Chapter XXV: Book VIII (13)

"Sir, answered I, may I beg leave to say two words to you? There is not a man to whom you ever gave money more grateful, or more sensible of your generosity in offering it me, than I am at this present. The reason of my waiting upon you in this dress was, because it is only a few hours ago since I left the boat. I am not however a needy man, or one that is distressed for money; that being the case, and as you have already my prayers for your charity, I would not deprive you of those of the widow and the orphan, whom that money may very materially relieve. Julian and Rosa, the first house in Cairo, will furnish me with what money I require; besides, I am in the service of the greatest king in Europe, who would not fail to supply me abundantly if my necessities required it, as I am travelling for his service."--"This being so, says the Bey, with great looks of complacency, what is in my power to do for you? You are a stranger now where I command; you are my father's stranger likewise, and that is a double obligation upon me: What shall I do?"--"There are, said I, things that you could do, and you only, if it were not too great presumption for me to name them."--"By no means, if I can I will do it; if not, I will tell you so."

I saw by the Bey's manner of speaking that I had risen considerably in character in his opinion since my refusal of the money. "I have, Sir, said I, a number of countrymen, brave, rich, and honest, that trade in India, where my king has great dominions." He said, as half to himself, "True, we know that." "Now there are many of these that come to Jidda. I left there eleven large ships belonging to them, who, according to treaty, pay high duties to the customhouse, and, from the dictates of their own generosity and magnificence, give large presents to the prince and to his servants for protection; but the sherriffe of Mecca has of late laid duty upon duty, and extortion upon extortion, till the English are at the point of giving up the trade altogether." "Ibn Cahaba, says he, (which is, son of a wh--re,) he paid for that when I was at Mecca." "The Bey took Mecca," says a man at my shoulder. "Why, says the Bey, when they say you are such a brave nation, why don't you beat down Jidda about his ears? Have you no guns in your ships?" "Our ships, Sir, said I, are all armed for war; stout vessels, full of brave officers and skilful seamen: Jidda, and much stronger places than Jidda, could not resist one of them an hour. But Jidda is no part of our dominions; and, in countries belonging to stranger princes we carry ourselves lowly, and trade in peace, and never use force till obliged to it in our own defence." "And what would you have me to do?" says he. "Our people, replied I, have taken a thing into their head which I am satisfied they are well founded in: They say, that if you would permit them to bring their ships and merchandize to Suez, and not to Jidda, they might then depend upon your word, that, if they were punctual in fulfilling their engagements, they should never find you failing in yours." "That they shall never have to say of me, says the Bey; all this is to my advantage. But you do not tell me what I am to do for you?" "Be steady, Sir, said I, in your promise; it is now late, but I will come again to settle the duties with you; and be assured, that when it is known at home what, at my private desire, you have done for my country in general, it will be the greatest honour that ever a prince conferred on me in my life." "Why, let it be so, says he, bring coffee; see you admit him whenever he calls; bring a caftan[52]." Coffee was accordingly brought, and I was cloathed in my caftan. I went down stairs with my barracan hid under it, and was received with greater respect by the bye-standers than when I came up; the man was the same, but it was the caftan that made the difference. My friend the Sarach and his banditti were ready at the door with a mule, which had gilt stirrups, and was finely caparisoned.

I went back with full as much speed as I came, but free from those salutations of the quarter-staff, which I still felt upon my haunches. The scale of politeness was now turned in my favour; and to shew their respect for me, the soldiers knocked down every person they overtook in the streets, giving him first a blow with the quarter-staff upon the head, then asking him, why he did not get out of the way? All my people at St George had given me over for lost, or thought I had gone home to the French merchants, and taken my bed there.

I was twice after this with Mahomet Bey, in which time I concluded the agreement in favour of the English merchants. Instead of 14 per cent, and an enormous present, the Bey agreed for 8, and no present at all, and at his own expence sent the firman to Mocha, together with my letter, a copy of which, and instructions given in India in consequence, I have here subjoined.

Mr Greig, capt, Thornhill's lieutenant, whom I have mentioned as having seen at Jidda, was the first who came down the Gulf to Suez in the Minerva, and in the whole voyage, both by sea and after at Cairo, behaved in a manner that did honour to his country.

In the two subsequent visits which I paid to Mahomet Bey, I received the firman, and had a conversation before the Bey with the man that was to go express to Mocha; not that I thought my recommendation was of any consequence after his receiving orders from the Bey, but I knew very well, as diligence was recommended to him, that it might be secured by a small gratuity given unknown to the Bey. Two other similar presents, of no great value, were likewise given to the two servants who had assisted me in procuring the firman, the original of which I left with the Venetian consul. I thought it was unbecoming of me to starve a cause that promised to be both a private emolument and public benefit; and, as I never expected, so I never received the smallest return or acknowledgement either public or private.

It may be said, that the trade carried on there by Suez and the Isthmus would not be of any advantage to the India Company, but rather a detriment to it. Such was the answer I got from Lord North upon my first interview with his Lordship after my return, and upon which I shall not pretend to decide. But this I shall submit to the public, whether, when a great object, such as that was, is unexpectedly in the power of an individual, he is not obliged, as a good citizen, to avail himself of the occasion that offers, and leave it to that part of the public concerned, to determine whether they can make it of service to them or not.

I have read, either in Abbé Prevot or M. de Maillet, (the reader will assist me, as neither of these books are in my hands at present) that the French, in the beginning of this century, offered a very large sum of money to the government of Cairo, to be allowed to send only an advice-boat to Suez, to carry and bring back their dispatches from their settlements in India, but they were constantly refused; both the India Company and British Government are, by my means, now in possession of that privilege, and I am informed it has already been of use, both in public and private dispatches.

I must further be permitted to say, that, independent of these particulars, it seemed very strange that, considering the immense empire which belonged to Britain in the East Indies, the Company and their servants should be, to a man, so perfectly ignorant of the Red Sea and ports in it, and so indifferent as to the means of being better informed; a sea which washed the shores of their conquests, and came, at the same time, within two days journey of the Mediterranean. To my endeavours it is owing that so many ingenious gentlemen have had an opportunity of lending their hands to perfect the chart of that sea, which I hope is now in great forwardness. It would perhaps, too, have been more generous and liberal-minded in them, had they honoured the author of the liberty and safety they enjoyed, with at least a word of their approbation. Prisons and chains, ransoms, torments, and perhaps death itself, were the calamities they escaped by my preparing their way, and to this would have been added the miscarriage of their design and their undertaking likewise[53].

Copy of Mr BRUCE'S Letter to the Gentlemen trading to
the Red Sea from the British Settlements BOMBAY and
BENGAL.

"CAIRO, _1st February, 1773_.

GENTLEMEN,

At the desire of several of the gentlemen trading to Jidda in
the year 1769, I have spoken to the Bey of Cairo (Mahomet Bey,)
that he would give permission for bringing the India ships
directly to Suez, without stopping at Jidda, where they were
constantly ill-treated by the sherriffe, and neither payments
punctual nor their effects in safety. Mahomet Bey expressed
all the desire possible to have this speedily executed. He
dispatched this express, in which I inclose you the terms of
agreement, with a translation from the Arabic original. You will
see he renounces all presents, which, however, it will be always
prudent to give. Moderate ones will serve, provided he behaves
faithfully and generously, as I believe firmly he will. He seeks
8 per cent. customs, and leaves it in your option to pay this in
goods or money, and 50 patackas anchorage for each vessel; this
is for the captain of the port of Suez.

"Arrived at Suez, you will do well to give notice to any of
the houses you chuse to address yourselves to. There are three
French houses of note here; Mess. Napollon and Co. Mess. Rosa
and Co. and Mess. l'Anglade and Co.; and these three are rich
houses, in great credit, and with whom you are very safe. There
is also an Italian house of credit equal to these, but not so
rich; it is Pini and Co. It will always be your interest, if
more than one ship comes, to address yourselves to separate
houses, for by this means you will be sooner dispatched, have
more friends, less risk, and more intelligence.

"As I have no view in this but your advantage, so I will not
take upon myself to answer for any consequences. You know what
Turks are. I never saw one of them to be trusted in money
affairs. You must keep your eyes open, and deal for ready money.
You will, however, be much safer, be better used, have better
markets, and be sooner dispatched; and if any of your cargo
remains unsold, you may leave it here in great security, with a
certainty of its selling in winter; and the money will be either
remitted to England, or ready for you here at your return, as
you direct.

"Cairo is in lat. 30° 2´ 45´´; two days and a half easy journey
from it is Suez, in lat. 29° 57´ 15´´. Ras Mahomet, the Cape
that forms the eastern shore of the entrance into the Gulf of
Suez, is in lat. 27° 54´ 10´´. You should make this Cape while
it bears N. E. or N. E. by E. at farthest, for farther east is
the entrance of a gulf which has often been mistaken for that
of Suez. Lastly, Tor, the first inhabited place after passing
the Cape, is in lat. 28° 12´ 4´´; here you may have provisions,
water, and a pilot.

"There are no English merchants at Cairo; but there comes, from
time to time, a wandering sort of sharpers under that name,
either from Mahon, the Greek islands, or Leghorn; and after
an establishment of one year, break and disappear. Be careful
of having any thing to do with these, for they will either rob
you themselves, or betray you to the government, or both. There
is no safety but with the three French and one Italian house,
before mentioned. If you address yourself to the government, in
your affairs of tariffs and firmans, you may do it through means
of the Venetian consul, immediately upon your arrival, putting
yourselves under his protection. He is a man of honour and
credit, and is a colonel in the service of his state. Let him
send you the tariff of the Bey before you come to Cairo, or land
an ounce of cargo, and you will satisfy him for his trouble. He
does not trade, but is very well-affected to our nation, and
there is no consul here but the French and Venetian.

"In a word, Gentlemen, I have seen your trade to Jidda, and it
is a ruinous one, and the sherriffe, now poor and hungry, will
every day rob you more and more. After the sealing up the house,
and exacting part of the effects of the captains who died at
Jidda, there is no safety for you but either at Mocha or Suez.

I am always,
GENTLEMEN,
Your most obedient and most humble serv^t.
JAMES BRUCE."

"_To Captain_ Thornhill _of the_ Bengal Merch^t, _Captain_
Thomas Price _of the_ Lion, _or any other of the_ English
_vessels trading to_ Jidda."

_P. S._ "I send you a copy of the firman; also letters for the
governors of Bombay and Bengal, inclosing the same; you will
see the translator be a person of trust, and have no interest
in deceiving you. If I did not think you very safe at Suez I
would not write you. You are to bring no coffee, or any produce
of Arabia, at least the first voyage, till you make your terms
here. I inclose you a letter from the chief of the customhouse.

J. B."

Copy of Instructions from the Managers of the Suez Adventure, to
Mr JOHN SHAW, and Captain WILLIAM GREIG.

"GENTLEMEN,

The proprietors of the Suez Adventure having made choice of
you to conduct the undertaking, it is our duty as managers to
give you the necessary instructions. Inclosed you will receive
invoice and bills of loading of the cargo, and likewise of the
freight loading on the Bengal Merchant, on account and risk of
the concerned, which you are to dispose of in the gulf of Mocha,
Jidda, or Suez, on the most advantageous terms, observing at the
same time, as nearly as possible, the following instructions:

"As many unforeseen accidents may happen that we cannot guard
against, and as the proprietors have placed in us an implicit
confidence, we now delegate to you, Gentlemen, full power and
authority to conduct and manage this new undertaking, for which
your credit, as well as ours, is engaged; and though we hope it
is unnecessary to recommend to you as an object of the greatest
importance, and on which the success of all undertakings
depends, a good understanding and harmony between those who are
to execute, we are satisfied that your attention to the interest
of the proprietors, and your own reputation, will outweigh
every other consideration, and that nothing will interrupt that
union which is so absolutely necessary to insure success in new
undertakings like the present.

"You are to draw a commission of 5 per cent. on the sales.
Mr Shaw, as chief supercargo, will draw 3, and Capt. Greig 2
per cent. and on all freight in the same proportion as the
cargo. Passengers, or other emoluments that are customary, are
to be equally divided between you, and no separate interest
to be allowed. As it is usual in all voyages from this port,
where there is a supercargo, to allow one-sixth of the cargo
as privilege, in lieu of which 12,000 rupees will be divided
between you and the officers on return of the vessel.

"Mr Shaw, as chief supercargo, is to have the sole management
and disposal of the cargo, and Captain Greig to have the entire
management of the navigation of the vessels employed. At the
same time, we recommend and desire, that, in all points which
require advice in either of the departments, you consult with
each other, and that no material step be taken without such
advice and consultation; and, should there be a difference in
opinion, we expect a minute be made, and the reason for such
difference fully set forth, in order to be laid before the
proprietors at your return. To prevent any misunderstanding of
the general instructions, we shall separate, in the latter
part, the two branches of the naval and mercantile, and be more
clear and explicit in each particular department.

"The vessels to be employed in the voyage are the Bengal
Merchant, on board of which the cargo is shipped. The Cuddalore
schooner, Captain Wedderburn, is granted by the governor[54] to
the proprietors as a tender, to assist in the discovery of the
passage to Suez, and the proprietors are to pay half the sailing
charges. On her Mr Cunningham, a surveyor, is appointed, and
both he and the vessel are entirely under your direction, and
they are to receive, from time to time, such instructions as
you may judge necessary. The Suez pacquet is a small schooner
equipped for the purpose of attending the Bengal Merchant in the
most difficult parts of the navigation; and as she cannot be
further useful after your return from Suez to Mocha, we desire
she may be sold there, where frequently small vessels sell to
advantage.

"On your leaving the pilot you will make the best of your way,
with the other two vessels under your charge, to the Malabar
coast, and touch at Anjango and Cochin, taking in there coir,
hawsers, and water, or any thing you may stand in need of, and
without loss of time proceed direct to Mocha. On your arrival
there you must make inquiry if any pilots are come down from
Suez; should none be arrived, lose as little time as possible,
and proceed up above Jidda to Yambo, provided you hear no
unfavourable accounts from Suez, such as war, or any commotions
at Cairo, which you might think may endanger the success of the
voyage.

"If such accounts are rumoured at Mocha, trace them so as to
be fully satisfied there is foundation for them, and if you
have good authority to credit the reports propagated, and are
certain they are not spread with a view to discourage your
proceeding, in that case we advise your proceeding to Jidda
as most for the interest of the concerned. At Jidda you will
deliver the customary letters to the basha and sherriffe, and,
without taking notice of any further project, dispose of your
cargo, as the articles are all of the proper assortment for that
market, and we desire, in that case, you collect your returns
as expeditiously as possible; and if you find any considerable
freight for Bombay, and the season will admit your going there
from Mocha, so as to arrive in Bengal by the middle of October,
in that case you will purchase a cargo of cotton, and proceed
here directly. Whatever silver you may have after the purchase
of the cotton, you will pay into the Company's treasury for
bills on this presidency. If you cannot procure a good freight
at Jidda for Bombay, we desire you will proceed from Mocha to
the coast of Coromandel, and touch at Negapatnam, where letters
will be lodged for you.

"On your arrival at Mocha, should you hear no unfavourable
accounts of war, or any disturbances at Cairo, you will proceed
to Yambo, where you will again inquire if there are any pilots
acquainted with the passage to Suez. If you meet with any who,
upon examination, appear capable of conducing the vessel, we
recommend your taking them on board, but still be very cautious
how you trust them; order them to conduct you up the common
tract, and keep the two vessels with you till you are satisfied
of their abilities, then we advise your dispatching the
Cuddalore the outward passage, in order to survey it up to Suez,
and give them orders to join you there. But should you be so
unlucky as not to meet with pilots, there will be no alternative
but to proceed with the greatest care and caution the outward
passage, with your two tenders a-head both day and night, till
you reach Tor, where you will meet with pilots and water; and
as we have reason to believe the danger of the passage is then
over, if you find it to be the case, you will dispatch back the
Cuddalore to make a correct survey as far down as Jidda, in
the lat. of 21° 30´. As it cannot be supposed you will be able
to make an exact survey in going up in mid-channel, you will
instruct Captain Wedderburn to follow the surveyor's order,
but at the same time to make all necessary remarks himself, as
also his officers, and to finish the survey as expeditiously
as possible, and to return to the ship at Suez; but should
more time be taken up, and he finds it impracticable, he must
endeavour to go to Yambo, and there wait for the dispatches, if
he can do it with safety; if not, to return to Mocha, and remain
there to supply himself with such necessaries as he may stand in
need of, to be ready to make the best of his way to Bengal, as
soon as he receives your dispatches, and the monsoon will allow
him to proceed.

"On your arrival at Suez you will inquire of the master of
the port, or governor, whether or not he has any letters,
&c. from his master the Bey, respecting you? Should he have
none, you will desire him to forward the short letter from the
governor, informing him of the arrival of the ship at his
port. You must not land a piece of goods, or enter into any
agreement or contract, &c. till you hear from the Bey, and,
from the answer you receive, consult how to act; but let it be
with great caution, till you are perfectly satisfied of the
friendly disposition of the Bey towards you, as we have reason
to expect the Bey's answer will be polite and favourable, and
an invitation to visit Cairo. Mr Shaw will then proceed with
the purser, and any other of the officers you may think proper,
with a few lascars and servants, properly equipped, to make
the embassy brilliant and respectable. The letters, presents,
and musters of the cargo should go at the same time; and we
recommend that, on Mr Shaw's arrival at Cairo, after he retires
from the Bey, he makes a visit to the Venetian Consul, whom
Mr Bruce has mentioned very particularly in his letter. If he
finds him the same person he has described, he will receive from
him such necessary information as may be useful in his future
transactions, and will put himself under his protection in
preference to the French houses; but he will act with extreme
caution, till he discovers such connection is not disagreeable
to the Bey, with whom he must appear to be, on all occasions,
perfectly satisfied. We furnish you with a copy of Mr Bruce's
letter, to whom we consider ourselves much obliged for the
information he has given us. His letters you will find of great
service in conducting your business there, and to which we
advise your paying strict attention.

"We desire that Captain Greig may remain on board the ship
till all the cargo is dispatched and landed, in order to give
every necessary advice in transporting the same, and when that
is finished, Captain Greig is to proceed to Cairo, and afford
Mr Shaw any assistance he may require; and we desire, and
particularly recommend, that, as soon as the cargo is sold, and
Mr Shaw has made the necessary observations and remarks on the
reception he has met with, the goods that have sold to most
advantage, and of the sorts that will best answer in future,
and other occurrences, that you dispatch such accounts, by the
first conveyance you may have to Jidda, to Captain Anderson of
the Success galley, and duplicate, by the Suez pacquet to Mocha,
to Captain Wedderburn of the Cuddalore schooner, with orders for
him to proceed to Bengal without delay; and we desire that these
dispatches may be directed in a large pacquet to the governor
for his perusal, with draughts and remarks on the passage.

"As we think it of great consequence that you use all possible
dispatch in finishing your business at Grand Cairo, so as
to leave Suez as early as the season will permit, if the
Cuddalore[55] has been able to join you after the survey, you
will then proceed down the channel she has discovered; but if,
on the contrary, she has not joined you, and that the Suez
pacquet is likewise gone with the dispatches, you must then
procure good pilots, and, if possible, a small vessel for fear
of accidents, and go down the usual tract of the Suez vessels;
making particular remarks on that passage, proceed on to Mocha,
and you will attend to the former part of your instructions
respecting the destination of the vessel.

"Having now finished our general instructions, we think
it necessary to be more particular in each branch of your
departments.

{CUDBERT THORNHILL.
(Signed) {ROBERT HOLFORD.
{DAVID KILLICAN."

TO CAPTAIN GREIG.

"SIR,

"We rely on your knowledge, experience, and good conduct for
the navigating part of the voyage, which is entirely intrusted
to you; and though we have desired that you advise with Mr Shaw
on all difficult points, yet we give you a latitude to follow
your own opinion, though contrary to Mr Shaw's, but we expect
you both enter a minute, and set forth your reasons for being
of different opinions. Should it be a point of consequence,
we advise that you consult with all the officers, and their
opinions are to be recorded.

"We desire that a fair log-book be kept, signed by the officer
who leaves the deck at noon, in which book every remark and
transaction during the voyage is to be inserted, and no erasures
must be made, or leaves torn out. Inclosed is a letter from us
to Captain Wedderburn of the Cuddalore, directing him to follow
such orders as he may from time to time receive from you.

"At Ingerlee you will give him written orders to keep you
company, with such proper signals for day and night as may be
necessary; and should he, by stress of weather or any other
accident, part company, you will inform him of your first place
of rendezvous, Anjango and Cochin; should he arrive first, he
must remain till you come: Should you arrive and finish your
business before the arrival of the Cuddalore, you will wait two
or three days, and then proceed to Mocha, leaving orders for his
joining you there. If by any accident he should not join you
there, and you have got pilots for Suez, you must not lose time,
but proceed without him, leaving him instructions to proceed
on the survey: but should it so happen that you meet with no
pilots at Mocha, and the Cuddalore should not arrive, we still
recommend your waiting at Mocha as long as you think it prudent;
and if you have the Suez pacquet with you, you will proceed to
Suez if possible, and endeavour to make the island to the S. W.
of Cape Ras Mahomet, that you may not make any mistake and get
into the false gulf: but should you find it impracticable after
making every prudent attempt, you will then have a consultation
with Mr Shaw and your officers, and bear away for Jidda,
following the directions in your general instructions.

"The concerned has been at an immense expence to equip the
vessels with additional stores, which in any other voyage than
the present would be superfluous, we therefore desire (should
your voyage terminate at Jidda) that you endeavour to dispose of
such articles of stores as you are not in want of; but should
you arrive at Suez, let them remain till your return to Mocha,
and there, if you have an opportunity to dispose of them for
the advantage of the concerned, we desire it may be done.

"Should any of the officers be good draughts-men, we desire you
will encourage them to make draughts of every thing remarkable
in the Red Sea, and we will make them an acknowledgement for
their trouble; but we recommend that every remark, draught,
or drawing of the passage, may be collected together for the
governor's[56] perusal; and we hope you will take proper care
that, on your return, nothing transpire till the governor's
sentiments are known. Should Mr Shaw be obliged to stay with
the goods at Cairo, you are to let him keep an officer, and any
number of lascars he may require, and that you can spare them.

{CUDBERT THORNHILL.
(Signed) {ROBERT HOLFORD.
{DAVID KILLICAN."

Mahomet Bey being about to depart to give battle to his father-in-law, I thought it was no longer convenient for me to stay at Cairo; I went therefore the last time to the Bey, who pressed me very much to go to the camp with him. I was sufficiently cured, however, of any more Don Quixotte undertakings. I excused myself with every mark of gratitude and profession of attachment; and I shall never forget his last words, as the handsomest thing ever said to me, and in the politest manner. "You won't go, says he, and be a soldier: What will you do at home? You are not an India merchant?" I said, "No." "Have you no other trade nor occupation but that of travelling?" I said, "that was my occupation." "Ali Bey, my father-in-law, replied he, often observed there was never such a people as the English; no other nation on earth could be compared to them, and none had so many great men in all professions by sea and land: I never understood this till now, that I see it must be so, when your king cannot find other employment for such a man as you, but sending him to perish by hunger and thirst in the sands, or to have his throat cut by the lawless barbarians of the desert."

I saw that the march of the Bey was a signal for all Egypt's being presently in disorder, and I did not delay a moment to set out for Alexandria, where I arrived without any thing remarkable. There I found my ship ready; and the day after, walking on the key, I was accosted by a friend of mine, a Turk, a man of some consequence. He told me it was whispered that the Beys had met, and that Ali Bey had been totally defeated, wounded, and taken. "We are friends, says he; you are a Christian; and this connection of the Bey with the Russians has exasperated the lower sort of people greatly against you all. What is a day or two to you, now you are going at any rate? Be advised; go on board your ship early in the afternoon, and make your captain haul out beyond the Diamond[57], for mischief is at hand." My captain was as ready as I; and we accordingly hauled out beyond the Diamond. The weather was so clear, and the wind so directly fair, that, contrary to custom, we set sail that very night, after being witnesses that the mischief had begun, by the number of lights and repeated firings of muskets we heard from the town.

Our vessel sprung a leak off Derna on the coast, where I was once before shipwrecked. The wind being contrary, we put about ship, and stood before it for Cyprus, our vessel filled apace, and we were intending to put a cable round her waist when the leak was found. A violent storm overtook us the night after. I apprehend our ship was old, and the captain was again much alarmed, but the wind calmed next day. I was exceedingly distressed with the Guinea-worm in my leg, when the captain came and sat down by my bed-side. "Now the matter is over, says he, will you tell me one thing? it is mere curiosity; I will not let any one know." "Before I tell you, said I, I dare say you will not; what is it?" "How many of those things, you know, says he, winking, have you on board?" "Upon the word of a man, said I, I do not know what you mean." "Ces morts! these dead men! how many have you in these trunks? for last night the crew was going to throw all your boxes overboard." "I can tell you, captain, said I, that you and they had better been in bed sick of a fever, than been guilty of that unprovoked violence. 'Brutal comme un Provençal,' is a proverb even in your own country; I would not wish to have such a confirmation of the truth of it. But there are my keys, in case another gale should come, choose out of my trunks the one that, according to your idea, and theirs, is likeliest to have a dead man in it, and then take another; and the first one you find, throw them all overboard." I forced him to open two of the chests, and, lucky it was, as I believe, for off the island of Malta we had another violent gale, but which did us no damage. At last, after a passage of about three weeks, we landed happily at Marseilles.

_Nullum numen abest si sit prudentia; sed Te,
Nos facimus, Fortuna Deum, cæloque locamus._

JUVEN.

REGISTER
OF THE
BAROMETER AND THERMOMETER
in
Abyssinia, 1770.