sufficient to blast all his hopes-as a single spark will cause the explosion of the largest powder magazine. I have latterly felt so acutely the uncertainty of my situation, that I am determined to hasten the event of our plan; for any conclusion would be preferable to protracted suspense.' 'I know not,' I returned, whether it is desirable to persist in your scheme; for the reasoning of our friend, the Exile, never appeared to me so rational as since I entered this depot of rebellion. A thousand thoughts start up in my mind, which I can neither allay nor satisfactorily account for. These scattered instruments of destruction proclaim that, in the event of an insurrection, numbers must die; but how many are to taste the bitterness of death defies human calculation. Ourselves, too, may be among the fallen; and, what is more, our cause may be unsuccessful.' All these, interrupted Emmet, depend upon events and circumstances, about which we can know nothing positive; 'tis for us only to ascertain the probability of success, and to persevere in the course which honour and duty point out. Enough for us to know that Ireland requires the standard of revolt to be raised by some one; and that neither defeat nor triumph can add to or diminish our consciousness of rectitude. Impediments may crowd the long perspective before us; but beyond these are glory, honours, and immortality-rewards for obtaining which no sacrifice is too great-no enterprise too dangerous. 'Let not,' he continued, my apprehensions, too carelessly expressed, damp the ardour of your soul; for the reasons which first induced you to embark in this best of causes are the same now as then, whatever arguments you may have heard to the contrary. We are young and unencumbered; defeat can neither distress our friends nor ruin ourselves; for what have to lose but life? and life is held by so uncertain a tenure, that a thousand daily accidents may deprive us of it; and that too so suddenly and so soon as to leave our memory without an accompanying deed to keep it afloat on the stream of time. Admitting for an instant that we shall (which Heaven forbid !) be unsuccessful, think not that our endeavours will be forgotten, or that our country will eease to remember us. No, my friend, the tyrant laws may condemn us, and tyrant authority asperse and vilify our characters; but rely on it that Irishmen shall reverence the names of K-n and Emmet while patriotism has admirers, or Ireland a friend. Our country has never been ungrateful; and so few have been her benefactors, that she is prodigal of thanks for even dubious favours. Of us she can have but one opinion; for ingenious enmity cannot attribute any but laudable motives to our designs. For Ireland I will spend my private fortune; and for Ireland I shall, please God, venture my life. Kosciusko is a name as beloved in Poland as that of Washington in America. But reverse this gloomy picture, and look-as humanity should ever look-upon the bright side of things; for defeat does not always terminate daring enterprises. Reflect upon the consequences of success; our enemies vanquished, our arms triumphant, and Ireland free! Our names associated with the liberators of nations, and ourselves overwhelmed with the grateful benedictions of an emancipated people! Our youth will increase the general wonder; and the means by which we shall achieve such illustrious actions will augment the pleasing amazement. Add to this the exalted stations we shall occupy, and the joyful approbation of our own bosoms; and tell me, is not our present situation, taking all things into account, one that might well be envied? Defeat cannot deprive us of honour, nor death of glory; while success, if obtained, has in store for us all those rewards which ever graced the most fortunate of mankind. What! still thoughtful? Oh, I see Miss J has whispered something into your ear which has operated unfavourably upon your mind. Well, I can excuse you; for a being of such perfect loveliness might well disturb a hermit's prayer, though I will not allow her to divert a patriot's purpose.' 6 Then,' said I, you will not pardon love in a conspirator?' I can not only pardon it,' he replied, but sincerely wish that the tender passion may be always blended with the amor patriæ; for he that anticipates the commendation of a beloved mistress can never act dishonourably. My friend,' he continued, rising, and taking me by the hand, I, too, have one, whose praise I wish to merit, and whose exaltation, next to my country, is the first wish of my heart. She is kind, she is lovely, and Heaven only knows how good!' I know its value,' he rejoined ; and, because I know it, I wish to place it where its worth may be appreciated. The stagnant vale of inglorious ease is for those domestic enamoured souls who are content to pass a life of inactive worthlessness, and who wish to enjoy affection without having merited love. Mine is a higher ambition: I must make myself worthy of the woman of my choice; and the glory which sheds its lustre on the husband shall reflect its splendour on the wife. Heaven forbid that an excuseable passion should thwart the great design of my life, or cause me, for an instant, to neglect my country's good, for the purpose of promoting my own personal advantage. What earthly possession could equal the glory of having freed Ireland from foreign domination? and, though failure might partially obstruct its rays, we never can be deprived of the consciousness of having deserved it.' And yet,' I interrupted, you would fing away this jewel, with- I was unable to make any opposition out having the untutored Indian's to his arguments, and soon after we apology, for you know its value.' left the depot. GODFREY K-N. Black mountains rise, around whose heads the hoar Of wintry vapours hang;-and hoarse and rude The storms outrageous through the deep glens roar : The blasted pine that clings to masses rough and riven. It draws not substance for a single shoot, As two dark champions furious in dispute Rush on with mutual blows, till one at last, If ye look upward to that mountain height, Ye'll see the red stream from the cleft rock pouring— Of the brown eaglet o'er the summit soaring- Their fibrous fingers forth to paint the glades, Spread their green veils, where many a mellow flute And Nature loud exults, and spurns her wintry tears. For joy exchanging recent grief and fear; · Or the brown throstle greet the rising year, From the green tasseled larch, on which he early dotes. First, hardiest, riser from its wintry sleep The green-edged snowdrop with its pendant head, Of darkness and of storm, and roughly cast, That envied crown, which each in turn should win ; Behold! they toil not, neither do they spin; No structures proud their bright, though frail, forms shield, Yet they shine out their narrow span-bright days! Ay! Solomon was not arrayed like one of these!' But I of each the beauties can partake, And haunt the vale, the mountain, or the cave; But most of all I honour thee, dark lake!* And view with wonder thy mysterious wave: Deep in the vale sleeps Superstition's soul, And sadness shades each part, and gloom inwraps the whole! R. * Glen-da-loch, a most gloomy romantic spot in the county of Wicklow.' + Old stories tell how, when St. Kevin commenced founding his monastery at Glendaloch, an enormous serpent issued each night from his watery abode, and destroyed what the saint had built during the day, till at last, by the efficacy of his prayers, the reptile was seized and strangled by Lupar the wolf-dog, whose image in the embraces of the Fish' is still to be seen depicted in very rude, but curious, relief on the cornice of a ruined arch. Half way up the southern mountain lies the grave of M'Thuile, or O'Toole, an Irish king and hero. His tomb, on which some Irish character is still legible, is beautifully overshadowed by alders and weeping birch--a most secluded and solitary spot. CROSSING THE LINE. By the Author of Greenwich Hospital.' ''PoN deck, there!' roared the look-out from the topsail-yard-fit was about five bells in the morning watch)-Pon deck, there!' 'Halloo!' responded the second lieutenant, advancing along the gangway from the quarter-deck. Halloo! I can see the equinutshell, sir, a point and a quarter upon the weather bow we shall crack it in about an hour.' The equinoctial, eh? very well, my lad, look sharp out ahead for squalls; and try if you can discover any thing of old Neptune - we're close upon his latitude. I dare say we shall see something of him presently.' Ay, ay, sir! Nep-chin and I are old croneys; I knows him by the cut of his jib.' 'Boatswain's mate!' cried the officer, sling a grating under the bows, and send up one of the carpenter's crew with his broad axe to stand by and cut away the line.' Ay, ay, sir; ay, ay! Here, forecastle-men, rig out a stage for Jemmy Chopstick! Jump out, there, clap a tail-block round the spritsail-yard, reeve the topsail halliards through it, and pass the end on board. Come, bear a hand, my lads! here's old Jemmy up and rigged like a sentry-box-we shall run foul of the line, and bring up, all standing, directly.' While this was passing, the forecastle-men were slinging one of the fore-hatch gratings; and the poor old carpenter's mate, who (though he had been at sea from a child) had never crossed the equator, stood looking on with a countenance more in sorrow than in anger-first feeling the edge of his tool, and then requesting them to be sure and not make slip bends. Is your axe sharp, Jemmy?' inquired the boatswain's mate; for you'll have taut work of it.' Eh! ye dinnae say so; I have nae great liking to the job from a naatural anteepathy I always had to sweenging 'twixt heaven and yearth; and, although there be no yearth here, but the main sea ocean, yet that's waurse, mon, that's waurse; for, if ye chaunce to tumble on the first, ye cannae faw ayont, but in the great waters. Eh, mon, I foresight that 'tis a fearfu' VOL. I No. 7. undertaking. You could nae get a body to do it for me, coad ye? I woad no mind the share of a gill o' grog when they pipe to dinner.' Gill of grog, Jemmy!' replied the boatswain's mate; why, I wouldn't undertake it for a gallon of rum; but come, old chopstick, sling your axe, and pass this running bow-line knot round your body, under your armswe'll try and save you. Why, man, you've no more corporation than an ear-wig; the fishes will take you for a conger if you fall overboard: surely you've got the finicking gout; why your legs and arms are swelled as thick as tobacco-pipes.' Ha' done wi' your faashery, do, Tom; we needs must when the deil drives but are ye sure the rope's fast, mon?' Put it round your neck, Jemmy, and try. Come, look smart, my boy, look smart. All ready forward, sir.' Very well,' replied the officer, and then, casting his eyes aloft-Topsail-yard, there!' 'Sir?' Do you see the line now?' 'Yes, sir; it is close aboard of us, on the starboard bow.' Is it then no time's to be lost; jump over, there, my man, and stand by to cut away.' Out went Jemmy, full of fear and trembling, the end of the topsailhalliards passed round his body, and his axe slung by a smaller rope. Descending to the grating which just hung suspended above the edge of the water, there he stood, with his instrument erect, shivering and shaking like the jib sheet in the wind's eye, and his face as grim as a last-year's almanack-a fine model for a figurehead of the Terrible.' • Quartermaster, hand my glass forward,' cried the lieutenant. He took it, and, looking through it to windward for a minute or two, exclaimed, Send all the green-horns below directly; here's a Triton coming alongside-he'll not be best pleased to see any of them upon deck.' Away, there below, you green-horns!' bellowed the boatswain's mate, driving them down the fore hatchway. By the Lord Harry he'll twist some of your necks into grannies' knots if he catches you! Jump down, there, you Murphy, and 2 T Nae, Tom, I'd sooner face auld Clootie.' In a few minutes afterward Triton, mounted on a fine sea-horse, richly caparisoned with sea-weed, came over the bows, and rode aft on the quarter-deck to the officer of the watch, who stood ready to receive him, with his hat off, and the emblem of his authority, a brass speakingtrumpet, in his right hand. As soon as mutual salutations were over, Triton inquired What ship is this?' The Bedford.' 'Who commands don't chock up the gangway; bad man-of-war's cruise.' 'Heave-to, luck to you, I would'nt give two till I come on board.' 'Ay, ay! two's for your ears.' Och! the After-guard, aft to the braces; let botheration may care for your sea- go the maintop bowline; square away gods! give me a barrel of potsheen, the main yard.' Here they come and faith I'd face all the dry tons in again, Jemmy,' said the boatswain'sthe world. At this moment an in- mate; for I'd lay my life it was distinct roaring like thunder was some of these Tritons that played you heard at a distance, and then all was the rick; but there, shipmate, mayhushed in profound stillness. Again hap you'd like to see 'em.' 'Not it came apparently rolling towards fort he warld!—not for the warld!? the ship, yet nothing could be clearly replied Jeminy, crawling in upon the distinguished, nor did the sounds con- bowsprit, and hurrying down below. vey any idea as to what it was, or from whence it came. At last the words 'Ho, the ship ahoy !' were made out; but broken and unconnected, as if too far off to be answered. Again it sunk into a rumbling noise, more confused than before. We're foul of the equinoctial cried the lieutenant; cut away there, forward, cut away for your life! Well behaved, my boy! cut away, or we shall be hove all aback, and have the ship overboard.' Away chopped Jemmy with all his might and main, making a dreadful uproar, and splashing the water about him on all sides, like a shoal of por. poises at play. Hurrah, Jemmy!' cried the boatswain's mate; nobly done, my boy! we shall soon be past all safety-lather away, my Briton!' Eh, mon! dinnae ye see that I'm warking with aw my soul? but there's naithing comes under the axe to cut.' Never mind, Jemmy, you'll feel it presently.' Away cut Jemmy again; but somehow or other the stage-ropes gave way, and overboard went the unfortunate bousewater, striking out, and blowing like a bull-whale in his flurry. Up they run him about half way to the spritsail-yard, and there he swung round like a dying dolphin, screaming Murder! murder! murder! Down he went again, to quiet him; and, after a few struggles and plunges, up they whipt him once more chock-a-block. Jemmy caught hold of the foot-rope, and got astride the yard, and there he sat pouring forth his doleful lamentations, and dripping like a wet swab. Ho, the ship ahoy!' was now heard more distinct. Halloo!' responded the officer of the watch. From whence came you?' inquired the voice. From Freeman's Quay.' 6 Where are you bound to ?' A her?' Captain W. Neptune, from time immemorial, the sovereign of these dominions, has commanded me to declare his intention of visiting the ship at two bells in the forenoon watch, for the purpose of examining those who for the first time cross the threshold of his palace, that they may undergo the usual ceremonies practised upon the occasion; and, that no man may think to secrete himself, I here present you with a list of names, declaring that one and all must appear before their great and general father, to do him suit and service.' The lieutenant bowed; and, having received the paper, Triton once more returned to his watery element, the watch on deck giving him a single cheer as he dropped from the head-rails over the bows. Preparations were immediately made for the reception of his aquatic godship. A spare topsail was extended athwart ship, to screen the forecastle from observation; the jolly-boat was hoisted on board at the lee gangway, and filled with water; and all hands, who had crossed the line before, were busily employed in getting ready to salute their common parent. Two bells arrived; and, scarcely had the sound ceased to vibrate, when the usual hail-Ho, |