amid smoke and grease, while my fine is a warm friend, she is quite a skyfellows are working and tearing away, rocket of an enemy—a complete tar- no, no, that none of you can say, i tar, matey—has the fist of a Belcher, loves to head my jolly lads, shoulder and the tongue of the devil

. You my broom, and shew how decks are needn't join us now, if you've got any swept."

thing to do for her. I can do without Ere this was accomplished, how- you passing well, except of a morning, ever, dinner had been piped for some when the decks are washed, and to time, so that it was late ere Edward excuse you from that, my soul, is above appeared at the mess-table.

my commission ;-so take your body “God bless me, Davis, where hast off, and thank your stars in being the been, lad ?" cried Mrs Harley. fancy man of the high and mighty

Edward told her the story of his new Lady Soft-tack.” With this brilliant appointment, to which she made no speech, and laughing heartily at his reply until dinner was over, and the own wit, he turned on his heel, and table cleared, when, beckoning to joined his comrades. him, she told him, in a half whisper, It may be easily imagined, that, under * not to be cast down, for it would be the patronage of such a zealous friend her care that he should not be over as Mrs Harley, our hero had abun

fatigued in the execution of that duty. dance of leisure to mark the singular E "I have only to speak to that nasty' mixture of human frailty, craft, and

fellow, Williams, and he must not, rascality, which formed such promis nor shan't, be too severe in requiring nent features in the society of most of

your attendance, for sweeping, at any our guard-ships about ten years ago, rate ; for if he won't, I knows another - peculiarities which have amused us that will ;-so keep up a good heart, so often, and which have struck us so child."

forcibly, that we really think them, Edward began to express his grate- worthy a passing description, even ful sense of her goodness to him, but at the hazard of being thought tedious

Mrs Harley would not hear him. She by a prominent class of our intelligent - playfully put her hand on his mouth, readers, whose suffrage and applause

crying-“ Lord love thee, child, I've we would, nevertheless, think it our got better news to tell you than that highest honour to enjoy.

there. Harley, good soul, has got you The Grab, then, was a veteran of ci a hammock, and I'll sling it for you the old school, fitted with light topsi myself, if he han't time, and you shall masts, and slightly rigged, every rope

lay, this very night, right over head being unrove, and sail unbent, which there, as snug as e'er a captain in the were not indispensible to make her fleet ;--so come, come, child,--there's swing properly, and keep her moorings your book for you-be handy,--for clear, stationed by the wisdom of goI've got such a vast number of trifles vernment in Yarmouth roadstead, for to chalk down you can't think,-pray the threefold purpose of, first, ReceiGod I had my own money for them ving all those individuals belonging to again."

the service who had left their ships in Mrs Harley was as good as her bad health, on duty, or leave of abword. What passed between the sence, and keeping them comfortably, sweeping captain and her, Edward at their country's expence, until an never learnt, but, at his next appear- opportunity occurred of forwarding ance on deck, Williams took him them to their respective vessels ; seaside, and, with a vivacity peculiarly condly, of receiving all volunteers, his own, thus addressed him,"Give impressed men, and gentlemen from me your flipper, my canny Scotchman, the bar, with every other species of for, hang me, but I rejoice in your con- the desperado, whom the justice or quest. It is not every one, I can as- fear of the laws of their country had sure you, that could have cut our ma- possibly driven to seek that shelter on gical musicioner so completely in pie- the waters which the land refused ces in such a short time. I'd only ad- them; and, thirdly, Of serving as a vise you, my young pell, now since victualler and restorateur generale to you are in her books, to 'ware falling such of his majesty's vessels as might out with her, for, as sure as my name reach her station in circumstances of is Tom Williams, I can honestly as« distress. sure you, that if our precious Mrs Sue With this general explanation, it

66

may easily be conceived what a vast ving undergone recent hardship or for diversity of incongruouş matter such tigue, they generally availed "thema vessel contained ; and that, amid selves of this friendly feeling towards such an ill-assorted mass, it was by no them, and did little else but lounge means unnecessary, as Mrs Harley ob- away the idle day below, or formed served, to bestow some extra atten. part of the mob of galley idlers. tion on any little moveables you might The second, and by far the most be possessed of. The iron discipline numerous class, are termed Waisters

, of the navy, it is true, was by no means and were the simple, the unfortunate, a unable to meet all this, had it not been and bandits above mentioned- bofor the circumstance, that the very dy of men who were always held in pith and soul of that discipline was the utmost contempt, and most of lost in such a vessel as the Grab, it whom, in regard to clothing, were being impossible to bring it to bear wretched in the extreme. Having, in properly on men who came probably one many instances, figured away in formday, and were gone the next. When it er years in very superior stations of is recollected, too, that the people ac-' society, it could hardly fail to excite a tually belonging to such a vessel formed smile in the spectator to hear two such but a small proportion of her inhabit-, fellows quarrelling in a style of lanants, and that, even after enumerating guage which would reflect no dishoher limited number of officers, petty nour on more elevated company. " Pon officers, boats-crews, and marines, you my soul, George,” cried one of these have left a large majority of able and ragged heroes to another one day," I ordinary seamen, landsmen, and boys, really understood from Jennings that with their attending females, dispo- you had been at the bread-bag, which sable, like her other stores, for the exi- has suffered severely from some ravengences of the service, it was less a mat- ous scoundrel, and that was my

sole ter of surprise that such a laxity should reason for being so testy with you; kui exist, than that such a tensity of dis- but I sincerely congratulate you on my cipline should have been so firmly up- bad information, and can positively held. It was from the unavoidable and assure you, that, while I ask your pare comparative idleness of a large body of don for my ill-mannered suspicions, I this mass, that the most prominent shall certainly embrace an early opfeatures and peculiarities of a guard- portunity of taking my foot from Mis. ship took their rise ; because human ter Jennings's inexpressibles.” invention could not scheme steady Nothing is considered tog vile or work for the whole, and because skulka too mean for a waister, a terin which ing, which is impracticable in every is equally applicable to sweepers

, swabother vessel, is deemed highly merito wringers, menials, and drudges of all rious in a guard-ship. A great body descriptions. He belongs to a class of men were thus very often assem- accounted the very groundlings of the bled together, totally unconnected and navy, and literally, in fact, live lumunknown to each other, who natural- ber; and it is against this unhappy ly resolved themselves into two dis- class of men, in particular, that all the tinct elasses, as hostile and as com- artillery of a guard-ship’s discipline is pletely separated as any two casts of directed. All the hardest and most disthe Hindoos.

agreeable duties in the service, there The first of these classes, commonly fore, which can possibly be practised, terming themselves Sea-goers, were are from them rigidly and minutely such individuals as, having been sepa- enforced ; and, from the eircumstance rated from their own vessels by any of of such vessels giving and receiving the causes already mentioned, awaited nearly daily supplies of almost every here the first opportunity of joining article in demand by the them again ; and, of course, having is a species of steady bustle kept up, what they were pleased to call ships of which leaves the unfortunate waisters their own, they considered themselves but little leisure for injuring each nearly as passengers in every other, other. In defiance, however, of this worked very unwillingly, and skulked hard and unceasing labour, and of the without shame. Besides, as in most most rigid and unrelenting discipline

, guard-ships, they were looked on as the few hours of darkness, devoted to men who deserved every

indulgence, repose, are by no means idly thrown from the natural supposition of ha- away; for most of them, in general

,

navy,

there

comfort.

in have both heads to plan and hearts to make them remember Michael Brenndare; and as the luxurious and licen- nan, sure, to the latest hour of their bitious prodigality of the first class fur- blasted lives, so I would now !--Och !

nishes a tempting bait to the necessities but they didn't roul my bed down after liver of the second, neither talent nor inge- me?--No, no! that would have been ne nuity are awanting to keep up a spe- too much of a good thing for poor ih cies of petty depredation not altogether Michael.-It was, Give me your bed,

unamusing to an unconcerned person. says they-and the devil may fly The proximity and daily intercourse away with you, Myck, says they,

which is held with the shore, too, and bad luck to them! Och! I'm in renders these nefarious practices not complately ruinated, sure now !All's only more safe, but makes discovery gone, by Saint Patrick, now, to the

nearly impossible ; for the boats crews last blessed skirrach !—My bed-my Ei generally participate in the spoil, and blankets-my tobacco--and six silver la of course wink hard, and say nothing. thirteeners my ould father left with

In this way amongst many others, do me!-Blood and turf, master corpoi the waisters supply themselves with ral, and all of you glim carriers, what is many trifles, which, however insigni- were you doing now that couldn't

ficant they may appear in the eyes of be after keeping a better look-out; Temat a thorough-bred seaman, are, from but you must allow people to be roba

early habit or long gratification, be- bed, and kilt, and murdered in this come indispensible to them for life and rascally manner ?-Och ! bad luck to

you all, I say! and bad luck to the An instance of this kind, which oc- hour, and the day, and the old man, me curred on board the Grab while Ed- and the boat that first brought me

Ward was there, excited a greater de.. among you !" bet gree of merriment than pity. Our This pathetic harangue, and parmi hero was lying awake one morning, ticularly the conclusion of it, was de

very seriously scanning his past and livered with a rapidity and in a tone present circumstances, and the marines so irresistibly ludicrous, that a loud were busied in placing the morning peal of laughter was the reply; which watch, when the whole lower deck re- nettled poor Michael so effectually, sounded with a medley of howls and that, regardless of consequences, he imprecations, bellowed in the strongest sprung to his feet, and every blow he Irish accent, which was almost in- gave brought a guardian of the night stantly followed by a crash, as of some- to the deck. This speedily made mata thing bulky falling, and rolling down ters worse.- Michael was overpowerthe hatch-ladder. In a trice the bawl- ed and put in irons; but the next er was surrounded by lanterns, carried day, in consideration of his loss, the by the ship's corporals and marines, narration of which convulsed every and they certainly exhibited as laugh- hearer with laughter, his punishment able a sight as often occurs. There went no farther than a few days in sat, squat on the deck, a brawny Irish- irons, and the deprivation of his grog: man of the largest dimensions, of the In such refined and cultivated so. name of Michael Brennan, in a state ciety it was our hero's happy lot to of almost complete nudity, within a remain for nearly six weeks; at the circle of lanterns, gazing wildly around end of which period

a Nore tender paid him with all the stupidity of one sud- the Grab a visit, for the purpose of denly awakened. To all the inqui- picking up her gleanings. Having ries that were made as to how he taken an affectionate leave of his kind came there, &c. he returned no an- friends, Joe and Susan Harley, Edswer; but rubbing his eyes, and reco- ward immediately embarked, along vering himself a little, he clenched his with the other supernumeraries, to the ponderous fists, and exclaimed, “ By number of about 150 men and boys, the Powers, now, if my own day-lights with the happy Michael Brennan at could come over the spalpeens that their head, leaping for joy. He no hoisted me, bed and all, up that d-d sooner got on board the tender, an ladder there, and then rould me down wheeling about, and waving his piece it again, like an ould clothes bag, if I of a hat in the air, he cried, taking wouldn't be after sarving them a ticket what he meant to be a last view of his or two in the bread-baskets that would old dwelling, Bloody sessions to you, Vol. X.

3 H

66

you ould tub of the devil !-May every largement of scale and magnitude, the tester you have nibbled from poor good and bad qualities of the one were Michael Brennan, and that's my fa- those of the other. She was a fine ther's son, turn a red-hot shot to sink large three-decker, remarkably crowd. and to confound you ! and may the ed, having nearly 500 supernumeraries ould fellow receive you, ship's corpo on board at that time. Edward was rals, boatswain's mates, sodgers and hardly eight days on board her before all, into his own ugly bosom!" he became so heartily sick of the mo

They now hoisted sail, and gave the notonous life of a guard-ship, that he Grab three hearty farewell cheers, determined to volunteer for the first which were as cheerfully returned; vessel that offered, whatever she was. after which, throwing off the lashings, As they were coming almost daily down they set sail, and in less than forty from refitting in the rivers, his wish hours were safely along the Namur at was not long ungratified ; and in a few the Nore, who received them with the days thereafter he went on board usual formalities.

the Tottumfog sloop of war, Charles We think it quite unnecessary to Switchem commander, along with fifty say any thing of the Namur, after be- others of all denominations in the ing so minute in our mention of the service. Grab; for excepting a necessary en

S.

a

LETTER FROM FOGARTY O'FOGARTY, ESQ.

Inclosing his Journal and Poem, DEAR SIR, I am at length enabled to address you myself, and am the more gratified at having it in my power to do so, as those whom I have employed at different times to forward my labours to Edinburgh, have always made my interests subservient to their own, and (anxiously desiring to scrape an acquaintance with the Editor of The MAGAZINE,) filled your pages with lying unintelligible trash, very much to the detriment of my poem, and to the deterioration of good taste and morals in general. I have done with secretaries for ever.

I enclose you the last Canto of Daniel O'Rourke, and a continuation of my Journal. You should have had it long ago, but that my time was almost entirely occupied since my recovery, with accepting the social invitations of my neighbours here, who do not think a party complete without my presence. This has been owing partly to my own convivial talents, but principally to the character of your Magazine. Indeed, like Mr Duffle your worthy contributor, it was no sooner known that I was Mr O'Fogarty who corresponded with Christopher North, Esq., than every door in the neighbourhood moved spontane. ously on its hinges to admit one of the supporters of Blackwood's Magazine, (and, as I have been frequently termed) the Poet of Blarney.

Now that Daniel is finished, what shall I do next for you? Prose or poetry? it is all the same to me; grave or gay, huinorous or pathetic, sober or satirical, morality or romance, history or-no, I cannot promise that, for I once threw off a folio History of Blarney Castle, which I offered to Mr * and he refused the concern, alleging that I was not dull enough. Ever since, I have an aversion to the business; however, please yourself, but let me know as speedily as convenient.

I suppose Odoherty has already informed you that he is to spend the Christmas with me in Blarney; and the devil's in it if we do not make the "welkin ring" when we both put our heads together for Maga. Remember me to him, and believe me,

Dear Sir,

Yours, &c.
Myros Wood, Nov. 2, 1821.

FOGARTY O'FOGARTY.

Volat ille per aëra magnum
Remigio alarum :
Volitans argenteus anser
Circum littora, circum
Piscosos scopulos humiles volat æquora juxta.

Æn. i. vii. iv. *Ω πόπου, και μάλ' ελαφρός ανήρ, ως ρεία κυβιστά.

Iliad. II.
She went down to the well, and filled her pitcher and came up.

Genesis, xxiv, 16. πίκρους-χερνίβας τ'ανάξεται.

Eurip. Iphig. in Aulide.
Hail, wedded love, mysterious law, &c.

Par. Lost.

דָנִיאֵל חֵלֶם חֲזָה וְחֶזְוֵי רֵאשֵׁה

Dan. vii. 1. [We have not room for the remaining 47 mottos.

C. N.]

1.
'Tis said a * gander once preserved a Capitol,

The truth of which I do not mean to doubt;
It might be so perhaps, and yet mayhap it all

Was merely humbug, though not yet found out;
But, readers, what you learn from me, pray clap it all

Down in your minds, as sterling fact throughout,
As certain as that flirts are taught to titter,
That claret's toothsome, or that gall is bitter.

P

3.
For this I know the public all will grieve;

But, by my faith, I've other fish to fry
Than writing for their pleasure; none believe

The trouble 'tis to find words to apply
And jingle sweetly: If I can achieve

This business well, 'tis true I mean to try
Some other matters. But (I do not puff)
Six clever cantos I think quite enough

4.
Upon this subject. And since I can see

Apprentice boys, and Cockneys, dare to string
Their low ideas, patch'd up shabbily

Into this noble metre, I must fling

* Vid. Tit. Liv. Lib. Quint. Cap. Quadrag. Sep.