Pathetic Suggestion. 151 



as the wind sweeps over the ripening grain, mingling, 

 as it were, sunshine and shadow in the most delicious 

 interchange as they seem to chase each other unceas- 

 ingly, while the grain gracefully bends and bows before 

 the gale, and recovers itself to be anew swayed and 

 tossed in a sort of cadenced refrain, continually begin- 

 ning and being arrested, arrested and beginning again. 

 The late laureate no doubt means' this effect when in 

 " In Memoriam " he speaks of — 



" The thousand waves of wheat 

 That ripple round the lonely grange." 



There is truly something of pathetic suggestion in 

 this rhythmic wave and swell, associated as it is with 

 a low surruration, a pensive music, indescribable, and 

 nowhere else to be heard of precisely the same pitch 

 and quality. The waves on the sea-shore kissing the 

 sand, and sighing as they retreat, only to return again, 

 may have something akin, as may also the gurgling 

 lisping wash of waves round the pebbles by the river 

 side, when vessels are passing onwards; but in both 

 cases the agents concerned are felt to be somewhat 

 more tangible — the effect, the music, is more the result 

 of causes realised to be efficient ; but the sea of air, 

 with its unseen waves, when they play upon the fine 

 resistant yet yielding harpstrings of the wheat, has an 

 intensity and penetrating charm of its own, felt to be 

 at once mysterious and natural. I have even fancied 

 sometimes, as I stood and looked at the 



" Reapers, reaping early, 

 In among the bearded barley," 



that the awns or beards occasionally imparted an 

 additional keen subtle sibilant sweetness ; but this may 

 have been a mere fancy of mine. But any way, whether 



