summer of 1762, when the unfortunate expedition against Buenos Ayres, sailed under the command of Captain Macnamara. It consisted of three ships: the Lord Clive, of 64 guns; the Ambuscade of 40, on board of which Penrose acted as lieutenant of marines; the Gloria, of 38; and some inferior vessels. Preparatory to an attack on Buenos Ayres, it was deemed necessary to begin with the capture of Nova Colonia, and the ships approached closely to the fortress of that settlement. The men were in high spirits; military music sounded on board; while the new uniforms, and polished arms of the marines, gave a splendid appearance to the scene. Penrose, the night before, had written and dispatched to his mistress in England, a poetical address, which evinced at once the affection and serenity of his heart, on the eve of danger. The gay preparative was followed by a heavy fire of several hours, at the end of which, when the Spanish batteries were almost silenced, and our countrymen in immediate expectation of seeing the enemy strike his colours, the Lord Clive was found to be on fire; and the same moment which discovered the flames, shewed the impossibility of extinguishing them. A dreadful spectacle was then exhibited. Men, who had, the instant before, assured themselves of wealth and conquest, were seen crowding to the sides of the ship, with the dreadful alternative of perishing by fire or water. The enemy's fire was, redoubled at the sight of their calamity. Out of Macnamara's crew, VOL. V. DD of 340 men, only 78 were saved. Penrose escaped with his life on board the Ambuscade, but received a wound in the action; and the subsequent hardships which he underwent, in a prize-sloop, in which he was stationed, ruined the strength of his constitution. He returned to England; resumed his studies at Oxford; and having taken orders, accepted of the curacy of Newbury, in Berkshire, of which his father was the rector. He resided there for nine years, having married the lady already alluded to, whose name was Slocock. A friend at last rescued him from this obscure situation, by presenting him with the rectory of Beckington and Standerwick, in Somersetshire, worth about £500 a year. But he came to his preferment too late to enjoy it. His health having never recovered from the shock of his American service, obliged him, as a last remedy, to try the hot wells at Bristol, at which place he expired, in his thirty-sixth year. THE HELMETS. A FRAGMENT. -TWAS midnight-every mortal eye was clos'd Did closely imitate), pac'd slow and sad The penitent when 'wake. Scarce show'd the ray In many a trophy form'd, the knightly group Of ancient chivalry.-Through the stain'd pane Low gleam'd the moon-not bright-but of such pow'r As mark'd the clouds, black, threat'ning over head, "I hear it," cries the proudly gilded casque (Fill'd by the soul of one, who erst took joy In slaught❜rous deeds) "I hear amidst the gale "The hostile spirit shouting-once-once more "In the thick harvest of the spears we'll shine"There will be work anon." "I'm 'waken'd too," Replied the sable helmet (tenanted By a like inmate) "Hark!-I hear the voice "Of the impatient ghosts, who straggling range "The spirits, wand'ring round this Gothic pile, "Call armourers, ho! "Furbish my vizor-close my rivets up"I brook no dallying". "Soft, my hasty friend," Said the black beaver," Neither of us twain "To my once master,-since unsought, unus'd, "The famish'd raven snuffs the promis'd feast, "And hoarslier croaks for blood-'twill flow." "Forbid it, heaven! "O shield my suffering country!-Shield it," pray'd The agonizing priest. THE FIELD OF BATTLE. FAINTLY bray'd the battle's roar Wounds and death were left behind. The war-fiend curs'd the sunken day, While, scarcely lighting to the prey, The field, so late the hero's pride, Was now with various carnage spread; And floated with a crimson tide, That drench'd the dying and the dead. O'er the sad scene of dreariest view, Maria, sorrow's early child; |