Oh that the multitude of chimneys could speak , like those of Madrid , and betray in smoky whispers the secrets of all who since their first foundation have assembled at the hearths within ! Oh that the Limping Devil of Le Sage would perch beside me here , extend his wand over this contiguity of roofs , uncover every chamber and make me familiar with their inhabitants ! The most desirable mode of existence might be that of a spiritualized Paul Pry hovering invisible round man and woman , witnessing their deeds , searching into their hearts , borrowing brightness from their felicity and shade from their sorrow , and retaining no emotion peculiar to himself . But none of these things are possible ; and if I would know the interior of brick walls or the mystery of human bosoms , I can but guess . Yonder is a fair street extending north and south . The stately mansions are placed each on its carpet of verdant grass , and a long flight of steps descends from every door to the pavement . Ornamental trees -- the broadleafed horse-chestnut , the elm so lofty and bending , the graceful but infrequent willow , and others whereof I know not the names -- grow thrivingly among brick and stone . The oblique rays of the sun are intercepted by these green citizens and by the houses , so that one side of the street is a shaded and pleasant walk . On its whole extent there is now but a single passenger , advancing from the upper end , and he , unless distance and the medium of a pocket spyglass do him more than justice , is a fine young man of twenty . He saunters slowly forward , slapping his left hand with his folded gloves , bending his eyes upon the pavement , and sometimes raising them to throw a glance before him . Certainly he has a pensive air . Is he in doubt or in debt ? Is he -- if the question be allowable -- in love ? Does he strive to be melancholy and gentlemanlike , or is he merely overcome by the heat ? But I bid him farewell for the present . The door of one of the houses -- an aristocratic edifice with curtains of purple and gold waving from the windows -- is now opened , and down the steps come two ladies swinging their parasols and lightly arrayed for a summer ramble . Both are young , both are pretty ; but methinks the left-hand lass is the fairer of the twain , and , though she be so serious at this moment , I could swear that there is a treasure of gentle fun within her . They stand talking a little while upon the steps , and finally proceed up the street . Meantime , as their faces are now turned from me , I may look elsewhere . Upon that wharf and down the corresponding street is a busy contrast to the quiet scene which I have just noticed .
Business evidently has its centre there , and many a man is wasting the summer afternoon in labor and anxiety , in losing riches or XXXXX gaining them , when he would be wiser to flee away to some pleasant country village or shaded lake in the forest or wild and cool sea-beach .
at before beside down in like than that with within