276 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



was glad to revisit the old scenes en passant; although 

 now, from sad associations, it is the very last place 

 where I should wish to stay any length of time, 

 for here I had seen the fairest prospects wrecked. 

 To this verdant and sunny-looking isle had been 

 transplanted a delicate exotic flower, the sweetest 

 and the fairest to the eye in Nature's garden, in the 

 hope that change of air and soil, and careful tend- 

 ing, would have restored health and strength. 

 " Mais Vhomme propose et Dieii disposed It was not 

 to be. The blight was fatal — and, stricken to the 

 core, that which was an idol, and would have been 

 the stateliest ornament, the brightest charm of 

 a lone wanderer's home, gradually withered, day by 

 day becoming weaker and less able to inhale the 

 pure breezes of the southern sea, though to the 

 last disseminating heart-soothing fragrance, and 

 showing no change. Even when the vital spark 

 had fled, the form was still so fair, it seemed as if 

 corruption hesitated to claim its own. Then the 

 sun of a destiny set for ever, leaving, as relics of 

 departing day, bright recollections of the past — a 

 golden glory which will not fade till night comes 



