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ductions of nature, by their external aspects, will prove abortive; because nature, with reference at least to our senses, recognises no permanent nor obvious distinctions, but blends forms and colours by imperceptible and continuous shades. The painter may catch a few kindred features, but cannot determine the precise boundaries of relationship.

M. de Humboldt's observations of vegetable physiognomy are to be regarded rather as loose hints or memoranda, than as constituting a regular or properly matured treatise. In the single paragraph in which he discusses the numerous tribe of heaths, he observes that they have some resemblance to resinous trees; that the art of husbandry has maintained for ages an unavailing strug gle against the encroachments of the common sorts; and that the known species amount to 137. Now, if we once admit the resemblance between heaths and pines, we may multiply vegetable likenesses without end. In of the northern districts of this many island, the native heath has gradually disappeared, in consequence of the introduction of sheep farming; and, seven years ago, not fewer than 250 species of Erica were defined by a British botanist. [See Transactions of the Linn. Society, Vol. VI.] In return for such inaccuracies, however, we are sometimes presented with interesting and contrasted views of the physiognomy of vegetation, in the temperate and in the torrid

zones.

III. Considerations on the Cataracts of the Oroonoko.

This third memoir derives its principal value from the delineation of striking and majestick scenery, which has seldom been visited by men of taste and information. The name of the river, which was given to it by its first European discoverers, is quite unknown in the inland regions through which it rolls its majestick course, and where its only appellation is the river, by way

of eminence. The immense quantity of fresh water, which it discharges in a strong current into the sea, convinced the sagacious Columbus that it proceeded from a continent.

"When," says the author, " we reflect on the immense volume of water which the Oroonoko conveys to the Atlantick ocean, we are tempted to ask whether this river, the Amazons, or the Plata, be the most considerable? but this question, like every thing relative to physical dimensions, is too vague. The mouth of the Plata, which extends to twenty three geographical miles, is obviously the largest: but, when compared with others, this river, like those of England, is of moderate length, and its shallowness at Buenos Ayres impedes the upward navigation. The Amazons is the longest of rivers; its course, from its origin in Lake Lauricocha, to its estuary, beits breadth, in the province of Jaen de ing seven hundred and twenty miles: but

Braco-moros, near the cataract of Rentama, where I measured it, under the romantick mountain of Patachuma, scarcely equals that of the Rhine at Mentz. be narrower than either the Plata or the "The Oroonoko, at its mouth, seems to observations, its course is only two hunAmazons. According to my astronomical dred and sixty miles: but, in the most remote corner of Guyana, at a hundred and forty miles from its junction with the sea, I found that, when its waters were most elevated, this river was sixteen thousand and two hundred feet wide. Its periodical floods occasion a rise of from forty eight to fifty two feet above its ordinary level. We want materials for instituting an accurate comparison among the enormous rivers which traverse the continent of South Ameed with the outlines of their channels, nor rica; since we are not sufficiently acquaintwith their velocity, which must vary in every part of their course."

Though the Oroonoko is formed on a larger scale than the Nile, it presents several analogies to that celebrated river; such as the Delta, which is constituted by the subdivisions of its branches; a regular rise and fall; the largeness and number of its crocodiles; its precipitous course through mountains of granite and syenite, and its more placid progress over extensive plains. Its source, we may add, is equally obscure, or at least equally unexplored.

Near the falls of the Guaharibes, it is so narrow that the natives cross it on a slender bridge of creeping plants. The Guaicas, a race of men who are remarked for their small stature and very white complexions, deter the traveller from advancing farther to the east, by their use of poisoned arrows. The present author treats as fabulous the story of the existence of the Laguna del Dorado from which the Oroonoko is said to issue, and which is laid down in Arrowsmith's map as measuring twenty miles in length. About five degrees to the west of this supposed source, is a small, reedy lake, which may, probably, have given rise to the popular tale of El Dorado; since in the centre of it is situated the island of Pumacena, composed of micaceous schistus, or some glittering rock.

After having pursued various windings of the river, and of the author's discourse, we, at length, arrive at the great cataracts of Aturés and Maypures, where the bed of the stream is straitened by masses of gigantick rocks, and divided into various reservoirs by natural dykes. The water is not here, as at Niagara, heaved at once over a deep precipice, but falls in a graduated series of small cascades, which render the

navigation, at times, dangerous, if not impracticable. "The spectator suddenly beholds a foaming sheet of water, of a mile in length. Masses of rock, of a dark, ferruginous hue, shoot up from it, like lofty towers. Each small island, and each rock, are decked with crowded groups of stately trees. Above the surface of the water, incessantly hovers a thick vapour; and through this cloud of mist, formed by the spray, dart forth the tops of aspiring palm trees.When the glowing rays of the evening sun are refracted in this mass of suspended vapour, the optical phenomena are truly enchanting. Rainbows alternately appear and disappear; and their image incessantly sports and dances in the air."

In the same strain of bold and picturesque description, this traveller portrays the prominent scenery of his landscapes: but in this, as in the two preceding sketches, a very inconsiderable portion of his writing bears directly on the subject announced in the title.

We rejoice to learn that Messrs. Humboldt and Bonpland, are steadily proceeding with the publication of the highly interesting details, which have been collected in their long and intrepid peregrinations.

FROM THE MONTHLY REVIEW.

A History of the Island of St. Helena, from its Discovery by the Portuguese, to the Year 1806. To which is added an Appendix. By T. H. Brooke, Secretary to the Government of St. Helena. 8vo. pp. 409. 10s. 6d. Boards.

A Residence of fifteen years at St. Helena, and access to the official records of the island, must be supposed to have rendered Mr. Brooke fully competent to write its description and its history. But when we also consider the perspicuity of his style, and the judgment discovered in his reflections, we are disposed to regret that a mind, which is evidently equal to undertakings of more general interest, should have con

fined its exertions to a topick of such limited attraction. We are, however, glad to receive this volume from his hands, and may hope, hereafter, to obtain more important proofs of his assiduity and information.

The superficial extent of the island, as we are told by Mr. Brooke, is about 30,000 acres. It is divided by a lofty chain of hills, running nearly east and west in a curved direction; and from this chain, alter

nate ridges and valleys branch off in various quarters. The summits of several of these hills are very elevated; and one of them, Diana's Peak, rises nearly 2700 feet above the level of the sea. The extent of the island is somewhat less than eleven miles by seven. Springs issue from the side of almost every hill: but, as they have neither volume nor sufficient length of current, they form only inconsiderable rills. We, consequently, find no cascades of any magnitude; for although one stream projects its whole quantity from a height of about 300 feet perpendicular, it becomes a shower before it reaches the cavity below. The author describes the romantick prospect of Sandy Bay, in the following words:

"The hills on the left, richly clothed with trees to their very summits, display a wonderful contrast to the wild and grotesque nakedness which triumphs on the right, where shelving cliffs, surmounted by huge, perpendicular, or spiral masses of rock, are multiplied under every shape and aspect. The downward view consists of a variety of ridges, eminences, and ravines, converging towards the sea, into one common valley. Among this scenery, are interspersed the dwellings of planters, the different forms of gardens and plantations, and the pasturing of cattle; the prospect closing with the distant sea, rushing in between two black, craggy cliffs, which the surf whitens with its spray."

The climate may be considered as a medium between those of Europe and those of India, the height of situation counteracting the effects of vicinity to the line. The use of the settlement, to the publick, consists in its being a station of refreshment to homeward-bound Indiamen. South Sea whalers also resort thither, both for fresh provisions and for the protection of convoy in their passage home. The average number of ships which touch annually at St. Helena is 165. Provisions are, consequently, very dear, mutton being from 14d. to 18d. per lb. pork 18d. to 20d. fowls 9s. to 12s. and

geese 258. to 30s. The population, exclusive of the garrison, is somewhat above 2000, of whom three fourths are blacks. The price of labour is high, a mechanick requiring from five to seven shillings a day. The sovereignty of the island is completely vested in the East India Company; and the military force consists of a corps of artillery, a regiment of infantry, and the island. volunteers.

After having given a very distinct description of the island in his first. chapter, Mr. Brooke proceeds to its history, from its discovery by the Portuguese, in 1501, on the 21st May (the anniversary of Helena, mother of the emperour Constantine) to the present time. In this. detail, we acknowledge that we have no wish to accompany him, the subject having, in our opinion, very little claim to general attention; and, however important it may be to the East India Company to possess an accurate narrative of the conduct of the different governours, and a col lection of the principal island-acts and documents, as exhibited in Mr. Brooke's appendix, the publick would have been more gratified with a shorter statement. Omitting, therefore, that series of local transactions which have assumed a false magnitude in the author's eyes, we shall direct our attention to a few of the valuable observations with which he has interspersed his pages.

The advocate of humanity will learn with satisfaction that the histo ry of St. Helena affords a striking example of the policy of a mild treatment of negroes. Until 1787, the laws relative to them were extremely severe, and conspiracies were frequent among them: but since "they have been placed on a footing more suitable to men than to brutes, no insurrection or even serious risk has either taken place or been apprehended." Until 1787, the evidence of blacks, although conclusive against persons of their own colour, was not admissible against

whites; and we have some notable examples of the consequences of such a system. In 1785, Elizabeth Renton, a white inhabitant, in a fit of passion, stabbed one of her female slaves with a carving knife; and the slave died in a few moments. The verdict of the coroner was "wilful murder;" and the grand jury presented a bill of indictment to the same effect: but, as the only witness was a black, and of course inadmissible against the accused, she escaped. In 1786, a planter named Worrall, and his slave, were detected in the act of sheep stealing; as the proofs against them rested on the testimony of blacks, the white man could not be brought to trial: but the slave was convicted and sentenced to death, although he had acted under the coercion of his master. Such was the law: but the judges were sufficiently equitable to reprieve him, and recommend him to pardon, which was granted.

In the early part of the history of the colony, a system of laws, founded on those of England, was introduced: but it was soon found too complicated for so small a settlement. It was therefore judged expedient to proceed by jury only in criminal cases, and to leave matters of less import to the governour and council, who were recommended not to have "their heads troubled with nice points of the common law of England; but rather, on considering the reason of things, to adjudge of all cases in a summary way, according to equity and a good conscience, without tedious delays, or countenancing litigious persons in their vexatious proceedings."

The inhabitants of St. Helena, however, were not so fortunate in

receiving medical as in obtaining legal advice. The wetness of the climate and the moist qualities which they ascribed to yams, their principal article of food, made them imagine that an antidote to such evils was to be found only in the free use of spirituous liquors; and they were

confirmed in this notion by the superficial pretenders to medicine, who in that age acted as surgeons on board of the Indiamen. We give an extract from the letter of a St. Helena governour to the East India Company, dated in 1717.

"As an alteration of weather often happens here in less than an hour's space, from sultry heat to very cold, and the mountainy parts of the country are not only windy, but always exposed to great damps dry seasons, we are apt to think it easier and fogs, even in the times we call the to drink water for a constancy in England than in this place. The physical people we sometimes converse with (that is, the ship-surgeons) tell us that strong liquor is necessary to all people who have no other called the water parsnip) and we also bread but these watery roots (for a yam is find it so; wherefore, though we shall encourage temperance and sobriety, as well by our example as precept, yet it is in vain to dissuade the use of arrack among these people, who prefer it before the choicest

wines."

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Of the various governours whose transactions are related in the present volume, col. Brooke and col. Patton will principally attract the reader's attention. Colonel Brooke had acquired reputation in the company's service in Bengal, and was appointed governour of St. Helena in 1788. One of his first acts was to disuse the practice of flogging among the military, and to rouse again that sense of shame which had been nearly extinguished by the application of the lash. He commuted stripes for labour, and separated from their comrades those who appeared hardened, allotting them a table by themselves, under the expressive designation of the "miscreants' mess." These marks of odium soon corrected even the worst among the soldiers; and so much improved did their condition become, that numbers of discharged men returning from India undertook a renewal of service in St. Helena. It was also under governour Brooke that the fortifications in the heights were rendered effectual; the use of signals adopted; the access to the landing place improved; the farther importation of slaves interdicted; and the condition of those who were resident on the island ameliorated. He likewise took a most active part in those exertions which terminated in the capture of seven sail of Dutch Indiamen, by the Sceptre man of war, in the year 1795. It deserves notice that the Malays, taken out of the Dutch ships, entered the British artillery service, and proved not only very useful, but extremely peaceable in their conduct. A behaviour, so different from that which is often ascribed to them, is to be attributed to the manner in which they were treated. No European was suffered to strike or chastise them on any pretence whatever; and they were punished by no other authority than

the sentence of a court martial composed of Malay officers. These men were afterwards sent to Ceylon, and a Malay regiment was engrafted on the two companies which had been thus trained at St. Helena.

On governour Brooke's return home, col. Patton became his successour in 1801. He had filled the situation of military secretary to the government of Bengal, and was known to the publick as the author of "the Principles of Asiatick Monarchies." He was successful in improving the ordnance department; in amending the morals of the black inhabitants; in increasing the quantity of timber; and in short in every way in which extensive knowledge and a happy ardour for publick improvement could have scope in the situation which he filled.

The author concludes with several suggestions for the farther improvement of the island. He considers its retention as of great importance to us, although we remain in possession. of the Cape; the anchorage at St. Helena being far preferable, because no wreck is ever known to have occurred there, except one, which happened on the day of its first discovery.

We have perused this volume with considerable satisfaction; and in those passages in which our gratification has been interrupted, the fault was not in the execution. Mr. Brooke's language is so generally correct, that we do not recollect any phrase which demands remark, except the following in page 211. "Few are inclined to exertion when the object tends to the advantage of publick posterity, rather than to immediate individual benefit." It is to be regretted that the book did not contain a map of the island, in addition to the perspective view of an interiour scene, which forms a frontispiece.

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