"Once more, yet once again, with all our strength, Cry to the land--we may be heard at length." Vain hope, if yet unseen! but hark! an oar, That sound of bliss! comes dashing to their shore; Still, still the water rises; "Haste!" they cry, "Oh! hurry, seamen; in delay we die;" (Seamen were these, who in their ship perceived The drifted boat, and thus her crew relieved.) 290 And now the keel just cuts the cover'd sand, Now to the gunwale stretches every hand; With trembling pleasure all confused embark, And kiss the tackling of their welcome ark; While the most giddy, as they reach the shore, Think of their danger, and their GOD adore. NOTES TO LETTER IX. [58] Note 1, page 368, line 83. _Those living jellies which the flesh inflame._ Some of the smaller species of the Medusa (sea-nettle) are exquisitely beautiful: their form is nearly oval, varied with serrated longitudinal lines; they are extremely tender, and by no means which I am acquainted with can be preserved, for they soon dissolve in either spirit of wine or water, and lose every vestige of their shape, and indeed of their substance: the larger species are found in mis-shapen masses of many pounds weight; these, when handled, have the effect of the nettle, and the stinging is often accompanied or succeeded by the more unpleasant feeling, perhaps in a slight degree resembling that caused by the torpedo. [59] Note 2, page 368, line 94. _And quickly vegetates a vital breed._ Various tribes and species of marine vermes are here meant: that which so nearly resembles a vegetable in its form, and perhaps, in some degree, manner of growth, is the coralline called by naturalists Sertularia, of which there are many species in almost every part of the coast. The animal protrudes its many claws (apparently in search of prey) from certain pellucid vesicles which proceed from a horny, tenacious, branchy stem. [60] Note 3, page 368, line 101. _Myriads of living points; th' unaided eye_ _Can but the fire and not the form descry._ These are said to be a minute kind of animal of the same class; when it does not shine, it is invisible to the naked eye. [61] Note 4, page 369, line 110. _On weeds that sparkle, and on waves that blaze._ For the cause or causes of this phenomenon, which is sometimes, though rarely, observed on our coasts, I must refer the reader to the writers on natural philosophy and natural history. [62] Note 5, page 371, line 192. _Content would cheer thee, trudging to thine home._ This is not offered as a reasonable source of contentment, but as one motive for resignation: there would not be so much envy if there were more discernment. LETTER X. _CLUBS AND SOCIAL MEETINGS._