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more properly sea-slugs, and usually called Trepan in commercial language, which with sharks' fins, Moluscas or sea-blubbers, and other marine products of a gelatinous quality whether animal or vegetable, are at all times in demand by the Chinese. It furnishes besides many other valuable products, as gum lac, camboge, indigo, elephants' teeth, cotton, and raw silk; and there seemed to be no want in the country of gold, silver, and copper.

The hilts of the officers swords and the clasps of their belts were generally made of silver, but we frequently observed them of solid gold. It is said, indeed, that a very rich gold mine has lately been discovered near Hué, the northern capital. Silver is brought to market in bars about five inches long, in value about eleven Spanish dollars.

We submit this discussion to the consideration of the well informed Directors of our East India Company.

Annexed to the voyage of Mr. Barrow, in an account of a journey of discovery in Southern Africa, which will be read with considerable interest, by those who attentively investigate the human character. It was performed by Messrs. Truter and Somerville, commissioned by the English government at the Cape of Good Hope. They were accompanied by an escort of Dutch Boors, who proved to be of no use, and of Hottentots whose services were much more acceptable than the lifeless exertions of the former.

We shall not entertain our readers with descriptions of barren Karroos, or plains without moisture, and of course without verdure: the seats of misery and wretchedness! Mr. Truter met with several individuals of the Bojesman tribe, the prey of wants, which he humanely relieved. 'After having passed the boundaries of the colony, proceeding northward, the party crossed the Orange river, and met with inhabitants of much superior character to any they had ever known. More elegant in the forms of their persons, more social in their manners, more cleanly, more ingenious and every way superior to their southern neighbours.

Continuing their route, they arrived at a city a city in southern Africa, which manifested the existence of civil polity, and the advantages of regular government. Here they found a friend in the king. The women brought milk in leathern bags, in wooden bowls, and in earthen pots, sufficient for the use of the whole expedition. Here they excited as much curiosity as they themselves experienced; and numerous bodies of the natives surrounded

them, during the day; nevertheless, as night approached, the people gradually left the encampment, and our travellers retired to rest with the utmost composure, perfectly free from every anxiety as to their personal safety. The name of this city is Leetakoo. The name of its king, is Mooliahaban.

The town of Leetakoo, according to the direction and the distance travelled by the expedition from the Roggeveld, is situated in latitude 26° 30' south, and longitude 27° east. A river, which from the width of the channel must occasionally be of considerable size, runs through the midst of it. The town, in its circumference, was estimated to be fully as large as Cape Town, including all the gardens of Table Valley; but from the irregularity of the streets, and the lowness of the buildings, it was impossible to ascertain, with any degree of accuracy, the number of houses; it was concluded, however, that they could not be less than two nor more than three thousand, all nearly of the same size and construction, and differing in nothing from that of the chief, except that his was a little larger than the others. The whole population, including men, women, and children, they considered to be from ten to fifteen thousand persons. Round numbers are rarely exact. The two commissioners, it seems, at the end of fifteen days, on comparing notes, found that the esti mate of one was ten, of the other fifteen thou sand. The truth may probably lie in the middle. The ground plan of every house was a complete circle, from twelve to fifteen feet in dianieter; the floor of hard beaten clay, raised about four inches above the general surface of the enclosure. About one-fourth part of the circle, which was the front of the house, and observed generally to face the east, was entirely open; the other three-fourths were walled up with clay and stones, to the height of about five feet. By an inner circular wall passing through the centre, and described with the same radius as that of the first circle, and consequently cutting off one-third of the circumference, an apartment is formed for the depositing of their valuables, as skin clothing, ivory ornaments, hassaguis, knives, and other articles which to them are of essential use. In this apartment, also, the elder part of the family take their nightly rest. The children sleep in the half closed viranda, which comprehends two-thirds of the circumference of

the circle.

The plan of this cabin will be best understood from the following sketch. It exhibits a degree of skill and contrivance not to say of elegance, very superior indeed to the clumsy, inconvenient, confined and filthy habitations of the Hottentots in the South.

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These people depend much on the support they derive from their animals, whether milk or flesh: but they also cultivate the lands around them. They smoke tobacco; and take snuff" till the tears trickle down their cheeks!" They ornament their persons with devices painted with white pipe-clay: they decorate their heads with plumes. Religious worship they have none: religious ideas very few, and feeble: tear is the inciting cause of their devotions.

The policy of King Mooliahaban, prevented the further progress of the commissioners: we regret that he had recourse to falsity. But perhaps, we should term prudence his preventing our travellers from visiting the Barroloos: a nation described as excellent cultivators, skilful in carving, in smelting of ores, and in architecture. We rejoice that our adventurers returned in safety to the Cape, and are pleased that Mr. Truter praises God for his protection in this long and hazardous expedition.

Besides the subjects at which we have hinted, the reader will find many articles

of Natural History, treated in this work with considerable ability; and numerous incidental hints of various descriptions, for which we must refer to the volume itself. The engravings, in number twenty, are executed in aquatinta, and coloured so as closely to imitate drawings. They add very much to the appearance and interest of the book.

Ormes Graphic History of the Life, Exploits, and Death of Horatio Nelson, Viscount and Baron Nelson of the Nile, &c. containing fifteen engravings, and intended as an accompaniment to the three celebrated whole sheet plates of his Lordship's splendid Victories. With Memoirs, by Francis William Blagdon, Esq.. folio pp. about SO. Price 21. 2s London, Orme, 1806.

LORD Nelson's reaown has rendered him an excellent subject for poetry, declamation, and graphic representation. It is not, indeed, pretended that either of these modes of conferring applause can do justice to his merit; none but a seaman like himself, can estimate that: neither can the most detailed delineation convey any idea approaching correctness, of the activity, the exertion, and the prowess exhibited in the progress of such actions as it was his Lordship's fortune to conduct. A general idea, and that very limited in point of time, is all which ought to be expected; but, because all that is desirable cannot be accomplished, we are not to discredit the Arts, by inferring, that what they offer is despicable. They can record events of magnitude, in a language which needs no explanation, to whatever part of the world it is addressed; and they communicate, with a celerity beyond the power of narration, the leading ideas with which they are charged. Reflection may, moreover, trace in their superior compositions other circumstances of no small interest, though less obvious, and requiring the attentive eye, and intelligent mind. The whole of a capital production is seldom seen or understood by a casual observer: some industry, and much information are necessary to the adequate comprehension of an artist's labours. It is, therefore, undeniable, that the artist himself must have deeply studied his subject; must have availed himself of every information, not of the principal circumstances

only, but of those which, though apparently minor, are yet indispensable. These must have long occupied his mind, as subjects of vigorous meditation; and, if he designs that his labours should establish their claims to superiority, he must mature his reflections, compose his subject in idea, reconsider it, study what is most probable, what is most becoming, what is most affecting in its nature, in its situation, in its relation to objects around it; and, after having well investigated the whole, and every part, he must adopt that, which all things considered, appears to be preferable. The difficulties attending recent circumstances are augmented by the familiarity of the public with the events; by the recollections of those who were present at them, and by the discordant opinions of those who having formed their own conceptions, insist on the conformity of others to their dogmas, on pain of censure, if not of defamation.

Under these disadvantages Mr. Orme has laboured in composing the work before us. The prints it includes have been published, separately, at various times, as the incidents occurred. They are therefore void of uniformity as to size, shape, character, and execution. Some of them are engraved in the chalk manner, others in aquatinta, others in lines. Some occupy the whole page, others are folded, comprising two pages; and others are head-pieces extending in width more than the page will allow, to which their height bears no proportion. In the copy under our inspection, the battle of St. Vincent, is placed at the passage of the Sound, p. 25, there being no blank to receive it. where it ought to be, in p. 12. The memoir of Lord Nelson's life is very well: but is already known to the public from other narrations; and the account of his funeral, the plates to which are the most interesting in the volume, is of course, coincident with the ceremonials published by the Herald's office.

The abstract from his Lordship's will, the poems, the extracts from poems in which the departed here is commemorated, are at least as honorable to their composers as to the compiler; and the keys to the pictures exhibited in Bond Street, we presume will answer their purpose, if they attract fresh gazers to the rooms where their originals may be seen.

If this work had been intituled "A

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Histoire particulière des Evénemens, &c. Historical Details of Events which took place in France during the Months of June, July, August, and September, 1792, which effected the Overthrow of the Throne, &c. By M. M. de la Varenne, Jurisconsultus; one of the Victims who escaped from the St. Bartholomew of 1792. 8vo. pp. 546. Paris, 1806. Imported by Dulau and Co. Price 9s.

The Author publishes this volume separately, though part of a more extensive history of those calamitous events which preceded the dissolution of the royal government in France. He supposes that these details have never been collected ; and he supports the authenticity of some of them by legal proofs. If the horror we have ever felt at the massacres of those days were capable of increase, this publication is calculated to increase it. The atrocities it narrates are too abominable and barbarous for insertion. "The revolutionary harpies of France, sprung from night and hell," in the language of Mr. Burke, "had tygers to fall upon animated strength! they had hyenas to prey upon carcases!"

Can we rise from the perusal of a work like the present, without expressing our gratitude to Providence, that similar scenes did not disgrace ourselves? We thank God, that the king of Great Britain yet fills his throne, notwithstanding all the revolutions which have astonished Europe : and long may his dignity be supported by the affectionate energies of a people in whose hearts liberty is intertwined with loyalty.

Remarks on the Husbandry and internal Commerce of Bengal. - Calcutta, printed 1804. London, reprinted for the Author. Svo, pp. 210. Price 5s 6d. Boards. Blacks and Parry, 1806.

This work does not assume the character of a complete system of Indian husbandry. It is part of a treatise, the joint production of two gentlemen, in India, one of whom dying, the other thought proper to publish his portion of the work, on his own account. The original was compiled in 1794, but was corrected for the Calcutta edition of 1803; and is now reprinted for the author. We must, therefore, in examining its contents, make allowances for the interval between those dates and the present time: and for some deficiencies which no doubt were

supplied in that part of the work which was composed by the party deceased. From the general character of the performance, as it appears on perusal, we are induced to regret, very sincerely, that the original undertaking was left imperfect. Nevertheless, though not complete, we think it valuable; and recommend it to the attention of our readers.

The work is divided into six chapters, and treats of the general aspect, climate, soil, and inhabitants of Bengal; the husbandry of that province, the tenures of its occupants, the rents, duties, &c. to which it is subject with remarks on its local and internal commerce, on grain, piece goods, and sundry minor articles exportation.

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The subject is of peculiar interest to merchants, who trade to Bengal; to manufacturers who employ the raw materials derived from thence; and to those truly patriotic spirits who delight in establishing the precedence of British manufactures in whatever the world can produce as excellent. Under these ideas we shall consider this tract; and shall take the opportunity of annexing an article or two connected with the subject, by which we hope to diffuse valuable information, while at the same time we consult the taste and gratification of general readers.

Bengal, though comparatively a level. country, has several mountainous districts. The plains are inundated annually by the Ganges, and produce rice; the mountains are dry, and yield wheat and barley. The general soil is clay, with a considerable proportion of siliceous sand.

The mountaineers are most evidently dis

tinguished by religion, character, language, and manners, as well as by their features, from the Hindu nation. Under various denominawhich occupies the centre of India, and some tions, they people that vast mountainous tract tribes of them have not yet emerged from the savage state. They are, perhaps, aborigines, driven many ages ago from the plains of Hindustan by the Hindu colonists; but even desolate forests, an ungrateful soil, difficult roads, and a noxious climate, do not preserve to them the unmolested possession of the dreary region to which they have retired. Hindus, and even Muselmans, may be now found interspersed amongst them. It should be, however, noticed, that these mountaineers, in the progress of civilization, do often adopt the manners, and, in time, embrace the religion, and assume the name, of Hindus.

The population of Bengal, including the province of Benares, is stated by our author, at 27,000,000. We learn from his communications that

A considerable proportion of the land vields several crops within the year; much indeed yields only one; but, on the other hand, the practice of crowding crops seems ill judged, and it returns less in proportion to the labour and expence than successive cultivation. We may therefore assume, as the middle course of husbandry, two yearly harvests from each field; one of white corn, and another of pulse, oil-seed, or millet.

We are not to consider all land as yielding two crops; but that this may be adopted as a kind of average.

Cattle are grazed at a very small expence. for bulaloes, and four anas for cows. It does not exceed eight anas a head annually

The profits of the dairy arise from the sale of milk, of curds in various forms, and of clarified butter; the last is the only produce which admits of being transported to a distant market. The buffalo-cow daily supplies the dairy with two or three sers of milk.

Cattle constitute the peasant's wealth; and the profits of stock would be greater, did the consumption of animal food take off barren cows and oxen which have passed their prime. This, indeed, cannot happen where the Hindus constitute the great mass of the general population, since they consider the slaughter of kine and the eating of cows' flesh as sinful. But many tribes of Hindus, and even some Brahmens, have no objection to the use of other animal food. At their entertainments it is generally introduced; by some it is daily eaten, and the institutes of their religion do require that flesh should be tasted even by Brahmens at solemn sacrifices, forbidding, however, the use of it unless joined with the performance of such a sacrifice. Daily prac

tice, however, is not governed by rules of limited cogency; and meat, (mutton and goat's flesh,) being more than double the price of

From

vegetable food, it cannot be afforded as a common diet upon the usual earnings of labour. Whether this circumstance has much influence, or whether entire abstinence from animal food be not rather ascribable to the prevalence of superstitious prejudices, may be questioned. Probably both have influence, though the latter has the greatest. whatever cause it arise, the consumption of animal-food is not so considerable as to render the stock of sheep an object of general attention. Their wool supplies the home-consumption of blankets, but is too coarse and produces too small a price to afford a large profit on this stock.

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This account agrees with remarks made in Egypt, on the Brahmens which accompanied our Indian army and it contributes to explain the facility with which a diet of animal food was established, even among those who were supposed to be most averse to it. We are informed by Dr. M'Gregor, Med. Sketches. Egypt. p. 93. that the sepoy's suffered so much from the severity of the weather, and a climate very unlike their own, that a portion of animal food, as well as of wine, was ordered to be issued to them. The prejudices of country, religion, and of the different casts of Gentoos, were first overcame in the Bombay regiment: at length the most austere yielded; and, finally, even the severe Brahmin, as well as the rigid Mussulman, gave way to the necessity inspired by their situation in a foreign country."

The valuable articles of sugar, tobacco, silk, cotton, indigo, and opium, being the principal dependence of the peasant for the supply of conveniences and for accession of wealth, are well deserving of particular consideration.

Opium, it is well known, has been monopolised by government. It is provided in the provinces of Bihar and Benares, and sold in Calcutta by public sale.-A learned and very ingenious inquirer estimated the produce of one acre at sixty pounds of opium; but we think he must have been misled by the result of trials on very fertile land in a fortunate sea

son.

Such information as we have been able to obtain, has led us to estimate little more than four sers or eight pounds.-Many cultivators obtain from the same land a crop of pot-herbs, or some other carly produce, before the season of sowing the poppy, but it is reckoned a bad practice.-In estimating the medium produce, we may advert to the accidents of season, to which this delicate plant is particularly liable from insects, wind, hail, or unseasonable rain. The produce seldom squares with the true average, but commonly runs in extremes: while one cultivator is dis

appointed, another reaps immense gain; one season does not pay the labour of the culture, another, peculiarly fortunate, enriches all the cultivators. This circumstance is well suited to allure man, ever confident of personal good fortune.

The preparation of the raw opium is under the immediate superintendance of the agent or of the contractor. It consists in evaporating, by exposure to the sun, the watery particles, which are replaced by oil of poppy-seed, to prevent the drying of the resin. The opium

is then formed into cakes, and covered with the petals of the poppy; and, when sufficiently dried, it is packed in chests, with frag ments of the capsules from which poppy-seeds have been thrashed out.

This preparation, though simple, requires expert workmen able to detect the many adulterations which are practised on the raw juice. The adulteration of prepared opium is yet more diflicult to discover. It has been sup posed to be commonly vitiated with an extract from the leaves and stalk of the poppy, and with gum of the mimosa; other foreign admixtures have been conjectured, such as cow-dung, gums, and resins, of various sorts, and parched rice.

Tobacco, though an exotic, is now cultivated in all parts of India.

From Benares to Rengpur, from the bor ders of Asam to those of Catac, there is scarcely a district in Bengal or its dependent provinces wherein the Sugar-cane does not flourish. It thrives most especially in the provinces of Benares, Bihar, Rengpur, Birbhum, Birbwan, and Mednipur; it is successfully cultivated in all, and there seem to be no other bounds to the possible production of sugar in Bengal, than the limits of the demand home-consumption and for the inland trade is and consequent vend of it. The growth for vast, and it only needs encouragement to equal the demand of Europe also.

It is cheaply produced and frugally manufactured. Raw sugar, prepared in a mode peculiar to India, but analogous to the process of making muscovado, costs less than five shillings sterling per cwt.

Cotton is cultivated throughout Bengal. Formerly the produce was nearly equal to the consumption, and very little was imported by sca or brought from inland countries. But. the increase of manufactures, or the decline of cultivation, has now given rise to a very large importation from the banks of the Jamuna and from the Dekhin. It is there raised so much more cheaply than in Bengal, that it supports a successful competition, notwithstanding the heavy expences of distant transport by land and water; and under-sells cot ton of a middle quality in those very provinces where this article was heretofore abundantly produced. A fine sort of cotton is still grown

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