The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 53 pages of information about The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 53 pages of information about The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction.
day, the first lieutenant put him under an arrest, and in charge of the sentry at the cabin door.  During the afternoon I was under the half-deck, and perceived that he was sharpening a long clasp knife upon the after truck of the gun.  I went up to him, and asked him why he was doing so, and he replied, as his eyes flashed fire, that it was to revenge the insult offered to the bluid of M’Foy.  His look told me that he was in earnest.  “But what do you mean?” inquired I.  “I mean,” said he, drawing the edge and feeling the point of his weapon, “to put into the wheam of that man with the gold podge on his shoulder, who has dared to place me here.”

I was very much alarmed, and thought it my duty to state his murderous intentions, or worse might happen; so I walked up on deck and told the first lieutenant what M’Foy was intending to do, and how his life was in danger.  Mr. Falcon laughed, and shortly afterwards went down on the main-deck.  M’Foy’s eyes glistened, and he walked forward to where the first lieutenant was standing; but the sentry, who had been cautioned by me, kept him back with his bayonet.  The first lieutenant turned round, and perceiving what was going on, desired the sentry to see if Mr. M’Foy had a knife in his hand; and he had it sure enough, open, and held behind his back.  He was disarmed, and the first lieutenant, perceiving that the lad meant mischief, reported his conduct to the captain, on his arrival on board.  The captain sent for M’Foy, who was very obstinate, and when taxed with his intention would not deny it, or even say that he would not again attempt it; so he was sent on shore immediately, and returned to his friends in the Highlands.  We never saw any more of him; but I heard that he obtained a commission in the army, and three months after he had joined his regiment, was killed in a duel, resenting some fancied affront offered to the bluid of M’Foy.—­Metropolitan

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NOTES OF A READER

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A CHANCELLOR’S START IN LIFE.

(FROM THE DOUBLE TRIAL.)

Thurlow had travelled the ——­ Circuit for some years with little notice, and with no opportunity to put forth his abilities; when the housekeeper of a Duke of N——­ was prosecuted for stealing a great deal of linen, with which she had been intrusted.  An attorney of little note and practice conducted the woman’s case.  He knew full well that he could expect no hearty co-operation in employing any of the leading counsel:  it was a poor case, and a low case; and it could not be supposed that they, “the foremost men of all the bar,” would set themselves, “tooth and nail,” against the Duke, who in himself, his agents, and his friends, made the greatest part of every high legal and political assemblage in the country.  The attorney looked round, therefore, for some young barrister

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.