which, in another century, will end heaven knows where. The entrance to London by the great north road, is the one by which I would bring a stranger. First, the road winding through the fertile country, rich in old trees and bright green fields, and here and there a substantial