98 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



France or Germany, where we have been before, it 

 may be expected that the more powerful attraction of 

 marine treasures will entirely conquer hesitation. 



The fact is, the sea is a passion. Its fascination, 

 like all true fascination, makes us reckless of conse- 

 quences. The sea is like a woman : she lures us, and 

 we run madly after her ; she ill-uses us, and we adore 

 her ; beautiful, capricious, tender, and terrible ! There 

 is no satiety in this love ; there never is satiety in true 

 affection. The sea is the first thing which meets my 

 eyes in the morning, placidly sunning herself under 

 my window; her many voices beckoning me, her 

 gently-heaving breast alluring me, her face beaming 

 with unutterable delight. All through the day I 

 wanton with her ; and the last thing at night, I see 

 the long shimmering track of light from the distant 

 beacon thrown across her tranquU surface — dark now, 

 and solemn, made more desolate by the dark and 

 silent hulls of anchored vessels, but beautiful even in 

 her sombre and forlorn condition. I hear her mighty 

 sighs answering the wailing night-winds. She lures 

 me to her. I cannot go to bed, but wander along the 

 sands, and gaze upon the solemn gloom, stretching 

 mysteriously afar. I walk down to the quay ; all is 

 silent, except in one boat, where a knot of men are 

 just about to start for their night's fishing. They will 

 be out all night, toiling through the terrible waters 

 to gain a few shillings. I bid Jack bring me a cuttle- 

 fish if he can. " Good night, sir.'' — " Good night, and 

 good cheer." And away the boat speeds into the 



