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to which he was exiled. But I must first speak of seas and of ships; and am I not well placed in London to speak of those things?

"You have seen that I embarked at St Malo. We left the Channel, and the immense billows coming from the west, announced our entrance on the Atlantic.

"It is difficult for those who have never been at sea to form an idea of the sentiments experienced when from the deck of the vessel one sees on all sides nothing but the serious and menacing face of the abyss. There is in the perilous life of a sailor an independence which springs from his absence from the land. The passions of men are left upon the shore. Between the world quitted and the world sought for, there is neither love nor country but on the element which bears us. No more duties to fulfil, no more visits to make, no more journals, no more politics. Even the language of a sailor is not the ordinary language. It is a language such as the ocean and the heavens, the calm and the tempest speak. One inhabits a universe on the waters, among creatures whose clothing, whose tastes, whose manners and aspects, resemble not the people of the earth; they have the roughness of the sea-wolf, and the lightness of the bird. Their fronts are marked by none of the cares of society. The wrinkles which traverse them resemble the foldings of a diminutive sail, and they are less chisselled by age than by the wind and by the waves. The skin of these creatures, impregnated by salt, is red and rigid, like the surface of the rock beaten by the billows.

"Sailors have a passion for their vessel. They weep with regret on quitting it, and with tenderness on returning to it. They cannot remain with their families. After having sworn a hundred times to expose themselves no more to the sea, they find it impossible to live away from it, like a young lover who cannot tear himself from the arms of a faithless and stormy mistress. In the docks of London and Plymouth it is not rare to find sailors born on board ship; from their infancy to their old age they have never been on shore, and have never seen the land but from the deck of their float

ing cradle: spectators of the world they have never entered. Within this life, narrowed to so small a space under the clouds and over the abyss, every thing is animated for the mariner: an anchor, a sail, a mast, a cannon, are the creatures of his affections, and have each their history

That sail was shivered on the coast of Labrador; the master sailsman mended it with the piece you see— That anchor saved the vessel, when all the other anchors were lost in the midst of the coral rocks of the Sandwich Isles-That mast was broken by a hurricane off the Cape of Good Hope; it was but one single piece, but it is much stronger now that it is composed of two piecesThe cannon which you see is the only one which was not dismounted at the battle of the Chesapeake.' Then the most interesting news a-boardThe log has just been thrown-the vessel is going ten knots an hourthe sky is clear at noon-an observation has been taken-they are at such a latitude-so many leagues have been made in the right direction-the needle declines, it is at such a degree-the sand of the sandglass passes badly, it threatens rain

flying-fish have been seen towards the south, the weather will become calm;-the water has changed its colour-pieces of wood have been seen floating by-sea-gulls and wildducks have been seen-a little bird has perched upon the yards—it is necessary to stand out to sea, for they are nearing the land, and it is dangerous to approach it during the night. Among the poultry is a favourite sacred cock which has survived all the others; it is famous for having crowed during a battle, as if in a farm-yard in the midst of its hens. Under the decks lives a cat of tortoise-coloured skin, bushy tail, long stiff mustaches, firm on its feet, and caring not for the rolling of the vessel: it has twice made the voyage round the world, and saved itself from a wreck on a cask. The cabin boys give to the cock biscuits soaked in wine; and the cat has the privilege of sleeping, when it likes, in the hammock of the first lieutenant.'

"The aged sailor resembles the aged labourer. Their harvests are different, it is true; the sailor has led a wandering life, the labourer has

never quitted his field, but they both consult the stars, and predict the future in ploughing their furrows; to the one the lark, the red breast, and nightingale to the other, the albatross, the curlew, and the kingfisher, are prophets. They retire in the evening, the one into his cabin, the other into his cottage: frail tenements, but where the hurricane which shakes them, does not agitate their tranquil consciences.

In the wind tempestuous blowing, Still no danger they descry; The guiltless heart, its boon bestowing, Soothes them with its lullaby.

Lullaby, &c. &c.'

"The sailor knows not where death will surprise him, or on what coast he will leave his life. Perhaps he will mingle his last sigh with the wind, attached to a raft to continue his voyage; perhaps he will sleep interred on a desert island, which one may never light upon again, as he slept alone in his hammock in the middle of the ocean. The vessel is itself a spectacle. Sensible to the slightest movement of the helm, an hippogriff or winged courser, it obeys the hand of the pilot, as a horse the hand of its rider. The elegance of the masts and cordages, the agility of the sailors who cluster about the yards, the different aspects in which the ship presents itself, whether it advances leaning upon the water by a contrary wind, or flies straight forward before a favourable breeze, make this scientific machine one of the wonders of the genius of man. Sometimes the waves break against its sides, and dash up their spray; sometimes the tranquil water divides without resistance before its prow. The flags, the lights, the sails, complete the beauty of this palace of Neptune. The main-sails, unfurled in all their breadth, belly out like vast cylinders; the top-sails, reefed in the midst, resemble the breasts of a mermaid. Animated by impetuous wind, the vessel with its keel, as with the share of the plough, furrows with a mighty noise the fields of the ocean.

"On these vast paths of the deep, along which are seen neither trees, nor villages, nor cities, nor towers, nor spires, nor tombs-on this causeway without columns, without mile

stones, which has no boundaries but the waves, no relays but the winds, no lights but the stars-the most delightful of adventures, when one is not in quest of lands and seas unknown, is the meeting of two vessels. The mutual discovery takes place along the horizon by the help of a telescope; then they make sail towards each other. The crews and the passengers hurry upon the deck. The two ships approach, hoist their flags, brail half up their sails, and lay themselves alongside of each other All is silence; the two captains, from the poop, hail each other with speaking-trumpets-"The name of the vessel-from what port -the name of the captain-where he comes from-where he is bound for-how many days his passage has lasted, and what are his observations on the longitude and latitude.' These are the questions Good voyage.' The sails are unbrailed, and belly to the wind. The sailors and passengers of the two vessels follow each other with their eyes, without saying a word; these going to seek the sun of Asia, those the sun of Europe, which will equally see them die. Time carries away and separates travellers upon the earth more promptly still than the wind separates those upon the ocean. They also make signs of adieu from afar-good voyage-the common port is Eternity.

"The boatswain of the vessel I was embarked in was an ancient supercargo, named Pierre Villeneuve. His name alone pleased me, for it recalled the good Villeneuve. He had served in India under Suffrein, and in America under the Count D'Estaing; he had been engaged in a multitude of affairs. Leaning on the fore part of the vessel, near the bowsprit, like a veteran seated on the bank of his little garden in the fosse of the Invalides, Pierre, whilst chewing a quid of tobacco, which swelled his cheek like a rheum, described to me the effect of detonations of artillery on the decks during a combat, the ravage the bullets made in rebounding against the gun frames, the cannons, and the timbers. I made him talk of the Indians, the negroes, the colonists; I asked him how the people were dressed-how the trees were shaped-of what co

lour was the earth and sky-what was the taste of the fruits-if the mannas were better than peachesthe palm-tree finer than the oak. He explained to me all this by comparisons taken from things which I knew. The palm-tree was a great cabbage - the dress of an Indian was like the dress of my grandmother-all the people of the East, and especially the Chinese, were cowards and robbers. Villeneuve was from Brittany, and we did not fail to finish by singing the praises of the incomparable beauty of our own country.

"The bell interrupted our conversation. It regulated the hours of dressing, of mustering the crew, and of meals. In the morning, at a given signal, the crew ranged upon the deck to take off their blue shirts to change them for others hanging in the shrouds. The shirts taken off are immediately washed in tubs, in which the mariners all wash their brown faces and tarry hands. At the midday and evening meal, the sailors, sitting in a circle around their wooden bowls, plunge one after the other, regularly and fairly, their pewter spoons into their soup, undulating to the rolling of the vessel. Those who are not hungry sell to their comrades their portion of biscuit and meat for tobacco or a glass of brandy. The passengers eat in the captain's cuddy. During the fine weather, a sail was often spread over the aft of the vessel, and we dined in view of the blue sea, whitened here and there by the foam of the breaking waves. Enveloped in my cloak, I slept during the night on the deck. My looks turned towards the stars above my head. The swelling sail sent to me the freshness of the breeze, which rocked me under the heavenly dome; dozing, and impelled by the wind, the sky changed with my dream.

"The passengers on board a vessel offer a society different from the crew; they belong to another element; their destinies are on the earth. Some are seeking fortune, others repose; some returning to their country, others quitting it; and others are voyaging to study the manners of foreign nations, and to instruct themselves

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ST PETER'S ISLAND,Newfoundland. "The Governor lodged in a fort at the extremity of the city. I dined two or three times with this officer, who was extremely polite and obliging. He cultivated, under a bastion, some of the vegetables of Europe. After dinner, he shewed me what he called his garden. A delicate soft odour exhaled from a little plot of beans and flowers. It was not wafted to us by a breeze from our country, or by a zephyr of love, but by a wild wind of Newfoundland, without relations with the exiled plant, without sympathies of reminiscence or delight. In this perfume, which had changed its climate, its culture, and its world, were the melancholies and regrets of absence and of youth.

"We then went conversing to under the mast on which the flag floated, which was planted on the height of the fort, whilst, like the women of Virgil, we looked upon the sea, which separated us from our natal land-flentes. The Governor was agitated. He belonged to the vanquished opinion; he was weary of this rock,-a retreat suitable to a dreamer like me, but a rude abode for a man occupied with affairs, and not having in himself that passion which absorbs altogether, and makes the rest of the world disappear. Mine host enquired about the Revolution, and I enquired about the north-west passage. He was at the advanced guard of the desert, but he knew nothing of the Esquimaux, and received nothing from Canada but partridges.

"I was alone one morning, to behold the rising of the sun in the direction of France. I sat down on a project

ing rock, my feet hanging over the waves, which were unfurling themselves below on the steep shore. A young female appeared on the higher declivities; her legs were bare, though it was cold, and she walked amidst the dew. Her black hair was disposed in knots under an Indian handkerchief, which was arranged round her head; above the handkerchief she wore a hat of straw, or rather of the reeds of the country, in the shape of a cradle. A bouquet of heath lilac peeped from her bosom, which contrasted with her white chemisette. From time to time she stooped to pluck some leaves of an aromatic plant, which is called in the island natural tea. With one hand she put these leaves into a paper, which she held in the other hand. She perceived me, and without the least timidity, came and sat by my side, put her basket near her, placed herself like me, her legs hanging over the sea, and looked up at the sun.

"We remained a few minutes without speaking, and without daring to turn our faces towards each other. At last I became more courageous, and addressed her- What have you been gathering?' She raised

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her large black eyes, timid and proud, towards me, and replied, I have been gathering tea.' She presented to me her basket. Are you carrying this tea to your father or to your mother?' My father is fishing with Guillaumy.' 'How do you pass the winter in the island?' 'We make

nets; on a Sunday we go to mass and to vespers; we sing the Canticles, then we play upon the snow,

and we see the young men hunt the white bear.' Will your father soon return?' 'Oh no, the captain will take the vessel to Genoa with Guillaumy.' 'But will Guillaumy return?' 'Oh yes, next season, at the return of the fishermen. He will bring me in his venture, a silk corset, a muslin petticoat, and a black necklace.' And then you will be dressed for the wind, the mountain, and the sea. Shall I send you a corset, a petticoat, and a necklace, from America?' Oh no.'

"She got up, took her basket, and hurried by a steep path along a grove of fir-trees. She sung with a shrill voice the canticle of the missions.

Tout brulant d'une ardeur immortelle,
C'est vers Dieu qui tendent mes desirs.

"As she went swiftly along, seagulls, and beautiful marine birds, called egrets, from their tufts of feathers on their heads, flew up before her. She seemed to belong to their flock. Having reached the sea, she sprung into a boat, unfurled the sail, and sat at the helm. One might have taken her for the goddess Fortune. She was soon out of sight. Che guidar gli doveva fatal donzella. Vider picciola nave; e in poppa quella

"Oh no! Oh yes, Guillaumy. The image of the young sailor on the yardarm in the midst of the winds, changed to her the frightful rock of St Peter into a land of delights;

"L'isole di Fortuna, ora vedete."

O. D.

THE CRUISE OF THE MIDGE.

CHAPTER V.

"The tempest gathered o'er her."

I WAS dreaming of the party I had so recently left, and again I was confabulating with the mild placid women, and the fair child was also there. Oh, who can appreciate the delights of female society like the poor sailor, who has been condemned, month after month, to the gruff society of great he men, and whose horizon has during all that time been the distant meeting of sea and sky. "Hillo, Brail, my boy-Brail."

"What is that-who the deuce hails so uproariously?" quoth I, more than half asleep, "why, what is the matter?"

on

"Oh not a great deal," rejoined Donovan, from his berth at the opposite side of the small cabin; " ly you snore so confoundedly loud that I could get no sleep for your trumpetings, Benjie; and as you spoiled my rest very sufficiently last night, I thought I would take the liberty of paying you off in the morning. But, Benjie, heard you ever any thing like that ?"

"Like what?" said I.

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Why, like the noise of the rain on deck just now."

I listened, and perceived a low rushing noise, that gradually increased, until the sound appeared to be produced by a cataract of peas pouring down on the deck above.

"There's a shower for you, Master Brail-when heard you such another?"

66 Seldom, I confess-seldom-but why have you roused me out in this way, Donovan ?-if it should rain pike staves and old women-I cannot help it."-Snore.

Presently I was awakened by my troublesome chum again, whose voice could scarcely be heard through the rushing of another heavy shower on the hollow deck overhead. But this time he was addressing some one on deck, and from where I lay I could see up the companion ladder.

«< I say, Mr Peak," (the little midshipman,)" "Mr Peak, how does the weather look?"

Lord Ullin's Daughter.

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"And the ship?"

"Close to, astern of us, sir." "The swell seems heavy," continued I.

"Very, sir-it has been increasing during the whole of the watch; the ship you boarded yesterday evening is rolling awfully heavy."

Here some one from aft called to little Peak, but I could not make out what the voice said-" How do you think so?" answered the midshipman. The man said something in reply, but still I could not distinguish the words.

"I fear," said Joey now, "the merchantman has sprung something aloft, sir-there is a great bustle on board of her-there, there, her foretopgallant-mast is gone."

Anxious to see what had befallen the ark of my interesting friends, I rose and dressed as fast as I could, and was in the act of going on deck when another tremendous thunder plump came down with even greater fury than before. I waited until it was over, and by this time the day began to break. When I got on deck the sky was very lowering, and the sea as black as pitch; and although the increasing light proved that the sun was not far below the horizon, yet there was not the smallest clear streak in the east to be seen. The whole vault of heaven was ink-black,

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