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alarming the animal they were in pursuit of. of the Polar Seas, has been considerably The other seven Esquimaux, now forming one strengthened by our subsequent experience party, disposed themselves into a single line, for the last three seasons; and I am more so as to make as small an appearance as pos- than ever impressed with the belief, that the sible in the direction in which they were go- only way in which a ship can, with tolerable ing, and in this manner crept cautiously to- certainty, succeed in penetrating any conwards the margin of the floe. On a sudden siderable distance, is, by watching the openings they all stooped down, quite low, to hide occasionally produced by winds and tides bethemselves, and continued thus a quarter of an tween a body of ice, when detached and movebour, during which time they prepared their able, and some land continuous in the desired lines and spears; and then, when the animal direction. I have here adverted to this, only appeared to be intercepted from their view, for the purpose of further remarking, that, howagain took the opportunity of gaining a few ever unsuccessful have been our late endeapaces upon him in the same cautious manner vours, they were unquestionably directed to as before. When they had been thus occupied the right place, and that, with the limited geofor a full hour, alternately creeping and stoop-graphical information we then possessed, no ing down, the seal, which had been lying on the ice, took the water, and they gave up the chase."

The following is an account of the method of striking or taking the seal

from under the ice :

other route, than that pointed out in my in. stractions, could possibly have been pursued with any reasonable hope of success.

"Circumstances, however, beyond the reach of any previous speculation, have combined to oppose an insurmountable barrier to our entrance into the Polar Sea by the route lately pursued, and consequently preventing us from

America, along which it would have been our object to proceed. The state of the ice, for successive summers, in the Strait of the Fury and Hecla, seems to indicate, that the obstruction we there met with, is dependent rather on locality than on season; for the phenomenon of two consecutive winters of extraordinary severity, is one of extremely rare occurrence. It is more than probable, that the obstacles which finally arrested our progress in the Strait, are to be mainly attributed to the current we found setting to the eastward, through it; and which coincide with that observed by Captain Franklin, and by the Russians, to the westward. This stream, in finding its way out, through the Strait, would undoubtedly have the effect of keeping the ice close home upon its western mouth, so as to prevent the egress of a ship in that direction; and I cannot help thinking that, on this account, the navigation of that Strait will seldom, if ever, be practicable.

"If, however, a man has any reason to suppose that a seal is at work beneath the ice, he imme-reaching the northern shore of the continent of diately attaches himself to the place, and seldom leaves it till he has succeeded in killing the animal. For this purpose he first builds a snow wall, about four feet in height, to shelter him from the wind, and, seating himself under the lee of it, deposits his spear, lines, and other implements, upon several little forked sticks inserted into the snow, in order to prevent the smallest noise being made in moving them when wanted. But the most curious precaution, to the same effect, consists in tying his own knees together, with a thong, so securely as to prevent any rustling of his clothes, which might otherwise alarm the animal. In this situation, a man will sit quietly sometimes for hours together, attentively listening to any noise made by the seal, and sometimes use the keip kutteck, an instrument hereafter described, in order to ascertain whether the animal is still at work below. When he supposes the hole to be nearly completed, he cautiously lifts his spear, to which the line has been previously attached, and as soon as the blowing of the seal is distinctly heard, and the ice, consequently, very thin, he drives it into him with the force of both arms, and then cuts away, with his panna, the remaining crust of ice, to enable him to repeat the wounds and get him out. The neitic is the only seal killed in this manner, and, being the smallest, is held, while struggling, either simply by the hand, or by patting the line round a spear with the point stuck into the ice. From the agulre, the line is passed round the man's leg or arm, and for a walrus, round his body, his feet, at the same time, firmly set against a hummock of ice, in which position these people can, from habit, hold against a very heavy strain. Boys of fourteen or fifteen years of age, consider themselves equal to the killing of a neitic, but it requires a full-grown person to master either of the larger animals."-p. 172.

Captain Parry concludes his narrative with the following remarks, upon the practicability of a Northwest passage:

"The opinion I have before given, as to the advantages of continuous land, in the navigation

'Being thus unavoidably shut out from the northern shores of the continent, it remains to inquire, by what other opening there may be the best chance of approaching it the nearest ; for the principle of coasting it, whenever it can be reached, must still, in my opinion, be carefully kept in view. There is no known opening, which seems to present itself, so favourably for this purpose, as Prince Regent's Inlet. This leads me to observe, tbat, had we succeeded in fairly entering the Polar Sea, by the Strait of the Fury and Hecla, the geographical information obtained from the Esquimaux, and on which I conceive the greatest reliance may be placed, would probably have induced me so far to depart from the strict tenor of my instructions, as to attempt a passage across the mouth of the great bay lying on the south-western side of Melville Peninsula, instead of coasting its winding, and, probably, much-indented shores. Indeed, I consider that the spirit of my instructions were fulfilled, as far as they regarded my close examination of the coast of America, from the moment that I discovered the Strait which terminated that coast to the northward; and that, had I been fortunate enough to succeed in entering the

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Polar Sea, that my business, then, was to get to the westward in the shortest way I was able. It being, therefore, no longer necessary to follow the continent on the western side of Melville Peninsula, it appears to be of very little importance, whether a future attempt be made from Cape Kater, which lies near the bottom of Prince Regent's Inlet, or from Cape Englefield, at the western entrance of the Strait of the Fury and Hecla. Indeed, the chance of success is rather in favour of the former of these two stations, both on account of the shorter distance to Point Turnagain of Captain Franklin, which from thence does not exceed four hundred and fifty miles, as well as from the probability, to which I have before alluded, of the ice being almost constantly pressed by the westerly current against the western mouth of the Strait. The view which we obtained from the southern part of Prince Regent's Inlet, in 1819, was not, indeed, very encouraging, as to the state of the ice, at that particular time; but our business, at that time, lying in a different direction, we remained only a few hours on the spot, and could not, therefore, judge what favourable changes might have been produced by the various attractions in wind and tide. The ice was, however, certainly detached from the shores, and in motion; in which case a hope may always be cherished of occasional openings in our favour.

"In estimating the probability of success, in this attempt, it is proper for me here to remark, that the difficulty of giving any very decided opinion upon it, arises, not simply from the general uncertainty attending a navigation of so precarious a nature as that to which we have lately been accustomed, as because there is nothing in our late experience which can properly be considered analagous to it. To enter a body of heavy ice, of great and uncertain extent, without any known land stretching in the desired direction, is an enterprise differing in character from almost any hitherto attempted with success. In 1819, indeed, the Hecla and Griper crossed the bar rier of ice occupying the centre of Baffin's Bay, for a distance of about ninety miles, and succeeded in reaching the open water, off Sir James Lancaster's Sound; and since that time numbers of whalers have done the same: but this distance is small, in comparison with that which ships would have to traverse, from the bottom of Prince Regent's Inlet, to any part of the navigable channel discovered by Captain Franklin, and which it would be their first object to reach. It is, however, by no means improbable, that some intervening land may be discovered in this interval, to assist a ship's progress to the south-westward; and that, by patience and perseverance, she might succeed in gaining the shores of the continent; where it may be expected that only the ordinary difficulties of this navigation would once more present themselves." It is possible, at the

same time, that, in so vast an expanse of sea, channels of open water may occur, to assist a ship's progress to the westward.

"It appears, then, that the chief difficulty to be anticipated, in the accomplishment of this passage, will consist in getting the ships upon that part of the continent, which, from the very best authority, we know to be navigable. I trust that the endeavours of the two

Expeditions, lately employed under my orders, have, at least, served the useful purpose of shewing where the passage is not to be effected; and of thus bringing within very narrow limits the question as to where any future attempt should be made. In submitting, which I do with considerable diffidence, the foregoing view of the subject, it has not been my intention to create or magnify difficulties, but to suggest, as well as I am able, the best mode of overcoming them. For my own part, I never felt more sanguine of ultimate success in the enterprise in which I have lately been engaged, than at the present moment; and I cannot but entertain a confident hope, that England may yet be destined to succeed in an attempt which has, for centuries past, engaged her attention, and interested the whole civilized world.”p. 488-491.

In

We think that the subjects upon which this volume treats, from the general interest which they seem to have excited, are likely to procure for it an extensive circulation and a rapid sale. Either Captain Parry or his Publisher appears to have fully anticipated the universal interest which the publication is so well calculated to excite, and if they have contributed to our information, they seem determined that we should, in return, contribute to their emolument. order to swell out the work, and thus add to its price, without increasing either its zest or its value, a number of trivial and childish incidentsneither instructing nor amusing-have been related with a minuteness of detail worthy a better story and a more honourable object. As, however, in this life, we cannot enjoy a good without its accompanying evil, we can safely recommend this work to our readers, as containing a valuable stock of useful and instructive matter.

REVIEW.-4 Short Narrative from the Life of General Mina, Published by Himself. London. Taylor and Hessey, 13, Waterloo-place, Pall Mall, and 93, Fleet-street. 1825. pp. 107. Spanish and English.

THE celebrated Mina has published a short memoir of his life and fortunes. This individual has become remarkable for the singular assiduity and zeal with which he laboured for the restoration of Ferdinand, during the French usurpation in Spain; and, since that period, for his support of the Constitutional Government, and for which he was, ultimately, obliged to leave his country. We trust, that by calling the public attention to this

book, we shall rather promote, than | infringe upon," the sacred objects"* of the author, as we believe the profits arising from the sale of this, are to be devoted to the support of the Spanish refugees in this country, we have no doubt, that this very circumstance alone will be sufficient to give such a degree of interest to the publication, as will insure a rapid and extensive sale and we most anxiously wish that such may prove to be the case. Mina commences by giving an account of his parentage, and of the place of his nativity.

"I was born at Idozin, a village of Navarre, on the 17th of June, 1781. My parents were John Stephen Espozy Mina, Mary Terese Illundainy Ardaiz, honest farmers of that pro

vince.

"As soon as I had learned to read and write, I devoted myself to the labours of husbandry; and when my father died, I took charge of the little farm which constituted the patrimony of my family. In this manner I lived till the age of 26 years.

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oppose to 46 mounted pieces of artillery; in a miserable and barren conntry; in the sharpest and most rigorous season; my men almost ply of food, caused by the difficulty of comnaked, and sometimes even without a due supinunication; having to cover an extremely rugged and long line, for doing which, six times the number of men would scarcely be sufficient; and, lastly, presenting to the world being the same number as the besieged; still, the extraordinary example of the besiegers in the end, constancy and heroism were victorious, and 600 profligates and robbers taken out of the prisons, who formed the greater part of the faction of the ringleader Romogoza, their crimes on the morning of the evacuation, the defender of the fortress of Urgel, expiated by their death upon the field."—p. 74, 75.

Are we here to understand that thesc 600 profligates and robbers, as they are called, were sacrificed in cold blood, without the power of resistance or defence, to satiate the bloodthirsty vengeance of a resisted warrior. If such be the case, and we much fear it will so prove, from the account, we cannot but regret that My patriotism being then excited by the Mina should have tarnished his reputreacherous invasion of Spain, by Napoleon, in tation, by boasting of such an incident. 1808; after having done all the harm I could Every purpose would have been anto the French in my own village, I abandoned swered by the public execution of the it, and enlisted as a soldier in Doyle's batal-chief, and one or two of the most lion, on the 8th of February, 1809."-p. 9, 10. Mina, subsequently, gives an interesting account of the vicissitudes of fortune which he so frequently experienced-but we are unwilling to run the risk of weakening the curiosity, which the memoir of so noted a character must excite, by any lengthened extracts. He details, with much accuracy, the interesting events of the first French war; and also of the revolutions and counter-revolutions which have so lately disturbed the kingdom and government of old Spain. There is one occurrence, however, related by this general, which we cannot but lament. We shall give it in

his own words.

ton and cruel sacrifice of so many in-guilty ringleaders; but the wanmiserable, and, no doubt, misguided wretches, savours rather of savage barbarity than of the necessary atonement to outraged justice and civilization. If we have misunderstood our author, which we sincerely hope may Prove to be the case, we suggest, and indeed strongly urge, the propriety of correcting this passage in any future edition. The actual fact should be ed. With this exception, the little more plainly and intelligibly express

"On my return from Puigcuda, the 4th of December, to the Seo-de-Urgel, I dislodged the factious from that city, which I occupied on the 8th, and immediately began a regular

blockade of its fortresses.

"In this blockade, which lasted 74 days, against a numerous, fanatical, and resolute

garrison, whose provisions and ammunition were immense; without one single cannon to

"The sacred objects to which I destine the produce of this book, oblige me to declare, that I will not permit its being reprinted without my sanction, by any person. I likewise hope, that the delicacy of the Gentlemen Editors of the Public Papers, will take this

notice into consideration."-See advertisement.-(Surely it is not intended to prohibit Reviews.)

work before us has afforded us consiheightened, in no small degree, by the derable gratification, which has been pleasing reflection, that the profits are to be devoted to so charitable a purpose as the support of the Spanish refugees in this country-a circumstance which, if it should not obtain many English readers, at least, we are confident, will procure plenty of British purchasers.

REVIEW.-The Writer's Clerk; or, the Humours of the Scottish Metropolis. In three Volumes. London. WhitTHIS is rather an interesting work, taker, Ave-Maria-Lane. 1825. belonging to the "No Fiction" class of novels. Although the materials of

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A Mr. John Kiniven, who has been apprenticed to a tailor, finds himself, about his twentieth year, possessed of cash amounting to twenty pounds. Having a dislike to the " tailoring craft," he embarks on the sea of life, as keeper of a small chandler's shop, in the village of Homeston, in Scotland. In due time, he marries a "decent canny aneugh young maiden," who lodged next door; and an excellent, sober, loving wife she made. By the exercise of the strictest frugality, he is enabled, at length, to embark in small speculations, in the "Hielan' herrin' fishery," which prove considerably successful. His wife has presented him with two sons, James and Stuart, who are forthwith sent to the classical academy of a Mr. Black. They prove of very different characters: James, the elder, is a clever lad, but bold, wild, and thoughtless; Stuart, a weak, pale, studious, little fellow-exceedingly sober, modest, and unpretending. Among their companions, figure Stays Maclachlan, and Richard Valeburn; who turn out to have considerable influence in the future destinies of the brothers. James (who is the active, and Stuart the passive hero,) and his brother leave school. The former goes to a Mr. Maclaren, a writer, in Homeston; and Stuart to college, in hopes of a presentation; he in due time, leaves his college,-is tutor to a Mr. Gordon, whose daughter he ultimately marries,-is presented to a kirk near Homeston,-and so he ends.

James, however, quits Mr. Maclaren; and, filled with magnificent notions of the Scottish metropolis, prevails on his parents to send him to "Edinbro'." Thither he goes; and, on a casual rencontre, meets with Stays Maclachlan, who is metamorphosed into a foppish, conceited, ignorant coxcomb,-passes him without deign

ing to notice his quondam school-fellow; and our disconsolate hero betakes himself to the lodgings of Richard Valeburn,-a sensible, discreet clerk to a "writer to the signet," who counsels him in an excellent fashion, and recommends James to lodgings. After a long time spent in dancing attendance upon the "unco's anent the sessions-house," he at length obtains a situation as clerk to a Mr. Mandate; who is in tolerable business, but spends most of his time in tippling ; albeit, notwithstanding this, he is an "unco guid kind o'man, and weel to do i'the warld."-By some casual obligation, which Maclachlan confers on James, they become intimately acquainted. He is seduced to read novels, to attend the theatre, and to become a member of a kind of debating-society.* Richard Valeburn disapproves of his connexion; but uselessly. He plunges deeper and deeper into dissipation,-keeps untimely hours,-and at length issues forth, at two in the morning, with his drunken companions;-they insult two females the police are summoned, and our men of mettle find their way into the police-office. They are dismissed, with a fine of ten guineas each, in the morning; and then James is turned off from Mr. Mandate's. In despair, he listens to the artful insinuations of one Buffoon, a strolling actor, and sets off on a theatrical campaign. He is soon discovered. The news brings up his father and brother to town,-and, finally, breaks his mother's heart. The two former return home soon, to bury her, -as does also the repentant James, but alone, and in disguise. From an opposite window he sees the funeral,

the recollection of his conduct almost maddens him, he rushes out of the house,-and pursues a solitary walk of thirty miles,-when he faints on the sea shore, and wakes on board a ship, bound for Kingston in Jamaica;-the humane captain having discovered him when insensible, and conveyed him on shipboard. He arrives at his destination; and, after a long series of unfortunate adventures, at length returns home, with a fortune of ten thousand pounds, as all good young gentlemen should do, whose

Of these mischievous associations, we hope, speedily, to shew the evil, in an article now preparing.

biographers send them abroad. He comes home,-is reconciled to his family,-purchases a fine mansion near Homeston, and marries Eliza, the kidnapped, but just discovered, sister of his discreet friend Richard Valeburn. And so ends the story.—

There is nothing new in the plan or the incidents; but several of the latter are narrated in an interesting manner. It is evidently the production of one who is well acquainted with " life in Edinburgh!"

But the chief omission, we have noticed, is the want of graphical delineation of persons and scenery. We cannot dispense with this, especially in works of imagination.-How can the reader accompany his guide, the author, unless the road be chalked out vividly before him,-and the interesting scenes be strikingly illuminated with the richest colours of the artist, so as to give the whole,

"A local habitation and a name," in the mind!

A second error is, the dry, uninteresting, untimely digressions of the author. He cannot scramble up (as it were) to the precipice of a climax, without running away to the left, over a barren moor of comfortless, of sickening sterility. We refer, for intance, to page the 64th of volume the second, and request the reader to skip over the intervening pages, to the 114th. He will find it a "hiatus minime deflendus. A novel is the last place for sermonizing, such as here occurs; and again we advise him to omit all that appears between pages 277 and 309, of the same volume.

The third is, a bungling phraseology; containing much inaccuracy of language. The phrase, "retrospective view," occurs several times; the author is evidently ignorant of the etymology of the former word. Many similar instances may be found, but we have not time to notice them.

Once more; we object to his frequent pedantic misquotations of Greek and Latin, in a novel. What would our readers think of a sturdy sowgelder venting his feelings in a resounding Greek couplet?-For an exemplification of such monstrous folly, let him turn to these volumes. But we quit this ungracious part of a critic's duty.

We really think, however, that amusement has not been the only aim

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THIS is as pretty a little mass of contradiction and absurdity, as, within the confines of such a pamphlet, can be well collected together. That the author" is but of yesterday," we can easily believe, nor would it have indicated a prophetic spirit if he had intimated a suspicion, that he should be unknown to-morrow. In his pamphlet he has given full proof of his youth and inexperience, otherwise he would have placed himself under the discipline of some polemical drill-sergeant, before he presumed to take the field. But it is an unhappy feature in the human character, that "the less we know, the more forward we are to instruct others."

"Unskill'd to argue, in dispute, yet loud, Bold without caution, without honours proud," Mr. Catton inveighs bitterly against unconditional reprobation, without once considering, that the non-elect of Uley are precisely in the same situation as the reprobates of Geneva. In page 30, he asks,-"But would a God of truth, in the name of the blood of his Son, address invitations to all men, when he knew that he had, unconditionally, appointed many of them their place in everlasting wo? All heaven answers, that he would not." And may we not ask,-Would a God of truth, in the name of the blood of his Son, address invitations to all men, when he knew that he had withholden from many of them that grace through which alone their salvation could be rendered possible? All heaven answers, that he would not. Should this pamphlet ever reach Dr. Clarke, we have no

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