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ing the army, the general respectability of the military profession would be greatly enhanced. Why do the individuals belonging to the corps of Royal Engineers assume a higher place in society than the officers of marching regiments? The reason is obvious-because they are, in general, incomparably better educated and more accomplished men, and many of them distinguished for their acquire ments in the exact sciences. Now, ought it not to be an object of the first importance with Government, that every officer should, if possible, be equally accomplished? It will not be denied that the efficiency of the humblest subaltern is prodigiously encreased, if, in addition to the knowledge of those duties which are more strictly professional, he possesses an acquaintance with the principles of gunnery and fortification-can use with facility his pencil in sketchingand has rendered himself familiar with the foreign languages, particularly French, Italian, and German. Every officer is considered a gentleman, and ought to possess the education of a gentleman: but, above all, he ought to be entirely au fait in the science and details of his own profession. The lawyer, the divine, and the physician, are regularly bred to their respective callings; and it is more than high time that the formation of officers should be taken out of the hands of the tailor, the jeweller, and the man-milliner.

We have been led to make these observations by witnessing the honourable efforts of a gallant and accomplished officer to supply the great defect in our general system of public instruction, to which we have alluded. More than a year ago, Mr George Scott, who had served for eleven years as Adjutant to the 91st, or Argyleshire Regiment, and had been distinguished by his acquisitions as a linguist, as well as by his qualifications as an officer, organized an Institution in this city, which he appropriately denominated "THE SCOTTISH MILITARY ACADEMY." The object of the projected establishment was twofold: "1st, To afford to young gentlemen intended for the profession of arms, the means of preparatory scientific instruction, upon the principle of the celebrated

schools established in England by the Government and the East India Company, and according to the system lately adopted in the army by his Majesty's command: And, 2d, To introduce a rational and useful system of bodily exercise, which may be practised with safety, not only by boys from the time they commence their education, but also by grownup persons, whatever may be their views, and while they are pursuing their other studies or employments-as agreeable and healthy recreations, beneficial in relieving and invigorating the mind, and tending most powerfully to improve the carriage, develope and strengthen the physical powers, and, by strenuous exertion, furnish the means of selfpreservation, in the various occurrences incidental to human life.'"

In furtherance of this general plan, Mr Scott announced, that the following branches would be taught in the Institution: 1st, Military Mathematics, Fortification, Drawing, Geography, Military History, French, Italian, German, Spanish, &c. &c.; and, 2d, The Broad Sword, both for Cavalry and Infantry, the SmallSword, Firelock, Tactics, Gymnastic Exercises, &c.,-the Mathematics, Fortification and Plan-Drawing, according to the methods adopted in the Government, and India Company's Military Schools in England,

and the Military Exercises in conformity to the system lately introduced into the army. This was unquestionably a most judicious plan ; and it is gratifying to observe the zeal and success with which it has been carried into effect. On the 2d of this month, the first annual examination of the Institution commenced, and continued during part of that and the three following days, in the presence of a numerous and highlyrespectable body of spectators. The general proficiency of the pupils, in Mathematics, Fortification, Languages, and the Sword and Firelock Exercises in all their branches, reflect the highest credit on the zeal and ability of Mr Scott, and give promise that this infant Institution will at no great distance of time rival the old and lavishly-patronized Military Academies of the south. We particularly remarked the readiness and ac

curacy with which the young gentlemen answered the different questions proposed in Fortification, as well as the beauty and accuracy of the drawings they had executed of some of the chefs-d'oeuvres of Vauban and Coe born. Nor were we less gratified with their readings in French and Italian, in the principles of which they seemed to be thoroughly grounded: they translated with an accuracy and precision which can only be acquired by an intimate acquaintance with the grammatical structure of a language; while the greatest attention appears to have been paid to the pronunciation, particularly of French, which, from its extreme nicety and delicacy in many respects, is seldom to be heard in this country. Mr Scott, we are aware, has had many advantages in this particular, which he has not failed to turn to account; and it may be mentioned, that his superiority to most British officers, in the intimate knowledge and correct enunciation of the French language, was so well known to his superior officers, that, when serving with the Army of Observation in France, he was frequently employed as interpreter in Courts Martial, when it was necessary to call Frenchmen as evidence. The expertness of the young men in the swordexercise, and in loose play with cudgels, attracted general notice, and elicited repeated plaudits from a very numerous and genteel company. Though this Institution is but in its infancy, it ought to be mentioned, at once as a proof that such a seminary is wanted, and of the liberality of our countrymen in patronizing so highly honourable an attempt to remedy a defect which was generally acknowledged, that, since last summer, nearly 200 pupils have received instruction in the Scottish Military Academy. We have not a doubt that the number will rapidly increase, and that the Superintendent will thereby be enabled to enlarge the basis of the Institution, so that the young men may be carried forward into the higher departments of the Mathematics, and initiated in the principles and application of the differential calculus.

We learn, with pleasure, that Mr Scott has it in contemplation to introduce a system of Gymnastic Exercises, combining the best parts of the

VOL. XV.

different systems practised on the continent, or recommended in the most approved treatises on the subject. This, in our opinion, (and on this subject we speak from personal experience,) will be a prodigious improvement. "The education of youth," says an intelligent officer who has written well on this subject, "is naturally divided into two partsmental and physical. In England, the attention of those who have the superintendence of education has been entirely confined to the former; the latter has been left to chance, and the natural necessity for exertion which characterizes the human body in the early stages of life. The importance of exercise is universally allowed, but no attempts have hitherto been made to reduce it to any system, or subject it to the guidance of experience and judgment. The modes of exercise have been left to the invention of children, whose supreme command over their own sports has never been denied or molested. The consequence is, that the hours of exercise are turned to very small account, as regards their original destination. The only advantage obtained by time spent in recreation at present, is the relaxation of the mind. The body is left to take care of itself." The object proposed by Mr Scott, is to introduce a system of bodily exercise, which, while it affords considerable amusement, and total relaxation of the mental faculties, brings into a full and healthy action all the muscles of the body. "Health, vigour, elasticity, robustness and beauty of frame, are the rewards which this system holds out to those who will persevere in the practice of its precepts."

It is astonishing that, with the example of the ancients before us, the benefits of physical education should have been so entirely overlooked or neglected in this country. It is matter of daily observation, where Gymnastics are regularly taught and practised, that the most feeble constitu tions are strengthened,-the most awkward and ill-formed persons improved, both in figure and in graceful motion, and the most vigorous and robust health secured against the ac cidents to which it is incessantly

Dd

liable. By training himself to almost daily exercise of some kind or other, the wondrous Childe, now unhappily no more, fortified a constitution singularly delicate, and invigorated limbs, the original formation of which seemed intended for any purpose but that of motion or exertion. By a similar process, health, strength, and symmetry, are within the reach of every one. If, therefore, a small portion of the time daily devoted to the dancing-master, or to those games and sports which injure, instead of improving the physical frame, were devoted to the Fencing-Master, and to Gymnastic Exercises, young men would improve their health, elasticity, vigour, and even the forms of their bodies, and would be free from many of those diseases which grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength. "How many parents," says Mr Clias, "would have preserved their children, if they had had the precaution to give them a more masculine education!"

This applies to young men for whatever profession they may be destined; to the intended soldier, such exercises are of the first necessity. "A great number of those brave soldiers (we again quote from Mr Clias's book) who have irrecoverably lost their health, or who perish ed miserably in the late wars, would have been at present the consolation of their parents, and the protectors

of their families, if, by giving them a more vigorous education in their youth, care had been taken to accustom their bodies to fatigue, and to enable them to find, in their physical qualities, the efficacious means of seconding their courage in the moment of extreme necessity."

We hope these considerations will have their due weight with the Patrons and Directors of the Edinburgh Academy, the introduction into which of Fencing and Gymnastics we should hail as a very great improvement. We trust they are superior to the paltry prejudices which have hitherto stood in the way of any effectual system of physical education in this country; and if they are, we venture to stake our credit, that Greek and Latin will suffer nothing by teaching the boys the use of those natural powers with which Nature has endowed them. The dancing-master is by no means to be dispensed with; but, in addition to all that he can give, we would have boys well planted on their legs, their chests thrown forward, and their muscular powers called into almost constant exercise, by fencing, running, wrestling, climbing, and other tasks recommended by approved writers, and reduced to practice in the best schools on the continent. Four-fifths of our young men are educated as if they were never to pass beyond the precincts of the library or the drawing

room.

SIX MONTHS' RESIDENCE AND TRAVELS IN MEXICO. BY W. BULLOCK, F.L.S.

THIS is really a very sensible and amusing work. Mr Bullock has, 'with great judgment, steered clear of the course of former travellers, and his information, besides being new, is interesting. The extensive country of Mexico, it is well known, was long closed against foreigners, by the narrow policy of Spain, and we knew almost as little of it as of China. We knew, indeed, that it contained the precious metals, but further, our knowledge did not extend. Matters are altogether changed, under the new government that has now succeeded to the old despotism of the mother country. The doors of this

extensive country are now thrown wide open to foreigners, and, by the liberal maxims of the Mexican rulers, their visits are encouraged. Under certain limitations, indeed, a freer intercourse was admitted in the last years of the original government; and it was then that the country was visited by Humboldt, who has poured forth, in his interesting works, those stores of original information, by which he has not only extended the science of geography, but has also enriched many other branches of science connected with it. Now that the opportunities are enlarged, other travellers have, as might have

been expected, followed in the same track, and the demand for South American knowledge is now in a fair way of being supplied.

Mr Bullock is well known to the public for the various scientific exhibitions which he has got up, in which he has contrived to combine amusement with solid instruction; and in this his vocation, he visited Mexico in the beginning of the year 1823, where he resided six months. He travelled from Vera Cruz to Mexico, where he made it his business to examine all the curiosities and antiquities of this far-famed capital, and in which occupation he succeeded far beyond his wishes, owing to the facilities afforded him by the revolutionary government, whose liberality he commends in the highest terms. All ancient relics of the Mexican empire were not only shewn him, but many of them were dug up from the place where they lay half-buried, and he was permitted, not merely to inspect, but to take drawings, or make casts of them: several antique memorials and MSS. were given altogether into his possession; and others he was allowed to take to London, to have them copied, and sent back again. In short, the liberality of the new government, and the desire to show him attention, was unbounded. Every trace of the narrow jealousy with which foreigners were wont to be regarded, is now entirely done away, and instead of discouraging them, there is an anxiety to court their visits. Favoured by those opportunities, Mr Bullock made excursions, with the utmost freedom, through the country, exploring its antiquities and its curiosities, and instead of being impeded, was favoured in his researches by all classes. He even procured from the government letters of naturalization, and became proprietor of a mine which had been abandoned in consequence of its being overflowed with water, which, Mr Bullock thought, by the application of the proper machinery, that he could extract.

Mr Bullock sailed from Portsmouth on the 11th of December 1822, and landed at Vera Cruz, on a handsome pier of solid masonry, paved with pigs of bar iron of Engfish manufacture. He remained as

short time as possible in Vera Cruz, which is well known to be the seat of misery and disease. He gives a shocking picture of the place, in which he could find no decent accommodation, being obliged to sleep all night at the inn, in his clothes, in an apartment which opened into a billiard-room, where he was tormented with heat, noise, and mosquitoes. He went at day-break to the marketplace, where he saw no great show of either fruits or any other provision, except fish, of which, however, there was a most splendid collection. "Hundreds," he observes, "of various species, glowing in all the colours of the prism, surpassing the lustre of precious gems, and all the most brilliant tints of the humming birds, covered the stones of the market-place of Vera Cruz." The place, it is well known, is most unhealthy, and the stranger is in danger every hour he remains within its walls, surrounded by arid sands, extensive swamps and savannahs, the exhalations from which scatter every where the seeds of contagion and death. Mr Bullock was assured of protection and passports for his subsequent journey to Xalappa (which is half-way up the Table Mountain). from the republican general, whom he met there, and by whom he was treated in the most friendly manner.

Mr Bullock set out on the 8th of March, in a hired carriage, drawn by eight mules, in company with Mr Vanderies, an intelligent French gentleman, and his son, on the road to Xalappa. In order, however, to explain the nature of this journey, it will be necessary to state something as to the nature of the country through which he was now to travel. It is well known, that the country of Mexico begins to rise at a short distance from the sea-coast; and that after it reaches the height of from 0 to 8000 feet above the sea, it spreads out into vast plains, and is called Table Land, from its resemblance to a table. Xalappa, to which Mr Bullock was now travelling, is situated more than half way up this elevation. It need hardly be stated, that the climate is sensibly improved as the traveller, receding from the sea-coast, climbs the Table Land, the great tropical heats being mitigated by the height of the ground,

and the country becoming pleasant and healthy. The sea-coast is the abode of heat and fever; but Xalappa, where the European oak first begins to appear, is the beginning of that happier region which is the seat of health and of perpetual spring.

The first day's journey of our travelling-party terminated at San Rafael, where they repaired to the Posada, or inn, which is a large shed thatched with leaves or reeds, partly inclosed like a bird-cage, and freely admitting the air. It is so little barricadoed, as to allow whatever passes within to be seen from without, and the roof projects very considerably over the sides. Into this common

resort of all travellers Mr Bullock and his party were conducted, and told, that, unless they had beds of their own, they must repose on the floor, nothing being furnished but shelter from the rain, and Indian corn for the cattle. Here having disposed their matresses, they proposed to go to rest, hoping that fatigue would operate as a soporific; and we have the following account of the comfortable manner in which they passed the night, which may be taken, Mr Bullock informs us, as a general specimen of the state of all

the inns on the road.

Several persons of both sexes, with some children, were in the same room

with us, in a sort of gallery that project ed over the enclosure. Our mules, and

those of other travellers, were fastened on the outside, while numerous dogs belonging to the house, as well as those attached to the different conveyances of the travellers, were mingled with their masters, and kept up such a barking as to render sleep impossible. We had horses close to our heads, eating Indian corn, the mules kicking and fighting, the muleteers cursing,—intolerable and suffocating heat, braying of asses,-sing ing and stinging of mosquitoes, and the biting of myriads of fleas, completed the comforts of what has been called an inn. How did I pray for a glass of water to moisten my parched and feverish lips! how did I long for an English barn or hay-loft! either had been a paradise to such an infernal spot. To leave it, how ever, would have been to have run the risk of being devoured by the surrounding dogs. Day-light at length brought us relief, and, clearing our persons from the deposits of the poultry that had roosted

over our heads, we reloaded our carriage, and proceeded on a better road than heretofore, having in some parts been carried, at considerable labour and expence, over

morasses which would otherwise have been impassable.

Passing through various towns of less importance, they arrived at the city of Puebla de los Angeles, which contains, according to Mr Bullock, 90,000 inhabitants, many of them wealthy, and living in good style.

Puebla is a splendid city; the streets are straight and broad, and cross each other at right angles, dividing the whole into squares of considerable size. Its manufactures have fallen off, and it is likely will fall off still more, when the intercourse with Europe, and especially with Britain-that great seat of capital and industry becomes more frequent. Coarse woollen cloths were formerly made; but this branch of industry cannot possibly stand before the competition of this country. Mr Bullock also visited the glass-manufactory, where the machinery for grinding the flint appeared very rude and simple.

Passing through the city of Chollula, and several other minor towns and villages, Mr Bullock at length reached the far-famed city of Mexico; and great was his disappointment, as he travelled through the dreary and desolate country by which it is approached, and where there is nothing that can give the least idea that a great city is near. "All (he observes) is dreary silence and miserable solitude." On arriving at the barriers, they passed through a part of the shabby-looking troops that surrounded the city, and entered the suburbs, which were mean and dirty, the people inhabiting them being covered with rags, or only wrapped in a blanket. The following account of what our travellers now felt is exceedingly natural :

So great was my disappointment, that I could scarcely bring myself to believe that I was in the capital of New Spain, the great mart of the precious metals, whence they flow to all parts of the habitable world :-a few minutes more, however, brought us into the city; and whatever I had seen of regularity and largeness of streets, size and grandeur of churches and houses, was here surpassed,

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