after seeing how matters stood, with my good, sweet slr, my news is very an economy truly commendable, im- trifling-vastly trifling Indeed-Capmediately descended to his cabin, to tain Switchem and I have been so throw aside his holiday clothes and hurried of late.”—From this flowery gewgaws—which, however stylish and commencement, however, he was sudbecoming they may look on shore, are denly warned to forbear, by observing altogether unnecessary on ship-board, in the gunner's countenance something gala days being always excepted. His of a squall beginning to be apparent, servant soon afterwards making his which he dreaded might be yet more appearance, on his way to his master's obstreperous than the one he had alcook, was interrogated repeatedly from ready endured ; making, therefore, a the mess tables with the eager question sudden eddyin his speech, he more moof “ What's the news ?” and although destly resumed, “But it can't be shore the endearing appellations of, “ I say news a gemmen of your rank wants my lad-my dear boy-my hearty = -certainly not. Excuse me, sir, but shipmate-old ship, &c. &c., were care I've been in such a flurry all this mornfully prefixed to the demand, yet ing. I certainly presumed—I crave parseemed he to think himself a person of don, I meant-1, I, understood you to too much importance even to deign a say, as how you wished I to say, as to syllable of reply, or to regard his va when we should sail." rious interrogators with any other looks “ To be sure I did, Master Consethan those of the most cutting con- quence,” growled the Gunner, highly tempt, as he slowly and gravely paced displeased; “ you don't suppose í forward to the galley. This ill-judged would ask you for any other news?” behaviour had the speedy effect of put Certainly not, my dear Mr Fireting compliment to flight; and, on his ball-to be sure not,” cried the still return, such volleys of abuse saluted him smiling lackey, with a face reddening from all quarters, that he was glad to between shame and rage, at the power quicken his pace, and seek shelter in which thus rudely and publicly insulthis master's cabin. Nor was this his ed him. “ Well, sir, I heard Captain only punishment; for he had the mor- Switchem say to the pilot, in the Dock tification, not a minute afterwards, to Yard there, just before he and I be compelled to answer this important came off-You knows, says he, just question, and to answer it moreover when they parted, says he, ‘Bear a before those very people whom he had hand, Master Tackabout,' says he, for affected so much to despise. In his I am quite impatient to be off,' says former hurry he had apparently either the Captain. Well

, sir, the pilot he forgot something or had received some answered the Captain directly, and, fresh orders to deliver to the cook; for says he, ' I shall merely take a morthe uproar his behaviour had excited sel of breakfast, and be with you ere was barely subsided, when he again you know what you're about. Just get made his appearance bending his you all ready,' says the pilot,' for I'll course the same way as at first, but board you in an hour at farthest, and with a good deal of more activity. Une by that time it will be nearly flood;' fortunately for his self-elevated im- and so, sir, with that Captain Switchportance, which was destined from that em seemed satisfied, so the gig shoved hour to be completely kicked from its off, sir-and, I believe, that's all, sir. stilts, he was met midway in his jour- But, my stars, the Captain will be so ney by the gunner, whom the noise had cross, and out of patience at my terridrawn from his cabin, and who, quite ble absence ! and me all his things to unceremoniously, laying hold of the brush and put away !-I assure you, lappel of his jacket, brought him to a sir, I heard no more, sir ;” and with full halt, with the old question, rubbed another congée, more stylish than the down to a familiar, " I say you, Mas- first, away tripped the grinning doter What's-your-name, bear a hand and mestic, followed by the eyes of the tell us what's the news ?” Such a gunner, whose hard-featured, weatherquestion from an anchor button was beaten countenance, betokened somenot to be eluded; he therefore, ma- thing between good-humour and conking a merit of necessity, threw his tempt. ready carcase into one of its most fi Hilloah, master,” cried his mate, nished congées, and, with a face all with his large mouth stretched from over smiles, readily replied, “ Really, ear to ear in the form of a grin,

as well ?”

6 All

wint you saying we would need a head and fished, than the first Lieutespare monkey's tail for the after car- nant gave, “ Man the jib and top-sail ronade ?”

halliards Hoist away. The yards as“ I was so, Jack," replied the gun- çended, and the jib ran up its stay ner, turning away; “ but don't you gaily; top-gallant-sails, royals, and think a cat's one might serve the turn sky-scrapers followed ; and the Tot

tumfog thus gradually unfolding her Nothing better, master,” rejoin- white bosom to the breeze, was speedi- sed the half-choked mate," provided ly under way, walking, like one of

you serve it out with a whacking doze our far-famed Prince's Street toasts, of broomstick.”

steadily through the fleet, in all the The arrival of the pilot put an end glory of new canvass, fresh paint, moto this merry conversation, as the derate wind, and fair weather. boatswain immediately piped All hands She was now pretty well through the ahoy, who had hardly time to scamper fleet, when the Captain called oụt, on deck, when the first Lieutenant “Mr Fireball-where is Mr Fireball ? bawled through his speaking-trumpet Hark ye, youngster, jump and tell the the command to loose sails, which made gunner I want him directly!” The the top-men spring to the rigging with midshipman ran, and the gunner in an redoubled alacrity. Our hero, in this instant stood before his commander. out-set of business, found himself in “Mr Fireball,” cried the Captain, from no small dilemma, between a willing- the top of the round-house, “ I hope ness to be useful, and an ignorance of you are all ready, for you see we are all duty; he was, therefore, with a very near the proper distance.” motley herd of landsmen and marines, ready, sir,” answered the gunner, “ I alternately the follower of the boat- have only to unship the ports and run swain's mate and the serjeant, who, the guns out, which I can do in a trice.” bustling about the deck before them, “Take a number of hands, then,and do put the necessary ropes in their hands. so directly,” said the Captain ; you

“Fore-top there--main-top there!" know the sooner it is done the better bawled the first Lieutenant. “ Are --since we may all expect to be busy you ready aloft ?” which being an- again by and bye.-Zounds! pilot, is swered in the affirmative, he immedi- not the wind chopping about?”—“Yes, ately sung out,“Let fall! Sheet home!” sir,” answered the pilot, surveying the and away scampered the deck-bands, compass; “ It has come round fully helter-skelter with the sheets, until two points just now, and begins to the blocks smacked together. “Belay, blow fresh. In my opinion, sir, I think belay, men !” cried the officer. “Man you had better douse your courses and the capstan! Jump cheerily, my lads. small-sails—take a pull of the fore and Look out there, forward ! Down there, main braces, and get a hand in the tierers ! Are you ready below?”—“All chains.” ready, sir.”“Yo, ho! where the de “ You hear what the pilot says, Mr vil has all our hands got to ? Fore- Fyke?” cried the Captain, top there! main-top there! Come Ay, ay, sir,” answered the first down here, all of you! Master Etter- Lieutenant, raising his speaking trumcap and Master Pinafore, kick every pet, and springing forward. “Man the soul of them out of the tops--a parcel fore and main clew-garnets

let go of skulking lubbers!”—“Ay, ay, sir," tacks and sheets-clew up!". And up cried the young gentlemen ; and the went the courses to the yards, where capstan was speedily crowded. “Look they hung like drapery. out there, forward !” again bawled the « Fore and main-tops there,” cried first Lieutenant ; " Come, my lads, the first Lieutenant. “Sir!” bellowed pluck up a spirit, and off she goes the tops. play up fifer;" and round went the “ In royals and top-gallant-sails !" capstan to a good smart step, the men which, while executing, was next folbeating excellent time on the hollow lowed with a command for the captains sounding deck with their feet, amid of the tops“ to send a hand each aft to the accumulated vociferations of offi- the chains.”—“Ay, ay, sir,” answered cers of all ranks, who, with their po- both captains, leaning over the toptent commander in presence, vied with sails. each other in the notes of alternate en “ I'm all ready now, sir,” cried the couragement and ridicule. The an

gunner, advancing to the Captain. chor was no sooner run up to the cat “Ah! very good, Mr Fireball,” reVol. IX.

D

plied the Captain, looking astern with “Helm alee!" and the boatswain's pipe mis amb his glass. “Stand by then, and be on gave its usual trill, which was instant- * the alert, for I will give you the word ly followed by, " Square the main-top- ext! directly; and hark ye, old boy, mind sail-yard—forecastle there-shift over you commence with your lee guns, and the jib, and haul aft the jib-sheet-man measure your time well— I think that the fore and main-braces-haul of all!" always the best plan, for it makes your These orders were all executed in far weather ones tell a thousand times less time than they can possibly be better.”

enumerated, and round went the TotThegunner assenting, went forward. tumfog on another tack.

By the mark seven !" sung the She was running athwart the nare men in the chains.—" Steady,” cried row channel of the Swin, with her the pilot to the quarter-master. “ And broadside to the fleet, when the Capsteady it is,” replied the man at the tain gave the word “ Fire!" which was wheel.

instantly obeyed, and all hands were “By the deep six !" sung the leads- immediately enveloped in the smoke men again.

of the salute, which the wind as speed“Luff,

boy, luff;" cried the pilot ; ily carried off to the Admiral. This and“ Luffit is, sir," was the response. piece of ceremony being immediately

“ By the half-mark five !" again returned by the Admiral's ship, after sung the leadsmen.

one or two more tacks, the pilot decla- 220 Steady she goes, my lad—nothing red his duty at an end ; and after paroff,” said the pilot, with the usual re- taking of a slight refreshment, and reply.

ceiving the necessary documents of the “ By the deep four !" continued the faithful discharge of his official duty, leadsmen ; and the pilot immediately he wished Captain Switchem and all cried to the Captain, “'Bout ship, if his officers a fortunate cruize, jumped you please, sir, -luff a little, my dear into his own boat, and took his leave ; boy, luff a very little !"

while the Tottum fog stood steadily to While this conversation was going sea; and while also many a one on on, the most perfect silence had been board, as the shore sunk in the horizon, maintained—all hands being on the said, with a certain poet yet alivealert, and ready for duty. The first Lieutenant, therefore, once more raising

“My native land, good night!" his speaking-trumpet, now sung out

S.

THE LAMENT OF ELLA.

OH! would my love would list my voice, Spread down, fair maids, a couch for me,
Thus lone and desolate;

I ne'er shall rise again ;
I hear the little birds rejoice,

Since Henry I no more shall see, And weep beside the gate.

My heart must burst in twain :I love the lofty chesnut's shade,

Oh ! paths, where we so oft have stray'd,
In evening's ruddy glow,-

Beside the waters soft ;
Beside this spot I've often stray'd Oh! woods, whose gentle twilight shade
With Henry, long ago !

Hath shelter'd us so oft ;
These days are past—no more to be, Adieu ! your sweets no more I'll see,
These happy eves are o'er ;

The strife shall soon be o'er ;
My love is off, and o'er the sea, —

My love is off, and o'er the sea, I ne'er shall see him more!

I ne'er shall see him more! Oh ! father, that thy cruel scorn

Build up a little monument Mine ardour could withstand,

Of marble cold and white, And cause my hero, all forlorn,

And let the rose's balmy scent To leave his native land ;

The passer-by invite Grace never sate on nobler brow,

To read the fatal name of one
Nor fame on loftier crest,

Who pined and died for love ;
Nor courage warm a heart more true, And thank'd the hand of death alone,
Than throbs within his breast :

That sent her soul above :
But these, alas ! were bought to thee, For oh! to think, is misery,
And he, whom I deplore,

On him whom I adore ; My love is off, and o'er the sea,

My love is off, and o'er the sea, Í ne'er shall see him more!

I ne'er shall see him more!

n's pipe

Let maidens bear me to the tomb, A week hath scarcely pass'd, since I
Dista
This simple boon I crave,

Was gayest of the gay,
That howers of sweet and early bloom And roam'd with Henry, when the sky
Be strew'd upon my grave;

Was red with parting day ;
And let
, within the house of prayer,

Now darkness veils my weary path,
Abore my seat be placed

And gloom o'ershades

my

soul, d in fx

My gloves, and garland for my hair, The thunder-clouds of grief and wrath
Of lily-ribbons chaste;

Around me fiercely roll :
ably be
F'er life is but a blank to me,

But soon a change will come to me,
he Ta.
And earth a flowerless shore ;

My days will soon be o'er ;
My love is off, and o'er the sea,

My love is off, and o'er the sea, he has I ne'er shall see him more!

I ne'er shall see him more! ith Le

A ne (ar ich na is wer

THE VOYAGES AND TRAVELS OF COLUMBUS SECUNDUS.

CHAPTER XIX.
Hogmanay and New-Year's Day.
“ Life glides away, Lorenzo, like a brook,
For ever changing, unperceiv'd the change."

Young,
There are few people to whom the transformed all my early play-mates to
commencement of a new year does not fathers and mothers." And when I
bring matter either of gratulation or contemplate time to come, the interests
regret. To those hastening onwards to and the value of existence rise higher;
the meridian of life, the gilded pros- and the awful responsibility of man-
pect of enjoyment to come, or fame, hood, and the account to be given of
and riches, and honour to be acquired, its stewardship, is enough, were not
renders every land-mark between des man the most careless of animals, to
sire and enjoyment a partial enjoy- alarm even to madness, till assured,
ment of itself'; while those in the dea as far as human frailty can be assured,
cline of lite look towards the New- of entering on eternity with the cona
Year, as the unwelcome precursor of viction of time well employed, and all
bodily debility, or mental inactivity~ the duties of life discharged, as be-
as a stage on the road wh leads comes a being whose existence is never
them to their permanent home. To to terminate; and who is placed here,
the young and the prosperous, the an: in the sight of God and his fellow more
mual revolution of a period, which tals, to make his election between hap-
brings with it only variety of pleasure, piness and misery.
is hailed with rapture; while, to the New-Year's-Day in Edinburgh, and
aged and unfortunate, whose hours over the greater part of Scotland, is,
and minutes are registered by pain, or however, rather a day of festive mer-
marked by calamity, the lagging mo- riment, than of serious thought. The
ments move sluggishly along to the enjoyment of the present postpones,
great gulf of eternity.

if not obliterates, all views of the fuWhat a dreadfully hasty approach ture; and the congratulationsoffriends, time makes !-how rapidly roll his and the meetings of families, at this chariot wheels ! and, at their every re- period, are the leading features of the volution, mows, with unsparing scythe, season. The festivities which comwhole crowds from the pleasures and menced at Christmas are continued, pains of existence! When I look back with little intermission, till Handsele on time past, I am almost stunned at Monday, or Auld Handsel-Morulay, the idea, and am apt to doubt the closes the annual round, and the reality of the change, which has taken months and days of ordinary life again me from toys and boyish plays

from roll on another year. school, and school-companions, and

HOGMANAY. *
Hogmanay,

Trol-lol-lay,
Gi'e me o' your white bread,

I'll hae nane o' your gray.
Hogmanay, or Hogmanae, for such and arranging parties for the due cele-
the last day of the year is termed in bration of the commencement of the
Edinburgh, and over the greater part New Year. Every visitor was, on that
of Scotland, is employed in visiting, evening, treated with wine and cake,

Hogmanay, according to Dr Jamieson, is a term of uncertain derivation ; but according to a writer in the Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, it is derived from the Scandinavians, who celebrated a festival with sacrifices and other religious rites in the month of December, hence called Hogmonat and Blothmonat, sig, nifying the month of immolation or sacrifices. “ As this festival was always celebrated in the winter Solstice, when the sun returns upon the Zodiac, it was called Iol, whence