1853.] TOASTS. S3 



ral good plates, one of roast beef, too good to be true ; some carvings 

 of the Arctic ships under sail. 



No. 6. Motto.- "Tnis POOR MESS is LOST FOB WANT OF TOOLS." 

 A neat chandelier, and a good sketch of a good English Christmas 

 dinner. 



The following decorations were noted on board the 

 ' Pioneer ':- 



No. 1. A neat chandelier, with the national flags. 

 No. 2. A neat chandelier. 



No. 3. A neat chandelier, national flags, and a print of Britannia. 

 No. 4. A gay chandelier, surmounted by a figure of Her Majesty ; 

 several scenes taken from the ' Illustrated London News.' 



The Christmas cheer was disposed with great effect, 

 and although at the time I was rather an invalid, still I 

 felt some inclination to sit down and gratify them by 

 participating. At the moment I felt suddenly weak, and 

 had barely time to accept from the wedded mansion the 

 cake and wine presented. 



One wish I did secretly breathe, that these fine fel- 

 lows may find their next Christmas cheered by those 

 of whom they now evidently thought so much. But to 

 my toast : " Our Gracious Queen, Victoria, God bless 

 her !" " Prince Albert, and all the Royal Family !" " Our 

 absent Squadron companions, who will not forget us ; 

 may they be as safe, happy, and comfortable as your- 

 selves, and God bless them !" And now, " May you en- 

 joy as happy a Christmas as I wish you ! May you be 

 as well, even better, should it be our fate to be detained 

 here another year, and may God bless you all !" I then 

 left them to their revels, and never do I recollect a more 

 orderly conducted Christmas. 



December 29. The week has passed quietly, but 



