Motes to Canto the Third. NOTE 1.. PAGE 101. For as those strains unknown and clear Fell softly on her waking ear, Her sense in sweet delirium whirl'd Deem'd it the sound of higher world. They have, it is true, a kind of rude flute in Otaheite; but from the early death of all the Otaheitean men at Pitcairn's island, and the more important avocations which engaged the attention of the father of the colony, it is highly probable, at least it is sufficiently so to answer my purpose-that my heroine had never before heard the almost magical sounds of this delightful instrument. NOTE 2. PAGE 111. High swell'd the cavern's vaulted dome, I have the authority of the gentleman, who favored me with most of the particulars relative to Pitcairn's island, for stating, that there is a cavern, under a hill, to which Smith (the Fitzallan of my poem) had once retired, at the approach of some English vessels, as a place of concealment and security: the ships passed on; but the cave was still held sacred by the islanders, as a means of future protection for their revered benefactor, Never may that protection be required! Never may an English vessel bring other tidings than those of peace and pardon to one who has so fully expiated his only crime! Sufficient blood has been already shed to satisfy the demands of justice; and Mercy may now raise her voice at the foot of that throne where she never pleads in vain.—On being asked by Captain Folger, if he wished his existence to remain a secret, Smith immediately answered, "No!" and, pointing to the young and blooming band by whom he was surrounded, continued, "Do you think any man could seek my life with such a picture as this before his eyes ?” The description of the cave will not, I believe, be considered as unnatural by any one who has seen the wonders of the peak, or the sublime beauties of the isle of Staffa. NOTE 3. PAGE 112. How oft the mournful joy has rung, The mournful joy to wander, where Palmyra moulders in the air. The ruins of Palmyra, otherwise Tadmor in the desert, are well known; as is also the splendid work of U Messrs. Wood and Dawkins, the first travellers who undertook so fatiguing and perilous a journey for the sake of viewing and describing this magnificent monument of days that are past.-Mr. Heber, in a note to his beautiful poem on "Palestine," refers the building of this once florishing city to King Solomon. NOTE 4. PAGE 113. Eternal Nature! when to man Unveil'd appears thy mighty plan ; Imperishable, high design, A sweeter, holier voice is thine! A voice which leads where saints have trod, "Thro' Nature up to Nature's God." "Proceeding still farther along the same side of the island, (Staffa) we had a view of Fingal's cave, one of the most magnificent sights the eye ever beheld: it appears like the inside of a cathedral of immense size, |