can display itself thus nobly where it would be the least expected!  The fact conveys an impressive lesson; for if the intelligence, decision, and kindness, which, with few exceptions, characterize our sea-officers, can effect such happy results where they operate on the most unpromising materials, it is clear, that whatever faults the lower classes in England display must be attributed, in a great degree, to the neglect or misconduct of those, whose station in society, as it gives the power, imposes the duty to guide them.

The fate of the Droits de l’Homme presents an awful contrast indeed to that of the Amazon.  She saw the land soon after the frigates hauled off, and after hopeless attempts, first to avoid it, and afterwards to anchor, she struck the ground almost at the same moment as the British frigate.  The main-mast went overboard at the second shock:  the fore-mast and bowsprit had fallen a few minutes before, in her attempt to keep off the land.  When danger was first seen, the crew gave an alarm to the English prisoners below, of whom there were fifty-five, the crew and passengers of a letter-of-marque, which the Droits de l’Homme had taken a few days before:  “Poor English, come up quickly; we are all lost!” Presently, the ship struck on a bank of sand, nearly opposite the town of Plouzenec.  Cries of dismay were now heard from every part.  Signals of distress were fired, and several of the guns hove overboard.  Many of the people were soon washed away by the waves, which broke incessantly over her.  At daylight the shore was seen covered with spectators, but they could afford no assistance.  In the meantime, the stern was beaten in by the sea, and no provisions or water could afterwards be obtained.

At low water an attempt was made to reach the shore, but two boats which were brought alongside drifted away and were dashed to pieces on the rocks.  A small raft was constructed to carry a hawser to the shore, by the aid of which it was hoped that preparations might be completed for safely landing the people.  A few sailors having embarked on it, the rope was gradually slackened to allow it to drift to land; but some of these people being washed away, the rest became alarmed, cast off the hawser, and saved themselves.  After a second unsuccessful attempt with a raft, a petty officer attached a cord to his body and tried to swim on shore; but he was soon exhausted, and would have perished, but that he was hauled back to the ship.

On the second day, at low water, an English captain and eight other prisoners launched a small boat, and landed safely.  Their success restored confidence to the multitude, proving, as it did, how easily all might be saved, if proper means were quietly adopted.  But discipline and order were wanting; and attempts made without judgment, and without concert, ended in the loss of all who made them.