296 COMMUNICATIONS.

For the British American. Continucdfrom .No. 33.

Here Imust have lost all recollection, I remembered no more of the fairy queen, or her vessel, or what became of her at- tendants, tillI found myself, I thought, in a small open boat butl'eting the rude billows of the ocean with the Genni at the helm, and although the mighty surge rose in mountains, and alternately sank the little bark deep in the unfathomable abyss, I was under no apprehension. My guide sat wrapped in his customary abstraction, observing a profound silence, which the madening waves anl tempestuous north- west was unable to disturb. The only sail we had,methought, was hauled close and the stem of the boat dead on the wind. Over a point of land apparently engulphed by an inland water, reared the proud watch-towers of a dreary fortress, whOse gloomy aspect in the grey of the morning hada most chilling and appalling effect. The whole of the attention of the helmsman seemed directed to this object, and al- though the wind was completely adverse, we every moment neared the shore. Ha- ving, methought, succeeded in entering the inlet or bay, we were in a short space of time in smooth water, land locked by a number of small islands. It was adark heavy stueam which I attributed to the absence ofthe sun, which deigned not to shine forth on the gloomy terrific battle- ments of the Fortress. Whether it arose frOm the circunvtance of having been so recently an observer of such cheerful and pleasing objects, but it appeared hardly possible to witness scenery more truly melancholy. A heavy (tense vapour un- drank by the orb of day, rested on the inhospitable mansion. It appeared about an hundred yards from the shore, and as if it was not sufficiently insulated, was surrounded by a deep mote. The front entrance of the building was by the me- dium ofa draw-bridge, about the centre encircling the whole, was a parapet, and on a platform presented a tier of cannon, behind which paced the solitary sentinal from post to post. Had there been no particular object to impress the beholder with gloomy ideas its general appearance was quite sufficient. But as if we had come to explore the precincts of despair, cast your eye which way you would there was, methought, some spectacle observable to shock the feelings. Along the edge of, the shore, hung the sad relics of mortality two gibbits with the bare bones or skeletons oftwo persOns suspended in chains, that ever and anon,clattered and rattled in dread- ful accordance with the bowling blast. A few miserable fishermens huts, with a num- ber ofdelapedated mansions, deserted long since, were the only buildings save the

THE BRITISH AMERICAN.

prison. On our approach my guide drew from his vesture a bugle horn, and at the first blast, as if it bad magic in the sound down fell the bridge across the mote. A file of grim looking soldiers formed an ave- nue from the bri tge to an iron gate, from thence into a square yard, beyond this again were other massy iron portals sepa- rating distinct prisons or wards for the use of persons of different classes. Having methought, penetrated into quite the in- terior, two tremendous gates were closed upon us, grating dolefully on their rusty hinges, created the horrid notion of eter- nal encarceration, and although asleep,l felt acold chill indicative ofdespair steal- ing over my senses. A recollection of the potency ofthe Geuni and the marked deference that was paid him. helped to re- assure me, and soon gave me a confidence not mv own, words would be inadequate to portray the horror andignominy within these dreary walls.

We now, methought, ascended an high circular tower, preceded by the Governor or Commander accompanied by his myr- midors, having arrived at the last landing of a dark spiral staircase, the Genni point- ed to a door, demanding entrance, which created the greatest apparent confusion in the Governor and his attendants, me- thought, had he not been overawed by the presence of the Genni he would not have suffered the apartment to be explored. The command was too imperative to be denied, and with a trembling hand this tool of power began to examine every key in his possession to find one, which from asuperstitious idea he had never before dared to make use of, having at length succeeded in finding it he humbly presented it to the Genni. But neither threats or entreaties methought, could induce him to enter. The Genni eyeing him with con— tempt for his pusillanimity, waved -ltls hand to depart, he precipitater obeyed and left the Genni and myself to explore the hidden mysteries of the haunted tower,l What had given rise to the absurd and su- perstitious notion except the policy of my guide. I was at a less to find out, for on our entrance I was agreeably surprised to

110 33

the old gentleman should ré'tover t} of his toague. . After some considerable time the Gen. . m by asign beckoned me to be seated and without any preface, commenced the, {oi lowing discourse or prediction. Last nim- my son, thou hadst an Opportunity ofbé’m,’ an eye witness of Prince-'I‘own in he; zenith, in the full tide of her prosperity to day you can make your moral comment; on her unfortunate sister, founded on an unstable basis, finesse and intrigue, ter- minating in superstition and despotism. Atthat early epoch, when Prince-Town had scarcely Centred lialfa dozen domiciles and before men had began to congregate iii the now splendid city, this place where vim now stand, became her rival; her interest far prepondered in the political scale, and althoughjustice was manifestly on the side ofyour place, her merits and locali- ties, were superceded; possessing,howe. vcr, an ancient charter ofa RoyalBiu-gslie had a privilege that could not \vcllbe taken from her, but her adversary so far succeeded in leaving her little else.

Saint Eleanor’s from her central position wasthe high road to preferment at the capital, and as a consequence hadmany friends, who in proportion as they used all their efforts to exalt her interest, also used all their strength to depress her rival, and although they would carry fair faces towards her, they waited but for an opportunity to throw away the mask, but time soon arrived when her supposed friends and secret enemies declared their object, by audaciously usurpin‘g those rights, that had for aseries of years exclusively lie- longed to your Town. By obtaining the first public buildings, the Court-House and County Jail, to obtain these no trick or subterfuge was wanting. These buildings at that early data, considered as substantial and permanent advantages, has, as you see, entailed on them all these horrors so dreadfully conspicuous. It was their great- fist pride to obtain them, and chains and

ungeons have ultimately become their remuneration, At that period to which I allude, the Country was in a manner !ruled by six individuals, two represented

18 use

discrverawell-furnished apartment,gloomy{the Borough, and four the County, and

indeed, but in it nothing to impress the mind with unpleasant feelings save the view

unfortunately for your city tive of them Afavoured this place; having thus so power-

from the Gothic windows overlooking thelful a. majority against it had little chance dreary confines. The Genni appearantly l of success, and St. Eleanor fairly stole the

wearied by his nocturnal voyage, threw himself on a couch, like one returned hOme after ajonrney, and was immediately absorbed by his own reflections, leaving me, methought, sans ceremony to amuse myself the best wayI could. I endea- voured, methought, to pass the time,by pa- cing the floor occasionally, viewing the surrounding country from the lofty win- dows of the tower, and as I anticipated much information, waited with patience till

lmarch. By the acquisition of a Court- ? I-Iouse they were not disappointed in their ianticipations, as was expected it became lthe focus that attracted to them many and singular advantages. The assizes from time to time, brought an inllux of people, this, as a matter of course was the means ofestablishing houses of accommo- dation, and Gentlemen of the long robe began to take up their residence, trades- men and artiticers tiuding it a place of re'