147. Simond's hill: In the essay _Cambridge Thirty Years Ago_ Lowell
describes the village as seen from the top of this hill.
159-161. An allusion to the Mexican War, against which Lowell was
directing the satire of the _Biglow Papers_.
174-182. Compare the winter pictures in Whittier's _Snowbound_.
177. Formal candles: Candles lighted for some form or ceremony, as
in a religious service.
192. Stonehenge: Stonehenge on Salisbury plain in the south of
England is famous for its huge blocks of stone now lying in confusion,
supposed to be the remains of an ancient Druid temple.
207. Sanding: The continuance of the metaphor in "higher waves" are
"whelming." With high waves the sand is brought in upon the land,
encroaching upon its limits.