barism, I am lost in an exulting admiration. Look at the bold barriers of Palestine! See how the infant liberties of Greece were sheltered from the vast tribes of the uncivilized north by the heights of Hamus and Rhodope! Behold how the Alps describe their magnificent crescent-inclining their opposite extremities to the Adriatic and Tyrrhene Seas-locking up Italy from the Gallic and Tuetonic hordes, until the power and spirit of Rome had reached their maturity, and until she spread far her laws and language, and planted the seeds of many mighty nations! Thanks be to God for mountains! Their colossal firmness seems almost to break the current of time itself: the geologist in them searches for traces of the earlier world, and it is there too that man -resisting the revolutions of lower regions-retains through innumerable years his habits and his rights, while a multitude of changes has remoulded the people of Europe, while languages, laws, dynasties and creeds have passed over it, the children of the Celt and the Goth, who fled to the mountains a thousand years ago, are found there now, and show us in face and figure, in language and garb, what their fathers were: that there the fiery heart of freedom is still found and will be so for ever.-W. HoWITT. I wind about, and in and out, I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance, I murmur under moon and stars With graceful sweeps I sing and flow For men may come, and men may go, TENNYSON. THE SEA. He views the ships that come and go, Their course right onward through the unsounded deep. And where the far off sand-bars lift Their backs in long and narrow line, Into the air; then rush to mimic strife DANA. SEA-SIDE THOUGHTS. Whether we consider the ocean as rearing its tremendous billows in the midst of the tempest, or as stretched out into a smooth expanse-whether we consider its immeasurable extent, its mighty movements, or the innumerable beings which glide through its rolling waves-we cannot but be struck with astonishment at the grandeur of that Omnipotent Being who holds its waters in the hollow of his hand," and who has said to its foaming surges, "Hitherto shalt thou come, and no farther; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed."-Dick's Christian Philosopher. Beautiful, sublime, and glorious, Mild, majestic, foaming, free: Image of eternity. Sun, and moon, and stars, shine o'er thee, Yet attempt not to explore thee In thy soundless depths below. Whether morning's splendours steep thee Earth-her valleys and her mountains, Thy unfathomable fountains, Scoff his search and scorn his sway. Such art thou, stupendous ocean! BERNARD BARTON. THOUGHTS ON THE SEA. The joy of song, which hath such deep control, Now on my mind a shadowy world hath brought, Stirring the hidden depths of heart and soul With glorious thought; For it brings with it images of thee, The mind in its immensity expands To take within its range so vast a theme, And clothes the thoughts with hues of other lands, As in a dream, Giving to words a light, a power, a sense Of passionate influence. Oft when a boy, upon thy breast I lay Floating or swimming-changing with my whims, Feeling the warmth of the bright sun-beam play Upon my limbs; Or diving through the waves with glee as wild Alone I've stood beside thy sounding shore, And while the moaning winds would sigh and roar, I love to be familiar with each sound But soon I had a boat with swelling sail, And waves were high; I've heard the sea-gull screaming o'er my head, A HYMN OF THE SEA. The sea is mighty, but a mightier sways His restless billows. Thou whose hands have scoop'd Gliding from cape to cape, from isle to isle, These restless surges eat away the shores The birds and wafting billows plant the rifts With herb and tree: sweet fountains gush: sweet airs On thy creation, and pronounce it good. The murmuring shores in a perpetual hymn.-BRYANT. |