s advice,« replied Martin. »I am
told there is nothing to be done in the old towns.«
    »I can introduce you to the agent, sir,« said the General. »I know him. In
fact, I am a member of the Eden Land Corporation myself.«
    This was serious news to Martin, for his friend had laid great stress upon
the General's having no connection, as he thought, with any land company, and
therefore being likely to give him disinterested advice. The General explained
that he had joined the Corporation only a few weeks ago, and that no
communication had passed between himself and Mr. Bevan since.
    »We have very little to venture,« said Martin anxiously: »only a few pounds;
but it is our all. Now, do you think that for one of my profession, this would
be a speculation with any hope or chance in it?«
    »Well,« observed the General, gravely, »if there wasn't any hope or chance
in the speculation, it wouldn't have engaged my dollars, I opinionate.«
    »I don't mean for the sellers,« said Martin. »For the buyers, for the
buyers!«
    »For the buyers, sir?« observed the General, in a most impressive manner.
»Well! you come from an old country: from a country, sir, that has piled up
golden calves as high as Babel, and worshipped 'em for ages. We are a new
country, sir; man is in a more primeval state here, sir; we have not the excuse
of having lapsed in the slow course of time into degenerate practices; we have
no false gods; man, sir, here, is man in all his dignity. We fought for that or
nothing. Here am I, sir,« said the General, setting up his umbrella to represent
himself; and a villanous-looking umbrella it was; a very bad counter to stand
for the sterling coin of his benevolence; »here am I with gray hairs, sir, and a
moral sense. Would I, with my principles, invest capital in this speculation if
I didn't think it full of hopes and chances for my brother man?«
    Martin tried to look convinced, but he thought of New York, and found it
difficult.
    »What are the Great United States for, sir,« pursued the General, »if not
for the regeneration of man? But it is nat'ral in you to make such an enquerry
