to one Syed Meeram, in whose possession he was found, for three pagodas and a half, and never returned to the horse keeper, who waited for him a day and night at the Government Gardens: and the prisoner having absconded from his usual dwelling was at length, after several days' search taken in the Zillah of Chittore.

controversy. The mode of treatment, also, is varied, according to the opposite theories of the practisioners; but, none bas hitherto been so fortunate as to discover a specific.

Bombay Gazette—July 22, 1818.

coast of the Peninsula it has committed

The Cholera Morhus, we are concerned to hear has broken out with great violence UNCOMMON WEATHER: THE EPIDEMIC, at Jaulnah and Aurungabad, and the number of fatal cases we regret to say have The same extraordinary weather conbeeu numerous. At Vizagapatam, Nelatinues to prevail on this Coast, which has been experienced for the last six weeks. pilly and the greater part of the eastern The Country has been literally inundated dreadful ravages, and as it appears to be with rain, and the Rivers, both to the North-characterized by properties peculiarly epiward and Southward, are as much out as during the Monsoon. Meanwhile we are happy to learn that Madras continues as healthy as during the same season of any former period, and we are glad to add the same of Bombay. It is with pleasure also we mention that by letters which have been received from the Northward during the week, it appears, that the accounts of the

demic, we are happy to have it in our power to lay before our readers, many judicions remarks, that have been kindly furnished us, relative to a disease that has been so fatal to the native population in different parts of India, and it is confidently hoped that should we not possess the means of arresting its progress, yet the precautions taken by the faculty may be such as to Cholera Morbus are of rather a more favorensure at least the most prompt Medical able nature. At Joulna, the malady had assistance, and for the purpose, we have o much abated that sanguine bopes were been requested to suggest, the propriety of entertained that it would soon disappear erecting Palls, or Sheds, in different parts altogether. The Epidemic is said to have of the Bazars, and Villages, where native reached Poonah, but few deaths had been occasioned by it. So much has been writ- assistants, may be always at hand to administer relief. We agree most heartily with · ten on the subject of the cure of this dis our Brother Editor, that more attention to order, in the last ten or twelve months, cleanliness among the natives even of the that we apprehend it must ere this be Presidency, is most desirable, and to effect pretty well understood, and require no so praiseworthy an object, (now become so further elucidation; for if the many bun-imperious) with the least possible delay, we dred elaborate letters prescribing a pro- donbt not that the Magistrates' attentions, per treatment for it have not yet effected and exertions, will be applied to the prothat object, we must conclude this Epi-motion of that object. demic to be invincible, and above the common controul of the science of Medicine. Madras, August 11.

BOMBAY.

WIDOW NOT BURNED.

We are rejoiced to learn, that, through the influence of the Resident at Baroda Futleh Sing's favourite wife was prevailed upon not to sacrifice herself on the funeral pile of her husband; an example, which we trust, will have its influence in checking, and ultimately abolishing that horrid practice, wherever the influence of the British Government may predominate.

PROGRESS OF THE EPIDemic.

We should be happy to report the cessation, or at least, the abatement of the disorder that has lately visited several districts of the Indian territory: but the fact is otherwise. We have perused several opinions as to the cause and origin of this disease; but none that are beyond

Letters from Jaulnah state, that no less' than thirty nine of the Royal Scots, have fallen victims to the Cholera, besides a number of natives.

We are extremely sorry to state that our letters from Nagpore of the beginning of June represent the sickness, that is now prevailing in that part of India, to be of a very serious and alarming nature. This disorder, which of course has received the name of Cholera Morbus, first appeared in the camp of Colonel Adams on the 30th, ultimo, the day on which his corps reach-,, ed Nagpore. On that day fifteen Sepoys and a great number of camp followers died of it. The inhabitants of Nagpore had been suffering from it grievously, for a fort. night before Colonel Adams reached the Capital, and the mortality among them is stated by our intelligent correspondent as diem. at the rate of 25 per

The pestilence has nearly depopulated the beautiful valley of the Nerbuddab, and

The reader will observe the mark of in

dependence as referring to the coin, but the

acceptance of the dress implied no subjection.

CHINA.

A PRIME MINISTER OF STATE DEGRADED. (From Milne's Indo Chinese Gleaner j SUICIDES.

it has spread all over Berar; our hospitals | his Royal highness to the Shaikh of Bahare completely crowded, and a most heart-rein; lately returned disgussed with their rending sight it is, that presents itself in reception, and wholly unsuccessful in the them; the groans of the dying-the lamen-objects of their mission. The Shaikh actations of the friends of those already gone, cepted the dress and its accompaniment, and the doolies crowding to the place with but declined acknowledging the supremacy fresh victims, has an awful effect, which of Persia, by either paying the most triffiug can better be conceived than described. tribute, or allowing the coin of the island Dr. Corbyn's practice was adopted at first, to bear the title or legend of his Persian but without success, and hence doubts are Majesty; no gift was made in return fór entertained of its infallibility; and I think the royal donation, nor were the bearers on fair grounds. As to Dr. Tytler's New of it, as is usual, fed during the period of Rice Theory,' if it has not yet been over-their residence, at the public expense. thrown, we have here proof positive of its erroneousness. Neither the sepoys nor camp-followers use rice of any kind, nor wilt they were do it where Otta is procurable; as it always is here; and the Madras Sepoys who prefer rice as much as our's dislike it, have not, I believe suffered near so much. It appears to me to differ considerably from what it was described to be, in the various discussióus upon it. The vomiting is easily subdued, and is never as had been described. Besides, the patient throws up almost pure water in general, free from the least tincture of bile. Those afflicted with it, are in the extremest torture you can conceive, and cry out that their whole inside is burning, particularly the liver; and it is always preceded by pains in the head, stomach and limbs. I hope our medical gentlemen will make their opinions and practice public, because it appears, there are several peculiarities in the disease now raging. That it is not infectious is proved beyond a doubt, for the officers daily visit the liospitals several times, touching and conversing with the sick, and feel no bad effects from this exercise of their humanity.

PERSIA BY WAY OF INDIA. EUROPEAN ARTIST, FAVOURED BY THE

SHAH.

Sir Robert Ker Porter, the once celebrated Panoramic artist, who since married à Russian Lady of rank, purposes, in the course of his travels in Persia, to visit Bushire, for the purpose of explaining some remains of an ancient architecture in its vicinity. He has been favoured with an audience, by his Persian Majesty and has been permitted to take a full length, likeness, of that august individual, he will shortly return to St. Petersburgh via Tabriz.

HONOURS REJECTED.

Eskander Khan, a Persian nobleman, of the Court of the Prince of Fars, attended by an Arab Shaikh, of some influence, bearing an honorary dress and sword, from

Peking Gazette, March 29, 1817.-It appears that a person holding a situation of the first rank, viz, Treasurer of the FuhKeen province, from an apprehension of being brought to trial for receiving improper fees, hanged himself. There was found in his bosom a statement of his case, written with his own hand.

The crime of self murder is perhaps as common in China as in any part of the world; it often arises from a principle of revenge, a motive which in many countries would not prompt to the foul deed, be cause the bad passion could not be grati fied by the act. In China, those who by harsh usage, insulting and indecent language to females, fill the mind of a person with alarm, &c. and thus cause suicide, are amenable to the law, and are disgraced and punished according to the degree of guilt.

PUNISHMENT FOR REBELLION.

April 1-In Shan-Tung, a mau cóncerned in the rebellion of 1818, was put to a slow and ignominious death, by having his body slowly cut to pieces.

PECULATION IN PERFECTION. The Censor of Keang-Nan reports to his Majesty, that the sums of money granted from the Imperial Treasury, for the relief of districts, in times of drought and famine, are so swallowed up by peculation, that little or nothing ever reaches the distressed people for whom the grants are intended.

REBELLION IN EMBRIO.

June 1, 1817.-An insurrection has taken place in the province of Yun-Nan. The insurgents are called by the Government

Lee Fei, Monkey Banditti. The Foo-yuen of Canton, recently appointed, is prevented from undertaking the duties of his situation, being called away to quell the insurrection.

BLOODY ANIMOSITY.

June 19.At the southern part of Fuh Keen, two families, or as that word in Chinese) denotes in its most extensive sense, two claus, in the spring of the year, fell out in consequence of some verbal al tercation. One family name was T'sae, and the other Wang. Each collected as many of his clau as he could, and rushing to arms of various kiuds, fought with each other till eight men were killed, and 40 houses belonging to Tsae were burnt to ashes. The police seized a number of the parties; but so bitter was their animosity, that Wang again attacked the other party and killed several, which obliged the government to call in the aid of the military.

The paper which I send you herewith, refers to the Chinese friend of Lord Macartuey, Sung Ta-jin, late Prime Minister of State in China. I once exchanged a few words with the old gentleman, and therefore may feel perhaps a little adventitious interest in his fate, but it is not so much mode of thinking exhibited by himself, and to tell you of his fate, as to let you see the by his master also, who is in several respects the greatest Sovereign upon earth, though I fear, neither the wisest nor the happiest of mortals.

On the day on which I have dated my letter, the following manifesto was received from his Imperial Majesty, Kea King, ie: "The Excellent and the Blessed-the

worthy to be congratulated." Alas! in
being enviable.
many respects his situation seems far from

f

The Shang Yu, or Edict from on high, runs thus:

"In the 43rd year of Keen-lung, that EARTHQUAKE DESTRUCTIVE. eminent, illustrious and pure Sovereign, August 12.-By a Peking Gazette of with profound respect visited the ShingMay the 2d, it appears by letters from King, i. e, the affluent capital of his ancesChang-Ming, the Viceroy of Szechuen tors, in Man-chow Tartary. He there reprovince, on the western frontier of China, peatedly declared his will to future generwhere a persecution of the Christians ocations, commanding his posterity to cherish curred about two years ago, that on the the most affectionate regard for the region borders of that province, at a place called of Leaou, their ancient territory. Our Chang-Ruh, at earthquake happened in Imperial family (said he) has through sucApril last. Upwards of 1,100 houses fell, cessive generations gladly repaired to the and crushed to death beneath their ruins capital of their ancestors, as I have seen 2,800 and more persons, Chinese and with my own eyes. Should hereafter many foreigners, old and young, men and wo- unfaithful Minister, deviate so far from what men, with a number of the Lama Priests. is correct, as to insinuate that these visits His Imperial Majesty expresses strong are unsuitable, let him, agreeably to the feelings of commiseration for the sufferers; law enacted, in cases of rebelling against and in addition to the 5,000 taels of silver the commands of the Sovereign, be exterwhich the Viceroy has already distributed minated. Extend not to him pardon. to the houseless survivors, he directs 3,000 or 4,000 more to be added; and closes by the sacred instructions, thus communicated, "I (Kea-King), with respect, receiving particular care to be used in the distribu- have determined to go next autumn, 1818, tion, that the people may actually receive it, instead of its being embezzled in its to the three mountains (in Manchow Tarprogress, as is too often the case; that Chintary), and perform the grand sepulchral Poo Gae Lee Yuen, his universal affection obsequies, to give scope to the thoughts of for the black heads (i. e. the people) may accordingly frequently spoken of it to my filial piety which possess my mind. I have be seconded by those entrusted with his Ministers, but have not explicitly sent down Majesty's bounty. my Imperial will.

PRIME MINISTERS DEGRADED.

for giving honest, Advice.

Peking, July 20, 1817.- SIR-I have picked up an Imperial documeut which I beg to offer to you; and I am encouraged to do so, from a conviction, that whatever tends to illustrate the character of the human mind; the features of our common humanity, in regions but little known to our countrymeu, will be acceptable to you.

"This summer drought has existed, and there is still a want of rain, and yesterday, the Minister of State, Sung-Yuen, sent up a statement, in which he affirmed, that the cause of the present drought was my wish to visit the capital of my ancestors; that the Imperial Saints caused the drought as a sign from heaven intended to stop me from my purpose, and so on. This really is an extreme degree of the strange wild nonsense which a man utters in his dreams.

"

"I never make a man an offender for a word; but the present is such a glaring disobedience to the commands of Holy Majesty, that it is impossible not to punish it.

Among the six questions for self-examina- They have this day reported their opition, which the ancient King, Ching-Tnion to be, that he should be deprived of Hang* put to himself, in a case of drought, his rank and office. This is what his crime was his having visited the tombs of his an- really deserves; it is indeed lenient, and cestors, one? To utter language like the but a slight manifestation of my displeaabove, a year before the thing spoken of is sure. to take place, and thereby agitate the minds of all, is indeed a great breach of the duties of a Prime Minister Supposing that next year there should be a scarcity in Peking and Man-chow Tartary, I would not wait till I was requested to desist. What difficulty would I have to send down my pleasure to defer the period of my departure? "Last year, because Meën-ko tried to stop me from going to the autumnal huut, I gave orders that if any one framed superficial tales to hinder me from my purpose, he should be punished according to military law; and now this summer Sung-Yuen, in consequence of a little drought, presumes to hinder me from going next year to the tombs to perform the great sepulchral obsequies; a thing which is of much greater importance than the autumnal hunt.

"If this statement of Sung's had been subsequent to my declaring publicly my intention, I certainly would have dealt with him according to the weighty canons of the state; I would have reverently received the law enacted by his late Majesty, and considering the present case as rebellion against the Imperial commands, would have instantly executed the sentence of the law (aud punished him with death.) But as the present is a time of distressing drought, as we are desirous now to miti gate the punishment of criminals, and finally, as he has committed this deed antecedently to my public avowal of my intention, I delivered him over to the great officers of the Privy Council, that they may meet with the Board of Appointments, and being assembled in council, might determine what is to be done.

Ching T'Hang lived 1743 years, B. C. In his time were seven years of famine, which synchronize with the seven years of famine in Egypt. Ching-T'Hang examined himself by six interrogatories. Has there been irregularity in my government? Have the people been suffered to neglect their duties? Have luxurious palaces been built? Have crowds of women been collected in them for vicious purposes? Have extravagant presents been given? Have slanderers or flatterers been encouraged?

Among these, as his Majesty very truly observes, there is nothing said of visiting the tombs of ancestors. The passage thus incidentally quoted, is remarkable from another cause. Ching T'Hang was advised to accompany his prayers by a human sacrifice; and he determined on being himself the victim; but he had scarcely enunciated the words of self-examination and confession before abundant showers of rain fell.

"It is hereby ordered, that Sung-Yuen be deprived of his situations, as Minister of State; as one of the great officers who stand in the Imperial presence; as one of the great officers who wait upon and guard the Imperial person; as Too-Tung, and every species of public service; that he be reduced to wear a button of the sixth rank; and be sent to the eight standards (of wandering shepherds) at Cha-ha-urh, there to fill for the present the situation of Adjutant General. Let his name be retained on the books, and if for eight years he commit ne error, let him again be eligible for his former situation. I have punished him with humanity, to which I was compelled by the pain of mind which it gave to myself. This heart could not relinquish the hope of saving him from plebeian defilement. Probably all the officers under heaven will credit this.

"Let this document be recorded and preserved by the office of Shang-Shoo.And let the Imperial sons and grand children receive it with implicit veneration. Let them not slight it. Make it generally known to all persons, within (China Proper) and beyond it."

During April his Majesty was to repair in person to the Tung-ling, or Eastern the usual rites of sacrifice. Tombs of his ancestors, there to perform

IMPERIAL APPREHENSIONS.

His Majesty's mind seems much occupied about the approach of the 24th year of his reign, when he will have reached the age of three score; the period will arrive in 1819. The Chinese cycle of 60 years, being much present to the minds of all persons, the completion of a cycle acquires a degree of importance like that of a new year, which is so general amongst mankind, or like the jubilee of the Jews. The phraseology his Majesty uses is, "I shall have performed a circuit of the cycle." A grand procession is to take place, the Kings and nobles of Tartary, the Governors of Provinces and the Ministers of State, are to prepare congratulations in prose and in verse. Besides these

and a few other persons none are allowed | them, and they have never been imitated. to present odes or other compositions, for But the partners, some years since, wishing he says, many are anxious to do so in the to have a distinct appearance between their hope of obtaining rewards. Those who notes and bills, had a new plate engraved do write must be brief and to the purpose; for the latter, with only an ornamental for on reaching his 50th year, which was cypher instead of the vignette. This was observed as completing "Five decades," no sooner issued that it was imitated, he remembers that an officer of Keang Soo whereupon they immediately discontinued Province, sent a composition which was the use of the cypher plate, and adopted nothing else but a string of quotations the vignette, and since then they have had from the Yihking, but not one word ap- no forgeries on them. The artist tells me plicable to the occasion. Of such produc- that he and other historical engravers have tions he wishes to have no more. It seems engraved vignettes for several Country like imagining His Majesty's death; but Bankers, and that he never heard of certainly, it is posible he may never see forgery having been attempted of any of the completion of the cycle. From the the plates. uncertainty of human life, it is rather a delicate thing to begin to prepare so long before hand. However, he says, he still finds his health unimpaired. He has given orders to fit up suitably the idol temples at Zebol, where on such occasions he goes in person to burn incense,

NEW SOUTH WALES.

VACCINATION EFFECTED. We have received intelligence from New South Wales to the 7th of March; but the Journals, as usual, do not contain much information, likely to excite general interest. We are happy to find, howover, that packets of Vaccine matter had been received from the Mauritius, which had enabled the government to diffuse the benefit of the Jennerian discovery, throughout New South Wales.

BANK NOTES;

PLAN FOR PREVENTING FORGERY.

The subject of endeavours to prevent Forgery of Bank Notes, ocenpies at this moment the most iugenious Artist's, and the most considerate minds. Notwith standing what is reported on a plan that bids fair to answer this desirable purpose, we think it our duty to insert the following observations, by Mr. Barber Beaumont. They shew at least a cultivated taste and a benevolent heart. We have inspected a variety of patterns and schemes offered with the same intent. But, we trust, that the most effectual, and therefre the most satisfactory, is that now in preparation.

"The proprietors of the Plymouth Dock Bank, about eighteen years since were forged upon; they, in consequence, had a handsome vignette designed, and engraved by an eminent historical engraver. He has engraved several successive plates for

a

It is well known that the engraving may be done upon softened steel as well as on copper; it is also ascertained that when engraved, the steel plates may be hardened to a high degree without injury, and that so prepared they will yield an immense number of impressions without any sensible wearing. I have heard some practical men say they will bear a million impressions. others reckon upon a hundred thousand. A plate executed as I suppose, would cost 801. so that taking the minimum of impressions, viz. 100,060, the expence of using fine historical engravings on steel would be 301. for 100,000 impressions.

The present copper-plates, I suppose, cost the Bank about 31. each, and yield about using bad writing engravings on copper is 5000 impressions; the expense then of 601. for 100,000 impressions, just double the expence of plates on the preventive system. This view only draws into com. parison the relative expences of the opposite description of engravings; but a far more important saving would be produced of criminal prosecutions, and of the attenby superseding the necessity of the expence corps of spies and informers.

dant

A further effect of this system in preventing forgeries would be found in all the notes of one kind for a long period of years being taken from one plate, whence a person having a genuine note might compare it with the minutia of another suspected to be forged, and as it would be impossible even for the artist who had engraved an original plate, to follow, in a copy, the length, sweep, depth, and a number of the strokes in his original,a detection would be easily made, even by those who know nothing of the arts.

My preventive of forgeries then consists in combining the use of the finest kistorical engravings, which so few men can execute, with the use of plates af extraordinary durability.