A FRIENDLY WELCOME. 121 



Jay was of more account than regiments of 

 soldiers or parks of artillery. 



Night was closing in upon us again. Fanny 

 and I on a roundabout road had already ac- 

 complished thirty miles. Ten miles beyond, 

 over the Connecticut line, lay the village of 

 Ridgefield to which we hastened on. Again 

 from another domestic hearth the cheerful 

 wood fire gleamed, and again I was welcomed 

 to the house of my old schoolmate and friend. 



" I praise the Frenchman, his remark was shrewd, 

 How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude ; 

 Yet grant me still a friend in my retreat 

 Whom I may whisper, solitude is sweet. 



" Hast thou a friend ? Thou hast indeed 

 A rich and large supply ; 

 Treasure to serve your every need, 

 Well managed, till you die." 



Yes, it is very pleasant to have '' a rich and 

 large supply" of friends along the road. 



