were seen, gliding in and out of crevices in the mouldering turret. And over all, and calmly and coldly speaking the survival of nature when the grandest works of man are dust, sounded the rustle of many branches in the heedless wind. The day was setting over Norham as I drove away,--the red sun slowly obscured in a great bank of slate-coloured cloud,--but to the last I bent my gaze upon it, and that picture of ruined magnificence can never fade out of my mind. The road eastward toward Berwick is a green lane, running between harvest-fields, which now were thickly piled with golden sheaves, while over them swept great flocks of sable rooks. There are but few trees in that landscape,--scattered groups of the ash and the plane,--to break the prospect. For a long time the stately ruin remained in view,--its huge bulk and serrated outline, relieved against the red and gold of sunset, taking on the perfect semblance of a colossal cathedral, like that of Iona, with vast square tower, and chancel, and nave: only, because of its jagged lines, it seems in this prospect as if shaken by a convulsion of nature and tottering to its momentary fall. Never was illusion more perfect. Yet as the vision faded I could remember only the illusion that will never fade,--the illusion that a magical poetic genius has cast over those crumbling battlements, rebuilding the shattered towers, and pouring through their ancient halls the glowing tide of life and love, of power and pageant, of beauty, light, and song. THE END FOOTNOTES [1] "_In thy mind thou conjoinest life's practical knowledge, And a temper unmoved by the changes of fortune, Whatsoever her smile or her frown, Neither bowed nor elate,--but erect_" LORD LYTTON'S TRANSLATION [2] Since these words were written a plain headstone of white marble has been placed on this spot, bearing the following inscription:-- "Matthew Arnold, eldest son of the late Thomas Arnold, D.D., Head Master of Rugby School. Born December 24, 1822. Died April 15, 1888. There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted."