AN HISTORICAL AND. DESCRWTIVE ACCOUNT 0*" ‘ snirisu AMERICA. ,.

This extensive and elaborate work, which we are. sorry we have been unable to notice sooner, belongs to the deservedly popular series of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library. to which it is a va- luable accession. It would be in vain, in the brief space we can derote to this 11631111143063!“. 01' our labors, to attempt to enter into anything like an analysis of the varied and comprehenswe de- tails indicated in the title of the work as above

quoted. We shall therefore confine our notice to the most obviously interesting feature of the subject at the present time—the importance of our possessions in North America to the mother country, as an outlet for.our redundant popula- tion, as a market'for our home manufactures and colonial produce; and as the Source whence we are deriving several valuable commodities m_re- turn. This will best appear from the followmg summary of statistics contained in these volumes. And first of the available extent of the country. Independently of Newfoundland and the Hud- son’s Bay Territory on the one hand, and the Bermudas on the other, the strictly available ter- ritory of Lower Canada is 115,000 square miles; of Upper Canada, 141,000 ; of Nova Scotia, 15,600 ; of New Brunswick, 25,900 ; of Prince Edward Island, 2,100 ; making a total of 299,- 600 square miles. The area of Great Britain and-Ireland is only 121,853 square miles, being little more than a third of this amount. Only a very small proportion of this enormous extent of territory has as yet been brought into cultivation. It is estimated that at the present time the num- ber of acres of land cultivated in Lower Canada is 2,200,000 , in Upper Canada, in 1835, it was 1,308,000; in Nova Scotia, 400,000; in New Brunswick, 250,000 ; in Prince Edward Island, 100,000, making a total of 4,258,000, or 6650 square miles, being little more than one-fiftieth part of the whole. What a prodigious field is here left open for the enterprise and industry of future generations of our countrymen ; and what increasing accessions ofopulence and power may Great Britain hope to derive, from the maturity ofher infant colonies in North America, unless in her weakness and folly she allow these invalu- able dependencies to be “ lost or given away 1” The staple export ofthe colonies will ultimately _be their agricultural produce, in exchange for our manufactures and the produce of our other colonies. In the present stage of their cultiva- tion, and from the annual influx of emigrants, as ell as from the duty of five shillings imposed on their wheat, in addition to the expensive freight across the Atlantic, the export of grain is incon- siderable ; and their staple commodity is now, and must continue for an indefinite period to be, their valuable timber, which is at present almost exclusively imported into Great Britain and the West Indies, although a new market is opening in the Atlantic States, whose own forests have been exhausted, and who will therefore throw themselves permanently" upon the Canadas for their supplies. The timber trade will of course decrease in the ratio in which agriculture increa- ses ; but ages must elapse before the stock can be exhausted. The exports of timber for 1832 amount to £963,309 ; in 1833 to £950,385; in ‘ 1834, to £1,237,632; and in 1835, to £1,249,- 387. The next article of commerce, and scarce- ly inferior in importance to the timber trade, is the fishery, which in 1832, produced £792,824; in 1833, £916,084; in 1834, £849,973 ; and in 1835, £952,163. Oftliis department of colo- nial commerce, dry cod harms the chiefitem, the largest shipments being made to Portugal, Spain, and the British West Indies. The train oil, which forms the next commodity in importance, is sent almost entirely to Britain. The produce of wheat, which is ex rted almost exclusively to this country, had decreased in 1834—5, being £99,000, and 120.000 respectively, whereas in. 1831—3 it amounted to £177,000 and £174,000. The third article in importance is ashes, which in 1832, amounted to £201,717, but had de- creased in 1835 to £181,506.

The total exports, under the heads oftimber, fishery, produce of land, ashes, coals, and mis- cellaneous, for 1832, was £2,450,889; for 1833 £2,613,537; for 1834, £2,611,018; for 1835, £2,706,694. Of which Great Britain took, in 1832, £1,428,598; in 1833, £1,376,333; in 1834, £1,429,768 ; iii 1835, £1,479,177. The'

’ West Indies stand as the next best market; Ire- land appears as the third ; the United States on- ly as the fourth. Turning to the imports in Bri- tish North America, which include almost every article beyond the necessaries of life, we find manufactured goods, for 1832, £1,870,924 ; 1833, £1,831,659; 1834, £1,413,577; 1835, £1,831,001. Tropical produce, wine, grain, provisions, coal, salt and miscellaneous, making the total value of imports, including manufactu- red goods asabove, for 1832, £3,457,720; 1833, £3,579,905 ; 1834, £2,900,415 ; 1835, £3,- 816,724. From the statement of countries whence these importations took place, we find Britain set down in 1832, for £2,209,653 ; 1833, £2,267,235 ; 1834, £1,777,238 ; 1835, £2,330,243, being nearly two-thirds of the whole—We find also returns ofthe numbers of emigrants during the seventeen years from 1821 to 1837, inclusive, giving a total of346,269, equal to the whole combined population of Glasgow and Paisley at the present time. The smallest num. bers appear in 1823—2L25; the largest in 1830 41-32—34. By far the greatest proportion of emigrants during the last nine years has been from Ireland. These interesting facts are cal- culated to impress us with a high idea of the pre- sent value and future capabilities of these im- portant colonies; and if they do not also open our eyes to the interest we have in consolidating our power'infBritish North America, and knitt- ing still more clOsely our dependencies thereto the mother country, by the strong bonds at Bri- tish sympathy and Christian principle, they leave us no room to wonder that the eupi‘dity'of the

a-

United States'sliould be “excited” to take- adianf.

ta eof dur‘ a ath and neglect. a

gIt is unngeessyary _to‘ state that the history of British America—from the early struggles of the Aborigines with the superior numbers and mili- tary skill of their European conquerors, 'down to the present period when Britain has been called to assert her dominion, firstagainst the rebellion of a portion of her own colonial subjects, and then against the invasion ofa neighbouring pow- er—is intensely interesting. With this history, including 911613111th5 of the country, an ac- count of tgative tribes, and the topography of the Lower rovince of Canada, the first volume

of the present work is occupied ; and ive.refer ~

particularly to the details of the late'insurrection‘ and invasionas the most conipl'ete that havve-y’et' appeared.—'—The second volume is devoted to}: description of the com‘iiiercizil, social, and politi- cal condition of Canada and of the maritime provinces. The third is occupied with an ac- count of the Hudson’s Bay Territory, the sub- ject of emigration and a general summary. The scientific reader will find the general interest of the work enhanced by the able and interesting notices of the zoology of British America by Mr. Wilson, of its botany by Dr. Greville, (alike distinguished as a christian philanthropist and a man of science,) and of its geology by Professor Trail. The geography of the country is illus- trated by maps, and the scenery and costume by wood engravings. The statistical and commer- cial information, a large portion of which has never before been laid before the public, will give the work a peculiar value in the estimation of the mercantile community. The whole is got up with the usual good taste of the publishers.

CANTON.—Tl’lls city is situated in the province of Kwang-Tung, (called by Europeans, Canton,) which is of all others best known to foreigners. The area ofthe province is 79,456 Square miles, and it has a population of 19,174,030. A vice- roy is the first officer. The city is by the Chi- nese commonly called Sang-Ching, or “ the provincial capital.” It is situated on the north bank of the Canton or Tigris River, and is built somewhat in the form ofa square. The square described by the walls is intersected by a wall running east and west ; and the division on the north, which is the largest, is called the old, or Tartar city ; while the smaller, on the south, is called the new, or Chinese city. Both together are about six miles in circumference, and there are twelve gates in the outer walls, and four in the intersecting one. The suburbs are still more extensive than the city. “ On the west,” says China Opened, “ they spread out in the form of isoceles right angled triangles, opening to the north-west, having the river on the south, and the western wall of the city for its equal sides. On the south they occupy the whole space between the wall and the river; the east- ern suburbs are less extensive. The streets and canals are very numerous, and the river, which near the city, has some large rocks in its centre, visible at low water, is covered with boats of every description. Most of the dwellings are btiilt with brick ; the houses of the poor. and a great many of those belonging to their Tartar lords, consist of mud. Many of the streets are very narrow, the houses low, and, if belonging to rich individuals, surrounded by a wall, through which we pass to the house. Opulent individu- als live in large buildings, like Chinese palaces. On the roofs are terraces, which serve the double purpose of drying clothes and walking.” A strict watch is kept in the streets during the night, and there are bamboo towers on the roofs, whence alarm of fire or other accident may be readily given. The police require to be vigilant, so nu- merous are the robbers and vagrants. There are 30 colleges for promoting learning, but only a few students. The Budhuists, who have also maintained their sway over the city, haye here numerous temples, ofwhich the Hae-chwang-sze on Ho-man Island, is the highest. “ It has three colossal statues, representing the three Budhas of the past, present. and future, and an immense number of smaller idols, all gilt or gorgeously decorated, and a row of apartments for‘ 175 priests. Here, too, is the mausoleum where the ash- es of the deceased saints are annually deposited To a foreigner, a sacred pigstye, with more than ten fat and old grunters, is, perhaps, the greatest curiosity.” There are about 124 other temples in and about Canton, and, adds our author, “ the number of priests is said to amount to 3,000, and ofthe nuns to 1000, and the maintenance of these pernicious establishments is said to exceed annually one million ofdollars. There is also a mosque in the city for the accommodation of 30,000 Mahommedans. In one of the factories there is a British 'chapel, and there are three hospitals, which are wretched] y supported.”

The commerce of Canton may be traced to an early date. The province was known, under various names, at a remote period ot‘Chinese his- tory, but the Chinese monarchs did not turn their attention towards it till about 200 years be- fore the Christian era. The founder of the Tsiir dynasty, (Tsin-chehwang,) and the great univer- sal monarch of China, pushed his conquests southward, and subdued Canton and other neighbouring provinces. This was the monarch who, in the vain hope of destroying the records of all but his own, caused all the ancient books to be burned ; but the dynasty he had establish- ed was soon destroyed. His brother having cau- sed his death, usurped the throne. Soon alier, Chaou-to, who assumed the regal title, built the remarkable edifice called the seven storied Pago- da, which is still to be seenon a hill to the north of the city. This building is deserted, like the eficial influence; in keeping away 'evil spirits from their neighbourhood. Chaoii-to' aflerwards'retir- ed to Cochin-China, and Canton became the place of banishment for'dlsgraced statesmen. Brit

pagodas in generalflmt Supposedto have a.ben- B

even at that early period it begins rise into iln.

v tury the

' ° 1'- yl th cen- About-the middle of the seven , ‘ Chinese annals relate, that vessels Canton from foreign

portance. bronglit rare commodities to

coTliblliiist Eumpeans who visited China by sea were the Portuguese. .In 1516 a Vessel! from that

‘ ‘ ds at the mouth of the country rFachetiinifulidski/Idyage being successful, ggpjtto‘llegzg?“,ere déspatched on the following year. The Chinese, however, discfivefl‘iddtgi most of these foreigners were unPT'M‘l’; .: venturers, and even in the Year 1520 3‘ 0mg guese ambassador at Palm.“ W35 53“; basckt :‘snh eventually imprisoned and slain. T e Pagtbi Dutch, English, and other nations, followe r e

rtu uese successivel , _ sliiiifesg and ' je'alousies increased‘the contempt, with which the Chinese had been taught to hold all foreigners. The English, sal”? the 1““ (humid authority, first turned their attemlféll ‘0 Chm“ 1" the year 1576, but the vessels equIPPed were lost on their passage out. The W“ aneml’t to 95‘? ‘ lish a tradexhere was in 1634, but the opposmon of the Portuguese defeated for _some Yearséhg object of this and other expeditions. In 1_ 7 the East India Company succeeded in establish- ing a factory at Amoy, from whence they were driven away in 1680, by the contests of the Mantcheons, who had possessed themselves of the imperial throne, and those Chinese who re- sisted their government. . In 1684, they were permitted to return to their factory; and there they remained until foreign commerce became restricted to Canton and Macao. They then es- tablished themselves at Canton, wheretheirtrade contihued to increase, but with occaSIonal inter- ruptions, until the termination of their charter in 1833.

In Canton the manufactories are numerous, but no machinery is employed. “ About 17,000 individuals, (says Gutzlatf,) women and children included, are engaged in silk, and 50,000 in cloth manufacture. About 7,300 duly licensed barbers are daily employed in shaving the head, and there are no less than 2000 physicians and quacks.” There are 16,000 carpenters, and 7000 lapidaries. There are 18,000 boats, of va~ rious sizes, trading along the river between the city and Whampoa, an Island where the foreign vessels find the nearest allowed anchoring ground. There are 1700 shops in Canton in 'which no- thing is sold«but firewood and Charcoal. There are daily slaughtered 24,000 pigs. The popula- tion, including those who ,live in the suburbs, and on board of 84,000 boats on the river, is es- timated at 1,236,000. , ‘

The whole population is busily engaged in trade. The city has commercial connections with all parts of. the Chinese empire, and with, most countries in Europe. Asia, Africa, and America. The foreign factories where the mer- chants rcside are situated in the suburbs, and are perhaps the finest buildings in the empire. They are ofbrick and granite, two stories high, in one row, and each containing four or five separate houses, joining each other. The names ofthese, as translated from the Chinese appellatives, are curious. They .are " The factory ofjustice and harmony ;” “the (English) factory that ensures tranquillity” (l) “the great and affluent factory,” 6w. doc. ~

Ships which proceed up the'river must first obtain a permit and pilot at Macao. After their arrival at Whampoa, a security merchant, who must be a member of the Hong merchants, is engaged ; he has to pay the duties and warrant the good behaviour of foreigners. They act as agents or consignees. The privileged company of Hong merchants constitute a body, and have a common fund levied upon shipping. They are, however, subject to heavy exactions by govern- ment, and frequently become bankrupts, when they are disgraced and exiled. They transact business expeditiously, but their system of medi- ation between the government and foreigners is decidedly bad. The whole trade is under the management of a Hoppo, (or superintendent of the customs,) an officer purposely sent from the imperial household at Pekin. Besides measure- ment duty, import and export duties, foreigners have other charges, exactions, and bribes to sub- mit to, to an almost equal amount.

. The mouth of the estuary of the Canton river is entirely studded with islands, most of which are small, with the the exception of Lantao and Hong-Kong. The British outer anchoraoe was recently at the Island of Hong~Chang, gut, by the last accounts, had removed to the Tung—Hoo higher up the river. '

Tim DOMINIONS on THE VICEROY on EGYPT. —Tbe extent of territory under the dominion of Mehetnet Ali is almost ‘unknown in England. It farlexceeds that of the mother country, and, it again added to’ the Turkish empire, would-make it a more cumbrous machine than it was before ' for people and territories, that never acknowled: ged_ the Sultan, or Mohammedanism, have been subjugated, and-are now ruled by the Egyptian Viceroy. He wrung Egypt from the Porto and has added. to it the whole of Syria, 3. greaf part of Aala' Minor, as far as where the Euphrates en- ters the Persian Gulf; all the Arabian Penin- sula, except Muscat; in Nubia, Abyssinia, the ancient Ethiopia, with the plains of Serinaar, Kordol‘an; and as far as the foot of civilized man has followed the various wanderings ofthe Blue and White _Nile, Mehemet Ali’s power is more or less. acknowledged. The extensive borders of the Red Sea, even beyond the Straits of Ba- belmandel, to the confines of Persia and the In- dian sea, with ,Candia,_und the whole’upper bor- der of the Mediterranean, 'are now includedlin his dominions, and the great unmade tribes ofthe

edawees of Petra,- and from Bagdad: to Medina with a few exceptions, own him as their prince, —All this, greater, even than the mighty empire of Sesostris, was, conquered, and is new governed by the orphan boy, whose precarious livi was

at one time gained by thezhtixleting‘of~'tobaodo

a state to supersede Russia hemp, wiltb.

and by their mutual .

i

bat‘wito now this the tliro'iteot‘thd ‘Pti' ' wields the sceptre of Zambia—Wilde’s five. 7 - I The hemp of Russia may Heisman ., long by the flax of New Zealsnd. ed, says the New Zealand Journal, tn. hour of obtaining the latter in its course and the charges of imporitaéiclig, WIll-‘be f " ensated by a price 9 per ton’ Expense of dressing will be about £12 at that at about £30,per ton, New Zealand ;

sir

vered in this ,country. ‘The. price. of ‘ hemp, in 1839, was £45 'per ton; it is M and £40 may be deemed the average.

annvmo Citows or CEYLORH-I" . at' the: fort with Lieutenant Dalgetty, _ which meal we were nearly deprived o , crow that flew in at the window trill,

saved by the timely entrance of a servant.

birds are so audacious, that all'persorti. desire to be secure from‘ their mar'anding' “ ' sions must be careful neither to leave i... windows open unwatcbed. When-11lo- . are carrying home baskets of provistltns on heads, they are frequently attacked by a. of those voracious birds, who pounce ~- contents; nor will they desist fromthb M ’ spoliation, uiitil‘the basket is set down, and are literally driven from it by force of H, The bold thieves plunder children stilt: mercilessly, actually snatching the food their hands; and it is amusing to Will}, V art they use to dispossess a dog ofa bone. ' sooner has the animal laid himselfdown to joy his meal at leisure, than a predatory! descend and hover over him; one more, than the rest, alights beside him with the unwelcome familiarity. The dog startled; annoyed, suspends his labours, and growls ‘1‘ his displeasure, but in vain; the crow ad 7. with the same self possession ofan invited‘ _ until, at last, the exasperated owner of the a lets fall his bone, shows his teeth, makes 1.; dignaht snap at the pertinacious intruder, u dexterously eludes the bite which, he had“ cunningly provoked, while at the instant

dog’s attention is diverted, another crow, wh' has been vigilantly watching the opportu seizes the coveted treasure and bears it it triumph.——Holman’s Voyage round the . W a "‘

THE Bums O‘F'LAMMERMOOR Taxman , ILLUSTRATED.—“A tragical event occurred“ short time ago,” says the Quotadienne, “ at "t theatre of Lucca, during the performance. Lucia di Lummcrmoor. A rivalry had been . ,l a time existing between two ofthe perfor’f , ' and a duel \had even taken.place, but they, been apparently reconciled; in the second 1 of the opera, however, during the combat, former animosity revived as they thrust at other, and the stage fight became a real duel; public in the mean time applauding their ea ness without suspecting its cause. Sud. the actor who was performing Ravens ; uttered a dreadful cry, for he had received, wound in the breast, and then fell dead w ‘ thg stage. The other actor was immeditit arrested. The company, unwilling to app again after this melancholy event, broke up our the following day, and the theatre remai t' closed.” ~»

CANNIBALISM 1N Pains—The chief phys of one of the hospitals .in Paris, having: days since invited a great number of his me ' friends to witness an anatomiCal demonstr of the liver of one of his patients who ha and which, from its enormous size was! ject of great medical interest, first regaled with a copious and splendid breakfast. 7 breakfast being over, he sent a servant ' cellar to fetch the liver which he had; there. In a few minutes he returned in a f and said it was no longer in the cellar inquiry took place, from which it appear the cook, seeing more guests arrive than he expected, and thinking that the liver which _ in the cellar was that of a calf, dressedflt' L‘s ‘ order to make up the deficiency of his proving). The feelings of his guests at the discovery not of the most enviable disposition.