ABSTRACT
We left Matilda determined to return immediately to her father. Her ardour would admit of no delay, and gave an energy to her exertions, which suspended her melancholy. Mr. and Mrs. Lumeire accompanied her, and the second day after their departure from New York, she rose with the lark, and summoned them with alacrity to proceed, that they might reach Berkeley Hall early that day. ‘When I have once seen my father, and the anguish of the first interview and explanation is over, this poor heart will be unburdened of a load of woe, and may regain some calm and tranquillity!’ They accordingly renewed their journey before breakfast. Dr. Homily / had also forsaken his bed very early, and would have gone off at sun-rise, but was impeded by the shoeing of Dr. Sourby’s horse, collecting his clothes, and other natural impediments, which usually procrastinate an expedition. They were, however, just setting off, when the postman arrived from Elizabeth Town, 47 with some English letters and newspapers for the Doctor, and a packet of the latest publications from his stationer in London. They dismounted of course, and proposed to glance merely over the letters and papers; when Dr. Sourby observed, ‘I perceive, by a paragraph, that there is a high dispute between the upper and lower house of convocation. Many of the present hierarchy are very moderate men, and wish for an act of comprehension, to indulge tender consciences, and unite all parties in favour of the present establishment.’ 48
