white muslin, and embroidered with black, corresponding in pattern with the corner seats. The curtains resemble those in the saloon.

Here we received coffee, which was handed to us by the chief lady of the household, the treasurer, a particularly lady-like person, to whom it was handed by a lady, who bore it on a silver salver, attended by several others; one carrying the little coffee-pot in a silver vessel, suspended by chains, and also used as a censer, containing burning charcoal. The whole group was most picturesque, and many of the ladies were fair, young, and beautiful... ..It would be a breach of etiquette, and contrary to hareem laws, were I to describe particularly the persons of the wives of the Páshá, or any lady, after distinguishing her by name, or her situation in a family; but I may, in general terms, express my admiration of the two ladies I have seen, and I think they are the only wives of the Viceroy. Both are young, -the one is a dignified and handsome person, and the other especially gentle, and very lovely.

Soon after noon, dinner was announced; and the widow of Toosoon Páshá led the way to a room adjoining the saloon, where a most elegant dinner was arranged, on a very large round silver tray, placed on a stool, and surrounded by cushions. The passages we passed were occupied by innumerable black female slaves, and some eunuchs, dressed in all the variety of gay Eastern costume, and forming a curious contrast, and a most picturesque back-ground to the ladies and white slaves who surrounded and accompanied us. On either side of the door, several ladies, each with an embroidered napkin hung on her right arm, held several ewers and basins, that we might wash our hands before advancing to the table... The tray was covered with small silver dishes, filled with various creams, jellies, &c., and most tastefully garnished with exquisite flowers. In the centre was a fore-quarter of lamb, ou peláv. I was truly glad, on this occasion especially, that my home-habits had been Eastern; had the case been otherwis, a joint of meat, to be eaten without knife or fork, would have been a formidable object; for, under any circumstances, I should not have anticipated that the widow of Toosoon Páshá, who is also the mother of Abbás Páshá, and who, being the eldest, was the most honoured at table, would have distinguished me as she did, by passing to me, with her own fingers, almost every morsel that I ate during dinner. The mother of Mohammad Alee Bey in the same manner distinguished Mrs Sieder.

The lamb was succeeded by stew; the stew by vegetables; the vegetables by savoury cream, &c., composing an innumerable variety; and each was removed, and its place filled, when perhaps only tasted. Sweet dishes, most delicately prepared, succeeded these in rapid succession; and, with one exception, all were in silver dishes. Ladies attended close to our divan with fly-whisks; behind them, about thirty formed a semicircle of gaily-dressed, and, in many cases, beautiful women and girls; and those near the door, held large silver trays, on which the black slaves, who stood without, placed the dishes, that the table might be constantly replenished......... There are many extremely beautiful women in the hareem of the Páshá, and many handsome young girls; some not more than ten years of age. The Turkish ladies, and the Circassians, and Georgians, are generally extremely fair; and I must particularly mention one who was remarkably beautiful, and more splendidly dressed than any of her companions. She did not enter the saloon until we heard dinner announced; and her appearance was something very attractive. Her yelek and shin-tiyan (or long vest and trousers) were of rich plum-coloured silk, and the quiet colour of her dress exhibited with brilliant effect a profusion of costly diamond ornaments. Her head-dress was tastefully arranged, and the richer sprays of diamonds were lavishly interspersed in a dark crape headkerchief.

"THE ELEPHANT."-Could we convey to our readers any just idea of the pleasure with which we have perused this volume, we should induce many to procure it, and thereby purchase a similar gratification. As a book of science, it is instructive - as a book of anecdote, it is full of entertainment. and as descriptive of Eastern manners, in connection with the capture, training, and use of the elephant, it should be studied by all who desire to understand the practices of African and Asiatic nations. The writer has not

confined himself to one region, or to one period of history, but has gathered from a vast variety of sources, information regarding the use and treatment of elephants in all ages of the world, and by various nations. Hence we are introduced to the huge quadruped amidst the forests of Ceylon, the jungles of India, the wilds of Southern Africa, in the procession of the Indian Rajah, in the camp of the British General, and, in bygone times, in the Roman Amphitheatre. He who reads this book with attention will rise from his pleasant task with higher views of the wisdom and skill of the Creator, and greater wonder at the omnipotence of human reason, as displayed in the subjugation of the mighty powers of the elephant to the convenience, the luxury, and the comfort of man -the lord of the lower world.

The Life of Baber, Emperor of HINDOSTAN, by R. M. CALDECOTT, Esq.

James Darling, Great Queen Street.

The genuineness of the autobiography of the Emperor Baber has, we believe, been universally admitted, and, indeed, no one who reads it can doubt the sincerity of the Imperial writer. In the progress of his Memoirs, he discloses a vast variety of curious and remarkable facts, and although many of them are either highly tinged with exaggeration, or marked with puerility, yet, as a whole, exhibiting the picturesque manners and costume of the age, the passions, the follies, and the wisdom of the mighty men of bye gone times, the volume is at once interesting and important.

Some brief particulars respecting the Emperor, which we mainly gather from Mr. Caldecott's Introduction, may not be altogether uninteresting to our readers.

Zehireddin Mohammed Baber, "the Defender of the Faith, the greatly praised Tiger," the Sovereign of Andejau or Ferghana, now Khokan, was born in February, 1483, and, at the age of five years, was sent to Samarkund, where he was betrothed to his cousin, Aisha Begum, whom he afterwards married. In June, 1494, he commenced his reign, and although a long scene of vicissitudes; a succession of triumphs and disasters, of rapine and treason, of war and revolution, marked his regal career, he appears to have assiduously cultivated the literature of his country and religion. Emulous of distinction as a wit, convivial companion, and a soldier, he lived with his courtiers and camp associates wtth all the freedom of our second Charles, and, in truth, his Memoirs record scenes which might have been thought of impossible occurrence under the reign of an Oriental prince, a careful general and a good Musselman. In the establishment of his authority, and the consequeut foundation of the dynasty of Timour in India, Baber encountered difficulties which, to a mind of less energy, might have appeared insuperable. He persevered, however, and extended his conquests as far as Behar, when his progress was terminated by his death-bastened, according to some authors, by superstition-at the Charbagh, near Agra, in December, 1530. His body was conveyed, in compliance with his desire, to Cabul, where it was buried in the hill that bears his name. The grave is marked by two upright pieces of white marble, and in front of it there is a small mosque in a simple and chaste style of architecture. Near it are interred the remains of his wife and children. All around there is a profusion of anemones and other flowers. Affixed to the autobiography is a most admirably-written treatise, entitled "Observations on the Life and Times of Baber," in which Mr. Caldecott notes, with much candour aud sagacity, and in a tone of high philosophic reasoning, the more prominent traits of the Emperor's character, as developed during his reign, and the standard by which it should be rightly judged. As an example of the author's vigorous and fluent style, we quote the following passage, and in conclusion, from the intrinsic interest of its

Subject, and completeness of its execution, warmly recommend this very interesting work, as a valuable contribution to a branch of historical literature, in which much lamentable deficiency is usually displayed.

Those who spend their lives among such men, in military adventures, are likely to form a habit of cbdurate selfishness and vulgarity. It cannot be denied that Baber was far from maintaining the dignity of a king. He relates that he played a boyish trick upon one of his courtiers, persuading him to eat a coloquint apple, in the belief that it was a melon of Hindostan, "and the bitter taste did not leave him till the end of the day." The Turks, at that time, like the nations of Northern Europe, were in a process of improvement by contact with the civilisation of the South. As the guests of Baber were entertained with elephant and camel fights, so, according to the journal of Edward the Sixth, the French ambassador "saw the baiting of bears and bulls." Simplicity is apt to be vulgar, and refinement is often very feeble. The roughness of nature is not worse than the stiffness of art. A yew. clipped into a neat figure, is not a more seemly ornament of a pleasance than wild bindweed and flaunting bramble, the misgrowth of eccentricity. The fine enamel of politeness and intellectual culture, however it may shine in the saloon, or beguile a vacant hour, is of no more worth than a mere abstraction in those emergencies when life and honour are at stake. Those who prefer elegant imbecility to rude vigour, can assign no good argument for their choice. There is no less virtue belonging to one than to the other. In spite of all the heart-hardening scenes through which Baber passed, he retained to the last a tender attachment to his relations. He appears to have lived in harmony and affection with the mother of Humaioon (his favourite son). He was bountiful even in anger, and always ready to forgive his rebellious brothers and Ameers, and to share distress with his soldiers. There was an instance of this in the winter marth from Heri. If he thought it worthy of attention that he caught the ear-ache on that cold night, we are to remember that the Memoir was not published. It may seem contemptible after reading Cæsar, but however trifling some of the notices may be, they are not a whit more indelicate than those of Burnet and Sir Henry Wotton. That detail of trivial incidents was not owing to a notion of self-importance. like that of Akbar, who kept a clerk of the chase to note down every head of game that he killed, and with what fowling-piece he killed it,* nor like that of Mohammed Toghlak, who buried one of his teeth, and erected a magnificent tomb over it. It was rather of a piece with his candour in telling all his thoughts, and feelings, and frailties. He was very free from deceit, and cold reserve, and the ostentation of superior dignity. He was ready to weep for the playmate of his boyhood. He was always overflowing with gaiety and good-humour, and scarcely ever gave vent to satire on a companion.

It is no mark of frivolity, in Baber, that in the midst of great events, he could take pleasure in introducing an oleander, or setting orange-trees around the margin of a tank. Those are really frivolous who carry their anxieties and deliberations into holiday scenes, and, through pride, are unable to participate in simple and innocent pleasures. Baber was very fond of beautiful scenery, and he resembled Charlemagne and Charles the Fifth in his love of horticulture. His love of hunting was another source of cheerfulness. For it was well said of Jehangir, "Train up thy son in the pleasures of the chase, and in the day of battle he will not prove a coward." Whether he possessed a high degree of military or political skill, I leave to others to determine. Much of his success was owing to that which is more noble than skill, the ardent courage that stimulated every faculty of his mind and body.

*

He was not one of those who prolong misery by remembering it, and create it by expectation. His was the tear forgot as soon as shed, and the imprecation as soon as it was vented. In regard to those endowments of the mind which are exercised in the arts of peace, it may at least be ascertained that his attention was given to every thing he could understand. He composed poetry both in Toorki and Persian, and his poems, according to Abul Fuzil, had a wide circulation. He likewise wrote Treatises on Prosody and Music, which were perhaps equal in talent to the Essay of Henry the Eighth against Luther.-p. 283.

*

* There may have be, n some superstition connected with this.

MISSIONARY JOURNALS AXD LETTERS, &c. &c. By J. TOMLIN, B.A.

James Nisbet & Co., Berners Street.

This very interesting work comprises the journals and letters written by Mr. Tomlin, during a missionarial residence and course of travels amongst the Chinese, Siamese, Javanese, Khassias, and other Eastern Nations, extending from 1826 to the year 1888. And although, owing to some unexplained cause of delay in the publication of the work, the interest and novelty attachable to the scenes and events it describes, may possibly, to a slight extent, be impaired, yet, as rclating incidents-surely as remarkable as any to be met with in the history of modern enterprizes of a like nature-still new to a very large proportion of the reading public, and recording facts intimately and prominently connected with the all-important subject of Christian Missions, the volume must nevertheless be regarded as one of great value

Mr. Tomlin's indefatigable and disinterested labours in the great and holy cause of propagating, throughout a benighted and heathen people, a knowledge of God's word and truth, may be thus briefly detailed. He twice visited Siam; first, with Mr. Gutzlaff, and afterwards with Mr. Abeel, an American missionary; he also undertook two voyages to Batavia, and, in company with Mr. Medhurst, sailed along the coast of Java, and reached the small island of Balli, where he remained a short period, preaching the Gospel to its wretched and debased inhabitants, and healing a few sick people. On returning to the coast of Java, he once more found himself amongst a civilized and hospitable people, and here he obtained a free and friendly intercourse, and found a ready entrance for the Gospel, as well amongst the mild and friendly Javanese, as amongst the Chinese, who are found in considerable numbers along the whole of the north coast. In travelling through the length of that fine island, he had an excellent opportunity of taking a complete survey of its beautiful scenery and interesting inhabitants, and also made an excursion for the purpose of visiting the inhabitants of the Tenger mountains, a singular and secluded people, who reside in villages, elevated from 3000 to 6000 feet above the plains. With these simple and hospitable mountaineers Mr. Tomlin passed two nights, and visited, in company with their chiefs, the celebrated volcanic mountain, Mount Broms.

In the course of two missionary excursions to the tin mines, wrought by the Chinese, in the interior of the Malayan Peninsula, our author had ample opportunities of seeing the Malays in their proper character; dwelling in their own villages, apart from Europeans, and living upon the products of their native soil. He was received amongst them with much kindness and hospitality, and we find them described as a mild, peaceable, and industrious people, differing as widely from the marauding and piratical Malays, as the peasantry and farmers of England differ from those of their countrymen, who are smugglers and pirates.

16

The greater portion of his last years' sojourning in the East, Mr. Tomlin passed amidst the Khassia Hills, bordering upon Assam; here also, he entered upon a new and equally arduous field of missionary labour, and amongst a most singular race of mountaineers, distinguished from the inhabitants of the plains, in language, manners, and customs, as much as the Tenger people" are distinguished from the rest of the inhabitants of Java. The Khassias were, it may be observed, until within the last fifteen or twenty years, almost entirely unknown to us; but have recently been partially subjugated by the British. We have now, however, tolerably free intercourse with these mountaineers, and our acquaintance with the various tribes to the eastward is gradually increasing.

Along with the various details of facts more immediately connected with the mission, we meet with many brief, yet highly interesting notices of the

different countries and their inhabitants visited by the author; from these last we extract the following passage, occurring in the narrative of the first journey to Siam, and describing Bangkok, its capital :

:

We entered the river (Meinam), with all sail set, before a favouring breeze and flowing tide, but soon came to anchor for the night. Our progress, subsequently, up to the capital, was slow, not being able to reach it till the evening of the fourth day. We had, however, a good opportunity of observing the country. The Meinam is a noble river, meandering smoothly in a serpentine course, varying from a quarter to a mile and a half in breadth, and so deep that the largest ship may come up to the capital, if once across the bar. On entering the mouth, we leave the high lands and mountain scenery behind us, and the whole country up to Bangkok, on both sides, is quite flat; now and then we caught a glimpse over the open clear ground, at some distant mountains, forming part of a chain which runs up, some hundreds of miles to the north, forming the left barrier of the expansive and fertile valley of Siam.

Both sides of the river are covered with dense foliage of trees and shrubs of almost every species and variety common in the East. The whole country being in a half cultivated state, the fruit-trees are every where mingled with the jungles which, on such a fertile soil is constantly struggling for ascendancy. We noticed many beautiful flowers sparkling, in bright colours, on the banks. The soil is so deep and rich, that it only requires to be cleared of the thick tangled forest, to convert it into a garden of delicious fruits, adorned with brilliant and fragrant flowers. On either hand, are numerous habitations, so close together, and extending about forty miles up the city, as to have the appearance of a continuous village, The houses, or rather cottages, are shaded by trees, that often prevent them being seen. But what mainly gives life and spirit to the scene is, the vast number of boats and canoes, of all sizes, constantly in motion on the river, some paddled by a single person, scarcely longer than himself, gliding over the surface like an arrow. The Siamese are an aquatic people, and very dexterous in the management of their boats; the women being equally clever as the men with the oar or paddle, and even the children seem to inherit the same genius from their parents, and very early display their skill. I was amused in seeing a woman at the stern of her boat, paddling, and directing its course, while, in the fore-part, her infant, supported by a girl, was working a small paddle in the water, and smiling at its own cleverness.

*

The capital of Siam is a large, but not very magnificent city, at least to an European eye, consisting mainly of leaf-roofed wooden cottages, extending five or six miles on both sides of the river, and would, if divested of its numerous temples and palaces, appear to be only a city of thatched houses to a plain Englishman. Many of these heathen temples glitter in gold, and cast a glaring tinsel splendour over the meagreness of the city, numbering, perhaps, not less than two hundred in all. The inside of these temples often forms a striking contrast to their outward appearance, many of them being as filthy as pigsties. The streets and roads are almost impassable, from dirt and mud. The Siamese are an indolent people, seldom displaying any energy, except on the water; the men are particularly lazy, and leave all the work to the women. The wife seems to be the slave to the husband, whom she has often to support, feed. and nurse. The women manage all business, being merchants, shopkeepers, &c. As they usually go half-naked and crop their hair close, like the men, you may easily imagine they present no very comely appearance. The men are tall and slender; well-proportioned, have good features, and are much handsomer than the women. The Siamese are extremely fond of ornaments, and almost cover their children with gold and silver chains, bracelets and head pins; their little hands and feet are often loaded with them-p. 121.

Mr. Tomlin's work, as a record of missionary labours, simply and ingenuously written, and containing unmistakeable evidences of honest feeling and unaffected integrity, possesses special claims to the regard and confidence of the Christian world;-as replete with information respecting the people,