1834.] CONCLUSION. 621 
Washington ; which, as the eye glanced along the illuminated 
distance, glowing with lesser pyramids of light, rose with a new 
lustre upon the view. 
The supper-table was arranged on the starboard side of the 
gun-deck, and light was profusely scattered from its numerous 
fanciful centres, radiating from among banners tastefully fes- 
tooned, and illuminating a scene of various and elegant bounty. 
But who would dwell upon the luxuries of the banquet, when 
such loveliness was nigh to engross senses more exalted and re- 
fined ? It would be idle to say that this aquatic gala was not to 
be surpassed for its brilliant display of female grace and attrac- 
tion, under their thousand forms of witchery, when it is re- 
membered that on board that noble frigate was concentrated so 
much of the beauty of Boston. Fashion never glittered in 
more perfect communion with taste, and wit and intellect never 
sparkled from eyes, or fell from lips, that more admirably told 
their stories ! 
Again the dance went forward; and the revelry of music, 
and glee, and light hearts, was resumed. Again fairy forms 
floated among the banners, and again gayety and brigh.tness 
flashed from the mazes of the cotillon. And thus the scene con- 
tinued until an hour of which few took note, for all time was 
then centred in the present. But, late or early as may have 
been the " breaking up," the scene was one that cannot be for- 
gotten ! ^ It was deep night — and thick clouds were pouring in 
from the sea, filhng the bay -vVith a still deeper gloom ; while the 
thousand lights from the yet resounding frigate, rendered still 
more striking the "darkness visible" about her, and threw into a 
wild and strange relief the towering outline of her masts and 
spars, against the shifting and lurid heavens. 
And thus the curtain fell, on this scene of new and elegant fes- 
tivity. But it will be long, indeed, ere the splendour of the 
Potomac's decks, or the unsurpassed beauty which swept them 
on that night, will be found among the dim things of memory. 
