The corsair; a romantic legend of Hell Gate

The corsair; a romantic legend of Hell Gate - illustrating the beauty of innocence. Date of the action: Midsummer, 1627

ELL Gate, the scene of the tragedy described in the foregoing pages, is not now what it was in former times. Its turbulent character has been modified to such a degree that it has already lost half its terrors. The mariner now, by skillful piloting, can avoid its dangers and bring his ship safely from the jaws of this modern Charybdis. Not so in days remote,its numerous rocks, islands, shelves and whirlpools rendering it terrible to the most skillful pilot at certain times of tide. This long-desired change has been brought about by the Government, which has expended millions of dollars in making this narrow strait leading to the Sound less dangerous to the navigator. Though it has been the scene of numerous tragedies, its history is not altogether uninterestingand first, as regards its name. There having been considerable controversy, in times past, as to its correct orthography, we have taken some trouble to investigate the matter. Some writers have insisted that it should be spelt Hurl Gate. Ancient records, however, do not bear them out in this respect. The map in Van der Doncks History, published in 1656; Ogilvies History of America, 1671, and also a journal written in the sixteenth century, found in Hazards State Papers, give the name as printed in the Poem. Besides these ancient and trustworthy authorities, there is a{24} venerable essay in French, which, speaking of various changes made in names about New York, observesDe Helle-gat, trou dEnfer, ils ont fait Hell-Gate, Porte dEnfer. For aught we know the heroine of this strange legend, which the author has sought to illustrate in verse, may have read the above passage in French;if so, her childish fear, after her father had spoken of their close proximity to the fatal strait, was no more intense than we can readily understand, when we take into account the superstitious age in which the actors lived. The perching of a raven upon the boom of the vessel, off the Azores, contributed also to impress the Pirates daughter with evil forebodings. Nor could she escape observing the consternation of the sailors who beheld it fluttering over her fathers head, and overheard its dreadful prophecy. This bird, as is well known, is exceedingly intelligent, and can be taught to articulate words. It lives to a great age, a hundred years or more, and from remote periods of history has been connected with various popular superstitions. The Bible gives the first historical notice of this species. We are told that at the end of forty days, after the great flood had covered the earth, Noah, wishing to ascertain whether or no the waters had abated, sent forth a raven, which did not return into the ark. When Elijah provoked the enmity of Ahab, by prophesying against him, and hid himself by the Brook Cherith, the ravens were appointed by Heaven to bring him his daily food. Though thus honored, this bird seems in all ages to have been considered ominous of evil, and, in the days of auguries and divination, like the Banshee of the Irish, was thought to possess the power of foretelling future eventsespecially such as were dark, gloomy, and foreboding. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 66466
Author: Allen, William Barney
Release Date: Oct 4, 2021
Format: eBook
Language: English