170 THE CHRISTMAS ROSE. 



acter, to accept a distinguished rank in a wild ro- 

 mantic expedition, planned by some enthusiastic 

 military men, to effect a landing, and to excite a 

 revolution, in the South American territories of 

 Spain. 



The result was disastrous : the landing took 

 place ; but in an action with the colonists, a great 

 number of the invading party were killed, some 

 saved themselves by precipitate flight, and the re- 

 mainder were made captive. Among the latter, 

 was my old playmate and kinsman ; and the intel- 

 ligence soon reached his distracted parents, that 

 their beloved son was condemned to labour for life, 

 in the mines of Peru ! 



His father, who possessed high claims on the 

 confidence and consideration of the British govern- 

 ment, hastened to make known his afflictive case ; 

 and letters were given to him from various mem- 

 bers of the Royal Family, and from distinguished 

 official men, to the court of Spain. Thither sped 

 the anxious father ; and by persevering importu- 

 nity, obtained, though with great difficulty, the pre- 

 cious boon — an order for his son's immediate re- 

 lease — with this he again crossed the Atlantic, and 

 nad the unspeakable delight of delivering the poor 

 captive, and conducting him once more to the arms 

 of a rejoicing mother, a fond circle of brothers and 

 sisters, to whom he appeared as one alive from the 

 dead. Very sweet is my recollection of the jubilee 



