enter. The idols were very large figures to see the people and country;-he reof bronze, fifteen or twenty feet high.ceived Mr. W. most cordially; and inThese divinities had nothing very sublime sisted on performing the ceremony of or awful in theirappearance; on the con- ching-ching with him, for Josse. This trary, they appeared to us Europeans, fithy, disgusting, and abominable. They was done by his taking both Mr. W.'s were adored, however, by a great number hands within his, and gently pressing of prostrate devotees while we were present them. They were now sworn friends, and those had no sooner withdrawn but The premises contained an elegant suite others very numerously pressed forward of rooms, most elegantly furnished-a to supply their places; so that the library-an immense Banian tree, worship seems to be continued all day, planted many ages ago, by the ancesThere were several monstrous idols; and tors of the possessor-an aviary, filled altars were placed in different parts of the with the most rare and beautiful birdstemple, with priests officiating at them. These reverend fathers did not pay much a green-house, &c. This Mandarin alattention to cleanliness, for they wore terwards gave a noble festival, partly in "marvellous foul linen;" their polls were the Chinese taste, partly in the English. as closely shaven as any Benardin monk's, and their long robes shewed symptoms of their having been once white. They were polite enough; and, as a great favour, they took us to the sty, or temple of the holy Pigs. These deities were well attended, and were certainly much cleaner than their priests. They were very large and fat; and some of them, we were informed, were thirty, and one forty years old. This last was an immense sow of a very venerable appearance. Leaving the grunting gods, we returned to the large temple, where I prepared to take a drawing of its interior. This was no sooner perceived by the priests and devotees, than such an outcry was raised, and such dismal yeils and groans uttered, that we thought it necessary to effect our retreat as speedily as possible, not without receiving some insults from the sacred priests and their devout penitents. On another occasion our author had The feast of the new year commenced on the 15th of February, and continued three days. On this occasion business is suspended, and every thing announces festivity, rejoicing, and dissipation. The third day of this festival is devoted chiefly to aquatic excursions, and particularly to visits to the Parterre gardens. In these parties the ladies are allowed to accompany their lords. This opportunity of seeing this people was not lost on our Author: he too, visited the gardens, among the numberless throng. They are situated about three miles above Canton, in a charming country, abounding with tropical trees, plants, &c. As not many correct descriptions of the manners and appearance of women of the higher classes in China, are known among us, we transcribe Mr. W.'s account of the ladies he had an Pportunity of contemplating under fa vour of this festival. better luck. Our curiosity, is, we confess, somewhat excited to become acquainted with the history of these gruntJust after we had landed, three large ing gods, and on what account they are Mandarin boats came up to the landing worshipped. The worship of animais, place, finely painted and decorated, from appears in every view, degrading to hu- which several ladies were handed on shore. man nature and although it prevailed had seen in China, I observed them with As these were the first women of rank I in India, in Egypt, in the West, &c. particular attention. They were smail, from early ages, yet we should have but very elegant figures, most richly taken an interest in hearing on what dressed; their eyes and hair black; principles the Chinese can justify it. atter ornamented with diamonds, and The visit of the Hoppo of Canton to the other precious stones; their complexions Chief of the Factory contains nothing were fair, but evidently aided by some new but, the visit of our Artist to a white paint not very artificially laid on. Chinese Mandarin, by which he had an They hung on the gentlemens' arms, and opportunity of seeing the interior of the tion; perhaps this might be occasioned by tottered along with much pretty affect residence of a person of distinction, is their feet having been crippled in their ininteresting. This Mandarin was sur-fancy to reader them sall. They took prized that any one should come so far several turns in the gardens; but they did the not continue there above half an hour, when they were reconducted to the boats, and rowed down the river. The neatness of the Chinese husban embarkations: they are employed by this economical people, for other profitable purposes. dry pleased Mr. W. highly. The hand-of One of the most singular features which distinguishes Canton from our European cities, is its streets of inhabited boats upon the river Tigris, or Tau, as it is called by the Chinese. Some of these aquatic dwellings are inhabited by two or three families, each possessing a cock and a hen, and a dog and a cat. It has been stated that the number of persons living afloat at Canton is not less than fifty thousand.Besides those streets of boats, there are itinerant habitations, which are rowed up and down the river, where the business or convenience of the owner requires. I have often, early in the morning, seen one of these moored at the beach of the Factory, with a plank reaching from it to the shore. My curiosity induced me to examine one of them-I found that it was a shop, where a vast number of the common necessaries of life were displayed for sale; and a man was standing behind his counter, assiduously serving his customers, and recommending his goods. In walking along the streets, one is surprized at the frequent interruptions one meets with from a sudden elevation ruining across the street, which you are obliged to ascend by ten or twelve steps; on the top is a flat surface of several feet wide, and you then descend by an equal number of steps on the other side. We were informed that these elevations were the arches of bridges built over the numerous canals which intersect the city, as well as the country, for the easy conveyance of merchandizes. At sunset every evening a singular ceremony is performed in every one of the boat-houses and boats upon the river, of every description, at the same instant. The gongs are sounded, and a person is observed at the head of every boat with a lighted paper match in his hand, which he waves three times, and then retires. While, at the door of every house in the suburbs of Canton, a lamp, placed in a small recess even with the floor, on the left hand side of the door, is lighted and left burning. I could get no information of the meaning or purport of this ceremony, but it was supposed to be a religious rite. Nor is this the only use made of such February that I came on board the Hope, near the second bar. In my voyage down the river, I was desired to take notice of an immense boat, or barge, which lay near the shore, to which a platform of boards connected it. The deck was divided into small inclosures by wickerwork, for the purpose of breeding ducks for the Canton market, as well as for the use of the shipping. So well disciplined were these creatures that every morning they went on shore to pick up such aquatic insects and other food as the tide generally leaves behind, and, after sporting on the water all day, they return to their lodging and experienced ducks which are kept for ja the barge about sun-set, led by the old that purpose. It was at the time of their, return that we passed their breeding-place. Their number was astonishing; they certhe order observed in their march over the tainly amounted to many thousands; and platform was highly amusing. It was not until the morning of the 28th Now, who shall deny to the Chinese the praise of ingenuity and industry ?→→ Our English decoys are not so constant: our rabbit breeders are not such wholesale dealers. Our Author was favoured by good weather, agreeable company, polite friends, powerful recommendations, and his own cheerful temper. No wonder then, if he saw the Chinese--so far as he did see them,-in the most favourable light. Nevertheless, the artist could not but exclaim against the bandaged ancle, and the obliterated foot, of the Chinese ladies, by which preposterous custom, "Nature is cheated of her fair proportion:" he reproves-how could he do otherwise? the paint, red and white, with which these beauties masque whatever charms they really may possess. Yet he describes "the deportment of this people as decent, and their manfar as I am acquainted with them,” ners as mild and engaging: if facts, as says he," are a proof of sincerity, they possess also that most valuable quality." On this we determine nothing; but we acquiesce in our author's conclusion respecting them "let us have the charity to allow them, in general, as much credit for virtue and good qualities, as we presume to arrogate to ourselves." | little moment what the regulations of The voyage home offers nothing par- such establishments are, if the practices ticular, but a view or two on the Island of the youth under instruction, be irof St. Helena. The close of the voy-regular. Alma Mater may enjoin; but age, the sight of the Lizard, excites in how are those injunctions obeyed?— our authors breast a glow of patriotic The provisions made for general learn sentiment, that communicates itself to ing may be excellent; but, those who his style which thus hails his native look for something beside learning, have land. felt their disappointments keenly, and The natives of warmer regions are in-have sometimes expressed them forcibly. commoded by the fickleness of the weather and the sudden changes of the temperature of the atmosphere in our country; but for me, its variable climate never bordering on extremes, its genial spring, warm summer, sober autumn, and frosty winter, have more charms than the ever verdant monotonous dress of Nature in tropical climes. Its scenery, too, the mo tive and object of all my wanderings, surpasses in beauty, variety, and sublimity, any to be found within the Tropics in India, or America. schools of Theology, only; but are exTrue it is, that our Universities are not pected to train up Legislators and Statesnational business, to propose, to argue, men; men enabled to take a lead in to judge, to conclude, and to do that kind of duty which England expects every man to do, according to his rank and situation in life. Yet reflecting that Political and Legal Science, Physic, Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, &c. have other schools to which the student may resort, while Theology is restricted to these schools, we can easily sympathize with those who most warmly desire, that the preparation necessary for disseminating the great truths and doctrines of Religion, should here be found full, free, genuine, and extensive, while, at manding. It is net as a "northern Athe same time authoritative and comLa-thens," merely, that a British Univer Svo. sity should be distinguished. We close the book with thanks to the Author for our entertainment, derived as well from his taste in design as from his talent at description. Lon The Literary and Scientific Pursuits which are encouraged and enforced in the University of Cambridge, briefly described and vindicated. By Rev. tham Wainewright, A. M. &c. pp. 100. Price 4s. 6d. Hatchard. don. 1815. We find it somewhat difficult to report on this work. To pass it by, with mere mention, is not all that we ought to do; is not satisfactory to ourselves: to consider it at large, as the importance of the subject deserves, is forbid by the time, and the space, which we can possibly devote to it. In particular, the University of Cambridge should never forget the advice received from one of her best friends, ages who saved the Colleges from the fierce ago; we mean Queen Catharine Parr, grasp of the tyrant Heary. She tells them, that Forasmuch as she well understood that all kind of learning flourished among them as it did among the Greeks at Athens long We have always been of opinion, that ago, she desired and required them all not the principles and conduct of our Uni-of profane learning, that it might be so to hunger for the exquisite knowledge versities are of the first consequence to thought that the Greek University was but the well-being of the state; and to this transposed, or now in England agaiu rewe must add, to the prosperity and per-vived, forgetting our Christianity, since the petuity of the Church, also. It cannot excellency of the Greeks only attained to be denied, that many conscientious permoral and natural things, but that she rasons have conceived, that they detected ther gently exhorted them to study and in the public manners prevalent in these apply those doctrines (the variety of human seminaries of learning, the origin of learning) as means and apt degrees to the practices which have afterwards grown reverend and sacred doctrine, that it might attaining and setting forth the betterChrist's up into vices, to the great injury of the not be laid against them in evidence at the nation in many points of view. It is of tribunal seat of God, how they were ashamed of Christ's doctrine; for this from those under graduates who are in Latiu lesson, she goes on to say-I am taught to say of Paul, non me pudet Evan-the precise regulations may vary in our dif their first or second year's residence, though gelu;-aad then adds, "to the sincere setting forth whereof trust universally in all your vocations and ministries, you will apply and conform your sundry gifts, arts, and studies, to such end and sort, that Cambridge may be accounted rather a Uni-a nersity of Divine Philosophy, than of natural or moral, as Athens was. Better counsel cannot be given: aud in this, we doubt not, all real friends of the University will agree, ferent societies: and if the example of St. John's College, in offering prizes for the would certainly add very materially to the best themes, were generally followed, it encouragement, which already exists, tỏ proficiency in prose composition. After some remarks on the nature of more public prizes, the author adds in a note. Should it be an object of curiosity with value of these public prizes, the following any person to be made acquainted with the will be found to be a correct statement. Sir W. Browne's prizes consist of three gold medals, of the value of five guineas each. The Chancellor's prizes consist of three gold medals, equal in value to fifteen fifteen guineas each, distributed in money. guineas each. The Members' prizes are The Seatonian prize amounts to forty pounds, the Norrisian to twelve pounds, (part of which is to be expended upon a gold medal, and the remainder in books), and the Hulseau likewise to forty pounds. It is a fact well deserving of notice, and which furnishes an ample reply to any ob Against reports which had gone abroad to the disadvantage of this seat of learning, Mr. Wainewright protests warmly; and to support his opinion, he enumerates the various brauches of learning in which a proficiency may be made, with the means and assistances towards making that proficiency: he informs us, that discipline is now more strict than heretofore; and is in progressive improvement. We are glad to hear it. What Cambridge was many years ago, we know; every additional advantage gives us pleasure. We must refer to the work itself,jection to this part of the Cambridge sysfor the general view of the subject which it contains: this might have been improved by a complete list of the theses, &c. discoursed on, for any one year ;the last, for instance. We select as a specimen of the information contained in the work, what the reverend writer says on the subject of Academical prizes. competition of the whole University, amount tem, that the public prizes, open to the annually to nearly nine hundred pounds, three-fourths of which are appropriated to the encouragement of classical literature and English composition: and that the yearly amount of the smaller prizes peculiar the to different colleges, may be esti two-thirds of which are devoted to the same mated at about three hundred pounds, purpose. As a specimen of these annual College prizes we may mention, that at Trinity there are two prizes for Latin declamations and Besides these public prizes, there are not three for English, the former consisting of fewer than fourteen public scholarships, of money, and the latter of silver goblets: also which, while some are upon nearly the 101. for the best essay on the character of same plan of general competition, others William II.; the same sum for the best are subject to some few restrictions, but qualified student of those who are candi. most of them are designed to promote the dates for their Bachelor's degree; and two advancement of classical learning and comsmaller sums for the two best readers in position. The last of these, entitled the chapel, besides various prizes of books dis- Pitt Scholarship, has been very recently tributed to those who compose the two established out of the surplus noney of the first classes at the anunal examinations. At St. John's, prizes to the amount of more than 1001. are annually conferred in a similar manner. Of these there is one for the best proficient in moral philosophy, among the commencing Bachelors of Arts, and several for the best declamations and themes. In almost every college a short weekly composition, either in English or Latin, here termed a theme, 'is required VOL. II. Lit. Pan. New Series, July 1. subscription raised for the purpose of erecting a statue in the Senate House, to the memory of that illustrious character Mr. Pitt; and which was increased by a donation from the members of the Pitt Club, formed in the capital. It is not always consistent with fairness of judgment, to estimate the merits of particular meaaures by their ultimate success; but it may surely be affirmed, without incurring the imputation of prejudice, that the late glorious termination of the long-protracted contests of Europe, must be ascribed to a strict adherence to the political system, so vigorously pursued by that eloquent and profound statesman: and it cannot but afford a source of grateful reflection, that whatever may have been the discordant opinions of the parties of the day, the admiration of his talents will at least be perpetuated in this earliest scene of his exertions, by the institutions of literature and the works of art. FAR be it from us to limit the free souls of native Britons, Devoted to Liberty ourselves, and enjoying with our countrymen at large, the privileges of our Nation, we, with undiminished readi ness, grant them to others :-and least of all, are we inclined to diminish those which are claimed, or claimable, by the genus irritabile vatum-the Poets of our Island: free scope for their utmost powers, is their unquestionable privilege, by prescription from time immemorial: and it shall so continue, by our good will; without let, hindrance or molestation. The After all, present experience alone can afford grounds on which to form a Nevertheless, we confess our appre judgment; and we will hope, that Mr.hensions for the state of the Poetic art, Wainewright's representation is not and the Poetic spirit among us. biassed by partiality. It is evident that choice of subjects that within these few he wishes for additional assistance in years has manifested itself, shews a wildthe department of Theology: he complains of the neglect of the Hebrew ness, an extravagance, an excess, which seems rather to belong to a morbid senlanguage, from which much of our Theo-sibility, than to a sober and rational exlogy is either drawn, or illustrated; and his vindication of the establishments of a Hebrew Professorship, and an Arabic Professorship, which are mere sinecures, is not satisfactory, though we know that such places may be given as rewards for past attainments, rather than for present or future labours. But, why not for both ?-Verbum sat. That a ercise of the mental faculties. Poet, under inspiration, should stay the torrent of his song to adduce chapter and verse in support, or in proof, of all he says, were a more savage tyranny, a more cruck torture, than any devised by the Inquisition, itself. On the other hand, a Poet who exclaims against the incredulous, and hates those whose When our author asserts that "merit frozen imagination resists the ardour of invariably succeeds in attaining the re- his verse, will receive little pity from us, wards to which it is strictly entitled" if the subject of his song be incomwe resolve to believe him; and there- prehensible by mortals uninspired; or upon we close the book: but, not with-in its very nature, absolutely and irre→ out wishing that this were the general trievably incredible. sentiment of those, who, though educated at college, spend the years of their life in public labours. Daily observation, the attention of the legislature, respeatedly called to the subject, the benevolences of many worthy individuals, seem to speak an opinion contrary to this of Mr. W. who, after all, may be right, according to his definition of merit. When Milton ventured to launch into the ocean of infinity, to "sing of things unattempted yet in prose or rhime," even his muse, though in dignity, absolutely singular, and though supported by the greatest strength of language, as well as of conception, failed in parts and the Poet was most deserted, in his utmost need. He intruded into Heaven, as into Hell: he brought before us the manners of either place; but his |