and being prevented from growing higher, extends itself laterally in all directions. But the growth being as rapid at the upper edge as it is lower down, the steepness of the face of the reef is still preserved. These are the circumstances which render coral reefs so dangerous in navigation; for, in the first place, they are seldom seen above the water; and in the next, their sides are so steep, that a ship's bow may strike against the rock before any change of soundings has given warning of the danger.” With these brief quotations to explain the two principal circumstances on which the poem is founded, the Author abandons his “ Pelican Island” to the judgment of the public, having no hope to conciliate favour by apology or vindication, where he has painfully felt that both would be necessary, if the success or failure of of his work did not wholly depend on the manner in which it has been executed. He only requests the reader to bear in mind, that the narrative is supposed to be delivered by the imaginary being who witnesses the series of events, after the whole has happened, and who therefore describes them in such language, and with such illustrations, as the knowledge which he then possessed enabled him to use, whether he be identified with the Author, or (if the latter will so far condescend) with the reader himself, as spectator, actor, thinker, in this masquerade of The Stranger and his Friend ........................ A Sea Piece; in Three Sonnets ............................. Robert Burns ............................. ....................... A Theme for a Poet ............. ........................... 213 Night ................................................................. 219 Via Crucis, Via Lucis ............ The Ages of Man .............. Aspirations of Youth ............. The falling Leaf .......................... On planting a Tulip Root .......... .............. The Adventure of a Star .............. ............ 246 A Word with myself .......................... .............. 258 Inscription under the Picture of an aged Negro Woman . 256 THE PELICAN ISLAND. CANTO FIRST. METHOUGHT I lived through ages, and beheld Their generations pass so swiftly by me, wrought Sky, sun, and sea were all the universe ; |