As in turning round Alexander brushed against him, he thought it right to apologize for the unintentional act, and this occasioned a conversation.
"I believe, sir," said the other party, who was a tall, spare, slight-built man, with a dark complexion, "that we were both indulging in similar thoughts as we took leave of our native shores.

Every Englishman does the same, and indeed every true lover of his country, let the country be what it will.

We find the feeling as strong in the savage as in the enlightened; it is universal.

Indeed, we may fairly say that it extends lower--down to the brute species, from their love of localities." "Very true, sir," replied Alexander; "but with brutes, as you say, it is merely the love of locality; with men, I trust, the feeling is more generous and noble." "So it ought to be, or else why are we so much more nobly endowed?
This is not your first voyage, I presume ?" continued the stranger.
"Indeed, it is," said Alexander; "I never was out of England, or on board of a vessel, before yesterday." "I should have imagined otherwise," remarked his companion: "the other passengers are all suffering from sea-sickness, while you and I only are on the deck.

I presumed, therefore, that you had been afloat before." "I did feel very giddy yesterday evening," observed Alexander, "but this morning I have no unpleasant sensation whatever.