P. S. I pray to write me without put at the Letter any address, as only my name-then I am very well know in our Post office, and the Letters come me surly in the hand. Excuse the difective Stille in this lenguage in which I am a Beginer.

J

Our selections have hitherto been confined to the effusions of "illustrious obscure," and have rested their claims to attention almost entirely on their intrinsic merits. In our next number, we shall probably treat the reader with a few specimens from pens which could not pass over paper without giving a value to it, provided they did but subscribe, at the foot of it, the name of the hand that guided them.

THE CRUSADER'S RETURN.

"Alas! the mother that him bare,

If she had been in presence there,

In his wan cheeks and sunburnt hair,

She had not known her child!"-MARMION.

REST, pilgrim, rest! thou'rt from the Syrian Land,
Thou 'rt from the wild and wondrous East, I know
By the long-wither'd palm-branch in thy hand,
And by the darkness of thy sunburnt brow.
Alas! the bright, the beautiful, who part,
So full of hope, for that far country's bourne!
Alas! the weary and the sunk in heart,
And dimm'd in aspect, who like thee return!
Thou 'rt faint-stay, rest thee from thy toils at last,
Through the high chesnuts lightly plays the breeze,
The stars gleam out, the Ave hour is past,
The sailor's hymn hath died along the seas.

Thou 'rt faint and worn-hear'st thou the fountain, welling
Midst the grey pillars of yon ruin'd shrine ?

Seest thou the dewy grapes before thee swelling?
-He that hath left me train'd that loaded vine!

He was a child when thus the bower he wove,
(Oh! hath a day fled since his childhood's time?)
That I might sit and hear the sound I love,
Beneath its shade-the convent's vesper-chime.
And sit thou there!-for he was gentle ever;
With his glad voice he would have welcomed thee,
And brought fresh fruits to cool thy parch'd lip's fever-
-There, in his place thou 'rt resting-Where is he?
If I could hear that laughing voice again,
But once again!-how oft it wanders by,
In the still hours, like some remember'd strain,
Troubling the heart with its wild melody!

Thou hast seen much, tired pilgrim! hast thou seen
In that far land, the chosen land of yore,
A youth-my Guido-with the fiery mien,
And the dark eye of this Italian shore?

The dark, clear, lightning eye!-on heaven and earth
It smiled as if man were not dust-it smiled!
The very air seem'd kindling with his mirth,
And I-my heart grew young before my child!
My blessed child !-I had but him-yet he
Fill'd all my home ev'n with o'erflowing joy,
Sweet laughter, and wild song, and footstep free-
-Where is he now ?-my pride, my flower, my boy!

His sunny childhood melted from my sight,
Like a spring dew-drop-then his forehead wore
A prouder look-his eye a keener light-

—İ knew these woods might be his world no more!
He loved me-but he left me!-thus they go,

Whom we have rear'd, watch'd, bless'd, too much adored!
He heard the trumpet of the Red-Cross blow,

And bounded from me, with his father's sword!

Thou weep'st!-I tremble-Thou hast seen the slain
Pressing a bloody turf-the young and fair,
With their pale beauty strewing o'er the plain
Where hosts have met-speak!-answer-was he there?
Oh! hath his smile departed?-Could the grave
Shut o'er those bursts of bright and tameless glee?
-No!-I shall yet behold his dark locks wave-
That look gives hope-I knew it could not be !

Still weep'st thou, wanderer?-Some fond mother's glance
O'er thee, too, brooded in thine early years-
Think'st thou of her, whose gentle eye, perchance,
Bathed all thy faded hair in parting tears?

Speak, for thy tears disturb me!-What art thou?

Why dost thou hide thy face, yet weeping on?

Look up!-Oh! is it that wan cheek and brow!—
-Is it-alas! yet joy !—my Son, my Son!

F. H.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.*

"ALL parties were now (1793) fully employed preparing for the ensuing Session of Parliament. The Government, through the organ of the corporations and grand juries, opened a heavy fire upon us, of manifestoes and resolutions. At first we were, like young soldiers, a little stunned with the noise, but after a few rounds we began to look about us, and, seeing nobody drop with all this furious cannonade, we took courage and determined to return the fire. In consequence, wherever there was a meeting of the Protestant Ascendancy (which was the title assumed by that party, and a very impudent one it was,) we took care it should be followed by a meeting of the Catholics, who spoke as loud and louder than their adversaries; and as we had the right clearly on our side, we found no great difficulty in silencing the enemy on this quarter. The Catholics likewise took care, at the same time that they branded their enemies, to mark their gratitude to their friends, who were daily increasing, and especially to the people of Belfast, between whom and the Catholics the union was now completely established. Among the various attacks made on us this summer, the most remarkable for their virulence were those of the Grand Jury of Louth, headed by the Speaker of the House of Commons; of Limerick, at which the Lord Chancellor assisted; and of the Corporation of the City of Dublin, which last published a most furious manifesto, threatening us in so many words with a resistance by force. In consequence, a meeting was held of the Catholics of Dublin at large, which was attended by several thousands, where the manifesto was read, and most ably commented upon by John Keogh, Dr. R—, Dr. Mac Nevin, and several others, and a counter-manifesto being proposed, which was written by my friend Emmett and incomparably well done, it was carried unanimously and published in all the papers, together with the speeches above-mentioned; and both the speeches and the manifesto had such an infinite superiority over those of the Corporation, which were also published and diligently circulated by the Government, that it put an end effectually

Concluded from page 423.

to the warfare of resolutions. The people of Belfast were not idle on their part. They spared neither pains nor expense to propagate the new doctrine of the Union of Irishmen, through the whole North of Ireland; and they had the satisfaction to see their proselytes rapidly extending in every direction. In order more effectually to spread their principles, twelve of the most active and intelligent among them subscribed 250l. each, in order to set on foot a paper whose object should be to give a fair statement of all that passed in France, whither every one turned their eyes, to inculcate the necessity of union among Irishmen of all religious persuasions, to support the Emancipation of the Catholics, and finally, as the necessary though not avowed consequence of all this, to erect Ireland into a Republic independent of England. This paper, which they called very appositely the Northern Star, was conducted by my friend S Nn, who was unanimously chosen Editor, and it could not be delivered into abler hands. It is in truth a most incomparable paper, and it rose instantly on its appearance into a most rapid and extensive sale. The Catholics every where through Ireland, (I mean the leading Catholics,) were of course subscribers, and the Northern Star was one great means of effectually accomplishing the union of the two great sects by the simple process of making their mutual sentiments better known to each other.

It was determined by the citizens of Belfast to commemorate this year, the anniversary of the taking of the Bastille, with great ceremony. For this purpose, they planned a review of the volunteers of the town and neighbourhood, to be followed by a grand procession with emblematic devices, &c. They also determined to avail themselves of the opportunity to bring forward the Catholic question in force; and in conséquence, they resolved to publish two addresses, one to the people of France, and one to the people of Ireland. They gave instructions to Dr. Drennan to prepare the former, and the latter fell to my lot. Drennan executed his task admirably, and I made my address for my part as good as I knew how. We were invited to assist at the ceremony, and a great number of the leading members of the Catholic Committee determined to avail themselves of the opportunity to shew their zeal for the success of the cause of liberty in France, as well as their respect and gratitude to their friends in Belfast. In consequence of all this, a grand assembly took place on the 14th of July. After the review, the volunteers and inhabitants to the number of about six thousand assembled in the LinenHall, and voted the address to the French people unanimously. The address to the people of Ireland followed, and, as it was directly and unequivocally in favour of the Catholic claims, we expected some opposition-but we were soon relieved from our anxiety, for the address passed (I may say) unanimously. A few ventured to oppose it indirectly, but their arguments were exposed and overset by the friends to Catholic Emancipation, among the foremost of whom we had the satisfaction to see several Dissenting clergymen of great popularity in that country, as Sr, Kc, Wm. D-n, and F. Bh. It was Sr who moved the two addresses. It is the less necessary for me to detail what passed at this period, as every thing material is recorded in my Diary (No..) Suffice it to say, that the hospitality shewn by the people of Belfast to the Catholics on this occasion, and the personal acquaintance which the parties formed, riveted the bonds of their recent union, and produced in the sequel the most beneficial and powerful effects.

Rennes, September 28th, 1796.

As my time is growing shorter, I pass over a very busy interval of my life, all the events of which are detailed in different Diaries among my papers, and I hasten to the period when, in consequence of the conviction of William Jackson for high treason, I was obliged to quit my country, and go into exile in America. A short time before my departure, my friend Russell

1795.

being in town, he and I walked out together to Rathfarnham to see Emmett, who has a charming villa there. He shewed us a little study of an elliptical form, which he was building at the bottom of the lawn, and which he said he would consecrate to our meetings, if ever we lived to see our country emancipated. I begged of him, if he intended Russell should be of the party, in addition to the books and maps it would naturally contain, to fit up a small cellar, which would contain a few dozen of his best old claret. He shewed me that he had not omitted that circumstance, which he acknowledged to be essential; and we both rallied Russell with considerable success. I mention this trifling anecdote, because I love the men, and because it seems now at least possible that we may meet again in Emmett's study. As we walked together into town, I opened my plan to them both. I told them that I considered my compromise with Government to extend no further than the banks of the Delaware, and that the moment I landed, I was free to follow any plan which might suggest itself to me for the emancipation of my country; that undoubtedly I was guilty of a great offence against the existing Government; that in consequence I was going into exile, and that I consi dered that exile as a full expiation for the offence, and consequently I felt myself at liberty, having made that sacrifice, to begin again on a fresh score. They both agreed with me in these principles, and I then proceeded to tell them, that my intentions were, immediately upon my arrival in Philadelphia, to wait on the French minister, to detail to him fully the situation of affairs in Ireland, to endeavour to obtain a recommendation to the French Government, and, if I succeeded so far, to leave my family in America, and to set off instantly for Paris, and to apply in the name of my country for the assistance of France, to enable us to assert our independence. It is unnecessary, I believe, to say that this plan met with the warmest approbation and support from both Russell and Emmett. We shook hands, and having repeated our professions of unalterable regard and esteem for each other, we parted; and this was the last interview which I was so happy as to have with these two invaluable friends together. I remember it was in a little triangular field that this conversation took place; and Emmett remarked to us, that it was in one exactly like it in Switzerland, where William Tell and his two associates planned the downfall of the tyranny of Austria. The next day, Russell returned to Belfast.

As I was determined not to appear to leave Ireland clandestinely, whatever might be the hazard to myself, I took care, on the day of Jackson's trial, to walk up and down in the most public streets in Dublin, and to go, contrary to my usual custom, into several of the most frequented coffeehouses, and to my bookseller's, which was still more frequented. In this last place I was seen by Lord Mountjoy, who gave himself the pains to call on the Attorneygeneral the next day, and inform him that I was to be found, for that he had seen me at Archer's the day before. The Attorney-general, however, gave him no thanks for his pains; and so the affair ended. My obligation, however, to his Lordship, is not the less for his good intentions. Having made this sacrifice to appearances, I set out with all diligence to prepare for my departure. I sold off all my little property of every kind, reserving only my books, of which I had a very good selection of about 600 volumes; and I'determined to take leave of nobody. I also resolved not to call on any of my friends, not even Knox or Emmett; for, as I knew the part I had taken in Jackson's affair had raised a violent outcry against me with a very numerous and powerful party, I resolved not to implicate any of those I regarded in the difficulties of my situation. Satisfied as I was of the rectitude of my own conduct, and of the purity of my motives, I believe I should have had fortitude to bear the desertion of my best friends; yet, to their honour be it spoken, I was not put to so severe a trial. I did not lose the countenance and support of any one man whom I esteemed; and I believe now that I secured the continuance of their regard by the firmness I had shewn all along through this most arduous and painful trial, and especially by my

repeated declarations that I was ready to sacrifice my life if necessary, but that I would never degrade myself by giving testimony against a man who had spoken to me in the confidence that I would not betray him. I have said that after Jackson's death I visited nobody; but my friends made it, I believe, a point to call on me; so that, for the short time I remained in Dublin after, we were never an hour alone. My friends M'Cormick and Keogh, who had interested themselves extremely all along in my behalf, and had been principally instrumental in passing the vote for granting me 3001. in addition to the arrears due to me by the Catholics, were, of course, among the foremost.

It has often astonished me, that the Government, knowing there was a French minister in Philadelphia, ever suffered me to go thither, at least without exacting some positive assurance on my part that I should hold no communication with him, direct or indirect. So it was, however, that either despising my efforts, or looking on themselves as too firmly established to dread any thing from France, they suffered me to depart without demanding any satisfaction whatsoever on that topic, a circumstance of which I was most sincerely glad; for if I had been obliged to give my parole, I should have been exceedingly distracted between opposite duties. Luckily, however, I was spared this difficulty, for they suffered nie to depart without any stipulation whatever. Perhaps it would have been better for them if they had adhered to their first proposal of sending me out to India; but as to that the event will determine.

Having paid all my debts, and settled with every body, I set off from Dublin for Belfast, on the 20th May, 1795, with my wife, sister, and three children, leaving, as may be well supposed, my father and mother in very sincere affliction. My whole property consisted in our clothes, my books, and about 7001. in money and bills on Philadelphia. We kept our spirits admirably. The great attention manifested to us, the conviction that we were suffering in the best of causes, the hurry attending so great a change, and perhaps a little vanity in shewing ourselves superior to fortune, supported us under what was certainly a trial of the severest kind. But if our friends in Dublin were kind and affectionate, those in Belfast were, if possible, still more so. During near a month that we remained there, we were every day engaged by one or other. Even those who scarcely knew me were eager to entertain us. Parties and excursions were planned for our amusement, and certainly the whole of our deportment and reception at Belfast very little resembled those of a man who escaped with his life only by a miracle, and who was driven into exile to avoid a more disagreeable fate. I remember particularly two days that we passed on the Cavehill; on the first, R, N

and M'C and one or two more of us, on the summit of Mac Art's Fort took a solemn obligation (which I think I may say I have on my part endeavoured to fulfil) never to desist in our efforts till we had subverted the authority of England over our country, and asserted her independence. Another day we had the tent of the 1st regiment pitched in the Deer-Park, and a company of thirty of us, including the family of the S--s, Ñ——s, MCs, and my own, dined and spent the day deliciously together. But the most agreeable day we passed during our stay, and one of the most agreeable of our lives, was in an excursion we made with the Ss, Ns, and Rs, to Ram's Island, a beautiful and romantic spot in Lough Neagh. Nothing can be imagined more delightful; and we agreed, in whatever quarter we might find ourselves respectively, to commemorate the anniversary of that day, the 11th of June. At length the hour of our departure arrived. On the 13th June, we embarked on board the Cincinnatus of Wilmington, Captain James Robinson; and I flatter myself we carried with us the regret of all who knew us. Even some of my former friends, who had long since deserted me, returned on this reverse of my fortune, struck, I believe, by the steadiness with which we all looked it in the face. Our friends in Belfast loaded us with presents on our departure, and filled our little cabin with sea-store, fresh