394 Mr. Davids Extracts from the Pelting Gazette. 



anxious to effect a cure, in order that, a weak old horse as I am, it might 

 be still in my power, by the exertion of my whole strength, to recompense 

 a ten-thousandth part of the benevolence which restored me to life. 



" But my external and internal complaints combining together have 

 reduced me to the necessity of using powerful medicines, which have been 

 in some degree efficacious in mitigating the violence of my complaints : 

 yet the destructive effects of old age on the blood and spirits have been 

 still greater, and the mind (affected by the state of the body) became ex- 

 ceedingly depressed. Both my legs were so tumid and painful that I could 

 not walk ; but still I thought that the mildness of the spring, joined to 

 careful treatment, might enable me, at the expiration of my leave, to make 

 a violent effort towards the resumption of my office. When the spring 

 came, however, both my legs became more swelled than ever, and the 

 bones and sinews still more painful. The consulting physicians said it was 

 the accumulated result of the action of noxious vapours during a number 

 of years, and that old age being superadded it was not a tiling for medicine 

 to cure. More than seven montlis have now elapsed since I applied for my 

 leave ; and though I have used a great variety of remedies, I cannot yet 

 walk without support. Unable as I am to look forward to a cure, still, 

 anxious as a dog or a horse to serve his lord, I should never have dared to 

 entertain thouglits of retiring from sei-vice or indulging in ease, were it 

 not that my powers are already destroyed, and I fear can never be restored. 

 After turning it anxiously in my mind, I have no other choice tlian to en- 

 treat humbly tliat I may be permitted to retire to my native place, in order 

 to obtain a little relief from medical treatment. Then, should the evening 

 of my declining life be a little lengthened, I shall look upon it as proceed- 

 ing entirely from the benevolent kindness of my sacred master (^Sliing-choo), 

 who has given me a second life. And for this purpose I respectfully pe- 

 tition." 



XV. Petition for a neic Trial in a case of Homicide. 



3d moon, 2d day (31st March). 

 " The Imperial pleasure has been received. 



" Fang-chin-she, a woman of Chung-tseang-H'een, in Hoo-pih province, 

 has come to Pekin, to present to us a petition, entreating that her nephew. 



