190 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



santly spending their vacation — and I believe it has 

 been availed of — but I trust that neither its former 

 publication or object will prevent it from appealing 

 to tourists or visitors who may come among us. The 

 attempt to describe the caves at Gaspar-Grande and 

 a sunset are additional. 



One day, during last vacation, I overheard two 

 college boys loudly and vehemently discussing the 

 real or imaginary merits of their respective fore- 

 fathers. They were so intent upon it as to be un- 

 mindful of the amusement they were affording the 

 spectators around them. I have been so used to this 

 sort of thing, by people of mature age — who ought to 

 know better — that it did not cause me any surprise. 

 But I thought that if boys could so eloquently and 

 vigorously draw upon their immaginations, or so 

 glowingly describe the imaginary merits of their an- 

 cestors, they could equally, and perhaps better, des- 

 cribe and grow eloquent over interesting matters 

 pointed out to them, were some one found to be 

 their guide. It thereupon occurred to me that such 

 boys might be induced to follow a useful and pleas- 

 ant employment during their holidays ; and so think- 

 ing, I venture to suggest the means of enabling them 

 to pass their spare time with profit to themselves 

 and others. 



Passing away from them, I began to outline in my 

 mind a plan whereby two or more intelligent boys 

 could follow out the idea here suggested, which, if 

 followed will not only afford them pleasure, but, 

 perhaps, be also the means of earning a little pocket 



