narrative of the loss of the Winterton East Indiaman, wrecked on the coast of Madagascar in 1792; and of the sufferings connected with that event

have never quitted their own shore cannot rightly appreciate. I had been for some weeks during the voyage much of an invalid, and when we reached the Cape was not perfectly recovered. But the change worked with magic charm; and, a day or two after landing, I was enabled to join some of the other passengers in an expedition to Cape Town, a distance of 15 or 20 miles, mounted on the cavalry of the country, without much fatigue. If a long voyage has, what some call its “ miseries,” it has also its advantages, and perhaps I may reckon among the number, though the praise may be a little negative, the transition of getting on shore, and again enjoying the privilege of roaming at large.

The requisite supply of water and provisions being obtained, we sailed from False Bay on the 1st August, at day-light in the morning. Captain Dundas at first intended to proceed to India, by what is called the outer passage *; but the wind, after the first two or three days, proving variable and contrary, it was decided, on the 10th aSJugust, to bear up for the Mozambique channel. After taking this course, the wind

compound, the human mind. I doubt not that many, similarly circumstanced, would have experienced much the same thing. quantity of salt provisions, &c. for our voyage to Mosambique, things were not ready for our final departure for about a week after we reached St. Augustine. But, with the means of relief in view, we enjoyed a sort of security to which we had been very long strangers. During the interval, we (with the exception of the ladies) remained on shore; but the preparations, which had been very actively going on, being completed, the day of final embarkation at length arrived. The vessel was no more than about 150 tons burthen, having been, as has been seen, the only one that it had been possible to procure, and we were, of course,

lear; but I believe the former. We did not, I think, reach St. Augustine’s Bay till late next forenoon.

I find it noted in Mr. Dale’s M.S.: “ One of our sailors, it "would appear, discovered charms here, (Madagascar,) I "could not, in voluntarily choosing to remain behind.” This recals to mind a fact that was mentioned to me a number of years after, by a gentleman who was on board; that an Indiaman, (I believe it was,) happening from some unlookedfor circumstance to touch at St. Augustine’s Bay in 1799 or 1800, found there a man who had belonged to the Winterton, who was described, when he came on board, to have been seemingly in a sort of amazed bewildered state. Ascribing the intelligence, at the time, to some mistake, I did not make more particular inquiry, and have not at present the means of doing so, but, when an opportunity offers, I shall certainly be inclined to trace the subsequent history of this person. cure, it was altogether a somewhat comfortable repast. On Saturday, 1st September, after eating for breakfast what had been left of the goat on the preceding night, we proceeded on our journey at an early hour, with two natives who undertook to be our guides. But, in the forenoon, two strangers overtook us, going our way; and we parted with the guides as unnecessary; but we had soon cause to repent this, as we found that, in our weak state, it was impossible to keep pace with people fresh, and naturally possessing the activity of the antelope, so that we were again left to find our own way. We continued our route along the beach, to which we had a little before returned. About nine o’clock in the evening, we were fortunately joined by three of the natives, (sent, I believe, by the king to our assistance,) who offered their services, of which we readily accepted. We then struck off into a wood; and after walking a considerable way, stopt for the night. They kindled a fire for us, where we roasted some Indian corn, and what few potatoes * we had. It was, I think, during the

piece of coarse broad cloth, that had long served as a covering by night and by day; but all this was very valuable to the owner, and I made a sort of expiring effort to save it, by running at the thief, who was probably afraid of detection; for he might almost have knocked me down with his little finger. I think, however, all was thus rescued. What I have stated may give a general idea of the nature of our equipment while in Madagascar. We depended very much on the cotton cloth of the island for clothing, aided by what remained of the tattered fragments of our English dresses. My store was rather respectable, being the proprietor of two shirts, one of which I had purchased for ten dollars, though formerly my own. I had picked up a large coarse soldier’s hat, which was a very faithful companion, though it had a “ double debt to pay,” serving as a hat in the day-time, and a night-cap at night.

"me with a spare pair. Our road then lay ■” across an extensive plain stretching inland. "Some parts of it were very pleasant, and we "often saw at a distance, herds of wild buffaloes "very large. Little villages were scattered at "10 or 15 miles apart, but there were few in” habitants. Whenever we could, we endeavour” ed to reach one of these before night. The "people in general were very civil: The men "generally received us sitting in a row, and clap” ping their hands, which we always understood f* to be a token of friendship. The head man of "each village, used to conduct us to a hut, pre” viously cleaned out for our reception -r procur” ed us water and fowls, with whatever else was "to be got, and commonly sold us them himself. "We used to give for a fowl, from four to six "strings of beads, or an arm’s length of cloth, or "perhaps a ring or two of tin; the same for a "small measure of a kind of flour made from a "grain like millet, very wholesome stuff. Fre” quently after having sold us any thing, they {empty}.’ would bring back what they had got in ex” change, and demand an equivalent of somebeen surmounted, and they had lived to reach Fort Dauphin, I rather believe they would not have found, on arriving there, a single European inhabitant. Fort Dauphin had, as has been seen, possessed a widely known name in the Southern part of Madagascar; but was then nominis umbra, though the change, in its full extent, was, I suppose, not quite understood at Tullear. Be that as it may, the Wittenagemot, (so to apply the appellation,) pronounced the enterprize as too hazardous, and it was at once negatiyed.

In the way I have attempted generally to describe, did near seven long months roll over our heads. Any occasional glimpses of hope that had for a moment shone, had, meteor-like, quickly disappeared, and made the darkness rather more gloomy. When the boat sailed, a month or six weeks was about the time computed for her return; and now, that this period had so long gone by, the expectation of our again seeing those -who had embarked, was at an end. No situation could well be more cheerless than ours was; still, I do not think there was any despondence, and we continued to cling to the distant view of the casual arrival of some friendly vessel; at the sajne time, exhausted as we {empty}*. about four points. As I am on this subject, "I cannot help mentioning the very great supe” riority of Macculloch’s patent compasses to the "common ones. Ours was one of his, and though "the violent motion of the boat, as may be sup” posed, caused it to vibrate extremely, yet in an "instant it returned to its place; sometimes "the card was thrown entirely off the balance. "How true it is, that on small causes often de” pend material results. This, I may say, for {empty}’.’ had we not got the piece of glass mentioned, "the compass would have been useless, and our *’ voyage knocked on the head : The conse” quences, I need not add; after all, they were "bad enough. I had from the moment after I "was saved from the wreck, fixed my mind "thoroughly on the yawl; that is to say, I "was determined to undertake something by "that means, that might contribute to the ge” neral good. I was not altogether so fixed in "my own mind, as to the place I should proceed "to, till Mr. De Souza * joined us; and from "the report he gave of what we were likely to "meet with at Mozambique, I determined, if I "could, to go there. During the time that the

Productions Animal and Vegetable.—’Our personal observation on these points having been of the most limited kind, I shall add little regarding them, to the incidental remarks which have already occurred. The animal of all others deserving of notice is the bullock, which is of a very superior description. It is distinguished by a large hump on the upper part of the shoulder, which I believe, when salted, is reckoned a great delicacy. As I have already noticed, cattle form one of the chief objects of property in this island; and there are large herds of wild cattle which roam the forests, and are occasionally hunted. There are no horses here,

would thereby guard against bilious attacks, which it was almost the infallible way of exciting. I believe none survived of those who practised this. as far as the darkness allowed, and still more the sounds that assailed the ear. The piercing shrieks of the drowning men, mingling with the loud roaring of the surf, of which the violence, joined with the darkness of the night, precluded any very effectual means of aid, were enough to rend any heart. It was wonderful that any of the people left in the boats were saved, as the only help that could be given was by throwing out ropes, the chances against their reaching which appeared to be innumerable; yet, out of ten, three were thus miraculously preserved, and brought on board*. This last event produced a fearful aggravation of our difficulties and dangers. The boats were our main prop, and that now was gone; while the increasing

The history of one of the persons saved is somewhat particular. Though going to India in the capacity of a sailor, he was a person of considerable education. He lived to be taken off the Island of Madagascar, and to reach Madras, where, by some means, he became known to a gentleman high in the revenue line, who employed him as an assistant surveyor, in which department he continued nine or ten years; and having then realized enough for his wants, and his health, I believe, having suffered much from the climate of Madagascar, of being overse’t. It became the duty of the few gentlemen who were on the raft, to exert every means of persuasion to avert the disorder likely to ensue; and many of the people were prevailed on to hold back. The proper course would have been to have decided who were to go first, by lot, as the canoes could only accommodate a small number. From the general good conduct of the people, I doubt not that they would have acquiesced in this; but we had been taken somewhat by surprise, and the expedient did not at the time occur. After our protracted sufferings, with the hope continually diminishing of the raft reaching the shore, it was no wonder that many were impelled by the feeling of personal safety to use all their efforts to escape from the forlorn situation in which we were placed. At the same time, those who did not join in the press, had not perhaps the merit of all the self-denial that might at firstsight appear, as the fullest confidence was then entertained, a communication having been opened with the shore, that canoes would continue to come off till all were landed,—an expectation which the circumstances mentioned probably somewhat prevented being at that time realized. Whatever the cause may have been, ment, that, though we had then before us every prospect of being starved to death, no violence was used; and, so far as my recollection goes, the allowance was distributed with as much regularity as the stated rations on ship-board could have been *. Excepting the nauseous liquid

In looking for a moment to the probable causes of this very perceptible difference of national character, I think there cannot be much hesitation in ascribing it greatly to the superior advantages of education enjoyed by the lower classes of this kingdom compared with any other country. The great defect in this respect, is said to be now happily in a state of

ERRATA.

Page 4. line 1. Note, dele I believe - 16. line 4. Note, for in read on

  1. line 3. Note, for B d, read B——w,

—— 147. line 12, for acknowledge read feel —— 247. bottom line, dele twelve

the unlooked-for arrival of our friend Mr. Dale, who was thus made the destined instrument in the hand of Providence of effecting our most wonderful deliverance, at a period when the hope of such deliverance must in every reasonable view, have appeared nearly terminated.

sioned some delay in the diffusion of the tidings. Those who happened to be moving about at the time, must have known the event sooner.

ceived by those who were on it, they promptly cut the lashings by which it had been kept fastened, after the operations of the preceding forenoon, and the launch took place, bearing about

80 or 100 people. Placed as the wreck then was, it is a wonderful thing that the numbers it carried did not occasion its being overturned, when all must have been crushed orover whelmed. When they had thus gone, the starboard side of the wreck, with probably about the same number of people, remained without any support, and they on the poop must have been exposed to the utmost hazard of this enormous mass falling on them. But from all those imminent dangers they were providentially rescued, and with the assistance of boards that were got hold of, and which were used as paddles, they made their way through the surf and drifted in the direction of the shore. From the darkness of night, and the noise of the sea, we, on the part of the starboard side of the ship where I was, knew nothing of what was passing, and I can form no correct idea of the interval that elapsed between the departure of the poop, of which we were not aware, and our final separation; but it could hardly have been more than two or three minutes. The concussion still viPART THIRD.

Proceedings of Mr. Dale, and of those who cross ed tlie Mosambique Channel in the yawl; his

return to Madagascar; our departure from

that Lsland, and arrival at Mosambique. To

this is subjoined some short remarks on Mis sionary Establishments.

It is now time to enter on Mr. Dale’s interesting narrative of the difficulties and perils he went through in effecting our relief, commencing from the day the boat sailed from Tullear in September 1792.

MR. DALE’S NARRATIVE.

"Our sensations the first night after being "launched into the open ocean, in so small a ‘* boat, may be somewhat imagined; yet I ne” ver saw men in better spirits. We appeared to "They had nothing to apprehend, having plen** ty of provisions, and not in the least danger. "About noon, on the 27th, we got in sight of "Sofala, and as there was no canoe to cross the "river, we set up a pole, with a handkerchief "on it, hoping they would perceive it, and send "for us. All that day we waited, and no no’«tice was taken of our signal. As we had ex” pected an immediate conveyance, we only "brought a little bread with us, which was soon "expended. A few of the natives were wait” ing here for the same purpose, and we got one "of their temporary huts to sleep in. The next "morning we lengthened our signal, and even "strips ourselves and walked about on the sand, "thinking they might perceive the difference "of our colour, and by that know who we were; "but it had no effect. A small fishing canoe "appeared during the day, from whom we got "a small skate, but the owner would not come ** near enough for us to get in. We had now "been two days without water, and our thirst "was increased by the fish, so that we suffered "much; and it was the more tantalizing, being "so near plenty. The natives who were with "us, had some water, but would not spare us "any, so we determined the next morning to "ve of Captain (then Mr.) Dale. He states, "We proceeded east by compass, from noon on "the 19th till midnight, when I relieved the se” cond officer. The Captain was then on deck, "and altered the course to E.N.E.* Till two in {empty}”. the morning we steered this course, when Cap” tain Dun-las came again on deck, and ordered "me to keep the ship N.E. by E. There was at "that time a moderate breeze, the ship going six "knots; the water remarkably smooth, and a , clear star-light night. Every possible attention "was paid to the look-out. People were station”ed on the bowsprit, fore-yard, &c.; Captain "Dundas and myself, with night-glasses, care” fully looking in the direction of the land; but {empty}”. so perfectly was he satisfied with the correct•’ ness and accuracy of his time-pieces and ob” servations, that he never once mentioned

Mr. Dale observes: “ Captain Dundas had two time-pieces, "one of which had served him in his former voyage, and by *’ it he had constantly made the land to the greatest degree of "exactness. From these, and from the lunar observations *’ recently taken, the -whole of which were in coincidence "with the time-pieces, he at midnight concluded with con” fidence that he was 80 miles from the nearest part of the "coast.” It is probable that strong currents were the chief cause of the great disappointment which occurred in the reckoning. mentioned. None of us knew the least of the distance, or of the country to be traversed: It had been a European Settlement, and that was enough; mountains, forests, rivers, all obstacles were at once removed, and Fort Dauphin seemed already open to our view. Our associate, corporal Mackoy, struck up, the evening the thing was talked off, with more than usual glee on his fife, the favourite tune of “ O’er the hills and far "awa.” The plan was, to depute some whose strength might appear most equal to the undertaking, under the protection of a party of the king’s armed men; but the king would not give any positive opinion till he had referred the matter to his council. That being done, it was not long before the whole scheme was happily knocked on the head; I say happily, for though at the time the disappointment was heavy, from what we have since learned, the object never could have been accomplished. Any of our party who had attempted it, must probably have died of fatigue, and exposure to the weather; or, if they had escaped those dangers, would have had a good chance of being captured and enslaved by some of the many hostile tribes that occupy the intermediate country, li’, contrary to all probability, those various difficulties had

While the preparation of the boat was going on, the king came frequently to look on, and shaking his head, used to say that they would be drowned, observing, that they had better remain till a ship came, and that he would not let them want for anything. By the 12th September, all was ready; and the boat having been got down the river, sailed from Tullear Bay, having on board the 3d and 4th officers, (Mr. Dale and Mr. Wilton,) Mr. De Souza, and four seamen. With the boat was launched all our hope ofde” things of value, particularly gun-powder, and a quantity of "dollars. This our people intended to seize from them, and a "party went with the boatswain, and took every thing they "had, and returned the next day. The natives, as may be "supposed, did not much like this, and, collecting in great "numbers, came to Tullear with the intention of putting us "all to death; and_ but for the prudence and spirit of the ■*■ king, they would have succeeded in their design. He im” mediately commanded silence among them, and desired to "know their grievances, and having heard the circumstances, "ordered every thing to be restored; but, at the same time, "threatened the first that hurt one of us with instant death. "Mr. Spens was in a very awkward situation, for they had "singled him out particularly, and at one time he had a do” zen musquets and spears at his breast. After they had got "their things back, and the king had promised nothing ofthe "same kind should happen again, they dispersed, dancing, "and with a particular shout which is generally used when "they are preparing for battle. I happened to be bathing in "the river when this took place, and knew no thing of it till "it was all over.” 2 ing of lead, keeping occasionally a piece in our mouths for that purpose. We were also, either on this or the following day, reduced to the dire necessity of drinking salt water in its most loathsome shape*. To-day one of the people having swam towards a cask that was floating at a little distance, sunk, and rose no more. In the evening, the wind becoming more favourable than it had been, we exerted the little remaining strength we had, in the use of our sails, if so they could be called, and paddles; but the hope proved delusive, the wind in about an hour shifted, and we once more retrograded.

Saturday 25.—It had now become obvious, that there was a certain point of advancement to which the raft could go, and that it could go no farther, owing to the reef that lay in our way. A gleam of hope, however, yet shone on us this morning, on its being suggested by some one of our suffering party, that it might be possible, at low water, to walk on shore. The idea was caught at with the eagerness of the drowning

The preparations for our departure from Tullear, were quickly made; and on the very evening of the day when Mr. Dale arrived, a general movement took place. Little did we think, when the morning of that day dawned, that we were to experience such an auspicious change before its close *. The ladies were conveyed in

I have been led to mention different particulars above, as presenting something of a curious feature in that singular "gratifying to us, having worn our shirts six or "seven weeks, and become almost eat up with "vermin. By the means of Mr. de Souza, we "made the governor fully acquainted witli the "unhappy disaster that had befallen us, and, at "the same time, requested his advice and as” sistance in what manner it would be proper "for us to act. Our reception was seemingly "perfectly humane and kind. He desired us not "to think of any thing but recruiting ourselves, "which, he observed, our situation so much re” quired, but still there was a shyness in his beha■’ viour which we could not account for. I am "inclined to think, and we all were of the same "opinion, that he doubted our veracity, and "took us for part of the crew of some French "ship come to kidnap the natives; a practice, "as I have been informed, not uncommon. In "a little time, however, these suspicions va” nished, and then he informed us of the state "of the place: That there was annually but "one vessel came there; that she had sailed "about a month before, and would not arrive "again before June; that as the north-east "monsoon was set in, it would be impracticable "to reach Mosambique at that time; but that

1 week : but as we had been in fact, during the whole of that time, manifestly standing on the confines of eternity, some observations irresistibly occur on a subject of such vast moment. It is remarked in that interesting little work, called the “ Retrospect,” the excellent author of which had encountered danger in many varied shapes: "That, in the heat of battle, it is not only pos” sible, but easy to forget death, and cease to "shrink; but in the cool and protracted hours "of a shipwreck, where there is often nothing "to engage the mind but the recollection of "tried and unsuccessful labours, and the sight "of unavoidable and increasing harbingers of "destruction, it is not easy nor possible to for” get ourselves or a future state.” If asked whether, in the ordeal that we passed through, this was realized in our case, I should feel some difficulty in answering the question. It is an observation, I think, contained in one of the maxims of Rochefoucault, that “ most men die merely because they cannot help it,” which is perhaps as much as can be expected in those who have not the realizing views of futurity that Christianity alone can give. There was, throughout our sufferings, much firmness, and a sort of quiescent resignation generally, I think, shown; but, whether they were so or not, there was an end of culinary preparation; and I think a little biscuit and cheese sufficed for the day’s repast \ Towards four o’clock in the afternoon, the surf had (I suppose) slackened a little; and the ladies were conducted, in the hope of better shelter below, to the cabin of the chief mate : But they had not been there very long, before it was found that the water poured in so fast, thatano * In the midst of all this, occurrences that produced something of an occasional smile, flashed across the surrounding gloom. I yet recollect the masquerade, fantastic appearance of some of the crew, dressed out in as many shirts as they could put on their back, with ribbons, and all sorts of finery. I remember one or two of them, so attired, quietly amusing themselves in one of the cabins with a tune, so to misapply the name, on a harpsichord. This propensity of sailors for jackdaw plumage at the time of a wreck, was not peculiar to the Winterton. I have read, though I don’t now remember where, the same thing on other occasions. If I mistake not, Captain Inglefield, in his account of the loss of the Centaur, narrates something similar.

A poor man, pretty well advanced in life, who was going out to India, I believe in the mercantile line, appeared equipt in a suit of a different kind, namely, a cork-jacket, to the amusement of the bystanders. He had embarked under much dread of the sea, and was, as may be supposed, a solitary example of this prudent precaution. He reached the shore; but I don’t remember what hand the jacket had in helping him there. At any rate, there its duty ceased; and he died not very long after. •* verse together. We were informed that So” fala was not far distant, but the way to it was "dangerous, on account of shoals. One of the "inhabitants, seeing we had paper and pencil, "advised writing to the governor, and under” took to be the bearer, promising to return "the next day; and as a signal when he came "back, he told us when we heard the report "of a musquet on the opposite side of the river "to send our boat for him. Mr. De Souza im” mediately wrote a few words to the governor, "explaining our situation; and our friend hav” ing provided us a hut to sleep in, and some” thing to eat, left us. The next day, as we -*■ were eagerly looking out for the signal, we "were amused with the appearance of several "sea-horses near to us. All this coast abounds "with them; they are killed for their ivory, "which is said almost to be equal to that of the "elephant. One of these came quite to the wa” ter’s edge, and as we had no further use for ‘« our ammunition, we expended it by firing at "him. The distance I am sure was not above "thirty yards, and though we fired more than a "dozen rounds, it had not the least effect j one "ball rebounded back from his head, and struck "one of our men forcibly on the leg. Some of ly halted a few minutes, and proceeded. About three o’clock we sat down to eat the little we had, consisting of two small unripe bananas *, and the bit of cheese which had escaped outplunderers. The whole was little more than a mouthful to each, and was unaided by any kind of liquid. Pursuing our way, in the evening, towards sunset, we saw a canoe out at sea, and the people in it, descrying us, called to us to stop, which we did. On their reaching the land, we found that there were in it three men, who pulled their canoe on the beach, and, having kindled a fire, made us sit down by them. They gave us plenty of beef and broth, which revived us greatly, as we had scarcely tasted meat or drink that day. We were not, however, long allowed to enjoy our meal quietly. They first began to ask our neck-handkerchiefs; and then proceeded to demand money. They took from me some guineas that I had in one of the pockets of my breeches; and were going to lighten me of my watch and seals which I had in the

cast is said to be sprung from the brain : and the last (the Endeves) from the sole of the feet. If

this account is correct, and I am not aware of any reason for doubting it, it presents a striking analogy with the fabulous origin of the Indian casts.

The Brahmans are said to have sprung from the head of the God Brahma; the Chatrya, or Rajahs, from his shoulders; the Vaisya, or Merchants, from his belly; and the Sudras, or Cultivators, from his feet. The number of casts do not correspond; but may there not be reason to suston should go in person to the colonial assembly, and solicit permission for a vessel to sail direct to Madras, with the survivors of that ship. I was then, and for some time after, confined to bed by a severe accident, and could not attend at the ceremony : but I had the happiness to hear that the application had been received in the best manner, and had, without a dissenting voice, been acceded to. This being settled, not a moment was lost in making the requisite preparations, and within three days we got on board of an American vessel, and were under weigh*.

In leaving the Isle of France, I must observe how very different the result was which attended our visit to that Island, from what our forebodings had suggested. When we reached it, the cool season was nearly over; but the climate is, I imagine, at all times of the year salubrious,

I was carried on board in a sort of litter, and I recollect getting a peep, as I passed, of a memento mori, which had been a day or two before erected at the governor’s door, in the shape of a gallows. I do not now remember what was said to have led to this outrage; but I believe it passed off without any untoward event.

5 object; and from all accounts, war is here attended with more than its ordinary share of havoc and devastation; villages and lands laid waste, inhabitants massacred or enslaved, and property swept off. This of course leads to retaliation, and that again to fresh reprisals, so that the temple of the Madagascar Janus is never shut. During our stay, we were more than once alarmed, not by wars, but by “ rumours of wars.” I rather think that it was our being there that kept the neighbouring states somewhat at a distance. They hold the European name in much respect; and though a name was nearly all we could oppose, it no doubt had its effect. We indeed would have been in a fearful scrape if any invasion had actually ensued; death or slavery would probably have been our portion, as resistance or flight would have been about equally impossible. The general habits of the Madagascar people are of a simple kind. Their huts are commonly built of reeds and rushes, from 13 to 15 feet in length, the fire being kindled in the middle. The furniture consists of a bed made of reeds, covered with a mat, a few calabashes, some wooden spoons, and two or three earthen pots, which they pack up and move from place to place at a moment’s warnthe effort must have been to him trying. I have no correct idea what part he reserved for himself, but conclude that it was considerable, and I think it was kept buried in the earth. I have known the king afterwards ask a dollar out of the very money which he had given us *. -Much as there was to extol and speak gratefully ol’, it is an irksome thing to draw aside the veil, and to reveal an infirmity in a character so truly exalted as that of our protector; but our poor black prince was not exempted from the habits of his subjects as to inebriety. He was often seen to have proceeded on his voyage a good deal farther than “ half seas over;” but he never seemed to lose recollection, and always maintained a certain dignity. Like the Macedonian monarch, he gave frequent occasion to appeal from “ Philip drunk to Philip sober;” and though the idea was not, perhaps, quite clothed in the garb of classic taste, it was per. fectly intelligible, when he used to say, “ to-day _f brandy speak, to-morrow king speak t.” A moment’s recollection of the circumstances ofde * This puts one a little in mind of Dr. Johnson asking the loan of a shilling “ not to be repaid.”

race. Flacourt, whose account is confirmed by other authorities, mentions a race of invaders, of many of my shipmates. The transition was so very great, that, miserably wretched as our condition in truth still was, I think I had all the gratification belonging to those moments, of which contrast is probably the influential source, that now and then occur to give new relish to life; and, for a time, thought safety quite an assured thing. Our raft, which was of huge size, probably not less than 20 or 25 feet in length, drew a considerable depth of water*, of course increased by the number who had got on it, not fewer than 50 or 60 persons. We drifted for a considerable time towards the shore; but at length, early in the night, (guessed to be about 11 o’clock,) it grounded when the tide ebbed. The night we passed was, as may be supposed, uncomfortable enough, in our drenched clothes, and starving state, with a cold wind blowing on us, and no sort of shelter t.

It was, I think, about eight feet.

T Perhaps it may be right to notice, that the feeling of cold is much more a relative than a positive feeling. To speak experimentally, I have found the cold severer with the thermometer between 6’5 and 70, than when it was much below freezing. One may “ shiver in the breeze,” who would not at another time, suffer from Icelandic frost. Providence, in view, no doubt, to the varied intercourse of mankind, has endowed the human constitution with a degree of elasticity superior to that of any other part of the animal creation, so

1 the disappointment that ensued, was, as nearly as possible, terminating in the most fatal manner to the sufferers who still remained on the raft. Before I proceed, however, in this part of the narrative, the reader will probably feel solicitude to know what became of the bulk of the people saved on other parts of the wreck, including the officers of the ship. Of these proceedings, I had, of course, no personal knowledge, and the account will be entirely taken from Mr. Dale’s MS. and from the journal adverted to in the preface.

It has been already stated, that the poop left the wreck with from 80 to 100 persons*; and that they got through the surf in safety. Long, however, and dreary was the night, that they, as well as their unhappy associates in misfortune on other parts of the wreck, had to pass. From the number of people floating on the raft, it was found

"The Governor of Mosambique is appointed "from Europe, and is wholly independent of "the Governor of Goa. His situation is reck” oned little inferior, if not equal, in emolu” ment, to the latter, and much better than Ma. cao, the Governor of which is under the or” ders of the government of Goa. While I was "gone to Madagascar for our people, a newgo” vernor had arrived in a frigate from Lisbon. "Their appointment is for three years, but they "usually stay six; the salary is fJOOO dollars "per annum, and they have various ways of ma.

while each returning surf, as it came in succession, rolling and towering on, seemed ready to engulph its destined prey. We were, as above stated, about six miles from land. Darkness had now set in; and was only interrupted a little by a faint glimmering light, shed by the setting moon, then three or four days old, that had the effect merely of making the horror of the scene more visible. It was what a painter’s pencil, or even imagination, could hardly reach. Our dangers had been fast thickening from the beginning; but they now so entirely closed and hemmed us in, that there did not appear an avenue of escape. Every thing that human ingenuity or exertion could devise, had been fruitlessly tried. There was no longer any visible refuge, and all earthly hope being in a manner withdrawn!, it only remained calmly to wait the

■j- Not to interrupt the course of the Narrative, I shall state in a note, some incidental circumstances and remarks, that may appear connected with the subject. Where I was

D who are so disinterestedly and actively engaged in imparting the tidings of the Gospel to the most distant heathen nations. While engaged in writing this Narrative, I have seen, with deep concern, that the climate of the east coast of Madagascar has already operated with fatal effect on the missionary establishment instituted in that quarter *; and that, in the course of six

Mr. L died I think about Christmas, having sunk gradually; and Mr. Spens, the 2d officer, expired in, I believe, the same hut, not many days after.

I omitted to mention sooner, that before sickness had thus overpowered us, an occasional hope of deliverance, though of short continuance, had been more than once, from casual circumstances, raised to a high pitch. The noise

CONTENTS.

PART FIRST.

Page Account of the Wreck of the Winterton, and of the events

which occurred till our arrival at Tullear on Madagascar 1

PART SECOND.

A short account of the People of Madagascar; and some

particulars of our residence among them

91

PART THIRD.

Proceedings of Mr. Dale, and of those who crossed the Mo sambique Channel in the yawl; his return to Madagas car; our departure from that Island, and arrival at Mo sambique. To this is subjoined some short remarks on

Missionary Establishments

16b

PART FOURTH.

Our Departure from Mosambique; Capture; and Events

which befel us till we reached Madras

225 there was an opportunity of getting off the raft, and searching the parts of some of the cabins that were under it. We found a considerable quantity of wearing apparel, chiefly, I think, ladies’ ornamental dresses, which had been destined for scenes of a different kind, and to us of little use. But we found, what was indeed a most valuable discovery, a box containing a considerable quantity of claret, and a cheese. It was the first morsel of any thing we had partaken of this day, and little had been ate or drank the day before, so that we were ali greatly reduced; and this supply was as new life to us. There was a fair division made, so far as it appeared prudent to go at that time; and a supply wisely kept in store for future emergencies. In the course of this forenoon, three of the people reached our raft, who had been saved on the fore-part of the ship at the time of her parting. This too had probably drifted to the second reef, and they took advantage of the ebb-tide to wade to us, which they did with the utmost difficulty, being nearly exhausted when they reached us. In the course of the forenoon, one or two canoes passed very near our raft, and signals of distress were made to them, with the cry, “ Salamanca dollar, "extravagant to suppose that he (De Souza) "should become personal surety for the seamen, "when it was so unlikely that they could repay it. "He then proposed to the Governor to take a "bill upon the India Company, as we offered "in the case of the boat. This was too tedious "a process for him, and he knew very well that, "from De Souza’s connections in every part of "India, he would find no difficulty in obtaining "credit to any amount, when he got to Mosam” bique. The insatiable avarice of the Gover” nor was the cause of all this trouble; for as "all expences attending our journey must be "paid in cloth, (which is the custom of the i* country,) the Governor having quantities of "this, was desirous to make us take as much as he "could. For this De Souza was required to give "him a bill according to the local value of the "article, (which was 200 or 300 per cent, above "the original cost,) and likewise to pay a cer” tain interest, till repayment, as if he had "been receiving money instead of goods. De "Souza saw through his meanness, and asked "him, with a sneer, if he thought him a fool, "or so little conversant in business, as to com” ply with such terms. This enraged the Go” vernor, and they parted with very high words. not like to acknowledge it. In truth he courted very much the smiles of the ladies, more certainly than those of the French divinity of that day, the Goddess of Reason. I was once tempted to ask him before them, his age, which staggering demand occasioned a dead pause;—but at last, bounce out it came, “ trente-six /” to the utter injury of the best part of the quarter of a century. There was too a salvo at the other extreme, // avait ete bien pres de se marier d Vage de seize ans *. On the whole, however, we had no cause to complain of ill treatment; on the contrary, we experienced much civility, without whicli we would indeed have been badly off, for in other respects we suffered considerable privations. In our way to the Isle of France, we

“I shall here notice, that though such attacks of fever often returned, their violence gradually abated, and the constitution seemed in some degree to get a little familiarized with it, for I have been able even to sit at dinner with the cold fit upon me. For many years, however, I never was free from the effects, and am not indeed entirely so at this moment. I should suppose that the Madagascar fever, when it takes this course,. resembles much that of the fatal one of Walcheren. when we saw, from the course they were steering, that we were the object in their view; and that they were the messengers destined to effect our deliverance from the very jaws of the terrLle death that threatened us. I trust that none of my readers will ever be in a situation to experience the like sensations, gratifying at the moment as they were. The total number on the raft was not more than between thirty and forty. I do not now remember the exact number of canoes, but they were sufficient to carry us all on shore; and we had the delightful feeling, which for the moment banished every sorrow, of putting our foot once more on dry land. Before we had walked far along the beach, we met several of the natives carrying water, for which they demanded a dollar for about as much as one could drink; but, had they demanded thousands, they would have been given, if thousands could have been had. In my early notes, I find it truly stated, “ that was not a time for delay; "they who had money assisted them who had "none, in procuring the pleasantest draught "they ever drank in their lives.”

I shall not fatigue the attention, by recapitulating the series of perils and difficulties that we had been experiencing through the preceding

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wherever European discovery has extended, many evils have followed in its train; and there is no modern nation which has taken any active

part in such pursuits, that can claim an exemp tion from a long catalogue of imputed wrongs,

or that has not been the author of many calami ties to unoffending millions. The French has

been the nation principally engaged in the for mation of permanent establishments in Mada gascar. The nature of these it is not the object of this narrative to trace in any detail, but it may be generally observed, that, from the first attempt to the last, they have been marked by a series of the most glaring mismanagement, and, what is worse, by acts of extreme injustice and cruelty towards the unfortunate inhabitants. The first fixed establishment was formed at a place, called by the French Fort Dauphin, (in about 25° south lat.) under the authority of a charter granted to an East India Company, towards the close of Cardinal Richelieu’s administration in 1642*. From this period, till 1655, when the place was successfully attacked and burnt by the natives, and the remaining inhabitants massacred, the neighbouring country seems

We received from the commander of the American ship, (Captain C d,) and all on board, every degree of attention; and though the passage was made with a contrary monsoon, (the wind blowing strong from the north,) it was quite pleasant *. I must, however, now hasten

would lead to suppose that the barrier is almost insuperable. The debt, however, that the European world owes to this much injured country is still of enormous amount; and it must continue the earnest desire of every right mind to free it from that state (in the words of an illustrious statesman, now no more,) “ of bondage, ignorance, and blood,” which it was so long the object of Europe to maintain. According to all human appearance, the course of measures now going on at Sierra Leone, and the neighbouring towns, is eminently calculated to this end; slavery itself being made an instrument for correcting its own evils. The liberated slaves, young and old, when rescued from the captured slave-ships, are placed under the tuition of Missionaries employed on that duty *, and many have been the examples of rapid progress in knowledge, and of their arrival at high attainments. The number of the natives of Africa under this course of instruction amounts, I believe, to some thousands, and in returning again to the regions from whence they had been dragged, they can hardly fail there to plant many of the kindly fruits they had gathered in a more genial soil. A mission so kept up will probably in time supply, in a considerable degree, the want of more direct European intercourse, and convey to the African people those blessings which such intercourse might have been expected in the present day to produce. This, I believe,

It was my intention to have connected with this an historical sketch of Madagascar, particularly of the European intercourse with that island, in so far as my defective materials would afford the means of doing so; but the ensuing narrative has branched out so much beyond what I anticipated, that my intention on this subject has been a good deal changed, and

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cases, a medium course is nearest the truth. That they have many of the vices and defects incidental to an uncivilized people is certain; but it is equally so, so far as our observation extended, that they possess the seeds of many excellent qualities which right culture would very soon bring to maturity.

The scale of society seemed pretty much arranged in three classes; the highest class, next to the king, and what I may call the officers of state, being those whose occupation was the profession of arms, who rank probably according to the extent of their possessions in slaves and cattle; the next, fishermen, who remain on the sea-coast, and and are engaged in the management of their canoes and fishing; and the last, the slaves. The king, though held in habitual reverence, and, so far as we saw, promptly obeyed, cannot be considered wholly despotic; for in the event of any undue severity, his subjects will leave him and migrate to another state, as attachment to the natal soil, the ‘• land of our sires,” with us the fertile source of many heroic virtues, is in Madagascar too much disturbed to take any deep root. The practice which seems to exist of making all weighty questions matter of public deliberation, must have a powerful efwater was not less than five fathom deep*, and as the wind was right oft’ the shore, there was good reason to hope that the measure of backing the sails would be successful. Indeed to a great extent it was so, for the ship was actually at one time got oflj and the general cry, “ She is afloat,” spread perhaps a greater gleam of light than if the sun had unexpectedly dawned. I happened to be standing by the man who was stationed in the stern gallery to heave the lead: and I well remember the joy that was diffused by the intimation of deepening water. The joy, however, was not long in its continuance. The darkness of night had probably occasioned a deception as to the supposed extent that the ship had backed; but before she had gone sufficiently a^stern to admit of steerageroom, orders t were given for again filling the sails, and the vessel was once more finally and fatally precipitated on the reef ofsurround * The ship probably drew about 23 feet water, so that five fathom was a good deal more than required to float her.

t It is said that these orders were given by the chief mate, but it matters not. Every thing was done for the best, and, in such trying scenes, it would be hard to attach responsibility for every particular measure. If it was that respected officer who gave the orders, he had no doubt, in his own mind, at the time good reasons lor what he did. nor any animal used for agricultural or other such purposes, the tillage being generally managed by slaves. There are many dogs, which range about as at the Cape of Good Hope; and so far as my recollection extends, it is not much the practice to domesticate them. There are said to be numerous wild hogs in the interior, and foxes; but, happily for the island, no beasts of prey of a formidable description. The most unpleasant annoyance that is experienced in this respect, is not on land but in water, as all the rivers swarm with alligators, which are destructive to men and cattie; and the greatest precautions must be taken, when rivers are to be crossed, to deter them from an attack, for, though fierce, it is a cowardly animal. There are monkeys, and various animals of that kind; and I mention, with, no pleasing recollection, swarms of rats, which were a great plague. They used to run over us in quantities; but there are few things to which we do not in time get reconciled, and at last I did not care much about them. There are birds with the most beautiful plumage; but, according to the almost invariable arrangement of nature, their note is not musical. The guinea-fowl abounds, and also partridges, which are admirably adapted to a bad shot, as mote times, when the sciences of navigation and medicine, as well as most others were at a low ebb. I shall once more refer to Flacourt, for the purpose of observing, that he lays down a sort of code of Indian “ health and longevity,” and if some of the rules that he recommends were observed, the wonder is not that the people died, but that any of them lived; e.g. “ Ils "se doivent faire saigner tous les mois, et infalli” blement, ils se garantiront de ces grandes ma” ladies *.” In our particular situation, we

Extract from an account qfthe Voyage qf Francis Perrard de Laval to the East Indies, <$•<..

"We met, January the 6th, 1602, with a violent storm, in "which one of our seamen fell over board, and his companion "would have jumped after him if we had not prevented him; "though, after all, I took his offer to be the effect of wine "rather than true affection; for there is but little friendship "among sea-faring men. Pursuing our course, we steered "by the country of Natal, upon the coast of Ethiopia, with” out any storm, which was uncommon in those seas; for, "between the 33” and 28°, they are never, almost, without •were by repeated attacks of severe illness, it is not likely that nature would have much longer held out, and if relief had not come soon, in all probability few would have lived to tell the tale. In the midst of our many distresses and trials, God was pleased still to look on us with an eye of mercy, and to send us help from a quarter where we could then least reckon on it. I shall never forget the day; it was on Sunday the 24th March, 1793, in the forenoon. Our attention was suddenly roused by a tumultuous noise among the natives, who kept firing their muskets, singing, and giving utterance to all the extravagant expressions of joy. For some time we were uninformed as to the cause, and little did we imagine that it was to us that those things were the heralds of interesting tidings, and that those effusions of gladness were anticipations of the delight known to be in store for us. I think it was our trusty friend and interpreter, Tom Bush, who first came to my hut and intimated to me the joyous intelligence, which he did in a circuitous, playful way, such as, that “ I would soon "hear something that would make too much {empty}. - glad,” &c. *. This something was no less than

"Before I quit Sofala, I shall just add a few "remarks on its situation, &c. Sofala is situ” ated on the north side of a small river, in lat. "26° 30’ South; the coast about it is very shal” low; the bank extending off 16 or 20 leagues, "mostly a sandy bottom, and pretty regular "soundings. It is easily known at sea, from "being in the midst of a grove of cocoa-nut "trees, the only ones on that part of the coast. "There are two channels into the river; the "southernmost, which is the shallowest, is for "boats; the other to the northward requires a "pilot, for the sands shift, and there is water "only for vessels of about 100 tons. There are the plan abridged. It has fallen to my lot to have had a greater number of nautical adventures and escapes than usually come to the share of landsmen. No subsequent ones were at all equal in length or suffering to what arose from the wreck of the Winterton; but they were marked by circumstances of some interest. Of these, I had it also in contemplation to have added a short account to the present Narrative, but shall, for the present at least, delay doing so. In addition to the reason first mentioned, I am not unreasonable enough to suppose that what is interesting to myself should therefore be much so to others. The present generation, with many things to recommend, has certainly much of the Athenian disposition, a desire “ either to "tell or to hear some new thing;” and what at the time perhaps might have obtained at least a corner in a newspaper, is now so much gone by as probably not even to reach that class in the literary scale. In using the term literary, I beg that I may some huts, where was a spring of fresh water. There having been either an entire want of water where we had hitherto been, or it being so brackish, that it was impossible to use it, this was a new and reviving sight; and the novelty of such a thing, (for there can be no luxury equal to fresh water to those who have been suffering from the want of it,) probably made us drink more than was right for us. We here got a guide who conducted us to the village where we had been directed. He led us through wild mountainous places, and deep ravines, which, after what had happened the preceding day, added to the darkness of the night, raised strong suspicions as to his intentions. They were, however, as suspicions frequently are, without foundation; and we reached the end of our journey in safety; but, to speak from what I myself felt, wet and tired to the greatest degree. We met with an old man here, who seemed to be the chief of the place, and who shewed us much attention. In fact, the nearer we approached the residence of the king, the more we found the people obliging and honest. We kindled a fire, and after warming, and in some degree drying ourselves, killed a goat we had bought j and having plenty of fresh water, and feeling ourselves tolerably sebringing the intended present. The king, attended by some hundreds of his soldiers, went out to meet them; and after a good deal of preliminary ceremony, particularly dancing and firing of muskets, the money was delivered. The king at once ordered a sum equal to above twenty thousand dollars to be given to the officers of the ship for distribution. The money was accordingly placed in an open plain; but before a division could be made, the soldiers and sailors began to seize it in a scrambling way. The officers had doubts as to the appropriation of this money, and considering themselves as acting on behalf of the Company, they felt called on, undef any circumstances., to make an effort to reserve it in that view : But the irregular seizure could leave no doubt as to the course to be in the first instance taken, and an application was immediately made to the king for his assistance. The king observed with much propriety, that he considered the money to be his, and not the Company’s, as it had been recovered by his people after we left the wreck, and that what he gave was a free gift from himself: As, however, it was the intention that the gentlemen should have a larger share than the people, he immediately sent a party of his soldiers to resume possession; but, eager appetites *. Among the superstitions may be reckoned the prevailing one regarding salt, which exists in so many shapes in various parts of the world f. It is a mortal offence in the Madagascar eye to put salt into milk, or any thing with which milk is mixed, as they think that doing so will be fatal to the cows. I am not certain if they have yet discovered the infallible remedy of throwing some quickly over the right or left shoulder, (I am not sure which; but the safest course may be to try both.) Before quitting this subject, I shall just add, that the only record of any kind that we saw or heard of, were several sheets of writing paper, deposited in the hands of one of the Umossee at St.Au * Much the same form is mentioned by Mr. Marsden, as being practised in the administration of oaths in Sumatra.

t In various passages of the Old Testament, we find a sacred importance attached to the use of this article, to a perverted construction of which may be probably traced the notions referred to : “ Neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the "covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat-offering: "with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt,” (Leviticus, 2d "Chap.) “ It is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord "unto thee, and to thy seed with thee,” (Numbers, 18th Chap.) &c.

To this day, in India, it is common for the dependant of a chief, to convey the idea of fidelity on the one side, and protection on the other, by saying that he had ate for such a time, his master’s salt. ** a-ground in one of the rivers, we experienced "a dreadful tornado. I never in my life wit” nessed any thing so awful: the elements to” gether seemed conspired to destroy us. The "air was perfectly on fire, while the loud thun” der struck terror, and the rain fell in torrents. "It was lucky for us we were not at sea, for "we certainly must have been lost; and to add *** to the distress the weather occasioned us, we "were apprehensive of a visit from some of the "prowling beasts of prey in the woods, as it "was impossible to keep in our fire from the vi” olence of the rain.

"All round the boat in the morning, the sand "was imprinted with the marks of the feet of "different beasts. We had on the preceding "day, by following up the branch of a river "which we thought must conduct near to So” fala, endeavoured to avoid going out to sea "again, for the boat was now become so ex” tremely crazy, that it was very dangerous; "and what with the loss of one of our party, "and the sickness of Mr. Wilton and De Souza, "the fatigue of working and bailing was too "great for three people. We proceeded up it "for about three miles, often flattered by its "widening, that we should succeed, but at "the construction of it, but wrould not accompa-* "ny us. The last time I saw him, was assisting "the ladies to get upon the poop *. The fatal "moment now approached that was to separate "many of us for ever. The decks were fall” ing in; large pieces of the wreck were dashed "with such violence by the surf among us, as "to endanger our lives; and, waiting for a fa” vourable interval, we threw our raft over” board and jumped after it.”

The number remaining on the wreck at the closing scene must have been from 180 to 200, placed, as I have described, on the poop, and starboard side of the ship. How long we remained in that situation, it is impossible correctly to say; but it was probably about half or three quarters of an hour. The sea continued to rage with unabating fury. The larboard side of the ship had been totally beat out; and fragments of the wreck and cargo were dashing in

After a long trial of our patience, a fresh breeze at length sprung up, that wafted us on our voyage; and what was a very great object in our debilitated state, brought us into acool * Carburetted Hydrogen, was, I suppose, the produce. Every metal substance became discoloured after a very short exposure in the places where we slept; and nothing but the counteracting purity of the sea air probably prevented worse consequences. -- principal parts of the imports, and from hence 1 all the subordinate settlements are supplied. "Another distinct trade is carried on in slaves: "these are purchased by the French who come "from the Isle of France. A few European "articles find a market here; but the pay-? w ments for slaves are mostly made in Spanish "dollars. The duty on dollars forms a part of "the revenue; and the government is at some "pains to suppress the smuggling them on shore. "The new governor, while I was there, placed "a serjeant and four men on board each French "ship for that purpose, and they were to find "them in provisions, which gave much offence. "The general returns to India consist of ivory, "gold dust, and dollars. The great exporta” tion of these last, so as to drain the place of "its current money, perhaps, gave rise to the "measure that took place some time ago. By "the order of the then governor, all dollars cir” culated previous to, and of the date of 1775, "were in a manner laid under embargo, by put” ting a stamp on them, which immediately af” fixed, in idea, 50 per cent, additional value. "These pass for six cruzades or three rupees; "whereas the dollars, subsequent to that time, •’ are only valued at four cruzades, except at "posite to Senna, are some very high mountains; "among these lie the gold mines of Manica. "The trade here is of the same nature as at So«. fala; the coarse cloths are circulated in the "country, and the returns made in elephants’ "teeth, and gold-dust or slaves. No money is "current here, but accounts are kept in mati” cars, which is a certain quantity of gold-dust "put up in a paper, and marked on the outside. "The Portuguese have several other settlements "higher up the river, but Senna is the chief. "A small fort, close to the water, commands "the river, and serves as barracks for a captain "and two officers, with about thirty-five or for” ty soldiers. The governor was a pleasant "agreeable man; he sometimes entertained us "with a small concert, in which a female slave "played the second violin. He presented us "with some wine on leaving Senna. We had "an opportunity of seeing the arbitrary power "vested in his hands : On a public day the in” habitants went to pay their respects to him; "being a people fond of show, our host sported "a palanquin, which the governor thought too "fine, and desired liim to change it: Ribiero "replied it was his own, and he would use it; "for this he was confined two days in the

I kind of wood, and alligators teeth, which is called an Owley, and to which they attach the highest reverence, conceiving it to be a faithful monitor, and a sure protection against calamity. They will not stir from home on any account without it; and it is suspended near their bed as their guardian during the night. It is, I imagine, much the same as the greegrees, so well known among the natives of the west coast of Africa*. There are few parts of the world where the pernicious science of witchcraft and necromancy is practised more than here. They have the fullest reliance in the efficacy of spells, if duly prepared by the conjurors, named Umossee; and those practices are said, according to various authorities, to operate to a destructive extent, in occasioning the death of many children, born in what are reckoned unlucky months, and unlucky days, and hours t. While we were in Madagascar, I did not hear of any circumstance of this kind occurring. It is probable,

• I have not noted, and do not now remember, if the women use the owley or not.

t The days of the week are divided with them as ours. Their month is, I believe, the lunar month. In talking of any space of time, they reckon according to the number of moons. Probably most of their astronomical knowledge is derived from tho Arabs. lected that the yawl, the only boat that now remained, at the period of the wreck, proceeded to St. Augustine’s Bay, from whence, having been disappointed in the hope of meeting with a vessel which might have afforded aid, Mr. Spens, the officer in charge, returned to the wreck. Before their return, the survivors, as has been seen, had set out on their journey to Tullear; so that a long interval elapsed without any distinct tidings of the boat, on which our only hope of deliverance from the island seemed now to depend. The whole circumstances connected with the future proceedings of the yawl, having been distinctly and interestingly detailed by Mr. Dale, it will be proper that they should be narrated wholly in the words of one who exerted himself in the performance of the most arduous duties, with signal judgment and success *.

Mr. De Souza, a Portuguese gentleman, going to India, whose name will be often mentioned in Mr. Dale’s subsequent narrative, tried his skill, 1 recollect, at raft-making, some old box being the subject of it; but he had not gone far before it was overturned, and he glad to find his way back. Mr. De {empty}S. had considerable faith in dipping in the sea, as something of a substitute for internal liquid, and I believe he derived benefit from it. Whatever effect is produced, is, of course, derived from absorption. "as, should the wind, even contrary to all hope, "shift, we could not reach Mosambique under "five or six days; and our water, even at the "short allowance we were at, would barely "serve so long. But at the same time, if they "judged otherwise, I told them by all means to "persevere, and not regard my illness, as, should "I die, still Mr. Wilton could conduct the ex” pedition: my proposal was, however, agreed "to. The wind, after our bearing up, fresh” ened extremely, and caused a high-following "sea, so that we were obliged to keep right be” fore it. It was really frightful to see our poor "little boat sometimes down in the hollow of "the sea, and then again mounted aloft on the "top of a wave. We owed our safety to the "dexterity of one of the seamen, who had been "brought up as a fisherman, on the north coast "of England; by his excellent steerage no ac” cident happened. The afternoon of the 25th, "we entered the mouth of a river, and as it got "dark, we saw very large fires, seemingly at no "great distance, and kept running for them till "about midnight, when our boat grounded, "and soon after was left dry.

*-‘ Our situation was none of the pleasantest; "we could not see the least whether we were which yet so stoutly, in effect, oppose themselves to the abolition of this hellish traffic, could be made to see such scenes as I have alluded to. If their hearts could at all relent, they could not remain insensible of the indescribable distress, of which, through their means, thousands continue to be every year the unmerited victims; they would surely join in the cry, which the voice of humanity, after the slumber of ages, has so powerfully and impressively raised, and give their aid in proscribing from the earth the commerce of human blood and misery which has so long disgraced the portion of the world which calls itself civilized *.

It has been seen, that our shipwreck occurred within the district of St. Augustine’s Bay,

Next morning {Thursday 30th), we used our endeavour to get a canoe to assist us in our route; but having failed, we hired two men who undertook to be our conductors. This negociation had retarded somewhat our departure; and after going a short way over some very rugged rocks, we found it was time for breakfast, which consisted of a small bit of cheese, and some rum. The fare was scanty enough; but we pushed on quite in good spirits, anticipating a happy termination of our journey. Before we had gone very far, our guides stopt, and as they were lagging a considerable way behind, we sat down to rest till they came up. But we were not a little surprised and alarmed, when we saw them pushing on towards us, in company with seven other natives, whom we had met a little before; and still more so when they began to seize our provisions. Three, weak and larger proportion; and to Mr. Spens the second officer, and Mr. Dun the purser, who were then considered as in the chief charge, were given, I think, at the rate of 900 dollars each *. The king was particularly fond of the fife, and to two people who could play it well he gave 300 dollars each t. If it had not been for this extraordinary instance of munificence, many of us must have been reduced to a starving state, as we were destitute of all means whatever. So generous a proceeding, would have been in a high degree creditable in any civilized country; but, to appreciate it justly, it must be considered, that money was to the king and his subjects much of a novelty, and that they attached to it a degree of value, probably surpassing that of the most avaricious miser, looking to it as one of their chief means of happiness in this life, and their hope of recompence in the next. This passion, no doubt, found in the king’s mind a counterpoise in his feeling for our distress; but

1* One of them was corporal Mackoy, mentioned in the early part of the narrative. I remember right, frequently on beef, and other things indigestible to weakened stomachs. We had no restoratives of any kind,—wine, or such like. We could be hardly said to have anyme•” ver to bathe in, and the shades of a large wood. We were "posted at the foot of a great mountain, which was covered "with infinity of large lizards that offered no hurt to any bo” dy. The wood was replenished with an innumerable quan” tity of little monkies and apes, which entertained us with a "continual shew of dancing about, and skipping from tree to "tree. Parrots are there very numerous, and make an agree” able harmony with their various and warbling notes. Not "to mention the indiscretion of our men in over-feeding in so "hot a climate, and the pernicious consequences that attend” ed it, I shall only take notice farther of the unspeakable un” easiness from the flies by day, and the gnats that pester” ed us by night, in piercing the flesh till the blood came, "and an inflammation ensued. This inconvenience was so "cutting, that some crept into sacks and bags, leaving only "a small hole to breathe through, and all of us were forced "to make fires and lie down in the midst of the smoke.

"The Island of St. Laurence is 700 leagues in circum” ference. It lies between 26° and 14° south latitude. It "abounds in cattle, especially sheep, which bring forth "three or four lambs at a time; the cattle are not appropriat” ed, but common to all that catch them; for the inhabitants, "and indeed most of the other Indians, chuse rather to feed "on fish, fowl, and milk. It is common there to see two or "three hundred bulls and cows in one herd, and when they "come to cross a broad deep river the cows raise their heads ‘* upon the bulls rumps, and so get over. We anchored at "the mouth of a river that afforded great plenty of fish and "crocodiles; and when we killed a crocodile, and took out

K "evening seeing nothing of them, we began to "be uneasy; and all the night was passed in "anxiety for their fate. They did not return "till the next morning. The natives had treat” ed them very kindly, but as they could not "get what they went for till late, they could ‘,. not rejoin us sooner. A day or two after we "had to lament, as we thought, the loss of one "of our party. It was in one of the rivers I "have been speaking of, where we lay close "to the shore, that we heard the beat of a torn "torn (a kind of drum) seemingly very near. -‘ This man was curious to see from whence it "came, and against the persuasions of us all, "though it was almost dark, would quit the "boat in search of it; the noise gradually grew "fainter, and he, not considering how far he "was going from us, followed it till dark, and {empty}.. then was unable to find his way back. Our \ anxiety was considerable, as may be conceived, • and we made a noise frequently in the night, "shouting as loud as possible to make him hear; "but the farther he strayed, the more he got "bewildered, and after waiting for him two ¥■ days, we concluded some accident had hap” pened, and left the place. A night or two •’ after, being the 26th of October, as we lay of our old acquaintance; but, as it was high water, we were obliged, in our route, to climb over very high sharp rocks, which, from the excessive heat, and the load we carried, greatly fatigued us. I had in the wreck lost my shoes, and the pair I picked up not fitting properly, I was sorely crippled. I have not noted, and I don’t recollect, what reception we had that night from the old man, on our arrival, or if we saw him; but next morning, when we went to him, assuring ourselves of a friend’s welcome, we found, as friends are sometimes apt to do, he had quite changed, and received us so very repulsively, that we saw there was no more good to be had in that quarter, and that a prompt departure was our best course. As we had no medium of mutual explanation, we had no means of knowing exactly what led to this; but though I have no sufficient proof of the fact, I am not sure but our aged friend had some share in the disaster that befel us the following day. Having set out on our journey late in the day of the 29th, we proceeded along the beach several miles*, till we came to a place where a number offisher * As we went along the beach, we saw some of the dead bodies that had been washed on shore; but it was impossible to stop to perform the duties of interment. already observed, had a smattering of English; and one man, whose nom de guerre was Tom Bush, and who commonly acted as our interpreter, spoke it with tolerable ease. There is, of course, here, little call for manufacturing skill; but what they do in the way of weaving their cloths of cotton, or I believe, occasionally silk, is done neatly. I cannot say how far they hold themselves bound by established laws. There are certainly none written; but from the order with which public affairs are conducted, I have no doubt that, though not adepts in the Justinian Code, they have their common law, or a certain rule of practice that guides their proceedings. They are very irascible, and when roused, not slow to seek revenge. Of this a specimen has been already afforded in Captain Dale’s narrative, but the fact is singular, that I believe, with that exception, no serious misunderstanding ever occurred between them and their visitors. This appears in a high degree creditable to both; and the more so, as the bulk of the people had

the circumstance to his wife when they met, “ because woman cry.” I have not at hand the account of the Sandwich Islands in Captain Cook’s voyages, but there is a description given there of a young man, (if I mistake not, named Kameena,) whose character, and even appearance, struck me at the time I read it, as much resembling our Madagascar friend. 4 been, day after day, disappointed of getting on shore, this was always kept as a sort of security against the last extremity. This last extremity had now come, and as death appeared rapidly advancing in the most terrible shape, it was agreed now to avail ourselves of the final resource, by killing the hog. The poor animal, having been many days without meat or drink, must have been much emaciated, but the supply that it afforded was, in all likelihood, the means of saving the lives of many of us. The part of the meat, I think, that we chiefly ate, was the liver; but, fearful of the meat increasing our desire of drink, we ate little of it. The blood, however, was measured with scrupulous exactness, and gave perhaps what was equal to about half a small tea cupful to each person*. So admirable was the conduct of the people, to whom my memory yet recurs with feelings ofattach * I think Mr. De Souza was the only one whose stomach revolted at the blood in such a way, that he could not take it, and he gave me his share; a kindness which, if he ever happens to see this, I beg he will be assured I yet gratefully think of. I am not sure, if I were arraigned insoro conacientiœ, for availing myself of this gift, that I would be altogether acquited. But I dare say, at the time, my scruples were not tenacious. I was then the only passenger besides Mr. De S. on the raft. "return to the boat. In the night, however, "we were agreeably surprised at the report of "a musket; this was the party the governor "had sent to our help. They gave us some re” freshment, and proceeded by our instructions "to the boat. We crossed over to Sofala in "the morning, and in the course of the day, "October 29th, our vessel arrived, and we all "joined again. The poor fellow that had se” parated from us, was really an object of "pity. He said he had followed the noise "till he was weary, without getting sight of {empty}«.«the people; and when he thought to re” turn, had lost his way; that after wandering "about a long time, he lay down quite over” come, and in the greatest distress for susten” ance. He was obliged to lick the dew off the "grass; and, at length, after being bit almost to "death by musquitoes, and torn to pieces in "forcing his way through the woods, was found "by some people who took care of him, and he

"got to Sofala two days before us Our "reception now was widely different from that "on our first arrival. Indeed, we were sur” prised at it, as no cause appeared for such "treatment. The governor scarcely deigning "to speak to us, sent for me and my brother of” Ignez, who resides at Senna. A Portuguese "lived here to superintend for her, and we re” ceived what civility he could shew. We stayed "here till the 12th, and one of our party being "ill, got a palanquin for him. We had no longer f to pay people for carriage, as the proprietor ■**! of the land makes her slaves do the duty. "Our journey now was no ways different from "the first part, except some of us beginning to "complain of illness. We arrived at Chirim” goura, about 200 miles from Sofala. This last "part produced a great deal of cotton, and we "once met with two small trees, the leaves of "which had the smell and taste of tea; it is not "unlikely but it might have been the tea plant. "Chirimgoura was of some little consequence, "and we were pleased to see cattle feeding "again. An agent resides here to collect rents, "and, fortunately for us, the husband of the "lady happened to be here; he was very civil, "and expressed great surprise that any one "could have been so inhuman as to oblige us to "perform such a journey on foot, situated as "we were. We fared the better for his being "here, getting victuals from his table; but in a "day or two every one of us fell sick, and had "it not been for the attention given us by the of Providence that great results should not be accomplished without much previous difficulty and danger, it clearly behoves every wellwisher to use the best means of diminishing those dangers and difficulties to the utmost possible extent. I dare not express a hope that the climate of the country connected with St. Augustine’s Bay would be found more healthy than that of the east coast, but I am strongly inclined to think, that with a little precaution, its baneful effects might be palliated—perhaps avoided. From what we have heard, and a little also from what we saw, I rather think that the climate, during the cool season, viz. from May or June to September or October, is not very unfavourable.

is one of the objects kept steadily in view, and much has been done towards its accomplishment; but it is impossible to behold without feelings of sadness, the heavy sacrifice of valuable lives with which the work has been already attended. The climate of Sierra Leone is apparently of a very deadly kind, and many are the Missionaries that have been swept away ere their labours had well begun. None, however, appear to have repented the choice they had made; and we find others, with the heroic ardour that filled the martyrs of former times in our own and other countries, pressing forward to take their part, committing their ways to Him who expects, in certain cases, the sacrifice of life, if required, to be made in his cause, and has repeatedly declared, “ that whosoever "shall lose his life for his sake and the Gospel’s shall find {empty}f. it.” pleasantly on shore, getting accommodation in the different houses as they best could. The house I was in was comfortable enough, though small, and a good deal surrounded with walls: the same apartment answered for eating and sleeping, and was occupied by three or sour of us. We relished much their curries, and an abundant supply of oranges and other fruits. Though our health debarred all distant perambulations, the days we passed here were the pleasantestwe had spent for many months *. Things being ready, we again put to sea, with a fine strong breeze, and in a fortnight got into about 5° N. Lat. In about a fortnight more we expected to reach Ceylon, where it was intended, I believe, to stop for fresh supplies. Appearances for a time were quite promising, but new clouds began now to gather. On the morning of the 7th July, about eight o’clock, we saw, a long way

On Sunday 26th, about eight o’clock in the morning, while anxiously looking round as usual, we saw with difficulty under the horizon, several canoes, to the number of four or five, that seemed to be coming from the shore. We had been so often deceived in our expectations, that the feeling of hope had much ceased to influence us, and we durst not at first allow ourselves to think that the canoes were approaching towards us. Our fearful anxiety increased as they drew nearer : but in vain would I seek words to describe the emotions of joy that we experienced "if we chose, he would furnish us with guides, "and whatever was necessary to undertake a "journey to Senna, a Portuguese settlement in” land, from whence we might have an oppor” tunity of getting to the capital, though at the "same time he represented the undertaking in "so unfavourable a light, together with the "length of time likely to intervene, before any "occasion might offer to proceed farther, that, "on mature deliberation,we declined all thoughts "of it, and turned our attention to a boat, be” longing to the settlement, about the size of "an Indiaman’s long boat, which we made ap” plication for. The governor’s way of fife was "no way enviable. Excluded in a manner from "society, he appears shut up in solitary pomp, "with nothing to employ his mind but the "thoughts of accumulating wealth, seemingly "his principal aim. A day or two after our ar” rival, as we were conversing before dinner, “the discourse turned upon England; and "the governor, observing Mr. Wilton’s watch” chain and seals, took occasion to praise the "superior manner in which these things were "executed in our country, and examined them ‘• attentively. The seals had arms and cyphers "on them, that would have been useless to him, to the close of a voyage, in the weariness of which the reader has probably begun to participate. We sailed from the Mauritius on the 3d or 4th of December, 1793, and reached Madras roads on the 16th January, 1794, having been between twenty and twenty-one months on our way from England. Next day we landed, rejoiced in being again among our countrymen, and among many from whom we had a kind welcome. Our past troubles were, I fear, forgot sooner than they ought to have been; and a new page turned over in the short book of life.

FINIS.

Printed by Balfour and Clarke,

Edinburgh, lttSU.

"The last day of our journey, (Saturday, "Sept. 1st,) we were met by some of our own "people a few miles from the king’s, and were "very happy to hear the accounts they gave of "his disposition towards us. In the evening we "arrived at Tullear, having first to wade the "river, near the banks of which it lies, and were "directed to the king, whom we found in the "midst of his principal attendants, armed with "musquets and spears, sitting on mats, under "the shade of some large tamarind trees. His "reception of us was such as I shall never for” get. He embraced me with much affection; I "offered him a present, (it was all we had; some "trinket or other,) which he declined accepting, "and directed his interpreter to tell me, how "sorry he was for our misfortunes, and also,

self, who they understood had been sent by the king as their conductor. He guided them through the wood, which they found that they could not have passed without such aid. They afterwards returned again to the beach; and having to pass over a number of sharp rocks, the feet of some of the party were so much hurt that they had great difficulty in getting on.

Friday, 31st. They again left the sea-coast, and struck off into the country. Their guide killed a bullock for them, at the desire probably of the king; and they were forced to halt this evening earlier than usual, several having become greatly fatigued. ing to reduce, and hot water, with a mixture of sugar, as a restorative; so that where the • sand-glass of life had nearly already run to its close, it is not much to be wondered at that this medical handling quickened its course, and instead of reviving, finally extinguished the vital embers *. By the 10th of June, the vessel that had been freighted to carry us to Madras was ready; and it was matter of no small rejoicing when the period of embarkation arrived. Mr. Dale being, from his situation of senior officer, brought much more in contact with the principal inhabitants of Mosambique than any other person, had much the best opportunity of judging of them; and it is due to them, and to him, to insert the following extract from his MS.:— "Before I take my leave of Mosambique,grati * One of the ladies, Miss L, died at Mosambique. Her brother, a very handsome young man, destined for the Madras army, died some time before, and his sister, who had been before ill, never recovered the shock. One of the passengers, who saw her not long before her death, and who had also a brother, mentioned the bitter tears that she, poor thing, shed, when, summoning all her resolution, she enquired after his brother’s welfare.

It is remarkable that Miss L was the first of the ladies who died from the period of the wreck. All had been at times very ill, but the climate did not operate with regard t» them with the same fatal severity as in other cases. must lay the mortality we experienced to the charge of the climate, with some modification. We were at our first landing exposed to many hardships, and particularly to the severe effects

"violent storms. After that, we mistook our course, through "the ignorance of the pilot; and, on the 4th of February, "finding ourselves on the land-side of St. Laurence, tacked "about, in order to make the other side. February the 7th, "having passed that Island, according to our wishes, we were ** surprised all on a sudden, by a violent storm from the south” west, being less acquainted with those seas than the Portu” guese, who make timely provisions for such accidents. In "the storm, it was so dark at noon-day, that we could not see "the heavens, or one another : Our two ships were separated, "and our sails were tore to rags; such was the force of the rain "and wind, that they wounded our faces like so many lashes "of whip cord. The waves swelled so high, and washed in ‘•’ upon the ship, that we could not stand upon the deck. In "this place we continued four days and four nights, and "some of the men that were on board applied themselves to "devout exercises, while the sailors redoubled their oaths and "blasphemies. Our antientest pilots and seamen protested "they never encountered such a tempest; but the business "was, they never had been in those seas, which swell higher "than elsewhere.

"On the 11th, the storm being over, we stood in for St. "Laurence, being much disabled. All our men were in a "manner half dead; and we had not a man on board, buta "Dutch gunner, that had ever been in the Indies before. "When we came within forty or fifty leagues of the Island, "the sea appeared yellowish and frothy, and was covered ’ with reeds and floating herbs, which continued to appear "on its surface till the 19th, that we arrived and cast anchor "at St. Augustine’s Bay, in _>3° 30’ south latitude. This •’ Buy is large, and very convenient, having an excellent "obscurity.” Any few words of the Madagascar language that I may have ever known, have long since vanished from the memory; but I happen to have kept a note of several of the numbers in use at St. Augustine’s Bay, and I find that they almost, word for word, agree with the numbers of the Lampoon dialect in Sumatra, given by Mr. Marsden. To those at all acquainted with the writings of Sir William Jones, it is sufficiently known that he has demonstrated the interesting fact, that the languages of India, extending through the vast range above mentioned, and the Greek and Latin, with most of the languages of modern Europe, are sprung from the same source, all having taken rise from the primeval language of Persia. Flacourt wrote about a century and a half ago, at which time Indian literature, to the European world, “ lay «• hid in night;” his observation, therefore, has the merit of taking the lead of subsequent discoveries, and of being unaided by them, when he says, referring to the language of Madagascar, "La langue est unique et seule dans toute 1’Isle, "qui a en beaucoup de choses quelque rapport "avec la langue Grccquc, soit en sa fagon de par” la; soit dans la composition des mots et des "verbes.” I am led at the same time toobJ ««■ they had, but made signs to us (none of them "spoke Portuguese) to follow them, and soon *? after we got into a creek on the north side "of the river, where we landed. I was car” ried out and set with my back against a tree. "There were no huts here, but one of the na” tives soon brought water, and two or three "small fowls. This man could speak a little •.. Portuguese, and from him we learned that So” fala lay about 20 miles to the southward, and "that as he knew the navigation to it, if we "would wait till the next day, he would pilot us {empty}’.’ there. We dressed our supply here, and I "got a little broth, which brought me too very {empty}.’ soon. The musquitoes were very troublesome, "so that we were obliged to kindle large fires to "keep them off. We had a violent squall of wind "and rain, the first we had experienced since we "were wrecked, which distressed us a great deal. "With much anxiety we expected the return "of our promised guide, and the next morning, "the 27th, as the wind was fair, and he had not "joined us, we left the place, and in the after” noon came abreast of another river j and see” ing some huts and smoke a little way up, made "for it. There were about twenty people here, "who were very friendly, and we could con” it had done since we had been out. But "scarcely had we determined, as above men.«tioned, when it shifted directly in our teeth. "It would have been madness now to have purs’* sued our first intention, for, perhaps, before "we could have run half the distance, we might "be stopped again, and not be able to reach "any place: or, what was probable, founder at "sea. That night (the first after we had de” cided to return) we had a most fortunate "escape—We were keeping close to the wind "so as to lay offshore, which at sun-set was at "three or four leagues distance; when, a little "after dark, we found ourselves suddenly in "the midst of very high breakers, A mo” ment’s thought determined us how to act: "we were very sensible our precious boat would "not stay, that was above her ability; it wai ‘,’ impossible to wear, that would have required "the distance of a mile at least; there was no” thing to be done but to let go the anchor, and "try to club-haul her. By the greatest mercy "in the world it answered; the more surprising "as we were obliged to weigh the anchor, it "being the only one we had. I was twice "knocked over-board by the violence of the "sea, driving the tiller from side to side : howas the doctrine of free ships and free commerce would not at that time have been quite convenient in its application, a different course was taken. An examination of the ship papers took place, but I fancy our captors did not trouble themselves much as to legal refinements; and if other laws would not suit, that most accommodating statute la loi du plus fort was at hand. The privateer we had now fallen in with was one of the first fitted out from the Isle of France; they had got wind of a Dutch Indiaman being some where on the Malabar coast, and were full in pursuit to make, as they thought, a certain prize. As this scheme, they imagined, might be marred by our proceeding towards India, they judged it best at all hazards to make sure, and so decided, that instead of India the Isle of France should be our destination. Our captors had certainly not much ground for boasting; but the best friends of the French will allow that this is a weak point, and that with them the passion is susceptible of being nourished on very spare diet. In the course of the day we were visited in succession by, I believe, most of the people of the privateer, and I dare say there was not one of them who, in his own mind, was not equal to the conquest of the British fleet. This is none of

B It has been visible, from many striking examples that have occurred of late years, in the west coast of Africa *, that the missionary zeal

Master, who will ere long stand as our judge ? It is common, Sunday after Sunday, to hear prayers offered in our churches for the extension of the Gospel among the Jewish and Heathen nations; but is it much short of blasphemous mockery to hear persons joining in such prayers, and yet not taking one step towards the attainment of the object, by personal exertion, by contributions, or in any other of the many ways that will present themselves to all in the least interested in the great cause ? Prayers are also offered up for favourable weather, and abundant seasons, but what would be said of the persons so engaged, who allowed their fields to remain uncultivated and unsown, leaving them in hopeless sterility, or to be over-run by the noxious growth of unaided nature; would we not pronounce their doings to be those of fanatics or hypocrites ? The cases are so precisely in unison, that the same remarks are analogous to both. It should be remembered, that the question is not as to reasons that may, or may not, flippantly pass during a short hour among mortals such as ourselves: but what will stand the retrospect of the bed of death; what, above all, will bear the final scrutiny of Him ¥. who sees all "hearts; before whom no secrets are hid;” who both will "bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will "make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” Is not holding back on this point, in truth, a denial of our Saviour; and we know what he has in the most plain terms denounced with regard to those who do so! It may be well to lay it to our consciences, if it is not a timid subserviency to the world, and that only, that often prevents our here doing what our own mind tells us is right: “ Video meliora proboque, deteriora "sequor.”

The personal kindness that we experienced from the King is what we never can acknowledge with sufficient gratitude, nor adequately express. One or two instances of this nature have been mentioned by Captain Dale as having occurred on our first arrival, and he continued during the whole of our residence in his country, to act on the same generous and humane principle without a moment’s deviation. It matters not whether the object was material or otherwise, the same feeling uniformly operated. One of our sailors having behaved ill one day soon after our arrival, to one of the natives, corporal punishment was about being inflicted *, when the King came and

• Certain authority was for a time kept up in this way after we landed; but it rarely happened that it was necessary to enforce it. a-stern, a ship which was supposed to be English. Our vessel being a mere tub of a sailer, by mid-day the stranger had got very near us, and the impression still continuing that she was English, we shortened sail to speak her. A vessel supposed to be from England, or some part of India, was a very novel sight; and it was amusing to see the various fancies that were at work—some longing for cheese and porter, others for the long untasted luxury of Port wine, while others again fancied a wish to know a little of what was passing in the world that we had been so long out of; and it was the intellectual epicures that were to be first gratified, though not exactly in the way anticipated. The stranger vessel, when at a little distance, fired a shot to leeward as a civil hint; but our commander not having taken it, and continuing still to stand on, another shot was soon fired, seemingly at us, and the French national flag displayed, a sufficient intimation of what had befallen us. I suppose we (miserable cargo as we were) were considered as contraband goods*, and

"It will be right to give some account of our "way of travelling, and of the nature of the "countiy we passed through, though we were "but little in a condition to make remarks. "Our guide was a native of the country, but was "a soldier of the governor at Sofala. He had "some years before been this journey, and was "now enstrusted with the governor’s letters. {empty}’. We had with us also, four or five men to carry "our cloth and bundles, so that we were as light "as could be. The first part of our journey, "we crossed the two rivers that we entered be” fore we got to Sofala, and the second day "stopped at a small village near the water, "where a hut was prepared for us. I met "with a misfortune in stepping out of the ca” noe; one of my shoes stuck in the mud, and "being dark, I could not find it again; and when "I came to search for a pair of shoes I had "brought from Madagascar, found they had "been left behind in the hurry. It was no com” rits and a few bottles of wine; and after ex’* pressing his good wishes for our safety and "success, attended us to the water side, where "we embarked on board the Happy Delivei-y, "so we had named our vessel. He had given a "letter to De Souza for the Governor of Cape "Corientes, (the farthest southern settlement "belonging to the Portuguese on this coast,) "in case we should touch there; but ad” vised us to keep out at sea; as the currents "along the shore were very dangerous. He "had been there himself, if I recollect right. "One of the seamen, a native of Portugal, in ** consequence of some proposals made him by "the governor, chose to remain at Sofala, so "that our party consisted only of six. We sail” ed on the 12th of October; but ill luck still "hung over us. It was our intention to proceed "to Delagoa Bay, which, with moderate winds, "we might have accomplished in a week. At this "time of the year we knew there would probably {empty}«. be some South Sea whalers there, as there ge” nerally are in that quarter a good many every {empty}*. season. Had we been so fortunate as to effect "this, it would have been an easy matter to

” have engaged one, or, if necessary, two of "by the ship till he could entertain a reasonable "assurance of every one’s safety. This manly "address failed not in producing an adequate "effect on the minds of those to whom it was "directed. It was returned with three cheers, "and their united affirmation of desire to ac” quiesce at all times with his and his officers’ "commands *.”

Though all hope of saving the ship was abandoned, it became essential to use the best means of keeping her together; and, for this end, immediately after the consultation mentioned, the masts were ordered to be cut away, which had a material effect in lessening, at the time, the

It may not perhaps be generally understood, that the authority on board of an Indiaman, after such a disaster as ours, is held by a much more slender and difficult tenure than in a man of war. The above occurrence is accordingly very creditable to the crew of our ill-fated ship, and must have been in a high degree gratifying to the feelings of our respected Commander, who was much esteemed and beloved. It must have mingled a cordial drop in his bitter cup of affliction. The situation of a Commander placed in such circumstances is one of no ordinary trial. The public and valuable property entrusted to him, gone: The lives of those under his command, and committed to his charge, to say the least, placed in the most imminent hazard; and his personal fortune and prospects greatly impaired, or perhaps ruined. "ance to Madras. We passed over what is call’s ed Adam’s Bridge, and off Negapatam were "picked up by the Drake, one of the Company’s "cruizers. The next day we joined Admiral "Cornwallis in the Minerva frigate, offPondi” cherry, the siege then going on. The few sea” men with me were pressed *. The view of the "English army encamped on the Red Hills be” hind Pondicherry was very fine. Two of our "Indiamen, the Royal Charlotte and Warley, "formed the blockade, with the frigate. This "was August 19th. The besieged kept up a "smart fire; but a short time after our batte” ries opened, on the 23d, they surrendered. "On August 2ijth, 1793, I arrived at Madras in •’ the Drake,twelve months after our unfortunate "shipwreck.”

To return to our vessel. I cannot adequately describe the feelings of disappointment we experienced when sentence was pronounced, and

quite assured that it is impossible for any one who is capable of thinking at all, to look attentively into the proceedings in question, without applauding the motives that have led to them, admiring their success, and saying from the heart, "God speed.” If circumstances admit of it, I may be led to resume this important subject a little more at large; but, in the mean time, I may say, that the opinions I entertain are free, I believe, from what may be called any undue bias, being the result of as careful an examination as I have been able to give to the subject; when I began, if there was a bias, it perhaps leaned the other way. I am quite aware that there has been occasionally an objectionable mode of expression, and perhaps of acting, adopted by some individuals of the missionary establishments; but this may be much traced to the infancy of those institutions. Many of the missionaries now, are men of as profound erudition as any other class of society can boast. Would it be consistent with reason, that because among many individuals scattered over the face of the earth, occasional aberrations may have occurred, the whole system should be condemned, and between seven and eight hundred millions of our fellow-creatures consigned to the hopeless darkness of heathenism ? Apply to our most revered institutions such a test as this, and see how they would stand the analysis. If the support of the missionary cause is right, and the demonstration of its being so seems matter of no difficulty, what is to be said of those who deliberately oppose it, or who are careless on the subject? Supposing such persons not to be infidels, let them turn to the last words uttered by our Saviour on earth, • Go "ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every crea” ture.’’ Is it possible to believe that those who set themselves against this express command, or are indifferent as to its fulfilment, can be viewed with approbation by our Divine pect something of a compliment paid to the invading Arabs, and that they are as grafts attached to the original stem ? A singular custom also exists in the east, and southern parts of the island, of which the authenticity seems fully established, viz. that it is only the highest classes that have the privilege of killing cattle; and that it must be done by the hand of the chief, or of some one who can claim affinity to him. In addition to the French authorities, Drury narrates, that, during his captivity, he was promoted to the honour of being a butcher, as his master found the calls to go sometimes several miles on this duty an onerous service. Drury was considered worthy of this preferment, from the supposed circumstance of his having been the son of the captain of his ship, whose rank was judged equal to that of a king. All that was required of him was to cut the throat of the animal; the other offices being performed by the parties themselves. I have no wish to indulge in fanciful conjectures; but there seems here something of the reverence that the Hindoos

"our hut, which was hot enough without, as we "were obliged to keep a fire constantly in the -“ night inside, to avoid being eaten up with mus” quitoes and other insects, which were extremely "troublesome. The 7th of November was a weary

” day to us; we had the night before slept in the « that he could not think of taking any thing "from us, but that he would be happy to give "us any thing he had; that the king of Baba "and king George were one brother, and as "such, he should afford us every protection in "his power. After a little conversation, he told "me he had ordered a bullock for us, and that "huts should be erected as soon as possible, for "us to live in. We then retired for that night, "and partook of a good meal, which our com” panions had been preparing for us.

"We were eight days coming from the wreck, "though many of the men did it in half the "time. I should imagine the distance could not "be under 100 miles, from what I reckoned. "We commonly set out at day-light in the morn” ing, which might be between five and six o’clock, "and walked till about nine, as we judged by "the sun; and again from four, till seven or eight «• in the evening; now, if we went at the rate of "two or two and a-half miles an hour, that would "be from 12 to 15 miles a-day, and comes pretty "near my estimate. The real distance may not "be two-thirds of that, but we had to follow the "windings of the shore, sometimes in doubling "a head land, at others, taking the sweep of a •« deep bay. The whole extent of the coast "king a large fortune, though by no means _* equal to what is acquired by the servants of "the English Company in India. A person "here is said to possess a good fortune if he « is worth 100,000 dollars. The council con* sists of five members, viz. the governor, the "head judge, or, as he is called, Ministre; the "treasurer, and two of the principal inhabitants "who have commonly filled the governments of "Senna and Killeman, all of which are subordi” nate to, and appointed by the governor here. "The garrison of Mosambique does not exceed "120 men, with officers in proportion, but many "of the inhabitants get commissions tacked to "their names by the help of money; this is one "of the governor’s perquisites, who, for a cer” tain sum, gives them local rank, and it is very "immaterial whether they are confirmed at "home or not, for scarcely one ever returns, "Many of the inhabitants have been exiled "from Europe, and those who voluntarily settle "here, if they marry, are not allowed to quit « the island; this is from a motive of mistaken "policy, and intended to keep up the number, "for the place is so very unhealthy that few "would remain here after they had the means *« of quitting it. Not more than one half of the in the morning to have greatly deepened. There was not, I believe, throughout the night a dry spot to stand on, and having no means of resting, and the water gaining fast on them, so as to be more than middle deep, several, I have been informed, were in imminent hazard of sinking in the water, under the pressure of extreme fatigue, aggravated by the lengthened want which had been now experienced, of any kind of nourishment. In this state their situation in the morning of Wednesday was still full of danger. They were about four miles from land, the raft becoming progressively deeper, and a number of dangerous rocks lying in their way. Happily, however, both the wind and tide came to their relief; and, aided by the unceasing use of the pieces of wood which served as paddles, they at length reached the shore about two o’clock in the afternoon, exhausted almost to the last extremity. If any of the innumerable difficulties to which they were exposed had operated to retard their progress a few hours longer, it is probable that several of them must have perished. But providentially their course was quickened from the morning, in a way that could hardly have been hoped for.

The circumstances which attended the progress of the Officers were still more perilous, as E "the time when remittances are made to Goa, "when they bear sometimes a premium of 40 "per cent. This method, though obviously « very inadequate in its nature, serves to keep a "certain quantity of coin in circulation. There "is also a small base metal coin used among "the slaves. A healthy man-slave sold, when • I was there, for 140 cruzades, or 70 rupees; "that is, between eight and nine pounds Sterling*.”

On our arrival at Mosambique, the ladies were taken into the houses of the different principal inhabitants, where they experienced, 1 believe, much hospitality and kindness. The accommodation assigned to the gentlemen passengers was in a large building, a good deal resembling a barrack, there being ten or twelve in one room. Considering the impoverished state of the place, much could not be expected in the way of living, and our fare had not much

It so happens that a distinct and connected account of the Loss of the Winterton East Indiaman, and of the sufferings undergone by those belonging to that ill-fated ship, has never yet been brought under public notice. Though attended with circumstances of considerable variety and interest at the time,

” ‘Tis now a story but little known.”

Many of those who had their part in those sufferings are now no more; and it seems desirable, while some of the survivors yet remain, to use means to supply a narrative that may perhaps be thought still interesting. When relieved from the and less fatigued, I probably would have much admired; for the scenery is in some parts very pretty. I was then very imperfectly recovered from former illness, and on reaching St. Augustine was again attacked with a fever, which might have proved fatal if it had not been for my friend’s unwearied kindness. Though we were there, in most respects, as uncomfortable as possible, being lodged in a dirty hut, with some rushes strewed on the ground for a bed, and devoured by muskitos, there was some satisfaction in the variety of a new place, and new faces, though I was little in a state to enjoy it. We remained at St. Augustine, I think, about a fortnight, by which time I was sufficiently recovered to get back. I never could then have walked the distance, but made it out, though with great difficulty, with the help of a canoe, which conveyed us along the coast a great part of the way*, and with the farther aid of a night’s lodging in the hut of a native, whohos * I do not now recollect the difference in extent between going by land and by water, from Tullear to St. Augustine’s Bay; but the latter mode must have been most circuitous; and as canoes were expensive (though, from their sharp contracted form, a painful conveyance to an invalid,) they were only resorted to in cases of extremity. With the facilities of communication which we possess at the Cape of Good Hope, I cannot see any reason why the experiment might not be tried during those months. The object is manifestly a national one, and would probably be viewed as such by the public authorities of that station, and the conveyance of the missionaries be accordingly facilitated. I have had no late tidings of our friends at Madagascar, but I doubt not they would receive with open arms any missionaries that might land on their shore, and that, with regard to personal safety, such persons would be as much protected there as in their own country. They might, in the course of a very short time, form a judgment of their probable success, and also of the probable effect of the climate. To guard against the injuries of the latter, they might be periodically visited by any vessel so appointed, and withdraw if it should be found decidedly inimical. In such event it forcibly occurs, that still another course might be taken with much promise of success. We have seen the inhabitants of New Zealand, Africa, and other distant countries, conveyed to England for the purpose of mental improvement, and returning to their native climes to impart to their countrymen the lights with which

I** guard-house of the fort. I suppose these "things often happen, for he visited the gover” nor again after his release. January 16th, "1793, in the morning left Senna, and proceed” ed down the river: At night we stopped at a "place called Chapango; our friend Ribiero "was proprietor here, and had a pleasant house ‘ u pon a little eminence near the water. We "found him here to receive us. Upon this "estate the large trees, of which they make "the canoes of burthen grow : We saw "some they were just beginning upon, of a "great size. An enterprising man from this "source alone might soon amass a fortune; "but Ribiero was more of an open generous "turn, than inclined to such pursuits. We re” mained here two days, and in that short time "found much benefit from the change of air. "On the 19th we took leave of our worthy "and kind friend, with regret on both sides: "he had abundantly supplied us with every "thing necessary for the remainder of the way "to Killeman, where we arrived the 22d. The "boat people had loitered away their time, or "we might have been there sooner. These "were three very disagreeable days, for the "canoes were so extremely narrow, that it was "not possible to change one’s position in them, "guns, as signals to induce the natives to come "off, but they were very shy, I do not know "from what cause. At length a canoe came "off, in which was our boatswain, in a very "sickly state. He had lived at the Bay for *■- some time, and said that the last time he heard "from Tullear, about two months before, there "were then dead eighty, and they were dying "two or three in a day. The next morning I "took the ship’s boat and proceeded to Tullear "Bay, with such refreshments as I could carry "with me. After landing, in my walk from "the beach to the village, (about three miles,) "I was met by such of our poor creatures as "were able to crawl, hailing me as their de” liverer. I found the king sitting in a chair, "(which had been washed from the wreck) un” der a tree amidst his principal people. Hav” ing made my present, I told him what I was "come for. As I came in a Portuguese ship, "he had no thoughts about me, and did not re” collect me for some time, till, being made to "understand by his interpreter who I was, "and partly remembering himself, he got up "and embraced me with tears of joy at my safe "return, for he had told me before I went, that "we would certainly be drowned, and after beWe again floated with the flowing tide, about 3 or 4 in the morning. Whether we had made little way before grounding on the preceding night; or whether, from the land-wind, we had lost what we had gained on again getting afloat, I know not; but at day-light, we found that we had made little progress, and were even in much danger of again drifting back among the breakers. Every rag was collected that could be had, as handkerchiefs and such things, and holding them up as sails, they much assisted our progress, and carried us considerably towards the shore. We were in high spirits, thinking that we approached the land rapidly, as it appeared, from some ocular deception, to be considerably nearer than it really was. The time, however, for the attainment of this object of our anxious wishes was not yet arrived; and our raft, about mid-day, again grounded, on what I believe was the second reef before described; there being an interval to the shore of between three and four miles. At low water, the depth around us was not more than about three feet, so that

that we can (to encroach a little on the words of our favourrite poet) waft not only a sigh, but our frames, “ from Indus "to the pole.” could be more favourable for its growth. Iron is an abundant article, and the natives understand well the use of it. It is said that gold and silver are found in the island; but the supply is evidently scanty. When we first came, the natives had no distinct idea of the relative value of the two metals; and, if I remember, some contrived to turn that ignorance to a lucrative account. I am not sure that this ought to be stampt as dishonest, as all such value is, to a certain extent, ideal, and the natives happened to prize one more than another, j My recollection on the point is not very accurate; but so far as it goes, it was quite matter of fashion. Before silver became plenty by the circulation of our dollars, it was purchased as more valuable than gold for ornamental purposes; but afterwards they changed sides, and gold got a good deal more than its right ascendancy.

General Character; Habits, and Mode of Life. —As to the character of the Madagascar people, opinions have been a good deal diversified. On the one hand, they have been loaded with opprobrium as treacherous, cruel, and full of vice. On the other, they have been extolled as much beyond limits. Perhaps here, as in most of the spouting of whales which abound off the Madagascar coast, had where we were a very strange effect, having all the appearance of the regular salute of a ship. The first time we heard it, the arrival of a ship to our relief was considered almost certain, and many a long, though vain look was cast for the messenger destined to carry the joyous tidings. It might have been thought that one disappointment, at least, would have guarded us from a renewal of the same feeling; but the resemblance used to be very strong, and generally sufficed to give new ground for some fancied expectation; for, in such a situation as ours, the reasoning faculties are not a match for those of the imagination. We were one day, about two months after landing, buoyed up for a little time with very sanguine hopes, on a suggestion being made by the king, that we might perhaps be able to reach Fort Dauphin, the former French settlement, on the south-east side of the Island, nearly straight across the country. Our worthy king had been under the impression, that the most inveterate hostility subsisted between the English and French, to the extent of destroying each other whenever they met; but having learned that things were not quite so bad, he suggested the measure I have

M

A

NARRATIVE

OF THE LOSS OF THE

WIiVTERTON EAST INDIAMAN,

WRECKED ON THE COAST OP MADAGASCAR IN 1792;

AND OF THE

J^uffcritiffs coimertrts toitl) tfjat (Simit

TO WHICH IS SUBJOINED,

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE NATIVES OF MADAGASCAR, WITH SUGGESTIONS AS TO THEIR CIVILIZATION.

BY A PASSENGER IN THE SHIP.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED FOR WAUGll AND INNES, EDINBURGH; {empty}J. HATCHARD AND SON, L. B. SEELEY, AND T. HAMILTON, LONDON.

1820. "the natives stood by laughing, as they knew "we could not hurt the animal. They kill the “sea-horse with spears, but rarely; for they "are a very dangerous animal, and often up” set the canoes in the river. They make a "noise, when they come to the surface of the "water to breathe, like a whale. Of this last, "we saw prodigious numbers in coining across "the channel. It was the time of engendering "with them; and they were perfectly wild, “jumping straight up out of the water, and "often so near as to alarm us. In the after” noon we heard the wished-for signal, and "sent the boat, which brought over a pilot, and "a soldier with a letter from the governor, and "a basket of provisions, some wine, spirits, and, "what really was a treat, some excellent soft "bread. The letter was very friendly, and ex” pressed every wish to serve us. Early on the "29th September we proceeded. It would have "made any one laugh to see us brushing up, "tattered and torn as we were, to look as smart "as we could before the governor. We landed "about one o’clock at Sofala, and were con” ducted to him. He received us in the kindest "manner, appropriated a house for us, and sup-*. plied us with clean clothes, which were most they are fully larger than those in England, and so very tame as to allow time for a steady aim. The flesh is, however, coarse. There is abundance of fine fish on the coast; but they did not seem to be much attended to by any excepting those who lived near the sea *. I have already noticed some of the principal articles of vegetable produce. There is, according to all accounts, in the interior of the country, an inexhaustible field of botanical research; and various kinds of timber adapted to ship-building, and other useful purposes. The French appear to have directed their attention very much to the procuring in former years ebony and other such articles, now to be had abundantly from the possessions in the western hemisphere. The cotton plant seems to grow spontaneously here, and silk is also procurable. I know not how it may be in other parts of the island; but where we were, fruit of no kind was abundant. Indeed, almost the only cultivated fruit was the plantain, or banana, and that not plenty. The cocoa-nut tree would be to them a valuable acquisition, and I should think no soil or climate

"ground of clay and sand. The same day the Croissant re” joined us, after twelve day’s separation, and was more dis■*’ abled than we. The seamen being scorbutic, we marked "out a place on the shore for our sick, and at the same time "a Dutch ship was forced into the same harbour by stress of "weather, which had not one sick hand on board. The na” tives gave us cattle, fowls, honey, and fruit, in exchange "for knives, scissars, and trinkets of little value; but the "place was so unhealthy that many of our men died, partly "by the scurvy and partly by a phrenitic fever. We lay di” rectly under the tropic of Capricorn, and the sun-beams "darted upon us almost in a perpendicular line. Some of "them had their legs scorched and ulcerated through their "stockings; nay, the extreme heat would have incommoded "us more, if it had not been for the conveniency of a fineri • Any one in the least acquainted with a hot climate, knows how destructive this is to all new comers from Europe, and that no advantages in other respects can counteract the effect of such exposure. I recollect hearing, that, during the war with Hyder Alii, a European regiment, which had newly arrived from England at Madras, was, at that period of emergency, ordered immediately to march, and before they had gone fifty miles, I think about half the regiment was in hospital. Hence it will be none of the least of the national benefits resulting from the Cape of Good Hope and Isle of France, that there may be intermediate entrepdts for the troops proceeding to India, and thereby save many valuable lives. Bay, where he was governor. He was, I believe, nearly allied to the king, and died at an advanced age. As I have already observed, there is much elegance in the general deportment of the inhabitants of Feraignher, both men and women. Their dress too, though abundantly simple, is not inelegant, consisting, among the men, of a small cloth which they wrap round their middle, and of a larger piece of cotton cloth, the manufacture of the country, which they throw gracefully around them as a mantle, or when about to engage in any employment requiring exertion, twist round their body, leaving their arms and limbs quite disencumbered. The dress of the women differs a little from this; in particular, they wear a sort of vest that comes half down the waist. Both sexes wear round the neck an ornamental piece of gold or silver, and bracelets of the same metals, or if that cannot be afforded, an inferior metal, round the arm. Their limbs and feet have no covering. Both men and women have their hair, which has not the woolly appearance of that of the negro, very neatly plaited in numerous small ringlets which flow about their necks. It does not look amiss, but the hair being moistened with a good deal of grease, the practice is attended with some inconveniences where combs are not in use, and Mr. Dale observes—” For some days we remained in a state of the most anxious suspense as to the fate of the yawl, as it was on her safety alone that we could found the most distant hope of relief; the season being so far advanced as to preclude the probability of any vessel touching at St. Augustine’s Bay till the next year. Her arrival at length in the river of Tullear, relieved us from the most painful anxiety. We got the boat up to the town, and kept a guard over it, to prevent the natives from setting fire to it, which they certainly would have done, for the sake of the iron, had it been at any distance from the residence of the king. At a consultation of the officers, it was agreed that I should go to Mozambique to procure a vessel, and that all should exert themselves to the utmost to get the boat ready for the expedition as soon as possible. From the want of tools, &c. the carpenters were unable to do any thing more than fix a false keel, and we made two wash-boards round the boat, which raised it about ten inches in that part. I had infinite trouble in fitting her out; in the first place, the only piece of wood that was suited to form the false keel, was a part of were truly “ led by ways that we knew not of.” It made no adequate impression at the time; but I cannot now look back on so striking a manifestation of divine power and goodness, without feelings that will, I trust, not quit me while

His shoe buckle having loosened, I remember his asking me, iu a half-joking, but significant way, if it appeared worth while to replace it. To my friend Mr. H—, also a passenger, who was on the other side of him, (as I heard Mr. H— afterwards narrate,) he expressed a request that he would remember him to Mrs. Chambers, and tell her that he had thought of her in his last moments. On Mr. H— remarking that their chances of safety were equal, he said he knew that he would not be saved.

The circumstances attending the departure of Mr. Dale, and the other junior officers, from the wreck, have been stated; and his account of the external view they had of the wreck, during the pause, as it were, between life and death, will be no doubt interesting: “ I would attempt just to give "a faint idea of the melancholy scene as we went under the "stern of the ship. Most of the bottom was gone, so that "the upper works lay on their beam-ends nearly. To avoid "as much as they could the violence of the sea, the people "had got close aft on the poop, and the moon, which was "about three days old, and just setting, shone a faint gleam "on their faces, that made them just discernible. One soli” tary light burned in the cabin, which only added to the "wofulness of the picture, while the shrieks, amongst which "those of the poor females were easily distinguished, at every "sea that broke over them, altogether made such an impres” sion as can never be effaced. In a very few minutes the "light disappeared, which, I suppose, was at the time the "poop was washed away.” "sounding *. A little before three o’clock, he "pointed out to me the ship’s place in a chart, "which was then upwards of 60 miles (according "to his idea) from the land; and when he left the "deck at three, directed me to steer N.E., ob** serving, that on that course, we could not make "more than aix miles of easting before day-light; V and that if we were nearer than he supposed to "the land, it would be impossible to avoid seeing "it before any accident could happen—adding, "’ If you see any thing suspicious, act accord” ingly, without waiting to call me.’ Captain "Dundas had not been off the the deck above "seven or eight minutes when the ship struck. "The first shock was scarcely perceptible, except "to the man at the helm. The sensation it "caused in me was as if some of the small spars "aloft had been carried away, and I looked up "in that idea; but the second time the ship "thumped, I was violently driven from the after” hatchway to the wheel.”

Those who have not experienced the sensation of a ship grounding on rocks, can form no adequate idea how awful it is, particularly when it happens during the darkness of the night, and

The same thing as is now practised in Madagascar with respect to necromancy, &c. appears to have existed from the most remote antiquity. Moses commands the children of Israel, (Leviticus, 19thChap.) “not to use enchantment,nor "observe times.” Again, it is said, in Deuteronomy, (18th Chap.) “ There shall not be found among you any one that ** maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or "that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an en” chanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with fami” liar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”

About eight centuries later, the practice still existed among the idolatrous nations in and around Judea; and we find Manasseh, one of the Kings of Judah, guilty of it,) 2d Kings, 21st Chap.) “ And he made his son pass through the fire, "and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with "familiar spirits, and wizards; he wrought much wicked«« mss in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.” in the canoe *. Mr. H— as particularly connected with Mrs. C—, was requested to accompany her as an essential escort. I had it in my option to go likewise; but it was obviously not right that more should go than absolutely required, and did not avail myself of it. They soon reached the shore in safety. Between 4 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon we again floated; but we made little or no way, and in the night lost ground, and were in danger of being once more entangled among the breakers, which, circumstanced as we now were, would probably have been fatal. We, however, paddled hard with pieces of wood, and, aided probably by the tide, recovered our ground. In the course of Thursday the 23d, five or six canoes came off to our raft, when immediately all desisted from their different occupations of paddling, holding up clothes as sails, &c.; and several began with much violence to attempt to force their way into the canoes,—a proceeding that threatened to produce fatal consequences, as the natives became irritated, and the canoes were in danger

Our Departure from Mosambique; Capture; and Events which befel us till we reached Madras.

As Captain Dale has given a very distinct adcount of the island of Mosambique, the perusal of it may be satisfactory to the reader before proceeding in the sequel of our narrative.

u The capital of Mosambique is situated on a "smallisland,aboutthree miles in circumference, "in Lat. 15° 4/ South. The harbour is between "the island and the main, which at both ends "are pretty close. All the south part is bound” ed by rocks; but there is an entrance for "boats about half a league to the eastward of "Mosambique, by the small rocky islets called "St. George’s and Goa. Small vessels coming

o own secret. Scanned according to this rule, the Madagascar thief might have much to urge. Plunder is a part of their system; and being their pursuit, from their earliest to their latest years, the disposition must, in the nature of things, “ grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength.” Though they take liberties, however, with their neighbours, they are among themselves, and in their own dealings, honester than we often find people in countries who ought to know and do better. With us, they certainly carried on at times a pretty successful trade of this kind; and if the opportunity quietly offered, they were not scrupulous as to the time, whether day or night. The latter was however preferred; and they used then, with the quietness of cats, to crawl in at the door of our huts, and make a snatch at whatever came within grasp. If the door happened to be stubborn, they used to cut the rushes near our beds, having no doubt previously taken the bearings, and things, to us invaluable, would, in this way, disappear in a twinkling: Proh pudor! even the nobles of the land used sometimes toengage in these unseemly enterprizes. For some time after we landed, the officers and passengers used to keep regular watch at night, I think each without a pang. I reckon it indeed impossible for any young person who feels at all, to bid a long farewell to the domestic circle, and the native abode,

"Seats of our youth, when ev’ry sport can please,” without feeling deeply. In truth, on that occasion, many an aching heart is hid under a smiling face; for these are feelings that cannot be allowed much to meet the public eye, without endangering the character of manliness, that most, in making their first §tep in life, are particularly emulous of asserting. On some of these points I speak a little experimentally, as I remember their being somewhat realized in my own case. I embarked at Gravesend three days before the ship sailed; and not knowing a person on board, the scene, then entirely new, was dreary enough. But, at an early period of life, the mind soon gets assimilated to new objects and pursuits: New acquaintances are gradually formed; new interests excited : As the bow that gilds the clouds, hope scatters her rays in the distant horizon; and, as the youthful adventurer has not yet learned from experience, that

” Man never is, but always to be bless’d;”

the imagination is filled with expectations, which, though they answer the purpose at the time of other, when I put my hand hastily into my pocket, and pulled out, at hazard, one of the seals, which I gave, and they did not search farther*. My fellow-travellers had lost all their wealth in the early part of the day. The headman of the party being able to talk a little English, we collected from him that they had come from St. Augustine^ Bay; that the yawl had been there, and that it had returned to the wreck, where he was going. Notwithstanding what had passed, he urged much our remaining all night, and proceeding with them next day. But we suspected that the stripping us of our clothes was the next object of depredation in view, and we had no wish to continue in such company; but thought it prudent to remain quiet till we saw whether the party of sailors whom we passed in the morning came up. To our great joy, they in less than an hour made their appearance; and we took the opportunity

On the whole, we passed our time agreeably in this delightful island, and did not find the time at all heavy. But it was natural that our views should be directed to India, which we looked to, however erroneously, as the termination of all toils. For a long time, however, we had very little prospect of succeeding in our wishes. There was, I believe, no desire to detain us personally, and if we could have gone in a balloon, or any such airy conveyance, we would probably have had permission to do so; but the fear of intelligence regarding the privateers was the bar in the way of any foreignvesdebted one of the other passengers, Mr. H n, an interesting young man destined for the Bengal Civil Establishment. He was, if I remember, particularly well connected in England, and his general deportment indicated that he was so. His constitution had been much impaired, but not, to all appearance, materially more so than that of others, I saw him on the Friday, when he was complaining a little of a sore throat. He had gone that day, or the following, on board of Captain D ‘s ship, close to the shore, and his illness increased; but I believe no danger was apprehended till Saturday night or Sunday morning, when he suddenly put out his hand to Captain D, saying, “ good bye; I am gone;” and shortly after expired. Every honour was paid to theremains of this amiable young mm by the American Commanders, a certain number of whom manned their boats, and attended the body in procession acioss the harbour to the place of interment, the vessels at the same time shewing the usual demonstrations of mourning on the occasion. to sleep in oblivion, if I had not, last summer, met with my friend Captain Dale, the third, and now only surviving officer of the Winterton. It was he who, under Providence, was instrumental in effecting our ultimate relief from the Island; and he had kept a very regular account of his proceedings. This manuscript he was kind enough to shew me; and it so much accorded, on all essential points, with what I had myself written, in so far as we went over the same ground, that I found much of my former interest revive, and pretty much decided from that time to resume the theme, and magnum renovare dolorem. Captain Dale’s Narrative was not intended to go beyond the domestic circle, but he has kindly allowed me to use it on the present occasion; and I am sure it is right that his merit and exertion in the general cause should be made known. My own manuscript, though now an essential guide, is defective in having omitted several interesting particulars, which, as an inexperien” and the fat of the meat, which was boiled down, "poured upon it, so as to fill the pot, which was "then covered over with hide and bladders. "We made a number of cakes of the maize, or * Indian corn, beat fine, and provided a quantity "of sweet potatoes, and a few sugar-canes. We "took also some live fowls, which lasted for the "first out-set. Our water consisted of three "small kegs, and the rest in calebashes, (the ** gourd shells,) making in all about 25 gallons. ■ We were a goo.d deal puzzled with our com” pass, how to supply the want of the glass, "which was broke; and unless the card could "be kept from the wind, it was of no use f* to us. We made several experiments with "goats bladders, boiling and clarifying them; "but could not make any sufficiently transparent. -“ Debating how we were to act in this case, one "of the ladies produced a pocket book, in which "was a small looking glass; this we fitted into "a circular piece of wood to the size of the com” pass: We scraped off the quick-silver, and "stopped every access to the air or water, by "wax, round the edges; this answered ex” tremely well, for though we could not see the "whole of the compass, yet we could always tell "how the boat’s-head was, the glass taking in "be sensible of the importance of the thing on "hand, and that on our exertions depended the "fate of those we had left behind us. The "consciousness of this, and having at length "surmounted all obstacles that lay in the way of "what had so long been the wish of my heart, "inspired me with fresh life, and I felt strong "assurance of success. For two days we made "tolerable progress to the Northward, having "a pleasant westerly wind; but then it shifted "again to N.N.E. and never returned again "fair. The fowls, and what we brought dressed "with us, lasted the first two days; but we were "sadly mortified on opening the first pot of beef "to find it rotten, and scarcely a morsel of it fit "to touch. Our bread was in the same state,

"and it was amusing to see the looks we cast "at each other on this discovery. One poor "man, who is since dead, used to afford us much "entertainment. After we had all left off "touching the victuals, he would grope among "the pots, and sometimes would get a bit that "he thought eatable, and, after chewing it for "some time, threw it away, with many wry "faces. Our whole subsistence now were some "raw sweet potatoes, with a little sugar cane, and powerful of the many Royal Chiefs in that quarter. The name by which he is known is King of Baba; but I believe this is entirely a European appellation *. I also rather think that King is a term little, if at all, used by the natives : Dean, in the southern parts of the island, is the general term applied both to royalty and nobility. The natives in the district of St. Augustine’s Bay have long shewn a warm attachment to the English; some of them spoke the language so as to make themselves somewhat understood, and, like the inhabitants of Joanna, they have much delight in assuming the titles of English princes and noblemen. The king’s power seems very absolute; but whether from choice or legal obligation, it was the practice for questions of importance to be decided in a sort of council of state, who commonlv held * atheir deliberations under the shade of a large tamarind tree. The province was divided into several subordinate governments, the chiefs of which came occasionally to render homage to the king. During our stay, no less a personage than the Prince of Wales died at St. Augustine’s

I shall now resume the account of our proceedings on that part of the wreck which was destined to experience much the largest share of protracted suffering. The canoes I mentioned above, having come alongside at the time of high water, when the tide was turning, we lost, during the suspension of our employments, considerable space, and were again carried farther out to sea; but this was not very material, as, on the next flowing of the tide, as we had before done, we pretty much recovered our distance. The proceedings I speak of were on Thursday 23d August. The wine found the day before was then all expended; and we searched in vain, whenthe depth of water allowed, for anew supply. On Friday 24th, none of the hoped-for canoes making their appearance, and our distresses every night and day increasing in fearful ratio, some of the people tried to make a sort of small rafts, by tearing off pieces of wood from the main raft; « ral went on the remaining hen-coops and emp” ty wine chests, or any thing that would float "them They were stopt by the inner reef for "some time, till the tide flowed, when we saw "them get safe on shore.” (Mr. Dale’s MS.) As every one who could use active means in the way of preparing rafts were thus providing as fast as they could for their safety, Captain Dundas judged it his duty to use his best efforts to save the ladies from the fate which appeared impending, as their situation was becoming every hour more critical. The embarking on such rafts as could at that moment be had, must have been to the whole party full of hazard, passing, as they must have done, through a fearful surf, and little used to such boisterous navigation; but still the hazard appeared to Captain Dundas to be less than remaining on the wreck. It was his intention to have taken part of the ladies under his charge, and that the chief mate should go on another raft with the others. Having intimated the plan, they were all happy to accede to the proposal, and arrangements were made to go on with it *. But on farther discussion with

"On Saturday the 25th, I assembled those "who were with me, and informed them of my "intention of beginning our journey the next "day, that they might supply themselves accordto recommend it; but things, inferior enough in themselves, were to us luxuries when contrasted with past privations. On our first arrival, we were visited by many as a sort of show; but when that had gone by, we were left much to ourselves; and the period required to equip the vessel destined to convey us to India, appeared long and wearisome. Sauntering about in the cool of the morning and evening, and resting on our beds in the forenoon, chiefly filled up the daily routine. The island is the least inviting in appearance that it is possible to imagine a place to be; and is also considered unhealthy. But I, for one, certainly gained ground while here, and others apparently did the same, with the exception of those who w*ent to the hospital, of whom a great part never again came out. We remained on the island about two months; and during that time about thirty died, being between a third and a fourth of our whole number. I have no doubt that every care was bestowed on the sick (as justly described by Mr. Dale,) but many had arrived in a dying state; and whatever the wish to administer relief might be, I believe that medical science was here at the lowest possible ebb. The principles of Sangrado were the chief rule of practice; bleed During the ebbing of the tide, the ship continued to beat with increasing violence, as the water diminished in depth : But about eight in the morning, she lay perfectly quiet, the water having then sunk to about eight feet. So soon as we struck, the military recruits were ordered to the pumps, and they persevered with great ardour and cheerfulness during the morning and subsequent part of the day, (Monday,) so long as their doing so could be of any use. But, in the progress of the wreck, the bottom of the ship became so much shattered, that the water was as deep within as without, and the pumps ceased to be of any avail. On the morning of Monday, the only hope that remained was the trial of another great effort, on the next flowing of the tide; and after breakfast was dispatched, every active hand was employed in preparation

off point St. Felix, 63 miles to the north of St. Augustine, which is in about 23° and 3C south latitude.

Mr. Dale states, “ About the same place, we found on "the beach, afterwards, a mast, and some other parts of the "wreck of a large ship, which I learnt at Mozambique had ‘ ‘been a Portuguese ship from Europe, wrecked a few years "before. The commander of her went to Mozambique in hia "long-boat, and returned in about a month with relief to his ‘ crew; but many died in that short time, and of the same "complaints as fatally affected our people. I saw one gentle” man at Mozambique who was in the ship.” of making the best of our way off. Before we had gone far, we found two of our plunderers following us, one armed with a musket, and the other with a lance, to which we had no weapon that could be opposed; and not knowing the means of reinforcement there might be, or any thing of the country, we were travelling in, it was not our business to be tenacious on the point of honour, by attempting resistance. They did not go very far in our track; but we feared their collecting some of their associates, and way-laying us in the night. There was clear moon-light, and a smooth beach, so we pushed on till a very ‘late hour, before we halted; about 12 o’clock, as we supposed. We laid ourselves down; but there falling then a heavy dew, which wet our clothes, as if we had been drenched in water, and having no fire, we had not the advantage of a sound sleep to alleviate our fatigues through a day that had been somewhat eventful to three of us. We had been, as has been seen, twice robbed, and deprived of all our travelling supplies, so as to be completely at the mercy of people of whom the little we as yet knew was in no degree prepossessing. On 31st August, we renewed {empty}.our journey about day-light. Towards 10 o’clock, we came to a village, where, happily,

G

r "pacify the assailants. They could only see "two persons, but no doubt there were many "more. It was near to where we had slept "that night, and they must have been collecting "in force. After giving them about 40 dollars, "we were allowed to proceed. The supply of "water which we had carried with us had failed "us, and we were obliged to put up with what "we could get by digging holes in the sand, "though what was got in that way was quite "brackish. We this day discovered a pole set up "with apiece of paper, on which was wrote, ‘Turn "to the left, and you will find a small well of "good water.’ This had been done by some of "our party who had separated; for the poor "ladies, not being able to travel fast, protracted "the time very much, and many of the men had "left us, being in want of provisions. This was "a pleasing circumstance to us, and, following "our directions, we found the well in the mid” die of a nice shady spot of grass: Here we "stopt for that day, and almost drank the well "dry: It was one of the pleasantest spots I saw {empty}«. on the island; there were plenty of trees, "which afforded a fine retreat from the sun, and "such a haunt for the birds, that if the well was "left for a minute, they would surround it in "from the wreck, was bounded by a frightful "reef of rocks, which sometimes was at the dis” tance of only two miles, but generally more "from land; on which the sea beat with prodi” gious violence.

"In a day or two we got provided with huts, "for which we were made to pay two dollars "each. This was not the intention of the king, "but the great men who had the orders to see "them made, thought it a fit occasion to extort "from us; some of them were sad grasping fel” lows. As we were now dependent on the "bounty of the king, and uncertain but it might "be withdrawn, it behoved every one to hus” band, to the greatest advantage, the little "means he possessed, in case of emergency, and "to that purpose we formed a mess, which con” sisted of the seven ladies, the officers of the "ship, and most of the principal cabin passen” gers, (leaving the people to act as they chose,) "and collected all our little money together, of "which I was appointed purser till Mr. Spens "joined us. We took it in turns to be caterer "and cook for the day: the king, for a time, "allowed about a bullock each day, (that is, "while I was there,) but said he could not sup” ply us with other smaller articles, such as rice, had, J believe, less than our own share. The chief source of disturbance used to be perhaps in a quarter where something of harmony is reasonably looked for, namely, the practitioners in music, particularly on the violin and flute, whose notes are somehow uncommonly rebellious in the hands of new performers. “ Pass the word for * Corporal Mackoy,” was accordingly a sound of ominous import to all amateurs of musical science. Such things are, however, quite essential to break the monotony of a long voyage, and, after all, are no great interruption to those whose tastes and pursuits happen to take another course.

As the season of the year did not admit of the ship entering Table Bay, we landed at False Bay. The Cape was then under the government of the Dutch, and has no doubt since, undergone many changes and improvements; but, as a place for the refreshment of ships, the advantages it then possessed could hardly be surpassed. We found the climate delightful, and a profusion of fruit and vegetables, that constitute to those who have been long on ship-board, a treat which those who

• I believe this is the person who afterwards exercised his musical acquirements with advantage on Madagascar. an old man, who, by signs, insisted on our coming with him to his hut, where we experienced a most kind reception. He gave us the best things he had to eat and drink, consisting, I think, chiefly of milk and honey; and at night, he prepared with a sail-cloth, a sort of tent for us to sleep in.

As it became necessary to make preparations to follow the others who had sone to the king’s residence, we set oft* next morning to the place where the greatest part of the provisions had been cast on shore, to provide ourselves with the requisite supply for the journey. This place, which was about eight or nine miles to the north of where we had landed, we reached in the forenoon, and found the beach there covered, as described by Mr. Dale, with fragments of the wreck, dead animals, and almost every thing the imagination could think of. Though much wine, and other portable articles had been carried off, yet much still remained; and we had no difficulty in providing the slender stock we required, consisting of two or three bottles of wine and spirits, some salt provisions, and cheese. We got a good fire lighted, and passed this night very comfortably among some bushes.

On Tuesday the QSllt, having arranged our store, we proceeded, on our return, to the hut Salamanca dollar*;” but our appearance did not indicate much in that way, and it is probable that they had only approached us to reconnoitre. Happily, however, later in the day, another canoe was more merciful. It had picked up one of our people who had saved himself on some detached fragment of the wreck, and, on a signal being made, came to our raft. The only ladies on this part of the wreck were now Mrs. C— and her surviving daughter, about 10 years of age. In addition to the general pressure of distress, affliction peculiarly her own, as has been seen, lay heavy on her; and the interest which this naturally excited, was greatly increased by the calm, resigned fortitude which she wonderfully evinced under a severity of trial as great as the female mind, perhaps, was ever called to encounter. The feelings and wishes of every one accordingly, seemed to merge in the desire to provide for her safety and that of her child, and it was at once decided that they should go

t I heard from Mr. H— (in whose lamented death that afterwards occurred on Madagascar, his numerous friends sustained a heavy loss,) some wonderful circumstances attending his recovery of the raft, and that of Mrs. C— and her youngest daughter, all of whom had been washed into the sea; but I am unable to narrate them with sufficient accuracy. the least irksome parts of a capture; the exultation on the one hand, contrasted with the depression on the other, the ascending and descending scale of comparison. It was decided that the Portuguese commander, with Mr. Dale, and between 20 and 30 of the healthiest of our people, should be taken on board of the privateer, and a prize-master, with another officer, and five or six men, were sent on board of our vessel. All those arrangements were completed by about eight o’clock in the evening, when the vessels parted to pursue their opposite courses. The privateer reached Tutacorine, on the coast of Malabar, a few days after, and found the looked-for Indiaman : but the tables were very unexpectedly turned, and instead of the easy capture they had anticipated, they were, after an action of fifteen minutes, themselves obliged to strike. As I am here about to take leave of my valuable MS. companion, Mr. Dale, I will insert the few sentences that remain of his narrative, describing his arrival at Madras after his unlooked-for release.

"Being thus again at liberty, I repaired to "Palamcottah, and received there the greatest "civility from the garrison. In a short time an "order came to provide a boat for our convey” more afraid than any. I heard, but cannot "say how true it is, that sometimes, if a man "knows of a single elephant, he will hide him” self somewhere in the track, and after he has *’ passed, slip under him and cut his ham strings. "But sometimes we met with a party of men "going to hunt the elephant, armed with long "spears and knives; and this appears the most "likely method. It is extremely dangerous to "be near them before sun-rise. We saw one "morning four or five prodigious large ones; "they followed one after another with slow pace, "and we could hear the cracking of the trees, "as they pulled down the branches with their "trunks. The zebra is a native of this country, "we saw some near to Senna, but a long way off "they appeared as large as small horses: the {empty}.* people here cover the poles of their palanquins "with their skins. November 9th, we reached "a place called Macai, about 100 miles from So•’ fala. It consists of a few huts only, by the "side of a small river. We had travelled through "a miserable tract of country, very thinly in” habited, probably the consequence of the slave "trade at Mozambique; for 40 miles, not a hut "or creature to be met with. From this place *- to Senna, the land belongs to the Lady Donna violence of the wind and surf, made it a very doubtful thing if the wreck would hold together till morning. 1 have no distinct recollection how we passed the remainder of this night; but in such a night of horrors, there could have been but little rest. God was pleased, however, to spare us to see the light of next morning, which ushered in the day that was to terminate this part of our calamities.

As soon as day-light appeared, on the 21st, the general attention was directed to the important object of preparing rafts, the only remaining ground of hope. This was done chiefly from planks, and what spars remained after the irreparable loss of the preceding day •, but any thing that would float was pressed into the service. The carpenter, an active, intelligent man,sughe returned to his native country. I think he belonged to Aberdeenshire; and I was informed by the gentleman under whom he last acted in India, (my friend the present Surveyor-General,) that a vessel in which he had embarked to go to, or come from Aberdeen, had been wrecked, and that he had perished.

Before I proceed farther, I shall stop to give a short view of the cool, masterly proceedings of Mr. Dale, and the junior officers, in that extremity, which I cannot do in better words than those of Mr. Dale’s narrative, as he well describes scenes, “ quorum pars magna suit.” "All this day I was on the poop, getting it "in readiness for our last stay, with the few who "assisted me; and, in the afternoon, having done "all that we could to it, and foreseeing that it "would be insufficient to hold the number of "people that were on board, it was necessary to ¥ think of some other means. Accordingly, with "the fourth, fifth, and sixth mates, I took posses” sion of the driver boom, and cut it into three • lengths, but found that would not be broad

Account of the Wreck of the Winterton, and of

the events which occurred till our arrival at

Tullear on Madagascar.

The Winterton East Indiaman, commanded by Captain George Dundas, sailed from England for Madras and Bengal, on the 2d May, 1792. A voyage to India is now so well understood, that in the ordinary course of things, it presents little novelty. Though thousands, and tens of thousands, have pursued, and will probably continue to pursue, the same track of India adventure, yet, the separation that then takes place, in very many cases for ever, is to those to whom home has been pleasant, no light thing; and I would not hold in much estimation the young heart that could have all its early ties severed

v. severity with which the ship beat on the rocks *. The boats, in the course of the evening, were moored a considerable way astern, in order that they might be in readiness for the intended disembarkation on the following day. Numerous fires were seen on shore, which, in shewing that the neighbouring country was apprized of what had happened, presented something like a hope of succour from that quarter. On the whole, therefore, though the prospect was any thing but cheering, there was a sort of suspension of our trouble. The water, about nine o’clock on Monday night, had made free access into the great cabin, and I believe that the lower part of the ship was entirely abandoned. We stowed ourselves, as we best could, in the different cabins of the round-house, where (at least where I was) trunks, tables, chairs, lay in such mingled confusion, that access was not easy. The ladies occupied one of the principal cabins, having temporary bedding laid on the deck f. Their situation was indeed deplorable; but they hadmain * Few sights are more melancholy than the state to which our ship was now reduced. Masts, rudder, every thing gone, and the hull a mere wreck.

\ The floor may perhaps be more intelligible to most readers.

I man catching a straw; and about seven o’clock we prepared for the expedition. We threw off most of our clothes, and went two together, those in advance, keeping the distance, so as to be heard by those who followed. I don’t believe that we had gone half a mile, when we found the water so fast deepening, that it was impossible to proceed without swimming, and flying, in our state, would have been to the full as easy. The tide was by this time just about flowing, which left no alternative, to preserve the little life that was now remaining to us, but a speedy retreat to our raft, under the aggravated fatigue that this effort had produced*. On the night the ship went to pieces, a hog happened to be washed on this part of the wreck. At the time I got on the raft, it was running about, occasioning much annoyance, and there was a wish to throw it into the sea. I believe I was instrumental, acting probably from no very defined feeling, in saving it from a watery grave, and reserving it for a more useful purpose. Though our hopes had

1’ As I write this fact from recollection, and not from notes, I am prevented from saying precisely how it was. ranged for landing, with the fire-arms and gunpowder. The precaution was most judiciously taken, of staving the casks of spirits not required, to the greatest possible extent, in order to guard, as far as could be done, against the fatal excesses so apt to happen at such times among sailors and soldiers. Mr. Dale, however, observes, “That all the precautions of the officers {empty}.* could not prevent several of them from getting "drunk; that they lay down on the deck to lick "up the spirits floating there; and that some in "consequence perished in the wreck before the "ship parted.” This was, however, far from being generally the case; and the conduct of the crew, on the whole, was in a high degree exemplary and steady. “ In the course of the even” ing, (Monday,) Captain Dundas called the "people together, and in a short speech made "them acquainted with the situation where they "were, as to latitude; the route they were to "take after getting on shore; and mentioning "the probability of their meeting a ship at St. "Augustine’s Bay. But, above all, he insisted "on the absolute necessity of paying the strictest "attention to the commands of their officers; as” suring them of his assistance and advice, and "that it was his duty and determination to abide

c wustine’s Bay. I did not see it; but, from the description of others, it was no doubt a paper relating to some magical process, and was probably in the Arabic language.

Climate.—The climate of Madagascar is universally considered as unhealthy. It appears from the French accounts, that a large proportion of the troops belonging to their early establishments, perished from the diseases of the country. Flacourt gives an account of a fortified post having been occupied at St. Augustine’s Bay, in 1642, by an English force of about four hundred men, of whom, in the course of two years, three-fourths are said to have died *; and other events of a similar kind might be mentioned. The sufferers of the Winterton may however, be adduced as a more recent example. During the seven months we were in the Island,

we lost from 80 to 100 of our small number. I have known three interred in one day; and those who lived to get off the Island, had been almost

A Short Account of ilie People os Madagascar;

and some particulars of our residence among

them.

The period of our residence on Madagascar approached seven months; but sickness and death during that time made such havoc among us, that we had little opportunity of enlarging much the limited store of information hitherto obtained regarding that island. I can give little more at present than some general remarks, that may assist in forming a judgment regarding the character of the people, and the nature of the country where our lot happened to be cast; but a general view of this kind, though imperfect, may not be uninteresting.

H which province is called by the natives Feraignher. The Bay of St. Augustine is a beautiful place, and has long been the resort of European ships, as plentiful supplies are there procurable. The large river of Onehagloyhe joins the sea at this bay. The coast here, as I believe, all round the island, is surrounded by formidable rocks; and Madagascar may be justly termed the “ Surf-girt Isle.” The residence of a large proportion of our people, while we remained in the island, was at Tullear, where the king usually resided; but a good many also fixed their abode at St. Augustine’s Bay, which was distant about 15 or 20 miles from Tullear. It being thought material that some of the officers or passengers, capable of giving correct information, should be at hand in case of the arrival of any ship in St. Augustine’s Bay, the plan of periodical reliefs was adopted, two generally going at a time, and this was continued till sickness so overpowered us all, as to make it no longer practicable. The journey, which was performed on foot, was very severe, enfeebled as we were, and was probably attended with bad effect to some. The extent of the province of Feraignher is considerable; and, from what we could learn, our protector was one of the most the breath of life remains *. I before mentioned, that the launching of the poop in the night was thought too hazardous a thing to be attempted, and that the idea had, in consequence, been relinquished. What, however, in the day had been pronounced as next to impracticable, with all the resources then at command, was effected in the midst of darkness as of itself. The ship had been, in the course of the hour preceding the crisis at which we have now arrived, going rapidly in pieces; and the poop began, at length, to separate from the wreck, which beingper * It is possible that this may fall into the hands of readers who may not quite subscribe to what is here stated. If there are such, I can only say, that I much regret their opinion should be so very opposite to what can be demonstrated to be truth. My feeling is that of being deeply humbled under the very inadequate sense that I entertain of the divine mercy on the occasion in question, as well as many others. The infidel acts in perfect unison with himself who rejects all such ideas; he has taken his stand, and, desperate as the issue must be, he abides by it. But how any one, believing in Christianity, can have a moment’s doubt on the subject, is an inconsistency which it must be impossible to reconcile, and which no one can, I am sure, satisfactorily explain to his own mind. In the sight of omnipotence, nothing can be great or small. We have it on authority that cannot err, that the minutest, as well as the greatest concerns, are the immediate objects of divine control. Our Saviour emphatically tells us, “ that not a sparrow faileth to the ground without our "Father, and that the very hairs of our head are all num” bered.” to this day evince for the bullock.” If ever the superstition was imported into Madagascar, it is now evidently relaxed; but there would almost appear to have been a compromise between the scruples of conscience and convenience; and, while it was decided that the animal should fall, it seems to have been thought a salvo, to guard it at least from falling by an ignoble hand. I think I may confidently state, that the practice does not extend to the part of the island where we were. There, when a bullock is to be killed, much to the joy of the inhabitants, they fall to without scruple or demur, with what appetite they may.

Language.—I am not certain that I would have hazarded the surmises above suggested, if the fact of early connection between the race of inhabitants in Madagascar and the Hindoos, had not been distinctly established by the most unquestionable of all evidences, the affinity of language*. We have it on the authority of the

{empty}. * its entrails, we observed that, like musk, they made a very "agreeable perfume in the air. The natives are of a tawny "olive colour, inclining to red, they are tall, straight, well "made, and not only of a ready apprehension but wise; their "hair is long and wreathed into tresses. They are naked all "over excepting their middle, which is covered with cotton "cloth. The women wear one piece of cloth that covers them "from under their breast to their girdle, and another that "reaches from thence to their knees, their heads being bare "and shaved. Their arms are darts and javelins called aza” gayes, for the noise of a gun frights them exceedingly. It "is said this Island was formerly peopled by the Chinese, "upon the occasion of a ship being cast away upon that "coast: and indeed they resemble the Chinese very much, "bating that their complexion is not near so white, which "perhaps may proceed from their going naked, and living in "the torrid zone. At present the Island is very populous, and "governed by several kings that wage war with one ano” ther: some of the inhabitants are Mohammedans, and cir” cumcised, and the rest are Pagans. The inland parts of "the Island are in great want of water.

I should add, in justice to M. Dubuc, that though he had the name of a duellist, it was then thought no sort of disparagement at the Isle of France, where such things at that period were quite in usual course. I even remember seeing two little boys, once brought out to engage in a combat of this kind; their ages seemingly not exceeding fourteen. "the midst of a wood, and it was next to an H impossibility for us to have found our way out, "if they had left us. This trick was more than "once practised. All this day, till five in the "evening, did we march, and a hotter sun I never "felt: A little stream or two of water that we "passed were almost boiling; of course we suf” fered severely from thirst. I felt a slight coup "de Soleil, which for a little time rendered me "insensible, and at length I was so fatigued, that "I would gladly have lagged behind, but did "not dare. We often saw in the high grass "marks where animals had been lying; and now "and then came to a tree, on the top of which "was laid sticks across, and a mat or two, which "served as a resting place for any traveller who "should be so inclined; for the country was so "infested with beasts, that no one could inhabit "it. Our guide informed us that those animals "do not mix together; and we observed when "we were near to the haunt of lions or tigers, "they were under no apprehensions about ele” phants or buffaloes; and when we came to any "place where elephants had been, were pretty "sure there was no other creature. They often "amused us with the manner in which they kill "the wild beasts, but of the elephant they seemed for this purpose, by throwing overboard all heavy articles, so that the ship might be as much as possible lightened. Mr. Dale was particularly employed in the arduous duty of getting the heavy guns carried out to a considerable distance, that the ship might not strike on them, if again made to float; and this duty he performed with manly activity, so long as it was possible; but the surf becoming very high when the sea-breeze set in, the boats could not then approach the ship *. It was mentioned above, that the booms had been fastened along-side j but the surf unhappily broke them adrift, and many were lost, which greatly impaired the means of providing rafts, the last resort to which we were soon to be driven. The hour of dinner arrived, and, externally, things went on much in the usual routine, though it proved the last regular meal that we partook of for a long period. The time of high-water was then drawing on,

Most, of the passengers did not embark till {empty}..he day before we sailed. The ship was much crowded. There were ten ladies on board; and I think about thirty dined at the Captain’s table, besides a number belonging to the mess in the cabin of the third mate. There were also a number of recruits on board; making in all between 275 and 280 persons. 1 kept no journal regarding the first part of our voyage; and, if I had done so, it probably would have furnished nothing much worth mentioning. We passed near the island of Madeira, but did not anchor. and, so far as my recollection goes, we saw no other land till we made the Cape of Good Hope, on the 18th July. Till then the voyage might be well called pleasant. A ship is, in fact, a world in miniature j and where various dispositions and discordant tempers are brought together, and concentrated in very little compass, it requires a much larger portion of the spirit of mutual accommodation, than can reasonably h§ expected in the varied group of an outwardbound Indiaman, to keep all things smooth. Hence breezes not unfrequently arise, and they sometimes increase to storms. But of this we

2 were, long before the time of our being relieved from the Island, reduced to much distress; the higher classes had then no difficulty in obtaining whatever domestic help they wanted. At first, a considerable number of the officers and passengers used to sleep in the same hut, on bed places formed of rattans, and raised a little from the ground; but, afterwards, when we got more settled, and death had thinned our society, most of us had separate huts. Excepting the times when we were looking out for the purchase of provisions, we had scarcely any pursuit in the least to interest us, and each succeeding day was pretty much as those which had preceded. Before sickness began to make the havoc which it did, some used to perambulate a good deal the neighbouring country; but latterly, we were all of us too ill for any effort of that kind. I have mentioned, that the plan was adopted for a time of sending deputies, if I may call them so, to St. Augustine’s Bay. Never shall I forget the labour I went through in reaching that destination, when my tour of duty came. My friend Mr. T— and I, started from Tullear before daylight in the morning; but we did not accomplish our journey before evening, having travelled through a country, which, if I had been less ill the insalubrity of climate, or any other cause, to station missionaries permanently on that island: but if this latter plan is judged, with safety, practicable, (for a limited period, even of the year,) the success which may be reasonably anticipated would of course be greatly advanced. I shall only farther add, that I am persuaded it is material that any missionaries who may go-to Madagascar should have been already for some time in a warm climate, and in that way what is called seasoned, instead of proceeding direct from Europe; the constitution being in the latter case always more open to the influence of tropical disease. and a more momentous object was in view,—the last effort that was to decide the fate of the ship. This was looked forward to by all with a degree of solicitude that may be somewhat imagined; but we were not long in doubt after the time came. Between three and four o’clock in the afternoon, the final attempt was again made to heave the ship off’; but it failed. She had become immoveable by human power, and all hope of her safety terminated *.

In this stage of our difficulties, the next primary consideration was the safety of the lives of the people on board. A consultation of the officers was called, and it was decided to dispatch on shore the yawl with the second mate, Mr. Spens, and the purser Mr. Dun, for the purpose of ascertaining the safest place of landing. The boat accordingly departed about sunset, equipped with the requisite supply of small arms and provisions. Ample supplies of provisions, salt beef, biscuit, and spirits, were collected on board from the ship’s stores, andar * Mr. Dale, in referring to this last disappointment, says, "It was probably fortunate for us that our attempts were *’ frustrated, as by this time the different leaks had gained so "much in the pumps, that had we succeeded, we might have "found it impossible to keep the ship afloat, and consequent” ly she must have foundered in deep water.’’ "boat was getting ready, our people, who were "ignorant of the nature of the scheme, kept "rather shy, until I went publicly among their "huts and informed them that 1 had resolved to "proceed to Mozambique, and represented the "object as favourably as possible, to engage "some to accompany me. I got about a dozen, "out of whom I chose my number; but I am "confident there were not many that would "have refused. During this time also, it was in "debate, whether I should go to the Mauritius "or to Mozambique. Mr. Spens was in favour "of the former, as well as the purser and some "others. I objected to it on what I thought "good grounds; the uncertainty of making the "island; the great distance to it; and the doubt "of being able to carry a sufficiency of provi” sions. The danger seemed evident, and I had "the satisfaction of being joined in opinion by «« my worthy friend and mess-mate, Mr. Wilton, "the 4th mate. I had yet another difficulty to "surmount, which was this : Mr. Spens, from a "very laudable motive, wished to preserve what "order and regularity he could among the peo” pie; and as this was most likely to be obtain” ed by the officers remaining with them, he at "first objected to any officer accompanying me "in the boat. I may be permitted, and grati” great numbers. Our hopes were somewhat "raised to-day, by meeting a native who had "come from St. Augustine’s Bay, and confident” ly affirmed, as we understood, that the King "George, Company’s Ship, that sailed from Eng” land with us, was there. The ladies in a mo” ment forgot their troubles, but I certainly did "not give it much credit, however I might "countenance the report for obvious reasons. "Most probably we had misconceived the man, "for it proved quite unfounded : However, we "got a fine large conger eel from his canoe, "which afforded us a hearty meal. *

On Wednesday the 29th, they continued their journey by day-light. Their apprehensions of being in want of water and other provisions, were this day in a great measure removed, by several of the natives having brought supplies of water and sweet potatoes; and in the course of the day, they had an opportunity of buying a bullock. In the evening, when they were ready to proceed through an extensive wood, the natives came round them, and begged of them to remain where they were all night, explaining as well as they could, that the way they proposed going by would be impassable. There being no alternative, they submitted; but not without fear of a renewed attack, a fear the more confirmed, by several of the party having been that day robbed while on the route. They set a strong watch in the night, which, however, they passed without molestation.

At sun-rise next morning, (30th,) a native presented himthose who had no money found the buttons of their coats of much use, as with them we were enabled to buy some potatoes and some water. After a wearisome walk along the burning sand, we met one of our people, who was returning from the king’s residence * to the wreck, with some canoes which the king had humanely sent to assist those who were unable to walk. The ladies not having reached the king’s before he set out, he could give us no information as to them; but he gave us useful directions as to the road we should keep that evening, informing us that the road which he pointed out would lead us to a village where he had himself been well treated. After sharing among our party, now consisting of ten or eleven, two small fishes and some potatoes which we had been enabled to procure, we proceeded. It being high water, we found the way for two or three miles rough and fatiguing. According to the direction we had received, we now left the sea-coast; and after going aconsiderable way across the country, we came to

Why we did not get one of the canoes to assist us, I do not now remember; but certainly none could well require such aid more than some of us then did. two hours at once, which was a wearisome duty, and probably contributed to our ailments; but sickness did not allow it to go on long. Having now said all that appears material on this head, the adoption of something of a standard of comparison may be perhaps the easiest mode of fixing the scale assignable to Madagascar civilization. They are, in this respect, beyond any question, decidedly inferior to the general population of Sumatra and Java, where attainments in almost every point of mental culture have been made, much surpassing any thing known in Madagascar. On the other hand, the people of that island nearly as much surpass the Hottentots, (at least what the Hottentots were before the late great improvements effected by the missionaries,) the Bosjesmans, and other such tribes in southern Africa. They hold, perhaps, pretty nearly a middle place between those different nations. Hitherto, the European intercourse has been very much presented to the Madagascar view, in the forbidding light of piracy*, and the slave traffic, to say nothing of the many

placed, my view, from the darkness, was very limited, and I saw nothing beyond the few that I happened to be next; but I believe no irregularity of any material kind occurred, and that the general demeanour was suitable to the solemn occasion. We have seen above, that there was reason to believe there were some who had, at this time, perished from drunkenness, being incapacitated from leaving the lower decks; but the number was, no doubt, very small. One person only I saw in an intoxicated state near where I was. He was a quarter-master, and attempted a desperate outrage, which it required all the authority of the chief mate to repress. He was a man altogether of a dauntless kind of character. I overheard him one day, on Madagascar, conversing with one of his companions, who probably had been expressing anxiety about our then unpromising situation, when he cut the matter short, by saying, that the stout-hearted would live, and the cowardly die, like using sufficiently gross terms. Ere long, however, he was himself numbered with the dead.

My situation, at the time I refer to, happened to be close to Mr. Chambers, who seemed to watch with interest the progress of the wreck, putting questions on the subject to a person sitting also by him, who had been bred to the sea, and who was going out a passenger to India in that line. Mr. Chambers seemed to entertain a faint and momentary idea that the wreck, having divided, the part on which we were, might drift towards the shore. At such times, even trifles afford matter of future interest to the busy memory. the east side of the island. They there understand the making of paper from the bark of a tree; of ink, from the decoction of a particular sort of wood, and of pens from the bamboo, nearly such probably as are used in India. Our friends in the province of Feraignher, with many good qualities, are certainly not men of letters. With an immaterial exception, I do not recollect to have seen, or to have heard, of any vestige of writing among them.

Religion.—On the authority of Drury, I may state, that the people of the southern parts of Madagascar acknowledge and adore one supreme God, whom they call Dean Unghorray; and that there are four other subordinate divinities, who are considered to preside over the four quarters of the world, (meaning probably the four cardinal points,) and that they are looked to as mediators between men and the supreme being, and worshipped with sacrifices. Our means of intercourse were not such as to enable us to form any correct views on this point, as it was only in a very general way that we could make known our ideas to each other. If acts of superstition could be considered as synonymous with those of devotion, we frequently saw the natives engaged in such; but I have no recollection of circumstances, though probably on much less sufficient grounds, were at that time detained there a great number of American ships, that had been laid under embargo two months before, and were kept for several months after, to the ruinous injury of many individuals. The ostensible reason of this proceeding was the intended departure of a fleet for France, of which the Americans might convey intelligence to the enemy; but this was allowed to operate for months, and it was supposed that the fear of intelligence was more directed to the safety of the privateers that were pouring out as fast as they could; or perhaps some hope was entertained, that, in the chapter of events, a good excuse might be found for seizing the whole. Whatever the motives or object might be, the poor people concerned were kept in the most painful suspense for a long time.

It is not often that prisoners can speak in terms of almost unqualified gratitude of their reception in a hostile country; but so we were enabled, and so it is our duty to do, in this case. The government, and the society of the place, wore then a good tleal in the same state of disorganization as prevailed in the parent country : They had a governor without power, a colonever having seen any of them engaged in any

direct adoration of the supreme Power. We saw

no temple nor place of public worship. There was only in several villages a large tamarind tree, which seemed to be viewed in a sort of sacred light, and protected with particular care. When any were sick, the neighbours used to assemble round the door, and make a great noise, singing, clapping their hands, and beating the ground with their feet—a strange cure, no doubt, for sickness. When the sufferer happened to be a person of rank, the melody was increased by the loud beating of a drum, and by the blowing of a large shell *. In cases of much danger one or more bullocks used to be sacrificed; and the mode of sacrifice was understood to vary according to the indisposition, but the result was always the same, a division of the sacrifice among the friends. It was, however, reckoned unlawful to give any part of the bullocks thus sacrificed to dogs. The men wear about their necks a small leathern bag, with two or three pieces of a particular

• The drum is made of a cylindrical form, covered with bullock’s hide at each end. The shell is the same as the wellknown conche, described in Captain Cook’s account of the islands in the Pacific Ocean. Those noises used to be sometimes at night a great annoyance. brates through my frame of the tremendous wave, that, seemingly impelled by more than common fury, dashed against us, and hurled the portion of the wreck on which we were into the deep. I lament now that I allowed the opportunity to pass of obtaining a distinct account how the last dreadful shock affected the numerous assemblage on this part of the wreck. It is not probable, that all were washed from it, or the number who perished must probably have been much greater. But many were washed away and seen no more; while others recovered their situation in a manner almost miraculous. Captain Dundas, who had been on that part of the ship, though I knew it not at the time, was washed into the sea, but recovered his place on the raft. In the momentary interval, he spoke to one or two who saw him; but another overwhelming wave came, and, washing him again off, exhausted as he must have been, he sunk to rise in this life no more. The forebodings of Mr. Chambers were too fully verified, and he was not seen by any one after our first separation. It was on this occasion that the chief loss of lives happened; the number then lost

It is sufficiently understood, that Madagascar is one of the largest known islands, being situated between 12° and 26° south latitude, and about 800 miles in length. It was discovered in 1506, by the Portuguese, who gave it the name of St. Lawrence, by which it was long after known; but its present name approaches more nearly that by which it is called by the natives themselves. The island, I know not if on correct authority, has been divided into twenty-eight provinces; and the population has been computed, no doubt vaguely, at between three and four millions *. This population is quite disproportioned to its geographical extent and natural fertility; but the whole island appears to be subject to the authority of petty chiefs, who, being chiefly engaged in war and plunder, have little idea of turning to a right account the means which the bounty of nature has bestowed on them. These evils appear to have been unhappily much increased by the effects of European intercourse, for it is painful to think, that

"December 13th. Another of the seamen died; "and, on Christmas day, I had the grief of sees’ ing my poor friend Wilton breathe his last. I "could not avoid forming a melancholy contrast "between the last Christmas day, happily spent f* in my own country, and this. Our kind land” lord endeavoured to cheer me, by urging me "to sit at table; and he invited some company to "attend when they removed the corpse of mv "departed friend. As my health returned, my *’ anxiety to proceed increased; and the account "I got of the unhealthiness of Madagascar at "this season, by no means lessened it. I had, "however, no remedy but patience, as a con” veyance was not then procurable, and passed "away the time in picking up a few words of huts, so we saw a good deal of her. She was much of a coquet, and shewed that she knew her ascendancy. The king was always approached with the most profound respect by his subjects : When they drew near him on public occasions, they covered their head with their hand, and bowed it almost to the ground. No wonder that they do so, for notwithstanding that there may be some few limitations to the regal power, I fancy the king’s word is pretty decisive of life or death.

To give a more distinct idea of the proceedings of the court of Baba, I shall mention what I saw when the King gave audience to some ambassadors who had been sent from a neighbouring state, with which there had been, according to frequent occurrence, some misunderstanding. The King, accompanied by about 80 armed men, went out to a little distance from his residence, and seated himself on a sandy plain. In half an hour the ambassadors made their appearance. They had kindled their fire, according to the usual mode of the country, where tents are not known, and where houses are scarce, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile, and drew near, driving four or five bullocks as a present to the King. Being seated at a few paces disto have been a continued scene of bloody warfare and mutual treachery. In 1663 Fort Dauphin was rebuilt, and the establishment formed on an extensive scale; but the same causes continued to operate, and in I67I or 1672 the place was again taken, and the unhappy European inhabitants shared the fate of their predecessors. The French appear to have perseveringly attached much exaggerated importance to Madagascar as a military and commercial situation; and in 1768, the establishment of Fort Dauphin was again revived. At what precise period this new establishment was relinquished, I am unable to state; but it led to no beneficial result. From the earliest period of the formation of a settlement in Madagascar, the French had extended their intercourse to the more northern parts of the island, particularly Foule-point, the Island of St. Mary, and the Bay of Antongil, on a scale more or less limited, as circumstances required. That part of the country is said to be particularly fertile, and the character of the native inhabitants highly extolled. The celebrated La

Bourdonnais * remained for a considerable time

Edinburgh, 1820. not be understood as aiming at any thing at all of a literary work. The following has been the lucubration of not many days, as any one who reads it will too well see. If I find it excites any interest, I will probably recur to the intention I first entertained of somewhat extending it. If not, I shall with very little regret lay down the pen that I have felt a sort of indolent reluctance in taking up.

I have just one more observation to add. The proceeds of such a publication as this will probably be very immaterial; but I hope that I shall not be charged with any unworthy motive if I mention, in the outset, that whatever they may be, it is intended that they shall be appropriated as a small mite towards the Missionary Establishment now formed in Madagascar, and which will probably be extended. I state this, as I wish to have no appearance of pecuniary interest in the publication; as also, that if any one finds amusement in it, it may be "agent, would have died for want of help. The "gentleman, on seeing the state we were in, "sent one of his sons express to Senna, to know "the Governor’s pleasure, whether we should "go at once there or to Killeman. The Go” vernor desired him to forward us there, and "as soon as palanquins could be collected we set "off) and in four days got to Senna. One of "the men died the morning we arrived. Senna "is about 300 miles from Sofala. We were car” ried to the Governor’s house, and while De "Souza related our disasters, got some refresh” ment, and soon after went to the house ap” pointed for us, and had dinner sent us. While "we were there a gentleman visited us, and had

"a long talk with De Souza; and in the even” ing sent palanquins to bring us all to his house. "No one can rightly judge of what I felt on "finding myself in a good room, and a comfort” able bed to lie on, unless, like me, he had been "buftetting about for four months, a stranger to "almost every comfort. I could scarcely for a "while believe the transition. Our generous host "appeared to share in the hardships we had un” dergone, and by the most unremitting kindness "endeavoured to make us forget them: he him” self clothed and washed us, attended us every "hour in the day, administered our medicines, {empty}«. swered, that he felt every inclination to assist "my companions, but was prevented from "acting up to his intentions, as there was no "vessel belonging to the Queen of Portugal "in the harbour. In this situation, I judged "myself empowered, from the official employ” ment I filled, in the name of the East India "Company to freight a private vessel to pro” ceed to Madagascar; and the liberal conduct "and active aid of the governor enabled me "soon to equip the ship for the intended voyage. "I also laid in a quantity of rice, biscuit, rum, "sugar, coffee, &c. for our return; the captain M of the vessel undertook, at his own cost, to "provide clothes for the ladies, which he did "very genteelly. I likewise procured a small "box of medicines, which were inspected by the "physician of the hospital. As I could not get "any salted meat, I took some salted fish, and H some casks and salt to cure meat at Madagascar; "and I likewise took three barrels of powder, six {empty}H. muskets, some flints and balls, as a present for "the king. The first of March, I sailed from "Mosambique *; and, and after a tedious passage of 23 days, anchored in St. Augustine’s

** This was so strong in the Madagascar breast, that I don’t believe it could have been restrained by all the authority of the worthy Baron Bradwardine, (well known to every reader of the fascinating story of Waverley.) That disposition to borrow occasionally the use of our neighbour’s goods, to which our friends in the North, as well as those in Madagascar, were, though I suppose not now, prone, proceeded probably in both countries from much the same cause, a system of government which made a neighbour, when he could be conveniently got at, a good deal of lawful prey. Neither, probably, had much studied the admonitions of our immortal bard, who tells us, that “ borrowing dulls the edge of hus” bandry.” Nevertheless, this plain effect followed, as husbandry, in every country, shews its dislike to such a copartnership. ial assembly without decisive weight, and a jacobin club that much swayed both. But, notwithstanding this state of things, it is to the honour of this island that their revolutionary annals were, as I have been informed, rarely stained by any particular acts of atrocity or violence; at the time we were there, though there were occasional alarms, nothing material of this kind occurred. From all ranks of inhabitants we received nothing but civility and kindness. Most of the passengers were taken into the houses of different inhabitants in the town or country. In particular, I would mention the name of M. B r, an old gentleman of high respectability, and who had a most amiable family. He had served in the armies in Europe, and had about him all the high-toned feelings of a vieux militaire of the former school; his principles, as those of several of his neighbours, were firmly loyal, and they had wisely withdrawn a good deal from the tumult of democracy, living hospitably and happily on their plantations in the country. From him we received much kindness in various ways. Those of opposite principles were, at the same time, not slow in testifying their good will. We had a communication from the principal club, (I do not now recollect its exact title,) informmarch of to-day, under an intense sun, that I became very ill, from fever and lassitude, to a degree that, had I not been kindly aided by Mr. C, one of the freshest of our party, Imusthave remained on the road. My feet were so cut from the want of proper shoes, that even if I had been quite in vigour, walking must have been a painful effort; but, exhausted as I was, it is now matter of wonder how I got through the rapid, long marches we performed. Happily we were now approaching the termination of our journey.

On Sunday, 2d September, we set out about sun-rise. Nothing probably but the prospect of being near the end of our journey could have strengthened us, myself particularly, for the severe fatigue of the forenoon of this day. Our route was through brushwood, of height to exclude the air, over deep sand, and exposed to the powerful rays of a burning sun, reflected by the heated sand. After an arduous march, we arrived at a village, distant about two miles from our destined point; but those of us who had no money were badly off here, as the people had become more extravagant in their ideas, and would not be satisfied with our buttons, and such small things as we had it in our power to give, in exwhere the plaits, being once arranged, must remain so for a considerable time. The features of the inhabitants of the part of the island to which I refer, are quite different from those of the negro of Africa, being much thinner, and their complexion greatly lighter. In these respects, they resemble much more the inhabitant of India*. Having given the above general outline, it may be better, perhaps, to arrange the few particulars that can be mentioned under distinct heads. First,

Population and Property.—Madagascar has been computed to contain two hundred millions of acres; and taking the population at three millions, this is not more than about one person to sixty-six acres *. In the vicicity of Tullear,

I shall here add a little to the occasional remarks already made ill the course of the preceding narrative, regarding our longand dreary residence on this Island. Till our benefactor afforded the pecuniary aid that has been mentioned, the passengers generally were in a situation a good deal inferior to that of the sailors and soldiers, many of whom had considerable sums of money; and though the royal gift happily saved many from want, still, from the proportions into which it had been divided, our relative circumstances of inferiority were not for a time improved. It was something of the children’s fable of the “ world {empty}*. reversed;” and though at the time little viewed as matter of amusement, it might have been almost ludicrous to see the soldiers, &c. and their wives, metamorphosed into ladies and gentlemen, while those who had been usually recognised in the latter capacity, were actively engaged in culinary and other menial offices. L’embarras des richesses, however, naturally led to the usual effect of profusion, and poverty ere long Came in the train. On the distribution of the money received from the king, the price of milk and of every article of provision was extravagantly raised; and, as the inferior classes lavished their means without foresight, a great number had been attacked on the way increased, and for some time I was much oppressed; but it was not very long before I again rallied to a certain extent.

The village where the king, under whose protection we were now placed, usually resided, is called Tullear, not far from a river of that name, which joins the sea at the distance of about three miles from the village. The river is broad, but not generally deep; and the water commonly muddy, as if in flood. It will berecolwhole of which, we had little rest, and were often in want of the means of support, and what we did get, was generally taken at irregular hours, on weakened stomachs; late at night, and early in the morning, with scanty supplies of water or any liquid, (indeed bad water, or occasionally a very little milk, was the only liquid.) I do not think we were under cover any night, from the time the ship was wrecked, till we reached the king’s, excepting the first night after landing, when the old man gave us a piece of sail-cloth as a tent, and the cold and heavy dews of the night, (when we had scarcely any covering but the clothes we wore during the day,) severely aggravated our fatigues. This shews what the human constitution is at times capable of. I have never much relished long walks; and if any one had told me what I was to go through in this, and other ways, for about a fortnight, the thing would have appeared to myself impossible. I indeed never have entirely recovered from the effects, and probably never shall j but, at least, I got through at the time.

During the above period, I had never been, wet or dry, enabled in any shape to have off my clothes, most of which had been much shattered in the wreck. terrible cause. To judge from what I have seen of them, though well, I may say, elegantly, shaped, they are not a people possessed of much muscular strength; and the temper of their minds perhaps somewhat accords with the appearance of their bodily frames. Their dispositions, light and cheerful, with considerable intelligence, according to the extent of their means, must be ill adapted to the rugged horrors of an enslaved state. I cannot recal, without painful sensations, the sight of the poor wretches whom I have seen landed from the slave-ships at Mozambique and the Isle of France, many, sickly and wasted to shadows, driven along as the lowest description of animals. These poor creatures had been dragged from their homes; snatched from those relations of life which their turn of mind enabled them, in a high degree, to enjoy; hurried on board of vessels insufferably crowded and heated, and brought under the lash of unfeeling task-masters, the most degraded and degrading part of our species. As siavery is very indiscriminating, many had, no doubt, belonged to the better classes in their own country; but they were here all reduced to the same level of misery. It would be well if the potentates and ministers of those countries, so far as I can now recall to mind my own feeling, or what appeared to be the feeling of others, I much doubt if many extended their thoughts much beyond that “ valley of death” in which they were about entering. I remember one of the officers of the ship, (who afterwards died at Mozambique,) gaily saying, in the forenoon of the day on which the ship went to pieces, that “ he had thought of death for "five minutes the night before, and was then "ready.” I may now say, happy are those who are so, provided it is a readiness such as the Scripture, in terms not to be misunderstood, expressly requires : If it is any thing different from that, the foundation is indeed a desperate one. Few think what eternity is; and still fewer how little they are fitted for it: It is a subject that must, in a very few years, be brought home to every soul that lives; yet it is what not many can, in its vast bearings, now calmly face*.

After landing, we were conducted to the huts where Mrs.C had been accommodated when she reached land. We fell in with some of our

Character of the King.—The personal character of the king formed too material a feature in the circumstances connected with our residence in Madagascar, not to require a separate explanation. He seemed to be about 25 years of age; not tall, and rather slimly made, but well proportioned. His countenance did not indicate any striking ability, but much liveliness and benignity. His complexion was remarkably white, approaching a copper colour. When occasion required it, he appeared with a good deal of what might be called in their way magunarmed, had no chance against such odds; and, besides nearly all our provisions, they took from Mr. De Souza more than loo guineas, which he had managed to rescue from the wreck, and which we looked to as a mine of wealth. But it was found here, as in other cases, that “ riches take to themselves wings "and flee away.” Our situation now was forlorn enough. We had only left a small morsel of cheese, in a barren country; strangers to the language and customs of the natives; not sure of our road; and far from any place where we could hope for the least supply of water, or any other necessary of life. Such proofs, too, of umkindness and outrageous dishonesty in the outset, did not lead us to augur very favourably of the future. Whether this was a plot in which our early acquaintance had a hand, or whether it was a sudden impulse, without premeditation, is a question which never can be solved, and which we must leave where we find it. We had now no alternative, but to push on as fast as we could, taking the chance of future contingencies. We had not gone very far when we came up with a party, consisting of eight or nine of oui’ sailors, who were resting;, but as they had barely enough of provisions for themselves, we merewho, some centuries ago, came from the vicinity of Mecca, and occupied a considerable part of the east coast of the island. The name given them is Zafferehimini, and they are said to be divided into different classes, the Rhoandrians, the Anacandrians, and the Ontzatsi. The first are the chief class, and several of them appear to have attained royal authority. The Anacandrians are descended from the Rhoandrians and women of the island. The Onzatsi are said to be generally of the military rank. It is probable that it has been through the means of these invaders, that the Mahometan religion has been established to a considerable extent in Madagascar; though the same authorities mention that a farther importation arrived from the same quarter, at a much more recent period, named Casimambou. They are said to have been particularly instrumental in the diffusion of a certain knowledge of Arabic literature; and to have, in some instances, attacked and subdued their countrymen, the Zafferehimini. Flacourt refers also to apart of the populationin the vicinity of Tametave, on the east coast, named Zaffehibrahim,” c’est d dire race d’Abraham.” It is said that they retain among them many of the Patriarchal names, Noah, Abraham, David, &c.; and to be (or to great oriental luminary, Sir William Jones, that the dialects of the Sumatran language are derived from the Sanscrit, the parent of the languages spoken throughout India, and we are informed by Mr. Marsden and other eminent writers, that the same language is “ indigenous to "all the islands of the Eastern Sea, from Ma dagascar to the remotest of Captain Cook’s "discoveries t.” Mr. Marsden again remarks, "that one general language prevailed, (however "mutilated and changed in the course of time,) "throughout all this portion of the world, from • Madagascar to the most distant discoveries "eastward, of which the Malay is a dialect,” &c. "This very extensive similarity of language in "dicates a common origin of the inhabitants; "but the circumstances and progress of their "separation are wrapped in the darkest veil of

ed the thanks of the Philosophical Society of that place. Dr. Smith appears to have successfully refuted the fallacies on this point of Lord Kaimes.

"August 28th, intending to make a long "morning’s march, we set off before day-light. "Our way lay round a rocky point that project” ed into the sea. We were about half way "round, when we were saluted with a sudden "shower of great stones, and pieces of rock, "which fell thick, and hurt many of us; so that "we were obliged to wade out into the sea as "far as we could to avoid them. We could "hear voices, but saw no one, (it being still "dark,) and whenever we attempted to move on "the stones came thicker. Concluding that it "was for the sake of plunder that we were thus "assailed, some of the party went with some dol” lars and knives to discover, and if possible to extricated myself; but I kept loudly knocking, and luckily for me, some one happened to pass who released me from a state certainly not enviable. In those terrible scenes, it is impossible to call back, at a distant time, the exact proceedings of every quarter or half hour; but lam pretty confident, that, ere I again got on deck, the last awful crisis, that drove us all from the interior of the wreck, had ensued. The hawser and anchor, which had been carried a-stern of the ship in an early stage of the wreck, had produced the effect of keeping the stern towards the surf) and thereby lessening its force; but the fury of the surf was what nothing could long withstand. At length the hawser snapt, and the ship was hove round with her broad-side to the rocks, so that every part became exposed to shock after shock of the tremendous element. This happened between 6 and 7 o’clock in the evening; and there was a cry for all to get on the poop. From the cause, I think, that I have mentioned, I was among the last that got up, so that there was just one person between me and the extremity towards the deck, and from the inclined state of the wreck, lying then almost entirely on the larboard side, many (myself in” Bay. I cannot omit mentioning a circum” stance which occurred on the passage from Mo” sambique, as it gave me for the time more un” easiness than I ever felt. We had for the first "three days a favourable wind, and had made "half of the distance; but the currents had "set us upon Madagascar, and, the wind shift” ing, we were obliged to coast along shore. "As we lay at anchor one day, ahout two de” grees north of St. Augustine’s Bay, some ca” noes came off to us, and, after some persuasion, •” the people ventured on board. One of them «* had on a hat which I knew must have come il from the Winterton. I was very anxious to {empty}f. know how our poor fellows were, and used "every means with this man, to see if he knew "of them. The only sign I could get from him "was, by his putting his finger across his throat, "as if to cut it. My fear interpreted this in "the worst sense; most probably he meant on” ly, (thinking we wanted him to go with us,) "that if the king of Baba (whose name he often "repeated) was to catch him, he would kill him, ff as being the subject of a prince of another "part of the island.

"On our arrival in St. Augustine’s Bay, we "hoisted Portuguese colours and fired several much crowded, as our number still exceeded an hundred. There was only one small cabin, which the ladies occupied, so that our sufferings, though light in comparison with what we had before gone through, were hot terminated. The passage to Mosambique happily did not exceed a week; but having been exposed, during that time, frequently to heavy rains, with a hot sun by day and the chill of night, our many severe complaints were, no doubt, greatly aggravated by these causes, and if the voyage had not been providentially short, the effects would probably have proved very fatal. Though many deaths happened after we reached Mosambique, I rather think that none occurred on the way there.

Before I take my final leave of Madagascar, I must recur for a few moments to the subject of the climate of that island. I have already expressed myself somewhat particularly on this point, as I look forward to the event of some exertion being made for the diffusion of Christian civilization in that large tract of country; and I should feel unspeakable concern, if any thing I may have written should be the cause of bringing into unnecessary exposure, the life or health of any of those meritorious, individuals we received was considerably larger than afterwards, though we always had occasional gifts from time to time bestowed. In fact, the consumption that we caused, must have probably occasioned much embarrassment, and, as we understood, discontent among those who were partly dependent on the royal bounty. Besides, the king, with a degree of liberality that fills the mind with admiration, and some degree of amazement, [conferred on us the means of providing in a great degree for our wants. As the circumstances connected with this are of an interesting nature, it will be right that they should be particularly narrated.

The amount of treasure belonging to the India Company on board of the Winterton was considerable, as has been noticed. Much of this was recovered by the fishermen who went off to the wreck, and who, being expert divers, were enabled at low water to get it up, though it must have been to them a work of very great labour and difficulty. It was said to be customary, that a part of any article of value procured in this casual way should be presented to the king; and accordingly, about a fortnight after our arrival at Tullear, a numerous body of fishermen came there, the chief mate *, the scheme was thought too hazardous to be attempted, and was finally, perhaps unhappily, abandoned. What might be now called our sheet anchor, was the poop of the ship, the preparation of which as a raft had been going on all forenoon, under Mr. Dale’s active superintendence, aided by the few hands that could be collected for that duty. It was however found, about two o’clock, that it could not be launched that day, from the state of the tide; and as such an operation in the night was thought likely to be attended with insuperable difficulties, the idea was relinquished of landing the ladies, or any of the passengers, before the ensuing morning, a time, in our situation, immeasurably distant. All forenoon the ladies had been standing on deck, under the lee of the starboard side of the ship, as the most sheltered situation; but the surf, which was then making free way through all the cabins below and above, was continually washing over them. Our appetites, as may be supposed, were not likely to be very keen; but