7G SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



transitional life on a branch, hapi)ily knowing nothing of tran- 

 sitions. Pleasant vras the murmurous sound of insects, 

 pleasant the ripple of water, pleasant the glinting sunlight, 

 and the broad reposing shade, but above all was the charm 

 of interchanging thoughts. Yes, Nature is very lovely, and 

 speaks to us in soothing tones ; but Human Nature has a 

 holier accent still. 



Another favourite walk was to Watermouth and Berryn 

 Narbor, over the edges of majestic cliffs, revealing inlet after 

 inlet, each differing in its wealth of colour, each a picture, 

 till we pass into what are called the " meadows," really a 

 noble park, through which runs a stream fringed with wild- 

 flowers, and clear as crystal ; every twenty or thirty yards 

 the stream falls over an artificial precipice of stones, making 

 a dulcet music. The slopes on each side are richly wooded ; 

 and the sequestered silence of this spot adds to its many 

 charms. Who has not felt the deep peace whicli settles on the 

 soul, when one is lying in the long grass beside a stream, under 

 a summer sun, no sound of traffic, contention, or care to vex 

 or sadden ? Wlio has not sat upon a gate, less to rest than to 

 enjoy the peaceful idleness of noon, and looked upon the 

 marvellous forms of life active around him, dreaming all 

 the while of pleasant scenes, which revisit the memory, or of 

 pleasant hopes rising, " like exlialations of the dawn." In 

 such a mood we one day rested on a gate under the trees 

 beside this stream ; presently a blind man felt his way also 

 to the gate, and rested there. We spoke to him ; he told us 

 with that sluggish iteration characteristic of the countryman, 

 that this was a fine healthy spot . . . yes, a very healthy 



