to those who know where to direct their attention, there is many a beautiful and romantic piece of scenery to be found, even in the craggy precipices which guard the sea-shore. My own village of North-Maven is one of the few places on the island which presents an agreeable and cultivated appearance seaward: not that it is destitute of that wilder kind of landscape which is so characteristic of islands in general, for there are not many points which are better known for the grandeur and magnificence of their prospects, but it is also interspersed with natural beau ties of a more pleasing description. As we sailed from out the harbour of North-Maven in a north-easterly direction, the wonderful combination of wildness and tranquillity so evident on that peninsula became particularly striking. Above our starboard bow were spread out the Villeins, or Plains of Ure, which are verdant lawns of several miles in extent, situate on the tops of some high and precipitous perforated rocks which stand on the western side of the peninsula. Along the shore, and stretching out to sea, runs a series of magnificent rocks which form lofty arches, and are pierced into deep caverns and subterranean recesses, or else are divided from top to bottom by the sea into pinnacles, with acutely pointed summits. "Cliffs which had been rent asunder; A dreary sea now flows between, But neither heat nor frost nor thunder, Shall wholly do away I weep, The marks of that which once hath been." Nor are these the only picturesque objects to be seen upon the Zetland shore, since it is continually broken by Voes, as they are there called, or wreathed and winding bays, each of which is capable of containing a British Navy. As we sailed out towards the Island of Unst, with the wind blowing freshly in a southern direction, we heard the gale produce the grand and deep intonation of the waves roaring in the caverned rocks behind us. It then seemed to a fanciful and romantic mind, such as my own, like the sublime voluntary of Nature in praise of her Creator, played upon her own most powerful, yet not unmelodious organ. Whilst I was occupied by these sights and reflections, the Mermaid continued to breast the ocean towards Unst, around whose base the waves are ever roaring and dashing, even when the weather is calm at a distance. After passing round the Island, we gained the broad expanse of the North-Sea; and stood out yet farther from Zetland, which soon began to assume the ap pearance of a shapeless mass of rock covered with a veil of mist, which arose above it, and blended with the sky. The day-light had now passed away; but the interesting appearance which a Zetland night gives to all things, left a reflecting and retired heart, like my own, but little to regret. There was not, it is true, the magical beauty of a summer dark blue twilight, but still there was an unclouded calm serenity in the starry atmosphere, the eye ranged around to where ocean was lost in air, like time melting into eternity, and the indistinct form of my native country looked like a dear friend about to pass the mysterious boundary. The sea-water was smooth and dark, buț still broken into an infinity of small waves washing and driving over each other. Solitude was predominant over the scene, save where the sea-gull skimmed along the surface of the deep, occasionally dipping his wing, which sounded like the dash of an oar, in the murmuring waters. The charactor, the silence, and the loneliness of the scene, brought to my recollection the lines of an excellent but neglected poet, who has said, in his Ode to Solitude, And "thine is many, a noiseless hour, many a shipless sea, and many ́ą trackless plain, * No shore, no sail in ether's bound.” Every thing was in harmony with my mind, even the following rude Song of the Pilot, and the continual chace of the waves against the vessel's side. THE PILOT'S SONG. The stars were shining brightly, Their fire was on the sea; The waves were leaping lightly, The ship danced merrity; Brave Valck who steer'd the barque along, The Dragon of the Main, Thus gave the winds and waves his song, 66 Thy keel drives up the ocean foam, And leaves our track afar; And gallant hearts that love to roam Let some be Fortune wailing, Her keel drives up the ocean foam, And gallant hearts that love to roam While coward hearts are sighing And what though dashing waves be loud, They're gentler than the glances proud For still we plough the ocean foam, All was like a dreamless sleep with me after that night, until I arrived in the splendid metropolis of France; and even there my soul was so much excited for the completion of the second great wish of my life, that the science of aerostation alone engaged my attention, and I left the buildings, the literature, the pleasures, and the society of Paris, for the converse of Messieurs Montgolfier, Pilatre de Rozier, Girond de Villette, the Marquis D'Arlandes, and the other celebrated aeronauts of that day. The history of this astonishing science, from the vague and undefined conjectures of Lord Bacon, Bishop Wilkins, and the Jesuit Francis Lana, down to our own successful experiments of Garnerin and Sadler, is well known; but the fever for aerial discovery is new completely past, and the existence of Balloons almost forgotten, when compared with that rage which existed for them at the period of which I am writing. It is highly probable that modern landscape-gardeners will condemn my taste; but I must acknowledge, that I do love the ancient and grand style of gardening then exhibited at Versailles. It was there, in the walks, overshadowed with green leafy trellis-work, leading to labyrinths, open parterres, or splendid terraces adorned with grottos and fountains, it was there that I deemed myself in the rich old pleasure-grounds of the seventeenth century, of which Burghers and Winstanley bave left such delightful representations. Such in my mind was the resort of Milton's "retired Leisure, Who in trim gardens takes his pleasure:" Warton's and such in my imagination were 'High-arch'd walks, and alleys green." Oh! to me it was exquisite to look upon the wide Mall, the embowered walk, the curiously shaped flower knot, the series of terraces, and the long-extended grove, ascending and looking from the distance, and the clear light at the end, like "a vista to the sky." While I have, life and memory, the exact, and magnificent retreats of Versailles, together with the adventures which I there experienced, will never be forgotten. The interest I took in the then fashionable science of Aerostation, was uncommonly gratifying to my new associates; and although it was not without much difficulty that I prevailed upon them to permit me to ascend alone in a Montgolfier Balloon, yet my ardour at length won their consent; and about July 1784, a small machine was prepared for me, and I was to take my flight from the most private part of the celebrated Gardens already mentioned. The Balloon in which I rose was of that construction which is known by the name of it's inventor, Montgolfier, and in which the air is rarefied within the Balloon itself, by means of a fire that is maintained in a grate beneath. It's form was elliptical, and beneath the bag was hung a small circular stage or car, in the centre of which was the firegrate, and around which were curtains of silk. The time of my departure had at length arrived, and it was only by the most strenuous solicitation that I was permitted to ascend without a companion; but so strongly was I possessed with the idea, that my aerial voyage would not be less extraordinary, nor perhaps less dangerous, than my marine one had proved, that I firmly rejected all the offers of my friends, and at length, after promising the most minute report of my excursion, I received their reluctant farewells, and entered the Machine alone. membrance of former danger and former deliverance, made me, while the cords were being cut, address a few words to Him who had preserved me in the deep waters, to protect and restore me safe from my present undertaking; but even whilst my heart looked upward, the already inflated Machine was set at liberty, and Versailles, Paris, France, almost the world itself, seemed falling into chaos beneath me. As the Balloon rose, the material objects of the earth seemed to descend, and for a moment I could hardly persuade myself but that I beheld towers which appeared falling upon cach other, began to assume a regular and map-like aspect, disposed in concentric circles, of which the city for many miles round it forced the interior, with the river Seine shining like silver. There appeared a bright and undefined belt girding it; beyond that the country, growing darker as it drew to the horizon, lay spread out with masses of dark verdure scattered over it; and bounding all was seen a broad line of light green, or middle tint, which blended with the sky. Hitherto the season of the year and fire in the car had kept the atmosphere round the Balloon at rather a warm temperature; but after having for some time surveyed the scene below me, on ascending I found the air cold and wintry, and filled with varying currents of wind, which drove me forward with great rapidity, through clouds charged with hail, cold rain, and even snow. The flag, too, which I carried with me in my ascent, no longer flew horizontally or hung downwards, but was drawu in a perpendicular direction, even at the time when I was going rapidly in a straight line. I was now, according to the best calculation I have ever been able to make, either at the time, or since, at the height of about 12,000 feet; the earth, of course, had long been invisible, and there appeared beneath me only an immense ocean of dense, shapeless, and rolling clouds, which appeared to form a barrier between the Balloon and the world that I had left. Every thing around seemed the sport of wind, caprice, and chaos; there was not that beautiful blue sky, nor the golden rays. of sun-shine, which we see from below; but the broad expanse presented only that blank cheerless veil of dense white, which overhangs a gloomy day. I would now fain have descended, but the valve by which the air was to be let out had shut itself so tightly, that my utmost force could not open it: added to which, the currents of wind fed the fire of the Balloon, so that it continued rapidly to risc. Notwithstanding the evident danger of my situation, the cold, the excitation of my mind, and the natural consequences of my position in the air, all so much inclined me to sleep, that I imagine at this part of my voyage I must have slumAt length, however, the towns and bered; although I saw every thing A re "The wreck of matter and the crash of worlds!" that followed as vividly as I ever beheld the most lively scenes, and ali my other powers were so perfectly exerted, that I yet doubt whether I could have looked upon a dream. It seemed to me then as if I were still in the Balloon, and still ascending at a rapid rate through the air. The Machine now seemed to approach a large, black, and dense cloud, which on entering appeared to cast it's shroud all over me, and for a time to envelope me in darkness. While I was under this veil, I heard the most violent rushing of contending winds, the pour ing of rain, and the rolling of thunder; and at the same time the cold was so intense, that it almost suspended life and it's powers. I could at that time have thought, that I had entered into the treasures of the snow, and had passed into the storehouse of the hail that I had gone into the place of the darkness, and had been shewn the habitation of Chaos, where all things were hurled toge ther without form, order, or distinction. After having travelled through this dreadful region with amazing velocity, the clouds seemed to break away from before me, and I discovered a new species of atmosphere; which, although it could not be considered as dark, yet it possessed only that red and lurid kind of light which we see preceding a storm, Every thing was tinted with a deep tawny lustre, which was contrasted with large masses of intense purple clouds that were in continual motion, ever shewing, as they unfolded their banners, gleams of the same fiery radiance behind them. In this new climate, too, there were meteors and comets flashing and gliding through the air with great rapidity: some of them forming in their courses various eccentric curves, and others passing along in an horizontal, or perpendicular direction. The power of the winds in this place was still more tremendous than I had yet experienced it. At one time the Balloon was violently carried upward, and then the contending currents would force it down in a level position, so that it was with the greatest difficulty, by clinging fast to the car, that I could preserve myself from being precipiiated into the dense atmosphere of purple clouds which was below me. Then on a sudden it would become stationary, and immediately after As the wards whirl round with such velocity, that my senses had nearly departed. Notwithstanding all these dreadful convulsions of the air, and the consequent oscillations of the Balloon, I was yet able to remark, with considerable surprise, that the most violent currents did not produce any effects on the dark clouds I have already mentioned. They remained perfectly stationary; but as I was carried swiftly towards them, my astonishment was encreased to behold, that upon their gilded edges reclined an innumerable multitude of winged figures in various attitudes, either musing or in converse. Balloon approached, many of them flew towards me; and I then discovered that their forms were gigantic, yet of the most perfect symmetry, that their wings were formed of deep crimson feathers, and that their fine faces were richly shadowed by black hair hanging in flakes like ravens' plumes, or else standing erect like flames. The countenances of these Spirits were all of one character, though varied in their composition: they were of that pale brown hue which is esteemed so beautiful in man: and their features were cast in the most perfect Grecian model. The eyebrows were lofty, black, and extended, and dark piercing eyes shone powerfully out from beneath them. Upon the mouth, there was somewhat of a sad, yet sarcastic smile, which slightly curved the ends, and gave to the face an air at once grand, imperious, and contemptuous. But what impressed me with more horror at these beautifully awful appearances, was to see that forms so fine should have extended and pointed ears of a swarthy colour, rising upon either side the head in the dark locks which crowned it; while beneath was a neck worthy of Apollo himself, had not it's strong lines indicated a Spirit that was proud, malevolent, and unbending. When the Angels had reached the Balloon, they formed themselves into an horizontal circle above it; and hanging on their red wings, flew round it, singing in a wild yet not unpleasing tone the following stanzas, which immediately became indelibly impressed on my memory, and on the temptations of which I have often reflected with the blended feelings of horror and of gratitude. SONG OF THE ANGELS OF AIR. Thou rovest fair,-through yielding air, In Heaven's cerulean tide; But we who share.—the pleasures there, On wings ethereal glide. And Oh! 'tis sweet,-and far more fleet Than 'tis to speed,-on swiftest steed Our Angel race, -in boundless space Then banish soon,-thine Air-Balloon, While this was being sung, my attention was naturally drawn upward, and it was not until it's conclusion that I bebeld that one of these spirits, whose face, if I may use the expression, was yet more magnificently mournful, was seated before me on the opposite side of the Car; having one hand resting on a golden staff or sceptre, and the other placed on his extended arm. Although the Balloon itself must have been between us, yet the presence of the Spirit pervaded it; and he appeared to me as distinctly as if there had not been any intervening medium. I sat for some time bathed in a cold perspiration, the Angel also remaining motionless with his eyes fixed upon me, till at length I found the courage to address him with,— "Spirit of the Air, what art thou?" To which he replied, in a deep, yet not unmusical tone, "Even what thou sayest, a Spirit of the Air." The dreaded colloquy being thus began, I found but little difficulty in saying,- What is thy purpose?—if friendly, tell me in what region am I, and how I must descend from hence." 66 Listen, mortal!" he replied; "thou art in the Firmament of the North, and in the kingdom and presence of OURANODEMON, the Chief of the Air Angels. My purposes are never friendly to man; yet such is his miscrable self-deceit, that I could almost pity him. When thou shalt descend, which thou shalt not do without imminent danger for having penetrated this region, say to thy fellow-mortals, that I command them to cease from their vain, and ignorant attempts to invade my dominions, and that, should they despise my be hests, the next who ascends shall be my victin." But," returned I, "it is probable that those upon carth will treat my message as a dream; nay, I myself almost doubt it's reality." "Still the same, still the same," answered the Angel; "ever incredulous of truth, whether it be good or evil; man is never content to accept things as they are, he must always weave his own romance of deceit. But thus much is permitted to thee for proof to thy fellow-mortal. Bare thy right arm." When I had done so, the Angel immediately grasped it, and directly the flesh turned of a scorched appearance, as if a band of heated iron had been affixed to it, although the effect was produced without pain. As soon as I recovered myself, he continued, "Now begone, thou hast already seen and heard too much for man: -away, and Remember!" As he spake, lightnings seemed to flash around him, and he departed in flame! I started forward, and seemed to wake from my stupor, when what was my horror to behold the Balloon in flames, rapidly falling to the earth, over which night had spread herself. The scenes which I had so long left now scemed to rise out of space beneath me. There I saw Paris with her thousand lights, and the Gardens and Parks of Versailles, stretched out beneath the moonlight. It seemed to me scarcely a moment between the disappearance of the Angel and my touching the ground; otherwise the fury with which the flames raged must have previously consumed the Balloon. It fell in a wood a short distance from the city, and caught in |