Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
The following account of his survey of the Black Sea , will be read with interest by all : — " The Black Sea is an inland basin , with a margin of coast generally elevated and rocky , having a transverse diameter of about 650 miles from east to west , a congregate one of more than 300 , and an area of 172 , 000 miles . Its modern name is supposed to originate from the dense fogs which occasionally cover it , or the danger of its navigation arising from these fogs ; at all events it was much dreaded
by the ancients , who placed their Cimmerian land of utter darkness on its northern shores . Besides the fresh water from Asia Minor , it receives some of the largest rivers in Europe , including the Danube ( Isler ) , Dnieper { Borysthenes ) , and Dniester ( Tyras ) , the Don ( Tanais ) , and the Kouban ; its waters are , in consequence , only brackish ; and it is singular that , with such a large and constant accession to fresh streams continually pouring into it , any saltness should be retained . Its depth in general is great , no bottom being struck with 150 fathoms of line ; but off the mouth of the Danube the water deepens very gradually , and nearly as much so
from Serpent's Island , by Odessa , to the Crimea . The streams of the great rivers produce strong currents , particularly in the beginning of summer , when they are increased by the melting of the snows ; and when strong winds act against these Sowings , a chopping sea is produced , which in foggy weather is dangerous to small craft . Independently , however , of such chances , the Black Sea is free from any dangers ; having , with a trivial exception or two , neither islands , rocks , nor reefs in the general track of navigation ; and almost everywhere there are excellent anchorages , affording good riding for the largest ships . Its trade consists of grain , wine , timber , charcoal , pitch , potash , fish , caviar , isinglass , shagreen , salted provisions , cheese , poultry , butter , wool , hides , hemp , tallow , honey , tobacco , salt , iron , copper , and saltpetre , but especially corn . "
Travels generally succeed , if only ordinarily well written , in obtaining a goodly number of readers ; and when they chance to combine no inconsiderable amount of instruction with the amusement they generally furnish , their value , as a class of instructive literature , can hardly be too highly estimated . As a type of this class may be mentioned Dr . Davy ' s " West Indies . " * The author , a professional man , who filled the post of Inspector-General of Hospitals , appears to have employed his leisure time in
obtaining a knowledge of the capabilities and prospects of the sugar colonies , and in studying tropical agriculture in all its branches . We have , therefore , not merely a desultory account of these interesting islands , but a practical review of their resources , and of the best means of turning them to account . Of Negro labour Dr . Davy entertains a hi gher opinion than most writers ; although he doubts if the planters have any very good system for inducing them to work . The great cause , however , of Negro
idleness is the vast track of unappropriated waste land , upon which they squat , and only labour sufficientl y to supply their few wants . In those Islands , therefore , where they are unable , or are prevented from sqatting , labour becomes essential , and the relation of master and workman is on a more satisfactory basis . In Barbadoes , for instance , and in Antigua , things are looking up ; population is on the increase , land is fully occupied , and labour plentiful ; and in these islands also absenteeism is not so frequent or habitual as in many others . Dr . Davy has also some excellent remarks on the climate , and on health , believing the effect of the former on the latter to be grossly exaggerated ; Avhilc he attributes in a great
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Critical Notices Of The Literature Of The Last Three Months,
The following account of his survey of the Black Sea , will be read with interest by all : — " The Black Sea is an inland basin , with a margin of coast generally elevated and rocky , having a transverse diameter of about 650 miles from east to west , a congregate one of more than 300 , and an area of 172 , 000 miles . Its modern name is supposed to originate from the dense fogs which occasionally cover it , or the danger of its navigation arising from these fogs ; at all events it was much dreaded
by the ancients , who placed their Cimmerian land of utter darkness on its northern shores . Besides the fresh water from Asia Minor , it receives some of the largest rivers in Europe , including the Danube ( Isler ) , Dnieper { Borysthenes ) , and Dniester ( Tyras ) , the Don ( Tanais ) , and the Kouban ; its waters are , in consequence , only brackish ; and it is singular that , with such a large and constant accession to fresh streams continually pouring into it , any saltness should be retained . Its depth in general is great , no bottom being struck with 150 fathoms of line ; but off the mouth of the Danube the water deepens very gradually , and nearly as much so
from Serpent's Island , by Odessa , to the Crimea . The streams of the great rivers produce strong currents , particularly in the beginning of summer , when they are increased by the melting of the snows ; and when strong winds act against these Sowings , a chopping sea is produced , which in foggy weather is dangerous to small craft . Independently , however , of such chances , the Black Sea is free from any dangers ; having , with a trivial exception or two , neither islands , rocks , nor reefs in the general track of navigation ; and almost everywhere there are excellent anchorages , affording good riding for the largest ships . Its trade consists of grain , wine , timber , charcoal , pitch , potash , fish , caviar , isinglass , shagreen , salted provisions , cheese , poultry , butter , wool , hides , hemp , tallow , honey , tobacco , salt , iron , copper , and saltpetre , but especially corn . "
Travels generally succeed , if only ordinarily well written , in obtaining a goodly number of readers ; and when they chance to combine no inconsiderable amount of instruction with the amusement they generally furnish , their value , as a class of instructive literature , can hardly be too highly estimated . As a type of this class may be mentioned Dr . Davy ' s " West Indies . " * The author , a professional man , who filled the post of Inspector-General of Hospitals , appears to have employed his leisure time in
obtaining a knowledge of the capabilities and prospects of the sugar colonies , and in studying tropical agriculture in all its branches . We have , therefore , not merely a desultory account of these interesting islands , but a practical review of their resources , and of the best means of turning them to account . Of Negro labour Dr . Davy entertains a hi gher opinion than most writers ; although he doubts if the planters have any very good system for inducing them to work . The great cause , however , of Negro
idleness is the vast track of unappropriated waste land , upon which they squat , and only labour sufficientl y to supply their few wants . In those Islands , therefore , where they are unable , or are prevented from sqatting , labour becomes essential , and the relation of master and workman is on a more satisfactory basis . In Barbadoes , for instance , and in Antigua , things are looking up ; population is on the increase , land is fully occupied , and labour plentiful ; and in these islands also absenteeism is not so frequent or habitual as in many others . Dr . Davy has also some excellent remarks on the climate , and on health , believing the effect of the former on the latter to be grossly exaggerated ; Avhilc he attributes in a great