There is one in particular
near the river, and close to some charming meadows, behind Corpus
Christi College, which may fairly challenge the world.
We here seated ourselves on a bench, and Mr. Maud drew a review from
his pocket, where, among other things, a German book of Professor
Beckman's was reviewed and applauded. Mr. Maud seemed, on this
occasion, to show some respect for German literature. At length we
parted. He went to fill up the vacancy of the clerk's place at
Dorchester, and I to the Mitre, to prepare for my departure from
Oxford, which took place on Wednesday morning at three o'clock, in
the post-coach. Considering the pleasing, if not kind attention
shown me here, I own I thought my bill not unreasonable; though to
be sure, it made a great hole in my little purse.
Within this coach there was another young man, who, though dressed
in black, yet to judge from the cockade in his hat might be an
officer. The outside was quite full with soldiers and their wives.
The women of the lower class here wear a kind of short cloak made of
red cloth: but women in general, from the highest to the lowest,
wear hats, which differ from each other less in fashion than they do
in fineness.
Fashion is so generally attended to among the English women, that
the poorest maid-servant is careful to be in the fashion. They seem
to be particularly so in their hats or bonnets, which they all wear:
and they are in my opinion far more becoming than the very unsightly
hoods and caps which our German women, of the rank of citizens,
wear. There is, through all ranks here, not near so great a
distinction between high and low as there is in Germany.
I had, during this day, a little headache; which rendered me more
silent and reserved to my company than is either usual in England or
natural to me. The English are taxed, perhaps too hastily, with
being shy and distant to strangers. I do not think this was, even
formerly, their true character; or that any such sentiment is
conveyed in Virgil's "Hospitibus feros." Be this as it may, the
case was here reversed. The Englishman here spoke to me several
times in a very friendly manner, while I testified not the least
inclination to enter into conversation with him.
He however owned afterwards that it was this very apparent reserve
of mine that first gained me his good opinion.
He said he had studied physic, but with no immediate view of
practising it. His intention, he said, was to go to the East
Indies, and there, first, to try his fortune as an officer. And he
was now going to Birmingham, merely to take leave of his three
sisters, whom he much loved, and who were at school there.
