ORPHAN ANNA. 67 



without the sanction of Captain B. He wrote instantly respecting it, and 

 received a favorable answer by return of post ; which prored of material 

 service to the poor adjutants. We repeatedly wrote to be removed to the 

 officers' depot, at Verdun, but did not receive any answer until the latter end 

 of May. I am of opinion that a number of our letters never came to hand. 

 Lieutenant Pridham, in his answer, gave us every expectation of being shortly 

 removed, assured us that Captain Brenton and he were using every exertion 

 to have us removed, and our rank rectified. On th«^ 4th of June, the anni- 

 versary of his majesty's birth-day, low as our pecuniary circumstances were, 

 we contrived to give the commandant and paymaster of the depot a dinner. 

 The latter, whose name was Payne, we had received many civilities from : 

 the day passed very agreeably, until about sun-set, the time settled for locking 

 the prisoners up in their diflferent apartments ; when they gave three cheers 

 in commemoration of the day that gave their gracious sovereign birth, and 

 hauled in the colors of all nations, made by themselves, that they had kept all 

 day streaming out of each window, taking care to have the French tri-colored 

 flag under all ; which was never noticed by either commandant or guards. 

 The cheers of nearly a thousand men made no little noise : they resounded 

 hideously in our ears as we sat at table, our lodging being contiguous : the 

 commandant was greatly alarmed, imagined that the seamen had revolted* 

 and had actually got out of prison : so great was this officer's hurry, that he 

 made but one step from the top of the stairs to the bottom. We had a little 

 trouble in getting him on his legs again, and were greatly rejoiced at finding 

 that he had received no injury from this step — assuring him there was no 

 foundation for his fears. However, he would be convinced in person, therefore 

 went to the prison, and was highly pleased to find every thing perfectly 

 tranquil. Being returned, he observed that the English were des braves gens, 

 and he would drink another glass of wine in commemoration of King George's 

 birth day. The national dish, roast beef, and plum pudding, was not forgotten 

 upon this occasion. Monsieur liked the well-done, or outside parts of the 

 former, extremely ; but the latter, neither of our guests would touch for a long 

 time. At last, by dint of persuasion, they condescended to taste it, and so 

 sudden was the transition made upon them by this taste, that we had some 

 pains to secure ourselves a part, though it was a pretty sizeable pudding. 

 They exclaimed, as they gulped it down, " Sacre bleu comme il est bon." 

 " Ma foi, oui," repeated the other alternately. We felt highly pleased at the 

 sight, and laughed heartily. 



At a late hour, or rather, in regard to the morning, an early one. Messieurs 

 took their leave, evidently in great spirits, and we retired to rest. 



To be continued. 



ORPHAN ANNA. 



" Et nunc alludit, viridiqtie exsultat in herba." 



Poor Anna sat her on the bank, 



And from its border plucked a flower ; 



Its head was pale, its stem was lank — 

 It was a daisy, and the hour 



Appropriately rose, that she 



Should choose it for a simile, 



