Imatges de pàgina
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kogh; and he, the crater, fell into the fire a Sunday night, and him hearty, and sorrow stir he can make good nor bad.' 'Ah, then,' said the humane Commander, 'why should poor Brien be left out? Arrah! run yourself, and bring the cripple to us!' In a twink

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ling, off went the red virago, and after a short absence, issued from a neighbouring lane, with Brieney on her shoulders. 'Are ye all here now?' in quired the tender-hearted chieftain. Every single sowl of us;' said an old woman in reply. 'Ogh! that the light of heaven may shine on his honour's dying hour, but it's he that's tender to the poor." Amen, sweet Jasus!' responded a hundred voices. Silence!' said the Mad Major, as he produced a small book neatly bound in red morocWhisht, your sowls!' cried the big beggar-man. 'Are ye listening!' Sha, sha! yes, yes;' was responded in English and Irish. Then, by the contents of this blessed book, and it's the Bible; a rap I won't give one of ye, you infernal vagabonds, if I remained a twelvemonth in Mullingar!'"

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Wild Sports of the West. MACKLIN. Taylor and Dr. Wolcot were together one evening in the Rainbow Coffee-House, when Macklin came in. "I found his memory (says Mr. Taylor,) much impaired, but he recollected facts, though he forgot names. My little acquaintance with theatrical history, however, enabled me to prompt him, and he told the following story nearly as I shall give it. 'Sir, I remember I once played the character of the boy who wears the red breeches and offends his mother.' 'Jerry Blackaire, in "The Plain Dealer," I suppose, said I. Yes, sir, that was the part. Well, sir, I played a great number of tricks to divert the audience; and the chief part was played by the surly, fat fellow, whose name I have forgot.' 'Probably Quin, sir.' 'Ay, sir, that was the man. Well, sir, when I went into the green-room, the surly fat man began to scold me, and told me that while I played my tricks, it was impossible to have a chaste scene with me. I told him that, different as our cast was, I had the public to please as well as himself. But, sir,' said he,' you must get rid of your tricks.' I said I could not. But, sir,' said he, 'you shall.' By this time I was provoked, and said, 'You lie.' . . At the end of the play be sent me a challenge, and said he should wait for me at the pillar in Covent Garden. But, sir, I was a panto

mime cull in those days, and I sent word that I would come to him when the entertainment was over. But, sir, the manager, a sweet man, who was my great friend, resolved that nothing fatal should take place- I forget his name. 'Probably Fleetwood, sir.' 'Ay, that was the man,-sent a message to the surly fellow at the pillar, and would make up a bed for me at the theatre for fear of consequences, and so the matter ended.'"—Taylor's Records.

BIBB, THE ENGRAVER.-"How Bibb supported himself, having relinquished engraving, it would be difficult to conceive, if he had not levied taxes upon all whom he knew, insomuch that, besides his title of Count, he acquired that of Half-crown Bib,' by which appellation he was generally distinguished, and according to a rough, and, perhaps, fanciful estimate, he had borrowed at least 2,000l. in half-crowns. I remember to have met him on the day when the death of Dr. Johnson was announced in the newspapers, and expressed my regret at the loss of so great a man, Bibb interrupted me, and spoke of him as a man of no genius, whose mind contained nothing but the lumber of learning. I was modestly beginning a panegyric upon the doctor, when he again interrupted me with,

Oh! never mind that old blockhead. Have you such a thing as ninepence about you? Luckily for him, I had a little more. There was something so whimsical in this incident, that I mentioned it to some friends, and that and others of the same kind, doubtless, induced Mr. Kenny to make him the hero of his diverting farce, called "I 'Raising the Wind.' Another circumstance of a similar nature was told me by Mr. Morton, whose dramatic works are deservedly popular. He told me that Bibb met him one day after the successful performance of one of his plays, and, concluding that a prosperous author ought to have plenty of cash, commenced his solicitation accordingly, and ventured to ask him for the loan of a whole crown. Morton assured him that he had no more silver than three shillings and sixpence. This Bibb readily accepted, of course, but said on parting, 'Remember, I intended to borrow a crown, so you owe me eighteen pence.''

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-A SAWYER'S EPITAPH. The grave is like a saw-pit made, In which like timber men are laid; The worms are Sawyers that divide The finest trunks of human pride. J.R.P.

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Illustrated Article.

THE NIGHT ATTACK.*

THE COLONEL'S STORY...

Ir is thirty-five years this very month since I was quartered with my regiment in ford; I recollect the time particularly, for I got my company in the thirty-seventh on the same day that I received an invitation from a Mr. Morden, with whom I had formed a mail-coach acquaintance, to spend a week with him, and join his nephew in partridge-shooting. This gentle man's house was fourteen miles from the town, and situated in a very retired part of the country. It was a wild but beautiful residence, placed upon the extremity of a peninsula, which jutted into an extensive lake. To a sportsman it offered all the inducements that shooting and fishing could afford. But it had others beside

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these; no man lived better than Mr. Morden, and his daughter Emily, and her orphan cousin, who resided with her, were decidedly the finest women who had attended the last race-ball. No wonder then that I accepted the old gentleman's invitation willingly, and on the appointed day put myself into a post-chaise, and reached the place in time for dinner.

The house was one of those old-fashioned comfortable Irish lodges which are now extinct, or only to be seen in ruins. It was a long low building, covered with an infinity of thatch, which bade defiance to rain, cold, and storm. The tall and narrow casements reached the ground, a handsome flowerknot extended in their front, bounded by a holly hedge, and woodbine and other creepers festooned the windows. with their leaves and berries. At some distance a well-stocked haggard peeped over a spacious range of offices; the lawn was studded with sheep, which appeared overburthened with good condition; and as I drove up the avenue I passed a well-featured, well-clad sim

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pleton, urging before him from a neighbouring stubble-field a flock of turkeys, as formidable for numbers as for size. In short, every thing about the place bespoke the opulence and comfort of the proprietor.

Mr. Morden was a clever and respectable man; he was land-agent to several large estates, noted for plain and unpretending hospitality, punctuality in business, and a character of unusual determination.

The old gentleman received me with friendly sincerity, and his handsome daughter added a warm welcome. They apologising for not having company to meet me, but "two families which they had expected had been detained by some unforeseen occurrences at home." Dinner was shortly after served. Like the host, it was excellent without display; the wines were superior, and when the ladies left us the claret went round the table merrily.

"We are in trouble here," said Mr. Morden, addressing me," and you have come to a house of mourning. We have just suffered a serious, I may say irreparable, loss, in the sudden death of two favourite dogs. They were of the genuine breed of Newfoundland, and for size, courage, and sagacity, unequalled. Poor Emily has cried incessantly since the accident."

"Were they stolen ?"

"Oh! no, I wish they were, for that would afford a hope that chance or money might recover them. No, sir, they would not follow a stranger; alas! they died yesterday by poison. We unfortunately laid arsenic in a mealloft to destroy rats; and yet how the poor animals could have got to it is a mystery; the steward declares the key never left his possession. I would give an hundred guineas the meal had been in the bottom of the lake. By Jove! no loss short of the death of a friend could have given us all so much uneasiness. They were my daughter's companions by day, and my protectors at night. Heigh, ho! come, sir, pass the wine." Tears stood in the old gentleman's eyes, as he spoke of his unhappy favourites, and from the valuable properties of the lost dogs it was not surprising that their death occasioned so much regret to the family.

We joined the ladies in the drawingroom. After tea Mr. Morden took a bed-room candle, and apologized for retiring. "Old habits best suit old people, Captain; but I leave you with the ladies, who will sit up till cock

crow if you please;" and, bidding us a good night, he departed.

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"Emily," said young Morden, " are still thinking of your favourites; well, I will ride the country over till I find you a handsome dog, Julia hand me that violin from the piano, and Captain Dwyer will dance a reel with you and Emily."

"Heavens! who is' at the window?" exclaimed Miss Morden suddenly; "it looked like that nasty beggarman who has been haunting the house and grounds these three days. Ah, Wolf and Sailor! had you been living that vagabond would not have ventured here at this late hour. Henry Morden had left the room on hearing his cousin's exclamation, but soon returned, assuring the lady that the beggar was a creature of her imagination; he had searched the shrubbery and flower-garden, and no mendicant was to be found in either.

The alarm was speedily forgotten, and we danced reels till supper was announced. The doors were locked, the windows fastened, the ladies wished us good night, and retired to their respective chambers.

Henry and I remained for some time in the eating room; the clock struck twelve, and young Morden conducted me to my apartment, and took his leave.

I felt a strange disinclination to go to bed, and would have given any thing for a book. For temporary employment I unlocked my gun-case, put my fowling-piece together, and examined whether my servant had sent all necessary apparatus along with me. I opened the window-curtains. The moon--a full, bright harvest moon-was shining gloriously on the lawn and lake; I gazed on the sparkling surface of the waters till I felt the chill of the nightbreeze; then closing the shutters, reluctantly prepared to undress.

I had thrown my coat and vest aside, when a distant crash was heard, and a fearful noise, with oaths and screams, succeeded. I rushed into the corridor, and encountered a terror-stricken maidservant running from the extremity of the passage. Miss Morden next appeared; she was in complete dishabille, and had hastily thrown on a dressinggown. "Good God! Captain Dwyer, what has occurred?" A volley from without prevented my reply, and the crashing of the windows, as the glass was splintered by the bullets, made it unnecessary. "The house is attacked,"

she said; and then, with amazing selfpossession, added, "There are always loaded guns above the kitchen fire place." We both ran down the corridor, she to alarm her father, and I to procure a weapon; young Morden, armed with a sword, met ns. "The attack is upon the kitchen," he said hastily; "it is our weakest point; this way, Captain," and we both enter ed it together.

There was a bright fire burning on the hearth. The large window was shattered to pieces, and the idiot I had noticed on the lawn was standing beside the ruined casement, armed with a spit, making momentary passes at the breach, and swearing and bellowing frightfully. I leaped upon a table to seize two muskets which were suspended in the place Miss Morden had described. I handed one to Henry, when the fire blazed out suddenly, and discovered me to the banditti without. Instantly three or four shots, were discharged. I heard a bullet whistle past my head, and felt something strike my shoulders like a sharp cut from a whip, but having secured the gun, I jumped from the table uninjured. We heard Mr. Morden in the passage; his manner was calm and collected, as he ordered the servant-men to the front of the house, and dispatched his daughter for ammunition.

Meanwhile a dropping fire continued from without: from within no shot had been returned, as the robbers sheltered themselves effectually behind the angles of the offices and the piers of the gates. From some hurried words we overheard they were arranging a determined attack.

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They will make a rush immediately," said the elder Morden, coolly, "and here comes Emily in good time; don't come in, love!" and he took some forty or fifty cartridges, which she had brought in the skirt of her dressinggown. Notwithstanding the peril of our situation, I could not but gaze a moment on the white and statue-looking limbs of this brave and beautiful girl. "Go, love, tell John to bring the Captain's gun-case from his chamber; and do you, Emily, watch from the end window, and, if you perceive any movement on that side, apprise us of it here. Now, my boys, be cool; I'll give my best horse to him who shoots the first man. You have a good supply of anımunition, if we could but coax the scoundrels from their shelter, and I'll try a ruse." The old gentleman took

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the idiot's spit, placed a coat upon it, while Henry and I chose a position at either side of the broken window. Mr. Morden raised the garment to the breach; it was indistinctly seen from without; three bullets perforated it, and it fell. "He's down, by roared a robber, exultingly. Now, Murphy, now's your time; smash in the door with the sledge!" Instantly a huge ruffian sprang from behind a gable; his rush was so sudden that he struck twice with shattering force. We heard the hinges give; we saw the door yielding; and, at that critical moment, young Morden's gun missed fire! "Curses light upon the hand that loaded it !" he cried, as he caught up an axe, and placed himself determinately before the door, which we expected to be momentarily driven in. Murphy, perceiving the tremendous effects of his blows, called to his comrades to "be ready." He stood about five yards from me; the sledge was raised above his head; that blow would have shivered the door to atoms; I drew the trigger; the charge, a heavy one of duckshot, passed like a six-pound bullet through the ruffian's body, and he dropped a dead man upon the threshold. Captain Dwyer," said Mr. Morden "the horse is yours!"

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I had now received my own double gun, and gave the musket I had used so successfully to Henry Morden. The death of the ruffian with the sledge brought on a heavy fire from his comrades. Between the volleys they summoned us to surrender, with fearful denunciations of vengeance if we resisted longer. We were within a few yards of each other, and during the intervals of the firing they poured out threats, and we sent back defiance. Morden, you old scoundrel!" claimed the captain of the gang; "in five minutes we'll have your heart's blood." "No," was the calm reply, "I'll live to see you arrayed in cap and halter." Surrender, or we'll give no quarter." "Cowardly scoundrel! come and try your hand at the sledge!" said the old gentleman, with a cold and sarcastic smile, as he turned his eye on me, where I was watching the door, with the confidence a man feels who has his own trustworthy weapon to depend upon.

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"Morden, we'll burn the house about ye." "Will you put the coal in the thatch, Bulger!" "Morden, you have a daughter!" and the ruffian pronounced a horrid threat. The old man shud

dered; then, in a low voice tremulous with rage, he muttered, "Bulger, I'll spare five hundred pounds to hang you, and travel five hundred miles to see the sight!"

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"The coal! the coal!" shouted several voices, and unfortunately the scoundrels had procured one in the laundry. By heaven! they will burn us out!" said Henry in alarm. "Never fear!" replied his cooler uncle; "the firing must have been heard across the lake, and we'll soon have aid sufficient." But a circumstance occurred almost miraculously that averted the threatened danger. The moon became suddenly overcast, heavy rain-drops fell, and in an instant an overwhelming torrent burst from the clouds, rendering every attempt the robbers made to ignite the thatch abortive. "Who dare doubt an over-ruling Providence?" said the old gentleman with enthusiasm; 'surely God is with us!"

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The storm which came to our relief appeared to dispirit our assailants, and their parley recommenced." "Morden," said the captain of the banditti, "you have Lord's rent in the house; give us a thousand pounds, and we'll go off and leave you.'

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"All I promise I'll perform," said the old gentleman coldly. "Bulger, for this night's work you have earned a halter, and I'll attend and see you hanged."" Dash in the door," exclaimed the robber in a fury; "we'll have the old rogue's heart out!" A volley of stones rattled against the door, but produced no effect, and again the robber parleyed. "Will you give us an hundred, Morden?" "Not a sixpence" was the laconic answer. Once more stones were thrown, shots discharged, and threats of vengeance fulminated by the exasperated villains. At last the demand was reduced to "twelve guineas, a guinea for each man." "They'll be off immediately," said the old gentleman; "they know assistance is at hand: would that we could amuse them for a little longer." But the ruffians were already moving, and Miss Morden presently announced that they were embarking, twelve in number, in a boat. "Now far a parting shot or two," said Henry Morden. We picked up a dozen cartridges, and sallied from the house as the banditti were pulling hard across the lake. We opened a quick and well-directed fire, which they feebly, and without effect, replied to. While a musket-ball would reach them, we plied them liberally with shot; and, as we

learned afterwards, mortally wounded one man, and slightly injured two others. As we returned to the house we met some fifty countrymen, armed with all sorts of rustic weapons, coming to our relief. Without a moment's delay. we launched boats, and set off to scour the country; and at noon, so prompt and vigorous had been the pursuit, that six of the gang, including the wounded robbers, were secured.

We reached the Wilderness completely exhausted by the exertions of the morning, and the fatigue of the preceding night. We refreshed ourselves and went to bed, but previous to returning to my room I visited the scene of action. Another blow, even a very slight one, must have driven in the door; and in the rush of twelve desperate ruffians the chances would have been fearfully against us. Murphy lay upon his back; he was a disgusting object. The charge of heavy shot made as large a wound as a cannon-bullet would occasion. He was the strongest brute I ever saw; not more than five feet eight inches in height, but his limbs, body, and arms, were a giant's; he was a blacksmitha man of infamous character, and most sanguinary disposition.

Our escape from robbery was fortunate indeed; Mr. Morden had 7,000. that night in the lodge, for he had just received the rents of two estates. It was almost entirely paid in specie. This was of course known, and two desperate bands, who had kept the adjoining counties in alarm since the rebellion was suppressed, united for the purpose of robbing "the Wilderness," and securing this immense booty.

The body of the smith was sent away, and having brought the battle to a close, I shall explain some matters connected with this daring outrage.

A man named Mitchell originated the intended robbery, and arranged the method of attack. He was a slight, lowsized person, but his activity was amazing, and no attempt was too hazardous for his desperate courage to undertake. On the morning of his execution (he, with three others, was hanged the subsequent Assizes)-he gave us a cool detail of his plans. The dogs were to be destroyed, and the premises reconnoitred. In the disguise of a beggar he effected both; laid meat, prepared with arsenic, for the poor animals; then made his way into the kitchen, and ascertained that the fastenings of the backdoor were defective. He purposed surprising the family at supper, or forcing

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