390 absence Venus obtained permission to visit her planet. Apollo supplicated Jupiter to grant him again the chariot of the Sun. Jupiter consented. Without doubt our lovers encountered in the celestial road, and Venus's infidelity may be foreseen. But their guilty joys will pass away, and Hymen be avenged. Since that period Apollo has never quitted the throne of light. We are even assured that it is he who regulates the order of the seasons; who makes the fruits and the flowers expand, and who, during his rapid course, sees every thing change, except my heart and yours perhaps-Every year Phœbus, in recommencing his tour, finds in you new talents, new graces, but always the same lovers. While frautic youth runs after variety, ah what a sweet uni formity do I not find in my passion! could my heart indeed joy to wander from the object of its tenderness? My love is like yourself, Emilia, it cannot change. LETTER XXIII. At the peaceful moment in which Vesper harnesses the car of Night, the chariot of the it was Sun stopped on the horizon of heaven; environed by clouds of gold and purple, formThe astronomers of ing a radiant chaos. those times took this phenomenon for a me teor, and spent the night in admiring it. But how ignorant are mortals of the secrets of the Gods! this phenomenon was but a brilliant veil under which the King of Day waited for the Queen of Beauty. She arrived at the appointed place borne on the shepherd's star. The lovers now descended secretly into the island of Rhodes, and under cover of the meteor escaped the telescopes of the curious. Alone in this island, covered with woods and hills, they were not long in sweetly losing themselves; happily they wandered together, and Mystery, who guided them, knew the clue of the labyrinth. To assure the steps of Ve nus, Apollo sustained her gently in his arms; from time to time the soft turf invited them to rest, but prudence prevented them from sleeping. "Ah, my friend!" whispered Venus, "how beautiful is night! your dominion is not comparable to that of your sister. Why should mortals close their eyes when it is so delicious I dare not tell you, Emilia, what Apollo replied; the language of happy lovers is a stranger to him whom you permit not to use it near you. Let your heart then supply that which you have never yet enabled me to write. This rapid night was a charming alternation of delightful converse, and more delightful silence; for when the heart alone speaks the voice would be an intruder.-Diana, who so often walks too slow, had then hastily ran over her career; the importunate Aurora recalled Phoebus to heaven. They must separate! Venus mounted her planet with a tender sigh, Apollo vaulted into his car, and earthly astronomers betook themselves to their beds. Meanwhile this happy isle yet felt the presence of the Gods. An ambrosial sweetness perfumed its thickets and vales; here and there were seen tufts of roses embroidering the verdant banks where Venus had reposed; the island had become an inchanted garden. Shortly after it bore the name of those flowers with which it was now covered (Rhodes being derived from the Greek word rose). And as the poets always dress truth in a more sumptuous garb, they gave out that the rain from heaven bad descended there in roses. Be this as it may, from that period Apollo was adored in the island of Rhodes, where they erected to him a colossal statue. The feet of the statue were supported on two widelydistant rocks which formed the entrance of the harbour, and vessels passed beneath it, between the legs of the colossus, without lowering their masts. This enormous mass was constructed in twelve years, and cost three hundred talents; it seemed formed to defy time, and destined to fall but with the wreck of nature herself; yet five hundred years after The it was overturned by an earthquak. colossus of Rhodes was the first of the seven wonders of the world. The second was the temple of Diana, at Ephesus; this edifice, supported by an hundred and twenty seven columns, was erected by as many kings, during the space of two hundred and twenty years; it was enriched with the treasures of all Asia, and was burned the very day on which Alexander was born, by Erostratus, who hoped to render his name immortal by the frantic act. The Ephesians punished him, by commanding his name never to be pronounced under pain of death. Amongst the wonders of the world were also reckoned the statue of Jupiter Olympus, a work of the celebrated Phidias; the walls of Babylon, built by Semiramis; the palace of Cyrus, the stones of which were cemented by gold; the famous Pyramids of Egypt, which served as tombs for the kings of that country; lastly, the tomb which Artimesia raised to the king Mausolus, her husband. This tomb took the name of him whom it enclosed; a name which we now give to our mausoleums. It was surrounded by thirty-six columns, and was eigirty feet in circumference. The grea est part of these ancient wonders have been destroyed by time; but art, in repairing such outrages, has multiplied its master-pieces. I might now, my Emilia, enter into some very learned researches upon this subject, and speak to you of the new wonders which at this day embellish the universe; but the wonders of art charm me no longer, and I swear to you by Love and Venus, that you have limited my curiosity about the wonders of nature.— Adieu! (To be continued.) ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO THE COAST OF AFRICA IN 1805, IN HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP SUCCESS.-BY J. STRANG, SURGEON. (Concluded from Page 235) Government, and formed into a regular military station. By this means a chaia of military posts will be established on the west coast of Africa, a more intimate communication opened with the interior of the country, and advantages derived from this immense continent of which we can hardly form an idea. A taste for European commodities (the value of which the natives will soon feel) will render all industrious to procure the means of acquir ing them. With industry the arts will be introduced, and civilization will advance with slow, but sure pace. Happy æra! when an immense continent, teeming with inhabitants, emerges from a state of barbarism to taste the blessings of civilization and the consolations of religion. When a country buried under the grossest superstition and most abject tyranny, enslaved by other nations, and debased by its own ignorauce, becomes under the influence of just law and mild goverument, bumanized, polished, and happy. IN sailing up the river Sierra Leone thelony will soon be put under ihe protection of surrounding country presents some of the most sublime views, and though it was now the dry season, and vegetation almost dried up, the scenery was peculiarly romantic. The situation of the settlement itself is very good, the town being built on a gentle declivity, with the streets very broad and arranged at right angles. The houses are ge nerally separated from each other, and appear like so many detached cottages. Each has a small portion of ground in which it stands, and on which grow pines, bannanas, plantaius, &c. The inhabitants are composed of the remnant of the Maroons brought from Nova Scotia, whither they had been sent from the West Indies, and a few British settlers and Officers of the Company. A fort has been just erected on a spot that commands the town, and in that the Governor resides. Three martello towers are also to be erected on some adjoining heights, and when they are complete the settlement will be in a state of perfect security. It is reported that the co Well did that great statesman, Mr. Pitt, ob serve, that "Africa would have its turn of civilization with the rest of the globe; that the whole world was a vineyard, which the bounty of Providence, sooner or later, would bring into universal culture: "Hic nos primus equis oriens afflavit anhelis, "Illic sera rubens candescet lumine vesper." At all events humanity dwells with complacence on the establishment of a colony where more happiness, liberty, and civilization exist than on any other spot on this coast, and delights to consider it as a focus from which may emanate the rays of reason and religion over this interesting, but much neglected portion of the globe. We sailed from Sierra Leone on the 2d of February, in company with his Majesty's ship Squirrel, and after a pleasing passage of eight days came to anchor off Cape Corse Castle. While off Cape Palmas spoke the Speedy, one of our convoy that had left us at Madeira, and was now trading for slaves on this part of the coast. The master of her was very ill of a remittent fever, and was advised to bring his vessel to Cape Corse, that he might have the benefit of medical attendance. The fate of this man was peculiarly severe, He at one time made a tolerable income, on which he retired and purchased a farm in his native country, but that restless spirit of adventure which first induced him to go to sea, tempted him to take another voyage, which, if successful, was not to be repeated. No sooner had he reached this coast than he was seized with the endemial fever of the country. To add to his misfortunes, the person who had agreed to furnish him with a cargo of slaves was unable to fulfil his contract in time sufficient to admit of his going with the convoy. In consequence of this disappointment the ship was detained on the coast, where she was taken by a squadron of French frigates. I learned, however, that be made a brave defence; for, arming the slaves that he had on board, and running alongside of one of the enemy's vessels, he was in the act of boarding her when he fell. The Trempeuse and convoy had arrived four days before us. They had experienced one of those tempests which on this coast are called tornadoes, but luckily were apprised of its approach in time enough to secure themselves from its violence. Cape Corse Castle is the principal settlement of the Britirh on this part of the coast, and the greatest depot for the slaves. It is strongly fortified, and mounts, about sixty guns, but the soldiers that do duty there are few, and generally unfit for active service. A great number of slaves belonging to the African Company, who are proprietors of this fort, might, however, be employed in the defence of the place, if seriously attacked, though this is a measure that would be attended with great hazard. The town, which is inhabited by free blacks, is a most miserable place, in the building of which no attention has been paid to cither convenience or health. It consists of small mud hats, built without any regular plan, and from being extremely dirty, saluted the stranger with no very agreeable smell. The soil on this part of the coast contains much gold, but it is only in particular places where it is in such quantities as to requite the toil of procuring it. The natives acquire great dexterity in picking the gold dust from the earth, with which it is mixed; but such is their indolence, that nothing but necessity will induce them to employ themselves in this profitable work. The earth most richly impregnated with these gold particles is found generally in the bed of some stream; and leads one to suppose that it has been rolled down from the higher ground of the interior. There was a very considerable scarcity this season of slaves for the market, and some of the ships were unfortunate enough to miss the convoy for the West Indies, from their not being able to procure their cargo. The Governor of Cape CorseCastle had contracted for a greater number than could be procured, and much complaint arose from this circumstance. With respect to the mode of procuring them, many in this country have been led to entertain very erroneous notions. It is supposed by many, that these slaves are either kidnapped from the coast, or hunted down like a parcel of wild beasts. But this is never the case, as they are always procured by bait r from the interior of the country, whence they are brought down to the coast in great numbers. These consist of prisoners of war, who are generally sold for slaves, and a number are procured in consequence of the penalty of slavery being inflicted for many crimes. This affords a rich harvest to the prince, who, we may suppose seldom remits the penalties of the law, and, like many other princes, contrives to fill his treasury at the expence of his subjects' liberty and property.If one of the family is found guilty, the whole are condemued to slavery. Witchcraft is a prolific source of slavery; to prove it, it is only necessary for the king to suboru another to swear it, and the whole family of the accused become slaves. In Europe we only burned alive the victims of this accusation. Such are the consequences of superstition. Adultery is always punished with slavery. to work the mines of Potusi and Guadalasara. After the work of destruction was nearly completed in the Spanish settlements in America, by the annihilation of millions of its inhabitants, they were obliged to have recourse to other means of procuring slaves for working the mines. The inhabitants of Cuba were first transplanted to Mexico, but that large supply soon failing, they had recourse to the coast of Africa. This was the commence. meat of that infamous trade in human flesh, which to the disgrace of the civilized world, has been imitated by all those European states who have colonies in America. We remained at this anchorage two months. During this period the weather was very hot; the thermometer seldom under 86. There was little wind and a cloudless sky, yet the crew remained very healthy. This was principally to be ascribed to the circumstance of not being permitted to go on shore, where irregularities never fail to induce disease. The surf on the beach is so great as to be impassible by any European boat, and canoes manned by the natives are employed for the operation, in which they display 'great dexte Our posterity will scarcely believe that Englishmen, enjoying the blessings of liberty themselves, and possessing religion that breathes benevolence and peace, and declares all men to be equal in the eye of God, should so long have debased themselves with the conduct of this infamous traffic. My beart bleeds at the recollection of the barbarities I || have seen these poor inoffensive people suffer||rity. On arriving at the back of the first wave from men who resemble the tigres of this burning zone more than human creatures. Surely one might be almost tempted to exclaim, "Man is the most ferocious of all other animals, and civilization is far from lessening his appetite, for blood only teaches him better methods of more securely gratifying his carnivorous appetite." It might perhaps be disputed if the discovery of America has tended to ameliorate the condition of the world. If commerce has flourished, luxury has been introduced, and many new wants created. If the new continent supplies us with many comforts, it has likewise been the source of many evils. If it has enriched us with gold, it has likewise given us discase. If Europe, formerly barbarous, has become rich and polished, America, formerly populous and happy, has become waste and depopulated. Even the sugars that are exported from it must be purchased with the blood of the Africaus; and the rich and fertile vallies of Mexico and Peru have been drained of their inhabitants | they stop, watching a favourable opportunity, when they dash through with amazing swiftness, and then pause till a similar opportunity presents of passing the second and third wave of the surf. A skilful person generally stands on the beach to superintend and direct their movements. Great, however, as this surf is, I witnessed one of the slaves escape by swimming from the ship, and boldly venture through it, though the boat that was in pursuit of him was forced to remain at the back of it. Previous to quitting this anchorage the rainy season set in, and brought with it a great change in the temperature of the air. The extreme heat of the weather had for some time almost deprived me of sleep, til! I contrived a schome for cooling myself effectually. A windsail came down into the gu-room for of ventilation, and under it I was the purpose accustomed to place myself naked, and receive the cold blast over my day and burning skin. I should, however, advise no one to い adopt this practice, while the least perspira 294 tion is on the body. When the surface is hot and dry there is no danger in a general exposure to the cold air. I derived from this practice much pleasure and benefit. The commencement of the rainy season is always make at Cape Corse by the appearauce of fever. Some of the gentlemen of the fort have an ague every season, and do not easily get rid of it without removing from the spot. The rain fell very heavily, and the atmosphere was so chill that in the upper room of the Castle it was necessary to have a fire. We had for some time been using some bad water procured from the tanks here, and much impregnated with vegetable putrefaction. Some cases of dysentery originated from this source, but none terminated fatally. was nearly expended. To add to the distress of the crew, a great quantity of the quicksilver had got out of the jars, and mixed with their salt provisions, forming literally a muriat of quicksilver, or the common corrosive sublimate. The consequences of this were terrible, many of the crew died in a most loathsome state, and the rest endeavoured to reach some part of the African coast for the purpose of procuring supplies. Here they were doomed to experience fresh disasters from the villany of the Governor of a fort (as I learned) on this coast, who, under pretence of assisting, plundered them. When the Trompeuse boarded her she found the crew almost all dead; only two survived altogether when I saw her at Princess Island, and they were most pitiable objects. Their heads were swollen, their eyes were sunk; they had lost all their teeth, and presented the appearance of skeletons covered with skin. But though the Trompeuse was fortunate in relieving these unhappy men, she was equally unfortunate in losing some of her own by a most unlucky accident. In running down to Calebar she had found some difficulty in mak On the 8th of April we sailed with some ships of our convoy from Cape Corse. In our passage down to Princess Island we encountered a severe tornado. It is lucky that these storms afford ample symptoms of their approach to put the attentive staman on his guard. It is usual on these occasions to take in all sil, and let the vessel drive before the furious blast, which seldom lasts long. Previous to the commencement of this awfuling that part of the coast from the haze of the storm, a dead calm prevails, black clouds colJect in the east, which become illumined by frequent flashes of hightning; not a ripple disturbs the surface of the sea; nature seems to wait in awful suspence for the event, a dreadful peal of thunder acnounces its approach. At last a breeze is heard rushing along the surface of the water, which is seen from the ship, curling and whitening till it reaches her, and she is suddenly immersed in darkness and storin. Under her bare poles she scuds before it, nor is it possible to set any sail. On our arrival at Princess Island on the 15th April, we found there his Majesty's ship Trompeuse, who had arrived a few days previous to us. During her absence she had been fortunate enough to capture a rich Spanish ship on the coast. The history of this ship was most lamentable. She was fitted out at Cadiz, and bound to South America, with a cargo of quicksilver and rich silk stuffs. Ju endeavouring to cross the line she got becalmed, from attempting it too far to the castward, and was delayed there till their water atmosphere, and the shallowness of the water, |