Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 205

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1841.

Toss of the Ship Kite.

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counted, he still repeated the same dull monotonous exclamation. The characters for this name met the eye at every turn of the road, at every corner of the temples, and on every scrap of paper: on the hills, on the altars, on the gateways, and on the walls, the same words presented them. selves, even the solid rocks were engraven with Budha's titles, and the whole island seemed to be under the spell of this talismanic phrase, as if it were devoted to the recording of Ometo Füh.'” Ometo Fuh is a phrase used also by all devout Chinese as well as priests when they wish to express a strong affirmation of solemnity or serious concern, and also by the careless and profane swearer.

10. The island of Pooto is a part of the Great Chusan archipelago, and is entirely devoted to the religion of Budha. The island is said to contain five thousand priests; and two of the largest and handsomest temples are covered with yellow tiles in order to show that they were erected by imperial patron. age. Mr. Stevens refers to the island of Pooto in his account of the voyage of the Huron; see Chi. Rep. vol. IV., page 333.

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ART. II. Loss of the ship Kite, and Mrs. Noble's narrative of

ker captivity and sufferings in prison in China in 1840–41; in a letter to a friend..

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Ningpo prison, Feb. 19th, 1841. MY EVER DEAR FRIEND.-On Sunday, the 14th, I received your kind letter, containing the glad tidings of peace, and the joyful hope of a speedy release from prison; and in which you so sweetly and affectionately offer a home to the homeless. The Almighty alone, who searcheth the heart, knows how deeply grateful I feel for all your abundant goodness towards me in my great afflictions, but as my last letters were sent publicly, I could not express my feelings; I sincerely hope you have not thought me ungrateful. As I may now do so with safety, I will try to write to you the sad particulars of the dreadful wreck of the Kite, and of following events, as far as memory and the few notes I have been able to make from time to time, will euable me to do. May the Almighty in mercy strengthen me for the truly melancholy duty.

I shall infer, that you know all our affairs up to, I think, the 10th of September, when the Kite was again on her way to Chusan; all went well till the 15th, and we then hoped to reach Chusan in two days. Alas for earthly prospects; they are indeed fallacious. About twelve o'clock in the forenoon, the vessel struck on a quicksand, laid down in the chart. The shock was as sudden as it was dread-

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