ON THE COAST OF AERAN 79 



of undisguised horror. There is, however, 

 another aspect that which I have just seen 

 which presents a more than earthly beauty, and 

 of which we find traces in the romantic legends 

 of all countries. 



When I have got away from the shore I find 

 another wonderful sight waiting for me. The 

 sun, though falling westward, is yet high in the 

 heavens ; and the great mountains present an 

 appearance not very often observed, and to me 

 more awful than any other. They stand in 

 their own shadows ; they are dark from excess 

 of light ; and, though perfectly clear, their alti- 

 tude is exaggerated as if by mist. The effect 

 is increased by the fact that down into some of 

 the hollows a ray of light streams, cutting the 

 shadow sharply as with a knife. 



The hot afternoon tempted our young people 

 to hold a ' gipsy tea ' on the shore at North 

 Sannox. A gipsy tea is an institution in which 

 I have lost faith ; unless it is to be celebrated 



