At the further end of the street he caught sight of the river, speeding in its course towards the bridge, and scarcely knowing whither he was going, sauntered to its edge.

The tide had just turned, and the stream was sparkling in the sunshine, but no craft could be discovered upon its bosom; and except a few barges moored to its sides, all vestiges of the numberless vessels with which it was once crowded were gone.

Its quays were completely deserted.

Boxes and bales of goods lay untouched on the wharves; the cheering cries with which the workmen formerly animated their labour were hushed.

There was no sound of creaking cords, no rattle of heavy chains--none of the busy hum ordinarily attending the discharge of freight from a vessel, or the packing of goods and stores on board.