Year: 1867

CHAPTER SECOND.


It depends somewhat upon the


question of the roughness OF


smoothness of the road over which


we have travelled, whether retro


spection be a pleasant process


But if we have been both soundly


jolted over stones and through


ruts, and drawn pleasantly along


over smooth roads and through


fresh green meadows, [ hold the


true philosophy to be to dwell on
ly on the latter passages; and if


we recur to the former at all, let
it be only to heighten by contrast
the pleasure of the recollections up
on which we pause. This, ] say,
is the true philosophy, if we could
only command our thoughts. But
how vainly do we seek to Danish
the forms of regret which fit for
ever round usl How delusive the
hope that we shall escape the
phaAoms Of evil days by. calling
up the brighter shades of memory!
Good and evil in this world are
never found separate; they are
necessary, we may fairly conclude,
each to the existence of the other.


But moralizing will not hasten
my story. IS,


We were employed on the fol-
lowing day until after noon in
settling ourselves in our new quar-
ters, and making arrangements for
a months so.journ. After dinner
[ sailed forth into the town, and
as might have been expected, took
my way first down the street upon
which Carlota lived. 1t was the
hour of the siesta, luxury in
which all indulge in this indolent
climate, and the streets were en-
tirely deserted. Silence reigned
uncuestioned, and one might have
supposed that not a living thing
was to be found in all this desert.
/ could hear the echo of my foot
steps against the walls as passed,
and involuntarily | endeavored to
walk more lightly. $50 sE5 -


The streets were like enormous
bitches, bordered on each side by
walls of sun-dried brick, and al
most filled up. They sloped from
each side to the centre, and side
walks were never dreamed of by
that simple people. Here and
there a little path ran along the
uneven ground under the walls,
to avoid the pools of water in the
rainy season. These | followed
from habit more than necessity,
for the street was dry and clean.
But walking in the middle Of the
street never did look right-to
me. i was not certain of the
place Carlota had pointed out
Ia place looks SO differently by
day to.what it does by night;) but
] paused and walked more slowly
when supposed I had come to it.
A2high wall ran along the street
for long distance, and over it
were visible the tops Of orange
and fig trees. A narrow door
(how / longed to stop and look
through its crevicesD pierced it
about the middle, and near the
corner was smaller door, which
had no crevices. | passed on and
looked down the cross-street, upon
which stood q large stone house.
This / was sure was The house,
and / was about to turn down, when
the little door opened and a boy ran
out beckoping me to follow him in.
I did so without a moments hesi-
tation, and he locked the door
stealthily and took out the key.


"This way, Senor,' said he and
started at quick pace down one
of the shell walks which traversed
the garden in every direction. He
hurried me SO fast, land / was SO
agitated,) that / had hardly time
to notice the beauties of one of the
most charming retreats / ever be-
held. The grounds We're not eK-
fansiua containing nerhans MT