THE MERIDIAN CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5189, 20 December 1884, Page 3

THE MERIDIAN CONFERENCE.

Jack's Yarn. 'Twna Prime Meridian, twelve at noon, Hy signal I from Nancy parted ; At eight she watched the rising moon, With, wringing hands, halt broken-hearted. At nine, while tautening tho fore-stay ; . I I saw her fuiut, unlaßS 'twas fancy ; At ten wo all got under wei^h, And bade is. long adieu to Nancy ! Night camo. The thome of every tongue Wiis the Meridiajj Conference. Weary Of that at last, we piped and sung, And chawed onr quids in confab cheery ; But something weighed upon my mind, TUB wildest dreams possessed my fancy, And fate seemed whisperiug on the wind, I ne'er again should meet my Nancy 1 And now arrived the happy thne Which every true Tar's spirit rouses, , When safe at home (Meridian Prime) We hope to meet sweethearts and spouses. But round and round ihe world went we, Seeking that Prime Meridian ! Fancy | The darned thing wasn't fixed, ye see, And I could not find home or Nancy ! ! It was, of course, the beastliest bore. I Those stupid Frenchuieu had a notion That fixing it on England's shore,— England, whose vessels scour the ocean, And who is owned to rule tho waves, — Insulted France! A foolish fancy 1 The vanity to which they're slaves Fooled them— and kept me from my Nancy ! We sai'ed about, all round we steered, Midst sunshine's gleam and tempest's rattle. No Prime Meridian appeared I Tho Conference was still at battle ! The Frenchman still maintained the strife To please his egotistic fancy, Kept many a Tar from his true wife, And mo from my beloved Nancy 1 Alas ! Confound the Frog3, l snys ! Though fair the wind and fine the weather, I cannot yet forecast the day When Nance and I ehall come together. That Prime Meridian serves to floor My fondest hopes, my warmest fancy. It's still unfixed, aud never more I lear shall I see it or Nancy.