"It is with some mirth and spleen that I find Junius gravely asserted to be Mr. Boyd, whose residence and habits of life, in London and elsewhere, I have had too many opportunities of knowing formerly, to hear such a supposition with common patience." And, indeed, unless we allow Junius to have been a vain and weak mortal, which the whole tenor of his Letters plainly falsifies, we cannot ad mit for an instant, that he could be silly enough to belie his own positive assertion, as heretofore quoted, with his own lips; nor do the attempts of Mr. Boyd's Biographer to fix the Authorship upon him carry the least weight with them, to a mind which traces them through the various windings of time, place, and circumstance. Yours, &c. PHILO-JUNIUS. Memorandum with a view of assisting any single Gentleman, or Party of three or four, who wish to travel with convenience and satisfaction from BOMBAY to ENGLAND by the way of BusSORA. (Concluded from page 17.) Feb. 4th, 1782.-Arrived at Bussora, when a caravan was preparing, and said to be within three weeks of departure. As this appeared to every one a favourable opportunity, an engagement was entered into with the Shick, named Mahomet Millum, who agreed to furnish us with 20 camels, and to give us his protection, for 1000 zermaboobs. This, though a considerable sum, was readily consented to on our part, on the express condition of setting out in 20 days from the 6th, or the full moon, which was a day or two afterwards. 27th-Left Bussora, and went to Zebere, about eight miles distance, and there, by a variety of excuses, were detained until the 7th Murch-When the caravan loaded, apparently with an intention of setting out in earnest; but, after travelling about six miles to a place. called Burkaseer, the whole halted, and continued, in spite of every remonstrance, till the 19th. N. B. At Burkascer there was no fire-wood or grass for our horses, and the water, though clear, was bitterish: however, a very heavy rain, which fortuuately fell in the night of the 7th, caused the wells to furnish good water in abundance. Here were plenty of onions and cresses. On this day, the 19th, the caravan marched about 10 miles, and then.. halted till the 22d. When they moved about four miles and halted. 23d. Marched about five miles. No water these two last days, but the; weather very pleasant. The Shick repeatedly plagued us for provisions for the Arabs who were appointed to load our baggage; and in the course of our dispute, upon enumerating the sums which had been paid him, being, under various items no less than 254 tomaunds, it appeared that at least 100 of that sum had been appropri ated to the use of the Jews, who in fact fitted out the caravan, and whose servant the Shick was for the time: however, we refused positively to provision any more than four Arabs, and determined to try whether the Shick would let our baggage remain behind. 24th. The night extremely pleasant. The Shick in the morning brought three more men to our assistance, and left the pay, &c. to our discretion. Marched three hours and au half; supposed distance eight or nine miles. No water. 25th. Marched five hours and half. S. D. 13 or 14 M. No water; several hares seen, and some killed. 26th. Marched three hours. S. D. seven or eight miles,discovered a black cloud of smoke, bearing North,. said to proceed from a considerable village, named Sook ul Shook, on the banks of the Bussora River, called by the Arabs "Shut," distance about 30 miles. No water. N. B. Our waterskins are very insufficient, as we have three horses and two mules, and a family of 18, to provide water for; and we have great reason to apprehend our provisions will not hold out; however the village just mentioned will, it is said, furnish every thing we may want. N. B. Four pair of large water-skins and 12 or 16 small ones, are requisite. 27th. Halted, and, to our surprize, saw the Shick's Son, with about 50 camels, returning to Zebere for more goods; more expostulation with the Shick, but to no purpose, though as sisted by Coja Sherriman for an interpreter, as the person we took in that capacity was altogether unequal to it, though in other respects a very useful servant. His name is Babeck. March 28th. Halt continued. Dis patched our servant Babeck to Sook ul Shook for provisions and waterskins. 29th. Halt continued. 30th. Halt. Potted meat discovered to be spoilt, and totally unfit for use. 31st. Halt continued. Our servant returned from Sook ul Shook, having brought us 11 sheep, and a supply of rice, dates, and ghu, a few oranges, and an excellent skin of river water, which was very acceptable indeed, as that brought for several days from a considerable distance has been very brackish, and much disturbed our bowels. Alum is very useful in clearing muddy water. April 1st. Halt continued; but the party from Zebere returned, and with them the Montifeiks and Benny Kalid Custom-house officers. 2nd. Halt continued. 3d. Marched one hour and half, distance three or four miles; more loaded camels joined the caravan. The delays which the Sheik contrives, prove him a very unfit person for au Englishman to travel with. 4th. Marched three hours and half. $. D. seven and half or eight miles. Our present distance from Bussora we reckon 12 miles. Two chairs arrived this day, dispatched by our very attentive friend Mr. Latouche, which were very acceptable, as one of ours was quite expended, and another in a very loose condition. N. B. Though our horses and mules have not had either straw, or grass for these six or eight days, and only bad water once a day, yet they preserve their spirits and flesh upon the usual allow auce of grain. 5th. Halt continued. All the Arabs are employed in reducing the size of the Coffee bales, having settled their customs with the Montifcik Arabs,and are to close to-morrow with the Benny Kalids. Dressed our first round of Bussora corned beef; proved excellent. 6th. Halt continued, and every one employed as yesterday. 7th. Halt continued. We were obliged to pay the Custom-house Officers 10 piastres, in which business our Sheik behaved very meanly. 8th. Marched seven hours. S. D. from Bussora 89 miles; halted at a good watering-place called Ranuaga. The sand in many places was very heavy,and rendered the chaise useless. N. B. The negligence of the Arabs occasions a great deal of breakage, in our packages of liquor especially. 9th. Marched four hours and half. S. D. from Bussora 100 miles. The two mules this day drew the chaise very conveniently; Tom George having contrived harness for the one to draw before the other in the chaise. No water. 10th. Marched three hours to a watering-place called Alk Seez, which is an old fortification. S. D. from Bussora 107 miles. This day our Sheik received intelligence that Shack Faavul of Shain, alias Damascus, upon the road with 12 or 1500 men. was 11th. Halted. The Sheik employed in putting the caravan into order, and in preparations for meeting the above Sheik. 12th. Marched four hours. S. D. 117 miles; very stony ground; halted in a valley, near the wateringplace called Wurka. 13th. Marched six hours and half. S. D. 132 miles. The road very stony and uneven, that the top of the chaise shook to pieces. Halted at the wa tering-place called Sey-dah, said to be half way between Bussora and Bagdat. 14th, Marched three hours. S. D. 139 miles; very stony ground, chaise of no use. Our Sheik went to the Montifeik Sheik for letters to Sheik Faaval. No water. 15th and 16th. Halted. Saw several Arab huts, and brought some excellent sheep and tolerable ghu: no water. 17th. Marched three hours and an half. S. D. 147 miles; desert partridges in plenty; made an extraor dinary shot at four flying together, all of which were struck alike, and dropped dead at the same moment. Halted at Tyre; the water but indifferent; pasturage excellent; saw the fires at the village of Semorra, on the banks of the Shut, at the distance of about 20 miles. 18th. Marched two hours. S. D. 152 miles. In the night our Sheik returned from the Montifeik Sheik. 19th. Marched five hours. S. D. 163 miles; weather very pleasant. Here our Sheik says we must halt, till he can go forward and settle terms with Sheik Faaval. 20th. Last night a demand came from the Montifeik Sheik for two piastres piastres per load, in consequence of the Bussora Merchants having neg lected to send him the usual presents. This will occasion a further delay. Indeed the delays and difficulties that daily start up, or are contrived by the Sheik, we know not which, induce us to think seriously of going by the way of Bagdat, which was strongly agitated with the Sheik, who promised to furnish us a guard and the necessary camels, if he should be obliged to wait many days longer. 21st. Halt continued. Our Sheik expressed apprehensions for his own life, and contrived to raise 1000 piastres, which he sent to the Montifeik Sheik. 22nd. Marched four hours. S. D. 173 miles. A party of the Bhaet Arabs appeared on horseback, and caused a halt: came into camp, and were treated by the Sheik with coffee. 23rd. Marched six hours and a quarter. S. D. 188 miles. A very cool windy day; no water. 24th. Marched four hours. S. D. 195 miles. Halted, to gain intelligence before we proceeded to the next watering-place, called Batton-il-Hasp. 25th. Marched 104 hours. S. D. 228 miles. As there was no grazing for the camels, which besides were much in want of water, their pace was evidently quicker than before, at least 24 or 3 miles an hour. Passed Batton-ilHasp, and continued till a heavy storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, made us halt. 26th. Marched 3 hours. S. D. 238 miles. Came to an excellent watering place, called Tick-de-gana. 27th. Marched 4 hours. S. D. from Bussora 249 miles. 28th. Marched 62 hours. S. D. 267 miles. Halted to fill up our water, as for three days we are not to expect any. This watering-place is called the ruins of Al-Khy-dar. Passed this day a minaret to the Eastward, and a large fort to the Westward, said to have been built by the Turks to awe the Arabs, but now deserted. 29th. Marched 8 hours. S. D. 289 miles. No water. Road heavy sand. 30th. Marched 8 hours. S. D. 310 miles. No water; road heavy saud. May 1st. Marched 6 hours. S. D. 382 miles. Arrived at the branch of the Euphrates, where there was a considerable body of Arabs, who at first appeared to have hostile intentions but in a few minutes they came peaceably into camp, and brought sheep and butter to sell. We halted for a few hours, and then marched 24 hours. During this last march our Sheik received certain intelligence of Sheik Faaval being within a few hours' distance, in consequence of which, he determined to send the caravan to Heet, under the directions of his Son, and to wait upon Sheik Faaval with a suitable present. 2d. The Sheik set out in the moraing; we marched 5 hours. S. D. from Bussora 345 miles. 3d. Marched 7 hours, and arrived. at Heet. S. D. 363 miles. Heet is situated on the banks of the Euphrates, on the West side: and was a most agreeable sight; here we got a supply of barley for our horses,and many other necessaries, such as ghu, rice, vinegar, &c.; we purchased also a few fowls and eggs, and one of the town Arabs killed for us a wild hog; we got some mulberries, and might have had an ox, or a calf or two, could we have staid till the next morning. The sheep also were good. Though our route has been very irregular for these several days, yet the river and refreshments made ample amends for the additional travelling. In the course of this morning's ride we saw a lizard, of which there are abundance on the Desert, whose body might be about four inches long, holding fast a snake of about three feet in length, which it had seized by the throat in such a manner that the snake could neither bite it,nor escape,though he made thousands of attempts. The sight was curious; and the lizard, though naturally very fearful, did not attempt to move from us. 4th. Left Heet, and marched 6 hours over rocky uneven ground. S. D. 373 miles. Saw a wild hog and some other large animals. 5th. Marched 7 hours over tolerably good ground. S. D. 391 miles, aud arrived at Oglet-Horan, where was a strong current of water, said to be the effect of the heavy rain that has lately fallen in the neighbourhood of Damascus. 6th. Arrived at Tokul-jamus, after a march of 10 hours. S. D. 421 miles. No water. 7th. Marched 9 hours to Mun-ey-al. S. D. 445 miles; no water. 9th. Marched 5 hours to Sur-ey Sur-es, ah, ah, on the banks of the Euphrates, where we expected to have purchased sheep from the Arabs, generally in that neighbourhood; but unluckily a dispute arose between a few of the camel drivers and some Arabs, in which one of our Arabs was wounded, which prevented all intercourse. Supposed distance from Bussora 450 miles. 9th. Marched 8 hours to Rut-ga. S. D. 483 miles; good water. 10th. Marched 71⁄2 hours to BattenSwal. S. D. 505 miles. Here being good water and pasturage for the ca mels, halted, and continued during the whole of the 11th. 12th. Marched 9 hours. S. D. 532 miles. A very severe squall of wind and red sand obliged us to halt; several smaller ones in the course of the afternoon. 13th. Marched 11 hours. S. D. 565 miles. At seven this morning we came in sight of the chain of hills, called Gibbell Bushire, which extend near 40 miles, and halted before we had passed much above half of them; in the night smart rain. 14th. Marched 7 hours. S. D. 587 miles. In the morning met a small caravan going to Bagdat; at halting, Tey-ba in sight to the North-west. The ruins of two castles called Gussurak-wyne, within a mile or two of our encampment, and which was in fine rass and flowers.' 15th. Marched 3 hours to Tey-ba. S. D. 595 miles. Good water; the remains of a large town and square minaret. 16th. Marched 10 hours. S. D. 623 miles; through a hilly country; no water. 17th. Marched 9 hours. S. D. 6511; and passed a well of good water. 18th. Marched 8 hours. S. D. 673 Arrived at the hot springs of Hammaum; the water of which, when cold, is tolerably good; Desert partridges in great abundance. 19th. The Sheik furnished us with an escort of 15 men, with whom, our servants and baggage, we marched about 12 hours, and arrived within two miles of the village of Sphera. S. D. 7031⁄2 miles. 20th. Marched through Sphera; and at half past eight arrived at Aleppo. S. D. from Bussora 715 miles. ALEPPO. It is not an easy matter fora Traveller to persuade himself to leave either this place or Bussora, on account of the constant civilities and friendly attention shewn to him; but, if he can prevail upon himself, he would probably sooner meet with an opportunity of a passage by sea to Europe by proceeding direct to La tichia, than by writing and waiting answers from thence. The distance is about 100 miles, and may be performed in four days; and it will be right to take a guard of 15 or 20 Arabs as far as Shogul. On your arrival at Latichia, it is advisable to visit the harbour; and, as small vessels are generally to be had, the shortest, and apparently the best, way is to freight one direct for Trieste. By waiting answers from Latichia, we continued 20 days at Aleppo; and after our arrival there, the vessel which had been engaged to carry us to Constantinople, was too small, and such as no one would chuse to go in if a better was to be got. In consequence of some conversation with the Italian captains and the persons residing there, and there being a vessel ready to be freighted, we quitted our intention of proceeding to Constantinople, and freighted her to carry us either to Venice or Trieste, as we might, from intelligence we received on the passage, prefer. The vessel we freighted is called a tribaccolo, and greatly resembles a large Surat hoody, › only being rather larger; she burthened about 120 tons,had a flush deck,and seemed well calculated to bear rough weather. Her cabin was tolerably commodious for two persons to sleep in, and the hatchway was the best place to eat in; she had a main and mizen mast, on which were hoisted two large square sails, which, when occasion required, were double or single reefed, by lowering the sail upon the deck. She bad also another mast, neither properly a fore-mast nor a bowsprit, yet partaking of the nature of both; on this was hoisted a lug sail, which reefed aloft, and a more unhaudy, inconvenient sail can scarce be imagined in bad weather: however, the vessel worked well upon a wind, and, taken altogether, is very well calculated for such a pas sage at such a season. We left Latichia the night of the 19th June; had a fair wind, which carried us abreast of Cyprus next day; after which we bad scarte any thing but contrary mjuds; winds; however, by working up the coast of Karamania, with land and sea breezes, we reached Rhodes on the 1st July. The same evening we left it, and on the 6th had worked up as high as Patmos; and on the 15th anchored at Modon in the Morea for water and refreshments. It was the morning of the 19th before we reach ed Zante, where we were very civilly treated by the Consul, Mr. Sargint, and his deputy Mr. Forrest, and met with most sorts of refreshments. The evening of the 20th we left Zante, and, with a tolerably pleasant passage, and what at the season of the year may be reckoned an expeditious one, arrived at Trieste on the 3d August. We were introduced into the old Lazaretto the same day; and having a clean Bill of Health from Latichia, our confinement is not to exceed 21 days; and though it is no doubt disagreeable to be so long kept prisoners after arriving upon the Continent, yet there has hitherto appeared to us no place so eligible for the purpose of performing quarantine as this, as the apartments are very toler able, the fish excellent, and fruit, in general, is allowed to be good; and more thau 21 days are not required, unless in particular cases; whereas at Venice, and all parts of Italy, double the time is observed constantly; and scarce ever more than five days are abated, if the person chuse to leave their cloaths behind them and get others made. General Observations. The best season for passing the Desert appears to be from October to May. The Journey across the great Desert appears considerably preferable to that by way of Bagdat. A person anxious to arrive in England as quick as possible, should contrive to be at Bussora by the first of January; to leave it by the 15th, and to arrive at Aleppo between the 12th and 15th February. His stay there ought not to exceed the 20th; and, he may then expect to leave Latichia on the first of March, and by the end of it arrive at Trieste; and by the middle of May, at farthest, be in England. A person who has no particularly urgent business, and wishes to travel with ease and convenience, and in the most pleasurable season,need not leave Bassora before the 20th February, or first of March. He may employ 35 days in passing the Desert, and continue at Aleppo till the first of May, From thence to Latichia; and to provide conveniencies there, may require 10 days, and for the passage to Trieste 50 more. In the beginning of August he will be at liberty to proceed to England, after gratifying his curiosity at Venice for the last six or eight days in July. A gentleman chusing to bring his family across the Desert need not apprehend either danger or insult. The lady must have a Tackt Revan for the convenience of travelling, and should avoid exposing herself to be stared at. Any gentleman or party, travelling upon the plan of ease and conveni ence, should not estimate his expences at less than 15,000 rupees from Bussora; the charge thither depends much пров circumstances. For a guard of 60 Arabs and 40 not to exceed other expences at Trieste. Travelling charges to England 5000 1500 2000 3000 1000 2000 With respect to remittances for his expences, there is no occasion, so long as the Bombay rupee continues to exceed the piastre in exchange at Bussora, to carry money from Bombay, as bills on the departure of any freight vessel can be negotiated to an advantage for such a sum at least without loss; but, if there was no such opportunity expected, Venetians answer very well, even when carried to Aleppo, and from thence bills can be negotiated upon Constantinople without loss, and credit from the last place can be lodged without difficulty at Trieste. Before the vessel can arrive from Latichia, or even from England, letters of credit may be lodged at Trieste, by writing immediately after the arrival at Bussora. Letters |
