Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

and countries they describe, by comparing them with the actual state of things, for which purpose his public character invested him with great advantages.

SPAIN.

Ecclesiastical revenues,

According to a work upon the property of the Clergy and Monks of Spain, which was published by a Deputy of the Cortes, their revenues amount to no less than 51 millions of piastres (10,625,000). sterling).

SWEDEN.

Swedish literature has been this year enriched with translations, said to be good ones, of the Iliad, Æneid, and Paradise

near the Hase, in the Duchy of Osnaburgh, where probably the remnant of the Roman legions received their last discomfiture, which ended in the suicide of their leader. From thence I have traced the track of the later vengeance unsuccessfully directed by Germanicus against the destroyer of the legions, and have attended his expedition to the confiues of the country of the Mursi. I have conclusive reasons for believing that the ground on which stands the ancient Borchholzhausen contains the spot of what, according to Tacitus, was called templum Tanfane, that spot being even yet denominated Tanfanne, and which from a pestilent fen I have converted into a paved public walk. From thence I have followed the armies of young Caesar as far as the Visurgis, (Weser,) near to the famous Westphalian gate, or Pforte, in the vicinity of Minden, and there I have evidently A work "On the classical territory of discovered the only point where Arminius Westphalia, formerly the scene of various can have held the memorable conversation, exploits of the Romans, recorded by Ta-preserved, in substance, by Tacitus, with citus, and other writers of antiquity," is announced by its author in the following terms-" Much has been written on the Roman expeditions of Drusus, Germanicus, and Varus, but little that can be relied on, most authors on this subject having been deficient in local knowledge, and guided by reports. The topographical investigations, which I intend to publish,

Lost.

WESTPHALIA.

Work in support of Classical Antiquity.

his brother Flavius, who was in the Roman camp and service, near Idistavi, beyond the Weser." (Dated Herford, 14th July, 1816, and signed von Hohenhausen.)

INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE

FROM THE

were made by myself. Being placed at BRITISH SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA. the head of the provincial administration of the places and districts, where the most important events of those times occurred, and having carefully examined and compared the several opinions and hypotheses of such modern authors as have made the accounts of Cæsar, Tacitus, Pliny, Strabo, | and Dio Cassius, the ground-work of their conjectures, I shall perhaps be able to throw some light on many a memorable spot hitherto either entirely disregarded, or yet subjected to considerable doubts. have, for a length of time, daily visited the country, formerly the seat of Aliso, that celebrated point d'appui, of Roman power. I am familiar with the spot, whence the expedition of Varus's legions penetrated through the forests of Teutoburg. In the vicinity of the ancient Trotzenburg I can point out the ford, of which the town of Herford, (from Heer, i. e. army, and ford, a ford,) probably received its name. have, step by step, pursued the route of the Roman army through the ravines, in the neighbourhood of Lubke on the Konzeval, as far as the country on the Lake of Dumm, and from thence have followed the expedition to Greatesch as far as the stones of Gredesch on the Teufelsbruch,

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAWNPORE.

......." We visited a favourite residence of the present Vizier's, called Moobarrick Munzul, a small house on the bank of the river Goomty, the lowest down the river the Vizier has, except a white marble building now erected just below it.

"Moobarrick Munzul is elegantly furnished, the principal room has a looking Iglass ceiling, in it is a painting of a white tiger, the gardens are in the old fashioned style, full of orange and lime trees, flowering shrubs and flowers, all the year round, in succession, except the hot winds, (the winter of vegetation in India,) interspersed with statues and vases.

"On the opposite side the Goomty, we had a mock elephant fight, between two females trained for the purpose.

"Au officer having expressed a desire to see an elephant and crocodile fight, which had been previously talked of by the Vizier and his courtiers, bis Excellen cy had the goodness to send to the river Gograt and ordered several to be caught, and brought on hackeries to the Goomty. We walked from Moobarrick Muuzulover

immediately opposite General Martin's house, now Nurred Bux, in one of the pret tiest pleasure boats I ever beheld, it is cased on the outside with silver plates, embossed with devices, and gilt, below the water mark, a canopy of light green satin, lined with pink satin, silver embroidery, fringe, and tassels, the mast and sails high

to be more princely and beautiful for its size; there are several other larger and very handsomely decorated boats, but none like this. His Excellency's pinnaces, budgerows, snake, and a prodigious number of other boats of all descriptions lie here at Moobarrick Munzeel. On landing we proceeded to a building called Dellaram, or vulgarly the lanthorn house, erected in the English style, by the late Vizier: it derives its name from its being three stories high, and of no considerable breadth or depth. From this house the bank of the river is sloped and formed into a flower garden; in the rear is an extensive pumnah, in which brood mares and their colts are kept, and add much to the liveliness of the scene. The view of the Vizier's various palaces and buildings on the opposite side is strikingly beautiful.

a new bridge of boats with wooden rowers, battlements and embrazures for cannon upon it, to the opposite side, and there was an immense alligator and middle sized crocodile alive, with several of the latter lying dead. The elephants were brought up to the crocodile, and one of them trod upon it, with its foot, so as almost to crush it, but although the crocodile screamedly decorated; it is impossible for any boat with pain, it recovered. The elephants could not be made to attack the large alligator, than which a more hideous monater cannot be imagined, with a prodigious long head and sharp teeth, the elephants approaching near to it, carefully rolled up the proboscis into the smallest possible circumference, and whenever one came near, the alligator made a snap at the proboscis, or one of the legs of the elephant, the jaws meeting without seizing any part of the animal, gave a smart sound, that might have been heard at some distance. A country dog was then brought and tied near the alligator, who got it completely in his mouth, the dog at times escaping out, attacking and biting the monster's nose, or substance at the extremity of the upper jaw, making it bleed freely, although at one time, the dog's hind foot was in its mouth; however, the alligator, at last got the dog again in its mouth, and gave it so severe a crush between its long and formidable teeth, the dog appeared dead. Water was then thrown by bleestees upon the alligator and dog, and the latter liberated from the mouth of the monster; when to our great surprise and pleasure, up rose the dog and ran off: this occurred with two country dogs, and both got off safe.It was not a very gratifying spectacle, but The crococertainly a very curious one.

"Some days after we were invited by his Excellency to a shooting party and breakfast, at a hunting house, in an extensive rumna near to the cantonments of Manceown, about three miles from the residence, ou the opposite side of the river, built by the late Vizier, and whimsically

ornamented round the freeze of each room,

with the alphabet, in Roman characters A. B. C. &c. in repeated succession; and from thence called the ABC house.

dile and alligator were no doubt greatly and mortar masonry, erected by Asoph ul "When we crossed the bridge of brick enfeebled by having been brought from so great a distance tightly bound with cords Dowlah, over the river Goomty, there was a little haze in the air, but on returning upon hackeries, and out of their own element, besides which, they were not entire-home the sun had dispersed it, and shone ly released from the cords when attacked with elephants and dogs. Moobarrick Munzul is crowded with curiosities, fine furniture, and most beautiful lustre wall girandoles.

"We then visited Mirza Wallahkahotee, a house built by Mahomed Reza Khawn, once minister to Asoph ul Dowlah, a nobleman well known and much esteemed by all the European gentlemen at Lucknow; this house is built on a high mound, near the Goomty, it has a number of fine rooms, elegantly furnished. The view from this house, both up and down the river, is very interesting and beautiful.

"We afterwards crossed the Geomty,

their gilded domes, spires, &c. Mosques,

beautifully upon the various buildings with

and Palaces of Lucknow. From the centre of the bridge the view is enchanting on both sides; to the right, up the river, ou the opposite sides stands the grand Emambarah, its Mosques, Courts, and magnificent gateways. The Dowlut Khannah, with the pagoda, and near it a very large building erected by Rajah Mhera, who had been head palanqueen bearer to Asoph ul Dowlah, and acquired in his Excellency's service, immense wealth. It has a Frenchified look, and puts one in mind of the Louvre at Paris. It is not quite finished, but being very completely roofed in, and furnished with doors and windows, it

is turned into a godown, to lodge part of name of Phansesgars, and in the upper pro the property of the Vizier. From the pre- vinces by the appellation of Thugs; the sent prince's enlarged mind, free from old-peculiarity of whose practice is the emfashioned prejudice, we may expect at ployment of a noose, which they throw some future period it will be finished, round the traveller whom they have fallen when it will be very ornamental to Luck-in with on the road apparently by accident, now. On the left near the end of the and whom they thus strangle and rob : bridge, stands the Sovereign Dowager's they live in a regular society, and roam the palace, a most extensive Hindostanee build- country in gangs, under a regular Sirdar or ing, with double walls. Hodges in his In-Chief. The communcation was sent by Dr. dian Tour, gives a view of it: beyond this is Sherwood, from Madras, and was illustrata palace and a garden, which Asoph ul ed by several extracts from official reports Dowlah, built in the beginning of his reign, made in this part of India. Au account of then the Resident's houses, on the op- the sea snakes that made their appearance posite side of the river. some time since in such numbers at Madras wasalso forwarded by Dr. M'Kenzie: these snakes proved to be venomous in a very

"The river Goomty is crowded with boats busily employed, and the ground on both sides is cultivated with grain and to-high degree; but the establishment of mebacco, to the water's edge.

"Early next morning, we went to a large spot of ground, near the new grand stables enclosed with a tiled mud wall, where his Excellency's wild beasts and birds are kept. Tigers, Leopards, Siagu shes, Bears, Monkies, Porcupines, Sables, Flying Foxes, &c. in abundance. The most curious animals, are two of the Ramghur Hill Dogs, called by Williamson Dhools, which that writer says, are reported to unite in bodies of four or five hundred, to hunt, and kill the most ferocious tigers. Some people say these animals look like large English Foxes, but most assuredly the size (very large,) by no means agrees with my recollection of an English Fox: It is true, I have not seen one these forty years. These animals are extremely lively, continually moving briskly round their cage, and the keeper told me they occasionally barked like dogs. Kootah ka awage, Bhooka, Bhooka, kurta by.

"There is a vast variety of birds: the Cassowary, Pheasants of all kinds, and some of the most beautiful Parrots I ever beheld, with brown bodies and wings, with purple breasts; green bodies with light green breasts, striped and waved with yellow."

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION.

Calcutta, Aug. 10.-On last Wednesday evening a meeting of the Asiatic Society was held, at which several interesting communications were submitted to the society. Amongst these was the journal of Mr. Fraser's Tour to the sources of the Sutlej and Jumna, and thence across a most difficult and interesting country to the sources of the Ganges: a long and curious document was also communicated respecting several classes of robbers and murderers, known in the south of India by the

dical aid near the spot, and the ready application of the eau de-luce, prevented any great loss of lives. Two short papers were also read: one on the ceremonies observed at the coronation of the Colastri Rajah on the Malabar coast, by Mr. Brown; and another on several ancient coins struck by the Parthian kings, about 250 years before Christ, and which were presented by Dr. Robinson to the Society. His Excellceny the President was present.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

46,917 36 2

PRICES.

6,254

Lisbon......................-55,962

New York ....................52,918
Boston...............44,542
Providence........43,210
Salem ................21,352

224,233

Calcutta, July 4, 1816.—In the present year twenty five Students in the College of Fort William, have been reported by the examiners qualified for the public service, and five Students have been awarded degrees of honour for eminent proficiency in the Bengalee language, viz. Messrs. Clerk, Vibart, Wilkiuson, Stuart, and Ellerton.

The reports of the Examination of this year exhibit the singularly favourable result, that out of thirty-six students, who entered the hall to be examined, and who formed the whole body of those under instruction in the term, not less than tweutyfive have been reported qualified for the public service by a competent proficiency in two of the languages taught. In former years out of forty-five or fifty Civil Students examined, it was thought extraor dinary, and made a matter of exultation, if 18 or 20 were reported qualified. The Examination of this year has however reduced the proportion of those detained from the public service by the Regulations of the College, from a rate amounting to three-fifths of the whole number of Students attached to it, to a trifle more than twosevenths, or less than half of the old proportion.

In the estimate of the productive powers of the year, compared with former periods, this is indeed a favourable circumstance; but what is more, it is one in which there is no room for the operation of chance.There can be but one cause to which it can be attributed; it is impossible to entertain any other supposition, than that there must have existed amongst the Students a more general disposition to study, with a view to avail themselves of the benefits of the

|

[blocks in formation]

The ceremony on the first mentioned day was attended by the Right Honourable the Governor; the Commander in Chief; and other persons of consideration, when on naming the Ship, the Bottle was thrown by the fair hand of Lady Nightingall.

We have no hesitation in saying, that two finer Ships were never scut to sea, and we confidently trust, they will not only stand the ordeal of the closest inspection, but remain proud monuments, of the excellence of the materials, skill and zeal of the Venerable Builder, and of the ability of the artificers in the Bombay Dock Yard.

These two ships were built within the period of eighteen months, during which time, the Zebra, Brig-Sloop-of-War, was also built, and the frame of the Melville of extensive repairs to Ships in the same yard. 74 Guns, nearly completed; with several

Steam Engine lately erected in the Dock It is also deserving of notice, that the Yard was successfully worked a few days previous to the floating the above ships out of Dock, and as an instance of the advantages to be expected from this machibrought into the Lower Dock, on the 15th nery, the Ruparell Merchant Ship was instant, (one day after the Springs) and the water (remaining after the Tide had the three Bombay Docks were cleared of ebbed out) by which means repairs were of Dock again, on the 17th instant. effected to the Keel, and the Ship put out

small specimen of the quantity and nature It is understood, that this is only a of the Ship-building now going on in India, The proprietors of Teak Forests are altogether on the alert, on this subject; and even foreign states, as Rangoon and Ava, expect to benefit by the trade. We have heretofore submitted statements on the subject. Report affirms, that one of the vessels employed against Algiers, being built of Teak, has fewer shot holes in her sides, (although exposed to the hottest fire) than any other man of war engaged in that arduous enterprize.

CEYLON.

MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE

GOVERNOR.

A Collection of Papers have been presented for the perusal of His Excellency the Governor by the Honourable the Chief Justice, expressive of an intention on the part of the principal Dutch inhabitants, burghers, and native inhabitants of Columbo, to emancipate the children of their slaves, born on or subsequent to the au

next.

timents so highly honourable to their charácter.

NEW ZEALAND.

The following is the description of a New Zealand fortified village, as given by the Rev. Mr. Marsden. The reader can hardly conceive how nearly the same words would describe a fortified post among the antient | Britons. Sir R. C. Hoare's Work on the niversary of his Royal Highness the Prince Autiquities of Wiltshire, contains plans of Regent's birth-day, the 12th of August many such, the earthen works of which still remain perfect. It is true, that all the The humane feelings and just principles timber works are perished many ages ago; which have dictated a resolution so salu-but, by what remains of similar structures, tary to the future condition of an unfortunate class of the community, his Excel-though for other purposes-as Greenstead lency cannot too highly applaud, nor ex-church, in Essex-there is every reason to press, in adequate terms, the satisfaction with which he contemplates this proof of an existing disposition, on the part of slave proprietors in Ceylon, to lend their concurrence and support to the great work of humanity, in which a bright example has been set by the Legislature of Great

Britain.

believe, that exactly the same labours were resorted to, and with considerable effect against natives: that they should not prove sufficient against Roman skill and perseverance, though defended with the most consummate bravery, can surprize no rea

lu a matter of so great interest, the Go-der of general history. vernor will not interpose between his Royal Highness the Prince Regent and the iuhabitants of this colouy, by an act of his own authority, beyond a provisional acceptance, in the name of his Royal Highness, of the offer to emancipate the children of slaves, from the period alluded to. { He will, by the earliest opportunity, and with the fullest expression of his approbation and applause, convey this dutiful resolution of the inhabitants to the favourable notice of his Royal Highness. Be doubts not he shall anticipate the sense of the parties concerned, by referring the incidental points proposed by them as legislative provisions, to the free disposal of that authority, from which it is his Excellency's wish, that every thing relating to this important part of the political economy of the colony should immediately

DESCRIPTION OF WYMATTEE.

This village contains about 200 houses. It is situated on the summit of an almost inaccessible hill: and is strongly fortified, both by nature and art. Three very deep trenches have been cut round the sides of the hill, one above another; and each trench fenced round with whole or split trees, from twelve to twenty feet high. We entered this extraordinary for/ification through a uariow gateway, when Shunghee shewed us how he defended his place in time of war.

[blocks in formation]

He had one small secret cover, where he could lie concealed, and fire upon the enemy. Every little hut is fenced round, in this inclosure. Some of the stone houses, for the reception of their spears or provisions, are about thirty feet long and twenty wide, and well built. The roofs are thatched; and some of the eaves extend 3 feet over the sides, in order to carry off the water and keep the buildings dry. In the centre of the fortification, ou the very summit of the hill, a stage is erected on a single pillar, about six feet long and three broad, hewn out of a solid tree, and elevated about six feet from the ground. Upon this the Chief sits, either for pleasure or business, just as occasions require his consulting with his people. It commands a most extensive view of the surrounding country, in all directions. Near the stage is a little hut, about four

« AnteriorContinuar »