commodations for travellers, as my parishioners are neither willing nor able to support an alehouse; and as we have few travellers, we have little need of one: but if you will accept the best accommodation my cottage affords, it is much at your service." After expressing the sense I entertained of his goodness, I joyfully accepted so desirable an offer. As we entered the hamlet, the sun was gilding with his departing beams the village spire, whilst a gentle breeze refreshed the weary hinds, who, seated beneath the venerable oaks that overshadowed their cottages, were reposing themselves after the labours of the day, and listening attentively to the tale of an old soldier, who, like myself, had wandered thus far, and was now distressed for a lodging. He had been in several actions, in one of which he had lost a leg; and was now, like many other brave fellows,

"Doom'd to beg

His bitter bread through realms his valour saved."

My kind host invited me to join the crowd, and listen to his tale. With this request I readily complied. No sooner did we make our appearance, than I attracted the attention of every one. The appearance of a stranger in a hamlet, two hundred miles from the capital, is generally productive of surprise; and every one examines the new comer with the most attentive observation. So wholly did my arrival engross the villagers, that the veteran was obliged to defer the continuation of his narrative till their curiosity should be gratified. Every one there took an opportunity of testifying the good will they bore my venerable host, by of

fering him a seat on the grass. The good man and myself were soon seated, and the brave veteran resumed his narrative in the following words :"After," continued he, "I had been intoxicated, I was carried before a justice, who was intimate with the captain, at whose request he attested me before I had sufficiently recovered my senses to see the danger I was encountering. In the morning, when I came to myself, I found I was in custody of three or four soldiers, who, after telling me what had happened, in spite of all I could say, carried me to the next towu, without permitting me to take leave of one of my neighbours. When they reached the town it was market-day, and I saw several of the people from our village, who were all sorry to hear what had happened, and endeavoured to procure my release, but in vain. After taking an affecting leave of my neighbours, I was marched to Portsmouth, and there, together with a hundred more, embarked for the coast of Africa. During the voyage, most of our number died, or became so enfeebled by sickness as to make them unfit for service. This was owing partly to the climate, partly to the want of water, and to confinement in the ship. When we reached the coast of Africa, we were landed, and experienced every possible cruelty from our officers. At length, however, a man of war arrived, who had lost several mariners in a late action; and I, with some others, was sent on board to serve in that station. Soon after we put to sea, we fell in with a French man of war. In the action I lost my leg, and was near being thrown overboard; but the humanity of the chaplain preserved my life, and, on my return to

England, procured my discharge. I applied for the Chelsea bounty; but it was refused me, because I lost my limb when acting as a marine: and, as I was not a regular marine, I was not entitled to any protection from the Admiralty; therefore I am reduced to live on the good will of those who pity my misfortunes. To be sure, mine is a hard lot; but the king does not know it, or (God bless his majesty!) he is too good to let those starve who have fought his battles."

The village clock now striking eight, the worthy vicar rose, and, slipping something into the old man's hand, desired me to follow him. At our departure, the villagers promised to take care of the old man. We returned the farewell civilities of the rustics, and directed our steps to the vicarage. It was small, with a thatched roof. The front was entirely covered with woodbine and honeysuckle, which strongly scented the circumambient air. A grove of ancient oaks, that surrounded the house, cast a solemn shade over, and preserved the verdure of the adjacent lawn, through the midst of which ran a small brook, that gently murmured as it flowed. This, together with the bleating of the sheep, the lowing of the herds, the village murmurs, and the distant barkings of the trusty curs, who were now entering on their office as guardians of the hamlet, formed a concert, at least equal to that in Tottenham-court-road. On entering the wicket, we were met by a little girl of six years old. Her dress was simple, but elegant; and her appearance such as spoke her destined for a higher sphere. As soon as she had informed her grandfather that supper was ready, she dropped a

curtsy, and retired. I delayed not a moment to congratulate the good old man on possessing so great a treasure. He replied, but with a sigh; and we entered the house, where every thing was distinguished by an air of elegant simplicity that surprised me. On our entrance, he introduced me to his wife; a woman turned of forty, who still possessed great remains of beauty, and had much the appearance of a woman of fashion. She received me with easy politeness, and regretted that she had it not in her power to entertain me better. I requested her not to distress me with unnecessary apologies, and we sat down to supper. The little angel, who welcomed us at the door, now seating herself opposite to me, offered me an opportunity of contemplating one of the finest faces I had ever beheld. My worthy host, observing how much I was struck with her appearance, directed my attention to a picture which hung over the mantel. It was a striking likeness of my little neighbour, only on a larger scale. "That, sir," said he, "is Harriet's mother. Do you not think there is a vast resemblance?" To this I assented; when the old man put up a prayer to Heaven, that she might resemble her mother in every thing but her unhappy fate. He then started another topic of conversation, without gratifying the curiosity he had excited concerning the fate of Harriet's mother, for whom I already felt myself much interested. Her tale, however, shall be the subject. of a future paper. X. BERKELEY.

SIR,

No. XXXIII.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1787.

To the Author of the Olla Podrida.

I HAVE often beheld with concern the shameful condition of many churches in England; and I may venture to say, that the ruinous state in which they are suffered to continue, is one cause of the want of real piety in those who attend them. They must have a large stock of religion in their hearts, who can preserve any spirit of devotion in some of these fabrics, where there is frequently nothing to be seen or heard, which can fix the attention, or raise the mind to heaven. The Romanists adorn their churches with every thing which can make them to appear grand, solemn, and like what is called the House of God. Their music aud singing are fine; and all things in their services and ceremonies conspire to raise their devotion..

I was led to this subject by a late excursion into the country, to a village not twenty-five miles from London. The houses were much scattered about, and appeared beggarly; but within sight of the church there stood a gentleman's seat, which was laid out with all the elegance that could be bestowed upon the house and grounds. The churchyard joined to the park. Having surveyed every thing there, it being Sunday, I went into the