(John Zephaniah, Esq.), was a gentleman of letters, whose history is well intitled to a place in such a collection as ours; but, unfortunately, we know not either the time or the place of his birth, or the school at which he was educated. At an early period of life he was sent to Bengal as a writer in the East-India Company's service, and in the year 1756, was second in council at Fort William, when an offence was given to the nabob of Bengal by the governor's protecting a fugitive native. In revenge for this, the nabob marched against the fort with a powerful army. Drake, the chief who had given the offence, deserted his station, and the command devolved on Mr Holwell, who, with the few men he had, defended the place to the last extremity. This opposition incensed the nabob against Mr Holwell; and although on the surrender he had given his word that no harm should come to him, Mr Holwell and his unfortunate fellows in-arms were thrust into a close prison, called the Black Hole*, not * See Calcutta eighteen feet square, to the number of 146 persons, and cutta, into which no supply of air could come but by two small windows in one end. Here for one whole night they were confined; the numbers crowded together caused a most profuse perspiration, which was succeeded by a raging thirst. They called for water, but the little supply which the humanity of the black soldiers could grant them, was nearly all lost in the struggle to obtain it. Every few minutes some one or other expired, through thirst, or prelure, or were trampled to death. Mr Holwell, after struggling for many hours, threw himself down on a platform, and in a short space of time happily became insensible. In this dismal dungeon they were kept till six o'clock in the morning, when twenty-three only were found alive. Mr Holwell himself was in a high fever, but was loaded with fetters and otherwise ill treated, yet the excellency of his constitution overcame all his hardships, and he was soon after released and embarked for England. In 1786 he published a well written and affecting narrative of the sufferings of himself and his companions. Since this time Mr Holwell has resided in England, and has written several tracts on Indian affairs, particularly a work in three parts, intitled "Events relative to Bengal and Hindoostan."— "The manner of inoculating for the small-pox in the East Indies."— "A new experiment for the prevention of crimes," published in 1786. He has also published a tract which contains some very singular sentiments on religious subjects, intitled "Dissertations on the origin, nature, and pursuits of intelligent beings, and on Divine Providence, religion, and religious..." Mr Holwell was elected many years ago, F. R. S., and lived to a good old age, respected by his acquaintance, and although much afflicted by bodily complaints, possessed a wonderful fund of spirits.