denly seized her by the hair and gave her head 'ious to forward by that evening's mail. I had three or four severe blows against the wall. He scarce commenced, when one of my messmates then threw himself upon the bed, and covering sportively threw some water upon the paper. his head with the clothing, made his whole frame shake, while he chuckled at the exploit. Glad of a pretext, the old woman left the room in wellfeigned anger.

At irregular intervals, varying from half an hour to an hour and a half, his paroxysms returned,— sometimes assuming a frightful, and at others, a most ludicrous character. At one time, he fancied that his nose was dwindling away. "O my nose!" he exclaimed. "Stop my nose! Doctor, hold on my nose, will you? Hell of a doctor you are, can't stop a man's nose! What shall I do, when I want to sneeze?"

At another time, he jumped from his bed, and while his once herculean frame seemed to recover its full strength, he glared upon me with deadly ferocity. Declaring that I had a design upon his life, he swore, with a dreadful imprecation, that he would tear me limb from limb, and with my blood slake the thirst that was consuming him. Like a tiger beset in his lair, he crouched as he spoke; and foaming at the mouth, was about to spring upon me. In his infuriate condition, I should indeed have been but as a lamb in his hands. There was no avenue of escape, for the windows were secured, and I had myself locked the door, and placed the key on the mantel, which was behind him. I felt that if I flinched, I should be irretrievably lost. Advancing towards him, therefore, I fixed my eyes sternly upon him; and, while my heart fairly throbbed, I assumed a bold and threatening tone, and bade him return immediately to his bed, or I would beat him as long as I could stand over him. At first, he returned my glance with one so fierce, so inhuman in its vindictiveness, that it made me involuntarily shrink-but, with an effort, I succeeded in keeping my gaze rivetted upon him.

His glances afterwards became more furtive, although no less ferocious-until, by degrees, he succumbed, and, cowering at my feet, entreated in the most abject manner, that I would not beat him. Such scenes occurred three or four times during the night—each as perilous as the first; and nothing but pure shame prevented me from calling for succor, or from leaving as soon as the first paroxysm was over. The light of day was never more grateful to the benighted wanderer, than it was to me, closeted with a madman, in the midst of a populous neighborhood. The approach of day put an end to my watching, and before its close he was relieved from his sufferings. He died in con

vulsions.

Begging him to stop, I began another, which was treated in the same manner;—a third and a fourth, not withstanding entreaties of increased earnestness, shared the same fate. Provoked at the inconsiderate levity, I told my persecutor that the new vest he wore, was not so valuable in his eyes, as the necessity of writing was imperative on me; and, that if he repeated his provocation, I would soil his garment with the ink which was before me. He did repeat it, and true to my word, I threw the contents of my inkstand upon him. He now became enraged, and applied to me an opprobious and insulting epithet. Before I could close upon him, our messmates interfered, and we were studiously kept apart.

A duel is a dreadful thing! Not in the risk of life, which, suspended by a single fibre of destiny, is, in ten thousand modes, liable to be hourly severed. Not in the infraction of the laws of man, for man may interdict what morals do not condemn. But, in the rash presumption, the daring impiety with which a creature, at the best, frail and erring, crowns his sinful career with an act of defiance; and polluted with the desire of shedding-perhaps reeking with the blood of a fellow-creature, rushes uncalled into the presence of its dread Creator.

We are the creatures of circumstance: gross or refined, vicious or comparatively pure, according to the sphere in which we move, and the characters with whom we associate. The vestal, whose greatest sin is a gesture of impatience, or a sigh of discontent, exposed to the same temptations, might have been as loathsome in her degradation as the inmate of the brothel. The convicted felon, who, with hardened heart, and bitter imprecations on his lip, is swung from the ignominious scaffold, may once have been a youth of promise-whose nightly prayer and morning aspiration breathed gratitude to his God, and whose every act was directed to the welfare of his fellow-men.

We are the creatures of circumstance, because we are weak. We foolishly embrace error, rather than be ridiculed for singularity.

I had sufficient virtue to abhor, but not firmness enough to reject, the mandates of the code of honor. Had I not been controlled, I should have defied all interference, and not left the presence of my adversary, until I had either thrashed him, or been severely thrashed myself. “But as a military man," (thus reads my journal at the age of 19,) "the appeal to arms is my only alternative." I challenged Mr. H., and we were to meet the next

As soon as I returned to the ship, I threw my-day after the funeral. self upon a locker, and slept long and soundly. I Contained within the scanty limits of a steerage awoke some time after the dinner hour was past, locker, my effects were necessarily few. Real esand hastened to write a letter, which, being on a tate I had none to bequeath, and my personal promatter of some importance, I was exceedingly anx-perty would scarce pay the expenses of interment.

A friend, who stood by me in this emergency, as overcome; but I made this compromise with conhe had done in all others, I appointed to liquidate science. I determined, that stand or fall, I would the debts I owed-for which, fortunately, I had not aim at the life of my adversary. Frail changesufficient due from the Purser. In the event of death, for any deficiency in the funeral expenses, I trusted to the generosity of my country, even while I was about to violate one of its most positive

enactments.

I did not sleep well that night; and yet, I cannot remember, nor does my journal present one expression, from which to infer that death, as death, had any terrors. It was not the parting, but the manner of it, from which my mind, deeply imbued with the precepts of a pious mother, involuntarily shrunk. I felt, and it is recorded on the pages of my journal, that I would have cheerfully exchanged the chances of escape, for certain death in the cause of patriotism or humanity.

me.

It were useless to transcribe the conflicting sensations which are recorded on the leaves before With an abiding conviction of the probable consequences, my mind never, for an instant, faltered in its purpose. The feeling was nearer akin to remorse for errors past, than a hesitation between good and evil. In other words, "I knew the right, and would the wrong pursue. Towards morning I sunk into a heavy sleep, from which I awoke late and unrefreshed. My friend hurried me through breakfast, that I might practise a little with the pistol, to which I was unaccustomed, while my adversary was considered an excellent shot. He had procured for me the pistol, with which Decatur, mortally wounded himself, had so nearly killed his antagonist.

lings that we are! What frivolous pretexts, what slight provocations, are sufficient to turn us from our purpose-particularly when that purpose, good in itself, is assailed by the passions!

The morning had been cool, but in the afternoon it became warm; and near the appointed hour, I stole out of town, with the pistol and a canister of powder, as studiously concealed beneath the oppressive folds of my cloak, as if they had been feloniously obtained. My friend was unavoidably delayed, and I went alone fearful of being too late. He overtook me just before I reached the ground. The other party was there before us. The word and distance were arranged, and the ground measured. My pistol was objected to by the opposite party, and one of a pair was substituted, cumbrous as a horseman's, and so large in the bore, that it was necessary to wrap an ounce ball in buckskin to fit it. With the purpose I had formed, it was immaterial to me what weapon was placed in my hands; but I was rather nettled, that, with the advantage of superior skill on his side, my antagonist should evince so little magnanimity; still, when I took my stand, my resolution was unaltered, to receive his fire, and in a manner not to be suspected, throw away my own.

While, with relaxed grasp, I held my weapon by my side, my mind was wandering far from the scene, and with a consciousness of how completely they were thrown away. I was listening, as in early boyhood, to the beautiful precepts of my It looked so much like deliberately seeking ano- mother, when the words "Fire!" "One !" startled ther's life, that I refused to practise until satisfied, me. Looking instantly up, I caught the eye of my that the odds being so much against me, no efforts antagonist. The expression was not to be mistaof mine could materially diminish, much less change ken. With eager avidity to take my life, was them, in the intervening time. I went into the ad- mingled great anxiety for the preservation of his joining woods and tried three shots, either of which own. I could not resist the feeling which impelled would have been fatal, had I been confronted by an me-but as his ball whizzed by my ear, and before opponent. the last word "three!" was uttered, I had fired with an aim as malignant as his own.

Returning to the town, we met the funeral on its way, and joined the procession. At the burial service, by some accident, or, as it appeared to me at the time, by some fatality, I found myself standing at the foot of the grave, one hand holding my cloak, to conceal the pistol which was grasped by the other. To my distempered imagination, the destined tenant of the grave appeared to burst his cerements. The madman, now infuriate in his wrath, now distorted with grimaces, seemed, while he scowled or chattered, to regard me as a greater madman than himself. It seemed, indeed, as if Providence, in merciful warning, permitted me to stand upon the brink of the sheer precipice, and to look far down the yawning gulf, into which I was about to precipitate another or myself.

Pride, an undue regard to the opinions of others, and the fear of ridicule, were too powerful to be

As the report reverberated above and around us, I looked eagerly forward, expecting to see my adversary fall. Half encircled by a spiral wreath of smoke, to my mortification, (yes, to my present shame I record it)-to my mortification, he stood unscathed before me. Had I retained the pistol which I brought to the field, his death would have been inevitable. The aim was unerring, for it was vindictive, and the hand is ever faithful to the eye. The fault was in the weapon. As it was, both shots were ineffectual; and before we were prepared for a second, my antagonist tendered such an apology, that the matter was adjusted.

I have transcribed this, not for the incident itself, which is uninteresting, but to give a faint idea of the tone of thought and feeling elicited by the occasion. I know not how others may feel at such

times, but I deem it due to candor to say, that even | ceeded to the room of one of the Lieutenants, in when I appeared most courageous, I would not whose good nature and good sense, I had equal and have been there, if I could have helped it—if I had perfect reliance. I related the circumstance to not dreaded more the finger of scorn and the sneer him-and as I expected, he became interested, and of ridicule, than the reproaches of my own con- repaired without delay to the cabin. He returned science, and regarded more the estimation of successful; and young Nelson took his leave of me men, than the approbation of my Maker. It led, that night, with a grateful pressure of the hand, and however, to one good result, which may be deve-a fervent “God bless you!”

loped hereafter.

Can it be believed, that the affection of this youth, like the camomile plant, more fragrant from being trampled on, was repulsed by his estranged

Susceptible to kindness, I was grateful for the slightest offices of friendship. The professions and attentions of the landlord, whose inn I frequented, and tyrannical father? A second marriage—that made a deep impression on me; and my heart in its loneliness, treasured the remembrance of his kind expressions. That impression was effaced, and the remembrance embittered, when, on my return from the ground, I went to settle my account. I found it already made out, that by prompt presentation its payment might be secured in the event of my fall. That simple circumstance pained me more than I can express; and while it taught me the hollowness of one species of profession, it rendered me for awhile suspicious of all.

Within ten days we had dropped down to Hampton Roads, and awaited our orders for sea. The night before their expected arrival, I was left in charge of the deck by the officer of the watch. He had gone below ostensibly to write a letter, but perhaps for another purpose-for he had this peculiarity, when he ceased to move, he sat down; and when he sat down, he slept.

In the same watch with me, was a young Midshipman of delicate figure and interesting features, who had just entered the service. In making some report to me, I noticed that his cap was drawn so much over his face, as nearly to conceal it. Suspecting that something was the matter, for he was any thing but disrespectful, I watched him closely. He retired to the taffrail, and leaning his head upon his hand, remained for a long time immovable. approached and inquired if he were ill. As he raised his head to reply, I perceived that his eyes were filled with tears.

I

bane of domestic peace-and its fruit, a second family of children-and its usual consequences, partiality on the one side, and injustice on the other-had driven Nelson from the shelter of his father's roof; and at his early age, with a feeble constitution and education incomplete, had thrown him into the Navy for a livelihood. All this I learned after Nelson's return, when, with downcast and moistened eye, he gave me an account of his journey.

A little before sunset the next day, Nelson was put ashore from the steamboat about three miles from his father's residence. With a heavy heart, the poor boy trudged slowly along in order not to reach the plantation before nightfall. Concealing himself behind the corner of a fence, he waited until he saw the ploughman retire from the field, and heard the last tinkle of the bell, as the kine gathered to the nightly fold. Skirting the edge of the field, he then made for the negro quarter, and unobserved entered the hut of old Charlotte, the nurse and the favorite servant of his mother.

66

"O, Master Harry!" she exclaimed, "thank gracious for the sight of you!" but added in a sadder tone as she proceeded to close the door, “ Your poor father is mighty bad, but he don't know it— and he's so cross!"

"I must see him to-night, Goody, for to-morrow morning I am obliged to return."

"It can't be, Master Harry!" and she proceeded to tell him how fretted his father had become by a long and wasting sickness. She told him too, that his step-mother possessed unlimited control, and debarred from the presence of her husband, all but her immediate dependants and herself.

After a short time, I learned the cause of his distress. His home was distant but one day's journey, where his father laid dangerously ill, and the Captain had refused him permission to visit him. Confiding in the sympathy I evinced, he further Although with all the old domestics, the nurse told me, that he had engaged a shore boat, in was excluded from the Great House, (as the family which, at a late hour of the night, he was deter-residence was termed,) at the earnest solicitation mined to make his escape, and abandon the service of Nelson, she promised to contrive an interview rather than not see his father. Persuaded that the between his sister and himself. Tearing a slip Captain could not have understood the circumstan- containing the words "My only brother" from his ces, I entreated him to abandon his purpose, and sister's last letter, Nelson sent it to her inserted in offered my services to procure the leave he de-a time-worn pocket-comb, which he knew that she sired. He promised to wait until three in the would immediately recognize, should the nurse not morning. have an opportunity of speaking to her. He then As it was yet early, I followed the example of concealed himself in the loft, while the old woman my superior; and, leaving the deck in the charge hobbled forth on her errand.

of the next senior Midshipman of the watch, I pro- In a short time he heard the pattering of foot

.

steps along the path, and immediately after, the he lay, could have placed his hand upon the arm door was pushed open and himself anxiously called. of the assailant. At last the dog, provoked beyond The next moment, he clasped his panting sister to endurance, sprung out to seize his tormentor; but his breast; and locked in each other's arms, those a heavy blow, which seemed to crash his skull, forlorn children wept, as each clung to the other, felled him to the earth. Spurning him with his with frantic joy. foot, with a bitter curse, the young man reëntered the house. Nelson, who had with the greatest difficulty restrained himself, now approached the The poor animal was in its last agony-but

Seated side by side on a low bench, Nelson listened with suppressed emotion, while his sister told of the petty vexations and the ignominious dog. trials to which she was subjected. Sometimes, as yet she related some overbearing act of her stepmother's unfeeling son, forgetful of the delicate hand which he held within his own, he grasped it until she nearly screamed, while he vowed vengeance on her persecutor.

"He knew his lord; he knew and strove to meet: In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet. Yet (all he could,) his tail, his ears, his eyes, Salute his master.-He quivers, and he dies." Nelson waited a long time, and began to be seriously apprehensive that his sister was prevented from keeping her appointment. At last, she gently unbarred the door, and reaching her hand drew him in, and as softly closed it after him.

nutes. Taking him again by the hand on her return, she led him towards a door on the left, beneath which could be seen the faint glimmer of a

The light on the table, rising and sinking in fitful flashes, was nearly extinguished. The untended brands had fallen upon the hearth, and their father breathed short and inaudibly; while, seated on an arm-chair, with his head leaning against one of the footposts of the bedstead, a negro boy snored loud and sonorously.

His sister told him too, how much their father was neglected in his illness; how he was left entirely to the care of servants who were the creatures of their step-mother; and how she nightly stole to his chamber, and watched him while he Hand in hand, the rightful heirs of that house, slept, or tended him in his delirium, when the fever trembling with the fear of detection, groped their was at its height, until frightened away by ap- way through the dark hall and up the creaking proaching footsteps. She promised to admit her staircase. Whispering him to wait at the head of brother into the house when all was still, and if the stairs, the girl left her brother for a few mipossible, take him to the sick chamber. After a short interview they parted, the girl sadly apprehensive that her absence had been noticed. A little after midnight Nelson approached the light. With the cautious dexterity of an expert rear of the house, under cover of the outbuildings; burglar, she then opened the door of the sick and gaining the back porch, stood before the door, chamber. beside which his mother during life was wont to sit, while his sister and himself gambolled before her. While he stood here, anxious for the present, and not unmindful of the past, he was alarmed by the deep bay of the old house dog. The house was built on piles, and beneath it the dog had been sleeping. As he came forth, his first loud bark exchanged for a fierce growl, Nelson's heart sunk within him, for detection appeared inevitable. But one hope remained. He turned to the dog, and in a low tone called him by name. Hector was no ingrate at the sound of the once familiar voice, he leaped upon his young master, and nearly overwhelmed him with caresses. Here was another cause for apprehension. The dog, in his joy, whined so loudly, and floundered about so heavily, that there was great danger of the family being aroused. The apprehension was realized; and through the sash over the door, Nelson saw that a light was approaching. He had barely time to spring over the rail, and conceal himself under the corner of the porch, when the door was unbarred, and the step-brother, of whose persecutions his sister had complained, came forth with a heavy stick in bis hand. He gave the dog a blow, and bade him begone. Hector ran down and laid beside his master. The young man followed, and reaching under, beat him severely-the dog snarling, while he crouched more closely, refused to stir. Nelson, concealed by the shadow in which

After sometime gazing in sorrow upon the wan and wasted features before him, Nelson placed his hand upon his father's brow. The gentle touch, more effectual than the loud noise made by the negro, roused the sick man from his feverish slumber. At first, he gazed wildly upon them; but, to their astonishment and delight, as he recovered his consciousness, there was more of sadness than indignation visible in his countenance.

"Harry! Ellen! how is this? Why have you not come to see me before?"

"Indeed, dear father, Harry never heard that you were sick until yesterday, and I was told that you were so angry with me, that I dared not come, except when you were asleep."

"Is it so, Harry? And did you not receive my letter, and send it back unopened?"

"I never did, father! God knows I never did!" "And you, Ellen! have you not been living with your aunt ?"

"No indeed, father! Before to-night, I have not left the house for months!"

"It is strange! and yet I cannot but believe you,

for your tears are natural. There has been dread-|mander, who was an oddity, proposed, that as we ful foul play." were approaching yet warmer latitudes, the officers As he spoke he fell back exhausted, but continued should have their heads shaved. The proposition to gaze earnestly upon them. Presently a lethargy was acceded to; and seated at our mess-tables, in seemed to creep over him; and his eyes were fast the steerage especially, with our coarse and unclosing, when a noise at the other end of the pas- tempting fare before us, we resembled rather the sage aroused him. Again starting up, he pointed inmates of a states-prison, than officers of an Ameto a port-folio, which lay upon the bureau, and rican man-of-war. said, "Hand it to me, quick! quick! Open it," he On our arrival at St. Jago de Cuba, the Capsaid as it was brought to him. Nelson tried, but tain and officers were invited to dine with the Goit proved to be locked. The sick man's counte-vernor. Here was a dilemma! To decline would nance fell and assumed a ghastly hue as he per- be construed as an insult-to accept, in the condiceived it. Too agitated to speak, he still made tion of our craniums, would subject us to a most signs to open it. Nelson took up the snuffers, ridiculous exhibition. It was determined to enwhich laid upon the table, and with some difficulty counter the latter, rather than give offence where prized it open. His father then eagerly looked so much kindness was intended. A large party over the papers; and selecting one, was motioning was formed, that by general participation individual Nelson to throw it into the fire, when the door mortification might be lessened. burst open, and a woman in dishabille, followed by a young man, rushed into the apartment. It was the step-mother and her son.

Ellen, when she saw her, ran round to the inside of the bed, and her brother followed to protect her. "It is the will, Cornelius! it is the will!" exclaimed the woman, as soon as she saw the paper in the hands of her husband. "Take it from him! Take it quick, or we are beggars." The young man sprung forward, but was arrested by the voice of Nelson, who, drawing a pistol from his breast, said, "Advance one step nearer, and I fire!"

We reached the government house, and passing through an ante-room, were ushered immediately into the presence of the Governor, his family, and a number of assembled guests. We were not prepared to see ladies; and in fact, we expected to find the room unoccupied until our arrival was announced. When our Captain, who was in advance, saw the ladies seated at the extreme right, he immediately doffed his chapeau; and those who did, and those who did not know the reason, in due subordination, alike followed his example. The silk skullcaps we wore, seemed to have a greater affinity for the lining of the hats, than for the sleek and polished surfaces beneath them. With a few exceptions, we stood with our bald and shaven crowns uncovered, looking like so many monks dressed for the nonce in regimentals. The ladies applied their handkerchiefs to suppress a titter; the men gnawed their lips to restrain a laugh; but when each of us

The young man stood aghast. There was consternation in the apartment, and the girl sobbed heavily as she clung to her brother. But when Nelson looked to his father and saw the dreadful change that had taken place in his features, he was struck with remorse; and throwing the pistol down, sank on his knees beside the bed. The young man now eagerly approached, and began drawing the involuntarily clapped a hand to his head, and looked paper from the hand of his step-father. At this instant, the thought of the destitute condition of his sister, changed the purpose of Nelson, and he sprang up to prevent him.

to the others in ludicrous amazement, Spanish gravity was overcome, the ladies screamed, and the gentlemen fairly shouted. Piqued at first, we turned to leave the room; but catching in a mirror the reflection of our grotesque appearance, we broke forth into a peal, louder and longer sustained than

It was unnecessary. The fingers of the dying man clutched the paper so closely, that the neglected nails cut through it-and it was torn, leav-that of our entertainers. ing a part of the signature in his grasp. While the young men struggled, one to reach the bed, the other to protect his father from molestation, the latter, with his last act of consciousness, gathered the fragment into his mouth, and strove to chew it. In the act, his eye glazed, his jaw dropped, and his spirit took its departure.

This ludicrous incident tended more to break down the barriers of form, and to establish sociability of feeling, than months of intercourse could have effected under ordinary circumstances. We parted late in the evening, mutually delighted.

This harbor is considered by many as superior to Havanna, and scarce inferior to the celebrated Placing his sister in the family of a friend, and Port Mahon in the Mediterranean. The entrance employing a lawyer to look out for his interest, is narrow, the channel is bold but long and circuiNelson, true to his promise, returned at the ap-tous, and the harbor itself is an extensive but somepointed time. But our commander, than whom, what shallow bay. It is perfectly land-locked; one more truly humane, never trimmed his canvass to the gale, permitted him to await on shore, the acceptance of the resignation he had tendered.

It was midsummer when we sailed; and our com

and were it less unhealthy, and on the opposite side of the island, would doubtless become a place of great resort. The principal exports are sugar and coffee. I grieve to say, that in the immediate