then. Let him he. But he is erroneous considerable.'

"So you see, Minister," said Mr. Slick, "where there is
nothin' to be gained, and harm done, by this retrospection,
as you call it, why I think lookin' a-head is far better
than--_lookin' back_."




CHAPTER XIV.

CROSSING THE BORDER.

The time had now arrived when it was necessary for me to
go to Scotland, for a few days. I had two very powerful
reasons for this excursion:--first, because an old and
valued friend of mine was there, whom I had not met for
many years, and whom I could not think of leaving this
country without seeing again; and secondly, because I
was desirous of visiting the residence of my forefathers
on the Tweed, which, although it had passed out of their
possession many years ago, was still endeared to me as
their home, as the scene of the family traditions; and
above all, as their burial place.

The grave is the first stage on the journey, from this
to the other world. We are permitted to escort our
friends so far, and no further; it is there we part for
ever. It is there the human form is deposited, when