Paul and Virginia . ront view presents the bay, denominatedthe Bay of the Tomb; a little on the right is seen theCape of Misfortune; and beyond rolls the expanded ocean,on the surface of which appear a few uninhabited islands;and, among others, the Point of Endeavor, which resem-bles a bastion built upon the flood. At the entrance of the valley which presents these vari-ous objects, the echoes of the mountain incessantly repeatthe hollow murmurs of the winds that shake the neigh-boring forests, and the tumultuous dashing of the waveswhich break at a distance upon the cliffs; but near theruined
Paul and Virginia . ront view presents the bay, denominatedthe Bay of the Tomb; a little on the right is seen theCape of Misfortune; and beyond rolls the expanded ocean,on the surface of which appear a few uninhabited islands;and, among others, the Point of Endeavor, which resem-bles a bastion built upon the flood. At the entrance of the valley which presents these vari-ous objects, the echoes of the mountain incessantly repeatthe hollow murmurs of the winds that shake the neigh-boring forests, and the tumultuous dashing of the waveswhich break at a distance upon the cliffs; but near theruined cottages all is calm and still, and the only objectswhich there meet the eye are rude steep rocks that riselike a surrounding rampart. Large clumps of trees growat their base, on their rifted sides, and even on their majes- PAUL AND VIRGINIA. 39 tic tops, where the clouds seem to repose. The showers,which their bold points attract, often paint the vivid colorsof the rainbow on their green and brown declivities, and. swell the sources of the little river which flows at their feet, called the river of Fan-Palms. Within this inclosure reigns the most profound silence. The waters, the air, all the elements, are at peace. Scarcely does the echo repeat the whispers of the palm trees, spread- 40 PAUL AND VIRGINIA. ing their broad leaves, the long points of which are gentlyagitated by the winds. A soft light illumines the bottomof this deep valley, on which the sun shines only at even at break of day the rays of light are thrownon the surrounding rocks; and their sharp peaks, risingabove the shadows of the mountain, appear like tints ofgold and purple gleaming upon the azure sky. To this scene I loved to resort, as I could here enjoyat once the richness of an unbounded landscape and thecharm of uninterrupted solitude. One day, when I wasseated at the foot of the cottages and contemplating theirruins, a man advanced in years passed near the was dressed in the ancient g
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