moment that the monster should re-appear. At about six or eight yards from the boat the animal rose to the surface, when the man instantly plunged into the water, a short distance from the terrific jaws. The shark immediately turned round and swam slowly towards the man, who, in his turn, nothing daunted, struck out with the arm that was at liberty, and approached his foe. When within a foot or two of the shark, the native dived beneath him, the animal going down almost at the same instant. The bold assailant in this frightful contest soon reappeared on the opposite side of the shark, swimming fearlessly with the hand he had at liberty, and holding the rope behind his back. The shark, which had also by this time made his appearance again, immediately swam towards him; and while the animal was apparently in the act of lifting himself over the lower part of the native's body, that he might seize upon his prey, the man, making a strong effort, threw himself up perpendicularly and went down feet foremost, the shark following him so instantaneously that we were fully impressed with the idea that they had gone down grappling together. As far as we could judge, they remained twenty seconds out of sight, while we stood in breathless anxiety, and, it may be added, horror, waiting the result of this fearful encounter. Suddenly the native made his appearance, holding both hands over his head, and calling out with a voice which proclaimed his victory, "Tan, Tan;" on which the people in the boat, being prepared, drew the rope tight, and the struggling victim, lashing the water in his wrath, was dragged on shore and dispatched. This truly intrepid man received only a cut on the left arm, apparently from the fin of his formidable enemy."

The loss of human life by wild animals in the upper parts of India, is frightful. During the last four years above one thousand children have been devoured by wolves alone, and in the vicinity of the city of Agra; yet with all this horror before their eyes, the natives cannot be induced to slay a wolf, believing that where their blood is shed, the ghosts of their little victims will appear. When a wolf is caught, therefore, the people merely hang a bell upon his neck, that in his rambles the ringing may give warning to the children. Perhaps nothing would be of more service in these countries than

the giving a large reward for each head brought in, even if the superstitious feelings of the natives were in some degree outraged. Public safety demands some such measure as that which cleared Europe from similar plagues.

We must not conclude this paper without a reference to the " Abode of Snow"-the Himalaya, that stupendous chain, whose peaks are thrice the elevation of our highest European mountain. Twenty thousand feet have been barometrically surveyed and trigonometrically confirmed; and at this height there were peaks some seven thousand feet above the travellers. A new field for science has been displayed by the discoveries on these ranges. Those districts lying above a certain elevation, and which have been hitherto calmly consigned to eternal snow, are now proved to be here not only inhabited, but made healthy and delightful stations for Europeans. Some years ago the limit of perpetual congelation was fixed by theory at from ten to twelve thousand feet above the level of the sea; yet on these mountains campanulas and ammonites have been found by Englishmen at 16,800 feet on the north side; at 13,000, birch, juniper, and pine appear; at 12,000, the oak is verdant and flourishing; at 11,400, the villagers cut green crops. Captain Webb found barley and buck-wheat at 11,000 feet; and at 630 feet above this elevation the same officer encamped, surrounded by oaks, pine, and rhododendra, with strawberries and currants in full blow, and myriads of European wild flowers all around them. A halting-place has been appointed at Samsici, on the banks of the Shelti, at an elevation of 15,600 feet, or nearly three miles and a half above the sea: and the landscape there is described as beautiful, “verdant hills, herds of deer, and lovely banks of shrubs." To the conchologist the strata of shells found on these mountains are full of interest. Cockles, muscles, univalves, &c. have been discovered on the highlands, about 15,500 feet, in a bed of granite and pulverised slate, the adjacent rocks being shell limestone. Dr. Gerard describes some extensive tracts of shell formations, discovered by him at an elevation of fifteen thousand feet. One of the blocks which he examined was com posed of a multitude of shells of dif

ferent sizes, imbedded in a matrix of calcareous tufa. This was broken from a solid mass of 150 cubic feet, apparently all of the same structure. A fresh-water bivalve, resembling the unio, was discovered at the same spot. Colonies are beneficial to the mother country, not only in offering a market for manufactures, but also by affording a resting place for the feet of those who are too restless or unhappy to remain at home. Of the former of these two grand benefits we shall treat more at large when we again meet our author, and dilate on the immense consequence of each of our transmarine possessions in a commercial relation to England. The subject of emigration is too voluminous in its details, and important in character, to be merely passed lightly over; we shall, therefore, postpone our remarks on this head until we come to treat of those colonies which are more particularly the choice of the British emigrant. We merely mention this intended order of observation, that our readers may not be surprised at the seeming neglect of such great and momentous topics. We can make no apology for the consumption of so much time at present, nor can we hope to be much more condensed for the future. We should not do our duty by the public did we leave these subjects without adverting to the leading particulars of each branch. There is a storm rising rapidly, which can scarce fail to sever one or other of the colonies from our grasp. The gauntlet has already been flung down by our North American possessionsthe West Indies are held by no massive bond-the Australasian colony calls for an independent legislature-and it remains to be seen whether the East India Company, shackled in their power, by the unreasonable interference in their commerce, can hold in integrity and perfect union those enormous regions which have hitherto been the brightest gem in our imperial sceptre. England received a lesson in the loss of the American States, which she should not so soon forget; and yet, from the policy of those who sway the power of this realm, we might well believe that there had never been a colony ruptured from the kingdom; nay, that there remained none that could follow so fearful an example.

There is, however, one comfort in store for us. Look back on the rise of our maritime power-even contemplate the progress of the British rule in India alone-trace our glorious path from the time that we first visited those shores few in numbers, weak, needy adventurers thirsting for gain. Examine the steps which led us to power, until we, from petty traders, have become monarchs over one hundred millions of our fellow men. Will any reflecting creature say that this was the work of blind chance-will any one have the hardihood to assert that no over-ruling Providence swayed the destiny of Britain, giving victory to the few, strength to the weak, and power to the gentle? No, none can be found to attribute such a brilliant career to fortune, and it is from this conviction that we find consolation even in the trials of such times as these. Conscious that the finger of God has done all this, we confide that our earthly glory will not pass away while this nation professes Christianity. Babylon has fallen-Nineveh has perished from the eyes of man-Carthage, Tyre, Sidon, where are they? They became proud-they forgot the source of their greatness-they are gone; and so will it be with us if, in our pride, we give not the glory where it is due. If a poor mortal may judge of such things, this time so fatal to us, is far off. While the present endeavours for the spread of religion are carried on-while knowledge, and by knowledge Christianity, is pouring from our presses-while the healthy tone of feeling that pervades all the classes who have any feeling at all, remains, we fear not what impious men may do; secure that when the great body is sound, the contamination of a few will not work the destruction of the whole. The voice of praise never ceases in the British dominions, as the rays of the sun ever illume it. When the peasant of the forests of America sinks in slumber, and the missionaries of that land, hymning their praise, rest from their labour, then are the inhabitants of the southern climes rising to their task, and the teachers of the Heathen pour forth their prayers for the success of the good work. Every hour gives to rest some dependant of our king, and raises to life and light

Bull-fights are still very much in vogue in Spain; there are, however, but few among Spaniards of the higher class who do not, in some degree, feel ashamed of avowing their taste for a species of amusement, which it cannot be denied, is very cruel; on this account they seek many grave and weighty reasons to justify their predilection for it. First, it is a national amusement; and the word national alone would suffice for all purposes-a certain kind of drawing-room patriotism being quite as potent in Spain as in France. In the next place, say they, the Romans must be accounted still more barbarous than we, for they, in their gladiatorial shows, made men fight with men. Lastly, add the economists, the interests of agriculture are advanced by this custom, inasmuch as the high prices given for bulls, for the amphitheatre, induces the farmers to rear numerous herds. It should be understood that all bulls are not possessed of courage enough to encounter stoutly men and horses, and that out of twenty, scarcely one is found of sufficient mettle to figure in the amphitheatre; the remaining nineteen are then used in the cultivation of the land.

The only argument they dare not bring forward, and which nevertheless would be unanswerable, is that the entertainment, be it cruel or not, is so engrossing in its interest, and causes so powerful emotions, that people find it impossible to give up the gratification, when once they have overcome the effect of the first exhibition. Strangers, who cannot enter the amphitheatre for the first time without a feeling of horror, and who do so perhaps merely for the purpose of acquitting themselves of having left unperformed any of the duties of travellers-strangers, I say, soon are seized with the same passionate attachment to bull-fights as the natives of Spain themselves experience. To the shame of humanity it must be admitted, that war, with all its

horrors, has peculiar and extraordinary charms, especially for those who can view it from a place of security.

Saint Augustin relates, that when he was a young man, he had the greatest reluctance possible to witness the combats of the gladiators, while as yet he had never seen them. Compelled by one of his friends to accompany him to one of these splendid scenes of bloodshed, he vowed mentally that he would keep his eyes closed during the whole time of the representation. At first he kept his resolution well enough, and forced his thoughts to take a different direction; but at a cry which escaped from the spectators, in witnessing the fall of a distinguished and favourite gladiator, he opened his eyes; and once opened, he never was able to close them again. From that period, to the time of his conversion, he was one of the most passionate lovers of the games of the circus.

After speaking of so eminent a Saint, I am almost ashamed to cite myself. Still you are aware that I have no peculiar taste for sanguinary exhibitions. The first time I entered the amphitheatre at Madrid, I feared I should not have been able to bear the sight of blood which there flows so freely; I was especially apprehensive that the squeamishness of my feelings, which I much distrusted, might make me an object of laughter to the amateurs, habituated to the thing, who had given me a place in their box. There was not, however, the least ground for such an apprehension. The first bull made his appearance: was killed and I thought no longer of going away. Two hours rolled over without the least interruption to the exhibition, and still I felt no fatigue. Any other tragic performance in the world must have failed to interest me in the same degree. During the entire period of my sojourn in Spain, I have never missed a single bull-fight, and I am ashamed to confess I prefer those

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which terminate with the death of the animal, to the others, in which they are satisfied with tiring out the bulls, which have nobs fixed on the points of their horns. There is the same difference precisely, as in the ancient tournaments, between mortal combat and jousting with blunted lances. Gene rally speaking, the two kinds of bullfights exactly resemble each other; with this difference only, that in the second, the men run little or no risk of injury.

The amusement begins even on the evening before the fight. To avoid accidents, it is by night that they bring the bulls into the stalls attached to the amphitheatre (encierro;) and on the evening which precedes the day fixed for the fight, they graze in a pasture at a short distance from Madrid (el arroyo.) It forms quite the object of an excursion to go to see these bulls, which often are brought from a considerable distance. A great many persons in carriages, and gentlemen on horseback, as well as pedestrians, repair to the arroyo. Of the young men, many wear, on this occasion, the dress of the Andalusion majo, or beau of the lower classes, and in so doing, take an opportunity to display a degree of manificence and luxury, which the simplicity of their usual dress does not admit of. Moreover, this excursion is not altogether free from danger: for the bulls being at liberty, those who have the care of them cannot easily controul them; so that people who are incautiously inquisitive, have occasionally something to do to avoid a blow from their horns.

There are amphitheatres (plazas) in almost all the great towns in Spain. These buildings are very simply, not to say rudely constructed. In fact, they are in general but immense booths, formed of planks, and the amphitheatre of Ronda is always mentioned as a remarkable one, inasmuch as it is entirely built of stone. It is accounted the finest in Spain, just as the castle of Thunderten-tronk was deemed the finest in Westphalia, because it had a door and windows. But of what consequence is the mere ornamenting of a theatre, when the drama exhibited there is excellent?

The amphitheatre of Madrid may contain about seven thousand specta

tors, who enjoy ingress and egress without confusion, by means of a great number of doors. In general, the seats are formed of benches of wood or stone; some boxes have chairs. That of his Catholic Majesty is the only one whose decorations can be said to be in any degree handsome.

The arena is enclosed by a strong palisade, about six feet in height. At two feet from the ground, there runs all round, and on both sides of the palisade, a projection in the wood-a sort of footing, or step, as it were which aids the toreador, when pursued, to get more easily over the barrier. A narrow passage separates this from the benches of the spectators on a level with it, and they are further secured by a double cord fastened to strong posts. This is a precaution which has only been taken of late years. It happened that a bull not only leaped the barrier, a thing which happens frequently, but had also sprung even upon the benches, where he had killed or maimed a great number of the too curious. The rope which now protects them, is deemed to be sufficient to prevent the recurrence of a similar accident.

Four great doors open into the arena. One communicates with the stalls of the bulls (toril); another leads to

the slaughter-house, (matadero,) where they flay and cut up the bulls. The two remaining ones are for the use of the human actors in the affair.

A short time before the fight begins, the toreadors meet in a large room attached to the amphitheatre. Close at hand are the stables for the horses. Farther off, lies an hospital. A surgeon and a priest hold themselves in readiness in the neighbourhood, prepared to give their aid to any who should be wounded.

This room, which is, as it were, the greenroom of the theatre, is adorned with a representation of the Madonna, before which burn a few wax candles; beneath it is a table, having upon it a little chafing dish of lighted coals. Each torero, as he enters, first takes off his hat to the image, mumbles over in haste the end of a prayer, then draws a cigar from his pocket, lights it at the chafing-dish, and smokes as he converses with his companions and the ameteurs who come to discuss with