GOSSIP ABOUT HASTINGS.
Nor to use a stronger term, and if it be not wrong-morally and sentimentally wrong-to say so, I dislike the sea. I lately read that some great man, Edward Irving or Achilles-I really forget which-whenever he was in trouble, resorted to the sea-shore for comfort ; and a comment was added, that " great minds," when they have discarded every other species of sentimentality, retain this habit. It struck me, however, that a fortnight's uninterrupted sea-sickness might perhaps cure them of this remaining weakness .
Further reasons why people should agree with me in disliking the sea will be given in their proper places ; meanwhile we know that all men are driven, yearly, each by his own peculiar destiny, to a " watering-place. " You, my domestic friend and best of fathers, have children, for whose welfare it is absolutely needful that they should dig in sea sand during one-twelfth part of their little annual existences, with threepenny spades. You, sir, have had your nerves shaken by dreadful suspense in a land speculation. It was a terrible struggle to " raise the wind" in London : nothing but a breeze from the water will revive you. Whilst he (third person singular, and no acquaintance of ours) has some . how unaccountably lost his appetite at home-poor fellow ! Why yes ; -
