falling into the Irtish, and forming here the boundary of Chinese Mogulistan. A little higher this is defined by the Buchtarma, in a N. W. course.

The left of the Irtish is an open steppe, and inhabited by the great horde of the nomade Kirghis, who are also found rambling on the right bank of the stream. The travellers passed several of their wandering communities, or Aule, the land near which was partially cultivated. They saw here mostly (Holcus sorgum,) and in good condition, for the Kirghis are careful to irrigate the plains; cutting small trenches, in all directions, to convey the water from the hills. They also cultivate wheat.

the existence of these the Chinese com. mandant seemed to be perfectly aware, and being interrogated in his turn, told them that he had come direct from Pekin on horseback, in four months; that he had not been there long, and that the commander of the station was changed every three years. After a short stay the visitors departed, and crossed to the second station; the officer here awaited them in his Jurte, before which a number of poles were erec ted, with fresh meat hanging thereon, through which they had to seek a passage: he was dressed like the other commandant, but was older and dirtier, and so were his tent and attendants. The conversation also was more troublesome to carry on, as he did not understand Mongolian, or perhaps thought it beneath his dignity to hold direct communication with the interpreter. M. von Humboldt presented him with a piece of velvet, which he thankfully accepted, and offered tea; but this was declined. He led the party to a temple not far from the Irtish, a small square wooden building, with the door towards the river; the interior containing only an altar opposite the door, and on the wall above the altar a Buddhist idol. There was between the door and the river a wall rather longer than the temple; and between these stood an altar of slate, on which were live coals.

At one o'clock the party reached the Chinese posts, for there are two; one on each bank of the Irtish. They live in tents, or Kirghis Jurten (a kind of tent) placed irregularly, and without regard to order. Mongols form the left post; Chinese the right; and both are under Chinese officers. Between the two, on an island in the Irtish, is a Kossack piquet under a Jessaul, or cap. tain of cavalry these live in houses, and superintend the fishery carried on up the Chinese Irtish to the Saisan lake, by the neighboring Kossacks: they also arrange the moderate duties on salt and sturgeon, payable to the Chinese officers, and preserve a good understanding with this nation. During the winter, when there is no Returning, they soon after received a fishing, the Russian piquet retires to the visit from the first commandant, with two next village, Krasnojarsk; and the Chinese of his companions. The guests were re. to Tschugutschask, a town south of the ceived seated by the European party, and Saisan Lake, and 446 versts from Buchtar- the common Mongols thronged to the door minsk, the place of banishment for the Chi- of the Jurte to look on. The Chinese chief nese nobility. As the arrival of the party and his companions proceeded to smoke was anticipated, the Kossacks had erected their pipes, urging the Europeans to do the two high Jurtes for them, and from hence same. These pipes, it is well known, are they visited the right station. The com- small, and exhausted after a few whiffs, mandant was young, meagre, and wore a therefore requiring incessant re filling and blue silk robe reaching to the ancles, and lighting, which was done by the attendants. the well-known pointed bonnet, at the back The chief tried also the tobacco offered him of which were several peacock feathers, ho- by M. Yermoloff, (the son of the distinrizontally placed, indicative of his rank: guished Caucasian Governor,) which he his comrades were dressed similarly, but seemed to relish, but soon laid aside his had no feathers. He invited the travellers pipe on perceiving that his hosts did not by signs to enter his tent, in which, oppo- smoke. He was now offered a piece of site the door, and on one side, stood several fine blue cloth, which he long hesitated to chests covered with carpets and pillows: a accept, expressing at the same time through. carpet was also spread on the ground. He the interpreter his reluctance to take so extook his seat opposite the door, and placed tensive a present, and repeatedly pushing it M. Humboldt by his side; the rest sat on back gently. M. von Humboldt did the the other chests, or on the ground: they same, urging him, through the same chanhad brought an interpreter who spoke only nel, to accept it. After several times pushMongol, which, however, the Chinese ing it backwards and forwards, the Chinese functionary understood. He offered them finally yielded, and apparently with great tea, which was declined, and inquired after satisfaction. He inquired also what he the objects of M. Humboldt's journey. The could offer in return, and the interpreter, latter answered, to inspect the mines: of who had been instructed beforehand, replied

that M. von Humboldt would find nothing country seemed sterile; the soil hilly, conmore agreeable than some books which he sisting for the most part of grey wacke, with had seen in the Chinese Jurte. They were but little earth, the banks of the river were instantly brought and presented, but accept reedy, and particularly at the island station ed only after several ceremonies and pro- of the Kossacks. Posts similar to this of longed reluctance, by M. Humboldt. These Baty extend along the whole Chinese fron books are an Historical Novel in four vo- tier. lumes, entitled San-Kue tchai, containing For other particulars respecting the mi the history of the three kingdoms into neralogy, &c. of these districts, we must rewhich China was divided after the Han fer to the copious details everywhere fur dynasty, and are deposited in the Royal nished by our Author, and which are, by Library at Berlin. They have been the their nature, precluded from transfer to our subject of a dispute between M. Klaproth pages. To the scientific inquirer the work and Professor Neumann, of Munich. on these accounts is invaluable.

ART. X-Memoria justificativa que dirige a sus Conciudadanos el General Cordova. (Memoir addressed by General Cordova to his Fellow-Citizens.) Paris. 1837.

The Chinese commander expressed much pleasure at learning that they were intended for. M. von Humboldt's brother, who was studying the Chinese language; and inscribed them as requested with his name, Chin foo. The pencil with which he did this was a novelty at which he gazed with admiration, and accepted it, when offered, evidently gratified. Madeira, biscuit, and sugar, of which last the Mongols are extremely fond, and they eat it alone, were THE affairs of Spain have long occupied a now handed to the guests. Chin foo drank large space in the columns of the daily but little of the wine, and took only a small press of Europe, and of England and piece of sugar: without tasting, he placed France more especially ;-the military ope it, like the biscuit, upon the cloth by the side rations of the rival parties, and the acts of of the pencil; and these, with a packet of the Cortes, have been animadverted upon tobacco from M. Yermoloff, were carried under the influence of feelings and preju away by the attendants. The others, how-dices that vitiate the real aspect of affairs, ever, drank several glasses of the wine, al- and complicate the difficulties that other ways at a single draught, and put away wise sufficiently impede the formation of a their pipes at sight ot the sugar, which they correct judgment on the present, the past, devoured in quantities. Sugar was also and the future. But for this consideration distributed amongst the inferior Mongols, it would indeed be strange that a point who had by this time entered the tent, and forming the subject of longer and more ge who stretched out their hands for it like neral discussion than any other in Europe, children. After some time, Chin-foo rose and amongst natives as well as strangers, and took leave: his whole conduct evinced shonld never yet have been viewed in its him a perfectly well-bred man. More op- real light, nor the causes developed which portunity was now afforded for observing have so hopelessly protracted a sanguinary the inferior Mongols, who came forward and bitter civil warfare, and succeeded in so full of curiosity from all quarters, and even totally disorganizing the very government touched the Europeans, but showed no an- of the country. The work that heads our ger when pushed back. In the two sta- present article is characteristic of the Spations were about eighty men, dressed like nish genius and temperament. With an their leaders, though in different colored ample display, or rather an assumption of robes, confined by a girdle at the waist; but displaying information, judgment, and com all ragged, dirty, and without arms. They prehensive views, it unites an animation of were without an exception meagre, and thought and a copiousness of diction that therefore were much struck with the cor- amuse the mind, but leave no traces of conpulence of one of the Europeans, putting viction behind them. On the contrary, it their hands round his stomach, and touch affords an irrefragable evidence that the ing him with their fingers. Of their wea- military leaders, no less than the ministers, pons were shown only bows and arrows, of a state are frequently subject to political which, together with other things, such as infirmities that defy eradication and are pipes, porcelain, and chop-sticks, they freely difficult of even a temporary cure. The offered for sale or exchange. There were Spanish Nation itself appears, indeed, at this camels among their tents, and a flock of juncture, to be suffering under a kind of goats and fat-tailed sheep. The whole political disorder, which affects at the same

in privileges, spurned all who could trace and industrious habits. Every family unblest their proper ancestry; the gay Valencian with an Employé and an Ecclesiastic amongst and softer Andalusian, smiled in secret com- its members considered itself degraded; for placence at their own superior happiness; in Spanish society all were looked upon as the Granadian, in half oriental warmth, inferiors that did not belong to the clergy, the still breathed the last sigh of the Moor; military, or the civil department. Hence and all, in pride or idleness, derided and the peculiarities of their social state; and abhorred the toiling Gallician, seeking a hence too it happened that the emigrants to master in every Spaniard. Habits so dis- Spanish America were men destitute of for tinct, and strengthened by so long and iso- tune and education. The numerous class lated an existence, could not easily be borne of employés, accustomed to live by the go down even by the predominating influence vernment, and employing adulation to conci and gay heedlessness of the French intru- liate favor in order to preserve their posts, ders. However acceptable in individual were overwhelmed at once by the shocks of cases and amongst the more enlightened political changes, which, depriving themportion of Spaniards, the humbler classes, selves of bread, opened also the door to more even when they cheerfully received and needy competitors, who had long beheld with exchanged courtesies with their hostile vi- angry impatience and wondering jealousy sitors, felt a repugnance to their general the mystical regularity of support and enjoy manners because they were novel to them- ment in which they were maintained at the selves. On their feelings towards their cost of the State. English allies we need not dwell; and have hastily run over this passing sketch to show how strong was the pressure of that iron cincture which confined individuals and provinces within their own proper circle; and which, even when removed, as we may now consider it, leaves the sense of its restraint upon the wearer still.

The factions that exercise so strong an in. fluence in Spain and give the several tones and impress to its society, are, in reality, under the direction of these very men, who, inactive and listless so long as the means of livelihood were assured to them, on the change of affairs found themselves thrown out of their former position. Exerting them. If such then was the mutual feeling of selves to the utmost, finding the field open friendly and neighboring races, it will not be to ambitious projects, and being utterly difficult to understand the intensity of those destitute of principle, they now unceasingly passions which collision of views and inter- excite the eager and unreflecting to the com ests and the clash of open hostility must pro- mission of disorders that embarrass the goduce. Accustomed to feel strongly, but sel- vernment, alarm the more peaceful portion dom to act; when roused into exertion the of the community, and paralyze the efficienSpaniards are as ill educated and froward cy of the army. Spanish writers, and more children, and too much habituated to their particularly the author before us, may, if they own prejudices to bear opposition from please, refer the cause of these disorders to others. With minds ardent but utterly un- the different graduations and modifications of trained, in the excitement of the means they the representative system: the cause is less lose sight of the end, and in the consequent theoretical, and infinitely more homely and failure to attain it take shelter in apathy-simple; for it lies in the necessity that forces the favorite veil of indolent and ignorant the proud and unprincipled into exertion of pride. some kind, and, unfortunately, at this juncture the easiest is also the worst.

Without an experience of the value of union, and too impatient for discipline and subordination, the political parties, whether Statutist, Constitutionalist, Carlist, or Absolutist, all of course profess different principles, yet have no positive object, and still less any expectation that the country will benefit by their exertions. Spain, and more especially its capital, Madrid, contained among its inhabitants a large proportion of employés, whose welfare and even existence depended on the party whose side they espoused; and their struggle was consequently designated by the phrase of guerra de empleos. The Spaniards,since the expulsion of the Moors and the discovery of America, have forgotten or altogether laid aside all they had known of active

Such is one fertile source of the disorders that have, on all occasions, encumbered the action of the Government; nor, on the other hand, must it be imagined that this last is free from blame. The narrowness of our limits prevents us, in the present article, from examining into the course and character of the men who have brought, by their mismanage. ment, the country into its actual crisis. It must suffice us to observe, that when these shall be closely scrutinized, and the conduct of parties weighed in the balance, they will be found mournfully destitute of any but the sullen or selfish feeling for the existence of which we have endeavored, in some degree, to account. The imaginative bias of

minds, such as those in the Peninsula, gene- | enforce submission, and maintain discipline rally secluded from free intercourse with the in his own ranks in the face of an cuemy, rest of Europe and proportionately ignorant when he is literally dependent on the mere of the usual modes of thought and action, forbearance of his own troops, destitute of have unfitted those whose finer talents, or necessaries and too cognizant of the cause; greater purity of principle, have honorably and to retain whom he can offer no better distinguished them from the more sordid inducement than blindness to their disobedi mass, and might otherwise have saved the ance and connivance in their irregularities country from its calamities, for any effectual and excesses. intervention. Conceit, selfishness, ignorance, We do not, however, find these glaring deintrigue, presumption, indolence, and incapa- fects displayed in the memorial of General city; servility, personal attachments, and Cordova. This military and political sage, private animosities, have marked every step originally an absolutist, and now a liberal, of the Government and public functionaries, possesses a reasonable share of the faults civil as well as military, from Martinez de la that distinguish the Spanish genius and tem. Rosa, Toreno, Mendizabal, Isturiz, to the perament. Eager, fiery, and brave to a fault, ministers of the present hour; and, to say he shapes out plans of reformation in perfect nothing of their subordinates in the Cabinet, of the long list of Generals, who have succeeded in little else than supplanting each other, and injuring the nation and the Government, from the first appearance of insurrection to the hour when we are writing. What, in truth, could be expected even from the personal devotion, had there been such, to the cause, of men whose individual bravery fitted them, undoubtedly, for grenadiers in the field, but whose absolute ignorance of all the duties, and deficiency in all the requisites of command, have converted even victory into misfortune and disgrace.

consonance with his own spirit, in some parts extravagant, in others more rational, but little adapted to the national character, which possesses neither steadiness nor judg. ment. He comes before his countrymen like a being of a superior order, dividing and exhibiting himself upon several points at once; and, if we may be allowed the expres sion, vanquishing and pursuing a flying enemy, whom however he has not yet attacked in the field. He appears amongst them like a thunderbolt, and launched indeed from amongst clouds, though his existence in the skies has never been suspected; the very hero of modern instead of ancient Spanish romance, whose mere appearance on the ground must ensure victory without a contest.

Were it not for the deep and bitter sense entertained by the more enlightened Spaniards of the errors and defects of the mass of the nation and of the government, we might almost imagine that the remembrance of their ancient chivalry is the only sense of dig. nity left in the Spanish character, the pride of past exploits the only public virtue that remains.

The mingled inertness and peculation that have hitherto prevented the formation of any thing like an available commissariat, and the total inappreciation of any necessity for this most essential branch of the military service, establishes strikingly the favoritism and venality, no less than the gross incapacity that pervades the highest departments, military and civil, of the state. The deficiency in question too has the worst possible effect in the discipline of the army, of which insubor. dination is the leading characteristic. The Spanish soldier, abstemious, brave, and capable of sustaining both fatigue and privation. It must be acknowledged, however, that to an astonishing degree, not only feels these General Cordova himself possesses one more last qualities tested to the utmost by continu- attribute than the sense of past glories. No ed neglect and notorious avarice and disho- one who reads his memorial, as we grieve to nesty, but knows also that these are the im- say we have done, would attempt to charge mediate grounds that render his exertions in its modest and unpretending author with any the field totally unproductive of any result, undue preference of former renown, or with either for his cause or for himself. The na an unjust forgetfulness of his own claims to tional temperament, jealous, ardent, and public admiration. If, however, it is neceshaughty, is in itself, as we have remarked, sary, which we do not question, to fill a vo inimical to subordination; officer depreciates lume with details of his skill in the art of officer; general accuses general; venality, war and a candid exposition and approbation disaffection and treason, are a mutual re- of his own military talents. it may not be proach how then can the private feel for altogether superfluous for General Cordova his superior that respect, confidence, and farther to specify at what times, and in what affection which so principally supports the countries, these have been crowned with suc. moral sense through the hardships of a mili-cess. We venture on the suggestion with tary life? Or farther, how can the general the greater diffidence, because not merely we