Many men can choose the right and best on a great occasion, but not many can, with such ready and serene decision, lay aside even life, when it is right and best.  This little narrative touched my imagination in very early youth, and often has come up, in lonely vision, that face, serenely smiling above the current which bore him away to another realm of being.

CHAPTER V.

WISCONSIN.

A territory, not yet a state; still, nearer the acorn than we were.

It was very pleasant coming up.  These large and elegant boats are so well arranged that every excursion may be a party of pleasure.  There are many fair shows to see on the lake and its shores, almost always new and agreeable persons on board, pretty children playing about, ladies singing, (and if not very well, there is room to keep out of the way.) You may see a great deal here of Life, in the London sense, if you know a few people; or if you do not, and have the tact to look about you without seeming to stare.

We came to Milwaukie, where we were to pass a fortnight or more.

This place is most beautifully situated.  A little river, with romantic banks, passes up through the town.  The bank of the lake is here a bold bluff, eighty feet in height.  From its summit, you enjoyed a noble outlook on the lake.  A little narrow path wound along the edge of the lake below.  I liked this walk much.  Above me this high wall of rich earth, garlanded on its crest with trees, the long ripples of the lake coming up to my feet.  Here, standing in the shadow, I could appreciate better its magnificent changes of color, which are the chief beauties of the lake-waters; but these are indescribable.

It was fine to ascend into the lighthouse, above this bluff, and watch from thence the thunder-clouds which so frequently rose over the lake, or the great boats coming in.  Approaching the Milwaukie pier, they made a bend, and seemed to do obeisance in the heavy style of some dowager duchess entering a circle she wishes to treat with especial respect.

These boats come in and out every day, and still afford a cause for general excitement.  The people swarm down to greet them, to receive and send away their packages and letters.  To me they seemed such mighty messengers, to give, by their noble motion, such an idea of the power and fullness of life, that they were worthy to carry despatches from king to king.  It must be very pleasant for those who have an active share in carrying on the affairs of this great and growing world to see them come in.  It must be very pleasant to those who have dearly loved friends at the next station.  To those who have neither business nor friends, it sometimes gives a desolating sense of insignificance.