in advance, to give notice of the enemy's approach; but the heat of the day had overcome them, and they had fallen asleep. The French were thus enabled to advance unseen, and were down upon the picquet almost before an alarm could be given. The attack was sustained by the British with their usual steadiness; but the disparity of numbers was too great for the contest to last long, and they were compelled slowly to retire. Reinforcements were brought up, but the necessity of guarding the other passes prevented the moving up of a sufficient number of troops at once to repulse the enemy. The fight was unequal, and the British were gradually forced back, till about six in the evening, when they were joined by the brigade of Sir Edward Barnes. The lost ground was then regained, and by nine o'clock the French were driven from the pass. When Soult began these attacks on the right and centre of the British line, the Marquis of Wellington was at its opposite extremity, near St. Sebastian's. The news reached him that the enemy were in motion on the night of the 25th, and he adopted immediate measures for concentrating the army towards the threatened quarter, still providing for the siege of St. Sebastian's and the blockade of Pamplona. The right wing was already in full retreat, when they received an order from the Marquis to halt; and as they were taking up their ground, he himself arrived, and in person directed the occupation of an advantageous position, completely covering Pamplona. Soult had now penetrated to within a few miles of that fortress; and on the morning of the 28th, he commenced strenuous efforts to dislodge the allies. He first attacked their left; but his troops were soon driven back with immense loss. The next attempt was made against the centre. A strong column marched up the hill on which it was posted, and dislodging a Portuguese battalion, obtained a momentary success; but General Ross advancing with the Fusileers, the enemy were speedily driven down again. The battle then became general along the whole front of the heights occupied by the fourth division under Sir Lowry Cole, and Soult made repeated attempts to establish himself on the line of the allies; but all his efforts were unavailing. The contest was severe, and the bravery of our troops was never more conspicuously shown; and "the gallant fourth division," said Lord Wellington in his despatch, "which has so frequently been distinguished in the army, surpassed their former conduct." Every regiment in it charged with the bayonet; and some no less than four several times. Convinced at length of the hopelessness of his exertions, Soult drew off his troops. On the following day both armies remained quiet. But Lord Wellington's arrangements were, in the mean while, fully completed. Sir Rowland Hill had fallen back, and a communication was firmly established between his corps and the main body to his right, by the intervention of the Earl of Dalhousie's division." This," says Colonel Jones, "was a death-blow to Marshal Soult's system of manoeuvres, and even placed him in an awkward dilemma, should he attempt to retire without a further effort;" but the Marshal was not a man to be easily daunted, and he set to work to accomplish his object by a different system. The position which he occupied was one by nature extremely strong, and little liable to be assaulted if moderately guarded; he resolved, therefore, to march the bulk of his troops to join General Drouet, and thus endeavour to turn the British left. On the morning of the 30th his troops were observed moving in great numbers towards Drouet's position. Lord Wellington instantly perceived the intent of this manœuvre, and determined on attacking the formidable position in his front, that his right wing might not be detained inactive by an inferior force. His arrangements were completely successful, and the enemy was compelled to abandon a position which the British general declared to be "one of the strongest, and most difficult of access, that he had yet seen occupied by troops." In the mean while, reinforcements had been sent to Sir Rowland Hill, who was vigorously attacked in front, while a large body of troops were manœuvring upon his flank, and endeavouring to turn his left. Sir Rowland repulsed every attack, and maintained his position till Drouet was absolutely round his flank, when he leisurely retired to a more favourable range of heights close in rear, and bade defiance to the enemy's utmost efforts to dislodge him. In the night the French withdrew from their position, and on the morrow were discovered to be in full retreat. A pursuit was instantly commenced; several smart engagements took place, and many prisoners were captured. On the 1st of August, the enemy had withdrawn into France; and the allies were again masters of the passes through the mountains, occupying nearly the same positions as before the attack of the 25th of July. Such was the termination of the great conflicts which are called the Battles of the Pyrenees and highly creditable it was to the British general and his army. EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF A PRIVATE SOLDIER. the proud and haughty bearing of some of our ensigns, in coming into the presence of the general second in command of the British army, I expected to be annihilated by his look, and I was ushered into the mess-room to deliver my message with a palpitating heart; but I no sooner saw the humane and benevolent looking countenance of the general, than my apprehensions vanished. Having read the letter, he questioned me concerning the health of the commanding-officer, and asked me questions concerning our regiment, (of which he was colonel) in the kindliest and most unaffected manner; then calling one of his servants, he ordered him to provide me liberally in meat and drink. Some time after, seeing me standing outside the tent, he called me, and asked whether the servants had paid attention to me. Next morning, on giving me a letter for my commanding-officer, "I did not intend," said he," that you should have returned so soon, but we are going to remove down to the valley, and as it would be only taking you out of your road, it will be as well for you to proceed; but there is no necessity that you should go farther than the small village, two leagues from this. I will give directions to my orderly dragoon to procure you a billet there, and to-morrow you can join your regiment." * * During our operations in the Pyrenees, I was sent with a letter to General Hill, whose division now occupied the heights above Roncesvalles. In going from the one place to the other, I had to travel about six miles through a bye path, on the ridge of one of the Pyrenees, and my imagination was struck in a peculiar manner by the awful grandeur of the scenery, yet I could not help feeling horror at the death-like stillness that reigned around me. I felt myself as it were lifted out of the world. I saw nor heard not any living thing but a huge vulture, who stood It was now three years since we beupright on a rock by the road side, look- held the coast, during which time our ing at me as I passed. Without seem- hopes and wishes had often fondly turned ing the least disturbed at my presence, to our native homes; each fresh campaign he rather seemed to eye me as an in- and each battle was reckoned the prevader of his solitary domain. I tried to cursor of our return, but by expectation, startle him by making a noise, but he every day beguiled, we had almost begun disdained to move; at length, when it to despair of ever beholding it again; suited his own pleasure, he slowly ex- when our recent successes, and the sight panded his broad wings, and rising a of the ocean which encircled the land of few yards from the ground, hovered for our birth, produced the most lively hopes, some time immediately above my head, and pleasing anticipations. A more than and then soared out of sight. Having common friendly feeling was displayed ascended the mountain, I found the se- amongst us, each saw in his comrade's cond division encamped on nearly the face the reflection of the joy that animated same ground that we had formerly occu- his own heart. A few of us who were pied, and enveloped in mist as we had drawn together by congeniality of sentibeen. The place where General Hillment and disposition, used to assemble and his staff were encamped was surrounded by a small intrenchment, inside of which the tents were pitched, and a kind of log-house built in the centre, to serve as a mess-room. Judging from and wander up among the giant cliffs with which we were surrounded, and perching ourselves in a cranny, would sit gazing on the ocean and ships passing, with emotions which I have felt, but can not describe. Its expansive bosom seemed a magic mirror, wherein we could read ur future fortune, a happy return from all our dangers, smiling friends with all the early loved associations of childhood and youth, swam before our imaginations, and we sat and sung the songs of home until the tears trickled down our checks. He who has never heard the melodies of his native land sung in a foreign country, is ignorant of a pleasure that nothing can surpass. But we were not all doomed to realise those pleasing anticipations, for many found their graves in the valley which we then overlooked. ANNA, A TALE OF THE WARS. To be sure there is, and it's the best and sweetest hope of a tar, that, in every hour of danger and of difficulty," the same gracious Providence watches for all." But there, I arn't a going to give you a long rigmarole for a pro-log. No, no, I'll just tell you the story as I've heard it fifty times with my own ears on board the ould "Marmaid," commanded by Captain Malcolm, for d'ye see, Jem Gantline knew all about it, and many a mid-watch he's kept us awake by telling it. "It was one beautiful morning in July," says Jem," and the sun was just taking his look-out aloft, that Ned Davenport quitted his native village to become a lonely wanderer upon the wide world, determined to stifle recollection among the busy scenes of life, or amidst the tumult and wild roar of warfare. Yet, on passing through the churchyard, he stopped to shed one last tribute on the grave of his parents. He looked on the surrounding lands and spacious farm which once had been their property, and thought of the time, when, overwhelmed with accumulated distress, they had descended to their long home in anguish and poverty. He turned from this to catch a distant view of the stately mansion which contained all that was dear and precious to him in existence; and a sweet girl she was too (Jem would say), for I remembers her, messmates, like a lovely flower blooming on the breast of spring. But when poor Ned was left destitute, all intercourse was forbidden between them, and the hearts that had throbbed together from infancy, were cruelly torn from each other; but I lie, messmates, I lie, nothing on earth can separate the hearts that truly love. Howsomever, they parted, without a hope of meeting again on the shores of time. Oh, who can paint the sorrows of his soul as he lay prostrate on the grassy mound, and poured forth the anguish of his spirit? I cannot do it justice, messmates, for my scuppers overflow whenever I think of it. That name, that endearing name, he had first learned to lisp in early infancy, My mother!' burst from his lips, and then he prayed to Heaven for mercy. Mercy was near-a kindly voice, mild as the gentle breeze on the shores of the Mediterranean, instilled the balm of consolation on his wounded mind, and directed him to look up to that wise unerring Being, who feeds the young ravens when they cry. "'Twas the curate of the village, who had been passing the night by the humble pallet of a dying cottager, administering the last offices of humanity, and encouraging the departed spirit ere it took its flight to the realms of everlasting rest. He was returning to his little home, when he heard the petition for mercy, and as the servant of that Power to whom it was addressed, he soothed the sufferer's anguish, calmed the inward tempest of his mind, and they parted-the curate to his modest mansion, and Ned-ay, Ned, to brave the dangers, to feel the contumely of that world to which he was a stranger. "The father of Anna had risen from comparative obscurity to wealth and honours: he was what they call a privy counsellor. I don't know what it means, but they told me it was something near the king, and so he had no time to devote to his daughter, whose mother died in giving her birth; and the sweet girl grew like a mountain rosebud, luxuriantly wild, till poor Ned's parents, feeling for her situation, loved and cherished her as their own; and thus was formed that deep, strong, deathless passion, which distance could not shake, or time dissolve. I knows what love is, messmates, for in my younger days I-but there, it's over now, it's over-yet I love to think about it too. She heard of Edward's departure, and struggled with her agony; but the generous man who had softened the 6 sorrows of the youth, performed the same | laying his hand upon the truck, when, kind office for the sinking maid. Her casting his eye round the horizon, he principal gratification was to wander to shouted, A sail, a sail, upon the lee the lone church-yard, and, sitting on the beam!' All was instantly hushed. Turn cold grave-stone near the resting-place the hands up, make sail!' cried the of her early friends, she would recall the captain. Keep her away, boys! Square visions of her childhood, and commune the after-yards! Stations, men, stations! with her own sad heart. Now, mess- Masthead there l'- Sir!'- Look out mates, you shall hear in what manner when she's right a-head.'-' Ay, ay, she kept her vows of truth and con- sir; starboard a little-there, steady, so, stancy; but, poor thing, she couldn't steady!'-In a few minutes every stitch help it! of canvas that would draw a breath of wind was spread and trimmed. We had just light sufficient to make out that the stranger was a large ship, when darkness obscured all farther observation. The breeze freshened, and the officers crowded on the forecastle to look out for the chase. Eight bells came, and we began to fear that we had missed the stranger. The captain was just giving directions to alter the course, when a marine sung out- I've got her, sir, I've got her! Got who?' inquired the lieutenant.-' Got her, sir, got the ship,' replied the sodger. "It was one still calm evening that a gallant little twenty-gun ship lay under easy sail in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, to protect the commerce of our country from the attacks of the enemy. Five weeks had already passed on that enchanting station, many of you know it, messmates, no doubt, and our cruise (for I was in her) had been particularly fortunate in making captures and reprisals. The week after we were to return into port for stores and provisions. Well, d'ye see, the hands were turned up to skylark, and every soul hurried upon deck to enjoy the sport. The captain Where? where?' said the captain, and officers assembled abaft, and shared running aft. Here, sir! here, in the among themselves in the amusement; starboard waist. That's right, my but in all their athletic exercises, no one lad, hold her fast,' exclaimed a midshipcould be found fore and aft to equal the man, while the sail was shortened, and junior lieutenant. This young man had | the ship hauled to the wind. We were risen solely by merit to the quarter- sufficiently close to discover that the deck; and his bravery in several actions stranger was a heavy frigate, and as our had recommended him so powerfully to night signals were unanswered, conhis commander, whose life he had once cluded she was an enemy. Give him preserved at the imminent risk of his a shot,' cried the captain. It was inown, that he adopted him as his son, stantly returned by a whole broadside, and obtained him a commission in his that laid several of our best men lifeless own name, for Captain Malcolm himself on the deck, and the action commenced had come in at the hawse-holes, and had with daring bravery. Well, d'ye see, no relations that he knew of in the world. we kept at it for about two hours, when Young Malcolm was beloved, ay, almost the frigate's fire began to slacken, and idolized, by every hand aboard. He shortly after ceased. 'Sail trimmers to was the smart seaman, the brave officer, the weather braces,' cried the captain. and without departing from the strict line of duty, he conciliated the esteem and regard of all the men. His face, bronzed by a tropical sun, was seamed with honourable scars, that made him appear much older than he really was. His figure was remarkably neat and trim, firm built and powerful, and he tried to copy his benefactor in every pursuit. "A match against time had just been made from the deck to the mast-head and down again, and the lieutenant was All Boarders on the starboard quarter! Stand by to heave all aback; and, Malcolm, be ready to lead the men.' this was obeyed; but just as we got with our yard-arms touching, the enemy poured in a tremendous fire, and Captain Malcolm, with his second lieutenant, fell. It would be impossible to describe the sensations of horror which this event occasioned. The young officer ran and raised his generous friend. He was yet living, though the tide seemed ebbing fast; but his poor messmate was a corpse. ، Leave me, Malcolm ; leave | Plymouth Sound, in about eight days me, my brave lad,' faintly articulated time. The young hero landed, and was the captain; and pointing to the colours, ordered by the commander-in-chief to added "Tis the flag of England-do carry his own despatches to the metroyour duty. Take her and I die content.' polis; at the same time receiving letters At this moment one of the midshipmen of introduction to a nobleman in a high came to young Malcolm, and told him official station. On his arrival he drove the first lieutenant talked of striking. immediately to the house, and it hapRage and indignation shook his frame. pened that a large party of the nobility The captain had been carried below were assembled to a sheave-o as they senseless, and the command devolved call it. Now I can tell you all this, upon the senior officer-that officer who messmates, for a fact, because, d'ye see, was about to disgrace himself for ever. I was with him to take care of his The first lieutenant was giving directions colours and baggage, having sailed with to haul down the colours and the light, him when he was a youngster, and first when Malcolm rushed aft. Here he taught him his duty as a seaman; but found the boatswain standing by the no matter for that; his lordship left the ensign halliards, with his pistol cocked, company, and entered the room where swearing he would shoot the first man Malcolm was waiting to receive him ; that offered to touch them. The com- but when their eyes met, the young manding officer drew his sword, and was officer staggered back upon a chair, and in the act of making a thrust, when a turned as pale as ashes. Recovering, shot very unceremoniously walked off however, he apologised for his behaviour, with his head, and the sole charge now and attributed it to the effects of his rested upon Malcolm, who fought the unhealed wounds. The Dutch captain's ship with heroic intrepidity, determined sword, and the frigate's colours were not to surrender till every hope was lost. displayed, and while the lieutenant took The carpenter appeared, and reported some refreshment, Lord N——— rethat we were making so much water, turned to the drawing-room, and related that she could not hold it out another the particulars. All were desirous of half hour. This was appalling news, seeing the intrepid young tar immeyet, rousing all the energies of his mind, diately; but his lordship promised to he called to the master to lay him aboard introduce him the following day, as he the frigate. In a few minutes the young had no doubt that Malcolm required officer, followed by his brave crew, were rest. Among the party were several upon the enemy's deck, and the conflict | members of the cabinet-that's a strong became terrible. In vain we swept away | box, I believe, messmates, and every our foes, others instantly supplied their one of the gemmen belonging to it carries places, and though our numbers were a gold key in his pocket, but I arn't fast diminishing, yet our hearts were sure; howsomever, next morning some unsubdued. Twenty minutes had elapsed of 'em got telling our good old king in hard fighting, when the master, car-about it, and he expressed a wish to see penter, and surgeon, were seen on our | the officer. Malcolm of course was own decks, carrying in their arms our introduced, and appeared before his beloved commander-the ship was sink- majesty, with his right arm bound round ing. This sight operated like enchant- with a black bandage, his left suspended ment on the men, a wild shout of des-in a sling, while his curly hair, hanging peration resounded, and in a few minutes over his forehead, scarcely concealed the more the frigate was our own. Scarcely covering of a deep wound. • Make, had Malcolm received the Dutch cap-make, make him a captain,' said old tain's sword, (for she was a Dutch George; shall be a captain, shall be a frigate, laden with specie for the Cape) captain-he deserves it-good officer, scarcely had the three officers with their brave officer-shall be a captain;' and dying burden been assisted on board, Malcolm obtained a commission for post than our gallant little bark went down. rank. On the same evening he dined In a few hours afterwards our brave with his lordship, but on entering the captain breathed his last, and we bore room his embarrassment and agitation up for England, where we anchored in were excessive, as the ladies crowded |