Mr Lickie, who lately travelled through your part of the country in his journey from Europe, knew the tree in my garden at first sight, and tells me that he saw several of them in Mr Martin's plantation at Palamcottah. The tree I have likewise heard say, grows on the island of Elmiferam, as well as at the fort of Palicatcherry, and that the streets of Cochin are planted with it; in which latter case I am sure Mr Powney will readily supply you with some plants for your garden. I mention these circumstances as preparatory to the establishment of more extensive plantations of a tree that will afford subsistence, independent of the periodical rains, prove a means of counteracting monopolies of grain, aud furnishing a reason for supporting the poor in times of scarcity, by employing them to repair tanks, wells, and choulteries at these times.-Two years ago Mr Alexander Anderson wrote me from Cochin, that he supped at a Dutch gentleman's upon bread fruit, which resembled the finest yam he had ever tasted. I am, &c. Fort St George, Feb. 19. 1792 From Robert Andrews esq. to Dr James Anderson. THE nopal which you have been kind enough to send, arrived safe by yesterday's tappal. It was immediately planted, and I fhall acquaint you hereafter if it thrives. I am happy to inform you that the silk worms are now multiplying very fast, and appear perfectly healthy,from the first silk that I wind off, a sample will be forwarded to you, and I have to request you will point out any defects which may appear, that I may endeavour to rectify them. I have been lately informed, that the bread fruit tree grows at Shevetipatore, where captain Dighton commands, and that the fruit thereof is eaten by the natives in that part of the country. I remain, &c. Tritchinopoly, March 1. 1792. DEAR SIR, From the same to the same. I YESTERDAY received your second inclosure of the nopal, which has been planted. 1 was this morning visiting the bread fruit trees at Allitory, and according to your directions set off several roots from the old trees; but in walking about the garden I discovered six young trees about half a foot high, which upon enquiry I found to be raised from seed, which the, gardeners had sown some time ago. As, by your correspondence, I find the tree in your" garden, was last month in flower, you will be well pleased at the above information, and the ease with which the tree may be propagated, and by your writing to Me Powney at Travancore, I have no doubt but you might obtain any quantity of the seed you with. I remain, &c. Tritchinopoly. March 2. 1792. A PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE. was THE following account of the interposition of divine pro-vidence, in favour of a widow and her family, near Dordrecht, in the province of Holland, is copied from the Leyden gazette. This industrious woman left by her husband, who was an eminent carpenter, a comfortable house, and some land, and two boats for carrying merchandise and passengers on the canals. She was also supposed to be worth above ten thousand guilders in ready money, which the employed in an hempen and sail-cloth manufactory, as the means not only of increasing her fortune, but of instructing her children, (a son and two daughters) in those useful branches of businefs. One night, about nine o'clock, when the workmen were gone home, a person drefsed in uniform, with a musket and broad sword, came to her house, and reques. ted lodging: "I let no lodgings, friend," said the widow, "and besides, I have no spare bed, unless you sleep with my son, which I think very improper, being a perfect stranger to us all." The soldier then thewed a discharge from Diefbach's regiment, (signed by the major, who gave him an excellent character,) and a pafsport from compte de Maillebois, governor of Breda. The widow believing the stranger to be an honest man, as he really was, callVOL. XI. PP ed her son, and asked him, if he would accommodate a veteran, who had served the republic thirty years with reputation, with a part of his bed. The young man consented, and the soldier was hospitably entertained, and withdrew to rest. Some hours after, a loud thumping was heard at the street door, which roused the soldier, who stole softly down stairs, and listened in the hall. The blows were repeated, and the door almost broken through by a sledge, or some heavy instrument. By this time the affrighted widow and her daughters were running about and screaming, murder! murder! but the son having joined the soldier, with a case of loaded pistols, and the latter screwing on his bayonet, and fresh priming his piece, which was well filled with slugs, desired the women to retire, as bloody work might be expected in a few minutes. Soon after the door was burst in, and two fellows entered, and were instantly shot by the son, who discharged both his pistols at once. Two more returned the favour from without, but without effect; and the intrepid veteran, taking immediate advantage of the discharge of their arms, rushing on them like a lion, ran one through the body with his bayonet, and whilst the other was running away, lodged the contents of his piece between his fhoulders, and he dropped dead on the spot. They then closed the door as well as they could; reloaded their arms; made a good fire; and watched till daylight, when a number of weavers and spinners came to resume their employment; we may guess their horror and surprise on seeing four men dead on a dunghill, where the soldier had dragged them before the door was shut. The burgomaster and his syndic attended, and took, the depositions of the family relative to this affair. The bodies were buried in a cross road, and a stone erected over the grave, with this inscription: "here lie the wretched carcases of four unknown ruffians, who deservedly last their lives, in an attempt to rob and murder a worthy wo man and her family. A stranger who slept in the house, to which divine providence undoubtedly directed him, was the principal instrument in preventing the perpetration of such horrid designs, which justly entitles him to a lasting memorial, and the thanks of the public. John Adrian de Vries, a discharged soldier, from the regiment of Diesbach, a native of Middleburgh in Zealand, and upwards of seventy years old, was the David who slew two of these Goliaths; the rest being killed by the son of the family. In honorem, et gratitudinis ergo, Dei optimi maximi pietatis et innocentiæ summi, protectoris,—magistratus et concilium civitatis Dortrechiensis hoc signum poni curavere xx. die Nov. annoque salutaris humani, 1785." The widow presented the soldier with an hundred guineas, and the city settled an handsome pension on him for the rest of his life. INDIAN MAGNANIMITY. An Indian, who had not met with his usual succefs in hunting, wandered down to a plantation among the back settlements in Virginia, and seeing a planter at his door, afked for a morsel of bread, for he was very hungry. The planter bid him begone, for he would give him none. 64 Will you give me then a cup of your beer?" said the Indian. No, you shall have none here,' replied the planter. "But I am very faint," said the savage, "will you give me only a draught of cold water?" Get Indian dog, you shall have nothing here,' said the planter. It happened, some months after, that the planter went on a fhooting party up into the woods, where, intent upon his game, he missed his company, and lost his way; and night coming on, he wandered through the forest, till he espied an Indian wigwam. He approached the savage's habitation, you gone you and asked him to fhew him the way to a plantation or that side of the country. "It is too late for you to gʊ+ there this evening Sir," said the Indian; "but if you will accept of my homely fare, you are welcome." He then of fered him some venison, and such other refreshment as his store afforded; and having laid some bear skins for his bed, he desired that he would repose himself for the night, and he would awaken him early in the morning, and conduct him on his way. Accordingly in the morning they set off, and the Indian led him out of the forest, and put him in the road he was to go; but just as they were taking leave, he stepped before the planter, then turning round, and staring full in his face, bid him say whether he recollected his features. The planter was now struck with fhame and horror, when he beheld, in his kind protector, the Indian whom he had so harshly treated. He confessed that he knew him, and was full of excuses for his brutal behaviour; to which the Indian only replied: When you see poor Indians fainting for a cup of cold water, don't say again,' Get you gone, you Indian dog!' The Indian then wifhed him well on his journey, and left him. It is not difficult to say, which of these two had the best claim to the name of a Christian. A PICTURE OF THE COURT, DRAWN FROM THE LIFE, BY AN ABLE PAINTER. THERE, every one obeys that he may command; they cringe that they may exalt themselves: at every instant they change parts;-every one is protected and protector ;-every one receives vain promises, and gives others as vain in the same moment. It would seem that no person dies in that region; for in a moment every one is forgotten,-every one is re |