pared with
the depredations made on human life by contractors and by the swarm of
locusts who have battened on the pestilence they spread abroad. These
men, like the owners of negro ships, never smell on their money the blood
by which it has been gained, but sleep quietly in their beds, terming
such occupations lawful callings; yet the lightning marks not their roofs
to thunder conviction on them "and to justify the ways of God to man."

Why should I weep for myself? "Take, O world! thy much indebted tear!"
Adieu!

LETTER XXV.

There is a pretty little French theatre at Altona, and the actors are
much superior to those I saw at Copenhagen. The theatres at Hamburg are
not open yet, but will very shortly, when the shutting of the gates at
seven o'clock forces the citizens to quit their country houses. But,
respecting Hamburg, I shall not be able to obtain much more information,
as I have determined to sail with the first fair wind for England.

The presence of the French army would have rendered my intended tour
through Germany, in my way to Switzerland, almost impracticable, had not
the advancing season obliged me to alter my plan. Besides, though
Switzerland is the country which for several years I have been
particularly desirous to visit, I do not feel inclined to ramble any
farther this year; nay, I am weary of changing the scene, and quitting
people and places the moment they begin to interest me. This also is
vanity!

DOVER.

I left this letter unfinished, as I was hurried on board, and now I have
only to tell you that, at the sight of Dover cliffs, I wondered how
anybody could term them grand; they appear so insignificant to me, after
those I had seen in Sweden and Norway.

Adieu! My spirit of observation seems to be fled, and I have been
wandering round this dirty place, literally speaking, to kill time,
though the thoughts I would fain fly from lie too close to my heart to be
easily shook off, or even beguiled, by any employment, except that of
preparing for my journey to London.

God bless you!

MARY ----.

APPENDIX.

Private business and cares have frequently so absorbed me as to prevent
my obtaining all the information during this journey which the novelty of
the scenes would have afforded, had my attention been continually awake
to inquiry. This insensibility to present objects I have often had
occasion to lament since I have been preparing these letters for the
p