It is a sublime thing, my boy,--a high moral and exciting thing,--to note a wealthy nation's outburst of gratitude to Providence and our national military organization, for a succession of Mackerel triumphs without parallel either in history or her story. As I look abroad upon the exulting hosts of our distracted fellow-countrymen from an upper front window of Willard's,--having first wafted a fascinating salute to the pleasing young woman of much back hair at a window across the avenue,--as I look abroad, my boy, upon this whole remarkable people, I am deeply impressed with a sense of that beautiful, national characteristic which makes us all buoyant over Mackerel victories only as they bring us nearer to virtuous peace and universal brotherhood, and am convinced that our otherwise inexpressible thankfulness to Heaven may be divided into two equal parts: I. An ardent desire to destroy combined Europe. II. A disposition to set fire to combined Europe, bringing off the women and children in small boats. Hah, hah! does combined Europe tremble? Does C. E. offer a certain sum to be let off? "Shall I ever forget, my boy, the recent terrible remark of that grim old sea-dog, Rear Admiral Head, just after that late tremendous capture of Fort Piano, on Duck Lake, by the Mackerel Chalybeate squadron,--shall I ever forget it? "Chip my turret!" says that venerable salt, in his iron-plated manner,--"Chip my turret if I couldn't take my flag-ship, the '_Aitch_,' and crush Europe like a perishing insect,--unrivet my plates if I couldn't!" But why should I dwell upon the dreadful suggestions of a theme like this? Europe--crowded Europe--millions of people--bright summer morning--everybody in the streets--Bang! whiz!--Great combinations of the Lieutenant General--Victoria and Louis N., do you surrender?--We DO! Solemnly do I say to you, my boy, let us mix plenty of this sort of thing in our devout gratitude to Providence for His mercies to us as a people, and henceforth we may confidently count upon the support of Providence--Rhode Island.