same disorder, and the feet of both were much swollen, as if with water. Next day another was attacked in the same way, and then another, until the number with their legs and feet similarly affected, amounted to eight. Such a dire calamity, occurring so suddenly, caused much comment among the crew, and speculation was rife as to the probable cause, when some one happened to remark, "that it was singular that those only were attacked who went ashore in the boat at Batavia." This unfortunate observation spread like wildfire over the vessel, and must have produced an appalling effect on the minds of the remainder of the boat's crew, for next morning I was astonished on observing four or five more of them complaining. From this time, at intervals of a few days, others were added to the list, until the whole number who had passed the night ashore, amounting to twenty-two, were unable to do duty, excepting the captain and his wife, who were not affected. All presented the same swollen appearance with regard to their feet and legs; but in some this swelling gradually increased upwards, until the whole body was apparently bloated; in others, the head and cheek only increased in size, while in some the effect produced was a falling away of the flesh, until they became dreadfully emaciated. All means that our skill could invent were tried, but without producing any good effect. On puncturing the skin a yellow coloured water would ooze out, slowly and continually for the wound never closed again. If the flesh was compressed by the finger, the mark or dent remained for hours. After a very protracted voyage the ship arrived safe in China, and we immediately procured medical advice for the unfortunate people. But it availed not. One man died, and the rest beginning to despond, soon followed in rapid succession, until all but one had ceased to breathe. This one was the syrang or boatswain, a man of strong nerve, who determined not to give way to fear. He took a great aversion to English doctors, and would not allow one to attend him, but placing great faith in the skill of the Chinese, he went on shore and was attended by one of them, and, singular as it may appear, he was restored to health. About this time the female attendant-a native woman, who had apparently escaped this fearful disease—became affected, and after exhibiting the various symptoms. that had attended the departed, she also pined and died. Thus, by incautious exposure to the noxious vapours of the night, were twenty-two human beings hurried to their graves. The writer has been induced to be thus circumstantial in the details of this dreadful occurrence, in the hope that it may be a caution to the readers of this narrative who are now about to enter a foreign land, as it is very probable that after long confinement some may be disposed to give way to excess. The fate of the unfortunate female should be a warning to such, to deter them from indulging in the means which are likely to produce such fatal effects. F. M. [We are indebted to one of the officers of the ship for this sad and admonitory lesson, and also for the Description of a Typhoon inserted in an earlier number of this Journal. They are simply the relation of facts observed by the describer, and as such are given without addition or embellishment.] ODE TO LIBERTY. SOON o'er flowery fields I'll stray, Welcome, glorious Liberty! Soon thy form I will descry, Oh, receive me graciously! Soon I'll kneel at Freedom's feet; Virtue then shall be my guide, For Liberty is sweeter far, Her verdant paths I will pursue, Fell vice shall never more imbue Her gorgeous canopy! Beam refulgent, in my breast Keep me from temptation's power, Be my rock and safety bower, Come, Liberty! oh, why delay! J. C.* WEEKLY RECORD. Ir is again our painful duty to record the death of another of our number. The deceased, a feeble old man, nearly sixty years of age, was received on board from Dartmoor Prison. He was well educated, and quiet and orderly in his manners. He had, however, some strange antipathies, and one of these was directed against medicine. On this account he allowed, probably, his disease— dysentery to advance too far before he applied for medical aid. Remember, reader! that ten days ago he was well and hearty, and little thought of death. Does it not, then, behove us all to be ever ready to meet our God, since we know not what a day or an hour may bring forth! * Vide Note, p. 234. His mortal remains were committed to the deep on the same afternoon, the burial service being read by our esteemed religious instructor. "Peace to the dead, whose graves are made Within the bright and silver sea; Peace! that their relics there are laid With no vain pride and pageantry." The two or three halcyon days with which we were blessed last week have been succeeded by stormy and rainy weather, which has very much interfered with clothes washing, and other preparations for our arrival at Hobart Town. D. R. |