known to the magistrate, induced him to request M. Mayor to administer the poison. M. Mayor felt an extreme repugnance to an action which seemed to him almost treacherous; but the supreme law, the salus populi, was imperative, and silenced every other consideration. M. Mayor at first made choice of prussic acid; after mixing about three ounces of it, with about ten ounces of brandy, which was the animal's favourite liquor, he called him by his name to one of the breaches. The elephant came immediately at the sound of a wellknown and beloved voice, seized the bottle containing the fatal beverage with his trunk, and swallowed it at one draught, as if it had been his usual drink. But this poison, the operation of which, even in the smallest doses, is usually tremendously rapid, did not appear to produce any sensible effect on him; he began to walk backwards, but with a firm step, to the middle of the enclosure, where he lay down for some moments. It was now thought that the poison was beginning to act, but he soon rose again, and began to play with the caissoons, and to walk about in the court-yard of the arsenal. M. Mayor, presuming that the prussic acid which had been kept some time, had lost its strength, prepared three boluses of an ounce of arsenic each, mixed with honey and sugar. The elephant came again at his call, and took them all from his hand. At the expiration of a quarter of an hour, he did not appear at all affected by them. A fresh dose was then offered him; he took it, smelt at it for some minutes, then threw it to a distance, and began again to play all sorts of tricks. Sometimes he came to the breach, and, twining his trunk round the mouth of the cannon, pushed it back as if he had some indistinct notion of the danger which threatened him.

It was five in the morning when the first dose of poison was administered; an hour had now elapsed, and no symptom of its internal action appeared. Meanwhile the time at which the market is held drew near, the space around the walls was rapidly filling, and would soon be blocked up by inquisitive spectators. The order was therefore given to fire. The gunner dexterously seized the moment in which the elephant, who had just advanced to the breach, was retiring, and presented his side. The mouth of the cannon almost touched him. The ball entered near the ear behind the right eye, and came out behind the left ear; it had still strength enough to go through a thick partition on the opposite side of the enclosure, and at length spent itself against a wall. The animal stood still for two or three seconds, then tottered, and fell on its side without any convulsion or movement whatever.

1

The event circulated through the town with the rapidity of lightening; the people, led by a feeling stronger than mere curiosity, rushed in crowds to the spot; grief and regret were painted on every face. "They have killed the elephant!" "What had the noble creature done? he was so good, so gentle, so amiable!" "What a pity!" And then they ran with one accord to the spot, to satisfy themselves with a nearer view. The eagerness was so great that the authorities were obliged to take steps for keeping order in the crowd, and a small sum of money was demanded from each for the benefit of the proprietor. The same evening, in consequence of an arrangement APRIL, 1826.

2 H

entered into with Mademoiselle Garnier, for securing the remains of the animal for the Museum, the surgeons proceeded to open the body, which they continued to dissect for several successive days. The operations were very skilfully directed, and almost entirely executed by M. Mayor, the Chevalier Bourdet,* and M. Vichet.+ Their courage and perseverance in braving for whole days, and in hot weather, the inconvenience inseparable from such a task, can only be appreciated by those who, like ourselves, were constant and grateful witnesses of them. In the course of these operations, and even before they were begun, they took an exact measurement of the animal's dimensions, that its form might be perfectly preserved in the artificial carcase. They traced its silhouette with the greatest accuracy on the opposite wall, which had been previously covered with a coat of very smooth plaster; they also took separate casts of its head, and the two feet of one side. All the principal viscera, except the liver, which decomposed too rapidly, and the brain, which was shattered by the ball, were carefully removed and preserved in a solution of oxygenated muriate of mercury. Their enormous dimensions render them precious to the observant and studious anatomist. The spleen was six feet long. As for the muscular or fleshy parts, as the season would not allow of their slow dissection, they were taken away rather by the hatchet than the bistoury; and there was no difficulty in disposing of them; they were given to the public, who were extremely eager and anxious to eat elephant's flesh, and much tempted by its excellent appearance, dressed as it was with every variety of sauce. They seemed perfectly regardless of the poison, which indeed had not time to develope itself in the muscular system. Three or four hundred persons ate of it, and no one was, to our knowledge, the worse, except one or two individuals, who brought on a fit of indigestion by eating to excess. The osseous carcase has been the object of peculiar care and attention, and was put into a state of maceration previous to re-composing the skeleton, which is to be deposited in the Museum of Natural History. The interest taken in this establishment is so strong, that the large sum required to secure possession of the entire carcase of the elephant, was raised by subscription in a few days. The skin was found too thick to be tanned by the ordinary process, and as the epidermis began to detach itself naturally, it was carefully separated from the dermis, which it was not essential to preserve entire. The epidermis retains its proper consistency, and will be rendered supple by a well-known process, when it is wanted to cover the artificial carcase which is constructing by several able mechanics, under the direction of Messrs. Mayor and Bourdet.

The event which happened at Venice, and that of which we have now given the principal details, seem to prove that the owners of elephants ought not to be permitted to travel with them on foot, and at liberty. In India, where these animals are in some sort domesticated, when one of them is attacked by the paroxysm to which this fell a a victim, two old and well-trained elephants are sent after him; they

* A naturalist and traveller.

An eminent pupil of the Veterinary Surgeon of Alfort.

seize him with their trunks, and drag him to a place of safety, where he is subjected to a regimen. If he struggles violently, a third elephant is set to push him behind with the points of his tusks, so that he is compelled to yield. As precautions of this sort cannot be taken in Europe, it is incumbent on the police to supply the want of them by adequate provisions against a danger which cannot be denied. A very little more and our elephant would have been perfectly at large in broad daylight, and in a populous city, on market-day. The possible, and even probable consequences, cannot be thought of without shuddering.

KLAPROTH'S ASIATIC MAGAZINE.

Magasin Asiatique, ou Révue Géographique et Historique de l'Asie Centrale et Septentrionale. Publiée par M. J. KLAPROTH, Membre des Sociétés Asiatiques, de Paris et de Londres. -Tome Premier.

WE cannot give a more clear and concise account of the object of this interesting Journal, than is contained in the prospectus prefixed to the first number.

The want of a periodical work (says the author) which might lay before Europe the geographical discoveries which are now making in the least known parts of Asia, has been generally felt. For many years the Russians have been peculiarly impressed with the importance of exploring the countries bordering on their vast empire, and have already produced several very curious works on the expeditions undertaken by them into the interior of Asia.

It will be sufficient for us to mention M. Mouraviev's journey to Khiva, across the Caspian Sea; that of M. Timkovski by way of Mongolia to Pekin; and the account of the Russian Embassy to Boukhara, described with great talent by Baron de Meyendorff.

Besides these important works, detached papers daily appear in Russia in miscellaneous collections, published in the language of the country. As this language is very little known to the rest of Europe, and as it is very difficult in France and England to obtain books and periodicals published on the other side the Dwina, M. J. Klaproth, author of the proposed Review, thinks he shall render a service to the public in giving translations and extracts from the most curious geographical and historical pieces which have appeared or may appear in the works we have mentioned.

Besides these translations, which will occupy a part of each number, it will also contain original papers and enquiries on various geographical and historical questions concerning Central and Northern Asia; lastly, the author will occasionally insert vocabularies of languages, which are, as yet, unknown in Europe. He will not, however, enter into any philological discussions, which he reserves for other works.

The work opens with the Narrative of a Journey to Khokand, undertaken in the years 1813 and 1814, by Philip Nazarov, interpreter in the service of the Russian government. Of himself and his mission M. Nazarov speaks thus:

The nations of Central Asia are as yet very little known. Being sent on a mission into Khokand, and detained for a year and a half in the country, I employed myself in observing the manners and customs of the inhabitants, and the situation and fortifications of the towns. As I spoke the language of the country as easily as my native tongue, I enjoyed great facilities of acquiring information on many subjects, of which, but for this advantage, I should have remained in as great ignorance as other travellers who have been compelled to have recourse to interpreters. publish the result of my observations with the hope of throwing some light on these interesting countries, the

birth-place of tribes which were long the scourge of the Russian empire. These details, which I submit to the judgment of enlightened readers, would have remained in obscurity but for the munificence of the Count de Romanzov. This illustrious patron of letters receives, and generously undertakes to publish, at his own expense, whatever can contribute to throw light on the history and geography of his country.

In consequence of some misunderstanding arising from the accidental death of two deputies who had been sent from Khokand to the court of Russia in 1812, the government of that country determined to send an envoy to remove the unfavourable impression which the affair had produced. M. Nazarov offered his services, and was accepted. He was changed with a letter and presents from the Emperor Alexander to the Prince of Khokand. He set out with a detachment of Cossacks, sent as escort to the surviving Khokandian envoys, and to a caravan of merchants, who were to endeavour to form commercial relations with Khokand.

The caravan (says he) consisted of a hundred camels laden with merchandise to the amount of two hundred thousand roubles. I was instructed to keep an attentive eye on the presents, to treat the envoys with all possible attention, and, without exciting their suspicion, to take secret and effectual precautions to prevent their quitting the caravan. On my arrival on the frontier of Khokand I was to dismiss the Cossacks, and to proceed to the capital of that country with the envoys and the caravan, to deliver the presents into the prince's hands, and to request an answer for the Emperor. I was also to use all my efforts to prevent the Kirghises from plundering the caravan, and in case of need to send a courier to the line to demand assistance. I bade adieu to my wife and children, and recommending myself to Providence, I set out from Omsk (71° 27′E. long. 54° 57' N. lat.) with the caravan and my escort; we passed through Petropavlovsk, and reached the steppe of the Kirghis-Kaissaks.

*

The surface of this vast region is a sandy plain, intersected by dry and naked ravines and salt tracts. There is very little land susceptible of culture, and still less fit for planting. The climate is moist, and the year nearly equally divided into summer and winter. The pastures are excellent. The inhabitants are generally of middling stature, and tawny complexion; as their climate is not fickle they live almost entirely in the open air, and their health is unalterable. Their diet is simple and rude; in summer it consists of kumyz and milk, in winter of horse-flesh dressed with flour. Their principal occupation is rearing cattle-they neglect the cultivation of the soil. They are excellent horsemen; as soon as a child has reached the age of four it is placed on horseback. They are slaves to their word, but violent, vindictive, thieves by nature, and ungoverned in their passions. The Kirghis nation is divided into three hordes, the greater, the middle, and the lesser. Each horde is divided into several tribes, which are usually composed of from three to five thousand iourtes (tents made of felt.) Each horde is under the command of a sultan. The tribes are subdivided into aouls, or villages, of from thirty to seventy iourtes each. The chiefs of the latter are called bi.

Their natural disposition to theft may perhaps be thought to be sufficiently accounted for, without the aid of Dr. Spurzheim, by what

follows:

The Kirghises pay no tribute, they are entirely independent; the right of the strongest prevails among them in the fullest sense of the term. This monstrous state of things, so incompatible with social life, causes continual quarrels between the several tribes. Marauding parties, to carry off cattle, are very frequent, and give rise to furious

*The Asiatic frontiers of the Russian empire are marked by military lines, which take their name, either from the principal town, or the country they traverse. Towards Caucasus there is the Caucasian line; the lines of Astrachan and Orenburg separate those governments from the steppe of the Kirghises. All these lines are protected by fortresses, redoubts, and guards. The fortifications, though insignificant, are suffciently strong to resist the attacks of these wandering tribes. The line alluded to in the text is that of Ichim. Its chief town is Petropavlovsk.

battles. The women, who ride as well as the men, fight with long stakes and lances. They scarcely yield in ferocity to the men. The arms of the Kirghises are the matchlock, the javelin, the lance, the sabre, and the bow and arrows. They profess the Mussulman religion-every man has consequently as many wives as he can maintain. The women are tall and handsome, and enjoy robust health. The children are married at a very tender age. A father sends mediators to propose his son in marriage; he promises to give a suitable kalym, or portion, which consists of kalmic slaves, horses, and oxen. If the father of the girl consents, he sends the mediator every year to receive a part of the stipulated kalym; as soon as the young people are marriageable they are permitted to see each other; after which the intended husband goes to spend a week or two with his betrothed. The father-in-law then pitches a separate habitation for his son-in-law, at about a hundred toises from his own iourte. Every night he is conducted by the women to his future bride, and left alone with her; but the innate modesty of these wandering people forbids the least indiscretion towards his companion. On the day fixed for the marriage, the relations assemble, and the young girl passes her hand through a trellice placed before the iourte, and stretches it out to the young man who remains without. The moulla asks them separately whether they consent to be married, and on their answering in the affirmative, unites their hands and pronounces prayers. The ceremony of marriage is then terminated. They have no other laws than the Koran and the laws of nature.

The following day the party continued their route through other kirghis tribes, some of whom they saw seated quietly around fires, talking over former times; others, stretched on the slope of a hill, feeding their flocks and playing plaintive airs on the syvyzga, a sort of flute; the women were tanning hides, weaving, and beating felt.

In the evening they assembled in crowds on the banks of the river Tchaglinka; they wrestled, ran races, and shot at a mark; some played the dombra, an instrument like a large spoon, with strings; the young girls, sitting near the trellice of the iourtes, accompanied the instruments with their voices. The music was not very harmonious, but the scene altogether was agreeable: it was very characteristic of their contented and careless state.

Their road, next day, lay through a canton abounding in forests, called Tchoubar Aigr, where we find a curious trait of resemblance to carly European manners.

The inhabitants go to the chace, accompanied by dogs and large eagles, called berkout; they take the latter before them on the saddle, with their heads covered. As soon as they see a hare, a fox, or a wild goat, they take off the bird's hood, when it instantly pounces upon its prey, seizes it in its talons, and holds it till its master The Kirghises hold these berkouts in such high estimation that they give several horses, and even Kalmuc prisoners, for one of them.

comes up.

They pursued their journey through a mountain district, where they met not a human creature. M. Nazarov describes the effect of this profound and awful solitude, when the rising moon projected the shadows of the lofty mountains across their silent path, as almost terrific. These mountains contain lead, which the chief of the tribe of Atagassi, inhabiting this district, has forbidden his subjects to show to the Russians, under pain of death. They passed through GourAigr, near a lake, on whose banks is a Kirghis cemetery; the tombs are of wood, and of a square form.

We remarked (says he) upon several of the graves, lances stuck in the earth, or eagles carved in wood. We were told that the lances marked the tombs of renowned horsemen, and the eagles those who were distinguished for dexterity in the sport we have described. Near this lake are the winter-quarters of two tribes, who exchange horses, camels, and sheep, for the merchandise of the caravans which pass. We arrived just at the moment when one of these people had been tried and condemned. The oldest Bis, assembled by order of the Khan, were seated in a solemn manner on carpets stretched on the grass. The criminal was condemned to death; the sentence