THE
AUTHOR'S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF.
"I am of this mind with Homer, that as the
snaile that crept out of her shell was turned eftsoons
into a toad, and thereby was forced to make
a stoole to sit on; so the traveller that stragleth
from his owne country is in a short time transformed
into so monstrous a shape, that he is faine
to alter his mansion with his manners, and to live
where he can, not where he would."
I was always fond of visiting new
scenes, and observing strange characters
and manners. Even when a mere
child I began my travels, and made
many tours of discovery into foreign
parts and unknown regions of my native
city, to the frequent alarm of my parents,
and the emolument of the town crier.
As I grew into boyhood, I extended the
range of my observations. My holiday
afternoons were spent in rambles about
the surrounding country. I made myself
familiar with all its places famous in
history or fable. I knew every spot
where a murder or robbery had been
committed, or a ghost seen. I visited
the neighbouring villages, and added
greatly to my stock of knowledge, by
