THE IDLER IN ITALY.. BY THE COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. PHILADELPHIA. CAREY & HART. JOURNAL OF A TOUR. August 25th, 1822.—AND so, I am leaving my home -my happy home!-There is something sad in the thought. I looked often at the pictures, and the various objects of use, and decoration, in the apartments, with a sort of melancholy feeling, that I anticipated not I should experience, on undertaking a pleasurable tour-a tour I have so long desired to make. Yet now, that the moment of departure is nearly arrived, I almost wish I was not going. Yes, the quitting home for an indefinite period, makes one thoughtful. What changes, what dangers may come before I sleep again beneath its roof! Perhaps, I may never-but I must not give way to such sad forebodings. The taking leave of friends is painful, even those whose society afforded little pleasure, assume a new interest in the moment of parting. We remember only their good qualities; but, perhaps, this oblivion of their defects, proceeds from the anticipated release from their consequences. This it is that makes us often part from our friends with more kindness, than we feel in meeting them. DOVER-Would be more agreeable, were it not associated in my mind with lurching steam packets, and qualmy passengers; to-morrow I shall be exposed to a contact with both, which, though of short duration, is, nevertheless, anything but pleasurable. Misery, it is said, makes us acquainted with strange companions. A VOL. I.-2 |