Thus beguiling the rough way with the catastrophe of the O'Driscols, and after taking some moderate refreshment under shelter of a cliff, we pushed out into the deep. And here what a contrast! The morning mirror was now a boiling billowy chaldron. And as our men pulled the little yawl out of the shelter of the cove, the face of the troubled ocean was truly awful-the wind directly in the boat's bow-the waves coming on rapid and broken. I have not marine terms to describe the character of this sea; but it was the most the men could do to keep the boat's head to the wind. We made little or no way; and now and then a high-headed billow washed over us, and wet the men from head to foot; and yet, drenched and working as they were, they joked away as joyously as if they were in a tent at a fair.

A poor fellow from the island had begged of us to take him to the mainland. He sat, or rather lay, at the bow of the boat, for the men would not let him sit up, lest he should catch the wind. Every surge that washed

over the boat drenched the poor fellow as he lay along, and still the rowers, dripping as they were themselves, amused each other in bestowing Job's comforts on the man, and telling him to cheer up, for sure he was a cabin passenger. And still we made no way, and now and then a wave would strike the bottom of the boat, so that landsman as I was, I apprehended that we should swamp and go to pieces. And now I looked to my friend's countenance, as he held the helm, and saw a gathering seriousness upon it; and I observed him looking wistfully towards the island his look seemed to say, we must indeed put about, and I was anticipating what a pleasant time I should have to spend on that place of barrenness. Well, said I to myself, God send we may even get there ; our friends of the water-guard will get us some accommodation. But 'try, my good friend, to face the gale for some minutes longer. While we were thus consulting, two sail-boats coming from the mainland approached, on the wings of the wind, which

As

blew directly in their stern, and sent them forward with the velocity of arrows. they cut the surge, gracefully and majestically passing us, the men reclining at their ease set up an uproarious shout; it was a malicious triumph over our jeopardy and trouble"Oh boys," says Pat Hayes-he with a mouthful of ivory, "we will never be able to stand in Skull, if we let these Capers* have the laugh over us-we are done for ever if we put back to Clear-we may as well when we get home, go spend the rest of our days in Judy Mahony's cabin, knitting stockings, if we let these duck-footed fellows cut capers over us :" and off he tugged his dripping waistcoat. All stripped to it, and wrought at their oars as if instinct with new life and power. I never witnessed such athletic exertion: I never saw such a display of temper, spirit, and perseverence. gained their point: they won their way; and the wind in some measure, in reward of

They

The inhabitants of Cape Clear go on the mainland by the name of Capers.

their bravery, having subsided, taking advantage of the lee-shelter of the Calves islands, &c. &c. we shortly after nightfall got safe on shore.

Fare ye well, my fine young fellows of the skiff of Skull-never, perhaps to see you again; but long shall I remember your joyous good-humour, your engaging good nature, your full possession of all those qualities which make Irishmen, with all their faults, the most social and entertaining people in the world.

C. O.

Though the writer of these Sketches aims not at giv. ing accurate or statistical information, yet he is desirous, in gratitude for the amusement afforded him during his day at Cape Clear, to call the attention of the public, as far as in him lies, to the state of the poor Capers; and for that purpose shall quote the remarks of a correspondent, who can be depended on :-" Unfortunately the great want of this island, and the main cause of its poverty and depression is the deficiency of a secure harbour. There are two indentures or coves by which the island is nearly bisected—one on the north and the other on the south side; they are wide at the entrance, and without any indenture to secure vessels from a wind blowing in, or from the dangerous agitation of a high swell: hence the inhabitants are restricted to the use of yery small boats,

which they can draw on shore, and which can be used for the purposes of fishing or pilotage, only in settled weather. A harbour where decked vessels or large boats, like those of the Kinsale fishermen, might ride securely, would soon make a change in the circumstances of the inhabitants; they would then be enabled to avail themselves of a situation so admirably adapted for the deep-sea fishery; and there is reason to think that this is practicable: at all events the place would be worth the examination of a Government Engineer.--The south cove from its immediate exposure to the ocean, is of course impracticable; but the north cove is much more favourably circumstanced, and it is through that a mole or pier might be constructed at comparatively moderate expense; and it would be worthy of a paternal government to take measures conducive to the well being of a numerous and rapidly increasing population; and the proprietor of the island, William W. Becker, Esq. would doubtless contribute to the work.

Now let us attend to the probable consequences of such an improvement-an almost daily intercourse would be opened between Cape Clear and the mainland-vessels would be enabled to start either for fishery or pilotage, at every favourable change of the wind-a permanent revenue establishment might be formed in the neighbourhood of the harbour, for the prevention of smuggling; and thus a little Protestant colony would be settled there, perhaps a small church might be built and a curate settled, and certainly a school-house established; and thus a Protestant Government would be entitled to say we have at length done something for an island containing a numerous race of hardy, honest, and adventurous natives; and which has hitherto never received the smallest favour, either in the way of encouragement, or relief, or instruction; and to which attention has been as little turned as to Kamtschatka."