in an author of his pretensións to publish names candidly and fully. We may also hint to him, that if the parties should be dead, he will run no risk of legal consequences.

Whatever may have been Mr. Huggins' successes as an indigo planter, we think that he might have regained his temper during a four months' voyage to England; at all events, that he need not have vented his spleen upon those who have never injured him, and whom, it is very probable, that he has never seen.

book is, its pretension to impartiality; this, however, we shall leave to the impartial reader.

As we do not intend to follow the author into the wide field in which he has been expatiating, three quarters of a page will abundantly answer our purpose: we therefore take leave of him.

P.S. We hope that a new title will be invented for the next work upon India; the one at the head of this article having been appropriated on no less than four occasions within the

Professor Fraehn, proposed at the last meeting, was elected an honorary member, and Mr. T. Thomason a member of the society.

Letters were received from the Horticultural, Geological, and Astronomical Societies of London, acknowledging the receipt of the volumes of the Researches presented to them by the Asiatic Society.

A letter was read from H. T. Colebrooke, Esq., announcing his having dispatched a copy of the index to the first fourteen volumes of the Researches, which has since been received.

A specimen of the aerolite that fell near Allahabad in 1822, was presented by Mr. Nisbet, through Dr. Carey.

A curious species of lizard from the woods of Bancoorah, was presented by Mr. Flatman, of the telegraph department. A dried flying-fish by Mr. Hewitt. Two Otaheitan carved paddles by Capt. Webster, of the ship Juliana: these paddles were a personal present from the Queen of Otaheite to the commander of a country ship which touched at the island. Some Hindoo images and rosaries by Mr. Tytler; and an artificial wax candle by Mr. Gibbons.

A letter was read from Mr. Pickering, of Salem, Massachussetts, presenting a copy of Dr. Edwards' Observations on the Language of the Muhhekaneew Indians, one of the tribes of the North American Continent, lately published, with notes, by Mr. Pickering.

The third volume, 1822, of the Indische Bibliothec, was received from Professor Schlegel. The Journal Asiatique, from September 1822 to January 1823, from the Asiatic Society of Paris; and Rouleaux de Papyrus, from M. Von Hammer, of Vienna.

Baron de Sacy has completed his second volume of the Mukaumutee Hurreeree in Arabic, and has forwarded a copy to the Society.

The secretary read a biographical sketch of the life of the late Lieut. Col. Lamb. ton, F. R.S., by John Warren, Esq. In this brief memoir the following characteristic anecdote is mentioned. On the 4th of April 1799, General Baird received orders to proceed during the night to scour a tope, where it was supposed that Tippoo had placed an advanced post. Capt. Lambton accompanied him as his staff, and after having repeatedly traversed the tope, without finding any one in it, the General resolved to return to camp, and proceeded accordingly, as he thought, towards headquarters. However, as the night was clear, and the constellation of the great bear was near the meridian, Captain Lambton noticed, that instead of proceding southerly, as was necessary for reaching the camp, the division was advancing towards the north-that is to say, on Tippoo's whole army; and immediately warned General Baird of the mistake. But the General (who troubled himself little about astronomy) replied, that he knew very well how he was going without consulting the stars. Presently the detachment fell in with one of the enemy's outposts, which was soon dispersed; but this at last led General Baird to apprehend that Capt. Lambton's observation might be correct enough; he ordered a light to be struck,

and on consulting a pocket compass, it was found (as Col. Lambton used humorously to say) that the stars were right!

A letter was read from the chief secretary to Government, presenting to the So. ciety seven copper-plates with Sanscrit inscriptions, recently discovered in a field near the junction of the Burna Nullah with the Ganges at Benares. The secre

tary to the Society also read a translation of the inscriptions and remarks by Capt. Fell, with additional observations by himself. These inscriptions, and other authorities to be met with in the volumes of the Asiatic Researches, furnish a tolerably satisfactory record of the series of princes who reigned at Kanooj and Delhi, in the period that intervened between the first aggressions of the Mussulmans, and the final subversion of the native states in the upper parts of Hindoostan. They are, with one exception, records of grants made in the reign of Jaya-Chandra, the last of the rival house of Kanooj, who survived but a very short time the downfall of that of Delhi, to which he contributed not only by previous contests for pre-eminence, but even, if the Mussulman writers are to be believed, by an actual alliance with the invaders.

A statistical account of Kemaoon by Mr. Traill was laid before the Society; and also a series of tables of the barometer and thermometer, by Capt. J. A. Hodgson, surveyor-general.

The secretary submitted a private letter from Mr. Gerard, forwarding his Vocabularies of the Hill Dialects, conceiving them likely to be acceptable to the Society. -[Cal. Gov. Gaz., Sept. 11.

CALCUTTA MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL SOCIETY.

At the meeting of the Medical and Phy. sical Society held lately, there was a very numerous attendance of members and of visitors interested in the prosperity of the institution. Two distinguished individuals, Major-General Hardwicke and the Hon. Sir C. Grey, of Madras, were elected honorary members of the Society, and several new names were added to the list of non-residents. We are happy to learn that this is daily increasing, and already comprizes a very large proportion of the medical gentlemen of both services on this establishment, besides some belonging to the sister Presidencies. Among many instructive communications read at the meeting on Saturday, there was one of more particular interest, from its detailing the effects of the new remedy, iodine, in goitre (ghiga of the natives). This disease, we understand, is extremely common in some districts of India, and the acquisition of so powerful an agent in its removal becomes therefore an object of the first importance. Though known for several years to the scientific world as a dis

tinct chemical principle similar to oxygen, clorine, &c., iodine has but very recently been applied to the practice of medicine, and it is on that account the more essential, that every fact connected with its adminis tration in goitre, or other diseases, should be carefully noted and recorded. We should be glad to know whether, as it is a marine production, some plants, or fuci, may not be found on the shores of India, to yield iodine in greater abundance than those from which it has hitherto been obtained at home. This would seem highly probable, from the water of the ocean containing a larger proportion of saline ingredients in hot than in temperate climates; and thereby, it may be presumed, imparting a character of greater intensity to the vegetable elements in whose formation it is accessory. Another subject of great interest to all classes of the community was brought before the meeting, namely, the destruction occasioned to timher by various kinds of insects. mens of the paroges were exhibited, of the temas fatalis, or white ant, and the teredo navalis; and the members were solicited to direct their researches with a view to discover the best mode of preventing these destructive effects.-[Ind. Gaz.

RUSSIAN CHINESE LITERATI.

Speci

St. Petersburgh, Jan. 23, 1824. Ever since the year 1728, when the treaty of peace and commerce was concluded between Russia and China, our Government has maintained at Pekin an Archimandrite and four ecclesiastics, to whom as many young men were added, to learn the Chinese language, and to serve, in the sequel, as interpreters, as well on the frontiers as in the department of foreign affairs at St. Petersburgh. Hitherto no persons have returned to Russia from this establishment who have done any important service to literature; but the archimandrite Hyacinthus, who has lately returned from China, differs from all his predecessors. Astonishment is excited by the zeal with which he has applied to the Chinese and other languages, and by the important works which he has composed during his residence at Pekin: viz. 1. A General History of China, from the year 2357 before the birth of Christ, to the year 1633 of the Christian era, 9 vols. folio;-2. A Geographical and Statistical Description of the Chinese Empire, with a large map, in the five principal languages spoken by the people, in 2 vols. folio;-3. The Works of Confucius, translated into Russian, with a Commentary ;4. A Russian and Chinese Dictionary;-5. Four works on the Geography and History of Thibet, and of Little Bucharia ;6. The History of the Land of the Mongols ;-7. The Code of Laws given by the Chinese Government to the Mongol Tribes;

-8. An accurate Description of the City of Pekin;-9. Description of the Dykes and Works erected to confine the Waters of the Yellow River, followed by an ac curate Description of the Great Canal of China. Besides these Chinese works translated into Russian, the Archimandrite Hyacinthus has written several treatises on the manners, customs, festivals, and domestic employments of the Chinese, and on their military art, and on the manufactures and branches of industry in which they excel.

The interest which the Emperor Alexander takes in every thing that can contribute to the glory of the empire and of his government, and to all that can extend the sphere of useful knowledge, gives reason to hope that the Russian Government will afford the learned Archimandrite the necessary means to print the literary treasures which he has brought with him from China. -Literary Gazette.

TRAVELS OF M. BERGGREEN IN THE EAST.

M. Berggreen, Chaplain to the Swedish Legation at Constantinople, who commenced in 1820 a tour in Asia and Africa, has been obliged to return to Sweden, after a severe illness; but he has brought with him, from the Maronite convent of Antara, situated on Mount Lebanon, where he passed some time,

many curious observations, and a copy of the pretended Holy Scriptures of the Drusos; a book filled, he says, with abominable doctrites. The geography of Mount Lebanon is very different from the account given of it by Volney.-[Literary Gazette.

PRESERVATION OF SHIPS' BOTTOMS.

Sir H. Davy and Sir Robert Seppings have been at Portsmouth, applying a chemico-mechanical process, by way of experiment, for the preservation of shipping. This consists of the introduction of iron or zinc in union with the coppering on the bottoms of vessels, by which means their sheathing is rendered electro-negative, and

resists the corrosive action of the saltwater. The Samarang, of 28 guns; the Manby, gun-brig; and several boats have been coppered on the new principle.

COAL IN SYRIA.

A stratum of coal, of considerable thickness, has been discovered in Syria, a few miles inland from the coast; and a pit or mine has been opened, from whence the Pacha of Egypt is preparing to draw supplies for the steam-boats which he is intending to employ on the Nile and its branches.

SHERWAROYAH HILLS.

According to a register published in the Madras Gazette, the greatest height of the

thermometer on the Sherwaroyah hills during last month (July), between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. was 69; the least height 60. The register is headed by the following gratifying communication, addressed to the Editor.

"I send you a register of the thermometer on the Sherwaroyah hills for the month of July: the thermometer was kept in a house covered with grass.

"The months of May, June, and July, are the hottest; and in this year they have been more hot than usual, owing to the quantity of rain which has fallen having been less. The climate is delightful. The black and yellow raspberry are common, and so are the orange and the lime, which grow wild; some peach trees, and a China plum tree, planted in October last, have already yielded fruit. English apple trees, the Cape and Tirhoot pear, the Cape peach, and China flat peach, which have been brought from Bangalore, are all in a thriving state. The strawberries are excellent; and Europe vegetables of every description grow most luxuriantly."[Mad. Cour., Aug. 16.

NORTH-EASTERN COAST OF SIBERIA.

Capt. Cochrane, after two years' exploration of the north-eastern coast of Sibe

ria, has ascertained that there is no junc

tion between the continents of Asia and America.

ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

The meetings of this society, during the last few months, have been very interesting. Amongst the papers that have been read, we may particularly notice a memoir on the Natural History, &c. of a portion of Afghanisthan, by the late Capt. Gilbert Blane;-the Chinese Regulations for the Trade with Russia (communicated by Sir G. T. Staunton, Bart.);-the Metaphysical System of Gotam, a Hindoo philosopher, by the Director, H. T. Colebrooke, Esq.; -and an Account of the Indian Fig Tree, as described both by ancient and modern writers, by the Secretary, Dr. Noehden.

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

Feb. 13. This day being the fourth anniversary of the Society, a numerous meeting of the members took place at their apartments in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, when a very satisfactory report upon the state of the Society's affairs and proceedings during the last year was read, and ordered to be printed. This report paid a due tribute of respect to several members which the Society has lost by death in the last year, and particularly to Colonel Lambton, of Madras, and Dr. Walbeck, of the Observatory of Abo. It gives a succinct account

Memoirs of India. By R. G. Wallace.

8vo. 14s.

On the Colonization of New Zealand; addressed to the People of England. 8vo. 6d.

The History of George Desmond: founded on Facts which occurred in the EastIndies, and now published as a useful caution to Young Men going out to that country. Post 8vo. 7s.

Preparing for Publication.

The Universal Review; or Chronicle of the Literature of all Nations. No. I. 5s. To be published every two months.

Twelve Views of Calcutta and its Environs, from Drawings executed by James B. Fraser, from Sketches made on the spot.

CALCUTTA PRESS.

Preparing for Publication.

A Code of Signals, for the use of Vessels employed in the Merchant Service, by Capt. Marryatt, R.N.; including a Cypher for Secret Correspondence, and all the Merchants' Ships belonging to the Ports of Calcutta and Bombay.

The Bengal Almanack and Annual Directory for 1824.

The Case of Mr. Erskine, containing an Authentic Statement of the Proceedings against that Gentleman in the Hon. the Recorder's Court of Bombay, in June 1823. The Bengal Stud Book.

The Calcutta Annual Directory and Register, for the Year 1824.

FRENCH PUBLICATIONS.

Pantheon Egyptien, Collection des Personnages Mythologiques de l'Ancienne Egypte, d'après les Monumens, avec un Texte explicatif; par M. J. F. Champollion le Jeune, et les figures d'après les dessins de M. L. J. J. Dubois. Paris, 1823, in-4to.

In the Press. Chrestomathie Chinois, par M. Moulinier, avec nombre de Planches lithographiées.

Dictionnaire Mandchou-Français, par J. Klaproth, un fort volume grand in-8vo. Fables Arméniennes, nouvellement traduites, avec le texte en regard.

Grammaire Arabe Vulgaire, suivie de Dialogues, de Lettres, et d'Actes de tous genres, par Caussin de Perceval. Vol. in-8vo.

Grammaire Japonaise du P. Rodriguez, traduite sur le Portugais par M. Landresse.

Mémoires relatifs l'Asie, par J. Klaproth. Un vol. in-8vo.

Meng-Tseu, ou Mencius, le plus célèbre philosophe Chinois après Confucius, traduit littéralement au Latin, et revu avec soin sur la version Tartare-Mand. chou, avec des Notes par A. Stanislas Julien.

Tableaux Historiques de l'Asie, depuis la Monarchie de Cyrus jusqu'à nos jours ; par J. Klaproth. Un vol. in-4to., avec un Atlas in-fo. de 25 cartes.

East-India House, Feb. 27.

HAILEYBURY COLLEGE.

An adjourned Special General Court of Proprietors of East-India Stock was this day held at the Company's house in Leadenhall Street, for the purpose of con tinuing the consideration of the following proposition, viz.

"That application be made to Parliament, in the present Session, for the Repeal of the 46th Clause of the Act of the 53d Geo. III. cap. 155, by which the Court of Directors is prohibited from sending to India, in the capacity of a Writer, any person who shall not have resided during Four Terms at the Haileybury College."

The minutes of the last Court having been read,

The Chairman (W. Wigram, Esq.) acquainted the Court, that it was met, by adjournment, to resume the consideration of the College question.

Previous to the commencement of the regular business of the day,

Mr. Kirkpatrick rose, and observed, that having seen in The Times Newspaper a paragraph, complaining that at the last Court the reporters had been prevented from occupying the situation which they usually took in that room, he wished to ask whether the Hon. Chairman had sanctioned such a prohibition? (Hear!)

The Chairman." I can answer most distinctly that no such orders were issued. It was merely directed that none but Proprietors should be admitted into the Court until twelve o'clock. This has been the customary practice. I was, until a late hour yesterday evening, ignorant that any inconvenience had been sustained by the reporters, whose exclusion I certainly do not desire." (Hear!)

Mr. Kirkpatrick wished to know whether he was to understand that the reporters were in future to be allowed their usual indulgence?

The Chairman." I am at a loss to know the meaning of the expression 'usual indulgence.' The first persons entitled to seats in this Court are the Proprietors; that is an undeniable proposition. Those gentlemen who attend for the public press are at present, I perceive, in that part of the Court where they have been permitted to sit, as a matter of courtesy. I hope they will receive every accommodation; but I cannot be a party to granting that, as a matter of right, which is, Asiatic Journ.-No. 100.

in fact, a matter of indulgence."—(Hear, hear!)*

The Hon. D. Kinnaird's motion having been read, the debate on the college question proceeded.

Mr. Money said, when he was interrupted on the preceding Wednesday by a Learned Gent. (Mr. Impey), who moved an adjournment, he rose merely to offer a few observations on that part of the speech of the Hon. and Learned Gent. (Mr. R. Jackson), who was now entering the Court, wherein he stated that he would exhibit to the Proprietors what he conceived to be the morality of the College at Hertford; with that view he repeated a quotation from a pamphlet published by Mr. Malthus, and to which he (Mr. Jackson) had referred in a speech made in that Court seven years ago.

The Learned Gentleman had, however, introduced only a partial statement of the sentiments of the author; he had stopped short on the material point, and arrived at a very different conclusion, as to the state of the College, from that which the learned writer had intended to be drawn. He deemed it necessary, at the time when what had fallen from the Learned Gentleman was fresh in the recollection of the Court, to make some remarks; but, as the debate had taken a different course, he now requested the indulgence of the Court while he delivered his sentiments on the general question before them; a question which had been temperately and dispassionately introduced by the Hon. Mover; a question which appeared to him to be of vital importance to their civil service in India, and to be intimately connected with the dearest interests of the East-India Company. (Hear!) In offering his sentiments, he was unconscious of having his mind under the influence of any bias, which should divest his judgment of that title to impartiality to which other gentlemen, and he doubted not with justice, had laid claim. He had no concern with the foundation of the East-India College, for he was not in England when it was projected; and he was free to confess, that some of the earliest fruits which it produced, and which he had opportunities of very nearly observing

*It may be proper to observe, that, at the preceding debate, on the 25th of February, the reporters were, through some misapprehension, excluded from the body of the Court, where they have been in the habit of sitting. They heard, or rather attempted to hear, the debate from the gallery; but the situation is so extremely inconvenient, the crowd was so great, and the noise so considerable, that it was impossible, at times, to catch what fell from the speakers, whose backs were necessarily turned towards them, when they addressed the Chair.

VOL. XVII.

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