more than any other of the various tribes of religionists throughout the whole world. But I must now either believe that those ignorant wretches termed Roman Catholics, that are confined in the city of Goa, are a distinct class of beings, which have been cast off by their brethren, and have taken refuge there, or that I have long laboured under a mistake with respect to the religious tenets of christians. At all events, I must confess, that my opinion of christianity, is very much lowered, since I have witnessed so many palpable absurdities in the ceremonies of their church.

There is yet a circumstance, which, for the honour of human Nature, I would fain never have been acquainted with; I mean that actual earthly-hell, the Inquisition.

'Till I knew of the infernal deeds, and almost inconceivable cruelties, that were perpetrated by those devils incarnate, who entitle themselves ministers of Almighty vengeance in the walls of that place of torment; I was always led to believe, that the meek and lowly followers of Jesus, abhorred all cruelty and persecution. But now, for the first time, I beheld their zealous priests, far exceeding the first dis

ciples of our Prophet, in the early ages of Mahometanism, in every species of cruelty, tyrannical oppression, and blood-thirsty persecution.

Poor infatuated mortals, whether you are the worshippers of my God, or of the christian God, I will pray to the Great Allah, to remove the film of ignorance and superstition from your eyes, and to shew you that mercy you deny to others, when he shall call you to that dreadful day of reckoning, wherein all your abhorred crimes shall appear to sink you to the eternal shades of perdition. Yes, I will pray for you, who have forgotten, or never knew, that mercy, love, and melting charity, which are the first and most heavenly characteristics of all the various tribes of religionists, and which proceed immediately from the Eternal Fountain of goodness.

Amongst many other places of consequence, situated upon the coast, I staid a few days at Onore, where the English have a factory, which had been deserted for a considerable period, but had then been lately established.

The Rajah, who had been at great pains with the government of Bombay, to accomplish this des irable event, was then acknowledging the

favour he had received, by sending valuable presents to the governors, consisting of all that was most rare and curious in his dominions.

The

Amongst the living animals he had sent, were two, that deservedly attracted much curious investigation. They were male and female, of an hitherto non-descript species of animals which had been taken in the woods near Donore. male measured about sixteen inches in height, and the female about fourteen. They bore an exact resemblance to the human species; their skins were equally white, and smooth; the hair upon their heads was long and glossy, their hands and feet were exactly formed like the human species, and not resembling those of the monkey-tribe; their walk was perfectly erect, and, in all outward appearances they closely assimilated with the conformation and characteristics of mankind, and appeared to be his species in miniature.

These remarkable animals were intrusted to the care of an English Captain, bound to Bombay, and were placed under his protection, with many strong injunctions to take particular care of them; but, they had not been long at sea, when both became victims to the sea sickness, and the Captain, who, like a true sailor, was to

tally unaware of any value being attached to a dead carcass, immediately consigned them to the great deep, where these remarkable animals, would in all probability furnish some famished fish with an excellent meal, instead of being preserved for the philosophical investigation of the curious, which might easily have been accomplished by placing them in spirits. From this place I travelled through immense forests of sandal wood, and vast tracts of pepper plantations to Mangalore, Cannanore, Tellicherry, and Callicut.

The Zamorine, although then in a declining state, was deemed a prince of great influence; and the sovereigns of the Mysore, and Bednure, were not less rich than powerful. The fantastic shadow of royalty, even now, hovers round the throne of the former; but the renowned Hyder Ally, has totally overwhelmed and annihilated the latter, and sunk his power and his name into that oblivious lake, where crowns and coronets must finally be consumed, and has annexed his rich domains to the others of his amazing conquests.

You will scarcely be able to form an idea of the vast wealth found by this hero, in the captured palaces of this unfortunate prince.

The plunder he obtained from Nadir Shah alone, exceeded it. The bedsteads, the sophas, and all the principal pieces of furniture were of solid gold, inlaid and adorned by the most valuable jewels and precious stones; while all the treasuries, and many subterraneous caverns were filled with the gold and silver of accumulated ages.

Although this famous usurper has had scarcely any education, and derives his birth from a very low and obscure origin, yet he is possessed of the greatest natural abilities, and is endowed with the true spirit of enterprize, which his rapid career of success, and what some would term glory, fully evinces. I have frequently seen him, and have had many opportunities of obtaining a knowledge of his character.

He is brave to an excess; but, contrary to the true character of an exalted hero, he is frequently guilty of wanton cruelty, and more particularly when he is in a state of intoxication; and he is very often found in a state of inebriation. In those phrensied moments he is likewise grossly abusive, and extremely illiberal. He is universally feared by his subjects; not one of whom loves him. Notwithstanding he