The Winter Xight. 2^^ 



Then we had a splendid dinner of four courses, which 

 put our digestive apparatus to a severe test. The 

 F ranis health was drunk amidst great and stormy 

 applause. The proposer's words were echoed by all 

 hearts when he said that she was such an excellent ship 

 for our purpose, that we could not imagine a better 

 (great applause), and we therefore wished her, and our- 

 selves with her, long life (hear, hear). After supper 

 came strawberry and lemon punch, and prizes were 

 presented with much ceremony and a good deal of fun ; 

 all being ' taken off' in turn in suitable mottoes, for the 

 most part composed by the ship's doctor. There was a 

 prize for each man. The first prize-taker was awarded 

 the wooden cross of the Order of the Frani, to wear 

 suspended from his neck by a ribbon of white tape ; the 

 last received a mirror, in which to see his fallen great- 

 ness. Smoking in the saloon was allowed this evening, 

 so now pipes, toddy, and an animated game of whist, 

 ended a bright and successful holiday. 



" Sitting here now alone, my thoughts involuntarily 

 turn to the year that has gone since we stood up there 

 on the platform, and she threw the champagne against the 

 bow, saying : ' Frani is your name ! ' and the strong, 

 heavy hull began to glide so gently. I held her hand 

 tight ; the tears came into eyes and throat, and one could 

 not get out a word. The sturdy hull dived into the 

 glittering water ; a sunny haze lay over the whole 

 picture. Xever shall I forget the moment we stood there 



