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indebted for future support. To be from necessity industrious, she did not regret, having always accustomed herself to habits of employments; but it was to encounter strangers, and to be subjected to their dominion and caprice in a dependant state, that she most dreaded; her fortitude being weakened by sorrow and disappointment, and from having been taught to expect a very different fate, or to have gained a protector in Montague Glenholme, who once she reflected with acute pain, loved her with the fondest affection.

Her youth and beauty, which shone conspicuous, though melancholy and indisposition apparently oppressed her, forcibly interested her fellow travellers in her favour; consisting of an old lady, her daughter, about thirty, with a child of nine years of age, and an elderly gentleman. They conducted themselves with politeness and compassionate good-nature to Amelrosa, which are rarely to be met

with in a conveyance of this description; and were such respectable people, that she congratulated herself in being so fortunate as to meet with these quiet, amiable companions, in her present state of mind, which ill calculated her to encounter vulgar or boisterous characters.

The gentleman seemed quite pleased with her; and being of a frank disposition, gave her a history of himself, quite entertaining; and inquiring where she was going, which she informed him was to a village about three miles from Charmouth, in Dorsetshire, said he only lived six miles from that spot himself, and should-be very happy as well as his wife, if she would do them the favour to sleep that night at their house, as it would be more convenient for her, the stage nearly passing the door, and he would himself see her home the next morning in his.one-horse chaise.

Amelrosa thanked him, but declined his obliging

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obliging proposal, saying, she could not accept it, as she was expected at Stoke Morton, and would occasion some disappointment, if she did not proceed directly to Farmer Heartwell's. This answer prevented his urging her any more; but he continued his attentions, and every time .they got out of the stage, would carry a small box of the most valuable articles she possessed, which she never suffered to be out of her sight, and carried inside the coach for security. The ladies were equally polite; and being necessitated to converse with her companions, this added to the novelty of the journey, never having travelled through that part of England before, amused her, and caused a temporary oblivion of her misfortunes.

When they reached Salisbury, she was charmed with the neatness and cleanliness of that city; and the lightness and elegance of the spire of the venerable cathedral, inspired her with admiration; but the surrounding

rounding country for some miles she did not admire, from the small quantity of trees scattered over it, as she was partial to rich woods and groves to diversify the scene. The dreariness of Salisbury Plain, impressed her with gloomy ideas, and the chalky soil had not such a pleasing appearance, she thought, as the black or red earthof other places through which she had travelled. The snow-white cottages, however, struck her as extremely pretty.

They proceeded to Blandford, Dorches ter, and several other places, till they came within some distance of Charmouth; and the country in that situation highly pleased her, as the coach drove by the side of lofty hills, and appeared, should it by any accident overset, as if it would be precipitated into the beautiful and fertile vallies beneath; for a very low and slight fence could not retard its progress downwards. The preceding parts of Dorsetshire she had passed through were fine, open, and cultivated,

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tivated, with a distant view of the sea; yet were not so well clothed with trees, nor had she previously perceived such picturesque dales.

The gentleman, to their regret, now left them, and Amelrosa entered Charmouth with the ladies only, (who were going as far as Honiton) and thought it a very neat pleasant place, delightfully situated, commanding a view of the sea and a charming country. Several ragged boys and girls came running barefooted by the side of the coach, holding out shells, sea-weed, and curious pebbles, entreating the passengers to purchase them. Amelrosa distributed some halfpence among them; the other ladies followed her example, and all expressed their concern, that the parents of these children should suffer them to lead a life thus idle, wretched, and unprofitable; which must ultimately tend to their getting bad habits, and prove their ruin. The ladies, who told her they frequently travel

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