MERGE TO GYRENE. 
433 
Cyrene a thick haze had settled over the coast, and we were not 
aware that the sea was seen so plainly from the town as we after- 
wards found it to have been. When the mist cleared away the view 
was truly magnificent; and may be said to be one of those which 
remain impressed upon the mind, undiminished in interest by a 
comparison with others, and as strongly depicted there after a lapse 
of many years as if it were still before the eyes. We shall never 
forget the first effect of this scene (on approaching the edge of the 
height on which Cyrene is situated} when the fine sweep of land which 
lies stretched at the foot of the range hurst suddenly upon us in all 
its varied forms and tints ; and imagination painted the depth of 
the descent from the summit of the distant hills beneath us to the 
coast, terminated by the long uninterrupted line of blue, which 
was distinguished rising high in the misty horizon. If we knew 
in what the powers of description consisted we should be tempted 
to employ them on this occasion ; and would endeavour to convey 
to the minds of our readers the same impressions of the beautiful 
position of Cyrene which the view of it suggested to ourselves. 
But one glance of the eye is, we fear, worth more, in calling up the 
feelings which are produced by fine scenery, than all that description 
is capable of effecting ; and the impressions which time will never 
efface from our own minds would never (it is probable) be stamped, by 
words of ours, on the minds of those in whom we could wish to excite 
measured by us with a theodolite from the summit, was 42' 00'', which, adding -jL for 
terrestrial refraction, gives 2003 feet for the height — the mean of these, which we have 
is 1805 feet. 
3 K 2 
