12 Field and Forest Rambles. 



too busy in studying the attractions of objects to turn towards 

 a general meditation on the pleasure in connection with the 

 scenery, climate, and incidents of travel. All these come back 

 in the form of agreeable recollections subsequently, especially 

 if conjured up under circumstances likely to make them 

 more appreciated. Thus I often recall very pleasurable 

 remembrances of foreign lands merely by comparison with less 

 agreeable scenes at home, and particularly when contrasted 

 with dismal London fogs and uninviting landscapes. 



I must acknowledge, however, that it was an extremely bitter 

 April day when our vessel cast anchor in the harbour of St. 

 John, New Brunswick. The snow had scarcely disappeared, 

 and the noble river, flooded by up-country thaws, was pouring 

 its gelid waters into the Bay of Fundy, whilst the great tidal 

 wave, compressed on either side, was rapidly rising to levels 

 far above what are seen elsewhere ; at all events as compared 

 with the shores of the Mediterranean which we had lately left. 

 Recounting first impressions, I may briefly, en passant, jot 

 down the chief novelties that greeted us on the above occa- 

 sion ; to wit, the muddy streets and wooden side pavements, 

 which give one an idea of walking over a log bridge ; the 

 busy, bustling inhabitants and their wharfs crowded by piles 

 of timber ready for shipment. Naturally, there was always 

 a regular exodus from the city of the inquisitive to see new 

 comers, which they were in the habit of repeating weekly on 

 the occasion of the advent of the steamboats from the States, 

 just like the squireen who comes down from the domain to see 

 the coach come in ; and why not ? But withal these were 

 troubled times as compared with ordinary occasions, for can- 

 nons were bristling on the heights of Carleton opposite, and 

 the St. John Militia were out. In fact, the good folks on 

 shore were in a ferment, for there was a threatened Fenian 

 invasion, which we had been ordered on from Malta to assist 

 in repelling. At all events the mandate came to us to " Clear 

 decks!" "Bank fires, and prepare to depart at the shortest 



