Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Neither the beach of Margate nor that of Ramsgate, close to the town, is favoured with many shells; for you may roam the sands at low water, for hours, without being able to pick up more than a very scanty variety. What is wanting, however, on the beach, is fully made up in the shops where shells are sold. Here every possible variety may be obtained of univalves, bivalves, and multivalves; from snails, limpets, cones, and cowries, to rock shells, thick - spined screws, and wave-ribbed trumpets; from cockles, muscles, and gapers, to Noah's arks, great sea - wings, and thorny oysters; and from the scaly chiton or coat of mail, to the barnacle, borer, and prickly stonepiercer. I have lifted up my hands with astonishment at the splendid displays of these wonders of the deep, nor has my heart been unaffected. Well might the psalmist say of the Lord, "Thou art the God that doest wonders," Psa. lxxvii. 14.

An invalid has been wheeled past me in a chair by two servants. The healthy poor are rich, and the invalid rich are poor. Afflicted stranger! it is not these health-giving gales alone, but the healing art of the great Physician, that is required to bid thee, "Take up thy bed, and walk." Whatever be thy disease, may

he heal thee of "thy leprosy," and fill thy heart with thankfulness, and thy mouth with hallelujahs!

The cliff is crowned with attractive houses, adorned with green verandas. The high vane erected yonder to set forth the way of the wind, is too slender an object for the blast easily to overthrow. Masses of dark sea-weed lie in strong relief on the sandy beach, and the seagull yonder is winging her way over the world of waters.

I have stood for some time talking with a young woman who walks with crutches. She carries the bloom of health in her cheek, but her limbs refuse their accustomed office, and require the supporting aid on which she leans. Resigned to her affliction, she is humbly looking above, not only for "patience under sufferings," but also for "a happy issue out of all her afflictions."

Descending the cliff to the edge of the heaving ocean, I have walked along the sands, animated by the sea breeze, and delighted with the advancing and receding waves. Sprightly forms and cheerful faces are passing me, as I promenade the pier. Two vessels have just entered the harbour.

The erection of this pier was a spirited achieve

ment. Built principally with Purbeck and Portland stone, it makes a noble stand against the roaring billows, and forms an excellent harbour. The sum expended was more than six hundred thousand pounds; but it is thought that the value of the ships it has saved is more than a hundred times the amount.

An old weather-beaten tar has been pointing out to me the coast of France, with the shipping in the Downs, and talking eloquently of the Goodwin Sands, which are said to have destroyed ships worth much more than the British navy. How mighty is the world of waters! the unfathomable, boundless, and ungovernable ocean! Were the whole population of the globe plunged beneath its whelming waves, it would make no sensible difference to its immensity.

Ocean! thou art wild and dread,

And fearful in thy force;
But there is an Almighty power
That guides thy mighty course.

Though thou art strong and terrible,
Yet shalt thou pass away,
As the froth upon thy waters,
As the sprinkling of thy spray.

There are a few places in the neighbourhood. that I should like to see; but, for the present, I

U

must attend to other things. Exercise and the sea brecze create an appetite; and a keen appetite is wilful, and will have its way. Margate and Ramsgate, ye have contributed to my pleasure, I fling ye both my blessing. May you be handmaids of health to thousands; and may tens of thousands visit you with advantage, and leave you with hearts grateful to the Father of mercies for his unbounded benefits.

NORWOOD

AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD.

I HAVE been roaming around this pleasant neighbourhood; at one time gazing on the interesting objects of creation, at another, taking a hasty glance at places of notoriety; Beulah Spa, Dulwich Gallery, and Aubin's School of Industry have all been visited; and now, looking around me from this commanding eminence, I am noting down my wandering thoughts.

It has been a glorious day, and shame ought to redden my cheek and oppress my heart, if I have been an ungrateful partaker of the balmy air, the beauteous prospect, and the kindling skies. Not yet have the feathered race suspended their tuneful songs, nor has the glowing sun withdrawn his beams. Insects are on the wing, and the golden foliage of autumn gives a richness to the spreading scene. The hawthorn bushes are laden with berries, and the sere and ruddy leaves of the oak blend harmoniously

« AnteriorContinuar »