FIRST SIGHT OF THE BRITISH ISLES. Home, fare-thee-well! the ocean storm is o'er; SONG. Ir was late in the afternoon of a summer's day, after a pleasant though somewhat protracted voyage, that I first came in sight of the shores of Europe. On hearing the cry of "Land! land!" I looked in the direction pointed out, and there, on the northern horizon, I could just discern the dim outline of a hill, scarcely distinguishable from the clouds. It was Mizenhead, the south-west point of Ireland. Soon after this welcome object came into view, the sun gave us his last ocean-setting, the most splendid that we saw on the voyage: he seemed willing to gratify us with a magnificent leavetaking. The golden orb appeared to pause for a time on the surface of the waters, as if reluctant to depart; and then slowly began to sink-down, down, till at length only a beautiful golden rim was left above the surface; then, presently, this too sank, B and the last gilded point vanished beneath the waves. Suddenly, it seemed to emerge again for an instant, like the last flash of an expiring lamp, and then finally disappeared. But long after the sun itself had gone down, its beams gilded the clouds, and filled the western heavens with beauty; while, at the same time, the eastern horizon was delicately tinged with a faint red hue. I have seldom witnessed a more splendid sunset, even in our own brilliant skies. To put the finishing charm to the scene, before the golden hues of the west had quite faded away, my attention was directed, by a fellow-passenger, to the east,-and there was the full moon, just risen, her broad round disc slowly emerging from the eastern waters. This contrast between the setting sun and rising moon was singularly beautiful. By and by, as it grew darker, we saw in the distance Cape Clear "light," appearing, disappearing, reappearing, in its graceful revolutions. There was no mistaking this object; and now, indeed, I realized that this was truly the coast of Ireland— of Europe. Long, long, did I stand gazing,-alternately at that distant light, and then to the south over the sea, which the moon was now silvering with her beams, and reflected that there, far away, were the coasts of France and Spain, and the "Pillars of Hercules." What thoughts came at those names! And then I would raise my eyes, and gaze into the heavens, at the twinkling stars that now looked down on Europe, and reflect that Newton and Galileo had gazed at these. It was long and late, before I could tear myself from the scene. FIRST SIGHT OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 3 The next morning, on coming out of my state-room, I at once smelt the land-breeze, with its sweet scents of grass and flowers, coming off from the Irish shore. It was delicious. The land was just visible, some fifteen miles away. During the day, we sailed on slowly, with light winds; and when evening came, found ourselves abreast of another lighthouse, "Tusker light," about half-way between Cape Clear and Liverpool. And now again, the land-breeze came off to us, laden with fragrance as of new-mown hay and green fields; while on the opposite side of the ship, the full moon was again pouring her silver light on the waters. Between the two-the sweet fragrance from the land on the west, and the beauty of the moonlight on the eastern side,-I passed a delicious evening, full of bright fancies kindled by the charming scene, mingled with pleasing anticipations of the future. About noon, the following day, we came in sight of the mountains of Wales. As we sailed on, they became more and more distinct, and at length their different summits were distinguishable. Loftiest among them rose Snowdon, on which all eyes were fixed. The sight of these Welsh mountains was most interesting, not only as presenting objects of grandeur, but by calling up a thousand romantic associations. I thought of Gray's "Bard," and of the stern king Edward the First, the conqueror of the brave Welsh; and from these my thoughts wandered to Wallace and Bruce, and numberless other historic recollections. How delightful are the associations, thus called up by localities, long seen |