Sound. At the end of three weeks she again sets sail, but is obliged by stress of weather to put into Cadiz. Once more she proceeds on her voyage, and gets within seventeen leagues of Barbadoes, when she is pounced upon by a French corvette, called the Perdrix, and captured. After cruising about for some lime, Mr. and Mrs. Shipley, and their children, are placed on board a prison-ship, lying off the Island of St. Martin, and are afterwards sent to Guadaloupe, whose Governor, the republican General Victor Hugue, had treated with great atrocity all British prisoners, and especially the "aristocrats," as it was the fashion of his day to call those of gentle birth and breeding.
Lady Shipley has written a most interesting narrative, remarkable alike for its simple pathos and high-souled lone of sentiment, and from this we glean the few remaining particulars of her life, which we are here enabled to furnish:—
Before the prisoners embarked for Guadaloupe, Major Shipley, with much difficulty, obtained leave to go on board the vessel which was to convey them, in order to make some arrangements for the comfort of his wife and family. But the canoe into which he stepped was maliciously overturned, and his distracted wife heard him straggling in the water, from which he was with great difficulty rescued, much bruised and exhausted; and this was but one of of a long series of sufferings and indignities which the party had to endure at the hands of their captors. As they passed from the landing-place to the common gaol, they were surrounded by a brutal mob, hooting, yelling, and expressing in various ways their hatred and triumph; and on being brought before the governor at the National House, they had to listen to abuse and invectives against their nation, and threats of severe treatment, which must have filled the breast of the tender wife and mother with terror, and that of the patriotic husband with indignation.
After a lime, it was determined to send away to Martinique, then the head-quarters of the British army, such prisoners as were incapable of bearing arms, the number having so greatly accumulated as seriously to embarrass the French governor. Accordingly Mrs. Shipley received orders to embark with her children, one of whom was sickening for the measles, and unfit to be removed. We may imagine her agony of mind when the peremptory order was delivered and when, in answer to her entreaties that her husband might be permitted to accompany her on his parole, Hugue exclaimed, "Tell the woman that a vessel is under orders to convey her to Martinique, and let her go down to the beach." "Alas!" she says, three months' endurance had taught me submission, and I was taken on board, after having seen, as I then thought, the last of him who was so justly entitled to, and possessing, my utmost affections."
Mrs. Shipley's reception at Martinique was of the kindest description; all ranks and conditions of people appeared to strive who should pay her the greatest attention. But her fears for her husband's safety, and sorrow for his absence, so fully occupied the mind of this true wife, that she could not enjoy her altered circumstances, nor the delicate attentions which were paid her, grateful as she felt for them. Innumerable were the plans which she devised for effecting the deliverance of one so dear to her, and most urgent were her entreaties with the different naval and military commanders for
