The Argosy — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

. On the Wye. 133 gliding along, drifting downwards : now in calm, untroubled waters, now passing over a small shallow rapid, that, like a shrew, for ever disturbed the peaceful surface of its life by its senseless murmurings. At length, a long reach of river, spanned by a distant bridge, a church spire rising picturesquely amidst trees, and Monmouth stood before us. It is needless to enter fully into the attractions of the ancient town. Agnes Strickland describes its site as the most beautiful in England: a verdict to be received with hesitation, exquisite as it is. Shakespeare and Gray have sung its praises, in company with historians and novelists. It is supposed to have been a Roman station, and was fortified at a very early date. Its castle, of which little remains, is one of the most celebrated and interesting in the annals of history, as being the birthplace of Henry V. Landing from the boat, we bent our steps towards the hotel to which we had been recommended. On our way we found little to arrest the attention, with the exception of one or two old curiosity shops, whose ancient china so roused A.’s love of the antique that she could with difficulty be drawn from them. Whilst dinner was being prepared at the hotel we sauntered forth for a further inspection of the town. As the needle to the pole, as the charmed to the charmer, as a lover to his mistress, so A. insensibly led the way back to the old curiosity shops. This time an outward inspection was by no means sufficient, and I entered with a feeling of resignation. Il faut payer pour ses plaisirs. But the danger was delayed—delayed, not dismissed. One of the chief rooms, where reposed the most valuable specimens of rare and antique china (we quote from the owner of said china), was locked up, and could not be opened that night. Trembling, I heard a decision given to return the next morning : and knew my fate. This episode would scarcely call for record, but that it subsequently gave rise to a somewhat amusing incident. Whether amusing or not to the present writer, the reader may judge of in time and place. As for the town itself a very few words will suffice. The streets seemed wide enough and well built in places, but few traces of antiquity were observable in a hasty inspection. The gateway of the bridge over the Monnow was interesting, but, like most other things, spoilt by restoration. The next morning, instead of continuing our journey to Chepstow by water, it was decided, after some deliberation, to drive thither by the banks of the river. The drive is preferable to the row, and is justly considered one of the most exquisite in England. Every feature of the landscape comes out fully ; whilst, on the other hand, towards Chepstow the river becomes so tidal as frequently to leave its muddy banks exposed to view: thus, when seen from the waters—which now lose their transparency and become thick and turbid—disturbing many of the romantic feelings and impressions that have gone before. comicbooks.com