Do take a little branch of each, and on my I dreamed of wanderings in the woods knees I'll pray amongst the holly green; That God may bless your Christmas and be I dreamed of my own native cot and porch with your New Year's Day. The wind is black and bitter, and the hailstones do not spare My shivering form, my bleeding feet and stiff entangled hair; with ivy screen; I dreamed of lights for ever dimmed-of hopes that can't return— And dropped a tear on Christmas fires that nevermore can burn. one came to buy; Then, when the skies are pitiless, be merci- The ghost-like singer still sung on, but no ful, I say, So Heaven will light your Christmas and the The hurrying crowd passed to and fro, but coming New Year's Day." 'Twas a dying maiden sung while the cold hail rattled down And fierce winds whistled mournfully o'er Dublin's dreary town; did not heed her cry; She uttered one low piercing moan, then cast her boughs away, And, smiling, cried, "I'll rest with God before the New Year's Day." One stiff hand clutched her ivy-sprigs and On New Year's Day I said my prayers above a new-made grave holly-boughs so fair; With the other she kept brushing the hail- Dug decently in sacred soil by Liffey's murdrops from her hair. So grim and statue-like she seemed 'twas evident that Death Was lurking in her footsteps, whilst her hot impeded breath Too plainly told her early doom, though the burden of her lay Was still of life and Christmas joys and a happy New Year's Day. 'Twas in that broad bleak Thomas street I heard the wanderer sing; I stood a moment in the mire beyond the ragged ring; My heart felt cold and lonely, and my thoughts were far away Where I was many a Christmas-tide and happy New Year's Day. muring wave: The minstrel maid from earth to heaven has And now enjoys with sister-saints an endless A CONFESSION. JOHN KEEGAN. MIDSHIPMAN EASY. EFORE morning the ship had been pumped out dry and all below made as secure and safe as circumstances would permit, but the gale still continued its violence, and there was anything but comfort on board. What a change from the morning of the day before! But twenty-four hours had passed away and the sea had been smooth, the frigate dashed through the blue water proud in all her canvas, graceful as a swan. Since that there had been fire, tempest, lightning, disaster, danger and death; her masts were tossed about on the snowy waves hundreds of miles away from her, and she, a wreck, was rolling heavily, groaning and complaining in every timber as she urged her impetuous race with the furious running sea. Three days more, and the Aurora joined the Toulon fleet. When she was first seen, it was imagined by those on board of the other ships that she had been in action; but they soon learnt that the conflict had been against more direful weapons than any yet invented by mortal hands. Captain Wilson waited upon the admiral, and of course received immediate orders to repair to port and refit. In a few hours the Aurora had shaped her course for Malta, and by sunset the Toulon fleet were no longer in sight. "By de holy poker, Massa Easy, but that terrible sort of gale the other day, and nowI tink one time we all go to Davy Jones's locker." "Very true, Mesty; I hope never to meet. with such another." "Den, Massa Easy, why you go to sea? When man ab no money, noting to eat, den he go to sea, but everybody say you ab plenty money. Why you come to sea?" "I'm sure I don't know," replied Jack, thoughtfully; "I came to sea on account of equality and the rights of man." "Eh, Massa Easy, you come to wrong place, anyhow. Now, I tink good deal lately, and I tink equality all stuff." "All stuff, Mesty? Why, you used to think otherwise." Yes, Massa Easy, but den I boil de kettle for all young gentlemen. Now dat I ship's corporal and hab cane, I tink so no longer." Jack made no reply, but he thought the more. His notions of equality were rapidly disappearing; he defended them more from habit, and perhaps a wilfulness which would not allow him to acknowledge himself wrong; to which may be added his love of argument. Already he had accustomed himself to obedience of his superiors, and, notwithstanding his arguments, he would admit of no resistance from those below him. Not that it was hardly ever attempted, for Jack was anything but a tyrant and was much beloved by all in the ship. Every day brought its lessons, and Captain Wilson was now satis food that lash load been almost cured of the the of his Father's ridiculous philosophy. Adv A tow mauntos Mosty tapped his ཝཱ་ཝཱཝཱ ཝཱ on the todd and wcommenced had eared only for the present, without indulging in a future anticipation of any reward except in a union with Agnes. Mosty's observations occasioned Jack to reflect upon the fature for the first time in his life, and he was always perplexed when I don't diside le pat the question of Mesty and tried to grower to limself as to what were lis deal to learn, not having even got over the midshipman's trick of keeping his hands in his pockets, and Mr. Pottyfar had replied that it was very well for hin, as chaplain, to insult others, knowing that his cassock protected him. This was a bitter reply to Mr. Hawkins, who at the very time that the insinuation made his blood boil was also reminded that his profession forbade a retort. He rushed into his cabin, poor fellow! having no other method left, vented his indignation in tears, and then consoled himself by degrees with prayer. In the mean time, Mr. Potty far had gone on deck wroth with Hawkins and his messmates as well as displeased with himself. He was indeed in a humor to be pleased with nobody, and in a most unfortunate humor to be asked leave by a midshipman. Nevertheless, Jack politely took off his hat and requested leave to go on shore and see his friend the governor; upon which, Mr. Potty far turned round to him with his feet spread wide open, and, thrusting his hands to the very bottom of his pockets, as if in determination, said, "Mr. Easy, you know the state of the ship; we have everything to do-new masts, new rigging, everything, almost, to refit and yet you ask to go on shore! Now, sir, you may take this answer for yourself and all the other midshipmen in the ship that not one soul of you puts his foot on shore until we are again all ataunto." "Allow me to observe, sir," said our hero, "that it is very true that all our services may be required when the duty commences, but, this being Saturday night and to-morrow Sunday, the frigate will not be even moved till Monday morning; and, as the work can Perhaps, sir, you will allow me to argue the point?" replied Jack. "No, sir; I never allow argument. Walk over to the other side of the deck, if you please." "Oh, certainly, sir," said Jack, "if you wish it." Jack's first idea was to go on shore without leave, but from this he was persuaded by Gascoigne, who told him that it would displease Captain Wilson, and that old Tom, the governor, would not receive him. Jack agreed to this, and then, after a flourish about the rights of man, tyranny, oppression, and so forth, he walked forward to the forecastle, where he found his friend Mesty, who had heard all that had passed, and who insidiously said to him in a low tone, 66 Why you stay at sea, Massa Easy?" Why, indeed," thought Jack, boiling with indignation, "to be cooped up here at the will of another? I am a fool; Mesty is right. I'll ask for my discharge tomorrow." Jack went down below and told Gascoigne what he had determined to do. "You'll do no such thing, Jack," replied Gascoigne. "Depend upon it, you'll have plenty of leave in a day or two. Pottyfar was in a pet with the chaplain, who was too much for him. Captain Wilson will be on board by nine o'clock." Nevertheless, Jack walked his first watch in the "magnificents," as all middies do when they cannot go on shore, and turned |