BY THE SEA. 123 



after another, dotting the shores and recording 

 the time of his setting. The "Nubble" light- 

 house has just reported and throws against the 

 eastern sky a fixed red light, which glows like 

 Mars, as if Old Sol had left behind in its lantern 

 a coal from his fiery furnace. Immediately a 

 splendid silvery orb, like Venus, shines over Boon 

 Island, nine miles out to sea. Further west the 

 watch-tower on the Isles of Shoals is on time, 

 and begins to flash its cautionary signals to the 

 harbor-bound vessels. 



As the fire at last was kindled in that highest 

 and most steadfast beacon, the Polar Star, I rode 

 up through the fragrant pasture lane to the Hill- 

 side Farm, with the sweet content of a day well 

 spent. A few of the " sea-born treasures " were 

 confined and brought home in a jar — 



" But the poor, unsightly, noisome things 

 Had left their beauty on the shore, 

 With the sun and sand and the wild uproar." 



