ket addressed to him by name. Some good lady
had taken the enormous pains to work a pretty, and, at the same time,
stout and serviceable wallet, with the inscription, "My letters,"
embroidered thereupon, and to accompany this little gift, in every
case, with a short and seasonable letter of Christmas wishes, using
other languages than English, to suit the convenience of every
recipient. The initials under which these offerings came were "N. C.
H." Other gifts, Christmas cards and Christmas reading, in the shape
of magazines and illustrated papers were gladly welcomed.

The decorations of the corridors and rooms had given occupation to the
sick sailors for several days, and sentiments of loyalty to the Queen
and the Royal Family were abundantly displayed, together with
portraits of members of the Royal Family which had been drawn from
fancy.

The officers and nurses had dedicated to them some specimens of real
sailor poetry, combining the names of the staff. With grim humour, the
"operation room" bore above it "Nil desperandum"; and the decorated
walls of the hospital told the onlookers that "small vessels should
keep in shore," that "windmills are not turned by a pair of bellows,"
that "good things are not found in heaps," that "hasty people fish in
empty ponds," that "plenty, like want, ruins many," &c.

The dinner at one o'clock was a great success. All who could get out
of bed made it a point of honour to be present. But for adverse winds
keeping ships from entering the Thames, the guests would have been
more numerous. But, as it was, the patients under the roof numbered
179. There were, of course, difficulties of language; but no "Jack"
ever ploughed the sea who does not understand a Christmas dinner; and,
besides, the hospital in its nurses and staff possesses the means of
conversing in seventeen different languages.

The scene was a thoroughly Christmas one; and many other festive
scenes, almost as interesting, were seen in all parts of England.
Whether recorded or unrecorded, who does not rejoice in such efforts
to promote "goodwill amongst men," and long for the time--

"When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world send back the song,
Which now the angels sing."

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS.

One of the popular institutions inseparable from the festivities of
Christmastide has long been the "cracker." The satisfaction which young
people especially experience