London, every milestone informs you
that to the next place is so many miles, and where there are cross-
roads there are direction-posts, so that it is hardly possible to
lose one's-self in walking. I must confess that all this journey
has seemed but as it were one continued walk for pleasure.
From Maidenhead bridge there is a delightful prospect towards a
hill, which extends itself along the right bank of the Thames, and
on the top of it there are two beautiful country seats, all
surrounded with meadows and parks. The first is called Taplow, and
belongs to the Earl of Inchiquin; and a little farther Cliefden,
which also belongs to him.
These villas seem all to be surrounded with green meadows, lying
along thick woods, and, altogether, are most charming.
From this bridge it is not far to Maidenhead, near which, on the
left, is another prospect of a beautiful seat, belonging to
Pennyston Powney, Esq.
All this knowledge I have gained chiefly from my English guide;
which I have constantly in my hand; and in which everything most
worthy of notice in every mile is marked. These notices I get
confirmed or refuted by the people at whose houses I stop; who
wonder how I, who am a foreigner, have come to be so well acquainted
with their country.
Maidenhead is a place of little note; for some mulled ale, which I
desired them to make me, I was obliged to pay ninepence. I fancy
they did not take me to be either a great, or a very rich man, for I
heard them say, as I passed on, "A stout fellow!" This, though
perhaps not untrue, did not seem to sound in my ears as very
respectful.
At the end of the village was a shoemaker's shop, just as at the end
of Salthill there was a barber's shop.
From hence I went to Henley, which is eleven miles from Maidenhead,
and thirty-six from London.
Having walked pretty fast for six English miles together, and being
now only five miles from Henley, I came to a rising ground where
there just happened to be a milestone, near which I sat down, to
enjoy one of the most delightful prospects, the contemplation of
which I recommend to everyone who may ever happen to come to this
spot. Close before me rose a soft hill, full of green cornfields,
fenced with quick-hedges, and the top of it was encircled with a
wood.
At some little distance, in a large semicircle, one green hill rose
after another, all around me, gently raising themselves aloft from
the banks of the Thames, and on which woods, meadows, arable lands,
and villages were interspersed in the greatest and most beautiful
variety; whilst at their foot the Thames meandered, in most
picturesque windings, among villages, gentlemen's seats, and green
vales.
