. He
expressed no surprise at their unexpected arrival, and greeted them as
old acquaintances and expected guests.

"It is pleasant indeed," said he, "that you have sought me. You are the
first friends I have ever seen, though I have dwelt here a long season.
It seems that men are beginning to examine our spacious and wonderful
mansion a little more closely."

The old man answered, "We did not expect to find here so friendly a
host. We had been told of wild beasts and spectres, but we now find
ourselves most agreeably deceived. If we have disturbed your devotions
or deep meditations, pardon it to our curiosity."

"Can any sight be more delightful," said the unknown, "than the joyous
and speaking countenance of man? Think not that I am a misanthrope,
because you find me in this solitude. I have not shunned the world, but
have only sought a retirement, where I could apply myself to my
meditations undisturbed."

"Have you never grieved for your own desolation, and do not hours
sometimes come, when you are fearful, and long to hear a human voice?"

"Now, no more. There was a time in my youth, when a highly wrought
imagination induced me to become a hermit. Dark forebodings busied my
youthful fancy. I thought to find in solitude full nourishment for my
heart. The fountain of my inner life seemed inexhaustible. But I soon
learned that fulness of experience must be added to it, that a young
heart cannot dwell alone; nay, that man, by manifold intercourse with
his race, reaches a certain self-subsisting independence."

"I myself believe," said the old man, "that there is a certain natural
impulse to every mode of life; and that perhaps the experiences of
increasing age lead of themselves to a withdrawal from human society.
It then seems as if society were devoted to activity as much for gain
as for maintenance. It is powerfully impelled by a great hope, by a
common object, and children and the aged seem not at home. Helplessness
and ignorance exclude the first from it, while the latter, with every
hope fulfilled, every object attained, and new hopes and objects no
longer woven into their circle, turn back into themselves, and find
enough employment in preparing for a higher existence. But more
peculiar causes seem to have separated you entirely from men, and
influenced you to resign all the comforts of society. Methinks that the
tension of your mind must often relax, and give place to the most
disagreeable emotions."