Chap. VII. CAPTAIN G. F. LYON. 221 



The farther they proceeded to the northward up 

 the Welcome, the more sluggish and irregular the 

 compasses got; and Lyon quotes a passage out 

 of Ellis, in his account of Dobbs's expedition in 

 the year 1746, to show that they were the same at 

 that time. A thick fog and a heavy sea, and no 

 land to be seen nor any trust to be placed in the 

 compasses, and withal the water shallowing; the 

 ship not able to face the sea or keep steerage way 

 on her, Captain Lyon says, " I most reluctantly 

 brought her up with three bowers and a stream 

 anchor in succession ; but not before we had shoaled 

 to five and a half fathoms, the ship pitching bows 

 under, and a tremendous sea running." In this 



teresting a subject in the way wished for by Capt. Lyon, 

 and produced the following lines : — ■ 



TO THE SNOW-BUNTING. . 



Sweet bird ! the breast of innocence 

 Hath fadeless charms for thee ; 

 Although the spirit long has fled, 

 And lifeless clay it be ; 



Thou dreadest not to dwell with death, 

 Secure from harm or ill, 

 For on an infant's heart thy nest 

 Is wrought with fearless skill. 



And, like our own familiar bird 



That seeks the human friend, 



Thou cheer'st the wandering seaman's thoughts 



With home, his aim and end. 



Georgiana. 



