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daughter to Mr. Blanckley, the British consul-general at Algiers; and the work is composed of a journal kept by Mrs. Blanckley, with reminiscences by her daughter, Mrs. Broughton. The vivacity, minute description, and kindly feeling everywhere apparent in this book render it highly attractive.

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Discoveries in the Interior of Africa,' by SIR JAMES Alexander, two volumes, 1838, describe a journey from Cape Town, of about four thousand miles, and occupying above a year, towards the tracts of country inhabited by the Damaras, a nation of which very little was known, and generally the country to the north of the Orange River, on the west coast. The author's personal adventures are interesting, and it appears that the aborigines are a kind and friendly tribe of people, with whom Sir James Alexander thinks that an extended intercourse may be maintailed for the mutual benefit of the colonists and the natives.

'A Journal written during an Excursion in Asia Minor in 1838,' by CHARLES FELLOWS, is valuable from the author's discoveries in Pamphylia. Mr. Fellows has also written a second work, Ancient Lycia, an Account of Discoveries made during a Second Excursion to Asia Minor in 1840.' LIEUT. J. R. WELLSTED, author of Travels in Arabia, the Peninsula of Sinai, and along the Shores of the Red Sea,' 1838; and LORD LINDSAY, in his Letters on Egypt, Edom, and the Holy Land,' 1838, supply some additi nal details. The scene of the encampment of the Israelites, after crossing the Red Sea, is thus described by Lord Lindsay:

The Red Sea.

The bright sea suddenly burst on ns. a sail in the distance, and the blue mountains of Africa beyond it-a lovely vis a. But when we had fairly issued into the plain on the sea-shore, beautiful indeed, most beautiful was the view-the whole African coast, from Gebel Ataka to Gebel Krarreb, lay before us, washed by the Red Sea—a vast amphitheatre of mountains, except the space where the waters were lost in distance between the Asiatic and Libyan promontories. It was the stillest hour of day; the sun shone brightly, descending to his palace in the occident;' the tide was coming in with its peaceful pensive murmurs, wave after wave. It was in this plain, broad, and perfectly smooth from the mountains to the sea, that the children of Isrací encamped after leaving Elim. What a glorious scene it must then have presented! and how nobly those rocks, now so silent must have re-echoed the Song of Moses and its ever-returning chorus-Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea!'

The EARL OF CARLISLE, in 1854, published an interesting, unpretending volume, entitled A Diary in Turkish and Greek Waters.' His lordship is also author of a lecture on Pope, and of a paraphrase in verse, The Second Vision of Daniel,' 1858.

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As a guide and pleasant companion over another Eastern route, we may note the Overland Journey to the North of India from Eng. land,' by LIEUTENANT ARTHUR CONOLLY, two volumes, 1834. Lieutenant Conolly's journey was through Russia, Persia, and Afghanistan. MISS EMMA ROBERTS, in the following year, gave a

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lively and entertaining series of Scenes and Characteristics of Hindustan, with Sketches of Anglo-Indian Society.' This lady went out again to India in 1839, and was engaged to conduct a Bombay newspaper; but she died in 1840. Her Notes of an Overland Journey through France and Egypt to Bombay' were published after her death. Another lady, MRS. POSTANS, published (1839) Cutch, or Random Sketches taken during a Residence in one of the Northern Provinces of Western India.' The authoress resided some years in the province of Cutch, and gives a minute account of the feudal government and customs, the religious sects and superstitions of the people. The aristocratic distinctions of caste are rigidly preserved, and the chiefs are haughty, debauched, and cruel.

Sacrifice of a Hindu Widow.-From Mrs. Postans's 'Cutch, or Random Sketches,' &c.

News of the widow's intentions having spread. a great concourse of people of both sexes, the women clad in their gala costumes, assembled round the pyre. In a short time after their arrival the fated victim appeared, accompanied by the Brahmins, her relatives, and the body of the deceased. The spectators showered chaplets of mogree on her head, and greeted her appearance with laudatory exclamatious at her constancy and virtue. The women especially pressed forward to touch her garments-an act which is considered meritorious, and highly desirable for absolution and protection from the evil eye.'

The widow was a remarkably handsome woman, apparently about thirty, and most superbly attired. Her manner was marked by great apathy to all around her, and by a complete indifference to the preparations which for the first time met her eye. From this circumstance an impression was given that she might be under the influence of opium; and in conformity with the declared intention of the European officers present to interfere should any coercive measures be adopted by the Brahmins or relatives, two medical officers were requested to give their opinion on the subject. They both agreed that she was quite free from any influence calculated to induce torpor or intoxication.

Captain Burnes then addressed the woman, desiring to know whether the act she was about to perform were voluntary or enforced, and assuring her that, should she entertain the slightest reluctance to the fulfilment of her vow, he, on the part of the British government. would guarantee the protection of her life and property. Her answer was calm, heroic, and constant to her purpose: I die of my own free-will; give me back my husband, and I will consent to live; if I die not with him, the souls of seven husbands will condemn me !'

Ere the renewal of the horrid ceremonies of death were permitted, again the voice of mercy, of expostulation, and even of entreaty was heard; but the trial was vain, and the cool and collected manner with which the woman still declared her determination unalterable, chilled and startled the most courageous. Physical pangs evidently excited no fears in her; her singular creed, the customs of her country, and her sense of conjugal duty, excluded from her mind the natural emotions of personal dread; and never did martyr to a true cause go to the stake with more constancy and firmness, than did this delicate and gentle woman prepare to become the victim of a deliberate sacrifice to the demoniacal tenets of her heathen creed. Accompanied by the officiating Brahmin, the widow walked seven times around the pyre, repeating the usual mantras or prayers, strewing rice and coories on the ground, and sprinkling water from her hand over the by-standers, who believe this to be efficacious in preventing disease and in expiating committed sins. She then removed her jewels, and presented them to her relations, saying a few words to each with a calm soft smile of encouragement and hope. The Brahmin then presented her with a lighted torch, bearing which

Fresh as a flower just blown,

And warm with life, her youthful pulses playing

she stepped through the fatal door. and sat within the pile. The body of her husband. wrapped in rich kinkaub, was then carried seven times round the pile, and finally laid across her knees. Thorns and grass were piled over the door; and again it was insisted that free space should be left, as it was hoped the poor victim night yet relent, and rush from her fiery prison to the protection so freely offered. The command was readily obeyed; the strength of a child would have sufficed to burst the frail barrier which confined her, and a breathless pause succeeded; but the woman's constancy was faithful to the last. Not a sigh broke the deathlike silence of the crowd. until a slight smoke, curling from the summit of the pyre, and then a tongue of flame darting with bright and lightning-like rapidity into the clear blue sky, told us that the sacrifice was completed. Fearlessly had this courageous woman fired the pile, and not a groan had betrayed to us the moment when her spirit fled. At sight of the flame a fiendish shout of exu tation rent the air; the tom-toms sounded, the people clapped their hands with delight as the evidence of their murderous work burst on their view, whilst the English spectators of this sad scene withdrew, bearing deep compassion in their hearts, to philosophise as best they might on a custom so fraught with horror so incompatible with reason, and so revolting to hun.an sympathy. The pile continued to burn for three hours; but, from its form, it is supposed that almost immediate suffocation must have terminated the sufferings of the unhappy victim.

First Impressions and Studies from Nature in Hindustan,' by LIEUTENANT THOMAS BACON, two volumes, 1837, is a more lively but carelessly written work, with good sketches of scenery, buildings, pageants, &c. The HON. MOUNTSTUART ELPHINSTONE (17781859), in 1842, gave an account of the kingdom of Cabul, and its dependencies in Persia, Tartary, and India; and A Narrative of Various Journeys in Beloochistan, Afghanistan, and the Punjaub,' by CHARLES MASSON, describes with considerable animation the author's residence in those countries, the native chiefs, and personal adventures with the various tribes from 1826 to 1838. MR. C. R. BAYNES, a gentleman in the Madras civil service, published in 1843 'Notes and Reflections during a Ramble in the East, an Overland Journey to India,' &c. His remarks are just and spirited, and his anecdotes and descriptions lively and entertaining.

Remark by an Arab Chief.

An Arab chieftain, one of the most powerful of the princes of the desert, had come to behold for the first time a steam-ship. Much attention was paid to him, and every facility afforded for his inspection of every part of the vessel. What impression the sight made on him it was impossible to judge. No indications of surprise escaped him; every muscle preserved its wonted calmness of expression; and on quitting, he merely observed, 'It is well; but you have not brought a man to life yet I'

Legend of the Mosque of the Bloody Baptism at Cairo.

Sultan Hassan, wishing to see the world, and lav aside for a time the anxieties and cares of royalty, committed the charge of his kingdom to his favourite minister, and taking with him a large amount of treasure in money and jewels, visited several foreign countries in the character of a wealthy merchant. Pleased with his tour, and becoining interested in the occupation he had assumed as a disguise, he was absent much longer than he originally intended, and in the course of a few years greatly increased his already large stock of wealth. His protracted absence, however, proved a temptation too strong for the virtue of the viceroy, who, gradually forming for him

self a party among the leading men of the country, at length communicated to the common people the intelligence that Sultan Hassan was no more, and quietly seated himself on the vacant throne. Sultan Hassan returning shortly afterwards from his pilgrimage, and, fortunately for himself, still in disguise, learned, as he approached his capital, the news of his own death and the usurpation of his minister. Finding, on further inquiry, the party of the usurper to be too strong to render an immediate disclosure prudent, he preserved his incognito, and soon became known in Cairo as the wealthiest of her merchants; nor did it excite any surprise when he announced his pious intention of devoting a portion of bis gains to the erection of a spacious mosque. The work proceeded rapidly under the spur of the great merchant's gold, and, on its compretion, he solicited the honour of the sultan's presence at the ceremony of naming it. Anticipating the gratification of hearing his own name bestowed upon it, the usurper accepted the invitation, and at the appointed hour the building was filled by him and his most attached adherents. The ceremonies had duly proceeded to the time when it became necessary to give the name. The chief, Moolah, turning to the supposed merchant, inquired what should be its name. Call it,' he replied, the Mosque of Sultan Hassan." All started at the mention of this name; and the questioner, as though not believing he could have heard aright, or to afford an opportunity of correcting what might be a mistake, repeated his demand. Call it,' again cried he, the mosque of me, Sultan Hassan!' and throwing off his disguise, the legitimate sultan stood revealed before his traitorous servant. He had no time for reflection: simultaneousy with the discovery, numerous trap-doors, leading to extensive vaults, which had been prepared for the purpose, were flung open, and a multitude of armed men issuing from them, terminated at once the reign and life of the usurper. His followers were mingled in the slaughter, and Sultan Hassan was once more in possession of the throne of his fathers.

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SIR JOHN BOWRING published an entertaining and instructive account of The Kingdom and People of Siam,' two volumes, 1857.

State and Ceremonial of the Siamese.

April 16, 1855.-How can I describe the barbaric grandeur, the parade, the show, the glitter, the real magnificence, the profuse decorations of to-day's royal audience! We went, as usual, in the state barges; mine had scarlet and gold curtains, the others had none. Parkes sent them back, and they all returned with the needful appendages; he understands the art of managing Orientals marvellously well. When we landed, chairs were brought, and multitudes of guards escorted ns. From the moment we entered the precincts of the palace, an unbroken line of soldiery, dressed in a great variety of costumes, and bearing every species of weapon -many singularly grotesque and rude-spears. shields, swords, bucklers, battle-axes, bows, quivers, in every form, and uniforms of every colour and shape, fantastical, farcical, fierce, and amusing; the rudest forms of ancient warfare, mingled with sepoy-dressed regulars-ancient European court costumes amidst the light and golden garments, and sometimes the nakedness above the waist of nobles of the highest distinction. I was carried in a gaudy gilded chair, with a scarlet umbrella over me, borne by eight bearers, with a crowd of attendants. My suite followed me in less decorated seats; but crowds of men, women, and children pessed around us, who were beaten away with canes by the police. We passed through rows of caparisoned ponies and elephants mounted for war. The ruder troops of the wilder countries were broken by small bodies of soldiers dressed in European style, who presented arms,' and had fifes and drums; but much of the music was of tom-toms and Siamese instruments. We were all conducted to a building to await the royal summons, where coffee and cigars were brought in, and gold and silver vessels, containing pure water, covered the table, at the head of which I was placed. The spittoon at my feet was of silver, inlaid with gold, and about fourteen inches in diameter. Soon a messenger came, and we proceeded on foot to the hall of reception. Soft and exceedingly pleasing music welcomed our arrival, and at it thundered forth a loud peal as we approached the grand hall of audience. On entering the hall, we found it crowded with nobles, all prostrate, and with their faces bent to the ground. I walked forward through the centre of the hall to a cushion provided for me in a line with the very highest nobles not of royal blood; the prime-minister and his brother

were close to me on my right hand. The king came in and seated himself on an e evated and gorgeous throne like the curtained box of a theatre. He was clad in golden garments, his crown at his side; but he wore on his head a cap decorated with large diamonds, and enormous diamond rings were on his fingers. At my left, nearer the throne, were the king's brothers and his sous; et the right, the princes of the blood, the Somdetches, and the higher nobles. The nobility crowded the hall, all on their knees; and on the entrance of the king, his throne, being raised about ten feet from the floor, they all bent their foreheads to the ground, and we sat down as g.acefully as we could, while the prostrations were repeated again and again.

China has received a flood of new illustration, and the intercourse which has recently been opened up with that immense and mysterious empire will still further augment the amount of our knowledge. MR. JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS, late chief superintendent in China, has published two interesting works: Sketches of China, partly during an Inland Journey of Four Months between Pekin, Nankin, and Canton;' and The Chinese, a General Description of the Empire of China and its Inhabitants.' The latter work was published in 1836, but has since been enlarged, and the history of British intercourse brought down to the events which produced the dissolution of 1857. Mr. Davis resided twenty years at Canton, is perfect in the peculiar language of China, and has certainly seen more of its inhabitants than any other English author. The Journal of Three Voyages along the Coast of China,' in 1831, 1832, and 1853, by MR. GUTZLAFF, a German, is also a valuable work. The contraband trade in opium formed a memorable era in the history of Chinese commerce. It was carried on to a great cxtent with the Hong merchants; but in 1834, after the monopoly of the East India Company had been abolished, our government appointed Lord Napier to proceed to Canton as special superintendent, to adjust all disputed questions among the merchants, and to form regulations with the provincial authorities. The Chinese, always jealous of foreigners, and looking upon mercantile employments as degrading, insulted our superintendent; hostilities took place, and the trade was suspended. Lord Napier took his departure amidst circumstances of insult and confusion, and died on the 11th of October, 1834. The functions of superintendent devolved on Mr. Davis. The Chinese, emboldened by the pacific temperament of our government, proceeded at length to the utmost extent; and not satisfied with imprisoning and threatening the lives of the whole foreign community, laid also violent hands on the British representative himself, claiming, as the purchase of his freedom, the delivery of the whole of the opium then in the Chinese waters-property to the amount of upwards of two millions sterling. After a close imprisonment of two months' duration, during which period our countrymen were deprived of many of the necessaries of life, and exposed repeatedly, as in a pillory, to the gaze and abuse of the mob, no resource was left but to yield to the bold demands of the Chinese, relying with confidence on their nation for support and redress: nor did they rely in vain; for immediately the accounts of the

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