At fix in the evening they fhortened fail, to avoid the danger of fome rocks, which were feen a-head, and to obferve whether any islands lay in the offing, as they were now near the latitude of thofe islands faid to have been discovered by Quiros. They kept ftanding off from fix o'clock till near nine, with a fine breeze and bright moon. They had got from fourteen into twenty fathom water; when fuddenly they fell into twelve, ten, and eight fathom, in a few minutes. Every man was inftantly ordered to his ftation, and they were on the point of anchoring, when on a fudden they had again deep water, fo that they thought all danger at an end, concluding they had failed over the tail of fome fhoals which they had feen in the evening. They had twenty fathom and upwards before ten o'clok, and this depth continued fome time, the gentlemen who had hitherto been upon duty, retired to reft; but in less than an hour the water fhallowed at once from twenty to feventeen fathom, and before foundings could be taken, the fhip ftruck against à rock, and remained fixed but from the motion given her by the beating of the furge. Every one was inflantly on deck, with countenances fully expreffive of the agitation of their minds. As they knew they were not near the fhore, they concluded they had ftruck against a rock of coral, the points of which being fharp, and the furface fo rough as to grind away whatever is rubbed againft it, though with a gentle motion, they had reason to dread the horror of their fituation. The fails being taken in, and boats hoifted out to examine the depth of water, they found that the ship had been carried over a ledge of the rock, and lay in a hollow within it. Finding the water was deepest a-ftern, they carried out the anchor from the ftarboard quarter, and applied their whole force to the capftern, in hopes to get the veffel off, but in vain. She now beat fo violently againft, the rock, that the crew could fcarcely keep on their legs. The moon now fhone bright, by the light of which they could fee the fheathing-boards float from the bottom of the veffel, till at length the falle keel followed, fo that they expected inftant deftruction. Their beft chance of efcaping feemed now to be by lightening her, but as they had fruck at high water, they would have been out in their prefent fituation after the veffel fhould draw as much lefs water as the water had funk; but their anxiety abated a little, on finding that the fhip fettled on the rocks as the tide ebbed. They, however, flattered themfelves that if the fhip fhould keep together till next tide, they might have fome chance of floating her. They therefore inftantly started the water in the hold, and pumped it up. The decayed ftores, oil of jars, cafks, ballaft, fix of their guns, and other things, were thrown over board, in order to get at the heavier articles; and in this bufinefs they were employed till day-break, during all which time not an oath was fworn, fo much were the minds of the failors impreffed with a fenfe of their danger. At day light they faw land at eight leagues diftance, but not a single inland between them and the inain, on which part the crew might have beeen landed, while the boat went on fhore with the reft; fa that the deftruction of the greater part of them would be inevitable had the fhip gone to pieces. It happened that the wind died away to a dead calm before noon. As they expected high water about eleven o'clock, every thing was prepared to make another effort to free the fhip, but the tide feil fo much short of that in the night, that she did not float by 18 inches, though they had thrown over-board near fifty tons weight: they now therefore, renewed their toil, and threw overboard every thing that could peffibly be fpared; as the tide fell, the water poured in fo rapidly, that they could fearce keep her free by the conftant working of two pumps. Their only hope now depended on the midnight tide, and preparations were accordingly made for another effort to get the fhip off. The tide began to rife at five o'clock, when the leak likewife encreased to fuch a degree, that two pumps more were manned, but only one of them would work; three, therefore were kept going till nine o'clock, at which time the fhip righted; but fo much water had been admitted by the leak, that they expected the would fink as foon as the water fhould bear her off the rock. Their fituation was now deplorable beyond description, almost all hope being at an end. They knew that when the fatal moment should arrive, all authority would be at an end. The boats were capable of conveying them all on fhore, and they dreaded a contest for the preference, as mere fhocking than the thipwreck itfelf: yet it was confidered, that thofe who might be left on board, would eventu ally meet with a milder fate than those who by gaining the fhore, would have no chance but to linger out the remains of life ameng the rudeft favages in the univerfe, and in a country where fire-arms would barely enable them to fupport themfelves in a moft wretched fituation. At twenty minutes after ten, the ship floated, and was heaved into deep water, when they were happy to find that he did not admit more water than fhe had done before; yet as the leak had for a confiderable time gained on the pumps, there were now three feet nine inches water in the hold. By this time the men were fo worn by fatigue of mind and and body, that none of them could pump more than five or fix minutes at a time, and then threw themselves, quite spent, on the deck, amidft a ftream of water which came from the pumps. The fucceeding man being fatigued in his turn, threw himfelf down in the fame manner, while the former jumped up and renewed his labour, thus, mutually fruggling for life, till the following accident had like to have given them up a prey to abfolute defpair, and thereby infured their deftruction. in the evening they anchored feven leagues from the fhore; and found that the fhip made 15 inches water an hour during the night, but as the pumps could clear this quantity they were not uneafy. At nine in the morning they paffed two islands, which were called Hope lands, because the reaching of them had been the object of their wishes at the time of the fhipwreck. In the afternoon the mafter was fent out with two boats to found and fearch for a harbour where the fhip might be repaired. They anchored at fun-fet, in four fathom water, two miles from the fhore. One of the mates being fent out in the pinnace, returned at nine o'clock, reporting that he had found fuch a harbour as was wanted, at the diftance of two leagues.- At fix o'clock the next morning they failed, having previously fent two boats a-head to point out the fhoals that they faw in their way. They foon anchored about a mile from the fnore, when the captain went out, and found the channel very narrow, but the harbour was better adapted to their prefent purpose, than any place they had feen in the whole courfe of their voyage. As it blew very fresh this day and the following night, they could not venture to run into the harbour, but remained at anchor during the two fucceeding days, in the course of which they obferved four Indians on the hills, who flopped and made two fires. Between the infide lining of the ship's bottom, which is called the cieling, and the outfide planking there is a space of about feventeen or eighteen inches. The man who had hitherto taken the depth of water at the well had taken it no farther than the ceiling, but being now relieved by another perfon who took the depth of the outside plank, it appeared, by this mistake, that the leak had fuddenly gained upon the pumps, the whole difference between the two planks. This circumftance deprived them of all hopes, and fcarce any one thought it worth while to labour, for the longer prefervation of a life which muft fo foon have a period: but the miflake was foon difcovered: and the joy arifing from fuch unexpected good news infpired the men with so much vigour, that before eight o'clock in the morning, they had puned out confiderable more water than they had fhipped. They now talked of nothing but getting the fhip into fome The men by this time began to be afflict. harbour, and fet heartily to work to get in ed with the fourvy; and their Indian friend their anchors; one of which, and the cabel of Tupia, was fo ill with it, that he had livid another they loft, but thefe were now confi- fpots on both his legs. Mr. Green the aftronodered as trifles. Having a good breeze from mer was likewife ill of the fame disorder; fea, they got under fail at eleven o'clock, and fo that their being detained from landing was fteered for land. As they could not difcover every way difagreeable. The wind containthe exact fituation of the leak, they had no ed fresh till the 17th, but they then refolved profpect of flopping it within fide of the veff to push in for the harbour, and twice ran el, but the following expedient, which one the fhip a-ground; --- -the fecond time of the midshipmen had formerly feen tried the stuck fast, on which they took the with fuccefs, was adopted. They took an booms, fore-yards, and fore-top maft down old ftudding-fail, and having mixed a large and made a raft on the side of the fhip; and quantity of oakum and wool, chopped fmall, as the tide happened to be rifing, fhe floatit was ftitched down in handfulls on the failed at one o'clock. She was now foon got as lightly as poffible, the dung of their fheep and other filth being fpread over it. Thus prepared, the fail was hauled under the fhip by ropes, which kept it extended till it came under the leak, when the fuction carried in the oakum and wool from the furface of the fail. This experiment fucceeded fo well, that, inftead of three pumps, the water was easily kept under with one. They had hitherto no farther view than to run the ship into fome harbour, and build a veifel from her materials, in which they might reach the Eaft Indies: but they now began to think of finding a proper place to repair her damage, and then to purfue their voyage on its original plan. At fix into the harbour where fhe was moored along the fide of a beach and the anchors, cables, &c. immediately taken out of her. On Sunday morning they erected a ten for the fick, feveral of whom were brought on fhore as foon as it was ready for their reception. They likewife built a tent to hold the provifions and flores which were landed the fame day. Though the boat was dispatched in queft of fish for provifion for the fick, fhe returned without fuccefs; but Tupia employed himfelf in angling, and the fick fubfifted on what he caught, and recovered very faft. The high land up the country was ftony and barren, and near the river over-run with mangroves Ссеса among which at every tide the falt water came up. Mr. Banks in an excurfion faw the frames of feveral houses, which appeared to have been fome time abandoned. The forge was now fet up, and preparations were made for repairing the veffel. And this day Mr. Banks, croffing the river to view the country, found it to be little elfe but fandy hills. He perceived vaft flocks of pigeons and crows, and fhot feveral of the former which proved to be moft beautiful. The fhip having fprung a leak, it was thought neceffary to carry her higher up the harbour, to find a ftation proper for her to be laid in while this was ftopped. On examining her on the 2zd, it appeared that the rocks had cut through four planks into the timbers, and that three other planks were damaged; but not a fplinter was to be feen in all thofe breaches, the whole cing as fmooth as if it had been cut with an inftrument of iron. One of thefe holes was large enough to have funk her even with eight pumps going; but the fiffure was in a great meafure flopped by a fragment of the rock being left fcking in it. Some pieces of oakum, wool, &c. have ing gotten between the timber had likewife contributed to ftop feveral parts which the ftone had left open. The veffel was befides otherwife damaged. The carpenters continued working on the frip, while the finiths were bufied in making bolts and nails, and fome went a crois the rivero fhoot pigeons for the fick. They found a ftream of fresh water, faw feveral Indian houfes, and obferved a moufe-coloured animal that was very fwift. As to fith, though they faw plenty, they caught but three of them. Many of the crew feeing the animal just mentioned, decleared they had feen the devil, defcribing this creature in the most terrible manner, fuch as they apprehended must be the figure of the grand foe of mankind. It feems thefe men had feen a bat which had thus ftruck them with fear and aftonishment. The repairs of the fhip were now going forward, the carpenters began to work on her ftarboard fide on the 24th. Some palm cabbages and a bunch or two of wild plantains were obtained by Mr. Gore for the refreshment of the fick; and the captain and Mr. Banks faw the above-mentioned animal, which had a long tail that it carried like a grey-hound; the point of its foot resembled that of a goat, and it leaped like a deer.- -When the vefiel was mained abaft, it was found that he had not received much injury in that quarter. The carpenters, however, continued their work whenever the tide would allow them. The vefiel was now in a position that threw a all the water abaft, in confequence of which Mr. Banks's collection of plants which had been removed into the bread room were found under. Some of them were totally fpoiled, but the greater part were reftored by proper care and attention. They now endeavoured to float the fhip by throwing water casks under her bottom; but this not fucceeding, they were obliged to wait till the next fpring-tide. They now found more cabbage trees, and a fruit of a deep colour, which was about the fize of a golden pippin, and when kept a few days tafled like a damofcen. And a plant was difcovered which refembled our English spinage. Some of the crew went up the country with Mr. Banks, on the 28th, who fhewed them a plant that ferved for greens, which was of the fort that the Weft-Indians call Indian kale. They faw here a tree notched for climbing in the fame manner as had been obferved in Botany Bay. They alto met with nefts of white ants, from the height of feven inches to five feet. Prints of mens feet, and the tracts of several animals were discovered up the country. The next day a wolf was feen fimilar to those found in America. Fish were taken in fuch a quantity the firft day as to allow a pound and a half to each man. The captain afcended a hill on the 30th, in order to take a view of the fea, which prefented no agreeable profpect, as there were fhoals and land banks, almoft on every fide, but as the wind blew conftantly from the fouth he thought he might get clear by a paffage that appeared open tothe north ward. This day Mr. Gore faw two animals of aftraw colour fhaped like a dog, but about the fize of a hare. And now fo much fish was taken, and fuch a plenty of greens gathered, that the fhips company had no reason to com plain of their provisions. All the men were allowed to go on fhore on the aft of July one excepted from each mefs, who went on the fishing party, which fucceeded very well. On Tuesday the maftfter, who had been fent in the pinnace to look for a channel, returned, and brought word that he had found a passage between the fhoals. He found fome cockles fo large that one of them was fufficient for two men, befides plenty of fhell-fish, and of those he brought a fupply. In his return to the vessel he landed a bay where fome Indians were at fupper, who fled: they found some sea eggs and a fire ready to dress them. The attempt to float the thip fucceeded this day, but finding that by the pofition the had lain in the Lad fprung a plank, it was judged neceffary to lay her afore, which was accordingly done on the 4th, and the next day fhe was floated at high water and moor moored off the beach, in order to receive the ftores. Mr. Banks croffed the harbour the fame day, and found a great number of fruits, fuch as they had not feen before, among which there was a cocoa-nut, that as Tupia faid, had been opened by a crab. All the vegetables picked up here were interfperfed with marine productions. This gentleman having taken a boat for the purpofe went up the river on the 6th, and returned on the 8th. Having examined the country they had found it little different from what they had already feen, and following the courfe of the river found it to be at length contracted within a narrow channel which was bounded by steep banks adorned with beautiful trees, and the bark tree among the reft. The land was low and covered with verdure, and feemed capable of cultivation. Several animals were feen, one of which they judged to be a wolf. "At night, fays my author, they made a fire and took up their quarters on the bank of the river, but the night was rendered extremely difagreeable by the ftings of the mufquitos, which purfued them into the fmoke and almoft into the fire. At break of day they fet out in fearch of game, and faw four animals, two of which were chafed by Mr. Banks's greyhound; but they greatly outstripped him in fpeed by leaping over the long thick grafs, which incommoded the dog in running. It was obferved of this animal that he leaped or bounded forward on two legs, instead of running on four. Having returned to the boat, they proceeded up the river, till it contracted to a brook of fresh water, but in which the tide rofe confiderably. When they stopped for the night, they faw a smoke at a diftance, on which three of them approached it, but the Indians were gone. They faw the impreffions of feet on the fand, below highwater mark, and found a fire ftill burning in the hollow of an old tree. At a fmall diftance they faw feveral huts, and obfer. ved ovens dug in the ground: and the remains of a recent meal were likewife apparent. They now retired to their refting-place, and lept on plantain leaves, with a bunch of grafs for their pillows, on the fide of a fandbank under the shelter of a bush. The tide favouring their return in the morning, they loft no time in getting back to the fhip. The mafter, who had been feven leagues at fea, returned foon after Mr. Banks, bringing with him three turtles which he took with a boat-hook, and which together weighed near eight hundred pounds. He was fent out next morning, and Mr. Banks accompanied him with proper inftruments for catch ng turtle: but not being fuccessful, he would not go back that night, fo that Mr. Banks, after collecting fome fhells and marine productions, returned in his own small boat. (To be continued.) Deo and Bettina: a Venetian Story. Introduced by Reflections on Plebeian Heroism and fome Account of the Forms, Customs, [From the Countess of Rofenberg's Moral and Ufages of a Regatta. and Sentimental Effays, lately published.] (Continued from Page 508) N general, the competitors at the great regattas are chofen from among thefe families of reputation. As foon as they are fixed upon for this exploit, they spend the intermediate time in preparing themfelves for it, by a daily affiduous and fatiguing exercife. If they are in fervice, their masters during that time, not only give them their liberty, but alfo augment their wages. I do not know whether this cuftom would not feem to indicate, that they look upon them as perfons confecrated to the honour of the nation, and under a fort of obligation to contribute to its glory. At last the great day arrives. Their relations affemble together; they encourage the heroes, by calling to their minds the records of their families: the women prefent the oar, befeeching them, in an epic tóne to remember that they are the fons of famous men, whofe fteps they will be expected to follow this they do with as much folemnity as the Spartan women prefented the fhield to their fons, bidding them either return with or upon it. Religion, as practifed among the lower clafs of people, has, its share in the preparations for this enterprife. They caufe maffes to be faid; they make vows to fome particular church, and they arm their boats for the conteft with the images of those faints who are moft in vogue. Sorcerers are not forgotten upon this occafion: I myself have heard a gondolier, who had loft the race, declare, that witchcraft had been practised against him, or certainly he must have won the day. I applauded this fuppofition, because it prevented the poor fellow from thinking ill of himfelf; an opinion that might be favourable to him another time. The courfe is about four miles: the boats ftart from a certain place, run thro' the great winding canal, which divides the town into two parts, turn round a picket, and, coming back the fame way, go and feize the prize, which is fixed at the acuteft angle of the great canal, on the convex fide: fo that the point of fight may be the more extended, and the prize feized in the fight of fpectators on both fides. According to the number of competitors, different races are performed in different forts of boats, some with one oar, and others with two. The prizes propofed are four; indicated by four flags of different colours, with the different value of the prizes marked upon them. Thefe flags, public and glorious monuments, are the prizes to which 'the competitors particularly afpire. But the government always adds to each a genteel fum of money; befides that, the conquerors immediately after the victory, are furrounded by all the beau monde, who congratulate and make them prefents: after which they go, bearing their honourable trophy in their hand, down the whole length of the canal, and receive the applaufe of innumerable fpectators. This grand canal, ever ftriking by the fingularity and beauty of the buildings which border it, is, upon thofe occafions, covered with an infinity of fpectators, in all forts of barges, boats, and gondolas. The element on which they move is fcarcely feen; but the noise of oars, the agitation of arms and bodies in perpetualmotlon,indicate the spectacle to be upon the water. At certain diftances, on each fide of the fhore, are erected little amphitheatres and fcaffoldings, where are placed bands of munc; the harmonious found of which predominates, now and then, over the buzzing noife of the people. Some day before a regatta one may fee, on the great canal, many boats for pleasure and entertainment. The young noble, the citizen, the rich artisan, mounts a large boat of fix or eight oars; his gondoliers decorated with rich and fingular dreffes, and the veffel itself adorned with various stuffs. Among the nobles there are always a number who are at a confiderable expence in thele decorations, and, at the regatta itlelf, exhibit on the water, perfonages of mythologic flory, with the heroes of antiquity in their train, or amufe themselves with reprefenting the coftumi of different nations: in fhort, peopie contribute, with a mad fort of magnificence, from all quarters, to this masquerade, the favourite diverfion of the Venetians. But thefe great machines, not being the lefs in motion on account of the ornaments, are not merely defined to grace the fhew: they are employed at the regatta, at every moment to range the people, to protect the courfe, and to keep the avenue open and clear tothe goal. The nobility, kneeling upon cufh ions at the prow of their veffels, are attentive to those matters, and announce their or ders to the most restive, by darting at them little gilded or filvered balls, by means of certain bows, with which they are furnished on this occafion. And this is the only appea rance of coercion in the Venetian police on thefe days of the greatest tumult: nor is there to be feen, in any part of the city, a body of guards, or patrol, nor even a gun nor a halbert. The mildnefs of the nation, gaiety, its education in the habit of belie ving that the government is ever awake, that it knows and fees every thing; its re fpectful attachment to the body of patrician, the fole afpect of certain officers of the police in their robes, difperfed in different places; at o nceoperate and explain that tranquillity, that fecurity, which we fee in the midft of the greatest confufion, and that furprizing docility in fo lively and fiery a people. These are the moft remarkable cuftoms and circumftances of the celebrated Venetian regatta. I have all the ideas fresh in my mind; for two were given in this very fpring of the year 1784: the firft, to the King of Sweden, among other entertainments by which the republic teftified to that illuftrious fovereign, the fatisfaction they felt in the honour he did them: the fecond, to their Royal Highneffes the Archduke Ferdinand of Auftria and his confort, on the occafion of a vifit which thefe neighbouring princes made to the city of Venice. After having thus prepared my feene, and made known my perfonages, I will next relate a plebeian tale, the subject of which really happened at this fecond regatta. My reader will not be difpleafed to learn, at the fame time, feveral other customs of a nation which fill preferves many interefting characteristics that diftinguish it from the other people of Italy. (To be continued.) For Exfhaw's Magazine. To MR. SIR, AM not fo ignorant of your character as to expect an immediate attention to this addrefs. You will treat it with contempt; for you have feldom refifted the impulfe of a proud and violent fpirit. When your wrath has abated, you may review what excited it. I hope your mind has not loft all its fenfibility, and that there may be a time when this letter fhall prove a monitor. 'Till then, what you have committed will appear no crime; every flep will harden you in profligacy, until to do wrong becomes your ftudy, your pleafure, and, as it were, the duty of your age and ftation. If the many vices which degrade your character leave you doubtful of the caufe of the prefent letter know that the purpose of it is to give you notice of the death of Mifs, whom you bafely betrayed, and abandoned to difhonour. This night, Sir, fhe lies in a grave, a monument of her infamy, 'and an example of that noble pride of virtue that allows not its poffeffor to live in fhame. Of her many miferies and fufferings, you have the wretched merit. May you allo have a share in her contrition! Ambitious |