192 CHRISTMAS FARE. [December, 



them all. They were yet without fault. I could not help 

 telling them so, and expressing my earnest hope that 

 they would return as we came out (a maiden ship?). 

 Accepting the proffered glass, still of the Queen's own 

 good port, I gave them the similar toast of "Our Queen, 

 God bless her!" Never did a more hearty peal, nor 

 from heartier lungs and more loyal hearts, ever try to 

 burst those decks. My next duty to my Sovereign be- 

 ing that to my own family, I gave them " A merry 

 Christmas, and may God bless you all ! " Taking ad- 

 vantage of the fog, I retreated to my cabin, possibly not 

 missed, but the cheers probably continued until they 

 discovered that they were alone in their glory. It has 

 never been my lot before to witness more apparent en- 

 joyment than seemed to pervade the Northern Division : 

 nothing followed to shake that good opinion. 



About six the officers of both vessels, numbering seven- 

 teen, dined with me, and I think, by the very kind fore- 

 thought of several warm-hearted fair friends, who will 

 possibly remember their good deeds with satisfaction, 

 that my table groaned under as goodly a spread of the 

 luxuries usually exhibited at this season as it could have 

 done in Merry England, not omitting the roast beef, 

 plum-pudding, mince-pies, and frosted cake of our na- 

 tional predilections. " Poor Polars, how I pitied them !" 

 Yet they seemed to enjoy themselves, and even to think 

 of those poor people in England who might not enjoy 

 themselves with half the genuine feeling. Our Queen 

 and Consort, our Duke of Cornwall, our relations and 

 friends there, were not forgotten, not even the banner 

 cherubs and their mottoes ; nor were our companions 

 here, though for a time severed, yet possibly to be for a 



