Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.


A few salty lines from
Twists and Turn of the Protestant Registers,
1795 - 1835.

Quebec Gazette, Thursday, January 1st, 1808.
 
 
            THE CHAPLAIN'S NOSE.
    A vessel at sea was expected to sink,
      To save her no more could be done;
    The crew look'd aghast - for everyone thought,
      That his glass of existence was run.

    The Chaplain, who dearly lov'd eating and drinking,
      And was likewise a very great smoker;
    Had a nose on his face, which bore some resemblance,
      To a flaming red-hot kitchen poker.

    He assembled the crew and began reading prayers,
      Exhorted to think of salvation;
    Begged his hearers to hit on the readiest way,
      To save themselves all from damnation.

    In the midst of this scene a lubberly boy,
      Unconscious what danger was near;
    Stood grinning away with most unseemly joy,
      And by no means expressive of fear.

    Now the Chaplain thought fit to reprove this sad dog,
      So he question'd the cause of his laughter;
    "Tis," said he tittering, "to thing how your nose"
    "Will hiss when we plunge in the water."
 
 
G.R. Bossé©1999-03. Posted:
Mar. 11th, 1999.		 Updated:
July 15, 2003.

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