So ends the present attempt at giving a history of coast lighting in this country, by recalling incidents connected with the erection and existence of some of our more famous lighthouses. The subject is an interesting and, in a sense, a romantic one; moreover, it has hitherto received but scant attention, save from a purely scientific point of view, and from that we have not ventured to regard it. The picture of the coast of England lighted by charity, and of its being for many years hardly lit at all, is a novel one, and becomes the more curious as we realize what must have been the effect of such a condition of affairs. Again, the picture which reveals every obstacle being thrown in the way of assisting navigation by means of nocturnal lights, appears strange to modern eyes, whilst the harsh and selfish condemnation as useless of lighthouses, which experience has taught us to regard as essential to the safety of shipping, falls somewhat discordantly on modern ears. That these obstacles and prejudices were, in most instances, successfully overcome is to the credit of those who overcame them, whether the particular project was undertaken out of charity or in the hope of private gain. Indeed, it may be safely said that the history of many of our English lighthouses reveals what pluck, and skill, and perseverance will accomplish, and is, for that reason if for no other, well worthy of careful study and full record. THE END. OXFORD: HORACE HART, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY FOOTNOTES [1] See chapter viii. [2] The acting body of the Trinity House adhering to the late king, its labours had been transferred to a committee of the Parliament. [3] This is the incident attributed by Smeaton and others to the building of the second lighthouse an the Eddystone. [4] Wright’s _History of Essex_, vol. ii. p. 179, says that Winstanley was offered a liberal salary by the French king to remain in France, but refused the offer. This is somewhat inconsistent with the statement that the old king, Louis XIV, censured the officer of the privateer that had made the capture, and ordered Winstanley’s immediate return, saying he was at war with England, but not with humanity, and that a lighthouse on the Eddystone would be a benefit to mankind at large. [5] The reader will have noticed that credit for the undertaking did not lie with the Trinity House. [6] _The Beaux Stratagem._ By Farquhar, 1707, scene v. [7] See page 7. [8] Chap. i. p. 24.