Page:Australian and Other Poems.djvu/101

96 prostrated the proud standard of England in the dust and discomfited her with all her chivalry — Sheridan

The marks of that awful catastrophe, which, so nearly extinguished the human race, are every day becoming more and more visible as geological research proceeds. Thus, in the limestone caves at Wellington Valley, the remains of fossils and exuviaæ, show that their depths were penetrated by the same searching element that poured into the caverns of Kirkdale and other places. — Captain Sturt

The conflict in his country's cause has, in itself, no terror for the Irishman. The maturity of life has reached me in the struggle, but yet my step is firm, and my arm, too, is not unnerved; so that I should not feel any personal deficiency to deter me from joining in the battle's roar in the cause of my country. But I am not without my perception of passing events and instigating causes. Yes, coming events do cast their shadows, and I behold many circumstances which enable me to anticipate the future history of Ireland. The rising generation is not as submissive as their fathers were. It may not be equally safe to treat them ill as it is to ill-treat us. The rising youth of Ireland appear to have their pulses beating with better blood, and I have remarked more than once that, while I myself was tranquil, the eye of youth, scarce reached beyond childhood, was glistening, with indignation at the history of six centuries of misgovernment which this country has endured. "This fiery youth, with hotter blood boiling in their veins, is accumulating fast around us. Whilst we of the old day live, we can and will restrain them ; but when the grave has closed upon those who have been nurtured in submission, and trained in the toils of patient entreaty and constitutional prayer — when we are removed — oh! may England, for her own sake, and for the sake of humanity, above all, turn off the evils which even a successful struggle must inflict upon Ireland — may she learn to be wise in time, and