The main difficulty Mr Davison had to struggle with was the superstition of his attendants. It was chiefly physical obstacles that threw themselves in the way of the sagacious and enduring Belzoni.

"The resolution of Belzoni, however, a private unassisted individual, achieved a conquest over the mystery of ancient art, which the power and ingenuity of a great nation had relinquished as beyond the reach of human means. His success in detecting the sepulchral labyrinths of Thebes, inHanded him at once with the desire and the confidence of

discovering a passage into the secret chambers of Cephirenes, the reputed founder of the second Pyramid.

high enough for a man to pass, an Arab entered with a
candle, and announced that the place within was very fine.
A little more room enabled our adventurer to squeeze his
person through, when he exclaims, After thirty days I
had the pleasure of finding myself in the way to the central
have long been the admiration of beholders.""\\\\/
chamber of one of the two great Pyramids of Egypt, which

There are relics of past ages more enduring than stone or marble-festivals, the observance of which has been transmitted, not only from generation to generation, but from one tribe of the human race to another, which has expelled it from the seats of its ancestors. The feelings "His first attempt was not attended with an adequate and imaginations of man are the same in all ages, and once degree of success, while the labour and expense which it a set form of expressing them has gained a local habitaentailed upon him were so great as would have cooled the tion, it is indestructible. Of this class of relics is a soardour of a less zealous antiquary. He began by forcing a lemnity observed annually at the rising of the Nile. passage, which he was soon obliged to abandon, as equally hopeless to himself, and dangerous to the persons employed.of the Nile, is still annually observed at Cairo, and is one "The festival of opening the Calige, or cutting the bank But this disappointment only increased his desire to accomof the few ancient customs which continue to identify the plish an object on which he had staked his happiness, as inhabitants of the modern capital with their remotest anwell as his reputation. Observing minutely the exterior of cestors. The year in which Mr Carne visited Egypt, the the Great Pyramid, he satisfied himself that the passage 16th of August was the day appointed for this solemnity, was not placed exactly in the middle of the building, but the inundation having reached nearly its greatest height. that it ran in a straight line to the eastern side of what is called the King's Chamber; which, being in the centre of the evening to the place, which was a few miles distant Accompanied by some friends, he repaired about eight in the Pyramid, he conjectured that the entrance must be as from the city, amidst the roaring of cannon, illuminations, far from the middle of the face, as is the distance from the and fireworks. The shores of the Nile, a long way down centre of the chamber to the east end of it. Having made from Boulak, were covered with groups of people, some this clear and simple observation, he concluded, that, if there seated beneath the large spreading sycamores smoking, others were any chamber in the second Pyramid, the orifice could gathered around parties of Arabs, who were dancing with not be at the spot where he had begun his excavation, but, infinite gaiety and pleasure, and uttering loud exclamations calculating by the position of the passage in the first, nearly of joy,-affording an amusing contrast to the passionless thirty feet farther east, demeanour and tranquil features of their Moslem oppressors. Perpetually moving over the scene, which was illumined by the most brilliant moonlight, were seen Albanian soldiers in their national costume, Nubians from the burning clime of farther Egypt, with Mamlouks, Arabs, and Turks.

"Encouraged by these new views, he returned to his task, and was immediately delighted to observe that, at the very place where he intended to recommence operations, there was a hollow on the surface of the building. Any travelier, says he, who shall hereafter visit the Pyramids, may plainly perceive this concavity above the true entrance. Summoning his Arabs, he forthwith resumed his toils; and so correct was his measurement that he did not deviate more than two feet from the mouth of the passage which was to admit him into the recesses of this vast edifice. The native workmen were indeed as sceptical as ever, entertaining not the slightest expectation that any approach would ever be discovered, and occasionally muttering their opinion of him in the expressive term magnoon, which, in their language,

denotes madman or fool.

had fallen from the upper

"After clearing away a great deal of rubbish, and cutting through massy stones, he had the satisfaction to see the edge of a block of granite, the material used for casing the passages in the Pyramid of Cheops,-inclining downward at the same angle as in the latter building, and pointing towards the centre. On the following day three large slabs were discovered, one on each side, and the third on the top, indicating very distinctly that the object of his search was now about to be realized. In a few hours, accordingly, the right entrance into the Pyramid was opened,-proving to be a passage four feet high, and three feet six inches wide, formed of granite, and descending a hundred and four feet towards the centre, at an angle of twenty-six degrees. Nearly all this passage was was filled with large stones which downwards, they had slide part and as ere not slopes some larger than the rest stopped the way. "The next portion of his task was to remove this tubbish, which had extended even to the entrance of the chamber. At length be reached a portcullis, which, being a fixed block of stone, at first sight appeared to obstruct all farther progress into the interior. It stared me in the face,' says Mr Belzoni, and said ne plus ultra-putting an end, as I thought, to all my projects; for it made a close joint with the groove at each side, and on the top it seemed as firm as the rock itself which formed the passage. On a close inspection, however, he perceived that, at the bottom, it was raised about eight inches from the lower part of the groove which was cut beneath to receive it; and he found by this circumstance that the large slab before him was nothing more than a barrier of granite, one foot three inches thick. Having observed a small aperture at the top, he thrust a straw into it upwards of three feet,-a discovery which convinced him that there was a vacuum prepared to receive the portcullis. The raising of it, indeed, was a work of no small difficulty. As soon, however, as it was elevated

"At last day broke, and soon after the report of a cannon announced that the event so ardently wished for was at hand. In a short time the kiaya bey, the chief minister of the pasha, arrived with his guard, and took his seat on the summit of the opposite bank. A number of Arabs now began to dig down the dike which confined the Nile, the bosom of which was covered with a number of pleasureboats full of people, waiting to sail along the canal through the city. Before the mound was completely demolished, the increasing dampness and shaking of the earth induced the workmen to leave off. Several of them then plunged into the stream, and, exerting all their strength to push down the remaining part, small openings were soon made, and the river broke through with irresistible violence; for some time it was like the rushing of a cataract. i 599

According to custom, the kiaya bey distributed a good sum of money,-throwing it into the bed of the canal below, where a great many men and boys scrambled for it. It was an amusing scene, as the water gathered fast round them, to see them struggling and groping amidst the waves for the coin; but the violence of the torrent soon bore them away. There were some, indeed, who had lingered to the last, and now sought to save themselves by swimming,still buffeting the waves, and grasping at the money showered down, and diving after it as it disappeared,,,, Unfor tunately, this sport costs a few lives every year, and the author informs us there was one young man drowned on the present occasion."

The different vessels, long ere the fall had subsided, rushed into the canal, and entered the city, their decks crowded with all ranks, uttering loud exclamations of joy. The overflowing of the Nile is the richest blessing of Heaven to the Egyptians; and, as it finds its way gradually into various parts of Cairo, the inhabitants flock to drink of it, to wash in it, and to rejoice in its progress. The vast square called the Birket, which a few hours before had presented the appearance of a dusty neglected field, was now turned into a beautiful scene, being covered with an expanse of water out of the bosom of which arose the finest sycamore trees. The sounds of joy and festivity, of music and songs, were now heard all over the city, with cries of Allah, Allah!' and thanks to the Divine bounty for so inestimable a benefaction."

We have only to add, that the illustrations of this volume are engraved in wood by Branston in a very superior style.

Sketches of Irish Character. By Mrs S. C. Hall.

Se

cond Series. 12mo. Pp. 448. London. Westley and Davis. 1831.

MRS HALL is a writer after our own heart. If she does not possess Miss Edgeworth's masculine power of scanning character, she at least unites to the benevolent and tempered utilitarianism of the author of "Ennui," more feminine gentleness, and all a woman's intuitive knowledge of the workings of the human heart. She has the sentiment and imagination of Lady Morgan, untainted by her ladyship's obtrusive and false-toned philosophy. Less intensely powerful than either of the gifted females we have named, she is eminently endowed with delicate humour, a warm heart, and sound good sense. She unites in a high degree the good qualities of both her countrywomen, tempered, in her, more than in either of the others, with all a woman's mildness.

daughter, attracted to the hall by the crowd and struggle,
caught him in her arms, and, with Kathleen's aid, support-
ed him to a seat. If a bullet had passed through the young
man's brain, he could not have appeared more subdued ;-
in their sockets, and he sank, with a deep-drawn groan, on
the fires of his eye were quenched, his arms hung powerless
his knees by his mother's side. Morty,' she said, still
more faintly, 'ye had no right to have any hand in sich a
burning as was intended-I tould ye so, but ye wouldn't
heed me; my heart warmed to the ould place, as the limb
of ivy that the lightning blasted on its walls still clings to
against him, who, perjured as he is, is still y'er-' father,
the same spot; moreover, I couldn't bear ye to lift a finger
She would have added, but her son's feelings burst forth.
'Do not say the black word again, mother,' he exclaimed
furiously, if I am his son, what must you be?'

"Listen, James Johnson, to that!' said the wretched woman, dragging her body-as a wounded serpent trails its envenomed length along the earth-towards the magistrate's seat; didn't the sound o' that go to y'er heart?—the upbraidings of a child to its own parent, when that parent is in the agonies o' death! But though ye've murdered me, the curse is over ye still!' she continued; the bitter expres

The useful and agreeable are mingled in this volume in fair and equable proportions. Mabel O'Neil's Curse -The Rapparee-Jack the Shrimp-Luke O'Brian-sion of countenance I have before mentioned returning tenand the Last of the Line, are powerfully told tales of those wild and untamed spirits to whom the disorganized state of Ireland has given birth. The three first are scarcely, if at all, inferior to Banim's nightmare medleys of grotesque form and fierce passion. The last is, we have reason to believe, 66 an ower true tale;" and it is told with exquisite pathos and sweetness. Annie Leslie -Kate Connor-We'll see about it-Larry Moore--and Mark Connor's Wooing and Wedding, are more after the fashion of the Edgeworth school. Norah Clarey's Wise Thought, (that we are sure none of our readers have forgotten) Irish Settlers in an English Village-and Mary Mac Goharty's Petition, are every inch of them Mrs Hall's own. And here we must beg leave to say, that in speaking of the others with reference to the writings of Banim and Edgeworth, we mean merely to convey by the comparison a notion of their tone and tendency, not to hint that any of the fair author's thoughts and stories

are not in the strictest sense her own.

fold, and revenge lighting in her sunken eye like the red lamp within the sepulchre: 'do ye remember it? I'll tell it ye again-the whole-there's life in me yet for the whole of earned his gould, and then he borrowed it, and you lent it. In those days this was y'er employer's house, but ye him back his own-ye may well turn pale, it's all true. I was his lady's chosen favourite-she tendered me as if I had been a noble child;-you won me to y'er purposes you got me to betray trust; and, when that was done, you turned upon me-you poisoned her heart again' me. In an hour of madness I tould o' your wickedness-I was asked for the rain poured-I deserved it all from her. But under proofs-I had none-she turned me out-the snow fellthe end wall, where the ivy is still green, and y'er daughter tends her flowers-do ye mind that meeting, when the boy that scorns to own ye leaped within me-when the feelings of a young mother warmed round my heart? Ye met me there-there ye spurned and scorned me, and, to save myself from everlasting blast-to save my mother's heart from breaking, I there promised that, as a screen to my folly, I would marry him who since turned a shame to earth, and whose children were born both to that and sorrow.

Still

We have selected three passages from the volume, to give the reader an idea of the variety in Mrs Hall's book. First comes a piece of most powerful writing. An old woman has been shot by the officers of justice, while in pursuit of an incendiary who had escaped from them. She is carried to the house of the justice, and her deathment, ye threw me from ye-ye called me by the name that

is thus described :

"The eagle glance of hurling Moriarty rested for a moment on the ghastly features of his reputed mother, and, in an instant, he was at her side.

"With fearful energy he grasped her cold hand, and then they looked into each other's countenances, as only parent and child can look, when the tie, the first, it may be the dearest, of nature's unions, is about to be broken-and for ever. In another moment, his ken wandered over the assembly, enquiring of her which had done the deed; and, almost unwittingly, perhaps, her look rested on the magistrate, who had entered the hall, thrown off his hat, and, having covered his burning brow with his hands, remained leaning against one of the oaken supporters of the ancient

structure.

"It was enough;-a bound, that for certainty of destruction could be likened to nothing but the fatal spring with which the young and infuriated tiger fastens on its prey, brought Moriarty to the side of the defenceless gentleman. With both hands he grasped his throat, and so appalled were even Mr Johnson's own partisans, by the suddenness and violence of the action, that his death would have been certain, had not Mabel O'Neil, with a strong and desperate effort, staggered forward, seized her son's arm, dragged him with her almost to the marble floor on which she fell, and exclaimed in a low but audible voice, Morty, Morty, as you value y'er mother's dying blessing as you value y'er mother's last curse,-loose, loose y'er hould, I say!-it is y'er father ye would murther!'

they were my children, and God in heaven knows what I've suffered for them. Then-then, when I clung to y'er knees to bid ye farewell, and when, like a true woman, I could ha' blessed ye, even in my misery-for the thought of y'er happiness was ever foremost in my mind-at that morings on woman's ear to everlastin', when she deserves it; then on the snow I knelt-I cursed ye from my heart's core-my love turned to poison, both for you and myself. I knew the people would call ye fortunate; and I prayed that the riches ye should get might secure to y'er soul damnation-that the higher ye rose, the more should the finger o' scorn point at ye-that ye might be the father o' many ho nest childer, and that, when they were most bright and beautiful, ye might follow them to their graves, and die a childless man! And didn't I'-as she spoke the fiend seemed to take possession of her once fine form, and deep and terrible shadows gathered over her discoloured brow

didn't I travel, unknown'st, many a weary mile, to hear the stones clatter on their coffin-lids? And when your innocent son was murthered from spite to his father, weren't the tears, that rolled down y'er cheeks like hail-drops, refreshing to me, as the May-dew that falls on the summer flowers?-and sure, the young craythur that's trembling there, like the blasted meadow-sweet, is dying fast, fastand so am I Her voice sunk, and the last words were faint and murmuring, as the breath of a fierce but ex piring hurricane.

"Blessed Mary!' exclaimed Kathleen, 'will nobody run for Father Delany, that he may make her soul!'-and the kind-hearted girl knelt at her side and held the crucifix to her separated and ghastly lips. Moriarty, whose bitter feelings could find no utterance, clasped his hands in agony to implore her blessing. Feebly she muttered-they knew not what; then, turning her face to the ground, and while literally biting the dust, her erring but powerful spirit departed from its dwelling of sin and suffering."

"He did, indeed, release his grasp, and the swollen and discoloured features of the unfortunate Johnson showed plainly that in a few seconds Moriarty's forbearance would What follows is a happy specimen of ludicrous diahave been too late. He would have fallen, had not his logue. A curious old maid, a sworn manufacturer and

9

d

at work in other parts of the empire. This must be put a Researches. We give one extract, just to enable them stop to, and we pledge ourselves to the task. We request the to judge of the beauty of the descriptions of scenery conassistance of our correspondents Laheshire and Ferted in the work frewshire. The Teramo dil mnoqqs zadt, rufto set do his Shredvin' in Edipur A gh'hash been 10122940129 9072 9ULLDOT 01 010 nagy and The coral reefs, around the islands, not only protect already laid bare to us. We will no longer stand by and the violence of the sea, but often exhibit see a small number of men who, to the weakness of the the low land one of theblime and beautiful marine spectacles that idiot, add likewise his cunning to shape their means to their endogoonamthallenge throwings theinmets over it is possible to behold. They are generally a mile, or a unprotected females wherever they find them. Det a mile and a half, and occasionally two miles, from the shore. TR surface of water within the reef is placid and transnot be misunderstool ve do ride actuse these people purent; while that without, if there be the slightest breeze, of any moal mineine hour in the common, acception is considerably agitated; and, being unsheltered from the of the term as yet. But we see that their principles wind, is generally raised in high and foaming waves. (if, indeed, they can be dignified with such a Amaliare The trade-wind, blowing constantly towards the shore, drives the waves with violence upon the reef, which is from identical with those of the French prophets of Doddridge's five to twenty or thirty yards wide. The long rolling bitime, and other visionaries of that stamp; and we have lows of the Pacific, extending sometimes, in one unbroken never known the system of yielding to inward impulses, line, a mile or a mile and a half along the reef, arrested by and voluptuons sensations, miscalled devotion, long inin this natural barrier, often rise ten, twelve, or fourteen feet dulged in, without leading attle to the most de degrading a aberra- above its surface; and then, bending over it their white, tions. et parents and guardians looks to riding Bank Angus quis, quote 101 foaming tops, form a graceful liquid arch, glittering in the cha sút 267 noitomeni zidi lo enoitalyst quibuste vays of a tropical sun, as if studded with brilliants. But, 491blids is to before the eyes of the spectator can follow the splendid aqueous gallery which they appear to have reared, with Polynesian Researches, during a Residence of nearly Eight loud and hollow roar they fall in magnificent desolation, gigantic fabric in froth and spray, upon the Years in the Society and Sandwich Islands. By Wil- and spread the liam Ellis. Vols. Issand IIn Select Library Vols Horizontal and gently broken surface of the coral. In each of the islands, and opposite the large valleys, I. and I) London. b Fisher, Son, and Jackson. through which a stream of water falls into the ocean, there 1881. 161 boterI .nobпoI isqusually, a break, or opening, in the line of reef that surrounds the shore a most wise and benevolent provision for ingress, and egress of vessels, as well as a singular phe

in

the

in the natural history of these marine ramparts. the e current of fresh water, constantly flowing from the rivers to the ocean, prevents the tiny architects from building their concentric walls in one continued line, or whether in the fresh water itself there is any quality inimical to the growth or increase of coral, is not easy to determine; but it is a remarkable fact, that few openings occur in the reefs which surround the South Sea Islands, excepting opposite those parts of the shore from which Reets of varied, streams of fresh water flow into the sea. but generally circumscribed extent, are frequently observed within the large outer barrier, and near the shore, or mouth of the river; but they are formed in shallow places, and the coral is of a different and more slender kind, than that of which the larger reef, rising from the depths of the ocean, is usually composed. There is no coral in the lagoons of the large islands. of dangerin] De

WE Suspect that. few people are aware of the full extent of the obligations, under which science, lies to the missionaries. From the time that Denmark sent, first among European nations, the preachers of the gospel forth these heathen, down to the to gathertok 200mp Toni puto present day pious and daring men have not failed to 31 not failed to add to our stores of knowledge, while tempering the fierce the Fence Passions of f savage. What a noble traffic! carrying out the everlasting gospel, and bringing home increase of knowledge Heaven's next best gift. deTonthoɑmissionariesste we indebted for valuable additions to ethnography, philology, and natural history inbadits 'departments While the Moraviansq as the most devoted and-sindere,so generally the least enlightened of this peaceful army of the faith were sending, even from the stormly, and desolate, Labra, dor, rich contributions to the museums of Europe, our Oriental beachers have been cultivating with inoteasing The openings in the reefs around Sir Charles Sanders' industry,the thousand dialects of India and remite Island, Maurua, and other low islands, are small and inCathaybin Andall of them, have, often undvittingly, contricate, and sometimes altogether wanting, probably because tributedrichly to our knowledge: bfukuman mature, the land, composing these islands, collects but a scanty porNarrow-mindednessy (sectarianisth, fignorance, have been tion of water; and, if any, only small, and frequently inThe apertures in the freely daid to theif charge, and pot in all ciries without terrupted streams flow into the sea. coral beds around the larger islands, not only afford direct some grounds! But even in these care instances, the very access to the indentations in the coast, and the mouths of ignoratice of the missionaries bakrendered their testimony the valleys, which form the best harbours, but secure to more valuable. Practically convinced ofɔtheirɖownsin shipping a supply of fresh water, in equal, if not greater fallibility othey, stall aplaincumstantnished story. They abundance, than it could be procured in any other part of show us the tribes with which they have to deal, not as the island. The circumstance, also, of the rivers near the a man of enlightened (minɖ[might conceive,orpmiseon harbours flowing into the sea, affords the greatest facility ceive them but in their own actions; teased and pestered in procuring fresh water, which is so valuable to seamen. These breaches in the reefs, in many places, especially with well-meant but inconsiderate; importunities.tod dict at Papete, of Wilks' Harbour, in Tahiti and Afareaitu, in Mr Ellis ɓshowever, tot one of the class for which Morea Fare, in Huahine, and along the eastern side of this apology requires to obes urged. He is a man whose Raiatea and Tahaa, are not only serviceable to navigation, intelligence is equal to his piety. HisPolynesianRe bnt highly ornamental, and contribute much to the beauty searches are acknowledged in all hands to be the most of the surrounding scenery. At the Ava Moa, or Sacred able and complete records that we possess of the Arolti Entrance leading to Opoa, there is a small island, on which pelago of the South Seals He portrays the lovely islands a few cocoa-nut trees are growing. At Tipaeman there which "inlay the bosom of the Pacific, with all the are two, one on each side of the opening, rising from the extremity of the line of reef. The little islets, elevated fervour of apothie describes their productions with three or four feet above the water, are clothed with shrubs the care and eduvacyóófoa naturalist; and gecounts the and verdure, and adorned with a number of lofty cocoa-nut history of their inhabitants, as becomes one who has had trees.At Te-Avapiti, several miles to the northward of a large share in effecting the most important! revolution Tipuemau, and opposite the Missionary settlement-where, their infant society has knownsqɛ We are happy to see as its name indicates, are two openings there are also two new edition of his work, published, ons such as scale, a beautiful, green, and woody islands, on which the lowly hut of the fisherman, or of the voyager waiting for a favourbrings it within the reach of the majority of readers adtable wind, may be often seen. Two large and very charmWe expatiated at some length upon the scene of Mring islands adorn the entrance at Tomahahotu, leading to Ellis's labours, when Captain Beechey passed through the island of Taliaa. The largest of these is not more than our hands lately, and shall not therefore, trouble our half a mile in circumference, but both are covered with readers just now with a detailed analysis of Polynesian fresh and evergreen shrubs and trees,

Oro and his wife expressed their satisfaction at the present; the pig and the feathers remained the same, but the brother of the god assumed his original form.

"Detached from the large islands, and viewed in connexion with the ocean rolling through the channel on the one side, or the foaming billows dashing, and roaring, and breaking over the reef on the other, they appear like emerald "Such a mark of attention, on such an occasion, was gems of the ocean, contrasting beauty with the agitated, eles their solitude and verdant considered by Oro to require some expression of his com sporting in grandeur mendation. He accordingly made them gods, and constiaround. They are useful as well as ornamental. The tall tuted them Areois, saying, Ei Areoi orua i te ao, nei, ia cocoa-nuts that grow on their surface, can be seen many miles noaa ta orua tuhaa Be you two Areois in this world, distant; and the native mariner is thereby enabled to steer that you may have your portion (in the government,' &c.) directly towards the spot where he knows he shall find a In the commemoration of this ludicrous fable of the pig passage to the shore, The constant current passing the and the feathers, the Areois, in all the taupiti, and public opening, probably deposited on the ends of the reef frag-festivals, carried a young pig to the temple; strangled it, ments of coral, sea-weeds, and drift-wood, which in time bound it in the ahu haio, (a loose open kind of cloth,) and rose above the surface of the water. Seeds borne thither by placed it on the altar. They also offered the red feathers, the wayes, 9 wafted by the winds, found a soil on which which they called the uru maru no te Areoi, the shadowy they could germinate-decaying vegetation increased the uru of the Areoi,' or the red feathers of the party of the mould and by this process it is most likely these beautiful Areoi.is little fairy-looking islands were formed on the ends of the reefs at the entrance to the different harbours."

"It has been already stated that the brothers, who were made gods and kings of the Areois, lived in celibacy; conOn this account, sequently they had no descendants. although they did not enjoin celibacy upon their devotees, they prohibited their having any offspring. Hence, one of the standing regulations of this institution was, the murder

Leigh's Guide to Wales and Monmouthshire. Illustrated
with a Map of Wales, and Views of the Menai and
London.
Conway Bridges.
Printed for Samuel
Leigh. 1831.

The most extraordinary institution of the South Sea Islands, was undoubtedly the association of the Areois, Can there be thy thing more inconceivable, than that large numbers of men and women should unite them- of their children." D21691 selves into a body, the fu fundamental law of which was, that all their offspring should be destroyed that they should roam about from island to island, living by the profession of stage-players that they should indulge in every species of licentiousness and yet that the members of such a community should lay claim to a nearer approximation to the nature of the gods than other mortals, and have that claim allowed? Yet with what a beautiful and childish grace did the imaginations of this degraded caste invest the fable of their origin! How often is beauty scattered over the surface of the most loathsome fens! How much truth is there in the somewhat quaint lines of the poet, where he complains that our most amiable foul old man 6 ti di conturi d emotions frequently

The Welsh Interpreter: consisting of a concise Vocabulary, and a Collection of Useful and Familiar Phrases, with the exact mode of Pronunciation. Adapted for Tourists, who may wish to make themselves understood by the Peasantry during their Rambles through Wales. By Thomas Roberts. Llwynrhudal. London. Printed for Samuel Leigh. 1831.

"Are only the first downward tremble in THE first of these two works is useful-indeed indisOf the heart's balance unto ill!" dit om pensable to the tourist through Wales. The other is of do bumpad or account of the commencelommenceThe Aregis give the following account of Thilmore questionable value. In the first place, it honestly account of the commence confesses that it is only "adapted for tourists who may ment of their association:not d 1972 to wish to make themselves understood by the peasantry." "The origin of the Areois institution is as follows: Now we suspect, that by far the greater proportion of "Oro, the son of Taaroa, desired a wife from the tourists, not contented with this, wish to understand the daughters of Tuata, the first man; he sent two of his brothers, Tufarapainuu and Tufarapairai, to seek among peasantry in return. In a drawingroom, or over one's the daughters of man a suitable companion for him; they wine, it is agreeable enough to have all the talk to one's searched through the whole of the islands, from Tabiti to self, but when lost among the Welsh mountains, the Borabora, but saw no one that they supposed fit to become veriest chatterbox in creation, we suspect, would prefer the wife of Oroy till they came to Borabora. Here, residing a person who could reply as well as listen. Now, gentle near the foot of Mouatahubuuraj red-ridged mountain, reader, (as our friend Audubon would say,) only fancy they saw Valrqumati. When they beheld her, they said) one to the other, This is the excellent woman for our bro- yourself with this Interpreter in your hand, spelling over ther. Returning to the skies, they hastened to Oro, and your interrogatory to some sturdy Taffy whom you have informed him of their success; told him they had found encountered in your rambles. He listens with all imaamong the daughters of man a wife for him, described the ginable patience and good-humour, and in return pours place of her abode, and represented her as a vahine purotu ont a whole deluge of information; but, unfortunately, aiai, a female possessed of every charm. The god fixed the the book does not contain any answers to its innurainbow in the heavens, one end of it resting in the valley merable queries; nor, indeed, would it be easy (if Welchat the foot of the red-ridged mountain, the other penetra men are any thing like Scotsmen or Irishmen) to ascerting the skies, and thus formed his pathway to the earth. "When he emerged from the vapour, which, like a cloud, tain beforehand what they might be; nor would you be had encircled the rainbow, he discovered the dwelling of able, even if they were there, to follow his rapid enunciation Vairaumati, the fair mistress of the cottage, who became by their aid. You may "make yourself understood by the his wife. Every evening he descended on the rainbow, peasantry," but we defy them to return the compliment. and returned by the same pathway on the following morn But worse remains behind. We doubt whether any person ing to the heavenly regions. His wife bore a son, whom who does not understand the language, can be taught to he called Hoa-tab-i-te-rai, friend, sacred to the heavens. pronounce it by the aid of such a book as this. It is true, This son becaine a powerful ruler among men. no art cu "The absence of Oro from this celestial companions, du- in giving utterance to the phrases it contains, according to ring the frequent visits the made to the cottage of Vairau- the rules of pronunciation which are laid down, we are not mati in the valley of Borabora, induced two of his younger speaking English, but it does not follow that we are speakbrothers, Orotetefa and Urutetefa, to leave their abode in ing Welch. Our friend the peasant would be just as apt the skies, and commence a search after him. Descending to turn on his heel with Dim Saesneg-after listening by the rainbow in the position in which he had placed it, to us, as if we had been speaking English in good earnest. they alighted on the earth near the base of the red-ridged We have for these reasons deferred till another season mountains, and soon perceived their brother and his wife in their terrestrial habitation. Ashamed to offer their salu the tour which we projected into Wales, when Mr Rotations to him and his bride without a present, one of them berts's work was first put into our hands. In the meanwas transformed on the spot into a pig, and a bunch of uru, time, we have procured a Welsh grammar, and, under or red feathers. These acceptable presents the other offered the tuition of an old goat-a native of Wales, which we to the inmates of the dwelling, as a gift of congratulation. purchased some years ago from the wife of a soldier in a