OCEAN GARDENS; 



behold and enjoy. But the lounger at the sea-side 

 does not guess at the wonders concealed by the 

 dark-green curtain of the ocean, and, consequently, 

 never dreams of wishing to peep beneath its waving 

 folds, to gratify a curiosity which, in fact, does not 

 exist. 



When, however, the language of Nature is 

 learnt, and her voice is no longer a confused mur- 

 mur to the ear, but becomes a brilliant series of 

 eloquent words, full of deep and exquisite meaning, 

 then the student will see as well as hear ; but till 

 then, in his intercourse with Nature, he is both 

 deaf and blind. Speak," said Socrates to a youth; 

 "say something, that I may see you." Socrates 

 saw not a silent man ; and those who do not hear 

 and understand Nature's language, cannot see her 

 wondrous beauty. 



The mill-like repetition of worldly affairs brings 

 on a torpor of mind, in regard to all without the 

 narrow circle of selfish interests and easily pur- 

 chased pleasures, which it is very difficult to wake 

 up from. But I would warn the suffering victims 

 of that baneful, though secret, presence ; for when 

 the consciousness of its existence is aroused, the 

 first step will have been taken towards its eradica- 

 tion. 



