382 HISTORY OF 



large as a swallow ; and their loudest screaming 

 is scarcely perceptible. 



But the generality of our shores are not so for- 

 midable. Though they may rise two hundred 

 fathoms above the surface, yet it often happens 

 that the water forsakes the shore at the departure 

 of the tide, and leaves a noble and delightful walk 

 for curiosity on the beach. Not to mention the 

 variety of shells with which the sand is strewed, 

 the lofty rocks that hang over the spectator's head, 

 and that seem but just kept from falling, produce 

 in him no unpleasing gloom. If to this be added 

 the fluttering, the screaming, and the pursuits of 

 myriads of water birds, all either intent on the 

 duties of incubation, or roused at the presence of 

 a stranger, nothing can compose a scene of more 

 peculiar solemnity. To walk along the shore 

 when the tide is departed, or to sit in the hollow 

 of a rock when it is come in, attentive to the 

 various sounds that gather on every side, above 

 and below, may raise the mind to its highest and 

 noblest exertions. The solemn roar of the waves 

 swelling into and subsiding from the vast caverns 

 beneath, the piercing note of the gull, the fre- 

 quent chatter of the guillemot, the loud note of 

 the auk, the scream of the heron, and the hoarse 

 deep periodical croaking of the cormorant, all 

 unite to furnish out the grandeur of the scene, 

 and turn the mind to Him who is the essence of 

 all sublimity. 



Yet it often happens that the contemplation of 

 a sea-shore produces ideas of a humbler kind, yet 

 still not unpleasing. The various arts of these 



