358 LEISURE-TIME STUDIES. 



bank. A water-rat or two glide in and out of their holes, or 

 splash into the water and swim rapidly across the stream at 

 a safe distance beyond. Still the stream widens, and at 

 length we arrive at its estuary, where its waters mingle with 

 those of the broad Thames, and lose themselves beyond 

 recall in the larger river. The fiery evening sun is still 

 strong, and throws a bright light on the bosom of the 

 Thames, whose easy-flowing current gives no sign here of the 

 busy traffic and bustle which mark its lower limits. We take 

 boat here, and paddle out into the glare of the evening sun, 

 which falls behind us as we paddle down stream and Lon- 

 don-wards. The trout and other finny tenants of the waters 

 are rising everywhere around, and snapping up the unwary 

 flies and gnats which hover in swarms on the surface of the 

 river ; but we are beginning to miss the signs of activity in 

 nature which were so evident in the earlier part of the day. 

 Floating with the stream, we appreciate the true pleasure of 

 the dolcefar niente phase of existence, a pleasure which the 

 smoothness of our present mode of transit serves but to 

 enhance. 



Now we may put about, and pull homewards. The sun 

 is still strong, but the fierceness of the rays has given place 

 to the evening effect, with its warmer light, and its display 

 of colour in the heavens around. The sense of evening- 

 stillness is increasing, and becomes almost oppressive in its 

 character. The plash of our oars, unnoticed before, now 

 sounds loud and distinct amid the silence which is creeping 

 alike over river and field ; and the merry laugh which 

 resounds from the camp-fire and tent of a boating party on 

 the bank, who have come to rest for the night, sounds right 

 welcome as we row along. These are probably University 

 men who are doing the Isis in the pleasantest of fashions, 

 and who are tasting for a time the pleasures of a nomadic 

 existence. The memory of such a boating party may linger 

 in the mind of its members during their whole after-life ; 

 and the associations which brought them thus together may 

 form chains of thought which will unite them, it may be, 

 when scattered widely over the earth. 



