72 APOLOGIES. 



glides along — (it was much too good to be left incom- 

 plete) — and resuming it the moment he alights. The 

 Cuckoo's always welcome, always thrilling voice fell 

 on our startled ears, and settled any lingering doubt 

 of the reality of summer. A gay Greenfinch was 

 busy among the lovely blossoms, crimson and white, 

 that covered a crab-tree in the hedge ; and, around the 

 same bush, a large yellow Dragon-fly was pursuing 

 his avocation of hawking for small insects. 



I hope my readers will be indulgent to me in re- 

 peating these details. I am sure they must have 

 often enjoyed such scenes ; and I love to recall them, 

 not only in the general effect, but in the minute par- 

 ticulars. I love to linger on the individual features 

 of a pleasant scene ; for, in so doing, I am able in 

 greater fulness to reproduce to my own mind the im- 

 pressions awakened at the time. The delight we all 

 feel in free, pure, wild nature is far too evanescent 

 a thing; the business and care of life, the stern 

 realities of " this working-day world," rub off the 

 imprint too readily ; let us stereotype it if we can. 



But what connexion is there between all this and 

 the Marine Aquarium ? Well, I have said, be indul- 

 gent ! I have been idling, I confess ; but still I am 

 on duty. 1 am going down to the Fleet at Wyke for 

 Actinias : yes, I assure you I am ; and presently I 

 will show you the result. So farewell to birds, in- 

 sects, flowers, and trees, while I make the best of my 

 way onwards. 



I will not tarry to cast a stolen glance at the 

 straggling village of Wyke, with its fine old church 

 tower that serves as a conspicuous landmark to mariners 



