selves authorised to permit. Unwilling, nevertheless, to wound the feelings of their guests, they delicately attributed the refusal to the fear, that "some bad people might be induced to treat us with disrespect." This fear was obviously simulated for the purpose which has been stated. "It was worthy of notice," says Mr. M'Leod, "how much regularity and decorum existed among so many thousands as were here collected. A lane was formed, on the inner side of which the smallest boys (generally kneeling) were placed; another row squatted behind these; then the men (those nearest stooping a little); and outside, the still taller people, or those mounted on stones, &c.; so that all, without bustle or confusion, might have a view of the stranger. The utmost silence reigned, and not a whisper was heard."

A mutual friendship now began to subsist between both parties. The result of this was, that the natives fitted up the garden of a temple, as a sort of general arsenal for the English, who were all allowed to come on shore. As a hospital for the sick, the habitations of the priests were allotted, and temporary bamboo buildings were erected for the stowage of the powder; while the rope-makers, smiths, and other artificers, were established on a convenient spot, about a mile further on the beach. To the sick the kindest attention was paid. The higher class of people daily attended on them, manifested that sympathy which is so cheering to the victims of disease, inquired into their wants, and furnished additional eggs and other delicacies to those men whose cases more particularly required them. In the meantime, understanding that wood was wanting for spars, the natives felled fir-trees, and floated them alongside the ship, singing in concert their usual boat-song, which had a very pleasing and plaintive effect.

From this period, the friendly intercourse and interchange of kindnesses continued uninterrupted by any dispute, or even by any thing like coldness on either side. Madera Cosyong, who, at the outset, had evidently been employed to watch the English, became

their warmest friend; and he took such indefatigable pains to acquire our language, that he soon made himself to be understood, without the aid of an interpreter. His first attempt to connect a sentence was rather sudden and unexpected. Rising to go away one evening, after his usual lesson, he slowly articulated, "You give me good wine,-I tank you,-I go shore." This chief was delighted to receive information, and his remarks were always pertinent. The Lewchewans possess, in fact, no mean share of intellect. A chart of the ship's course having been shown to Madera and some others, they quickly comprehended the subject, although they had no previous idea of the vast extent or the figure of the globe.

The islanders are remarkable for their honesty, and their adherence to truth. Of their honesty there is sufficient proof in the fact, that although iron implements were a great temptation, the rope machinery and other articles remained unguarded and safe on the beach for many nights; and though they had numberless opportunities on board the Alceste, yet not a single theft was, committed by them during the whole of her stay.

In native, true politeness it would be difficult to find their superiors, or even their equals. Whenever the English proceeded too far into the country, they were not rudely driven back, but mildly entreated to return, as a favour to those in attendance, lest they should incur blame; and those attendants were always eager to prevail on our officers to partake of their fare. A striking instance of the politeness of the Lewchewans was given at an entertainment, to which captain Maxwell had invited a party of the chiefs. The health of the king of Lewchew having been drunk in a bumper, one of them rose immediately, and with much warmth and feeling desired the interpreter to state how much they felt gratified by such a compliment, which they would take care to tell to every body on their landing; and he ended by proposing, in his turn, a bumper to the health of the king of the Engalees. At table they carefully conformed to our customs; unlike the beastly Chinese, near

the river Pei-ho, who, when invited to dinner on board, thrust into any dish near them the bones which they had gnawed, and applied the decanter of wine to their greasy mouths. Perhaps the strongest proof which can be brought forward of the captivating manners of the Lewchewans is, that even our rough tars were won over by them, and forbore to behave with their usual contemptuous roughness. The English sailors and the natives were constantly mingled together, without the occurrence of a solitary quarrel or complaint.

The humanity also of the islanders is exemplary. It does not appear that they possess arms; and when they saw the effect of our fowling-pieces, they begged that our officers would not kill the birds, which they were always glad to see flying about their houses: to this they added, that if we wanted the birds to eat, they would send each day an additional number of fowls in their stead. Nor is their humanity of that sentimental kind which bewails a dead bird, while it looks with a dry eye on the misery of human beings. This has already been seen in the care which they took of the sick, and it was still further proved by the following circumstance. One of the sick having died, a grave was dug for him by the natives, after the English manner, in one of their own places of interment; and, on the morning of the burial, a number of the principal inhabitants came unexpectedly, clad in deep mourning, to attend the funeral. Observing that the order of rank was in this case inverted, the captain closing the rear, they, with that delicacy which seems inherent in them, stationed themselves in front of the coffin, as being the humblest place. The service was performed amidst the utmost silence and decorum; and they then immediately began to erect a tomb over the grave, on which they cut an inscription, furnished by the British. On the day after the interment they appeared at the tomb, with their priests, and performed the funeral service according to the rites of their own religion; thus extending their pious care even beyond the limits of our earthly state.

VOL. IV.

P

A short time previous to the departure of the Alceste, the nearest heir to the crown paid a visit on board to captain Maxwell, and was received with every possible mark of respect and attention. In return, he invited the captain and officers to a feast, to be celebrated on the 25th of October, the anniversary of our monarch's accession. On this occasion, the prince met them at the gate, and conducted them into the hall. Three tables were spread for the three different classes of guests, the prince doing the honours of his own, and occasionally directing his attention to the others, to each of which a man of some rank was added to pass the toasts, and see that the strangers were properly treated. Our king and royal family were heartily toasted; and the king, queen, and royal family of Lewchew having been proposed by our party, the hosts returned the compliment by toasting "the wives and children of their friends, the Engalees." The day was spent in the utmost harmony; mutual tokens of friendship were exchanged; and when the boats put off to the ship, the crews gave three cheers, which the natives returned in their own style of salutation; and in this manner followed the boats along the pier to the mouth of the river. They had already sent a great number of coloured paper lanterns on board, to illuminate the ship in honour of our king. These were displayed after dark; three volleys were fired, and fire-works were discharged, to the infinite delight of thousands of people, who crowded the shore.

The king was never seen; but he sent to captain Maxwell a letter for our sovereign, stating "the happiness which he felt in having had an opportunity of affording an asylum to his ships, and expressing a hope that the attentions which he had been able to show them might prove satisfactory to the king of the Engalees."

At length the period of departure arrived. The stores having been embarked, the ships unmoored on the morning of the 27th of October. While this operation was performing, "the Lewchewans, as a mark of re

spect, arranged themselves in their best apparel, and proceeding to the temple, offered up to their gods a solemn sacrifice, invoking them to protect the Engalees, to avert every danger, and restore them in safety to their native land! In the manner of this adieu there was an air of sublimity and benevolence combined, by far more touching to the heart than the most refined compliment of a more civilised people. It was the genuine benignity of artless nature and of primitive innocence. Immediately following this solemnity, our particular friends crowded on board to shake hands, and say, "farewell!" whilst the tears which many of them shed evinced the sincerity of their attachment. As the ships got under weigh, they still lingered alongside in their canoes, displaying every sign of affectionate regard."

There is, we are certain, no reader of this sketch who will not heartily join us in the prayer, that these kind and worthy islanders may long preserve the purity of morals, the warmth of heart, and the peace and concord, by which, at the present moment, their hospitable shores are so peculiarly distinguished!

THE AUCTION:

*A*

Pocket Magazine.

A SKETCH OF METROPOLITAN SOCIETY.

A SALE of household effects, in a fashionable square, is one of those scenes which exhibit human nature in a

very unamiable point of view. Each person is eager in the pursuit of some article that pleases his fancy, and seems to think of self alone.

The mansion that I was now in had lately been the residence of a family of distinction, and bore evident marks of good taste.-The furniture was rich and elegant, and chosen with a view to use as well as ornament;-the pictures were the chefs-d'œuvre of the best masters; and a library of well-chosen books, with