eleven
o'clock
The sight of so many little innocents joining in the most sublime harmony made me almost think myself already amongst the heavenly choir , and it was a great mortification to me to be brought back to this sensual world by so gross an attraction as a call to supper , which put an end to our concert , and carried us to another room , where we found a repast more elegant than expensive . The evening certainly is the most social part of the day , without any of those excesses which so often turn it into senseless revelry . The conversation after supper was particularly animated , and left us still more charmed with the society into which chance had introduced us ; the sprightliness of their wit , the justness of their reflections , the dignity which accompanied their vivacity , plainly evinced with how much greater strength the mind can exert itself in a regular and rational way of life , than in a course of dissipation . At this house every change came too soon , time seemed to wear a double portion of wings , eleven o'clock struck , and the ladies ordered a servant to shew us our rooms , themselves retiring to theirs . It was impossible for Lamont and I to part till we had spent an hour in talking over this amiable family , with whom he could not help being much delighted , though he observed they were very deficient in the bon ton , there was too much solidity in all they said , they would trifle with trifles indeed , but had not the art of treating more weighty subjects with the same lightness , which gave them an air of rusticity ; and he did not doubt , but on a more intimate acquaintance we should find their manners much rusticated , and their heads filled with antiquated notions , by having lived so long out of the great world . I rose the next morning very early , desirous to make the day , which I purposed for the last of my abode in this mansion , as long as I could . I went directly into the garden , which , by what I saw from the house , was extremely pretty .