Having previously presented our readers with the eccentric character of Commodore Trunnion, we cannot refrain from adding to it the singular description of his starting for church on the morning of his intended nuptials:

The fame of this extraordinary conjunction spread all over the country; and, on the day appointed for the espousals, the church was surrounded by an inconceivable multitude. The Commodore, to give a specimen of his gallantry, by the advice of his friend Hatchway, resolved to appear on horseback on the grand occasion, at the head of all his male attendants, whom he had rigged with the white shirts and black caps formerly belonging to his barge's crew; and he bought a couple of hunters for the accommodation of himself and Lieutenant. With this equipage, then, he set out from the garrison for the church, after having dispatched a messenger to apprise the bride, that he and his company were mounted. [No. 12.

She got immediately into the coach,. accompanied by her brother and his wife, and drove directy to the place of assignation, where several pews were demolished, and divers persons almost pressed to death, by the eagerness of the crowd that broke in to see the ceremony performed. Thus arrived at the altar, and the priest in attendance, they waited a whole half hour for the Commodore, at whose slowness they began to be under some apprehension, and accordingly dismissed a servant to quicken his pace. The valet having rode something more than a mile, espied the whole troop disposed in a long field, crossing the road obliquely, and headed by the bridegroom and his friend Hatchway, who, finding himself hindered by a hedge from proceeding farther in the same direction, fired a pistol, and stood over to the other side, making an obtuse angle with the line of his former course; and the rest of the squadron followed his example, keeping always i

the rear of each other, like a flight of wild geese.

Surprised at this strange method of journeying, the messenger came up, and told the Commodore that his Lady and the company expected him in the church, where they had tarried a considerable time, and were beginning to be very uneasy at his delay; and, therefore, desired he would proceed with more expedition. To this message Mr. Trunnion replied, "Hark ye, brother, don't you see we make all possible speed? go back and tell those who sent you, that the wind has shifted since we weighed anchor, and that we are obliged to make very short trips in tacking, by reason of the narrowness of the channel; and that, as we lie within six points of the wind, they must make some allowance for variation and lee-way." "Lord, Sir," said the valet, "what occasion have you to go zig-zag in that manner? Do but clap spurs to your horses, and ride straight forward, and I'll engage you shall be at the church-porch in less than a quarter of an hour." "What! right in the wind's eye?" answered the Commander; "ahey! brother, where did you learn your navigation? Hawser Trunnion is not to be taught at this time of day how to lie his course, or keep his own reckoning. And as for you, brother, you know best the trim of you own frigate." The courier, finding he had to do with people who would not be easily persuaded out of their opinions, returned to the temple, and made a report of what he had seen and heard, to the no small consolation of the bride, who had begun to discover some signs of disquiet. Composed, however, by this piece of intelligence, she exerted her patience for the space of another half hour, during which period seeing no bridegroom arrive, she was exceedingly alarmed; so that all the spectators could easily perceive her pertubation, which manifested itself in frequent palpita

tions, heart-heavings, and alterations of countenance, in spite of the assistance of smelling bottles, which she incessantly applied to her nostrils.

Various were the conjectures of the company on this occasion: some imagined he had mistaken the place of rendezvous, as he had never been at church since he first settled in that parish; others believed he had met with some accident, in consequence of which his attendants had carried him back to his own house; and a third set, in which the bride herself was thought to be comprehended, could not help suspecting that the Commodore had changed his mind. But all these suppositions, ingenious as they were, happened to be wide of the true cause that detained him, which was no other than this-The Commodore and his crew had, by dint of turning, almost weathered the parson's house, that stood to windward of the church, when the notes of a pack of hounds unluckily reached the ears of the two hunters which Trunnion and the Lieutenant bestrode. These fleet animals no sooner heard the enlivening sound, than, eager for the chace, they sprung away all of a sudden, and, straining every nerve to partake of the sport, flew across the fields with incredible speed, overleaped hedges and ditches, and every thing in their way, without the least regard to their unfortunate riders. The Lieutenant, whose steed had got the heels of the other, finding it would be great folly and presumption in him to pretend to keep the saddle with his wooden leg, very wisely took the opportunity of throwing himself off in his passage through a field of rich clover, among which he lay at his ease; and seeing his Captain advancing at full gallop, hailed him with the salutation of "What cheer ho?" The Commodore, who was in infinite distress, eyeing him askance, as he passed, replied with a faltering voice, "O damn you!

you are safe at anchor; I wish to God I were as fast moored." Nevertheless, conscious of his disabled heel, he would not venture on the same experiment, which had succeeded so well with Hatchway, but resolved to stick as close as possible to his horse's back, until Providence should interpose in his behalf. With this view he dropped his whip, and, with his right hand, laid fast hold on the pummel, contracting every muscle in his body to secure himself in the seat, and grinning most formidably, in consequence of this exertion. In this attitude he was hurried on a considerable way, when all of a sudden his view was comforted by a five bar gate that appeared before him, as he never doubted but there the career of his hunter must necessarily end.

But alas! he reckoned without his host. Far from halting at this obstruction, the horse sprung over it with amazing agility, to the utter confusion and disorder of his owner, who lost his hat and periwig in the leap, and now began to think in good earnest, that he was actually mounted on the back of the devil. He recommended himself to God; his reflection forsook him, his eye-sight and all his other senses failed, he quitted the reins, and fastening by instinct on the mane, was, in this condition, conveyed into the midst of the sportsmen, who were astonished at the sight of such an apparition. Neither was their surprise to be wondered at, if we reflect on the figure that presented itself to their view. The

Commodore's person was at all times an object of admiration; much more so on this occasion, when every singularity was agravated by the circumstances of his dress and disaster.

He had put on, in honour of his nuptials, his best coat of blue broad cloth, cut by a tailor of Ramsgate, and trimmed with five dozen of brass buttons, large and small; his breeches were of the same piece, fastened at the knees with largo

bunches of tape; his waistcoat was of red plush, lappelled with green velvet, and garnished with vellum holes; his boots bore an intimate resemblance, both in colour and shape, to a pair of leather buckets; his shoulder was graced with a broad buff belt, from whence depended a huge hanger, with a hilt like that of a back-sword; and on each side of his pommel appeared a rusty pistol rammed in a case covered with a bear-skin. The loss of his tye-periwig and laced hat, which were curiosities of the kind, did not at all contribute to the improvement of the picture; but, on the contrary by exhibiting his bald pate, and the natural extension of his lantern jaws, added to the peculiarity and extravagance of the whole. Such a spectacle could not have failed of diverting the whole company from the chace, had his horse thought proper to pursue a different route; but the beast was too keen a sporter to choose any other way than that which the stag followed; and therefore without stopping to gratify the curiosity of the spectators, he in a few minutes outstripped every hunter in the field. There being a deep hollow way betwixt him and the hounds, rather than ride round about the length of a furlong to a path that crossed the lane, he transported himself at one jump, to the unspeakable astonishment and terror of a waggoner, who chanced to be underneath, and saw this phænomenon fly over his carriage. This was not the only adventure he achieved. The stag having taken a deep river that lay in his way, every man directed his course to a bridge in the neighbourhood; but our bridegroom's courser despising all such conveniences, plunged into the stream without hesitation, and swam in a twinkling to the opposite shore. This sudden immersion into an element of which Trunnion was properly a native, in all probability helped to recruit the exhausted spirits of his rider, who

at his landing on the other side gave some tokens of sensation by hollowing aloud for assistance, which he could not possibly receive, because his horse still maintained the advantage he had gained, and would not allow himself to be overtaken.

In short, after a long chace that lasted several hours, and extended to a dozen miles at least, he was the first in at the death of the deer, being seconded by the Lieutenant's gelding, which, actuated by the same spirit, had, without a rider, followed his companion's example.

Our bridegroom finding himself at last brought up, or in other words, at the end of his career, took the opportunity of this first pause, to desire the huntsmen would lend him a hand in dismounting; and was, by their condescension, safely placed on the grass, where he sat stareing at the company as they came in, with such wildness of astonishment in his looks, as if he had been a creature of another species dropt among them from the clouds.

the

Before they had fleshed hounds, however, he recollected himself, and seeing one of the sportsmen take a small flask out of his pocket and apply it to his mouth, judged the cordial to be no other than neat Cogniac, which it really was, and expressing a desire of participation, was immediately accommodated with a moderate dose, which perfectly completed his recovery.

By this time he and his two horses had engrossed the attention of the whole crowd. While some admired the elegant proportion and uncommon spirit of the two animals, the rest contemplated the sur. prising appearance of their master, whom before they had only seen en passent; and at length one of the gentlemen, accosting him very courteously, signified his wonder at seeing him in such an equipage, and asked if he had not dropped his companion by the way. Why, look ye, brother," replied the Com

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modore," mayhap you think me an odd sort of a fellow, seeing me in this trim, especially as I have lost part of my rigging; but this here is the case, d'ye see: I weighed anchor from my own house this morning, at ten Ă. M. with fair weather and a favorable breeze at south south-east, being bound to the next church on the voyage of matrimony; but, howsomever, we had not run down a quarter of a league, when the wind shifting, blowed directly in our teeth; so that we were forced to tack all the way, d'ye see, and had almost beat up within sight of the port, when these sons of bitches of horses, which I had bought but two days before, (for my own part I believe they are devils incarnate), luffed round in a trice, and then refusing the helm, drove away like lightning with me and my lieutenant, who soon came to anchor in an exceeding good birth. As for my own part, I have been carried over rocks and flats, and quick-sands; among which I have pitched away a special good tye-periwig, and an iron-bound hat; and at last, thank God! am got into smooth water, and safe riding: but if ever I venture my carcase upon such a hare'um scare'um blood of a bitch again, my name is not Hawser Trunnion, d--n my eyes! "

One of the company, struck with his name, which he had often heard, immediately laid hold on his declaration at the close of this singular account; and observing, that his horses were vicious, asked how he intended to return? "As for that matter," replied Mr. Trunnion. “I am resolved to hire a sledge or waggon, or such a thing as a jack-ass; for I'll be dd if ever I cross the back of a horse again." "And what do you propose to do with these creatures?" said the other, pointing to the hunters, "they seem to have some mettle; but then they are mere colts, and will take the devil and all of breaking. Methinks this hither one is shoulder-slipped.”

"Damn them" cried the Commodore, "I wish both their necks were broke, thof the two cost me forty good yellow boys." Forty guineas! exclaimed the stranger, who was a squire and a jockey, as well as owner of the pack, "Lord, Lord, how a man may be imposed upon! Why, these cattle are clumsy enough to go to plough; mind what a flat counter: do but observe how sharp this here one is in the withers; then he's fired in the further fetlock." In short, this connoisseur in horseflesh, having discovered in them all the defects which can possibly be found in that species of animals, offered to give him ten guineas for the two, saying, he would convert them into beasts of burden. The owner, who, after what had happened, was very well disposed to listen to any thing that was said to their prejudice, implicitly believed the truth of the stranger's asseverations, discharged a furious volley of oaths against the rascal who had taken him in, and forthwith struck a bargain with the squire, who paid him instantly for his purchase; in consequence of which, he won the plate at the next Canterbury

races.

This affair being transacted to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, as well as to the general entertainment of the company, who laughed in their sleeves at the dexterity of their friend, Trunnion was set upon the squire's own horse, and led by his servant in the midst of this cavalcade, which proceeded to a neighbouring village, where they had bespoke dinner, and where our bridegroom found means to provide himself with another hat and wig. With regard to his marriage, he bore his disappointment with the temper of a philosopher; and the exercise he had undergone having quickened his appetite, sat down at table in the midst of his new acquaintance, making a very hearty meal, and moistening every

morsel with a draught of the ale, which he found very much to his atisfaction.

THE MUTINY.

- O God!

Had you but seen his pale-pale blanched check!

He would not eat.-O Christ!

THE BERYL.

In the summer of the year 18-, was the only passenger on board the merchantman, Alceste, which was bound to the Brazils. One fine moonlight night, I stood on the deck, and gazed on the quiet ocean. on which the moon-beams danced. The wind was so still, that it scarcely agitated the sails, which were spread out to invite it. 1 looked round; it was the same on every side a world of waters: not a single object diversified the view, or intercepted the long and steady glance which I threw over the ocean. I have heard many complain of the sameness and unvarying uniformity of the objects which oppose themselves to the eye of the voyager. I feel differently! I can gaze for hours, without weariness, on the deep, occupied with the thought it produces; I can listen to the rush of the element as the vessel cleaves it, and these things have charms for me which others cannot perceive.

I heard, on a sudden, a noise, which seemed to proceed from the captain's cabin, and I thought I could distinguish the voices of several men, speaking earnestly, though in a suppressed tone. I cautiously drew near the spot from whence the noise arose, but the alarm was given, and I could see no one. I retired to rest, or rather to lie down; for I felt that heavy and foreboding. sense of evil overpower me, which comes we know not how or wherefore! and I could not sleep, knowing that there had been disputes between the captain and his men, respecting some point of discipline, and I feared to think what might.