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sprightliness and thine sick of a qualm? oh cypress! in the presence of her stately form, what figure canst thou cut in the garden? oh reason! wert thou exposed to the temptation of admiring her, what fortitude couldst thou have to resist passion? oh Hafiz! thou mightest some day command an interview, if thou hast the power of remaining desirous.

1. Ask me no more, where zephyrs ply,
Wafting the musk of Tartary;
I loos'd the ringlets of my fair,
And fragrance filled the ambient air:

2. Ask me no more, where those stars light,

That downward fall at dead of night;
For in thine eyes they set, and there
Can sparkle bright, as in their sphere:
3. Ask me no more, if that bright flower
Paints vision's organ in each bower;
Before thy tipsy-rolling eye,
Sick of a qualm it lives to die:
4. Ask me no more, if carol's last
Of nightingales, when June is past;
For in thy silver neck and throat
They winter, and keep warm their note:

5. Ask me no more, when July's gone,
Where Flora's queen erects her throne,
For in the nipples of thy breasts
The rose within its petals rests:
6. Ask me no more, where atoms stray,
Which in a sun-beam glitt'ring play;
From basils sweet the skies prepare
That dust of gold t' adorn thy hair:
7. Ask not that cypress's graceful state,
Each breeze displays a livelier gait,
Till thou into the garden walk
And stick't in earth a wither'd stalk:
8. Ask me no more, if east or west
The phoenix Reason builds her nest;
She'd sacrifice a thousaud lives
And in thy bosom, God! survives!

In my next, I purpose sending you a translation of Hafiz' famous Sākī-nāmah, the most finished of all his works, but I must leave it to Sadik to do it into verse; as mine will be only humble and literal prose.

Yours, &c.

GULCHIN.

To the Editor of the Asiatic Journal.

SIR, As it may probably be the fate of many of your readers in this country to traverse the Atlantic, a slight account of the ceremony attendant on crossing the Line, may not prove uninteresting. I transcribe it from a Journal as experienced by myself and many fellow-passengers in an outward bound Indiaman a few years since.

I am, &c.

Z.

When the decreasing degrees of latitude announce the ship's approach to the equator, it is truly ludicrous to remark the satisfaction with which all the crew, those only excepted who have not crossed it before, prepare the paraphernalia used on the occasion. Canvass, ropes, and hencoops, are in less than a week transformed into masks, sea weed, and thrones, and honoured by the appearance of the crew; who by means of paint of different colours, with which they plentifully besmear their bodies, make as far as one

can guess, pretty correct representations of the watery deities they are meant to personate.

As it was night when we passed this imaginary line, Neptune only then hailed us; which is to say, that a person, generally the boatswain, habited to represent Neptune, pretends to rise from the sea, and calling through a trumpet desires to know what ship it is that dares intrude on his dominions? The officer of the watch immediately through another trumpet replies, that it is the ship which having many of his visitors on board, entreats a favourable voyage. The ship early in the morning. Accordingly, answer returned is, that he will visit the he arrives in a triumphal car, supported by his attendants. It draws up before the Cuddy door, and having delivered a speech to the ladies, signifying his will that they should be excused the operation, he retires, and taking his station with his

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Barber, the ceremony commences. There were twelve of us on board to be shaved; and having a list of our names he called us as suited his pleasure. All those who have not crossed, are compelled to remain below, till called for, when conducted by two of his attendants (or as they are termed constables) with a handkerchief tied across your eyes, you are led by these people to his Serene Majesty ; who after enquiring from whence you come, for what reasons you are proceeding to India, and a few other equally trivial questions, desires his Barber to do his duty. Accordingly being seated on a board placed across a large tub full of water, your chin, and lips are of a sudden besmeared with tar, of which having put " quantum sufficit," he pretends to shave it off with a piece of an iron hoop, notched as a saw.. This being done, the board on which you sit is dexterously slipped from under you, and you are plunged head and heels into the tub, from which having emerged as

well as you can, and the handkerchief taken from your eyes, you are saluted on all sides with tubs of water, by those who have crossed before, and who enjoying the fun are mostly stationed on the poop for the express purpose. This is continued until you seize a tub, and pelt again in your own defence. Thus ends this absurd, and ridiculous ceremony, which without the intervention of the Captain no passenger to India, should he not previously have crossed the Line, can possibly avoid. Our Captain chose in this instance to sacrifice the comfort of his pas sengers to complaisance to his crew; and although money was offered them to avoid it, we were compelled to undergo the ce- remony in all its degradation.†

† I have heard that a passenger recovered in the Supreme Court in Calcutta, considerable damages from a Captain for not protecting him against this outrage. And I know that some have been indebted to the long voyage from the Line to their ultimate destination that they have not been called on to give personal satisfaction.

To the Editor of the Asiatic Journal.

SIR,-In the Asiatic Journal for November, your correspondent, who signs himself "Moderation," was pleased to address a question to me, or to Mr. Wood, on the subject of instructing the native Christians of India. As no answer has been given to that question, in your number for this month, I would beg leave to offer the information required, as far as my own views, and those of my friends are concerned, being very desirous, that persons, who, like "Moderation," discover so much interest in the propagation of Christian truth in that portion of the globe, should have every opportunity of ascertaining the real views and feelings with which that important work is engaged in. I regret, that the statement of a too partial friend, respecting the progress of Christianity at Agra, should have appear ed in the form it has, as it tends to throw a shade on the labours of Asiatic Journ. -No. 13.

the eminently disinterested and laborious Baptist Missionaries. Respecting the state of their mission, I am by no means particularly informed, but I know that many of the natives of Bengal have embraced Christianity through their means, and I am of opinion, that much of the reformation begun among the higher classes of Hindoos in Calcutta, as appears from the case of the Brahman Ram Mohun Roy, who has translated and published "the Resolution of all the Vedas," might be traced to the discredit brought upon idolatry, by the circulation of tracts and, portions of our Scriptures by those, indefatigable men. I wish not,, however, to enter upon that subject, but beg leave to state, that I do consider the natives of India, professing Christianity," as the point to steer from," in endeavour ing to communicate the blessings of our religion to the other natives VOL. III.

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of that country. I think it will be found, that any considerable success, which has attended the publication of the Gospel in India, has been effected by the instrumentality of converted natives. All the persons who received baptism at Agra in 1813-14, were the fruit of the labours of Abdool Museeh, who was himself converted, through the labours of the late Rev. Henry Martyn. But at all events, the duty of attending to the religious improvement of the native Christians is so obvious, that it must force itself upon the notice of every Christian minister in India, and is expressly enjoined upon the chaplains of the Hon. East India Company by the charter. It is well known, that the Protestant Missionaries in the south of India have at tended diligently to the improvement of their converts, and of their descendants, and a manifest superiority is said to be discernible, in the Protestant Christians over the other classes of natives among whom they dwell. A lamentable neglect of instruction is but too evident among the Roman Catholic converts on the Malabar coast, as appears from the report of the Bombay Auxiliary Bible Society, and also among the converts in that class in the north of India, as well as among the Indian descendants of the Portuguese and other Europeans in that quarter. With a view to the improvement of these, the late Rev. H. Martyn preached a sermon in the presidency church at Calcutta, which sermon was afterwards published, and entitled, "The Appeal of 800,000 Native Christians;" and soon after, the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society was formed, for the express purpose of supplying the Scriptures to the native Christians of India, in their different vernacular languages. The Protestant Christians in the south of India, having been instructed to a considerable extent in the use of letters, proved

that

themselves capable, as appears by the report of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society, of valuing, and using to advantage, the gift of Tamul New Testaments supplied to them; but in order that the native Christians in the north of India, as well as at Bombay, might profit by the Scriptures, it is necessary they should be taught to read. On this account, the benevolent institution in Calcutta was established by the Baptist Missionaries, and has received much of its support, from members of the established church, who, having no person at hand in their own connection to conduct a work of that kind, were happy to assist in supplying to the Baptist Missionaries, the means of carrying it on. The object of the benevolent institution is, to afford education, on the British system, to children of all classes in Calcutta, and especially to the children of Christian parents. At the time I left Calcutta, there were upwards of a hundred children on the books of the school, and on the day I visited the school, there were present upwards of sixty boys, and about twelve girls in a separate apartment, all descendants of Portuguese and other Christians. Their proficiency in reading and accounts was very pleasing. Chinsurah also, I had an opportunity of visiting a free school, established by the British Resident for children of the same description, and conducted by a pious Dutchman. In that school, fiftytwo native Christian children were receiving instruction in reading and arithmetic. It forms a prominent part in the plans of the Church Missionary Society, to afford instruction to the native Christians of India; with this view, they have directed one episcopally ordained Missionary, to put himself under the directions of Major Munro, in his plans for the improvement of the Syrian Christians, and their two Missionaries stationed at Ma

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dras have begun their labours in the native congregation, which is under the superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Rottler, one of the Danish Missionaries. Of about twelve hundred children, educated at Madras and at Tranquebar, at the expense of the Church Missionary Society, about two hundred are the children of native Christians. It should be observed, that divine service is celebrated in the Black Town chapel, Madras, according to the rites of the Church of England; the Book of Common Prayer having been translated into Tamul for that purpose. A compendium of the Book of Common Prayer, translated into the Hindusthani language, has also been printed in Calcutta at the expense of the Church Missionary Society, and I am informed, by private letters, is much sought after by the native Christians, in the north of India. I am also authorized in stating, that it is intended by the committee of the Church Missionary Society, to erect, as opportunity may be afforded them, places of worship, wherever any body of native Christians are to be found in India without the means of instruction. I shall only add, that with a view, in the first instance, to the improvement of the class of people in question, a school has been set on foot in Calcutta, for the education of native Christian youths, as schoolmasters. It is intended, that under the direction of the proper authorities, these should hereafter be placed as schoolmasters at the different stations, under European superintendance. The number of these youths has, from want of proper assistance, been hitherto greatly confined. A few are, at present, under the care of one of the chaplains near Calcutta, and are receiving instruction in English, and in the rudiments of He

brew and Greek, beside the learned languages of the country; and their progress is such, as to afford an encouraging specimen of what may be expected from continued exertions of that kind. I might mention many instances of the good effects produced on the minds and conduct of native Christians of India, where the usual means of instruction have been afforded them; and I would affirm generally respecting them, that after due allowances for the peculiar temptations to which they are exposed, from the habits of the other classes of natives, among whom they dwell, a Christian minister will find his labours among them not in vain. The progress which has already been made, in extending the benefits of Christianity to India, though embracing, as yet, but a small part of the immense population of that region, affords sufficient ground to expect, that the same methods, prudently and perseveringly persisted in, will not fail of producing corresponding effects. Considering, however, how opposed the mysteries of revelation are, to the prevailing prejudices of the population of India, we shall expect little effect from any means which may be adopted to bring them to a better mind, if we lose sight of the peculiar character of the Gospel, as "the power of God." That power which attended its first publication, still attends it in all things that pertain to salvation. The promise of the Spirit in his ordinary (not extraordinary) grace and influence, forms the distinguishing superiority of Christian truth, and will ever distinguish it from the theories of men, as the power of God.

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A SKETCH OF THE ISLAND OF BORNEO.

By the late Dr. Leyden.

(Continued from Vol. II. page 563.)

OF PONTIANA.

As Pontiana is of more recent origin than any other of the Malay states, so it is almost the only one in which the rise can be accurately traced. The account of the origin of Pontiana was procured by Mr. J. Burn, from the late Sultan, who was its founder and his principal associate in the course of a residence of several years at that place, and communicated lately to Mr. Raffles, together with the result of his enquiries concerning the interior of the island of Borneo. The information thus collected has every claim to authority, and is the more valuable, because it illustrates in a striking manner the origin of the other Malay states, the greater number of which may be fairly considered as counterparts to Pontiana.

Pontiana was founded in 1770, by Scyad Abdul Rehman, the son of Seyad Hassan, by a woman of inferior rank, and born at Mattan. His father, Seyad Hassan, was a native of Arabia, highly respected among the Malay Rajas, who had married at Mattan. He afterwards took up his residence at Mampawa, where he died a few months before Pontiana was founded. He had several wives, and left several children, but none of them distinguished themselves but Abdul Reh

man.

The latter possessing great abilities, intrepidity, and a most insinuating address, soon became an enterprizing and successful merchant, and realized considerable property. He married a sister of the Sultan of Banjar, and also a sister of the Raja of Mampawa, but generally resided at Banjar Massing. Possessing a brig or sloop, and several war proas of his own, besides several merchant vessels, he applied vigorously to commerce, frequenting Coti, Passir, Palembang, and other Malay ports, but seldom visiting Java. His operations, however, were not entirely confined to commercial pursuits, but when favourable opportunities occurred, he shewed no greater repugnance to piracy than is usual among the Arabs. He had already cut off a Dutch vessel in the vicinity of Banca, and an English one

at Passir, and done many things which were highly disapproved by the venerable Seyad, his father, when at last, about a year or eighteen months before his father's death, he succeeded in cutting off at Passir a French ship, with a very rich cargo, by which he incurred the displeasure of his father, who renounced all further communication with him. The manner in which the ship was cut off, however, he deemed so discreditable, that he never would relate the story, though he admitted the fact, alledging, that previous to this transaction, some of his vessels had been stopped by the French, and his women ill treated, An old woman, who had been the Sultan's concubine, and who had borne a material part in the transaction, related the following circum stances to Mr. Burn, after the death of the Sultan. After having greatly ingratiated himself with the French Captain, he informed him that he intended to present him with two beautiful slave girls, as the same time expressing a desire to see the ship. The French Captain invited him an hoard, catching at the bait, and Seyad Abdul Rehman promised to bring the slave girls with him. The Captain prepared an entertainment, and saluted him as he came on board, which he did, with several followers properly instructed, but apparently unarmed. He sat down with his people, and partook of the entertainment, after which he called the two women he had brought, one of whom was the concubine who related the story. Abdul Rehman pointed to the concubine and desired the Captain to conduct her to his cabin, the Captain did so, and the woman, as she had been instructed, secured the door. The rest of the Frenchmen were all on deck, as well as a number of his Malay followers. Abdul Rehman gave the signal with his hand, and the whole of them were instantly creesed, the lascars at the same time throwing themselves into the sea, according to their usual practice. The Captain was then put to death, and the vessel secured. When Abdul Rehman heard of his father's

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