stations.

The town of Rio, or, to speak with becoming dignity of the capital of the Brazils, the city of St. Sebastian, is charmingly situated, on a projecting quadrangular promontory, of an irregular form, three of whose sides are opposed to the harbour, and the fourth sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds by a screen of high hills well covered with wood. The side of the town, which is next to that part of the harbour where the shipping usually lie at anchor, is nearly a mile and a half in length; and the depth inwards about threefourths of a mile. The northern angle of the promontory is a bold broken eminence, on one point of which there is a regular fortification, and on the other a convent of Benedictine monks, which, being also surrounded with lines of defence, is actually, as well as metaphorically, a church militant. The heights completely command the town, and the anchorage; and they appear to command also, at least they are on a level with, the strongest work in the harbour, on which the defence of the place is thought principally to depend. This is the Ilha dos Cobras, or Snake Island, a rock of about eighty feet high at the point on which the citadel stands, and slanting to eight at the opposite end; its length is 300 yards; and it is detached by a narrow but very deep channel from the eminence on which the Benedictine convent is situated. Round every side of this strongly fortified island, and close to its shores, ships of the greatest draught of water may lie in perfect security. Here also are a commodious dockyard, an arsenal of naval stores, a sheer hulk, and a wharf for heaving down and careening shipping. The largest fleets, however, may anchor in this capacious harbour, intirely out of the reach of any of the guns that are mounted on the forts.

The government allows no stranger to remain on shore after sun-set: nor even to walk the street in the day-time, without a soldier at his heels. Though the sun was nearly vertical, yet the heat was not insupportable. Thermometer in the day from 76 to 84° of Fahrenheit. The nights were most disagreeable; and the torment occasioned by insects, especially the musquito, was intolerable. The state of manners is extremely lamentable. Mr. B. abandons the gentlemen to unqua

vindicate the ladies; nevertheless, if the testimony of their confessors may be taken as evidence, the gallantry of Mr. B. is more conspicuous than his success in this attempt. The political speculations of our author, incline to the opinion, that the Portuguese Brazilians are discontented, and would without much reluctance hazard the interruption of their present tranquillity, in hopes of those improvements in their circumstances which might be promised them by an enterprising revolutionist, of popular manners and address, and derived from among their European ancestry.

How far the exactions and monopolies of the mother country might justify such an extremity, we give no opinion; but we may safely affirm, that a more liberal policy in Portugal, as a mother country, towards its colonies, would find an ample reward in their prosperity, which would ultimately centre in itself.

The native Brazilians maintain a violent antipathy to the Portuguese. Brazil affords an inexhaustible supply of the finest timber, suitable for all the purposes of civil and naval architecture: and ships equal in size to an English 74 gun ship, have been built in the country. We learn also that

In addition to the timber for naval purposes, which where abounds, the forests of the every Brazils supply a number of valuable woods for dyeing, as the Casalpina Braziliensis or Brazilletta, the Hematoxylum Campechianum or logwood, and the Morus Tinctoria or fustic wood, all of which, however, are royal monopolies. Of medicinal plants they have the bark, the jalap, the ipecacuanna root, the palma christi, and many others, with a great variety of odoriferous plants, and trees that yield turpentine, gums, and resins. Tobacco and pepper may be cultivated to any extent, and the fields and forests afford an inexhaustible supply of wax and honey. The tropical fruits of every description, whether of the eastern or western hemisphere, are good in quality and abundantly plentiful. The oranges, pine apples, and inangoes are exquisite. All kinds of vegetables are plentiful. The fish market is well supplied.

The town and district of Rio de Janeiro is not favourable to "an apparent vigour of health!"

The account given by Mr. B. of the "labours of the table," at Batavia, is extremely amusing: and contributes to explain the reasons of that excessive waste

of life for which this city is famous. The number of inhabitants within the walls is 5,270. And, including the adjoining villages, about 150,000. But the total population within the extent of the government of Batavia is reckoned at 115,000 sonls; that of all the Dutch settlements on Java, collectively, at 230,00, that of the whole island is guessed at 2,000,000. The mortality is about 4000 per annum at Batavia. A detachment of Wirtemburgh troops in 1791 consisting of six officers and 270 men, lost in one year five officers and 150 privates.

At the period of Mr. B's. visit the government in Cochin China, was in a very unsettled state; and not the least interesting portion of his volume is that which narrates the history and character of its King: whose family having been driven from the throne, by an usurper, himself exiled, and during many years obliged to study concealment, yet, by wise measures, by personal valour, by indefatigable perseverance, aided by good fortune, and the councils of a sagacious French missionary, with whom he had visited Europe, this prince not only regained all he had lost, but had the prospect of enlarging his dominions. While in Europe, by a treaty with France, he assigned to that politic power an establishment, which, had it succeeded, would have placed our China trade, if not our Indian empire, in great, jeopardy. Such, at least, is the opinion of Mr. B. It is fit that the name of this hero, at once a sovereign, legislator, general, admiral, naval architect, and a gentleman, should be known and respected among us; it is Caun-shung. He is, in 1806, nearly fifty years of age. He venerates the character of the English: and admits our ships into his ports free of duties. He has an army of 113,000 men: a numerous navy; and 139,000 sailors and naval artificers. We must acknowledge, that his treaty with France, and the possibility of its being rendered effective under some diversity of form, together with the European science acquired by this monarch, imparts to Cochin China an importance which we had not before attributed to it.

Cochin China appears to be a plentiful country: it lies in the direct course of our China fleets: it possesses secure and capacious harbours; capable of perfect privacy, with respect to the operations of

which they might be the scenes. The reception of the embassy was favourable, though guarded; and the visitors were entertained with music, shows, interludes, and good cheer. The manners of the people closely resemble those of the Chinese; but they seem to have more liberty in some of their principles, and more licentiousness in others. Their religious rites, their writings, and their dresses, conform to those of China.

The drudgeries of life, are laid on the women. They perform the labours of tillage: they superintend the details of comInerce: they assist in constructing and keeping in repair their mud built cottages: they manage boats: manufacture earthen ware; and spin cotton wool, which they also dye and make up into dresses for themselves and their families. The beauty of the sex is mentioned in terms of contempt by our author: perhaps those of brighter complexions were less exposed to his observation. His general opinion, however, is, that "nothing met the eye which could impress the mind of a stranger with high notions of the happy condition of this people." Mr. B. has a chapter expressly on the commercial advantage derivable from an intercourse with this

kingdom. He observes, that

Cochin China furnishes many valuable articles suitable for the China market, and would open a new and very considerable vent for many of our manufactures; and its situation in the direct route from England to China is an unexceptionable consideration. The forests of Cochin China produce, for instance, a variety of scented woods, as the rose wood, eagle wood, and sandal wood; all of which are highly acceptable in the China markets, and bear most extravagant prices. The Cochin Chinese cinnamon, though of a coarse grain and a strong pungent flavour, is preferred by the Chinese to that of Ceylon. It is said to be a species of Cassia, and not of the Laurus. For rice there is a never failing demand in the populous city of Canton, and sugar and pepper are equally acceptable; all of which are most abundantly produced in the fertile vallies of Cochin China. The price of sugar at Turon was about three dollars for 133 lb.; of pepper, six or eight dollars for the same quantity, and of rics, only half a dollar. To these productions may be added the spices; swallows' nests, which are collected arua nut, cardamoms, ginger, and other

in great abundance on the large cluster of islands running parallel with the coast, and known in the charts by the name of the Paracels; the Bichos do Mar, or sea-snakes,

more properly sea-slugs, and usually called Trepan in commercial language, which with sharks' fins, Moluscas or sca-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 gravellers retired to rest with the utmost dually left the encampment, and our tracomposure, 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 Lectakoo, 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, ruus 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 estimate of one was ten, of the other fifteen thousand. The truth may probably lie in the middle. The ground plan of every house was a complete circle, from twelve to fifteen feet in diameter; 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 saine 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 com

prehends 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.

A. Thatch.-B. Mud wall.-C. Raised floor.

Inner Apartment.

Outer Apartment.

Open Front.

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 Mooliahalan, 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 binted, 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.

Orme's Graphic History of the Life, Exploits, and Death of Horatio Nelson, Viscount and Baron Nelson of the Nile, &c. containing fitteen 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 renown 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 her 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

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, Jurisconsulttis; 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 revo

lutionary 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.