THE CRUISE OF THE WALNUT SHELL.

Arthur and Elsie every day Learned their geography, And after lessons loved to play At sending ships to sea. They used, instead of little boats, A thing that does as well, A vessel that securely floats— An empty walnut shell. No wonder that this little pair Would oft indulge the notion That walnut shells real vessels were, And washing-tubs the ocean. And often when they were in bed Their brains began to teem, Until upon this wondrous voyage They started in a dream. For mast and sail to stand the gale They chose a pretty feather; The walnut shell rode monstrous well Through very boisterous weather. They had no meat or bread to eat, And not a drop of tea; They thought fried fish to meet their wish Would follow in their lee. Their ship flew fast before the blast; They reached the arctic snow. "Hurrah for ice!" They cried; "it's nice, Although the north wind blows. For here a seal Provides a meal, Our coats, our hats, our hose."

At last they thought they might arrange A very comfortable change. "Hurrah!" cried Arthur; "off we go; We'll run down to the Hoang-Ho." And on they went where might be seen All sorts of tea, both black and green, And figures like a Chinese screen, Pagodas, chopsticks, tails, Umbrellas, junks, and tiny shoes, And they were carried on bamboos, By men whose shoulders feel no bruise, Across the hills and dales. One day a condor seized the shell, The little travellers as well, And flew with speed terrific Toward an island in the sea, Which Arthur said was sure to be (I said they knew geography) Somewhere in the Pacific.

A cheap excursion, was it not, To such a very charming spot That seemed quite free from dangers? For there they lived a life of ease,

Whilst apes politely climbed the trees For nuts to give the strangers. Then sailing on some thousand miles, Where spices scent the breeze,

They passed among the coral isles That crowd the Southern seas.

They cross the calm of tropic heat, In solitude the most complete,

Where the mirage in strange surprise Makes Elsie open wondering eyes.

And now they stand on India's strand, This young and dauntless pair, To beard the leopard, as they thought, And tiger in his lair. For Elsie said, "No beast can face An opened parasol, And Arthur in the surest place Can make a bullet-hole." But soon the children thought it best To put to sea once more; And Elsie steered still further west, As she had steered before, While Arthur opened out his chest By tugging at the oar. A sudden wind arose at last; The walnut shell before the blast Across the tropics flew; But Arthur, till the simoom passed (That wind of course he knew) And daring Elsie held on fast, When safe on Afric's coast were cast The walnut shell and crew. And when the little folks were bent To cross the black man's continent, "The ostriches shall find us legs," Cried Arthur; "they can run." Said Elsie, "Yes; and lay us eggs; I'll fry them in the sun."

They travelled through the desert land, And yet were brisk and merry, Though Arthur's eyes were full of sand, And Elsie's little face was tanned As brown as autumn berry. From crocodiles which had not dined Bold Arthur never shrinks, While Elsie tries to call to mind Some riddles for the Sphinx. And journeying onward safe and sound With never pause nor hitch, Their way through the Canal they found, With wonderment so rich. They saw big vessels outward-bound (That only sometimes ran aground) Go steaming through the ditch.

Through foam and rapids safe they came. And thought a whirlpool very tame. Yet Arthur's strength was still the same, And Elsie's face was all aflame At ventures so romantic; And Arthur never ceased to row Till turtles took the shell in tow Across the broad Atlantic.

At home once more; and all the town Talks of the walnut shell's renown. Arthur is pensioned by the crown, And all his travels written down, Their wonder and variety. And little Elsie, too, is proud; Her pluck and knowledge are allowed By very wise society.

AN EASTER CAROL.