uld die, rather than see
one stain cast upon the national glory of his noble country. The
character of a people is greatly influenced by the local features of the
land to which it belongs; and the inhabitants of mountainous districts
have ever evaded most effectually the encroachments of foreign invaders.
The Scot may, perhaps, derive from his romantic country, much of that
poetic temperament, that stern, uncompromising love of independence,
which has placed him in the first rank as a man.

The sun at length rose; the fog rolled its grey masses upwards, and the
glorious old castle emerged from between the parting clouds, like some
fabled palace of the gods, its antique towers glittering like gold in
the sun.

"Oh, how beautiful!" exclaimed Flora, her eye kindling, and her cheek
flushing with delight.

"The situation of Quebec is almost as fine," said Captain Forbes, who
had been watching with pleasure the effect which the first sight of his
native city produced upon her countenance. "It will lose little by
comparison."

"Indeed," cried Flora, eagerly turning to the speaker, "I had formed no
idea of anything in Canada being at all equal to this."

"You have been there, Captain?" said Lyndsay.

"Yes, many times; and always with increased pleasure. Quebec combines
every object which is requisite to make a scene truly magnificent--woods,
mountains, rivers, cataracts; and all on the most stupendous scale. A
lover of nature cannot fail to be delighted with the rock-defended
fortress of British North America."

"You have made me quite happy, Captain Forbes," said Flora; "I have
contemplated a residence in Canada with feelings of such antipathy, that
your description of Quebec almost reconciles me to my lot. I can never
hate a country which abounds in natural beauty."

* * * * *

Boats were now constantly plying to and from the shore, conveying
passengers and their luggage from the ship to the pier. The Captain, who
had recognised a countryman in Lyndsay, insisted on the voyagers taking
breakfast with him before they left the vessel. Mrs. Lyndsay accepted
the offer with such hearty good-will, that the Captain laughed and
rubbed his hands in the excess of hospitable satisfaction, as he called
to his steward to place a small table under an awning upon the deck, and
serve the breakfast there.

"You will enjoy it much more in the fresh air, Mrs. Lyndsay," he said,
"after your severe illne