d for his silly haughtiness, and unbecoming pride. One day
a Baptist preacher waited upon him to complain of an oppression
exercised on some of his followers, by the military, and taking his
bible out of his pocket, he began to read a passage which he deemed
applicable to the case; on sight of which the General flew into a
rage, and drove the preacher, with his bible, out of the room, saying,
"_if it had not been for that d--d book, we should not have had this
rebellion_." Bating the profane epithet, we give the angry Scotchman
credit for his sagacity. The observation would not have disgraced his
countryman, David Hume.

Simon, the priest, enjoyed one great and envied privilege, which John
never pretended to, namely, an acquaintance and intercourse with the
angel _Gabriel_. He had many revelations from this celestial
messenger, and related them to his church. They related principally
to the fate of his fellow prisoners; one, in particular, he told to
his church with awe and solemnity.

I saw, said he, a great light, shining only through the grates of one
window, before the hour of day break. I looked up, and saw something
like a man with wings. I was at first frightened, and cried out, "_who
comes dare?_" for I could not see his face. Directly the bars of the
window beat each way, and his head and shoulders came in, when I knew
him to be the angel _Gabriel_. "Simon," said he, "I am come to tell
you that this prison will be sunk before forty days, because its
inhabitants are so wicked, and will not repent." _Den I tank him_; and
he drew back his head again; and the iron bars were restored to their
place again, when he spread out his wings, which were covered with ten
thousand stars, which made a great light when he flew away. Such was
the method used, by this artful black man, to rouse his countrymen out
of the sink of vice; and it had the desired effect. This prediction
solemnized several of the negroes, and had more or less effect upon
all of them. They became more liberal in their contributions, which
enabled Simon to purchase a new green coat. It seemed as if the most
profligate of these fellows, had a secret dread of Simon's prediction,
and were willing to gain his favor by _contributions_, instead of
repentance. Has not this disposition founded churches, monasteries and
nunneries? Many of Simon's church are strongly impressed with the
apprehension of the prison sinking within forty days.

These blacks have been