The Argosy — page 396: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Channel Islands. 373 such magnificent rock scenery, that its limited area is never realised. In all else, indeed, it is great; has a strong influence upon mind and imagination ; takes firm hold of the affections; is the Queen and the Pearl of islands. Every day we loved it more. The roads, the breezy heights, the sombre valleys, the long stretches of heather ending in abrupt preci- pices, all grew familiar, never tame or monotonous. There was—lI have said it before—an indescribable charm about Sark. It was subtle, ever present, almost tangible, yet could not be uttered. In all weathers it was there. If the sun shone, the sky simply laughed for joy, and the earth responded. All nature was lighted up with happi- mess. From head to foot one seemed to absorb Bo sper the very > or we de EEE a= eZ Cea Oz 6 : Se es,” 22 — “Ay. <a FB oo ng Ae, S ~ 2700 7X “if ¢ i vr ee . Pe ¥ oo cay. J 7¢ 4s ™ a a * th } hi ran ii Hf fi ne nt " il ha ee ie i- nl ay . iy yw i ie f Me f a ti Wa | i) i I ive ' Biylit,. el is assent. ikl BE ss | ame ri... 2 ‘aad iB A ia hh rf IN THE SEIGNEURIE GROUNDS, breath of life. It was impossible to receive it sufficiently. The hours flew on silent wings. One longed to put back the sun, not ten but fifty degrees, and stay the glass of time that ran in such golden sands. On the other hand, if the skies were gloomy and the sun was lost behind gathering clouds, the island threw up a deep rich tone full of grandeur. One hardly knew which aspect to like best, the sunny or the sad. The latter certainly predominated during our stay. Hours of sunshine we had, inexpressibly lovely, and days of gloom inexpressibly fine. It was nothing but a series of gales, one after another, and they were gales full of earnestness. ‘Tremendous seas, furious winds, that would sometimes lull for an hour or two, only to gather fresh strength and rage, drenching rains that seemed to threaten a second deluge. But the rain fortunately was less constant than the wind, and seldom kept us at home. CONMIECLOOO ss) (EO)