156 Reviews. 



and the arts, and of geographical discovery in Australia. The 

 number of short articles stating important new facts, is a very- 

 creditable feature, which we wish could be imitated here. "We 

 select for insertion one of these, principally because its subject is 

 an interesting part of American ethnology. It is illustrated by a 

 plate characteristically printed in gold, and which we regret that 

 we cannot reproduce. 



*' The present time furnishes ample illustration of the influence 

 gold has had in extending civilization and promoting the rapid 

 populating of previously desert regions. 



Gold, as the representative of material wealth, has always ex- 

 ercised a powerful influence on the actions of mankind. It is, 

 therefore, highly interesting as well as instructive, to observe the 

 effects produced on the natives of the wilderness by the first dis- 

 covery of this metal ; and it is worthy of especial note that it 

 served a most important purpose in arousing the dormant intel- 

 lectual faculties, and calling into activity the inventive genius of 

 the untutored savage. In fact, gold and copper have, in different 

 parts of the globe, served a most important purpose in awakening 

 the first sparks of genius, and inducing efforts to obtain some of 

 the benefits these metals confer on those who, by their ingenuity' 

 could turn them into articles of utility or ornament. 



The history of the gradual advance in civilization of barbarous 

 tribes shows us, among other important facts, that where no 

 metals were found by the inhabitants, improvements in domestic 

 conveniences were very limited ; and, we also find that the dis- 

 covery of metals gives the first impulse towards an early civiliza- 

 tion. By further attention we shall likewise find that, to a certain 

 degree, moral improvements were stimulated or retarded as the 

 material progress of the people advanced, retrograded, or remain- 

 ed stationary. 



Goldj we have reason to believe, was, in many parts of the 

 world, the first metal brought into use. This was the case in 

 South America. As soon as this valuable metal was known to be 

 easily liquified by strong heat, it may be presumed that the desire 

 of producing some articles of fancy as ornaments was excited. 

 Then the first casting of some simple trinket was made. In such 

 rude and clumsy castings we have the first proofs of this metal 

 being applied to technical purposes, and also the first step in early 

 civilization. It is true that the use of gold by the aboriginal in- 

 habitants of South America was the indirect cause of much suffer- 



