mon is as improbable as the rape of Paris and the Trojan war, the destruction of Troy and the defeat of Flector, to that, of the seizure of Sita the chaste wife of Rama by the giant Ravana, and the consequent wars of the Apes and the seige of Lanka. aidam not winch conversant in the seriptural writings, ubusfrom a simple perusal of the Song of Solomon in the Bible, I am of opinion that, with the exception of Christ, who was a real person, and has once appeared on earth in the form of a human being, and 40 existed for a period, solely bent on reli gious reformation, the Church is an allegoFiest female personage, and that such a person never could have existed but in the sublime ideas of a divine, or the fertile imagination of a Poet, and it may form no doubt a just subject of sermon from the Pulpit to stimu, late the christian congregation to an ardent | desire of faith, and one of general worship towards their Saviour and Creator. P The case is different with Cristna: In his complex character as god and man, he may be compared to the Globe of the world, each side of which contains different regions: An historian who confounds his description of one when he treats of another, will very ill deserve the name of his profession certainly believe in Cristna as an inearua tion of Visthoo, the supreme being of Vistnovas, from an early inculcation of that belief by law and custom, grounded upon our sacred writings, and historical accounts of his miraculous and supernatural transactions. I likewise comprehend him as man from the same authority founded on facts, that he was designed to put on an human frame and mixed with mankind. He was a Prince of power and wisdom, an excellent statesman and an invincible warrior, a firm friend and an amorous gallant. In his divine character, it is the providence of Vadanties as phiJosophers to treat [of him], and the Religionists to offer their devotions. But the light, yet the amusing task of a dramatist, is to trace his character as man, and to expose by theatrical representation, either his vices or virtues, perfections or failings Crisina's eight wives were real female characters, and so was Radha his mistress-they were not imperceptible and immaterial spirit like the passions of the mind, subject to allegory, but they were real female beings, though the zealous religionists may subject them to metaphor. That chaste love is meant for devotion is known to the generality of your Readers, without the aid of Sarvatatsamcn's new Dictionary, and is applicable as much between a wife and an husband, as between man and his Creator. The affection of a virtuous wife is certainly a devotion to a faithful husband-Concerning the general, indefinite, and rather obscure, assertions of this critic, who remarks, that the Vistnovas mark Radha as the symbol of their own profession, that the modern Vistnovas deduce their tenets not from Vada but from authors of a lower order that the eight wives of Crisina sometimes represent the more regular sects,. as the unassuming Rucmani, the resigned Smarta, &c. as not strictly founded upon any authority of sacred Poranas, or warranted by the popular opinions and com mon notions, the Sectaries themselves have on the subject—[I answer,] *ཎྜ་ the first instance, there is hardly any difference between modern and ancient Vistnovas. As reformation added beauty to Revelation in Christianity, so a fortunate succession of learned Divines among this sect have by their works removed the brambles and weeds which the blind and deluded Advita's popularly called Smartas endeavoured to throw on the clear and beaten parth of Vistnova's tenets, which were founded on the sacred works of Stuty, Smiuty and Itehases or Vada, Pooranas and histories. The superiority of this sect is unquestionable from the very circumstance of all order of Advities or Smartas becoming proselytes to Vistnova Malu: the victuals prepared by one of this sect are acceptable to them: and the Smarta or other follower of Siven will take his meal in the presence of a Vistnava, and flock to Vistnoo's Templeswhereas the case is the reverse with the Vistnovas, for they will not allow a Smarta to be present when they eat, much less allow them to touch or prepare their food: they enter not the Temple of Siven, nor can au instance be found in the annals of history, and tradition of fables, that a Vistnova or Visista. Adivite became a proselite to the tenets of Advitas. In this respect Vistņavas are not unlike the reformed Christians, over the others of primeval [Popish] religion. The dignified, the majestic, and the transcendently virtuous Rucmani, and the magnanimous Sattiabhama, being the incarnations of Shee and Nila, the wives of Vistnoo or female powers of abundance and affluence, are the objects of pious Vistnovas' worship, since every reader will find by enquiry, that in all Vistnoo's temples (Treplicane is one of them) the image of Crisina is accompanied by those of Rucmani, and Sattiabhama on each side and not Radhawitness Bharet, Bhagavat and Hareveusa the Sacred Poranas, which are held equal in authority to Fada, wherein the life of this god and hero are particularly enumerated, neither the songs of lacdava nor the works of Vallabha Achary are classed under sacred writings, and therefore no authority is attach ed to them. Being a Vistnava, I certainly Report published by the Society of Friends (Quakers), at Philadelphia, in North Ame rica. In the summer of 1796, three friends, approved by the Committee, settled among the Oneidas. They were accompanied by a few of the members of the Committee, who made sundry propositions which they thought most likely to stimulate and encourage the Indians to cultivate their lands. To these found that the Indians, with a very few exthe nation generally agreed; but it was soon ceptions, were not only unaccustomed, but averse to labour. Those who began to work grew weary of it, and The friends gave out. then proceeded to improve a piece of land without assistance from the natives; hoping some of them would be induced to follow the did know the meaning of Cristna Velasem to its greatest extent, an impartial interpretation of which therefore I gave to the respectable spectators who witnessed the representation of it; and I have too great a respect for their judgment to think of succeeding by any fraud, as Sarvatutamen insinuates to attach to me. I wish he was more explicit when he asserts that I was afraid of offending the prejudices of my sect whom he must take for bigoted zealots.-No one will be afraid of offending any body when he does a thing, which is neither improper nor incorrect: and I should imagine that my fellow sectaries will be displeased at my giving any explana tion at all, if it was possible for them to take an offence, but I haye too great reverence for the enlightened Vistovas of Ramanaja Siddhanta (the established Re-example: they also repaired and worked a ligion of Ramanoja) to harbour, any such idea; they are liberal, and are as willing to impart as to acquire knowledge for the learned sages of this sect have transferred the essential meanings of Fat and other sacred writings into high Tamul, with a landable motive of instructing the less learned Sadras, and other casts of Hindoos, who from religious prejudice could not have recourse to the original text. I now conclude, Mr. Editor, with recommending to the young students who would be critics of Hindoo literature a strict and steady attention to the wise counsel of your learned poet-POPE. Be sure yourself and your own reach to know. I remain, Mr. Editor, your obliged and CIVILIZATION OF AMERICAN INDIANS. The progress of civilization is at all times an interesting and pleasing spectacle to the enlightened mind. It should be the concern of Europeans; but, that they have rather taken advantage of the ignorance of ruder people than communicated advantages to them, must be acknowledged with regret. A very thiorent picture is presented in the silowing narration, which is taken from a saw-mill belonging to the Oueidas, and several of the Indians acquired a competent knowledge of that business. They opened a school for the instruction of the children the succeeding winter; and con tinued it through every winter whilst they resided amongst them. An Indian, well qualified by an education in New-England, taught the Stockbridge children, and was allowed a salary by the Committee, for several years. ber of implements of husbandry among the They also distributed a considerable numOnandago and Cayuga nations." In the spring of 1798, one of the friends being disqualified by sickness for much labour, a proposition was niade to hire some Indians to assist in improving the land allotted for a farm; but they were so irregular in working that the plan was abandoned. Some days, near thirty would come to work, and other days scarcely one was to be had. They therefore engaged a number of Indians, lads and young men, whom they boarded, and allowed a reasonable compensation for their labour. At this time some improvement had taken place. Many of the Indian men would assist their wives in working their little lots of land; but they experienced some difficulty from the want of a blacksmith to make and repair their farming tools. friend well qualified to instruct them in that business, offering his service to the Committee, it was accepted; and his wife being disposed to go with him, another womanfriend, who also felt a concern to go, was encouraged to accompany her under a hope that the two women-friends might be usefully employed, in instructing the Indian women and girls. A commodious dwelling-house, barn, &c. were built this year on the farm; and the Indian lads and young men were usefully employed in cultivating it. A large quantity of grain, hay, &c. was raised there A In the year 1799, -several of the Indians improved lots of land for their own benefit, which they sowed with wheat. The smith's basiness continued to be attended to, and the friends, with the aid of the Indian lads, continued to work their farms. Nor were their exertions either during this, or any former year, confined to their immediate residence; but as opportunities for usefulness presented, they extended their labours to the various parts of the settlement; and afforded assistance many ways, as the necessities of the natives seemed to demand. In the Ninth month, 1799, four of the Committee went to Oneida; and after some friendly conference, closed the affairs relating to the settlement there. The Indians, on this occasion, -expressed themselves as follows, in reply to a written address. and we wish you may often remember and visit us, to see whether we grow better or worse." In addition to the assistance afforded this people at their own settlement, several of their girls and young women were brought into the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, and placed in friends' families; where, besides learning to read and write, they received such other instruction as was likely to be most useful to them off their return home: they were from the three nations of Stockbridge, Oneida, and Tuscarara. The beneficial effects of the labours at Oneida, having been observed by the Seneca Indians, it opened the way for an introduction among them, and Friends were invited into their country. Three friends, who offer ed their services to go and instruct then, being accompanied by two of the Committee, arrived, in the Fifth month, 1798, at the Indian towns on the Alleghany river, where they met with a friendly reception. The Indians made some improvement in 1900. A pair of oxen which they purchased were found very serviceable in drawing firewood, &c. As yet they had not begun to plough. They took a very cautious method of de "Brothers Quas, attend,* "We know your told us you came net amongst us to make us presents that would Others are about to train young cattle for soon wear away; but to stay some time to work, of their own rearing. The increasing instruct us how to gain a comfortabie living attention that prevails amongst them in rearby tilling the ground, as the white people doing cattle, hogs, &c. affords a prospect that Now you have staid the time you proposed, they will ere long, have a sufficient number and have fulfilled all your engagements to our of useful animals. Several are preparing nation; and we hope we shall follow the ground in order to sow wheat, and expect to good example you have set before us, which have it in readiness this season. we know would be ef lasting benefit to us; and we thankfully acknowledge your kind-termining whether it was likely to be an adSeveral ness, having never heard of any people that vantageous change for them or not. had done so much for Indians without any parts of a very large field were ploughed; view of advantage to themselves; which is a and the intermediate spaces prepared by their convincing proof to us that you are our real women with the hoc, according to ancient friends and we are glad the Good Spirit has custom: it was all planted with corn; and put into your minds to assist others of our the parts ploughed, besides the great saving Indian brethren, in learning the same good of labour, produced much the heaviest crop : way of living, for which we also thank you, the stalks being more than a foot higher and as well as for the good advice you gave us proportionably stouter than those on the hoed about the strong drink; and we will try all ground. Instead of letting the stalks and we can to persuade our young men to do leaves of corn perish on the ground as here. tofore, they preserved them for winter fodder. Several of them had mown grass, and made fence about two miles long, which incloses small stacks of hay; and they had made a the lower town, and a large body of adjacent and fronting on the river; also several other fences within it, to separate the corn-ground from the pasture, &c. better. "And now, Brothers, if we have done any thing that displeases you, we wish you would tell us, that our friendship pay reniain bright; for we know you are a true people, and we will keep this writing; and will tell our young men and children every year, that they may always remember your friendship; Onas is the name which the Indians gave to W. Penn. They consider Friends as W. Penn's people: but the appellation has been generally considered as their name for the Governor of Pennsylvania. The cabins which they used to live in, down. Most of them had built good log were generally either gone to decay or pulled houses with shingled roofs, and some of them with stone chimneys. A chief, who is not ashamed to be seen at work by the women of his own family, would probably be much mortified, more he discovered by a number of females, wiro, on such occasions, do not always refrain" from ridicule. Yet this false shame on the part of the men, and ridicule of the women, is wearing away, in proportion as they become familiarized to each other's assistance in their little agricultural labours. It was supposed the quantity of corn, &c. raised this year, was nearly tenfold what it was when the settlement was first formed. Thi fall, a few of the Indians made the first attempt to raise wheat. It may be proper here to remark that those who did something at farming, occasionally went out hunting; and many of the men adhered to the ancient customs, and left the women of their families to cultivate with the hoe what corn, &c. was needful for their subsistence. Several families have got to the number of six and seven head of cattle, with other useful animals, who had not any when this settlement was first made, owing as they now tell us, to their great excesses in the use of whiskey, which at present seems much declined ; not any is knowingly suffered to be brought into the settlements on this river; and if any are found out to have been over taken with it, when among the whites, they are sharply reprimanded and exposed by the chiefs at their return. This has nearly the same effect amongst Indians, as committing a man to the workhouse among white people." [Compare Panorama, Vol. I. p. 353.] An ingenious Indian, after having a grist of wheat of his own raising ground and bolted, said with animation, I think this will make the Indians see day-light." It is pleasing to find a disposition for im provement continues to prevail amongst the younger class of Indians. Divers have now a considerable quantity of corn to sell; they often express the satisfaction they feel in seeing the fruits of their own industry; and frequently observe that when they followed drinking whiskey they could hardly clothe themselves; but by industry they now find their substance begins to increase. The continued resolution of these Indians against the use of spirituous liquors, conduces much to the introduction and increase of civilized habits; and it is obvious that it has an improving effect on the other. settlements of the Seneca nation, They often come to see us, and appear well satisfied with what is doing. Our intercourse with them here is much more satisfactory than when we lived at the old place, and not subject to the embarrassment we were frequently under when there. The change I have no doubt will be found advantageous in many respects, CURIOUS SPECIMEN OF COURTSHIP AT MAN DRAS BY PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT. 299 The hyperbolical compliments of the Orientals have long been notorious among the cold blooded nations of Europe: that which would he stared at as bombast, among us, passes current in India, as every day phrasenlogy. We may smile at the language of passion, in that torrid region, but we caution against the adoption of its rant, amid the cool glades and perpetual verdure of the British islands. We should be glad, also, to know the genuine opinion of the natives, whether Hipdoos, or Mussulmen, on a people which differs so essentially from them in the article of marriage, and its preliminaries. What do they think of European courtship? What can they think of an Advertisement like the following, copied from the front page of the Madras Gazette of May 23, 1807. Faney beholds some good old Pundit, taking pp this paper, to look for public news, and casting his eye, in the first place, on this address; then lifting up his hands in wonderment at the strange vagaries of this undescribable nation, which the inscrutable destiny of the Cali-yug, had established as his governors! "O Rama! O Chrishna! O Bhavani! O Saramangala! How superior are the genuine sons of Hindoostan.! A. U. M." Advertisement. To that lady on whom nature has been lavish in her gifts, whose amiable person and beauteous form, receive redoubled lustre from the infinitely more estimable endowments of a truly noble and generous soul. To her, whose personal ac complishments are embellished and adorned with a disposition of mind that is loveliness intermingled with real dignity.And, to her, whose every talent leads to fortune, teaches her to know its value, only as it ought to be known, and affixes her in that sphere of being, whose every movement discovers and places her above it. You will perhaps con clude, noble fair, that the youth whose mind searches after and aspires to an alliance of this nature, will regard wealth and rank as but of secondary consideration; if so, madam, your inference is pronounced right, is just the native grandeur of your soul, and his favour (with that of his God) will ever be his first and great concern to deserve; do not, therefore, consider this as held forth in idle? sport, or view it in any light than that the most honourable; for every information respeeting the gentleman will be made known, on application, through whatever channel she will do him the honour to allopt, and that in a manner frank and unreserved his miniature will not be denied. He trusts and Geneva, at the head of its magnificent doubts not from her character, but she will lake, has been compared to a medaillon pen be equally ingenuous on her part. He also dent to a green ribband. Did we live in the begs that mele puïretilios, or a too vice no- age of parables, I should describe Vienna as tion of female, delicacy, will not cause her to a large brilliant set with emeralds, and an remain silent to this public call but that exterior row of party-coloured stones. The, (may be expected) she will shew herself city, with its beautiful and regular fortifica, above the generality of the sex, neither tions, stands nearly in the centre of the sub(as is sure to be the case with a mind thus urbs. The Esplanade, between the latter and endowed, amiable and liberal) persuade her the city, is 400 yards broad, with intersecself that she is not the one he is in quest of,ting rows of chesunt trees. When we con-that she can make but a pitiful comparisonsider the immense extent of the suburbs, the with a character of such perfection, as he population of which is estimated at 150,000, would be most ready to tell such, she certain we are astonished at the almost incalculable y must!The gentleman, rather than say number of buildings that have been erected any thing of himself, will refer the lady to since Vienna was besieged by the Turks in whomsoever she will please to mame, as it 1683. Objections have been urged against may better become such to speak on the sub the trivial names attached to some of these ject. All unmeaning applications, &c. will suburbs on the contrary all must admire be treated with marked contempt. The lady those of Leopoldstadt, Josephstadt, may address her letter to the gentleman hin-Hence I rather agree with old Shandy, who self, sealing and directing it to be left at the considered the naine of his child as a niatter of office of this paper,-A stranger begs leave to great importance. How interesting to possay, the gentleman is handsome in person, terity would be a Kaunitzstadt, a Lascy square, unexceptionable in mind, and a man of birth a Loudon place! Fature ages would daily be and fortune. reminded of those great men, who, eitherin the field, or the cabinet, have increased the glory of Austria. SKETCHES OF VIENNA, To the Editor of the Literary Panorama. Sir, As I am not aware of any work in our language which may be entitled a "pic ture of Vienna," I have been induced to select from the German, some of the leading features which mark that capital, and may claim attention. Mercier's Tableau de Paris has long been celebrated. Since that we have had pictures" of London, Hamburgh, Constantinople, Palermo, &c: but the capital of Austria has somehow escaped a delineation which it appears to me, to merit. I can vouch for the correctness of the following sketches, having passed a winter there. A general outline of the topography of this city may serve as a necessary introduction. From the southern bank of the majestic Danube the rising ground presents a commanding situation whereon the Romans raised a fortification which they called Vindo bona. Hence has gradually arisen the modern capital Wien, in German, or Vienna, To the north lie the woody islands in the Danube by which that river is divided into ten branches to the westward towers the lofty range of the Kahlenberg hills, covered with various buildings; to the eastward expand the fertile plains that stretch to the confines of Hungary, and to the south the landscape comprises bill and dale, villas and fertile fields. Does the traveller wish to enjoy a general view of this brilliant scenery, let him mount the spire of St. Stephen's, or climb the Kahlenberg &c. The elimate is highly coquetish, as Mr. Burke says of our own. The city is exposed to the north and east winds; the air is very sharp, and more dry than humid. The dust is the great plague of Vienna; its subtilty soon affects the eyes, it also causes pulinonary complaints of all kinds. Servants, running¦ footmen, hair-dressers, soldiers, &c. are carried off in great numbers. A stranger can form, but a faint idea of the dust. Six-( teen thousand coach-wheels, with the neces sary horses, and nearly a million of pedestrians, keep it in continual agitation: the whole city is buried in more than Egyptian, darkness; and should you walk out of the gates, you must traverse a column of dust halfa mile in diameter. The water is not of the best quality; strangers are afflicted with diarrhea for some weeks after their arrival. In winter the thermometer is generally one or two degrees higher in the city, than in the suburbs and be yond the lines. The mean degree of heat at. midsummer may be taken at 26, and in winter at 11 below zero. The area of the city and suburbs, within the lines, is estimated at 15,360,000 square yards. In Vienna they reckon from 47 to 52 persons to a house; in Paris 20; in Berlin 15 only. The houses are built in a most substantial manner, and some of them have as many stories below as above ground. Such solidity of architecture, offers no encouragement to fire-offices the memory of man there has been no instance in the city, of a single story having been des troyed by fire. in L |