Who enjoyed the honours of his Ancestors contemporary with our Charles II. had a narrow escape from slavery in 1681. The Prince, his consort, and the Prince of Rossano, were on an aquatic excursion, when a Turkish shallop approached their galley disguised as a fishing-boat, and the crew as fishermen, under pretence of selling the produce of their labours. The Prince had the good fortune to suspect the deceit in time to effect his escape, through the superior sailing of his galley, and the exertion of the rowers; and afterwards found that two Caravals, from which the shallop was detached, were hovering in sight waiting for the success of the enterprize.

HORRID CONFESSION OF AN IRISH INNKEEPER.

The following shocking article appeared in most of the Newspapers of April, 1681:

"From Dublin we have an account, that, at the last Sessions there, an Innkeeper being condemned for robbing on the highway, when he was at the gallows, confessed an horrid murder, complicated with most strange circumstances, which he had committed. The story take as followeth. Last Christmas, two persons, strangers to one another, came into his Inn, the one of them having a considerable charge of money. After they were in bed and asleep, he took the

sword

sword of the person who had the least money, and killed the other, and put the sword into his scabbard again all bloody. The person whose sword was made use of arose in the morning early, called for his horse, and prosecuted his journey. So soon as he was gone, the Innkeeper goeth into the room where the murdered person lay, and, with a seeming amazement, cried out, that one of his guests was murdered, and, upon search, found that his money was lost. Every one suspected the person who so lately rode forth; upon which he was pursued, overtaken, and, the Innkeeper drawing his sword, it was bloody, which was so strong a presumption of guilt, that, being tried for his life, he was found guilty. But, on the other side, the innocence of his countenance and behaviour when he was apprehended, and the extreme surprize he seemed to be possessed with at the sight of his bloody sword, and his not deviating from the right road to the place he over-night discoursed to be travelling unto, and the money lost not being found about him, the Judge had some scruple upon his mind, and obtained a reprieve for him; and, upon this confession of the Innkeeper,

a full

pardon."

FOOT-RACING

Has long been encouraged by our Nobility; as a proof of which take this instance.

"Brussels,

April 13, 1681. The Duke of Norfolk (Henry Howard, born 1628, and died 1683), and another person of honour, having agreed upon a foot-race to be run by an Englishman and another, from hence to Antwerp and back again: they set out at six in the morning. In their return, one of them fainted by the way; but the Englishman returned by four in the afternoon, being extremely tired and overstrained, so that he voided blood. The Duke and others gave him twentyfive rix-dollars."

PIRACY.

This dreadful mode of robbery prevailed to a very great extent about a century past; and consequently every Government in Europe coalesced in their endeavours to prevent the shocking murders which always occurred when part of the crew of a vessel took forcible possession, or professed Pirates boarded and captured Merchantships. The cruelties exercised on those occasions need not be repeated; but the gallantry of certain brave men who contributed to their extinction will be read with pleasure from that authentic source, the London Gazette.

"Jamaica, February 1, 1681. On Saturday last, our Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Henry Morgan, was informed that Jacob Everson (a most notorious Pirate) rid then in Cow-bay, with a Sloop and a Barqua Longa, and had a-board

!

them

them both about one hundred men; whereupon he presently ordered a Sloop, that was an excellent sailer, and very fit for the service, to be manned with fifty seamen and soldiers, besides officers, and, in less than an hour's time, got her to sail, having, upon the first notice, set centinels to hinder any boats or men from going off to give the Pirates advice.

Yesterday, about noon, our Sloop came before the Bay where the Pirate rid; and, as they stood in without any colours, and with most of their men in the hold, several of the Pirate's men that were ashore, came on board their Sloop and Bark. The Sloop being to windward, and most men appearing on board of her, they stood towards her, and, as soon as they were within shot, hoisted the King's colours, and laid them aboard. The Pirates fired first a few small arms, but did our men little damage; but, when they saw them enter with resolution and authority, many of the Pirates leaped into their canoes, which overset, and they were drowned; and, after some resistance, our men remained masters of the Pirate's Sloop.

"In the mean time, the Bark, riding somewhat to leeward, cut, and got under sail (though not without visible damage, three or four of their men, who were mending a top-sail which our shot had disordered, being seen to fall over-board); and our Sloop made all the haste possible, and

chased

chased her, but to no purpose (she sailing much better), and therefore returned hither, bringing in thirty-odd prisoners, some of which, it is believed, will die of their wounds. The Captain himself, who was on-board the Sloop (and being shot, was drowned), was a Dutchman, but all the men English, except six Spaniards, whom our Lieutenant-Governor will send to Carthagena by Captain Haywood, who will sail on Monday next. Our Governor has likewise issued his orders for the apprehending such of the Pirates as were left on shore."

ANOTHER STRATAGEM TO COUNTERACT THE PROGRESS

OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGION IN ENGLAND.

The Reader of the following Paper is entreated, by the Editor of this Work, to remember that no other motive induced its insertion than an intention to shew to the present population of England the disgrace and danger of Religious disputes, and the excessive lengths to which they lead unthinking persons. The utter impossibility of certain doctrines of the Roman Catholics are tenable grounds for argumentative resistance; but, for Heaven's sake, let no' Modern imitate "The Popish Mass displayed: Or, the Superstitions and Fopperies of the Romish Church discovered: In which is shewed, the several antic jestures and profane prayers, used by the