TUE WANDERER’S GYWrURN. B55

effeminate a disposition, that they have always fallen
under the yoke of their invaders. Here, how was I
forced to blush for my countrymen, whose avarice and
rapacity so often have laid waste this fair land, and
brought on it all the horrors of famine and desolation!
I have seen human creatures quarrelling like dogs for
bare bones thrown upon a dunghill. I have seen
fathers selling their families for a little rice, and
mothers entreating strangers to take their children
for slaves, that they might not die of hunger. In the
midst of such scenes, I saw pomp and luxury of which
our country affords no examples.

“Having remained here a considerable time, I
gladly, at length, set my face homewards, and joined
t% company, who undertook the long and perilous
journey to Kurope overland. We crossed vast tracts,
both desert and cultivated; sandy plains parched with
heat and drought, and infested with bands of ferocious
plunderers. Ihave seen a well of muddy water more
valued than ten camel-loads of treasure; and a few
half-naked horsemen strike more terror than a king
with all his guards. At length, after numberless
hardships and dangers, we arrived at civilized Europe,
and forgot all we had suffered. As I came nearer my
native land, I grew more and more impatient to reach
it; and, when I had set foot on it, I was still more
restless, till I could see again my beloved home.

“Here LT am at last—happy mm bringing back a
sound constitution and a clear conscience. I have
also brought enough of the relics of my honest gains
to furnish a httle farm im the neighbourhood, where
I mean to sit down and spend my days in the midst
of those whom I love better than all the world
besides.” |

When Edward had finished, kisses and kind shakes —
of the hand were again repeated, and his mother
brought out a large slice of harvest cake, with a
bottle of her nicest currant wine, to refresh him after
his day’s march. “You are come,” said his father,

2A