80 BEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



Yes, Nature is very lovely, and speaks to us in sooth- 

 ing tones ; but Human Nature has a holier accent still. 

 Another favourite walk was to Watermouth and 

 Berryn Narbor, over the edges of majestic cliffs, reveal- 

 ing inlet after inlet, each differing in its wealth of 

 colour, each a picture, till we passed into what are 

 called the "meadows/' really a noble park, through 

 which runs a stream fringed with wild-flowers, and 

 clear as crystal ; every twenty or thirty yards the 

 stream falls over an artificial precipice of stones, mak- 

 ing a dulcet music. The slopes on each side are richly 

 wooded ; and the sequestered silence of this spot adds 

 to its many charms. Who has not felt the deep peace 

 which settles on the soul, when one is lying in the 

 long grass beside a stream, under a summer sun, no 

 sound of traffic, contention, or care to vex or sadden ? 

 Who has not sat upon a gate, less to rest than to enjoy 

 the peaceful idleness of noon, and looked upon the mar- 

 vellous forms of life active around him, dreaming all 

 the while of pleasant scenes, which revisit the memory, 

 or of pleasant hopes rising, "like exhalations of the 

 dawn." In such a mood we one day rested on a gate 

 under the trees beside this stream ; presently a blind 

 man felt his way also to the gate, and rested there. We 

 spoke to him ; he told us with that sluggish iteration 

 characteristic of the countryman, that this was a fine 

 healthy spot . . . yes, a very healthy spot . . . 

 a healthy spot. And he held down his head ; alas ! it 

 was useless for him to hold it erect, fronting the lovely 

 scene. Saddened by his presence, we soon moved on, 



