The Elements of Practical Geology as applicable to Mining, Engineering, Architecture, &c.; with Notices of the Mines and Mineral Productions of Great Britain. By FREDERICK Burr.

This appears to be a simple, clear, and useful manual, well adapted to the class or classes for whom it is especially intended. Our railroad makers have fine opportunities for observation, and we might expect that in the course of their gigantic undertakings and excavations they should add something to the real and unspeculative parts of the science of geology. At all events they have the opportunity, and form another of the great masses by which knowledge is gradually acquired and diffused. The author himself has enjoyed the advantages of extensive observation, and is therefore the better able to direct practical men who do not study geology as an accomplishment, but as a science necessary to their profession-men who in one sense turn stones into bread. The plan of the work is very good. The first part is devoted to those preliminary views of the structure of the globe, a previous acquaintance with which is essential to any sound progress in geological science. In the second part, the elementary facts and principles of geology are explained and illustrated in an easy, intelligible manner. The third part is devoted to descriptive geology, and a comprehensive view of the internal structure of Great Britain, with some references to foreign localities. In the appendix is exhibited a tabular view of the mineral statistics of Great Britain. The volume contains a neat little index map of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with their dependent islands, and several explanatory plates and wood-cuts. The book is got up in a very neat style, and is portable and cheap.

India, Great Britain, and Russia.

The Russo-phobia is a very prevalent disorder-much more prevalent than ever was cholera morbus or influenza in this climate of ours. Our author has caught the infection: and all amateurs who try their hands for the first time at great political questions are apt to be alarmists, and somewhat too declamatory and antithetical. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, he is, however, a person of good sense and enlarged views. For ourselves, we believe that before the crisis to which he alludes arrive, the disjointed empire of Russia will fall asunder from its own weight, and from the total want of any cementing or organising principle. We perfectly agree with him that the great loser in case of any sudden change would be India herself.

A very slight degree of consideration will be sufficient to show that we are fully justified in regarding the retention of British India under the fostering care of its present rulers, as essential to its progressive emancipation from ignorance, and the evils which follow in the train of ignorance. If the British government were expelled, to be replaced by one or many of native origin, what would ensue? By what would the mild and gentle rule of England be succeeded? By such governments as have heretofore prevailed in India-by such as exist now in those parts of India to which the sceptre of England does not extend;-governments undeserving of the name, and known only by the evils of which they are the cause ;-governments in which corruption is the ruling principle, spreading and ramifying through every department;-governments in which the prince, if actively disposed, knows no enjoyment but war, and if devoid of a taste for this occupation, is generally sunk in sloth and sensuality, surrendering his subjects to be plundered without restraint by those who abuse the name of their master to their own aggrandisement. Such are native princes now-they will improve as the country improves; but no greater calamity could befall British India at this time, than to be returned to that state of misgovernment under which it formerly groaned, and from which it has been

relieved by so extraordinary a train of events as that which has placed the sovereignty in its present hands.

"There is yet one other possible change which ought not to be excluded from contemplation. British India might pass into the possession, not of natives, but of another European power. No time need be spent in inquiring which of the nations of Europe would have the best chance for the prize, should England lose it. There is but one power, which, according to present appearances, could have the least chance of success. Suppose then that Russia, in extending her boundaries further and further towards the East, should dispossess Britain of the whole or the larger part of her Indian possessions, would the change be for the better, as far as India is concerned? Russia is by no means sparing in professions of liberality and the love of knowledge; and in some respects her actions have not discredited her professions. Scientific talents and attainments have been very warmly patronised at St. Petersburgh-they have been assiduously wooed from distant parts of Europe, and in many instances liberally rewarded. But the object has been to make them the instruments of advancing the power of the government over the people-not to improve the condition of the latter, or to raise them in the social scale. While the government of Russia has been assiduous in drawing to its capital men of science and liberal acquirements, has it ever manifested the least desire to extend to the vast population which it rules the advantages of knowledge and literature? Savans have been congregated at St. Petersburgh either for the assistance which they could lend to the aggressive spirit of the government, or for the character which was to be gained by an ostentatious patronage of science. Russia has never yet made an effort to raise the character of her subjects. Where anything has been done, the labour has been directed the other way. Let Poland answer for this. In the true spirit of despotism, Russia hates enlightenment, because she fears it. Would she promote in the East that which she persecutes in the West? Would she afford the means of diffusing in India that knowledge and those principles which, if possible, she would extinguish and destroy in Europe? They must be endued with more than even Oriental credulity who can believe this.

"To the friends of India, then, it must appear most desirable that English supremacy should long be maintained in that country. The British government may have committed errors, but it has never been unwilling to perceive, nor slow to correct them."

"It has never been the intention of the British rulers of India that the people of that country should be kept in an eternal state of pupilage. The object in view has been to prepare them for the enjoyment of political and civil rights, and to bestow them by degrees, as the people became qualified to exercise them with advantage to themselves and the community. In conformity with these views, natives have been admitted to judicial offices, to an extent which the late Mr. Mill declared he should have feared to recommend. Where the forms of English law prevail, natives now sit as jurors, and exercise the office of justice of the peace. To prepare them for the proper discharge of these, and even higher duties, schools have been established, and education, upon the enlarged principles by which it is governed in Europe, is extending itself from the Presidencies into the country. The anxiety of the rulers on this subject is happily now beginning to be met by a corresponding anxiety on the part of the people. The latter are becoming as eager to receive, as the former to bestow. The want being felt, the means of supply will not be tendered in vain. It must be gratifying to our countrymen to know, that throughout India, where the desire for education has begun to prevail, it is directed towards an English education. In one sense, this may be said to be the effect of the relative position of England towards a large part of India. It is the effect of her moral power-of the respect which is entertained for the nation which, having won so mighty an empire, has governed it with so much wisdom and liberality. It is not an empty compliment from subjects to their rulers-paid either from fear or from interested hope. It is a sincere and earnest feeling; not confined, be it observed, to the British territories, but extending, in some instances, to countries over which the British government has never exercised any sovereignty, and with which it has scarcely any connexion. From the Punjaub, with which till latterly we were hardly acquainted at all, applications have been made for the means of English education, so frequent and so pressing, that the government of India has been almost compelled to attach a schoolmaster to the establishment of their political agent."

A Letter to the Honourable Henry Clay, on the Annexation of Texas to the United States. By WILLIAM E. CHANNING, D.D.

We are glad to see this cheap English, or rather Scottish reprint of an admirable specimen of American eloquence and state reasoning. There are passages in it which make the heart glow even more than anything in Doctor Channing's papers or Milton and Napoleon. The whole is a glorious effort made by a great and generous mind to save his country from moral degradation. In the eyes of Doctor Channing the vexed question of Texas is more than a political question-it associates itself with morals and religion; and in this light it led him to the exposition of great principles and universal truths, which are for all times and all circumstances. We trust that this little book will be read wherever the English language is understood. There is much in it to make an Englishman proud of his native land, and of his government and institutions as improved in recent years.

The Natural History of the Sperm Whale: to which is added a Sketch of a South Sea Whaling Voyage, By THOMAS BEALE, Surgeon, Demonstrator of Anatomy to the Eclectic Society of London, and late Surgeon to the "Kent" and "Sarah and Elizabeth" South Seamen.

This is the most complete and best work on the natural and commercial history of the sperm whale in our own or in any other language. Nobody at all acquainted with the richness and variety of the subject will be surprised at its occupying nearly the whole of a good-sized volume. The author, who has studied the giants of the deep in their native element, and seen them under all aspects, conveys his information in a clear and lively manner. Many of the incidents in the South Sea voyage are amusing and exciting, and they are all pleasantly told. We should fancy that this book must become an especial favourite with young readers—at least it is one that we should have delighted in when we were young.

Crotchets in the Air; or, an (un) Scientific Account of a Balloon Trip, in a Familiar Letter to a Friend. By JOHN POOLE, ESQ.

This is a very clever jeu d'esprit, done in Paul Pry's, alias John Poole's, very best manner. The solemn fooleries of Mr. Monck Mason are well hit, and there are numerous other happy hits beside. The thing will while away a long winter's evening right pleasantly, and afterwards make one think of Paul whenever one sees a pack of Neddies sky-high in a balloon.

A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactories, and Mines; containing a clear Exposition of their Principles and Practice. By ANDREW URe, M.D., F.R.S., M.G.S., &c. &c. &c.

We noticed this useful and important work on the appearance of the first monthly part. We have now Parts II. and III. on our table, which carry us as far as the commencement of the great article "Cotton Manufacture." Seven more monthly parts will complete the work. Ure's high standing will be taken as guarantee for his scientific accuracy,

Dr.

and the correctness of his general details. The quantity of matter contained in each part is prodigious, so close and compact is the type employed.

The Naturalist, illustrative of the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Kingdoms, (to be continued monthly ;) with beautiful Engravings on India Paper. Edited by NEVILLE WOOD, Esq., late Joint Editor of "The Analyst," Author of "British Song Birds," &c.

It should seem that this interesting periodical is acquiring new health and strength under the careful management of Mr. Neville Wood. There are some excellent things in the November number now before us. Mr. Wood's own contributions are always valuable. We have been much pleased with a paper by Doctor Edwin Lees, on the banks of the Severn, and the western district of Worcestershire, for the continuation of which we shall look with an eager eye. The sketch of a voyage across the North and Baltic Seas by Mr. Charles Drosier is also an interesting contribution. The number, moreover, contains a full report of the proceedings of the British Association at Newcastle in section D., that is, in Zoology and Botany.

Cutch; or Random Sketches, taken during a Residence in one of the Northern Provinces of Western India. Interspersed with Legends and Traditions. By Mrs. PoSTANS. Illustrated with Engravings from Original Drawings by the Author.

We can safely congratulate Mrs. Postans upon the production of a very lively, entertaining, and instructive little volume. We have scarcely been so much pleased with any work about India since Bishop Heber's delicious narratives. The fair author resided for a considerable time in the remarkable province of Cutch, which, as the reader may recollect, is situated in the most northern part of Western India, being flanked on the west by the river Indus, on the east by the Gulf of Cutch, and the salt desert of the Runn, and having in its rear the Great Desert, and in its front the Arabian Sea. The province is about one hundred and sixty miles in length from east to west; and sixty-five in breadth from north to south; and is distant about five hundred miles from the presidency of Bombay. Hitherto very little has been written on the subject. Indeed we ourselves do not remember to have read anything of the kind deserving of notice, except a memoir descriptive of the physical geography of the Runn of Cutch, and another memoir on the River Indus, both by Captain Sir Alexander Burnes, and published in the supplement to his "Travels into Bokhara."

Mrs. Postans, who enjoyed unusual opportunities of becoming acquainted with the general and domestic manners of the population in its various castes, who apparently is well acquainted with the language, and who has travelled through all parts of the country, carefully registered her observations in notes, and the result has been the book before us, which is dated from Bhooj camp in Cutch, September 29th, 1837. This little book has an air of wonderful completeness; and we much doubt whether she have omitted a single thing that deserved notice. Her pencil sketches of costume, works of native artists, &c., add considerably to the value of the volume. We must, however, remark, that her drawing gives an unfavourable, and, we believe, an incorrect notion of the make,

shape, and proportions of the people of Cutch. "His Highness the Rao," as she calls the native prince, is drawn like a dwarf, with a monstrous head; and her Arab soldiers, and most of her other figures, have heads considerably too large for their bodies.

The maritime town of Mandavie, the emporium of Cutch, is a more important place and a much pleasanter-than we had fancied. The town presents an appearance of wealth and bustle, the inhabitants are a busy, cheerful, industrious race, and their peculiarly bright and varied costume gives a greater appearance of gaiety to the place than is usually seen in a second-rate Indian town.

....

The

"The population is principally composed of Banyans, Brahmins, and cultivators; many of whom may be seen on the outside of the town, either engaged in their several callings, loitering lazily along, or grouped together in little knots, gossiping with vehement gesticulation, on any trifling subject, of profit or pleasure. Here and there, a retainer of the Rao comes swaggering along, displaying the superior height, aquiline nose, and long moustache of the Raiport tribe: his arms are a sword, shield, and matchlock, and his dress and bearing are marked by an air of mingled haughtinsss, foppery, and independence. Then are seen swarthy but finelimbed children, rolling on the soft sand in childish glee, and shouting with joy, as a horseman passes them, circling and passaying, with consummate skill, his gaily decorated steed. Near these, a water-carrier urges on his bullock, which, laden with the water-bags, slowly saunters forward, whilst his master smokes his hookah, and indulges in a passing chat with the women, who, gracefully bearing their earthen water-vessels on their heads, are returning to the well to which he journeys. Lastly are groups of women, employed in sifting grain from light baskets, in which they display the most graceful attitudes; the passing breeze winnows the corn, as it falls into large heaps, and numerous asses wait leisurely around, to carry it in sacks to the merchants' granaries. The maritime commerce of Mandavie is important, and boat building is carried on to a considerable extent. The boats are, it is true, of a very rude and primitive construction; but, from their remarkable strength, prove admirably adapted for the purposes required. Cutch mariners, satisfied with their security, are a most fearless and enterprising race, trading, as their forefathers have done for centuries, to all the ports of the Red Sea, and even stretching out to the eastern coasts of Africa, to Ceylon, and the China seas. The exports of Mandavie consist chiefly of cotton cloths; and in return it receives dates, coffee, dried grapes, antimony, senna, and coloured mats from the ports of the Red Sea; and from Zanzibar, on the African coast, elephants' teeth, and rhinoceros horn. The Cutch moallims, or pilots, are singularly intelligent and well informed they understand the use of the compass, and navigate by charts. [And so indeed did they, and the Arabs of the Red Sea, and the Chinese, long before any modern European nation got among them.] One Verejee, who is notable amongst them, would have made, with equal advantages of education, a second Anson. shows you his nautical tables; and his log is as carefully kept as an Indiaman's: he can determine his latitude, and, by dead reckoning, his longitude also: and as he unrolls his chart on Mercator's Projection,' exultingly points to London, and says, If you like, I'll pilot you there.' The importance of Mandavie being intimately connected with its maritime commerce, much of the bustle and activity of business is to be seen without the walls, although its real wealth and commercial influence exist in the warehouses and granaries of the city, which is surrounded by a strong and well-built wall, having bastions, gates, and wickets. Many of the houses are commodious; some of them built two or three stories high, with terraced roofs and richly carved ornaments; but, in common with those of most native towns, the streets are narrow, dusty, ill ordered, and swarming with Pariah dogs, and fat 'bulls of Basan,' which lazily stroll about the city, feeding out of the merchants' grain baskets whenever hunger prompts them.

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"The principal manufacture carried on is the weaving of cotton cloths, of which the makers produce a very tasteful variety: they are woven of various colours, and eminently fanciful designs. For a cheerful effect of cultivation, the suburbs of Mandavie are indebted to the Lowannahs, or agriculturists, who form a numerous caste, and own most of the surrounding villages. Their lands are enclosed, and well irrigated; and the bright green corn waving in the fields, the labouring kine, and the cheerful voices of the husbandmen, give to the open, flat, and Dec. 1838.-VOL. XXIII.-NO. XCII.

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