society, cnacting laws, and commanding the only objects that seemed to excite detestation. armies."

Having passed lightly over the cruelties in flicted by the negroes upon the white inhabitants of St. Domingo, he dwelis with particular attention upon those of which the French under the command General Le Clerc were guilty. The treachery of this agent of the Gallic Emperor, is painted in its true colours, and we cannot but think, that Mr. Rainsford acted rightly in throwing more light upon the vengeful excesses of the Europeans, than those of the African slaves: as the criminality of men who ought to have learned humanity in their connection with the world, is far greater than that of savages led away by the wild enthusiasm of their

passions.

The interest which reigns throughout the whole of this work, the pleasing style in which it is written, though some faults may sometimes be detected, and the certainty that we can rely upon the accounts of a person who visited that country, will, we believe, render some extracts from it most acceptable.

As the minds of men are continually open. to prejudice, and those who have never been removed from the comforts they find in the bosom of their family and their native land. are apt to fancy that no other spot can be blessed with the same source of happiness, few people would have thought that in an island, inhabited by beings, whom they call savages, the pleasures of society should have been so well known, as the following descriptions will show. We have purposely selected those passages, which presented us with an image of the luxury of the superior classes, and the happy lot of the inferior ranks.

In many instances the writer has heard reasoning, and witnessed manners of acuteness and elegance,

the relation of which would appear incredible, from those who were remembered in a state of serject penury; while sallies of wit, not frequently vitude, or whose parents were in situations of absurpassed, have enlivened many an hour. It would ill become him, notwithstanding the tide of prejadice which has always pervaded his assertions, to suppose his readers capable of gratification from the chit-chat of a St. Domingo table; and it would be equally unjust to employ the opportunities afforded him by unguarded kindness, in the accumulation of fleeting anecdotes, arising from domes tic privacy; he therefore contents himself with stating, that the enjoyments of life were to be found in a high degree in the capital of St. Domingo, and that their alloy did not exceed, nor perhaps always equal, that of ancient European cities.

'The men were in general sensible and polite, often dignified and impressive; the women frc

quently elegant and engaging. The intercourse of

the sexes was on the most rational footing, and the

different degrees of colour which remained, had lost most of that natural hostility which formerly

existed. Several Americans had intermarried with ladies of colour very advantageously, and to ap pearance happily. They were, generally, very difference of complexion or nation. Like Sappho, agreeable women, and felt no inequality in their they could plead, (in many instances, in point of wit, sprightliness, and pathos, little inferior to the Lesbian muse, though without her powers of song)

"Brown though I am, an Ethiopian dame

Inspir'd young Perseus with a generous flame;
Turtles and doves of different hues unite,
And glossy black is pair'd with shining white."

In one instance, the writer was introduced by a brigand of peculiar intelligence, (with whom he

had frequent conferences on the military tactics of of whom an account may not be uninteresting. lle had a family of thirteen children; eight of them by one wonian, and the remainder by two others; the

the black army) to the cottage of a black labourer,

former only lived with him in the same cottage, with his mother, who was aged and infirm; the other two separately, at a small distance. This

man was an epitome of legislature, and his family a well regulated family in miniature. His cottage The superior order had attained a sumptuous-consisted of three irregular apartments, the first of ness of life, with all the enjoyments which dignity which was his refectory, where, as often as possicould obtain, or rank confer.--The interior of their ble, and always on jours de fetes, his subjects ashouses was, in many instances, furnished with a sembled, including on those occasions his three lure beyond that of the most voluptuous European, wives. The furniture of this apartment was entirely while no want of trans-atlantic elegance appeared; of his own making, even to the smallest utensil, nor, amidst a general fondness for shew, was the and with an ingenuity beyond what might be ex chasteness of true taste always neglected. Their pected from perfect leisure; notwithstanding the etiquette extended to a degree of refinement artificer, during the process, had been obliged to scarcely to be conceived; and the service of their attend his labour in the fields, and was a considerdomestics, among whom were, from what cause. able time in arms. On a neat shelf, appropriated was not ascertained, some mulattoes, was perform peculiarly to their use, lay a mass book, and a mu ed with more celerity than in many instances in tilated volume of Volney's Travels, some parts of Europe. A conscious ease, and certain gaiete de which he understood more than his visitor. Every cœur, presided over every repast. Conversation thing convenience required was to be found on a had free scope, except as related to their own for- small scale, and the whole so compact, and clean, mer circumstances, but when the defence of their with such an air of properte throughout as was ab country was the subject, every eye filled with fire, solutely attractive. His own bed-room was furand every tongue shouted--Victory! The names of nished with an improved bedstead, supported by some, who had seceded from the black army, were trussels, with a mattress and bedding of equal qua

lity with the other furniture, but that of his chilAfter lying two nights on a couch, formed of dren and mother surpassed the whole. One bed- dried sugar-canes, with a very slender supply of stead coutained them, yet separated the male from food, the prisoner had resigned himself to the va the female, the young from the aged, and was sepa- cuity of despair; he was stretched out in silent rated or combined in an instant.The third was his agony, when, as the night closed in, and the mirthkitchen and store-house, and might also be called fal troops had progressively retired, a gentle fehis laboratory, for conveniences were found for male voice, with the tenderest accents, aroused his chemical experiments, though not of the most sci- attention. How long the benign object had been entitic kind; but every utensil for culinary pur- there, he could not ascertain; but, when he looked poses was provided in the best manner. The wife up, and beheld her, his feelings were indescribaof this labourer (for he had submitted to the cere ble: she was a fine figure, rather tall, and slender, mony of marriage with the female who had borne with a face most beautiful, and a form of the him the most children, as is the general custom finest symmetry, improved by the melancholy air with them) was nearly as ingenious as himself, and which the scene had given her. She was dressed equally intelligent. The mode he pursued in the in a superior style, and possessed all the elegance regulation of his domestic economy was excellent of European manners, improved by the most exas continence is not a virtue of the black, the inpressive carriage. She held a basket, containing crease of his family was not confined to his own the most delicate food, with the finest fruits: she house; yet, even in his amours he was just; and as entreated him to receive them silently, and to des. the two mothers before-mentioned were less protected than his ostensible wife, the primary object troy any remnants, as a discovery would be fatal to her, and prejudicial to himself. He was about of his consideration was to have the whole of his children under his care. This was reconciled to all to reply with the ardour of gratitude, when in an instant, she was gone! On the following evening, parties from the first, in so mild a way, that no distinction was perceivable but in age, while the she returned, and endeavoured to comfort him with mothers held a relationship to their domiciliated the most obliging expression; and, by evincing offspring similar to that of an aunt or cousin, each extreme anxiety on his behalf, once more lit up exerting herself for the purpose of adding to the the illusion of hope in his breast, which he had comforts of her own child.---On festive occasions, abandoned, with all human prospects, for ever. the two mothers sat alternately on the right or left The next evening she repeated her visit, and conof the mistress of the house, with as much etiquette descended to favour him with more extensive comas might be perceived in a more elevated station, munication. Still not a word occurred to disclose and with the utmost harmony. The master of the her name, or situation: once, indeed, she made family was absolute, but with him it was in theory, some distant allusions to the English, which led not in practice, for all seemed to vie in forbear- him to imagine, she had been impressed with graance. As soon as the children could contribute titude towards the country by some obligation. their little powers to labour, they were employed; || Whatever her name, or whatever her circumstances, the younger (except as regarded their strength) if this slight memorial should live to reach that being subject to the inferior offices; and, singular delightful isle, in which, as an angelic represenas it may appear, on the festive occasions alluded || to, they waited upon their seniors, though but by few years, and seemed delighted in the office. Agreeable to this rule, in accordance with that reverence for age so remarkable among blacks of|| every description, the grandmother received the affection and attention of all; and though often crabbed, infirm, and discontented, нo one seemed to consider her failings as such, but as a duty prescrib ed them to bear.

In fact the writer considered this numerous family, as he beheld them at their frugal meal, a anodel for domestic life, with a proof that those jarring interests, which, in the smallest connection,|| as well as in the largest states, creating more em barrassment than the most adverse circumstances, or the greatest crimes, may be avoided by a gene rous conduct, and reciprocal kindness. He need scarcely add, happy was his humble friend, or that each individual of his family, in their separate capacities, laid up a store of happiness for themselves, and those around them.'

as

tation of mercy, she may yet stay the hand of the destroyer, it will bear to her the sincere effusions of a grateful heart, which, though bruised by those of a fairer skin, can never discharge its sense of duty.

On the morn of the fifteenth day, when he had ventured to disengage himself of a part of his dress, for the purpose of a temporary relief from the weight of his chains, the answer of Toussaint arrived, bringing instead of (as was fully expected) the confirmation of the sentence, an order from that truly great man for his release, and to be suf fered to proceed on his voyage, with this prohf. bition, conveyed with much shrewdness, but the greatest magnanimity; "That he must never return to this island without proper passports!"

It is not astonishing that the man who owes his life to the clemency of another, at the moment, when, though innocent, he had lost all hope of clearing himself, should warm

It was the misfortune of our author, dur-ly embrace the defence of his benefactor; ing his abode at St. Domingo, to be seized and permit gratitude to increase the share of a spy, and condemned to death. The his merits. But we do not believe that the awful sentence was to be ratified by Toussaint l'Ouverture, and he thus describes the stateto which he was reduced, and the comforts he received from the benevolence of a female

of colour.

following portrait is much flattered, though some of the features are evidently enlarged, while others are reduced, so as to make the whole more consonant to our ideas of beauty and more captivating.

||

It probably may be expected that something excellence of that character which is conspicuous should be mentioned of the general character of in his public actions: with much sensibility, he sup Toussaint; and, if there was any object predomi. || ported an even temper in domestic privacy; and nant in the wishes of the writer during his sojourn in contra distinction to the general custom of other at the cape, it was---to ascertain the traits of pecu- great men, might be considered equally an here liarity in that individual,--to judge of the views, in the closet as in the field. To his wife, a sensible and of the motives that actuated him. The result || and affectionate woman, he behaved with the most of his observations was in every respect favoura- endearing tenderuess and consideration, and to ble to this truly great man. Casual acts of justice his children imparted all the warmth of paternal and benignity may mark the reign of anarchy it affection; yet he had no overweening fondness to self, and complacency sometimes smooth the brow conceal their faults from his notice, even the smallof the most brutal tyrant; but when the man, pos- est want of proper attention to an inferior was sessed, for a considerable period, of unlimited pow. censured with severity proportionate to the differer, (of whose good actions no venal journalist was ence of their condition. If they obtained not knowthe herald, but, to transcribe his errors a thousand ledge from the transitory nature of human circumcompetitors were ready) has never been charged stances, so necessary to check the pride of birth with its abuse; but on the contrary, has preserved or situation, almost always manifest in children one line of conduct, founded by sound sense and reared in affluence, it was not the fault of a father acute discernment on the most honourable basis, whose life was conspicuons for humility of dispoJeaning only to actions of magnanimity and good sition, and a diffidence of his powers, proportionable to the elevation of his rank, or the accumu ness; he has passed the strongest test to which he lation of his honours. As his children grew to an can be submitted; who, with the frailties of huage capable of that education which his individual man nature, and without the adventitious aids of those born to rule, held one of the highest situasphere of life in which they were to move, Tousacquirements instructed him as necessary to the tions in society. obtain, and afterwards sent them to France under saint procured for them the best tutors he could their care, for the advantages of higher instruction. His leisure, which was not great, was ocen pied in relieving those who suffered in any respect undeservedly; nor did ie, as is often the case in the world, weigh guilt by incapacity or distinction. The weak of every description were his peculiar care; the strong in intellect, the mighty in war, or the amiable in domestic life, shared alike his es teem.

• His government does not appear to have been sullied by the influence of any ruling passion; if a thirst of power had prompted him alone, he would have soon ceased to be a leader of insurgents; had avarice swayed him, he, like many others, could have retired early in the contest, with immense riches, to the neighbouring continent; or had a sanguinary revenge occupied his mind, he would || not so often have offered those pathetic appeals to the understanding, which were the sport of his colleagues, on crimes which the governors of nations long civilized would have sentenced to torture! His principles, when becoming an actor in the revolution of his country, where as pure and legi---terrible to an enemy, but inviting to the objects timate, as those which actuated the great founders of liberty in any former age or clime.

Such was the character of Toussaint L'Ouverture, as regarded his office of Commander in Chief, and Governor of the island of St. Domingo. In his relations towards other countries, he appears to have excited admiration for his justice, and the courtesy of every enlightened state: the charges of his most inveterate enemies never extended to

a fact that can diminish the well-earned eulogies

he has obtained. His rules of conduct were the

emauations of a mind capacious and well informed, and but for the exertion of his talents, or those of some chief equally able, indefatigable, and sincere, the country, now blooming with culture, and advancing in true civilization, might have been a ruined state, sacriticed to the conflicts of disappointed ambition, revenge, and the whole train of evils which a multiplicity of factions could create, That there should be found partizans of each of these factions in the then divided state of France, to complain of every arrangenient formed by this astonishing individual, is to be expected, rather than wondered at; and to these n.otives alone, there is no reason to doubt, may be ascribed all the ca lamnies which have been vented against him.

In his private life, Toussaint lost none of the

||

In person, Toussaint was of a manly form, above the middle stature, with a countenance bid and striking, yet full of the most prepossessing suavity

of his friendship or his love. His manners and his deportment were elegant when occasion required, but easy and familiar in common; when an inferior addressed him, he bent with the most obliging assiduity, and adapted himself precisely, without seeming condescension, to their peculiar circumstances. He received in public a general and voJuntary respect, which he was anxious to return, or rather to prevent, by the most pleasing civilities. His uniform was a kind of blue jacket, with a large red cape falling over the shoulders; red cuffs, with eight rows of lace on the arms, and a pair of large pantaloons, with half boots; round hat, with a red gold epaulets thrown back; scarlet waistcoat and feather, and a national cockade; these, with an extreme large sword, formed his equipment. He was an astonishing horseman, and travelled with inconceivable rapidity.'

The fatal end of this amiable character is treated with a display of feeling honourable to the author, and it is impossible not to lament with him that such a man should have ever fallen a victim to the blackest injustice and perfidiousness.

E. R.

A VOYAGE TO COCHIN CHINA,

ARITCLE VI.-A Voyage to Cochin China in the years 1792 and 1793. By John Barrow, Esq. F. R. S. author of Travels in Southern Africa, and Travels in China. Illustrated und embellished with several engravings by Medland, coloured after the original drawings, by Mr. Alexander and Mr. Daniel. 4to. 31. 13s. 6d. boards. Cadell and Davies, 1806.

the quill would have deemed himself happy to obtain one half of this sum.

Praise and success act different ways on different minds. Some behold the glory they have acquired in one instance, as a solid basis to support new trophies, and display all the powers with which nature has endowed their souls, to snatch at higher crowns, than those they have already received. Others on the contrary, dazzled by their own bright

TAKE Courage, ye timid youths who long, yet dread, to launch upon the ocean of literature; the most precious moments of your 'existence are lost in doubts and apprehensions. Throw aside the yoke of modesty, let your imagination ransack every source of information, let her skim so lightly over the works of authors who are no more, that au imperceptible dew may gather on her feet, unseen by our eyes, but calculated to refresh her yielding strength, and enable her toness, fancy that it produces the same effect soar with borrowed vigour to envied heights. upon men, and that it would be the extreme Or, if you scorn the method of many of our of folly, to hazard a new undertaking which modern original writers, let industry, cou- might dissipate the high opinion in which rage, and perseverance promote, direct, and their talents were held, and cast a shade over support your exertions. If genius do not their fame. They therefore rest in the midst inspire your minds, let a constant habit of of their course, and deprive mankind of the labour and activity, quicken the motion of benefits it might derive from them. Some, their springs. Study the different features of equally proud of the reception their first the universe in its different parts: scrutinize works have met with, feel the impulse of into the character of nations; dive into their ambition too powerfully to remain inactive, annals, unfold their mantiers; and without but deceive themselves with the belief, that wishing, like the learned traveller, whose every future production which may flow work we are about to review, to incite your from their pen, will prove as welcome to the countrymen, to invade the property of others, public; and that secure "magni nominis and take possession of every fertile spot in umbrâ," they are not obliged to pay the the world, every island which may be de- same attention to the elegance of their style, fended by cc a small but well disciplined gar-the arrangement of their materials, the ac rison," every coast which presents a safe curacy of their observations, and the conciseharbour, of which the natural fortifications ness of their descriptions, as when they first may be rendered impregnable by the assist-stood forth humble candidates for popular ance of art, think only of spreading the light applause. We are sorry that after perusing of instruction as far as your faculties will permit you.

the present voyage we are compelled to rank Mr. Barrow among those of the latter class, who instead of improving, sink into negli geuce, and would thus, did not the critic's lash awaken them from their slumber, re

prove more inimical to themselves than the most embittered foe.

But whatever line of composition, history, poetry, travels, or biography, you follow, take particular care, as you regard, not fame perhaps, but the advancement of your for-sign unconsciously the hope of celebrity, and tune, to acquire a name, the weight of which will overbalance every consideration, and enable you to fix the price of 31. 13s. 6d. to a quarto, for which, notwithstanding its intrinsic merit, a more obscure brother of Supplement-Vol. II.

One of theprincipal defects of Mr. Barrow's work, consists in the number of digressions, he thinks himself authorised to make, but

D

which, by carrying us suddenly into another, safety in flight. The river Sai-gong afforded him a safe retreat, and he chose for his abode a small desert island in the gulph of Siam, where twelve hundred of his faithful followers joined his banners. This number being, however, too weak to oppose the forces which his enemy was gathering to crush him, he resolved to implore the assistance of the King of Siam. This sovereign received him kindly, and offered to employ him and his adherents against the Birmans, with whom he was at war; the royal fugitive accepted his proposition, and having been instructed by Adran in the European art of war, soon reduced the Birmans to submission; but this important service was repaid with ingratitude, envy arose against him, and he was fain to fight his way out of the capital, and seizing upon several Siamese vessels to seek refuge in the island he had so lately left. There he formed strong batteries with the guns he found in the vessels, and bade defiance to the host of foes that threatened him on every side. Adran, who, during the course of these events, had travelled through the south of Cochin-China, in order to sound the sentiments of the people, and finding them favourably inclined to the cause he had espoused, he, with the king's permission, departed for France, with Caung-Shung's son, to obtain powerful succours, and in 1787, presented his petition to the court of Versailles, and a treaty was concluded between the two monarchs, the chief articles of which we will extract from the original.

sphere of ideas, tear asunder the chain that connected the whole together. Many of his descriptions become insulated in the midst of numerous discussions foreign to the subject, over which we must take our flight, for Mr. B. has not even provided the smallest skiff to convey us back to the spot from which he snatched us away. Had he introduced these dissertations at proper places, they might be read with interest, but in their present situation they constantly stand like as many obstacles strewed in our path, to hinder our quick approach to the information we wish to attain. 210 pages out of 450, of which the quarto is composed, are dedicated to descriptions of the various places which the author visited before he reached the end of his voyage. So that the history of that part of the world, which he represents as containing twenty millions of inhabitants, and which opens such a wide field for important researches, is contracted to less than one half of his book. It is not our intention to follow him to Madeira, Teneritte, St. Jago, Rio de Janeiro, Batavia, &c. &c. where he detains us so long, but we will laud with him in Cochin-China, the annals of which for the|| last 43 years teem with interest.

'I. There shall be an offensive and defensive alli

ance between the Kings of France and Cochinchina: they do hereby agree mutually to afford assistance to each other against all those who may make war upon either of the two contracting parties.

This kingdom lies between the 18th and 10th degrees of latitude, the sea forms its eastern boundary, a ridge of lofty mountains divides it on the west from Cambodia, and the empire of China is found two or three degrees to the north. In 1774 an extensive insurrection was effected by three brothers Yin-yac, a merchant, a priest, and Longniang a general officer, who succeeded in hurling Caung-Shung from his throne, when they shared the kingdom between themselves. At the time when this event took place, Adran, a French missionary, filled at court the office of tutor to the king's son, and found means to testify his attachment to the royal family, by sheltering from destruction, at the peril of his own life, the Queen, the young Prince, his wife, and her infant son. For some time he concealed them in a wood, dollars; five hundred thousand of which shall be

and when the ardour of pursuit was assuaged, they all repaired to Sai-gong, where the rightful heir to the crown, was proclaimed king and assumed the name of Caung-Shung. No sooner had the news of his re-appearance reached Yin-yac than he sent an army against him, and compelled him to seek for

11. To accomplish this purpose, there shall be put under the orders of the King of Cochinchina a squadron of twenty French ships of war, of such size and force as shall be deemed sufficient for the demands of his service.

III. Five complete European regiments, and two regiments of native colonial troops, shall be embarked without delay for Cochinchina.

IV. His Majesty Louis XVI. shall engage to fur nish within four months, the sum of one million

in specie, the remainder in salt petre, cannon, mus quets and other military stores.

V. From the moment the French troops shall have entered the dominions of the King of Cochinchina, they and their generals, both by sea and land, shall receive their orders from the King of

Cochinchina. To this effect the commanding offi cers shall be furnished with instructions from his Catholic Majesty to obey in all things, and in all places, the will of his new ally.