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customary civilities . But , notwithstanding these hahits of politeness , Tartarsand more especially those of an elevated rank—preserve much dignity and even hauteur in their address . " Primary instruction at least is universal , and there is scarcely a village without its school . The mode of instruction is sufficiently curious to claim a passing notice . The young people of the village and its neighbourhood generally

assemble in a room , and the eldest , or most promising pupil , reads aloud passages of the Koran ; while the other hoys , who are seated on low cushions round the room , follow the sound of his voice , and beat time to his utterance with motions of the head . When the first hoy has finished , a second commences ; and so on to the last . This method has the advantage of impressing what is read upon the youthful mind , and riveting on the memory the words of the sacred book , which every good Mussulman is supposed to know by heart .

" The dances of the Tartars are , in accordance with their general character , grave and dignified ; but they have also the bizarre dances peculiar to Eastern nations . An eye-witness gives an account of one of these which is more grotesque than graceful . A Tartar mountebank placed in the centre of a room a glass full bfbouza ( a drink made of millet fermented ) ; and , the music having commenced , began dancing , turning about , and imitating the action of a drunken man ,

throwing himself on the ground as if he intended to shatter the glass , and then suddenly raising himself amid shouts of laughter without effecting the mischief he had threatened . The music was then renewed with increased vigour , the votary of the Tartar terpsichore keeping up the convulsive agitation of his limbs with untiring energy . After some time had been passed in this fatiguing operation , he again suddenly threw himself on the ground , took up the glass in his teeth , and eventually swallowed the contents , without once using his hands .

" Drunkenness is very rare among the modern Tartars ; and they present , in Jihis respect , a marked superiority over all classes of their Russian , masters , who are notoriously addicted to this vice . To their temperance , their general frugality , their quiet life , and their exemption from the fatigue of excessive labour , is probably to be attributed their sound constitution , and their remarkable freedom from sickness . They are seldom attacked by the various maladies , such as fevers ,

remittent and intermittent , which invariably afflict the stranger who sojourns in the Crimea ; and they frequently attain to an extremely advanced age . Rheumatism is , perhaps , the only disease from which they can be said to puffer ; and their liability to this ailrnent may be traced to their frail dwelling-houses , which are rarely furnished with windows . "

PAMPHLETS . The Asylum Journal ; published by authority of the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane . —We rejoice to welcome this publication , which is under the conduct , we understand , of our excellent and scientific Brother Dr . Bucknill . The first number has already reached a second edition , and the

excellent information given upon all points connected with the treatment of the poor sufferers from this fearful malady is characterized by that philanthropy which distinguishes the true Mason in every walk and condition of life . The articles on " Monomania , " and the " Use of Seclusion " in insanity , appeal as much to the general philosopher and metaphysician , as to the student of practical science .

Tfte Acacia : a Monthly Masonic Magazine . Edited by "W . T . Mellen , JSTatchez , Mississippi . —A most superior compendium of Masonic intelligence , for which we are much indebted to our transatlantic Brother , the Editor . It is replete with articles of interest to the Mason , and of instruction to the general reader ; is excellently