"I do not think that William's poetry will become popular for some time to come; it does not suit the present taste. I was in company the other evening with a gentleman who had read the 'Cumberland Beggar.' 'Why,' says he, 'this is very pretty; but you may call it anything but poetry.' The truth is, few people read poetry; they buy it for the name, read about twenty lines, the langauge is very fine, and they are content with praising the whole. Most of William's poetry improves upon the second, third, or fourth reading. Now, people, in general are not sufficiently interested to try a second reading."

"When we were beginning to descend the hill towards Loch Lomond we overtook two girls, who told us we could not cross the ferry till evening, for the boat was gone with a number of people to church. One of the girls was exceedingly beautiful; and the figures of both of them, in grey plaids falling to their feet, their faces only being uncovered, excited our attention before we spoke to them; but they answered us so sweetly that we were quite delighted, at the same time they stared at us with an innocent look of wonder. I think I never heard the English language sounds more sweetly than from the mouth of the elder of these two girls, while she stood at the gate answering our inquiries, her face flushed with the rain; her pronunciation was clear and distinct, with difficulty, yet slow, as if like a