THE SWAN. 183 



Graceful attitudes in the water. 



CHAP. VII. 



<t The swan, with arched neck 



Between her white wings mantling, proudly rows 

 Her state with oary feet." 



MILTON. 



THE SWAN. 



SO much difference is there between this bird 

 when on land and in the water, that it is hardly 

 to be supposed the same, for in the latter no one 

 can possibly exceed it for beauty and grandeur. 

 When it ascends from its favourite element, its 

 motions are aukward, and its neck is stretched 

 forward with an air of stupidity; but when seen 

 smoothly sailing along the water, commanding a 

 thousand graceful attitudes, and moving at plea- 

 sure without the smallest effort, there is not a 

 more beautiful figure in all nature". In the exhi- 

 bition of its form, there are no broken or harsh 

 lines; no constrained or catching motions; but 

 the soundest contours, and the easiest transitions; 

 the eye wanders over every part with insatiable 



