ary motives. Indeed, there is
something radically wrong--however faithful they may be to their
employers, or however they may be brave and talented--in the hearts of
those who volunteer for hire and pay to kill their fellow creatures. I
could not put my trust in such men in private life, although I would in
the service for which they have hired themselves.

Do the faults of this people arise from the peculiarity of their
constitutions, or from the nature of their Government? To ascertain
this, one must compare them with those who live, under similar
institutions.

I must go to America, that's decided.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

SOUTH WEST AND BY WEST THREE-QUARTERS WEST.

Jack Littlebrain was, physically considered, as fine grown, and moreover
as handsome a boy as ever was seen, but it must be acknowledged that he
was not very clever. Nature is, in most instances, very impartial; she
has given plumage to the peacock, but, as every one knows, not the
slightest ear for music. Throughout the feathered race it is almost
invariably the same; the homeliest clad are the finest songsters. Among
animals the elephant is certainly the most intelligent, but, at the same
time he cannot be considered as a beauty. Acting upon this well
ascertained principle, nature imagined, that she had done quite enough
for Jack when she endowed him with such personal perfection; and did not
consider it was at all necessary that he should be very clever; indeed,
it must be admitted, not only that he was not very clever, but (as the
truth must be told) remarkably dull and stupid. However, the
Littlebrains have been for a long while a well-known, numerous, and
influential family, so that, if it were possible that Jack could have
been taught anything, the means were forthcoming: he was sent to every
school in the country; but it was in vain. At every following vacation,
he was handed over from the one pedagogue to the other, of those whose
names were renowned for the Busbian system of teaching by stimulating
both ends: he was horsed every day and still remained an ass, and at the
end of six months, if he did not run away before that period was over,
he was invariably sent back to his parents as incorrigible and
unteachable. What was to be done with him? The Littlebrains had always
got on in the world, somehow or another, by their interest and
connections; but here was one who might be said to have no brains at
all. After many pros and c