We have now seen ' where our possessions lie,' and are standing on a hill in Athens, which might have been called Mare Hill; but I think that Cecrops was not the founder of this modern city, neither will it ever become a seat of kingly authority, under another Codrus, nor the capital of a modern Greece; and if another Paul should ever come here to preach, he would probably choose the words of his predecessor for a text, 'Finally, brethren, farewell/ for I hardly think he would ever visit it again." We returned to the house. As it was late in the afternoon, we were politely solicited to remain all night, as it was seldom they saw strangers, and particularly those that were all the way from Boston.
We consented to stay. He then invited us out, and showed us around his farm, which was like a beautiful oasis in the desert. It consisted of about forty acres, and -.vas under excellent culture. He had resided on it ten years; had formerly lived in New Hampshire, but meeting with a heavy loss, retired with his family to the wilderness, selected this spot, and by hard labor and rigid economy, had made his farm what it was. " But," said he, " I am like a man on a rapid river in a boat, pulling against the current, if I stop one minute, my boat is swept down, and it is hard work to regain my former position.
We have excellent health, and have lost but one child since we have been here. Our eldest daughter died in March, which was a heavy stroke for us, and 1 thought it would have carried my wife off too." Previous to retiring, the lady again alluded to the last illness and death of this amiable girl: she very imprudently went a short distance from the house early in the morning, while the ground was quite wet; her shoes being very thin, she took a violent cold, which led to rapid consumption. She pined away very fast, so that her hip bones protruded through the skin. She begged her father to remove her from the soft bed, and let her lie upon the floor; the father, to gratify her, complied, but she could not endure it a minute, and wished to be put back again.
She then called her parents, little brothers and sisters to her bedside, kissed them all, and dropped sweetly away into the arms of her Saviour. This recital was somewhat similar to that of the old lady in Richmond, and was equally affecting. I could not avoid mingling my tears with theirs. How strong are the ties of parental affection, which often seem made up and woven with our very life-strings. We retired to rest, and notwithstanding I was quite weary with my day's journey, it seemed as though I could lie awake, and contemplate this solitary, yet lovely family. Here, but a few days ago, was a lovely blooming form, just ripening into usefulness, her mother's solace, her father's hope, and on whom the little ones doted to the extent of their capacities.
It was to save her mother's step that she went out in that unguarded manner, as the errand required despatch. Although this young lady was the picture of health, with ruddy cheeks and ample form, how applicable here are Tupper's lines on death: " Keep silence, daughter of frivolity — for Death is in that chamber! Startle not with echoing- sound the strangely solemn peace. Death is here in spirit, watcher of a marble corpse — That eye is fixed, that heart is still — how dreadful in its stillness! Death, new tenant of the house, pervadeth all the la brie; He waiteth at the head, and he standeth at the feet, and hideth in the caverns of the breast; Death, subtle leech, hath anatomized soul from body, Dissecting well in every nerve its spirit from its substance; Death, rigid lord, hath claimed the heriot clay, "While jovouslv the youthful soul hath gone to take its heritage." Early next morning we partook of an excellent breakfast, and bade adieu to this hospitable Athenian family.
And were it in my power, would heap blessings on their heads, and strew their paths with happiness and peace. It was a lovely morning, and at about nine o'clock we made the land, and were soon clear of Berts lot. At noon, we rode a short distance out of our way, in order to reach what we thought to be a tavern; both ourselves and horse wanted some refreshment. On reach ina; it, we found a collection of people outside the door, and there seemed to have been some trouble around the premises; we soon ascertained what the difficulty was. Two men had swapped horses, and it appeared that the swapper had cheated the swappee, who wanted to annul the trade, and get his horse back; to this the fellow would not listen, consequently they had a small fight.