inclined to exertion. The generality of them are sunk in ignorance, stupidity, superstition and vice. They are abject and crouching as servants, but insolent and tyrannical as masters. If they have any virtues, they are those of contentment and moderation. They are remarkably contented with little things; a little plain cloth for a dress; a little rice or millet for food; a little straw or mud hut, for a habitation, and a very little moderate labor to supply the bare necessaries. These are the habits of the poor multitude. There are individuals who are comparatively rich and great, who dwell in costly palaces, are attended by many menial servants, and live in luxury and splendor.

The Hindoos are divided into four principal castes or classes. First, The Brahmins or priests, who have the care of books, learning, reli. gion and law. Second, The Cittri class or Rajahpoots, consisting of soldiers and princes. Third, The Beise, or merchants and farmers, and fourth, The Sudras or laborers. These castes do not intermarry or even sit at meals together. From time immemorial they have been kept distinct and exclusively devoted to their respective professions, trades or employments. If any of them embrace another religion, or neglect any of the ancient prescribed ceremonies or superstitions, they at once lose their caste and are treated as the brutes for vileness.

With respect to religion, the people of Hindoostan, generally, are idolaters of three principal sects, viz.: The worshippers of Brahma, the votaries of Boodh and the Jains. The rest of the inhabitants consist of Mahometans, in number about 12 millions. Seiks or deists, Catholic and Syrian Christians, white and black Jews and Parsees, who resemble the Persian worshippers of fire. The Jews and Syrian Christians are chiefly settled on the coast of Malabar. And there are a number of Christian churches and missionary stations in Bengal, and on the coast of Coromandel and at Bombay. The parent language of the Hindoos is the Sanscrit in which their sacred books are written, but it is not now spoken. There are many vernacular dialects derived from it, into most of which the holy scriptures are now translated.

QUESTIONS.

Between what parallels of latitude is Hindoostan? Of what extent and population? How does it compare with the United States? What are its boundaries? What river divides it from east Persia? What mountains from Thibet? What great river on the north-east? What mountains in the southern part of the peninsula? What is the west coast called? What the east? In what are sandy deserts? Where are the marshes or jungles formed and what is said of them? What of the general surface of Hindoostan? Of the climate? Of the seasons? When is it rainy and when dry Which way do the winds blow? How is the soil described? What of the crops and harvests? What particular products? What of the fruits and flowers ? What groves, forests and minerals? What is said of the diamonds? What of the birds and animals? What of the peacock? Of the parrots? What are the four principal divisions of Hindoostan? What are the population generally called? What mixed people are mentioned? How many English and Europeans in Hindoostan? How are the persons of the Hindoos described ? What their general character? With what are they contented? are the four principal castes or classes of Hindoos?

How do the rich live? What
Have these castes been kept

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distinct? How are those treated who lose caste? What is the prevailing religion? Where are the Jews and Syrian Christians settled? Where are the missionary stations ? What is the parent language of Hindoostan? Are the scriptures now translated into many of the vernacular dialects? What are the names of the most mportant of these dialects? Ans. Bengalee, Hindoostanee, Mahratta and Tamul.

In respect to government, a great proportion of the population of this eountry, have been for nearly a hundred years, more or less subject to the British East India Company. The principal British possessions in Hindoostan are in the north-eastern and southern divisions. They embrace in all a territory of 514,000 square miles in extent. The governor General of British India is stationed at Calcutta in Bengal. And there is also a President at Madras, and another at Bombay to take charge of the British dominions in those quarters. More than 80 millions of people in Hindoostan are real subjects of the English govern. ment. The rest of the Population, particularly in the central and northwestern parts, are governed by Mahometan or native chiefs, who are to a certain extent tributary to the East India Company, or in a measure dependent upon it.

Some of the principal cities of Hindoostan are Calcutta, Madras, Delhi, Patna, Benares, Bombay, Surat, Goa, Pondicherry, Golconda.

Calcutta, the capital of British India, is situated on the east bank of the Hoogly, an outlet of the Ganges, about 100 miles from the sea. It is the grand emporium of commerce for the East Indies, and is resorted to by merchants of all nations. The dwellings of the English residing here in opulence, are splendid as the palaces of kings, and strikingly contrasted with the innumerable, low, mud huts of the na tives. Pop. 500,000.

Madras, on the coast of Coromandel, is situated on a flat, sandy shore. The soil in its vicinity is not fertile. The harbour is very deficient. Fort George here is a strong fortress. The public buildings are magnificent. This city is the capital of the British possessions in this region, and several christian missionaries are stationed here. Pop. 400,000.

Delhi, on the Jumna, was the former capital of Hindoostan, and is venerable for its antiquity and its magnificent ruins. In the days of its glory, it was adorned with the most superb palaces and mosques, and the amount of its population is stated to have been two millions. The imperial palace is still an amazing structure, set forth in all the splendor of the east. And it is said that 10,000 Arabian or Persian horses have been accommodated in its stables. The present population is but about 200,000.

Benares on the Ganges, is an ancient and populous city. It is the seat of Brahminical learning and the centre of Hindoo superstition and idolatry. In the view of the natives it is the holy city, and all who die within its walls are deluded with the hope of a sure passport to paradise. With this expectation immense multitudes crowd into it; and on the days of public festivals especially, the city is filled to overflowing. Several English missionaries are stationed here. It is also distinguished as a place of trade in diamonds, in silks and brocades and in manufactures of gold and silver lace. Pop. 300,000.

Bombay is on an island, and is the seat of the British government for south-western Hindoostan. It is admirably situated for commerce and ship building and carries on an extensive trade. Here is a flourishing missionary establishment under the care of the American Board. Pop. 160,000.

The island of Ceylon, on the south-east of Hindoostan contains about 20,000 square miles and 1,500,000 inhabitants, under the British government. The native capital is Candy. Columbo is the seat of the present government. This island is celebrated for its rich variety of fruits and spices, for its groves of cinnamon, its extensive pearl fishery, and for the variety and abundance of its precious stones. It abounds in huge and poisonous serpents, and in elephants of a singular sagacity and power.

The people in general are worshippers of Boodha, but there are about 200, 00 Protestants and Catholics on the island. It also contains several important American and other missionary stations. In Ceylon and in various parts of India west of the Ganges, it is computed there are 110 missionary stations and out stations, 140 European and American missionaries, with 150 female assistants, 140 native assistants, 940 schools, 40,000 scholars and 4,000 communicants in the missionary churches. An increasing number of Bramins and other Hindoos of influence, are becoming acquainted with the English language, and openly opposed to idolatry, fearlessly calling on their countrymen to renounce it.

QUESTIONS

What government predominates in Hindoostan? In what parts are the principal British possessions? Where does the Governor General reside? At what two places are presidents stationed? How many millions in Hindoostan are proper subjects of the British? Are the native chiefs more or less dependent? What are some of the chief cities? What and where is Calcutta? What is said of its commerce and of the houses of the English and of the natives? On what coast is Madras and of what is it the capital? Which way is Delhi from Calcutta and for what venerable? Where is Benares and of what is it the seat? How is it viewed by the natives? Which way from Calcutta is Bombay and of what is it the seat? What missionaries are here? Where is the island of Ceylon? Of what extent and population and under what government? What capital? For what is the island celebrated? What missionary station here ?

View of a Pagoda at Rangoon.

FARTHER INDIA, OR CHIN INDIA.

Extent 850,000 sq. ms.-Pop. 30,000,000.-35 per sq. mile.

Farther India extends from Thibet and China on the north, to the Straits of Malacca on the south, and from the Bay of Bengal on the west, to the China Sea on the east. It comprehends Assam, Burmah, and Malacca on the north the west and the south; Siam is in the central parts; and in the eastern the empire of Anam, or Tonkin, including Tonkin, Cochin China, Cambodia and Laos.

There is a great variety of surface, soil, and climate. There are extensive ranges of mountains, with intermediate fertile valleys. The rivers and streams are numerous, and inundations are frequent. So warm is the climate, that where the lands are sufficiently watered, the vegetation is most luxuriant; the trees are tall and majestic, and the fruits and flowers yield a delightful fragrance. When seasonable rains are wanting, the fields are quickly parched, vegetation is withered, and the country appears desolate.

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The Burman is the most powerful empire in Farther India. It is about 1,200 miles long, embracing seven provinces, and its population may be estimated at about 12,000,000. It is a hilly country, and the climate is temperate and healthy, compared with that of Hindoostan. The soil is rich in grain and tropical fruits. It abounds in Teak timber, or Indian Oak, which is unrivalled for durability and its adaptedness to ship building.

The Irawaddy is the principal river. Ava was the ancient capital, on the Irawaddy, 400 miles from its mouth. Ummerapoora, about four miles distant, is the present capital. Rangoon is the chief port, and the only one in the empire where European traders are admitted. It is 30 miles above the mouth of the Irawaddy. The Burmans, unlike the Hindoos, are active and intelligent. Their government is very despotic, and their modes of punishing criminals are notoriously cruel and horrid. In religion they are idolaters; the Atheistical worshippers of Boodha or Gaudama. An American Baptist Mission is estab lished in this country, whose history has excited great interest.

This is the region of elephants; and so great is the respect in which they are held, that near the palace of the emperor may be seen a majestic and beautiful white elephant, which he has adopted as a kind of prime minister, being gorgeously apparelled, living in luxury, and habitually receiving the homage of the populace, and rich presents from foreign ambassadors.

The kingdom of Assam is on the north-west, between Thibet and Hindoostan. It is watered and fertilized by the Burrampooter, by which river it has communication with Bengal. It is a very unhealthy country, but is rich in gold, ivory, silk, cotton, and pepper. Population 1,80,000. Since the late war, Assam has become independent of Burmah.

The peninsula of Malacca, which contains 93,000 square miles, is connected with Siam by the Isthmus of Kraw. It is traversed by lofty mountains, and extensively overspread with forests and marshes. The people are called Malays, who are a lawless and ferocious race, and known through all the coasts of eastern Asia, as merciless and fearless pirates. The Malay language is very extensively spoken, and is remarkable for its softness and melody. The capital city is Malacca, where an Anglo-Chinese college is established, and an important En glish mission is located, with a view to the promotion of Christianity. Siam is a kingdom north of Malacca, and next east of Burmah. It consists chiefly of a pleasant and fruitful valley, watered by the river Meinam, which empties into the Gulf of Siam, and is said to abound in crocodiles of a monstrous size. Rice, sugar cane, the tamarind, the pine apple and the banana, are found in great plenty. The elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, and other wild animals, range in the forests of the neighboring mountains. White elephants are held by the people in peculiar veneration, as it is a common belief that the souls of their kings, at death, migrate to the bodies of those animals. The Siamese