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Baron Von Zach, the celebrated astronomer,

the year 1843, he delivered to them in Chinese a compre- passing most rapidly from and to various languages of difhensive series of religious instructions; or, to use the tech-ferent and contrary nature, without ever making a stumble, speaks of him in the " Correspondance Astronnical phrase employed by Roman Catholics, he conducted or confounding one language or one pronunciation with omique" as really a rival of Mithridates. Lady for them, in Chinese, a spiritual retreat, consisting of the another." Morgan, M. Molbech, and Prof. F. Jacobs, furnish various notices of very agreeable interviews. The latter describes another peculiarity of his extraordinary faculty.

"Not less remarkable are the ease and readiness with which he passes in conversation from one language to another, from the north to the south, from the east to the west, and the dexterity with which he speaks several of the most difficult together without the least seeming effort; and whereas, in cognate languages, the slightest difference creates confusion, so that, for instance, the German in Holland

or the Dutchman in Germany, often mixes the sister and mother tongues so as to become unintellibible, Mezzofanti ever draws the line most sharply, and his path in each reali of languages is uniformly firm and secure.

"Mezzofanti," writes the German professor, "is of the

middle size, or rather below it; he is thin and pale, and his

celebrated Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Mezzofanti died on March 15, 1849, in the seventy-fifth

year of his age. He was one of the cardinals who remained in Rome after the flight of Pius IX. to Gaeta; and his last illness is believed to have been brought on, or at least accelerated, by the distress and anxiety not unnatural at such a crisis in so devoted a churchman and so affectionate a friend.

As to the precise number of languages, the testimony of different authorities varies so much that it is difficult to arrive at any exact result. M. Manavit gives a detailed list of fifty-eight languages spoken by the Cardinal, while a writer in the "Civiltà Cattolica" states as his authority a conversation with Mezzofanti in 1846, that the number was seventy-eight. There are

Mezzofanti, with the exception of a few dissertations, has left no contributions to literature, which is the more to be regretted when we take into view his varied and wonderful acquirements. Some idea of the extent of his general knowledge may be gained from the accompanying passage:

It would be a great mistake to infer that Mezzofanti was

a mere mechanical linguist, and not a scientific philological scholar. It is unhappily true that he has not left behind any fruits worthy of the vast resources of his mind; and he himself, more than any one else, regretted that his philological studies came too late in life to be turned to much scientific purpose. In conversation with Guido Gorfes, he expressed his regret "that his youth had fallen upon a pe

riod in which languages were not studied from that philo

whole appearance indicates delicacy. He appears to be also different opinions as to his facility of speak sophical point of view in which they are now regarded."

between fifty and sixty years old [he was really, in 1825, fifty-one]; his movements are easy and unembarrassed, his whole bearing is that of a man who has mixed much in society. He is active and zealous in the discharge of his duties, and he never fails to celebrate mass every day."

When he was settled at Rome, Mezzofanti enjoyed the friendship of Pope Gregory XVI., and after several successive appointments he obtained the post of Librarian in the Vatican, which he held till 1840, when, in conjunction with Mai, he was elevated to the Cardinalate. Prof. Guido Gorres, in the "Historisch Politisch Blätter," published at Munich, gives the most scientific view of his attainments at this period. The youths of the Propaganda would often attempt to puzzle him with a confusion of languages:

"One day," says M. Manavit, "Gregory XVI. provided an agreeable surprise for the polyglot prelate, and a rare treat for himself, in an improvised conversation in various tongues -a regular linguistic tournament. Among the mazy alleys of the Vatican gardens, behind one of the massive walls of verdure which form its peculiar glory, the Pope placed a certain number of the Propaganda students in ambuscade. When the time came for his ordinary walk, he invited Mezzofanti to accompany him; and, as they were proceeding gravely and solemnly, on a sudden, at a given signal, these youths grouped themselves for a moment on their knees before his Holiness, and then, quickly rising, addressed themselves to Mezzofanti, each in his own tongue, with such an abundance of words and such a volubility of tone, that, in the jargon of dialects, it was almost impossible to hear, much less to understand, them. But Mezzofanti did not shrink from the conflict. With the promptness and address which were peculiar to him, he took them up singly, and replied to each in his own language, with such spirit and elegance as to amaze them all."

Sometimes, however, a new language made its appearance in the Propaganda. In that case it was Mezzofanti's great delight to commence his studies once again. If the language had any printed books-as a Bible, Catechism, or similar work-he would learn from the new comer to read and translate them. But if, as more than once occurred, the language was entirely without books, he made the pupil speak or recite some familiar prayer, until he picked up first the general meaning, and afterwards the particular sounds, and what may be called the rhythm of the language, The next step was to ascertain and to classify the particles, both affixes and suffixes; to distinguish verbs from nouns, and substantives from adjectives; to discover the principal inflections, &c. Having once mastered the preliminaries, his power of generalizing seemed rather to be an instinct

ing these various tongues. The readiness with which he mastered a new dialect is illustrated the following extract:

Nevertheless, Gorres found him well acquainted with the philological labors of the German, French, and English authors, and especially with the Sanscrit school of Berlin, with Bopp, Rosen, Klaproth, and Schlegel. Molbech says that he was not merely a linguist, but was well acquainted with literary history and bibliography; and Jacobs bears similar testimony to his philological attainments.

It would appear, indeed, as if, in acquiring a new language, Mezzofanti gave his whole mind to it for the time, and as if, when he had mastered it, he possessed the faculty, so rare even with the most practised linguists, of thinking In general learning, it might hardly be expected that he directly in that language, rather than translating his thoughts should have attained to much eminence; but he held a reof the few linguists whom we ever knew to succeed as a sciences of his own profession his name stood high in Rome. into it from any other medium. Mezzofanti, too, was one spectable rank in almost every department. In the peculiar punster in foreign languages; and he had the curious facul- He was a skillful canonist, and a well-informed theologian. ty, besides, of acquiring with the words of each language He was not an eloquent preacher, but his familiar lectures the peculiar expletive interjectional sounds which charac- (especially instructions intended for children, for which he terise the native pronunciation of each, and by the absence had a peculiar taste) were most touching and impressive. of which foreigners are invariably detected. It was remark- We should add that he more than once preached extempore able, too, that, in speaking Latin with the nations of differ-in Polish to the soldiers at Bologna. Nor can he be said to ent countries, he never failed to accommodate his pronunciation of that language to the national usages of the person with whom he conversed, which, in some Latin words, are such as to render natives of different countries who employ them, entirely unintelligible to each other.

We have already said, indeed, that the operations of his linguistic faculty partook more of the nature of an instinct than of an intellectual exercise. It has been not inaptly compared to the gift possessed by some musicians, of learning from ear, by a single effort, and retaining with unerring fidelity, the most difficult and complicated musical compositions. He himself often declared that every language had a certain rhythm (he meant, probably, in its structural inflections), which it was necessary to master in order to follow the language with facility. His mind possessed an instinctive power of catching up and echoing back this mysterious rhythm; and there can be no doubt that, in this power, coupled with the singular quickness and retentiveness of his memory, lay the secret of his prodigious success as a linguist.

have been unfamiliar with natural science. At one period of his life he cultivated botany, and even Mrs. Paget records as among the Magyar books which he had read, Pethe's Natural History. During his residence at Bologna he enjoyed the reputation of a mathematician, and M. Libri, whom no one will accuse of a tendency to exaggerate, states that he found him well acquainted not only with the Sanscrit treatise on Algebra, the Bija Gannita, but with all the peculiarities of Algebraic science as cultivated by the Hindoos, and with the curious analog-es which it presents with the Algebra of the Western world.

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The kingdom of Belgium, with a territory of Don Cosimo, speaking of this native talent, less than 12,000 square miles, and a population

says:

"The poetry of all languages is that portion of them which is most exquisite, sweet, strong, noble, and expressive; hence it is evident that Cardinal Mezzofanti must have been master of all the genius of all these languages, their texture, their special properties, their transitions, their intricacies, their developments, the proper and applied meaning of the words, with all the varieties of public and familiar language, all the names of the usual objects, simple and composite, singular, special, universal, and abstract. It is a subject of astonishment that a person, even in the language which is natural to him, should bear in his mind such a multiplicity of words and ways of expressing every idea; what, then, must have been the wealth of seventy-eight languages which that wonderful intellect embraced, that prodigious memory

retained!

than an exercise of the reasoning faculty. With him the
knowledge of words led almost without an effort to the "Not only retained, but knew how to express with such
power of speaking: and probably the most signal triumph facility and ease of tongue, in every sound, in every accent,
of his career-his mastery of Chinese-was the one which in all the asperities, sweetnesses, rotundities, sharpnesses,
was accomplished at once latest in life and with fewest facil- redoublements, glidings, and pauses-the palatal sounds and
ities. It was so complete, too, that he was able not only to the labial, the dental and the guttural, the deep and the
converse freely with the Chinese students in the Propagan- dull, the shrill and the silvery, the detached and the gargled
da, but even to preach to them in their native language. In in all the varieties of gargle; and notwithstanding all this,

of less than five million inhabitants, is one of the most enterprising and prosperous, as well as one of the best organized States in Europe. After many previous, injurious changes in its government, it had the advantage in 1830, as every one knows, of starting anew with a King elected by the people. Under his wise and constitutional administration, various reforms have been accomplished, and excellent plans for internal improvement have been adopted, so that although the military power of the country is not great, nor its shipping large, yet its agriculture is well developed, its manufactures are numerous and highly important, and its system of public education is in some respects even more complete than that which is so famous in the neighboring kingdom of Prussia. In every department of the Government, the utmost method is observed, the value of statistical information

is thoroughly understood, and frequent official reports are printed upon every matter of general interest. There is, consequently, no country in Europe where reliable information on public affairs can be so promptly obtained as in the kingdom of Belgium.

and a fourth is devoted to benevolent institu- in which young men are trained for different
tions, hospitals, asylums for the blind, and deaf, branches of the Imperial service, for army sur-
and dumb, reform schools, and the like. A geons, for guardians of woods and forests, for
thorough exposition is in fact given of the con- surveyors of roads, &c. The military element
dition of the kingdom, in literary, scientific, and is, indeed, so predominant in the capital that the
educational aspects.
students in the Law School are subject to the
To this general volume, supplementary reports strictest discipline, and the students of the Uni-
are issued from time to time by different institu-versity wear constantly, when in the street, the
tions. Among such we have just received an sword and chapeau.
account of the situation of the Royal Library
down to Oct., 1854, which is not only interest
ing in connection with what has gone before,
but for the new information it contains. We
shall refer to it again under our Library Intelli-
gence.

As for the "admirable naval school at Isar

The administration of the military schools of Russia is admirably adapted to the ends at which it aims. The buildings are large and well arranged; the course of studies is high (though very different from "that at West Point"), the examinations are thorough, and the whole manThe object which we have in thus calling at agement is strict and regular. It is an ignotention to the Belgian Statistics, is to urge upon rance of some of these facts, we are assured, all whose official position is such as to give which has caused the Western Allies to underthem an opportunity of rendering a similar ser-rate so far the capabilities of the Russian army. vice to this country, the examination of this volume and the imitation of its merits. Copies of the work may be found in several of our larger libraries. Americans take pride in believing that in educational respects they are quite equal, if not superior, to other countries; but neither the actual nor the relative position of our country can be understood until far more attention than has ever yet been bestowed, is given to the accumulation and publication of statistics, not merely pertaining to single institutions here and there, or to our system of com. mon schools alone, but to all that combination of public and private establishments which tend to the intellectual development of our country.

These remarks will be readily admitted by all who have even glanced at the Decennial volume of Statistics pertaining to that country, which was published some two years ago. The whole work is admirably arranged and wonderfully complete. With the statistics, however, which pertain to literature, science, and education, we we have been particularly interested, and as we have turned over the pages pertaining to these subjects, we have longed for the time to come when the United States Government, or the local authorities of the separate States, should authorize the collection and publication of similar data pertaining to the whole or to parts of our own land. In statistics of this character, our country is now sadly wanting. The literary and educational information given by the census of 1850, was limited in its scope, incomplete in its details, and in many of its statements far behind what had previously been made known by private enterprise. In the separate States many valuable educational documents have been printed, but for the most part they relate either to the system of public schools or to the condition of particular institutions, without giving that general view of the intellectual condition of the people, which would be exceedingly de. sirable. England is as badly off as America. France is, perhaps, less defective, but much is there to be desired. Germany, both as a whole and separately, is exceedingly deficient in general educational statistics. In only one State beAn extract which we recently gave from an longing to the Bund, so far as we are aware, article in Putnam's Magazine, for October, in have steps been taken to present a complete reference to the Educational Institutions of Russystematic view of the "Education" of the sia, has brought us into trouble. An American country, using that word in a comprehensive gentleman, who has recently had an opportusense and not limiting it to popular schools. nity of visiting, in an official capacity, most of Dr. Engel, at the head of the Bureau of Statistics the public establishments of St. Petersburgh, has in the kingdom of Saxony, is engaged upon that written to inform us that instead of three milisubject, and the outline of his investigations pre-tary schools (as stated in the article referred to), sents even a wider range than that which we there are in that city no less than six instituare now commending in the Belgian statistics. tions in which officers are trained for the ImpeItaly and Southern Europe is, in such respects, almost terra incognita. Russia is not much better known.

MILITARY EDUCATION IN ST. PETERSBURGH,

rial army.

The number of instructors and cadets in each of these establishments was a short time since as follows:

Instrs. Cdts,

50

The Page Corps,
The Guard Ensign & Junker Corps, 35
The 1st Cadet Corps,
The 2d Cadet Corps,
The Paul Cadet Corps,
The Regiment of Nobles,

167

235

67

603

76 63 102

koeselo," referred to in Putnam, our informant says he never heard of it. There is a military corps at Czarsko-selo, and in the beautiful parks of the Palace, near by, may be seen some little boats, intended more for ornamenting the artificial lakes than for any thing else, but they have no connection with the school. The great naval seminary of Russia, under the protection of the Grand Duke Constantine, is in St. Petersburgh, where it occupies a magnificent edifice upon the banks of the Neva. Moscow has almost as many institutions for military instruction as St. Petersburgh. Other similar establishments are located in different parts of the Empire.

The University of Dorpat, referred to in Putnam, is not at Livonia, but at Dorpat. Dorpat is in the province of Livonia, but the University arrondissement of Dorpat comprises the three provinces of Livonia, Esthonia and Courland.

THE VALUE OF PLASTER CASTS-EICHLER'S
MEDALLION PORTRAITS.

Travelers who visit Berlin are very apt to bring away from that celebrated capital, not merely specimens of the iron work and porcelain for which its manufactories are so famous, but also selections from the plaster casts which are there produced in almost inimitable excellence.

Americans who have formed their opinion of this branch of the plastic art merely by the busts of

Daniel Webster" and "Henry Clay," which are hawked around our streets, on the heads of men who profess to be Italians, can have but little notion of the true importance and the real artistic excellence which may be given to such works. Sooner or later, however, we shall come to realize the 603 value of this easy method of reproducing works of 501 acknowledged merit. These plaster casts will be 863 valued not as superseding original productions of the artist's chisel, nor as satisfying the highest desires of educated taste, but as furnishing a good idea of those rare works of art which stand alone in their excellence, and can never be completely reproduced. When the time comes for Americans of every European capital, we shall at first be to demand such beautiful museums as are the glory driven to make large draughts upon the realms of gypsum. Nor will this be an evil. Excellent co

In the decennial volume above referred to, more than seven hundred folio pages are occupied with a statement of the political, moral and religious condition of Belgium. One chapter in this general division explains the system of public instruction, primary, secondary, and superior, including accounts of every kind of school from the lowest infant class to the highest university, with all the figures which could be desired in reference to the number of teachers, attendance of scholars, the expenses, the receipts, &c. Another chapter is devoted to science, literature, and the fine arts, and here are described with the same detail, all the learned associations, all the public libraries, all the different museums, and all the scientific tonists, or children of soldiers, with 69 instruct-pies of excellent works will impart far higher plea

But this is not all. In addition to the six above mentioned institutions, the graduates of which are destined to be the ordinary officers of the army, there exist in the same city, a corps of mining engineers, with 43 instructors and 252 pupils; a corps of army engineers, with 46 instructors and 126 pupils; a naval corps, with 88 instructors and 571 pupils; a school of Can

journals belonging to the kingdom. A third ors and 800 pupils. There are besides a large chapter considers the subject of public worship, number of schools of a semi-military character,

sure than any "modern antiques," or wretched originals by unknown "masters."

The principal which has governed the formation of the new Crystal Palace at Sydenham is undoubtedly correct. There may be seen well made copies in plaster of every famous piece of ancient or modern statuary. Few even of the most favored travelers have seen all the originals which are there

so well represented. The plan of having no plaster casts would have made the museum a meager collection of respectable modern works or dubious relics of antiquity instead of what it now is,-a complete historical representation of the progress of the sculptor's art in every nation. Napoleon, with all the trophies which he sent to Paris from the museums of other capitals, did not make a collection which would compare with this at Sydenham in variety or completeness.

fitted to illustrate historical studies, and single por-ney of an old English mansion, changing clothes traits, in neat frames, form excellent prizes for in- with a beggar, a squire, or a scarcecrow, as the dividual scholars. If we are not misinformed, necessity of the moment requires, fighting like measures have also been concerted for their general a madman by the side of Paul Jones in the Engintroduction in this country. lish Channel, and delving like a slave in the

In different series are given the sovereigns of

different countries in the order of their reigns, while the likenesses of other distinguished men may be arranged according to their professions, their countries, or the times in which they live. In addition to portraits, Herr Eichler's collection contains a number of beautiful reliefs, designed by artists of the highest merit. Among these the productions of Thorwaldsen are prominent; his Day and Night, his Four Seasons, and some of his sacred pieces being already well known in this country. Herr Eichler is now engaged in preparing a fine assortment of his works for the Great Exhibition in Paris, to be held during the coming summer.

We alluded not long ago to the plaster casts in the New Museum at Berlin. The Old Museum of that city contains a large number of good marble statues. It has scarcely any work of the highest merit, but a varied collection of those of moderate The son of the philosopher Schelling, a rastor value. In the new museum, on the contrary, all settled in Wurtemberg, is preparing to edit an edithe statuary is plaster,-excellent copies of the tion of his father's works, accompanied with a most renowned works of ancient and modern art. memoir, which among other things will include a In the magnificent entrance hall stand those cele-large amount of highly interesting correspondence brated colossal horses, of which the originals at with distinguished men of Germany. Rome are attributed to Phidias and Praxiteles. These casts alone cost four thousand thalers. The

originals could not be bought for any price. In the Apollo Hall of the same museum may be seen the wonderful group known as the "Farnesian Ball," which attracts at Naples such great admiration. This plaster copy is valued at twelve hundred thalers. In the Roman Hall appears the exquisite group of "Niobe and her children,"--and elsewhere are many other works of similar celebrity. Now, which of these museums is the more popular, the old museum with its poor originals in marble or the new museum with its excellent copies in plaster? We are assured, that notwithstanding the admission to the former is gratuitous, while at the latter a fee of five silver grotiens is demanded, the statuary in the old museum is almost neglected, but that in the new attracts throngs of observers.

We are informed that there is great danger that

the American Department in the Great Exhibition at Paris will be, in the outset at least, as poorly represented as it was in London. Various causes have tended to this result, among which may be mentioned the business depression which has been felt during the past few months, the pecuniary losses connected with the New York Exhibition, and the total lack of interest in the matter on the part of the United States Government. England, Austria, many of the German States, Holland, Belgium and Sardinia, have all appropriated liberal sums for the transportation of the works of exhibitors from those countries, and for the payment of commissioners who will represent their interests. Will our republican government be less mindful of

the interest of its citizens?

Notes on Books, &c.

These works in gypsum are even more important in their relations to the adornment of private homes than they are in connection with the embellishment of a capital. One single artist in Berlin, Herr Eichler, has thus done an immense work in "diffusing," if we may use that word, the producThe March number of Putnam's Magazine tions of distinguished sculptors. The finished style and the moderate prices, and the great variety contains the concluding chapters of Israel Potof what he offers for sale, has attracted wide atten- ter, and at the same time the work appears in a tion. There is something very remarkable in the new form-a 12mo. vol. of nearly 300 pages— enthusiasm with which he has conducted this en-introduced with a respectful bow to “His Highterprise. Originally, as we are informed, a book-ness the Bunker Hill Monument." Those who seller, he left an extended and profitable business have followed from month to month the fortunes to start anew in this, to him, more fascinating oc- of this redoubtable hero will undoubtedly be cupation. One single thing to which he has de- glad to re-peruse them in one connected story. voted particular attention has been the collection For those who now for the first time make his of authentic portraits of distinguished men of every nation. These he reproduces in the medallion acquaintance, there is abundant promise of rich form, in different sizes, so that they may be either and novel entertainment, not excelled by any hung in frames upon the wall or arranged in draw-thing which Herman Melville has ever before ers and cases like coins and medals. In deciding written. It purports to be the simple story of upon the model to follow he has been conscientiously careful, always copying, where possible, portraits which were executed during the life time of the person whom they represent. His collection of these likenesses alone now numbers several hun

dreds.

So highly is this collection esteemed in Germany, and not only for its artistic but for its historical value, that the Minister of Public Instruction in Prussia has recently taken steps to introduce the portraits into schools. The whole collection is well

a plain honest Yankee of the sturdy race who fought for their liberties in 1776. A farmer's boy in Berkshire, a private at Bunker Hill, a prisoner of war, a refugee in England, a servant in the Royal Garden at Kew, admitted to the confidence of Horne Tooke and other secret friends of America, sent by them to France on an embassy to Dr. Franklin, now lodged like a philosopher in the Latin Quarter of Paris, and, anon, ensconced in the secret cell in the chim

clay pits near London,-these are a few of the events that checker the life of Israel Potter, and through them all he preserves the unmistakable characteristics of a true son of New England. It is something of disappointment, after following our hero in these wild adventures for five years, to lose his track for more than forty in the wilderness of London; but here, as in other cases, his biographer retreats under cover of historic truth. At last he brings him home, an old man, worn out and dispirited, to search in vain for the relics of his early home and friends, and to die with the fall of the oldest oak on his native hills.

Taken as a whole, read through at one sitting, the interest of this story is intense. The reader is carried along from page to page, now admiring the quiet beauty of some bit of description, and owning, it may be, its truthfulness; now laughing at the Yankee shrewdness that is never outwitted, now filled with horror at the mad passions of fighting men, and taking as real each shifting scene that comes before him. But, with the remembrance of "Typee" and "Omoo" in mind, and some knowledge of the power of Mr. Melville's imagination, we believe that we are more indebted to him for this eager interest than to Israel's autobiography, which, he tells us, has been preserved almost as in a reprint:

"Shortly after his return, in infirm old age, to his native, land, a little narrative of his adventures, forlornly published on sleazy gray paper, appeared among the pedlars, written, probably, not by himself, but taken down from his lips by another. But like the crutch marks of the cripple by the Beautiful Gate, this blurred record is now out of print, From a tattered copy, rescued by the merest chance from the rag-pickers, the present account has been drawn, which, with the exception of some expansions, and additions of historic and personal details, and one or two shiftings of scenes, may, perhaps, be not unfitly regarded something in the light of a dilapidated old tombstone retouched."

We do not wonder that the publishers, G. P. Putnam & Co., anticipate for this book a large sale.

"The Ethnological Library" is the title of a handsome and valuable series of works in course of publication by H. Bailliere, of London and New York, which is conducted by Edwin Nor ris, Esq., of the "Royal Asiatic Society." The subject of the first volume is "the native races of the Indian Archipelago-The Papuans," the author of which is George Windsor Earl, M. R. A. S. This race of Oriental negroes mainly inhabits the Island of New Guinea. The natural complexion of this people is of a chocolate color, and the features of a decided negro character. Their hair, as characteristic of the different tribes, is either "moppy or bushy," "woolly," "frizzly," or "curly," &c. They are physically superior to the races of South Eastern Asia. With regard to mental capacity they are not inferior to the brown races, but, being impatient of restraint, their loose organization leaves them in their wild state the prey of the Malayans or

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1

The second volume of this "Library,"-more scientific and less popular than the previous,is a work on The Native Races of the Russian Empire, by Dr. R. G. Latham, F. R. S. The major part of these Ethnographic Sketches relate to the three main divisions of the Russian family, which varieties are termed, for e sake of the largest convenience, the Ugrian, the Turk, and the Sarmatian. Their geographical relations and several migrations are detailed with great minuteness, and cannot fail to interest the many who are curious about the inhabitants of this vast Empire. Specimens of the languages of these various tribes, and some general descriptions of their manners and customs, are also furnished. As the Tribes of Russian America may at some future day come under the jurisdiction and care of our own government, we extract the following account of their varie

ties of species, &c. :

"The first of the three families into which the aborigines of Russian America are divided, is—

"1. The Eskimo.-Its area is as follows: the whole of the coast of the Arctic Ocean, and the coast from Behring's Straits to Cook's Inlet, along with the Islands of St. Laurence, Nunivock, and Kadiak, including the peninsula of Aliaska, and the lower parts of the rivers Kwichpak, Kuskokwim, and others of less importance; the lower parts, but not the head-waters. As we proceed inland the type

changes."

in short, of the north-eastern extremity of Asia as are not
Koriak are Eskimo-Eskimo-Namollo or Namollo-Eskimo.
gines of Russian America is the Athabaskan, so denomin-
ated because the lake Athabaska is a convenient geograph-

the northwestern Americans and the north eastern Asiat-
ics, are exhibited in almost all the works of the present
Eskimo tribes graduating into the American Indians, and
the Asiatic origin of the latter being points to which, after

"2. The Athabaskans.-The second section of the abori- writer, wherein the subject is touched upon; the fact of the

ical center for its numerous divisions and subdivisions. To
this belong the Athabaskans of Cook's Inlet, a population
which has been already named. They call themselves Tsani,
or Alna--men; so that it is their Eskimo neighbors from
whom we get the name Kenay.

the due consideration of the numerous opposite doctrines, he has no hesitation in committing himself."

This volume is accompanied by an Ethnographical and Statistical Map, taken from that of the Imperial Geographical Society of St. Petersburg.

"Both the Kenay and Copper River Atnas reach the sea.
On the other hand, the Koltshani tribes lie inland. This is a
word in the Copper-river dialect of the Atna, meaning
strangers; the Kenay form being Gollsani, with the
A Third Gallery of Portraits, by George Gil-
slightly modified meaning of guests. Cannibalism is laid to fillan, has reached a second edition under cir
the charge of these Koltshani, though upon doubtful grounds.cumstances which justify the prediction that the
They extend as far inland as the water-shed between the book will have a great run. The mere announce-
Copper-river and the Yukon. All these Athabaskans have
been described by the Russians, whose observations have ment of its reprint here, served to exhaust the
been made from the side of the coast rather than from the first thousand copies before even the critics had
interior. For the tribes in the direction of the British fron- opportunity to condemn or commend it. The
tier, we must seek our information from British sources.
enterprising publishers (SHELDON, LAMPORT &
The fur-agents of the parts about the Great Bear Lake sup-
Co.) have issued another edition, which, we
ply us with our ethnology here."
doubt not, will find a speedy sale. Gilfillan-
that comet in the literary heavens-eccentric,
lawless, and brilliant-has won for himself a
place among modern essayists and reviewers,
which his friends and enemies alike may envy
him. Having been made the subject of many
elaborate critiques, he has experienced some
pretty severe handling from rival writers; and,
on the other hand, has received his meed of
praise from the masses-among whom, what-
ever drops from his pen is read with eagerness.
There is a brilliancy, a sparkle about his word-
Pictures, and a tact shown in his selection of
themes, which, spite of his egotism and would-
be dictatorship, render his books readable be-
yond the average. The "Third Gallery," now
before the public, contains a rehash (more pep-
pery

The particular Kutshin tribes are divided as
follows. (1.) The Artez-Kutshi, or the tough
(hard) people. The sixty-second parallel cuts
their country. (2.) The Tshu-Kutshi, or people
of the water, located on the banks of Deep-
river. (3.) The Tathzey-Kutshi, or people of the
(4.)
Ramparts, occupying the Upper Yukon.
The Teytse-Kutshi, or people of the Shelter, dwell
ing about the influx of Russian-river. (5.)
Hagga-silla, or little dogs. (6.) Vanta-Kutshi,
or people of the lakes. (7.) Meyetse-Kutshi, or
people of the open country. The three last be-
longing to the Porcupine River. South of Mount
Elias, or the Ugolents districts, the population

become

In this area, all the names of the particular tribes end in meut, as Kwichpack-meut, which "3. Kolutsh.--I have but little doubt as to the meaning and evidently means the occupants of river Kwich-origin of this word, believing it to be the same word as the Atna, or Athabaskan, Koltshani (Goltsuni)-stranger pack: (guest).

"At Cook's Inlet the original Eskimo area ends; the oc-
cupancy now becoming Athabaskan. At King (Prince?)
William's Sound, however, the Eskimos re-appear; but not
as the aborigines of the country. Here it is where we find
the most southern members of the group-the Tshugatsi.
The Tshugatsi (or 'men of the sea,' the name being Atha-cording to Mr. Green, an American missionary, 6,500.
baskan) state, that, in consequence of some domestic quar-
rels, they emigrated in recent times from the island of Ka-
diak; and they claim, as their hereditary possessions, the
coast lying between Bristol Bay and Behring's Straits. They
are of m ddle stature, slender, but strong, with skins often
brown, but in some individuals whiter than those of Euro-
peans, and with black hair. The men are handsomer than
the women. Their manners were similar to those of the
Kuskutsherak and other communities living more to the

"Of the tribes belonging to the Kolútsh division, the most
important, and best known, are the populations around the
Russian port of Sitka, or Norfolk Sound.

"The Indians who speak the language of these parts, for
which (by the way) we have several vocabularies, are, ac-

"Next to the Unalashkans of the Aleutian Islands, the
Sitka Indians are the most modified by Russian influences.
“A short vocabulary, collected by Mr. Tolmie, and pub-
lished by Dr. Scouler, of the Tungaas, is sufficient to shew
its Sitka affinities, and, consequently, to place it in the
Kolútsh class; whilst another, equally short, collected by
the late Lieutenant Hooper, from the Tahil-cot Indians
about Lynn's Canal, does the same.

"The Tungaas is spoken over the greater part of Prince

north; but in later times they have carried off the women of Wales' Archipelago, and on the coast opposite. At the
of the more southern tribes, and from their intermarriages southern extremity, however, of the Archipelago, it is re-
with their captives, combined with their long intercourse placed by the Haidah tongue. Now, the Haidah (along
with the Russians, their customs, opinions, and features with the Chemmesyan of Observatory Inlet) is the most
have undergone a change, so that they have now a greater northern of the dialects of British Oregon, and, consequent-

resemblance to the inland Indians than to the northern Es-ly, is a form of speech (like the Kutshin and Eskimo) conf-
kimos. So much for the Eskimos of Russian America; mon to the two territories."
with whom, however, the list of Eskimo populations in
general neither begins nor ends. The great extent of their

Besides these, the Nehanni, a brave and wararea has always commanded the attention of ethnologists. like race, under the rule of a woman, range the They fringe the whole coast of the Arctic sea, and occupy country between the Russian settlements on the

its islands and peninsulas. They lap round the shores of

than will be relished by some,) of previously published opinions; and, in addition, some strongly-worded articles, critiques, and reviews, which, having gone the round of the magazines, are now gathered into book form. There is much in the volume to be commended, much to be condemned, and much (instance the savage attack on poor PoE,) which ought never to have been written; for, notwithstanding the fascination and charm of Gilfillan's style, there are in it ever evident traces of a venomous sting, which must qualify and dilute every reader's admiration.

We welcome with pleasure another volume Yearof the Annual of Scientific Discovery; or, Book of Facts in Science and Art for 1855. The general classifications of this work are as follows:

"Mechanics and Useful Arts," "Natural Philosophy," "Chemical Science," "Geology," "Botany," "Zoology," "Astronomy and Meteorology," "Geography and Antiquities." In ad&c., which might have been greatly extended dition, there is a list of Obituaries, of Books, with advantage. The Notes by the Editor on the

Hudson's Bay. Greenland is Eskimo; and Labrador is Es-Stikine River and the Rocky Mountains. They progress of Science during the year 1854, are kimo as well. The Eskimo is the only population clearly have light complexions, long and lank hair, fine and undoubtedly common to the two worlds-the Old and the New-Asia and America; and hence it has an Asiatic

section, which falls into two divisions, the Aleutian and the Namollo. The Aleutians occupy the whole of that range of islands which run from Kamskatka to the Aliaskan Peninsula, Bebring's Isle, Copper Isle, Unalashka, the Rat Isles, the Prebulowūni Isles, the Andreanowsky Isles, &c. The Namollos belong to the continent; Tshuktshinoss and the mouth of the Anadyr being their occupancies. Such parts,

eyes and teeth, and many of them strong beards
and moustaches. They are of medium height,
and are a scourge to the surrounding country.

full and interesting. Under the department of Useful Arts is a long and valuable paper on the different materials for making paper, and the various methods which are now being intro"Such is the distribution of the aborigines of Russian duced. "The Transatlantic Telegraph" receives America over the three groups known under the denominaalso a due share of attention. Various papers tions of (a) Eskimo, (b) Athabaskan, and (e) Kolútsh. The extent to which the groups run into each other, their con-read before the "British Association," the "Royal sequently provisional character, and the relations between Institution," the "French Academy,” &c., are

introduced under the different sections. Mr. David A. Wells is the Editor, and Messrs. Gould & Lincoln are the publishers.

A very good abridgment of Rev. Dr. Lingard's celebrated History of England, has just been issued by John Murphy & Co., of Baltimore. We have previously noticed the complete edition of this work, as it has been published in separate volumes. Mr. James Burke, in this fine volume of about 700 pages, has very carefully abridged the larger work, and also furnishes a continuation from 1688 to the present time. This will bring the great work of this able author within the reach of those who are not able to purchase the more voluminous edition. Mr. J. Kerney has prefixed to this edition a concise memoir of the learned Roman Catholic Divine, together with marginal notes, &c.

The Banking House is a Tale, by Samuel Phillips, late Literary Critic of the Times newspaper. This story is reprinted from "Blackwood's Magazine," by Bunce & Bro., 134 Nassau street, New York, and bears the mark of considerable genius. The description of a commercial revulsion in these pages, would not be unsuited to the state of affairs in our own community at some periods during the present winter.

Bunce & Brother have also commenced the republication of Miss Austen's novels, which have been for some time out of print in this country. The first volume which they have issued, is the popular volume from her pen, entitled Pride and Prejudice. A biographical notice of the author is given in the introduction. The present work, which is the best known of her productions, will be followed by "Sense and Sensibility," "Emma," "Persuasion," &c., in neat duodecimo volumes of uniform style.

Fasquelle's Napoleon is one of the "New French Course," eight volumes of which have been published. This course is on the plan of "Woodbury's Method with German," which gradually introduces the student's attention to the more difficult idioms, pursuing a systematic course of translation, composition, and conversation. The present work is a life of Napoleon by Alexander Dumas, which is extremely interesting, and calculated to excite the pupil to a new diligence. It is prepared for the use of schools, with conversational exercises, notes and references. Published by Ivison & Phinney, New York.

Chouquet's First Readings in French is published by Roe Lockwood & Son, and consists of extracts from the modern French writers of note, comprising anecdotes, historical pieces, comic stories, dialogues, poetry, moral reflections, and odes. The Editor has furnished numerous notes at the end of the volume.

on Spanish pronunciation are given in the pre-
face. This method has all the advantages of the
interlinear translations, and, we think, will
lighten the elementary labors of the student.

the most eminent fathers, and most learned divines of later times. This Commentary is not only valuable to the student but is also well adapted for popular use. Dr. Turner has also furnished an excellent abstract of the epistle, and a series of questions to assist in a more close study of the exposition.

Vingut's Ollendorff's New Method in Spanish is published by the same house. The peculiarity of this work is that the pronunciation of the vocal exercises is represented in such a way that The Aged Christian's Companion, is the title the student cannot fail to gain a correct knowl- of a work by the Rev. John Stanford, D. D., edge of it with the least possible difficulty. The which has reached the fourth edition. It conwork is thus rendered especially useful to those tains a variety of pleasing essays adapted to the who pursue the study without a master. The religious instruction, to the consolation and usual Olendorffian method of exercises in reading, encouragement of persons advanced in life. writing, and speaking, is arranged in the ordin- This work; since its publication in 1829, has been ary way; and an Appendix of more specific a favorite one among aged persons, for whom it rules, more extended extracts, &c., is also given. is especially adapted by its cheerful and thoughtThis has already reached the seventh edition. ful spirit, and from the fact of its being issued Mandeville's New Primary Reader, designed in large, bold type. An introductory memoir for the use of the youngest children in our of this philanthropist and Christian author is schools, is published by D. Appleton & Co. also furnished in this volume, which is published by Stanford & Swords.

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The seventh number of Chemistry of Common Life, by J. F. W. Johnston, completes the work, The Mind of Jesus, is by the author of making a volume of over 650 pages, which is Morning and Night Watches," &c., and confilled with a large amount of information indis-tains a great deal of instruction which is gathpensable to those who would wish to have a ered from the example of the Savior, and encorrect knowledge of themselves and their phys- forced in an impressive and direct way. Carters ical relations. are the publishers.

Wm. S. and Albert Martien, of Philadelphia,
have just published A Historical Vindication of
the Abrogation of the Plan of Union, by the
Presbyterian Church, in the United States of
America, by Rev. Isaac V. Brown, A. M. The
subject matter in this volume covers a wide field
of controversy between the two great parties
in the Presbyterian Church, and the aim of the
author is to vindicate the Act of Excision which
separated the two portions of this church in 1837,
and to furnish a general defence of the Old
School movement. Of course it does not come

within the province of this journal to give a
summary of the arguments brought forward.
The work is written with spirit; but, excited by
his subject, the author frequently uses the most
bitter and severe language in reference to his
opponents and their views. Such a work would

be very much improved by an index.

The Words of Jesus, by the same author, has reached already its third edition. The mottoverses at the beginning of the different sections, are taken from the Gospels, and furnish the subject, which the author commends in brief, pointed remarks. "The Faithful Promiser," is appended.

The second edition of The Christian's Companion for the Sick and Afflicted, comprises a great number of prayers, original and selected, with occasional offices, and a rich treasury of miscellaneous pieces for reading, to those who are in the midst of trial. This seems to be well adapted to the end proposed. Stanford & Swords publish these last two works.

The

E. Dunigan & Brother have published a History of the Catholic Missions among the Indian Tribes of the United States. Mr. John Gilmary Shea is the author of this very elaborate and important contribution to the early history of MisStanford & Swords have sent us another edi- sions in America. The history commences with tion of Rev. Dr. Murdock's translation of the the Norwegian settlement in New England, which Syriac Peshito Version of the New Testament the author regards as an established fact. This volume is a real treasure to the Biblical Spanish Missions under the Franciscan Fathers scholar, as presenting a perspicuous and flowing were conducted in New Mexico, Florida, Texas, translation of perhaps the most ancient version and California, with various success, but were of the New Testament. This version differs in finally abandoned. The larger portion of the some respects, though not materially, from the volume is taken up with accounts of the French authorized English text. Indeed, the variations Mission which commenced its operations in throw additional light on many passages in the Quebec, in 1615. Their labors were extended latter. Dr. Murdock furnishes an appendix, in among the Abnakis, the Hurons, the Iroquois, which this version is distributed into reading the Ottawas, the Illinois, and Miamis, and the lessons for public worship, according to the tribes in Louisiana. The efforts of the English original manuscript, instead of the modern di- were principally directed to Maryland. This vision of chapters and verses. The second ap- work shows a great deal of care and the marks pendix gives much valuable bibliographical in- of much labor in its production. It is accomformation, with reference to the Syriac transla-panied with the portraits of some of the more tion of the scriptures. distinguished Missionaries.

Vingut's Spanish Reader is also published by the same house. This volume is constructed on the maxim of Dumarsai's "Few Rules and Much Practice," especially in the first stage of the scholar's progress. It furnishes correspond- Rev. Dr. Turner's Commentary on Hebrews, is Mr. John Wilson's Treatise on English Puncing pages of Spanish and English,-comprising also published by the same house. Both the tuation has just reached the third edition. It is select anecdotes, a few of Chesterfield's letters, Greek and English texts are here displayed in published by John Wilson & Son, of Boston, the Constitution of the United States, and various parallel columns, accompanied by critical re- and C. Shepard & Co., New York. The value commercial documents. Some brief remarks marks which include the opinions of many of of this work is attested by the wide circulation

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