Idle Days. 127 
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 com- 
plaints 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 recommendation, he went on a visit to 
Patagonia, where in a short time he was restored 
to complete health—such health as he had never pre- 
viously known. He went back rejoicing to Buenos 
Ayres, only to fall ill again and to find his life 
growing a burden tohim. Finally, in desperation, he 
sold his business 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, since 
he found it impossible ever to accommodate himself 
to such a rude existence; that he was essentially a 
child of civilization, a man of the pavement, whose 
