Prospect, which so much raised my heart, that in a moment I forgot
not only the insults of waiters and tavern-keepers, but the hardship
of my lot in being obliged to travel in a manner that exposed me to
the scorn of a people whom I wished to respect. Below me lay the
most beautiful landscapes in the world - all the rich scenery that
nature, in her best attire, can exhibit. Here were the spots that
furnished those delightful themes of which the muse of Denham and
Pope made choice. I seemed to view a whole world at once, rich and
beautiful beyond conception. At that moment what more could I have
wished for?
And the venerable castle, that royal edifice which, in every part of
it, has strong traces of antiquity, smiles through its green trees,
like the serene countenance of some hoary sage, who, by the vigour
of a happy constitution, still retains many of the charms of youth.
Nothing inspired me with more veneration and awe than the fine old
building St. George's Church, which, as you come down from the
castle, is on your right. At the sight of it past centuries seemed
to revive in my imagination.
But I will see no more of those sights which are shown you by one of
those venal praters, who ten times a day, parrot-wise, repeat over
the same dull lesson they have got by heart. The surly fellow, who
for a shilling conducted me round the church, had nearly, with his
chattering, destroyed the finest impressions. Henry VIII., Charles
I., and Edward IV. are buried here. After all, this church, both
within and without, has a most melancholy and dismal appearance.
They were building at what is called the queen's palace, and
prodigious quantities of materials are provided for that purpose.
I now went down a gentle declivity into the delightful park at
Windsor, at the foot of which it looks so sombrous and gloomy that I
could hardly help fancying it was some vast old Gothic temple. This
forest certainly, in point of beauty, surpasses everything of the
kind you can figure to yourself. To its own charms, when I saw it,
there were added a most pleasing and philosophical solitude, the
coolness of an evening breeze, all aided by the soft sounds of
music, which, at this distance from the castle, from whence it
issued, was inexpressibly sweet. It threw me into a sort of
enthusiastic and pleasing reverie, which made me ample amends for
the fatigues, discourtesies, and continued cross accidents I had
encountered in the course of the day.
I now left the forest; the clock struck six, and the workmen were
going home from their work.
I have forgot to mention the large round tower of the castle, which
is also a very ancient building.
