called Costa Rica stands the city of San Jose. It is the capital of
the Republic,--for Costa Rica is a Republic,--and, for Central
America, is a town of some importance. It is in the middle of the
coffee district, surrounded by rich soil on which the sugar-cane is
produced, is blessed with a climate only moderately hot, and the
native inhabitants are neither cut-throats nor cannibals. It may be
said, therefore, that by comparison with some other spots to which
Englishmen and others are congregated for the gathering together of
money, San Jose may be considered as a happy region; but,
nevertheless, a life there is not in every way desirable. It is a
dull place, with little to interest either the eye or the ear.
Although the heat of the tropics is but little felt there on account
of its altitude, men and women become too lifeless for much
enterprise. There is no society. There are a few Germans and a few
Englishmen in the place, who see each other on matters of business
during the day; but, sombre as life generally is, they seem to care
little for each other's company on any other footing. I know not to
what point the aspirations of the Germans may stretch themselves,
but to the English the one idea that gives salt to life is the idea
of home. On some day, however distant it may be, they will once
more turn their faces towards the little northern island, and then
all will be well with them.

To a certain Englishman there, and to his dear little wife, this
prospect came some few years since somewhat suddenly. Events and
tidings, it matters not which or what, brought it about that they
resolved between themselves that they would start immediately;--
almost immediately. They would pack up and leave San Jose within
four months of the day on which their purpose was first formed. At
San Jose a period of only four months for such a purpose was