270 SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



a giggle ; an expression not only unbefitting the sea, but 

 unworthy of the occasion. Neptune was not mocking the 

 af^ony of Prometheus with a school-girl's incontinence. He 

 was too orand and fluent for such weakness. In moments 

 of serenest summer-calm he may be said to smile ; in moments 

 of more leaping mirth he may be said to laugh ; but to 

 imagine him distorting his countenance by innumerable 

 ffiffffles, would be at all times intolerable, and at such a time 

 perfectly indefensible. 



On the sea, therefore, allow me to be silent. On the great 

 attractions of Jersey for the naturalist, one word will suffice : 

 there is no such spot in England for marine zoology. Be- 

 sides all these charms, it had other charms in my eyes. 

 Memory consecrated the ground. Eight-and-twenty years 

 ago I was at school here. Changed as the aspect of St 

 Heliers necessarily is, the few spots still recognisable had a 

 peculiar fascination for me. The Royal Square seemed to 

 have shrunk to a third of its old dimensions, but with what 

 strange sensations I first re-entered it ! The Theatre had by 

 no means the magical and imposing aspect which it then wore, 

 when it seemed the centre of perfect bliss. Its yellow play- 

 bills no longer thrilled me, although memory wandered back 

 to those happy nights when enchanting comedy and tearful 

 tragedy were ushered in by the overtures to " Trancredi," or 

 " Semiramide " (the only two which the orchestra ever 

 played), and when ponderous light comedians in cashmere 

 tights, or powerful tragedians " took the stage " with truly 

 ideal strides. Gone, for ever gone, are those bright credulous 

 days. Never more shall I see the School for Scandal, or 



