Some

sembled from all parts of the adjoining | laged. This town is situated about two hun country, to bathe in the Gauges, at a vil-dred and forty-five miles north of Madras. lage about two miles from Serampore. The houses of Mr. Okes, the Collector, and While the crowd were employed in bath- Mr. Elts, the Judge, neither of whom ing, an inhabitant of Orissa advanced to fortunately were on the spot) were piunthe banks of the river, leading in his hand dered of every thing valuable. his son, a beautiful boy, of about six years Officers belonging to the Military Instituof age. Having anointed his body with tion, who were surveying that part of the turmeric, and surrounded his temples with country, narrowly escaped failing into a garland of flowers, and clothed him in their hands; one of them was, incced, taken, new apparel, he repeated the incantations wounded, and plundered, but happily prescribed by the Shaster; theu descend- escaped with his life. On receipt of this ing into the river, and bolding my his son intelligence at the Presidency, orders were in his arm, he said, "O Mother Ganges immediately issued for detaching troops in this child is thine: to thee 1 offer it." Se pursuit of these robbers, and a force to saying, he cast the little boy into the river, the an.ount of 12,000, or 14,000 men was who sunk, and rose no more. The crowd immediately formed, and sent in various testified their approbation, by crying out, directions; but these nimble-footed marau"Puribul!" It appears that, several years ders did not wait their coming-having back, the parent, being desirous of chil- obtained all they had contemplated, plundren, promised to offer his first-born to der and booty, they made good their reGunga, should the goddess be propitious treat! to his wishes.

1

"These Pindarrees, are a predatory, but Another man, at the same place, having formidable body, and are gene.ally in the performed the usual ceremonies, to pre-pay, either covertly or avowedly, of some

vent the intervention of his relatives, carried his son, a lad about twelve years of age, in a bot to the middle of the stream, and there dropped him in. The child struggled for some time, and was happily discovered by some one passing, who res cued him from death.

An infant was also cast into the river by its mother at the same time; but the relatives recovered it, and carried it home.

MADRAS.

Extract of a Letter from Madras, dated 30th of
April, 1916.

of the Native Princes.-They can muster as many as S0,000 horse— (their steeds are very hardy) and such is the celerity of their movements, that they will march from fifty to seventy miles a day, for several days together. Their measures appear to be well concerted, for they must have known that we had no troops in the vicinity of their late attack, or they would

it,

not have dared to insuit our territory. however, shews the necessity for great vigilance in protecting our very extensive frontier.

of our Military strength; or that we at once This again requires an incre se become assailants in our turn, and root out this horde of robbers; which is perhaps the wiser alternative of the two,-as the old adage says to prevent is easier than to cure. These ruthless rogues carry off the means of strength, as weil physical as moral! for little produce can be expected, and revenue none, from the countries which have felt the severities of their visitation."

CEYLON.

"Since the date of my last, the war with the Nepoulese has happily terminated; but, no sooner do we get rid of an enemy in one quarter, than a fresh one starts up in another; so that, in this country, the army is never at rest. So far its services in the East differ from those in the West. With you, the cessation of war is the signal of repose to the soldier;-here we must not indulge so much as the idea; much less must we weaken our force, for by force we not only obtain peace, but by force we must maintain it-Paradoxical as thi may sound to European ears, it is, nevertheless, true :—As a proof, no sooner had. we conquered a peace with the Nepruese, than in a distant part of India but in our own territories we are suddenly attacked by a numerous band of freebooters, called Pindarrees.—all horsemen, who have ravaged an extent of country of upwards of three hundred miles in extent, advancing as to put in execution a project of which we far as Guntoor, which they sacked and pil- had talked at Colombo, and before our re

DESCRIPTION OF ADAM'S PEAK; the summit of a mountain in this Istand. We have plensare in laying before our readers the following extract of a tenter describing a journey to the sunetest of Adam's peak, recently performed by two cfficers. Extract of a Letter from Palabnu a, giving a sketch of a journey to Adam's Peak. While we were in “ifregem we resolved

ascent is encountered, this is only to be surmounted by the help of several massy iron chains, which are strongly fastened at top, 'et down the precipice, and again secured below; these chains are donations to the temple, and the name of the donor is engraved on one of the links made solid for that purpose; the height of the precipice is about 20 feet, and many holes are worn in the face of the rock by the feet of the numerous pilgrims who have ascended it with the assistance of the chains.

At half past two in the afternoon, we reached the summit. It is an area of about one fifth of an acre, surrounded by a stone wall four feet and a half high, of four unequal sides, with two entrances, one on the south and another on the east, and an opening to the west in form of an embrasure. In the middle is a rock about nine feet high, on which is the famed impression of the Holy Foot. It bas in fact a most shapeless appearance, bearing little resemblance to a human foot; and what is most unfortunate for the tradition of its being the last footstep of Buddha, when he strode from Ceylon to Ava, the toes, if they cau be discerned, are turned towards the west. The clouds which arose as we were ascend

turn, to visit Adam's Peak. This plan we have accomplished ;--leaving Baddegeddera on the morning of the 6th, we gained the summit on the next day at half past two in the afternoon. Our first march from Bad degeddera was 5 miles of tolerable road, through a fine and interesting country, along the left banks of the Caltura river, to the royal village, and extensive lawns of Gillemalley. From this place the King received his store of Jaggery. There are about 250 inhabitants, who are well looking and of a creditable appearance. Their houses are numerous and comfortable. From Gillemalley at 3 o'clock, we set out for Palabatula, situated on the top of the Allchentune Mountain, at the distance of 4 miles in a N. E. direction. The ascent is about 24 miles in length. Here is a small religious establishment where the Priests live, who have the care of the holy impression of the foot on the Peak, and there is good shelter for travellers. We slept at this place and soon after daylight next morning renewed our journey, accompanied by one of the Priests as a guide, the road leads for a mile and a half over a very rugged and abrupt ascent to the N. E. up the Nulu Hilla, at the bottom of which about of a mile from Palaba-ing prevented our having any view, and we tula, we crossed the Caltura river, and all occupied ourselves till four o'clock in taking the way up to the top of the hill, we heard a plan of the summit; we then found it was it on our right hand running below. The much too late to think of returning to Palenext ascent is the Hourtilla Hilla of of a batula, and resolved to remain during the mile, still more rugged and difficult than the night on the Peak. I can hardly attempt former, the road at some places having an to describe the extraordinary grandeur and angle of full 50 degrees, we then ascended variety of the scene that opened upon us at the Gonatiila Hilla about a mile, still more sun-set; above our heads the air was persteep, and the air became cooler and fe tly serene and clear, below, a thick bed clearer. The next stage is to Deabetme ra- of clouds enveloped the mountain on all ther more than a mile, and here is the sum-sides and completely intercepted our view. mit of this mountain, the road up which is But every now and then the beams of the one continual rise of four miles without any sun broke through a mass of clouds, and intervening descent, although the hill has threw a brilliant light over the surrounding four names, and each divisiou is marked by mountains: then suddenly the opening was a whitewashed stone on the right side of closed, and all was again hid from our sight. the road: there is here a small Ambelam (a These beautiful glimpses were often quite Cingalese rest house) and the ruins of a momentary, and frequently repeated, somebuilding erected by Eyheviapolle, (the late times even twice in a minute, nor did the Dessave of Saffregam). The Adikars and operation entirely cease until it was quite Dessaves, were accustomed to be carried ark. We spent a wretched night in a most as far as this point when they visited the comfortless hut, about thirty feet below the Peak, which opens to the view bearing E. summit. There was a piercing wind, and by N. The road now extends in a N. E. the cold was far greater than I had ever direction, four miles over the hills of Dur- felt since I left England; unluckily we had maraga, Pedrotollagalla, Malle Malla Kan- | no thermometer with us, but I think the dura, and Andea Malle Hella, and is exces-quicksilver would not have risen above 40 sively steep and difficult. From the latter the Peak itself rises about a mile, or three quarters, in perpendicular height-from this place the way is fair climbing, the direction at first N. E. then S. E. again N. E. and lastly N. W. where the perpendicular

The rising of the sun presented a magnificent scene, but quite different from that in the evening; the whole surrounding country except Ouva, was covered with clouds above which only the tops of a few mountains were visible. Hunas Garee Kandy

JAVA.

OBSERVATIONS MADE ON ▲ MOUNTAIN

SUMMIT.

bore 25' N. E. and a mountain that we decived to be Ida'gasina 22° S. E. The whole country of Ouva was exposed to view, and lay stretched out in appearance just beneath our feet. The sea on that side was perceptible, and bore S. E. which must have been in the neighbourhood of Paitoopane, and it was perhaps the Ieway or great natural Saltpau that we observed. At seven in the morning, we began to descend the mountain, and reached Pala-jocarta. It is seen from a great distance at

batura at noon.

Dangers between Bengal and Rangoon, Letters which we have received mention, that a brig called the Athena from Rangon bound to Bengal, had been wrecked to the eastward, on a reef of rocks, near the island of Preparis. This dangerous reef does not appear to be laid down in any chart, we therefore recommend to the attection of our nautical readers, the follow ing account of the circumstances attending

the loss of that vessel.

We extract from the Java Gazette the following short memorandum of observations made on the summit of Merbaboo, (signifying the Mother of Mountains) situsted inland from Samarang, and we believe nearly equi-distant from Solo and Djoc

en, and is known by its vicinity to Merapee, a volcanic mountain of about the same elevation, from whose fuelled entrails a cloud of smoke incessantly ascends.

The precise height of these and other mountains of Java is not the least considerable of a long list of desiderata connected with that interesting island, which our ingenious countrymen in that quarter must still acknowledge to exist; but which the industry and talents displayed by one of them if we mistake not, afford the best founded expectations of soon being supplied to the literary world. 1st August, at 9 A. M. 48. of Fahrenheit.

Noon 52.

4 P. M.. 50.
Sunset 46.
Midnight S9.

2d August, at 4 A. M.. $8.

THE BASHEE ISLANDS, IN THE CHINA
SEAS.

“At boon the 26th July, 1815 the Rangoor pilot left the brig-Elephant bearing N. N W. worked with S. W. winds: the 19th of August we passed Narcordam; at sunset on the 9th, Narcordam bore S. S. E. 4 E. steering W N. W. wind S. W. During the night, wind veered to the west, tacked and stood five hours to the southward; on the toth, steering W. N. W. wind S. W. dark and sqully weather, no observation; supposed after making every allowance, the Preparis to hear north $5 miles. During The following information regarding the night frequent squalls with dark cloudy some Islands in the China Seas, denominated weather, about past 3 A. M. the man at the Bashees, was communicated to us, by a the lee gangway gave the alarm of seeing correspondent on board the Revolutionaire. breakers close under our lee. Put the helm These islands do not appear to be generally down, but owing to the head sea, the brig known. The island of Bashee, is situated would not stay; we were then so close to 20° 30' North latitude. The coast is exthe rocks, that it would have been useless tremely steep, and the anchorage not good. to attempt veering, and in about five mi- The number of their inhabitants is computed nutes the brig struck, and filled in about at S000. Builocks, goats, pigs, fowls, &c. tel minutes; the long boat was staved and are procurable in great abundance here, washed overboard, the jolly boat stove in as well as at Batan, Saptan, Bajos and Dilowering down; all hauds remained by the liquai which are all adjacent isles, and on vessel until day light, when finding the their westere quarter afford very good anbrig going to pieces fast, and the sea break-chorage ground. Refreshments are to be ing with great furs; all hauds left the vessel and went on the rock; in an hour afterwards, the vessel went completely to pieces. From the heavy breakers it was impossible to save any thing from the wreck. At suurise found ourselves on a small sandy island, about twelve miles distant from Preparis, on which we had been driven by very strong N. E. currents. On the 11th of August, 18 lascars made two rafts with their own wish, and without our advice, at noon left the island; 18th August, the remainder of the crew were taken off from the island by the boats of the ship, James Drummond, Captain Balston,

had with much facility, and the Revolutionaire frigate, touched twice at Batan, where she found safe anchorage, and all sorts of provisions exceedingly cheap; a bullock being generally procura ble at from one to four dollars.

DANGEROUS SHOAL,

Southward of Manilla,

The brig Bee, Captain Hayes, was wrecked on a shoal a little way to the southward of an island cailed Semirara, on the 28th October, 1815, in a gale of wind, but happily uo lives were lost. The island of Semirara is situated in the sea of Mondora,

THE Baring left Sydney in the first week of November, 1815, bringing accounts from the beginning of July, to that time, ere observed in great abundance. There which chiefly consist of public orders, of is no part of Governor Ma quarrie's paterlocal interest, and of statements of sales, humble opinion, more deserving the approColony, in our public and private. Some parts of the in-bation of his country, than these attempts formation, however, are of a very different to extend the boundaries of a settlement, nature, and will be perused with interest which however poor and unprofitable in the present day, promises at some future by the philanthropist, as well as by those time, to rise iuto a great community, perwho have more immediate concerns with petuating in the East, as America has al that distant settlement. ready done in the west, the name and the grandeur of its distant parent.

CEREMONY OF OBTAINING A GRANT OF
LAND FROM THE CHIEFS OF NEW ZEA
LAND; by the Rev. Mr. Marsden.

The grant was made out and executed,
and the land publicly set apart for the Eu-
ropeans, on Friday the 24th of February,
number of
1815, in the presence of a
Chiefs from different districts, who were
assembled at Ranghee Hoo, to take their
leave of the Active.

land of Otaheite to Christianity had been by his decease. Such men deserve to be received. The Government of New Southheld in everlasting remembrance. Wales immediately upon obtaining this gratifying inteligence, had ordered to be printed for their instruction, a short history of the Old and New Testament, a number of catechisms, a spelling book, and several other religious tracts, in the Taheetan tongue. A spelling book had been also thrown off for the use of the Church Missionary establishment at New Zealand; which had recently made great progress. It is however to be feared, that the bright prospects offered in that quarter, would be greatly obscured in consequence of a serious and fatal affray, which occurred in Octo-the Europeans, they were all at full liberty ber, between the natives and the crew of a Botany Bay Colonial Schooner, called the Brothers. The islanders excited by some unknown suspicion or desire of gain, treacherously murdered three of the crew; the remaining part of which retorted the injury, and shot a great number of their opponents It was apprehended that this unfortunate accident would very probably suspend for the present, the benign intentions of the Mission on that island.

I took this opportunity of apprising the Chiefs, that as the land now belonged to

without any hindrance, to come from any part of new Zealand, for things which they might want to purchase, or have manufac fured. I further told them, that the Smith should make them axes, or hoes, or any other toois of which they might stand in need: but that he was, on no account, to repair pistols, or muskets, or to make any warlike instruments, not even for the greatest Chief upon the island.

Ahoodee O Guuna, one of the Chiefs, of whom I had purchased the land, publickly declared, that the land was no longer theirs, but the sole property of White People, and that it was "tabooed" for their

use.

A long succession of droughts had withered the young corn, and destroyed almost all hopes of even a moderate harvest. The same heats had operated to dry up the pastures; the black cattle, wild and domestic, The signature of the Grant, or Deed, were reduced to a miserable state of leancontains all the lines which are tatooed on ness; and the sheep were dropping off in immense numbers. Anticipation of the ap-gular and curious mode of making thereon the Chief's face, according to their sinproaching dearth had considerably enhanced the price of provisions, and produced a degree of uneasiness and discomfort which was greatly increased by the suspension of civil law; in consequence of serious disagreement among the Judges of the Civil Courts.

Tea and sugars were very high, hyson being from £30 to £40 per chest, and sugar Is. per lb.

Such is the tenor of our latest advices from Sydney; they give rise to many anxieties lest the once promising appearances should prove deceptive. The following particulars are of an earlier date; they contain information partly pleasing, partly distressing. The acquisition of a settlement, and good repute among the people, is very satisfactory, but the death of Duaterra greatly abates that feeling at present.

drawings and figures.

Three days previous, Mrs. King had been delivered of a fine boy, who was brought out and publickly baptized, at the same time when the Deed was executed upon this newly-purchased land.

All these circumstances, at such a juncture, were peculiarly interesting to us, and will be long remembered by the Natives.

The price paid for the land was TWELVE AXES! Ahoodee O Gunna is a very sensible man, and extremely partial to Europeans. He is the chief man in Ranghee Hoo, where the Settlers reside. It is the largest and most populous town that we met with, containing upwards of two hundred huts. The wife of the Chief is also a

pleasant woman, and had greatly improved in her appearance and cleanliness before we came away; and devoted much of her time in assisting the European Women in any thing which she could do. Ahoodre

Duaterra has been so often brought be-O Gunna requested I would send him & fore our readers as a man of uncommon mind and activity, that we need say nothing explanation of the loss his country suffers

suit of clothes to wear on the Sabbath, as he did not like to attend Divine Service in his native dress, thinking its improper; which I promised to do.