EXAMPLES OF ENNUI. 109 



duties, too often has an injurious and deadening 

 effect on the faculties, leading to a tcedium vitce, 

 to vice, and sometimes even to suicide. Our 

 army was an example of the kind during the 

 late long peace, especially the regiments sta- 

 tioned in our colonies before the relief plan 

 was entered upon, viz., that of changing them 

 every third year. In Malta and Gibraltar, I 

 remember, striking instances occurred, illus- 

 trating what I have said; in the latter gar- 

 rison, when the tedium had reached its acme, 

 it was shown by frequency of desertion ; in 

 the former, where desertion was less prac- 

 ticable from its being an island, by frequency 

 of suicide. As to the character of the Dales- 

 people, I am disposed to think that, such as it 

 is, it acts more at present on their ministers, 

 than any neglect on the part of the latter 

 on them. Let us discuss this further some 

 other time. Our car is arrived from Strands 

 to take us to Ennerdale. As the wind is high, 

 too high for a boat on the lake, we will stop 

 and try the fishing from the shore, from whence, 

 I am assured, it is commonly as good as from 

 a boat, owing to the great depth of the water 

 at a distance from the shore. 



