with a frame peculiarly fitted for endurance, which was afterwards developed in fine proportions for strength and beauty in manhood, he saw less to attract him in the life of a student than in one of enterprise, where he might indulge a love of adventure and exercise the courage, equal to almost every emergency, which characterized him. He was placed with the Messrs. Shattuck, then among the most active merchants of Boston, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one.*

On leaving the Messrs. Shattuck in 1785, not being well, he was advised to pass the winter in a warm climate, and visited his elder brother, Mr. James Perkins, in St. Domingo. From there he went to Charleston, S. C., and in some memoranda made for his children within two years past he refers to this visit to South Carolina in the following terms:

"As I had taken letters of introduction to some of the most distinguished inhabitants of Charleston from Gen. Lincoln and Gen. Knox, the former of whom was the defender of Charleston during the war of the Revolution and was a great favorite, it gave me a pleasant introduction into the best society under most favorable circumstances. As the inhabitants who have large plantations spend as much of their time on them as the climate will allow, I was an inmate in several of their families, but passed the principal part of the time at the plantation of Mr. Thomas Ferguson, who had several rice plantations upon which he numbered upward of 800 slaves. The plantations were at a place called Pon Pon; and in the vicinity was Gen. Wm. Washington, who was a nephew of President W., and during the war commanded a regiment of cavalry. He gained a high reputation as a soldier, and was an accomplished gentleman. There was fine sport with the gun, geese, duck, teal, &c., being in great abundance. Every Saturday the gentlemen of the neighborhood met at a hunting stand in favorite spot for deer, hunted in the morning, and made good cheer after the chase, dining in the woods, and in case of not having success in hunting, always securing a succedaneum in the form of ham, chickens, and other 66 creature comforts." The Saturdays were real red letter days; and I could name twenty who were in the habit of meeting on such occasions all of whom have long since retired behind the scenes."

He soon afterward accepted an invitation to join his brother in St. Domingo, and they formed a house there which was very successful; but finding that the climate did not agree with his health, he returned to Boston, and for some time attended to the business of the house in the United States, where their correspondence was extensive, his younger brother, the late Samuel G. Perkins, Esq., filling his place in the firm.

In 1788 he was married to Miss Elliot, only daughter of Simon Elliot, Esq. It was a union entirely of affection, and lasted for more than 60 years. His married life was commenced with necessity for strict economy; but

Long afterward he recurred to this decision with regret for having relinquished such a privilege, and in advanced age repeatedly said that, other things being equal, (which condition he repeated emphatically,) he should prefer for commercial pursuits those who had received the most complete education. In this opinion he seems to have coincided with another experienced merchant, who once gave it as the result of his observation in a long life, that as a general rule applied to the whole class of commercial men, of whom it is well known that a considerable proportion fail, those had succeeded best who were the best educated. It derives confirmation, too, from a fact generally noticed, both here and in Europe, by those who know what goes on in the public schools where lads are prepared by different courses of study respectively, either for college or for mercantile life, as their friends prefer. Those who are engaged in classical studies for most of the week and give but a small portion of it to other pursuits, are generally found to be well up in arithmetic, geography, &c., with those who bestow their whole time on such branches.

Without underrating the importance of a habit of attention to detail, or the knowledge of minute affairs and the qualities of merchandise, which may be acquired by early apprenticeship, it is to be remembered that men of high culture who mean to effect what they attempt, show great aptitude for the minutiæ, as well as for the general scope of any new business which they undertake, and that intellect well disciplined has considerable advantages in comparison with routine.

the connection probably gave an important bias to his commercial career, as it led to intimacy with Capt. James Magee, a relative of Mrs. Perkins, who had made one voyage to Canton. He soon turned his attention to trade with China, and sailed from Boston in February, 1789, as supercargo of the ship Astræa, belonging to E. H. Derby, Esq., of Salem, bound to Batavia and Canton, and commanded by Capt. Magee. Difficulties were encountered and inconveniences were necessarily submitted to then which are avoided now. The ship was not coppered, and her bottom becoming foul, they made a long passage to Batavia; being in want of water before arriving there, they stopped at Mew Island, at the mouth of the Straits of Sunda, for a supply. Referring to the voyage and this incident in some memoranda made for his children many years afterward, he says:—

"The casks in which a part of our water was contained had been used in bringing coffee from the Cape of Good Hope, and although burned out, and. as was supposed, purified, yet the water put in them was most disgusting. The waters from the cascade on the Java shore were, of course, duly appreciated. We remained in this beautiful bay several days. There were at the time I speak of (now fifty-seven years since) no inhabitants on this part of Java. I went on shore every day, and in one of my excursions climbed the precipice over which the cascade flowed, to examine its source, and from what we learned on reaching Batavia, we were led to believe that we had run great hazard, as more than one instance had occurred of persons visiting the same spot having been destroyed by tigers, who were slaking their thirst in this beautiful stream. Bats of great size were seen crossing the narrow strait which 'divided Mew Island from Java, and returning towards the close of day to their roosts on the Java side.

"I remember as if it were yesterday the fright I had in crossing a creek, the bottom of which was hard, about knee deep, and but a few yards wide. My crossing alarmed half a dozen or more young crocodiles or alligators, which were further up the stream than where I was crossing, and they came down upon us with a celerity which was inconceivable. None of them touched either my servant or myself, and I have no doubt they were quite as much alarmed as we

were.

"No boats or vessels of any kind came into the bay while we lay there. Prince's Island was in sight; but the inhabitants, who had a bad name, were otherwise engaged, and we met nothing to alarm us. The pirates from Sumatra and the Eastern Islands made frequent attacks on vessels in those days, even so far to the west as the Straits of Sunda, though their depredations were more confined to Banca Straits and the more eastern archipelago."

Quite

That part of Java remains uninhabited now, as it was at the time which he thus referred to, and both tigers and anacondas abound there. recently a botanist, engaged in making collections for a British nobleman, having crossed from Mew Island to the Java shore, his dog sprang from the boat as it touched land, and, dashing into the woods, was immediately seized by a tiger, as his master doubtless would have been if he had entered the thicket first. The enormous bats here mentioned are well known to naturalists. It is said that coal has now been discovered in that vicinity, which may lead to some settlement there.

They were among the earliest visitors at Batavia from this country, and were treated with great civility by the Governor-General and others in authority, but found some difficulty in obtaining permission to dispose of the cargo intended for that place. He kept a journal while there, and the following extracts from it exhibit some obstructions in business and deference to authority, from which foreigners are now relieved.

July 13, 1789. At five o'clock anchored in three fathoms water in the harbor of Batavia, where we saw Capt. Webb's brig. At seven the captain came on board, and gave us the most melancholy account of the state of affairs at the place of the prohibition and restrictions on trade, and everything else which could serve to give us the dumps.

"14th. At eight in the morning took Capt. Webb in our boat and went on shore. The entrance of the canal through which we pass is about half a mile from the ship. The appearance in the habor beautiful. Canals, which cross each other at right angles through the city, are about forty or fifty feet wide. The water, which is always very dirty, must be unhealthy; they are continually filled with boats, which carry up and down cargoes.

"The variety of nations, which are easily to be known by their different countenances, astonishing. Great numbers of Chinese. Stopped at the customhouse, where the names of the captain and myself were taken, and other minutes respecting our passage, &c. As the canal is difficult to pass after getting to this place, which is about a mile-and-a-half from shore and through the centre of the town, we took a coach, which was provided us by the Scribe who questioned us, and with whom I rode to the Shabendar's. Received with civility by him, but discouraged from expecting permission to sell. Represented our situation-the encouragement we had ever met with, &c. He told us he would do everything in his power to serve us, but feared we should not succeed.

"Was conducted to the hotel, where all strangers are obliged to put up. Found Blanchard, who speaks of his prospects as distressing. Had been here a week and done nothing but petition.

"According to common custom, presented a petition through the Shabendar for permission to sell. Waited upon the Director-General, for whom we had a letter from Mr. L- -, his nephew. His house a palace; he received us, Dutchman-like, in his shirt sleeves, and his stockings half down his legs; took our address, and told us we should hear from him again; think he will be of service to us. Made other acquaintances through my knowledge of French, and endeavored to make some friends. To-morrow the council sit, when our fate is to be known.

"This evening the British ship Vansittart arrived, and the captain, whose name is Wilson, with his second mate, purser, and doctor, came on shore. Was very happy to find the doctor to be the gentleman for whom I had a letter, and whom I supposed to have been in the Pitt, Indiaman; he seems to merit all which has been said to me of him; feel myself drawn towards him more from his being a countryman than, perhaps, from any other circumstance, on so short an acquaint

ance.

"Thursday, 15th. Anxious for the reception the petition may meet. At ten o'clock Capt. Wilson and I went with the Shabendar, with our petitions, to the council chamber. After walking the hall a long time, and being witness to a great deal of pompous parade, was introduced to the council chamber, where the members who are eight in number-were seated round a large table covered with silk velvet, with the Governor-General as president. I made my respects, and presented my petition, and then left them to take another stroll in the hall, till the Shabendar, upon the ringing of a bell, once more introduced us to the great chamber, when Capt. Wilson had liberty to land his articles; but we, poor, despised devils, were absolutely denied the liberty of selling a farthing's worth. Whatever I thought of the partiality, I very respectfully took my leave, but determined to persevere-and after much difficulty, got leave to renew our petitions.

"16th. Received an invitation to sup with the Director, where we were su perbly entertained and met much company. Many speak French; represented our situation; music at supper.

"Friday, 17th. Nothing to be done until Monday, when the council meet again. It is supposed we shall not have our future petition acceded to. Making interest.

66

'Sunday, 19th. Dined with the Governor, and received civility; an elegant place. The area, where we dined, superb; and the prospect round it not to be exceeded. Passed the evening, by invitation, at the Director's, where were all the Council of Eight, the Governor, the old Director-General, and other grandees. More parade than before. Played cards; custom of washing before and after dinner; the improvement in luxury; washing in rose-water; supper elegantsuperbly so; huzzaing, and the return from the owner of the house after any complimentary toast.

"I wrote a petition in behalf of Blanchard and myself, and had it translated into Dutch.

"Monday, 20th. Dined with the Fiscal, who treated us with good fare; the British officers there, and many persons of consequence.

"Tuesday, 21st. Supped with one of the Edelheeren; everything in superb style; the same company as before; the Governor there; he does not honor them more than once a year with his visits. Twenty ladies at table; their dress, manners, style of putting up the hair-sitting by themselves; toasts; huzzas; bouquets; rose-water; superfluity of everything which Europe and the Indies can give.

"Gained permission to sell."

This restriction on sales by foreigners has been removed since that time, and it is not necessary to wait for any such permission now. But at that time the United States of America were little known or regarded in that distant part of the world, and it is easy to see that the final success which the young merchant thus attained with the despotic authorities of Batavia, who had pointedly and formally refused his application in the outset, is fairly attributable to personal qualities which distinguished him even at that early period, and were characteristic through life. Few men could exert a greater influence over others with whom he had an important point to carry.

His notes, on various subjects, in the same diary, show careful and general observation :

"It is death to take spices; and an acknowledgment of having received notice of this is required, so that one cannot plead ignorance. The Chinese racked ou the wheel for running spices; yet any of them will do it, bringing them to one's chamber in small quantities of 20 or 30 lbs. The Chinese are the principal husbandmen. All the Eastern nations are represented here in greater or less numbers-Armenians, Moormen, &c. Murders frequent; Malays revengeful and cowardly, taking every advantage of situation, fearing to attack a man openly, and even afraid to hold a pistol. Gates of the city; strict regulations respecting the going out and coming in at them. Four gates; walled all round -kept in good repair; regularity of the trees. Chinese live in the suburbs, and obliged to be out of the walls before night.

"Procured two birds of paradise; the bird a native of the Moluccas or Spice Islands; valuable at Bengal and on the peninsula of India. "Birds' nests at Batavia at 2,500 paper dollars the pecul. The birds that make these nests are shaped like the swallow, and fly with the same velocity, but are smaller. We saw numbers of them while at Mew Island, but did not know them to be the same at the time. The coast of Sumatra gives the greatest supply of them-called the Salignare, and found in great numbers in the Philippines. They always lay in the same nest unless it be destroyed, and will keep continually rebuilding when their nests are taken away; late method of insuring good nests by destroying all the old ones. The nests are formed of a glutinous substance found in the water. They are about the size of the inside of a swallow's nest, and some of them almost transparent. The soup made of them is very palatable, but as it is dear, it is not often met with; the old nests are of a black cast, and not near so valuable as the white. There are three layers or

thicknesses in the nests which, when separated, appear like three distinct nests; the first or outside layer brings the least price, increasing to the inside, which bears the amazing price above quoted.

"The shark fins are also esteemed a great delicacy for soups, and to many are very palatable; but to me they were not so.

"There are at Batavia nine persons who bear the title of Edelheer, that being a title of nobility which they have assumed to themselves. Among these nine persons is included the Governor-General, who is the president of the Grand Council of the Indies, the other seven Councillors, and the Director-General of the company, whose post is second in the settlement. The old Director also who-being far advanced in years-resigned, holds this dignity of Edelheer, and has the same attention paid to him that the inhabitants are obliged to pay to the rest of them. Obeisance is exacted from all persons without distinction in one form which has much disturbed the feelings of some strangers who were not used to acknowledge themselves the inferiors of any one, and felt much galled at not being able to help themselves. It is this: the carriage of an Edelheer is, when in the city or on meeting any carriage of distinction, preceded by two running footmen, who carry each a baton or cane, with a brass head resembling the weight used with a pair of steel-yards, and of an extraordinary size. This announces the carriage which follows to be that of an Edelheer, when the other carriage must drive up on one side the way, and there wait until his greatness has passed. They are very civil in returning one as low a bow as is given them. When no carriage of distinction is on the road, and the Edelheer's carriage is without the suburbs, it is known by those canes before spoken of, being projected from the back part of the carriage in such a manner that they cannot but be seen. There is a heavy fine exacted for passing the carriage of an Edelheer without stopping.

"Some time since there was an East India Company's ship at Batavia, the captain of which thinking this a very great indignity offered him, upon his coachman's attempting to stop his horses, ordered him by signs to go on, which order not being complied with on the part of the former, the captain gave him a very severe prick with his sword. This made some noise at the time, but was overlooked. I think it did no great honor to the good sense of the captain, who must have been aware that the poor devil who drove him knew that passing the Edelheer would be attended with disagreeable consequences to himself, which should have alone been sufficient to have prevented the captain from wishing it. "The captain of a French frigate who was here fell upon a much more eligible plan, and one which succeeded to admiration. On being informed that his coachman would stop on meeting one of the Elderheeren, he determined on endeavor. ing to overcome by civility what he had no hopes of averting by any other means. He had directions for distinguishing the carriage of an Edelheer, and as soon as he saw one, prepared himself for descending from his carriage. soon as his coachman checked his horses, he alighted from his coach and made his respects to the Edelheer, who could do no less than dismount from his upon seeing a person of the appearance of the captain thus paying him his respects; and after many ceremonious bows and testimonies of civility, they again resumed their seats in their several carriages. This piece of outstretched politeness was found to be the cause of some trouble to the gentlemen Edelheeren during the captain's stay here, which induced them to send an order to the hotel, giving leave to the coachman of the French captain to drive on without stopping for any one of the council, or indeed of the Edelheeren.

As

"In private companies the greatest attention and studied politeness is shown them, and they always when at table, sit opposite to the master of the house, who divides the table lengthwise, and does not, like the host with us, take his seat at the end. They have a privilege of passing in and out of the several gates of the city at any time in the day, which is what no other person can do, as there are particular hours for passing and repassing the different gates."

These dignitaries and the troublesome ceremonies attendant on their rank are no longer known.