waves lashed themselves into fury, and the white surf flew upward; but
one little opening admitted the water gently into a quiet bay, where the
deep blue rivalled that of the sky, and the water-birds swam in peace.
The cocoa-nut, the plantain, and the banana spread their broad leaves to
the sun, and flowers of brilliant hues and exquisite fragrance enlivened
the landscape. Behind, there uprose tall cliffs covered with the richest
foliage, and cascades, like silver threads, dashed downward to the sea.
Again the spectacle changed, and Vesuvius appeared in flames, reddening
the sky, and paling the moon; floods of lava rolled down, and rocks and
ashes were tossed aloft. It seemed as if evil spirits were sporting
beneath, and the mountain shook in agony. In the distance, peacefully
slept the city of Naples, and that broad and beautiful bay, the
admiration of the world. These objects, however, did not last. Rudolph
soon lingered among sweet-scented orange groves, and plucked the golden
fruit by the light of the moon, and rejoiced in perfect beauty; or
wandered off into a magnolia forest, where the huge white flowers shone
forth among the dark glistening leaves, and the air was heavy with
fragrance. Or he paddled his small canoe among the waters of the Amazon,
and saw those magnificent water-lilies, on one of whose round green
leaves, with up-turned edges, he could float with perfect safety; while
the brilliant tropical birds flew around, and monkeys climbed the tall
trees, which were festooned with vines of luxuriant growth. Again did
the scene vary--and Niagara thundered down its cliffs, filling his
heart with delighted awe; resistless and changeless, rolled it then,
when the deer wandered undisturbed upon its shores, as now, when
thousands of visitors marvel at its grandeur, and feel the infinitude of
nature and the insignificance of man.

One day the Rhine was presented to his view--its vine-clad hills, its
frowning castles, its romantic scenery, and the happy peasants coming
from the vintage, with songs of rejoicing. But this struck a chord
untouched before. It brought up home and homely pleasures with a force
and vividness that made the boy, in the midst of all sensual delights,
feel a sudden sickness of the heart, a longing for the fireside, and for
the every-day occupations from which he had been snatched. He thought of
his father and mother, so kind and good; of merry little Bertha, ever so
pleased to frolic with him-