We cannot take leave of the subject without remarking what a fine contrast and companion the vessel and cargo described in the following poem affords [_sic_] to the “NAVIS STULTIFERA,” the “SHIPPE OF FOOLES” of the celebrated BARCLAY; and we cannot forbear hoping that the _Argenis_ of an author of the same name may furnish a hint for an account of this stupendous Expedition in a learned language, from the only pen which in modern days is capable of writing Latin with a purity and elegance worthy of so exalted a theme, and that the author of a classical _preface_[294] may become the writer of a no less celebrated voyage. TRANSLATION OF A LETTER, (IN ORIENTAL CHARACTERS) FROM BAWBA-DARA-ADUL-PHOOLA,[295] DRAGOMAN TO THE EXPEDITION, TO NEEK-AWL-ARETCHID-KOOEZ, SECRETARY TO THE TUNISIAN EMBASSY. DEAR NEEK-AWL, You’ll rejoice, that at length I am able, To date these few lines from the captain’s own table. Mr. Truman himself, of his proper suggestion, Has in favour of science decided the question; So we walk the main-deck, and are mess’d with the captain, I leave you to judge of the joys we are wrapt in. At Spithead they embark’d us, how precious a cargo! And we sail’d before day to escape the embargo. There was SHUCKBOROUGH,[296] the wonderful mathematician; And DARWIN, the poet, the sage, and physician; There was BEDDOES, and BRUIN, and GODWIN, whose trust is, He may part with his work on _Political Justice_ To some Iman or Bonze, or Judaical Rabbin; So with huge quarto volumes he piles up the cabin. There was great DR. PARR whom we style _Bellendenus_, The Doctor and I have a hammock between us. ’Tis a little unpleasant thus crowding together, On account of the motion and heat of the weather; _Two_ souls in one berth they oblige us to cram, And Sir John[297] _will_ insist on a place for his ram. Though the Doctor, I find, is determined to think ’Tis the animal’s hide that occasions the stink; In spite of th’ experienced opinion of Truman, Who contends that the scent is exclusively human. But BEDDOES and DARWIN engage to repair This slight inconvenience with _oxygen_ air.