6.2 THE HALCYON, OR KINGFISHER 



feet : an old bird has scarlet toes. The bird is said to 

 frequent romantic streams, as if it were attracted by 

 the scenery; but it may be found on dull, sluggish 

 waters, flowing with scarcely a current through flat 

 uninteresting deserts, if only there be plenty of food 100 

 and a bank favourable for nesting. It is only the 

 beauty of its plumage that makes one associate the 

 bird with lovely scenery and romantic streams ; where 

 also, of course, it is to be incidentally found, and where, 

 indeed, it looks like the visible embodiment of the 

 spirit of the place. A glen that is fit home for a king- 

 fisher, and has that lovely bird for its occupant, is for 

 ever a fairy place to the imagination. 



EDITOR. 



NOTES 



LINE 1. An American essayist. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803- 

 82), sometimes called the American Carlyle. He wrote 

 mainly in prose, but also in verse. Wood-notes and a poem on 

 May-day are good specimens of his verse ; The Method of Nature 

 and Society and Solitude of his prose. His poem on ' The 

 Humble Bee ' begins 



Burly dozing humble bee ! 

 Where thou art is clime for me. 

 Let them sail for Porto Rique 

 Far-off heats thro' seas to seek, 

 I will follow thee alone, 

 Thou animated torrid-zone ! 



3. the ingenuity of Donne. John Donne (1573-1631), a witty 

 satirical poet (and popular preacher) with a passion for * con- 

 ceits ' and similes, not always in good taste. 



4. the fancy of Fuller. Thomas Fuller (1608-61), a royalist 

 clergyman, author of The Worthies of England, his last and great 

 work. His style is enlivened with picturesque images and pithy 



