84 Idle Days in Patagonia. 
into the ear of the emigrant the warning—* That 
which thou goeth forth to seek thou shalt not 
find.” 
It is not said, be it remembered, that he will not 
find happiness, which, like the rain and sunshine, 
although in more moderate measure, comes alike to 
all men ; it is only said that the particular form of 
happiness to which he looks forward will never be 
his. But one need not fear to whisper the warning, 
nor even to shout it from the house-tops, for, to begin 
with, he will not believe nor listen to it. His mind 
is fixed on the three glorious prizes that lure him 
away—Adventure, Distinction, Gold. These bright 
and shining apples are perhaps just as common at 
home as abroad, and as easily gathered; but tlie 
young enthusiast, surveying coasts five or ten thou- 
sand miles away through his mental telescope, sees 
them apparently hanging on very much lower 
branches, and imagines that to pluck them he has 
only to transport himself beyond the ocean. To 
drop this metaphor, adventure in that distant place 
will be as common as the air he breathes, giving him 
much invigorating pleasure by the way, while he 
advances 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 ribbon 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 
