gloomy aspect, resolved to persevere. The different leaders received their instructions; some were to assemble their forces in the Barley Fields, now Mountjoy Square, some on the Coal Quay, and others in different parts of the town. These were to act only in case of seeing a third rocket, which Emmett was to send up when he considered the time arrived for the commencement of hostilities. Emmett, Malachy, Bryan, and I, were to head the forces which were to attack the castle.

Every thing being thus arranged, I bid my companions farewell for the night, and returned to my lodgings. I could sleep but little, and when I awoke the next morning, the consciousness of, being on the eve of a great event, filled my mind with gloomy apprehensions. To reflect, however, was now useless, and without giving my thoughts time to inform against my purpose, I hurried to the depot, where I found all in confusion. The place was thronged by insurgents, who had arrived from the country, and whose presence served to obstruct the workmen. Malachy and Emmett, with astonishing firmness, gave directions; and I was handed the printed proclamation to read.

As I looked upon the expressive countenances of the desperate and infatuated men around me, I could not resist the gloomy prescience which the scene was calculated to impart. It was a moment I would not wish to go through again, there was so much of foreboding evil-so much of personal misfortune to be apprehended—and so much toil and peril which must be endured, whether the rebellion triumphed or was crushed. My imagination, like a prism, collected all the rays of evil from probable discomfiture, and showed me, in aggravated horror, all the dangers I had to encounter. However, to recede was now impossible, without incurring the imputation of cowardice, or what was more intolerable, the suspicion of my associates. Actual hostility was preferable to either of these; and, making a virtue of necessity, I recalled the memory of those conspirators who had been successful, and fortified my resolution by anticipating the same fortune, though every thing around might have taught a rational man the extravagant folly of hoping to subvert a powerful government with a few hundred men, partially armed. These, it is true, we thought, had only to raise the standard of rebellion, and thousands were

ready to support it, but in future, who will rely upon the promises of conspirators ?"

About six o'clock, Emmett, Malachy, one or two others, and myself, put on our green uniform, trimmed with gold-lace, and selected our arms. The insurgents, who had all day been well plied with whiskey, began to prepare for commencing an attack upon the Castle; and when all was ready, Emmett made an animated address to the conspirators. At eight o'clock precisely, we sallied out of the depot, and when we arrived in Thomas Street, the insurgents gave three deafening cheers.

The consternation excited by our presence defies description. Every avenue emptied its curious hundreds, and almost every window exhibited half a dozen inquisitive heads, while peaceable shopkeepers ran to their doors, and beheld with amazement a lawless band of armed insurgents, in the midst of a peaceable city, an hour at least before dark. The scene at first might have appeared amusing to a careless spectator, from the singular dubious character which the riot wore; but when the rocket ascended, and burst over the heads of the people, the aspect of things underwent an immediate and wonderful change. The impulse of the

moment was self-preservation; and those who, a few minutes before, seemed to look on with vacant wonder, now assumed a face of horror, and fled with precipitation. The wish to escape was simultaneous, and the eagerness with which the people retreated from before us impeded their flight, as they crowded upon oneanother in the entrance of alleys, courtways, and lanes; while the screams of women and children were frightful and heart-rending.

"To the Castle!" cried our enthusiastic leader, drawing his sword, and his followers appeared to obey; but when we reached the Market-house our adherents had wonderfully diminished, there not being more than twenty insurgents with us.

"Fire the rocket!" cried Malachy.

"Hold awhile,” said Emmett, snatching the match from the man's hand who was about applying it. "Let no lives be unnecessarily lost. Run back and see what detains the men,"

Malachy obeyed; and we remained near the Market-house, waiting their arrival until the soldiers approached.

"Our cause is lost!" exclaimed Emmett, snatching the rockets from the man's hand who carried them, and trampling them under

his feet, he continued, "Let our friends at a distance escape; comrades provide for your own safety."

A skirmish. now ensued, and we succeeded in forcing our way into Francis-street, but had not proceeded far before we saw another party of soldiers advancing against us from the Coombe,

"This way, sir!" cried a voice I had heard before, and Denis Howlan seized my arms, and pulled me into a street (Plunket-street;) full of old clothes shops. About a dozen doors down we turned into a shop, Denis asked as we entered, "Friend or foe?" "Friend!” cried an old man, hurrying us into a back parlour, and then up stairs. "The roof, the roof," he whispered; and accordingly we made our exit through a dorman window. In the gutter, between the houses, we found three men, who had sought that place of safety; and, having also danger to apprehend, we took, like them, a recumbent posture.

Throughout the night our ears were assailed with noises like those of a town suddenly attacked-bells ringing-drums beating, and all the clamor of war-while an occasional shot announced that our danger was not over. My