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Les diagrammes suivants iilustrent la mithcde. 1 2 3 w ma: ■^^ 4 5 6 I trnm"^ mr\ COMPRISING TWO POEMS, AS FOLLOWS. FIRST. THE BURWIBf^ BOAT: A SERIO- MTIIilC POEM ON THE DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE STEAMER ROYAL TAR, (OF SAINT JOHN, N. B.) IN PENOBSCOT BAY, ON THE 25th OCTOBER, 1836. SECOND. THE BURNING CITY: A DESCRIPTIVE POEM ; IN COMMEMORATION OF THE LAMENTABLE FIRE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN, N. B. OJf TBE MEMORABLE NIGHT OF SATURDAY Uth JANUARY, 1837. By ARTHUR SLADER. Saint 3fo!)n, N. 33. PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, SY D. A. CAMERON, OBSliiVER OFFICE, MEBRITT'S BRICK BUILDINGS: . II III ^ 1837. ^S' "WP" s 1 si o C a To the intrepid Individuals who so meritoriously signalized themselves on the memorable occasioo on which this Poem is founded ; as well as to the Community of Saint John — the following pages are respectfully dedicated by THE AUTHOR, Saint John, February, 1837. srije isnvnina iiouu " A sad talc saddens doubly when 'tU long-^' Btron, I. " Oh for a Muse of fire ! ..hat would ascend"- So some one somewhere somewhat strangely sa.d ; A stranger thought perhaps was never oenn'd T A ^^'^^^ ""^e"' ^''ymer's metre-stricken head : I have no Muse-I ask no Muse, my friend- For this plain cause-the Nine are long since dead 1 hough many a modern wimicmuse's shell Sounds most unmusically/ musical. II. r have a suhject-thcrefore need not roam About the intellectual realms to find one • I hai-e a theme of fire, that must come home or ,r , """"^ " heart-and suited to remind one t>f Jife 8 precarious tenure : though to some Unreeling-reckles.-deaf_unthinking blind one This, UUe all other themes allied to gravity May prove cjuite dulI_so .trange is man's depravity III. But read, good reader.-just read the beginning-- And then read on : 'twill be no fault of mine If nought herein be foun^ that's graphic-winning- And suited to that nameless taste of thine : 1 will certes be no very heinous sinning To mix the grave and gay in the same line : I like a smile ; nor much dislike n sigh— But shun those who ' contimtally do cry.' • N. i IV. Lord Byhon was ihe greateit of the grand Masters of Song— (Pardon me, noble •hado For titling thoe, when pasu'd into the land Unseen— wnJtnou?n ;~-titles on earth are made) — Byron, I say, had ever at command The choicest, most extensive, " Stock in Trade," Of thoughts, words, high imaginings illimitable — As for his rAynic5,--those I pronounce inimitable. V. I've some design in writing such h proem — (Preface, plain reader)— to the sombre story Which constitutes the body of this Poem :— Perhaps you think it rather desultory — If you view Byron as I wish to shew him, You'll not pronounce these stanzas nugatory ; He was a Poet, " take him all in all"— Sublime— low— grave — gay— trap-comical : VI. A perfect stoallow in the " art divine" — Now high aloft, anon adown how low ; This is a novel simile of mine ; But 'tis so like the man compar'd, you know ', Whose path eccentric I cannot define. And few eoiild follow if I could, I trow : Compound how strange ! — we ne'er may see another— Tears in one eye, while smiles illum'd the other. VII. Be patient for a moment — and I'll leave This paragon of rhyme, whom I have merely Named as the Bard who in one line could grieve. And, in the very next, laugh as sincerely ; I mention this — for, really, I believe, {His being the style I love so very dearly) You'll find me raihev Jlighty as 1 write— A quality I deem quite requisite. V 6 vrii. IX. Who's seen the :V«/^,. ,.k, , ,^^j^^ m.t::r:3,r;::- is,""- "•«■■' X. Who" ,„L,,H •'"^""""'- "»h » 'ea,Ie« „ye ? X!. A >elfi5h, snveivho-can Socielv • "•" nere i hint at thpi %••/» ». n Fromg.v,„g,„„„^„ f » . -S Ig? 7 xn. •»-Tt wdi a modest morning, and the »ky Perhaps a little treach^oiis, though cerene; The pnbBcngers and crc\v all joyously Had got on board ; I doubt not 'twas a sceno (I saw it not) of jocund revelry — A numerous, motley company, I ween ; Music was there, with its enlivening swell ; •' And all went merry as a marriage-bell." XIII. Oh ! could I moralize — perhaps you cr — And if you can, pray do so — I shall not. Besides the souls, there was a Caravan, I do not mean of Eastern pilgrims — but Of stately beasts, large birds — a Pelican — Perhaps some MonJcies ; which I hope were put In their own plnce,^ — a Lion — Elephant — I shall not name them all, because — / canU ; XIV. So leave them. Of the human family. Youths, Maidens, Matrons — some on pleasure bent,. And some on profit , The man on s; • Another here, on th All in their floa All, in their minds sot*.-. Few thought of drowning — i. reliance you'd see ^hemes intent ; ;:ty— igly pent ; fancy turning, ;» . fctill of burning. (1) XV. " Stand by ! unmoor the Boat upon the wave — The wave, each gallant vessel's darling home" — 'Twas done — she stcer'd her onward, stiff and brave. Majestically through the salt sea foam : A. bow — a parting smile perhaps they gave ; But who was dreaming of the death to come ? • Huzza !'— Tl 3 Band struck up "God save the King," Or — some such national eoliv'ning thing. (2) 8 xvi •' She •teina u gallanily-her proud array Sh«'lf !"^ ''^'^'y l^enring chose uway nil fear- She JI traverie the wide wators nmny a day And ride o'er wrathful surge for many L year • BdJows and tempests harmlessly will play Around and o'er her ;^soon too she will near Her oeshn'd port in safety :"-But, avast ! Hush ! Hush ! this hour, fond dreamer, i, her last.' (3) XVII. -Unskill'd in Pt/rotechny, still I know Unskdl'd'to!! '«"'J!%"""«^' °"<^ «'•«» wood wdl burn ; i^nskiii d, too, in Hydromeiry, I trow • pJ-''"T "" ^r'"« P"'' ^''""^ «'"P'r churn :- Prod g.ous knowledge I'-you respond-Just so- rJc.n housewife science, which e'en cooks c.n learn But carelesr, cooks, you know, and so do I Weglect their boilers, and they boil off dry. XVIII. But more of this anon.-My dmiles /^re o/Zcn humorous, and a Wvj good : Besides. I l.ke digressions such as these. AnH .!'?'? ""'" T '*^P'«c«->vhen understood : And while I write V inform I write to phase^ As every wise and v/ell-bred writer should : -Now here I turn my Pegasus again. And fly from playful pleasantry to pain i XIX. inn. :'was post-meridian, and not far from three— •; ^^"*= •" ^^^ the cry.-(How that terrific sound Appals us. even though on shore we be ') Both fore and aft those horrid cries resound Commingling with the murmurs of the sea • While all above, and ail below-nround- was frantic uproar— clamorous confusion. If you've a heart 'twill quiver at tb' allusion. (4) '. A-. (3) am XX Imagine— but 'tiK no Mnoginatiori--- And hiitory'i motley pHgej, miice llic dH-- Of KufToring humanity's creation, Exhibit no such talo of misery ; Nor such a most tremendous combination or horrore— such doliiium ofdibmay, As at the hickless Tab'p celf-conHos'ation, Uiher'd in Dcath---l won't say Immolation. XXI. But to return. — Imagine a high wind--- A cloudless sky— and land on evQty 11 XXVIII. Sympntby, fair daughter of the skies ! Where wast thou then ?— 1 know where thou waBt not 1 cannot stop c'cn note to morphze — You'll sicken if you gaze on this foul bloV On man's jnucli boasted sensibilities: 1 leave the sixteen to their lucki/ lot — I feel, (an'J so do you, or read no more) A loathing which I've sotnetimes fell before. XXIX. Return we to the flaming fearful wreck- Region of horror- -dungeon of despair: I see the li'th boat is off the deck- Stout hearts are in her— fellow-feeling's there— The manly soul acknowledges no check Where danger, dread, and desolation are : See how she nears the mass of dire confusion, Of dying screams and desp'rate dissolution. (7) XXX. See, see ! a heaven-directed sail ahead ! And bearing down upon the field of flame : Swift as the wind, as if by Mercy sped— (On mercy's errand certainly she came :) Greater had been the number of the dead Wore she not sent to rescue : but the same High hand by which the thunderbolt is hurled, Helps, solaces, and saves a sinking world. XXXI. The Veto nears them— nearer, and more near--- Our gallant little boat now lustily Her generous work begins. How very dear Must life be to the man about to die ! What straggles, what heart-energies were there, To save poor shiv'ring, frail mortality ! The little boat had soon enough to see to, Fill'd wiih a crew she bore them Xo the Veto, XXXII. Th' intrepid " Life Guard's" prowess nought appnb And back she flies to save as many more ; She pl.es it proudly— picks up panting souls, Gasping amid the elemental roar ;— This oft repeated, 'till tired nat:.re fall's Exhausted, and down drops the heavy oar.— OlJ ■ "hat a heavenly toil to tire and faint in ' Surpassing Painter's, aye e'en PocVs painting. (8) ^XXIII. One Hero worn out in the saving service, Another, no less daring, fills his post ; And manfully he plies— while every nerve is F^.n^'r^'i^V*'"^"?.'^-"^^""'^' ""^ '^''' h«^« been the boast Even of a Nelson, Duncan, He ,ve, or Jervis ? r.c . /^ J'''"^^"' o^^uch men outweighs a host Of lilj-hver'd runaways from dangers— Fr.ghten'd by fears to which stout hearts are strangere. (9) XXXIV. Their deeds I only speak of "in the gross"-^ And could I write them in detail, perchance 1 heir sterling merit would but suffer loss— Such worth my eulogy could ne'er enhance : Praise, ,n comparison, would be as dross To gold-but then 'tis pleasant e'en to glance At actions greatly generous as these, Grown too much out of fashion now a days. (10) XXXV. But to the wreck again.— 5owe framed a raft ^^ With little, I should think, if a»^ hope ; ' ' A sort of thing at which one would have laugh'd " If laughter could have lived there : some a rope. Or any thing laid hold of— fore and aft Rushing in headlong haste : they scarce could hope To save themselves ; but hope had nearly left them, Ana frenzy of their senses had bereft them. (II) 13 le boast (9) XXXVI. Planks, ladders, spnrs, and e'en unfitting things Were put into a raft : (of no great use — Such trials were the feeble whisperings Of dying hope:) all moveables cast loose That well might float — so close the spirit clings To its clay tenement, it gives no truce To thought, when death is necr, in framing schemes Their union to preserve— death-dawning dreams : XXXVII. At least it proved so here— so strong it blevr There was no chance of safety : the high wave Precipitated headlong the crush'd crew. While the sea, yawning, open'd them a grave : There were " too many" on it, though '• so few" — O'ercrowded, it disjointed— and the brave, The timid— husbands, wives, were hurried Together down, and in the deep were buried. XXXVIII. Perchance some swimmer, struggling for his breath. Rose, and sent forth a farewell gurgling cry ; Wrestling, as 'twere, with his opponent Death, In strong convulsive pang of agony : ('Tis hard to breathe one's last, the adage saith)— 'Till, vanquish'd by his stouter enemy, lie fail'd the unequal combat to support, •' And going down head foremost,-"Sunk in short." XXXIX. One fearless maid, with manlike energy, (12) Leap'd overboard the saving-boat to gain- But fiuiiless the attempt— and, failing, she Divided with her death-nerv'd arm the main ; And, through a boiling, circumvolving sen, Swam round the flaming funeral pile : again In the same track she braved the bouncing billow, Then— among eea-nymphs found a peaceful pillow. 14 XL. Shrill sounds of wailing..-infants, mother, crying- The feehng heart grous sick nt the nnrratio^... 1 '10 Jmia flames, beneath, above them flyinff Mock even the stretch of our imngii.ation : The J.vn.g-.(b„t the livi.g were the dmng) To meet death m a shape less horrible As from the wreck into the wave they fell. XLI. Mothers on f5re! ph.nged in their " hopes" before them- (m C'''';i-. of their unchangeable affection: ^^ An honr before how „a.ch they did adore them !•.« • ;"' ''"'^ y""" »° P^f-s^e the dread reflection : ml******* And ciip this stanza of two lincs-a way 1 ve got, when-I have nothing more fo say. XLII. ^^e'il leave the strugglers-and their tale half told- A sad tale saddens doubly when 'tis lone :" Eno,,. . to knou. that fire, flood, fear, and cold' S ew thrico ten sonls.and n.ore-the weak, the younir (U) TogcU.er sank there-manhood's prime-the oldi ^' ^ ^ 1 he fearless and the fearful-feeble— stronir Becn.ne mere footballs for the sporting tide- l^ut, (IS n gloomy thought that thus they died. XLIII. IVight cnme-.-and drew her veil of darkness o'er The picture that I've faii'd i„-the saved cnw A> ere safely landed-near the midnight hour The Steamer was descried the darkness through Floatmg ,n flame at distance from the shore :- Thus trumpets Fame— I saw it not 'tis true And only those who did cm feel the story \* h.ch in thi8 chit chat way I've laid before ye. 15 V (F8) (14) — 'Tvvas very laie last evening when I ended Tlie ataoza just above this— and you know Whene'er I write a verse 'tis seldom mended; (At least you know it when I tell you so :) I was quite drowsy, and to bed I wended — Where every other drowsy head should go : — I just make this slight mention of the time, Because I do not much udmire the rhyme XLV. Found in the last two lines.— We'll now review Or muse upon the dread catastrophe. Which we, in tvords alone, have waded through : Pity such accidents as ihat should be — They swell the dead list, grieve the living so— And leach the practice of anatomy To the voracious sharks, the pinching sturgeons, And the whole faculty of sharp sea-sMrgeous. XLVI. jju , shall we draw deductions such as these So ludicrous almost, at least so light. From such concatenated miseries ? Can these console us? or can these requite Mankind for iheir bereavements ? — Or can these — — I pause — But some men say, sans reservation vuntal. This accident was strangely accidental. XLVII. Speaking thus strangely, I'll j/roceed with more Deductions strange from this strange casualty — 'Tis strange that when men venture from the shore They should not take their eyes— that is, not see 'Tis strange— but that I've hinted at before — That water should evaporate — and we Not find that secret out until the day The "Tar" ignited in Penobscot Bay. I XLVIII. 'Tis strange that fire should render iron red Lot- Ihe fnct was lately proved, and mournfully • (A c.rcumstance ulucl. should not be forgot '' Twdl be remembered at Penobscot Bay) • - Strange tha. combustibles. W or what not. When brought into a close affinity Wuh <^ctualcautcrff,^^,UoM kindle, hhz. And then consumc-we know it in the^ d^,^ I XLIX. But ah ! 'tis not so strange that man should be Unfeel.ng-reckless of his brother's fate • Alas ! ,t IS so~but, in charity That man, frad man. a varnish'd vanity. And but a bubble at his best estate^ Should arm himself with inhumanity, is constitutional insanity. L. I've come to stanza Fi/fy-.a,,,] Uie last- The best perhaps you'll think it ; not ,o I- The thirty-tlurdisbetter-^buc you've past I'v. ; ^;''/"^,''^^ thirty.fourth, of course hard by • I ve only four hues more ; so I shall haste ^ ' To close with Byron's words :-- 1 shall not trv Your pafence further than by this short samptl' Tuere well .f others follow'd my example." n\is. THE BURIVIIVO CITY: A DESCRIPTIVE POEM, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE LAMENTABLE FIRE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE CITY OF SAINT JOHN, N. B. ON THE MEMORABLE NIGHT OF SATURDAY, 14th JANUARY, 18»7. »•••* Bv ARTHUR SLADER. " lUcet ignis edax tummo: ad J'astigia lento " Volvitur, exuperant flamma, furit cestui ad auraa." Virgil. .1 p rtie iJtttnfnfi €it» I. Go to— dsBcnbe lh« jndeBcribable, And draw what never can be rcpr.sented- Some subject! mock the painter'., poet's skill, Feeble if written-feebler .till if painted : Portray the course of wild Euroclydon, Or any tempest-wind you think upon ; Describe the lightning's glare, the thunder s roar, And that which never wns described belore . II. Then take thy plastic pencil, or thy quill, And aid me, man of genius genuine, In something which I fear transcends iny sk. I, And yields at least sufficient work for thiae . A Thomson's almost all-descriptive powr's Might powerless fall before this theme of ours ;- No more of th.s-I have " a tale t' unfo d. Therefore proceed to tell what can be tola. III. 'Twas night-'twas ninc-'twas freezing-and the moon Serenely sailing through a starry sky. Unclouded in her majesty— the noon Of a keen brumal night was drawing nigh— The air-gauge down at zero, or below, And the doom'd City was a field of snow ; The citizens on various business bent, Each on his several purposes mlent. (1) 20 IV. But few, pcrhap., were .luino'ring : How the crj Of •• Fire !" by various voices breaks upon The startled car, at night .'-high and more high To I A ^''"'f''''^^' -°""d is rais'd-men hurry.ng on To the devoted spol-th' alarm-bell tolls It's summons shrill-the rattling engine rolls- Firemen, cquipp'd, in universal motion, Each crowded street an animated ocean. V. An hour before how different was the scene Presented to the nightlj passenger, Through the ill-fated streets, no longer seen Savo ,n their smouldering ruins ! The brisk stir Of business closing for iho week-the talk Ot fellow travellers on their homeward walk- Iha thoughtless laugh of festive jollity- I do not say of riot-revelry. VI. The scene IS changed-" and such a change ! O night." And flame and terror, "ye are wondrous strong," And heart-appalline ! see yon lurid light Emitted from the burning piles among: A beacon of distress-no longer now The cry of " where's the fire ?"-the glaring glow Pomts out the way to the remotest ken ^ * Of each alarm'd almming citiaen. VII. "And then and there was hurrying to and fro " And thick'ning crowds, and signals of dis'tre.s, And aching hearts « which but an fcour ago* Were wiapp'd in what the world calls happiness, 1 ia transient something which mankind enjoy- That airy nothing,' ne'er without alloy ; That mockery of life, that fragile flcw'r Which bud«. blooms, withers, dies, in one short hour. I S I V ^ 21 ▼III. To check the »prt«ding flninef attempte ire mid* My»ter»ou»iy in vain ! The engine throwi Some ineffectual sprinklinfi— other aid As frultlei* i« at hand ;— hook, bucket, hwe Powerless alike are dropp'd— not long tb« fight 'Twixt fire and water ; early in the night That contest ceased—the mighty mastery Was gainM—supported— kept, to rictory. IX. A mandate from on high, what earthly p«w'r Can frustrate? Thitherward these flames shall run And there shall cease their influence to devour And there shall finish the dread work begun. All hope to stay their progress ended here — When sounds discordant burst upon the ear, » Stand clear,' 'come on,' • haste,' * stop,' 'come here,' 'go there,' • Help,' ' help,' * avast,' ' stand here,' * t»n—everytehert.* X. And wild and high those mingled sounds were flying— Confusion sat upon his Babel-throno ; Men • hoarsely bawling'— children, females, cryiny— Some doing something— others (quite undone) Were gnzing with a frantic idiot stare Upon the dazsling, overpow'ring glare Of the triumphant element. How wild ' Fire ! Fire !' will make a woman, or a child : XI. And certainly 'tis startling— when you know A little time may bring the flames to bear On your own mansion, ten doors off or so, At greater distance or perhaps more near, JuBt as it happens— surely 'tis appalling When torch-like brands upon your roof are falling ; When fire, as thick as snow flakes, falls around one, *Tj3 quite enough, I take it, to confound one. 22 MI. Fcnh from their gloomy truUs roll pipea of wine, With punchooin, their comates in • durance viU'— Their prison-house no longer can enshrine These rare deposits— men in ' rank und file' Are rolling from the furjr that's approaching What some, perhaps, imagin'd worth the broaching ; Barrels, and all the hoop-bound brotheihood Were mix'd pell mell, the worthless with the good. XIIT. Did jroij not hear--(or rather who did not ?) TJint crackling crash of falling bcatns of fire t Some Miaflsiva roof precipitately brought Down from ii'a toite ing height—up bursting higher The fresh-fttd flames voluminously ride The passing wind— and rolling far and wide Break tlirough the brittle banicra thnt wonld check (Feeds before whirlwinds) the resistlces wreck. XIV. Now spring the active, and lay hold llic strong— (Already many a mansion is no more ;) While fear pervades the half-distracted throng ; A simultaneous rushing from each door, And showers of sparkles dancing through the sky, Proclaim the fearful ruin to be nigh . The rising winds, too, with the flames conspire, And drive, with lightning speed, the flood of fire. XV. Loud clamours and shrill clangors now arise Of 'leadiong, headstrong, hurrying disorder ; "•Vith sound of bugle, mix'd with the drown'd cries Of ' fall in here,'— (fruitless attempt at order)— Th' Artillery, and thr '^allant Infantrt, Onward in crowds to pos of danger flee ; Each means to save unceasing!;" essayin", The flaming fire-binnds lu tlieii faces plnvmg. (2) XVI. Now mark the nt plu$ ultra of wild freakf Which tl'.oughtlais man in mad confuiion ptdj What frangiblei industriously he brenkn In a variety of frantic ways : Mirrori and other brittle things are thrown Down from on high: and — smaih'd »pon a atone : The costly cabinet in haste o'ert rning, With care he spoilt, to — save it from the burning. XVII. Whtii nch profuajon now of roerchaadize Hath left the shelves of tliu deserted store : Exposed, (but not for sale, forsooth,) to eyes Which ill can brook 'emptatioa — but no more Just now, oi'tkat—l'W givo it by and by ; (The /arcc you know tucceedt the tragedy—) Satan was there — no' i mere looker-on, — As much on the alert as any one. (3) XVIII. Bales, boxes, bundles, beautiful display? Of human skill to deck the beauteous fpir ; (Sorts without number in these modish '^ys) With piles of coarser and more [ ^/nuerous ware, Obstruct the way — books, bonnets, mantles, mufTs, Bandboxes, butter, heterogeneous stuffs — With fancy ornaments of gilt and glitter, • Magnificently mingled in a litter.' XIX. 'Tis midnight — and whole streets now sraouldc'-^g lie, In their own ashes, levell'd to the dust— (4) Sad spectacles of the uncertainty Of man's terrene possessions—though to trust In stone and wood and perishable things (Baubles of earth which take to them swift win^s And soon are seen no more,) suits blind mortality Perhaps by some invincible fatality. 24 XX. Thi tire is at its lieiglit— the firmament Is glowing, glajing, with a lurid light ; The well-ceucnted, raawive walla are rent Asunder instantaneously, despite Of their iron bonds and inlaid fastenings, Braces and bolts ond other feeble things ; The subtile fire divides the very earth, As if it longM to see some young volcano's birth. (6) XXI. Defend, defend the fortunes of the press ! — Types, tympans, cases, chases, and so on— (The Printer's indispensablcs — unless Supplied with these, bis ' occupation's gone') — Are now in jeopardy ; — the flames are nearing. And busy hands those implements are clearing From out their soat of danger, with success — Defend, defend the fortunes of the press. XXII. One office is in flames — anen one more Shares in the spreading ruin — but success Crowns the attempt to rescue (as before) The ponderous press and its appendages ; Another, and another now prepare The fate just hinted at above to share ; The fiamea are check'J in their wild wantonness, — And Heaven defends the fortunes of the Pr«ss ! XXIII. — Now to another point direct tl"5 eye, — W.iere greedy fires are flying to devour j By turns a pitchy cloud is roU'd on high. By turns hot embers from the ruins pour : The flarae, so fierce at first, fresh fury gains * And Vulcan rides nt large with loosen'd reins ;' Huge piles, at bis approach, aside are thrown, « And shiver'd by the force come tumbling down.' 25 XXIV. Behold yon whaif-and wonder as you gaze ; Moscow in miniature! it mocks the skill' Of pencil or of pen ; fat vapours raise A nauseous odour—storais of sparkles fill The heated sky r—a surMen blaze, hy fits, Forth issues as the p!n.n,e the timbers enfa : Nor engine-stream, nor strength of mortM hand Could e'er such mighty mastery withstand. XXV. The ponderous anchor then and there is bent, Half eaten by the fire's intensity— The sated foe, his fury well ni»h spent, Enjoys the ruinous cato-strophe : And prodigies of fiery feats performs, While falling fabrics his high hand deforms ; W.th breath of lightning, and a voice of thunder, He seems to cleave the very earth asunder. xXvf. Here, too, a stream of liquid gla?s is flowing- Vessels of iron are molted down like l^^ad ; And massive metal of all forms is ,r]r^^vw^ ; So fierce t!>o f„,.y ^^^■ jj»^, ^,...., j^^.j .__ Bown to the eart!), and upward to the sky TL'e lianuncr, llickerin.r, hunbert voltUHcs fly ; To .-.II oombustihios tlieir wra.h extending-, Tiicy Slid prevail, nscendmg nnu dc-seenaTng. XXVII. As m^lt3 the snow benerith a fcrv-nt sun,— As liits the gossamer before the "aic As flies the iiindile hare when ce!M-se.4 run,— Before the uind as weil-Jrim.Vi'd yvt::rU sail,— So speeds the flame ; and i-o the loncllicu'd tier ' Of lofty buildings sinks— so dis:'.ppcar Before each wu!ider-.ffruck soect -r's eyes Those rich receptacles of mcrchnndize. 26 XXVIII. See, too, the flames have reach'd those masts liard by ; And spirally around th«ir summits play, Down creeping to their bases rapidly ; " Stand by"— (the passing order)—" cut away"— The flame-clad spars down tumbling o'er the side, Lay quench'd and floating in the ambient tide ; Or mast and hull had haply gone together, The one a prime conductor to the other. (7) XXIX. The sun is up— the enemy hath seiz'd His final viciim— see that edifice, (Like some tall monarch of the forest, razed By sudden tempest blast)— how soon it lies A heap of blazing beams ! the flaming siorm Of the whole range hath scathed the noble form ; Those towering fabrics which wo gazed upon Last eve, have vanish'd — are forever gone. XXX. 'Tis now the Sabbath morn— this morning's sun Looks down upon a sad, a sickening scene ; So fair a portion of our City gone ! Undreamt of at bis going down, I ween ; In ashes otir commercial vineyard lies. Nor cau it quickly from its r"iins rise ; Nor soon those giant fabrics towV again Along that smoking dt'solated plain, XXXI. The besom hath pass'd o'er it— the red pest Hath executed its dread purposes ; Obedient to th' OmHipotent behest — But the same hand which brings to nothingr.ess. Uplifts the prostrate— moves his counsels on, In a mysterious way, to man unknown ; Performs His will— too oft misunderstood, From seeming ill educing real good. I Bi ^r , 27 ' ";f 'f'lT '^''^"'^ ^^""^ the fire tractive aX'T'r'^'^''"^^^^'" '• Tl,r;« ' '^"''» "''•o cheerly cries Timce happy ye, ^hose walls I' ^ • „ ""^ already rise"—. (Q\ XXXIII. "Ul can we nn"" ""•'■ '""'"'''"« S'-^»l«> good i,,„„. 28 XXXVI. How well tlicy exccu'e tlielr mnster'd will ! Most faithful of a!! servants— "■:•.!! '.vlmt zenl They empty li'-;.:-^ ar.il ilicir pocUpts fill. Aid vehicles— so sweet the tnsii to steal : The sIfiH, the si'.igh, ihe 1"»'U, too. and the dray, Fly oVi- lh(3 snow, or cut their watery way ; Freigiiiod wilii :'|)"'!s from raiisack'd houses brojglit ; But catuii foils nimsclf— tho thieves were caii<;ht,— (9) XXX VII. Or some of thcir---may Conscience caicb the rest, A;id i)iercc I'licm v.;'!; it- most cnveuomM stings ! Thev pilt'cr'c; from the min'd, the distrest— Ivinjfs ^vere r.i'idc l.efsrore, beggars were made kings- (T' indalsc z iiti'e in hypcruole Allowable, joii know, in Poeiry)— But slill Ms raid that i./.f-ri::- was tlie ovder Of that dread night of burniui; and disorder. XXXVIII. Severe lli;^ \c.vs to nmny, though I'uo fire Sca.hed not tiuir dwiicgs— the destructive band Of blind impetuous hmry — th-j desirp To save r:ou:i buniioL', and the plundering batid All coalesced to lessen the sum total Of their— c< cctcvu—Ua hard to q>;ote ail- But nioveablcs quite numiMous tiity cay Thus took unio them wii^qr^ ar.d ikw p.v/ay. (10) XXXIX. No more— a thrme lo;s loathsome claims attention ; A subject whieh involves tlus common good— I mcar. romo riethod to prevent th' extension Of kindlinjT burnings— (hard to be subdued When ragin i T/"'■""^^'•"•^^«- XLIII. ISccoincs n ruiii'il sliell • „„, . ■ ^ ";.- ,....•„ ,„,„.™„ ,„rj ;- :; '-- '- .%. ^V 'til iiif, u ii.it iir.f n„ ■ , * ~"^'"« ' end % some dcan'd n ' ^' ""derstood,- ^ ^sUcemd nonsense, aad by others good. :^ va UCotw to tijc muvuiufi 33oat. •*»•©•♦•♦• 1. The Steamer Royai. Tah, (of 400 tons burthen,) left St. John on the Friday previous to the disaster, with Ninety-three persons on board, including Crew and Pasiengcrs. In addition to whicl: she had taken in the collection of Wild Beasts which had been travelling through New-Brunswick and Nova- Scotia. A number of the persons on board belonged to St. John ; some bent on business, others on pleasure. 2. Every thing having be u made snug on board, the Royr.l Tar left the harbour, the Band belonging to th^ Menageri-^ playing 'God save the King'— none dreaming of the awful catastrophe thnt awaited them. 3. Stormy weather ensued— the Boat was retarded ia her progress— and was obliged to put in at Eastport, Little River, &c. 4. On Tuesday, 25th October, about 2 o'clock, v. m., it was discovered that the boiler had become dry— the Boat was therefore brought to anchor. Ia half an hour after she was discovered to bo on Hra. imrcediatoly over the boiler under the deck. 5. The cable was immediately slipped— sail set to run her ashore— and the fire-engine set to work : but such was the density of the smoke, and the rapi- dity of the flames, that the men were driven from the pumps, and nothing but a prospect of inevitable destruction presented itself. 6. A simultaneous rush was now mada for the bonts, of which there were bat two— the larger of which was seized by sixteen of the passungers-who (with such of their baggngo as thoy could lay their hands upon;) went before the wind to an Island about nine miles to Una loewaru— iUihough llie land was but one and a half miles to windward. They did not return to render what assistance was in their power, leaving their fellow passengers to their fate. 7. Captain Reed, (Master of the Boat,) got possessidn cf the r.mall beat, and kept near the burning Steamer, to do what couUl be donf ror the prcser- Tation of those on board— and at the hazard of his life did he ply lustily be- tween the flaming ^= reck and the United States schooner Vi:to, which then hove in sight and made directly for the Royal Tar. 8. This mode of saving the people was rendered both slow and exceedingly dangerous by the violence of the weather— but it was kept up as long as a soul was left alive on board the Steamer. 9. Mr. W. G. Brown, (the Steward,) when Captain Rccd was perfectly exhausted, took his place in the little boat, and made three trips lo the burning Boat, for the rescue of the unlorlunale. a r d.irtinn E^. 31 ; "'"^'' '^ ""-'- the ^^^or^.^0!:,^^:^,^^^^. -^ ATr. .. ^'- A temporarvraff .. , "''^"etl people. »fa» sufferers Lu /ofu ' T ,'""''= "'"^ '^^^Je" a.d pl„nfc. '— One poor giri wK » i 1 »'guea„dcoHfo,„;,,P;;'^"'"o succeeding. a„d^^^^^^^^ S'ave in the billow,, "^ ''^'•»«»ted with fa. *"• I lie Women «>Ji J""ped after them.' Th! '''"""^ °" ^'•«' 'hrew their cl •). r^'"^ of the tu™;ex?d elT"'"' °' ^'^^'^ Poor creature^ ?" ''''''''^ «»«» de.criptio„. '"'' ^'««'«"t». combined to prod^,. " ' ''*«'"''" ^''^ tha \ \ '^•^o-Ho3t>P„„en,er..,..c.,.,3__^^ '^otta to ttt JUui- ""tfl ©fti). ^os*' ^^'-Z; oc^:;!^^'^ ---n^ed. it was ascertained that . ., ^''«» the fire m ,ts pro. e « t ?'''^°" ^' ^^""^n. ^'It nl''J'°'' "" ^•''••.' H-er. saved. ^ °^'^'"' "'-' ''ot even the boik, I„d papeT; o""*^ "° "''""^ »'/feelingTetct7simihr"r.K' '"^''°^°'^ ^'"" the Milit. , -.'he n.ost unro';„itted1^ ir'^'^r'^^y "-erthet ;'?"'■ T*" '^-'^ - •**■ Aa h too compinn :„ -'-= «» rs ,1" ;i^^"«. "■« "nro;.s n> r""""' ' -^ =■- "'y through tho ai,.. ' ""<^ «as8e» of fir.. 32 A. After the fltiraei became (o cxtentivs, Iho poople wore parnlyz^d in tlu'Jr •ndeavour* to nrieit them; and their t'ffotti were theiict for ward directud •olely to the laving of property. 6. Two Printing Offices were totally destroyed, but the office material* were fortunately saved. The contents of other Printing establishmtmts wore nl§o removed in conseqnenro of the contiguity of the fire, which providentially however, did not reach the.-n. 7. The loss in thipping would doubtless have been great, had not the rising tide favoured the removal of several largo vessels*, which were towed off as •con as the water permitted. 8. The City's motto : "OFortunati! quorum jam monnia surgunt." 9. And not only caught, but " sent to their own place." 10. Number of buildings destroyed, 115. Property to the amount of je250,000. 11. An extensive Brewery, greatly, though but partialli/ damaged. Erratum Pagn 13, Stanza xxxvii., Hue 7, after tli9 word " timid," •upply the word 'children.' \