been brought on board. What will not man risk for gain? Our commander, six days before we left, had received, and kept concealed in a boat towing astern, five plague patients from another vessel; and although, when the ship sailed, but two survived, those two were permitted, without mention being made of it, to mix with the crew. Under such circumstances, the only wonder is, that it should have concealed itself so long. Those who had indulged the hope that their riddance of the last patient had exterminated the pestilence, were again doomed to disappointment. Ere the sun had set, two more were attacked, and about eight o'clock a third: all were transferred to the long-boat.

"Not a hope of our escaping if we remained at sea was now cherished, and the vessel's head was accordingly put for Rhodes. In the course of an hour, the Mohamedan portion of the crew were already wrapt in slumber; the Christians (principally Italians and Greeks) were either scattered or in silent groups; here and there, a solitary individual was in thought at home, meditating on wife and friends, and pledging his votive offering if ever he joined them in safety again. The wind had fallen light, and the waves surged heavily up the vessel's side, both mingling at intervals with the groans of the sufferers in the longboat. My own feelings I do not attempt to describe. I had faced death before in many shapes; yet never did I feel so utterly depressed. My mind had received a shock, from which it was not doomed it should quickly recover. I watched the greater part of the night, and at length sunk into that heavy slumber, which usually follows high mental excitement.

I awoke next day at sunrise. Every thing appeared in confusion; the yards were not trimmed to the breeze, and as the braces were hanging slack, they swung lazily to and fro with the motion of the vessel. The men looked pale and exhausted, as from long watching: an old man, about seventy years of age, proved an exception; he was a Turk, and when I inquired how he could openly break the precept of his religion, by quaffing the forbidden wine, he told me it was medicine, and repeated an Arabian proverb, equivalent to our 'Desperate diseases require desperate remedies.' There was no arguing, had I felt so disposed, with such a philosopher. The day passed away heavily enough; about noon, another dead body was removed and thrown overboard from the charnel house-the long boat-and two more patients were deposited there.

"Without being ill, I had fancied it utterly impossible to shake off the depression of spirits under which I laboured. It continued to increase upon me until, on the announcement of supper, I went down with the others; but at the sight of the viands I felt dizzy, and a total absence of appetite. Wishing to alarm no one, I quietly withdrew from the table to my cabin, and had no sooner thrown myself on a couch, than I was seized with a convulsive shuddering, which was succeeded by a burning fever. My companion, who had been watching my increasing paleness, and had seen me retire, thought all was not right, and came to my cabin-door. A conviction immediately seized him as to the true state of the case; but wishing to soothe me, he calmly remarked, that we should be at Rhodes in the morning; and drew forth my money from a trunk, and placed it near my pillow. With a degree of moral courage which does him honour, he did not fear to moisten my lips with some vinegar and water which he mixed for me; and then, quietly telling me to compose myself, and I should be better on the morrow, he left me, to go on deck.

"I must have quickly sank into a state of exhaustion; for not half an hour elapsed ere he approached the cabin again, but receiving no answer, concluded that I had fallen into a dose; and at a late period of the night both he and the

:

captain, after endeavouring in vain to rouse me, concluded I was, as I appeared to be, dead. The morning came-I awoke with the keenest torments: my eyeballs felt as if they protruded, and throbbed with fearful violence. I suffered a raging thirst: a burning liquid seemed to traverse my veins-my brain whirled -I again passed into insensibility, and again recovered my senses. A tumour had formed under my left arm this was sufficient to confirm my worst apprehensions as to the nature of my affliction; but, strange to say, with that confirmation returned all the strength of mind or firmness it may be my good fortune to possess. 'I have escaped,' thought I, 'through perils nearly as great as this, and, under the protecting hand of Providence, I may yet recover.' I laid perfectly quiet, I suppose, for some hours, and then was roused by hearing the chain-cables running out. This ceased, and the noise was followed by low moanings, succeeded by louder lamentations; yet there was not the usual din nor bustle of ship-board. Eager, notwithstanding my illness, to ascertain what was doing, I crawled forth from my couch to the upper deck, and saw no one but the cook and three companions; they were crying and beating their breasts. I learnt that the captain, and those of the crew and passengers who remained in health, finding they were sufficiently near the shore, had lowered the only boat, had crowded into her, and made the best of their way towards it, leaving myself and my companions in misery to our fate. Just before they pushed off, they cut away the anchors; there was, however, no bottom, and we were drifting slowly with the wind and current towards the land. I again crawled towards the poop, where I seated myself near a jar of water (for my thirst continued unabated), to await further events. My companions crowded around me; four persons were in the launch-two dead, and two unable to move, yet lingering-one, an Italian gentleman, had occupied his horrid tenement three days: their groans were truly heart-rending. At the distance of 150 yards from the shore, our anchors took the ground: it was a bold, rockylooking country, with a range of high mountains in the distance; on the beach we could perceive the crew and passengers, who beckoned us to land, but in mere mockery, for they had taken our only boat, had we been capable of managing one. My companions, half frantic at their desperate condition, determined, in spite of all remonstrances from me, to slip the cables, which they did, and we again drifted towards the shore. Fortunately, it was steep, and when we struck, we were not more than twenty yards distant; but how were we to get on land? The mate, who had been only suffering from slight fever, and was now well, at length, at my suggestion, swam to the shore with a rope, one end of which was fastened to a rock, and the other the crew made fast to the shrouds of the main rigging; upon this a noose was formed, reaching to the gunwale, in which my companions, with the exception of those in the launch, seated themselves, and were drawn by another rope to the shore. With the assistance of the cook, I, with immense exertion, placed myself in the noose. As I was drawn from the gunwale, I swung round, and caught the look and expression of the poor old Italian gentleman in the launch-it was so despairing, so mournful, so reproachful, that I closed my eyes. I grew dizzy and weak, and as I drew near the shore, became utterly incapable of holding longer, and fell headlong into the sea. As I rose to the surface, a seaman put forth an oar to me, which I grasped, and was in that manner drawn to land, which I had no sooner reached, than I sank senseless.

"When I came to myself, I found my companion seated beside me, who said 'Before I quitted the vessel, I was going to your cabin, for the purpose, if possible, of rousing you to accompany me; but on my way I met the commander, who

told me he had just left it, and that you were dead, and, villain as he is, I must do him the justice to believe he thought you were so. When, however, I still persisted in going to decide for myself, he intimated that if I did not forthwith step into the boat, he would push off. I was obliged to comply, but it was only with the hope that I should be able to again visit the vessel; that hope vanished when we approached the shore, for the boat struck on a rock and stranded, one of the passengers being drowned. But look,' added he, turning quickly to me,' at the Esperito Santo―you are out of her in time.' Until now, she had remained beating heavily against the rocks; suddenly she surged heavily over to leeward, the masts snapped off from the boards, three or four heavy seas curled up and swept over her, and the long boat, with its inmates, the dead and living, was first torn from the deck, and quickly disappeared: the poor wretches must have sunk without an effort, for we could not obtain a glimpse of them. "It now became necessary to hold a consultation as to our future movements. Two Turks approached from a distance, and upon inquiring, we learnt from them that, in place of Rhodes, the vessel was wrecked on the coast of Karamania, near Castle Rossa, and about seventy miles from that island. They also told us that there was no village nearer than six miles, and to this it was determined we should proceed. I was dreadfully weak; my clothes were thoroughly drenched, I had received several bruises, and the tumour under my arm felt very painful. When the proposal was first made, I did not think I could have walked ten yards; however, my friend very kindly took charge of my money, which I had fortunately saved by binding it round my waist, and we set forwards the four infected persons and myself forming a separate group, which keep aloof from the rest. About sunset, we reached the village, and there met a person belonging to the Russian consulate; to him our commander addressed himself, stating that he and his companions had been wrecked that day on their coast, and entreating for shelter and protection, until intelligence of our situation could be communicated to our consul at Rhodes: not a word was mentioned respecting the plague. Learning, however, we had come from Alexandria, and not being willing, although Turks, to encounter any risk, as they knew the plague was raging there, a dwelling was provided for us at a short distance from the town. The commander, and such as remained healthy, took possession of one room, while the infected occupied another; the latter he wished me to join, but this I refused. Notwithstanding the fatigue of my walk, I felt better, and did not despair of recovery; the chance of which would, however, have been much lessened, had I complied with his wishes. Accordingly, I made a separate bargain with a Turk, who allowed me to sleep in his stable, where several horses were kept; from him also I purchased a ragged carpet, and with a large stone for a pillow, I took up my quarters in my new abode. My fever increased as the night advanced. About two hours after midnight I was seized with delirium, which I imagine was the crisis of the disorder: a thousand horrid and absurd vagaries passed through my brain: now the frantic wretch who was cut from the yard seized my leg with his teeth, and gnawed the quivering flesh to the bone-now the Italian we had left in the launch clasped his cold and clammy arms around me, and pressed me, with a demon's laugh, to his loathsome person. I preserve, however, a recollection of at one period much shouting and noise, and also that a party with torches had rushed into the shed, but for what purpose I knew not till the next morning. I recovered my senses shortly after sunrise, and learnt from my companion that a disturbance had taken place during the night in consequence of the cook, who was delirious, crawling into the fire, which had been kindled to dress

some provisions; his legs were most dreadfully burnt before they could rescue him, as no one would venture to touch him, and the party who entered my apartment came to seek for a rope to throw over him: about an hour after, he died, and was buried by the Turks. Suspicions now arose in the minds of the inhabitants as to the real state of the case, and nothing was heard but threats that they would massacre the whole party. Mine was spoken of as a most suspicious case, and a party came to examine me: what they saw confirmed their fears, and already were the muskets of several ferocious and sanguinary Turks, eager for a pretext to shed the blood of a Christian, levelled at me, when an old moolah interfered: Stop!' said he; 'I see it written on his forehead that his time has not yet come.' As the Turks, disappointed of their prey, turned sulkily away, and quitted the shed, the old man, after fixing on me a look at once expressive both of pity and benevolence, approached, and inquired if there was any thing he could do for my comfort, or to lessen my sufferings. I begged for water, which was all I craved: he placed a jar beside me, and then left me. In the evening he sent his wife with similar offers of service. After much expostulation and entreaty, the captain and his party prevailed on the governor to keep all quiet, until an answer should be received from Castle Rossa, to which a letter, explaining our situation, was immediately conveyed. The perils of their situation were great, for the governor had but to hold up his finger, and they would cease to exist. This danger, added to the plague, rendered my condition still less enviable. I passed another miserable night. Next day we received intelligence that a consular agent from Castle Rossa had arrived; but as he would not land, the whole party were marched down to the beach where the wreck occurred. Being heartily disgusted with my companions, who, it soon became evident, were only desirous to keep us with them that we might defray the whole of the expenses, I endeavoured to persuade him, by the offer of a large sum, to furnish a boat, which would forthwith take us by ourselves to Rhodes, but could only obtain a promise that a boat on the following day would be sent to carry there the whole party; having made this promise, the officer put off from the shore, and made sail for his port. The Turks, who had accompanied us to the beach, now turned a deaf ear to all our solicitations to be permitted to return to the village, but marched us off for about two miles to a little patch of green sward, surrounded by thickets:'These are your quarters,' said the leader of the party. Remonstrance would have been useless, and indeed, in our situation, we could hardly hope for other treatment. Guards were stationed around, and it was intimated, in very plain terms, that any one attempting to quit that circle would be shot without ceremony. Myself and the other infected were directed to occupy one corner : our lodging and bedding was the damp earth; our canopy the scanty foliage of a dwarfish oak and the blue vault of heaven. The Turks now sent us a sheep, which was killed, and after some pieces had been broiled on the fire, they were thrown to us; eat, however, I could not-I loathed the sight of food. In the evening it began to rain, which continued incessant during the whole time we remained.

"I will not attempt to describe the miseries I endured for these two days. Hitherto, since quitting the vessel, I had not slept for an instant; but on the second night, I contrived to crawl near a fire, which an old Frenchman, spite of the rain, had contrived to keep in: he did not repulse me. The fever still continued, and I was now so completely exhausted, that I sank into a doze, which continued for about an hour. It had been my wish to dry my only pair of stockings, and I had gone to sleep with them in my hands extended over the Asiat.Journ. N.S. VOL.26. No. 102. R

fire. When I awoke, I found that I had completely burnt the foot off one. Crawling back to my own quarters, I carried with me a few embers, with which I contrived, with much difficulty, to dig a hollow, and with some of the Frenchman's store of wood, to light a small fire. All happiness, they say, is by comparison; and as I warmed my benumbed fingers by its cheerful flame, and sipped a little coffee, contained in a cooking-pot which belonged to the man who had died last night, I poured forth my whole soul in gratitude to my Maker, who had thus far preserved me.

"On the following morning, the boat arrived which was to convey us to Rhodes. It was a miserable-looking affair, but never shall I forget the pleasure I felt when I put my foot on board her. I was then sufficiently recovered for my fellow-passengers not to feel apprehension of my conveying the contagion, but the two other patients were towed astern in a small boat. Owing to adverse winds, we were three days in making Rhodes, and as we had but one day's provision when we left, the crew and passengers were nearly starved: : even I, as we approached the island, began to feel the pangs of hunger. Upon our arrival, we were put in quarantine; but quarantine, the acmé of a traveller's dread and misery, to us was an earthly paradise. We had bedding, a roof to cover us, and a fire. From the time we were wrecked until we arrived at Rhodes (seven days), I neither ate nor (beyond the brief slumber I have noticed) slept. I had no other clothes than those in which I had quitted the vessel. That I should have escaped the awful visitation would, in itself, be a subject of wonder; but that I should have done so under the complicated miseries and privations described, is next to miraculous.

"It only remains for me to add, that the two patients who arrived with me at Rhodes died two days after landing; and I am, therefore, the sole survivor of those who were attacked. After remaining twenty-nine days in quarantine, gradually recovering my strength and health, I sailed for England; and here you see me now, very grateful to Providence for conducting me to my native land, and not much the worse for the perils I underwent on the way there." Thus concluded my friend's narrative.

MEMOIR OF MRS. WILSON, OF BOMBAY.*

THIS is the history of a very accomplished woman, the wife of Dr. Wilson, 'the President of the Asiatic Society of Bombay, a gentleman not less distinguished by his attainments as an Oriental scholar, than by the skill and success with which he conducts the Scottish mission and schools for the education of the natives. His lamented lady, who, on their departure for India, in 1828, appears to have possessed a large fund of knowledge, not mercly deposited in her mind, but associated with her thought and feeling," devoted herself, on her arrival in that country, to a study of the native languages, and to the work of education. Her literary talents are shown in some able papers published in the Oriental Christian Spectator. She fell a sacrifice to the climate of India in 1835.

This memoir possesses interest, independent of its merits as an excellent specimen of religious biography, in the light it throws upon the character and condition of the natives of India.

*A memoir of Mrs. Margaret Wilson, of the Scottish mission, Bombay; including extracts from her Letters and Journals. By the Rev. JOHN WILSON, D.D., &c. Edinburgh, 1838. Johnstone.