nions among the rest of their order, or perhaps, in proportion as he became too familiar to them, their attention had been turned to newer objects. However this may be, from being the object of their most darling affections, he soon became that of their hatred and contempt: and what led chiefly to it was this; the very first man of the parish was one of his adherents at the beginning, but soon withdrew himself, without any remarks. Two others, the most in estimation among them, also withdrew-and many began to suspect that all was not right at bottom; but still there was something original in the poor vain fellow's manner, and people went to him still for sport-for an hour's amusement, to hear what he would say of other people and himself. At length he began to attack his most intimate friends with the most diabolical ferocity-those who had always adhered to him, and advocated his cause much to their own disadvantage, and who never had wronged him either by word or deed. The blackness of his heart now became apparent, and then people saw that it was vain to expect that good would spring out of evil, that a corrupted tree could bring forth good fruit. The last time I was at his meeting-house, his most approved old friends walked across, before his face, as he advanced through the church-yard, and took up their old births in their primitive parishchurch. His pulpit now resounded with little else but declamations against those who were unfavourable to his measures; and, in short, few were exempt from the fulminations of his wrath. It was probably this that first drove him to alleviate his sorrows with the friendly assistance of the bowl; but unfortunately he was soon forced to apply this remedy so often, that it almost entirely incapacitated him for the discharge of his pastoral duties. His irregularities were now become so gross and avowed, that people considered, that to go to hear such a man prescribe rules of morality, would be the most palpable abuse of it. His situation was now become rather ticklish, for as he had justly incurred his father's most implacable re sentment, he dared not apply to him for relief; and as he had nothing of his own to depend upon, now that he was altogether forsaken by his flock, pecuniary necessity forced him to the miserable shift of going to town without a patron, and almost without a friend. Here he commenced wit, and associated himself with all the profane company he could find; nor is it to be wondered, that, in this situation, his life was most pitiable. Whatever little sum his writings produced, was either dissipated in riot and debauchery, or attached before it came to his hand, so that he was often in the most abject poverty. After living about two years in this manner, he went off in an excess of intemperance, pitied by few, and regretted by none. So lived, and so died, the once celebrated Thomas Macfribble, who was possessed of some dashing talents, had he made a right use of them; but he could not live, or taste happiness, if he heard excellence annexed to any name but his own: and so perish every work and every name dedicated to the same purpose! A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE EXECUTION OF KAPPETAPOLE AND MADUGALY, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT KANDY, ON THE 25TH OF NOVEMBER 1818. BоTH Cappetapole and Madugaly had been actively engaged in endeavouring to subvert the British power during the Kandyan insurrection, and in attempting to establish a native government. These enterprising chiefs were surprised and taken by a detachment of troops in the neighbourhood of Anarajapoora, on the 30th of October 1818. They were without loss of time brought to Kandy, and tried by a military tribunal, by which they were sentenced to suffer death. Kappetapole, during his confinement, seemed to wish to converse on the subject of the insurrection. He, however, anxiously endeavoured to exculpate himself fro... the charge of endeavouring to overthrow the British power in the Kandyan territory. Although he sometimes frankly con fessed, that he was concerned in many of the hostile attacks made upon the troops, he also wished to explain away, or, at least, to weaken the force of any inference that tended to implicate him. He, however, admitted two facts, and allowed that they were both impropernamely, that he had accepted the appointment of first Adigar from the "False King," as he called the pretender, and that he did not make his submission in due time to Go vernment. Previous to his execution, he repeatedly and earnestly expressed a desire that sentence of death, which had been passed upon him, might be commuted to banishment. He remarked, that although life was full of trouble, existence was still desirable. He often observed in the course of conversation, that he was unfortunate, and generally declined admitting that his unhappy condition was a direct consequence of his actions. Being a zealous Buddhist, he considered all his misfortunes as consequences of crimes committed in a former state of existence-a creed under which there can be no selfblame, no remorse, or pain of guilt. Early on the morning of the 25th of November, the two prisoners Kappetapole and Madugaly, were, agreeably to their own request, permitted to visit the Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Relic. In a small room, immediately adjoining that in which the Relic is deposited, they repeated the ten commandments of Buddhu, and made an engagement to fulfil them. Kappetapole then pronounced the Proptannawah, or last wish, which was, that at his next birth, he might be born on the mountains of Himmalaya, and finally obtain Nearwannah or Nirwane. This state of being, or rather annihilation, is very difficult to comprehend. The Buddhists describe it as a state of existence where the being wills nothing, fears nothing, and desires nothing; a suspension of all the faculties of the mind, as well as a cessation of all bodily motion. It implies a complete exemption from all the miseries incident to humanity, as also a privation of all the enjoyments of life; but still it is not annihilation. This is the heaven of the followers of Buddhu, their highest state of happiness. 66 After the prisoners had pronounced the Proptannawah, the officiating priest addressed them and said, So sure as a stone thrown up in the air will fall to the ground, with the same certainty shall your wish be fulfilled." Kappetapole then made a voluntary transfer to the priest of the merits arising from one-half of his good works, to which the priest very politely replied, by returning him the same compliment, namely, the merit that followed one-half of his good deeds. The prisoners next detailed to the priest the late events of their life, insisting that they had done nothing to deserve the punishment which awaited them,-and con. cluded, by asserting that their present calamity was in consequence of sins committed during a former state of existence. Kappetapole conducted himself with a manly firmness, observing, that his fate was inevitably decided, and that no person could alter his destiny. While he was conversing with Mr Sawers, Commissioner of Revenue, in the Kandyan provinces, Madugaly rushed into the inner-room of the Temple, the place where the Sacred Relic is deposited. Here he loudly craved mercy for the sake of the Relic. He was instantly dragged into the anti-chamber, by some soldiers. Here also he most earnestly begged that his case might be again investigated. Kappetapole seemed to be surprised at the pusillanimity of Madugaly, and, in the most dispas sionate manner, observed, that he acted like a fool. He then, in a firm and collected manner, shook hands with Mr Sawers, and bade him farewell. The prisoners were immediately ta ken to the place of execution, which was at the side of the Bogambere Lake. When they reached the ground, both of them requested to be provided with water, which was brought them. Kappetapole then begged to be allowed a short period to perform the last ceremonies of his religion. This request being granted, both the pri soners washed their hands and face with the water. When this opera tion was finished, Kappetapole tied up his hair in a knot on the crown of his head, and sat down upon the ground beside a shrub, or bush. By means of his toes, he grasped the bush, apparently with the intention of enabling him to keep a firm seat. From the folds of the cloth which encircled his loins, he took a small book in the Pali language, and proceeded to recite some verses. As it did not appear that he intended soon to come to a conclusion, the book was taken from him. He requested hat it might be given to Mr Sawers, n trust for his brother. He then epeated by heart some Pali verses, and while he was thus employed, he executioner struck him on the ack of the neck with a sharp sword. At that moment, he breathed out the vord Arrahaan, one of the names of Buddhu: a second stroke depried him of life, and he fell to the round a corpse. His head was searated from the body, and, accordng to the custom of the Kandyans, laced on his breast. Madugaly continued to evince great want of fortitude: he was so much agitated, as not to be able to tie up his hair: this operation was performed by the Hearigha Kangan, the chief over the public executions. The perturbed and infirm state of his mind was evinced by the convulsive action of the muscles of his countenance. He earnestly requested to be dispatched by means of one blow, and then faintly pronounced the word Arrahaan. In consequence of his not having sufficient resolution to bend his head forward, it was held by one of the executioners. After the first blow of the sword, he fell backwards, but he was not deprived of life until he received a second stroke. The cranium of Kappetapole was brought to this country by Mr Marshall, Staff-Surgeon, and by him presented to the Phrenological Society of Edinburgh. January 7th, 1822. CHARACTERS OMITTED IN CRABBE'S PARISH REGISTER. OL. X. Register of Births-The Sailor's Orphan. NEXT at the font an orphan boy appears, Tom Wilson was of hapless love the child; There are who o'er their early errors mourn, So felt this mother in misfortune's hour; G 4 The world had been unkind, but life had charms, Her choice was made-since tears could not restore Time stole away, and Tom, a thriving boy, With mind resolv'd, and head both clear and cool, With lines and tangents now familiar grown, Hope shed her rays, a bright and brilliant star; Young Susan Campbell he had often seen, One little week on downy pinions flew, This voyage made, my skill to exercise, I shall the next above my messmates rise; And I have hopes, should Heaven prolong my life, To see my Susan smile a captain's wife!" Three tedious months had slowly, lingering pass'd, While Tom aloft, high on the bending mast, Rock'd on the billow, would the top-sails clew, And trill a ballad to his lovely Sue; While she, when night winds rav'd around her head, Would turn and sigh upon her sleepless bed. Now safe return'd, before the auspicious gale, The harbour gain'd, and furl'd the flapping sail, The bark is moor'd-Tom lightly springs to land, Ah me! how short their hour of guileless joy! While Susan's eye with fond affection beam'd, Why should my pen the pensive tale pursue? Though Time had wip'd the tear from Susan's eye, I must not die in this eventful hour, When Britain threaten'd, dares a boaster's power; Till then, cheer up! and know, my heart, dear Sue, Time steals apace-the bells, with pealing sound, In came dame Lorimer, with meek demand, The blotted scroll she anxious open tore, 1 |