536 [Assembly 



One group has straggled in an idle \Yandering to tlic shore, and 

 looks in listlesj gaze upon the swelling ocean; without object, with- 

 out expectation. As they look, a little speck appears in the far ho- 

 rizon over the sea. It comes gradually nearer, and rises clearer to 

 the view. It is a sail, perhaps of some fishing boat, or some small 

 merch nt vessel on its busy way in pursuit of gain. 



Nearer and nearer it comes, urged rapidly onward by the favoring 

 breeze. It stands for the land Stately and steady it sweeps into 

 the bay, its swelling canvass dazzling bright in the sunlight. The 

 great proportions and the pierced sides proclaim a ship of war. Her 

 sails are furled, and gracefully she rides to her anchor. What brings 

 her there? 



The colors that wave from her peak have more ihan once floated 

 triumphant over the " battle and the wreck" in deadly opposition to 

 the " meteor flag of England." Surely it can now have no danger- 

 ous purpose; the calamiiies of war are not to be added to those of 

 famine. Or can this be a visit of idle ceremony, or untimely curi- 

 osity? 



But what tumult agitates the city? "What sight draws that hurry- 

 np- multitude of wasttd forms to the waterside? What shout rings 

 in the ears of the dying? 

 i 



That gallant ship has come on no idle or hostile errand. No crowds 

 of armed men press her decks. Her magazines of war and imple- 

 ments of death are all left behind. She comes laden down till she 

 labors, with a freight of life and help. 



From her sides that once were black with cannon, threatening de- 

 struction, there now pours, in an unceasing flow, a golden stream of 

 life-giving grain. It is this which has covered the shores, the beach- 

 es and headlands with anxious, earnest crowds, who hardly believe 

 the strange sight to be real, as they gaze upon this food, to them 

 unknown, and almost miraculously brought. 



On hearing of this, the dying revive again and struggle into life } 

 nature borrows strength from hope; the news rings through the city; 

 the shouts awake from the dream of death ihose who had lain down 

 to try the last slumber; they drag themselvds forward; the pale moth- 

 er snatches up her children, arouses her despaiiing neighbors, and 

 rushes to gaze upon the food she trusts so soon to bestow on her lit- 

 tle ones, and to taste herself. Agony and despair are put to flight; 



