Thetimeisoneo'clockatnoon。Thescene,aplacewherewearetostayanddine,onthisjourney。Thecoachdrivesuptothedoorofaninn。Thedayiswarm,andthereareseveralidlerslingeringaboutthetavern,andwaitingforthepublicdinner。Amongthem,isastoutgentlemaninabrownhat,swinginghimselftoandfroinarocking-chaironthepavement。
Asthecoachstops,agentlemaninastrawhatlooksoutofthewindow:
STRAWHAT。Tothestoutgentlemanintherocking-chair。I
reckonthat'sJudgeJefferson,an'tit?
BROWNHAT。Stillswinging;speakingveryslowly;andwithoutanyemotionwhatever。Yes,sir。
STRAWHAT。Warmweather,Judge。
BROWNHAT。Yes,sir。
STRAWHAT。Therewasasnapofcold,lastweek。
BROWNHAT。Yes,sir。
STRAWHAT。Yes,sir。
Apause。Theylookateachother,veryseriously。
STRAWHAT。Icalculateyou'llhavegotthroughthatcaseofthecorporation,Judge,bythistime,now?
BROWNHAT。Yes,sir。
STRAWHAT。Howdidtheverdictgo,sir?
BROWNHAT。Forthedefendant,sir。
STRAWHAT。Interrogatively。Yes,sir?
BROWNHAT。Affirmatively。Yes,sir。
BOTH。Musingly,aseachgazesdownthestreet。Yes,sir。
Anotherpause。Theylookateachotheragain,stillmoreseriouslythanbefore。
BROWNHAT。Thiscoachisratherbehinditstimeto-day,Iguess。
STRAWHAT。Doubtingly。Yes,sir。
BROWNHAT。Lookingathiswatch。Yes,sir;nighupontwohours。
STRAWHAT。Raisinghiseyebrowsinverygreatsurprise。Yes,sir!
BROWNHAT。Decisively,asheputsuphiswatch。Yes,sir。
ALLTHEOTHERINSIDEPASSENGERS。Amongthemselves。Yes,sir。
COACHMAN。Inaverysurlytone。Noitan't。
STRAWHAT。Tothecoachman。Well,Idon'tknow,sir。Wewereaprettytalltimecomingthatlastfifteenmile。That'safact。
Thecoachmanmakingnoreply,andplainlydecliningtoenterintoanycontroversyonasubjectsofarremovedfromhissympathiesandfeelings,anotherpassengersays,'Yes,sir;'andthegentlemaninthestrawhatinacknowledgmentofhiscourtesy,says'Yes,sir,'
tohim,inreturn。Thestrawhattheninquiresofthebrownhat,whetherthatcoachinwhichhethestrawhatthensits,isnotanewone?Towhichthebrownhatagainmakesanswer,'Yes,sir。'
STRAWHAT。Ithoughtso。Prettyloudsmellofvarnish,sir?
BROWNHAT。Yes,sir。
ALLTHEOTHERINSIDEPASSENGERS。Yes,sir。
BROWNHAT。Tothecompanyingeneral。Yes,sir。
Theconversationalpowersofthecompanyhavingbeenbythistimeprettyheavilytaxed,thestrawhatopensthedoorandgetsout;
andalltherestalightalso。Wedinesoonafterwardswiththeboardersinthehouse,andhavenothingtodrinkbutteaandcoffee。Astheyarebothverybadandthewaterisworse,Iaskforbrandy;butitisaTemperanceHotel,andspiritsarenottobehadforloveormoney。ThispreposterousforcingofunpleasantdrinksdownthereluctantthroatsoftravellersisnotatalluncommoninAmerica,butIneverdiscoveredthatthescruplesofsuchwincinglandlordsinducedthemtopreserveanyunusuallynicebalancebetweenthequalityoftheirfare,andtheirscaleofcharges:onthecontrary,Irathersuspectedthemofdiminishingtheoneandexaltingtheother,bywayofrecompenseforthelossoftheirprofitonthesaleofspirituousliquors。Afterall,perhaps,theplainestcourseforpersonsofsuchtenderconsciences,wouldbe,atotalabstinencefromtavern-keeping。
Dinnerover,wegetintoanothervehiclewhichisreadyatthedoorforthecoachhasbeenchangedintheinterval,andresumeourjourney;whichcontinuesthroughthesamekindofcountryuntilevening,whenwecometothetownwherewearetostopforteaandsupper;andhavingdeliveredthemailbagsatthePost-office,ridethroughtheusualwidestreet,linedwiththeusualstoresandhousesthedrapersalwayshavinghungupattheirdoor,bywayofsign,apieceofbrightredcloth,tothehotelwherethismealisprepared。Therebeingmanyboardershere,wesitdown,alargeparty,andaverymelancholyoneasusual。Butthereisabuxomhostessattheheadofthetable,andopposite,asimpleWelshschoolmasterwithhiswifeandchild;whocamehere,onaspeculationofgreaterpromisethanperformance,toteachtheclassics:andtheyaresufficientsubjectsofinterestuntilthemealisover,andanothercoachisready。Initwegoononcemore,lightedbyabrightmoon,untilmidnight;whenwestoptochangethecoachagain,andremainforhalfanhourorsoinamiserableroom,withablurredlithographofWashingtonoverthesmokyfire-place,andamightyjugofcoldwateronthetable:towhichrefreshmentthemoodypassengersdosoapplythemselvesthattheywouldseemtobe,oneandall,keenpatientsofDr。Sangrado。
Amongthemisaverylittleboy,whochewstobaccolikeaverybigone;andadroninggentleman,whotalksarithmeticallyandstatisticallyonallsubjects,frompoetrydownwards;andwhoalwaysspeaksinthesamekey,withexactlythesameemphasis,andwithverygravedeliberation。Hecameoutsidejustnow,andtoldmehowthattheuncleofacertainyoungladywhohadbeenspiritedawayandmarriedbyacertaincaptain,livedintheseparts;andhowthisunclewassovaliantandferociousthatheshouldn'twonderifheweretofollowthesaidcaptaintoEngland,'andshoothimdowninthestreetwhereverhefoundhim;'inthefeasibilityofwhichstrongmeasureI,beingforthemomentratherpronetocontradiction,fromfeelinghalfasleepandverytired,declinedtoacquiesce:assuringhimthatiftheuncledidresorttoit,orgratifiedanyotherlittlewhimofthelikenature,hewouldfindhimselfonemorningprematurelythrottledattheOldBailey:andthathewoulddowelltomakehiswillbeforehewent,ashewouldcertainlywantitbeforehehadbeeninBritainverylong。
Onwego,allnight,andby-and-bythedaybeginstobreak,andpresentlythefirstcheerfulraysofthewarmsuncomeslantingonusbrightly。Itshedsitslightuponamiserablewasteofsoddengrass,anddulltrees,andsqualidhuts,whoseaspectisforlornandgrievousinthelastdegree。Averydesertinthewood,whosegrowthofgreenisdankandnoxiouslikethatuponthetopofstandingwater:wherepoisonousfungusgrowsintherarefootprintontheoozyground,andsproutslikewitches'coral,fromthecrevicesinthecabinwallandfloor;itisahideousthingtolieupontheverythresholdofacity。Butitwaspurchasedyearsago,andastheownercannotbediscovered,theStatehasbeenunabletoreclaimit。Sothereitremains,inthemidstofcultivationandimprovement,likegroundaccursed,andmadeobsceneandrankbysomegreatcrime。
WereachedColumbusshortlybeforeseveno'clock,andstayedthere,torefresh,thatdayandnight:havingexcellentapartmentsinaverylargeunfinishedhotelcalledtheNeillHouse,whichwererichlyfittedwiththepolishedwoodoftheblackwalnut,andopenedonahandsomeporticoandstoneverandah,likeroomsinsomeItalianmansion。Thetowniscleanandpretty,andofcourseis'goingtobe'muchlarger。ItistheseatoftheStatelegislatureofOhio,andlaysclaim,inconsequence,tosomeconsiderationandimportance。
Therebeingnostage-coachnextday,upontheroadwewishedtotake,Ihired'anextra,'atareasonablechargetocarryustoTiffin;asmalltownfromwhencethereisarailroadtoSandusky。
Thisextrawasanordinaryfour-horsestage-coach,suchasIhavedescribed,changinghorsesanddrivers,asthestage-coachwould,butwasexclusivelyourownforthejourney。Toensureourhavinghorsesattheproperstations,andbeingincommodedbynostrangers,theproprietorssentanagentonthebox,whowastoaccompanyusthewholewaythrough;andthusattended,andbearingwithus,besides,ahamperfullofsavourycoldmeats,andfruit,andwine,westartedoffagaininhighspirits,athalf-pastsixo'clocknextmorning,verymuchdelightedtobebyourselves,anddisposedtoenjoyeventheroughestjourney。
Itwaswellforus,thatwewereinthishumour,fortheroadwewentoverthatday,wascertainlyenoughtohaveshakentempersthatwerenotresolutelyatSetFair,downtosomeinchesbelowStormy。Atonetimewewereallflungtogetherinaheapatthebottomofthecoach,andatanotherwewerecrushingourheadsagainsttheroof。Now,onesidewasdowndeepinthemire,andwewereholdingontotheother。Now,thecoachwaslyingonthetailsofthetwowheelers;andnowitwasrearingupintheair,inafranticstate,withallfourhorsesstandingonthetopofaninsurmountableeminence,lookingcoollybackatit,asthoughtheywouldsay'Unharnessus。Itcan'tbedone。'Thedriversontheseroads,whocertainlygetoverthegroundinamannerwhichisquitemiraculous,sotwistandturntheteamaboutinforcingapassage,corkscrewfashion,throughthebogsandswamps,thatitwasquiteacommoncircumstanceonlookingoutofthewindow,toseethecoachmanwiththeendsofapairofreinsinhishands,apparentlydrivingnothing,orplayingathorses,andtheleadersstaringatoneunexpectedlyfromthebackofthecoach,asiftheyhadsomeideaofgettingupbehind。Agreatportionofthewaywasoverwhatiscalledacorduroyroad,whichismadebythrowingtrunksoftreesintoamarsh,andleavingthemtosettlethere。Theveryslightestofthejoltswithwhichtheponderouscarriagefellfromlogtolog,wasenough,itseemed,tohavedislocatedallthebonesinthehumanbody。Itwouldbeimpossibletoexperienceasimilarsetofsensations,inanyothercircumstances,unlessperhapsinattemptingtogouptothetopofSt。Paul'sinanomnibus。Never,neveronce,thatday,wasthecoachinanyposition,attitude,orkindofmotiontowhichweareaccustomedincoaches。Neverdiditmakethesmallestapproachtoone'sexperienceoftheproceedingsofanysortofvehiclethatgoesonwheels。
Still,itwasafineday,andthetemperaturewasdelicious,andthoughwehadleftSummerbehindusinthewest,andwerefastleavingSpring,weweremovingtowardsNiagaraandhome。Wealightedinapleasantwoodtowardsthemiddleoftheday,dinedonafallentree,andleavingourbestfragmentswithacottager,andourworstwiththepigswhoswarminthispartofthecountrylikegrainsofsandonthesea-shore,tothegreatcomfortofourcommissariatinCanada,wewentforwardagain,gaily。
Asnightcameon,thetrackgrewnarrowerandnarrower,untilatlastitsolostitselfamongthetrees,thatthedriverseemedtofindhiswaybyinstinct。Wehadthecomfortofknowing,atleast,thattherewasnodangerofhisfallingasleep,foreverynowandthenawheelwouldstrikeagainstanunseenstumpwithsuchajerk,thathewasfaintoholdonprettytightandprettyquick,tokeephimselfuponthebox。Norwasthereanyreasontodreadtheleastdangerfromfuriousdriving,inasmuchasoverthatbrokengroundthehorseshadenoughtodotowalk;astoshying,therewasnoroomforthat;andaherdofwildelephantscouldnothaverunawayinsuchawood,withsuchacoachattheirheels。Sowestumbledalong,quitesatisfied。
ThesestumpsoftreesareacuriousfeatureinAmericantravelling。
Thevaryingillusionstheypresenttotheunaccustomedeyeasitgrowsdark,arequiteastonishingintheirnumberandreality。
Now,thereisaGrecianurnerectedinthecentreofalonelyfield;nowthereisawomanweepingatatomb;nowaverycommonplaceoldgentlemaninawhitewaistcoat,withathumbthrustintoeacharm-holeofhiscoat;nowastudentporingonabook;nowacrouchingnegro;now,ahorse,adog,acannon,anarmedman;ahunch-backthrowingoffhiscloakandsteppingforthintothelight。Theywereoftenasentertainingtomeassomanyglassesinamagiclantern,andnevertooktheirshapesatmybidding,butseemedtoforcethemselvesuponme,whetherIwouldorno;andstrangetosay,Isometimesrecognisedinthemcounterpartsoffiguresoncefamiliartomeinpicturesattachedtochildishbooks,forgottenlongago。
Itsoonbecametoodark,however,evenforthisamusement,andthetreesweresoclosetogetherthattheirdrybranchesrattledagainstthecoachoneitherside,andobligedusalltokeepourheadswithin。Itlightenedtoo,forthreewholehours;eachflashbeingverybright,andblue,andlong;andasthevividstreakscamedartinginamongthecrowdedbranches,andthethunderrolledgloomilyabovethetreetops,onecouldscarcelyhelpthinkingthattherewerebetterneighbourhoodsatsuchatimethanthickwoodsafforded。
Atlength,betweentenandeleveno'clockatnight,afewfeeblelightsappearedinthedistance,andUpperSandusky,anIndianvillage,whereweweretostaytillmorning,laybeforeus。
TheyweregonetobedatthelogInn,whichwastheonlyhouseofentertainmentintheplace,butsoonansweredtoourknocking,andgotsometeaforusinasortofkitchenorcommonroom,tapestriedwitholdnewspapers,pastedagainstthewall。Thebed-chambertowhichmywifeandIwereshown,wasalarge,low,ghostlyroom;
withaquantityofwitheredbranchesonthehearth,andtwodoorswithoutanyfastening,oppositetoeachother,bothopeningontheblacknightandwildcountry,andsocontrived,thatoneofthemalwaysblewtheotheropen:anoveltyindomesticarchitecture,whichIdonotremembertohaveseenbefore,andwhichIwassomewhatdisconcertedtohaveforcedonmyattentionaftergettingintobed,asIhadaconsiderablesumingoldforourtravellingexpenses,inmydressing-case。Someoftheluggage,however,piledagainstthepanels,soonsettledthisdifficulty,andmysleepwouldnothavebeenverymuchaffectedthatnight,Ibelieve,thoughithadfailedtodoso。
MyBostonfriendclimbeduptobed,somewhereintheroof,whereanotherguestwasalreadysnoringhugely。Butbeingbittenbeyondhispowerofendurance,heturnedoutagain,andfledforsheltertothecoach,whichwasairingitselfinfrontofthehouse。Thiswasnotaverypoliticstep,asitturnedout;forthepigsscentinghim,andlookinguponthecoachasakindofpiewithsomemannerofmeatinside,gruntedrounditsohideously,thathewasafraidtocomeoutagain,andlaythereshivering,tillmorning。
Norwasitpossibletowarmhim,whenhedidcomeout,bymeansofaglassofbrandy:forinIndianvillages,thelegislature,withaverygoodandwiseintention,forbidsthesaleofspiritsbytavernkeepers。Theprecaution,however,isquiteinefficacious,fortheIndiansneverfailtoprocureliquorofaworsekind,atadearerprice,fromtravellingpedlars。
ItisasettlementoftheWyandotIndianswhoinhabitthisplace。
Amongthecompanyatbreakfastwasamildoldgentleman,whohadbeenformanyyearsemployedbytheUnitedStatesGovernmentinconductingnegotiationswiththeIndians,andwhohadjustconcludedatreatywiththesepeoplebywhichtheyboundthemselves,inconsiderationofacertainannualsum,toremovenextyeartosomelandprovidedforthem,westoftheMississippi,andalittlewaybeyondSt。Louis。Hegavemeamovingaccountoftheirstrongattachmenttothefamiliarscenesoftheirinfancy,andinparticulartotheburial-placesoftheirkindred;andoftheirgreatreluctancetoleavethem。Hehadwitnessedmanysuchremovals,andalwayswithpain,thoughheknewthattheydepartedfortheirowngood。Thequestionwhetherthistribeshouldgoorstay,hadbeendiscussedamongthemadayortwobefore,inahuterectedforthepurpose,thelogsofwhichstilllayuponthegroundbeforetheinn。Whenthespeakingwasdone,theayesandnoeswererangedonoppositesides,andeverymaleadultvotedinhisturn。Themomenttheresultwasknown,theminorityalargeonecheerfullyyieldedtotherest,andwithdrewallkindofopposition。
WemetsomeofthesepoorIndiansafterwards,ridingonshaggyponies。Theyweresolikethemeanersortofgipsies,thatifI
couldhaveseenanyoftheminEngland,Ishouldhaveconcluded,asamatterofcourse,thattheybelongedtothatwanderingandrestlesspeople。
Leavingthistowndirectlyafterbreakfast,wepushedforwardagain,overaratherworseroadthanyesterday,ifpossible,andarrivedaboutnoonatTiffin,wherewepartedwiththeextra。Attwoo'clockwetooktherailroad;thetravellingonwhichwasveryslow,itsconstructionbeingindifferent,andthegroundwetandmarshy;andarrivedatSanduskyintimetodinethatevening。WeputupatacomfortablelittlehotelonthebrinkofLakeErie,laytherethatnight,andhadnochoicebuttowaittherenextday,untilasteamboatboundforBuffaloappeared。Thetown,whichwassluggishanduninterestingenough,wassomethinglikethebackofanEnglishwatering-place,outoftheseason。
Ourhost,whowasveryattentiveandanxioustomakeuscomfortable,wasahandsomemiddle-agedman,whohadcometothistownfromNewEngland,inwhichpartofthecountryhewas'raised。'WhenIsaythatheconstantlywalkedinandoutoftheroomwithhishaton;andstoppedtoconverseinthesamefree-and-
easystate;andlaydownonoursofa,andpulledhisnewspaperoutofhispocket,andreaditathisease;Imerelymentionthesetraitsascharacteristicofthecountry:notatallasbeingmatterofcomplaint,orashavingbeendisagreeabletome。I
shouldundoubtedlybeoffendedbysuchproceedingsathome,becausetheretheyarenotthecustom,andwheretheyarenot,theywouldbeimpertinencies;butinAmerica,theonlydesireofagood-
naturedfellowofthiskind,istotreathisguestshospitablyandwell;andIhadnomoreright,andIcantrulysaynomoredisposition,tomeasurehisconductbyourEnglishruleandstandard,thanIhadtoquarrelwithhimfornotbeingoftheexactstaturewhichwouldqualifyhimforadmissionintotheQueen'sgrenadierguards。AslittleinclinationhadItofindfaultwithafunnyoldladywhowasanupperdomesticinthisestablishment,andwho,whenshecametowaituponusatanymeal,satherselfdowncomfortablyinthemostconvenientchair,andproducingalargepintopickherteethwith,remainedperformingthatceremony,andsteadfastlyregardingusmeanwhilewithmuchgravityandcomposurenowandthenpressingustoeatalittlemore,untilitwastimetoclearaway。Itwasenoughforus,thatwhateverwewisheddonewasdonewithgreatcivilityandreadiness,andadesiretooblige,notonlyhere,buteverywhereelse;andthatallourwantswere,ingeneral,zealouslyanticipated。
Weweretakinganearlydinneratthishouse,onthedayafterourarrival,whichwasSunday,whenasteamboatcameinsight,andpresentlytouchedatthewharf。AssheprovedtobeonherwaytoBuffalo,wehurriedonboardwithallspeed,andsoonleftSanduskyfarbehindus。
Shewasalargevesseloffivehundredtons,andhandsomelyfittedup,thoughwithhigh-pressureengines;whichalwaysconveyedthatkindoffeelingtome,whichIshouldbelikelytoexperience,I
think,ifIhadlodgingsonthefirst-floorofapowder-mill。Shewasladenwithflour,somecasksofwhichcommoditywerestoreduponthedeck。Thecaptaincominguptohavealittleconversation,andtointroduceafriend,seatedhimselfastrideofoneofthesebarrels,likeaBacchusofprivatelife;andpullingagreatclasp-knifeoutofhispocket,beganto'whittle'itashetalked,byparingthinslicesofftheedges。Andhewhittledwithsuchindustryandheartygoodwill,thatbutforhisbeingcalledawayverysoon,itmusthavedisappearedbodily,andleftnothinginitsplacebutgristandshavings。
Aftercallingatoneortwoflatplaces,withlowdamsstretchingoutintothelake,whereonwerestumpylighthouses,likewindmillswithoutsails,thewholelookinglikeaDutchvignette,wecameatmidnighttoCleveland,wherewelayallnight,anduntilnineo'clocknextmorning。
Ientertainedquiteacuriosityinreferencetothisplace,fromhavingseenatSanduskyaspecimenofitsliteratureintheshapeofanewspaper,whichwasverystrongindeeduponthesubjectofLordAshburton'srecentarrivalatWashington,toadjustthepointsindisputebetweentheUnitedStatesGovernmentandGreatBritain:
informingitsreadersthatasAmericahad'whipped'Englandinherinfancy,andwhippedheragaininheryouth,soitwasclearlynecessarythatshemustwhipheronceagaininhermaturity;andpledgingitscredittoallTrueAmericans,thatifMr。Websterdidhisdutyintheapproachingnegotiations,andsenttheEnglishLordhomeagainindoublequicktime,theyshould,withintwoyears,sing'YankeeDoodleinHydePark,andHailColumbiainthescarletcourtsofWestminster!'Ifounditaprettytown,andhadthesatisfactionofbeholdingtheoutsideoftheofficeofthejournalfromwhichIhavejustquoted。Ididnotenjoythedelightofseeingthewitwhoinditedtheparagraphinquestion,butIhavenodoubtheisaprodigiousmaninhisway,andheldinhighreputebyaselectcircle。
Therewasagentlemanonboard,towhom,asIunintentionallylearnedthroughthethinpartitionwhichdividedourstate-roomfromthecabininwhichheandhiswifeconversedtogether,Iwasunwittinglytheoccasionofverygreatuneasiness。Idon'tknowwhyorwherefore,butIappearedtoruninhismindperpetually,andtodissatisfyhimverymuch。FirstofallIheardhimsay:
andthemostludicrouspartofthebusinesswas,thathesaiditinmyveryear,andcouldnothavecommunicatedmoredirectlywithme,ifhehadleaneduponmyshoulder,andwhisperedme:'Bozisonboardstill,mydear。'Afteraconsiderablepause,headded,complainingly,'Bozkeepshimselfveryclose;'whichwastrueenough,forIwasnotverywell,andwaslyingdown,withabook。
Ithoughthehaddonewithmeafterthis,butIwasdeceived;foralongintervalhavingelapsed,duringwhichIimaginehimtohavebeenturningrestlesslyfromsidetoside,andtryingtogotosleep;hebrokeoutagain,with'IsupposeTHATBozwillbewritingabookby-and-by,andputtingallournamesinit!'atwhichimaginaryconsequenceofbeingonboardaboatwithBoz,hegroaned,andbecamesilent。
WecalledatthetownofErie,ateighto'clockthatnight,andlaythereanhour。Betweenfiveandsixnextmorning,wearrivedatBuffalo,wherewebreakfasted;andbeingtooneartheGreatFallstowaitpatientlyanywhereelse,wesetoffbythetrain,thesamemorningatnineo'clock,toNiagara。
Itwasamiserableday;chillyandraw;adampmistfalling;andthetreesinthatnorthernregionquitebareandwintry。Wheneverthetrainhalted,Ilistenedfortheroar;andwasconstantlystrainingmyeyesinthedirectionwhereIknewtheFallsmustbe,fromseeingtheriverrollingontowardsthem;everymomentexpectingtobeholdthespray。Withinafewminutesofourstopping,notbefore,Isawtwogreatwhitecloudsrisingupslowlyandmajesticallyfromthedepthsoftheearth。Thatwasall。Atlengthwealighted:andthenforthefirsttime,Iheardthemightyrushofwater,andfeltthegroundtrembleunderneathmyfeet。
Thebankisverysteep,andwasslipperywithrain,andhalf-meltedice。IhardlyknowhowIgotdown,butIwassoonatthebottom,andclimbing,withtwoEnglishofficerswhowerecrossingandhadjoinedme,oversomebrokenrocks,deafenedbythenoise,half-
blindedbythespray,andwettotheskin。WewereatthefootoftheAmericanFall。Icouldseeanimmensetorrentofwatertearingheadlongdownfromsomegreatheight,buthadnoideaofshape,orsituation,oranythingbutvagueimmensity。
Whenwewereseatedinthelittleferry-boat,andwerecrossingtheswollenriverimmediatelybeforebothcataracts,Ibegantofeelwhatitwas:butIwasinamannerstunned,andunabletocomprehendthevastnessofthescene。ItwasnotuntilIcameonTableRock,andlooked-GreatHeaven,onwhatafallofbright-
greenwater!-thatitcameuponmeinitsfullmightandmajesty。
Then,whenIfelthowneartomyCreatorIwasstanding,thefirsteffect,andtheenduringone-instantandlasting-ofthetremendousspectacle,wasPeace。PeaceofMind,tranquillity,calmrecollectionsoftheDead,greatthoughtsofEternalRestandHappiness:nothingofgloomorterror。Niagarawasatoncestampeduponmyheart,anImageofBeauty;toremainthere,changelessandindelible,untilitspulsesceasetobeat,forever。
Oh,howthestrifeandtroubleofdailyliferecededfrommyview,andlessenedinthedistance,duringthetenmemorabledayswepassedonthatEnchantedGround!Whatvoicesspokefromoutthethunderingwater;whatfaces,fadedfromtheearth,lookedoutuponmefromitsgleamingdepths;whatHeavenlypromiseglistenedinthoseangels'tears,thedropsofmanyhues,thatshoweredaround,andtwinedthemselvesaboutthegorgeousarcheswhichthechangingrainbowsmade!
IneverstirredinallthattimefromtheCanadianside,whitherI
hadgoneatfirst。Inevercrossedtheriveragain;forIknewtherewerepeopleontheothershore,andinsuchaplaceitisnaturaltoshunstrangecompany。Towandertoandfroallday,andseethecataractsfromallpointsofview;tostandupontheedgeofthegreatHorse-ShoeFall,markingthehurriedwatergatheringstrengthasitapproachedtheverge,yetseeming,too,topausebeforeitshotintothegulfbelow;togazefromtheriver'slevelupatthetorrentasitcamestreamingdown;toclimbtheneighbouringheightsandwatchitthroughthetrees,andseethewreathingwaterintherapidshurryingontotakeitsfearfulplunge;tolingerintheshadowofthesolemnrocksthreemilesbelow;watchingtheriveras,stirredbynovisiblecause,itheavedandeddiedandawoketheechoes,beingtroubledyet,fardownbeneaththesurface,byitsgiantleap;tohaveNiagarabeforeme,lightedbythesunandbythemoon,redintheday'sdecline,andgreyaseveningslowlyfelluponit;tolookuponiteveryday,andwakeupinthenightandhearitsceaselessvoice:thiswasenough。
Ithinkineveryquietseasonnow,stilldothosewatersrollandleap,androarandtumble,alldaylong;stillaretherainbowsspanningthem,ahundredfeetbelow。Still,whenthesunisonthem,dotheyshineandglowlikemoltengold。Still,whenthedayisgloomy,dotheyfalllikesnow,orseemtocrumbleawaylikethefrontofagreatchalkcliff,orrolldowntherocklikedensewhitesmoke。Butalwaysdoesthemightystreamappeartodieasitcomesdown,andalwaysfromitsunfathomablegravearisesthattremendousghostofsprayandmistwhichisneverlaid:whichhashauntedthisplacewiththesamedreadsolemnitysinceDarknessbroodedonthedeep,andthatfirstfloodbeforetheDeluge-Light-camerushingonCreationatthewordofGod。
CHAPTERXV-INCANADA;TORONTO;KINGSTON;MONTREAL;QUEBEC;ST。
JOHN'S。INTHEUNITEDSTATESAGAIN;LEBANON;THESHAKERVILLAGE;
WESTPOINT
Iwishtoabstainfrominstitutinganycomparison,ordrawinganyparallelwhatever,betweenthesocialfeaturesoftheUnitedStatesandthoseoftheBritishPossessionsinCanada。Forthisreason,I
shallconfinemyselftoaverybriefaccountofourjourneyingsinthelatterterritory。
ButbeforeIleaveNiagara,ImustadverttoonedisgustingcircumstancewhichcanhardlyhaveescapedtheobservationofanydecenttravellerwhohasvisitedtheFalls。
OnTableRock,thereisacottagebelongingtoaGuide,wherelittlerelicsoftheplacearesold,andwherevisitorsregistertheirnamesinabookkeptforthepurpose。Onthewalloftheroominwhichagreatmanyofthesevolumesarepreserved,thefollowingrequestisposted:'Visitorswillpleasenotcopynorextracttheremarksandpoeticaleffusionsfromtheregistersandalbumskepthere。'
Butforthisintimation,Ishouldhaveletthemlieuponthetablesonwhichtheywerestrewnwithcarefulnegligence,likebooksinadrawing-room:beingquitesatisfiedwiththestupendoussillinessofcertainstanzaswithananti-climaxattheendofeach,whichwereframedandhunguponthewall。Curious,however,afterreadingthisannouncement,toseewhatkindofmorselsweresocarefullypreserved,Iturnedafewleaves,andfoundthemscrawledalloverwiththevilestandthefilthiestribaldrythateverhumanhogsdelightedin。
Itishumiliatingenoughtoknowthatthereareamongmenbrutessoobsceneandworthless,thattheycandelightinlayingtheirmiserableprofanationsupontheverystepsofNature'sgreatestaltar。Butthattheseshouldbehoardedupforthedelightoftheirfellow-swine,andkeptinapublicplacewhereanyeyesmayseethem,isadisgracetotheEnglishlanguageinwhichtheyarewrittenthoughIhopefewoftheseentrieshavebeenmadebyEnglishmen,andareproachtotheEnglishside,onwhichtheyarepreserved。
ThequartersofoursoldiersatNiagara,arefinelyandairilysituated。SomeofthemarelargedetachedhousesontheplainabovetheFalls,whichwereoriginallydesignedforhotels;andintheeveningtime,whenthewomenandchildrenwereleaningoverthebalconieswatchingthemenastheyplayedatballandothergamesuponthegrassbeforethedoor,theyoftenpresentedalittlepictureofcheerfulnessandanimationwhichmadeitquiteapleasuretopassthatway。
AtanygarrisonedpointwherethelineofdemarcationbetweenonecountryandanotherissoverynarrowasatNiagara,desertionfromtherankscanscarcelyfailtobeoffrequentoccurrence:anditmaybereasonablysupposedthatwhenthesoldiersentertainthewildestandmaddesthopesofthefortuneandindependencethatawaitthemontheotherside,theimpulsetoplaytraitor,whichsuchaplacesuggeststodishonestminds,isnotweakened。Butitveryrarelyhappensthatthemenwhododesert,arehappyorcontentedafterwards;andmanyinstanceshavebeenknowninwhichtheyhaveconfessedtheirgrievousdisappointment,andtheirearnestdesiretoreturntotheiroldserviceiftheycouldbutbeassuredofpardon,orlenienttreatment。Manyoftheircomrades,notwithstanding,dothelike,fromtimetotime;andinstancesoflossoflifeintheefforttocrosstheriverwiththisobject,arefarfrombeinguncommon。Severalmenweredrownedintheattempttoswimacross,notlongago;andone,whohadthemadnesstotrusthimselfuponatableasaraft,wassweptdowntothewhirlpool,wherehismangledbodyeddiedroundandroundsomedays。
IaminclinedtothinkthatthenoiseoftheFallsisverymuchexaggerated;andthiswillappearthemoreprobablewhenthedepthofthegreatbasininwhichthewaterisreceived,istakenintoaccount。Atnotimeduringourstaythere,wasthewindatallhighorboisterous,butweneverheardthem,threemilesoff,evenattheveryquiettimeofsunset,thoughweoftentried。
Queenston,atwhichplacethesteamboatsstartforTorontoorI
shouldrathersayatwhichplacetheycall,fortheirwharfisatLewiston,ontheoppositeshore,issituatedinadeliciousvalley,throughwhichtheNiagarariver,incolouraverydeepgreen,pursuesitscourse。Itisapproachedbyaroadthattakesitswindingwayamongtheheightsbywhichthetownissheltered;
andseenfromthispointisextremelybeautifulandpicturesque。
OnthemostconspicuousoftheseheightsstoodamonumenterectedbytheProvincialLegislatureinmemoryofGeneralBrock,whowasslaininabattlewiththeAmericanforces,afterhavingwonthevictory。Somevagabond,supposedtobeafellowofthenameofLett,whoisnow,orwholatelywas,inprisonasafelon,blewupthismonumenttwoyearsago,anditisnowamelancholyruin,withalongfragmentofironrailinghangingdejectedlyfromitstop,andwavingtoandfrolikeawildivybranchorbrokenvinestem。
Itisofmuchhigherimportancethanitmayseem,thatthisstatueshouldberepairedatthepubliccost,asitoughttohavebeenlongago。Firstly,becauseitisbeneaththedignityofEnglandtoallowamemorialraisedinhonourofoneofherdefenders,toremaininthiscondition,ontheveryspotwherehedied。
Secondly,becausethesightofitinitspresentstate,andtherecollectionoftheunpunishedoutragewhichbroughtittothispass,isnotverylikelytosoothedownborderfeelingsamongEnglishsubjectshere,orcomposetheirborderquarrelsanddislikes。
Iwasstandingonthewharfatthisplace,watchingthepassengersembarkinginasteamboatwhichprecededthatwhosecomingweawaited,andparticipatingintheanxietywithwhichasergeant'swifewascollectingherfewgoodstogether-keepingonedistractedeyehardupontheporters,whowerehurryingthemonboard,andtheotheronahooplesswashing-tubforwhich,asbeingthemostutterlyworthlessofallhermovables,sheseemedtoentertainparticularaffection-whenthreeorfoursoldierswitharecruitcameupandwentonboard。
Therecruitwasalikelyyoungfellowenough,stronglybuiltandwellmade,butbynomeanssober:indeedhehadalltheairofamanwhohadbeenmoreorlessdrunkforsomedays。Hecarriedasmallbundleoverhisshoulder,slungattheendofawalking-
stick,andhadashortpipeinhismouth。Hewasasdustyanddirtyasrecruitsusuallyare,andhisshoesbetokenedthathehadtravelledonfootsomedistance,buthewasinaveryjocosestate,andshookhandswiththissoldier,andclappedthatoneontheback,andtalkedandlaughedcontinually,likearoaringidledogashewas。
Thesoldiersratherlaughedatthisbladethanwithhim:seemingtosay,astheystoodstraighteningtheircanesintheirhands,andlookingcoollyathimovertheirglazedstocks,'Goon,myboy,whileyoumay!you'llknowbetterby-and-by:'whensuddenlythenovice,whohadbeenbackingtowardsthegangwayinhisnoisymerriment,felloverboardbeforetheireyes,andsplashedheavilydownintotheriverbetweenthevesselandthedock。
Ineversawsuchagoodthingasthechangethatcameoverthesesoldiersinaninstant。Almostbeforethemanwasdown,theirprofessionalmanner,theirstiffnessandconstraint,weregone,andtheywerefilledwiththemostviolentenergy。Inlesstimethanisrequiredtotellit,theyhadhimoutagain,feetfirst,withthetailsofhiscoatflappingoverhiseyes,everythingabouthimhangingthewrongway,andthewaterstreamingoffateverythreadinhisthreadbaredress。Butthemomenttheysethimuprightandfoundthathewasnonetheworse,theyweresoldiersagain,lookingovertheirglazedstocksmorecomposedlythanever。
Thehalf-soberedrecruitglancedroundforamoment,asifhisfirstimpulseweretoexpresssomegratitudeforhispreservation,butseeingthemwiththisairoftotalunconcern,andhavinghiswetpipepresentedtohimwithanoathbythesoldierwhohadbeenbyfarthemostanxiousoftheparty,hestuckitinhismouth,thrusthishandsintohismoistpockets,andwithoutevenshakingthewateroffhisclothes,walkedonboardwhistling;nottosayasifnothinghadhappened,butasifhehadmeanttodoit,andithadbeenaperfectsuccess。
Oursteamboatcameupdirectlythishadleftthewharf,andsoonboreustothemouthoftheNiagara;wherethestarsandstripesofAmericaflutterononesideandtheUnionJackofEnglandontheother:andsonarrowisthespacebetweenthemthatthesentinelsineitherfortcanoftenhearthewatchwordoftheothercountrygiven。ThenceweemergedonLakeOntario,aninlandsea;andbyhalf-pastsixo'clockwereatToronto。
Thecountryroundthistownbeingveryflat,isbareofscenicinterest;butthetownitselfisfulloflifeandmotion,bustle,business,andimprovement。Thestreetsarewellpaved,andlightedwithgas;thehousesarelargeandgood;theshopsexcellent。Manyofthemhaveadisplayofgoodsintheirwindows,suchasmaybeseeninthrivingcountytownsinEngland;andtherearesomewhichwoulddonodiscredittothemetropolisitself。Thereisagoodstoneprisonhere;andthereare,besides,ahandsomechurch,acourt-house,publicoffices,manycommodiousprivateresidences,andagovernmentobservatoryfornotingandrecordingthemagneticvariations。IntheCollegeofUpperCanada,whichisoneofthepublicestablishmentsofthecity,asoundeducationineverydepartmentofpolitelearningcanbehad,ataverymoderateexpense:theannualchargefortheinstructionofeachpupil,notexceedingninepoundssterling。Ithasprettygoodendowmentsinthewayofland,andisavaluableandusefulinstitution。
Thefirststoneofanewcollegehadbeenlaidbutafewdaysbefore,bytheGovernorGeneral。Itwillbeahandsome,spaciousedifice,approachedbyalongavenue,whichisalreadyplantedandmadeavailableasapublicwalk。Thetowniswelladaptedforwholesomeexerciseatallseasons,forthefootwaysinthethoroughfareswhichliebeyondtheprincipalstreet,areplankedlikefloors,andkeptinverygoodandcleanrepair。
Itisamatterofdeepregretthatpoliticaldifferencesshouldhaverunhighinthisplace,andledtomostdiscreditableanddisgracefulresults。Itisnotlongsincegunsweredischargedfromawindowinthistownatthesuccessfulcandidatesinanelection,andthecoachmanofoneofthemwasactuallyshotinthebody,thoughnotdangerouslywounded。Butonemanwaskilledonthesameoccasion;andfromtheverywindowwhencehereceivedhisdeath,theveryflagwhichshieldedhismurderernotonlyinthecommissionofhiscrime,butfromitsconsequences,wasdisplayedagainontheoccasionofthepublicceremonyperformedbytheGovernorGeneral,towhichIhavejustadverted。Ofallthecoloursintherainbow,thereisbutonewhichcouldbesoemployed:Ineednotsaythatflagwasorange。
ThetimeofleavingTorontoforKingstonisnoon。Byeighto'clocknextmorning,thetravellerisattheendofhisjourney,whichisperformedbysteamboatuponLakeOntario,callingatPortHopeandCoburg,thelatteracheerful,thrivinglittletown。Vastquantitiesofflourformthechiefiteminthefreightofthesevessels。Wehadnofewerthanonethousandandeightybarrelsonboard,betweenCoburgandKingston。
Thelatterplace,whichisnowtheseatofgovernmentinCanada,isaverypoortown,renderedstillpoorerintheappearanceofitsmarket-placebytheravagesofarecentfire。Indeed,itmaybesaidofKingston,thatonehalfofitappearstobeburntdown,andtheotherhalfnottobebuiltup。TheGovernmentHouseisneitherelegantnorcommodious,yetitisalmosttheonlyhouseofanyimportanceintheneighbourhood。
Thereisanadmirablejailhere,wellandwiselygoverned,andexcellentlyregulated,ineveryrespect。Themenwereemployedasshoemakers,ropemakers,blacksmiths,tailors,carpenters,andstonecutters;andinbuildinganewprison,whichwasprettyfaradvancedtowardscompletion。Thefemaleprisonerswereoccupiedinneedlework。Amongthemwasabeautifulgirloftwenty,whohadbeentherenearlythreeyears。Sheactedasbearerofsecretdespatchesfortheself-styledPatriotsonNavyIsland,duringtheCanadianInsurrection:sometimesdressingasagirl,andcarryingtheminherstays;sometimesattiringherselfasaboy,andsecretingthemintheliningofherhat。Inthelattercharactershealwaysrodeasaboywould,whichwasnothingtoher,forshecouldgovernanyhorsethatanymancouldride,andcoulddrivefour-in-handwiththebestwhipinthoseparts。Settingforthononeofherpatrioticmissions,sheappropriatedtoherselfthefirsthorseshecouldlayherhandson;andthisoffencehadbroughtherwhereIsawher。Shehadquitealovelyface,though,asthereadermaysupposefromthissketchofherhistory,therewasalurkingdevilinherbrighteye,whichlookedoutprettysharplyfrombetweenherprisonbars。
Thereisabomb-proofforthereofgreatstrength,whichoccupiesaboldposition,andiscapable,doubtless,ofdoinggoodservice;
thoughthetownismuchtoocloseuponthefrontiertobelongheld,Ishouldimagine,foritspresentpurposeintroubledtimes。
Thereisalsoasmallnavy-yard,whereacoupleofGovernmentsteamboatswerebuilding,andgettingonvigorously。
WeleftKingstonforMontrealonthetenthofMay,athalf-pastnineinthemorning,andproceededinasteamboatdowntheSt。
Lawrenceriver。Thebeautyofthisnoblestreamatalmostanypoint,butespeciallyinthecommencementofthisjourneywhenitwindsitswayamongthethousandIslands,canhardlybeimagined。
Thenumberandconstantsuccessionsoftheseislands,allgreenandrichlywooded;theirfluctuatingsizes,somesolargethatforhalfanhourtogetheroneamongthemwillappearastheoppositebankoftheriver,andsomesosmallthattheyaremeredimplesonitsbroadbosom;theirinfinitevarietyofshapes;andthenumberlesscombinationsofbeautifulformswhichthetreesgrowingonthempresent:allformapicturefraughtwithuncommoninterestandpleasure。
Intheafternoonweshotdownsomerapidswheretheriverboiledandbubbledstrangely,andwheretheforceandheadlongviolenceofthecurrentweretremendous。Atseveno'clockwereachedDickenson'sLanding,whencetravellersproceedfortwoorthreehoursbystage-coach:thenavigationoftheriverbeingrenderedsodangerousanddifficultintheinterval,byrapids,thatsteamboatsdonotmakethepassage。ThenumberandlengthofthosePORTAGES,overwhichtheroadsarebad,andthetravellingslow,renderthewaybetweenthetownsofMontrealandKingston,somewhattedious。
Ourcourselayoverawide,uninclosedtractofcountryatalittledistancefromtheriver-side,whencethebrightwarninglightsonthedangerouspartsoftheSt。Lawrenceshonevividly。Thenightwasdarkandraw,andthewaydrearyenough。Itwasnearlyteno'clockwhenwereachedthewharfwherethenextsteamboatlay;andwentonboard,andtobed。
Shelaythereallnight,andstartedassoonasitwasday。Themorningwasusheredinbyaviolentthunderstorm,andwasverywet,butgraduallyimprovedandbrightenedup。Goingondeckafterbreakfast,Iwasamazedtoseefloatingdownwiththestream,amostgiganticraft,withsomethirtyorfortywoodenhousesuponit,andatleastasmanyflag-masts,sothatitlookedlikeanauticalstreet。Isawmanyoftheseraftsafterwards,butneveronesolarge。Allthetimber,or'lumber,'asitiscalledinAmerica,whichisbroughtdowntheSt。Lawrence,isfloateddowninthismanner。Whentheraftreachesitsplaceofdestination,itisbrokenup;thematerialsaresold;andtheboatmenreturnformore。
Ateightwelandedagain,andtravelledbyastage-coachforfourhoursthroughapleasantandwell-cultivatedcountry,perfectlyFrenchineveryrespect:intheappearanceofthecottages;theair,language,anddressofthepeasantry;thesign-boardsontheshopsandtaverns:andtheVirgin'sshrines,andcrosses,bythewayside。Nearlyeverycommonlabourerandboy,thoughhehadnoshoestohisfeet,woreroundhiswaistasashofsomebrightcolour:generallyred:andthewomen,whowereworkinginthefieldsandgardens,anddoingallkindsofhusbandry,wore,oneandall,greatflatstrawhatswithmostcapaciousbrims。TherewereCatholicPriestsandSistersofCharityinthevillagestreets;andimagesoftheSaviouratthecornersofcross-roads,andinotherpublicplaces。
Atnoonwewentonboardanothersteamboat,andreachedthevillageofLachine,ninemilesfromMontreal,bythreeo'clock。There,welefttheriver,andwentonbyland。
MontrealispleasantlysituatedonthemarginoftheSt。Lawrence,andisbackedbysomeboldheights,aboutwhichtherearecharmingridesanddrives。Thestreetsaregenerallynarrowandirregular,asinmostFrenchtownsofanyage;butinthemoremodernpartsofthecity,theyarewideandairy。Theydisplayagreatvarietyofverygoodshops;andbothinthetownandsuburbstherearemanyexcellentprivatedwellings。Thegranitequaysareremarkablefortheirbeauty,solidity,andextent。
ThereisaverylargeCatholiccathedralhere,recentlyerectedwithtwotallspires,ofwhichoneisyetunfinished。Intheopenspaceinfrontofthisedifice,standsasolitary,grim-looking,squarebricktower,whichhasaquaintandremarkableappearance,andwhichthewiseacresoftheplacehaveconsequentlydeterminedtopulldownimmediately。TheGovernmentHouseisverysuperiortothatatKingston,andthetownisfulloflifeandbustle。Inoneofthesuburbsisaplankroad-notfootpath-fiveorsixmileslong,andafamousroaditistoo。Alltheridesinthevicinityweremadedoublyinterestingbytheburstingoutofspring,whichisheresorapid,thatitisbutaday'sleapfrombarrenwinter,tothebloomingyouthofsummer。
ThesteamboatstoQuebecperformthejourneyinthenight;thatistosay,theyleaveMontrealatsixintheevening,andarriveatQuebecatsixnextmorning。WemadethisexcursionduringourstayinMontrealwhichexceededafortnight,andwerecharmedbyitsinterestandbeauty。
TheimpressionmadeuponthevisitorbythisGibraltarofAmerica:
itsgiddyheights;itscitadelsuspended,asitwere,intheair;
itspicturesquesteepstreetsandfrowninggateways;andthesplendidviewswhichburstupontheeyeateveryturn:isatonceuniqueandlasting。
Itisaplacenottobeforgottenormixedupinthemindwithotherplaces,oralteredforamomentinthecrowdofscenesatravellercanrecall。Apartfromtherealitiesofthismostpicturesquecity,thereareassociationsclusteringaboutitwhichwouldmakeadesertrichininterest。Thedangerousprecipicealongwhoserockyfront,Wolfeandhisbravecompanionsclimbedtoglory;thePlainsofAbraham,wherehereceivedhismortalwound;
thefortresssochivalrouslydefendedbyMontcalm;andhissoldier'sgrave,dugforhimwhileyetalive,bytheburstingofashell;arenottheleastamongthem,oramongthegallantincidentsofhistory。ThatisanobleMonumenttoo,andworthyoftwogreatnations,whichperpetuatesthememoryofbothbravegenerals,andonwhichtheirnamesarejointlywritten。
ThecityisrichinpublicinstitutionsandinCatholicchurchesandcharities,butitismainlyintheprospectfromthesiteoftheOldGovernmentHouse,andfromtheCitadel,thatitssurpassingbeautylies。Theexquisiteexpanseofcountry,richinfieldandforest,mountain-heightandwater,whichliesstretchedoutbeforetheview,withmilesofCanadianvillages,glancinginlongwhitestreaks,likeveinsalongthelandscape;themotleycrowdofgables,roofs,andchimneytopsintheoldhillytownimmediatelyathand;thebeautifulSt。Lawrencesparklingandflashinginthesunlight;andthetinyshipsbelowtherockfromwhichyougaze,whosedistantrigginglookslikespiders'websagainstthelight,whilecasksandbarrelsontheirdecksdwindleintotoys,andbusymarinersbecomesomanypuppets;allthis,framedbyasunkenwindowinthefortressandlookedatfromtheshadowedroomwithin,formsoneofthebrightestandmostenchantingpicturesthattheeyecanrestupon。
Inthespringoftheyear,vastnumbersofemigrantswhohavenewlyarrivedfromEnglandorfromIreland,passbetweenQuebecandMontrealontheirwaytothebackwoodsandnewsettlementsofCanada。IfitbeanentertainingloungeasIveryoftenfoundit
totakeamorningstrolluponthequayatMontreal,andseethemgroupedinhundredsonthepublicwharfsabouttheirchestsandboxes,itismatterofdeepinteresttobetheirfellow-passengerononeofthesesteamboats,andminglingwiththeconcourse,seeandhearthemunobserved。
ThevesselinwhichwereturnedfromQuebectoMontrealwascrowdedwiththem,andatnighttheyspreadtheirbedsbetweendecksthosewhohadbeds,atleast,andsleptsocloseandthickaboutourcabindoor,thatthepassagetoandfrowasquiteblockedup。TheywerenearlyallEnglish;fromGloucestershirethegreaterpart;andhadhadalongwinter-passageout;butitwaswonderfultoseehowcleanthechildrenhadbeenkept,andhowuntiringintheirloveandself-denialallthepoorparentswere。
Cantaswemay,andasweshalltotheendofallthings,itisverymuchharderforthepoortobevirtuousthanitisfortherich;andthegoodthatisinthem,shinesthebrighterforit。Inmanyanoblemansionlivesaman,thebestofhusbandsandoffathers,whoseprivateworthinbothcapacitiesisjustlylaudedtotheskies。Butbringhimhere,uponthiscrowdeddeck。Stripfromhisfairyoungwifehersilkendressandjewels,unbindherbraidedhair,stampearlywrinklesonherbrow,pinchherpalecheekwithcareandmuchprivation,arrayherfadedformincoarselypatchedattire,lettherebenothingbuthislovetosetherforthordeckherout,andyoushallputittotheproofindeed。Sochangehisstationintheworld,thatheshallseeinthoseyoungthingswhoclimbabouthisknee:notrecordsofhiswealthandname:butlittlewrestlerswithhimforhisdailybread;somanypoachersonhisscantymeal;somanyunitstodividehiseverysumofcomfort,andfarthertoreduceitssmallamount。Inlieuoftheendearmentsofchildhoodinitssweetestaspect,heapuponhimallitspainsandwants,itssicknessesandills,itsfretfulness,caprice,andquerulousendurance:letitsprattlebe,notofengaginginfantfancies,butofcold,andthirst,andhunger:andifhisfatherlyaffectionoutliveallthis,andhebepatient,watchful,tender;
carefulofhischildren'slives,andmindfulalwaysoftheirjoysandsorrows;thensendhimbacktoParliament,andPulpit,andtoQuarterSessions,andwhenhehearsfinetalkofthedepravityofthosewholivefromhandtomouth,andlabourhardtodoit,lethimspeakup,asonewhoknows,andtellthoseholdersforththatthey,byparallelwithsuchaclass,shouldbeHighAngelsintheirdailylives,andlaybuthumblesiegetoHeavenatlast。
Whichofusshallsaywhathewouldbe,ifsuchrealities,withsmallrelieforchangeallthroughhisdays,werehis!Lookingrounduponthesepeople:farfromhome,houseless,indigent,wandering,wearywithtravelandhardliving:andseeinghowpatientlytheynursedandtendedtheiryoungchildren:howtheyconsultedevertheirwantsfirst,thenhalfsuppliedtheirown;
whatgentleministersofhopeandfaiththewomenwere;howthemenprofitedbytheirexample;andhowvery,veryseldomevenamoment'spetulanceorharshcomplaintbrokeoutamongthem:Ifeltastrongerloveandhonourofmykindcomeglowingonmyheart,andwishedtoGodtherehadbeenmanyAtheistsinthebetterpartofhumannaturethere,toreadthissimplelessoninthebookofLife。
WeleftMontrealforNewYorkagain,onthethirtiethofMay,crossingtoLaPrairie,ontheoppositeshoreoftheSt。Lawrence,inasteamboat;wethentooktherailroadtoSt。John's,whichisonthebrinkofLakeChamplain。OurlastgreetinginCanadawasfromtheEnglishofficersinthepleasantbarracksatthatplaceaclassofgentlemenwhohadmadeeveryhourofourvisitmemorablebytheirhospitalityandfriendship;andwith'RuleBritannia'
soundinginourears,soonleftitfarbehind。
ButCanadahasheld,andalwayswillretain,aforemostplaceinmyremembrance。FewEnglishmenarepreparedtofinditwhatitis。
Advancingquietly;olddifferencessettlingdown,andbeingfastforgotten;publicfeelingandprivateenterprisealikeinasoundandwholesomestate;nothingofflushorfeverinitssystem,buthealthandvigourthrobbinginitssteadypulse:itisfullofhopeandpromise。Tome-whohadbeenaccustomedtothinkofitassomethingleftbehindinthestridesofadvancingsociety,assomethingneglectedandforgotten,slumberingandwastinginitssleep-thedemandforlabourandtheratesofwages;thebusyquaysofMontreal;thevesselstakingintheircargoes,anddischargingthem;theamountofshippinginthedifferentports;