Half England was desolate, when October came, and the equinoctial winds swept over the earth, chilling the ardours of the unhealthy season.  The summer, which was uncommonly hot, had been protracted into the beginning of this month, when on the eighteenth a sudden change was brought about from summer temperature to winter frost.  Pestilence then made a pause in her death-dealing career.  Gasping, not daring to name our hopes, yet full even to the brim with intense expectation, we stood, as a ship-wrecked sailor stands on a barren rock islanded by the ocean, watching a distant vessel, fancying that now it nears, and then again that it is bearing from sight.  This promise of a renewed lease of life turned rugged natures to melting tenderness, and by contrast filled the soft with harsh and unnatural sentiments.  When it seemed destined that all were to die, we were reckless of the how and when—­now that the virulence of the disease was mitigated, and it appeared willing to spare some, each was eager to be among the elect, and clung to life with dastard tenacity.  Instances of desertion became more frequent; and even murders, which made the hearer sick with horror, where the fear of contagion had armed those nearest in blood against each other.  But these smaller and separate tragedies were about to yield to a mightier interest—­and, while we were promised calm from infectious influences, a tempest arose wilder than the winds, a tempest bred by the passions of man, nourished by his most violent impulses, unexampled and dire.

A number of people from North America, the relics of that populous continent, had set sail for the East with mad desire of change, leaving their native plains for lands not less afflicted than their own.  Several hundreds landed in Ireland, about the first of November, and took possession of such vacant habitations as they could find; seizing upon the superabundant food, and the stray cattle.  As they exhausted the produce of one spot, they went on to another.  At length they began to interfere with the inhabitants, and strong in their concentrated numbers, ejected the natives from their dwellings, and robbed them of their winter store.  A few events of this kind roused the fiery nature of the Irish; and they attacked the invaders.  Some were destroyed; the major part escaped by quick and well ordered movements; and danger made them careful.  Their numbers ably arranged; the very deaths among them concealed; moving on in good order, and apparently given up to enjoyment, they excited the envy of the Irish.  The Americans permitted a few to join their band, and presently the recruits outnumbered the strangers—­nor did they join with them, nor imitate the admirable order which, preserved by the Trans-Atlantic chiefs, rendered them at once secure and formidable.  The Irish followed their track in disorganized multitudes; each day encreasing; each day becoming more lawless.  The Americans were eager to escape from the spirit