It is not a time when the interests of the country can be
intrusted to the efforts of a consul or any inferior naval officer. We
ought to send an envoy with powers to negotiate a treaty, and with such
a fleet as will insure a respectful attention to our demands. The number
of American vessels which frequent the coasts of Madagascar is a
sufficient reason for us to interfere, without regard to the vastly
greater interests which demand that this island shall not become a
French colony. Our prediction that the confederate pirates would soon
sweep the Indian Ocean of our richly laden India-men seems in a fair
way to be accomplished; and where, save by the contemptuous forbearance
of England and France, can our cruisers find a port for supplies,
repairs, or information?
A VIGIL WITH ST. LOUIS.
[Greek: "Cheires men hagnai, phren d' echei miasma ti."]
EURIPIDES.
O Friend, thy brow is overcast; but haply for thy grief,
Though all untold, a spell I hold to work a swift relief,--
A hallowed spell;--no rites we need that shun the light,
Thy taper trim; for we must read some dark old words to-night.
For I will, shall I?--from their graves call up the holy dead,
More mighty than the living oft such soul as thine to aid.
From Fear and Woe, through fears and woes like thine, they won release,
And through our still confronting foes once fought their way to peace.
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