24-2 



entertaining to her, and give them all a better idea of India than 

 any thing I know besides. 



" I think it very probable you may meet our 

 friend C — at Tellicherry or Cochin, in one of the Porlugueze ships 

 from Macao, which generally arrive about this lime. You have 

 heard of his late misfortunes, but it is possible you may not know 

 by what means his affairs are likely to be retrieved; and therefore 

 with exquisite delight I relate an anecdote which does honour to 

 human nature. The story is true, and in my opinion equals any 

 thing of the kind upon record. You, who were formerly so well 

 acquainted with this worthy man in India, know that he after- 

 wards resided many years highly respected at Canton and Macao; 

 where a sudden reverse of fortune lately reduced him from a state 

 of affluence to the greatest necessity. A Chinese merchant, to 

 whom he had formerly rendered service, gratefully offered him an 

 immediate loan of ten thousand dollars, which the gentleman ac- 

 ccpted, and gave his bond for the amount; this the Chinese imme- 

 diately threw into the tire, saying, " When you, my friend, first 

 came to China, I was a poor man; you look me by the hand, and 

 assisting my honest endeavours, made me rich. Our destiny is 

 now reversed: I see you poor, while I am blessed with affluence." 

 — The by-standers had snatched the bond from the flames ; the 

 gentleman, sensibly affected by such generosity, pressed his Chinese 

 friend to take the security, which he did, and then effectually de- 

 stroyed it. The disciple of Confucius, beholding the renewed 

 distress it occasioned, said he would accept of his watch, or any 

 little valuable as a memorial of their friendship. The gentleman 



