ings of the winds and waves, the doleful cries of the murdered son, and the despairing groans of the remorse-stung father.

The Casket Lights

Are built on a rock forming the extremity of a broken ledge, which extends in a westerly and northerly direction from Alderney, about seven miles. From the nearest, or most northerly point of Guernsey, they bear north and by east, distant about twelve miles, and are visible in clear weather from the most distant parts of the Island.

The rock is of a whitish sandstone, drawing to a rose colour, and assumes a singular appearance by taking a schistic form. Two transversal and parallel fissures are particularly remarkable. It rises about thirty feet above the level of the sea: and the top of the towers or lanterns about fifty.

Three towers, placed triangularly, are connected by walls forming an area, which contains a plot of ground where a few vegetables are grown in soil brought from Alderney; a small house for the accommodation of the agent of the Trinity-house, when he may have occasion to visit the establishment:-a bake-house, and conveniences for the workmen who may occasionally come to make the necessary repairs, such as a carpenter's shop, &c.

In each lantern is a reflector, round which a circle of Argandlamps revolve horizontally, by a simple machine, not unlike that of a common culinary jack. The projection en potence to the right of one of the towers, shelters from the weather the pullies and weight which work its revolver; the tower itself not being of a sufficient height from the rock, to afford play to the machinery which is necessary, so as to enable it to have a simultaneous action with that of the others.

The revolving of the lamps produces a twinkling effect, which, with their number, should sufficiently dis

tinguish these lights from others. A Russian man-of-war was, notwithstanding, lost here some years ago. This vessel was observed in the night steering for the Caskets, but bearing a little to the eastward, and consequently between the Caskets and Alderney. On passing through a narrow interstice in the ledge, so as to be clear of all the dangers, she was seen to tack, apparently for the purpose of getting to the westward of the rock, when she struck, and every soul perished!

These unfortunate people are supposed, on entering the British Channel, to have first made these lights, and that in such a direction as to keep two in one, thus mistaking them for the Lizard-Lights, until they came abreast of the rock, when they opened the third, found their error, and by endeavouring to extricate themselves, were precipitated into that destruction which the spectators thought they had most miraculously avoided.

The interior economy of this place cannot, we think, fail to be interesting to our readers. When the writer of this article was there, the inhabitants consisted of a man, his wife, and a grown-up daughter, whose duty was pretty severe in watching and trimming the lamps at night, particularly in winter, when the spray of the sea flies over, perhaps to double the height of the towers, and even when the waves themselves dash so as to break the panes glass of the lanterns, although of an extraordinary thickness,

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Their supplies of the necessaries of life from the Trinity-house, sisting of the best salt meat, biscuit, flour, malt, &c. &c., are very libe ral, and of the first quality. They occasionally, when the weather permits, receive fresh provisions and vegetables from Alderney. When to this is added their own poultry, with the produce of their garden; the great abundance of fish which they catch from the rock in and either consume fresh, or cure for

summer,

their winter use, their situation is, in this respect, most comfortable, and indeed the air of content, the personal cleanliness and cheerfulness of these people were remarkable. The daughter, who was just returned from a visit to her relations in Alderney, expressed herself quite disgusted with the world.-Alderney was her world!

One mode of fishing deserves mentioning for its ingenuity. A lobster-pot, properly loaded, to insure its sinking, was placed on a float, and to each was attached a cord held by the fisherman, who suffered this apparatus to be carried away by the current, until in a proper situation, when, by twitching away the float, the pot sunk, and was pulled in after remaining a sufficient time.

Rain water they save in cistern's, usually adequate to their wants, although in dry seasons it has been

necessary to procure a supply from Alderney.

It may be worthy of remark that the pigeons quickly degenerate here in size, probably from the want of green vegetable food. An eagle which had taken up its abode on one of the neighbouring rocks, some years ago, carried off many.

In the nights of winter it is not unusual for wild fowl, attracted by the light, to dash themselves against the glass, and be taken up dead in the morning.

There are two landing places for boats, which are impracticable but in calm weather, and scarcely ever both at the same time; in consequence of which, they have certain signals to point out the safest. And on the subject of signals, it should. not be forgotten that they have a telegraph, with which they communicate with Alderney. Sarnian Magazine.

Capture of the Esmaralda by Lord Cochrane.

While the Liberating Army under San Martin were removing to Au-, con, Lord Cochrane, with part of his squardron, anchored in the outer Roads of Callao, the sea-port of Lima. The inner harbour was guarded by an extensive system of batteries, admirably constructed, and bearing the general name of the Castle of Callao. The merchant-ships, as well as the men of war, consisting, at the time, of the Esmeralda, a large 40 gun frigate, and two sloops of war, were moored under the guns of the castle within a semicircle of fourteen gun-boats, and a boom made of spars chained together. Lord Cochrane having previously reconnoitred these formidable defences in person, undertook, on the 5th of November, the desperate enterprise of cutting out the Spanish frigate, although she

was known to be fully prepared for an attack. His lordship proceeded in fourteen boats, containing 240 men, all volunteers from the different ships of the squadron, in two divisions; one under the immediate orders of Captain Crosbie, the other under Captain Guise; both officers commanding ships of the Chilian squadron.

At midnight, the boats having forced their way across the boom, Lord Cochrane, who was leading, rowed alongside the first gun-boat, and, taking the officer by surprise, proposed to him, with a pistol at his head, the alternative of "Silence or death"-no reply was made-the boats pushed on unobserved--and Lord Cochrane, mounting the Esmeralda's side, was the first to give the alarm. The sentinal on the gangway levelled his piece and fired; but was instantly cut down by the coxswain, and his lordship, though

wounded in the thigh, at the same moment stepped on the deck. The frigate being boarded with no less gallantry, on the opposite side, by Captain Guise, who met Lord Cochrane midway on the quarter-deck; and also by Captain Crosbie; the after part of the ship was soon carried, sword in hand. The Spaniards rallied on the forecastle, where they made a desparate resistance, till overpowered by a fresh party of seamen and marines, headed by Lord Cochrane. A gallant stand was again made for a short time on the main deck; but before one o'clock the ship was captured, her cables cut, and she was steered triumphantly out of the harbour, under the fire of the whole of the north face of the castle. The Hyperion, an English, and the Macedonian, an American frigate, which were at anchor close to the scene of action, got under weigh when the attack commenced; and in order to prevent their being mistaken by the batteries for the Esmeralda, showed distinguishing signals; but Lord Cochrane, who had foreseen and provided even for this minute circumstance, hoisted the lights as the American and English frigates and thus rendered it impossible for the batteries to discriminate between the three ships; the Esmeralda, in consequence, was very little injured by the shot from the batteries.

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The Spaniards had upwards of 120 men killed and wounded; the Chilians 11 killed, and 30 wounded.

This loss was a death-blow to the Spanish naval force in that quarter of the world; for, although there were still two Spanish frigates and some smaller vessels in the Pacific, they never afterwards ventured to show themselves, but left Lord Cochrane undisputed master of the

coast.

The skill and gallantry displayed by Lord Cochrane, both in planning and conducting this astonishing enterprize, are so peculiarly his own,

and so much in character with the great deeds of his early life, that a copy of his instructions for the action, and his subsequent despatch, will be read with much interest.

Copy of Lord Cochrane's preparatory Memorandum to the Chilian Squadron, dated

"On board the Chilian States' Ship O'Higgins, 1st of November, 1820.

"The boats will proceed, towing the launches in two lines parallel to each other, which lines are to be at the distance of three boats length asunder.

"The second line will be under the charge of Captain Guise. Each boat will be under the charge of a volunteer commissioned officer, so far as circumstances permit, and the whole under the immediate command of the Admiral.

"The officers and men are all to be dressed in white jackets, frocks, or shirts, and are be armed with pistols, sabres, knives, tomahawks, or pikes.

"Two boat-keepers are to be appointed to each boat, who, on no pretence whatever, shall quit their respective boats, but are to remain therein, and take care that the boats do not get adrift.

"Each boat is to be provided with one or more axes, or sharp hatchets, which are to be kept slung to the girdle of the boat-keepers. The frigate Esmeralda being the chief object of the expedition, the whole force is first to attack that ship, which, when carried, is not to be cut adrift, but is to remain in possession of the Patriot seamen, to ensure the capture of the rest.

"On securing the frigate, the Chilian seamen and marines are not to cheer as if they were Chilenos, but, in order to deceive the enemy, and give time for completing the work, are to cheer, Viva el Rey!'

"The two brigs of war are to be fired on by the musketry from the Esmeralda, and are to be taken

possession of by Lieutenants Esmond and Morgell, in the boats they command; which being done, they are to cut adrift, run out, and anchor in the offing as quick as possible. The boats of the Independentia are to busy themselves in turning adrift all the outward Spanish merchant ships; and the boats of the O'Higgins and Lautaro, under Lieutenants Bell and Robertson, are to set fire to one or more of the head most hulks; but these are not to be cut adrift so as to fall down upon the rest.

"The watch-word, or parole and countersign, should the white. dress not be sufficient distinction in the dark, are Gloria!' to be answered by Victoria !'

Signed "COCHRANE." Whether Lord Cochrane really expected to extend his operations beyond the capture of the frigate, or whether he merely wished to inspire his people with confidence, by making the main object appear only a part of the enterprize, is uncertain; but, in either case, the effect could not fail to be valuable.

The foregoing memorandum being addressed principally to Englishmen and North Americans, was written in English. The following letter I have never seen, except in the original Spanish.

Translation of Admiral Lord Cochrane's Despatch to General San Martin, Commander-in-Chief of the Liberating Army of Peru. "On board the Chilian States'

Ship O'Higgins, before Callao,

Nov. 14, 1820.

"MOST EXCELLENT SIR,-The efforts of his Excellency the Supreme Director, and the sacrafices of the Patriots of the South, to acquire the dominion of the Pacific, have hitherto been frustrated, chiefly by the enormous strength of the batteries of Callao, which (being superior to those of Algiers or Gibraltar) rendered every attack against the naval force of the enemy

impracticable, with any class or number of ships of war. Nevertheless, being desirous of advancing the cause of rational liberty, and political independence, which is the great object your Excellency has in view; and to promote the happiness of mankind; I was anxious to dispel the charm which heretofore had paralysed our naval efforts. With this intention, I carefully examined the batteries, the ships of war, and the gun-boats in this port; and being satisfied that the frigate Esmeralda could be cut out by men resolved to do their duty, I immediately gave orders to the Captains of the Independentia and Lautaro to prepare their boats; and acquainted them that the value of that frigate, together with the reward offered in Lima for the capture of any of the ships of Chili, would be the recompence of those who should volunteer to take part in this enterprize.

"On the following day, a num ber of volunteers, including Captains Foster, Guise, and Crosbie, with other officers, offered their services; the whole amounting to a force sufficient for the execution of the project. Every thing being prepared, the boats were exercised in the dark, in the evening of the 4th instant, and the night of the 5th of November was chosen for the attack.

"Captain Crosbie had charge of boats of the O'Higgins, and Capthe first division, consisting of the tain Guise of the second, which was formed of those of the other ships. At half past ten we rowed in two lines towards the enemy's anchorage, and at twelve forced the line of gun-boats guarding the entrance.

This night was not fixed on accidentally, or if so, Lord Cochrane knew how to turn even such a trifle to account. He addressed a few words to his people, before setting out in the boats, and concluded by saying, he had purposely chosen the 5th of November"and now, my lads, we shall give them such a Gunpowder Plot as they will not forget in a hurry!"

The whole of our force boarded the Esmeralda at the same moment, and drove the enemy from the deck after an obstinate resistance.

"All the officers employed on this service have conducted themselves in the most gallant manner. To them, and also to the seamen and marines, I feel under extreme obligations for their activity and zeal in boarding the Esmeralda.

"I was sorry that the necessity of leaving at least one captain in charge of the ships, prevented my acceding to the wishes of the captain of the Independentia, who accordingly remained with the squadron. I have also to lament the loss we have sustained. That of the Esmaralda cannot be exactly ascertained on account of the wounded and others who leaped overboard; but we know that, out of 330 individuals originally on board, only 204 have been found alive, including officers and wounded men. The Esmeralda mounts 40 guns, and is

not in a bad state, as was represented, but, on the contrary, very well found and perfectly equiped. She has on board three months provisions, besides a supply of cordage and other articles for two years. A gun-boat of four guns, which lay directly in the passage of our boats, was boarded and towed out on the following morning.

"I hope the capture of the flagship Esmeralda, secured by booms, batteries, and gun-boats, in a situation always before deemed impregnable, and in sight of the capital, where the fact cannot be concealed, will produce a moral effect greater than might be expected under other

circumstances.

"I have great satisfaction in sending you the flag of Admiral Vacaro, that you may be pleased to present it to his Excellency the Supreme Director of the Republic of Chili. (Signed) "COCHRANE." Basil Hall's Voyage.

Destruction of the Diamond. About half an hour before daylight on the morning of February 18, 1827, it was discovered that one of the men of war lying up the harbour of Portsmouth, in a state of ordinary, was on fire. The Victory made the signal for assistance, and fired several guns to alarm the officers of the Dock-yard, as well as the people in the other ships near her. In the course of a quarter of an hour every person was at his post; and all the boats belonging to the guardship, as well as those belonging to the Ordinary and Dock-yard, were at the spot rendering every assistance, but unfortunately of no avail, as the wind was blowing strongly from the eastward. The destructive element soon gained such an ascendency over the united efforts of several hundred men, as to baffle all

By

possibility of getting it under. this accident the country has lost one of its finest frigates, the Diamond. Having lately returned from South America, under the command of Lord Napier, she had gone through a partial repair, and was placed in ordinary, as fit for immediate service. The boats in attendance were under the command of Captain Inglis, of the Victory; and Captain Clavell, of the Ordinary, who were very active in getting the fire under, as well as having the ships nearest removed out of danger. The accident is supposed to have been caused by raking out the galley-fire the night before, when some of the cinders must have got under the grate, and communicated to the deck. Fortunately, all got safe out of the ship, which was burnt to the water's edge.