Notice of James Service, by Mr. James Hardy. 67 



Chatton ! the world around convulsed may be — 

 States perish and revive — kings rise and fall — 



But I will ponder still on thine and thee, 

 And oft thy calm and silent scenes recall. 



E'en now, within thy holy fabric's wall, 



Methinks I stand, and o'er the chancel nave, 



Behold that trophy from the vaunting Graul, 

 When battle's voice of thunder shook the wave, 

 Torn by a gallant youth, the foremost of the brave." 



The following, addressed to Lieut. Cook, is one of the 

 author's best passages, and is essentially biographical : — 



" For me ! — where'er the rushing blast 



And foaming waves my steps have cast, 



Through many an year from strand to strand, 



Afar from Albion's parent land — 



Still with my fate vain war to wage, 



And brook the midnight tempest's rage, 



"When wild destruction seemed to mark 



For instant doom the groaning bark ; 



And eyes grew dim, and cheeks grew pale, 



As dashed the surge and rent the sail — 



To toil where icy crags arise, 



Or droop beneath the torrid skies, 



Remote from all congenial ties ; 



There have I urged my minstrel lyre 



With all a rugged seaman's fire ! 



Alas ! its proudest notes were lost 



On many a distant foreign coast ; 



Lavished on wilds and deserts drear, 



And destined ne'er to meet thine ear. 



Even now upon the rocking mast, 



Where howls above the midnight blast, 



And clouds are gathering fast on high, 



And shrieks the sea-bird wildly by, 



And foams beneath the raging sea — 



Even now I raise the song to thee ! " 

 One of his youthful associates was Mr. Robert Tindale, of 

 Broombouse, adjutant of the Percy Volunteer Infantry, 

 whose loss he deplores as the " first " — 



" And best, perchance, of all for whom 

 Soft friendship's early glow I nursed." 

 Tindale's remains had been gathered to the silent tomb, 

 while Service like a detached leaflet floated deviously — 

 " Where'er the blast or rushing foam 

 His restless bark of life might drive." 



I 



