Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834. Excerpt: ... Staffa, adieu! It has been my lot to wander over much of this earth's surface, and to see most of the great operations of Nature, as well as the works of art. Seldom has my attention been so riveted, or my imagination so excited, as while contemplating the wild scenery and the mysterious formation of this wonderful island. The following lines (published anonymously in the Metropolitan) are, I have some reason to believe, from the pen of a nobleman. As it is not improbable that this little volume may often visit Staffa, their transference to these pages will, I think, prove advantageous, both to the author and to the reader; since, in their original repository, they could hardly expect to be often read in the Cave of Fingal. STAFFA. I've gazed on Nature in the sleeping lake, The vine-clad hill, the wildly-tangled brake--I've heard her whisper in the flutt'ring trees, Sing in the brook, and murmur in the breeze, Until ber quiet music to my heart Would peace, and love, and happiness impart; And every fretful feeling die away, Like lover's frowns before his loved One's lay. And then I've turned on wilder scenes, to brood, And court thee, Nature, in thy sterner mood. Helvetia's cliffs--the glacier high and hoar--The moaning cavern, and the cataract's roar--The cloud-envelop'd mountain's tranquil pride--The gloomy forest sleeping on its side-Do not such scenes of loveliness control With majesty--with beauty win the soul? Nor need the breast which glows at sights like these Thirst for the climes beyond our native seas; Not Mont Blanc's brow, or Jungfrau piled on high, Or glacier glittering in the clear blue sky, Such solemn awe--such pleasing fear impart-As Staffa's isle, where Nature scoffs at Art! There, on the bosom of the wildest sea, That longs to trespass ...