24 



"Was it but fancy ? did He not frown, 

 And in anger shake his coral crown ? 

 Gorgeous and slow the pomp moves on ! 

 Low sinks the sun — and all is gone ! 



" And pray now do you mean to say that you 

 really saw all this fine show?" Oh, yes, really, 

 " in my mind's eye, Horatio," as Shakspeare says ; 

 or, if you like it better in Greek — 



" O<r<ropevo$ Uccrsp' srQkov svi <pp>j<r*v ! " Odyssey, A. 



December 11. 

 A dead centipes was found on the deck, sup- 

 posed to have made its way on board, during the 

 last voyage, among the logwood. This is not the 

 only species of disagreeable passengers, who are 

 in the habit of introducing themselves into home- 

 ward bound vessels without leave. While sleep- 

 ing on deck last year, the Captain felt something 

 run across his face ; and, supposing it to be a 

 cock-roach, he brushed off a scorpion ; but not 

 without its first biting him upon the cheek : the 

 pain for about four hours was excessive ; but 

 although he did no more than wash the wound 

 with spirits, he was perfectly well again in a couple 

 of days. 



December IS. 



Since we entered the tropic, the rains have been 

 incessant, and most violent; but the wind was 

 brisk and favourable, and we proceeded rapidly. 

 Now we have lost the trade-wind, and move so 



