TOPOGRAPHIC Al, BOORS.

THE arrival of the season for excursions, when London is deserted and places are crowded to which the world can be conveyed by steam, might be divined by a recluse who only saw the new publi- cations. Last week, Mr. STANnisit gave an amateur account of Seville. This week, we have three works of a more business-like character, but each the result of travel for amusement, or for gene- ral purposes of' information, and each mor1.1 particularly addreseed to persons who contemplate en excursion l'or the sake of recreation or health.

I. Hand-Boole Trardlers la the East.

2. The l'riaripal Baths qf Germany. The Thames mat its Tributaries.

1. Mr. MURRAY'S Httild-BOOk fit?' Tr/Milersut the East, is a

pretty strong indication of the distance to which the modern theili- ties for interconnnunication carry tourists, when a sufficient de- mand is supposed to exist for a guide-book through the Ionian Islands, Greece, Turkey, Asia 3Iinor, and Constztntinople. Like the previous publications with a similar title, this volume is dis- tinguished for the clearness of its arrangement, the specific cha- racter of' its directions, and the quantity and utility of the matter it contains, as well as fbr a certain degree of style and finish about

the literary workmanship. Its introductory chapters, descrip- tive of the countries and the people among which the traveller is to be conducted, are also precise and well-compiled. As a whole, however, this volume strikes us as being less generally in-

teresting for fireside tourists than any of its predecessors. The signs of original knowledge are not so deer and strong—the

writer appearing more indebted to second-hand authority : the matter is of a narrower and iess varied kind—requiring, to inspire much of' interest, the life and spirit which actual observation infuses into an account. The statistics of t.ehielcs, inns, and social economy, in the More civilized parts of the Continent vary conti- nually, and possess a wide attraction front the numbers who may have a practical concern with them; but in Greece and Asia Minor there is neither choice nor variety—you must travel on horseback, and board yourself as you can. A similar remark applies to the sights. Itt Europe, they are numerous, and if of a mixed or lower style of art, very various—churches, castles, bridges, fortifications, galleries, theatres, and the large class of things that come under the head of' prospects and places of amusement. A mere cata- logue raisona, or a descriptive enumeration, has attraction for those who have seen them, or may hope to see them shortly. In Asia Minor, the word rains comprises nearly every thing that is to be seen ; and they require a personal presence, or at least a very vivid description, to be appreciated. As a fitet bearing upon our Opinion, if not a proof of its justice, we may add, that the earlier part of the Hand-Book, which treats of Malta and the Ionian Isles, where British power is established, is the most interesting. Here are some gleanings from Malta and Greece.

WORKINGS or TI1E VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE 1N MALTA.

This church was (Mind too small for the poptdation of the casal, and the in- habitants resolved to build a new one in another situation, rather than attempt to enlarge the existing, edifice. Another has accordingly been commenced at Musta, on a scale of enormous magnitude, considering that the worka are en- tirely defrayed by the voluntary subscriptions of the people, and carried on by the gratuitous labour of the workmen on festas and holydays. The new build- ing Was designed by :lir. Grognet, on the plan of the Pantheon at Rome : i is portico is 112 feet long and 60 high, with double columns ; the interior dia- meter of the circle is 125 feet. It surrounds it church already existing on the spot, which will be removed as soon as the new one is completed, so that con- secration will not be necessary. Though many objections 'sight be made to the proportions of this edifice, it must strike every visiter nith surprise to see such a building sitting up in a small easel like this, with no other resources than the energy and good-will of its own people. Building.materials are abundant in Malta, and the stone affords such great facilities for working, that labour is almost the only thing required on these occasions ; but tlte nuest sin- gular circumstance connected with the Maltese system of deserting, their churches as soon as they become too small for the population, is, that the posi- tion of the village changes likewise. The old houses are pulled down, and new ones erected round the modern church ; and within a few mouths of its com- pletion, the old site is entirely abandoned, and the inhabitants are found to have migrated from their former locality. Birehircara is only one among ninny instances of this migration of the Maltese peasantry.

MALTESE SOCIETY.

The society of Malta has been very contemptuously described by many passing travellers, who have formed their opinions from the evidence of tempo- rary English residents, or from what they have themselves seen during a flying visit. The ordinary society to be found at Valletta has very much the cha- racter of that met with in all garrison-towns; but it is exceedingly unjust to class the entire population in this category. The higher classes of native Maltese are not surpassed by those of any country in general intiellileigence highly cultivated tastes, or in the accomplishments and •personal charaete; - individuals. But for many years it has been so much the prnetlee of Ea,41,1 residents, who have no consequence but that derived from official rank, to tree. the 'Maltese with indifference or contempt, that there is very little opportiadt. for a stranger to form any opinion except from such examples as may be founi that one part of the parade wit:Te 13..iti,11 officer: in most places where a large lleet and garrison are stationed, have never intimately associated with the English ; and, in all proliabilitiy,ecner, will, until the latter I, arn to treat them with the respect due to their aneierit nobility and commanded by their education andgcimi I .m thy igtti,lt its fti by the appropriate leolle i; Seandal Corner," is vela:ales a sufficient reason why the higher clas,..is of Maltee should live very much iti their own retire. moat. Those trovellas o;:ly who have hail favourable opportittlitie, cfEeein,,z -Maltese society, 1.111 be aware of their amiable charaoter, of their readinos mkt ability to communicate intimmation, and of their devoted. loyalty to the Crows of' which they were voluntary adherents.

LAST CAPTURE or

The blockcole elnata was st) rentarkelilo for its tloration. as well as for the sulferings of the besieged, and th.i tinr.imitting tlie blackaaias squadron, IIt it has scarcely a pandlel iii Ill,tory. It u.emr. •Iteed in Septet:. ber 179‘7 ; when, in addtitioa to the onlite:ry garri,,m, I LS harboor contained the liiima•lattle ship G itillaitme Tel!, and In a higates L:t Diane anti Lit Jos. tice—the three ships v,Itich re.teLd the islatel “ner the bittlo of the Nile, Atter the 4.1..piCation of the first year's bloekath., provhdon, hail bzeonie ss scarce, that a tot, I sold for fit) franc,' a pbott for 12, a pound ,011,11sitowaars the seetilid ycar Admiral Villeneuve determined 'mu talking an attempt to send the ships to FC:1/ICC for ivisistance : the I: oin,o0,,,, for 22, and a mould Of coffee for 211 fraiws. Towards the catrer sent out with all pos.i'ile prerautionis, but she was captured by Lord Nelson on the same Meta. st. vend :Too:tans were also despatched : Ii m Ieapiturd. ..A.s a last resource, the two frigates Diane and in:lice were despaiellisl; but

on the Imitating following their depart ore, it litiesofhattle skip Tins the bar.

hour, in sight of the NS !Mk: garrison, ith La Diane in company bearhig thZ British flag. The distress of the earriem ter.s extreme : 1.,',Frolvhe of oil sold for 21- to 2$ franc:, coffee 4:S to IS francs a pound, and algal. from 43 to -IS francs. Ilorse:, nudes, eats, dog.. and even rats, hail been so long consented, that to hold nut longer was impo.sille. The garrison accordingly capitulated, in Avigitst 17;0, aker a siegi of two years mid a day m dnring which the rrerth consult-led shot and bombs, and :Thew 71 It enriridgeg. The previ. sions on which they hail subsisted during this time, woubl not have Lista more than seven months on fall allowance.

CAME IN catror.

There are four goal seasons for si:o.it i lig in I recce. fit the month of April, the pigeons remain weeks ; t be qintils nml reinain a month: in September and Getol,er, come the iiartriilges; and in November and 1)....cember, the snipe and woodcock, 'which arrive in myriads. There are game-laws in force in Greet..., bat the fie; are trifling. A certifi- cate is taken out for three months tin. I!. dritelona (21. CO.) It' the gens.d'ar- merle find any one shooting without a licence, they I::ke his gun from hint, and it is not restored till the line a lull drachm.", ( ■I.) is pia. NotwithAtnaing the ch,pa,s a the liceno;, the game doe3 not seteiibly diminish. Partridge-, and hare..., :Amami in all pal ts of and pheasants int the neighbourhood of .Nlisolom.;Iii and Zeitnn. la Negr:rpont and the frm• flees, the wild boar and iker are very numerous.

'rite other game are only transient, and come in sue!' flocks that they never stem to diminish.

2. The 1'ritteipal .71a/A3 (j. Gerh:any. Front the few pu'ulication3 of "Mr. LEE that have fallen under our notice, lie appears to pos. sess considerable medical knowledge, and, what is of quite as much importance, great common sense and a rational itulginent The range of his observation is considerable ; embracing many parts of the Continent as well as Great Britain—as if' he were more anxious to acquire knowledge than to set himself down ill a single place. When the mesmerists Were in the field with. the mummeries of animal magnetism, 'Mr. LEI: contributed a searching awl sensible publication eeposing the delusion. The little work before us is designed to draw attention to the Baths of' Gertnany, and their efficacy in many iliseascs which trill not yield to the remedial agents drawn from the shop, or to com- positions profesehig to repre3clit the waters of the springs; them- selves, whereas they only represent the grosser parts which chemi- cal analysis discovers.

It cannot of' course have escaped Mr. Lee's observation, that other curative elements may be in operation besides the waters administered internally or as baths—as change of air, change of scene, improved habits, and that nervous stimulus which travelling generally imparts. Still, after making every fiiir allowance for these beneficial agents, he decides that in many eases mineral Nvaters operate to an extent which only the fitet would warrant us in affirming; and he concludes that their utility is underrated In England, (as it may perhaps be overrated on the Continent,) since Ito it p•iari reasoiling drawn from the composition of the waters would warrant the conclusion to which experience leads.

" The therapeutic:it action of a 'mineral spring is r.eyiently tint of the kind which its chemical compo,ition won! I lead one to copy : or whiCh have adduced sonic examples in my other book, showing that some waters, hut ■ •ery slightly mineralized, me pr...,lactlee of powerful and marked effects. It is well known by those who late paid any attention to the subject, that in it chalvbeate spring, for instance, the tonic prolliTlie3 Or 0 1111:11 or,' &xtremely marked, and where the presence of iron is evident to the ta.tc and sight, the chemical analysis. doos not exhibit in many instance: more than half or three- quarters of a grail iii this !octal to the piot ; a I:int:Oily whieli, if exhibited in a pharmaceutical form, would he productive of no effee-t. A s:an,lard French, author says on this vadat= It is evident to us that the meet-what action ot natural mineral waters is not in relation with what we know of their consti- tuent principles: it is not a few ,grains more or less of mitieralizing salts which determine the salutary effect of mineral waters, but that this effect depends rather on the manner in which these salts are combined—of the natural heat of the springs—of the priticiple, in some measure vital, which seems to animate them, and which till the present time has been undetected. It is therefore with much justice that Chaptal said, that chemists only tinalyze the corpse qr mintrat waters. Chemistry teaches us to characterize, to class this waters—shows us the runtlog,ites which exist between thein—cnable; us to ni!ti- eipate some of tlteir properties, by showing us the predominating mineraliziug substances; but it belongs to clinical observation—to the authority of multi- plied facts—to determine their therapeutical action.' Hence we may see the reason of the inferiority of artificial mineral waters, which ale also prepareilm

1,4

to small quantities for bathing; whereas it is chiefly by baths that the most marked effects of warm springs are produced, the drinking of these waters basing only come into use within about two hundred years." To point out the different disorders to which the German Baths are enerally

adapted, and to offer a variety of hints to guide the g

patient 8tht his medical attendant in the one to which they might first preferably direct their attention, as well as to suggest the best mode of' using the waters, is the object of this work. It also con- tains a general description of the different Spas, and of the accom- modation they offer, both in themselves for the refreshment of the carnal man, and in their adjacent walks and rides for the in- dulgence of mental enjoyment. '['lie first volume (which seems to bare been delayed in its appearance by foreign dilatoriness, or some other cause) is confined to the Baths of NLLSai and its vici- pity; a second will contain those of Central and Southern Germany. The divisions of the suliject are into Thermal Springs—embracing Wiesbaden, Baden Baden, Ems, Wildbad, Schlangenbad, Claude Fontaine; and Cold Springs—of which the best known are Schwalbach and Sellers. Of these various claimants, 'Wiesbaden is the most celebrated, the most frequented, and (for those with whom health is a secon(I- ary point) the hest placed, from the fiteility of access to it, the beauty of the adjacent scenery, ana the lwtter ::t!pply of shopkeep- ing articles. This is ;Mr. 11,tufs picture of The town has a neat, clean, and animated appearance. and is yearly increas- ing in size the construction of bionhome streets and detach,d hou,cs; its population (iijiwards of 10,( t10) being nearly doulde chat it W:IS tWetity vears ago, and will in all profrthility ere long lw nmeh more mam•ro,:s, as the bake is constructing a palace for a winter residence, which will im'otce many to take up their permanent abode at Wieslatticu ; whieh is also lning to attract at- tention among stranger,, as ;'), more eligible place for s.j,mriling the winter than several others w llich have hitherto been resorted to. Placed in a valley, With an open and fruitful country it the direct ions of the Rhine and the Alaine. aud bounded on the North and Eitt by hills covered with apple, cherry, and walnut trees, behind which rises the Taniiin.. range of mountains, it is effectu- ally protected from the cold winds from these .Inarters. (hi :tecount of its pwition, it is at times exceedingly hot and oppressive in the summer-mouths ; which circumstance, though generally favoarable to those using the waters, as seconding their action, is disalv:intageens to many peNons in health ; who, howeverouay generally avoid the feelings of langour and indis,,,osition front this cause by taking exereke out of the valley, on the hills where the air is mostly fresh and invigorating. The bmuty of the country and the muneroo, objects of interest in the neighbourlomd ofier great inthICOUVIlt S for making excursions; the roads being good, the drives vat led, ;Lod the visitur grounds pre- senting extensive views of the country—the I; hine, with Nlityetice and other towns on its banks. The pedestrian also niii derive great g rat ideation from the variety of delighful walks in the environ•4 ; )thether, Waving the avenues of acacias and plane-trees of the promenade and a round the Cursaal, he continue to ascend the vollcy as far as the picturesque ruin of Sonnetilwrg or proceed in an opposite (Nivel:on from the town to the beantilitti and ver,latit vailies Nerothal, 8c.e. ; stroll in the extensive I Meal garden at Bilwrich ; or whether he direct his steps towards the Taunus to eith:y• a more ,erintled walk in tic woods 1,,hind the Guish, r:••, where the silet:Iw is untwoken save by the singing of birds, or by the Jura.- ru,-age of deer throuh ti. mi- di:mood; or to ascend as far as the Platte, in order to view the migniticent and extensive prospect front its roof. 'rho numbers Of holyday folks who on stated days come from the country or Ii cue: Frankfurt or NI::yence. together with &constant arrival of fresh visiters disembarking from the Rhenish steamers, &r., tend to impart tm ale of animation to W icsliaden, which cannot Mil to have a beneficial influence on many invalids. By the comttruction of the rail- road now in progress, the above °II...nth:nett tow .s will bo approximated to Viekaden—thungh this will rather be a disadvantage ti many persons using the waters.

The increased facility iii. communication with England, (which may he reached in seventy-two hams by the Rhine, or quicker lv travellio-- l,v nird.t. from Cologne by the railroad through Belgium. I is ma additional indacemint to invalids to visit the Ithettish baths. emillieg- them to avoid a long land journey, so frequently prejudicial to peesons in weak health.

The curative property illhe 11111 c FOCI1V, 1101 ill adaptcd to the agri:mens of the place. For exmliplu- " Another case iii whieh the aro often emincntly ser- viceable is, where there is a general disoidereel tate el health, w ithout the ex- irtence of any actual ii ca or material derangement of anv particular func- tions, except perhaps impaired digestive powers; a, i iiry iredmently seen in Londoners and inhabitants of other large cities elosely engaged in trading, mercantile, or profrssional occupations, as also in those who have hem resident Ina tropical or unhealthy elimate, ;suet, a state, though relieved and palliated for a time, by nadieMes, no; unfrequently terminal, s m Krions functional or

structural hIS.5 it clv. ccl to continue iie:r leng pet hid; and nothi:Ig cc cad

tend mere elfectually to it-, tOn1101.“VY ;0,St IlVe fr011i the CZ1VCS (if

aVOrtai(111, Ch:111ge of air and mode of life, and the employment of a mineral spring, like Wiesbaden, ft;ll,,wed hv that of a chalybeat c witter io tOld5ci cattes where it is not connterindica

" The same may be said Gi seveml eases of hvimehomiriasis, ii it Ii disorder( ii

digestive powers, to w Lich i..:1,:..len Ai on account of its

waters tending to rectify the Oa, or:mus, anti oho

from the heneficial intlini.o• which t, be ex, rtud in most instances on the

Lpatients //wok, the lomcinent. a the p!ftel!, its chianti ilpilear::1:Ce, the ailty fit. its On icduics, :1.1 the 1:eigh.::110;,m1 of so maLy ajcets of intere,t. To ,ome patients of this (lass. tepid with the internal use of a cold, gaRotts spring, is 010,1 applicable. To others again, curtain other mineral springs are best adapted." still more imperfectly expressed; nor is the matter mended by a recourse to a language alien to both parties, like French. There Call be little doubt, that if the English residents take up the matter with spirit, the regulation will be modified ; for their expenditure is of too much consequence to the ways and means of Nassau to be lost. At the saute time, it must be a mere affitir of force : our medical monopolizing laws in England are not of a kind to warrant us in demanding it as a matter of reciprocity. We have gotten reci- procity as the matter stands.

3. The Thames and its Tribotaries. A work which should thoroughly display the capabilities of the Thames and its tributary

streams, would require a man with very various powers and pursuits, or more truly, perhaps, it variety of authors: for there are, first, its associations, traditional, historical, and literary; next, the immediate scenery of the rivers, and the country adjacent to them ; and lastly, the Utilitarian part, front the profitable recrea- tion of angling up to the largest branch of commerce or manu- factures.

Vast as such knowledge must be, its cream would only con- stitute the material for such a book ; requiring very peculiar powers for its effective working up. Lightness without emptiness, grace without affectation, familiarity without silliness or puerility, and gravity without its too frequent accompaniment ponderosity or pomposity, should be the accomplishments of a man who undertook to point out to the world the many striking points of the Thames and its Tributaries.

It would he flattering Mr. AlAruAv to say that his book ap- proaches the ideal we have drawn ; but it may be praised as an agree- able and readable publication. It' it does not contain the quint- essence of its subject, it has got hold of its salient points—which for popular purposes is the next best thing. Mr. MAcs.ty appears to have adopted the proper mode of collecting his materials, by followieg the course of the Thames and the Medway from the sea to their sources, and tracing the most remarkable of the streams which fitll into them. This peregrination furnishes hint with the principal objects; guide-books or topographical books possess hint with the most striking filets connected with them ; and 0 mind pretty well acquainted with English history and literature, together With a poetical imagination, can dress them up fluently and agreeably, so as to form a various matnge of interesting gossip. Persons versed in the localities by which Mr. .1 ken:yr passed in his walks of' business, will detect some errors and many omis- sions : but perhaps the worst fault is the litti.ratettr's besetting sin—di:.quisitional digression, in the alternate 1.011119 of reverie and personification.

This peculiarity will compel us to omit more than half of the passage devoted to the origin of the subject which originates the book.

T110 sortie): oi"ruc Tilt it 0, 'Within two tidies of l'irem•ester is the 1,turce of the Thames—a clear foun- tain in a little rocky del!, known by the name of 'litanies Head. 'Ills is the lin I. int.:Intim, stream, so great 0 giant when it arrives ct its full growth. * * The little dell, whence Issues the gentle stream, is it: hot seasons perfectly dry ; but the drought that stops the supply at th.• fountain-head, has but slight elll.et on the course of the strewn. It has so many different feeders front various ;rots of the country, that at Lechlatle anti Cricklade it ruins on its usual coure indult:lowed by the scarcity at the head. There is an amusing :.tory told of a simple Cod:Ley, who, on his way front BriFtol to Londlia, turned ,,,:tie to visit the source of the river he was so proud of. It was a warm sum• tiler; there had been no rain for three weeks, and the ,ring was dried up : t• t.;00,1 God I " said he, with au (Apr( ssion of tla utmost alarm and sorrow, •• what ruin this must cause at 1.undon! AVliatev,r will the poor people do ? --and his linsy finey conjured up It direful picture of a thonsand ills cen,q111,:it upon the stoppage of the stream : no more ships arriving at Lomb ol laden with the wcalth of the world, the bankruptcy of rich merchants, the shut ling up of 'Change, the failure (.1 the Flank 1,1' England, the anguish of ruined families, and the Lath of thottsuiols in the agonies of thirst. The German, tell a similar story of a travelha• who ‘i,.ited the springs of the Danube; met cc chc. ns we are upon the sobject, may ser,t. a., a p,.11,1ant to the hay of our Cockney. The tr...veller in this ease was a t-iwaa it ; and whenever the *Germans w isit lii palm oir a joke, cc Swabian save to lie the butt. On ccli icig hi what a small stream the water trickled at the source of that great

r Bantilw, lie formeal the bold resolution of stopping it up. lie put hist Land acro,s it ; and as he fancied the varioas cities upon its course deprived of their salppiy of water by this deed, he exclaimed, in the pride of his heart, " What will they say at N'ienna:"

The explorer of' London will have been struck with a 'het noticed

by Ahr. A(!le AV, the inferior appearance of the Sorry side of the ; though he may not account fin' it in the saute way.

1:0171'11wAini :\N0 1..%)0;;;TII.

1VI.:11 a contrast there is now, and always lei, been, both in the character r•ntl appearance or the two sides of the river ! The 1,tni.b.ii side, high and well- thickly studded with spires awl public Gliiiees, and resounding with all the noise of the operations uf a various intlit,try;

side, low and flat, and meanly built, with searct ly icc edifice higher than a coal-

shed or timber-yard, and a population Nu ith aml debauched k, itlec iac cc relnarkithIC cootnist to the cheerfulness and activity visible on the frees of the Londoners. The situation upon the low swamp is, no doubt, one cause of the unhealthy appearance of the dwelkrs on the South of the Thames ; but the dissolute rake-hellish appt•arance of the lower orders of them must be °t hen, i•:• accounted for. From a very early :1..1., Southwark and Lam- bet it, and t Ice tinnier especially, were the great sinks and common receptacles of ail the vice and immorality of London. l•p to the year 132, Southwark hail heth hoh.hwudeut of the jurisdiction of Londom—a sort of neutral ground, »Iiist, the law could not reach; and, in consequence, the alt.ide of thieves and apply to Edward the Third for a grant of Southwark. The request was corn- party to in-door amusements ; and these were of a character suited to the plied with, and the vicious place brought under the rule of the City. Driven casion. The ring of the new-made bride was 'heed In a bowl of meat b in some measure from this nest, the thieves took refuge in Lambeth, and still set the authorities at defiance. From that day to this the two boroughs have had the same character, and been known as the favourite resort of thieves and vagabonds of every description.

We suspect the river-side, and their situation upon the outskirts, have as much to do with the backward state of these two spots as the causes alleged. Westminster, near the Abbey and the Parliament House, was—and, for that matter, still is—a very indifferent locale ; its improvement not having been greater than has taken place on the Surry side of the water. Any one perambulating the banks of the Thames from London Bridge eastward, will not, we suspect, find much difference on the respective sides; and we apprehend that Whitechapel, Spitalfields, Bethnal Green, and Saffron Hill within a few yards of Holborn, would rival either Lambeth or Southwark in wretchedness and blackguardism.