when Mr. Barrow was Auditor-general of publick accounts at the Cape in 1798-and this we cannot do in any other form so well as in that writer's own words. in the appearance of a Hottentot, but many amiable and good qualities have been obscured by the ridiculous and false accounts with which the world has been abused. They are a mild, quiet, and timid people; perfectly harmless, honest, and faithful; and though extremely phlegmatick, they are nevertheless kind and affectionate to each other, and by no means incapable of strong attachments. A Hottentot will at any time share his last morsel with his companions. They seldom quarrel among themselves or make use of provoking language. They are by no means deficient in talent, but they possess little ambition to call it into action. After mentioning the comparative happiness and more numerous population of the Hottentots in their independent state, which in the eastern part of the colony existed so late as about twenty years before the period of his travels, Mr. B. thus proceeds: "Some of these villages might have been expected to remain in this remote and not very populous part of the colony. Not one, however, was to be found, There is not, in fact, in the whole extensive district of Graaff-Reynet, a single horde of independent Hottentots; and perhaps not a score of individuals who are not actually in the service of the Dutch. These weak people, the most helpless, and in their present condition perhaps the most wretched, of the human race, duped out of their possessions, their country, and their liberty, have entailed upon their miserable offspring a state of existence to which that of slavery might bear the comparison of happiness. It is a condition, however, not likely to continue to a very remote posterity. Their numbers of late years have been rapidly on the decline. It has generally been observed that wherever Europeans have colonized, the less civilized nations have always dwindled away, and at length totally disap-ir. that of a yellowish brown, or a faded leaf, but peared." After specifying some other causes which he imagines may have contributed to the depopulation of the Hottentots, Mr. Barrow proceeds : "To these may be added their extreme poverty, scantiness of food, and continual dejection of mind, arising from the cruel treatment they receive. "There is scarcely an instance of cruelty said to have been committed against the slaves in the West Indian islands, that could not find a parallel from the Dutch farmers of the remote districts of the colony towards the Hottentots in their service. Beating and cutting with thongs of the hide of the seacow (hippopotamus) or rhinoceros are only gentle punishments, though this sort of whip, which they call sjamboc, is a most horrid instrument, being tough, pliant, and heavy almost as lead. Firing small shot into the legs and thighs of a Hottentot, is a punishment not unknown to some of the monsters who inhabit the neighbourhood of Camtoos river. "By a resolution of the old government, as unjust as it was inhuman, a peasant (colonist) was allowed to claim as his property, till the age of five and twenty, all the children of the Hottentots in his service to whom he had given in their infancy a morsel of meat. At the expiration of this period the odds are ten to one that the slave is not emancipated. But should he be fortunate enough to escape at the end of this period, the best part of his life has been spent in a profitless servitude, and he is turned adrift without any thing he can call his own, except the sheepskin on his back." Again, speaking of "those Hottentots living with the farmers of GraaffReynet in a state of bondage," Mr. Barrow adds, "it is rare to observe the muscles of his face relaxed into a smile. A depressed melancholy and deep gloom constantly overspread his countenance. "Low as they are sunk," he continues, "in the scale of humanity, their character seems to have been generally much traduced and misrepresented. It is true there are not many prepossessing features "The person of a Hottentot while young is by no means devoid of symmetry. They are clean-limbed, well-proportioned, and erect. Their hands, their feet, and all their joints are remarkably small. Their cheek-bones are high and prominent, and with the narrow-pointed chin form nearly a triangle.. The nose is in some remarkably flat, in others considerably raised. The colour of the eye is a deep chestnut; and the eyelids at the extremity next the nose, instead of forming an angle, as in Europeans, are rounded into each other exactly like those of the Chinese, to whom indeed in many other points they bear a physical resemblance that is sufficiently striking. Their teeth are beautifully white. The colour of the skin very different from the sickly hue of a person in the jaundice, which it has been described to resemble many indeed are nearly as white as Europeans. Some of the women, when young, are so well formed that they might serve as models of perfection in the human figure. Every joint and limb is rounded and well-turned, and their whole body is without an angle or disproportionate protuberance. Their hands and feet are small and delicately turned; and their gait is not deficient in easy and graceful movements. Their charms, however, are very fleeting." He then describes their ugliness generally, at more advanced age. Such, with the omission of some details, is the description of the Hottentots given by Mr. Barrow in his very instructive and able work on South Africa. To this accuracy in almost every point the writer of this notice can bear witness; and his object in introducing it here is partly with a view to counteract the exaggerated notions that still generally prevail respecting the physical deformity and moral debasement of this long-oppressed and calumniated race of men; and partly to enable the reader fully to appreciate the wretchedness of the condition from which they have been at length raised by the tardy justice of the British government. Four years and a half ago, namely, in July 1828, the Hottentot Helots of the Cape, 30,000 in number, were emancipated from their long and grievous thraldom, and admitted by law to all the rights and privileges, civil and political, of the white colonists. WRITE WRITTEN RIGHT. Eng. Mag. A Twistification.] Write we know is written right, AMERICAN LYCEUM. (Continued from p: 36.) Quantum est in rebus inane!-PERS. SAT. At the conclusion of our first notice of this instifution, we started the inquiry, What equivalent has it rendered for its discouragement of the American Associate Society, or how has it fulfilled the expectations of the country? On recurring to the history of its operations, we were mortified to find, that, although we should be tions, and presents nothing important or instruc-. tive, we have deemed it not worth publishing, especially in its present sadly unfinished plight; regretting at the same time that we are compelled thus to deal with the communications of the Corresponding Secretary of the great National Institution of America. 'ed a country like ours, are capable of much mental improvement [!], and by simple means [!!]. The constitution limits the operations of the society to the diffusion of useful knowledge and the promotion of education, principally in common schools; while an amendment provides for the formation of several departments, by which persons interested in other branches, including the useful as well as fine arts, may be encouraged to communicate their views, in a popular form, for the benefit of persons who may wish to learn something of them." [!!] For the edification of the publick, and especially those readers who desire to know what the real or pretended objects of this Lyceum are, however, we extract from the Secretary's letter the following disposed to extend to it the most charitable credit, novel and important announcement: “The Ameriand are always happy to yield the fullest encourage- can Lyceum, though it has not been able to accomment to the Mæcenases that there may be many plish half the good it aims at, is yet not so inert as Maros, the proceedings of this association have the Editor of the Family Magazine supposes. It been as puerile and feeble, as its pretensions are has undertaken active operations of various kinds, empty and unjust. Established with the avowed for the promotion of useful knowledge: being found; purpose of supplying the great desideratum, namely, ed on the principle [mark this] that all classes in a National Institution, where the learned and efficient men of the nation might convene, to consult together upon the interests of our national literature and education, did not the country legitimately expect either some projects for our national improvement, or at least some certain and definite results of general use and importance, that should be alike worthy of its high-sounding title and honourable to the nation? Is it possible that the learned men of England, France, and Germany, emulous as they are in the walks of science, can have looked upon such an institution rising up in the country of a Franklin, and not have expected something of importance from it? Have not the friends of education for a long time anticipated a new and important era in our history, as the result of such an establishment? And has not the American Lyceum assumed to be such mental improvement by simple means;" comprean institution, and flattered itself that it is satisfying the United States as well as Europe in this particular? If it is, as we believe it to be, impossible to deny that it has assumed this rank and responsibility, it seems indeed proper to inquire, whether it maintains this high assumption, and justly discharges this responsibility. Thus it is perceived we have the length and breadth, the height and depth of the (North and South) American Lyceum. Here we are officially informed from a source that assumes to be entitled to credit, that "all classes are capable of much hending, doubtless, under the term "classes," the Wulwa nations of Mexico and the Simiæ tribes of South America. This is the principle upon which the Lyceum is founded, and its operations are limited to the dissemination of useful knowledge and the promotion of education in common schools, This latter clause, however, we think must certainly Since the publication of our last number we have be an errour, for those operations of the Lyceum received an anonymous communication, purporting which compass the mental improvement of the to be an answer to the notice of this institution therein Simiæ tribes "by simple means," must unquestioncontained, accompanied with several documents ably be prosecuted through the medium of a very containing the history of the proceedings of the uncommon school. We cannot easily attach any American Lyceum, from its first annual meeting; other meaning to this statement of the principle on the whole of which, doubtless, our kind correspond- which it is sagely said the American Lyceum is ent intended should enlighten our ignorance of founded. Sorely pitying the pedagogical missionits object, and exalt our humble opinion of its pro-ary whom this grave institution undertakes to send ceedings. We have been induced to believe, that to educate the fifth-limbed, long-tailed, mischievous we are indebted for this act of intended kindness, to Ateles of South America, we will proceed to notice the profound Corresponding Secretary of this asso- seriatim the operations of the Lyceum. ciation, the sanguine officer referred to in our last The Lyceum was organized, as we described in paper. But as it does not directly attack our posi- our last, in 1831. Its first annual meeting was holden in this city in May, 1832, and continued in on the Grasses of the U. S.; a paper on Education session three days. Some fifty or sixty members it among the Armenians, by Mr. Oscanean, a native of is reported, were present, and Dr. John Griscom Armenia; Miss Catherine E. Beecher's Essay on the presided. The verbal statements of members con- Education of Female Teachers, which had previouscerning Lyceums that had been formed in differ- ly been published, was also read; and another on ent sections of the country, about which we assure Books and Apparatus for the Blind, by Dr. Russ. Of the reader, the man of the school apparatus knew these essays we can only say, that they were of more than any other man in the nation; the reading moderate merit, with the exception of that of Miss of the annual report, in which the author informs us Beecher. That essay is of more value and interest that the objects of the American Lyceum had been than all the other productions of the Lyceum put topublished in the Aurora Fluminenso, a Rio de Ja-gether. It takes such a comprehensive and liberal neiro newspaper! and recommends that a building view of education and its wants in the United States; be erected which might afford some visible evidence exhibits so much practical knowledge and good of the society's existence, the internal evidence sense in relation to the condition of females, their redoubtless being circumstantial, invisible, and im- sources, power, and capacity for usefulness; the palpable, together with the reading of several com- practicability and necessity of placing the rising munications by different members, constituted the generation under their tutelage and control; and sole business of the Lyceum during the session. urges with so much eloquence the necessity of edu The essays were eight in number, viz.; one on cating females liberally and thoroughly for the espeSchool Discipline, by Prof. Griscom; one on the cial purpose of teaching youth; that, while it canStudy of our Political Institutions, by Mr. Frelinghuy- not fail to produce a powerful impression upon the sen; a third, on Primary Education in Spain, by Prof. intelligent of the female sex, to whom it opens a Pizarro ; a fourth on the Introduction of the Natural new and glorious prospect, it must also effectively Sciences into Common Schools, by Prof. C. Dewey; awaken the philanthropick and the educated of the a paper on Improving Common Schools, by Mr. country to the full importance of this interesting but Penny; an essay on Infant Education, by Dr. Keagy; neglected subject. We intend to publish this adon Learning to Read and Write the English Lan-mirable essay ourselves, and hope it may reach the guage, by Dr. Weeks; and lastly, a communication understanding of every intelligent individual in the concerning Lyceums, by Mr. C. M. Shepherd. Some of these essays had a little merit, others none at all, and have, we believe, been published in the Annals of Education, a Boston paper. At the second annual meeting in 1833, nearly the same amount of business was transacted, though we know of but two decent essays that were read before the Lyceum at this session. One of these essays was on the Appropriate Use of the Bible in Common Education, by the much lamented Thomas S. Grimke; and the other on Vocal Musick as a Branch of Common Education, by Mr. W. C. Woodbridge; though the Lyceum cannot claim the credit of having caused the production of either. Both of these essays were highly creditable, the former especially was excellent, as almost every thing was that came from the eloquent pen of Grimke. The meeting of 1834 was not of quite so high moment as those of the preceding years. The only thing of any importance that was presented to the Lyceum this year, was a small work by President Duer, on the Constitutional Jurisprudence of the U. S., which possibly paid publishing. The number of members in attendance was also prodigiously diminished. At the session of May last, seven communications were read. Messrs. Dunlap, Cole, and Fraser, furnished one each on the Fine Arts; Prof. Dewey, one country.. We have thus briefly reviewed the operations of the American Lyceum, and find ourselves at last only able to yield it the poor merit of having requested the writing of some dozen or twenty essays, and the Mother's Primer, in the space of five years. These authors wrote, not under the patronage or pecuniary encouragement of the Lyceum, but either for fame or motives of philanthropy, at the society's honourable request, and doubtless would have written, and will continue to write, though without the pale of this paternal and inciting encouragement. When knowledge is universally disseminated and all "classes mentally improved," by such "simple means" or "requests," the earth will revolve in a new direction. Here is our objection; here is the substance of our complaint; the American Lyceum is not what it assumes to be; neither is it what a National Literary Institution should be; its false pretensions, while they deceive the people of this country, are calculated to retard our steps in the formation of an enduring national literature, and the establishment of a worthy national education society; its objects are indefinite; its efforts are too feeble and too vaguely directed; its proceedings, while they assume a mock parliamentary dignity, are yet marked with the juvenility of sophomores. In regard to its corporal existence, if it can be said | sideration, counsel cannot rule. Go home to your to have any, it is like a certain militia company in family, your neighbourhood, your beat-company, New Hampshire, that was endowed with a captain, town, county, district, and state lyceums, and you a lieutenant, an ensign, four sergeants, and one pri- will find more than sufficient room for your labours vate. That redoubtable martial branch of our na- for years to come. We are not opposed to your tion's defence found no other active duties than those neighbourhood lyceums; the essays, the lecture, the of drilling that lonely private, till his devoted nature debate, the conversation, as they are there produced, revolted at the continuous labour of the oppressive are highly useful, important, essential. drill, and he suddenly profited of that virtuous valour them; keep up the interest; let them be attended which fortified his heels. Not dissimilar to that fully, punctually; they enlarge the resources of patriotick band has been the condition of the Ameri- happiness, liberalize the affections, enlighten the can Lyceum, whose head, reversing the order of the understanding. When those approximate to a more juggler's feat, at every session swallows its own perfect system, and attain to a less equivocal perbody! To illustrate; the Lyceum has a President,.nanency, then will be abundant time to take up the four or five Vice-presidents, and two Secretaries; minor consideration of a National Society. "Let at one period of the session in 1833, for instance, us create the state system first," said Grimke, “and there were present four delegates; the American then we may safely leave the State Lyceum to deLyceum organized, and one delegate was elected cide for itself and its constituents, whether it shall President, another Recording Secretary; the re-be represented in the National Society.". If it shall maining two were thrown upon their rights, ex officio, ever possibly be deemed expedient, that the various which were manifested in this wise :-one made a lyceums of the country should be represented in a motion, the other seconded it, and the votes of both national assembly, we pray they may hit upon a carried it unanimously! The Corresponding Sec-sager principle for its foundation, be imbued with a retary must then report, and the Executive Com-little more energy and sense, have a more definite mittee go out to consult on certain national meas-purpose, more body, more modesty, and a little less Rara avis in terris, would have appeared the empiricism than have distinguished that burlesque wayworn delegate who had stepped into the midst of upon the system, "The American Lyceum." these extraordinary operations of the National Society at such a momentous crisis! At the session of this year, it became necessary at its close to elect officers for the ensuing year, but there happened to be no members present. The Lyceum, however, was relieved by the ingenious expedient of a Boston gentleman present, who, observing their embarrass-live and move and have our being; Teuiates, whom ment, kindly rose and moved that those who had officiated for the past year continue to hold their offices for the year ensuing. It is needless to remark, the motion was adopted unanimously! Judge Hall describes a western man who carried a country dry-goods store in his hat, which same place was also appropriated to the purposes of a country postoffice. If, in the course of the year, curiosity should be excited to such a pitch, as to attempt to identify the American Lyceum, it will be found personated, incorporated, and perhaps visibly ́alive in a certain little mortal secretarial existence, that perambulates Wall and Nassau streets, New York, and dabbles a little in newspaper literature and gazetteers. SUPERSTITIONS OF THE DRUIDS. The Druids, or Priests of the Ancient Britons, are said to have retained the belief of one supreme God, all-wise, almighty, and all-merciful, from whom all things which have life proceed; though they feigned that there were other gods beside Him in whom we they called the father, and Taranis the thunderer, and Hesus the god of battles, and Andraste the goddess that Noah, the second parent of the human race, was of victory: Hu the mighty, by whom it is believed intended; Ceridwen, a goddess in whose rites the preservation of mankind in the ark was figured; and Beal or Belimus-for the Phoenicians had introduced the worship of their Baal. By favour of these false gods, the Druids pretended to foretel future events, and as their servants and favourites they demanded gifts and offerings from the deluded multitude. The better to secure this revenue, they made the people, at the beginning dle them again from the sacred fire of the Druids, of winter, extinguish all their fires on one day, and kinwhich would make the house fortunate for the ensuing year; and if any man came who had not paid his yearly dues, they refused to give him a spark, neiThis is the great American Lyceum-these its ther durst any of his neighbours relieve him: nor might he himself procure fire by any other means, operations that the mountain, these the mice. so that he and his family were deprived of it till he But the Secretary inquires, "How can the Ameri-had discharged the uttermost of his debt. They ean Lyceum be improved?" We can only answer: -Quæ res in se neque consilium, neque modum Habet ullum, eam consilio regere non potes. erected also great stones, so cunningly fitted one upon another, that if the upper one were touched in a certain place, though only with a finger, it would The thing that in itself has neither measure nor con- rock; whereas no strength of man might avail to move it if applied to any other part: hither they led those who were accused of any crime, and, under pretence that the gods would, by this form of trial, show the guilt or innocence of the party, directed him where to touch and make the proof: and thus, at their discretion, they either absolved the accused, ur made them appear guilty. i made the people pass through fire, in honour of Baal; and they offered up the life of man in sacrifice, saying that when the victim was smitten with a sword, they could discover events which were to come, by the manner in which he fell, and the flowing of his blood, and the quivering of his body in the act of death. When a chief was afflicted with sickness, they sacrificed a human victim, because, they said the continuance of his life might be purchased if another life were offered up as its price; and in like manner, men were offered up when any calam ity befell the people, and when they were about to engage in war. Naked women, stained with the dark blue die of woad, assisted at these bloody rites. On greater occasions, a huge figure, in the rude likeness of man, was made of wickerwork, and filled with men: as many as were condemned to The mistletoe, the seed whereof is eaten and voided by the birds, and thus conveyed from one tree to another, they affected to hold in veneration. When it was discovered growing upon an oak, upon which tree it is rarely to be found, the Druids went thither with great solemnity, and all things were made ready for sacrifice and for feasting. Two white bulls were fastened by their horns to the tree; the officiating priest ascended, and cut the mistletoe with a golden knife; others stood below to receive it in a white woollen cloth, and it was carefully pre-death for their offences were put into it; but if these served, that water wherein it had been steeped might be administered to men, as an antidote against poison, and to cattle, for the sake of making them fruitful. The sacrifice was then performed. The best and most beautiful of the flocks and herds were Their domestick institutions were not less perniselected for this purpose. The victim was divided cious than their idolatry. A wife was common to into three parts: one was consumed as a burnt- all the kinsmen of her husband, a custom which offering; he who made the offering feasted upon prevented all connubial love, and destroyed the natanother, with his friends; and the third was the por- ural affection between child and father; for every tion of the Druids. In this wise did they delude man had as many wives as he had kinsmen, and the people. But they had worse rites than these, no man knew his child, nor any child its father. and were guilty of greater abominations. They These were the abominations of our British fathers were notorious above the priests of every other idol- after the light of the Patriarchs was lost among atry, for the practice of pretended magick. They them, and before they received the light of the gospel did not suffice to fill the image, the innocent were thrust in, and they surrounded it with straw and wood, and set fire to it, and consumed it, with all whom it contained.. He is held securely by two men in the service particular method of turning the cartilages of the of a tribunal who are instructed to give pain, by a lear. |