its help to others, seemingly unconnected and remote. The latter remark may well be extended to the subject of the density of the atmosphere, one greatly enlarged by late research and abounding in curious phenomena. We can notice only a few of those more recently indicated. Such are, the singular fact determined by Sir J. Ross of the permanently low barometric pressure in high southern latitudes, being a degree lower than the mean pressure between the tropics-the observations by the Astronomer Royal at Greenwich, confirmed in distant parts of the globe, that once at least each month, the barometer rises to a point above 30°:-leading us, if established, to infer the existence of great atmospheric waves of different density, independently of minor fluctuations-the reciprocal influence of the swell of the tides and atmospheric pressure, first suggested by Laplace in relation to the question of a lunar atmospheric tide-the horary oscillations of the barometer, depending, it is presumed, on solar heat, and now determined with great exactness for the several periods of the day-and the barometric indications of storms and winds, or even of land and open sea, which have been so exactly studied in tropical climates as to afford the most essential aids to navigation. It is in these regions, indeed, that all meteorological phenomena, especially those of diurnal periods, are studied most advantageously and with fewest causes of disturbance. So regular are the conditions of atmospheric pressure under the equator, that the time of day may generally be indicated within a quarter of an hour by the barometer alone. Mrs. Somerville describes with her wonted clearness the origin and character of the trade winds-the most constant as well as most important of these aërial currents; but she does not notice the remarkable memoir of Dove on the general subject of winds, or the work of Colonel Reid on hurricanes, enhanced in value by the practical suggestions for navigation he has deduced from the new theory of those storms. We should further have desired some notice of those winds which appear to derive peculiar qualities from other physical causes, combining with and modifying the return of the current of air, such as the Sirocco, the Simoom, the hot wind of Australia, and others which sweep variously over different regions of the globe. We doubt not that electricity is largely concerned in these phenomena; but in some cases, and particularly in certain winds of the Desert, we see reason to admit the view of Humboldt, that those currents are charged with particles of impalpable dust, partly metallic in nature, the mutual friction, reflection, and radiation of heat from which produce the properties that have such powerful and noxious influence on the human frame. We We have alluded to electricity as affecting the condition of the atmosphere; and, had we room, might well expatiate on the mighty influence of this element over every part of the surface of the earth, as well as probably on a yet mightier scale in the planetary relations of our globe to other worlds which surround us in space. We know that the land, ocean, and air are all pervaded by this wonderful power; which under one or other of its forms has part in every action and phenomenon of the material world-from the thunderstorm of the tropics, or those 'magnetic storms' (to use a phrase of Humboldt) which disturb the compass at the same moment at Greenwich, Toronto, St. Helena, and Sydney, to the minute molecular actions of chemistry, or the yet more occult processes of living organization. The great discoveries of Faraday as to the magnetic condition of matter-extended still more recently by evidences of the diamagnetic property of air and the gases-have given new form and enlargement to this extraordinary part of science; promising future results which may at once solve the difficulties and contradictions of our present knowledge, and give us guidance to higher and more perfect attainments beyond. We have no space left, however, to dwell upon these topics; and for the same reason we must put aside another great subject which occupies much of Mrs. Somerville's second volume, viz. the physical history of vegetable and animal life, in its manner of distribution over the earth. While indeed fully recognizing this as a branch of physical geography, we consider it so far independent of the topics hitherto discussed, and so important in its separate relations, as to justify us on this score alone in refraining from its present discussion. Before quitting the subject, however, we must be allowed a few words to express our opinion of the excellence of this part of Mrs. Somerville's work. Without seeming to be oppressed by the multitudinous details crowding upon her, she has shown her peculiar talent for concentration and order, in so disposing them as to give at once grace and facility to the instruction she conveys; and we should find it difficult to name any treatise in which, within so short a compass, such various and extensive knowledge is placed before the reader. Her volumes are appropriately closed by a chapter on the Distribution, Condition, and future Prospects of the Human Race,'a theme full of wonder and interest, pride and humiliation-painful in many points of view, perplexing and mysterious in all, and never more so than at the time in which we are now living, when, with new and mightier powers which man has formed for himself from the physical elements surrounding him, we find all old insti z 2 tutions tutions and usages wrecked on the shore of an uncertain futurity. Mrs. Somerville's observations on this last great topic of her work are marked by the strong sense, clear discrimination, and warm and sincere piety which characterise her mind; and we earnestly recommend them,-as we again do all her writings,— to the careful study of our readers. ART. II.-1. Narrative of Events in Borneo and Celebes, down to the Occupation of Labuan, from the Journals of James Brooke, Esq., Rajah of Sarawak and Governor of Labuan; together with a Narrative of the Operations of H. M. S. Iris. By Captain Rodney Mundy, R.N. Two volumes, 8vo. London, 1848. 2. Sarawak, its Inhabitants and Productions: being Notes during a Residence in that Country with H. H. the Rajah_Brooke. By Hugh Low, Colonial Secretary at Labuan. 8vo. London, 1848. THE HE Poet of Madoc has expressed in language more elevated than we could summon, but not more faithful than our humblest prose, the feelings with which we a few months ago witnessed the departure from Spithead of H. M. S. Meander :Now go your way, ye gallant company; God and good angels guard ye as ye go! Blow fairly, winds of heaven; ye ocean waves, Swell not in anger to that fated fleet! For not of conquest greedy, nor of gold, Seek they the distant world. Blow fairly, winds; Most of our readers will be aware that this vessel conveys back from a brief sojourn in England, to the scene of those exploits which have been noticed in a recent number of this Journal, the Rajah of Sarawak and Governor of Labuan, and that she is commanded by his gallant associate Captain Keppell, whose work we then reviewed. A worthy successor of Captain Keppell has taken up the wondrous tale of Bornean adventure. We would fain hope that our appreciation of the unexhausted interest of the subject will be shared by our readers-not excepting those who have honoured with their attention our previous endeavours to bring it under public notice. What it has lost in novelty it has gained in importance. Those who have watched through Captain Keppell's pages the establishment of the strange dominion of the solitary English adventurer, will recognise with satisfaction in Captain Captain Mundy's continuation of the narrative of occurrences down to a later period, the evidence of its healthful progress, and the confirmation of those impressions of the character of Mr. Brooke (now Sir James Brooke, K.C.B.), and the value of his achievements, which we and all derived from the work of Captain Mundy's predecessor in naval command and authorship. The personal narrative of Captain Mundy occupies only a latter portion of his two volumes; the whole of the first and four chapters of the second consist of the English Rajah's Journal. We believe that it has required strong persuasion to induce him to give to the public those memoranda of his actions and his thoughts which were intended for no eye but his own. It often happens that authors have little reason to thank the friends by whose mild compulsion they have been induced to forego their original intentions; and we have but to look through the columns of any critical journal to see how often such persuasion has been alleged as an apology for acts of desperate publication which no such plea could justify. The absence of art and deliberation is in itself no recommendation, and the record of insignificant adventure or superficial observation can derive no claim on our respect even from the valuable qualities of truth and simplicity which belong-or ought to belong-to a diary. Where, however, the field of observation is new and remote, where the diarist has to record not only strange sights but strong actions, we then recognise an obligation to those who bring to light the unadorned log of his career, and are glad that the distinction between the writer and the maker of history is for the moment obliterated. The earlier part of the Journal in question is occupied by a voyage in the Royalist schooner to Celebes, justly designated by Sir Stamford Raffles as that whimsically-shaped island.' Since the date of Sir Stamford's address to the Batavian Society, 1813, we believe that little has been added to our knowledge of the extensive seaboard presented by its fantastic indentations, and still less to that of its interior. The account given in that address of the curious and somewhat Polish elective monarchy, with a Venetian council, prevalent among the numerous independent states into which the island is divided, is confirmed by Sir J. Brooke :— "The state of Boni,' he writes (vol. i. p. 39), now the most powerful in Celebes, is of recent origin, and presents the curious spectacle of an aristocratic elective monarchy. The king is chosen by the ara pitu, or rajah pitu, or seven men or rajahs; the ara pitu, besides being the elective body, hold the great offices of state, and thus, during the lifetime of a king of their own choice, continue the responsible rulers of the the country; the tomarilalan is prime minister and treasurer, and, though not a member of the elective body, is the sole medium of communication with the king. Upon the death of one of the ara pitu, his successor is appointed by the remaining six; so that, in fact, the aristocratic body not only elects a king, but is likewise self-elective.' It appears that the king so elected has only a deciding voice where the council is not unanimous : 'We perceive,' says Brooke, 'the rudiments of improvement—a glimmering of better things-in this constitution of Boni; but we must not for an instant suppose that it works any benefit to the community generally; an irresponsible and self-elective aristocracy rules with as despotic and corrupt a sway as any monarch; and, from my information, I am led to conclude that life and wealth are as insecure as in any other Malayan state, and the people as greatly oppressed.' It might have been difficult to make the authorities of countries more frequented by strangers comprehend and credit the motives and objects of the appearance of an English gentleman in their harbours. War, commerce, or piracy could probably alone suggest themselves to the Malay mind, and none of these were professed or practised by the visitor. His real object, the gratification of a legitimate and enlightened curiosity, was hence at first somewhat impeded by the very natural jealousy of government officials; but this obstacle once removed by a judicious system of speaking the truth, Mr. Brooke's reception seems generally, as he crept along the coast, to have done credit to the goodnature and hospitality of the natives. We cannot but suspect that, if his views had permitted him to choose Celebes as the scene of his longer residence, his singular power of fascination would have been exercised at Boni or Bajow with the success which has elsewhere attended it. When he left the country a civil war was impending; a few hours sufficed to afford him a clear insight into the bearings of the wrangle and a decided opinion as to the best mode of settling the difficulties of Bugis politics. A faith in the English character and a taste for English protection seem to have somehow been generated in these regions, so seldom visited by the British flag. The arapitu, for which the qualification is hereditary, can hardly be open to one of foreign extraction. Possibly the same positive bar to the pretensions of a foreigner may not exist in the case of the tomarilalan; and if not, the candidature of Mr. Brooke would have been as reasonable-and, to say the least, as hopeful-as that of Lord Brougham for the department of the Var. Fate, however, and the good fortune of Borneo decreed it otherwise. The following description of one of Mr. Brooke's princely entertainers shows that Royal Malay nature is as susceptible of the |