VOLUME 1 CHAPTER I is .
* * On , in , stood , in the year 1584 , .
From windows were seen stretching along the , gay with , and .
To the south , the view was bounded by , whose summits , veiled in clouds , or exhibiting awful forms , seen , and lost again , as the partial vapours rolled along , were sometimes barren , and gleamed through the blue tinge of air , and sometimes frowned with forests of gloomy pine , that swept downward to base .
were contrasted by the soft green of ; among whose flocks , and herds , and , the eye , after having scaled above , delighted to repose .
To the north , and to the east , were lost in the mist of distance ; on the west , was bounded by .
loved to wander , with and , on , and to listen to the music that floated on waves .
had known life in other forms than those of pastoral simplicity , having mingled in the gay and in the busy scenes of ; but the flattering portrait of , which had delineated in early youth , experience had too sorrowfully corrected .
Yet , amidst the changing visions of life , principles remained unshaken , benevolence unchilled ; and retired from the multitude ' more in PITY than in anger , ' to scenes of simple nature , to the pure delights of literature , and to the exercise of domestic virtues .
was , and it was designed , that the deficiency of patrimonial wealth should be supplied either by a splendid alliance in marriage , or by success in the intrigues of public affairs .
But had too nice a sense of honour to fulfil the latter hope , and too small a portion of ambition to sacrifice what called happiness , to the attainment of wealth .
After the death of married , equal in birth , and not superior in fortune .
's liberality , or extravagance , had so much involved affairs , that found it necessary to dispose of a part of the family domain , and , some years after marriage , sold it to , , and retired to , where conjugal felicity , and parental duties , divided attention with the treasures of knowledge and the illuminations of genius .
To had been attached from infancy .
had often made excursions to when a boy , and the impressions of delight given to mind by the homely kindness of , to whom it was intrusted , and whose fruit and cream never failed , had not been obliterated by succeeding circumstances .
along which had so often bounded in the exultation of health , and youthful freedom -- , under whose refreshing shade had first indulged that pensive melancholy , which afterwards made a strong feature of character -- the wild walks of , , on whose waves had floated , and , which seemed boundless as early hopes -- were never after remembered by but with enthusiasm and regret .
At length disengaged from , and retired hither , to realize the wishes of many years .
, as then stood , was merely , rendered interesting to by neat simplicity , or the beauty of the surrounding scene ; and considerable additions were necessary to make .
felt a kind of affection for every part of the fabric , which remembered in youth , and would not suffer a stone of to be removed , so that , adapted to the style of , formed with only .
The taste of was conspicuous in its internal finishing , where the same chaste simplicity was observable in the furniture , and in the few ornaments of the , that characterized the manners of .
occupied , and was enriched by a collection of the best books in the ancient and modern languages .
opened upon , which stood on , that fell towards , and the tall trees gave a melancholy and pleasing shade ; while from the windows the eye caught , beneath the spreading branches , , and overlooked on the left by .
Adjoining was , stored with scarce and beautiful plants ; for one of the amusements of was the study of botany , and among , which afforded a luxurious feast to the mind of , often passed the day in the pursuit of favourite science .
was sometimes accompanied in these little excursions by , and frequently by ; when , with a small osier basket to receive plants , and another filled with cold refreshments , such as the cabin of did not afford , wandered away among the most romantic and magnificent scenes , nor suffered the charms of Nature 's lowly children to abstract from the observance of her stupendous works .
When weary of sauntering among , and where no track appeared on the vegetation , but what the foot of the izard had left ; would seek , which so beautifully adorn , where , under the shade of the lofty larch , or cedar , enjoyed simple repast , made sweeter by the waters of , and by the breath of wild flowers and aromatic plants , that fringed the rocks , and inlaid the grass .
Adjoining , looking towards , was , which called , and which contained books , drawings , musical instruments , with some favourite birds and plants .
usually exercised in elegant arts , cultivated only because they were congenial to taste , and in which native genius , assisted by the instructions of and , made an early proficient .
The windows of were particularly pleasant ; they descended to the floor , and , opening upon , the eye was led between groves of almond , palm-trees , flowering-ash , and myrtle , to .
were often seen on an evening , when the day 's labour was done , dancing in groups on .
sprightly melodies , debonnaire steps , the fanciful figure of dances , with the tasteful and capricious manner in which adjusted simple dress , gave a character to the scene entirely French .
, which , having a southern aspect , opened upon the grandeur of , was occupied on the ground floor by , and .
, for had , was laid out in , except , and which was generally used for .
In , had made very tasteful improvements ; yet , such was attachment to objects had remembered from boyish days , that had in some instances sacrificed taste to sentiment .
There were two old larches that shaded , and interrupted the prospect ; had sometimes declared that believed should have been weak enough to have wept at their fall .
In addition to these larches planted a little grove of beech , pine , and mountain-ash .
On , formed by , rose .
With these were mingled a few trees of other species .
, under the ample shade of a plane-tree , that spread its majestic canopy towards , loved to sit in the fine evenings of summer , with and , watching , beneath its foliage , the setting sun , the mild splendour of its light fading from the distant landscape , till the shadows of twilight melted its various features into one tint of sober grey .
, too , loved to read , and to converse with ; or to play with , resigning to the influence of those sweet affections , which are ever attendant on simplicity and nature .
has often said , while tears of pleasure trembled in eyes , that these were moments infinitely more delightful than any passed amid the brilliant and tumultuous scenes that are courted by .
was occupied ; it had , what can be so rarely said , no wish for a happiness beyond what it experienced .
The consciousness of acting right diffused a serenity over manners , which nothing else could impart to , and which refined sense of every surrounding blessing .
The deepest shade of twilight did not send from favourite plane-tree .
loved the soothing hour , when the last tints of light die away ; when the stars , one by one , tremble through aether , and are reflected on the dark mirror of the waters ; that hour , which , of all others , inspires the mind with pensive tenderness , and often elevates it to sublime contemplation .
When the moon shed her soft rays among the foliage , still lingered , and pastoral supper of cream and fruits was often spread beneath it .
Then , on the stillness of night , came the song of the nightingale , breathing sweetness , and awakening melancholy .