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The morning after I laft laid down my pen, we arrived at a fmall ifland, which the benignant hand of nature seems to have (erected) in the midst of the mighty ocean, as a convenient * Choultrie, for the floating caravanferas that traverfe its watery bofom. Here we fpent nearly twenty days, and were entertained by the inhabitants, who appear a gay and lively people, with much kindnefs and hofpitality. 15

The change of the feene was relished by all the party, but by none fo much as the niece of the Dewan; to whom the uniform life we led on board ship, was become altogether infupportable. She had indeed for a long time, been at a moft pitiable lofs for employment. The contents of her library, which I imagined, would have afforded her a fund of amufement and edification, during the course of her voyage, were foon exhaufted. Having once found out how all the wished-for marriages, of all the heroes and heroines, were brought about; and been let into the fecret of the furprising difcoveries, lucky accidents, and miraculous combination of circumstances, which uniformly led to that happy event, she had

* Choultries, are houfes built in India, for the accommodation of travellers.

no further intereft nor curiofity concerning them. These books had, nevertheless, by giving conftant fuel to the vivid flame of youthful imagination, created fuch an infatiable craving for novelty, as rendered every other fort of reading taftelefs and infipid. Even the ever entertaining converfation of our intelligent companions, had no charms for her. I have frequently known the chain of an interefting argument, to which I have been liftening with avidity and delight, all at once interrupted, by her abruptly afking, when we fhould fee land? Whatever gave the promife of variety, feemed to re-animate her flagging fpirits. Whether it was the appearance of a flyingfifh-or the rumoured approach of an enemy; the drowning of a kitten, or the indications of a coming ftorm, all were equally acceptable, fo that they relieved her, from the tedious talk of thought. The approach to St. Helena, made her almoft wild with joy. No fooner was it announced, than the flew to her cabin, to take from her trunk, fome particular dreffes, which he had referved for the occafion, and haftily difplaying them before the amiable widow, afked her fifty queftions in a breath concerning the important point, of which was moft becoming.

Befides the novelty of the fcenes, and amufements at St. Helena, fhe there made another acquifition, which, I hope, will afford her fufficient variety of entertainment for many weeks, to come. This is no other than a fresh supply of novels. This fhe happily accomplished, by exchanging the contents of her library, with another reading fair one, whom the accidentally met at a ball, and with whom, on an acquaintance of three days, fhe commenced an extreme and ardent friendfhip. The great loquacity with which her prefent flow of fpirits has inspired this votary of fancy, is fometimes no lefs teazing than the effects of her former ennui: to the elegant, but fomewhat too faftidious Delomond, it is peculiarly irk fome.

In truth, it is not a little to be re, gretted, that this amiable man frequently indulges a certain foreness of mind, which may not improperly be termed the illegitimate offspring of fenfibility. What proves its fpurious birth, is, that while genuine fenfibility is ever alive to the feelings of others, this bastard branch of the family, is only mindful of its own. By being ever ready to take offence, without confidering whether offence was intended to be given, it frequently inflicts a wound in the bofom of friendship; but

is unfeelingly infenfible to the pain which it has produced. What a pity it is, that this impoftor, fhould ever find a place in the breaft of a worthy man! I cannot without pain, behold it cherished by the dignified mind of Delomond, and would not fail to remonftrate with him concerning it, was he not fo eafily hurt, that I fear an eftrangement of his friendfhip might be the confequence. Fatal propenfity! which prefents a barrier to the wholesome fuccour of advice, and cuts off retreat from error. In the va rious sketches which this amiable and accomplished Saib, has given me of his life, and his misfortunes, I can plainly dif cern, that the difpofition I have juft now alluded to, has been no lefs detrimental to his fortune, than injurious to his felicity.

I fufpect, that you are now almoft as much tired of the voyage, as the niece of the Dewan, and begin to re-echo her interrogatory, of when fhall we fee land? But courage, keep, up your fpirits, your patience will not be put to a much longer trial. Land has been juft discovered from the topmaft-head.-I cannot avoid envying the happy failor, who from the giddy height catches the firft view of his dear native country. Ah! what pleafing images play about his heart! in that little fpeck

appearing in the diftant horizon, he beholds his little home; his tender wife; his endearing infants; and already, in imagination, feels, and returns their foft careffes. I go to participate in the joy of thefe honeft people, it is a bad heart to which the happiness of a fellow mortal can be indifferent.

Ah! Maandaara, how aftonishingly great has been my difappointment! Inftead of the expected appearance of felicity, I beheld in the countenances of the hitherto hearty, and contented failors, the ftrongest indications of confternation, terror, and difmay! On enquiring into the caufe of this alarm, I was told, that it arofe from the rumoured approach of a prefs-gang; a prefs-gang I never before heard of, but from the degree of terror it infpires, I can easily conceive it be fome infernal fpecies of monfter; fome cruel fervant to the genii of the deep, to whom the long-abfent failor is an acceptable facrifice. Accurfed fpirits! the terror of whose name, can put to flight the tender images of hope, and can induce defpair at a moment when the sweetest impulfes of nature have kindled the torch of joy!

At the moment I laid down my pen, a fine boy of about fixteen years of age, who had frequently in the course of the

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