3 6 9 



and even of the mighty obftru&ions placed in 

 the more important path of life exift only ia 

 imagination. In far the majority of inftances 

 difcretion and prudent perfeverance might fur- 

 mount them, but where exertion is required, 

 we are too indolent to remove the oppofing 

 forms which fancy has created. Terrified, or 

 too implicitly yielding to vifionary impofli- 

 bilities, torpid ina&ion examines not whether 

 they are phantoms or realities, and we forego 

 the advantages of the purfuit, from a difmcli- 

 nation to ufe the efforts that may be required 

 in its execution. 



In the prefent inftance, had we liftened 

 to the timid counfel of thofe whom fancied 

 difficulties had deterred from engaging in it 

 themfelves, we had^neglefted making an excur- 

 fion which has afforded us infinite gratification. 



But, to our fubjed. Soon after our vifit at 

 Mr. Blair's, our party was formed, and we fet 

 off en quartette^ Captain de Courcy, Captain 

 Webb, Lieutenant Mackie, and myfelf, on our 

 fondly anticipated journey. We had a four- 

 oared boat from the fort, with an awning built 

 over the part where we fat, which not only 

 vol. n. M B 



