52 Voyage of the Novara. 



eyes at the rapidly-disappearing coast, which, illuminated hy 

 the rays of the setting sun, seemed to wave us a last farewell 

 in letters of fire. However beautiful, however inspiring 

 the prospect of our task ; however inviting the magnificent 

 ocean that lay extended under our eyes, magically lit up by 

 the silvery beams of the bright moon shining from a starry 

 sky, yet the painful sensations of parting with that old 

 world, with which so many pleasing associations — so many 

 cherished recollections were bound up, had a powerful in- 

 fluence, and gave rise to melancholy impressions, of which 

 we were only relieved by the comforting hope that we should 

 one dav return to all so dear to us. 



The night was delightful. Not a single cloud obscured 

 the sky, and the ship, with all sails swelled by a fair wind, 

 ploughed the dark waves, leaving a glittering track behind. 

 We were now on the ocean ! Below, blue, foam-crested billows ; 

 above, the sky studded with stars ; — below, the wide desert 

 of the sea ; above, the infallible guides to lead us safely 

 through it. 



We awoke to new activity on that great element, which 



