dered the coachman to return. "Presently, your highness," said the coachman, "the road is here too narrow."-"How, rascal," cried Paul, wont you turn immediately?" The coachman, instead of answering, hastened to a spot where it was possible to comply. Paul, however, called to his equerry, and ordered him to arrest and punish the rebellious coachman. The equerry assured him that he would turn in a moment. Paul flew into a passion with the equerry also: "You are a pitiful scoundrel like himseli," said he; "let him overturn the carriage, let him break my neck, but let him obey me, and turn the instant I command him." During the dispute the coachman succeeded in turning, but Paul had him chastised on the spot.

"Since his accession, one of his horses stumbled with him in one of the streets of Petersburg,--he alighted immediately, held a sort of council with his attendants, and the horse was condemned to receive fifty lashes with a whip. Paul caused them to be given on the spot before the populace, and counted himself the strokes, saying, “There, Sir, that is for having stumbled with the emperor.

"One day, when only grand-duke, he met in the gardens a man with a round hat, who wished to avoid him. Paul caused the man to be brought before him, and found that he was a clock-maker, who came to repair his time-keepers. After having at great length remonstrated with him on the indecency of round hats, he asked his wife for some pins, and raising the flaps of the hat, cocked it himself, and then replaced it upon the head of its owner.

"To balance this multitude of absurdities, he exhi bits many traits of humanity: the pensions which he has bestowed on the unfortunate, the hospitals which he has founded for his soldiers, the provisions which he distributes among his poor officers, and other acts of benevolence and justice, attests that he deserves the character rather of a capricious than a bad man."

Such are the traits of the present Russian monarch-let the reader form his own judgment res

specting them. His character surely, under such circumstances, cannot command respect. Discontent will prevail among his subjects, and probably effect a revolution when least expected by him. Insanity proves the best apology for his conduct. Such a man, however, is capable of doing incredible mischief to the millions under his jurisdiction, and to the many nations by which his extensive dominions are surrounded. Wishing well to the human race, we hope Paul will reform, or that Providence will raise up some other monarch in Russia more friendly to the peace and happiness of the world.

The immodesty of the Russian women, and the superstitions of the Greek church, are disgusting to every sensible mind. We sincerely wish that the customs, manners, and government of Russia were more favorable to human improvement.

Providence Displayed, or the remarkable Adventures of Alexander Selkirk, of Largo, in Scotland, who lived four Years and four Months by himself on the Island of Juan Fernandez, from whence be returned with Captain Rogers, of Bristol; and on whose Adventures was founded the celebrated Novel of Robinson Crusoe. With a Map of the Island, and twenty-four Cuts. By Isaac James. Button. 35.

M several particulars that are extant respecting

R. JAMES has industriously collected the

that singular mau, Selkirk, whose history, it is acknowledged on all hands, gave rise to Robinson Crusoe. Mere matter of fact, however, though much to be desired in all cases, yet certainly falls far beneath the flights of imagination. It is curious, however, to trace the broad basis on which De Fos

has raised his reveries, for which he is now famed throughout the world.

Alexander Selkirk was born at Largo, in Scotland, in or about the year 1676. His father was a shoemaker and tanner to the former of which the son was bred, but disliking the occupation, went to sea. Contrary to the opinion of Dr. Beattie and others, he was not illiterate, for he was acquainted with mathematics and navigation. He sailed with Captain Dampier, who left the Downs, April 30th, 1703 Selkirk was sailing master in the Cincque Ports gally, and commenced his memorable solitude at Juan Fernandez, October, 1704. Dampier, who had been the means of leaving this poor man on a savage island, was the destined instrument by which his deliverance was obtained. In February, 1709, he again reached the island, and rescued him from the barbarous state in which he found him-having been there four years and four months. Selkirk arrived in England, after having spent eight years, one month, and three days, in surrounding the globe. In his return, he visited America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. He became well known to the merchants and captains about the exchange. Sir Richard St.e.e thus mentions his acquaintance with him:--" The person I speak of is Alexander Selkirk, whose name is tamiliar to men of curiosity. I had the pleasure frequently to converse with the man soon after his arrivai in England, 1711. was matter of great curiosity to hear hun (as he is a man of good sense) give an account of the different revolutions in his own mind in that long sclitude. When I first saw him, I thought if I had not been let into his character and story, I could have discerned that he had been much separated from com. pany, from his aspect and gesture-there was a strong, but cheerful seriousness in his looks, and a

It

certain disregard to the ordinary things about him, as if he had been sunk in thought. The man frequently bewailed his return to the world, which could not be said, with all its enjoyments, to restore him to the tranquillity of his solitude. Though I had frequently conversed with him, after a few months absence he met me in the street, and though he spoke to me, I could not recollect that I had seen him. Familiar converse in this town had taken off the loneliness of his aspect, and quite altered the air of his face. This plain man's story is a memorable example that he is happiest who confines his wants to natural necessities, and he that goes farther in his desires encreases his wants in proportion to his acquisitions, or (to use his own expressions), "I am now worth 8ool, but shall never be so happy as when I was not worth a farthing !”Englishman, No. 26. Dec. 3, 1713.

Mr. Selkirk is supposed to have returned to his native place, and settled there-remaining in England till about the year 1720. The beating of a boy occasioned his leaving Largo, and his friends never heard of him afterwards. Thus unfortunately ends his history. John Selkirk, his grand nephew, a weaver at Largo, was living in September, 1794, and remembers having slept with him repeatedly. The same person was in possession of the gun and chest which his great uncle brought from Juan Fernandez. They also had a drinking cup of cocoanut shell, tipped with silver, which had been his property; but the silver is now gone, and the cup only remains.

Thus it seems, from the narrative before us, that Selkirk, who gave rise to Robinson Crusoe, the most entertaining novel in the world, has himself disappeared in a manner which has never been ascertained. This is a curious circumstance, and shews the vicissitudes to which our present condition is sub

jected. We feel ourselves obliged to Mr. James for his collection of these interesting particulars, and were gratified by the perusal of them. We, however, do not join with this author in believing the report so generally propagated, that De Foe stole the History of Selkirk, and appropriated it to his own use, without making any remuneration. The fact appears to be, that for some years previous to the publication of Robinson Crusoe, the particulars of Selkirk's residence at Juan Fernandez had been published. This completely exonerates De Foe from the charge--and an explanatory paper on the subject will be found in one of the former numbers of our Miscellany. We refer our readers back to that portion of our work, because we wish to vindicate the dead from unjust imputations, and we presume that the statement there will afford a due degree of satisfaction.

The accounts, at the end of this publication, of other persons in similar situations with Selkirk, are entertaining, and not generally known to the public, Some of the particulars indeed are almost incredible-but so we should have thought those concerning Selkirk, had they not been fully attested. It must be remembered, that the situations into which travellers both by sea and land, are sometimes thrown, rouse the energies of the mind, and enable them to accomplish deeds which otherwise they would not have attempted. Such is the case of most persons who are hardy enough to visit the distant parts of the world.