The Percy Anecdotes

their executions out of the city. It is on this circumstance that my design depends. I will place an ambuscade near the gate, by which you shall be brought out. My people will render themselves master of those who shall come out who belong to the spectacle. I will march in the instant to their assistance, and make myself master of the place; which as soon as I am, I shall rescue you. This is my project: what do you say to it?" "It is fine," replied Courcelles ; "but the thing deserves some consideration." "It does," said Saint Preuil; "think of it, and to-morrow let me have your resolution." The next day Courcelles waited on his commander. "Well, my brave fellow," said St. Preuil, "what do you think of my project now?" "Sir," replied Courcelles, "it is admirable; only I should like that you would give me the command of the ambuscade, and take yourself the basket of fruit."

A VETERAN HIGHLANDER.

In the battle before Quebec, which terminated in the reduction of that town, when the command of the army had, by the death of General Wolfe, devolved on General Townshend, he observed an old highlander in front of the army, laying about with the most surprising strength and agility, bearing down all opposition, till almost spent with fatigue, he retired behind a breast work of dead bodies. After resting a short time, he stripped off his coat which incumbered him, and again returned to the charge with new vigour. The general, full of admiration at his intrepid behaviour, ordered him to be brought before him after

the engagement; and having bestowed on him the encomiums which his gallant conduct merited, he asked him how he could leave his native country, and follow the fortune of war at such an advanced age? He replied, that his hatred to the French for their perfidious conduct on many occasions, had made him leave his family at seventy years of age, as a volur teer, in order to be revenged on them before his death; and he hoped on that day he had not disgraced himself, his king, or his country. General Townshend was so much pleased with the magnanimity of the brave fellow, that he brought him home with him, and presented him to Mr. Pitt, by whom he was introduced to his majesty, who immediately gave him a lieutenant's commission, with the liberty of serving in any corps he might choose, or to retire to his family and friends, with full pay during his

life.

The name of this gallant highlander was Malcolm Macpherson, of Phones, in Badenoch. His broadsword, with which he so nobly revenged himself on his country's foes, had descended from father to son as a particular legacy, for upwards of three hundred years.

THENE PLUS ULTRA."

The following extraordinary advertisement has recently made its appearance in the American journals, one of which adds, that the advertiser is not only a respectable, but a sane man. He is said to have already got twenty volunteers for his expedition.

"Light developes light, ad infinitum."

St. Louis (Missouri Territory)

North America, April 10, A. D. 1818. "To all the world.---I declare the earth to be hollow and habitable within; containing a number of concentric spheres one within the other, and that their poles are open twelve or sixteen degrees. I pledge myself in support of this truth, and am ready to explore the concave, if the world will support and aid me in the undertaking.

66 JOHN CLEVES SYMMES,

Of Ohio, late Captain of Infantry." "I ask one hundred brave companions, well equipped, to start from Siberia, in Autumn, with rein deer and sledges, on the ice of the Frozen Sea. I engage we find a warm country, and rich land, stocked with thrifty vegetables and animals, if not men, on reaching about sixty-nine miles northward of latitude 520. We will return in the succeeding spring.

"" J. C. s." When they do return, we shall be happy to add in some future edition of our work an account of their marvellous enterprize.