dry clothes, will be necessary and comfortable. But such is the disposition of people of this description, that, after all these precautions have been taken for their preservation, they frequently dress themselves, go wantonly out into the rain, and sleep all night in their wet clothes.

The crop begins sooner or later, and lasts in proportion to the temperature of the climate. In the warmest situations, it begins in August, and is over before or by the end of October. It has, in such case, but very few and short intermissions. In cooler countries, it begins often so late as the beginning of October, and continues sometimes to the month of May. Full crop is then in December and January, unless in those months there are intervals sufficient for weeding. The blossoms follow the same

course.

As crop-time approaches, care must be taken that all the negro grounds be well weeded and well stocked with provisions.

Each negro ought to have a basket with a handle, as also a large hamper sufficient for a burthen. These are made with bamboo, or with some of the creeping plants in the wood. If this creeping plant is at a distance, one day or a part of a day must be allowed to fetch it. The greater number make their hampers themselves; others are made by the negroes in the hospital, for such as are uninstructed, or bunglers. They ought to last two or three years; but it is absolutely necessary to watch that the idle do not lose or destroy them, during the continuance of the crop.

In the business of weeding, every negro takes a middle row; but here, in general, each negro takes the entire row under his charge, so that he first picks the tree on one side, and then turns round to the other, which is toilsome in steep grounds. In doing this, he sometimes lets his basket fall, and thereby loses the cherries, or loses time in picking them from the ground. Sometimes gravel is taken up at the same time, which spoils the mill. And lastly, being encumbered, and in danger of falling, he lays hold of the boughs and breaks them. To preclude some of those inconveniences, some planters cause their negroes to collect the cherries in bags hanging at the neck. Instead of this, I placed every negro in the middle row, and caused him to pick to right and left, so that he had no occasion to turn round. The work went on quicker in this way than it could do by means of bags; and the other inconveniences were diminished.

The negroes, with a view to get more quickly over the work, are apt to take the branch in their hands, and to strip the fruit at once into their baskets; but that must be carefully prevented, because it

tears the bark and strips off the leaves. The cherries ought to be picked separately by clusters. The stems are generally left; but I have observed that, when taken out without injury to the bark, the branches push forth sooner. This, however, is a nice work, when time cannot admit of it.

When the bag or hand-basket is full, it must be emptied into the hamper; and this, when full, carried to the mill, from which the negroes return to the work, (though some planters cause the coffee to be carried to the mill by mules—a very good practice where the field is at a great distance): this happens only once, in the morning. Two hampers make a barrel, and the barrel is commonly the task required of each negroe, when there is plenty of ripe fruit. Some negroes, and particularly the women, who are more handy at delicate work than men, pick considerably more. A neighbour of mine, being short of negroes, offered a gratuity for each second barrel: two negroes generally completed it, and shared the gratuity. However, more than a barrel is never exacted; and even, if the distance is great, ripe fruit scarce, or the weather bad, much must be abated of this quantity.

Such cherries only as are ripe are picked, the others being left to another time. However, when the crop is urgent, the cherries may be gathered as soon as the yellow colour begins to turn red. Such coffee may perhaps be less perfect in taste, but it does well at the mill; and I never perceived it to be different in the quality required at the market. Some green coffee may remain at the last picking, for which it is not worth while to come again; this may be picked apart, and mingled with the scums-it would not pass the mill. As to the dry ripe, the case is the same. But, though preferable in taste, coffee should never be suffered to dry upon the trees, for it will do them injury.

Where the crop-time continues long, a negro may gather two thousand-weight, if the plantations are not distant; where short, not more than twelve hundred-weight. In the best grounds, the trees may yield as far as four pounds of sixteen ounces; though, everywhere, there are some particular ones which may exceed that quantity by four times. In the worst, a tree may perhaps yield no more than three or four ounces. But whatever plantation yields, in general, a pound per tree, is deemed a very good and profitable one.

Coffee is measured in barrels, as it comes to the mill. When the cherries are in good plight, it is supposed that thirty-three barrels will afford a thousand-weight ready for market. I have always found a benefit of five or six per cent. above this calculation. The beauty and largeness of the seed de

pend upon the strength of the ground and of the tree. Old trees bear better, though perhaps smaller fruit.

The numbers of the barrels are every night noted in the journal.

I must repeat it again in this place, that, in grater-mills, especially cattle or watermills, which are stopped with more difficulty, it is highly necessary to watch that the negroes do not leave stones, or other hard bodies, among the cherries. I have seen instances where flints, steels, keys, and knives, have been left, by which the grater was entirely spoiled.

I have fully explained the preparation of the coffee in the second chapter. It now remains to take notice of the carriage, delivery, and sale of that commodity, in managing which, the planter has happily no occasion to forego his usual occupation.

or

As soon as coffee is cleaned, it is put into the bags in which it is intended to be carried to the market (some old ones are reserved for the use of the manufacture). They are stamped with the master's name cypher. They contain commonly a hundred pounds weight, and every mule carries two; but, if the distance is small, and the road easy, the bags may be heavier by six or ten pounds.

The evening preceding the departure for market, the carriage negroes, with the coffee-. man, present themselves to weigh and tie the bags. The master seals or leads them, makes a note of what he sends, and in scribes it in the journal. Next morning, if the weather is favourable, the carriage men take the harnesses from the saddler's hands, accoutre and load the mules; the carriage driver receives the passports and the letters, and they set out. It is essential to watch the arranging of the harnesses, so that the loads be not disordered, and the mules wounded. The convoys must set out early, especially where the distance is great. It is also highly material, chiefly where the roads are steep and the distance great, to bestow great attention on the fitness of the harnesses themselves. Lastly, a small tarpaulin, six feet square, for the purpose of covering the bags in case of rain, would be useful.

It is often impossible to go to market and return the same day. The mules and negroes, in this case, lodge at some plantation belonging to an acquaintance of the master. But there are some planters who have a small pen on the road, with a house, the keeper of which plants grass and takes care of the enclosures: the convoy rests there all night, and next morning proceeds up to the estate.

If the coffee is not carried to the town by the planter, as is mostly the case, it is remitted to public carriers or coasters, who convey it thither by land or by sea at a

fixed price, and bring back the provisions of all kinds, which are conveyed on the unloaded mules to the plantation. The bags, in such cases, must be more securely tied and sealed; and (I am sorry to say) this even does not always prevent the frauds of those employed in the subaltern business of carry ing. For this reason, leads have been contrived, bearing the cypher of the planters. For my own part, I made use of sealing-wax of a particular colour.

An honest factor in town receives and sells the coffee, furnishes and expedites all kinds of provisions, renders in his account once a year, and often makes advances to the planter, the whole at stated commissions or interests. Some of them are extremely valuable and attentive in their correspond

ence.

The market price of coffee has been variable from the most early period to the present day. It has been so high as thirty sols, and, in time of war, it has been known to fall so low as five. It then behoves the planter, as far as it can be done, to keep it for better times. These last twenty-five years it has seldom fallen below twenty sols; and, at fifteen, the planter finds a proper interest and recompense for his advances and labour.

In general, this culture is esteemed the most profitable in St. Domingo, though that of sugar, particularly clayed sugar, is highly so. The charges of sugar estates are much greater, and the net proceeds smaller in proportion. However, as they have the valuable advantage of being much more durable than coffee estates, they deserve undoubtedly a preference.

I must now say a few words of the journal-book.

Every honest administrator ought to be ready to lay his administration open; and every owner is glad to balance accounts with himself, and to be able to refer to notes upon occasion. Such is the object of the journal.

The journal must contain a state of the negroes and cattle, a state of the births and deaths, the number, dates, and various kinds of plantations, the daily works and employment of the negroes, ordinary as well as extraordinary; the state of the crops day by day; the deliveries of coffee, as well as the price of sale and amount, as stated in the factor's letters; lastly, the state of provisions received, and of the tools, utensils, and clothes delivered to the negroes.

This book, besides its other advantages, will help to form, in a more accurate and consistent manner, those census or returns, which the planters are bound to give the government every year, of their families, estates, lands, plantations, negroes and cattle; one of the best regulations in our admirable constitution.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

(From the Oriental Budget of Literature.)

The Autobiography of a Seaman. By THOMAS, EARL OF DUNDONALD. Vol. II. 14s. (Bentley.) Nelson fell in the arms of Victory; and it may be said that, in publishing this second volume of his Autobiography, this peer of our great naval hero died a glorious death, falling victorious over the foes of his honour in the arms of the nation. His honour is now cleared; his talents and naval genius are unquestioned, and his fame is regarded as all the dearer because his own and his country's enemies calumniated the seaman who, fearless in his honesty, despised the malice and favour of unscrupulous and party spirit. The daring and adventurous spirit of Lord Dundonald soon claimed and received a foremost place for the boy who entered the English Navy inore than half a century ago, and for a while his exploits and advance were rapid and about equal. Engaging in politics with the same undaunted energy which distinguished his professional character, certain events gave colour to a dishonourable charge which his party enemies preferred against him. Broken in his rank in the British

Navy, deserted, and in prison, he made his escape, and appeared, when least expected, in his place in Parliament. But the world was against him, and he accepted service under the flag of liberty in South America, where his brilliant successes again made him the foremost name, and to which the most chivalric and romantic incidents became associated. Returned to England, the sailorking, William the Fourth, re-invested him in his naval rank; he became Earl Dundonald, and entered as recently as the Crimean war into negotiations for the introduction of a wonderful projectile, which would, he said, destroy Sebastopol and Cronstadt in an hour. So terrible was the secret considered, that effeminate George the Fourth made the grim old sailor pass his word of honour that the invention should never be employed, except with the knowledge and at the request of the British Government. Of his domestic qualities we cannot speak too tenderly ; there, at least, the hero always lived a hero, his fame unquestioned in the society of a wife for whom his love willingly had sacrificed a fortune. In the nineteenth century, so many romantic episodes and elevating traits could hardly be expected to occur in the life of any one man, had not Dundonald lived, and had not Garibaldi stepped out in front of all the common-places of politics, actions, and vicissitudes, to encourage the world in its faltering faith in heroic existence.

Daedalus; or, the Causes and Principles of the Excellence of Greek Sculpture. By EDWARD FALKENER, Member of the Academy of Bologna, and of the Archæological Institutes of Rome and Berlin. Illustrated by 14 photographs and chromo-lithographs. 42s. (Longmans.) The writing in this elaborate work will remind its readers of Izaak Walton's style, loving and quaint, learned and

enthusiastic, so that those who do not care for the subject love the author. We are not sure but that Mr. Falkener, in some measure, will disappoint inquirers into the principles and causes of excellence in Greek sculpture; they will miss the searching and inner thought, and happy analysis of beauty in art, which alone can erect authors into authorities on this absorbing and delightful branch of criticism; but the reader will be led round and about, and so near to the true principles of the highest art, that his knowledge of the subject cannot but be improved, whilst he will be delighted with the pleasant companionship of a genuine lover and student of the truth, that is, beauty as manifested in classic architecture. On other ground, "PERSPECTIVE and OPTICAL Illusion," Mr. Falkener is a safe and communicative guide, and conveys clearly and forcibly his artknowledge; but the most valuable portions of the book are those which discuss the evidence of all the best and most ancient works being coloured skillfully, and artistic assuredly they must have been to satisfy Attic criticism; but that they were coloured is an assertion in which every reader of this exhaustive chapter will concur with the author. The chromo-lithographs are well executed, and equal to the beautiful subject which they illustrate.

The Origin of Species. A Critical Examination of Mr. Darwin's work. By C. B. BREE, Esq., M.D., F.L.S. 3s. 6d. (Groombridge.) A few months ago Mr. Darwin, with much modesty, put forward a theory that species were transmutable, or proceeded from secondary causes. The author discussed several of the principal objections which might be brought against his argument, and, in fact, although supporting his opinions with profound knowledge, he rather submitted the theory to the consideration of learned inquiry, than made a dogmatic assertion. Forgetful of all but Mr. Darwin's startling and original suggestions, Dr. Bree rushes into print, bangs his Bible with orthodox energy, and hints that Mr. Darwin's religion is no better than his theory, and both are to be rejected by all Christian professors. Dr. Bree's coarse and intemperate work may be dismissed with the hope that all earnest inquirers into this intricate subject will avoid the style and language of Mr. Darwin's first opponent. The question is one that is not likely soon to be decided; it has but very lately been propounded, and no satisfactory result can be expected until the naturalists of this and other countries shall have searched out and carefully recorded every inductive fact that can establish or controvert Mr. Darwin's interesting theory. Several books, and each one more cogent in its reasoning than Dr. Bree's, must be written ere "The Origin of Species" can receive a definite acceptation.

Turkish Life and Character. By WALTER THORNBURY. 2 vols. 21s. (Smith and Elder.) "Walter Thornbury is coming," might have been posted over Constantinople walls, in foot-deep letters, if we may judge from the style of these sketches. His reports of Turkish life and character go off with a bang,

that is meant to let the world know all about his journey-what he saw, what he liked, what he thought, and where a roving, sightseeing disposition carried him. Like his friends, the light-literature wanderers after popularity, Mr. Thornbury lights up his scenes, wherever they may be, with London coal gas-4s. 6d. per 1000; and his readers are gainers thereby, for they see everything clearly, and can read an Arabic inscription which is the key of an Oriental life as easily as "James Thompson, Esq.," in the penny postal guides. We can therefore recommend these lively sketches to every one wishing to be amused, and who is willing to accept off-hand descriptions, which will tell him all about Turkeydom and the Turks.

The Shadow in the House. A Novel. By JOHN SAUNDERS. 10s. 6d. (Lockwood.) The author has powerfully etched, in this onevolume novel, the Shadow of a House-such a shadow as we hope may never steal into our houses, for as it sits in the corner there, neither sunlight nor firelight will brighten our homes. The story is one of a gentleman, and amateur artist, carelessly marrying a high-spirited and imaginative wife, when a young lady-cousin fancies his choice should have taken her own fair self. Her relationship affording her opportunities, she seeks to outrival the bride, and succeeds in destroying by various ways the happiness of the home, when with remorseful pangs she takes poison, and dies at the feet of the wife and friend she has so irremediably wronged. There is much minuteness of detail, which is wearisome and not original, so that, despite of occasional forcible writing, the reader is glad to find there is only one volume, and that that is ended.

From Southampton to Calcutta. 10s. 6d. (Saunders, Otley, & Co.) There can be no doubt that things are so tending that we shall yet have the experiences of some one or another "From Primrose Hill to the Bagnigge Wells Road"; but whatever may be in store for us will be no reflection on this very entertaining volume, which, if it denotes a particular tendency in literature, is quite a firstrate specimen of its class. It tells us everything that can by any possibility claim an interest from the Southampton Waters to the Government House-the running narrative of the voyage out will be keenly appreciated by the habitués of the P. & O. But so original and descriptive a writer is quite in his element in Calcutta ; and on Indian manners, life, proprieties, and improprieties, he discourses right pleasantly. "From Southampton to Calcutta" will not need to be specially commended to our friends in the City of Palaces. Every mess and book-club in British India will discuss it heartily.

The Jacobite Ballads of Scotland. Edited by CHARLES MACKAY. 6s. (Griffin & Co.) This collection of songs of the end of the 17th and first half of the 18th centuries exhibits remarkable incapacity, judged as poetical compositions. Associated to beautiful airs, and concurrent with events which

made them popular, they have been handed down as songs of a clever and critical people, whilst their only merit is the negative one of having been adopted in times which are reflected in their doggrel rythms. An appendix, containing Modern Jacobite Songs, is much superior to the earlier portion of the work. Here and there forcible and humorous stanzas redeem pages of tiresome ballad jingle, and as a whole the chief value of any of the songs is their reference to passing events, in which the historian will take interest. Dr. Mackay's explanatory remarks help the reader to understand the text, an assistance which is not unfrequently necessary.

Ballyblunder; an Irish Story. 68. (Parker & Son.) The position of a wealthy Protestant settled in an ultra-Catholic corner of Ireland is not one to be envied, if the author of this novel may be believed. The progressive landlord is the victim of nameless aggressive neighbours, who steal and slaughter his sheep, threaten his life,-led on as they are by a debased priesthood. We shudder as we read, and ask, can this be true ?-as the Irish story unveils more and more the hostility which surrounds a good man and his family because they are Protestants and enlightened. Turning to the domestic and personal character of the landlord's daughters, the lovers, and their brother, which are, of course, silly, and overdrawn, we take comfort, and think the author's opinions of the graver political and religious questions are of so little weight that our readers will not need to be warned against them.

Wellington's Career. A Military and Political Summary. By Lieut. Col. E. B. HAMLEY, B.A., Professor of Military History and Art at the Staff College. 2s. (Blackwood and Sons.) The long and brilliant story of Wellington's life is presented in Col. Hamley's summary with the greatest conciseness and lucidity. The reader and military student will be greatly assisted in his knowledge of the Iron Duke's character, and of the hundred fights in which he fought and conquered. The value of the book is by no means lessened through the author's honest criticism and exposure of strategic and other errors, which are sifted with much technical discrimination. The summary is complete in noticing every really important fact, whilst minor events, which fill up the details of a long life, are only indicated so as not to displace the more striking episodes.

The Manse of Mastland. Translated from the Dutch. By THOMAS KEIGHTLY. 9s. (Bell and Daldy.) In the last number of the Cornhill Magazine was a story of a holiday amongst the Hollanders-the subject was new, and in Mr. Thackeray's best style. This work, taken from a veritable Dutch original-a regular Dutchman,--begins where Thackeray left off, and is as delightful in the country as he was in the quaint old towns. There is honest and healthy life and sense in every character, and the pictures of rural scenes. fenced from, and under level of, the ocean,

are as pretty and truthful as any that delighted the famous painters in former days. Such a book about England any country would please, but with the novelty of an almost unwritten-about people, it is one to be valued.

Lalla Rookh. By THOMAS MOORE. Illustrated Edition. 21s. (Longmans.) "Lalla Rookh" illustrated was expected to be perfect in all the luxuries which paper-maker, printer, and binder could furnish; have Messrs. Longmans disappointed the public? The illustrations were another matter, and might be conspicuously a failure or a success. Mr. Tenniel, undoubtedly, has succeeded; and we are glad to see his share of the work executed with delightful orginality and oriental truth, whilst the labour of Mr. Salmon in engraving most elaborate Persian tracery on the pages, and of Messrs. Dalziel in rendering the artistic sketches with faithful spirit, added to the rare ability and delicacy exhausted on the subject, combine to make "Lalla Rookh" the most perfect specimen of a gift-book that has yet been produced in London.

Valentine Duval. A Novel edited by the Author of "Mary Powell." 7s. 6d. (Bentley.) That a multiplicity of characters is not at all necessary to sustain a reader's interest, the author of "Mary Powell" in this skilful work successfully proves. Valentine Duval, a destitute orphan, passes through the sharpest ordeal of poverty and suffering in his childhood, which is narrated with affecting power throughout: but amidst all his trials the orginality and strength of his character carries him forward, from servant to master, until he receives distinguished honours, and becomes a royal professor, and an associate Iwith the learned men of his time.

More

of an autobiography than a novel, the interest, centered in the character which gives its name to the work, carries the reader to the end of his career with unflagging spirit.

La Cava; or, Recollections of the Neapolitans. 10s. 6d. (Saunders, Otley, & Co.) There is nothing like a war for giving us the literature of a locality. There were as many books written about the well at Cawnpore as there are people who write to ask who wrote Junius's Letters. Until the Italian uprising, La Cava was as little known to the general English public as is Herne Bay to the lounger at the clubs. Through the excellent purpose of this volume, every one who cares to know anything may know everything of La Cava. It is not merely given to barren descriptions; but whilst the history and general resources of La Cava are the prominent objects of the book-being pleasantly relieved with admirable anecdotes of the true Italian flavour-we get to learn a great deal of Neapolitan life and character.

The Poetry of Nature. Selected and Illustrated by HARRISON WEIR. 12s. (Low & Son.) This is a rare and choice volume, which we may believe will be regarded, a hundred years hence, with as much delight as in the present day. Eternal Nature, taken in her most charming phases, furnishes the

| artist-poet with her perennial pictures, which are given with a rare and minute excellence. Choice specimens of water, field, grove, covert and woodland, as backgrounds to their respective inhabitants of bird and beast, are drawn with a loving hand that might have been guided by the skilful dame herself, willing to portray her own loveliness. Presents are difficult things to chose, but whoever shall make this their "gift-book" to a friend, cannot make a mistake.

The Dalrymples; or, Long Credit and Long Cloth. 78. 6d. (Saunders, Otley, & Co.) A work which is so creditable to the heart of the writer almost disarms criticism. With good feeling so abundant, the style of the writing borders upon poverty. It is so full of good intention, that it only makes us feel the more that the power of the writer is so little equal to her purpose. The wrongs of distressed needle women present a theme upon which the writer dwells with so much truth and real earnestness, that if the fair leaders of fashion who owe a "little bill" to their milliners would only take the trouble read this unassuming little volume, they would only close it to discharge their liabilities in the quarter indicated.

Old Friends and New Acquaintances. By AGNES STRICKLAND. Second Series, 10s. 6d. (Simpkin and Marshall.) We can fancy the origin of these pleasant tales. Miss Strickland was visiting some fine old country-house, where host, and family, and kind neighbours, had made up a pleasant circle, where our authoress, maid-of-honour to all the queens of England, was asked to tell the company (all dear, old-fashioned friends) a story after the manner of the Arabian princess; whereupon cousin Agnes narrated these agreeable rural tales, which all her listeners liked, and which, now that they are published, the wider circle of the English public will not fail to welcome.

:

Lost in Ceylon the Story of a Boy and Girl's Adventures in the Woods and Wilds of the Lion King of Kandy. By WM. DALTON. 5s. (Griffith & Farran.) We suppose Mr. Dalton has good reasons for taking children into the woods, in order that he may make a country interesting by narrating their adventures, which he contrives shall be such as will always tell us all about the country and people amongst which they occur, whilst personal interest is excited by the wondrous perils, sights, dangers, and escapes of the children whom he loses that he may find and introduce them to thousands of sympathising friends.

The Wortlebank Diary and some Old Stories from Kathie Brande's Portfolio. By HOLME LEE. 3 vols. 31s. 6d. (Smith, Elder, & Co.) Mr. Holme Lee, in these volumes, has collected some of his best stories, published in various magazines. Some new ones have been added, and all of them are strung together by domestic incidents, which pleasantly fulfil the author's intention of connecting the interests, successfully evoked and sustained. The rare quality of true sentiment elevates some of the stories even higher than the