HOME LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE. 323 



a trip across the Atlantic. We have a saying here, when a 

 long-promised visit is at length paid, " It is good for sore eyes 

 to see yon," and perhaps it might do her good to see the few 

 Irish kindred that are now left. But I am not going to wander 

 into sad reminiscences, which naturally come to me at this 

 season ; of this time twelvemonths, and again of this time two 

 years. Each of the last two years took its prey, and that from 

 the nearest and dearest ; the best, and those who are most 

 missed. Well, I have so far put on the old man, that I can 

 sit and think of the few remaining years, wlien my own time 

 will come round. You are too young for thoughts like these, 

 and are full of making new acquaintances and friends, filling 

 up the nooks in your heart with new treasures. AH right. I 

 am just now reading the " Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," 

 sent me by Mrs. Gray. I dare say you have seen it. It has 

 but just arrived in England, and has met a welcome. Holmes 

 is popular on account of the fresh, racy spirit of his old book 

 of poems, and the present volume I dare say will have a great 

 run. It is sharp, hard, and sparkling, just as I should expect 

 of the author. I met him in Boston and remember his litheness 

 and briskness, and bright flashing eye. He looks every inch 

 a poet. I read very- little of this kind. My time is, as usual, 

 engrossed with my botanical pursuits and professional duties ; 

 and as I generally continue to have more schemes afoot than 

 I can well get through, my reading time is fragmentary. One 

 advantage of full occupation is that it keeps the blood circulating 

 and prevents time hanging heavily. The day is too short for 

 the work, though I rarely stir out from morning till evening, 

 except on Sunday. 



You talk of your love of the sea, and contrast it with M.'s 

 love of mountains. I love both ; perhaps I am fonder of the sea, 

 and admire the mountains more, that is when they are high and 

 snow-capped, like Aconcagua, 23,000 feet high, that I used to 

 watch at sunrise from my bedroom at Valparaiso. I enjoy 

 life by the sea-side, and exercise among the mountains. The sea 

 is passive, the mountains active with me. Both in this season 

 excellent. If I were to choose one before the other it must bo 

 the sea, for I am fonder of passive than of active existence, and 

 (Oh! Oh!) never so pleasant as when I am fast asleep! So 

 there's my opinion on your controversy. 



