匪 I had walked to and fro feveral times, and began to conclude that the cuftom of getting into the tubs and treading on the linen, either never had been practifed, or was come into difufe; but I had not waited more than half an hour, when many of them jumped into the tubs, without fhoes or stockings, with their shifts and petticoats drawn up far above the knees, and ftamped away with great compofure in their countenances, and with all their strength, no Scotchman taking the least notice, or even looking towards them, conftant habit having rendered the fcene perfectly familiar. On converfing with fome gentlemen of Glasgow on this curious fubject, they assured me that these fingular laundreffes (as they appeared to me) were ftrictly modeft women, who only did what others of unblemished reputation had been accustomed to for a long feries of years; and added, that at any other time a purse of gold would not tempt them to draw the curtain fo high. By way of contraft, let me obferve that many of our London fervant-maids, though not always fo nice in other refpects, would not be feen thus habited in public on any terms, left their precious characters fhould be called in queftion. A ftriking inftance of the powerful influence of habit! Pomfret fays, "Cuftom's the world's great idol we adore, Most of the female fervants in Edinburgh, Glasgow, &c. do all their work, and run about the town the fore part of the day without ftays, fhoes or ftockings; and on Sundays I faw the country-women going to Ward's Kirk, in the fame manner (ftays excepted ;) however they do not go into kirk, till they have dreffed their legs and feet; for that purpose they feat themselves on the . grafs, fomewhere near, put on their fhoes. and ftockings, and garter up very deliberately, "Nor heed the passenger who looks that way.” Most of these poor young country-women go without any caps or hats; they have in general general fine heads of hair, many plait it, others let it hang loofe down their backs; and I affure you, my friend, they look very agreeable. I returned each time through Buxton, where staying a week or two, I visited Castleton, and spent several hours in exploring that ftupendous cavern, called The Devil's A in the Peak. I also furveyed Poole's Hole, near Buxton, and purchased a great variety of petrifactions. In our way home I faw the great marble manufactory at Afton, in the water, fpent fome days at Matlock, the most romantic village that I ever faw, but the fight of it coft me dear ; as we were conveyed there in an old crazy post-chaife, in which I caught a violent cold, the lining being very damp. I am, Dear Friend, Yours. Dd 4 LETTER 1 LETTER XLV. "Good feen expected, evil unforeseen, "New turns and changes every day "Are of inconftant chance the conftant arts; "Soon fortune gives, foon takes away, "She comes, embraces, naufeates you, and parts. "But if she stays or if she goes, "The wife man little joy or little forrow knows; "For over all there hangs a doubtful fate, "And few there be who're always fortunate. "One gains by what another is bereft : "The frugal deftinies have only left "A common bank of happiness below, "Maintain'd, like nature, by an ebb and flow." How's Indian Emp DEAR FRIEND, I Did not intend to trouble you or the public with an account of any more of my wonderful travels, but being now at Lyme, for want of other amusements this rainy morning, I thought that a short account of this journey might afford entertainment, you some My state of health being but indifferent, and Mrs. Lackington's ftill worse, I was induced to try what effect a journey would produce; it being immaterial what part I travelled to; and as I had not for a long time seen my native place, and perhaps might not be furnished with another opportunity, we refolved to vifit it. "And many a year elaps'd, return to view "Where once the cottage ftood, the hawthorn grew, Swells at my breaft "Iftill had hopes, for pride attends us ftill, Amidst the fwains to fhew my book-learn'd fkill, "Yes, let the rich deride, with proud disdain "The fimple bleffings of the lowly train, "Unenvy'd, unmolefted, unconfin'd.” GOLDSMITH. Accordingly |