FAEM ECHOES. 37 



with an offer of assistance. "Oh ! no, I thank you," was 

 the reply, "I have an excellent horse under me, and shall 

 get along nicely, though somewhat slowly." 



Numerous mechanics were busy (I hope they will for- 

 give me for using the word), finishing work upon my 

 house and house stable, commenced the previous fall, at 

 the time I purchased the property, so that my dwelling 

 did not offer many attractions. 



A good-natured friend, who accompanied me from 

 Philadelphia, had been warned in advance that he would 

 have to rough it, and he enjoyed the roughing exceed- 

 ingly. He did not suffer as I feared he might, but I 

 had grave apprehensions that he would suffer in another 

 way, for his appetite became almost boundless, such was 

 the effect of the climate upon him. 



The record of one breakfast will show that I had good 

 cause for alarm. As to the number of cups of coffee at 

 that meal, I cannot say positively ; but after having 

 helped him three times to beefsteak, I remained at the 

 table until he had eaten sixteen griddle cakes of about 

 double the usual size, and then asked to be excused for a 

 short time, as it was necessary that I should give direc- 

 tions to the men at work on the grounds around my house. 

 I found him eating beefsteak on my return. How much 

 of this was due to Litchfield air, and how much to an 

 excellent imported cook, I leave it with my readers to 

 imagine. It may be well to add, and it will undoubtedly 

 surprise them, that my friend is yet alive. 



It is all important that the steamers, in shooting the 

 rapids of the St. Lawrence, get into the right part of the 

 current before it becomes too strong, otherwise they could 



