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Della Valle mentions two kinds of bricks, furnace-baked and sun-dried; and Beau. champ met only with the former. I saw both these, and another sort of deep-red, apparently high-baked, the colour of an English brick. This latter is in the greatest abundance at Niebuhr's watch-tower, and generally has an inscription on it, but in a small character. I could not procure any of this kind whole; they were always in small pieces. The tower of Belus, the mound opposite to it, and the watch tower, had these two kinds used in their construction; but the large clay sun-dried brick was to be found only at Belus's tower, the whole interior body of which was composed of it; and the employment of reeds and bitumen as a cement, appears to have been but seldom introduced in other parts of the rains, except at the one denominated the tower of Belus, where it was universally seen as the cement for the sun-dried brick, and at every course; whereas, at Aggurkeef, near Bagdad, which is certainly a Babylonish building, it is found at every sixth, seventh, and eighth course, though the same sort of brick is used in the building. The reeds and bitumen were evidently but seldom used with the furnace-baked, which I observed most generally cemented with a thin layer of lime and sand. The dimensions of the bricks were, clay sun-dried, four inches seventenths thick, seventeen inches and a half broad; furnace-baked, three inches thick, twelve inches broad, and generally weigh ed thirty-one pounds.

"The Euphrates, as far as Korna,which is one hundred and twenty miles from the head of the Persian Gulf, is navigable for vessels of three hundred tons, and from thence to Hillah, boats not exceeding eighty can come up during six months in the year. Their construction is singu lar: they have one very large mast with a latteen sail; the body almost a half moon, no keel, and a rudder of the most awkward shape: the hull is extremely ill constructed, the ribs and planks being roughly nailed together, and the outside covered with bitumen. When they are going to Korna or Bussora from Hillah, they sail if the wind be fair, or float down the stream if it be foul. In returning or ascending the stream, they have one end of a long rope tied to the head of the mast, four or six men take hold of the other end, and by this means pull her against the current.

"It is curious to observe, notwithstand ing the lapse of ages, how some local customs and usages continue in practice. MONTHLY MAG. No. 337.

The circular boats made of reeds, and in form of a shield, which attracted the notice of Herodotus so much, and which, in his time, were used on the river between Babylon and Armenia, differ hardly at all from those in use at the present day; which perfectly agree with the descrip tion given by that venerable historian. Another curious method of navigation exists in these times, which is noticed as early as the time of Xenophon. Merchants in Armenia, when embarking on the Tigris, collect a great number of goat-skins, which, having inflated, they fasten together, forming a kind of square raft; these are from fifty to a hundred in number; over them are placed mats, then the merchandize, and upon the top of all, the owners and passengers. It is then set adrift, and, floating down the stream, it occasionally strikes against islands and shallow parts of the river, the bottom of which being of a soft nature, seldom destroys the skins.

"The flowing of the tide at Korna is a singular sight: it prevails against the stream of the Euphrares, but finds the current of the Tigris too powerful; and, as you stand at the confluence of the two rivers, you see the flood-tide flowing up the Euphrates on the one hand, and forced back by the strength of the Tigris on the other, forming, by this contrary direction of two currents, a violent eddy between them. The tides of the Persian Gulf are sensibly felt in the Euphrates twenty miles above Korna, or one hundred and forty miles from the mouth of the river. The depth of the river at Hil lah, from what I could collect from the natives, exceeds forty feet when nearly full: at the time I saw it, the surface of the stream was within three feet of the edge of the bank, and must, I should conceive, have been fully of that depth. It had arrived very nearly at its greatest height, this being the period of its annual swell. It is broader, but not so rapid, as the Dijla or Tigris: that part of it between Karakoolee and the mounds was very narrow after which, as it approaches Hillah, it widens considerably, and close to the mound it forms a sudden bend, flowing almost between the tower of Belus and the large mound opposite to it; which appearance and formation induced me to hazard a conjecture that it might formerly have passed between them, instead of running to the westward of them both, as it now does. The inundations of the river do not tend to fertilize the land; the cultivation is carried on entirely by irrigation, the water X

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being thrown up into a trough by means of a very simple machine constructed on the edge of the bank, and easily worked by one man; thence it is conducted through narrow channels to any part of the fields. The perpendicular mud pilJars upon which the cross-bar rests are about two feet in diameter, and the basket that takes up the water is of an oval form, three feet long by sixteen or eighteen inches broad, made of reeds, and covered with bitumen.

"On account of the decayed state of the water-courses, cultivation is confined to the banks of the river, and the few ca. nals that admit the water at the annual increase of the river:-thus that country, which has been considered the rich est in the world, has more the appearance of a desert, than of lands that had formerly yielded fourhundred-fold to the industry of the husbandman.

"It is worthy of remark, that after leaving Korna, which is situated forty miles above Bussora, at the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris, no date. trees are to be seen on the banks of the latter river; and that the sides of the former are lined with them up to Babylon, and even a very considerable distance above it. The date-fruit to the present day constitute so essential a part of the food of the inhabitants, that it may, without any impropriety of either language or ideas, be esteemed the bread of the people; and from it also a fermented liquor is inade, into which aniseed is put, to give it a flavour. It is well kuown that the ancients were not very delicate with regard to the flavour of their wines, and that any fermented

liquor passed under that denomination, The Babylonians, however, might have possessed the art of extracting the sap, and making a liquor of it, or a wine, as Herodotus would have called it, by fermentation,-an art which the Arabs of the present day are unacquainted with.

Hillah, which is in lat. 32° 28' N., ob. served by Niebuhr, and said to be built on the site of ancient Babylon, is a goodsized town, containing from ten to twelve thousand inhabitants, with the Euphrates flowing through the midst of it. The two divisions of the place communicate by means of a bridge of boats of a very rude construction, and connected with each other by a couple of large iron chains, and platforms of date-trees, mats, and mud. A great number of date-trees are interspersed amongst the buildings, which, at a distance, give it the appearance of a large town situated in the midst of a grove.

"The road to it from Bagdad is good, and the surrounding country, as far as the eye can reach, perfectly flat, intersected with canals, which had been cut formerly across the Jezzera from the Tigris to the Euphrates, but at present they can only be traced by their decayed banks.

"The climate of this country has been considered particularly clear, fine, and healthy, though extremely hot, from April to October; and the water of the Eu phrates is held in almost as high estimation at the present day by the Arabs, as that of the Choaspes (the moderu Karoon) was regarded by the imperial lords of Ecbatana in ancient times."

VARIETIES, LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICA L. Including Notices of Works in Hand, Domestic and Foreign.

IT affords us great pleasure to be able

T affords us great pleasure to be able ceived of the arrival of Capt. PARRY'S expedition of Discovery at the mouth of Copper-Mine River, in the North American Ocean. A letter has been pubTished in that most respectable paper, the Dublin Evening Post, from a Mr. M'TARISH, of Montreal, giving an account of the arrival of an overland messenger, and mentioning the name of Hoffer, as the officer who employed him, an evident corruption of the name of Lieut. HOPPNER, who is with the ships. Doubts have been raised, because other fetters from Montreal do not mention this:

; but the omission only proves the

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ignorance or want of public feeling of the silent writers. In such matters, one positive assertion is worth a hundred negatives. Besides, it is manifest, that if the ships had not found a passage out of Baffin's Bay, by the channel so fully described in Fisher's account of the first Voyage, there was nothing to prevent their return to Europe in October. entertain, therefore, no doubt of the suc cessful progress of the enterprising navi. gators, and that our next account of them will be overland from Kamschatka, or in the publication of another narrative of Mr. FISHER, the surgeon of Capt. Parry's ship, in the Journal of New Voyages. The mouth of Copper-Mine

River is in latitude 69° and longitude 110; that is, 30 north of Iceland, and 14° south of the north cape of Norway. Hearne, Mackenzie, and others, describe tribes of Indians as living in the vicinity; and, as the ships are fully provided, we conceive no doubt can be entertained that they are safe, and that they will live to enjoy the glory of the enterprise, and the bounty offered by Parliament.

It is well known, that it was judiciously arranged that an expedition should proceed by land from Hudson's Bay, to meet the nautical expedition, and cooperate with them. The following letter from the land expedition, has appeared in one of the journals:

Aug. 27, 1819; at sea.

After passing the southern part of Greenland, named Cape Farewell, we met with much ice; but, as it did not lie thick, little difficulty was experienced in forcing a way through it; nor did it prove so great an impediment as the contrary winds, which still continued to thwart us. Near the Greenland coast, the streams or fields of ice consisted of a collection of leose and comparatively flat pieces, more or less densely compacted together, according to the state of the weather; but, on approaching the shores of Labrador, we fell in with many icebergs, or large floating fields of ice.

In these straits the Hudson's-bay vessels are generally visited by a tribe of Esquimaux, who frequent the shores during summer, and come off to the ships for the purpose of bartering their whole wealth, which consits in whale and seal blubber, for iron, which has become an article of

the first consequence to them. Accordingly, one day when we were above twenty miles from the shore, these poor creatures ventured off in their skin canoes, pulling with the utmost anxiety to reach the vessels. It sometimes happens, when the ships have a fair wind, that they run past the Esquimaux haunts without stopping: in the present instance, however, we were detained by light contrary winds, which enabled them to overtake us; and, when they did so, they expressed so much joy and exultation, that it was easy to conceive how great their disappointment must have been when they missed us. In a short time we were surrounded by thirty or forty canoes, each carrying one man, with his small cargo of merchandize, which, to their great satisfaction, they speedily exchanged for pieces of iron hoops, knives, saws, hatchets and harpoons, and tin-pots. The wind continuing contrary during the remainder of the day, we stood in towards the land, and gave the women of the tribe an opportunity to come off, which they did, in tive large canoes framed like the large one

of skins, but open, and each capable of carrying from twenty to thirty people. The oars were pulled by women, but there was an old man in each boat to direct them. As they brought off a great many children, I suppose we saw the whole tribe, amounting to nearly 200 souls. August 31: York Factory.-We have landed here in safety; find the country more pleasant than we expected; and have been told that the difficulties of travelling in this country have been exaggerated.

Two other Books of the Historical Memoirs of Napoleon, by HIMSELF, are, in Europe; and one of them may be ex. pected soon to appear. The other is retarded by the cupidity of the_person who undertook to convey it to Europe; and who demands, as a personal douceur for the right of publication, no less than 4,000 pounds sterling.

Mr. FORSTER, the much-admired author of Essays on " Decision of Character," &c. has in the press, and will publish in a few weeks, an Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance; in an octavo volume.

Mr. SHARON TURNER'S third edition three volumes octavo, is nearly ready. It of the History of the Anglo-Saxons, in will contain an addition of several observations and dialogues of King Alfred on the subjects discussed by Boethius, a fuller analysis of the heroic poem of Beowulf, a larger view of the Witenagemot or Anglo-Saxon Parliament, and a detail of the population of the AngloSaxons.

"The amusing tourist, Dr. SYNTAX, bas extended his peregrinations to France, where there is indeed ample scope for his, of the Grotesque, is a happy ideas and descriptive powers. A tour in search we doubt not, that the learned Doctor, in his poetical survey of Paris, will afford us a much more entertaining picture than has yet been furnished of that most. fascinating capital, not excepting even the sallies of fancy which have emanated from the lively author of "The Fudge Family."

Mr. J. P. NEALE is proceeding in the third volume of his work of Noblemen's and Gentlemen's Seats in the United Kingdom. The work is published in monthly numbers, quarto and octavo, and will, when complete, form six vo-, lumes, viz. four being views in England, and Wales, one in Scotland, and one in Ireland.

The same tasteful author will also publish on the 1st of April, No. IX. of the History and Antiquities of the Abbey Church of St. Peter's, Westminster. The

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whole will be completed in twelve numbers, with sixty highly-finished engravings by J. and H. Lekeux, Woolnoth, Scott, &c. &c. from drawings by himself.

The third volume of the Classical New Novels, called "The Circulating Library," will appear on the 15th of March, and will consist of a work of great interest. Mr. NICHOLS is preparing for publication, a Fourth Volume of his voluminous though curious Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century.

Mr. WILLIAM TURNER has in the press, in three octavo volumes, a Journal of a Tour in Greece, Egypt, and the Holy Land; with excursions to the River Jordan, and along the banks of the Red Sea to Mount Sinai.

Mr. A. TAYLOR's long-expected work on the subject of Coronations, is announced for immediate publication, under the title of The Glory of Regality. As the important constitutional solemnity of which it treats will soon engross much of the public attention, the work will doubt less be received with considerable interest. A Picturesque Tour from Geneva over Mount Simplon, to Milan, in one volume imperial octavo, is in preparation, This work, which cannot fail to claim the particular attention of the continental traveller, will contain thirty-six coloured engravings of the most interesting scenery in that romantic tract, and especially the most striking points of view in the new road over the Simplon.

Six monthly Parts are about to appear of Picturesque Illustrations of Buenas Ayres and Monte Video, consisting of twenty-four views and faithful representions of the costumes, manners, &c. of the inhabitants of those cities and their environs; taken on the spot by E. E. VIDAL, esq. and accompanied with descriptive letter-press.

A satirical work is in the press, under the title of Sketches from St. George's Fields; by GIORGIONE DI CASTEL CHI. Uso, with twenty vignettes from the author's designs.

Mr. ASBURY, surgeon, of Enfield, is preparing for the press, An Essay on Croup; which has for its object the illustration of a new and successful mode of treating that disease.

Tour through Normandy, to be illus trated by numerous etchings of antiquities, and other interesting subjects, by DAWSON TURNER, esq. of Yarmouth, is in the press.

A new edition of Debrett's Peerage of the United Kingdom, will be published in a few days,

The next Number of the Journal of New Voyages and Travels, will consist of a Tour through Spain, by Mr. GRAHAM, during the Peninsular war.

Mr. JAMES WILSON has in the press, A Journal of two successive Tours upon the Continent, performed in the years 1816, 1817, and 1818; containing an account of the principal places in the South of France, of the great road over the Alps, and of the chief cities and most interesting parts of Italy; accompanied with occasional remarks, historical and critical.

Mr. T. L. BICKNELL, of Greenwich, will shortly publish a volume of Original Miscellanies, in verse and prose.

It appears, from the Eighth Report of the National Society, that there are 1467 schools on Dr. BELL's system; and, from the Fourteenth Report of the British and Foreign School Society, that there are 297 schools upon the Lancasterian plan; making a total, upon the new system, of 1764 schools.

The Heraldic Visitation of the Coun ty Palatine of Durham, by William Flower, esq. in 1575, containing upwards of fifty pedigrees of the principal families of the county, each embellished with a wood-cut of the arms and quar terings then entered, and a beautiful engraved title-page, from a design by Williment, is preparing for publication; edited by NICHOLAS JOHN PHILIPSON, esq. of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Mr. JAMES KENNEY will soon publish, in octavo, Valdi, or the Libertine's Son, a poem, in five parts.

The colossal head of Memnon, which has been recently deposited in the ninth room of the British Museum, weighs fourteen tons, and is composed of a solid piece of granite, the head of which is of a fleshcolour, and the lower part of a darkgrey. The face has been lately touched over with the chisel; but it was, when found, in a fine state of preservation: this may be owing in a great degree to the hardness of the stone of which it is made. The features of the face, although not very beautiful, are admirably fine, when compared with those of the ugly Egyptian deities placed in the same room. The chin, which projects very little, rests upon an oblong square, which terminates in the upper part of the body. The ears are somewhat large for the head. The lips are broad, large, and flat, and do not appear sufficiently round. The neck is short, and is not in very perfect unison with the size of the body. The extremities of the hood lap over the

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shoulders on each side, in the Egyptian style. The left shoulder was split off in a transverse direction; but it is now properly joined to the body. At the back of the head are several hieroglyphics, inscribed, no doubt, in honour of this deity, to whom was dedicated the building called the Memnomium at Thebes, from the ruins of which this colossal fragment was brought about two years ago.

An historical work on the Persecutions in France, is in preparation, by the Rev. MARK WILKS.

Mr. B. HUTCHINSON, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, has in the press, Illustrations of Cases of Tic Dou loureux successfully treated.

Mr. B. HANBURY is preparing for the press, an Historical Research concerning the most ancient Congregational Church in England, shewing the claim of the church of Union-street, in the Borough of Southwark, to that distinction.

In the course of the month will be published, in demy octavo, the first Part of a History of England during the Reign of George the Third, from the pen of Mr. ROBERT SCOTT. The work will be embellished with numerous portraits and other engravings.

A Morning paper of Tuesday, January 11, 1820, contained the following extract of a letter, dated Berlin, December 28, 1819: "The police has seized, in all the booksellers shops in this city, the work of M. BRENNECK which was advertised some time ago in several journals, A Proof from the Bible that Christ, after his Crucifixion, remained twentyseven years upon Earth, and promoted in silence the good of Humanity."

The Rev. J. GILBART, of Dublin, has in the press, and will shortly publish, a Series of connected Lectures on the Holy Bible revealed by God for Man.

Mr. PHILIP, of Liverpool, is about to publish a new Life of Whitefield, the materials of which have been collected from various British and American sources.

Early in the month will appear, Chevy Chace, the second edition, with other Poems.

Mr. GORHAM'S History of St. Neot's, in a thick octavo volume, is expected to appear in the present month.

A new edition of Dr. BISSETT's History of the Reign of George the Third, continued to his death, is in forwardness, The second edition of Dr. AIKIN's Annals of the Reign of George the Third, brought down to the time of his death, is expected in the course of a month.

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Mr. TYSON has in the press, Elements of the History of Civil Governments, with an account of the present state and distinguishing features of the governments now in existence.

Captain GIFFORD, R.N. has in the press, and nearly ready for publication, a new edition, with considerable additions, of his Remonstrance of an Unitarian, addressed to the Bishop of St. David's.

RUSSIA.

A collection of nearly 500 Persian, Arabic, and Turkish MSS. has been added at once to the treasures already pos sessed by the Asiatic Museum of the Petersburgh Academy. They were col lected in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia, by a person versed in those languages, namely, M. ROUSSEAU, formerly the Consul-general of France at Aleppo, and since at Bagdad, and taken to France, where they were immediately purchased for Russia before any competition arose from other countries. seum, which was already distinguished by its fine collection of Chinese, Japanese, Mantchou, Mongol, Kalmuck, and Tungusian writings, as well as of Oriental coins and antiquities, has, by this sudden and great addition of Mussulman MSS. gained in utility as much as it has acquired in higher rank among similar collections in foreign countries.

The Asiatic Mu

The periodical publications under the patronage and sanction of the Russian government are as follows: 1. The Petersburgh Journal, published by the Academy of Sciences, in the Russian and German languages, is one of the oldest journals in Russia. 2. The Moscow Journal, published by the University. 3. The Casan Journal, compiled by the professors of the University; and similar journals are published at Riga, Wilna, Charkow, Astrakan, and at other chief cities. There are also, Le Conservateur Imperial, printed in French, under the direction of the minister for foreign affairs; the Journal of the Senate, in Russian and German; the Northern Post, or New Petersburgh Journal, by the m:nistry for the home department: it comprises news, economy, technology, manufactures, and commerce. The Russian Invalid, or Military Journal, is entrusted to a committee, and appears daily, containing the Emperor's orders of the day, military promotions, with intelligence, as well political as literary; and Memoirs of the Admiralty Department, which contains whatever is interesting to the Russian navy.

SWEDEN.

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