A VISIT TO THE SEA SHORE. RETURNING HOME. THE morning which we had fixed on for leaving our temporary abode in the Isle of Wight was, like that on which we arrived at it, very windy and showery. But, “many a cloudy morning turns out a fine day," as says the old proverb, and so it did this morning. We again engaged our little carriage, and left the village, not without something like regret, which was soon subdued by thoughts of "sweet home,” where we knew many anxious little hearts were waiting and longing for our return. We went gently along, down hill and up hill, along the winding narrow lanes, now and then catching a glance of the sea, whose waves, larger than we had yet seen them, beat upon the shore with one continued roar, until we reached Brading, a sort of small town, or large village. Here, in the church yard, lie the mortal remains of LITTLE JANE, the Young Cottager, whose history no doubt many of our young readers have perused. The graves of the Dairyman's Daughters at Arreton, and of the Young Cottager at Brading, being often inquired for by christians visiting the island, the neighbouring cottagers, and their children, have very naturally endeavoured to turn this to their own advantage. And very naturally too the custom has grown into an annoyance and an abuse. When visiting the church yard at Arreton, a number of rough-looking little girls, guessing our object, soon crowded around us, offering their services. They were troublesome, and as we wished to be quiet, we were compelled to bid them begone. We were also disturbed and annoyed by the officious rudeness of a young woman, who hearing that strangers were there, had brought the key of the church door, which, as we left the yard, stood open for our admittance, but who, when she found we were not disposed to enter, changed from cringing servility into rude insolence with a rapidity that excited our surprise and almost our amusement. The parish authorities should interfere to protect the graves of the Dairyman's Daughters from such vulgar and indecent annoyances. This is done at Brading. A notice on the building, cautions all strangers against the practice of remunerating children for directing them to the grave of “Little Jane." They should, however, on the same notice give the necessary directions to the spot, which is at the south-east end of the church, and close to the path. Some may ask, Why did you visit these graves? Just that we might see the spots where the dust of these saints repose. We went not, like some Hindoo or Popish devotee, because we thought them holy places; neither did we ask the departed saints to pray for us! We had no such superstitious notions. We had read of their faith and patience, their love and hope, strong in sickness, and undying in death, and we felt some interest in looking on the places where they laid them. The following is a copy of the Epitaph: : SACRED To the Memory of Who died 30th Jany. 1799. of her age. Ye, who the power of God delight to trace, A Child to Memory dear, and dear to God; Jane, "the YOUNG COTTAGER" lies buried here. On the north side of the grave of Little Jane, |