the country. Infanticide, we are sorry to say, prevails in Cutch, to a great extent, and the number of female children who are annually murdered from this abominable practice, Captain Macmurdo supposes cannot be less than one thousand; it is to be hoped, that the benevolent interference of the British government will be attended with the same success there, which has so happily crowned its efforts in Guzerat. Captain Macmurdo's paper is a valuable addition to our Indian knowledge, and we are particularly glad to observe in this paper, and in one lately presented by Captain Dangerfield, some attempts to illustrate the natural history; a subject as yet but very little explored in this country.

The second paper contains some observations by Captain Vans Kennedy, on the history and failure of the scheme of a Universal Religion, attempted to be introduced by Acbar. The paper is written with great perspicuity, and affords some translations from native accounts, of the religious disputations held by Acbar's order, and in his presence, between the learned of the several sects.

The last paper is an account by Captain Elwood, of the caste of Niaheas, a singular race of people, who derive their origin from five brothers, who fled to the Concan, from the neighbourhood of Oudipoor.

CEYLON.

NATIONAL RELIC LOST AND
RECOVERED.

The following account places a new particular of Ceylonese Superstition in a conspicuous point of view. We have inserted the reflections of the writer, without any variation of his language or sentiments. Those who have been in India can judge on their propriety.

The precious Relic on which the destinies of the Kandyan Monarchy are supposed to depend, was deposited by Lieut. Col. Kelly, on the 11th at the Temple of Nettawelle, on the road between the Ferry of Wattapologa and Kandy. A fortunate time is to be discovered for its removal, when it will be conveyed in a procession and restored to the Great Temple in Kandy.

There is something, it must be confessed, revolting to common sense, to see the boasted reason of man degraded into the folly of attaching immense consequence to a piece of worthless bone. It is still inore disgusting to a sincere Christian to see the victims of an abject superstition bending in adoration before an imaginary Relic. But we must be careful not to suffer these natural feelings to hurry us into rash and precipitate measures. There is little hope of reclaiming a bigotted Heathen from those errors which he has been learning all his life, by thwarting his prejudices with sudden acts of compulsion. Such conduct would only rivet the chains of his superstition; it is not violently depriving him of his processions and his adorations and his offerings of flowers, that would dispose him to listen to the doctrines of a purer religion. His errors must be treated with gentleness and the means of removing them put within his own reach, for he will be disposed to use them as soon as he feels that they are not forced upon him, but he is fairly left to judge for himself.

The Kandians are a people that have had perhaps less intercourse with Europeans than almost any other nation of India, they ought therefore to be treated with peculiar discretion; and if they are convinced that their security is dependent upon their possession of a certain piece of bone, why should not that bone be restored to their Temple with ceremony and pomp?-It is to their future tranquility under the stable permanence of a British Government that we must look for their moral and religious improvement.

This high valued Relic appears by the deposition of one of the party to have been stolen from the Temple, several months ago, by two priests and three other persons; the informer has give a minute account of the manner in which the several caskets in which it was secured, were broke open, but there is nothing at all interesting in the detail.

It was recovered by Ensign Shoolbraid near Pubilia, in the same jungle where he took Madugalle; he was informed by the people, who, so much assisted him, that a Buddhist Priest had been seen ́lurking

cles, which are both abundant and cheap. Bengal goods, are rather heavy just now, and find a sale but slowly. At a late Auction Sale, Gurrahs and the 3rd sorts were purchased at 40 dollars per corge. Opium is not much in request at Batavia, the farmers having already secured a considerable supply of both Bengal and Turkey Opium.

At Samarang some good

about the forest: and he desired them to seize and bring the Priest before him. This they soon performed, and with him they brought three other men looking like Coolies, who appeared to be carrying a great deal of baggage. Ensign Shoolbraid asked what the contents were of all their bundles, &c., he was answered, "the Priest's clothes," but that officer not accustomed to meet Buddhist Priests in the jungle, with such a wardrobe, had the bundles opened, and examination they were found to upon contain the Relic and all the Interior Cas-Europe or elsewhere, and there is no apkets, richly ornamented with Jewels; the large outward case which is silver gilt, and of considerable size, had been of course left in the Temple to prevent any suspicion of the theft.

Ensign Shoolbraid went directly with his Priest and his prize, and delivered both up to Lieutenant Colonel Kelly, at Nalande.

PENANG.

LANGUAGES NUMEROUS.

The following is a list of no less than thirty-four distinct Languages of Europe, Asia and Africa, said to have been spoken at the same period (1808) in this small colony. The catalogue has been kindly furnished us by a friend, who, however, does not vouch for its accuracy-neither do we.

English, Erse, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Russian, Latin, Greek,-Arabic, Persian, Armenian, Malayan, Parsee, Hindoostanee, Bengallee, Chinese, Siamese, Achinese, Javanese, Bugguese, Cingalese, Chooliah, Burmah, Ratta, Talinga, Guzarat, Malabar,-Abyssinian, Caffrarian.

JAVA.

Extract from a letter dated Batavia,

8th September, 1818.

sales have been made as high as 1650 Dollars per chest.

Freights are not to be had either for

pearance of their being bettered soon.

Alceste Reef.-The loss of His Majesty's ship Alceste, commanded by Captain Murray Maxwell, in her return from China, through the straits of Gaspar, having given alarm to navigators, as to the safety of the passage through the channel, we have great pleasure in laying before our readers, an original and authentic description of that reef, as ascertained from angles taken over the keel of the Alceste, which still marks the situation of the wreck.

The highest part of the West Island bore S. 22, 20′ W. distant four miles and eight-tenths. A remarkable White Rock forming the Northern end of the Middle Island, S. 18. 30′ E. distant one mile and three-tenths. The highest part of Middle Island, forming a peak, S. 2. 0' E. The shoals off this part of Middle Island, consist of several narrow but long patches of coral, forming channels with from six to ten fathoms of water between them, but too intricate for shipping to navigate.

The Alceste's keel is lying about ten yards from that of the Portuguese ship Amelia, which was wrecked here in 1816. No other dangers exist on the outside of these wrecks, which are under the surface of the water, in two and three fathoms depth. The soundings coming from the Northward very gradually decrease to ten fathoms near the Reefs. With the pitch of the Reef bearing East, at the distance of two miles are twenty fathoms water.

The Americans are pouring in here every day, and in consequence of the great demand for our produce, Coffee is now up to 19 a 20 Spanish dollars per pecul; Sugar 8 to 9, and all other goods in proOne mile west of West Island are two portion; there is but little Tin now here, and no Copper, the Japan ships not patches of rocks, nearly even with the having yet returned. All other goods are water's edge, lying on a bank, the general dear in proportion, excepting Europe arti-soundings are from six to ten fathoms.

Ross's Rock bears W. from the peak of the local Government on behalf of the Middle Island, distant four miles and half Roman Catholics of the place. The quesfrom West Island. Navigators, taking care tion cannot of course be ultimately decided to avoid the above-mentioned dangers, will but by the Government at home, without find these Straits of Gaspar, preferable to whose special authority no agent of the those of Banca. Pope ought to have appeared in the colonial settlement in question. For, the right

Insurgent Privateers infesting the Eastern | Coasts of Luconia, a duty of thirteen per cent. was about to be levied on all monies exported from Manilla.

tants, soil, minerals, and curiosities. Major Long, of New Hampshire, topographical engineer; Mr. Graham, of Virginia; Mr. Wm. H. Swift, of Massachusets, from the Military Academy; Major Biddle, of the To those acquainted with the course of Artillery; Dr. Jessup, mineralogist; Dr. traffic between Manilla and the English Say, botanist and geologist; Dr. Baldwin, Settlements, this tariff may appear of tri-zoologist and physician; Mr. Peale, of vial moment, and not otherwise detrimental to the foreign trader, than our laws, which prohibit the exportation of British Coin

from Great Britain. But when it is considered that Manilla is not only a country of consumption itself, but the intermediate Port between the South American Provinces, which are similarly circumstanced, and India; and that less than one part out of ten of the returns to this country is made in goods, and the rest in bullion, it will be apparent that this duty must, if continued, considerably affect the British merchant.

National Register:

FOREIGN.

AMERICA: UNITED STATES.

National Mint.

Philadelphia, landscape-painter and ornithologist; Mr. Seymour, ditto; and Major Fallow, of the Indian department, form the expedition. The boat is 75 feet long,

13 beam, draws 19 inches water, and is well armed: she carries on her flag a White Man and an Indian shaking hands, the calumet of peace, and the sword. Her machinery is fixed to avoid the snags and sawyers of the rivers The expedition departs with the best wishes of the friends

of science,

The Floridas.

It is believed (for our knowledge of the Floridas is very defective) that few, if any of the navigable rivers take their rise in the United States; but the coast is indented with two spacious bays that will afford security for shipping; particularly the large and capacious bay of Hillsborough, which will admit any vessel over the bar, not drawing over twenty four feet water. The principal part of the soil in the peninsula abounds in pines, called the yellow pitch-pine tree, which is excellent timber for shipping: the peach and the mulberry orchards thrive in this soil remarkably well: it is likewise abundant in grass. In the vicinity of the soil so productive of the pine, there is to be found soil of another

From official documents, transmitted to Congress during the last session, it appears, that the total amount of gold, silver and copper coinage, at the Mint of the United States, from the date of its estab-quality: it abounds in maple oak of lishment up to the end of the year 1817, was 14,183,768 36-dollars; and that the amount of gold coins made during the year 1818, was 242,940 dollars; of silver, 1,070,427, 50 dollars; of copper, 52,320 dollars; making a total amount of 1,365,687,50; which, added to the aggregate of coinage in former years, makes up the amount coined up to the first day of the present year 15,549,456 dollars. It further appears, that the nett amount chargeable to the coinage of gold, silver, and copper, from the commencement of the Institution to December 31, 1818, including the costs of lots, buildings, and machinery," was 514,946 dollars.

seven different species, all of which grows in great abundance; walnuts, chesnuts, mulberry, and maple; it is likewise favourable to the cultivation of the indigo plant: figs and oranges are likewise found in this soil; but the latter fruit is not of the first quality. Nor are the savannahs of Florida destitute of interest, although in the wet seasons they are almost impassable, yet they are productive of grass of which cattle are extremely fond: in this soil dwarf oaks and junipers are numerous. The river swamps (by which we are not to understand marshes, but low grounds subject to inundation) abound in corn, rice, indigo, in great profusion;-of timber, the maple, hickory, oak of various kinds, birch, beech, willow, the sumac, the myr tle and the locust, thrive in these low A steam-boat is to be launched at Pitts-grounds. There is another species of soil burg, to be employed in an expedition to of a light and spongy texture, intermixed the Yellow Stone River, the object of with vegetable fibre, which trembles to which is to obtain a history of the inhabi-a considerable extent on the approach of

Scientific Expedition.

man or beast, and in which the latter are sometimes swallowed up, and irrecoverably lost. Here is found very fine clay fit for manufacturing, bituminous earth coal, fossil, marl, iron, lead, chalk, chrystal, and white topaze. The Floridas abound in esculent plants; wheat, rye, barley, maize, buck-wheat, and rice, cotton, tobacco, peaches, pears, and apples; pitch, turpentine, hemp, all articles of naval stores abound in this country, and perhaps the finest ship timber in the world. The lakes, bays, and rivers, present excellent fisheries, in all which places several kinds of the most valuable fish are found in abundance -Such is an imperfect outline of the soil and natural productions of the Ploridas. American Paper.

GREENLAND.

Siliceous Wood.

A species of siliceous fossil wood was found by a serjeant of artillery, who accompanied Captain Sabine, near the top of a hill, in Hare Island, on the west coast of Greenland, in Lat. 70 deg. 26 min. It had been part of the trunk of a pine tree, about four inches in diameter. The hill is in the interior of the island, about four miles from the shore, and is considerably more than 900 feet above the level of the sea, being higher than an intermediate hill, the elevation of which was ascertained barometrically.

RUSSIA.

Volcanic Island.

A new Volcanic Island has been raised among the Aleutian Islands, not far from Unalaschka. This phenomenon appeared in the midst of a storm, attended with flames and smoke. After the sea was calmed, a boat was sent from Unalaschka, with twenty Russian hunters, who landed on this island, June 1st, 1814. They found it full of crevices and precipices. The surface was cooled to the depth of a few yards, but below that depth it was still hot. No water was found on any part of it. The vapours rising from it were not injurious, and the sea-lions had begun to take up their residence on it. Another visit was paid to it in 1815; its height was then diminished. It is about two miles in length; they have given it the name of Bogulslaw.

;

pulsion of the Jews from Meiningen :— From ancient times the town had the privilege that no Jew should reside there latterly several Jews had established themselves there, without any opposition from the government. Some time since, circumstances being changed, the magistrates thought it advisable to enforce the old regulations, and all Jew beggars and petty dealers received orders to quit the town, which they did. Some rich Jewish families remained; and the magistrates were asked whether they should be further tolerated? The magistrates thought themselves not competent to decide this question, and called an assembly of the citizens. This assembly had scarcely heard what was the matter in debate, when some of them resolved to cut the knot at once, collected some empty waggons standing in the market, obliged the Jews still remaining to pack up their goods, and to put themselves with them in the vehicles, which stood ready to convey them over the frontiers. The immediate cause of the event is said to have been, that a Jew, contrary to the ancient custom, which did not permit persons of his nation to acquire real property, had purchased a house in the town of Meiningen, (and desired to have his name registered as the proprietor.

SPAIN.

Lancasterian Schools.

On the 30th of March last the King signed the order for establishing one school in each of the towns of the kingdom. The King has named a Director General of all the schools on the Lancasterian plan in Spain, and a Committee of 12 Grandees of Spain to protect the said schools: at present there are only 9 members-the Duke of Infantado, President for life; the Duke of Montemar, the Marquis of Cerralbo, Marquis of Santa Cruz, Duke of Villahermosa, Secretary; the Dukes of Medinauli, San Fernando, Counts Altamira and Santa Coloma. All the Schools in Spain are to be subordinate to the central school established in the capital. This central school is to be sustained by the Committee only (being an offer they made to the Government.) This school which will consist of 300 children, and has already 207, was opened the 4th of this month (May), in which many children entered without knowing their letters; has about 30 at present well established as apprentices. Government was astonished at the Accounts from the frontiers of Saxony great rapidity with which the children give the following particulars of the ex-learnt, and the great economy that was

SAXONY.

Jews expelled.