TAHITIAN DRUMS. The South Sea islanders, says Ellis, were peculiarly addicted to pleasure: and to their music, dancing, and other amusements nearly as much of their time was devoted as to all other avocations. Their music wanted almost every quality that could render it agreeable to an ear accustomed to harmony, and was deficient in all that constitutes excellence.It was generally boisterous and wild, and, with the exception of the soft and plaintive warblings of the native flute, was distinguished by nothing so much as its discordant, deafening sounds. The principal musical instrument used by the South Sea islanders was the pahu, or drum. This varied in size and shape according to the purpose for which it was designed. Their drums were all cut out of a solid piece of wood. The block out of which they were made, being hollowed out from one end, remaining solid at the other, and having the top covered with a piece of shark's skin, occasioned their frequently resembling, in construction, a kettle-drum. The pua and the reva which are remarkably close-grained and durable, were esteemed the most suitable kinds of wood for the munufacture of their drums. The large drums were called pahu, and the smaller ones toete. The pahu ra, sacred drum, which was rutu, or beaten, on every occasion of extraordinary ceremony at the idol temple was particularly large, standing sometimes eight feet high. The sides of one that I saw in Tane's marae at Maeva were not more than a foot in diameter; but many were much larger. In some of the islands these instruments were very curiously carved. One which I brought from High Island, and have deposited in the Missionary Museum, is not inelegantly decorated: others, however, I have seen, exhibiting very superior workmanship. The drums used in their heivas and dances were ingeniously made. Their construction resembled that of those employed in the temple: the skin forming the head was fastened to the open work at the bottom by strings of cinet, made of the fibres of the cocoanuthusk. Drums were among the martial music of the Tahitians, and were used to animate the men when proceeding to battle. The drums beaten as accompaniments to the recital of their songs were the same in shape, but smaller. They were all neatly made, and finely polished. The large drums were beaten with two heavy sticks, the smaller ones with the naked hand. When used, they were not suspended from the shoulders of the performers, but fixed upon the ground, and consequently produced no very musical effect. The sound of the large drum at the temple, which was sometimes beaten at midnight, and associations connected therewith were most terrific. The inhabitants at Maeva, where my house stood, within a few yards of the temple, have frequently told me, that at the midnight hour, when the victim was probably to be offered on the following day, they have often been startled from their slumbers by the deep, thrilling sound of the sacred drum; and, as its portentous sounds have reverberated among the rocks of the valley, every individual through the whole district has trembled with fear of the gods, or apprehension of being seized as the victim for sacrifice. The Trumpet.Shell. The sound of the trumpet, or shell, a species of murex, used in war to stimulate in action, by the priests in the temple, and also by the herald, and others on board their fleets, was more horrific than that of the drum. The largest shells were usually selected for this purpose, and were sometimes above a foot in length, and seven or eight inches in diameter at the mouth. In order to facilitate the blowing of this trumpet, they insert a bamboo cane, about three feet in length into a perforation near the apex of the shell. A CUMBRIE SLEEPING-HUT. In No. 32 of the first volume of the American Penny Magazine, (page 534,) we gave a brief notice of the Cumbrie people, an oppressed, but harmless, and interesting tribes of Africans, which the Landers met with in their voyage down the Niger. This print represents one of their poor and industrious women engaged in the construction of a hut, such as they build to sleep in on the borders of their noble native stream. The following passage from Landers' Journal contains a description of this kind of building, with a few additional particulars respecting the Cumbries. The annexed sketch is a representation of the sleeping huts of these people, (Cumbrie,) which we alluded to on our passage up the river. The doorway, which is the only opening they have, is closed by a mat which is suspended inside. They have no steps to enter by, but scramble into it as well as they can. The common coozie hut is used by them for ordinary purposes, such as cooking, &c., during the day, but never at night. These sleeping huts are about seven or eight feet wide, they are nearly circular, are made of clay and thatched with the palm leaf; they are elevated above the ground so as to secure the inmates from the annoyance of ants, snakes and the wet ground, and even for protection from the alligators which prowl about at night in search of prey. We were informed of instances where these creatures have carried off the legs and arms of natives, who have incautiously exposed themselves to their attacks. The huts will hold about half a dozen people. Sometimes the pillars supporting the hut are walled round, but this is not often done, and they generally appear as in the sketch. The natives frequently kill the alligators by means of a heavy spear about ten feet long. One end is furnished with a heavy piece of iron-wood, to give it force, and the other with a sharp-pointed barbed iron. It is attached to the bow of their canoe by a piece of grass rope, which is fastened to the upper end, and is a formidable weapon. A smaller spear of the same description is used by these people for killing fish, in which occupation they are very expert. The tribute, or rather rent, which they pay to the sultan for the land they cultivate, consists of a quantity of corn, about the size of a bundle as much as a man can carry, for every plot of land, whether it be large or small. When, however, the harvest fails, they are at liberty to give a certain number of cowries in lieu of the accustomed duty of corn. If the poor have no means of paying their rent when it becomes due, the sultan immediately despatches a body of horsemen to their villages with a command to seize and carry away as many of the people as they may think proper. It sometimes happens, however, that the sultan of Yàoorie pulls the reins with too tight a hand; and as cowards, when driven to desperation, often give specimens of extraordinary courage and reso lution, so the negligent and despised Cumbrie writhing under the lash of injuries which they have never deserved, defend themselves with extraordinary determination and bravery, and not unfrequently come off victorious from the conflict. The benefits which result to them from these advantages is an exemption from the payment of rent for two or three subsequent years. During our residence in Yàoorie, an expedition despatched by the sultan for the above purpose returned unsuccessful from Engarski. The most unfavorable trait in the character of the Cumbrie is the extreme dirtiness they display in their habits generally, from which not one of them appears to be free. They are generally considered good agriculturists and expert fishermen: they grow abundance of corn and onions, but a great part of the former is disposed of to the natives of Boossà, and Yàoorie, to whose monarchs they are subject. Most of them are rather slovenly about their persons, and make use of few ornaments, and even these are of the commonest description. They bore immense holes in the lobe of the ear for the admission of bits of fine colored wood; and the soft part of the septum of the nose is perforated in like manner, in which is thrust a piece of blue glass. MISCELLANEOUS. FROM THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. -The following piece of intelligence would seem to decide a point which has been much mooted among us since the introduction of Morse's Telegraph; it is taken from the Cape Town Mail, in Nov. 1st. "We have been much gratified by an opportunity afforded us, on Thursday last, of witnessing an experiment performed for the purpose of testing the discovery of M. Mattencci-as announced in a letter to M. Arago, part of which was copied from the Electrical Magazine into the last number of this paperof the capability of the earth to act as a conductor for the electric telegraph. The experiment was tried in the grounds of the Good Hope estate, at the upper end of the Govern ment Gardens by Mr. Spaarmann, Surveyor to the Municipality, assisted by Mr. Wagner, and we are happy to say, with complete success. To prove that the earth, even under water, is capable of completing the galvanic circuit, a trench of twenty feet long was dug and filled with water. Two pits were also dug at a little distance beyond the ends of the trench, and in each of these was buried a copper plate, having a surface of about two feet by eighteen inches. To these plates a single wire was attached, which was supported a few feet above the ground in a state of insulation till it dipped into the pits at either end of the trench. These preparations being completed, a small battery and galvanometer were brought into connexion with a wire, and after a few oscillations, the needle vigorously deviated to 90 degrees, thus proving that the circuit was in no degree interrupted by the intervention of twen. ty feet of ground covered with water; and from the decided action of the needle, there seemed no reason to doubt, that had the space been very much larger the same result would have appeared. It should be understood, that for the purpose of the electric telegraph two wires have hitherto always been considered indispensable, the ends of both being brought into connexion with the apparatus of the termini, to complete the circuit. It has now, however, been distinctly proved that only one wire is neces sary, the ends being simply attached to metal plates sunk in the ground at each terminus ; and that, when set forth by the battery along this wire, the wondrous messenger springs back through the earth from plate to plateagain obediently hurries along the wire, revealing to the eye any message with which it may be charged--and so continues to wing its mysterious flight, silent and rapid as thought-till the operator moves a finger, and it stops. Polar Expedition.-Accounts have been received by the Admirality of the Polar expedition, under Sir John Franklin, up to the 16th of Angust, when they were on the north coast of Greenland, above Gilbert's Sound. They would probably winter near this spot, or at the Arctic islands, the wintering place of Parry among the Esquimaux, as the state of the ice and the advancing season, would prevent much further progress being made this year. Expected Visit of the Queen to Paris.It is announced from Paris that her Majesty is to pay a visit to the King of the French in the spring. Her Majesty will take up her residence at the Grand Trianon, and already a crowd of workmen are restoring, embellishing, and preparing for her reception the palace which was once occupied by Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette. One Hundred Lives Lost.-The foreign papers are filled with accounts of the most heart-rending casualties at sea, occasioned by the late terrific gales on the English and French coasts. It is stated that nearly one hundred vessels were lost, during the month of December; and, at a moderate calculabation, no less than one hundred human beings have rerished. Among the most distressing shipwrecks, is that of the St. David steamer, with passengers and goods, landing between Havre, Plymouth and Liverpool. A large part of her cargo, and several bodies, were found on the French coast: and, it is supposed, every soul on board perished, during a violent gale. The Tom Bowling steamer is supposed to have foundered, off the Dutch coast, on the 17th, when 40 persons, it is said, perished. Several vessels, with valuable cargoes, have been lost on the English coast, and many lives have also been lost. A FATHER'S GRATITUDE.-Some time ago a son of Mr. Keyworth, of Washington, D. C., was saved from drowning by a son of Benjamin Evans, Esq., of that place. We now find that Mr. Keyworth, appreci ating the aid rendered to an extent that a parent only can feel, has presented to young Evans a beautiful silver cup, on which are inscribed the following words, as an indication of the sense of gratitude he entertains for the service afforded:-"Robert Keyworth presents this cup to Edwin G. Evans as a token of his gratitude for his gallant and timely conduct in saving the life of his son, George Keyworth, while struggling for life in the waters of the Washington canal.— Dec. 24th, 1845." 4 ་ FRENCH AFRICA.-The War in Algeria -Frightful Razzias.-The National gives a frightful picture of Marshall Bugeaud's doings in Africa. According to the ac counts published by this paper, 50 prisoners were one day shot in cold blood-13 villages burned-the Dahra massacre acted over again, for it appears that a portion of a tribe having hid themselves in a cave, the same means were resorted to exactly as were employed by Colonel Pelissier, and all smoked and baked to death. The mar. shall himself is the author of all these hor. rors-his last triumph was a monster razzia-he has ordered the most strict secrecy as to his barbarous proceedings; and the writer of the accounts, of which we have just given a summary, calls him a second Attilla, for he puts all to the sword and fire, sparing only women and infants. The Toulonnais of the 25th ult. announces that Marshall Burgeaud, who had quitted Tiaret on the 5th ult. to proceed amongst the Chott-el-Cheurqui, met with a considerable number of emigrants, who were flying from General Jousouff. Having sent forward his cavalry, he captured the entire ; men, women, children, numerous flocks, and an immense booty. The capture, escorted by two battalions, arrived at Tiaret on the 7th. Later accounts from Algeria state that Abd-el-Kader was only an hour in advance of his deadly enemy, General Jousouff, whose indefatigable perseverance, cunning, and courage, seem to menace the Emir with capture or death. No Indian ever followed the track of a foe, it is said, with more pertinacity, sagacity, and resolution, than Jousouff displays in the pursuit of the heroic Abd-el-Kader. Abd-el-Kader had encamped on the 11th of December about 12 leagues from the town of Orleansville; but having heard that Colonel St. Arnaud was in pursuit of him with his column, the Emir departed on the following day towards the south." Depopulation of Virginia.-A correspondent of the National Intelligencer, writing from Wilton, Va., says : "It often seems to me that as yet there are no people here, and I wish, therefore, to see them come. I have to take up a spyglass to see the houses of my neighbors, they are so far off, and yet so near am I to a capital of about 24,000 inhabitants that I can see its spires and steeples, and almost hear the hum of its laborers. Back of me, and below me, off the river as far as I have explored, I cannot find much else but woods, woods, woods. I ride for miles and miles in the forest, looking for people-and yet this is the first settled and oldest settled part of Virginia! The people have gone off: They have settled in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida ;and now, as if there are too many people left, a bribe is held out to the rest to go to Texas! It is a shame that this beautiful country, so blessed in climate and so little needing, only the fertilizing hand of man, should be without people. Here is a venerable river running by my door, older than the Hudson, which is now lined with towns and villages-much older than the Ohio, older in settlement and geography I mean, but where are the people? For a hundred and fifty miles, from Richmond to Norfolk, the first explored river running into the Atlantic ocean, the home of Powhattan and the scenes of the truly chivalrous John Smith-where are the people? Gone, I say, to the North and West; the trumpet is blowing amongst them now to go to Texas! Virginia has depopulated herself to make homes elsewhere. NEST OF THE WHITE The insect which constructs an enormous habitation of this form, is one of the most destructive animals, in proportion to its size, existing in the world. The bare recital of the most incontrovertible facts respecting its destructive operations, naturally excites the doubt, or rather the disbelief and often the ridicule of a hearer unacquainted with its nature and its habits. Some years ago, a gentleman lately returned from a voyage to the East Indies, was regarded with incredulous suspicion by some of his friends, because he mentioned the following incidents, in giving a narrative of some of his observations. An English resident of his acquaintance took him to a country house, which he had erected a few months before in a favorite spot near the sea-shore; and which had not yet been occupied. On their arrival they found every thing apparently in good order. The situation being solitary and retired, it seemed not to have been visited by any one since the workmen had left it, and the furniture had been brought in and arranged. They entered and began to enjoy the scenery and the solitude, with the accom-. modations which had been prepared, well appropriate the country and the climate. It happened, however, that, in the course of the day, the proprietor accidentally struck or pressed with no great strength against one of the door-posts, when a small piece gave way and a hole was made which showed that the inside was hollow. He changed co ANTS, OR TERMITES. lor, and in great agitation rapped against the casings of the windows and the woodwork in different parts of the house. Then, turning to his guest, he said:" My house is ruined! The white ants have destroyed itit is a mere shell, and must fall in the next high wind. It is unsafe for a shelter even for an hour. We must return to the city this moment!" On examination, concluded the narrator, it proved that almost all the wood-work had already been eaten away, excepting merely the external crust of the timbers and boards, which might be broken through with the hand; and this was the work of thousands of large white ants, which have often been known to perform operations not less astonishing and destructive. The following extracts, relating to this remarkable insect, we take from Harper's Family Library, No. 8. Almost all that we know concerning the habits and instincts of these curious animals is derived from an account published by Smeathman, in the "Philosophical Transac tions" for 1781. The proceedings of the insect-tribe, as detailed in that paper, are so singular, that they cannot fail to prove interesting to the reader. The termites are represented by Linnæus as the greatest plague of both Indies, and indeed, between the Tropics, they are justly so considered, from the vast damages and losses which they cause: they perforate and eat into wooden buildings, utensils and furniture, with all kinds of household stuff, and merchandize; these they totally destroy, if their |