Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/282

 OLIVER, P.

We referre this petition and certificate to the commissioners of Sutton's hospital.

July 28, 1655.

 

You receive from me this 28th instant, a petition of Marjery Beacham, desiring the admission of her son into the Charter-house. I know the man who was employed one day in a very important secret service, which he did effectually to our great benefit, and the commonwealth's. The petition is a brief relation of a fact, without any flattery. I have wrote under it a common reference to the commissioners, but I mean a great deal more, that it shall be done, without their debate or consideration of the matter, and so do you privately hint to

I have not the particular shining bauble or feather in my cap, for crouds to gaze at, or kneel to; but I have power and resolution for toes to tremble at: to be short, I know how to deny petitions; and whatever I think proper, for outward form, to refer to any officer or office, I expect that such my compliance with custom shall be also looked upon as an indication of my will and pleasure to have the thing done. See therefore that the boy is admitted.

Thy true friend, OLIVER, P.

July 28, 1655.

 

HAT these people are Tartars, and that the Tartars are of Scythian original, is evident from their sentiments and manners at this day. The Scythians sacrificed to their gods the prisoners taken in war. The Tartars do not indeed deprive their prisoners of life, but they make death preferable, by selling them to masters that equal themselves in cruelty. The ancient Scythians lived on mares milk, applied themselves to the feeding of cattle, and neglected tillage. They had no other habitations but tilted waggons, which were drawn from pasture to pasture as herbage failed, and necessity required. Their cloathing was the skins of beasts. They made use of poisoned arrows. To cross a river they filled sacks with cork, on which they placed themselves, and were drawn over by horses which they held by the tail. They had no written laws, but administered justice according to the natural dictates of reason. These customs still subsist, with little variation, among the Tartars. There was one very singular custom among the Scythians: when two friends wanted to swear a lasting friendship, they made incisions in their fingers, and 