He coud not long withstand the Temptation of indulging his Eye with a View of the glorious and enchanting Prospect.
The Beautiful preferred to the Sublime, in Prospects.
42. But the Beautiful among the Objects below was still more attractive than the Sublime among those around.
Inverted Firmament what.
On looking down South by West, the Balloon often turning gently to the right and left, and giving the Aironaut an Opportunity of enjoying the circular View without a Change of Attitude; innumerable Rays of Light darted on the Eye as it glanced along the Ground: which, tho’ of a gay green Colour, appeared like an inverted Firmament glittering with Stars of the first Magnitude.
43. This splendid Appearance was owing to the Rays of the Sun reflected from certain Pits or Ponds of Water, of which there is one at least in most Fields or Inclosures throughout the County: but particularly in the low Grounds of Leach-Eye and Dodleston.
Broad Turnpike Road a narrow Foot Path.
The Object that next drew his Attention, while ascending, was the Overley Turnpike-Road, which is remarkably wide, (resembling the Emilian Way across the Atrian Fens, between Bononia and Ferràra in Italy) raised over Saltney Marsh, leading to North-Wales and Holyhead: composed of Sea-Sand cast up above high Water Mark. This appeared like a narrow Foot-Path well trodden, of a white Colour, and strait as if drawn by a Line.
River Dee red.
44. Nothing however raised his Curiosity more than the Change in Colour of the River Dee, Avon ddû, (i. e. Thee) which in the British Language signifies the black River, from the Appearance of its Waters, when seen from an Eminence running in their deep Channel between the Mountains of Wales; but which glides by Chester with a Silver Stream. This River,—Thanks to the cool Climate; not like the green Mincius of Virgil!—had now acquired the unvaried Colour of red Lead. Nor coud he discover even the Appearance of Water; but merely that of a broad red Line, twining in Meanders infinitely more serpentine than are expressed in Maps.