The Sun.
London, England, 1835-05-05 00:00:00

A MODERN CRUSOE.

The following is an extract from an interesting letter,
just received by a gentleman in Liverpool, from Mr. Sut-
cliffe (a native of Lancashire, and son of Mrs. Davenport,
now of Godley Hall, near Hyde, Cheshire), who holds
an official situation in the Island of Juan Fernandez. Mr.
Sutcliffe, we believe, distinguished himself at the battle of
Waterloo, and has since been for some years in the service
of Spain :
" Island of Juan Fernandez, South Pacific Ocean,
" Dec. 10th, 1834.

" Dear Sir,—You perhaps never dreamt of my addressing
you from this island, but strange as it may appear, you will re-
ceive these few lines from the Military and Political Governado.
It is more than three months that I have had the honour of
that title, and as an opportunity offers by a vessel leaving here
for Chili, I send this to inform you of my emigration from the
Cordillera of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. Little did I ever
think whilst a youngster, whilst perusing that insinuating book
wrote by Daniel Defoe, that I should ever read it on the
island—be the first Governor from our native soil. However
fate has so ordained it. There are three islands, and about
400 inhabitants, including the troops • and I have no doubt but
that the population will increase, as all the political and crimi-
nal exiles are sent to people this island, and over which I have
a limited sway. In fact, I may repeat what is said of Alex.
Selkirk, lam monarch of all I survey.' The climate is de-
lightful, it is a continual spring ; and as I am fond of field
sports, there is plenty of occupation. There is an abundance
of the most delicious fish, and plenty of birds ; not forgetting
an amazing quantity of goats and seals, which we kill for their
skins. There is a rare shell, the Paper Nautilus, of which I
shall send you a few. I hope this will find you in good
health—this leaves me in the best. When you write, send me
all the news you can ; and, if convenient, a few papers, as any
thing in this retired spot will help to drive away a dull hour.
" If any of the vessels from Liverpool, that are bound for
the Pacific, should be in want of wood, water, or refreshments,
they may be sure of a supply whilst lam on the island. They
need not come to anchor, but send their boats into Cumberland
Bay, where I have made a mole, and excellent watering-place.
Wood is always ready cut, as the South Sea whalers are con-
tinually calling in for supplies."—Liverpool Chronicle.

EXTRACTS FROM BURCKHARDT'S

ARABIA.

It is a common belief among Europeans, and even
Eastern Christians, that the Mohammedan religion
forbids any precautionary measures against the plague ;
but this is erroneous. That religion forbids its fol-
lowers from avoiding the disease if it has once entered
a town or country ; but it warns them, at the same
time, not to enter any place where the plague rages ;
and it accordingly forbids individuals to shut
themselves up in a house, and to cut off all com-
munication with the rest of the infected town, be-
cause this is the same as flying from the plague ;
but it favours measures of a quarantine to prevent the
importation of the disease, or its communication
to strangers upon their arrival. * * * *
Among the most fanatic and orthodox Mussulmans
the laws of quarantine are as strictly enforced as they
are in the European ports on the northern shores of
the Mediterranean. That a similar system has not been
introduced into Turkey is matter of deep concern, and
may be attributed rather to motives of interest than to
bigotry.* * * The Grand Savor, as well as his
Pashas, tolerate the plague in their dominions,
because the numerous deaths fill their purses. With
respect to Egypt, I hold this to be indisputably the
secret cause. The commercial towns of Cairo, Alex-
andria, and Damietta, are crowded with foreign mer-
chants, and other strangers from all quarters of the East
are established there ; according to the law, the property
of all persons who have no near heir to claim it falls to the
Beit el Mal*, a treasury formerly destined for purposes
beneficial to the subjects, but now entirely at the pri-
vate disposal of the governors. The
i increased mor-
tality thus causes great sums to fall into their hands.
The prefects of every quarter of the town musts under
the li eaviest penalties, inform the Government of any
stranger or individual without heirs who dies within
their district ; and not only is the property of such
seized, but even that of those persons whose heirs, al-
though known, are absent in foreign countries, and to
whom no other privilege is granted in return, than that
of addressing their unavailing claims to the same go-
vernor, who converts the income of the Beit el Mal to
his own use. The most flagrant injustice is committed
with respect to the property of deceased persons,
as well during the plague as at other times.
* * * Upon a moderate calculation, the plague
this year (1815—April) in Egypt which carried off
in the city of Cairo alone from 30,000 to 40,000,
added 20,000 purses, or 10,000,000 of piasters, to
the coffers of the Pasha, a sum large enough to stifle
any feelings of humanity in the breast of a Turk.
That the population has diminished, and consequently
the regular revenues suffered, is a reflection which a
Turkish Governor never makes, who calculates merely
the immediate consequences of an event ; and provided
he be safe himself, and his wealth increasing, cares
little for the fate of his subjects. As the plague set
dom visits the country, and therefore does not deprive
the soil of its labourers, its effects are less dreaded by
the Pasha. He will never be convinced that policy,
as well as humanity, dictates a removal of the causes
of plague, until he has seen a whole province depopu-
lated, and the fields which yield him his revenues de-
serted.