ORIENTAL LITERATURE. Ibn Fozlan's und anderer Araber Gerichte uber die Russen alterer zeiten. An interesting work under this title has been published at Petersburgh by Professor Fræhn. It gives an account of the Russians as they were described by Ibn Fozlan and other Arabic writers, long before they were heard of in Europe. Ahmed Ibn Fozlan was sent as an envoy to the king of the Bulghars in 921 by the Khalif Moktadir: the work that was the result of this mission is no longer in existence, but copious extracts have been preserved in the Muajem al Bildan of Shehab ad din Abu Abdullah Yakut. The embassy went by Bokhara, Kharizm and the country of the Bashkirs, and encountered the Russians on the borders of the Volga, brought thither by objects of trade: the Russians of those days were idolaters of the grossest description, and their manners were filthy and barbarous. Professor Fræhn has added three dissertations to his work: the first endeavours to shew that the Arabs were acquainted with the Russian tribes, under appellations still cognisable: the second maintains against Ewers, the existence of the people called Vareges, or Varangians upon Arabian authorities, and the third identifies the Wisu of the Arab Geographers, with the Wes or Wesi of Nestor. Some translations of the texts of Yakut were made by Professor Rasmussen of Copenhagen, and these were published some time since in English. A work on the political and religious history of central Asia, especially of the Mongols, has been published at Petersburgh, by Mr. J. J. Schmidt. It has given rise to a rather warm controversy between him and Klaproth as to the origin of the Igurs: they are identified by Schmidt with the Tangutans: Klaproth and Remusat consider them to be Turks. A new history of the Mongols founded on Arab and Persian authorities, is in progress at Paris, the first volume only has yet appeared: the principal works consulted are the Kamil al Tawarikh of Iz. eddin Ibn al Athir. The life of Jelal ad din Mankberni by Mohammed Nisawi. The Tarikh jehan Kusha of Ala ed din Ata Melik. The Wasf el Hazret of Abdallah, and the Jami al Tawarikh of the celebrated Rashid ad din. Mr. Senkowsky of Petersburgh, has published a Supplement to his, general History of the Huns, Turks and Mogols being a translation of the Tezkereh Mohkim Khani a succinct history of the Usbek sovereignty in Bokhara, from 1505 to 1709, and a continuation of the History of Kharizm, from the time of Abulghazi to the beginning of the 18th century. The work is enriched by ample geographical illustrations of Turkestan and Tokharestan, by the translator, from his own observations, and those of of Mr. Meyendorf. Mons. Bopp has published the first of a series of Essays on the comparative Analysis of Sanscrit and its affinities. It appears that Mr. Erskine has completed the translation of the Emperor Baber's, Auto Biography commenced by the late Dr. Leyden, and that the translation is in the press. Mr. Fraser is about to publish an account of his Travels through the North and West of India, with the particulars of his visit to Bokhara. A Prodromus Flore Nepalensis, or a description of the plants in the kingdom of Nepal and adjacent countries, has been published by Mr. Don Librarian of the Linnoean Society. We observe that the last Quarterly Journal of Science contains a Botanical account of the Prangos, or Grass of Ladakh, which affords a fodder of a most superior kind; the following is the description given by Mr. Lindley-Char. Nat. Calyx quinque dentatus. Petala æqualia lanceolata incurva integerrima. Discus carnosus crispus. Achenia a dorso compressa: Pericarpium, suberosum commissura plana angusta; jugis quinque primariis elatis, secundariis nullis. Semen multivitilatum. Albumen involutum. Herboe asia temperatæ. Involucra universalia et partialia simplicia, polyphylla. Flores abortu monoici lutei? Folia supradecomposita. Mr. L. proposes to class it as a new genus comprehending two species Prangos pabularia as above and P. ferulacea, the Laserpitium ferulaceum of Linnaeus. A translation from the Arabic Story of Haiker, has been published by Mons. Agoub. A rare manuscript entitled Musawer Ilaji Rubani or Spiritual Medicine, illustrated by paintings, has been sent from Constantinople to Gratz, and a notice of it is published by Von Hammer, in the Steyermark Journal-the ills of human life personified, are called before Solomon, and explain the manner in which they affect humanity, and how they may be reme died the remedies are of the su perstitious class, consisting chiefly of incantations and prayers from the Koran. History of Persia.-Mr. Tychsen has communicated to the Royal Society of Gottingen, an Essay, De origine ac fide antiquæ Persarum Historiæ qualis in scriptoribus orientalibus traditur. Mr. Hylander has published the text, and a Latin translation of the first book of the Geographical work of Ibn Al Werdi, the Khaiddat al Ajaib-the publication of the work has been long a desideratum with European Geographers -considerable progress was made in an English translation of it, by Dr. Leyden, but his labours have not been given to the public. Mr. Hylander has published fragments of the work of Ibn Al Werdi on former occasions, we can scarcely expect, that he will complete it, as he is, we understand 74 years of age. The following works have been published by the Calcutta and Serampore Presses since our last. Principles and presidents of Mo hammedan Law, by W. H. Macnaghten, Esq. Principles and Precedents of Moohumudan Law, being a Compilation of Primary Rules relative to the Doctrine of Inheritance (including the tenets of the Schia Secretaries) contracts and miscellalegal opinions involving those neous subjects; and a selection of points delivered in the several Courts of Judicature subordinate to the Presidency of Fort William ; together with notes illustrative and exemplanatory, and preliminary remarks, by W. H. Macnaghten Esq. of the Bengal Civil Service. An abridged translation into Persian of Mr. Harington's Analysis of the Regulations by Maulavi, Mohammed Zuhoor. 1 vol. 8vo. An abstract of the Regulations enacted for the administration of civil justice in the provinces of the year 1793 to the end of 1824: Bengal, Behar and Orissa, from originally compiled by W. Blunt, Esq. to the year 1818; continued and rendered into Persian by H. Shakespear, Esq. 1 vol. 4to. The text of the Viswagunádarsa, a brief descriptive account in Sanscrit of the chief places in Hindusthan, 1 vol. 4to. A translation of the same into English by Caveli Venkata Rama Swámí, 1 vol. 4to. We understand that a translation of the history of Armenia from a Standard work, in the Armenian language, is in progress. The Fifteenth Volume of the Asiatic Researches has just been published-the contents are as follow: 1.-An Essay on the Hindu History of Cashmir. By H. H. Wilson, Esq. 2.-On the Diamond Mines of Southern India. By H. W. Voysey, Esq. 3. Some account of the Country of Bhutan. By Kishen Kant Bose. 4.-On the Black Deer of Bengal. By Mons. A. Duvaucel. 5.-An Account, Geographical, Statistical, and Historical of OrisBy A. sa Proper, or Cuttack. Stirling, Esq. 6.-An Account of a Tour made to lay down the Course and Levels of the River Setlej or Satúdrá, as far as traceable within the limits of the British authority, performed in By Capt. J. D. Herbert, 1819. 8th Regt. N. I. 7.-On the Building Stones and Mosaic of Akberabad or Agra. By (the late) H. Voysey, Esq. By 8.-Sanscrit Inscriptions. (the late) Capt. E. Fell. With Ob. servations by H. H. Wilson, Esq. 9.-Observations on the Climate of Subathu and Kotgerh. By Lieut. P. Gerard, Bengal Native Infantry. 10. Some Account of an Orang Outang of remarkable height found on the Island of Sumatra, together with a description of certain remains of this Animal, presented to the Asiatic Society by Captain Cornfoot, and at present contained in its Museum. By Clark Abel, M. D. F. R. S. &c. &c. 11.-Account of Ancient Hindu Remains in Chattisgher. By R. Jenkins, Esq. with translations and remarks by H. H. Wilson, Esq. APPENDIX. Extracts from the proceedings of the Benares Corresponding Society-Latitude of the Hindu Observatory at Benares, by W. Cracroft and J. Prinsep Esqrs. Table of Multipliers for ascertaining the Deviation of a Transit Instrument from the Meridian, &c. By William Cracroft, Esq. Extract from the Proceedings of the 26th December, 1822. Rules of the Asiatic Society. List of the Donors and, Dona- Members of the Asiatic Society. Asiatic Society.-A Meeting of the Asiatic Society was held at Chowringhee, on Wednesday evening, the 21st instant; W. B. BAYLEY, Esq. Vice President, in the Chair. T At this Meeting Lieutenant Colonel BLACKER; Lieutenant JENKINS, and Mr. ALLEYN, were elected Members of the Society. A note was read from Mr. GIBBONS, transmitting, in the name of Mr. PALMER, two small stuffed figures representing a man and woman of the Bosjec tribe, at the Cape of Good Hope. A model of the Great War Boat, 100 feet long, and finely gilt, &c. which was presented by the King of Ava to the Shoo Dagon Pagoda at Rangoon, has been added to the Museum by Major G. P. BAKER. This model was taken by a Shipbuilder on a scale, and only shews the proportions of the vessel, without any of its carved and gilded embellishments. Captain WILLIAM BRUCE presented a Burmese religious book, written on the Palm-leaf, with the outer leaves highly illuminated and glazed. It was found in the large Pagoda at Rangoon, were it was placed in a niche with a silk curtain drawn before it. A letter was read from Mr. VAN RENSSELAER, Secretary to the Lyceum of Natural History of New York, presenting the first half volume of their Annals, and the two first numbers of their second volume, together with an Essay on Salt containing notices of its origin, formation, geological position, and principal localities in the American States, with a view to its use in the arts, manufactures, and agriculture, by the Secretary himself. The Uses of salt are numerous and important: perhaps much more so than is generally believed or understood. Sal Ammoniac or muriate of Ammonia, is made in abundance from common salt, which contains 51 per cent. of muriatic acid. In the manufacture of Glass, salt is largely employed; soda, which is procured from common salt, is used for plate glass; potash for flint glass, and common salt, mixed with kelp, for crown glass. In England the heavy duty on salt is almost a prohibition to its use for these purposes. Oxy-muriate of lime, and other oxy-muriatic salts employed in bleaching are made from salt, and consume a large quantity of it in the manufacture. Spirit of salt, or muriatic acid, require large quantities of salt Mr. Parkes consumed 20 tons yearly in the production of it; and at least 1000 tons are used for this purpose in England every year, notwithstanding the enormous duty. It is used in a variety of processes in dyeing and calico printing. Glauber's salt is made from what remains in the stills after the distillation of muriatic acid. This residuum was formerly thrown away, until a person employed it in making Glauber's salt, when a duty of £30 per ton was laid on the article manufactured, since, however, remitted. Epsom salt is produced entirely from salt, or the evaporation of sea water. The brine which yields 100 tons of salt, gives from four to five tons of this valuable article. Dr. Henry, the celebrated chemist of Manchester, has discovered a process of preparing it from magnesian limestone, and has reduced the price one half. It can be made still cheaper from sea' water, for the employment of which in England, a duty is laid. Magnesia is made from salt brine, or sea water. The English duties are so high as to render it propable that both this and the preceding article will, in future, be obtained by Henry's process from magnesian limestone. Crystalized Soda is also made from common salt; and if the latter, or sea water, could be obtained free of duty in England, it would supercede the importation of American or Russian pot and pearl ashes, and 10,000 tons would be used annually in Great Britain. Several hundred tons in washing alone. Barylla, of an excellent quality, is made from salt. In the manufacture of Hard Soap, salt is a necessary ingredient. Corrosive Sublimate is always made from common salt.. It is not only a medicine, but is used extensively in callico printing, and in other arts. Salt is always used in making corrosive sublimate; every 6lbs. of quicksilver require 12lbs. of salt; and in making calomel every 9lbs. of quicksilver require 16.bs. of corrosive sublimate. Patent Yellow is also prepared from common salt. In the Fisheries, in salting provisions for the sea service, and for exportation, salt is largely employed. For these purposes, however, it should contain no muriate of magnesia, which deliquesces and 1825.] It is always dissolves the salt. present when salt is made by a rapid evaporation. Butchers, Morocco Dressers, and Shinners, employ it in large quan tities. Mr. VAN REWSSALAER has also transmitted to the Society a copy of Statutes regulating the practice of Physic and Surgery, in the State of New York, and a Catalogue of paintings, sculptures, and engravings, exhibited by the American Academy of Fine Arts in the present year. A Nepalese manuscript was presented by Mr. HODGSON. A letter was read from Dr. PATERSON, transmitting a Sketch of the Progress of Science, respecting Igneous Meteors and Meteorites, by E. W. BRAYLEY, which appeared in the Philosophical Magazine for August, 1824. A Meteorological Register for 1824, by Mr. J. PRINSEP, of Benares, was also laid before the meeting. A paper was read by the Secretary, illustrative of the Boudh'ha religion, as established in Nepal, with translation from the manuscript sent by Mr. HODGSON. The accounts given by KIRKPATRICK and BUCHANAN of the religion of Nepal, appear to be far from satisfactory or comprehen sive. They only establish that there are two predominant forms of belief, as well as two principal divisions of the people, the Parbutyas, or mountain, Hindoos who worship Seva and Vishnoo, and the Newars, who mostly follow the doctrines of Boudh'ha many and voluminous in Nepal, According to information given Although BUCHANAN found it difficult to procure any satisfactory information in Nepal of the traditions and tenets there prevalent, there is evidently no want of means. The only authentic sources of all such information are the works which embody and dictate the belief and practises of a people, and that these are both |