The buildings of China are eminently characteristic, and perhaps none more so than the Porcelain Tower at Nankin, of which we present a sketch. It is indeed a conspicuous monument of the skill and genius of the people.

Gleaming whitely in the sun, it stands far above every other object, distinguished alike for the elegance of its form and the brightness of its appearance. It rises to the height of two hundred feet; and divided into nine stories, which gradually diminish in size as they approach the top, its aspect is most singularly picturesque.

The interior is chiefly of brickwork, but having the interstices filled up with much of mortar or plaster; but the exterior is covered from the summit to the ground with the finest uncoloured porcelain, and from this it derives its appellation.

The site of ground occupied by this pagoda is considerable, though we have no exact measurement of its extent. Of the date of its erection we are equally ignorant, as also of the person who founded it; for the Chinese records, in many instances entering into details of numerous and important events in such a way as to be insufferably tedious, are very often irregular, and not a little confused. It stands in the centre of a large area, and is itself set on a sort of platform or basement of solid masonry, round which runs a dwarf wall of great thickness, and upon this is placed a balustrade. The floor of the basement is attained by a broad flight of steps, and in the middle of it rises the Tower itself, resembling a large beacon light more than anything else. The ground plan is octagonal, and that figure is preserved to the summit, which is surmounted by a spiral ornament, stayed by chainwork to the sides of the building. At the point of each projection are hung a number of bells, or ornaments resembling bells; thus partaking in this, as well as in other respects, of the style of Moorish architecture.

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In the interior a small clear space is preserved, which rises uninterruptedly to the very top of the tower, and between this and the external walls a spiral staircase is constructed all the way up, in the niches of which the little images are placed of which we have spoken. Whether the external coating be laid on in plates, or whether the porcelain was plastered on in the clay, and has become partly vitrified by the sun, no traveller has informed us; the jealous circumspection of the Chinese having prevented anything but a very cursory examination of this singular building.

Happily, no question, either of history or morals, depends upon the elucidation of any difficulty which we meet with either in the customs or records of China, and it is, therefore, little to be regretted that we do not possess, or are able to obtain, any more than a slight acquaintance with the objects of interest, scattered, as they are, at considerable intervals over their immense territory. One thing, however, we may learn from the existence and position of the nine-storied Pagoda, that though it may be slow and impeded, in a land where the mildness of the climate and the clearness of the atmosphere cause little injury to physical objects, and where the disposition of the people has ever kept them from numerous violent or moral tempests, yet does the finger of time leave its traces of decay and change on everything beneath the sun, and even here the revolutions of ages are bringing about that concurrence of effects which shall ultimately result in the assimilation of mankind to one standard of character and one form of manners-a standard and form in which power shall be based upon intellect, and Christianity constitute its principle. Even this farfamed pagoda, lifting its head among the noiseless and languid streets of Nankin, adds another monument to the memorials of Persepolis and Thebes, that superstition and deceit, though their secession may to human eyes seem slow, shall in the end give place to truth.

THE ELEPHANT.

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THE elephant is a native of Africa and Asia. wild state elephants herd together. When on a march from one place to another, they move in great order, the oldest leading the way, the next in age bringing up the rear; whilst the females, the young, and any that are feeble and sick, are placed in the middle.

They do great mischief when they come down upon plantations; for they not only devour whole fields of rice, sugar, &c. (as they live on vegetables,) but trample the ground with their broad feet, which sink so deeply from the immense weight of their bodies, that they spoil a great deal more than they eat. The natives do all they can to keep them at a distance, by fences, and by trying to terrify them by fires and noises of various kinds; but when joined together in a band, they are too formidable to be attacked; though the negroes hunt a single one for its flesh, as well as for its tusks.

The form of this animal is very awkward; the head is large, and so is the body; the back much arched; the legs extremely thick and short; the feet are not a great deal bigger than the legs, but divided into five parts; the tail has a small bunch of thick, black hair at the end; the skin is generally of a deep ash-colour, nearly black, not covered with hair; the tusks are two immense teeth, which grow out of the upper jaw, and are sometimes ten feet long: they are chiefly used as weapons of defence. The eyes are very small. It sometimes is twelve or thirteen feet high, usually nine orten. The most remarkable thing about this animal is the trunk or proboscis, which is a long, hollow tube,

about eight or ten feet in length, growing from the nose. This proboscis is capable of being turned and twisted in every direction. At the end is fixed a finger, which enables it to pick up any article, however small. This curious instrument is of great use, for it conveys its food to the mouth by it; and when it drinks, it fills this tube with water, turns it round, puts the end into its throat, and lets the water run down. Most part of the skin is quite callous; but in some places it is very thin and delicate, where flies are apt to bite and sting, and the elephant does his utmost to brush them off with its tail, the branches of trees, &c. and likewise after bathing, is careful to cover all the tender places with dust.

Elephants are of so much service to man when tamed, that in those countries where they are found, great numbers are caught. The mode of taking them varies: one manner is to employ tame elephants which have been trained to the purpose, to entice the old ones into an enclosure, which is made very strong, and without any outlay, except the entrance where they go in, and which is fastened up with strong bars as soon as the elephants are past, by men who are on the watch. After the animals have fatigued themselves with their efforts to break down the fences, and are exhausted from want of food, the hunters contrive to throw ropes over them, and to tie each to strong stakes or trees. When properly secured, a man approaches by degrees, feeds the creature, rubs his coat, anoints his bruises with oil, and fondles and caresses him. This kindness attaches the grateful beast to his keeper, and in about five or six weeks he is generally perfectly tractable and obedient. It seldom is necessary to use harsh treatment; but if at first they are very untractable, the tame ones, which led them into the snare, beat them with their trunks. Sometimes only one elephant is taken; but at other times five or six hundred people will go out, and surround a whole herd,

which are driven by the shouts and noises of the hunters, and by large fires that are lighted round them, into an enclosure prepared for their reception. After some days they are enticed, one by one, into a narrow passage, when each is secured, and treated as before described.

The elephant, when tamed, becomes the most gentle and obedient of all domestic animals; but it is nevertheless subject to occasional fits of rage, something resembling madness. He is so fond of his keeper, that he caresses him, and obeys all his commands. He never mistakes his voice; but even distinguishes between the tones of pleasure, approbation, or reproof, and regulates his conduct accordingly. He bends his knees to accommodate those who wish to mount him. He salutes his friends with his trunk, and assists in loading himself. He is employed in drawing chariots, waggons, &c. He draws steadily, and never turns restive, unless insulted or improperly chastised. The man who conducts him, rides on his neck, and has an iron rod, hooked on the end, with which he urges him on, if he is to quicken his pace; but it is seldom necessary to do more than speak to him.

The expense of keeping him is very great, as he eats a vast quantity of food, and requires a great deal of water to drink, as well as to bathe two or three times every day.

These sagacious creatures put bundles and packages into boats, without allowing them to be wetted, and arrange them in neat order. If a cask or tun rolls, and does not lie steady, the elephant which is storing away the goods will fetch stones and prop it up of his own accord, without waiting his master's orders.

Formerly, they were much used in war; but since the discovery of gunpowder, they are not brought into battle where fire-arms are employed, as the noise and fire terrify them, and often drive them back on the people to whom they belong. When it is desired to