Exciseman, in an agony of terror and despair, struggling as hard as he can, but, in spite of it all, whisked along =with the greatest ease. And there are the inhabitants of the town at their doors and windows, in delighted astonishment, wishing the strange musician "luck of his prize." There is an immense deal of spirit and life in the whole scene. This work is to be published in Parts, every three or four months; and if all the successive Parts be as clever as that now before us, it will be a valuable addition to this department of our literature. The Real Devil's Walk is a jeu-d'esprit, not without cleverness. The verses on Montgomery are smart : "Then meeting the Brummagem Milton next, Full of theological flummery, They pass'd, for the bard knew nothing of Satan, Out a place for this prim divine; As he has thought fit to put me in his book, Nor does the joke at Colburn's expense want point: For he very well knew the agreeable dog The Designs are by R. Cruikshank, and are pretty good, though a little commonplace. The Landscape Illustrations of the Waverley Novels contain finely engraved views of very interesting scenes. There are four plates in each part ;-in Part I.—Arran, Doune Castle, Penrith, and Windermere ;—in Part II. Skiddaw and Keswick, Dunnottar Castle, Loch Ard, and Waste of Cumberland; and in Part III. Solway Frith, Newark Castle, Glasgow Cathedral, and Mirkwood Mere. We can safely recommend this publication to our readers. fore us. The about forty pages to a description of Edinburgh, and the Castle? The Illustrations of the Comic Annual, for 1831, are as yet only in progress, but twelve of them are now beThey are woodcuts, like those in the volume for this year, and abound in funny ideas. Thus we have the portly coachman, saying to the thin and consumptivelooking passenger," You are booked for Gravesend, sir, I think ;”—the powdered footman, calling out to the poor fiddler-" One scraper at a door is enough ;”—a dialogue on the deck of a smack, between the skipper and Tableau des Terrains qui composent l'écorce du Globe, ou a wretched Cockney dying of sea-sickness—“ A'n't you well, sir ?" "Not very;"—the tipsy orator, tumbling off his seat just as he says " Gentlemen, I rise to ;" and so on with the rest. We are always glad to see mirth thriving in the land, and we therefore wish the "Comic Annual" all success. It will be a sad day for us all, when we cease to find any amusement in caricatures. FRENCH LITERATURE. Essai sur la Structure de la Partie Connue de la Terre, Par Alexandre Brongniart. 1829. A Paris: Chez F. G. Levrault. Edinburgh: By Thomas Clark. Tableau des Corps Organisés Fossiles, précédé de Remarques sur leur Petrification. Par M. Defranche. 1821. Paris: F. G. Levrault. Edinburgh: Thomas Clark. Description Géognostique du Bassin Bas-Boulonnais. which characterised the greater number of geological spe- The distinction, first made by German naturalists, and subsequently adopted by the French, between the sciences of Geognosy and Geology, has scarcely been noticed on this side of the water, and has never been strictly obser ved. The two works whose titles we have copied after that of Brongniart, are favourable specimens of the manner in which the subordinate labourers in science-those who only aspire to furnish facts, and conduct minor investigations for the lords paramount-execute their work in France. Rozet's Memoir is a most valuable contribution to the department in which Brongniart has done so much. The name of Defranche is better known; both Humboldt and Buch have borne testimony to his services in the cause of science. By geognosy, we mean an exhaustive description who canvass these matters with the freedom required in of the rocks which compose the rind of this terrestrial scientific discussion. It is, therefore, with considerable globe, their relative positions, and the characteristic phe-pleasure that we see the terms Saturnian and Jovian penomena of each; in short, their natural history. By riod, substituted in the place of antediluvian and postdigeology, we mean a theory embracing and explaining all luvian. These new terms have no reference to any bythe facts recorded in geognosy. The first of these sciences pothesis, scientific or theological, and consequently do not affords an ample and attractive field for the investigation warp or bias the mind. of the naturalist ;-the other is still in its infancy. We have, as yet, scarcely penetrated more than two thousand fathoms perpendicularly into the bosom of the earth; or, in other words, we have not yet penetrated, in comparison with the earth's diameter, beneath the superficial plane; and even the shallow knowledge we have obtained of the world's crust is confined to Europe, and one or two narrow and isolated spots in America. Yet we may every day hear one of our most celebrated British naturalists assuming upon this scanty induction, that the same arrangement of mountain rocks with which he is acquainted holds through all the four quarters of the globe; and laying down the law regarding the order and manner of their deposition as confidently as if he had witnessed the whole process. We shall not stop to take under review the trash contained in pamphlets and journals, in which the writers mix up fact and theory, here inferring a theory from a fact with which it has not the most distant connexion, and again assuming some fact, because it harmonises with this theory, in an incoherent and rambling strain, of which Dame Quickly herself might be jealous. The last work mentioned at the head of this article, we have cited merely with a view of making our readers acquainted with the plan of what we consider the 'most useful catalogue raisonné of what is done in art, science, and literature, that is to be found in Europe. It is published, as the title-page announces, by the Society for the Propagation of Science and Manufactures. The director in chief is M. Férussac. The Bulletin was originally published in 1823 as one work, under the title-" Bulletin Général et Universel des Annonces et Nouvelles Scientifiques." Since that period it has been divided into several sections, each of which is conducted by its own editor or editors, and may be subscribed for apart. The To all such unprofitable writers, we would recommend the truly scientific spirit of modest diffidence which per-sections are at present eight in number-I. Mathemativades the treatise of M. Brongniart, as a model for their examination. His classification is characterised by a happy perspicuity, in seizing upon the individualities of each kind of rock. His acquaintance with the geognosy of such countries as have been examined, is most extensive; and, although possessed of a mass of detailed information, which might crush a weaker mind, he comprehends within his view not only the territory which has been explored, but the yet more immense terra incognita which lies behind it. It may appear something like an anticlimax to those unhabituated to scientific enquiry, when we descend from the consideration of such merits, to consider Brongniart's terminology. This, however, we can show in a few words to be a most important subject. It is a fact, as melancholy as it is generally known, that sciolists and dabblers have continually interrupted the progress of every science, by straining it to inferences, and applying it to purposes, with which it has no concern. Geognosy has not escaped the fate of its brethren. Tyros in this study, instead of contenting themselves with prosecuting it from a love of knowledge, have attempted to convert it into an engine, some of attack, and some of defence of the Christian religion. In either case, the attempt was (to use the mildest term) exceedingly ill-judged. Christianity rests upon a mode of proof, with which geological facts do not necessarily come in collision; and to pretend to peril its truth upon its coherence with a science so immature, could serve no other end than that of prejudicing the well-meaning against the latter. The organic remains of creatures not now in existence, have given rise to many curious theories. They were eagerly seized upon at one time, as arguments for the universality of Noah's deluge. Their deposita tion, however, must have occurred much more tranquilly, and occupied a much longer space of time, than the sacred records assign to the duration of that awful judgment. But in abandoning this raw theory, the terms employed in it have still been retained, and hence we constantly hear naturalists talk of antediluvian remains. Now, this term (taken by itself) is as harmless a word as may be ; but it is constantly and unavoidably mixed up in the minds of the mass of readers with a reference to Noah's deluge, which begets in them confused notions on the subject, and habituates them to unfounded and unjust suspicions of all cal, Physical, and Chemical Science; II. Natural and Geological Science; III. Medical Science; IV. Agricultural and Economical Science; V. Technological Science; VI. Geographical Science; VII. History, Antiquities, and Philology; VIII. Military Sciences. Each of these sections is edited by an individual of known eminence in the department of which it treats. The notices are necessarily succinct, and, in general, such as are fitted to acquaint us rather with the ground gone over in a book, than with the manner in which the author has acquitted himself. Still, emanating from a capital so centrical to all the European states in which science is cultivated, and containing such a mass of scientific talent and information, it is better calculated to give the recluse a notion of what is going on in the world of letters, than any work we are acquainted with. GERMAN LITERATURE. W. Aleris gesammelte Novellen. Zwei Bände. (The col lected Novels of W. Alexis. Two volumes.) Berlin: Duncker und Humblot. Edinburgh: Thomas Clark. 1830. THE name of Willibald Alexis is more widely known in Britain than that of any other German novelist of the same calibre; chiefly from the notoriety attaching to his romance of Walladmor. The idea of translating a ro mance by Sir Walter Scott, which did not exist, was a lucky hit, and raised him, although at some little expense of character, above the level of that dense mass of romancewriters who crowd each other in Germany even to suffocation. His talents have now got into the free air, and if they do not bud and blossom, it is the fault of his original organisation. We remarked, so far back as an early number of our first volume, that the spirit of system possessed the heads of German authors in every department of literature. We showed it in their teachers of riding, and in their anthologists; and we may now point it out with equal precision in one of their novelists. The friends of Alexis suggested to him a collection of his minor works, and to this he has prefixed a learned preface, in which he undertakes to demonstrate two things. The first is, that the natural tendency of the literary spirit of the day is towards romance-writing. With so many witnesses at hand in England, France, and Germany, we could have allowed him to take this for granted; but he weaves it into such a prettily expressed theory, that we can scarcely quarrel with him for his unnecessary expenditure of labour. The second is, that the series of novels reprinted in these two little volumes are a fair picture of the developement of his mind up to the period of his composing Walladmor. This point also we are willing to take for granted, as it gives us an opportunity of enquiring what sort of a mind he has got. The result of our investigation is, that his muse is a true mocking bird. The reader may form to himself, from the perusal of these tales, an idea of the various schools of novel-writing which i have succeeded each other in Germany since the war of 1813. The romance called " Ibbou” is in the style of In those of La Motte Fouqué's stories, in which he has attempted to embody, in his artificially naïve language and mystically chivalrous sentiment, the adventures of modern French and German soldiers. "The Brown One," as or “Collaborateur Liborius," is an unconscious imitation of Hoffman's intoxicated and genial absurdities. This will not be so apparent to those who judge of Hoffta: man's misdirected genius only through the English translation of his "Devil's Elixir." But they who are acquainted with his "Serapion's Brothers" will recognise the likeness at once. Even the "Battle of Torgau" is es only an echo of one or two nameless novelists, who attained a temporary popularity by neatly dishing up the -old stories of Frederick of Prussia's wars. It would appear, therefore, that Alexis's intellectual course has been one of change rather than progression. We see him successively attempt different styles,-form himself upon different models; but we look in vain for any growth of his own intellectual powers. He was a happy and successful imitator in his earliest work, and in his last he is nothing more. Still a man may strike out good thoughts in a style of writing that is not quite original. Alexis is a modest and ingenious man, and we have known worse amusement for a winter evening than many of his tales. Some of them would bear translation well, and we recommend them to the attention of some of our bulkier brethren they would overflow our narrow banks, and sweep away Mr M'Corkindale like a Morayshire flood. E Der Christliche Glaube nach den Grundsätzen der evangelischen Kirche im Zusammenhange dargestellt, von Dr Friedrich Schleiermacher. Zweite umgearbeitete Ausgabe. Erster Band. (The Principles of Christian Belief, systematically arranged according to the doctrines of the Evangelical Church. By Dr Frederick Schleiermacher. The second edition, completely rewrote. First volume.) Berlin: G. Reimer. Edinburgh: Thomas Clark. 1830. WE remarked, some time ago, that the institutions of the Scottish Church were unfavourable to the systematic study of Theology, and we embrace the opportunity afforded us by this work, to revert to this important fact, and at the same time to guard against misconception. There are many strong-minded and widely read divines in our church, and still more faithful practical preachers. But the attachment to extreme principles of Presbyterian parity which has deprived our church of a body of men, who, unencumbered by parochial duties, might devote themselves to the task of studying, and systematizing theology, and defending divine truth against the attacks of the infidel, has exercised a most malign influence, as may be seen in the paltry provisions which have been made for the encouragement and support of persons upon whom the chur chmight devolve the task of rearing future ministers. A man may be a pious and exemplary Christian, although not a systematic divine; but he will prove an different pastor, unless disciplined and exercised in theological investigations and arguments. And it requires no common order of natural talent, joined to no small study, to fit a man for directing the education of youths to this important office. Yet no encouragement is held out to such men, no care taken to secure their services. The consequences of this illiterate spirit are obvious. Where is there a divine of the Church of Scotland whe is looked upon as an authority? Where are her Hookers and Taylors? It may be of use to the counteraction of this spirit to turn the attention of our clergy occasionally to what is doing in other lands. We are sorry to add, that this task is rendered still more incumbent upon us by a spirit of illiberal ignorance, which showed its strength among us in the course of the late Apocrypha controversy. Schleiermacher, the author, whose work has provoked these remarks, stands at Berlin in equal reputation as à profound philosopher and an eloquent preacher. He is the great rival of Hengel, who is now generally allowed to rank at the head of German philosophers. Schleiermacher's church is the most crowded in the city. Not least in the catalogue of his merits is that candid and enlarged spirit which prompted him to be one of the first stirrers in the late happy approximation of the Lutheran and Reformed, or Calvinistic, churches. We feel much inclined to enter upon the discussion of this theological system, but as such a man ought not to be discussed piecemeal, we reserve our remarks till the whole work has appeared. THERE is at present no country in Europe in which so much effective talent is brought to bear upon historical research as Germany, Niebuhr, Savigny, and Eichhorn, have, by the rare union of original genius and patient investigation, thrown an entirely new light upon the origin and progress of the Roman power,-the manner in which its empire was divided,—and the resurrection from its fragments of civil government and philosophy. Ham mer, passing beyond the limits of Europe, has given us the first complete and authentic history of the Ottoman power. The stern and laconic Müller, the industrious Heinrich, the diffuse but shrewd Sartorius, have each made valuable additions to the mass of our historical have lent the aid of their various enquiries to elucidate knowledge. The divine, the lawyer, and the philologist of the soundness of German philosophy,—they may Kesiwhatever was dark and unsatisfactory. Men may doubt tate to admit the value of her imaginative literature—but her conquests in the domain of history are tangible and undeniable. ༔ Schlosser, the principal conductor of the new periodi cal we are now about to introduce to our readers' ac quaintance, is not one of the least among the German historians. His history of the eighteenth century, and his contributions to the Heidelberger Jahrbuch, have established his character. Of his younger and less known coadjutor, Bercht, we are inclined to augur favourably, from some of his contributions in the present volume. The plan of the work, as detailed in the preface, is such as to enlist us in its favour:“Our Journal is devoted to history in the widest sense of the word—to ancient and modern, to political and scientific history; it is destined to the reception of essays, criticisms, extracts from important works, (particularly from such foreign publications as are less generally accessible,) and, in short, to every thing which, in the opinion of the editors, is likely to promote historical research." The conductors next proceed, according to the established custom in the case of every new per riodical, to demonstrate the utility of such a publication, and the non-existence of any thing that can supply its place. They promise that party spirit-literary, religious, or political-shall have no influence over their criticism. They declare themselves willing to encourage every symptom of talent, but ready to express freely their opinion of all pretenders. They give notice that no person need seek to publish his sentiments through the medium of their publication who fears to append his name. From our confidence in the character and talents of Schlosser, from the principles upon which he professes to act, and from the specimen of his work now before us, we have no doubt that it will prove a valuable accession to literature. There are only three reviews in the present volume one of Meyer's History of Switzerland, another of Aschbach's History of the Ommajadi in Spain, and a third of Bignon's History of France, from 1799 to the peace of Tilsit. As they are reviews deserving the name—i. e. meant rather to give the reader an idea of the book than to show off the ingenuity of the critic-they afford little room for remark. They present us with a condensed account of what the books reviewed contain; and the objections to their execution in some of the minor details are judiciously made. The history of Switzerland, and in particular its modern history, has hitherto been a desideratum, for Müller's work is only a fragment; and Meyer seems to be adequate to the task. We are promised some important information respecting that period of Swiss history during which the country was organised upon the model of republican France in one of the succeeding volumes. The original essays are extremely interesting, as well on account of their matter, as of the able manner in which it is handled. The first is a parallel between Madame de Stael and la Citoyenne Roland; the second an account of the sources from which the later Roman historians derived their knowledge of public events; the third a dissertation on Dante's Paradise; the fourth a narrative of the arrest, trial, and imprisonment of the superintendent Fouquet, under Louis the XIV., and of the circumstances which led to the disgrace of that minister; the fifth a picture of the Greek Universities, Professors, and Students, in the time of Julian and Theodosius-a dissertation which possesses much novelty, and makes us acquainted with a very curious state of society. MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE. time we'll be back. So, good night, and God bless ye 'And now away to sea right merrily, Of all the pretty maidens of Kent, (and they are not few,) Lucy Lawson was one of the prettiest. On Mayday, who so often chosen queen as Lucy? At fairs, her title was acknowledged and undisputed. Happy was he who could get her for his companion during the day, and his partner for the dance in the evening, though at the expense of loading her with ribbons, and all the other enchanting articles of rustic female finery, displayed by the itinerant traders assembled from all parts of the county, to the grand centre of attraction, Waldershare Fair. Alas, for Waldershare! The days of thy glory are gone! No more will the thought of thy one day's mirth and frolic gladden and cheer the heart of the lowly cottage maiden, and the honest and hardy peasant, through the twelve months' labour and toil; nor will the pale mechanic, or close-confined shopkeeper, ever more taste the enjoyment of thy verdant lawns, and noble avenues, enlivened by the presence of the young, the happy, and the free! Thy last fair was held years ago. But let that pass. Though Lucy's claims to beauty were everywhere recognised, you could not have fixed on one single feature to which the term regular might be applied; but there was such a lightness in her step, such glee in the tone of her voice, her hazel eyes were so arch, yet soft, and such a sweet dimple lurked round the corners of her lips, so pouting ripe and rosy, as if "suing to be prest," and half open with a slight smile, displaying teeth beautifully whiteand then she had a countenance so glowing with health and happiness, and so small and neat a figure, that it was no wonder she was the cause of many a sore heart, as well as head. Of all her numerous admirers, both seamen and THE WATER-CRESS GIRL; OR, THE SMUGGLER'S landsmen, Will Smith was the successful one. To bim LAST TRIP. Will had promised his Sue, that this trip, if well ended, Should coil up his hopes, and he'd anchor ashore: When his pockets were lined, why, his life should be mended; The laws he had broken, he'd never break more. "COME, cheer up, Lucy, my girl; what's the fun of piping your tears aboard? Ha'n't I said it, and when did ever Jack Lawson make false entry in his log, in the matter of keeping his word? Come, belay, woman; you know as well as an Admiralty clerk knows his A B C, that this is to be my last run, and the coast's pretty clear into the bargain. The red-coats are some twenty miles to the south'ard, and on a wrong scent; we've got a good wind, my head is a good chart of this here coast on both sides, and your namesake will carry us across and back again afore morn; and by to-morrow's sunset, we'll have you spliced to Will, and what more can you wish? So dry your look-outs, and give us a buss, and then we're off and back again for good." "Yes, father; but don't you see the mist rising eastward, and the sun's casting an awful kind of unnatural glare on it? and don't you hear that long heavy boom? It bodes no good, and I'm terribly afraid we'll have a storm soon. I'm too much of a sailor's daughter, not to know something about the weather." "Right enough there, lass, but I know 'twill not be worth mindin' afore eight bells o' the morning, by which all the others had at last to give way. Will was as open, bold, and manly a young fellow, as ever put foot on salt water, and next to Lucy's father, was the best seaman and smuggler on the coast. Lawson was an old tar, who, from the time he could first handle a rope to the time of our story, had been a smuggler, and now, by dint of great success, as well as skill, had become owner of the Lucy, one of the fastest sailing luggers that had ever come off the stocks, and so named after his daughter. Smith had always been looked upon by the old man with a favourable eye, and since Lucy had chosen him for her future commander through life, he had made him his mate. For a long time his daughter had used all her influence with her father to make him give up his mode of life, but till the time at which our story opens, in vain. He had now promised that this should be his last trip, and that henceforth he would live at home, and no more tempt the fortune and the peril of the free-trader. Lucy was dearer to him than all the world; her mother had died in giving her birth, and she was to him all that remained of his first and only love. He was proud of her too, for Lucy was somewhat more educated than the rest of her com panions, and had even at times tried her hand at spinning the yarn of a very simple species of rhyme or ballad, to the great delight of the old man; and now that she had chosen a sailor, and that he was going to see her happily married, who so well pleased as Lawson ? In the greatest glee he took leave of his daughter on the sharks flung in our way, when we'd made so sure of hapresent occasion, and started along the cliff, followed at ving the coast clear. All hands, ahoy! Let out another some distance by Will, who had stopped to say something reef in the main, and hoist the foresail. Are ye ready which seemed to interest him and his sweetheart exceed there, fore men ?"-" Ay, ay!"-" Away with it, then! ingly, from the close position which it brought them both That's right, my lads. She's walking a little faster now, into. He soon came in sight of his boat, which lay wait- Will. Are we dropping her at all?"—"No, sir: she's ing for him in a small bay formed by the projecting of let out another reef in her main, and hoisted her gaff with ↑ two headlands, while, concealed under the dark shadow of a single one."-" Schooner-rigged, then?"-" Ay, ay, one of them, lay his far-famed lugger, the Lucy. Being sir."" We must fight, then, Will; and if we've any Snow rejoined by Will, the two sailors descended to the luck, we may send one of her masts by the board; but beach, and found the boat waiting for them, cautiously she's too old I think to have any hope in her yawing. kept by her skilful crew just on the outside of the surf. Clear the deck there, and out with the tompions; we A wave of the hand from Lawson, and with one stroke of may perhaps make our sixes rattle in a way she'll like her oars, she ran her head on the beach, and a few mo- about as much as nine-water grog on a banyan day. ments placed her again in deep water, swiftly cutting her Knock the head out of that cask, and lash it to the main ; way towards the lugger, propelled by six pair of stout and there'll be enough of fighting water in't.—Are yeall ready willing hands. In a short time they were all on board, now, every soul of ye?"—" Ay, ay!"—" Then listen, my the galley hoisted in, and the Lucy standing gallantly lads, while I speechify a bit. You see we've but three across the Channel at the rate of nine knots an hour. The chances. First, run, and so get clear off; second, fight, #1, opposite coast was reached in safety, her cargo, which was and beat them; third, blow ourselves and them to the ready waiting for her, was soon stowed away, and swiftly devil together. We'll try 'em all in turn; and now lie in, 2 back again she came, favoured by the same strong side-every mother's son of ye, and let not a gun be fired till I wind. give the word." A change, however, had taken place in the weather. The night had become quite dark, except to the eastward, where, on the verge of the horizon, a misty red light seemed to be dancing on the top of the waves, though, rit from the extreme distance, it could scarcely be told which in was sea and which sky. Large heavy masses of dark clouds were coming rapidly up with the wind, while every ,<) now and then, some small cloud was detached from the main body, but was as soon scattered and dispersed by the force of the blast, which was rapidly rising. The long Th, heavy swell of the sea, which had been prevalent during the fore part of the evening, had now assumed the appearviance of arching waves, rolling thunderingly on, and breaking and re-forming every moment. "I say, Will," began Lawson, who was holding the tiller, and anxiously watching the signs of the weather, "I'm blow'd but here's a pretty storm a-brewing. 'Tis coming on so fast, that I'm afraid we'll have to run to the south'ard, and that, I guess, is right into the teeth of the sharks, and be d―d to them !"—"I can't say as how I like it at all," replied Will; "'specially as them 'ere gulls rare making such furious sail to the land; if them birds arn't the weather glasses, I'm a land lubber. But as for and the matter of running to the south, why, I think 'twould be even better to run her right ashore, and take our chance; we may perhaps cheat Davy that way, but, by the other, 'tis all up with us." 66 "Belay there with your pipe, you young imp of the devil," roared out Lawson to an embryo free-trader, who was whistling most unconcernedly on the forecastle, or I'll make this rope and your back better acquainted. I wonder you haven't hoisted in more ballast in the article of sense since you've been to sea than to whistle in a storm. A pretty sort of a place you have sarved your time in, and be d-d t'ye, not to know better than that!" "Ahoy, there aft!" sung out a voice from the bow, or where the lugger's look-out was stationed; "a sail rising seaward on the starboard bow! She's coming up right afore the wind, under reefed tops and a jib." ad re "I'm blow'd, Will, if I don't like this about as much as a stripped marine does the drummer! Who the devil can she be?-Ahoy, there aft!-What is't now, lad?" "The strange sail's hoisted her main, double reefed, and has veered a point more to the nor'ard." "By George, this is no joke now! Take the glass, Will, your eyes are younger than mine, and see what you can make of her."—" By heaven! Lawson, her hull's rising; she's a king's ship, as I am alive-Who the devil can she be? Strike my tops! but she sees us now, and here she comes with a vengeance."-" You're right! you're right, boy! We must clap on more sail; our spars will bear it; but it is d-d unpleasant to have this here nest of | The schooner was by this time within a mile of the smugglers, and had now altered her course so, that in a short time she would have run across the lugger's bows, and brought her whole broadside to bear on her; but Lawson was too old a hand to be caught in that way, and putting the tiller a little to starboard, the Lucy, in a moment, was running parallel with her foe. "Ha! ha! old boy!" muttered the smuggler; "too deep for you this tack, I imagine. He's beginning to speak now, Will, and seriously too." A cloud of smoke rushed from the schooner's side, and a whole broadside of her shot passed harmlessly over the smuggler, owing to her falling, luckily, in the critical moment, into the trough of the sea, while her antagonist was, at the same moment, raised on the crest of a wave. "See, Will, he's tired of this; and, by all my hopes, here he comes right afore the wind! Bring her a point more to the wind, Will, and we'll rake him. Steady, my lads, steady; for God's sake, wait till I sing out!" The schooner was now within pistol-shot of the lugger, never suspecting she could have any metal weight enough to harm her, and was just rounding to bring another broadside to bear, when Lawson, springing forward, sang out, "Away there, ye Lucies; up with the ports, and give it them cheerily, my lads!" The ports were up, the guns run out, and fired by the And now begins the race, for the eager shark's in chase; |