Not altogether dissimilar is another haunt of sea-fowl in the same ocean, though considerably further to the east; this is a glaring patch of white sand set in a coral frame, a mile and a half wide, and encircled on all sides by breakers, with a magnificent overfall. Very recent charts of the Sooloo group may perhaps have it marked, but it is not to be found in Horsburgh. The sides of this island descend precipitously into the sea, and that to so great a depth that no bottom is to be found with the hand-lead. All the sand in the interior has the appearance of one huge nest covered with seabirds in all stages of growth, from the little unfledged creature just escaped from the shell, "to the old full-grown guardians of their progeny." When visitors approach, the old birds display great courage in the exercise of their paternal duties; they hover shrieking close over the heads of the strangers, and make so vigorous an opposition to their advance, that the way has to be cleared by knocking them down with sticks. and away down to the right, there is a | adventurous surveyors retraced their small group occupying one of the most steps, and the breakers resumed the eterstriking positions on the globe. All the nal monotony of their roar. way from the northern polar circle to that latitude, the sounding-line can generally, if not always, reach the bottom; but there the plummet becomes useless, for the mighty table-land of rock, out of which spring so many thousands of islands, descends sheer to an immeasurable depth, which defies even the fancy to follow it. On the very edge of this descent stands what has been very properly denominated Danger Island, which, so far as we know, has never but once been visited by man. Separated from the rest of the group by no great breadth of sea, it is yet preserved from human intrusion by terror. It has no landing-place, no bay, creek, cove, or indenture of the coast, but is belted round by lofty perpendicular cliffs, against which the huge surges of the Indian Ocean break perpetually in foam and thunder. Within the circle, however, of these dreadful rocks the surface of the island presents a little paradise. Trees of gigantic growth stretch along the cliffs, and suspend their ever-green foliage over the waves. Beyond these, there is a wilderness of flowering-plants and shrubs of rare beauty, gemming the soft mossy knolls and hollows which, at certain seasons of the year, form the common nest of millions of seabirds, which, when they rise on the wing, literally darken the air, while they fill it with a deafening murmur, like that which ascends from a prodigious army thrown suddenly into confusion. No naturalist, with competent leisure and opportunities, has yet examined a thousandth part of those oceanic birdcradles, where it is probable several new species will be found, more curious and beautiful than any yet known. Strange habits, which appear almost fabulous, are attributed to some of the winged tribes. There is, for example, a small owl in CenThe singular chance which rendered a tral America which takes up its abode in visit to this island practicable was as fol- the same burrow with the marmot and lows: A surveying-ship lying near for the rattlesnake. In fine weather you may several weeks observed one morning a often see the members of the triple populull in the ocean-its usual roar was sus-lation sitting at the entrance to their pended-and the breakers about the perilous precipices no longer appeared. The opportunity was immediately seized upon. A boat, filled with English officers and sailors, put off from the ship, and pulled vigorously towards the mysterious rock. After circling it round and round, some fissures in the cliff were discovered, through which it seemed possible to climb. Up went the whole party, despising difficulty and danger, and as the strange apparitions made their appearance, away, with screams and shrieks, flew the terrified birds. All the knowledge we possess of Danger Island was then obtained. After a hasty exploration, the dwellings. On the approach of a stranger, the marmot first retreats into the fortification, the owl next follows, while the lazy rattlesnake brings up the rear. On the coast of Borneo, a bird is found which the natives call menambun or the builder, on account of the extraordinary skill with which it constructs its nest. In form and color, it resembles the francolin or heath-cock. The wonderful structure on which we bestow the name of nest, usually found upon the sandy shore above high-water mark, is often upwards of sixty feet in circumference, and nearly five feet high. Occasionally, the bird takes advantage of a fallen tree to form a sort of nucleus for its operations, and about this heaps up loose portions of the sandy soil into the shape of a flattish barrow. It then bores, by scratching with its toes, a deep hole in the mound, and at the bottom clears a space wherein to lay its eggs. In the following season, it appears to become dissatisfied with its old apartments; but instead of removing to a distance, constructs an addition to the mound, and excavates in it a fresh chamber. In this way it proceeds, enlarging its dwelling indefinitely, until there are numerous entrances above, and hollow cells below. From one of these to another it sometimes opens subterranean galleries, which hasty explorers fill up while digging. Here and there, in the interior of the barrow, eggs are found, some newly laid, others half-hatched, while there are others again from which the birds have emerged. They come out full-feathered, and so strong as to be able to scratch immediately, and provide for their own subsistence. The habitat of the menambun is not extensive, being confined to the small islands which stud the coast of Borneo, and those of the Sooloo group. Proceeding further towards the south, we find, in the upper regions of Australia, a beautiful species of starling, of brilliant plumage, which glances with metallic lustre as its feathers in motion receive the rays of light. It lives among the thickets near the shore; and to guard against the inroads of its enemies, erects its habitation on trees of almost inaccessible hight. One of our voyagers found, near Cape York, nearly fifty specimens at once of the extraordinary nest of this bird. They were all suspended from the outer branches of a gigantic cotton-tree, where, light and pensile, they rocked, or swung to and fro in the passing breeze. To obtain one of them was a matter of no small difficulty. The trunk of the cotton-tree, at least twelve feet in circumference, and shooting up straight, without boughs, for upwards of sixty feet, seemed to defy all attempts at climbing. The naturalist, therefore, had recourse to his rifle, and sought to detach with ball the branches on which the nests hung; but the wind swaying them hither and thither, defeated his skill. A native then volunteered his services, and throwing the branch of a wild vine about the cotton-tree, worked his way up, just as the Arabs climb the loftiest date-palms. The young found in the nests were thrown, by the Australian, alive into the fire, and eaten half-raw. One of the most striking scenes in which wild-fowl make their appearance is a calm at sunset on the tropical ocean. There is always a swell and tremulous sensation in the vast deep, upon which the sun, going down in fiery splendor, sheds a crimson glow. Then the ship lies almost motionless upon the water, and the birds, which had been its companions by day, take their leave, some flying towards land invisible and far away, some to those solitary rocks which, at wide intervals, stud the ocean. But the ghost-like albatross, as he has been not unaptly denominated, wheels about in vast circles till he is lost in the darkness. Thus deserted by the inhabitants of the air, the mariner's fancy is befriended by the more constant denizens of the waves, who throw out their shining floats, and sparkle and glitter like a shower of stars on the dark surface of the ocean. Even here, in our own country, where we imagine ourselves familiar with all the forms of nature, extremely curious spectacles are sometimes to be witnessed. Birdcatchers in the fens, carrying on their calling by night, disperse themselves over the marshes and along the banks of streams, with torches in their hands. These they wave to and fro, to attract or dazzle the birds, which, while they are wondering at the strange appearance, are enveloped in nets. One of our old writers amuses himself with describing the stupidity of the dotterel, which imitated the grimaces and antics of the fowler, stretching out its wings when he spread forth his arms, hopping when he hopped, nodding when he nodded, and becoming, at length, so absorbed by the interest of the pantomine, that he was fairly knocked upon the head before he could rouse himself to a sense of his danger., We had noted down many other facts connected with the ways of wild-fowl in various parts of the world, but mindful of the old proverb, that “ enough is as good as a feast," we pause here, though we could have wished to enlarge a little on the airy populations of the Alps, the Himalaya, and the Andes, together with those which haunt the vast lakes and frozen rivers of the north. ROBINSON'S BIBLICAL RESEARCHES IN PALESTINE. New Edition, with an entire New Volume of Travels in 1852. Published by Crocker & Brewster, 47 Washington street, Boston. BIBLICAL RESEARCHES IN PALESTINE, MOUNT SINAL, AND ARALIA PETRE; a Journal of Travels in the year 1838. Also, Later Biblical Researches in Palestine and Syria. a Journal of Travels in the year 1852, by Edward Kobinson, Eli Smith, and others. Undertaken in reference to Biblical Geography. Drawn up from the Original Diaries with Historical Illustrations. By EDWARD ROBINSON, L.D., LL.D., Professor of Biblical Literature in the Union Theological Seminary, New-York. With a volume of new Maps and Plans of Mount Sinai, Jerusalem, Northern and Southern Palestine. The whole comprised in three volumes 8vo, cloth, $7 50; sheep, $8.25; half calf, $12; full calf $14. Volume III., comprising the Travels in 1852, can be had separately, cloth, $2.50; sheep, $2.75. Maps separately, 75 cents. "These Biblical Researches will unquestionably be henceforth regarded as one of the most precious contributions that have ever been made to Christian archæology. With a zeal as fresh and pure as it is ardent; with a judgment that is serene, and a charity that is as amiable as his criticism is close and erudite, does the Professor lay before the reader an immense storehouse crowded with materials that must excite the deepest interest. Nothing can be said or thought of this production that will not redound to the reputation of its author, or that will prevent it from becoming a model of research, and a standard authority in all time coming."-London Monthly Review. "Since the publication of Dr. Robinson's Researches in 1841, no work in any language has been able to compare with it as a repository of all needful and useful information respecting the Holy Land. Of all the works that have been made on the Holy Land within the last fifteen years, these Researches have furnished the staple. To commend a work so His travels in the Holy Land, and other places, often referred to by the sacred writers, in 1838, were extensive and attended with the most thorough observations. These were published at the time and received with great favor by an intelligent and appreciating public, as reflecting much valuable light been issued with the two of the revised edition of in illustrating the Scriptures. A third volume has the other work, which embraces the travels and observations of the author in 1852. They are a work of inestimable value, and are a noble contribu tion to Biblical literature; the most valuable by far ever made in this department. We take it for granted that every pastor, student of theology, and earnest reader of the Bible, must have this work in his library."-Christian Chronicle, Philadelphia. - The Le THE PENN INDUSTRIAL REFORM SCHOOL. gislature of Pennsylvania passed an act to establish this Reform School with very beneficent designs and plans for the accomplishment of a vast amount of good to the objects which it seeks to reform and bless. It is worthy the attention of every State in the Union. The Hon. John Galbraith, of Erie, formerly a Member of Congress, and now the Presiding Judge of the Courts in several counties in North-Western Pennsylvania, has been appointed the President and Chief Manager of this Institution. Under his efficient direction, the Institution is increasing in usefulness and public favor. THE LIFE OF THE REV. RICHARD KNILL OF ST. PETERSBURG. Being Selections from his Reminiscences, Journals, and Correspondence. By CHARLES M. BIRRELL. With a Review of his Character. By the late Rev. JOHN ANGELL JAMES. Pages 358. New-York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1860. THE memoranda embodied in this choice volume abound with touching interest and rich instruction. Every Christian and every Christian pastor would find his heart stirred and burn within him by its perusal. The piety and devotedness which made him the honored instrument in the conversion of more than a hundred men who became preachers of the Gospel, breathes a salutary influence all through these essential to those who would make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the geography and his tory of Palestine is superfluous. Dr. Robinson has received from the highest sources at home and abroad the most gratifying acknowledgments of his ability and success as an explorer of oriental anti-pages. quities, and this last volume, completing the great A TRIP TO CUBA. By Mrs. JULIA WARD HOWE. labors of his former life, will be the top-stone of a monument to his fame, which will outlive that of hundreds less modest and less worthy, whose travels have attracted greater attention. No ministerial library should be destitute of these three volumes, and where the pastor is unable to purchase them, the people would be the gainers by adding them at once to the number of his books."-NewYork Observer. "This is one of the noblest works ever issued from the American press. Dr. Robinson is among the very first Biblical scholars of the age. His attainments in this department of literature are fully acknowledged by the most distinguished theologians. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1860. THIS lady authoress wields a graceful and graphic pen of travel and description. This Boston lady leaves home in winter, as we infer, whirled along over the frost-bound earth by the iron horse to NewYork, thence gliding rapidly over the tumbling waters, in a British steamer, to a more genial clime and fairer skies in the sunny South, and a sojourn in Cuba, that brightest jewel in the crown of the Spanish Queen. With the aid of this pleasant book, the reader can visit Cuba, and see what the author sees, without the toil and danger of land and ocean travel. THE MARBLE FAUN; or, The Romance of Monte | Beui. By NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, Author of the Scarlet Letter, etc. In Two Volumes. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1860. WE welcome our old friend Hawthorne back from his eight years' absence, or silence, since he last appeared in public. He has made good use of his sojourn in classic lands, and gives his old friends an interesting and sensible romance, the scenes and phases of which appear under Italian skies, at Rome and the regions roundabout. The author has the good sense to write a preface to his book, as we think every author should. If a book is worth writing, it ought to be worth a preface. Having done this, our author introduces the reader to many agreeable persons and scenes in Italy, which are instructive and entertaining. The volumes are neat and tasteful in their contour. 1860. AUNT LOTTIE'S STORIES FOR CHILDREN. The Little NARRATIVE OF THE EARL OF ELGIN'S MISSION TO RECENT events of the last year, and the present STORIES FROM FAMOUS BALLADS. For Children. HERE are ten beautiful stories beautifully told by NOTES OF TRAVEL AND STUDY IN ITALY. By THIS is a charming book. It presents graphic POEMS. BY SIDNEY DOBELL. Boston: Ticknor & pictures of Italy, her objects of art, architecture, Tuis volume of poems comes to us in the diamond edition dress of blue and gold, to match in binding many other choice poetic volumes issued by this eminent publishing house. The volume comprises about thirty lyric poems of comparatively recent production by a rare poetic genius. Many of them are rich in thought and beauty of diction. Their publication in England excited a good deal of interest and varied criticism of the press, and in some, highly commendatory. It is a choice volume. painting, sculpture, the manners and customs of her LORD MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND.-We Inverness Advertiser) have seen a letter to a gen- teous mob. I have therefore no motive for in- THE TREASON OF CHARLES LEE, Major-General, THE research and industry evinced by the author in gathering up and arranging these historic facts and narrative are deserving of high commendation from all lovers of our national history. HISTORY OF PETER THE GREAT, Emperor of Russia. THE gifted pen of Mr. Abbott throws a charm around every subject and every history which he writes. There is an ease, simplicity, and grace in his style, which flows along like a pure and gentle stream. winding through verdant fields and meadows, with flower-covered banks. Such are all his books of history. May he live to write many more. NEW APPLICATION OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.-M. Despretz recently presented to the French Academy of Sciences, in the name of M. Fonsagrives, the chief physician for the marine department at Cherbourg, an apparatus intended to illuminate the cavities in the human organism by means of the electric light. This apparatus has been constructed by M. Ruhmkorff, under the direction of M. Du Moncel. It is approved of by M. Velpeau, and is described in L'Institut. SILKWORMS-One silkworm's line will sometimes measure as much as four hundred and four yards, and, when dry, not weigh more than three grains. From this a line, as spun by the worm, in weight sixteen ounces, or a pound, will be above five hundred miles in length; therefore, a silkworm's thread, to go round our globe, (twenty-five thousand miles,) would not weigh fifty pounds. BROWN, TAGGARD & CHASE have got out " An Arctic Boat-Journey, in the Autumn of 1854," by ISAAC I. HAYES, surgeon of the second Grinnell Expedition, who says in his Preface: "The readers of the narrative of Dr. Kane will remember that, in the autumn of 1854, eight persons, being a portion of the officers and crew of the brig Advance, then in Rensselaer Harbor, made an attempt to reach Upernavik, in North-Greenland, the nearest outpost of civilization. The party were absent during nearly four months, and they returned to the brig unsuccessful. It was the wish of Dr. Kane to receive from me a written report of the journey; but as I was disabled at the time of my return, he accepted one from my dictation; and under the impression that he was thus possessed of all that he required, I gave no further attention to the subject. It subsequently appeared that I was in error; for, when his narrative was going through the press, he informed me that my verbal report was too meager for his use, and that he had expected a more complete statement of the principal events. Before I could act upon this information, I was prostrated by fever; and as Dr. Kane's manuscript was put into type as fast as prepared, and was immediately stereotyped, the opportunity was unavoidably lost to me. After the publication of the main narrative of the expedition, my own memoranda appeared too insignificant to justify the issue of a separate volume. My friends and other persons represented to me, from time to time, that even minute details of life in a region so remote, so peculiar, and so little known as that in which I had passed nearly a third of a year, would not fail to interest the general reader; but it needed a stronger inducement than such persuasions to overcome my reluctance to issue a book. Having undertaken to conduct another expedition toward the North Pole, as soon as my countrymen will furnish the moderate outfit required for this object, my time and efforts have been exclusively devoted to the necessary preliminary measures. My experienced publishers having encouraged me to believe, not only that a somewhat extended report of the incidents of the journey of 1854 would be acceptable to the public, and that it would probably contribute towards the expenses of my preparations. I yielded to the temptation offered by their favorable judgment, and their readiness to assume the risk of the press." THE CATACOMBS OF PARIS.-In accordance with annual custom, some engineers of the municipality visited, a few days ago, the Catacombs, which extend to a considerable distance beneath Paris on | collected the bones formerly removed from the old cemeteries of Paris. Near the entrance to the vault is the inscription, N'insultez pas aux mânes des morts! About twenty minutes are occupied in reaching the spot, and it is generally remarked that the visitors, influenced by the strangeness of the situation, and by the peculiar odor which prevails, soon become serious and silent. In the vault the bones are piled up like wood in a timber-yard, and galleries are formed in them for visitors to pass along. The bones are arranged in regular order to the hight of six feet, the larger bones being outside, and the skulls being placed on the top. Here and there are inscriptions indicating from what cemeteries the bones were brought, and also scraps of verse from different poets. There is one enormous heap of bones which has not yet been classified. It is calculated that not fewer than three million persons must have been interred in the cemeteries from which the bones were removed. In the vault are some subterranean springs, which have been collected in a basin called Fontaine de la Samaritaine. In this fountain some gold-fish were placed in 1813; they lived for a long time, but did not breed. In the other parts of the Catacombs the galleries are very numerous, and one of them is nearly five miles long. To prevent persons from losing their way, a broad black line is drawn on the wall from the entrance of the Catacombs to the vault.-Galignani's Messenger. LORD BROUGHAM AND MR. GLADSTONE.-A very significant compliment to Mr. Gladstone's oratory, and a very striking incident in itself, (says the Scotsman,) appears not to have been marked by our London cotemporaries. We mean the presence of Lord Brougham within the walls of the House of Commons for the first time during very nearly thirty years that is, since he left in 1830 to become Lord Chancellor. It is pretty well known that Lord Brougham left the House of Commons to preside over the House of Lords, with the utmost pain and reluctance--that his own most earnest desire was not to accept any office which necessitated the abdication of his position as member for Yorkshire, and that he took a position nominally and titularly higher only at the most urgent entreaty and virtual command of his party. Since his removal he has never once been known to enter as auditor within those walls which had so often echoed with his eloquence. On Friday night, for the first time, he overcame this remarkable reluctance; and then, too, for the first time, it is understood, he heard the man who now occupies the position he himself so long held unrivaled and undisputed the greatest orator in the British House of Com mons. the left bank of the river. The object of the visit was to ascertain that the arches, pillars, etc., which support the roof remain perfectly solid. The enLord Brougham was seen to listen intently gineers were accompanied by some gentlemen and during the whole four hours during which Mr. Gladladies; and it is only on the occasion of these stone spoke; and is known to have expressed the annual inspections that the Catacombs can be visit-highest admiration of the speech, as a masterpiece ed at all. The entrance is in the courtyard of what of clear and skillful statement and persuasive rhewas formerly the octroi office of the Barrière d'En- toric. fer. It is closed by a thick door, and the Catacombs are reached by a long narrow staircase, descending about seventy feet. A man at the door counts the persons who enter, and gives each a lighted candle, which he is required constantly to carry. At the bottom of the staircase is a long, narrow gallery, the sides and roof of which are supported by masonry. This gallery, in which only two persons can walk abreast, leads to a spacious vault beneath the Plaine de Mont Souris, and in which vault are "How is it," said a gentleman to Sheridan, "that your name has not O attached to it? Your family is Irish, and no doubt illustrious." "No family had a better right to O than our family," said Sheridan, "for we owe every body." LORD COWLEY reports that Austria will not meet Sardinia in congress, and that the Emperor Napoleon will consider any crossing of the Po by Austrian troops cause for a declaration of war. |