when he was an infant, which was the one misfor tune his life had yet known. Her place had been supplied, as much as a mother's can be, by his aunt. His father retired from business when Philip was very young, and, from that time, devoted himself to his son. He not only sent Philip to a good school, but took care that he learned his lessons and understood them. Under this training, Philip became a studious boy. He was fond of reading, and, as his father was a religious man, he early directed his son's attention to the Bible, which children will find a very entertaining as well as instructive book, if they once get into the habit of reading it. Philip found it so at any rate; and, though it may seem strange to most boys, he actually knew as much about David, the giant-killer, as he did about Jack, the giant-killer; the account of the strange wanderings of the children of Israel, the wonderful exploits of Samson, and the miracles of Elijah and Elisha, were oftener in his mind, and seemed to him more entertaining and wonderful than the bewitching, but false miracles and wonders of the Arabian Nights. He was as well acquainted with the sweet and simple Ruth as with little Nell; and the romantic story of Queen Esther had for him a greater charm than that of a heroine of a novel, because he knew it to be true. When Philip was fifteen years old, Mr. Conway determined to visit Palestine. This had long been a great desire with him, made stronger, just then, by the fact that Mr. Hamilton, his most intimate friend, had made arangements for a journey to that country. What to do with Philip he did not know, for he and his son had never been parted, when the boy settled the matter by proposing that he should go too. After a little hesitation, Mr. Conway consented, for he thought what his son would learn in his travels would probably be of greater advantage to him than the year's schooling he would lose. But to this consent a condition was annexed, and that was, that Philip should regularly write to his friend, Harry Blake, a true and faithful account of all that he should see, and all that he could learn about the country and people of Palestine. The reason why this was made a condition will probably be as apparent to my readers as it was to Philip himself. This he readily agreed to, for he rather liked letter-writing, and he loved Harry Blake very much indeed. Harry was the eldest of a large family. He and Philip were near neighbors. They were of the same age; had the same tastes; were in the same classes at school, and enjoyed the same games. It is, therefore, not surprising that they were fast friends. Caroline, who is occasionally mentioned in these pages, was a sister of Harry's, a little younger than himself. Hartley Graham was a youth, some nineteen or twenty years old. When the visit to Palestine was decided upon, he requested permission to make one of the party. Mr. Conway was pleased to have Hartley with them. He was a pleasant and intelligent companion, and Philip's father felt that he would be a connecting link between the boy of fifteen and the grave, middle-aged men. So the four left America in the month of September, 18, and they had a very delightful journey through the Holy Land, as you will see if you read these letters. |