those encountered by future labourers in the same line-whose task is comparatively light, and chiefly confined to the simple addition of facts to the heap already laboriously accumulated-or the correction of errors" quos aut incuria fudit—auț humyna parum cavet natura." to the manner of execution.-Its general arrangement is of plain and obvious utilities, viz. into two Catalogues: of which the first comprehends in the three first Sec tions, the British, and Tamul Articles from the vegetable kingdom, and metallic substances; the fourth Section styled Artisan's Nomenclature, is exclusively devoted to the description of materials employed by the Hindoos in their Arts and Manufac tures, and of the processes adopted in their This may be as proper a place as any preparation and use, respectively-which that is likely to be found at present, for last are summarily but accurately detailed, and this in proportion to the interest they resuming a slight notice of M. Lichteninspire, or the utility derived from their stein's work on the Assyrio-Persic characmanufactured produce. All the Articles ters, commonly called the "nail-headed are in alphabetical order, and with correct letters." Vide Botanical references affixed. 488 of the present vo Jume. ANCIENT ORIENTAL WRITING. It appears by a careful analysis and examination of M. L.'s work, by Dr. Wil Cat. No. 2, or Agriculturist's Nomenclature, Contains seven sections, in which are similarly enumerated, and their uses indi-kins, that these characters, as pointed out cated (with systematic definitions), the vaby that writer, do really coincide with the rious kinds of corn and grain.-Fruits Power of the Arabic letters, as already wild and cultivated, and all other edible known to us, aud may be expressed by vegetables that serve chiefly, either as them, for the most part;-the language nutriment, or are adopted as condiments, itself, also, becomes intelligible by means in the Dietetic economy of the Hindoos. of the Arabic, and other cognate dialects. As this list and description comprehend characters called Persepolitan, and ac But this observation is confined to the almost all the sorts that are known or used, from the sources of the Nerbudda to tually extant at Persepolis, and elsewhere Cape Comorin, on both sides of the Penin-in Persia. From the same investigation it sila-we may form some judgment of the interesting nature of its contents. An Appendix follows with 1st. The names of Diseases in English, and their corresponding ones in three of the vernacular languages of Hindostan. 2d. List of Books, chiefly Medical, in the Tamul, Persian, Arabic, and Sanscrit languages, by authors of the most approved reputation. Finally, some additional Articles, either omitted or not readily entering into the previous classification. Three indexes; English, Tamul, and Latin, furnish the requisite means of easy access to the various and numerous materials described in the body of the work. Though not so much connected with the intrinsic merit of the book, we observe that it is printed on paper of the first quality, and that its typography is remarkable throughout for a clear and distinct impres sion. We may just observe, as a standard of appreciation in the present instance that the difficulties attendant upon first attempts to clear away the rubbish from the base of science, and commence a rational superstructure, bears a striking disproportion to results, that the Babylonian characters, though at first sight, to the unlearned eye, and even to the learned eye, the same, are not really the same. On close examination, the differences are considerable; many of the characters are more combined, are more frequently repeated euch into itself, or into others, whether to form words, or to form phrases, cannot, as yet, be determined. Whether, these, and other particulars, may be allowed to mark different eras in the progress of the same character, or whether these be different characters, essentially, used among different people, at the dissimilarity arises, must remain for the same era, or from whatever other cause the discovery of future literati. This information will not diminish the regret of the inquisitive for the non publication,—or at least the non-arrival, of M. Lichtenstein's intended second volume. rious examinations made, and making, by It is very far from unlikely, that the va our countrymen in different parts of Persia, and other countries where those remains are found, may eventually enable us, by means of comparison, to obtain further acquaintance with these most ancient alphabets, and thereby with the manners of the earliest societies of men, and of the facts comprised in their history, INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE FROM THE BRITISH SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA. BENGAL. PROGRESS OF THE RIGHT HON. THE The visit of a Governor General of India, with his lady, his court, and his suite, is Tyger and Cheeta, (a species of Panther) fight. The head-quarters were established at Constantia. Oct. 15.-The Nawab of Oude and his near relations, were sumptuously entertained at dinner by his Excellency the Governor General on the 17th, the Nawab witnessed a review of the European cavalry and infantry, held by his Excellency the Commander in Chief, with whom he afterwards breakfasted. Next day the Nawab returned to his own capital. son went one coss in advance to Fattijung, and was there politely received by the Earl of Moira, and his Highness the Nawab proceeded a considerable way for the purpose of meeting his Excellency. The meeting took place near the Kalupechar, when a salute was fired from his Highness's guns. Oct. 24. Early in the morning, Nusan uncommon occurrence. In itself, it jus-su-rooddeen Hyder Khaun, the Nawab's tifies attention: whatever other purposes may be included in it, or whatever other consequence may attend it. We understand that it is distinguished by magnificence; and that the ceremonies and occurrences to which it gives occasion, are perpetuated by the pencil of a gentleman in attendance on his Lordship-in due time, we trust, to be communicated to the public. The following are anticipations of a few incidents, collected from information derived through various channels. Some particulars respecting the Governor General's (Earl Moira,) Tour to the Northern Provinces, from 2nd of October, to Nov. 9, 1814. His Lordship and suite left Calcutta in a numerous fleet of boats, or rather of gilded barges, resembling those used by the Lord Mayor, and the City Companies, on the Thames, in public procession. The Ganges has rarely seen a water excursion so splendid. Oct. 2.-His Lordship's dining pinnace, and some other boats of large draught of water, were unable to proceed beyond Allahabad, and had consequently been left at that station to await the return of the party. His Excellency the Nawab Vizier had sent tents and elephants with every kind of equipage for the Governor General's accommodation, to meet his Lordship a short way above Allahabad; the weather hitherto has been cool and pleasant. Oct. 8, The Governor General and Countess of Loudon and family arrived at Cawnpore, and alighted at the house of Mr. Grant, the Collector of Customs. His Highness the Nawab of Oude left Lucknow on the 7th, for the purpose of giving the Governor General the meeting at Cawnpore, and accompanying him to his own capital. Oct. 25.-The Rt. Hon. the Governor General and Suite entered Lucknow, and were received with much splendour and magnificence, His Lordship witnessed a His Lordship and the Nawab then ascended the same Elephant, and proceeded through the city scattering money amongst the crowd, the shops of the Bazar were beautifully ornamented with variegated colours, and in every corner sets of singing girls were dancing. About 8 o'clock, the cavalcade reached the Nawab's residence, called Furrah Buksh. On their alighting, a salute was again fired by his Highness's and the Company's guns; after breakfast, his Lordship and the Countess of Loudon proceeded to the mansion of Major Baillie, the British Resident, and on their entrance were welcomed by a salute. The Nawab's son and the officers who had accompanied Major Baillie now took their leave. Next day the Nawab visited his Excellency at General Martin's house, Constantia, and retired on having received the customary presents, after breakfast, he was saluted both on his arrival and departure. On the 27th, his Excellency and Suite repaid the Nawab's visit, and after the repast witnessed a splendid display of fireworks. Oct. 28.-Ilis Excellency the Governor General, and his Highness the Nawab, with their respective suites, were present at an elephant fight at Buree Burawan. Several elephants engaged, and several were wounded; when the party adjourned to breakfast at the palace, and in the evening returned to the city. Nov. 4.-A grand dinner in celebration of the Peace, was given by his Highness to the Governor General, Countess of Loudon, and the ladies and gentlemen of the station. On the 5th, the Governor Geperal was present at a tyger fight, whea an extraordinary occurrence took place. Commercial Prosperity: Money scar ce. ties of mercantile establishments should have accumulated to an extreme degree, These may be judged of from the following particulars relative to the existing state of money transactions. Company's Paper→ 14 per cent. discount; Private Bills scarcely possible to be discounted, from the want of means, at 2 to 3 per cent. per month; Cash on deposit of Company's Paper, 1 to 14 per cent. per month, &c. Owing to some mismanagement, the palisadoes of the Arena were imperfect, in Jan. 7, 1815-The aggregate value, at consequence of which, several tygers burst prime cost, of goods shipped for Eugland through them, and got among the crowd, at the port Calcutta since August last, but fortunately they did no further damage is estimated at nearly one crore and thirty than scratching a few individuals. lacs of rupees. It is, therefore, not extraOn the march to Lucknow, great pre-ordinary, that an unprecedented scarcity cautions were taken to baffle the attempt of cash should be felt, and that the difficul. of the thieves who have hitherto invariably derived large booty from visitors of rank to that metropolis. We have not heard whether the precautions were completely successful, and still expect to hear of some losses, as these professional Gentlemen deem it a point of honour to allow no persons of distinction to pass to the Court of Lucknow without paying contribution. In this manner, they may be said to participate with the Nawab in the pleasure derived from the arrival and reception of strangers. The young ladies, the daughters of Lord Lake, on his first visit, were completely plundered of wearing apparel and the whole paraphernalia of their toilets; and few who have any thing of value escape an assessment, proportioned to the extent of their means and their want of vigilant precaution. [This character of Lucknow merits observation, but Meerut is supposed to be the station most infested with thieves of any in India, notwithstanding military patroles, who wound, and even kill these wretches. Houses are so constantly annoyed by robbers, that a hired guard of several matchlock men, besides Chokeedars, is deemed indispensable to every gentleman's bungalow-not seldom in vain.] Since their arrival in Rohilcund, the gentlemen in his Lordship's retinue have been often plundered by thieves, whose depredations during the long dark nights have been daring in the extreme. Besides trunks and small articles of value, the robbers have in some instances carried away furniture and different parts of the tent aud equipage. The Governor General was encamped on 15th November at Kashepoor, on the route to Hurdwar. We are happy to say that the health of the Countess of Loudoun, who had been indisposed was completely re-established. CALCUTTA. COMMERCE. A New Insurance Society is established in this city, denominated the "Globe Insurance Office;" it commences operations in favour of the commercial world, on Ja. uary 1, 1815, Extensive Fire. A fire recently broke out at the Dhurmotollah, at the back of M. Le Fraud's stables, Calcutta, which burut till the neighbouring houses, 500 in number, were consumed. The Doorga Pooja. The annual Festival of the Doorga Pooja was celebrated lately with all the concomitants of tinsel, paint, glare and clamour commonly observed. We have heard it remarked by some, that the splendor is less dazzling and the expence less profuse every year, and that this decay has been gradual and very perceptable. This may be just; for as the great families multiply, we have more houses, and fewer wealthy inhabitants. That there is no diminution of hospitality, and that the desire to please which is to us the greatest attraction, is not diminished, we boldly aver; and judging by the distance travelled and the hours to which the company remained, many of the principal gentry sought, and probably found, something worth going to see. The great novelty was the performance of divers feats by a Kashmeerian youth, and with a swo d and scabbard, turning who exhibited with two drawn swords, round to the measured cadence of a tabor. The best description we can give of his adroitness will be, to say, that he effected all, while in motion, without the least giddiness, which an expert man would probably attempt while standing still. He continued his gyrations for many mis nutes, and the form of his dress, the movements of his arms, and the noise, ail combined to persuade many who were perhaps giddy at the sight, that he turned with uncommon velocity: the fact however, is, that he did not revolve more than 50 times in a minute. His most difficult task was taking up three seal rings placed at measured distances, with his mouth and eyes, by throwing his body backwards, and keeping his feet firm and parallel, standing on the carpet. His body and neck formed an uncommon curve, and the posture threatened suffocation. This feat he effected with little fatigue; and requests for its repetition were often made to the worthy host, Gopee Mohun T,bakoor, To those to whom the names of the female Singers Nik,hee, Asboorun, Misree, Luchmun, Dil Jan, and Hingun, are familiar, no comment or praise is necessary. Those who only see them on these festivals, see and hear them to great disadvantage, after their enduring several days of fatigue. It is not to be supposed that the natives do not exact full measure for the price given: Nik,hee had been an object of contest between Raja Raj Krishn and Raja Krishh Chund Rae. The latter obtained her services for the consideration of 1200 Rupees and two Shawls. METEORIC STONES. THE following is interesting, not merely as a remarkable phenomenon described by an Oriental, but also for his attempt at forming a theory by which to account for it. It is also, very nearly, if not altogether singular, on account of the great size of the Stones: if EACH stone was 26lbs. to 30lbs. weight, they far exceeded what is the usual weight of such Stones; and the magnitude of the whole mass, is altogether extraordinary. The space wherein these Stones fell is not exactly described; but, it is evident that the places mentioned are in the same vicinity. Translation of a Persian MS. giving an account of a Shower of Stones in the Doab, on the 5th November, 1814. HEALTH TO THE CHERISHER OF THE POOR. A singular phenomenon has occurred in the Doab; I have heard the facts related by word of mouth from various persons who all concur in the same account; the cir cumstances are as follows: On the 5th of November current, being Saturday, while half a watch of the day still remained (i. e. half past four, p. m.) there was first of all heard a dreadful peal of thunder, and then stones rained down in sight of the inhabitants of the country, each stone being thirteen or fifteen Seer* * The Bengal Seer weighs 2ib. Ooz. 13dr. in weight. In the first place, wheresoever they fell a great dust rose from the ground, and after the dust subsided, a heap of dust (Chakri) was formed, and in that dust (Chakri) were found the stones, a piece of one of which is enclosed in this letter as a specimen. The particulars follow below:In the district of Lank, seven stones were found. In the district of Bhaweri dependant on Begum Sumroo, four. In the district of Chal, belonging to the Pergunnah of Shawli, three. At Kabout, belonging to the Pergunnah of Shawlif, five. In all, nineteen stones were found. The cause of this may be, that in the course of working (or of changes on) the ground, air being extricated, may have entered into combination and come near elemental fire, and from this fire received a portion of heat, that then it may have united with brimstone and Terrene salt, as for instance, saltpetre, when the mixture from some cause being ignited, the fire bestows its own property on the mass, and the stones which may have been above it are blown up into the air. God knows the truth. The fact being very surprising, I have sent you information of it. (Signed) SYED ABDULLA 22nd Nov. 1814. to sea. Cut the bunches long as is usual to take them to sea; and instead of suspending them over the stern, hang them in a dark corner where there is a free circulation of air-before them you should tie up a curtain to keep off the light. The fruit will thus ripen very slowly, three or four at a time. Light is one of the pabula of plants, without which they cannot come soon to maturity. By this method, two large bunches of fine Plantains were preserved during a voyage from the Island of Madeira, to St. Augustine's Bay on Madagascar,— not above one-tenth was spoilt. December 20, 1814. A TRAVELLER. Astrologer punished for false prediction : released, and promoted. Runjeet Singh, it appears, was busily employed at the date of the last accounts from Lahore, in repairing his late losses, and was actively engaged in collecting recruits from all quarters. He has thrown into confinement, an Astrologer of the name of Dulput Rae, who had predicted that the most complete success would attend his expedition. Dulput Rae the astrologer, was released on the payment of 1500 rupees. A daily allowance of two rupees was bestowed on him, and he was attached to the Court of Judicature. Here, where divination is so often necessary, his talents may be advantageously employed; and clients consulting him may often avoid loss from the glorious uncertainty of the law. A fitter appointment was never before made in an Indian Court of Justice. Difference of fees to the Priest, on occasion of Marriage of Maid or Widow. A Naeb Cazy told me, that when he Oude, May 1814. MILITARY OPERATIONS IN NEPAUL. The following is interesting, from the picture it presents of the ardour of a la*mented officer. DEATH OF GEN. GILLESPIE. Extract of a Letter from Poonah.-After the retreat had been sounded a second time, Major Ludlow took post in some ruined huts immediately under the fort wall, and considerable apprehensions were felt for him and his party, who were likely to be cut off. At this instant, the General saw that it was requisite to do something to The officer who writes this account, says, he "was near him, and that he wished to speak, but the wo ds died on his lips. By this time, the ladders were brought up, and found too short by many yards, when Major Ludlow on whom the command dethroughout, very discreetly sounded the volved, and who had distinguished himself retreat, and returned to camp. On entering the Fort of Kalunga, after it was abandoned by the Nepaulese, our people found minety-five slain; and many wounded remaining behind, depending on the humanity of the Company's officers. So fully is this confidence established, that a man who had lost part of his lower jaw by a shot, came down the breach to the batteries and camp in search of surgical aid. In return, the Goorkhas have restored the slain which fell into their hands, with out stripping or mastreating them, contrary to their usual custon. On one occasion Col. Ochterlony of the 27th, received fortyfive dead bodies from the Goorkhas. The operations against Rumgarh had not commenced; this fort is calculated to be nearly 5000 feet above the level of the Sutluj, from the bank of which it is distant 12 or 13 miles. This important place is the key to the table land towards the North-west. In penetrating towards Ramgurh, it was found impossible to make the smallest progress with the Ordnance, without the assistance of the Pioneers in cutting the road for each day's march. The first position occupied was a range of heights to the west of that in which Ramgurh is situated. But it was soon perceived that the place was absolutely inaccessible on that side, and accordingly on Nov. 19th, the detachment made a circuitous detour to the range of heights, fronting the east side of the defences of the enemy. The obstacles which the nature of the ground op posed to this movement, are described as exceeding all that had hitherto presented. After a toilsome march of 7 or 8 miles up and down steep acclivities, a pass of two miles of continual ascent, and so narrow as |