20 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. (CUAP. 



the richest manner with the evergreen olive, which at 

 this season shines to the utmost advantage; and only 

 here and there were disclosed the towering and romantic 

 crags which had originally been the barrier of this 

 convulsed spot. 



' We were just entering the more gloomy and sunless 

 portion of the path, when a scene shot across us so rural, so 

 enchanted, that it seemed one of the fond images of fancy 

 while contemplating the bliss of Paradise. A lake placid 

 and lovely was before us, the one of whose banks, less 

 interesting than the other, was dimmed by the mountain 

 shadow ; while on the opposite side, where the over- 

 hanging branches kissed the water, with small verdant 

 banks between, the sun shot down his full enlivening 

 beams. All around is rich, lonely, romantic. While we 

 gazed on the scene with rapture, each feature was 

 rendered more appropriate by the majestic eagle, which, 

 flapping his extended pinions across the lake, alighted 

 with that grand and solemn motion peculiar to the royal 

 bird. The scene was one which cannot be described, 

 scarcely imagined; which Milton might have infused 

 with effect into his Eden or Dante into his Paradise. It 

 reminded me of the description in the minstrel's lay 

 in " The Lady of the Lake "' 



1 " Where shall he find ... 



So lone a lake, so sweet a strand ? 

 There is no hreeze upon the fern, 



No ripple on the lake, 

 Upon her eyrie nods the erne, 



The deer has sought the brake, 

 The little birds scarce sing aloud, 



The springing trout lies still." ' 



Tomb of Virgil, 1826. 



'Dec. 8th. Visited to-day the small humble edifice 

 which the general voice of the most learned men has 

 pronounced to be the tomb of Virgil. Hallowed spot, 

 let reverence be paid to thy humble remains! 'Twere pity 

 that moderns should cast off every interesting association 



