the classical refinement of his taste. He displayed a military science and courage in the armies of France, which won the admiration of the great Napoleon, elevated him to the highest honours of military rank, and bedewed his grave with the tears of his brave companions in

arms*.

* On the British troops taking possession of Walcheren, Lawless evinced a boldness and intrepidify of courage which commanded the respect of the contending armies. He maintained his post with the most heroic bravery, and preserved the honour of the French arms in protecting the national flag, with which, wrapped around his body, he plunged into the waves, and swam to an open boat a considerable distance from the shore; then proudly exhibiting the standard of France, amidst a shower of bullets from the beach, he bore it off in triumph. This gallant officer was the near relative of my valued friend, my talented and distinguished country" man, John Lawless, Esq.

CHAPTER X.

Mr. Secretary Cooke-Momentary hopes of conciliationfrustrated-Irish exiles in

Prussia-Foreign states

Injurious policy of Britain.

WITH youth on my side, and a naturally good constitution, and possessing, in common with my countrymen, a tolerable flow of animal spirits, I was enabled to bear up against the rigours of a tedious imprisonment, and the domestic misfortunes in which my family had been involved. But disease had now visited the prison, and a severe attack of fever, against which I long struggled, proved an over-match for the native vigour of my constitution: the resistance with which I had met its approaches served only to increase the disease. On the representation of my friends, supported by the testimony of my kind and benevolent physician*, (and here I would fain pay a tribute of

*Dr. Christopher Teeling, for many years an eminent physician in the city of Dublin.

respect to that venerated character, whose talents and whose virtues will only be appreciated, when society shall be deprived of the enjoyment,) in the second week of my illness, I was removed from the prison by an order from the secretary of state, and conveyed to the house of a venerable lady, the widow of Cap. tain Thomas M'Donnell, an officer of distinguished worth in the British service. Here I experienced the most kind and maternal attention nor did the warmest attachment to the crown, and the most conscientious adherence to the religion of the state, oppose any barrier to that generous hospitality which she fearlessly extended to the proscribed and oppressed.

Previous to my removal from prison, I was required by government to provide bonded security to the amount of four thousand pounds, that on the restoration of my health my person should be again placed within the walls of the prison, or held at the disposal of the law officers of the crown.

To the professional ability of my kind medical friend, under the aid of divine Providence, I was indebted for a perfect though tedious recovery. My fever was succeeded by debility, under which I long laboured; I took the earliest opportunity, however, of returning strength to

wait on Mr. Cooke, then assistant secretary of state, to redeem the pledge which my friends had given, by surrendering myself to the government authorities. When I alighted from my carriage, I was surprised at the military display which the castle of Dublin presented; it bore more the appearance of a citadel besieged, than the peaceful residence of the civil authorities. Every man was dressed in military costume. The clerks of office frisked about like young cadets, who, though vain of their dress and appointments, were not yet familiarised with their use. Such of the law officers as I encountered had exchanged their sable for scarlet, and presented the most grotesque appearance ;-a perfect caricature of the military profession. Some of the Aldermanic body who happened to be in attendance, were so completely metamorphosed, that even the inventive imagination of Shakspeare could have produced no forms more extraordinary, or more opposite in nature to the human race;-a combination of German moustaches, with Prussian cues extending from the cumbrous helmit, which covered the tonsured crown of years; the gross unwieldy paunch, supported by a belt cracking under the weight of turtle and savoury ragouts. The immense rotundity projecting beyond the

scanty skirt of a light horseman's jacket, formed an appearance not more disgusting to the eye, than unsuited to the saddle which was to bear the precious burthen of the gallant volunteer. "And are these," said I, "the heroes that were to contend with Hoche!!! Oh, blessed be the hour that raised the storm which protected corporate rights, and deprived the vulture of its prey."

My appearance at the castle excited some little feeling of inquisitorial observation, for I was the only man there who was not habited in the military costume of the day. In passing through the crowd, I was amused by the simple remark of an honest Irish sentinel on guard, who contrasting my meagre frame and pale blanched cheek with the bloated countenances of the civic heroes around me, "Look, Pat," said he, tapping his comrade on the shoulder, "he is d-m-d thin to be sure, but I'll warrant, poor fellow, he has seen harder service than the best of them." I made my way through the circle to the anti-chamber of the secretary, which was crowded with needy expectants, bustling magistrates, and the numerous parasites that always flutter round the purlieus of office. I called the messenger in waiting, and without