the crest of the mountain clothed
with chestnuts, high above and behind me. In one corner of my vineyard
stood a solitary palm, which tradition asserted was planted when Zarco
discovered the island; and the groves of orange, citron, and
pomegranate trees were always peopled with humming-birds, and flocks
of green canaries. There, surrounded by grand and picturesque scenery
of which I never wearied, I resolved to live and die; but Elsie's
desire to return to America, which held the ashes of her husband and
child, overruled my inclination and the dictates of judgment, and
reluctantly I left my mountain Eden and came here. Now, when I smell
violets and heliotrope, regret mingles with their aroma; and, after
all, the sacrifice was in vain, and Elsie would have slept as calmly
there, under palm and chestnut, as yonder, where the deodar-shadows
fall."

"Is your life here a faithful transcript of that portion of it passed
at Funchal?"

"Yes; except that there I saw no human being but the servants, who
transacted any business that demanded interviews with the consul."

"It was fortunate that Elsie's wise counsel prevailed over your
caprice, for many of your griefs proceed from the complete isolation
to which you so strangely doom yourself; and until you become a useful
member of that society you are so fully fitted to adorn and elevate,
you need not hope or expect the peace of mind that results only from
the consciousness of having nobly discharged the sacred obligations to
God, and to your race. 'Bear ye one another's burdens,' was the solemn
admonition of Him who sublimely bore the burdens of an entire world.
Now tell me, have you ever stretched out a finger to aid the toiling
multitudes whose cry for help wails over even the most prosperous
lands? What have you done to strengthen trembling hands, or comfort
and gladden oppressed hearts? How dare you hoard within your own home
the treasure of fortune, talent, and sympathy, which were temporarily
entrusted to your hands, to be sown broadcast in noble charities,--to
be judiciously invested in promoting the cause of Truth in the fierce
war Evil wages against it? Hitherto you have lived solely for
yourself, which is a sin against humanity; and have pampered a morbid
and rebellious spirit, that is a grevious sin against your God. Shake
off your lethargy and cynicism, and let a busy future redeem a vagrant
and worthless past. '_He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious