90 SOME ACCOUNT OF A CAPTIVITY. 



has altered the manners as well as the opinion of the whole world. 

 Before the invention of this " divine art," mankind were absorbed 

 in the grossest ignorance, and oppressed under the most abject des- 

 potism of tyranny. The clergy, who before this aera held the key of 

 all the learning in Europe, were themselves ignorant, though proud, 

 presumptuous, arrogant, and artful ; their devices were soon detected 

 through the invention of typography. Many of them, as it may 

 naturally be imagined, were very averse to the progress of this inven- 

 tion, as well as the brief-men, or writers, who lived by their manu- 

 scripts for the laity. They went so far as to attribute this blessed 

 invention to the devil ; and some of them warned their hearers from 

 using such diabolical books as were written with the blood of the 

 victims who devoted themselves to hell, for the profit or fame of in- 

 structing others. Such was the fate of its first rise ; but like all 

 other useful inventions, it soon soared far above the malignant reach 

 of "invidious objections :" the more liberal part of mankind, amongst 

 whom it is but justice to say were some ecclesiastics, gave it every 

 necessary encouragement; and kings and princes became, for the 

 first time, patrons of learning. Genius, like beaten gold, spread over 

 the world ; and the early part of the nineteenth century saw a com- 

 plete revolution in the human mind. 



SOME ACCOUNT OF A CAPTIVITY. 

 CHAP. I. THE CAPTURE. 



THE gallant vessel on whose deck I trod was ploughing her way 

 up Channel with a south-western breeze on her quarter, and Beachey 

 Head bearing on her larboard bow. After a long and perilous 

 adventure, behold me again on the threshold of my home. 



I had scarcely then completed by fifteenth year, but I had seen 

 much in that brief space. At an age when many boys have hardly 

 left their mothers' apron-string, I had encountered many a rude buffet 

 from fortune a cruel step-dame she is to many ; and a bitter bad 

 one has she been to me. Nevertheless I had gained something by my 

 experience. I was hardy and robust. I could look danger in the 

 face without flinching, and had acquired a sort of light-heartedness 

 insouciance as the French call it only known to those that are 

 accustomed to the rubs of life, and have but little to lose in the 

 encounter. But as I leaned over the shattered bulwarks of our 

 weather-beaten vessel, and gazed on the white cliffs of my 

 native land, I thought of my father, the pride of my early youth, and 

 my heart yearned for home I was again a child. 



" Hillo ! youngster, by Jasus you're looking out as sharp as a sea- 

 gull in a nor-wester," cried a rough voice behind me, accompanied 

 by a grip on the shoulder, sharp enough to astonish any young 

 gentleman of tender years. It was Jem Ward, an Irish sailor, and a 

 crony of mine. "D'ye see that sneaking blackguard yonder?" said he. 

 I turned my eyes to his direction, and saw a long, low, black lugger 

 coming down Channel, ' braced close up to the wind, but making as 



