and the part of the hair beyond the fastening, or string, being now twisted into a neat little top-knot, is there retained by two fasteners, called camesashee and usisashee, made either of gold, silver, or brass, according to the circumstances of the wearer ; the former of these having a little star on the end of it, which points forward. This mode of hair-dressing is practised with the greatest uniformity, from the highest to the lowest of the males, and has a very pleasing effect, whether viewed singly, or when they are gathered together. At the age of ten years the boys are entitled to the usisashee, and at fifteen they wear both. Except those in office, who only wear a cap on duty, they appear to have no covering for the head, at least in fine weather. Interiorly, they wear a kind of shirt and a pair of drawers, but over all a loose robe, with wide sleeves, and a broad sash round their middle. They have sandals on their feet neatly formed of straw, and the higher orders have also white gaiters, coming above the ankle. The quality of their robes depends on that of the individual. The superior classes wear silk of various hues, with a sash of contrasting colour, sometimes interwoven with gold.-The lower orders make use of a sort of cotton stuff, generally of a chestnut colour, and sometimes striped, or spotted, blue and white.

There are nine ranks of grandees, or public officers, distinguished by their caps; of which we observed four. -The highest noticed was worn by a member of the royal family, which was of a pink colour, with bright yellow flowers.-The next in dignity was the purple ; then plain yellow : and the red seemed to be the lowest.

On the female attire we could make but little observation. The higher ranks are said to wear (and some indeed were seen with) simply a loose flowing robe, without any sash; the hair either hanging loose over the shoulders, or tied up over the left side of the head, the ends falling down again. The lower orders seem to have petticoats scarcely deeper than a Highlander's kilt, with a short, but loose habit above.

The island of Lewchew is situated in the happiest

climate of the globe. Refreshed by the sea breezes, which from its geographical position, blow over it at every period of the year, it is free from the extremes of heat and cold, which oppress many other countries; whilst, from the general configuration of the land, being more adapted to the production of rivers and streams than of bogs and marshes, one great source of disease in the warmer latitudes has no existence: and the people seem to enjoy robust health; for we observed no diseased objects, nor beggars of any description among them.

The verdant lawns and romantic scenery of Tinian and Juan Fernandez, so well described in Anson's Voyage, are here displayed in higher perfection, and on a much more magnificent scale; for cultivation is added to the most enchanting beauties of nature. From a commanding height above the ships the view is, in all directions, picturesque and delightful.-On one hand are seen the distant islands, rising from a wide expanse of ocean, whilst the clearness of the water enables the eye to trace all the coral reefs, which protect the anchorage immediately below. To the south is the city of Nafoo, the vessels at anchor in the harbour, with their streamers flying; and in the intermediate space appear numerous hamlets scattered about on the banks of the rivers, which meander in the valley beneath; the eye being, in every direction, charmed by the varied hues of the luxuriant foliage around their habitations. Turning to the east, the houses of Kint-ching, the capital city, built in their peculiar style, are observed here and there, opening from among the lofty trees which surround and shade them, rising one above the other in gentle ascent to the summit of a hill, which is crowned by the king's palace; the intervening grounds between Napafoo and Kint-ching, a distance of some miles, being ornamented by a continuation of villas and country-houses. To the north, as far as the eye can reach, the higher land is covered with extensive forests.

At a short distance from this eminence, the traveller is led by a foot-path to what seems only a little wood;

on entering which, under an archway formed by the intermingling branches of the opposite trees, he passes along a serpentine labyrinth, every here and there intersected by others. Not far from each other, on either side of these walks, small wicker doors are observed, on opening any of which, he is surprised by the appearance of a court-yard and house, with the children, and all the usual cottage train, generally gamboling about; so that, whilst a man fancies himself in some lonely and sequestered retreat, he is, in fact, in the middle of a populous, but invisible village.

Nature has been bountiful in all her gifts to Lewchew; for such is the felicity of its soil and climate, that productions of the vegetable kingdom, very distinct in their nature, and generally found in regions far distant from each other, grow here side by side. It is not merely, as might be expected, the country of the orange and the lime, but the banyan of India and the Norwegian fir, the tea-plant and sugar-cane, all flourish together. In addition to many good qualities not often found combined, this island can also boast its rivers and secure harbours; and last, though not least, a worthy, a friendly, and a happy race of people.

MANNERS OF THE NATIVES OF THE LEWCHEW ISLANDS.

SINCE the publication of Mr. Keate's Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Antelope, Captain Wilson, on the Pelew Islands, there has not appeared any account of the manners of a foreign people which, for the same kind of interest as is excited by Mr. Keate's work, can at all stand in competition with that which Mr. McLeod has given us of the manners of the group of islands, usually termed the Lekeyos or Lucayos, but of which the real name is Lewchew. It is scarcely too much to say, that the islands of Lewchew appear to be the peculiar seat of unaffected politeness and pure benevolence. That these scattered spots are inhabited by a kind and civilized race was already known, from the ready assist

ance which was afforded, in the year 1797, to captain Broughton, who had been shipwrecked on a reef, near Typinsan, which lies between the Great Lewchew and Formosa. In his statement of the circumstance of his voyage, captain Broughton, however, only touched upon a subject which Mr. M'Leod, in the volume before us, has amply illustrated.

In the preceding article we gave some extracts, descriptive of the situation, climate, and productions of the Lewchew group. But as no landscape can be thought perfect to which life is not given by the addition of figures, so would our sketch be incomplete if we did not animate it by delineating the minds of the Lewchewans, as well as the picturesque beauties of their country.

While perusing this account, the reader should bear in mind, that in Lewchew, as in China, Japan, and other parts of north-eastern Asia, the system of strictly excluding foreigners is adopted by the government; and, remembering this fact, he will not fail to estimate still more highly the kindness and urbanity displayed by the Lewchewans to those whom they have always been taught to look upon with a jaundiced eye, as unwelcome and probably dangerous intruders.

No sooner did the Alceste and Lyra anchor near the city of Napa-kiang, than some people in office came on board. On being informed that the ship had sprung a leak, they expressed great sorrow for the misfortune, and immediately on their return to the shore they despatched carpenters to assist in repairing the damage. This favour was followed by an immediate supply of bullocks, pigs, goats, fowls, eggs, and other articles, with an abundance of excellent sweet potatoes, vegetables, fruit then in season, and even candles and firewood. This supply was continued as often as necessary for six weeks; nor could those who sent it ever be persuaded to accept any payment or compliment whatever. Captain Maxwell having desired permission to send ashore the rope-makers and smiths, in order that they

might have room to work, it was mildly requested, that he would wait till they heard from the king, as the officers at Napa-kiang were incompetent to act without his orders. To this request he, of course, acceded, and this proper mark of attention to their wishes appears to have been gratefully felt by them.

Six days after their arrival one of the principal chiefs came on board, with a numerous suite, and renewed the promise, that every assistance should be afforded. He was a man about sixty years of age, with a venerable white beard his dress, a purple robe, with very loose sleeves, fastened round his middle with a sash of red silk; he had sandals on his feet, with white gaiters, not unlike short stockings. His cap (the badge of his dignity) was made of some slight material, twisted neatly into folds, and covered with a light purple-coloured

silk.

Though they had not yet heard from the king, and though a general rule forbade any stranger to land, yet, probably won by our ready acquiescence in their first wishes, permission was now given for a few of the British officers to walk about, within certain bounds. In consequence of this permission, captains Maxwell and Hall, with several officers in full uniform, visited Napa-kiang, where they were received by the chief who had come on board the Alceste. He gave them an entertainment in the most liberal style of hospitality, at which the utmost good-humour presided, and many loyal and friendly toasts, applicable to both countries, were drank with enthusiasm. As a mark of their personal regard, the captains made to the chiefs some presents, consisting of different wines, cherry brandy, English broad cloths, a telescope, and various other articles. These presents were accepted with a graceful dignity, merely as marks of regard, those who accepted them reserving to themselves, at the same time, the right to make whatever return they might deem proper as their tokens of friendship. The British visitors were desirous to take a walk over the city; but this the chiefs did not think them