Their tastes, their pursuits were different; but each of them had a high esteem for the other's character.

It may be said that they were easily pleased; for it is certain that neither of them had performed any very conspicuous action.

They were highly civilized young Americans, born to an easy fortune and a tranquil destiny, and unfamiliar with the glitter of golden opportunities.

If I did not shrink from disparaging the constitution of their native land for their own credit, I should say that it had never been very definitely proposed to these young gentlemen to distinguish themselves.

On reaching manhood, they had each come into property sufficient to make violent exertion superfluous.