202 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



The Giant's Castle — indeed, the whole of this south- 

 ern shore — has a character of drear magnificence and 

 massive grandeur, given to it by the disposition of 

 its piled-up boulders and towering altitudes, not to be 

 anticipated from the size of the islands. The truth 

 is, we are always impressed by relative, not absolute 

 size. Eocks, many thousands of feet in height, have 

 a stupendous aspect only in isolation ; among others, 

 of kindred girth and altitude, they produce no such 

 towering impression. The eye takes its standard from 

 the forms around. The subtle influence of proportion 

 rouses emotions of the sublime, even on these sma.ll 

 islands ; emotions of gentler swell are raised by every 

 creek and valley. 



The rambles are delicious. They want, indeed, the 

 charm of Devonshire, with its wondrous lanes — 



" Such nooks of valleys, lined -with, orchises, 

 Fed full of noises by invisible streams." * 



There are no rills and rivulets intersecting the land, 

 no affluence of vegetation making it a miracle of 

 beauty and of life ; but the lanes have their charm, 

 and to that charm I yielded myself 



After my first walk had satisfied the first cravings, 

 and set the mind at ease respecting the wisdom of my 

 choice in choosing Scilly, I returned to my lodgings, 

 unpacked the book-box, arranged the working-table 

 with its necessary jars, bottles, dissecting-implements, 

 and microscope ; and, resting from these labours, 

 opened Borlase, to gain from his ancient quarto some 



* Aiirora Leigh. 



