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II
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NAUFRAGÜS.
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ov
NAUFRAGUS,
. ^#. //v.
THB
/
*^'^
y
ADVENTURES
OF
NAUFRAGUS
WRITTEN BY HJMSELF.
Theie is a spedal Providenoe in the Call of a Sparrow I
Hamlbt.
LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY SMITH, ELDER, ^ Co. 66, CORNHILL.
r/
J. Darling, Printer, Lcndenhall-Street, London.
P R E F A C E
It is not in mere oomplianoe with a custom that
I introduce this Uttle work with a Prefiioe, but
from my oonviction of the necessity of one.
Front the tiüepage, the reader may possibly be
unable to ascertiun whether the subject of the nar-
rative be real or fictitious. I theiefore think it
ioGumbent on me, not to leave that point to con«
jecture. It is a faithful narrative of the trials and
adventures of a man» who, feeling that bis oourse
had been no common one, and conceiving that a
published record of it may be as usefltl to others,
as the experience which it has afiForded him has
^n useful to himself, cannot withhold it from the
public
To enhanoe the utüity of the work, it is inter-
spersed with oocasional descriptions of places and
objects, which, when new to me, made on my own
mind impressions so strong, that it has not been
very difficult for me to convey them to the mind
A3 of
VI
of the reader, in all their original freshness. With
the same purpose still in view, an attempt bas
been made to render it a book of reference on se-
veral subjects connected with India, and of in-
fbrmation as to the manners, customs, prejudices,
and opinions of the Hindoos. But the reader
may expect, not merely a didactic lesson, but in-
struction and entertainment blended. Indeed, the
bibgraphical portion of the work, though •* an un-
vamisbed tale,** is a tale of events which may per-
haps justify me in calling it, " a romance of real
life.»
In its compilation, I have spared ndtber care in
the arrangement of my materials, nor anxious en-
deavours to attain that accuracy of style which
is indispensable to connected narrative, and to fi-
delity of description. Whether I have succeeded
in these respects, or indeed in any, I cheerfuUy
leäve to the decision of the public.
It now remains for me to acknowledge my olv
ligations to that excellent work, " Dubois* People
of India." It may not, perhaps, be unnecessary to
observe, that the Abbä Dubois was a French mis-
sionary, who lived for many years among the Hin-
doos as one of themselves, conforming in all respects
to* their habits, customs, and diet; and I believe,
a more
VH
amorejust or authentic description of this peq[>l€
tban that giyen by bim» is ndwbere to be found. His
work is almost the only one to which I h&ve ba4
recourse, dther for quotation or for referenoe ; and
to that, with the sole view of being enabled to
mark the or^n of such p^uliarities as Struck me^
in the mann^rs, customs, and opinions of the na-
tires. In that particujiar, it has rendered me valo-
able Service; for although bis researches were
confined principally to the Mysore territories» and
my own ohservations to Calcutta» Hooghly, and
their vicinity, both researches and ohservations
are, witb i^pect to the charcLcterütic customs and
usages of the Hindoos, (particularly of the Brab-
mans), which vary little x>t nothing throughout
Asia, as mutually illustrative, as if both the one
and the other were either equally local, or equally
general.
With a few exceptions, therefore, the infbrma-
tion afforded is entirely the result of my own ex-
perience and Observation. But from experience
wrong inferences may be drawn, and Observation
may be either deceived or eluded ; and thus may
have crept into my work those very errors which
I have been most anxious to exclude. I hope,
however, and even flatter myself, that they are
not
Vlll
not numerous; but whether numerous or few,
venial or unpardonable, I »ball feel tbankful for
oorrection.
In selecting the name of ** Naüfeagus," I was
determined by tbe applicability of the ancient
family motto— •" Nayfiragus in portvmr to my
own dreumstances, both past and actual ; and with
respect to the names of the leading characters of
the work, they are, with a few exeeptions, also
fictitious.
One Word more: — the remotest Intention of
giving offence to any one, by the publication of
these pages, is positively disclaimed ; and the truth
of this disciaimer will, I trust, be sufiiciently ma-
nifest from the whole tenour of the work.
INDEX.
INDEX.
• • • P^^
Atlanüe, appearanee of tbe setting sun in the. 42
Baboa^ « • . . . # 65
Barrachpore 135
Batavia 205
Belel 145
Bhutas, worship of tlie> or malevolent fiends 172 4* 173
BoaL Budgerow » 16S
Masoolah • • . . . • 6l
I^aunehwiiy • .-. ... . . . ... . r ••..••..•• 57
Bungalow. . ; ; i » . • . i •.•••••.•••.•> • • 46
Calcuita, liver— ^ew of ,28 4* ^
■ ■' intexior of 32 to 34
Cast ••...••. f « 1 43
Ceylon, • • • • • • • • • . • • 46
■ II ■ I BeHganm r 50 to 52 '
Religion of ...«*..• • « 51
Ckandemagore 138
Chmsurah ••«..... • 139
Chokedar ..••••••• • ••.«..• 202
Cingalese. • • « ••«•#«.•#•.••••..•••....•••••• 51
' ■' ■ Padfee^ or priest •...••.•••r... ....•••••••«• ibiä
Cochtn •.....••• • • # •«••••#••«.# 49
Comsj gold moliur^ value of a • r. . • . . • « • • • 54
— — • ropeej ditto .«#••«««•.. ibid
pi^oda {8tar)> ditto ••...,.., <•.....• 60
fiuiam « 4 »;•«••••••••••• t • • <••....•. 64
Coir
X
Page
Coir 61
Coromandel coast^ view of^ from tlie sea 60
" Country-Shif 47
Cowry ^ » 173
Crore, numeral definition of a . . • 55
Dammer 1 16
Deity, tbe Bralunans opinion of the 146
Dkurtvan • 153
JDoorga-'Poorga 54
Dubask c 63
ElepharU r 187
j, appearance of a herd of 179 4* ^^^
travelling on the 180 to 182
Faia^Morgana, or atmospheric refraction 89
Forest, interior of an Indian 171 4* ^f^
France, Isle of 77
—————— ^ Englidi iuvasion of the 100 to 108
Garden Reaph , 28
Girls, Dancing. See Nautch, apd l62 <$• 163
Guru, or Hindoo priest 173
Hindoos,. character and opinions of the 197 to 200
idolatry of the 139 4« 140— 147-p-172 ^ 17§
— — supersti^ons of the ...,,,, , 34 4» 35—57 to 59
Hindoastan, internal appearance of • I69 4* ^0
Hooghly, aspect of the 28—137 ^ 138
Hookßh *..............,.».,. 54
Hosp^lityy Indian. • l63
Housesj UiAdoo 182
Hunt, tige^ , , , , , ,,.... 184 to 187
-— wild.bov ^88
Indiaman, midshipman of an. 6
Indigo factozy 170 4* 171
Lac, numeral definition of a .,,,,,,,,,,,,«,,, , 139
Lingin^Pulo
XI
Page
Lingin^Pulo, • • ••»•.• • • 19
Loire, H. M. fiigftte^ appearanoe of^ in the Atlantic ••«••. 41
Madras ••.••• 62
the surf at •...••. 6I
Magic, as practised at the prssent day by the Vanprastha
Btahmans. 174 to 177
Malahar CoaH, 8tate of European sociely on the r. 48
Malays 109 4* 114
- , heroism of a^ illustrated in a tale founded on üßi,
110 to 114
Marriage, Hindoo^ c^remony of 144 to 146
Metempigchosi » oc e TransnngrtUion qfsouls 151
Metrannee 31
MirUo-Ptdo 21
Mmkeys * 13g
Music, Hindoo 167 4* I69
Nautch 165 to 167
Nutmeg 212
Pagoda 60
Pariah 184
Paul and Virginia, outline of the histoiy of 78 to $9
Pearl fishezy • . • . . 46
Penang'Pulo 12
Püot^Jish 108
Pondicherrtf , 69
Punkah , SS
Sacrifices, human> as practised by the Hindoos 175
SeraTnpore 135
Serpents 50—177 to 179
Slavery, .tendency of 215
Storni 40 4- 41—119 to 129
StraiU, of Sunda 204
Sumaira,
XU
Page
Sumatra^ West Coast of (he Island of.-i--Bencoolea ....... 212
Fadang 210
Munsular 108
Tappanooly •••.• 109
>WW«M*«*M
i^^p^pwp"Wi*i"«i"^P"*"^'*"
^-^p^"^
Suttecy ot immolation of Hindoo widows« as practised at tbe
present daj • 200 io 204
Ta^e^^Tlie Tale of die (ätill 151 to 154
The Tale of theSailox of AU-wprk 154 to 15$
The Tale of the Four Deaf Indianß. . . i • , . . l60 to l62
Tum^'Uims 35
Waierfall, See Sumatra — Munsular
Yadhooy a fexnale slave 25 & HG^^O & 3ö
EBBATA.
Page dl, JUnß 3 ^m the top, for encroach, read encroached.
160, line 4 firom the top, for guest, read quest.
172, line 10 from bottom,^ rended, read rent.
178, line 18 from top, for creeped, read crept.
201, line 3 from bottom,^^ Here, read Her.
LIFE, VOYAGES, AND ADVENTXJRES
or
NAUFRAGUS.
Ar ihe petiod of my Inirtli, wliidi took place in London^ oll
die 6Ui ef March 1796^ mj paients bad just fallen ftom a atatd
of splendid affluenoe> and weve Keking liappiness in ihe spherd
of humUe life. To this condition they were reduoed hf one of
those Yisitations of adveras Ibttune wbSch are bj no tneans un«
oommon in die world^ and wliich produoe changes somarked^ and
transfersofpiopertyj» aadden, diat they cannot escape die ob«
sertation of die most unobservant. Tbus tbe poor beoome rieb,
and die rieb are doomed at least to taste tbe cup of poverty ; and
bope and fear are in perpetual Operation^
' Mylaterinfancy was oonsignedto tbe protection ofmymaternal
grandmodier, wbo tben lived in die enjoyment of great wealdl
and splendour in Finsbiuy-sq^aret but ficom ber fosteriüg cate 1
Was taken at Üke early age of eigbt yeaft, by a gendetnan of die
name of Bamm, wbo became my uncle, by niaifiying my fadiex^s
8ister> witb wbom be received a fortune of fiv« dlousand pounds.
Mr. Barron was gifted by Providence widi immetiae wealdi^
and inftience, its inseparable attendant. Besides possesnng in«
numeiable sourtfes of inoome, be was maiiagtng ownet of an In«*
diaman. At bis bouse I first saw my anuable and mucb esteem«
ad friends« Mr* md Jdrs. ^eunborougb, of wtiom I diall bat»oe-
easioQ to^eak in tbe eoniie of die wod^: d|ey weti pleaied to
M shtw
2
shew oie the attention and tenderness of parents ; and to this änj
my lieart bears a sensible and grateful recollection of their friend-
ship. Their country seat was situated in Lincolnshire^ and
it was agreed that I should proceed thither in their travelling-
carriage^ and remain with them a fortnight or three weeks^ prior
to my d^p^ture for Doncaster^ where my uncle Barron int^nded
to place me at boarding-school. The few weeks which I spent
with my.kind friends in Lincolnshire had been hitherto the bap-
piest period of my life ; but I was« soon doomed to exchange the
comforts of a home for the discipline of a public school^ contain-
ing upwards of eighty boys, many nearly grown up, and all older
than myself.
Many think their schoolboy days the happiest of their lives;
and to those who have the rdaxation of vacations«»the relief of
an occasional visit of, or letter from^ a relation or friend — ^the
benefit of little presents and attentions either from those friends^
or by their direction, through the hands of their master — they
may ba the hs^piest : but ta me^ who was sent one hundced and
sixty-t}iree n^iles away from all the tender ties I had in the
lyorld^ and who found myself at the vacations (with the excepCion
of two spent with Mr. and Mrs, Neunborough) left at school,
without eyer hearing from^ or seeing.^^relative.or £den4 for four
years> schoolboy days were any thing but that enviable State of
happi|iM^9 which I have heard so much «u}Qgized.
But^ privatipns did not constitute the whole of my unhappiness :
with them positive suiFerings concurred^ especially some infUcted
with the whip. On the cold winter momings we were at our
desks by seven ; and the many times I have crawled up, shivering,
to receive on my already-benumbed finger-ends smart stripes
from the cane, are yet fresh in my memory. As for the fire,
neiver^ even on the coldest days, did I derive any benefit from it,
in consequence of the tyranny of the eider boys: and on the
wholpj I cannot Vfing my school days to mind, without feel-
ing that I wpuld willingly forego all the advantages of thebright-
est education^ and the benefit resulting from a suceessful applica-
tion of it^— consenting to remain in unlettered ignorance, rather
than again undergo the misenes of my school-days.
The hardships of my boyhood may possibly have impressed me
with a xather filoomy^ unspcial^ or more properly speaking, un~
happy
A^p^ tum ef iftitid : it is at least certain that I liad no chosen
fiiend in the schoöl^— iio playmate ; for I loved not play as othei
boys loved it ; my delight was to be alone. For hours^ even iflf
winter^ would I wander^ solitary, in tbe deep recesses of a Wood,
delighted with the awfnl stiüneBS — ^tlie deep echo— or tbe howl-
ing of the wintiy wind. I loved to hear tbe rustling of birds—
tö watcb tbe playful squirrel — ^to catcb a basty glimpse of passing
foxes, notliing fearful of me ; and tben to gatber benies, until
wearied nature sent me back to scbool.
In tbe Summer still would I be alone, seeldng shades remote
firom babitations^— redining on a mossy baak, and bebold witb
entbusiastie wondier and deEgbt, tbe g^ttering, golden scenes
around me. Witb wbat rapture would I listen to tbe lark ! and
Wben I vieWed tbe arcbed sky, of clearetberealbhie, as if I would
Ibok U through, bow disturbing was tbe reflection^ tbat I could
not remain' fbr ever wbere I was, at rest and bappyl
My tasks I soon mastered, and Inade rapid progress in aiitb-
metic, latin, and navigation ; but all were in a great measure
tbrown away upon me : to study extemal nature, in ber grandest
forms, was my deligbt ; and amidst tbe sweets of sofitude, aH
labour was forgotten : my mind was entirely wrapt in admiration'
and wonder at tbe grandeur of a wood, or in deligbt witb tbe
beauty of a landscape, or tbe cbarms of a solitary walk, over a
wide, dreary, deserted moor.
I bave already stated, tbat in fbur years I spent two yacations
at Mr. Neunborougb's : it was during tbe last, wben we were
one day seated at dinner, tbat a letter was bandet to bim by tbe
footman : be opened it, and bad not read long, before be eyed
me significantly, and said — *' Naufragas, look sharp, my boy !
you are to go to sea directly." I bowed compliance, very glad to
be relieved from tbe'tbraldom, or ratber, misery of scbool. I was
to go, I understood, as midsbipman in tbe East Indiaman oF
wbicb my unde was owner, and bis brotber, Commander. The
captain, with bis young bride, was hourly expected, to take a
fareW^ofMr. and Mrs. Keunborough, before he proceeded to
sea. In the mean time tbese iriends were momentarily doing me
Hnd Offices, eitber in giving me good advice, or loading me witb
pesents.
Tbe captain arrived in the evening, with an Intention of stay-
B 2 ing
ing but one äay, and startingc^ tbe following moming^ at^ as he
ftyled it, the *' cronmg qf iKf cocL'* He weloomed me with
such an air of af^parent g en eroa it y gnd goodnature^ that I nurtant-*
ly foimed a fiivourable t)pinkiiL of him.
The hour now came' whidi was to separate me fiom my tmo
Und Jpatrons, the only beings in edst^nce whom my ksaptt had
erer been taught to lo^e^ I was called up at fooir in i^taaa^
ing ; the carriage and four was at the door. Mrs. NeoidMx^h«
kissing me with the sincerity of a moäier^ filled my pod^ets widT
silver^ and conducting me to the good man's bedside, left me«*—
" Come hither^ Naufragos/' he said^ sitting up, aad leaning on
his piUow : '*' now^ my dear boy^ you are going into a wide «nd
dangerous world : here> take this," handing me a pniyer-book ;
" forget not the author of yonr ezistenoe^ and in the hour of
trouble he will not forsake you : above all things^ neror n^ect
yonr psayen, and ndnd your daty : and heie— here is some pock-
et-money for you. Go, now/' he added» kissing my cheek> ^ «nd
Qoä preserve you for eyer !" With my eyes fult, though awt
füller thaa my heart, I hurried into the chariot, and with ihe
captoin and his bride^ was driven off rapidly for London. We
reached the captain's hpuse in the evening: I slept there^ and in
the moming was oonducted by him to my unele Bamon. He
looked at me silently for some time, and without saying a word,
wei^ away» and directed a man to see me inside the 8tage> which
was to take me to the house of my fathor, who then tenanted one
of Mr. Banron's farms.
In a few hours I was put down at the road-side^ near a lane
at the end of which^ I was told^ was my father's farm. The
snow was on ihe ground^ and I was proooeding anxiously onward,
when I met a fine boy tnindling a hoop, of whom I inquired
how far off my father^s house was. The lad stopped^ and taking
mj band tenderly in bis, said^ he was my brother John !
We were soon in the presence of our parents, whose tendemess
and love^ though I was^ in a m^ner^ stränge and unknown to
t^iem^ save by the ties of nature^ were to my heart a consolatory
balm^ of which I had for years feit the want^ and indeed I
had never yet known. This comfort^ however; was but of short
duration^ for^ in the course of a fortnight^ I was in a furious
s^orm in the Bay of Biseay.
My
My unde Bonon fitted nie out ; or rather, sent a lut of
necessanes to a slop-diop in Leadexihall-street^ without a xnea«
surement of my person^ wbich were ordered for my use; the
ooiueqiienoe wasj my shoe^ wexe useless ; the ca|» in my che^
weie made for aoldien instead of sailon; my «nifoxm ooat was
solarge^ that tbe tail of it actually trailed along tbe deck; my
check Shirts^ and sfaeets^ which cost a great daal> were to me worth
nothing ; and in sfaort^ alüurogfa I had a largo ehest füll of dothes«
they were any thing bat neeetsary ones.
The vqyage to Bombay and back was performed in sizteen
months ; and duiing the whole of tbat period> fortunately not a
long one> the ship was a scene of contsBiial tumult^ Insubordina-
tion, and wrangling. The captain bore the character of a
*^ smart sailor/' (as the technical term isy) bat bis measures wei;ie
so excessively strict and azbitrary, that he was an objed of dread
to all on board: sailors, who had been fiogged« deserted; whüe
many gave diemsetbes to the nayy as deserters^ and were taken
away by the men-^yf-war^s boats : passengers were put ander
arrest, from tbe captain's own table ; they broaght actions against
Mm at Bombay, and reoovezed heavy damages ; this threw the
captain into a severe fit of ülness, wbich well-nigh cost him bis
life, and from the effects of wbich he did not reoover until the
ship's retnm to England.
' At.seiak I- fooked in vain for an enoouraging smile frmn my
uncle> the captain : he paoed the äeck with a haugh^ step, and
douded brow, without notidng any one :-<•
'^ Seidom he smiled, or gmüed in such & sort,
As if he mock*d himqelf, and seomM bis spirity
That oould bs movad to smile at any tiung/*
The first time I was honoured with bis notice, was on my way
up ,the rigging to fori the mizen top-gallant sail : the ratlins, ol:
as landsmen call them, *' the ladders," were so far apart, (ei^teen
or twenty inches), that my little legs found it at first a hard
jnatter to Stretch so far,; and I was plodding my dubibus way up,
.to the l^st qf my abilil^, wben a v^ice like an '^ east win4»
blowifig through a cranny," squeaked out-r-^' Tumble «p, you
young scamp !— -Run ! [stamping^ run, I say ! [stam^ing with
B 3 vehemence]
vehemeoce]] run up> sir ! Cagain stamping.^ There— -that Mrill
do."
There were on board six xnidshipmen^ all cooped up in one
cabin^ encumbered with their chests^ (one of which^ placed in
the xniddle^ served for a table)^ a large bread bag^ dahgling on tbe
sbip's dde^ balf a dozen other bags^ füll of linen^ a tin can or
two^ a tea kettle^ bats^ caps^ watcb coats^ and a long eigbteen
pounder. The salt beef^ pork^ and biscuit^ wbicb were almost
our only food^ were so unpalatable> tbat I could hardly get down
a moutbful; we had indeed a pudding twice or three times a
week^ but tbat was none of the best> being made by ourselves,
in tum> and frequently boiled^ for want of any thing better^
in a bran new night-cap> or cotton stoddng.
Of all lives in the world^ that of a midshipman of an East
Indiaman is the most distressing and contemptible : neither
received by the officers^ or obeyed by the seamen^ he loses all the
Privileges of the latter^ without haying any of the comforts of the
former. By the officers he is kept at a distance^ and by the
seamen held in derision : he is a mere Walking candlestick ; the
prindpal part of bis duty being to hold the candle to the officers
in the ship's hold. The sailors are always watching for an op«
portunity to pilfer the poor middie's apparel ; and frequently^ the
ehest fuU^ on leaving England a few weeks before^ of valuable
clothes^ linen^ shoes^ and other necessazy artides^ is as empty as
the poor fellow's bread-bag.
The duty I found the most arduous to perform^ was that of
keeping watch ; which was regulated in the foUowing manner :
one night^ I had . to watch from eight to twelve^ and from four
A.M. to eight, leaving only four hours for sleep; the next
night, from twelve to four, having eight hours sleep, (from eight
to twelve, and from four A. M. to eight.) This was called keep-
ing '^ watch and watch" and lasted during the voyage. Nor
could I call even these few hours my own ; for of^n, when my
watch was out, after having just thrown my weary limbs in my
hammock, has the boatswain's pipe of — '^ AU hands to reef top»
sails a^hoy I" summoned me, at a minute's waming, to the mizen-
topsail yard-arm, there to pull away to the sailor's cry of
hurrah ! amid the roaring of the tempest, and th« lashing of the
briny surge. If, in the day time, I had had allowed me a few
hours
'liocErs'for Tepdse^ I should have faad less c&üfle of complkint ; hnt,
'thröughoQt t^e day^ I was eitber aloft^ or In tAe ibip'^ Hold^ tvitli
a candlö^ assi^ing in stowing or nnfltoWing the cargo^ and in
Clearing awa)^ prövisions.
Nothing very iremarkable happened düring tbe voyage^ if I
«xcept the fate of a sailor bqy> named Kennedy^ who feil över-
board^ in the aet of reeving the ensign halyards ät the extremity
of the driver peak ; in his Ml, hi's throat caught the driver boom-
irön^ that prqjected oirer thestern^ aild reoeived a deep xnciaon^
Iso that when he readied the water he floated : this circumstance
^for he was no swimmer) gave qs time to heave to^ and piek bim
up ; but to little puipose, for the poor boy was in a State of in-
sensibility ; and> affcer lingering in great agony^ expired in the
%hird night : his moans were appalling ; and it tiras truly a häpp^
■iMng foT him to be released from his sufierings, and for tbe cre^
4Bt hfiiaAe^ßeä -frcnh witnesaing safferings which they had ho means
of alleviating. ' i- • »
FVom the fir8t> I was not at all impiiessed in favoor of -a seü^
life ; but being wiUing to hope I should like it better as I ad-
vanced in rtfak^ and hfiving Set out with so emulous and ardent
a spirit in the pursnit^ and^ moreover^ feeling averse to confess to
tny fnends in Eiigiand^ my dislike^ I resolved to make another
voyage.
Oh our reaching England^ my unde Barron^ as owher of the
ship^ came on boärd at Gravesend : he questioned me pafticularly
if I Uked the sea^ obsernng^ that if I did not^ he would send me
ont to India as a 'eadet.— ^^ Consider well^ Naufragus/' he con-
tinued ; '^ I may die^ and without interest you cannot get on in
the Service: I know a chief mate> who has remained so for
twenty years." I thanked him^ but expressed a wiijh tö gö ano-
ther voyage, if he was equally wilüng. '' öh, please yourself,"
i^dd he^ *' only recdUect, that a cadetdiip^ if you live^ iä a*8nre
lOTtune for you ;" and left me^ with directions to proceed wiÜE
the ship to dock^ and then to repsor to his house.
To my infinite sorrow I leamt that my yalued friend^ Mrs.
NeunbQrough> had been^ for some time, ah inhabiiant of that
country fix>m " whose boume no traveller retnms ;" and that
I had no hope of seeing Mr. !ftfeunborough> who had shut himself
tip in hit oeuntry house> and would not see äny one. 'I looked
9 4 forward.
«
i
8
forward^ bowever, natvq»Uy and with txansport^ to the pkasufe of
^endiBg a fe^ weeks with mj fatber at tbe fiunn ; bat I mi^
calculated; {ot, duxing the wbole day^ mj unde kept me stricdy»
meal-times exoepted^ at bis oounting-bouse^ writing out IXÜs of
parcds^ &c« At eigbt o'diook every nigbt he took me bome to
bis bouse« and made me sit witb bim nntü supfper-time or bed«
time : tbus my week days were ipent^ bat on Saturday evenings^
as be ih«n weat to bis oountry seat^ wbere be xemained untü
tbe Monday moming, be allowed me to go to my fatbei^s»
with particularly strict injunctions to walk tbitber Cnine mik$
and a half) and back ; never^ on any account^ to rtde. Tlnt
point was with bun an object of such importanoe, tbat I one day
jncurred bis severe displeasure, because I bad accepted tbe ofifer
of a gentleman who overtook me on the xoad^ of a seat in bis
gig. I also antidpated tbe pleasate of having (wbat I nerer
Jiad in my life> eitber before or anoe I saw BbSi Neunbonm^^)
a litüe podiet taaoejf my nwges amounting to between forty
jQid fiftypoonds j bat l was again disappointed; myprudent unde
podceted it all.
My second voyage I went as midshipman in a ship of twdve
bundred tons^boundto St. Helena^ Benooolen^ and China. Myout«
£t tbis time oost me dear^ for my unde^ supposing I should bring
bade eyery artide of appaxel wbidi I took out^ and therefore not
calcolating on tbe necessity of giving me a second outfit^ rated
me severdy for my negligeace^ and grumbled at tbe ezpenoe of
every artide wbich be bad to buy : beartily glad therefore I was
wben tbis very delicate aSair was finisbed^ and myself once more
in a cafam^ side by side with fpiodier eigbteen pounder.
The captain of my new ship bad risen to fame and fortune
£nom the raidc of foremastrman^ and tbat by one of those sin«
gubpr cbanoesj whidi^ ^' taken at tbe flood« leads on to fortune.'*
At tbe peiiod alluded to^ he was boatswain of an Indiaman«
wbiph^ wb^ off tbe Ciqpe of Good Hope^ was in imminent pevH
of foundering in a storm. . It was found neoessary to cut away
the fwe^topmast; ba| sudi was tbe l^asaid attepding tbis Service,
tbat at fiiat no man on board could bp found baipdy enough tQ
venture aloft« as tbe foremast itself trembled like a reed^ and was
momentarily ezpected to go by the board. In the midst of tbe
«anfusionj tbe boatswuin^ iiotbbg daunted, 8^oc^ed in leacbing
tbe
9
Üia ftne-to}), cut' aw«^ the tapinut, and dMcended m mSetjr.
Af a lewaid for thü serrice, the ovraen made hlm aa officer of
the ship ; and in time, he noe to the command of hex. He waa
a bnve c^cerj and a good man ; the oolj one in authorit^ on
boord, who maniieated any conaidente and ml feeling for the
faealth, canvenicnce, and ceanfiM of the pettjr officen and Kamen.
The aecood cAcer waa instructed by mj unde " not lo tpare
MW," but to " giee ü tue tetU," and " %iake a taUor ^ me." Mj
unde, ■■ I afterwardi understood, had anitted him with a htrge
nqiplj of gooda, on liberal credit ; in letum for which act rf
IdadneM, the officer oonacienÜDualf acted up to the veiy letter
of bii (^nileat &iend'B advice ; nay, t beUere, eren exceeded it.
No looner wsre we out st mb, than he b^an to biodc me about,
<m all qumteia of the deck, and continued thii barharity, I maj
•haoBt HLj, ni|^ and daj, until be grew täred of it. He thm
Ut npan a reflnad method of " gioiiig it me mB," Aat of heep-
ing me np at the nuatJiead all night, or on the drun-head of
tite c^Htan. On indi oceanoiu, natiire, warn out, would maie
me &I1 adecp, when the watchful guardian of the night would
Order aailon to pooi bacteta af water on me, or, if that woold
not do, to thzow the hacket at my head afterwardi. At hat the
G^itain inteifised, and freqnently cmuitermanded my tymnt'a
otden, by aending me to reab Tiüs man faad a nngular way
o£ grinning, and ihewing hia teeth, when paciog the deck.
Whenerer he got a little elevated, he inTnriably gtinned, and,
under the guiie of puniahment for ncgiigence, practiaed refined
arti of auelty on all the poor middiea of the ihip.
I boie all hifl ill treatment widi uncommon fonitude nntil we
arrived, on our wvj to China, at Pulc^Pesumg. I then deter-
mined to &ee niyaelf from the uypiegaion under wUdt I groaned,
and whidi would aoon have hecome insupportaUe. Hy plsa
wai, to leave the diip befbre her departnie ; nor coold the diead
of häng left destitute, fdendles«, stnd pouiylen, in a forcdgn
countiy, the
my I
the ero ct a o
awaid to mj
fotal to my
10
.escape fxonl Mhe ills Wkich imiitediately awaited me. Another
'veiy awJcnrard predieament in ^Whioh I was plaoed^ acted with me
as addidonal mduoemeat not to prooeed in the ship. The mid>-
shipmen found it neoessary to subsoribe eight pounds each^ to-
wards the mess ; and being süpplied with funds hy the captain
and puner^ by the authority of their friends^ they easily raised
the required sum ; but my unde had totally overlooked either the
necesszty or the probability of any advanoe of cash being needed
^uxing the voyage ; so that my application was negatived with
a positive and brief reply — " We have no authority ftam yoar
unde to make any advance of cash ;" and, had I proceeded, I
muBt have beea exduded the mess.
There was on board an Irish youth, a fellow-ipidshipman,
•named Smith, to whom I had formed a warm attachment. He
had evidently been brought up in the firat drde^.af sodety, aftd
was, on the whole, amiabk in dispoaitipn, and .pleasfpg in his
manners. To bim I revealed my intention ; and we argued the
proi and cons, f(»r nights and ni'ghts together, in the midnight
watch, without any material difference of opinion. His first
Suggestion was to präsent to the captain a ¥nitten complaint,
ai^ed by all of us, against the second officer : next, he thought
it the wisest way to '^ knook the monster on the head ;" or, pro-
perly fijpeaking, to ^' give it htm well,*' in tum : then again, he
'propoBeä, most eamestly, to aocompany me ; but, as he had con*
tributed his share towards the mess, and as I should not have
fdt happy under the consctousness of having been the cause of
any injury which might have aocrued to him, in consequence of
his leaving the sh^, I insisted on going alone ; and his other
propositions we rejected as futile and usdess. It was at last ar*
ranged, that my box, directed for me, at the British Hotd, should
he pa(^ed up ready for my fiiend- Smith to send on shore, in the
first boat that might leave the ship after my departure ; as we
jusüy ooududed that I should not be able to take it with me,
without incurring too serious a risk of detection.
On the morrow the ship was to leave Pulo-Penang : the mor«
row then was to form an epoch in my life ; my prospects were to
change, possibly not for the better, since I was about to enter on
a wide world, unknowing and unknown : driven to an act of
such desperate resource, by the farutality of an enemy on the one
band.
11
I
hand^ and 00 the other> hy the inadvertenoe of my natural pro-
tectoT. Dunng the night I dept but little^ lacked as I was witb
scorpion anxietj^ and dreaming of appalling dangers; but the
xnmaag rays relieyed me^ and I then began my preparations by
j^uüag up my dothes^ dressing myself^ and pocketing all the
treafiure I had to begin the world with^ and that was— one
doüar.
At six in the evening I was xeady : I went down on the gun«»
deq]c^ and exchanged a farewell with Smith, who, actuated by
fiiendihip most sincere, invoked many a blessing on my head«
The hoarse voice of my persecutor^ bawling " Naufiragus !" sum-
^oned me before hira. I surreyed him steadily, and with a calm
look, though consdous that I stood before him whom I should
never cefise to execrate as the man who drove me friendless on
the worlä, — ^ What l" said he ; '^ dressed so smart ! — going on
ahore, I supppse ? [liropically J. Here — ^give this receipt to the
boatman who brought the cask of lime-juice, and teil him he
may go."
The shfide oi evening had but just spiead round the vessel«
when I went on deck ; a fedl of rain, with a distant roll of thun«
^er, and a heavy gust of wind from the shore, indicated an ap*
prpaching storm. I hurried into the boat> and giving the receipt
to the boatmauj who was a Mahommedan, I dedred him to shove
me on shore, putting into his hand my all-^the doUar, which
worked ^ talismanic e£fect ; for in five minutes I was» for the
&cst tij^ie in my life» on the shore of Prince^f-^ Wales Island.
The feding of sailors on leaving their floating home, to which
^abit has recondled them, has been offcen the subject of remark :
thus, I once heard the sailors of a ship called the Mary, when
she was in flames in the liver Hooghly, exdaim, with the greatest
tendemess, as they abandoned her to her fate-^^'^ Farewell, Mary !
^^pp(H: pld ship ! — good bye, old girl !" and soma of them were
Seen to s^ed tears : and even I could not help, when the boat
was conveying rae on shore, taking a silent farewell of my ship—
but «spedally of my friend Smith and the captain, both of whom
I mi|ch ^steemed.-i— '^ Here I am," said I to myself, when I
touched the shore, '^ left, with all the world before me ; and be
Aofi, \inii Providence, my guide l"
** Some
12
« ^ Scntoe nfttuial tau« I droppM, but wip*d them Mon :
The i^orld was all befbie me, where to chooee
My place of rest, and Proridence my guide.*'
«
My absence^ I was aware^ woold soon be disoovered bn boaid :
xny firrt object iherefbre was to seek out a secure and convouent
place of concealment for tlie night. For some time I rambied
about the town of Pulo-Penang, with all tbe coriosity attendiag
the first view of objects entirely new to tbe senses ; the long
Wide streets and irregulär buildings^ with the waving coooa and
toddy tree^ were novel ; and the jfragrance of the verdure after
the heavy rain^ was^ .to me^ who had not been on ahore for seyea
months^ at once refreshing and delightful : but I recoUected thaf
this was not the time to indulge in curiosity or research^ so I
Started onwards, and travelled on the high road for some niUe8>
untQ a spadous wood-yard^ füll of massy pieces of timber^ pre»
sented itself to my view^ afibrding, as I thbught^ an eaay and
secure retreat for the night : fatigue and anxiety made thb asy^
lum, poor as it was^ cordially welcome ; and stretching mydelf
out on a broad teak plank^ under oover of a piece of timber^ Ij
in a Short time^ feil into a profound sleep.
When I awoke in the moming^ the novelty of the objects by
whidi I was suxrounded^ the magnificence of the soenery^ the
sable cast of hundreds of natives^ who by this time were in mo-
tion> altogeihei; conspired to make me consider myself an inl^bi«
tant <^ another world ; but the painiul reality was soon present
to my mind ; and then how deeply did I wish^ all — ^li£B itself—
to be some painful, turbulent dream ! what bli8s> I thoaght^ to
awake> and find myself relieved fram the horrid reality^ and in a
State of happiness and peace ; but> alas I it was no dream.
I gol i}p> repaiied to a murmuxing brook dose hy, and after
having washed my face and hands^ pursued my joumey towards
a thidL forest or wood^ just in my front. The country seats I
passedj the pBoperty of Euiopeans, were very pictuzesque^ dedked
out with eoeoa and palm tvees. Feiaring pursuit^ I quiekened
my paoe, and afVer having walked for three or four hoon». found
myself in the midst of the forest« and quite secure« I lelt aon«
vinoed«. j^Qpi the least risk of detection.
■IjlWiroiftion, the wood becoming thicker and thicker« so that
it was with difficulty I made my way ; but wishing to gain the
summit
Bummit of a mountain just before me^ in order to watch the mcv
tions of my sliip^ I persevered^ and had nearly obtained my objecto
wlien a loud Hissing mme ansailed me from befbre. Not knowing
but that the wood might be infested with wild beasts, or danger-
0U8 reptiles, I was at a loss wbal to do : to zeeede I woaM not ;
and af ter mustering a littte rasdhition^ I ventmed on^ ezpeeting
every moment some laige ^sexpent to rush out and attadc me.
The hiasing became louder and louder as I adraoeed^ and so lond
at last that I made a füll stand, looking about aniioualy in all di«
lections for my asBailant^ bnt in vain; and as the hisug oeased
wfaen I stopped, I arailed myself of the c^iportanity afibided me
by the apparent suq[»ension of the ezpected attack, of äUaymg my
hunger with a wUd pine«apple, which I saw before me« Onwaxd
I still ventured, and the noise, whieh now resembled rather a
xatde than a hiss, recommenced. I was astonished Üiat I oovld
not see any thing ; at last^ however^ the bushes to the right of
me shook excessively for some distanoe, bat without dereloping
the cause, and all at onee the noise ceased.
After oonsiderable laboar,.! reached the simmut of the moun«
tain at the dose ci the evenllig, and, to my great moitifieation,
beheld my ship still at anchpr, and waiting, as I natuially sup«
posed, for my return, dthto voluntarily, or with a party who
might be seekmg me. Oa looking about, I facmd anuninhabited
l^ut, with some large fifhbones strewed about the floor. I pluek«
^ the leaves of some plawtain trees, and having cldaned out the
httt, made abed with them. As night approached, I was deUght«
ed to behold the trees and bushes illumined by swarms of fixe-
flies, whidh resembled thousands of sparks, or spangks. My
pleasore would have been greater, bat for some unaceountable
noises, mch as xoetrings, cxoakingSy hissu^ and now and then a
howly all which oomfained^ made me wish much for a candle, and
some wea^. of defenoe.
,. Thexnoonxose in füll msjes^in my 6ont; totiberi^tthe
lighta of PulorPenang'and Fort GomwaUis were discemible, and
axound me was a vast eipanse of wood. Tired at last of pacing
the solitary summit, and^xaoked'with amdety^ hunger, and fatigue,
I betook myself tomy hut, andftil^sleep«
At daybxeak I beheld one of the sweetest scepes I think in na«
tuxe. Thesun had just xisen abore the hoi&on—the unruffled
t9ea^ of s deter edilereal blue^ embraced the glittering sfior&-^tb^
Ixild ooait'of Qtiedft^ diirided froi» Priiice of Wales Island hr a
disamel^, tvfo or läiree miles biioaclj pveseiited itself in frbnt ; the'
town of Folo-Penang, with Fort ComwalMs^ and the surrönndlng^
oDtmtry^ smiling. in säl the gaiety of nature's best dress^ -were on
wj right ; and beneäth me the Indiaman (wbich in ny present
mood I looked ot nü^ely afi an object in the - scale) at hier anchor-
age ; while erer a»d anon Hrds of gaudy pluraage^ the cockateo,
the lory^ aixd the pafoquet^ adonted the skirts of the forest. The
whide- pro^ftet iaipfesMsd me with indescribable delight ; and
mde mf faeart acknowledge and adore wilh fervor the Divine
Oreator of all that I beheld, and implore bis providence to direet
mj fature steps^ and tö süpport me under any trials which might
yet await xne«
Hie Sensation of hunger now became troublesome ; nor had I
aay^ means or prospeotö of relief. At last I determined to descend
the mountain, and remain in the skirts of the wood^ until^ fa-
voured by night^ I could venture to Penang without the risk of
being taken: I tjjiought that there I might probably proeure
something to eat — possibly employment. On my retum through
the vmoä, I wa» amused by the antics of a large monkey^ which
sprang firam'bough to bough^ foUowing me in my descent^ appa*
renüy indignant «t my intrusion into bis solitary haunts.
I wandelt in the skirts of the wood^ and on the sea beach^
picking up' Shells and corals^ until dusk ; and then boldly pro-
oeeded towards Penang. All this time I had my ship füll in
view, and was watching all her motions; indeed^ not a man
could move on deck> nor a sail be unfnrled^ without my cogni-
zance*
Scaxcely had I reaohed the town befbre I beheld^ in a verandah^
open to the street^ a PSortuguese man^ with bis wife and two little
girls^ eating their supper of rice and fish curry. I walked up to
the gfoup^ and asked^ by signs^ for something to eat ; they^ how-
erer, one and all ran away> apparently alarmed^ and left me to
poinie mycoune. I next made my wants known by signs, as
be&ire, to two native Indiana ; and^ by signs^ they desired me to
sit down on a mat on the iloor^ and to wait until they should
bring: something; but I feh alarmed on finding myself l(x:ked in,
and/
• This Channel ii much frequented by the aUigator.
1
IS
apdi withoui a momenV^Iois jof tixne^ let myself out ot aouüüL .
back t^usement, throu|^ whieb I could scarcely squeeze S17 bod»
and efiected 1117 esoafe, This inddent detennined me not to^
mak;e any more attenvpts to gain. assistance in tbe towo» until xay
shxp should have fairly gqne away.
That night I slept in the wood yard; and the next äaj, in
Order to reach the summit of the mountam^ agffin penetmtod the
recesses of the wood; but 0» my way tbrou^ it> I found myaelf
all at once in the midst of an Indian fanuly^ almost in a State of
npdity^ smokingi and squattedzound a amall fixe. To this parly
tQo I ap{^ed for relief, stille of cottzse, by signs^ and to my gceat
joy, an eldedy hLaok. hajdded me a pieoe of new cooüa>»imt ; but-
this did not much aUay my honger^ which was exoettive : I,
however, expressed my thanks in the best way I could, . and pro-
ceeded up the mqontain once more. Having reached tbe top,
w^t weve no]i¥ my surpiise and joy to behold n:^ sbip actually
under weigh ! By six o'clock she was a mere speck oa .t|ie hoci-
zoiV(;tibiUj|. relievi]]|g me of an infinite lood of anxiety and dcead»
It ^^)^^^t9p late to^ venture ba(;k to the tow& that night, so I slept
in^myhut^ aod.^lyin th^.monung got up, and prooeedad to
Penang, whi^h. place I reaofaid jabout eight o'dock.
Ii^ my J&cst ,w^k through the town, I had observed. that I. was
an, object of general notice ; and I afterwaxds leamt. that fifity
do^a^.ha4 heen oSbred by imyicuptain, as a reward fbr my a^re--
hesudoni the( motixes* of the two ladians for loeUng me da the
rogm were thon/obriflus enough.
Seeing.a man in ^he dress.of a native of laok- follawing me
▼ery dosely, I ventured to ask him if he spokeJBngüih ?•—»'/ ^^)
my lord." — '' Well," said I, " teil me who is the greateÄ Bng-
lish me^chant iOr P^ienang«-*«.! mcan the riebest?" — " 0|gUvie>
sahib."-^^' Good. agaip," I replied- " Now then, my friend»
pray take. me to Mr,. Ogilvie's. house." In a short tima I was-
usbered into a. pn9cely mansion^ and soon in the. preseace of
Ogilvie, sahib, (or Mip. O^yie..) I addressed. Jüm» saying. that I •
p^ßsumed to call on him. as a British merchant, U> acquaint him
with the Step which I had taken, and the causes which had ledi
me tQ adop^ a scheme so desperate ; and ended, my talc^ by re«
ques^ing.th^t hewouM eUber g^yeme, orprocure for me,empIoy-
n^enl; on shbre^ in any industrious occupation > at the same time
assuring
16
aumzing Um, that his aid wmüd be found not to have been rais^
placed. He aeemed perfecüy astoniahed; and it was aome timcr
1)efane he replied— *<' Young gentleman, I feel much for the un-«
protected State in wliich you are placed in thii settlement ; and,
jf I may jodge fiom your appearance^ you would not abuse any
aid wbidi I oould affinrd you : but indeed you cannot remain in
jthis iflland*— tbe govemor faimself could not perxiiit you to remain
bere: but if you will call-4iut no-^here he comes— heie be
oomes/'
The entranoe of a stout short man, with « good-natured ftce,
anested the harangue of Mr. Ogilne, who roae up and shook bis
firiend by the band most heartüy. — *' Captain Lambert/' resumed
Mr. Ogilvie^ " here is a young midshipman^ who has left bis ship
from ill treatment^ it appears^ and who wants employment:
can't you take bim with you as second mate ? You want one^ I
undentand.** — " The very tfaing, Ogüvie; and/' said Lambert^
tuming to me, '^ yoa shall find good usage with me, however
you may have been treated on board the Indiaman : I know wdl
enough what they are, young gentleman."
I aasuied bim my endeavours shoeilS not be wanting to prove
myfldf deserviog of any encouragement I should receive. To
Mr. Ogilvie I ekpvesaed my grateful thanks, and, pointing to
blackee, who had introduced me to bis preaence, I expresaed mf
cegret at 90t haTing it in my power to reward bim. Hie captain
told me to go oa board the brig Jane, and, with bis complimentv
to the mate, to requeat him to receive me.*-*'' Youll find," he
aaid, ^' the Jane'a boat at the jetty atairs;" and added-«*'' I will
take caie of Uackee."
Upon thia I rettred, thanking God in my heart fbr thia inteipo«
aition in my behalf, and in a few minutea waa on board the Jane,
bat almoat ftoniahed, having faated neaily four daya, aad without
any dothea exoept dioae I had on; for, on inquiry at the Britiah
hotd for my hox, I found that it had not been forwaxded, doubt-
leaa in oonaequenee of my friend Smith'a want of opportunity.
The firat object that atruck me on my arriral on board, waa the
odd appearance of the chief mate, whoae name waa Taaait r he
wore a led cap, a füll pair of silk aleeping trowaera, and a white
jacket : hia ooantenance waa equaüy remarkable— a viaage of dark
complexion, with thick buahy whiakera, and long muatacbioa, higih
cheek«
17
diebk bones> and large black eyes; Iie was a half-cast. Vir creole>
of Bengai, but'^ educated in England. Scarcely liad I diade my
bow to this original, when a loud, confused jabber, proceeding
from the main hold, of ^^ Marrega! marregar attiaeted our
nodce; and^ on loc^ng down the hatchway^ I beheld thxee or
four lascars^ with bülets of wood, crushing a huge centipede^
which twirled its long, elasdc body round and nmnd^ in agony
and rage, until killed. The jabber of the black sailors, and their
BOYel oostume, together with the heat of the hold, and the smell
of the pepper and betel-nut, of which the cargo oonsisted, pro-,
duced on my mind an Impression unlike any I had ever before feit«
All hands were busy receiving cargo, which we were to leave
at Malacca for some China ship expected there ; and all poasible
haste was made to sail immediately. It was four o'clock in the
aftemoon when I went on board, and at five Tassit yery dvilly
asked me down to tea. I readily obeyed the summons, and fol-
lowed him to the cabin. There I found the leg and wing of a
cold fowl, toast, biscuits, butter, a piece of cdd ham, and a
Smoking tea-kettle in the hands of a lascar. Down I sat, oppo-
site to f6j new friend Tassit, and began upon the fbwl and ham,
which soon dtsappeared; the toast and tea also vani^ed, and
with equal celerity, Tassit all the while ministering to my wants
vrith. much patience .«nd good-nature; and when I aftomnards
told him that that meal w^s the only one I had had for fout days,
be kughed immoderately ; but suddenly checking hiniself, said,
in a serious tone; — ^^By all that's wonderful, I thought you would
liave killed yourself !"
After tea, we chatted untü eight, and I understood that my
pay was to be eighty Sicca rupees (£lO) per month. This waa
indeed agreeable news, and, at Tassit's Suggestion, I went to bed
at ten ; but scarcely had I got into a comfortable dose, when I
was roused up to assist in gettiag the brig under weigh. This
was done in about an hour; and with the fullmoon to light us;,
we sailed down the Southern Channel. The captain had not yet
come on board, so it was agreed that I should take the moming
watch, from four to eight, and to bed I went again.
About twelve I was requested to go to the captain, who had
oome on board, and had seAt for me. I quickly obeyed, and
went into bis cabin, when the first object I saw was a feiend of
18^
hisi wlio had come' on board tq hiA hbn farewell> meatutihg hii
length on lh& üoot, and quibe drunk ; next apj^ared to my view
the Aoble captaih' himself, seated in an arm-cbair, bis two thumbs
plajdng round atid rouxid^ ä la Ephraim Smootb^ and bk ef e»
keeinng time. His face was round, plump, and as red es a für-
naev> and bis bead rolled round bis large, Square Shoulders, quite
mecbaniädly ; and it was not witbout some difficulty that he
contrived to stamihef öut, äfter two or three sligbt interruptionli
from a tormentliig biccough— '^ Well, sir, have you got yoür
tbings?"-^" No, sir." — *^ No, sir! tben wbafs to be done?
wb^t's to be dohe? (hiccougb) wb — ^a— a — ^t's tobed — done?"
fsdling gently backwäid into a ^' reist tbee, habe" slumber. Sup-
posihg hiin fast asleep, I was about to take a sileilt leave, when,
to my surprise, be, on a sudden, started half out of bis cbair,
bawling out — ** D — ^n it, wbat's to be done?" and once more he
feil asleep. In a few mintttes there appeared much to be done>
for we bad run asbore. We lay on our beam-ends until momibg,
Tassit aU the while, quite unconoerned, smoking a smdl band
bookab, and talkiog about bis dear intended, who was in JBengal^
untü die Stars began to disappear, and the day to break, bringing
the rise of the tide^ and with it boats from the shore to our a»«
sistanee. All hands were now actively engaged, and so oontinued
utitil nine o'clock, when we again ^oated.^ We bade adieu to
Penaxig, and a fair, gentle breeze, wafted us through the Chan-
nel, towards the Straits of Malaoca. The captain very kindly
gäve me, höm his private stock of dbthes^ six Shirts, six whi^e
jackets, a red cap, six pair of trowsers, and a watch-coat, an4
alwajrs continued to behave to me in the most kind and fiiendly
manner. Professing himself my besf; fiüend, he ini^ariably sup«
j^orted me, whenever any difierence betweenmyself and Tassit, or
tfie sailor», rendered his interference necessary. He is now dead;
bu^ if bis spiiit witnesses the feplings of iny heart, which bdat so
bigh in gratitude and afifecfion to his memory, he has fuU as-
suranee that his kindness was not ill bestowed.
- The scenery whioh wfe passed was transcendently beautifuL
Our little skiff was wafted by a gentle, refreshing sephyr, and
tibe lascars, in groups, were relating some of their marvellous
tales, while Tassit and myself, a^^nng our tea, sweetened With
Chma candy, and enriched with th^ milk of a favourite ^t,
were
19
weie listeniiig to the captain's descriptioiif et ihe different splea«
did or remarkable sceiies wbich presented tbemselves. llie Aj
continued^ for many days» doudless^ and beautifuUy hlue ; and I
may rank the evening bours of tbis day among tbe few really
bappy bours of my life. Tbis period of enjoyment^ ^specially in
contrast witb tbe sufierings wbicb immediately preceded it^ still
lefresbes botb my memory and my imagination.
In a few days we reacbed Malacca^ and^ after discbarging tbe
pepper and betel wbicb we bad on board^ prepared to sail tat
Pulo Lingin, ah obscure Maky port to tbe eastward^ sddom
fiequented by Englisb traders. Previoasly to our flailing, as we
were endeavouring to beave up an ancbor left bebind by some
fiigate^ a black diver^ wbo bad dived for tbe purpose of ascer«
taining its exact Situation^ in oonsequenoe of tbe extreme difficuTty
experienced in beaving it np, remained ander water so long^ that
we gave bim up for lost. At lengtb, bowever^ be made bis ap-*
pearance at tbe surface^ tbus relieving us from our regret-'^^mt
for a moment, bowever; for an enormous sbark. appeared almost
instantaneously^ snapped bim oompletely asunder^ and then swam
away after tbe mangled remains, leaving tbe water> for a consi«
derable spaee^ dyed with blood. Tbe sbock to all of us^ wbo
wäre unable to render tbe least assistance^ was truly borrific ;
and^ for many months afterwards^ a painful impression remained
on our mindsj in consequence of tbe melancboly Site of our uh«
fdrtunate diver. Tbe next day after tbis tragical event^ we set
sail^ and on our'passage tbrougb tbe Straits of Makeca^ meC tbe
Java expedition on its retum tö Bengal.
In aböut tbree we^s we reacbed Pulo langin. The lofty
peak so called^ as seen from tbe deck of our little bark^ on a dear
day^ häd a grand and imposing efl^t. We had not been long at
andior be^sre a ca<ioe came alongnde^ with fbur Arabian cbiefs,
magniiicently apparelled. The captain^ suspeeting them to be
pirates in disguise, gave atäen that the door of a cabin^ in wbicb
was a large ehest of treasure^ sbould be locked. They taid tbüt
they came merely to see tbe captain and, tbe ship. Being received
on board^ they scnitinixed, with rather suspidous minnteness^ every
thing mthin their view. On Coming to tbe cabin wbere tbe
treasui^e was concealed^ &nd Unding tbe door locked^ they expressed
great anxiety to have H opened. The captain^ whose presence of
c S mind
30
mind never fbrsook him, calldl to the Cas^a-ah for the liey,
telling them in Arabic " there was önly a poor Christian lying
tbere, who had died the day before/' upon which they tumed
aside with S3miptom8 of disgust^ at the idea of seeing a Christian
coxpse^ and predpitately returüed on deck. One of the Arab»
eyed me with expressive eamestness; which^ indeed^ was not to
be wondered at^ for a European lad had seldoni^ if ever^ been seen
in that part of the globe before. I was not more than fourteen
years of age^ with the glow of health on my cheek^ and vrith long
curlyhair^ as white as flax. The Arab then entered into conver-
sation with the captain^ expressing (as I afterwards leamt^ to.my
no small astonishment) a wish to purehase me*— nay^ ventured so
far^ as to offer three hundred dollars for me. On being told that
I was not for sale^ he appeared much surprised^ expressing^ in- •
deedj bis wonder that the captain could refuse so large a sum for
so young a boy ; but endeavouring to account for the refusal^ by
observing — ^^ He is perhaps some young prince^ or a high cast
Englishmauj I suppose ;" and after shewing off some oonsequential
nati^e airs^ left us. No sooner were our visitors clear off^ than
the captain ordered all the small arms^ and the four six-pounders,
to be loaded, in readiness for an attack that night. No attack,
however^ was made^ and the captain and myself went on shore
the n«t mommg.
We first paid our visit to the king^ or rajah of Lingin^ who
was seated^ cross-legged^ on a cane mat^ in a large hut. We
were not suffered to approach bis august presence without taking
off our shoes and stockings^ and were ordered not to advance
nearer to bis majesty's person than fifteen feet. The captain and
I now sat down cross-legged^ on a mat facing the king. He was
an overgrown savage-looking Malay^ with fat cheeks, a short flat
chin, and a large mouth^ down the comers of which ran the
Juice of the betel-nut^ of a deep red colour^ which gave bim an
appearanoe^ at least in my eye^ both terrifying and disgusting.
We were surrounded on all sides by Malays^ armed each with a
crease^ or dagger^ probably poisoned^ and whose countenances
were marked with a fexodty quite in keeping with the rest of the
scene. The captain broke silenoe by a flatfering enoomium on
the king's improved looks, sinoe last he satir him« and requested
bis acceptance of some costly. and choioe presents^ -which were
produoed.
21
produced. His majesty having aceepted themi« made some in-
quiries respecting me ; he first admired tbe colour of my hsxr,
then asked liow many brothen I had — how old I was — and if I
would like to stop in his dominions? and seemed quite pleased
with mj complimentary answers. lipon my expressing some sur-
prise at seeing an organ in a comer of the room, he beckoned to
one of his attendants to plaj it Ä more villanous Compound of
harsh sounds I never before heard^ but they seemed to please the
M alay monarch mightily. He then ordered a flute to be brought
-me^ which^ as well as the organ^ had doubtless been given him
by some European, who well Imew their use. I immediately re-
ceived it, and^ still in a sitting posture, played a few notes, to the
surprise of the king and aU the motley assembly.
The captain now rose to take leave, which we both did, by
bowing very ceremoniously, and very low. We had not gone far,
however, before we were recalled into the presence of the king,
who, after we had again divested ourselves of stockings and shoes,
and sat cross-legged oh the mat, made me a present of the flute,
and a bamboo salver füll of sweetmeats. We were then allowed
to depart.
After remsdning at Lingin six days, during which time we
were occupied in bartering piece goods and opium for block tin,
we set sail for Pulo Minto, where we arrived in about three weeks.
On our landingy we observed that the natives, who, as well as
those of Pulo Lingin, were Malays, were less friendly and open
than our Lingin friends ; and the rajah would not grant our cap-
tain an interview : he was bighly indignant, and half resolved to
sail away without a cargo ; but as this sacriflce would be tob
great, he reluctandy went on shore. He was by this time well
aware of the treacherous disposition of the natives ; and the first
^hing he did was to reeve signal-halyards on a prominent post on
the beach, giving directions to Tassit to keep a good look-out,
and, in the event of the union jack being unfurled, to hasten on
shore with all the crew, well armed. *
Pulo Minto is even a more lovely spot than Lingin: the
scenery is indeed bewitching, not unlike that which the imagina-
tion might appropriate to the enchanted island of the Tempest ;
but, alas! no Prosp^ros, nor Ariels, nor Mirandas, were'there:
its inhabitants were very little, at least in my view, inferior m
. c 3 mannarf ,
SS
xmmners, and in mental and personal endowments^ to Caliban
himself.
«
By dint of great actdvity and exertion^ we completed our lading
in about nine ä&ys, and without any closer intimacy with the
natives than what was absolutely necessary. They evinced from
the first no disposition to good fellowship ; and on one oocasion^
when I approacbed a Malay prince^ wbo wore a splendid crease^
with a wish^ expressed by signs^ to be allowed to examine it^ I
tbougbt I sbonld bave to pay witb my life for my temerity^ such
was the savage malignity of bis countenance^ and the offensive
manner in which he repulsed my advances.
We were on the point of departure^ and^ as we thought^ had
but to deliver over to the Malays a bale of piece goods, and five
hundred dollars^ due to them, when^ to our dismay^ we missed
twenty-eight slabs of tin^ represented to have been actually ship-
ped on the preceding day^ but which^ as we afterwards found^
had been very adroitly concealed by the Malays in the sand on
thebeach. No sooner had our captain made this discovery, than
he ordered Tassit to go on shore immediately^ and teil the Malay,
that if the property was not given up, he would not only keep
possession of the bale of piece goods^ and the five hundred dollars,
but xeport the case to the .supreme govemment ; and I was ap-
pointed to accompany Tassit. On rowing ashore^ poor Tassit
became more and more thoughtful^ undl a deep sigh would escape
him, with— '^ Well, God knows how it will all enfl !" In the
mean time, the brig got under weigh^ and stood in shore as near
as she could, her guns " grinning horribly/' and the captain
pacing the deck^ with evident anxiety. We found the beach
lined with Malays, and as our little boat crossed the surf, the
countenance ofTassit assumed a most discouraging aspect. This,
however, did not much intimidate me, for, armed as we were,
each with two loaded pistols and a cutlass, I thought our boat's
crew a match for them.
It was about four o'dock in the evening, when the gende surf
bore, our boat on the sand, and Tassit, with an unwilling step,
landed; that instant, a number of Malays seized and hurried him
to a hut on the beach, and there surrounded him, making use of
all the outrageous epithets in broken English and Malay, and
uäng the most violent gesticulations of defiance and derision
itaaginable ;
.imagitiable;. ime di^wing a crease acron Tasnt'B .cheak^ i^tJMis
fonoing 9,jvag, and seataoig ^im im a mat in tbe midst of theni.
At tbAi instant^ l, who with the boat's cfew had followai lüm,
Game iato tbe ikag ta speak to ane of the cbieüj and to endeavoor
to .feleaap iäj inate: *' Lookl my dear Naufragus, bäioldf
«jaculated Tasiitj i'^ whata dangaroua Situation hat ihe nighiiesß of
our (saptain plaoedme inl" He said this in a voiccj and with a
manner so depkial^ and ak the saiaa time so inresistibly ^toH,
ihat I oould.nojb ssfrain firom laughing, although there weie, at
tjmt moment, twentjr drawn daggecs at our fareasts; I comforted
Tastit as well as I could, and tdd the Malawi I would go on
board^ and niake.known.to the ci^tain their demaads.— '^ Iss, taU
im/' Said one of the dhiefs, >'^he iiot pay my dollar, not gtve my bafe
of pieee gpads> I cut away this Bian's.throat." At thia poor Taisit
tttined up the whites of hii eyes, hellowing after me— ^' My
dear Nau&Bgtts^ make haste, or I shall be lost to you for e?er/'
J^o^^f xf^ hoa||^ ,arew tgw with all their mi^^t, tili, in a few
winvüfces^ I got on board. Neuer shaU J fbrget the vudent tage
of the captaiB, when I toid him what the Malays had done ; he
was äs «lad as Jthe jnoiauig sea-* *^ Ah Y* said he, " if you could
bttt'hav^ unfurkd the union jack, I yi^ould have sattlpd the bu-
siness in an instant> but that was tmpossiUe« Qo on diore, -Nau-
füagus ; tdl 'the Malays that I hpist ny natum's ensign; shew it
jbolüiAm; teil them, if they insult that flag, by keeping a Britiib
^Ipel priflOBer, tty couatiymeii will came and blow the town to
«l^^nus teUthcm, too« I will have my twsni^-eight slabs gf tm."
Aisooend time I weht on«hoiie> not, I eon&ss, quite pleäsed with
jny misdkm ; b^t deanqng aay niisgLraags.disciieditable'te n^ duty,
«aawäl as.to.niy honour,'! spumed theseintiudem^ and loddqg
4ftenilj!f :at my cx«w, toM thon, in their language, tq pull like
^biribl ,'rAh! hai.sahih,'' 'was Ihe re^^, aecompanied by a
joitd.oheer^ wlnch rfwnknaftfd poor Tassit» . whbse dipcyingtSpiritB
jweise just lhe^«t'the lowest My iA despaar. I agaia eotered the
^nng^ andiAfaey. avere all listesdng attentivej^y to my interpietetf,
fwlun\y whi^i sangA cajuKinb3& fitanour captaj^, whicbpaised
jiMt , ähonre eur iheads. ■ Xbia produced-n violent constcmatioa
AmoDg.the nstDret; but. they had aotinw.ftxr-wc^yloran^ther
thundtter csme, |«d 9tnicii.a ^söeoa-ti^ dose. touSkth^ top of
wUsh was dhivsend. t9'8iton8, At this moment, the brig holsted
;> c4 English
24
En^li oohmn. Tassit now expected ^vexy momeBt to be bi»
last ; and I retceated three orf our paoes> to keep my anns clear,
and pcepared for defence. A rush towaxds Tasdt made me give
up the poor fellow for lost^ and breathless with apprehension, but
nevertheleas determmed either to defend or avenge hiin^ I haatily
approached the spot with my crew> and was ; surprised at the
changed expression of Tassit's countenance : bis dark eyes darted
joyj a.smile of deligbt beamed on bis cbeek, and^ tuniingto me,
be said^ " Go on board> my dear Naufragus^ and teil tbe captain
to oease fiiing ; tbe Malays bave agreed to bis terms ; and on die
retum of tbe boat, I am to recdve tbe tin." Witb joy I de-
livered tbe message; tbe firing oeased; I todk tbe boat onee
more on sbore^ tbe tin was brougbt on boardby Tassit^ wbo sbook
tbe captain by tbe band most beartily^ and tbe captain> wbo was
very fond of bis cbief officer, said^ '^ Ab ! my old croney^ bad
tbey cut you in slices, I'd bave revenged you^ my boy !" This
consolation» bowever^ was reoeived by Tasstt in silence, wbo no
doubt tbougbt witb Otbello> '* 'tis better as it is." Tbe dolbnt
and tbe piece goods were tben^.of course, deHvered to tbe natives.
•Tbe captain afterwards went on sbore, and was received witk
great respect by tbe king^ wbo agreed to dine on board, witb aU
bis. retinae, nextday^ wbicb was Cbiistmas day.
At an early bour^ we were prepared for tbe reception of our
xoyal guest : tbe rigging was decorated witb tbe Britisb ensign^
and Union jack ; tbe American^ Frencb, and Spmish ensi^^ns
were spread on tbe quarter-deck ; our guns, witb six fresb cbatgv
attbe side of eacb^ were got in readiness to firea salute; eorries»
sweatmeats^ .wine> brandy> and Hodgson's pale ale, graoed a waU^
^spread table^ laid out on deck; wbile tbe captain^ widi b»
telescope> was looking anziously. toWards the beach^ for tbe em-
barkation of tbe king. I^^cisely at twelve o'dock^ a laxge
.canoe^ having in it three flags^ .and surroonded by a oonsiderable
number .of smaller canoes, pusbed off from tbe shore, and in aboat
ten minutes the king arrived on board. He was a little fiit man^
.with a lowering aspect^ a flat nose, keen.cEaf)y-looking eyei^ witb
.a remarkably small chin. Tbe moment he reached the deck, our
luz-pounden opened the salute, the thunder of wbicb so alarmed
Jiii miyesty, that, at bis particukr request, they were silenoed. -
The conversation then tumed on.the hopes of a oontinuanoe of
friendsbip
85
ftieadsfaip between his nuijesty and tlie Englidi ; nunfeiocn wefe
the piofessions of veneration and attachment excbanged^ tili at
lengtli our iqyal visitor b^an to feel tihe efleets of the bampen
lie had swallowed^ and at every frah one he dedaied— '' No
natkm in the world was like the EngHah !" ISa attendants wore
each a crea^, and sanoundedtiheir Ung, as if apprehennre for
his safety. At three he rose to depart, and a finishing bumper
to the health of the king of England concluded the entertain-*
ment^ with which our visitor vna highlj gratified^ and retumed
on shore, with^ on his part^ reiterated professions of evedMing
friendship for the English^ and on ours, (when he was at a di»-
tanoe not to feel alarm^) with a salute firom the guns.
We then proceeded to get under weigh ; bat my feelings were
now to undergo a shock which I litüe anüdpated, and which
served to illustrate the unnatund^ cruel practice of the slave
trade — a beautilul ffA, about twelve yeazs of age^ had been
purchased hy mir captain for the som of forty dollars« as a present
fbr his wife in Caleatta. She was brought alongside in a canoe,
ahortly after the departaxe of the king, in a State suffident to
awaken S3mipathy and pity in the breasts even of those who
were most accustomed to witness such scenes. She was " all
tears/' or rather^ as if natnre had exhausted itself, and denied
to her the aid of tears to relieve her oppressed heart, she was
insensible to all around, and wrapt in an agony of profound
flonow. Her hair^ long, and black as a raven's wing, was fbw-
ing wildly over her ÜEice and Shoulders : poor Yadhoo ! how often
<have I thonght of thy afflictions ! alas ! thy moans were unheard
«-'-«hy sighs unregarded; oi\r hark bore ihee away, far^ far from
thy oountry, and the sacred breasts that reared thee, and thoa
wast doomed to bear thy griefs unsolaced and alone 1
Sfxm the shore of Pulo Minto yaniriied from our sight. Wafted
•by a fair wind^ and bending our eourse for Hindostan, poor
-Yadhoo was forgotten until the next moming, when she was no
where to be found> though diligent search was made for her.
it was at first «upposed hy all« that she had fallen a victim to
lier etcessiTe grief^ and thrown herseif intb the sea during the
. night ; bat on the thiid evening (^ our departure, she was found
by Küae lof the lascats^ stretched at her füll length^ in the main
«hains^ a piBy to dread and muery, and reduced to a mere sk»-
leton?
S6
iatoa : bor hiding^plaoe was.piob^Uy t]^e hokl^ w^ich it wiis oofc
possible to exami^e/tboroughly. £veiy care was now taken of her
by the cc^ptaio^ wha left uutried no mieaQs wbioh t^dem^c^sr
could $ugge8t> to xeconcLb.lieir to l^er fate ; but it was not UQtil
Aix weeks had elapaed tbat she ventured to hold up hör head«.
Pfequently^twbeii iß the eveiüng, ar in the night-watchj she
seated to leewaid^ have I Ustenad to her wild native jsong ; her
VQice was impressiTely plaintiTe^ well suited to the melancholy
potes she warbled^ and so soft and tender^ that I never^ before
or mce, hesjrd any music which went so directly to my heaift.
The mu^c of the Malays is^ I believe^ generally allpwed foy
£uropeaHs to possess a mellowness and moum^l sweetness pecu-
liar to itsdf ; and isj froni its simplicily and wUdness^ considered
to be eminently beautiful.
My.sopl delighuin sensibilityj so that it would respo^d to aay^
melanchqly object; and such was the üapre8s|o^ which it re^
ceived fiom the wild nQtes of Yadhoo^rin co^poxioQ^ uWith its
cogni^ance of her desolate situa^oo^ that I shall i^eyer .cease Ip
thinkof her^ though an untütoped Indian^ but as OQe.possjßSfdpg
ß. jsqul of rare sensibility : in . shott— »^^ To £eel^ 'twas- biit.tp h^tir
bersong." . .
The voyage fnom Pulo Minto to Calcutta occupied a period of
seven weeks; and certaipj^ I never spent a happier time pi\ ship«
board* The eaptain wa^ exceedingly fpnd of musii:^ aj^d .abßUt
an hour after the tea^-thingA were removedj wiiie« grogj and.^nßH
haad-hookahs^ being placed im the table> Tassit was lopbed lo
for bis song as regularly as if it had beea pait o£ las äuly.
Then .would he strike i^ bis favouiite air-«— ^' Awajf with n^fjan*
choly/' the fiumliar Jal las of which delighted ^e caplain so
much^ that if I were not scrupulpusly att^tive pQ l^^A to tb^Oi
(the f€Ke4)f my lungs, he would fly in^ a violept pc^ssi^iQi^ and
thumping the table with bis Gunter's scaloj ba^vl out— *-^^ W^
sir l" then came the^ la, wiäi a vengeanoe. It was not« bow-
eyer> at all times». that I could oompose py bua^^ sufficii^y
^or the punpose^ so ludicr^us was the . e&ot proc^ceA by tbe
Mnifi>nD twBng of Tassit'ß. yoicej in the y^r^ beginniog with
,^^<c Why what's the uae of sigbiog»" by bl9 vide»QiKtQnded lanky
piyta,, »od by bis eye stedfastly fiised on one of the beawsj .froia
,which he never veatuied to nwY^ |t» upijl it pa^^e tP the .delect*
able
«7
Mßfai la» This' scene wa» renewed eveary nigfait uatQ our airival
in Bengal.
On the 25th of Januaiy 181S> we hove in mght of the Idtde
Andamans : it was a dear day^ tbe wind UowiBg a g«ntle north-
east breeze. We sailed dose in shore^ admixni^ tbe. gcoeial
beauty of tbe island — ^tbe green cocoa«-tbe palm-**4he daading
Sandy beach — and tbe dear blue waters playing on its verge^ and
reflecting tbe sun's lays. The Andamans were at tbat time un-
inhabited ; and a lascar was.stationed at eadi mast-head to lodc
out for any wreck, or fbr any sigas of |iuman habitation. No-
tbing, bowever^ but tbe beadi, with tbe beauty i^ the lamdscape,
.were to be seen»
In a few days a beavy swdl an^ounoed our near approach to
.tbe sand-beads*; and soon afterwards a lascar at tbe fixretopinast-
b6ad gave us tbe joyful news of a pilot scbooner being in stgbt.
At tbis intelligence,the captain^ wbo was all anxioty to see bis
.wife and ßunily^ was deligbted. In an instant our unioo Jack
was unfuded at tbe faxe, wbile in less than an hour a beautiful
brig bove to^ dose on our weatber-bow^ and sent a pilot on
board. He was a fine 3roung man, apparently about tbree-and^
twenty, remarkable for bis penchant fo? d&eroots; never for a
moment was be witbout one in bis moutb, giving bis ovders at
tbe same time, and diatting to us all, with ease and good nature:
tbe pilot-schooner Jcept us Company.
As we advanced, tbe Saugor sands became more and moie oo&-
spicuous ; at last a loud, rumbling noise, resembling tl^it <^ Aun-
der, wbicli, os we approacbed tbe sands, iacreaaed to a temSc
roar, the suxge at ihe same time dashing over thebcBaken to an
appalling beigbt, inspired us with feelings not at aü in'unison
with those of tbe pilot, wbose festures indicated complete self-
possession. We were now hailed from tbe mast-head with
f'Jand in ngkt^" anxious to see Bengal, I ran up tp the fore«
top-gallant yard-arm, and my longing eyes were satisfied with A
distinct view of Saugpr Island on our stiurboard bow ; shortly a&
^sr, tbe Bast Indiamep, Ijpipg in Saugor rqadß, oppeared. in sight;
and at six o'clock we came to an aodior. The ci^tün wfvs so -
overjoyed, that he bad '' Awi^ ynüi melaacholy" three times that
' * Sands at the entrance of the riTor HooghSy»^ m &tal to maruien ui the God-
«fB0 m the Britiush ChaoneL
S8
tiight^ and his otLer favourite BongA in proportion ; and the pilot,
when joining in tHe chorus^ convinced us of the strengtli of Iiis
lungs.
At dayliglit we weighed anchor^ and passed Saugor Island^ with
ft fair wind. In a little time the small craft^ Ipng off Kedgeree,
appeared on our larboard bow : with the wind and current in our
favour^ we soon came abreast of Kedgeree ; and in a short time it
disappeared altogether. We saüed up the river with wonderfnl
celerity.— *' Now, Naufragus," said our captain^ " you will see
the beauties of Hindostan^ with its wonders> and all its princelj
luxuries ;" while the püot would ever and anon^ as we approached
the banks of the river^ lend me his telescope to watch the ap-
proach of some thirsty tiger from the jungles^ or crafly alligator
from the river's depths. Tassit^ smoling his hookah on the hen-
coops^ seemed wholly intent on the pleasure of a speedy interview
with his beloved Sarsnee.
I went sloft, in the hope of a foretaste of the beauties of Hin-
dostan ; but I was disappointed : nothing but a low^ flat^ bushy
country presented itself to my view in every direction. — " Where
— ^where are the boasted beauties of India ?" said I to Tassit. —
*^ You will see — ^you will see," was his reply. Two tow-boats
were now sent a-head to assist at slack tide. As we moved
«lowly and majestically up the river, by the light of a dear fuU
moon, the silence around, interrupted only by the regulär splash-
ing of the tow-boats' paddles, and by the shouts of the boatmen,
answering at intervals in a not unmusical voice, at first loud and
cheering, then dpng away gradually, the pilot's call of '' ThaU"
Brhabär ! pull a-head !" produced a rather pleasing Impression^
but left behind a melancholy one.
On the third day an Arab ship passed dose to us, on board of
which were three Circassian beauties, who were distinctly visible,
with the aid of the telescope ; they were in their cabin, looking
at US with as much curiosity as we at them ; and certainly their
complexions were so transcendently fair, and their features so
beautiful, I could not be surprised at the high estimation i^
which the Circassian women are held throughout Ada.
As evening drew to a dose, we saw the '' Company's Grardens'*
to our left ; and on our right ** €hu?den-reach." All at once, a
ficene of magic 8plendour> which took possession of my senses,
.. burst
S9
bxirat upon my view^ and astonished me : Aß goigeous palaces^
which were no more than the garden-boiues of civil and nuUtary
öfficers^ and merchants^ were on a scale of magnifieenoe totally
unexpected by me ; never had I beheld, nor have I ever since be-
beld^ the habitations of men so intensdy gnmd and imposing :
the baTik3 of the river^ for a distanoe of thsee or four mües, wexe
studded witb palaces^ disposed in an irregulär line^ some of them
baving each a peristyle of twenty-four columns, pvoducing an in-
conceivably stnking efiect ; and the landscape seemed to vie in
richness with the buildings.
In a little time^ Fort William^ considered to be the finest for«
tress out of Europe^ presented itself to our sight« and astonished
US by the grandeur of its appearanoe as seen above the ramports.
The Government House^ and the town of Calcutta^ hitherto con-
cealed^ next opened suddenly to our view> and elidted a sponta«
neous burst of admiration fiom me. — " Ah/* said I to Tassit,
'' how happy should I be to live in such a oountry as this ! it is .
far^ far more beautiful than England^ dressed in all its channs."
On the mention of England^ there was something in the lopkg
and manner of Tasdt^ which^ though he was not a native^ seemed .
to call up busy Memor/s dearest objects«— '^ Nayj Naufiragus»"
rejoined Tassit^ " prefer not this gilded land to your native home :
I know it better than you can know it : a land of luxuxy is not .
necessarily a land of happiness ; the hardy inhabitant of a bleak
diff in England may be blessed with a thousand charm»— « tbou-
sand tender links to social comfort^ which the owner of yonder
palace may in vain pine to possess^ setting aside contentment and
rüde health^ both of which inestimable treasures are in this land
almost strangers to us. If/' continued he« " it were not for my .
beloved Sarsnee^ I should pine for the land in which I spent my.
boyish days so happüy." Oh> Love ! potent tyrant ! nor oountry
nor time can withstand thy sovereign sway: ay^ youth-— the
World — and mammon too^ bow down before thee^ and must con-
fess theo sovereign of all — the first and best of nature's boons*
Would that " the course pf love always did run smooth!" but
if it did> the earth would be too blest^ and mortals wish to live
for ever ! .
The ebb tide causing us to come to an anchor for the night^ my
good eaptain took leave of U|| after having left with Tassit the
necessary
30
neeesflaiy JAfitructionis re4>ecting bis ävtty^ and having assttreA
me '^ that he wcmlcl ta!ke care I sbouid be well paid for my Ser-
vices on boatd." Tbe bearty squeeze of tbe band whicb be gave
me at parting/ would^ if any ptoof b^ been necessary^ bave
convinoed me of tbe sonoerity of bis professions of esteem and
fHendship. He tben went on sbore^ taldng Yadboo witb bim ;
she ^yed tbe surrounding wonders witb an eager and impatient
look^ Wbile a smile of satisfaction^ arising probably from tbe
prospect of a diange of sitü^on, lit up ber countenance.^ —
^' Tbere^ Naufragus^" said Tassit^ pointing to our captain^ wbo
bad got into a palanquin^ and was by tbis time soareely visible —
'< tbere goes as noble a fellow as ever stept ; be carries witbih
bis bosoHi a' beart of gM, a mine of inestimable wealtb ; be lives^
Naufragus^ not so mucb for bimself as for otbers ; wbitbersoever
be goes^ bis fellow-creatures bave cause to rejoice at bis presenoe.
At tbis moment bis beart is overilowing witb tbe bappy tbougbt
of mteting a beloved wife^ in wbose smiles alone be seeks reward'
for ti&e iBcessant tmls and dangers attending bis profession. May
he ettjoff all tbe Uessings of tbis life^ and etemal joys in tbe neit^
say I r— " Yes, TassiV said I, '* and let us drink bis bealth,
and may he bave a bappy meeting witb bis family.** — ^^ Wifb all
my heart/' r^oined Tassit. Tbe pilot entered beart and soul into
our feelmg9> and our wortby captain's bealth was drank witb
entbufiiasm.
Tassit Bow proposed half an bour's recreation on shore^ to
whieh I joyMIy aceeded^ being anxious to tread tbe land of Ben-
gale Searcely bad I time to look about me^ on our landing, be-
fore my attention was arre^ted by ä female form^ of tbe middle
stature^ wbo walked by us witb an air of elegance and dignity
whicb flurprised me* She was witbal exceedingly lovely^ and
possessed^ I tbougbt^ tbe finest form I bad ever seen^ set off to
great advantage by* ber native dress^ a fold of fine calico tbrown
loosely round ber^ yet gently compressing ber waist^ so as to dis-
play her shape to tbe utmost possible advantage ; one end of tbe
calico was fastened witb » pin to ber jet*black bair ; ber ears were
omamented witb large ear^rings^ and a profusion of trinkets ; ber
fingers covered witb iings> and ber wrists witb bangles ; wbile
ber feet, and finely proportioned andes^ were lefl bare. Tbe in-
tensity of my gaze so far attracted ber üotic^^ that to my deligbt
sbe
31
slie snukd» Init dmppeared alsnost «i tl» aatoe intant WiA
ecstacy I tumed to Tattii««^'' Ak, my äealt 6aeai, did you behold
ftbat aogeUc figm^e^-^-tdl me, what wasshe?-*-* nadfe ftmßmm
— ^p^haps the hmiem of this prinedj nunwion ? I am fim dh»
must be a being of some niperior ocdv."— ^' Nkafiragtts," ittüiu
rupted Taant« '^ you are Toung— <haTe not jet entored the thM
age^ that age whidi a poet isi joat eoantry pmioiuitea to be a»
baneful to youthaa sanken roeka tonMaaen: ne, Nanlhigus^ Ae
19 no pxincess — nor is she the hctieai of jonder polMe— ae^ nor •
beitog of a supenor otder, as you Tainlj imagine; bat, itavt not,
she 18 neidier mofe nor leaa than a meiranme*J'
In qpite of m j friend's philosophic advice> I oottld riol, aa um
-walked on the grass pkt^ before io statelj a maadon« divett my
mind of the idea of one irhom I had oonaidend m watAj to iw»
habit it. The time and pkce-^sonomding ob fecti ' a nd, above
all, the intoxicating fEagranee of the gentfe sophyn^ walied fifona
the Company'a gaxdena oppoiite, «ronaed in aae fiMÜngi wUdi Cül
tS^^lmd lain idmoat donmunt. I feh, at I imagine Aiam maat
hsLve feit in Pa^adiae »before Eve'a creation» htipffy, bot imfe^feet«
ly 80 ; there was «tUl a vacuuin« a flomelifaiii^ neoemqr to<^aefcot
bliflip.
At daylight the next morning we again weigfaed aadm ; at
ei^t o'clock we bnmght vp pflf. Calcutta, and jBomd onr lirig
close m shore, when the pilot took kaVe of na, wilK heartj d^
monstrations of fiiendship. Scarcely had he loh m, be&ito a taH"
and handsome copper-K^ohmred youth, habtted.in white» and willr
a countenanoe aa jiedate as Chat of age, ^ame on boatd,^ and waa
recognizedby Tassit with a smile of ddü^^ He wasa domoatieof
his faithfiilfiarsaee, whabrou^tbeaeathhis vest aiaqge j^Mb-cake,
twobottlesx^wine, andakindinvitation tocomexNishote^ IW«
Sit overwhelmed him widi questions ; and Moodoosooden Chetov-
jee feit equally deHg^ted to see Mi old friend Tanit safi) aad
sound. It was agreed that we shoold both go on diote the fol«i
lowing day« I alept but ixtüe that night, both beeauae itfy ima«
gination was busy with the expected novekiea of the asoRow, aad
becaase auxsquitoes in swanns incessantly hnnnned about my eyes,
nose, and ears. The annoyanoe to ihoae sensitive Organa I cam
... ' » eoaipara
. • A female domesdc employed to tweep the house. They «re luually of the
loweit Gast, denominated ^^ pturiahs.*'
32
tgiafdxe to ttodung better than to fheir being tickled with fiiie
feathers. The bite of the mosquito is not dissimilar to tbat of a
gnat^ bat it'is attended with considerably greater inflammation,
and leaves behind a very uneasy Sensation for some time after.
Moodoosooden Chetarjee . was sent the next day to procura me
mosquito curtains^ made of gauze^ by which alone I was after-
wflM:ds able to repel these indefatigable tormentors.
At length ihe time arrived for me to go on shore. — " Naufra-
gusy". Said Tassit^ '^ dififerent countries have difierent customs ; in
England ,we walk — ^here we ride in palanquins ;" and indeed the
moment we touched the shore^ we were puzzied how to choose
among so many : Tassit^ however^ very coolly stretched himself at
iiis füll length in the one nearest to him^ and I followed bis ex«
ample> Moodoosooden Chetarjee running by our side.
If I was pleased at the extemal appearance of the dty, as
Seen &om the river^ how much was my expectation sui^assed
on beholding its interior ! The süperb buildings^ the bustle of in-
duatry, ihe creaking of hackeries^ or carts drawn by bulld^s,
the jostling of innumerable palanquins^ the jabbering of the
Bengdüees and palanquin-bearers^ the novelty of their dress
(nothing but a fold of white calioo thrown loosely over the
body^ and an the head a turban) — altogether composed a scene
which so enchanted my imagination^ that I could hardly divest
myself of the idee that I was in fairy land ; but my reverie
was not long undisturbed^ its charm being dissolved by a con<^
stant attßndanoe . at the side of my palanquin of importunate
▼enden pf books^ 8andal»w(k>d boxes^ bows and arrows^ fans made
of ^peacocks' feathers^ and oriental cuiiosities.
• We alighted at the house of Tassit's friend^ a Mr. Wetzler,
who.received him with open arms^ and welcomed me most cor-
diaUy> as hia £riend. — ** But where^ where is my Sarsnee ?" said
Tasflit. A pair of £olding-doors then flew open^ and a very love-
ly bnmette appeared^ and threw . her arms very affectionately
n:\^nd Tasait's neck. * She was a sister of Mr. Wetzler's^ and I
heartüy oongratulated my friend on the prospect he had of pos«
aesoDg such a treasure. I wish I could gratify my readers by
setting off Tassit's person and features to advantage ; but in this
lespect he was inferior to the cfaarming woman whom he had
chosen for bis wife. Hia good sense, howeyer, and the excellence
of
5S
dr lAs heart« mftde him entirely wortliy of her, and ihe loved Üo:
wilb an aidour flddam e^joalkd.
As Boon as the two loveQ had exehanged careases, and mutnal
eongratulatiens began to f^v%, way to lober eo a v ta ttadan, w6 aal
down to a taUe richly apread with eaatern and Euiopean delSea^
des, ctttrees, hams, turkeyB, ani meUow East Indib Madein/
lliese aie ihings well caleulated to {iromofee dieerftilnesBand^göod
humour; but we did not re^piixe any akiäudus*
My attention was aknost wholly engtoeaeä with ihe oontem*«
plation of the {tfincely vöom we weie dinlog in ; it was open on
every side, and had a large Teraadah,* and extensive casements^
duided by vettetians ; the floftr was of marUey the walls were de^
oorated wiiih glass waU-shades, cihandeliew, and pictuves ; a ptin-
kah*, saspended from the eeiUng, fiuined us overhead, whüe a*
natiTe at each ccttnar of ihe table moved to and ho a laige haniS
ponkaht madeof theleavesof thetoddytree>theend(^whiehWas
fixed in a wooden 8o^et> and ihe hookah emitted odorifaioutf
spicygales; crowds of Bengallee servants were in attendance. '80
enchanted were.my senses, that I oould not help obseHing tef
Tasnt, that, mueh as Ihad heazd of eastem luxnry, ihe xt^tf
suipassed even the imagination^^'' Yes, Naufragus^" resumed
Tassit, ** ihe luxuiy is certainly .great, bat it soon doys ; and
then> my friand, the mind has not, as in England, any means
of renovating its ezhausted powers; the veiy dimate tends bot
to smother energy, and Inll the soul into a stete of indolenee
and languor ; and all the lusmy which captivates your yoang
ima^natum, affords not ihat substontial happiness, which, in yoiur
free and happy oountry, is enjoyed by a rustic at his horaely board?^
*^*^ Aha, then," I ezdaimad, " how truly deceptive aie appear«
ances T
We sat up tili a late hour; and at five ihe next nutfning Tasstt
appeaied by my bed-side, telling me tff " axonse, and oonfomi
to the customs of the east." I axose, and we theb njomtted
horses provided for us, and gallqied off towaxds the coune, wheit
the European inhabitants, and many of ihe British fair, were
D enjoyinj;
• A bowd, about twelve feet in lengih, tlnee in wütfat aad ooe indi in Unol»
ncn, xidüy gilded and papeved. It is fastened by ropes to the roof or «ilip%
•ad hBfft in motion by taeaas d a Bna attached to its centre, ind pulled by a pft>
•OB vbä iits in a oonier of the ramn.
9*
obJcTIOS ^ fmbnett of die copl momiiig i^. Soon^ hoWdic^
die min displayed his efiulgent njs, aad the inteosi^ of ihm
\^ druv.9 u0 to «epk shei[t;er at l^ine. Th^ra a fhpwerrbftth
i^waitod ^s; and baviiig droBsed, we sat down at eight« to a fub-
atantif^ hcmkif^ pf rioe^ fid»^ co&e, fcea» eold Iwn* inutj aad
tbe lipoiN^ V ü<m, Naufirag^s/' said Ta^ " ytm «ball wo
t)iß xe^wnei cUy of Calputta." Slz^tch^d at fuU loagth in our
palanquina« we wei» carried alpog at tbe late of siz pr aerea
n^l^.«9 bour; \n^t tbe cLm^^ pf tbe poor Uacka wbo bofe-me
ya^d&c ß honftng gun witb i^cb i«^iditj> gteatif füminMied tbo
pjiw^ira of tbe ecmyejano^. Ta^t pointed out tp me tba gpvesov
aafpiit-bouifc^ bml^ bjr Ib^ llf^ng^ois of Wdl?atoy> at an ämanog
ei^ßj^ncse, ^nd wortjbj. c^f tb^rplinooly oUy of Calctttfta. It öe
9|tiiate4 on tbe ^^^i^ni ^M pf t;be e8{4anade^ aod ia a noit a^giul
fpd beautiful fafaiic} from wbatever point it is ^wed« Ovar
ti^e fisur a|)cbe9> os gat^> tbat lead to it, ane placed sphimeai
ydtb vi^ys figurea at)d emblemsj whicb pjoduoe a good efftoft^
The kingfs and oompany' 9 9ffpm «^ QinblA?oned ovei tbe wf^tfent
^deaa^rngates. Tbe U^ok bplc!» tfbere so niany of fny «nfinto*
nateeountarynien died, vktun» tq Indiaa tyraony, was then^shovn
aiei.an^ a tocrent. cf id^^s ruabed fp my nemviQFy aa I aiurrcgnd
tbe vciry Bpol wbe^:tbe f^gony qf til^ 4pBg bad ence shrioked in
vai^ for sucQour. O^; tbe fatal apot ia erected a mqmiqient»
wbiob ia ii^tepded at once to bold up to.exa6sation tbe nenoiy
of Suxajab<4iLd*Pow^j and to c<munemorate. tbe sufiferinga aad
fiirtitude of bia victims* It ia a pyramid^ truncated at. tbe top^
^nd Btacnding upon a aquiure pedoatalj bamg a design in seulsgibam
en eacb of ita 8idea> and an inadiptjon in tbe Engliab and ladian
langoagea. It is surrounded witb an iron raüing, and ezbibits «
moumful appearance> not unsuitable to the event wbich it is in»
tendfd to commemoiate. Tank-8quare> tbe ränge of Wrifcers -
buil^ings, St. Jobo's cathedral^ and tbe Sootcb churcb^ witb
ni^MEOna otber buiidin^> botU public and private» on a scak of
ipgantic magoificenoe^ eacb in its tum, claimed my attention.
" Now, N^Mimgaa," aaid my oonductor> " I will abew you a
«gbt» tjie relation of wbicb would scarcely be believed in your
bappy country." We joined a dense mass of natives» and to
'läj aatoiiiabment I biaheld men suspended^ thirty or tbirty-fiye
feet fipm tbe ground^ at tbe end of poles^ to whicb tbey were
booked
S5
liDoked tlirottgli tlie muicleB of die back^ aad whiiüag tcnaA aod
tound in the air, witk incffidädä swiftnesa. It im ifae HiodMi
festiyal of the '' Doorga Paorga,** and tfae faigoied victims cimm
taken ^eal seemed not onlj to bear dieif torUufea with fortitude»
bat to haQ tliem with exoltatidn. Tbe viotim» duzbig tlie periodof
bis nupension^ wbich ia about two or threa miniitfs ia tniploDreA
in Casting flowen^ and oopper or fUrer coin, to tbe aj^plandiiig
nraltiitude beneatb bim; be ia thcn let down, and diaauned iü
triumph. Tbis apedea of aelC-i&flietiion ia genetally pcaotiaed vk
lionoar of tbe godden Maruamo, whoaa ritea are attotig fSbe
moat wi^ed and 8angiiinav7 of thoae wbich aic obaerved ia India«
I turned aaide «nth diagoat, not unmjyed with pitf, at tfce in&Ha««
atkm of man, wko oould thua tnnafimn aland, tepleniihqdbytiie
boiintifiil dkeator with every nQoeaaary» and even eveiy luzury 6t
Vdk, and ihat alnwat under axemisakm of tbe aentenee-— '^^ By tbe
aweai of Ay hrow/ into a aeat of deplocaUe aiipentition aad
1 ■ I,. nli,,.
D^otxy.
Scareely had oor palaoqmna made way tbimigh the cfowd
wbiish bemmed üs in on all: aidea, before aoodidr spactade in«
tcroe p t e d our progreia to the gaiden-bouae of ourgaod eaptain»
vrbese^ we inteaded to'flpend the etenin^. Tina new object d
attiactioo, bowever, was more gratifying to our feelinga than tbe
fiift;. it wae tbe maniage featival pf two yoüng nativea of raiikj
mexe infahta, acoompaaied with all the pomp whidi dtstlfiguiahea
the naniage oeremony in the east. A long prooesnon preoeded'
ihe iofnit bride and bridegroöm ; the indiridiiala compoaiBg it
canying flowefs and aalTen of 8ih<er, gold^ fhoüdnceBae, nyrrii;
and aweetmeata> to be pteaemted as gifts to the poor aa well aa the*
lieh; and when ihe young bnde and bridegroom^ gofgeöandy
airayed^ appeazed, both in one palanquiü^ literally coveaed with
gold^ diapionda, and other precions stonea^ the noiae fron^ the
cymbida and '* tum-tuua^' was deafening. The bride was a fine
cfaüd, of a fiur oomplexion, alxnit five or six yearsof age; but I
oouM not get a distinct view of the bridegroom. Hie marriaget
ooat no leasithan üve lacs of rupees^ (nearly sixty-three thouauid>
poonda). What paitunüarly atmck my attention waa the im-»
pDBing beauty of a white Arab horse in the prooession ; it waa'
n 3 gorgeoualy
• A kind of kettle-dnims.
i* For a more minute description of the maniage ceremony of the Hindoos,
vide Inde&^(( Jlfarrfagr,"
8«
gätgbauüj CBparisoned in tM eattera stjle, and riMetl by f very"
fcitniiDme *HiniDD, Thebaiagbty mid ^raeasiuttd pfk»e> of tb» iicMe
MdnuiU and itö gixidt träppkgg/lb^med ft tilriklftg<;etitMl Witii
the iiHUand twbnleiif "toeneiiiidii^ im,
It Wiseveolng whea we ^ere set-dewnat tke iMie^ ^f a^höst
giidänteule, in Intälly * ; aar Mend gav^ tjs « ockdial Mi^äote^
•ad latrediMed us .to bis wife,- an czeeed&^y fair ÜMile Udy-.
8be was dressed in fine wbite mnslin ; ber beanüftd jet fliR^'
tresses 'bung negligentij down a well-proporttimed neck, and a
tioban tastily fonned» set off ber ^ne expiesdhre leaAüres to great'
advantage. 6be was bosidt in tbe daties^ bospitaüty towatdta
pavty of bor bnsband's fiiends» and i^eeived üs witb a ^f^gn&'t/E^
graoefisl dignity and ease^ wbkib' at onoe channed iwandi mprewed '
US wUb r^spect. We ooold* see by ber eyes, l^e bapfpiaess wbiüii'
sbe felt'in baviagberbtubandonoemore by^ber* sidfe'i and be'
seoBiedin an Elysium pf joy> andinfusedaportionof it intons «IL*
In tbe niidst of our enjoyment, a slender youtbfol female, ba-
bited ^witb studied gvaee in tbe Maiay style, taxtianä tbe reöta,
and btaded round, on atnas^sUver salver, sweetmeats and ifriher
The captam andTassit fixed tbdr eyes steadfastiiy on tse, but
totalfy uneoBscioas of tbeir meaauig, I tittned to gase ob tbe at«.
tractive beauty of tbe gurl ; wben, on ber near approa^b, ibe
fioBiliar features of Yadkoo presented tbemselves'te my view,
ber person set off by tbe adtantage of dress, and by Üie ärtr ef
dviliaed life ; my surpiise and deU^t may be well eoneeived.
Sbe smiled- witii great sensibility, if I mäy say so, and I eoold see
a tear» wbicb sbe in vain endeavouied to suppress, steal down ber
yotttbful cbedc. Could I bat bave read tbe train oi tbougbta
tben passing in ber soul, as sbe sunreyed tbe oountenanoe wbidi
first regarded ber witb pity, wben cruelly bome hom tbe tender
boiom of ber parents, and ber nativeland, to be eziled frpm tbem
for ever, I, too, migbt baye dropt a tear in tribute to .tbe sacred'
aonows of poor Yadboo ! I rejoiced^ boWever, to see Mrs. Lam- •
bert tabe grsat pains to rest<tte bappiness to ber yöui^
beart; die could not bave bad a better, or a more bumäne*
nastniB^ and tbere may be sone, wbo tbink ber new con-'
dttien ■ must bafe been more desbraUe, in erery polnt of
mw> tban tbat in wbidi sbe Uved in ber uative Imd, sur-
rounded
* In tfa« luburbt of the town of Calcatta.
ä7
i;ouQde^> bjF tki^ tiees wUek are ihe neeeiMUir oanoomitaii^ df
:i|pM99BiM9f5 ind o teace> aad. superttitioBj <%ut weierl 'Ya&MH
iinA M ihe- jKMvar to ohooiej I would gniUMlyio «n l^*
lenudniBg in ^boflom ßS my ftnilj« aad Sn -Ae lanA' of my
liräu FsMwelly poor Yadhoo ! I oommeiid you to ilie otfe äni
jvgtafrtkiii.fitif Jliavi wlio «8 a ftAor of t]iefiiilkesleis»:.iheMcai
o£ thefriflnfll^ aad iippDeinA, uid whose power iBM-liia com-
jOBivni» bottft^itesa.'
-l left-.dif. gM^pTihmiwe of my finend, iridi -feeUngi veiy
:-diflbraiit fron thiw» wsth wllich I enlered it« In tho oouno
•0f> th« oFtniiig he beckoned me ande> add oondncting me into
iH$ gaxden^ addiieflfled me in nfearly ihe foUofr&ig WQidi.-w''*¥oa
xianoi bot have obseKvedj Nau&agos, thatlhaveliadyoiirnw
^law«( moanfy at liear^ frotti liie moment ^hen I fint saw yoa,
ito tho pvesent lime: it tßhräs me pkasure to eay, you have
proFod tyouradf in every way deserving.of my fnenddi^ I
^tberaftase liave noti sinoe I zeeetved the unexpected intelligenoB
:(lftoagbt meoftly yestjnday) of my owner^s death, and that my
brig mxut, in eonsequenoe^ be sold^ been unmindfu]? of your
iftiiux& welfaie« > I am deatinedj my young fiiend> to Ue by> on
•aboiOK-fbsalewmosiihsj as.wellfiümpiradonlialxeaeonaaafiNmi
ijiyljnajtion^ b^tihat would be too long a tSme for you to be idle.
>1 bay^- added boy B&et « pauae^ '^ been tbiwking» with aa »uch
{piOiui apA aiDdbty as if you were my ewn flon> wbat is best for
^<m-t»4o: you ba^ean «nde in England^ owner of an Eaat
«Indieaa^^ ( have you not?^-^'' I baT^ ba t ' < " '^"1 «oder-
^taadyoub" saidbe» intermpting lae; ''yoor leaiing tbe ihip
«mak^siyoQ. feailul of bia diifdeMuve ; butfear not^ my dear lad;
^ncK-j^bt be bas tbe lediagand g^neeosity to forget and forgn%;
.jfou.are^edU a boy.' At iH events» try him^ and iboüld you SüL,
.yetmsi'to Caltsuttai and yOu «ball never want a friend. I bave
ifivod Iqi^.my boif > and know tbe world toö well» not to adTiee
^\;L:t9'i»^tiyate yoivT' nmde'a fiöesidsbip^' by everypeidble^mea«^
ifk pipefepeiicQ.to ibatiof any etbar pecsbn^ bis interest wdl inmie
^tjfffa>jsafmß^^vfk tbe world; bot wtbtut it, .you väl barre.to
«t^ggl^r witli ebnest insuzmoontable diffiooltiea, and potaiK
itS^ef^Tri^fe at aay d^[pee ef ndependiBee atl«ng.^if. you Irre«"
-*,j;4 wmWiäläf affeeted at tbe eaneatneia of Us« ma]iner> mkA
vi. D 5 . giaCefiil
38
grateful for the wann interest which h^ ^took ia mj behalf : I
told him 90, and aasared him of my willingneas to aUde hy Üb
4idvice : he added—- ^'I have adviMid you as a firther; if yoä widt
ID retum to Europe^ the meanis are in your power ; I haVe xeBäjr
for you a puner*« birth on boaid of an Indiamaa ; or« if nune
acceptafala^ that of seoond mate of a oountiy sbip, boond fixr
China^ ahall be secuxed for you— take yout dioice." I thaated
him> and dedded by adc^ting his advice, altbotigh I cooftiMd
I entertained but veiy feeble hopes of any good lesolting ftom
it* ^' I highly approve ypur judicjoas choiiae/ he leplied;
'^ its success or failoze, time and events alone will shew« Tcw
morrow then I will introduce you to the captain^ and pajr
you your wages» whidi amount to forty-five pounds* I hope
yet to live to see you> Nau&agua^ captain of an Indiaman/*
I shook my head^ but expressed my hope that be would Uto
many years^ and enjoy them ; and he^ in a cheering tone^ adtked
me not to despair, but to do my best, hope for the bedt, and
leave the rest to a kind Providence- We then retumed to the
Company.
Taßdtj who^ in the oourse of the evening, was made aogpiainted
with the drift of our disoottrse« approached me as sooa as tiie
Company brc^e up.*-«" Well, Naufragu^»" Said he, ''you axb
going to leave us^ I hear?"*-«^' Yes," I replied, with a s2gh> '' 6>
meet the frowns oi an ofiended uncle, while you, happy in the
amile«! and earessßs of your bride, will be unoonscious of the
agoniising feelings of my he^ !" He took my band, and preisbg
it,,toId me to oheer up*-^' For," said he, '^ this world is a aea
of wpeir, in which, like it, the mind of man is scarcely for a mo«
ment calm, exoept when aleep relieves him : short, howerer, ia
Ihis respite ; the dawn of day bring» with it afresh the task of
thia world's pUgrimage, with all its woes, cares, turbulenoe, and
pain; and, for aught we know, you, when under your unele'a
finown^ may be as little to be pitied, as myself to be envied in
the eknbraoea of my bride ; for the lot of man in this Ufe is, in
my opfaiioib pretty xtearly equal throughout with respeet to hap-
piness.**
I feit thankiul to bim for the object he had ia view, in reasnv«
ing ihn», but was top afiected to reply ; he observed my embar«
rasment, and we parted for the night with a silent wring of the
band.
hmuk iHiidi eeavefei io tke hiut a ibj^dwfy kit'flIiMiM
toten 4f fdendship on both ödes.
«. In tl» moridngv Captain Lambert aild Tiank accjbriipaiikd ma
te 4>e lendence of m}!^ neW oosunancler. Qa dur w«f > hämhek
dbaenodthat I liad onljr twa dayft to fit niyself out» far tiiai ty
ahip was aMady oa her pattage ddwn tha river td Saugof^
'' I^ v^e tune^** added Täaüty " I wcmU have taken you wiCh
niö tp aee a jrnun^and bloomiiig vriAam voluntarily aaofifiea hiat»
adf o& the fonenl pile of her deoeased huabatid; aad matty Miar
efaaily bArbasDoa (nutomt of this people, whkh wodld be to ydä
olyjeets c{ gieat interest." We jomed in the hope> höweirer> AM
I- shoiild Boon v^uhi to Iiidia> aiid ünder more aufipicioas cifcunw
atalicei.
. We wtee soos in the proseiice of my new tonunändef : he iM
a. sfaort tbin man, with a sattow oompleddcm^ and an ausfeeie brow'i
whicbt howeter^ xelaxed on' bis seeing the honest visagje of gooft
Gaptafa Lanriieva; tiiaii the great man 'Wbs bo vety polite^ thät I
eoald hardßf penuade mya^lf it wa» the perso^ to< whöm I had
juat been intniduoed; Ikit I had ubtaAf seen enongh oi thef
ilrdM t6 know^hovr neeeasory it ia txr dhMuat appeteancea : it wni
atlengtfa 4greed l&ait I shbuld be hU puraer^ keep hiis boola^ aal
peifiorm whalaref eise might b^'tiigiiiced of me aaanamanuenai^;^
anA that in tutian fct tfaeaa aervieea^ I iribonM mesa at hfe table/
and hate the ooii?eineä». of a oabin. We then paitedy wiÄ anr
uadenktahding ihat I waa to pMoeed down the river to join the'
shipoQ the£[^iiy0^gday; and the fe# ramaining hours whic^
were left at my di^poaal were employed in preparationa for my
depastura* The next day Lambert and Tasait aeoompenied mef
to the boät; ouv parting was maork^ on both aidea with every
deaakmalrpctioil ef dncere good-wiü and trae friendahip; an^
wsthonü. tUnking of ifaia' aoene^ nevesr can I read l%akapeare^ir
piataieaiQe deseription of the payting of Attomo and hia-
fnand:*^^
(« I Ho eye hemg big with teairs,
T^omiig ]^ lavM^' he patrlB* lumd b^diid tum»
And, with affecsdon i»oikbftiu> a^Ue,
He wrung Bassanio's hand» and to tb^ partad*"
On niy veaehing theahip, I waa received by the firat officer^,
and conducted to my cabin« On the foUowing day the captain
»4 joined
40
joiae4u8j and weweigkedanicli^>fl]id bade £u«weUtoteibonk
of Bengal. Tlie character of my new comiiiander was natuxanjFV
apd almost neoesaarily^ the first object of my attention. Hov
^iffepreKt fwm. that of my friend Lambert ! The oae was apem,
)ii09pitable, generou8> and friendly ; tbe other proud; momse^ pas«
sionate^ and d^ceitful. But, as }. went on board detenmned ' to
fOideayour.to please, I bad a satis&ction wbich few cm boaid ex«
perienced-— tbat of notdispleasing, My cbief effort to keep Üim
great man in goqd humour witb me^ oonasted in a neTer-oeasing
f^l]^tj0n to bis private aooount books and papers ; bat, wbat
wact more an object of parlicularity witb bim^ was tbe manner of
x^y performing tbe duties of tbe table^ wbere I sat at tbe bead of
no less tban tbirty persons^ including passengers^ ladies as well as
gentlem^n^ Dutcb prisoners of war« tbei first and second offioers,
fmd tbe doctor. Tbese duties I found not easy^ under an eqni««
lioctial 8\m, amid calls for fresb suppily> and witb no better in«»
Itrument tban a bLunt carvingrloufe. Even' under tbese drcixäi«^
stanoes» tbe sligbte&t; symptom of petulanoe woold not bave xe«
oeived indulgence. Had I been older, I sbould bave found my
^sk easier ; but I bad seen scaroely fifteen summers« altbougb I
fiight bave passed for twentj-two. Tbia part of my duty, in
^[enenil tbe n^ost annpyingj onoe in a storm« offtbe Cape of Good
][Iope> jn^ved tbe source of serio-oomical amusement. One daj
at dinner^in a lurcb of ibe 8hip> so beavy that not a soul on bbard
expected sh^ wo\ild ever rigbt again« tbe table (tbougb lashed
firmly to tbe deck)« groaning witb sea-pies^ lobaDous^«' tureens«
disbes and plates« suddenly gave way> tbrowing witb a crasb^
^be wbole Company towards me« wbo was seated to leeward. I
bad just time« and.barely> to pqp my.bead under tbe table« other«
wise I should bave suffered tbe pain eitber of balf-strangulation«
l^y tbe edge of tbe ti^ble catching my neck« or of being jammed
^gaii^t tbe sbip's side« by tbe weigbt botb^of table and passengers«
I bave never yet been a vqyage witbout seeing sometbing new
and eminently grand in tbe works eitber of nature or of art. Of
tbe objects worijhy of attention in tbis voyage« ibree made a last*
ing impression on mymind; tbe first was« tbe tremendous sea
rolling off the Cape of Good Hqpe« in one of ibe most direful
Itorms perbapa ever known, The s^ off the Cape is proverbial
for
• A kind of Irish stcw, hdd in grait eetiinatioD by saüor«.
:^1
tn di^ tenifie bcight ta wUdh it nun; enn to mannen kpravat
appaUing, and to many ▼oyagen &tal ; in miglit^ awM gnn»
deulr^ andinfuiy^itfluipaanaall theaeaacm theiaoeof iheglbbaw
Hie alorm came oa with a gesde aephyr off tlie Imä, wbicb in«
ottised t» a bomd itwr of wliirlwiiid« aco^^
flaflliea of üg^tning» yvnä balla of fize darting aroand the Tenel,
and Ininti of tremendoot diunder: it oontiniied during a
whole week. Hie nighto were honiUe; the hoane erj of
ihe Bfulors' voices oould icaroelj be heazd amidst the dealening
voat of the fbaadog Ullow» aad the howlbg of the wind in
iexxi6caBj violent intehnitting gasta thzoagh ihe liggiiig. The
leaj aa seen hf ihe flashes of lightning, appeated eager to
awallow uB up in destruction. At ihe dawn of day^ what
a KÜbject. for a poet I what a field fbr a xnaaterly painter f
Bat HO artist^ however maaterly, oould do justice to a soene lo
awful ; nor pencilji nor language^ oonvey to the mind any ihe re*
jikötest idea ot ita ndgfaiy grandeur. Truly doea the Ptalmiat
fAj-^** They that go down to Uie aea in ähipa^ and oocupy
their huabeai in great waten; ihese men jee the works of the
Lörd^ and hia wenden in the deep.** The aea, terrific and
dark as ihe douds which oovexed it , rolled alowly onwaxd, as if
anre of destraying its viotim; and when ihe ihieatening Inllow
xeached us, dertruction aeemed inevitiUe. But noi Ihe hark
ainka not— «he is hürled üp to ihe heavena on iti hoBom, and ihe
apeetator aees beneaih him a fxi^tfiil aud yawning gulf, into
which he again ainks to he again boine up#axd !
: This was ihe gmodeur of nature. The ieoond waa the gian«
deur of art> aa ezhifaited in His Majeatjr's fiigate ihe Loire, Gap-
iain Brown, under whoae oonvoy we were lailing. In ihe At-
lantic Ocean, one moming early, the Loire aailed dose
of Ü8. He breeae waa scarcely atrong enougb to ripple ihe
ten,. and emitted a refi«diing fisgranoe; ihe fingate, as if oon«
anoua of her superiority and impoaing beauty, as ahe glided
through her native element, saüed majestkally aide hy nde wiA
US, a martial band on board her striking up in the best style : not
one of US bat feit a gbw of eznltation on behoTding so fair a
sample of England's pride ; not one bat feit the love of oountry
strong within him. But not a whisper could be heard—- « deaih-
like stillne8S>' interrupted ooly by the munc, and the sighing of
the
«2
^.Ixreevej veigaed acoimd^ wbsl« tHe tainä^Mi eyw of äU wem
bualjjr em^yoi <taL tk^ luliivilM teene Iwiove tfaebi* Shidtely
a feigaal fiioift aftoAeir sb^ af tÜe iset;» for a «^mg«. mm!» ^km
duofldi IUI iiMittntaliUwma dhuigiEi a£ eoend.; swift «r thmi^t-tibe
heim was ctwv^M '' low and aldfiT" wilik «il> in an ittgtanl die
toeawifxfironiis^aiaditikMihadttftliflräwiiia^ flpMikoii
die bwifton« in bot putsmt of tlie itHtego; B; one^dia rdii|»i*
peavad, royavtDok vs^ifiMda^in to leeWard, ani mad« rigiMil«"«.
'' W^a wiTfi AlCMUca 1"
Tlia |hiid> tiFa» tHe glariotis spectade af tilie lattiiig tan% Vbt
tcaQ^'evamtigs togelhier, dimi^ a peiaod of finia.twwitf.to diil^
anxMite^ after tlie fieiy orb had withdittWli, tlue hddmm piMenMd
8ucb a lidi imi^tf of fintaalic fornu^ and matchleneoloonaty <tf
axure gold^ and spangk^» v^ring^ as it were, to sutpaflS eaeh oütem
in ddicacjr and flplendouis-*4lie wböle too xefleoted upon the t^
pling ocetti in the i^eai<^-««i to pnxbaoo an efie(^ beyond detoripM
tion magnifibentatnd deüghtful, and wbich inspiied all oif us iMdtli
admiration^r-*^' How giasd 1" all exdaimed ; '^ and^ " tkouglftt I,
" how woctky of the gveat Creator^ who kas giveni to the öb)eeCi
of natnie the most agreeahle fbraM and aecasiaries^ as wc^ as tba
most impoitant nses T*
At the end of a few weekb I once more tcod t2ie laad of wf
nati?ily : v^e ariived in the Downs towards evening. got mdaF
wei^ early on the nezt nioining> and^ with the asBistaaMe of •
good 8ea-brees^> xeadi^ Graresend on the etening of the sanw day«
FuUy sensible of the^impartanoe of conciliating niy mek's esfoenii
and under eonsiderable an^ety^ I bade adieu to all an boaid, and
iieaclied bis cpüntini^honse, in London, at ten on the foUowiag.
moniing. I was there inibnned that he was at bis conntry scaty
and woüld not lefum to town nntil the monow. I therefore
went Uf my fatheifs, who had heatd that I had left my-ship, bat
afto wbat beeaibd Qi.me he had no means of fortning an idea.
It was ebottt üto in tfae evening of a delaghtfnl May^^y> wka»
I leachedlhi^ leite wUehled down to.fais&nn:
u ,. ■ V fhtt rfngidiir emotions fiÖ*
llicfa boMins wbe have been indoeed CO MMUb f
With flattenng doubts, if aU be well os iUw.
With love for many, and with fean for some ;
AQ feding« wfaxch o*etleap the yean long lo6t,
And bnng our houEto back to tfaeiz ttttrtmg post"
In
4S
In a field mt Ü» mä öf the IttM^ a gir], mtMig a Utd<» Aääf
lAuSb afterWards prbved to be mj otdj mter, tnraed nmad to
gase oo «e; w]iile I> dretsed in a Uue jadket^wiA nanlirt«
trowsen^ and carzying under mj ann a bündle^ eobteirnng fbot
pieov af Bengal btfidfmnoef (two intendfid fiir mgr unde Banon^
«od tvra for mj ftdubr), walked on inÜWfQt inlicniptiaa. Um
w^4aMiwn giäte of 'the fitfm^faiid qiwsied at my toüeb-^ wciLenm
vtälnets xeigned atonnd^ nd intetruptod even by faitfalnl Boli^ Ae
bonse-dog, i^iota ht^ bead» teating an Ut fore pawa, in bis km«
nel^ seemed to reoogniaa me as bis mastei^s fikod. I lifted Af
dooEwlatcb^ and widwut odremcmj wfedbed mto tbe parioor, wbem
ast my &tbar aad motber at tea. My father, wbo did nofc knovr
me« in oonaequence of tbe alteration wbicb two yeazs bad mada
in my appeacance> roie to inquiie my busmeai; bot my motber,
pak and in a tr6mbling voioe» exdatme&>— >'' It ia be {«— it ii my
Km l" and buzrying acnifls tb6 leom^I was in a moment lotked in
tboae anns wbicb I tben wisbed I bad never left.
. Questiena «id änswecis followed eacb otber so fint, itwaaa
long time befae I could collect any tbing connected wttb my
imale'd £pdUngs towazds me ; ai last I understood tbat myinreterate
cnfcBny, tbe seoond offleer^ bad tiadueed my cbaracter by OTeiy
paasiUe mode, bad misreptesentad fiu^ts^ and given to tbe follieä
or sallies of youtb^ tbe colour of determined vidonandaiä ^* In
> ^fbot^" aaid my iatber> *^ be baa aucoeeded in piejudicing your
unde so mucb against yon^ tbat be is detennined nerer to aee you
moie ; indeed^" be eontinued, with one band plaoed in bis boeom«
and a sig^ wbiob be tried in Tain to suppress^ '^ yonr unde and
myself bavo imforhinately bad a £ew misundentandinga ci lale ;
aiid I fear we sbaU soon be obliged to quit tbe fann : bat for yon
I feel mofe tbaU for myself ; ahould be diaeard yoxis you wiU be
destitute— I can give you notbing but my blessing ; yoa mual
tbetefime go to 14m> Nanfragus, to^morrow ; give bim libe bau-
danhoes> ainee you bougbt them ftr bim^ and ask bii ftvgiteneai
for tbe paat;. in tbe mean time» we will not kt imaginaiy ilb
doud tbe bappincss of omr preaent meeting. Gomey Kate^^' speab«
ing io my motber, ^^ let's bave a bowl of puneb ; and Naufraguä
sbflU relate all tbs^ bas bappened to bim." Tben turaing to me
»«-*'' Aa for your motber^ sbe bei not bad a dry eye naoe sbe
beard tibat your idup bad come bome witbout you ; and many an
bour
44
Bourüf anxiatyluTe I bad^ I aaureyou.'' In ^te of &te^ ipMb
aadbilanty crowned oür bourd^for Chat eveoiiig» and not a m^^ßm
ngh ooald find admittanoe witldn^ althoa^ all waa yerj fipr fimt
being wdl witbout.
. The nezt moroing mj £ftther cheered up mj sprita Ij 9vuy
meatsxB in bis power^ and wben^ with tbe^ bandannoea undcr my
mm, I bade bim^— '' Good day/' be said-^-'' Now^ N^ufiagu^ yqfu
axe going to seek foigiYeness for a £iiult ; bear tbat in.nund, vad,
if posdble^ don'tcome awajwitboutite OodUessyoul.andpixis»
per youT uhdertaldng."
At eleven o'dock I reached my uncle'a oounting^boase^ and be»
beld bim standing at tbe fiirther end of it« with bis back \a the
fire ; äs aoon as be recognized me^ wbicb be did almoat as soon as
I entered it^ be tnmed instantly aside^ and left tbe afl^ce, fiiaft
oompäanding me> in a severe tone^ to— '' Begane ! and never pre»
sume lo approach bis presence more." Go I did«-*-at beert panisk*
ed more by tbe severity of bis manner^ tban by ihid abandonmeitt
itse]f> serious as I knew it would prove to me in its conaequeneea»
In vain did I subsequenüy endeavour to soften bis resentmenti \^
layiag before him, in writitog. thetrue rtate of dunss; hew»
iipnplacable— my letteni were bumed ; and from tbat period to tbis
I bive never Imown ibe benefit even of bis good word, mucb leaa
of bisassistance.
As for ibe bandannoes, I gave tbem to my fadier, oonjuxing
bim not to be low-qnrited^ and saying, tbat I sbould perbi^ do
better in tbe Indies^ wiih the stxangers' fostering aid, tban at
bome, under tbe cold band of relations. I added— >'' Fret not for
me^ my dear faiber : the will of Providence is iirevooable, and
for tbe few days we have to live^ we must- conform to it. All
may yet be for our good, bowever cruelly appearances may fioewa
npon US."
. In oonsequenoe of tbe excessiye severity of puniahment witb
wbidiparents, or natural protectors, visit tbe errcgrs of youtb^ bow
many are lo^ to their families for ever; their &ir pnNqpeets
Uigbted, and thoae promiang talents nipped in Ü^ bud> wjbich
mi^t otberwise have proved bonourable to themsdves^ and l)a-
neficial alike to their country and to manbind! And ^Me \ bcg
tbe xeader^s indulgenoe, while I dig^^oa a Iktle &o«Hn|i9ffq9^iTe»
in Order to ofier a few considetations on tb(B \ifitiiä^sLwff nü^
vidual
^
tidafll case. \ Ixh xibt for me to sit in judgment on my own eon-
Aüet ; Inil^ eVen gfänting I oömmitted fäults deserving of punish«
tträt/litißtSiey' Were tte faiiltr of a young^ ineiq^enced boy,
aafy fourteen yean old. It will, I tlaxA, be adxnitted that a inoie
titxti püniiAiÄent/ one xndre calculated to condemn me, for life, to
j^ert^j iE(n3 tö an atgect dependence on 'strängen for my bread,
eouU'itiditliätefbeen'inflicted; and I ieave the reader to jndge
ifdietker my^](Kiaililiment was proportionate to my oSence. Desti«
tote, frifendlesk/ ekposed to all ttie temptations of a seäuctive me«
tropoHi like London, and snnounded (as I afterwaids was) by
dlSfing poVtoty iand despair, bad I sougbt refiige in ihe giave, or
ih the 1ia\ints of in^amy and vice — bad I even breatbed my last
on a scaitbidy it'would bave been no more tban could naturally
have been expected. lliat this bas not been the case, I hare cer«
täinly not to thank my ande Barron. It may perbaps be thougbt
that he was not bound to do any thing at all for me; that
hideed there are few undes who would have done so much ; and
ihat he wak perfectly at liberty to withdraw bis protection with-
imt sabjeeting bimself to the imputation of injustice ; but when
it is considered, that he bad known the family in happier days,
when they vod^' in their carriages, and were respected for thdr
Yiirtaes as wdl äs for their riches ; that the exercise of bis patron«
age was, from the almost unlimited extent of bis interest, as well
as of bis purse, Ao serious object to him ; and that he had, more«
Ihrer,*' iteceiv^, when lie most jieeded it, a dowry of five thousand
ponnd« with bis wife, the case will appear, in the view of any
tinj^udioed person, widely different.
' In jnstice, bowever, to one who bas treated me so cruelly, I can^
not snppress the fkct, that to almost eyexy other branch of the fa«
toSSf, he' bas proved himself a benefactor, and espedally to two of
my junior brotbers, whom he bas sent to India as cadets; so that,
liowever little I may personally have to thank him for, I can
never harboiir in my breast a less favoorable feeUng towards h^ i^
tli^'a^ tiäoefe desire for bis future welfare.
' My fitvt oonsideration was, how to procure a lioeooe to pnceed
a^ain to li^dia. I had an aunt, who had frequently seen, at the
täbfi^ ti her inother, that hoüourable genüeman, Mr. Inglis, a di«
itetof dt &)s Hbäotirat)le East India Company; to him phe applied
for '^ FVee Mariners* Ind^ntures" for me, and^obtained them : but
Ihad
#6
I bad still to overcöme a difficultj before I vecdred tb^; attft
that aiofle ftom the drcwnstance pf my baTiiig deserted my sliipr
the highly&vourable and flattering testimony^bowever« borne bjr
tbe captain^in a written certificate^ astomygeneralconduct^eiid^fe»
tbe rectitade of my moral cbaracter^ o vercame tbi» difficulty : and?
after talduog a farewell of my parents^ I sailedfor India^butimder
ibe melancboly conyiction that a stona^ tbEefttening destmction to
my fimiily and tbeir little all^ wasready toboxst over tbeir bcads;
and without bavjng any substantial grounda to hope that Z sbould'
ever again see either them^ or my native land. To tboae who baTB
nerer 3een t^eir " native land reeeding through the growing wa^
9
ters/' on taking a long, and perhaps eternal faiewoll of it, I eamot
but recommend the perusal of the following linef :—
<« I can*t but 8By it uan awkward nght,
To see cme's i&tiv& laadrece(fiiig timra^
The gioinng waten; it unmims one quite,
Espedally when life is lather new :
I leooUectGreat Britain's coasta look white,
Bat almoBt every other oonntiy's bhie ;
When gazing on them, mystified by dintenofi,
We enter on our nautical esistence.'*
I wasnow bound to the islandof Geyhni> which mras wellki|owii
to the ancients, and is supposed to be the Taprobana of Ptokvny.
it is famous for its rieh pearl fisheiy *-— the abundance of ita gema
and predous stones— its rieh beds of cassia^ and dnnamon tiees»
and for the grandeur^ beauty, and variety of natura displayed in
its scenery ; which veiy possibly may bare given rise to the tia-
dition so prevalent to this day among the natives, that it is the-
spot where the Garden qf Eden oiiginally stood. The narrpw
diannel that separates it fi»m the peninsula^ bears the name of
" Adam's Bridge;" and on the summit of a mountain, caüed
'' Adam's Peak^" they even pretend to shew the print of Adam's
foot.
On
• The pead fishery begins on the north-west ahote« aboat the middle of Febra«
ary, and oontinues about two months. The village of Condatchy ia then aowded
vith Yktaa-of dsfl^räit oountries, colours, casts, and occupations, who erect tents
and hutst^baaanand ihopi; wfaUe tfae sea preeents the enlivening scene of boats
hastening to the banks, or retuxning with the expeded riches. The divenaM
diiefly Chnstians or Musuhnauns, who deicend fi^e or ten fMhftmis and xenaain
midar water aboat two minutes, each bringing up an hundred oysters or more
in a net. The yeUow, or gold-ocdoured pcarl, is most cstecmed by the natives,
but that of a dull grey, or blackish hue, is most valuable.
4T
Ob oitf airiiaa at Goianilio^ die fhkt'umi oS the KogBA
possessioDfl <m the idandj we fcnndaooaatry aliipf j «onnmiided lisr
a Captam Hasst detatned in port tax want of an offioer. Amore
frrtuiuUaoppoaiunUjrcodldnoCponiUyluTepi^Mnled itself: my
«eoffessed «ervioes were aooeptod witlh avi^ty , OD ^
Dupeei^or tan pfniada a month, with the ose of theoq^tam's taUe;
wdZleflk the Iniiifttnan with the good widies of the captain^ offl*
üKn, aad all the coew« Thi« allowance (as mj mere penonal
axpenoee wen hui trifling) aoon put me in a oondkioB to aate a
Uttle:. OUT veiad wasaoeatttagtiaderof MakhoTy andfromoon«
Mut, oommuniiaatioiL wil^ the nadvesof Goa, Cannanore^ Man«
galora» Tülichoy, Cochip, Qnilon^ and Anjengo^ I at length
yeptujKd to tum myüttla saying« to some aoeount^ by trading, at
fiM in a mall way> buying on oommiBsum^ aod seUing at a proAt
of fire(|uetitly raoie than tevejity-five or One hundred per cent.
Tbia cnoottKageaieat iuduoed me to enlarge ny ayatiem of traffic;
and as we made qpi(k tripa to Bombay, and from port to port> I
^Hd myielf> to my infinite joy, at the end of e^hteen montha,
paasemed of nearly fiare thouaand six hundred mpeea (seven hundred
pouada)« My captaiti was equally suooess^ on a larger aeale.
Tb0 ¥48«[el waa ptincipaily bis own; but being too amall fbr ihe
ippfwwing ooDunesee an the coast, he reaohred to aeQ her, buüd a
Imge Que atOochin, and pvoooed firom Ceylon to the Mauritius
'^'vrith a pnofitaUe cargo of buffiüoea and cocoa-nut oili As I loved
my^aptainiaabrotheSylhad tolament thathb-quittingltidia fyr
ihß Mauj^ua wouU oompel me, in justice to my own interests, ^
to leave biia ; bat it gav^ ma pleasure to be Me to afibrd bim a
piQpf of iny regard, by a ready cosoplianee with bis wish, that f
Would not do so u^tii the day of bis departure from Ceylon.
White my captain's sbip was^ building, I availed myself of
ih^ shdrt tiaie^ tben at my diapoaal, to Tisit a civüian at Cäli-
, ^t, wboSQ &mily was intimate with my unde, the captain, and
Wh9 hmi hßQit very attentive to me at bis table in Bombay. £u-
Topfta« «odety, at the Brkiah Settlements on the Malabar coast, ia
so
• Columbo U. » handßqqie ««wii» and^ «dl fefflUadt Ae giofcmorV htm»,'
vhich.Gansififts.butiqfiwieikmviasIcgBiit The 4liBiat6 islei» laliry thon that
of Uindostan, hßing, e^ipoeNl onatt«dei ta sea-lbneses«
+ A Tessel oommanded by a Bitfopcan, bat manned by natives, and trading in'
thft ladSanSon» Couttiy veaielB, of a Iwge size, -mfike a voyage to England öc-
4S
16 momitotfbuSj dnt » desdäptiön of the State of it at änc^ m&y le^e
for a descziption of its statein tbe rest.
The Epglish at Calicut reiide in büngalows *j of a capadous
mMe, aad wellbuilt : sodety helte mote lesembles the unanimity of
a family, ihan any thing eise, the only xesidents being the
civil« nnlitaxy« and naval offioen of the Company ; . and as ihey*
9xe allj m point of resptetability« upon an equal foodng, few or
HO disoocds arise among them. On m^ reacfaing Calicut« I found*
that my fri^d was on a visit at Bombay« and Mr. P^ce« then
ipag^strate there« invited me to partake of tbe hbspitalities of hlä
bouse and table« until my frieAd's retum. In tbe daytime« tbe
members of our litde sodety usually repaiied to the babitatum of
Mr. W****n« at present secretary to tbe Bombay govemment. In
pne room a few Englisb ladies would charm tbe votaries of music
witb tbeir Performance on tbe haxp and piano« tbe gendemen ac«
companying them on the flute« or bass viel ; wbile in an adjoining
apartment« biUiards were tbe amusement : in anotber room wera
newspapers and other periodical works« recently brougbt froi^
Eurqpe«' witb Pamphlets« &c. for tbeliterad; and wide verandab»
affi)rded a dieerful promenade. Afiter all« tbe best treat was per«
baps die lieh vein of Mr. W****n's bümour ; be possesses« besides
tbose peculiar powers wbich are essential to tbe entertainment of
a large Company« a rei^lendent genius and a ready wit« and bia
guests are secure of a firaük« open-bearted« generous welcome.
In die evenings« I was favoured witb tbe loan of a fine Arabian
borse; and aball frequendy conduded tbe da/s entertainment;
Thus agreeaUy employed« I was sorry wben « letter from my
captain innted me to attend tbe launcb of bis ship« wbich was to
take place immediately; and espedaUy sorry« as myfriendbad
not retumed Crom Bombay. Of Mr. W****n I took an afiecdon-
ate leave« as also of tbe ladies and gentlemen of tbe settlementj
bat pardcularly of Mr. Price« litde tbinking bow soon be would
be lost to bis :ßiends : a fortnight after I left bim« a snaket« wbich'
bad crept into bis bed« bit bim« and be survired but a few bours«
I em-
• Abongidowisa buflding peculiar to IxidiB. It eontaiiu foor or six spadoui
noiiuhaIi4aonefloor,witfalMidcandfiDimt Toindahs: ibeioofisthatcfaed; aad
kt CBEttnal appeanmoe ia not unlike that of a large bam in England. It iibailt
of bfick, or ^^pueka,** aa thenatiye termia oomctimca of bambooa and matting
alooo; ■oditsprioeiaaboutfifteenliundiedrupeea.
^ Theae nozioua xeptQca throughout India piore a ennatant aouiee of Unat
and anno/anoe to the inhahitanta, and their Ute ftequanüy pioduoes fittpl
qucooea. For ftuther Information on thia subject, vide Index«'* Serpewtt,**
49
1 embarlLed in a large canoe, wliich, in ihree days and nights^
bmre me in safety to Cochin^ wbere my captain weloomed me with
typen arms.
Cochin belongs to the Dutch ; it Stands on the northem pennt
of a long tongue of land^ nearly insulated, and bounded on die
«ast by a creek of the sea^ wbich receives several streams. The
entrance to its harbour is obstructed by a dangerous bar. It was
formerly a place of considerable enunence^ but of late years bas
fallen to decay. littk is done tbere at present^ ezoept in
ship-building^ to wbich purpose it is admirably adapted> from the
fadlity whicb it afibrds of procuring an abundant supply of good
Makbar teak timber^ mastSj and spars ; the copper abeets^ nails^
and iron-ware^ are imported from Bombay.
Wbat most attracts the notice of a stranger is^ the enormout
sLse of the legs of the natives^ from which drcumstance, legs of
a disproportionate size are^ in India^ called '' Cochin legs :" hun-
dreds of poor wretches are seen here with legs swoUen to so enor-
mous a si^e^ as more to resemble those of an elephant^ than any
thing human. The disease of which they are indicative^ and
which is ättrilmted^ but improperly, to the impurity of the water,
bas never been known tb iSkct Europeans.
Our vessel was launched with due eclat^ and named the
2ephyr. We were' lionöured with the jnresence of the British
Resident^ Mr. Money^ who^ with the other civilians^ the Bri-
tish officers^ and the " Beaatf' of the Settlements afterwards
partook of a cold collation with us. The ladies of .Cckihin are
fair and fasdnating; some of them extremely handsome; .aäd
most of them play the guitar with great taste and pathos; they
are fond of the English ; and on the occasion of a wedding» the
settlement is enlivened by dancing and reveky for a Mreek tpgetli«',
At this period (1813) there was at Cochin a female maniae»
remarkable for personal beauty and symmetry of foKsUj who fr&-
quently contrived to elude the vigilance of her \&Bg&c9, and fly
into the woods^ where she would disrobe herself^ and roam aboat
in a State of complete nudity. She was so wary ^M'mfAam^^'ti^
low hc^rself to be caught^ and towards evening^ ini^b^sftbh
retuming to her haunts with the fieetness of a deef. ' Occasio^H
aUy she would venture hear the outskirts^c^ the town/ idoaid
""foitastically with flowers. . When asked who fed her, ük
E would
/
50
would reply— <'^ The snakes and lizards of tlie forest ;" and^ in
generale her answers were incoherent and misplaced. She was
kidnapped^ at an early age^ from her parents at Goa^ and sold to
slavery^ which misfortune was supposed to have been the cause
of her malady. Unfortunate maid 1 let us hope that an eter^
nity^of happiness awaits thee in a better world^ to compensate
thy wretchedness in this !
On our ship being rigged^ and ready for sea^ we set sail for
Ceylon^ and in a few days^ came to an anchor in a.small bay to
the east of Pomt de Galle^ called Beligaum, where we meant to
harbour until the cargo of bullocks should be procured :-*-It was a
<^ ■ w üd and breaker-beaten coast,
With difis above, and a broad eandy ahore ;
Guarded by shoals and rocks, as by a host,
With here and there a creek, whose aspect wore
A better welcome to the tempest tossM ;
And larely ceas'd the haughty bOlows* roar,
Save on the dead-long summer days, which make
The outstretch'd ocean glitter like a lake.**
. On the summit of a mountain overlooking the bay^ stood a
vacant bungsjow^ of wbich^ with the permissiQn of the owner,
who was at Galle^ we took possession^ An officer^ who was to
relieve me^ having joined us, I here enjoyed, for three months,
the pleasure of my esteemed captain's society, together with that
of Captain Symes, a military officer, who was to take his passage to
the Mauritius in the Zephjrr. Every moming, on tuming my
waking eyes on the beams and rafters of our bungalow, I saw
seipents, of a large si^e, creeping and winding over and about
them. At first I was horror-struck at the sight ; but after a time
they had ceased to terrify me, and at length became even familiär
to the eye ; so that when I awoke, I used to look for them as objects
of ooiurse, and leamt to distinguish my visitants one from another,
both by the diversity of their speckies, black and green, and by their
size; they twin^d round and round the rafters and beams, but I
never knew one of them to fall upon or molest me. Here also, as
at Prinoe of Wales' Island, the trees and bushes were illumined
hy swarms of fire-flies, which presented, on a dark night, the
grandest sight imaginable. It was my custom to stroll with my
friends through the paddy-fields in the interior, and admire the
verdure of the country, and the majesty of the silent forest; and
often
51
often has tlie Uack aßoqpaH, iwo or tliiee ioehes in length« tvur^P
ed towanLi us his deadly stiog;-"<atid tlie wild dephant^ tbe buf«
falo^ or sanguinary tiger^ encroach ou our patb ; and here tbe
boa^ and other enonnous aerpenta« fatal alike to man and beast^
migfat be aeen coiled beneadbi the bushes^ watching eagerly fbr
theirprej.
In the afternoon^ after tbe taUe-doth bad been removed^ it
was mj deligbt to stroll among tbe villagea alone> and observe the
manners and customa of tbe people. One evening, a Cingaleae
priest^ aa I pasaed bis bumble babitation^ built of bambooa> and
covered with mats^ encouraged nie« by aignfl> to enter it. I re^
düj complied« and observed tbat every tbing in tbe interior cf
tbe cot bore the marks of grea^ simplicity and neatness* His vife
and datighter« a pretty Indian girl apparently about fourteen,
were busied on a pieoe of coiton twist ; and in one comer of tbe
room were two slave-giils spinning. Wbile tbe old man waa
giviag me a draught of cocoa-nut milk« I could not but reverenoe
his silvery baiiSy whicb, with his-.8ta£^ and long patciaichal
beard« gave bim tbe appearance of a '' man of Qod." Surroundr
ing objects toa disposed me to devotional feeling« and more than
once I breathed a wish that« however dilBsrent migbt be tbe teneti
of bis faitb from mine *, we sbould botb at last meet in tbe eteinal
manmons of rest. I took leare of bim with evetj demonstration
ofrespeet, regretting that our ignorance of each other's language
psevented our conversing« •
Ofben have I watohed the Indian> seated at the door of his but
•— approacbed him— *o&red bim money ; be would xeceive it« but
with a vacant staxe, and without emotion — ^no mmZ seemed tQ
animate bim ; be appeared wrapt in apathy« intent alone on the
indulg^noe of indolence and ease. The women« on the contzyuy«
are vivadbos« and paxticularly well made ; their walk is dignified
and graoeful« their bair is long and glo«^« .their eyes large» bhick«
and ejyarkling, ioid their featuies bandsome.
A few days previous to the Zephyr's dqnrture« two circumr
s 2 stanoap
• The religion of Ceylon k the ancient wonhip of Boodh, who is reported (o
hftTe been bon there »beut one thousand jean before the biith of Clai9t* Mb
Image appears with short and crisped hair, becaiise it is fabled that that effect
was actnally pioduced by a golden sword with which he cat it The Cingalese
are giossly Buperstitious, bclieving in soicery, witches, &c invoking lupematiinl
agency, and luing spells and enchantments.
58
stances occurred^ which I relate for the putpose ofediibitmg^ hy
ooQträst^ the blessings enjoyed by those who live in a countrj not
subject to similar disasters.
About a mile from our bungalow was a small rivulet^ over
wbich ijie trank of a tree bad been placed for the oonvenience o£
foot-passengers; tbis rivulet bad been crossed by our.captain at
four o'dock in tbe evening, and at balf-past five the viUagers were
aroused hy loud and pierdng shrieks Lnming from the spot : they
quickly repaired to it^ but too late— a tiger bad seized a litüe
gurl^ and bad succeeded in escaping with her into the woods ; her
own brother^ a hoj about nine years of age> being an eye-witness
of bis sister's tragical end.
On another evening» loud voices were heard to proeeed from.
the village^ and torches seen moving about m great numbers ;
we repaired to the spot immediately^ and found the cause
of alarm to be a large serpent^ which bad been captured.by the
▼illagers in the act of seizing a young jackal, which the paonster
could neither swallow nor disgorge ; writhing in agony (the jackal
at the same time rending the air with cries)^ at last it fejl under
the swords of its captors. The serpent's body was of the tbickneas
of that of an in&nt a few months old : its length seventeen feet.
The jackal died immediately on being released from its jaws.
On the moming on which the Zephyr sailed^ I repaired on board
to assist in getting her under weigh^ and it was not tili the ap-
pearanoe of the shores in distance had wamed me to retum, that
I bade my friends farewell^ and made for the land in a canoe ; a
palanquin and bearers^ prevurnsly engaged, were in readiness to
convey me to Point de Galle. The joumey was a delightfiil
one ; the country, in every direction^ presented to yiew scenes
«f nature untamed by art^ save here and there a few paddy-
fields^ and some straggling huts. Forest and glen— *hill and
dale— >ziyulet and torrent— the shady cocoa-tree^ the palrn^ the
talipot-tree^ and stately tamarind — ^together with the gaudy
plumage of the featheied tribe — ^form a oombination well cal«
culated to afiect the heart, and to raise the mind to an enviable
.State of admiration and delight. My pleasure, however^ was
not unnuxed with apprehension^ that some unceremonious tiger,
or boa, would pounce upon us^ and in that case my chanoe
of
^i^nescape woulä liave been but small; tat in evety dtuation
of dang^^ sudi as I am aupposmg, the bearen invaiiaUj üuow
down thdr palanquin and take to their beels^ leaving its in«
mate to sbift far bimself. It is lemarkaUe^ bowevarj tl^at in
India a tiger will nerer caiücy off a European wben be can get
bold of a natiye.
No sooner bad I airived at Point de Galle^ tban I embazked
for Calcutta^ in a brig just on tbe eve of sailing. Hie captain
was an enterprising ybung officer, wbo, wbile a mere infiint^ waa
cönveyed fiom bis native bind (tbe isbmd of Jeaey), by bia
fttber^ and bad acquired tbe babits and appearance of an Asiatte;
be spoke Cingalese^ and several otber oriental languagei!, with
tbe äuency of a native. We sailed round tbe nordi«ea8t aide
of Ceylon^ occasionally Standing dose in sbore, to tbe deligbt of
all on board, and in four days came to an ancbor at Trinoomalee*
Here we found tbe Britisb ganison in bigb spirits, in oonaequence
of Wellington's successes^ and of die entrance of tbe alliea into
Paris^ tbe intelligence of wbidi bad reacbed tbem but a day or
two before. Tbey were« bowoTer^ suffering under tbe pestilential
effects of ihe dimatej wbicb bad sbewn tbenudves in an alaiming
manner, and bad become tbe inunediate caiises of frig^tful morta«
lity among tbe Britisb oflSoei^ and-men in garriaon.
After a pleasant passage of six weeks, I onoe more trod tba
streets of Calcutta; \mt, alas ! wbat cbanges may a few '' little
montbs" produce ! and bow frequently^ on retuming to a fixed
abode> after a short absence^ is tbis trutb fatally impressed upon
us! I found my esteemed Mend and patron^ Captain htm*
heart, numbered witb tbe numberless dead; and Tas^it bad left
Calcutta^ witb bis lovely bride, and one boy, ibe fruit of ibeir
pnion, to superintend an indigo factoxy^ at some Station up tbe
countryj but wbere I could not leam. Tbus was I deprived of
two friends^ wbo^ a few montbs before^ bad proved tbenselres tbe
props of my existence^ and on wbom rested tbe realiaadon of my
f uture prospects. I^et me^ bowever^ indulge tbe bope^ tbat all en«
deared ties^ connexions^ and virtuous friendsbipSj fonned on eat^j
and on eartb divided^ may be renewed and matured '' in anotber
and a better world."
I was now comparatively ricb^ and rented a smaÜ bouse in
K 3 ^ Jaun's
54
((
Jaun's Bazar/' at four gbld moliurs * (£8) per montli^ ariil
took Tassilfc's ftivourite sircar^ Moodoosooden Chetärjee, into Toy
Service'. For some time I was divided in opinion as to wlie«'
ther I sbould proceed td my old märkets^ Lingin and Minto^ as
an officer> and wait patiently until fiirther successes in trade had
increased my capital^ or at once pnrchase a brig^ and command'
Her. I was at least ä Week in cönsidenng tbis matter, sometimes
with my Jetsey friend, Captain Thomsen^^-Hxnnetimes alone, over
a refresbing tumbler of ^' Brandy patvnif\" but most frequentl7
wben enj63ring tbe fragrant sweets of tbe bookab;]:, to fbe viYi-
fying charmä of wbicb I fäncied myself indebted, if not for tbe
hest of my ideas, at least for tbe abundance of tbem. At length
I dedded on tbe purcbase of a brig, and told Moodoosooden Cbe^
tarjee to look out for one, tbe price of wbicb was not to exceed
four tbousand rupees §, or five bundred pounds.
Moodoosooden Gbetarjee was, as I before said, a sedäte-looking
youtb ; bis ^t and manner bad even an air of sanctity, nmdi
keigbtened by bis dress, a garment of fine linen fblded loo&äj
ö¥€ir Hm, and banging down to bis sandaled fe^t, Jiis türban
beihg of rieb muslin. On bis entrance be would make bis sedam
by raising bis bands, in a graceful curve, to bis forebead, touch-
ing it tbree times^-^^' Weil, Moodoosoodeh/' I would exdaim,
*' wbat news tbis moming ?" — £Wilii empbasis.]— '* All tbe best
news, my lord !"—.*' Wbat is it, Moodoosooden ?" — *' Notbing,
my
• GoM mohur, a gold coin, not always of the same value, but in general about
fiileen or sixteen sicca rupees.
*f Brandy and water.
X f he coGt of a hookah oomplete is at least two hundred rupees (£26). The
tobacco is fint deaned, dien cut up, and mashed with plantain, or other froits,
into a cake ; this, scented with musk, otto of roses, or other perfumes, is so be-
witdüng to the smell, as almost to tempt the palate. I have heaid that g^ls in
Bngland sometimeft nibble Windsor soap, and to them this delidous Compound
would btf a treat. The hookah-stand, usually of cut glass, is nearly füll of pure
water, through which the tobacco is drawn ; it then enters a snake, or tube, firom
twelve to fifteen feet long, the end of which, tipped with a mouth-piece, is ho-
Boured by being received into the '' white man's*' mouth, who, to sit with the
lequired dignity, must Stretch out bis legs as fai as he well can, over, and if pos-
sible, right across the table. The mouth-piece is about five inches in length.
If bdong^g to a native of rank, or wealthy merchant, it is extremely cosdy,
being of gold, set with diamonds and other predous stones. The price of a
hookah ci this kind, with the snake and its acoompaniments on a corresponding
Bc^le of magnificence, is known often to exceed a lack of rupees (£12,500).
§ The rupee is of silver, and varies in valüe according to the part of India in
which it is coined. Its general value is two Shillings and sixpence.
5S
my lard!" This odd repty at ütnt gave disappomtment toi]
hopes ; and it \ra8 not until I got used to Moodoosooden's maiiiier^
that I oould suppress thfe curiosity wHch bis mode of answering
was calculated to excite. In generale indeed^ as tnaj well be
imagined^ the natives puzzle Europeans, fresh from theit natiTe
8oil. Once^ for instanoe^ on a free tradei^B axrival off Diamoiid
Harbour, from Europe^ a baboo * having come on board^ with
bis attendants^ to make bis salam to tbe oommandeTj was ad«
dtessed witb — ^'^ Well^ Rameonnyj £all flocking round bim[]
wbat news in Calcutta ?"— '' Ob^ bad^ very bad newSj my
lord r— « Wbafs tbat? Ict's bave it."— ''Ob, Cohnd FarbU,
master, kill one croret blaek, and plentj wbite man, erery
day," to tbe consternation of all.^ — " Indeed !" said tbe pilot ;
" tbat must bare liap'pened tben, since Tve come down/* AH
were pretty well puzzled in endeavouring to ascertain wbo tbis
desperate feGlow-— '' Cohnel Forbis/' could be ; be was at lengtb
disoovered to be a personification of tbe cholerä morbus^ wbidi
bad just tbeii made its appeaiance, and was raging with fatal
▼iolenoe.
On anotber occasion, an English gentleman, wbo was gcnng
on a Visit for a few days to a fiiend ät Hoogbly, left bis bungalow
at Alqppe, in tbe cbarge of bis sircar, with strict directions to
write, sbould any tbing bappen. A day or two bad scarcely
elapsed ere a letter came frorn blackee, wbo probably wrote from
tbe dictionaiy, indited verbatim as foUows :— -
" My dear fiiend— -We all wait you : come tbis day-— tbe shut-
tei^ got quite abroad, and a nuUity tbereabouts; last night they
had very great palpitation-^-Come directly. From yourloving
fiiend and servant, Ramcunnt Bottbbjba."
On tbe receipt of tbis important epistle, tbe gentleman re«
E 4 peired
* The baboos of Calcutta are a very useful class of penons ; their biuinaa ib
to dkpose of the investments of European traden, to make purchases for them
In the bazar, and, in fehort, to provide all their neoessaries. They indeed, by
their superior skill in the axt of over-reaching, levy a duty on their employer
beyond what he expected to be called upon to pay ; but if they cheat him, they
take care that no one eise shalL The baboos of the lower description (or sircars),
wHh the vieW of getting into their power any young European, firesh fincon £u-
rope, readily oome forward with advances of cadi ; in which case they seldom fail
to reaüze a handaome interest on thdr money, charging an enonnoiu piofit of
seventy-five or a hundred per cent. on every artide fumi^ed.
t One hundied lacks of rupeei.
9Q
pidred tb Aleppe, and fbund th^t the shuttera of his bungaii
had indeed had a '^ very great palpitation/' for a hurricane liad'
blown them completely off tHe hinges ; and moreover^ ihey haA
gone " quite abroad/' or^ in other words^ were blown to the db*
tance of twenty or tbirty yards from the bouse. As for ihe
" nullity tbereabouts^" he interpreted tbat to refer to the bar&
appearaxM» of tbe walls.
One eveningy Moodoosooden entered^ witb a bearer * bebind
him> carrying a süperb brass-mounted mah(^any writing-^desk,
and requested my acceptance of it. Having presented it^ be said
l^e bad succeeded in selecting a brig just tben for sale^ Wbicb be
tbought wonld suit me. — " Sbe was/' be added^ ^^ registered at
one bundred and twenty-five tons^ Cbittagong built ; ber piios
four tbousand rupees (five bundred pounds)^ and was tben lying
in tbe river Hoogbly. I baye besides^ my lord/' resumed Moodoo«
sooden^ " engaged a rieb freigbt for you for Madras^ Pondicherry,
and Ceylon^ tbe produce of wbicb/' be added, " will more than
defiray tbe cost and outfit of tbe vessel and crew." — ^^ WeU^ Mbo«
doosooden, this is good newd ; to-morrow moming I will go witb
you to see tbe vessel." — " But tbat/' Moodoosooden rejoined^ " is
not all ; I bave secured you a good syrang t and tyndal j ■ ' *
'' Stay^ Moodoosooden^" I replied ; " first, let us purcbase tbe
vessel^ tben secure tbe crew." To tbe propriety of tbis Moo-
doosooden assented^ observing — " He was sure I sbould be ayeiy
rieb man^ for my fingers were unusually long."
. Having engaged an experienced surveyor to accompuny me^ we
repaired togetber on board tbe brig^ and Moodoosooden joined
US at gun-fire || tbe following moming. Tbe vesselj on exami«
nation, being found well calculated^ in every respect^ for an
Eastem trader, an attomey was engaged to inspect tbe ti^le-
deedß^ and draw tbe deed of sale. Having paid tbe purcbase*
money> I engaged my freigbt^ and commenced receiving cargo
tbe same week^ witb all tbe energy and spirit wbicb tbe no-
yelty of tbe undertaking could inspire me witb. Nigbt and day
all on board was a seene of bustle and activity ; we were taldng
in ballast» laying mats round tbe sides, and at tbe bottom of the
hold ; reoeiyiag rioe^ wheat, and bale goods^ and stowing them
away.
«
• A'palanquin-I^eaier, or meüIaL f Boatswain. $ His mate.
II i e. at day-lighu
AT
•
ftWay. Contmually were we 8urioun4ed hy paundhw&ys*; untfl
the brig was laden up to the very beams, and oould reedTe no
more. The freigHt paid at Calcutta deared the oost and outfit d
the yessel, as well as f our months' advance to the crew^ whidi
oonsisted of two Portugüeae secunniesf» one syrang, who was a
xaussulmaun^ two tyndals (Mahomedans), and sixteen lascars}^ oC
dififerent casts. An European officer would, I oonsidered, entail
on me an expence beyond what my means were likely to afford«
and on ihat account I dedined reoeiTing one ; I was therefore the
only European on board. My nezt object was to get the vessel
insured. I found that^ as she had only one deck, she could not
he insured " free of average/' but '' against risk" only; oons»-
quently, if she should be toialfy loft, I should recovery but not in
the case of damage. I tried to reverse this usage^ and to get her
insured " free of average^" but in vain : it was impossible under
any premium. Nothing discouraged, I supplied myself with a
good dhronometer^ (a quadrant I had); a chart of the Indian
Ocean> Horsburgh's Directory^ with a oompass or two ; and thua
equipped, I obtained my port-dearance, and reoeived on boaid
my püot. All being now ready for sea^ Moodoosooden Che«
tar}ee> whose exertions on this occasion mented my wannest
praiste, received, with apparent satisfaction^ a present of one
hundred rupees> and acoompanied me to the ghaut (or landing«
place)^ invoking the blessings of the Prophet on my head, and
. .praying that he would mak^ me very rieh.
; Before I proceed in my narratiTOj I cannot avoid remarldng
•how lamentable it is, that one can hardly move a step on fair In«
^ia's shore^ without having the feelings outraged^ or the eye of«
fended, by the savage exhibition of her barbarous superstitions
and customs. Thus^ when we reached the ghaut> we found
a miserable^ shrivelled old woman^ whcfse natural life was appa-
rently near its dose^ lying at low-water mark^ with her feet to-
wards theriver^ looking moumfuUy and in despair around her^
and waiting only for the rise of tide to cover her from the wodd
for ever. Her mouth and nostrils were nearly stu&d with mud ;
and^ incredible as it may appear^ it was by her own children that
she was left in that condition^ and doomed to that &te. Having
plaeed
• BotttsfinrtheooQTeyiuiceofcurgo.
t Quaiter«]iui8tei«. X SoiloiSi
S8
plaoed her theve^ they went away^ leaving a domestic of the &-
mily to watch^ and to prevent any ohe from interferiRg with her.
I asked Moodoosooden the reason of this^ and if her fate could not
be prevented ? — ^^ She might/' I added^ " yet recover, if carried
home> and prc^r attention were paid her ; or^ if not> it would be
an act of mercy to let the poor old creature die peaceably in her
bed." — '^ It is, my lord/' replied Moodoosooden^ ^' the custom : if
it is not her fate thus to die^ she will get up and retum home ^
but if she cannot do that^ her time is come^ and nothing can
protract it. The waters of the Hooghly," he added^ ** will pu-
lify her spirit^ and fit her to enter Paradise : hundreds die thus
every day."— '' Why do not the police look to it, Moodoosoo«
den ?"— *' The police/* he rejoined, *' do not interfere with mat-
ters of our religion." It was only the same moming, when, being
ät a dififerent ghaut, and seeing a crowd of natives, who were
fbrming a drde, and making a loud noise, to the sound of the
tum-tum, I ventnred to look in, and observe what was going for«
ward. In the midst of the drcle was a niiddle-aged female, who^
having been wrought to a pitch of extraordinary exdtement, prob-
ably by drugs, was wringing her hands and dancing in a wild
frantic manner : at h^ feet was placed a eistem of red-hot ehar-
coal, before whidi she ifirst lay prostrate, and in the height of her
frenzy, three times, for two or three seconds at a time, pressed her
£iee dosely on the fire, to the delight and admiration of the sor«
rounding crowd, testified by the clapping of hands, and by discor-
dant fihouts and yeUs. She was taken up in a senseless State, and
conveyed home in a palanquin. I could just see enough of her
face to feel regret that my curiosity had prompted me to look at it
at all.
I must not omit to mention a circumstance which, for its sin«
gularity, obtained great notoriety at the time in Calcutta. A
fdck Hindoo youth, dqprived of the use of bis limbs, was left at
the verge of the banks of the river Hooghly, at low water, ap-
parently doomed to inevitable destruction. The waters rose— co-
vered bis feet — approached bis neck — ^his chin— bis mouth — ^when,
at that moment, alieutenant of one of the Company's cruixers, who
was an eye-witness from bis ship, which lay close in shore, of the
youth's perilous Situation, and was actuated by the best of feelings
for a feUow-creature in imminent peril, manned bis boat with a
X chosen
59
chosen few of Eurqpeam, rescued the yoatli bom a bazbann»
deatli^ in spite of a formidäble host of nativesi colleeied witk
missiles aad othfr weapomi to oppose him^ and oönveyed bim on
board bis ship. Under proper treafcment tbe youtb reco^ered^ and
lived to rewaid Ins bene£u;tor^ hy proving io bim a iGutbful and
diligent servant.
To proceed witb mj naxratiye. I was now to sml as captain
and owner^ and was perbaps tbe youngest Commander tfaat erer
conducted a vessel oat of tbe port of Cakutta, not baving tbea
attained my ei^teentb jear. My otber disadvantages were hf
no means sHgbt: I bad tbe command of fofseigDm, witb wbose
language I was but imperfectly acqnainted^ and wbo, witb one
ezception^ bnew absobitely notbing of miae. My knowledge,
bowever/of Bengallee was suffident to enable me to issoe die ne»
oessary Orders wiüioiit difficul^, and tbe hebimirian I oommanded
in Poi^tuguese.
Airived off tbe Sand-beads, tbe pilot bade me iarewell, gallant-^
ly refosing tbe castomary present of fifty rupees {£6 : 5b.), le-
marldng — '^ You are bat beginning tbe world, and will requiie
tbem yourself ;" an instance of disinterestedness bigbly bonour-^
able to bim, and gratifying to my ftelisigs, bot sach as could
scarcely bav« been expected, e?en in 6ne of a raoe of men piover«
btally generous.
. The weight of responsibility attached to tbe oommand of a ship
at sea, is extremdy beäyy;^— indeed^ so oj^essive to tbe nünd, as
scarcely to be oonceiTed by tliose wbo bare not feit it. Tbe va-
luable cargo, and stiU more valnable Hves under my care, were
eonstantly, as it were, before my mind's eye, and kept me un-
ceasingly ontbe watcb for nigbts tqgetber, wben all on board*,
except tbe Portuguese at tbe beim, weze buiied in quiet and pro>
found dumber; wbenf-«
^ E'en the stats did wink, as 'twerei with OTerwatching,"
tben would I, and I alone, feel deprived of tbe power to sleep, and
pace tbe deck, shrouded in anxiety and care.
To anxiety and care, bowever, I bad one antidote, baving pro-
vided
• It may be necessary here to observe, that in the steady breezes of the trade-
winds and monsoons, a veaaeL frequently sails for däys together, without the ne«
cessity of either a rope or sul being moved, no person's Services being in requisi-
tion but those of the h^msman, ind of the officer in comtnand.
60
ridßä mjrself with my favourite authors^ Milton, Shakspea»^
Oddsmitfa^ Aildison> Sterne, and Thomson ; together witli tlie
aovels 6f Melding and SmoUett. It has often Struck me, that s '
concuirence of drcumstances more favourable to. reading, cannot
well take place, than that in which a penon'finäs liiiQself, wben
aeated to leeward, on board a sbip sailing in the Indian Ocean^
alxmt the cloie of day, with tHe wind a little befbre the beam, the
breeze refreshing the spirits, and the foam-crowned surge rushing"
by* Such a combination soothes the mind, tends to relieve cäre, «
and to diarm die soul into a-belief of happiness posseased ; thea
does thou^t oveileapits earthly boundary, and anticipate a futurs
State of ezifltence. This then was my relaxiation in the evernng,
until natuire withdrew her light. After an interval I watched
with delight, either the waves, as they assumed a silvery bright*
ness from the rising moon, or the planets and stars, now grown
fanuliar to me, as they rose and set. The benefits of sdencd like*
wise engaged my thoughts ; and, in the actüal and immediate en«
joyment of the uae of the needle, ihe Chronometer, the qüadrant,
and the invention of logarithms, which enabled me to shape my
course through the deep waters, I feit intensely grateful for.them.
In sailing along the coast of Coromandel, 6om the northward,
the onlj. relief . afforded to the eye from the harren appearance of
its Sandy beach, and the dreary aspect of its inhospitable shore,
with the exception of now and then a pagoda*, rearing its tower-
ing head, is the view of the töwns of Ganjam, Vizagapatam, and
Masulipatam. The latter is oelebrated . for the excellence of its
snuff j and at Vizagapatain are manu&ctured very neat and inige«
nious ivory work-boxes, mounted with ebony, and iplaid with
sandal wood ; they are sold for ten or fifteen pagodas f each ; and
are usually bought up as piesents for Europe. To the north of
Madras, off Pulicat, there is a dangerous shoal, called Pulicat«
shoal ; it prqjects out to sea for some^ miles, and I was particukr«
ly careful to give this fatal spot a wide birth : we passed it in
the night; and on the moming of the foUowing day, the ilag-staff
of Fort St. G^rge, and the ships at anchor in Madras roads, ap-
peared in sight. At two o'dod: I came to an anchor in eight fa-
thoms
• A place of worship of die Uindoos.
fAitur.pigodaisagold oofn of the value of three and aOialf B«. or about
dght shiUings English money. «
61
^oms WBter; and aboat Coming cß, I went on abon^ to male
ihe necessaxy anangements to disembark wj frd^t, lemiig mf
▼essel in charge of an active and intelligent Portogpua» aKmtnie^
wbo spoke a little £nglish> and was a clever aeamann
The difficülty and^ not unfrequently« äie danger of landing at
Madras are great^ fiom thetremendflüs saif> which, gathering
strength as it approaches the beach^ breaks« at tbe distance of a
mile^ and in boisterous weather, even a mÜe and a balf/fiom the
ahore. Boats'of a particular oonstructionj calkd masoolah-boats»
are inade expresslj for this Service ; the parts connecting the sidea
and'bottom of which are sewed together with'ooir* yam^ not a
nail being used. They are thns well adapted to their purpose»
yielding to the violent shod» which they reoeive^ both at sea and
on touching ground. They are each about fifteen feet long, and
seven wide^ and manned by six Indijatis' and a ^leoanan. No
sooner were we in the midst of the surf^ than on looking bdiind,
I saw a tremendous sea advandng, rising to a height which aa»
tonished me, and gaining strength every moment: before us
appeaiances were equally threatening^ We weie soon overtaken
by the wave behind^ which lifted us up on its bosom to an im«
mense height> roaring and sending us onwaid with the. 'swiftnesa
of lightning ; the Indians jabbering All the while, as if they were
alarmed— '^ Yeal-hee, yeal-hee! yeal-kee, yedUhee ! Y*,- Thii
scene, tenific as it was; .pipved to the steerfimanvbut the soene of
his '' vooation ;"• and he did .not /forget the reward in piospect,
but asked for a icür^ or preatot.. This was peibapa bis policy;
he thought, thatat 8uch"a momentj I cbuld not refuse him«
Another tremendous sea foUowed^ lifting us up still higher« and
impelHng us forward with great vekxdty« untU the finre part of the
boat took the ground ;t8he then swiftly^wheeled round on.her
beam^nds. Then it is that the danger is most imminent^for the
next sea ahnest instantly strädhg the^ side of therboat^.per«
haps upsets it« when it not' un£reque^tlylhap|)^:thät one or
two lives are lost. In our case« the boat« when Struck« tumed
very nearly over; but being« though a young man« an old saibr,
IhelJ
• Coix, 10 caUed, is tfae huak of the oocoft-nut, which bong deaned, leayet
nothmg bixt fibres, that aze made into lope, which is used as tHat ^'hcmp, 'uid
in tfae dry season is little infetior«
t Word« of encouzagemeiit, similar to oux '^ hunah !**
62
l held OQ by'the weather-gutiwale^ until succeisiye fieas tfareior
her '^ high and diy" on die beach. Palanquins without number
were loady to leceive me^ and stepping into one^ I was in a few
minutes at the Navy Hotel.
Madras^ as seen from the sea, has an imposiiig^ sihewy appear-
ance ; presenting a oontinued line of süperb buildings^ with a
penstyle of many columns in front of the verandahs along the
beach. In the rear of these buildings Stands the " TSAack Town/'
so caUed firom its being the residence of the native population.
The noble appearance of the houses fronting the beach is height-
ened by a composition^ made from sea-shells^ and called ckunam,
with which they are plastered. It is very durable^ and when
kept clean and entire^ rivals Parian marble itself^ and gives to
the ccdonades^ and indeed to any building to which it is applied^ a
iustre which^ reflected by the sun's rays^ produces an e&ct
splendid in the extreme. As to Black Town, it is nothing
more than a mass of mean houses and -huts, jumbied to-
gether with '* most adnnred discnrder:" an earthquake could
scarcdy produce more chaotic confiision. The Government House
is a handsome edifice, but not imposing in appearance ; nor will
it bear a comparison with the Government House of Calcutta. It
is situated about a mile and a half to the southward^ of Fort St.
George.
The govemor, the nulitary officers, civilians, and merchants,
reside in garden-houses, at a conveoient distance from Black
Town, whither they usually resort in the dajrtime, for the tran»-
action of pubHo or private business. Ther6 the merchants have
their offices, and there, in large rooms built for the purpose, the
shopkeepers dlsplay to the best advantage their goods, böth Eu-
ropean and oriental. After the business of the day is terminated,
usually about three o'dock, the merchants retüm to their gardens,
dress, and before dinner take a ride on thecarriage-roads, of whidi
the principal, caUed Mount-road, is the most frequented. The
garden-houses of Madras, with their accompaniments, are, in
point of eleganoe, taste, and rural beauty, nearly as captivating
as Grarden Reach, near Calcutta.
Having been fumished by my agents in Calcutta with letters
of introduction to Messrs. Ärbuthnot, De Moiite, & Co. of Ma-
dras, I was favoüred by these gentlemen with invitations to dinner
at
..']
68
at tbeir garden-houses^ wheie eveiy thing axtland me bore tbe
marks of luxurious splendour and rare knagnifioence. My es-
perienoe here proved to me that nothiog can ezceed the gaiety of
Madras society. The fortzess is separated from the town by an
esplanade outside the gates : it Stands on the sea shore^ and pta»
sents six fronts towarda the land. Its dep6ts of anns are spacioui ;
and^ with a good garrison^ k is considered capahle €i£ holding out
for a length of time against any anny that could he hron^t
against it. The accommodations for the military offioers and sol«
diers doing duty in Fort St. George are of a very superior des-
cription.
The business of emtering my vessel at the custom«house, and
making preparalions for laoding my freight, being settled, I re^
tttmed to the hotel. No sooner was I seated in a spadous roam^
. «dSbrding a pleasaQt prpspect of Fort St. George, and of the espla«
nade in fronte than a bevy of dubashes * surrounded me, eadh
eager that his Services shoold be acoepted. At the recommenda«
üon pf the master of the hotel, I seleeted one, named Koondar
Gruar; he was a tall stately personage, intensely Uack ; thiou^
his nose he wore a large gold ring; and his fingers were
00 vered with massy rings of the same predous metal, some of them
.set with topazes, pearls, and emeralds. Qf his mustachios, whidi
^ere enonnously hirge, he seemed not a little vain, for he was
jcontinually smoothing them upwards with his fore^finger and
thumb. He commented, in glowing terms, on the luxnxy of
having the fingers jointed, the ears deaned, and the nails paired,
before dinner|*and recommended me to undergo these Operations,
alleging that it was the cust&m, and very refreshing. Before I
could well make a reply, an active little personage, also with a
ring through his nose, began to pull my fingers, and made each of
them crack to pretty quick time, and not without pain ; he then,
wil^out ceremony, kid hold of my head with his two hands,
tumed it round, introduoed a small instrument into my ear, and
deaned it out, almost before I was aware what he was about ; to
ibß other, he did the same : when he had finished, he plaoed his
thumb inside the ear, and on withdrawing it, contrived, by some
manoeuvre, to produce a noise not unlike the report of a pop-gun,
and nearly as loud. Then, taking my dieeks between his two
hands,
• Simlliur to tbe baboo« of BengBl.
64
banAi^ he saddenly twisted my nebk over my right sbouUer^ and
'with such quickness and violence^ that I ahnost inu^ined a dislo-
oation to have been produced. I had little time^ howevery to
oonsdder^ for the indefatigable Operator twirled it round again^
jüst as ezpeditiously on the other side ; I was about to testify Tay
dislike to these Operations^ when> with a sudden jerk^ he restored
my head to its natural position ; and while I was doubting whe-
ther it was safe or not^ he made a very low bow^ holding out his
hand for a box (or present), Koondar Gruar and his attendants^
aU the whüe,' Standing by and looking on with great gravity. I
told Koondar Gruar to give him five Janams*, but> skilful as he
was^ resolved never again to put myself under his hands.
Another Operator then m&de his appearance^ having in one
hand, an instrument for paring my nails, and in the other, a pair
of enormous tweezers ; but I immediately arrested his progresB^
by telling Koondar Gruar " it was my intention to take that
trouble upon myself;" and added, " send all these attend^nts
away-— I want nobody at present but yourself." On this, tbey
were all, with an important show of bustle on the part of my
dubash> tumed out of the room. Soon, however, they retumed^
slily, one by one> until the room, in a few minutes, was as fuU aa
ever. Whüe I was asking Koondar Gruar if he could procuie
me any freight for Pondicherry and Ceylon, in came a ma^>
bearing on his Shoulders no less ä personage than the celebrated
'^Dtimno^rA:," adwarf, Standing hardly twenty-three inches hi^^
but having a head as large as that of a grown up person. It ap*
peaied that he had many years before made a voyäge to England^
under the care of the captain of an Indiaman, who reaped a rieh
harvest by the exhibition of him ; but whether Dumnakurk him«
seif profiited by the trip, I did not ascertain. On his retum to
his native country, the arrows of Gupid made great havock in the
breast of the little hero, who married the object of his affections,
and in 1814, was the father of seventeen children, all of then
grown up to perfeet manhood. He danced before me with infinite
glee and good humour, holding out his little hand, or rather fin,
singing — " Dumnakurk, Dumnakurk, give little Dumnakurk" untü,
beckoning Koondar Gruar, I told him to give Dumnakurk twenty
fanams. Scaicely had ]>umnakurk mounted on the back of (as I
understood)
• JB|nam> a sUver ooin, wortb »bout twopence haUpenny.
69
tibdentood) one A{ his sohs, disappeared, thaii a juggler squättej
IiinUelf down befare me, and, mthout waidng for a signal to be-'
pc, first introduced into bis mouth a sword, the blade of nUch
WM aixut twenty incliei in length, and one broad, and thence up
to the very hilt into hü atoniBch ; then dinwing it out suddenlj,
threw it down at my feet. Of thia, and of other feats of leger-
demain, such as spitdng fire, balancing hy means of the mouth,
tfaiowiog balls, &c those who have seeh Üie celebrated " Ramd
Santee" in Enghmd, may form an idea; but this juggler by faf
suipassed Bamo Samee in hifi conduding feat ; for he ActuaUy
innxd upwards, with apparent pain, and held in. his two handi,
at the distance irf seren inches firom his mouth, a gut, vrbich aftef
the lajpBe of a second or two, he replaced. I Btood within two
feet of him at the time, and was convinced that do deception
could be reiorted to. In this convictioQ I was afterwards con-
firmed, by the teBtimony of many of my otra countiyiuen, old
soJDurnen in India, who assured me it was a feat which had be-
come rery common with jugglers, but which was diacredited
t^ medical men in Kng^aSd, and even in India, until, of late,
bcular demonstiation compelled the latter to admit as a fact, what
had before appeared to them alt<^ther ibpracticable, and un-
worthy of belief. Thls ^iquidte treat, howeTcr meiitorious it
might appear in the eyes of the surrounding natives, produced a'
quahnish Sensation on my stomach ; so telling Koondar Omar ta
give the juggler five fänams, I dismissed Um, once more order-
ing Ute room to be deared. My order was apparently obeyed
with alacrity, and I was ahout to congratulate myaelf on having
göt rid of these offidous viötonts, when, on looUng round, I saw
one man still remaining, and (as he supposed) artfiiUy concealed
behind a screen. On inquiring his buBiness, he produced ironl
beneath his vest a small box, in which was a black Bcorjnon of
an enormous size ; he next csllcd my attention to' a stone of about
the nse and shape of a Iddney bean, eulogizing its virtue, ai
capable of extracting the deadly venom of the reptile'a sting ;
and to convince me of the tnith of his aasertion, permltted thö
Scoipion to sting his fore finger, which bled pro&sely, and immti-
diately cwelled. The stone, on being sf^Ued lo the wound, stuck
on for the space of a minute, and then feil off, exhibtting a gnseii
inark about the spot which had been in contact with the wonnd^
66
«nd Irving ihe finger apparently healed : him I dismused. witb
a pres^nt of three fanams. A gentle knocking at the door now
drew mj attention to a new intrusion. A man^ with a basket
fnll of " dandng serpents/' of a large and rare kind^ souglit ad-
xnittance : but mj patience being exhausted> I posdtivelj forbad
bis entrance^ ielling Koondar Gruar tbat I came to bis country
not in purguit of curiodties or pleasure^ but on business. " Ah>
master/' be repUed, " I know you wbite man all got dbver
bead : no tbink pleasur^^ tbink more bigb !"
All tbe freigbt I bad on board for Madras was soon landed ;
and I was bappy wben Koondar Gruar assured me be could pro-
cure plenty for Pondicberry» I was aware tbat a fortune was to
be niad9> if at all^ by extraordinary exertion and activity^ and bj
tbese alone« Day after ä&j, tberefore^ myself^ my dubasb^ and
my crewj were indefatigably engaged in landing and sbipping
eargo ; and during my stay at Madras^ but few bours were de-
Yoted to tbo indulgence of ease^ or of otber pleasure tban dnty.
Tbe mean^i wbicb I possessed of enjoying many bappy bours, were
amplsj from tbe circumstance of mj baving becpme acquainted
witb some of my feUow-countrymen, wbose fiiendsbip and agree-
able sooiety baye, to tbis day^ left an indelible impisession on my
beart. Our acquaintance began tbus : — ia tibe botel was a bilüard-^
tablcj at wbicbj on.my entering tbe room> I found two gentlemen
busily ei^pged, — tbe one^ a distlnguisbedGenouiinercbant, named
Endtfiddy just arrived from Padang, on tbe West Coast of Su-
matraj and wbo was tben on bis way to Bengale to conduct two
of bis daugbters bome from boarding-scbool ; and tbe otber, • a
Captain Harcourt^ commanding a brig. A young lieutenant of
tbe armyj named Bowers, and two lieutenants of tbe nayy> wbom
I afterwards found to be brotbers^ were standing round tbe table^
takjng great interest in tbe game. Englisbmen^ in a foreign
country« need no better introduction to eacb otber^ tban tbat of
moving ip tbe same spbere of society ; so tbat we all soon became
acquainted : bottled ale (esteemed a great luxury in tbe £ast)
circulated witb rapidity^ and an acquaintance in England^ of
twenty years standing, could scarcely bave made us better friends.
Endtfield was aman of about forty-five years of age, apparently
of a serious tum of mind, and of deep redection, of wbicb quali-
ties« indeed, bis countenance bore indications. He was fond of
conversing
67
amrerdng <m raatters of reügion; and possessed^ to all appeaf^
ances, a warm heart and amiable feelings. Bowers and fiarcourt)
on the contraiy^ were young and gay^ and füll of spirits^ each po^
sessing a ready and agreeablo wit : the two sailord, whose names
were John and Richard Burjen^ were dashing lieutenants^ fresh
from ship-board^ and readj for any enteiprise whatever^ whethef
ofiering a^ohance of fiin> or of danger : the eider biother höwevef
exhibited on bis brow the eridences of a cast of reflec^ion^ which
occasionall;^ inteifermg with the display pf bis natursdly convivial
disposidon^ would relieve itself with a sigh. With tbese friends
I enjoyed^ whenever the duties of my vessel afibrded me an oppor«
tunity^ some happy and delightfbl hours. I esteemed them all^
but especially the two broihers : there was a sympathy of soul
among U8> on all subjects connected with thought and sentiment;
Often would we walk together, arm in arm^ on the sandy beach of
MalalMU% while the dlveiy moon lit our footsteps — ^the balmy
sweets of a verdant country^ wafied in odoriferous and gentle gales^
enchanted our senses ; — and the hoUow roarings of the surge height«
encd the pleasing grandeur of the scene^ and inspiied in our breasts
a Sensation pleasingly awful and subHme. Then would we talk
of our aatiye land— of tliose inost dear to us in it ; and still add
another hope to thousands^ that a time would come when we
diould there all meet ha^nly onoe again. The expanse of ocean
"«-^the bloe avohed finnament^ doudless and adomed with stars and
briUiant constdlations— the surrounding country^ teeming with
objects new to us^ and the race who inherit it, would also be our
themes, until our thoughts rose to the munificent Creator of the
whole ! — the Incomprehennble ! expression then failed, and wci
would cönclude our walk, absorbed in profound and silent ad«
miration» Thrice happy hours ! never to be obliterated from my
memory : the recollection of them, even to this dayi aflbrds nie
lelief whenever I am sad !
These gentlemen and myself having reeeived from a Portuguese
merehant, of the name of Rutter, invitations to bis garden-house,
sttuated about four or five miles from Madras, it was agreed, that
with him we should take a fieffewell dinner, previously to my de«
parture. To this excellentman I had deUrered some freight from
Oalcutta, and he was good enough to shew me every possible atten-
tion duxing my stay at Madras. On the evening agreed upon^ we.
v2 CTgaged'
68
engaged three gigs to be in readiness for us hy five o'eloek ; and nt
about Halfan hour, we started; but our joumey thither and back
was replete witb disasters. In the first place^ Mr. Endtfield^ whe
drove Captain Haroourt^ could not make bis borse proceed a single
Step ; tbe application of tbe wbip only caused tbe obstinate animal
to retrograde. A fresb borse was procnied^ wbicb evinced as eager a
desire to run away> as tbe otber bad sbown an inclination not to go at
all. Tbese difficulties were scarcely surmounted, wben Bowers bad
tbemortification to discover, tbat bis dress regimental coat (wbicli,
by tbe way^ was a new one) was soiled nearly all over witb lamp
block, witb wbicb tbe inside of tbe gig was very Hberally daubed :
amd almost at tbe same time^ tbe gig in wbicb tbe two lieutenants
were going at a pretty quick rate^ or^ as tbey termed it^ " before
tbe wind*/' aiddenly stopped^ tbe eldest bawling out — *^ A-hoy
iherel — I've Sprung a leak, d'ye see;" and true enougb^ one of the
Springs bad given way^ and tbrown' tbe body of tbe gig into a
transverse position : tbey bowever galloped on, saying — ^^ Never
mind ! its only a lurck lo leeward, tbat's all !" to tbe surprise of
tbe passers-by^ wbo enjoyed tbe accident> believing it to be an in<»
tentional freak of tbe two sailors.
Mr. Rutter welcomed us witb great cordiality^ and conducted
US into tbe ball—« noble room^ tbe floor of wbicb was inlaid with
xnarble. Folding doors were now opened^ and under a scarlet vel*
yet canopy^ ricbly embroidered witb gold^ sat two lovely daugbters
of our best. Tbe eldest was an oriental beauty, and received us
gracefiilly^ wbile a pair of large black eyes sparkled a welcome.
Tbe youngest was equally bandsome — in tbe judgment of tbe
youngest sailor^ more so ; at all events^ tbe syren succeeded in
implanting in bis breast a ^' first-sigbt love/' wbicb^ I bave beard
bim say^ '^ be never could entirely forget." Otber folding doors.
were next tbrown open^ and a table sumptuously laid invited us
to be seated. Tbe soup was mulligatawny^ a £iypurite disb at
Madras» wbose inbabitants bave tbe reputation of excelling in tbe
making of it : it is a rieb curry soup» bigbly season^» and very
delidous. Ham and turkey» rice» and curries of all sorts» pasties,
and abundance of Champagne and daret» were tbe fare. After
dinner
• This phnse, ai applied to land-travelliDg, is in a fair way of beooming ap-
propnate : I allude to the reoent inventioa of propelling caniages througb a
tunnd byaneani of atmospheric presmue^
69
^&iner we retired to an ndjcnning apftrtment, where the young la^
€ies favoured us with dulcet strains fxom the piano^ in a style
teflecting müch credit on their taste and execution. An unoere«
monious dance in the hall conduded die entertainment ; and at
four in the moming, we mounted our vehides in high glee^ under
a favourahle Impression of the hospitality of our Idnd host and his
Iwo charming daughters. In me^ however, high spirits were suc«
ceeded hy husy thought on the happy moments which had sped ;
and whether it was reflection or Champagne^ or both^ that made
nie ov^-wise^ I adopted the oonvictiod ihat ' the stump of a tzee
was ashadow^ and this notable " error in judgment" hurledmy«
seif and Bowers in an instant to the opposite side of the road, and
there left us sprawling. In a little time^ with the assistanoe of
tmr fellow-travellers, who were laughing and joking all the wlule«
we were ready to start afresh, fortunately without having receiv«
ed any injury.
The foUowing day, every thing being ready fbr sea, Koondar
Omar attended me to make his farewell salam. On my taking
leave of Endtfield^ he shook me cordially by the hand^ desiringnie^
if ever I needed his assistance^ to write to him at Padang^ and to
he assured that I should nbt find myself neglected. Bowers^ Har-
oourt^ and the two brothers^ acoompanied me to the beach ; and
with exchanged ezpressions of hope that we should meet again in
some quarter of the globe or other^ I erossed the formidable surf,
Teached toj 'vesselj and set sail for Pondicherry the same evening.
The north-eastmonsoonwafted us pleasantly to the southward.
The next day^ a remarkable tuft of trees^ celebrated as a landmark,
apprised us that we were approaching Pondicherry. We stood
tinder easy sail during the night^ and on the fbllowing moming
came to an anchor in Pondicherry Roads.
Pondicherry was at that period in the possession of the Eng-
lish ; but it has since been restored to the French : it is a small
town, whither the English military officers, and dvilians^ occasion-
•ally resort for the benefit of a change of air, and for relaaution
from their several duties* No place in India has stronger attrac-
tions for yisitors than Pondidierry. A Company of French ama-
teur musidans regaled the inhabitants with music on the Espla-
nade^ in the open air^ from eight to ten^ nsually on moonligfat
siights. Private concerts^ masquerades, dances, and card-parties^
F 3 collected
70
oollected together the votaries of pleasure^ tbaft ü, witb few ex-
ceptionSy all the inhabitanta of tbis cbanniiig settlement; bat
tvbat^ more tban any tbingdse^ attracto tbe notice and admiratioo
of strazigers> is, tbe transcendent beauty of tl^e female portion of
tbose of tbe European inbabitants wbo are descendants of French
families. Tbeir complexion is a bappy combination of tbe lily
and tbe roie ; tbe giaceful ease and nnaffected freedom of tbeir
manners in tbe drawing-room^ are as captivating as tbeir mov»*
ments at tbe ball ; and tbe elegant simplidty and neatness of
ibeir dre88> exbilnt a cbasteness of taste peculiar to thenuelve^*
More Englisb bave cbosen partners for life from among the
ladies of Pondicberry^ tban from tbose of any otber settlement
of tbe same extent in India ; and eveiy matcb^ at least on the
partof tbe gentlemanj is truly a ^' love-matcb;" for tbe girls
bave no treasure bat tbeir cbarms.
Tbe cargo I bad on board was consigned to a celebrated mili-
tary offieer^ wbo badbeen one of tbe first to mount tbe breach at
tbe storming of Seringapatam, and bad tbere received a seyere
wpund. In bis dedining years» be retired from tbe toUs of bis
profession to Pondicberry; and in tbe endearments of bis lovely
Partner^ sougbt tbat repose and bappiness to wbicb^ in early li^
tbe duties and dangers of bis profession bad made bim a stoaa^
ger. He now ooncerned bimseLf witb little eise tban mercantile
pursuits on a amall scale^ and witb tbose^ more witb tbe view of
employing bis active and comprebensive mind^ tban witb tbat
pf profit. To bim tbe old and young would repair^ to seek tlie
benefit of bis counsel in time of doubt or trouble ; and at bis
bouse . I found a bappy bome during my stay at Pondicbexiy»
Tbere« tbe beauty and fasbion of tbe settlement assembled twioe
or tbrice a-week^ eitber at a dance« a card-party« or a supper j
and tbere it was I bebeld tbe lovely girl« tbe rumour of wbose
cbarms bad already resounded from one end of tbe peninsula af
India to anotber*. Tbougb descended from poor parents, ber
band« I was informed« bad been sougbt in vain by coUecton^
colonelsy and even generals : ber obdurate beart eitber coold not«
or would not« receive tbe soft impression« and sbe remuned
Single« making fresh conquests ahnost daily. At tbis period sbe
was just eigbteen« witb a form combining symmetry witb all tbe
otber
* Mademoiselle M***«y.
71
ötlier graees wliich are denrable m woman : lier cotnplexion was
like the lüy, deHcately fair^ and with the Uly would have borne
compariwtL; wUle the rose bloomed on her cheek. Her hair^
black and gloBsy, curled in all tbe sportive luxutiance of excel-
Ung nattire, over her finely-tumed neck and slioulders ; Her ex-
panded farebead^ dlken eyelasb^s^ atcbed eyebrows^ and coral
lips^ Mrere perfection ; bat her eyes ! wbo sball desqibe tbem i
tbe soul itself spoke througb tbem ; and ber angelic countenance^
animated^ open^ and free from tbe least taint of pnde or affec-
tation^ would bare persuaded one tbat sbe could love^ and tbat
in thiis respect report belied ber. The danget of bolding converse
tvitb cbarms like bers^ soon became apparent ; yet tbe attempt
iiras often made to impress ber beart witb tbat feeling whicb sbe
Seemed so eminently formqd by nature to Insplre in the breasts of
öthers; but sbe was found to be cold and unsusceptible^ and tbe
löVer £gbing^ fl^ ber presence. Tet was sbe not a coquet ; sbe
never aimed at conquest. Ofte^ ^»slgazeä, delighted^ on her
beautiful features^ did I express to lier a hope^ tjbat sbe would
itaäke some one of her numerous admirers happy ; and to strengthen
my plea^ frequently placed before her the fbllowing lines^ tbe
meaning of whicb her progress in tbe English language enabled
ber perfectly to comprehend :—
." Nay, lady.
Th<m*lt be Che enteilest she alive,
To leid an tfaese gtaeei to lAe giAve,
And leav^ the wco-ld do copy.
n
By tbe latest acoounts from India^ I am informed tbat sbe stül
adberes to ber preference of celibaey to tbe married life.
Under tbe roof of my worthy host I ^Iso saw the lovely Made^
moiselle L******b : sbe was then in deep mental distress ; and
it is in tbat State tbat beauty fi^uently assumes her loveliest
features. An Englisb lieutenant of dragoons^ in person elegant^
and of superior manners^ addressed ber witb all the ardour of . a
respectful and sincere love : sbe loved bim in retum^ and^ a stran-
ger to deceit^ ingennously told bim so^ litüe suspecting tbat a
beart devoid of every principle of honour— a soul enamoured of
depravity^ could He concealed under the mask of so fair an exte-
zior. The wedding-day was fixed ; the unsuspecting girl> sur«
rouhded by doting parents and beloved friends^ was hailed^ in
ereiy drcle^ witb congratulations and blessings: bow happy
p 4 then
72
iben wa3 her young and iuexperienced heart ! but^ alas ! how
3oon was sbe doomed to taste the bitter cup of wo^ withhdLd from
ber onlj by tbe interveiiing lapse of a few fleeting bours ! Her
lover^ unaccustomed to control bis violent and impetuous pas-
sions, marked ber as bis own, from tbe moment wben be first
saw ber^ and determined to possess ber^ even at tbe price of mar-
riage^ and of ber ruin ; be well knew bis debts were overwbebn-
ing, and bis oreditors importunate — ^he knew tbat tbe inevitable
consequence of bis marriage would be^ to be dragged firom the
bridal bedj, to a gaol ; and tbat tbe cbarms of bis victim were ber
only portion : still did be persevere^ and bad tbe art to conceal
from ber poor and aged parents^ not only tbe darling propenaities
of bis soul—^gaming« extravagance^ and debaucbery^ but also
tbe actual State of bis circumstances^ and tbe bopelessness of bi&
prospects. Tbe storm at lengtb burst^ and> as if in pity to tbe
victim^ spared ber tbe greater evil — on tbe very moming of tbe
intended nuptiak, be was arrested^ and bis real cbaracter exposed
by bis creditors. Covered witb confusion^ obloquy^ and sbame^
be was tbrown into prison^ and tbere left to brood over tbe ooa^
^uences of bis criminality and cruelty.
By tbe prompt assistance wbicb I recdved from my friendly
bost^ wboj tbrougb bis influence witb tbe master-attendant> pro«
cured me an extra supply of cargo-boats^ I was soon enabled to
effect my lading ; but not satisfied witb tbis^ be generously took
a warmer interest in my afiairs^ and I tbus succeeded in securing a
rieb freigbt from Columbo (wbitber I was next bonnd) to tbe
Mauritius ; and on my retum^ anotber from Tappanooly^ on tbe
west coast of Sumatra^ for Bengal. Tbese advantages were gieat«
and could not bave been obtained witbout tbe Intervention of so
distinguisbed and respected an individual as my friend.
It was one Sunday moming, and tbe bour eleven^ wben in
England tbe cburcb-bells are summoning to public worsbip^ tbat
on my way to tbeliouse of a Frencb mercbant^ for tbe purpose
of settling about tbe freigbt, we called on tbe bonourable Mrs.
T-^ — ip-, tbe widow of a Frencb officer, and mkde our bow to a
large party engaged at cards — a custom usual witb tbe Frencb
on Sundays« I bad not mucb time to reflect on tbe scene before
me^ wben a very sweet girl, tbe eldest daugbter of tbe bostess»
approacbed me^ and witb tbat solicitude for tbe comfort and
^nvenience of visitors^ for wbicb tbe fair of Pondicberry are
distinguisbed>
78
di«tiQgui8hed> fieated lieraelf b^ my side, dose to a «mall taUe
apart from the rest of tbe Company. Her aulium liair Hung in
ringlets o ver her fair boflom^ and a pair of soft blue eyes^ ezpiessiTe
of a desire to please^ effected tbeir object oompletely; so tbat in
thiee minutes we became as well acqusdnted and familiär a« if
we bad been intimate for as many years. Her pronnndation of
tbe Englisb langaage was imperfect ; but witb great good-na-
ture^ spreading tbe cards before us, she said — '' Now look at
me."— " Ob, tbat I certainly will !*'— " I do mean [kugbing]]
you must not any more look at de cards."— -^' No : I wül, with
your permisdon, look at you in preference." — " Very well-*«8
you please. Now tink of one card." — " I bave." — " But you
must not tdl me wbat you tink ontill I ask." — '^ Ob no."— •
^' Well den, I must tink of one also." After oonsidering, sbe
abuffled tbe cards—'' Now," sbe resümed, " You must teil
me de card you tink of." — " Tbe queen of hearU."-^** De queen
ijf hearU! bow stränge! de very card dat I did tink of tooT
Wbat tbere was in tbe mention of '' queen of bearts" to bring
into ber beauteous neck and cbeeks tbe vermilion wbicb '' spread
like a mantle o'er ber," tbose wbo are better versed tban myself
in tbe secret Impulses of tbe beart, may possibly form an idea:
I was tbat instant summoned to depart, wbicb I did reluctantly,
never baving before, in so sbort a space of time, been a party to
a friendsbip so apparently mutual. I pressed ber delicate band
at parting, and could no more dispel a sudden tremor of deligbt
wbicb tben came over me, tban I could control tbe course of tbe
planets ; and to tbis day tbe " queen of bearts" never fails to
wbisper to my memory tbe cbarms of tbe lovely Miss T .
No sooner was I usbered, by my friend, into tbe presenee of
tbe mercbant, tban be exdaimed — " Ab, be Gkt ! wbat bave we
got bere? dis be one vary young capitain indeedl" Having
seated ourselves at a table, on wbicb were pen, ink, and paper,
be satisfied bimself on certain necessary particulars, and drew
out agreements respecting freigbt, wbicb wexe mutually signed
and sealed. In a few days afterwards I set sail for Columbo,
partipg from my ftiend witb deep regtet; and not witbout waft-
ing, in many a sigb, an adieu to tbe fair inbabitants— a tribute,
) may add, exacted from tbe breast of every finglisbman on
leaving Pondicberry.
So
n
\ Bof$rmj ciire6r>as captain and cfwAer, had beeil lx>tli sooöessfiil^
■ad replete witb hxt pnimises ; eveti the winds eeemeä to encoit*
rage mj hopes. Unmolested hy a ghowet of ndn^ or by a doud in
tbe bearens^ we sailed nearlj round £he spicy island öf Ceylon, äe-
ligbted at tbe vaiiegated aspect of it^ sbores. Off TrincomflliBj^
Beligaum^ and Point de Galle^ a canoe^ laden witb tbe {^laintain^ tlie
melon^ tbe pine-apple^ tbe quinoe^ tbe lüscions jack^ the mango, th
tfweet date> and green cocoa^ would be ffequently seen approoch-
ingj and baving reacbed us, it emptied its freigbt on ovrieet
At lengtb^ we came witbin sigbt of Columbo. It wad jnst aboat
the setting of tbe sun wben tbe flag-staff appeared in si^t. Ä
dangerous rock^ called tbe *' Drunken Saihr," tbreatening m,
in a^boUow Voice, witb de^tmction among its bfeakers^ was aboat
a mile to leeward of ns. From tbe land came a gentlö ffwell^ and
a Hgbt air, wbicb but just set tbe calm bosom of tbe gUttmng
ses in motion, wbile tbe ref^^esbing :&agranc<^ ardund^ luüed the
taind into a State of luxurioas ease and enjoymedit. ' Wo came to
an anebor in tbe loadstead precisely at eigbt o'döck^ and after
squfliing tbe yaids^ and setting tbe watcb^ retired to rest.
At Columbo^ mj extreme yootb^ togetber witb tbe drcum-
stonoe» of mj baving* a oonunand^ and being owner, not only st«
tracted attentbn, but pro^ured me many friends^ tbe benefit of
wbose assistance and adriee^ affording me greater faciliti^s tban I
conld otberwise bave bad in tbe landing and sbipping of ca^^ I
enjoyed to a considerable e^ctent. Tbe eargo I now received on
board was cocoa^nut oil^ for tbe Isle of France ; and in tbree
weeks I was ready for sea. I set sail^ in tbe beigbt of tbe spirit of
enterprise, calculating my gains daily ; and^ in tbe midst cimysoth
sequent successes^ I all but fiattered myself tbat I bad gamed pos-
session of tbe pbiLosopber's stone. On tbe lowest estimate wbkh I
eould correctly make^ I calculated tbat^ on my retum to Calcutta^
wbicb I conduded would be in about six montbs frani tbis period^
I sbould be wortb six tbousand ponnds^ wbicb would justify mein
tbe ambition of aapiring to tbe command of a large sbip* ThuS;
from day to day, was my bead incessantly at work^ and my atten-
9
tion divided between the present responsibility and tbe fortune ro
prospect. " Castle-building" indeed was a sdence wbicb I studiea
indefatigably; and^ imagining tbat I saw tbe end from tbe legin-
ning^ I at once wrote to my fatber^ requestingbimto send my oiO'
ther
75
iber John, to India, aigsging to easure him Ute opportttnilj of
Qiaking, wiih the aid of industiy and prudenoe, a xapid fortune. ' 1
had afterwardi reason to regret my predpitaiicy ; faut it was a
matter cf consolation to me^ that the measuie bad ita Bouxee^ alone
in brotherly love and good Intention.
Hitberto mj navigation had been eitber in n^t of Uaiä, or
witbin a few miles of it; now I was to bid faiewell to tbe coast^
^nd e^iplore the wide waten of the Indian Ooean* Oar approadi
to the equinoctial> whose gales not nnfireqaently devote tbe ma-
riner and bis bark to the unfatbomable äeep, was marked by tbe
usual circimi8tanoe0;**-an oecasional sbower ;— shoals of ßying'
fiahes, wbich erer and anon met> on oor deck^ tbat fate witli
which some natural enem j had thveatened them in another sbape ;—
olbftcares^ darüng onward under eacb quarter ; and the dolpbin>
which, baving for a short. time sported gHblj bj oar aide,
sei^ed tbe deadly bait> and being dragged on boaid, iffid sna«
pended on a sbxoud> wouldin ita agony, exbibit its matcbless
vaiyii^ hues: the roradbous duirk too, tnraing on bis back,
would seiae the piece of tempdng flesh, and pnrsoe bis way nntO
t^ gaUing iron anested bis progreas;— ^he tries to fly« and tor«
tüured with pain and xage> oovera the sea with foam; but thei
altempt ii vain j in a short time bis böge, «inaeemly careaae Hea
cKtended on our deck— in vain hia powerfiil tau lasheait-*^ Taii»
he opens wide bis eiMrmotia jaws, lined wilh quadruple rows of
piereing teeth, wkidi he ifnaahes in agony; the waty seamaiiy
batchet in band, and willi rauaeular am, after repeated Harns,
wvers tbe head frmn the body, aad leaves it, in its gora, on tb0
deck.
Feeling the weigkit of Ihe reiponaibility atlaehed to my
oommand less serendy at sea than when sailing akng tiie
CimmiaBdel Coast, I was the moi« disposed, during my kärarer
hours, to indulge in my favooiite punrait of xeading. The
German flute was another sooBce of amusement. My table being
^mply i^j^j^ied with mutton aad poultry, ham«, wiaiea, and
Uquemra» how (rfken would I inwardly xejoioe» when I compated
my own sueoesses, and happy state, with ihe ccmdition of oti^era f
j)Aj, I almoet imagined tbat the loud complaints of poverty and
misfortune weve the outcry of the idle and dissolttte ahme ; and
Game to tbe eosdusiDn, tbat no art could be nuNPe easily acquired
than that oi becoming rieh.
Once
76
' Once everjT mohth> on the first night of the new moon^ Üie
letscars^ conformably to their custom^ approached me^ one by one,
to make their obeisance^ involdng^ at the same time^ the protec-
tion of the prophet Mahommed for the next month^ and thankin^
him for the blessings of the last. During the evenings^ the Por^
tugueae would, o% in the waist^ beguile the hours with a son^
and cheering chonii^ while the lascars pursued their several avo-'
cations by themselves. Few ships' companies were happier than
mine— few Commanders more wilHngly obeyed.
Six weeks after our departure from Ceylon^ we made the lati-'
tude of the Isle of France^ being, according to my calculation>
distant £rom it about one hundred and twenty miles^ due Easi.
In two days and nights we ran down not less than three hundred
and fifty miles of longitude^ but without seeing land. After a
time^ one of the secunnies announced " Land in sight !" but^ on
going aloft^ I found the supposed land to be but a doud,
which^ in a few minutes^ disappeared altogether. About two
p. fn« however^ I saw^ as I thought^ land from the deck^ bearing
the shape of three black^ sloping hillocks ; but this too proved a
deception^ and^ like the former^ vanished from our sight^ first
altering its shape^ and assuming the appearance of a Castle^ then
that of a black mountain: during the night my anxiety was
considerable. With a favourable breeze^^ we stood on^ under
easy sail^ until half-past four a. nu when our hopes were revived
by the appearance^ at dawn of day (five o'dock), of something
which; from the deck indeed, was hardly to be distinguished from
a doud^ so much did it resemble one, but which I was^ on going
aloft, convinced, from the distinctness of its form rising from
fehe glittering sea, was not the shadow, but the substance. By
ten o'dock we reached the north-east point of land, and sailed
«lose in shore, in order to reach Port Louis. The blue water
near the shore was so remarkably dear, that we could plainly
perceive the bottom, at the depth of fifteen fathoms, or ninety
feet, to appearance not more than four ; thus were the secrets of
the deep unfolded to our admiring view ;— large< beds, or rather
forests of coral> red and white, the grotesque branches of which
eztended for miles, and among them, fishes unknown in Europa,
and of various sizes and hues, swimming in sportive gambds.
We were now sailing round perhaps the sweetest island that
rears its head above the waters of the globe. The fragrance,
wafted
77
wafted in soft breezes from the land^ was delightf ul : here and
there^ a cottage near the sea beach^ greeted our siglit^ adomitig ä
fairy scene^ in wbich a luxuriant verdure^ and trees of great sLze
and beauty^ were oonspicuous : not a canoe> nor a human being;
could we see; all was still^ and silent as tbe tomb. It was a
scene of such beauty and repose^ as almost to persuade me that I
was favoured with an unearthlj vision.
At two o'dock the town of Port Louis appeared in sight ;
and shortly after a pilot came on board, who brought us to an
anchor in the inner harbour. At four, I reached the '' Hotel
Anglais/' not without congratulating myself on having^ without
the assistanoe of European skills navigated my bark thou-
sands of miles^ and brought her safe into port. I lost no time
in making preparations fbr the landing of my freight^ which^ iii
a few days, I commenced under the encouraging and cheering
prospect of a speedy termination.
Port Louis^ the capital^ is a pleasant^ dean town^ situated
partly on a plain^ partly on the dedivity of a mountam^ called Le
Pouce, which towers in its rear^ and above which rises the lofty
peak of '^ Peter Botre/' two thousand five hundred feet above the
level of the sea. The Govemment-house faces the landing-place.
It is^ however. the beauty of the country which forms the prin-
cipal charm: if the shores of the Isle of France^ as seen from the
deck of a yessel^ are inviting^ how enchanting and lovely is its
interior scenery ! The rural Arcadian cottages of the planters,
the neat huts of the slaves^ the rieh verdure, the hiHs^ dales,
iivulets^ mountains^ and glens, omamented by stately trees^ the
tamarind, the mango^ the cocoa^ and o^ers, combined too in a
manner peculiarly diversified^ wild^ and luxuriant, inspire the
stranger with wonder, rapture, and delight. In this paradise,
even the slave appears to forget bis real condition. Often as he
proceeded to bis daily labour, have I heard Mm carol bis song
of content and happiness*. Dear country ! where were spent
some
* In maldiig tfau remar]^ the authmr does not mean to oonvey tfae remotest
idea of the general condition of the slave ; that condition is not better than that
of the slaye of any other countiy. His happiness, even when at leisure to con-
template the xund scenery of this ddightful'island, Is bat apparent, and on the
nir&ce. Of the immpdiate effects, and the tendency of sUvery, even under ita
best, äiat is, its most deceptive aspect, the author's opinion remains unchanged.
See Index— «< Skvery.'^
78
8ome of the kappiest af my youthful iaj», whicb fled^ too 4000
away.
Behind Port Louis is a wide plain> called ihe " Champ de
Mars;" there the band of the English regiment plajed everj
Sunday evetmig, fbr three or four liours ; and thete^ bundieGb
of girls^ in nature's most alluring cbarm^ " äsazliag Beaiity^ at*
tended by her Graces^" were seen in tbe enjoyment of oonscious
happiness^ gay, yet preserving an amiable decorum of manner^
wbicb> tbougb beightening tbeir attractions^ was^ in f act> not the
weakest of tbeir safeguards. Tbe island indeed is tbe Isknd of
Calypso ; and sbould anotber Telemacbus be wrecked on its sboxesf,
bis Mentor^ tbougb be migbt^ and probably would> bave to
reglet bis entanglement in tbe snares of loye> would bave bo
cause to fear bis falling a prey to vice. But tbougb tbe isLuid of
love^ it is tbe island of misfortune. Subsequently to tbe autbor'a
arrival in 1814^ Port Louis lost two-tbirds of its bouses by fixe:
and recently (1824), a severe burricane caused serious damage
to tbe crops^ and ruined many of tbe inbabitants : but if aay
tbing be wanting to entitle it to tbese distinctions, tbe patheiie
bistory of Paul and Virginia will supply tbe defect ; andaltbougfa
frora tbe cdrcumstance of its being g^ierally known^ tbe reader
may tbink tbat a mere reference to it would bave been suffident^
I cannot resist tbe temptation to sketcb a brief outline of it, trusfr»
ing for bis indulgence to its autbenticity and interesting natuve. :
Monsieur de la Tour, a native of Nonnandy, arrived on tbe
island in 17^6, bringing witb bim a young and beautiful wife,
wbom be bad marricd witbout fortune, and in Opposition to tbe
will of ber relations. A sbort time after bis arrival, be em«
barked for Madagascar, to purcbase a few slaves, leaving bis wife
to await bis retum, and tbere feil a victim to tbe pestilential
fever. No sooner did tbe intelligence of bis decease reacb tbe
Isle of France, tban bis efiects were seized (probably üit debt),
and bis widow, wbo was pregnant, found berself left destitute in
a Strange country, witb no otber eartbly support tban one female
negro slave, named Mary. From affection to tbe memory of ber
busband, wbom sbe dearly loved, sbe was unwilling to accept.
protection &om a second; sbe tberefore resolved to cvdtivate a
little spot of ground witb tbe assistance of ber slave, and tbus-
proeure for botb tbe means of subsistence. Misfortune baving
armed
79
armed her widi eouiage, she traTened tiacks the moet reiMlo
aod desolate, dreary and unknown. . A spot wa« at laat fiarad
upoii> the intmediate neighhourhood of which had beea alzeady
inhabited a jear bj a young female, named Margaret, who, when
surpcLsed by the stiangeiB, was suckling her infant. Hargarei
was a native of Brittany, and had been seduced by a gentlemaai
who, adding inhumanity and injustice to aeduction, refiued to
provide for the child of which he was the father. She therefort
determined to leave her native TiUage, and seek an a^hua fiir
herself, her child, and a faithful slaye, named Domingo, in some
distant land« in which ehe hoped to remain conoealed fnm. the
observatioga of mankind, or one in whidi, if inhabited, the loas
of her only portion, her rqputation, would be unknown.
Madame de la Tour and Margaret, thrown together under such
cireumstances, naturally formed an attachment to each other,
wlsadk ultimately ripened into the most tender and permanent
fidendship. This mutual bond was soon rendered strongev by the
drcumstance of Madame de Ja Tour's giving birth to a gid, whom
she nawed Fnginia, Margaret's boy, but: a twelvemonth elder,
being named PauL
Thefbndness of thetwo chiUien fbr each other was remarkable^
eyen in their infancy> and is thus described by St. Pierre^-*-*'^ No<
thing Qould exoeed the attachment which these infants already
displayed for each other* If Paultioniplained, his mother pointed
to Virginia ; and at the sight of her, he smiled, and was ^ppeased,
If any accident befel Virginia, the cries of Faul gave notice of
the disaster, and tben Virginia, would suppreas her oomplaints,
finding that Paul wad^unhappy* When I came hither, I usually
found them quite naked, which is the custom of this country, tot«
texing in theij* walki and holding each other by the hands, and
under the arms, as we represcmt the constellation of the Twina»
At night, these in&nts often re&ised to be separated, and were
found lyingin the aame cradle, their oheeks, their bosoms, pressed
dose together, their handa thrown round each other'a necks, and
sleq>ing, locked in one another's anns."
In this State of humble sedusion did Madame de la Tour and
Margaret lead their lives, Rice and fruit, spread on plantain leaves
on the ßoox of tbeir hut, formed their homely repast; and their
Chief delight coosisted in their )oye for. Faul and Virginia, in
contemplating
80
oontemplatiiig theh: innoeence and beauty, and in daäy di^-
tOY&nßs of new graces. With the excepdon of an aged n&gh'*-
boor (the original narrator of the tale)^ this litüe family had> for
yeanr^ no intercourse with anj human being whatever. A hirge
dog^ named Fidelle^ and a goat^ formed the only addition to their
establishment.
The loves of Paul and Virginia increased with their years ;-
they each seem to have been endowed with extraordinary qua«
lities> mental as well as personal : — ^'^ Virginia was gentle^ modest^
and confiding as £ve; and Panl^ like Adam^ united the figure of
manhood with the simplicity of a child/* Scarcely had Vir-
^nia attained the age of fourteen^ when this peaceful and happy
sodety was surprised by a visit from no less a personage thai»
Monsieur de la Bourdonnais^ the govemor of the island^ who was
the bearer of letters and costly presents to Madame de la Tour,
from an aunt of hers at Paris^ a lady of quality and immensdy
rieh. She had deputed the govemor to cause Virginia to be
immediately sent to her at Paris^ for education^ alleging it to
be her intention to make her heiress to all her wealth« It
was with extreme difficulty that Monsieur de la Bourdonnais
oould persuade either Madame de la Tour or Virginia, even to
listen to entreaty; and it was not until af^r frequent intern
views had taken place, and urgent remonstrances been resorted
to, that he could obtain a hearing. At length, Madame de
la Tour, with the view of benefiting her child, as well as from
the fear of offending her aunt, succeeded in persuading Vir-
ginia to proceed to Paris, with an understanding, however, that
if 80 did|K)6ed, she should retum immediately. All Virginia's
care, previous to her departure, was dizected to the one
object of soothing her beloved Paul, whose heart was nearly
broken at the proqpect of their Separation : she solemnly promised
him to retum, and be his ; swore fidelity to him, and reeeived
bis pictvre, pladng it in her bosom ; and dedaring, with aflood of
tears, that death alone should part them, she embarked.
After a lapse of eighteen months, Paul reoeived from bis Vir«
ginia a letter, overflowing with tendemess and fond vows of at-^
tachment, but evidently written underpainfulfeelings, augmented
by an anxiety to suppiess them ; all that could be gleaned was,
that her relation was unkind, reproaching her because she could
not
81f
Hot read and write— with havinghad the 6ducation of ä a^r^ant >-«
and tliat she had HHnned a deleniiiiiatioD to xetum aa aoon atf
poflsible.
At the expiradan of a few mcmtha trom thia period, amved
another letter written in the offing, on board a ahip named the
Saint Oeran^ and announdng her actual alrivaL This intelli*'
gence waa reoeived by the whole fiumly with delight^ but hy Pauli
with a hurst of extatic jqr:—- What followaia an estractfrom the
work itself«
'' It was^" says the narrator, '^ about ten at tiight, and I waa
going to eactinguwh my lamp, when I peroeiyedt thiough the pali«
Bades of my hut^ a light in the wooda. I aioee, and had just
dressed myself, when Paulj half wild and panting for breath,
iprung on my neak^ cryingy ' Gome aloiigy come along, Virginia
is atrived t Let us go to the port: the yeasel will anchor at break
of day/
'' We inatantly seft offi As we were fxaTeraing the woods of
the Sloping Mountain^ and were aheady on the road which leadtf
from the Shaddock Grove to the port> I heard some one Walking
behindus. When the person^ who was a negro> and who advanced
with hasty steps^ had reateked us^ I inquired whenoe he came, and
whither he was going with such ekpeflition. He a&swered^ ' I
camefrom thatpartofthaiskndcallddGeldenDust, and am aent
to the port> to inform the goremor that a ship fiom Faokce had
anchored upon the island of Amber; and fines guns of distressi
for the sea is very stonny/ Having seid this, the man left utj
and punoed his joum^.
'Let US go/ Said I to Paul, ' towarda that part of the ialand, and
meetVirghua; it is only thxee leagues firomhenoe. Acoordingly
we bent our course thither. The heoit was ita£R)cating. The
moonhad risen, and was enoompassed hf ibtee large bladc didda»
A dismal darkness shrouded the sky ; but the fre^ent flashes of
lightning disoovered long chains of thi€k doudift, gloomy, low
hung, and heaped tc^ether over the middle of the islandj after
having xdled with great xapidity fiom the ocean, althoug^ we <
feit not a bieath of wind upon the land. Aa we walked ahnigi
we thought we heard pealr of thunder ; but after listening more
attentively, we found they were the soonds of distant cannon^ fe«
peated^by th€f echoes« Those sounds^ Joined to the tempestueue
Gr aspeci
8ä
aspeet of tte hcnveas^ tnadö tne shudder. I had little döubt fhaf
they were sigoak of distress fSrom ä ship in danger. In lialf an
Hour the firing ceased> and I feit the silence more appalling than
tbe dismal sounds whicb liad presceded.
" We bastened on without uttering a word^ or daring to com-
mnnicaite our mutual appreliensions. At midnight^ we arrired
on the ftea shore at tbat part o^ tbe Island. The billows bioke
against tbe beacb witb a bonible noise^ covering tbe rocks and tbe
Strand witb tbeir foam^ of a dazzlingwbiteness^ and blended witb
gpeaks of fire. Bj tbe pbospboric gleams^ we distinguisbed^ not-
witbstanding tbe darkness^ tbe canoes of tbe fisbehnen^ wbich
they bad diawn far upon tbe sabd.
''Near tbe Aote, at tbe entrance oiP a wood^ we saw a fire^
round WUtb several of tbe inbbbitants were assembled. Tbitber
we repidred, in order to repose ourselves tili moming. One of
tbe circle related^ tbat in tbe aftemoon be bad seen a vessel driren
iowards tbe island by tbe currents ; tbat tbe nigbt bad bidden
it from bis view; and tbat two bours after sunset be beard tbe
firing of guns in distress^ but tbat tbe sea was so tempestuoiis^
tbat no boat could venture out : tbat a sbort time after^ be tboug|ht
be perceived tbe glimmering of tbe watcb-ligbts on board tbe ves-
sel^ wbicb^ be feared^ by its baving approacbed so near tbe coast^
bad steered between tbe main land and tbe little island of Amber,
mistaking it for tbe point of Endearour^near wbicbyesselspass in or-
derte gain Port Louis. If tbis was tbe case^ wbicb, bowever, be conld
not affi^n^ tbe sbip, be apprebended^ was in great danger. Anotber
islander tben informed ms, tbat be bad frequently crossed the
obannel wbieb separates tbe isle of Amber from tbe coast, and
wbich be bad sounded ; tbat the anchorage was good, and tbat
tbe ship would there be in as great security as if it were in bar«
bour. A tbird islander dedared it was impossible for tbe ship to
enter tbat cbapnel^ whicb was scarcely navigable for a boat. He
«Bserted^ tbat be had seen the vessel at anchor beyond tbe isle of
Amber, so tbttt if tbe wind arose in the moming, it could eitber
put to sea^ or gain the harbour. Different opinions were stated
upon tbis subfect, wbich, wbile those indolent creoles calmly dis*
cussed, Paul and I observed a profound silence. We remained on
tbis Spot tili break of day, wben the weather was toobazy to per-
mit of our distinguisbing any object at sea, whicb was covered
with
39
#itli fog. All that we oould descxy was a daik gpotg wbich iliey
told US wm the Isle of Amber^ at a distanoeof a quarter of a lesigu«
from fhe ooast. We could only discem, on this gloomy daj, the
{xnnt of the beach wbere we stood^ and the peaks of some mouiu
tains in the interior of th^ island^ rising occasumally from amidsl
the douds whichhung around them.
'' At seven in the moming we heard the beat of drums in the
Woods ; and soonafter^ the govemor, Monsieur de hi BourdonnaiSy
taived on horseback, foUowed by a detachment of soldiers armed
witb musket0, and a great number of islanders and Uacls. He
ranged his soldiers upon ihe beach, and oidered them to make a
general discfaarg^ which was no sooner done, than we pnoeiTed
a glimmering light upon the water» which was instantly succeede4
by the.soundof agun. Wejudgedthattbe diip was atno great
distanoe, and rbn, towards that part where we had seen the light.
We now disoemedj througjh the fog, the bulk and tacUing of a
large ressel; and, notwithstanding the noise of the waves, we
werenearenough to hear the whistle of the boatswain atthe helm^
and tbe shouts of the mariners. As soon as the Saint Geran per-
eeiyed that we were near enougjh to give her sucoour, she con^
tinued to fire guns r^gularly at the interval of three minutes*
Monsieur de la Bourdonnais caused great fires to belightedat cer-;
tain distances upon the Strand, and sent to all the inhahitants of
tliat neighbourhood, in search of provisions, planks, caihles, and
empty baxvds. A crowd of peqple soon arrived, accompanied by
their negroes, loaded with provisiona and ri^;ing. One of the
moft aged of the planters approaching the govemor, said to him,
* We haTe heard all night hoarse noises in the mountain, and in
theforests : the leaves of the trees are shaken, alth^ugh there is
no wind ; the sea-birds seek refuge upon the land : it is certaiir
that all those signs announce a hunitiane/-— ' Well, my fxiends,'^
answered the goyemor, ' we are prepared for it ; and no doubtr
the vessel also.'
^^ Eyery thing, indeed, presaged the near approach of the hur*
xieane. The oentre of the douds in the xenitli was of a dismal
Uack, while their skirts were firinged wil^ a oopper hue. The air
resounded with the cries of the frigate-bird, the cur«*water, and a
Hkultitude of other sea4xirds, whidi, notwithstanding the obscuzity
G 2 . of
84
of tlie atmöspliere^ bastened from all points of the "koiAzoiL tö ^1c
for slielter in tlie Island.
'' Towardß nine in the moming^ we heard on the side of the
ocean the most terrific noise^ as if torrents of water^ mingled with
thunder^ were rolling down the steeps of the mountains. A general
cry was heard of ' There is the hurricane !' and in one moment a
frightful whirlwind scattered the fog which had covcred the Me
of Atnher and its Channel. The Saint Greran then present^ itself
to our yiew : her gallery was crowded with people^ her yards and
main-top-mast laid upon the deck, her flag shivered, with four
cahles at her head, and one by which she was held at the stem.
She had anchöred between the* Isle of Amber and the main Iand>
within that chain of breakers which encircles the isLand, and which
bar she had passed over in a place where no vessel had ever been
before. She presented her head to the waves which tolled from
the open sea ; and as each billow rushed into the straits, the ^p
heaved, so that her keel was in air, and at the same moment her
Stern, plunginginto the water, disappeared altogether, as if it were
Swallowed up by the surges. In this position, driven by the winda
and waves to^^rds the shore, it was equally impossible for her to
retum by the passage through which she had madä her way ; or
by cutting her cables, to throw herseif upon the beach, from which
she was separated by sand bahks, mingled with breakers. Eveiy
bülbw which broke nponthe coast, advancedroaring tothe bottom
of the bay, and threw plahks to the distance of fifty feet upon the
land ; then, rushing back, laid bare its sandy bed, from whidi it
xoUed immense stones, with a hoarse dismal noise. The sea,
swelled by the violence of the wind, rose higher every moment :
and the channel between this Island and the Isle of Amber was
but one vast sheet of white foam, with yawning pits of black deep*
biUows. The foam boiling in the gulph was more than six feet
high ; and the winds which swept its surface, bore it over the
steep coast more than half a league upon the land. Those innu-
merable white flakes, driven horixontally as &r as the foot of the
mountain, appeared like snow issuing from the ocean, which waff
now confounded with the sky. Thick douds of a horrible form,
swept along t^e zenith with the swiftness of birds, while othertf
appeared motipnlessas rocks. No spot of azure could be disoemed
in
85
]B the finoament ; ouly a pale yellow ^eam cUsplaycd tlie olject»
of eatih, Ben, and skies.
. '' From the violent efibrts of die ship, what we dreaded hap«
pened« The cables at the head of the vesBel were tom away ; i%
W^ then held by one anchor oiily^ and was instaatly dashed upon.
the rocks, at the distanoe of half a cable's length irom the ahore*
A general cxj of honor issued from the speotators : Paul rudi^
towards the ^ea> when aeiaing him hy the anxij I exdaimed^
' Would you peijsh?'— *'Let me go to aaye her/ cried he, 'or {
die !' Seeing that desBair deprived him of zeaaoiij Domingo and I,
14 osflet topresenre him, faatened a long eoordxound hia waiat, and
aeüsed hold of each end« Paul then predpitated himself towarda
the ahipj how swimming and now Walking upon the break^n«
/Sometimes he had the bope of reaching the vesse!, which the ae«
in ita irregulär movementa had left almoat dry, ao that you cquI4
have made ita circuit on foot ; bat suddenly the waves advancing
widi new fury, shrouded it beneath the mountaina of water, whic^
then lifted it upright upon its keeL The billowa at the samt
moment threw the unfortunate Paul far upon the beaoh, hia legp
bathed in blood, hia boaom wounded, and himself half dead. The
j^noment he had reoovered hia senaes, he azoae and i:6tumed witk
new aidour towards the vessel, the parta of which now yawned
Asund^, from the violent strokes of the billowa. The crew theo,
despi»iring of their safety, threw themselres in crowdsintothe aaa,
upoi^.yairds, planks, hencoopa, tablea^ and barrela. At th]s.mo«
m^nt we beheld an object fit to exdte eternal aympathy j a young
lady, in the gallery of the stemof the Saint Oeran, atretching out
heir arms towards him who made so many efforts to join hyar :— It
was Virginia! ahe had disoovered herlover by hia i^trepidi^.
. The sight of this amiable young woman, ezppsed to auch hoacxible
danger» fiUed us witJi imutterable deqnir. , Aa for Virginia, with
a ßxxß and digoiQed xnien, she waved her hand,as if biddlng usan
eternal farewelL All the sailors had.flung themselvea in^pthe
aea» ^c^t.one, whp still remained upon the defk, and who was
naied, and atrong as Hercules. This man.approacbed Virginia
with xespect, and kneeling at hee feet, attempted U), force. h^ \o
throw off her dothes; but ahe repulsed him with modesty, and
tumed away h^ head^ Then was heard redoubled qijes from thß
apectatorsj ' Save her ! Do not leave her !* But at that moment a
o 3 mountain
86
moantain billow, of enormous magnitude, engulfed itself letweev
the Isle of Amber and ihe coast^ and menaoed the shattered Tefsel,
towards which it rolled^ bellowing, with its black sides and foam«
ing head. At this tembl6 dight the sailor flung liimself into the
sea ; and Virginia, seeing death inevitable, placed one band npon
ber clotbes, tbe otber on ber beart, and lifting up ber lovdj eyea,
seemed an angel prepared to taike ber fiigbt to beaven.
'' Oh, day of borror ! Aias, every tbing was swallowed up by
tbe relentless billows. Tbe sorge tbrew some of tbe spectators
facr npon tbe beacb, wbom an Impulse of bumanity prompte! to
advance towards Virginia, and also tbe sailor wbo bad endeavouiw
ed to save ber life. Ulis man, wbo bad escaped from almost cer«
tain deatb, kneeling on tbe sand, exclaimed-— ' Ob, my God ! tbou
bast saved my life, but I would bave giren it willingly for that
poor young woman/
" Domingo and myself drew Paul senseless to tbe sbore, the
blood flowing from bis moutb and ears. Tbe govemor put bim
uito ibe bands of a surgeon, wbile we sougbt along tbe beacb for
the ooipse of Virginia. But tbe wind baving suddenly cbanged»
wbicb frequently bappens during hurricanes, our search was
Vain; and we lamented that we epxjlA not eren pay tbis unfortu*
nate youiig woman tbe last sad sepukbral duties.
'^ In tbe mean time, Paul, wbo began to recover bis senses;, was
taken to a bouse in tbe neigbbourbood, tili he was able to be re«
moved to bis own bai)itation. Tbitber I bent my way witb Do-
mingo, and undertook tbe sad task of preparxng Virginia's mo^
tber and ber friend for tbe melandioly event wbicb bad bappen-
ed. Wben we reacbed tbe entrance of tbe Valley of tbe liTer of
Fan-Palms, seme negroes informed us that tbe sea bad tbrown
many pieces of tbe wreck into tbe opposite bay. We descended
towards it, and one of tbe first objects wbicb Struck my sight
upon tbe beacb, was tbe cozpse of Virginia. Tbe body was half
covered witb sand, and in tbe attitude in wbicb we bad seen her
perisb. Her features were not dianged, ber eyes weze dosed^
her countenance was stUl serene ; but tbe pale violets of death
were blended on ber cbeek witb tbe blusb of virgin modesty ; one
of ber bands was placed upon ber dotbes, and tbe otber, which
she hdd on ber beart, was fast dosed, and so stiffened, ibat it
was with difficulty I took firom its grasp a small box. How great
was
er
,whicb shq had promised liini never to p%irt jsvith wbfle sho Uvedi
At the sight of tliis last mark of the fidelity aud tendero^u of tbe
ynfoi^tuiiate girl^ I wpf«t bitCerlj« A9 for Domipgo^ he beat
bis breast, and pierced tbe air witb }m ciies« We «arried thi»
body of Vir^ioia to 4 fisber's but, and ^ve it in cbarge to lome
poor Malabor women, wbo carefully wasbfid awaj tbe sand«
*' Wbile tbey were empk^ed in tbi^ mdanchAj o&ee, we as«
cended, witb trembling ßtejw, to tbe pb^tation« We found Ma-
dame de la Tour and Margaret at pniyer> wbile waiting for
tidings hcm tbe ship. As soon 90 Madame de la Tonr saw me
Coming, sbe eagerlj cxied^^' Wbere is my cbild, mj dear cbild?'
— -My idlenoe and my tears apprixed ber of b^ misfortuns. Sbe
was seized witb convulsive stiflings, witb ^agonizing pains, and ber
▼oice was only beard in groana. Margaret cried-*-^ Wbere is mf
son ? I do not see my son 1' and fainted. We ran to ber assist«
ance : iq a short time sbe recoYered ; and being «ssured tbät ber
son was safe, sbe tbougbt of succouring ber firii^ndj wbo bad long
successive faintings. Madame de laTour passed tbe nigbt in
sufibrings so exquisite, tbat I became coQvinced tbere was no m»*
row like a motber^s sotrow.
'^ Monsieur de la Bourdonnais sent to apprine me secreüy, tbat
tb^ cotpse of Virg^mia bad been borne to tbe town by bis order,
jrom wbenoe it wa» to be transfeired to tbe ebu^ipb of tbe Sbad»
dock Grove. I bastpned to Port Louis, ^knd found a multitude
.assembled firom all parts, as if tbe island bad lost its fwest Orna-
ment. Tbe vessels in tbe barbour bad tbeir yatds /crosaed, tbeir
flags boisted, and fired guns at intervals. Tbe grenadiera led tbe
f uneral processioi^ witb tbeir musketä reversed, tbeir drams muf-
fled^ and aending fortb slow dismal Sounds. Eigbt young ladies,
dressed in wbite, ^nd bearpg palijis in tbeir b«nd/s> supp(»ied tbe
pall of tbeir amiaULe companion, whicb wim strew^ witb flowenu
Tbey we^ followed by a band of diildren, cbauntmg b3rauis,
and by tbe governor, bis ^eld-officerSi all tbe pxincdpal iababi-
tants of tbe island, and an immense ci»wd of peo^j^
'' Ibis funer^ »olemnily 1^ been ordered by tbe administro-
.tion of tbe oounl?^, wbo wer;^ desi|o|is of ipßämng bonopra «0
tbe virtue of Virginia. Comjpanies of young girls ran from die
]^ei|^bbouziiig plantatipna to ^oucb tbe cpffiA* witb tbeix scarfs,
o 4 cbaplets.
8»
«liapletS; and cro wns of flowen—mothers asked of Hearea a dnld
Jike ViTginia-4over8> a heart as futhful— «the poor, as tender a
friend— and the slavei^ as kind a mistress.
'' She was interred near the church of the Shaddock Giore,
upon the westem side^ at the foot of a copse of bamboos^ where^
in Coming from mass with her mother and Margaret, she loved to
repose herseif, seated hy him whom she called her hrother.
" Paul roamed about the island, attended hy faithful Domingo,
and his dog Fidele, in a State of frantic melancholj, and died
^wo months after the death of Virginia, whose name dwelt
upon his lips, even in his expiring moments. Eight da3r8 after
the death of her son, Margaret saw her last hour approadi, with
that serenity which virtue only can feel. She bade Madame de
la Tour the most tender farewell— * In the hope,' she said, ' of a
pweet and etemal re-union. Death is the most predous good/
added she, ^ and we ought to desire it. If life be a punishment,
vre should wish for its termination; if it be a trial, we shoold b9
ihankful that it is short/
ff The govemor took care of Domingo and Mary, who wete m
longer able to labour, and who sunrived their mistresses but a
fihort time. As for poor Fidele, he pined to death at the period
he lost his master.
'' Madame de la Tour endeavoured to comfort Paul and Mar«
garet tili üie last moment, as if she herseif had no agonies to
bear. When they were no more, she used to talk of ihem ai
of beloved friends, from whom she was not distant. She sarrired
them but one mcmth.
'^ The Yoice of the peeple, whidi is often silent with regaid to
those monuments reared to flatter die piide of kings, has giyen
to some parts of ihis islaad, names which will immortalize the losi
of Vu^inia. Near the Isle of AoAer, in the midst of sand
banks, is a spot oaUed the ' Pass of Saint Geran,' from the name
«f the yess^ whieh there perished. The extremity of that point
of land, which is three leagues distant, and half oovered by the
wayes, and which the Saint Geran eould not double, on die
night preceding the hurrioane, is called the * Cape of Misfor«
tune;' and where Virginia was foundburied in the sand, the ' Bay
oftheTomb.'
ff Th^ body of Paul was placed by the side of his Virginia» at
th§
89
49ie fbot of die aaine ihruilM. At tlie bottom of tbe Bay of ^
Tomb> two mouiids are nüed to tlieir memory ; and of the
«Irangen who Lmd on the idand^ Um ihere aie wli6 oadt to rmt
them.: On that hallowed spot the vemaiaa of liheir mothen
and faiüiful senrants aze alm laid."
The glowing description ihiu giyen hy St« Piecie^ of the loves
and miafortiinea of theie pattems of tnith^ cannot fiul to toodi
a heart of sennbality ; bat how mneh ia the interest inoeaaed
by wandering among the very aoenes which witnetsed them!
How often did I deplore the fate of theie loven^ and heave ihe
o^ of sjrmpathy in the Shaddock Qtave, and the Valley of Bam-
boo8 ! Unfortunate pair ! how oft would I dimb the mountain
«alled the '^ Height of Duoovery/' and think of you ! how often
voam on the sea-beadi^ and cast my eyes to the fiital paai of St*
Gemnandthelflleof Amber! bat whenltrod the yeiy spot wheic^
cfauqped in each othen* anns^ they He, faithful eyen in death,
what a train of melancholy feeUngi and tender emodens waa
inipiied in my breast! and how senaibly did my heart edho the
woKds of St. Piezre^ that '' if ihose puze spiiits still take an in-
terest in what passes upon earthj they sozely love to wander b»-
neath the rooft of these dwellings, which aie inhabited by indua-
trious Tirtue^ to consdle the poor whe oomplain of diefar destiny-^
to cherish in the hearts of bvers the sacred flame of fideKty—- to
inapire a tßMte for ihe blessings of nataie> the lofe .of labour^
«nd the dread of ziches."
In this island^ reside two old men, who have long had the xe-
fHQtation of possessing the peculiar power of disoerning obfects
%t an immense distanoe— a power whioh is supposed to leoeive
assistence ftom the reCractiTe prqperty of the atnuMphere; bot
they will not reveal the secret withoat a oonsiderafale oompensa«
tiinu— '' It arises not ftom miiagej which produees the fata
morgana^ and othor illusions, beeause these phenomena are snp>
posed to be only represented when the douds are pecuüarly a>ni-i
posed ; bat the nqphologi (if such they may be called) of this is»
land are said to be equally^favoured« whedicr the wellan be over*
spread or perfectly doudless." One of these penons is said to
have reported the iq;yproach of the Ei^glish ezpe^tion, four days
before it was seen by the rest of the inhaUtants; and very re-
«Wtly one of the old men announoed that a ship with four masts
was
90
jfms i^i^ffoficbiog tbe id^nd : in five ^jb after, twol^xigs amve^
pne towing tbe other, wbich waß in distress« The unages of thei^
pbjects» fm diseemed in the doudsj anji wbicli^ it is paidj axe in^
yerted^ presente^ the appearance of a ship with fou? masts.
It was one Sunday moming« when the sea^ glittexing like ^
lake of pure gold^ calm and unruffled^ and bearing on }ief pure
bosom the difierent barks lying at anchor in the harbour^ witb
their ensigns hoi^ted in honour of the day^^ that I lefl mj hofcd»
^nd strolled leisurely towards the churdi of Port Lonis^ whicb
rears its sipsple tower within b hundred paces of the Chaisp de
Mar;. My n^nd \^as oocupied in comparing my native country
with that in which I then was^ as tp scenery^ culture^ cuitonis>
and inhabitants ; and eztending my speculation to other countrief,
in GtäßT to discover any grounds of preference which might exiat^ I
perceiyed how difficult it was to award a preference of any ooe
country to another. How adpiiraUy, I thought, has Nature weighrf
in her scale thQ wants and Qonditions of aU-^in One country^ com-
pensating barrenness of soü^ with the gift of spirit andenterprii» ijn
the hearts and habits of its people ; in another^ indulgently bestowii^
on the inhabitants rendered by dimate efieminate and weak, both
in inind and body^ all the necessaries and even luxuries of Ufe>
without^ on their part^ any tronUe^ except that of stretdiing
forth their hands to reoeiv e them ! This reflection naturally led to
the inferen^« that the love of one's countzy, a» an escdusive fed-
ing, though it has been h>ng consid^ed to be a sublime implanta-
tion by nature^ in the breast of eyery mortal under heaven^ is a pas«
sion unworthy to be dierished by a dtusen of the world; and> as-
suming to myself that diaracter^ I ocmduded that man is as happy in
HindoQstan^ as in England— 4n Icelandj asin Ceylon ; bat, in die
jiej^t moment^forgettingmy theory> I wishedto begifted with the
j[lowerof selection, inorder that I might fix upon the enchantingisb
in which l then sqjoumed» as the place of my pecmanenjt abode-
From this reverie I was aroused by the tones of the diurdi«*
bell» whose call I obeyed by enteiing the house of prayei;» aliaeady
oocupied by hundxiod^ of well-dressed persons^ of both sexes and all
ßg^, induding n^ro slaves. The sound of the bell now oeasedi» and
the ritual of the Roman Catholic service was oommenced by the
priests, and interspersed with hymns chaunted ^y numerous. cho-
nster^
• liiB u0ual for ships in port, to have the ensign hoisted on Sunday» ttom tb»
hour of dght a. m. until sunset.
91
listen^ to the ttrabs of a ridily^toned organ« So na|iy peiMm%
öf diflferent'nations^ edoun^ and distixictioii0> wemUed to ven-
der thanks to tbe great Giver of au Oood, was a fpeetade
wHcli impredsed xine vfith a sense of the lubUmitj of public
devotion — that great and glorious pri^ilege, the exerds^ of
wMcIi adminuters comfort to the hearts of the afflicted> and hap-
piness to all :•— here the master and his fllaye> the king and the
peasant^ are reduced to an equality, and beoome the memben of
one family^ whose head is " no respecter of peraonB»" Magnifi*
oent pictuies of the crncifixion^ the Virgin Maiy^ and the apos*
Ües^ decorated the walLs of the building. At the condunon of
the Service^ a young unmarried lady, of distinguithed family,
who had been selected for amiable eharacter, as well as exqni*
dte beauty (qualities vexy eaaily found in the Ide of ^zanoe»
and therefore as prindples of selection by no means easy to
apply), tarne forward^ unveiled, and attired in pure white, and
was condttcted by her father through tiie church> for tfae pw>-
pose of receiving for the poor the dcmations of the charitabie»
She carried a süperb bann of solid gold, into which poured
abandant largesses from all dasses; eyen the CaflQ» slave gare bis
S0128 : many gold coins were presented by the affuent, and piasties,
or doUam^ without number.
As I retraced my Steps, reflecting on the scene I had just wit»
Bessed, I observed a young la^y proceeding apparendy on har way
home, and followed by an elderly female, and two daves. She
wore a dress of white satin, with shoes of the same material ; and,
as is the custom with the ladies of the island, had her head eoveieji
With nothing but a white veil, just thin enough to admit her fea-
tures to view, her glossybkdc hair fiowing in nngkts down the
lefit dieek. In vain I endeavoured to attract her notiee, and ob«
tain ag^oe from her ; her eyes were xivetted op the gioond bo>
fore her; but there was a certain chaim in the diaste jigmty of
her dowandmeasured Step, whidi spoke in dunib eloquenoe to my
f eelxngs.«-" tiovely creature !" I whiqiered to mysdf, ^' native of
thesebewitehingdioresydoubtless youazeas Tirtuoiisas you seem;
and if so, how happy must bethe man whose fate itmay be tocall
you bis own ! May you be as happy as you seem fomied by ffwm
ture to make others !**
^ Itaadied the hot«l^sighing for the fair Qti»G^
to
to expel fronn mj mind thoughts whicfa made an inioad cm my,
peaoe> without offexing tbe least pxobability of rdüef. 'At the sanie
hotel^ an Amexican captain^ two Swedes^ and a Frendiman^ had
putup; anidevery day, at the hour of two« we all dined together
in a q)lendid hall, firom die centreoftheceOingofwhidi^asaperb
Ittstre WH8 fiu^pended. Our fare oonsisted of «oups, turke js, geeie«
fidcaflsees, jeDies, mannalades, presenreg, and pasties, with Fxeacb.
wines of the best quality ; noyeau, other liqueun, and coffee. At
breakfast, ooflPee, and a bottle of excellent daret, were the Substitutes
fortea^whichwasoutofuse. Forallthesenecessaiiesandluxuries,
the Charge was but four piastres per day; and whateTer
opinion I may subsequently have entertained of the pre-eminenoo
of EngUsh over foreign fare, I was jthen, and still am, tho^
roughly convinced, that good living is not confined to England
ahme.
Amox^ other French merchants to whom part of my &eight
was consigned, was a Monsieur Bands* This kind gentleman
pressed me to make bis house my home during my sqfoumatPort
Louis; and though I dedined availing myself of bis hospitaUe
x}ffer, he insisted on my spending my evenings with bis £unily,
whenever I feit diqKMedtodo so. He hada wifeand one dau|^«
ter, both of whom, with himself, understood English, and spoke
it with toIeraUe effidency. This was one great induoement with
me to prefer the sodety of this amiable f amily to that of othen^
equally importunate in their professions of friendship and esteen^
my knowledge of the French language bebg but limited and im«
perfect
At Monsieur Barais's, many young ladies would congregat^
two orihzee eyenings in the week, to form parties and plans of
excuraop into the woods and wilds of the interior. On these oo»
casions, both of plan and of execution, I frequently madeons of
the ha^y party. A Caffire slave followed us with a hamper, oon«
taining refreshments; Azzived in the centre of the wood in the
interior, we would repose on a Texdant and mossy knoU, and ob-
serve the hafaits and zicbly variegated plumage of the feathared
tribe, whoBß pnesenoe enhanoed the beautie^ of the wild^ enchant-
ing seenery whicb gxeeted our sight in every dixectionr No gun
would we carry to disturb the inmates of this terrestiial paradiav
and flaijy death thzoughout its peaseful shade^, nor £shing-linej|
nor
tiCft hoolc. Our demeanour to eacb other w&s actoftted hy kui3>
reposing confidencej broiherly and sisterly friendthip; our löoka
and languagewere thoae of ihe beart^— dmple^ pure, andimaffiNsU
tä. We retumed U> Port Löuis delighted andre&eshed^ wüh ono
regre^ alone-^-^ihat our excurnon waa at an end.
It was at one of tliese parides at Monneur Barai/tf, when all wer»
as usualin the enjoyttientof innoöent gaiety andsodal mirth, tbat
aal gazed on thehappy group, I beheldaniong tliem the unbiown
female who bad so stnmgly attiacted my attention on the Sunday
before, and whose image had, in spite of my retolves, haunted my
youthful Imagination ever since. My suxprise and delight were
unbounded^ and I expressed, in tenns of enthüäasm to Monsieur
Barais, the admiration I feit for her, and with eagemess desired
to be informed who she was. '^ The y oung lady you so mudi ad-
mire," replied Monaeur Bands, ''hav not yet attained her thir«
teenth year, although in appearanoe she is as far advancedas £a«
lopeans are at twenty-two. Her father, Monsieur Dussere, waa
one of the riebest merchants on- the ishmd : be had indeed attained
the beight of prospexity, wben (as is not unfrequently the case)
bis good fortune deserted bim. The fixit severe shock was feit in
l9ie loss of a large ship from Bengal, which, witb her zieh caigo^
was entirely bis own. She was wrecked on the idand, witbin hia
s^t; ,every soulperished, and not a rramant of bis property was
saved. He afterwards speculated largely in rioe, iraported from
Bengal; and in tbiB undertaking lost the enormous aum
of Idzty tiiousanddollste: doUecting tb^the still considemUere«
mains of bis anee prinody £tirtune,bß deposited nearly the wbote
of bis effects-in a banling-böuse of the firät eminence on the islttod»
wbicb^ Strange to say, broke three montbs afkrwazds. Still some
litde souroes of wealth lemained, to collect which, be was induoed
togotoMadagascärinperson, witb the inteiitionofafterwazds pro«'
oeedingwithhiswxfe and cbüdren toParis,tberetoliTeinretimnent
for the reipaindier of bis days. But &te ordaxned otherWise : btf
jßellä Tictim to poisön,administeredby a female shtve atMadaga»»
car, in revenge of some ceal or supposed gzievance. The wreek
of bis fortune was tbenooUectedby bis ftiends,and restoi^ tobia
widow. It fortunätely proved sufficient to support berself and
five children— öne boy and fbur girls, incbtdifqr the one you see-
befiire you. Her Cfaristiattimmeis Louiaa Mariana^; bat by her
friends
9i
friendB slie Li ealled Virginift, becaiue Ae loves il be^t Wben bat
an infottt of ihree jears öld^ she was kidnapped by a dea2er in
slaves^ anä concealed^ during some weeks^ in the inteiior^ wben
she was rescued by a slave ftom Port Louis^ wbo^ passing aodden-«
tally tbrough tbe countiy^ saw ber eating a mangd« and instantlj
recognised Her by a remarkable spot on ber left eyebrow. For this
Service tbe slave reoeiv ed bis liberty^ ibrougb tbe influenoe of Mon«
fiieur Dussere^ besides a reward of one tbousand piastresj wbich
bää been offered in tbe Gazette for ber recovery.— But for tbal
eircumstance^* added Monsieur Barais^ " sbe would be a slave aC
tbe present day."
f'rom tbis recital of ber bistray, as r^narkaUe as briefj I tdt
more deeply interested tihan before; and I could not realst tbe in-
dination I feit to request of Monsieur Barais tbe favour to oon«
duct me^ on tbe following day^ to tbe dwelling of Madame
Dussere; wbicb be kindly promised to do. I was rejoioed at
bis compliance ; and seeing Virginia observe^ witb more tban ordi«i
naiy attention, some engravings wbicb bung in tbe room^ I le-
solved to täke witb me on tbe morrow a pollection of prints
wliicb I bad on board, and wbicb I conduded would, in some
measure, relieve any embarrassment I nugbt feel in eonsequence
of my want of proficiency in tbe Frencb language« To tbis mea«
Sure I was tbe more indüned, as sbe could neitber prqnounce npr.
understand one word of Englisb, scarcely ever in ber life baving
even beaid it spoken.
In tbe moming Monsieur Barais was true to bis woid. On
tbe road be cautioned me to bave a care, and not to become en«
amouxied of her«—'' For,** added be, '' Viiginia is a £eivourite— bis
many suitors, and is, doubtless, engaged." I assured bim ihat,
much as I admired ber, I bad no otber bope or object tban the oo«
casional enjoyment bf her eompany, during the few remainang
days of my stay at Port Löuis. — '' If you have," said he, '' it will
be wise in yoa to dispel tbe one and forego tbe other; for, reoid-
lect, if tbe attachment were even recqirocal, she could not leave
her moth^ and sisters, wbo all dote on her—- nor leis doea Ab
dote on them ; it would only prove a source of torment to you.
Now, captain," he continued, '' having cautioned you, I bave
done."— I bad scarcely expressed my thanks for bis fiiendly bint»
when a young Engliabman, wbo was supercargo of a sbip, whieh
arrived
artived bat a few days hetate ficMh £urope> engaged MoBMar
BaiaisTf aitention; his nattie was Smith^ and acoeptiog tbe pfof«^
fered arm of Monsieur Barais^ he prooeeded with us. In a few
xninutes we reaehed a neat cottage^ in a wida street in Port
LouiSj called ihe '^ Rue de Paris/' and were condacted ly three
fllaves into a capadous ball^ the floor of wliich^ from being kepT
oonstantfy polished^ was^ like a looyng-^Laas^ and as slippery a«
ice. Cbeirs, tables^ and a sideboard^ all higbly pölishedj two'
sofesi with a pair of pier glasses, apparendy of Fvench mamifac"
ture^ oomprised ils only fumitaie ; but they wäre atxanged whh*
such a tegard to effect^ as redounded much to the credit of ther
jfiedr occapants* taste. Madame Dussere^ feUowed by Virginia^
soott made her appearanoe, änd apologised to Monsieur Baxaii
for the absence of the rest of her ftomly^ all of whom were in
ihe Gountry.
Having paidoUr respects^ I aj^pvoachdd Virginia^ and presented
the,.pji:tures I had brought for her acceplaneej wfaich adbn waa
acoompanied wiüi all the expression I was master of. She ac-
eqpted them> with a sweetness of manner which deligjited me,
and eqpiaUy impressed my countaymaii with admkutum of her.
Among the pxints» some firom the ^' Belle AssembUe" seemed to
livet her particular attention ; my assiduity was thexefbre en the
^rfwing to point out the most engi^ging» andiseatingmyself on one side
, of her^ on the sofa^ Mr. Smith being on the other, and Monsieur
Barais engaged in conversation with tBe old lady, I endeavooced^
by every meaqs in my power, which w&ce chi^y pantomimic^ to
make myself uaderstood ; butj stränge to say^ I oould not call to
my recoUection the word "jdiy" although I had frequent ooca-
fdon to make use of itj and it was perfectly fimuliar to me^ I
was derefore obliged to Substitute " hon:" thus^ pointing tothe
pictuxe presented^ I said> in a softj under-tQne> feaxful of ^»*
pleasiBg-«'' C'est 6o9h mademoisaile ;" biit ny £^aw-aoua^-
aian, perhaps thinking it.a Htüe unfair that I sfaould moaopoliae
this ddectable '' 60»," and> doubtless^ wisfaing to testify bis own
desira to pkiase> e3^da]lnefl> as I preseatad a new otgect tp her
yiew — '^ BoNoI tnadamzel/' with a John-Bull accent^ and in a
tOne so vulgär and so loud, that it feil like a thunder-dap upon our
ears. 1, however^ persevered^ not without some dread of my
ziyal'ff o?erpowering ^' bong!'^ which came with a regularity
' eomparable
96
tesDlpunlble only to that of the repM; of a aaluting e^^te&A^
pounder. As for mjself, never did mortal fed langoage to ba*
moie necessary^ or the privation ' of it more crueL Bat
universal love has a universal language ; and, at length, I was
delighted to perceive (er I greatly flattered mjsdf ) from a cor«
tain expressum in the eye, and firom her manner, a preferenoe in
my favour : iram that moDuent ^' bono" feil perfeotly hann«
less, and caused me no more uneasiness.
Our stay, on the fitst day, was rather abiidged, so that> an
our departuze, I xequested, through Monsieur Baxais, permission
to pay my respects the next moming, which was readily gtsnted.
My countryman and myself shook hands heartily at part»
ing, and he sailed in a few days afterwaids for BengaL Mono
sieur Baiais once more cautioned me to ** Beware 1"
I now began to study French, with a restless, inddatigaUe
energy, but attending to the affidrs of my vessel with the
same activity as before. I, however, found leisure to visis
Madame Dussere's evexy day, and soon made suffiiaent progRCBs
in the language to be pretty well understood by her, as also to be
able to oomprehend my young tutor, though with some little
difficulty. It was ihen I feit the exq^uisite truth of the following
lin^:«-
'M
<« 'Tis pleuing to be acfaoot^din a stränge tongue
By üsmale Ups and eyea-^that is, I meon,
When boch the teacher and the taiight are young^
As was the case at least where I haye been ;
They smile so when one*s rigfat ; and when one*s wxong,
liiey noOe stiU more, and then thoe interrene'
Pressure of hands," &c
It may be well supposed, that the advice of Monsieur Barai^
Was soon and entixely forgotten ; I daily drank laige intozicating
draughts of love and happiness, which, however, as the period
of my departure approached, were oonverted into a ^ source of
torment" indeed. In vain I urged Virginia to be mine; she
Said, that to leave her family, friends, and countiy, at her ten«
der age*, was impossible; and indeed the shore of her native
ishind
• The fenudes of this country are considered marriageable at thirteen, and
even at twelve years of age. It is the same in most tropical dimates. They dö
not, in appeaimoe, wear üuax old age so well as Europeans, although they tn^
qnoidy atlain the age of ninety, or even a hundred years.
97
sdaiid appearel eVen to Am tti timoA iiunimouiitalik haanäet ta
the accomplishment of 1117 mAei ; jei, finding in3raelf daaly
gr^wing more wretehed^ and dxeadiiig to leave the isLmd witihout
h^, I redöubled my eatxeaties, but still in vain. On the evea*
ing preceding my departure, I bent my £iltenmg steps to Madame
Dußsere's^ for the purpose of taiking my etemal fSnrewdL At
tlttf mterviewj Virginia, approaching me with great tendemen,
her eyes beaming senaibility^ and fuU of tears, said, as well as
tke could by nueans of the little Engliah I had tau^t her^ sup«
posing I could understand her better than if ahe ipoke French— «
" I have detenmned tö leave all for your sake^ never to leave
you> and to go with you all over the world i" At thi3 totally
unezpecfed change in her detenmnation^ my deli^t was oooi«
plete, and so cöntinued, until another obstade presented itself)
whidx wönld, I feared« again alter her resolution : her mother
and idsters, with tears and lond lamentations^ were kneeling at
her feet, and imploring her not to leare thein. It was a soene
of heart-rending misery« — " Can I" I whispered to myself^ as I
gazed on the group before me, '^ consent to make this amiable fa^
poiily wretched ? ¥rill it not be virtue^— nay, even justice, to re*
sign even^^äie ob)ect.oj^ my most tehder affecdon, if she tamnot be
gained but at the expence of the happiaess of a wh(de fiEimily ? It
shall be s6 : I will leave Virginia, and urge her no more." Vir<^
ginia> however, continued as determined to go, as at first she was
reluctant. In this State oi things, Monsieur Barais was sent iasrz
He came. Tfaey adjujed him to endeavonr, by all the means in
bis power, to alter Vi^giDia's intention ; but she was immovable;
Monsieur Bairais then, 'tuming to me, said— '' Ah, young man^
had you' but adhered to my advice, this scene would never have
taken plaoe^i" fiy feelings stopped my utterance ; I could make
no other reply than a s%ht indination ef the head. At lengdi,
finding all thear measures, entreaties, and persuadves, iinavaüing^
they yielded to necessity, dried the^r ^tears, äubraoed^ and Idssed
each .other, invoking blessiogs on the hea^of Virginia, and supii
fdicating me to be faithfttl and kind to her.*-'' Here, ai/* said
Monsieur Barais, interpreting the mother's words, " here is Vir*
ginia ; take her— -die shall be yours ; her mother never yet con-
4arolled her iuclination, nor will she control it now." I replied
in teims asappropriate as the agitation a£ my mind would permit.;
« H and
atid ihe hext moming sbe Ivas made mine, by the Romaa Cathblic
fonn of marriage^ . in the cburch at Port Louis.
Immedi^tely af ter the cereipon^ I repaiied on boaxd^ to sa«
perintend the fitting up of mj cabin^ I had it saatted, and deoo-
rated ina supeiior manner^with pictures— ^handsome piecglas^^
and ornamental fumiture ; in short, with every convenience> and
indeed luxury^ which it is possible to possefls on ship-boaid*
While my orders were being obeyed^ I cast mj eyes towards the
enchanting island, and sighed at the prospect of leaving it, even
accompanied by Virginia ; but to have left it without her— the
idea was insupportable ! Every requisite preparation being
finished^ and my vessel ready for sea^ I retumed on shore, ist the
purpose of conducting my bride on board^ and to weigh anchor
immediately. On landing, the first object which attracted my
notice was the person of the Jersey youth^ Captain Thomson^
with whom I had taken my passage from Ceylon to BengaL I
approached him with the familiarity of an old friend, and said— •
" Teil me^ my dear Thomson^ to what good or iU fortune I am
to attribute the pleasure of this interview P*' — He replied with
congenial warmth^ expressive of the pleasure he feit in seeingme^
but with an averted brow^ and a sigh. which came tr&Ox the very
" heart's core." From these indications, I judged he had met
with one of those miofortunes which are incidental to his profes-
sion ; nor was I mistaken in my conjecture : he had boen buznt
out of his ship at sea^ during the voyage immediately foUowing
that which we took together, and thus lost every thing he po6-
sessed in the world. He however succeeded in obtaining ano«
dier command^ and then married. He next sailed for the Cape
of Qood Hope, and^ on his passage, was wrecked on the island
of Madagascar, where himself, and all his crew, were sei^ed by
lihe natives, and sold to slavery among dififerent chiefs of their
tribe. It was his good fortune to be redeemed, through the in«
fluence of a celebrated prince of that cpuntry, named Badamii,
restored to liberty, and delivered over to the Engliah authoritje^
who sent him to Port Louis.— -^' And what do you now intend to
do ?" I asked.— ^' Do I any thing for you, if you will bui take
me round with you to Bengal." — " Well then," I replied, " I
sympathize with your misfortunes; the liberal treatment Ixom
ceived from you when we sailed togetber has ziQt escaped n^ i»*
collection;
99
coUection; fluid if you think tbe Situation of chief officer with me
for the Toyage to Bengal worth your acceptance^ here it is for
you, with any advance of pay you may require ; I sail in two
hoaxB henoe." The jrouth of misfortune feit zejoioed at this un-
expected change of drcumstances^ and declared it had more the
appeaianoe of romance than reality.— -'' Henceforth^" said he,
** let US neyer despair^ even in the depths of adversity; for the
vrretched to-day may be happy to-morrow." He took charge the
same hour, dedining to reoeive more than twenty piastres in ad-
vance, as I had told him that my wardrobe would afibtd every
thing necessary for himself, without any inoonvenienoe to me. I
was afterwaids surprised to find that, in having acted the part
of a friend to a deserving youth, I was directly benefiting my«
seif; for my insurance from the Isle of France would have been
invalid, if I had not carrie4 a European officer.
The hour of departure now came. I repaired, with Monsieur
Barais, to Madame Dussere's, and was there witness to a scene
of distress, which I had not prepared myself to expect, and one
not inferior in interest to that from which I had but just escaped :
a group bf young ladies, residing in the settlement, were kneel«
ing round Virginia, bewailing^ with her mother and family, her
approaching departure, in terms of piteous and heart-rending
sympathy : The poor girl was in tears, and distresscd b^ond the
*power of utterance. Her eldest sister's husband, Monsieur Du«
bois, who had come to Port Louis, from bis residence in the
country, to bid her farewell, and Monsieur Barais, were admi-
mstering consolation to the old lady and the three sisters. Two
palanquins were at the door; one for Virginia and her eider sis-
ter, the other for the two youngest ; a third was sent for, to con«
▼ey her juvenile friends, to part with whom, entwined as they
were, and had been from her infancy, round her heart in love's
strongest bonds, was as painful a task as to tear herseif from her
own family. At last I drew her, with gentleness, from the
embraces of her mother, and conducted her into the palanquin,
which was followed by the two others, myself, Messieurs Dubois
and Barais, Walking by her side. We proceeded towards my
boat, which was waiting for us at the landing-plaoe ; crowds of
Oaffres, and poor inhabitants of the island, the aged and infirm,
who knew her father in bis happiest days, lined the stairs, to bü
H 2 her
100
\ax adieu ; aad wben sbe wan seäted xti the bost^ ivlucli shcnred oflT
mtantly^ Imndkercliiefs and liands waved tliousaiidg of Idnd wislie»
tintil we reached tlie vessel'g mde. A cbair^ lined with the Britidi
enogn^ and >ened liy a xope rore thiough a Uock on tbe xnaia
jrard-arm^ then xeceivedher; she was quicklj houtedon oordecky
and I oonducted Her to our cabin. We tben wei^ed and sfxxid
out to sea, and by tbree o'dock jp. m.^ tbe iaiand boxe its fonner
resemldance to a doud. As eyening approacbed^ I took my last
farewell of an Island wbicb bad been tbe scene of the mott inte-
resting and important curcumstances of my Hfe. As for Virginia^
jBbe was overwbelmed witb grief^ and couM not quit tbe cabu^
eitber to sigb or look a farewelL
I was now bound to Tappanooly^ on the west coast of Sumatnu
We were again favouied witb fair and gende gales: Thomaon
was a social friend, as well as a clever seaman^ and reliered mj
mind of a great share of tbe responsilnlity. By degxees \^xginia
recovered her epirits^ and in tbe oourse of tbree weeks resumedber
wonted gaiety and cbeerfolness. Tbere bad been wanting bot
tiliis to complete my bappiness. On some fine evenxng, wbile we
were seated on deck, sailing pleasantly over die blue waters« and
ihaded firom tbe sun's rays by an awning^ sbe would amuse us with
a song, or witb entertaining anecdotes connected witb her &nily
and her fair island — for tbese were her favourite tbemes ; and wbea
sbe desca^ted on tbem, her eyes and features would become ani«
mated in a very remarkable manner. Sbe would relate her ad-
Tentures too; but wbat pleased me most was her account of tbe
£ngllsh Invasion, wbicb was to tbe foUowing purport :— *
'' It was," she said, *^ a usual tbing before tbeinvasiou, tohear
of one or two Englidli cruisers lying in wait off onr Island to pu^
up merebantmen ^ privateers : our frigates tben went in pursoit.
Sometimes we could distinctly bear tbe firing at sea, as of sbips
engaging; and on tiie occasion of a victory, the captured enemy
would be brought into our port, amid general lejoicing; and on
any great occadon, an illuminadou would take place. I bad beaod
tbe English mucb talked of, but as I resided more generally in the
country, than at Port Louis, I never bad an opportunity of seein^
one of your countrymen befbre tbe invasion« I was informed that
tbe English were white men, spoke a different language, and mn
turally deligbted in scenes of war and blpodshed ; for wbicb teaaoo
they
101
ihef wMe coBtv of die oolour' of blooi-Mlutt they wete mm
to woiiien> tnd domestic pursuitf ;-*-«iid tlial in their own ooimti^
thcy wonld lead their wives, wben beeome tind of them, wilh a
rope round the neck^ to the bazar and there seil them. In uhast,"
she conlintted^ ^' I was led to bdieve tliem oom^to «atsgea^ and
exgmeßceä. an involuntary shudder at tbe mentumof mEi^luh«
man, asof a tiger orother wild beast.
^^ Some months after the public rejokings in Poft Lmds, in
eonsequence of threelarge English diips (poasibly East ladiamen)
hBYiag been taken, and bronght in, I was at tiie country^-houae cft
mj dd^ aister's husband, MonBieur Dubois, n pleaant cottage»
atoated in the Bay of theTomb; the sea waa in front, a thick
wood $stended on üie light as far äs the eye oould readx ; and oa
our 1^, in picturesque beaaty, was a landscape of . hill and dale,
through which a nairow stream meandered. One e^emng, just
after sanset, die füll moon shining with great brilliaaiy, and the
lepose of natore being unintemipted ezcept by the noise of the
distant breakers, when my sister Marie and myself were aittingia
the gaiden with Monsieur Dubois, who was enjqjing the refredi«
ing cooiness of the sea-breeze over his cigar and wine, we were
accosted by one of the eiders of the isbuid, who^ having plaoed
hiinsdf by Monsieur Ihibois, said— •' The English aie certainly
fitting out an ezpedition to take possession of this iaboid; they are
«zpected heie every day.'— -' Do you think,' teplied Monsiquv
Dubois, ' we are strongenough to repel the inv^den?'-— ' I fear
aot/ Said the eider; ' the English are a powerlui eneiay ; whnt«
cver they undertake, they usually aocomi^h, by means of an over«
^hehning foroe.'-*-^ But,' replied Monsieur Dubois, ' our govemov
will resort to estiemxties ; it is certain, if he loses the Island, he
will haye great cause to dread the resentment of Buonaparte, ^nd
he knowsit; so that we may expeet wann workherebeforeloi^/
Then it was that I first became alarmed. At that moment, another
friend, from Port Lcuis, joined us.— -' Have you heard the news?*
he said, and, without waiting for a reply, proceeded to inform us,
that 'Every male upon the islandwas to be held in requisition for
military serrice; the English,' added he, ' are on their way hi«
thw to invade us/ At this dire intdligence, Madame Dubois and
myself bewailed our sad fates, wringing our haads, and shedding
fears. My faxtet said--*' What, aUs ! will be^om^e of us and our
H 3 Utile
102
Httle.ones ?. tbe English will murd^ our poor innoeents K-^ Na f
they sliall not/ said my sister's eldest boy« but ox yean of age^
' for.we will beatUiemoff— ^rillwe not, &liher?'-—'Yes>iiiy brave
boyr
'' The nezt day> every male on tbe Island capabk of eanyin^
annSj was enlisted ; tbe drum and fife were now continually play-
ing in Port Louis^ wbere^ but a few days before« notbing was to
be beard bat tbe voice of social bappiness and jocund mirtb. Bat-
teries were erected ; large cannon^ moved from Port Louis, for tbe
purpose of being placed in different parts of tbe island, produoed^
as tbey were dragged tbrougb tbe streets, a bollow soundingnoise,
of terrific portent, wbicb, wben I call it to recoUection, makea me
sbudder, even at tbis day. Notbing but warfare and deeds of
arms, were talked of ; and many of our youtb would boast bow
many of tbe iuvaders would fall by tbeir band.
'^ In tbe mean time, I was busily employed witb my beloved
iamüy and juvenile Mends in selecting a place of security, wbere
we ooul4 bury in tbe eartb, our jewelsy and gold and silver Orna-
ments; for we beard tbat if tbe Englisb took tbe place, our bouses
woiild be bumed, and our property eitber destroyed or taken fix)m
US. Accordingly we lepaired to a tbicket, about two miles from
Port LouiSj selected a spot unfrequented except by ourselves on
gala days ; and tbere, vntb ^e greatest secrecy, prepared, as tbe
depository of our treasure, a large bole> of about tbe deptb of twa
feet ; and baving covered it neatly witb turf, we retumed bome.
^' One nigbt an alarum of cannon was beard ; sbortly afterwards^
anotber ; and at tbe interval of a few mii^utes, a tbird ; tben a
fourtb ; so tbat in a little time, Port liouis was a scene of incon-
ceivable bustle, and every male eitber under arms, or on tbe alert.
It proved, bowever, a false alarm, baving been caused by tbe sud«
den appearance of two of our own frigates in tbe offing, tbe cap«
tain of oneof wbicb bad confirmed tbe rumour so prevalent among
US— tbat tbe Englisb were coming«
'^ Tbus one entire montb passed away, every bour of wbich
found US in a State of dread^l anxiety, suspenso, and terror. At
lengtb, tbe Englisb not making tbeir appearance, we relapsed into
a State of security, and began to tbink tbey would not come at all.
One evening, as two of my sisters and myself were seated by our
motber« chatting togetber gaily, we agreed to go tbe fbllowing
. .. moming
los
iQöming to the Bay of the Tomb, on a visit to Madame Dubou ;
accordingly^ we rose at four^ our usual bour, and commeBoed our^
joumey^ delighted with tHe songs of the birds wbicb caroOed on
tbe trees^ and our spiiits exbilaratedby the moming air, and by tfae
expectation of seeing our friends. We bad not prooeeded abore a
mile^ before Antoinette^ my eider sister, tumingf to nie anddenly^
exdaimed^ ' Look ! tbe red flag waves on jonder mount^ Vitgüiia !
and Barais told me, tbat wben tbe Englisb were in sight^ we should
See it tbere; it is called tbe Englisb flag.'— 'O nof I replSed^
' this is only your idle fear ; beUeve me, Antoinette^ tbere cannot-ber
any danger, or we sboidd baye beard tbe alainim cailnons fire in
tbe night ; so let us prooeed.' About half a mÜe fortber we bad
to tum the comer of a tbicket; and our astonishment aiid terror
were extreme, wben we bebeld tetended before us, a line of Frenplr
fix)t soldiers, and some artülery-men, drawing canntms after tbem
with great rapidity. Sbortly after, a troop of borse gallöped by^
us; they were tiommanded by tbe govemor bimself. — ' Retiie,
young ladies, immediately to your bomes,' he said ; 'you caimot
oontinue your way on this roM ; isbe Englisb ate in ogbt, aiid all
communication with tbe country is cut off/-»* Pray permit ui^ fiir;
to proceed only as far as tbe Bay of tbe Tomb, in order to con«
duct oux dear sister Marie back with us to Port Louis, or wbat
will become of her ?'-—*' I cannot listen to you,' be Tepäeä^^ Re«
tum directly r said ohe pf bis officers in attendanee, ^or you mBj
lose your lives !' Our alarm for our belored sister was gx«ater.
tban £or ourselves ; it was tberefore with reluctance, and in deep
affliction, tbat we retraced our steps, now with tears bewailing
her fate, wbicb we supposed inevitable, now expressing our won*
der bow our poor motber would ^suppert tbe sbock. In a few
minutes a French artiUery soldier, canying a letter in bis band;
advanced towards us in haste, and seemed to be going io join the
govemor. We arrested bis progressh-«^ Pray teil us, goed nlah, are
\he Englidi indeed come ?' — ' They are.'— ' Wbere tben- will they
first land?'«-^' It is supposed at tbe Bay of Üie Tomb: but I am in
haste-*— if you -asoend yonder mountain, you will see tbem.' He
then left us, and we dimbed tbe mount, As we approacbed its
summit, we saw tbe sea covered with innumerable large sbips,
some at ancbor, some sailing about, otbers coming in ; and furtker
qW, a bost of tbem under a press of sail, attempting to ovi^rtake tbP99
H 4» in
im
iü advaüce. How tfaendidourhefimfailitg f Ata»! #e eiclsdiuefv
what shall we do ? Whitlier lE^all we fly ?— atid then sat dewn
aad wept.
'. '' Jüst belcrif us^ on tbe road wldch led to tlbe Spot where tbe
goyemor was, a detacliment of foot soldiets^was marclniig menüy
tp a band of music^ all apparently in gc»od e^rits^ Ia«gbing and
jöking with one another. Some female Cafi&e glaves tben i^
proacbed and told us, not tobe afraid^ but to gobome^ as thej htA
heard tbat all tbe women were ordered to remain witbin deois.
We accordingly retumed to our motber^ wbo in onr absence bavin^'
beaid tbat tbe Englisb bad knded at tbe Bay of tbe Tomb^ -wt»
in dread^l suspenso as to tbe fate of Mane^ and refused to be
comforted. Our juvenile friends now all flocked aronnd us^ and
we closely grooped onrselves togetber» dismaj depicted on our
ooantenances^ and despair in possession of our bearts: not a wcnd
of consolation bad we to offer one to anotber.
'^ Business was suspended ; tbe sbops were sbut ; and not a
gndn of rice^ or a morsel of provision of any kind^ conld be pro-*''
cured. We bad in tbe bouse notbing but a little dry rice^ and
tbat was soon consumed among so many» As eyening approacbed^
we sent out one of our female slayes to try to procure sometbing*
Sbe retumed in about an bour> declaring to our great mortifica«^
tion^ tbat notbing wbateyer was to be obtained in Port Louis»
nor a person to be seen^ except now and tben an officer^ or mes^
senger on borseback^ galloping to^ or from^ tbe country. At seyes
p'dock, it being a moonligbt nigbt^ we yentured out^ and unper«
edyed^ contriyed to conceal our little treasiues in tbe plac6 wbich
we bad prepared for tbem.
'' Neyer/' sbe oontinued^ '^ sball I forget tbat dismal nigbt^ wbeii
tbe borrors of tbe surrounding stillness impressed our already faint«
ing bearts witb additional dread. Our imaginations presented to
USj witb a yividness wbicb alniost realized tbe scene> tbe Englisb
bursting in upon and killing uS. Gatbering douds eclipsing tbe
moon's ligbtj now produoed total darkness^ wben a &11 of bea^
rain took place^ wbicb continued during tbe greater pari of the
nigbt. At interyalsy tbe noise of distant cannon would be beard;
affording us tbe only circumstance wbicb we could seixe upon^ in
Order to diyert our attention ; and to tbe sound of tbe cannmi^ sac*
a silenoe soarcely less borrible« Wbat were our feelbigs
for
xnomeAt weitering in their blood ! such reflectiontf made us ding
more dosely together ; and^ seated on the floor^ our «nn$ entwined
round one another^ we Icx^ed in vain fbr relief either fran withitf
or from witbout.
" It was not until tbe hour of four on the following morning^
that we could dose our eyelids; we then enjoyed tbe luxury oi
i^pose untü tbe sun had risen^ but were tben distnrbed hf tbe
8ound of borsenen galloping tbrougb tbe street. Tbe only objecto
bowever^ wbicb we could distpiguisb^ as we peeped tbrougb an
apertuie of our caaement^ was a Frencb dragoon officer^ galloping
hj, and at tbe same time Todferating, ' fermes vo» porte»/ In
äbout an bour be disappeared^ and we tben once more ventnred to
send out our alave witb money to try to get U8 flomd provisionsc
Three minutes bad scarody elapsed wben sbe xeturned witb tettor
depicted on ber countenance^ and in a voice of deep and pitilul
distress^ said to my motber, ' Ab> Madame ! wbat sball we do^
Tbe Englisb are coming tbis way ; tbey are dose to us ; wbitfaeir
sball we fly f At tbis intdligence we all tumed pale> and
questioned ber as to wbetber sbe saw tbem. ' Qo/ sbe replied,
' on tbe peHt mountain, and you will see tbem plainly/ It was tben
proposed to venture on tbe mountain (not furtber from us tbatt
the distanoe of a stone's throw)> in order to ascertain tbe real ex^
tent of our danger ; and baving tbrown our diawls loosely avef
our sboulders, we reacbed tbe summit in a few minutes« Then
it was tbat we first bdield tbe Englisb sddiers: tbey were at
äbout tbe distanoe of two miles to our rigbt; in number innume*
rable ; and all clad in scarlet^ tbeir arms and aCcoutrements glittifer«
ing witb a glaring brigbtness in tbe sun's rays. The dreadful
spectacle soon terrified us back to our bomes; and wben tbere,
our terrör was increased by tbe continued roar of cansons and
musketry. Tbis appalHng noise increased as tbe day advaneed;
and bence we naturally ooncluded tbat tbe Englisb were on thdr
advancetoPortLouis. TbedragoonofficernowagainmadebisappcBT«
anoe^ and^ as before^ vodferatedas be galloped tbrougb tbe street»,
* Fermes vos portes /'— ' Fermes voe partes /• In tbis State we
continued until five o'dock in tbe evening^ wben suddeöly a great
number of Frencb soldiers^ as well as of navid and military offi<set%
were seen to retur^ in stragglingparties ; and we then teoArtil
tbe
106
tbe inteUigience tkat the govetnor had cgpitulated. Manj of the
Frencb were obseryed to t^ar the insignia of their tnilitary Orders
&om their persons — their epaulette8> side-arms^ and even coats, and
to throw them indignantly into the middle of the street. One was
heard to exclaim^ * Thu8> vain trinket^ do I. trample tl^ee under foot-*
thee^. which now^ but teminds me of my dishonour 1 This sweet
island^ with aU its fair inhabitants^ and alluring charms^ is ours
HO longer \ We leave you all^ like fair and blooming lilies^.to be
plucked by the hands of our enemies ; while we depart for ever,
and seek perhapa in vain for happiness^ in other and distant climes.'
In the mean while^ all were making eager enquiries after their re-t
spective relations ; and while some had to deplore the loss of those
mo8t dear to them^ others were rejoiced at the retum of friends
whom they scarcely expected to see again.
• '^ The shops and bazar in Port Louis were now opened, but
every countenance was marked with anguish^ and a chilling dul-
ness reigned abroad^ which was in perfect unison with the great
ealamity with which the island had been visited. While we were
bvwied in anxious inquiries after my sister Marie^ and concerting
measures to open a communication with her, by means of our
«laye, she, to ouir infinite joy, suddenly made her appearance
with her ehildren, but in a State of deplorable exhaustion and
distress. The £ngli£h> she informed us, had deposited the dying
and the wounded in her house, and even requested, but in re*
qiectful terms, that she would afibrd to the sufferers her personal
»sristance ; but the shock given to her feeHngs by the sight of the
suxrounding horrors was so great, as to deprive her of her senses
for a time ; and she had only that moming recovered them, and
gained sufficient strength of body, and presence of mind, to make
her e9cape with her children, and to venture, unprotected, to Port
Iiouis* As for Monsieur Dubois, her husband, he was with the
azmy, and for bis safety she was very apprehensive, and, indeed,
in a State of dreadful anxiety. — ' Alas 1' she would say, ' if Dubois
is killed, >yhat will become of my poor little one& — to whom can
they look for Support?' We mingled our tears with hers, and
yi^ with jeach other in affbrding her and her little ones every
consolation and assistance which ^heir condition required. As
soon as her slowly-returning strength would permit her to hold
pgnverse, we put to her numerous questions, especially as to th^
.f conduct
107
«ondiKit oi ihe B^glish : how great wat our mupriae toliear hei
Baf— -' That the English officexB^ so fax from bdng %he lu^cotttk
xace of savage kurbarians which tliey had been lepresented to he,
caxried themselYes towards her wiüi tlie most tender andiespectful
behaviour; and tliat> oonsideruig ihey were enemies, she was
much pleased with them^ finding all of tliem extremely gallant^
and flome of them verj handsome men.'
. " We still remained in-doors, in a State of alann^ as we imder«
stood that the English were to enter Port Louis the foUowing
noming. While we were oonTersing tc^ther in a group on the
floor, as is the custom in my country, and passing our opinions
on the great events which had just tranq[»ired, who should enter
our drdQ but Monsieur Dubois ! Marie, already too weak, waa
unable to bear the shock which this unexpected pleasure occa«
sioned, and, falling senseless, she was in a moment folded in hia
arms ; while he>— the big tears rolling down his cheeks, ezdaimed
^-'' Thank Heaven I I dasp thee, my wife, and youj my littlo
oaesj to my heart,— once more !"
" Early the nezt moming, it was reported, that the Englisb
were on their mardi into the town of Port Louis. Upon thia
we secured our house, as well as we conld, by bolts and bars, fear««
ing they would try to force an entrance ; but in this condusioa
we were most agreeably mistaken. Through a crevice in our
casement, we could plainly see all, without being perceiyed. At
m o'dock the wounded, both English and French, appeared,
some carried in hammoc^s, others on boards ; their number waa
considerable; and so pale and ghastly did the poor creatures looky
that we all pitied them. This soene brougl^t before our minda
the sufierings of poor Marie, in being compelled to witness the
agonies of the dying andbleeding objeets with which her house
at the Bay was literally ciammed. After the wounded, followed
the English soldiers, led by their officers, music playing, and
colours flying; and so orderly was their march, that our fears
were in a great degree allayed. The march into the town conti-
nued, excepting some very short intervals, during the whole of
the day, and the greater part of the night. The next day the
sepqys arrived, dad also in scarlet, and so numerous, that a con-
siderable time el^psed before they had all passed. At length they
i;eached the barracks^ when order was once more restored in cur
Uttle
lOB
lilllo iofiety ; tl» ahi^ were openedM-^trade resmaed ksaerenl
ftToeattoiMh-*«iid society its wonted gaiety ; nq longer were feaM
enteitained of tbe English ; nor indeed did we «carcelj erer 80s
to £nglish soldier^ utzless wlien^ on a Sunday ayening, cnjo^'injf
the nuuic on the Cliamp de Mats. After a oonnderable period
of time had been wasted^ almost inevitaldy, in natural yesäoxine»,
and in*freqiient broils between the English and the Ftench, the
condnct of our conquerors was such as to win the confidenoe and
esteem of the inhaHtants in general ; bat as for me^ sudli is tiie
effeo* of habity that^ until I saw jou^ I continiied to entertain
an-inoonceiyable dread of your countrymen. We at lengdi vea-
tared to remore our little treasures from their hiding-place, aad
feand them in as good preservation as when we buried theou"
' Virginia and I had a favourable voj-age ta Tappaneoly, cnjoj«
ing together eveiy eztemal comfort— «odety, music^ golden proa«
pects^ and especiallj young We. The objects which pleaaed
her most were^ the roracious shark in bis entanglement*' — die
varying and iridescent hues of the dying dolphin— »the shoals
of bonetas and albioores> which^ in countless numbers^ boonded
swiftly byj — ^the flying«fish— and the himinousappearanceof the
iea at night : all these were to her new objects of suiprise^ and
her enjoyment was mine :— we were^ indeed^ happy !
In äbout seven weeks from our departure^ we s^^roadied the
West coast o€ the Island of Sumatra ; and when near to Taj^a«
nooly^ rounded a smaU isbind^ of a conical form^ which reaia its
head about nine hundred feet above the surface of the sea; it la
called ^* Munsular." The trees on it are decorated with leaves
of an eztremely small siae and delicate texture, and diipoted
with admirable unifonnity. As we approached this island fnm
the southward, and saüed round its north-eastem e&tremilyj a
magnificent waterfiül^ the noise of which had caught our atten«
' tioa
>•
" The duok h inTi^ldy sttended by a remaikable fish, called tfae << pilot-lblk
Two or thiee of thisapedes pieoede his oourse, at the distance of a few feet» mk
one or two swim on each aide of him. The Yulgar q[>inion is, that they supply
the defidcDcy of smeül in the shark, and cater his food for him ; in retam tat
which aervioes, they are reoetved into his jaws as a place of refüge on the appioach
of danger. When the shaik is caught, I have seen the pilot-fishes swim aboot»
ieemin^y in great distress, until he is hauled up, when they disappear. They
aise each ftom eight to twdve inches in kngth, marked with transTene streaks of
UaeaadayeUowishbrowns and ftom the deck ofaibip their appetnaioett<ft«
Irendy beautiftil.
109
tion whea w« iv'ei^ 0onie toS» fistanl firom ic, fttdiep]^ bml
upcm üur Tiev. It täkes its 0ouice at the mountain-summit of
die idand ; it was at Üob time about twenty^^eren feet in \ddihj
and ruAed dovmwaxds to the 8ea> ^with a vdocity and grandeur
wldeh ao entiranoed us in enthnsiaatic admxration, as to prevent tfce
ca^presskm of it. Its xoar, b$ we approadbed neaser^ becam^
louder, and xesemUed continued leports fiom IflCrge ca]uion> te«
iwjncüng ns of the trutib of a lemark liy no vieans new^ thaft
tbe mighty aoenes of natcuce^ caiue to appear inagpifiea^Lt and ifee*
ble> not onlj ttie higbest productiaDa of the homan ixaoä, bul
the miad itself^ unaUe as it is to comprehend th<?se aoeneSr
Hexer, as in the neighbourhood of the Ide of Fraiice^ tbe txaa^
parent dearnes? of the sen enabied us to dbtinguub, witb amat
anngiaia&ty, the bottom^ at the depth of tbirty or forty feet, witb
its beds of coral^ to a coosiderable extent^ and tbe ßAes sporting
amoo^ tbem ; but, on tbe wbole> we were not now presented
with so tiansoendciatly grand a fl|iectacle as ,oa the former oc«
cadasu
Tappanooly next opeoed to our yiew; it is asmall island, about
ti^ nülesdiatant from tbe main land; upon it is stationed aa
Englisb xeddent^ wbose bungalow^ out-^bouses^ stcnre-bouses, the
inoperty of tbe East India Company« and a small Malay villag^
flitüated at its northem extremity^ constituto the wbole materiit
of übe Island. Between it and the main land^ is fonned one of
tbe fbiest barbour^ in tbe woiid, said to be capaUe of containing
one bundred and fifty saü of tbe line. In this barbour, about
a quarter of a mile distant from Tappanooly^ we came safe to
andior at tbree o'dodc in tbe eyening. Tbe aspect of the main
land is mountainous and woody« wild^ and picturesque.
The najdves of tbe island of Sumatra are Malayf^; i^nd tbe iof
baKtants of ils west ooast ai» copadered to be 1^ treajcbefaus
and fetodous than those d Aebeen^ tbe Moluocas. Batavia^ and
other eastorn Settlements. Their oompleadon is actually yellowj
bdng destitüto of the tßß, iingfd yrhich, wiijh tbe yellow^ conslir
|;utas tb^ t^^qpty pr oopper cplour ; tbeir nails are dy^sd led: ibef
ase generaliy diort in statüxe^ Seidom exoeeding ~five &et eight«
witb noses ratber flat^ ears eSKtended^ cbee): jbones bigb^ moutb
vnä^j a^d bay; lang and flowix^. Wbat n^Mt stxikes the attea^
^ion 9i flOßS^gsss», vrtoct oonddeciiig their jeiKO»s^ is the admirable
formatiOü
110
femadoii of their legs^ whicb^ being left tiAei, are aliöwa iä
great advantage. The Malay ärea consistfl of a vcBt, a xobe, a
xnantle^ a ^dle (in wldch is fized the crease^ or ^a^er)^ and
Short dmwen. A fine doth is worn round the head. Hie cliief
pnde of Malayan dress^ is the crease ; the poorest Tassal wea»
it ; and that of a pangaran, or chief, is very expensive, ihe sheaUk
and handle being finely carved^ and richly fillagreed with gold.
The Malays are fond of imitating the English uniform ; and aie
often Seen te wear the English cocked hat^ and red or blue mili«
iary jacket^ with pantaloons and boots. If seiiously offended^
ihey are sanguinary^ cruel^ and unforgiving; and nothing bat
reyenjge^ will satisfy them ; but if well treated^ they are finind ta
be dodle^ faithful^ and attached domestics^ and oourageous foUow«
ers. They have a gravity in their general demeanour^ and a dig«
nity in their step and galt, which are very imposing and remadc«
able : they are indolent to excess^ and it is difficult to penuade
them to work fbr money^ preferring, as they all do^ poverty with
independence^ to splendour with servitude ; they have few wanti^
änd those few^ bountiful nature satisfies with little or no lahour
on thdb: part. As to their religion^ itappears^ from what I oould
glean from those of the best informed among them, whom I had
an (^portunity of conversing with, that some of them heuere in
a Creator, and in a future State of reward and punishment; but
they have many absurd ideas on the subject of the power of in«
visible spirits over their persons, fates, and actions; and tlie
rest of their faith is a mass of paganism, superstition, and idolatiy.
Some of them possess great oourage ; and I know several instanees
of even true heroism. One I will adduce, being acquainted with
the parties ; but it would be too much to infer, that every Malay
would act with equal magnanimity in the same drcumstanoes.
A few years ago, an English officer, who was on a yisit to a
firiend at Padang, a settlement a few miles to the southward, thea
in the possession of the English, but since delivered over to the
Dutch, £requently observed a young and lovely Malay girl» re«
markable for faimess of complexion, and exquisite beauty, pan
the bungalow he resided in. He feit a violent pasdon for her,
and by bribing a third person, at length succeeded in communis
citting bis sufferings to her. Through the same Channel, he
leamt^ that she was macried to a Malay, with whom she lived on
good
111
I
goöälätKis. Still he cottld not daist fztun iiWliilging die hop$
rf one day giatifyuig Ibis infatuated paasion^ and expended large
mims in endeavouring to undpnnine her virtue; bat she rejected
his addresses with beoonung fortitude» Her lesistance, unfortu«
nately^ onlj served to add fuel to his flame ; and diiven, at hat,
to de^ration, he determined to xesort to any measnres, however
4UhoQOuxable or dangenoas^ rather ihan lose his prize. Theze
was .a Malay^ of apparent re^ectability^ whose house the offioeir
vr«! in the. habit of firequenting : to him the seduoer, in oonfi*
dence> imparted the secret which had so long agitated and op«
pressed his bosom ; and he was overjoyed to hear the Malaj pio^
mise to insure him the possession of the girl> m conaderBtion of
zeoeiving a certain sum of money. The proposal was aooepted
with avidity ; and he was to call at the same hour on the follow«
ing day : he did so, and soon found himself in a room alone with
the objeot of bis passion, who wai^^ or pretended to be, texxified at
the sight of hinij and attempted to escape^ but in vain. He ae-
cwppBshftd his purpose by force^ and afterwards remained with
her some days^ in the Malay's house, using his utmost endea^ouis
to sooth and oonsole, by every.means in his power, his mudv«
injorad victün, who, captivated by bis winning and agreeable
.manners, and by the costly presents he lavished upon her, became
at the eskä of that period, not only recondled to her ravisher, but
dosDtediy attached to him. Tlmt successful, he took a bungalow,
or eottage, and made his favourite the mistress of it.
In the mean time, the unfortnnate hnsband, finding that hia
wife did not retum- to her home on the evening of the day oa
which she- left it, made düigent search and inquixy a£ter her';
but such was the secrecy with which the whole affidr was eon^«
ducted, that he oould make no discavery ; and xondnded that she
had eilher destroyed herseif, or been kidnapped ibr the puzpoBe^of
being sold to slavery» Being fond of her to distraction, it was
some tii9e befiire the poor wretch could hold up his head; and it
was not until a period of ^ix weeks had elapsed, that he heard ahs
was livipg openly with an English offioer; the infiituation of
the parties had probably xendered them carelessly secure: hisas«
tonishment was then as great, as were his conflicting feeüngs of
jealou^ jand reyenge^ insuj^xnrtable. The Englishman being
li^, jre^pectable in.rank^ elegant and pi^possj^ssing, both in man-^.
ners
11«
aenaod in pexBom, of social diapomtioHi and indeed^ notw^tbstatid*»
mg tUs ssd faUiBg off in lai oonduc^ occasiosßd by a wiujrJ^ind
of passion^ a man of «tniable &eUngs> had a host of viaitocs oon*
tinuaily at bis dwdling. One eyening, as be was enjoying tbeir
^odety^ enliV^ned by tbe^circulatingglass^ indmation was brou^^
Inm, by one ef bis attendants, tbat a Malay sougbt admiiwiott.
^ Wbo ia be ?" was tbe questian» '^ One wbo bears a mesaaga
ftom anotber." He repaited to bis yerandab^ and tbexe saw aa
i^ed Malayj wbo was a perfect iatranger to bim. The sbraogar
bbwed respectfnlly^ and^ in a finn tone^ addressed bim to tbe fol-
loving purport :-^" Young man^ I come from my wn, to teil you
tiiat be knowsyou possess bis wife; be insists upon your restaring
heat to bim before tbis time to-morrow ; otberwise you will aa
Burely be a oorpse^ as tbat you now breatbe and live.** Tlie latter
part of tbis barangue was delirered witb conaiderable energy
and animation; tbe old man indeed^ was even seen to shed
tears ; and baving exided^ disappeared instantly> witbout waiting
a reply. Tbe Englisbman was paralysed at tbis suddettiuxdim-
expected denundation ; bis countenance betrayed tbe emotions of
bis beart to bis friends^ wbo soon divinefl tbe cause; andj in tbe
absence of tbe girl^ strongly advised bim to escape widi ber in a
sbip^ tben on tbe yety eve of saüing for Batavia ; but be spumad
tbe Suggestion^ conceiving tbat to yield to it would be cowaidioe,
imd passing tbe böttle^ determined to bury care in wine. ' ^Ilie
party did not separate untü a late boar^ and pronused to meet am
ibe foUowuig day> to keep tbdr friend in countenance, to cheer up
bis q)irtts> and td de&nd bim, if necessary. After securing bis
cbamber, witb ibore tban ordinary pr^caution, and pladng a
braea of Ibaded jpi^tols, and a crease, under bis pülow, be retiied
to rest, <^ Qourse lefjnining from imparting to tbe fair partner of
bis bed, tbe fearftil tbreat of tbe stranger; but bis uneäsiness
fiottld not escape ber Observation, and sbe employed tbe most winc
ning persuasives in ctrder tö prevail upon bim to reveal to ber ils
eaus&
Tbe ne^t moming, a Malay servant of bis/ wbose life be bad
been instruairaxtal, tbiou^ Providence, in preserving, by procuring
bim medieal aid, and affiardiag bim personal assistanoe \mder a
raging fever, wbicb ended in a delirium from wbicb be bad but
zecentljr ^^ecovered, gently tapped at bis cbambar door, intutMing
a wish
113
mwUb te flpeäc tolaB mksSb». The offioer, suflpocäag treaclieiy>
wMifc oul into 4lie ▼erandah sstaei, when lös lervant told biin>
a^ter Kpntei inJHnctions to seprecy^ %he breaoli of whicli^ be wiä,
woald fae lus inevitable dfistmoliotij iliHt thexe was a ^MgH ob
:foot to murd«r him tbat niglit^ unlen the girl weire Beut home in
tJie ceune of the day. The offioer oonaideritig hia aervantf s intuna'*
tion ag caiifirmatory of that of the old Malay^ co&sulted with hia
finenda, wlio thought it moBt prodent to eommunioate the whole
afiair to the English Besident^ in order to ohtainhisadTiee^ and, if
poedhle, hia awbtance in tjieur altei&pt toseciMFe the peMon of the
aanam. Hie resident, on heariag Üiß tele, iretnediately dispatched
offioeia fn hia a^irehensum, bat he waa nowhere te be found»
Thatevenng, üke^die ppoeeding, was paasedby the eflieer in the
aocaety ef ß. nnmeroui fMity of fneiidi, wheii> about the hour of ten>
iiyfflnnatiett was brou^^ that a mao, whose penon k was impos*
«Me to distfaguish in consequenoe of Ae daikness oi tiie night,
hadbeen seea topiowl about the premises, andon findäag himsdf
discxD^esed, had qukfcly made hk escape. Attwelve o'elocfc the
ooaqMniy bvoiDe up, and he redred to bis chambei^, havmgaataafied
l)inue]f that no strenger was in the room ; and aAer taking, aa
befinde, exttaof&uuy pj^ecautioBS to secure himself firom the pos*
aäliiity of intntsion ift the night, and, aa befiote, {Pacing hia
wei^pons under Iiii^.pÜIcMr, he wwt to reat, md soosr feD into a
j^opoiaaad üeep, foMed^ the aroM of hia beanteeus paslner, whose
bosom was bis pillow. He had s^pt about thtee honn, when,
on a sttdden, he feit hds bosoad loughly pressed, and hia shoidder
▼icdently ahaken. He awoke, and was horror-atruck to behold
Standing over him, a Malay, beaiing in eaeh band a nd^ed ctease ;
«i^t waa the injured huaband. Thei» is something in the very
naitire of giiilt, wh^ unner?es the stxongest arm, and aaps iSttB
vesohstioa of 4^ stootest heut, — and these weie the effeets pro-
duoed upon the Engtidmuan: in bis oonfiision, he folget the
pistols beneath'his ^^How ; and before he eould collect bis scattered
senses, the Malay, pieseating the point of ^e crease to bis
bosom, while he held out the handle of anotfaer fbr bis accept«
anoe, said^— '' Friendt, arise ! take Üas, defend yoursdf quickly :
I you>
* It 18 usual, in ahnost eveiy pari of Ama, to keep a lamp buming in the
Chamber during tfae night.
i* The mode of salutation in use among these people, on the occasion of a
hoetile message, or on the onset of a oontett, which ii Ükdy to end fatally to onc
or both of the partie«.
114
you^ or J, mudt now die !"-— and at tbat instaat, made a deq^ehrte
lunge^ which was quickly parried hy the Engliahman^ fihe point
.of wbose crease entered the fleshy pari of bis oppQnent's mde. .
Quick as thougbt^ a sucoession of lunges, or rather of transvene cuts
(such as are usuaUy made witb the crease), fbllowed« The £ag»
lishmaQy tliough an entire novice in the use of the weapon, wbile
his Opponent was a skilM adept in it, continued to parry his aims
almost by miracle« During the oontest, the girl sueceeded in
making her escape throtigh a hole which her hnsband» to . tttedL
his entrance, had cut in the matting forming the sides of the
bungalow: it is supposed that she fied into the interior, for die
was never afterwards seen or beard of at Padang. At leagth,
both being covered with woimds, and weak from the loss of blood,
every cutj though made at random> took e&ct. The Engliahinan,
now summoning all bis energies, and in the hope of tcgminating
the contest in his own favour> aimed a deadly bbw at htf ad^er*
siu7> who> in attempting to parry it, staggered, and» fbr a mo*
m&nt, threw bimself off his guard. Of that nunnent the Engliah«
man availed bimself^ and Struck his crease into the Malay'sshool- .
der, laying bim prostrate at his feet, appaiently dead> ezpeckiiig
every instant^ from loss of blood, to be stretched side by aide
with his antagonist ; he then tottered towards the door to arouae
his servants, who, being all wrapt in sound sleep in the veraadah,
were unoonscious of the scene which was passisg in their maater's
Chamber, when just as he was in the act of lifting the ktch^ the
Malay, having reoovered strength^ leaped up with the fleetness of
a roe, and ran bim through the back. He feil ; and having briefly
related to bis friends the particulars of the fight^ he eacpiied at
eight o'clock> expressiug, with his last breath, uneasiness for the
girl« wbose &te was unoertain ;-— commending the generosity and
courage of his Opponent, and leavlng strict injunctions that he
should be nc^further molested. The Malay, however, gave him«
5elf up to justice, was tiied, found guilty of murder, and executed.
The Malay women are fair, and some of them bandsome, poa-
sessing expressive dark eyes, eyebrows as regulär as if pencilled,
and small feetj which are esteemed a great beauty. From their
known addictiveness to jealousy, however, under the dominion of
which fatal passlon thcy commonly resort to poison, to satiate
their thirst of vengeaace, Europeans, in general, consider it
rather
116
tather hitzardoUs to associate with tbem. I bave heard Englisb«
men^ who have spent the greater portion of thdr existenoe among
these people^ dedare, tliat it b almost imposdble to düsolvea con-
Bexion* onoe fonned mth a Malay female^ and live, unless the
düsolution be effected either bj fligbt or by artifice. The females
oi Acheen, and of Java espedallyj are zenowned for their espert'
ness in the art of preparing poisons ; and pnde themselves in it :
they can seal tlie doom of their victim prospectively, almost to an
houTj even allowing a period of some months to intervene. Not
only go, bat when the demoniacal spirit of revenge actoates them,
they will spare the lifo of ihe object of theb: hatred, or jealousy,
for the vety puxpose of making it wietched by protracted torment :
they can even, (and this practioe is too often resorted to,) deprive
him of the powers of manhood« I ooe day saw paanng along
the streets of Tappanooly, a Maky female, nearly as fidr as
a European, of exquisite form, of eztremely delicate and sensitive
exterior, and with the air and gait of a woman of education and
acquiiement : she wore a vest of ootton, which reached ficom her waist
nearly down to her andes ; over this was thrown a robe of taffeta,
oovering her person from the Shoulders to the feet» and fastened to
the neck by buttonsof gold. I observed to a£uropean standing by
me, that she was, to appearanoe, a divinity. — ** Woold," said he,
'' she were as rieh in humanity and virtue, as in personal charms ;
but, on the contrary, she possesses the passions of a satyr, totally
ungovemable. Already has she buried, within the last three
years, no less than four young husbands, two of them £uiqpeans,
and it is pretty well understood how she oontrived to rid herseif
of them. In short, it is evident to all, that they were poisoned :
but, such is the sabüe nature of her art, that it is impcssible to
bring the proof home to her, with power sufficient to convict her.
She is now perhaps in pursuit of a fifth ; but I think her suocess
doubtful; for although she possesses beauty enoqgh to attract
admiration, she is too notoriously dangerous to be trusted.** It
would, however, be obviously unjust, so to generalize, as to brand
X 2 the.
• It may not be improper to observe} that a oonnexion with a female in the
Blastem Archipelago, where the marriafj;e tie is dispensed with, is ^ewed with
indtdgence, in oonsequence of the State of sodely, and of the scazdty of female»
of respectability, education, and acqiürements.
116
tiit whele TBce With such a stigm»; and every lover of the sex
"^tlÜ liatut^all^r tonsider tliis instance as a lamentable excepUoil»
No sk)oner häd I bfought my sliip to anchor off Tappanooly^
tbari I repaired to the dwelling of Mr. Prince, the resident, a
'getttleman as much and as deservedly esteemed for the amiable
-8imi£eit7 arid engaging mildne« of Ms mannen, <» he is dutin.
guished for the able and indefatigable discharge of his public duties.
I produt^dä letteraddressed to this gentleinan by my Pondicherry
agents> requesting his infonnation andassisttoce in the delitery of
a eargo of pepper, which was comigned to me by a JVeneh mer«-
cfaaht of Pondicherry, and Was esqpected to have dready arrivedat
T^tppahooly ; bat he toM me that he was totally ignorant ef any
such consignment having airived on the Island, or indeed of any
being dn its wäy ; änd fihat owing to ^he great scareity of pepper
tm the coas^ just then> it was almöst impossible to procure any.
This was a severe disappointment to me ; but it was amply com«
pensated by the circumstance of a cargo of soft sugar, which kad
been reeently left on the Island by a ship, unable, from having
ifprung aleak at »ea, to proceed on het voyage, being now for i»*
taediate sale. Prom recent äccounts-current, received from Ben-
gal> it appeared that the prtce of sugar at fbat place had risen, and
was then e^remely high ; so that tx)mparing the prime eost of the
BÜgar at Tappanooly,withtheBengal price, I oondtided that thepur«
chase of it would be a speculation t;alcu]ated to afford a more than
reasonable profit, that is, according to an estimation by no means san«
guine>one hundred and twenty per cent, at least. The drcnrastanee
also of my having on boardthe total proceeds of my vanbus freights
since I left Bengal, amounting in spede to eleven thousand three
hundred and twenty dollars, and the loss which I should incur liy
sailing in ballast, acted asadditionalindueements to vest the whole
of my funds in the purchase of the sugar on my own account.
This tum of fortune's wheel in my favour, threw me for a time
into a transport of joy. Hard did we labour to get ottr vessel ready
for sea witfa all possible expedition« In the tdiort space of one day and
night, the brig was hove down, her oopperrepaired, her sides fresh
dammered *, and she was made altogether perfectly water-tight. I
then iimnediately commenced taking in cargo, with all the energy
which
• Dammer is ü lund of vegeUtble pitdi*
which the mki^öf antiui fonndied wiA the opblest Stimuli towacr
tioQ-^die desKTO o£ incre^smg tlie hoppiness ot ^n a^^^ctionate and
ecmflding wife^ and^ at the same time^ of possessing richas^ indepen-
denoe> and power^ as the means of enjoyment and of dping gppd> ia
<^paUe of exemsing. While i w$w busied in superintending the
wdghing of a portlon of |3ie cargo oa Aore, ThonuKm was receiy-*
ing on board the portion already weighed, and stowing it away.
With sesp^tto Vlrginia^her time was agreeablj mnployed in mal:-
ing little excuioons about the island^ atte^ieä. by Malay girla^ her
attention being mudi engaged in noticing its natural iHX)ducti6n«j
most of which were enturely new to her» or in observing the man-»
nen and habits of the natives ; and her remark« on aH that she had
both heard and seen, were delightfully refreshing to me aft0r the
fatigues of the da]^« A beautifnl hid had been pre^ented to her by
a pangaran, or. chief; tben on a visit to the 9esid^t ; andoften,
when die was seated with it by her side^ holding the. playful littl^
äi^imal l^aribband^ tied to its neck^ did I thinkof Steme'sUfaxja»
and r^oiee tl^ U was not Maria I saw before me. In the ipace
of five daysi wasonee more readyfor sea^ the cargpnow n^own^
«8 well as the ship^ in whieh ^^ frail barl" I hadventured^-HPiy idL
Oa the moming previous to our departure^ we were ooncemed
to find that our boat^ the only one we had powessedj had disap^
peared during the night: having been festened by a irope to
the stem^ we condiuded it tnust haye been 8t<deQ^ We were the
more chag^:ined at thisj beeause there wasno pos^ibility of procur«
ing another at Taj^anooly ; and to sali witho\it one, was at least a
hazardous nndertaiking. Aftar bidding CureweH to Mr. I^nce,
who Idndly loaded ns with jnresents of fruit, we set sail for Hin^
doostan> wiih a ^ieaseiit breeae in ourfavour. We had not however
proceeded far, scarcely indeed having cleared the land, before Ute
wind began to fall gS; and a ^trong current soHing agaiast us,
we eame, es we supposed, to an anchor £br the night, about two
nules distantfrom the shoi:e, whidi was lined with a formidable ne«t
of breakers ; and after paying out eight fathoms of cable, squaxiog
the yards, and setting the watch, we redred to rast« Scgroely had
the midnight hour passed, all <m board'bein% asle^, esccept Thom-
son, who had just relieved one pf ' the secunnies on the watcb>
when I was awoke by the voioe of the former bawHng down the
icompanion««*-'' Csqptaiii Kaufirfigus! Captain Naufi»giisi we'ce
i^ .fittt
118
out at sea> sir !"— " Indeed ! How can that be?" True, liowever,
it proved. Not a vestige of land did tbe moon gratify our
gazing eyes withal^ and we conduded that our cable nnut have
been cut by tbe rocky bottom. I deeply lamented losing my an*
chor^ so soon afler my boat, and directed tbe lascars to baul in
tbe slack of tbe cable ; tbey did so ; but instead of tbe cable's
end making its appearance^ a cbeck was felt^ wbicb prevented
tbeir getting any more in. The serang then went over the bows
to ascertain the cause^ and discovered the anchor suspended by the
buoy-rope; it had got entangled in the fore-chains> widumt
having reached the bottom at all ; consequently^ while suppoäi^
ourselves to be safe at anchor^ we were^ in fact^ at the mercy of
the winds ; but fortunate it was for us the wind was not fitnii
the sea^ as in that case we must of course have beenblown on the
rocks : as it was> I was delighted at recovering my anchor> and
Unding the whole property safe^ as also our lires. By the nezt
moming, we regained our Situation on the ooast^ but the wind still
failed us^ and- oontinued to fail for a whole week^ so that we
made but little way« At length a breeze sprang up^ which waft*
ed US onwards^ sixty or seventy miles^ and died away again> leavisg
US onoe more becalmed ; and I began to suspect that^ so fitr as the
^elements were concemed^ my good fortune had deserted me. On
the moming of the tenth day from our departure^ I was again
awakened by Thomson.—" Captain Naufiragus !" — " Hulloa !"—
^^ Here is our boat ; she is come back^ and is just beneath our
•bows."— " The deuce she is !" and true enough^ there she hy,
within ten yards abead^ as if expecting and waiting for us ; bat
-of her six oars^ four were missing: glad enougb^ however^ were
we to see our old acquaintance^ and she was soon hoisted up to
her birth at the stem.
It was my custom^ when we were eoasting during the night,
to Station one lascar on each bow^ and one on each gangway^ for
the purpose of keeping a good look-out. To keep tbeir attention
constantly awake^ it was necessary for the ofBcer of the watch
(either Thomson or myself )^ to pass a watch*word every half-
hour, which was«— "Co«p daek^ougeell" or, ^^ Look out JüTm
ward r This was immediately answered by the lascar at one gang«
way>-— passed round forward^ and concluded at the opposite one.
It was amusing to hear the different voice3> vith the droll,
unsonorous tones of these siiigular seamen. Oue night^ how«
erer, when^ in the absence 6f the moon, the stars wcre beauti-
fully coni^icuous in the vast expanse above— -the sea quite calm,
with a surfaoe almost as unruffled as that of a mirror^ and no-
thing to he wen but the fitful glitteiing of fishes' fins^ reflecting
the 8tarlight«^together formmg a delightful soene für medita«
tion^ but one which^ heightened acr its effect was by the hour^
and the leigning stOlness^ was apt to lull the senses^ and teal
the eyes in slumber, and of which indeed I myself began to feel
the infltience^— when> in fact^ we were " d noddin',** I recoU
lected myself^ and having shaken off my own slumbers^ 1, with
the intention of azousing the lascars firom theirs^ bawled out^
withstentoxian lungs— '' C(mpdaek''Ougetir'^^* Coup daek^eghr
was the xeply, long drawn out; another — ** Coup daek-tegh !'*
(still islower) ; but the thiid lascar^ (poor wretch !) drawling out^
in a tone of voioe hazdly audiUe— »" Coup da-ek-degh I" in an in«
stant^ — feil into the sea ! In vain was the alarm given^ and the
boat lowered : he sunk into bis final sleep^ bis bed^ the ocean.
A zising breese soon wafted us beyond l^matra's shores^ to a
more northern latitude ; it was the south-east trade-wind, cany«
ing US nearly within the influence of the south-west monsoon ;
but we wexe not fiivoured with such propitious gales as iformerly.
Still our spirits being in the true vein for enjoymentj we ex«
pxessed a hope, which Thomsom heartüy partidpated^ that we
might nerer be less happy than we ihen were ! This hope was
scarcdy bom^ when the sun setting with more than usual bril-
liancy^ and leaving its path marked with streaks of gold^ a bird
hovered over our heads> and suddenly alighted on our tafirail :
it was one of " Mother Cary's chickens^" which by mariners are
considered as harbingers of ill^ and generally^ of a furious storm,
At a waming of this kind I did not then feel disposed to take
alann ; but there were other wamings not to be slighted — ^the
honJEon to the east presented the eztraordinaiy appearanoe of a
black doud in the shape of a bow^ with its convex towards
the sea^ and which kept its Singular shape and position un-
changed, until nightfalL For the period too of twenty minutes
after the setting of the sun^ the douds to the north- west conti-
nued of the colour of blood : but that' which most attracted our
Observation was, to us, a remarkable phenomenon-^the sea itn-
mediately around us, and as far as the eye could discem by the
1 4 light
ISO
Ug^t cf tbe mooii, appearedj fco* iboat fi^ly flftinttiefl^ of « pei»
fectly milk white. We weie ykiieä by two noie dndbem of
Motber Gary, both of wbicb soUgbt zefuge, wilü <rar fint yiaitiir^
on tbe mainmast. We aoBüded, bat foiiiid no baf tarn at a kcmdied
fathoms : a bücket of tbe water wiM tb^n dnwn up, the aUzfiw»
of wbicb was Bpjpaxeaüy cdvered willi imiümtaKbie i^arka of &»
ri— an efifect said to be eaused bj tbe anioMdcalft wbick i^Mnmd ia
aea^water : it is at ^ timeB codmibn, bat ^e ^aakb aie not in
general so nutoeceu^ nor of raeli ma^itüde ^ weie tlioae wbidi
theo preseated tbemsdives» The babd top, betag ^iped ih Ibo
water» and imoiediatd^ witiidrawn, ^lousands «f tiieoi wonld
seem to adbo« to it. . A disxöal hdlow bieete, wlnbb^ aa ihm
night drew oa> bowled l^mmgb our riggiüg, and infcued into qs
all a sombre, melancholy feeling» incireäsed hy gatbäiing okmäm,
and tbe altogether ^rtentous State of the atmoiphäie and de*
m^itSj ushered in the fixBt watch, whiA ifras to be kcpt hf
Thomson» . >.
Abottt eigbt o'elook> loii4 claps of tbundcc^ «ach in Und
Uing a screechj or the blast of a trumpet, mtbe^ tfaan the
bling sound of thunder in Europe^biüivt over tm beadsi» and
^micceeded by Ti?id flasbes oi forked lightning^ We new siade
every neeessuy p;epatotidn 6x a «tom, by ^tiüang. tiie tap^
galhmt-mastSi witk thdr yards» dose reefing the fopnils «nd
foresaüj bending tbe stoxin-staysail» «id batt^niag dofwa Am
niain hatch> öy&r wbicb two tarpaulins were naSed» fer ibe
better preservatioti of tbe oaxga We obsorved iAnamenMä
sboals of fisheSi the teotions oi whidi appeated to be moare
Vfiually vivid «ftd redundlant.
At twelve o'elock^ bn my-takiag ebarge of ibe detk, die
bore a chaxacter widely different ficoin thiit which it ftmentaä,
but three bours before. We now sailed tinder dooe-r^efed aara*
tppsail, and foresaii. The sea ran high ; our bazk kboatfed bnd»
and pitched desperately, and the waves kshed her s&das willi
fiuy, and were e^idently increaarag in farce and siee» Over head
nothing was to be seen but huge travellibg «^udif^ dfied by
saihwsthe "iteoA," Hvhich hurried onwards wilh ^e fleetnenof
the eagle in her fli^t. New stnd then the mooii, tiien m hat
second querter, wonldabew her disc for an instatit, ImtbefakUly
obBcaxed; <« a star of '^paly" ligbt, peep out^ and abo disqppear.
The
131
Tke weil wal savaittAt \mt tiie iwd did not yel fludke wem
vater llu« wliat loi^ be^^ooted ia fueh ft leaj we ]i0weT«K>
kq^ the {mn^ going» st interaA^ ia otdir to fnfftat the caargo
äoni atiliiMiiig dtiiai^. The ivind aow mamadSi^ «nd tke
woTM XDOD Mghatz aimit .two o'daBk Ui m* Üt^ wtttüiait tm&k«
t<)|MMdl-4liiet gsvft wflf I ^ iülitai i^pttt tDnbbott^ «iid befiMw
n^tsovU duttit iipiy WM conqdeufy Uown «Wi^ firan tbe Ml»
xiof& The fimsail -«tos tbsti Ibrkd, iioVi«)thoat gfeat diftettlt3%
«Ad immihtftt hiusasd te lihe •eanai, äie ifiorm Myiail dkme
WitiifeUBidiiig "thü iBig^t|r ivnid^ - Mich wmod io gidii Meiig^
dvefjr laM'^umi:; mkäm Hw m»^ ia fii^lsfol «aUimity^ towcrad
to all incradäle htsght^ fim^eatil^ anUag tt ixMiiplttte teetdi ovsf
ourdedc
Al four o. i»i. I was trikr^ hf Tbaumm, who at dayligkt
appriaed na «hat thtoawmiapaHatwattpnii^, aad tbat tfi6 gale
wasiniifiaitig. .. flcaacel]r.had J goaa oa dack^ whea a tremen*
dotts aea lAtmk tm a üttk ^ «haft Uxa biasi/' oafrjHbg emy thing
befixe it, aad Washfaig oirarIXNffd hfeiMKMfB> eaUet, imkasetAa,
aad iadeed aveiy iBo^peaiib attkU oa Ae daek. ThoaMob ^ aloMMt
If ttarpde» teei^ heiag loat; bal httfiag^ Ia aoAinioa wiUi th«
laMaEB^ tafcaa tbe pacauäm to liah a tope itmad Us waiat^ we
wcre aibfe^ by ita maaaiy to «siaricaca hiai fhaadaagef; atthe
Momfe tarne the «onaL diade aa aiipelling luMh, lyhig down oa her
hetoofti^adf^ ia wlndi^paRtidad»iaaiabad fyt Aa apaoeitf twa
aunizteg^ when Um TwaiiHapiiaitt, ^bfloared bf äie fnelopaieat^
weat b]r the boaai, wilii a dreadftü ttHEiah ; shetheati^ted; aad
we wate all iaiaiediatefy «isgtged ia goiag aloft» aad wHh hat-
cheU GuttLqg away Um wxadc, eaeh 4i «la baiag iadied wkh a
tsf& rooadlhewaisti xo|pe8 wara-i^ ftaiened aeranthededt^
ib paialiaL Jiaes^ toholdaaby; fe «aoh waa iha Tioieaee ctf I9ie
yaaiei^i aaidoa» that without «u«h aanstaacd it wacdd have been
hnpaidhle to ttaad* As Ibr -ny ¥kgnik> ahe was h& her cot>
hearing aE.Aafc was going f(»wttal <m deek y . ü a aa tbfe af her
daagex^ aad^a- ]^aey to the mpfrefaaadba «f aieeting a 43eatfi aiaiSfaar
to tiiat ef ^ber pretotypi^ aad aq^iiaHy dNadful.
A'diiaaQag ihaa«r amr Malaie aa^ aad ha^di^ conti»ued ibr
Kriae time^ waa at leagth «««oeeded by heavy raia> which
haifdiy^ been «oamrtad inM deet> watt aanied m flohea mviffcly
along
1S2
along'tlie tops of the towering mountains of aea ;
the cold sensibly affected tbe already exhausted lascan, at onoe
diaiiicIiiuDg them from exertdon^ and incapacitatiiig d^em fiorn
makiiig anjj; someof tkem even sat down, like xnaiuinate sta*
tues, with a fized staze, and a deatUike hue upon their counte«
nances: the most afflicting dicumstance was^ tbeir being desti«
tute of warm clothing, which th^ had. neglected to provide
thenutelves with, as they ougbt to have done, out of the four
months' advanoe they received in Calcutta. All ihat I eonld
spare was given to Thomson ; but unable to endure the s^ht of
their misery, I distributed among them many arddes which J
couldill spare^-^Hsheets, Shirts, and Uankets; except oneof the
latter, which I had reserved as a provision against any forther
extreme of suffering which might yet await us. . There was ooe
poor lascar, a simple inoff^osive youth, about ninetieen, who was
an object of the liveliest commisseration : he was.neärly naked^
and in that State had been oontinually drenched by the sea aad
rain, during the whole of the day and night ; he was hoüding
bis hands up to heaven in a supplicating attitude, and «l^atmg in
an agueish fit ; the tears feil in torrents down bis cheeln, whüe
he uttered bis plaints in loud and piercing lamentatioDs: xmaUey
at last, to witness bis misery any longer, I rushed down to my
cabi&— '' Can you, Virginia, spare me this blanket, witfaout
feeling the cold too much yourself ?-*it is, tö save the life of a
fellow-creature."— ^' Yes, take it ; but stay with me, or, under
the horrors I feel, I shall die in this cabin, and alone. I know
we must perish, and why not die together ?" I entreated her to
Support herseif with all the fortitude she could collect, uiged the
impossibility of my keeping her Company, as eveiy momeot called
for my assistance; and assuring her there was no real dang^r, 1
hurried on deck with the blanket, and wrapped the poor wietch
in its folds. I thought he would have worshipped me J Hif joy
and gratitude were unutterable, but not greater than the over-
flowing gladness of my ovm heart in having relieved bim ; and
fuUy convinoed I am, that no pleasure on earth is comparable to
that of doing good, nor any rewaid greater than a self-approving
conscienoe. Evexy momeut I could seize, I hurried into the
cabin; and indeed, it required my utmost exertion to support
Virginia
I2i
Virginia under the sütrouniding tenors ; sKe seemed to be in st
State of stupefactioKi^ and was almost fiiinting in despondency.
The wind now blew a oomplete huiricane ; our yessA strained
and pitclied dfeadfiiUy^ so that^ from tbe violenoe of its motion^
ibe oldest sailots on board were sea-^rii^^ and^ from inoessant la«
bouT) and exposuze to tbe weatber^ in so weak a oandition^ tbat it
^9^ vfiüx tbe utmost difficulty we could get tbem to do tbeir
duty ; some pcayedy-^thers stretched tbemaeives resignedly along
ihe deck^ and tbwe feil aaleep^ or radier into a Stupor^ from wbich
it was impoflsible to arouse tbem; they seemed to be indifferent
to every tbing^ 6Ven to tbeir own preservation ; and of all tbe
citew^ tbere xemained but tbe tbree secunnies^ Tbomson^ and
myself^ witb one or two stout lascars^ to work tbe vesseL
Dnring tlie latter part of tbis trying period, we bad notbing to
eefre out to tbe crew bot flour and water; tbe rioe, biscuit^ and
ealt provisaons, wbicb we bad resenred, being consamed^ and tbe
Test being in tbe sbip's bold^ wbence it was impossible to get it»
witbout opening tbe main batcbes^ and tbat would bave been cer«
tain destruction. Even tbe flonr and water^ bowever, were use*
fiüj baving kneeded tbem into dougb^ wbicb Tbomson^ wbo bad
strack a ligbt^ not witbout great dificulty^ in consequence of tbe
-tinder baving got wet^ contrived to warm, in a kedgeree, er
-eartbem pot, sufficientlj to make it palatable ; tbis, witb a Ixtüe
rum, wbicb fortunately remained in our caUn, was oflfered to as
many of tbe crew as were in a oondition to partake of it ; and
Englisb, Mabommedans, Portuguese, Malabars, and MussolmansE,
all ate togetber, and swallowed tbe vivifying liquid in pezfecft
barmony. Tbe followers of tbe Propbet were afterwards xe»
'minded of tbeir transgression ; and tbeir answer was, tbat Ma«
bommed, wben be framed bis probibition against tbe use of ardent
'spirits, did not contemplate tbe possibility of bis vötaries being .
placed in sucb a condition as tbat in wbicOi they bad been*
Tbe burricane oontinued witb unabated fury for tbe spaoe of tbree
days and nigbts ; on tbe evening of tbe fourtb day, it was, apparent-
•ly, at its bei^t, and about midnigbt a sea striking our boat, dasbed
it to atoms, blowing it away from its lashings, and leaving but a
'part of its skeleton, wbicb we instantly cut away. The la^cars
-bad now become still more drowsy and desponding; fortunately,
however, Jittle remainedior tbem to do, as our storm staysail was
the
1914
ihe only fall we b»d bent ever «nee tbe Im» of our tm topmastsi;
and tfaat was blown awaj duruig tbe night; our main and fare
yBxä$ were lowerod on deckj and tliere was nothing left Standing
except the two masts^ wliich trembied like reedsj and every mi<
nute thxeatened to go by tbe boaid. The well was soonded everj
ten ndnutes^ and irejoiced wexe we to find our bark did oot mait^
any water. Not having had a sigbt of tbe sun since the oom-
menoement cxf tbe gale» it was impossible for us to keep (mr zeck«
oning ; but as we bad been driven at the mercy of the wind,
blowing from tbe south-east^ and of the sea^ xunniog north^wesi;,
and had therefore been scudding before both^ at the npd rate ef
seven or eight miles an hour, for ihe last four days> we conjee»
tured that we oould not be fin to the eastward of ihe Coromandd
coast^ and perhaps to the northward of Madras»
It was about four o'dock» on die fiftb moraing of ihe.hiunenM^
that I Tentured into my cabin, to xepose myself on my eot until
daylight^ more with the persuasion that my prea^ee wottld inr-
i^ire Virginia with fresh faopes^ and, in oonaequenoe^ bett» spirit^
4han ihBt the stonn bad in ihe least abated, or that the peril had
become less inmiinent« At six> Thomson, whom I had left ia
Charge of the deck, aroused me by bawling» in a yoiee neeeasualy
nised to the hi^liest pitdi, to make itaelf heard amidst the howlr
ingv or rather screaming of the elranents— ^' Naufragus !" I iop
Btantly jumped up, without waiting any apecifie eonununicatNii^
and, ofn reaching the deck, fbund the pumps at work, and was w^
Ibnned that we had five feet water in the hoM« and tjiat the wf^
ter was gaaning upon us fast, notwithstanding the pumps had
-been kept constantly going.-^^ Well," said TbomM>n, in a low
tone, not to be heard by Ihe crew^ '^ we'll do our best, as Jo^g as
jifte ßoats, but that cannot now be much longer-^it's all ovfar vrith
ya^ depend upon it !" Tliere was no time for asrguiaent : the
pumps weie jiow the chief . object of our attention ; and T^onaon
and mjrself, with. the secunnies, plied them inceasantly, until we
were zeady to drqp down with fatigue. As for the lascax^» they
atill lemained lying about the deck, in a State Ixurdering on inseop
süslity ; when, at length, being no longer aUe to pump, withont
a relief, we were ohliged, as our only means of preservation, to
have reoourse to coerctve measures, however painful to cur feet
ingSy in order to compd the lascars to assist at the puntps. Afier
beating
12»
t)eatii]fg' ttany ai tbem severely wriik a Jfopo'« 6tii^ and ihm tt^
litoring fliem^ as it wefe, to life, we miwtered ä reUef.
In a Short time we found that tiie water brouglit up bjr 4fae
pumps bore a brownisli oolour> Bsoä, on t&Ming it^ that ii Wal
sweet; so that it was evident we were puaipiiig up the eutgue^
which being emitaiiied in baskets» wüs but iU pioteeted agaisst
^v^ater. Such is die londness for life^ that ön the ^peazinee ef
any sudden or iiaMMdiate cause of disaoltttiöB^ aiiy cmtideration
unconnected ^Ih dke paroi&ouut mtk x£ preservatiofij la sei at
^ought ; thus> «Ithough I was senatUe that my TaluaUd cargo
was moBientsirily diannishing, and my property walting away, I
then fdN; nö dispodtioa to regrot my loss^ the powers ef my mwä,
änd the efibcdoBs of my heort, being aH engaged on hig^ier ob«
jeetSi
lliose lascars who couid at all be biDu^t to the pümps, were
in so wretdied and debilitated a State, as to require constant üe^
lieft. For ctoe day and two ni^ts^ exc^t a few short intervals^
AomiM and myselfj with the secunniesy were at the pumps : at
the end of that tkne^ our hands were blistered to auch a degreei»
that the iMn having peeied ofl^ the raw flesh appeared ; our urms,
thighs^ and legs^ were to dreadfully swdled, and our hiina in such
tormenting pa^^ as to nudce it impossiUe for us to oondnue the
exertion^ without su£^a^ extreme agony ; and nothing but the
n8i6iRnch<dy oonVictioii that we miut fimtfimn our kbewu^^ or
peiish> eould possibly have sustained us under auch harddtqp»-*
hardsbips^ liowev^, wluok we had the heartfölt satisfieK^on .to
^3^ were se featüSicA. benng useless, that an pevosing the sound»
ing-rod^'wheii puHed up ^Ktm ^ well (^^vUch we did under fedU
ingstyf extreme anxiety and eagemem)^ in^were coBTineed tluft
the water did not ^iSn ltp(tt us. Our q^xits^ bowerer, reoeired
no encoun^ement &om the a{^«azanoe of the dements; the
claads were bladk and £pdwiang> and «ilanmndjtill bore aihreai^
enktg tippearanoe> the liurricane indeed having rather inereasM
3mn^ the süßest degree abated.
Ute circumstanoe >of our having on board so periudtaUe and
l^t a caigo as soft sugat^ it is xemailEable, was the veiy meana
of OUT preserration. Had it consisted of almoat any other article,
either of pepper or o£ dead we%ht, we must inevitably have p^
riiäxed. Tt> hftve thrown overboaid any heavy cargo, would, from
the
126
iftte oöiiiitant and heaty breaches which the sea'made ovet ws, liave
been impossible. Neither could tbe masts haye been cut acwaj
for the purpose of lightening the vessel^ in consequence of the
imbecile condition of the crew ; a recourse to so hazaidous a mea-
suie would^ tinder our circumstances^ most likely have proved the
cause of our destruction. As it was^ from constant pumping for
three days, we found our vessel as light and buoyant as a cork«
«nd^ with the excepdon of the baakets in whidi the sugar had
been Btowed^ as emptj as when I first purchased her.
Night approached^ bringing with it additional horrors. The
secunnies^ who had hitherto bome their hardships with admi«
rable fortitude^ now began to droop> and to express a violent in-
clination for more rum^ although as much had been given them
as they coulc^ pössibly bear; indeed^ rum^ with dough^ half«
baked^ had formed their onlj sustenance during the whole pmod
of our sufferings. As for the pumps, we were now so lightened^
they did not require to be worked at all ; but the greatest dread
we laboured under was from the dangerous condition of the inain
and fore masts^ that tottered to and fro^ threatening to go by the
board every minute. Before the hour of sunset^ a large hiid,
called the albatross^ with wings the length of four to five feet eaeh^
fikimmed along the surface of the waves, dose, to and arooad us s
this inspired the crew with hopes^ as they supposed it to be a
good omen. It remained hovering neac our unfortünate wxeck
for some minutes^ until it alighted on the waves^ where it was
seen riding perfectly at ease^ and with the majesty of a fine laige
8wan^ now on the sumniit of a tremendous mountain of waters,
and now in the ravines of a wide and deep abyss« At lengUi
darkness once more endbmpassed us around^ and seemed to shut us
out from eren. a ray of hope ; the desponding few^ whoae senses
were still left them^ apparently feit with more acuteness than h&>
foire, the desperation and hcnrors of their condition. At the hour
of eight p. m. howevor^ the wind suddenly changed^ from south«
east to south-westj and soon appeared to be dying away« At this
happy circumstance^ whereby a prospect of deliverance from tbe
very depths of despair, was opened to us^ the feelings manifesfeed
by the crew were as singular as they were various ; some shouted
for joy — some cried— others muttered prayers— while a few were..
still despondent^ presenting wild and savage-looking features^ and.
seeming
137
§semiAg fö tegtet that the billows liad not swallowed them np^
Viirgiaia iiad been in a State of oomparatire inammation for the
last two daya and nights^ caused hj her extreme terror, and the
esoesaive netionof.the veaael; she was« notwithstanding, guffi«
ciently sensible to be attentive to« and conscious of« what was
going fprward on deck ; and fzom mj earimt assuiances tbat the
gale was abating, together with the knowledge she possessed of
the Mahomedan and Fortuguese languages« she soon found our.
prospects were changing for tbe better. She then« for the £rst
time since thecononencement of the hurticane, partook gf a
little of the baked dough« with a small quantity of port wine> that
fcnrtunately remained in our cabin store-room« and which aoon
brcmght <m a sound deep.
Eyery half-hour the gale became less violent^ and the sea more
twiquil ; until« at four in the moming, we were all thorou^y
satisfied of its tennination. At dayligbt it blew only what the
saüors call a '^ stiff Iseese;,'' witb a sea that at any other tane we
9houId>haYe thought a tremendous one ; but« oompared with what
we had jcecently ^experienoed« it appeared tranquü. The rain« that
had Gontinued without intermission for three days and mgfxts,
now ceased; the.sun« on its rising« cheered ns with a sight of
its.rays> whkh we had not beheld for six days; the sea. ao
loii^ger made breaches over our deck; in short« the aspect of
j^ßfry. thing arqund.us appeared ßo com^etely t'ransformed« as to
re^ffWe another State of existen^ce. Nature reassumed her beaitty
i^[id her smiles— «the heavens their spLendour— rthe sea its heaven«
ly.blue« having subsided into g^tle undulati(n^« so that noirall
loound US again bore a cheering aspect of tranquillity and beau^ty«
cxcepting only our shattered bark« and on the oountenanoes.of
the living objects who were to be seen.on Us deck ;-^the8e indeed
piesented a .scene whichj to a person unused to a sea lifo aod
$tonns> would be one of horror and confusion« almost sq^palling-r^
a s^ene« of which the mind of such a person would be scaroely able
to form any aecuxate idea. Tbe features of all on boaxd displayed a
haggard and savage ferocity ;^ong unshaven beard8>eyes sunk deep
ia their sockets, and dim through weakness« and the efiects of long«
continuejd despair ;-T-hollow cheeks« trembliug limbs« bodies b^t
almost double« through fatigue« cold« and bunger« Tbis is a
faithful picture of the miseri^ble wretches who crawlcd upon our
deck
128
iedkto opea tbe maia hftteiM wlien tbd stonn hsA wheiAfä, and
wlio Üim. Mi upon the dikd mU fii^ and Ik^usi^, wkh tlie vo*
iacta«i appetkes of canmbids^ gorgmg thdr ifbod in a manner dw-
gustbg' 1« belioM. Meanwhile^ ftoarcely a word wai heavd to
iiitemipt tbe fepast; the big teiur/— tlie cdnviäave gsn^^ —
pleaded laoüietitarily in dumb utTteranee^ firora liMrt to beartj die
^fnnpathy mliA etuek hni. in those df eädful sufferings bis fellows
bad «mdergon^ Befinde Thomson and i&TBelf toucbed a partiele
o£Ae repast^ (ben so grefilt a treat to ns, we vepaired witb 89&ie^
abready eocktä, to Vkginia; but finding hör still adeep^ w«
tboagiht it ad<fi^ble net yet to distuib ber.
1^ an Observation made wben tbe aati was at tlie neri&Hi^ we
found ourselves to be in latitude sixteen degrees tbirty-five ad«
nttles nortlij and our longitude^ by cbronometer^ gave its a few
degrees to tbe eastward of tbe Coromandel Coaet. I tben ftoed
Ott to tbe XKM^bwMxl^ nnder a gentle sout^-*we0t breeee> wkk
notbifig set bur our oonrses^ my object being to fall in witik Uie
track of (diips bound to Caloutta> in order to obtain nsiMlonce.
In tbe mean time, we were actively engaged in eleariag away
tibe vrfefik. of our masts and rigging^ wbicb bad beeil 4e8troyed
by tbe stdrm^ and in strengthening eu3r main and foremasls^ b^
tangbteiling tbe rigging^ and setting up preventer«-6tay8. Oa
examinisg tilie sbip's bold^ we found tbat tbe eaigo of
wbidli we liad receired aii Tappaaooly^ and stowed socksej
so bigb^ as tcTtoucb our very beams^ bad been disselved by '^
ter wbicb bad made its way into tbe sbip during llie storm^ maä.
tbat it bad sunk to witbin diree feet of tbe vessel's boMom ! efea
tbat sptLoe appeared to be €31ei chiafly by empty badcets only.
On tbe moming of tbe fourtb day frcmi tlie disoontiniifuioe ef
tbe gale^ a saä was discovered^ at tbe- distanoe of sixersev^t
flaues to windward^ Standing on tbe satne course as eurs^vek
We immediately boL^ed tbe Engliäb ensign at tbe foremast bead,
widi tbe Union downwaids, wbicb 4s a Signal of distress. Tlie
itranger no sooneir observed it^ tban sbe bore down towatds us^
and tbe captain came on beaid. 6be' jnx>ved to betbe Mary«
Gaptain Freeman^ last &om Madras^ bound to Calcutta; from
wbom we leamt tbat a large sbip^ called tbe Gomwaüis» from
Bengale bound to Cbina^ bad been dismasted in tbe same gale,
and was obliged to put back mto Trineomalay^ to undergo repair;
and
id9
anä that, fortuiiateIy> the stotm had not nged with equal vku
lence in Madras RoacU> nor aloi^ anj part of .the Coroiiiandel
Coast. Captain Freeman immediately sent off hü boat> wiU& a
note to his chief offioer^ who speedlly retumed it with a lupply
of laacan^ ngf^xig, xaasts, sails^ aQd qpan. With the assiatanoe
of these^ we were soon aUe to get up juiy topmasts and yai^ds,
and to 9et the sails. But what pxoyed particularly aooeptaUe^
was a 8up^7 of fruit and preserres* These were esteemed by
Virginia, whp« by this time, had reoQvered her strength and sj^^
Tita, BS a deliciajas treat ; but she more than onoe assured nie, she
never would venture* to sea again. In flnre days a pUot schooner
hove in stght^ and a^dever^ intelligent young man« named Twis-
den, took charge of u^^ We sailed up the river Hooghly with a
I»opitiou8 breeze« and« ydthout further peril« came to anchor in
a few days« off the town of Galcutta« in so cri^[Kled and disabled
a conditibn«. as to attract tbe Observation of all the crews in the
surrounding shipping«
Atfirst« Iconoeived thepossihilityof repaixingmy vessel; but
I found the expence attending it would be as great« from the
wretched condition she was in« as'the purchase of a new.one; I
wfts therefbre compelled« by neoesdty« to seil her. From the
underw^ters I oould not recova a Single rupee ; and my favourite
bark« tbat had borae me so many months« unhurt« on the Wide
oeean — that had weatbered out as severe a huxiicane^ perhaps« as
ever was feit al-. sea« and brought me back with safio^« though
not without loss« to Calcutta« I was oorapelled to send« together
with my cargo« to the hammer. They both together« did not
fetch me more than the sum of three thousand two hundred ru-»
pees« or four hündred poünds. This wretched pittance was barely
sufficient to discharge the wages of my crew ; after doing wUcht
I found myself not possessed of more than nine hundred and sizty
rupees« or a hündred and twenty pounds« in the world« so severe
a reverse of fortune did I experience in so short a spaoe of time :
yet that reverse« — ^the loss of my cargo of sugar« was the very
means of preserving my existence« and thistt of my crew ! a re-
markaUe feature of my calamity« which is^ perhaps« almost withr
. out a parallel in the annals of adventure. I did not feel tbe se-
verity of my loss of property Sö acutely in the midst of the hurri-
cane«. when it raged about me with its greatest fiiry« and
K aU
130
all oüv }W«B wöre in ixümediate jeopardy^ as I did afterwaiSs/
d& my retam to Calcutta : th^e I Mflected on my destitute cob-
ditlon Vfith. feelings of the liveliest regret^ and almost of despair.
Such is the weakness of human nature^ that instead of my enter-
taining a feeling of grätitude for my miraculoua preservation, my
beart repined^ and I eyen reproached that deliverance itaelf^ whidi
had restored me to land^ safe^ and in liealth^ but imporeiisbed.
%) little trne pbüosophy bas man^ and so little sincere resignation
to tbe Divine will in all tbings ! Of tbis pbilosopby tbero is^ ala»!
mvtck in tbeor^^ but little in practice : it iä a great deal taiked at,
but rarely found.
* -Soon aftei* my arriyal^ I bad selected two rooms in the Odcatta
Hotels as a temporary place of residence. One marning, Mo(^
dootooden Cbetarjee made bis appearance^ with a sorrowfbl ooan-
tenance^ lamenting and condoling with me in feelmg langoage
on my amtal under such untoward eipcumstanoes. Tba fini
question I asked of bim was^ if he knew wbftt bad become «f his
old master, my friend Tassit. — ^ Ab> my lord ! my best feiend,
Tassit, never was better man — Gone dead, my lord !'* Thö drol»
lery ei Moodoosooden's delivery^ I Was no stranger to> andveoeivsed
tbe announcement of my old and familiär friend's death, wkb
feelings of bitter regret. — '* Wbere/' I asked^ " is bis ^ipkbw aoid
cbild ?"— *' At Lucknow, my bard."---" Well, well, MoodooBOo«
den^ we rnnst bear all ills with fortitnde- dunng our lifotiiiMk
Oome, c&tn, take a chair — be* seated : «te bisr owidow and diild
provided for f"-^'^ Very well, my lord." — '' Tbanks tö a kiad
FroTidenee for that ! Now^ Moodoosooden, how fares tbe widow
of my old Commander, Lambert V*^-^^* Five montbs, mylotä, €^4me
dead" And in answer to similar inquiries,' I fotind that ssanj
other acquaintances. bad foUowed tbe same patb, and all in tbe
Ybort period of my absence from Calcutta, wbich did not exoeed
fourteen montbs. I therefore began to cönsult with Moodooeoo«
den, wbat was to be done : in an instant^ bowever, a oonviction
Aasbed across my mind, of tbe fallacy of words consHering tbe
peculiarity of my case and circumstances, wbich r^ndered wa/y
Suggestion of bis^ or exertion of my own, to recoVer my roised
fbrtane, inevitably abortive, unless I could be aided by tbe power-
iul arm of some friend, possessed of funds, or in some other way
181
zeedve ^ffectmd lud. Htiving ordeted HoodoMoodfeA U> Mm»
«ad oot to call agbitf untU sent for^ I locked myadf in my diaai«
ber^ to refleci on mj caie with studious «pplicatioii of taioA, ^^iäk
a yiew to determine the best poidbLe oouxae for »e to pnnuak
One effecM oi my late adventuTeft at sea bad been« an aloMMt total
loas of beanBg : I oongidered tberefote^ and witk leiioQs coniten^
tbat by tbis misfortunej a formidaUe banier was liused to my
eyer foUowiiig tbe sea agaiou professioDally. Tbe fiist tenMtkni
of tbis calamity was feit on board tbe East Tndiaman wbere I
receiyed sucb barbarous treätment fiom my inyetente enemyj tbe
seooiid offioer; and it was doabtlets caiised, ori^nally, by tba
priyations^ind bazdflbips wbidi I had tben tbe nisfaitane to ea««
dure^ bietng at $k very tender age espoeed widumt meicy to all
weatberft. fiince tbat perfod tbe defeet bad incceaaed^ by sU^t,
andfthnostioipercepfiUedegrees; untQ^aftertbestonn^it «wnimiwl
so alanoit^ a fidatute^ as tbough not to debar me firom tbe euioy«
rneüt of li&9 or the society <tf a finend, yet to j^reyent oiy eter
betng veeeiyed as an offio^ on boarS of «ny Ibip ; tbis line of
s^tvioe wl» tberefore shut 4gainst me. Anotber cbstade^ eqnally
fbnnidable in tbe way of my futuze j^rospeots and suctesses, bad
interveoed. Dnxing my abs^ce firom Calcutta, tbe firee tiada
bad been thiown openj^'und tiie ilsages and adyaatages of .tbe
countiy Service bad aatumed an entirely new featore. Tbe ser«
yices of £!vir(»ptiuis -ivtre np longer in demand^ on actonnt of
tbeir scatcityi al tbey bdd formierly b^m ; for altbougb an edict
fiom fb^ Court of Di^ecUns ef tbe Honoorable East India
Codkpany probibited EvüKipeans firom rematning in tbe oountiy
witbout ä licenoe« yet' as mäny as could gain employment (and
tbat was i^öt a few) did accept it^ witbout incurring tbe smallert
risk ti b^ing seht bonie, or in «ny way interfered witb, si»
long as tbey remained qoiet and unobtmsiye members of SDdety,
or forbore to bring tbemselyes prominiantly to tbe notice of tbe
Ifical autborities.
^mong Qther obanges produced by tbe firee trade, was ä sud».
den and itentfiurkaUe iUl in the Irale öf fireigfat to Euiope. Tbis
fall was bom SM» £26, and £30 a ton, to £l9i £16, £l2, and
£7 $ ai tbi^ latter of wbiicb rates it remained statimiaxy. Tbe
pay of tbe ^mmanders and officers of coimtry sbips was neoes«
aacily lewertd ; and India, in wbidi a European coüId but aibw
K 2 montbs
moi^ths previbus have fbund twent)^ plaees ready for Kis aecep^'
teaace, and in wl^icH bis profiered servioes would be eagerly sougbt
fbr by numbeis^ and always on terms of liberal emdlunient^ wa»
now so.overrun witb adventurers^ as to render it a matter of ex--
tr^aie difficulty^ if not utterly impossible^ for him to obtain
any kind of employm^OLt^ unless aided by fiinds of bis own, or
tbe.powerful arm of an overwbelming interest.
I was not^ bowever^ to be easily cast down : I applied for dm*
ployment among the wealtby connexions and respectable fiiends'
my commercial dealings bad introduced me to^ witb persevering
energy ; for I bad always found^ tbat wbenever my circumstances'
&nä: pröspects were reduced to tbe Jowest possible ebb^ even to a
State little short of desperation^ my spirits invariably rose in pro«
portion. My object was now to obtain employment^ eitber. in
tbe civil or mercantile line^ or in tbe cultivation of Indigo ; but,
on.my trying tbe solidity of tbe professions of friendship wbkh
bad been lavisbed on me by many very opulent fiiends^—- one be-
gan to enümerate tbe great difficulty tben feit of procuring em-
ployment in any way ; anotber promised to try wbat be could
do ; . a tbird told me to look in at sucb and sucb an bour^ tbe lat«
ter end of .tbe week ; and wben I did so^ said, iiotbing could be
bad: a fourtb assured me, witb a sigb^ tbat he was really very
sony tbat be could not m^eet my wisbes ; but tbat^ if be oould, *
be would witb pleasure bave done so : a fiftb advised me to apply
tö a friend of bis ; and a sixtb said-— »'' Ab ! — ^had I but known it
tbree days ago^ I oould bave given you tbe excellent Situation of
an ezaminer in tbe bffice of tbe Sudder Dewanny Adawlut ; but'
tbat is now given away:" a seventb declared^ tbat from tbe expe«
rience and knowledge of tbe world wbicb I possessed, I sbould
never want employment^ telling me to call again ; wbicb I did
daily> during nearly a wbole montb^ but witb no better success
on tbe last day, tban on tbe first ; until one moming my mortifi-
cation was extreme> at Unding tbat he bad suddenly departed fbr
the Upper provinces> but precisely wbere^ I could not ascertain*
Eor me long to have remained in this State of indecision and
inactivity, relying on, the Performance of empty promisefl^ smd
professions of friendship^ would have been madness; I tberefore-
at once formed my determination ;— wbicb was^ tbat I would bj
letter immediately remind my friend Endtfield of a reqjiest*
. * which
ISS
i/^liich lie had formerly maäe, that I should seek his' aid* and
aesistanGie whenever I needed it; and to State my bbject' to be
immediate employment. In the mean thne, I porposed to seek a
reclusive habitation in the interior of tbe coantry, both froia the
.very important oonaideFation of eoonomj, and froifl the secret
wish which I entertained^.of assodating mjself freely^ tod with«
out restraintj among the natives^ that I might observe their fiiah^
ners, customs^ and usages. Thete was alao a probability of my
gaining, by tlus means, employment in the indigo Hne.
My first Step in iurtherance of the execution of my plan^' was
to tum every thing which I could collect into money^ by disposing
of all superfhious artides I possessed. That done> dnd being
very nearly on the eve of dqpai^ure, I was surprised one
eveningy at the sudden appearance of my bxother John 1 He had
just anived from England^ fraught with the golden expectations
with which my example and invitatioQ inspixed him, and which
his youthful Imagination had not failed to contemplate in tenns
of enthusiastic fondness and dölight. These cherished fancies^
however^ were doomed to meet a cruel and suddeii check:. the
pilot who boardesd th^ ship in wMch he airived^ at the Sand-
h6ad8« was well acquainted with my nabie> and equally so with my
. misfortunes ; they had indeed gained Singular notoriety in Cal-
cutta at the thAe, from their severity and extent ; and the first
.intelligence my brother received of rae was, that of my haviog
met with ruinous^ and, apparently, irreparable lo6ses;-*andof my
then being out öf employment. This -was a sad blow to the poor
youth, and threw him into a üt of deep despond^ncy, as well
from commiseration of my misfortunes, as from the fatal blow
which it gave to all the youthful and aspiring visions he had
himself formed.
A meeting between two young and fond brothers, in India,
' undef such, or indeed ünder almost any circumstancä, can le
but imperfectly conceived, by those who know it not from ex-
' perieface. £v€»ry fibre of the heart is ready td burst widi the
ünuttefable joy of brotherly love-^-owr fathcr— ow'r mother— the
' dear laud* of our nativity, all occur to the mihd at the same
instant ; wliilst the mutual recognition of parentälresembUmöe,
with that of other branches of our family^ iill the breast; as we
gaze upon each other^ with rapture. Thus it was with us :--^we
K 3 wept
134
wept and lauglied^ and wept and langhed again ; m constaht al-
ternationa of feeting>--talked all nI^ty-—nor was it tintU late k&
ihe morningy wben nature ovexpoiw^ered us, and our eyelida weve
weighed dbwn with ^Ettigue^ tbat we xetired to reat.
If any of the short-lived enjoyments of tbk life possess a sa-
ptiior title to our preference^ br approximate nearer to the Uiam
of tliose pure s^rits wKo inhabit celestial worlds^ it must be tbe
deligbts wbicb arise in tbe spring bf life, from fiHal and fraternal
love. Absent or present, tbis exquisite toucb of nature atill
liolds doQixnion over us. My infantine days Were doomed to be
passed away, nnblessed with tbe parent's smile, or a btotber^
love :— 4be few botirs I was allowed to be with tbose dear lela-
iiyes, tbougb teplete witb joys, were too transient to enable me
to coli tbe permanent sweets of my dose affinity to eitber ;— bat
wben I bad grown np, and after experiencing sufferings such aa
I bave described, found myself folding in my arms a brotbery
upoh tbe far-distant sbores of Hindöstan, I feit, for tbe firat
time in my life, tbe exquisite deligbt of brotberly love, and I
was bappy I
By my brotber I was made acquainted witb many inportaat
cbanges tbat bad ensued in our fainily during my absetac& My
faäiet bäving quitted bis farm, bad retired into Wales :<*—my die-
ridied and reEfpected friend, Mr. Neunborongb, bad entered again
into tbei matrimonial State, witb, I understood, a kdy of distine-
tion,— represented to be veiy amiable. Tbe ^tification I derived
j&om tbis'intelligence was great, from a conviction tbat tbe step
was conducive, if not necessary, to tbe bappiness and perfect ea«
joyment of tbat excellent gentleman's declining years, for be was
one, on wbom-r
** Every god did seem to set bis seal,
To fpje tbe world assuiance of a man."
Ricbly Üken be deserved to be bappy ; and it deligbted me to hear
be was so.
FkOvidence, in its bencivolence,-— '' tempers tbe wind to tbe
abom lamb;" and no sooner did my youtbful brotber find bim«
aelf at liberty to acoept en^oyment, tban a gentleman, wbaoame
paasenger in the same sh^> witb bim fiom. Suxope, pxocuced bim
an appointment in the Honourable Gompan/smioine, on boaid
one of tbe surveying ships, then under the command of tbe late
bigfaly.
:IiighIf4»l€iited aad cnteipriflbeig offieer^ Captaiii Cburt. in a
t£bw da5Fg bQ sailed on a sarrey, tö the coMt af Pegu ; and t«^
pttted with «LUtualbenedicdonSy aiid not witkcmt tears'of r^«t
tm both sidefl.
Bidding adieo to Oalcatta, and all my fnends, anong oikers
were Moodoosooden (Ibdtatjee, and Thamsim, who still^temäined
^Hit of eaxj^loy, I huM two bMb of pfdtBqmn-beare»^ fint having
dispatched a long letter to tety friead Endtfield, and oommenced
itay joumey towaxds Bairockpore, vitb Virginia^ who was by my
side in a separate palanquim The road is a straigbt one tax six-
te^n miles^ of an imposing widtb» level as tbe surfaoe of tbe sea
in ä dead calm^ and sbaded on eitber side wilb rows of trees,
platited at tbe distiance of twdve or fifteen feet from eaob otber,
^witbout internnssicm tbe Wbole way. Barraokpore^ sinoe fatally
celebiated on ac6ount of Üie recent mntiny of tbe sepoys^ is
. situated-on tbe eastem side of tbe river Hoogbly. Tbe Crovemer-
ttenefal bas ä supeibiseat tkm^whexe be umially recreates from
tbe toil and bustle attending tbe Performance af'«the duties of bis
Station at tb6 presidency. Tbe grounds around tbis retreat are laid
oat witb infinite taJBte^ in.imitation of our parks in England) and
produce a splendid effect an tbe eye^ espedally immediately after
entering tbe gates. Tbis park also oontains a menagerie of wild
bea8ts> birds, and qua^^peds^ of oriental growtb^ induding in k
<ib11 tbat is rare and curioüs : tte wbole is tbrown opeli to tbe in«
fl|)e<ition oi Eurc^ean visit(»rs. The miHtary cantonments are in
• a bealtby Situation ; and tbe offioers' seats^ or bungalows^ wbicb
'«re separated at convenieint distances from eaeb other^ present an
ideft of comfort to tbe mind^ rarely associated witb tbe tastes and
-prepidices of Englisbmen out of tbeir own oduntry. Tbere is
'An excellent parade, commanding a view of tbe river Hoogbly,
and wbere tbe sepoys may be- seen to exerdse in tbe ihomings,
about gunrise. On tbe wbole> it is a pleasant, airy Situation,
and an enviable residence for an European, who widies to enjoy
.tbe novel luacory attending a eountry residence in India.
Ha\ing procured boats, we crossed tbe Hoogbly, and landed ät
' a Danisb settlement,' opposite Barraekporej, named Seranipore,
a small, but neat and dean to>«^ ; tbife air of wbidi is consideiS^d
> to be ÜEDT inore salubrioui» tban tbat of Calcutta; in cansequenee
-tif wbieb invaUds resort tbitber for 4fbe benefit of tbcir bealtb.
K 4 The
1S6
«The muflquitoes are tliere not so numerous as at Calcutta : I shall
not soon forget the luxurj wbicli I enjojed in consequence of tbß
abflence of these tormenting insects. A line of genteel liouses
extends in front of the river^ a few yards to the rear of its bonlcs,
:where> after the fieiy sun has set^ amost agreeable promenade
may be enjoyed in perfection. It is then, that the golden asoxe
sky^ — aorichly tinged^— andpeculiar alone tQthegorgeous east, casis
a ray of dazzllng splendour all around;— «which^ with the sUent
^indings of the mighty Hooghly ;*-the alluring proqpect -on the
opposite side of the liver^ of Barrackpore, with the goveni<»:'8 Seat
and grounds ;~-and the yariously-formed native boats^ of all abes,
which are seen constantly sailing up and down the river^ preseot
to the eye of a European^ a motley and curiously-combined masa
of subjects for speculation, and a delightful souroe of entertain-
ment to the mind^ rarely to be met with to such perfection in
every quarter of this— '^ nether world," of ours.
We found house-rent and provisions nearly fifty per cent. dieaper
at Serampore than Calcutta ; but as we were told we should find
every thing cheaper stiU^ the fartherwe advancedup the oountry,
we resolved to proceed on our joumey^ after a sojoum of aboot
three days in a commodious hotel> kept by a Frenchman, named
Monsieur Darlow. This singular character was so very irasciUe^
aa to be continually fighting^ chiefly with Englishmen. In one of
his contests^ which were usually pugüistic^ he had the ill luck to
lose his right eye^ and in another^ the whole of his front teeth ; but
still he remained as untameable as the hysena; and seldom did he
leave his büliard-room when any English offioers were there^
without having to endure the inconvenience of a temporary loss of
his other ^ye* On these occasions he was not idle in his execm«
tions of the '^ diable AnglaU !" in which he indulged nntil his
recovery was complete, when he would content himself by seixing
the first (^portunity of having another set-to« and^ in all piobabi-
lity^ a fresh beating. His disputes usually arose from espousing
the cause of Napoleon^ of whom he was an ardent admirer. To
me^ however« he was remarkably assiduous^ from the drcümstance
of my having a French lady for my wife ; but not unfrequen^y
would I find him beginning on his weak point— »politicfl;, and then
Napoleon ; and when he did so, as I knew His real temperame^t
50 well from report, I did not feel at all disposed to argue the
nifitler*
1S7
matter. When he found I did not dispute^ or ocmtnidict his rliap->
flodie8> he was in an extacy of joy ; and hogging me in his anas
tvith allthe fervour of a polar bear, dedared— '^ I was« be Oar^ de
best Anglais dat he ever before a oe a rery proper Anglais ! and
dat he would giye me ia leetel finger/' holding it up at the aame
time^ '^ yit all de pleasure in de voild !" TeDinghim I did not
raquire mich abondantproofs of his r^ard as that which he pro-
poaed^ but would prefer a bettle of his daret^ he immediately lan
down stairs, soon retuming with one under each arm^ and one in
each band ; the contents of which always proved so delicioas^ that
I have sat enjo^ing myself very oontentedly^ while he began npon
the addeTements of Napoleon^ the whole of whidi he used to re-
hearse £rom the beginning of his Carter^ to the end^ speaking very
loud^ in broken EngUsh» and with a Tcdability that produced an efieet
extremely ludicrous. To all his disoourse I listened attentively,
nodding occasiooally a sort of affirmationj and with as nrach pati-
enoe as if I had been in the hands of my haiidiesser. At last^
howerer^ his wife saj^iosing, ftom the noise he made^ and guessing
also fiom the subject of his dialogue^ that he was going to fight,
gently tapped at the door, and in a shrill tone of voice called
out^ Monsieur D.I These mellifluoüs tones no sooner sa-
luted the sensitive ear of Monsieur^ than he started, paused^
and tuming saddenly pale, rose up ; and after apologiaing f or
his abrupt departuze, at the same time reminding me of the
precise aLtuation in which he left Napoleon, he glided quiddy
down stairs. I afterwards understood that he actually lived in
constant. teactat of this lady (his wife), a little delicate Hindoo
girl^ and the only person in Serampore who oould manage him. I
was not sorry for having got lid of my troublesome companion ;
but reserving what remained of the wine for another occaskm, I
retired to rest
At theend of three days I hired a paunchway, or boat, and pre«
pared to pioceed on our joumey. The foilowing moming we rose
at seven, and aflfcer breakfast, Monsieur, with his better half, con-
ducted US to the landing Steps, and we bade adieu to Serampore,
sailing up the river with a cheerful breeze in our iavour, and a
fiood tide. No seats, or houdes, are seen for many miles to diveiv
sify the Hat, monotonous scenery, on the shores of the Hooghly ;
oor is the eye reKeved by a Single novdty, or attractym of .any
kind.
138
lind^ uoleäs I eyeept tbe nüraerous bu^^sBom; and {nuBcInMiTSy
Jpassing up and down tlie liver, and tbe krge cai^ boat%
witb 8i&9 a^ton^ saltpetre, and vaxious other aitkles^ wldi^
OQ ih&i vfdy io €alcutta> from the up(>er prorinceg : ati tke p^-
can6> the eagles, tke Yultures^ thedogs, and thesmne^vliiek
te be seen derouring coatentedly togetiier^ the deadbodj of -a
tiye> lef t on the tiver's banks by tbe xetreatxng tide. It ma^r iBot
perbaps be deemed superfluous to reeurto afact whicb hasabeady
been adverted to in the early pages of tbis book> via^ tiiat when
tbe soul of a Hindoo, of a c^tain cast^ quits tbe body, and fte-
< qnently even before tbat moment bas anived, be is cönsigned to tbe
. Hoogbly> l^ being placed on tbe river's banki below bigb^waster
mark ; tbere ibe victim of superstition is abandoned ; and ai tbe
tide liaes, being unable to remcye binuelf, is drowned. Hence it
foUows tbat on tbe surface of tbis riyer^ nümbers of {lutvid fanea«s
..arealwflo^fi to be seen fioalkig about^ th^ «Mi-tidecaiDtantly lea?-
ing Bome of them on its muddy banks^ wbeie they aie soob de-
voured. Tbis spectade brougbt to my mxnd tbe foUowing scnp-
tural sentence : — " Wberesoeyer tbe carcase is^ tbere will the ei^^
be gathered togetber." Sncb is the literal iact on tbe sboiea of tbe
.Hoogbly; but tbe sigbt» &om its frequentoccurrenoe^giowsfiuiü«
liar^, and creates but little disgust ; nor doet it even ezcite mucb
notice ; so very great is tbe tendency of bafait to fasniliarise bolh
the eye and tbe mind to tbings whicb are in themselyes Inoit lemilt-
ing« Abouf twelye o'clock we reacbed tbe French aettkraent
named Chandemagore.
Cbandemagore is a small town^ inferior in size and extenud
.appearance to Serampore^ and does not possess tbe gaiety and life
whicb are to be found in tbat setdement. Tbere is bowever a
|>lea8antpramenade on the banks of tberiyer ; and hpocsoMeo one
great reoommendation^ whicb is^ tbat bouse-rent and proyiaians,
^w^ ßäij rice^ fruit, bread, and yegetables^ are extremely cheap«
lipon 'tbe wbc^j it is a yery desirable country xetreatfor a £hi«
.zopean» On tbe foUowing moming I went in quest of a bousej
and after no little trouble, met witb a delightful Indian cottage^
oontaining two halls, two bed-rooms, back and front-yerandabs,
^»ok-bouse» out*bouse8, and a large garden, in whicb were no
lesa tban ten peach and nectarine trees, a pummalo tzee> twelve
plaiatain^ and sev exal other trees^ all in fuU bearing. Tbis oottage
was
1B9
tvras shaded fiom putilie view by 9 stately tree^ häving a pecu'*
liatly luxuriouR and rieh foliage^ called tlie areca-palm : my sur-
^pdae was great to ftnd^ tliat the rent demanded of me, inchiding
evety ehayge^ did not; exceed eight rupees per mcmtli^ or twdre
pounds per annum. Sa well did this c6ttage appear adapted to
iny taste ai^d puipose; tbat I requested tbe kndlotd (who was a
native of Ireland^ and a pensioned kanch-pilot) to keep it vacant
for me a few days :— -indeed^ it had occnrred to my mind^ tihat a
more desiiable abode^ and even a cbeaper one^ might still be pro-
cured bigber np tbe coantry : we again^ tberefbre^ embarked in
cur pauncbway> and in a few bours afterwards arrived at Cbin-
surab^ a settiiement wbicb once belonged to tbe Dutcb.
Cbinsurab appeared less attractiTe even tban Gbandemagore ;
tbe Englisb Besident'sbouse^witb its gardens^ being tbe only edifioe
wortb notice. Tbere is^ indeed^ a princely mancdon to tbe soutii
of tbe town> wbicb was built. by a Frencb generale at an ezpence,
ias is reported> €^ a lac* of rupees ; and no sooner was it coxnpleted,
l^ian be died. From tbe exorbitantly bigb rent demanded for it>
no tenant could be found ; and it remained empty, nntil an Eng«
Üsbman offered eigbty rupees a-montb^ or one bundred and twen-
ty poimds a-year^ wbicb was immediately accepted. Tbe great
hell iB, it is said^ naless tban one bundred and twenty feet by
fxRr^ feet^ and tbe eeiling^ wbicb is magnificently carved^ is pro«
portionably bigb. Tbe otber bouses in Cbinsurab are usualLy of
oae fLoor, witb a parapet on tbe top^ wbere tbe inbabitants may
enjoy a walk in tbe cool of tbe evening. As at Cocbin^ so bere^
blinds made of cane formed a Substitute for Venetians^ wbicb^ be-
ing secured by iron bars^ a^nst tbe encroacbments of tbieves>
- gave tbe place a duU and g^bomy i^ppearance. Hordes of wild
monkeys^ of a large size^ were to be seen jumping in oompany
witb one anotber from bouse to bouse, reoeiving wbatever was
given to tbem; and tbe inbabitants^ wbo considered tbeir appear«
ance as a sure sign of good luck^ supplied tbem plentifully witb
rice and sweetmeats» Neitber bouse-rent nor provisions appeared
cbeaper at ibis place tban at Gbandemagore.
Ii) tbe evening of tbe day on wbicb I arrived at Cbinsurab^ I
< was strolling along tbe outskirts of tbe town^ wben I was sud-
denly arrested by a loud sbout^ as of several voices^ proceeding
from an adjoining temple : tbis was succeeded by tbe clasbing of
many^
* Lac— oDf hundz^ Ifaousand.
140
jns^y cymbals/ Curiosity very liaiui^y impelled my foDtsfcep«
.towards the place frpm which tliese noises proeeeded : I even ven-
. tured inside of the building^ or, temple^ where I beiheld a maas of
natives, who were^ with the exception of a piece of rag fastened
round, their loins^ in a State of complete n^dity^ Standing in a
curved Hne^ with each a pair of cymbab in his hands: these tkej
dashed together^in exact triple second-time; and in the intermediate
Space of three pr four minutes> one of them advanced a few paoes,
and lifdng his arm^ pointed to the heavens^ when they all
uttered a loud and piercing roar^ or rather yell^ until the claBhing
of the cymbals was resumed^ which rendered it imposslble to dia-
cem any other sounds. A dark and fiend-like appearance marked
the persons present^ and a fearful gloom seemed to pervade the
place into which I had incautiously entered^ producing a Sensa-
tion on my mind I scarcely knew how to characteri^e. It was
awful in the extreme: — the gloom of the ^Mudous iipartment,
heightened considerably by the vibrations of sound prooeeding
from the shouts of the natives^ and the intermitting jarring oi so
, many cymbals^ — ^its sombre aspect^— ^and the periodical display of
. that which^ to the mind of a European bystander, carries no idea
but that of a senseless manifestation of unoontrolled pasdon,
made it appeär a fit receptade for the idolatrous worshippers of
gods of stone and wood. I afterwards understood that I had
been in the society of some of the sect^ or followers^ of Fishnu^j
and that they were then offering their devotions to an ape« under
the name of Hanuman. The Abbe Duboisj speaking of thecrigin
. of this Singular mode of worship> says — '^ The motive which in«
duced the early.idolaters of India to make the ape one of their
principal divinities^ was^ in all probability^ founded on the stri-
king resemblance which they remarked between that animal and
. man^ in exterior appearance and physical relations. They con-
. sidered it as holding the fir^t rank in the order of brutes> and
consequently as the king of animals ; and^ after deifying it,
they chose to perpetuate its honours, by inventing the infinite
coUection of fahles with which their books are filled« It was
' with an army of apes that their great hero^ Rama, conquered
Lanka> or Ceylon ; and the achievements of this host of satyrs,
under the command of the great ape Hanuman^ occupies the
greater part of the Ramayana^ the most celebrated of their his-
torieal
■ Vidc notc, page 147.
141
torical works. The worship of this leader extends over all tha
territoiy of India> and especially amongst the followers of Vislinü ;'
but thesect of Siva does not admit of bis clakn."
. I quiited the pldce^ deeplj impressed with the dngalar ^cene
wbich I bad witnessed ;«-buman beings worsbipping a brüte ! At
first I feit disposed to execrate ;— then^ ratber to pity tbem ; and
on still deeper reflection^ I could not but inwardly exdaim— •
^' Alas ! how can I justly dedaim against these peqple^ or their
mode of wonhip? They^ like me^ belieye tbat they are rigbt :
they act as I do^ under the influence of education, ot in obedieace
to precept. Like me^ these heathens are tlie creatures of a day :
die scythe of Time wiQ soon cut tbem down ; but they will b&
succeeded by others^ wbo will tread in their footsteps^ having no
better rule. They all^ like myself^ possess affections^ and powers
of mind^ capable of a better direction, and a higher aim. Far be
it from me therefore to condemn tbem : let me rather hope^ that
the time will come^ when the sublime tenets of the Chrii^tian
doctrine will dispel their ignorance : — ^may the day be not far dis-
tant^ when they will receive these blessings^ by the aU-potent and
all-benevolent agency of my native land, destined^ as^ it seemi»
to be^ the Instrument of difi[using truth over the face of the gk)be^*
and of enligfatening all who need instruction !"
Leaving Chinsurah, I retumed to Chandemagore> and tool:
posisession of the cottage which had been kept väcant fcnr me b^
its owner^ as by fieu* the most desirable spot I had met with. The'
simplest an4 most essential artides of fumiture,— -^ch asmattingy
chairs^ tables^ and ä bedstead^ alone formed the. omamental re-;
commehdations of its interior. Rice and curry^ fish and poultry
(the price of a fine fowl not exceeding fourpenoe), bread^ with
excellent butter^ and vegetables, constituted our only food ; and>
cocoa-nut milk^ toddy^ lemonade^ and sherbet^ our chief beverage.
Virginia's favourite kid having died on board our brig during thie
storm, we purchased a goat, that supplied us with milk: the
whole of our expenditure did not exceed twenty-six pounds a-year.
In this retreat we led the lives of hermits; our wants never
reached beyond our Compound; nor would our thoughts wänder>
to the World, unless when I was looking forward to a letter ftom-
Endtfield ;— or when Virginia would heave a sigh» in recoUection'
of her happy> native Island ; — a sigh, however, which was soon
dispelled, and succeeded.by content and happiness. In this re-
tirement
143
ti^emek^t I became the father of isk lovely ^1, my firstfbom cliild>
wbkh lived oiily to that age when tbe dawtuxig {jerceptiona^ knd
endearing smiles of tbe Infant^ gave it a poWerful c^aim 9n ii p»*
reut's aff^tioüs^ and thea died, This was a sad bl<^ to us bodi ;
but to Vurgiiua it well-nigb ptoved aa overwbehniag sonow. Tina
Infant lies in tbe burying-gronnd of Chandernagpre : no tomb-
stone reoords itg naii^ej — ^nor.is it wanted; it is legistered in the
fbnd recolleetions of a ^parenfs beart. It was one evening^
about six montbs. after tbis mdbncboly event^ wbto I strolled
vnüi Virginia, tbrougb tbe suburbs of tbe town, tbat I Icrnnd the
votari^ß of tbe sanguinarj deity> Maria-ama, celebrating tbe
Dootga Pootga feBtival:--on tbis occasion tbousands of natiTea
were ajsseitibled ; and manj were tbe devotees wbo were on that
evening wbirled round and round in tbe air^ su^iended by a bock,
passed tbrou^ tbe ligatures of tbe bade : loud were tbe roaca of
rapturous plaudits^ and deafening was tbe noise ^bicb siuroiuided
US : the burying-ground was dose by tbe scene ef tbis sapersli^
tion« Virginia led nie on^ unawares^ until I found myself in the
midst of it. By her deare I conducted her to tbe tpot wheife the
beloved Infant^ wbicb bad once constituted tiie cbief souroe of
qxa mutual watcbfulness and joy^ lay dead. Virginia bad eAen
won my admiration hy tbe exquisite sensibHity of her materiud
tendemess ; but never did sbe appear so estimable in my eyea« as
wben sbe gently uplifted her veil witb ber ri^t band^^ aiB high
aa ber forebead> and sbading ber brows^ in silence inobtened Uii^
infant's grave witb ber teara.-'^Leaduig ber at length witk m'
gentle foree away^ we bent our Steps towards bome.
Not loKig after this> on one of tbose evenings wben the intenae
heat rend^red tbe sbady partof my.verandah an enviable spot, an
^d«rly native appeared before my gate> attired in a musUn yesl,
girt witb a sasb> a turban^ and sandals. His beard^ wbicb with
bis mustacbios, were grey^ rested on bis bosom. Tbe colour of
hui face waa a da?k brbwn> nearly approacbing to black, and
]9fa4Eed ftom tbe forebead to tbe ri^t side of tbe upper lip> with
altevnate atveaks of a dead white coloür^ ai if tbe natural sldn
had peeled off^ and left tbe flesb bare« He rested on ä süver-
beaded cane^ apparently tbrougb weakness; and cast bis weary
oyfjS towards me^ wbile I sat in tbe verandab^ as if ioofiortuniBg
pennission to rest bimself witbin my gates. I advanced towards
bim ; and so sooner did be observe me approacb^ tban he raiaed-
his
149
Ina h&vSiB \o his foarehead in homage to ne. Thk Is Üie ori«»ftlA^
style of salutaticm. I condncted lum to ihe yemaaiUtk, aAd offml
bim a chair^ the use of which he «ooqited wilh gmülude» Bring
well aware it wa» oontraiy to the custom of the HuemLoos to ftar^
talde of any xefiivshxoeiit prepared 1^ other lunds Ibaii tiMMe of
natives of their own perguauon, I ezplained to liim» diat'iny rea«
son for not placing any thing before hxm^ aiose £n>iB ti^ eoäviom
tkm tbat he eouH not partake of it ooiQaiatenlly with tbe custon»
of h» Tdigion. He repHed, with an esq^resaion of great satiifiic«
tion — '* Thatcustoms are inviolable, and miuit not be fardkeni^
but that be was as well pleaaed witii my explanatiop, aa ba eonld
pofläbly be with tbe moat ^elidous repast in tbe World/' I was
agseeably surpriaed to find be conld speak EngUsb with aingokr
£uenoy;-^" Pray, my good mau/' said I, " of wbat daat* axe you ?"
-^'"^ l, Sflihib^ am a Biabman."--.'' Your name }"—'' Kiabm
"DoaBii ^Uhibk" — ^' You seem mncb fafigued ; tbe natirea of tbia
countty aeldom venture out in tbe beat of tbe bub^ auch a anhiy.
dayisthis; and wbile I feel suiprised at seeing a lespeotaUe
man Bke' ^su exposing bimself to its scordiing rays, I feelplea«
suve in tbe opportunity of affozding you a sbelterfiNnn itseffeeta."
^^ Ab» Sabibl" sbaking bis bead despondingl^, ^ you Utile
bnowany trouUe: yoii English axe f oü of wiadosi ; you diow it
to great odvantage in having bat cne wife> wbidi ia aa aradi aa
^ny.Bwn can oonunand. Now^ I bave got two wivea; one old,
andöoneycming:; but my cracf otdmfe ge^ very jeakmt^ and tbes
tbe^ibotb fi^t. I äiink it better to endure tbe bot aiin^ tiiat
is ailentf than tbe squalls ij£ my two wirea ; so I oome away."—- «
Da you tben live near me?^-*^^' Yes^ Sabib^ veiy near."— >
And ao I poresume^ your two wivea are now aettling tbcür di€e->
leaceß togetber^ by tbemadves?"« — ^^ True^ Sabiby and I bope, en
mj retum^ to find my bouae once more in peäee«"
r consoled tbe poor Bcabman under bis misfortune, by
bim^ tbat every man mnat drink bis portion of vexatioB in
world**-«^^ Yes> but>" be added> " tbia crosa old wife ia so jea«
b>us> tbat my once paacefnl dwelling> wbere notibing bat the
. . N diimip
• The Word cast is a Portuguese tenn, which bas been adopted by Europeans ini
general to denote the different dasses or tribes into which the peüple of India aie
divid«^ The nrost andent paftiti<m U that whidi airanget them in fonr prind«
pal tribes : the finst and most distinguiahed of all is that of the Brahmafu^^ihii
secoud is that of the Rajas-^ihe third the VaUya^ or w^rcÄöw^*— and the last that
of Sudras j or cttltivators.
CS
144
cliirrup of tke lizards on the wall was wont to be heard, is t\aw
a continual soene of strife and uproar !"•— .'^ That> Kishen Doss,
ift a natural result from having t wo wives. Women will complain^
if grieved; and God/who bas gifted the lion with generositj— -
the tigi^r^ with treachery— the fox, with cunning^-the dog, with
watchfulne89-*4ind man, with a portion of each of these qualities
combined in him, has also in his secret wisdom so ordained^ that
your old wife should be naturally jealous of the young oae." —
'' True> Sahib, true ; but (very gravely) do you suppose it is In
my nature to bear it ?"
In answer to this unlooked-fdr query^ I observed, " that man
was seldom afflicted beyond what he was able to bear ; and I was
led to condude^ from that constant and habitual mildness of man«
ner, and gravity of deportment, for which the Brahmans were so
remarkable, that they were better able to command their paasioiis
than any other race of men in India ; but of that he certainly must
be the best judge."
Much pleased did he seem with this compliment to the Brah-
mans ; it opened as it were the floodgates of his soul ;' and that
reserve which had hitherto concealed his thoughts and mind^ and
shaded them, as it were^ entirely from human conoeption, was
nöw dispelled : he afterwards conversed with wonderful freedom,
and great good-nature ; and on my assuring him that the utmost
my ambition aspired to, was to form an intimate acquaintanoe
with, and just conception of, the manners, customs, and.opiniehis
of the natives, but jnore especially those of his own cast, he
premised to call upon me frequently, and give me every informa«
tioh I wished to possess ; ending his friendly professions, and, at
the same time, xising to depart, with saying, in a manner re«
markabiy emphatio— '^ This cro&s old wife !'* and smiling at the
same time with a pair of cunning eyes, as if he was, seemingly,
just then thinking of the young one,«-he retired.
It is here proper to observe, that although polygamy is actually
disaUowed by BtUunan jurisprudehce, there are many instanoes
of it among the great, as weU as among the mlddling dasses of
that 'cast, and even among the poor ; but it is considered to be
an abnse, and in open violation of the customs of the Hindoos;
among whom marriage has been always confined to two.
An exception, and the only one, it appears, which occuis
to this nilc, LS, in the e^'ent of a man*s first wife, after long
cohabitation^
145
tobataMion« lidikg pnmoanoed binen; a woond moy tÜea tm
lawfuUy eq^ouaed.
Maniage bebg oonndand bj* the Bnlunaii^ or Hindooj tihe
gr^atest and n^pst eMential of all dxcamttaiieefy ia cooductad willi
oonaUaniUe pcna^ and floleittiliftj. The §^ an not oldar tk»
seyen^ ei||^t> or ton ycaii ; and ike choioe of Adx tatate hna*
bands devQlyes entirely upon tlieix patente. As aoon at ihat im-
pc^tant pcant ia detenauoed» and pteUnünacriei of maniageare
enteved into, the usnal ceg e mnniei' bagin; a particular d»«
8C|iption of which would occupy "many pagei« and prote«
porbapfl^^after aUj tedious and unintereating; butfor tfae aatia«
fiustion of the cuiious Engliah reader who may wiah to per«
ufle a minute description of them^ they will find it oontaiBed ia
the Abb6 Dubois' '' People of India/ which ia oonndeied the
mo0t.£uthful aooQunt eztant of theie ningnlar people. Atthe
conduaion of the ooremonies . of . the maniage, which last fiya
days^ a prooeisicm ia made thioogh the atreeta of the d^, or yfl«
läge. It commoiily takea place in the nig^t, by the light of
toKdie8..and. fixe^woika- The new-nanied pair aie aeated in ona
palanfuin« with iheir fieicea towaida eadi other. Tliey are both
gaudily dveased out; bat the bridej in pactacukr« ia generally
covered with jewela and piecioua atonea, IMOtly tfae gifta of
hier father and £athNr-inJaw> bat the greater part boRowed, cir
hiied for the oocaaion« The prooeasioa moT/sa alowly« while tfae
ralatjona and fijeiida of the bride and farid^gEDom ooma oot of
tfaeir houaea aa it paiaea« the women hailing the Jtew-aaaniei
oouple» ai^ the meabcipi^g with thempveaentaofaihar> firoiti^
augarj and betd.* . Thoae.who zeceiye aach pceaenta ate oblaged^
un^^Aig lite cuppsmatancflaj to repay tfaemin tfaeirtum, Tkae
mam9ge'pi»cctfai$»i8> though in a atyle ao loctremely lemota firan
oiua^.aze aonetiniea.on a aeale of :niagnifiQenoe and ^^Imdour be»
yoiid ooi\^ption> and nuiatbe. aeen to be duly i^pradated..
Th^qffemmyh^ßif^ the youngapcmae.ia taka» back tarha»
fi^^er^f hou^ i^hjwh ^Ontip9^ tobe her princ9aIabpde.Y^9tä
h^a growa up inlo a ptajte fit to diacharge all.the.datiea of auliri-
aaooy. When tfaif ^^och anivea^ which ia caUe4p mamiagf. c^m^
• BetaL. . NirbN^-caBed mptgy'^'finmBCtk a tfeejimiltr to tlic ttedlMiaif Ü li
laiget than tfae nutmeg, of a round, or radier flatted htm : tfae nadves of India
Cttt it finall, and mix it witfa ßxus dranam ; it is then roUed in the betd leaf«
and eatea. When a penon pteaenta it to aootber, it ii the atiM ai aiiviog an
anurance of protection wfaile in hia Company»
ua
greater part of the oeremonies attending the mumgt^mi^ maw
v^aled j M ibe «aaduäoii df ^t^ickilM « ominidted ivicb'grtat
pMqp toiibe Immim oC^hcr ftdioMiKbiir^ wImi» tbmWtcomtM mi&a^»
^mhä tb üm mxiaty \ei ha Jixui]^^ 'ißhiiMfe'ifiUlM^MQb^llM
aoGotding ^ Siiicbiitaa.n(ilMa%.xi5 <^ bMrtiy or «aiiituMiii>
«an be eiepeotad toAttaüd:tiiieiiMR&edigt8ta.4ii iaflii^; nor ittteii
doaa tke HindiHi.gm to fla<fti. tcMdeitttit» a- suMiei^s •«»•
flaotiomi: the «bject for widdi lie namen ia not tie gaiü^aa iltte^
Ificstmi cömpaoknb to ^eMhie ixba the bfiMet ta aiaominier«^ itlBy
aaa traii«! tikiAmgh tue ^Ktay f ootpatha of ^Uita^Hler^ 1kiAt«>get
a alfve^ wkoin^ bear chiUrä», and be^tu¥tm4l«it to tk^ irffl ^
In « iew dasfis^ BjAehHoM catted 0»iQ6'agälB; aflar whldi
lie rtAäe bis Tiaits aEuxe'&eiiaäiLt^ tiixtü, ad l^iügtk, be> ea> lie . itg tH
laify liiiee or Itnir tuno «--Mwd:. Ne^<diia I fisal «yii^ bd tter
pläund mitb £ke «odely of any <nia> tbm 4f Kklfaii Ddis^ He
liad been, it m^p^^M^ a «loaiisliea in tlw setv^ke'^ iSie-koiMMG^«
abie Ooii^taif ^ ottdibfn enjoa^ a Hbeial peftMotiliMBi t^Mi: 4te
gtaddtBmdTtbiy.ilsjAxiutevru 4o«lkit hist^^^ttMm,
of die Betiy» aas -MliaB tbat öf tbe «ali^itimed fM^a^f bAi
The A^jrf B^tiboia toyg « ^ ^ Tha Va»aitta»»halB<<iinäMi^ Af*
iadticai, beibig boand, by «hefr Yol^s» tö de«70tä a-latge p^timi af
\lidir lanove ava^ axf te tba oondMijHlttiMl w- nva*Bnunia
USfopaeB» Seuig),it iaiiotwo^rinigiAMtiba^iftoM hav^
^tamL-Bome tokfBbly pova ncftiomsof «be PMi^y; t[iüato> b
deoct we «le to mp^cM t&ey d«n^^ «bam V^^*^ ftafiÜM
^tno.' tbe laitiy ^atvitfdis, fmiDi iMhMi tbey ftwe ^tiM tiiili^ntlj
venibte« it ia 4niiy by tbe latter fwtytbat-'th^'aiyft-bayp ttoinrtc i.
«p to Half^äcdec^, tö ^bb^ tol^n^am; aOfftnany-otbArtMle»
brated ^staboagoa Vbb >w6ii^ i^ikt tbe^fei^ibttTflodd/- '*Gbfl/
to^wle iihe fmdB«f tlie ^öfSOfOien otf Itidia^ <" i» tm imniaftcnal
ifiaibg, ipmy'ebd'ttiittiiia^ «Wiflb^at'^ualk
•<ihb liictod'ind »mättk «f ^all ^di%s. fl6<^«tettdfi ^or^eSI» ätos
«II,: knowB aU»' AäKdiB «H; #^bom ^gkilsngi' aiäl wüfiwi*
«aadj^ Power« strengtb« and gkidness dwell in Hiin." Qa my
ifivit; pentattg tbe dbolre linea m »tbe ]A4ibä Daboi^ -"Whik; my
imrprfee jnay bt wcH oonceived, «s tbey" caSed to tuy reccflection
' ' . 'tb«
i«3r
thß'jßsmlm msMmmb fimit «pi ^ wmi, mk w.qf )^«
ITiiAfti BiiWft in'i4«Hiflli^*tff -^f triff ^nW ^ *ht Pfi^r.
^'H >&• BrdMani 4b9Q>" I «ftol« '*' «tteiBtain web MiUnM
aalteil of Ckili»r4i(989 4hi|lm#j«#e|^
«ad Il0ptiles?•^^ . . '
Ab to fi>nake the Uvio^ God, pnA £41
^ 'TojfüMp Uifllr oim wtek Iniroöd aod Moll« f*'
Kl A ^ « rViw sluxik'luB head at thin 1 1 wiflii i^^ Tliat none could
ipimn^ A^n^tokblß tp.tjbe Fan^^nthnu^ f» t^e Supceme Beii^ but
^v^ ooljr. eqd^sy^ to /»I^koM^ km tb|9U|;b Äe|». Yqu/'
^ ^jitwiffl; -^^ j^:e 4t Chrw^'ani J ^j?i a Bral^naa; i^e bptb vqih
lNl^aai«diKffi9»i|jl;, jbo iß a^^pfipntij : «we jtnurel towttrd» b^«^^
aß ^ €i^ Qf^y^o diffiff &9i|a u»^ • 0kfmt pjßä.;, but^t
tj^.l^st/ 19^9 ^^xfü). ffi. mept ^t tbe «pae /epd, Tbere are >ncke^
aXSoii. .Wb^t cpgot^.UwitbajgLlgQodaijideiiil? IIq^. But
'y<ofwithrt§ndmg-^-fiHa^^ ia wt^ Kkbejn Ppw-exid^^
Wr *e flF^RWsW ;»y »PSA bfd jj^j^^pd, %)nf^ % iwmqca^^
bur I thaag -"^»**"^'> and to jsßsuajuäjr absurd did ihäi tncoßß BUDsssiL^
t^Leyrj^pedally venerate, ux^Lthe nameß of Brahma, Vijshnu, ^pd'SiTaf Wnen.
irönhippäi itl imion, th^y foitti "wlialfisa^ed tfae'^WmttrA; mtA^^tty-wee-ieu^
T ß nkü y adorad wiUi peculiar ritos. Thcie thna baTe giveii binh to itUKaae«
ii^ftjQ^hfiy ;^ IM^th/s JUÜEuIoqs. l|aye gfin; far heyqn^ all Qther idphtzous n%tiqps
iQ^^4i^X]^»er of d^viiiiitif^ th^y ^ave fpsoiie^» as Üiey^reckpn oo le» ihafx t|ilr^-
%f* io<i ^ pi^ 9^4 i^f^ ^^^ .®WJ *** *^ "öMUoiif ; so' Chat thjB w)ijÄj'
1
ticmsj and chüdkhtcredulify^ appear to mey tt» «^ cf wlueh'faad
tainted even the manners and customs of tlieir piiftite Hfe; tliat I
couid not but ooincide precudy with tbe ambdr wJfKf^iituMä,
"H^o, after apeakin^ cxf-the lofty tenns in ^tMA Ae '^nAiMr
writmgs desGÜbe tlie .'Para-^Brama^ or 'Sapreme Beeng,- arf#-«'
^^ Bat it k painM to see tfaese subHaie atftribat«i tnrwwtiiilypM^
faned^ hy prostituting them to the falsa godrof tlie emoitry ;'ttid>
blending.tltem witK innumeraU» oAer atttflmtes» asiMteaUu»
and absurd as tbe fables to which they are attacheds*^ • -
Being sensible of theantipatl^ of tlio Brahmaas to discnas moj
religious doctriües fofeign toi;lieirown pectdiar Ikith^ and espe»
cdally the tenets of Christianity^ I forbore to nrge tle matter too
far with Kishen Doss^^ particularly as I well knew that any tblng
Said in favour bf Christianity; howerer obvious its tmth, tfnd
howeyer that truth might^ for the moment^ convinoe bim, he woulf
not admit it^ nor allow it to have a pienhanent effi»t on hii mind.-
In short^'as the* Abb6 Dubois justly observes«*'' The nmaclea of
the Chnstian religion^ howeyer extraordinaty they must appear to
a common nnderstanding^ axe by no means « so to the HindDoar
npon them they have no effect. Tbe exploits of Joahna ud of
bis azmy^ and the prodigies ihey effected by the interpontiim of
Ood^ in the conqueist of the land of Canaan^ seem tolSiem tinw
worthy ot notice^ when compared with the aduevementof iheir
own Rama,^ and the mirades which attended hia progresa.- The
mighty stsength of Samson dwindles into nodting^'when o pp o s ed'
to the overwhelming energy of Bdi^ of Rayana *, and die giants.'
The resiirrection of Lazarus itself is^ in their eyes^ an ordinary event^
of which they see firequent examples in the Viahna ceremoniei;.*'
Ftom my general Observation and experienoej as weU as hom
what feÜ from Küsheii Doss> I am persnaded that the Inbitfl
imbibed by these people ftaai their infancy^— »their ▼enevaüanftr
andent customs and usages,«^but especially the Teneratäott aad
sanctlty in which the flesh of thecom ia hdd among them^ (whidi
aninal indeed, thdy d«ify> «ndwonhip)> adheBB».tolkflniso&ni]^>
and 'ac^ ni^ them so pöwerfuUy^as to render any attempi at
innayation.pdioui^ if not basardous; which convincea me-that
" Acoording to Hindoo Mythology— <^ The GUmt RaVMttA, Wlk» MvÜbed ^e
wife of Hama, er Vühnu (penonating that priooe), had ten heada. Tbe palace
that Üe potiesfled in th« Island of Ceylon, of which] he was king, was so pro*
digiously lofty, that the tun passed every day at noon imder one of die ttcbee.^
14»
Ae tibitopk of GhHBtbnky in Aoae v^pkM^ ^It be a^oik <tf
omflidfiraUe; tiflw. lättle ph^^reai . haa U yet nide in laUa,
wkaMrar mtf luwe been Mid or pmled inrEogland: Imt evm
4]uit lütte maj pro? e of emineiit fotm» gpod* i It ia oonaolatory;
iiowever^ to tbooe wbo Ubaiit in the good'work« and ur all Cliria«
4iaQay to laiow> tbali God'a will nuiitaMuiMly be done^ihat na
obttaele ean fnvail'againat it«
9]ff aome Kmgpcanii, the Brahmnna tfie miffofed to poaieaay in
« eonridanibte di^gsect, the art of divinationD or fiirtnnoiilrllFnft
fimi «aflpaetian of theftaturaiof lh6 6ee>orltaeaontb0palBtt
^Ihe.handi. "^ Thatpowei^''aaidKi8hen Doia« «'iaitnownhtti
4q Ood^tttene. . Thexe axe eertain wiae men dulled in aaferokigy,
WImmpi we fofer t6 on the occasioii of a xnaodil^;^ öranjrimptittant
underlaking, kx tbe puzpoae of aeleeting a-prapitidiu dajr ; and
to detenline whidhj lefercwce ia made Igrihea to carlain aignaof
the Zodiac ; m, thexe are cerudn ooiens that aie oonaidoed ua-
l^iopitioua ; fluch; foriaatanee» aa a aexpenty a cat, or a fos^' to cxow
«or fixH|iath^ on the otttset of apügrimage; we then inunediatelf
xetarn« anddefer the jonmej for a futuxeday. TheinfalliWlilyof
^ttse^aigna, aa well aa'the powcar of diviaaiionj aaid to be poaaeaa*
ed br 'Bidunanq» ia fuUy believed bymy peo^; but^^aaid
he» '^jGod aloneoan know our future fortunea; andaa to the pfo*
ftandiMOwer öf .aatxDtegen» aa wall aa the omena of evil^ bolb
owe their eiedibiK^. to darUeaa and anpexttition. What ia
man» Sahib? He ia a poor cxeature;-i--wiae> in hia own conceat ;
biit> after all» Ina mind cannot adar beyeod ite ineaxteiated mouU
of daj, whieh gxovela on tfae eartfi» until dideined to min»
g^e with it: h canndtei^loxe the aecrets of apaoe^ nor of fttuiity«
Söme men tfiere are, wiM> profesa to Imew the mgrateiy-of decu
j^Kfing eertain linea on the akull^ and to' be aide thereby to read
the'fate that attended ita anämated atate of exiatence on eatth:
it iaaitait.thattha'wiaeat'ef my raee beUeve in: but of thia I
wsU-taü you mone to^roeriow; the aun ia aety«^the ataxa begpoi to
twinidbj— and die eool evenilig'a aar invites me." He then retix^ :
I waaan^Douato know how hia ^' croBsdd wifie^aoä the '^ j^ng
9nt"Mgnb^; bat beang wdl awaste thse Buxopean cuatom ei eak«
ii)g.aflter one anothex^s wivea, ia copaidered by the Brahmäna the
heilet c^ impertinenoe^ I waa restrained from doing ao.
Befbre I probeed, I must first obaerve^ what may appearper-
jf» hapa to flome of my readers almoat needlesa^ that the natuial teil«.
l3 denqr
IM
Iteisijr rf idsdBitry is to cti»fu|it tf& f üiBI^ by «htnibd Md fidktiMift
ft^f». tnteiflferäbte Aire Ihe ftbleB «f ttfl ttmasnh emh wti jwwp
&^ t&« pü^ee^lflg k iidpöH^MUtyi iaid titoniXNM abwidtvlriaHB
trül^; kdeiiBdi li^ b»lt of lito |]M^flttti0Q oF litt pÄi^ of Im^
Ü finleb> likttt ibierf dto kl timHM bei «ibitedy liM hy mhak Ü
natural or monstxous. The foUowiilg ftttl^ tlienfan wiU
hapB i^ipeiif te «Gmie tenSa&ü^ tiirwMiliy bf najr aiieatbas Mi as
%ftli th« Mab ibAt \ki aecaoni <vf södke of flhto gentdua täte li»
i^dgde Motog iblni> wfil pft^e oeeepiablü^ fhat t trangMia « litlk
Im ^ ial^iseti b|^ ^triüg üMKiim t6 tb^ feUtfwtilg ; aadiliai
lN>/aft tbe iralidi^ «if ib« ätt tiifetr^ V» YfyXishsh Jkm,
lom ]|ft itvtuf fl«M ift^bd j«idgäi«iii «f EvaitypMm, obMln lai^lU
«h ortiiUfc aiilfiing iKAiiy ^ tbe H^disös;
: Tbl» ffiltowtag itohäiBg be dMM> wiib )ik m^
bis caii^äg ey^j And Mithig bftnifle]f> ^estad one band cm Ma
kiMj and wüb tbeotbatte^wftom betteath bis Test « bnntta
aki^* Tkei^ b ft j^bciüätf a^nlätldti invambly pvodacNd an mf
jniiid at tbe dgb« «f & «ku& t It is neitbet eltogelJwr plaanng» nor
kltplAnM j biitattlKtttteaf bolb, wbteb abiorbatlia e^eand nad
ih deep atteatkm td tbe öbjecc. Tha Brabfliaii dreir bb diair
doila to inine^ and plaoed tba skvll on tbe täUe, fitat za^piestaig
me^ with great pdLtetniMSj not to toach it ^ piobablj finnn a dMi
ba enterta2iied> tbat aiy tmdi niij^t be tbe meaaa of eottianilia*
ting tb^ pan wbkb bis pura fingen were about to ecq^ie. Ha
Aeii> witb tbe fin^ finger of bis ri^t band, dite^ted ma to ob«
•arve tniiiately eertain ftig-aag lines» i^t fonned tbe fnntt of l^
aorotial 8atiM> Imd wbibl^ l^^aarad to beat lome triflingnae^
to tbe Hiadoo cbaraeter» moie paiticularly to tbat of tiDa 1^
«laL *' Do 3rott/' aUI be, '« aee tbeae Uaes ^"-^^ Yes.*'i^«« Tiiejr
IHfetiMeaUadiKitoinniy diibouiteofyeeterdAy. MHiyleamai
pbttoflopbers of my caM, pretend to poaRastbe power of dea^pbeiu
Jag ib9Se cbamelen> wbiab powelr tbey allege to bave dacived fivna
Ae ünmediate gift of t)vnafe Revelation; tbe biowladge of dJa
siyateri^ag art, bowever, is oonfiüed to A öhosen fewt^-^ oace»**
ooBtiniied Kisiben Doss, '^ eoäveiaed witb a Bn&ttatt> wbo pro«
fiMKd tbe kniDWledge of U, a^ wbo teld ^e tbe ftUoWBig tale, as
r«biting to hittself ;«^
Ml
OiB TAhB OF TBS SltOlt* '
It tras frequentlj ' tHö custom wxth me^, fie aaid, to xoam
ftbdüt the äe^Art places contiguou& tQ my. tiadvQ yUlagej) aad ^
aikiüse ItüfSeif bj perusing the destinies of eveiy skull that n^gbt
He (eipose^ to tOj view on the eartji's fiurface j.spme.of wbicb weip
moire or lesir euiious^ as baving sufibred unpay^llded hardisjups w
the wotld, 'frpm penury or diseas^; wbile oiberu }ai passed their
-'äeeting ^iäteuce^ withQut compairailyely a sigh^ or sia^ cause
to weep j i^me agaan' from thepinnade of power and rieheSi we^
suddenly liuried headlotig mto paradifle> or häl, h^ yiolent meana j
f^inä fewthete were withput aome remarkaUe featu]?ej| tjxat tended
^Itk&t lo "awaken reflecticm^ or to. feed, my inaatiable tjdrs^ fqpr
'CtnfibMty; that gain^ a wonderful asceadencj pver mej fioom Ü^P
ünst moinent I bepame sl^Ued m the art. Threa w^ka bad pnoe
eiapsed^ and nö skull cöuld I meet with : my impatience liad juQ^
T)^j^n to vent itself in angry impzBcatvms^ whcsi« lo J I be)iald one
^tdft t)efor&'Me : it was one eveniqg in Septeix|l>ery qq my returfi
honle fröm attenduig the fest! vial öf Gauri*. I iiiAtaati|r . i^
töwairds it, and pen^sed üie linesof Sestiny withavidity.; 'but my
'SStönishirient was great to'read as follows :^' Thy .days on wtii
y^jll be fufi of travaÜ and «ore Vexation ; ,a. great wandeiser wilt
lhö\i \)6; Imt nobody wiH care where lihou goest. . At iby dea^h
ifhy soül wiÖ enter Sidyaloka, or the World of Truthj which is
th^pavadisä of Brabni9> and 15 water^d by the purQ streams of th^
^a^gel. There wilt thoü remaiA.in bliss for iheee thoi^^aivL
years/when thoy wilt'^gain revisit the earth in a formt of% 00 w*!;.
"* ■ . • ' 1,^ , Thy
« A fesayal hdd w Iwnoui of imo of ttie tbree fn^^
*dooii^ nained Siva Gauri, bdiig onß of the appdlationsiif Parrf^i, the wifeof ^V|i.
^'^^'ThesjratemoClIteinetempgychosis, or trammi^ation of souls, was khown
HVdir^fBiwct ^ te fisDdimlfMn «he eüUeBt agei. It U tmn thinn t^at P^tha^
goras, wheQ in IniUft, jsflU]^|p«aQdllso'havedesiv)id ^'«detelciidoetri^pYal-
though^n Hifi.re^unj tö Grqece |ie taught it aahis ova. .Certvii.it ib». tbal ibf
booiu of tlie fifndoos (which appear tobe more antiäit thas the age of Py thägoras}
aw #Soi vith exhibitions of tfais absurd doctrine, called by tfaiem Purwa Jauma ;
and treat of it afi a System cpeval vith Ihelr niost aiideot ui|titatiM)i« äSfO: «nI
i^^öüs^ 6nd establiflbe^ l)eyond all oontooyexgy. It geensio hftfe InhI its iv%ia
{a )a int^tlon tp justify the . wUnii)i8tration ^f 'Proyid^cß in f^^y^yTu^nar i^iri^
^ndpiinishm^nts, and, in general, to correct the obviouß üra^^iüarit^esl which le»
sult from fhe triumph of ^ce, and the fall of viitue« The q|»uüoo of the HinAooi
ä, With respeel to the wic&ed man who'hds prospered bn eurtbt ifaeji^ds Junrc duc
^»erd, thBt.afUa:_^e prescht Kfe, his 8oul.$haU l?e^6^th| ij^mfi of .tbe.^i^d^ «f 4
liänah, of some voradoiu «woal^ ^ a cree^^ing ism^A ; jpQroovc^^ ^t t^ h» hom
153
Thy bones (meaning the skull) will go wbere no other Ixinef
ever went before ; af^ a time they will ride on the wingB of the
wind; but wbere tbey will alight^ the Fatestbemselvesknow not-*
Once satisfied^ be continued^ I would cast tbe lifekss bone away ;
but sucb was the singularity of these lines^ that I pondered ava
the skull^ which I held in my hand^ fbr hours^ endeavouring» in
vain^ to recondle th^ prediction to my understanding« At last I
delermined to take it home^ under the persuasiön that by keeping
it secure from the possibiliiy of molestation^ I should be aUe to
divine in piocess of time^ the real meaning of the latter pari c^
the prediction^ that the skuU should ^^ride on the wingü of the wind,
and alight where ihe Fates themselves knew not." On jny wsy
home^ I plucked some of the broad leaves of a coooa-nut tree^ and
wrapping it up veiy carefuUy in them^ I fastened it with ooir
cord. My chief anxiety now was^ to select a place where it could
remain secure from the prying eyes of my wife. At last I r&-
solved to enclose it in a bag, and suspend it on a hook that was
fastened in the centre of the ceiling in my great hall, the saiictity of
Vhich place, no one, not even my wife, ever dared to invade. In
the evening I cairied my design into execution ; and I gased on
the bag containing the skull as it was suspended to tbe centre of
my ceiling, with delight ; and secretly resolved in my own mind
it should not be removed, at least, until the mysterious psediction
relating to it was unravelled. For seven years did it remain in
this secure State; at the end of which period I determined to on»
dertake a pilgrimage to Kasi (Benares). Previous to my depar-
tur^, I assembled my wife and family, and told them ihat my ab»
sence would occupy a period of six months, and caütigned them
io bewBie not to enter the great hall^uring the period of my pil«
grimage, nor allow a human being to do so, on any account what-
fiver. To this injunetion they all bowed implicit obedienoe; aad
I kft my native place for Kasi, amidst the loud waUings and
)amentations of my wife and üpouily . At the end of six months I
vetumed«
l>]lnd, or dobked, is an indie^tion of a Ufe misspent in a preceding State of ex*
{stcnoe ; atid that, on tbe «mtraiy, to be bom beautifUl, rieh, poweifiü, a Brah-^
man, or eren a cpw, is an equally dear proof of bis baving, wben in that State,
passed ^ purp and ybrtuoys lifo' It is not until after repeated new births, joined
io'.the |iractice of virtue and repentance, until the soul has been purified, and ha«
oonected its dightest blas towuds teirestrial objects, that it re-unites for ever with
the divine Para-Brahma^ or Supreme Being. Such oontinues to be the bdief of
(hc Hiftdoof > and) w it »ppears) of the generality of Asiatacs at this day.
158
^lelanied. It was at ihe hoor €i fimr in Uie ereirfng I ^aatiBttA
fiiy gates: a dhurwan* an aeeing me nttered a loud dicmt« and
«anoimeed tbe joyfbl tidkigs of my anival : my wife, wbo was
the fint to ai^imieh me, feil at my Ibet^ and embcBoed them. I
eatered tlie great hall inunediately; but what was my astomsb-
ment to behdld that the bag, and its oontents, had disappeared^
•and nothingjemainedtogveetmy anzumsTiewImttliekuwli^
-'' Wmnan V latiä, tuming to my wife> '^ teil me> on tlie pain of
instant deatb/ as I seued kör by ^e throat^ ** who-— who has
invaded tliiir sanctuary in my absenoe ? Wbat has become oi Übt
faagy with its oontentSj that I gave ihee mich stiict ehaige to pre-
serve? TeU me^ I say, tuemUmg wxetch T shaldng her, finr my
indigm^tion knew no bonnds. My wife, Icneeling at my feet,
säp^icated« in teai$ and with uf^iftqd handsi, my fong&Teness fx
her bommission of the wosst of crimes-^-disdbedience to her hns»
band'soommands.^— '' I oould not/' she said, *' suppress the curiosity
I feit to disoover wh«t the bag eolitaiBed. Hie seoond'w^ek aftei^
yoor dispartoie, I had a ladder fized to the oeiling, and on asoend-
ing it, I opened the bag, and eagerly examined its contents: my
honor on seeing a human skuU was extreme ; but my curiosity
was no sooner appeased an this pcMnt, than I feit a burmng desiie
to know the leason of its beingplabed there. For a long tbne my
mind was in a State q{ tnrbulenoe and amdety to diyine this re»
^nainiwg mystery, as well in doabt ^sdiether I should i^lace it, or
keep it by iae, and candidly amftss my weakness to 3^ou on your
return« At lengdi I consulted a leamed gurut of our TiDage, as
to the miwning of the skull being saq^ended to the oeüing, also
w[ith legaid to its ultimate di^osaL He assuied me that it was
the skull of a fiend, which, in itsanimato State, had wanderedorer
the eardi in humanfimn;— that unless it was insta&tiiy destroyed,
and etery pardde of it gvound, e?sen topowdcr, you wouldbe
affieied with soce calanoty» and never vetum houet • I paid th^
guru six rupees, and ffowai the odious sknll kmtantly, topowder,
and it being a stormy day, I cast it üam the tq^ of our house into
the air, that not a partide of it might polluto our Compound.
Now,'' added she, '^ I have confessed aU I know ; nobody isin fault
but myself ; and attribute it, J pray, to my sex's weakness, or my
love for you, and forgive me !" Casting her &om me, and command-*
iBg
* A door kceper« f A Hindoo priett
\\
;PB0di0laen ;r*-*<9nüie ißpgiiiua^ pf QViM$j tiUMtrBwaqli»^ jgiwg » ■
] .Kishen Dpi» ^nMU I thwdked jiiw £irl)ift.tolr;'^bai mfffoth
aato gLvfi-isMegBoe to iho Deal 'eiä«ieiloeiQ£ anj «üdl iijk; rbaioiL
luTtiie^ «eB^veiaaliom ijC appeamd tbal ^ Sräiimass» wha paoi*'
.ft^Kd tha pfOD/Afit üS it, ni^re ia>äia luabU t»f fieQiQg: ititothoiB
w^a ifeie d^^ esaitgb tapay bandanndj^a I»a witiBttld^ as 4agr
.s^pposad, into ito itiyMiiea. Thii fllrcUnMlaa«0^.a«ollg^:manj
•oA^s> wiäeh dii not eeoipe ngr mulke^ isipRaaed Taa:iiith die
justiae <o{ obsesvations aontaabad ia &a:iwt^> af..claaj frinffiat.
-imtarspalDdiaQr^tiiiat if haKtibe aiipcdcrtftti<»»feMwiH>d ^idaiatwaua
•GUBtoaia pi^yal^t. in tba .fiaMii wai« Arac0dviaQud>a»j^
jdi^ would appaaif to te aat an. foai^.aiid naxtand \ij AajaiLß-
ifitereat aad gntiScMEiidii of cxaitj Biabiaaiw(y and 4;uoia or fnaüB
' JäüuBA 3km uraa ^^asaiimatälf find.rof. }«fltaiMmg.tQ.£iH^
aa pedfltea ; i^itö.indttl^ liutt» I iv^fMildreli^ av»iaelj:..teik I
iDUBdipoaepIeaaedliiiftao^wall'as IbatedtedGadottt sn IhaEtiatem
ftjla of th^ loanFaUiraü» or fadoubtadi^o aicita inddani «rtaaiali»-
«laiit^ifiuipia»« ar laüg^r ; nanalterliüw mpijolMblalbailiddeati,
£ctiaa %ci^gft^u0otf y fiOimiliBii^ad lo Aftxaioäaf m Jtäatic> aa to
JbefeaeivedwilbaagiaailiplaasittQastm^ He. w^ihifttiiai srould
|Avev9r ne widi a rdbtion of BaatanttalM two of Ivdnah .I.iiia^in-
f^ as tv^ail fdr tba caaterteinmaat.. öf alf .ireadai4ciaa,ti9.(afir a
diasa^stemioKsl jpe^^ tfeo . geneiai^ imtafibaA pgpainartwm
aH. Tbe finrt^ .'a^biidi ba ])epfa8elited.afl at i)MUJl»M:^kbriii jrogoe
l^a|oaiB^ Mftboaiwwflana and-iAaiatii?JBoBli%ttaa^ wwwiiii^aaiUL«
Iowa *«««•
t THB TALB OF TM BATLOB OF ALli-irOH'K^.' * ;
' Ä tap6dä bf a Aip fymg in Musc^tRoad^ was in a great Htrrry
toptdetepe^saQöA, mordfer ia^roceed to'wa 'imttieöiatÄy. ' As
« The Hteral expression made use of by Kishen Boss, was the sailor of
% Ijandy-work :" but the better to accommodate the title to the English reader,
I have alteredst fotkB taOtt: af « il^-work.*'
15K
cm board to offer their Services^-?:-'' WeUj" nod 4bm ^ptttiii
4» <fie fl£ Am, V wtei $^f 4& yotf ^«oi^ ay »aar—'' 8iz
foiüaB fHrtffidi^ CMiV'i^l' y^ w!^; p^. obf-r^And jm^^
Itioakfaif te «iMilb^v^-^'' Fiyß ]ni]peef».' Sabilf.V-''' <io^ r^güai
CNfti'^-Hllnlli njir -ma%''.fp«düqg' ^ %'w:9diltlook»g MabovmMn
di»; ¥^(9 4dvw>äeJb V]:i^A>ed. i» ati enoifi^oiis wdidkn j|t#a|-äiD»4i
8(Mi>."-^'^ Idght of .lAsr «^«i r «lidrtihe daplailb ^' twnty-ätfee^
mab; '' beteiM»-iJ'n « «Onr of fdL-Wotk"«-^'' A iaü« fif &Ui
mf/k\ Bj Am» pBf#«f of Mabmitieai whai'ft Üastr-^*' ökr t^
pUad :fhe naa» utith li paottUwr avckfeiwi dMM^ttn&teyad tBorö tu
t^e inmd of Ae daplain! thto tea tlioiifitfHl WorcU»» ^' yüu'ü.^eel'!
V^ WeB> paia od, mlor of aU^W^rkr Hia Cv^w Uing
. flc^iSodly had tfa^ daaiad iha toncl, spüd pto^sttod tl^eit isouna
tlüroii^ die daep ^Miteffii, trhexi a dvaadf^^ fttonB tina9> in 4h«
nidat tff wUdi brery aaüoi cn boatd was adüvdQr ainga^adia; so»
toaaiy düt^jp-^lMit tha äiSlor of aJL»work; Wlio opuld not ba piCM
Tailfed li^n to go älof^ oe inilaed» da an^ Ikiiig büt «a(.aii4
driDk^ Wbidi he did Verj hoäiläy« At lai^l^f by Ih» a aaMrta»aa
4£ anace bloi^s widf « xs^'a^ind* he wga jGpxtad; fraady agaukal
hiB will^ to go aloft. Night came on^ and.whh.il» all tha hoi>?
tan etütb atonH« wlie& tha atfUer of aU-v^is^ IM» at fdl«dfdi-
ia^ hia ttf«atitin> eatft hia eooiBfsiM wooHaft gn^eatHiaat «Mio tlf^
a6f^ «lid alid down, «opaimve^ 1^ op4 «f the backni^ya»
Ilavälg vatehad Ihe dMk> ha iJ^wJad «ata the oi^^taiii'fl a^fpa^
iDoH^ whferahifetoy a€P c aa t |d / aftdinparibci^it8<»j abüfitecocif
aUite inriiieb dilt6% biaeiiil^ Imttl^, aildj in ohonu ev««y daia^j
awaitifeg hia toüd^ 5itiA aU of tiUch. iade^d iM^nilldeliufia^
«»daUj fia^ ufBdl ha ftU ifilo luaoifi^ atep.
The itenleiKt ihe aailM aaw; tiiidi ^aoiaiCfUs woeU^ft opat fiA
into tha aea> tha^f tee aad all^ «iqplpQaiQS ifc to bQ A^.fiiügtßßXf^
bawkd out to the «aptaisi on deok^^' Tke «oite; ff
JIM merioardJ" and aftar the ]«pto of ja £ew 69^
liffle Aa aailon waaa jEte^uekitlj oeoified in iwatii^f the <^
xaatav
156
t«eler of tlidbr eccentric slil^aiite>\aiid lamettt^ Us^usdaidy
endy. he wais totallj'forgotten.
In a te'w weeks the ship amved in slglit öf BcnAxif, ^ Thcf
were sailing vnth a für hreeze for tlie luubour^-vpiieiii-dl.ai
onc0^ a voice was beard to cry for, kelpl bat nobodbf o(9ild teil
from whenoe it came. Seavcb was made around tjie ahip,' aad in
eveiy direction, but in vain; still tbe Toice oontintied iUtJty,
louder and louder, until it riveCted tbe attention of tbe wlmie
crew. One of tbe sailors said, be tbovgbt it proceededfinioi tlie
Stern. Tbitber tbey all ran, beäded by their captciin: bntgroat
was tbeir astonisbment, on casting tbeir eyes towazds the roidoTj
to bebold, tbe sailor of all-work ! wbo was dbsorred gwimmfaig
witK one band, bolding on by tbe mdder cbains wiih the odier^
and pnffingy blowing, spouting, and flouncing about, as if diow ifc*
ing — *^ Ob, you unfeeling monsters T be ezclaimedj in a hitf-
cboked, and ai^rarently ezbausted utterance— >^^ ob, you demooBf
bere— bere — ^haye-— I been— swimnmig aftex^-*-tbe shqp— oll ■ the
way— -oh! from MuscatI and you wont-^pick-^me up! Ob,
you-^wretebes I-— Help I captain, belp !" Tbe crew, by-the d^
rection of tbe captain, speedily got a rope, and .püiled hÜDn «p
like^a. big fish, marvelling greatly,-*4na]dng müch of himjr— aai
assuring bim (wbich was very trüe) tbat tbeynever heaid him
ery out bi^ore,. and wondering at bis ämazing prowess, in swini»
ming so far as be had done : As for the captain, he detenainecl
not to part witb bim.
' Tbe ship had not been many days at ancbor in the hatboiBr eC
Bombay, wben a Paraee merchant, wbo dined with tbe oaptaa»
boasted of bis singokr expertness at erery bi^nch of skiH'whUi
formed the to^c of disooursew Among other extiaddinary freaks
bis predilection for boaating led him to dedaie • hieudl a
thorougb adept b, was tbat of swinnning and diVuig.; in ahott,
he dedttred that be oould swim, of remain imder watexv hmget
tban any other man in Acin ^^ Tbat," said the ei^tain, *' I
must be allowed to dispnte witb yeu, being ready to bade a nikr
of mind agaiast any man in the universe at diviiig or swimniiig i
in fiMt,'' said tbe captun, " be swam after me very neady all the
way fiiim Muscdt!"— «^' Youl" said .tbe Paxsee mevchapoty inm
impasttonf^ too^ and gssture. of defianoe-^'^ you doubt ^my
woidt I'U dive witb you for fifity thousand rupees, or with any
IßT
a Biän>" aajd the csptaixij " I am too lKx>r to trtak^ upoiv a ven«.
ttm t bat if ytm ehöooi ti» make ii- tda ÜhMnanä rdtiees^. I ftia
vea^fte ^lidmn^- thd ietaites/ if fou are.*— '' Agreed r rejoined
the^mcmhaiit. ' ' Umflires 9rafe tlieii apjftxmted, a^greeitienU drawA
(Müi^'Uld 'ibe mbmiiig of . tbat day fortnigbt was fix^ upoa for'
tb^tand*
• The. j^jeelad-^Rrager bftmgSnmied ibe cbief topu; of ooater«
sBlicm'ia tfae tDwn bf Bentbay^ a vast cfmccnine of people afaem-
UeA'tM, all fCairt^ra early (m tbe moniiiig appdnted, towitnets
ibe Unt. Some predicted^ tbat tbe love of oonqneit, ar denze
of ^gtfinj i)»0uld cevtamly prove tbe destni^
oAen-agaiii^ tbou^iitbePaiiBeewouldwiB; wbileibe majority
wäre of- opiaioa Aal a abark wou)d>.iao0t probably> gat bold of
bolbr of tbflxi.
I^^tfudy lit tbe bodr ef teren; 1^ Fnfsee merdiaiit made bis ap--
pttpraoo^ filid'Was'insftitiJtaiieoulÜy.Hnled'witb deafening acdama«
ii0B0 fiMt ibe aommtidiiig midtitude. He' wate a Heb torbaiij
ünngHwUhgold. Orer bis ifaöiriders^afoldof piain caEoo^ beider-«
ejkwtlh säwrboejpartlyooiieealed asupeibditäig auit^ wbiöb bad
bee» dipped* itf a ihagiciatt*8 caUianj conttioing a myaterious
lifqid^ cdeolated' to leoder tk6 weacer of it> '' inv&DciUe in wari
nA'*viiMdom in cenleat.'' Ibis pracbas suit warn decked widi a
prQAUMi»> ef ditfmondfi^ and viBasy daq[Ni of pearl and gold; of so
zare a workmanship, as to dmafe and deligbt tbe eye of e?esy be«
boider. -Tbra^Yassalib A^lowing bira; beie tbe annmnt of bja
B^ei^Lten' AowMsad tüpees; abd ddmrod tbe sam over to tbe
uaytaeB/wbo wece »«tifes ttf Benbay, of lugb Yank> and' wtse
sealid ^ifdeva splendid ^imopyy made of 'sandal wood; erected «t«
piBlsly'ftr Ae-tjoeasion.^ In tt iew n^tettesi tbe eapftain waitfiieen
to ndvau^Sj ^itko Hke^viso-deBveied c^m die amount ^ bis slakea
to'tbip/ttnqpiies; AHf ncv9t wöre waithtg wkb Impatienoe fbr'tlie
saflof of.4iiH^otk. At laat^' « wii^refsal -d^t' announeed bSf
appwwiiM>-tft'lte«unn# of a stf|dl'bi]Mt;be'btfdto^iurniountA
et^ teiVMiiedülio^ beaob* 1%«8t3^ditSj<bowetee; soongave
wiy'^to «iQcibns*^ aWbet^^^lnd Intonsa onzlpsityi .for be^waa
obflvr^pliBifigafterbiB^ 4o tbe^aBtomMneatof «Ujraiid wifMnt
defiit)gf4>l« ^^fne^tnewB, 4^ 4afge>vbag, eonlaimng sSj^rentlyffMi^
beK^.mfb|taoce^:* {Jvea^'.^tyQt^aa figced upontbim) ^9.ril b» te^Bb«
rr ed
-i^ Whttt 1« Ihbr' äaiil liie PimM mewlisat» ^"W&MI w itr
msA Ih^ nCto (^ alt<m)iiE> itith « Mdf kok i > '^itee.^-^' tOmOr
^t^^ihesanor <2r> ^-'«v^ wltii a lool: of ^bicAbl» OMtaupt «t
M» lMlif»raafyi ^^Uy'mt, oeftäbd^r Al 1^^ kNid Jaugh pM-
ceeded ftom every äde : the sailor of all-work however advi»o«l
to tte ^inpimi, aa^aft« lalMfig ihem4lifttk|^-^'«ii^^ todiTe
finp ai»r8gQr> U ^its nm^ aii4l4ttvie be iiwdEli tat Hiattie^ aot
doatem^late ithe ^idaa of MoiiMBg Glider \va«er'WlA0ttt'aiqr 41ilBg
fo «at*:'^-^^e dliMip|>eefed.
• VM#afl-^iv«re th» einywwaio nfl of aitoflij&nen*> oMaANiad iif
]^ dfita<iiättätlo# 4b ^rema» 80 loag «adNr wal^r ai to'«o»6iHBea
Ibftg^ iide^ gaye nsd lo« tat ihey in^em not k«pC long fai -suflpeoae:,
für he again appeared^ with a sack of dates^ two jazs liill «f flh&a»
i63Ei^ iitÄ 86iHe taangoe jdiy.»«^ Now/^ «äd &a^ ''I Aa£l aaon
ta rea^ "^ 3F0ar'aBd again dinppoued. Iitlüb Atenae^-tM
Panee «oaxdiaiit «^«ttkod mudk tö 3b alj^imd toicnitiBbia Aie «Mi«
tefitaof tkebäg^ tai^^ras^iot paraikted \ay^ ike ^iio{)fiMik IiMd
äi^ «^eated plimdito ^no^' anaoaiiosd 'Cba^e^appearanae öf'tfe
MÜMT of.fldl-^^ c tat> 'Oiiee iBore> tha locddlada^ wav^ doo i a f
tö"fl«i8^^ äieir greedngs^ to ga«e fat eüani MMkUbm/mt, not uo«
inked widi 4ha ^aÜest eiaäAaik!f$ at the iaBoar^of t^-mvik, wiw
Was^kBenRedtoadwieeh^n« 9ixlu8^feBö«v«y'b6ailitg*(ml]udv
aiieutdeM afi enoinöus aiM^or and aable. Afltor^liavaiffnMaK«
^vesdiöBff^ 8iii]ß«ifle«ooafiiiNiodt7 4Aiii unaidoaniitflMia-äppeacaiiM
had «iibadifed> l&e umpuas ihamgelvei ^müjIA not imtiain liicftr i»«
fvMti^etoeMj ^ha> with th^ äa^tain, and 1^ >a8titaii4i«i. FMtt8#
meräiaiit^ flaiked fovindihaMäor.Qfatt-wbil:, qariü«iäMhf aa
touiamg ooneouffia of peeple, all amdoiM to aMortiän ikointentJOf
tSiefle oniiKMis pMpan^M^ tat ^psrttculfffi^ of ^tia' andtar «oi
ealfle. «^ As^injprovifilofiir/^ Mid1:he^«afioFor ^It
kave -alreadytöld'jrMi f«r ifiittt')>tfiFpo6d4ihe7*weiiiteaJed> the
anchor atfd^ble/' l^rning ^tolita aaanchnrty «^ k^ Wkrlkfg u§ aife
io^dh<Mr^at^h€^tattom'; aüd fo iaep u« -ootnAiiiaftle ^Itoe^ «irtilr
^r'^k[ öf t>iDYiaiaB8 ift«^ean6iniiadi^--^^'Wliaet''ättld Afe i%d0ec$
xnc^&nt^ who Hy tk» l^fne was-hatf wa>f %iA ap f iwih q i iien' aa^
ilafpHae^«^ itteti come t^ <ln aaidbor «t ^At» botfoaif and eat^
and^ink ifieie ! Bf dia power of fkfehomiaied \ not I4^Vowy
• ' now.
im
now, do I perceive jour derign, caitiff ! Thou art a "»g^^iin ;
if notj the devil Mmseti ; and kantest to sdctifice fiie at the bottom
«£jdie oeesa^ bvii tlmto to JfolioiMedf Im» pfeil^rved£«|ii^
ekitehi», «iidiü# fiiry.oC tbQ ficndb ;" .^ : anfing, be ^y^a^m
few;«lq^:injoi!dBr to ftj^pM io the tmpneas btft €to «tiir^Hadiiig
poj^uface deemmglttftiiiitetiop. ai a xn^e evascm^dC^ at Aeteil/i
s.'in;ätsEt.to ayqid dw txial;of doli tbejJhad idl anwmiWfld .tu
juafe; as Hlifsral iatlidr apfkoa^ att'&e«ä]ta<>f fdl^ik^ wak
tiludaB.]ingjns.ibea]|!iij^Bl^ dot»^ ilia/8«flar 4f
mll-wttkr 3leaawUik^ liie mmävuat,.whowm»B3&äiatitin!iihß
«ut. zea^fOBj .wppreJBmii.w Girlus Dvnx. u&lff, wmtm/kä im .«Mka
Im eaea{)Q> ttoidst ifae^dke cftaS a oi pn aiil.u|^rov ittetauxiiMBBdfld
luBn. Täüiwasnu^afeaacr asb8cteiaeS>.lthaa die.aai^
nw «jptöft h^kd widi.niiivarsallacelali^tKm;. «»& idM stakttvJi^
ihe lodiqtdf 42ie n^es» irae dAUvwBä.wli»: tue cf^ifttn'« Itaijb^
aa jüitffy Juieiied; «dbo^ m 1» At mä»z ol att-i^ork;
iao'^al^iKUipagrrftmtir JNEar
did.3Bs,baBiLtjriend bei««: ^fu/liiä endmiL iii.£Mbi> l^fuMMA
Idiü.wiifli A rao^ti^ mtuätad iviibe anfnote ctf..'(iift fimed oitjrdof
SciKcaä> wfapuJi of as< . tiiaiia^TBiTiÜBgeLt>£ ftaiaateioCdllfnadcf
2fe.is jaü li^tfivM dtttv t» itiifl .iiayv^»<feiflitip^Ahei wrtifcr .iind
^ainxüratiiQtt o£ d^he /cimora^. w>o Sode .locoad Ma dsisl^og M
^p.hkdefmglian of the: myafeanaaAie. iihsepttd ia Ae aiianitaHf
flggflia^ andliia joätpiälQvk HM^yk >xte itbaaeitu. ' I ' • ' - ^
._-... .... •••■*«»»♦""«•• ..•.*.;
second tale ; wHch is one of the many hdd in general estiHutfitni
i^^thfi'Ifiadoo^^ U )ittiäiübi»d>.«7.peäi]utf oaiioai ten;tiiev.)Bir-
iwiiaf|l|«wTff o£ n^ Jnmogibcfiiig. jbopaaced^ (md I xaayt not padiiipB
^eara»Bficiufi3^iMmdndäyjflü tlga JnMtdqodaon. iifdttGad JHa h w iJ ife
as wdl d8>odLer.'''^^iiejfB^n/of .i;lid.J^aatp»7 )a9Ütttifackc^lhfl:<la^
flgitt ;yaater.::feai^udfaiyi;ihifaL ^otiieBi: touay: mpwinl eimrmmm
IjiraajtsreeaiU^rjs^Pliiafed^ wtiitmil'BaLfbamälAtdjciSobß^iio visAAt
Jkde «(al4A]ixij|;|K HBtkikAiJnifluU^Uei imMum^yim ^JXMLMabm'
i^jlbdpleaif Iiidb:''- <i^7ttk^^itifli[feiU^m^iaiA«B.il iirfawaljlii^
160
*tÄLU 09 THB FOtXB DBAF ZNDZANS.
A deef 8he[4ierd was one dftj tenSing bis flock^ near big mm
viUagd; and tHough it wäis alrnbst noon, .hii wife hadnot jet
bniaglit hirn hb breakfiist. He was aftaid to leave his sheep to
go in guesk cd it^ lest some acddent aÜoiild befall iSnem. But bi^
bunger couid not be appeased; and upon looking round, .be
spied a Talakfäri, ojt vilbige .bind, wbo bäd conie to cut g^ass tor
Ins eow, near ä neigbbooring spring. He weni to cali bim,,
tbongb very reluotäntly, becäuse be knew tbat, tbougb tbose ser-
Tants of tbe viQage are set as watohmen to prevent tbeft, jet tfac^
ave great tbieres tbenMäves. He bafled bim, bowever, and Te«
quested bim Just to give'aa eye to bis flock, for tbe sbort time be
sbould be absent, and tbat be would no^ forget bim'wben be
retumed fxom breakfaä ; but tbe man was as deaf as bimsdf,
and mistaking bis intentions, be angrily adced tbe shepherd-—
'' Wbat right bäve you to tske ^diis grass, wbicb I bave bad tbe
tnmble to cut ? Go about tby business, atid let me alooe4" Ther
deaf sbepberd observed- tbe repulnve gesture of tbe bind, wbicb
be took'for i signal of aoquiesceaoe in bis request, and iberefoie
bciakly lan towärds tbe village, fuUy detmnined to give bis wifö
a good lessoa toit ber n^leet. Bot wben be Äpptoacbed bis
bouse, be saw ber before tbe door, rolUng in tbepaoui of äviolebt
diölic, broogbit on by Rating, oter nigbt, too gitaJt a quanüty of
zaw gfeeB peasCk' 'Her sad' oondxtum, and tbe neeessity be was
imder to provide breakfast for bimself; iit^tsnnt^ Qie sbe^ieid
bmger tban be wisbed ; wbile tbe small conMence be bad in tbe
person witii wbom be left bis-sbeep, acdeieratedbis retum to tbe
• • « • •
utmost.
- Orerjoyad to see bis flock peaceably feeding near tbe sppt
Wbere. be left tbem, be counted tbem cnuev'; and findiag tbat
theire was not a »ngle sbeep iBäning,.''5 He.is anbonestr&Lbw,"
qaotb he, '^ diis iJVafyari,' tbe v<^ jewel of * bis iaee t I pro«
nased^lum ä niif«rd,iand be diall bflte-it«" iTbere Was a laine
beatt in tbe flodc, well enodgb in^otber sespiects, wbüeii be bcästed
an bis'ahoaJ&n^; and, canied to üie plaee whese' tbebindwas, «nd
i ^r i iii a ysly ofiared bim tbe.muttau, sayingH-:'f Yoii bavb taketl
gfeat eaiw g£myibnpduiin|g my sjbsnii&^i^lake tbis oiie:far yoor
tmubfe.
I
I <
jl
161
. ^ I^" says the deaf hmd-*-'' I htefk your aheep's leg ! 111
be hanged if I went near your flock onoe you. have been ganß,
or Btined fnm the place wheie I now am."-^'' Yes^" laid the
ahephetd, " it is good and üst mution^ and will be a treat to you
and your farnüy^ or fiiends."-«^^ Have I not told thee/' xeplied.
the Talaiyari^ in a rage^ '' that I never went near thy sh^ ;
and yet thou wilt aocuse me of breaking that one's leg. Get
about thy buanew^ or I will give thee a good beating!" And^
by bis gestores^ he seemed determined to put bis threata in exe«
eution. The astonished ahepherd got into a paasion eJao, and
assumed a posture of defianoe. They weie jiut piooeeding to
blowsy when a man on borseback came up. To bim they both
appealed, to dedde the diq^ute between them; and the shq^iecd».
laying hold of the bridle^ requested the haraeman to alight juat;
for a moment, and to settle the differ^u» between bim and th^r
beggarly Talalyari.*— '' I have oflbrod bim a present of a aheep,"
says he, ^ becanse I thought he had done me a Service ; aiid» in
lequital, he will knock me down.'* The viUager was at theamner
time preferring bis oompkint, that the ahepherd wpyld accoa^
bim of breaking the 1^ of hia aheep, when be had nevev bei;ft.-
near bis flocL
The horaemanj to whom they bqth appeakdj haypeiied lo.
be aa deaf aa th^, and did not understand « word that eidier lof ,
tiiem aaid. But, seeing them both addseaaiag him wilb vehe->t
mence, he made a ngn to them to liatan tp him, andthe^finank^»
told them that he confeaaed the horae he rade waa not hia^owa z
'' It waa a atray that I found on the voaä," ^oth he» ^' and being^
at a loaa, I mounted him for the aake of ezpedition. If he be
youra, take him; if not^ pray let me piopped^ «a I am naUy in
great baate."
Tlie aheDherd and-the villaflBe bi^ >d^ eaah imaanninc that- thai
horaeman haddedded in favour of the olher, baoarneaace violent'
ihan ever; both cundng him, whom they had tahan ioor thei».
judge, and acciiiring him of partiali^«
At thia criaia, there happened to oome up an agad Baabman.;
inatantly they all crowded round himr-'-akepherd, Takiyari, ani
horaeman; each daiming hia interpoaitioii, and a deeuBonin- liia
favour. All apoke together, every one telling hia own tale. But
the Brahxnan had loat hia hearing alao.-— '^I know/' aaid he«
i6Q
^ fou mnt ib ^fa^ &e 'to return li^e tb b^ (toämiiig Us
#ife); lmtdö)rbükiio#!]toe!!8raet^? ' Iii oll tÜe legidttg Üf Che
defvil#> I cWfy ybn to !md öhö tbM is li^t equal in wicftedneas.
9ifkc0 ih^ ÜisA l finit b^gbt ber^ i>be haii teüde tilfe toinflift iÜ<M«
läü tblfo it \vill ISe ih fti}^ ]^w^ tö BxjtiMe ih tliüHy geneftifiMs.
I Am ^ilftg 01^ ä pügrhhäge tö Kaski (Benäi'efl)^ triiert I tväl Wtoii
ibyfelf frdm tble ihnumetaMe enmd^ I hare been led ihto^ fitMki tHe
bttür in \irbidb I bäd tbe taHäfohunö «o ttia&ö bei^ nrf nHfö. Then
wiH I ^v^r bat tbe reist ^ äiy dajis oti aliiis^ iii a strsmge laM/'
Wbile tb^ w^te all fbvdc teiiti^ tbeir e:Scdaiiriitif)iife^ witboat
bi^atitig a 'üif&Sä, ibe bi^ntesljeater p^tc^Ved sohiö {toople lidtMüdsig
tbt^ard tbein witb gireat spded. Fearing tbej taigbt ht ^nt
o^ttan 6f dfe bi^ti bä dii^oüiitdd^ fäeA tdot to bü( beels. The
A^^d^ iteäibg it ^^tb^ gröl^ng latis, #eiit to look alter bis Ihdk,
jtottrkig 'oiSit (hitses^ ^s b6 taidged^ fehlst all aibithrt»rSi and bife-
terly ectnipliaahig, lAiat; all justiee bad deported fhnb tbe eartb.
Tb6Ä hb bälbmigbt Mi&i^elf üf a {fnake^ tbat efotfsdd bis pafh in
llife ihotliing, as be came out of tbe iBbeepf>ld> änd ivtucb nigbt
tfaidrilttt iRMr tbe ü^blei bis bad tbat day experteüced. Tbe uM'
fOiiiceleahM to bS» IcM of gtasü, and finding tbe Ulkie^hetip tbere,
be took it oa bis sboulder, to punisb tbe shef^erd for tbe rescatkm
Ifö liad giv6tt bim: aüd tbe i^ed Biabman pütsued bis coorsetoa
dhoültay^ i^Mk wak ndt far off; a quiet iii^t> ivhd toiuA ^Istep
8c^b^ hk ahgeir ih part-^and> early ik tbe morning^ several
Brabtnans> bis relaitions MA neigbbottrs^ wbo bad traeed biM wi%
^eMiHdBd lastiä tb 'röt^qn hdime, ptomising to en^s^ Ina \tife to be
mcfie bb^eht and lese quarrelsomä in foture.
' It wiM rtMi)y bfe fü)ypoied, tbat I 'tfirBS not i
Tantage I derived from tbe intelligent society of Kisben boas. Hh
stttenäon^ bbwevets was not tonfhiied to mere wotds ; bö wonld
Bfequentfy ^Votir me oh tbe oecasion of a Hindoo ttaattittge witb
a CBtd öf afaission to a nauteb^ or fbstiväl^ lield im c6lebratlon of
it^ wbeie it is usual for dancing girlü»* to exbibit tbär Teapeotive
puwers
. • Thcy sre l>etter known to tbe public by «he oösner name of »U i iimiHii.
Their professioQ, indeed, requires of them to be open to the embiBoes of pecaom
of «U cairts ; and although originally they appear to faave beoi i&tQuied for the
gratificatkm of the' BraftunfiOis only, tiiey vre now ftccusttmied to ^xte&d dMir IW-
yoon to all who solicit theuu
189
odl AflOMlvet '^ imHydui^" «r #£(iMf ^i^i« ^^« «le al« cnn
plo^ia dM WQtihip of idob* b dieir teioe Aej nevfr «UK
widiiii0n;k boonfiiiedcutfae^|]9lliiQgnA^ Tkejr^ietbßooJy
womoi t«tt^ to cead, to mg» «r i9 daoQe ; Md m ih^ iure ooq«
aitoediasQodMtittidpraiisiib^ UiW>«UU tbouf^ t^emvk^if
an iiTegalAr«dttcatioii> if airkliimirmiliaB«r«Be f^u^d «if^de of
didier leading^ «gmg» br;4aiiaiiig: d» bendf wonld ib« Asbuped
toMDifeiBit. F4tf tUs foaKm dio Br«bP8iM MBe JO JK^i)«te4 witb
tiie £iix«petti cHstom of pcmwittiwg» «aj^ josm ^ «nmufgius^
tlMir wiveg, to ^xisper jnd M»Ue im ^Fufafio fNmokPii^udly widi
dioiBoa/'
Wo faad «nade in appoitKlBiaii ^ sltenA » «kufttqh, wJiMsb «sü
lo Ufa fkee in tho veek Mkmxig, «I tiie «epwwl jvquM of
RJBhoaDowyWJboaMaioduijIfcat^jlihe-tori
«mong huadrodf, fcr tihek isupeaauar jboou^r wA iOCitopliifatMml»'^
It wosdboot <bar dayB paar ito tbo eveotng flSRpcfoM fcnr thf
lUMUcii^ Aat SiConAiaed ndbe «o« hofiid lo fffpopoji» ia |)i<|f|V8n«
iag> fen^ the diMotiaii of .tbe nvWr Bengolo^e i» iiKmAovi f^W
obsenred burrying to aod fro; and my dumiily Iwoig .^ffriilqd^ Jl
{noöeodfldinihejduxcftkAfif tlwttiBMr« Qu xw^hing die hopka
of tbe riprer^ I b^luddAiipkBdid budgcmw^atlioar ihe iw$|ig*i4i<M^
in a «mlui^ iMe. Hie natfares wMce iniloodiig Ite biggagp ami
v.mBoa witk etoiy fflqToditwn» wtilo two <^Hm^-Wtff^»" M
^bey azedegignated^nr *'xx]iuitE7.fa>iiiH'/' vmio iilapi4iilg ifft 40^
tUdy ongagod in anporhifcfidinfr «ad ioadkig Aeiv apsiittap«^
l^Eesuning^romiilna obtuniitaiioeibagr^^^ |;]|ei»iPiiOBB^ mdfw«
4mviiig Chejr weiie EngHih, I ad'VBHoad ftonraKfla ib9W «od tonrikKt
od llte uae ofmy ooitags^ afioonpaaied «wtftk an ioTi/tfitign, to ver
«Man widi ne untfl tbeir affiörs weK anamgad ; vbMi.$b^y ff^
«•ftod^fvitb aviibly« and abondoMO of dnnlEi. Jt mf^not iie
Affliasitoctmaikihere, Aat tiiejckescf 'haq^il]afil9r4m> obsjorred tp
aa cKtreoiey among Eooopeans in Inda, in taT^ling tbfoii^
^'^ interior^ it is coniiderad an ^Gsontto jpasa an ^iiMÜgP &#^>y^
>or tbt habkation of a fiatopcan, willioiit oalfisg«!^ W^ flojouiiv-
ing a periiod of aome daya, as voBSf prove aiart cpnve«iea^ l»>b^
• A bo»t eomewhat fike our pleasure-barges : it dnws fimn four Io^t« liM*
wMer. -Soknehaveeriiins^KU^eenfeetindejaBdj^iep^
1^ Ik^oApiiiif of a EuiopaM by » native woman.
164
ti!>avellen Such strength'has^tlie love of codntijr orer.otSithemtB^
that strangers meet as brtytbers^ and c&at as socutUy and happily
as if tbey'were really of one famil^. But^ alas !- this enviabfe
custbm>like tbe löosateä hospitality of England in ancient timea,
iB giving way oonsiderably^ iiom the great influx of European ad«'
venturers; and the habits and manners of the Anglak-Qrien—
talists have of late years undergone a sensible change.
My guests were soon housed ; and in the course of a few homs
my hitherto seduded cottage was a scene of bustle and festivity ;
the misanthröpic habits I had insensibly imbibed finom a strict
sechision from the sooiety of niy countrymen^ were then ezpeUed ;
feelings that had so long lain dormant^ as to become weQ-i
extinct, again cbimed their asoendancy^ as the jovial catche-
toast^-— and enlivening glass^ circulated freely ; and after haTing
been unused to my mother-tongue fbr months together^ and ac-
customed alone'to Hiadoo accents^ if I exdept tbeFrench spoken
by-my wife^ I feit such music from the voioes of my guests as de-
Hghted my heart> and aroused some of those few and short-lxTed»
büt delectable feelings of which man is susceptiUe duiihg his fleet«
kg existäiceonearth. .
' My guests^ I found; were indigo planters^ then on thdr letom
to their respective &ctories from an excursion of pleasure to the
fiaff^^famed idty of Hooghly^ distant £rom Chandemagoze but'a few
ttiles ; and their budgerow having Sprung a leak^ they were ihrowii
hy- this eircumstanoe iinder the roof of my. humUe dwelliiig:
Liberal were their prolessions of friendship, and urgent were they
for me to leave my retreat to visit their respective fiictories ; one
of them^ known by the name of Handitollah, being dtuated in-lan^
west of Calcutta^ about twenty miles^ and of which the eUUat
'Hindoo-Briton^ . whom I shall call Dennison, i^as the owner*
'The 'dther fiwtovy^ the property of the youngest^ whose name
'was BoBgo, was situated in the nätive village of Haughbaul<Ji«tt^
distant in«land aboot thirty miles west of HanditoUah. I was
averae to leave my retreat: every shrub^ every tree^ and obyect
about it^ was entwined round our hearts in: ties of endearment,
and I thought I should be happy to Hve there for ever ! But the
-thirst df man for novelty is insatiable ; bis eye is never satisfted ;
^the sight of new objects in remote and föreign countries^ but add
fuel to l^is deare to see more ; and with this ^ager propenaty For
^ noveltjj
165
Xitrdbj, as well as with the hope of being still better acqüainted
vnüi tke nsJdves, liaviiig an opinrtiuutj^ as I then should^ of witr
neasing their customs and mannen in tlieir primitive ämplicit]r>
JUBshackled at so'great a distance in ihe interior, by the restraintf
wbich the presence of EuzopeanB impose upon them ; and also
•with a faint hope I indulged of meeting ¥dth some advantageous
field for employment'— I embtaced their ükvitation. After re-
maining with me for the space of five days^ during which peribd
we lived ii^ the ei\jo3mient of uninterrupted cheerfulness and good
Jiumour^ thej departed for their respectire factories^ Irving a
^xnMummah with me> as a guide to condiict us to HanditoUah ;
where it was proposed we should renudn. about three months^ at
the expiration of which period we were to proceed to Haugbaul-
•haut. In the:mean time I dispatched another letter to my friend
•£ndtfield^ on the west coast of Sumatra^ having conduded finom
hU rilence tl»tndne b^ nuacarried; a. too weUIknew Im dis^
sition and feelings of regard towards me^ to harbour in my breast a
doubt ,of. their sincerity ;, and hamg left: directions with the dawk,
or post-office peons^ to forward my letters^ I prepared'.to commence
myjouiaey. " . . '. ^ \
. I was not forgetful^ however, of my engagement at Übe nautch>
-and at ten o'clock on the appointed evening, I sougbt pdmission.at
the portioo of a large native dwelling» buxied in the centre of a fine
•garden^ suxrounded by underwood and ahrubberiesy aboüt twp
'miles &om Ghandemagore. It was opened by. a dhufwan, or
joör-keeper ; a Hindoo^ bearing a cane^ mounted with gold, then
:adyanced^ and ushered me into an immensely large room, crowded
by natiyes almost.to suffocation. There was however.a small
^uare^ about sixteen feet by twelve feet, xailed off in the centre^
.set apart for the dancjng fpih, as well as for ■. the acoommodation
of natiyes of rank^ or fayour^ and where I was offisred ^n courtesy
to my nation^ a d^air. The partition was ridily carpeted ;. coisdy *
instres were suspended frpm the .roo)^^ and on the sides of the. walls
foa^y wall shades^ or oblong glass, lampsj lit with coooa^nüt cSL,
produced a brilliant efiect. At the.h^ of the room« distant'ten
or twelve paoes from where I sat^ w^ a throne of pure gol4 ; Üie
leanopy^ twelve feet in height^ rested on four massy pülars, of .the
aame precious.metal^. and. of exquisite workmanship, the. nobs
b&ag cttriously fillagreed*. On the front of. the .throne tbe Ho^
> . M 3 nourable
166
ilOüziUe CoDij^/f «rn» ^ottTB duMafdüed ; «nd öti l2it tlmme i^
«df was seated the liridegiooiiiy «n a searlet veltet cusbioii : ht
was a fair Hbdoo^ appaiently aboot tlaxty : tbe biidit was not
{nresent. Bf his sicte was a Vis, emtfiniiig bctel> wliich he chenr*
ad witli great iang^ftM^ locftii^ on ae what wac going forwasd
with apparent indifibreace ; and if I eould jUBtiy divioe die i
ward einotionsdf bis iotit, fron tbe self-cotoplaqencf depieted
bis features, I dumld pronounce his liappineffi to «rigiaate in liie
bstentatioaa dispiay of liw fifliarjr bf n^luch lie wafe fonottnded,
and to be incraaied bodi bf the aootemplatkm of liifl own import-
anoe^ as tbd dispenaer cf benefits^ bowe^är sinidl> and by tlM co»»
viction that be Wal» tbe dbject of tiie adtairation of tb« namaoua
nndtitude eolIcK^ted to witnoB« tbe nantcb. Bat bard indaed
Would it be« if be could not enjoy bimfeelf witb an oatiay of ex-
pence ao princdy« tbe greater pacrt of wbtdi wai latisbed &r tfae
entertainnieAt of otherg ; «^eially as bil puiaaiti were innooea^
and in acoordanca wiUi tbe oastom of bis eountiy : indeed leouU
not bttt wkb kiin £rom tbe bottom of ta^ batf^ eyety bap^infiaa
iie oonld dedte.
As I before said« I was seated in tbe Square : to my left, aboot
üen paces ftürn me« was tbe tbione ; and to tbe xight« or latket in
nontof me^ weretwodandng^h. Tbey were well, iiay, dega«^
ly nude;— ^bair fotnä, was s^mmetry itsaLf ;**«>tbe]r coloinv la^bn
plive« iiMÜning to fair; tbeir bak« long, bhuik« aoft> and silky« was
divided in fxont« and fiurtened in a large &ld on tbe lower pazt of
tbe back of the bead^teacbing half way down äie back; pa&nie%
ilweet4cented flowers« and el^aat attire« entwined witli atudied
art, abouttbehair« indioated luxarious ddight. Qneof Aemhad
a black eizcle round the wbites of her eyes, and wbidb« unaceoim^
aUe as it may seem« added« at least in my eye« to her beauly.
Tbeir eara weie decorated with small rings all iwind tfaeas, aat
with gamets« rubies« and other precums stonas; and at t&e eii4
of the ear weie golden ieav-iings« abont four inchet in diameler.
On tfaeir neoks wevB eaitanets« and massy golden nedklaees; -4Ma
their anns, golden armlets; bangles of silver and gold on tiieir
wrists, and silver ba^gks^on tbeir andes. llieir attire was tte
same as is nsually warn by Hindoo females> widi the exeeftiaA
ef the Substitution of silk for ootton« and a pair of brand iSSk
tiDW^BTs j the whole artanged with striot vegatd to deoancy» tiia
gannents
157
ikfffd, 80 fts to 90|; Gj^T tjieur di$pe lo tl^ utmofl; «iy^atagp ; ^9
fe§| w^re left bore. ^
Tkm^ ä^fxcß was a cadeuocd nmyement, but gv^o^f^) fuid plen«
si)ig^ ifi T^hiph Ü^e motioii of thßii: arni» a|i4 bandf^ witb •
cßftsm expre^^ion of featuie» ipdkalive of tend^mes^ eßn^lßJitj,
£^4 A^liig^i oocupied tbeir chief attention^ m ibey 4o ool jpaai
as in Eurc^j with regulär Steps. At üiterval« tliey woold e^ant^
in a loud screeching tone (any tliing but musical) verses of tbeir
aopgs^ w]bidi> I luoiderstood^ rdite4 to lome ciycrnnstaiM^ or
otber 1^ t]^ lives or amours of their godflzr-
Tlwjr «u]|^, fmd w th^ itiaeß. tfaelr am» ahmre,
Their lolling eyes oon&ssed their aoul was-4oTe I
Conixary U> the representatüms tHat had be^ jnade to m^ nip-
tbin^ lasiciviouß in tbeii: moTements did I seß, nor any tbing tp
aSend tbß chastest e^e ; but such is the soft, seductive» and ak
jU^ing ch9f;9^cteir of.tbe dance^ as to produoe in jgfsißrßl a teil/
dency to daIH$nce oa ^veijr lipbolder, B^hind them were aeated
crosa-legged on the caipet^ four Qindoo mumdßjmi xn^ of tbei^
beat 9 tum-itum^ or drum. His ^ead« Shoulder^ Bimß, apd evexjr
viusde^ were in motion dunag his Performance. Another pk^ed ^
4 harp, in gre^t favour ^mong the Biahmans^ callfid bma; tfae
wires of metal> the ^tgut.beinjg considered too isfipure fbr ijap
fingei^ of the Hipdoos to ^ouch. A thitd thmnnnqda guitar> ci^Qad
kinnara y and Jthe fourth kqit time hj sounding a Idnd of muoca}
bell. The ^oise of the tum-tum, with the di^cord^t sccapingi
of the string^ instru^ents^ and the intennitting screechiag^ or
§hriuekß^ of the girl^-^-the jingling of their omanientS/ divarsifief
with the dance of the sjrrens^— together with the splendour of tb^
^rooin^-;— tl^e throne^ — ^and the sable diyersUy.of hunuin objefts eonir
posing .the ^udience^ fonned the prisicipaL leatuv^ of mj epXetr
^nmentj, with whiqh indee4 J was x^uoh gratified, ^d did not
return Ironie uptil a latß hour.
^othinj; astonishes the Europ^n more thoa the absuyr^ and
obsfxeperoug din ^;id co&fviaiop produced by the jn^u^ pf the
"ßxßäpos. äo hftr^^ jil\st6^ and discordant, does it isoui^ f^
an European ear^ that the very i^a of ordcr^ or a^y kiqd qf
^pethod^ would seem to be i^together o^t of the questioxi. | ean
pompfure thep muedc whfch ^ccompwles the p ro ccynon bf l(l^t|t
168
<
Idobi to nothing better ihan tke aound cf a pol^r stnidb W»«
lentlyagaiiift a brass pan; and tliat ci their nauteliesj to the
acnpisg cf nnmerous ilUtoned Tiolin»— to tbe souiid of dxnmm
and bellst trying to do justice to some of the fiead-lSte mm in
** Der FreiflchutB ;" and yet Kuben Doss aamMd me> witb gmC
grayity^ tbat '' tbe English were wonderfolly dever^ and mider«*
fltoMod every branch of the arts and soiences to peifectioBy batoD^
and that waa— musie ! of that/' he aaid^ " we had« not the le*
motest idea/'
Like uSj they have a gamut of seven sotea, and are tan^t
music metibodically. The gamut^ wMch is said to be introdnoecl
into IJurqpe but in modern timesj by the Benedictine monk
Guido Aietino^ bas been known to the Hindoos harn the earliert
äges; itistobome in mind^ bowever^ that the I£ndoos hare
never brougbt any tbing to perfection; and that in sciencea, arti^
and manufactoties^ they häve remained stationary at ihe point
wbere they were several hundred years ago: their i^usidam at
that remote period were as sldlful as those of tbe present tiaies ;
and if we oompare the Hindoo music^ as we now bear it, with
that of Burope as it was two or tbree thousand years ago^ the
former might^ and probably would^ take precedence over dl
ötben in a mnilär stage of sodety :-^'' In those remote agea, die
Druidsy and other leaders of populär belief ^ in tbe greater part
of Eurqpe, used in their rites nothing but dismal and horrid
shiieks^ and had no instrumental music but what was piodaoed
by dashing one plate of metal against another-— by beating on
astretched skin—- or raiong a duU and dtoning sound from a ham,
or a rüde Instrument of twisted bark.* And they would pvo*
bably feel as little gratification at that period finom die duloet
Marains of an European band of music of the present day^ as do
the Hindoos^ wbom I have frequently seen gasing with a stare of
TBcant euriosity on our band^ but so little deligbt did it seem to
afibrd^ that I tiever knew one of them to renudn two minutes.
'Ai to tbe ornamental arts, such as painting^ sculpture;, and die
like, they have as little emerged from barbaxism as their miuBc
Their painting, particularly^ is nothing but mere^ufamg, set off
widi brigbt colours and extravagant glare«
To pioceed:**«-A budgerow was now' engaged^ to conirey
myaelf and Virginia up a navigable creek> that ran a oonsi*
deraUa
I€9
Sexftble dkfcailoe vest, ioio ihe inteiior; iemd at tlie ttaninadkm
af. which was Bituated^ at tlie distance of a few inüe8> the iadig^
ftolorj of HanditoUali. On leaving TKuh«a Doss pv tontporv,
I bade Um a cofdial f arewell^ as I leveceneedliim for bis age« aa
well aa Ibr bis judgment, and Uod attention to me« I could not
but r^ret, bowever, as wa parted on tbe banks of tbe rtTer^
dot the castoms of bis cast forbade our «haldng bands. Sncb ia
tbe nature of custom^'or babit, and such power bas it oyer ua,
tbat wben be bade adieu^ my beart was in my band^ ready to
endrde bis witbin its gvasp ; wbile be^ influe&cedj no doubt^ hy
similar impressions of regiazd^ but unused to tbe *^ pabny teaf ' of
fiiendship, expressed bis feelings tbrou^ bis aged bat eloqueanit
eyes;— pressing^ at tbe same time« tbe bead of bis canoj or sta£^
witb tbe like cordiality as we sbould our bands> bad we been
ooantiymen. I oontented myself witb expressing my bope^ ihst
". tb^ Creatoar and Preserver of tbe universe would protect us
botb> until we met again." In tbis be tctdasHj joinedj eiEpresdng
bimself nearly in tbe same words.
We left Cbandemagore at break of day^ and sailed, witb a fair
wind^ up tbe Hoogbly^ until we reacbed tbe nulktb, or credc«
We tben steered westward^ tbe beatmen plying tbdr oars^ in
consequence of ibe wind failing« As we advanced, tbe prospect
beesune moite and more inter^sting : tbe green crops of paddy and
nee> witb tbe native busbandmen following tbeir several ogcupa«
tions-^tbe spots of jcmgle, or forest, scattered bere akid there-—
all bearing tbe aspect of nature's simplest garb^ aided alone by
tbe indnstry of man> i^id unadonied by tbe studied art widi
wbicb tbe cultivated fields of Eitiiope abound, was a gratifying
8pectacle;----<me tbat I would not iben bave relinquisbed for any
oonsideratüm. Tbe jackal, in appearanoe not unlike tbe fose,
was frequendy seen prowling near us, storing, as a dog is some-
times obseirved tp do, on seeing any attractlve object— Hxds of
gaudy plumage, partidtlarly die paroquet, . were in plenty;.as
also innumerable bevies of wild duck — ^tbe vidture and bawk,
bowever, were tbe most conspicuöus, and very aotive,^. eonvcrt*^
ing the fair firmament into a seat of constant waifare and deatb.
The face of tbe country was a leTel :> and I must not oimt to
add, tbat tbe luzurious odour and refressbing fragraooe of tbe
meming air, surpassed any tbi^ I bad ever be&re cH^periepsed.
At
170
ffunbor 9i!9g^w> &Dd we UnMt f^ w^ i»knryi9« ^mv Wgr
gi^ii^ «nd jkliQ eoDimiBii^, or tetler« of üiv JSemuoQ« «etUig
thß p^ «f ft glüh' h wßM %t Üu^t wmmk of Üie ye^r onjlled th^
cM WMflD« in dl« mimtb of JvOß« wlien Ibe »cnr^-^aftsv)^
aoon is pr^valesi j ön4 an, i9ur Iftodi^g« wjupb wm »bput dey«»
iit t}i6 &xemmh wo fou»d the UmpeiiQi(tti^ of tbe air pl^puoAglj
nuld« biitin tbe jounmu^ «od ^vimings th^ pold is jiite^ae^ t^^
iüCQixvfiiiieoo» x)f rrlack hk tbß mote spnsibjy feit, fipm tkß oir^
c^ Hm rtft D o e «f sjxm» bemg out of use in IndiA* Tb» «jip^itFAn^
of iee 10 not iineonumm; «ad thfi Q»tiivoi^ huddUng t^Qx^^^y^
tq^Blbor inlo a ^' puiding fiostu]«/ fleaibod chbi t}idr Iiwo^sj fuod
WiFpcd i]i A INttoe of whitß cajAOO> with notbiog bu|i Ijißir black
polinaflbqaiioaiBpcflpivgout^prQdHc» ftliidifinm9effoct»a^yibewed
in co^trast with tlio wUteness of tbeir dothing*
WefnLfeUßi on üpot £or six or oevjeai .miki^ tlN^qgli ^ oountry
tis Wightlul M nOtd to «fiw frezy stqp wo t^ tm tJ^O plajii«,
excited interest^ £rom the possUiiJity of inootittg. yiiSb ^v^'^ihmg
nowj oitlior in aniinal or v^g^taUo m^uie« Xo Uie \7Qpd9 wbich
um pmei ilmm^, iwjous objofifcs «med to bi^lglit^ii tbe pl^nr
«uro of our jouoKqr» weh «» bu^^loon» foxo«# (yvig foap;«^^ »9d
pto ff o ct fi in thoir wild atoto; bu^ tbe gnj pl\iiwge of tbo fea-*
Iherad mse, wlio woü» obcorrod. noeUng oboltor on tlie jimi^j
bnioobos nf tbe tamtarincU 4bo pibNu »od ibo p^nmA!k> ^9^$
fum 4he mm'§ xoytu ttxat bowno oppred«ive«3 it re9fib«4 the mor
«iidim, wjwo Ify üx tho «iobI; nttiwstiyo of tho awnroujAJjfi^ ^ar'
iKolt^ U mi^thoJfira^.tio« Ihdd ßi^^ what lai^j \» i^m^
• OQuntiy wattif mwUett «ay^nftti^ iemd; »od bpth V^fpim
»od «»yaelf fclt lib^ omurmo la d^Udous troa^ S^ thr^ o'<doolF
wo.iwibed the indigo {$ßUa^ of HanditoIJfJv»
The idweUiiQ^house »Itfidioci 4o tbo fnotoiy w^ siiuot^d «t
tibe oxtremity -of ji Igwo, Mbont dio .distwupp of miy jßg^ frofi^
jtbe higb ^road thot. l^ada to Beoaves. Two €»oi;»oviß pit}ni-*tP9^
neaned tbcär «tateljr. head^al; .tl^ .ontranee; wai on oithor ^ide ^
the lane, «noa wwe oloftelf pbmtodj affoidiDg » pl^a^a^t ^faiMlo-
Ja this hoiue Mr# Donnisonj }jiß feiend Riago^ And Mr»* Kiago^
wbo hadjarrivod fxom Calcutta.» wero.in eiq;)oot^tiQ> o& »od T^9ffy
io rocdve ua» If any atato of jrodal ^oym^itj itided by .»
jPQVKt of notiuo'js fiuioat scone^.togothor with i^veiy per«oii9l
coavenienco
coovemttioe to be ^edred« woüU feetr ea o ftt dt atk, cut lyf Eiiibptf^
witb üie läe enjdynleiits in « finnii4Mmie in euvied EngboMf r^k
wtiB Ihe iadigD üdaty of Mr. Denniaoii* Our hott tvbs a geMH
ums one: ]^ liad providßd abondaiitly tbe Ittiäixies of Svorope»
#u A fts baBi8> dieeses, ale> And daiet» vitk eneiy ttffkcrn xaritf
to m«lD6 US liapp7* ItiagowMa|^a]»ntfy<^ adü^poidtiittau^^
io Ins fiiend Dennison ; Mi wife, a Foung aiid aniaUo (sreofe
häj, loon ÜDcmcd an mwociatioti of sentimeBt with miiie ; and I
was then of a tempwäment to enjoy the ddighto dma taxply
a&tded mc^ to perfection ; bnt wbat omtiibat^to my lüppinasi
more tlian anjr other cizcTimrtaxice, was the pniraoe of inj bvo^
ther Joiiig w3io hadobtaineda tempofaiylaate ef jalMcnoa fsom Ins
thip^ that had amved bot the week befcire fin)m a swpftj. To bim
also the change was a treat ; aad often would ve tädnlge in the
golden bope of one daj retumang with a oompetenqr to #itr
snkdre land^ althcmgh neidier of tu had any feaable prosped: of
ßver hang aU^ to do ao. Stau., hnwerer, we enjof od the preaen^
nlomenti; but not wiihont albj^^the thou^ of die futuoa,
now sa^guine^ now depvcsaed» woold erer and anon intrude i^
seif OB onr attention. After remaining with ns one week nif
brother bade lur Iarewell'«<^a2a8 ! £or the last dme;«— «nee then I
have not aeen him ; and üaBi[ixadtt6n xnmaars, it is leared, he hae
inet with an umtisoely grare in the river Hoo^blj.
Hiedwelliag^hoiue eontained five roenw on one floor, a hali^
and vcnmdah : and the honaebdld pf onr hoät «ooaiahed of ten
«aie jervantsiy and £ve femak slaws. In finnt, was a spadoua
tank» abeimdxDg with fish ; mnmeMus onthoiuäi, 0taUqs> contii»-
ing tbxee jfine Azabian horaefl^ and a died for a l^ge aude efoi-
jiuakt, enmicied the hack pait of the building» whioh^ with a
paar of fine ints "finr die iaannfartape at indigo^ eomprised the
pnndpal objects of the hotacy. iha diief amnsemcpt ooBsisted
in ahoetbig aad hnating; wdld dades asid pamqueto vere ahmb-
dant, as werä flying Cosea» that ^resentUe whea 'fljang aaqusnel»
and have wings Xke those of a hat; abe gwnrdonif or joun^
a2£|^tors^ nsiudlj met wMi basUng in the snn near the barda»
üf a ^tank^ into whieh diej phmge fot mtdtj aa (the appeuance
of danger. The fleih of thi6 gwaideK;, as wiell as äiat^of <the
%ing föx^ is erteemedn gzeat dcÜGak^^
TheJ^npseBsion ibe nnod teodm in the intedar jof a .foeot
in
172
In^Iudla, ia für difietenti aad I may say, of a jsibxesaMii)^ tttn«
täencjr, i^iau tliat received from a forest in Bngländj inattBudi'ss
not pnly the grandeur of Nature, as '^xlijifaUed in tbebägHt, «ic^
eumference^ and density of tjie tiees, is remarkabley bat the
intense interest which is the paramount and inseparaUe feeliiig
in the niind of an European, affords in itself a great fgcitfanciit»
He Icnows not whether a tiger or capellai*-»an eagle or a ynkme
—an alligator or a bufialo, may the next minute cross hia patii«
To an European exploiingthe inteiior of a forest in Hindoostan,
every olgeet appears to belong to an undiscovered oountiyj wheie
^yery inch of ground may send forth something newi bot to
:the native its' interest is lost; to them nothing is new; mL
they only wonder at the sensitive curiösity evinced in general bf
Europeans^ in regard to objects that appear to them thiag^^of
Gourse, and undeserving of notiice.
It was in one of our shooting ezcursions about thne in tlte
aftemoon, that we approadied a square buüding in a ^en,
shaded by tamarind, cocoa, and pepeL-trees^ and wdll-iiig^ oib-
'Scured £rom l^uman Observation : We weie casually attracted to
the spot in the pursuit of a wild' peacock, which had ^Inded
the ränge of our shot for soine paces^-^when a loud shbut, <^***«**g
suddenly through'the wood, nvetted our attention* We fbund it
came from one of the temples of Siva : we looked at thciinfccriar ;
'in the middle of the; yard, or Compound, was an altar, on whidi a
bleating ram, reeking with göre, its head nearly seVeied ttaat
the body, was in the agonies of death. llie black agents, irii»
were the principel actors in this soene, were nearly in a staie of
•nudily, and being liberally sprinkled with the blood of thdr
vietim, bore the i^earänce of fiends in humian. shape: anotlier
terrific yell rended the air when the victim made its last aärag|^[&
•^^^ Ab V* thought 1/ '* this must be some zemnant bf the aaadr
ficeßof the ancients to the true Gbdj and these pec^ple kbow/not,
4K will nf>t beHeve, tiiat the ' great aacrifice' Ibr aU, baa abreadj
been .madi^" On tuniing, however, to my fiiend Dennisbn.'for
anezplanation, he undeoeived me-*'' They are mst»" ^aid: Iie,
'' saerifidag to Ood» but to the -devU, or malevoleot fiends^; £gr
lh^ purppse of avertin^.their wrath, <and the evil 'to ooioe«'. Sack
im acst of gross fatality as this in the nineteenth Century, eren m
the (^ens (^ Hindoostan, äppeared to me almbst inctediUe.
We
' We fhall taow leerwliat k fseiä \^ Ae Abb^ Dubou im At wah^
J9Ctof ihis mode df wonhip^ and on Ibe fanatics^ or wonhippei»
of Bkutasi or üends^ wbo praetua it^— '' All nationfl of ihe eanb^" ,
be saTs/'' chrilized 6t baxbanms, baVe acknowledged tbie eadsu
endB of oertain evil spirits^'wbose ^natore and coniStant employ-
ni6nt it is to znjute men in Tarious ways. Rerealed religiott alone,
^▼es just aiid Ational views of , tbe subject : miperstltion^ on tbe.
oäiar band^ engendered by fear, and nourished by ignoranoej bas-
oonjured up a tbousand abirord and xidieuloüs faUes, on a subject
80 vreBi suited. PeopIe> Wbo bave not surmounted tbeir crude
notions oonoeming tbe general dispensation of Providence, wben'
tbey -fiäd tbenädives tmable. to diacover ibe canses of tbe crocm
aöädents« boWever common, wbicb befall tbem in tbe oidinary
C0VXB6 of nature, cannot belp asdribing tbem to tbe agency of in-
ykible and wicked beings, . wbo deli^t in bringing upon men tbe
yaijoas ilb and miseries to wbidi l^ey are exposed. Tbe next
stiep is, io sede to propitiaie ihe Jiend, hy prayers, adortdum, and
socrißce^^ The.worsbip of demons is universally estaUisbed and
piaetiaed among tbe Hindoös; tbey call tb^n Bhukts wbicb also-
i^fignific^s ekment, as if tbe Clements wete, in &ct,.notbing eise büt
wieked qniits pelwmified, fmai wbose wratb and fury all ib^
disttttbances of nature axise. In many parts we meet temples,.
Sp6ciä!Iy deroted to tbe worsbip rf wicked spirits; ibere are dis-
tricts also in wbicb it abnost exdasively predominates. 8ucb is
t&e.long diain of mountainä wbicb eztend on tbe West of tbe
M3r8ore, wbere' tbe giieater part of tbe inbabitants practise no otber
Worslnp büt tbat of tbe denl: every bouse, and eacb fiimily, baa
its own particülar Bbnta, wbo Stands for its tutelaiy god, and to
wbom' dafly prayeiis, and propitiatory sacrifioes, are ofifered; In
tbose parts, tbe image of tbe demon is eirery wbere seen, lepre«
sented in a bideoos fbrm, and often by a sbapeless stone, The
worsbip of tbe Bbütas, and tbe manner of oondncting it, a^ ex«
pLiined in tbe fouttb veda of tbe Häadoos, ca&ed Atbarvana-veda.**
On onr retutn, we Were met by a gorü, or priest, mounted on
a bdloc^, wbicb was decked ont witb beHsy'cowriei^, and rings
tbrougb its nose; tonnd tbe neck of'tbbgura, numetotts rows
of beads wtste suspended, reaebing as far'cbwn obISa breast, and
' wbiiA
, • Cowij, a small ahell, used in many parts of lAdia as money ; eighty make
€ia0pim^ and fifty or tixty puiu, one mpee.
174
^tf%SA }ie wm «el&Ag^ ^9nA bis fim Säger «nd tfaumW veiy
ewM^y ftS be pMsod qb^ muttenng to hsBMelf U ihe mme üme
hk mtMfM, tit pray«r«. His ai^eamfiee w«s «Itogether «ümark-
sbk, &iid> in eonneetioa witk «urtottfidiagobfeGli> weU rfilmlgrai
to leafe a lastlng impresskm oq tbe miiid.
Bat w kit ^eqpecidly attiMted my ^serrance^ was itlii nigiilar
i^ppe^mmee dfthe magidaBs ;•— «s also t€ tlie snafae-duKBieri. I
lAiall flm fijj^ak Off tlie fermer. The art of laagicigayatiBinatiffally
tätiget attioiig l^e iHtidoM^ ati4 the Brahmaiit gita it a piioe ia
the table of tiieir scsenoes : itd taystenes ate said to be devdopedl
kl flevaral of Üh^ bools ; bat patdculatly m tbat of tli6 finv
vedas^ Whicb beata tbe name of AtkafwtnO'Veda. In Euaipe,
Hie täet of magic (so loag as a belief in k aabristad) vaa mde»-
stood to inean a compact entered into with evii spirin. Ift laclia
boweyer, st is dififeient ; tbe praotkioaers f«o^ve tibeir leHonafian
iSte «[lastars of ^be art> or^ as tbey tbemselvea sl^iie tiiem, t&eir
gurus. ;. .
thß power is soppösed lo consiat in drawii^ down evil><]flL yvo«
tiding antidotes t^sdimt witcberaft, wbicb tbey diKtiäbote to tboie
wbo dtoose to ooHsalt Üseüi, fincb as eiK^amted beads, toatß,
plates af copper^ ^ritb extraorAinaty figures, inexplieable
and K^ataeters engra^^ tbeseon> and likewise amulets, to
talismatis fiom incantations of ewery fcmd ; «eoret nel&odg ^ ißg4
i^iring love^ and of caring> er Controlling tbat passion. are pro-'
fessed to be nnderatood by tbe magtcians ; ^^ tbe seeMtof obtaia-
ing unbounded weahb^ and worldly blessings: bat ^e gread
peifection of llte ext, is beldlo consist in tbe pewcT'Of ooapMiiiii-
eftting endiantment to tbe anns usedin war; and it ia aol iia«
eouunon for tbose wbo ba^e weapons (supposed to be) eharmed by
ma^c, to bid defianoe to wonnds in battle. Tbe power of a ma«
gidan to destroy a besieging army, is anotber ü£ %be «appooed
prerogatives of magic ; and it is well known Üiat 'inppoo, damg
bis wan witb tbe Englisb, assenibled the most celebratod mgi«
eiana fimn distant parts cf Asia^ for tbe parpoae of deAioying tbe
£ngli& army ; but they were dbliged to confess^ tbat ^loir »ean*
tations bad no power over Europeans.
Tbe practitioners of ^ art are said to mabe nfle of €be bonea
ef certain animals^ such as tbe elepbant^ black dog^ tiger^ Uack
cat^ or bear ; also tbe bones of a man bom on a Sunday> wben it
&Ua
175
fUb öh Ai^ ttlw tüoM, AtA cft ft mmmht^imsk VtiAAfr tte
fm bones tH em Euiüpeati^ of a Mftlumietati^ I^mMi^ aud siJycErtl
cüai%£%6ii&tic of tbis peiiiidiotiä &rt is^ llid sttcürifice ttf ^fttwntn tftr«
^^ *, UBually young girb^ of the age öf tw^gtvG jr^n ; itäi thef
dd not s(»niple to db Whenevet any iirgeht of pardcuhtr efibcts ar6
reqaiteBi to be produeed.
Tbe appeäranee df tbe fiiagidanl saw trad qüite in uDason with
bis callitig; be fode <m a sony^-lookSng donkef ; tbe eap he wore
was bltie^ and of a tonicsal eliapei bis txeck and breast tv«]^ Ute-
I0II7 oovered witb beada> and bis fingets wil^ tStv^ tings. Re
tims tall and tbifi^ of a Jet-b!ack öompleidon ; bis large black eycB
tfppeated i^ady t6 stairt out of tbeiSr sockets^ from tbe appat«nt
effi^ts of lEitu^äi^ng drugs^ ot intoxlcating spiiitlc. Indeed^ if
eve^ btiman belng was calcirlated; by bis appeatance^ to ctm^ to
die nftnd tbe ideä of a teni, it cenaiiily was tbis tnagyan.
I first saw bim in one of tay tailibles anrong iUxe prednecs of
ttanditollab^ wb^ I waä attended only hy my e&tvmt, wbo tm-
Aenstdod Sn^b well. ÜbtöSfving a crbwd txf iradvesttöstribe
iMsat, 1 venfured to approadb tbem^ wbbib was no sooner ob-
served by tbfe by-Btanders, tban tbey t»ade way for myself and at-
tendEmt« The niagi<aan was bolding fcftHh, in a 3oad and atti:.
diated sttttin, witb bis face to tbe san^ and apparendy aidiessing
i^; bnt^ on seeing my servant^ be sdddenly (sbang^ bh position^
4ad ordered bim to stand in tbe dentre öf a ting tbere wasieaSy
jformed in fibe midst öi diem^ and wben tb^ne^ to lAirow tbe cane
ht \uM bi bis band on tbe groünS. fie iimneifiately timtjfiiad, ;
büt no soonet bad be entered Hbe eb-cte^» and rifirown ddwn bis
tiane> tban be esbüUted etbty syoiptom of teitor^ and trißSi iJzmd
^at be was encompassed by ad^^teof fixe, fMm wbibbtt was
* impoiGflde
* That human saczifices >haYe exkted amoag the Hindoofl, may be pioved
ftam a ttindoo book, said to be written under tbe dbrection of Siva, ebtitied ^e
^ KaKka*Purüna^^* in tMdi vet detafledthe nHxte, eetemonitt, miämd^ttinsges
aCsaaifiiangi«üDninviclixnB«oiiRhg«dB«sd^ Tbe ddef itf :ttae
gods aie, Bahria^ Yama^ Dharmaraja, Kaü, and Mariatna, The sacnfice if
hdd in this book as a right inherent in princes ; the object oi thie awiftil rite
bänglx» Knder tfae divinities tnare plaeabie, and to öbtidn ütOrfKr oM rMe aid
i^ btttla. Uwpjßyy howev««, Um hocdd praotice is now »enif^ if ;90t.entbli|r,
ab^lished, if the victkns sacrifioed in seeret by the magidans, in their oeremoi
nies, are excepted. Öne of the books of the sacrcd Veda, caUed " Atharvana-
' VtfSa," whidi teadies the magical art, recognizes thie horrible ceremosy.
1T6
imposdbk fprlumtoe909pe:'---Thi8la8ted{OT ad«
nutes. The» magiciaTi then advanoed^ muttering aonie uzuQteiligihSe
wordsj and told mj aervant to pick up bis caae. He then^appeaxed
eiren more teniüed than before, dedariag be was in tbe midat of
waler, and should be drowned ; indeed. Im indicationB of tennr
were so ezoeasive, ihat I expected every moment to aee faim üdnt,
or lose bis senses. Tbe magidan immediately pulled bim oat o£ Üie
zing hy tbe band, and tbe astonisbed crowd sepazated. As for my
serrant, be departed bastily awaj, seemtngly vezy glad to escape»
followed by myself and tbe magician, wbo, it appeazed, was well
known to Mr. Bennison.
Forsomeweeks be continued to visit us daily, esbibitinguiuie^
countaUe specimens of bis art, wbicb failed to make ns proofr*
lytes to tbe belief of immediate supematural agentgr, bat oer*
tainly afforded a fund of amusement. Tbe limits of tlus wock
will not admit of a description of tbem, but for tbe satisfacdon of
sucb readers as desire furtber Information, I ins^t Üie&Siawiag
eztract &om tbe able autbor before quoted, wiib wbibfc I abaU:
condude tbe subject-^^' But it is from rivals wbo eserdae die
same trade, tbat tbe magidan bas most to dread. Tbeae do wbai
tbey can to counteract bis projects, and to make ibe eflfects of bla
own widted contrivaaceafaU upon bimsdf, by emplqying speDs
of still greater efficacy. Tbis being tbe case, tbey bear a mortal
batred towaids eacb otber, or at least pretend to do so. Wben
tbey meet, tbeir mutual disUke breaks out into loud defianoe, caU«
ing on tbose witbin tbeir reacb to dedde as judges between tkem^
and pvonounoe wbieb of ibe two is tbe more skilfiiL Tbe eonteat
b^gins. Tbe problem petbaps is, to lift a straw from tbeground,
or a pieoe of money, witbout toudiing it. Botb advance, bat tbej
stop one anotbet's progress by flinging endianted dnders, or by xe»
dting saapttas, Tbey botb feel at tbe same instant, an invisible,
but irresifltiUe foroe, wbicb repulses and dnv6stbcm back. Tb^
agaia approacb> redoubling tbeir efforts. Tbe sweat extends in
drops; blood js disdiaiged from tbeir moutbs. One of tbem, in
tbe scramUs^gets bold of tbe piece of money, ortbe straw, andlie
is damonmsly prodaimed tbe victor.
" Sometimes one of tbe combatants is Tidently pzedpitateA
upon tbe gtound by tbe force of tbe mantras o£ bis antagonisl. In
tbis State be remains for a long wbile stretebed at bis wbole length,
breatblessj
^77
breatihlett^ and (dSshe tnakesit appear) deprivedof aensaäoii. At
length he gets upi and affects to be rety ill for se^eial days.
'^ It will teadily be mipposed that I attribute such disputes and
thdur ooDflequeaoea to a piemeditated undentandiBg between the
quacks; but^ tbrottgh all India> the people are finnly penuaded
that these pxoeesBes result fram magical aecrets known only to tho
iiutiated few^ who, by thetr means, ]^x)duce such wonderful
effects ; and it most be owned^ that effects ate ocoasionally pro«
duced by them, of 'which it would not be eagy to divine the
cause."
It now remains fbr me toallude to the snake-channer^ or keeper
of8eipeiit8;faut it iameceflsary fint tomention^ that of all noxious
animab firnnd in India« theie are none that oecadon more £ce«
quent, or more fatal results^ than serpents. The evils inücted
by the t^;er, though very frightM^ occur more raielyj and are lesa
geneiaMy feit. In any one village in India^ hardly a moath passes
without some person suffering sudden death from the bite of a ser*
pent. The most common^ and, at the same time, thi» most venom«
ouBy is what, in Europe> is generaUy ealled the vapdl», or
iiooded suake; but by the Hindoos, Naga^ Its bite sometimM
occasionB 'instant death. It is distinguiihed by a memhraiie oa
each side of the h^, wfaibh, in generale is not pec€etvid>' bml
which, whenererthe animal is initated, rises up, andf<»nns a Und
of head^dress^ presenting a rery beautiful appear^nc^» Unfortti-*
nately this snake is met with eVeiy Where; aad for this MMm, ^e
Hindoos offer sacitfice and adonttum to it, above all otbsn. ülie
festival espedaUy consecrated to its worship (and whidr is me of
the eighteen annual festivala of the Hiadoos), is eelehMted with
greatpomponthefifithday of diemoon iiiDeoembir. Theeon«
stant fisar of its dreadfol bite has causbd i« td be eonsidered'tha
most saeted of animals. Upon the aame piineiple, tha>Sgy]^tiaa»
pay divine heaours to the crooodik.— ^ Ataplae&caUid SiAMihi^
manya, in the west of the Mysoie, tbere is a tanqfto «qfteadf
«rected to serpents, the name of Suhiahmaaya Mog demei fretti ^
the great serpent Subraya, which is renowned tu liliakhT:BM0^
and the principal deity honoured at this pagoda. Wlüa liM^'to-
ürü oQiaes round, vast crowds assemble from all pavts» «ornffd:
sacrifioes to their creeping gods in their sacred dorne. Maaysetf-^
pents, both of the capeUa and other.q»ee&es, have taken up their
N residence
>
178
kept^ a94 well £dä, by the prosidiag Bi^iJ^Lii^cmfi» wiih «lil^^ but-
ter^ and.ba];i0nft8» . By th« protectioathey-liQre.eajaj^-^y^ttl-
t]|dy exQ^^tigly« aoA jouij be leeti swaiani^i^ fiaosi es^ aaoftj
ia Ibe t^nple: ftad a lardble «aexil^qit i^wldbe toinjvieQi
moleal^ tbeo» !
£su:]y oq^ moroing I was calleß. up tö witiM^tibeftatsofs
sii^ke-^htnaer« wbo had aniyed witb two baskats^ caie^Uy c&<
y&a^ oy^ .and fiUod witb.serpent^ pf ejerj ^od. lioofi^ly iusig
on bis andes was a variety of large boUow brass pngs; thfff
w^re ci\t isi. two biseadtbwifie^ aod so cooßtvpct^ that,# «adi
2ik<)ti&n of liis fbpty tbe two sides stxikijag agaüist aacb otb^i jn*
dueed a sbriU i^oise« rcfiemblmg tbe sovnd of a brafssr b^^ia wliea
^rudc witb a bapiiner. He placed bis baskef» dpw9, andp^^
a pipe;, the sounds of which were both barsh and pieroogit walUd
leisufely round the hall ajod bed-zoonvs^ Xooking i|ito «wh exemt
ox f^rture^ .that prese^ted itself in the apartmentsiy wiA iuiow*
mon quidmos«« Suddenly he creeped cautiouAly towaids a ^ona
q£ one of the rooau^ still playing bis pipe^ aiid witb the/^wci^
of h^BlCDjff^, .stmatcbad bis band towacds. a capella . we ww |eep*
kig oat> .a9..if..listeniDg to the music: .a «fuegk, }ik^M ^
of a: r»!« annQuo^ced it» capture, and it j^pp^ared^ eO^md
round tbe ju^^ler's. airm, while its head and faags werega^^
firmly betwe^n bis fiager aad thumb. ]äia thiunb ioäes^ ^
blpody ; but. after .applying.. soioe ijeston^tive yiediriac ^ ^
wound» he placed the serpent in bis basket with the otbßis* ^
Hi|)doQ9 qonftd^ntly bdieve that s^akes are ehanned by tb# «QV»
of iibß pifey*r7%it thcte i^ no. de^eptioa in the ca^i bot iptfj
JBuyopeans .oQUolude th4t it is a ran^ imposiliion ; the «^ ^'^
itkg in pvitti^ a snak^ preyiously tamed^ and aci^mtaf^ ^
th«ir musbj ^ iato some repipte plaoe^ and so inan%giai^ ^
in . appeaiäng to go qasually in that ^e/atim, ^nd b^fH^u^
tQ pligr^ tbe snak^ camef Ibrward at the accustom^ M^''
but at Ito sayae tinae, it must be confessed that thisapiai«& '
not general; ^d I have baaxd x»any of ni.y ^:ount|y96B> ^
have residedtwenty years and upwards anong tb^ ^üßöMf '^
clai:« theirico^victioii that> '^ in many cases thena was aa 4^^
tion whatever." Relative to the subjeotj, I canaot o»i,t ^*>#^
thfi follbwing strikiog passag^ of Sdij^tou^ wbi^h WQ^ ^^
ITflt
t|ie oomtamaOf tlmt wkaterar daah^ m9j «rifl^j w |o die esftettee ,
of tbe «it in ntodfim tiniff > thf^re js «l9ip|i|p t9B0SnU) tn^^iofle k
w«i vecxjgniied in Ae dnys o£ ol4;-^'' Th^ «ra «I Teaommii m
tlie poisan of a «erptnl; ; even lik^ tli6 49if 4Ubr ^uil ttoppeih hte '
efocSi ndiicb refuwth'^ l^aar th^.voioe <^ ibe diamler^'cfaarm h^
neror 80 wisely/'^^-^Psnlai Iviü« 4. '' F^r tehpld I'will iend mt»
pent^ cortutricwt among j(fa, whioh will B<»t be tibmnaaiAJ'*^
Jezem« vüL 17« *
Previous t9 tbis maiir'f departuze« be c^hjWtcd, at ths pEuticiikr
xequ^of Mr- DenniflEm, tbeppw^ hepg«M(«adf>v«r tbenptilBS«
li)r makiiig ibem " dance/' as he eiqpiefised it He fifst' aeated
binudf on ^e groond^ in famt ef tibe bafteia oontaintag lifae fem
pent8> and began to l^y bia p^ AftüT a ftw lAiiinin^ he
akrvlj^ and witb great oantion^ nqnüved ibe Udi cf thebaaketf,
wben the sefpentSj attracte^ by fhe qmfi«» ^wtuft ohier^ed to oecp'
out; hatiSbey feeined(tbe eap^aa in piiticula^ nuMt ndiacft;
to be angiy, than to danoe; and en i»ng atieMü^ad b^'^e j«g«
glerj wbotnpyed tfaem about with a pm^» ifaef afsvffled ä dueatM^
eaing poituze. Tbenuinhqpt paar ibem/ 8liUt»]e7ing>todf^^
bis feet togetbsr at theaametiniei prodidmC e oeoApcalndof HanOr
fioiuid«^ wbibh seemed ta atopify tbeiieipeiil§;«^he7a^
-i-dbeir eyei giaw dimi-^-andin ibe aMenpi te biflanee'liiaiiiaelt^'
exbibited ftbe afpeaniiiea of ^ci^g. He th6a coM^d tbe*
badcets^ and having secuxed tbem hy fiistenings^. bücUed theoi
round 2us person^ and made hii &iewell \ai0m, «toeoiiiag ene
nipee and a half for bis paixM.
The pdnc^al aooice. of gratification datired bf ibe Buiopean
tmftäer, cm bia aojpura in a ccruntry ^Si$gß in HäideaBtan, ig'
tbe diveraily of new aad attnotive objeetkr ^vUch ate eonti-'
noalty |^«aente4.toTiew in bia efeamam tbMigb dieiiei|pibaiir«'
ii^ h a mle U. . Tho tcutb of thia wen ney^ IK^P* aune fbdijr
devfliepad lo tbe mind of ibe tra^eUer, tl^n on üüb fdOeimg'
oocasion. Ift waa abfiat tbe bour of l^ifTflTeer ene» Wbenlire Honhd :
ounelvi^in tbe midst d a fiwest« on eor Murft te HanSitaJlih^
ücm tbooting. Suddenly tbere app^avad im fttfnt'of uf a berf ef^
eiepbao1a> about fi% in n^ia^berj beudea amtiß tad dxöwfdarwn ;'.
thej were proea^ding -^ join «ome of tb^r Compvxfs "uihiatpf
ragiments; bavi«g baUed in a plain of ' tbe fidnai; intem
apenad wilb I<^ tseei^ <t|i« bigjber laa^ of wbiA wtoa of a(n»f
N 2 gaW
180
gufar «xtension^ «nd fbrxned a <K)m^ete shdter from tle suiff
ifkys. Some of tbe elephants were of an enormous nzey appareatly
nearly twice as large as sucb as I have seen exliibited in England.
They appeared perfectly tame^ sufienng xne to approach close to
l(hem, while tliey were occupied in bel^nng tbemaelves with thdr
trunks to the leaves of trees^ furmshed by their keqsen. The
appearance of so many of these colossal aninals^ feeding tliemseheS;
and tossing immense bougbs in the air with tbeir Irage tronb;
was a süperb spectacle. Some were on the gronnd^ appsientiy
dozing — others^ busily engaged in cooling themselves, hy spirting
water througb tbeir trutiks over tbeir bodies^ — hi fondHi^ one
another^ or beating off tbe fbes with tbeir proboscis^ or mtb tite
flaps of their ears ; wbile the natives^ seated in tbe shade^ weif
eating tbeir bomely meal of curry and riee, served up on tbe
broad leaf of the piantain tree. The bright glare of tbe atmt»-
phere; — ^the wild grandeur displayed in the surrounSng' land-
iÄapc;— the novel group of men and animals before me, altopflicr
oonveyed'to my mind such an enviable Sensation of deliglit, ^^^
J redined for two hours on the threshold of an Iiiiian Iwt,
which was in the midst of them : the sun now disappeamg in
tbe west^ the travellers prepared tbeir cbafttels^Tottsed tbeir Iwrts,
and mounting tbem^ pursued tbeir joumey towards the la^
Toad which' leads to Benares j and in another hour^ were oot d
sight.
After lemaining at Handitollah for tbe Space of tbree matAh
we commenced onr joumey towards Mr. Riago's iridigo fiich«7>
ffltuated twenty miles inland^ near the native viUage of Haugbeul-
haut. • At the distance of seven miles from Handitollah, dwdt i
iHTotber of Mr. Dennison, who kindly favoured us witb tbe low
of bis elepbant^ Wbich was sufficient^ with the one we bad, to
convey our party in the following order:-^Mr. Dennistm ^
horseback; Riago and bis wife on one elephant, and Vvp^
and my seif on the other. Early in tbe moming we diifiW «
ladder placed on tbe side of the elepbant (who was madc to crouch
ön its knees with the utmost mildness, whenever we memntea«f
cUsmounted), and 'soon found oursekes seated in a ki»» ^
double chair, or '' howdab/' firmly fastened on <&e vtaa^*^
bftci. Thenatiye who conducted us Was seat«d astridc on tw
neck, armed with a sbarp-pointed rod of steel, witb whi^i i»c
guidea
181
^cdded the boaart>. ky stnking.the sharpendinta theciown« or aidet
o£ tbe hßad, «ccordiQg to the dizeetdon ia which he wished him to
l^rooeed. Tke head was oompletely scaiified^: fronL the severitT-
4)£ this infliotioii ;- but the anisoal did not appear to suffer so much
pain asthe spectator.would be led to imagine, from the appearanoe
of the wounds« The hidder by which we aaeended was afterwards
sospended from the crupper. We jouzneyed on through a flat but
delightful country ; the anitoated pro^pect o£ the kndacape aiound
418 reoeiviBg its liehest hue firom the «^earlj green Uades of paddy,
w», iadigo^ aod waving stalks of the 8ugar-<»iiej whieh were scat-
texed ia patches, amid forests« oqppioes» and livulets. Of all con-
.veyaiBOf»^ that of the elephant ia most diaagreeable and uneasy ;
for the animaldoes not>. like other quadrupeds, advaaoe together
4k near. leg waiipS leg, but the two legs of one side^ So intoler-
^ble indeed dld the joläng prove« as nearly to deprive ua of
Jweath^ and gkd I. was, after having made six or seyen miles pro-
^ffffssBg iß halt at a village, and desoend the ladder^ to enjoy the
iuxury of a few minutes respite. Qn these ocoasioHs it. was
jxkj deli|^t ta purchase . some cocoa-nuts for the.elephant> who
would extend bis proboads^ and ^receive them. ficom me widi
every^ token of gratitude which he was capable of devising : he '
intEoduced them into- bis jaws> and cracked them one by one^
ibr the saice of the milk^ df which he seened immodecattfy fand.
When he had emptied thent all, he would resort to ereiy spedes
-oi eatxeaty, in dumb eloquenoe, to obtain more ;— rextending bis
proboscis. towards me, and eyeing me with a wignifieant and ten«-
der persuasiveoeas, $0: inesistible, that I indulged him> wiih. a
.stmilar tieat at every yiUage where we halted« Thia elep^iant
«travelled at the rate of five miles an hoiur; but in casfi of flight
.(K pursuit, the progress of these animals is rema^kaUy quick,
consMcring theur enormous bulk ; so swift indeed,. as.to render
it extvemely axduoos for Indiana even, who are exoeedingly good
ninners, either. to oicertak6 them,, or to escapa ficom them in
«n <^^ üeiß» JV)r the .first twenty mkä wo .tiawell^d 4sb the'
Jdgb rpad : we the^ directed pur epui^ t^ tbe .soiudij^ ove« a
-blei^k t9»9t o£ las4» where traces of the Ivuinls of thei-fox and
jackfl# weise ahme pei^ceptible* After travelüng a few*. miles,
a verdant.couati^ of bjll and datej intenected .with. rivuleta»
N 3 opened
«iid BAgadty in «rottnng tfaeM rivuleli: U wtt th«t«fore ndt uiw
lil we appfoached a vfÜB fiv«^ ihe baidtt of which wer» meep
and filippeff^ t^t I b^caioe appreliMisivd for our lafetf . Tlie
'' how^j^^" in which yn w«te fleftled^ I len^v watf wdl ad>
cmed; but I wag feafM fhe pottdetous bdast wDuld rollorer,
in desecmding the alarmbigly «tedp bankHj and cnuth ns te deatb*
He iqiproached the hank^ and mada a halt, surveying it> lik» •
consuiDmate ganeial whö ioiew perhctlf well whM he wm
about: he then cautioudy advanoad> placi&g hia Hghl foot, and
proboficuj on the d^olivity of the faankj to try itä fitttneiia«—
then the oth« foot^ attd d^MeiMled dowly and wiih teotttUUe
cantuin> nntil he reaohed the water, which he waded thvefO^
with infinite good-humout and ^isklnessj. as evincod hf Übtt
cheerfiü OKytum of hia ttfohösci». In the nuddle of the liver ihe
water besame so deep at nearly to oover his baek; and ao ec»^
tinued nntü he approaohed the qpposite ffide> the dtffidttl^ at*
tendittg the aMent 6f whii&, he easily sunnoanted, evincing ihe
aane oaution and tagaiAty aa before, while we were oU^ed la
tidd ön, and faalanoe ourgalvas with great cate and attention*
At length we approadied the viUage of Haughbaul-hant^ wUdk
«preseQted to view a ooHection of native dwellings» aoAe of
which indeed wete of pueka, or bri^k, but ihe genetality of
earth, and thatohed with stiaw« The in^de of evevy Imme
was divided into tezy dark ohamben, the iise of windowa beiag
nnknown to the Hindoos. At two o'ck)ck, having xeaehed the
end of our jouraey, we halted at a miserable bungalow, dtnated
in iha centre of a bleak common, two miles distant &oni ihe
vUIage ; and havibg dismounted, found the interlor of oor new
■habitatvm as gloomy as its esterior. It contained a hsdl, beä-
loom^ and verandah on a floor, süpported by cnizy posta and
beams, raised ten feat from Ae ground, the only acoess tb it
being by means of a ladder> so placed as to fhee the entraaoe to
ihe hall» whfere a door ought to have been; bot whidi had
long sinoa been blown away. The bedroom door had shaied &e
aame fitte» The roof, which was a thatched one, we aooii Iboad
«vaa not weadier*proof ; fbr, to onr chagnn, a atenn of wind
$nd baä samo on with sueb viol0n6e> as to shake Übe wretdisd
dwelling
' nen ti the hftU^ end«afmred^. hut ia ihttn> to BVflid Ike &ry of ihe
elements. Thüi unpleasant tennümtion to ma üapilewMit jontiflir
did det in tbe least disoonpose ouräispotitbol t» enjo^r öursdLves :
a haioper^ conteining a round of beef^ and olJier geod dieer> was,
we W6re aware^ asMmg our ^' ttaia of voreablte;" tra kaew* to0>
ihlit better aceommcKbtieii «soUÜ not be ptociKrad withüi^ fiftacb
miles ; and ivbüe we "vi^e oonddering tfaeae mattera, ibe wtatber
'«leared' up. We boga ^Imnged our olotbee, änd aeatingioiirtdr««
iftranH a table; spuead wkh exoeHeat o&«er, apent t2ie tenufindar
flf tbe etenmg in good bümoor land hiiarity.
'It wm boweter a matter cf mo teall diffieulty to ^tisoovar
caeatis to accommodate ouradves fortbe nigbt. It ia lade, theve
were tbrea bedstead^^ and good^beäs^ but only two zooma and a
v^fi^ndab. To add to tbe difficulty^ Min. fiiago faad tbe adafoiv-
tune to löse two lovety ebüdren^ in tbia mmt bungalow:. I3e
was a great entbusiast^ perba^ i^tber adparstitioaa; certainlnw-
eVer it it^tbai sbe attfibutad ibe deätb of bar liabea (who.'diad
'auddsnly^ andneariy at tbe aame time) to tbe eifoat of fijgbt,
arising fh)m tbe noctttrnid ^ipeamiiee of ' superäsrtumL visitdott.
Of tbis öottviction abe fcoled not to infonum j wile> aec»in|nüi7XRg
Iter atgumenta vMa. iin{»e6siva eiiergyy^--«nd ttating'taiiouB ii^
-atances in corrobbration of ber eontktjon^ 'wbäeb verfi sbon.odc»-
trioned dbser debstes on lliä snbfect; and at langtii öandadad
witb fbe two ladies becoiaiihg equali^ tainfieii. in tbia atata< of
ibings^ tbe fbmal^ feit a dkfo^atioii tb be ie|ibnited ; and it
^was atfengt^ annanged tbst tbey* shauid sleep tögetberin tbeboA-
Tbbm ^«^Dennkon sb tbe* ba]l^«--aaid Piaga «md njsalf'.ai tbe ^a-
tandidi^ ^bieb fa^d tbe »arllki and wbkb^ tmt for tba'«Dcf> wdoid
bft^ been entiialy expoüf^d to 1^ air^ tbe aidea ban^ Ufen».' i
laust bere^ ftxr reasons wbicii I sbidlkeiaaftei aaBaion^ beg Ifae
Yeadet^ attention to tbe ^«Sae tituailtoa af itba «eandab/and of
our bed in H. ^Elie Areran^ab was abaüt^fiflfceaa foat^]a■g^ and
'si3t wH^ Out bed was fixed aear tha wall, aad^^betweealbe
^rs of 'tbe two rooms ;*— tbe entrames^ 4ha> hafit beng" al ibe
llead äf l3ie bed^ and tbat to 4(ba bedvoom^ Kt liie &6t IlieiacU-
der hf wbicb we deacended to tbe ground^ ten feet^neatb us,
faaed tbe ahtranoe to tb^ Jball^ and within six feet of 4ib.e bead
af -aair bed. I have been tbua minute ia äescrihing tbe relativ^
N 4 situatia»
184
situatibn of the apartments^ because I shall presendy bave
sion to revert to it> in connexion with a drcumstanoe^ at oooe
extraordinary and unaccountable.
In addition to the amusement of shooting^ oor leisure was
diversiiied bj hunting tbe tiger and wild boar. The former
was less frequently to be found than the latt^r^ only two tigen
baving been taken during our stay of three months« wbile five
boars were killed, and one escaped. The danger of the üger-
hnnt is not so imminent as may be imagined. The fint tiger
we hunted lay conoealed, we were informed^ in a sugar-cane
field five miles distant from us ; and the moment this inteHigence
was received, the elephants were ordered to be acooutred, and
we Started off with all possible haste ; Dennison> who was an
experienced practitioner in the hontj being mounted on bis owa
elephantj which had been trained to stand fire ; while Riago aad
myself rode that which had conveyed niyself and Virginia
from HanditoUflh: inside of the howdah were thräe maaketa
loaded with baH^ a btace of pistols^ and two spears. As we pso-
.ceeded on our nuirch> we enjoyed the novel and gratifying spec-
tade of hundreds of natives leaving their respective huts» and
running with considerable swiftness to join our party ; most ci
them carried spears> and they all seemed to enter into liie
spirit of the sport> with as much glee as the peasantxy of
England are obsenred to manifest in a fox-chase. There was not
a Single dog in our train ; and this may appear singular to thoae
who have read so much of the boasted Utility of the Indiaa dogs
in the tiger-hunt. That a superior breed of hounds> bred exr
presdy for the purpose^ may exist in the upper provinces, I am
not prepared to deny; but in the towns and villages of tbe
fiouthem provinoes of Hindoostan^ the only dogs to be met with
are a set of uselesi curs^ caUed " Pariahs*." finglish hounds, od
their first arrival in the country^ are known to fetch at the auo-
tion-rooms in Calcutta^ from eight hundred to twelye hundicd
fSKcca rupees (from £lOO to £l50); but even ihese lose their
prisdne qualities in a few months^ and beoome comparatively
enervated and useless. The same tendency to d^enerate, is
visible
• M ParüJi," i« A general tenn of degradation ; any tibing bad, despkable»
or worthless, is termed a Pariah. It is even applied to a low'cast of Hixk»
doo&
185
.nmUe in ewtj Smcniplion. of Engliih cattle, particularly th«
cow, wUch indeed, aA«r a short reaidence in the countij, itill
not jield any milk.
The conooune of a great multitude of natiTes near a nigai-
cane field, at a »hört distance in our front, and the örcumatance
of tomo youtlu bdng obserred to dimb the a^jacent cocoa-nut
treef , intimated our near s^proach to the ipot vhtxt the tiger
was. No gooner did the elephants get scent of the animal (w hidi
their did at a great di«tance, their senaes being extremdj acute),
than the one we rode ezhit^ted every symptota of uneaüneu, snort-
ing, bellowing, atanding still, and eodeavouiing to retrace hia atepa :
SenniaoB'a, on the contraij', maiched boldly forward, tniiling
his trank in the air, and leemingly sennhle of what was going
on i-r-while we were busied in pi^ariag the fire-amu, and en-
(ounging the drivei ta accelerate our pn^ien, as we wen at a
conndeiable diptance in thereai of Deonison- On leaching
the Spot, we found that the tiger had secreted himielf in the
Biidit of the lugar-cane field, and that it was only from one poiv
Uculai ipot tiiat we could e^iy Mm. Fiom this spat we thought
he was within ränge of our ball : he was stretched in a.coudiant-
poiture, and we t^^iroached aa near as we oould, tß take e&ctiTe
aim, having agreed, at apieconcerted signal, to fire together.. Tlie
aignal was g^ven : we fired — a dead stUIness ensued— and we wete
in the act of reloading, wben a loud and tenific loar announced to
US the certainty of the tigec having been wounded. Dennison's
elephant theo held bis trank erect, as well to pi^ierve it, as to
prepaie for attack. It was ainguJar to observe the coolness and
self-poesesüon manifegted bj the ponderoua beast during the fiie,
and afterwaids; but thia waa. not the case with, oun — no sooner
did the report of our muskoti stiike upcm his ear, than ba. oyinoed
a deteimination to retieat ;. and the deep and hoUow lOftr lent
fortfa by the tiger aAerwehadiired, caused our elephant to ti^mble
exceedinj^jr, and to scamper anay fonn, the soene. of action
amaringly fast, randi
that of a tnuopet.
mal placed my compe
was with the utmost
' were jolted about, t
186
^Ibrce; and more tbati once trere weQ-nigh ejecteä mit of tÜe
howdali upoh tlie depliant's back. It was not tmtil fae bad eon-
▼eyed us a distance of two miles^ that liis progress cotild be ar-
'rested saffidently to admit of our lookingback on our jparty, 'wliicb
we no sooner did^ than We observed Dennisoü and tbe natives in
pcrrsuit of the 1%er, who bad fled from }ns letreat^ and was ob-
served to be parsuing bis coarse Qver a ^\viia, and makmg fbr a
tbick jungle, or wood^ at tbe distance öf a mile and a b^ in bis
fnmt. The appearance of tbe animal^ as be looked back on bis
puTsners^ lasbing bis sides witb bis tail^ and exbibiting exoessive
esidtenient^ was beantiftil in tbe eictreme, and made us doublj
vexed at out excbision from tbe pleasure of tbe Sport. In vain
we exborted our guide to urge tbe cowatdiy animal back:
turn be certainly did, and^ hy tbe intensity of bis gase, seem-
ed to take as mucb mterest in tbe q)ectacle^ as oürselv^; bnt not
a Step would be move towards tbe scene of action. Seeing
tbis^ and finding it difficult to restrain our axdoar^ we dis-
mounted^ and ran on foot^ eacb armed witb a musket^ until we
reacbed tbeparty^ wbo bad formed tbemselves round a sbed in tbe
jungle, in a daik comer of whidi tbe tiger Isy. On onr ani-
' val^ Dennison directed bis guide to make tbe elepbant croncb^ and
to fix tbe ladder for us to mount ; and we ^n found ooiselves
securely placed witb bim in bis bowdab^ wbieb was large enoa^
to accommodate us witb perfect convenienee.
Various ineffectual attempts were tben made to rouse tbe tiger
fh>m bis retreat; the natives^ from tbe tops of trees^ keeping up
a constant fire in bis rear^ and our elepbant belng stationed in
bis fronte to cut off bis retreat^ wbile a terrific bowl occasionallj
intimated Ms reeeption of some galling woünd. Immediatelj
after one of tbese piercing bowls^ tbe animaPs trage seemed to
be tüused to desperation ; roaring dreadfuUy^ bis eyes AmAing
fire^ and Ms daws extended^ be bounded witbin ten ftet of our
elepbant^ wbo kept bis trunk erect^ and in tbis posture die two
animals gazed open-moutbed at eacb otber^ for tbe Space of a
minute^ eacb watcbing tbe morement of tbe btber witb tbe
ntmost attention. At tbis juncture we lired; the elephant al
tbe same instant darting forward^ aimed a desperate blow witb
bis trunk at tbe tiger^ wbö was just in the act of sprin^ng
«t us^ and felled bim to tbe eartb ; our allj tben, witb Sin-
gular
187
güisu Aextmty, and in % fpaoe of tSme acaroely credäiLe^ BfMi
bisn Vi'pj and cruahed hun under foot^ fbrcing liis entndls
tlirougK the wounds : the natives now advanced, and plünged
innumerabk spears down the beast's tliroat^ and tbrough his Body.
The appalling Toars and heart-rending cries of the animal wen
sach, äs to exdte our pity^ notwithstandmg his natural ferocity,
änd enmity to man. In a few minutes he hy motionkss, the
natives glutüitg their fuiy by plunging spears thiough and through
his body long after he was dead« and at the same thne^ uttering,
with a savB^ness scareely human, loud groans and yells ; as for
öurselves> we were content with cutting a lock off his whiskenr,
by way of tiophy t we then retumed home. And heze I cannot
withhold the expression of my admiration at the instinctive caution
which the elephant evinced in the preservation of his tmnk; at
the Singular dexterity, prepision, and invindble power of his at*
tack ; and at the consummate coolness^sagacity, ooniage, and self-
possession displayed by him thxoughout. Evezy indivldual of
the species is nature's wonder ! the ease witji which he proridea
for aU his wants, by means of that most surprising and useful
taember, his probosds, assisted by his forefeet, is very remarkible S
but, that in which he far surpasses every animal, the dog per«
baps exc^^ted, is his wonderfiil instinct, which it is difficult to
diatingttish, in many instances, from reason. Yet how patient
and docOe! how subservient and attacfaed he is to man!
fie is even tanght to gambol, or, as it is styled, to '^ danoe/'
and is often aeen to do so at an Hindoo fair. So caieful is he of
human life on those occanons, and so tender towards little chil-
dren, that he will avoid treading on thexü in a crowd, with asto^ ^
nishing care and dexterity. His ire is seldom roused without great
inovocation. The withholdingof hisfoodisknown to pl!oduoe that
effect : when onoe roused, he is tenible, and his anger is sometimes
^ttended with fatal eSeets. He is, however, soon appeased, and &
ftequently observed to shew signs ci contrition. By some writen
he is represented as malidous, spitefol, vindictive, and crueL
This I häve heard fisputed; althöugh bis keen sensilnlity of bad
treatment, is admitted. fie is susceptiUe of afiecdönate emo«
tions; he is frequently seen to cry, and has been known to lay
down bis life ibr his keeper«
Onrsecond t^ hunt was only dinHhnihir to tretest in Aed«^
eumstanost
^
186
eumstanee of the animal baving eluded our pursuit until ni^t-fUI,
wbich compelled us to leave tHe field. The foUowing mgBemng
weresumed the hunt, and traced the tiger by the.- madbi of bis
feet to a tbick jungle^ five miles to tbe soutb^ wbexe be wag taken
and killed nearly in tbe same manner witb tbe fint.
Hunting tbe wild boar is attended witb consideraUy aiotB peril
tban tbe tiger bunt; tbe boar is bunted on borseback: so fiexoe*
is tbis creature, tbat it is frequently known to cbaige- the huato»
men> and to rip open theborses' cbests^ and witb determineilao-
city, kUling^ or incurably wounding^ all wbo oppoae lum«
Dennison, in one of tbese cbarges^ bad liis boot xippedup fipona ibe
ande to tbe knee^ as neatly as if it bad been cut by a penlmife ;
and^ bad be been a few inches nearer tbe animal> would
bave received serious injury. His tusks^ wbich aie shaip^ aad
pointed at tbe end^ are bis weapons of attack: in his
vours to elude pursuit^ be often evinces conaiderable
be runs witb tbe fleetness of a borse at füll gallop ; and it is
markable^ tbat i^ tbe pursuit, or charge of any object, he oever
deviates from tbe straiglit line : I once saw a native wbo was sucU
denly surprised by tbe boar, lift up bis leg very adroitly,.and esc^p»
unburt ; tbe boar passing under it, witbout stopping or tunüng^
and pursuing bis way to attack anotber. On tbe wbole> tbe wild
boar bunt is fuU of exdtement and interest, and> next to the; tiger
bunt, is accounted tbe most agreeable of Indian field Sports..
The reader ere tbis, may possibly bave come to tbe oondusiim
I was one of those bappy sons of earth, wbo by experience kaow
tbe value of disinterested friendship ; and indeed up to tbis period
l tbought myself in possession of tbe treasure : but, alas 1 disim»
tßrested friendship is rarely to be met witb. Mr. Denniaon was
a character, of whom my youth and unsuspicious natore had
formed but a very erroneous conception. Generous be cectainly was,.
and convivial ; but bis passions were ungovemable, andbe tbought
notbing treacberous or cruel wbich afforded bim tbe meansof grati-
fying them. Posseased of power and riches, be would abuse tbe
one and lavisb the other in tbe attainment of any favoozite ob-
ject, bowever unhaUowed; and if tbat object bappened to. be a
beautiful woman, the necesdty of sacnficing a. fellow-creature»
her natural protector, was no obstade in bis way. A circumstanoe
tfiat took {)lace, twelve montbi j^evious to the commencement of
our
189
t
oor intimacy> may perliaps give the reafler a better iimght inta'
bis diaiacter, thaa anj comments of mine.
Tbe iBamage-procesBion of a poor but respectable Brab-'
maxk, wbich was intended to celebrate tbe consammation*^
was to pass tbrougb a village near Handitollab. The distin*
guisbed beauty of tbe bride bad become known in tbe adjoining
V towns and villages^ and^ at tbe appointed day^ tbousands of natives^
attraeted by liiis cireumstance^ assembled to witness tbe ptocession :
amoiig Item was Dennison^ mounted on an elegant and valuable
bunter^ named Tippoo. He joined tbe procession^ wbicb was
foQowed by a vast conoourse of people ; but no sooner did be be-
bold tbe xesplendent beauty of tbe bride^ tban bb beart was
lired (to use bis own expression) witb' an irresistible impulse to
gain immediate possession of ber. He guided bis borse dose to
tbe palanquin in wbicb tbe beautifiil girl^ ornamented witb
a profiision of precious stones^ and golden trinkets^ many pf tbem
borrowed for tbe occasion^ was seated ; and seizing ber witb tbe
quidmess of ligbtmng round tbe waist^ and pladng ber before
bim^ be plünged bis spurs violently into tbe sides of bis steed^ and
was out of sigbt almost beföre tbe astonisbed crowd were sen*
sible of tbeir loss. Pursuit was instantly made^ but in vain ; be
fled witb bis Tictim to Calcutta^ and^ concealed tbere^ enjoyed tbe
fruit of wbidi be bad so fordbly got possession^ Tbe evil did not
bowerer end bere : tbe people assembled in multitudes round bis
böiise^ and if bis 'motber^ wbo was very ridi^ and derotedly at*
tadied to ber son, bad not appeased tbe wratb of tbe people^
by paying some tbousands of rupe^s^ be would bave fallen a yic-
tim^ eitber to tbeir vengeanoe^ or to tbe laws of tbe country. As
the Sabine women soon became reconciled to tbeir Roman ravisbers^
80 tiiis lovely girl^ after tbe lapse of a few weeks^ became de votedly
attached to Dennison.
Witb respeet to Riago> be bad all tbe passions of Dennison^
but wanted equal wealth to carry bis designs into execution r
be bad, bowever, identified bis interests witb tbose of bis friend;
and I verily believe, would bave williiigly joined bim, to use the
language of Iago> in— -
^« Wbst bloody woik soe'er.*'
' One day, Dennison and myself were taking a walk, and, as
we approacbed a large tank, or pond, wbicb was shaded witb
tbick
• Vide psge 145 snd 146.
I90i
t)uc)c ^ttagle^ and onunaenteA bj « numher d w3d peacpclw,^
who flcreamed their barsb notc^, and took^ to tbe wiiig, as we'
appeaied, he said to me*-'' Naufragus, I have far sopie dli^
pait been ttinlring of a scheine, wliich wiil^ if I mi^take ;Qi(i>tj affiird
7oa> and indeed all thzee of ms, a fair prosped i^ mulnng
a speedy fortiine : it is. this:— «-I intend to aet up a ohareoal tiia-
nu£ictozy> in a glen of the intexior, bordering on a liver oom-
miinicathig with the Hooghlj. The interest I haye iivith the
mint-master, and ahipHowners in Calcutta, will enaUe me to
iiUR^re a conttact for its sale, which wJl jield a profit of fleren
or eight thousand per cent. I have, you mu&t be sei^äUle, Nim«
fkagnfl^ a fiiendship for you, as also for Virgiiiia; and Will
zeadily admit you, as a thixd partner, in the couQäni« You and
Riago, therefore, can go nezt week, and choose an eli^le Spot to
build a bungalow upon £br our acoommodation ; wliüe I zemaiD
here, to protect the fbmales." The plan appeared to me bo good,
and its ezecution so easy, that I was over^oyed at the idto; and cn
our walk honxe, we eontinued calculating the psofits, until ima^
nation had plaoed pancely fortunes in our hands. The toOawbig^
day,. we agreed to hunt the boar. On retumiiiig home, my nwA
£3Ied with pleasing antidpations, my astonidiment wair extreme
to find my wife in deep affliction« No sooner was* I by her aide,
than she led me to the adjoining room, and spcke to Ük» foUow-
ing efiect-— '^ Bejoiced am I to see you alive, Naufiaguai^-I'
weep, through fear of your safety— nothing moxe/ but if yoor
regard &r me is really sincere, prove it, by oon^pljring with my
rennest. Leave this horrid place immediately, aad letum to
Cfaandemagore. Belle ve me^ we are not safe here; we are
on the blink of destruction, and in the hands, I haye zeastm tO
think, of murderers !"— ** How so ?"— '* That, I wffl tcD yaa
hereafter," said she ; " first set my heart at rest*— give itte your
pzomise to retum to-morrow."-*'' You are unrejasonaUe," I te-
plied ; '^ this is some silly whim pf yours. Is it beoaiise yo« aee
me happy among cheerful and hospitable friends, that you wiah
me to retum ? Do you grudge me the few houts of social en-
joyment, almost the first that chance has thrown i^ our ynj/
sinoe our marriage ? or, would you blast the golden hanrest that
awaits us? But you know not what is in ooptemplation ;
we are going &r into the interior, where there is a proousiag^
Ben
m
waxd it^^-ow^aUb whide will affi)id lu the iiie«iifl of pasnog ütß.
suxnmer of otu: ezistence luqy^y U>gsthiex, dther in jour natiT^^
land, ox in Europe."
" Yo}ii happiness and welfai^ are mine^ Naufiragos ; can 1 4»
otherwise tban deiixe hoth^ as ihsy aie botk interwoven witb mj
own? Do notfluppose tlu9, nor dUregazd 017 oounsel: at leaatj
hear my reasoM* Tfais moniing, preTioui to Mr. I)enm8(m'a watt;
witL jovi, I overhoaid a convca»ation between bim and Bi%g^. Jt^
abnost petrified me. Dennison naid be would get jou out of tb«
W9j,> aiKd poffless me, if be perished in tbe attempt; and ttie
villain Biago encoaxaged bim todofioT Tbis int^gence surn
pEised me; but witb tbe view to padify ber, I rq^lied, that^
I tbougbt «be migbt be mistalfcgn» but tbat I oertainlf would con«
sider.
We dined as usual at five. My tbougbts busied on varioui^
subjects^ I spoke but little ; wbile Denniaon and Biago- wece in doep
dificourse by tbem^elves. After tea» boweTqiv we conversed oa
tbe golden prospects be&re us» until teiv wben tfae laues retired
te bed^ leaving me and mj two companions tggetber. In a few
minutes, I too retiied; and on reacbiiig tbe verandaTi, obaerved
tbat tbe fuU moon bad risen, and was sbining witb a brilliancj ao
luminous^ tbat by ita aid I could« witb pexfect oon^enienoe, bav9
re^ tbe saalleat pi^int I tbrew myself pn tbe bed, and was in
t]be act.of commending myself to tbe pare and protection of tbaf
Providence wbicb bad never yet forsaken me^ wben^ as I knelt,
witb my face to tbe east, I bebeld a figure approacbing, wbicb I
naturally oonduded tö be no otber tban ray bed-ftUow, Biago«
Wby I was averse to being seen in tbe posture of prayer/ 1 lenri
otbers better versed in buman nature tban myself to determine^
certain it isj I np sooner obsenred tbe figurej tban I cvoucbei
down^ gradnally^ until I lay on my back, in tbe boj^ of baying
escaped Observation, and in momentary expectation of Riago'a
appearance. Tbe figure approacbed : still suj^singit to be Biagiv
I did not then look at ii attentively, but lifted tbe eurtains/
wbicb were of wbite ganze, so fine as scarcely to be perceptiU^
for Biago to come in. Tbe figure paused for tbe ^^ace of aboui.
a seeond, and, to my astonisbne&t, px)oeed6d onwazd towards tike
tennination öf tbe verandab^.wbence tbere was no outlet. Ama-
I9d
lieäi, Inow lookect istedfastlj at it^ wbeti^ for a momeni üt two, it
appearedto be stationaiy, at the distance of about siz paces from
me/presenting the appearance of a person not unlike in Statute to
Riago, but äo peculiarly enveloped in^ apparently, tbe folds of a
Hgbt-coloured mantle^ as to render it impossible for me to distin-
guisb its features t it immediately disappeared^ or> rather> vaniahed
ftoim tay fixed gäze. My agitation was excessive ; I instantly
bounded off tbe bed^ and entered tbe ball^ wbere I found Denni-
8on and Riago> still con^^ersing, as wben I lef^ tbem. No aooner
did I communicate wbat I bad observed^ tban tbey botb e^inoed
eyident signs of perturbation^ and we all tbree walked into the
verandab. Tbe ladies^ wbo bad overbeard our discourse^ speedily
attifed tbemselves^ and came into tbe ball, wbere we all sat up
during tbe night, rivetted to our seats hy an inconceiTable diead,
against wbicb neitber tbe iron nerves of Dennison nor of Riago
were proof.
Tbe question wbicb naturally arises is, wbat could tbis phen<H
menon be P Tbe answer, I cannot pretend to fumish ; but^ con-
tent witb baving stated tbe fact, I leave tbe reader to fozto bis
own conclusions on tbe subject, ohly observing, as £ar as regaids
myself, that I have never been eitber credulous or superstitious. *
That I actually saw tbe figure, is certain : it is equaUj oertain,
that I saw it vanish ; neitber deception from without, nor imagi«
nation worldng witbin, could have produced tbe eflfect^. N& li«h-
man being, except ourselves, was then at tbe bungalow, nor fttt
• Tfais at leaat ü my ownimpression ; but a fHend of mine, who is niher
ticalonüiesubjectof ghosts and appAiitioiM, as uttedy izreconcilable with the
tfaeoiy of Vision, which, from the facta upon which it is built, teaches tliat it is
from mateiial objects alone that rays can be reflected ; and that it is fhose zsys onlj
which impinge upon the retina that can pioduce vision, and thiiiks that tiie h»-
torjr of the im ag in a t ion would supply many instances snperior to tbis of the power
ofthatÜEMnilty. He does not, however, assert, that no spiiit was evermade Yisi-
ble to the human eye, ihinking that every person who beüeyes the Sexiptaies
must admit that ha ; but is of opinion, that, in every instance neoided tliae,
Ü&e effept was produced by miiade. But he adda-^resort to mirade wiU solve asy
diffieulty : and, with reference to this particukr instance, asks, wbat good the«ppft-
fitiön performed ? He says, it did not warn, either by speech or by action, and
tfainlu, that the object of its vtsit was left very obscuie, and that my infecoioe is
pecessaiijy dxawn at xandom. Hefurther asks— if that inferencebeooRwt,wiij»
instead of appearing to me, it did not appear to Dennison and Riago, who ml^t
not have bäicved my Story, but must have bclieved th^ evidenceof thebown
senses?
o
19t
many weeks had bc^en there. Had the personage been Kaman/
we must faave detected him. In mentioiiiiig thisrourious fact^ and
ascribing it toäupematuraiageiticy^ I am fully sensible of the ha->
zard of ridicule^ which^ in the present State of public opinion^ I
am incuiring. But although I do not lay daim to the praise
ivhich Doctor Johnson yields to an author for bis '^ magnanimity'*
in lelatbig '^ a fact, ho^v^rer stränge, if he himsdf believes it>" I'
am acting on the piindple that ereiy man should possess, at least
that moral courage which simply takes its stand on a fact> without^
eidier drawing* from it any general inferenoe, or placing it in'
direct Opposition to the speeulative opinion of another*.
The immediate comsequetice of this adventuie, was to hadten
öur departure. ' On the fi)llowing day, we readied Handitollah in
safety ; bat. the difficuMes which I had to encounter, in order to
avoid the'snares laid by Dennison^ to deterus from proceeding to
Chanderndgoie> were numerous, and well nigh amounted to posi«
tive fbrce. - Frivolous excuses and pretences were resorted to, and
he evencalled to bis assistance some professors of the black art.'
On one occasion we disoovered the magidan inonr bed-room, mut*^
tering bis mantras over the head of our bed ; at another time we
found, under its foot, a :8mall' earthemware cistem, containing'
sundry magicalspells. '^Säll/however^Bennisoncontinued toavow
the most exalted fxiendship for me. At length, finding it imprac- •
ticable to leave Mm with bis own consent, and being unwüling
to incttr the oonseqtiences of bis tiiigovemable passlons, we secret-
ly bired boats, and efFected our escape, having left two notes,— -
one for him, the other for Biago, to apprize them of the motives
which had aetuated us. After a voyage of thirty-six hours, we
. . O reachcd-
• * I afl^ecwaids oonvened with Kiriien DtMs,<m the subt^ of tfaU unacoötmt-.
able appeantnce. He infonn^ me, that he was led to understand, £roin tnany
intelligent peisons of Ms Cast, that the fact of apparitions having, m förmer '
times, made their appeaiaoee, was imdisputed ; that midi' appearanoes, indeed,'
were then.ifeipient ; but diat, of late yearti and especiaQy since Euiopeazir had ■
settled in the oountry. Such phenomena were unknown, at least within thor do-
minions-)-, for tb^, in the dark and unfrequented parts of the interior, beyond
the limitB of 'Emopean sway, they were stiM not unocimnon.-fc^<' But of ihis,^ Ire '
added) '' I-know notbiog ; I do not speak from ezpetience ; I mertfy giVe the
xeceiyed opinion on the subject. As for the low and ignorant^.they'belioire any
thing, faoweVer absurd, relative to supematural agency." ' '
+ Myscqitical friend says— " And no wonder ; thcse oriental spiritsvanish
betöre »the light of European phüosophy/'
194
X9mil9ä: ovix ftv^mte cottage^ at Chandemagoce^ in Ba&^, haippy
to S^i ouTselves once moie under its hiimble soof^ and gratefol to
' PrQvid«n0e for protecting us amidst tbe penls which. we had en^
GOiuitered since our absence fi»m it.
In addition to the society of mj respected friend, the Brahinan,
Kishea Jkm, who contmued bis visits as regularly as fnmierlj, I
now €i\)oy:ed that of my facetious Madras acquamtance« Captain
HarcQurt' We casually met as we were enjoying tbe luxiuy of
an evemog's walk on tbe baxika of tbe Hoogbly. I found he had
mai^ied^ a yoimg Portugueae lady, and intended to npend tbe
remainder of bis days at Cbandemagore. He iatioduced me to a
fnead of bi^ an imnabke jroutb» named K^s, wbo bad also been
s^idken with tbe arrows of Cupid^ and lived witb die object of
bis ^eotions^ a fine Hindoo gu:l> in a letired cottage^ a mile to
1ib6 westward. In tbe sodety of tbese friends, many a deliglitfal
bour was passed ; and tbere was a sunilarity in our tastes and
dispdsilions wbicb daily strengtbened ibe bonds of our adbction.
Qne evening^ as I was Walking witb tbem, Virginia being bosied
in ^repanng tea> a person in a palanquin» atteaded by a luiiiie»
rotts train of anned servants^ x>as8ed me— it was Bennuon. In
my bosom ranconr bad never taken root ; ^ ai^d conoeiving that we
bad Q,ow notbing to fear, eitber iroim bis wües or bis power, I
asked bim to accompany \ib bome, and take some re&eahment.
He waß emdßtiÜ^ anxious to dedine, but yislded to aolicitation,
and retumed. On reacbing bome, I found Virginia seated ia
tbe verandah, and closely a^nded by tbree femafe domestica of
our cottage. Cbairs were banded, and we satdown, when Vir-
ginia beckoned to me as sbe retired to an adjoining apartment.
— *^ Will you," Said sbe, as soon as we were out of bearing,
*^ promise me faitbfuUy not to notice wbat I am about to rdate?"
— *' Yes, certainly."— « Paitbfxilly promise ?"— " Yes."— '' Tben,"
Said sbe, *^ scarcely bad you leflt me, wben I was surprised^ as I
was seated in tbe verandab, by tbe abrupt entrance of Denidson,
attended by^ stx armed men, tbree of wbom, witb tbeir swords
drawn, ranged tbemselves on eacb side of me. Having seated
bimself in a cbair by my side, be told me bo bad come ta take me
away, as be could not possibly exist witbout me, and expressed a
bope tbat I would not make it necessary for bim to use many en-
treaties, as time was precious.— ^' Your busband,' said be, ' is poor ;
I am
195
r am ridi^ and both &ble and wüUng to settle a fortune upon
you : I tvill be cosfitant to 70U alone for ever^ and love yoü mbst
tenderly ; therefore permit me to band you into my palanquin.
Do not mind your wardrobe— you will "find 'one in reiadiness for
you at Calcutta. Nay^ do not hesitatis» but/ (taking bold of my
ßxin, and enckcHng my waist at tfae same time) ' come witb me/
At tbi« instant^ tbe armed men gatfaered round^ and my tetror
was so intense^ tbat Kad not tbe idea of your being momentärily
e:q)ected^ su{>ported me^ I dionld bave sunk senseless to the eartb.'
With tbe view of gaining time> I resorted to stratagem^ and re-'
q^uested be would grant me a few moments to consider; to tbis
he assented^ on tbe condition tbat in five minutes I sbould be pfe-*
piared to grre bim my decisicm^ and at once piomise not to re-'
veal what bad pasüed. In tbe mean time^ be would gö^ be ^ä,
and prepare* äie boat for me; and anticipating a dedsion in bis
favour^ cautioned me to be ready id five miitütes^ and depaHed."
I beaird no more. My Indignation was no longer ünder con*-
ttol^ my promifie was forgotten^ and^ regardless of consequences^ T
rusbed into tbe verandab^ witb a determination to wttsk my
yengeanoe upon tb&viUain on tbe spot But myästomshment
and disappointment weire exttenle^ to find bis cbair empty^ and
Harcourt and Kg^b vainly specuktabg as to tbe cause of bis abrupt
departüre. H« baA> doubtless^ antidpated tbe purpcm: of out
Conference : guilt bad disarmed bim of courage ; and faif once in
bis Hfe, Dennison was disappöüitedof bis prey.
Habit bad so fanüiiamed tue vrhh tbe comfbrts of my oottage^
and tbe sodety of my ftiends; tbat it would perbaps bav6 been
well for me^ if I bad never left tbe confines of tbis sweet anä se*-
clud6d babitatiDn.' I was content^ nay bappy ; until I found my
finances were diunnisfaing to so lo^ an ebb^ as would soon coni-
pel me to leave my favourite sddüsion^ to seek employment in tbe
World. From my beart Would 1 lament tbe necessity^ in bitter
terms. — '^ Ah," tbou^t I, *'bad I but a pakry tbirty pounds
a-year Ibrlifb, my unambitious soul would rest gatisf^ed, and 1
sliüuld be tbe bappiest of men : tbe years of man are but feW' —
Oh tbat I could remain tbose föw years where I am^ üntü tbe
earth shoüld' corer tbis restless frame ! Here we sbould k'nöw few
cares^ and fewer wants — here we sbould be at least as bappy as
we have been, and now are, and remain comparatively free from
2 tbe
196
tHe tjemptatiens and.misery attending us in active lifo— ^ere we
eo^oj every rational luxury of human existence^ and at little or no
expense ; our will is uncontrolled : we have health, and youtb,
our garden, and our books^ especially the Bible, to call our reflec-
tion to the past, the present, and the future State of man. But
the more I reflect^ the more I lament the impossibilitj of ending
my existence in these peaceful and happy shades." At length^ I
cQnsidered that man is sentenced to labour for bis bread^ and not
bom to a State of inactivity and idleness ; that whatever is, is best,
and that a cheerful resignation to the Divine Wül is^ after all,
the truest practical philosophy.
As my funds diminished, my anxiety and restlessness increased
in Proportion. In many instances^ I have remarked on. the Sin-
gular aid I have received from some unexpected quarter^ when
human assistance has been comparatively hopeless ; and I have
now to record another. As I was one day brooding over my cir«
cijmst^nces^ in a jstate bordering on despair^ a letter was put into
my hands : it was an invitation from Endtfield to proceed imme-
diately to the west coast of Sumatra^ where he had succeeded, be
said^ in procuring me an eligible appointmeni under Goyemment,
and at the same time^ expressing bis surprise that the receipt of
bis former letters had not been acknowledged* (Tbey had evi*
dently miscarried.) At this intelligence, I w^ agitated by oon-
flicting feelings — joy and sorrow^ hope and gloom. If 1 pn>-
ceeded thitber^ I should^ t found^ be obliged to sacrifioe all that
was dear to me^ by leaving Virginia behind, and by dispoing at
many articles I possessed^ more cherished indeed for memory's sake
than for their intrinsic value. The latter therefore I did not so
much mind ; but to part with her^ from whom I had not been
separated since our union^ was almost more than I could endure.
As no vessel was on the point of sailing to the west ooast, I
was compelled to take my passage in a ship bound to Batavia,
where opportunities of proceeding to Padang^ Mr. £ndtfield'8 resi-
dence^ or to Bencoo^en^ I was informed^ occurred frequently. The
day on which the vessel was to sail^ at length arrived : we bade
adieu to our cottage^ not without many tears : Kishen Doss^ Har-
courtj and Keys^ accompanied us to the boat^ and we waved our
handkerchiefs until the winding of the Hooghly conoealed them
from our view. Leaving Virginia under the care of an elderly
ladv.
197
häy, who kept a seminary in Calcutta^ I sailed for Batavia in
search of adventures/ beginning, as it were, the world anew^
"with but thirty dollars in my pocket^ tlie entire remnant of my
förmer fortune. * Here it will not^ I am persuaded^ be deemed by
tbe reader improper, if I digress a Kttle from my narrative, in
Order to say a few words relative to tbe Hindoos, on tbe occasion
of my leaving tbeir sbores, after a sojoum tbere of so many of my
youtbful days.
The colour of tbe Hindoos is tawny, ligbter or darker accord-
ing to tbe degree in whicb tbey are exposed to tbe sun. Painters,
and otber artists wbose profession admits of tbeir working in tbe
sbade, are of a ligbt copper bue, wbile palanqnin-bearers, boat-
men, coolies (porters), or agriculturists, are nearly as black as
Cafires ; but tbis is tbe only point of comparison : tbe bair of tbe
Hindoo is long and glossy, and bis features are as well proportion-
ed as tbose of tbe European, only smaller änd tbinner. Tbe dress
of tbe Hindoo is simple in tbe extreme, being notbing more
'flian aturban, and a'single piece of clotb, uncut, abouf tbree yards
long and one in widtb, wbicb is wrapped round tbe loins, one end
'passing between tbe tbigbs and fastened bebind, aüd tbe otber,
'cast into folds, banging riegligently, but not ungraoefiilly, in front.
'Batbing, tberefore, wbicb tbe lites of purity reqüire to be per-
formed more tban once a-day, causes but little trouble'to tbe
wearer of sucb a garment. ' Tbe Hindoo frequently wears golden
ear-rings of various si^es, and slippers, wbicb, in addressing or sa-
luting a superior, be casts off; indeed, to pass tbe tbresbold of a
babitation, even bis own, witb slippers on, or witb any article of
leatber about tbe person, would be considered on all bands an
enormbus impropriety. In conversation, tbe Hindoos are fond of
Tiyperbole, and fulsome adulation, frequently lauding one anotber,
very gravely, face to face, far above tbeir gods ; but tbey ai^ ex-
tremely patient and polite, scrupulously mindful not to contradict
eacb otber, nor so mucb as even to open tbeir moutbs by way of
intemiption ; nay, to smile, to cougb, or sneeze, wbile anotber is
speaking, is deemed a bigb dereliction of good mannws. llieir
opinion of Europeans is, I believe, far more fävourable tban it
formerly was ; but notwitbstanding tbe advances we may bave of
late made in tbeir good opinion, tbere are yet many and insuper-
able obstacles to entire confidence, wbicb cannot so easily be oVer'-
^ . o S come ;
i
198
come; and until overeome^ tbej must look upon tt^ in msmt
spects> with feelmgs of abhorrepce and dickst. In the fioit piaoe,
tbey never can be brou^t to allow thai Euiapeana aiQ their sape-
rioro in the 8cienoe9 and art»; and discoTom^ orinventions not
their own^ they consider ean neither be good nor uaefiiL So g/^
neral 19 this prejudice, that even those of them who speak the
Englisb tongue with fluency^ are rarely seen urith Eoxopeaabookf
of scienoe in their hands, because they cannot comprdiend faow
any work can contain an atom of Information which is not to be
found in books of their own. They äo, however^ oonfeas oor supe-
rierity in some respecta : in pa;rticular, they adnure the humanit/
with which we carry on war— the modex^tiw and impartiality
with which we govem ; and acknowledge our good qualities of
benevolence and liberality : but among the virtues> they are quid:
in detecting the countervailing viees. so a3 to lose sight of tbese
favouraUe impressions> and, on the whole> to view us in no other
light than as a barbarous nation, They feel hideous diggimt aod
horror on witnessing a European feeding on the flesh of a eow,
the slaughter of jon^ being oonndeisd by them more appolHng than
murder even, and to eat it, more detestaUe than feeding on a
human carcass. Then again> they who . imaginp they have 000-
tracted a stain, if b\Lt the ahadow of a Pariah passes athwart thesi,
an4 must immediately wash themselv.es-^fiee Europeans admit
bim into their domestic eervioe, and even keep women of thai
vile tribe as servants, or in a more degraded capadty« The wife
of the respectable Hindoo dares not sit down in bis preaenoe; nor
has he ever known, or imagined, that persons of .the fismale sex,
with the exception of common prostitutes, can " amble andcap».'
What then must he think, when he beholds European womea
laugh> play, and toy, shamelessly with the men, and eveo^ join
th^n)., without bju^bing, in the dance ? He too, who would be
consigned to the most degradii^ punishment for a Single «et of
intemperanc&-*-who has been taught to view it as the moat in&-
jnousof yjcess and the most debasing to human nature» -firequently
sees Europeans in a shameless State of intoodeation, some of wLom
indeed appear to consider drunkenness as a gallant feat. The
dress also of Europeans is revolting to them ; it is in their eyes
monstrous and disgusting, particulaxly boots and gloves^ leather,
and the skios of animaläj being considered by them of so impure
a nature.
199
a«n8itiue> that they must waslb a£ter tduching them ; nor äo they
undertUmd höw Eurqpeatis can wear^ or^even handle^ the skin of
a benst; These pngudic« ma^ be natural ; bat however he»til}r
thej tasy abHot or dende u8 in secret, they have always the cim«
ning and address to nudee theiafldTes: äppear, in the eres of tbe
£iir0peäii» «^ entetftaining^ far difierent feelings. It wouH pet"
haps be illiberal^ if Bot unjust^ not to take £91: graateS the sin-»
ceiity df l&eir profesBunts sometimed; and to «peak mdtvidüallyi I
faavB nmch more to isay in their praiflc^ than to their pre^iidice.
Many of them^ I can safely affirtit> pessess highly senaltive feelings ;
and I ^all' never forget tbe ezpreasiün of benevölence wbioh beam-
ed in tiie &atuie8 of Kishen Dobs^ en my telling bim that X had a
^Eifther, a motheri brdthera^ and nsters ; bat that> iioin my i^ancy
apwazdfi> I had been a sträager to them, and t6 the tendet tiea
and endeannents of a faome ^-^^-tl&e expiession of hu eyb was indeed
beautiful ! it beamed benerolenoe and sensibiHty, and bis coünle-*
nance d.together bespdke the ^MÜngä of a gobd'and annable faeart ;
but> independenüy of Kishen Doss, I never faffled'lo xeoeiiw ftom
Hindoos of respectability, that ooarteoas, &licate attention, whid»
ia^ so grtttifying to the feelings of ^ stranger rä a foreign bind, dnd
whicb, as experieiiced by nie in India» did, and eyer will, isügsM
me strongly in &vour of the peopk.
The ooloor of the Hinddo women, Mke thät of the man, variea
&am, the same caus^, such as aie not exposed to the sun being
extremaiy fiur. They have long, beantiful, glossy hair, in general
small buir psetty fe&tnxes, remarkably fine eyes, with xegolar teeth^
and ddicate yoluptuous lips. In stature they are smaU, bat their
limbs are extremely well proportioned, and their walk djgnified;
an erect mien, with a measured graceful step, apparently pro-
ceeding from something inhärent in their nature, and seldom
failing to impress the beholder with admiration and respect*
Their di^s too, like that of the men, is of an entire pieice ; it i^
äboüt nlne or ten yards in length, and a yard broad. The Brah-
man women wrap die end round the body two or thxee times»
forming a tig^t petticoat, failing in ft(mt as low as the feet, while
women of other Casts fasten the web differently, another pari of
the cloth passing over tbe head« Shoulders, and jbreast. By inany
aiitbotrs they are represetfted in a point of viewdBfierrait from l^b«l
in which the Abbe Dubois speaks of them. He say»— '' The Hin-
o 4 doo
196
the tjemptatiens .and.misery.attending us in active life— 4ere we
enjoy every rational luxury of human existence^ and at little or do
expense ; pur will is uncontrolled : we have health^ and youth,
our garden^ and our books^ especially the Bible^ to call our reflec-
tion to the past^ the present, and the future State of man. Bat
the more I reflect^ the more I lament the impossibilitj of ending
my existence in these peacefiil and happy shades." At lengtb, I
considered that man is sentenced to labour for his bread^ and not
bom to a State of inactivity and idleness ; that whatever is, is best,
and that a cheerful resignation to the Divine Wül is, after aD,
the truest practical philosophy.
As my funds diminished^ my anxiety and restlessness increasd
in Proportion. In many instances, I have remarked on the Sin-
gular aid I have received from some unexpected quarter, wben
human assistance has been comparatively hopeless ; and I bare
now to record another. As I was one day brooding over my cii-
cumst^nces^ in a State bordering on despair, a letter was put into
my hands : it was an invitation from Endtfield to proceed vdMt
diately to the west coast of Sumatra, where he had succeeded,lie
Said, in procuring me an eligible appointmenjb under GoyemmeDt*
and at the same time, expressing his surprise that the receipt of
his former letters had not been acknowledged. (They liad en«
dently miscarried.) At this intelligence, I wjis agitated by coo-
flicting feelings — joy and sorrow, hope and gloom. . If I pi''
ceeded thither, I should^ 1 found^ be obliged to sacrifioe all thft
was dear to me, by leaving Virginia behind, and by dispoing^
many articles I possessed, more cherished indeed formemoiy'sssK
than for their intrinsic value. The latter therefore I didnotso
much mind ; but to part with her, from whom I had not bcea
separated since our union, was almost more than I could endurc-
As no vessel was on the point of sailing to the west ooast, 1
was compelled to take my passage in a ship bound to Batavii»
where opportunities of proceeding toPadang, Mr. Endtfield's resi-
dence, or to Bencoojen, I was informed, occurred frequently. Tw
day on which the vessel was to sail, at length arrived: we bade
adieu to our cottage, not without many tears : JRjshen Doss, Har-
court, and Keys, accompanied us to the boat, and we waved our
handkerchiefs until the winding of the Hooghly concealed tbem
from our view. Leaving Virginia under the care of an elderly
ladv.
201
CDüftider justifiabte^ consistently with llieiif impartial views öf
policy^ and with the pledge by wliich tliey are bound not to in-
terfere direclly with the leligious prejudices of the natives. If
they have not entirely succeeded^ it is to the strength of those
prejudices that the failure is mainly tp be attribated. Durin^
ihe ahort period of nine months^ I witnessed no less than three
of tbese horrible sacrifioesj all of them having taken place within
a few miles of Chandemagore. A description of one will give
the reader an accurate idea of them «11 : but it may be proper
first to inquire into the origin of this horrible rite^ and into the mo-
tives which influenae the deladed victims in the Performance of it.
■ Some authoTS have pronounced it to proceed &om a dread on
the part of the husband^ that the discontented wife would seek
oecasion to procure bis death ; bat this insinuation is now found
to be misplaced. Nor is the act to be ascribed to afi^tion^ (al-
though it invariably fotms t3ie ostensible pretext)^ but> on the
one band, to the miserable condition of the widow Herself^ who
is doomed to a State of üeHbacy^ and wretched dependenoe änd
«mtramt during the «mamder of her life ; and to ranity in-
spiring her with the hope of renown ; and, on the other, to the
soHeitations: of relations, who well know that so splendid a death
will redound to the everlastmg honour of the family.
By beooming a Suttee, a woman is canoni^ed afker d^th;
and Tows- are paid to her. After the' fire has consumed the body,
the remnants of the bones are ooUected, and a pyzamid or mo«
nument is erected over the spot, to tiansmit to posterity the me-
mory of so ülustnoos a victim of conjugal attachment; and^ in-
deed, when the ceremony is over, the woman who has submitted
to this glorions death, is eonsLdered in the light of adeity. Crowds
of votaiies daily visit her shrine, imploring her protection, and
prapng for deliverance from " the ills of life." When once a
.woman has declax«d gravely and deliberately, that she is desiroos
tp be consumed alive by the side of the dead body öf her husband,
she cannot retract. Here revocation would be disregazded; it
being a prevaiHng superstition throughout all India, that if a
•woman, after having taken her resolution, refuse to fulfil it, the
whole
*
of these papers, while it affords importaat instruction, must be distiessing to the
fedings of every benevoleat mind.
209
wbole CQUHtiy in wbich she lives would be yi^ted hy
die&dful oahßmty. The Bisbititfui invazi&Hj pxeside^ and iure
t0ry active at tlie ceremony ; but the Brahmafi wonfen hare hmg
mßS diflcotitiiiued tlie practioe of Sutt^jr the fea^ale» of Rajaiu^
and of the. lower castes« being ils«ally Ihe Tid;ka8.
It was äbout neoii^ on a miüry day, wken eorbraity p roni pted
me t9 Ibllow a vast concous9& c^ SixtSMd, wbp Weve taldbg a
wfistestlj dixection* I soon found tbat tbe olgect.of at ti acihm
waA ft Sütteei and altbougb I had: befote witBeased two eshäi-*
tk>ns of tbe kmd^ I detenained to prooeed» On teadiixig tibe
i^pot, I obflQPved tbat tbe prepaiations wex!^ nearly ooitiplet6« The
püe was raiaed iive feet ahove tbe groiwd> ibIo wUch aome harn-»
boo stioks bad been dsiveü^ fef tbe putpocie et «l^parting the
layers of diy &cewood. and otbe? combu^tiblea/ «jbebr ad Aeawi
rösiiXi ghee or butt^r^ and pitcb. On tbe pile lay äbKftdhedT tbe
eorpse of tbe deqeased Hindoo^ dressed aa wbed be was alive, vasä
eovered witb a pseoe of white calieo. Hie ctowd was ifhmense;
but in tx>mpliment to my nation^ the chokedais * Migjaaglf
ckared a passage for Ute, and I bad a dislinct view of tbe winde
eeyeaony. The Tictim wa^ in a palanquin, on the oppösifte aide
of tbe pile, supported by bet friends ; her relations» wbo wen
armed witb muskets, sabies» and otber weapcmsj guaxded tbe
{ale; and numerous meii> bearing tum-tums, md oAer nöisy
^iBtruments, wero Standing fovmd« £vea ihvts earijr, the im-
preßsion on my mind, as I stood among tbe abettora of tfais
volting cereHumy, was aw^l in the extreme* The vietim
apFpri^ed, b^ a guru or priest, tbat it was tixae to b^izt the
tites, numb^rs of Brabsoans, witb ligbted torebes in dieir händ^
and eartb^i pots of dl and ghee, todk thdr stations nmad the
pi}?, while otbers recited iHantras, or prayers, in a kmd'TBicc^
and consecrated the pile, by sprinkling it wiüt pure water. Tbe
on^d baving given way> my elpectation of seeing tiie victim^
Wdhom I observed to be advancing^ witb a slow, bot firm step,
tfupported by some Brabmans and her friends, in the diiectioB of
the Spot in whiob L was st»iding> was now at its besgbt. Sie
was of tbe age of about forty-five, a well-made ip^oman, and r»-
tber bandsome ; her neck, fingers, arms, and legs, were loaded
with
• A chokedar xs a constable, or watchmon.
wilb a profusiozi of Ornaments, chie% of gM, a&d her whole
attire wa9 as gaj as if the occasioii were feitive ; and so, indeec^
in her estimation^ it ajipeared to be; her countenanoe was in
keeping with her general afrpearanoe^ pLeasmg» and even pheeis
ful ; nor did it express other tndt of Cancern than a palenesa^ an^
a sHght quivering of > the under lip. As she a^iroached the pile,
the sp^ctators^ .particularly. the womeB>. weat np to^her, to wish
her jfyy^.imä implore a blessiQg fieom her beforaher departure to
the mansbns of Paiadise» Tq all ^he jnade answersf, and to some
ehe gave rice; such ßs were not near enough to reodve anj fam
her, caught> with eagemessj the grains which she scattered
azQund>. and in the ak^ and which seemed to he prized aaa relic«
All this tarne there was a buzz of adoration from the infatuated
multitude, whp beheld h^.with a deg^e of awe inspired by the
beUef that she was. a divinity, and aome even poostsated them-*
sehres at her £eet« Three times she walked round the pile, scat-
teriog rice armind and above her^ the Brahmans uttering their
mantrasb and the people adoring her. £very thing being now
ready^ she took a fisucewpll of her xieareat relatiens, distzibuting
among them her oxnazoents. . She then meunted the pile with
astonishing coolness, seated herself next the. corpse^ which she
ferv^itly, eaibraced with bothr her anas> put scHne zice ia its
n^outh»' and fbs the last tixne» scattered some among the spect»-
tors* She was then bound to, the dead body with two easy ban-
dages^and a quantity of straw, xoaiB, butter^and oil; was.strewed
over herand the. oorpse« A lighted terch was then handed to her,
which she held in one band, while with the other she emptied a
pot of oU oyer her head; thvi done, she threw the torch on the
pUe. In an instant the pile was set on fire in ten or twelve di£-
ferent places, and the flames rose with a rapidity and intensity oi
heat (the Brahmans conlinually pQuringonoilandbutter),"whieh
must have comsumed the yictdm almQstrimmediately;.indeed she
was not Seen, to move a lipdb after she.had Jaidharself down.
The noise of the .tum-4umsy the.ijuiehsof the.women^ and the
shouts of .the sgect&UiT^ were such aa to defy description> and
even exceed con«eption ; so that, had her resolution failed> her
loudest cries for succour would have been unavailing. The flames
toweiißd ihto the atmosphere, to an immense height> and in a few
minutes
g04
minutes notia vestige of fire remained — not even embers ; ashes,
'dust^ and a coliimn of smoke^ were the only indications of the rite
Svhich had been performed. Such was tlie end of a woman, vrho,
instead of living to serve and adom society^ thus became tlie victiiii
of a cruel and barbarous superstition.
The ceremony of suttee varies in different districts^ but
throughout the east is fundamentally the same. But India is not
the only country in which this abominable rite has preyaQed.
Ancient authors speak of it as not unknown^ in early times, in
otber parts of the globe. Herödotus^ in particular^ speaking of
the Crestonsans^ asserts^ that the women disputed with eacH
other the honour of dying with their husbands. The Hindoos,
however^ seem to be the only people who have continued the
practice up to this day. But in recording the superstitions of the
"Hindoos^ or those of any other nation^ we must do so rather '' in
sorrow than in anger." Such, and perhaps still more degradrag,
were the superstitions' of our ancestorS; and in such should we
ourselves be sunk, but for the undeserved gift of Hevelation,
imparted to us by the Pather of Light, for the purpose of rescu«
ing US from the thick darkness in which oür forefathers wan«
dered: thanks then be to Hirn for that inestimable blessLng !
To proceed in my narrative : — ^Wafted by a gentle north-east
bree^e, we crossed the equator five weeks ßfter leaving Hindoo-
stan, and in a few days afterwards, entered the Straits of Sunda,
steering due east. Nothing in nature can surpass the beauty of
these straits ; they are studded with myriads of small islands^ of
an oval shape, which greet the eye of the voyager in every direc-
tiori, and produce a diversity of scenic effect, highly interestiiig«
In exploring these regionsj, the excitement which the mind re*
ceives from novelty alone, affords in itself no ordinary gratifica-
tion ; and never, in the Straits of Sunda, does the voyager feel
the pain of disappointed expectation. The sea, bounded to the
north by the Sumatra shore, and to the south by Java, seMom
rises higher than a gentle curl ; and our bark sailed along, wafted
by odoriferous gales, amid the surrounding beauty, considerably
heightened by the reflection around from the efiulgence of the at-
mosphere, until the ships at anchor in Batavia roads appeared in
sight. Malays then came off in canoes, with parrots, Java spar-
rows^
205
rows^ fruit^ and curiously wrought mats^ for sale. I feit a
desire to purcbase one of the inats^ of ß fine and curious texture, [
but considering that my thirty doUars would be materially duni-
nisbed thereby, I prudently resolyed not to part witb a single
stiver. Afiter we came to an ancbor, tbe captain obligingly fa-> .
voured me witb bis boat^ and I soon reacbed tbe entrance of a
river, on tbe banks of wbicb^ at tbe distance of two miles^
Stands tbe princely and luxuriant city of Batavia.
Batavia^ wbicb is tbe capital of Java^ and of tbe Dutcb posses-
sions in tbe East Indies^ afibrds a striking specimen of Äsiatic
opulence and luxury- But it is perbaps tbe most unbealtby place
in tbe universe^ and is prodaimed^ and not witbout justice^ tbe
" grave of Europeans." A fever carries off a wbole family in tbe
momingj and tbey are buried in one grave in tbe evening. Tbe
Dutcb^ eyer addicted to cansds^ bave forined several in tbis city^
as in Batavia in Europe^ and it is to tbis cause tbat tbe un-
bealtby State of tbe town is mainly attributed : — tbe stagnant State ~
of tbese^ and of tbe adjacent marsby ground and pools^ witb wbicb
tbe country aboun^s^ — tbe noxious vapours usbered in by tbe
moming sea breezes — ^togetber witb inattention to cleanliness
on tbe psurt of tbe inbabitants — ^all, doubtless, contribute to tbe
fatal pestilence continually raging tbere. . Europeans consider tbe
segar an excellent preservative, and tbey eat and drink freely,
beedless of danger. Tbe mercbants reside in country seats^ a few ,
ndles frpm Batavia^ wbere tbe air is considered to be as pure and
bealtby as in Europe^ tbe city itself being tbe fatal seat of pesti-
lence. Tbe country seats are süperb^ tbe gardens being tastefiiUy
laid out^ and omamented witb sculpture^ wbile tbe iiiterior of
almost every bouse displays costly lustres and mirrors^ correspond- '
ing witb tbe general magnificence. Tbe roads are upon a Scale of
grandeur wbicb astonisbes tbe European fresb from bis native soil.
Tbe market abounds witb good fisb^ fowl^ vegetables^ and plenty
of fruit. Tbe city of Batavia was taken by tbe Britisb forces in
tbe late war^ but afterwards ceded to tbe Dutcb^ in conformity
to tbe treaty of peace ; but tbe Javanese are decidedly inimical to
tbe Dutcb sway, as are^ indeed^ tbe Malay people generally
tbrougbout India^ wl^cb circumstance frequently involves tbe go-
vemment in turbulent and expensive broils. Tbe Obinese inba-
bitanta
206
bitants afe so numerous äs to eonstitute, it is säid^ nearly cme-
tluid of the population*. In the whole^ Batavia is a most superb
Gtty-- a secöndary Bagdat.
On entering tihe river, a Javanese on horseback^ Who was walt-
ing for US on its bank^ threw us a irope^ which b^ing fastened to
tbe bow of our boat^ he trotted off, towing us along at a rapid
rate^ until we reacbed the city. I then landed^ foUowed by a
lascar, carrying my trunk^ my thirty dollars b^ing wrs^ped care-
fuUy in paper, and placed with extraordinary ptecaution in my
pocket. The first human beings I beheld were Curopean soldiers^
and theb: appearance instantly wamed me of the unhealthiness
of the spot I had landed in. They looked more; like skeletans
than men:— each the '' grim tyrant*' personified; — and on tke
visage they bore a pale yellow tinge^ which, together with the
'^ lack-lustre eye '* sunk deep in the socket^ gave them an ap-
pearance^ absolutely appalling : I involuntarily shuddered at the
aight of them^ reflecting on the probability of my soon bebg va,
the same State. Tö £hese crawling emblems of death, howeveri
I advanced^ and requested to know the direction to a tayem.
The racant stare — the shrug of the Shoulders— «brought to mind
the Singular predicament which Croldsmith must have found him-
seif 6n his arrival in Holland to teach the natives English> oa
discoverihg that he must first leam to speak Dutch^ I proceejed
forward^ when three other shades of men appe'ared in adranoet
those also I addressed^ but stül no answer could I obtcdn^ wbik
the reigning stülness of the city impresised me with a mouraful
Sensation^ discouraging to my hopes^ and foreboding^ I thöught^ a
gloomy sojourh in the place.
Onward, however, I advanced^ until at length I beheld before
me, to my infinite delight^ a sign, "" The Dutchman's head/' sus-
pended in front of a splendid hotel; thither I beut mysteps,
and found the landlord seated in front of the house, and he
invited me, (to my agreeable surprise in broken English), to
"voll
• In 1740, twenty thousand Cliinese were barbarously ipassacred by the
Dutch, widioat the smaUest c^nce liaving ever been proved against them* ^^
nuttsacre was too unprovoked and detestable to be defended, even by the Netber-
lands govemment, who, when the governor arrived in Europe, sent him hack,
tb be tried in Batavia ; but he has never been heard of since.
207
^ votk in/' My pnmftiy object was to agree Cor my board ; thls
was floon settled^ at the rate of three doUars per day-— ^ tarn,
howeyer^ whioh placed my litüe stock of ca^ in jeopardy of soon
disappearing altogether. Having placed my trank in a bed-
loom allotted to me^ and discharged ihe lascar who carried it> I
toolled ii\to tbe Inlliard-room^ tbe dining-room^ and coflfee-roonij
all of them on a scale of splendid magnificence^ and füll of Duteh-
men^ one Englishman only^ besides myself^ being in tbe botd,
and he, I nndentood^ labooring under a derangement of inteüect.
Observing a number of Dutcbmen Standing in an ante-room^ wait-
ing far tbe wekome announcement of ^ dianet/* I bent my steps
dntlier, in tbe bope of meetzng vnth one wbo could speak Englisb ;
nor was I disappointed-— a middle^aged militaiy officer acoosted me^
and in bn^en Englisb^ inquired as to tbe then State of Europe^
— tben qwke of Buonaparte^-— and informed me t&at be bimself
bad fougbt and bled on tbe field of '' Vaterloo ;" speaking of wbicb^
be obserred--^^' De Duke of Vellington^ army Was aU in cönfu-
sion ; de IXike vas all in de wrong ! and be vould lose de battle^
if von vaxy clever Holländer bad not come in de vay^ and told
bim vat to do: if it ras not for dis man—- dis vaiy clever man^
FanderbenholderHeiny de Duke of Vellington would bave lost
eveiy ting in de vorld !" At tbat instant dinner was announoed>
and I bent my steps towards tbe dining-room^ marvelling greatly
at tbe profbund wisdom of tbe said Vanderhenhelderstein, but
stiE more tbat I bad never before beard mention even of bis name.
I was natnrally anxious to be seated next my countryman^ de-
ranged as be was^ and watcbed my opportunity. I fortunately
saeceeded> and feund tbat be was a surgeon in tbe army : bis
discourse was so rational^ and bis manners so mild^ gentlemanly^
and well-bred, tbat I seriously doubted tbe fact of bis beirig
deranged ; indeed> during dinner-time tbe only instance of sin«
gu^uity I observed in bis conduct was^ tbat every now and then
be would s^y pincb tbe arm of tbe Dutchman^ wbo was seated
on Ms left-band^ and tben burst out into a violent roar of laugb«
ter. Mynbeer^ bowever^ took it all in good part^ well knowing
tbe malady bis tonnentor was afflicted witb. Tbe dinner consisted
of an abondant supply of fisb^ poultry^ wines^ and liqueurs;
and tbe clotb. being removed« a song was called for> and tbe re-
quest
208
j^uest was inataatly complied with by one of the paHj, all joui'»
ing vociferously^ but vfiih admirable uniformity^ in the chonis.-
Shortly after^ a Malay girlattired in thecostume of tbe oouniryj*
and of course bare-legged^ entered the roopi with a guitar^ and
seating herseif next to me^ played and sang, in a soft^ mekxUou»
strain, several favourite Malay airs. So enchanting was the me-
lody, that we sat üstening attentively for some time, and it was
not until a late hour that we retired to rest.
Qn the foUowing morning I was anxious to prooeed to the resi«-
dence of the captain of an English ship« then on the eve of de-
parture for Padang^ for the purpose of obtaining a passage ; but
my chagrin was extreme to. find^ that the hireof a carriage was in«
dispensible, it being a positive Stigma for a European to be seen
Walking ia the streets of Batavia. Although I could not but
grieve at an expensive sacrifice to tyrant custom^ I was oompeUed
to yield to necessity; and a carriage being sent for, the hire of
which was four dbllars, I rode towards the captain's residence,
condemning> most heartily, a custom so absurd ip. itself and, in
my case, so productive of evil.
I found the captain at home ; he was in his dressing-go^^n,
and eating radishes> with which he suppHed himself fcom *a äde*
board. Having invited me to l»:eakfast^ he swallowed some
coffee, and handed me some fruit, cold beef, harn, tongue, and
water-cresses (gaping and yawning wide all the time). Having
thus employed himself for nearly half-an-hour, he »pologized
for his absence for a moment, and retired ; he soon re-entered
the room, sprucely dressed, and foUowed by attendants with,-««
breakfast-things 1 It was a maxim with me abroad never to
appear »urprised at. any thing, but to take whatever oddities
I might meet with in my travels^ as things of course : so down
we sat to a regulär breakfast of,— eggs, toast, coffee» tea,
ham, beef, radishes, water-cresses, and fruit, — oonsisting of
mangoes, plantains, bananas, the jack*frui1^ and mangosteens * ;
bat
* The Buui|p»teen is tJonsidered, and with justice, the molt deUdoas fruit
in the wocld ; it is endosed in a shell, is white, and xound, and iJixNiiids .with
rieh, sweet, and bighly-fiavoured juice. The mango is hurger, of a yellow colour,
and has a fiat oval stone in the middle: it is also delicious, though in my
opinion inferior to the mangosteen. The jack.fruit, pumaloes, hananas, and
plantains, are Ukewise pleasing and refreshing to the palate.
ao9
but I confes» I could with difficulty withhold the expression of
my 8urprue> when two smoking disbes^ one of boiled xv», tlie
other of fiied fish^ bome by two kfican^ weie plaoed upon tbe
table ! Afler all, tbe best tbing I piocured by tbis inyitation
was a pzomise, by tbe captain, ot a fi:ee pf^^flage in bis sbip to Pa-
dasg, wbieb was to sail in a few days« I tben retumed to tbe
tavem ; and on entering tbe dining-ioom, found tbe doctor in
warm dispute on a political point, witb a littk Dutcbman, wbo
maintained bis argument stoutly, and in a tone of baugbty inso^
lence, wbicb loused tbe doctor's cboler to sucb a degree, tbat be
fairly saluted tbe Dutcbman's seat of " bonour" witb tbree tre-
mendous kicks* An immediate " set-to" was tbe consequence, in
tbe presence ef twenty Dutcbmen wbo were seated round tbe
xoom« and wbo certainly witnessed tbe ludicrous scene witb in«
jexibb gravity. By some means tbe Dutdiman suoceeded in
getting tbe doctor down, and in tbat State, '' peppered" away
at bis face, to an astounding' sbout of-^'' Bravo !" from all tbe
Dutcbmen in tbe room. Tbis sample of foul play, bowevetj
calling upon me, as I considered, to interfere in bebalf of my
countzyman, I adyanced, amid a perfect stillness^and grajsping
the doctor nnind tbe wttst; lifted bin| on bis legs. Tbe action
nciw reoommenced ; bot in tbis round, the doctor contrived to get
the head of bis anti^mst beneatb bis left arm, and to keep it
there, as tigbt as if it were in a blacksmilh's vice, bdabouzing it
with determined ferodty witb bis rigbt fist^ untü Bfynbeer,'blub-
bering like a gieat girl, and bis face streanung with blood, ex«
tricated bimself, and ran fairly out of tbe iwim. I n^as secvetly
rejoioed at tbis result of tbe battle, white tbe Dutcbmen wei«
equally cbagxined, and vented tbeu: petolanoe and veza|ion by
vociferating — '^ Fke Napoleml" The' doctor, howeTer> calmlj
seated himsetf in the verandah, and thys the might^ aQair endecL
It was usoftl with me to stroU about äie town aftersunset, to
enjoy the lozury of a walk. On one of tbese oecadons^ my
attention Was attracted by an amphitbeatre, in tbe front of wbic)i
a crpwd of oatives had assembled, to witness tbe p^ormance of
some Chinese votaxi^ of Thespis, who played thek. parts wit^
aingulfor adioitness in the open air. The dialogue of the pix«e^
which was in Chinese, and had evidently a comip tendency, wa^s
P supported
suppotted'lQr two men and two femaleiS^ bat tbe countenanoes of
t&enfüliitucle disddiiied to emce a single Symptom of meninient,
üntü Mne gtöss sKow of indecency was resorted to in ihe actum
ctf the perfonnerst thts was frequently done^ and neverfailed to
raise a sünultanebüs grin of appku^. Leaviiig tbis extraoidititty
scene, I walked lelsurely homeward^ calculating the State of my
dollars to a nicety, when a Malay^ steaüng secretly beliiüd me,
imd^r Cover of the nigbt^ seueed my hat, and decamped> w&th
the fleetne^B of aroe; I mstanüy gave c^ace^ but ia vahi. Tha
loss was a severe onie, and ßrovfed w^^aigh iireparable; the |«ioe
of a beaver hat beirig tlo'less than twenty d^ars : I was Üter^ate
^eluetantly eompelied' to pufehase^ as a Substitute "Ha my fiae
beaver, a mean, lilack chip hat, the price öf^ evea that being
ten dollars. This incident pi^vetited my taking any mose noe-
tumal rambles at Bfttavia. Iti a few4ays I set sail, and armed
in a fortnight at Padang, with but öne doUaar ih l^e wnrld.
' Padaüg iB situated at the distaftcfe of a .mile änd a half up a
xiver^ navigable only by boats^ and is a pk^iesque Mal^ ▼iSage:
some4)f ihe houses sre eonstructed of wood^-otl^ers of bainboeB aad
mats. The most remarhable feature ih this little settlOEneftt (now
in the possession öf the Dutch)^ is its romantie ^eeaety, raoon-
iahiä^ hüls^ island»> and watexßdk^ whieh inde0d äfibcd M diiof
and mqst intete^ting recoimnendation. ' The artides of importa«
'tio& kref^ ^iece goöds^ chintaes^ palampores^ wbeat, aad Em»-
pean lüx^rie^^ such as wine^ beer^ hams^ and cheeses : goId-diiiK
and pepper coristltute the retums. I instaatly repadred to JBndl-
field's, by virhom- 1 was no sooner observed^ Ihan he coiMrinoed
me I was recognised, by embracing me with the fervoor of a
paient.-^'^ Indeed^ Naufragus/ said he^ ''^I am heutily |^ad
to see you !•— we had all given you up^ «oncluding yott were
either already provided fpr, or by this time ^ iabahbaBt
of anotfaer planet : here— this is my wife— my daogkter— ^ny
son." In short^ the good man^ reoeptioö «ras tidtt ofa- falber;
which convinced me of the worth of a truly religious heart, k6w-
ever the world may deride or despise it. After tea We sat toge»
ther in a magnificent verandah^ when^ at the partieiilar re^ttost
of Endtfield^ I related all ths^ had befallen me sitice oür aepäni-
tion ; but not without oontinued interruptions of<— Z' Bles» ne IT
<c
211
f^^Betkt mer— Indeedr— ''My gmciousf" and «t ttie ooo-
climon^ he said-*-^*^ In good tnuh^ Nau&agus^ you have uzider?
gone extraotdiiuäy trials for your age. Bless me I you seeqi to
be the tenDis-ball of fortüae. Let me see^ 1^ me aee^ bow>
what's best to be done. I h&re succeeded» but wiih so small
difficuity, in keeping the appointmetit at Bencodien» vacant> ät
least I have r^son to hope 8o: diither you must immediately
repair. Make not youxaelf uneasy» Naufragus^ Folrtune mf^
yet amikf npon you. You are still young; so is your wife;
and if her affection for you i^ naoere, she ^Ul wait patiently
nhtsl you are able to send tot her, Bless me ! when I Was
married>'I was jrounger than you' ate;— -only a wedding-^ünner
the ridier^ which was a pieoe of röast beef— but even ihat
|attance> ''FfWtuae (the jade !) denied me ; for when my badk
was tumed^r-^b^fore even we had tasted the meat^ my house-dog
fairly decaiaped with the whole'of it ! Now» you See> I'mjrich:
well then> cheer up^ Naufri^s— ' Nu desperandum' and all
may yet be well !" I wa^ about to reply, when a oold agutsh
fit, «et my teeth diattenng. I foundi loo sbon^-it.was' ther- Ba.«
tarvia fever» the latent cause of which J had unoonseiotuify hrought
with me finnn^at p^flileuäal plaoe, and which had now b^
upon me. Endtfield instänüy hited a bungalon^, and'pcocmed me
every lüequidte assistance; but'fbr the space of sbc weeks, I was
totally uneonsd^us of sunoundiDg öbjects. The only Sensation
I was snscepi^Ue ai, was> tiiat of bumsng with thirst, and heing
stretobed on a mossy bank beneatibi a wat^rfall» gaping wide to
cätdi a drop to c6ol my pardxed tongue»«-^but tJie toimenting
liquid rolling down» tuhied aside;, and. still deoeived me. My
constitutioR got the better of the disease» and the first day
I was able to walk» I attempted . to reaoh tiie habitation of
my fticnid Endtfidd; bot; tm my way» a Malay horsemmci aib
füll Speed» k^odked me down« asotd gaUoping dver me» oomtmued
hk course. The natives flodsed raQnd»'^aQd assisted me with the
fedings of true Samaritans ;" but so* great was the inJury I had
sustained» that it was not untiT the esptration <if anatherihonthy
that I could again yenture abroad» nifhfin my at)peaianee eomctly
resemUed thät of tibe Euxopeans I had first aeeti. dn hmdang' at
Batavia. Endtfield havingprocured me a paasäge to Bencoolen,
f2 and
21S
and favour^d me with letters^ I emborked, deeply nfSecteA at
the t^collection of his kindness ;— at a time when suffering under
tlie affliction of sickness^ and in a foreign land^ the heart ia per«
haps most susceptible of kind and good offices.
Bencoolen being distant only two hundred and forty miles from
the eqviator^ is saltry ahnost heyond endurance ; and is suhject to
severe earthquakes. At the period of my arrival (1815)^ it was
the seat of the Company's govemment on the west coast of Sa«
matra ; but it has since been ceded to the Netherlands gorem-
ment. The fortress called '^ Fort Marlborough/' is conadered one
of great strength ; it commands the only good landing-plaee in the
Settlements the whole line of the coast being protected by a tie-
mendous surf. The sun has such power in this Settlements tbat a
piece of raw meat placed on a cannon at mid-day> would be tlio»
roughly broiled in ,a few minutes. The town is not laige; bat
the houses of the European inhabitants are compact^ deanly^ and
comfortable. The surrounding country is as romantic and p^
turesque as any perhaps in the world ; and on the sea beadi in
the evening a most luxurious walk may be enjoyed, sun-set pc^
sentings in fme weather^ a spectacle of great splendour. llie
nutmeg plantations also afford a delightful prospect^ the number
of the trees iji difierent plantations^ varying irom five ihoasand to
fifiteen thousand: they are planted in parallel rows^ at a distance
of thirteen feet asunder. The outer covering of the nutmeg is ai
about the size of a peach^ and bears an appearance very mnch le-
sembling that fruit. When the nutmeg ripens, it cradu on ooe
side^ the aperture graduaUy widening^ until the ntitm^ ib to be
Seen in the centre of its coating^ entwined with fresh maoe of ared
oolour. It is altogether an object pleasing to the eye^ and le^
freshing to the smell ; and from its value well deserves care and
attention. Here I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with a
gentleman^ whom I must designate as one of the Ornaments of the
Settlements and indeed of human nature : I mean the benevolent
William Basket^ Esq. Having resided in the settlement in the
capadty of a merchant, nearly thirty yßars, he had not only
acquired wealth^ but had so gained the conMence and aflfections of
the nativess that in case of any dispute^ they would "flock firom
distant parts of the interior to him^ for jüdgment>.and inväriably
abide
213
libide hy bis deciaon. The ezercue of bis benevolence was not>
however^ oonfined to the natives; bis table was always at tbe
Service of bis European bretbren^ poor^ as well as rieb; and
bis beart and purse were open to tbe needj and destitute^ wbo
ofiten found sbelter under bis roof. He was remarkable for
equanimity of temper^ and bis name was always associated witb
▼irtue. To tbis wortby man I was recommended by Endtfieldj
and was freely invited to partake of tbe bospitalities of bis bouse
and table. Tbe introductory letters wbicb I bad received from
Endtfield were forwarded to Government^ and in a few days I
received an appointment. I now cberisbed tbe bope of being
^ttled for life« and looked forward witb transport to tbe period
wben I sbould be able to send for Virginia^ to partake of my
good fortune. A rumour about tbis time obtained tbat we
were sbortly to bave a new govemor^ in tbe person of tbat bigbly
talented and populär individual — tbe late Honourable Sir Tbomas
iStamford Raffles. From tbis rumour emanated various specula-
tions as to projected alterations in tbe administration of tbe settle-
ment; buttbat tbe appointment would lead to increase of busi-
liess, and oonsequently of emolumentsj no doubt.wbatever was
entertsdned.
. Tbree years and upwards bad I beld an agreeable employment
in tbis Settlements and bad nearly acquired a sufficiency to enable
me to send to Calcutta for my young wife> wbo bad evinced
admirable constancy in ber correspoiliencej wben^ on tbe twenty-
second Marcb^ 1818> Sir Tbomas Stamfozd Raffles did actually
acrive and take cbarge of tbe govemment. So far^ bowever^ were
my sanguine expectations from being reali^ed^ tbat myself,
smd many otbers^ were doomed to suffer tbe pain of actual^ and^
as we considered^ unmerited dismission^ in consequence of tbe
introduction into tbe. settlement of an entirely new and eco-
nomical System of administration. Tbe persons wbo were most
.immediately interested in tbis cbange^ assembled at Basket's,
Jooking to bim as to a common fätber^ all witb gloomy oouQte-
nanoes^ and many witb empty purses.
Tbis event fumisbed me witb new evidence of tbe uncertainty
of every «tbing under tbe sun. — '^ Ab !■' tbougbt I^ *' witbout
doubtj I am doomed to endure a life of trial^ vexation^ and dis«
p 3 appointment ;
2U
appointment: I am still to be tantalkecl witli liopes, but to feel
the torture of their defeat ; nor can I ever expect to be at rest
on eartb« or to attain mj wishes." The gooÜ man^ Basket^
however^ observed' mj uneaainess^ and accostGfd me in tenns af
encouragement:**^' Tbis, I alloW/ said be> '^ is a sad erent^
Naufragus ; but Government wiU^ I suppose^ pvovide for you ;
if not bere^ in Calcutta^ or perbaps in £urop6 ; so keep up your
spirits ; rely tipon it^ Grovemmeüt will not cüscard you. Ap»
ply for a certificate of your Services^ your cbnduct^ and tbe cause
of your dismissicm ; and if you prefer your claiias^ eitber in Bengal
or in England^ tbey will doubtless be attended to." Thanidng
bim ftom my beart^ I complied witb bis advice. A bigbly fiatter-
ing certificate was immediately granted : and I prepared to embaik
for Galcutta^ in a sbip tben on tbe eve of departure, witb a view
to prefer my claims to tbe Bengal govemment.
I cannot^ bowever^ quit Bencoolen^ witbout saying a few
words regarding tbe new system of administration introduced bj
Sir T. S. Raffles. In suddenly dispensing witb the Services of
so many persons^ wbo were unable to ptocure immediate em-
plc^ment^ be tbirew a bürden upon tbe settleioent^ and cansed
mucb personal sufiering : but witb reference to tbe latter eflfect^
it may fairly be presumed tbat be did violence to bis owli benevo-
lent feelings ; for^ by all aä^ounts^ a more sosceptible or tender
beart tban bis^ never beat in tbe breast of man ; and^ on the
wbole^ be no doubt acted for tbe public good^ considering the
measure as one^ at least^ of expediency : be migbt even bave had m
prospect tbat wbicb bas since taken place — ^the total abaadon-
ment of tbe settlement ; and if so^ tbe actual necessüy o£ the
measure must^ to bim> bave been apparent. Be tbat^ however, as
it may^ it is certain^ and must be acknowledged^ tbat bis geueral
administration had for its cbief object tbe interests of Üie Bast
India Company^ in connexion witb tbe moral improvemäit of
tbe people^ and tbe prosperity of tbe colony. Among tbose mea*
sures of Sir T. S. Raffles wbicb merit to be recorded^ are the est»-
blisbment of native scbools — ^tbe encouragement pf tbe cultivatiDn
of grain — and tbe Institution of a court caDed tbe '' Panganm's
Court/' at tbe bead of wbicb be presided in person, conjointly
with tbe native cbiefs^ distributing justice fairly and impartially
among
215
amoQg all ranks of the people. He abpli^hai co^^figfatiiigy
wbich was before pibliqly sanctioned; aiid> fibQy^.all/te fietlcii
foot active taeasures witli tbe yi^Mi^ to preyent the in^Eimpus .tjr»^
&c in filaves^ not only. atJBenqpolenji. but .int^v^^^i^limd wi
sppt in the J^astfm Ai^bipetegoi^^ 9^ Bt Seiio(|ole.Qi l^ )iiia$e]f
made.the expeiiment of ^inaBcij^ation. Feir a AetaU^d iai)d Ve^
ss^^ctory aceount of those measuxeß^ as well $^ .for a fiil^
highly-interesting and oorrect. retrospec^ pf hia adjaiinUtiriybv^
and general character^ the reader is referred to a. m^noir of
hinij which has a^peared in the amiual volume of Biography^
published by Longmon.^d Co. pn the jQrst (^. Jantiary^ 18^ 7" I
cannqt here refrain bqm oSkxiag a few brief obserVations on
filav^ry^ digressing from my nanative fpr the last time.
In the Performance o£ my offidal dutJes, I had tO superintend
the landing of the Company's fitores^ when mmjerous opportur
nities were a^rded me of forming a just conception of the nar
ture of.slavery« a$ well as.of witnessing the oondition of thß
Coippany's slavesj who were employed in thi^ ta$k> Jheir numbor
amou^^t^ng to upwards of two hundred. My experieiioe confirnvi
th^ cp9Ql^sion9 pf all legiti^i^te reasoning on the subject ; — ^that
the stat^ of slavay is <t ir^dkal evil, inasmuch as it tends to de^
baße- the human mind^ and to even place it pn a level, with the
lower instincts of the brut^ Of the treatment of the slaves ö£
thiß colpöy^ I need qq]^ (^sprVLQ (what perhaps is too evident)^
ths^t cruelty> is the characteristic of all barbarous or uncivili^ed
people anned, wj^h Qiithonty. Ißnt, for the sake of argumenta
^ven grsmting the slave tp h^ well fed^ weU clothedj and well
ireated — stiU^ as it r^p^cta t^ min4> the evil is equally ^gra-
ding, and its taidency to engender vice> repains a$ powerful ^ais
fiver. This truth was never perhaps more oompletely illustrated
Ihan in the Cpmpany's slaves:. they were as well treated as fr^
01^9; bnt inany pf them so debased, and stupid^ as to reject the
boo4 cf freiem o£&red them by Sir T. S. Reffles; and all 89
vigiou«ij.ithat^\urderj theft^ pi^omiscuons intercoursej intpsieatipo^
ttßß- eyeiy . disgusting feature of vice and immorality^ appeared
^moQg them;
On dgiar^g &oin Be&ooolen^ I wrote an afifectipnate faretvell
letter to Mr. JEodtfield; iipr oould I leave Bask^t s^d othor
p 4 esteemed
216
«steeaoied Metiäa, witibout feeliag deep atid psdnful regreC. ThoK
delightfiil and romantic bpwers too, wbich lAj soul ymß, as h
were^ enamoaied of — ^tbe sea beach — the toaring of the 'fietful
surge> become so familiär to me^ as to be music to my ear-—
every tree and btit^ witb wbieh tbere was some agreeaUe a»o-
dation in my memory-— the glens and plainfH^tbe bills and
grottoes> wbicb I bad travened^ xnusing on my pest yean and
future de8tiny-*-tbese^ all tbese/ I was to leave fbr erer^ instead
of passing tbe remainder of my days among tbem> witb tbe wife
of my youtb^ in peace and bappiness^ as my beart bad fondly
flattered itself.- Indeed^ bad I not reoeived tbe consolatkm
of knowing tbat I was going to meet ber wbom I Talved
more tban life^ I sbould bave been absolutely wretcbed. As it
-was^ I was borne away from Sumatra's sbore^ only neb in my
■certificate^ and a few bundred dollars wbiob I bad sated. So
*nsed was I to disappointment> tbat on my passage \ cberidied the
most gloQvy apprebensions^ wbieb^ bowever^ wäre oocasbnallj
relievedby tbe conviction^ tbat if by any cbance tbey shoold be
falsified^ tbe more welcome would be my good fortune« Vifginia
was anxiously awaiting my arrival ; and we met alter an absenee
•of tbree years^ witb less alteration in appearance on ber pait
tban on mine^ tbe Batavia fever baving leh its traces on mj
countenanee— certainly witbout any in our affections.
If I was afflicted witb more tban (»dinary trial8> I was gifted
by nature witb a more tban ordinary sbare of perseverance ; flo
tbat tbe more disoouraging tbe prospects^—- tbegreater tbedifficulty,
the greater energy would I exert in my endeavours to sunnoont
-it« Immediately tberefore on arriving at Galcutta^ I laidmyease
^in writing befco'e the tben govemor-general^ tbe late Marquis
of Hastings. To my indescribable joy, I received in reply an offi-
cial eommumcation to the eflfectr— ** Tbat Mr. Secretary A — -
was direeted to provide for Naufragus^ ön tbe first opportunity that
migbt ofifejf." Tbree montbs did my patience feed on the hope
witb wbicb this bigb-sounding communication iaspired me. At
tbe end of tbat time^ not baving beard any tbing furtber^ 1 1*^
solved to wait on Mr. Secretary A . On entering bis room,
be immediately rose^ and politely offered me a cbair ; nay> to nicb
a delicate extent was bis politeness carried^ tbat I began to doubt
wb6th«r
J
«17
wbethei: I wm i^y aelidting a f^ouTj or had to confer one«
'' No opportuBity hßd ss^ei," he said^ ^' offered; bat lie beUeyed
Mr. S had a vacaiM^ ;" and being &youxed by Mr. A
.with a letter^ X wa» soon in tbe pzesence cf Mr. S , wbom I
found flufferiog under a tormenting gout* DeAnag me to be
4Beatedj be read the letter^ and baving finished, be exdauaed— •
** Ah, wbat pity ! this jdace, young man^ was filled up but yes«
'terday evening— how unlucky ! bad you but calied yesterday^ you
mjgbt bave bad it* But stay — I tbink — ^no ! bowever^ bere^"
.wiiting, and folding a note^ ^' are a few lines to my fiiend Mr.
Secretaiy M ■ ■ ; I tbink he bas a vacancy." dordially tbanking
Iwfa, I waited on Mr. Secretaiy M , wbo^ baving read tbe
jiote^ smiled so good-naturedly> tbat I said to myself--^^' Ah, I am
sure of som^tbing now !" and ventured to express a hoge tbat be
icould find occasion for my sendces. He said, still smiling — *' Ob>
m)tbiQg nioce easy ! Give my compliments to Mr. Ochme of tbe
general dcgpartaientj and [^smiling^ ask bim if be cannot make
loom for you." Away I flew, like a bird witb a joyful, peck-piece
hl its bill for a fond mate, to Mr. Ocbme. " Ob/' said be, '^ Mr.
M ' / must be dr^aming ! we bave more bere iban we require,
and, at least, five bundred names on our list !" Witb tbis a»-
tounding intimation, I retumed to Mr. Secr^tary M ■ . " In«
.deed !" said be ; '^ well, [smiling^ I am soir— ry-^or— it ! but I
tbink my fiiend L may bave a sly comer vacant for you ;
you sball bave a letter to bim." So sajring, be gave me tbe letter,
wbile I overwbelmed bim witb tbanks; and tbanks, altbougb I
neverfound tbem vary prolific of good, are at leaat innooent of
barm. Mr. Secretary L—- told me tbat be was exceedingly
jony ; but to give me bopes, would be but deceiying me«*-'' In«
deed," said be, '' I am v^ sony ! ■' and sueb was tbe appaxent
sincerity of tone^andnumner witb Wbieb bis sorrowful expressions
were aeoompanied,tbat I actually began to fed as mucb uneasiaess
for bim, as for mysdf ; and, on my retum bome, could not but
feel most seiioudy, bow poignant bis sorrow must bave been 1 I
Jbad scaroely time to reflect on tbe probable coosequences of my
ill-sucoess, wben a letter fiom my fatber came to band, anaoun*
i^ng tbat my unde Barron bad beard of my uGvere losse8,.aad bad
written to some opulent mercbants in India to promote my m^
terest.
218
terest. This uitelligeBoe I at fi»t thöuglit too good to be led-
lused ; büt tW teiidencf of tlie hBÖiiätt tmad ta bdüeve .what it
'VTH^es Ib M tÄi6> fiüpeiseded all reasoning oa tbe sabject; and
thä fiews^ imptbbaUe as it ^i^aä^ aetang upo» a sanguijoe tdinpera-
nient^ fl^vad to liaae my bo^ to iäB-lagbiöd pkcb of exdtement.
' A day 6t two ha& elapsed sinoe %hi» pfidkjd^ wfaen> td my infiaite
joy; « note ws» In^ght me^ fhnn tfae Gfjmlent firm of Messrs.
Faiilic»> F^gusson iuid Co. pcditely mtimatiog a "wish to see me
immediätely^ i(- possible. I dew to th&t oStce afi atudety aind
expectaticHi, and introduced myself to Mr. FergusM^^ wlio
receiv^ me with a eordiality whioh woold hare sei-at rest
the lears of the most' timid.— **' Witbottt donbt/'tbou^t I^ ^mj
unde has releftfced ; and I am now to eilj(^ tbö ftüit of his benes-
volence." — '^ Well,. Naüfxagus/' said Mr. Felrgüfisoa, " I am in-
formed that fortune has been u&ldnd to ycki o^ lale/'— '^ V&f
true ! indeed/ ait, yery true T (every mom^üt äisEkya^ el{)ectisg
tlie announcement of my unde's name).*-^' Tkat% pity 1 1 Iiav^"
(*' Yes?") ^' a little iM outstanding againsi yoH, as ownerof
-your Inig^— it's önly sixty rup^s, and you eaa let us iiave it
aa SQOD as convenient, if yo<a please.*^-— .^^ Ah !" thought I; iridi fl
iSiOGp sigh^ " I will nevet more venture to h(^ for fotunfi's
faw^ecmb-i^-Oood dayt Mr. Ferguräon^ I certdnly will sesttleitss
8oon as I tm able/' and retumed hoioe iflore glieved aüd disap-
pdinted al heart^ than I think I had ever befbre been.
My finances again failing nie, I nöw becanie disgiisied witlr
India^ and resolved to leaye it for ever ! — ^that oouiitry whidij
having held out to me the expectatiön oi {^x>spetity, had aUured my
youthM fancy with fond hopes, but to deceive tbran. VfitU the
^ew of effecting this object, I commenced an nndertalong whicb
cost me nothi»g> but labour. I was now to tread a new, and^«s
I fea^ed» a dan^^rous path, that of an author; — and in three
wseks o£^red tö the puldic my first publieation, a small work on
the political events of the times. It had, however, so farouxalde
a reoeption, as to defray the expense of our passage to the Ue <^
Franoe, on our way to England, whither it was my inteation to
proceed> in the hope of being able, with ^he aid ef the good Mr*
Neunboiough's influence, to get mycase sucoessfiilly represent*
ed in the proper quartor.
Airivrf
219
Amved at the Isle ci Fraiice> the blissful sceiies sf my youdi«
ful days once moie greeted my view^ and rmired xhy dfoo|Hng^
disappointed sjnrit: we sat under tke same btiwer wliich had
shelteied us many years befolg. The asfldduoas atteiktions and
cHeeilnl coiiversatibn of Virginia's friends^ e^ecialfy ef MesÄeurs.
Barais and Dubok^ deligbted us as they were wont td do :— 4<»ig
after the sun had set, and wUle tÜe mwahkag bri^t and das«
ding in the blue expanse^ would we sit^ as befdfe^ on some ro-
mantiq point of land^ and watdi the silvery waves. Parties of
pleasure into the- interior were again formed ; and in short^ the
joys of early youth were renewed — ^but eame not, as fonaedy, un-«
idloyed with pain ; — eorroding care and anxidty somewhat marrcd
our joys. Without frtends or influeoce suffieient to ptocure me
emplqyment^ I fcfund it useless to entartaia the hope of it in In-
dia : I saw the flower of my youth dying unprofitably away ; — I
knew the hour was to come (and it did dorne) which was again to
separate me from Virginia. L^ving her with her mother and
sisters, I set saü for my native land^ after an absence of ten years^
unhappyand alone^ and with but tWenty-eigbt doHans inttty
pocket, instead of the handsome eompetency wMch my yoiithlul
imagmation had aspred to retum widi. * . .
On dur voyage hdme, we anchored at St. H&l^a for water«
Napoleon was alive and well ; the Situation of bis höuse at Long-
wood^ as we viewed it &om the summit of a craggy ]t)Gk^ over-
hanging a yawning precipice^ was romantic^ büt gloomy; the
waves of the ocean were seen from the immense height we had
attained, roUing their frothy eurls^ in long and unifomi fows ; the
wind^ in intermitting gusts^ whistled round Ms, while at interrals
its sighs seemed to respond to the feelings of the extrabrdinary
exUe whose dwelling was bdfore us. Of bis person we in vatn
ehdeavoured to obtain a gümpse.
At the end of two months from my departure from St. Helena,
I landed in England. The different impressions which^ after an
absence of a few short years^ the same objects make on the nund,
are worthy of remark. England now appeared to me a country
difierent from that which^ from uncertain recoUection, I had
formed of it. Hie very faces of her sons and äaught^as seemed
to have changed^ and her shores to have assamed another aspect ;
her
220
hör coins too, presented a new at^pearauce ; and I was compelled
to ask which'was'the half-crowiij— ^the ßhilling^ or the sixpence.
{t was not« bowever« either the countiy or the people that had
altered«— -the change was in mjself. From my lengthened so-
joum abroad, I had imWbed femgn notkms, and wa. now view-
ing my native country with the curious eye and eager gaze of a
foreigner ; nor did I« as I walked the streets« escape Observation ;
my dress of India woollens« and my gait« were those of a foreigner«
and my skin was tanned completely brown. Long was it before
surrounding objects became familiär to me« and before I reoan-
dled myself to the change.
On my arriving in London« I repaired to the residence of a bro«
ther of my father's« of whom I leamt that my parents were still
in Wales« and that« of the younger branches« some were gcown
up and married« others dead« and that all who were living were
80 scattered invarious directions« as to place me in the Situation of
a Stranger in my own land. One intimation« however« and I be.
lieve one only« afiKirded me delight«-— and that was« that the good
Mr. Neunborough was then in town« and to be seen at the Old
Hummums« Covent Garden. I immediately repaired thither« bat
not meeting with bim« left for bim a memori£|l« which I bad
drawn up on my passage home« embracing the peculiarities attend«
ing the past events of my life« together with an urgent request
that he would exert bis influence to get my case effidently repre-
sented in the proper quarter ; and adding« that I would call in a
week. At the end of that time I was shewn into bis room. An
interview with the friend and fostering patron of our youthful
years« after a long absence« is attended with a moral feellng
which is« beyond all power of de$cription« afTecting : it calls to
mind a thousand tender' recollections ; but though« in my expe-
rience« this pleasure was not wanting, the contrast which my
mind could not but Institute between the delightful hours I had
spent with bim in my youth« and the heavy hours of my present
difficulties« together with the foreboding prospects of the future« was
painful in the extreme. But what« alas ! pained me still more^
was the change which was visible in the person of the man bim-
seif: he who had been manly« bandsome« robust« and gay« — ^he
whom I had left in bis prime*— was now« thin and wan ; — that eye«
which
231
^Uch could before express every emotion of the heart^ had lost
tbe lustre for wlikh it had been remarkable ; and that countenance
which bad beamed benevolence^ a great portion of its expression :
yet was bis mind as vigorous^ vivid^ and comprebensive as ever^—
*' Come bitber^ Naufragus ; sit down by my side."— *' Ab, Sir, I
hskve enconnt^ed many troubles since I left your bappy roof !"-^
'^ So I find, Naii&agus ; my eyesigbt is too bad to admit of my
reading your memorial, yet am I acquainted witb its contents. I
will bring your case before tbe notice of tbe proper autborities
immediately, and I anticipate success, I can assure you. I will
also introduce you to Sir William C— e. It is a pity your un-.
cle discarded you at so early an age, for so cbildisb an offenoe
too :— -but all may yet be for tbe best."
Tbe nervous energy of bis delivery, bis well-known voice and
manner, went directly to my beart, wbicb, witb its feeHngs, asso-
dated tbe recollection of tbe scenes of youtb. I tbougbt of all tbe
drcumstantials of bis mansion— my bappy bom^-tbe dining-
room— -tbe fämily pictures — ^tbe study— -«nd tbe tea-room, the
walls of wbicb were deoorated witb two of bis favourite pictures,
illustrative of Sbakespeare— tbe snbject of one, tbe smotbering of
the y«mng princes in the tower-^f the other, the ravings of King
Lear. Wben all tbese recurred to my mind, wbicb tbe same
instant caugbt tbe recollection of tbe features of bis late wife,
wbora I could fancy I tben saw before me, I qould witb difßculty
restrain my feelings. — " Ab, Sir !" I exdaimed, " your late e»
cellent lady, now in tbe mansions of rest, was indeed an angel, if
ever tbere was one on eartb, deservedly beloved by all wbo knew
ber : bow kind sbe was to Ine !'*~" Yes, Naufragus ; but you
saw comparatively little of ber. Had you been witb us oftener,
you would bave bad reason to love ber still more : but, let me
teU you, you would be equally impressed in favour of my pre-
«ent wife, if you knew ber, or you would be difierent from all
otber persons. As for me, God bas been pleased to make me
bappy in tbis world; but my eartbly career is nearly terminated;
and, wbenever be sball please to summon me away, be wiU, I
trust, find me ready." •
Tbus would tbis exceüent man apostropbize, and, at tbe same
tdme, console me by bis friendly manner.— -'' I am anxious," be
Said, '^ tQ get you reinstated in your employment, especially be-
cause
oaiue ycni. must fedi ydUr * Separation from your young wife »
doub]e calamky. I will äo what I can^ Naufragus. Next Wed-
nosd^ the q^estion will be brought forward^ dtid you may call
upoa nie on Tliursday moniing/'
I did 00^ but I.was doom^d to endure anotixer diflappointment.
-«-<-'' It was^" Said tbe good man^ " a matter of itiapossibility : my
ipt^i^eat is now> lflnd> qn tbe wane, Naufragu^;. I have tried^
but cannot ßuoce^d £öt yöu. Let me^ bowever, coojure you to
perseyere ; -^ be «teady^ -— honest^ -Mindu8tdLou«j*-*aiid ccmscien-
tiousl and Pwyiäer^ Mdll. one daj, mwn ym: virtue with
il0 rowaid." GiVing me a bandful of bank-notes>.whieh I in yain
attempted to e^tcuse myself from accepting^ be bade me facewell
for tbe last time ; — ^in two years afterwards be wa9 an inbabitant
of fuiotber wozld«
I bad now to endure tbe greatest trials öf my ezisten^j tbe
recital of wbicb if ould fill anotber volume. Hie reader may
fbnti 0pme conoeption of tbem> by recalling to bis reeoHectioU
tbe less f(»:tunate days of Peregrine Pickle^ of Tqpi Jones,
or Qf tbe wortby Vicar of WaJc^eld's eldest son^ George. Af-
ter allewing me to undergo an <»rdeal of two years' fuztber ex-
P^rienoe of tbe " world," it pleased tbe same Providenoe wbio
bad supported me in tbe wilds of Pulo-Penang, in storms ajb ßea,
iü tbe ^ens of Hindoostan> among tbe pestilential aiiA of Butavia,
and aiäid the tenyptations attending an association witb tbe
^^ w(»id'' in Society^ to fix me^ at last> unaided in any way by s
Single relfttion^ — in port^ wbere I fully tnist tbe remaining days
of ,my teartbly career will be pa^sed in peace^ and in gratitude to
Him wbo has provided a place of ^^ xest, for tbe sole of my feoty*"
and to jfcbose friends who bave been tbe instrumenta in His banda
o£ fulfilling bis pleasure. Satii^fied witb tbe experienoe I have
^nedj l feel no wiab to see more-«-of tbe ^^ wobld !"
THB
883
THE C0NCLU9I0N.
It was not until a period of five years liad elapsed since mj ar-
rival in England^ that my circumiTtancefl wottld admit of my en-
tering into engagementfl tar the pafisagö of Vii^ma (o this fioun-
tiy ^ wbicli conld not indeed be effected ander much less a som
than one hundred pounds. At length^ however^ the desired ar-
rangement was made^ änd she amired at Gravesend on the fburth
of Januaxy^ 18^5. Her impressibn^ on first seeing London^ feil
far Short of Ihe expactetions she had been led to entertain jof it.
London^ she concluded^ was Uke Calcutta-- *a eity of pakees;
how great then was her surprise to see the dull tinemhelMshed
appearance of the houses^ whieh^ with the huiried step and gloomy
loobs of the passengers^ made her think it the most dismal place
she had erat 3ret seen^ düpecially as ^e was then a stranger to
English comforts ! She aUo expressed her astonishment at the
appaxent want of gallantiy in the men^ from the elbows of seve-*
ral pf whom she had receired^ when waOdng the streets^ evi-
dent testimonies of their being in a hurry. Qbjects of charity
too were what she was entirely un^pared to see ; the idea of
^ white h^ggars" never having once entered her imagination :
to all who implored här assistance woüld she afford t^lief^ un«
til^ having frequently found my door besbt by beggars;, I was
compelled to put some restraint npon the fulfilment of her
amiable intentions. The London cries likewise appeared Singu-
lar to her: as her power of mimiciy Was always exceedingly
good^ she nsed to'imilate them^ in order that I might explam
the meaning of thcnoi to her; — ^t I was sometimes po^zled.
One of the filrst was^ as she styled it»*'' Weep ! meep /" and
one whieh I could hardly explain^ as she knew neither the use of
a chimney^ nor the meaning of tlie woid. The watehman's
gmnt— the fish-vender's call^ and many other " concords of sweet
tounds/' whi<^ I understood not myself^ required explanation.
The first appearance of saow and ice— the dresses of countr3rmen
in smock-ftecks^ whom she designated by '' tbe big men in petti«
eoats/* also surprised her : but> what more than any thing else^
the walk of the English ladies*^ who^ she remarked^ took
such
• The promenade paee of the oriental ladies, 1b that of a light and langnid
louDge; the nature of the dimate not admittiiig of a quick movemeDC.
2S4
such miglity long strides^ and were so rapid withal, that
they appeared like dragoons going to a fair. Custom having
now leoondled her to all these things^ she seldom venu
an expreasion of suiprise, unless perhaps on witnesding a
chaise dmwn by dogs^ or the cats watching at the neighbour«
in^ doorsj predsely at the hour when the meat-man goes his
round.
My parents^ who are at present in Wales^ have the prospect of
attaining a good old age ; and I of en}03ring their society^ which
pleasüre was denied me in my youth^ when indeed I most needed
it, but could not so well have appreciated its value. My unde
Barron I have not seen since his abandonment of me ; but I hear
that he still lives to en^oy his almost boundless weahh^ althou^
at an advanced age. As for my excellent fiiends^ Lieutenants J.
and R. Burjen^ in whose society I had at Madras enjoyed niany a
happy and convivial hour^ I in vain endeavoured^ on my am?al in
England^ to discover the place of their residence^ and hadj of neoes-
sity^ abandoned it as hopeless. One evening, ho wever^ as I was seat-
ed in the pit of Old Druiy^ marking with intense interest thb rapid
transitions in the countenance of our inimitable Rosdus, Kean^ in
his personific^tion of the mercenary Sir Giles> a noise in the gal-
lery had caused me to tum my eyes from the stage; when, on
again tuming round^ whose should they encounter but those of
Lieutenants J. and R. Burjen, who having also been attracted hj
the noise, were still looking towards the galläy. A more bap-
py, or unlooked-for reoognition, never perhaps ensued among
friends ; and the circumstance of their having a young lady un-
der their protection, alone prevented our going home together,
late as it was, to ^' see the moming in." Since this fortunate but
Singular event, we occasionally enjoy each other's society at an
English fireside, where we talk over our past adventures in tbe
£ast. As for Bowers, he is still in India, seeking " the bubUe
reputation even in the cannon's mouth." Harcourt feil a victim to
the unhealthiness of the dimate of Bengal*, and lies buried in the
churchyard of Chandemagore. Keys still resides at that Settlements
and
• Tha dimate of Bengal csnnot be said to agree with the European oonsüttt-
tion. It 18 obaenred, that pertons of cold and spare temperament ei^of ^^
health better thaa the robiHt and powerfiil, who soon fiül a pitj either toflux»
djaentery, or fever»
225
and ia likely to remain there to the end of bis days. Endtfield and
Ba&et continue to live in the enjojment of tbat happiness wbich
tbeir virtues both entitle and qualify them to enjoy ; and Moodoo-
sooden Chetarjee^ and Thompson^ are still in Calcutta, doing re-
inarkably well. -
It may now be a natural question witb some of my readers,
wbat was tbe pangnount Impression wbicb my mind received, on
witnessing tbe various scenes and objects wbicb presented tbem-
selves in tbe counse of my trayek and adventures; — ^wbat is tbe
precise nature of tbe impressipn retained on my mind at tbe pre«
sent day ? or, in otber words^ wbat bas been tbe result of my ex-
peri6nce? In answer to tbe first question^ I reply witbout besi-
tation^ tbat a feeling of indescribable admiration was tbe cbief
sentiment of my mind^ on witnessing tbe awful sublimity^ as well
as tbe endless variety^ of Nature's works^ wbetber animate or in-
animate; and tbat tbe natural tendency of tbat admiration^ to
dispose tbe mind to devotional feeling towards Hirn wbo created^
and govems ali^ produced on me its due effect. Secondly^ tbat
tbis feeling is impressed on my mind witb a vividness and force
never to be obliterated ; and consequently^ if I pronounce tbat
to be tbe beneficial result of my eaqperience» it may not appear,
in tbe view of many of my readers^— one of stnall price : but^
independently of all tbis, I bave been led to trace, and gratefuUy
to acknowledgej tbe protection of an all-wise and beneficent Pro-
videüce. Tbat tbe same fostering band may continue to extend
to all its creatures tbe power of enjoyment in prosperity^ and its
timely aid in extremity, and tbat all may be tbankful for tbe boon,
is tbe fenrent bope and farewell of — Naupragus !
PINIS.
Q
J. Darling, Printer, LeadenhalUStrect, London.
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