not describe. Its expansive bosom seemed a magic mirror, wherein we could read our future fortune, a happy return from all our dangers, smiling friends with all the early loved associations of childhood and youth, swam before our imaginations, and we sat and sung the songs of home until the tears trickled down our checks. He who has never heard the melodies of his native land sung in a foreign country, is ignorant of a pleasure that nothing can surpass. But we were not all doomed to realise those pleasing anticipations, for many found their graves in the valley which we then overlooked.

ANNA,

A TALE OF THE WARS.

To be sure there is, and it's the best and sweetest hope of a tar, that, in every hour of danger and of difficulty," the same gracious Providence watches for all." But there, I arn't a going to give you a long rigmarole for a pro-log. No, no, I'll just tell you the story as I've heard it fifty times with my own ears on board the ould (6 Marmaid," commanded by Captain Malcolm, for d'ye see, Jem Gantline knew all about it, and many a mid-watch he's kept us awake by telling it.

"It was one beautiful morning in July," says Jem," and the sun was just taking his look-out aloft, that Ned Davenport quitted his native village to become a lonely wanderer upon the wide world, determined to stifle recollection among the busy scenes of life, or amidst the tumult and wild roar of warfare. Yet, on passing through the churchyard, he stopped to shed one last tribute on the grave of his parents. He looked on the surrounding lands and spacious farm which once had been their property, and thought of the time, when, overwhelmed with accumulated distress, they had descended to their long home in anguish and poverty. He turned from this to catch a distant view of the stately mansion which contained all that was dear and precious to him in existence; and a sweet girl she was too (Jem would say), for I remembers her, messmates, like a lovely flower blooming on the breast of spring. But when poor Ned was left destitute, all intercourse was forbidden between them, and the hearts that had throbbed together from

infancy, were cruelly torn from each other; but I lie, messmates, I lie, nothing on earth can separate the hearts that truly love. Howsomever, they parted, without a hope of meeting again on the shores of time. Oh, who can paint the sorrows of his soul as he lay prostrate on the grassy mound, and poured forth the anguish of his spirit? I cannot do it justice, messmates, for my scuppers overflow whenever I think of it. That name, that endearing name, he had first learned to lisp in early infancy, My mother!' burst from his lips, and then he prayed to Heaven for mercy. Mercy was near-a kindly voice, mild as the gentle breeze on the shores of the Mediterranean, instilled the balm of consolation on his wounded mind, and directed him to look up to that wise unerring Being, who feeds the young ravens when they cry. 'Twas the curate of the village, who had been passing the night by the humble pallet of a dying cottager, administering the last offices of humanity, and encouraging the departed spirit ere it took its flight to the realms of everlasting rest. He was returning to his little home, when he heard the petition for mercy, and as the servant of that Power to whom it was addressed, he soothed the sufferer's anguish, calmed the inward tempest of his mind, and they parted-the curate to his modest mansion, and Ned-ay, Ned, to brave the dangers, to feel the contumely of that world to which he was a stranger.

"The father of Anna had risen from comparative obscurity to wealth and honours: he was what they call a privy counsellor. I don't know what it means, but they told me it was something near the king, and so he had no time to devote to his daughter, whose mother died in giving her birth; and the sweet girl grew like a mountain rosebud, luxuriantly wild, till poor Ned's parents, feeling for her situation, loved and cherished her as their own; and thus was formed that deep, strong, deathless passion, which distance could not shake, or time dissolve. I knows what love is, messmates, for in my younger days I-but there, it's over now, it's over- -yet I love to think about it too. She heard of Edward's departure, and struggled with her agony; but the generous man who had softened the

sorrows of the youth, performed the same kind office for the sinking maid. Her principal gratification was to wander to the lone church-yard, and, sitting on the cold grave-stone near the resting-place of her early friends, she would recall the visions of her childhood, and commune with her own sad heart. Now, messmates, you shall hear in what manner she kept her vows of truth and constancy; but, poor thing, she couldn't help it!

laying his hand upon the truck, when, casting his eye round the horizon, he shouted, A sail, a sail, upon the lee beam! All was instantly hushed. Turn the hands up, make sail!' cried the captain. Keep her away, boys! Square the after-yards! Stations, men, stations! Masthead there!' Sir!'' Look out when she's right a-head.' Ay, ay, sir; starboard a little there, steady, so, steady!'-In a few minutes every stitch of canvas that would draw a breath of wind was spread and trimmed. We had just light sufficient to make out that the stranger was a large ship, when darkness obscured all farther observation. The breeze freshened, and the officers crowded on the forecastle to look out for the chase. Eight bells came, and we began to fear that we had missed the stranger. The captain was just giving directions to alter the course, when à marine sung out I've got her, sir, I've got her!' Got who?' inquired the lieutenant.Got her, sir, got the ship,' replied the sodger.

Where? where?" said the captain, running aft. Here, sir! here, in the starboard waist. That's right, my lad, hold her fast,' exclaimed a midshipman, while the sail was shortened, and the ship hauled to the wind. We were

"It was one still calm evening that a gallant little twenty-gun ship lay under easy sail in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, to protect the commerce of our country from the attacks of the enemy. Five weeks had already passed on that enchanting station, many of you know it, messmates, no doubt, and our cruise (for I was in her) had been particularly fortunate in making captures and reprisals. The week after we were to return into port for stores and provisions. Well, d'ye see, the hands were turned up to skylark, and every soul hurried upon deck to enjoy the sport. The captain and officers assembled abaft, and shared among themselves in the amusement; but in all their athletic exercises, no one could be found fore and aft to equal the junior lieutenant. This young man had risen solely by merit to the quarter-sufficiently close to discover that the deck; and his bravery in several actions had recommended him so powerfully to his commander, whose life he had once preserved at the imminent risk of his own, that he adopted him as his son, and obtained him a commission in his own name, for Captain Malcolm himself had come in at the hawse-holes, and had no relations that he knew of in the world. Young Malcolm was beloved, ay, almost idolized, by every hand aboard. He was the smart seaman, the brave officer, and without departing from the strict line of duty, he conciliated the esteem and regard of all the men. His face, bronzed by a tropical sun, was seamed with honourable scars, that made him appear much older than he really was. His figure was remarkably neat and trim, firm built and powerful, and he tried to copy his benefactor in every pursuit.

"A match against time had just been made from the deck to the mast-head and down again, and the lieutenant was

stranger was a heavy frigate, and as our night signals were unanswered, concluded she was an enemy. Give him a shot,' cried the captain. It was instantly returned by a whole broadside, that laid several of our best men lifeless on the deck, and the action commenced with daring bravery. Well, d'ye see, we kept at it for about two hours, when the frigate's fire began to slacken, and shortly after ceased. 'Sail trimmers to the weather braces,' cried the captain.

Boarders on the starboard quarter! Stand by to heave all aback; and, Malcolm, be ready to lead the men.' All this was obeyed; but just as we got with our yard-arms touching, the enemy poured in a tremendous fire, and Captain Malcolm, with his second lieutenant, fell. It would be impossible to describe the sensations, of horror which this event occasioned. The young officer ran and raised his generous friend. He was yet living, though the tide seemed ebbing fast; but his poor messmate was a

Plymouth Sound, in about eight days'
time. The young hero landed, and was
ordered by the commander-in-chief to
carry his own despatches to the metro-
polis; at the same time receiving letters
of introduction to a nobleman in a high
official station. On his arrival he drove
immediately to the house, and it hap-
pened that a large party of the nobility
were assembled to a sheave-o as they
call it. Now I can tell you all this,
messmates, for a fact, because, d'ye see,
I was with him to take care of his
colours and baggage, having sailed with
him when he was a youngster, and first
taught him his duty as a seaman; but
no matter for that; his lordship left the
company, and entered the room where
Malcolm was waiting to receive him ;
but when their eyes met, the young
officer staggered back upon a chair, and
turned as pale as ashes. Recovering,
however, he apologised for his behaviour,
and attributed it to the effects of his
unhealed wounds. The Dutch captain's
sword, and the frigate's colours were
displayed, and while the lieutenant took
some refreshment, Lord N-
turned to the drawing-room, and related
the particulars. All were desirous of
seeing the intrepid young tar imme-
diately; but his lordship promised to
introduce him the following day, as he
had no doubt that Malcolm required
rest. Among the party were several
members of the cabinet-that's a strong
box, I believe, messmates, and every
one of the gemmen belonging to it carries
a gold key in his pocket, but I arn't
sure; howsomever, next morning some
of 'em got telling our good old king
about it, and he expressed a wish to see
the officer.

re

corpse. Leave me, Malcolm; leave me, my brave lad,' faintly articulated the captain; and pointing to the colours, added "Tis the flag of England-do your duty. Take her and I die content.' At this moment one of the midshipmen came to young Malcolm, and told him the first lieutenant talked of striking. Rage and indignation shook his frame. The captain had been carried below senseless, and the command devolved upon the senior officer-that officer who was about to disgrace himself for ever. The first lieutenant was giving directions to haul down the colours and the light, when Malcolm rushed aft. Here he found the boatswain standing by the ensign halliards, with his pistol cocked, swearing he would shoot the first man that offered to touch them. The commanding officer drew his sword, and was in the act of making a thrust, when a shot very unceremoniously walked off with his head, and the sole charge now rested upon Malcolm, who fought the ship with heroic intrepidity, determined not to surrender till every hope was lost. The carpenter appeared, and reported that we were making so much water, that she could not hold it out another half hour. This was appalling news, yet, rousing all the energies of his mind, he called to the master to lay him aboard the frigate. In a few minutes the young officer, followed by his brave crew, were upon the enemy's deck, and the conflict became terrible. In vain we swept away our foes, others instantly supplied their places, and though our numbers were fast diminishing, yet our hearts were unsubdued. Twenty minutes had elapsed in hard fighting, when the master, carpenter, and surgeon, were seen on our own decks, carrying in their arms our beloved commander-the ship was sinking. This sight operated like enchantment on the men, a wild shout of desperation resounded, and in a few minutes more the frigate was our own. Scarcely had Malcolm received the Dutch cap-make, make him a captain,' said old tain's sword, (for she was a Dutch George; shall be a captain, shall be a frigate, laden with specie for the Cape) captain-he deserves it-good officer, scarcely had the three officers with their brave officer-shall be a captain;' and dying burden been assisted on board, Malcolm obtained a commission for post than our gallant little bark went down. rank. On the same evening he dined In a few hours afterwards our brave with his lordship, but on entering the captain breathed his last, and we bore room his embarrassment and agitation up for England, where we anchored in were excessive, as the ladies crowded

Malcolm of course was introduced, and appeared before his majesty, with his right arm bound round with a black bandage, his left suspended in a sling, while his curly hair, hanging over his forehead, scarcely concealed the covering of a deep wound. • Make,

6

state of health, and nearly a thousand were left sick at Barbadoes. These troops were divided into three brigades; the first commanded by Lieutenant-general Prescott, the second by Major-general Thomas Dundas, and the third was to be under the direction of Major-general Prince Edward, but till the arrival of that prince from Canada, was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Sir Charles Gordon. These forces were strengthened by detachments of seamen and marines.

THE disaffection of the white inhabit- | men; but many of these were in a bad ants of the French West India islands having encouraged the English government to make stronger exertions in that quarter, an armament was sent out under the command of Admiral Sir John Jervis and Lieutenant-general Sir Charles Grey. The expedition was delayed for some time by the troops destined for this service being sent to the coast of West Flanders, in order to assist the allied army, then engaged in active operations against the French; the armament, however, at length arrived at its destination, and rendezvoused in Carlisle Bay, in Barbadoes, and early in the month of February, 1794, sailed from thence for the reduction of Martinique.

The total land force embarked, consisted of six thousand and eighty-five VOL. I.

After a favourable passage, the fleet arrived off the coast of Martinique; and, for the purpose of distracting the enemy's attention, and exciting alarm in all quarters, the forces were landed in three divisions, each at a distance from the other. The first of which immediately attacked

Y