Ix THE SEA 341 
mountains and hills, rivers and_ valleys, 
animals and plants are continually changing : 
but the Sea is always the same, 
Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same 
Year after year. 
Directly we see the coast, or even a ship, 
the case is altered. Boats may remain the 
same for centuries, but ships are continually 
being changed. The wooden walls of old 
England are things of the past, and the iron- 
clads of to-day will soon be themselves im- 
proved off the face of the ocean. 
The great characteristic of Lakes is peace, 
that of the Sea is energy, somewhat restless, 
perhaps, but still movement without fatigue. 
The Earth lies quiet like a child asleep, 
The deep heart of the Heaven is calm and still, 
Must thou alone a restless vigil keep, 
And with thy sobbing all the silence fill. 
A Lake in a storm rather gives us the impres- 
sion of a beautiful Water Spirit tormented by 
some Evil Demon; but a storm at Sea is one 
of the grandest manifestations of Nature. 
1 Bell. 
