But on him stern, from head to foot-
That boatman's eye was lowered!
He would not move his ferry boat-
To aid a flying coward.

The hero then, as drunk with fear
As man could be with brandy,
Dashed to the earth his bloodless spear
And plunged the Rio Grande !

The steed and brave beneath the wave
Did often sink and flounder;

While in his fears, the hero hears
The frequent eighteen pounder!

Each bubble seemed a cannon-ball,
Hot from its shooting cavern!
Fate shield the hero from them all,
And let him reach the tavern!

But lo! the saddle girth gives way !
Alas! so many troubles!

The hero's eyes are filled with spray
And ever bursting bubbles!

A drowning man "at straws will catch,"

A hair to him's a cable !

This brave his horse's tail did catch
As quick as he was able!

The horse went bounding on with ease, The hero, he went puffing;

He frequent coughed, but couldn't sneeze, With all his water-snuffing!

The ferryman stood on the shore,
And laughed with hearty laughter,
The hero raved,-and stoutly swore
He'd be "revenged hereafter!"

With arm aloft and dripping skirt,-
He swore (it will alarm ye!)

Had he had time to draw his shirt
He would have thrashed the army!"

Alas! alas! that glory's dream
Should end in such a ditty!

His saddle, it went down the stream
And he went to the city.

THE COURT, A TEMPLE OF JUSTICE.

BY RANDALL HUNT, ESQ.

EDUCATED under the wise and liberal institutions of a Republic of laws, I look upon the place in which I stand as a Temple of Justice-not as a theatre for a vain display of powers of disputation in personal rivalry. I regard this Court, not as a weak assembly of individuals, who can be easily operated upon and misled by the dictatorial spirit and arrogant airs of certain orators, who, forgetting that they are mere advocates, foolishly imagine themselves to be, and would make others believe them to be the true and only oracles of the law; but as an august tribunal, composed of men of good sense, firmness, integrity, and learning; who, uninfluenced by any passion or prejudice, examine the questions properly submitted to them, in a calm and patient spirit of investigation, and after a full and impartial consideration, decide upon them, agreeably to the principles of law and justice.

True liberty is a practical and substantial blessing. Its existence and its enjoyment depend upon principles which are equally important and should be equally dear to every man. These principles are founded in the laws, and are recognized, protected and enforced under every social condition and civilized form of government. They are the safeguards and guarantees of the most invaluable personal rights, of personal security, personal liberty and the right of private property. In the case now about to be submitted, the last only of these rights is assailed. But this does not diminish the magnitude or interest of the cause itself; for it would be vain to speak of any other right, if it be once authoritatively proclaimed, that the acquisitions of labor shall no longer stimulate, cheer, comfort, and enrich industry, but shall be the prize or rather the prey of unprincipled, reckless, and rapacious power. Such a proclamation would be a declaration of war against humanity and civilization-against those principles which the very savages hold sacred, as essential to the peace, safety, and harmony of society, and even to the support of individual existence.

The secure enjoyment of property, under the supremacy of the laws, while it incites to indus

try and promotes enterprise in all the departments of labor, maintains and strengthens in the bosom of the citizen a sense of personal independence which is the foundation of human happiness, and enables him at once to discharge his obligations to his family, and to the community of which he is a member. This truth is so simple, so selfevident, that it is universally acknowledged and even forms a part of the most despotic code. Napoleon himself, in the zenith of his power and glory would not have dared to have laid violent and sacrilegious hands upon the property of the humblest subject of the empire. And what is the spectacle that is now presented? What could not be done under the despotism of a tyrant is audaciously attempted in this country of Republican equality. A rich, unscrupulous and greedy corporation has insolently appeared before this Court, and calls upon it to strip private individuals of their hard-earned property, the title to which is not only established and confirmed by every principle of justice and by the special provisions of our own code; but by the uniform opinion and practice of the whole community, and the solemn decisions of our highest Courts under the Spanish laws.

To such a call this Court will not fail to give the stern rebuke of insulted justice. The juris.