Page:Neuroomia.djvu/301

Rh lands, and referred to the eloquent addresses delivered by gifted speakers on momentous occasions. He made a few inquiries, principally concerning the subjects of their debates, then answered,—

"We have no abuses of the nature to which you refer to call forth eloquent appeals from our legislators for reform. Those impressive speeches of your orators appear to have been directed against some monstrous miscarriage of justice, cruel tyranny, the oppression of the weak, or the corruption of systems and individuals. Our representatives, however, have no occasion to appeal to sympathy or passion, for our systems are the result of experience, and work well, while all our social changes are very gradual, and even if there should be a defect, through oversight in a new law, our people understand this, and are slow to take advantage of it."

I met Alvarez, and went for a walk with her to our favourite retreat. Every one, however, appeared to be more or less occupied, so I prepared to take my departure. Before leaving, Onneyubla, Yondozi, Alvarez and other ladies promised to visit Raveria before the beginning of summer.

On reaching my rural abode, I again took up my literary work with renewed vigour. Chapter after chapter was ended, and long before I had