claimable and indomitable savages,' that have ravaged and oppressed every nation which they have conquered, from China to Peru.' The same savages that laid waste the West Indies; that massacred the South Americans; that have chased the North Americans to the far west;' that shot the Caffres for their cattle; that have covered the coasts of Africa with the blood and fires and rancorous malice of the slave wars; that have exterminated millions of Hindus by famine, and hold a hundred millions of them at this moment in the most abject condition of poverty and oppression; the same savages that are at this moment also carrying the Hill Coolies from the East-as if they had not a scene of enormities there wide enough for their capacity of cruelty-to sacrifice them in the West, on the graves of millions of murdered negroes; the same savages are come hither also. The savages of Europe, the most heartless and merciless race that ever inhabited the earth-a race, for the range and continuance of its atrocities, without a parallel in this world, and, it may be safely believed, in any other, are busy in the South Sea Islands. A roving clan of sailors and runaway convicts have revived once more the crimes and character of the old bucaniers. They go from island to island, diffusing gin, debauchery, Joathsome diseases, and murder, as freely as if they were the greatest blessings that Europe had to bestow. They are the restless and triumphant apostles of misery and destruction; and such are their achievements, that it is declared that, unless our government interpose some check to their progress, they will as completely annihilate the islanders, as the Charibs were annihilated in the West Indies.' Will not England be aroused by these and the many similar details which William Howitt has with such fervour, beautifully conceived and enlightened philanthropy, presented in the deeply-interesting and powerfully awakening volume which has now been engaging us? Yes, there is much of hope and promise in England to rejoice in the prospective vision. This very passing summer, the exertions by her sons at home, the impressions wrought upon her dependencies abroad, offer themes of gratulation and triumph. Yes, there are grounds for careering and brightening hope, for Christianity has many a heart to enshrine it in our land and to cherish its gracious activities. Without this knowledge and conviction all would be despair with the reflecting and the benevolent, because, to quote our author's conclusions, "There is no power but the spirit of Christianity living in the heart of the British public, which can secure justice to the millions that are crying for it from every region of the earth. It is that which must stand as the perpetual watch and guardian of humanity; and never yet has it failed. The noblest spectacle in the world is that constellation of institutions which have sprung out of this spirit of Christianity in the nation, and which are continually labouring to redress wrongs and diffuse knowledge and happiness wherever the human family extends. The ages of dreadful inflictions, and the present condition of the native tribes in our vast possessions, once known, it were a libel on the honour and faith of the nation to doubt for a moment that a new era of colonization and inter course with unlettered nations has commenced; and I close this volume of the unexampled crimes and marvellous impolicy of Europe, with the firm persuasion "That heavenward all things tend. For all were onee Perfect, and all must be at length restored. So God has greatly purposed; who would else A sight to which our eyes are strangers yet- How pleasant in itself what pleases Him."-Cowper. ART. III.-The History, Antiquities, Topography, and Statistics of Eastern India. By M. MARTIN. Vol. II. London: Allen and Co. 1838. OWING partly to the extreme minuteness, the vast variety and extent, the startling nature, and the striking novelty of the information, and partly to the force, the straightforwardness, and fecundity of mind which characterize the style of Dr. Buchanan, the original collector of this information, the present and preceding volumes of the great work now under consideration are the most interesting and suggestive of any publication of the kind that we have ever perused. The portion before us extends to about ten hundred and fifty octavo pages of compact print, and yet it is impossible to open it at any of its great divisions, or to glance upon any of its chapters, without becoming so engaged as to wish to read the whole; so that, presuming the third and concluding volume, which will ere long appear, to be equal in point of value to either of the earlier ones, we may safely challenge any country to produce a fuller or more precious body of facts, one more plainly and aptly illustrated, than that which is here collected and combined. Eastern India to Europeans need no longer be a terra incognita, or an imperfectly-known division of the globe; although the knowledge here afforded, while it ought to stimulate enlightened and enterprizing minds in regard to the wants and capabilities of such an important theatre, must comprise much that will be the source of pain and discouragement. A knowledge of evils in any condition is a primary step to their cure; and we cannot but think that had the immense mass of facts now first brought before the public from the manuscript archives possessed by the East India Company been at an earlier date made known to the world, gratifying fruits would have already manifested themselves, fruits not only identified with the progress of eastern civilization, but with the advancement of British interests. After what we stated concerning the origin, plan, purpose, and nature of this great work in our notices of the first volume, it is unnecessary to do more on the present occasion than collect into our pages a few, a very few of the particulars to be found in some comparatively narrow space belonging to one of the several districts treated of, these being the zillahs or provinces of Bhagulpoor, Goruckpoor (northward division), and Dinajpoor. According to the information before us, these districts are not only fertile and capable of mighty improvement in regard to soil, but the social condition of their myriads of inhabitants offers themes of arresting moment. Indeed we agree with Mr. Martin in thinking that the subjects which occupy the present volume, are to the full as valuable and interesting as those which engaged the preceding portion of the work. At any rate the narrative and descriptions improve, the reflections and illustrative matter become richer as we advance; the whole exhibiting the curious and actual framework, piecemeal and combined, of society in Eastern India. One or two of the chapters devoted to Dinajpoor will afford ample specimens for our present citing. Dr. Buchanan has calculated upon certain data by which he explains the population of this district, and makes it to amount to 3,000,000, being about 558 persons for cach square mile. Some anomalous circumstances are connected with this multitude of inhabitants and the soil upon which they dwell. The prevailing poverty and degradation of the people, and the low as well as circumcribed degree of cultivation to which the land is subjected, need not, however, be marvelled at; but when it is stated that with such an over. whelming population, there is a general complaint of a scarcity of workmen, we may well pause and reflect. Large tracts of waste lands intimate that there is a want of farmers. This deficiency is accounted for by the extreme poverty of that class of men who have no other means than will just enable them to cultivate land that is in good condition, and from which they can receive an immediate and certain return; while the immense profit which those, who have any capital, make by lending out money to necessitous neighbours, prevents the necessary funds for the improvement of the soil from being expended in that way. Then as to the difficulty of procuring workmen, it is alleged that this arises chiefly from the want of skill and of proper implements to facilitate labour; so that the quantity which individuals can perform is exceedingly small, and almost every individual is therefore engaged. The general inactivity and want of energy in the people must also be taken into the account; so that their condition forms a complete contrast to their physical advantages, such as the capabilities of the soil. There are some striking facts stated in regard to the amount and progress of population in Dinajpoor, which must be valuable as data in the science of political economy. The enormous multitude of the inhabitants may be easily accounted for. We are told that there are not probably 1000 persons born in the district who are in the army, or who have left it for service of any kind, or indeed who have at all emigrated, except such as have absconded from the fear of the law, who form a numerous class. Then, according to the prevalent notions of the Mohammedans as well as Hindus in these parts, no duty seems to be more assiduously inculcated than that the women should propagate the species as fast as possible; and the lesson is cordially obeyed. To be childless at an early age is a circumstance that excites not only contempt but disgust amongst the natives. Besides, widows are allowed to live in a sort of left-hand marriage state, and without being excluded from society. It would, therefore, be matter of wonder that the population has not increased at a much faster rate than it has done, rather than otherwise, were it not that certain counteracting circumstances exist, which are described in the following manner :— "There seem to be two principal means that keep the population within the bounds of subsistence, one is early marriage, and the other disease. In all the larger animals nearly resembling man, with whose manners we are well acquainted, such as the horse, ass, cow, or sheep, it has been found, that where the sexes have been allowed to unite, so soon as actuated by desire, the offspring was puny, and the operation uncertain; and I think we may safely extend the analogy to the human race. Some peculiar tribes of men in India, especially those in the western parts, and the bearers of the palanquins, are no doubt strong men; but it is not within my reach at present to form a rational conjecture concerning the reason why these differ from their countrymen. It suffices to say, that the inhabitants of Dinajpoor are a puny, weak race, and are far from having numerous families, notwithstanding their early marriages, which on the woman's side almost always are consummated before the age of thirteen years, and on the man's very commonly before the age of sixteen. In the families of landholders it is very uncommon to trace three successive generations; and in order to preserve the succession, recourse must be had to adoption, more usually after one regular succession than after a longer period. These landholders are all married when children, and enjoy an abundant diet, comfortable dwellings, and plenty of warm clothing. It may indeed be with justice said, that the villages of Dinaj poor swarm with children. This, however, I believe, does not proceed from the prolificness of individuals, but is the natural consequence of the people being unhealthy and short lived, which of course requires a large proportion of children to the number of adults. The moralist, who with a view of checking vice, should succeed in introducing early marriages, would, I am persuaded, produce great injury. The breed of men would not only degenerate, but vice would become more predo minant." But it is disease which seems to be the grand check to the excess of population in Dinajpoor and to nosologists, many of Dr. Buchanan's statements must be as interesting as other branches of his report are to political moralists. Fevers of the remittent kind annually sweep away multitudes; and the want of stimulating diet, and of comfortable lodging and clothing, in a great measure accounts for the prevalence of this disease. Small pox does little injury; and inoculation for this malady is pretty general. A kind of leprosy, a terrible and loathsome disease, is not uncommon, though in some other parts of Bengal it is still more prevalent. In it the skin becomes wrinkled and discoloured (a white leprosy is rare), the joints of the hands and feet drop off; it has no tendency to spontaneous cure, but continues to afflict the patient until death. It seems to be hereditary but not infectious, occupying in Bengal the place which scrofula does in the colder parts of Europe. Before leaving the subject of population we will return for a moment to the condition of widows in the provinces under consideration; and surely if ever a hard fate was the lot of any large class of people it is that of these poor women. That many of these would rather be burned alive than submit to the contumely and oppression that awaits them after the decease of their husbands is not unaccountable. The hardships imposed upon Hindu widows of rank will be seen from many circumstances in the statement that follows. "They are stript of the numerous ornaments which they enjoyed while children and wives, and are not even allowed to wear a red border to their dress, while they are compelled to sleep on the ground, exposed to insects and vermin, and to act as menial servants to the vain beauties who are decked out in the ornaments of which they have been deprived. Women of a high mind often prefer the funeral pile, while many others submit with patience, especially in the families of landholders, where they have young sons totally incapable of managing their affairs; but it is not wonderful that many young women, conscious of their beauty, and thoughtless concerning its decay, scorn to submit to such harsh regulations." That in these circumstances many widows should betake them selves to a loose life is likely enough. A rage for marriage is also easily accounted for. But this rage is not confined to the tender sex; it infects the whole population, male and female; and hence a vast amount of that poverty which grinds to the dust the people of Dinajpoor. We are told that, "A man who has not money sufficient to defray the expenses of the ceremony (marriage ceremonies are enormously expensive) is everywhere willing to borrow it at any interest, and thus involves himself and offspring in difficulties, from which death alone can relieve them. In some |