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the great Pagoda at Conjeveram, pp. | 548---550 of the present volume, and to conceive of the Tower of Belus, as of a Hindoo Pagoda, of vast extent and dimensions.

plate shows this circular mound. “The whole of the area inclosed by this boundary on the east, and south, and the river on the west, is two miles and six hundred yards from E. to W. and two miles one Mr. Wathen describes the Pagoda of thousand yards N. to S. This again is Conjeveram, as consisting of fifteen sto- divided in the midst by two mounds ries: the pagoda of Belus consisted of running N. and S.-and thus we discover eight stories; says Herodotus. "We the triple wall that surrounded the went from story to story, until we Royal Palace. In short, by the help of Mr. reached the top, (going on the out-side) | R.'s plate we better understand not only says Mr. Wathen;---"The ascent is on Herodotus, but Diodorus Siculus, Curthe outside, which, winding from the tius, Strabo, and other ancients; and ground, is continued to the highest find no occasion whatever to struggle tower," says Herodotus. The cnchant- for the adoption of the shorter stadium. ment experienced by Mr. Wathen, from We find slso, the temple, the hanging the top of this pagoda ---" I was almost gardens, the Royal Palace, along the entranced in its contemplation. I forgot river;-the bridge of Semiramis from all the world beside, and felt as if the palace to the temple becomes easily could have continued on this elevated conceivable; the subterraneous passage spot fer ever"-may remind us of the of Semiramis was, probably, a lower galmore fatal fascination of the Babylonian lery in the bridge, beneath the upper monarch, when walking ON THE ROOF passage, like that in the bridge of Alaof his palace, "Is not this great! this verdy Chan, at Ispahan. (Chardin vol. Babylon, that I have built!" &c. Hap- viii. plates 43, 44, p. 175. 177.) We pily, Mr. Wathen descended more safely find the river admitted by lakes and cathan Nebuchadnezzar; he had built nals around, and among, these immense neither pagoda nor palace, except by buildings: and we see too, how Babyhis pencil on paper. lon might afterwards become a park to the later Parthian Kings; within these

circular walls.

But Conjeveram affords other points of comparison, for it has two large pagodas. The first is that of Zuyambra But, quitting the heart of the city. Swammey:-near a mile in circumwe accompany Mr. Rich to the Birs ference; filled with temples, mauso- Nemroud, which we take from its name, leums, and oratories ;---the second, for a castellated tower, on the extreme the largest, that of Vurdaraujah. The western wall of the city, distant six extent of this, then, surpasses that of miles from the Royal Palace. We conBelus, and is, besides, an instance of ceive that a place of strength in that more than one pagoda in the same town; district was justified by prudence and this also, we doubt not, was the fact at Ba-policy, and this the rather, as Borbylou, we therefore fix the temple of Belus sippa was a magnificent, or "highly at the Kasr, "in the heart of the city," decorated tower," about the same disas the ancients affirm;-while we admittance below the Royal Palace, on the rithe Mujelibè also to the honours of the ver. In this fortress Alexander lodged, pagodaship at another part of the town, before he entered Babylon itself, which unless it was a fortress], for surely all he could not enter by the west on acthe inhabitants of this vast metropolis count of the marshes, and which he did not worship in one enceinte. was cautioned by the Chaldean soothsayers not to enter by the east, on arcount of ill fortune. Mr. R. adopts a very different derivation of this term from that we have preferred, and quotes the Talmud for announcing it as a place whose air renders a man forgetful; which is true of any place where wine flows as it flowed at Borsippa, and at

It would take us too much time and space, on the present occasion, to reduce the text and translation of Herodotus to verbal correctness; for which, Mr. R. affords ample materials. That ancient writer mentions a circular space surrounded by a wall, containing the Royal Palace and Temple: Mr. R.'s

the first part of our ide, prevented our acquiring the gradual idea, in general so prejudicial to effect, and so particularly lamented by those who visit the Pyramids. Just as we were within the proper dis

Babylon, in the days of Alexander. | entirely concealed from our view during -Nothing can be more credible, than that Nebuchadnezzar during his malady, should should be removed from the Royal Palace to a place of security, at a small distance from the heart of the tance, it burst at once upon our sight in city to the Birs Nemroud. the midst of rolling masses of thick black But, we ought not to quit this sub-clouds, partially obscured by that kind of ject without slightly hinting at the sup-haze whose indistinctness is one great port afforded by these discoveries to ancient Prophecy. We have more than once called the attention of our readers to existing monuments in proof of Scripture facts. We repeat that call, on this occasion. The most ancient history we have describes the builders of Babel (Gen. IX.) as making bricks, and burning them thoroughly;-as having brick for stone, and slime for mortar. Mr. R. finds "bricks of the fin

cause of sublimity, whilst a few strong catches of stormy light, thrown upon the desert in the back ground, served to give dreary solitude, of the wastes in which this some idea of the immense extent, and

venerable ruin stands.

The Birs Nemroud is a mound of an obwhich is seven hundred and sixty-two loug figure, the total circumference of yards.

This surely is mountain enough: nor is this all: for afterwards Mr. R. adds,

est description" in these ruins: he finds too the slime, the bitumen, The other parts of the summit of this the reeds, of other authors. [" The hill are occupied by immense fragments top (sacred) to the heavenly powers," is of brick-work of no determinate figure, the chapel on the top of Hindoo Pa- tumbled together and converted into solid vigodas.] Thus the writer of the Penta-trified masses, as if they had undergone the teuch is justified.

fiercest fire, or been blown up with gunpowder, the layers of bricks being perfectly discernible,-a curious fact, and one for which I am utterly incapable of accounting.

The Prophets who foretell the destruction of Babylon mingle contradictory particulars:-it is worth our while to see how they, too, are justified. Though we know nothing of the ocThe city was seated in a plain perfectly casion of this, it is evident that here relevel; yet, says Jeremiah chap.li. "Be-mains the prophet's "burned mountain." hold I am against thee, O destroying mountain! I will roll thee down from the rocks [rather like rocks, in large fragments resembling rocks,] and will make thee a burned mountain." This notion of a mountain, in the midst of a level, visited in all parts by the water of the river, or by pools, derived from the river, is exceedingly strange and unnatural. It is, in fact, among those assertions, which strike us at first sight, as impossible. Yet Babylon affords evidence of the fact. Take the Birs Nemroud as an instance:

"SOLID VITRIFIED MASSES"! Passing strange!-"The action of the FIERCEST FIRE!-or BLOWN UP with gunpowder "!!-The fact is more than curious: it is deeply interesting: not a little to the naturalist; much more to the historian; most of all to the biblical student.

shall become HEAPS" I will dry up Again: says the prophet,-" Babylon her seu "-her lake (between the Palace and the temple, perhaps) and will make her springs dry ;"-" the ground at the time we passed it, was PERFECTLY DRY; says Mr. Rich." The sea is come up upon Babylon; she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof," as we approached the object of our jour- says the prophet, apparently in dianey, the heavy clouds separating discovered metrical opposition to his former threatthe Birs frowning over the plain, and pre-ening: not intending the ocean, by the senting the appearance of a circular hill term sea, but an extensive body of crowned by a tower with a high ridge exwater.- "The ruins of Babylon are tending along the foot of it. Its being inundated when the Euphrates is at its

I visited the Birs under circumstances peculiarly favourable to the grandeur of its effect. The morning was at first stormy, and threatened a severe fall of rain; but

-

Mr. Rich informs us, that he " projects other excursions to the same spot, to confirm and prosecute his researches; |—preparatory to them he solicits the communications and queries of the learned, for his guidance and, information." We shall certainly find ourselves highly gratified by his further labours.

This tract first appeared in M. Ham

height," says Mr. Rich," so as to render
many parts of them INACCESSIBLE, by
converting the valleys among them into
MORASSES.”—“I will do judgment on
the graven images of Babylon," says
the prophet: we found a sculpture of
a lion, among the ruins," says Mr. Rich:
and Beauchamp mentions a statue of a
man. "The broad walls of Babylon
shall be utterly broken," says the pro-mer's " Mines of the East," at Vienna.
phet; "Capt. Frederick rode twenty one
miles in length and twelve in breadth,
but was unable to discover any thing
that could admit of a conclusion that
either wall, or ditch had existed within
the area," says Mr. Kinneir:-" I have
not been fortunate enough to discover
the least trace of them," says Mr. Rich.
But, perhaps, the most curious circum-
stances are those connected with
wild inhabitants of this "glory of the
Chaldees' excellency." Says the pro-
phet Isaiah, chap. xiii. "Babylon shall
never be inhabited-but wild beasts
of the desert shall lie there:-and owls
shall dwell there, and SATYRS shall
dance there." On this last particular,
hitherto, inexplicable, let us hear Mr.
Rich, who purposely illustrates it.

the

There are many dens of wild beasts in various parts, in one of which I found the bones of sheep and other animals, and perceived a strong smell like that of a lion. I also found quantities of PORCUPINE quills, and in most of the cavities are numbers of bats and OWLS. It is a curious coincidence, that I here first heard the oriental account of SATYRS. I had always imagined the belief of their existence was confined to the mythology of the west but a Choadar, who was with me when I examined this ruin, mentioned by accident, that in this desert an animal is found resembling a man from the head to the waist, but having the thighs and legs of a sheep or goat; he said also, that the Arabs hunt it with dogs, and eat the lower parts, abstaining from the upper, on account of their resemblance to those of the human species. "But the wild beast of the desert shall lie there, and their houses -shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dauce there." Isaiah xiii. 21.

This little tract has afforded us matter for a long article: we could extend it .much further; but space forbids. Need we say, that we heartily recommend this Memoir to the intelligent and curious?

An Attempt to establish a pure Scientific System of Mineralogy, by the application of the Electro-Chemical Theory and the Chemical Proportions. By J. J. Berzelius, M.D. F.R.S. Professor of Chemistry at Stockholm. Translated from the Swedish Original by John Black. Svo. Price 6s. Baldwin, London. 1814.

THE labours of Professor Berzelius bear the stamp of ingenuity and industry, to whatever department of Science they are directed. Usually, also, they discover original views and conceptions; or, to say the least, a desire to leave whatever subject he treats in a state of more complete order and finishing than he found it in. He is a man of a reflecting mind. The present work affords decisive evidence of this talent of the author; and we could willingly enlarge in its commendation; but Mineralogy is a science not to be properly undercimens, or such a familiarity with them, stood, without actual inspection of speas is acquired by not many of those who study it even under favourable circumstances.

The variety afforded by nature, in her works, is so extensive, that if we desire to comprehend them though but tolerably, orderly arrangement is indisblances of Minerals to each other are pensable. Yet, the apparent resem not decisive proofs of affinity sufficient to warrant usin arranging them; meaning by the power of order and systeus to reduce their numbers under the controul of artificial combination, and memory. To complete our researches into their nature and properties demands the aid of Chemical analysis by which to learn the constituent parts of each, with the proportions of its constitution. When analysis has advanced thus far, the results it announces must be reduced

with whatever is peculiar, it does not strike us as it strikes them and even the enquiries of strangers, solicitous to become acquainted with the causes of what they observe, if directed by good sense and rational curiosity, are amusing-we may add, instructive, and not seldom the cause of unexpect

to general principles; and, for ease to the memory, these must be abridged, as much as possible, and preserved for future reference, in such forms as may most immediately speak their character. This is the object of M. Berzelius, in the present tract. He first notices the most usual combination---of Silica, for instance; traces the ordinary proportioned gratification. On the other hand, of Silica to Oxygen, say as one to three; which he calls tri-silicates: or as one to two, bisiliates, &c.: or, if the base be aluminous, the compound becomes bialuminous, or trialuminous, if the base contains twice or thrice, the oxygen of the Silica. He adduces instances of such,--- and other combinations, by way of example. He adopts, also, symbols, derived from the first letter of the Latin name of each component part, (as S for Silica, A for Alumina, &c.): and the relative proportion of these, when in composition, is denoted by figures as Ag + 2 S. Bisulphurettum argenti-Sulphuret of Silver.

it must be acknowledged, that unless strangers have competent guides, whose instructions may direct their opinion, they, bewilder themselves amidst the strangest conceits and fancies: the causes they assign for what they behold, are not only distant from truth, but often are inconsistent and ridiculous.

This volume displays an inquisitive mind; nor less an observant eye. The writer, however, in examining England, never loses sight of France: and his wishes for what France should acquire of the better kind of English manners, and English institutions, in order to promote her happiness, while they do him hoThis idea applied to the orders into nour, as a patriot, induces us to overlook which electro-negative bodies, and elec-his blemishes as a critic on our coun tro-positive bodies, may be arranged, forms a principal part of the plan; these orders, reduced to species, and these species into divisions, always maintaining a reference to their electro-positive ingredients, or the contrary, advances it; while an alliance of the corpuscular theory, with chemical affinity, and combination of particles, completes it. We find it absolutely impossible, within any limits, which we can allow, to convey a satisfactory idea of the work: the Mineralogist will peruse it for himself, with improvement, most probably; but certainly, with a strong conviction of the ingenious author's patience, knowledge, and unquestionable desire for the advantage of the science on which he

treats.

England, at the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century: from the French of M. de Levis, Duke and Peer of France. 8vo. pp. 367. For the Editor. Sherwood and Co. London. 1815.

Scarcely any subjects are more acceptable to us than the remarks of ingenious and liberal foreigners on our Nation and Country. By habit, familiarized

try. In fact, if we do not, ourselves, receive much instruction from the remarks of M. de Levis; and if their novelty appears to us to be but small; nevertheless, they might have had the best effect among the readers to whom they were originally addressed, could they but have diffused among them a disposition to think of thinking. The advantages Paris might enjoy (with other French towns) were the conveniencies of life studied there as they have been in England, would be very great ;—but, then, the tout ensemble would be less shewy, less magnifique :-and what Frenchman can bear that degradation?

This volume, which is marked, as the the first, describes Loudon, chiefly. It will be supposed, that the author includes in his remarks the public institutions,-which, for purposes of benevolence, greatly excite his praises; nor less, those numerous channels of pri

vate benevolence, which do real honour

to the age :-these he cannot too strongly recommend to the regard of his countrymen; and, on the whole, he finds among us more to recommend than to censure. Is this the general feeling of Frenchmen, at the present moment ?

1 The frequent notices given of the plot A Statement made to Earl Bathurst, in to restore Buonaparte were most strangely left unnoticed and unattended to, though November, 1814, also to the Comte the ambition and abilities of Buonaparte de la Chatre, the French Ambassador, were well known, and the instability of the of Buonaparte's Plot to re-usurp the throne of Louis might have been strongly Crown of France. By W. Playfair.become, that from one end of France to the suspected; nay, so very "notorious had it Stockdale, London. Price 1s. 6d. other it was publicly joked about; from the

1815.

Letters to Earl Bathurst, &c. with the Conundrum, now solved by Buonaparte, &c. By W. Playfair. Price 2s. 6d. Stockdale, London. 1815. Though we know well enough the host of proposers and projectors, which surrounds men in office, is very often found equally frivolous and troublesome, yet, we know likewise, that there are moments when an opportunity presents itself, that is absolutely invaluable. The difficulty is great, how to distinguish such; and we are not aware that blame is due, where, nevertheless, regret is warrantable.

The general tone and style of these pamphlets add nothing to the writer's character of gentleman and patriot :-nevertheless, they contain curious matter for the history of the times. They shew, completely, that Napoleon was not called from his retreat at Elba to re-ascend the throne of France, by the voice of the people that the soldiery was tampered with, by agents pushing forward a plot; and that the King's enemies were too cunning for his friends.

Our readers have already seen the gross negligence of M. Montesquieu, the king of France's minister, who had not even opened the letters sent him, advising him of a something then in agitation. -The wonder that our own ministry should disregard the matter, is not equal to that excited by such criminal negligence; and the rather, because French garrulity did certainly drop hints and expressions, which being much in the manner of that people, their own compatriots should have traced ;-and the less they understood them the greater should have been their diligence; knowing who they had to deal with. On this subject, we borrow a note from another pamphlet.

VOL. II. New Series. Lit. Pan.

circumstance of the king being afflicted with the Thuilleries gardens," ah, ah, il porte the gout, it was every where said, even in les guétres à présent; mais quand le printemps viendra il sera en bas!"

Other symptomatic flashes have been reported to us; but, as usual in such cases, in a mode of communication perfectly unintelligible, till events explained them. As the Conundrum, &c. have appeared in the public papers, we shall not repeat them. We do not consider it as having been formed expressly for Buonaparte; if our memory is not deceived, we have seen it in France years ago: the secret lay in the key, which is capable of being varied into an infinity of applications.

Picture of Paris; being a complete Guide to all the Buildings and Curiosities in that Metropolis, &c. &c. By Louis Tronchet. Pocket size, price 6s.Sherwood and Co. London. 1815.

When a Frenchman speaks of Paris, it is in terms the most hyberbolical, and therefore, incredible: yet in such guides are we under the necessity of placing confidence; for, who can expect a rational Englishman to be sufficiently acquainted with that dissipated metropolis to draw its picture; or inclined to a task so laborious, troublesome, and even irksome? Books of this description, therefore, must be translations from Parisian works; and, in consequence, liable to misconceptions, or mis-statements, intentional or accidental.

What we wish is, that our countrymen who visit the capital of France. should be put on their guard against the knavery practised there. Young men who have had the run of a winter or two in London, are unfit to cope with the dexterities of Paris. They will not believe, till too late, the systematic deceptions to which they are a prey; nor can Aug. 1815.

2 D

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