and cannot be perused without leaving an impression favorable to sobriety of life and spirituality of mind and affections.

Scott has lately given the public a new series of Tales of a Grandfather,' which are founded in historical events that occurred in Scotland and England, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They are entertaining and instructive; but are particularly intended for the capacity and the benefit of the young.

A late number of the Asiatic Journal contains a long article on the literature of Georgia. This country, it will be recollected, is in the North West of Asia, near the Caucasian mountains, the present popuation of which exceeds two millions and an half. The name given it by the ancients, was Colchis. The inhabitants have their early traditions up to within a short period of the general deluge. A descendant of Japhet is supposed to have made the first settlement in this country. The literature of the Georgians is evidently founded on and connected with the history of the Bible. They call it "the book of books ;" and were favored with a translation of it into their vernacular tongue, in an early age of Christianity. The writings of the early Christian fathers were also translated into the language of that country. Some ancient copies of these still remain in manuscript. Their religion is that of the Greek Church, with some unimportant variations. MSS. are also said to be in existence which would throw much light on the history of ancient times, so far as that country and vicinity was concerned. They were, however, strangers to either politics or theoretic science. They have been more distinguished for poetry and romance, and yet their poetry has little merit except a profusion of images, of which eastern writers generally are so fond.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Among the numerous and valuable periodical publications in the United States, whether Reviews, Magazines, or other literary Journals, this work, conducted by Professor Silliman, of New Haven, is one of the most valuable. As a Journal of Science, it is certainly the first in America. Professor Silliman is a man of much general literature, and his knowledge of the exact Sciences, is probably greater than that of any other individual in the United States. He is also indefatigable and persevering in his researches. For some years, the Journal of Science was so limited in its circulation, notwithstanding the ability and learning of the Editor, that the publishers of the work were not reimbursed for their actual expenses. The publication is now more justly appreciated; and it is sincerely hoped, that the learned and able Editor will be encouraged to continue it. The two last

numbers are very valuable. In proof of this remark, we might refer to the articles, "On Mineralogy and Geology of Nova Scotia ;" "On Gases, Acids, and Salts, near the Erie Canal," "On Volcanos and Earthquakes" "On the Vitality of Matter," "on Fossil Remains," and particularly "The Report on a Course of Liberal Education." The latter is a very able and elaborate article, and was prepared by a Committee appointed by the President and Fellows of Yale College. This Report is evidently the result of mature consideration. The great question with the Committee seems to have been, whether any material, and what, changes are proper to be made in the present mode of college instruction, study and discipline. The Committee consider classical learning of great importance, and a necessary foundation for a learned education. The guardians and overseers of Colleges in our country will do well to consult this able Report. An article, purporting to be a "History of Sea Serpentism;" by the very learned Dr. Mitchell, we are inclined to believe, was prepared in haste, and under the influence of some unreasonable scepticism on the subject. The learned Doctor has not referred to the best evidence in the case, that derived from the depositions of Capt. Little and other respectable persons, who saw the Sea Serpent in 1779 and 1780, in the bay of Penobscot.

The fourth and fifth numbers of the Southern Review have been published-the last, in February. They fully sustain the high character acquired by the former numbers. The article in number IV. on the religious opinions and worship of the American Indians, discovers great research. The other articles are written with ability and learning-In the fifth number the principal subjects are 'The law of Tenures, Chancery, Brown's Philosophy of the Human Mind,' 'Butler's Life of Erasmus.-They who have Jortin will hardly think of purchasing Butler.

The Western Review, published in the state of Ohio, by the Rev. Mr. Flint, is a work of considerable promise. It does not profess to be equal to the North American or Quarterly; but it merits the encouragement of all the friends of good learning. Mr. Flint has a good taste, his style is chaste and perspicuous; and he is industrious in collecting whatever is important in the antiquities and natural history of the "Valley of the Mississippi." He is preparing a new novel, with the title of "Shoshonee Valley"-the leading design of which is to show "the influence of the introduction of the white people into or near the settlements of the native Indians."

The ninth number of the American Quarterly Review has been lately published by Carey & Lea of Philadelphia. The princí

CONSIDERING the opinion, that this continent was known either to Africa or Europe or to the western nations of Asia, at a very early period, or that it was first settled by people from those parts of the earth, as destitute of all solid support, there is no other hypothesis remaining, by which we can account for its whole occupancy and great population in 1500, and for many centuries before, according to the tradition of the native Americans, except that above advanced, of an emigration from the northeastern parts of Asia; which, probably, took place in 800 or 900 years after the general deluge, and 1400 or 1500 years before the Christian era. This early period will account for the extensive settlements, and immense number of inhabitants in America, when first visited by the Spaniards in 1500; and which had been such, as the natives reported, for a very long period. This hypothesis is further supported by the consideration of the actual condition of the American Indians, as to their customs and their knowledge, or more properly, perhaps, their ignorance of the arts of civilized life; which, allowing for some few changes made during a long period, was probably such as it was among the Tartar tribes in Asia, at the time of their supposed migration. That they came to this continent by a short water passage; that they came to the country of Anahuac or Mexico, from the north, at a great distance, and at a remote period, after several intermediate settlements, their accounts and traditions shew, with equal constancy and universality. The learned Acosta, a Spaniard, and Boturini, an Italian, who spent several years in Mexico, in the seventeenth century, and devoted their researches, to the history, origin and customs of this remarkable people, adopted the opinion here ad

vanced. It was also favored by Sir William Jones, one of the most learned men of the eighteenth century. He passed many years in India, and studied the history of most ancient nations, with peculiar zeal and assiduity. He believed the first inhabitants of America emigrated from the northeast of Asia, and at a very remote period; 'probably,' he says, 'within eight hundred years after the deluge.' He founded his opinion upon their complexion, customs and physical character; but principally on the consideration, that if they had left Asia at a much later period, they would have brought with them more knowledge and more of the arts of civilized life; and that the event would have been known through Asia and in Europe.

The same opinion was expressed by the learned Hornius, or Horn, in his remarks on the theory of Hugo Grotius. He supposed that the original inhabitants of America were descended from the Cathayan Tartars, or Huns; and that they came to this continent and made settlements, at a very early age of the world: But he does not undertake to fix the particular period. He excludes the Africans, and the Scandinavians or Norwegians; but thinks it not impossible, that the Malays, at an early period, after traversing the Pacific ocean, might have effected a settlement in South America; and, consequently, that a part of the population of that country descended from them.

We ought, perhaps, to have noticed the conjecture of some writers, who have suggested, that the Japanese were the first settlers of this continent. This opinion may be more plausible than that which accounts for the original occupancy, by Africans, Phenicians or Egyptians. But there is nothing in any existing tradition, nor is there any other evidence to support the hypothesis. Besides, if Japan furnished inhabitants for America originally, it would have been by the aid of navigation, a knowledge of which would have been retained by the Americans in ages subsequent to the first settlement. They would, probably, have kept up an intercourse with the new colony. Their migration, also, we may reasonably suppose, would have been to a latitude not more northern, than the place from which they came; whereas nothing is more certain, than that many of the first people of America, (if not all of them) came to it in a high northern latitude, at or near Behring's Straits. The migration of these Tartar tribes or hordes might, indeed, have been at different times, with short intervals, and the companies not very numerous. The inducement might have been to escape from powerful hostile tribes in Asia; or we may impute their removal to a wandering disposition, which lead men to seek out new places of settlement or hunting.

It is true, that Clavigero, the learned historian of Mexico, and M. Malte Brun, the indefatigable and scientific geographer of the pre

sent century, rather favor the opinion, that South America was first occupied by some Malays or Chinese; yet they admit, that it is most probable North America was originally settled by an Asiatic race, who came to this continent at a very remote period, and in a high northern latitude. A few writers also, have supposed, that South America was early settled chiefly by Africans. If the aborigines of South America were very like, either the Africans, or the Chinese, in physical character, color, or customs, there would be some plausibility in these theories. But there were no negroes in America, when first visited by the Spaniards; and there is nothing yet detected in the traditions or customs of the Peruvians (as before observed) to render it probable even that they sprung from the Chinese or Malays. M. Brun expressly acknowledges, that the people of South America and those of the Islands in the Pacific ocean are dissimilar in their language and their physiological attributes. It seems to us, after much consideration of the subject, that a passage from Asia to America, at Behring's Straits, is the only one, which a rude and wandering people, as the Tartar and Mongol tribes were in the eighth or tenth century from the deluge, with little knowledge of navigation, could reasonably be supposed to make. No objections have ever been offered, to render it improbable that this was the channel of the emigrations from the old to the new continent; or that these were made at a very remote period, as above suggested: and as to resemblances, it is conceded by all writers on the subject, that far greater likenesses are to be found between the inhabitants of this continent and the ancient, wandering, illiterate tribes in the northeast of Asia, than between the American Indians, and any other nation.

It is well known, that the ancient Huns and Tartars were a wandering people. It is a fact, also, that in very early periods, as well as in later times, there were wars and revolutions, in the central and northern parts of Asia. This was the case, with the inhabitants of those regions, in the fourth and fifth century from the deluge. Ambition or wants produced invasions, and these produced migrations to distant places. Thus, some families and tribes removed west, some south, and some east, from the central parts of Asia, the early residence of the fathers of our species. Within four hundred years from the deluge, all Asia was probably settled, (except the extreme northern part) even as far as the shores of the Pacific ocean, and the Islands contiguous to the coasts. There is nothing to render it improbable, that soon after settling on or near the shores of the Pacific, even with little knowledge of navigation, some adventurous and wandering hordes would pass to the Islands in the vicinity, and thus proceed to the American coast; especially, as the arm of the sea is very narrow, at the place before mentioned, and that at which