Southern telegraph., 1838-08-22
THE FUNERAL AT SEA.


"No flowers can ever bloom upon his
grave, no tear of affection fall upon the bri-
ny surge which rolls over him."
1t was morning at sea. The sun had
risen in glory and was pouring his beams, a
shower Of golden light, in richness over the
houndless expanse of waters. Not a cloud
was visible, the winds were hushed and the
ocean was unbroken by ripple.
A solitary ship was the only object in all
the magnificent scene which spoke the er-
istence of man. Her sails were hanging
sluggishly from the yards. The light mo-
tionless flag suspended at half mast seemed
to portend that misfortune, perhaps death
had been there. And such indeed was the
case, among the party who composed her
passengers on leaving port was one whose
health had been declining in the GOODNESS Of
our northern winter, and who, as the last
hope Of regaining it, had determined to Wis
it the sunny vine hills Of France, and inhale
the pure air of Italy. His friends, as they
bade him adieu, believed it was their last
farewell, and he himself, as his native shores
faded from his sight, felt the dark, dreary
| CONSEQUENCES COtH6 oFSI HIis NHGh AS WA
going to die among strangers.
| He was young; and before disease had
fastened itself upon him, had moved the be.
loved and admired of all, He could i'll bear
| the thought Of dying, for his hopes were high
and animating; just such an ardent and In
: experienced mind delights toindulge. and he
had looked forward with impatience to the
time when he should become al actor in the
busy Uerld. He had talents and education
fitted for any employment, and his friends
confidently anticipated the period when he
should share in the councils of the country,
or stand pre-eminsntly distinguished at the
bar. He had lies too of different nature,
which had given fairy charm to existence,
and bound him still closer to life--ties which
were too fondly cherished, entwined as they
Iwere with the very hbrss Of his heart, to be
Lseyered by any thing save death. Nc
wonder he felt it hard to diel But the vic
tins which the grave selects are not always
those whom we value most lightly, nor who
most readily sink into its shadows. How
often is youth cut down when just opening
into manhood and gloryfying in all its anti
cipations. Such was the case with the one
bofore US. Consumption had been silently
but gradually performing its task, and the
unnatural flush ygon his cheek, and his gla-
neusye4Ola ls-tec-iaitlsGssllysthaa-le -leunNaa
rapidly passing to another world He died
at last, and his death was calm and peaceful
as the sleep of an infant, folded in its moth
er's arms, snd now his manly form lay
stretched upon the deck about to be commit
ted to the world Of waters--a feeble thing
but ali the hope and happiness Of how ma
ny hearts may go with il to old oceans ST
lent chasms, The ships company were col
lected and stood around, gazing upon the
cold, placid countenance which they were
about TO consign, with all its beauty, to the
deep. No word was uttered, and memory
recalled the gentle voice and sweet smile oi
the deceased, and fancy pictured the sorrow
his death would cast over the circle which
he had left. An appropriate prayer and q
few remarks, suggested by the occasion
were the only religious ceremonies performs
ed; then the body was lifted carefully, as i
it could know, in ifs unconsciousness, tina
tears were in the eyes of the strangers, ant
tenderness in their bosoms,-then a single
heavy plunge broke strangely the wide still
ness of the ocean, and sent the long and cir
cling ripples over its CLASSY breast. We
gszed with strained eyes after the slowly
sinking corse, still it grew dim and vaguely
shaped in the deep green water, and thel
gradually disappeared. A gloomy silenc'
succeeded, and the desolation of deser
peryaded the ship.
y