were at all times contributed towards preserving good humour, contentment, and cheerfulness, whilst his generous and feeling heart, ever sympathized with those who suffered under the pressure of disappointment or distress.

A printer, armourer, and several other artificers and mechanics, likewise embarked on board the Britannia, for the purpose of exercising their respective arts in the service of the South American Patriots. Some of these individuals had been furnished by Don Mendez with letters of introduction to General Bolivar, and the Independent Government; and the printer was proceeding for the especial purpose of being attached to Bolivar's army, for whose use a most valuable and extensive printing apparatus was sent out in the Britannia, by the merchants to whom the cargo belonged, under an assurance of being in like manner immediately purchased on the vessel arriving at her destination. The armourer had on board a very large quantity of fire-arms of various descriptions, for which he anticipated a ready sale on reaching the Spanish main.

These facts are no otherwise important, than as tending further to exemplify the extraordinary delusion at this time practised by the Patriot agents, and the strange misconception which generally existed as to the state of affairs in Spanish America.

There were, besides myself, nine commissioned officers on board, viz., Colonel Gilmore, one captain, one first lieutenant, four second lieutenants, and two surgeons; all of whom appeared in the highest spirits, confidently anticipating an honourable and successful termination to the extraordinary enterprise in which they had embarked. To me the situation was both novel and interesting. I now for the first time found myself cast on the wide and stormy sea of life, on the eve of being far removed from those who were endeared to me by the ties of kindred and friendship. My sphere of action had heretofore been confined within the limits of my native land; for although my natural feelings induced a prejudice in favour of the military profession, until now my inclination in this respect had never been gratified. All these circumstances tended

to produce thoughtfulness, and mental anxiety; nor could I, for a considerable time, shake off the feelings of melancholy with which I was oppressed, by having so recently undergone the distressing ceremony of bidding farewell to friends for whom I entertained the most affectionate esteem, and whose reciprocal regard I felt confident of possessing. The bustle, however, of the surrounding scene; the diffusion of mirth; and the hope which I fondly entertained of being ere long enabled to revisit my native country, gradually dispelled every gloomy sentiment, and qualified me to partake of the general happiness.

The mild and gentlemanly manners of my immediate senior officer, Captain →→→→→→, and his anxiety to afford me that advice and information for which his experience so, well qualified him, induced me to form the highest opinion of his character and military talent; and the closest subsequent intimacy and friendship fully justified my original prepossession. In all the vicissitudes of fortune to which we were afterwards subjected, our destiny was the same,

our hopes and fears mutual, and our sufferings and privations similar; nor were our fates disunited, until having triumphed

over every difficulty, we at length suc-ceeded in effecting, what we had often nearly despaired of ever accomplishing, a return to our native shores.

Dec. 3rd. On the afternoon of this day -sailed from Gravesend, and anchored for the night about one mile and a half lower down the river.

Dec. 4th. Again weighed anchor, and -proceeded as far as Faversham, where we remained for the night, the wind blowing hard from the S. E.

5th. Arrived in the Downs about six o'clock in the afternoon, and anchored. Four officers went ashore.

6th. The officers who went ashore yesterday returned this morning with the colonel's baggage, preparatory to his embarkation, which took place in the afternoon. litani viku

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7th Remained at anchor in the Downs, the wind blowing hard and adverse. 8th

Weighed anchor about two o'clock

in the afternoon, with the wind from the N. E. and had nearly weathered Beachy Head, when it commenced blowing hard from the S.E., which obliged us to continue beating about during the whole night.

9th. Still beating about without making any material way; again in sight of Beachy Head, with the wind fresh from the S. WAS

-10th. During the greater part of this day becalmed within view of the Isle of Wight.

Dec. 11th. Made little progress, wind still adverse, and blowing hard from the S. W. by W.

-12th. Blowing a stiff gale from the S. E. by E.

13th. Captain Sharpe on this day seriously contemplated putting into Plymouth, in consequence of the severity of the weather, adverse winds, and the little way we were making in our course.

14th. Arrived at Falmouth Harbour about ten o'clock in the morning, after beating about all night close on the Lizard shore, with the wind blowing hard from the S.W.