The Argosy — page 77: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

On Board the ‘‘ Batavia.” 67 and flashing constellations and martial strains that came wafted across the dark waters ! But it is always so. In the midst of a sublime opera one night, a sudden pause following a tremendous crash, and the Romeo and Juliet of the piece were clasped in each other’s arms—looking very ridiculous and improper, I admit—in that awful pause there came distinctly breathed from a box in loud tones: “ Roast mutton with onion sauce is my favourite dish !” We looked. The speaker was a lady: young, fair, refined-looking. But after that confession, her charms had vanished. Crrystallised violets and roast butterflies’ wings would have accorded much better with the scene and the speaker. No doubt the favourite beverage was soda and brandy, or even the delights of Bass: but that further confession came when the pause was over and the crash was on again. Ten o'clock struck upon the air, and before the last knell had ceased to vibrate, the word of command had gone forth and we were steam- ing on our way to Malta: ploughing the wide waste of waters ; watching the stars and the travelling constellations: until it was time for us also to turn in, and from waking thoughts pass into the realms of that dreamless sleep which is an emblem of death. NEW YEAR’S DAY: A BIRTHDAY. A NEw year’s greeting, with the old year’s love, To her whose love is never old or new: A new year’s blessing, all the old above, To her who blesses all—dear wife, to you ! Gifts will be yours to celebrate the day That marks your own sweet advent, and the year’s, Fair gifts that bring you, as the givers pray, The hope of much delight and end of tears :-— And these among your fairest gifts are mine, The dearest of all gifts to you and me, One heart with yours that never knows decline, One love with yours to all eternity— Nor new, nor old, in all devotion true, For ever, and for ever, all for you. GEORGE COTTERELL. GOnnGaoOo SS CO