Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 1).djvu/250

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
  • dominate. After they had passed Baldock,

a bare and black aspect prevented farther remarks on the face of the country, and some other travellers endeavoured to take the lead in the conversation, by introducing topics on which they conceived they could respectively shine.—One of the first of these was a parson, who had joined them a little before, and who, having observed that the conversation was at a stand, imputed the cessation to veneration and awe of his dignified appearance, and with condescending graciousness said, "Pray, good people, do not constrain yourselves on account of my presence; I am candid and liberal, and ready to make allowance for inexperience or misinformation; therefore open, and if you should happen to be wrong in any assertion or observation, I shall put you to rights." The bright eyes of the young lady at this pompous