o them. America needs population, but the need is America's,
and _she_ should give the inducements.

Back to New York. There are many very good hotels there; among them
may be named the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the Windsor, Brunswick, and
Astor House, but all these are expensive, five to six dollars per day
per head, which is a good deal more than the best hotels in London.
There are also many good hotels in which the charges are not more
than half the above, but in most of the latter breakfast only lasts
from 7 to 9, and dinner is at 1 o'clock--hours many will object to.
You _can_ have baths in all these houses, but the comfort of a sponge
bath in your bedroom is not usual, and if you insist on it, you pay
for your obstinacy. I went to Earl's Hotel: it is quite as good as
any of the second-class houses; the waiters there are all negroes,
they are attentive and serve well. It was the height of summer when I
landed, and the heat was awful. The nights were suffocating; I could
have fancied myself in the tropics, for the high temperature lasted
till early morning. Sleep and great heat, in my case at least, are
antagonistic, and, as I tossed on my bed, I longed for the waving
punkah we have under such circumstances in India.

I was not sorry to leave the place, and advise any one visiting it,
to do so either in the Spring or the Autumn, at those times the
climate is delightful, but avoid both Summer and Winter, the extremes
of temperature, heat and cold, at those seasons, are such as we in
England wot not of, for above 100 deg. in summer and 20 deg. to 25
deg. below zero (Fahr.) in winter _are_ extremes.

FOOTNOTE:

[1] In vastness and ingenuity it has certainly no rival on earth. In
beauty, the Palais de Justice at Brussels may be a rival.

CHAPTER III.

Why I went to America--Agents in London and the Eden promised--New
York to New Orleans--Railroads in the States--American scenery--Ranch
life--Deserts in the States--Antelope Valley.

I left New York for California, which is right on the other side of
the huge continent, but why I did so I must explain, for thereby
hangs an important tale.

My object in going to America was to buy an estate and settle on it
with my two sons, whom I had sent out there some eighteen months
before. They went to learn farm and cattle ranch work, and had been
so employed. Before leaving London I inquired much as to the best
part of America to go to, but, as is so often the case,