At the head of the Greek class there was one whose very soul seemed formed for the most daring attempts. He communicated his intentions to a chosen few, of which the writer was one, and offered to be the leader of the undertaking, if we would promise him our support. We hesitated; but he represented the certainty of success with such feeling eloquence, that he entirely subdued our opposition. He stated that Addison had acquired immortal fame by a similar enterprise. He told us that almost every effort in the sacred cause of freedom had succeeded. He appealed to our classical recollections ;Epaminondas and Leonidas were worthy of our example;-Tarquin and Cæsar, as tyrants, had fallen before the united efforts of freedom; we had only to be unanimous, and the rod of this scholastic despot would be for ever broken. We then entered enthusiastically into his views. He observed that delays were dangerous; the "barring-out," he said, "should take place the very next morning, to prevent the possibility of being betrayed." On a previous occasion (he said) some officious little urchin had told the master the whole plot-several days having been allowed to intervene between the planning of the project and its execution; and, to the astonishment of the boys, it appeared they found the master at his desk two hours before his usual time, and had the mortification of being congratulated on their early attendance, with an order to be there every morning at the same hour!

lemnity to the act. He signed the first, the captains next, and the rest in succession. Many of the lesser boys slunk away during the ceremony; but, on counting the names, we found we mustered upwards of fortysufficient, it was imagined, even to carry the school by storm. The captain-general then addressed us:-" I have the key of the school, and shall be there at seven o'clock. The old parson will arrive at nine, and every one of you must be there before eight, to allow us one hour for barricadoing the doors and windows. Bring with you as much provision as you can; and tell your parents that you have to take your dinners in school. Let every one of you have some weapon of defence; you who cannot obtain a sword, pistol, or poker, must bring a stick or cudgel. Now all go home directly, and be sure to arrive early in the morning."

Perhaps a more restless and anxious night was never passed by young recruits on the eve of a general battle. Many of us rose some hours before the time; and at seven o'clock, when the school-door was opened, there was a tolerably numerous muster. Our captain immediately ordered candles to be lighted, and a rousing fire to be made (for it was a dark December's morning). He then began to examine the store of provisions, and the arms which each had brought. In the mean time, the arrival of every boy with additional material, was announced by tremendous cheers.

At length the church clock struck eight. Proceed to barricado the doors and windows (exclaimed the captain), or the old lion will be upon us before we are prepared to meet him." In an instant the old oaken door rang on its heavy hinges. Some, with hammers, gimblets, and nails, were eagerly securing the windows, while others were dragging along the ponderous desks, forms, and every thing portable, to blockade, with certain security, every place which might admit of ingress. This operation being completed, the captain mounted the master's rostrum, and called over the list of names, when he found only two or three missing. He then proceeded to classify them into divisions or companies of six, and assigned to each its respective captain. He prescribed the duties of each company. Two were to guard the large casement window, where, it was expected, the first attack would be made; this was considered the post of honour, and consequently the strongest boys, with the most formidable weapons, were selected, whom we called grenadiers. Another company, whom we considered as light infantry, or sharp shooters, were ordered to mount a large desk in the centre of the school; and, armed with squibs, crackers, and various missiles, they were to attack the enemy over the heads of the combatants. The other divisions were to guard the back windows and

door, and to act according to the emergency of the moment. Our leader then moved some resolutions (which in imitation of Brutus he had cogitated during the previous night), to the effect that each individual should implicitly obey his own captain, that each captain should follow the orders of the captain-general, and that a corps de reserve should be stationed in the rear, to enforce this obedience, and prevent the combatants from taking to flight. The resolutions were passed amidst loud vociferations.

We next commenced an examination of the various weapons, and found them to consist of one old blunderbuss, one pistol, two old swords, a few rusty pokers, and sticks, stones, squibs, and gun-powder in abundance. The fire-arms were immediately loaded with blank powder; the swords were sharpened, and the pokers heated in the fire. These weapons were assigned to the most daring company, who had to protect the principal window. The missiles were for the light infantry, and all the rest were armed with sticks.

We now began to manœuvre our companies, by marching them into line and column, so that every one might know his own situation. In the midst of this preparation the sentinel, whom we had placed at the window, loudly vociferated, "the parson! the parson's coming!"

In an instant all was confusion. Every one ran he knew not where; as if eager to fly, or screen himself from observation. Our captain instantly mounted a form, and called to the captains of the two leading companies to take their stations. They immediately obeyed; and the other companies followed their example; though they found it much more difficult to manoeuvre when danger approached, than they had a few minutes before! The well-known footstep, which had often struck on our ears with terror, was now heard to advance along the portico. The master tried to lift the latch again and again in vain. The muttering of his stern voice sounded on our ears like the lion's growl. A deathlike silence prevailed. We scarcely dared to breathe. The palpitations of our little hearts could perhaps alone be heard. The object of our dread then went round to the front window, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any one was in the school. Every footstep struck us with awe; not a word, not a whisper was heard, He approached close to the window; and with an astonished countenance stood gazing upon us, while we were ranged in battle array, motionless as statues, and silent as the tomb. "What is the meaning of this?" he impatiently exclaimed. But no answer could he obtain; for who would then have dared to render himself conspicuous by a reply? Pallid countenances and livid lips betrayed our fears. The courage which one

hour before was ready to brave every danger, appeared to be fled. Every one seemed anxious to conceal himself from view; and there would certainly have been a general flight through the back windows, had it not been for the prudent regulation of a corpsde-reserve, arined with cudgels, to prevent it.

"You young scoundrels, open the door instantly," he again exclaimed; and what added to our indescribable horror, in a fit of rage he dashed his hand through the window, which consisted of small diamond-shaped panes, and appeared as if determined to force his way in.

Fear and trepidation, attended by an increasing commotion, now possessed us all. At this critical moment every eye turned to our captain, as if to reproach him for having brought us into this terrible dilemma. He alone stood unmoved; but he saw that none would have courage to obey his commands. Some exciting stimulus was necessary. Suddenly waving his hand, he exclaimed aloud, "Three cheers for the barring-out, and success to our cause!" [hurra! hurra! hurra!] The cheers were tremendous. Our courage revived; the blood flushed in our cheeks; the parson was breaking in; the moment was critical. Our captain undaunted sprang to the fire-place-seized a heated poker in one hand, and a blazing torch in the other. The latter he gave to the captain of the sharpshooters, and told him to prepare a volley; when, with the red-hot poker, he fearlessly advanced to the window-seat; and daring his master to enter, he ordered an attack-and an attack indeed was made, sufficiently tremendous to have repelled a more powerful assailant. The missiles flew at the ill-fated window from every quarter. The blunderbuss and the pistol were fired; squibs and crackers, ink-stands and rulers, stones, and even burning coals, came in showers about the casement, and broke some of the panes into a thousand pieces; while blazing torches, heated pokers, and sticks, stood bristling under the window. The whole was scarcely the work of a minute. The astonished master reeled back in dumb amazement. He had evidently been struck with a missile or with the broken glass; and probably fancied he was wounded by the fire-arms. The school now rang with shouts of "victory," and continued cheering. "The enemy again approaches," cries the captain; fire another volley;-stay; he seeks a parley, hear him."

"What is the meaning, I say, of this borrid tumult?" "The barring-out, the barring-out!" a dozen voices instantly exclaimed. "For shame," says he, in a tone evidently subdued, "what disgrace you are bringing upon yourselves and the school. What will the trustees-what will your parents say? William (continued he, addressing the captain), open the door without fur

ther delay."-" I will, Sir," he replied, "on your promising to pardon us, and to give us our lawful holidays, of which we have lately been deprived; and not set us tasks during the holidays." Yes, yes," said several squealing voices, "that is what we want; and not to be flogged for nothing.". "You insolent scoundrels! you consummate young villains!" he exclaimed, choking with rage, and at the same time making a furious effort to break through the already shattered window, "open the door instantly, or I'll break every bone in your hides." "Not on those conditions," replied our captain, with provoking coolness;-" come on, my boys; another volley." No sooner said than done, and even with more fury than before. Like men driven to despair, who expect no quarter on surrendering, the little urchins daringly mounted the window-seat, which was a broad old-fashioned one, and pointed the fire-arms and heated poker at him; whilst others advanced with the squibs and missiles. "Come on, my lads," says the captain, "let this be our Thermopyla, and I will be your Leonidas." And, indeed, so daring were they, that each seemed ready to emulate the Spartans of old. The master, perceiving their determined obstinacy, turned round without further remonstrance, and indignantly walked away.

Relieved from our terrors, we now became intoxicated with joy. The walls rang with repeated hurrahs! In the madness of enthusiasm some of the boys began to tear up the forms, throw the books about, break the slates, locks, and cupboards, and act so outrageously that the captain called them to order; not, however, before the master's desk and drawers had been broken open, and every plaything, which had been taken from the scholars, restored to its owner.

We now began to think of provisions. They were all placed on one table, and dealt out in rations by the captains of each company. In the meantime we held a council of war, as we called it, to determine on what was to be done.

In a recess at the east end of the school, there stood a large oak chest, black with age, whose heavy hinges had become corroded with years of rust. It was known to contain the records and endowments of the school, and, as we presumed, the regulations for the treatment of the scholars. The oldest boy had never seen its inside. Attempts, dictated by insatiable curiosity, had often been made to open it; but it was deemed impregnable. It was guarded by three immense locks, and each key was in the possession of different persons. The wood appeared to be nearly half a foot thick, and every corner was plaited with iron. All eyes were instinctively directed to this mysterious chest. Could any means be devised for effecting an entrance? was the natural question. We all proceeded to reconnoitre,

We attempted to move it, but in vain. We made some feeble efforts to force the lid, it was firm as a block of marble. At length one daring urchin brought from the fireplace a red-hot poker, and began to bore through its sides. A universal shout was given. Other pokers were brought, and to work they went. The smoke and tremendous spell which the old wood sent forth rather alarmed us. We were apprehensive that we might burn the records, instead of obtaining a copy of them. This arrested our progress for a few minutes.

At this critical moment a shout was set up that the parson and a constable were coming! Down went the pokers, and, as if consciencestricken, we were all seized with consternation. The casement window was so shattered, that it could easily be entered by any resolute fellow. In the desperation of the moment we seized the desks, forms, and stools, to block it up; but our courage in some degree had evaporated; and we felt reluctant to act on the offensive. The old gentleman and his attendant deliberately inspected the windows and fastenings; but, without making any attempt to enter, they retreated, for the purpose, as we presumed, of obtaining additional assistance. was now to be done? The master appeared obdurate; and we had gone too far to recede. Some proposed to drill a hole in the windowseat, fill it with gunpowder, and explode it, if any one attempted to enter. Others thought we had better prepare to set fire to the school sooner than surrender unconditionally. But the majority advised, what was perhaps the most prudent resolution, to wait for another attack; and, if we saw no hopes of sustaining a longer defence, to make the best retreat we could.

What

The affair of the barring-out had now become known, and persons began to assemble round the windows, calling out that the master was coming with assistants, and saying every thing to intimidate us. Many of us were completely jaded with the over-excitement we had experienced since the previous evening. The school was hot, close, and full of smoke. Some were longing for liberty and fresh air; and most of us were now of opinion that we had engaged in an affair, which it was impossible to accomplish. In this state of mind we received another visit from our dreaded master. With his stick he commenced a more furious attack than before; and observing us less turbulent, he appeared determined to force his way, in spite of the barricadoes. The younger boys thought of nothing but flight and self-preservation; and the rush to the back-windows became general. In the midst of this consternation our captain exclaims-" Let us not fly like cowards; if we must surrender, let the gates of the citadel be thrown open; the day is against us; but let us bravely face the enemy, and march out with the honours

of war."

Some few had already escaped; but the rest immediately ranged themselves on each side the school, in two extended lines, with their weapons in hand. The door was thrown open-the master instantly entered, and passed between the two lines, denouncing vengeance on us all. But as he marched in, we marched out in military order; and giving three cheers, we dispersed into the neighbouring fields.

We shortly met again, and, after a little consultation, it was determined that none of the leaders should come to school until sent for, and a free pardon given.

The defection, however, was so general, that no corporeal punishments took place. Many of the boys did not return till after the holidays; and several of the elder ones never entered the school again.

THE CORONATION.

ΠΑΝ.

MACDONALD OF GLENGARRY.

form in the Abbey, with other noble gentle men, waiting, like them, his turn to do homage, and, like them, gazing with intense interest upon the novel and gorgeous scene around. He stood prominently forward; and was particularly well seen by the bench of peeresses.. Suddenly (ard frequently as I have considered the circumstance I never could comprehend wherefore), from that bench proceeded a cry of horror, and a voice exclaimed, that a man, a man in a Scotch dress, "I saw was going to shoot at the king. him I saw him," cried Lady A- e, using words to this effect :-" 1 saw him aim at his Majesty with one of his pistols." She pointed to Glengarry, who was immediately seized, and hurried through a door, which happened to be, as an Irishman would say, "quite convanient," behind him.

It is singular, but a fact, that the crowd was so dense, and the attention of the spectators so utterly engrossed by the momentous ceremonies they were assembled to witness, that but little noise and stir accompanied, and still less observation was excited, by the cavalier treatment and removal of Colonel

No. VIII.)

[WE are happy in being able to record, from a most authentic source, the facts attending the extraordinary and unprecedented arrest of the late Colonel Macdonald, during the Coronation of our present Most Gracious Monarch. This we do the more readily, since we consider this singular incident valuable in an historical light; and believe that the accounts of it which appeared in the journals of the day, were in some instances garbled, and in others mistated. Our version of the tale is, as we noted it down, almost verbatim from the lips of a party who officiated at the coronation, was personally acquainted with the eccentric, but gallant Colonel Macdonald, and was standing very near him at the commencement of this singular affair.-ED.]

COLONEL MACDONALD, at the corona tion, attended as chief of his clan, in appropriate costume, to do homage to his King, and ratify, by fulfilling the terms of ancient tenure, his right to his estates and chieftainship. He was, in person, a magnificent man, and in mind, the very personification of the Highland chief of romance-brave, generous, ardent, irritable, proud to folly of the rank he held in his clan, and resolute to support at once the dignity both of that and himself. His costume, on this occasion, was superb; I had highly complimented him upon itand, in truth, never beheld a nobler specimen of the Gael, than Glengarry in his national and peculiar array. He was in remarkably good spirits and temper, and stood on a plat

almost paralyzed with astonishment, indignation, and shame, thus found himself in a moment borne from a scene of glory and triumph, at a period of infinite importance to himself; degraded in the very presence of his king into a suspected regicide, and insulted not less by the rude reckless grasp of police-officers, than by the remarks of those who believed him capable of perpetrating the infamous crime, with the attempt at which he stood charged. Wounded honour, and every wrung feeling of his proudly sensitive spirit, swelled at his bosom upon this outrage, goading him on almost to deeds of desperation; but vain were his struggles-vain was his powerful resistance; he was forced, as a prisoner, into a small apartment, where, deprived of his beautiful and numerous weapons, he was permitted to await the arrival of a magistrate who was sent for to examine him.

Two hours elapsed before Sir Richard Birnie was enabled to see the unfortunate captive; but upon his attendance, such explanations ensued as satisfied the worthy magistrate, that the gallant Glengarry had been treated in a manner very unjustifiable and insulting. The arms which he wore were essential to the costume of a chieftain, and harmless; for the pistols (which, by the way, with deference to Lady Ae's eyes, had never quitted his belt till drawn from thence by the legal authorities) were not loaded!- they were large and richly ornamented. He wore also a superb diamond hilted dirk, and I believe other weapons with whose names I am unacquainted, but they were all splendid; and upon his liberation, which of course took place immediately upon