scrupulous nicety, and I had the satisfaction of finding the other shoulder-blade, which Jay in a hole. I afterwards caused the skin to be stripped from the side upon which the animal had lain; it was very well preserved. This skin was of such an extraordinary weight, that ten persons who were employed to carry it to the sea side, in order to stretch it on floating wood, moved it with great difficulty. After this operation I caused the ground to be dug in various places in order to see if there were any bones around, but chiefly for the purpose of collecting all the bristles which the white bears might have trodden into the wet ground on devouring the flesh. This operation was attended with difficulty, as we wanted the necessary instruments for digging the ground: I succeeded however in procuring in this manner more than one poud [40 pounds weight] of bristles. In a few days our labour was ended, and I found myself in possession of a treasure, which amply recompensed me for the fatigues and dangers of the journey, and even for the expenses I had incurred. The place where I found the Mammoth is about 60 paces distant from the shore; and from the fracture of the ice from which it slid it is about 100 paces distant. This fracture occupies the middle precisely between the two points of the isthmus, and is three wersts long, and even in the place where the Mammoth was, this rock has a perpendicular elevation of 30 or 40 toises. Its substance is a clear ice, but of a nauseous taste; it inclines towards the sea, its summit is covered with a bed of moss and friable earth half an archine in thickness. During the heat of the month of July a part of this crust melts, but the other remains frozen. Curiosity prompted me to ascend two other hillocks equally distant from the sea; they were of the same composition, and also a little covered with moss. At intervals I saw pieces of wood of an enormous size, and of all the species produced in Siberia; and also mammoth horns in great quantities frozen between the fissures of the rocks. They appeared to be of an astonishing freshness. It is as curious as it is difficult to explain how all these things should be found collected here. The inhabitants of the coast call this kind of wood Adamsohina, and distinguish it from the floating wood, which descending the great rivers of Siberia falls into the ocean, and is afterwards heaped upon the shores of the Frozen Sea. This last kind they call Noahsohina. I have seen in great thaws, large pieces of earth detach themselves from the hillocks, mix with the water, and form thick and muddy torrents which roll slowly towards the sea. This earth forms in different places lumps, which sink in among the jce. The block of ice where the Mammoth was found, was from 45 to 40 toises high; and, according to the account of the Toun. gouses, the animal when first discovered was seven toises from the surface of the ice. The whole shore was as it were covered with the most variegated and beautiful plants produced on the shores of the Frozen Sea; but they were only two inches high. Around the carcase we saw a multitude of other plants, such as the Cineraria aquatica, and some species of Pedicularis, not yet known in natural history. While waiting for the boats from Terra Firma, for which I had sent some Cossacs; we exerted all our endeavours to erect a monument to perpetuate the memory of this discovery and of iny visit. We raised, according to the custom of these countries, two crosses with analogous inscriptions. The one was upon the rock of ice, 40 paces from the shelf from which this Mammoth had slid, and the other was upon the very spot where we found it. Each of these crosses is 6 French toises high, and constructed in a manner solid enough to brave the severity of many ages. The Toungouses have given to the one the name of the cross of the ambassador, and to the other that of the cross of the Mammoth. The eminence itself received the name of Selichaëta, or Mammoth mountain. This last will perhaps some day or other afford some traveller the means of calculating with sufficient precision how much the mountains of ice lose annually of their primitive height. I found a great quantity of amber upon the shores; but in no piece whatever could I discover the least trace of any marine production, Our Cossacs not having arrived in time with the boat, I was obliged to return to the continent with my rein-deer, without wait ing for them. The vessel, in the mean time, had cast anchor in the bay of Borchaya, three hundred wersts from the isthmus where I was. We arrived without any accident, after a journey of eight days. A week afterwards I had the satisfaction to see the Mammoth arrive. Our first care was to separate, by boiling, the nerves and flesh from the bones; the skeleton was then packed, and placed at the bottom of the hold. When we arrived at Jakoutsk, I had the good for tune to purchase the tusks of the Mammoth; and thence I dispatched the whole for St. Petersburgh. Are the mammoth and elephant animals of the same species? The teeth of the mammoth are harder, heavier, and more twisted in a different direction than the teeth of an elephant, Ivory-turners, who have wrought upon these two substances, say that the nammoth's horn, by its colour and inferior density, differs considerably from ivory, I have seen some of them which formed in their curvature three fourths of a circle; and at Jakoutsk, another of the length of two toises and a half, and which were an archine thick near the root, and weighed seven pouds. It is to be remarked, that the point of the tusks on the exterior side is always more or less worn down this enables the inhabitants of the Frozen Sea to distinguish the right from the left tusk. : The Mammoth is covered with a very thick hair over the whole body, and has a long mane upon its neck. The bristles, of the length of two feet, which were found upon the head, the ears, and the neck of the animal, must necessarily have belonged either to the mane or to the tail. Schoumachoff maintains that he never saw any trunk belonging to the animal, but it is probable that it was carried off by wild beasts; for it would be inconceivable that the Mammoth could eat with so small a snout, and with such enore mous tusks, if we do not allow it to have had a trunk. The Mammoth, according to these indications, would consequently belong to the elephant species. M. Blumenbach, in his system, actually calls it Elephas primævus. The maminoth in my possession is quite different from that found near New York, which had carnivorous teeth. MILTON. Whatever tends to elucidate the morality of our eminent poet, cannot be uninteresting to our readers; we therefore insert with pleasure the following, which we have received from the Hon. and Rev. F. H. Egerton, whose splendid edition of Milton, translated into the French and Italian languages, we noticed in Panorama, Vol. III. P. 527. To the Editor of the Literary Panorama. Sir;-It has been represented to me that in a late edition of all Milton's Poetical Works, the editor has suppressed part of a note on the moral of "Comus," which, with numberless other materials, I gave him, at the time when I engaged and employed him to take off my hands the trouble of publishing a preceding edition, of " Comus" alone. Some days ago I was asked, whether I had found cause to suppress, or retract, the opinions I published in the note alluded to: and, it was suggested to me that it was neither candid, or generous, in me, or serviceable to religion, having publickly asserted those opinions, to suppress, or retract, them, without publicly assigning my reasons." Another question still remains to be decided. Has the maminoth originally inhabited the Consequently, I think it expedient to decountries of the pole, or those of the tropics? clare, that, on the contrary, I have found The thick hair with which this animal is additional reason to be strengthened in my covered seems to indicate, that it belonged former belief: the omission was made, withto the northern regions;-to this it does not out my knowledge, or permission, and withseem reasonable to start objections, althoughout any communication whatever with me. several writers have done so: but what re I, therefore, beg the favour of you to print the note alluded to, full, and entire and to prefix thereto the moral of the poem, and also this letter. I am, Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant, mains inexplicable is, to ascertain, how MICHAEL ADAMS*. Petersburgh, August 20, 1807. The author of the above offers his skeleton for sale, and means to employ the money it shall produce to him, in a journey towards the north pole, and particularly in visiting the island of Ljachow, or Sichow, which, from information received in his late journey, he believes to be a part of the continent of North America. THE MORAL OF MILTON'S COMUS. "Mortals, that would follow me, 1020 V. 1022. The moral of this poem is very finely summed up in the six concluding lines. The thought contained in the two last, might, probably, be suggested to our author by a pas sage in the TABLE OF CEBES, where Patience, and Perseverance, are represented stooping, and stretching out their hands, to help up those, who are endeavouring to climb the craggy hill of Virtue, and yet are too feeble to ascend of themselves. THYEK. "The passage which Mr. Thyer supposes might probably have suggested to Milton the thought contained in the two last verses "of this poem, is to be found in the middle "of the TABLE OF CEBES, beginning, « Ποία ἦν αὕτη ἡ ὁδός ἐτιν, ἡ φέρεσα κ τ. λ σε and ending Εὐδαιμόνων οἰκητήριον, ἔφή. Had this learned and ingenious critic duly "reflected on the lofty mind of Milton' smit "with the love of sacred song,' and so often " and so sublimely employed on topics of re"ligion, he might readily have found a sub "ject, to which the poet obviously, and di- MERCANTILE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE vinely alludes in these concluding lines, "without fetching the thought from the TA"BLE OF CEBES. "In the preceding remark, I am convinced "Mr. Thyer had no ill intention: but, by "overlooking so clear and pointed an allu❝sion to a subject, calculated to kindle that lively glow in the bosom of every christian, which the poet intended to excite, and by "referring it to an image in a profane author, "he may, beside stifling the sublime effect, so happily produced, afford a handle to "some, in these evil days,' who are wil"ling to make the religion of Socrates and "Cebes, (or that of nature) supersede the religion of Christ. 66 I wish to speak with respect of Mr. "Thyer; yet I trust I may be allowed to observe, that here, in my humble opinion, he injudiciously went out of his way, to "display his erudition: For it may be doubted, whether Cebes, "the disciple of Socrates, and cotemporary "with Plato, was the author of the Table "called by his name; and, upon a full investigation of the evidences on both sides "of the question, to me, at least, it seems "most probable, that the Table was not writ"ten by Cebes, but that it is of a more recent <date than the time in which Cebes lived. "Moreover, I conceive it may reasonably "be supposed, and it must be admitted to be possible, that Socrates, and consequently "Cebes, and more especially Plato, as well "as the Theistic philosophers, had either, by "oral communication, obtained a knowledge of the principles of the Jewish religion, ❝or had, otherwise, become acquainted with such parts of the Old Testament, as were already written in their time; and, that the ❝moral doctrines which they taught, (if any "exist in their books beyond the reach of "human reason, and which tend to place morality on its only true foundation, the "will of God) were founded, not upon the "light of nature alone, but, upon the reve"lation too, contained in the inspired "writings of Moses, and the prophets. "The moral of this poem is, indeed, very "finely summed up in the six concluding "lines; in which, to winde up one of the SPANISH AND THE BRITISH COLONIES IN That the Spaniards in South America should be fully informed of the events passing their parent state, has appeared to us to be extremely desirable on the behalf of the British government. The means for accomplishing that object will appear by the following paper to be completely within the power of our governors on the islands. Another remark may also be justified by this account, that the intercourse between merchants carried on with so much confidence, cannot but incline the good wishes of the parties to each other, rather than to a third party, who would destroy this confidence and intercourse completely, without substituting any thing effectual in its place. This observation is corroborated at this moment, when such a party is the declared enemy of both the others; and is known to await an opportunity of oppressing the weakest, to the utmost of his power. During the war which terminated in 1802, the Spaniards of America had not only the privilege of frequenting English ports, but each vessel had also a passport from the English admirals, by means of which it was respected, protected, and even escorted by English cruisers. This answered only for one voyage; but was renewed without difficulty at first it was obtained for the sum of eighteen dollars, but the price augmented in proportion to the demand. No other formality was required than the exhibition of this passport on entering an English harbour, and to all armed vessels of that nation met at sea. The Spanish flag alone received this protection. No such secret understandings were attached to the tri-coloured flag. Every French vessel was a good prize for the English; but every Spanish vessel was not, Whatever may have occasioned this singular conduct on the part of the English, it is certain that they acquired by it the exclusive commerce of Spanish America, which they enjoy with so much the greater security, as 1193] Mercantile Connections between the Spanish and British Colonies. the Spaniards themselves carried their cash and their produce to the English ports, and purchased there the merchandise of Europe. Jamaica was the emporium of Cuba, Guatimala, and, of course of Mexico; of Carthagena, of Santa Martha, and Rio-de-laHache, for the kingdom of Sante Fe and for the possessions on the South Sea; of Maracaibo and Porto Bello, for the province of Venezuela. Curaçao was also the market of the two latter ports.-Trinidad had commercial intercourse with Margaretta, Cumana and Guiana. There have been at one time in the road of Kingston, eighty Spanish vessels, all under their proper flag; in that of Curaçao sixty, and at Trinidad more than forty. This commerce employed above 400 vessels, which cleared out in Spanish ports for some French, or neutral colony, whither they never went. On their return, they presented French papers, the falsehood of which, though evident, was neither punished nor investigated. Porto Bello alone employed in this commerce 100 vessels, which exported in 1801, as appears by the register of the customs, to the value of 1,004,636 dollars. The indulgence of the custom house officers to the pretended destination of vessels, was extended also to the cargoes, a considerable portion of which they allowed to pass without distinction and without duties. The value of this favoritism has been estimated at a third of each cargo:-which added to the above enumeration raises the amount to 1,300,000 dollars. Still these exports are far from exhibiting the extent of this commerce: the cash that accompanied these cargoes, and the eredits obtained by the Spanish merchants being included, the importation of dry goods exceeded by more than one half the value of exported produce. [1,194 -The merchant and the planter, the public officer and the plebeian, were indiscriminately engaged in these expeditions, with the same security as if at full peace with England. The English merchants, confiding in the punctuality of the Spaniards with regard to these engagements, formed intmense credits, so that the produce and cash which caine from Terra Firma, were not sufficient to purchase the merchandise accumulated in the English stores. This commerce acquired from these facilities an astonishing extent and activity. There was not a Spanish possession in America where smuggling was not practised. The merchandise from the mother country arrived so overcharged with duties and expences, and the colonies of other nations could furnish the same articles at such inferior prices, that a profit remained to the contraband trader which induced him to defy fiscal laws and all their agents. In no part of America was the contraband traffic more ac tively carried on than in Terra Firma. St. Domingo in the time of its prosperity, was the emporium of Havanna, Vera Cruz, Guatimala, Carthagena, and Venezuela. Not a week passed without the arrival of four or five small vessels at Cape Town, or Port au Prince, each with 20 or 25,000 dollars, in cash, to purchase European merchandise. Articles from France were bought by the Spaniards in preference to those of other nations. Their quality and price obtained a preference which banished every idea of resorting to Jamaica for supplies; but after the disastrous events of St. Domingo, Jamaica became the general magazine of the Spaniards from the Gulph of Mexico.-To the credit of the English mer chants and the British government they em ployed means to support this lucrative branch of commerce, which never occurred to the French. The latter relied on the goodness During 1801, the Spaniards had no neutral, and cheapness of their merchandise; waited or friendly colony, to which they could le- patiently for the Spaniard, sold to him for gally resort, except Guadaloupe: the Dutch, cash, and left to him all the risk of introducing Danish, and Swedish possessions, were oc. the articles into his own country. The English, cupied by the English, and St. Domingo had on the contrary, allow the Spaniards a credit, and been declared in a state of revolt by the go- often carry the merchandise to them, or esvernment of Caraccas, and all intercourse cort their vessels, This last manœuvre has prohibited. It became therefore necessary been practised since the peace of 1802. Spathat all vessels going to Jamaica, Curaçoa, or nish cruisers have, since the conclusion of Trinidad, should clear out for Guadaloupe. the war, resumed their functions as guarda Hence the custom-house registers at Porto costas; the English, on the other hand, es Bello, exhibited tokens of an active and im-tablished armed vessels on the same coasts, portant commerce between this colony and Terra Firma, while the customs of Guadaloupe made no mention of any arrival from Porto Bello. Habit had rendered this commerce so natural, that the destination of vessels for Jamaiça and Curaçao, on their arrival from those places, was openly mentioned. The books of the customs alone declared that all this intercourse subsisted with Guadaloupe. to drive away the Spanish cruisers, and pro tect the contraband traders. This protection was so active that about the middle of 1803, the Spanish vessels employed to watch the smugglers did not dare to leave the harbours, or, when they left them, took particular care not to keep too near shore. The island of Curaçao, owes its imports ance and its commerce to its vicinity to Terra Firma, and Terra Firma is in return indebted 11951 Mercantile Connections between the Spanish and British Colonies. to Curaçao for its first attention to agriculture. The Dutch are careful to keep this market well supplied with merchandise suited to the wants of the Spaniards, and the sale is very considerable. The ports from which vessels leave Terra Firma for Curaçao, are Coro, Porto Bello, and Guayra: the cargoes comprise hides, indigo, coffee and sugar, but are rarely equal to the amount of the pur, chases which they make at the island: the deficiency is made up in money. It seldom happens that the cargoes produce at Curaçao more than five or six thousand dollars each, while the cargo purchased in return generally exceeds ten thousand. Trinidad is situated at the eastern extremity of Terra-Firma, from which it is only four leagues distant; it is the natural magazine and resort where the contraband traders of Cumana, Barcelona, Margaretta and Guiana nade their purchases. The position of this island is singularly favourable to this commerce. The Spanish coasts, extensive, solitary, defenceless, and 10 leeward, offer both to the Englishman and the Spaniard the greatest facility for prosecuting it. The gulph of Paria, which washes the western part of Trinidad, receives the waters of the river Guarapiche, which penetrates the province of Cumana. By this river animals for labour and for the shambles are brought from Terra-Firma to Trinidad; and through the same channel contraband articles can ascend with perfect convenience, or may be landed at several points without the least danger. In general, the cargoes which are destined for Barcelona proceed up this river: they are thence distributed to Caraccas and other cities. The mouths of the river Oronoko which cross the gulph of Paria, from south and north, and which are compelled by Trinidad to discharge themselves into the sea by the Dragon mouths, open to this island the commerce of Guiana, whither the surplus goes by the river Apure to Barquisimeto, Truxillo, Varinas, Merida, &c. A great number of persons are employed both at sea and shore, to prevent this illicit trade. The orders of the king direct that one brig, six schooners, aud six sloops, well armed, shall continually coast from the mouths of the Oronoko to cape de la Vela. Never theless there are only four schooners between Porto-Bello, Cumana and Guiana; and six sloops, which do not go out of the road of Porto-Bello, but cost as much as if they were in full activity. In the actual state of things, a contraband trader must be very unfortunate to meet one of these schooners. They only keep the sea at intervals sufficiently short and rare, and they must guard an extent of three hundred leagues of coast, which every where furnishes [1196 suitable points for debarkation. Nor would his misfortune be without remedy, since by sacrificing one part of the cargo, it is not diffcult for a Spaniard to save the other. The dangers on shore would be infinitely greater than those at sea if wretchedness and vice had not rendered the vigilance and severity of the guards a commodity that only requires purchasers. There are three modes much practised in the contraband trade. In the first, the vessel enters the harbour and an arrangement is made with the guard for landing the most precious and the least bulky articles during the night. It would be impolitic and hazardous to discharge every thing clandestinely, even when it were practicable; for it is necessary that the declaration, or entry, made at the customhouse, contain articles which may justify the voyage. These bargains are ellected very easily, and with little expence, by the Spaniard who is accustomed to them. The second manner is, to obtain from those employed in the custom-house an abatement in measurement, weight, quantity, or valuation. It is not difficult, by this expedient, to save the duties on a third or half of the cargo, without the knowledge of the principal officers. The bribes and excessive fees, form a considerable part of the expences attending this negociation; presents make up the ba lance. The third manner is, to unload the contrabaud goods on a part of the coast distant from frequented ports and to carry them by land to the place of their destination. This method, more decided and direct than the two former, is also the most dangerous. A risk is hazarded not only of being taken by the guards, but of suffering damages, more or less considerable. Previous to the departure of a ship for the island where the purchase is to be made, the point of the coast must be chosen where the unlading is to take place; and about the time of return, a sufficient number of men and beasts of burden must attend on the spot, to transport the cargo to the appointed town. The proprietor does not bebold his merchandise from the moment of debarkation until he receives it into his magazines. The care of avoiding the guards on the roads, or of corrupting such as by chance they may meet, is left entirely to men who are paid moderately. Distances of twenty, thirty, and fifty leagues are traversed in the constant dread of surprise. Forests, rivers, marshes, every thing is crossed according to the season and the dangers, which must be avoided rather than braved. The least uncommon movement which the conductors of the contraband goods perceive in the guards, keeps them for whole weeks in the forests, living merely on wild fruits. They never resume their route unless all the motives for fear are dissipated. In |