10

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

ON THE AREKA, AND THE BETEL. tant of every wood or jungle, and, THE Areka, or Sunapi, of China, like many of our most valuable herbs, is used among the Chinese by wrap- grows spontaneously in the fields, ping it in the leaf of the Betel, or unheeded, or disregarded but by the pung leat, a shrub similar to the herbalist or botanist. The saliva prowoodbine, or ivy of England, which duced by chewing this nut, is of the encircles itself round the Areka tree, most beautiful red the eye can either a species of palm, that generally at- witness, or the imagination conceive; tains the height of thirty or forty feet, and were there a possibility of extractperfectly straight, of the circumference ing the dye, its richness would be unof a full-grown poplar, with protu- exampled, and be substituted for that berant rings on the bark, at equal dis- now held in the highest consideration. tances, and possessing no branches But the colour of this nut is only imbut at the head, where it spreads it- parted in its green state; when it beself, to which is suspended the fruit, comes hardened, it neither will disor nut of the areka, erroneously term- close this valuable property to aqueed beetle-nut. Enveloped in an out- ous, spirituous, or oily menstruums. I ward coating of numerous filaments, have heard of its being infused, after about the size of an English walnut, levigation, in spirits; and acting as a but more conical, this husk is not un- great corroborator of the stomach, and like in its structure to the rind of a facilitating digestion. As a styptic cocoa-nut, but more soft and pliable. medicine, it may not be inferior to I imagine it is either in quantity in- the best peruvian bark; it is perfectly sufficient, or there is a succedancum tasteless, otherwise than the aromatic. in the bark of other trees, more pro- effluvia which arises after it is chew-fitable in converting it into paper. The ed. From the circumstance of the. properties of the areka are unparallel- betel growing round the areka tree, ed, as an extreme beautifier and emi- we may attribute the cause of the leaf nent preserver of the teeth. Its astrin- of this vine being wrapped and chew- . gency gives them strength, and is, un- ed together with the arcka nut; as exceptionably, the finest antiscorbu- if nature indicated the propriety of tic known. I have seen many Euro- blending them, in order, as it is perpeans who have had the most indiffe- fectly known, to correct the predomirent teeth, and who were frequently nant bitterness of the betcl, by the troubled with the tooth-ache, by a aromatic flavour of the areka. The short residence in India, where they anodyne qualities of the former renhave constantly accustomed them- der it a peculiar favourite of the naselves to its use, been permanently tives; its intoxicating nature procures relieved, and the appearance of their alleviation to the poor distressed Inteeth improved wonderfully. Even the most offensive breath has been overcome; as it possesses one of the most incomparable odours have met with, in China, the Moluccas, the peninsula of Indostan. I may, perhaps, be considered too sanguine or partial in my praise of this vegetable; yet I feel confident, that no one who is acquainted with it, will dispute my statement. It is to be regretted, this has not long since been a principal article of importation: so highly and justly as it is esteemed in China, yet in Europe, it is in fact scarcely known; though its virtues are so great, it is in this country neither cultivated among agriculturists or private gentlemen. In India it is the promiscuous inhabi

dian, softens the acuteness of poignant reflection, and delights the imagination with every utopia of bliss. No wonder, then, that these inoffensive associates of human society, should seek that soother of their cares, which nature has so judiciously and humanely allotted them in the recluses of their country.

The areka nut is most frequent in the provinces of Siam, Molucca, Cambodia, and Cochin, China. It is prolific along the eastern coast of the bay of Bengal, and flourishes in the neighbouring isles of Sumatra, Pulo, Penany, &c. &c. The East India Company purchase the ammonican, a measure of 20,000 arekas, or 260 pound weight, for about 2000 fettus, equat

CHAS. CRAUFURD HUTCHINSON.

Seymour-Street,
Dec. 9, 1805.

THE WIG, No. 1.
The Wig's the thing; the Wig, the
Wig;

The wisdom's in the Wig.

Dildin.

to 9s. 6d. English; although indivi- branches of society; and it will produals pay equivalent to three pence a cure to me the greatest pleasure, pound. The betel is cultivated in should it prove beneficial in any other most parts of India, and is not dissi- manner than that which I have stated. milar to the growth of hops; the leaf approaching the laurel, and the blossom the pear, it forms a pretty appearance. The leaf, with the areka, and the chunam (a line produced from calcined shells) furnishes one of the greatest luxuries in the whole eastern empire; it is ranked among the accomplishments, is every where presented as the first offering of friend- THE attention of an author can ship, and denoted in every station as scarcely be directed to a subject more the emblem of the highest respect. difficult or perplexing, than that of The soil most adapted for the culture forming an appropriate address for of the betel, is a rich loam, or heavy his first appearance at the bar of the clay, and like the manchineal of Bar- public tribunal; eager of applause, badoes, skirts the coasts of the ocean. yet diffident of his title to it, he dicIt may not be irrelevant, to take no- tates with caution, and submits with tice of a circumstance of the manchi- deference. The diversity of opinions, neal, not less singular than the betel, and the versatility of taste (for he has, attaching itself to the areka, and form- at the same time, to address all classes ing to each other an equilibrium that of readers), render his situation parcorrects the too potent qualities that ticularly difficult. As their judge

separately might defeat the end for ments will be considerably influenced which they were designed. In every by his commencing specimen, he canplace, where the growth of the man- not determine which road to take,, chineal exists, it is accompanied by a to secure to himself that estimation protective plant, that affords a juice, which he considers most essential to which searches the progress of the his fame. In this situation I now poison, and secures the unfortunate stand; but as I have little to say in person from becoming its victim; as extenuation of myself, or in defence the rattle-snake root is a safe antidote of the subsequent lucubrations, I shall against the bite of that reptile. The leave their fate to the candour of the value of the nut, when purchased in world, not doubting, they will rethis country, is from 3s. 6d. to 5s. a ceive that share of praise or censure, pound; though, when properly levi- to which their merits or defects may gated, this produces not more than ultimately entitle them. Having thus from three to four ounces. Its good- premised, I shall endeavour to satisfy ness consists in being free from holes, the curiosity of my readers, which will, or any appearance where grubs have I doubt not, be excited by he title I inserted themselves. If pale in colour, have affixed to these papers. I am and when broke, clear and thickly well aware that the wig, though a marbled with red, purple, and dark useful and comfortable appendage for Teins, the nuts will run in number the head of age, can scarcely be confrom seventy to eighty in the pound, sidered to have connexion with essays avoirdupoise. For a more detailed political, moral, or humorous; and account, refer to the Encyclopædia, I cannot but admit the propriety of Raj nar's Indies, Fenning, Pomet, such a suggestion, were the whimsiGrose, &c. If my suggestion, in re- calities and deformities of fashion less commending it as a commodity, wor- predominant over the nobler faculty thy of enlarged importation, be ac- of reason. However, as it by no cepted in the opinion of any Indian adventurer, I shall feel sadsfied in having been the promoter of an article which, from my experience of its qualities, is entitled to every attention from the philosophical and commercial

means becomes me to find fault with or rail at the fashions of the times, I shall only observe, that my title is induced by no common incident, and that, had it not been for fashion and my peruke, these papers had never

been brought to light. As to the swer my purpose. This was too unpropriety of their title, I see no ob- meaning; that meant more than I jection; for if, in former days, a Mir- could verify; one was too pompous; ror could so well reflect the vices and the next, too humble; a third, prefollies of the age, and a Rambler, a suming; and a fourth, trifling. I sat Spectator, or Idler, "catch the man- a considerable time, and came to no ners living as they rose," I know not conclusion: that is to say, I did not why the Wig, which has already ob- make a beginning; till, at length, my tained the sanction and approbation of patience being exhausted, I peevishly the world, should be prohibited from threw my pen down on the table, and communicating such information as myself back into the arm-chair, where may daily occur to its observation; in a short time, I went to sleep. I and as no occupation can be more had previously ordered my valet-decommendable than that of combining chambre to attend me at six o'clock, the utile et dulce, it is a laudable am- as I was that evening to tea and sup bition which prompts the attempt to with a lady of distinction; and had deobtain a place on the shelf of the lite- sired him to get my best peruke in rati, by rendering the Wig, not only order, for the visit. By the way, I a comfortable covering for the extre- should observe, that my valet is a mity of the head, but an agreeable and Frenchman, who formerly carried communicative companion, furnish- arms under his late unfortunate moing instruction to the inside, and con- narch; and who, during my sojourn veying to the mind, lessons deduced at Dieppe, had, by his entreaties and from practice, or minute investiga- promises of steadiness and assiduity, tion, which may afford specimens of induced me to take him under my wit, humour, or morality, to enliven protection; indeed, he begged so hard or exalt the heart; or directing the "pour l'amour de Dieu," that I juvenile adventurer in his pursuit af- found myself unable to resist his earter the grand phantom of life, hap- nest solicitations. For I am a plain, piness! But, without expatiating any honest (though I say it) upright man, farther upon the propriety or impro- not yet beyond the boundaries of priety of my choice, which I shall youth; with a considerable share of leave to the determination of the un- sensibility and benevolence. The disprejudiced reader, I proceed to relate tresses of my fellow creatures plead the incident by which it was decided. powerfully to my heart; and I care Since, then, the happy termination not so much what a man has been, if (happy I say, for it was thought so at he promises well for the future. It is the time) of the late war, by the rati- enough to add, that he came to Engfication of peace between the chief land with me, and was extremely consul Buonaparte and the marquis anxious to be serviceable. I spent a Cornwallis, and previous to the re- few days at Brighton, in my way to commencement of hostilities, I made the metropolis; and observing the po a short tour, of a few days, to Paris. pular fashion of wearing perukes, I The events of my passage, my recep- no sooner arrived in town, than I retion there, and the characters I met paired to the repository of a man, fa¬ with, I had intended to have offered to mous in the annals of advertisement, the world in the shape of essays, to be by whom my pericranium was fitted produced periodically; and had actu- to a hair. My appearance was conally seated myself, two days after my siderably changed; and I strutted forth return, in my great arni-chair, for with no small degree of encreased the purpose, when a difliculty, I had pride, though I would not have it innot met with before, stared me full in ferred, from my saying "increased the face. This was no other, than to pride," that I am naturally proud. find an appropriate title for such ob- To return from this digression. I servations as I had been enabled to slept a considerable time, and awoke collect. In adjusting this particular, enraptured at a most delightful dream, I found myself considerably embar- in which Taste and Fancy equally enrassed. A crowd of hard names, and couraged my desire to appear in pub, simple terms, rushed immediately to lic. I seized my pen with eagerness, my assistance; but not one would an- snuffed my capdie in haste, hemmed

thrice, and attempted to begin. My gers, and I kicked it about the room, enthusiasm spurred me in vain. I murmuring. Some of the papers came had found no title adequate to my off. I picked up one, and upon exwishes: I bit my quill, grew discon- amining it, I found it contained a tented, and, after waiting half an fragment of poetry. I searched farhour without committing one syllable ther, and each paper seemed to conto paper, on looking at my watch I tain a something apparently ingenifound it was near eight o'clock! I ous. I then asked Rennié, where he threw down my pen in anger, rung had got the paper, with which he had the bell with fury, muttering impre- so industriously decorated my wig? cations on my neglectful Rennie; for he answered, in a large box that stood that was my valet's name. No one in an upper garret where he slept. I answered: I rung the bell again, ordered him to take them all off my with redoubled violence. Rennie now peruke, and asked, if there were made his appearance; and, I vented more? He said, yes. I had them. my passion, by calling him "scoun- brought to me; and, from the singed drel! neglectful rascal! slave! pol- decorations of my wig, (which, by the troon! &c." He had been asleep him- bye, was so disfigured, that I could self; and, after rubbing his eyes open, not wear it again) the bundle brought stared at me with astonishment. I me by Rennie, and my own correcbade him bring my wig-" Qui Mon- tions and additions, where the origisieur, mais il est en papier," was the nals were mutilated or destroyed, I reply. Coquin, sacre le papier," have collected the chief part of the returned I, "apportez le peruke." He papers designed to follow this; and brought it. Was ever wig in such a which, notwithstanding the offence form before? It was papered all they gave me while on the outside of over, like a lady's toupee, previous to my wig, have amply repaid my vexher visiting a niasquerade; not a hair ation and disappointment, by furnishwas to be seen, except at the roots; ing me with two things most essenand the wig formed, in my sight, the tial to my intended project, viz. a exact resemblance of a glass of kisses title, (for which I was very much at or cardomums in a confectioner's a loss!) and a considerable quantity of shop. I turned it on all sides: I more interesting matter than I could stamped, I swore! Rennié, falling otherwise have produced. I thereon his knees, in a voice of extreme fore, regret not that my wig has been penitence, begged pardon; he pro- equally honoured with the head of mised never to do so again. I put it that lady, who had unluckily seized on just as it was. I looked like a por- the valuable remarks of the sentimencupine with quills erect, and, had I tal Sterne. Now, reader! could any possessed the power, could have shot title be so appropriate as THE WIG ? them all at the trembling cause of my vexation. I drove Rennié out of the room with imprecation. In five minutes he returned, with tea (knowing I was too late to fulfil my engagements) while I continued run- IN consequence of the victory off ning about the room in a paroxism of Copenhagen, and the death of the madness, with the 'papered wig still Emperor Paul, negociations were enon my head. I swallowed my tea in tered into for a pacification with the such haste that I scalded my mouth; northern powers; and in order that it and, at length, quite wearied with im- might not appear that a British_force patience, vexation, and disappoint- was kept in a Russian port, to intimi ment, I threw the wig on the fire, date that power, or to dictate terms and rung the bell. Rennie (who had to the Emperor Alexander, the Bri stationed himself near the door in rea- tish squadron quitted Revel, and andiness) entered just in time to snatch chored in Kioge bay, to be near at it from the devouring element. For- hand, should the negociations take an tunate interposition! it lay smoaking unfavourable turn, so as to act immeon the carpet, half singed away. I diately as the emergency of the case went to take it up: it burnt my fiu- might require; when Captain The

For the Universal Magazine. Further particulars of the late Captain Thesiger (see our Magazine for November last.)

The principal facts here collected, MANY things are told of illustri- taken partly from Charnock's Life of ous men; of which, some augment Lord Nelson, partly from the Naval the celebrity they aspire to diffuse, Chronicle, Carr's Northern Summer, while others are only important as and various periodical literary miscelthey relate to persons concerning lanies, will, it is hoped, furnish an whoin the curiosity of the public has agreeable néange, in addition to the a been unusually excited. It is, howe- count of his lordship, published in the ver, proposed that nothing shall enter Universal Magazine, for November into the composition of the Nelsoniana and December, 1805.