carrying them into execution, were so various, and so proper, that Alexander had good reason to entertain sanguine hopes of their proving successful. At the time when the mutinous spirit of his soldiers obliged him to relinquish his operations in India, he was not thirty years of age complete. At this enterprizing period of life, a prince, of a spirit so active, persevering, and indefatigable, must have soon found means to resume a favourite measure, on which he had been long intent. people. Thirty thousand of his new a peculiar precept of their religion, subjects, who had been disciplined in which enjoined them to guard with the these cities, and armed after the Euro- utmost care against defiling any of the pean fashion, appeared before Alexan- elements, had constructed near the der in Susa, and were formed by him mouths of these rivers, in order to into that compact solid body of infan- shut out their subjects from any access try, known by the name of the Phalanx, to the ocean. By opening the navigawhich constituted the strength of a tion in this manner, he proposed, that Macedonian army. But in order to the valuable commodities of India secure entire authority over this new should be conveyed from the Persian corps, as well as to render it more ef- Gulf into the interior parts of his Asiatfective, he appointed that every officer ic dominions, while by the Arabian in it entrusted with command, either Gulf they should be carried to Alexansuperior or subaltern, should be Euro-dria, and distributed to the rest of the pean. As the ingenuity of mankind world. Grand and extensive as these naturally has recourse in similar situa- schemes were, the precautions employtions to the same expedients, the Euro-ed, and the arrangements made for pean powers, who now in their Indian territories employ numerous bodies of the natives in their service, have, in forming the establishment of these troops, adopted the same maxims; and, probably without knowing it, have modelled their battalions of Sepoys upon the same principles as Alexander did his Phalanx of Persians. The farther Alexander pushed his conquests from the banks of the Euphrates,|| which may be considered as the centre of his dominions, he found it necessary to build and to fortify a great number of cities. Several of these to the east and south of the Caspian Sea are mentioned by ancient authors; and in India itself, he founded two cities on the banks of the Hydaspes, and a third on the Acesines, both navigable rivers: which, after uniting their streams, fall into the Indus. From the choice of such situations, it is obvious that he intended, by means of these cities, to keep open a communication with India, not only by land, but by sea. It was chiefly with a view to the latter of these objects (as I have already observed) that he examined the navigation of the Indus with so much attention. With the same view, on his return to Susa, he, in person, surveyed the course of the Euphrates and Tigris, and gave directions to remove the cataracts or dams, with which the ancient monarchs of Persia, induced by If he had invaded India a second time, he would not, as formerly, have been obliged to force his way through hostile and unexplored regions, opposed at every step by nations and tribes of barbarians, whose names had never reached Greece. All Asia, from the shores of the lonian sea, to the banks of the Hyphasis, would then have been subject to his dominions; and through that immense stretch of country he had established such a chain of cities, or fortified stations, that his armies might have continued their march with safety, and have found a regular succession of magazines provided for their subsistence. Nor would it have been difficult for him to bring into the field forces sufficient to have achieved the conquest of a country so populous and extensive as India. Having armed and disciplined his subjects in the east like Europeans, they would have been am bitious to imitate and to equal their instructors; and Alexander might have drawn recruits, not from his scanty domains in Macedonia and Greece, but from the vast regions of Asia, which, in every age, has covered the earth, and astonished mankind with its numerous armies. When Alexander, at the head of such a formidable power, had reached the confines of India, he might have entered it under circumstances very different from those in his first expedi- || tion. He had secured a firm footing there, partly by means of the garrisons which he left in the three cities which he had built and fortified, and partly by his alliance with Taxiles and Porus. These two Indian princes, won by Alexander's humanity and benificence, which, as they were virtues seldom displayed in the ancient mode of carrying on war, excited of course an higher degree of admiration and gratitude, had continued steady in their attachment to the Macedonians. Re-inforced by their troops, and guided by their information as well as by the experience which he had acquired in his former campaigns, Alexander must have made rapid progress in a country, where every invader, from his time to the present age, has proved successful. But this, and all his other splendid schemes, were terminated at once by his untimely death. In consequence of that, however, events took place, which illustrate and confirm the justness of the preceding speculations and conjectures, by evidence the most striking and satisfactory. When that empire, which the superior genius of Alexander had kept united and in subjection, no longer felt this superintending controul, it broke into pieces, and its various provinces were seized by his principal officers, and parcelled out among them. From ambition, emulation, and personal animosity, they soon turned their arms against one another; and as several of the leaders were equally eminent for political abilities, and for military skill, the contest was maintained long, and carried on with frequent vicissitudes of fortune.- Amidst the various convulsions and revolutions which these occasioned, it was found that the measures of Alexander for the preservation of his conquests had been concerted with such sagacity, that upon the final restoration of tranquility, the Macedonian dominion continued to be established in every part of Asia, and not one province had shaken off the yoke. Even India, the most remote of Alexander's conquests, quietly submitted to Pytho, the son of Agenor, and afterwards to Seleucus, who successively obtained dominion over that part of Asia. Porus and Taxiles, notwithstanding the death of their benefactor, neither declined submission to the authority of the Macedonians, nor made any attempt to recover independence. GEOGRAPHICAL. CALCUTTA. Extracted from Hamilton's East India Gazetteer. The local situation of Calcutta is not fortunate, for it has extensive muddy lakes, and an immense forest close to it; and was at first deemed hardly less unhealthy than Batavia, which it resembled in being placed in a flat and marshy country. The English, it has been remarked, have been more inattentive to the natural advantages of situation than the French, who have always in India, selected better stations for founding their foreign settlements. The jungle has since been cleared away to a certain distance, the streets properly drained, and the ponds filled up; by which a vast surface of stagnant water has been removed, but the air of the town is still much affected by the vicinity of the Sunderbunds. The city stands about 100 miles from the sea, on the east side of the western branch of the Ganges, named by Europeans the Hooghly river, but by the natives the Bhagirathi, or true Gan GREENLANDERS. The Greenlanders seem to belong to the Mongul race; their stature is ges, and considered by them peculiar-small, and they seldom arrive at a ly holy. At high water the river is here a full mile in breadth; but, during the ebb, the opposite side to Calcutta exposes a long range of dry sand banks. In approaching Calcutta from the sea, a stranger is much struck with its magnificent appearance; the elegant villas on each side of the river, the company's botanic gardens, the spires of the churches, temples, and minarets, and the strong and regular citadel of fort William. It exhibited a very different appearance in 1717, of which the following is a correct description: The present town was then a village, appertaining to the district of Nuddea, the houses of which were scattered about in clusters, of 10 or 12 each, and the inhabitants chiefly husband men. The modern town and suburbs of Calcutta, extends along the east side of the river above six miles, but the breadth varies very much at different places. The esplanade between the town and fort William, leaves a grand opening, along the edge of which is placed the new government-house, erected by the marquis Wellesley; and continued on in a line with this edifice, is a range of magnificent houses, ornamented with spacious verandahs. Chowringhee, formerly a collection of native huts, is now an entire village of palaces, and extends for a considerable distance into the country. The architecture of the houses is Grecian, which does not appear the best adapted for the country or climate, as the pillars of the verandahs are too much elevated, to keep out the sun during the morning and evening, although at both these times the heat is excessive; and, in the wet season, the rain beats in. Perhaps a more confined Hindoo style of building, although less ornamental, might be found of more practical comfort. greater age than fifty years; the women are nearly as tall and robust as the men, and join with them in all their labours and exercises. Their habitations are all situated near the coast, as the climate is there less severe, and it is more convenient for fishing, which is their principal occupation; they are generally placed in the recesses of the rocks, and are supported by them; they are constructed of large masses of micaceous schistus, the crevices of which are filled with peat, and lined with moss. Each is about fifteen feet square, and is occupied by about twenty individuals, who lie in it promiscuously. The apertures for the purpose of admitting light are closed with the intestines of the seal instead of glass; and the entrance into the huts is a long and narrow passage which just admits a man to creep in. They are heated and lighted by a lamp, which is suspended in the middle of the chamber, and over this they cook the flesh of the seal, which in the winter is their principal food. The houses are almost totally without any description of furniture, and are filthy to a degree which can scarcely be conceived; all access of fresh air is certainly excluded, and the heat and stench is absolutely insupportable, except to those who have been inured to them from infancy. Their only domestic animals are dogs, which serve as beasts of burden, and are employed by them in place of horses. The sea-coast is almost covered with rocks and shoals, and is without any appearance of vegetation; the part which is not composed of rock being either bog or marsh. The rocks are however, covered with very beautiful lichens and mosses of the most brilliant colours; and the cascades which fall from the glaciers between the rocks, occasionally form very grand scenes.-Annals of Philosophy. W w MOUNT ARARAT. As we crossed the plain from Abbasabad to Nakbjuwan, we had a most splendid view of mount Ararat. No thing can be more beautiful than its shape, more awful than its height. All the surrounding mountains sink into insignificance when compared to it. It is perfect in all its parts, no hard rugged feature, no unnatural prominences, every thing is in harmony, and all combine to render it one of the sub limest objects in nature. Spreading originally from an immense base, the slope towards its summit is easy and gradual, until it reaches the region of snows, when it becomes more abrupt. As a foil to this stupendous work, a smaller hill rises from the same base near the original mass, similar to it in shape and proportions, and in any other situation, entitled of itself to rank amongst the high mountains. No one since the flood seems to have been on its summit, for the rapid ascent of its snowy top would appear to render such an attempt impossible. Of this we may be certain, that no man in modern times has ascended it, for when such an adventurous and persevering traveller as Tournefort failed, it is not likely that any of the timid superstitious inhabitants of these countries should have succeeded. We were informed that the people have reached the top of the small Ararat (or as it is called, here, Cuchuck Agri dagh;) but as all the account which they brought back was a tale (like that told of Savalan), about a frozen man and cold fountain, we must be permitted to disbelieve every report on the subject, which we have hitherto heard from the natives. Morier. MADRAS. The approach to Madras from the sea is very striking. The low flat sandy shores extending to the north and south, and the small hills that are seen inland; the whole exhibiting an appearance of barrenness, which is much improved on closer inspection. The beach seems alive with the crowds that cover it. The public offices and store houses erected near to the beach are fine buildings, with colonades to the upper stories, supported on arched bases, covered with the beautiful shell mortar of Madras-hard, smooth, and polished. Within a few yards of the sea, the fortifications of fort George present an interesting appearance, and at a distance, minarets and pagodas are seen mixed with trees and gardens. With all these external advantages it would be difficult to find a worse place for a capital than Madras, situated as it is on the margin of a coast where runs a rapid current, and against which a tremendous surf breaks even in the mildest weather. The site of Pondicherry is in every respect superior, and is placed in a rich and fertile country, besides having the great advantage of being to windward, the loss of which was severely felt by the British settlers during the hard fought wars of the 18th century. Yet, however inconvenient, the expense of removal at this late period precludes all idea of a change. Madras differs in appearance considerably from Calcutta, having no European town, except a few houses iu the fort, the settlers residing entirely in their garden houses; repairing to the fort in the morning for the transaction of business, and returning in the afternoon. The garden houses about Madras are generally only of one story, but of a pleasing style, of architecture, having their porticoes and verandahs supported by chunamed pillars. The walls are of the same materials, either white or coloured, and the floors are covered with rattan mats. They are surrounded by a field planted with trees and shrubs, which have changed the barren sand of the plain into a rich scene of vegetation, but flowers and fruits are still raised with difficulty. During the hot winds, mats made of the roots of the cusa grass, which has a pleasant smell, are placed against the doors and windows, and are constantly watered; so that the air which blows through them, spreads an agreeable freshness and fragrance throughout the room. The moment however the cooling influence of these mats is quitted, the sensation is like entering a furnace, although taking the average of the whole year, Madras experiences less extreme heat than Calcutta. In January the lowest is about 70, and in July, the highest 91 degrees. The society at Madras is more limited than at Calcutta, but the style of living much the same, except that provisions of all sorts are much less abundant, and greatly more expensive.During the cold season, there are monthly assemblies, with occasional balls all the year. The greatest lounge at this presidency is during visiting hours, from nine o'clock in the morning until elelen; during which interval, the young men go about from house to house, learn and retail the news, and offer their services to execute commissions in the city, to which they must repair for purposes of business. When these functionaries are gone, a troop of idlers appear, and remain until tiffin, at two o'clock, when the real dinner is eaten. The party then separate, and many retire to rest or to read, until five o'clock; about which time the master of the family returns from the fort, when an excursion to the Mount Road, and dinner afterwards, finishes the day, unless prolonged by a ball or supper party at night. tive towns, it is irregular and confused, being a mixture of brick and bamboo houses, and makes a better appearance at a distance, than when closely inspected. In 1794, the total population of both towus was estimated at 300,000 persons, and the city certainly has not since diminished in any respect.-East India Gaz. AGRICULTURAL. FRUIT TREES. The following easy, simple, and idfallible method of forcing every fruittree to blossom and bear fruit, has been translated from the German of the Reverend GEO. CHARLES LEWIS HEMPEL, (secretary to the Pomological Society of Altenburgh in Saxony), by George Henry Noehden, L.L. D. F. L. S. &c. "In my early years I saw my father, who was fond of pomology, and skilled in that science, cutting a ring on several branches of trees, which already were in blossom, for the purpose of producing, by that means, larger fruit than usual. This was not his own invention, but as far as I recollect, derived from a French journal. Thirty years ago, when I was a boy, I practised this operation, in imitation of him and thereby_obtained larger pears, and plumbs. In repeating this operation of ringing the branches, which I did merely for the purpose of getting larger fruit, I observed that the branches so operated upon always bore the next year. By this reiterated appearance I was led to the idea, that perhaps this mode of The black town of Madras stands to ringing the bark might be a means of the northward of the fort, from which compelling every unproductive branch it is separated by a spacious esplanade. to yield fruit. With this view I cut It was formerly surrounded by fortifi- rings upon a considerable number of cations, sufficient to resist the incur- branches, which as yet showed no sions of cavalry; but having long be- blossoms; and found, by repeating the come unnecessary, are now much neg- experiment, the truth of my supposilected. In this town reside the native tion indisputably confirmed by expeArmenian and Portuguese merchants,rience. The application of this exand also many Europeans unconnect- periment, whereby upon every bough ed with government. Like other na- ar branch fruit may artificially be pro |