THE GRANITE COAST. 191 



The Giant's Castle — indeed, the wliole of this southern 

 shore — has a character of drear magnificence and massive 

 grandeur, given to it by the disposition of its piled-up boul- 

 ders and towering altitudes, not to be anticipated from the 

 size of the islands. The truth is, we are always impressed 

 by relative, not absolute size. Eocks, many thousands of 

 feet in height, have a stupendous aspect only in isolation ; 

 among others, of kindred girth and altitude, they produce 

 no such towering impression. The eye takes its standard 

 from the forms around. The subtle influence of propor- 

 tion rouses emotions of the sublime, even on these small 

 islands ; emotions of gentler swell are raised by every creek 

 and valley. 



The rambles are delicious. They want, indeed, the charm 

 of Devonshire, with its wondrous lanes — 



" Such nooks of valleys, lined with orchises, 

 Fed full of noises by invisible streams." * 



There are no rills and rivulets intersecting the land, no 

 affluence of vegetation making it a miracle of beauty and of 

 life ; but the lanes have their charm, and to that charm I 

 yielded myself. 



After my first walk had satisfied the first cravings, and 

 set the mind at ease respecting the wisdom of my choice in 

 choosing Scilly, I returned to my lodgings, unpacked the 

 book-box, arranged the working-table with its necessary jars, 

 bottles, dissecting implements, and microscope ; and, resting 

 from these labours, opened Borlase to gain from his ancient 



* Aurora Leigh, 



