AT THE SEASIDE. 25 



Its influences have largely coloured two lives, and those glories 

 never wholly fade. It again becomes the all-sentient, sympa- 

 thising friend, dowered with all the gifts of imagination and 

 fancy, invested with the air of mystery it wore in childhood, 

 which familiarity and absorbing activities in after-life had 

 greatly obliterated. 



In mature years men deal with the sea as with this old and 

 tried friend. It invites them for the nonce to indolent repose. 

 Instead of agitating with far-reaching hopes, it soothes with 

 tender memories, soft reminiscences which charm the mind as 

 a waft of its own fragrance delights the senses. The past, with 

 all its joys and fears, attainments and griefs, opens before the 

 man who seeks sea-solace when tired with life's toil. The 

 future does not rise beyond the glittering horizon outspread 

 before him. It is in manhood that we most enjoy the restful 

 influences of the sea. The pensive sport of fishing chimes in 

 well with this mood. Anchored so far out that the cliffs have 

 lost their vivid colours, we idly draw up pollock and rock- 

 codlings, while the boatmen spin their endless yarns of the 

 good times for fish fifty years ago, " afore the French corned 

 into our seas ; " or accompany the flotilla of boats to the mid- 

 night herring-fishing, and watch the miles of nets drawn in with 

 their many captives sparkling in the pale autumnal moonbeams. 

 If inclined for more active sports, the fisher can cast his sand- 

 eel from some outlying rock to the bass which come in with the 

 rising tide, and rival salmon in their weight and vigour when 

 hooked. Or, should he be an early riser, let him embark be- 

 fore grey dawn, hoist his sail, and let out lines for mackerel, 

 the while he watches the rippling gold of sunrise dance to him 

 over the eastern waves, and then call out the winged inhabi- 

 tants of the rocks to their noisy morning evolutions. Sea- 

 fishing is rapidly assuming the dignity of a recognised branch 

 of angling, and in the excessive competition for trout-fishing 

 and extensive system of preserving waters which at present pre- 



