I would not do any thing of the kind upon [nothing else can, that she felt as snugly any account whatever; on the contrary, secure as if she had been shut up in cotton; my dear, I make it quite a point of honor and as she rarely looked at any man or towards your dear aunt to render all woman, except such as were made of marthings as agreeable to you as possible." ble, it did not occur to her that the more insignificant portion of the creation formed of clay might, by possibility, take it into their poor mortal heads to look at her. This oversight on her part was unfortunate, as it exposed her to much that it would have been desirable she should avoid.

Such was the placable rejoinder of Mrs. Roberts, having quietly listened to which, Bertha left the room with the air of a young princess, graciously accepting an apology for some inadvertent offence offered to her greatness.

"Won't Master Edward bring her down a peg or two, I wonder?" said Mrs. Roberts to her daughters, as she concluded her description of the above scene.

"If he does not," replied Agatha, "he will richly deserve to be brought down himself."

More gay young eyes had looked at her, and more gay old ones too had taken the same direction, than it is at all necessary to enumerate; one single anecdote will suffice to show to all whom it may concern, the danger of a young lady's fancying that she can take care of herself, without better assistance than that of a valet-de-place.

It happened that Bertha had worked up A SKILFUL pen, acting as a conductor to her fanciful young mind into a state of a tolerably observing mind, while engaged great enthusiasm for the Pantheon. There in ransacking Rome, might still find where- was something in its form and proportions, withal to cover a good deal of paper in the in the unwonted manner in which genuine Corinne vein. But start not, gen-" thoughts commercing with the skies," tle reader! No such hazardous attempt is about to be made here, either for your delectation or annoyance; it shall suffice to repeat that Bertha Harrington wearied not in the path she had chosen for herself, but persevered with an appetite that seemed to increase with what it fed on, in visiting and revisiting (and then coming back again to get another look) all the most cherished objects which that immortal museum contains.

might be followed by eyes wishing to commerce with it also, as well as in the contrast between its past and present dedication, which drew her again and again beneath its beautiful dome, and often as she drove along the Via Sacra, she never failed to give it a fond look, which very often led to an affectionately long visit.

Twice had her accomplished valet-deplace followed her into the building, and twice followed her round it, reciting all the Now, though it had been gravely debated records concerning it, which it is so perfect. in the Roberts family only a few short ly necessary for an unlearned lady to hear months before, whether Miss Harrington once, but so exceedingly annoying to listen was handsome or ugly, though she had to a second time. On her first visit she been strongly suspected during that inter- heard him with great attention, but during val of being little better than an idiot in the second, her manner so evidently showed capacity, and though, worst of all perhaps, this intelligent official that his antiquarian she dressed with no other object than lore was no longer required, that when she to make herself as little conspicuous as entered the building for the third time he possible, she nevertheless did not quite reposed himself on the step of the carriage escape observation. Had she indeed been as long as she stayed. This man, however, less lovely than she really was, the manner though professionally devoted to time past, in which she was perpetually seen by those was not so entirely withdrawn from time who had the same pursuits as herself, ram-present as not to remark the singularity of bling in solitary enjoyment, and with no his young mistress's mode of life. He had other protection than that afforded by an lived long enough in the world to know that ordinary valet-de-place, from one end of Rome to the other, could scarcely fail of drawing a good deal more attention than she was at all aware of. But so utterly ignorant was Bertha of all that an acquaintance with the world can teach, and which

when pretty young ladies are in the habit of appearing abroad without any protection at all, they are generally supposed to be living under the especial protection of some person in particular. Nor did this experienced individual stop here in his conjectures

respecting his juvenile patroness. If the your name and address," rejoined the solitary carriage, together with the many Englishman, "that I may know how to Roman memorials, in the purchase of get at you." which she indulged herself, convinced him Many thanks, signor. My name is that she had one particular "friend," the Luigi Mondorlo, and I am always to be remarkable manner in which she haunted heard of at the English library in the PiazSt. Peter's, the Pantheon, the Vatican, andza di Spagna," said the man. so forth, evidently (after her first visit to each) preferring his absence to his presence, convinced him quite as firmly, that she either had, or intended to have, more than one.

the most quiet places. We don't want any
conjuror to tell us how young ladies are
amusing themselves when they do that."
"What is the name of the gentleman she
lives with?" said Mr. Lawry.

"I know not, on my word," replied the conscientious valet. "And I do not know her name either. She pays me every week herself, and I bring her the receipt for the carriage and horses too, and the buono mano to the coachman she gives herself. But I never had any occasion to ask for her name, or for that of the gentleman either-and so I never did, for I don't love English names, they are so difficult."

"Then it is an English gentleman she lives with?" said Mr. Lawry.

66

them. We are a peaceable people, signor, in these latter days, whatever we might be formerly-peaceable in all ways, whether it be his Holiness or the Emperor that takes the government of the country upon him, or this noble gentleman, or that, takes the government of a lady, the wisest among the Romans look the other way, and say nothing."

"That may be all very wise and very convenient for you," replied the Englishman, condescendingly adopting the playful tone of the Italian, "but we manage all these matters very differently in our country."

"It may be so, signor," returned the valet-de-place, resuming his poetical stu'Why that I take to be a matter of dies. "But you will find if you stay long course, sir, from the quantity of money she enough among us, that we understand all throws away in little bronzes and marbles, about the ladies, at least quite as well as the miniature copies, you know, sir, of our you do; and that my pretty padrona is just great works. We never see that in any la- the sort of young lady I take her to be, dies that don't live under the protection of notwithstanding her looking as shy and as English gentlemen." pale as a nun."

"And pray, my good Mr. Luigi Mondorlo," said the young Englishman, with sudden animation, "how do you know that she lives with any gentleman at all?"

The man laughed. "How do I know it?" he repeated. "You are a good many years younger than I am, signor, there is no doubt of that, and yet I should have thought you were old enough too to know that young ladies like my padrona do not wander about the churches, and galleries, and ruins, in the style she does, if they have any body to take care of them except the gentleman they live with, unless they are just married indeed, and don't choose to take any body about with them as yet. But that is not the case with my padrona, for the servants of the house always call her 'la signorina.”

"But how comes it that you have never asked these servants of the house any thing about her? If you had done this, you would not be driven to so much guess-work as you seem to be at present."

"Ecco!" exclaimed the man, laughing, "that is quite an English question, signor. The Roman people never think of making any inquiries of that sort. A gentleman may ask a lady a question, or a lady may ask a gentleman, for the private and particular satisfaction of either party, that is, provided they are not man and wife. But Rome would not be wide enough to contain its population if such sort of questions as you suggest were to be set going among

"I dare say you are right, my fine Roman," returned Lawry, chucking half a scudo at him, and the young Englishman walked off, without a doubt in poor Bertha's favor remaining on his mind, but not without something like a sigh that an English woman, and with such a pair of eyes too, should so early have placed herself beyond the reach even of a conjecture that might save her from condemnation.

THE WORLD SURVEYED IN THE NINE-
TEENTH CENTURY.

From the Athenæum.

The World Surveyed in the XIXth Century; or, Recent Narratives of Scientific and Exploratory Expeditions, (undertaken chiefly by Command of Foreign Governments.) Translated and (where necessary) abridged by W. D. Cooley. Vol. I. Parrot's Journey to Ararat.' Longman & Co.

HARDLY a subject could have been selected more stirring in its character than "a journey to Ararat." Held in equal veneration by Jew, Christian and Mohammedan, and regarded with superstitious feelings even by the Pagan, that mountain has always enjoyed a degree of celebrity denied to every other. Sinai and Horeb and Ta

bor may have excited holier musings; but peror's honor that, on their return, he deArarat "the mysterious,"-Ararat, which frayed the entire expenses of the expedition, human foot had not trod after the restorer and conferred on the intrepid leader the orof our race, and which, in the popular der of St. Anne. opinion, no human foot would be permitted

It was in April, 1829, that the travellers to tread till the consummation of all things, left Dorpat. The season was rather late, —Ararat the holy, which winged cherubim considering that before they could reach protected against the sacrilegious approach their destination the scorching heat of the of mortals, and which patriarchs only were sun must have dried up the herbs which permitted to revisit,-appeared in many re- they were so anxious to collect. They spects an object of curiosity as unique as reached New Cherkask on the 10th (22d) it was exciting. In vain had traveller after of May. The vast plain on both sides of traveller, from Marco Polo (if our memory the Manech, from that city to the Caspian, do not mislead us) to Klaproth and Porter, is inhabited chiefly by the Kalmuk Tartars, looked and longed to know something cer- who cling to their ancient creed and their tain concerning the holy summit. Its coni- ancient modes of life with a pertinacity cal shape, its abrupt rises, protected by its rather surprising, considering their frequent everlasting ice and snow, seemed obstacles intercourse with civilized people. Respecttoo formidable to be overcome by anybody, ing them our author has some particulars unless, indeed, by some Asiatic Green, who which are not generally known. It appears might hover about what he could not dare that no efforts can detach this singular peoto touch. ple from their nomadic habits. So great This enthusiasm was shared by Dr. Fried- is their attachment," says Mr. Parrot, "to rich Parrot, Professor of Natural Philoso- a roving life, that I was assured by one of phy at the University of Dorpat, in Livo- their priests that it would be looked upon nia. In 1811 he had accompanied Von as a sort of violation of religious principle Englehart in a tour through the Crimea if they were even to attempt to provide a and the Caucasus; and one day, while on supply of hay in summer, to secure their the summit of the Kasbeg, he had descried, horses and oxen from the danger of perishor fancied he had descried, through a sud-ing of hunger in the winter; because it den breach in the distant clouds, the snowy crown of Ararat. But at that time he feared to venture further. The domain on which the mountain stood, and, indeed, the whole of the intervening country, was in the power of the Persians, and perpetually infested by banditti. But the glimpse which he had then had of the spot had left behind it an impression which years only deepened. After the Peace of Turkmanshai, in 1828, between Persia and Russia, when the boundary of the latter empire had been removed from the Araxes to the southern slope of the mountain, when "the Imperial eagle waved over Ararat," the longing returned with augmented force, and he determined to proceed at his own expense. But Alexander, before whom the project was laid, and who entirely approved it, advanced the money necessary for an Imperial astronomer, Vassili Federov, and ordered a fieldjäger, or military guide, to accompany the expedition. Two medical students from the University volunteered their gratuitous aid towards extending the bounds of botanical knowledge, and were accepted; and there was also a mineralogist, Von Behaghel von Adlerskron, the friend of Parrot,-in all, six individuals. It is much to the Em

would seem an approximation to habits to which their natural practices are too obstinately opposed." To them fixed habitations would be intolerable. Their delight is in the Kibitka, or portable house, which in a single hour may be removed from the waggon and erected by a couple of men. It is always circular, with a diameter of about seventeen feet, and a place in the centre for the fire, the smoke of which escapes through a round hole in the roof. Their diet is sour or fermented milk, sour butter, and animal food, especially mutton; corn, herbs, vegetables and fruits would require cultivation, and consequently a fixed residence. For the first of these articles, and for cloth, salt, &c. they do sometimes exchange with the Russians; and though they are always cheated in the bargain, they will not turn their attention to the production of such things. Industry in every shape they detest. To drive their cattle and flocks of sheep from winter to summer pastures, and vice versâ, is exercise enough for them. In religion they are said by our author to be Buddhists; but this is impossible; their food, their habits prove that it is. All that can be meant is, that they were probably derived from the same stock

as the modern votaries of that creed in the higher universe directly emanated, viz. India, and, consequently, that they hold time without bounds. The only deity worthy some of the same tenets. They have others of mention is the Buddha for the time divergent enough from the genius of Budd- being; and for this dignity he is indebted hism. Thus, one of their gods, Sengir, to no extrinsic influence, to no supernatural they hold to be as high as any of the Budd- power, but to his own efforts, his own virhas; and they assign him both an origin tue. But it is evident that this people are and attributes entirely incompatible with immeasurably inferior to their Indian the creed. The truth is, that they have en- brethren in the knowledge and practice of grafted on their ancient religion some te-religious dogmas: they have yet to learn, nets, of which it would be difficult to say or they have forgotten, the elementary prinwhether they have more affinity to Christianity or to the paganism around them. They have a ritual of their own, or a language so ancient as to be wholly unintelligible to the people,-perhaps also to the priests, who are very few in number. Their sacred books are said to have been derived from Mongolia or Thibet; but more probably, we think, from the north of Hindostan, or from the intervening region between it and Media. It is much to be

ciples. Nor can this surprise us. They receive no instruction ;-they have, indeed, nobody to instruct them, since their priests are so few and so ignorant; and their temples (each merely a large kibitka) are too small to accommodate a tithe of the number that might attend on great festival occasions. The following is Mr. Parrot's description of one :

Here, hang a number of distorted representations of their divinities on the walls;

wished that a copy of these sacred books there, is reverentially preserved a brazen idol, were taken and brought to England,-that cast for their principal god, who is generally some modern Anquetil du Perron would represented as a female, like many others arise to do what learned societies, with all among them, and often with four or six arms, their wealth and influence, will not even and similar hideous deformities of shape. In attempt, viz.-to extend the bounds of our another place lie piled in chests their sacred knowledge alike of ancient languages and and which are intelligible or rather legible, to writings, obtained from Mongolia or Thibet, creeds. We have long entertained an opin- none but the initiated; that is to say, their ion that the discovery of two or three more high priest or lama, and the officiating minislinks in the chain would render that knowl- ter or gellong. Their religious service, too, edge so far complete as to place within our judging from what I had an opportunity of obreach the mysterious inscriptions which, in serving, is in no respect more elevating. The Persia, at Babylon, and in other places, so their legs bent under them, and the soles of priests seat themselves in the kibitka, with provokingly baffle our curiosity. The lantheir feet turned upwards, or, as the Mongoguage of the sacred books in question prob- lians express it, in sceptre-fashion, so as to be ably bears some affinity with one or other ranged in two lines opposite to each other from of those remarkable tongues, the Zend and the entrance. In this posture they remain, as the Pehlivi. But, alas! until more atten- immovable as statues, and chant or sing their tion is paid to the sacred language of Budd- prayers on a sort of rosary, interrupted from ha, the connecting link between the Sans-time to time by the harsh discordant tones of crit and the ancient languages of Persia and a peculiar kind of brazen cornets, accompanied with the clang of kettle-drums and cymbals, Media, we can hope for no farther progress and the deep but clear bass notes of two straight in this most interesting and most important wooden trumpets, six feet long; which latter, department of knowledge; - interesting however, I only saw introduced in the elegant both in itself and in its relations with kin- stone church built at Astrakhan, by the Kaldred subjects, and important from the light muk chief whom I have already mentioned. it must necessarily throw on ancient history taking a part in the daily worship of their As for the laity of even the same khatun only Returning to the religion of the Kalmuks, gods, they are effectually precluded from that, we may perceive that some of their tenets, by the smallness of the kibitka in which it is like those of the Indian Buddhists, are es- performed; much less can the inmates of those sentially atheistical. The material world, khatuns which are six or twelve miles distant, according to them, has proceeded, not from catch the sound even of the music. They conan Almighty Creator, but from an incom- tent themselves with the assurance that the lamas and gellongs are offering up their prayprehensible abstraction, space without bounds,-a kindred principle, be it observed, the Kalmuk community. As the constitution ers enjoined by their ritual for the welfare of with that of the ancient Medes, from which of their church teaches no distinction between Ormuzd, and Ahriman, and a portion of Sundays and weekdays, their prayers are limit