cr own readers

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60 LA~D A~D SEA BltEEZES.
draw nearer. Small fishing-boats loom up like large
vessels. Th e seama n coasting along the shore is misled
by the clearness, and believes that he has been
driven towards the land by a current. The plan ks of
th e deck burn under his feet; he vainly spreads an
awning to shelter himself from the great heat.
5. The sun is near the zenith, and all nature seems
to ha ve fallen into a sleep. Yonder, far out on the
sea, a darker tint appears on its gla y surface, and
again disappears. Once more it returns j it remains,
and slowly approaches. I t is th e welcome sea-breeze;
but it may be one or two hours more before it has
regularly set in. Small wh ite clouds app ear above
the horizon, a symptom of a fresh breeze. Then we
feel a cool breath from the sea, succeeded by others
whi ch remain longer, and presently th e ref reshing
sea -breeze has really set in.
6. Th e air becomes grey with vapour, which envelops
th e promontories in mist and curtains the
mountain s with clouds. Objects which seemed near
are now apparently removed to a distan ce, and th e
sailor is apt to thi nk him self farth er from land than
he really is. Th e sea is raised into short broken
waves, whose white crests are blown away by th e
wind.
T. As the sun approaches the horizon, the roll of
thunder is heard from the piled-up cloud over th e
mountains, and the gleam of lightning is seen th rough
th e mist. But as the sun sinks, th e mist gradually
disappears. Th e wind and the sea cease their chafing
and frett ing : soon all is aga in still. Thi tillness is
pleasant to th e feelings. The dri ving briny sea-breeze
had gro wn weari ome, and th e calm is welcome.