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weeps with his telescope； and with as keen an eye to the MAIN chance as any of his predecessors displayed。 The feet…washing ceremony was evidently a propitiatory homage to the purity of my quarter…deck。
Bergen； with its pale…faced houses grouped on the brink of the fiord； like invalids at a German Spa； though picturesque in its way； with a cathedral of its own； and plenty of churches； looked rather tame and spiritless after the warmer colouring of Throndhjem； moreover it wanted novelty to me； as I called in there two years ago on my return from the Baltic。 It was on that occasion that I became possessed of my ever…to…be…lamented infant Walrus。
No one； personally unacquainted with that 〃most delicate monster；〃 can have any idea of his attaching qualities。 I own that his figure was not strictly symmetrical； that he had a roll in his gait； suggestive of heavy seas； that he would not have looked well in your boudoir； but he never seemed out of place on my quarter…deck； and every man on board loved him as a brother。 With what a languid grace he would wallow and roll in the water； when we chucked him overboard； and paddle and splash； and make himself thoroughly cool and comfortable； and then come and 〃beg to be taken up；〃 like a fat baby； and allow the rope to be slipped round his extensive waist； and come upsleek and drippingamong us again with a contented grunt； as much as to say； 〃Well； after all； there's no place like HOME！〃 How he would compose himself to placid slumber in every possible inconvenient place； with his head on the binnacle （especially when careful steering was a matter of moment）； or across the companion entrance； or the cabin skylight； or on the shaggy back of 〃Sailor；〃 the Newfoundland； who positively abhorred him。 But how touching it was to see him waddle up and down the deck after Mr。 Wyse； whom he evidently regarded in a maternal point of viewbegging for milk with the most expressive snorts and grunts； and embarrassing my good…natured master by demonstrative appeals to his fostering offices！
I shall never forget Mr。 Wyse's countenance that day in Ullapool Bay； when he tried to command his feelings sufficiently to acquaint me with the creature's death； which he announced in this graphic sentence； 〃Ah； my Lord！the poor thing！TOES UP AT LAST！〃
Bergen is not as neat and orderly in its architectural arrangements as Drontheim； a great part of the city is a confused network of narrow streets and alleys； much resembling； I should think； its early inconveniences； in the days of Olaf Kyrre。 This close and stifling system of street building must have ensured fatal odds against the chances of life in some of those world…devastating plagues that characterised past ages。 Bergen was； in fact； nearly depopulated by that terrible pestilence which； in 1349； ravaged the North of Europe； and whose memory is still preserved under the name of 〃The Black Death。〃
I have been tempted to enclose you a sort of ballad； which was composed while looking on the very scene of this disastrous event； its only merit consists in its local inspiration； and in its conveying a true relation of the manner in which the plague entered the doomed city。
THE BLACK DEATH OF BERGEN。
I。
What can ail the Bergen Burghers That they leave their stoups of wine？ Flinging up the hill like jagers； At the hour they're wont to dine！ See； the shifting groups are fringing Rock and ridge with gay attire； Bright as Northern streamers tinging Peak and crag with fitful fire！
II。
Towards the cliff their steps are bending； Westward turns their eager gaze； Whence a stately ship ascending； Slowly cleaves the golden haze。 Landward floats the apparition 〃Is it； CAN it be the same？〃 Frantic cries of recognition Shout a long…lost vessel's name！
III。
Years ago had she departed Castled poop and gilded stern； Weeping women； broken…hearted； Long had waited her return。 When the midnight sun wheeled downwards； But to kiss the ocean's verge When the noonday sun； a moment Peeped above the Wintry surge；
IV。
Childless mothers； orphaned daughters； From the seaward…facing crag； Vainly searched the vacant waters For that unreturning flag！ But； suspense and tears are ended； Lo！ it floats upon the breeze！ Ne'er from eager hearts ascended Thankful prayers as warm as these。
V。
See the good ship proudly rounding That last point that blocks the view； 〃Strange！ no answering cheer resounding From the long home…parted crew！〃 Past the harbour's stony gateway； Onwards borne by sucking tides； Tho' the light wind failethstraightway Into port she safely glides。
VI。
Swift； as by good angels carried； Right and left the news has spread。 Wives long widowed…yet scarce married Brides that never hoped to wed； From a hundred pathways meeting Crowd along the narrow quay； Maddened by the hope of meeting Those long counted cast away。
VII。
Soon a crowd of small boats flutter O'er the intervening space； Bearing hearts too full to utter Thoughts that flush the eager face！ See young Eric foremost gaining （For a father's love athirst！） Every nerve and muscle straining； But to touch the dear hand FIRST。
VIII。
In the ship's green shadow rocking Lies his little boat at last； Wherefore is the warm heart knocking At his side； so loud and fast？ 〃What strange aspect is she wearing； Vessel once so taut and trim？ Shout！MY heart has lost its daring； Comrades； search！MY eyes are dim。〃
IX。
Sad the search； and fearful finding！ On the deck lay parched and dry Menwho in some burning； blinding Climehad laid them down to die！ Handsprayerclenchedthat would not sever； Eyes that stared against the sun； Sights that haunt the soul for ever； Poisoning lifetill life is done！
X。
Strength from fear doth Eric gather； Wide the cabin door he threw Lo！ the face of his dead father； Stern and still； confronts his view！ Stately as in life he bore him； Seatedmotionless and grand； On the blotted page before him Lingers still the livid hand！
XI。
What sad entry was he making； When the death…stroke fell at last？ 〃Is it then God's will； in taking All； that I am left the last？ I have closed the cabin doorway； That I may not see them die： Would our bones might rest in Norway； 'Neath our own cool Northern sky！〃
XII。
Then the ghastly log…book told them How…in some accursed clime； Where the breathless land…swell rolled them； For an endless age of time Sudden broke the plague among them； 'Neath that sullen Tropic sun； As if fiery scorpions stung them Died they raving； one by one！
XIII。
Told the vain and painful striving； By shot…weighted shrouds to hide （Last fond care）； from those surviving； What good comrade last had died； Yet the ghastly things kept