THE SEA-SHORE. 



cultivator of some department of Natural History ; and 

 employment of that nature that will keep his mind 

 pleasantly and profitably occupied, in the midst of the 

 most complete retirement. One therefore wonders that 

 a taste for Natural History is not the universal accom- 

 paniment of a country life. 



But if country life naturally lead us to contemplate 

 the objects of creation with which we are there sur- 

 rounded, how much more does a residence, and espe- 

 cially an occasional residence, on the sea-coast attract 

 us into the field of observation ! The numerous marine 

 watering-places, which are thronged in the summer and 

 autumn months, ought to be so many schools for natu- 

 ralists. Placed on all our coasts, they offer the greatest 

 variety of aspect and climate that the limited shores of 

 the British Islands can supply. The sheltered bay 

 the open strand the bold rocky barrier against which 

 breakers constantly roll each has its peculiar animal 

 and vegetable inhabitant ; and each variety of shore is 

 more or less perfectly represented in one or other of our 

 watering-places. By visiting different parts, therefore, 

 of the coast in succession, year by year, we may investi- 

 gate to the greatest advantage the productions of the sea. 

 These are never exhausted : and once that an interest 

 in the pursuit is awakened, it never flags. There is no 

 need to import the winter resources of cities balls, par- 

 ties, and theatrical representations to the watering- 

 place. Half the year ought to suffice for these amuse- 

 ments. Let the summer and the sea-side preserve their 

 native pleasures undisturbed. There is so much to be 

 enjoyed on the sea-shore when the mind is once opened 



