"The steam-boat up the river shoots While Willis on his bugle toots." " 'Woe to the man,' said Sunderland, who Well, then,' proceeded Sunderland, dursubjects his poetical reputation to the ordeal ing one of my visits to the city, met with a of a lady's album, where all, whether gifted very pretty young lady from Brooklyn. Her or ungifted, are expected to do their best.' name is of course unmentionable, but I soon You are mistaken,' replied Orinda; that expectation has long since gone by. We have found, by experience, that, either from negligence or perverseness, gentlemen are very apt to write their worst in our albums.'

'Is it then so difficult to compliment a lady inquired Orinda.

'I will help you to a simile,' replied Orin-, Hill and Breakneck Hill seemed too rugged
da; as inaccessible as the sublime and ever to be smoothed into verse.'
stupendous precipice to which you West That afternoon I went up to Fort Putnam,
Pointers have given the elegant and appro- for the hundred and twentieth time in my
priate title of Butter Hill.'
life. I walked round the dismantled ramparts,
Exactly,' responded Sunderland. Par-I looked into their damp and gloomy cells.
nassus looked like Butter Hill. Well then I thought, (as is the duty of every one that
to be brief (as every man says when he visits these martial ruins) on the "pride,
suspects himself to be tedious,) I sat up till pomp, and circumstance of glorious war."
one o'clock, vainly endeavoring to manufac-But they inspired nothing that I could turn
ture something that might stand for poetry. to account in my lady's album; nothing that
But I had no rhymes for my ideas, and no could serve to introduce the compliment
ideas for my rhymes. I found it impossible always expected in the last stanza. And, in
to make both go together. I at last deter-truth, this compliment was the chief stumb-
mined to write my verses in prose till I had ling-block after all. "But for these vile
arranged the sense, and afterwards to put compliments, I might myself have been an
them into measure and rhyme. I tried every album-poet."
sort of measure from six feet to ten, and I
essayed consecutive rhymes and alternate
rhymes, but all was in vain. I found that I
must either sacrifice the sense to the sound,
or the sound to the sense. At length, I
thought of the Bouts Rimees of the French.
So I wrote down, near the right hand edge of
my paper, a whole column of familiar rhymes,
such as mine, thine, tears, fears, light, bright,
&c. And now I congratulated myself on
having accomplished one half of my task.
supposing that I should find it comparatively
easy to do the filling up. But all was to no
purpose. I could effect nothing that I thought ||
even tolerable, and I was too proud to write
badly and be laughed at. However, I must
acknowledge that could I have been certain
that my piece of poetry, would be seen only
by the fair damsel herself, I might easily have
screwed my courage to the sticking place; for
greatly as I was smitten with the beauty ofI came down from the fort no better poet
my little nymph, I had a secret misgiving that
she had never sacrificed to Minerva.'
Our hero paused a moment to admire the
radiance of the smile that now lighted up the
countenance of Orinda.

Not in plain prose,' replied Sunderland;
and when the lady is a little a l'imbecile,
nothing in the world is more easy.
But even
in prose, to compliment a sensible woman as
she deserves, and without danger of offending
|| her modesty, requires both tact and talent."

Which I suppose is the reason,' said
Orinda, that sensible women obtain so few
compliments from your sex, and fools so
many.'

True, replied Sunderland. But such
compliments as we wish to offer to elegant
and intellectual females, are as orient pearls
compared to French beads.'

Orinda cast down her beautiful eyes under
the expressive glance of her admirer. She
felt that she was now receiving a pearl.
But to proceed,' continued Sunderland,

than I went up, and I had recourse again to
the solitude of my own room. Grown des
perate, and determined to get the album off
my mind and have it over, an idea struck me
which I alur blush to mention Promine
not to look at me, and I will amaze you with

In short, continued he, I sat up till "night's candles were burnt out," both liter-my candor.' ally and metaphorically, and I then retired in despair to my pillow, from whence I did not rise till ten o'clock in the morning.'

Orinda pretended to hold her fan before her eyes.

Are you sure you are not peeping between That evening, I carried back the album the stems of the feathers,' said Sunderland. to my fair one, but she still refused to let Well then, now for my confession; but me off, and insisted that I should take it with listen to it " more in sorrow than in anger," me to West Point, to which place I was to and remember that the album alone was the return next day. I did so, hoping to catch cause of my desperation and my dishonor. some inspiration from the mountain air, and Some Mephistopheles whispered in my car the mountain scenery. I ought to have to look among the older poets for something recollected that few of the poets on record,but little known, and transfer it as mine to a either lived among mountains, or wrote while visiting them. The sons of song are too often fated to set up their household gods, and strike their lyres in dark narrow streets, and dismal alleys.'

Yet still,' said Orinda, with such an opinion of her mental qualifications, you professed to love this young lady-or rather you really loved her-no doubt you did!'

No, no,' replied Sunderland, eagerly. It was only a passing whim-only a boyish fancy-such as a man may feel a dozen times, before he is five and twenty, and before he is seriously in love. I should have told you that at this period, I had not yet arrived at years of discretion.' I should have guessed it without your telling,' said Orinda, mischievously. The young officer smiled, and proceeded. I now saw my way clear. So I made a new pen, placed Pope on my desk, and sitting down to the album with a lightened spirit, I began with the first stanza of his poem'Fluttering spread thy purple pinions Gentle Cupid o'er my heart, I a slave in thy dominions, Nature must give way to art.'.

And I then added the second and sixth verses, substituting the name of my fair one

for that of Aurelia.'

What would I not give to know that name!' thought Orinda. But, in those verses,' she remarked to Sunderland, if I recollect aright, there is no direct compliment to the lady's beauty.'

But there is a very great one by implication,' answered the lieutenant. For instance, the line-" Hear me pay my dying vows."-What more could I profess than to die for love of her! And a lady that is died for, must of course be superlatively charming. In short, I finished the verses, and I must say they were very handsomely transcribed. Now do not laugh. Is it not more excusable to take some pride in writing a good hand, than to boast of scribbling a bad one? I have known persons who seemed absolutely to plume themselves on the illegibility of their scrawls; because, unfortunately, so many men of genius have indulged in a most shameful style of chirography.'

Well, I viewed my performance with much satisfaction, and then proceeded to look attentively through the album, (I had as yet but glanced over it,) to see if any one excelled when I found among a multitude of Lines to me in calligraphy. What was my horror, Zephyrs and Dew-drops, and Stanzas to Rose-buds and Violets, the identical verses that I had just copied from Pope! Some other poor fellow, equally hard pressed, had been page in the fatal book. I would not, of before-hand with me, and committed the very course, venture on Scott or Moore or Byron, same theft: which, in his case, appeared to for though I doubted whether my lady love, was better versed in them than in the bards of ry," and could have consigned him to the Penime enormous. I pronounced it "flat burglaQueen Anne's reign, yet I thought that perhaps tentiary" for the whole term of his natural As soon as the steam-boat had cleared the some of the readers of her album might be life." To be compelled to commit a robbery city, I took out my pocket-book and pencil, acquainted with the last and best of the min- is bad enough, but to be anticipated in the and prepared for the onset. I now regarded strels. But on looking over a volume of Pope, very same robbery, and to find that you have the ever-beautiful scenery of the magnificent I found his Song by a person of Quality."burdened your conscience, and jeopardized Hudson with a new interest. I thought the I recollect it,' said Orinda; it is a satire your self-respect for nothing, is worse still.' Palisades would do something for me; but on the amateur love-verses of that period; my imagination remained as sterile and as such as were generally produced by fashionable impenetrable as their eternal rocks. The inamoratoes. In these stanzas the author broad expanse of the Tappan Sea lay like a has purposely avoided every approach to resplendent mirror around me, but it reflect-sense or connexion, but has assembled ed no image that I could transfer to my together a medley of smooth and euphonous tablets. We came into the Highlands, but sounds. And could you risk such verses the old Thunder Barrack rumbled nothing with your Dulcinea ?' in my fancy's ear, Anthony's Nose looked Yes,' replied Sunderland, with her, I coldly down upon me, and the Sugar Loaf knew that I was perfectly safe, and that she suggested no idea of sweetness. We pro-would pronounce them sweet and delightful. ceeded along, but Buttermilk Falls reminded And in short, that they would exactly suit the me not of the fountain of Helicon, and Bull calibre of her understanding '

in which you could have extricated yourself There was one way,' observed Orinda, from the dilemma. You might have cut out the leaf, and written something else on another.'

That was the very thing I finally determined on doing,' replied Sunderland. So after a pause of deep distress, I took my penknife, and did cut out the leaf: resolving that for my next " writing piece," I would go as far back as the poets of Elizabeth's time. While pleasing myself with the idea that all was now safe, I perceived, in moving the book, that

another leaf was working its way out; and I found to my great consternation, that I had cut too deeply, and that I had loosened a page on which was faintly drawn in a lady's hand, a faint Cupid shooting at a faint heart, encircled with a wreath of faint flowers. I recollected that my "fair one with locks of gold," had pointed out to me this performance as "the sweetest thing in her album."

By the by,' remarked Orinda, when you found so much difficulty in composing verses, why did you not substitute a drawing?'

The evening on which our story commences, was that of the 3d of July 1825, and tea was scarcely over at the Mess House, when an Orderly Serjeant caine round with a notice for the officers to assemble in uniform at the dock, to receive General Lafayette, who was expected in half an hour.

of the back of his neck: a very pardonable (as he conducted her to the table) she felt mistake, as the fair artist had probably never a presentiment, that before many days, seen a live Cupid. I was now nearly frantic, the important question would be asked and and I enacted sundry ravings" too tedious to answered. mention." The first use I made of my returning senses was to employ a distinguished artist (then on a visit to West Point) to execute on another leaf, another Cupid, with bow and arrow, heart and roses, &c. He made a beautiful little thing, a design of his own, which alone was worth a thousand album drawings of the usual sort. I was now The guest of the nation had visited the Oh! replied the lieutenant, though I quite reconciled to the disaster which had Military Academy soon after his arrival in am at no loss in military drawing, and can given me an opportunity of presenting the America. He had there been introduced to finish my bastions, and counterscarps and young lady with a precious specimen of taste Cadet Huger, the son of the gallant Caroliravelins with all due neatness, yet my miscel- and genius. As soon as it was finished, Inian, who, in conjunction with the generous laneous sketches are very much in the style obtained leave of absence for a few days, and enterprising Bollman, had so nearly of scene-painting, and totally unfit to be classed went down to the city, and album in hand, I succeeded in the hazardous attempt of delivwith the smooth, delicate, half-tinted pretti-repaired to my Brooklyn beauty. I knew ering him from the dungeons of Olmutz. nesses that are peculiar to ladies' albums.' that, with her, there would be no use in telling Lafayette was now on his return from the whole truth and nothing but the truth, his meinorable tour throughout the United and I acknowledge with shame that I sup- States. Major Worth, who was in coinmand pressed the fact of my copying Pope's at West Point during the temporary absence verses. I merely said, that not being quite of Colonel Thayer, happened to be at Newsatisfied with my poetry, I had cut out the burgh when the steam-boat arrived there, in leaf; and I then went on to relate the re-which Lafayette was proceeding down the mainder exactly as it happened. As I pro- river from Albany to New York; and he ceeded, I observed her brows beginning to invited the General to stop at West Point, contract, and her lips beginning to pout.- and remain till the next boat. The invitation "Well sir," said she, with her eyes flashing, was promptly accepted, and Major Worth (for I now found that even blue eyes could instantly dispatched a messenger with the dash,) "I think you have been taking great intelligence; wishing to give the residents of liberties with my album: cutting and clipping the post, an opportunity of making such it, and smearing it with paste, and spoiling preparations for the reception of their dismy best Cupid, and then getting a man to tinguished visiter, as the shortness of the put another picture into it, without asking my time would allow.. leave."'

Now,' said Orinda, I am going to see how you will bear a compliment. I know that your drawings are bold and spirited, and such as the artists consider very excellent for an amateur, and therefore I will excuse you from writing verses in my album, on condition that you make me a sketch, in your own way, of my favorite view of Fort Putnam-I mean that fine scene of the west side which bursts suddenly upon you when going thither by the back road that leads through the woods. How sublime is the effect, when you stand at the foot of the dark gray precipice, feathered as it is with masses of beautiful foliage, and when you look up to its lofty summit, where the living rock seems to blend itself with the dilapidated ramparts of the mountain fortress!'

To attempt such a sketch for Miss Melbourne,' replied Sunderland, with much animation, I shall consider both a pleasure and an honor. But Loves and Doves, and Roses and Posies, are entirely out of my line, or rather out of the line of my pencil. Now, where was I? I believe I was telling of my confusion when I found that I had inadvertently cut out the young lady's pet Cupid.'

But did it not strike you,' said Orinda, that the easiest course, after all, was to go to your demoiselle, and make a candid confession of the whole which she would undoubtedly have regarded in no other light than as a subject of amusement, and have been too much diverted to feel any displeasure.' Ah! you must not judge of every one by yourself, replied Sunderland. I thought for a moment of doing what you now suggest, but after a little consideration, I more than suspected that my candor would be thrown away upon the perverse little damsel that owned the album, and that any attempt to take a ladicrous view of the business would mortally offend her. All young ladies are not like Miss Orinda Melbourne'-(bowing as he spoke.)

Orinda turned her head towards the window, and fixed her eyes intently on the top of the Crow's Nest. This time the suffusion on her cheeks was not in the least doubtful.

Much disconcerted, I made many apologies, all of which she received with a very ill grace. I ventured to point out to her the superiority of the drawing that had been made by the artist.'

The officers hastily put on their full dress uniform, and repaired to the wharf, or dock as it is called. The band (at that time the finest in America) was already there. The ladies assembled on the high bank that overlooks the river, and from thence witnessed the arrival of Lafayette.

'I see no beauty in it,' she exclaimed, the shading is not half so much blended as Miss On the heights above the landing place, Cottonwool's, and it does not look half so and near the spot where the hotel has been soft.' since erected, appeared an officer, and a 'I have observed,' said Orinda, 'that per-detachment of soldiers, waiting with lighted sons who in reality know but little of the art, matches to commence the salute; for which always dwell greatly on what they call soft-purpose several pieces of artillery had been ness." conveyed thither.

I endeavored to reconcile her to the drawing,' continued Sunderland; but she persisted in saying that it was nothing to compare to Miss Cottonwool's, which she alleged was of one delicate tint throughout; while this was very light in some places and very dark in others, and that she could actually see distinctly where most of the touches were put on, "when in paintings that are really handsome," said she, "all the shading is blended together, and looks soft."

The twilight of a summer evening was accelerated by a vast and heavy cloud portentous of a thunder-storm. It had overspread the west, and loured upon the river, on whose yet unruffled waters the giant shadows of the mountains were casting a still deeper gloom. Beyond Polipel's Island was seen the coming steam-boat, looking like an immense star upon a level with the horizon. There was a solemn silence all around, which was soon broken by the sound of the paddles, that were heard when the boat was as far off as Washington's Valley and in a few minutes, her dense shower of sparks and her wreath of red smoke were vividly defined upon the

:

To conclude, she would not forgive me; and in sober truth, I must acknowledge that the petulance and silliness she evinced on this occasion, took away much of my desire to be restored to favor. Next day I met darkening sky. her walking on the Battery, in high flirtation The boat was soon at the wharf: and at with an old West Indian planter, who espous-the moment that Lafayette stepped on shore, ed her in the course of a fortnight, and the officers took off their hats, the band carried her to Antigua.' struck up Hail Columbia; and amid the twilight gloom, and the darkness of the impending thunder-cloud, it was chiefly by the flashes of the guns from the heights, that the scene was distinctly visible. The lightning of heaven quivered also on the water; and the mountain echoes repeated the low rolling of the distant thunder, in unison with the loud roar of the cannon.

'Well then,' continued Sunderland, that Orinda now gave an involuntary and almost I might remedy the disaster as far as possible. audible sigh; feeling a sensation of relief on I procured some fine paste, and was pro-hearing that her rival by anticipation, was ceeding to cement the leaf to its predecessor. married and gone, and entirely hors de when in my agitation, a drop of the paste fell combat. on the Cupid's face. In trying to absorb it with the corner of a clean handkerchief, I "spread the ruin widely round," and smeared off his wings, which unfortunately grew out

Mr. and Mrs. Ledbury, who taking a long walk, now came in after, the bell rang for tea. Orinda took the offered arm of

had been and shortly And when Sunderland,

The general, accompanied by his son, and

Willingly,' answered Sunderland. But he will grant that request still more readily if it comes from your own lips. Let us wait awhile, and I will see that you have an opportunity."

Oh! it won't take me long,' replied Jenkins-short and sweet is my motto. There will be quite time enough. You see I have already finished my breakfast. I am not the least of a gormand, to borrow a word from the French.'

by his secretary Levasseur, walked slowly presume to wish or to hope from Lafayette, agreeable. Appropos, as the French say— up the hill, leaning on the arm of Major is simply his signature. But I have not apropos, Miss Melbourne, you know I offered Worth, preceded by the band playing Lafay-courage myself to ask such a favor. Will the other day to write something for you in ette's March, and followed by the officers you convey my request to him?" your album, and I will do it with all the pleasure and professors of the Institution. When in life. I am very partial to albums, and quite they had ascended to the plain, they found au-fait to them, to use a French term.' the houses lighted up, and the camp of the 'We return to the city this afternoon,' said cadets illuminated also. They proceeded to Orinda. You will scarcely have time to add the Mess House, and as soon as they had any thing to the treasures of my album.’ entered, the musicians ranged themselves In a short time, nearly all the company had under the elms in front, and commenced departed, except those that were inmates of Yankee Doodle; the quick-step to which the house. The gentlemen having taken Lafayette at the head of his American divis-home the ladies, returned for the purpose of ion, had marched to the attack at the siege of remaining with Lafayette 'till the boat came Yorktown. along in which he was to proceed to the city. Orinda took her album; her admirer Orinda had really some curiosity to see a conducted her to the General, and with much specimen of Jenkins's poetry: supposing confusion she proffered her request; Sun-that, like the poor cadet's, it might be amusingly derland brought him a standish, and he wrote bad. Therefore, having sent for her albuin, the name Lafayette in the centre of a blank she put it hastily into Jenkins's hand: for at page, which our heroine presented to him: it that moment, Lieutenant Sunderland, who having on each side other blank leaves which had, as usual, been breakfasting at the messOrinda determined should never be filled up. table with his brother officers, came in to invite Highly gratified at becoming the possessor of her to walk with him to Gee's Point. Orinda so valued a signature, she could scarcely assented, and immediately put on her bonnet, refrain, in her enthusiasm, from pressing the saying, to her lover as she left the houseleaf to her lips, when she soon after retired with Mrs. Ledbury.

While the General was partaking of some refreshment, the officers and professors returned for the ladies, all of whom were desirous of an introduction to him. Many children were also brought and presented to the far famed European, who had so importantly assisted in obtaining for them and for their fathers, the glorious immunities of independence.

Even now, while one who was present at this scene is essaying to describe it, her reminiscences are broken by the intelligence You know this is one of my favorite that has recently reached our shores of the walks-I like that fine mass of bare granite death of that truly great man, a few hours The officers remained with General La-running far out into the river, and the beautiful in whose history she is attempting to rescue fayette till the arrival of the boat, which came view from its extreme point. And then the from the waves of oblivion. The star has not till near twelve o'clock. They then road, by which we descend to it, is so now set which shone so auspiciously for our accompanied him to the wharf, and took their charmingly picturesque, with its deep ravine country at that disastrous period of our rev-final leave. The thunder storm had gone on one side, filled with trees and flowering olutionary struggle— round without discharging its fury on West shrubs, and the dark and lofty cliff that towers Point, and every thing had turned out up on the other, where the thick vine wanders propitiously for the General's visit; which in festoons, and the branches of the wild rose was perhaps the more pleasant for having throw their long streamers down the rock; been so little expected. on whose utmost heights still linger some vestiges of the grass-grown ruins of Fort Clinton.'

"When hope was sinking in dismay, And gloom obscured Columbia's day." Mouldering into dust is that honored hand which was clasped with such deep emotion by the assembled sons and daughters of the nation in whose cause it had first unsheathed the sword of liberty. And soon will that noble and generous heart, so replete with truth and benevolence, be reduced to "a clod of the valley." Yet, may we not hope that from the world of eternity, of which his immortal spirit is now an inhabitant, he looks down with equal interest on the land of his nativity, and on the land of his adoption: that country so bound to him by ties of everlasting gratitude, that country where all were his friends as he was the friend of all.

Tears suffused the beautiful eyes of Orinda Melbourne, when introduced by her lover, she took the offered hand of Lafayette, and her voice trembled as she replied to the compliment of the patriot of both hemispheres. Sunderland remarked to the son of the illustrious veteran, that it gave him much pleasure to see that the General's long and fatiguing journey had by no means impaired his healthful appearance, but that on the contrary, he now looked better than he had done on his first arrival in America. Ah! replied Colonel Lafayette,how could my father suffer from fatigue, when every day was a day of happiness!

After Orinda had resigned her place to another lady, she said to Sunderland who stood at the back of her chair-What would I not give for Lafayette's autograph in my album!'

Still harping on the album,' said Sunderland, smiling.

The following day was the Fourth of July, and the next was the one fixed on by Mr. and Mrs. Ledbury for returning to New-York. That morning, at the breakfast table, the number of guests was increased by the presence of a Mr. Jenkins, who had come from the city in the same boat with Miss Melbourne and her friends, and after passing a few days at West Point, had gone up the river to visit some relations at Poughkeepsie, from whence he had just returned. Mr. Jenkins was a shallow, conceited, over-drest young man, and moreover extremely ugly, though of this misfortune he was not in the least aware. He was of a family whose wealth had not made them genteel. He professed great politeness to the ladies, that is, if they had beauty and money, yet he always declared that he would marry nothing under a hundred thousand dollars. But he was good-natured; and that, and his utter insignificance, got him along tolerably well, for no one ever thought it worth while to be offended at his folly and self-sufficiency.

After breakfast, Mrs. Ledbury asked Orinda if she had prevailed on Mr. Sunderland to write an article in her album, adding—' I heard you urging him to that effect, the other day as I passed the front parlor.'

I found him inexorable, as to writing,' replied Orinda. Well, really,' said Mr. Jenkins, I don't know how a gentleman can reconcile himself to refuse any thing a lady asks. And he an officer too! For my part, I always hold it my Excuse me this once,' replied Orinda. 'I bounden duty to oblige the ladies, and never begin to think as you do with respect to on any account to treat them with hauteur, as albums, but if nothing else can be alleged in the French call it. To be sure I am not a their favor, they may, at least, be safe and marrying man-that is, I do not marry under convenient depositories for mementoes of a hundred thousand-but still, that is no those whose names are their history. All I reason why I should not be always polite and

But we question if on this eventful morning, the beauties of Gee's Point were duly appreciated by our heroine, for long before they had reached it, her lover had made an explicit avowal of his feelings and his hopes, and had obtained from her the promise of her hand: which promise was faithfully fulfilled on that day two months.

In the afternoon, Lieutenant Sunderland accompanied Miss Melbourne and her friends on their return to the city. Previous to her departure, Orinda did not forget to remind Mr. Jenkins of her album, now doubly valuable to her as containing the name of Lafayette written by his own hand.

Jenkins begged a thousand pardons, alleging that the arrival of a friend from New-York had prevented him from writing in it as he had intended. And of course,' said he,

I could not put off my friend, as he is one of the elite of the city, to describe him in French. However, there is time enough yet. Short and sweet you know—

The boat is in sight,' said Sunderland. 'Oh! no matter,' answered Jenkins. I can do it in a minute, and I will send it down to the boat after you. Miss Melbourne shall have it before she quits the wharf. I would on no consideration be guilty of disappointing a lady.'

And taking with him the album, he went directly to his room.

You had best go down to the dock,' said the cadet young Melbourne, who had come to see his sister off. There is no time to be lost. I will take care that the album reaches you in safety, should you be obliged to go without it.'

They proceeded towards the river, but

they had scarcely got as far Mrs. Thomson's, when a waiter came running after them with the book, saying-' Mr. Jenkins's complinents to Miss Melbourne, and all is right.' Really,' said Sunderland, that silly fellow must have a machine for making verses, to have turned out any thing like poetry in so short a time.'

BIOGRAPHY.

Ethan Allen.

The war, therefore, reverted to petty volunteer, by whom he was entrusted with squabbles between the people and the most an address to the people of Canada, where pertinacious surveyors and peace officers, he raised two hundred and fifty men, to cowho were punished after a manner not known operate with Montgomery; but he was taken to any existing code. The Green Mountain with his force opposite Montreal, where he had Tavern, at Bennington, was the Court House, placed himself, on the promise of Major and a contumacious doctor, a partisan of Brown, to meet him, and attack the city; an New-York, was suspended in a chair to a act more daring than prudent. After a They were scarcely seated on the deck of sign post, twenty five feet high, and by the skirmish of nearly two hours, he surrendered, . the steamboat, when Orinda opened her album side of a stuffed catamount. Many people upon being promised honorable terms. He to look for the inspirations of Jenkins's Muse. collected to congratulate the doctor on his and his 38 comrades were treated civilly, till She found no verses, but on the very page elevation. they entered Montreal, where Gen. Prescott consecrated by the hand of Lafayette, and These border fueds arose to a pitch of used them as the British were wont to treat immediately under the autograph of the hero, exasperation that would have caused blood the American prisoners. He threatened was written in an awkward school-boy char-to flow, had they not been merged in the Allen with a halter at Tyburn, and ordered acter, the name of Jeremiah Jenkins. revolutionary question. In March 1775, him to be bound, hand and foot, and put on Samuel Adams and Joseph Warren, as mem- ||board the Gaspee schooner of war. His bers of the Committee of Correspondence, irons were massive, and so fastened as to in Boston, sent an agent on a mission of give him constant pain. He was thrust into political observation in Canada; and the the lowest part of the ship, where he had no agent advised (from Montreal) that the post bed or other article of furniture, than a chest REVOLUTIONS produce singular men. The of Ticonderoga should be seized after the to sit upon, which some sailors less barbarous fame of Ethan Allen is somewhat widely commencement of hostilities. In eight days than the officers, had lent him. spread, and his life, by Mr Sparks, is accept- || after the battle of Lexington, several gentle- At Quebec he was received on board able, both for its own merits and as the men of the House of Assembly of Connecti- another vessel, as an honorable prisoner precursor of extensive American Biography. cut concerted a private scheme for the capture should be, and considering the infrequency ETHAN ALLEN was born in Litchfield, Conn. of the same post. They collected 16 men, of such conduct in a British officer, it rises and he was the eldest of a family distinguished and Col. Easton, who joined them at Pitts-to the dignity of a sublime action, though for enterprise. Their names read like a field, enlisted forty or fifty volunteers from only an obvious duty of common humanity. Hebrew genealogy-Ethan, Heman, Heber, his regiment of militia. When they arrived He was divested of his irons, generously Levi, Zimri, Ira, Lydia and Lucy. Four of at Bennington, a council of war was held, and entertained by Capt. Littlejohn, who declared the sons were engaged in the war of the Allen was installed in the chief command. in the spirit of a brave man, that on board Revolution, and the name of the eldest is Arnold who had just arrived from Massa-his ship no brave man should be ill used. perpetuated in our history, by the capture of chusetts, to raise men for the same object, But the captive had too soon another jailor, Ticonderoga. Previous to this, he was en-claimed the command, by virtue of a superior in another ship, who replaced his hand-cuffs, gaged in the animated controversy between appointment; but the soldiers refused to be and confined him with thirty three others, in N. York and New Hampshire, as to jurisdic- so commanded, and the Judas of the Revo- a single apartment, which they were not tion over the Vermonts, and no village lution went as a volunteer. permitted to leave, during a passage of nearly Hampden' ever made a bolder stand against Opposite Ticonderoga, on the lake, Allen forty days. To the negative credit of not the little tyrant of his field.' The men, found a guide, Nathan Beman, a boy who starving his prisoners, the captain had a fair whose cause Allen upheld, were a hardy and often visited the boys of the garrison. He claim. At Falmouth, they were cheered with unique race of yeomen; men who came to knew every nook of the fort, and every by fresh air, and the light of day, and crowds of an early resolution, rather to die upon their path to approach it. Eighty three men only Englishmen assembled to see the prisoners, thresholds, than to pay for their farms twice. crossed before day-break, and before the sun and indulge in one of the prerogatives of When Allen was at Albany, on this agency, rose, Allen had entered the gate, and formed victory. Allen's dress gave some gratificathe Attorney General pressed him to make his troops on the parade, between the bar- tion to curiosity, though, according to Trinterms for his constituents; intimating that racks. Their three cheers roused the sleeping culo, any thing passes for a sight in England. the end might be disastrous, or that might garrison. The sentinel at the gate had snap- He wore a short, double breasted, fawn skin often overcomes right.' Allen replied that ped his musket at Allen and retreated;jacket, a vest and breeches of sagathy, the gods of the valleys are not gods of the another sentinel wounded an officer, but was worsted stockings, and a red worsted cap. hills.' cut on the head by Allen, and surrendered. There is a great choice among evils, and No other resistance was made. Allen, con- their confinement was more tolerable in ducted by Nathan, hastened to the apartment Pendennis Castle, than on board the ship. of Capt. Delaplace, and called at the door, in They had air and light, gratis, and the further a voice of thunder, for the commander to luxuries of bunks and straw. Allen was appear, or that the garrison should be sacri- much favored by the warden, and the star of ficed. The commandant, who was as good fortune shone more benignant on his table a sleeper as he was soldier, rubbed his eyes than on his couch, for he had his meals from and asked by whose authority he was sum-the commandant's table. Though satisfied moned to surrender; to which Allen replied, In the name of the Great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress.' The Capt. raised his voice to expostulate, and Allen lifted his sword to strike, on which the garrison was given up. The prisoners were, one captain, one lieutenant, and forty eight privates. It was a great advantage to this country to possess the post; and, besides, there were one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, with swivels, mortars, and small arms and stores. Allen despatched Warner to take Crown Point, in which he was successful.

The inhabitants of Bennington assembled and formally determined to defend their property by force; and such a posse as the sheriff could collect was repelled with menace and contempt. The civil officers were, in some instances, chastised with twigs of the wilderness.' The dispute now assumed the appearance of an open war, and the Green Mountain Boys, who were men six feet high, elevated Allen to the command of their forces. He had several good captains under him, the most noted of which, were Seth Warner and Remember Baker. There were always enough on the alert to intercept a sheriff; and the Governor of New-York, indignant at the cause of the law's delay,' offered one hundred and fifty pounds for the apprehension of Allen. But it was no easy matter to take Rob Roy on his native heath. Allen and his friends offered, in return, five pounds for the delivery of the N. York Attorney General.

When Ticonderoga had surrendered, ArOn a report that Governor Tryon was nold ever vehement and insolent, assumed approaching with British troops, a plan of the command; but he issued orders which operation was devised to harrass them by no one heeded, and Allen only was obeyed. riflemen, before they should reach the main Arnold entered the fortress side by side with body. But Gov. Tryon's movement was Allen. destined for posts on the lake,

Allen soon after joined Gen Schuyler as a

with the present, he had some inquietude about the future, and the halter at Tyburn would intrude upon his thoughts. It was rumored, however, that some friends of America, or of mankind, were about to obtain a Habeus Corpus in favor of the captives, and the government then used them as prisoners of war. They were freed from their irons, and put on board the Solebay, the captain of which seemed to make a distinction between prisoners and men. He had neither lenity nor civility for them. His first address was to order them off the deck, below, where, however, an Irish master-at-arms, used Allen with great kindness.

The ship touched at Cork, and here some gentlemen of that city sent to the prisoners a suit of clothes each, and a better supply to Allen together with a profuse quantity of sea stores. To this was added fifty guineas,