of any hostile power, either going to or returning from that country: we should become formidable neighbours to the Dutch and to the Spaniards, and in the event of a war with either of them, attack with advantage their most valuable settlements. In short, all the arguments in favour of a settlement at Balambangan may with much more propriety be urged for one in Cochin China Should any thing that has been said, appear sufficiently wellgrounded to induce the Company to form a settlement in Cochin China, it may be effected on principles strictly just and at a small expense. Several of the royal family, besides the Mandarines who were in Bengal, with many officers of the late government, urged me to use my endeavours with the government of Bengal to induce it to afford them assistance, promising a powerful support whenever we should heartily engage in their cause: to restore their lawful sovereign to the throne, would be now a measure so popular, that the sincerity of their offers cannot be doubted. To relieve an unhappy people groaning under the weight of the most cruel oppression would be an act worthy the humanity of the British nation. Fifty European infantry, half that number of artillery, and two hundred seapoys, would be sufficient for this and every other purpose. The natives of Cochin China are infi nitely below the inhabitants of Hindustan in military knowledge; I have however no doubt that a body of them well disciplined and regularly paid,, would prove as faithful to us, and contribute as much to the security of any possessions which we might acquire to the eastward, as the sepoys do to our territories in India. In case of any distant expeditions, they would be found superior; being entirely free from all religious prejudices, and having no objection to the sea. While Cochin China remains in its present distracted state, a favourable opening is presented to the first European nation that may attempt to obtain a footing in the country. Three years ago, the French sent a frigate to Turon Bay, and from the pains taken to be informed of the produce and political state of the country, there is strong reason to conclude some such design was in agitation. Since that period, the accurate accounts Mr. Chevalier must have received of Padre Loreiro during his residence with him at Chandernagore, added to the loss of all their settlements in India, will most probably induce them to resume it. If they do not, some other power may adopt the scheme. Should the Company therefore entertain a design of making an establishment in Cochin China, no time should be lost in carrying it into execution. 1778. POETRY. 352 POETRY. PARADISE AND THE PERI. From Moore's "Lalla Rookh," an Oriental Romance. "Mid flowers that never shall fade or fall! Though sunny the Lake of cool CASHMERE, "With its plane-tree Isle reflected clear, "And sweetly the founts of that Valley fall; Though bright are the waters of SING-SU-HAY, "And the golden floods, that thitherward stray, "Yet-oh 'tis only the Blest can say "How the waters of Heaven outshine them all! "Go, wing thy flight from star to star, "As the universe spreads it flaming wall; "One minute of Heaven is worth them all!" The The glorious Angel, who was keeping From Eden's fountain, when it lies "The Gift that is most dear to Heaven! "Go, seek it, and redeem thy sin; "'Tis sweet to let the Pardon'd in !" Rapidly as comets run To th' embraces of the Sun :- And, lighted earthward by a glance But whither shall the Spirit go "The jewell'd cup of their King JAMISHED, "But gifts like these are not for the sky. "Where was there ever a gem that shone "Like the steps of ALLA's wonderful Throne ? "And the Drops of Life-oh! what would they be While thus she mus'd, her pinions fann'd Whose air is balm; whose ocean spreads 29 O'er O'er coral rocks and amber beds; Whose mountains, pregnant by the beam But crimson now her rivers ran With human blood-the smell of death Mingled his taint with every breath He comes, and INDIA's diadems His blood-hounds he adorns with gems, Torn from the violated necks Of many a young and lov'd Sultana; Downward the PERI turns her gaze, Alone, beside his native river,— And the last arrow in his quiver. "Live," said the Conqueror, "live to share All crimson with his country's blood, False flew the shaft, though pointed well; Yet mark'd the PERI where he lay, And when the rush of war was past, Swiftly Swiftly descending on a ray Of morning light, she caught the lastLast glorious drop his heart had shed, Before its free-born spirit fled ! "Be this," she cried, as she wing'd her flight, My welcome gift at the Gates of Light. 66 Though foul are the drops that oft distil "On the field of warfare, blood like this, "For Liberty shed, so holy is, "It would not stain the purest rill, "That sparkles among the Bowers of Bliss! "Oh! if there be, on this earthly sphere, "A boon, an offering Heaven holds dear, 'Tis the last libation Liberty draws 'From the heart that bleeds and breaks in her cause I' "Sweet," said the Angel, as she gave "Than ev'n this drop the boon must be, That opes the Gates of Heav'n for thee!" Her first fond hope of Eden blighted, And sleek'd her plumage at the fountains Her grots, and sepulchres of Kings To watch the moonlight on the wings Of the white pelicans that break Who could have thought, that saw this night 2Q2 Basking |
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