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i^HE? without UkiBg out tfr ?*!?! -*1*^ ailolt* K?i# w WK~~ ^ """ ni?i HIV 00 board be corarno^ft^gnalipeome within hail." ^yKK Mm stain topsail?haul aboard 33y we passed tinder the stern of La *ju am delighted, sir," said captain Murray, "with the way in which you scaled your guns; really it was pretty firing; but I cajled you off for fear an nnluekv shot should crinnle a lower matt or yard, as I cannot afford to lose a , sloop so efficient from the squadron.'* ^Bre tho polished manners of the com* dpbre got the better of his love of imth;for the discipline of the sloop was, as may be Imagined, very so-so, and cajfsblo of improvement. "Sir," said my good-natured chief, uCbSs brig is in very bad order." "She is, sir," replied# pulling off my hau" "Thin the fault must be yours or . mine.4'. "Tours, sir, I think," again bowing. "How will you make that appear, sir?" "In this way, sir; by every effort you ^ have endeavored to lower me in the es* . -Uimation of the crew, and this conduct to the second officer, is enough to disorganize a ship." "Give me an instance, sir." - i "leaicraav, capiaiu Mac, you ordered me as first lieutenant oi the sloop, to lower down the jolly-boat, and pick up an mply . cask; tvhen I desired a mid shipmaxt to perform the duty, you coun tcrmanded it, and obliged me to do it myself." 4*0! vou are a bit of a lawyer, I see, Air, and I will avail myself of the first opportunity of breokinc vou." 4<Sir, I /eel particularly obliged for your kind intentions, and shall guard against them to the best of my power;" aud with a low bow I quitted my amiable commander. The commodore made arrangements for storming, the Dyke Fort on the night of the day Uiat we had cannonaded it.? A hundred volunteers were to land aC ten o'clock at night, under the command of _ Mr. Fleming, the first lieutenant of La Franchise. I was honored with the command of our quota from the brig, namely, twenty picked seamen, armed wiih cutlasses, pistols and pikes. Our .party drew uo on the beach on a vcrv dark niffht. nei tber moon nor Ftars visible. The slorm-l ing parly consisted of the same number of seamen from the four ships, and twenty marines from La Franchise, under one of their own lieutenants?the whole commanded by .as gallant a man as ever drew asword, Fleming, first of the commodore's frigate. My orders were to keep the party compact, by bringing up the rear. A Dutch guide moved with the forlorn hope in advance, composed of a sergeant and six marines, and were fallowed at twelve paces by the remainder of the jollies with bayonets fixed. *'To the right face"?And we moved off the beach, striking into swampy ground, at a brisk pace. In a shorttime we found ourselves bewildered amongst high canes. A hait was called, and the Dutch guide ordered to the commanding officer. .1 saw some confusion in the van of our small party, and heard along the line, "Officers to the front.*' On reaching Fleming, I found the Dutch guide had escaped, by an imposition practiced on the advance, that be Wished to communicate with the commanding officer. From the height of the canes, and the darkness of the night, he easily contrived to elude the vi-' gilance of those he had devoted to destruction. Great consternation prevailed amonr the staff, which was not lessened by the sound of an alarm gun from the fort. That sound directs us where we should go, end the quicker the better.? Officers, to your posts, and keep your men together. Double quick time, and follow me." Thus spoke dnr gallant commander? and the parly pushed rapidly on until stopped by a heavy volley, but ill directed, on our marine advance, who fell back oh the main body. ^Jlose with the front," was vociferated along our line. 1 thought 1 perceived a greater inclination for the opposite way; and by threats, with the point of the sword, had just closed with the front, when with a loud shout the Dutch party, who had fired on the advance broken from their ambush, ahd crossed uayon&ts with our marine lorce. lieutenant frlcmmirig. who was at their head, received a bayonet through his jacket, which was Hying open. The thrust, which was intended for his heart, was made with such force that the Dutchman fell from not meeting the expected resistance of his body; and as he lay prostrate and bareheaded, our gallant common tier's sabre flashed even in the darkness of night, and was in the act of descending on his head, when the Dutchman rose * upon his knees, and with upraised hand* implored the mercy he ill deserved from his gUtyrU opponent. The truly brave -are stwhVsthe nsfct meretfttft fhd tt?uteu*bi Fleming slaved thq s^iAed weapon, and with ssJj*?<*ssfSsion tbsi did - him homy* collared the Irejnblitig wretch > and tinder fear of instant death, compelled J him* to lead ns to the Dyke Fort, into which we scrambled the best way we ' could. As my mo scaler power was not .sufficient to pet over the weH,with my cutlass guarding my head, I being then of slender make, contrived to crawl through one of the embrasures, end found the fott iwpossession of the gallant Fleming, who, if alive, 1 believe, still remains a lieutenant up to thic day; his noble captain dying shortly afterwards, his interest died with him! When with difficulty 1 had crawled thro* the embrasure, all the time erpefcting my quietus in the shape of a ball, a bayonet, or pike, as an intolerable noise prevailed, interaneracd with mindrv sharn cranlcs I from pistol and gun, with pleasure I found myself again in an erect position/; and taking a survey of the scene before me.? In the centre of the fort, drawn up with military precision, stood the jollies; beaded by their officer, conversing with lieutenant Fleming, who was direoting the seamen to prepare their guns?being seven twelve-pounders?to receive the flying camp of the Dutch commandant, whose fierce attack was momentarily expected. "I am glad to see you, youngster," said ray bold commander; "I feared you were amongst the missing or dead." Some lanterns were making darkness vissible, and in my hurry to reach him, I fell over a Dutchman jn the agonies of deatn: he had been shot in the groin, and in a short time expired. "I congratulate vou on vour easv con* quest." said I, "Easy enough of all conscience. Most of the fools went out to lay in ambush; had they remained in the fort; we should have found tough work of it; but now we must prepare to receive the gallant Dutchman's flying camp. Take a lantern, and this Dutch prisoner will show you the mugazine. See if they have cartridges filled; if not, prepare ten rounds for each gun, and be careful you do not blow us into the air, by firing the magazine.? And, mister,** to the marine officer, "throw out a line of picquets on the land side, the foremost one well advanced, with orders, if alarmed, to fire, and fall back on the fort.*' Bea'ing a filthy lantern, whose, dirty horn-gave a dim light, I followed my guide down a flight of steps to the floor of the magazine, which having forced open, [ found a greatr quantity of powder, and many rounds of cartridges already filled, and forthwith proceeded to make my report. "Very weli; we will hold .this fort against any force they can send, until daylight, when, after blowing it up, we will effect our retreat as we best can, to the boats; you, or the marine officer, yisit the outposts every fifteen minutes, as the utmost vigilancl .is necessary. The sign and countersign are Church and Chichester, which no foreigner can well pro-! nounce." Agreeably to orders, I scrambled over the wall, and with a light and hasty step, a pistol in each hand and a weary eye, I approached the different sentinels, who fully conscious of the necessity of vigilance, at some distance challenged with "Who goes there? rounds, advanced rounds, and give the countersign;" at the same time making their muskets ring as they brought their bayonets to the charge position, and the clink jf the cock fell sharp upon the ear. "Chichester, and; all's well," ended our interview until 11 came upon the advanced one. He stood like a man thoroughly alarmed, and said he had heard female moans "Hist," said the soldier, and the sobs and heartsearching groans, in the soft voice of the gentler sex, broke the silence of the stilly < night. Led by these mournful sounds, I j passed the sentinel, and in some brush | wood 1 found a poor attenuated female,, apparently of the hulf-casl, lying on the I damp earth, with a dead infant in her arms. 1 conjectured that she had been shot through the body in making her escape from the fort, for her language to me was unintelligible, though her groans and shrieks spoke the universal < ne of suffering. I supported her head, and apnlied mv canteen to her lins: the beverage "ww "*"/ ~ "* I ' ? - o which she eagerly swallowed, seemed to revive her, and with the maternal affection so strongly implanted in woman's breast, whether bi'ijck or white, she held her infant to me, seemingly unconscious of its death. I tried to raise Iter, with the idea of supporting her to the fort, but her excessive agony when moved obliged me to replace her, and I sat down, making my knees a pillow far her head. While cogitating on the best mode ol affording relief to the poor forlorn one, for I dared not risk the safety of the whole party by taking the advanced sentinel to my assistance, 1 heard his sharp challenge uttered in tones of alarm, and his still sharper shot, with his hasty retreat on the fort.? Being well aware that no quarter would be given by the Dutch commandant, with that instinct true to nature, though it went to my heart to leave the wretched woman, ? ~ u_. 1: I ajrain piaceo my cumcni iu nrr nj??, and fled,and that with such good spce>l, that I arrived, with the outposts, whc came flocking into the fort accordin tc their orders. The man who caused th? alarm averred that he heard the measured tread of infantry, and the prancing of horses, but 1 think the beating of his own heart must have deceived him. We remained on the watch, and made every disposition for a desperate defence, and as m laid a train to the ffiign lino, and dsaceated the tort, the manor force cov#rit>*<*ur retreat. 4*A volunteer to" fire the train!** crier the commanding officer, and several step #d forward. 41 Here we most regulate bj length of Jefis, eod a capacity to use then John Wilson,** Calling to one of the so lunteers, 14I hare seen you active in run niata mn ik. I .aIo.1 vAn <a (Sri HIV WVSWO-W J WU ?v MM the train when yon hear the report of ?] fristo), and remember, you run for youi ife. Mr. ??addressing me, "lex the party to the boat#, which I now aei approaching the beach. Quicken youi pace, aa 1 am going to fire the train it fire minutes." I heard the signal, and in an inatani there arose a colume of flame, overhung by a dense and heavy cloud, and formiiet the island shook as if front an earthquake while the fort, with all it contained, was scattered over the face of the country.? Our gallant lieutenant, with a long-legged coadjutor, joined us in perfect safety, and we entered our boats without crossing sabrnf with our flying enemies. Glad to find myself safe on board the brig, unpleasant as she was, 1 had scarcely refreshed myself with clean linen, when a letter was put into my hands, which caused great astonishment, and in a great measure, ^displeasure. A youthful relative, in the first year of his apprenticeship, had quitted the plodding desk, and iL ... 1 . L wunoui any permission oui ms own, entercd in some West Indiaman from Liverpool, had got impressed by La Franchise, and wus now serving in her as a inizen tooman. lie, thinking 1 still remained in the channel fleet, where he had last hear - from mr>, was amazed at recognizing my voice, while forming the storming party on the beach on the preceedjng night. "And so, my dear * * * * *' he wrote, 4'I hope, from yotir situation and knowledge of the commodore, who is a perfect gen lemun, you will induce him to take me on his quarter-deck." This captain Murray did in the kindest and most gracious manner, censuring the youngster for not having made himself known to qim before. I could have got him rated midshipman on board the sioop I wus first lieutenant of, but I prized bis happiness too sincerely to place it under the control of captain Mac. St. Pierre, the author of the most beautiful of all pretty stories, *'Paul and Virginia," very prettily remarks in his Studies of Nature, "that where the great Creator (daces dangers, he likewise gives the means of avoiding them by such signs as must strike the most careless observer: r.?. ii.? ? i._ iwi iiidiaiii/C, mr ova uicuniug uu A uu n a or shoals creates a while foam, and the darker the night, the more plainly it is 6een. The voracious shark' swims with a fin from his hack considerably above the water, a..d is obliged to turn upon his back to seize his prey. And from the same beneficient principle and beautiful order observable throughout the creation he makes the human countenance an index to the mind." The hard lines of cruelty and cunning wer* so legibly impressed on captain Mac's countenance as to become strongly repulsive, and 1 ain convinced no human being ever felt or could feel, affection for him. There was an affectation of suavity, and a smile playing round an ill-formed mouth, but it was hollow and deceptive, and truly verified the scripture, "that the heart of man is deceitful above *11 things."? His first appearance created in me a repelj ling sensation of disgust and dislike, which I found oil nearer acquaintance daily augmented. How inexplicable is the attraction or repulsion of the human countenance, denoting in the gentle sex those amiable and endearing virtues which, old as I am, have inclined me to tyiw down and worship them as a superior race, nearer to angels than frail humanity, and to such expressive faces the heart fills with affection, and tlte hands spring to render service. i I VISIT To THE HERMITAGE. Nashvtlle, Sept. 28, '37. Friend D.?1 arrived in this town a few days -since, it is situated on the Cumberland river, which is navigable half the year for the largest class ol steamboats. The city is about the size ol Natchez, perhaps it contains a largei number ot -inhabitants, at least more pret ty ladies! Judge Vannerson, for a tim< the leading Whig candidate for Governoi of M ississippi, and other distinguishec gentlemen, have been passing the warn season in this place. The Judge was in duccd to decline a poll in consequence o the illness of his lady, who is now on tlx gain. The place isu.bealthy, and all lh< comforts of iife, and its luxuries too, cai he obtained lor half what they cost ii Mississippi. Middle Tennessee is th garden of the southwestern country. s.L i r* u ? 111 company wun j. uitiiuimi, tlic talented and accomplished editor o 1 the " Nashville Union," 1 visited th Hermitage, which you known is the re I sidence of the most distinguished Ameri i can of the age. He lives about ten mile from town, entirely free from the nois , and hustle, incident to a city life. Th t house is perhaps half a mile from th , road ?a gate opens to a private avenui > which leads to the dwelling of the retire > soldier and statesman, who Cincinnati! like has gladly embraced the quiet of I rural life, after having long and succesi - fully served his country. The house ha i nothing vsry remarkable aliotit it?thei - nre several in your town more gaudy i their exterior and interior. A portoric i or gallery extends the length of the house botlritofit'ftffd. *ettr, each support bv 9 ais stately pillars. A beautiful yard, 8eftUj eIer4l*d,7?bxtend? ft>r some dieince in front. The grod'nds are taste fully ornamented with shrubbery. f. General Jackson was In the main hall i when we rode up?he me! ua at ihe door; aAer cordially saluting my estimable1 - friend B: I .was introduced. General 9 Jackson's manners is so easy and familiar, f that every body is perfectly at home in r bis company. We found .him.in exeeli! lent spirits? his mind appears to have j lost none of its youthful vigdr, although r time is gently making inroads upon his i noble and commanding person?a very I good idea of the general contour of his t: face and head is conveyed in the various ;J likenesses with which we frequently meet, i j He is inclined to stoop a little, when t walking, yet steps with the firmness and 11 activity of a man at' the age of thirty | His memory appears to be remarkably re* I tentive; he recited incidents of the reI volutionary struggle, of the late war, and, of the Creek and Seminole campaigns which were listened to with great curiosity. Do you know the origin of his cog-i nomen of "Old Hickory*" After the bat-[ tie of New Orleans, when he was returning with the Kentucky and Tenncs-' Volunteers, he loaned his horse to a sick -soldier in the neighborhood of Natchez; the General fell in the rear of ] the army, and pursued his way on foot. After he had marched some twenty or , thirty miles, one of the soldiers observed , to his comrade that the "General would | break down" "No," Observed his com- ( ponton, 44 he is tough as hickory." Ever | since the occurrence of this anecdote in , 1815, he has borne the title. lie rccol lects men and incidents with great accu- ] racy, he is in truth, a living history of , the age. The politics of the clay formed a pro- , minent topic of conversation. Those ] who have called him an 44 ignorant" man, and stigmatised him with other epithets which I will not repeat, must have had a 41 beam in their, own eye." He has the history of banking at his tongue's end; he shed a mass of light on that subject, as well as upon all others upon which he i spoke, that could not fail to instruct and , . improve. He deprecates the circulation > of change bills. Shortly after he was first elected President of the United States, some of the poor market women , came to him with a complaint that tbey were seriously imposed up >11 hy being compelled to receive the deprecated paper which was then issued by the corporations of Washing^n. Georgetown and , Alexandria, in payment of their produce; j They lost twenty-live cents on the dollar ( in getting them changed into specie.? , General Jackson told his humble petitioners, that he 44 had no power over the matter, but they had. to-morrow mor ning jus* form a resolution among yourselves not to take a cent of it from one end of the market house to the other." They .did so?and in three days the cor- 1 porations called in their unlawful issues. 1 and specie circulated in abundance. 1 The General bos a very fine garden; I j culled some choice seeds, which I will ' divide with you the first opportunity.? i The garden is tastefully laid off in plats, < ornamented with various .kinds of flowers < und shrubbery. The tomb of his lamen- I ted lad} is in one corner of the garden, I hut a short distance from his dwelling. 1 It is surrounded by rose bushes, and the ' weeping willow, and covered with a plain < J summer house. The inscription upon ? the tomb was written by Major Lee.? I She died in IS28, aged 61 years. After I speaking of her unbounded benevolence ( and fervent piety, it concludes thus: 44 A ' being so gentle yet so virtuous, slander j might wound, but could not dishonor. ' Even death, when he tore her from the ' i arms of her husband, could ' but trans- < j port her to the bosom of her God." You ' ! recollect the foul slanders which were { heaped upon General Jackson andhis la- 1 dy too, during the first canvass. Shume! " shame! upon the heartless authors! Al- I though female delicacy sunk under them, ! the bruvc and the good old man survives.1 11 to receive the blessings of grateful mil-H s! lions. Long may it be before he shall ocs! cupy the little tenement prepared by the f side of his deceased wife, f ~ The carriage made of the live oak of the frigate Conslituton is looked upon! * with peculiai interest by all his visitors. ; The associations connected with it arc: r peculiarly interesting 1 1 The hall of the General's dwelling is! l quite elevated. A beautiful painting de corates one of the walls, representing the f attack made upon the Americans and e others in Mexico, by the degraded and c illiterate population of that ancient und a beautiful eity. Mr. Poinsett, the Amerin can Minister, walks out upon the balcony e of his residence, accompanied by a high spirited young Virginian, by the name of [. Mason, and unfurled the Aug of his counf try. The stars and strips of 44 our bce loved land" had a wonderful effect in al. I I : a. e i: r .? _:. _ .i -iitijuig iiic luciiiigs in iiic Kjicueu j???pui lace. A hundred well aimed muskets 8 were diverted from the mark; and that c furious people retired before that irresise table appeul. That was an instance of e the power of the American flag. A bust ?, of Mr. Livingston and Mr. \Voodbury d are kept in the main hall. In the parlor is is a very good likeness of Mrs. Jackson a and Mr. Van Buren. i- The dinner was a plain and substantial is repast: Previous to retiring, the General e proposed a toast. " Our absent friends," n was drank by all. AndrcWfJaekson, jr., O; and his intelligent and BWftutiful lady,] Vand Col. Earl), one of the most accom I are of tho UeoeSFEhouaehold. ' No one can viaitjhe Hermitage without being pleased. Every thing it calculated to make the stay of those who call, agrees able anil pleasant* There fa no display, no ostentation; your are at home and welcome. The Hermitage#, is almost coin stantly thronged with companv, and will be so long as its distinguirhea owner sojours among the livinfft And , when he has been gathered to Iiis fathers, thousands will make a pilgrimage to his tomb* and bear away some relics in memory of one of the purest patriots that ever lived. IfKloeellaneous. HOME. M The patriotic boast \ybero e'er we roam. Our first, best'eountry ever is at home:" Thsro is no trait perhaps, more common or more amiable in the human character, than the attachment which each individual feels for his native place.?With what resistless, tender and soul-subduing influence docs rcmcmbcrancc of past scenes and pleasures rush upon the mimlj Our native bills and valleys, the tuneful brooks, the groves, the meadows, and fields which witnessed the innocent sportings of our youthful years, arising before the imagination, arrayed in nil their beauty. With the loneliness of affection we look back to the sacred spot where repose the ashes of departed kindred and friends. In the ehastc and pious medita*ii r 1 _ _ 1 .1..* - I i_*i . *.i iton, we ieei u piensuui rnciancnoiy steal over the soul?which would not exchange for all the sparkling joys of transient and unsubstantial amusement. But awaking from the pleasing reverie, wc find perhaps that wc are in a distant land, surrounded by the facds of strangers. In vain do wc look around for the friends and companions of youth, hut all is.sad, lonely and desolate. Tell its not that the gales which fun us arc perfumed with nders; that the gentle zephyr brings health and balm on its wings; that roses and jessamines fill the soft air with matchless fragance, and that the verdant mantle of nature is spangled with (lowers of the riches dies. For neither the spicy gales; nor the roses and jessamines, nor nature's fairest livery equal the air, the beauty, the enchantment, of our native land. To us the whispers of parental love, tenderness, and affection, would lu more grateful and soothing than the gentle farmings of the soft south wind, or the breath of the perfumed zephyr. To us more pleasing would be the sight of our parental mansion, though hung with icicles and surrounded with the desolate emblems of winter, than ike vcrduie attached to a distant land. Lord Castlcrcagh and the Chest.? Lord Casilereagh, when commandfog, in early life n militia regiment in Ireland, was stationed one night in a large desolate country house, and his bed was at one end of a dilapidated room, while at the other extremity a grc lire of wood ind turf had been prepared u ithin a hueo gaping old fashioned ..chimney. Waking n the middle of ihe night, he lay watching from his pillow the gradual darkness jf embers on t-lic hearth, when suddenly ihey blazed up, and a naked child stepped from nmong them upon the floor. The figure advanced slowly towards Lord Caslercagh, rising in stature at every step, lnlil on earning within two or three paces if the bed,"it had assumed the appearance jf a ghastly giant, pale r.s death, with a deeding wound on the brow, and eyes glaring with rage and despair. Lord L^astlercagh leaped from his bed and confronted the figure in an attitude of defence. It retreated b< fore him, diminishing as it withdrew, in the same manner that it had previously shot up and expanded; he followed it pace by pace, until Lhe original childlike form disappeared imong the embers. He then went back lo bis bed and was disturbed no more. This story Lord Castlereagh told with perfect gravity at 011c of his wife's supper parties in Paris in 1815, when Scott was among the hearers. I have often heard hiin repeat it?before the fatal catastrophe of August 1822 afforded the solution of the text?when he merely mentioned it as a singularly vivid dream, the product probably of a feverish night following upon a military debauch, but affording a striking indication ot the courageous temper, which proved true to itself amid -the terrors of fancy.?Life of.' Sir Walter Scott. Visiting- Cula for health.?Excellent preparations have been made near Matar.zas for the accommodation of invilids from the United States. The want of suitable lodgings prevent many from passing the winter in that beautiful island, who fell the necessity of lle'cing from its boisterous approaches in New England. rrhn rili/ir. ...hh ??? mtw oi "i/?v.w wuii u.\|?rro? rcfencc to llio convenience of this class of strangers, it is located at San Pedro de Hudson, eighteen miles from Matanzas. Board ranges at about fourteen dollars a week.?The keeping of n horse is ten dollars a month?the hire of one is thirty dollars a month, Steamboats .leave Havana and Malanzos every other day? the fare being six dollars. Board, by the day, at either place, is two dollars and fifty cents. A horse costs from sixtyeight to one hundred atid fifty dollars. Those who can afford .the expense, should ship their own, the native breed being small and inferior. Invalids, to derive the most advantage from the mild air of Cuba, should leave here by the first of ^ v bctobar acd remain til) May. Physicians, m