upon

child, you know what a ship is. If you have lived in London you have, no doubt,

seen many of them sailing

slowly and proudly down the river, as shown above, looking quite beautiful in the cheerful light of the sunny day, with their sails all set, and their flags all flying. But the other picture represents quite a different scene. The ship, alone the wide sea, and far from land, has unfortunately caught fire; and those who left their homes with such high hopes and glad hearts are battling for their lives with raging flames and heaving water; or, crowded into little boats, prepare to dare the dangers of the mighty sea; and others think themselves lucky in being able to escape the burning ship with only a log of wood or a stray plank between them and their graves.

A deplorable case occurred not long since, of which you have most likely heard. The Ocean Monarch, an emigrant ship, bound for the United States of America, sailed from Liverpool one bright morning. It was on the 24th of August, 1848; and she had on board, including the passengers and crew, no less than three hundred and ninety-six persons. Perhaps you don't know what emigration means; well, I will tell you. Emigration is a voluntary act of one or many persons, who leave their native land and go to a distant country to try their fortunes. By trying their fortunes I mean, that by hard work and untiring exertion they are able to subdue and cultivate a portion of land for themselves, which may afterwards become rich and valuable. The advantages of emigration depend, of course, upon the individuals themselves. If a man is idle and lazy at home I don't think he is likely to be very industrious abroad; and therefore emigration does not always cure the inconveniences under which people frequently labour. But land being cheaper, and provisions more plentiful abroad than at home, thousands annually take advantage of these circumstances, and go to America, and other places, to seek or mend their fortunes. Well, as I told you, these three hundred and ninetysix persons left Liverpool early one morning to go to America. They had not sailed many miles, when a dreadful cry of "fire of “fire” was heard in the ship. A moment before all was calm security and peace. Many, perhaps, were leaning over the sides of the vessel, shaping out the course of their future lives; or casting loving looks upon the land that was theirs no longer : and many who were alive and gay on that morning never saw another. Oh it was a fearful sight, as the raging flame caught spars and rigging, and, rushing from end to end of the devoted ship, drove the shrieking multitude in haste before it; some, des

perate with terror, seeking a death in the deep waters rather than dare the horrors of the fire. And a terrible cry arose that was answered only by the echoes of the rocky shore. But assistance was at hand: the Brazilian frigate "Affonso," and a little vessel called the "Queen of the Ocean," were quickly alongside the burning ship, and with their boats they rescued many from their dangerous position. The flames were raging with immense fury from the centre to the stern (or after part), and so great was the heat that it drove every one-men, women, and children,—to the fore part of the vessel. In the frenzy of despair women, with infants in their arms, threw themselves into the waves, and in many cases sank to rise no more. No tongue can tell the horrors of that dreadful day. In the midst of the fearful scene many examples of parental and filial affection occurred; many instances of the kindest friendship; and many fearful sights of individual loss and suffering. One sailor, Frederick Jerome, a native of Plymouth, distinguished himself by the most extraordinary bravery and perseverance. When only about a dozen persons, helpless and subdued with fear, remained on board the burning ship, this noble man threw off his clothes, and making his way through the raging waves with a rope in his hand, succeeded in lowering the tottering victims to the boats, and was the last man to leave the doomed vessel. Does not his example show us that, in whatever condition of life we may be, it is always in our power to assist our fellow-creatures, and do unto others as we would they should do unto us. And the brave Jerome was, besides obtaining the applause of the whole country, handsomely rewarded.

Upwards of a hundred and fifty lives were lost by this dreadful accident, besides the ship and all