CHRISTMAS DAY. 337 



with my own family in England, and to 

 have enjoyed that comfort and pleasure 

 which is so little known in any other coun- 

 try, except my own, where on this day fa- 

 milies are in the habit of meeting, and rally- 

 ing around them all the best of relations, 

 and the kindest of friends. I was, however, 

 compelled to remain where I was, with even 

 the uncertainty of not knowing if I should 

 pass that day twelvemonth with them. Such 

 is human life, uncertain as the wind! but 

 I had Hope for my comforter: I trusted, 

 though the sea might divide us, yet that I 

 was not forgotten by my family and friends ; 

 and that I should be restored to them and 

 to happiness ; and consoled myself with the 

 reflection that I was, to the extent of my 

 abilities, performing my duty to my coun- 

 try as a man, and as a citizen, by endea- 

 vouring to secure and advance her interest, at 

 the same time that I was honourably endea- 

 vouring to acquire a fortune for myself by 

 VOL. ir. z 



