SAWCOLT HILL.
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was given " forward," and forward we attempted to go ; but there were some of our party whose opinions had not been asked, but who, no doubt, felt as great concern in the decision as any one else ; I mean those very noble animals ycleped " horses," and for reasons my readers may easily conceive they appeared resolved not to proceed. After a few words of encouragement, however, and a few caresses, they agreed to lend us their aid, and once more we started. During the period that all this momentous business was going on, we had totally neglected the appearance of the weather, and had not a drop or two of rain fallen, and the sound of a distant clap of thunder echoed round us, I dare say we should not have thought upon such a subject. Here, then, was romance ; a thunder-storm, and " Sawcolt Hill"—it only wanted an old castle and a horde of banditti to make it a scene worthy the pen of a " Radcliffe." The lambent lightning played for awhile, and the thunder bellowed through the boundless sky, and then passed slowly away to the west, very much to my satisfaction. " Sawcolt Hill" was ascended, and descended, and the road became more beautiful at every turn, until at length we stood by the side of the noted freshwater spring. And what then were my reflections ? I thought it was lovely in everything but its name—" Tom Moore's Spring !" Who, in the name of all that's romantic, could call such a spring by such a name ? Had it been the " fairy's spring," or the " spring of the mountain sylph," or something of the kind, it would have sounded as it ought, and some charming legend might have been attached. But who could ever inquire after " Tom Moore ?" Why, the name of such a being puts all fancies to the flight ! Thus far had my thoughts wandered, when suddenly, an ideal form passed before me ; her sweet and classic countenance-—her eyes which mocked the heavens in their dye— her long and silken lashes which drank the dew of her vermilion cheeks, all conspired to render me entranced. A blue mantle floated from her shoulders, and a thousand