ENTERTAINMENTS ON BOARD SHIP. 35 



At such a time to fill the vacant place, 

 A chosen few have taken heart of grace, 

 And tho' unused the actor's part to fill, 

 Will show, if not the deed, at least the will." 



Then came mention of some of the amateurs who had already played before the 



passengers : 



" Yet not all novices the veteran Flood 

 You've seen before, and you've pronounced him good; 

 The modest Griffiths, and the blushing Lance, 

 Joy of the fair and hero of the dance ; " 



and so forth. The performance took place while the vessel was constantly rolling. Mr. 

 Laird says that he had to think almost as much of his equilibrium as of anything 

 else ; but as he had always to appear trembling before the presence of his master in 

 the piece, it did pretty well, except in one lurch, when he went flying in an undignified 

 manner across the stage into the arms of the prompter. 



On another occasion an entertainment, entitled " Mrs. Jarley's Waxworks," was pre- 

 sented. Five children were dressed up to represent different characters, and pretence was 

 made of winding them up to make them go. The best was a cannibal, converted to be a 

 missionary ; another personated Fair Rosamond ; and a third the Marquis of Lome. The 

 missionary handed tracts about, and Queen Eleanor alternately presented a dagger and a cup 

 of cold poison to Fair Rosamond. A regularly-organised concert followed, while a farce and 

 spoken epilogue concluded this, the last performance on board the Great Britain. After 

 speaking of the voyage and the fun on board, it continued : 



" And now our sweet communion must shortly see its close, 

 And never more, till next time, shall we share in joys like those; 

 No more the fragrant sea-pie or delectable burgoo, 

 No more on the same plate be seen fish, cheese, and Irish stew. 



* * * # * * * 



No longer Mrs. Jarlcy's works our mimic stage shall grace, 

 Or the little missionary-cater show his little face. 

 Of Mrs. J. I would not say one harsh word if I could; 

 No use to tread upon her toes, because they're only wood. 

 No more the sailor's plaintive song with tears our eyes shall dim, 

 No more on Sunday morning shall we sing the Evening Hymn;" 



the fact being that a clergyman on board had once inadvertently chosen the latter for 

 morning service ! The epilogue concluded by wishing good luck to all the officers and 

 men and to the good old ship. 



Baron Hiibner has given us, in his published work before quoted, some interesting 

 reminiscences of, and graphic notes on, his voyage to Japan from San Francisco. A 

 few extracts may be permitted. 



" July 4. The sky is pearly grey. The vessel is all painted white : masts, deck- 

 cabins, deck, tarpaulins, benches all are white. This deck, from poop to prow, is all 

 in one piece, and makes a famous walk. Almost all the morning I am alone there. The 

 first-class passengers get up very late ; the second-class that is, the Chinese not at all. 



