ABSTRACT
The packet had proceeded but a short way on her voyage when the weather changed, as we have seen before; and the wind coming now contrary, and blowing fresh, there was a general discharge among the passengers of all they had eaten the day/ before. Ned was not free from these qualms; yet he was not so taken up with his own su erings, but that he could feel for those of the ladies who were on board, and whose unavoidable distresses made them real objects of compassion. He endeavoured to relieve them as long as he was able, but the vessel continuing to work violently, he was obliged to retire to his birth. ey continued the whole night at sea; but the weather having grown more favourable towards morning, he was able, as soon as it was day, to go upon deck. Here he had the rst view of the Irish shore. e sight of any land is pleasant to one who has not been accustomed to the sea, but the bay of Dublin presents objects particularly grand and noble. He saw it this morning in its highest beauty. On one side was the Hill of Hoath, with the romantic rock called Ireland’s eye, and the island of Lambay beyond it; on the other were the Wicklow Mountains rising to the skies, and their tops still shrowded with the morning clouds. / In front appeared the lighthouse, white as snow, and looking like Venus rising out of the waves. e spires of the metropolis glimmered at a distance through the mist that always hangs over great cities, while the new risen sun gilded the intermediate country, rich in an in nite variety, where groves and palaces, cottages and corn elds, towns and country seats, masts and trees seemed blended together. Ned, who had a taste for painting, could not fail to be delighted with the beauty of this prospect; but, charming as it was, could he have distinguished among it the dwelling of Lady Cecilia, I believe the other objects would have been but little regarded.
