64 MARCH. 



tious ; the sun has just passed the vernal equinox, and 

 the genial warmth of spring is diffusing new life into 

 the cold blood of the animals that dwell beneath the 

 waters ; the equinoctial storms that lately raged have 

 blown themselves out, and are succeeded by a quietude 

 whose effect is delightfully seen in yonder mirror-like 

 ocean : it is the time of spring-tide ; and the near 

 approach of the hour of lowest water will afford us 

 unusual facilities for finding species only to be invaded 

 under such conditions. 



Let us then scramble down to the beautiful Anstey's 

 Cove, along the steep path tangled with briers and 

 ferns; where the swelling buds of the hawthorn and 

 honeysuckle are already bursting, while the blackbird 

 mellowly whistles in the fast-greening thicket, and the 

 lark joyously greets the mounting sun above us. Yon- 

 der on the shingle lies a boat, newly painted in white 

 and green, for the attraction of young ladies of maritime 

 aspirations; she is hauled up high and dry; but the 

 sinewy arms of honest Harry Bate, who hearing foot- 

 steps has come out of his little grotto under the rock 

 to reconnoitre, will soon drag her down to the rippling 

 waves, and, " for the small sum of a shilling an hour," 

 will pull us over the smooth and pond-like sea, whither- 

 soever we may choose to direct him. 



" Jump aboard, please, Sir ! Jump in, ladies ! jump 



