IDLE DAYS 123 



boast of a saying to equal that; though it has 

 been ill-naturedly suggested that the proverb 

 might owe its origin to the fact that most people 

 in Patagonia meet with some violent end. I do 

 not myself believe there is any climate in the 

 world to compare with the winter of the east coast 

 of Patagonia; and although its summer might 

 seem disagreeable to some persons on account of 

 the violent winds that prevail at that season, the 

 atmosphere at all times is so dry and pure as to 

 make pulmonary complaints unknown. A wealthy 

 tradesman of the town told me that from boyhood 

 he suffered from weak lungs and asthma; in 

 search of health he left his country, Spain, and 

 settled in Buenos Ayres, where he formed ties 

 and entered into business. But his old enemy 

 found him there; his asthma became worse and 

 worse, and at last, on his doctor's recommenda- 

 tion, he went on a visit to Patagonia, where in a 

 short time he was restored to complete health 

 such health as he had never previously known. 

 He went back rejoicing to Buenos Ayres, only to 

 fall ill again and to find his life growing a burden 

 to him. Finally, in desperation, he sold his busi- 

 ness and went back to the only country where 

 existence was possible ; and when I knew him he 

 had been permanently settled there for about 

 fourteen years, during which time he had enjoyed 

 the most perfect health. 



But he was not happy. He confided to me that 

 he had purchased health at a very heavy cost, 



