148 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



deeps beyond, and, many miles to the north, 

 dashed against cliffs which are now the chalk 

 hills of inland Wiltshire. Then the sun shone 

 with equal splendour on the waste of waters and 

 with equal brilliancy and beauty the moon rose 

 over the horizon of the sea. Where the Hawk 

 now hangs motionless above green hollow and 

 wooded valley, over ferny glade and heathery 

 moor, watching keenly for its prey, the seagull 

 screamed over the restless bosom of the deep. 

 Where now roll away, dressed in leafage dyed with 

 autumnal beauty, wood and copse and hedge, 

 giving life and enjoyment to myriads of their 

 inhabitants inhabitants of the sun-loving world 

 upon which we ourselves delight to live and move 

 creatures of the sea moved in the great watery 

 world which was to them a home of joy. 'No 

 Holly then, as now, grew to sparkle in the night 

 under the moonbeams upon the wild steep we are 

 descending ; but even in the blackest night, when 

 clouds blotted out the faintest ray of light from 

 the stars, the marvellous phosphorescence of the 

 sea shone more luminously than the brightest leaf 

 dancing under the noonday sun in the forest of 



