elevation of about 8,600 feet above the sea. Here the united stream is called by different designations, but is known throughout by the name of the Sutlej. Below the confluence its general course is south-west, with a very rapid declivity to Rampoor. From this latter spot to Belaspoor, its course is generally west and south-west; hence it holds a very winding course to Roopur, where it makes its way through the low sandstone range of Jhejwan, and finally enters the plains of the Punjaub. It then passes between Philor and Loodheeanah, and its width, at the season when lowest, may be stated approximately at 250 yards, with an average depth of seven feet. Up to this point the stream is said to be navigable at all seasons, for vessels of 10 or 12 tons burthen, and steam may be made available in light vessels to the very foot of the hills. The whole length ofthe Sutlej, up to this point, has been estimated at 570 miles, 130 of which may be said to be in the plains.

These are two of the sides of this confiscated territory, which lies in the form of an equilateral triangle, having upon the other side the Himmalaya range for its lofty barrier. Its entire area is set down at about 8,500 square miles, and its aggregate annual revenue is not far from £400,000. The level part of this country is deemed the garden of Upper India, and is dotted at slight intervals with large and flourishing cities. First in importance is Jalinder, situated in a tract of amazing fertility, amidst flourishing orchards of mangoes and other trees, and, though once a place of great celebrity, as the vast number of large and handsome mausoleums in its neighborhood would testify, has still, at the present day, a population of about 40,000. Rajwarrah, on the direct route from Loodianah to Lahore, contains a population of about 15,000, situated in an equally fertile region; and there are also other places, Mundee, Kupoorthalao, Kurtapoor, &c., of considerable size and wealth. Information regarding the hill districts is scanty, but it is confidently said that they will be found, on minute survey, from their more northerly position, to exceed in value any similar portion in the British provinces, and that the mineral and other resources will amply repay the energy of British enterprise, provided that enterprise be directed with proper spirit and discretion.

Here is a vast, rich and most important region of Central Asia brought at once within the scope of British enterprise and civilization. That the result in the end will be good, it were distrusting Providence to doubt. Here, as in China, will a new and immense region of the earth, hitherto inaccessible, be thrown open to the regenerating influences of Christianity and Christian institutions. Thus is the

great scheme of the world's redemption carried forward, by instrumentalities in themselves of doubtful justice, but under the guidance of the infinite and omniscient God. To the reflecting mind, the words of that eccentric but most romantic of fanatics, Dr. Joseph Wolff, seem little more than the words of soberness, when he declares that he considers the British government in India to be those kings of the East predicted in the revelation of St. John, who will be instrumental in bringing the Eastern world to the knowledge and acceptance of the Christian faith.

Nothing is more remarkable than the vigor with which the British are pushing their conquests in the heart of Asia, unless it be the ardor with which they are searching the globe for unexplored and habitable regions. A very valuable account of discoveries in Australia, with a description of the coasts and rivers explored and surveyed during the voyage of H. M. S. Beagle, from 1837 to 1843 inclusive, has just been published in London; and this is but a single specimen of the similar works which are almost constantly issuing from the British press. This great field of British colonization has been hitherto but slightly known: but the results of this exploring expedition have accumulated an immense amount of invaluable information concern. ing it. The volumes are accompanied by maps, engravings and everything necessary to elucidate the statements they contain. They have a good deal of popular interest, and much more of scientific value. Some of their most curious passages relate to the habits of the savages, and to their conduct upon coming for the first time in contact with whites. The following brief extract exhibits certainly a novel phase of the maternal sentiment:

"The reader will remember the native named Alligator, whom I have mentioned on a previous visit to Port Essington. I witnessed in his family an instance of affection for a departed child, which, though it extremely touching. The wife had treasured exhibited itself in this peculiar manner, was up the bones of the little one, and constantly carried them about with her, not as a memento mori, but as an object whereon to expend her tenderest emotions whenever they swelled within her breast. At such times she would

put together these bones with a rapidity that supposed a wonderful knowledge of osteology, and set them up that she might weep over them. Perhaps, in her imagination, as she performed this melancholy rite, the ghastly framework before her became indued with the comely form of infancy bright eyes once more sparkled in those hollow cells, and a smile of ineffable delight hung where, in death.' I exceedingly regret that the mother reality, was nought but the hideous grin of who could feel so finely was some time afterwards over-persuaded to part with the bones of her child."

The French Government, also, manifests considerable zeal in prosecuting scientific researches into slightly known regions of the earth. The Count of Castelnau, charged with a scientific mission in South America, announces in a brief letter published in the Moniteur, that he has accomplished a journey across the deserts of the American Continent, which has heretofore been deemed impracticable-having gone by land from the capital of Brazil to that of Bolivia. Leaving Rio Janeiro on the 8th of October, 1843, he reached Chuquisaca on the 20th September, 1845, having been nearly two years in crossing the deserts in the centre of the Continent. After exploring the north of Paraguay, he went to Matto Grosso, capital of the province of that name, the climate of which is so unhealthy that none but negroes can bear it. In a population of 1,200 he found but four whites, and those were public functionaries. On entering the country of the Chiquitos Indians, he visited the magnificent missions formerly established by the priests in the deserts, and was greatly struck with their grandeur. He then crossed the Monte Grande, an immense forest, greatly dreaded by the Spaniards, and arrived in the waters of the Rio Grande, which, though very deep and dangerous, he was obliged to ford. Twelve leagues further he reached the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, where he met, for the first time, marks of western civilization. "It is impossible," he says, "to refrain from mentioning the delightful emotions I experienced, as did also my fellow-travelers, in seeing bread for the first time for two years. After a stay of a month in this city, we left it to ascend the Andes, and in twenty days we reached Chuquisaca, all in good health, which appears almost miraculous after the fatigues and privations that we were obliged to undergo during this long journey across the Continent." The barometer was carried all the way, and thus the level was constantly taken. He has sent home various collections, destined for public institutions.

The feasibility of cultivating Cotton in some other part of the world than America has for some time engaged the earnest at tention of British statesmen and men of science. In India experiments are still in active progress, under the supervision of Americans. At the meeting of the London Society of Arts held on the 22d of April, the general subject was made the theme of a paper by Mr. Banks, who treated it at some length, and with a good deal of ability. Among other interesting points of information which he set forth, we find it stated that the sea-coast of Africa presents a large territory which is capable of being made to produce cotton in larger quantities, and of a quality equal if not superior to the

American. From inquiries which he had made at the Wesleyan and Baptist Missionary Societies, he had ascertained that the missionaries of both those societies have instructions to promote such objects as the cultivation of cotton among the natives at their several stations, which extend all along the coast of Western Africa; and he strongly urged the necessity of their introducing the saw-gin, in lieu of the rollergin and hand-labor, to free the cotton from the seed, and the screw-press for packing it into bales for exportation.

The death in Russia of NIKOLAI POLEVOI is mourned by the continental journals as that of a zealous friend of the literature and cultivation of his country. His life has greater interest from the remoteness of the scene of its labors, from general knowledge and sympathy. He was born at Inkutsk, in Siberia, in 1796, and inherited an unconquerable passion for books, which led him to embrace literature as a profession, after many years of dutiful devotion to the business which his father wished he should follow. His father's failure and ruin led him into literary pursuits, and for ten years he edited the Moscow Telegraph, which set the example in that country of a higher and more manly tone of criticism. He was the author of a History of Russia, and several other works of considerable merit.

The Paris papers announce the death, in his 94th year, of one who played a conspicuous part in the stormy scenes of a terrible time-M. Sevestre, a member of the National Convention-amongst the most violent-and one of those who voted for the death of the King. He was a member, too, of the Committee of General Safety; was charged with the surveillance of the Royal orphans in the Temple; and reported on the death of the Dauphin. He was exiled in 1815: and returned to France after the revolution of 1830.

The death of the Astronomer BESSEL at Koningsberg, is justly declared as that of one of the most eminent savans of the age. An English periodical journal gives an interesting outline of his life and his contributions to the science to which his labors were devoted. No one person during the present century has done more for the advancement of astronomical knowledge than he. His time was devoted unceasingly to the investigation of the heavens; and, by the immense number and accuracy of his observations, he laid down the exact position of tens of thousands of stars, for which he received, in the year 1829, the gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Having obtained instruments of very great power and accuracy, he directed his attention to observing, with extreme care, the remarkable star, 61 Cygni, to endeavor, if possible, to ascertain the least apparent parallax; and, after a

Pictorial History of England: reprinted from the London Edition. New York. Harper & Brothers.

It is, we believe, acknowledged that this pictorial work is in many respects the best history of England which has yet appeared. Hume's great effort, as a calm and elegant narrative of national movements, changes in the government, embracing besides a splendid gallery of portraits-the eminent characters of the country-with just enough philosophy to preserve it from appearing merely a narrative, has deservedly received the first place among the English annals. It is not, unfortunately, always trustworthy. We may doubtless rely substantially on its facts, and most of its portraits of character; but the impressions left with the reader, by skillful coloring and disposition of figures-and no man was ever more skilled in these arts than Hume -the impressions produced about both men and measures, were often false in the extreme. It is especially as the evident zealous apologist for the Stuarts, that he is the least worthy of confidence. Still, with all these defects-and they are great onesthe exquisite union of dignity and grace, so rare in modern writers, the sustained clearness of a style eminently English, the exclusion of unnecessary details, the Livylike picturing of great events, and the general credibility of the narrative, except where his prejudices are quite manifest, have rendered it deserving of nearly all the praise lavished upon it, and will always give it a place in the language.

Turner's History, comparatively dull as a book to be read, has greater fullness of illustration, arising from more antiquarian research. Particularly on the Anglo-Saxons its information is far more satisfactory than Hume's. The philosophic and classical Scotsman did not half study up the subject. But there is one great point in which both of these histories, like most of those which have been produced in all languages, are extremely deficient. History should present to us the life of a people. It is of course most important that we should know the chief political movements, the revolutions, the battles, the course of diplomacy and commerce, the national institutions, and the great moral causes that have conspired to mould the character of a people; but it is not less important to become acquainted with their habits and feel ings, their customs, costumes, dwellings and manufactures, all that makes up the daily life of the vast majority who have no immediate hand in the government, but

who are yet the nation. It is only by a consideration of these latter,

'Catching the manners living as they rise," that we can see clearly how the "form and pressure" of one age grow out of that which went before it. The growth of civilization is silent, and the character of a people is mainly formed at the fireside. It is this deficiency in other histories of England that this pictorial work was designed to supply; and it cannot be denied, that the design has been successfully carried out. The reprint by the Harpers is beautifully executed, the paper and print superior to the English edition, and most of the wood engravings equally fine. The chie failure is in those illustrations where faces of men are introduced. Some of these are poor, possessing not half the spirit and character of the original. A little attention to these and to some of the more picturesque buildings, will make the reprint a splendid work. It ought to have a place on the shelves of every American, who cares to know the home history of the race from

whom he is descended.

The Puritans and their Principles. By EDWIN HALL, Baker & Scribner, New York.

The main design of this work is exhibited in the title. It gives the history of the Puritans from the beginning-develops the causes which brought the sect into existence and impelled them on step by step in their wonderful career, till they finally made themselves a home on the shores of New England. The difficulties with which they had to encounter-the strength of principle and character which overcame them-the motives that impelled them onand the faith which sustained them, are delivered with great ability. Mr. Hall has written the work evidently con amore, and hence takes strong ground in their favor, and even sometimes in refusing to see the real defects they exhibit, or at least in as strong a light as a more impartial writer would behold them. A Puritan himself in principle, he of course defends the church policy of the Puritans, shows how it differs from the prelatic, and claims for it the sanction of the Bible. He contends that its system is indispensable to true religious freedom and purity, and indeed to the real freedom and success of governments. He goes thoroughly into his subject, and uses the mass of information he collects to the best advantage. It is a noble subject-the life and principles of the Puritans-em

bracing the great principles of human freedom, some of the bravest struggles of liberty against oppression the world exhibits, and nobly has he handled it. Many will doubtless disagree with him essentially in his views of church government, and condemn the book as one-sided and partial. To the theologian this part of the subject will be interesting, but to the common reader it sinks in insignificance before the principles of freedom and equality out of which it sprung. Puritanism in England changed the fate of the world, and Puritanism in America laid the foundations of our republic, and gave birth to that system of education which has made us an example to the world. The Puritans had their faults, and gross ones; but they should be forgotten in their virtues, and no difference of views in matters of church government

should obscure the latter or lessen the serv

ice they have done mankind. No clergy.

man should be without this book, as it embodies all the information necessary to form a correct opinion, and gives of itself a complete history and analysis of the Puritan's life and character. We say nothing of its arguments, leaving that to theologians, but we commend its principles and spirit to the reader.

Solitude and Society; and other Poems. By J. R. BOLLES. Wiley & Putnam. Another "Mute inglorious" in the hemisphere of poetical mediocrity, has risen upon us in the author of "Solitude and Society." The poet has never seen much of either, or he would not have sung about them with such various dullness; and if Mr. Bolles" does not awake and find himself famous" we must attribute it to his having slept too long over his strains while writing them. Solitude and Society" is a "linked sweetness" stretched out by some caoutchouc process unknown to us, to the subtil length of eighty-two pages, excluding notes. The length and the inequalities would remind us of the Chinese wall, but that the absence of all strength or possible service destroys the image. What an opportunity, thought the bard, for diversified beauties! Accordingly, he writes it in seventeen or eighteen different combinations of verse. If he must write wretchedly, why could not the whole be in one strain, not afflict us with such a variety of flatnesses? We had forgot, however, that it is exempt from being read. In plainspoken verity, we do assure Mr. Bolles-of whom we never heard and know nothingthat his book is, for all purposes and effects of poetry, worthless. The only question arising is, "whether did this man sin or his parents," that he should be suffered, we do not say to write, but to print. Doubt less he has capacities in another direction.

Why will he " join the multitude to do "badly? Eleven such poets have appeared within the last seven weeks!

"All Bedlam or Parnassus is let out;" Whose gray goose-quill shall put the host to rout!

An Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy: Comprising an Introduction to the Science; by WILLIAM PHILLIPS. Fifth edition, from the fourth London edition, by ROBERT ALLEN; containing the latest discoveries in American and foreign Mineralogy; with numerous additions to the Introduction. By FRANCIS ALGER. Boston: William Ticknor & Co. 1844.

considered the intimate and beautiful relaNo man of the present day, who has tion which all the physical sciences bear to each other, will underrate the value of the study of Mineralogy. It is not, as every one must feel, so comprehensive and noble, and on the whole so profoundly interesting, as Geology. It bears, indeed, to this great science, as a study, somewhat the same position that the latter does to the infinitely sublimer and more comprehensive lore of Astronomy. It is not so absorbingly interesting as Chemistry-for this science occupies the student with constant experiments, and experimentation, with its excited hopes and gratified curiosity, is the delight of the mind. But mineralogical knowledge, besides affording in itself a brilliant and curious pursuit, is absolutely necessary to geological investigation. The greater and more general science cannot perfect its knowledge of the earth's structure without its minute aids. Mineralogy embraces also many researches in common with Chemistry. Of all the works on this attractive science yet published in this country, the American edition of Phillips' treatise is undoubtedly the most complete. It would be strange if it were not. Of the original work, as edited by Mr. Allen, Prof. Brande, of the Royal Institution, London, said, that "in the English language, at least, it is the most available for the use of the student." But Mr. Alger, having the assistance of Dana's fine American treatise, with his own extended knowledge of the minerals of this country and the recent investigations of French science, has added three hundred more pages and one hundred and fifty more species and important varieties than are in Allen's edition, together with all the American localities. He has also corrected numerous errors, presented some new chemical analyses and very many new measurements of crystals. The subject of crystallography, indeed, has been treated in a manner never before equaled; and

Pictorial History of England: reprinted from the London Edition. New York. Harper & Brothers.

It is, we believe, acknowledged that this pictorial work is in many respects the best history of England which has yet appeared. Hume's great effort, as a calm and elegant narrative of national movements, changes in the government, embracing besides a splendid gallery of portraits-the eminent characters of the country-with just enough philosophy to preserve it from appearing merely a narrative, has deservedly received the first place among the English annals. It is not, unfortunately, always trustworthy. We may doubtless rely substantially on its facts, and most of its portraits of character; but the impressions left with the reader, by skillful coloring and disposition of figures-and no man was ever more skilled in these arts than Hume -the impressions produced about both men and measures, were often false in the extreme. It is especially as the evident zealous apologist for the Stuarts, that he is the least worthy of confidence. Still, with all these defects-and they are great onesthe exquisite union of dignity and grace, so rare in modern writers, the sustained clearness of a style eminently English, the exclusion of unnecessary details, the Livylike picturing of great events, and the general credibility of the narrative, except where his prejudices are quite manifest, have rendered it deserving of nearly all the praise lavished upon it, and will always give it a place in the language.

Turner's History, comparatively dull as a book to be read, has greater fullness of illustration, arising from more antiquarian research. Particularly on the Anglo-Saxons its information is far more satisfactory than Hume's. The philosophic and classical Scotsman did not half study up the subject. But there is one great point in which both of these histories, like most of those which have been produced in all languages, are extremely deficient. History should present to us the life of a people. It is of course most important that we should know the chief political movements, the revolutions, the battles, the course of diplomacy and commerce, the national institutions, and the great moral causes that have conspired to mould the character of a people; but it is not less important to become acquainted with their habits and feelings, their customs, costumes, dwellings and manufactures, all that makes up the daily life of the vast majority who have no immediate hand in the government, but

who are yet the nation. It is only by a consideration of these latter,

"Catching the manners living as they rise," that we can see clearly how the "form and pressure" of one age grow out of that which went before it. The growth of civilization is silent, and the character of a people is mainly formed at the fireside. It is this deficiency in other histories of Eng. land that this pictorial work was designed to supply; and it cannot be denied, that the design has been successfully carried out. The reprint by the Harpers is beautifully executed, the paper and print superior to the English edition, and most of the wood engravings equally fine. The chie failure is in those illustrations where faces of men are introduced. Some of these are poor, possessing not half the spirit and character of the original. A little attention to these and to some of the more picturesque buildings, will make the reprint a splendid work. It ought to have a place on the shelves of every American, who cares to know the home history of the race from whom he is descended.

The Puritans and their Principles. By EDWIN HALL. Baker & Scribner, New York.

The main design of this work is exhibited in the title. It gives the history of the Puritans from the beginning-develops the causes which brought the sect into existence and impelled them on step by step in their wonderful career, till they finally made themselves a home on the shores of New England. The difficulties with which they had to encounter-the strength of principle and character which overcame them-the motives that impelled them onand the faith which sustained them, are delivered with great ability. Mr. Hall has written the work evidently con amore, and hence takes strong ground in their favor, and even sometimes in refusing to see the real defects they exhibit, or at least in as strong a light as a more impartial writer would behold them. A Puritan himself in principle, he of course defends the church policy of the Puritans, shows how it differs from the prelatic, and claims for it the sanction of the Bible. He contends that its system is indispensable to true religious freedom and purity, and indeed to the real freedom and success of governments. He goes thoroughly into his subject, and uses the mass of information he collects to the best advantage. It is a noble subject-the life and principles of the Puritans-em