sent, in 1624, a body of troops to Pehou, where they built a fort within two leagues of that of the Dutch, which they daily augmented. Still they held out proposals for peace; and the Dutch seeing them so much in earnest to regain possession of the disputed islands, thought it prudent to consent to the terms offered; towards the end of the year a peace was concluded, agreeably to the conditions of which they evacuated Pehou, and took possession of Taywan on the western part of Formosa. By this treaty the Dutch obtained the liberty of commerce de. manded with China.

In 1596 the English first turned their thoughts towards China, and one or two ships were afterwards equipped to open a trade there; Queen Elizabeth wrote letters to the emperor, recommend ing the merchants, vouching for the probity of their dealings, and expressing her desire to be informed through them of those institutions by which the empire of China had become so celebrated for the encouragement of trade; and in return offered the fullest protection to the subjects of China, should they be disposed to open a trade to any of the ports of her dominious. This expedition proved unfortunate, the ships having been lost in their outward bound voyage.

It does not appear that any further attempt was made at a trade with China, to which the Portuguese claimed an exclusive privilege of resorting, till 1634, when a truce, and permission for a free trade to China, and all places where the Portuguese were settled in India, was agreed to between the viceroy of Goa and the president at Surat. This induced some merchants in London, to whom King Charles the First had granted a licence, to fit out several ships, under the command of CaptainWeddell, who thought it sufficient, in consequence of the agreement made at Goa, to take letters for the governor of Macao, in order to be effectually assisted in his projected intercourse with the Chinese at Canton.

The conduct of the Portuguese in frustrating the object of their voyage, and the adverse circumstances under which the English first visited China, are detailed at length in Milburne's Oriental Commerce, vol. ii. page 466.

In 1655, in consequence of orders from

Holland, an embassy was sent from Batavia to China. The ambassadors were Peter de Goyer and Jacob de Keyser. The purport of the embassy was, to congratulate the emperor on his accession to the throne of China, and to obtain a free trade throughout his dominions. Nieuoff, who was one of the train, describes their reception as follows:

On their arrival at Canton they were visited by several mandarines, and underwent a long examination; As to their names and employments? If the Emperor's letter was not written on better paper than the viceroy's? How their prince and king was called? They seemed to be displeased at the slight fashion of the credentials, and asked whether the prince and government of Holland had no seal or chop for their letters? To the request of the ambassadors, that they might have audience of the viceroy, and leave to go to Pekin, it was answered, that they could not have audience of any one in Canton till an answer to the letter came from court.

After four or five months delay, came the Emperor's answer, permitting the ambassador with a few followers only, and four interpreters, to repair to court to treat about commerce; and by another letter he granted them a free trade, and expected the ambassadors to come and give him thanks for it.

The morning after they arrived at Pekin, several members of the imperial council came to welcome the ambassadors in the name of the Emperor, to enquire after their health, the number of their followers, and quality of their presents, as well as the person who sent them, and the place they came from. They likewise enquired their uses, and having highly extolled them, fell to ask other questions concerning their voyage, country, and government, such as were put to them at Canton. They could not be persuaded to be~~ lieve that the Dutch had any settlement, upon the continent, but dwelt on the sea.

After considerable delay a day was fixed for an audience of the Emperor; they were obliged to sit all night on the bare stones and in the open air, in expectation of his majesty's appearance, early in the morning, on his throne. At day break they were conducted into the hall where stood the Imperial throne, where a herald

commanded them to bow their heads three times to the ground, which they performed. The Emperor soon after made his appearance, and after sitting in state about a quarter of an hour he withdrew without speaking to the ambassadors. Some small presents were afterwards given to each of them, which they took kneeling, and they received notice to repair to the court of ceremonies to receive the Emperor's letter to the governor general. They were, at the appointed time, conducted into the antiroom, where one of the council took the letter and opening it, declared its contents, then making it up again, he delivered it to the ambassadors, who received it kneeling. It was afterwards taken and bound to the back of one of the interpreters, who went along with it before the ambassadors through the middle gate of the court. This ceremony was performed in great silence, neither was the least mention made of the Dutch negocia tion.

The Emperor's letter to John Maelzukes, governor general of Batavia, was as follows:

"Our territories being as far asunder as the east from the west, it is with great difficulty that we can approach each other; and from the beginning till the present the Hollanders never came to visit us: but those who sent Peter de Goyer and Jacob de Keyser to me, are a brave and wise people, who in your name have appeared before me, and brought me several presents. Your country is ten thousand miles distant from mine, but you shew your noble mind in remembering me; for this reason my heart doth very much in cline to you, therefore I send to you

[Here the presents are enumerated.] "You have asked leave to come and trade in my country, by importing and exporting commodities, which will redound very much to the advantage of my subjects; but in regard your country is so far distant, and the winds on these coasts so boisterous, as to endanger your ships, the Joss of which would very much trouble me; therefore if you think fit to send hither, I desire it may be but once every eight years, and no more than one hun 'dred men in a company, twenty of whom may come up to the place where I keep my court, and then you may bring your merchandize ashore into your lodge,

without bartering them at sea before Canton. This I have thought good to propose for your interest and safety, and I hope it will be well liked by you and thus much I thought fit to make known unto you.

"In the 13th year, 8th month, and 29th day of the reign of Song-Te."

The ambassadors, on their return to their lodgings, were urged to depart; alledging, that by the usage of the empire, they could not coutinue two hours in the city after having received this dispatch, if they would avoid falling into any inconvenience;—so that they were necessitated to quit the place at noon, after taking leave of the grandees.

On their return to Canton, they were subjected to greater extortion from the Viceroy and other officers of government, were insulted by the populace, and one of their interpreters murdered in his own house.

Nieuhoff, from whose journal the above is extracted, states it as his opinion, that had the Dutch offered to assist the Emperor with their ships against Coxinga the pirate, they would have obtained permission for a free trade.

A narrative of the success of this embassy was published by a Jesuit residing in China. He states, that the Emperor referred their letter to the court of Lipon, or Ceremonies; and that their remontstrance to the Emperor on the subject was as follows:

"In the 13th year of the reign of the Emperor Khan Chi, on the 18th day of the sixth month, there was brought to this court the copy of a petition from the Hollanders, who came here to tender their homage and vassalage to your Majesty ; wherefore, according to our duty, we have considered thereon, and although the truth be, that the fame of your Majesty's greatness and power be extended unto the utmost parts of the habitable earth, yet upon our strictest examination and search into the laws and ancient records of the empire for this purpose, we cannot find in any age past, that the Hollanders have ever sent to pay tribute; therefore, seeing we have no precedent or established rule to follow in this business, the result of our present judgment is, that your Majesty may do well to continue the following decree:

“That considering the voyage from

his ministers.

August 21st, they sent again upon the same errand, but I refus ing the same, they told me that since I had disobeyed their king's command, they had orders to punish me, I gave them no other answer, but, if they cut me limb by limb I would not part with them till I had been admitted to the king's presence. The 31st August, all the presents were brought back by a certain officer, who told me that it was done by special command from the king, because I had refused to deliver my credentials into the Secretary's office, and one among them told me,no Foreign Minister, tell him, come from what country be will, is admitted into the presence of our king, but only of his minister.'"

In 1662, the Dutch were compelled to evacuate the island of Formosa to the Chinese under Coxinga, after thirty-eight years undisturbed possession. This event compelled them to make further attempts to open a friendly intercourse with China, and an embassy was sent in that year, but met with no better success than the former.

In 1664, a more magnificent embassy was sent to the Emperor Kanghi. The Lord Peter Vanstooin, Privy Counsellor aud Treasurer of India was chosen ambassador. His reception, and the forms observed in the negociations with the Chinese ministers, were nearly the same as those before described, and did not induce the Chinese to relax in any one point.

In 1666, the Portuguese government at Goa sent an embassy to China, as from the king of Portugal. The following account of its reception was published by Navarette, a Spanish Dominican friar.

The ambassador was brought sick into Canton, and meanly treated, his secretary, a companion and a chaplain had an audience of the governor, who commanded them on both knees to touch the ground with their foreheads, which was a great affront. disputes arose between the ambassador and the governor, which lasted till the death of the latter, in January 1667.

Soon afterwards orders arrived from the emperor, for him to repair to court; previous to his setting out, the king of Portugal's letter was read before the new governor and the viceroy, they noticed, that before signing, he did not subscribe himself "Your Majesty's faith

ful subject," and asked how those words came to be omitted. The ambassador replied that it was not the custom of Europe so to do. This was represented to the emperor, who ordered him to come to court, where the omission of the letter should be examined into. The Chinese called the ambassador a mandarin who was going to do homage, and pay tribute from the petty king of Portugal, and on his boat was hoisted a flag or banner with Chinese characters, importing, "this man comes to do homage."

This embassy was advised by the Jesuits, in consequence of the expulsion of the Missionaries to Macoa, but failed in its object of obtaining the revocation of the emperor's edict.

The Russians had towards the end of the 16th century, penetrated through Siberia to the confines of China, at which the Chinese took umbrage, and erected forts to defend their boundaries. The disputes which arose in consequence, were settled by treaty in August 1689. Raynal remarks, that it was the first treaty the Chinese had ever been concerned in since the foundation of their empire. By this treaty the Russians obtained a regular and permanent commerce with China, which they had long desired; but in return they yielded up a large extent of territory, besides the navigation of the river Amour,

The advantages arising from this trade were found to be so considerable, that a design of enlarging it was formed by Peter the Great. Isbrand Ides, a native of Holstein, was sent as ambassador to Pekin in 1692, he appears to have been treated with more respect than the Dutch ambassador had been, and the ceremony of waiting all night for the emperor's appearance on the throne, in the morning, was in this instance dispensed with.

After having delivered his credentials, the ambassador was invited by the emperor to eat with him, and that prince carried his complaisance so far as to send him from his own hand, a cup of Tartarian liquor. Every civility was shewn him during his residence at the capital, and the ceremony of his departure was attended with great marks of attention. This embassy obtained permission to carry on the trade in Caravano instead of confining it to individuals.

(To be continued.)

It is related in the Mishcat ul Misabih, (a compilation of all the traditions of Muhammad, which could either be recovered or invented, of the highest authority with a numerous sect) that his majesty the prophet being one day wearied with walking under the burning sky of the desert, entered the tent of an Arab. A sheep had just been slaughtered, and part was then preparing for the family. Muhammad took his seat

THE RAINS.

and requested hospitality; a leg was handed to his highness, which he eat. The second followed in the same course; “give me another," said the holy man. " A sheep has but two legs, O prophet of the true believers!" replied the Arab. "I know that," rejoined the prophet, "but I swear, that if you had continued to put the fork in, you would have taken legs of mutton out without end."

(From the Seasons of Kali-dasa.) FRIEND of desire-the Sovereign of the Rain Approaches! Dearest with his stately train, Like mighty elephants the clouds on high Advance, and lightnings wave along the sky His flickering banners; while the Monarch's fame Deep rolling thunders as his drums proclaim.

Now spreads o'er all a dark but changing hue; Here like the water lily's deepest blue, And there like Surmah's fracture tints display Metallic lustre through the lowering day; The thirsty Chataka impatient eyes, The promised waters of the laboring skies, Where heavy clouds with low melodious song, In slow procession murmuring move along.

As soothing shades imagined bliss inspire,
The lonely lover burns with vain desire;
For like the tyrant of the youthful breast
The air of Indra's radiant bow possest,
Strings it with lightning-points the rain dropt
dart,

And aims unerring at the heedless heart.
Now like a smiling fair whose shapely neck
Encircling rows of radiant jewels deck,

The earth with coral buds and blossoms gleams, And wears the glowworm's diamond-shining beams;

In amorous sport the peacock train advance,
To frame with spreading tails the joyous dance,
Whose graceful frolics pleasing thoughts impart,
And whisper love to every youthful heart.
Fast flow the turbid torrents as they sweep,
The shelving vallies to rejoin the deep;
And like the fair one prodigal of charms,
Who hastes to yield them to her lover's arms;
Bound o'er each obstacle with headlong force,
And banks and trees demolish in their course.
On every side the eye delighted sees
New shoots and foliage-verdant shrubs and trees;
And o'er the renovated grass appear
The favourite blossoms of the brouzing deer;
And who can mark, unconscious of delight,
The wavy forest freshening on the sight;
Or wandering fearlessly through grove and lawn,
The soft and lotus-eyed and half-confiding fawn.
Thick murky clouds the cope of heaven pervade,
And spread o'er earth impenetrable shade;
Alone the lightning's momentary ray
Conducts the dauntless lover on his way:
Aroused from slumber by the awful sound
When midnight thunders hoarsely roll around;

Forgetting past offence and recent strife,

Close to her husband clings the trembling wife;
Or should her lord be absent from her arms,
For him she feels a thousand fond alarmns:"
Heedless of dress, a prey to tenderest fears,
Breathless and sad she sits, while silent tears
Fast from her lotus eyes in torrents flow,
And stain those lips that like the Bimba glow.

Borne with the falling current, blades of graes
With dust distained and insects speckled, pase,
And whirling tortuously down the stream,
To frightened frogs like snakes terrific seem.
The bee with busy and delighted song,
To seek the blooming lotus speeds along ;
But wandering giddily arrests his sail
Where the pleased peacock spreads his gaudy tails
Wild roars the elephant inflamed with love,
And the deep sound reverberates from above;
His tusk the bees in gathering clusters trace
And sip the moisture trickling o'er his face.

Now dancing peacocks and descending rills, Sprung from new sources decorate the hills, And bending clouds their tardy progress stop, To kiss the lotus on the monntain top. Who does not love the sweetly breathing breeze With odours shaken from the trembling trees, Rich with the perfume of new budding flowers, And cooled with gelid drops and gentle showers, The kindly season, with a husband's pride, Adorns the earth, his fresh and blooming bride; For her each perfume and each tint combines, Weaves the bright band, or varied garland twines Around her neck the flowery knot is laced, And budding zones wind soft around her waist; Each charm's soft down refreshing moisture knows,

And Heaven's bright mantle graceful round her flows.

Cooled by soft rains, along the shaded skies,
Diffusing peace and joy the zephyr flies:
The clouds that fertilizing dews distend,
Their course to Vind'hya's lofty summit bend.
'Twas there they gather'd many a wat❜ry store,
And there again their watery wealth they pour;
With timely succour grateful showers distil,
And quench the flames that parch the friendly hill.
Such is the season whose reviving glow
Can brighter beauty on our fair bestow;
Whose care the blossom and the branch protects,
And winding creepers to support directs;
Who sooths the frame, reanimates the mind,
And sheds new life, new vigor, on mankind.