Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-10-07
MY NATIVE HOME.

The following well told-tale is taken
from the "Scenes and Sketches OF Sol
dier's Life in Ireland" The same author
has published the previous part OF his life,
under the title of Recollections of an
Eventlul Life" and making allowances for
a soldiers ambition to shine as hero In
literature, must have brought him falrer
share OF honor than often falls to the lot OF
private soldier:
1 had received several letters from my
parents since my return, they were both
well, and urged me to procure furlough
and 90 home to see them. 1t was some
time before l could accomplish this: but at
length it was effected, and having taken a
seat on the coach, set off on my journey
home. On reaching Dublin, luckily
found vessel prepared to sad for Irvine,
and securing a passage, embarked next
morning. The wind being favorable, we
set sail, and were soon fairly into the chan
mel, holding on our course; the breeze con-
tinued steady all that day, and, by night we
had run long way down the coast.
Feeling little inclination to sleep, about
midnight / came on deck; considering the
season ofthe year, it was delightful night;
the moon shed her silver radiance o'er re-
posing nature, like the smile of fond mo-
ther over her sleeping infant; and as ga
zed on her, sailing through the blue expanse
of heaven, with her attendant train Of my
riads of sparkling orbs, l felt my mind
soar beyond this earth and all its con-
Germs.
"Whoever gazed upon them shining,
And turned to earth without repinng,
Nor wished for wings to fly away,
And mix in their eternal ray?"
While leaned over the ships bow,
watching the moonbeams dancing on the
glossy bosom ofthe deep; my ears soothed
with the ripping vessel, as she urged her
way through the aters, l felt as if shut
out from the world, and emancipated from
its laws and control. At sea is the place
for reflection and contemplation; there the
the memory, as if secure in her privacy,
unlocks and draws forth her secret trea-
sures, and broods over them with miser
care.
Before me the softened outline of the
distant coast of Scotland could be seen,
its rugged points bursting through the gau-
zy film with which they were enveloped; !;
but the well known rock Of Ailsa stood
forth in bold relief, its giant mass tower
ing proudly above the waves, alike defying
| their fury and the hand of time; the sight
of that rock which the emgrant asso ciatcs
with the farewell to his country, called
forth in my bosom tide Of rccollections.
When last saw it, l was returning, as
now, from one Of my wild adventures in
search Of happiness and fame; the result
Of both were nearly equal; misery and dis
appointment The last, however, had been
the most severe lesson, and l was now
like the prodgal son, retracing my way
from a far country, where had been glad
(literally) to feed on the husks which
formed the food of the swine. My past
life glided in review before my mind, and
l could not help exclaiming, what a fool
have / been! have bartered every pri-
vilege which was my birth-right, in pursuit
Of vain dreams of renown and happiness;
setting aside the misery and hardship
have endured, has not the last six years of
my life been a blankI that period Of time
employed in my education at home, what
might not have beeni but my doom is
fixed, have sealed il myself-there was
distraction in the thought.
That day landed at Irvine, and resolv-
ed to pursue my journey homeward with
out stopping. As I travelled along, felt
that tumultous auttering and'overAowing of