2 lanterns
"one if by land and two if by sea" (if the British came by land or sea)(was a way to warn people)
this is from the story of Paul Revere...
My father said it would be alright if I invited John to go with us to the ball game
My best guess is "It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out." Since it shows by use of metaphor how he feels the same way as if he were stuck in a pit with no means to escape it. It would be difficult to escape that pit, just as it is difficult to be in the condition he is.