In Southern Seas, a Trip to the Antipodes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1888 Excerpt: ... %U i-est $ar&aur in tU World. 75 grow so near to the water that their roots and branches are covered at high tide. When the water recedes, oysters are found on the branches that have been immersed. As we passed down the stream I observed numbers of them in that peculiar position. It requires careful steering to avoid going aground, owing to the shallowness of the water and the mud banks that advance far into the channel. Approaching the city, evening was falling. Gaunt-looking cranes were striding about in the reedy swamps, or standing in solitary state by the willow-trees on the banks. From the last of the wooden jetties, where the boat stops on the way, we steamed quickly down into the 'finest harbour in the world.' In the soft light of the failing day, an after-glow on the heavens, filled with the glory of the vanished sun, was reflected in opal tints from the water. Brilliant and varied hues, from the softest primrose to the deepest violet, were blending over the sky, and these had their counterparts in the shadowy mirror beneath. Away on the-hill slopes, where the pretty villas are scattered, beacon sparks shone like red stars amid the woods. The lights of the steamers plying in the harbour flashed like rubies and emeralds through the gathering darkness. Then long lines of lamps broke into flaming tiers, as the city rose street over street from the quays, its clamorous voice now hushed into a quiet murmur. Answering the deep tones sounding the hour from the hill above, the bells of the vessels at anchor clanged in an echo that floated like silvery chimes from ship to ship--a vesper of the sea. And in the soft glamour of the deepening twilight the enchanting beauty of the scene was even more impressive than its morning splendour, when I had first s...