I answered from Nettlebed, and added, that I had attended divine
service there that morning.
"As you probably passed through Dorchester this afternoon," said he,
"you might have heard me preach also, had you come into the church
there, for that is my curacy, from which I am just come, and am now
returning to Oxford." "So you are a clergyman;" said I, quite
overjoyed that, in a dark night, I had met a companion on the road,
who was of the same profession as myself. "And I, also," said I,
"am a preacher of the gospel, though not of this country." And now
I thought it right to give him to understand, that it was not, as I
had before intimated, out of absolute poverty, but with a view of
becoming better acquainted with men and manners, that I thus
travelled on foot. He was as much pleased with this agreeable
meeting as myself, and before we took a step farther, we cordially
shook hands.
He now began to address me in Latin, and on my answering him in that
language, which I attempted to pronounce according to the English
manner of speaking it, he applauded me not a little for my correct
pronunciation. He then told me, that some years ago, in the night
also, and nearly at the same spot where he found me, he had met
another German, who likewise spoke to him in Latin; but this unknown
countryman of mine had pronounced it so very badly, that he said it
was absolutely unintelligible.
The conversation now turned on various theological matters; and
among others on the novel notions of a Dr. Priestly, whom he roundly
blamed. I was not at all disposed to dispute that point with him,
and so, professing with great sincerity, a high esteem for the
Church of England, and great respect and regard for its clergy, I
seemed to gain his good opinion.
Beguiling the tediousness of the road by such discourse, we were now
got, almost without knowing it, quite to Oxford.
He told me I should now see one of the finest and most beautiful
cities, not only in England, but in all Europe. All he lamented,
was, that on account of the darkness of the night, I should not
immediately see it.
This really was the case: "And now," said he, as we entered the
town, "I introduce you into Oxford by one of the finest, the
longest, and most beautiful streets, not only in this city, but in
England, and I may safely add in all Europe."
The beauty and the magnificence of the street I could not
distinguish; but of its length I was perfectly sensible by my
fatigue; for we still went on, and still through the longest, the
finest, and most beautiful street in Europe, which seemed to have no
end; nor had I any assurance that I should be able to find a bed for
myself in all this famous street.
