es from the expanse below to the
vault above, my sight pierced the fleecy clouds that softened the azure
brightness; and imperceptibly recalling the reveries of childhood, I
bowed before the awful throne of my Creator, whilst I rested on its
footstool.

You have sometimes wondered, my dear friend, at the extreme affection of
my nature. But such is the temperature of my soul. It is not the
vivacity of youth, the heyday of existence. For years have I endeavoured
to calm an impetuous tide, labouring to make my feelings take an orderly
course. It was striving against the stream. I must love and admire with
warmth, or I sink into sadness. Tokens of love which I have received
have wrapped me in Elysium, purifying the heart they enchanted. My bosom
still glows. Do not saucily ask, repeating Sterne's question, "Maria, is
it still so warm?" Sufficiently, O my God! Has it been chilled by
sorrow and unkindness; still nature will prevail; and if I blush at
recollecting past enjoyment, it is the rosy hue of pleasure heightened by
modesty, for the blush of modesty and shame are as distinct as the
emotions by which they are produced.

I need scarcely inform you, after telling you of my walks, that my
constitution has been renovated here, and that I have recovered my
activity even whilst attaining a little _embonpoint_. My imprudence last
winter, and some untoward accidents just at the time I was weaning my
child, had reduced me to a state of weakness which I never before
experienced. A slow fever preyed on me every night during my residence
in Sweden, and after I arrived at Tonsberg. By chance I found a fine
rivulet filtered through the rocks, and confined in a basin for the
cattle. It tasted to me like a chalybeate; at any rate, it was pure; and
the good effect of the various waters which invalids are sent to drink
depends, I believe, more on the air, exercise, and change of scene, than
on their medicinal qualities. I therefore determined to turn my morning
walks towards it, and seek for health from the nymph of the fountain,
partaking of the beverage offered to the tenants of the shade.

Chance likewise led me to discover a new pleasure equally beneficial to
my health. I wished to avail myself of my vicinity to the sea and bathe;
but it was not possible near the town; there was no convenience. The
young woman whom I mentioned to you proposed rowing me across the water
amongst the rocks; but as she was pregnant, I