Some of his hock was a most rich and
imperial wine, such as can hardly be had on the Rhine itself. There were
eight gentlemen besides Bennoch.
A donkey, the other day, stubbornly refusing to come out of a boat which
had brought him across the Mersey; at last, after many kicks had been
applied, and other persecutions of that kind, a man stepped forward,
addressing him affectionately, "Come along, brother,"--and the donkey
obeyed at once.
October 26th.--On Thursday, instead of taking the rail for Liverpool, I
set out, about eleven, for a long walk. It was an overcast morning, such
as in New England would have boded rain; but English clouds are not
nearly so portentous as American in that respect. Accordingly, the sun
soon began to peep through crevices, and I had not gone more than a mile
or two when it shone a little too warmly for comfort, yet not more than I
liked. It was very much like our pleasant October days at home; indeed,
the climates of the two countries more nearly coincide during the present
month than at any other season of the year. The air was almost perfectly
still; but once in a while it stirred, and breathed coolly in my face; it
is very delightful, this latent freshness, in a warm atmosphere.
The country about Southport has as few charms as it is possible for any
region to have. In the close neighborhood of the shore, it is nothing
but sand-hillocks, covered with coarse grass; and this is the original
nature of the whole site on which the town stands, although it is now
paved, and has been covered with soil enough to make gardens, and to
nourish here and there a few trees.
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