Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Calm and undaunted amidst the terrors of the scene, Captain Lydiard is
described as displaying, in a remarkable degree, that self-possession
and passive heroism which has been so often the proud characteristic of
the commander of a British ship-of-war under similar harassing
circumstances. Notwithstanding the confusion of the scene, his voice was
heard, and his orders were obeyed with that habitual deference which,
even in danger and in death, an English seaman rarely fails to accord to
his commanding officer. He was the first to restore order, to assist the
wounded, to encourage the timid, and to revive expiring hope. Most
providentially, when the vessel struck, the mainmast, in falling
overboard, served to form a communication between the ship and the
shore, and Captain Lydiard was the first to point out this circumstance
to the crew. Clinging with his arm to the wheel of the rudder, in order
to prevent his being washed overboard by the waves, he continued to
encourage one after another as they made the perilous attempt to reach
the shore. It was fated that this gallant officer should not enjoy in
this world the reward of his humanity and his heroism. After watching
with thankfulness the escape of many of his men, and having seen, with
horror, many others washed off the mast, in their attempts to reach the
land, he was about to undertake the dangerous passage himself, when he
was attracted by the cries of a person seemingly in an agony of terror.
The brave man did not hesitate for a moment, but turned and made his way
to the place whence the cries proceeded. There he found a boy, a protégé
of his own, whom he had entered on board the Anson only a few months
before, clinging, in despair to a part of the wreck, and without either
strength or courage to make the least effort for his own preservation.
Captain Lydiard's resolution was instantly taken: he would save the lad
if possible, though he might himself perish in the attempt. He threw one
arm round the boy, while he cheered him by words of kind encouragement;
with the other arm, he clung to the spars and mast to support himself
and his burden. But the struggle did not last long; nature was exhausted
by the mental and physical sufferings he had endured; he lost his hold,
not of the boy, but of the mast, the wild waves swept over them, and
they perished together.
JOE SMITH AND THE MORMONS.
BY PROF. JAMES F.W. JOHNSTON.
In the future history of mankind, if present appearances are to be
trusted, the counties of Wayne and Ontario, N.Y., are likely to derive
an interest and importance, in the eyes of a numerous body of people,
from a circumstance wholly unconnected either with their social
progress, or with their natural productions or capabilities. In these
counties lie the scenes of the early passages in the life of Joe Smith,
the founder of the sect of the Mormons.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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