Page:Sarah Sheppard - L. E. L.pdf/136



visiting with Miss Landon our mutual friends, a desire was expressed to see to advantage the banks of the Thames, and become acquainted with the localities so fraught with historical associations; a day was, therefore, fixed for a row down the river.

The day was a thoroughly English one, blending sunshine and shade most capriciously, yet most beautifully.

Frequently did the waterman, who was really a fine specimen of his class, call our attention to some interesting spot. It was evident he had some favourite place to introduce to us. It came at length, and his intelligent countenance grew most animated as he exclaimed, "There! there! that's the very place! You may see the hole in the wall, where the letters and money were deposited. In 'Jacob Faithful,'" I mean, added he; "perhaps the ladies may have read the book?"

"Now," said L. E. L., "this is a bit of true fame. While the warriors whose glory once shone over the river, and the kings who adorned its banks with royal splendor, are at best but coldly remembered, the author who has identified himself with the interests and sympathies of a large portion of his fellow-creatures, how gratefully and admiringly is his name treasured!"

With graceful eloquence, Miss Landon's poetical spirit evoked the beings and scenes of bygone days, and peopled shore and stream with visions called up from the storied past.

Perhaps nothing will convey a better idea of the general character of the conversation than a passage