Videre Rhæti bella fub Alpibus We own that we have not been fo greatly interested by this as by the former volumes; yet the Grifons contended for their liberty with the house of Austria, and fucceeded. But this is not the claffical ground of the naturalift, and the affections are not fo much awakened by the events of their contefts as they are by thofe of the Swifs. There is a particular differtation on the Romansh; a language which has been already proved to refemble the Latin very closely. The name indeed is very little different from Romana. The language of Virgil, Horace, and Cicero, was not the vernacular idiom. Like the modern Tufcan, it differed from the colloquial language. Dr. Burney, in one of his former volumes of the History of Mufic, has endeavoured to show, that the Italian comes very near this colloquial dialect of the Romans: the Romanfh comes ftill nearer; and we cannot at this moment perceive a much greater difference between it and the classical Latin, than between the latter and fome of the provincial dialects preferved by Plautus. Mr. D. Pennant describes the country to the fouth of the Levantine valley, which Mr. Coxe did not vifit in his tours. In the Appendix is a very valuable Faunula Helvetica. We fhall felect an account of the vultur barbatus, of which there is a figure in the fecond volume, not only as a fpecimen of our author's manner, but to correct the mistakes of fome naturalifts, and, indeed, to confirm our own remarks in a late Intelligence:' Edwards. t. 106. This bird frequents the Pennine, Rhætian, and Tyrolefe Alps. It is found alfo in Corfica, Sardinia, and probably in Barbary, as well as on mount Caucafus, and in Dauria, or the fouth-eastern parts of Siberia. It connects the vultures with the eagles. In the form of the beak and of the body it refembles the vulture, but differs from that ge nus in having the head, like that of the eagles, covered with feathers. It is now fo well defined, especially by M. Sprungli, that it can no longer be mistaken. The German pealants of Switzerland name this bird, by way of eminence, the Lammer-geyer, and relate incredible tales of its fize and Gg+ vora. voracioufnefs: the peafants of the French diftrict frequently call it Le Vautour Jaune.' Mr. Coxe would not forgive us, nor fhould we deserve forgiveness, if we omitted to mention his very large and accurate map of Switzerland, in the beginning of the work. It is by far the most correct and full that we have yet seen. His map of the country round mount Blanc, in the fecond volume, deferves also no inconfiderable commendation: the other plates do not merit much distinction. That of the bouquetin, as well as the representation of the head of the vultur barbatus, may at least boaft of their accuracy. On the whole, however, the volumes may be confidered as valuable additions to the stock of English literature: we can truly say, that we have not for a long time read any work from which we have derived fo much entertainment and inftruction; and we can fafely recommend them to our readers, as containing the best as well as the most authentic information relating to this very curious country. A Journal of the Paffage from India, by a Route partly unfrequented, through Mefopotamia, Armenia, and Natelia, or Afia Minor. To which are added, Obfervations and Inftructions, for the Ufe of those who intend to travel, either to or from India, By that Route. By Thomas Howel, M. D. 800. Boards. IN Forfter. 55. in N our LXVIIth Volume, p. 91, we gave a general outline of the different routes to India, through Arabia. Dr. Howell defcribes a new, and we think a more convenient tract, than the others we have paffed with our former literary companions. He went through the Perfian Gulf to Baffora, and from thence by water to Corny, a town built at the conflux of the Tigris and Euphrates. From Corny he took advantage of the Euphrates, and purfued his courte in a boat to Hilla, or Hillo, where Mr. Irwin was in his last journey. From Hillo Dr. Howel proceeded to Bagdat, and continued nearly in Mr. Irwin's new route to Moful, except that he declined a little to the weftward, inftead of continuing in the longitude of Bagdat. But, though our prefent author crossed the river to Moful, he did not continue on the western fide of the Tigris: he returned as to a fafer path, made a little circuit over the mountains, and ultimately croffed the river fomewhat higher at Jeffeera; from whence he proceeded to Diarbekir, where Mr. Irwin came in his route to India from the coaft of the Mediterranean. Our author's new track then commenced: he went nearly north-weft, till he again fell fell in with the Euphrates, which, a little above Alexandretta, trends more northerly. He croffed it, went in almoft the fame direction to Amafia, the capital of the fuppofed Amazons, not very diftant from the most fouthern angle of the Black Sea, till he reached the fea of Marmora, at Ifmit, and croffed over it to Conftantinople. From thence he went to Trieste, to Oftend, and to England. We have styled this route the most convenient one that we have yet followed; and the reasons we shall next affign. The eafy conveyance by water to Hillo is a great recommendation; and the paffage to Bagdat, which is fhort and convenient, adds to it. This city retains little of its former fplendor; but can still furnish accommodations and fupplies. One third of the ufual journey is in this way accomplished. If it was poffible to fail up the Tigris to Moful, to Jeffeera, or Diarbekir, it would add to the advantages; but, on the eastern fides of the river, the road is not dangerous, water is frequent, and either konacs (caravan feries,) or villages often occur. On the western fide, from Jeffeera to Diarbekir, the difficulties are greater, and the accommodations worse; but, in each refpect, the road is more eligible than through the great defert. Through Armenia and Natolia it appears comparatively convenient. Another advantage in going to Conftantinople is, that the failing through the Mediterranean is fhortened; for the light variable winds, and the unskilful failors, often occafion great delay to those who embark at Alexandretta or Latichea. The heat alfo on the eastern fide of the Tigris and in Armenia is by no means difagreeable; for the air is cooled by the almoft perpetual fnow on the Curdif tan and Turcomanian mountains. As we have now, in general, defcribed Dr. Howel's route, and pointed out its advantages, it is neceffary that we give fome little account of his various adventures in it. Of the country he defcribes what he faw; but a traveller in these fpots can fee little. Natural objects are few; cultivation is rarely discovered; and the ruins of an opulent and luxurious race are vestiges only; proofs that this dreary fpot has not been. always uninhabited. At the conflux of the Tigris and Euphrates, fome commentators have placed the garden of Eden, not without a little fupport from the defcriptions of Mofes ; but a flight obfervation will fhow, that this fpot is only in part conformable to that defcription. The author of the Pentateuch certainly referred to a fource of four great rivers, of which the Euphrates was the only one with which the Jews were acquainted. A river that encompaffed Ethiopia, the Tigris, and the Euphrates, are diflinctly feen; but the former no no longer exifts; and the fource of the whole must have been greatly to the weft and to the fouth; but there we fee fea only. We use the word jource in a common fenfe: embouchure, or outlet, must be intended. Mr. Howel remarks that Corny, at the conflux of the Tigris and Euphrates, affords no marks of having ever been a terreftrial Paradife: all around is a defert flat. It feems to have been left by the fea; for there are fome branches of the Euphrates, faid to communicate with the Tigris, which are now almost dry. Our author gives a fhort account of his journey from Madras across the peninfula of India; but from this we can extract nothing very interefting. One of his companions, Meer Joad, whofe paffionate conduct feemed to betray a deranged flate of mind, is frequently introduced in the journey from Bafforz to Bagdat: He was the fon of a Georgian flave by a Turkish woman ; and, having no patrimony but his fword, embarked at an early period of life in the profeflion of arms. The first military em ployment he obtained was under an independant chief, in the country of Sciad, from whole fervice he paffed into that of a prince, in Bengal, where he remained many years, and became acquainted with the famous monfieur Chevalier, the French governor of Chandarnagore. This gentleman being about to convey the large fortune he had amaffed to Europe, overland, eagaged Meer Joad to accompany him. Their journey was fall of hardship and danger; and in their paffage over the defart, they were frequently attacked by numerous bodies of Arab plunderers, whom they repulfed with uncommon fuccefs. Monfieur Chevalier was fo well fatisfied with Meer Joad's courage and conduct on thefe difficult occafions, that, as foon as he arrived in France, he recommended him to the French minitry, and exerted his intereft fo effectually in his behalf, as to procure him the commiffion of a field officer in the duke of Luxemburgh's legion. In the unfuccefsful expedition against Jerfey, he was wounded and taken prifoner. After a detention of five months in England, he was exchanged, and upon his return to France was honoured by the king with a gold me dal, expreffive of his gallant behaviour. The Luxemburgh legion being under orders for the island of Ceylon, whither Meer Joad had no inclination to go, he refigned his commithion in the French army, and returned to his native city Bagdad. Here the fame of his fervice in Europe, and letters of recommendation from perfons of high confequence in France, procured him the appointment of captain bafhaw of the Turkish fleet at Buffora, which he held till the capture of that place by Shark Ithooiny. As his conduct on this occafion rendered him liable to fufpicions of having a private understanding with the Arab chief, he thought it prudent to take refuge at Bombay, 3 till till the first emotions of the anger the bafhaw might have conceived against him thould have fublided. His whole behavi our, however, during his journey with us, was expreffive of the most diftrefsful anxiety refpecting the reception he fhould mect with on his return. He was a luffy, perfonable man, about the age of forty; fpoke the Turkish, Hindoftan. Ara bic, and French languages well, and fome others imperfectly. He was evidently endowed with good natural abilities, but was totally illiterate; not even poffeffing the ufeful arts of reading and writing, of which he confefled and regretted his ignor ance.' It is fingular to fee a Georgian officer poffefs high rank in a French regiment, and again an independent command in Arabia as a Turkish pacha. In their journey they were provided with horses at the konacs (the Turkish inns); and we find the flory of baron Tott realized: the Arabians, like the Tartars, pleaded poverty for not fupplying the candles and neceffaries, which they were obliged to furnish at the konacs; but when the whip was applied a little unmercifully, they quietly departed and brought every thing that was wanted. When our author approached the Black Sea he became acquainted with different detachments of the Turkish army: we fhall transcribe his defcription of them: The different detachments of the Turkish army I faw during my journey, exhibited no marks of military regularity and difcipline: they marched without order; fome of them mount ed either on horfes, affes, or mules. Their drefs was not uniform, but they had generally a fhort jacket, coarfe, and of a dark colour, with wide breeches: fome wore fhoes of leather, or raw hides; othere woollen gaiters, faftened with a cord, or ropes of ftraw twisted round their legs. Their arms confifted of fhort, light mufkets, without bayonets, mounted according to the fancy of the owners, and of knives of different lengths. The officers were well mounted, and handfomely clothed; but in a dress ill fuited to the activity of a military life. The ja niffaries, formerly fo much talked of, have at this day nothing but the ESPRIT DE CORPS to diftinguish them from the bulk of the army. In this defcription may be included the artillery ; and, as the operations of that corps do in particular require military science, it is, comparatively speaking, inferior to the infantry. The cavalry, perhaps, ale entitled to more confide ration. The irregularity, licentioufnefs, and military ignorance, common to the Ottoman forces in general, is equally found in their beft fquadrons; but the activity, fpirit, and docility of the horses, renders this corps the most efficient in the Turkish army; and, indeed, it is upon this that they de pend for the fuccefs of their military operations.' We |