Saturn's.

He was born in Mifnia, and is called Calx Bifmuth. His nature is to oppofite to mine, that it is impoffible for me to keep company with him; to that, i ever we by chance happen to meet, we in a few minutes look black upon each other, and dilagree. He is, I believe, one of the molt mifchievous, fubtle, infinuating dogs in the univerfe. People are deceived by the innocence of his appearance; for he is always in white, and, notwithstanding the guineatax, well powdered. Then he has the art of not only setting a glofs upon his own countenance, but upon those of his friends; and, although he was but little spoken of when I firit knew him, he has of late been fo much introduced into the fashionable world, that there is scarce a miliner's fhop, either in town or country, where he and that foclifh fellow Carmine are not at times to be found behind the counter. Indeed, the latter has been weak enough to introduce him to thote boarding-chools where he taught the young Ladies to paint, to that it is impofiible even to conjecture what havock he may make amongst thofe mifles in their teens who are fo unfortunate as to form connexions with him.

I cannot take leave of Eimuth without obferving, that, through the favour of feme Ladies who tupply him with money, he has of late become fo opulent, and confequently luxurious, that, like Cleopatra, he is faid to teaft upon Powdered Pearls, though, I believe, he is cften deceived by the perions employed to powder thofe pearls, who, it is fhrewdly fuipected, pocket the money with which they are entrusted to procure them, and fubifitute over-fhells.

When I began this Letter, I did intend to have mentioned many other difguifes and mines that I have been forced to aflume by thole tyrants that have, at different periods, had me in their cuitody,

and who have not only made a property of me, but have employed me in the moit mischievous and nefarious tranfactions; however, having run to a great length already, I fhail pull the check-ftring, and contract my oblervations, though I cannot take my leave without hinting where I am in future to be found; therefore, Mr. Editor, whenfoever you hear of the obduracy and thickness of the fkin being fubdued, redness and freckles removed, eruptions repelled, wrinkles fmoothed, youth rettored, and the bloom of fifteen infuled into the countenance of eighty, you may depend upon it that I rende with the operator, and am in the fecret. Avaricious perfons have, as I have already ftated, always wished to conceal my merit, and I must to my fhame confels that I have, through indolence, futfered this ufage for a confiderable time; but as I find that my moderation is thought to arife from púúllanimity, and that they are in the constant habit of obtruding whole ceans of washes, lotions, fluids, and dews upon the Public, with out taking the leaft notice of me, who am fo principally concerned in their compofition, it now becomes neceffary for me to affert myfelf, and to declare that I fall upon all future occafions appear through the medium of the Prefs, and claim the reward due to my emineni vir• ¡ues.

Apropos, Mr. Editer, I do not know whether you and I were not acquainted in your juvenile days: however, I thali not prefs that matter any further, becaus abundance of perions whem I have lerved in their youth grow fhy, and are ashamed of owning that they have had any con nection with me when they arrive at riper years. But, in revenge for this ingr titude, I every now and then give them a fly twinge, and make them remember their cld friend

MERCURY.

ON

N the 29th of June 1793 discovered an itland from on board the Shab Hormazier, of Calcutta, then in company with the Chesterfield, in latitude 9. 28. S. and 146°. 57'. E. longitude, by good obfervation.

This new discovered land is called TATE'S ISLAND, in honour of Mr. Tate, of Bombay.

On the aft of July the ships anchored in nine fathom water, about twelve miles to the Eastward of Tate's handy when it was propofed by Captain Bampton, of the Hormazier, to fend a beat from each fhip to found two reefs of rocks, extending to the Northward from the North point of the ifland, to the Southward from the South point.

The

The boats were accordingly difpatch ed; and when they had approached within about half a mile of the ifland, they perceived that the island was inhabited. The natives made figns to the feamen to come afhore; but the day being then far advanced, and not having a fufficient quantity of arms and ammunition in cafe they were attacked, they thought it mot prudent to make the best of their way back to the fhips,

When the natives faw they were about to return, many of them leaped into the water and Iwam after the boats, while others of them launched two or three canoes, and foon came up with them. They bartered bows, arrows, and fpears, for fmall penknives, beads, &c.— Some of the natives went afterwards on board the hips, and traded there in the fame articles.

They are a tout well-made people, woolly-headed, and in ftature refemble the defcription given of the New Guineas, as well as in complexion. They appeared to be humane and hofpitable people from their behaviour while on board.

After they had left the Hormazier it was perceived that they had ftolen a hatchet, and feveral fmall articles, which might have been expected, as it is common amongst most favages.

On the 2d of July it was propofed by Captains Bampton and Holt to man one boat from the two fhips, and fend her afhore, to fee if there was any water to be had, and alfo for a party to go up to the highest point of the island, to fee how far the land extended to the Weftward, as the fhips were then looking out for Fore's Streights.

Mr. Shaw, chief Officer of the Chefterfiel, was appointed to this duty. Captain Hill, of the New South Wales Corps, Mr. Carter, Purfer of the Hormazier, and Mr. Halkett, pallenger, propofed to accompany him, in order to make fome obfervations on the foil, produce, and inhabitants, of this new-difcovered ifland.

On the 3d. in the morning, the gentlemen having provided themfelves with prefents for the natives, confifting of pen-knives, fciffars, razors, beads, &c. and with plenty of arms and ammunition, in cafe of attack, embarked on beard a boat, and at noon reached the ifland.

The natives received them very kindly, and conducted the boat to a convenient place for landing. After they had gone ahore, and distributed fome prefents

amongst the natives, which they appeared to be very much pleated with, it was propofed, that Meffrs. Shaw, Carter, and Halkett, fhould proceed to the top of a high point of land, and that Captain Hill fhould ftay by the boat with the four feamen.

They accordingly armed themselves with a mufket each, and a fufficient quantity of powder and ball to begin their journey properly accoutred.

There were by this time great numbers of the natives, men, women and children, affembled round them, the men and children quite naked, and the women with no other covering than a leaf over fuch parts as nature had taught them to conceal.

The gentlemen, when properly equip ped, made figns to them that they were in want of water, on which, with the greatest cheerfulness, they conducted them to an excellent fpring of water, frequently kiffing the hands of the party on the way, crying out "Wabba! wabba!" which they fuppofed to be water in their language.

After the gentlemen had examined the water, they made figns of being defircus to afcend the hill; the natives readily conceived their meaning, offered to conduct them, and appeared to be very happy in the ftrangers company.

They had proceeded about three quarters of a mile up the hill, when they were conducted to a level fpot of cleared ground, where grafs was growing, and feveral young plantain trees fpringing up in the midft of it, and the number of birds chirruping among the bufkes that furrounded this fpot made it appear romantic.

Here they were invited to fit down, to which Meflrs. Carter and Shaw confented; but on Mr. Hafkett's faying "he fufpected they had some designs on them," Mr. Carter replied, that he believed them to be a fet of innocent creatures, and made figns for fomething to drink.

A boy was immediately difpatched, and fhortly after returned with two cocoa nuts, which were given them to drink. After Mr. Carter had drank he got up and gave his mufket to Mr. Halkett to hold, while he took a sketch of the andicape as it then appeared to his view.

The natives feeing the two mufkets in Mr. Halkett's hands, defired to held them for him; he gave Mr. Carter's to one of them, but kept his own cocked, the muzzle directed towards the breast of him who held it.

As

As foon as Mr. Carter had finished, he tock the mufket from the native, and chid Mr. Haskett for his fear, mentioning repeatedly that they were an innocent race of men, and Mr. Shaw acquiefced in his opinion.

After refreshing themselves they made figns to the natives to proceed further up the hill, which they did not feem inclined to, but rather wifhed them to go down to the valley that appeared clear and pleasant from the place they were then in, which was furrounded by bufies and fhrubs.

When the natives perceived that the'r vifitors were determined to afcend the hill, they followed in great numbers, hallooing and shouting moft hidectly on the way:

Mr. Hafkett ftrictly obferved their motions; as they were continually making figns to each other, and frequently pointing towards him, he intimated thefe obfervations to the other gentlemen, and begged them for God's fake to be on their guard, for the natives were certainly bent on mischief.

At length, about half paft two P. M. they reached the fummit of the hill, on which they found a clear fpot of ground of fome acres in extent: the natives here kiffed their hands frequently, and, very kindly to all appearance, invited them to fit down and reft themselves; which, however, they declined to do, the day being to far fpent.

Here they had an opportunity of taking the view which was the object of their journey; they faw the reefs extending as far as the eye could reach; but no Jard to the Weltward of the island, except a large fand bank nearly even with the water's edge, and not far from the island. At the fame time they alfo perceived a great number of the natives round the beat, who they fuppofed were trading with Captain Hill." When they had made their obfervations they began to defcend; by degrees the natives contrived to feparate the three gentlemen at eight orten yaids from each other, infinuating themselves between them in the path, which was but narrow, under the pretence of allifting them down the hill.

Mr. Hatkett perceived boys of about 14 or 15 years of age lurking in the bushes as they paffed, with bundles of tpears and arrows, of which be informed Mr. Carter, who was the foremoft in the path, and afked Mr. Shaw, who was behind them, if he faw them? who anfwered in the affirmative,

Mr. Shaw begged the other gentlemen to be on their guard; and Mr. Haskett propofed to Mr. Carter to turn all the Latives before them, as he could plainly perceive they were bent on muidering them; but Mr. Carter faid, he thought that would fhew figns of miftrust er fear, and that he thought it better to go on as they were, and be all upon their guard.

They had got down the hill the greatest part of the way in this manner, when they were met by a very old man, who kified Mr. Carter's hand firft, and then attempted to kifs Mr. Hafkett's, but was not permitted; he then went on and kiffed Mr. Shaw's, who was in the rear.

Immediately after Mr. Hafkett cailed out, "They want to take my mulket from me;" and Mr. Carter exclaimed, "My God! my God! they have murdered me!" Mr. Hatkett discharged his mufket at the next man to him; on the report of it the natives all fied into the bushes.

Here was a horri fpectacle for Mr. Haikett to behold; Mr. Carter lying on the ground in a gore of blood, and Mr. Shaw with a large cut in his throat under the left jaw; but luckily they were both able to rife and proceed down the hill with all poffible fpeed, firing at the natives wherever they faw them.

When they arrived on the beach they called out "Fire! fire!" But what muit have been their feelings when they per ceived Captain Hill and one of the feamen dead up the beach, cut and mangled in a fhocking manner; they fhortly ater perceived two of the feamen floating on the water between the boat and the beach, with their throats cut from ear to ear, After fome difficulty the unhappy fur vivors made a shift to get on board the boat.

They found that the natives had taken all their provifions, boat cloaks, &c, farted the water out of their kegs, and left the fourth failor dead in the boat, cut and mangled in the fame shocking manner,

They tried to get in their grapnel, but found it impoflible, it was fo entangled amongst the rocks by the natives. They therefore cut it; and Meflrs. Shaw and Bakett got out two oars and pulled off fhore, whilt Mr. Carter kept the natives off with his musket. But they found great difficulty in getting out of the reach of their fpears and arrows, as the wind blew fresh on fhore.

At length they found they could weg. ther the point of the inland by builting the

fail, which the natives moft fortunately had left behind them, and it was hoifted accordingly.

Mr. Haikett bound up the wounds of his unfortunate comrades with their handkerchiefs; but Mr. Carter was fo weak from the lofs of blood, that he was obliged to lay down in the bottom of the beat, while the other two were fpectators of the fate of their deceafed companions. They law very diftinely thofe voracious cannibals dragging the b dies of Captain Hill and the leamen up towards large fires prepared on the occafion, yelling and howling at the fame time.

Between nine and ten they cleared the point of the island, when it was propokd by Mr. Shaw to run under the lea of it, and endeavour to get to the land bank they law from the top of the hill; that being the only method they could take, as they might reafonably hope, when they had not returned to the hips as expected, boats would be fent in queft of them the next morning.

They, therefore, hauled up under the lea of it, and made fait a club of iron wood, which the cannibals had left in the boat, to a nine pound lead, which had alto efcaped their notice; these they bent to the lead-line, and let it go, in hopes it would ride her till the morning. They then committed the body of the murdered feaman to the deep, and returned thanks to the Almighty for delivering them from thofe inhuman mon

fters.

They examined what was left in the boat, and found fome knives and fciffars in the stern locker, but to their great forrow the compaís was gone, and all their provifions and water. There was alfo Mr. Hafkett's great coat left in the boat, but nothing clie.

Left now totally to Mr. Shaw, as to what were the beft fteps to take, as the other two were neither navigators nor feamen, he informed them, that the wind was then fair to run direct for Timor, which lay nearly Weft of them, and he fuppofed they should reach that ifland in about ten days. He could not think the VOL. XXXI. MAY 1797.

fhip or boats would ever find them, and the longer they delayed bearing away, the lefs able they would be to perform their voyage without provifions and water.

They therefore all agreed to ftand away to the Welevard, and trust themfelves to that Providence who had delivered them from the cannibals of Tate's Island.

Animated with hope, they continued thus until the 5th, when hunger and thirst preyed upon them: Mr. Carter's wound was to painful that he begged to have it examined, which Mr. Hafkett did while Mr. Shaw held the fteer oar. With great difficulty the hair was cut from the head, which, with the handkerchief and his hair, were entirely clotted with blood. The wound was in the back part of the head, and appeared to have been made with a hatchet. After having been wathed with falt water, Mr. Halkett tied it up with a piece of his fhirt, and Mr. Carter found himielf atter the drefling much relieved.

In the afternoon they difcovered land, which they fuppofed to be the S. W. extremity of New Guinea; and on running down towards it, perceiving a reef extending to the Southward, on which were feveral negroes, whofe heads only were out of the water, they were at first mistaken for breakers above the water, but as foon as their mistake was di.covered, no one was eager to try their friendship, the fate of their companions being too fresh in their memory; not even though one of the negroes held up to them a large fifh; no imall inducement to men who had not brcke, faft for fiftytwo hours.

They paffed the reef, however, without in the leaft noticing the natives, and continued their ecurie to the Weftward, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Hafkett relieving each other every two hours at the steer car.

On the 6th in the morning they difcovered a fand bank to the Southward, quite dry, to which they gave the name of Forlorn Hope. A great number of birds being perceived about this bank, they endeavoured to make for it, in the hopes of killing fome of them and gathering eggs, but found that the boat was drifting to the leeward of the bank they therefore hauled down the fail, and endeavoured to row up to it, but found themselves fo exhauited for want of food and water, that it was impoffible to make their way towards the bank; indeed fo much had that attempt fatigued them, that it was with the greatest difficulty

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