MISCELLANEOUS.

ANECDOTES OF THE SWAN-RIVER NATIVES.Mr. F. Armstrong, interpreter to the natives of Western Australia, has communicated the following interesting anecdotes to the Perth Inquirer.

are the most easy to ascend; and one which appeared a favorite retreat for game was observed to be completely covered with paths or marks made by the natives year after year, upwards of one hundred and fifty cuts being visible on the trunk alone, They appear seldom if ever to cut in the same spot again.

Native Dexterity.-A singular instance of the expertness and boldness in climbing of the natives was observed some time ago near the south bank of the Murray River. An opossum had made its way up a tree which was not accessible to the na- Native Tradition.-The natives state that they tive who had discovered its retreat. He com- have been told, from age to age, that when man menced by ascending the tree adjoining, some first began to exist, there were two beings, male yards distant, when a long pole of apparently com- and female, named "Wal-lyne-yup" (the father), mon furze-wood was handed to him, and which and "Do-ron-nop " (the mother); that they had a he by some means took up the tree, until he ar- son, named Bin-dir-woor, who received a deadly rived at a part where he was within about twelve wound, which they carefully endeavored to heal, or fourteen feet of the other; he then managed to but totally without success; whereupon it was deplace the pole securely in a fork on the boughs of clared by Wal-lyne-yup that all who came after each tree, and then upon this fragile path walked him should also die in like manner as his son died. or crept across, killed the opossum (which, likely, Could the wound but have been healed in this case, he devoured at a meal), and returned, leaving what being the first, the natives think death would have he had done. The manner in which the natives had no power over them. The place where the find the identical track of the opossum is by exascene occured, and where Bin-dir-woor was bumining the trees for the marks made by the ani-ried, the natives imagine to have been on the mal's claws, but which alone does not generally southern plains, between Clarence and the Murwarrant an ascent being made, for they may have ray; and the instrument used is said to have been been done weeks before. To get over this diffi-a spear, thrown by some unknown being, and diculty, the natives blow on the marks, and if a little sand or earth falls off, then they are certain that they are recent, for otherwise the sun would have dried the grains, and they would have fallen off, which, from the dew or rain of the night, had clung to the feet of the animal, and then on to the tree. These signs being attended to, the natives ascend the tree in the well-known manner, by cutting in and through the bark small steps about two feet apart, and four inches wide, by one or two deep. Some large, straight, thin-barked trees, which stand quite perpendicular, without any branches for a considerable distance up, are totally inaccessible to the natives, though these are extremely few in comparison with the other trees of the forest. Where it is the case, game seems plentiful, beaten tracks being numerous. Trees which lean a little

rected by some supernatural power. The tradition goes on to state, that "Bin-dir-woor, the son, although deprived of life, and buried in his grave, did not remain there, but rose and went to the west, to the unknown land of spirits, across the sea. The parents followed after their son, but (as the natives suppose) were unable to prevail upon him to return, and they consequently have remained with him ever since." Mr. Armstrong says of this tradition, that "it is the nearest approach to truth, and the most reasonable he has yet heard among the natives;" and it is certainly highly curious, as showing their belief that man originally was not made subject to death, and as giving the first intimation we have heard of their ideas of the manner in which death was introduced into the world.

on being separated from his brothers; and as it is not long, I will translate it from the French translation. It will give sonie idea of Arab poetry in general, and of Abd-el Kader's poetical powers in particular; but of course great allowance must be made for the effect it loses in a double translation. It runs as follows:

"PRAISE BE TO GOD.

being-mild spring of my heart-strength anima"1. Black ball of my eye-soul of all my ting my arm;

you, my heart, full of delight, despises riches, 2. Your presence recreates my sight. By forgets paternal affection.

arrows; and since the hour when you departed 3. But destiny has pierced my eyes with his from me, no sight has rejoiced my regards.

By the Master of the Temple (Mahomet), neither 4. What thing after you can recreate my heart? pleasure nor fortune!

fainted; and my tears fell on account of the over5. At the instant of your departure my soul

6. My patience exhausted, exists not; but deconceive the limits of it but at the bounds of vouring grief will not go away; and I cannot eternity.

7. The flesh of the delicious date has been eaten. The bony heart of the fruit rests naked, deprived of its envelope.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND. Amidst the many wonderful inventions of modern days, wherein the faculties of man have overcome difficulties apparently insurmountable, and made the very elements themselves subservient to his power and use, there are none more wonderful than that now about to be carried out by the establishment of sub-marine telegraphs, by which an instantaneous communication will be effected between the coasts of England and France. The British government, by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the French government, by the Minister of the Interior, have granted permission to two gentlemen, the projectors of the submarine telegraph, to lay it down from coast to coast. The site selected is from Cape Grosnez, or from Cape Blancnez, on the French side, to the South Foreland on the English coast. The soundings between these headlands are gradual, varying from seven fathoms near the shore on either side, to a maximum of thirty-seven fathoms in mid-channel. The Lords of the Admiralty have also granted permission to the same gentle-flowing of my heart. men to lay down a sub-marine telegraph between Dublin and Holyhead, which is to be carried on from the latter place to Liverpool and Londen. The sub-marine telegraph across the English Channel will, however, be the one first laid down; the materials for this are already uudergoing the process of insulation, and are in that state of forwardness which will enable the projectors to have them completed and placed in position, so that a telegraphic communication can be transmitted across the Channel about the first week in June. When this is completed, an electric telegraph will be established from the coast to Paris, and thence to Marseilles. This telegraph throughout France will be immediately under the direction of the French government, as, according to the law of 1837, all telegraphic communications through that country are under the absolute control and superintendence of the Minister of the Interior. Upon the completion of the submarine telegraph across the English Channel, it is stated that a similar one, on a most gigantic scale, will be attempted to be formed, under the immediate sanction and patronage of the French administration; this is no less than that of connecting the shores of Africa with those of Europe by the same instrumentality, thus opening a direct and lightning-like communication between Marseilles and Algeria. It has been doubted by several scientific men whether this is practicable, and, indeed, whether even the project between the coasts of France and England can be accomplished; but it has been proved by experiments, the most satisfactory in their results, that not only can it be effected, but effected with out any considerable difficulty

A POEM BY ABD-EL-KADER !-In a recent razzia in Algiers, the French seized the tents of the renowned hero Abd-el-Kader. Among other things, many of his papers fell into their hands; and in these papers there was found a manuscript poem written by Abd-el-Kader himself. Who would have believed that a semi-barbarian, engaged in deadly war, amused his leisure hours by poetical composition? Yet such appears to be the case. The poem in question is a lamentation

me: my heart is insensible to the gifts I receive, 8. Since you left me, joy has flown far from

as to those that I make.

was for me only the course which a messenger 9. When you disappeared, my life without you makes.

10. Your absence has rendered my nights long-so far as to drive from my thoughts the hope of attaining the term of it.

11. How many times have I cried, when the but a vain image that offers itself to my view? sun dissipated darkness-O SAID! art thou, then,

to reanimate my body-O MOSTAFA! Is it a 12. And yet my soul, in these moments, comes remedy for grief?

bitterest agonies; but nothing can prevent the 13. To be separated from HoCEIN is one of my accomplishment of the decree of God among

creatures.

14. After the torments of separation, chance, generous at last, will it bring about a union which will recal to life whom the loss of hope has con

ducted to death?

body will recover its strength and its soul.
15. If this ardent desire be ever fulfilled, my

16. O my brethren! O you who are united to me by our same father; who are dear to me by affection, a bond solid and durable;

17. Be in this life as were those who have preceded us. They are no more! Endeavor, like them, to acquire, by your deeds, glory that cannot be contested.

18. If fortune comes to you, distribute its gifts. If she turns away, content yourselves with the affection which unites us.

19. May the fecund cloud of my salutations expand over you. May their perfume extend in unbounded space!

20. Be a bond to unite friends wherever they may be. A friend is to me as the brother the most dear!"

SCRAPS FROM PUNCH.

THE DUKE AND HIS LETTER-WRITERS.—It is

too bad. The Duke of Wellington, like Echo, is expected to answer every donkey that may choose to bray. A couple of letters (that have not yet gone the round of the press) have been handed to us. The first is to the Duke: the second the Duke's answer :

MY LORD DUKE,-Being proud that you are public property, I wish you to inform me whether, as an allottee of the Saffron Hill and Isle of Dogs Junction Railway, I ought to pay twelvepence a share on fifty shares, with three-and-six-pence for the application? Your obedient servant, Adolphus Carns.'

called, in compliment, after himself, Une paire de Brougham et Vaux?

THE BEST ENGINES OF WAR.-Several fireengines have been constructed for the Colonies. One of them will be sent over to Oregon, for the purpose of putting Jonathan's pipe out.

SEASONABLE RELIEF.-The Public Baths and Warehouse establishment in Glasshouse Yard, Smithfield, have been giving pails of whitewash for nothing to the poor in the neighborhood. We understaud that the applications from Railway Directors to be whitewashed have been exceedingly numerous.

LORD PALMERSTON IN PARIS-Lord Palmer

'P. S. When you're writing will you also de-ston has been handsomely féted at Paris. On cide a little wager pending in the parlor of the Flower Pot? Did you say, "Up, Guards, and at 'em ;" or, "Guards, up, at 'em.""

Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington has received the letter of Mr. Carns. He is the Commander-in-Chief, and not an attorney; and has no connexion with railways except when he travels by them.

As to the expression, "Up, Guards, and at 'em," and "Guards, up, and at "em," the people of the Flower Pot may take whichever suits them. To the Duke either is immaterial.'

THE MONEY MARKET.-The Repeal Funds are still very low. They have fallen again this week. The depression is so great, that unless something desperate is done, and that quickly, a panic must inevitably ensue. Money never was known to be tighter' in Ireland. Defaulters increase every week. There was a call of £1 per share on Saturday, but very few paid up. The doings at Conciliation Hall still continue, but they are so small that they are not worth quoting. Mr. O'Connell arrives on Monday, when a great coup de main is expected. He is a large shareholder, and his transactions may revive the market, if they are on a very imposing scale. Every one, however, is looking forward with dread to the settling day, which cannot now be far distant.

THE IRISH CURFEW BILL.-As no person in Ireland is to be allowed to leave his house after a certain hour at night, Mr. Punch respectfully asks Lord Lincoln, how the evicted tenants are to manage, who have no houses to remain in? Are they to roost in the hedges? An answer will oblige.

EASTER HOLIDAYS.-Sir Robert Peel has gone down to Drayton Manor to enjoy himself. He has given directions that no newspaper that contains the slightest allusion to himself is to enter the house.

Saturday, his Lordship, accompanied by Lady Palmerston, dined with the Princess Lieven; meeting M. Guizot and other members of the French Cabinet. The evening was spent in the presence of Royalty at the Tuileries. On Easter Sunday, Lord and Lady Palmerston dined at the Royal table. On Tuesday, M. Guizot gave a sumptuous entertainment: the Cabinet Ministers, and a large portion of the Corps Diplomatique, were invited to meet the distinguished stranger. In the evening there was a reception which was attended by the whole of the haut ton of Paris. Count Duchatel, the Minister of the Interior, was to give a similar entertainment on Saturday. But this is not all. The pleasures,' says the Times, which Lord Palmerston is tasting in Paris are enhanced by the company of Lord Brougham. At the Institute of France, last Saturday, the noble and learned pair were hailed by a most appropriate address of Baron Charles Dupin on the External Forces of Great Britain ;' and although Lord Brougham was (of course) obliged to set that sedate assembly right on a few points connected with the little undertakings of his accomplished companion at Aden, Naples, and the coast of Syria, the scientific courtesy of the Académie prevailed over its political prepossessions, and Lord Palmerston will doubtless be elected an honorary member of the French Institute at the very first vacancy.' Besides the ordinary announcements, the Globe and the Morning Chronicle record the Palmestonian movements with more exclusive particularity.

The Marquis of Lansdowne arrived in Paris on Tuesday; and, according to the Times,is also using his influence in favor of the noble Ex-Secretary.

INAUGURATION OF A SYNAGOGUE-A NEW TALMUDIST.-A French journal, L'Univers Israclite, gives some account of an acquisition made by the Bibliothèque du Roi, interesting to the students of Talmudic literature. The Rabbin Isaac Lampronti, a physician and judge at Ferrara, who died in 1756, left a remarkable work entitled Patrad-Jizchak,-forming a general cyclopædia FASHIONS FROM PARIS.-Lord Brougham has of all the matters treated of in the Talmud and gone over to Paris, for the purpose, we have been its numerous commentaries. The Royal Library told, of opening in person the grand congress of has just obtained possession of the entire manufashion which takes place annually at Long-script of this great work; which singularly facilchamps. We may consequently expect amongst itates the study of the Hebrew canonical books, the next importation of modes a Chapeau à la and merits its place beside the Hacksakah of Lord Hurry, and who knows that his lordship, Marmonides.

already so celebrated in trowsers, may not bring At Berlin, the Reformist Jews have been inus over the pattern of a new pair of pantaloons, augurating a magnificent synagogue for the exer

cise of their worship, with its liturgic novelties; truly marvellous work of art, setting forth with and the grand Rabbin Pirschberger, in his ser-minute particularity all the discoveries made in mon on the occasion, urged the necessity of the or on the moon up to the present time. It is a Hebrew lending himself to the progress of the millionth part of the size of the lunar planet, and, age, and assimilating his manners to those of the when lighted, represents that luminary as it would people among whom he lives. Though this appear through a powerful telescope. The Gerchange has been gradually going on under our man papers state that the Royal Astronomical own eyes, it is yet a more remarkable one than Society of London has purchased Madame de at first it seems. The attitude of the Israelite Witt's wonderful globe. has so long been that of a stranger amid all the populations of the world-a child of the captivity even where most free-singing reluctantly the Lord's song in strange lands-homeless every where-mixing with all, but refusing to cast in his lot with any-that this new theory of assimilation and progression seems, itself, an entire obliteration of the distinctive character of the race. -Athenæum.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Critical and Miscellaneous Essays, to which are added a few Poems. By A. H. Everett. AN UNPUBLISHED WORK OF LINNEUS-A These Essays are in the best style of periodFrankfort journal mentions the discovery, in Swe-ical criticism; but they are smart and suggestive, den, of an unpublished work by Linnæus, which rather than sparkling or profound. The subjects had long been given up for lost. This work,— are judiciously chosen-Madame de Sévigné, the labor of the great naturalist's latter years, Gil Blas, Saint Pierre, Schiller, French Dramatic is called the Nemesis Divina;' and in it he had Literature, Voltaire, Canova, Sir James Mackinrecorded, for the instruction of his son, a variety tosh, Cicero, Chinese manners, &c.,-subjects of observations and facts, deduced chiefly from which indicate an extensive range of reading, the private lives of men who were known to and are so treated as to prove a general accuracy himself, demonstrating that the rewards and pun- of knowledge in the writer. There is an original ishments of Divine Justice are distributed even 'Dialogue on Government between Franklin and in this world. The manuscript consists of 203 Montesquieu,' which has considerable power. sheets; and, in its preface, the author expressly Among the poems is a curious old Sanscrit desires that it shall never be published. To this episode, ridiculing the Hindoo superstition on injunction, no doubt, it was owing that the manu- which Southey's Curse of Kehama,' is founded. script was laid aside, and forgotten. Some time That such a satire should be found imbedded in since, it was purchased by the University of Up- a commentary on the sacred books is, at least, resala, at the sale of the library belonging to a phy-markable. Mr. Everett's adaptation is entitled sician whose father had been employed to arrange The Hermitage,' and is written in ottava rima. the papers of Linnæus; and, the death of all We think that its effect would have been better those referred to in the work seeming to have re- had the original costume of the story been premoved the objections to its publication, M. Fries, Other translations from Theocritus, a Swedish botanist, has been appointed to pre- Virgil, and the German and Italian poets, are pare a selection from its pages for the press. gracefully done, but challenge no special distinc

Athenæum.

PAINTING AND PAINTERS -It is calculated that in the present exhibition of the works of living artists at Paris, the paintings cover a space of 20,000 square metres, or 2 hectares; that the frames are 17 kilometres in length; that the value of the whole collection of pictures is about 400,000l.; and that the canvas and the gilded frames only are estimated at 40,000l. of that

sum.

served.

tion.-Athenæum.

in the history of theological learning. Whatever This is a publication that will be memorable may be the opinions of Professor Stuart's readers It is asserted that Horace Vernet, the painter, he has adopted, all must agree in praising the with regard to the scheme of interpretation which will shortly be created a Peer of France. Tant mieux. The honor done in this country to litera-patient care, and the variety and compass of sature and art, in the persons of their most distin- cred erudition which he has brought to his subguished representatives, is greatly to its credit, and will-because it must-sooner or later be imitated in Britain. Old England, in fact, ought to feel her cheeks tingle at her scurvy treatment of her writers and her artists having continued so long. Let the dear old soul be assured that they are among the best and the worthiest of her sonsthat they have done as much to extend her glory as the greatest of her soldiers or the ablest of her statesmen-and that in honoring them she

honors herself.

Madame de Witt of Hanover has finished the globe of the moon, on which she has been engaged for the last twenty-two years. It is a

ject. These volumes are published because the of the author after the reading and reflection of matter of them commends itself to the judgment twenty years.

four parts. First, a preliminary part embraces The Apocalypse is divided by Mr. Stuart into the seven churches; second, what is called the the sixth and six following chapters; then folfirst vision and catastrophe, extending through lows the second vision and catastrophe, extending from the twelfth chapter to the nineteenth. The first of the visions is explained as relating to the fall of Judaism, as a persecuting power; the second as relating to the fall of pagan Rome, in that character; and the remaining portion of the