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grand mastership was united to the crown, it was by election of the knights who are now under the same regulations, and enjoy the same privileges as those of the order of Calatrava, in Spain. According to the statutes, the candidate should prove his nobleness of blood for four generations; but this is generally dispensed with by the sovereign.

The badge of the order is a cross pattegules, charged with a gross argent, pendant to a collar of gold, composed of three rows of chains. On common days the knights also wear round their necks a scarlet ribbon with the badge of the order pendant.

Curious Discovery on the Antiquity

of Vaccination in India. The fact stated in the following 'translation of a written memorandum from the Nawaub Mirza Mehady Ali Khan, who was long resident at Benares, that the effects of Vaccination has been long known in that celebrated quarter of India, is referred to the investigation of those who have the opportunity and ability, since they cannot want the inclination, to prosecute so interesting an enquiry. The undoubted intimation of this fact, that Vaccination has been practised among the worshippers of Bhowanny will not detract an iota from the merits of the Jennerian discovery; the fortuitous and happy circumstance that led to the discovery in Europe, has been unquestionably and most satisfactorily proved, whilst the anxiety, study, perseverance and indefatigable exertions which have been applied by its benevolent professor to ensure the conviction of the world, in the unbounded benefits of the discovery, have entitled him to the lasting gratitude of

mankind. The full ascertainment of the fact will only go to afford an additional instance of primeval Oriental knowledge, whether acquired or accidental is to be hereafter proved; it will only open an additional, neglec 1 mine for the curious and the learned; and will be another proof only that the East has been the seat of wisdom,

where learning flourished, and "the arts were prized;" however much the neglect with which this knowledge has been treated in this country, may reflect upon the moderu degeneracy, or the prejudices of the Indian character; which may, however, be all accounted for from the effects of the various revolutions to which their country has, for so many ages, been a prey; leaving thence room to the liberal construction of the unbiassed of every nation to conclude, that before the introduction of a foreign sway into Hindustan and the Deccan, its Hindu inhabitants were versed in the arts and sciences, far beyond the other parts of the world at the same remote period of time.

Translation of a written Memorandum from the Nawaub Mirza Mehady Ali Khan.

During the period of my abode in the district of Benares, my eldest son being taken ill of a bad kind of the small pox1 and my friends interesting themselves for my comfort and his relief, one of them, named Slookum Chund, a Hindu, pointed out to me that there was in the city of Benares, one Alep Choby, a Brahmin from Oude, whose practice was chiefly confined to this malady. Him, therefore, I lost no time in sending for to the town of Ghazeepout, where I dwelt; and he arrived on

the

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the ninth day of the eruption; on seeing which, he observed that if the eruption had not taken place he would have endeavoured to facilitate and render it easy; but that now it was too late. On asking Choby what his proccess was, he said, "From the matter of the pustule on the cow, I keep a thread drenched, which enables me, at pleasure, to cause an easy eruption on any child; adoring, at the same time, Bhowanny, (who is other wise called Debee, Mata, and Seetla, and who has the direction of this malady) as well in my own person as by causing the father of the child to perform the like ceremonies; after which, I run the drenched string into a needle, and, drawing it through between the skin and flesh of the child's upper arm, leave it there, performing the same operation in both arms, which, always ensures an easy eruption; on the first appearance of which the child's father or guardian renews his worship to Bhowanny; and as the animal this goddess rides on, is an ass, it is customary for such parent or guardian to fill his lap with grain, which an ass is sent to eat up-which observances ensure the propitious direction of Bhowanny, so that only a very few pustules make their appearance; nor does any one die under this process!" Thus far did I learn from Alep Choby.

Upon referring on this subject to a native, well versed in the learning and customs of the Hindus, he told me that the practice thus described by Cloby was not general among them; but confined to those who were attached to the

worship of Bhowanny, and adored her with implicit faith; and upon my asking the person, whether he was aware how the matter of the pustule got from the cow, and whether all cows had such pustules, or only those of a certain description? he answered, that on these points he possessed no information; but had certainly understood that the cows had these pustules break out on them, and that from the matter thereof children were infected; acknowledging, however, that he spoke not this much from ocular knowledge, but from report.

Loss of the ship Fanny.

The apprehensions which have long been entertained for the safety of the ship Fanny, captain Robertson, are fully realized; a letter having been received from that gentleman, dated Malacca, 13th February, in which is communicated the total loss of the ship in question, together with her cargo, on the 26th November last, having struck on a reef, in latitude 9° 44 north, and longitude 114 E. on her passage to China. Her foremast, rudder, starboard main-chain, main top-mast, &c. were lost in a ty phoon, on the 23d September, and the following day the ship was drove on the coast of Hainan, and from thence round the Paracels.We have not yet been made acquainted with any further particulars, nor have we any information respecting the safety of the crew, but as captain Robertson does not mention any thing to the contrary, we would fain hope that none of them are lost.

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BENGAL Occurrences for MARCH, 1804.

Ship Page.

The late French privateer, Gen. De Caen, prize to his majesty's ship Caroline, has been purchased by captain Mackintosh, formerly commander of the Sarah, of this port, and has been named the "Page," in compliment, no doubt, to the gallant officer who captured her. On this occasion, also, it is with much pleasure we mention, that captain Mackintosh has completely recovered from the effects of the accident he met with here, while displaying a laudable degree of activity and exertion at the memorable conflagration of the 17th of February, 1803.

A very honorable testimonial has been paid by the several Insurance Offices of Calcutta, to the services rendered by captain Page, of his majesty's ship Caroline, his officers and men, in their late check upon the depredations of the enemy, an acknowledgement, which displays the just sense that the mercantile interests entertain of such meritorious exertions.

Unknown Wreck.

Yesterday arrived in the river, the grab ship, Kushro, captain John Kitson, from Bombay, on the 7th December, last from Ganjam, on the 7th February.

Captain Kitson, on his passage, saw the wreck of a vessel 10 miles S. S. W. of Jaggernaut Pagoda.She had been burnt from the main hatch-way aft to the water's edge, was loaded with teak timber, and appeared to have been floating about some time; was a two-masted

vessel, with a billet head, built entirely of teak, and about 200 tons burden.

Fire.

On Monday, a fire broke out at the western side of the town of Tanna, which consumed ten houses before it was extinguished.

Calcutta Militia.

General Orders, by his excellency the most noble the governor and captain general.

Fort William, March 22. The colours now presented to the Calcutta militia, will remind the corps of the purposes for which it was embodied. Our established power in India precludes all apprehension of the success of any enemy, but every well-disposed subject will be prepared to defend the government from which he derives protection; and in the progress of the hostilities with an active and enterprizing enemy, occasions must be expected to arise, which may demand the personal exertion of every British inhabitant of India. A state of active preparation for defence may deter the attack, and must frustrate the success of the enemy. The respectable gentlemen who have enrolled their names in the Calcutta militia, must be sensible of the security which this settlement would derive in any emergency from the diligent attention of every British subject to acquire the ready use of armis, and from the discipline and efficiency of such a body of our countrymen, armed and arrayed in

defence

defence of their property, and of the rights, interests, and honor of the British nation in Asia. The governor-general is satisfied that this settlement will display a unanimous zeal in performing the military service requisite for the security of our civil rights; and that in any crisis of difficulty or danger, the British colours, now presented to this corps, will be defended with the same spirit which, from the foundation of this settlement to the present time, has crowned our arms with victory in every region of India, and has established the glory and power of our country, in defiance of every enemy to the British name.

By command of his excellency,
J. ARMSTRONG,
Act. Mil. Secretary.

Defeat of the French Squadron.

Fort William, March 21. Official intelligence has this day been received by the governorgeneral, of the repulse and defeat of the French squadron under the command of rear-admiral Linois, (consisting of the Marengo, of 80 guns, the Belle Poule and Semillante heavy frigates, a corvette of 30 guns, and a Dutch brig of 18 guns) on the 15th of February, by the honorable company's homeward bound China fleet, under the command of captain Dance: the dispatches contain interesting particulars of this event, which reflect the highest honour on the gallantry and skill of the honorable company's officers, particularly of capt. Dance; and on the bravery of our seamen, and affords a glorious instance of the established superiority of the British naval power.

Embargo at the River Hoogly. A proclamation has, we observe. ↑

been issued by his excellency the most noble the governor general in council, prohibiting, until further orders, the departure of all ships and vessels, of every description, from the river Hoogly, or from the anchorage at the island of Saugur.

The Ship Taxlux.

On the 1st ult. in latitude 19 44 N. Point Palmiraa, N. N. E. 22 leagues, the Tazbux, under Arab colours, was fired at, at nine P. M. and taken possession of by the French privateer La Fortune, commanded by Citizen Le Meme.➡ Captain Mercer, his officers, crew and passenger, were sent on board the privateer; but, after an examination of the papers of the Tazbux and her officers, she was dclivered back to captain Mercer, on the 2d inst. at one P. M.

Captain Mercer was informed by the captain of the privateer, that three days before he had been chased by an English frigate; it falling a calm, the frigate could not come up with him, but got out her boats, on which the privateer fired, sunk two of them and sheared off.

Captain Mercer was likewise informed, on board the privateer, that she had taken three vessels, called the Sarah, Eliza, and Active.

A letter from Poona mentions a very brilliant achievement, in the capture, by the hon. company's ship Windham, captain Graham, of two French privateers, in Masulipatum roads. All we at present know of this gallant affair is, that the enemy had recourse to their favourite expedient of boarding; his attack was obstinately opposed, as may be imagined, when we add that the first officer of the Wyndham was killed, the second officer fell overboard in the confusion or

03

the

the conflict, and was, unhappily, drowned; the officer commanding a detachment on board was also killed, whilst the brave commander had one of his arms shattered, but is said not to have quit the deck: it fell, therefore, principally to the lot of the third officer to fight the ship. At the close of the business a man of war hove in sight. The result of this affair shews how little the enemy can do, when our merchantmen are, as they should on all occasions be, fully prepared to meet him; and how necessary it is to have their ships armed in the manner best adapted to meet the nature of the warfare of the privateers in this country. They seldom or ever make use of their guns, "trust every thing to a desperate attack in boarding; instead, therefore, of wholly relying on their guns, our merchantmen should have on board a sufficient force, independent of the crew, to act as marines, who should be trained to the use of small arms, and to those weapons best adapted to repel these desperate attacks.

MADRAS

but

Occurrences for March 1804.

Official account of the defeat of the French squadron.

To the right hon. lord W. Bentinck, governor in council.

Fort St. George, March 18.
My LORD,

I have the honour to inform your lordship, that I yesterday received from captain Farquhar, commanding at Malacca, an express, conveying the important intelligence, that the hon. company's China ships, together with the Bombay merchantmen, had fallen in with,

engaged, and completely defeated, the French squadron under admiral Linois, on the 14th inst. in the mouth of the Straits of Malacca.

For the particulars of this glorious event I beg leave to refer your lordship to the enclosed copy of a paper transmitted to me by captain Farquhar.

I take the liberty of offering to your lordship in council, my most sincere congratulation on the defeat of a French squadron, consisting of a ship of the line, two heavy frigates, a sloop of war, and a brig of 18 guns, by a fleet of British merchantmen.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect,

My Lord,

Your lordships' most obedient,

And very humble servant, (Signed) R. T. FARQUHAR,

Lieut.-Governor. Fort Cornwallis, Prince of Wales's Island, Feb. 24, 1804.

On the 14th of February, the fleet under the command of capt. Dance, consisting of sixteen Indiamen, ten country ships, and a brig tender, after having made Pulo Auore in the morning, at eleven

A. M. a signal was made for five

sail under our lee bow.- Four chasing ships were sent down to look at them, and lieutenant Fowler, went down, in the Ganges brig, to examine them more closely. They were found to be a line of battle ship, two heavy frigates, a corvette, and a brig. We recalled our chasing ships, and formed the line, stationing the country ships about a mile to windward. The enemy stood toward us, and as soon as they could fetch our wake put about and stood after us. We kept under an easy sail; at sun-set they were close up with our rear,

and

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