y the 24th our lower deck looked a veritable fairy bower, but
essentially English--a character which the arrival of the "Themis," on
Christmas eve, modified somewhat. With characteristic good feeling and
with, perhaps, a spice of national vanity, we determined on asking the
Frenchmen to dine with us on the morrow--first, because having just come
in from sea they would be unable to prepare for themselves; and,
secondly, that we might shew them how Englishmen observe Christmas day.
Our invitation asked that three hundred men might be allowed to come,
but half that number only could be spared.

It now became necessary to make our surroundings as international as
possible, and as, happily, the French flag does not demand any very
great skill in its formation, we soon had the tri-color stuck up
everywhere; whilst in the most conspicuous positions French mottoes
shewed out from the greenery. The wording of these latter was a
tremendous effort, so limited was our knowledge of our nearest
neighbour's tongue. Just to quote a few:--surrounding every pudding a
scroll with "Bien venue 'Themis'" painted on it; in the mess shelves,
"Vive la France;" whilst, occupying a commanding place, the following
long yarn--"Servons nous votre reine mais honneur a la republique
francais," shone out in great gilt letters. Then, too, there were plenty
of legends in English; and noticing these, one would be surprised at the
wit, no less than at the talent, exhibited in their execution. For
example, here is a sailor depicted with a most lugubrious and
"I-wish-I-might-get-it" expression on his rather florid face, looking
into an empty grog-tub; and that there may be no ambiguity about the
matter, the word _empty_ is printed on the tub, and attached to his
mouth a balloon-shaped sack containing the following visible
speech--"Three years on the 'Alert' but no 'Discovery.'" A second tar is
represented holding a stranded rope up to his captain, whilst he naively
remarks, "It wants splicing, sir." There were also several mottoes
specially designed as compliments to the admiral.

At noon on Christmas day we awaited on the quarter deck the arrival of
our guests, who, as soon as they came inboard were ushered below and
placed in the posts of honor at the tables. After the admiral, captain,
and officers had made the round of the decks, preceded by the band
playing the immortal strains of "The roast beef of Old England," the
shrill whistles piped "fall-to."