SPRING-TIDE. 



which he emerges only when the world is 

 asleep. 



J. 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-walking, 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." 



