I had heard so much about the swannery that it had but little interest for me.

The only thing about it which specially attracted my attention was seeing a swan rise up and after passing over my head as I stood on the bank fly straight out over the sea.

I watched him until he had diminished to a small white spot above the horizon, and then still flying he faded from sight.

Do these swans that fly away over the sea, and others which appear in small flocks or pairs at Poole Harbour and at other places on the coast, ever return to the Fleet?
Probably some do, but, I fancy some of these explorers must settle down in waters far from home, to return no more.
The village itself, looked upon from this same elevation, is very attractive.

Life seems quieter, more peaceful there out of sight of the ocean's turbulence, out of hearing of its "accents disconsolate." The cottages are seen ranged in a double line along the narrow crooked street, like a procession of cows with a few laggards scattered behind the main body.