From Chambers' Journal.

GEOGRAPHICAL PROGRESS.

Beechy is pursuing his inquiry into the tidal phenomena of the North Sea. A grand chart of the lower course of the Tyne, 26 feet in length, THE presidents of the Royal Geographical So- has been laid down on a scale of 27 inches to the ciety are accustomed to deliver to the members of mile; and the Humber is being surveyed from the that useful corporation an annual address, in sea up to Goole, and will be similarly noted, it which they contrive to embody all that is new or being found of essential importance to preserve striking in the history and progress of geography evidence of the situation of banks and shoals for for the preceding twelve months. From "penny future reference; especially as that vast shoal, the maps" to "anomalous tides," from the laying down Doggerbank, is said to be rising higher every day, of a shoal to the determination of a mountain's and in some places so near to the surface, as to height-everything is pressed into the record. become a formidable danger. The geological Apart from their scientific value, these addresses survey is also progressing; the sheet maps of contain much that is popularly interesting, and North Wales are finished, and those for the we shall make a brief abstract of one or two of the Staffordshire coal-field and the Derbyshire mining last delivered, for the information of our readers. district, are in a forward state; the latter are to First of all, we are informed that, from the fund contain tracings of the mineral veins, which will employed for the promotion of geographical dis- render them particularly valuable. Such labors, covery, twenty-five guineas were awarded to Dr. however, are not confined to England; they are Wallin, of Helsingfors, for his travels and research- going on in most of the countries of Europe. The es in a large portion of the peninsula of Arabia, Topographical Survey of Sweden," to comprise hitherto untrodden by Europeans," in the years 260 sheets, is actively persevered with; the trigo 1846 to 1849. As the region is one but little nometrical survey of Russia has been in progress known, and as the doctor is perfectly conversant for thirty years, yet not more than about one with the languages of the East, and considers the fourth of the European portion of that great emArab mode of life preferable to that imposed by pire is completed; France, Prussia, and Austria, conventionality and civilization, he is to be sent out too, are busy with what we call ordnance maps, again to make further explorations, as soon as all of the most comprehensive character. Our sufficient supplies can be raised. Our government trigonometrical survey of India is extending, and the East India Company have contributed 2007., but as this sum is not considered adequate, the Grand Duke Constantine, president of the Imperial Geographical Society of St. Petersburg, has been asked for further aid, and when his answer comes, the hardy Swede will again set forth. A similar amount of twenty-five guineas has also been given to Mr. Brunner for exploration of the Middle Island of New Zealand-that on which the Canterbury Colony is founded. He traversed 200 miles of coast, and a good slice of the interior, and had to rough it pretty severely for the greater part of the 550 days that his adventurous journey lasted, besides tracing the courses of several rivers, and discovering inland lakes; according to his report, the greater part of the island is "barren and unprofitable.

Dr. Rae, one of the most persevering of the searchers for the missing Franklin expedition, has had the Society's gold medal awarded to him "for his survey of Boothia, under most severe privations, in 1848; and for his recent explorations on foot and in boats of the coasts of Wallaston and Victoria lands, by which many important additions have been made to the geography of the arctic regions." The greater part of the journeys, which amounted to nearly 4000 miles, was performed with very slender resources; and Dr. Rae has shown how much may be accomplished by resolute perseverance, even under the most unfavorable circum

stances.

A second medal was given to Captain H. Strachey, of the East India Company's service, "for his extensive explorations and surveys in Western Thibet." He was appointed to determine the limits of Rajah Goolab Sing's territory, and has made us acquainted with a region 500 miles in length, bordering on China, heretofore undescribed; and another portion of the blank on our maps will now be filled up.

The coast survey of the British islands, and other parts of our empire, is still carried on; the southern and eastern shores of England are those now undergoing examination, while Captain

having reached the meridian of Lahore, in the Punjab territory, besides the lines working in other directions, the whole of which will eventually be united in one great scheme, forty sheets. being already engraved. These, with the surveys in America, the West Indies, the Mediterranean, in the Australian seas, and Indian Archipelago, show that we are daily arriving at more accurate geographical knowledge.

Again; we have further information concerning that little-known country lying between the Black and Caspian seas-of Babylonia, and other interesting localities in Asia Minor, of which maps are in preparation. And, going further east, we find that a considerable extent of the interior of Borneo has been explored by Dr. Schwaner, who, by availing himself of rivers hitherto supposed to be unnavigable, has gained more knowledge of the interior regions of that vast island than has hitherto been found practicable. Several of the South Sea islands, too, have been the subject of more accurate exploration and survey than heretofore; and we are told of Hawaii, that it has made such rapid advances since the beginning of the present century, when its condition was nearly the same as when Cook visited it," that Christianized men are met at every turn, habited in European attire; houses with glazed windows have superseded the wigwam-huts; the canoes have given way to schooners and ships; and, instead of utter ignorance, the natives are instructed by three weekly newspapers." Of the Feejeans, a different acount is given; according to Captain Erskine, of the Havannah, they are "addicted to cannibalism to a degree neither known nor credited," and shipwrecked crews are slaughtered by them and devoured, as much from a desire to eat human flesh as from a religious duty which they have long observed, notwithstanding all the remonstrances of missionaries.

Turning to Africa, we find by a series of levellings recently carried across the Isthmus of Suez, that instead of there being a difference of thirty feet between the level of the Red Sea and that of

These are but a few of the results of geographical investigation for the past two years, and coming ones give promise of still further knowledge, seeing that scientific instruments and resources are every day multiplying, and are produced in greater perfection.

From the Spectator, 18th Dec.

THE DIGGER'S BRIDE.

the Mediterranean, as has so long been believed, "It has no outlet ;" and adds: "I am convinced, there is in reality little or none-an interesting from what I have seen, that neither the river Utah fact, which will be still further verified during the (Jordan of the Mormons) nor the lake, can be progress of the railway-works to be set on foot in of the slightest utility to commercial navigathat locality under the superintendence of Mr. R. tion." Stephenson. How the past and present will be brought together by having light thrown on ancient geography by modern enterprise! Besides this, an attempt is being made to solve another important problem in the Valley of the Nile. Lepsius has stated, in his great work on Egypt, that this river formerly flowed at a much higher level than now, having, in the course of ages, worn away its bed to a depth of twenty-seven feet; and, this statement being disputed, a deep pit or well is to be sunk at Heliopolis, with a view to examine the strata and deposits through which it flows, and thereby determine if any and what change has THE law of supply and demand is at fault, or the taken place. The work for this purpose is under demand for wives in Australia would be supplied the direction of Mr. Leonard Horner, who defrays it has been said, measures the civilization of a more effectively. The value entertained for woman, the cost with a portion of the annual grant placed by government at the disposal of the Royal So- country; and by that rule, the Diggings ought just ciety; which has lately received a consignment now to exemplify the height of chivalry. There, of cases filled with specimens of the earth taken women are valued so highly that families well to from the excavation. Meanwhile, it appears that, do cannot afford to keep maid-servants; and she like Sweden, the Arabian Gulf-region and Abys- who went out with the humble expectation of sinia are undergoing slow and gradual upheaval. serving in the nursery of another, finds herself at In addition to these researches, active explorations the head of her own. The grades of society are are going on in the north, east, west, and south reversed, not less strongly on the female than on of Africa, and more than one treaty of commerce the male side. The only precedent for the Dighas been signed between England and the petty gings of Australia is Holland, which Andrew Marmonarchs of the interior. The Rev. Mr. Living- vel satirized; when the native contended for his ston announces the existence of another large lake, country with the fish, when dike-building was the 200 miles north-west of that now known as Lake most patriotic work of fortification, and when" to Ngami; the great Lake Tchad is being navigated invent a shovel" was to "be a magistrate." So, by European boats; and efforts are being made to in New Holland, to wield a spade is to be a dignireach those mysterious mountains in which the tary. The navvie is the lord of the soil; and the Nile is supposed to rise, for, as Captain Smyth ob- work-house orphan-girl, who goes out for what she serves, "no European traveller, from Bruce down- can find, finds herself suddenly advanced to be a wards, has yet seen its true source. lady of the land.

The moralist may In America, also, the same persevering spirit look at the change, and study of inquiry is exhibited; every month new facts the chemistry of social distinction with a sad wisdom. are brought to light, or old ones verified, and the Many an accomplished woman, in this country, fit vessels of the British and American navies are to adorn and enjoy life, sinks into a premature diligently and accurately surveying the coasts. grave, joyless and unknown. The kitchen-wench, The examination of the Oregon and California who would hesitate to speak on equal terms even with the menial of the two-pair back, becomes a shores appears to have been carried on under peculiar difficulties by Lieutenant M'Arthur, an great lady. Her wedding is a rough magnificence; American officer, who died recently at Panama. her dress is satin, and she will not wear any shawl "He arrived in California with a small vessel unless it be a "real" one and worth ten guineas at during the worst phase of the gold-fever. His least. And there is a distinction in this. Let the crew revolted and deserted, and on one occasion pitched into the sea an officer, who, by the merest miracle, drifted to the shore, and was restored to life. The mutineers were pursued, captured, and hanged; but, while pushing his labors, the active commander had been obliged to manacle his men to their boats." Then, in another quarter of the same country, further examination has added to our knowledge of the new territory of Utah, the head-quarters of the Mormons, whose proceedings of late have attracted much attention by their singularity. The physical situation of the country is described as very curious; surrounded on all sides by frightful rocks, covered with snow or saline efflorescences. The vast basin in which these

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people have placed their city is fertile, healthy, and estimated to be capable of readily supporting a million of people; it is about 560 miles in diameter, and elevated 4000 or 5000 feet above the sea." It contains that remarkable body of water known as the Great Salt Lake, of which Captain Stansbury, the topographical surveyor, reports:

lady of some great digger appear in English society, trundling about her gold as dust under her feet, and she will not be regarded with contempt. What has been added to her that has been wanting in the other? Nothing but the obvious gold.

What is it that makes her so prized in Australia? Nothing but her rarity. So dull is human appreciation, that it cannot value the picture of an angel, painted by hands finer than those of Raphael, unless there be a framework of common gold; nor can it indeed appreciate angels after their visits have ceased to be few and far between.

BANYAN-TREE OF CEYLON.-The finest specimen of miles distant from Colombo. Two roads run through this noble tree in Ceylon is at Mount Lavinia, seven its stems; some of its fibrous shoots have been trained like the stays of a ship, so as not to intercept the road; while others hang half-way down, with beautiful vistas of cocoa-palms seen through its numerous pillar-like stems. It throws a shadow at noon over four acres of ground.-Dub. U. Mag.

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 457.-19 FEBRUARY, 1853.

cessor.

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execution, I studied assiduously the Arabic lan- | account of the victims is strangely different from guage, and read daily the Koran and the histories what we should have expected. Crossing over and traditions of El-Islam; that I might not on to the right bank, we witnessed a very strange my arrival among the Ishmaelites be an entire exhibition. This was a small Turkish encampstranger to their system of ideas and belief. That ment, where we saw soldiers of nearly all nations we did not pursue and perfect this plan, was owing returning from the interior of Africa, bringing to no caprice or infirmity of purpose on our part, along with them a large company of female slaves. but to the adverse influences of fortune; and now Of these, a majority were negresses, and the rethat the time for realizing the wishes of those days mainder Galla or Abyssinian women. They were has gone by, and given me other ties and pros- kept in a large fold, like sheep, with an enclosure pects, I confess it has been one of the lasting re- of calico stretched on poles, to protect them from grets of my life, that we were not then enabled the gaze of strangers; but they contrived, poor to make the desert our home, amid those fierce girls, to exhibit their beauty in spite of their jealand lawless wanderers, who scorn the yoke of sul-ous owners; for, getting on tip-toe, and resting tan or pacha, and are to all intents and purposes their chins on the calico, they showed us, as we their- own masters." After this, the following passed, their laughing faces. Some of them on will amuse "Will the reader pardon me if I ex- the following night managed to get out, and the hibit a trait of personal vanity? When I arrived excitement they created in Korosko is not to be at Thebes, I had one of the handsomest beards in described. The honest Turks, their masters, the world; black as jet, and descending in curls fatigued by their long march across the desert, and waves over my breast. This was a great rec- had fallen fast asleep, and so also had the native ommendation to me among the Arabs, and I fear guardians set over the female slaves. The opporI must attribute to it much of the influence I pos- tunity was not to be overlooked, so they resolved sessed over them. Often and often, while passing to enjoy a few hours of freedom, which they spent along the streets of Gournou, Karnac, and Luxor, as they pleased in the village, drinking, singing, the women and the old men, as they sat on the and dancing with the Nubians, till they judged it stone mastabah beside their doors, would exclaim time to return to their prison, where in the mornto each other: Wallah, has not he a beard?"ing they were all found, looking as innocent as if St. John adds, that this magnificent beard has nothing had happened." This is likewise a curilong since gone to the tomb of all the Capulets. ous trait. From contemplating this landscape, That may be true of the identical "commodity of we were suddenly roused by a wild cry issuing hair;" but, if it has gone, it has left behind it, to from a narrow ravine in the eastern mountains. our certain knowledge, a very respectable suc- At first, it was impossible to decide whether the sound we heard betokened rapture or agony. Imagine the figure this beard would cut at a Presently, however, it was repeated, and our breakfast in the desert like the one thus described: Arabs and Nubians recognized the well-known "Just as the sun showed himself above the Ara- zagharit, or shrill shriek of joy, uttered by the bian mountains, we reached a sheik's tomb, old, women of the valley when in the enjoyment of dilapidated, and deserted. Here we determined unusual delight. Whoever has heard a railway to breakfast, and Abou-Zaid and Mohammed whistle at midnight, in some remote valley, may kindled their charcoal fire in the interior, while form some conception of this sound. There is we sat on the sand without, leaning lazily against nothing else like it in nature. It is produced by the wall, smoking our pipes, and feeling the pleas-rolling the tongue up into a sort of pipe, and then ant warmth of the sun falling on our checks. My reputation as a philosopher has long ago been done for with the reader, and therefore I need affect no reserve, but go on indulging with more Homeric freedom than Homer himself, in my descriptions of eating and drinking. Just imagine a sheik's tomb on the edge of the desert, surrounded by fine soft sand, studded here and there with the delicate feathery mimosa, whose fresh, bright green leaves were put gently in motion by the morning breeze; imagine the emerald valley before us, and behind the Libyan waste, with the consciousness we were just about to enter upon it; then imagine five camels, crouched like so many huge cats on the sand, eating perfectly at their ease the prickly plants, which, to save them the trouble of motion, Mohammed had cut and thrown before them; lastly, imagine brimming bowls of coffee, aromatic and rich with cream, fresh white cakes covered with marmalade, kabobs crackling from the fire, eggs, fresh cheese, and half-a-dozen other luxuries, with an appetite like a wolf's, and you will be able to form some idea of the breakfast we made over the remains of some dear old derwish, who probably had spent his life in doing good, and now in death lent his tomb as a breakfast parlor to a couple of wandering infidels from the west!"

Mr. St. John had an opportunity of seeing one of the famous slave-hunting parties on the march homewards from the interior of Africa; but his

forcing the voice through it in a manner altogether inexplicable to me. When ten or twelve women, however, join in the zagharit, it seems to pierce the brain, and persons unaccustomed to it immediately put their fingers in their ears." This "eldritch skirl," it seems, was performed on the occasion of a wedding going on in the neighborhood.

"But

But we must now come to Mr. St. John's adventure in the Mummy Pits, of which so interesting an account is given by Leigh. He had some difficulty in obtaining guides, for his party were mobbed by the women, who sought to prevent their husbands from being tempted by money to risk their lives from the mephitic exhalations which had already proved fatal to many. as Pharaoh's heart was hardened against the Israelites, so were ours made worse than the flinty rock against these poor daughters of Ishmael, who, however, determined not to be conquered easily, but crowding round us, sobbing and shedding tears, saluted our ears with hostile epithets, such as dogs, pigs, unbelievers, Jews, with whatever else their connubial or maternal rhetoric could supply." This difficulty overcome, they proceeded to the place. "In conformity with the national practice, the Arabs, having stripped nearly naked, knelt upon the sand, and repeated certain prayers, as being about to undertake an enterprise full of danger. Their leader, an old man with an ex