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eastom of sitting in Dherna; and another proposal (p. 28.) to abolish the custom of erecting a Koor. These practices perhaps thwart, in some cases, the administration of justice: if so, let the courts of law, in their judicial capacity, interfere: Lat if the suppression be made at the instigation of the priest, the customs will be endeared and enrooted by all the infiuence of competitory fanaticism. The sway of the East India company has this of praise-worthy; that it has equally respected the hereditary notions of Moslems, Seiks, Idolaters, and Christians, and has tolerated reciprocal conversion, without conferring recompences on apostacy, or privileges on foreign faith.

The would-be christianizers of Hindostan ought to draw up for that people and that climate a peculiar plan of religion, if they wish to be successful. In Ireland one form of christianity is prevalent; in Scotland another; in Great Britain a third; why not provide for every main division of the empire a distinct and adapted worship? Sir William Jones advises a new selection from our sacred books: why not also a new liturgy and a new ritual? Surely the progress which has been made in scripture-criticism since the time of Luther, would enable our more learned cotemporaries to compile a system less dangerous to the reputation of European taste, reason, and civilization. The orientals admire the European man ;

they are acquainted with our merchants, our soldiers, and our lawyers; if they should become acquainted with our religionists, how soon the useful spell must be dissolved! Happily the spirit of the gentleman often corrects the spirit of the priest, and the opinions of the age fore stall the opinions of the church. If an eastern hierarchy should be established, one may indulge the hope that some men will obtain preferment in it, who have more the temper of philosophers than of missionaries; who are not less solicitous about the interests of literature than about the interests of protestantism, who prefer sincerity to conformity, and consider toleration as an essential part of equity. A bishop of Bengal may one day be found to merit the rare and pure praise lately inscribed on the monument of the bishop of Down.

One would have wished to see a dissertation, which wins a prize in a British university, remarkable for a display of the appropriate learning. Mr. Maurice is quoted and epitomized occasionally, and Sir William Jones has been consulted; but the mass of information which Sonnerat, which Anquetil, which Fra Paolino especially, have imported into Europe. concerning the religions of the east, and the braminical system, appears to slumber unnoticed in the shelves of the college library.

ART. XX-Asiatic Annual Register, or a View of the History of Hindostan, and of the Politics, Commerce, and Literature of Asia, for the Years 1802 and 1803. 8vo.

THE Asiatic Annual Register began with the present century, and has already been noticed in our first volume, p. 332. It continues to be conducted on the same plan, with increased resources and speedier assiduity.

An account of the Mahratta war, a chronicle of minute occurrences, a list of promotions, births, marriages, and deaths; state-papers, debates in parliament and at the India-house, characters, poetry, reviews of books, and miscellaneous tracts, form the varied bill of fare.

The literary world will take an interest in the statutes of the new college of Fort William in Bengal.

It would have been well so to organize the college, that natives of the country could be received there both as pupils and professors. The christian test imposed on professors ought not to have been introduced. Can the Sanscrit, the Chinese, and similar languages, be taught by Eu

ropeans as well as by the natives of the provinces where these languages still subsist? This test tends to prevent the ob taining of the best possible instruction.

The life of Tofuzzel Hussein Khan will be read with high gratification throughout Europe. The example of a native of Cashmir studying so successfully our languages and our sciences; translating into Arabic our books of mathematics, and committing to an oriental press the far-fetched select importations of his high and comprehensive acquirements; is a harbinger of the entire civilization of the world.

What a misfortune to the progress of culture, that so many difficulties should be thrown in the way of migration to Hindostan, by the East India company! Had an open trade subsisted during the last generation, instead of the monopoly, our arts, our habits, our literature, our sciences, would have struck root long ago

in the peninsula; our merchants would have domesticated there an European civilization; and provinces, which are now

the quarry of plunder, would have been paying to commerce a voluntary and a larger tribute.

ART. XXI.—A concise Account of the Commerce and Navigation of the Black Sea: from recent and authentic Information. 8vo. pp. 53.

ABOUT three years ago Mr. Eton was sent by government to the southern provinces of Russia, as well to purchase on trial certain naval stores, corn and salted provisions, which, it was thought, might habitually be wanted for Malta, as to make a general report concerning the facilities for British commerce offered by the several ports of the Black Sea. This pamphlet contains a summary of the information collected by him, and will form the basis of a more extensive statistical work concerning the countries visited. It contains, in a cheap, unaffected, and condensed form, matter of immediate importance to the statesman, and of lasting importance to the merchant. Literary industry may manufacture from these materials a thick book of travels, and republish what is already known of the Black Sea shore: here we obtain apart the recent additions to our circulating knowledge.

The Black Sea has deservedly been named the guestless, the inhospitable, for such is the meaning of the word Euxine. In antient as in modern times, a mischievous resistance was opposed by the borderers to the navigation of this inland sea. There are natural impediments: during the summer, north-east winds are almost perpetual, and ships lie sometimes wind-bound for three months. Sharp vessels that can work well to windward are fittest for this trade. There are artificial impediments: all the ports are shut to vessels liable to quarantine, except Kaffa and Odessa, where alone lazarettoes have been established. No accurate charts exist to guide navigators in the Black Sea. A vast mass of produce descends the Dnieper, which might conveniently be shipped at Oczakow: it is compelled to take the more expensive road through Odessa, by the absurd preference of prince Potemkin, who chose there to construct moles, kays, magazines, bazars, and other apparent appurtenances of commerce, in the hope of attracting a trade which nature has allotted elsewhere. Odessa has neither wood nor water: the port is bad in blowing weather: the sands washed down the Dnieper are constantly filling up the haven. The expence of carrying corn from Cherson to the Liman, is from

ten to fifteen kopcks the chetwert (about half-a-crown per bushel), but to Odessa, the freight is from eighty to one hundred kopecks; on which account corn may be had cheaper in the Liman. The propr step for restoring to commerce its natural course, would be to establish another qua rantine at Oczakow, for vessels destined to load in the Liman: this should be soucited from the Russian government.

An English house of great respectability at Odessa, is that of Mr. Henry Sez son, a native of Exeter, who resided at Naples before its commerce was interrupted by the French. Kaffa is more likely to engross the corn-trade than Odessa: the best of its wheats is called arnaut; it is the kind, of which the Neapolitans make their macaroni and vermicelli. There is a sort of rye near Eliza betgrad, of which the grains measure almost half an inch in length. At Cherson the empress Catharine founded an admiralty: the disadvantage of this site is, that there is only five or six feet water, and that ships of war built there must be put into camels, as in Holland, to cross the bar. A general of infantry fixed this spot, as a general of cavalry fixed on Odessa.

There was a considerable French navigation to the Liman before the revolution. Toulon was thence supplied with naval stores; and the merchants of Marseilles carried out the silks of Lyons and the cloths of Louviers. The return of French commerce is looked for with anxiety by all people, and particularly by the great proprietors. Its effects have founded among the nobility, or landed interest, of southern Russia, a Gallican party. It is important, as a mean of securing the alliance of Russia, that a British commerce, equivalent to that of France, should be founded in the Euxine. This may best be done by purchasing annually for the admiralty, at a regular loss, through pri vate merchants, a certain quantity of naval stores. The merchants will soon acquire the routine of demand and supply, and a trade will thus establish itself able to stand alone. The importance of concentring the population and metropoli tan influence of Russia, rather in the south, where the soil and climate are fine,

than in the north, where a perpetual war must be waged with nature, is felt by the enlightened mind of Alexander. It is for Britain to prove that her versatile industry can as easily collect the productions of Russia through the Mediterranean as through the Baltic.

Oczakow is the natural deposit of what descends the Bog and the Dnieper. Kaffa the natural deposit of what descends the Don. For these places lazarettoes must be obtained, and consuls appointed.

A curious fact occurs at p. 33. "The Maltese yarn-spinners make better cordage than the English. They are very clever and expeditious, and their method is preferable, as they feed the yarn from the end, not the middle of the fibres of hemp. This merits attention, the difference is very great."

Á much wiser establishment than those of Odessa and Cherson is that of Kaffa, or as we write, Caffa.

"Vessels arriving at Caffa, any month in the year, may begin to load inmediately, during quarantine, and the magazines being lose to the water-side, at little expence. The waggons that bring corn from Arabat unload into boats.

"The Quarantine-Lazaretto, and the whole of that establishment, as well as the custompouse, are upon the shore; and the natural cality of the ground and port afford every convenience that can be desired for the expe¿tion and economy of trade.

"Ships of war even have a secure anchorare in the bay, though it is somewhat open, the ground being excellent. A pier is to be run out into 40 feet water, and a second and third pier for the quarantine-harbour, so that hips will not be subject to be mixed. There will be ports for ships actually having the plague on board, those under precautionary quarantine, and those that have performed it, or are not subject to it.

"The city, which had been entirely ruined, is rebuilding, and trade already begins to flourish.

"All these works are conducting by genetal Fanshaw (a general in chief, and heretofore governor general of the city and province of Kiew), than whom the emperor has not a more intelligent, active, honourable, and zealous officer in his service. The sums that will be saved by his ability and economy, are credible. He was formerly an officer in our guards.

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This is the place found most advantageous for salting of meat for exportation. The Crimea oxen are a small race, but those of the Cuban, not 100 miles from Caffa, are a fine large breed, and become very fat early enough to kill in the cool weather of the spring as well 25 autumn, except in some very late seasons, On the Don and Volga, are also vast herds of

cattle, which are driven to distant markets. Beginning at Bachmut, Poltava, Elizabeth, and into Poland and Germany, they feed as they go on the rich plains. From the Don to Caffa they can be brought easily. The whole road is fine pasture, and the neck of land between Arabat and Yanitsi produces rich grass. In the Caban they have salt marshes. In some parts they kill the cattle for the hides, and to boil out the fat. The only lake in the Crimea which produces salt of the best quality for preserving meat, is near to Perecop; but lately the salt of the Kertch has been found of an equal, or even superior quality; that is, it is more free of magnesia, with which other kinds of salt abound in too large a proportion. These different kinds of salt have been analized by Pallas and by admiral Moller at Cherson. Cattle may be bought lean, and the price of feeding them in the plains is one rouble a head. It is calculated that beef may be salted (a proper establishment being made) for five farthings to three halfpence a pound. Lean hogs are to be driven to Caffa, and there fattened on barley, which is very cheap.

"Fat hogs are very reasonable at Krementchug; but if they are killed and salted in the beginning of winter, they cannot be exported before May or June from Cherson: and salt meat does not bear land-carriage in these parts. The agent who was sent from this country, salted pork for the value of 1,000l. at Olgopol in Poland, in the spring of 1803; but a greater quantity of rain falling than was ever remembered, which rendered the carriage long, and great heats coming on, the whole was spoiled. I mention this that others may profit by the example. Much of the evil was also owing to the bad quality of the Polish salt.

"Casks must be bespoke of the proper size and strength, and made during the winter months at Krementchug, to have them cheap. With wooden hoops they cost about 2s. 6d. to 3s. each. Iron hoops are best had from the manufactory belonging to Mr. Raikes, of St. Petersburg: the carriage in winter from the forges to the Crim, is very low. An iron rolled hoop, nine feet long, costs him about 7d. sterling. Hence it is evident that, to enjoy every advantage, it is necessary to give orders for salted beef nearly a year beforehand. The casks and hoops must be procured in winter, the oxen purchased in spring, fed and killed in autumn. Or they may be purchased fat, generally in spring, always in October; but this is not so advantageous as buying them lean and fattening them.

"The articles of the produce of the Don, Volga, and the circumjacent countries, need not be enumerated, they are known to every one. Iron comes to Czaratzin, on the Volga, in one season from Siberia, and is carried by land to the Don much cheaper than it goes to St. Petersburgh; and it will be still more reasonable when the canal is completed, which will join these two rivers. It will then not cost above half the price it costs at St. Pe

tersburgh. The oak on the Don, &c. is not so good as that on the Dneiper; but the deal or fir, for planks, is even better. Cannon, and every thing appertaining to a ship, may be brought to Caita. Mr. Gascoign has established an iron foundery at Logan, on the Don. The Russian sheet-copper for vessels is now brought to great perfection. Hitherto the ships of war in the Black Sea were not coppered, and were much injured by worms."

Some of those gentlemen who obtain. travelling fellowships at Cambridge should undertake a circuit of the Black Sea. Marble ruins, on which the chisel of Greece has left its everlasting stamp, would frequently cross their footsteps. The classical recollections, in which they delight, would crowd on the soul at every promontory. We do not condemn them to remain in Sinope, but we wish them to go thither. The popularity of their country would efficaciously be served among the Russians, by the celebration of contiguous sites, which are again becoming the haunts of civilized men. Many a patriotic suggestion will occur to the classical observer; and will travel, in association with his topics, to the polished and leading minds both of Russian and of British society. An interesting sweep of Turkish coast is thus noticed by Mr. Eton.

"The ports are, on sailing from Constantinople eastward, first Achilio, at the distance of about thirty miles; it is a place for small craft only. Thirty miles farther is Kefkani, a port for four or five ships of four or five hundred tons burthen, and two or three frigates. The next is Bender Heracli (or Heraclea), sixty miles distant, where the largest fleet of ships of the line may anchor in per

fect safety in all winds, though it is properly only a deep bay. From this, sixty mil les Amastra, where there are many nocle ruins and Greek and Roman inscriptions, and beautiful oak timber growing down to the wa ter-side. It was an island, now joined to the main land by a causeway, composed, in great part, of shafts of marble columns. The south port is dangerous, and receives only very small craft. The other port will hold four frigates, but the entrance, round the point of an ancient sunken mole of marble, is rather dangerous. Around the port there are sen the remains of an ancient marble quay, with square projections into the sea. Farther on well known that I need not describe it. There is Kitros, and round the cape is Sinope, so the Turks build most of their ships of war, and the timber of all this coast is almost ci eternal duration. It grows on dry rocky soil. From Sinope the coast is not exacty known, farther than that it is esteemed very thence to the Cuban it is very little known.” safe to Trabizond and to the Phasis. From

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Here one regrets to find only the sta tistical gazer; he might however with propriety have invoked the tutelary gods of the ancient traveller, Mercury, and Castor and Pollux; to the service of commerce, and to the service of navigation, his attention has been steadily directed.

This pamphlet should be transmitted to our ambassador at Petersburg, with or ders to get it translated into Russian. The mercantile interest of Russia ought to be made aware of the unchangeable natural reasons and causes for preferring Oczakow to Odessa; in order that their petitions and representations may, if requisite, be called in, to obtain from the emperor Alexander a quarantine-establishment at Oczakow.

ART. XXII-The History of the Manners, Landed Property, Government, Laws, Podra, Literature, Religion, and Language, of the Anglo-Saxons. By SH. TURNER, F. A. S. $10.

HAVING detailed the civil and military history of the Anglo-Saxons in the volumes which have been already noticed, Mr. Turner in this completes his undertaking, and presents us with as correct a picture of their private life as the imperfect documents which remain could enable him to compose.

Of the Saxons in their pagan state he has gathered all that could be relied upon with certainty; and though the history is imperfect, he is amply entitled to our thanks. Their government, their laws, and their religious system, are equally obscure; nor does it seem quite certain that they had either the knowledge or the use of alphabetic characters. From the uniformity, however, of the principles of le

gislation in continental Saxony, and in England at a subsequent period, Mr. Turner infers that pecuniary compensation was even at that time the general mode both of redressing personal injuries and punishing criminal offences: a feature, he observes, which certainly announces that the spirit of legislation even at that early period began to be understood; though their severity in one instance, against adultery, was both personal and sanguinary.

compelled to hang herself, her body was burnt, and over her ashes the adulterer was executed. Or else a company of females whipped her from district to district, and, dividing her garments near the middle, they pierced her

"If a woman became unchaste she was

body with their knives. They drove her, thus bleeding, from their habitations; and wheresoever she went, new collections of woroen renewed the cruel punishment till she expired. This dreadful cu tom shews that te savage character of the nation was not contined to the males. Female chastity is ndeed a virtue as indispensable as it is attractive; but its proper guardians are the Maternal example and tuition, the constitutual delicacy of the female mind, its native Love of honour, and the uncorrupted voice and feeling of society. If it can be only tained by the horrors of a Saxon punish

ent, the nation is too barbarous or too conaminated, to be benefited by the penalty." For the domestic history of the Saxons it a later period, Mr. Turner's materials were in course more copious; and he has raced their reigning manners, the general history and spirit of their legislation, their ats, their literature, their religion, and their language, not only with correctness ut with the hand of a master.

"The first great change," he observes, "in the Anglo-Saxons appeared in the discontauance of their piracies. They ceased to be the ferocious spoilers of the ocean and its Lasts; they became land-owners, agriculturists, and industrious citizens; they seized and divided the acquisitions of British afflu Pace, and made the commonalty of the island heir slaves. Their war-leaders became tertorial chiefs, and the conflicts of capricious and sanguinary robbery were exchanged for the possession and inheritance of property in ts various sorts; for trades and manufacures; for useful luxuries, peaceful industry, and domestic comfort."

In what relates to the institution of their earliest years there is one fact, the remembrance of which appears only to have been preserved by the Anglo-Saxon Laws, and which we could not but contemplate with astonishment.

"The northmen were in the habit of exposing their children. The Anglo-Saxons eem not to have been unacquainted with this inhumanity; as one of the laws of Ina provides, that for the fostering of a foundling

x shillings should be allowed the first year, twelve the uext, thirty the third, and afterwards according to his wlite, or his personal appearance and beauty.”

The course of education, however, by which the Anglo-Saxons conducted their children to maturity, cannot be detailed withall the minuteness an inquisitive reader might perhaps desire. Society, it should seem, was then divided but into two orders: and laymen and ecclesiastics were but other terms for ignorance and learn

g. So early as the seventh century, in

deed, there were a few found who rose above the level of the age, and endeavoured to recommend the use of schools. education were the work of Alfred, in But the principal improvements in Saxon whose view none could be either great or powerful who undervalued knowledge: and something must be also attributed to the emigration of the Irish ecclesiastics.

From the chapters on their food, their drinks, and cookery, we learn that their tables were better furnished than we usu

ally suppose them to have been. They had oxen, sheep, and swine; and they used fowls, deer, goats, and hares. Among their fish, eels are by far the most profusely noticed; and to the more common of the sea-fish now in use, they added the dolphin and the porpoise. Orchards too were cultivated; and we find figs, grapes, nuts, almonds, pears, and apples, mentioned. Their principal drinks were wine, mead, ale, piment, morat, and cyder. And cookery, it appears, was not merely a matter of taste, but of indispensable de

corum.

In regard to dress, the terms which have reached us are at this distant period but difficultly comprehended; but it is more than probable that the reader will, from the following extract, form a good notion of an Anglo-Saxon lady:

"The wife described by Aldhelm has necklaces and bracelets, and also rings, with gens on her fingers. Her hair was dressed artificially; he mentions the twisted hairs delicately curled with the iron of those adorning her.

"In this part of her dress she was a contrast to the religious virgin, whose hair was entirely neglected. Their hair was highly valuable and reputable among the Saxon ladies. Ju dith is perpetually mentioned with epithets allusive to her hair. Her twisted locks are more than once noticed:

"The maid of the Creator
With twisted locks,
Took then a sharp sword.

"She with the twisted locks
Then struck her hateful eneiny,
Meditating ill,

With the ruddy sword.

"The most illustrious virgin
Conducted and led them,
Resplendent with her twisted locks,
To the bright city of Bethulia.

"The laws mention a free woman, loc bore, wearing her locks as a distinguishing circumstance. Judith is also described with her ornaments:

"The prudent one adorned with gold Ordered her maidens →→→→

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