.
It's a melancholy discovery, sir, this steam."

"Melancholy just now to those who are on board, and suffering, I grant."

"Pooh, nonsense! melancholy to those on shore, sir; the engines work
while man looks on and starves. Country ruined, sir--people miserable--
thrown out of employment, while foreigners reap the benefit; we sell
them our manufactures at a cheaper rate; we clothe them well, sir, at
the expense of our own suffering population. But is this all, sir?
_Oh, no_!"

And here the gentleman dropped his chin again upon his hands, and looked
very woeful indeed. After a few seconds, he resumed.

"We are dismembered, sir--ruined by faction. Society is disintegrated
by political animosities; thousands have retreated from the scene of
violence and excitement, to find peace and repose in a foreign land."

I nodded an assent.

"Ay, sir, and thousands will follow, withdrawing from the country its
resources, circulating millions which enrich other nations, and avoiding
their own share of the national burdens, which fall still heavier upon
those who remain. But is that all, sir? _Oh, no_!"

This second "oh, no!" was pronounced in a more lugubrious note: he shook
his head, and after a pause, he recommenced. "England is no longer
priest-ridden, sir; but she is worse, she is _law-ridden_. Litigation
and law expenses have, like locusts, devoured up the produce of
industry. No man is safe without a lawyer at his elbow, making over to
him a part of his annual income to secure the remainder. And then
there's Brougham. But, sir, is that all? _Oh, no_!"

Another pause, and he continued. "I never grumble--I hate grumblers; I
never talk of politics--I hate politics; but, sir, is it not the case,
that madmen and fools have united to ruin the country? Is it not true,
sir, that unable to rise by their talents, and urged by a wicked
ambition, they have summoned main force, and the power of numbers to
their assistance, and have raised a spirit which they cannot put down
again? Is it not true, sir, that treason walks barefaced through the
land, pointing to general destruction--to a violation of all rights, to
anarchy, confusion, and the shedding of blood? is not reason borne down
by faction, sir? but, sir, is that all? _Oh, no_!"

This last "oh, no!" was more melancholy than the preceding, but I
considered that my companion must have nearly exhausted his budget of
miseries, and was curious to ascertain what woul