POETRY. 116 



take any ; and m^de me understand, how sorry they were that they could not 

 speak French. After this, one went out, and shortly returned with a man 

 who spoke a little broken French. I could have willingly declined her good- 

 ness on this head. He saluted me very kindly, told me the direction 1 so 

 much wished fo r, assured me the mayor of the village was the only person that 

 spoke my language correctly among them, that the young woman had been 

 in search of him, but he was not at his house, he was however expected 

 every moment, and would do himself the pleasure of coming and conversing 

 with me. I returned them many thanks for their extreme goodness, wished 

 the mayor at the devil in my mind, expressed myself infinitely indebted to 

 them, regretted very much that I could not wait to be honored by the 

 mayor's visit, as I was in great haste to reach the above mentioned town ; 

 and I then took my leave of these very polite folks. 



November, 1S07. I limped on through the fields, with my feet more 

 painful from the little heat I had received in these good folks' house, every 

 now and then looking back to see if any one was pursuing me. I have 

 since been of opinion, that they really meant nothing but civility, although 

 at that time I thought very differently. The weather was still very thick 

 and hazy, which favored me greatly in the open fields. I was obliged to take 

 off my shoes, and what remained of my stockings, as the pain increased so 

 much : and advanced carefully, avoiding the fields in which people were at 

 work; and had an opportunity this day of getting an excellent supply of 

 turnips ; this part of the country abounds with them, they feed their cattle 

 on them ; and the peasantry were employed in putting them into heaps, 

 and covering them with earth. 



To be continued. 



** There is a tide in the affairs of men.'* 



Shakspeare. 



The sunny sky its glowing lustre threw 

 Upon the placid, blue-tinged tide beneath, 

 Where tranquilly the tall-pined bark reposed, 



Waiting the favouring breeze : 



And speedily the longing sail full filled 

 For Hope's reality — Commercial wealth 

 Which brings untiring Ease — the Ease which makes 

 Wealth two-fold — great and sure. 



(War has not ease : — her course is that of strife ; 



Her wealth mere shadows, which her harsh form throws : 



For gold is only golden when 't is just — 



Unjust, a vexing dross.) 



