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¬My. friend, I could now observe, was in the highest state of enjoyment ; and his countenance being lighted up with all the animation of tri- umph, he exclaimed, with exultation — " This is life indeed! Do you now wonder that those unmeaning miles of grass which enchanted you are left to the beasts that perish ? Good Heavens ! how delightful is this moment ! — Why, Sir, almost all the rank, and wit, and beauty, not only in Swaloal but in the whole Island of Armata, are here condensed within less than three acres of ground ! — It is indeed the very otto of fashion and charms of every descrip- tion. " And what then, my good friend," said I, " what would signify the otto of the most delicious perfume, if the stopper were kept in the bottle? and what also can be the delight of beauty when it cannot be seen, or of wit when it cannot be heard, or of rank when all its distinctions are buried in darkness and confusion ? Would not the same assemblage of rank, wit, and beauty, if spread out upon those verdant expanses, where people could see and ¬converse ¬
