JACK-SHOOTING IN A FOGGY NIGHT. 179 



and west, whence at intervals a thin gleam of 

 lightning shone reflected from some far-off nether 

 region, the low growl of thunder was occasionally- 

 heard. Above, in the clear, cool blue, the star 

 which never moves, the Dipper, and countless 

 other orbs, differing in glory, revealed in sharp, 

 clear outlines their stellary formations. The wave- 

 less water was to these heavens a perfect mirror; 

 and over that seamless surface, over planets and 

 worlds shining beneath us, over systems and con- 

 stellations the minutest star of which was visible 

 we softly glided. With bowed head I gazed into 

 that illuminated sea. I thought of that other sea 

 which is "of glass like unto crystal" before the 

 throne, and the glory which must forever be re- 

 flected up from its depths. "Is this the same 

 world of cities and cursing in which I lived a 

 week ago ? " I said to myself, " or have I been 

 translated to some other and happier sphere ? " 

 Around me on all sides, as I gazed, Night dusky 

 and dim sat on the mountains, and brooded over 

 the starry sea, and the all-enveloping silence of the 

 wilderness rested solemnly over all. As I sat and 

 mused, — yea, and worshipped, — memory stirred 

 within me ; the words of the Psalmist came to 

 my lips, and I murmured, " This is night which 

 showeth wisdom, and the melody of which has 

 gone out through all the world." 



My meditations were somewhat rudely interrupt- 



