neglected to be levelled, and which was co-extensive with the front of the defending army, supported a warmth of fire, which proceeding from three lines so advantageously posted, must, without such cover, have infallibly obliged them to retreat. In these circumstance a constant fire was kept up on both sides, and the lines remained unbroken until a battalion of the enemy's light troops having got possession of the thicket near the point, directed a most galling fire on the left flank of the third line of the defensive army. This changed the chance of the day,-the part of the line so galled, after some necessary disorder, formed a front towards the thicket, and returned the fire of the assailants with much spirit and order; but a detachment of the same battalion having gained the rear, and the defensive army by this means becoming exposed to three several fires, it was resolved to retreat, and choose a more favourable moment of opposition; and accordingly the army retreated by files from the right of battalions in a regular manner, while their retreat was covered by the artillery, which, as the enemy had a steep and difficult hill to ascend, and had not yet established themselves in force on the flank or rear of the line, was allowed to escape, without any attempt on their part to cut it off. The assailants having now established a footing in the country, turned their eyes towards Belfast, the object of their expedition; and after a short halt advanced in two grand divisions, one along the shore, and the other by interior passages, in pursuit of the retreating army.

The debarkation having been thus effected, the defendants retired towards Belfast in excellent order; three battalions, when about two miles distant from the place of landing, lined a strong extensive ravine, which runs in from the road toward the country.

A battalion of grenadiers and light infantry, with a piece of artillery, occupied Fort William, which lies at some distance in front of the left flank of the ravine, the right flank covered by cannon, from a mount commanding the road.

The enemy's column having halted at the avenue leading to the fort, their grenadiers and light infantry were detached to its attack, when a conflict ensued which was maintained on bothSides with singular ability. The defendants, from the superiority of artillery being against them, were obliged to abandon the fort, leaving their cannon behind them, and retreating through the country to rejoin the main body,

At this critical juncture, the column moved on to attack the troops in the ravine, forming their line on the heights on the side opposite that which their opponents occupied, having the ravine in their front also.

The post was defended for a considerable time, till a battéry opened on it from the fort that had been just abandoned; this with a well directed fire by the enemy's line across the ravine, forced the defending troops again to retire towards Belfast, leaving one battalion, with the grenadiers, light infantry, and artillery, to oppose the passage of Mile-Water bridge,—afterwards well defended, till superior numbers and artillery rendered a retreat from thence unavoidable.

The two brigades then formed their respective lines near the Poor-house, and a general action took place; the issue of which turned on the circumstance of the enemy's left flank being gained by a body just thrown in to the relief of the town. The chamade was then beat, and firing ceased.

The action on the Down shore, in many respects similar to this, being concluded nearly at the same time, the whole army drew up in two lines in the streets of the town, and saluted the

general as he passed along their front-the day terminating with a feu de joye.

A virtuous pride of numbers and of discipline, and the animating presence of the reviewing general, a nobleman whose political principle and private virtue have added to his hereditary honours another of a nature which no nation in any other period could have conferred; inspired every breast with the sacred love of its country and of her unalienable rights, and gave a finishing to the great scene, which cannot fail of producing the most glorious and happy effects.

Of artillery there were nine six-pounders, two one pounders, and two howitzers; the whole completely mounted.

There is probably nothing which could mark the spirit of the times more strongly than Councellor Caldbeck's bringing down from Dublin on this occasion two light field-pieces, and two howitzers, cast at his volunteer foundery.

We can declare from information perfectly authentic, that the number of men under arms, with their officers, drummers, and fifers, actually amounted to 5,300. The returns at May were for no more than 5,381.

July 21, 1781.

At a meeting of the officers and deputies of the Volunteer corps reviewed at Belfast, on the 18th, 19th, and 20th days of July instant,COLONEL DAWSON in the chair,

Resolved. That the chairman do present to the reviewinggeneral, the Right Honourable the Earl of Charlemont, the following ADDRESS:

MY LORD. It is with the most heartfelt pleasure that we embrace this, our second opportunity, of addressing your Lordship in that language of esteem, respect, and veneration, which

we think due to your Lordship's exalted character, and which we feel heightened by the happy conclusion of that glorious display of arms and freedom which the late review has afforded to so many thousands of admiring citizens. 'We feel with gra titude the readiness and politeness with which your Lordship complied with our wishes to be reviewed by your Lordship: we also thank your Lordship for the trouble you have taken in communicating to us the sentiments of the gentlemen of the Lawyer's Corps. We entertain not a doubt, that in every situation, the Volunteer corps of this country, and of the whole kingdom, will behave and conduct themselves as they have hitherto done, iu a manner suitable to the character of good citizens, and true friends to their country.

THOMAS DAWSON, Chairman.

To which his Lordship was pleased to give the following answer:

To the Officers and Deputies of the Volunteer Corps reviewed at Belfast, on the 18th, 19th, and 20th days of July, 1781.

GENTLEMEN. When, in consequence of the honour of your choice, I was last year witness to the amazing exertions of my brave and virtuous countrymen when I beheld in the field a powerful army, self-raised, self-clothed, self-paid, and disciplined by its own efforts, my astonishment was so great, and my satisfaction so perfect, that with difficulty I found words to express my sentiments upon the interesting occasion, or to return due thanks for the happiness afforded me, and the high honours conferred upon me. What then, gentlemen, must be my present situation? How can I expect to find expressions adequate to explain the feelings of my heart, when my obligations are redoubled by this your second election, and when the great

efforts of last year are obliterated and lost in the miraculous exertions which I have now beheld? When your numbers are increased twofold, and your discipline is brought to a degree of perfection which the most experienced veteran must admire. Silent astonishment can alone express my admiration-heartfelt gratitude must stand in the place of thanks!

Such are my sentiments when I reflect on your goodness towards me such are my feelings on the bare contemplation of your strength and military skill. But how are these sentiments exalted when I consider the glorious purpose which has called you together, and for the attainment of which you have cheerfully submitted to every inconvenience incident to the self-raised soldier; when I reflect on the effects which your

associations have already produced, and upon those which must follow from that perseverance of which there can now be no shadow of doubt. When, in the midst of war, and that too accompanied by circumstances of the most alarming nature, I behold my country fearless of invasion, formidable to her ene mies, respected by her sister kingdom, and an object of veneration to all Europe; when in this unhappy period of general confusion, I behold, under the influence of your arms, internal tranquillity restored, the due execution of the laws firmly es tablished, commerce released from those unworthy chains by which she had been so long and so unjustly bound, and constitutional Freedom emerging from that dark abyss into which she had been plunged by lawless and absurd oppression on the one hand, and by folly and corruption on the other.

Go on then my virtuous countrymen-Persevere in the line which you have hitherto pursued-Continue to join every virtue of peace to all the abilities of war-Let your prudence bé animated by patriotic zeal, and your spirit, as heretofore, be regu