OUR VISIT TO THE EASTERN COAST.

WHAT WE SAW THERE.

HAVING thus taken possession of our humble but comfortable temporary abode, we next day walked into the town, and made necessary provision for the supply of our table. This done, we walked along the coast, and before evening arrived we had gained a tolerably correct knowledge of the place and the locality.

When we left home we had some idea of only remaining about a week or ten days, and then run up to London and down to Gravesend by rails, to bid farewell to a beloved nephew who was about to embark from the latter place as a Missionary to Orissa, East Indies. But the weather was so sultry and enervating that we could not muster resolution and strength for another long journey and the excitement of the scene of departure. We were, therefore, under these circumstances, content to commend our young relative to Him who careth for his servants, and concluded to remain the full time of our holiday where we were, hoping the sea waters and breezes would invigorate us and send us home with renewed health and strength.

I usually had a few plunges and a swim in the sea before breakfast. The shore is not quite so agreeable for bathing as some places I might mention. The ground is sandy, and that is pleasant; but the descent, through gradual, is rather more steep than many like. When the tide has gone down there is no level extent of sands left bare to assure you of safety when they are covered with water. But I did not hear of

any accident having taken place on this account; and it may be that this causes the bathers at Lowestoft to be more cautious. The waters were usually calm, with little more than a gentle swell; but sometimes an eastern wind would bring some strong rolling waves, and then we had to keep a sharp look out-diving under them as they came, and taking care they did not pitch us against the bathing machines. How refreshing and pleasant it is, on a fine summer's morning, when in good health, to sit down and heartily enjoy a good breakfast after a dip in the sea.

After breakfast we usually took our books and went down to the shore. There we would sit and read for a time, and and then walk along the coast, where there were always plenty of objects to attract our attention on land or water. But the sea brought up very few shells or weeds. We never saw a sea-coast so spare of them. We knew not how to account for this, especially as the land here projects further into the German Ocean than any other part of the eastern coast. Is it because the waters in shore are deeper?

I have already mentioned that about two miles from the shore there are sand banks, dangerous to vessels passing near them. And though there is a floating vessel stationed near as a beacon to warn vessels off, yet somehow or other they often run upon them. One morning we were sitting reading under the shade of a boat, when we were startled by a young man leaping from the boat over our heads and shouting, "She's struck!" Rising to see what was the matter we saw a number of boys and men running at the top of their speed towards a long boat which a number more

were dragging down the sands into the water; and down they went with it into the water holding on by its sides, and then springing into it, in less than a minute were pulling away with all their might for the stranded vessel.

And they must pull hard to get there first, for see! there is another boat shooting round yon point of the coast. They have seen her too. Now for a race! We watched them on

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shore with intense interest.

Now one boat and then the other seemed to be foremost, but our neighbours at last took the lead and kept it.

This contest between the boats to reach the vessel led us to inquire why, and we were informed that their crews were anxious to offer their assistance to get the vessels off, for which they are well paid. We now discovered that two vessels were on the sands, laden with coals from Shields for London. Other boats followed, and the tidings soon reached the shore that they were about to lighten the vessels by throwing the coal overboard. They must not sell the coal, as that would affect the insurance. The people seemed to know all about this, for a number of them being engaged to assist in throwing out the coal, they took care to throw it into their own boats, which were ranged all round the vessels. By and bye, these boats returned to the shore laded brimfull with small coal; and then another amusing scene was witnessed. Crowds of women and girls fell to work to unload them, and to bear away their contents in hampers and baskets to the donkey-carts which were waiting to receive them. Oh, had you seen those women and girls, without shoes or stockings wading down to the sides of the boat, on that hot day, bearing their loads of black dusty coal, which mixing with the sweat of their faces made them all look like so many chimney-sweeps! But little did they care-they had got the coal; and when they had done, just as they were, with all their clothes on, they doused themselves under the water, washed their faces, arms, and feet, and walking up all dripping wet, they marched off home

to change their clothes, laughing and joking with each other as merry as children set free from school for a holiday.

And when the men and lads returned from the vessel, they performed their ablutions in like manner-diving under the water and swimming about and splashing each other until they had washed the grime pretty well off their garments and their skins. The whole thing appeared to be enjoyed as good sport and fun.

But it was no sport or fun for the owners of the vessels. We heard that the expenses for help and loss of cargo amounted to between two and three hundred pounds, before the vessels were safely afloat in deep water again.

One little incident I have much pleasure in mentioning, because it is about two little girls-little missionaries, perhaps, I ought to call them. Sitting reading on the sands one evening, these two little girls, neatly and respectably dressed, came up to me, and in a very respectful tone said, "Please, sir, will you accept a little book?" My prompt reply was, "Yes, my dears, and thank you very much. I am only sorry that I have not with me some of my own little books to give to you, but I will put some in my pocket, and hope I shall see you again another day." Whether these dear children were visitors who left the next day I cannot tell, but I felt regret that I had not an opportunity of fulfilling my promise, for I never saw them again.

The little books they were giving away were on the subject of personal religion, evangelical in sentiment, and neatly printed and covered. As the dear children passed from me to offer their precious presents 'to others along the shore, I