naments of value. These, however, were purloined a long while ago, when the harp was sent with the regalia of the Irish princes to the pope at Rome; at least, so says the legend. Credat Judæus. The museum possesses also, many antique utensils, and pieces of armour, which have been found at different times, in various parts of the country, under bogs, fens, and mosses. But our attention was particularly called to two swords, of singular make and temper. The metal is mixed, and proved to be the same composition with that of the Carthaginian swords, which have been dug up from the plains of Cannae. The implements themselves, are precisely similar in shape: and swords of this kind, are known to have been made and used only by Carthaginians. These weapons, antiquarians have seized upon to confirm an opinion, that a connexion and friendly intercourse were maintained between Ireland and Carthage, during the prosperity of that republic. The anatomical museum contains a large number of preparations, illustrative of the physiology of the human frame. Many of them are horribly natural. In the collection, there are several full length wax figures of females, exhibiting their distinctive anatomy, and representing them in every stage of gestation. Among other mirabilia, we beheld the skeleton of a man who died of ossification. This is said to have been occasioned by his habits of life. He was addicted to inebriety, and being poor, was sometimes obliged to pass his nights upon the bare ground. This produced various arthritic obstructions, which terminated in the manner mentioned. The skeleton of the famous 'Irish giant' was another object. His height was eight feet and an half: and the present stature of his skeleton, is wonderfully tall; although, of course, materially reduced from the size of the living body. Animal calculi, both stones and gravel, were also seen; some of a comparatively enormous size. Two or three of the former, measured seven or eight inches in circumference. The university kitchen, with the whole culinary apparatus, is well deserving attention. Cooking is performed entirely by the agency of steam, the spits are turned by its operation, and the meat and vegetables are boiled, or rather vapoured in it. From the place of the steam engine, flues are carried under the floors of the college chapel, and grated openings made at proper intervals through the paved aisles; by which means, the room above is easily and effectually warmed. Adjoining to the university, are extensive parks and gardens, laid out in walks, for the exercise and recreation of the officers and students. The buildings appropriated to residents, resemble Nassau hall at Princeton, and the front view of the Union colleges at Schenectady. The rooms are constructed on a similar principle with those of Holworthy hall, at Cambridge, Massachusetts; at least, those which we saw, and they seemed to be a specimen of all. The whole number of students in Trinity college, is between 1000, and 1100: of these, notwithstanding the great number of college buildings, not much more than 300 can be lodged within the walls. The others occupy apartments where they think best, in different parts of the city. There is a service of prayer in the chapel, three times a day. The students cannot all be accommodated in it at once, but they observe some order, by which they are each present during one of the seasons. At a certain hour each night, nine, I believe, the college gates are closed, and the students are obliged, under penalty of a fine, to report themselves before 12 o'clock to the youngest fellow, who is called dean. To prevent their entering or escaping from the rooms at unseasonable hours, the lower windows are secured by iron bars, in the same way as prisons or bridewells. The funds of the college are invested in real estate, chiefly lands, which yield annually, about 16 or £17000 sterling. Three large additional buildings of free stone, for the occupancy of the students, have lately been erected; which cost £35000; a disbursement which has considerably embarrassed the college, and suspended two or three other projected works. Having inspected every thing of interest connected with the university, we took leave of our very obliging conductors about 12 o'clock, and returned to the commercial buildings. The remainder of the morning was occupied with engagements on * **'s account, who leaves Dublin this evening, in the packet for Holyhead. This valued friend has continued with me longer than I had reason to hope on leaving Edinburgh; but the pleasure which I have had in the lengthened intercourse, only adds to the regret which I experience in the present separation. The hours which I have passed in his society, have left with me many recollections which can never be obliterated, and which will ever be dear to feeling. Navis, quae tibi creditum Debes Amicum, finibus Anglicis Et serves animae dimidium meae. [To be Continued.] ART. III.-I. A Defence of Hindu Theism, in Reply to the Attack of an Advocate for Idolatry, at Madras. By Ram Mohun Roy. Calcutta, 1817. Octavo. 49 pages. II. A Second Defence of the Monotheistical System of the Veds, in Reply to an Apology for the Present State of Hindu Worship. By Ram Mohun Roy. Calcutta, 1817. Octavo. 58 pages. We are called on, in a review of these pamphlets, to visit a distant scene, to which the attention of literary men has been but seldom called, and whose aspect seems, at first view, rather uninviting. What is it to me (the American reader may inquire) that Hindu Brahmins differ as to the ar ticles of their national faith, and how am I to determine a contest, maintained by those who are much better skilled in their subject than I can possibly be? Notwithstanding these objections, we apprehend that an investigation of the Hindu religion, will not be wholly uninteresting, even to those whose practice is not to be affected by a discussion of its principles. Whatever may have been the evils attendant on the British rule in India, it has at least not been unfavourable to the cause of science. The name of sir William Jones is familiar to most of our readers, and many of them will recollect that it is associated with a disclosure to the European world, of much of the science and literature of the east. To others, whom the British government has protected, in their researches, we are also indebted for the result of inquiries which have given a general acquaintance with the religion of Hindostan. We are, therefore, not entirely without guides in entering on a consideration of the principles of the Hindu faith. The knowledge of the principles of true religion which existed in the family of Noah appears to have been soon lost among his descendants. We find Rachael stealing her father's gods, the magicians of Egypt practising enchantments, and idolatry prevailing among the inhabitants of Canaan. At a subsequent period the Grecian mythology adorned many a poet's song. Idolatry prior to the Christian era, appears generally to have prevailed, except among the Jews. But it seems likely that whenever a nation became enlightened by sciences and the arts, some men would be found who were disposed to separate themselves from the practices of the vulgar, in some degree, and to speculate concerning the divine nature. We do not suppose that human reason is able, of itself, to form suitable conceptions of the Deity, though it may, doubtless obtain some faint glimmerings of his nature and attributes. Hence in the Pagan theology, some slight traces of truth are found mingled with the mass of error of which it is principally composed. Polytheism appears to have been a characteristic feature of most of the ancient false systems of religion. But it is not unlikely that some of the philosophers might occasionally conceive certain ideas as to the unity of the Deity. We are, therefore, not surprised to find this truth sometimes asserted on the pages of the Vedas. The commendable zeal of the author of the pamphlets before us, has led him to fix on it, as a mean of reclaiming his countrymen from their idolatry. We heartily wish him success in his labours. It is impossible for any one, who examines the Hindu scriptures to be blind to the fact that their writer or writers had but very inadequate conceptions of the Deity, for they consist, in part, of hymns addressed to different divinities. We have expressed our sentiments concerning them generally, and refer our readers for a further knowledge of their contents, to our extracts from the pamphlets of Ram Mohun Roy. The first of the pamphlets before us contains a controversy between Ram Mohun Roy, a Hindu Brahmin, and Senkara Sastri, we presume also of that cast, and head English master in the college of fort St. George. Sastri appears as the advocate of idolatry. We extract the following specimen of his argument. 'The attributes, in the preceding extract, are affirmed, by the Vedas to be the creating, protecting, destroying, and the like powers, or incarnations of the Supreme Being. Their worship, under various representations, by means of consecrated objects, is prescribed, by the scripture, to the human race, by way of mental exercise; who owing to the waving nature of their minds, cannot, without assistance, fix their thoughts on the incomprehensible and Almighty Being. Though the representations of the attributes are allegorical, yet the pervading nature of the Supreme Being, in the attributes, in their representations, and in the objects dedicated to them, |