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June 13 ther has there ever been found in Scotland any appearance of pumice stones, nor large beds of ashes like those which are always found in the neighbourhood of volcanoes. There is not (for the most part) even any appearance of basaltes in the neighbourhood of these fortified hills; a substance which is now thought to be invariably generated by volcanoes alone, although it does not seem that the proofs, upon which this opinion is founded, are so conclusive as to leave no room to doubt of the fact. Unfortunately, too, for Scotland, the parallel fails in another respect; for, instead of the extraordinary fertility of soil that for the most part is found near volcanoes, we here find that sterility, which is invariably produced by the vitrescible iron ore, above alluded to, wherever it abounds.

If this account of the artificial curiosities found in the Highlands of Scotland, fhould afford you any entertainment, I may, perhaps, on some future occasion, make a few observations on the natural curiosities of these unknown regions, which are more numerous, and more generally interesting to philosophic inquirers than the former. I know no way in which a philosopher, who wants to view nature undisguised, and to trace her gradual progress for succefsive ages, could do it with half so much satis faction as in the Highlands of Scotland. Half a day's ride there would do more to give such an inquirer a proper idea of the changes produced on this globe, and the means by which they are effected, than twenty years study in the closet could produce; as any one who fhall attentively view these, after reading the writings of Buffon, will readily allow,

To be continued.

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I envy 'm not dull apathy's cold blast,

That chills the slumb'ring pafsions noble rage;
And bids, without a sigh, indiff'rence cast

A blot o'er fancy's and o'er mem'ry's page.

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IX.

Dear, happy hours! when e'er my raptur'd mind--
The magic scenes of nature burst sublime;
And hopeless, in despair, the muse resign'd
Her pencil to the rip'ning hand of TIME,

X.

Scarce lefs her thrilling transports than when now
Her airy dreams of Pindus the pourtrays;
While youthful fancy bids the picture glow,
And scatters o'er it her redundant rays.

XI.

Ye pow'rs, divine, while, glorying in his pride,
The stoic boasts a heart which nought can move;

A flinty heart,-which cold, and yet untried,
Ne'er felt the glow of friendship or of love.

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REVIEW OF INDIA,

OR REFLECTIONS ON THE MEASURES THAT FRANCE OUGHT TO ADOPT RELATIVE TO ITS POSSESSIONS IN INDIA.

Paris, printed by Didot, sen. 1790, 8vo.containing 140p.French, ONE of the most important questions of French politics is treated of in this work, whose author is not named. By a note it appears, that it is a person employed in some of fice of administration. To write on this subject, he has, without doubt, studied very minutely the French interest in Asia; and has, from the situation of our affairs in this quarter of the globe, penetrated into the views and measures of the native princes, the strength and resources of the English nation, lefs powerful than the French nation in America, its rival in Europe, and superior in Asia.

It is generally agreed, says the author, in an advertisement, that, to expect and to obtain great succefses beyond the Cape of Good Hope, it is necefsary to have in that quarter, a principal establishment, where we may concenter great military forces in time of peace. Of those belonging to us, Pondicherry, and the Isle of France, are the only places that claim the preference for this purpose;, and each of these has its zealous partizans, and even enthusiasts, who regard each as susceptible of an exclusive preference.

The king's council has already pronounced in favour of the Isle of France; but Pondicherry has presented to the national afsembly the most spirited remonstrances against this decision. It is to this supreme tribunal, that holds today in its hands the fortune of France, that we must submit the impartial discussion of this great political question.. Indebted to it for all the useful truths that we have been

able to collect, we shall never forget any detail which can throw light on the great views with which it ought to be animated.

The author reduces the examination of the whole question to these two points, which form the two parts of his work. 1st. What is the political advantage of the Isle of France, since the termination of last war? 2d. What degree of importance ought government to connect with the politics of India? Ought government to attempt, at the same time, a project offensive to the Isle of France, and another defensive to Pondicherry?

The three last wars are those of 1744, 1756, and 1778. The author gives an exact summary of the operations of France in India, during these wars.

However fhort this summary be, one there sees the faults of the India company in the two first. The misconduct of several chiefs, and of administration, in all the bravery and the succefs of other commanders. La Bourdonne, the chief promoter of the establishment of the Isle of France, discovered his genius, made use of his resources, and fhewed the greatest intrepidity in the war of 1744 If his temper could have bent to have owned the power of Dupleix, and to plan measures with a man of his character, France would have acquired an immense empire in India. Lally, governor of Pondicherry, and'commander of the land forces, was without doubt culpable of prevarication; after his condemnation, it appears that he was ill supported in the war of 1756. De Suffrein acquired immortal glory in that of 1778, who reinstated us in India, nearly in the’condition in which we were in 1763. From the recitals of the author, it is easy to infer, that it is by the Isle of France, that the French and Dutch have been succoured in India during these wars; and that moreover, we would have been indebted to this precious isle for a great

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