Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-10-18
From The Portland transcript.
A BURIAL. AT SEA


might have been seen,by any passing obser-
yer. becalmed of, one OF those fertile little
paradises that so plentifully begem the Gre
elan Archipeego--he dark shining sides
teethed with heavy battery. aud her lighi
ltapefing spars aspiring to the heavens
rendering her certainly beautiful object 10
attract the attention Of the wandering sea-
man. And rightlworthy was sho to carry
the star spangling banner of the proud Al.
lantlc Republic, whose supremacy she had
once VIGOROUSLY asserted The passing OBJ.
observer might have been attracted by
her symmetrical beauty, but his sympa.
thles could not have been enlisted in the
solemn scene that was then performing
within her dark habitation Thereswas an
unusual silence in every thing around and
on board, seemingly proclaiming the holi.
ness Of the Sabbath The sharp clnk ofthe
armorer's forge-the chirruping sound OF
the carpenters smoothing plane--the noisy
calls OF the Boatswain aud his mates were
all suspended. The injunction of our Lord,
THAT on the seventh day thou shall rest"
was strictly enforced-and the crew, tired
with the duties Of the past week, were repo-
sing beneath the shade afforded by the
launch, or reclining listliness between the
guns; even the elements seemed to partc-
pate in the rest the winds aud the waves
were hushed and nature throughout all her
works seemed TO be enjoying the calm Of the
! Holy Day The water was scarcely dis
turbed by ripple. The air was undisturb
ed by breath. The pennon at the main
mast head lay in heavy festoons on the
| lighter riggng-the sails hung drowsily
from the yards. only awakened by the slight
motion Of the shipto fall back again heavily
against the spars and rigging. Noughl in.
terrupted the general stillness--eve the
conversation OF the men was carried on in
subdued whisperings. 80
The ships bell struck eight-then Sud
denly following its heavy toIing. accomba.
MED with the harsh voice and harsher pipes
OF the boatswain, and his mates summoning.
"up all hands--bury the dead A short
pause ensued; followed by the heavy tram
ping of the ships company and officers as
they hurriedly obeyed the solemn summons
All being assembled, n,tired in neat suit
bpflting the day and the occasion---the
corpse Of the gallant youth was brought up
and placed on the grating prepared for it in
the eangway shrouled in the same ham
mock that had sweetened his midnight IT,
pose after the duties Of his watch were over
A Union Jack was thrown over Il.
AS il reachedthe gangway there was a
Simultaneous and involuntary uncovering Of
heads, and a sympathetic murmur ran
through the crowd while all bent eagerly
forward 10 catch n last look at their departed
shipmate Oh he was noble youth
the pride and sole support Of widowed
| L u. .,,,I h., -.
thessiiyRest circles Of the wealthy, from
whicf.untoward misforunes had es,ranged
Internationally beloved, too, by the gxntle
playmate OF hiseehildhood to whom hesw9s
10 have been united on his reprifsessAL
ways prompt and ready when duty Called
and carrying light heart buoyant feel
ings- Happy Jack, for so be was styled
by his shipmatrs--no only because q gener-
al favorite with them. his companions, but
also gained him the esteem Of the officers.
who were wont TO point out his ready and
cheerful obedience, respectful demeanor and
signal daring, as an example TO the others.
On more than one occasion he had snatch.
ed struggling shipmate from the terrors Of
watery grave needless oil his own risk
We had missed his ready hand and happy
countenance from the deck for some days,
and when we were told that baneful dis
ease was making frigb,ful ravages upon his
once manly iorin--thnt the firm and elastic
step of youth was exchanged for the tottering
one of age that his eve once so piercing
and bright, had become CLASSY and dim, and
that he was wasting, day by day-many and
anxious were the inquiries our sympathy in,
,Iuced us TO make He was now no more
All stood uncovered--nnd the prepara-
tons being complexion motion from the
Captain, the Reverend Chaplain broke the
impressive and breathless silencc--in a
clear, distinct voice repeating the true words
of our Saviour III amthe resurrection and
the life--he that believeh in me though he
were dead yet shall he lvep AS he pro-
ceeded the smothered sympathy burst forth
in one deep groan OF anguish, and many q
hardy tar was there-those who had braved
The battle foe and wreck ashamed OF the
noble weakness he could not hide, hastily
brushing away with the back of'his weather
beaten hand the big drops of feeling gush-
ing from eyes long strangers TO such weak
ness.
The services were quickly ended, ,an6 rs
the chaplain repeated in impressive accents.
t"To the deep we commit their body, DC, :"
the grating was raised and a harsh sulen
plunge told us that the deep had received It's
noble treasure. The band struck up the
beautiful hymn II would not live always"
and with the services were conclnded-the
sailors retiring in little knots TO talk over the