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tions, and though his death may be remembered by many perfons yet Tiving, fo imperfect are the accounts concerning him, that he has hitherto been univerfally reputed a foreigner. It appears, however, from the induftrious refearches of Mr Chalmers, trious refearches of Mr Chalmers, that he was actually born in London, about the year 1663,and was the fon of James Foe, of the parish of St Giles, Cripplegate, citizen and butcher. It is probable that the edition of De to his name has given rife to the opinion of his being a foreigner.

Every reader who is acquainted with the writings of De Foe muft acknowledge, with the biographer, that he was a man of extraordinary

culture, and on the Cure of Difeafer incident to that way of Life. By William Falconer, M.D. F. R. S. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Dilly. London, 1790. THERE is no class of men of that which is employed in agriculture; greater importance to fociety, than and the prefervation of their health must therefore be an object highly

worthy of attention. It fortunately happens, indeed, that the occupation of agriculture is in general bene ficial to the health: but from the infrom its fudden viciffitudes, it proves clemency of the weather, and often likewife the caufe of difeafes. In the effay now before us, Dr Falconer has treated the fubject with much medimerit. His abilities were not confined to one province of literature on- cal ability, and has made a variety of fined to one province of literature on- ufeful obfervations, both prophylac ly; but he appears confpicuous as a poet, a novelist, a commercial writer, and an hiftorian; exclufive of his various polemical labours, in the profecution of which he was no less emi

nent than indefatigable. On the whole, he was fuch a writer as highly merited a biographical monument to his memory. To compose an account of his life, had often been meditated by Dr Johmfon; but the defign having never been carried into execution, we are glad to fee the defect fo well fupplied by the author of the prefent -production, who appears to have been at much pains in fearching for information relative to the life of De Foe, as well as in examining his writings. Of thefe he has favoured the public with a copy of their respective title-pages; diftinguifhing the lift into thofe which are confidered as undoubtedly De Foe's, and thofe which are fuppofed to have been written by him. The former, in which is Robinfon Crufoe, and other celebrated works, amounts to upwards of thirteen pages, and the latter to more than

two.

An Efay on the Prefervation of the
Health of Perfons employed in Agri-

tic and curative. He very properly addreffes the work to thofe who cmufe the cautions are principally intendploy the perfons for whose immediate ed, rather than to attempt to inftru&t the people themfelves. In the application of his advices, however, he feems to place much dependance on the humanity of the clergy.

A Letter addreffed to the Honourable
Court of Directors of the Eaft India
Company, c. 3 vols. 8vo. 25.
Richardion. London, 1790.

The author of the propofed history, is the Rev. Thomas Maurice, A. M. late of the Univerfity College, Oxford. He affures the public, in an advertisement, that the work fhall be conducted with the ftricteft impartiality, in regard to political parties; and there will be prefixed to it an introductory differtation, containing an investigation of the geography, religion, laws, literature, and commerce, of ancient India, and contrafted with the most authentic ftatements on that fubject, as given by authors of astecent date:

The

The Hiftory of Nicolas Pedrofa, and his efcape from the Inquifition in Ma

drid*.

Hand, a mall troop of wendicant

ways than upwards and downwards at

Fie,

"fie, prophane fellow," cries another of the fraternity. "Go about your "work, friend," quoth Nicolas,

and

let me go about mine; I warrant it is the more preffing of the two; your "patient is going out of the world, "mine is coming into it." "Hear

him," cries a third, hear the vile "wretch, how he blafphemes the body "of God-And then the troop paffed flowly on to the tinkling of the bella

NICOLAS Followed the trades of ICOLAS Pedrofa, a bufy little befhaver, furgeon, and man-midwife, in the friars were at this moment conducting town of Madrid, mounted his mule at the hot to a dying man. Nicolas the door of his thop in the Plazuela de "Pedrofa," fays an old friar, " be palos Affligidos, and pufhed through the "tient with your heaft, and spare your gate of San Bernardino, being called to "blafphemies; remember Balaam.” a patient in the neighbouring village of "Ah, father," replied Pedroia, “ BaFoncarral, upon a preffing occafion. E-"laam cudgelled his beat tilt the spoke, very body knows that the ladies in Spain fo will I mine tid the roars? in certain cales do not give long warning to practitioners of a certain defcription, and no body knew it better than Nicolas, who was refolved not to lofe an inch of his way, nor of his mule's beft fpeed by the way, if cudgelling could "beat it out of her. It was plain to Nicolas's conviction as plain could be, that his road laid ftrait forward to the little convent in front; the mule was of opinion, that the turning on the left down the hill towards the Prado was the road of all roads molt familiar and agreeable to her felf, and accordingly began to difpute the point of topography with Nicolas, by fixe ing her fore teet refolutely in the ground, dipping her head at the fame time be tween them, and launching heels and crupper furiously into the air, in the way of argument. Little Pedrofa, who was armed at heel with one maffy filver fpur of ftout, though antient workmanhip, refolutely applied the rufty towel to the fhoulder of his beast, driving it with all the good will in the world to the very butt, and at the fame time, adroitly tucking his blue cloth capa under his right arm, and flinging the fkirt over the left shoulder en cavalier, began to lay about him with a ftout afhen fapling up on the eats, pole, and cheeks of the recreant mule. The fire now flashed from

a pair of Andalufian eyes, as black as charcoal and not lefs inflammable, and taking the fegara from his mouth, with which he had vainly hoped to have regaled his noftris in a fharp winter's evening by the way, raifed fuch a thundering troop of angels, faints, and martyrs, from St Michael downwards, not for getting his own namefake Saint Nicolas de Tolentino by the way, that if curies could have made the mule to go, the difpure would have been foon ended, but o a faint could make her ftir any other VOL, XII. No. 21.

A man muft know nothing of a mule's ears, who does not know what a paffion they have for the tinkling of a bell, and no fooner had the jingling chords vibrated in the fympathetic organs of Pedrofa's beaft, than boulting forward with a fudden spring, he ran roaring into the throng of friars, trampling on fome, and fhouldering others at a moft profane rate; when Nicolas, availing himself of the impetus, and perhaps not able to controul it, broke away and was out of fight in a moment. All the devits in

hell blow fire into thy tail, thou beast "of Babylon," muttered Nicolas to him felf, as he fcampered along, never once looking behind him, or stopping to apologize for the mifchief he had done to the bare feet and shirtless ribs of the holy brotherhood.

Whether Nicoias faved his distance, as likewife, if he did, whether it was a male or female Caftilian he ushered into the world, we shall not just now enquire, contented to await his return in the firft of the morning next day, when he had no fooner difmounted at his fhop and delivered his mule to a furdy Arragonefe wench, when Don Ignacio de Santos Aparicio, alguazil mayor of the fupreme and general inquifition, put an order into his hand, figned and fealed by the inquifidor general, for the conveyance of his body to the Cala, whose formidable

Obferver, vol. V.

deer.

"feal; let the fathers read it, if they "like, 'twill prove the truth of my de

pofition, and help out my excute for "the hurry of my errand, and the un"fortunate adventure of my damned re“fractory mule.”—And now no fooner had the recollection of the wayward male croffed the brain of poor Nicolas. Pedrofa, than he began to biast her at a furious rate-"The fcratches and the

door presents itself in the ftree: adjoining to the square, in which Nicolas's i razen baibhung Forth the emblem of his trade. The poor little filow, trembling in every joint, and with a face as yellow as faffron, dropt a knee to the ear, which fronts the entrance, and crossed himself molt devoutly; as foon as he had afcended the Left flight of ftairs, a porter habited in black opened the tremendous Barricade, and Nicolas with horror heard "fcab to boot confound thy curvy the grating of the heavy bits that shut "hide," quoth he, thou afs-begois him in. He was led through pileges." ten baftard, whom Noah never let into and vaults and melancholy cells, till he," his ark! The vengeance take thee for was delivered into the dungeon, where "an uncreate barren beaft of promifcu he was finally left to his folitary medious generation! What devil's crotchtations. Haplefs being what a fcene "et got into thy capricious noddle, that of horror.-Nicolas felt all the terrors of "thou should fall in love with thathis condition, but being an Andalusian, "Nazaritish bell, and run bellowing like and, like his countrymen, of a lively ima- "Luc.fer into the midft of those bare gination, he began to turn over all the re. " footed vermin, who are more malici fources of his invention for me happy “ous and more greedy than the locufts fetch, if any fuch might occur, for help of Egypt? Oh! that I had the art of ing him out of the difmal hubo he was "Simon Magus, to conjure you into this in: He was not long to feek for the dungeon in my ftead; but I warrant caufe of his misfortune; his adventure thou art chewing thy barley. ftraw with the barefooted friars was a ready" without any pity for thy wretched folution of all difficulties of that nature, "mafler, whom thy jade's tricks have Had there been any there was however "delivered bodily to the tormentors, another thing, which might have tro b-," to be fport for these uncircumcifed a ftouter heart than Nicolas's-He as a Jew. This of a certain would have been a faggering gem in a poor devil's confeflion, but then it was a kert to all the word but Nicolas, and Nichia's confience did not just then urge. him to reveal it. He now began to overhaul the inventory of his perfonals aLout him, and with fone fasa tion counted three little medals of the bluffed virgin. two Agnus Deis, a Saint. Nolas de Tolentino, and a formidable firing of beads all pendant from his neck and within his firt; in his pockets be had a paper of dried figs, a firall bundle of fegaras, a cafe of lancets, iquirt and forceps, and two old razors in a leathern envelope; thefe he had delivered one by one to the alguazil who fait arrefied him, and let him make the meft of them," faid he to hirafeif. "they can "never prove me an Ifaelite by a cale of razors."-Upon a ciofer runnage, however, he difcovered in a fecret puckt" have more pity on me; for the fake a letter, which the alguazil had overlooked, and which his patent Donna Leonora de Cafafunda had given him in charge to deliver as directed" Well, "well," criod he, "let it pals; there," can be no, mystery in this harmless feraw; a letter of advice to fome of friend or relation. I'll not break the

"fons of Dagon." And now the ceil door opened, when a favage figure en tered, carrying a huge parcel of clanking fetters, with a collar of iron, which he put round the neck of poor Pedrofa, telling him with a truly diabolic grin, whilft he was rivetting it.on, that it was a proper cravat for the threat of á blafphemer. Jefu Maria," quoth Pedrofa, is all this fallen upon me for only Aye,"

cudgelling a reftive mule !" cried the demon," and this is only "afte of what is to come," at the fame time flipping his pincers from the forew he was forcing to the head, he caught a piece of flesh in the forceps, and wrenched it out of his cheek, laughing at poor Nicolas, whilft he roared aloud with the pain, telling him it was a juít reward for the torture he had put him to a while ago, when he tugged at a tooth, till he broke it in his jaw. Ah, for the "love of Heaven," cried Pedrofa,

"of Saint Nicolas de Tolentino, ay ho"ly patron, be not fo unmerciful to a poor barber-furgeon, and I will shave your worthip's beard for nothing as long as I have life." One of the melfengers of the auditory came in, and bade the fellow firike off the prisoner's fet ters, for that the holy fathers were in

Council

council, and demanded him for examina tion. "This is fomething extraordinary," quoth the tormentor, 1 fhould "not have expected it this twelvemonth "to_rome." Pedrofa's fetters were ftruck off: fome brandy was applied to ftaunch the bleeding of his cheeks; his hands and face were washed, and a Thort jacket of coarse tiking thrown over him, and the meffenger with an affittant take ing him each under an arm, led him into a fpacious chamber, where, at the head of a long table fat his.excellency the Inquilidor General with fix of his affeffors, three on each fide the chair of ftate. The alguazil mayor, a fecretary and two notaries with other officers of the holy couneil, were attending in their places.

his excellency the Inquifidor General, "was there nothing else you did, fave "fmiting your beaft ?"

"I take faint Nicolas de Tolentino to "witnefs," replied he, "that I know "of no other crime for which I can be "refponfible at this righteous tribunal, fave fmiting my unruly beaft."

"Take notice, brethren," exclaimed the Inquifidor, "this unholy wretch holds "trampling over friars to be no crime." "Pardon me, holy father," replied Nicolas, "I hold it for the worst of crimes, and therefore willingly furren"der my refractory mule to be dealt "with as you fee fit, and if you impale "her alive it will not be more than the ❝ deferves."

"Your wits are too-nimble, Nicolas," cried the judge; have a care they do "not run away with your difcretion: re

collect the blafphemics you uttered in "the hearing of thofe pious people."

The prifoner was placed behind a bar at the foot of the table between the meffengers who brought him in, and having made his obeifance to the awful prefence in the moft fupplicating manner, he was called upon, according to the ufual form "I humbly pray your excellency," of questions, by one of the junior judges anfwered the prifoner, "to recollect that to declare his name, parentage, profef- "anger is a fhort madness, and I hope fion, age, place of abode, and to anfwer allowances will be made by your har various interrogatories of the like triflingly council for words spoke in hafte to nature. His excellency the Inquifidor" a rebellious.mule: The prophet Balaam General now opened his reverend lips," was thrown off his guard with a fimple and in a folemn tone of voice, that penetrated to the heart of the poor trembling prifoner, interrogated him as follows

"afs, and what is an afs compared to a "mule? If your excellency had feen the "lovely creature that was fereaming in

agony till I came to her relief, and how fine a boy ushered into the world, which would have been loft but for my affiftance, I am fure I fhould not be condemned for a few hafty words fpoke in paffion."

"Produce the contents of this fellow's "pockets before the court," faid the prefident," lay then on the table."

"Monster," refumed the aforefaid puifny judge taking up the forceps, what is the ufe of this diabolical ma"chine!""

"Nicolas Pedrofa, we have liftened to the account you give of yourfelf, your business and connections, now tell us for what offence, or offences, you "are here ftanding a prifoner before us: "Examine your own heart, and speak" the truth from your confcience with- Sirrah cried one of the puifny out prevarication or difgude." "May judges, "refpect the decency of the "it please your excelleney," replied Pe-court." drofa, “with all due fubmiffion to your "holiness and this reverend affembly, my most equitable judges, I conceive I stand here before you for no worse a "crime, than that of cudgelling a reiraç tory mule; an animal fo relive in its nature, (under correction of your holinets be it fpoken) that though I were bleft with the forbearance of holy Job, "for like him too Lam married, and my #patience hath been exercised by a wife,) 4 yet could I not forbear to fmite my "beaft for her obftinacy, ant the rather "The Mother of God forbid," ex"because I was fummoned in the way,claimed Pedrofa, "I believe I have a of my profeffion, as I have already" proof in my pocket, that will acquit 44 made known to your moft merciful me of that charge;" and fo faving, he ❝ears, upon a certain crying occafion, tendered the letter we have before made which would not admit of a moment's mention of: The fecretary took it, and delay." by command' of the court read as folRecollect yourself, Nicolas," said lows XY?

"Pleafe your reverence," replied Ped rofa, “astum eft ad extrahendos fœtus?" Unnatural wretch," again exclaim. ed the judge, you have murdered the mother,"

Senor Don Manuel de Herrera,

"fuccessful; I have bandages and catape When this letter, which I fend by Nicolafms, with oils and conferves, that

las Pedrofa, fhall reach your hands, you
Jhall know that I am safely delivered of a ❝
lovely boy after a dangerous labour, in
confideration of which, I pray you to pay
to the faid Nicolas Pedrofa the fun of
twenty gold piftolés, which fum bis excel
lency

"Hold" cried the inquifidor general, farting haftily from his feat, and fnatching away the letter, "there is more in *this than meets the eye: break up the "court; I must take an examination of this prisoner in private.",

As foon as the room was cleared, the inquifidor general beckoning to theprifon erto follow him, retired into a private cle fet, where throwing himfeif care lefly into an arm-chair, he turned a gracious countenance upon the poor affrighted ac coucheur, and bidding him fit down upon a low fool by his fidè, thus accolted him: Take heart, fenor Pedrofa, your "imprisonment is not likely to be very tedious, for I have a commiffion you "muftiexecute without loss of time: you have too much confideration for your felf, to betray a truft, the violation of "which muft involve you in inevitable *ruin, and can in no degree attaint my character, which is far enough beyond the reach of malice; be attentive, therefore, to my orders; execute them punctually, and keep my fecret as you "tender your own life: doft thou know the name and condition of the lady whom thou haft delivered?" Nico las affured him he did not, and his excellency proceeded as follows: Then I tell thee, Nicolás, it is the illukrious "Donna Leonora de Casafonda; her husband is the prefident of Quito, and daily expected with the next arrivals from the South Seas; now, though measures have been taken for detaining him at the port, wherever he shall land, till he fhall receive further or❝ders, yet you must be fenfible Donna Leonors's fituation is fomewhat delicate: it will be your business to take the speedieft measures for her reco very; but as it feems the has had a "dangerous and painful labour, this may be a work of more time than could be wifhed, unless fome medicines more efficacious than common are administered: Art thou acquainted with any fuch, friend Nicolas?" So, pleafe your Excellercy," quoth Nicolas, any proceffes have been tolerably

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have no caufe to complain of; they will reftore nature to its proper ftate 4 in all decent time."-" Thou talkeft “like a fool, friend Nicolas," faid the Inquifidor, interrupung him ; “ What "telleft thou me of thy fwathings and fwadiings quick work must be wrought by quick medicinee: Haft thou none fuch in thy botica? I'll anfer for it theu hatt not; therefore look you, firrah, here is a little vial compounded "by a famous chymili; fee' that you "mix it in the next apozem you admi ❝mitter to Donna Leonora ; it is the

moft capital fedative in nature; give her the whole of it, and let her huf band return when he will, depend upon it, he will make no difcoveries from her."" Humph!" quoth Nicolas within himself," Well faid, Inqui

fidor!" He took the vial with all poffible refpect, and was not wanting in pro feffions of the most inviolable fidelity and fecrecy." No more words, friend Nico

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las," quoth the Inquifidor," uponthat fcore; do not believe thee one jot the more for all thy promifes, my depends "ence is on thy fears, and not thy faith; I fancy thou haft feen enough "of this place not to be willing to return

to it once for all."-Having so said, he rang a bell, and ordered Nicolas to be forthwith liberated, bidding the meffenger return his clothes instantly to him with all that belonged to him, and ha ving flipt a purfe into his hand well filled with doubloons, he bade him be gone about his bufinefs, and not fee his face again till he had executed his commands. Nicolasbouited out of the porch without taking leave of the altar, and never checked his fpeed till he found himfelf fairly houfed under fhelter of his own beloved brafebafin-"Aha!" quoth Nicolas, my

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lord inquifior, I fee the king is not «likely to gain a fubject more by your "intrigues: A'pretty job you have fet "me about; and fo, when I have put "the poor lady to left with your dam"ned fedative, my tongue must be ftont "next to prevent its blabbing: But Pil "fhew you! was not born in Andaluña "for nothing." Nicolas now opened a fecret drawer, and took out a few pieces of money, which in fact was his whole flock of cash in the world; 'he loaded and primed his piftols, and carefully jorged them in the haulers of is faddle, he buckled to his fide his truly spada, and

hailened

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