Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/120

Rh glides along-(it was much too good to be left incomplete)-and resuming it the moment he alights. The Cuckoo's always welcome, always thrilling, voice, fell on our startled ears, and settled any lingering doubt of the reality of summer. A gay Greenfinch was busy among the lovely blossoms, crimson and white, that covered a crab-tree in the hedge; and, around the same bush, a large yellow Dragon-fly was pursuing his avocation of hawking for small insects.

I hope my readers will be indulgent to me in repeating these details. I am sure they must have often enjoyed such scenes; and I love to recalrecall [sic] them, not only in the general effect, but in the minute particulars; I love to linger on the individual features of a pleasant scene; for, in so doing, I am able in greater fulness to reproduce to my own mind the impressions awakened at the time. The delight we all feel in free, pure, wild nature is far too evanescent a thing; the business and care of life, the stern realities of "this working-day world," rub off the imprint too readily; let us stereotype it if we can.

But what connexion is there between all this, and the Marine Aquarium? Well, I have said, be indulgent! I have been idling, I confess; but still I am on duty. I am going down to the Fleet at Wyke for Actinias: yes, I assure you I am; and presently I will shew you the result. So farewell to birds, insects, flowers and trees, while I make the best of my way onwards.

I will not tarry to cast a stolen glance at the straggling village of Wyke, with its fine old church tower that serves as a conspicuous landmark to