6 A RESTLESS NIGHT. storm continued with unabated violence, and gloom once more took possession of all of us. Night came on. None would retire to rest. Around a dismal lamp- sole luminary in the lonely cabin-assembled a group of passengers; who, by way of pastime, related a variety of anecdotes, clearly showing what subject was uppermost in their minds: they all had reference to shipwrecks. At sea, tales of this description may be compared to ghoststories on shore, for no one ever heard of ghosts on board a ship-probably from antipathy to the watery element. Morning soon broke in upon our company still excited by the recitals of the preceding night. The sunbeams, spread over the surface of the sea, gradually dispersed the clouds, and seemed to insinuate to the winds their wrath at the continuance of the storm. Prostrate lay the towering waves - on the smooth surface played the sun — the ship was stationary-her canvass, drooping and heavy, clung to the masts; the exhausted tars betook themselves to rest: in dancing groups appeared multitudes of fish, and in their centre stretched forth a monstrous whale, desirous to behold the majesty of light. Aloft, in circles round the masts, harmonious concerts ANNIVERSARY OF JULY 4. 7 were performed by aquatic birds. The day was fine every thing appeared to have acquired new life. No comparison can be drawn between a beautiful day at sea and one on shore there is something so delightful and reviving in the former, that its influence is irresistible. The 4th of July was just one of this description. Who is the American that does not rejoice at the recollection of what occurred on that day, 1776? Who is ignorant of the memorable act then signed by the boldest men in the colonies? Who has forgotten the determined step adopted by these patriots to declare themselves free and independent, in defiance of the power and fleets of the Mother Country. An American is justly proud of the result of this revolution, when comparing the past with the present. The anniversary, however, is associated with so many interesting events, that it is invariably celebrated with great solemnity. Wherever an American happens to be on that day, whether in the midst of the ocean, or in the forests of the Western Country, the 4th of July must be observed. Our packet, as I have before observed, was American the captain therefore made the necessary arrangements for its celebration. At sun-rise the ANNIVERSARY OF JULY 4. passengers were awoke by the firing of twentyfour guns being one for every State in the Republic. The handsome American flag, now waving in every sea, and admired in all parts of the globe, was hoisted with demonstrations of joy. The numerous stars seemed delighted at the roar of the cannon, while the sunbeams gave them a light red die, approaching to nature. All the Americans on board hastened on deck as soon as the first gun had been fired: the fineness of the morning, added to the remembrance of former times, made them feel a degree of ecstasy, which soon communicated itself to the strangers on board. Every one recollected some noble deed, some heroic action, performed during the national contest for liberty; and all emulated to raise to the skies America's beau-ideal-Washington. By this time, the whole company had assembled on deck, listening to the speakers. Among the steerage passengers, there was a short, thick-set man, almost seized with delirium on hearing recorded many acts of valour and intrepidity attached to the names of a number of revolutionary men. Long did he try to suppress his feelings: he touched his hat, or turned upon his heel, with a view to YANKEE DOODLE. 9 check his emotions; but, when one of the orators happened to mention the words-Independence, Equality, and Liberty, he had no more command over himself: he vociferated "Yankee Doodle." This national song is, properly speaking, an old Italian melody: obsolete or forgotten in the Old World, it all at once got in vogue in the New, and has in later times become so popular that there is hardly a child who cannot hum it. When sung by several persons, any one may put whatever words he pleases to the music; by this means, many ludicrous and appropriate, and some very indifferent and vulgar, verses are introduced; but, either way, they are always approved by the company, which, to signify its acquiescence, repeats the two last verses. Upon the present occasion, no individual ventured to give an impromptu: the old words, in praise of Washington, Franklin, Liberty, Equality, &c. were preserved. Hilarity presided at dinner. Of toasts and speeches there was an ample supply. One of the latter, in particular, was an eulogium on the President of the United States. Toasts were also given in honour of the respective sovereigns of Sweden, France, and England. The entertainment concluded with a general 10 HILARITY ON BOARD. dance on deck, composed of old and young, poor and rich, love-sick and sea-sick, sober and drunk; in short, of nearly two hundred persons. The band consisted of four inebriated individuals, with their hats cocked up on one side. The violins were certainly not of the Cremonese fabric; they appeared to have weathered many a gale, and would unquestionably have baffled even Paganini's skill. Their inefficiency, however, did not interrupt the conviviality for a moment, the performers beating time so loud as nearly to drown the music. The dancers, too, were so animated, that harmony was almost unnecessary. A couple of corpulent Irishmen, especially, continued dancing long after the music had ceased, as if it required a certain time to stop their evolutions when once put in motion. One of them, whose capers were truly dangerous to the bystanders, on being informed that the music had ceased, and that dancing was consequently over, answered very laconically, "What about music?" and proceeded to twist about his fair damsel for at least ten minutes, to the great hazard and danger of the surrounding party, every moment exposed to a summerset into the sea. No accident, however, happened; and, when dancing had been |