Why I, who am only a farmer and proprietor of a bit of Norwegian land,--I have learned many a thing from simply taking a glance at a new shore each year.

That's the way I used to amuse myself when I was young,--now I am old, the sea tempts me less, and I am fonder of my arm-chair; yet I've seen a good deal in my time--enough to provide me with memories for my declining days.

And it's a droll thing, too," he added, with a laugh, "the further south you go, the more immoral and merry are the people; the further north, the more virtuous and miserable.

There's a wrong balance somewhere,--but where, 'tis not easy to find out." "Weel," said Macfarlane, "I can give ye a direct contradeection to your theory.

Scotland lies to the north, and ye'll not find a grander harvest o' sinfu' souls anywhere between this an' the day o' judgment.