It would appear that the religion of the Calmucs was derived in early ages from India. The reputed founder, Schagdschamuni, is supposed to have lived long before the time of Christ, and to have delivered precepts, some of which were committed to writing by his disciples during his life, and some after that period. The world he held to be God, and it was his doctrine that every thing was produced by circular motion; that there is a gradation of beings from perfect divinity down to the lowest animal on earth, and to a brood of fiends which inhabit its interior; that by means of transmigration, and according to their good or bad actions, the souls of men may be elevated to perfect divinity, or debased to the state of fiends. This religion has its redeemer too, and a system of penance, discipline, and prayer, and an order of priesthood, at the head of which is the Lama. It has also its superstitions from the poets of Tangris and Assuris, such as good and evil spirits who dwell upon mountains and in streams, and busy themselves much in human affairs ;-a fabulous mountain, in the centre of the earth, which is surrounded by seven golden hills, inhabited by men, and creatures resembling men, of different forms and habits;-and an earthly paradise, west of Thibet, where those who have arrived at a state of perfection dwell in the enjoyment of happiness. The Calmucs have images, to which, however, they pay no worship on their own account. As the senses,' they say, 'cannot reach the invisible Deity, they like to have a visible representation before them in prayer. But this is not essential; when they cannot have images, (in travelling across the steppes for example,) they are accustomed to worship without any symbol addressed to the senses.' 'For,' as the Princess said, the All-wise knows and sees every thing, even the interior of the heart, and observes whether we pray to him at home, or on the steppes, with any image, or as the Invisible.' The most curious part of the Calmuc system of religion is their mode of praying by means of machinery!

'It consists of hollow wooden cylinders, of different sizes, filled with Tangud writings. The cylinders are painted with red stripes, and adorned with handsome gilt letters, in the Sanscrit character, commonly containing the formula Omma-in-bad-ma-chum; each of these is fixed upon an iron axis, which goes throngh a square frame; this frame is capable of being shut up flat, and is formed upon a small scale, much like a weaver's sheering machine. Where the lower parts of the frame cross, there is a hole, in which the axis of the cylinder turns; by means of a string which is attached to a crank in the spindle, the machine can be kept in motion, so that the cylinder turns in the frame like a grind-stone (only upright) upon its axis. Before the fire at Sarepta, we had two large Kurdus of this kind, with Tangud writings of all sorts, rolled one upon another round the spindle, in the inside of the cylinder, to the length altogether of some hundred feet. These prayer-mills perform a much more important office than a rosary, which only serves to assist the person who prays. The Moguls believe, that it is meritorious respectfully to set in motion (whether by the wind or otherwise,) such writings as con

tain prayers and other religious documents, that the noise of these scraps of theology may reach to the Gods, and bring down their blessing. As these prayer-machines usually contain the Tangud formula, which is serviceable to all living creatures, (repeated it may be ten thousand times, so that there is a multiplication of power like that in the English Machines, equivalent to the labor of so many individuals,)-as prayer can, in this manner, be carried on like a wholesale manufactory, it is not very surprising that prayer-mills are so commonly to be found in the houses of the Moguls. An ingenious contrivance this, for storming Heaven with the least possible trouble.'-pp. 119, 120.

The progress of the Calmucs in literature is, it would appear, exceedingly limited.

'In the afternoon, we visited many of the Gellongs in the ecclesiastical circle of huts, and amongst many ignorant, we found one, a young man of nine-and-twenty, who was particularly distinguished by his acuteness and learning. When we entered his hut, he was employed in translating a Thibet book into the Calmuc language, and two Gezulls, his pupils, were looking over him. In conversing about the Tangud language and character, he tried our skill in reading both that and the Calmuc, and paid us many compliments on our proficiency, as few (even of the Gellongs) of his own nation possess this knowledge. He begged that we would grant him our friendship, for, said he, "As we have similar learning, we are fitted to be friends." To try the accuracy of his acquaintance with the Tangud language, we showed him the Lord's prayer in that tongue, from the Patris Georgii Alphabetum Tibetanum, which he immediately translated correctly into the Calmuc language, as a proof of his knowledge. This was the only specimen of the kind which we met with during our travels, and it was the more surprising, as the Calmucs possess but very indifferent assistance for the acquisition of this language. The Tangud character is derived from the old Indian Sanscrit, and, like that, is written from left to right. Except in this particular, it has, on a superficial survey, much resemblance to the Chaldean or Hebrew. Most of the writings which remain amongst the Mogul tribes, are in the Tangud language and character, because the Moguls derived both these, together with their religion, from Thibet. It therefore behoves every young ecclesiastic to learn enough of this language to be able to join in the chorus of the Tangud litany; more is not required of them, and it is a rare thing to find one who knows any thing of the language. There is no original Mogul or Calmuc literature; a few ancient and rare historical writings excepted, it consists of translations from the Tangud. The greater part of the Gellongs are ignorant of the Mogul or Calmuc character; and they even boast that they know nothing of the Mogul, (which is the character of the blacks or plebeians, and only understand the Tangud, the character of the priests and the learned,) which is so highly esteemed, that it is unlawful to use it on common occasions. 'Our learned Gellong informed us, that the Lama had some old BuratMogul writings, which nobody in the horde could read. For that reason he wished us to give him an alphabet of this character, but we had not one with us.'-pp. 84-86,

The march of the horde, after the breaking up of its encampment, from one part of the steppes to another, is described by the author as highly animated and picturesque.

The Lama, with his priests, headed the march, after which, every one followed according to his will and convenience. The Prince and his family remained by the side of their tents and goods (which were packed upon camels,) until the whole camp had broken up; he then followed rapidly, and took his place in the van. We mingled with the crowd, and permitted our tent, which had been packed upon a camel, by the Prince's order, to go on before us; the camel-driver had taken his place on the beast, and the unevenness of the steppes prevented us from keeping up with these long-legged animals. The main body of this moving multitude extended more than a verst in breadth, and consisted of single columns of camels, bearing tents, household goods, and children, who were stowed in baskets; next followed troops of horses, cattle and sheep, with a few drivers on horseback. Nobody performs a migration on foot; indeed, the Calmucs are seldom induced to walk any great distance-men, women, and elder children all ride; we even saw mothers on horseback, with infants, who were hardly out of the cradle, and babes at the breast. Elder boys and girls ride sometimes at full gallop, run races with one another, and practise hunting with dogs, and fencing. Sometimes a company of girls purposely wait till the whole train has left them behind by several versts, and then run races to join them. These marches are a kind of general show and rejoicing to the Calmucs, in which every one has an opportunity of displaying his wealth and splendour. The men ride forward in groups dressed in their state clothes, and armed with musquets; when they have considerably outstripped the main body, they encamp on the steppes till it overtakes them. The matrons ride in their best clothes on the finest horses, in front of the troop, and hold in their hand the bridle of the first camel, to which all the others are fastened. Large Persian or Russian carpets are spread over the packages on the camels, and hang down almost to the ground on both sides: the animals themselves are frequently ornamented with red ribbons. Poorer families, who possess no camels, load their cattle with children and goods, and ride upon them themselves. Some few employ Tartar cars, (or arbas,) to convey their moveables.'— pp. 95-97.

Mr. Zwick having seen as much of the tribe of Prince Erdeni as he wished, proceeded to visit that of the three brothers, Setter, Dschirgal, and Otschir, who had inherited from their father four hundred tents. The reception of the travellers was here very different from that which they had already experienced. The elder brother having been idiotic from his infancy, a part of the tribe was ruled by the second brother, who, at the very first interview, appropriated to himself a handsome dagger which Mr. Zwick had purchased for his own use from a Persian at Astracan. His companion's tobacco-pipe went next, and his coat, which Dschirgal had tried on, he would never have seen again, if the prince had not forgotten it when he was going away. The travellers soon found that they were in rather a dangerous neighbourhood; for, in addition to his other amiable propensities, the prince occasionally got drunk and murdered men for his amusement. Merchants took good care to keep far out of his way, for nobody came near him whom he did not ill-treat and plunder. The portion of the tribe

which he ruled consisted only of a motley rabble, which he had collected together, from whose presence the two travellers made their escape with the greatest possible expedition, and set out for the head quarters of the third brother, Prince Otschir, whose court in every respect, resembled that of Prince Erdeni. His conduct to the strangers was, however, no better than that of his brother, except that he did not rob them. In the principal temple of his tribe they saw as many as thirty-three large pictures of idols. Their prayermachine' was upon an improved plan, being set in motion like a horizontal mill by four large spoon-shaped sails turned by the wind!

In the course of their different journies to the encampments of various other tribes, the travellers observed frequent flights of locusts. Mr. Zwick's description of this formidable insect is worth transcribing.

The locust (gryllus migratorius) is from three to four inches in length, and, at its full size, is longer and narrower than other insects of the same species, the grasshopper for instance, which is known in Germany, and which has a more prominent breast, and shorter wing. The head is round, with short feelers, and like the breast, of a dingy green; the throat is dark brown, its large eyes black, the exterior case of the wing of a dirty yellowish green, with many dark spots, showing the black wings at a little distance; the body and the legs are pale yellow, with black marks on the side of the legs next the body. In their first state, the locusts have very imperfect wings, which do not cover the whole of the body, whereas, when they are full grown, they reach much beyond it. Well might the prophet Joel (chapters 1st and 2nd,) refer to the locusts, as the agents of a chastising Providence, for they are a real scourge to the nation in which they appear, laying waste whole districts in a very short time, by their dreadful rapacity and great numbers. Wherever they settle, they devour not only every thing green, but the stems of the shrubs, and the weeds of the sea: the Calmucs told us that the very felt on their tents was entirely consumed if they suffered a swarm of these enemies to descend unmolested. As they soon strip the position they have chosen, they are compelled to migrate in search of food, and this usually takes place about dusk. Their long wings enable them to traverse large districts. This species of locust, as well as the gryllus cristatus, which was the food of John the Baptist, and is still eaten in Arabia, is prepared in many different ways by the Oriental nations. In Morocco, they are so highly esteemed, that the price of provisions falls when the locusts have entered the neighbourhood. The Calmucs do not use them as food, but we were told that wolves, dogs, antelopes, sheep, and other animals which have fattened upon them, are much sought after. The wolves seldom or never attack the flocks of the Calmucs when the locusts are at hand, because they can satisfy themselves with these insects. A circumstance which happened some years ago at Sarepta, is sufficient to prove that locusts are excellent food: the hogs in that neighbourhood became unusually fat, by having been fed for some time entirely upon dead locusts which had been drowned in the Volga, and thrown in heaps on the shore.

'The swarm of locusts which I have just mentioned was so numerous, that the whole ground was covered with them, and looked as if it had been sprinkled with pea-shells. It was curious to observe, that their heads were all turned to the west, and that in this direction they were devouring every blade of grass with frightful assiduity. In the sunshine their wings appeared like silver or glass, and reflected a tremulous light. Where we passed through their ranks, they rose in thick clouds, with a loud rattling caused by the flapping of their wings against one another, and continued whizzing in irregular groups through the space around us, like snow when it falls in large flakes. The path which they left for us, was about twenty paces wider than our line of march, and it was immediately filled up at the same distance behind us, as if by falling clouds. They were so nimble, that we found it difficult to catch any of them, particularly as onr journey took place in the heat of the day, and in the sunshine, when they are always most active. The dogs were highly delighted with chasing these swarms, and snapping as many as they could out of the air, which they accomplished with more facility in the cool of the evening. Many of these locusts were in their first state, when they are of a dark orange colour, others had nearly reached their full growth. After a few days, they had almost all completed their change, and they were able to rise like their comrades into the air, to seek out new districts. Once when I went in search of insects at this place, (which I always did secretly, that I might give no offence to the Calmucs, who consider it a great sin to kill any creature, and more particularly an insect,) I was observed by some Calmucs, whose curiosity was excited by my stooping so often. They came slowly up to me, to see what I was looking for. I commonly satisfied all inquiries, with the pretext that I was looking for Medicinal herbs, which they thought the more probable, as they had a high opinion of our science in the art of healing. On this occasion, I took advantage of the transformation of the locusts, as they happened to be in sight. This spectacle they had never before remarked, and it occasioned the greatest astonishment. Such locusts as were ready for their transformation, were to be seen in numbers, climbing up the stalk of a plant, and then holding themselves in an inverted position with their long legs. After a little while, the creature begins to rock itself backwards and forwards, resting at intervals as if almost exhausted, and then shaking itself again with increasing violence, until the breast and head break through, the old covering by continued effort is thrown off, and the insect appears in its perfect state. The wings now grow to their full size, and appear to strengthen before the eyes of the observer, and acquire, by exposure to the air, their natural colour and splendour. While the boys were busied in seeking more blades of grass with locusts upon them, the spectators unceasingly repeated their exclamations of Dalai Lama! Dalai Lama! Chair Khan! Chair Khan! or Kuhrku! Kuhrku! at the sight of a process of nature which had been unknown to them, though it had passed under their eyes.'--pp. 145-149.

We have paid more attention to the information collected by Mr. Zwick during his residence among the Calmucs, than to the object which had induced himself and his companions to undertake a journey so little inviting in the way of amusement. The fact is,