rse, brandishing a stick over its head; the father
was walking at the side of the car with a child in his arms, who must
have come to meet him with tottering steps; the little creature was
stretching out its arms to cling round his neck; and a boy, just above
petticoats, was labouring hard with a fork behind to keep the sheaves
from falling.

My eyes followed them to the cottage, and an involuntary sigh whispered
to my heart that I envied the mother, much as I dislike cooking, who was
preparing their pottage. I was returning to my babe, who may never
experience a father's care or tenderness. The bosom that nurtured her
heaved with a pang at the thought which only an unhappy mother could
feel.

Adieu!

LETTER XVII.

I was unwilling to leave Gothenburg without visiting Trolhaettae. I
wished not only to see the cascade, but to observe the progress of the
stupendous attempt to form a canal through the rocks, to the extent of an
English mile and a half.

This work is carried on by a company, who employ daily nine hundred men;
five years was the time mentioned in the proposals addressed to the
public as necessary for the completion. A much more considerable sum
than the plan requires has been subscribed, for which there is every
reason to suppose the promoters will receive ample interest.

The Danes survey the progress of this work with a jealous eye, as it is
principally undertaken to get clear of the Sound duty.

Arrived at Trolhaettae, I must own that the first view of the cascade
disappointed me; and the sight of the works, as they advanced, though a
grand proof of human industry, was not calculated to warm the fancy. I,
however, wandered about; and at last coming to the conflux of the various
cataracts rushing from different falls, struggling with the huge masses
of rock, and rebounding from the profound cavities, I immediately
retracted, acknowledging that it was indeed a grand object. A little
island stood in the midst, covered with firs, which, by dividing the
torrent, rendered it more picturesque; one half appearing to issue from a
dark cavern, that fancy might easily imagine a vast fountain throwing up
its waters from the very centre of the earth.

I gazed I know not how long, stunned with the noise, and growing giddy
with only looking at the never-ceasing tumultuous motion, I listened,
scarcely conscious where I was, when I observed a boy, half obscured by
the sparkling foam, fishing under t