of Siberia to Pekin has been retrenched; and Kiachta is now rendered the centre of the Russian and Chinese commerce." Pallas's account of Kiachta, and the regions around, is quoted in so far as it throws light upon the main subject; and from it we learn that "this settlement is but indifferently provided with water, both in quality and quantity; for although the brook Kiachta is dammed up as it flows by the fortress, yet it is so shallow in summer, that, unless after heavy rains, it is scarcely suffi. cient to supply the inhabitants. Its stream is troubled and unwholesome, and the springs which rise in the neighborhood are either foul or brackish; from these circumstances, the principal inhabitants are obliged to send for water from a spring in the Chinese district. The soil of the adjacent country is mostly sand or rock, and extremely barren. If the frontiers of Russia extended about nine versts more south to the rivulet of Bura, the inhabitants of Kiachta would then enjoy good water, a fruitful soil, and plenty of fish, all which advantages are at present confined to the Chinese.' And farther of this cunning people: "The most elevated of the mountains that surround the valley of Kiachta, and which is called by the Mongols Burgultei, commands the Russian as well as the Chinese town; for this reason, the Chinese, at the conclusion of the last frontier treaty, demanded the cession of this mountain, under the pretext that some of their deified ancestors were buried upon its summit. The Russians gave way to their request, and suffered the boundary to be brought back to the north side of the mountain." 19* With respect to the interchange of goods: "The merchants of Maitmatschin come from the northern provinces of China, chiefly from Pekin, Nankin, Sandchue, and other principal towns. *Although unconnected with trade, the following particulars may be repeated as possessing another sort of interest In a Mongol temple of several idols, before them "there are tables or altars on which cakes, pastry, dried fruit, and flesh are placed on festival and prayer days; on particular occasions even whole carcasses of sheep are offered up. Tapers and lamps are kept burning day and night before the idols. Among the utensils of the temple, the most remarkable is a vessel shaped like a quiver, and filled with flat pieces of cleft reed, on which short Chinese devices are inscribed. These devices are taken out by the Chinese on New year's day, and are considered as oracles, which foretell the good or ill-luck of the person, by whom they are drawn, for the following year. There lies also upon a table a hollow wooden black-lackered helmet, which all persons of devotion strike with a wooden hammer, whenever they enter the temple. This helmet is regarded with such peculiar awe, that no strangers are permitted to handle it, although they are allowed to touch even the idols themselves." They are not settled at this place with their wives and families; for it is a remarkable circumstance that there is not one woman in Maitmatschin. This restriction arises from the policy of the Chinese government, which totally prohibits the women from having the slightest intercourse with foreigners. No Chinese merchant engages in the trade to Siberia who has not a partner. These persons mutually relieve each other. One remains for a stated time, usually a year, at Kiachta; and when his partner arrives with a fresh cargo of Chinese merchandise, he then returns home with the Russian commodities. Most of the Chinese merchants understand the Mongol tongue, in which language commercial affairs are generally transacted. Some few, indeed, speak broken Russian; but their pronunciation is so soft and delicate, that it is difficult to comprehend them. They are not able to pronounce the r, but instead of it make use of an 1; and when two consonants come together, which divide them by the interposition of a vowel. This frequently occurs in the Russian tongue, they failure in articulating the Russian language seems peculiar to the Chinese, and is not observable in the Calmucs, Mongols, and other neighboring nations. The commerce between the Russians and Chinese is entirely a trade of barter; that is, an exchange of one merchandise for another. The Russians are prohibited to export their own coin, nor, indeed, could the Chinese receive it, even should that prohibition be taken off; for no specie is current among them except bullion. And the Russians find it more advantageous to take merchandise in exchange, than to receive bullion at the Chinese standard. The common method of transacting business is, as follows:-the Chinese merchant comes first to Kiachta, and examines the merchandise he has occasion for in the warehouse of the Russian trader; he then goes to the house of the latter, and adjusts the price over a dish of tea. Both parties next return to the magazine, and the goods in question are there carefully sealed this ceremony is over, they both repair to Maitin the presence of the Chinese merchant. When matschin; the Russian chooses the commodities he wants, not forgetting to guard against fraud by a strict inspection. He then takes the precaution to leave behind a person of confidence, who remains in the warehouse until the Russian goods are delivered, when he returns to Kiachta with the Chinese merchandise." The Russian exports are― 1. Furs and peltry.—“The greatest part of these furs and skins are drawn from Siberia and he New-discovered Islands; this supply, however, is not alone fully adequate to the demand of the mar. ket at Kiachta. Foreign furs are therefore imported to St. Petersburg, and from thence sent to the frontiers. England alone furnishes a large quantity of beaver and other skins, which she draws from Hudson's Bay and Canada." 2. Cloth. "The coarse sort is manufactured in Russia; the finer sort is foreign, chiefly English, Prussian, and French." 3. Various-such as velvets, glass and hardware, cattle, &c.; and "the Chinese also pay very dear for hounds, greyhounds, barbets, and dogs for hunting wild boars." But of meal, "the Chinese no longer import such large quantities as formerly, since they have employed the Mongols to cultivate the lands lying near the river Orchon, &c., &c." prohibited by the Chinese, under the severest pen alties. It is procured, however, in sufficient quan. tities, sometimes by clandestinely mixing it with From China the most valuable articles traband trade. The College of Commerce at Peinferior roots, and sometimes by means of a con are 1. Raw and manufactured silk; for though "the exportation of raw silk is prohibited in China under pain of death, large quantities are smuggled every year into Kiachta, but not sufficient to answer the demands of the Russian merchants." 2. Raw and manufactured cotton. 3. Teas, much superior in flavor and quality to those sent to Europe from Canton. The best costs about 8s. per lb. at Kiachta, and 12s. at Petersburg. 4. Porcelain of all sorts, Japan wares, artificial flowers, spices, rhubarb, precious stones,* &c., &c. "The Chinese transport their goods to Kiachta chiefly upon camels. It is four or five days' journey from Pekin to the wall of China, and forty-six from thence across the Mongol desert to Kiachta." "Russia (we are informed) draws great advantages from the Chinese trade. By this traffic its natural productions, and particularly its furs and skins, are disposed of in a very profitable manner. Many of these furs, procured from the most easterly parts of Siberia, are of such little value, that they would not answer the expense of carriage into Russia; while the richer furs, which are sold to the Chinese at a very high price, would, on account of their dearness, seldom meet with purchasers in the Russian dominions. In exchange for these commodities the Russians receive from China several vuluable articles of commerce, which they would otherwise be obliged to buy at a much dearer rate from the European powers, to the great disadvantage of the balance of their trade. *The government of Russia has reserved to itself the exclusive privilege of purchasing rhubarb it is brought to Kiachta by some Bucharian merchants, who have entered into a contract to supply the crown with that drug in exchange for furs. These merchants come from the town of Selin, which lies southwestward of the KokoNor, or Blue Lake, towards Thibet. Selin, and all the towns of Little Bucharia, viz., Kashkar, Yerken, Atrar, &c., are subject to China. The best rhubarb purchased at Kiachta is produced upon a chain of rocks, which are very high, and for the most part destitute of wood; they lie north of Selin, and stretch as far as the Koko-Nor. The good roots are distinguished by large and thick stems. The Tanguts, who are employed in digging up the roots, enter upon that business in April or May. As fast as they take them out of the earth, they cleanse them from the soil, and hang them upou the neighboring trees to dry, where they remain until a sufficient quantity is procured; after which they are delivered to the Bucharian merchants. The roots are wrapped up in woollen sacks, carefully preserved from the least humidity, and are in this manner transported to Kiachta upon camels. The exportation of the best rhubarb is "Rubies are generally procured by smuggling; and by the same means pearls are occasionally disposed of to the Chinese, at a very dear rate. Pearls are much sought for by the Chinese; and might be made a very profitable article." tersburg is solely empowered to receive this drug, and appoints agents at Kiachta for that purpose. Much care is taken in the choice; for it is examined, in the presence of the Bucharian merchants, by an apothecary, commissioned by governinent, and resident at Kiachta. All the wormeaten roots are rejected; the remainder are bored through, in order to ascertain their soundness; and all the parts which appear in the least damaged or decayed are cut away. By these means even the best roots are diminished to a sixth part, and the refuse is burnt, in order to prevent its being brought another year." These extracts, unaccompanied as they are by the useful details of the prices of the articles enumerated, will serve to show the nature of M. Dillon's work. The extended researches of Müller are as yet confined to the state-depositories of Russia; and it is therefore the more important to have the outlines, and such information as has transpired, thus laid before the British nation. We have only to add, that there is also an excellent sketch of Kamtchatka, the Aleūtian, and other isles on the far-north coast of America, and of the fur-trade pursued there by the Russians. Every line of the publication is, indeed, a valuable contribution to our acquaintance with matters of much commercial and national consequence, of which we know far too little. From Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall's Ireland. OUR principal object, in Longford county, was to visit Edgeworthstown, and to avail ourselves of the privilege and advantage of spending some time in the society of Miss Edgeworth. We entered the neat, nice, and pretty town, at evening; all around us bore-as we had anticipated-the aspect of comfort, cheerfulness, good order, prosperity, and their concomitants-contentment. There was no mistaking the fact that we were in the neighborhood of a resident Irish family-with minds to devise and hands to effect improvement everywhere within reach of their control. The demesne of Edgeworthstown is judiciously and abundantly planted; and the dwelling-house is large and commodious. We drove up the avenue at evening. It was cheering to see the lights sparkle This library also contains a piano; and occupied, as it is, by some members of the family from morning till night, it is the most unstudied, and yet, withal, from its shape and arrangement, the most inviting to cheerful study the study that makes us more useful both at home and abroad, through the windows, and to feel the cold | love. Mr. Francis Edgeworth, the youngnose of the house-dog thrust into our hands est son of the present Mrs. Edgeworth, and, as an earnest of welcome; it was pleasant of course, Miss Edgeworth's youngest broto receive the warm greeting of Mrs. ther, has a family of little ones, who seem Edgeworth; and it was a high privilege to to enjoy the freedom of the library as much meet Miss Edgeworth in the library-the as their elders ;-to set these little people very room in which had been written the right, if they are wrong; to rise from her immortal works that redeemed a character table to fetch them a toy, or even to save a for Ireland and have so largely promoted servant a journey; to mount the steps and the truest welfare of human kind. We had find a volume that escapes all eyes but her not seen her for some years-except for a own, and, having done so, to find exactly few brief moments-and rejoiced to find the passage wanted, are hourly employher in nothing changed; her voice as light ments of this most unspoiled and admirable and happy, her laughter as full of gentle woman. She will then resume her pen, and mirth, her eyes as bright and truthful, and what is more extraordinary, hardly seem to her countenance as expressive of goodness, have even frayed the thread of her ideas; and loving-kindness as they had ever been. her mind is so rightly balanced, every thing The library at Edgeworthstown is by no is so honestly weighed, that she suffers no means the reserved and solitary room that inconvenience from what would disturb and libraries are in general. It is large and distract an ordinary writer. spacious, and lofty; well stored with books, and embellished with those most valuable of all classes of prints-the suggestive; it is also picturesque-having been added to so as to increase its breadth-the addition is supported by square pillars, and the beautiful lawn seen through the windows, embellished aad varied by clumps of trees, judi- of any room we have entered. We have ciously planted, imparts much cheerfulness seen it under many circumstances; in the to the exterior. An oblong table in the morning early-very early for London centre is a sort of rallying-point for the folks, yet not so early but that Miss family, who group around it-reading, writ- Edgeworth had preceded us. She is down ing, or working; while Miss Edgeworth, stairs before seven, and a table heaped with only anxious on one point-that all in the roses upon which the dew is still moist, house should do exactly as they like with- and a pair of gloves too small for any hands out reference to her,-sits quietly and ab- but hers, told who was the early florist; stractedly in her own peculiar corner on then, after the flower-glasses were replen. the sofa; her desk, upon which lies Sir ished, and a choice rose placed on each cup Walter Scott's pen, given to her by him on the breakfast table in the next room, and when in Ireland, placed before her upon a such of the servants as were Protestants little quaint table, as unassuming as possi- had joined in family worship, and heard a ble. Miss Edgeworth's abstractedness, portion of Scripture read, hallowing the would puzzle the philosophers; in that commencement of the day;-then, when same corner, and upon that table, she has breakfast was ended, the circle met togethwritten nearly all that has enlightened and er again in that pleasant room, and daily delighted the world; there she writes as plans were formed for rides and drives; the eloquently as ever, wrapt up, to all appear-progress of education or the loan fund was ance, in her subject, yet knowing by a sort discussed, the various interests of their tenof instinct when she is really wanted in di- ants, or the poor were talked over, so that alogue; and, without laying down her pen, relief was granted as soon as want was hardly looking up from her page, she will known. It is perhaps selfish to regret that by a judicious sentence, wisely and kindly so much of Miss Edgeworth's mind has spoken, explain and elucidate in a few words been, and is, given to local matters, but the so as to clear up any difficulty, or turn the pleasure it gives her to counsel and advise, conversation into a new and more pleasing and the happiness she derives from the imcurrent. She has the most harmonious way provement of every living thing, is delightof throwing in explanations ;-informing ful to witness. But of all hours those of without embarrassing. A very large fami- the evening in the library at Edgeworthsly party assemble daily in this charming town were the most delightful; each mem. room; young and old bound alike to the ber of the family contributes without an spot by the strong chords of memory and effort to the instruction and amusement of the whole. If we were certain that those those offices of kindness that win the affecof whom we write would never look upon tions of high and low; her conversational this page if we felt it no outrage on do- powers unimpaired, and enlivening all by a mestic life-no breach of kindly confidence racy anecdote or a quickness at repartee -to picture each individual of a family so which always comes when it is unexpected. highly gifted, we would fill our number It is extraordinary that a person who has with little else than praise; but we might deserved and is treated with so much defergive pain-and we believe should give pain ence by her own family should assume posito this estimable household; and al- tively no position-of course it is impossible though Miss Edgeworth is public property to converse with her without feeling her subelonging to the world at large, we are periority, but this is your feeling, not her forced every now and then to think how the demand. She has a clearness in conversafriend we so respect, esteem, and love, tion that is exceedingly rare; and children. would look if we said what-let us say as prefer it at once-they invariably underlittle as we will-she would deem, in her stand her. One advantage this distinguishingenuous and unaffected modesty, too ed woman has enjoyed above all her conmuch; yet we owe it to the honor and glory temporaries-two indeed-for we cannot of Ireland not to say too little. It was in-call to mind any one who has had a father deed a rare treat to sit, evening after even: so capable of instructing and directing; but ing, by her side, turning over portions of Miss Edgeworth has enjoyed another blessthe correspondence kept up with her, year ing. She never wrote for bread! She was after year, by those "mighty ones," who never obliged to furnish a bookseller with are now passed away, but whose names will so many pages at so much per sheet. She survive with hers, who, God be thanked, is never received an order for "a quire of still with us; to see her enthusiasm un- Irish pathos," or "a ream of Irish wit." quenched; to note the playfulness of awit She was never forced to produce humor that is never ill-natured; to observe how when racked by pain, nor urged into the perfectly justice and generosity are blend- description of misery by thinking over what ed together in her finely-balanced mind; to she had herself endured; this has been a see her kindle into warm defence of what- great blessing. She has not written herself ever is oppressed, and to mark her indigna- out, which every author, who has not an intion against all that is unjust and untrue. dependence, must do sooner or later. It is We have heard Miss Edgeworth called to their high honor that women were the "cold" we can imagine how those who first to use their pens in the service of Ireknow her must smile at this; those who land-we do not mean politically but mohave so called her have never seen the tears gush from her eyes at a tale or an incident of sorrow, or heard the warm genuine laugh that burst from a heart, the type of a genuine Irish one, touched quickly by sorrow or by joy. Never, never shall we forget the evenings spent in that now far away room, stored with the written works and speaking memories of the past, and rendered more valuable by the unrestrained conversation of a highly-educated and self-thinking family. Miss Edgeworth is a living proof of her own admirable system; she is all she has endeavored to make others; she is TRUE, fearing no colors, yet tempering her mental bravery by womanly gentleness delighting in feminine amusements-in the plying of her needle, in the cultivation of her flowers; active, enduring-of a most liberal heart; understanding the peasantry of her country perfectly, and while ministering to their wants, careful to inculcate whatever lesson they most need; of a most cheerful nature-keeping actively about from half-past six in the morning until eleven at night-first and last in all rally. For a number of years a buffoon, a knave, and an Irishman, were synonymous terms in the novel or on the stage. Abroad, to be met with in every country, and in the first society of Europe, were numberless Irishmen whose conduct and character vindicated their country, and who did credit to human nature; but in England, more particularly, such were considered as exceptions to the general rule, and the insulting jibe and jeer were still directed against the "mere Irish;" the oppressed peasant at home and abroad was considered as nothing beyond a “born thrall;" and, despite the eloquence of their Grattans and Sheridans, the high standing taken by their noblemen and gentlemen in the pages of history, when an Irish gentleman in every day life was found what he ought to be, his superiority was too frequently referred to with the addition of an insulting comment, "though he is an Irishman.' When this prejudice was at its height, two women, with opposite views and opposite feelings on many subjects, but actuated by the same ennobling patriotism, rose to the rescue of their country-Miss Owenson by the vivid romance, and Miss | frauded of none of their interest by being Edgeworth by the stern reality of portrait- regarded apart, nor is any instruction lost ure, forcing justice from an unwilling jury! by such a mode of viewing them. Even spreading abroad the knowledge of the Irish when, as happily sometimes still occurs, a character, and portraying, as they never had really elaborate composition is published, been portrayed before, the beauty, generos- its consistency is usually confined to its ity and devotion of Irish nature-it was a own boundaries; it is satisfied to be at one glorious effort, worthy of them and of the with itself, and makes no pretensions to cause-both planted the standard of Irish ex- any wider harmony. But Mr. Wordsworth's cellence on high ground, and defended it, is a mind which sees its own processes so boldly and bravely, with all loyalty, in ac- distinctly, and has arranged its powers and cordance with their separate views. objects in so orderly and definite a scheme, We rejoice at this opportunity of express-that the degree of coherency with which ing our respect and affection for Miss Edge-most writers are content both to write and worth; and tender it with the whole heart. to be read, is rejected by him as insuffiIf we have ourselves been useful in commu- cient; he aims to be the exemplar of a nicating knowledge to young or old-if we whole system himself. have succeeded in our hopes of promoting Even at their first appearances, his works virtue and goodness-and, more especially, have seldom come forward in reliance on if we have, even in a small degree, attained their own merits solely; they have claimed our great purpose of advancing the welfare attention, at the same time, as illustrations of our country-we owe, at least, much of of peculiar views of his art and its princithe desire to do all this to the feelings de- ples, or expositions of his system of moral rived in early life from intimacy with the duty or metaphysical truth. And as his writings of Miss Edgeworth; writings years and industry have gradually enabled which must have formed and strengthened him to look back on the long series of his the just and upright principles of tens of thou- productions with more of the quiet of a sands; although comparatively few have man who has done his work, he has come enjoyed the high privilege of treading-more and more to insist on regarding them no matter at how large a distance-in her steps. Much, too, we have owed to this estimable lady in after life. When we entered upon the uncertain, anxious, and laborious career of authorship, she was among the first to cheer us on our way -to bid us "God speed;" and to anticipate that prosperity-of which we could speak only in terms of humble but grateful thankfulness. WORDSWORTH'S POEMS. From the British and Foreign Review. Poems, chiefly of Early and Late Years. William Wordsworth. London: ward Moxon, 1842. Va as a whole. By a fanciful but not inapt The point of view is the painter's own secret, and the poet has an analogous privilege. Mr. Wordsworth, then, in availing himself of this right, has decided that none By of his poems are viewed justly but in their Ed-relation to all the rest. If we do not agree with him entirely, we are compelled to do so in great part; for though the artist's THE task of the reviewer, when Mr. Words-own point of view may not always be the worth offers a new work to the public, dif- only one, and, by possibility, may not even fers considerably from his duty in the case be the best, there can be no question that of most other writers. The works of most it can never be neglected, without loss of authors, especially the poets, are common- instruction, by those who are studying his ly laid before us either separately or in se- art. And thus, in the present case, though lections, which, if not absolutely miscella- not convinced that another mode of regardneous, claim little or no connection with ing them might not be productive of much anything beyond the volume in which they profit, we yet propose to obey Mr. Wordsare found; the produce of occasional worth's admonitions, and regard his newlyhours or occasional efforts, they are de-published poems less as new, than as supple |