-as deduced, not from the ordinances only, but the principles of the text books, by reasoning-and which, varied by the tenets of their respective schools, have become the actual definitions of practical law. Further, Mr. Mill prefers written definitions to the concurrent authority of previous decisions, the degree of certainty with respect to them being he says "infinitely inferior to that which is the necessary result of good definitions rendered unalterable by writing," and he adds, "but such as it is, the Hindus are entire ly deprived of it. Among them the strength of the human mind has never been sufficient to recommend effectually the preservation by writing of the memory of judicial decisions." It is true the Hindus do not at present possess the advantage of the record of previous judicial decisions; nor is this to be wondered at, for admitting it to be possible that the operation of the courts in Westminsterhall were suspended for two centuries, what, notwithstanding all that has been written on the subject, would become of

the nicer distinction and minuter definitions, now well known and observed in practice, but which are to be found in the head of the sound lawyer rather than in any written record? What would really become of them may be inferred from the doubts and difficulties that attended the proceedings when the obsolete mode of trial by judicial combat was lately about to be restored in the appeal of murder against Abraham Thornton. But though the Hindus have not now the advantage of recorded judicial decisions, they must to a certain degree have had it when their courts were in full operation; and with them, as with us, it must in many respects, from its nature, have been oral rather than written, and they actually have that to which the author states this to be "infinitely inferior;" they have "good definitions rendered unalterable by writing," of which I have already, and shall again in the course of this and my future readings produce innumerable instances, on all points to which my subject extends, from the authorities quoted.

ROUTE FROM AJMEER TO HANSI,

By a Detachment from Brig. Gen. ARNOLD's Division.

Hansi, 26th August, 1818. On the 2d left Ajmeer and made about 11 miles to Chanda, an inconsiderable village and almost uninhabited. The country is in a most desolate and uncultivated state. On the 3d, reached Armarah, about 17 or 18 miles, our way laying both days through hills. This day the prospect much the same as yesterday; grass and water in great abundance. 4th. This day marched to Neranah, about 10 coss. (N. B. The coss in this part of the country is about 24 miles.)-On the 5th, arrived at Jeitpore, about 6 coss.On the 6th, in consequence of heavy rain, could only make Mawarrah, about 2 Coss. On the 7th, Meendah, 4 coss.-On the 8th, Budhar, 6 coss.-On the 9th, made Bingus, about 64 coss. Hitherto similar objects presented themselves. Villages very much scattered, very much dilapidated, very thinly inhabited, and the country consequently very partially cultivated; indeed, the view of the towns, and the abject state of the inhabitants of them, plainly indicate the oppressed state they have lately been in. However they seem now in some degrée reanimated. Many severe remarks

were made on Ameer Khan's troops, for their former depredation, and many handsome compliments paid to the English, who had freed the country from their oppression. The soil, which is almost entirely composed of a light sandy clay, seems very capable of producing large crops of grain; and its lightness would lead one to suppose, that if properly irrigated the vegetation would be rapid and the produce abundant. At any other season than the rains, the difficulty of procuring water would probably obstruct the cultivation very much, as there are very few rivers, and fewer wells than in any part of the country I have ever been in. Those few of the latter that are in existence are very deep, but from the quality of the soil noticed above, would seem to be sunk with little difficulty.On the 10th, marched to Madoopore, a place once of some consideration; but Ameer Khan and his satellites have made a complete ruin of it, and also of the place we marched to on the 12th, called Chokery, both of which places he has pillaged several times. Madoopore lies about 11 miles from Bingus, and Chokery about 14 miles from that.-On the 13th

we made Serai, the most disagreeable number of troops, one battalion of which is march we have had, our way proceeding clothed and disciplined after the European through narrow ravines and not the least_fashion. We visited the fort, which, altrace of a regular path.-On the 14th though built in a very low situation, is apmarched 16 miles to Gowarry, through a parently very strong. It is of mud, with very considerable town called Maundah, a very large pucka citadel in the centre. which together with Bussie (where we There are a few buildings in it wonderful marched on the 15th, and which lies in this part of the country, but that which about 8 miles to the north of Gowarry) appears most attractive of attention is, a were pillaged about a week before by the foundery for brass ordnance. There troops of the Rajah of Jeipore, although were several very excellent pieces cast they are both in his territories. The an- here, and some admirably well mounted nals of history can scarcely produce an in the European style. instance of similar barbarous and wretched policy; their unroofed houses and uninhabited state, particularly that of Maundah, sufficiently proclaim the exactitude with which his despotic orders (for it is understood he had given them up to his troops in lieu of certain arrears of pay) were obeyed. The loss of revenue for many years, which this savage act will occasion, will no doubt cause him to curse the day when he exhibited his Nero-like talent of extermination.-On the 16th reached Narnoul, by far the most considerable town we have hitherto met with. It occupies a considerable surface of ground, but is most deplorably in ruins. The country around it is very well cultivated. This is the frontier town of the Jeipore Rajah, through whose dominions our route hitherto has almost entirely lain. On the 17th halted at Narnoul. -On the 18th marched to Nangle, about twelve miles, a place built under an immense sand-bank, which must render it a perfect Eliseum in the hot winds.-On the 19th prosecuted our route to Kernoun, about six miles; a place belonging to the Nabob Feyze Ally Khan (or Zeiz Zullub Khan) of considerable extent. The country about in a very high state of cultivation, though labouring under the same want of irrigation formerly noticed. This Nabob received this tract of country for services performed during Lord Wellesley's Mahratta war. He is obliged to keep up a certain

On the evening of the 21st marched to Bowanna, about nine miles'; the spot where we encamped afforded one of the most beautiful and diversified prospects imaginable. The bright verdure of the grass, contrasted with the more sombre hue of the grain, and the variegated shade of the hills rising in the back of the perspective, furnish a most chaste and delightful landscape. On the 22d marched to Dadire. This place likewise belongs to the Nawaub, whose country, from the profusion of every species of Asiatic culture, would appear to be admirably well regulated. Dadire is a place of considerable importance and overflowing with inhabitants.— On the 23d marched to Munroo, about eleven miles. Villages are now very infrequent, but the country well cultivated.On the 24th reached Burra Bhawany, and on the 25th Choota Bhawany, fifteen miles further. Burra Bhawany is celebrated for a brave but most insubordinate class of Hindoos, called Rangras. The country from Dadire to this place is thinly inhabited and worse cultivated; indeed as far as Hansi, which is thirteen miles from Choota Bhawany, the country is in a wretched state; neither inhabitants nor cultivation.-Calcutta Monthly Journal,

Sept.

*This is called the Dadire battalion; it accompanied Sir David Ochterlony last campaign, and now forms part of Brigadier Arnold's force in Hurriana.

INSULATED OR SAFETY COMPASS.

In order to extend the knowledge of this useful invention, we take from the Philosophical Magazine, No. 253, part of a letter communicated to that scientific

journal, in which Captain Horsburgh describes the insulated compass, and adverts to some remarkable tests by which its efficiency seems established. Mr. Jennings

MURRAY'S ISLAND.

natives who were present a knife, and to one of them a piece of bunting also, with which marks of favour they were highly pleased.

dine, Captain Welsh, he manned his boats and went on shore in the evening himself, accompanied by Captain Ormond of the Mary, and Lieutenant Stewart of the Bengal army. The whole force of this little party, which was summoned together, not with hostile intentions, but with a view to repel any act of treachery, consisted of twenty eight Europeans, armed with small arms, pistols, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes. They did not immediately push to the shore and effect a landing, but first accomplished what they most desired, a friendly interview from the boats. The natives flocked around them on the beach; and exchanged with them their shells, cocoanuts, and rude ornaments, for yellow bunting, nails, and knives.

The writer adds, that he had never found the natives of the Friendly or Society isles more civil, obliging, hospitable, and well-disposed than these natives were; and he very naturally expresses his wonder at so marked a change in the conduct of a race of people, who but a few years since committed such 'piratical depredations on all ships and boats that they could overpower, as to make their cruelties proverbial. And this wonder is increased by his not being able to learn any sufficient cause for this remarkable improvement in their habits of life.

He remarks that he witnessed this scene with feelings of surprise and gratification, as the natives were quite afflicted at parting with the Indian whom shipwreck had thrown upon their shores, and whom friendly hands had taken from among them; while the Indian himself said all he could to reconcile them to this separation, and even thought it necessary to soothe them by promising that he would soon return to them again.

When the lascar reached on board, provisions were given to him by order of his deliverer; but his stomach had been so long accustomed to notning but cocoanuts and plantains, that it was too weak to retain even the simplest animal food.

As the crew of the Claudine were Europeans, the man was afterwards removed to the Mary, Capt. Ormond, where he was more at home with shipmates and countrymen of his own nation and religion; and in this ship he has safely reached Calcutta.

The knowledge which this man has acquired, by so long a residence with these islanders, of their language, habits, and manners, might it him to give to any one who had leisure for the enquiry many new and curious particulars regarding this people; and if pursued to the extent of which it is capable, might be made subservient to purposes of a higher nature than the gratification of mere curiosity.

When the commander of the Claudine approached the lascar who was discovered among these people, the first wish he expressed was that of returning to his native country. Powerful as this desire Of the island itself, our correspondent must have been to have occupied the first remarks that it is small, easily taken posplace in his thought, he whispered it in session of, and as easy to be kept and desecret only while the islanders were near fended at a small expense. The inhabihim, and did not venture to declare him- tants are not numerous; and it may be self openly until he was seated in the inferred from their behaviour on this ocboat that was to bear him away from his casion, are well-disposed. The soil is exile, and until he found himself secure described as excellent and capable of proamid the armed band by which he was ducing most of the fruits suited to the surrounded. Rising then in the centre of climate; while the sugar-cane, with which the boat, he turned towards the natives it abounds, grows luxuriantly over every in the canoe and on the beach, and pro- part of the island, and might itself be fessing his gratitude towards them as his made a sufficient object to have its cultidelivers and protectors in misfortune, vation promoted. He indulges in the hope when many of his shipmates fell victims that some advantage may be taken of the to their sufferings, declared that though present incident towards the civilization he quitted them to return to his native of the natives.-Madras Courier, Dec. 29. country, it was still with feelings of af- Some interesting memoranda regarding fection and regret. these islanders, collected from the relation The commander gave to each of the of the lascar who had so long resided among

"On their dances they rub themselves with cocoanut-oil and red earth. A small dram, made from the skin of the Guanna, is the only thing in the shape of a musical instrument amongst them. “The houses are round, built of bam- Alirror.

TRACES OF VACCINATION

HINDO O MEDICAL WRITERS.

WE derive the following from the Madras Courier of the 12th January. It is the conclusion of a letter, of which the former part contains a learned exposition