Swiss Family Robinson

had any well-grounded reason for wishing to return to Europe . It would be childish to undertake a voyage thither simply because an opportunity offered for doing so.
    Neither knew to what decision the feelings of the other inclined; each was afraid of expressing what might run counter to those feelings; but gradually it began to appear that neither entertained any strong wish to leave the peaceful island; and finally we discovered that the real wish which lay at the bottom of both our hearts was to adopt New Switzerland as thenceforward our home.
    What can be more delightful than to find harmony of opinion in those we love, when a great and momentous decision has to be taken?
    My dear wife assured me that she desired nothing more earnestly than to spend the rest of her days in a place to which she had become so much attached, provided I, and at least two of her sons, also wished to remain.
    From the other two she would willingly part, if they chose to return to Europe, with the understanding that they must endeavour to send out emigrants of a good class to join us, and form a prosperous colony, adding that she thought the island ought to continue to bear the name of our native country, even if inhabited in future time by colonists from England, as well as from Switzerland.
    I heartily approved of this excellent idea, and we agreed to mention it, while consulting with Captain Littlestone on the subject of placing the island under the protection of Great Britain .
    Then came the question as to which of our sons were best suited to remain with us, and which to go away.
    This point we left undecided, thinking that in the course of a few days, they would probably make a choice of their own accord, which they did, even sooner than we anticipated. After breakfast, it was proposed that Captain Littlestone should bring his ship round to Safety Bay , that we might receive a visit from him and his party, at Rockburg --where we invited the invalid, Mr. Wolston , and his family, in hopes that his health might benefit by a comfortable residence on shore.
    No sooner was this plan adopted, than Fritz and Jack hurried off in the canoe to prepare for their reception, being followed in more leisurely style by the brig and our yacht.
    But what words can express the amazement of our guests, when, rounding the Rocky Cape at the entrance, Safety Bay , and the beautiful domain of Rockburg , lay before them.
    Still greater was their astonishment, as a salute of eleven guns boomed from the battery on Shark Island , where the royal standard of England was displayed and floated majestically on the morning breeze.
    A glow of surprise and pleasure beamed on every countenance, and poor Wolston's spirits appeared to revive with the very idea of the peace and happiness to be enjoyed in such a home.
    He was carried on shore with the utmost care and tenderness, and comfortably established in my room, a camp-bed for Mrs. Wolston being added to the furniture there, that she might be able conveniently to attend on her husband.
    Meantime the scene at the harbour and all round Rockburg was of the liveliest description; merriment and excitement prevailed in all directions, as the beauties and wonders of our residence were explored, so that a summons to dinner scarcely attracted notice.
    However, as a visit to Falconhurst was projected, the company was at length induced to be seated, and to partake of our good cheer, but the spirit of restlessness soon returned, and the young people kept roaming about through our hitherto quiet lawns, avenues and shrubberies, until I was ready to believe their number three times what it actually was.
    Towards evening the universal excitement began to abate, and the party assembled for supper with tolerable composure.
    Mr. Wolston was able to join us, as the rest he had enjoyed, and the pleasure inspired by the hope of a residence among us, seemed to have given him new life. This wish he now distinctly expressed in his own name, and in that of his wife; inquiring what our intentions were, and proposing, if agreeable to us, that they, with their eldest daughter, whose health, like his own, was delicate, should make a long stay on the island, while the younger daughter went for the present to her brother at the Cape of Good Hope.
    In the event of his ultimately deciding to settle altogether among us, Mr. Wolston would propose that his son should leave the Cape , and join our colony.
    With sincere satisfaction, I welcomed this