vinced, that though they might extirpate, they could never hope to convert any number of the Hindoos, they relinquished the impracticable idea, with which they had entered upon their career of conquest, and contented themselves with the acquirement of the civil dominion and almost universal empire of Hindostan."

Letters from a Hindoo Rajab, by Eliza Hamilton.

Note 12. And brav'd the stormy spirit of the Cape. See the description of the Cape of Good Hope, translated from Camoens, by Mickle.

Note 13. While famish'd nations died along the shore.

The following account of British conduct, and its consequences, in Bengal, will afford a sufficient idea of the fact alluded to in this passage. After describing the monopoly of salt, betel nut, and tobacco, the histo

rian procceds thus:-" Money in this current came but by drops; it could not quench the thirst of those who waited in India to receive it. An expedient, such as it was, remained to quicken its pace. The natives could live with little salt, but could not want food. Some of the agents saw themselves well situated for collecting the rice into stores; they did so. They knew the Gentoos would rather die than violate the principles of their religion by eating flesh. The alternative would therefore be between giving what they had, or dying. The inhabitants sunk;-they that cultivated the land, and saw the harvest at the disposal of others, planted in doubt scarcity ensued. Then the monopoly was easier managed-sickness ensued. In some districts the languid living left the bodies of their numerous dead unburied."

Short History of the English Transactions in the

East Indies, page 145..

Note 14. Nine times hath Brama's wheels of lightning

hurl'd

His awful presence o'er the prostrate world!

Among the sublime fictions of the Hindoo mythology, it is one article of belief, that the Deity Brama has descended nine times upon the world in various forms, and that he is yet to appear a tenth time, in the figure of a warrior upon a white horse, to cut of all incorrigible offenders. Avatar is the word used to express his descent.

Note 15. And Camdeo bright, and Ganesa sublime.

Camdeo is the God of Love in the mythology of the Hindoos. Ganesa and Seriswattee correspond to the Pagan deities Janus and Minerva.

NOTES.

ON PART II.

Note 1. The noon of manhood to a myrtle shade!
Sacred to Venus is the myrtle shade.-DRYDEN.

Note 2. Thy woes, Arion!

Falconer in his poem the Shipwreck speaks of himself by the name of Arion.-See Falconer's Shipwreck,

canto III.

Note 3. The robber Moor.

See Schiller's tragedy of the Robbers, scene v.

G