The marine parade at Nervi was A\idened a few A'ears 

 aq-o for tlie invalids who frequent it, and an iron balus- 

 trade erected. This is ccrtainh' an improvement. IJut 

 I miss the old gvey wall which harmonised so well, both 

 in form and colour, with its surroundings. Man-\' will rejoice 

 that the^' can now reach the rocks easily b\' stone steps 

 leading down to the sea from the parade. Ihit one is no 

 longer so secluded as in former years, when access to the 

 rocks was more difilcult. Tjiere arc still, however, man\' 

 unfrequented nooks, where one ma\' he out of sight of 

 the parade, with only the blue sea in front, llanked b^' 

 the ridge of Portolino and the chain of snow^' Alps. 

 TTere the sea becomes, as it were, a companion to whom 

 one ma\- confide one's ]0^'S and sorro^vs, for in its e\'er- 

 changing moods it seems to share the feelings of one's 

 heart. How often do we see it sad, wrathful or agitated, 

 and then again, gentle and beaming with inward bliss, 

 this ever-changing sea! Now it lies peacefully in its basin, 

 its ripjiles caressing the rocks; and then it hurls itself 

 against the shore, as though challenging the solid earth 

 to open combat. How gloomy and terrible is this mighty 

 element when it rages blindh* 'midst the howling of the 

 wind, dashing its waters up towards the clouds, as though 

 threatening the vault of heaven ; or when blood-red re- 

 dections tinge its crests, and deep chasms open between 

 its billows. Man tm-ns awa\' in terror and rejoices to feel 

 the solid earth under his feet. With the feelings of a 

 child he calls her Mother, for can he not trust himself to 

 her with entire conlidcncc? It is seldom that she opens 

 her chasms to engulf the children she has borne. 



