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Nothing is heard but the voice of the skipper, which betrays no emotion, and the noise of the clearing of the decks. But as the days succeed, a milder tone is gained, the weather is beautiful, the wind moderate, the balmy influence of the sea-air refreshes and invigorates; they still think of the friends whom they have left behind, but with a more cheering hope. The officers and crew answer the many questions of their inquisitive passengers with the civil but careless tone which one adopts to a spoiled child, the splendid scene around calls forth exclamations of admiration; the glorious sun warms, but does not exhaust, the ever-varying waters reflect every cloud that traverses the face of heaven, the wonders of the deep reveal themselves to the pensive solitary, as he gazes wistfully into their magic depths. How beautiful! As the noble vessel glides along, advancing on its destined course, the mind of man becomes exalted, and he exults in the proud consciousness of victory over the elements. Beware, weak mortal! There is but One who can say to the mighty ocean, "Thus far, and no farther, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." Already is the signal of danger and destruction visible to the experienced eye of the brave seaman. One short word is uttered; the sailors are in a moment aloft, the sails are furled, the hatches are secured, and with an unchanged voice the passengers are requested to leave the deck. The quiet activity of the scene fills their minds with vague forebodings, some inquire, all obey, but cast one lingering glance to divine the cause of this unusual order. The sky is still clear, the sun glows in undiminished splendour, the sea heaves but little more, no cloud is visible to the unpractised eye. Released from the startled gaze of his guests, the captain now issues his commands in a quiet, but decided tone, and the men who have often been witnesses of his skill and courage, obey with promptitude, for they have learned from the modulation of the voice, however firm, that danger is at hand. But they have stout hearts, and prepare themselves for the fearful contest with the threatening elements. The watchful look of their chief, well acquainted with the capricious temper of the zone which they are now traversing, has beheld the small cloud, no bigger than a man's hand, hovering on the distant horizon. Even whilst he speaks, it grows into gigantic dimensions and darker colours, a haze seems to rise over the waters, and to veil the disk of the sun, as if he were an unwilling spectator of the impending tragedy. A sighing moan is heard, the waters heave as if in convulsive throes, and the unequal motion of the ship indicates that the hour of struggle is at hand. Higher and darker rise the clouds, now piled upon each other, and borne rapidly forwards by the hurrying wind. The sea is black as ink, and rushes with incredible swiftness, bearing with it the straining vessel. The bloodred sun is now completely hidden, and darkness adds to the horrors, broken, however, by one vivid flash, followed by an awful peal which strikes the hearts of

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CAPTURE OF A MARKET GIRL.—(Algiers.)

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the poor passenger, with terror. The crew are conscious of their danger; they have done all that men can do, and nothing now remains for them but to be spectators of the fearful scene. All human aid is vain, and it was not ordained that the elements should cease to rage until they had completed the work of destruction. The storm continued with irresistible violence, the distressed vessel was carried forward with the rushing waters, nor could the captain discover their position. No eye could penetrate the gloom, no hands could be of service, for their utmost exertions could barely enable the men to keep their footing, as the mad waves now dashed over them. Already three of their gallant comrades had been washed overboard; their death-cries drowned in the mingled roar of winds and waters. A flash of lightning, which gave a lurid brightness to all around, revealed, at a short distance, the foaming breakers, and beyond, the frowning mountain, fraught with danger and death. Alas! it was a lee shore. As soon as he could recover from the stunning roar, the undaunted captain resolved to make a last effort to save himself; and what saddened his noble heart still more than the thoughts of his own fate, those entrusted to his care. But ere he could reach the helm, a violent shock laid him senseless, the masts came down with a thundering crash. The impulse of the waves forced the ship over the sunken rock, but in a few moments she heaved madly, then rapidly filling with water, sank beneath the surface. The deadly shrieks of the miserable passengers could not ascend through the deafening storm, as if nature would not hear the funeral dirge. One solitary mariner, as he was carried helplessly away, grasped by chance a floating spar, which at length was fortunately driven fast between a small rock, which barely afforded footing; it was separated but a few feet from the low rocks which bounded the mountain shore: with a desperate effort he gained the latter. He alone survived to tell the melancholy tale.

CAPTURE OF A MARKET GIRL.-(ALGIERS.)

THEY that play at bowls, must expect rubbers, the tables are sometimes turned. The Arabs have been for once too quick for their Gallic foes, although their razzia is but modest. The French do these things by wholesale, men, women, and children, horses, camels, and sheep, are driven in in sad confusion, and the newspapers teem with accounts of glorious triumphs. Civilization is no doubt a very fine thing, but the manner in which it is forced upon the uncivilized is somewhat singular. The gallant Frenchmen rush to the rescue of the distracted fair one; we fear that they come too late, and have only to hope that she may not meet with a rude reception at the hands of her swarthy captors.

VOL. III.

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COUNTRY COUSINS.

COUNTRY COUSINS have always been considered fair game by novelists and romance writers, and our artist seems to have caught the infection. The jovial voice of the stout gentleman just arrived rings most awfully in our ears, and he grasps the hand of his friend as tightly as if he never meant to release him. The bows, curtsies, and attitudes on all sides, are in the due proportion of excess of which all persons living in the country must be guilty. For our own part we think that country cousins have been somewhat badly treated: like country gentlemen they have been so often held up to ridicule, that a man of sense finds the wit too cheap and begins to suspect that, like most cheap bargains, it will not stand wear. We leave out of consideration the manners of the great and the noble, of which we know nothing except by a stray specimen now and then, but we suppose them to be much the same as those of other people, refined and simple in those who are natural, sensible, or genial; and stiff, haughty, ridiculous and proud in those who, having no mental dignity, must take their manners at second-hand, and be ruled by milliners and tailors. For "stuck up people," whom Albert Smith has so amusingly described in his Contributions to Natural History, are to be met with in all classes, and we think that by extending his researches, he will be able to multiply the species. What if the laugh of persons, who have never been within the sound of Bow-bells, or moved in the aristocratical purlieus of the far west, be somewhat loud, their movements too rapid and sudden for the nervous inhabitants of the city, who shall decide that the stiff and silent forms of made-up London fashion are better? In these matters of indifference, the "minor morals," let every one do as he pleases. Sensible people, with a due reliance upon themselves, and a kindly disposition to all God's creatures, will never become ridiculous; nay, their manners will almost invariably be pleasing and not unseldom graceful, as proceeding from a healthy nature; as for those who are mere puppets, and try to form their manners after those of Mr. or Sir Thomas, or my Lord, whether

in lofty London bred, or in an humble cottage born, they are past mending, and must be left to their fate.

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