becomes filled with ground pyrites, a current of water is permitted to flow into it for a week, during which the whole mass is frequently stirred up. The pyrites being thus separated from all earthy matter, they proceed next to the process of washing them.

The washing is carried on in a wooden bowl, called a 'boteja,' having the form of a very flat cone, the base of which is from 15 to 18 inches in diameter, and the depth from 3 to 4 inches.

Some of the negresses manage this washing process with considerable dexterity. They put about 20lbs. of the ground pyrites into the boteja, and then plunge it into the water, whilst standing in the puddle or reservoir, with the water half way up their legs; after having diluted the pyrites with their hands, they give to the boteja a very rapid circular movement, taking care, from time to time, to increase its inclina tion, in order to facilitate the separation of the substances suspended in the water. After having continued this motion for some minutes, they pour the water out of the boteja, and holding it with one hand, under an inclination of 45 deg. they take out with the other a large portion of the pyrites, which are spread on the inclined surface formed by the position of the boteja; they operate on the residue in the manner above described, until there remains

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in the boteja a very small quantity of pyrites, very rich in gold; then they redouble their attention, and conclude by obtaining the gold almost pure, which they deposit in the "eacho:" this is a bullock's horn, made in the form of a shell. When they have in this manner collected a certain quantity of gold, they again wash it in the boteja; after which, they dry it in a little iron stove, called "secca-deta."

After this operation, the pyrites, which have been successively separated, are washed a second and a third time, and they constantly furnish gold. After three washings, the remaining pyrites are placed in heaps, and being partially decomposed by exposure to the atmosphere during eight or ten months, they are again ground as new minerals, when they yield a quantity of gold, almost equal to that obtained by their first treatment; the residue is again thrown together in heaps, and washed, and thus the pyrites are successively operated on, until they entirely disappear in repeated washings. The negresses of Marmato, in order to express that the pyrites constantly yield gold, say, that "the marmaja" give gold until it disappears in the water.

The water flowing from these works in its course deposits pyrites finely pulverized, which are washed by the labourers called masamoreros," who still obtain gold from them also.

66

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GLEANINGS.

Introduction of Vegetables, &c. into England.One of the principal advantages resulting to Europe from exploring distant regions, has been the introduction of some of the most useful plants and fruits that are now cultivated with so much success. From the discovery of America, one of the most important benefits, perhaps, that we received, was the potato. The pear, the peach, the apricot, and the quince, were respectively brought from Epirus, Carthage, Armenia, and Syria. They were first transplanted into Italy, and thence disseminated by the Romans, through the northern and western parts of Europe.-Fruit seems to have been very scarce in England in the time of Henry VII. In an original MS. signed by himself, and kept in the Remembrance Office, it appears that apples were then paid for at the high price of one and two shillings apiece; that a man and woman received 8s. 6d. in the coin of that time for a few strawberries. It was not till the latter end of the reign of Henry VIII. that any salads, carrots, cabbage, or other such edibles, were purchased in England. The little of these vegetables that was used, was formerly imported from Holland and Flanders. Queen Catharine (Henry's first consort,) when she wanted a salad, was obliged to despatch a messenger thither on purpose. Sundry other kinds of fruits and plants were also first cultivated in England during this reign, particularly apricots, artichokes, pippins, and gooseberries. The currant tree was conveyed from Zante by the Venetians, and planted in England in the year 1533.

Asparagus, cauliflowers, beans, and pease, were introduced about the time of the restoration of Charles II. The delightful ornaments of our garden (flowers) are also foreign productions. The jessamine came from the East Indies; the tulip, the lily, and several others, from the Levant; the tuberose from Java and Ceylon; the carnation and pink from Italy; and the auricula from Switzerfand. Nuts, acorns, crabs, and fa few wild berries, were certainly the only vegetable food indi. genous to our island; and the meanest labourer is now fed with more wholesome and delicate aliments than the petty kings of the country could obtain in its uncultivated state.

More than five per cent. not always unlawful interest.-A daring theft was on Thursday, Feb. 12th, perpetrated in one of the streets of Glasgow. A carter who had unyoked his horse from the cart, for the purpose of cleaning him, and who incautiously left the cart standing out of his view, found, on his return to the place, that it had been taken away. After a little inquiry, he learned that three fellows had been seen drawing a cart in the direction of the Bromielaw, whither he immediately followed. He had not been long in that quarter, when he saw the three men driving a horse and cart, in which were deposited a pair of cart-wheels, with the axle and body of a cart. He instantly darted forward, and seized the horse by the bridle, to get the cart examined, when the party, conscious of their guilt, instantly made off, leaving in his possession his own cart, with the addition of the horse and cart they had been driving.

Population of China.-The population of this vast empire is found to have been much overrated by the Europeans. On the authority of the statement delivered to lord Macartney, on in his embassy to China, it was believed that the Celestial Empire comprised 333,000,000 inhabitants : but according to Signor Martucci, who is recently returned from Canton, where he resided nearly three years, the result of the last census, in 1790, gave the population at only 143,124,734 inhabitants, which agrees with the report of our countryman, Mr. Thomas, who stated the whole population, including the army, and two millions of persons who live on the water, at 146,270,163. This is not half as many more as the number of our own fellow-subjects in Hindoostan, and some. what lowers the dignity of his Celestial Majesty, the brother to the sun.

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Proving of Wills.-Exchequer subpoenas were served lately upon three respectable individuals in Worcester, for possessing themselves of the personal estates of deceased persons, without proving their wills, or taking out letters of administration within six months, as prescribed by law. The penalty sought to be recovered in each case is one hundred pounds in each case.

Translation of the Inscription on Bishop Heber's Monument at Calcutta.-" Sacred to the memory of the Right Rev. Father in CHRIST, Reginald Heber, Minister of the Gospel, Member, first of Brazenose College, in the University of Oxford and subsequently Fellow of All-Souls; Rector of the Parish of Hodnet, in Salop, his native county: Preacher to the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, and afterwards Bishop of Calcutta; adorned, even in the bloom of youth, with brilliant talent, refined urbanity, and universal acquirements; and, devoting all to the common interest of the Church, humbly dedicated both himself and his abilities to the service of GoD. Admitted to the holy epis copal dignity, with the approbation of all good men, he exerted himself to promote, cherish, and uphold the infant establishment of the English Church in India, not merely with all his ability, but even beyond its utmost strength, and to the sacrifice of his life. By his admirable singleness of mind, his fascinating simplicity of manners, and his heavenly benevolence of disposition, he had so endeared himself to all, that in his death, while the Catholic Church had to regret the loss of a father, even those who were without its pale had to lament a valued friend. He was born April 21, A.D. 1783, and, being cut off by a sudden and premature death, near the city of Trichinopolis, he laid aside those remains which were doomed to mortality on the 3d of April, in the year of our Salvation, 1826, the 43d of his age, and the third of his episcopacy. To the erection of this marble the inhabitants of Madras, Heathen as well as Christian, the great, the powerful, and the poor, without distinction, contributed their unanimous aid."

Catholic Intolerance.-All the copies (amounting to some hundreds) of the Douay version of Scriptures, Bibles as well as Testaments, which had lately been distributed by the Rev. William Digby, to his Roman Catholic parishioners, have been returned by order of the liberal and enlightened priest of the parish !!!-Longford Journal.

Hereditary Attachment.-When the Jews are in the act of prayer, they turn their eyes towards Jerusalem'; and such is their veneration for the soil of Judea, that many of them in different conntries procure from Jerusalem portions of earth, which is sprinkled over the eyes of the deceased before interment. Many who can afford the expense, retire there to die, that their bodies may mingle with the bodies of their ancestors. At Copenhagen, Jews are buried upright, or standing

in their coffins.

Welsh Judicature.-The number of attorneys in Wales is incredible. Lord Cawdor mentions, that in nine years 13,936 pleas were entered in the County and Baronial Courts of Caermarthen, being about 10,000 more than were entered in Monmouthshire in the same period. "I must, (says his Lordship) insert, as a curiosity, a CountyCourt notice to a labouring man, to procure payment of one shilling due for the mending of a pair of shoes-Sir, having been directed by A. B. to apply to you for one shilling due to him, I have to request that you will pay me that sum, together with my charge of five shillings, on or before Saturday next, as I shall otherwise be obliged to commence an action against you for the recovery thereof, without further notice !!!'"-This miserable state of things is ascribed to the defective state of the Welsh Judicature, which appears to require a total reformation.

York Minster.-In removing the rubbish occasioned by the late fire, a number of curious ancient Roman coins have been found imbedded in sand and oak saw-dust beneath the seats of the choir. Some antiquated thimbles, and pieces of glass, have also been brought to light.

Effects of Sudden Emotions of the Mind.Barthuz relates the case of a female, who, having let her infant fall from her arm, was suddenly struck with paralysis of one of the upper extremi ties, Mr. Hellis, of the Hotel Dieu at Rouen, has lately witnessed some similar cases. A girl, about twelve years of age, being present at an execution, was so terrified at the moment when the criminal's head fell, that one of her arms suddenly became paralyzed. She was brought to the Hotel Dieu, where she remained during three months, but without receiving any benefit, though her general health was undisturbed. In another case, a girl of nine years, being attacked by a dog, was so frightened, that she fell down in a senseless state. When examined at the Hotel Dieu, the pulse was found quiet, the skin perfectly sensible, the countenance indicative of excitement, and the eye staring. She had fully recovered her senses, but had no power of motion, the muscles being in a state of rigidity, and deglutition was very difficult. An emetic, and the application of leeches to the neck, were without any effect, and she died suddenly on the fourth day.

Haytorian Collection of Minerals.-We hear that the Haytorian collection of minerals has lately been completed at Exeter, as no more are to be be found, the mine being exhausted of them; and it appears, that these extraordinary and novel productions of the natural curiosities of this island, would have been inevitably lost to the scientific world, but for the unremitted attention of Shirley Woolmer, Esq. who for nearly two years has spared no time or expense in procuring a fine specimen of every article contained in the Haytorian mine, and has amply succeeded; his intention being greatly forwarded by encouraging and rewarding the miners to collect them. It seems, from the concurring testimonies of several mineralo. gists, that no museum in Europe can exhibit so curious and singular an assemblage of chalcedonies collected from one mine; for of this beautiful mineral he has obtained more than five hundred varieties, and the collection contains more than a thousand choice specimens of different minerals, and presents a jewellery of splendid appearance. It is, however, remarkable, that most of the varieties of chalcedonies as recorded by Jameson, Kirwan, and others, that have been formerly col lected from all parts of the globe, were discovered concentrated in this British mine, including also in this collection upwards of forty specimens and varieties of a new species called the Haytorite,' not heretofore described in any English or foreign general treatise on Mineralogy.

Waterloo, the Day after the Battle.-The dead required no help; but thousands of wounded, who could not help themselves, were in want of every thing; their features, swollen by the sun and rain, looked livid and bloated. One poor fellow had a ghastly wound on the lower lip, which gaped wide, and shewed his teeth and gums, as though a second and unnatural mouth had opened below his first. Another, quite blind from a gash across the eyes, sat upright, gaping for breath, and murmuring "De l'eau! de l'eau!" The anxiety for water was indeed most distressing. The German "Vaser! vaser !" and the " De l'eau de l'eau !" still seem sounding in my ears. I am convinced that hundreds must have perished from thirst alone, and they had no hope of assistance, for even humane persons were afraid of approaching the scene of blood, lest they should be taken in requisition to bury the dead; almost every one who came near being pressed into that most disgusting and painful

service.

Catholics in England. The number of Catholics in England and Wales is computed to exceed300,000. The principal Roman Catholic counties are

Lancashire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Northumberland. These, with Durham, Cheshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, and Worcestershire, the next in number, contain about 200,000. London, and its suburbs, with Surrey and Middlesex, are rated at 50,000. The remaining 50,000 are thinly scattered throughout the other counties and cities; but chiefly in Bristol, Bath, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton, Exeter, and a few watering places.

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The principal names which have dropped off latterly, either by death or conformity, have been the late Duke of Norfolk (restored in the present Duke); Browne, Lord Montague; Roper, Lord Teynham: Vavasor, Curzon, Acton, Mamock, Gascoigne, Fleetwode, Promburne-all peers, or baronets. Wales contains but few Catholics.

Gastronomy.The people of Yariba, in Africa, are not very delicate in the choice of their food; they eat frogs, monkeys, dogs, cats, rats, mice, and various other kinds of vermin. A fat dog will always fetch a better price than a goat. Locusts and black ants, just as they are able to take wing, are a great luxury. Caterpillars are also held in very high estimation. The caterpillars are stewed, and ate with yams and tuah. Ants and locusts are fried in butter, and are said to be delicious. I could never make up my mind to taste any of these rich insects. Pascoe, however, is particularly fond of them, and calls them land shrimps. It is a custom in Katunga, when the king dies, for his eldest son, first wife, and all the head men of the kingdom, to drink poison over his grave, and to be afterwards buried with him. None of the king's sons ever come to the throne. After the king's death, his successor is chosen from among the wisest persons of the country; an elderly man is generally preferred.-Clapperton.

Population.-Father Peters, the Jesuit, calculated, that in 260 years four men might have 268,719,000,000 of descendants. Enough to people many such worlds as ours! Sir W. Blackstone shows, that in twenty generations every man has actually 1,048,576 ancestors. Thus, the provisions of nature are made against every contingency. In the animal world 342,144 eggs have been found in a carp only 18 inches long; and 600,000 have been reckoned in the roe of a salmon.

Wesleyan Missionary Society.-The receipts of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society for the year ending 1828, are upwards of fifty thousand pounds, being an advance on the previous year's income of nearly seven thousand pounds.

Royal Society of Literature.-The king has directed that a site shall be assigned to this society on the crown lands, where the improvements of the metropolis are being carried into effect at CharingCross; and already have members voluntarily subscribed several thousand pounds towards the erection of a house for the Institution, which, it is believed, will be commenced forthwith.

Manuscript Bible.-M. de Spyer, a magistrate of Maste, in Switzerland, has recently brought to Paris a manuscript Bible, which is one of the most valuable productions of paleography in existence. One of the miniatures with which it is embellished represents Alcuin presenting this manuscript to Charlemagne, when king, and before he became emperor. This work is invaluable on account of its seals and Tyronian characters, and is the only one that contains the complete text of Alcuin's epigrams. A short time since M. de Speyer had the honour to submit this Bible to the inspection of the king and royal family. He has also been admitted to a sitting of the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres, which learned body expressed a strong desire that his manuscript should not be taken out of France.

Monastic Discipline.-There are in Paris, it is said,two convents, in which religious discipline is regularly administered on every Tuesday and Friday. In the first, the females are divided into parties of four, who flog each other naked in a corner; in the second, from sixty to eighty females are placed in a line in the middle of a large hall, in presence of the abbess; these persons then flog each other, and the abbess, from time to time, exhorts them to lay on good blows.-Journal des Voyageurs.

Death of a Climbing Boy.-Early in February a poor unfortunate climbing-boy was burnt to death at Dumfries. The flues of two fires com. municated in one near the top, and the fire had not been put out in both the boy ascended one of the flues, and, mistaking his way, descended the other, and fell into the fire, after having previously been scorched by the flame that was produced by the falling of the soot. He died in about three hours.

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On the Importance of Destroying Rats and other Vermin.-Suppose a rat consumes half a peck of wheat in a week, which at the present price of wheat is 15d, and that a man has only two score of them quartered upon him, their board will stand him in fifty shillings a week. To destroy these expensive vermin every farm should be provided with a competent number of ferrets, and of true vermin-bred curs, such as are commonly kept by rat-catchers and labourers. The ferrets and dogs should be in the care of him, among the servants, either the best skilled or most attached to the sport. The holes and haunts of the vermin, in and around the premises, should be diligently sought out. No respite to be allowed to the delinquents, but a war of extermination to be constantly carried on from January to December. If by these brisk measures you do not entirely destroy your rats, you will not fail in time to drive the major part of them to the steading of your next neighbour, by which you will have the additional satisfaction of doing him an unspeakable kindness, if he be an indolent man.-Farmer's Register.

To Prevent Damage to Woollen Goods by the Moth. For the purpose of preventing moths attacking woollen cloths or blankets, when not in use, a few inferior hops should be spread be tween them; and the moth can never injure stuffed birds or animals, if the hops form a part of the process of stuffing.

State of General Officers.On the 1st of Jan. 1829, there were in the ariny, field-marshals, 6; generals, 92; lieutenant-generals, 213; and majorgenerals, 220-total, 531. Of the field marshals, three are princes of the blood-royal, one a foreign prince, one a duke and prime minister of England, and one an earl. All (six) are colonels of corps, and knights of the bath; five have foreign orders of knighthood. Of the generals, 62 are colonels of corps, 27 are knights of the bath, 15 have foreign orders of knighthood, 18 are peers, and 6 are members of parliament. Of the lieutenant-generals, 58 are colonels of corps, 44 are knights of the bath, 24 have foreign orders of knighthood, 13 are peers, and 11 are members of parliament. Of the majorgenerals, 9 are colonels of corps, 38 are knights of the bath, 17 have foreign orders, 8 are peers, and 5 are members of parliament. Summary-Colonels of corps, 135; knights of the bath, 115; knights of foreign orders, 61; peers, 44; members of parliament, 22. The number of deaths were, from 1st July to 1st January, generals, 3; lieutenant-generals, 5; and major generals 4.-United Service Journal.

Proportion of Soldiers, &c. to general Population. In Great Britain there is one soldier for every 229 inhabitants, France 138, United States 1977, Russia 77, Prussia 80, Austria 118, Netherlands 142. The relation of the fleet to the population is-Great Britain one ship of the line or frigate to every 82,979 inhabitants, France 290,909, United States 316,000, Russia 686,250, Austria 2,909.091, Netherlands 170,556.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

Serious Essays on the Truths of the glorious Gospel, and the various branches of Vital Experience, for the use of true Christians. By the late John Ryland, D.D. of Bristol. 1 vol. 18mo. 3d edition.

The Domestic Chaplain; containing fifty-two Lectures, with appropriate Hymns and Prayers, for Fa milies. By John Stanford, M.A. of New York. The third edition. 1 vol. 8vo.

Achmed and Athene; or the Loves of a Turkish Youth and a Greek Maid; with other Poems. By a Lady. 1 vol. Royal 18mo.

The Second Edition of the new Sacred Poem, "The Opening of the Sixth Seal," dedicated with permission to Professor Milman.

"A Memento to the Afflicted." By Barzillai Quaife. Redemption; a Poem. By the late Rev. Jos. Swain. An Appeal to Britain, recommending the Abolition of the practice of Burning Hindoo Widows.

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Serle's Christian Remembrancer, 18mo. from the Author's latest Ed. which contains various Additions. A Charge delivered at the settlement of the Rev. Arthur Tidman, Barbican Chapel, London. By Andrew Reed.

Infant Education; or, Practical Remarks on the Importance of Educating the Infant Poor, from the age of eighteen months to seven years. By S. Wilderspin. 4th edition.

Microscopic Amusements, or Complete Companion to the Microscope. By E. G. Ballard, with engravings. An Essay on the Lever, and its Properties, with numerous examples of its application in the construction of Machines and Instruments. By G. G. Ward. The Catechism of Scripture Biography.

Scripture Questions concerning the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. By the Rev. Albert Judson, of America.

Illustrations of Prophecy, in Five Dissertations. Two vols. 8vo. By William Vint.

A Letter to the Right Hon'ble, the Earl of Roden, on the present State of Popular Éducation in Ireland. By James Glassford, Esq.

Herodotus, translated from the Greek. for the use of general readers. By Isaac Taylor. 8vo. Palmer's Select Pocket Divinity. Two vols. Time's Telescope for 1829, containing a comparative Chronology, contemporary Biography, Astronomical Occurrences, &c. in every month.

The Sailor; or, The Coquet Cottage; and other Poems. By William Gibson.

Tears, and other Poems. By Daniel Currie.

King, Lords, and Commons, earnestly solicited to grant Catholic Emancipation upon other terms than 'those suggested by a "Scotch Catholic," in his Letter to the Duke of Wellington. By a Patriotic Subject.

A Review of the last Sermon preached in Scotland by the Rev. Edward Irving, in which his leading sentiments respecting the Resurrection of the Saints, the Removing of the Earth, &c. &c. are refuted. Essays on various Religious Subjects By William Sleigh. Second edition.

In the Press.

Essays and Fragments on various subjects. 12mo. By Jacob Stanley.

Two Funeral Sermons for the Rev. Matthew Wilks, preached by the Rev. George Collison, and by the Rev. Andrew Reed.

A Volume of Tales, under the title of "Sketches of Irish Character," from the pen of Mrs. S. C. Halls, the Editor of the Juvenile "Forget-me-Not."

Part the First of a Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French Painters; with a copious Description of their principal Pictures, the prices at which they have at various times been sold on the Continent and in England, and a Reference to the Galleries and Private Collections, in which a large portion of them are at persent; the names of the Artists by whom they have been engraved"; with other incidental observations. By J. Smith, picture-dealer, Great Marlborough-street.

By Mr. W. Jones, author of the History of the Waldenses, &c. "A Christian Biographical Dictionary, comprising the Lives of such persons in every country, and in every age, since the revival of Literature, as have distinguished themselves by their talents, their sufferings, and their virtue."

Elegantly printed in a Pocket Volume, and Illustrated with a Plan and Thirty other Engravings, a Picturesque Guide through the Regent's Park, with a Description of he Colosseum, Zoological Gardens, &c. Preparing for Publication.

We are informed that the Christian Instruction Society intend to publish with the April Magazines, the First Number of a Quarterly Journal, price 3d. entitled, "The Christian Visitor, and Record of the Christian Instruction Society."

The Cabinet of Voyages and Travels; including Accounts of the Scientific Expeditions of the past year, and Narratives of the several Voyages and Overland Journeys, with every new fact in nautical and geographical science, &c.

Mr. Carpenter, author of the Scientia Biblica, &c. has nearly ready, in one volume, octavo, Popular Lectures on Biblical Criticism and Interpretation.