A VISIT TO THE SEA SHORE.

Is is very likely that many of the readers of this little book have never seen the great wide sea; and so we think they would be pleased if we were to tell them of a visit we made to the sea side this summer.

But first, let me just say, that we never took such a journey before. Indeed we were something like the good couple in Cowper's celebrated and amusing ballad, when

"John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,

Though wedded we have been

These twice ten tedious years, yet we
No holiday have seen."

However, after much talking about it, and some preparation for it, and leaving our little folks in the care of "Aunt," we started by railway, and soon reached the great city of London, where we stayed a few days, to visit some of the wonderful exhibitions which are there to be seen in abundance; such as the Zoological Gardens, the National Gallery of Paintings, the Cartoons in Westminster Hall, the Chinese Collection, Madame Tassaud's exhibition of wax figures, the Thames Tunnel, and other places. One day we went down to Windsor Castle, the residence, for many years, of the kings and queens of England. But of all these we may tell you more sometime.

Again we started by railway, and in a few hours we reached Southampton, a very beautiful town, situated on a broad river, where we found a steam packet waiting, on which we got, and ran down the river and then over to the Isle of Wight. We called first at Cowes, a very pretty place, and then went on to Ryde, passing by many gentlemen and noblemen's seats, which were built on the hills above the banks, looking down on the waters. Among the rest we saw Osborne House, the summer residence of the Queen. She had come here a few days ago, and had gone out on the waters that morning with Prince Albert, in the Royal Yacht Steamer. We had not long passed Osborne House before we saw the Queen's Yacht coming from Spithead, with the Royal Standard of England flying, showing that Her Majesty was on board. We passed her at about the distance of a quarter of a mile. We could not see the Queen or the Prince, as we were too far off, but we could see the sailors and others passing about on the decks. It was a fine noble vessel, and went through the waters beautifully. We afterwards heard that the Queen had been as far as Portsmouth, but had not gone on shore.

We arrived at Ryde about five o'clock in the evening. When the tide has gone down the packets cannot get near the shore, so a long pier

has been erected, stretching over the sands to the place where the water becomes deeper. This long pier is a favourite walking place for the inhabitants and visitors. Ryde, like Cowes, is a beautiful place. Indeed all the towns, villages, and hamlets on this lovely island have a peculiarly pleasing appearance.

Next morning we left Ryde, and on the coach passed several of the places and scenes so admirably described by the pious Legh Richmond, in those excellent little books,-the Dairyman's Daughter, Negro Servant, and Young Cottager.

Shanklin is the name of the place at which we took up our abode for a few days. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Isle of Wight,- -a retired, quiet, and interesting spot, just such as we wanted to find, where we could be secluded from all the noise and bustle of the busy and the gay.

It was on Saturday we arrived, and being rather rainy, we stayed in doors and set our little matters in order, and retired to rest early, and found it very sweet and refreshing, after the labour and excitement of a long journey.

The sabbath came t so calm so bright." It was a lovely morning, and all around us was peace and quiet. Our hearts involuntarily exclaimed

"Welcome sweet day of rest!"