236 Bibliographical Notices. 



on the floor, and by the flickering light gazed at the fantastic carving 

 of the heathen temple. Nineveh and my brother stole over the 

 scene, — what a contrast ! our own simple religion, another contrast ! 

 and thanking God for the purer light vouchsafed to me than to these 

 poor creatures, I fell asleep on my hard bed, the sleep that only the 

 tired man knows. This morning we were oif before daylight, scram- 

 bling down the scores of stone steps that lead to the temple. An 

 old pilgrim, whom we had heard loud in his devotions last night, 

 accompanied us, to enjoy the benefit of our light. While on the 

 rough uneven steps he was silent enough, but as soon as we cleared 

 them and came into the jungle-path, he set up his pipes and chanted 

 hymns in honour of Buddhoo, till our ears rang again. I advised 

 him to keep his breath for his journey, as calculated to be of more 

 use to him than Buddhoo ; but on this he sang the louder, and only 

 came to a halt, when, having by his melody raised himself up to the 

 seventh heaven, he forgot mundane affairs, and tripping up over a 

 stone, lay sprawling on the ground. The morning dawned as we 

 emerged from the jungle into the open road, and I then had a fair 

 view of the devout pilgrim ; he was an elderly man, but still vigorous ; 

 on his head he wore a red pilgrim's hat, which only wanted the 

 cockle-shell to render it fit for Peter the Hermit himself; he had two 

 or three coats on, one over the other, and the same number of trousers, 

 all of different lengths, and B. declared he saw a pair made of matting 

 under all. He carried a staff, a bundle, and a gourd. When he 

 began his prayers, which he did if ever we halted, he rang a little 

 bell to call attention, and when he came near us he knelt down and 

 bowed to the ground. I observed, among the relics he had on, a 

 Romish medal of the Virgin, doubtless blest by the pope ; a sure pro- 

 tection against falling, as I have often been told by the priests when 

 a boy in Florence. 



Today, though Sunday, we were forced to make two long stages, 

 and B. rode the last oue. We breakfasted at Peria Colom and slept 

 at AUagamo, before reaching which we got a severe drenching, and 

 B. having no change with him, I have wrapped him in a blanket; 

 and while he is sleeping I close my letter, and shall despatch it by 

 the tappat, which we shall meet tomorrow morning. As we are 

 pushing on to save the Bombay steamer, I shall not be able to write 

 again till I get to Kaudy. Till then believe me yours very truly, 



E. L. Layard. 



BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



A History of British Birds, Indigenous and Migratory ; Illustrated 

 by numerous Engravings. By William MacGillivray, A.M., 

 LL.D., Professor of Natural History, and Lecturer on Botany in 

 Marischal College and University, Aberdeen. Vols. iv. & v. Lon- 

 don : W. S. Orr & Co., Amen Corner, 1852. 



We believe it is now admitted, that whoever would worthily attempt 

 to arrange Birds according to the natural system, must not only attend 



