190 CHRISTMAS ODE. [December, 



well sung ; and, with the best wishes of a merry Christ- 

 mas, the deputation withdrew. 



A CHRISTMAS PIECE. 



Awake ! awake ! the Old Year 'a going, 



Time flies apace ; 

 Awake ! awake ! the New Year 's coining, 



To take the old one's place. 



Arise, arise, good shipmates all, 



And do not danger fear ; 

 Arise, arise, good shipmates all, 



To welcome the New Year. 



God bless our brave old Commodore, 



And our good Commander too : 

 Not forgetting all our Officers, 



And our true and gallant crew ! 



Sleep on again, and on your brows 



May soft repose be seen ! 

 Sleep on again, while in our lay 



We '11 sing, God bless the Queen ! 



H.M.8. Assistance. 



Wishing Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., a happy and prosperous New Year. 



Composed, I believe, by the Printer or his Devil. 



Shortly after prayers I was officially informed by the 

 Commander of the 'Pioneer' that the State Sledge, 

 driven by the Queen's coachman, in full uniform (beadle 

 of the parish), was in waiting, the Union flying instead 

 of the footmen at the stern. Although such a pageant, 

 perhaps, to those who know me well, was not quite in ac- 

 cordance with my taste, still I had some part in the Play 

 to perform, and knew too well the chords of Jack's hu- 

 mours to fail in their gratification ; they were most gra- 

 ciously appreciated. Mounting the state carriage, twelve 

 of Her Majesty's best breed of Polars conveyed me along- 



