44 FISHING FOR PLEASURE 



the white cliffs of the Isle of Wight presented a 

 singular and remarkable picture, the white cliffs 

 standing out clearly, while all around was hidden 

 in the hazy distance, just as I have sometimes 

 seen the bright cross on the top of St. Paul's 

 suspended alone, as it were, in bright sunshine, 

 all below being hidden in mist. The Bay of 

 Naples could hardly be bluer and brighter than 

 the sea out yonder, the black smoke from the 

 funnel of a passing steamer being the only " one 

 small speck of dark on that bright heaven of 

 blue." 



These two days I have already indicated as 

 days to be printed in red letters. They were 

 succeeded by five wretched days of wintry winds 

 and pouring rain and then comes another bright 

 day " so cool, so calm, so bright," that my heart 

 rejoiced and I felt quite young again. I was 

 equal to a twenty-mile walk at least. A con- 

 sultation was held: The Major and his two 

 youngest boys voted for "The Stour," and off 

 they went a-punting; five of the married folk 

 were hot for a tremendous voyage round the 

 Isle of Wight, and off they went; Ted and one 

 of his young lady cousins were bent on cycling 

 round the country off they went; there re- 

 mained three granddaughters and two grandsons 

 to be accounted for, and they preferred my com- 

 pany. I am not much given to " lolling and 

 loafing"; I confess myself to be in this respect 



