IX THE SEA 339 



and sky each bluer than the other, while the 

 sea seems as if it had nothing to do but to 

 laugh and play with the children on the sands ; 

 the children perseveringly making castles with 

 spades and pails, which the waves then run 

 up to and wash away, over and over and 

 over again, until evening comes and the chil- 

 dren go home, when the Sea makes every- 

 thing smooth and ready for the next day's 

 play. 



Many are satisfied to admire the Sea from 

 shore, others more ambitious or more free 

 prefer a cruise. They feel with Tennyson's 

 voyager : 



We left behind the painted buoy 



That tosses at the harbour-mouth ; 

 And madly danced our hearts with joy, 



As fast we fleeted to the South : 

 How fresh was every sight and sound 



On open main or winding shore! 

 We knew the merry world was round, 



And we might sail for everCnore. 



Many appreciate both. The long roll of 

 the Mediterranean on a fine day (and I sup- 

 pose even more of the Atlantic, which I have 

 never enjoyed), far from land in a good ship. 



