526 REVIEW.-Carey and Lea's Geography, &c. of America. [June, other in Spanish America. The population is estimated at 70,000 *." "Political Importance. The Spanish government has laid it down as a principle, that the dominion of the island of Cuba is essential to the preservation of New Spain. There being no harbour on the whole eastern coast of New Spain, that country is in a military dependence on the Havannah, which is the only neighbouring port capable of receiving squadrons. Accordingly, enormous sums have been expended in strengthening and increasing its fortifications." Notwithstanding the alleged strength of Havannah, it once yielded (in 1762) to British arms. (See vol. xxxII. p. 408.) We quote the Editor's general description of South America, to show the nature and value of the additions which have been made to this work. "The New World is scarcely more distinguished from the other regions of the globe by its position and magnitude, than by the majesty of its physical features. Its vast mountains, which rear their stupendous bulks above the clouds-its wide-stretching plateaux-its almost immeasurable savannas, and its mighty rivers, which roll their immense floods across these spacious plains, are all distinguishing traits of the Western world. Placed amidst the summits of the Andes, the adventurous traveller seems as if surrounded with the fragments of a world destroyed, or with the materials out of which another might be constructed. There 'Desolation seems at perpetual strife with Nature for the mastery, and vegetation lives as if in defiance of sterility.' This magnificent and awfully impressive scenery of the central Andes, however, differs in several respects from that of other Alpine regions in higher latitudes. It is deficient in some of these features which not only augment its beauty and sublimity, but add majesty to horror. Glaciers, which, amidst the Alpine districts of Europe, frequently resemble a tumultuous sea suddenly congealed by the power of frost, as well as the terrible avalanches, which prove so destructive in these latitudes, are unknown in the torrid zone. But these mountains are noted for their immense chasms and cataracts. The formation of the Andes is likewise different from that of the Alps of Europe. One of the most singular circumstances in this respect is the enormous thickness and height of what Geologists call the secondary formations. Baron Humboldt asserts that beds *The population of Havannah appears to be over-rated in the text as some of the most recent estimates with which we are acquainted make the inhabitants only about 25,000. A similar remark applies to St. Jago.-EDIT." of coal have been found in the neighbourhood of Santa Fee, at an elevation of 8650 feet above the level of the sea; and even at the height of 14,700 feet, near Huanuco, in Peru. The plains of Bogota, which are about 9000 feet above the surface of the ocean, are covered with sand-stone, gypsum, shell-limestone, and in some places rocksalt. Fossil shells have been found in the Pyrenees at the height of 11,700 feet, but in Peru at 12,800 in one place, and at 14,120 in another, where they were also accompanied with sand-stone. The basalt of Pichincha, near the city of Quito, has an elevation of 15,500, while granite, which crowns the loftiest mountains of Europe, is not found higher than 11,500 feet in the vinces either of Quito or Peru. The snowAndes, and is scarcely known in the proclad summits of Chimborazo, and the other highest peaks, consist entirely of porphyry, which there constitutes a mass of 10,000 or 12,000 feet in thickness; together with an enormous body of quartz of 9500 feet thick. The Andes of Chili differ in their composition from the other parts of the chain; for it is in the cordillera of this part that vast blocks of crystal are found, capable of being formed into columns six or seven feet in length. "America is, perhaps, not more remarkable for the immensity of its mountains, than for the vast elevation of its plains. The highest cultivated land in Europe seldom exceeds 2000 feet above the level of the sea, but much of the table land of America is from 6000 to 10,000 feet in altitude. In Peru extensive plains are found at the elevation of 9000, and in Mexico not less than 500,000 square miles is from 6000 to 8000 feet above the sea; which rivals the celebrated pass of Mount Cenis or Mount St. Gothard. Almost interminable plains, too, stretch through the wide regions of South America, at a very slight elevation above the sea. Those of Orinoco, Amazonia, and Buenos Ayres may be mentioned as examples. Those chiefly consist of extensive Savannas, varied in a few places with clumps of palms, but so extremely level that the space of 800 square leagues scarcely presents any inequality. "Such a diversity of surface gives rise to a corresponding variety in the climate, and vegetable productions, of this Continent; and all species, from the palms and other majestic trees which adorn the sultry regions of the torrid zone, to the last lichen, which creeps beneath the eternal snows that cover the summits of the Andes. In ascending from the shore to these upper ridges, the plants peculiar to the different districts of the globe appear in regular succession. At an elevation of from 3000 to 5000 feet, cassava, cacao, maize, plantains, indigo, sugar, cotton, and coffee are produced. Both cotton and coffee also grow at a much greater 1823.] REVIEW.-Downes's Letters from Mecklenburg. greater elevation, and sugar is successfully cultivated in the valley of Quito. From 6000 to 9000 feet in elevation, the climate is best suited to the production of all kinds of European grain. Within these limits, too, are to be found the oak, and various other species of forest trees; but beyond the height of 9000 feet large trees of all kinds begin to disappear, except dwarf pines, which are found nearly 13,000 feet above the level of the sea, and about 2000 feet below the lower limit of perpetual snow. The space between 13,000 and 15,000 feet, grasses clothe the ground, and from this latter height, the lichen is the only plant which creeps on the rocks, and seems to penetrate under the snow. For a more copious developement of the physical regions, both of this and other parts of the globe, we must refer to Myers's Modern Geography, two volumes, quarto, 1822. "We shall give the heights of some of the principal summits under the heads of the countries to which they belong, but the following subjects deserve insertion here; viz. "Under the Equator. Feet above the Sea. The highest flight of the Condor,about The highest limit of the lichen The highest limit of other trees 21,800 18,225 15,730 12,800 11,125 10,500 9,500 The lowest limits of pines The Editor concludes his digest of American Geography and Statistics, with some reflections on the political, moral, and religious benefits likely to accrue from the various changes which have been made, and are still operating in South America. 107. Letters from Mecklenburg and Holstein, comprising an Account of the Free Cities of Hamburg and Lubeck. Written in the Summer of 1820. By George Downes, A. B. late of Trinity College, Dublin. 8vo, pp. 351. Taylor and Hessey. BOOKS of Travels, if judiciously written, are most gratifying, because they contain novelty. We read them with the same feelings, as we would go to see a show. If they are not composed of interesting matter, it is the fault of the Writer. So far as they contain affairs of manners and custom, 527% anecdote or elucidations of History and Archæology, or even objects of sight, where they are analogous to those at home, a good letter-press account is sufficient; but of scenery, buildings, costumes, and other articles of that description, there ought to be It is a most serious impediment to suitable plates, however economical. knowledge, that such a heavy expence attaches to the publication of books so adorned; and it is certainly a most extraordinary inconsistency, that while money for small change is indispensable, the publick will not be satisfied unless it is composed of gold. We lerance of English taste, which will more particularly allude to the intonot endure outlines (as is common in foreign works), but demands finished and elaborate plates, of which the expence so enhances the price of the books, as to diminish the extent both of the sale and the information. We do not speak thus in relation to the work of Mr. Downes, which contains three tasteful well-executed plates, but, from an opinion that books of travels in general may be greatly injured, some wholly spoiled, for want of graphical illustrations. It is selfevident, that certain subjects must be, without the aid mentioned, wholly omitted, or described without exciting the smallest interest. We go abroad to gratify our eyes, as well as our ears and our minds; and it would be a nondescript Hibernicism for a proposition to be made to us, that we should be invited to see the wild beasts at Exeter 'Change in a printed description. Yet such is the universal defect of books of travels. We are called to dine off bills of fare, and be regaled with concerts, only as they appear in the music-books. We have said this, we repeat, only to produce an improvement in this interesting walk of Literature. Of Mr. Downes we do not complain. He has the requisite qualities of a travellertaste, sentiment, and learning. Without these his selection would be injudicious, his narrative dry, and his illustration imperfect. We proceed however to particulars. We find all through the work, that great use is made of trees in decorating the towns; but the houses themselves appear to be uncomfortable, the rooms being very large, the walls not being papered but painted, and the floors without *4 en service of enamelled coppercotoured china, which is infrangible." P.18). According to Professor Beckman, veq në mouse self very tandas been invented in Ger eren me save the pleasure of hav med to notice, three useful stays, which our no less inge DOS JÄRKEVNER may improve. Here WE DISSE AND Our leave of Mr. Downes, WHIE & WAM recommendation of his Sing work. muge to the Land of Burns, arang Anecdotes of the Bard; and of Taracters he immortalized; with er Pieces of Poetry, original and merten Crown 8vo, pp. 272. Sher 66 THIS work reminds us of a rustick story. A farmer sent a boy to look for some oxen which had strayed. Several nours elapsed, and neither boy nor cattle appeared. The farmer then set out himself and found the boy, lurking about a hedge. "Have you found the who oxen, Tom?" No," replied the younker, "but I have found something better than them." "What's that?" on said Hodge, surprized. "A blackbird's nest, with four young ones, all fledged." In the same manner we expected to see in this work curious lost anecdotes of Burns, which had escaped his biographers, and have received, instead, the adventures of three sentimental sons of Ossian, who set out to explore the country of a favourite Bard, who revived the simplicity and beauty of the ancient Muse of his nation. For our parts, we never read Metaphy sica. Poetry, except as an irksome task, me because it is impossible to sympathize wie, but nature always commands attention. The Tourists have underprinciple; and have given as a volume, which, from its nature, originality, and simplicity, is exceed interesting. It was not their ims that they could not pick up more pound of Surts. He did not live in that class a sey, which notices all those unrovement mine and fine touches of character mačiary of the diseminate the individual and kel je me see the soul of the man, as as we do his face. All that the older moments could tell them, was or his clothes, how much a a convivial meeting, and ague generalities, which are women the species. Ample amends are 3entnwtc-Doowocs、 ༠༠..༧ ཁོང་པར Tester alevation, and sugar is successfully ivated in the valley of Quites from and rebelwr. height of 9000 feet large trees of all the descripte Inder the Equator. t of the Condor,about f other trees f oaks of the Peruvian pines ms and bananas 20 corn and snow, umboldt,about 5, des his d and Stain on the poin benefits likely changes wh re still w 528 REVIEW.-Downes's Letters from Mecklenburg. (June, beggary. In the Museum at Schwerin Castle, we find "A tea service of enamelled without carpets. The Germans, how Dr. Leithof, an eminent Physician, has, it seems, succeeded in curing the deformities of children born cripples. "I was unable (says Mr. Downes) to ascertain exactly the mode of treatment, but was informed that pressure applied to the diseased part is of prime importance. The beds are of a curious and commodious construction: at the head of each there is a system of pulleys on which a catgut string is wound, which is passed through two holes in the wood, and communicates with the body of the patient. This string admits of different degrees of tension, like those of a musical instrument, and regulates the pressure of the bandages with which the part affected is swathed. The hands of the cripples were free, and they were employed some with toys, others with books or work. They receive instruction two hours every evening from a master, who goes the rounds of the several dormitories. None of them ever leave their beds or change their posture, but lie continually on the back until the cure be nearly completed. There is a bath for the use of those convalescents, for whom bathing is considered beneficial." Pp. 79, 80. In p. 89, we find cockades worn by the peasantry, as badges of subjection to the Sovereign. In pp. 115, 123, we have a very curious account of a pasteboard manufacture. There are busts of the twelve Cæsars wrought of this frail material, in imitation of marble, and proof against the utmost inclemency of the weather. "I was much surprized at finding several admirable imitations of bronze and marble, wrought of mere paper. Among these were the usual subjects of the statuary-such as the Gladiator, the busts of Homer, Virgil, &c. all executed in full size. I lifted a Medicean Venus, which was scarcely a pound in weight." It seems, that it is an improvement of the papier-maché manufactory of France, but the process is kept a profound secret. Every body has heard of the infrangible glass, offered to a Roman Emperor, who put the inventor to death, lest he should reduce hundreds of potters and glass-manufacturers to copper coloured china, which is infrangible.” P.187. every thing has been invented in GerAccording to Professor Beckman, We have the pleasure of havdiscoveries, which our no less ingeing presented to notice, three useful nious countrymen may improve. Here we must take our leave of Mr. Downes, with a warm recommendation of his interesting work. 108. A Pilgrimage to the Land of Burns, containing Anecdotes of the Bard; and of the Characters he immortalized; with numerous Pieces of Poetry, original and collected. Crown 8vo, pp. 272. Sherwood, &c. 66 THIS work reminds us of a rustick story. A farmer sent a boy to look for some oxen which had strayed. Several hours elapsed, and neither boy nor cattle appeared. The farmer then set out himself and found the boy, lurking about a hedge. "Have you found the oxen, Tom?" younker, “but I have found something "No," replied the better than them." "What's that?" bird's nest, with four young ones, all said Hodge, surprized. "A blackfledged." In the same manner we expected to see in this work curious lost anecdotes of Burns, which had escaped his biographers, and have received, instead, the adventures of three sentimental sons of Ossian, who set out to explore the country of a favourite Bard, of the ancient Muse of his nation. who revived the simplicity and beauty For our parts, we never read Metaphysical Poetry, except as an irksome task, because it is impossible to sympathize with it; but nature always commands attention. The Tourists have understood this principle; and have given us a volume, which, from its nature, originality, and simplicity, is exceed. ingly interesting. It was not their fault that they could not pick up more of Burns. He did not live in that class of society, which notices all those minute and fine touches of character that discriminate the individual and make us see the soul of the man, as their informants could tell them, was clearly as we do his face. All that the colour of his clothes, how much he drank at a convivial meeting, and those vague generalities, which are common to the species. Ample amends are |