in this hemisphere. I therefore sympathised with the
feelings of my two companions, whose straining eyes were
still fixed on those dim and distant specks in the horizon.

"There," said Mr. Slick, rising from his seat, "I believe
we have seen the last of home till next time; and this
I will say, it is the most glorious country onder the
sun; travel where you will, you won't ditto it no where.
It is the toploftiest place in all creation, ain't it,
minister?"

There was no response to all this bombast. It was evident
he had not been heard; and turning to Mr. Hopewell, I
observed his eyes were fixed intently on the distance,
and his mind pre-occupied by painful reflexions, for
tears were coursing after each other down his furrowed
but placid cheek.

"Squire," said Mr. Slick to me, "this won't do. We must
not allow him to dwell too long on the thoughts of leaving
home, or he'll droop like any thing, and p'raps, hang
his head and fade right away. He is aged and feeble,
and every thing depends on keeping up his spirits. An
old plant must be shaded, well watered, and tended, or
you can't transplant it no how, you can fix it, that's
a fact. He won't give ear to me now, for he knows I can't
talk serious, if I was to try; but he will listen to
_you_. Try to cheer him up, and I will go down below and
give you a chance."