XIX. BY A RETIRED MARINER. H. H. [MRS. WORDSWORTH'S Brother, Henry.] FROM early youth I ploughed the restless Main, [SUPPOSED to be written by a friend (Mr. Cookson) who died there a few years after.] BROKEN in fortune, but in mind entire * Rushen Abbey. Intrudes on peace, I pray the eternal Sire A grey-haired, pensive, thankful Refugee; Of stormy weather-stains that semblance wrought, "Shine so, my aged brow, at all hours of the day!" XXI. TYNWALD HILL. [MR. ROBINSON and I walked the greater part of the way from Castle-town to Piel, and stopped some time at Tynwald Hill. One of my companions was an elderly man who, in a muddy way (for he was tipsy,) explained and answered, as far as he could, my enquiries about this place and the ceremonies held here. I found more agreeable company in some little children; one of whom, upon my request, recited the Lord's Prayer to me, and I helped her to a clearer understanding of it as well as I could ; but I was not at all satisfied with my own part; hers was much better done, and I am persuaded that, like other children, she knew more about it than she was able to express, especially to a stranger.] ONCE on the top of Tynwald's formal mound While, compassing the little mount around, XXII. DESPOND who will-I heard a voice exclaim, The glorious work of time and providence, Should fall; that She, whose virtue put to shame, That orb whose beams round Saxon Alfred shone: Toss in the fanning wind a humbler plume." XXIII. IN THE FRITH OF CLYDE, AILSA CRAG. DURING AN ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, JULY 17. [THE morning of the eclipse was exquisitely beautiful while we passed the Crag as described in the Sonnet. On the deck of the steam-boat were several persons of the poor and labouring class, and I could not but be struck by their cheerful talk with each other, while not one of them seemed to notice the magnificent objects with which we were surrounded; and even the phenomenon of the eclipse attracted but little of their attention. Was it right not to regret this? They appeared to me, however, so much alive in their own minds to their own concerns that I could not look upon it as a misfortune that they had little perception for such pleasures as cannot be cultivated without ease and leisure. Yet, if one surveys life in all its duties and relations, such ease and leisure will not be found so enviable a privilege as it may at first appear. Natural Philosophy, Painting, and Poetry, and refined taste, are no doubt great acquisitions to society; but, among those who dedicate themselves to such pursuits, it is to be feared that few are as happy, and as consistent in the management of their lives, as the class of persons who at that time led me into this course of reflection. I do not mean by this to be understood to derogate from intellectual pursuits, for that would be monstrous: I say it in deep gratitude for this compensation to those whose cares are limited to the necessities of daily life. Among them, self-tormentors, so numerous in the higher classes of society, are rare.] SINCE risen from ocean, ocean to defy, Appeared the crag of Ailsa, ne'er did morn Towering above the sea and little ships; Each for her haven; with her freight of Care, Though poor, yet rich, without the wealth of books, XXIV. ON THE FRITH OF CLYDE. (IN A STEAM-BOAT.) [THE mountain outline on the north of this island, as seen from the Frith of Clyde, is much the finest I have ever noticed in Scotland or elsewhere.] ARRAN! a single-crested Teneriffe, A. St. Helena next-in shape and hue, Varying her crowded peaks and ridges blue; No natural bond between the boldest schemes |