MEMOIR OF BRUCE Jl 



less dangers and sufferings, the least of which would 

 have overwhelmed me, but for the continual good- 

 ness and protection of Providence. I was then, 

 however, but half through my journey, and all 

 those dangers which I had already passed, awaited 

 me again on my return. I found a despondency 

 gaining ground fast upon me, and blasting the crown 

 of laurels I had too rashly woven for myself." 



The artless style of these remarks is a strong 

 internal evidence of the authenticity of Brace's 

 narrative. His tone of extravagant joy is suddenly 

 overcast with a cloud of melancholy, on reflecting 

 how disproportionate was the object of his discovery 

 in itself, with the time and toil it had cost him to 

 accomplish it. The contemptible streamlet, issuing 

 from a hillock of green sods, bore little resemblance 

 to the vast rolling mass of waters that gave fertility 

 to Egypt. 



The transition from despondency to delight, in his 

 present state of mental excitement, was equally 

 rapid ; forgetting his gloomy anticipations, he drank 

 to the health of his majesty King George III., from 

 a large cup made of a cocoa-nut shell, still preserved 

 among the family heir -looms at Kinnaird. Several 

 other healths followed from the same limpid foun- 

 tain, after which he tossed his cap in the air with a 

 loud huzza, until the Agows, who had appeared on 

 the neighbouring height, stood in silent amazement, 

 believing that he was out of his senses, or had been 

 bitten by a mad dog. After this scene of hilarity, 

 which greatly amused his attendants, who could 



