

OHAPTEE XX. 



Why a Swiss loves his Native Country — When Days come Slow, and 

 go Wearily — River Travel — How we took in Strangers, and were 

 taken in Ourselves — Our Neighbors — How to preserve Beef — A 

 new Patient — Sefior Sipreon's House, and what he Eat, and how 

 he Cooked it — My Patient's case grows Desperate — He prepares to 

 Die, but does not do it — Natives' notions of Railroads. 



A Swiss, on being asked why he was so attached to 

 his native country, answered, that there were rocks 

 and mountains upon which he fixed his affections. 

 That the physical aspect of a country may have 

 much influence over the stability of its inhabitants, 

 we have not much reason to doubt, but while the 

 Swiss would attach himself to an Alpine crag, and 

 never wish to be removed, I believe such is not often 

 the effect with foreigners, neither is it the case on 

 the Isthmus of Panama. 



When once the mountains and the valleys, the 

 beasts and the birds, with the palm and the plantain, 

 have become familiar things, and above all, when 

 social intercourse is restricted to a narrow and un- 

 congenial circle, and the mind has little occupation 

 except in wandering fancies, then will the clays come 

 slowly, any go wearily away. Months have already 



