 our visiter at Geneva. He mentioned the beauties
of his native country, and asked us if those were not sufficient allurements to
induce us to prolong our journey as far north as Perth, where he resided.
Clerval eagerly desired to accept this invitation; and I, although I abhorred
society, wished to view again mountains and streams, and all the wondrous works
with which Nature adorns her chosen dwelling-places.
    We had arrived in England at the beginning of October, and it was now
February. We accordingly determined to commence our journey towards the north at
the expiration of another month. In this expedition we did not intend to follow
the great road to Edinburgh, but to visit Windsor, Oxford, Matlock, and the
Cumberland lakes, resolving to arrive at the completion of this tour about the
end of July. I packed up my chemical instruments, and the materials I had
collected, resolving to finish my labours in some obscure nook in the northern
highlands of Scotland.
    We quitted London on the 27th of March, and remained a few days at Windsor,
rambling in its beautiful forest. This was a new scene to us mountaineers; the
majestic oaks, the quantity of game, and the herds of stately deer, were all
novelties to us.
    From thence we proceeded to Oxford. As we entered this city, our minds were
filled with the remembrance of the events that had been transacted there more
than a century and a half before. It was here that Charles I had collected his
forces. This city had remained faithful to him, after the whole nation had
forsaken his cause to join the standard of parliament and liberty. The memory of
that unfortunate king, and his companions, the amiable Falkland, the insolent
Goring, his queen, and son, gave a peculiar interest to every part of the city,
which they might be supposed to have inhabited. The spirit of elder days found a
dwelling here, and we delighted to trace its footsteps. If these feelings had
not found an imaginary gratification, the appearance of the city had yet in
itself sufficient beauty to obtain our admiration. The colleges are ancient and
picturesque; the streets are almost magnificent; and the lovely Isis, which
flows beside it through meadows of exquisite verdure, is spread forth into a
placid expanse of waters, which reflects its majestic assemblage of towers, and
spires, and domes, embosomed among aged trees.
    I enjoyed this scene; and yet my enjoyment was embittered both by the memory
of the past, and the anticipation of the future. I was formed for peaceful
happiness. During my youthful days discontent never visited
