JACK-SHOOTING IN A FOGGY NIGHT. 170 



and west, wlience at intervals a thin gleam of 

 lightning shone reflected from some far-off' nether 

 region, the low growl of thunder was occasionally 

 heard. Above, in the clear, cool blue, the star 

 which never moves, the Dipper, and countless 

 other orbs, differing in glory, revealed in sharp, 

 clear outlines their stellary formations. The wave- 

 less water was to these heavens a perfect mirror ; 

 and over that seamless surface, over planets and 

 worlds shining beneath us, over systems and con- 

 stellations the minutest star of which was visible 

 we softly glided. With bowed head I gazed into 

 that illuminated sea. I thought of that other sea 

 which is " of glass like unto crystal " before the 

 throne, and the glory which must forever be re- 

 flected up from its depths. "Is this the same 

 world of cities and cursing in which I lived a 

 week ago ? " I said to myself, " or have I been 

 translated to some other and happier sphere ? " 

 Around me on all sides, as I gazed, Night dusky 

 and dim sat on the mountains, and brooded over 

 the starry sea, and the all-enveloping silence of the 

 wilderness rested solemnly over all. As I sat and 

 mused, — yea, and worshij^ped, — memory stirred 

 within me ; the words of the Psalmist came to 

 my lips, and I murmured, " This is night which 

 showeth wisdom, and the melody of which has 

 gone out through all the world." 



My meditations were somewhat rudely interrupt- 



