In farm or mine, with food or wine, To lead the leaders they incline. * * * * * By skill they coil the threads of toil Around the riches of the soil. And, for the sake of gain to make, Great enterprise they undertake. * * * * * Well, far and near, we've gathered here, And all in all it doth appear That higher goals and nobler souls Are here, than elsewhere 'tween the poles. * * * * * Now wake, my Muse, do not refuse To pay "my hostess" honest dues. For ladies fair, with beauty rare, Zealania boasts, beyond compare. And smiles more sweet we'll never meet Until we bow at Peter's feet. Awake again and listen, when Beholding strong Zealania's men. 'Tis writ by Fate, men only great Could constitute this noble State. Then sing for all, both great and small, Each in fit place, that none may fall. The dreams of seers, the hopes and fears, Have gathered 'long the silent years, And on these Isles, with radiant smiles, Were cast the hoarded "afterwhiles." * * * * * Zealania fair, thou art the heir Of all the cries of ancient prayer. Here sturdy bands, with gen'rous hands, Are guardians of these favored lands. Then hail thee thrice--let this suffice, Thou art Creation's Paradise. * * * * * Oh! float away--like mist in May, Or rainbow tints 'mid ocean spray. "I wake to sense--please, no offence,-- Forgive my drowsy indolence." Well, indeed that is pretty; but let us down from Leo's fancies to Mr. Oseba's facts, and while I shall strive to retain a seasoning of Mr. Oseba's richness, time and the love of ease whisper persuasively of the virtues of the blue pencil. With more animated eloquence, Mr. Oseba resumed his oration. "The audience," says Leo Bergin, "gave the most profound attention." "Knowledge," said Mr. Oseba, "is a priceless treasure, but," with a smile he continued, "many a good story has been spoiled by over-inquisitiveness. Poetic fancy suffers from flirtations with cause and conscience. Unless inquiry has been thorough, my children, it is wiser, in most cases, to note impressions than to assume to record facts, so I shall give you but a 'bird's-eye' view of these enchanting isles, with the characters as they appeared before the visual camera when I made my observations.