Various - The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 472, January 22, 1831

I confess, this voluntary information, not less than the tone and language in which it was delivered, prejudiced me so little in favour of my companion, that I took up pencil and paper, and was shortly wrapped in the most agreeable reverie. Briefly, I was in the exquisite Land of Faerie : I beheld the beautiful little people; their tiny feet twinkled in the dance; their small arms waved lightly and gently; and their perfect forms were miniature models of all loveliness and grace;—the rosy blush of affection tinted the delicate cheeks of the fair; their eyes gleamed, like the minute gems which cluster around the ice-plant;—and lo! a pair, as far different from these as is darkness from light, now peered into my face, and a voice, very unlike the blissful tones of the gay music of Faëry Land, exclaimed,

"Um 'fear'd you ar'n't well, mum, hey?"

"Thank you, I am perfectly well."

"Are you indeed? why you set up your eyes, and looked as pale and peekin like, as if you'd seen a sperrit ."

"Did I? perhaps I was thinking; and naturally I am very pale."

"Oh well—um glad 'tis no wuss ; but setting there as you do, with your back to the osses , 'tis the most foolishest thing in the wuld , for a sickly-like-looking cretur, as I may say yourself, to think on— du come o' this side."

I declined the good woman's proposition, alleging that riding backwards I always found the best preventive of illness from the motion of the vehicle.

"Now really," I exclaimed she, almost aghast with astonishment, "that is curous! But um fear'd you're faint, though you won't tell me so. Here," handing to me a large basket, well stored, I perceived, with provender, "take a happle , or a bun, or a sand wage , or a bit o' gingerbread—and a fine thing too it is for the stomach—or a pear, or a puff, or a chiscake ;— I always take a cup of chocolate, and a slice of rich plum-cake, every morning after breakfast: 'tis peticklar wholesome, a gentleman of my acquaintance says; and this I know, I should be dead in no time if I didn't—so du take something."

I could not be so ill-natured as to reject all the offers made me by this benevolent, but uncouth gentlewoman

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