the rajah of Sambas, or, as he is called by his own people, the sultan. He is the farmer of the opium, which is consumed in the district, no other person being allowed to sell it. Indeed, it is almost his only revenue; for, although the gold mines are within his territory, they are in the hands of the Chinese, who greatly exceed the Malays in number. A few years ago, the Chinese had completely the upper hand, which induced the rajah to invite the Dutch to settle there, and take him under their protection. But it has turned out much the same to him; for, although he is nominally the head of the government, he can do nothing without the resident's permission. The houses of the town are miserable wood buildings; most of them are built on floats, moored to large posts in the river. The rajah's dwelling is of the same material as the others, but larger. Mr. Earl found him seated on a mat, with a number of his pangerans, or petty rajahs, around him. He appeared to be about fifty, but being an inveterate opiumsmoker, might look much older than he really was. He was very inquisitive about the English. Mr. Earl left him without coming to any terms as to the trading, it being the rajah's custom to sleep over every affair of importance. Opium-smoking seems to be the prevailing vice here; many of the Malays, it was evident, had their constitutions broken down by it, but it does not seem to have the same effect on the Chinese, although they equally indulge in it. Borneo is famous for ourang outangs. Mr. Earl went in search of one which had been seen near the town, but was unsuccessful in the pursuit. The natives say that many of these animals are seven feet high, but that it is almost impossible to take an old one. The surgeon at the fort had a young one, about eight months old, which was nearly as helpless as an infant; and, when lying on the ground at a few yards' distance, could not be distinguished from a negro child. Monkeys are exceedingly numerous. These, with badgers and pigs, were the only wild animals seen; and domestic ones are very scarce. Sheep and horses are unknown; indeed, they would be useless, as there are no pastures for the one, or roads for the other. Rice is the principal food of the natives; but for this they are dependent on Java. They support themselves chiefly by collecting gold dust. They are decidedly a maritime people, and were formerly the carriers of this part of the east. The Dyaks are the aboriginal inhabitants, and are a totally distinct race from the Malays, who look upon them with great contempt. These tribes are very expert with the blow-pipe, through which they blow small arrows, and which, in time of war, are poisoned. The Dyaks of the north have retained all their old customs-one is particularly barbarous. Before a young man can marry he must present his wife with the head of a man cut off with his own hand! On the north-west-coast of Borneo there is another people, the Lanuns, who are a kind of sea-gipsy, living entirely on the water in prows of from thirty to forty tons burden. In the south-west monsoons they spread themselves over the sea in small fleets, for the purposes of piracy. They attack any vessel or prow they think they can master, taking care that the odds are greatly in their favour, and never less than ten to one. At Sambas, the chief revenue of the Dutch arises from a monopoly of salt, which they import from the island of Madura. Gold dust and diamonds are the only exports. After a great deal of trouble, Mr. Earl at last got permission from the resident to dispose of the remainder of his cargo at Sinkawan, for which place he sailed on the 15th of April, and arrived there on the 18th. GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. At a recent meeting, a paper "On the present State and Appearance of the Island of Ascension," by Mrs. C. Power, was read. The communication is dated Ascension, lat. 7° 55'; long. 14° 26', November 1834. Our fair writer commences by characterising the island as a spot as interesting in reality as it is unpromising in exterior appearance, She made the island on the 7th of November, the day week on which the vessel had crossed the line. The dark black cliffs of the island did not strike her as particularly barren on the first view, as they are boldly formed and precipitous; and a little imagination might lead one to suppose them covered with verdure. As the vessel progressed, however, along the north to the western side, where the roadstead is situated, the dreariness of the island became manifest; dark, low rocks, called climbers, which reach from the shore to sometimes a mile inland, border the shore, and are the remains of the calcined rocks after the active volcano has been extinguished; and have, on a nearer inspection, the appearance of cinder, or refuse of a bad burning coal: occasionally these climbers are interrupted by masses of sand, on which the turtles deposit their eggs. Further inland opens on the view, the most curious mass of conical hills, of a reddish brick-dust colour, tossed about in every direction, and backed by a beautifully-formed mountain, called the Green Mountain, which is covered with grass, and forms a remarkable contrast to the arid burnt appearance which on every side is presented to the view. The fort, which has been lately erected, and indeed is not yet completed, is from the plan of Captain Brandreth, of the Engineers, but executed under the direction of Captain Bate, of the Royal Marines, who commands. The island is peopled only by marines, and one or two civilians, connected with the stores. The privates are selected for craftsmen, and work at their respective trades; and all the buildings and works on the island have been performed by them, under the superintendence of their officers, who are obliged themselves to become masters of the several employments of stone-hewers, masons, carpenters, &c. There is no inn or lodging on the island; but the party experienced great kindness from Captain Bate, by being received into his cottage. Nothing can exceed the agreeable sensation of the early morning air of the island; it is so invigorating, so refreshing, that the writer says she never experienced anything like it; and can hardly fancy it possible to be ill on it. Indeed sickness among the inhabitants of the island is rarely known; and in the grave-yard, which has been formed about four years, there has been but one or two interred belonging to the establishment on the island, and they were of worn-out constitutions before they arrived; and the medical man states, that it is surprising with what rapidity the men belonging to the African squadron recover when they take up their abode on the spot; often are they so reduced by fever as to be obliged to be carried on shore to the hospital, and in a fortnight are able to walk as well, and as far, as any man in the island. The only drawback to this is that common in all hot climates-the flies and musquitoes. A most wonderful improvement has taken place since Captain Sabine was on the island-then water was scarce, but is now most abundant. After describing the means employed for obtaining the supply of water, and some of the natural productions of the place, the writer goes on to state, that she and her party ascended the highest peak in the island, which is 3000 feet above the level of the sea, and situated nearly in the centre of the island. Above fifty volcanoes can be counted; some very perfect circular basins. What a scene must the island have presented when they were all active! The verdure is very fine in some parts; and the sheep and cattle were feeding luxuriantly. There are a few Cape sheep on the island; but the principal supply of mutton is goat mutton-rather dry and tasteless. The Guineafowl overrun the island; they are quite wild, and so numerous, that they are obliged to be shot in great numbers to keep them under; and so prolific, that the hen has been frequently found with from thirty to forty eggs in her nest, and as many as sixty have been met with. Of the turtles, it is observed, that no males have been ever seen; the young ones, after they have been hatched about four or five months, are about the size of one's hand: they crawl away, and are never seen again until they are 400 lbs. weight. They are generally from 400 to 800 lbs. weight: the meat is sold Aug.-VOL. XLIV, NO. CLXXVI. 2 N at twopence a lb. ; but a whole turtle would cost about 50s. Among the articles of food, the eggs of the Wide-awake furnishes an abundant source; 10,000 dozen are taken in one week during the season: they resemble plover's eggs; but though a small bird, the egg is the size of that of the common fowl. The indigenous birds are nine in number. One of them, viz. the Man-of-war bird, feeds on fish, but cannot take its food; it therefore watches the booby returning with a fish, pounces upon it, and carries off the fish. The inhabitants on the island are about 400 in number. VARIETIES. London Shipping.-It has been computed that the total amount of property, shipped and unshipped in the port of London in one year, amounts to nearly 70,000,000l.; and there are employed in the exports and imports about 4000 ships, and not less than 15,000 cargoes annually enter the port. On an average there are 2000 ships in the river and docks, together with 3000 barges, and other small craft employed in lading and unlading them. There are also about 2300 wherries and small boats for passengers; in navigating the wherries and craft 8000 watermen gain a livelihood by it, and 4000 labourers are employed in lading and unlading the ships, besides the crews of the several vessels; and 1200 revenue officers are constantly doing duty in the port of London. Corn Averages. From the earliest average accounts extant, and which are to be found in the audit books of Eton College, commencing in 1646, the lowest prices of wheat were in 1742-3, when the average did not exceed 228. 1d. per quarter. In 1654, 1688, and 1706 it did not exceed 23s. 1d. The earliest high range of price was in the present century, wheat, in 1800, attaining the average of 110s. 5d.; in 1801,1158. 11d.; in 1812, 122s. 8d.; and in the succeeding year 106s. 6d., declining, however, in 1814, to 728. Id., until, in 1822, it did not exceed 43s. 3d. The present average is about 39s. 6d. Lead and Lead Ore.-The total quantity of lead and lead ore imported into the United Kingdom in 1833, was 2398 tons; and in 1834, 2122 tons. The quantity of British lead and lead ore exported in 1833 was 11,145 tons; and of foreign, 863 tons. In 1834 it was, of British lead, 10,411 tons; and of foreign 867 tons. Copper and Tin.-The total quantity of copper imported into the United Kingdom, in 1834, was 159,304 cwts. The British copper exported, amounted to 177,731 cwts. The copper smelted in this country from foreign ore and exported, to 23,714 cwts.; and the foreign copper exported, to 12,790 cwts. Of tin the quantity imported in 1834, was 46,769 cwts. The British tin exported, amounted to 9,351 cwts.; and the foreign to 46,684 cwts. Sale of Beer Licenses.-An account of the number of licenses granted under the Sale of Beer Act during the years 1833 and 1834: Licenses granted to retailers of beer, cider, and perry Retailers of beer, ale, or porter, to be drunk on the premises 1833. 1834. 31,976 21,975 653 1,054 13,654 1,752 Tonnage of Vessels.-The following is from a return made to the House of Commons of the ships and tonnage that have entered inwards, and cleared outwards, in the years ending 5th January, 1834 and 1835:--Entered inwards in 1834, from British colonies and possessions, 4582 ships of 981,375 tonnage; from foreign countries, 6407 ships of 1,018,555 tonnage. In 1835, from British colonies and possessions, 4920 ships of 1,015,885 tonnage; from foreign countries, 6758 ships of 1,092,607 tonnage. Cleared outwards in 1834, to British colonies and possessions, 4352 ships of 765,519 tonnage; and to foreign countries, 5192 ships of 878,375 tonnage. In 1835, to British colonies and possessions, 4392 ships of 761,220 tonnage; and to foreign countries, 5342 ships of 879,054 tonnage. Post-office. In answer to the return moved for by Mr. Wallace, of the amount of poundage charged by post-masters upon Post-office moneyorders, stating the purposes to which applied, &c., is, that the money-order office is a private establishment, and the business carried on by private capital, under the sanction of the Postmaster-General; but as no accounts connected in any degree with it are kept at the Post-office, no returns can be made. To the return for the amount paid to contractors for furnishing mail-coaches, &c. is the following:-The expense for furnishing mailcoaches is paid not from the Post-office revenue, but by the contractors for horsing them, at rates varying from 21d. to 34d. per double mile. The Post-office has not the means of furnishing the amount paid. The average number of mail-coaches in use in England and Scotland_may have been about 250 per annum in each of the last ten years. In Ireland about 74. The contract for furnishing mail-coaches in Great Britain is between the Postmaster-General and John Vidler, for fourteen years, from January, 1822. The nature of the contract is, that the contractor shall build and furnish a sufficient number of coaches, and keep them in complete repair; it was not made by open tender, but with reference to the price at which stage-coaches were supplied by other builders. The contract in Ireland is between the Postmaster-General and F. Bourne and Peter Purcell for five years, from 28th May, 1833, and was made upon competition by tender. In addition to the mileage above-mentioned, the contractor in Great Britain has been paid from the revenue the following sums during the last ten years, for cleaning, oiling, and greasing the mail-coaches, and drawing them to and from the factory for daily examination :-1825, 24197. 108. 4d. ; 1826, 24277. 17s. 4d.; 1827, 24521. Os. 5d.; 1828, 24551. 5s. 11d.; 1829, 23447. 188. 8d.; 1830, 23117. 12s. 2d.; 1831, 22817. 15s.; 1832, 22087. 158. 8d.; 1833, 22281. 5s. 6d. ; 1834, 22467. 15s. Post-office Returns.-The following was the revenue of the under-mentioned places during 1834: Earthquake in Chili.-This earthquake, which occurred on the 20th of February, about half an hour before noon, was one of the most terrible upon record. Talcahuana and Concepcion have been utterly destroyed by it, only one house of the latter remaining to mark its site. The town of Talca, distant 190 miles from Concepcion, was also overthrown. The sea rose thirty-three feet above its ordinary level. The principal shocks were of long duration, two of them lasting two minutes and twenty seconds. A number of lives have been lost, and the adjacent country is rendered desolate. Steam Navigation.-The Chamber of Deputies, in France, has voted about 250,000l. for the purpose of establishing a steam communication in the Mediterranean, for the carriage of passengers, letters, &c., between France and the Levant. In the course of the debate, the celebrated M. Arago called upon the Minister of Finance to engage that all the steam engines should be made in France, where they could be manufactured as quickly and almost as cheap as in England. He also strongly recommended engines of high pressure, which occupied less room, and gave a more powerful impulse than those of low pressure. He declared that he knew an engine of high pressure manufactured in England, that made twenty-five miles an hour, and worked with such force, that the smoke from the flue killed a crow on the wing! The Minister replied that the Government was anxious to encourage French manufactures, but the interests of the Treasury could not be sacrificed to that of private individuals. If we can obtain engines as quickly and as cheap in France as abroad, we are bound undoubtedly to buy them in France. If we get them from abroad, it is our intention to make them pay the duty of 33 per cent. A motion to render it compulsory on the Minister to employ French engines alone was lost without a division. Commerce of the United States.-The following is a summary of the annual statement by the Secretary of the Treasury of the exports and imports for the year ending 30th September, 1834 :— Volcanic Remains. Among the old lava of Etna, Dr. Portal discovered, in 1813, some specular iron ore; and recently, Dr. Benedetto has found, near the same place, a mine of the same metal, disposed in large and thick laminæ, containing groups of octahedral figures. The specula are very brilliant; and the lovers of natural history are much interested in speculating on these remarkable products. AGRICULTURAL REPORT. THIS is the season of the year, above all others, when that very uncertain state of trade in the corn-markets prevails which has obtained the name of "Weather Markets; meaning, thereby, that every change in the atmosphere, be it hot, or cold, or moist, or dry, is liable to raise or depress price according to the possible, far more than the probable effects upon the crop. Thus, at the very end of last month, a few heavy showers brought reports from all quarters of the wheat beat down and damaged. A few cold nights during the blossoming of the ear, was rumoured to have reduced the grain to a coarse quality, and the late sunshine has restored the crop to its erect and upright position, revived the growth, and saved the quality of the plants. The quantity is, in most instances, reported also to be abundant. In one district, the rumour of the destruction of the storms had, unfortunately, a rare foundation in truth. For some miles round the village of Babraham, in Cambridgeshire, extending, indeed, as far as Saffron Walden, in Essex, a storm of hail and wind so totally damaged the growing corn, that, at a meeting held in the latter place to raise a subscription for the sufferers, it was stated on sufficient authority that the loss amounted to upwards of 10,000l. Upon the estate of Mr. Adeane half that amount was said to be destroyed, and a handsome sub |