smaller rills, flows in a full and rapid current through the higher classes of society in Europe; and powerfully carries all before it. Against such strong temptations, where shall we find an antidote equal to the vigilance required by Christianity, and the grace promised to those who seek it? The love of God is the first principle of that religion, and leads to the practice of all inferior duties; while a forgetfulness of this great and adorable Being is the source of an irreligious and worldly spirit. In prosperity we should be cautious how we enter that vortex of dissipation from whence it is difficult to extricate ourselves: so flowery is the path to the Circean palace, so delightful the fascinating cup of pleasure, that it requires a careful step and vigilant eye to escape the alluring charms; and where to draw the line is the great difficulty; but in this combat we shall soon find that strength consists in a consciousness of our own weakness, and that retreat is victory.

I will conclude in the words of a pious modern writer, who has happily condensed all I would further say on this momentous concern. "I do not presume to appreciate what his feelings, or his fears may be, who says in his heart that there is no God; nor yet of his, who pretends to acknowledge the being of a God, and wholly disbelieves a divine revelation of his will. If there be no God, there can be no future state. What then will be the value of life? If there be a God that hath made no revelation of his will, consequently hath afforded not one gleam of hope beyond the grave, what will be value of death? The expectation of annihilation will add no value to a life where all moral principle has been wanting. It will give no comfort

A CHRISTIAN'S HOPE.

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to a death, where every thought, every word, every action, every friend and every foe is buried in one eternal oblivion. Happy Christian! sleep in peace; thy Saviour is thy kind and compassionate friend, through all the stages of thy various life; and if, by Divine grace, thou continuest faithful unto death, thou mayest look forward to his further help, when he shall open for thee the gate of an everlasting state of existence!" BREWSTER.

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JOURNEY TO AHMEDABAD.

CHAPTER VI.

Journey from Dhuboy to Ahmedabad-Ahmood Purgunna-Account of a dreadful Storm in Guzerat― Jamboseer Purgunna― Coolies, a Tribe of Robbers-Cambay Purgunna-Festivals of the Hooli and Vastu Puja-Singular Ceremonies of Hindoo Worship-Cruel Oppressions by the Nabob of Cambay―Arrival at Cambay-Wild Beasts in Guzerat-Perilous Adventure of a Company of Sportsmen - Departure from Cambay - Sejutra -Guzerat Villages and Cultivation-Valuable Oxen in Guzerat-Horses-Ancient Splendour of Guzerat - Beautiful Mausoleums at Betwah Affectionate Veneration for the Dead in Hindostan.

GENERAL GODDARD, in command of the army detached from Bengal in 1779 to the assistance of the Government at Bombay, having conquered Ahmedabad and several other places in the Guzerat province, I embraced the first opportunity in my power to visit that celebrated capital, formerly the pride of western Hindostan, and still vying with Agra and Delhi in magnificent remains of Mogul grandeur.

The latter harvests being finished, and the revenues collected in the Dhuboy districts, in the month of April 1781 I commenced my journey, proceeding first to Baroche, and from thence to Ahmood, a distance of twenty miles. In Guzerat, as in most other parts of India, the distance from one place to another is rec

koned by the coss, which in that province seldom exceeds one mile and a half. Its length varies in different countries, although geographers generally estimate the coss in Hindostan at two English miles. The usual rate of travelling in a hackery, drawn by a pair of bullocks, or in a palanquin, with eight bearers to relieve each other, is from three to four miles an hour; this they will keep up for five hours without inconvenience.

The Boukie and Nyar are the only rivers between Baroche and Ahmood: the former in the rainy months is a rapid stream, confined within a narrow bed; the latter broad and gentle. So late in the season they were both nearly dry. The soil in the Ahmood pergunna is a rich, black mould, producing cotton, rice, wheat, and a variety of Indian grain. The Ahmood cotton is esteemed the best in these fertile provinces, and is sold at the highest price in the Bengal and China markets.

I passed the night at Ahmood, a small town which gives its name to the district; it is built on the borders of a shady lake, and belonged half to the English and half to a Gracia rajah, between whom the revenues of the purgunna were also divided. The former possessed the citadel, a place of little strength, and a small garrison. A member of the council at Baroche occasionally resided there to collect the Company's share of the revenue, which annually amounted to a lac of rupees, or twelve thousand five hundred pounds.

The next morning I renewed my journey, and about three miles from Ahmood reached the Dahder, then a

small stream, but six years before, when Ragobah's army was encamped on its banks, and I passed a wretched night under the body of an elephant, a tremendous torrent.

The great rivers frequently swell some time before the rain falls in the low countries, from what immediate cause I know not. This sudden rise is easily accounted for in those rivers whose source among mountains, with snow-capped summits, receive additional streams from the power of the sun in the hottest season of the year. Although the Nerbudda and Tappee do not spring among such wintry regions, I have seen these rivers in an awful state, threatening destruction.

Two years before I left India, some weeks previous to the setting-in of the south-west monsoon, we had the most dreadful storm ever remembered in Guzerat ; its ravages by sea and land were terrible; the damage at Baroche was very great, and the loss of lives considerable. It came on so suddenly, that a Hindoo wedding passing in procession through the streets by torch-light, with the usual pageantry of palanquins, led-horses, and a numerous train of attendants, was overtaken by the tempest, and fled for shelter into an old structure, which had for ages withstood the rage of the elements; on that fatal night, from the violence of the winds and rain, both roof and foundation gave way, and seventy-two of the company were crushed to

death.

At our villa every door and window was blown away, the elements rushed in at all directions, and spoiled furniture, pictures, books, and clothes. The roof of the stable giving way, the main beam killed a fine