l^ahiral History in London. 433 



time to time given by the editor of the Morning Chronicle, the only newspaper 

 editor in London, we believe, who thoroughly understands German, and 

 y more recently in the Westminster and two Foreign Reviews. The Geogra- 



I phical Society will unquestionably render good service to their country, by 



i translating and concentrating information of this sort: but, as it is with an 



unpalatable medicine, the good will be in the final result, and not in the 

 commencement. It will not be palatable to the true-born Englishman to 

 feel, that the more he knows of the laws and institutions and state of morals, 

 of other countries, the more he must lower his exalted notion of his own. 

 Estimating, however, the happiness of every country, in Mr. Bentham's 

 manner, by the happiness of the greatest number, France, America, Swe- 

 den, Switzerland, and Germany are all much happier countries than Eng- 

 land ; unless, indeed, the happiness of a country consists merely in the 

 happiness of its aristocracy. With a view, therefore, to the great changes 

 preparing for this in common with other countries, and foreseeing no chance 

 of the Geographical Society ever becoming very rich ; for it has chiefly the 

 attraction of public utility, and not that of personal honour like the Royal, 

 or personal advantage (fruits, seeds, plants, books, and saving a nursery- 

 man's bill,) like the Horticultural, we sincerely wish it success, and will 

 give it all the support which lies in our power. 



One object (Art. 6.) is, " to open a communication with all those societies 

 with which geography is connected :" in this we sincerely rejoice, because 

 it is liberal on the face of it ; and because we believe the Geographical and 

 Statistical Society of Paris, and also another party in that city, have col- 

 lected much statistical information, which, if translated and printed " in a 

 cheap form," would be useful in this country. — Cond. 



The Labels in the Zoological Societt/s Gardens. — Pray suggest that these 

 labels, besides bearing the name, country, and year of introduction or scien- 

 tific name of the animal, should also bear the name of the donor, when it 

 has been a donation. This, I think, is the least compliment that can be 

 paid to donors ; and I know some who are much offended at its neglect, and 

 will not repeat their gifts. — J. M. May 1. 1830. 



The Zoological Farm. — I was the other day at the Zoological Farm, 

 where things are not going on very prosperously ; for, with the exception 

 of the dromedary, a rein-deer, and the llama, which are come down. for 

 change of air, the stock has not increased since last autumn. Some new 

 enclosures have been made this spring for the poultry, and two huts, which 

 serve as shelter for some of the sheep, the llama, &c. ; but, as Mr. Burke 

 observed the other day at the Meeting, " Subscribers need only go to look 

 at the farm, to see what a miserable concern it is." With its locality, of 

 course, you are well acquainted; the shrubbery walks are beautiful, and the 

 view from the grounds magnificent. The hen-houses, rabbit-hutches, 

 pigeon-houses, &c., are all built in the neatest manner, but the stock does 

 not appear to thrive. Last year they had a great number of lop-eared and 

 Angora rabbits, for some of which the most enormous prices are said 

 to have been given ; but during the winter they lost a few, and as they 

 do not permit them to increase during the winter months, their stock is at 

 present diminished, and the greater part of them are affected by some kind 

 of disease in their coats, which makes them look ragged and miserable. 



Their poultry does not appear fine of its sort, except a few handsome 

 specimens of the speckled Poland. The Dorking are not large j the tur- 

 keys are unhealthy ; and from their whole stock they have only, as yet, 

 produced three broods of chickens. 



The pigeons are magnificent of their kind, and appear to flourish ; but 

 the original object of keeping them is defeated, in then* being suffered to 

 breed together, so that all of the young ones are cross-bred. 



A few Indian cattle (Zebus), of various sizes, a young deer from Rich- 

 mond Park, some half-bred Cape sheep, an Angora and a few other goats,' 



