BURIAL AT SEA.
{"newspaper_name": "The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
1t was morning at seattle sun had just
risen, and not u cloud appeared to obstruct
his rays--a light breeze played upon the bo-
som of the slumbering ocean-the stiffness
OF the morning was only disturbed by the
ripple of the water, or the diving of the
tiyng-fsh. 1t seemed as if the calm and
noisless Spirit fthe deep was brooding over
the waters. The National flag, diplayed
half way down the royalmast, played in
the breeze, unconscious of its solemn import;
the vessel glidcd in serenity, and seemed
tranquil as the element, on whose surface
she moved: she knew not of the sorrows
within her bosom, and appeared to look
down on the briny expanse beneath her, in
all the confidence and security OF thought.
To her brave crew it was morning of
gloom: they had been boarded by the angel
of death, and the forecastle contained all
that was mortal of his victim: his soul had
made its final cxit.-Grouped around the
windlass engaged in reflection, the hardy
sons of the ocean sympathised with each
other. Conscience was at his post believe
they were impressed with the realities of
eternity, they spoke of the virtues cf their
deceased messmatc---of his honesty, his SEN
sibilty, his last dollar Of hard earned wages,
with a distcssed shipnate-all could attest
to his affability. They spoke Of his accom-
plishments as a sailor. of his resolution, of
the nerve of his arm, and the intrepidity OF
his soul in the hour of peril, while the winds
ofheaven where let loose in all their fury,
and destruction was on the wing-seize the


helm and hold the ship securely, till the dam


ger had passed by. They would have con-
tinued long in their reverie, but they were


summoned to prepare for the rites OF sepul-
I ture and pay the last honors to their breath


less companion. The work was common


ced with heavy hearts and many sigh 4


rude coffin was constructed and the body


placed within it. The hardy crew, in theii


tar stained habiliments, stood round, the


main matches WAS his bier, forc-sail was
his pail. The main topsail was hove to the
mast; the ship paused in her course, and
} stood still; and as we committed his body


to tho deep" heard the knel of the ship


bell. and the plunge of the coffin The tears
Z started in the eyes OF the generous tars. My
soul melted within me as | thought of th'
home scenes of him whom we buried i'll tht
! deep Of joys that were to be dashed will
woe-of hopes that were to be drowned il
sorrow.