ABSTRACT
Our hero being determined to follow Letitia, of whom squire Forester reported he had the most unfavourable accounts, engaged a passage for himself and Sancho, in a sloop, for Madeira: but, as it would be some weeks before they could sail, Dr. Homily persuaded him to accompany Dr. Sourby in his excursion to / the Allegany mountains, to procure the papers, and execute the will, of the recluse. Nothing important happened in their journey, till they arrived at a small village, situated in a deep and extensive valley, remote from any high road, and very rarely frequented by travellers, to which they were directed by the map of the unfortunate Bre-cknock. They here inquired whether any hermit resided in the neighbourhood, and were informed, that a venerable person, of that description, had lived for many years in a dell about three miles off: that he dwelt in an obscure cave, almost inaccessible, and dangerous to explore, through the intricate meanders of the rocks: that he had not been seen for two years, whence they conjectured he had perished in those melancholy retreats. This account, and the appearance of the country, perfectly corresponded with the recluse’s description. It was then agreed, that Dr. Sourby should remain at the village, / as the difficulties and distance would probably be too much for him; and Tickle and Sancho, furnished with some provisions, a rope and poles, should attempt this dangerous search, directed by the misanthrope’s delineation of the place. With this faithful chart, they ventured into an obscure dell, which led to a chain of awful mountains, whose summits were eternally covered with snow, and their rugged sides, with variegated forests, patches of verdure, or tremendous cliffs, that had never been explored by man. Their road now lay between hills, whose impending heads, almost meeting each other, excluded the beams of the sun, and produced a mid-day twilight; and now, through the bottoms of immense chasms, where the surrounding rocks formed natural amphitheatres, or were thrown loosely and disorderly in mighty masses and uncouth shapes, like the wrecks of some destructive earthquake; at other times, they scrambled over rugged barriers / of stone, or followed a narrow path along the dizzy side of awful 443steeps. After encountering great dangers and difficulties, they arrived at a large fissure in the mountain, which agreed with their chart; and therefore, after taking some refreshment, they carefully entered it, tracing their way through the labyrinths, by their exact clue, till they arrived at the hermit’s cave. He was sitting on a stony ledge before the door, and appeared to be not more than fifty, but much emaciated by sickness, melancholy, or severities. Though at first alarmed at their intrusion, he received them, after they had assured him of their friendly intentions, with a courteous manner, that would not have disgraced the most polished circles. Tickle made a brief recital of his business, and produced the papers and directions of the deceased recluse. ‘And is he at last sunk,’ cried the hermit, ‘into the peaceful grave! and in the moment when he was prepared to return / to the duties of a man and a citizen! Poor Brecknock, may thy repentance and fatal death be rewarded with the forgiveness of Heaven!’ He then presented our hero with the will and documents respecting his property in the funds. He lamented his sad catastrophe, observing, that, ‘Though he at first preferred this retreat to any other, yet such was his dissocial temper, that he quitted it, merely because I partook of his recess, though he had as much confidence in me, as his unfortunate bosom was capable of.’ Our hero expressed his sorrow to the hermit, that a person, who, by his appearance and conversation, seemed so well formed to serve his country and mankind, should have been driven, by his misfortunes, to so miserable an exile from men. He proffered his aid, if his humble endeavours could assist, or his pity console him.
