myself follow the same principle; and it inspired me with some

contemptuous views of our regard for life. It is certainly easier

to smoke with the sheet fastened; but I had never before weighed a

comfortable pipe of tobacco against an obvious risk, and gravely

elected for the comfortable pipe. It is a commonplace, that we

cannot answer for ourselves before we have been tried. But it is

not so common a reflection, and surely more consoling, that we

usually find ourselves a great deal braver and better than we

thought. I believe this is every one's experience: but an

apprehension that they may belie themselves in the future prevents

mankind from trumpeting this cheerful sentiment abroad. I wish

sincerely, for it would have saved me much trouble, there had been

some one to put me in a good heart about life when I was younger;

to tell me how dangers are most portentous on a distant sight; and

how the good in a man's spirit will not suffer itself to be

overlaid, and rarely or never deserts him in the hour of need. But

we are all for tootling on the sentimental flute in literature; and

not a man among us will go to the head of the march to sound the

heady drums.

It was agreeable upon the river. A barge or two went past laden

with hay. Reeds and willows bordered the stream; and cattle and

grey venerable horses came and hung their mild heads over the

embankment. Here and there was a pleasant village among trees,

with a noisy shipping-yard; here and there a villa in a lawn. The

wind served us well up the Scheldt and thereafter up the Rupel; and

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