before the wind, and all we could possibly do was to keep her from sinking, by constantly working at the pumps. Judge then of our happiness, when, on the 3d of February, the boy at the mast-head discovered land; and we soon discerned over our larboard bow, the white mountains of a spacious island. At 6 P. M. we entered a delightful river, and cast anchor in sight of an extensive village.

Eager to explore this unknown land (for the captain had long been out of his reckoning, and the oldest seaman on beard knew not where we were) I was preparing to go on shore, with a small party, when we perceived a boat, rowing towards us from the land. In a few minutes it was along side; when four of the natives dauntlessly sprung up the sides of our vessel, and accosted us in a language perfectly unknown to us. Their tones were loud and harsh, and their harangue frequently interrupted by rolling in their mouths a huge piece of a certain weed they were chewing, and emitting a black saliva. Their gestures were awkward and grotesque-scratching their heads, and pulling up a garment of coarse cloth, which covered them from the middle downwards. The rest of their dress consisted of a jacket of a dark colour, and a black cap on their heads. Their hair was bound tight behind, and hung down their backs; and their hands and faces were so completely covered with dirt, that we did not distinguish whether their natural colour was a perfect black, or that copper tan mentioned by Captain Cook.

When they found we did not understand them, but conversed amongst ourselves in a strange language, they exchanged many significant nods and winks, and resuming their unintelligible jargon, we frequently heard the word Mounseer made use of. In a few moments they called to their friends in the boat, and by signs gave us to understand we were their prisoners, but should be well treated. In our dismantled condition, resistance was vain, and we submitted' (the captain, myself, and a few others) to be carried in their boat to shore.

The moment we landed, we were conducted, amidst a tribe of the same species, making the most uncouth noises, to a large hut, where sate one, who from his portly size, and haughty demeanour, we took for the king of the country, but who, we afterwards found, was only one of the chief officers. After speaking to our conductors, he gave us to understand, by signs, that we had been taken for part of a nation, with whom they were then at war; but that we were at liberty, and should have every assistance for the repair of our vessel. We were now treated with civility, and allowed to go over the town.

The huts or houses were built in straight lines, leaving a broad path between them; where the natives were walking slowly up and down, without any seeming occupation; some were dragged about in a low kind of vehicle, and others carried by two men, in a small box. Though the climate was by no means hot, the women were barely covered by a loose thin dress; their cheeks and necks were daubed over with white and red paint; and their ears perforated with small holes, so as to admit various baubles which they hung there. Yet though thus exposed to the weather, their limbs seemed delicately turned, their features were beautiful, and their eyes bespoke a gentleness of soul, which might have done honour to a civilized nation. The men were tall and handsome, but the vari-coloured pieces of leather and cloth, with which they were enveloped, by no means served to set off their figures.

Some had their heads covered with a kind of white dust, while others had a dress of scarlet, their heads decorated with feathers, and a long weapon in their girdle; these strutted with much confidence and self complacency, and I found they were the warriors of the country.

From the length of time the repairs of our vessel required, I was enabled to make many observations on the manners and customs of this extraordinary nation, and even to acquire some knowledge of their language; but this task was difficult, from the various names they seemed to have for the same object, and their various mode of pronunciation. Like most other savage tribes, I soon found this people were strongly addicted to gaming, and I have seen them continue whole nights in the pursuit of it. Their plays were various, but the favourite one seemed to be casting small white bones, dotted with black, from a box of leather, when as far as I could understand, he that threw up the largest number of dots, was victorious. Other diversions there were too, which strongly marked their uncultivated state. For the entertainment of their fellowcreatures, two of the species were pitted against each other; and frequently these poor savages fought, with naked fists, till one or other dropped lifeless without any previous enmity of their own. Birds, carefully trained for the purpose, were frequently, in the same manner, made to murder each other, whilst the natives crowded round with every demonstration of barbarous rapture. Independent of these cruel customs, they were sincere and hospitable; and mirth and good cheer presided at their banquets. But too often, when beated with the juice of a certain fruit (a beverage of which they

seemed passionately fond) they broke out into violent excesses, and the savage nature again betrayed itself.

Of their laws I could learn but little, yet I saw their king, a venerable old man, walk alone, unguarded, amongst his subjects, protected by the respect and affection of all.

I was admitted to their temple of worship, but was unable to 'discover the nature of their religion. Their chief devotion seemed to be addressed to an object suspended on high, of a bright appearance, marked with mystic figures, in black, to which, on its sounding a shrill signal, all eyes seemed at once directed.

Bigamy was here practised almost universally, and seemed to me to be tolerated by the laws. One wife I found was taken for the number of her possessions, the other to gratify the caprice, or prove the spirit of the husband: but he was obliged to keep separate houses for them, and all intercourse was cut off between the two ladies. Their manner of courting was rather extraordinary. Instead of addressing himself to the damsel, the future bridegroom endeavoured to gain the good-will of all her relations, even the most distant ones, and their interest usually prevailed upon her to accept the man, who had taken such prudent methods to gain her affections. Preliminaries settled, a short ceremony was performed, and the young couple set off together, and travelled as far as possible before night-fall; nor did they return, till the bashfulness of the bride was so far overcome, as to enable her to face her acquaintance, when they flocked round her, and she distributed amongst them a sort of cake, with which they went away perfectly satisfied.

On the 15th of September, our repairs being completed, we put to sea, with a fine breeze from the N. E. and left this extraordinary island, which, from the name of the month in which we had discovered it, we called Augusta, and, after a voyage of nine weeks, arrived safe in the harbour of L

And now, Mr. Editor, let me request one corner in your publication for this my tale, and if future navigators find any thing in it mistated, in the name of heaven let them contradict it.

I remain, Sir,

With respect, &c.

3 B-VOL. XII.

EPHEBUS.

METEOROLOGIC HISTORY

OF

MONDAY, 2d NOVEMBER, 1801.

MR. EDITOR,

THE Meteorologic History of Monday the 2d Nov. having been very extraordinary, I send it for different hours of that day.

Troston,

20 Nov. 1801.

I remain,
Yours sincerely,

CAPEL LOFFT.

METEOROLOGIC HISTORY, of Mond. 2d. Nov. 1801, taken at TROSTON, near BURY, SUFFOLK.

The circumstances so remarkable were these.

The Fall of the Barometer In.in 15 hours, indicating

a difference of in the whole density of the atmosphere, between the highest and lowest point of that Instrument.

2. The great want of absorbing power in the air, notwithstanding so strong a wind: 24 being nearly the extreme point of my hygrometer.

a The double and barr'd R marks an unusual quantity of Rain.

This mark denotes unusual fall of the Barometer.

3. The rise in 15 hours, to nearly the precise spot from which it had fallen in the Morning.

I know not whether this has been remarked elsewhere: but from long and constant observation, I have reason to suppose that it rarely occurs in this climate.

SOLAR SPOTS.

SINCE the 7th of Dec. the frequent fine days have given much opportunity of observing these: and their number, and arrangement, and extent, and almost continual variation of appearances, have been circumstances beautifully remarkable.

C. L.

ORFORDIANA.

MONSIEUR DE MAUREPAS, AND MARSHAL RICHELIEU.Paris, December 5th, 1765.-I have supped with Monsieur de Maurepas, and, another night, with Marshal Richelieu. The first is extremely agreeable and sensible, and I am glad not minister. The other is an old piece of tawdry, worn out, but endeavouring to brush itself up, and put me in mind of Lord Chesterfield; for they laugh before they know what he has said—and are in the right, for I think they would not laugh afterwards.

THE KING OF DENMARK.-Strawberry Hill, August 9, 1768. -The king of Denmark comes on Thursday; and I go to-morrow to see him. It has cost three thousand pounds to new furnish an apartment for him at St. James's, and now he will not go thither, supposing it would be a confinement. He is to lodge at his own minister's, Dieden's.

DUCHESS OF KINGSTON.-Augustus Hervey, thinking it the bel air, is going to sue for a divorce from the Chudleigh. He asked Lord B- t'other day, who was his proctor, as he would have asked for his taylor. The nymph has sent him word, that if he proves her his wife, he must pay her debts; and she owes sixteen thousand pounds. This obstacle thrown in the way, looks as if she was not sure of being Duchess of Kingston. The lawyers say it will be no valid plea, it not appearing she was Hervey's wife, and therefore the tradesmen could not reckon upon his paying them.