bR. DARWIN. 257 



through the wafte plain. The parched 

 Travellers alight, kneel on the brink in 

 grateful joy, and, bending over it, afluage 

 their third. This rill fomewhat fud~ 

 denly becomes a lake, and reflects the eager 

 and delighted multitude. With this little 

 fcenethe com miffions to the Water-Nymphs 

 Conclude, and their obedient flight is 

 fcarcely lefs poetically featured than that 

 of the Nymphs of Fire. The fimilies, 

 which illuftrate the flight of the aqueous 

 minifters, are the evolutions of the water- 

 fpider, and the exercife of Ikaiting amongft 

 the natives of northern climates. The laft 

 is thus admirably defcribed : 



So where the North congeals his watry mafs, 

 Piles high his fnows, and floors his feas with glafs, 

 While many a month, unknown to warmer rays, 

 Marks it's flow chronicle by lunar days ; 

 Stout youths and ruddy maids, a fportive. train, 

 Leave the white foil and rufti upon the main. 

 From ifle to ifle the moon-bright fquadrons ftray, 

 And win, in graceful curves, their eafy way ; 



s On 



