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voice, "The humble petition of of-of the devil!" faid Seymour, "of Oliver Cromwell!" The roar of laughter in the houfe was too great for fir Edward to withstand; he flung down the petition, and ran out of the house in the utmost confufion.

ANECDOTES.

with her good fenfe and compiacency, called to Mr. St. Leger, and defired he would, with his ufual wit, pay her a compliment. Upon which the latter immediately addreffed the lady as follows

Ye little Tory, what's the jeft
Of wearing orange on your breaft;
Since that fame breaft, betraying, shows

The whiteness of the rebel rofe!
The fentiment was too beautiful to

[Transmitted by our Correspondent L.] escape the admiration of a polite af

1.

OF DR. WATTS.

THE doctor being one day in a coffee-houfe, obferved two gentlemen looking ftedfaftly at him; at length he heard one of them fay, pointing to him, "That is Dr. Watts!" The other, after fome paufe, replied "Then he is a very little fellow!" On which the doctor immediately turned round, and deli vered the following answer

"Were I fo tall to reach the sky,

Or grafp the ocean with a fpan,
I would be meafur'd by my foul;-
The mind's the ftandard of the man."

II.

OF MR. ST. LEGER.

WHEN the late earl of Chefterfield was viceroy of Ireland, Wit was the ruling genius of the court, and a gentleman of the name and refpectable family of St. Leger, her first favourite.-Upon the anniverfary of the acceffion, it is ufual for proteftant nobility to attend, the ladies ornamented with orange-colour ribbon cockades; a custom to which the Roman catholics have never yet conformed. However, upon one of thofe days, a widow lady of that perfuafion, of exquifite beauty, and of principles too liberal to be restrained by partial rules, honoured the circle with her prefence, and in a dress appofite to the occafion. The viceroy, enamoured of her accomplishments, and delighted

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fembly, or the peculiar notice of the earl; who, during the remainder of Mr. St. Leger's life, efteemed him as a genius and a friend.

III.

STRIKING INSTANCE

OF GENEROSITY.

ON general Lee's return from Ruffia, he lived fome months at lodgings in London; and going home one day, he observed the utmost confufion in every part of the houfe. Upon enquiring into the cause, he was told, that an execution had taken place against Mr.

his landlord. It exhibited a melancholy scene; the distracted wife was fobbing violently; and her innocent little ones encircled her, to learn the caufe of her grief; while the husband in vain endeavoured to tranquillize her mind. Lee, who had difcovered feveral good qualities in his hoft, asked the amount of the fum; when he was informed, that it was three hundred pounds, which was more than the amount of all the property of this afflicted family. "Well," replied he, "it is lucky I have the money; but it might have happened otherwise;" and, after going to his room, prefented the bailiff with notes to the amount of the demand: "If ever you fhould be able to pay me, do; if not, I forgive you cheerfully!" said he to the affrighted father.

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PATNA, MARCH 2, 1784. [From the First Volume of The Afiatic Mifcellanies,]

URING my refidence in

had much at heart, to obtain an interview of the infant Teefhoo Lama; but the emperor of China's general orders, restricting his guards to keep him in the ftricteft privacy, and prohibiting indifcriminately the admiffion of all perfons to his prefence, even his votaries who fhould come from a distance, appeared to me an obftacle almost infurmountable; yet, however, the rajah, mindful of the amity fubfifting between the governor and him, and unwilling, I believe, by any means, to hazard its interruption, at length contrived to get me that indulgence. As the meeting was attended with very fingular and striking incidents, I could not help noticing them with moft particular attention; and though the reprefentation of fuch facts, interwoven and blended as they are with fuperftition, may expofe me to the imputation of extravagance and exaggeration, yet I fhould think my felf reprehenfible to fupprefs them: and while I diveft myfelf of all prejudice, and affume the part of a faithful narrator, I hope, however tedious the detail I propofe to enter into may be found, it will be received with candour, and merit the attention of thofe for whofe perufal and information it is intended; were it only to mark a ftrong feature in the national character, of implicit

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naftery, which occupies about a mil of ground in circumference, and th whole is encompaffed by a wall. Th feveral buildings ferve for the ac commodation of three hundred Gy longs, appointed to perform religiou fervices with Teefhoo Lama, unt he fhall be removed to the monafter and mufnud of Teefhoo Lamboo.

On the 4th, in the morning, was allowed to vifit Teefhoo Lama and found him placed in great form upon his mufnud. On the left fid ftood his father and mother; and on the other, the perfon particularl appointed to wait upon his perfor The mufnud is a fabrick of fill cufhions, piled one upon another till the feat is elevated to the heigh of four feet above the floor. Ar embroidered filk covered the top and the fides were decorated with pieces of filk of various colours fufpended from the upper edge, and hanging down. By the particula request of Teefhoo Lama's father Mr. Saunders and company wor the English drefs. I advanced, and as is the cuftom, prefented a white Pelong handkerchief, and delivered alfo into the Lama's hands the go vernor's prefent of a string of pearls and coral, while the other things were fet down before him. Having performed the ceremony of exchange of handkerchiefs with his fa

therand other we took our feate or

ful news. The governor wished he might long continue to illumine the world with his prefence, and was hopeful that the friendship, which had formerly fubfifted between them, would not be diminished, but rather that it might become ftill greater than before; and that, by his continuing to fhew kindness to my countrymen, there might be an extensive communication between his votaries and the dependents of the British nation. The little creature turned, looking stedfaftly at me with the appearance of much attention while I fpoke, and nodded with repeated but flow movements of the head, as though he understood and approved every word, but could not utter a reply. The parents, who stood by all the time, eyed their fon with a look of affection, and a fmile expreffive of heart-felt joy at the propriety of the young Lama's conduct. His whole regard was turned to us: he was filent and fedate, never once looking towards his parents, as under their influence at the time; and with whatever pains his manners may have been formed fo correct, yet I must own, his behaviour on this occafion appeared perfectly natural and fpontaneous, and not directed by any action or fign of authority.

A multitude of perfons, all thofe ordered to efcort me, were admitted to his prefence, and allowed to make their proftrations. The infant Lama turned towards them, and received them all with a chearful and fignificant look of complacency. His father addreffed me in the Tibet language, which was explained to me by the interpreter, that Teefhoo Lama had been used to remain at rest till this time of the day, but he had awoke very early this morning, and could not be prevailed on to remain longer in bed; for, added he, the English gentlemen were arrived, and he could not fleep. During the time we were in the room, I obferved the Lama's eyes were scarcely ever turned from us; and when our cups were empty of tea, he appeared uneafy, and fhrinking back his head, and contracting the fkin of his brow, he kept making a noife, for he could not fpeak, until they were filled again. He took out of a golden cup containing confectionary, fome burnt fugar, and, ftretching out his arm, made a motion to his attendants to give them to me. He then fent fome in like manner to Mr. Saunders, who was with me. I found myfelf, though visiting an infant, under the neceffity of faying fomething; for it was hinted to me, that, notwithftanding he is unable to reply, it is not to be inferred that he cannot understand. However, his incapacity of anfwering excufed me many words, and I just briefly faid, That the governor general, on receiving the news of his deceafe in China, was overwhelmed with grief and forrow, and continued to lament his abfence from the world, till that cloud, which had overcast the happinefs of this nation, was difpelled by his appearance, and then, if poffible, a greater degree of joy had taken place than he had experienced of grief on receiving the first mourn

The fcene I was here brought to take a part in, was too new and extraordinary, however trivial, if not abfurd, it may appear to some, not to claim from me great attention, and confequently minute remark.

Teefhoo Lama is at this time about eighteen months of age. He did not fpeak a word, but made most expreffive figns, and conducted himself with aftonishing dignity and decorum. His complexion is of that hue which in England we fhould term rather brown, but not without colour. His features good, fmall black eyes, an animated expreffion

of

of countenance; and altogether I thought him one of the handfomeft children I had ever feen. I had but little converfation with the father. He told me he had directions to entertain me three days on account of Teefhoo Lama; and entreated me with fo much earnestness to pass another on his own account, that I could not refift complying with the request. He then invited us to come to-morrow to an entertainment he proposed to make at, a fmall distance from the monastery, which invitation having accepted, we took our leave, and returned.

In the courfe of the afternoon I was vifited by two officers of the Lama's household, both of whom are immediately attendant on his perfon. They fat and converfed with me fome time, enquired after Mr. Bogle, whom both of them had seen, and then, remarking how extremely fortunate was the young Lama having regarded us with particular notice, obferved on the very strong partiality of the former Teefhoo Lama for the English, and that the prefent one often tried to utter the name of the English. I encouraged the thought, hopeful that they would teach the prejudice to strengthen with his increafing age; and they affured me, that should he, when he begins to fpeak, have forgot, they would early teach him to repeat the name of Haftings. On the morning of the 6th I again waited on Teefhoo Lama, to prefent fome curiofities had brought from Bengal. He was very much struck with a small clock, and had it held to him, watching for a long time the revolution of the moment-hand. He admired it with gravity, and without any childish emotion. There was nothing in the ceremony different from the first vifit. The father and mother were prefent. I stayed about half an hour, and retired, to return and take leave in the afternoon. The

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votaries of Teefhoo Lama already began to flock in numbers to pay their adoration to him. Few are yet admitted to his prefence. Those who come, efteem it a happiness if he is but fhewn to them from the window, and they are able to make their proftrations before he is removed. There came to-day a party of Kilmaaks (Calmuc Tartars), for the purpose of devotion, and to make their offerings to the Lama. When I returned from visiting him, I faw them ftanding at the entrance of the fquare in front of the palace, each with his cap off, his hands being placed together, elevated, and held even with his face. They remained upwards of half an hour in this attitude, their eyes fixed on the apartment of the Lama, and anxiety very visibly depicted in their countenances. At length I imagine he appeared to them, for they began altogether by lifting their hands still clofed above their heads, then bringing them even with their faces, and after lowering them, to affist them in finking and rifing, they dropped on their knees, and ftruck their heads against the ground. This, with the fame motions, was repeated nine times. They afterwards advanced to deliver their prefents, confifting of talents of gold and filver, with the produce of their country, to the proper officers; who having received them, they retired apparently with much fatisfaction. Upon enquiry I learnt, that offerings made in this manner are by no means unfrequent, and in reality conftitute one of the moft copious fources from which the Lamas of Tibet derive their wealth. No one thinks himself de graded by performing these humili ations. The perfons I allude to, who came for this devout purpose, were attendant on a man of fuperior rank, that feemed to be more engroffed than the rest in the performance of the ceremony. He wore a

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rich

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rich fattin garment, lined with foxfkins, and a cap with a taffel of scarlet filk flowing from the center of the crown on the fides all round, and edged with a broad band of Si berian fur.

According to appointment, I went in the afternoon, to make my laft vifit to Teefhoo Lama. I received his difpatches for the governor gemeral, and from his parents two

pieces of fattin for the governor, with many compliments.

They prefented me with a vest lined with lamb-skins, making many affurances of a long remembrance; and obferving, that now Teefhoo Lama is an infant, and incapable of converfing, but they hoped to fee me when he fhall have become of age.

NATURAL HISTORY.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE KRAKEN, OR SEA EEL.

TH

HE Kraken, or Sea Eel, is a marine animal of the most enormous dimenfions: the credit of its existence chiefly depends on the evidence of Pontoppidon, bishop of Bergen, in his Natural History of Norway. But as no perfon has ever pretended to have seen a fullgrown Kraken, in all its dimenfions, a particular account of its conform ation cannot be expected; neverthe lefs, we fhall adduce the arguments of this author, on which he grounds his own belief of the existence of this monstrous production of na

ture.

"Our fishermen," fays Pontoppidon, "unanimoufly and invariably affirm, that when they are feveral miles from the land, particularly in hot fummer weather, and by their distance, and the bearings of fome points of land, expect from eighty to an hundred fathoms in depth, and do not find more than twenty or thirty; and more cfpecially, if they difcover an unusual quantity of cod and ling, they judge that the Kraken is at the bottom: but if they find by their lines that the water in the fame place ftill fhallows on them, they know that it is riding to the furface, and row off

with the greatest expedition till they come into the ufual foundings of the place; there lying a few mi, nutes on their oars, they fee the monfter emerge, and difplay itself fufficiently, though its whole body is not apparent. Its back, or upper furface, which feems an English mile and a half in circumference, (fome have affirmed more) looks at first like a number of small islands, fur rounded with fomething that floats like fea-weeds; at last several bright points or antenne appear, which grow thicker the higher they emerge and fometimes ftand as high and large as the masts of middle-fized veffels. In a fhort time, it gradually finks, which is thought as dangerous as its rifing, caufing fuch a fwell and vortex, that it draws in vessels, liké that of Maleftram."

The bifhop laments the omiffion of the only opportunity which ever has been, or perhaps ever may be prefented, of examining this creature when alive, or feeing it entire when dead: this, he acquaints us, did once occur, on the credit of the minifter of Nordland, and vicar of the College for promoting Chriftian knowledge; who informed him that a Kraken came into the fhallows between the rocks and cliffs near Abftahong; where, in turning about, fome of its long horns caught hold

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