Oft will Columbia sing to future time, Of her centennial union sublime But ever with the memorable year, Will mingle memories of this history drear. * * * * * THE NAINI TAL CATASTROPHE OF THE 18TH SEPTEMBER, 1880. The morning broke with streams of welcome rain, Such as the two preceding ones had brought. Rain, that in tropic climes means life and joy To man and beast as to the thirsty soil And though the sky hung like a sable pall Over the fair oasis, nestling calm Beneath the trusted shelter of the hills, And o'er the broad lake-outlet of the floods, What cause had they to fear? 'Twas often thus, And the long wished-for rains would bring forth joy So reasoned they who, peaceful, viewed unmoved Th' outpouring of that sullen ocean cloud, When suddenly, they who had calmly felt So safe one little span of time before, Discovered in dismay the swollen floods Meant danger--that the safety of their homes. Was menaced, walls were tottering, waters rose, Sapping foundations, threatening precious life. Security was lost in maddening fear, And, panic-stricken in disordered haste And direst plight, they quit their homes, and fly To seek a refuge from the merciless, Relentless flood. On, on, they wildly rush, No matter where, so they preserve the lives Of those they dearly, passionately love. Some o'er fierce rolling streams are helped by men In mercy sent to render priceless aid, And happy they, the rescued, who escape, For scarcely had they timely refuge found, Than a huge limb of the great mountain fell, Sweeping the fair hill-side of house and land, And burying dozens of their fellow men In one uncompromising, living tomb! Brave men with tender hearts and stalwart arms, Regardless of their lives flew quickly there.