THE WAE WITH NATURE 81 



tops, for, to begin with, he will not believe nor 

 listen to it. His mind is fixed on the three glori- 

 ous prizes that lure him away Adventure, Dis- 

 tinction, Gold. These bright and shining apples 

 are perhaps just as common at home as abroad, 

 and as easily gathered; but the young enthusiast, 

 surveying coasts five or ten thousand miles away 

 through his mental telescope, sees them appar- 

 ently hanging on very much lower branches, and 

 imagines that to pluck them he has only to trans- 

 port himself beyond the ocean. To drop this meta- 

 phor, adventure in that distant place will be as 

 common as the air he breathes, giving him much 

 invigorating pleasure by the way, while he ad- 

 vances to possess himself of other more satisfying 

 things. With the nimble brains, brave spirit, and 

 willing hands characteristic of the inhabitants 

 of the British Islands, he will assuredly be able 

 to achieve distinction that pretty bit of rib- 

 bon which most men are willing enough to 

 wear. 



This, however, is only a matter of secondary im- 

 portance ; the chief prize will always be the yellow 

 metal. Knowing how much can be done with it 

 at home where it is held in great esteem, he will 

 take care to provide himself with an abundant sup- 

 ply against his return. The precise way in which 

 it is to be acquired he will not trouble himself 

 about until he reaches his destination. It will per- 

 haps flow in upon him through business channels ; 

 in most cases it will be thought more agreeable to 



