support the fabric of the earth. They rear their peaking heads high above the clouds, and their summits are mantled with perpetual snow: they traverse vast continents, separate the basins of rivers from each other, and form the skeleton or frame-work of our earth. The primitive rocks, containing no relics of organized remains, are crystalline, supposed to have been formed by chemical precipitations without mechanical deposit. They are not stratified, but have various forms; tabular, spheroidal, columnar. They soar above the loftiest summits of other mountains; attemperate the heats of torrid regions, by the refrigerating influence of the eternal snow that encompasses their tops; abound in veins of rich metal, and dip deeply into the bosom of the earth; and on their sides, rocks of a later origin and minor size repose. Granite, in its highest elevation, assumes a peaky form, and stretches itself into rugged piles. Humboldt, and others, seem to make it appear, that the matter which gives rise to volcanic fires, lies far below the granite rock. Granite has never been seen higher than the elevated summit of Mont. Blanc, a mountain 15,680 feet above the level of the sea, and more than five times higher than any mountain in England or Wales.From the difficulty of ascent, 18 hours are required for gaining its summit, and this time must be laboriously and incessantly employed, exclusively of the periods for refreshment and repose. On the second day of Saussure's laborious attempt to gain the height of Mont Blanc, he passed the night on a vast plain of snow, 3100 yards above the level of the sea, at an elevation considerably higher than that of the Peak of Teneriffe. The barometer stood at 14 inches. The upper parts of Mont Blanc are candied with perpetual snow, and it is only at the fissures, and perpendicular clefts, that the bare rock is visible; but here he was enabled to gratify his utmost curiosity. He at first believed, from what he saw below, that the plates of granite were folded round the peaks like the leaves of an artichoke; but now his eye could pene *Bakewell's Geology. + Jamieson's Geognosy. trate into the interior, he perceived his mistake, for they were composed of vertical plates, parallel to each other, and were the same throughout its whole extent.* Chimboraso is one mile and 160 yards higher than Mont Blanc; and although, according to Humboldt, the general arrangement of the Andes consists of granite, gneiss, mica, slate, &c. yet those immense upper projections seem to be of volcanic origin, being composed of basalt and porphyry; which, says the same celebrated naturalist, are arranged in the form of regular and immense columns, which strike the eye of the traveller like the ruins of enormous castles lifted into the sky. Mountain rocks are distinguished from others by their vast magnitude, but even this distinction is relative; for Tereniffe, or Mont Blanc, would be immense mountains, compared with those of Britain; while they sink almost to hills when compared with those of Thibet, and the loftiest of the Andes. The compound rock-granite occurs in China, Van Dieman's Land, Africa, in Bengal, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada, and in all these countries has the same character; so that the geognostic character of one is that of all, and hence general inferences may be drawn, applicable to the whole crust of the earth.† The principal European mountains are granite; as those in Scandinavia, the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Carpathean mountains. Those of Africa, are, as far as hitherto known, of the same solid and indestructible substance; as are those of Upper Egypt,the Atlas mountains, and those about the Cape of Good Hope; whilst in Asia it gives origin to a large part of the Altaic and Uralian mountain ranges. Subterranean sounds, resembling those of the organ, have been said by travellers to be heard about sunrise by persons sleeping upon the rocks of granite. The Missionaries call them, according to Humboldt, “Laxas de Musica." That sensible traveller accounts for the phenomena, by supposing that it is caused by the circulation of currents of air under these shelves of rock. The ear of a person being in contact with the stone, may Humboldt's Researches. § Thompson's Annals. perceive the pulses communicated to the stone; and he farther conjectures that the elastic spangles of mica contribute to modify the tones. He conceives that this may have been noticed of some rock of the Thebaid, and that this natural concert may have given the hint for the sublime jugglery of the priests, in the statue of Memnon, who was supposed to have been rendered vocal by the radiant influence of the rosy-fingered aurora. But the musical Memnon has laid his harp upon the willows, since his reluctant removal from his natal skies. Veins of Granite have been found running to a considerable extent in clay slate, at Tousehole, in Cornwall. Dr. Thompson,§ in the Annals of Philosophy, describes them as varying from one foot and half, to nearly an inch in size; and this fact would suggest, that, either granite or schist were of contemporaneous origin, or that the granite was once in a state of fusion, and that fissures had been made by fire in the upper rocks, wherein these veins have been impelled to traverse. Dr. Thompson has, also, observed the same fact at St. Michael's Mount, the most remarkable spot in Cornwall in a mineralogical point of view, and from the appearances of its arrangement, it would seem that in this instance, as well as in some others in Norway, observed by Von Bach, the granite is not a primitive, but a transition rock, and therefore posterior in its formation. I shall allow Dr. Thompson himself to relate what he observed.* * Annals. (To be continued.) SLAVERY IN SURINAM. A monster, in the form of a lady, who had more slaves than humanity, had an occasion one day to be rowed, by some of these unfortunate wretches, to a place somewhat distant from her home. In the fore part of the boat sat a female slave, with her infant in her arms; which, through indisposition or crossness, she was unable still. The lady, though at the greatest possible distance from the infant, affected to be so annoyed with its cries, that she directed the mother to bring the child to her, and she would to try to make it quiet. The unsuspecting mother accordingly gave her the child, and retired to the fore part of the boat. The lady no sooner took possession of the babe, than she dipped its head and body in the water, holding it by one leg, while the men rowed her along, without daring to expostulate. In this state she continued her murderous hand overboard, until she found that life had departed, when, with much indifference, she let the body go on the stream. The frantic mother, who had witnessed this act of deliberate murder, without daring to complain, could bear her smothered feelings no longer. She gave a horrid shriek, and plunged into the water to die with her babe. From the accomplishment of this purpose, however, she was deterred by the boatmen, who, directed by the lady, exerted themselves and saved her life. For this attempt, however, on coming on shore, she was sentenced to receive two hundred lashes, and actually underwent the punishment. Of the lady's conduct no notice was taken. None but the negroes were witnesses of the transaction, and by law they were disqualified to give evidence. OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF EMANUEL KANT. Translated from the German. WHOSOEVER knows Kant's critical writings, and has penetrated into their spirit, admires the original deep thinking mind of the author; who, unsatisfied with all the philosophical systems of former times, and animated, through the study of Hume's works, made at last his own way through the labyrinths of dogma and scepticism, subjected the power of ratiocination itself to a severe critic, found and limited the boundaries of human understanding, and endeavoured to erect on that ground a new edifice of philosophy, which, for the victory of truth, was to bid defiance to all attacks of reasoning led astray. It is to be lamented, that age overtook this great thinker, and prevented him from finishing the explanation of his own system. His last work, which, according to his statement, should have been the completion of the building, was only begun; he in- | respectful demeanour, for which he tended it to describe the passage from was so remarkable. metaphysics to natural history. But his powers of body and mind had been on the decline since the year 1794; and towards the end of his career, he had hardly been able to connect any ideas: he died in 1804, at the age of eighty, having been born in 1724. Konigsburg had given him birth and education, and it remained also the place of his residence, although he had been made, in 1787, a member of the royal academy of sciences in Berlin. His bodily constitution did not seem to be intended for a long life; his frame was very delicate, and could only be preserved through regularity and attention; his complexion, however, was uncommonly fresh, and remained so even at a very advanced period: he himself ascribed his good health chiefly to his habit of early rising, and thought that sleeping from ten at night until five in the morning, constituted the chief foundation of a good system: fresh air was of course duly valued by him, and he appropriated as much time for moderate exercise as his occupations would allow. He bestowed much time upon his dinner, and he then also enjoyed a glass of good wine; but during the rest of the day he only drank water, and made no other meal. In his younger years he was fond of dining at inns, but afterwards he had his own establishment, and invited his friends, but never more than five: he sent his invitations only on the same day, that they might not deprive any one of another engagement; he paid great attention to his guests, and joined cheerfully in the conversation. He had a great dislike to any thing resembling pedantry, and wished that his disciples might avoid all singularity of appearance and manners. He recommended them very strongly to cultivate an acquaintance with respectable and well-informed ladies, as the best school for true refinement. In this he added the example to the precept; but whether he had been unsuccessful in his first attachment, or whether his metaphysical studies and scientific pursuits had made him neglect the proper opportunities for a serious engagement, is uncertain: however, he never married, but confined his attentions to a polite and In friendships he was very constant ; and the most intimate connection which he ever formed, was with a Mr. Green, an English merchant, though their first meeting was far from being friendly. The circumstance is as follows: During the time of the American war, Kant was walking with an acquaintance in a public garden, and their conversation naturally turned upon this remarkable political event. Kant sided with the Americans, and condemned the proceedings of Great Britain, as being arbitrary and unjust; when suddenly a man started, stepped before him, declared himself an Englishman, and demanded a bloody satisfaction for what he considered an insult to himself and his country. Kant was not put out of countenance by this man's violence, but continued his conversation, and began to develope his principles and opinions, by shewing in what manner every man ought to look on the affair as a citizen of the world, whatever might be his patriotism: he did this with such persuasive eloquence, that Green, who was the Englishman, struck with astonishment, held forth his hand, and asked pardon for his untimely passion. His partner, Motherby, was an eye-witness of the scene, and was afterwards frequently heard to say, that Kant had appeared during his speech, to be animated by a heavenly spirit, and that from that very moment he had won the hearts of all present for ever. Mr. Green accompanied Kant home in the evening, and invited him in return, which laid the foundation of a friendship, only to be dissolved by death. Mr. Green was a man of great talents, and possessed such an highly cultivated mind, that Kant acknowledged that, whilst composing his critique on pure reason, he had never put any thing to paper without first discussing it with Green, and submitting it to his unbiassed understanding. Green's character, however, was singular; distinguished, indeed, by strict rectitude and real generosity, but full of oddities, he was a man whose days were regulated by whimsical, but invariable rules of his own. An example will suffice: Kant had promised one evening that his life, he became fond of military music, and listened with great attention to the band which passed his house in going to the parade; but he could never bear the sound of the harmonica, or any instrument of the whining kind. He retained the talent of expressing himself with vivacity and warmth to his latest age, and his inmates were particularly delighted in hearing him relate the following wonderful instance of animal instinct: he would ride out with him at 8 o'clock mentioning vices, as obnoxious to next morning. Green, who on such honest minds. Even less flagrant occasions walked up and down the misdemeanours appeared to him as room at 45 minutes past 7, put on his an unworthy object of conversation, hat at 50, took his stick at 55, and and he never failed to give it a more opened the door at 8, rode away, and dignified turn. In the latter years of saw Kant, who was about two minutes too late, coming towards him; but did not stop, because it was against his rule. This being perfectly under- | stood, the friendship suffered no interruption, and their regular meetings went on as usual. Kant came every afternoon, and frequently found Green asleep in an arm chair; he then sat himself down in another, and after having indulged in his own ideas for a short time, fell asleep too. Then the bank director, Ruffman, came and did the same; until Motherby, at a fixed time, entered the room, and awoke them; the conversation then became very lively, and continued till seven in the evening: this was so regular, that the neighbours knew the hour by their breaking up, and would often say that it could not be seven, as Mr. Kant had not gone past. After Green's death, Kant never went again to an afternoon party, as if willing to devote to solitude a time which had been consecrated to the friend of his bosom, and even in his walk he did not like to be joined by any body. He maintained, nevertheless, very friendly feelings towards many persons of his acquaintance, and took particular pleasure in forwarding and promoting young men to the utmost of his power, if it was even at his own expense. Hearing of a physician, who promised himself great advantages from a two years' residence in Edinburgh, and a return by the way of France, and understanding that his limited means would not allow him to undertake the scheme; Kant not only interested his friends in it, but offered the traveller in private, that there should be always 500 dollars in readiness for him, in case of need; and he rather regretted that the money was not wanted. His servants, who had a kind and benevolent master in him, he was in the habit of calling by their surnames, until he got one with the name of Kauffman, and then he used the man's christian name, for fear of giving offence to a merchant of that name, who frequently came to see him. He spoke ill of nobody; and avoided During a cold summer, he was passing near the great flour magazine, in Konigsburg, when he perceived many swallows' nests, with dead young ones below them. This excited his attention, and led him to make a discovery which he could scarcely credit; namely, that the old birds had cast out part of the young ones, in order to save the remainder from starvation for want of food. "This baffled my understanding," he would then exclaim, "because here I could only fall down and worship." He said this in an indescribable and inimitable manner. The high devotion which glowed in his venerable face, the tone of his voice, the folding of his hands, and the enthusiasm with which the words were pronounced, were striking and sublime. In a future life he hoped and wished to meet with very good, rather than with very wise, people; and he thought it would be no bad sign, if he were to meet, soon after his arrival, his old and honest servant Lambe. He died without a groan, or any other sign of violent and painful dissolution. 66 66 lessons, by imitating the virtues, and shunning the vices, of those who have gone before us. History," says the eloquent Cicero, is the evidence of ages, the light of truth, the life of memory, and the school of life;" and Wrangham beautifully and figuratively observes, that "Reason, slow and doubtful in her progress, requires an intelligent guide to accelerate and regulate her march. History takes her by the hand in infancy, accompanies her up to maturity, and collects the testimony of universal experience for her instruction." If the records of any country whatever be calculated to benefit mankind, and to convey useful and necessary information, the history of the Roman empire must be peculiarly so, pregnant as it is with events of a most singular, interesting, and remarkable character. The successive changes of power, affluence, and governments, with the constant and varied movements of the whole political machinery, arising from the clashing interests of individuals, influence, patriotism, ambition, and tyranny,—with a thousand other multifarious causes, stamp it as one of the most valuable and striking records in the history of the world. Connected with that history, the question which your correspondent has proposed for solution, is certainly one not the least interesting, and which cannot fail in being productive of mutual advantage. However much, unfortunately, the relation of very many historical facts may be involved in mystery and doubt, owing to the confused disagreements in the details, as given by various historians, the present subject presents no such obstacles to impede our progress from coming to a conclusion, founded upon a strict accordance of testimony, at once reasonable and satisfactory. In order to form a correct judgment, however, it will be necessary briefly to state the prominent circumstances from which this question is derived. It will be recollected that Tarquinius Superbus, commonly called Tarquin the Proud, an oppressor and a tyrant, had made his way to the throne by conspiracy and stratagem, and by every violation of legitimate right. Among the numerous individuals whom he put to death, for fear of his power and government being taken away, were the father and brother of Junius Brutus; and Brutus himself escaped falling a victim to the devouring fury of Tarquin, only by assuming the disguise of an idiot; for Tarquin supposing his folly real, despised him; and "having possessed himself of his estate, kept him as an idiot in his house, merely with a view of making sport for his children." Brutus having imbibed the strongest sense of moral virtue, and possessing a highly cultivated understanding, with an excellent education which he had received from his father, determined to remain in disguise no longer than should be found absolutely necessary, when he was resolved to appear in his real character, and honourably, and publicly, avenge his father's and brother's deaths upon the guilty head of their most implacable enemy and murderer, and the usurper of the people's crown. The day soon arrived for a full display of his purposes. Sextus Tarquinius, the king's son, to gratify a lustful passion, committed a rape upon Lucretia, the virtuous wife of Collatinus, the stain of which she could not survive, for while surrounded by her friends, she drew a poniard from beneath her robe, and plunging it into her bosom, she instantly expired. Brutus, who stood by Lucretia, and saw the fatal wound inflicted, drew the reeking poniard, and raising it up to heaven, he swore: "Be witness, ye gods, that from this moment I proclaim myself the avenger of the chaste Lucretia's cause: from this moment I profess myself the enemy of Tarquin, and his lustful house; henceforth this life, while life continues, shall be employed in opposition to tyranny, and for the happiness and freedom of my much-loved country." The family of Tarquin, who had always been looked upon with the most utter contempt and horror, now became odious and insupportable. Brutus availed himself of this favourable opportunity, by obtaining a decree of the Senate, that Tarquin and his family should be for ever banished from Rome; and that it should be capital for any to plead for their return. The immediate consequence was, that the monarch and his family were expelled; and with them terminated the kingly government of Rome. Two consuls were instantly appoint |