THE WORKS OF THE CREATION. 213 



mentioned that during a tour he was once making 

 amongst the higher Alps, in company with a 

 friend, he had witnessed the flight of a noble eagle. 

 They were on the side of a precipitous mountain, 

 looking down from nearly a perpendicular height 

 of perhaps two miles into a valley below them. In 

 this situation they observed an eagle, which had 

 probably been feeding on a sheep in the valley, 

 begin its flight upwards. This was performed in 

 circles, with great beauty and majesty, the ascent 

 slowly and gradually taking place towards the spot 

 which Dr. Hastings occupied. The sun was about 

 to set, and its rays glittered on the noble bird as 

 it made its gyrations in the air. There was no 

 perceptible motion of its wings, although its ap- 

 proach to the party who were so intently watching 

 it, was every instant more observable. At last it 

 came near the spot where they were seated, and 

 probably alarmed at their appearance, it flew in a 

 direct line over the mountain, and was soon far out 

 of sight ; 



an eagle flight 

 Leaving no tract behind. 



SHAKESPEARB. 



In answer to a question put to him by Mr. 

 Eames, Dr. Hastings remarked, that both the sight 

 and scent of birds of prey were peculiarly acute, 

 although he was of opinion that they were led to 

 their prey more by the latter than the former. This 



