augured well or ill of some proposed enterprise
or project. He let the sticks fall upwards of twenty times, but seemed
as ill-contented as at first with the promises they made. Every time
they prognosticated evil, he shook his head with a most disconsolate
look. I could not help saying, "Try it again, Chinaman; don't give in."
Whether he understood me or not I do not know, but down he went on the
ground, and thumped his head very hard and often. Then he jumped up and
threw the sticks, and I suppose the omen proved favourable, for with a
joyful countenance he lighted a thick candle and placed it on the altar.
As soon as he was gone, the cunning old bonze blew it out and sold it
to the next comer.

We must not be surprised to hear that the Chinese at times revolt
against the authority of the Europeans among whom they live, and commit
murders and other atrocities; and then to hear of a cruel massacre
committed by the Dutch upon them in Batavia. On one occasion, many
thousands had collected; and some of them having been guilty of murders
and robberies, a considerable apprehension was excited against the whole
body. The Council, therefore, determined that every Chinese who could
not prove that he was obtaining an honest livelihood, should be
transported to Ceylon, to be employed as a slave in the service of the
Company. Among others, a number of Chinese of wealth were seized; and a
report getting abroad that all were to be thus treated, they flew to
arms, and quitting the city in great numbers, took up their quarters in
the mountains, and strengthened themselves so much as to render the fate
of Batavia itself precarious.

In this dilemma the Council offered the rebels an amnesty; but this they
refused, and marching towards the city, ravaged the country on every
side. Here, however, they met with a severe repulse; and when the
infuriated soldiers and sailors returned into the city, supposing that
the Chinese who had remained quiet within their houses were about to
revolt, they attacked them wherever they could be found. All the
Chinese, men, women, and children, without distinction, were put to the
sword; the prisoners in chains were slaughtered; and even some wealthy
people, who had fled to Europeans for safety, were, through the
violation of every principle of humanity and morality, delivered up to
their sanguinary pursuers--the Europeans embezzling the property
confided to them. Thus, all the Chinese, both inno