332 REVIEW.-Dr. Milner's " Parting Word." of the See of Rome and the less dig- "Since the publication of the Vicar's swer. To be brief: the Rev. Gentleman, after apologizing for supposing me to be the author of The End of Religious Controversy, proceeds to inquire of me, upon what grounds my opinion of the probability in question rests, and supposes that I can have no objection to contradict it publicly, on his informing me, that those who constantly attended the Bishop in his last illness, never heard an expression of the sentiments I attributed to him. I answered, by the post, acknowledging myself to be the author of the above-named work; and I stated, that the probable opinion I entertain rests on my persuasion of the truth of the following particulars-that the Bishop expressed, in his illness, an uneasiness on the score of religion, to a certain Catholic who had access to him; that this Catholic advised him to send for a Catholic priest; and that he replied: "What will then become of my lady and my children Finally, that he refused the offer of the then Archbishop of Canterbury to administer the Protestant Sacrament to him.-I added, that the parties in question being long since dead (Dr. Hallifax in 1790, and my inform [Oct, ant in 1811), it is impossible to obtain evidence on the point in question: but, as I had barely expressed a probable opinion concerning it, grounded, however, on the known credibility of my informant (who was a clergyman of the first rank among the Catholics, and distinguished for his moral virtues, thought myself justified in retaining my opiand especially for his artless veracity), I gative testimony of my Correspondent's witnion, which is no way impeached by the neselves had seen and heard. The Rev. Gennesses, who barely speak to what they themtleman remained silent for a month; at the end of which he sent me what the lawyers call a fishing letter, desiring me to inform him of the name or names, rank in life, residence, &c. of my informant or informants. I was confirmed in my opinion of the chapublished soon after in The British Critic, and therefore did not reply to it. racter of this letter, by an article which was "I have thus answered whatever is ma- ing Bp. Hallifax is not distinctly met "A large proportion of those Grandees, who were the most forward in promoting the Reformation, so called, and amongst the rest, Cromwell Earl of Essex, the King's Ecclesiastical Vicar, when they came to die, returned to the Catholic Church. This was the case also with Luther's chief protector, the Elector of Saxony, the persecuting Queen of Navarre, and many other foreign Protestant Princes. Some Bishops of the Established Church; for instance, Goodman and Cheyney, of Gloucester, and Gordon, of Glasgow, probably also Hallifax, of St. Asaph, died Catholics. A long list of titled or otherwise distinguished personages, who have either returned to the Catholic faith, or, for the first time, embraced it on their death-beds, in modern times, might be named here, if it were prudent to do so.' End of Controv. Letter IX. p. 79. Second edit.-It is remarked in the same page by the writer, as it had before been remarked by Sir Toby Matthews, son of the Archbishop of York, Hugh Cressy, Canon of Windsor, Ulric, Duke of Brunswick, F. Walsingham, all distinguished converts, and other writers, that not a single instance can be produced of a Catholic who wished to die in any other religion than his own." + Here Dr. Milner extracts a passage from Dr. Parr's Letter, beginning, "The contents of that book," &c. (See p. 242.) EDIT. 65. A Pie 1825.] REVIEW.-Harding's Tour in the Pyrennees. 65. A Picturesque and Descriptive Tour in the Mountains of the High Pyrennees, comprising Twenty-four views of the most interesting scenes, from original Drawings taken on the spot; with some account of the Bathing Establishments in that depart meni of France. By J. Harding, Esq. Royal 8vo. pp. 84. Ackermann. BOURDEAUX is considered the capital of the South of France, in the same degree as Liverpool is the principal town and sea-port of the North of England; and by its contiguity to the Pyrenees, an excursion from thence to those celebrated Mountains is what a visit to the Lakes of Westmoreland or Cumberland, or a tour to North Wales, is to a resident of Liverpool. In both cases the traveller is desirous of contemplating Nature in her wildest aspect and most magnificent forms. But the Frenchman is more frequently induced to this excursion by the expectation of deriving benefit from the mineral baths with which the Pyrennees abound, than any peculiar love of the picturesque,— which is so strongly predominant in the breast of an Englishman. A Frenchman will travel through the wild and stupendous scenery of Nature without expressing any of those powerful emotions generally manifested by our own countrymen; and it is not unusual here to attribute this feeling to the total absence of any thing picturesque or interesting in our own "sea-girt isle." What often strengthens this opinion, among our Gallie neighbours, the writer observes, "are the constant exclamations of delight that escape us when day succeeds day in all the clear brilliancy of atmosphere of Southern France, where even throughout the winter the sun will set gorgeously, and every object so glitter with a rosy tinge, that till the novelty has subsided, the Englishman often unconsciously feeds French vanity by launching out into extravagant encomiums on such splendid effects." The Author informs us, in his Preface, that the Work is the result of an excursion to the Pyrennees, to which he was irresistibly tempted by their vicinity to Bourdeaux, where he had resided several months. He candidly acknowledges the paucity of incident with which his pages abound; but he states that his object was to furnish, not merely an itinerary, but also a guide to the lovers of the picturesque, 333 "by means of plain description, and correct representations of striking and interesting objects." This explanation was certainly requisite; for his style, though correct, is assuredly of the plainest description; it is entirely destitute of that poetic fervour and impassioned eloquence which the classic traveller, enraptured with the subject, can so effectually display. The views and representations form the most interesting and important features of the Work. They are faithfully coloured according to nature, in the accustomed style of the spirited publisher. The Chateau of Henri Quatre at Pau; the Castle of Lourdes; the Castle and Valley of Luz; Entrance to St. Sauveur; the Church, Village, and Cascades of Gavarnie, &c. are splendid pictorial embellishments. Mr. Hardy, in his introductory notices of Bourdeaux, speaking of the Cathedral, says, "The vault, under the tower of St. Mi chael, possesses the singular property of presenting the human corpse almost entire; nearly sixty bodies are placed standing or sitting against the wall-a horrible and ghastly sight. Some of them are three hundred years old; the skin has the ap pearance of leather, and many have their garments still remaining. The person who shews them, an old woman, professes to designate their various situations in life; such as a monk, a seignior, or a mechanic; and even to indicate the disease of which they died." The Journey from Bourdeaux to the Pyrennees is highly interesting, and it might be presumed that conveyances are numerous; but it appears that only one Diligence leaves there weekly for Pau, during three months in summer; and this, or a Cabriolet, hired for the whole period of the journey, is the only accommodation offered to the traveller. However, Mr. Hardy performed the first thirty miles of the journey in a steam-boat, ascending the Garonne, and took a Pau Diligence at Langon. The mineral baths of the High Pyreunees, so celebrated throughout France for the cure or alleviation of many disorders, were particularly visited by our Tourist-these, indeed, being the principal objects of his journey. To the baths invalids resort from all parts of the kingdom, frequently making journeys of six or seven hundred miles. "The 334 REVIEW.-Harding's Tour in the Pyrennees. "The largest of these establishments, Barèges, is principally frequented by the military, at the expense of government, for the cure of maladies arising from old wounds, upon which the waters are affirmed to have an almost miraculous effect. St. Sauveur is another source resorted to for the numerous class of nervous disorders; Les Eaux Bonnes and Bagneres de Louckon for consumption, and Cauterets for diseases of the digestive organs. At the commencement and close of each season the visitants usually assemble at Bagnères de Bigorre, where a series of balls and other amusements dispose all parties to blend innocent dissipation with the pursuit of health. A circuit of sixty miles in these mountainous regions would comprise nearly all these watering places. "Cauterets consists of two small streets, of about a hundred houses, opening to the Grande Place, at one corner of which is seen the bridge over the Gave. Every house is arranged for the accommodation of visitants; and three traiteurs serve for the sup ply of the whole village, at very economical prices. "As government has the nominal superintendance of the baths, a medical inspector is appointed; and it is customary for each patient to consult and receive directions from him as to the temperature proper for his individual case.” The immense heights, called the Towers of Marboré, which are seen from Toulouse on the side of France, and from Saragossa on that of Spain, are among the Writer's best descrip tions. "The sight," says he, "is confounded, in considering the immense elevation of the Towers of Marboré, which form the crown to the entire scene, and seem to pierce the clouds. You are scarcely conscious that you exist, and experience a kind of extacy, or exterior exaltation, which seems the effect of magic." Pic du Midi, the Mont Blanc of the Pyrennees, has been so ably described by the author of "Highways and Byways," and by M. Pasumot, that our Author has satisfied himself with an extract from the latter traveller, who states that the summit is "nearly ten thousand feet above the level of the sea; a solid naked rock of an oval form, about forty feet by twelve; on which each traveller seeks to engrave his name." The author notices a very singular race of people called the Cagots, who inhabit the wildest parts of the Pyrennees. They appear a class as de [Oct. graded as the Parias of India-the mere refuse and outcasts of society. That such a persecuted people should still exist in a civilized nation is really discreditable to the French govern ment. In my two months sojourn amongst these mountains, I sometimes came in contact with this singular race of human beings, and who are, I believe, peculiar to this part of France. No language can describe the utter wretchedness of their appearance; shunned by every one, they crawl upon the face of the earth in the most abject state of want and misery, such as can only be known but in being witnessed. Their complexions are cadaverous in the extreme; many of them afflicted with the goetre, of dwarfish stature, and for clothing, a sort of sackcloth is all that distinguishes them from the beasts that perish'.' lost in the distance of time. Mons. The origin of these poor creatures is Palasson, who has written a memoir on the subject, is of opinion that they take their rise from the last of the Saracens, who were defeated by Charles Martel in the neighbourhood of Tours, and subsequently driven into these mountains, and afterwards became objects of hatred and contempt. The habitations of these outcasts are apart from all the towns and villages, amid dreary valleys and unwholesome swamps. Among other persecutions, they were formerly obliged to bear a badge, indicative of their degraded class. These cruel distinctions pursued them even to the churches, which they entered by a separate door; and the holy waters appropriated to their use would have been thought by their more favoured fellow-beings rather those of contamination than of blessedness. "I was confined (says our traveller, in speaking of this wretched race) to a village by incessant rain one whole day in the neighbourhood of some of these people, and never can I forget the two or three objects which presented themselves, more particularly one, a female: the face horribly disfigured with the small-pox; the goetre had extended itself so completely round the throat, that no protrusion of the blanket was thrown over her shoulders, exlower jaw could be perceived: a filthy tending to the feet, and held round her person with folded arms; her tout-ensemble was loathsome in the extreme; and although young, the expression of the eye indicated that disease and misery were struggling within. 1825.] REVIEW.-Transactions of Literary Society of Bombay. within. A trifle bestowed upon her seemed for a moment to dispel the habitual gloom of her wretched countenance, which conscious degradation had so deeply engraved upon it. In nearly one attitude she remained opposite to the allberge full three hours, attracted thither no doubt by the hope of charity and the gratification of vacant curiosity, which the arrival of any stranger would most probably afford. In speaking of her to the mistress of the house, her answer convinced me, that she hardly thought the poor creature worthy of notice as a human being. "The government of France ought to seek the improvement of these miserable people; but I am aware that they have difficulties almost insurmountable in the prejudices and long-cherished abhorrence of association which the mountaineers entertain towards them." On the whole we can safely recommend this volume as an elegant accompaniment to every gentleman's library, and a pleasing companion to the future Tourist. 66. Transactions of the Literary Society of XII. Translation of a Grant of Land in the Concan. By Dr. Taylor of Bombay. The original of the grant is engraved upon three copper-plates, fastened together by a ring. The matter of the grant is a fantastic legend. From it we find that Tagara has been erroneously placed at Deogurh, or Woulutabad. XIII. Remarks on the Character of Muhammad Mahomet). By Major Vans Kennedy. This is an apologetic paper, tending to show that Mahomet was not so bad as represented. It is sufficient to observe, that he must have been a very bad man to do as he did; and that therefore it is little to the purpose 10 say, that because a man murdered only nine persons, he is not so guilty as if he had murdered ten; the only just inference which can possibly result from such absurd vindica tions. XIV. Account of a Journey from Katif, on the Persian Gulf, to Ramboo on the Red Sea. By Captain G. F. Sadleir, of his Majesty's 47th Regiment. In this paper we have an account of that tremendous savage Ibrahim Pacha, a relation which is full of inhuman instances of butchery, such 335 as roasting people alive on spits, burning others on heaps of chopped straw, saturated with oil, &c. &c. His tactics, however, are more intimidating than skilful; and let us still hope that the Greeks may ultimately exorcise this devil out of their haunted country. XV. Observations on the remains of the Bouddhists in India. By William Erskine, Esq. This is a very valuable paper, because it enables us "to fix, if possible, some obvious criteria by which even a transient observer may discriminate the Bouddhist from the Brahminical Temples. It is wellknown that all the countries included under the general name of India, have, from very remote times, been divided between three great religions, the Brahminical, the Bouddhist, and the Iain. The Brahminical, now and for centuries past, has been the prevailing religion in the countries from Kashmer to Cape Comorin, and from the Indus to the Himalaya Mountains and Arakan. The religion of the Bouddhists prevails over Ceylon, Siam, Ava, Pegu, the Burman Empire, over a great part of China and the Chinese provinces, in Japan, among the Manchu and Moghul Tartars, from the Eastern Ocean, as far as the Wolga, and thence back by the Kashmirian hills to Tibet. Into China and the countries to the North of the Himalayan mountains, the Bouddhist religion seems not to have been introduced till the first century of the Christian æra, and to have spread rapidly from small beginnings; while, in all the Indian provinces to the West of these mountains in Hindustan, Bengal, and the South of India, it appears at some unknown period to have lost the influence it once possessed, and has altogether disappeared. The Iains at the present day occupy no country peculiarly their own, but are found chiefly in Marwar, Guzerat, and the South of India. Which is the oldest of these systems, Brahminism or Bouddheism, is not determined, because, says Mr. Erskine, "None of the three religions possesses a single work that has the slightest pretension to be considered as a genuine history. It is certainly a remarkable fact, that among nations 336 REVIEW.-Bombay Transactions. nations so far advanced in civilization and the arts of life, as those of India-among nations, overburthened with volumes of grammar, metaphysics, and mythology, and who possess many works of great merit in poetry and polite letters- -no branch of knowledge, founded upon the record of the action of rational beings, or an observation of the operations of external nature, has made any progress; and that there has not been even an attempt to collect facts as the foundation of such knowledge. Hence civil and natural history, chemistry, and the philosophy which is founded on the observation of nature and the comparison of facts, are not even in their infancy. The only exception, perhaps, is that of astronomy; an exception which that science owes to its have ing been employed as an instruinent of superstition." P. 649. Upon the whole, Mr. Erskine is led to conclude, that Bouddhism only commenced 540 years before Christ; that Brahminism is older; and the system of the lains more modern than the date mentioned. The leading distinction between Bouddhism and Brahminism is this. The former is founded upon a Bouddhor or human saint, who by mortifications, &c. becomes so holy as to work miracles, &c. and then disappears like a spark; but the Brahmins maintain that the gods have descended upon earth, and assumed the human or other form. "The Saints of the Bouddhists are men, and have the human shape. The gods of the Brahmins are without number, of every shape and figure, filling heaven and earth with their various classes and dependents. The one system presents men, who have become gods; the other gods, who have become men." P. 504. These differences of tenets produce the distinction of the Bouddhist from the Brahminical Temples in India. "1. The images are mere human figures, standing upright, sitting on a bench, sometimes with one foot resting on the knee; or squatted down, with the feet crossed, and resting upon the thighs; sometimes they are represented reclining on the right side.As the Bouddhists do not admit any of the wild tales familiar to Hindoo mythology of the transformation of their sacred personages into animals, or of their assuming many heads or hands-the figures are always human. And as the Bouddhists rose to the possession of their super-human energies by profound meditation, they are represented in a contemplative posture, generally with the fore-finger of the right hand [Oct. resting on one of the fingers of the left. The sacred Bouddhist figures are, I think, always clothed with a wrapper, which after covering the loins, passes over the left shoulder." "2. Another striking characteristic of the Bouddhist temple is the dogop, a hemispherical figure or cupola, rising from a low cylinder, and often surmounted by a large umbrella of stone or wood. In the Burman Empire and Siam the form of this monument is often that of a pyramid." "3. The religious excavations of the Bouddhists in the West of India, besides the flat-roofed temples, containing in the interior sacred recess a gigantic statue of Buddh, have generally one excavation, oblong arched above, with a row of pillars passing down each side, and meeting in au elliptical form at the further extremity, and a viranda or passage beyond the pillars round the whole extent of the excavation. At the further end, where the cave curves round, there is for the most part, or always, a dagop, often of great size." 4. The monastic life of the priests of the Bouddhists has occasioned another singularity in their excavations-the number of small cells found near the chief temple." 5. In most of the ancient Bouddhist excavations we find one or more large square apartments, with a raised platform or broad bench running round it. These were probably for the scholars or disciples." 6. Another peculiarity of the Bouddhist temples in the West of India, is, that they generally have inscriptions of some length, in a character of which we do not now possess the cypher. These inscriptions are probably taken from the Pali and Prakrit languages." 7. Another appearance common in Bouddhist caves, (though to be found also in the Brahminical) is the umbrella or pyramid of umbrellas, over the chief object of worship. The Bouddh, at other times, has a canopy of seven heads of the hooded snake expanded over him. The umbrella is the symbol of sovereignty or power; the canopy of hooded snakes of something di vine." "8. The figures of Buddh in the Bouddhist Temples have regularly curled wiglike hair. In the Brahminical Temples the gan or retinue of Sheva, because prohair precisely similar is given only to the bably in the course of the feuds between from contempt, bestowed the head-dress of the two religions the priests of Sheva had, the Bouddhist saint on the meanest slaves of their god." 9. The colossal statues of greatest height in India are Bouddhist and lain.” We now proceed to the distinctions of BRAHMINICAL TEMPLES. These are more easily recognized. "As |