Peter the Whaler | Page 8

when he said so. "I shall fulfil to the letter your lordship's commands."
"I am glad to hear it, Mr Lefroy; depend on it, you act wisely," said
Lord Fetherston. "And I trust that we part without malice, young man,"
addressing me. "You have my well-wishes, I can assure you." He held
out his hand, and I shook it, I believe gratefully, though I said nothing;
and without another word I jumped into the car which had brought my
father, and we drove home.
There was much grief and sorrow when we got there, and many a tear
in the eyes of my mother and my sweet, ever kind, sisters as they
packed up my little kit; but not a word of reproach. Thus passed the last
day for many a long year that I spent at home.
Let me tell those who wish to quit their homes to go roaming round the
world in search of what they know not, that though they chance to

bring back shiploads of riches, they will find no jewels comparable in
price to a another's fond love, a father's protecting affection, the sweet
forbearing regard of tender sisters, a brother's hearty interest, or the
calm tranquillity of the family roof.
I write for the large and happy majority of my readers: some few are
less fortunate, and they in truth deserve the sympathy of the rest.
Cherish, I say, while you can, the affections of your home; and depend
on it, when far away, the recollection alone will be like a refreshing
spot in the weary desert through which your path in life may lead you;
for be assured that there is no place like home.
CHAPTER THREE.
I remember very little of my journey to Dublin, except that it was
performed on the top of the mail. My father went outside also, which
was not his usual custom; but he did not like to expose me to the
inclemency of the weather while he was comfortably ensconced within
(another proof of his love), and he could not spare money to pay for my
fare inside.
We saw my eldest brother for an instant, just for me to wish him
good-bye, and the same afternoon we went on board a steamer bound
for Liverpool.
She was very different to the superb vessels which now run twice a day
from one place to the other, making the two capitals, for all intents and
purposes, not so far off as London and Winchester were not a hundred
years ago. She was in every respect inferior; but I thought her, as she
was indeed, a very wonderful vessel. I was never tired of examining her
machinery, and in wandering through every part of her.
I had never before been on board a steamer; and as I was naturally of an
inquiring disposition, I had numberless questions to ask to learn how it
was the steam made the engines work, and the engine made the large
paddle-wheels go round. This occupation prevented me from thinking
of what had occurred, and kept me in good spirits.

Arrived at Liverpool, we went to an inn, and my father immediately set
out with me to inquire among the ship-brokers what ships were sailing
for British North America.
"You shall go to an English colony, Peter," said my father. "Wherever
you wander, my son, remember you are a Briton, and cease not to love
your native land."
Liverpool was then, I thought, a very fine city. I was particularly struck
by the fine public buildings; the broad streets, full of richly-stocked
shops; and more than all, by the docks, crowded with shipping. Since
then, several of the streets have been widened, the docks have been
increased, and many fine buildings have been added; and as the wealth
of Liverpool continues to increase, many more will be added, till it vies
with some of the proudest cities in the world. Such is the result of
commerce, when guided by a wise and liberal policy.
Had my father known more of the world, I am inclined to think that he
would have waited till he could procure an introduction to some
respectable ship-owner, who would have selected a good honest captain
with whom to place me. Instead of so doing, he walked into several
offices by chance, over which he saw written "Shipping Agent and
Broker." Some had no ships going to the British North American ports,
others did not know of any captains who would take charge of a raw
youngster like me. One said if I liked to go to the coast of Africa he
could accommodate me, but that he could not say that I might not have
to spend two or three months up some of the rivers, waiting for a