CHAPTEK XY. 



JOURNEY TO THE COUNTRY MB. P. AND HIS DAUGHTERS 



PRECEPTOR. As I look back at the time spent in the 

 country, so devoid of excitement, I can hardly hope to 

 interest you by detailing the incidents of my trip. Simple 

 pleasures and pastimes become dull when rehearsed ; and 

 I rather fancy you will be disappointed in the recital, 

 wondering at the simplicity of my taste, that could find 

 so much to enjoy in a quiet daily routine. But the repose 

 attending a short residence in the country is delicious 

 to one who has been accustomed to a life of excitement. 

 Long continued, its enervating influence might induce 

 ennui, a fearful infliction, so I should judge by the de- 

 scription of those who have suffered from it. Thank Pro- 

 vidence, my life has been too active ever to become ac- 

 quainted v/ith the countenance of this dreaded demon. 

 But this feeling of repose can only be appreciated by 

 those who have lived long enough to fully understand 

 the art of living. To throw your fishing-rod aside, and lie 

 down on the mossy bank of the woodlawn stream, and 

 there, while peering through the openings in the thick 

 foliage, and watching the light clouds high up in the blue 

 firmament, the liquid murmur of the water and the sough 

 of the gentle breeze in the branches will lull without tir- 

 ing, for they are not a monotone, but varied as the breath- 

 ings of the seolian harp, and more silvery in their tones. 



