All the descendants of Umbeah were created great men; all his good deeds were summed up and recounted, to the great joy of the king and his advisers.

Shortly after this, an old man suddenly disappeared from his hut. According to his wife's account, a lion entered their hut at night and took her husband from her side. The lion's feet were traced to his den, but no blood appeared. When these facts were reported to Charka, he affected to take no notice of them.

Several months had elapsed, when the man suddenly reappeared in the presence of Charka and his warriors in a most strange attire, consisting of a piece of bullock's hide, which covered his hind parts from hip to hip, and fastened at front with pieces of cord thickly studded with brass balls; his hair was long, and worn in a peculiar manner. At first his appearance created some surprise; but, it being ascertained that he was the man who had been so mysteriously taken away by the lion, the chiefs began to investigate the matter. Upon which the man rose and made the following speech: "Warriors! I am the son of Feteschloo of the Cales, Umfundaadguazooloo, who was taken away by the lion, dragged to his den, sunk deep into it, and swallowed by the earth. The lion went with me, and treated me as a mother would her child, until I came to some red earth, where the lion left me. In wandering about, I walked upon earth that trembled and gave way, when I fell into a deeper abyss below. I became insensible from the fall; but, recovering, found myself in a fine country inhabited by Issetuters (spirits). I saw the old people who had died in war, and those who had died at home. They were much smaller than we are; they have plenty of cattle, but all very small: the girls are handsome, and live very comfortably. Umbeah was Inquose-incoola and boosered Carcoola (he was a great king and enjoyed himself very much), and he was also a great Inyanger. In the night-time he strolled about; nobody knew whither he went; but he always said he went to see his Umschlobo (friends)."

The people having the king's dream in their remembrance, knew not what to think of this harangue. Charka, however, pretended to be very angry with the fellow for talking such a parcel of nonsense, and said he was a "Umtugartie" (wizard). However, the Inyanger was employed to "nooker" (smell), whether the man was a messenger from Umbeah or not; who, after performing all the superstitious ceremonies usual on those occasions (which ceremonies will be fully described in future papers), declared that Umbeah, seeing that some of the people did not believe in the truth of the king's dreams, had commissioned the lion to take a man from among them to confirm it.

This so-called messenger, was, of course, after this, loaded with honours, and wore the dress in which he first appeared, to distinguish him from the other people. But after a while he was taken away by a leopard, and never more heard of.

The whole affair, however, was, doubtless, nothing but a clever imposition, designed by Charka to instil into the people a warlike disposition, and to impress them with a respect for his unseen and unearthly powers. By these means he rendered himself feared

N. S.-VOL. I.

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by them, and secured the most implicit obedience to all his decrees.

Charka was for ever meditating some new amusements for his people. Great part of the summer season was devoted to dancing, singing, and composing new songs; for it was thought disgraceful to sing those of the previous year. At this time, the different regiments danced before the king, when they sometimes got presents of cattle.

Having gleaned the harvest, they immediately prepared for war. Before they set out on any expedition, there was a general muster; when every body who had not done his duty, or had shewn any symptoms of cowardice, suffered the punishment of empaling.

It was part of Charka's policy never to let it be known what tribe or place he intended to attack. This conduct shewed great prudence and judgment, as it effectually prevented the enemy from obtaining any information concerning his measures, and completely disarmed treachery. Charka, we may observe, was the only African prince who had seen the advantages of this caution, and found it contribute very much to his numerous victories.

Charka never allowed his troops more provisions than were absolutely necessary to carry them to their place of destination; because, he said, that if they were the conquerors, they would be able to get plenty of food from the conquered; but if defeated they were cowards, and in his estimation worth nothing.

Almost all the kings of Zoolu finish their sublunary course by a violent death, which event generally happens when the monarch begins to exhibit grey hairs,—the Zoolus then considering him as unfit to lead them out to battle. Charka's end formed no exception to this general rule.

One evening, as he was sitting surrounded by his chiefs, admiring his fine herd of cattle, a native called Boper advanced to them with a spear in his hand, and in an audacious tone asked, "What they meant by always pestering the king with false accusations?" This impudent intrusion enraged the chiefs, and they sprang forward in a body to secure him, but were prevented by Umslumgani and Dingarn, two of the king's brothers, stealing behind and stabbing him in his back. Charka made an ineffectual endeavour to escape, but was soon overtaken and speared to death. All the people of the king's kraal now fled in the utmost consternation, except the chief Sotobe and his men, who took up their spears as if they intended to attack the murderers, but were prevented by their menacing attitudes.

The murderers seeing them begin to waver, addressed them in the following speech:

"Know you not that it is the sons of Essenzingercona have killed Charka for his base and barbarous conduct, and to preserve the nation of the Zoolus, the sons of our fathers, that you may live in peace, and enjoy your homes and families; as well as to put an end to the long and ceaseless wars, and mourning for that old woman Umnanty, for whom so many have been put to a cruel death."

They then advanced and took possession of the kraal without opposition, and Dingarn mounted the throne.

We think that Charka has had great injustice done to his memory by the different travellers who have spoken of him. By them he has been stigmatised as cruel, barbarous, and to the last decree wicked. But we have always considered that the habits and manners of the people over whom Charka was called to reign, should be taken into account. He was not the head of a civilised and virtuous community, but of a horde of savages. It cannot then be supposed that he could secure obedience to his commands by any other method than that of force, among a people who recognised no other law than the power of the strongest. The least offence against his authority must be punished with a heavy hand, to prevent others from doing the like. If he once gave his subjects any chance of offending with impunity, he knew not where the mischief might end.

He has also been much blamed for perpetrating what have been called wholesale massacres; that is to say, when a person had committed a capital offence, for not only putting the man himself, but with him all his relations to death. Certainly, in a country like England, where the laws have such strong hold, and their moral power is so influential, such a practice would be unjustifiable; but among the Zoolus, who think nothing a sin which can be committed with safety, the case is very different. The relations of the offending party would not consider the punishment as an act of justice; they would merely regard it as an exercise of power, to which necessity obliged them to submit, but which they would think themselves at liberty to resent on the first opportunity. The monarch would thus raise against himself a host of enemies dangerous in the extreme-his own security calls for their sacrifice.

This is a necessity which has been recognised by all barbarous or semi-barbarons nations. The practice is not confined to the Zoolus; it extends throughout every African tribe.

Neither does it prevail only among extremely barbarous nations. Countries, even in a more advanced state of civilisation, have adopted it. We find it enjoined by the criminal code of the Japanese in Asia; and it is doubtful whether the Chinese do not sometimes resort to it. Verily, a thing of so universal an application must have originated from a strong and universally felt necessity.

But to return from this digression. Dingarn was not suffered to mount the throne without encountering some opposition. Umgaarty, a brother by the mother's side, desired to dispossess Dingarn, and prepared to accomplish his purpose by force of arms. The history of this individual is somewhat singular.

Umnanty, a savage and masculine woman, was the daughter of the king of the Amlanganes, by whom she was given in marriage to Charka's father, Essenzingercona. This union was any thing but a happy one. The wife was for ever quarrelling with her husband, until she at last so enraged him, that he ordered her to be driven away; upon which she returned to her father's tribe, and then cohabiting with one of the common natives, she became pregnant, and bore this same Umgaarty, who had now attained sufficient power to dispute the crown with Dingarn.

The king, however, defeated this chief by a successful stratagem. Umgaarty and his forces had proceeded to mourn the death of Charka, when Dingarn's general, Boper, fell unexpectedly one night, or rather morning's dawn, upon his flank, and attacked him on all sides. Although thus taken unawares, Umgaarty's troops fought manfully, and repelled the Zoolus several times; but at last Boper prevailing, made himself, with the assistance of a company of young men just then come up, master of the palace; and having surrounded Umgaarty, that chief at last fell by their hands, not, however, before he had killed eight of his opponents with his own weapons.

This event put Dingarn in undisturbed possession of the crown; and he immediately set about establishing some new internal regulations. He repealed some of the most warlike ordinances of his predecessor, and above all, he allowed his warriors to marry. Indeed, altogether Dingarn is of a much milder disposition than Charka, and more disposed to maintain peace than to make war. Accordingly the Zoolus have lost a great deal of their fame as warriors, and have indeed sustained some considerable defeats.

Here we find that we must, for the present, conclude our account of these interesting people. We have attempted, in this paper, to give a concise outline of their history, reserving for future articles further entertaining enquiries into their religion, customs, manners, &c. The Zoolus are evidently the most important nation of that part of eastern Africa, and, as such, they present large claims to our consideration. They shall not be neglected. S. C.

THE DAUPHIN OF FRANCE.*

THE claims of the "pretended" Duke of Normandy are now beginning to excite some interest in this country, to which the late attempt against his life has not a little contributed. It has always been supposed that the eldest son of Louis XVI. died whilst a child in the Temple; supposed so, we say,-for there never appeared any positive evidence of the fact. With regard to the person who now calls himself the Danphin, we cannot yet pronounce a definitive sentence. The proofs by which he endeavours to testify his identity are strong-his account of his escape from the revolutionary ruffians at least probable.

From time to time have we heard of impostors, who have pretended to be the unfortunate Dauphin, a fact which of itself proves that the assertion of his death was not generally believed. All of these pretenders have, however, sunk into obscurity as soon as they appeared. This person, notwithstanding, succeeds in keeping his ground, and, unlike those who have thus preceded him, courts, instead of shunning investigation into his pretensions. He has submitted his claims to the competent tribunals in France, and

* "An Abridged Account of the Dauphin, followed by some Documents in support of the Facts related by the Prince. With a Supplement. Translated from the French, by the Hon. and Rev. G. G. Perceval, Rector of Calverton, Bucks. London, Fraser, 1838."

declares his determination to stand or fall by their decision; but the French cabinet, in its wisdom, has thought fit to prevent him from thus establishing his identity, by sending him out of the country. This the English editor of the work before us declares to be a strong corroboration of the prince's statement; since it shows that the French government are afraid of him, knowing him to be really the son of Louis XV1., and to have in his possession documents which, if produced, must put the fact of his birth beyond all doubt. This reasoning acquires weight, from the consideration that every other pretender to the title has been brought to trial by the governments of the time-witness Richemont, &c. &c. The present is the only instance in which they have endeavoured to stifle all inquiry.

Furthermore, it appears that Mademoiselle de Rambaud, who had the care of the young prince in his infancy, recognises this person as the Dauphin, and openly declares her belief that he is no impostor. This is a corroboration which ought to carry great weight, for surely she ought to know. These, however, are only two corroborations given by the English editor, as further proofs. Into the voluminous statements of the prince himself, filling a volume of 714 pages, we cannot now enter; but we must say, that if he be an impostor, he can be no ordinary one. We never did find deception look so much like truth. But still must we repeat, that we cannot pledge ourselves on this matter: it is a point on which no hasty decision should be pronounced; we are therefore open to conviction on both sides.

If this man be really what he says he is-if he really means all that he writes-if he is really honest in all he says, then does the following passage reflect on him great honour, and leaves us without all doubt as to his patriotism.

"Yes, people of France, it is to the impartial justice of your magistrates that I appeal; it is for you, through them, to judge whether I speak the truth or not. I am here then going to narrate the true history, and to give indisputable proofs of my identity with the most unhappy son of France. I call on you to aid me, not by resorting to acts of insurrection, which I consider a crime unworthy of me; may God preserve me from such a calamity! If the possession of my inheritance were to cost the life of one of the least of my friends, it would be too dearly bought. But I appeal to you to restore me to my country, and to secure me a grave in the land of my fathers. If you refuse me both of these, you will add to my misfortunes, that of seeing my lawful rights rejected by the perversion of your sense of justice. I am not come to France to put forward my claims to the crown. No! no! The true son of the Martyr King could not ascend that throne, where his faltering steps would be every moment arrested by the blood of his relatives. How could he secure your happiness, when he would be engrossed by his own sorrows! Sorrows, alas! which can never cease, since they will descend with him to the grave.

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I ask for nothing but my civil inheritance; that is to say, the private property which belonged to the royal family of France before the first revolution. No government has a right to deprive me of this

inheritance."