ANTALOW 
evening presented it to him. It excited great admiration, particu- 
larly the workmanship of the chair, and eight little angels flying 
around, which I had finished highly on purpose to please him. 
" Pearce had several times hinted to me his wish to stay in the 
country, having been invited by the Ras, who promised to provide 
for him, and take him under his immediate protection. I had 
hitherto declined any opinion on the subject, but rather advised 
him to the contrary, from a fear that he might be deceived in his ex- 
pectations. I was, however, very unwilling absolutely to prevent his 
following the bent of his inclination, as the disappointment might 
afterwards remain in his breast a continual subject of discontent; 
his gratitude to Lord Valentia was unbounded, for having rescued 
him from Mocha, and formed the only tie that I had upon him. He 
had however declared, that he would make no engagement without 
having previously obtained my approbation. The Ras this evening 
asked him the question in my presence; when I took the opportu- 
nity of telling him, that I should leave him entirely to the guidance 
of his own wishes, as I did not conceive myself intitled to thwart him 
in any scheme of life that he might choose to adopt. In consequence 
of my advice, he had in the evening a personal conference with the 
Ras, who treated him with great attention. He questioned him 
much with regard to his capacity as a soldier, his ability in paint- 
ing, and his knowledge of physic ; to which Pearce very properly 
answered, that he was only slightly acquainted with the two latter 
arts, but would do his best for him; that as to the other, it had 
been the employment of his life. The next enquiry was, whether 
he could write and read English ; in both of which he was a toler- 
ably good proficient. This seemed greatly to please the Ras, who 
