 of his distant dreams were lost to view,
appealed in these words:
 
»Oh but for such, Columbia's days were done;
Rank without ripeness, quickened without sun,
Crude at the surface, rotten at the core,
Her fruits would fall before her spring were o'er!«
 

                                  Chapter XVII

 Martin Enlarges His Circle of Acquaintance; Increases His Stock of Wisdom; and
  Has an Excellent Opportunity of Comparing His Own Experiences with Those of
Lummy Ned of the Light Salisbury, as Related by His Friend Mr. William Simmons.

It was characteristic of Martin, that all this while he had either forgotten
Mark Tapley as completely as if there had been no such person in existence, or,
if for a moment the figure of that gentleman rose before his mental vision, had
dismissed it as something by no means of a pressing nature, which might be
attended to by-and-by, and could wait his perfect leisure. But, being now in the
streets again, it occurred to him as just coming within the bare limits of
possibility that Mr. Tapley might, in course of time, grow tired of waiting on
the threshold of the Rowdy Journal Office, so he intimated to his new friend,
that if they could conveniently walk in that direction, he would be glad to get
this piece of business off his mind.
    »And speaking of business,« said Martin, »may I ask, in order that I may not
be behind-hand with questions either, whether your occupation holds you to this
city, or like myself, you are a visitor here?«
    »A visitor,« replied his friend. »I was raised in the State of
Massachusetts, and reside there still. My home is in a quiet country town. I am
not often in these busy places; and my inclination to visit them does not
increase with our better acquaintance, I assure you.«
    »You have been abroad?« asked Martin.
    »Oh yes.«
    »And, like most people who travel, have become more than ever attached to
your home and native country,« said Martin, eyeing him curiously.
    »To my home, yes,« rejoined his friend. »To my native country as my home -
yes, also.«
    »You imply some reservation,« said Martin.
    »Well,« returned his new friend, »if you ask me whether I came back here
with a greater relish for my country's faults; with a greater fondness for those
who claim (at the rate of so many dollars a day) to be
