8 SPRING-TIDE. 



which he emerges only when the world is 

 asleep. 



/. Yes, all except the poacher and the 

 night-prowler. And here I am disposed to 

 say a word in behalf of your favourite. I 

 verily believe he assists in imparting awe 

 and solemnity to darkness, and this has a 

 salutary effect upon the morals of your 

 village population. When once your chaw- 

 bacon becomes habituated to late hours 

 and night- walk ing, he is, if young, easily 

 persuaded to become poacher, and so on 

 from bad to worse until the hulks or the 

 gallows closes the scene. 



S. True every word of it, and there- 

 fore long let that noble bird be honoured. 

 Long may he find a refuge in the retreat 

 he loves ! " The illuminated rites, the swell- 

 ing organ, the monkish magnificence of pro- 

 cessions have passed away ; theirs was but 

 a transient possession, but your owl shall 

 be mitred abbot to the end of time." 



