him from doing, as they will not of course depart without receiving what is due to them, and are too powerful to admit of his employing compulsory means to effect this object. Their turbulent disposition leads them not only to disturb the peace of the city, but some years ago was well nigh causing a rupture with the British government. The circumstances alluded to originated as follows. There is a standing order in the cantonment of Secunderabad, directing, that all armed parties of Arabs, who may endeavour to pass through the limits of it, be apprehended; in consequence of this, a party so offending were stopped, disarmed, and lodged in the main guard, and sent back as prisoners to the city, with a representation to the minister on the subject. Their escort, consisting of a soubahdar's party, instead of halting outside the city walls, and delivering over their prisoners to such persons as might have been appointed by the Nizam's government to receive them, imprudently marched them through the streets, without even taking the precaution of being loaded or of fixing bayonets. On passing the barracks of the Arabs, the latter, indignant at seeing their comrades march by as prisoners, threw arms to them from the windows, and immediately sallied out to their rescue, which they speedily effected, cutting down such of the sepoys as opposed them, or who could not save themselves by flight; several were thus killed or wounded, and the number of casualties would have been greater, had not the fray been momentarily interrupted by the passage of several elephants, who, occupying nearly all the narrow street where it was taking place, gave some of the remaining sepoys time to effect their escape. This business caused a good deal of sensation at the moment, but was hushed up in consequence of an assurance on the part of the Nizam's government, that the principal persons concerned in the assault should be put to death; it is, however, a matter of doubt whether this was ever carried into execution, and it was the general opinion at the time, that the offenders should have been given up and hanged in the presence of the assembled troops in the cantonment.

It is astonishing what a number of lives are lost from the constant quarrels between the Arabs and Seiks, and in the feuds which take place between the followers and retainers of the several Oomrahs; whilst, owing to the imperfect state of the police, it is said that murders of the most atrocious description frequently occur, unnoticed and unpunished.

Although the Mussulmans in general look down on us with contempt, as Christians, unbelievers in the holy prophet, and soor khanaywallas, or eaters of the unclean beast, yet they have a high opinion of the talents of our medical men, in whom they appear to place much more confidence than in their own huqueems, or doctors; and Dr. V———, the medical officer at the Residency, from being near the scene of action, has been on more than one occasion applied to by such as have been wounded in the above-mentioned skirmishes. I recollect seeing at one time at this gentleman's house no less than five men, all suffering from severe wounds, mostly sabre cuts: in this instance rather a remarkable circumstance was, that they were all of different nations-an Arab, a Turk, (who stated he had been present at the battle of Navarino,) a Seik, an Ethiopian, and a native Mussulman.

This heterogeneous assembly proves the number of foreign adven

turers who seek their fortunes at Hyderabad, which appears to be a general centre of attraction for all people of this class, from the European to the swarthy African.

The latter, known here by the name of Hubshees or Seidees, are natives of the eastern coast of Africa, sold as slaves by the Arab dealers, and find their way in considerable numbers to Hyderabad, where they are much esteemed on account of their great fidelity. In common with the natives of Western Africa, they have all the characteristics of the negro race; the short woolly hair, flat nose and thick lips, marking them as deriving their origin from a common stock. Probably Hyderabad is the only part of Southern India where Hubshees are to be met with, as slavery is not allowed in the Company's territories. Both in the East and the West, whether under Mahommedan or Christian rulers, this unfortunate race appears doomed to slavery and bondage; instances, though rare, have however occurred, of their having emerged from this abject state, and risen to fame and celebrity. The occurrences at Hayti afford an example of this in the West; nor has India been without exceptions in their favour, one of which may be mentioned in the case of the celebrated Seidee Folad Khan, who at the time of Alumgheer was cutwal, or chief magistrate of Shahjahanabad, and generally known by the name of the Hubshee cutwal.

The French, who at all times have managed to insinuate themselves into the good graces of the native princes of India, enjoyed at one time unbounded influence at Hyderabad; and although on the disbanding of Raymond's troops it was stipulated, that unless with the sanction of the Company, no Europeans should be admitted into the Nizam's pay, there are at this moment in the city both French and Portuguese, who, if not immediately in the employment of government, are retainers of the Oomrahs residing at Hyderabad.

The Nizam's being the only Mahommedan government in this part of India, it is not surprising it should be the general resort of Persian, Arab, and even Turkish adventurers and merchants, who carry on a considerable trade in pearls, jewellery, muslins, and silks, whilst the demand for horses brings dealers from the remote provinces of Balluchistan, Afghanistan, and Cabul; if to these be added the Parsees and Chinese, who occasionally visit it, Hyderabad may be said to offer an almost unexampled assemblage of people of different nations.

(To be continued.)

*

The Parsees or Guebres are the descendants of the ancient Persians, who, after the conquest of their country by the followers of Mahomet, emigrated mostly to the north-western provinces of India, where they are still very numerous, particularly in Guzerat. Like their ancestors, they worship the sun, and hold the element of fire in the greatest veneration. One of the peculiarities of this remarkable people is their manner of disposing of their dead, which they neither burn nor bury, but, exposing them on the top of a high tower, allow them to be devoured by the vultures and other birds of prey.

VOYAGES OF THE LATE CAPTAIN PHILIP PIPON, R.N.

FROM THE UNPUBLISHED JOURNAL OF THAT OFFICER.

THE enterprising officer from whose MS. journal we transcribe the principal incidents of a varied career was descended from an ancient and distinguished family in Jersey; his father, the able AttorneyGeneral of the island, entrusted the care of his education to Doctor Valpy, at Reading.

Mr. Pipon commenced his naval career on the 12th of April, 1787, on board the Narcissus, Captain d'Auvergne, (afterwards Duke of Bouillon.) He continued in that ship until 1790, when he joined the Diana, Captain Macnamara Russel, and immediately sailed for the West Indies. Mr. Pipon was indebted to Captain Russel for a peculiar and benevolent attention, which he never spoke of without expressing sentiments of grateful recollection for the kindness of his early friend. Mr. Pipon laboured under the disadvantage of a considerable hesitation of speech, to remedy which, Captain Russel used to enjoin him, constantly, to speak slowly and distinctly; and though he was quite a youth, used to make him manoeuvre the ship under his own eye, in order to remedy the defect, and to inspire him with confidence. This, in a great measure, had the desired effect.

In 1792 and 1793, Mr. Pipon successively joined the Orestes and Aimable frigates, commanded by Sir Harry Burrard, on the Channel and Mediterranean stations, in which ships he remained till 1794. It was in the Aimable that he first saw fire: it is mentioned in his diary with all the characteristic nonchalance of a British sailor, apparently quite unconcerned in the hour of danger.

"The weather is pleasant and fair; our time is chiefly employed in landing guns, in order to reduce a French fort in the Bay of Geralette, in Corsica. We were not long ere we got a 9-pounder on an eminence, and kept a continual fire on the trench, apparently with great effect. Drew a sketch of a cottage, and amused myself in reading the beauties of English prose,-delightful language! Our people are busily employed in battering the French tower; and though the embrasures are mostly destroyed, our firing seems to have little effect on the general pile."

Three days afterwards the frigate having anchored close to the fort, in conjunction with the Dido, in order to open their broadsides upon it, the commandant surrendered the fort.

Mr. Pipon was actively employed in the attack and surrender of Calvi; during the blockade of which, the Moselle, French frigate, having escaped from the harbour, was captured by the Aimable, and is thus recorded in his diary:-" We perceived her about twelve at night; every person immediately repaired to his station, and we continued in pursuit, with great anxiety and impatience, to bring her to action. About three o'clock, having approached her considerably, we beat to quarters and prepared to engage her. Day-light appearing, we were extremely rejoiced to find ourselves within half gun shot of the frigate; but it falling calm, prevented the possibility of effecting our intended purpose of immediately bringing her to close action. By perseverance we approached within twenty yards of her, at about eleven A.M.

Speaking French, I was called by Sir Harry Burrard from my quarters to hail her, and desire her to strike her colours. No answer was given; and on my repeating the orders of Sir Harry a second time, they appeared equally desirous of evading a reply: when we fired a 12-pounder over her, with a repetition to them to strike; when the French captain answered, that, for the honour of the nation, he would fire his broadside and then surrender. We received his fire, and returned it with a tremendous discharge of ours; when the republicans hauled their colours down. She proved to be the Moselle, of 24 guns, and 200 men.

"Four unfortunate Frenchmen were dangerously wounded for this unnecessary, cruel attention to the honour of the republican flag."

On the 10th of August, 1794, the diary states," L'Impérieuse, English frigate, sailed into the harbour of Calvi to take possession of two French frigates, La Melpomene and La Mignonne, that fell into our hands by the surrender of the place. General Stewart also marches the troops in to take possession of Calvi this day, and English transports embark the French garrison in order to convey them to Toulon.

"I went on shore, and amused myself in viewing and making observations on the fortifications of Calvi. It is a strong and well-fortified town; the walls and defences are of an immense breadth, thrown up with great military skill; the number of fine brass cannon on the ramparts is incredible. On the gates, as you enter the town, is this inscription, Civitas Calvi, semper fidelis.'

"I could not avoid exhibiting the most lively demonstrations of joy, on walking along the ramparts of a town we were so long blockading, and nearly six months cruizing off in order to reduce it. It certainly is very pleasing to be crowned with success, after having encountered a number of difficulties and hardships."

These were soon to be rewarded by promotion; for in October following, Mr. Pipon states,-"My good friend, Sir Harry Burrard, agreeably surprised me by telling me he had procured a place for me on board the Victory, and that I was to repair to that ship in the evening, in order to pass my examination. I accordingly went as directed, and got through the task with ease and pleasure. The next day, on joining the Victory, I had the great pleasure to find my commission as lieutenant of the Sincere made out."

Mr. Pipon's sentiments of attachment to, and respect for, Sir Harry Burrard are thus expressed :-"Susceptible of everything that is noble, benevolent, and charitable, Sir Harry, with a person excessively engaging, possesses the virtues and good qualities of the best Christian,a generous heart, and a disposition that gains him the esteem, affection, and admiration of all." Lieutenant Pipon remained in the Sincere till 1795, and was removed successively from the Egmont to the Dido and Blanche, Captain Henry Hotham, in which ship he continued three years.

In 1798, Mr. Pipon was appointed first-lieutenant of the Fisguard, Captain Byam Martin, in whose brilliant and distinguished career he took an active share till 1801, when he was entrusted with the command of the boats of the Fisguard, Diamond, and Boadicea, to cut out a new ship pierced for 20 guns, a gun-boat mounting a long 32-pounder,

together with a merchant vessel, lying in the harbour of Corunna. The vessels were moored under the strong batteries which protect the port, but the determined intrepidity and judgment with which the attack was made rendered the success complete, and insured to Mr. Pipon the rank of commander, through the flattering recommendation of Lord Cornwallis.

In 1802, Captain Pipon was appointed to the Kite sloop, on the North Sea coast and Channel island stations. While on the former station, he was chiefly instrumental in causing the erection of the Bellrock Light-house, through the intervention of the Earl of Leven.

In 1806, Captain Pipon was placed in command of the Rose sloopof-war, under the orders of Lord Collingwood, by whom he was dispatched with a convoy to Malta, Smyrna, and Constantinople, there to remain for the protection of the British trade between the latter ports, and in confidential communication with Mr. Arbuthnot, the minister at the Porte. At the close of the year, Mr. Arbuthnot sent the Rose to England with important dispatches to government. Captain Pipon was afterwards attached to the Channel fleet, and for some months was acting-captain in the Prince of Wales, bearing the flag of the commander-in-chief, Sir James, now Lord de Saumarez; who, on being appointed commander-in-chief of the Baltic fleet, named the Rose to be one of his fleet; and very soon after appointed Captain Pipon actingcaptain in the Implacable, Captain Martin having been moved to the Victory, as captain of the fleet. This, finally, secured him post rank, and the command of the Daphne frigate, in September, 1808. The Daphne was attached to the Baltic fleet; and during five years of uninterrupted, arduous, and anxious service, as a look-out frigate, in difficult and perilous navigation, Captain Pipon had the satisfaction entirely to win the confidence and esteem of his illustrious commander-in-chief, Lord de Saumarez, through whose favourable recommendation the Lords of the Admiralty were pleased to give him the choice of three frigates which were then on the stocks. Accordingly, in 1813, Captain Pipon fitted out the Tagus, a fine eight-and-thirty gun frigate, and was, in company with the Niger, sent to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to Rio de Janeiro.

On the 5th of January following, whilst hauling in to make the Cape de Verd islands, a French frigate hove in sight, and was immediately given chase to by both frigates. After an arduous chase of twenty-three hours, the Tagus, which had out-sailed the Niger, was enabled to make a close running fight of an hour with the frigate, when she struck, and proved to be the Ceres, of 44 guns, a beautiful ship, one of the twelve frigates sent out by Buonaparte as a last effort to annoy our trade. On the arrival of the Tagus at Rio de Janeiro, Captain Pipon found that he had brought sealed orders instructing Sir Manly Dixon to send the Tagus round Cape Horn, for the protection of the southern whalefishery. It is a singular fact, that Captain Pipon's instructions bore, that water, as well as good anchorage, was to be found in the Gallopagos islands, should he have occasion to refit-whereas no water was to be procured in any of those islands. This circumstance, together with the general mass of valuable and interesting facts and information which are contained in Captain Pipon's private journal, of visits to parts of the world rarely touched at by British men of war; and the