296 THE JEANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



To conclude with the popular play, 



"THE SIAMESE TWINS." 

 Characters. 



Professor G. W. Boyd 



Agent (in love with the Professor's daughter) H. W. Leach 



Professor's Daughter W. Sharvell 



The Twins P. E. Johnson and H. Warren 



FINALE. 



"The Star Spangled Banner." 



Given by all hands. 

 CHRISTMAS EVE, 1880. 



Friday evening, December 31st, another and the last en- 

 tertainment was given by the boys forward. One of the 

 original programmes is subjoined. [See fac-simile.] Before 

 the fun commenced a poem by Mr. Collins, which he had 

 written for the occasion, was recited. It will now be read 

 with a melancholy interest : 



A PROLOGUE. 



On the lone icebound sea we gather here 



To greet the dawning of another year. 



The past is full of memories : we recall 

 Thoughts, words and deeds, bright forms and faces, 

 Hopes, blessings, yea, and loved ones' fond embraces; 



And parting prayers, up offered for us all, 



By lips from hearts to each of us endear'd, 



To guard us on the course we've northward steer'd. 



Now though for merriment we all unite 



And make the deck-house ring with joy to-night, 



At intermission, 'twixt the dance and song, 



How quickly our fleet thoughts will wing 



To distant lands and scenes, to bring 

 A mystic spell upon each darling throng 

 Of festive friends, who wondering ask each other, 

 " How fares our absent one son, husband, brother ? " 



And dearer hearts, that beat with tenderest throb, 



E'en now may yearn for us, and many a sob 



May echo in a loneliness as drear as ours ; 



For where stern fate the golden link hath riven, 

 And hearts from hearts beloved afar are driven, 



A common cioud o'er all the parted lowers; 



