The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-04-01

hollow super-structure, OF great thickness
and strength, but tapering upward inside
the lines of his foundation.
If anybody wishes to read "romance
of real life," let him peruse Smeaton's
"Narrative of the building of Eddys.one
Lighthouse" and he will see how man al
so learns to make "even the widest waves
obey him." 1t is remarkable that the form
selected by the renowned engineer for his
sea-tower, as being natures own idea OF
solidity in vertical erections, is nearly iden-
tical with the symbol used in the Egyptian
hieroglyphics for "strength.' The priest
represented that notion by the figure of an
obelisk almost precisely resembling the out
lines of Smeaton's lighthouse and hun
dred years Of weather have proved that
they and the engineers knew what they
were about The light burned for the first
time upon the new building in October,
1893 it burns now, all safely aud it is
likely to burn through many stormy win
ter 10 come.
Aud if we on land have almost affection
for these sturdy turrets erected in the def
ance of the strongest forces of nature, TO
save life and property, and to light the mar
iner toward his home, what must sailors
feel? A landsman can scarcely realize the
blessings of these friendly lights. He knows
that they save life. Firm as Smeaton' s
tower is the huge erection shudders in the
shock of such a tempest as has lately rag
ed; the winds howl like maddened devils
upon its head, while the big waves burst
upon it sides, and fling their sheets of green
and white right over the gallery and lantern.
Strange sights and sounds are the recreation
of those hermits of the tower-the storm
torn craft driving wildly past-the land birds
dashing in the darkness against the glass of
the Highland sea-wrack, mingled some
times with dead bodies, flung against their
water-stairs.
1t is not for a little that men are found
TO live in the dismal solitude Of such place
as the rooms under the Eddystone lamp.
Two watchers used to keep this melancho-
ly but useful garrison; +; but one died, and
the other was forced to live with the corpse
till the relief arrived, lest he should he ac-
cused of murder. Since that time three
have always occupied the house. The sailor
best knows how we'll worth pains and cost
the trouble ard scrupulous attention are.
Each sunset finds the patient keepers care
full trimming the light aud setting the polish
ed ret1ectors, and not for a moment is that
brilliant glare allowed to relax.
The light-keeper can not see what help
he gives his business is to guard the bright
monitory gleam. But, far away from his
rock, the blasted mariner, anxious and in
doubt, suddenly "makes out the Eddystone.
Some keen eye forward Or aloft catches the
tiny spark over the dark waters, and then
the lead-line and the fearful watch are no
more wanted. $50 shines" as Shakespeare
says, "a good deed in naughty world"
A good and brave deed it was to plant the
cross of help upon the ugly Chaunel-rock,
as Winstanley first did, and as Smea'on
after him succeeded in doing, with work
which many such gales as this sou'-wester
will leave Safe and sound--the monument
of mans audacity, and, better still, of mans
brotherhood. English Paper.