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French, sabre in hand. This very unexpected conversion of artillerymen into dragoons contributed greatly to the defeat of the enemy, already disconcerted by the reception they had met with from the two British squadrons; and the appearance of some small reinforcements, notwithstanding the immense disproportion of force, put them to absolute rout.

And what avails thee that, for Cameron slain.-P. 322.

The gallant Colonel Cameron was wounded mortally during the desperate contest in the streets of the village called Fuentes d'Honoro. He fell at the head of his native Highlanders, the 71st and 79th, who raised a dreadful shriek of grief and rage. They charged with irresistible fury the finest body of French grenadiers ever seen, being a part of Buonaparte's selected guard.

O who shall grudge him Albuera's bays.-P. 323.

Nothing during the war of Portugal seems more deserving of praise than the self-devotion of Field-Marshal Beresford, who was contented to undertake all the hazard of obloquy which might have been founded upon any miscarriage in the highly-important experiment of training the Portuguese troops to an improved state of discipline. In exposing his military reputation to the censure of imprudence from the most moderate, and all manner of unutterable calumnies from the ignorant and malignant, he placed at stake the dearest pledge which a military man had to offer; and nothing but the deepest conviction of the high and essential importance attached to success can be supposed an adequate motive.

Than when wild Ronda learned the conquering shout of Græme.— P. 323.

This stanza alludes to the various achievements of the warlike family of Græme, or Grahame.

ROKEBY.

On Barnard's towers and Tees's stream.-P. 327.

Barnard Castle, saith old Leland, "standeth stately upon Tees." It is founded upon a very high bank, and its ruins impend over the river, including within the area a circuit of six acres and upwards. This once magnificent fortress derives its name from its founder, Barnard Baliol, the ancestor of the short and unfortunate dynasty of that name, which succeeded to the Scottish throne under the patronage of Edward I. and Edward III. Baliol's tower, afterwards mentioned in the poem, is a round tower of great size, situated at the western extremity of the building. It bears marks of great antiquity, and was remarkable for the curious construction of its vaulted roof.

And the buff-coat in ample fold.-P. 329. The use of complete suits of armour was fallen into disuse during the civil war, though they were still worn by leaders of rank and importance. "In the reign of King James I.," says our military antiquary, "no great alterations were made in the article of defensive armour, except that the buff-coat, or jerkin, which was originally worn under the cuirass, now became frequently a substitute for it, it having been found that a good buff leather would of itself resist the stroke of a sword; this, however, only occasionally took place among the light-armed cavalry and infantry, complete suits of armour being still used among the heavy horse."-Grose's Military Antiquities.

On his dark face a scorching clime.-P. 330.

In this character I have attempted to sketch one of those WestIndian adventurers, who, during the course of the seventeenth century, were popularly known by the name of Buccaneers. The successes of the English in the predatory incursions upon Spanish America, during the reign of Elizabeth, had never been forgotten; and from that period downward, the exploits of Drake and Raleigh were imitated, upon a smaller scale, indeed, but with equally despe rate valour, by small hands of pirates, gathered from all nations, but chiefly French and English.

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Monckton and Mitton told the news.-P. 336.

Monckton and Mitton are villages near the river Ouse, and not very distant from the field of battle. The particulars of the action were violently disputed at the time.

The moated mound of Risingham.-P. 336.

Risingham, upon the river Reed, near the beautiful hamlet of Woodburn, is an ancient Roman station, formerly called Habitan cum. Camden says, that in his time the popular account bore that it had been the abode of a deity or giant, called Magon.

An outlaw's image on the stone.-P. 336.

About half a mile distant from Risingham, upon an eminence covered with scattered birch-trees and fragments of rock, there is cut upon a large rock, in alto-relievo, a remarkable figure, called Robin of Risingham, or Robin of Reedsdale. It presents a hunter, with his bow raised in one hand, and in the other what seems to be a hare. There is a quiver at the back of the figure, and he is dressed in a long coat, or kirtle, coming down to the knees, and meeting close, with a girdle bound round him. The popular tradition is, that it represents a giant, whose brother resided at Woodburn, and he himself at Risingham.

The statutes of the Buccaneer.-P. 337.

The "statutes of the Buccaneers" were, in reality, more equitable than could have been expected from the state of society under which they had been formed. They chiefly related, as may readily be conjectured, to the distribution and the inheritance of their plunder.

Down his deep woods the course of Tees.-P. 343.

The view from Barnard Castle commands the rich and magnificent valley of Tees. Immediately adjacent to the river, the banks are very thickly wooded; at a little distance they are more open and cultivated; but being interspersed with hedge-rows, and with isolated trees of great size and age, they still retain the richness of woodland scenery. The river itself flows in a deep trench of solid rock, chiefly limestone and marble. The finest view of its romantic course is from a handsome modern-built bridge over the Tees, by the late Mr. Morritt of Rokeby.

And Eglistone's grey ruins passed.-P. 344.

The ruins of this abbey or priory are beautifully situated upon the angle formed by a little dell called Thorsgill, at its junction with the Tees. Eglistone was dedicated to St. Mary and St. John the Baptist, and is supposed to have been founded by Ralph de Multon about the end of Henry the Second's reign. There were formerly the tombs of the families of Rokebys, Bowes, and Fitzhughs.

Raised by that legion long renowned.-P. 345.

Close behind the George Inn at Greta Bridge, there is a well. preserved Roman encampment, surrounded with a triple ditch. lying between the river Greta and a brook called the Tutta. Very

many Roman altars and monuments have been found in the vicinity.

Awoke, when Rokeby's turrets high.-P. 345.

This ancient manor long gave name to a family by whom it is said to have been possessed from the Conquest downward, and who are at different times distinguished in history. The Rokeby, or Rokesby, family continued to be distinguished until the great civil war, when, having embraced the cause of Charles I., they suffered severely by fines and confiscations. The estate then passed from its ancient possessors.

What gales are sold on Lapland's shore.-P. 348.

Olaus Magnus states that the Findlanders were wont formerly to sell winds to merchants that were stopped on their coasts by contrary weather.

How whistle rash bids tempests roar.-P. 348.

That this is a general superstition is well known to all who have been on ship-board, or who have conversed with seamen. The most formidable whistler that I remember to have met with was the apparition of a certain Mrs. Leakey, who, about 1636, resided, we are told, at Mynehead, in Somerset.

Of Erick's cap and Elmo's light.-P. 348.

"Ericus, King of Sweden, in his time was held second to none in the magical art; and he was so familiar with the evil spirits, which he exceedingly adored, that which way soever he turned his cap, the wind would presently blow that way. From this occasion he was called Windy Cap."-Olaus Magnus.

The Dæmon-frigate braves the gale.-P. 348.

This is an allusion to a well-known nautical superstition concerning a fantastic vessel, called by sailors the Flying Dutchman, and supposed to be seen about the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope. She is distinguished from earthly vessels by bearing a press of sail when all others are unable, from stress of weather, to show an inch of canvas.

How, by some desert isle or key.-P. 348.

What contributed much to the security of the Buccaneers, about the Windward Islands, was the great number of little islets, called in that country keys. These are small sandy patches, appearing just above the surface of the ocean, covered only with a few bushes and weeds, but sometimes affording springs of water, and in general much frequented by turtle. Such little uninhabited spots afforded the pirates good harbours, either for refitting or for the purpose of ambush; they were occasionally the hiding place of their treasure, and often afforded a shelter to themselves.

Before the gate of Mortham stood.-P. 350.

The castle of Mortham, which Leland terms " Mr. Rokesby's place, in ripa citer, scant a quarter of mile from Greta Bridge, and not a quarter of a mile beneath into Tees," is a picturesque tower, surrounded by buildings of different ages. The battlements of the tower itself are singularly elegant, the architect having broken them at regular intervals into different heights; while those at the corners of the tower project into octangular turrets. A wall with embrasures encloses the southern front, where a low portal arch affords an entry to what was the castle court. At some distance is most happily placed, between the stems of two magnificent elms, the monument alluded to in the text. It is said to have been brought from the ruins of Eglistone priory, and appears to have been a tomb of the Fitz-Hughs. The situation of Mortham is eminently beautiful, occupying a high bank, at the bottom of which the Greta winds out of the dark, narrow, and romantic dell which the the text has attempted to describe.

And bid the dead your treasure keep.-P. 351.

If time did not permit the Buccaneers to lavish away their plunder in their usual debaucheries, they were wont to hide it, with many superstitious solemnities, in the desert islands and keys which they frequented. The most cruel of mankind are often the most superstitious, and these pirates are said to have had recourse to a horrid ritual in order to secure an unearthly guardian to their treasures. They killed a Negro or Spaniard, and Furied him with the treasure, believing that his spirit would haunt the spot, and terrify away all intruders.

Of Brackenbury's dismal tower.-P. 355.

This tower is situated near the north-eastern extremity of the wall which encloses Barnard Castle, and is traditionally said to have been the prison.

In Redesdale his youth had heard.-P. 358.

The inhabitants of the valleys of Tyne and Reed were, in ancient times, so inordinately addicted to depredation, that in 1564 the In corporated Merchant-adventurers of Newcastle made a law that none born in these districts should be admitted apprentice. The inhabitants are stated to be so generally addicted to rapine, that no faith should be reposed in those proceeding from "such lewde and wicked progenitors." This regulation continued to stand unrepealed until 1771.

When Rooken-edge and Redswair high.-P. 358.

Reidswair, famed for a skirmish to which it gives name, is on the very edge of the Carter-Fell, which divides England from Scotland. The Rooken is a place upon Reed-Water.

Of old, the cavern strait and rude.-P. 364.

The banks of the Greta, below Rutherford Bridge, abound in seams of a greyish slate, which are wrought in some places to a very great depth under ground, thus forming artificial caverns, which, when the seam has been exhausted, are gradually hidden by the underwood which grows in profusion upon the romantic banks of the river.

The Baron of Ravensworth prances in pride.-P. 372.

The ruins of Ravensworth Castle stand in the North Riding of Yorkshire, about three miles from the town of Richmond, and adjoining to the waste called the Forest of Arkingarth. It belonged originally to the powerful family of Fitz-Hugh, from whom it passed to the Lords Dacre of the South.

Who at Rere-cross on Stanmore meets Allen-a-Dale.-P. 372. This is a fragment of an old cross with its pediment, surrounded by an intrenchment, upon the very summit of the waste ridge of Stanmore. The situation of the cross, and the pains taken to defend it, seem to indicate that it was intended for a land-mark of importance.

When Denmark's Raven soared on high.-P. 373.

About the year of God 866, the Danes, under their celebrated leaders Inguar (more properly Agnar) and Hubba, sons, it is said, of the still more celebrated Regnar Lodbrog, invaded Northumberland, bringing with them the magical standard, so often mentioned in poetry, called REAFEN, or Rumfan, from its bearing the figure of a raven.

Thundering o'er Caldron and High Force.-P. 373.

The Tees rises about the skirts of Cross-Fell, and falls over the cataracts named in the text before it leaves the mountains which divide the North Riding from Cumberland. High Force is seventy. five feet in height.

Fixed on each vale a Runic name.-P. 373.

The heathen Danes have left several traces of their religion in the upper part of Teesdale. Balder-garth, which derives its name from the unfortunate son of Odin, is a tract of waste land on the very ridge of Stanmore; and a brook, which falls into the Tees near Barnard Castle, is named after the same deity. A field upon the banks of the Tees is also termed Woden-Croft, from the supreme deity of the Edda. Thorsgill, of which a description is attempted in Stanza II., is a beautiful little brook and dell, running up behind the ruins of Eglistone Abbey. Thor was the Hercules of the Scandinavian mythology.

Who has not heard how brave O'Neale.-P. 375.

The O'Neale here meant, for more than one succeeded to the chieftainship during the reign of Elizabeth, was Hugh, the grandson of Con O'Neale, called Con Bacco, or the Lame. His father, Matthew O'Kelly, was illegitimate, and, being the son of a blacksmith's wife, was usually called Matthew the Blacksmith. His father, nevertheless, destined his succession to him; and he was created, by Elizabeth, Baron of Dungannon. Upon the death of Con Bacco, this Matthew was slain by his brother. Hugh narrowly escaped the same fate, and was protected by the English. Shane O'Neale, his uncle, called Shane Dymas, was succeeded by Turlough Lynogh O'Neale; after whose death, Hugh having assumed the chieftainship, became nearly as formidable to the English as any by whom it had been possessed. He rebelled repeatedly, and as often made submissions, of which it was usually a condition that he should not any longer assume the title of O'Neale; in lieu of which he was created Earl of Tyrone. But this condition he never observed longer than until the pressure of superior force was withdrawn. His baffling the gallant Earl of Essex in the field, and over-reaching him in a treaty, was the induction to that nobleman's tragedy. Lord Mountjoy succeeded in finally subjugating O'Neale; but it was not till the succession of James, to whom he made personal submission, and was received with civility at court.

The Tanist he to great O'Neale.-P. 375.

"It is a custom amongst all the Irish, that, presently after the death of one of their chiefe lords or captaines, they doe presently assemble themselves to a place generally appointed and knowne unto them, to choose another in his stead; where they do nominate and elect, for the most part, not the eldest sonne, nor any of the children of the lord deceased, but the next to him in blood, that is, the eldest and worthiest, as commonly the next brother unto him, if he have any, or the next cousin, or so forth, as any is elder in that kindred or sept; and then next to him doe they choose the next of the blood to be Tanist, who shall next succeed him in the said captainry, if he live thereunto." The Tanist, therefore, of O'Neale, was the heir-apparent of his power.-Spenser.

His plaited hair in elf-locks spread.-P. 376.

The ancient Irish dress was (the bonnet excepted) very similar to that of the Scottish Highlanders. The want of a covering on the head was supplied by the mode of plaiting and arranging their hair, which was called the glibbe.

With wild majestic port and tone.-P. 376.

The Irish chiefs, in their intercourse with the English, and with each other, were wont to assume the language and style of inde pendent royalty.

His foster-father was his guide.-P. 377.

There was no tie more sacred among the Irish than that which connected the foster-father, as well as the nurse herself, with the child they brought up.

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