829 Melancholy Accident-Sharks. literature of our age. Were our prefaces | but what they ought to be, they would be pilots to guide us safely and pleasantly into the channels of knowledge through which we have to sail. Dedications, though a different species, belong to the same genus as prefaces; and similar faults are often, and too justly, attributed to them. Instead of the artless dictations of truth and esteem, we find a long tissue of fulsome and parasitical adulation, which takes its rise from the inspirations of self-interest alone. Several of the rules for prefaces are applicable to dedications; and if many of these truly fanciful | offsprings of an author's brain were fashioned in conformity thereto, they would then produce the desired effect, and be equally honourable to the inscriber and to the person inscribed. Bristol. J. S. B. Junr. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT-SHARKS. EXTRACT from the log-book of an emigrant proceeding to the Swan River, dated Cape of Good Hope, December 10, 1829:"October 14th, in nine degrees, fell in with a shoal of sharks, which played round the vessel, to the annoyance of the sailors, who are rather superstitious, and consider such visitors as ominous of evil, and which proved too true. At mid-day all the gentlemen were busily employed (it being a dead calm) in baiting hooks to catch sharks, and one of them soon took the bait. Lamentable result! A general shout of victory was given, and the line was let run astern. The fish was full 18 feet in length, and in floundering to disentangle itself, caused so much sport, that several passengers, eager and headstrong, crowded into the captain's boat, which hung suspended by the quarter-davits over the stern of the ship. Suddenly they all got to the head of the boat to see the shark hauled under the stern of the vessel, struggling with the line. In a moment the quarter-davit on the starboard side of the vessel broke off, and let one end of the boat down, precipitating every soul in it into the sea among the sharks. Here was a scene of horror and confusion! The captain was in the midships when it happened. I was busily employed at my tents, under the tuition of the boatswain, but, like the rest, when the shark was caught, left my occupation to witness the sport, but Providence guided me to a point of safety. I got over the ship's side, and placed myself in the mizzen chains. The boatswain slung himself by a 830 rope, and lowered himself to the surface of the water, with the harpoon in his hand, ready to strike the fish, at the very instant the accident happened. Young Williams followed me, but not satisfied with the view, he hastily climbed up the side of the poop cabin, and was the last that jumped into this unlucky boat, and made up the number of twelve persons struggling in the water among these fish of prey. Our captain was almost beside himself when he jumped up on the poop. There was no time for thought-all hands commenced throwing out ropes, loose spars, oars, and every buoyant article, that we could lay hands on, for them to cling to. Fortunately it was a dead calm, or every soul must have perished; our vessel only drifted by the little current of the sea. I saved one lad by throwing over a knife-board, which the cabin-boy had been using; my man Hibberd threw over an Indian mat. Master Shaw, a young gentleman, about 13, got upon it, and was three miles astern of us before we could reach him with the boat; which was instantly manned and launched. I saved Mr. Earl's footman, who could swim, but was so exhausted from fear of the sharks, that he was sinking, when I dragged the line the shark was attached to, across his face, and he had the presence of mind to put the cord between his teeth, when I hauled him within reach of a rope with a loop, which he contrived to get one of his legs through, and thus clinging, three or four of us hauled him safe up. Mr. Peter Shadwell was also most actively employed; he has been in the East India Company's service, is a brother of the Vice-Chancellor of England; a pleasant companion of mine-in short, after half an hour's exertion, all were saved but two. I lament to say Williams was one of the unfortunates. I saw him sink, to rise no more. He had hold of an oar, but lost his balance-he slipped it, and actually flung his arms round the captured shark (which was now pulled up to the surface of the water) to save himself -but when he found out what he had hold of he was horror-struck, called me by name, and added, "Oh my God, my God, witness my end!" and down he sank, and disappeared for ever. Also a fine healthy country boy, whom my friend Lukin had taken out as an apprentice, with another brother, from the parish of Dover; the surviving brother suffered much more than I can describe. Thus two lives were lost, to answer the confirmation of the sailors' omen, that sharks always prognosticate signs of death, or evil to the ship-thus it proved. This, indeed, was a tragic day. 831 Letter from a Chinese Christian.-A Child lost. The fish, line, and all, drifted away, and we all returned thanks to God for allowing us to save the other ten. SUBSTANCE OF A LETTER, From the Native Chinese Christian, Leangafa, to the Committee of the Bible Society, transmitted by the Rev. Dr. Morrison.-China, Dec. 14, 1829. To all the venerable persons who manage the affairs of the Society for the distribution of the sacred Scriptures, a respectful letter is hereby addressed, wishing them a golden tranquillity. I happily have received the favour of a gift of the holy book, from your honourable nation's society. The gift is of the highest importance; and I regret that I cannot repair in person to thank you for your goodness. I can only keep my heart with diligence, deny myself, and exert my utmost strength to propagate the gospel, advising and instructing my fellow-countrymen here. Perhaps we may obtain the transforming influences of the Holy Spirit, to turn them to the Lord and Saviour, according to the intention of all your venerable sirs. The Most High God compassionated, from ancient times to the present, all nations; and sent the Saviour to this earth, to proclaim fully the wonderful mystery of redemption, and the divine will contained in the true gospel. At the time of Jesus's advent, the holy apostles scattered the gospel among many nations; but although, up to this time, many followed and believed the principles of the gospel, none have equalled your honourable nation in discriminating the correct principles of the universal church, and maintaining a strict adherence to the sacred truths of the Bible; not adding so much as a fibre of private interpretation, calculated to delude others. Besides, in your country, those who preserve a constant and ardent love to the Saviour, and would widely extend the gospel, are not few. Hence the many societies in your country to assist in disseminating the gospel among all nations, by which means it is at present made known to many people, to convert them, and turn them to God. Although success depends on the converting grace of the Holy Spirit, still it is the work of your honourable country's society to distribute the holy book. Previously to conversion I was deaf and blind; but having obtained the holy book to read, and having to be thankful for the instruction of the two venerable teachers, Milne and Morrison, I became acquainted with the great grace of God in compas | 832 sionately sending the Saviour, and with the worth of the soul; and so was led to repentance, reformation, and faith; and to trust in our Lord and Saviour, looking up for the salvation of my soul. If left without the holy book, how should I have known the grace of God and the immediate worth of the soul? Hence, the work of the society for distributing the holy book, and of the other societies to assist, is indeed a great benefit to the people of all nations in the world! I apprehend that it will not be possible, during the days we remain in this world, that we shall ever meet and see each other. We can only hope that, by a reliance on the merits of our Saviour, we shall meet in the world to come, in the heavenly mansions, and enjoy everlasting bliss, exulting, and together praising the love and grace of God, to infinite ages. Reverently I present this on the right hand of the venerable Committee of the Bible Society. INFORMATION RESPECTING A CHILD LOST ON AN ISLAND IN THE INDIAN SEAS, ANXIOUSLY REQUIRED. The following very singular advertisement appeared in the North Briton newspaper, April 24th, 1830. "IN the year 1816, while a party were upon one of the islands in the Straits of Sundy, a lady, and a female child about three years of age, had separated from the company, and were attacked by three Malays. At the instant, a young man, supposed to be a seaman, and having on a jacket with the East India Company's buttons, (it having been found on the island when the search was made,) came to their assistance he had a small gun. The lady recollects one Malay being shot, and she saw another carrying off the child, which has not since been heard of. The present advertisement is, if possible, to ascertain whether the child was carried off by the Malays, or by the young gentleman before alluded to. The latter seems probable, as two Malays were found dead; but no traces or information respecting the young gentleman could be obtained. What has since transpired is as under, and if any further information can be communicated to the editors of the Courant, Scotsman, and North Briton; or inserted in those papers, ample remuneration may be depended upon. "The young gentleman appeared to be about 17 years of age, with excessively fair hair hanging in ringlets down his back. A 833 Breaking upon the Wheel.-A Covering Party. boat was seen in the Straits, English built: in the pocket of his jacket was found part of a letter, beginning, "Dear nephew," and dated "Edinburgh, Jan. 1816," and the initials W. M. G. sewed inside the collar. Part of the child's dress, much stained with blood, was also found. By information received from the natives, it would appear that it must be the same person known to them by the strange cognomen of the "Pretty Devil;" he was about five feet seven inches high, light blue eyes, and slender made. "If this gentleman, or any other person can throw any light on this subject, an ample remuneration may be expected. Should Divine Providence have spared the life of the child, so that she may be restored to the bosom of her affectionate parents, they are willing to settle an annuity, if required, upon the restorer, or on any other individual who can give satisfactory information." BREAKING UPON THE WHEEL. ANGELO, in the second volume of his Reminiscences, furnishes the following description of the punishment of breaking upon the wheel, of which he was a specta tor: "In the place Dauphin, close to the Pont Neuf, at Paris, I saw two men broke upon the wheel. This shocking sight took place about nine in the evening. It was in the month of September, 1775, and, being dark, each of the soldiers placed round the echafaud (scaffold), about eight feet from the ground, had a flambeau in his hand. Having secured a place at one of the windows on the first floor, and facing the stage, I had a full view of the frightful ceremony. There were two. They were previously to stop before the Notre Dame, on their way from the chatelet (prison), where one of them, who had murdered his father, was to have his right hand cut off. After the son had ascended the stage (his wrist in a bag) in his shirt, and a label on the breast, written "parricide," the other followed. As the latter was the accomplice only, he suffered first; the other was purposely left to see the tortures inflicted. There were two planks laid crosswise, like a St. Andrew's cross, placed flat on the ground. The bourreau, well-dressed, with his couteau de chasse by his side, after placing him on his back, with his arms and legs extended, stood over him with an iron bar, rather longer than a poker, and gave him two blows on each arm, the same on the thighs and legs, finishing with the coup de 141.-VOL. XII. | 834 grace on his breast, when he soon after expired. His shrieks at each stroke were dreadful, diminishing from the first, as if modulating the tones of an octave. As the executioner gave the two last, the groans, though scarcely audible, made every one shudder. "Now came the other's turn, and he was not spared with the coup de grace. This last ceremony was the same as the former, except the finishing stroke. At the corner of the stage was placed a pole, about four feet, and on it was the fore-wheel of a coach; when he was removed from the cross, his back was placed on the centre, and his broken arms and legs were twisted round the spokes; a friar, sitting on a high stool, received his head on his lap, at the same time holding the crucifix before him. During this latter ceremony he must have been senseless, from the excruciating tortures he had suffered. After some time had elapsed, on his recovering, he called out for something to drink, and still, during the space of an hour, was heard a boire, a boire! At last some water was given him. At eleven, I left the place, but his groans, and the horrid spectacle I had beheld, haunted me the remainder of the night. I was told the next morning, when I returned to the place of execution, that, as his feverish agonies had increased, his impatience was such, that on being refused water, he began to vent curses on his father and mother, when (it is supposed) the priest put an end to his wicked imprecations, by throttling him with his finger and thumb. A few embers only were remaining in the place, where he had been previously burnt, according to the sentence passed upon him. He was a fine tall handsome young man, about 25, and was considered the first rough-rider in Paris. He had quarrelled with his father about his mistress, who had led him into dissipation; and his parents refusing him money, he prevailed on his friend to assist him in the assassination." A COVERING PARTY. Two evenings after, I was ordered on a covering party, that is, a body of men who are to protect those about to cast up entrenchments, raise batteries, carry gabions, fascines, or any other work connected with the service. At dusk we moved from our camp, in the utmost silence, and arriving in the vicinity of St. Christoval, we lay down flat beneath a rising ground, a little in rear of the place where entrenchments were about to be cast up. Then, with a slow and silent pace, came an engineer heading the 3 G 835 South American Ferry-boats. working party, with picks, spades, and shovels; these were followed by others, carrying gabions, which they laid down in rows a little in advance of where we were crouched. The engineer now pointed out the intended works, afterwards called the grand battery, and the massive picks struck the ground; but never shall I forget the terrific noises that followed the breaking of that ground. For a time our ears and senses were alike astounded by the conflicting peals of the artillery and musketry, which, bursting at once on the stillness of the night, gave such an appalling shock to us who were inactive spectators, as the oldest veterans had never experienced in their numerous conflicts. Occasionally the atmosphere was partially illuminated by the comet-like fusees of the bombs in their passage towards us; in a few instances they burst in the air within view, thus affording us a momentary respite from the dread of their effects. In the mean time gabions continued to be brought up from the rear, and placed close to each other, six deep. Their carriage was truly a perilous service; the men were without shelter of any kind, and, as they advanced with their unwieldy burdens, many were killed or wounded under the eyes of their comrades. Every minute we heard from the works going for ward the cries of "I'm wounded!" while the men who remained still unhurt, toiled on with a furious assiduity, in order to get under cover. The shot continued to fly over us with a fearful noise, and, owing either to the distance they had come, different degrees of velocity, or causes to us unknown, they seemed to emit a variety of sounds, some of which at another time might have been called musical. In this state of awful inactivity we lay listening till near daylight, and though the firing of the artillery of the garrison continued without intermission, yet some of us dropped into a kind of sleep, from which many were destined never again to wake in this world. At day-break a large shell alighted on the brow of the hillock above where we lay, and giving a few rapid rolls towards us, burst between the legs of a serjeant, tearing off his thigh, and killing or wounding seven others. On the noise of this explosion I started up, and the first object that met my half-opened eyes was a German soldier, whose knapsack was on fire, shouting lustily to get it off his back. It appeared that the fusee of the shell having caught his cartridge-box, it blew up, setting his knapsack in a blaze, and in his terror and confusion, he was unable of himself to get rid of his fiery burden. During this | 836 day the enemy slackened their fire, and as the workers were by this time nearly sheltered, little loss was for a time sustained. The chief annoyance was their shells. Wherever a group of us sought shelter, shells were almost certain of falling immediately after, and although their near approach was announced by the smoke of their fusee, and a kind of whistling noise, we were kept in a state of perpetual agitation to elude them. In several instances I observed the shells, after their fall, roll about, sometimes like enormous foot-balls, and, passing over the bodies of several who had fallen flat, explode without doing the least injury. At twilight the party we had been anxiously expecting from the camp for our relief appeared; on which the enemy opened a most tremendous fire of grape and musketry, and, though they came into the trenches at double-quick, several were killed and wounded. We retired in a like hasty manner, and also suffered some loss.-Narrative of a Private Soldier: Siege of Badajos. SOUTH AMERICAN FERRY-BOATS. THE boats were constructed in a much shorter time than I require to describe them, although their description may be given in a few words, thus:-Take a dried bullock's hide, pinch up each of the four corners, put a stitch with a thorn to keep those corners together, and your boat is made. For use, place it upon the water, bottom downwards; then, to prevent its natural tendency to turn bottom upwards, put one foot immediately in the centre, and let the other follow with the most delicate caution; thus, standing breathless in the middle, you are now to shrink downwards, contracting your body precisely in the same manner in which, probably in your childhood, you have pressed a friar into a snuff-box. This position, however inconvenient, serves to conceal a considerable share of timidity from your companions, though not from the spectators, who line the banks of the river, indulging in loud wild laughter. When crouched down in the bottom, sundry articles are handed in, and ingeniously deposited round you, until the balsa sinks to about an inch, or perhaps an inch and a half, from the water's-edge; it is then sufficiently laden. A naked peone now plunges into the stream. Mercy on us!' is the natural exclamation; for the first impression from the shock is, that yourself and all your property are going to the bottom; but you are instantly relieved from this very pro 837 Marriage of an Englishman in New Zealand. bable conjecture, by the peone's taking hold of one of the corners of the balsa, (which projects like that of a cocked hat,) and asking you-'Està V. bien?' 'Are you comfortable?' To this question you reply by a nod of the head, for the use of the tongue is lost; but even if words were at command, you may not wish to commit yourself by expressions diametrically opposed to feelings and symptoms; or, you may wish it to be imagined, as is sometimes practised in perilous situations, that your profound silence indicates indifference of danger, or may pass for coolness and presence of mind. Silence also conveys an idea of gravity, and of resignation to your fate, which, indeed, is no more than becoming, when you feel persuaded that nothing short of a miracle can prolong your existence beyond a quarter of an hour. The nod being given, a peone on the shore imparts a gentle impulse to your tottering bark, while the peone in the water, keeping hold of the corner with one hand, strikes out with the other, and swims away with you to the opposite bank. The moment you touch it, so great is your joyful surprise at arriving perfectly safe, that all the perils of your voyage are forgotten, and you soon find out (as is often the case in life) that your imagination had represented dangers and difficulties, where, with a little caution, there existed neither the one nor the other. -Temple's Travels in Peru. MARRIAGE OF AN ENGLISHMAN IN Ir happened one day, while we were all me. was Aimy now advised me to take two or three wives, it being the custom for the 838 chiefs to have as many as they think proper; and I consented to have two. About sixty women were then brought up before me, none of whom, however, pleased me, and I refused to have any of them; on which Aimy told me that I was tabooed for three days, at the expiration of which time he would take me with him to his brother's camp, where I should find plenty of women that would please me. Accordingly we went to his brother's at the time appointed, when several women were brought up before us; but, having cast my eyes upon Aimy's two daughters, who had followed us, and were sitting on the grass, I went up to the eldest, and said that I would choose her. On this she immediately screamed, and ran away; but two of the natives, having thrown off their mats, pursued her, and soon brought her back, when, by the direction of Aimy, I went and took hold of her hand. The two natives then let her go, and she walked quietly with me to her father, but hung down her head and continued laughing. Aimy now called his other daughter to him, who also came laughing; and he then advised me to take them both. I then turned to them, and asked them if they were willing to go with me, when they both answered, I pea, or I pair, which signifies, Yes, I believe so. On this, Aimy told them they were tabooed to me, and directed us all three to go home together, which we did, followed by several of the natives. We had not been many minutes at our own village, when Aimy, and his brother also, arrived; and in the evening a great feast was given to the people by Aimy. During the greater part of the night, the women kept dancing a dance which is called Kane-Kane, and is seldom performed, except when large parties are met together. While dancing it, they stood all in a row, several of them holding muskets over their heads; and their movements were accompanied by the singing of several of the men, for they have no kind of music in this country. My eldest wife's name was Eshou, and that of my youngest Epecka. They were both handsome, mild, and good-tempered. I was always obliged to eat with them in the open air, as they would not eat under the roof of my house, that being contrary to the customs of their country. When away for any length of time, I used to take Epecka along with me, and leave Eshou at home. The chiefs' wives in New Zealand are never jealous of each other, but live together in great harmony, the only dis now |