Noel Or It Was to Be Author:Robert Baker, Skelton Yorke General Books publication date: 2009 — Original publication date: 1865 — Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. — Excerpt: CHAPTER IV. DEEP WATERS. We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breath ; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count Time ... more »by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. Baii. ey. "WHAT now, old fellow!" said Noel Elliott, as he poked his head into the gun-room, where Jans sat wrapped in deep thought, his daily perusal of the Times long since finished. " Are you suffering from an access of spleen, or preparing a more dismal oration than usual upon the certain ruin about to overwhelm us, that you could not spare a thought to the gallant major, nor make an effort to support me in my onerous duties of host? " " Talking nonsense, as usual, Noel! You cannot really imagine that I think I can direct this whirlwind with a breath of mine." " Where, for heaven's sake, do you see a whirlwind, Jans ? You must be endowed with the same qualification possessed by those engaging animals who are able to ' see the wind.' What a croaker you are ! Is the world on fire, or what danger do you apprehend at present ? " " There is danger, Noel. We are all too go-ahead. We have annihilated distance, and bridged time; another step, and then I" " What then, most sapient philosopher ? If all the elements of discord were let loose, England would remain steady. She keeps the key to the great mystery of self-preservation. We are on English ground, and therefore safe. The Queen is popular, and deservedly so. The people are free and happy. The aristocracy are not only moderate in their pretensions, but are bending to the common people, and directing them to high and usef...« less