CHAP. V.

Termination of our voyage-Indian scenery-Meeting with the Brethren on board the Lady Melville-Difference of opinions-First Sabbath in India-Press-gang-Visited by the Rev. S. NewellDisembarkment-Palanquin stands-Breakfast at the Bombay Tavern-Causes of disquietude-Interview with Mr. Money-Reception-Gratifying information respecting Ceylon-Ride with Captain Birch to the Governor's country seat-Native washermenPersee women-Toddy-Native village-Persee burial place— A Fakeer-An idol-Audience with the GOVERNOR-His Excellency's condescension, and remarks on the Rev. J. Wesley-Return to Bombay.-Rev. Messrs. Hall and Nott-The Governor's house at Parell prepared for our reception-Sensations produced by the arrival of the Missionaries.

ON Saturday the 21st of May, after a voyage of twenty weeks, we were permitted to enter the desired harbour. The fleet was welcomed on its arrival by discharges of cannon from the shore; which were returned by a salute from the commodore.

Bombay Harbour is handsome and commodious; and, after so long a voyage, the effect produced on our minds by the beautiful and varied scenery was delightful beyond description. Before the anchor was dropped, we were surrounded by boats filled with natives, who with great alertness made their way on board. Of these, the more respectable were Persee merchants and agents, called Dubashes, and who were desirous of engaging with the Captain, or any of the officers, to dispose of the

goods they might have brought with them as a private venture. The inferior Persees were anxious to hire themselves in the capacity of servants; and followed the passengers about the ship, with hands-full of characters and certificates, to which they solicited their attention. These were habited in loose linen pantaloons, and long linen coats, with bands round their waists, and neat turbans made of printed calico. Some Hindoos also offered fruits for sale.* The latter descriptions were

entirely naked, with the exception of a small piece of cloth around the loins. The appearance of these dark unclothed men, climbing about the ship; the romantic appearance of the shore; the strangely constructed boats and paddles by which the fleet was surrounded; the unintelligible jargon which incessantly assailed our ears; altogether made it appear as if we had suddenly become inhabitants of a new world. The novelty of the scene, however, soon wore away; and the hope of being made useful to the idolatrous natives whom we saw around us, raised us above those feelings of disgust, which, under other circumstances, would doubtless have been excited.

Our first object was to obtain an interview with our companions in the Melville, to inform them of what we had done, and to arrange some plan of proceeding for the future. Perceiving an empty native boat, the planks of which appeared to have been sewed together, Mr. Clough and I agreed with the owner to take us on board the Mellville. We found our colleagues all well, and preparing to go on shore. This was a critical æra of our history; as, from the want of previous concert, there was danger lest we should not agree in opinion, as

Captain Birch, having cautioned us against an unrestrained in. dulgence in eating fruit, which often proves fatal after the privations of a long voyage, we resolved to eat no fruit but at the table, and then very sparingly.

to the most suitable measures to be adopted on our landing. It was the opinion of Mr. Clough and myself, that it would be most advisable not to land until our business and peculiar circumstances had been represented to the proper authorities by Captain Birch; which, in our opinion, would secure us the more favourable reception. Our brethren in the Melville, on the other hand, had resolved on landing immediately, and going to the tavern. We found that the senior Missionaries considered the arrangement of our concerns to devolve upon themselves; and, as neither party could at that time change the opinion of the other, each adhered to their own: Mr. Clough and myself therefore returned to our ship.

Messrs. Ault, Lynch, Erskine, and Squance, called on us afterwards, on their way to the shore. The difference in our opinion, however painful for the moment, had occasioned no diminution of affection. On enquiring of Mr. Ault how we could obtain money? He replied, with great composure, that there would be no difficulty on that subject; as he had found a document among the late Doctor Coke's papers committed to their care, which would enable them to draw on England to any amount. On his mentioning the nature of the document, we at once perceived that it would not furnish any such authority; yet we could not but perceive the goodness of God, in thus preserving our companions from the painful anxieties by which Mr. Clough and myself had been exercised.

Several of our fellow-voyagers were taken on shore by their friends in the course of Saturday, and on Sunday morning; but we remained ignorant that any on that shore would shew us any marks of friends hip. As the bustle of the ship prevented the celebration of public worship, we found it profitable to worship God in our cabin. The sadness of our first

Indian Sabbath was increased by an occurrence which could not fail of exciting our sympathies. Our vessel was boarded by a press-gang, the officer of which required the ship's company to be mustered upon deck, according to the ship's books. After inspecting them all, he selected nearly every effective man, ordering each to prepare his chest, and go into his boat! Some of the poor fellows pleaded for exemption, but in vain. The ship's steward, who had for misconduct been put before the mast, was one of the number impressed. The whole affair did not occupy more than an hour.

In the course of the day we were unexpectedly informed that a gentleman had arrived from the shore and was inquiring for us. On entering, he introduced himself to us as a brother missionary, belonging to another religious society, and indeed to another nation. It was the Rev. Samuel Newell, one of the excellent missionaries sent out from America by the Congregational denomination, and the widowed husband of the late celebrated female missionary of the same name.* We soon felt a union of spirit; and he kindly spent several hours of the day in our company. He was surprised to find that our late venerable, friend, known to him by the name of "BISHOP COKE," had, at his advanced age, undertaken an Indian voyage, and tenderly sympathised with us in the afflicting circumstances of his death. He related his own tale of woe; and a mutual sympathy was excited by the narration. Mr. Newell had visited Ceylon; and he gave us an encouraging account of that interesting island, with relation to our missionary object. We took notes of the valu

Recent accounts from India state the death of this most excellent man. As I was favoured with his friendship, and was frequently in his company during our stay at Bombay, I cannot forbear expressing my sincere regret at the loss which the Mission to which he was attached has sustained by his early decease.

able information he gave us. In the evening he took

his leave.

Early the following morning, Mr. Clough and myself left the ship, and landed upon the shore of India. At the landing-place we were met by palanquin-bearers, called Hamalls, (a description of men answering to our sedan-chairmen,) who offered to convey us in their palanquins to any place we might wish. For this purpose they stand in rows, similar to our hackney-coach stands in London, and are paid on a similar principle; either according to the length of the journey, or for the time they are engaged. The sun was exceedingly powerful, as it was the hottest season of the year; and the rains were much later than usual. The heat and the dust, together with a most unpleasant effluvia arising from local causes, would have made a quick conveyance to the tavern very desirable, had not our dislike to being carried by men, prevailed. We pressed through them on foot, until we came to our companions, with whom we partook of a hearty breakfast, at the only tavern in the place. We found the landlord, Mr. Duncan Cameron, obliging and attentive.

After breakfast, our temporal affairs naturally ingrossed our first attention. On examination, we found that we had not sufficient cash among us to present the usual gratuities to the ship's servants. Those who had indulged the expectation of raising money by means of the late Doctor's paper found on board the Melville, were soon convinced of the fallacy of that idea; and thus, having no immediate prospect of pecuniary supplies, we found ourselves actually without the means of paying for our first meal in India! Mr. Clough and myself then communicated to our companions the measures we had taken subsequent to the death of Doctor Coke; and furnished them with a copy of the letter we had given to Captain Birch, with his reply to it.