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unconcerned spectator. There is something irresistibly touching in the stories, told without ostentation but with justifiable pride, of the students who went forth to serve as eager volunteers in the ranks of the great National army. Of these many fell on the battlefield, others perished in the camp, while few lived to return home unscarred and sound in limb.

In one respect, the Harvard College of to-day is far in advance of what it was two centuries since. For those who profess different creeds there is now a latitude and kindly toleration such as the early Puritan settlers neither practised nor understood. In other respects the transformation has been complete. The unbending and gloomy Calvinism of the first settlers has been repudiated by their descendants. While all religious sects are represented here, the religion of the majority is that liberal, tolerant, and rational creed which is professed by Unitarians.

If Harvard University owes much to the Englishman who bequeathed to her the larger portion of his substance-a gift she has amply acknowledged, to use the late Mr. Everett's words, by giving to 'an unknown stranger a deathless name '-she has also done much to conquer the admiration of all who speak and honour the English tongue. While the

alumni of Harvard demonstrate their daring and prowess in friendly rivalry with their English brethren, it is meet that the latter should visit the oldest and most famous among the Universities of America, for by so doing they would find much to admire, something to learn, and many things in which to glory.

XXV.

NEW YORK 10 EUSTON SQUARE.

THE PACIFIC RAILWAY was primarily designed to link the Atlantic and Pacific shores of the United States. That passengers and produce should be carried with the greatest possible speed between the principal cities of California and Oregon and those of the Middle and Eastern States is what everyone who had at heart the development of the internal resources and the commerce of the country felt naturally bound to further. The railway is a means towards the accomplishment of the desired result. But it has also been regarded as an instrument for the promotion of a still grander object. It is supposed to be destined to revolutionize the commerce of the world by affording increased facilities for the reciprocal transference of goods and passengers between China, Japan, Australia, and Europe. The nearest way from Paris or London to Yokohama, Shanghae, or Sidney is said to lie across the Atlantic, the Continent of America and the Pacific

Ocean. An important element in any calculation relating to the subject is the certainty of the journey being completed within a specified time. This matter is one still open to speculation. There is no question that, if existing arrangements were carried out to the letter, the value of the new route would be demonstrated. For my own part I cannot maintain that the traveller who puts his trust in time-tables, whether these relate to steam-boats or railway trains, exhibits a well-founded confidence.

When I journeyed from New York to San Francisco the time occupied was nearly a day longer than the allotted period. The same thing occurred on the return journey. The traveller whose destination is not New York but London must take note of another consideration. He probably has a decided preference for one out of the many lines of steamers which make the passage across the Atlantic. If forced by circumstances to be economical, his chief desire will be to travel at the cheapest rate, yet he may not wish to forego comfort. If he be one of the favoured few who need take no thought about money, he will probably yearn to secure his personal safety. The outlay necessary to secure a first-class passage ranges from thirteen guineas to twenty-six pounds, according to the Company which is patronized. Although a steamer is said to sail

daily from New York, yet there is generally the interval of a week, and sometimes of a fortnight, between the days of sailing of the vessels belonging to a particular Company. When these facts are duly considered it becomes clear that to journey from San Francisco to London with entire satisfaction in the space of eighteen days is a feat much more easily performed on paper than in reality.

When New York is the place whence the traveller begins his Atlantic voyage, the opportunities for examining the steam-ships of the several shipping lines prior to engaging a berth are greater than those which can be enjoyed elsewhere. The vessels which sail from, Bremen and Hamburg, Brest and London, Liverpool and Glasgow, all take up their moorings at one of the wharves on the North River. To those who are unbiassed by national prejudices, and uninfluenced by pecuniary considerations or personal prepossessions the variety of choice is almost too great. First comes the Cunard line with its high fares and high reputation. Second on the list is the Inman line which is struggling to rival the Cunard by making more rapid voyages, and which charges lower fares. The Guion and the National lines are of more recent date and rely for patronage rather upon lowness of charge than upon rapidity of passage. The steamers of these lines sail to

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