ceived by the earl of Tyrconnel, who had collected an army of thirty thousand foot, and eight thousand horse, for the use of his master., Towards the latter end of March, he entered Dublin in a triumphant manner. He was met at the Castle-gate by a procession of popish bishops and priests, in their pontificals, bearing the host, which he publicly adored. Here he published a proclamation, seemingly in favour of his protestant subjects; but king James had rendered himself so exceedingly infamous for his breach of faith, that they universally resolved to stand on their own defence. Finding they were not to be deceived by his fair speeches, he proceeded to Colerain, which he reduced, laid siege to Kilmore, and was advancing to Londonderry by long and hasty marches. Lundy, the governor, was apprized of this circumstance by George Walker, rector of Donnaghmore, who had raised a regiment for the defence of the protestants. But Lundy proved a villain: for having summoned a council of war, he declared the place not tenable; and advised that the principal officers should retire from the town, the inhabitants of which would obtain the more favourable terms in consequence of their departure. A messenger was accordingly dispatched to the enemy with proposals of a negociation. But the inhabitants and soldiers in Londonderry were no sooner informed of what was done than they threatened immediate vengeance against those who had been guilty of such a weak and pusillanimous measure. Cunninghame and Richards, two sea-officers, withdrew to their ships, and Lundy, the governor of the town, concealed himself in his chamber. In vain did Walker and major Baker exhort him to maintain his government: such was his cowardice, or treachery, that he absolutely refused to follow their advice, and took the first opportunity to make his escape in disguise. After his departure, the inhabitants bestowed the government upon Mr. Walker and major Baker. They instantly formed the townsmen into different regiments, amounting in all to seven thousand men, commanded by eight colonels, and three hundred and thirty-three inferior officers. But, notwithstanding this numerous garrison, they laboured under many and great disadvantages. The place itself was but poorly fortifi

Fed; their cannon, which consisted only of twenty pieces, were wretchedly mounted; they had not one engineer to direct their motions; they had hardly any hopes of making a sally; the garrison was composed of persons totally unacquainted with military discipline; they were destitute of provisions; and they were besieged by a king in person, at the head of a formidable army, conducted by experienced officers, and supplied with every necessary for a siege or a battle.

Seve

On the 20th day of April the trenches were opened, and the batteries began to play upon the town. ral attacks were made by the king's forces, and as many sallies by the besieged, in both which the latter had the advantage. Their joy, however, was somewhat abated by a contagious distemper, added to the calamity of 'want and famine, which did more execution than the fire of the enemy; but they were determined to hold out to the last extremity; and nothing could shake their resolution. King James, intending to return to Dublin, in order to be present at the parliament, conferred the command of his army on the French general Rosene; a eruel, inhuman ruffian. Provoked at the obstinate resistance of the garrison, he threatened to reduce the town to ashes, and put all the inhabitants to the sword, without distinction of sex or age, unless they would immediately submit at discretion. The governor treated his menaces with contempt; and published an order forbidding any person, on pain of death, to talk of a surrender. They had now consumed the last remains of their provisions, and were obliged to live on the flesh of horses, dogs, cats, rats, mice, tallow, starch, dried and salted hides; and even this loathsome food began to fail them. Rosene, finding them altogether inflexi-ble, threatened to wreak his vengeance on all the protestants of that country, by driving them under the walls of Londonderry, and suffering them there to perish with hunger. He executed his threats with such savage barbarity, as is really shocking to human nature. He detached several parties of dragoons, who, after stripping all the protestants for thirty miles round, drove these unhappy people like cattle before them, without even sparing the decrepid old men, nurses with infants at their

breasts, tender children, women big with child, others just delivered, and even some in the pangs of labour. About four thousand of these miserable objects were driven, like so many victims, under the walls of the town. This expedient, instead of answering the intended purpose, produced a quite contrary effect; for the besieged were so enraged at this act of barbarity, that they determined to perish, rather than submit to such a savage. They erected a gallows in view of the besiegers, and sent a message to the French general, declaring that they would hang all the prisoners whom they had taken during the siege, unless the protestants were immediately dismissed.

This menace, seconded by a remonstrance from the prisoners, produced a negociation; in consequence of which the protestants were allowed to depart, after having been confined three days without tasting food. Some hundreds were destroyed by famine and fatigue, many more were massacred by the straggling parties of the enemy, and such as lived to return to their own houses, found them sacked and plundered by the papists; and yet these very people had most of them obtained proteations from James, who thus observed his solemn engagements with his usual fidelity.

The number of able men within the garrison was now greatly reduced, and all the inhabitants were in such distress through want of provisions, that they began to think of feeding on each other. Mr. Walker, fearing these discouragements might at last overcome the constancy of the garrison, convened them in the cathedral, and in a spirited discourse, endeavoured to animate them to a steady perseverance. He reminded them, that the eyes not only of the Irish protestants but even of the whole English nation, were fixed upon their conduct : and that, after having made such a noble stand in defence of their religion and liberty, they had no reason to doubt but that God would send them a speedy relief. It was not long before this prophetic discourse was fulfilled. General Kirk, who had abandoned his late mas ter, and was now engaged in the service of William, being informed of their extreme necessity, ordered three ships, loaded with provisions and men, to sail up the

river at all hazards. The enemy had erected batteries on both sides of it, and had thrown a boom across it, in order to prevent the garrison from receiving any relief. But the Mountjoy, advancing with full sail, broke the enemy's boom; and all the three, after having sustained a very smart fire from both sides of the river, arrived in safety at the town, to the inexpressible joy of the inhabitants. King James' army was so discouraged by the success of this enterprize, that they raised the siege the very next night, and retired with the utmost precipitation, after having lost above nine thousand men in the attempt.

Kirk no sooner took possession of the town than Mr. Walker was persuaded to embark with an address of thanks to their majesties; by whom he was received with that honour and respect so justly due to his distinguished valour.

RAPIN.

CRUELTY.

SENTIMENTS.

RUELTY is so contrary to nature that it is distinguished by the scandalous name of inhumanity. None more impatiently suffer injuries than those who are most forward in doing them.

There never was found any pretended conscientious zeal but it was always most certainly attended with a fierce spirit of implacable cruelty.

Of all the monstrous passions and opinions which have crept into the world, there is none so wonderful, as that those who profess the common name of Christians, should pursue each other with rancour and hatred for differences in the way of following the example of their Saviour. It seems so natural that all who pursue the steps of any leader should form themselves after his manners, that it

is impossible to account for effects so different from what we might expect from those who profess themselves followers of the highest pattern of meekness and charity, but by ascribing such effects to the ambition and corruption of those who are so audacious, with souls full of fury, to serve at the altars of the God of peace.

M

EXAMPLES.

R. BERNARD, lecturer of St. Sepulchre's, London, in the reign of Charles I. preached a sermon in St. Mary's, Cambridge, in which were some passages against introducing Pelagian errors and Romish superstitions into the church of England. On his refusing to make a public recantation, penned for him, he was fined by order of archbishop Laud, in the high commission court, one thousand pounds, suspended from his ministry, condemned in costs of suit, and committed to prison.

ONE Workman, lecturer in the liberty of Gloucester, was for the offence of preaching against images, suspended from his office, by the same archbishop, excommunicated, ordered to make recantation of his erroneous and scandalous doctrine, condemned to costs of suit, and imprisoned. The corporation of Gloucester approving much of this man for his diligent performing the duties of his function, had, on account of his great family, granted him an annuity of twenty pounds per annum, under their common seal. For this act of generosity, Laud summoned the mayor, and others of the aldermen, before the council table, as delinquents. The deed was cancelled, and two of the defendants fined ten pounds each, though their council alledged, that the grant ought first to have been proved illegal, and the whole corporation, whose act it was, made parties to the suit. The unfortunate Mr. Workman, thus deprived of his annuity, having after some months imprisonment obtained his liberty, taught children in private: Laud forbad him to follow this occupation. He then practised physic for the support of his family; but the merciless