The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-10
OCTOBER ON THE SALT MARSHES.
Some of Autumn's GIories where
Continent and Ocean Meet.


Continent and Ocean Meet.
Isaac o. Rankin in the congregatlonalist
Beyond a gentle slope OF vivid green the
marshes broaden, their level broken only
by forest-covered islands here and there
and the smaller islets made by the salt
haymows. Far away are white sand dunes
that mark the ocean shore. and grassy
hills. posted like sentinels to watch the sea.
Waving brown grasses. whose blades and
spears stlll gllsten In the sunlight like the
1eweled sheath of a calph's scimiter, hang
over the edge Of the trimming river. Far
away a white sail moves above the marsh
on unseen waters, but except for that the
whole life of the scene Is that of the Oc-
tober wind, cool on our faces and made
visible Ia ripple and in waving grass.
This is the meeting OF continent and
ocean, the debatable land where the tides
at flood argue for the seas right and at
ebb invite the forces of the earth to build
and repair and take possession. Its life
is thing apart, having its own laws, born
of the union of the sea and shore Its in
habitants must be prepared for flood as
they are rooted in the mre. The breath
of the wind grows salt as 1t blows over It's
wide spaces. 1t has the level OF the sea
without its shrinking and return, and the
appearance of the earth without solidity or
fear of drought. Its grasses must be cut
and gathered with permission of the tides
and its mows of salt hay, lifted up upon
their platforms, wait for connivance of the
frost before the ways are firm enough to
bear the loaded wagons to the waiting
barn. Along the edges litter of brown
wrack, IN which shells and drlftwood min
gle. tell Of the floods and the mower
scythe reveals skeletons of sea creatures
stranded and devoured.
Strange forms OF plant and flower-the
mermen and nermaidens of the vegetable
world-grow among the wet, salt grasses.
They are feshy in stem and leaf like sea
weed, but often strangely beautiful IN
flower. Even the land plants near the
edges feel the spell of the oceans pres
ence. June has more deeply tinted roses
here than any inland hi. can show The
autumn nourishes It's brilliant seaside goI-
den-rodS and asters and so long as kill
ing frosts withhold their sting the pinl-
pernel opens every pleasant morning to
the sun. The ocean birds with their long
legs and bills come seeking the sea 4
bounty, but there are land birds also. The
redwlngs nest on the tussocks of the
marsh, the seaside fnehes and sparrows
spend their shy and happy lives within
reach of the salt breath Of the sea, and
the reedy edges OF the marsh hear their
pleasant songs.
September is the month OF richest color
In this disputed land between the ocean
and the shore, but the ripened. IL more
sober, hues of October are not less won
derful. The mown levels are all in green
and brown, with here and there a patch
OF samphire deepening into crimson. In
neglected corners and along the creek and
river banks the grass waves I'm ripping
brown lights that are lustrous in the sun
The yellow of golden-rod Is faded about
the shore and the purple OF asters, but
the woods are klndling. Already htckories
are bright and oaks are changing. The
marshes have had their turn 1t is now
time for the upland From the crirnsons
and yellows Of wood and thicket the heart
turns for relief and delight to these level
spaces of cool brown and green lighted
by the blue CLEANS Of the river as a face
Is lighted by a kindling eye. To the de-
| light of beauty, the marshes add the
| thought Of peace and quletness SO the
sky rests ones thought in the strain of
great excitement-its amplitude, its quiet
its slow-moving clouds. its constant stars
after the confusion Of strange experiences
Beautiful as the salt marshes are seen
from the hills that bound them. they are
most beautiful from the lower ground
IL Is their level that enchants the eve
Here is an island crowned with oak for
est. From the hilltop 1t seems fiat and
insignihcant-a rounded patch Of green
amid the brighter colors OF the marsh.
But from the marsh edge II obtains both
dignity and beauty. We look up 10 il as
to a green dome set apart for worship or
delight. The sense of breadth, the re-
Spouse of the level earth to the brooding
sky, the suggestion Of the oceans charm
of wide expanse. Joined 10 the interplay
of earth's delightful greens and reds and
browns, keep us IN love with this middle
ground of the inconstant wave and the
slow-growing seed, of the salt tides ebb
and flow and the ripening SUMS appeal
for harvest.
The song Of the incoming water, push
Ing and whirling under the bridge, urged
from behind by the great uplift of the
sea, tells of the oceans strength, as the
quiet growth OF rush and reed and the
salt grasses tells Of the earth's stability
Looking from some gentle hill knee deep
among the purple asters over thickets Of
bay and scarlet rose hips, we see across
! this wonderful level space the river-deep
blue now that the wind has left IT to it.
self-and far away the wider blue Of the
distant ocean above a white Up of the
/ snowy dunes. Then we forget the rivalry
and think of the marshes as the wedding
place of sea and shore.