These specimens were immensely ponderous,
and capable of a high polish, which brought out beautiful streaks and
shades.
One might spend a very pleasant summer in Matlock, and I think there can
be no more beautiful place in the world; but we left it that afternoon,
and railed to Manchester, where we arrived between ten and eleven at
night. The next day I left S----- to go to the Art Exhibition, and took
J----- with me to Liverpool, where I had an engagement that admitted of
no delay. Thus ended our tour, in which we had seen but a little bit of
England, yet rich with variety and interest. What a wonderful land! It
is our forefathers' land; our land, for I will not give up such a
precious inheritance. We are now back again in flat and sandy Southport,
which, during the past week, has been thronged with Whitsuntide people,
who crowd the streets, and pass to and fro along the promenade, with a
universal and monotonous air of nothing to do, and very little enjoyment.
It is a pity that poor folks cannot employ their little hour of leisure
to better advantage, in a country where the soil is so veined with gold.
These are delightfully long days. Last night, at half past nine, I could
read with perfect ease in parts of the room remote from the window; and
at nearly half past eleven there was a broad sheet of daylight in the
west, gleaming brightly over the plashy sands. I question whether there
be any total night at this season.
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