304 THE SEA. 



the drawing-room, and from the fo'castle to the ward-room, is creditable to our age. Some 

 of these productions, in which noble sentiments, expressed in simple and feeling words, are 

 wedded to effective and artistic music, help to keep alive humanity, love, and honour in 

 the rising generation. "The poor old slave is free" directly he climbs the British ship; 

 " the sailor's wife the sailor's star should be," and usually is ; while the story of the poor 

 little wounded " midshipmite t} is as touching in its way as the boy who would not leave 

 the burning; deck. 



Our voyages are ended ; and we may now peacefully peruse, by the cosy fireside, the record 

 of the heroic deeds and the startling perils of the sailor's career while he is engaged in bringing 

 to our shores the necessaries and comforts of our daily life. While we stay at home in ease, 

 let us not forget this noble army of " conscripts, fighting our battles for us ; " and when the 

 tempests howl and the lightnings flash, let us breathe our heartfelt earnest prayers " for those, 

 at sea." 



" Eternal Father, strong to save, 

 Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, 

 Who bids' t the mighty ocean deep, 

 Its own appointed limits keep ; 



Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, 



For those in peril on the sea. 



