untaught, and the people sunk as deeply as ever in the quagmire of sloth, of poverty, and ignorance? We are told, and the people of England are fain to believe, because it flatters their national vanity, that the minds and morals of the natives are gradually improving under the salutary influence of good laws. Sir, this is not true; but if it were true, as a general effect, the advantage would be neutralized so long as the whole nation is liable to a scourge which destroys one-half of the population, and debases, below brutality, the remainder. The districts of Salem and Coimbatore had been blessed by the paternal government of the English for nearly a century when I passed through them in 1833; and shall any man persuade me that the poor wretches whom I then and there saw, grovelling with their heads in the dust at the feet of their fellow-worm for a morsel of food, had been advanced in the scale of human nature? that physically or morally they stood indebted to Government for any amelioration in their condition? No, Sir; the piercing, unhuman cries, resembling rather the yells of wild beasts than the articulated complaint of human beings; the living skeletons, images of death rather than of life; the utterly abject prostration of all mental and moral energy, which those poor creatures exhibited, too painfully refuted this mockery of truth. The most perfect legislation would not promote the advancement of a people in a century, so much as the intense suffering of a famine would retard and destroy it in six months. Is it not, then, the duty of a Government, holding so peculiarly a responsible situation as the British Government does in India, to provide a remedy for this general calamity? Within the last five years, as I have shown, the greater proportion of British India has been desolated by famine. On an ordinary calculation, it will not occur again for some years; there is no war, within or without, to disturb the deliberation, or to absorb the leisure, or to exhaust the resources, of Government, nor any pressing emergency to distract its attention; every circumstance, then, combines to prove the necessity of precautions, and to facilitate their execution. I can admit of no plea for inaction, except the plea of impracticability, and upon this I have but one observation to make-that that Government must be oddly constituted indeed, which, forewarned, is unable to provide its subjects with such primitive food as rice or wheat. And now, Mr. Editor, if you will extend your indulgence so far, permit me to address one parting word to your brethren of the daily press. They possess amongst them a power, which has been aptly designated the fourth power of the realm. They exert this power, according to their several views of political questions, with unwearied zeal and unrivalled talent. No question arises, however trivial, that directly or indirectly affects the cause they respectively advocate, but the Argus-eye of the press detects the incipient evil, and exposes its most hidden tendencies with a perspicuity and force which prevents or neutralizes its ill effects; and what is the ultimate consequence of this vigilant scrutiny of men and things?—Why, that the poorest subject in the United Kingdom of her Majesty sleeps and wakes in security and peace. But in this general care of person and property, fifty millions of our fellow-subjects are nearly forgotten. The protecting influence of the English press is not shed over India: the expiring rays of its power scarcely penetrate within the door-posts of our eastern kingdom. The moral force of public opinion is not brought to bear upon the grievances, nor public sympathy attracted towards the sufferings, of her population. If one man died in England from the neglect or defective provisions of Government, words would not express the indignation that would be felt, and loudly called for, at such a catastrophe; yet here is an enormous population exposed to a stupendous periodical calamity, and actual deaths occurring by thousands, and the press is silent-as silent as the graves of the victims of famine. I am not so unreasonable as to expect that an equal portion of the labour of the press should be expended upon India as upon England: I make large allowance for the diminished sympathy which distance and interrupted association will naturally occasion. I do not suppose that a "horrid murder in Calcutta" could or should vie in interest with a "horrid murder in Lambeth," whereat, for weeks together, "our hair doth stand on end, like quills upon the fretful porcupine;" but I do think that, since we are placed in such an intimate and responsible connexion with India, it is the duty of the press to watch over her interests on more important points. The subject I have now mooted is not a party question; it is a neutral spot, upon which politicians of every shade may meet, and join hand and heart, without any compromise of political feelings, for it is the common cause of humanity. I am sanguine, therefore, in the hope that your contemporaries of all creeds-Tories, Whigs, and Radicals-will for once lay aside the weapons of party animosity, and each contribute his aid to enforce upon the attention of Government the urgent necessity of making some permanent provision against this dreadful sourge of our Indian empire; to which end, I trust, you will unite your own exertions. Exeter, 19th June 1838. I am, Sir, yours obediently, T. H. B. P.S. Since writing the foregoing, fresh details of the sufferings of the people in Upper India have reached England. Two hundred thousand persons were supported by Government and by charitable contributions in the several stations of the army, and yet "the distress was on so vast a scale, that these were slight palliatives, not remedies, of the evil." "Disease was wasting the numbers whom want had spared." At Agra, the cholera was sweeping away two or three hundred natives daily: the famine still prevailed there. The magistrates employ sixty thousand of the poor, and the poorhouse feeds about four thousand daily; yet "the people die like very dogs." "I traversed the banks of the river, one channel of which is completely dried up, and found about twenty-five sick, almost dying, and about as many corpses. I heard that mothers watch an opportunity at night to throw their children alive into the Jumna. A person coming up the river assured us he saw dogs and jackalls actually devouring bodies in which life was not extinct !" Accounts from other places correspond with these horrible details, and prove the extent of the range of dearth to be enormous, and that famine and disease were increasing with fearful rapidity. Surely, some remedy should be devised to alleviate, if not avert, such an awful calamity. Are the scenes above described creditable to a civilized Government? And, as a question of economy, I find it stated, that at Futtehgurh the exertions of Government had been so great, as "to perceptibly diminish the distress. This extensive relief is intended to be continued as long as it may be required, or until the means of Government are exhausted to supply the latter, there is a crore of rupees available." A crore of rupees is equal to a million sterling, and the application of this was only effectual to diminish the distress in one district. If the fact is truly stated, which I confess I partly doubt, it gives us some data whereon to estimate the actual cost to Government throughout the country; to which positive outlay is to be added the enormous diminution of revenue, which would be felt for many years afterwards. The more I reflect, the more I feel convinced, that, on investigation, it would be found an undoubted pecuniary advantage to lay up stores to avert the possibility of famine; and the fact that grain is still to be procured for money, though the air is infected by the putrid bodies of unburied corpses, sufficiently proves that grain is capable of being preserved. The prevalence of a pestilential disease in the famished districts is a corroboration of my statement, that famine is usually followed by a pestilence; and the revolting circumstance mentioned, that mothers watch for an opportunity to throw their children alive into the Jumna, is a melancholy evidence that I had not overstated the moral effect of this awful visitation. The cause of truth gains nothing by exaggeration, and I have accordingly advanced neither a fact nor an opinion but upon the fullest conviction. THE ELFIN FOX. A TALE TRANSLATED FROM THE CHINESE OF THE SE-HOO-SHIH-WEI. TEN "There is another tradition that, during the Tang dynasty, in the reign of Yuen-ho,† there was an undergraduate, named Heu, who dwelt at Tsing-tse. He was about twenty years of age, unmarried, an intelligent man, and of polished education. Being desirous of obtaining honours at the spring examination, he packed up his lute, sword, books, and chest, took with him two servants, and went to Chang-gan, to try for his licentiate. He was by nature prone to the preservation of animal life, and if he met any huntsman who had caught in his nets foxes or rabbits, he purchased the animals of him, and set them at liberty. He preserved great numbers in this way. Having obtained what he sought at Chang-gan, he journeyed by easy stages to Shen-se. There was there a person, a magistrate, an official friend of Heu-ching. As soon as he heard of the latter's arrival, he was overjoyed; he prepared a repast of wine, and had an agreeable bout with him. Heu-ching, after thrice requesting to leave, at length retired from the party. He beheld the sun already sinking behind the mountains of the west, and the road so obscured by mist as to be scarcely perceptible for more than a mile. Overpowered by the wine which he had taken, he fell asleep on horseback. The animal, going at a smart pace, struck against something that uttered a cry, which caused Heu-ching to swerve, and threw him into a wild plantation on a dreary moor. This, however, did not wake him until he had sobered from the effects of the wine he had taken. He cast a glance around him, and perceived by the moonlight that he was in a place thickly overgrown with trees and grass. He could not comprehend where he was. His horse had disappeared, and his servants, according to his directions, had gone before him some furlongs on the road, along with his baggage, expecting that he would overtake them. Heu-ching soliloquized to himself: 'I do not see a road anywhere about, nor a village inn; what will become of me, should I meet with a tiger or wolf?' He then, by the light of the moon, perceived a bye-road, with traces of a horse's feet impressed on it, trusting to which he went on. After he had walked some distance, he suddenly beheld a first-rate mansion, extremely elegant, and adorned with avenues of acacia and peach trees. Heu-ching went up and knocked at the door. A servant lad came out, to whom he told the cause of his coming, and inquired whose house it was. The lad replied, that it belonged to Le, a person of the fifth rank, and begged Heu-ching to enter the visitors' hall. This hall was a truly noble apartment, hung with the sayings of great men and pictures, while classics, historical authors, maps, court-guides, and other works, lay upon the table. The seats, doors, couches, and rugs were all exceedingly beautiful. The lad went in, and informed the gentleman of the house, who made his appearance. His years were apparently about fifty. On his head was a lofty cap, and he stuck his hand in his girdle with the air of a man of letters. After he had introduced himself to Heu-ching, he did the honours of the house, and took his seat. Heu-ching began thus: On account of having taken too much wine, along with a friend, quite unconsciously, I fell off my horse and lost my road; I am desirous of obtaining a night's lodging.' Le, bending down low, replied: 'I have long desired this exalted felicity, and that heaven would confer the happiness of a rencontre, which up to this period has not occurred. The present interview is certainly its especial favour to me.' He then ordered a servant-lad to get ready some wine, and 'in the space of a summer-shower' it was prepared. He also directed the porter to make search every where for Heu-ching's servant and horse. They all sat down to take refreshment; and the entertainment was prolonged till midnight. Next day, he would have taken leave, but Le urgently entreated him to stay; and Heuching, moved by his request, passed another night there. The day after, he set out, and arrived at the capital. "A period of about a month had elapsed, when some one suddenly knocked at Heu-ching's gate. Heuching opened the door, and beheld a person of rank, attended by a numerous retinue. It was a doctor named Tuh-kwa-chaou, who had come to pay his respects to him. After they had been mutually introduced, the doctor said: A little time ago, when I was at Shense, conversing with Le, a person of the fifth rank, he spoke of his fortunate meeting with you, and your uncommon excellence. He has a daughter, whom he is desirous of marrying to you. If you are not bent upon fame, wealth, or poverty, you can go to-morrow to Shense to inquire, pay your visit to Le, and acknowledge his kindness.' Heu-ching was delighted; and the other perceiving that he assented, took his leave. After this, Heu-ching, growing restless and uneasy, got ready some wedding presents, and set off for Shense, to inquire for Le. The old gentleman was highly delighted, and begged Tuh-kwa-chaou to act as mediator. The 'bridal chambers, flowers, candles, and marriage,' all went off well, and Heu-ching obtained a lovely wife of uncommon beauty. "After they had passed some months there, he brought her home to Tsingtse, and introduced her to his parents. The people, when they beheld the great beauty of the lady, were rapturous in their praises of her. He kept up a constant communication with Le, by parties and presents. "Heu-ching became addicted to the doctrines of the Taou sect, learning every morning a section of the book named 'The Refulgence in the Yellow Pavilion.' His lady remonstrated with him, saying, 'You are now addicted to the doctrines of the Taou sect, but you ought to remember the times of Tsinhwang and Han-wuh. These two, although they were emperors, and possessed all the wealth which the empire contains within its four seas, whereby to invoke the genii, yet were unable to obtain a death at Shamow or a tomb at Mowling. Now what do you, a private individual, expect to gain by invoking the genii?' He paid no attention to his wife's remonstrances, incessantly reciting and learning these classics. Three years afterwards, he went to the capital, took high honours, and obtained his doctor's degree. He then accepted the office of third military commander of Yenchow, and took his Asiat.Jour.N.S.VOL.26. No.104. 20 wife to his post along with him. After some years he resigned, and retired to Tsingtse. He lived there ten years. His wife had borne him seven boys and two girls. Although she had had several children, her complexion and countenance did not change or contract. He would joke her upon it, and say that she had attained the secret of the Taou sect, and preserved her beauty. They lived together affectionately as man and wife for twenty years. "Disease suddenly came upon her, and as she did not recover, Heu-ching sent for a physician to counteract its course. She, however, gradually grew worse; and grasping her husband's hand, said, amidst sobs and tears, ‘I know that the hour of my dissolution has arrived, but mercifully spare me on account of the shame which I now endure.' Here her words failed her; she seized his hand, and wept, aloud. He thrice inquired the meaning of all this before she was sufficiently collected to reply,' My father, mother, family, and relations, having received the benevolent protection of your compassion, being unable to requite it, changed me from a fox, and bestowed me on you in marriage. For twenty years I have not committed the least fault, in order to requite you. The seven boys and two girls which I have borne are ordinary flesh and blood. To-day I must bid you adieu; yet since we have lived as man and wife for twenty years, do not despise me in your heart, but provide me with a coffin and bury me in the earth in the usual manner.' When she had finished speaking, her tears fell fast as a gushing fountain. Heu-ching, struck with astonishment, could not refrain from weeping, and mingled his tears with hers. Husband and wife embraced each other, and wept for some time. She suddenly took her pillow, laid her head on it, and appeared to sleep. No sound being heard, Heu-ching tore open the clothes, and behold a dead fox was in them! Moved with pity, he buried her with the ordinary rites of funeral. "In a little time after, he went to Shense to inquire after old Le, but could only see a barren moor, and sepulchres overgrown with grass; and upon inquiry learned that no such family was known there. He was then sadly convinced that it really was a fox he had married, on account of his often rescuing their species. After a year and more, four of his nine children died. Their shape was entirely human. The other five grew up to maturity, and were present at their father's funeral rites. "It will be asked, could a fox be changed into a perfect woman, bearing children to her husband-wa -was it not a miracle? Hereafter, the blandishment of the fox will injure mankind. Under their guise you will perceive that all are wild foxes. B. |