LABOUR IN VAIN. 125 



It is true they did not differ in appearance from the 

 rocks of other parts more accessible ; but the mind is 

 often apt to conclude that what is difficult to reach 

 must be better than what is obtained with facility. 

 However, it was too hazardous. I waited long before 

 I began to retrace my steps ; but at length had to 

 make my way up again through my wet and narrow 

 chimney, dirty enough, and scratched too, when I 

 reached the top. 



The man that was ploughing at some distance told 

 me that there was a narrow winding path down the 

 face of the cliff, on the outside of a promontory that 

 he pointed out, and accordingly I went to seek it. I 

 found it a great mass of land, like the main, but 

 almost isolated, being connected only by a narrow 

 pathway, where the cliff on each side comes up to a 

 razor-like edge, about a foot wide. Of course it was 

 grand to look down on both sides at once, from such 

 a giddy height ; but indeed, to tell the truth, I tried 

 to think of that as little as possible ; and looked uncom- 

 monly close to my footsteps till I was fairly landed on 

 the grassy peninsula, where, however, I vainly searched 

 for any trace of a path down to the shore on either 

 side ; and therefore had to give it up, nolens volens. 



And now I dare say, dear reader, you are disap- 

 pointed that this long ramble of mine led to nothing ; 

 and so am I, too ; but you see plainly it was not my 

 fault. I strove hard to get down to the tidepools on 

 those rocks that I saw so tantalisingly far below ; 

 whence, if I could have got down, I dare say I should 



