CHAPTER XIII.

Commencement of hostilities-First military movements-Aylmer commander in Kildare Encampment of the army of the Union.

THOUGH wavering councils had for a time retarded its approach, the hour of conflict at length arrived, the sword of resistance was unsheathed, and the banners of defiance unfurled.

The first in the field were the troops of Kildare. Their gallant leader was no more, but his place was supplied by his youthful friend, the bold and enterprising Aylmer. Descended from a family of high respectability and worth, still conspicuous for the virtues which distinguished their ancestors, Aylmer's example produced a powerful effect, while it gave confidence to his associates in arms: their confidence was not misplaced, and his courage and military talent proved him not undeserving of their choice.

Aylmer had more than ordinary difficulties to contend with. The open and extended plains of Kildare afforded neither mountain nor

fastness, where his raw and undisciplined troops could be formed and trained to the exercise of arms. He was therefore at once obliged to marshal them in the plain, and face regular forces, under officers of courage and experience, with a well appointed commissariat, and a formidable force of cavalry, to which the open situation of the country afforded every facility for attack. These were obstacles which courage, enthusiasm, the confidence of his troops, and their attachment to his person, enabled him to combat; but the anxiety of a generous mind, warmly attached to domestic happiness, and glowing with filial respect, presented a conflict much more arduous.

His father, not more venerable in years than in virtues, was a firm adherent to the throne, and no act of aggression on the part of government could force him to renounce allegiance. Tenderly attached to his son, and alive to the finest feelings of honour, he had seen that son but a short time before surrender his sword and retire from a military station, when a gross indignity had been offered his illustrious friend and commander, Robert, Duke of Leinster, designated by his country "the humane and great." To gratify the faction of the day, the government had determined to humble the pride

of Leinster, and a personal insult was levelled against the head of this ancient and illustrious house, by superseding the noble duke in the command of the distinguished regiment over which he presided. On this occasion the venerable Charles Aylmer accompanied his son to the presence of the duke, and, presenting him, exclaimed, "Where Leinster is dishonoured no honour is secure."-" I have received", said the youth, "this sword from your Grace, to your hands I return it untarnished, and may it rust in its scabbard ere it be drawn to support a faction that have insulted my country in the person of Leinster's duke.” The worthy duke was not unmoved by the sentiments which Aylmer had expressed, neither was he insensible to the wrongs of his country. His heart and his judgment were never for a moment estranged from her cause. He wanted the force of character, the spirit of enterprise, and the gallant daring of his brother, but was fully capable of hazarding life and fortune when he conceived the rights or interests of his country demanded it.

The elder Aylmer saw the approaching storm -every thing bespoke it. He was brave; he was a man of high and exalted virtue, but he had a species of religious veneration for the

throne, and did not sufficiently distinguish between the exercise of constitutional authority and intolerable oppression. He deplored the determination of his son, and used every argument to dissuade him from the dangerous enterprise. Their mutual attachment was strong, and the conflict of contending passions painful, but youthful ardour, empassioned love of liberty, and a proud impatience of national wrong, prevailed. They parted, never again to meet.

The modern system of warfare, and the extraordinary achievements of men little accustomed to arms, would have afforded matter of surprise to the veteran of former days, were it possible to connect the present with the past; but circumstances interwoven with recent occurrences have convinced us that military prowess is not incompatible with youth. We have seen the young warriors of modern France baffle the skill of the most celebrated generals in the combined armies of Europe, and pluck from their brow the laurel which had been earned with honour in many a hard fought field; and we have seen the raw and undisciplined troops of that proud republic scatter veteran battalions which till then were deemed invincible, and whose discipline was the admiration of the world.

The British troops, under experienced officers, had all the advantage which situation and a well organized system afforded. The capital furnished immense magazines; an open country in front presented a free communication with the several garrisoned towns, between which and the British lines a regular communication was kept open through the medium of the yeomanry corps, who, for the present, had no more efficient duty to perform.

The ground selected for the Irish camp was well chosen, and no advantage overlooked which circumstances permitted to be turned to account. It was an elevated situation, of considerable extent, surrounded by a friendly country, which was hourly forwarding supplies. At a little distance stood a half dilapidated tower, venerable for its antiquity and the sanctity of its walls, which, in the better days of Ireland, had formed part of a noble structure, raised by our pious ancestors, but demolished in later times by the fanatical followers of the ruthless Cromwell. From the summit of this tower was displayed the flag of Union, simple in its nature and device, but cheering to the hearts of Irishmen, for it was their own-their imperishable green. Here was the spot where the troops of the Union made their first stand; and though