1840-42. ALMOST DROWNED. 289 



rounded them, and for a while there were great hopes that they 

 would be drowned, which would have been highly satisfactory 

 to the lookers on, who had waited a while in expectation, and 

 would have liked to see something after standing so long. The 

 couple sat on the rocks, like two crows or sea-gulls, apparently 

 resigned to their fate, till on the church's dismission, and their 

 situation being discovered, a boat was launched, and, in addition, 

 three stout men stripped and swam off to save the Sabbath- 

 breakers. 



" Instead of sitting still till assistance came, they proceeded 

 now to try if they could not wade in. The first step took them 

 over the shoulders ; but nothing daunted they pushed on, and 

 fortunately found it no deeper, though, as the wind was up, the 

 waves came over their heads at every surge. On the whole, 

 however, the last occurrence might be beneficial, for their heads 

 could not be kept too cool in such a predicament. They finally 

 found their way to shore without help of boat or swimming- 

 men, looking, however, literally and metaphorically, a little 

 blue. 



" Such are the contents of my Se afield journal, barren enough; 

 but I promised I would write, and you must forgive its empti- 

 ness. Your ever affectionate, GEORGE WILSON." 



" SEAFIELD, August 17, 1842. 



" MY DEARLY BELOVED, How fares the world with you ? 

 Except in my dreams I get no account of your ways and welfare, 

 for all the channels by which intelligence of you used to reach 

 me are dried up, and for anything I know to the contrary, you 

 may be changed into Mrs. J. T. or Mrs. D. E. ; and the arrival 

 of this epistle may be the cause of a dreadful domestic scene 

 and half-a-dozen duels. However, make up your mind to this, 

 that the moment such intelligence, duly authenticated, reaches 

 me, I shall commence an action for breach of promise, and make 

 a clutch at your hoardings. 



" In such a predicament, not knowing whether to address you 

 as miss or matron (though determined whatever betide, to claim 

 you as my Janet), I am reduced to the painful necessity of either 

 speaking of myself, which is anything but pleasant to a man of 



