not very clearly explained by Herrera, is founded on tives, for small numbers, scores, and five scores, or 100, then for larger numbers, they use twenties as we use tens; thus 20 times 20 is 400, 20 times 400 is 8000, and so on. A friend of mine, better acquainted with such subjects than I am, tells me it is the only specimen he has met with, of vigesimal numeration. Our score is the nearest similitude.

"When Pauw reasoned upon the ignorance of the Americans in numbers, did he suppress this remarkable fact, or was he ignorant of it? The same question is applicable to Dr. Robert on, who on this, and many other subjects, in what he calls his History of America, is guilty of such omissions, and consequent misrepresentations, as to make it certain either that he had not read some of the most important documents to which he refers, or that he did not chuse to notice the facts which are to be found there, because they were not in conformity to his own preconceived opinions. A remarkable example occurs respecting a circulating medium; when he mention the cacao nuts, which were used as money in Mexico, and says this seems to be the utmost length which the Americans had advanced towards the discovery of any expedient for supplying the use of money.' Now, it is said by Cortes bimself, that when he was about to make cannon, he had copper enough, but wanted tin; and having bought up all the plates and pots, which he could find among the soldiers, he began to inquire among the natives. He then found, that in the province

of Tachce, little pieces of tin, like thin coin, were used for used for money, there and in other places. And this led him to a discovery of the mines from whence it was taken. These are the words of the Spanish,-Quiso nuestro Senor, que tiene cuidado y siempre lo ha tenido, de proveer en la mayor priesa, que tope entre los Naturales de una Provincia que se dice Tachco, ciertas Pececuelas de ello, a manera de Moneda muy delgada, y procediendo por mi pesquisca halle, que en lo dicha Provincia, y aun en otras, se trataba por moneda. Carta, 4 § 17. Barcia, t. 1, p. 149.

"The reputation of this author must rest upon his History of Scotland,-if that can support it. His other works are grievously deficient."

Such a criticism, as this of Mr. Southey, on a writer whose works have so long delighted the public, deserves to be made known, especially as Mr. S. has travelled over nearly the same ground.

From the preceding extracts, as well as front our incidental observations, the reader may easily infer our opinion of Mr. Southey's volume. The present interest, which, as a commercial nation, we take in the affairs of Portugal and of her colonies, will justify our extended account of the "History of Brazil." Though defaced by occasional quaintness of style, it combines such a variety of well selected and authentic information, that we shall be happy to resume our account of Mr. Southey's historical labors in a fu ture volume of our register.

The

He immediatefy accompanied me; and when we arrived at a particular spot, I knew where we were, and having thanked him for the trouble he had taken, said I was now perfectly acquainted with the remainder of the road, and begged he would not return home. He would not consent; but, after we had gone some distance further I insisfed upon his leaving me, otherwise I should relinquish my visit. He apparently complied, but I could perceive, that, from his great care of me, he still followed. Being arrived at the door of my friend's bouse, I waited for some time, that I might again have an opportunity of thanking him; but as soon as he saw that I had reached a place of security, he turned round, and went towards home.

"The Irish, by reason of their liberality and prodigality, seldom have it in their power to assist their friends in pecuniary matters: they are generally in straitened circumstances themselves, and therefore cannot, or do not aim at the comforts and elegance of the English: neither do they take pains to acquire riches and honours like the Scotch, by limiting their expenses when in the receipt of good incomes, and paying attention to the Great. In consequence of this want of prudence, they seldom attain to high dignities, and but few of them, comparatively, make much progress in science.

Their great national defect, however, is excess in drinking. The rich expend a vast deal in wine; and the common people consume immense quantities of a

fiery spirit, called whisky, which is the peculiar manufacture of this country and paft of Sctotland.

"One evening that I dined in a large company, we sat down to table at six o'clock: the master of the house immediately commenced asking us to drink wine, and under various pretences replenished our glasses; but perceiving that I was backward in emptying mine, he called for two water glasses, and having filled them with claret, insisted upon my taking up one of them. After the table-cloth was removed, he first drank the health of the King, then of the Queen: after which he toasted a number of beautiful young ladies with whom I was acquainted, none of which I dared to refuse. Thus the time passed till two o'clock in the morning; and we had been sitting for eight hours: he then called to his servants to bring a fresh supply of wine. Although I was so much intoxicated that I could scarcely walk, yet on hearing this order, I was so frightened, that I arose and requested permission to retire. He said he was sorry I should think of going away so soon ; that he wished I would stay supper, after which we might have a bottle or two more by ourselves. I had heard from Englishmen, that the Irish, after they get drunk at table, quarrel, and kill each other in duels; but I must declare, that I never saw them guilty of any rudeness, or of the smallest impropriety."

From Dublin, Abu Taleb crossed over to England, where he remained a considerable time, and bad abundant scope for acute observation.

servation. His descriptions of the buildings, manners, customs, a musements, manufactories, &c. of London and the chief provincial towns are marked with singular accuracy. We regret that our limits prohibit the extraction of some passages that are not more amusing than they are correct as delineations of the then passing scenes. It would, however, be unfair to our country-women, not to mention that their beauty and accomplishments left an impression on our traveller, which no European or Asiatic beauties could efface.

The 19th and 20th chapters are appropriated to a specification of what the author deems the virtues and vices of the English. The whole passage is too long for quotation; yet we cannot withhold the following extract from our readers.

"The first and greatest defect I observed in the English, is their want of faith in religion, and their great inclination to philosophy (a theism). The effects of these principles, or rather want of principle, is very conspicuous in the lower orders of people, who are totally devoid of honesty. They are indeed cautious how they transgress against the laws, from fear of punishment; but whenever an opportunity offers of purloining any thing, without the risk of detection, they never pass it by. They are also ever on the watch to appropriate to themselves the property of the rich, who, on this account, are obliged constantly to keep their doors shut, and never to permit an unknown person to enter them. At present, owing to the vigilance of the magistrates, the severity of the laws, and the ho

nour of the superior classes of people, no very bad consequences are to be apprehended; but if ever such nefarious practices should become prevalent, and should creep in among the higher classes, inevitable ruin must ensue.

"The second defect, most conspicuous in the English character, is pride or insolence. Puffed up with their power and good fortune for the last fifty years, they are not apprehensive of adversity, and take no pains to avert it. Thus when the people of London, some time ago, assembled in mobs, on account of the great increase of taxes and high price of provisions, and were nearly in a state of insurrection, although the magistrates, by their vigilance in watching them, and by causing parties of soldiers to patrole the streets day and night, to disperse all persons whom they saw assembling together, succeeded in quieting the disturbance,-yet no pains were afterwards taken to eradicate the evil. Some of the men in power said, it had been merely a plan of the artificers to obtain higher wages (an attempt frequently made by the English tradesmen); others were of opinion that no remedy could be applied; therefore no further notice was taken of the affair. All this, I say, betrays a blind confidence, which, instead of meeting the danger and endeavouring to prevent it, waits till the misfortune arrives, and then attempts to remedy it. Such was the case with the late King of France, who took no step to oppose the Revolution, till it was too late. This self-confidence is to be found more or less in every Englishman: it however differs

much

much from the pride of the Indians and Persians.

"Their third defect is a passion for acquiring moncy, and their attachment to worldly affairs. Although these bad qualities are not so reprehensible in them, as in countries more subject to the vicissitudes of fortune-b:cause, in England, property is so well protected by the laws, that every person reaps the fruits of his industry, and in his old age, enjoys the earnings or economy of his youth; yet sordid and illiberal habits are generally found to accompany avarice and parsimony, and, consequently, render the possessor of them contemptible: on the contrary, generosity, if it does not launch into prodigality, but is guided by the hand of prudence, will render man respected and esteemed.

The fourth of their frailties is a desire of ease, and a dislike to exertion this however prevails only in a moderate degree, and bears no proportion to the apathy and indolence of the smokers of opium of Hindoostan and Constantinople; it only prevents them from perfecting themselves in science, and exerting themselves in the service of their friends, upon what they choose to call trivial occasions. I must, however remark, that friendship is much oftener cemented by acts of courtesy and good nature, than by conferring permanent obligations; the opportunities of doing which can seldom occur, whereas the former happen daily. In London I had sometimes occasion to trouble my friends to interpret for me, in the adjust ment of my accounts with my landlord and others; but, in every

instance, I found that, rather than be at the trouble of stopping for five minutes longer, and saying a few words in my defence, they would yield to an unjust demand, and offer to pay the items I objected to, at their own expense: at the same time, an aversion to the employment of interpreter, or mediator, was so conspicuous in their countenance, that, latterly, I desisted from troubling them. In this respect I found the French much more courteous; for if, in Paris, the master of an hotel attempted to impose on me, the gentlemen present always interfered, and compelled him to do me justice.

"Upon a cursory observation of the conduct of gentlemen in Lon. don, you would suppose they had a vast deal of business to attend to; whereas, nine out of ten, of those I was acquainted with at the west end of the town, had scarcely any thing to do. An hour or two immediately after breakfast may be allotted, to business, but the rest of the day is devoted to visiting and pleasure. It a person calls on any of these gentlemen, it is more than probable Le is told by the servant, his master is not at home; but this is merely an idle excuse, to avoid the visits of people, whose business they are either ignorant of, or do not wish to be, troubled with. If the suppliant calls in the morning, and is by chance admitted to the master of the house, before he can tell half his story, he is informed, that it is now the hour of business, and a particular engagement in the city requires the gentleman's immediate attendance. If he calls later in the day, the gentleman