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the other hand, are furnished with casements, are white- is paid to the breeding of cattle, the cows are washed, and in many instances surrounded with gar- nevertheless fine, and their milk abundant; but dens, in which I observed peach-trees in blossom. Two overseers dwell in the same house, which contains two apartments and a kitchen. The administrator occupies an entire mansion, and with him I remained during my stay at Corrego Novo."-I. 29.

this result is attributable to the humidity of the air, and the abundance and succulent nature of the grasses. The air of the mountainous regions of Brazil being generally dry and piercing, and the herbage scanty, the same rule which prevails In most cases, the working of gold or diamond in Europe holds good; the cows, though they premines, and the remark may perhaps be applied sent a fine appearance, having small udders, and to many other sorts of mining,-must be regarded yielding a very trifling supply of milk. At Tijuas a species of gambling; at all events its results co, the capital of the Diamond District, a superior on the moral constitution are to a certain extent degree of industry, and cleanliness its natural acthe same. Sudden exaltation from poverty to companiment, prevails. Though encircled by riches, succeeded by expensive habits, dissipa- ridges of naked rocks, and mountains perforated tion, voluptuousness, and an utter distaste for the and broken up in search of gold, and covered more ordinary processes of industry, marks the with extensive mounds of gray and barren rubcareer of both the gambler and the miner. Even bish, the vicinity of the town exhibits a smiling in the midst of poverty he dreams of incalculable prospect of rich variegated verdure. Gardens are wealth, refuses to direct his attention to any use- extremely numerous, each house possessing its ful employment, and constantly deluded by insane own. Here grow the orange tree, the banana, the hallucinations, drags on a life of wretchedness, peach, the fig, the quince tree, and the pine. The with El Dorado ever glittering before his imagi- common vegetables of Europe are likewise cultination. The provinces traversed by M. De Saint-vated, such as the cabbage, the lettuce, chicory, Hilaire furnish numerous examples of this kind the potato, with various herbs and flowers, among of madness. Formerly, great fortunes were some-which the violet is the favourite. times acquired by a lucky accident, with marvellous rapidity, when near the Rio do Carmo, gold, as Luccock observes, was frequently found by plucking up the grass, and shaking the roots. Those days, however, are now over; yet numbers of adventurers, stimulated by these hackneyed traditions, continue to haunt the neighbourhood of the old mines, digging and burrowing in the earth without ceasing, though their gains scarcely suffice in many cases to preserve them from starving, One of the haunts of a band of these miserable dreamers is thus described.

any regard to symmetry, appeared to be cultivuted with "The gardens of Tijuco, though arranged without more care than any I had elsewhere seen. However this may be, from the intermixture of houses and gardens differently grouped, and scattered on an inclined plane, arise the most agreeable points of view. From many of the houses we discover not only those situated lower down on the slope of the hill, but the bottom also of the valley, and the heights which rise in front of the city; and it would be difficult to describe the striking effect produced in the landscape by the contrast between the glossy freshness of the verdure of the gardens, the colour of the roofs, and the gray austere tints of the valley and encircling mountains."-I. 42.

"The village of Chapada, where I halted, is situated on a flattish semi-globular hill, surrounded by other rocky eminences of similar formation. All around, the soil is Many remarkable phenomena are observable in dry and hungry, and rocks and white sand every where the economy of trees and vegetables transplanted peep forth among the scanty herbage. About thirty from Europe to these warmer regions. It has wretched huts, scattered around confusedly, constitute been found by experiment, that the dry season is the village. Their roofs, like those of Rio Pardo, have most favourable to European plants, provided an exceedingly steep slope, which is rendered necessary they are supplied with moisture by artificial irriby the nature of the grass with which they are covered; gation; while those indigenous to the country apfor being soft and fine, it would admit the rain water, if pear to derive no benefit from this process. This laid upon a more inclined surface. The brooks that flow difference, which at first sight seems so whimsinear Chapada formerly yielded considerable quantities of cal, is susceptible of an easy explanation. During diamonds; but the majority no longer furnishing any, the drought, the vegetables of Europe experience the intendant permits the search after gold, upon the produce of which the inhabitants of the village now a temperature analogous to that of their native subsist. These men, who are all mulattoes, value at four country; they do not run to seed so rapidly as vintens [about 94d.] the gold they can collect in a day; during the heats, and irrigation supplies that but, should they even conceal a portion of their gain, moisture which they require. On the contrary, their poverty proves too plainly that it cannot be great. if the native plants do not grow at the same peNo trace of cultivation appears in the neighbourhood; riod, though watered by artificial means, it is bethough the heat of these elevated regions not being very cause heat rather than moisture is wanted to prointense, there can be no doubt that rye would succeed mote their vegetation. It has been remarked, extremely well in certain positions. But the truth is, that in all probability the beautiful evergreen the search after gold is more agreeable than agriculture, trees which constitute so pleasing a feature in the to the lazy habits of the natives in the auriferous dis-winter landscapes of Egypt, would become decitricts."-İ. 31.

duous if transplanted into the colder climates of In Europe, it may be generally remarked, horn- Europe. This conjecture is converted into cered cattle are less beautiful in form, and their flesh of an inferior quality, on proceeding towards the south. Except perhaps in the rich pasturages of Lombardy, and the Duchy of Parma, cows also yield less milk. In Egypt, where little attention

tainty by what M. De Saint-Hilaire relates of the metamorphoses effected in the fruit trees of Europe when removed to Brazil. For a short period the peach tree, at Tijuco, is perfectly leafless; but the apple, the pear, and the quince trees,

In

which renew their leaves at the same season as pervious to the rays of the sun. Various species of liana, the peach, are never without foliage. This appa-creeping from branch to branch, composed a sort of netrent anomaly is explained by M. De Saint-Hilaire. work on either side, and the roots of the cipo d'imbé deThe difference, he observes, which at first ap-scended like so many plumb-lines upon my head. pears extremely singular, is the result of the dissimilarity that exists between the buds of the peach, and those of the quince and apple tree. In the peach tree, in fact, the buds containing the blossoms, distinct from those containing the leaves, appear first; in the quince and apple trees, on the contrary, the same buds contain both leaves and blossoms. The old foliage falls, and immediately the new buds appear, reclothing the trees before they are entirely bare. In the European fruit trees recently transported into Egypt, a similar process will probably take place; but sufficient time for observing the phenomena has not hitherto elapsed. Though in all respects evergreens, the sycamore, the rhamnus lotus, the palm tree, &c. by no means retain constantly the same clothing; but new leaves always putting forth before the old ones fall, their branches are never left entirely naked.

the silence of the forest, the ferrador, which I had not heard for several months, startled the echoes with its sounds produced by a smith using alternately the file piercing notes, imitating with singular exactness the and the hammer. As often as I traversed these primitive woods, after having been traveling for some time over the open country, I invariably experienced a feeling of profound admiration. It is there that nature unfolds all her grandeur; it is there that she seems to wanton in the variety of her productions; and, I cannot help observing with regret, splendid forests of this kind have been a thousand times destroyed without the slightest necessity.”—I. 106.

Dr. Walsh, in his amusing "Notices," has drawn a lively picture of the manners of the capital, to which his experience was chiefly confined. The French traveller, whose habits and pursuits were wholly dissimilar, though he also at various intervals enjoyed ample opportunities of studying the peculiarities of the inhabitants of Rio Janeiro, appears to prefer the ruder simplicity of the provinces. From the concurrent testimony of all travellers it must be concluded that in every part of Brazil,-but above all in the interior,ignorance the most complete, of whatever it especially concerns man to know, prevails. In morals and politics, it is not to be expected that any great proficiency should have been made. To this the united spirit of their religion and government is adverse. But in geography, in the common events of history,-even of the history

Near the capital of the Diamond District, M. De Saint-Hilaire was shown by the intendant the only American antiquities which he beheld during his travels. These were certain rude figures of birds, single or in whimsical groups, traced upon the smooth face of a rock by the way side. On quitting Tijuco, by the road leading over the Serra da Lapa, he traversed a desolate region, fertile in savage bold scenery, resembling in many respects the more barren portions of the Valaisan Alps. No trace of cultivation is any where visible. Gray precipices present them- of their own times, they are so exceedingly selves to the eye on all sides, communicating a ignorant, that, according to Dr. Walsh, several wild and sombre aspect to the landscape. Springs persons of respectability with whom he conversed, burst forth in a thousand places, and the traveller supposed Napoleon to have been a rebellious is frequently startled as he moves along, by the Portuguese general, and the Mississippi a river of noise of water rushing over the rocks. The ap- Great Britain. In the catholic countries of Eupearance of the vegetation often changes as you rope innumerable examples of gross superstition advance, according to the nature and elevation of might readily be pointed out,-perhaps it might the soil; large forests, however, are no where not even be necessary to have recourse to foreign seen; but the hollows are clothed with low shrubs, experience in quest of such examples; but in interspersed in many places with stunted trees. Brazil, this moral darkness is infinitely more Where the soil changes from sandy to red and widely spread. A cross which M. Saint-Hilaire clayish, the appearance of large ferns indicates observed on the road-side, had been erected, as the former existence of extensive forests, which he learned from an inscription on its base, at the are always succeeded by this plant. On approach-request or command of a number of unhappy ing Villa do Principe, the nature of the ground souls, temporarily escaped from purgatory, who and the features of the landscape become sud-on that spot fluttered in the form of doves round denly different; and the transition from bleak arid the horse of a traveller, and expressed their mountains, to hills and deep valleys covered with desires in human voice. Hermits, saints, patients the traces of magnificent forests, is peculiarly de-possessed by the devil, miracles, are things not lightful.

The rich woodland scenes, formerly scattered more abundantly than at present over the surface of Brazil, have been more or less ably described by several writers. M. De Saint-Hilaire, though not apt to be warmed into enthusiasm by the presence or recollection of beautiful landscapes, endeavours also to convey an idea of the emotions excited by the passage through these primeval woods.

uncommon in that part of the world. Wherever ignorance abounds, there imposture will always flourish. In fact it is a kind of hobgoblin, which like the Old Man of the Sea in the Arabian Nights, rides on the shoulders of ignorance, grinning triumphantly the while at the imbecility which enables it to keep its seat.

Travellers sometimes appear to wonder at the eredulous simplicity on which in Mohammedan countries the influence of santons, dervishes, anImmediately after quitting Ocubas, I entered among chorites, &c. is founded. But perhaps the Mosvirgin forests, whose vegetation was exceedingly vigor-lems of the East exhibit not, in their superstitious The road was extremely narrow, and innumerable reverence for those individuals, a greater absence trees of different foliage formed overhead a canopy im- of good sense, and of capacity to discriminate

ous.

between conduct advantageous to society and such as, if not absolutely injurious, is at least not beneficial, than is observed in the good people of Brazil. In the gloomy wild recesses of the Serra da Piedade, where it would be natural to look for the wolf or the eagle, are found a number of those fantastic solitaries, as they term themselves, who delight to live in idle seclusion at the expense of the more industrious of their countrymen.

"On the Serra da Piedade, I saw a woman of whom I had heard much in the comarcas of Sabará and Villa Rica. Sister Germaine, the woman in question, was attacked, in about 1808, by a hysterical affection, accompanied by violent convulsions. She was at first exmade use of, and her condition degenerated from bad to orcised; remedies mal-adapted to her complaint were

worse.

been for a long time reduced to so extreme a state of At length, at the period of my visit, she had weakness, that she was no longer able to rise from her "On the summit of the Serra da Piedade, has been bed, and subsisted upon a regimen which would scarcely erected a chapel of considerable size, close to which, on have supported the life of a new-born infant. Animal both sides, are other buildings for the accommodation of food, rich soups and gravies, her stomach was no longer the hermits of the mountain, and the pilgrims whom in a condition to receive. Sweetmeats, cheese, a little devotion brings to the spot. All these edifices are of bread or flour, constituted the whole of her food; frestone, and are not [in 1818] of above forty years' stand-quently she was unable to retain what she had taken ; ing. Opposite to the chapel are rocks in the midst of and it was almost always necessary to use considerable which have been set up crosses, to mark the stations persuasion to decide her to cat at all." where certain ceremonies are performed during the "It was on all hands admitted, that the manners of Holy Week....... The hermits who inhabit this irregu. Germaine had always been pure, her conduct irreproach lar kind of monastery are mere laymen, whose costume able. During the progress of her disorder, her devotion consists of a large hat and cassock, or black morning had daily assumed a more enthusiastic character. Frigown. At the period of my visit, there were only three days and Saturdays she fasted entirely; at first, indeed, of them; two very sprightly little mulattoes, and an old her mother opposed this practice; but when Germaine white man, at whose appearance I found it difficult to declared that, during those two days, it was utterly imrestrain my laughter, so quaint and fantastic did he seem possible for her to take any nourishment, she was allowwith his rubicund face surmounted by an antique volu-ed to have her own way, and accordingly submitted, on minous wig half eaten by the rats. The establishment those occasions, to total abstinence. In order to indulge of La Piedade possesses a fazenda and other lands, situated her devotion for the Virgin, she caused herself to be at the foot of the mountain; and it might be imagined transported to the Serra da Piedade, where there is a that, like the ancient anchorites, these recluses devoted chapel erected under the auspices of Our Lady of Pity, themselves to agriculture and the proper management of and she obtained from her spiritual director permission their possessions; but this is by no means the case; they to remain in this asylum. In this retreat, meditating find it more convenient to subsist on the charity of the one day on the mystery of the passion, she fell into a public, and their fazenda merely serves them as an asy. kind of ecstasy; her arms grew stiff and were extended lum, when, on returning from their begging circuit, they in the form of a cross; her feet were disposed in the do not feel disposed to toil up the mountain. Their la- same attitude, and in this position she remained during bour, it must be confessed, would not have sufficed to pro- forty-eight hours. This was four years ago; and ever vide for their maintenance and the expenses of the chapel; afterwards the phenomenon was weekly repeated. She but those two young, healthy, and vigorous mulattoes relapsed into her ecstatic attitude on Thursday or Friday should at least have endeavoured to make the most of their night, and continued in a sort of trance until Saturday lands, and applied to the humanity of the faithful when evening, or Sunday, without receiving the slightest nourtheir own resources failed."-I. 138. ishment, without speech or movement."

Deceived, like most other persons, by a respect for past ages, of whose vices and follies less is necessarily known than of our own, M. De SaintHilaire attributes to the ancient anchorites more estimable qualities perhaps than belonged to them. The number of these privileged vagabonds is not, he observes, very great in Brazil; but their habits and character are not such as to render this mat-circulated, and numerous copies of it were taken. Dr. ter of regret.

through the neighbourhood; thousands of persons of all "The rumour of this phenomenon quickly spread ranks crowded to behold it; it was declared to be a miracle; Sister Germaine was regarded as a saint, and two surgeons of the province communicated an additional impulse to the veneration of the people by declaring, in a written document, that her situation was supernatural. This declaration remained in manuscript; but was widely Gomide, an able physician educated at Edinburgh, On the same mountain the traveller observed thought it necessary to refute the declaration of the two another example of the extraordinary effects of surgeons; and in 1814 published at Rio de Janeiro (but superstition among so rude and uncivilised a po- and logic, in which he proves, by a multitude of authori without his name) a small pamphlet, replete with science pulation. Similar tragi-comedies, indeed, have ties, that the ecstasies of Germaine were merely the effects been enacted in Europe, and at no very remote of catalepsy. In this pamphlet, endeavouring to explain period; but they are not there of frequent occur- the periodical recurrence of Sister Germaine's ecstasies, rence, and may perhaps be regarded, when they Dr. Gomide relates the following fact, which deserves to appear, rather as the result of strange sudden be repeated. A farmer in the environs of Caeté had a epidemics, than of a permanent disorder in the number of mules which he every Saturday employed in constitution of men's minds. The speciosa mira-transporting provisions to the city. These animals, feedcula operated by animal magnetism in France ing at liberty in the meadows, according to custom, came are susceptible of easy explanation; having been invariably morning and evening to the house, in search in fact nothing more than a voluptuous jugglery, of the rations of maize which were distributed to them set on foot and carried on for very intelligible at those times. On Saturday, however, the only day in purposes. In Brazil, the case of Sister Germaine may be traced to a different source. It affords a striking illustration of the arts by which the priesthood in ignorant and enslaved nations maintain their influence over the minds of the vulgar.

only did they abstain from presenting themselves in the the week on which they were called upon to labour, not morning at the accustomed hour, but made their escape moreover, and concealed themselves in the country.'

"The public was now divided in opinion; but crowds of people still continued to ascend the Serra, to admire

the prodigy operated there. Nevertheless, Father Cy-her. Her physiognomy was mild and agreeable, but inpriano da Santissima Trinidade, the late bishop of Ma- dicative of extreme emaciation and debility. I enquired rianna, a prudent enlightened man, sensible of the incon- respecting her health, and she replied in an exceedingly veniences which might arise from the numerous assem- feeble voice that it was much better than she deserved. blies collected by Sister Germaine upon the mountain, I felt her pulse, and was surprised to find it very rapid.' and desirous of discrediting the pretended miracle, from "On the following Friday I again visited Germaine. which there resulted at least as much scandal as edifica- She was in bed, stretched upon her back, with her head tion, prohibited the celebration of mass at La Piedade, enveloped in a handkerchief, and her arms extended in under pretence that permission had never been obtained the form of a cross; one of them was prevented by the from the king. Many persons offered Germaine an asy-wall from occupying its proper position, the other prolum in their houses; but she gave the preference to her jected beyond the bed-side, and was supported by a stool. confessor, a grave middle-aged man, who resided in the Her hand felt extremely cold, the thumb and forefinger vicinity of the mountain. The devotees were greatly were extended, but the other fingers were bent, the knees afflicted at the prohibition of the bishop of Marianna; drawn up, and the feet placed over each other. In this but they did not sleep; they solicited from the king him- position she was perfectly immoveable; and her pulse self permission to celebrate mass in the chapel of the being scarcely perceptible, she might have been taken Serra, and it was granted them. Germaine was now for a corpse, if the rise and fall of the bosom in the act transported a second time to the summit of the moun- of respiration, had not indicated the presence of life. I tain; her confessor occasionally ascended thither for the several times attempted to bend her arms, but without celebration of mass; and the concourse of pilgrims and success; the rigidity of the muscles increased in proporcurious persons was weekly renewed. tion to my efforts, which could not have been more violent without inconvenience to the patient. Certainly, I more than once closed her hands; but on releasing the fingers they resumed their former position. Germaine's sister, who generally attended her and was then present, informed me that she was not always so calm during her ecstasies, as on that occasion; that her arms and feet in

He in fact assured me that in the midst of the most fear

quently uttered sighs and groans, struck her head against the pillow with rapidity, the convulsive movements being most violent about three o'clock, the moment at which Jesus Christ expired."—I. 142.

"A short time previous to my visit, a new prodigy began to manifest itself. Every Tuesday she experienced an ecstasy of several hours; her arms quitted their natural position, and assumed the figure of a cross behind her back. In the course of my conversation with her confessor, he told me that, for some time, he was unable to explain this phenomenon, until he at length re-deed constantly remained immoveable, but that she frecollected that on this day it was customary to propose to the meditation of the faithful the sufferings of Christ bound. The disinterestedness and charity of this priest had been described to me in glowing colours. I had a long conversation with him, and found him a person not altogether destitute of education. He spoke of his peniIt was M. de Saint-Hilaire's intention, on astent without enthusiasm; professed to desire that en- cending the Serra, to try the effect of animal lightened men should study her condition; and almost magnetism upon Germaine during her ecstacies; the only reproach he uttered against Dr. Gomide was, but for this purpose it would have been necessary that he had written his book without having seen the holy to have been left alone with her, and this the woman. If what this priest related to me of the ascend-pious crowds, attracted thither by the fame of ancy he possessed over Germaine be not exaggerated, her extraordinary trances, would not permit. the partisans of animal magnetism would probably de- Nevertheless, having some little taste for juggling, rive from it strong arguments in support of their system. he endeavoured, notwithstanding the presence of His acful convulsions, it was always sufficient for him to touch several witnesses, to do all he could. the patient to restore her to perfect tranquillity. During count of what took place is perfectly serious. It her periodical ecstacies, when her limbs were so stiff that is in fact evident he was not wholly without it would have been easier to break than bend them, her faith in magnetism. Pretending to observe her confessor, according to his own account, had only to pulse, he placed his left hand over hers, and touch her arm, in order to give it whatever position he bringing his mind into the particular frame rethought proper. However this may be, it is certain that quired by the magnetisers, and described by having commanded her to receive the sacrament, during Sterne, when he felt the grisette's pulse in the one of these ecstatic trances, she rose with a convulsive glove shop,-he practised the usual mummery movement from the bed on which she had been carried without effect. However, to preserve the credit to the church, and kneeling down, with her arms cross- of magnetism, he judiciously observes that his ed, received the consecrated wafer; since which time she has always communicated during her ecstasics. At the attention was perpetually diverted from the same time, her confessor spoke with extreme simplicity matter in hand by the presence and conversation of his empire over the pretended saint; attributed it of the company. Subsequently, as is learned wholly to her docility and veneration for the sacerdotal from Spix and Martius, the authorities found it character; and added, that any other priest would have necessary to remove the saint from her mountain been able to produce the same effects. With all that residence; shortly after which, death came to the confidence which the magnetisers require in their adepts, relief of poor Sister Germaine, and put a period he observed, that so complete is the obedience of the to her sufferings. poor girl, that, should I command her to abstain from food during a whole week, she would not hesitate to comply. He was also persuaded, that she would have suffered no inconvenience from the experiment; but added, I fear I should be tempting God by making it.' "I requested permission to see Germaine, and was conducted into the small chamber where she constantly reclined. Her countenance was visible, though partly overshadowed by a large handkerchief which projected over her forehead; she appeared to be about thirty-four years of age, and in fact this was the age attributed to

From the circumstances attending this transaction some insight may be obtained into the character of the Brazilians, whose ignorance, credulity, and superstition exceed belief. But their domestic economy, farming, and the treatment of their slaves, complete the picture. One estimable quality, however, they very generally possess; they are hospitable to travellers, and season their cordial reception of the wayfaring stranger with a politeness so unaffected, that, though at variance

a

From the British Critic.

The Darker Superstitions of Scotland, illustrated from History and Practice. By John Graham Dalyell, F. A. S. E. Whittaker: London. 1834.

with so many practices prevailing among them, it is impossible not to derive from it an inference favourable to their natural character. When contrasted, moreover, with the generality of their countrymen recently arrived from Europe, they appear to some advantage. The latter, from the sketches which M. de Saint-Hilaire has given of Mr. Dalyell is extremely well qualified for the them, seem to be distinguished no less by coarse-work which he has just given to the public, inasness of manners and want of respect for travellers, much as he is not only a distinguished antiquary than by a degree of ignorance scarcely credible. the editor of many rare books-but is also, as As a specimen of their rudeness, the author relates, we gather from his own remarks, a descendant of that, on presenting to a respectable merchant that renowned general of the same name, who letter of introduction from a mercantile house at was wont to terrify the covenanters and hold Rio Janeiro, he found him stretched out at his communion with the devil. The dreaded warease upon the counter. Without showing him rior, however, if Scotish legends are to be trustthe slightest civility, or making the most ordinary ed, did not always quit the society of his superproffers of service, he maintained his position on natural ally without experiencing the hazards the counter, while he caused the letter to be read which arise from unequal coalitions. Having on to him. For this inhospitable conduct, M. de one occasion excited the wrath or suspicion of Saint-Hilaire endeavours to account in the follow-this prince of demons, he found it necessary, to ing manner.seek safety in flight; when, notwithstanding the alertness of his motion, his body lost for ever the power of casting a shadow, even in the most brilliant sunshine. The evil spirit, who failed in his attempt to grasp the corporeal frame of old "Tom of Binns," seized that unsubstantial semblance of him which resulted from the interception of the solar rays; and hence it was maintained by the more rigid presbyterians, that though General Dalyell, by favour of Satan, was impenetrable to musket balls, he was doomed to be for ever unattended by that dark and mimic outline which in a clear day marks the progress of every other human being.

"The Portuguese merchants, established in those parts of Brazil through which I have travelled, are generally persons of a very inferior class, who commenced business without capital, and in many cases know neither how to read nor write. While the Brazilians heedlessly dissipate what they possess, these Europeans attend to the minutest sources of profit, and condemn themselves to every kind of privation in order to acquire wealth. Their first step is to purchase a negress, who becomes at once their cook, mistress, washer woman, housemaid, and bearer of wood and water,-tasks which in general the Brazilians impose on their male slaves. In this way they arrive at opulence, but still preserve in the midst of their prosperous circumstances, all the original grossness and vulgarity of their manners, to which the most insupportable pride and contempt for the natives of the country to whom they owe their riches, is commonly superadded.""

-I. 259.

To the botanist, the merchant, and the agriculturist, the work of M. de Saint-Hilaire possesses more than ordinary interest. His remarks on the cultivation of the cotton plant, the soil which best suits this branch of rural economy, and the numerous impediments which oppose themselves in Brazil to the improvement of its produce, are worthy the attention of our countrymen in the East; who, in this particular, have shown much less perseverance and wisdom than Mohammed Ali. On the culture of the sugar cane perhaps, and several other points of tropical husbandry, the traveller might learn from the English; but all his remarks on these and similar subjects are the fruit of patient enquiry, and even when destitute of novelty, deserve to be examined and regarded with respect.

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Notwithstanding these preliminary qualifications on the part of the author, this history of the Darker Superstitions of Scotland" is not a faultless performance. In the first place the composiand ill-timed effort at fine writing. Some sention is extremely obscure, owing to an excessive tences, for the reason now stated, are utterly unintelligible. There is an accumulation of long, ing, and hence, even after a second, reading, we learned words, which entirely conceal the meanhave been obliged to pass on, satisfied with a But in spite of this objection, for which we canmere conjecture as to the point under discussion. much matter that is both amusing and instrucnot devise any apology, the volume contains tive. If the human race may be said to have had the belief in witchcraft, spectral illusions, and an intellectual infancy and childhood, assuredly amulets, belongs to the least improved condition of their social existence. That era, however, in the history of our nature is not to be overlooked. On the contrary, there cannot be any doubt that an authentic view of the manners and customs of mankind may rank with the more valuable parts of literature, because it is obviously of more consequence for us to be made acquainted with the sentiments, habits, opinions and occupations of our ancestors, than to peruse the most minute record of their savage wars and rude diplomacy.

It is not to be imagined that the superstitions of Scotland differ in any important particular from those of other nations at the same stage of improvement. They are, however, better known than the similar reliques of England and the

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