tains much of its European origin; while that of the United States in general is English, with very probably fewer deviations then we meet with in the various counties of the mother country. What enthusiasm must an Englishman feel when he reflects how great a portion of the Globe may hereafter speak his language and revere his country! The education of youth, in every section of the United States, is made a national concern. Upon this subject, therefore, the observations that apply to one State, may be considered as, more or less, applicable to all. The portion of this wide-spread community, that paid the earliest and most anxious attention to the instruction of its citizens, was New England. This probably originated in the greater liberality of her colonial institutions. Liberty and knowledge ever go hand in hand. The child of every citizen, male or female, white or black, are entitled, by right, to a plain education; and funds sufficient to defray the expense of instruction are raised either from public lands appropriated to the purpose, or by taxes, sometimes imposed by the legislature, and sometimes by the different townships. Though the number of learned and scientific characters is much smaller than in Britain and France, it is said the mass of the population of the United States are better informed than in either of these countries. They are not merely better educated, but they derive from their habits more practical sagacity and good sense. Indeed, the political and physical situation of the United States explain whatever is peculiar in the character of the people. Their migratory habits enlarge the circle of their ideas, and destroy those local prejudices and attachments which belong to the European nations, where successive generations continue to vegetate on the same spot, and tread in the same circle. Reading the journals universally, and knowing a little of what is doing both in their own country and the world generally, they betray none of the clownish awkwardness which springs from conscious ignorance. Placed often in situations where they have to work their way and supply their wants with little assistance from others, they are inventive, perserving, full of resources, not easily deter red by difficulties. The prejudices of birth and rank, which fetter industry in Europe, have little existence in America; men change their profession as often as it suits their interest, and never deem any honest occupation disreputable. Education in Southern America is very defective; this may be owing to the jealousy of Catholic Priests; but we understand that the British System of Education, and even Sunday Schools are now making a rapid progress in the independent* divisions and governments. Amidst all these advantages, America presents many • The following is given as the present state of South America, as it respects its governments and divisions: In Buenos Ayres there has not been for many years past a single Royalist soldier; nor is there a spot of ground in that State possessed by any person exercising authority under Spain. In Chili, there has not been for four years a single Royalist soldier; nor is any part of the State under the dominion of Spain. In Columbia, the Spaniards hold nothing but Puerto Cavello; and accounts from Havannah, state that the naval commander had quitted the port, abandoning the possession of it. In Mexico not a Spanish soldier remains. The Royalists hold a small island off Vera Cruz, on which stands the castle of St. Juan de Ulloa. Commissioners from Spain are in Mexico. In Peru alone there is a Royal force. BUENOS AYRES has always been a Republic. There have been changes of Ministers, but the State has always remained a Republic. CHILI.-The same. COLUMBIA.-Venezuela and Granada united, under the title of Columbia; and what is remarkable, for thirteen years, the same President, Bolivar, has been always at the head of affairs. PERU.-A Republic MEXICO. The experiment of a Monarchy failed, and it is now a Republic.-Shrewsbury Chronicle. real evils, and serious discomforts. The climate, generally speaking, is far from being so congenial to health as the European. The yellow fever with its frequent ravages; agues, and cholera morbus, with their re peated attacks; excessive heat and cold, stormy and uncertain weather render disagreeable, certain portions in every year: these evils are complained of by those who are most partial to North America. In some States and Provinces musquitoes disturb the pleasures of the day, and bugs render comfortless the nights. It is true, art has supplied means of protection against the one, and cleanliness and perseverance will reduce the other. While almost the whole of South America presents a loveliness and fertility, scarcely equalled in any other part of the globe: yet in many districts there abounds a variety of disagreeable insects and reptiles, and to such a degree, as continually to threaten the life and destroy the comfort of the inhabitants. Serpents abound of various kinds, particularly snakes. Of these, the most common and at the same time the most poisonous, are the corales, or coral snakes. There are also serpents of a larger species, similar to the Boa Constrictor, found on several of the islands in the Indian ocean. One of these was killed by captain Stedman, in Guiana, which, though it was not full grown, measured 22 feet and some inches, and equal in thickness to the body of a child of 12 years of age. When full grown captain, Stedman was assured that its length is generally about 40 feet, and about 4 feet in circumference. This snake was observed by the captain as he himself describes rolled up under the fallen leaves and rubbish of the trees, and so well covered that it was some time before he distinctly perceived its head, at the distance of not above 16 feet. It was moving its forked tongue, while its eyes, from their uncommon brightness, appeared to emit sparks of fire. Captain S. resting his piece over the branch of a tree, for the purpose of taking surer aim, fired; but missing the head, the ball went through the body, when the animal suddenly darted round, and with such astonishing force, as to cut away all the underwood around him with the facility of a scythe mowing grass, and by flouncing his tail, caused the mud and dirt to fly over the heads of the captain and his companions to a great distance. After the snake was quiet, they renewed the attack, and only wounded him slightly, he sent up such a cloud of dust and dirt, as (says captain S.)" I never saw but in a whirlwind, and made us hastily retreat to the canoe." A third attempt was made, and was successful, the ball passing through the monster's head. The colour of this snake is a greenish black on the back, a fine brownish yellow on the sides, and a dirty white under the belly, the back and sides being spotted with irregular black rings, with a pure white in the middle. Its head is broad and flat, small in proportion to the body, with a large mouth and a double row of teeth. It has two bright prominent eyes; is covered all over with scales, some about the size of a shilling; and under the body, near the tail, is armed with two strong claws like cock-spurs, to help it in seizing its prey. It generally haunts low and marshy places, where it lies coiled up like a rope, and concealed under moss, rotten timber, and dried leaves, to seize its prey by surprise, which, from its immense bulk, it is not active enough to pursue. Besides these serpents, America abounds in monstrous centipeds, which in Don Juan and Ulloa's voyage, are described as being a yard in length, and in breadth about five inches; in spiders of an enormous size, scorpions, niguas, a species of insect which insinuates itself into the legs, the soles of the feet, or toes, and pierces the skin with such subtlety, that they are not perceptible until they have made their way into the flesh; flies of various sorts, mountain maggots, which engender between the skin and the flesh, from the bite of one of the above flies, and which grow until they become covered with hair, occasioning intense burning pain. There is also a singular species of bat, with which the tropical regions of America are infested, and according to Don Juan and Ulloa, the town of Carthagena is so infested with them, that they cover the streets like clouds. These animals and insects chiefly prey upon the human species. But there are others which damage and destroy the furniture of houses, particularly all kinds of hangings, whether of cloth, linen, silk, gold, or silver stuffs, or laces. Such is the activity of this insect, that 1 in a short time it entirely reduces to dust one or more bales of merchandise where it happens to fasten, and without altering the form, perforates it through and through, with a subtlety which is not perceived till it comes to be handled, and then instead of thick cloth or linen, the whole is changed into small shreds or dust. In many parts, Humboldt mentions, that no public records can be preserved for any length of time from the ravages of this destructive insect. In the view of the advocate of the general rights of man and liberal governments, almost every disadvantage found in the United States, is reduced by the magic of knowledge and freedom, to comparative subjection and insignificance; and he believes, that the Southern Continent, when blessed with equal light and liberty, will rise above every obstacle now opposed to her comfort and prosperity. Industry, secure of its reward and protection, he argues, will subjugate animals or serpents, however terrible, fierce or numerous; and even climate will yield to the arts of prudence and experience. He looks back to ancient years, to Grecian, and Roman ages; and remarks, that according to the progress of light and knowledge, has been the march of freedom and human happiness; that ignorance has ever been unfriendly to liberty, and tyranny the unyielding foe of mental illumination. To the juvenile Author of Napoleon's Grave, and other little effusions, the Editor is indebted for the following Stanzas; which perfectly, according with his own views of the progress of Literature and Science, during the various ages or Epochas of the World: they have been denominated THE COURSE OF LIGHT.* The god of day our sphere forsaking ; His twilight o'er that Region breaking So dawn'd the Sun of Science forth, Its rise was Freedom's day-star hailing; Bright from the East it lit the Earth, See page 383 Museum Asianum. |