THE BOATSWAIN'S MATE.

BY A BROTHER CRUISER.

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office. No lord-mayor of London was ever more proud of his chain, than is George Brown of that and its appendage. Look where it falls over his THERE stands the outer man of George Brown-thumb. You see, stretching from the breeching" to boatswain's mate, in the United States navy!-a the "quoin," a crooked silver tube. This is his perfect specimen of a true American seaman; and call"-his harmonicon-his shepherd's pipe, with a better fellow than whom, never piped to grog or which he enticeth the sheep from the lazy fold, the reigned at a gangway. birth-deck; with which he discourseth in musick Reader! thou beholdest in the picture, the spar- that hath no gamut; nay, that hath no parallel but deck of a sloop-of-war, part of the main rigging, a itself, in this or any other world. Musick, unlike couple of belaying-pins to throw the bight of this that of Orpheus, which draweth no wicked stones yarn over, and "No. six," or " the gunner's daughter," about his head-and for the reason that none but whom many a lad has kissed to his sorrow. A "holy stones" are allowed to be in a man-of-war. stout, strapping wench she is, a medium twenty- That " call," my friend, swayeth more choice spirits four; not one of your bull-dog, big-muzzled carron-with its witching melody, than the fiddle of Paganiades, that are only good at close quarters, but a ni-that is, when there's a whip" on the main little of the greyhound species-sure for a long run. yard, and the launch alongside with a cargo of See her side-tackles and breeching, how gracefully Monongahela!" Hang your hurdy-gurdies and muthey coquet over her sun-burned cheeks; and, gal- sick-grinding machines, but give me the shrill clear lantly standing by her side, is our friend Brown, note of a boatswain's call, piping all hands to reef with one hand on his hip, and the other very famil- topsails in a midwatch, insinuating its beautiful iarly upon the young lady. sound to the auditories of a poor devil, just turned in, and walking it off in a ten-knot sleep.

Your shore folk, when they become rich enough to think of family portraits, get themselves depicted upon canvass, sitting in an easy chair, looking wondrous wise, with the dexter hand grappling a gaudily-bound volume. Not so with my shipmate-he planks it in a wood-cut, and stands at his quarters, with his hand on a volume that, erewhile, loudly proclaimed the honour and glory of his country. Survey the man from truck to keelson, take all his bearings, and say-could manhood be better personified?

No common mutations of fortune can ever induce a boatswain's mate to part with his chain and call; both are held sacred! In passing a pawnbroker's shop, in Chatham street, the other day, I saw one dangling from a hook in the window. The tear stood in my eye. Poor fellow! how awful must have been the fate that compelled the rightful owner to part with it!

Such a picture as that, I love to look upon-a He is in his winter muster-dress: black hat, real man-of-war's man-a hearty, able-bodied, Amerhighly varnished, with a profusion of riband, and set ican seaman. One, whose very look indicates a on the after part of his head, whilst the seaman's love of enterprise, firmness of purpose, and a reckpride a smooth, glossy forelock-rests upon his less daring that would command the attention of any manly brow. The frock is of the finest white duck, man. Unlike the seafaring man of any other counexcept the collar and bosom, which are blue nan- try, is the American sailor. He never forgets the keen, bordered with white tape, and the corners proud circumstance of his birthright. He is never touched off with white cotton stars. On the back a fawning, cringing, sycophantick creature, but alof the collar is worked an anchor; and at the bot-ways a man! True, he takes off his hat, and tom of the bosom is stamped the initials of our smooths down his forelock, when he addresses a hero-G. B.-by way of a hint to the afterguard banditti, that the property aforesaid has an owner with a name. A little lower down, and hid from vulgar gaze, is the number of his bag and hammock. The jacket of blue, to be sure, is not quite so fine as it might be; nor does it fit with more mathemat-violence on his feelings as a freeman. ical nicety than do "Uncle Sam's" slops generally; but the slashed cuffs and bright eagle of our starry button, throw into the shade such trifling deficiencies, while the two foul anchors worked on the sleeves, with gold and silver thread, decide at once, in the petty officer's view, the fashion and elegance of the garment.

superiour officer upon any important occasion-but this is the custom of discipline, and like a sensible man, knowing the necessity of military authority, he merges so much of his republicanism as would interfere with it; but by so doing, he commits no

I would willingly commute the minute, automaton discipline, so loudly boasted of in other navies, for the national pride, the high moral feeling, the home endowments of the American sailor. In war, it is not his master's battle he fights, but his own; he feels himself a component part of the nation. His father fought and felt so before him, and the united reverence The trousers are in themselves unique: of blue for country and sire, makes him more than equal to cloth, with no seam on the outside, very taut around an enemy, not strengthened by these ennobling feelthe waist, sitting to the figure over the hips as ings. From what class of society is the foreign smoothly as the skin itself, and fastened behind with seaman taken! From the lowest, the purely necesa bunch of riband; legs sufficiently wide for ventil- sitous, who, when a choice is given them of starvaation and easy movement, and the suspenders or tion, the workhouse, or the sea, generally choose the braces-why, bless your soul! it is only when a latter. Is it so here? No. Bread can be obtained sailor has committed crime, that he is brought to in this country at a much cheaper rate, a more com'the gallows, and he despises the use of "topping-fortable, less dangerous and laborious manner, than lifts," as much as he would that of corsets! by seeking it at sea. What then induces the sons of our farmers, mechanicks, and merchants-lads, frequently, of good morals and education—to relin

The chain you see slung around his neck, is of solid silver: it is his "regalia"-the insignia of his

quish the comforts of home, and ship in the merchant or naval service? A love for adventure-a truly American propensity—a cherished hope, which impels and governs our countrymen all over the globe, of being able by some lucky hit, when once afloat on the tide of human affairs, to gain either fame or fortune. Thus, many of a superiour education are to be found amongst the seafaring class with us, who, though disappointed in their early and Quixotick expectations, yet continue in the hardy occupation of their younger years, contented with a livelihood that could be more easily, but not more bravely earned, and not always receiving that kind consideration, from their fellow-citizens, to which they are eminently entitled.

a tavern induced almost all the boats descending the river, to call for refreshments and amusement. Attracted by these circumstances, several idle characters took up their abode at the cave, after which it continually resounded with the shouts of the licentious, the clamour of the riotous, and the blasphemy of gamblers. Out of such customers Wilson found no difficulty in forming a band of robbers, with whom he formed the plan of murdering the crews of every boat that stopped at his tavern, and of sending the boats manned by some of his party, to New Orleans, and there sell their loading for cash, which was to be conveyed to the cave, by land, through the states of Tennessee and Kentucky; the party returning with it being instructed to murder and rob, on all good occasions on the road.

After a lapse of time the merchants of the upper country began to be alarmed, on finding their property make no returns, and the people never coming back. This naturally led to inquiry, and large rewards were offered for the discovery of the perpetrators of such unparalleled crimes. It soon came out, that Wilson, with an organized party of forty-five men, was the cause of such waste of blood and treasure; that he had a station at Hurricane island, to arrest every boat that passed by the mouth of the cavern, and that he had agents at Natchez and New Orleans, of presumed respectability, who converted his assignments into cash though they knew the goods to be stolen, or obtained by the commission.

Such are the men, that place the moral standing of American seamen upon an eminence, not easily attained by foreigners, and to that class belongs the owner of the portrait before you. Man and boy, for five-and-twenty years, he has worn a blue jacket. His feet have never been lashed to a 66 grating," or his wrists adorned with a pair of "darby's." From his entré in the service on board the gallant Constitution-where as powder-boy, he acquired credit for his agility-he gradually worked his way upward in rank, from the cleaner of a priming-wire, to the furbisher of a cutlass, from first captain of a gun, to first captain of the foretop, till the next step in promotion, put him in rightful possession of the "Colt" and "Call." In every situation he has done his duty as a man. He is not one of your envious of murder. "beach-combers," who, if a good man was promoted The publicity of Wilson's transaction soon broke above him, would grumble and swear that the ser-up his party; some dispersed, others were taken vice was going to ruin; or who, if a poor devil was prisoners, and he himself was killed by one of his launching from bad to worse, would "slush down associates, who was tempted by the reward offered his ways," that he might go the faster. No-such for the head of the captain of the gang. meanness never lay coiled away in his bosom. Α spare shot never rusted in his locker, when a distressed shipmate might have occasion for its use; and, as the rarest virtue of a seaman, I may conclude by remarking, that, he was never appealed to, for the loan of his pea-jacket in a rainy watch, and known to refuse it!

The last we heard of him, he had just warped into hospital dock, to repair slight damages; from whence, as report saith, he is to emanate with all the dignity and long "toggery" of a regular-built, Warranted BOATS WAIN.

Naval Magazine.

AMERICAN CAVERNS.

ON the Ohio, twenty miles below the mouth of the Wabash, is a cavern, in which are found many hieroglyphicks, and representations of such delineations as would induce the belief, that the authors were, indeed, comparatively refined and civilized.

It is a cave in a rock, or ledge of the mountain, which presents itself to view, a little above the water of the river when in flood, and is situated close to the bank. In the early settlement of Ohio, this cave became possessed by a party of Kentuckians, called "Wilson's gang." Wilson in the first place, brought his family to this cave, and fitted it up, as a spacious dwelling, erecting a signpost on the water-side, on which were these words: "Wilson's Liquor-Vault and House of Entertainment." The novelty of such

This cavern measures about twelve rods in length, and five in width; its entrance presents a width of eighty feet at its base, and twenty-five feet high. The interiour walls are smooth rock. The floor is very remarkable, being level through the whole length of its centre, the sides rising in stony grades, in the manner of seats in the pits of a theatre. On a diligent scrutiny of the walls, it is plainly discerned that the ancient inhabitants at a very remote period, had made use of the cave as a house of deliberation and council. The walls bear many hieroglyphicks well executed, and some of them represent animals, which have no resemblance to any now known to natural history.

This cavern is a great natural curiosity, as it is connected with another still more gloomy, which is situated exactly above, united by an aperture of about fourteen feet; which, to ascend is like passing up a chimney, while the mountain is yet far above. Not long after the dispersion and arrest of the robbers who had infested it, in the upper vault were found the skeletons of about sixty persons, who had been murdered by the gang of Wilson, as was supposed. But the tokens of antiquity are still more curious and important than a description of the mere cave, which are found engraved on its sides within.

In this cave, it appears, that in addition to numerous familiar animals and devices, there are sketched on the rock the figures of several animals now extinct: among which are three, much resembling the elephant, the tail and tusk excepted.

[Hamet, the pilot of Lord Nelson, at the battle of the Nile] LIVING COSTUMES. THE above cut represents the costume of Hamet, the pilot of Lord Nelson, at the battle of the Nile. The engraving is from an original drawing with which the proprietors of the Family Magazine have been politely favoured by Capt. Perry, U. S. N. A brief description of this important battle, may not be unacceptable to our readers.

Previous to this ever memorable battle, Nelson had been actually engaged against the enemy one hundred and twenty times; had lost his right eye and arm, and been otherwise severely wounded. Great, however, as had been the services of this enterprising and skilful seaman, it was in the year 1798 that an important and glorious victory, entitled him to still more distinguished laurels. The government of France had sent an expedition of magnitude into Egypt, and it became that of Britain to use every effort to neutralize or destroy it.

The French fleet, with Bonaparte and his wellappointed army on board, had left Toulon on the twenty-second of May; but it was not till the eight

of June that Sir Horatio Nelson, (who had been sent by Earl St. Vincent into the Mediterranean, with a small squadron, in the hope of discovering them,) was joined by the main body of the fleet, viz., eleven sail of the line, under Captain Trowbridge, which had been despatched to reinforce him. No instructions, however, were sent to him in regard to the course he was to steer; nor was there any certain information to be obtained respecting the destination of the French expedition. The admiral was therefore left entirely to his own judgment; but he knew that the enemy had sailed with a northwest wind, which naturally led him to conclude that their course was up the Mediterranean. He first steered toward Corsica and Elba, then made toward the Roman coast, and afterward bore up on Naples, in the hope of receiving some satisfactory information; but the most he could learn was, that though many thought the plundering of Algiers was the object of the French armament, yet a more general report was current that they had gone to Malta. At Sicily, he obtained intelligence from the British consul that

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Malta had actually surrendered; and soon afterward, it was known that the French had left the island on the eighteenth, with a fresh gale from the northwest. Nelson was not long in determining what course he should take, and made the signal to bear-up and steer to the southeast with all possible sail. From that day, till the twenty-ninth, only three vessels were spoken with, two of which had come from Alexandria, and had not seen any thing of the enemy's fleet; the other had come from the Archipelago, and had, likewise, seen nothing of them. At length, ar-ced at sunset, which was at half-past six, with an rived at Alexandria, and no sign of an enemy, nor any intelligence that a French fleet was probably on its way thither, it became the subject of deep and anxious deliberation with the admiral what course the French fleet could possibly have taken, and what was its ultimate destination.

instantly struck his eager and penetrating mind, that where there was room for an enemy's ship to swing, there was room for another of the English to anchor. The admiral's designs were fully known to the whole squadron, as was his determination to conquer or perish in the attempt. The Goliah and Zealous had the honour to lead inside, and to receive the first fire from the van ships of the enemy; and the remainder of the ships took their respective stations with promptitude and alacrity. The action commenardour and vigour which it is impossible to describe. At about seven o'clock, total darkness had come on; but the whole hemisphere was, at intervals, illuminated by the fire of the hostile fleets. The English ships, on its becoming dark, had all hoisted their distinguishing lights, by a signal from the admiral. It would be tedious, however, to enter into further The van ship of the French, Le Guerrier, was disdetails of the pursuit; suffice it to say, that, after masted in less than twelve minutes; and in ten minvisiting both shores of the Mediterranean, and carry-utes after, the second ship, Le Conquerant, and the ing a press of sail night and day, the British fleet third, Le Spartiate, very nearly at the same moment again reached Alexandria, on the first of August, were both dismasted. L'Aquilon and Le Souveraine where the admiral had the satisfaction of seeing the Peuple, the fourth and fifth ships of the enemy's line French flag flying in the harbour. He had the high- were taken possession of by the British at half-past est opinion of his crew, and justly placed the firmest eight in the evening. At ten minutes after nine, a reliance on the valour and conduct of every captain fire was observed on board L'Orient, the French adin his squadron. It had been his practice, during miral's ship, which soon involved the whole of the the whole of the cruise, whenever the weather and afterpart of the ship in flames. This circumstance circumstances would permit, to have his captains on being communicated to Nelson, who was at that board the Vanguard, where he would fully develop time below, suffering severely from a wound he had to them his ideas of the best modes of attack, and received, he came upon deck, where the first consuch plans as he proposed to execute upon falling sideration that struck his mind was the desire to in with the enemy, whatever their situation or posi- save as many of the crew as possible, by every tion might be, by day or night; there was no possi- practicable exertion that could be used; and with ble condition in which they could be found, that he the aid of such of his boats as could be got ready, did not take into his calculation, and for the most upward of seventy Frenchmen were saved. The alvantageous attack of which, he had not digested light thrown by the fire of L'Orient upon surround and arranged the best possible disposition of the ing objects enabled the British to perceive with force which he commanded. more certainty the situation of the two fleets, the The enemy's fleet was first discovered by the colours of both being clearly distinguishable. The Zealous, Captain Hood, who immediately communi- cannonading was partially kept up to leeward of the cated by signal, the number of ships (sixteen) lying centre till about ten o'clock, when L'Orient blew up at anchor in line of battle, in a bay upon the lar- with a most tremendous explosion. An awful pause board bow, which was soon found to be Aboukir bay. and death-like silence, for about three minutes, enThe admiral hauled his wind that instant, and made sued, when the wreck of the masts, yards, &c., the signal to prepare for battle, by an attack on the which had been carried to a vast height, fell down enemy's van and centre, as they lay at anchor, and into the water, and on board the surrounding ships. according to a plan he had before developed. His After this awful scene, the firing recommenced with idea, in this disposition of his force, was first to se- the ships to leeward of the centre till twenty minutes cure the victory, and then to make the most of it, as past ten, when there was a total cessation of firing circumstances might permit. As all the officers of for about ten minutes; after which, it was revived the British fleet were totally unacquainted with till about three in the morning, when it again ceasAboukir bay, each ship kept sounding as she stood ed. When the victory had been secured in the van, in. The enemy appeared to be moored in a strong such British ships as were in condition to move, had and compact line of battle, close in with the shore, gone down upon the fresh ships of the enemy. At their line describing an obtuse angle, in its form, five in the morning, the rearmost two, Le Guillaume flanked by numerous gunboats, four frigates, and a Tell, and Le Généreux, were the only French ships battery of guns and mortars on an island in their van. of the line that had their colours flying; and, toThis situation of the enemy seemed to secure to gether with two frigates, they subsequently cut their them the most decided advantages, as they had no- cables, stood out to sea, and escaped. The whole thing to attend to but their artillery, in their superiour of the day was occupied in taking possession of and skill in the use of which the French so much prided securing the prizes. themselves, and to which, indeed, their splendid series of land victories were, in general, chiefly to be attributed.

The position of the enemy presented the most formidable obstacles; but Nelson viewed these with the eye of a seaman determined on attack; and it

Knowing that the wounded in his own ships had been well taken care of, the gallant admiral bent his first attention to those of the enemy. He established a truce with the commandant of Aboukir, and through him made a communication to the commandant of Alexandria, that it was his intention to allow

[Statue of Lord Nelson at St. Paul's.] all the wounded Frenchmen to be taken ashore to proper hospitals, with their own surgeons to attend them; a proposal which was carried into effect the next day.

The Arabs and Mamelukes, who, during the battle, had lined the shores of the bay, saw with transport that the victory belonged decidedly to the British; and on that and the two following nights the whole coast and country were illuminated in celebration of it. This had a great effect upon the minds of the French prisoners; as they conceived that this illumination was the consequence not entirely of the naval victory, but as some signal advantage obtained by the Arabs and Mameluk s over Bonaparte's army.

By the admiral's desire, communicated to the captains of the fleet, "a general thanksgiving to Almighty God, for having blessed his majesty's arms with victory," evincing his sense of pious gratitude

to the Supreme Being, for the signal success which by his Divine favour had crowned his exertions on that memorable day; and it was remarked by some of the French officers, prisoners, that "it was no wonder their conquerors could preserve such order and discipline, when they could impress the minds of their men with snch sentiments after a victory so great, and at a moment of such seeming confusion."

The English fleet consisted of thirteen seventyfour-gun ships, one of fifty guns, and a brig. The French had one of one hundred and twenty guns (L'Orient, burnt); three of eighty guns (two of which were taken, and one escaped); nine of seventyfour guns (of which eight were taken, and one escaped); and four frigates, two of which were destroyed. The loss of lives on the side of the French was prodigious; nor was it small on that of the British; sixteen officers and two hundred and two men being returned as killed; and thirty-seven offi