172 PROMOTION AND SURPRISES.

done, if unaccompanied by such considerate regard for
his feelings.

The boys were dismissed for the brief holidays, the
poor little quarter-bills were paid, except in the case of
one stingy, dishonest guardian, who was willing to
cheat the schoolmaster : and this man was the richest
among them all. On a beautiful August morning, the
travellers rose long before day, in order to be in time
for the Albany boat. |

It may be safely said that there is no river scenery
in America which, in all respects, equals that of the
Hudson. - Single traits of beauty or grandeur may in-
deed be found.as striking on other streams, but no-
where else is the combination so rich and varied. Our
young traveller admired the breadth, and depth, and
clearness of the river ; the massy foliage of the woods
and verdure of the corn-fields ; the incomparable pano-
rama of mountains, some blue in the distance, like the
Catskills, and some boldly reaching to the water's edge,
as in the Highlands ; the multitude of vessels which
they passed or met, and the endless succession of towns
and country-seats along the banks.

On arriving at Albany, Mr. Mill procured a light
conveyance, and spent some days in excursions among
the towns and villages on both sides of the river, above
and below the capital. At the fine little city of Hud-
son they dismissed their hired carriage and servant,
and employed the public conveyances to carry them