LOSS OF THE HORNET. / 85 
watch-word of American commanders, in every future navai 
r.onflict. 
In the sudden and total loss of the Hornet, and ^er brave 
officers and crew, we are solemnly admonished of the uncer- 
tainty of life, and the utter futility of all human calculations. 
It was but a few days previous to that tremendous hurricane 
which engulfed her in the great abyss, that some of our citi- 
zens, then residing in Mexico, and wishing to escape from the 
war and convulsions of that distracted country, embarked 
themselves and their property on board, and claimed for 
themselves, as Americans, the protection of that ship ^ doubt- 
less, anticipating a speedy return to the bosom of their be- 
loved families, and the enjoyment of social intercourse in 
their own free and happy land. But He who seeth not as 
man seeth, had, in the councils of his wise and just, though 
inscrutable providence, otherwise ordained ; and it becomes 
the duty of all, whether sojourning on the land or traversing 
the mighty waters, to bow Avith submission to his sovereign 
will, knowing, that however mysterious his disposal of his 
creatures may now appear, it will be made manifest in that 
day when " the earth and the sea shall give up their dead." 
This solemn and afflicting providence, by which nearly 
two hundred of our fellow-citizens, in the full enjoyment of 
health and strength, found a watery grave, calls loudly on 
all, and especially on those who follow the sea, in the em- 
phatic language of divine inspiration, " Be ye also ready, for 
in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh." 
The following lines from the Charleston Courier, suggested by read- 
ing an account of the supposed and probable loss of the United States 
ship Hornet, will exemplify the deep sympathy which has been called 
forth in various parts of the United States. 
Far on the deep, where storms and tempests reign, 
And thunders burst terrific o'er the main, 
When ocean's billows in confusion rise, 
And rear their tops, contending, to the skies. 
Behold the bark, as through the mist she's driven, 
With meteor swiftness, by the blast of heaven ; 
See how she rides- the dismal mountain's verge, 
Then stoops her prow, and plunges in the surge. 
No canvass now spreads out to catch the breeze. 
No compass guides her course through trackless seas, 
No watch aloft now tells of succor near — 
For horror sheds har darkest influence there. 
8 
