SCENERY OF THE CLIFFS. 
327 
from water. Having tied up the horses for an hour 
or two, and without making a fire, or even unrolling 
our cloaks to cover us, we stretched ourselves on the 
ground, and were in a few moments fast asleep. 
March 10. — At five we were again on our route, 
every moment expecting to see a break in the line 
of cliffs along which we had now travelled so far. 
Alas ! they still continued stretching as far as the 
eye could see to the westward, and as fast as we ar- 
rived at one point which had bounded our vision 
(and beyond which we hoped a change might occur), 
it was but to be met with the view of another beyond. 
Distressing and fatal as the continuance of these cliffs 
might prove to us, there was a grandeur and 
sublimity in their appearance that was most impos- 
ing, and which struck me with admiration. Stretch- 
ing out before us in lofty unbroken outline, they 
presented the singular and romantic appearance of 
massy battlements of masonry, supported by huge 
buttresses, and glittering in the morning sun which 
had now risen upon them, and made the scene 
beautiful even amidst the dangers and anxieties of 
our situation. It was indeed a rich and gorgeous 
view for a painter, and I never felt so much regret at 
my inability to sketch as I did at this moment. 
Still we kept moving onwards and still the cliffs 
continued. Hour after hour passed away, mile 
after mile was traversed, and yet no change was ob- 
servable. My anxiety for the party who were to 
follow behind with the pack-horses became very 
