the upper part cultivated to a considerable extent by the inhabitants of the villages in the belt of jungle, and it was in the lower part of this plain that the guides desired to take us. Though this plain is said to be covered with water in the rains, yet at this season it was perfectly dry at its upper part, and we kept along a path at the edge of the jungle, though the high road to Bankok was a mile or a mile and a half more to the northward within the jungle.

"On arriving here, the first person we met in the village (for though dignified with the name of a town, it does not contain above two hundred houses) informed us that the Myo-won was at the north end of it, preparing a Zeyat for us; on arriving at which, we found by the chips lying about, and the new thatch, that it had been just roofed. As my people were going in to report my arrival to the Myo-won, some of the town officers came out to inquire who I was, where I came from, and where I was going? Though by their preparations they were evidently aware of our coming, I satisfied them on these points, and asked whether the Myo-won of Rajah-poo-ree had not sent, as he promised me he would, to the officers here, stating the purport of my mission, and requesting I might be furnished with what I required? They said, they had not heard a word of my approach till the moment of my arrival, and that it was impossible to take elephants and horses by this route to Bankok; indeed, that there was no road even for foot-passengers. They departed with the information I had given them, and in about an hour, the Myo-won sent to say he would be glad to see me if I wished to call on him. I did so shortly after, when he assured me, with so much earnestness and apparent sincerity, appealing to his age (which may be about seventy) as vouching for his veracity, that the road was impassable between this and Bankok,-in fact, that no road existed that it was scarcely possible to resist conviction, more especially as I had not had time to make any particular inquiries, and having learnt nothing more on the subject of the road than that such an one existed, and that it was daily travelled, I was obliged to consent to his writing to the ministers. My previous information about it, however, was very soon confirmed by the people of the village and the priests, who also told my people that passengers faom Rajah-poo-ree had arrived the day before, with a communication regarding me,the nature of which had not transpired.

"In the afternoon of the 5th, I received a message from the Myo-won, requesting I would call on him, with which I immediately complied, when I learnt that the boat furnished me at Rajah-poo-ree, for some of our sick people, had arrived at the capital, and that an order had been sent to furnish me with boats here, leaving my elephants and horses behind. I endeavoured, without success, to take the latter with me, but they made all sorts of excuses, and said there were no boats large enough. I replied, that I had seen several that would answer the purpose, but they said they were unsteady and unsafe, and, in fact, though they would not directly say I should not take my horse with me, they shuffled from one objection to the other, till I gave up the point. In the course of this day, my people succeeded in obtaining such a detailed account of the road from hence to Bankok, which is daily travelled by cattle of every description, that had I been before in possession of it, I needed not to have put up with the delay I suffered."

The course

On the 5th February they embarked in four boats for Bankok. was generally south-easterly. They passed during the day many small villages, almost wholly occupied by Chinese, engaged in sugar manufacture, of which they saw about eight establishments, the largest having four mills for breaking the cane, moved by buffaloes. The banks of the river are exceedingly low, but at a village where they stopped for breakfast, on proceeding about a

gun-shot inland, an extensive plain was seen, quite dry at this season, and covered with paddy-stubble.

On the 7th, they reached Mong-tsein, a small Siamese town situated a little below the place where the river divides, one branch continuing its course westerly to the sea, the other running about N.E. to Bankok. "A tay, or shed, had been erected for me at this place, in which the Myo-won's brother was waiting to receive me, and he himself soon after came out, dressed in Chinese crape. He was quiet and civil, and remained about an hour. The Myo-won informed me that there were 1,500 Talains at this place, and I subsequently learned that there are from eight to nine hundred families of Talains along the banks of this river, chiefly employed in making salt. On the 8th the Myo-won came out, having previously sent a breakfast for myself and people, and told us we had better now start. He came to the end of the wharf to see me off, aud said he hoped to see me again on my return. The two boats in which we now embarked had been sent from the capital for me, and had arrived during the night. They were large commodious paungs (long boats, with a house on them), sufficient to convey every one with comfort, one manned by twenty Talains and the other by twenty Cummins or Cambodians. The Talains were dressed in blue shirts and trowsers, with black bamboo-worked hats, and the Cummins like Malays, whom they very much resembled in appearance. We started at 9 A.M., and the tide soon after turned against us, rendering our progress very slow. At 5 P.M. we were obliged to wait for want of water in the river till near 10. At 11 we entered a cut made from this river to a small stream which falls into the May-nam (the Bankok) river, and which completes the communication with the capital by water in this direction. This cut we passed through in a few minutes, and in half an hour found ourselves in deep water on the Bankok side of the cut. At 4 A.м. we arrived at the British factory situated on the side of the river opposite to the city and fort of Bankok, and here some government officers were waiting to receive me.”

CRITICAL NOTICES.

The Oriental Portfolio. Part II. London, 1840. Smith, Elder and Co. THE appearance of a second number of this magnificent work induces us to hope that public patronage has kept pace with its high claims to that encouragement. The views contained in this number are the following:-1. Kunkhul, or rather a temple at that village, situated on the left bank of the Ganges, near Haridwar, and a place of note in the first century before the Christian era, 2. The Tomb of a Vizier of the Emperor Hoomayoon, at Delhi, an exquisite specimen of Mahomedan architecture, of the simple or less ornamented style. 3. The Mausoleum of Zufder Junge, also at Delhi, the interior of which edifice was the subject of one of the views in the first number of the Portfolio. 4. Ruins at Deeg, exhibiting fine specimens of Hindu architectural art : the cornice, architrave, brackets, and mouldings of one of these ruined edifices remind us of some of the richest examples of classical architecture, whilst the circular arches are of a Norman character. 5. The last is a splendid view of the oft-described Chandnee Chouk of Delhi, the Regent Street, or Portland Place, of that narrow-streeted capital. The view shows the mosque of Roshun-ud-Dowla, from the porch of which Nadir Shah directed the massacre of the inhabitants of Delhi, to the number of 100,000.

All these prints are lithographed with great beauty, from drawings by Mr. C. Dibdin, after sketches by Lieutenant Bacon, to whose taste and industry we owe so much accurate knowledge of the scenery and edifices of India.

Observations on the Extension and present Condition of the Scottish Church in India, and on the Mission of the Church of Scotland in that Country; in a Letter addressed to each of the Conveners of the General Assembly's Committees on “India Churches" and " Foreign Missions." By the Rev. JOSEPH LAURIE, D.D., Senior Chaplain of St. Andrew's Church, Bombay. Edinburgh, 1840. Johnstone. DR. LAURIE, in these ably written letters, pleads hard for an extension of the

Scottish Church in India, i. e. an increase of its ministers, who are at present inadequate to meet the wants of the European society in that country; and lays open, in the letter on Foreign Missions, his opinions respecting this important subject. He joins in the prayer, "give us more Missionaries," but he adds, "it would be better, in my opinion, to extinguish our Mission, or any Mission, than to paralyse it with men of inferior qualifications." Dr. Laurie is an advocate of itinerant preaching in India, the objections to which, founded upon the danger of exciting the religious prejudices of the natives, he thinks futile. He enumerates a variety of encouragements to Missions; amongst its discouragements, he includes the Parsee controversy, which occurred after he left India. He thinks the Parsees have been stirred up by some local but secret European influence; but he, at the same time, candidly admits that a more lengthened probation should have been resorted to in the case of the youngest of the two converts, who was only seventeen. He, however, defends Dr. Wilson from the charges imputed to him in the Parsee memorial.

Exposure of Misrepresentations contained in the Preface to the Correspondence of William Wilberforce By H. C. ROBINSON, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, Editor of Mr. Clarkson's "Strictures." London, 1840. Moxon.

THAT the Messrs. Wilberforce should have felt some mortification at the manner in which the public took up the cause of Mr. Clarkson, who was so unjustly libelled in their Life of their father, is not to be wondered at; but the mode in which they have vented their resentment (instead of exhibiting a Christian spirit of meekness), by an insulting personal attack upon Mr. Clarkson's editor, was, considering their station and profession, wholly unexpected. Mr. Robinson, whose character is too well known in the literary world to be injured by the insinuations of Messrs. Wilberforce, has, however, chastised them with sufficient severity, which they will not feel the less for the quiet and unruffled spirit in which the discipline is inflicted.

Religion in connexion with a National System of Instruction; their Union advocated, the Arguments of Non-Religionists considered, and a System proposed. By W. M. GUNN. Edinburgh, 1840. Oliver and Boyd,

THIS important question is discussed by Mr. Gunn at much length, and with great ability, in all its parts.

A Dissenter's Apology for an Established Church, in a Letter to his Minister. London, 1840. Hatchard and Son.

THE expediency of a national establishment is here put upon a footing which, we think, must convince any conscientious Dissenter. The argument is new, but it is not the less convincing on that account.

A Chapter on Duelling, by one of the People called Christians. Reprinted from Fraser's Magazine. London, 1840. Fraser.

THIS is a "curious and erudite disquisition," as our respected contemporary, Oliver Yorke terms it, showing the sinfulness and folly of the "fashionable and popular practice called Duelling." It offers very serious and powerful considerations against a custom diametrically opposed to one of the essential principles of Christianity; but, ably as the writer has discussed the question, he has based it upon too narrow grounds. Duelling is a vice in the body politic somewhat analogous to certain diseases in the natural body, which a prudent surgeon is compelled to leave alone, lest, by an attempt to eradicate them, he should injure some vital part.

A History of British Birds. By WILLIAM YARRELL, F.L.S., V.P.Z.S.. Illustrated by a Wood-cut of each Species, and numerous Vignettes.

THIS beautiful work proceeds with much spirit, and when completed (it has reached the nineteenth part) will be not only an acquisition to the zoologist, but an ornament to any library.

Heath's Waverley Gallery, or the principal Female Characters in Sir Walter Scott's Romances and Poems. London, 1840. Tilt.

THESE ideal portraits are finely executed, and the idea of helping the reader of Scott to embody his abstract essences is a happy one.

Canadian Scenery Illustrated. London, 1840. Virtue.

WE have already spoken highly of these excellent exhibitions of the grand scenery of Canada, and need only say, that there is no abatement of energy in carrying on the work as far as the fifth part.

REVIEW OF EASTERN NEWS.

No. XXXIV.

THERE has been no intelligence from India or China this month of much importance. The operations going forward in Egypt and Syria, and which are of the greatest moment to our foreign relations, scarcely come within the scope of our review, except for the purpose of warning our readers of the delay which these operations may cause in the transmission of the next mail from India.

During the past month, the public have had an announcement of information having reached Bombay, the latter end of July, that the British expedition to China had demolished the forts at the Bocca Tigris, and bombarded Canton. The date of this information is sufficient to discredit it.

From the Singapore papers, we have given full details of the sailing of the expedition from that, its place of rendezvous, and it appears that Admiral Elliot had passed Anjier on his direct route to China from the Cape of Good Hope. The time when the expedition will have reached its destination it is impossible to calculate with any thing like precision, depending, as it does, not only upon the weather, but upon the speed of the slowest sailing transport, supposing the wind to be fair. The scanty news from China afford but little means of judging whether any serious opposition will be offered; at all events, no preparations had been made in the month of May, when Governor Lin began to talk of putting the city in a state of defence, if the English should attack and take the Bogue. No man acquainted with the state of the Chinese forts and defences, and of their navy, can suppose that it is in their power to offer any effectual resistance to such a force as is now sent against them. A Canton paper says that Lin, though of a fickle character, is not likely to yield, and that he has so high an opinion of the terror of his name, and of the bravery of the China land forces, that "he will scorn the idea of coming to terms." He has, however, hitherto conducted himself like a man of sense and discretion, and if he is one, he will not protract a useless struggle. The ulterior measures of our commanders will probably depend upon the first experiment. The gossip on board the fleet leads to the belief that an attempt on Peking will be made. The capture of that city would give eclat to the expedition, but it is an enterprize of probably more difficulty than the European community at Canton were in the habit of regarding it, and, even if accomplished, it would leave a rankling sense of disgrace in the Chinese people, which might never be eradicated and give place to friendly sentiments. There are numerous islands and stations on the coast of China, which could be occupied, for the protection of our trade, and to bridle any efforts in future to get rid of stipulations. As we have embarked in the war-the most unjust that England was ever engaged in— let us be merciful in the prosecution of it, and not create any misery, or any resentment and mortification to the Chinese we can possibly avoid. Asiat.Journ. N.S.VOL.33.No.130.

L

There are reports from Burmah, which denote that that empire is in an unsettled state; that intestine tumults are rendering the throne of Tharrawaddee, like that of most usurpers, an uneasy one. We recommend to the notice of the reader an account (p. 116) of the character and policy of this ruler, whence it would appear that both have been much misunderstood and misrepresented. Nepaul is likewise said to be in a state of insurrection. The late outrage on our borders has (as we expected) been disavowed by the Nepaulese authorities, who have made compensation for it.

The intelligence from Affghanistan is, upon the whole, satisfactory. The Ghilzies have been put down, after two rather smart actions; their forts and chiefs have been taken, and the force employed against them was about to return to Cabul. In Scinde, matters are said to wear a disturbed aspect, the Beloochees having (as might have been anticipated) become troublesome, since the affair of Lieut. Clarke, which has turned out more calamitous than at first represented. This officer, it appears, was not killed on the spot, but either died of his wounds, or was put to death. An expedition was to take the field in August against the Murree tribe, and will no doubt exact severe retribution.

The advices from Khiva furnish grounds for believing that the Russian invading army suffered not only from famine and the weather, but that a severe defeat, with the loss of 1,500 men, was amongst the causes of their retreat. It is said, but we know not how correctly, that Capt. Abbott, who had been authorized by the Khan to proceed to St. Petersburgh, has arrived in England.

The vizier of Herat is reported to be still acting the traitor's part towards us. Col. Stoddart remains a captive at Bokhara. Kohan Dil Khan, one of the Barukzye sirdars of Candahar, has died at Tehran. Of his brother, Dost Mahomed, no correct accounts are published.

The domestic intelligence from the Presidencies is barren. We regret to find that Bengal and the Upper Provinces have been exposed to the dreadful visitation of an inundation, which will cause a wide extent of misery amongst the poor; some of whom, after seeing their crops destroyed, were obliged to seek refuge amongst the branches of trees. How far the canals, proposed by Capt. Cautley (p. 91) would tend to remedy or to aggravate this besetting sin of the climate of India, is worthy of consideration. The imprisonment of the Rev. W. O'Sullivan, a Roman Catholic clergyman, and a British subject, by the French authorities at Chandernagore, has created no little commotion at Calcutta ; but the merits of the case are a good deal darkened by the conflicting representations of the partizans on each side of the question. The young Rajah of Moorshedabad is about to establish a Sanscrit College in his little territory. Another Rajah, Rajnarain Roy, who distinguished himself by his arbitrary proceedings towards the editor of a native paper, and by setting the process of the Supreme Court at defiance, has been excluded from the list of visiters at Government House. This mark of displeasure (it is worth noticing) appears to have been felt by the Rajah more deeply than his imprisonment and punishment