her sails set, and running before the wind at a gallant rate through a tremendous sea, which seemed alternately to ingulf her in its dark abysses, and fling her aloft like a toy on the waves' white crest. A more tempestuous evening has seldom been known here, and the most intense anxiety pervaded all classes lest the vessel should be lost, of which there seemed but too great probability. Hundreds of persons, both visiters and inhabitants of Aberystwith, were seen hastening to the Harbour; and not a few ladies braved the storm, though scarcely able to proceed, from the excessive violence of the wind. Every spot commanding a view of the sloop was crowded by eager and anxious spectators; some trembling for the fate of husbands, brothers, or friends, whom they believed were on board, and screaming with agony, as the huge waves half hid the objects of their solicitude from view. But she came along swiftly and unswervingly,

"She walked the waters like a thing of life,

And seem'd to dare the elements to strife."

As she neared the bar, the anxiety of the assembled crowd became doubly intense, and yet more painful when the shrill screams of children were heard from the vessel, through all the deep roaring of the winds and waves. Another minute of breathless fear, and the perilous bar was cleared—all lives were safe! The captain and owner of the sloop had been her pilot, and the screams heard were from two of his own children, who had been lashed to the mast during the gale. I have since been informed that he is esteemed the most skilful sailor in the country, and the gallant bearing of his beautiful little vessel well proves the truth of such report.

Since writing the preceding, I have heard with great pleasure that some of the leading country gentlemen and residents in Aberystwith have most liberally commenced a subscription for the purpose of improving the harbour, and thus lessening the danger to vessels entering it.