The Argosy — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

. On the Wye. 129 absence of sunshine upon a landscape may almost be compared to the presence and absence of love in the heart of man. In the one case all is beauty, warmth, light, morning : in the other all becomes barren, cold, darkness, night. For scenery to have its full power and influence upon the mind and spirit, the accompaniment of sunshine is in- dispensable, Ross: with its steep, straggling streets, and old-fashioned looking houses, gable-roofed. It was consoling to find the rain had ceased, though the clouds still lingered. The large omnibus from the Royal Hotel was in waiting, and we had it to ourselves. The manager met us at the door, our note in hand. “Every sitting-room in the house was engaged, and had been for days past, but she had retained - excellent bedrooms.” s Well, it was no very severe affliction to dispense with a sitting-room for one night. And when one of the bedrooms disclosed its several windows overlooking the Wye, and all that glorious prospect that has become a byword, we felt that this left little to be desired in the shape of accommodation. Then, combining two meals, we ordered a substantial tea, which was soon made ready for us in the large coffee-room. This, like the omnibus, we had to ourselves. It was getting too late in the year for that phenomenon, the ordinary British tourist, and we profited by the fact. Tea ended, we found that we were just in time for evening service. Some years had elapsed since I last attended service in the fine old church, and I was glad to do so again. Asa boy I had spent a few weeks in Ross ; the beauty of the neighbourhood had produced an unfading impression upon me. I had never since visited the place, and wished to see how far time and change would strengthen or diminish these impressions. Is not this at all times 2 most melancholy and painful pleasure, if the interval be protracted to a period say of only ten years? The last time we visited such and such a spot— and this; the changes that have taken place in others and in ourselves ; old friends lost by death or circumstances, ’Tis then we realise the truth and pathos of the lines :-— “* Oft in the stilly night, Ere slumber’s chain has bound me, Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me. ' The smiles, the tears of boyhood’s years, , The words of love then spoken ; The eyes that shone, now dimmed and gone, The cheerful hearts, now broken ! ‘¢ When I remember all The friends, so linked tcgether, T’ve seen around me fall, Like leaves in wintry weather, Ooele VOL. XXII. K comicbooks.com