horrid and inacceffible; while the two others are in most parts cultivated. From these mountains iffue the many fprings that water the island. Thefe waters, which flow in gentle ftreams, are changed into torrents on the flightest storm. Their qualities are derived from the foil over which they flow. In fome places they are excellent, in others fo bad that the inhabitants are obliged to drink the water they have collected during the rainy feafon. place deftined for fhips and warehoufes. The other part of the town ftands upon a low hill: it is called the Fort, from a small fortification that was built there in 1665, to check the feditions of the inhabitants against the tyranny of monopoly; but it now ferves to protect the road from foreign enemies. Thefe two parts of the town are separated by a rivulet. The anchorage is at the back of a pretty high and steep hill. Shut up as it were by this hill, which intercepts the easterly winds, the most constant and most falubrious in these parts; expofed, without any refreshing breezes, to the scorching beams of the fun, reflected from the hill, from the fea, and the black fand on the beach; this place is extremely hot, and always unwholefome. Besides, there is no harbour; and the ships, which cannot winter fafely upon this coaft, are obliged to take fhelter at Fort Royal. But these disadvantages are compenfated by the conveniency of the road of St. Peter's, for loading and unloading of goods; and by its fituation, fhips can freely go in and out at all times, and with all winds. Of all the French fettlements in the Weft-Indies, Martinico was most happily fituated with regard to the winds which prevail in thofe feas. Its harbours poffefs the inestimable advantage of affording a certain fhelter from the hurricanes which annoy thefe latitudes. The harbour of Fort Royal is one of the best in all the windward iflands; and fo celebrated for its fafety, that, when it was open to the Dutch, their fhipmafters had orders from the republic to take fhelter there in June, July, and August, the three months in which the hurricanes are moft frequent. The lands of the Lamentin, which are but a league diftant, are the richest and most fertile in the whole island. The numerous treams which water this fruitful country convey loaded canoes to a confiderable distance from the fea. The protection of the fortifications fecured the peaceable enjoyment of fo many advantages; which, however, were balanced by a fwampy and unwholefome foil. This capital of Martinico was alfo the rendezvous of the men of war; which branch of the navy has always oppreffed the merchantmen. On this account, Fort Royal was an improper place to become the centre of trade, which was therefore removed to St. Peter's. This little town, notwithstanding the fires that have four times reduced it to afhes, ftill contains one thousand feven hundred houfes. It is fituated on the western coaft of the island, on a bay, or inlet, which is almoft circular. One part of it is built on the ftrand along the fea-fide, which is called the Anchorage; and is the [For particulars of the recent capture of this Ifland by General Sir CHARLES GREY, and Admiral Sir J. JERVIS, fee the following pages.] In 1769, France imported from Martinico, upon 202 trading veffels, 177,116 quintals of fine fugar, and 12,579 quintals of raw fugar; 68,518 quintals of coffee; 11,731 quintals of cocoa; 6048 quintals of cotton; 2518 quintals of caffia; 783 cafks of rum; 307 hogfheads of molaffes; 150 pounds of indigo; 2147 pounds of preserved fruits; 47 pounds of chocolate; 282 pounds of rafped tobacco; 494 pounds of rope-yarn; 334 chefts of liqueurs; 234 hogsheads of molasses, &c. 451 quintals of wood for dying; and 12,108 hides in the hair. All these productions together have been bought in the colony itself, for 536,6311. 9s. 1od. It is true, that the colony has received from the mother-country to the amount of 588,4121. 16s. 6d. of merchandise ; but part of this has been sent away to the Spanish coasts, and another part conveyed to the English fettlements. This island was taken by the Britifh in 1762, but restored in 1763. POETRY POETRY. The VILLAGE WEDDING. At length to make fport of the bride From Dibdin's " Caftles in the Air." HE village was jovial, the month was THE May, The birds were fweetly finging'; Of Numps and Madge 'twas the wed ding-day, The bells were merrily ringing. The bridegroom came in his holidayclothes. The bride in ribbons as red as a rofe. The drums beat and the joke went round. Then to fee them all foot it, and jig it, and prance, Stump, fidget, and reel, in the mazy dance! Thus, from when the lark rofe till the tocking was thrown, The fun and the frisk, and the pastime, groom and bride, Whofe jars in droll ditty they're finging, The wags of the village now skimming. ton ride, While backward the bells they are ringing. The ladles, the skimmers, the broom-^ fticks, they weild ; The porringer-helmet, the potlid thield, The ample ram's horns that fo grace the parade, The petticoat rampant fo proudly dif play'd, Denote jars domeftic and family ftrife, Where the Doll took the distaff, the cudgel the wife. 3 K Thus hiffing, and hooting, and grunting of hogs, And fqualling of children, and barking of dogs, And thrill penny trumpets, falt-boxes, and bells, And drums, and cow-horns, and a hundred things elfe, Compofe of confufions the drolleft e'er feen; While, charm'd that fo long they had tarry'd, Young Ralph of the village and Sue of the green Cry, What a damn'd thing to be marry'd. NAUTICAL PHILOSOPHY. Written and compofed by Mr. Dibdin. BE one of they failors who thinks 'tis IB no lie, That for every wherefore in life there's a why; That, be fortune's strange weather a frown or a fquall, Our lives, good or bad, are chalk'd outfor us all; That the stays and the braces of life will be found To be fome of them rotten and fome of them found ; That the good we should cherish, the bad never feek, For death will too foon bring each an chor a-peak. When aftride on the yard, the top-lifts they let go, And I com'd like a shot plump among them below, Why I cotch'd at a halliard and jump'dTM upon deck, And fo broke my fall to fave breaking” my neck; Aut Just like your philofophers, for all their jaw, Who, lefs than a rope, gladly catch at a ftraw: Thys the good we should cherish, &c. Why now that there cruise that we made off the banks, Where I pepper'd the foe, and got shot for my thanks; What then? the foon struck; and, though crippled on-fhore, And laid up to refit, I had shiners galore. At length live and looking I try'd the falfe main, And to get more prize-money got shot at again: Thus the good we should cherish, &c. Then just as it comes take the bad with' the good; One man's fpoon's made of filver, another's of wood; What's poifon for one man's another man's balm ; Some are fafe in a ftorm, and fome loft R" RETROSPECT or LIFE. ICHES, chance may take or give; Beauty lives a day, and dies; Honour lulls us while we live ; Mirth's a cheat, and pleasure flies. Is there nothing worth our care? Time, and chance, and death our foes; If our joys fo fleeting are, Are we only 'ty'd to woes? Let bright virtue answer, no; Her eternal powers prevail, When honours, riches, cease to flow, And beauty, mirth, and pleasure, fail. AN EPITAPH. FOREIGN OCCURRENCE S. GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY. 3d battalion ditto. 7 rank and file kil WHITEHALL, April 16. ALETTER, of which the following is an extract, was this day received by the right honourable Henry Dundas, his majefty's principal fecretary of State for the home department, from General Sir Charles Grey, K. B. dated Campbefore Fort Bourbon, Ifland of Martinico, SIR, March 16, 1794. IN my dispatch of the 2d ultimo I had the honour to acquaint you, that the 'force destined for the expedition was then embarked in Carlisle Bay, at Barbadoes; and, having failed very early in the morning of the 3d, I have now the fatisfaction to add, that we are in poffeffion of the whole island of Martinico, excepting forts Bourbon and Royal, which I hold completely and closely befieged; the latter being, however, entirely in our power to destroy at pleasure. The troops are in high fpirits, and generally in good health.-Enclosed are returns of killed, wounded, and miffing, from the time of landing in Martinico to this date. I have the honour to be, &c. CHARLES GREY. General Return of Officers, Non-commif- Royal Artillery. 10 rank and file killed; I rank and file killed; 3 rank and file wounded. Light dragoons. I rank and file wounded. ift battalion of grenadiers. 5 rank and file killed; volunteer Collis, and 12 rank and file, wounded; 2 rank and file miffing. 2d battalion ditto. I captain, I ferjeant, and 8 rank and file, killed; 2 lieutenants, 2 ferjeants, and 21 rank and file, wounded. 3d battalion ditto. I ferjeant, and 16 rank and file, killed; 2 lieutenants, and 38 rank and file, wounded. ift battalion of light in fantry. I ferjeant, 2d battalion ditto. I ferjeant, and 7 rank 1 led; 21 rank and file wounded. ift brigade, 15th regiment. ferjeant, and 2 rank and file, killed; 4 rank and file wounded. t rank and file killed; 4 rank and file wounded. Ditto, 43d regiment. 3 rank and file 2d brigade, 65th regiment. 2 rank and wounded; 1 rank and file miffing. Ditto, 39th regiment. file killed; 11 rank and file wounded. 3d brigade, 6th regiment. I ferjeant kil led; ferjeant, and 1 rank and file, Ditto, 9th regiment. wounded. r colonel killed; one rank and file wounded. Ditto, 70th regiment. 2 rank and file wounded. Total. 71 killed, 193 wounded, 3 miffing. Names of Officers killed and wounded. 9th regiment. Colonel Campbell killed. 38th ditto. Captain Mackewen killed. Royal artillery. Captain Hope wounded. Ditto. Captain Whitworth wounded. Ditto. Lieutenant Thornhill wounded. 60th ditto. Lieut. Schneider wounded. 2d battalion ditto. wounded. Ift light infantry. Volunteer Volunteer Latouche Volunteer Davis WHITEHALL, April 21. MAJOR GREY arrived this morning at the office of the right honourable Henry Dundas, his majesty's principal fecretary of state for the home depart.. ment, with difpatches from Sir Charles, Grey, K. B. of which the following are extracts: Fort Royal, Martinico, March 25. Sir, I have the happiness to acquaint you of the complete conqueft of this very valuable ifland, the last and most important fortrefs of Fort Bourbon having furrendered to his majesty's arms at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 23d inftant; at which time his royal highness Prince Edward, major-general of his majesty's forces, took poffeffion of both gates with the first and third battalions of grenadiers, and the first and third light infantry. The navy acquitted themfelves with their ufual gallantry, (particularly Capt. Faulkner, whofe conduct justly gained 2 bim him the admiration of the whole army,) carrying the fort by escalade about twelve o'clock on the 20th inftant, under the able conduct of Commodore Thompson, whofe judicious difpofition of the gun and flat boats, affifted by that fpirited and active officer Capt. Rogers, contributed materially to our success; at the fame time that the land-forces, commanded by that excellent officer Colonel Symes, critically advancing with equal ardour, forced and entered the town triumphantly, hoifting the British colours, and changing the name to Fort Edward. Immediately after this, General Rochambeau, who commanded in Fort Bourbon, fent his aid-de-camp with a Bag, offering to furrender on capitulation, and the terms were finally adjusted and agreed to on the 22d inftant, by three commiffioners on each fide, the ratifications thereof being figned by the commanders in chief on the 23d following; and the garrifon, amounting to 900 men, marched out this morning prifoners of war, laying down their arms on the parade of Fort Royal, and were embarked for France immediately. His majefty's troops, having marched in, ftruck the French and hoisted the British colours, and changed the name from Bourbon to that of Fort George. Forts Bourbon and Royal have fuffered greatly from our fire during the fiege, and we are diligently employed to put them in a proper ftate of defence, effectually to fecure this important acquifition of territory to the crown of Great Britain. I am reftóring order as faft as poffible, from the confufion naturally occafioned by a fiege, and have the pleasure to obferve that every thing in the forts is as tranquil and wellregulated as could be expected in the time, I have the honour to be, &c. CHARLES GREY. P. S. I fend five ftands of colours, laid down by the garrifon, together with the two colours of Fort Bourbon, to be prefented to his majesty. The gallant defence made by General Rochambeau and his garrison was ftrongly manifefted on entering Fort Bourbon, as there was fcarce an inch of ground untouched by our fhot and fhells; and it is but juftice to fay that it does them the highest honour. ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, April 21. Captain Henry Powlet arrived this morning with difpatches from Vice-admiral Sir John Jervis, K. B. commander in chief of his majesty's fhips and veffels at Barbadoes and the Leeward iflands, to Mr. Stephens, of which the following are extracts: BOYNE, Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, March 25, 1794. Sir, My letter to you of the 16th, by the Roebuck packet, a duplicate of which is enclosed, has made the lords commif. fioners of the admiralty acquainted with the operations of the fiege until that date; I have the pleasure to communicate, for their lordships further information, that the battery on Point Carriere, which forms the eaft fide of the entrance of the Careenage, opened at day-light on the 17th, and with the gun-boats kept an inceffant fire on Fort St. Louis, while the gun and mortar batteries on the heights played on Fort Bourbon; Lieutenant Bowen of the Boyne, who had commanded the night-guard and gun-boats for a confiderable time, perceiving a favourable moment, puthed into the Careenage with the rowing-boats of the guard, boarded the Bien Venu French frigate, and brought off the captain, lieutenant, and about twenty men, who were onboard her, under a fmart fire of grapefhot and mufquetry from the ramparts and parapet of the fort. The fuccefs of this gallant action determined the general and me to attempt the fort and town of Fort Royal by affault, and I directed forty fcaling ladders to be made of barnboo and small stretched cordage, from twenty to thirty-fix feet long, and ordered the Afia and Zebra to be held in readiness to enter the Careenage, in order to batter the fort and to cover the flat-boats, bargcs, and pinnaçes, under the command of Commodore 1 hompfon, fupported by Captains Nugent and Riou, while the grenadiers and light infantry from the camp at Soururie advanced with fieldpieces along the tide of the hill under Fort Bourbon, towards the bridge, over the canal, at the back of Fort Royal. This combination fucceeded in every part, except the entrance of the Afia, which failed for the want of precision in the ancient lieutenant of the port, Monfieur de Tourelles, who had undertaken to pilot the Afia. Captain Faulknor obferving that ship baffled in her attempts, and the Zebra having been under fhower of grape-fhot for a length of time, (which he, his officers and floop's company, food with a firmnefs not to be. defcribed, he determined to undertake the fervice alone, and he executed it withi matchlefs intrepidity and conduct, running the Zebra clofe to the wall of the fort, and, leaping over-board at the head of his loop's company, affailed and took a this |