The Fourth of July was safe, as far as the Mediterranean was concerned.
At dinner in the evening, a well-written original poem was recited with spirit by one of the ship's captains, and thirteen regular toasts were washed down with several baskets of champagne.

The speeches were bad -- execrable almost without exception.

In fact, without any exception but one.

Captain Duncan made a good speech; he made the only good speech of the evening.

He said: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--May we all live to a green old age and be prosperous and happy.