ist March, A. D. 1894. 



ESSAY 



BY 



Mks. a. E. HENDERSON, Worcester, Mass. 

 Theme: — Reminiscences of Land and Sea. 



Would you, so the helmsman answered, 

 Learn the secret of the sea? 

 Only those who know its dangers 

 Comprehend its mystery. 



On a flying trip across the Atlantic iu one of our modern steamers, 

 one does not always realize the tremendous power of the waves ; but 

 when you depend upon sails, you have plenty of time to see all the 

 moods which old ocean can display — hurricanes, calms, waterspouts, 

 etc. One experience of a West India hurricane would suffice for most 

 people. A low barometer warns us to make ready for the approaching 

 tempest. The sails are furled and every possible preparation made for 

 the encounter. An ominous silence prevails on board, as we await the 

 blast which strikes with such fury as to almost take away the breath. 

 I well remember the shout of the Captain, " Dow^n with every thiug." 

 It seemed as though he could hardly speak, and then the fearful com- 

 bat with the sea began. 



I remember one time, when driviug a horse, that he became fright- 

 ened and ran for some distance. I wound the reins around my wrists 

 and held on ; when he was stopped, he stood still and trembled in every 

 liml). I could compare the ship to nothing but that horse. It seemed, 

 at times, as though she would stand still and every timber would 

 tremble ; then she would gather herself together and leap and pluuge 

 as though to get the better of those ragiug waters, which dashed on 

 board claiming everything that had not been most securely fastened. 

 I could hear the commotion on deck, as I quieted the two children in the 

 stateroom. We could not remain in the cabin. The water was one 



