and through them. 38. In the buildings therein; which are
REV. J. WESLEY'S
[Oct. 1779.
Sun. 3.—I preached once more in the Square, to a multitude of people; and afterwards spent a solemn hour with the society, in renewing our covenant with God.
Mon. 4.—I left Bristol, preached at the Devizes at eleven, and in the evening at Sarum.
Twesday, 5. I preached at Whitchurch, where many, even of the rich, attended, and behaved with much seriousness. Wednesday, 6. At eleven I preached in Winchester, where there are four thousand five hundred French prisoners.
I was glad to find they have plenty of wholesome food; and are treated, in all respects, with great humanity.
In the evening I preached at Portsmouth-Common. Thursday, 7. I took a view of the camp adjoining to the town, and wondered to find it as clean and neat asa gentleman's garden.
But there was no Chaplain.
The English soldiers of this age have nothing to do with God !
Fri. 8.—We took chaise, as usual, at two, and about eleven came to Cobham.
Having a little leisure, I thought I could not employ it better than in taking a walk through the gardens.
They are said to take up four hundred acres, and are admirably well laid out.
They far exceed the celebrated gardens at Stow ; and that in several respects :—1. In situation ; lying on a much higher hill, and having a finer prospect from the house.
2. In having a natural river, clear as crystal, running beneath and through them.
38. In the buildings therein; which are fewer indeed, but far more elegant; yea, and far better kept, being nicely clean, which is sadly wanting at Stow.
And, lastly, In the rock-work ; to which nothing of the kind at Stow is to be compared.
This night I lodged in the new house at London.
How many more nights have I to spend there ?
Mon. 11.—I began my little tour into Northamptonshire.
In the evening I preached at Stony-Stratford; the next day at Honslip, and at Morton, a little mile from Buckingham. Wednesday, 13.
Having so lately seen Stourhead and Cobham gardens, I was now desired to take a view of the much more celebrated gardens at Stow.
The first thing I observed was the beautiful water which runs through the gardens, to the front of the house.
The tufts of trees, placed on each side of this, are wonderfully pleasant ; and so are many of the walks and glades through the woods, which are disposed with a fine