"In the matter now before the court, I swear to speak the truth, and the whole truth. If I forswear myself, then may I suffer the wrath and vengeance of God, and of the Angels in Heaven; may I be tortured by the Nag, or sea-dragon; may I be slain by the sword of my master; may the sacred writings bear witness against my falsehood, and in every Outar, or transmigration, render my state more vile and abject than in the preceding one!'

Before I conclude this subject, I cannot refrain from adding a remark. We have a regiment of Mugh sharp-shooters in our service, and late events have shewn that every hope of their proving valuable soldiers may be reasonably entertained; and though this corps has been raised two years, it must appear surprising that the Articles of War have not yet been translated into the language current among them, which must be viewed as a most desirable object, and which could be undoubtedly effected if Government, sanctioning the act, would bear the expense attendant on the publication, the principal difficulty lying, I conceive, in the commencement.

"Arracan, Aug. 8, 1825."

"I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

"M."

LITERARY COINCIDENCE.

To the Editor of the Asiatic Journal.

SIR: In Beloe's" Anecdotes of Scarce Books," vol. ii, page 118, in a note to the concluding lines of the first satire of Lodge's "Fig for Momus," printed 1595

"What is he wise? Aye, as Amphistus strong,
That burnt his face because his beard was long"-

the editor observes: "I confess I do not comprehend the meaning of these concluding lines."

Among the stories told in an old Persian jest-book is one of The Foolish Cauzee, who, thinking his beard too long, held. the ends of it to his lamp, with the intention of burning off so much of them as his hand did not cover; but as soon as the hairs took fire, the flame obliged him to remove his hand; and he, in consequence, not only lost the whole of his beard, but had his face scorched into the bargain.* Quere: Did this actually happen in Europe also, two centuries and a half ago, when every man wore a beard? or, how could Lodge become acquainted with this Persian anecdote? Permit me to rescue Dr. Smollett's memory from the imputation of writing nonsense. In Boswell's Life of Johnson, vol. i, page 190, 4to. 1791, a letter is given from Smollett to Wilkes, in which Johnson is called the Great Chum of literature; on which Boswell in a note observes: "Had Dr. Smollett been bred at an English University, he would have known that a chum is a student who lives with another in a chamber common to them both. A Chum of literature is nonsense." It is evident that Smollett wrote the Great Chàm, id est, the king or prince of literature, in allusion to the Great Cham of Tartary; which mode of spelling the title of kan or khan (and all other Arabic words having a k in them) will be found in all the old histories of the East, adopted from the Italians, who were the first to visit the Levant, and who pronounce ch as k. CRITICUS.

• Our correspondent will find this story related, as the origin of a Persian proverb, in this Journal, vol. xx, p. 286.-[Ed.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY.

THE peculiar and distinguishing traits in the character of nations are seldom imparted, or, at least, are but indistinctly perceived, in the elaborate descriptions given by historians and travellers, when they treat of manners, habits, and the incidents of a society in general. It is with a people, as with an individual: their real characteristics are often depicted more fully and more accurately by a few skilful touches, than in the most comprehensive dissertation upon the various details of their domestic as well as their public manners.

The talent of developing individual character by means of one or two striking and discriminative traits, was possessed in perfection by some of the ancient classic writers. Their skill in the application of the same principle to the manners of nations was almost equally apparent: witness, as examples, the writings of Tacitus and Cæsar.

In our own time we have a remarkable instance of this successful mode of describing the manners of England at different epochs of its history, in certain modern novels: the genius displayed in the composition of these works of mingled truth and fiction is in no respect more apparent than in the admirable skill with which the author contrives to display, as it were by accident, and without formality of preparation, all the peculiar characteristics which distinguished the period assigned to the transactions of the story. This he has accomplished by the dramatic representation of a few familiar scenes in private life, thereby giving the reader the same opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of its manners as if he were a joint actor.

In an article which appeared in a preceding volume of this Journal,* it was observed that the publication of newspapers was, amongst other advantages, calculated to afford to after-times a history of existing manners; and that had the art of printing been known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, and had they possessed records analogous to our daily newspapers, we should probably gain from a few relics of such publications more facts and real information as to the peculiar features of their respective societies, than can now be obtained from all their other works extant. It is with this impression that we examine foreign journals with an interest altogether new; we read even the advertisements they contain with an expectation, not always groundless, that they will afford some insight into the domestic character of the country from whence these publications emanate.

It is not through curiosity alone, but from a higher motive, that we are incited to watch with particular attention the progress of our embryon empire in southern Asia; and we find that the periodical publications in the British colonies in Australia, which multiply with the increase of their inhabitants, supply us with the best criteria of the character of society there. It was probably with a view of imparting to the English public one means of acquiring an exact idea of Australian manners, that a late historian of New South Wales+ has published in his book a literal copy of an entire Sydney Gazette! We shall not carry the joke quite so far as this; but we think some excerptà from these chronicles may amuse, if not instruct, our readers: they are mostly advertisements, taken from the latest files we have received from Sydney.

Asiat. Journ., vol. xix, p. 790.

† Statistical Account of the British Settlements in Australia, by W. C. Wentworth.

Let

Let us begin with the following polite announcement, quoted verbatim et literatim, which will at once shew that cælum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt; and that philosophical fortitude goes a great way towards disarming calamity of its sting, and making "afflictions objects of a smile." MRS. BROWN respectfully thanks the community of thieves for relieving her from the fatigues and wearisomeness of keeping a chandlers shop, by taking the following goods off her hands, viz.-35 yards of shirting, 12 do. of muslin, 40 do. of calico, and various articles, as the auctioneer terms it, "too many to mention in an advertisement." But, the gentlemen in their despatch of business forgot that they had taken along with them an infants paraphernalia, two dozen of clouts, so elegantly termed by washerwomen. If the professors of felony do not give a dinner to their pals, and convert them into d'oyley's for finger glasses, Mrs. Brown will thank them to return them, as they would not be so unmagnanimous and deficient of honor to keep such bagatelles from a poor mother and four children. This is to apprise the receivers of stolen property, that she will sooner or later have the pleasure of seeing their necks stretched, and that they will receive a tight cravat under the gallows by their beloved friend Jack Ketch. As the old saying is, "the better day the better deed," the fraternity performed their operations on Sunday night last.

17, Phillip-street.

The figurative expression "tight cravat," is so much the more happy as it harmonizes with the species of property purloined: it is the offer of a quid pro quo. The next specimen is an advertisement addressed to a higher class: the charge of robbery is, in this case, we cannot say more elegantly, but more indirectly, insinuated :—

It is requested that those Ladies and Gentlemen who have, from time to time, borrowed Books from Mr. S. Levey, will return them to the undersigned, who respectfully solicits all books, now in possession of persons to whom they do not belong, to comply with the above-a fresh supply may be had. Among the number missing are the Pastor's Fire Side, Tales of my Landlord, Kenilworth, Princess Charlotte, Secret Revenge, Smollet's Works, Ivanhoe, Tales of the Times, Paradise Lost-so are the books until found by

No. 72, George-street.

B. LEVEY.

The respectful solicitation" addressed to the books themselves, to comply with the above," is, we suppose, an Australian figure, whereby, in order to avoid an obnoxious accusation against the borrowers, of keeping them too long, the books are supposed to be unwilling to return. The ingenious mode in which the advertiser closes his announcement is above praise. THIS is to CAUTION all PERSONS against purchasing a HOUSE and PREMISES, situate No. 74, Cumberland-street, Rocks, as the said House and Premises belongs to me. CATHERINE REDMOND.

It is singular that Mrs. Redmond should be able to give no better reason for her caution.

There is so much playfulness in the succeeding, that the reader would almost fancy the advertiser to be a person of too much good-humour to put his threat into execution.

MAY it please those I solicit, and be it known hereby

Sydney, August 22, 1825.

That all those persons who stand indebted to me, upwards of twelve months, and who do not pay the same within fourteen days from the date hereof, will be by law compelled.

JAMES WILSHIRE.

From the last newspapers received we observe that there is a strong contest in the colony for the vacant office of a Bank Director! Various advertisements appear from the different candidates, one of which is as follows:

To

TO THE PROPRIETORS OF THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

BEG leave to offer myself as a candidate for the Directorship of the Bank of New South Wales at the ensuing election.

Acknowledging, as I do, having no claim whatever to your support; yet should you be disposed to honor me with your vote and interest, you may confidently rely on a faithful and zealous discharge of the duties of that important trust.

I have the honour to remain, Ladies and Gentlemen,
your obedient humble servant,
W. JEMMET BROWNE.

Charlotte-place, Nov. 12, 1825.

The candour of this gentleman is unprecedented: he petitions the electors for their vote and interest, yet tells them he has no claim whatever to their support!

“Royal Mails" and "Furious Driving " we should hardly have expected to find in this part of the world:

ROYAL MAIL-COACHES.

IN CONSEQUENCE of REPEATED COMPLAINTS from Passengers, of dangerously rapid driving, particularly towards Sydney on Monday night last, the Proprietors beg leave to inform the Public, that each Coachman is directed to take one hour and fifteen minutes in performing his distance; five minutes of which time is allotted for watering and resting the horses; and the Guard is particularly directed to take notice that the above time is strictly attended to.

The mysterious announcements which occasionally appear in English papers, and which disorder the nerves of morbid sentimentalists, are very successfully imitated in the following:

Το

(HOPE DEFERRED MAKETH THE HEART SICK.)

YOU HAVE FORFEITED YOUR WORD-you said I should see you on Tuesday. If you have the slightest regard for my peace of mind meet me as soon as possible, on the spot we parted the last time I saw you. Love is out of the question altogether. You have heard something to my disadvantage, and I cannot rest until I explain it to you. The idea of marriage never entered my head.-My pride revolts at the opinion I am almost positive you now entertain. When I assure you that death would be preferable to your contempt, you will not wonder that I solicit an interview. All you have heard is from the idle tongue of slander. I have felt for you nothing but sincere regard-a regard which I shall always feel towards you while you remain as you

are.

After I have told you all, I dare say we will not meet again.—So remember **
P.S.-Answer me next week by the Paper, if we do not see each other before that

time.

July 31, 1825.

The Bankrupt laws do not extend to this colony; so that, it would appear, great vigilance is necessary, in cases of levy, to prevent a return on the part of the sheriff of nulla bona, so disagreeable to a creditor. The following letters relate to an alleged attempt on the part of a Mr. Josephson to withdraw his property from the just claims of a Mr. S. Levey (the same individual whose books manifested such unwillingness to return to their owner); which attempt was defeated by the sturdy integrity of a New South Wales victualler :—

SIR, Parramatta, 27th October, 1825. IN reading the Gazette of this day I see an advertisement, from the creditors, offering a reward to any person giving information of property concealed by Jacob Josephson, to prevent his creditors getting their just claims. As an innkeeper, prospering under the patronage of a liberal public, I am bound to make them acquainted, and more particularly you sir, whose favours and friendship in gratitude I must remember. -About five weeks back Mrs. Nash bought at Jacob Josephson's shop a great quantity of wine glasses and tumblers, &c. They were packed in boxes, and ordered to be sent by the Parramatta boat; with them came a large heavy trunk, and a note from Josephson, observing that this trunk was to be taken care of till MRS. J. came up. On that

lady's

lady's calling at my place she said I was to take care of the trunk till she sent a cart for it; and as it is evident Josephson was making a hiding-hole of my house in a most unjustifiable manner, I feel it my duty to inform you of these circumstances, so that you may do all that is necessary to get possession of this box, which I suspect contains valuable property; and admitting it is worth five thousand pounds, I will not accept of a shilling as a reward, for it is the property of the creditors, and if they think proper to make a present to the benevolent society it will perfectly satisfy Yours truly,

To Mr. S. Levey, Macquarie Place.

ANDREW NASH.

Mr. Josephson had the audacity to treat Mr. Nash's disinterested conduct with ridicule in the following obscure advertisement :

GENTLEMEN,

To the Editors of the Australian.

YOURS of the tenth instant appeared a pompous statement, announcing the discovery of a box, which had neither been lost or mislaid, at that well known abode of integrity. I will not, Gentlemen, offer any comment at present upon such statement, but Gentlemen, I am with the majority of your readers (particularly the old hands) positively electrified at the formidable miraculous declaration of mine host, that he would not touch the informers dividend. The comet has doubtless purified the vulgar sentiments of the happy residents of that distinguished quarter.

I protest that I will cheerfully subscribe my humble pittance for the purpose of erecting (in honour of Boniface) a statue of Hermes, divested of his grappling irons, reposing in the lap of honour. I shall conclude by reiterating the olden enquiry— "What!" "is Saul also among the Prophets?"

Nov. 11, 1825.

I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,

JACOB JOSEPHson.

The art of puffing is yet in its infancy in Australia: a diligent study of the English newspapers will remedy this defect.-Ecce signum!

NOTHING NEW.

THERE'S nothing new beneath the Sun,

So ancient wits decisions run;

But wit, no match for facts we see,

For I know things and so do you,

Though not lasting, ever new;

What think you, Sirs, the Price of TEA?

Now selling at 2s. 6d. per lb. by A. POLACK, No. 7, Pitt-street.

The vulgo-elegant style in which certain English publications have been accustomed to indulge—a style which has fortunately become almost obsolete in this country-seems to be gaining a settlement in the more congenial clime of New South Wales. The following paragraphs are specimens :

--

A smart battle took place on Monday last, on that favourite spot of ground known by the name of Jack the miller's Point, in Cockle Bay, between two game chickens, Rylands and Trainer, the former sterling, and the other currency. The match was made at a sporting house. The combatants fought two good rounds, when a slight interruption ensued, by the arrival of unwelcome visitors. This put an end to the sport for some time, the ring was broken into, and a cessation of warfare took place until the gentlemen of the peace could be chaffed off. Sixteen other rounds were then fought, when Rylands won it. A dose of the briny ocean was administered to Trainer for a drop of the exhilerating. Whether this was done by accident or not would be hard to say; however, its operation was rather too powerful, as it proved a sickener to the native youth.

On Saturday last a mistaken mortal was brought to the bar of the Police Office for indulging too freely at the cost of others.-It appeared that Mr. Speedy, being somewhat seedy, and feeling himself joyously inclined, repaired to the Wellington's Head in George-street, on Friday evening, and indulged himself with copious draughts of 'heavy," garnished occasionally with "blue ruin," and a blow of his "brosely," and a puff of his tobacco pipe. Now it so happened, that when the reckoning was talked about, he discovered that his waistcoat pocket was thread bare, and that two silver dumps had taken their leave of him through a little aperture. This was a bitter piece of business to him, for it obtained him a night's lodging in the cell of a watch-house. Mr.

Speedy