Bales.

1798,

The Company have, according to the above statement, which was given me by their broker, taken in the eight years not quite six thousand bales of coffee; a circumstance that seems, at first sight, unaccountable, as the Americans not having then made their way to Mocha, the market remained free from competition, and coffee was at its usual price of from thirty-six to forty dollars the bale of 305lbs, net. At present a competition having arisen by the Company's broker and the Americans bidding against each other, the price has been raised to fifty dollars; but at that price,' above eight thousand bales have been exported direct for America, and two thousand bales for Bombay for the use of the Company.

From undoubted calculations we may learn the following very important facts:-that the Mocha coffee, which the East India Company brings into the English market for sale, costs L.10.. 3 .. 8 per cwt.; that the Americans do actually take it to America, where it costs them only L.6. 18.. 9 per cwt.; and that they are therefore enabled greatly to undersell the East India Company in the markets of the Mediterranean, where the actual consumption is: but that it may be brought direct to England, in British vessels, and only cost L. 6. 18.. 10 per cwt. which being only one penny per cwt. more than it costs in America, it is evident that it might be re-sold by the British in

the Mediterranean, at a less price chan it can be by the Americans, and consequently that the trade might be completely recovered out of their hands, were it not for the insuperable impediment of the Red Sea being within the charter of the East India Company.

It may be also considered as worthy of remark, that, with respect to the produce of Arabia, the discovery of the passage round the Cape of Good Hope seems to have been of but little

use;

since the articles, according to the present system of trade, as carried on by the East India Company, can be delivered equally cheap at Alexandria by the old route.

Independently of coffee, the export trade of Mocha is very considerable in Gum Arabic, Myrrh, and Frankincense; which is imported from the op. posite coast of Africa, but chiefly from Berbera, without the straits, where a great fair is annually held, which begins in October, and continues until April. The first caravan is always the largest. It brings down of Gum Arabic about fifteen thousand bahar, each 320 lbs. ; also all the myrrh that is consumed, about two thousand bahar. The former brings on the spot about 15 dollars, the latter twenty-two dollars per bahar. The Frankincense is chiefly produced near to Cape Gardafui, and is exported from a harbour of the Samaulies called Bunder Cassim, near to Jibbel Feel, called by the English Cape Felix, and is usually sold at about 12 dollars per bahar.—

A

A small quantity of these articles, at present, finds its way to Bombay, and thence to Europe, while the larger proportion goes up the Red Sea to Egypt, and some is consumed in Arabia and Persia.

The Samaulies, who inhabit the coast from the Straits to Cape Gardafui, have a kind of navigation act, by which they exclude the Arab vessels from their ports, and bring the produce of their country either to Aden, or Mocha, in their own dows. Aden is so much better situated for trade with Berbera, in consequence of both monsoons being favourable for passing and repassing, that the greater part of the myrrh and gum-arabic is carried to that place, where the Banians of Mocha have each a partner established, to conduct their business. By these means a monopoly is established, and the trade is loaded by them with the most enormous profits, tho' they profess to clear only 50 per cent. From the fair of Berbera, Arabia draws her supplies of ghee, and a great number of slaves, camels, horses, mules, and asses; but the profit on these articles is much less than on the sale of India goods, which is the return made to the inhabitants of Africa, for the whole produce of the country thus brought to Berbera. Many chiefs of the interior, and particularly the sovereign of Hanim, who lives twenty days journey west of Berbera, send down caravans of their own, to purchase, with gold and ivory, the manufactures of India.— It is much to be regretted, that the sale is at present clogged by the unreasonable profits of the Banians, which of course greatly diminish the consumption. Were a regular trade carried on at Aden, whose sovereign would rejoice at the adoption of any plan that would increase his small revenue, and the profit reduced to about forty or fifty per cent. the consumption would probably increase ten fold, for, at present, the Africans have no

limit to their purchases of these articles, except the amount of their sales of ivory, gold, &c. The profits of the Banians would, indeed, be diminished, but the honest manufacturer would be a gainer in an equal proportion.

It is a well-known fact, that even in India the muslins of British manu. facture find a considerable market; and a few pieces of checked pattern, which I had in Arabia, were universally admired. It is probable, therefore, that if these were sent out to Aden, they would find a ready sale; as would, I have no doubt, our printed and quilled calicoes. The different articles of hardware, which are much wanted by every uncivilized nation, at present only reach the eastern coast of Africa, by the way of Bombay and Mocha, though the estimates that I have before made, respecting the return of Arabian articles to Europe, show equally, that British manufactures could be carried to Mocha at a little more than half the price they at present obtain.

Address to the Public, on the Accident at the MEIKLE FERRY, near DORNOCH *

Dornoch 25th August 1809. THE melancholy event which happened near this place on Wednesday

mal accident is contained in a private *The following account of this disletter. "I have to relate one of the most awful and the most melancholy accidents that ever occurred in this part of the world. Last Wednesday, being the fair day at Tain, the ferry-boat, in crossing from that side to the south side, sunk, and the whole on board perished, amounting to upwards of 120 souls, among whom were Sheriff M'Culloch, Mr John Leslie, merchant, aud Isobel his sister, &c. There were upwards of 20 from the town and 63 from the pa

day the 16th inst. when the passage boat from the Sutherland side of the Meikle Ferry sunk, with upwards of one hundred persons on board, has already been intimated to the public.It is impossible to convey, by description, an adequate picture of the heartrending scene which followed in this parish and vicinity, upon which the calamity chiefly fell. There is scarcely a family which has not to lament a parent, child, or other relative; many have by this misfortune become destitute widows and orphans, and several aged parents are bereft of their support and hope, through the loss of their grown and useful children.

Penetrated by the cry of a distress so affecting and extensive, and witnessing the mourning crowds searching the shores by night and by day for the mangled remains of the objects of their tenderest affection, and famishing their persons, as well as endangering their lives, by adventurous efforts, though hitherto with very partial success; some Gentlemen here, no longer able to remain silent spectators of this scene of woe, met this day with a view to implore the humanity and compassion of

rish. It is easier for you to conceive than for me to describe the awful situation of the whole town. The whole church-yard is one scene of graves, and all yesterday carts were employed in carrying the dead bodies to the town. Few of those belonging to the town have been yet found; but I am hope ful a number will be found this day, as we have got a net, and are going to try

what we can do. The boat was over.

loaded, and as soon as they left the land, began to sink. The blame has been much laid on Sutherland, the ferryman on the south side, who has suffered, as he happened unfortunately to be on this side that fatal morning. The day was quite calm. Thank God, none of our nearest relations were among the suffer ers, but I feel for the situation of my dear neighbours. Good God, what a havock in one parish-whole families have perished!" Aug. 17. 1809.

the public, and having previously collected the most correct and authentic information of which the case appeared to admit, they submit the following facts to the consideration of a geneous public:

1. That of all the persons on board the fatal boat only twelve were saved; and that, besides a group of strangers, whose number and names are unknown, above 100 persons are ascertained to have perished, belonging to this and the neighbouring parishes.

2. That of this last number there were many heads of families, all of whom (with the exception of Mr. M'Culloch, late Sheriff Substitute here) being of the lower class of society, left families in extreme poverty.

3. That the present calamity is marked by circumstances of unexampled severity. The unfortunate, suf ferers had been on their way to a public fair, which then held at Tain, and had with them any money they could glean for the occasion: but this is not all, they consisted chiefly either of small traders who had cash or bills to remit to their correspondents; of manufacturers, having to purchase leather and other articles for their respective occupations; of removing tenants, who had converted their stock into cash, to be lodged in the Bank of Tain; and of recruiting parties having their all about them, except their destitute wives and families. Hence it appears that it is not the loss of useful lives alone that is to be deplored in the present case, but the loss of much property, stripping the miserable surviving families of all they had possessed in the

world.

4. That not presuming to anticipate any resolutions or measures which the county may be pleased to adopt, when they have a convenient opportunity, the information of such persons at a the present statement is intended for greater distance, as moved by the singular magnitude and pressure of the calamity, may be disposed to contribute

to

eyes

he has wished that you should undergo; for many appear innocent in the of mortals who are guilty before Him. Men are subject to error; God alone is infallible. What he permits, he permits in wisdom, and we ought to reckon even our misfortunes in the number of his benefits. Those sad, those solitary days, which afflict you now, will gladden you hereafter, and you will prefer them to those which you have spent in the whirlpool of the world. Yes, my friend, to-morrow perhaps, you will exclaim, "God a lone knows more than all men together. I forgot him in my grandeur, he has thrown me from it, that I may return to himself."

Courage, my friend, courage! seek resources in your own mind; form wise projects for the future; read useful books; make fervent prayers, perform meritorious actions: and, God coming to your aid, a new life will begin for you.

If I can be useful to you, I am ready. Write me as often as you can. I will speak to you neither of the misfortunes of Switzerland, nor of the French who, at this moment, possess Zurich. Here below, all is but vanity. John Gaspar Lavater.

Zurich, 23d June 1798.

LETTER II.

My dear and good Countess,

M. and Mile Chappuis gave me your letter the day before yesterday; I am strongly interested in what they told me of you, but however disagreeable your present situation may be, it is less painful than I believed, and less unhappy than that of many other persons, and particularly of the inhabitants of Switzerland.

You have been, it is true, a prey to the most frightful calumnies; but the testimony of your innocence ought to give you the strength necessary to support all your sorrows. Religion September 1809.

ought even to change these pains into pleasures. Think less of your misfortunes, than of Providence which sends them; regard them as an effect of its ineffable goodness, and as the most precious gift which it can bestow. Far from seeking to hasten the moment of your deliverance, rather employ yourself in rendering your captivity profitable. I know that one of the first weaknesses of humanity is to sigh after the end of our sufferings; but, believe me, it is wiser to allow the powerful hand which guides us to act ; it never leads us astray.

One word more. Ought the patient to reject the remedy from which he expects health? No: he must take it with patience, however bitter.Cease then all murmuring: thank Providence, when it shall ordain, your li berty will be restored.

John Gasper Lavater. Zurich, 10th December 1798.

Use of NOPAL as an Antiscorbutic in hot Climates.

N the East Indies the succulent

leaves of the Cactus cochinillifer

have of late come into great repute as a preventive and cure of scurvy. They are known by the name of nopal.

It

appears that a plant of the Cactus cochinillifer having been sent by Sir Joseph Banks, from the Royal Garden at Kew to Madras, for the nourishment of the cochineal insect, Dr James Anderson, physician general, has fortunately discovered that it may be applied to the more important purposes already mentioned. It does not possess any specific virtue; but acts like any other esculent vegetable in preventing or removing scurvy; and its excellence seems to consist in the facility with which it may be kept fresh for several months, or during the longest cruizes generally undertaken. in hot climates. It requires merely

to