est determination to guard against their introduction. The great prevalence of assessments is in the counties bordering on England, from the example of which country it appears evident that they were first introduced. The synod of Merse and Tiviotdale is entirely assessed, and contains more than a third of the parishes in that situation. In Dumfries, Glasgow, and Ayr, these are also numerous. The synods of Lothian and Tweeddale may be considered as divided between assessed and unassessed parishes. In the middle synods of Perth, Fife, Angus, Mearns, &c. assessments are trifling. In Perth, for instance, not more than L. 500 is thus raised. The amount levied by assessment may be L. 50,000.

Expence of Management. The church offerings and voluntary contributions are collected and distributed without any expence whatever. The duties are gratuitously and cheerfully performed by the clergymen and elders. The session-clerk, indeed, receives a small salary, but he performs other functions, for which it is, perhaps, no more than an adequate remuneration. In levying assessments, an expence is incurred of 5 per cent, on the sum raised, which, consequently, will amount throughout Scotland to L. 2500 per annum. The expence of litigation for ten years has amounted to L. 1640, (L. 164 per annum.) Of this L. 1230 has been incurred in assessed parishes. It is also observed, that much of this has arisen in litigation with the neighbouring English parishes.

Occasional Contributions.-Without mentioning those made for the relief of individuals in cases of accident or misfortune, large contributions have been raised over the country in years of peculiar distress. In 1817-18 there was raised in Edinburgh L. 7139, which kept 23,000 persons in employment for several months. In Glasgow there was raised L. 9658, and over the rest of the country L. 18,653 in money, besides large distributions of meal. These contributions were all voluntary.

The number of poor hitherto returned amounts in all to about 30,000, which, calculated upon the total population of the parishes, makes 24 in the In the assessed parishes, the oportion is found to be considerably

100.

greater, or about 3 in the 100. Of the whole number 745 are blind, and 542 deaf and dumb. It is generally stated, that the character of the poor is much considered in receiving them on the roll, and in fixing the allowance to be given to them. Some clergymen, however, say, that they have no parishioners whose character is so bad as to make it necessary to take this circumstance into consideration. The session, on the death or a pauper, claims a right to all the property he may have possessed; but this is often waved in favour of relations, or of those who have distinguished themselves by humanity to him during his lifetime. In some of the assessed parishes it is stated, that the enforcement of this right is found salutary in preventing persons from applying who would otherwise have done so. The reluctance to receive assistance from the poor's fund, which was once so honourable a characteristic of the Scottish peasantry, is said to be much worn off, and often altogether obliterated, in the assessed parishes; but, in the northern and northwestern districts, where assessinents are yet unknown, it is said not to be materially diminished, and, in many instances, it is needful to employ artiice, and the pretext of a loan, to make them accept what is necessary to prevent them from starving.

Expence of Maintenance.-This varies remarkably through the different districts. In general it is higher in the assessed parishes. It has been calculated, that, in these, the average rate is L. 5, 14s. for each individual, while, in those not assessed, it is L. 3, 6s. 8d. In the synod of Merse it is L. 5, 15s. ; in Glasgow and Ayr, L.5, 3s.; in Fife, L. 5, 11s. ; in Angus, about L. 4; but in Aberdeen it is so low as L. 2, 2s., and in Argyle so low as L. 1, 10s.; while in Orkney it is only 19s., and in Ross, Sutherland, and Glenelg, not quite 17s. The clergymen in these latter districts account for this extreme lowness by the industrious habits of the people, their reluctance to apply for charity, their kindness for each other, and by so much being done for them by neighbours and relations.

Begging. Notwithstanding the successful efforts made in some of the great towns to put a stop to this practice, it continues to be almost univer

NOTICES OF VOYAGES UNDERTAKEN
FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTH-

ERN PASSAGE, WITH OBSERVA
TIONS ON THE PROSPECTS OF SUC-
CESS FOR THE PRESENT EXPEDI-

TIONS.

(Continued from Page 403.)

THE Dutch, on their return, having reported that there was a prospect of a passage through the Waygatz, the States General and Prince Maurice, in the following year, caused a new expédition of seven vessels to be fitted out.

The fleet set sail from the Texel, at sunrise, on the 2d of June 1595, and, on the 14th, caine in sight of the coast of Norway. On the 22d one of the vessels came so close upon a large whale which lay sleeping in the water, that, had she not been awakened by the sailors' cries, and made off, the ship must have gone over her. It was the 23d of August when they arrived at the Strait of Waygatz. Here they met with a Russian fishing-vessel formed of the bark of trees sewed together, on its way to the mouth of the Obi, where the crew were to winter. The Russians presented them with a number of fat eider ducks, and in return were offered meal, butter, and cheese, which they rejected, but eagerly received pickled herrings, which they devoured entire, without any exception of head, skin, or tail. They assured the Dutch, that, for two months, or two and a half, the Strait would not be entirely shut. The Dutch then landed on the coast of Asia, here occupied by the Samoiedes. After marching some time without seeing any one, a mist suddenly clearing up, they found themselves close to a party of twenty natives. The wildness of their aspect and dress induced a pause, till the interpreter advancing, one of them drew his bow, with visible intent to discharge an arrow at him. The interpreter, almost frantic with alarm, called out, "Stop, we are friends." The Samoiede then laid down his arms, and placed himself in the attitude of speech. The interpreter, having again said, we are friends," the other replied, "you are then welcome." An amicable communication was immediately established, and the Dutch found that their new acquaintances, though answering externally every idea which they had formed of savage men, were

în their behaviour exceedingly rational and sensible. They were of small stature; their countenance broad and flat; their eyes small; their legs short; their knees bent outwards; in running and leaping they displayed the utmost agility. They were covered from head to foot with rein-deer skins, to which a few of the chiefs added some fragments of cloth and furs. Amid all their politeness, the strongest marks of distrust were visible. When, after a pretty long acquaintance, a sight of one of their bows was requested, it was refused with visible dissatisfaction. The king, which title, according to the immemorial usage of travellers, is conferred on the most noted personage in the groupe, kept a jealous watch over all their proceedings. Their alarm became much greater when they witnessed, for the first time, the discharge of a musket; they then "ran and danced like madmen." Dutch, however, having explained that no harm was intended, and that these instruments were merely used instead of their bows, their terrors subsided, and they even formed themselves into rows, to view the exercise of firing at a mark.

The

A cordial parting then took place, the Dutch sounding trumpets and waving their bonnets, while the natives replied by their national tokens of cordiality. But scarcely had they embarked, when they saw a man running violently up to them, with every symptom of rage and reproach. On inquiring the motive of his wrath, it proved to be a piece of stone rudely cut into some semblance of a human figure, and which, it seems, was one of their national idols. One end, in fact, was a little rounded, to give it the appearance of a head. It had in front a little prominence to represent a nose, two little holes above for the eyes, and one below for the mouth. The Dutch had seen many of these along the coast; and at one point no less than a hundred, from which circumstance they gave it the name of the Cape of Idols. Before them appeared heaps of ashes and rein-deer bones, whence it was inferred, that the natives had been employed in offering sacrifices to these uncouth divinities.

The Dutch now landed on Nova Zembla; and a party of them engaged in the search of a species of sparkling stones, which bear some re

semblance to the diamond. Two of the number, fatigued with the exercise, lay down near each other, when one of them suddenly called out, "Who is that taking me by the neck?" His companion, raising his eyes, exclaimed, "Oh! my friend, it is a bear." The monster was instantly seen darting his tusks into the head of his victim, and licking the blood which streamed from the wound. The other ran, and with loud cries implored the aid of his companions, who hastened to the spot, sixteen in number, armed with pikes and muskets. The animal, undismayed by this crowd of opponents, rushed forward with incredible fury, --seized another, carried him off, and soon reduced him to the same deplorable condition as his companion. At this horrible spectacle, the hearts of the stoutest failed; all took to flight, and ran with precipitation to the boats. Here a consultation was held, whether they should venture on a fresh attack; and many urged, that the fate of the sufferers being now sealed, such a step would only be incurring new danger, without any rational motive. Yet the united impulse of rage and valour plucked forth three champions, who determined, since they could not save their comrades, at least to avenge them. They found the monster so busied with his horrible meal, that he did not even observe their approach; but, as they kept still at a respectful distance, the first three shots failed; when one advancing nearer, lodged a ball in the head. The bear, without quitting his hold, merely lifted up his head, raising with it the body in whose neck his tusks were still fixed; but, as he soon grew visibly faint from loss of blood, the sailors rushed forward and covered him with sabre wounds; and at length one of them, leaping on his back, severed the head from the body. To the last moment, however, he never quitted hold of his prey. The sailors then collected and interred the mangled remnants of their ill-fated companions.

a consultation whether they should renew their efforts; but, as the council was sitting, a formidable array of ice mountains was seen entering the Waygatz, and bearing down upon them; the view of which cut short their de liberations, and made them turn their sails, with all speed, to the westward.

The damp which this incident threw upon their spirits, was soon increased by the appearance of ice in vast quantities; and they in vain attempted to make their way through the Waygatz. The ships, therefore, assembled at the opening of the Strait, and held

VOL. II.

After this failure, the Dutch government would engage in no farther undertakings; but the Council of Amsterdam equipped two more ships, with Heemsherk as master, and Ba rentz as pilot. They set sail in the beginning of May 1596, and after passing Norway, steered farther to the north than usual. On the 5th of June, those on deck called out, "What a multitude' of swans are swimming." Others, however, observed: "These swans have much the appearance of icebergs.' This last remark proved true; they soon found themselves in the heart of the ice, and sailed through it, as between two coasts. Continuing their course northwards, they arrived first at Bear Island, and then at Spitzbergen, and were probably the first navigators' who visited that great mass of polar land; but finding that this was not Nova Zembla, and that they were too far north, they changed their direction, and came in sight of the southern part of Nova Zembla. They coasted its western shore, having much ice to struggle against. At length they carried the northern point, which they named Cape Desire, and seeing the land now stretching to the south-east, and the water to be free from ice, they began to entertain great hopes of success, Soon, however, the ice began to collect and thicken around them, and they were obliged to put into a port which they called Icy Harbour,—and to which, after a vain attempt to proceed southward, they were forced to return. The icebergs now bore down from all sides, and soon completely inclosed them; so that, after some time, they gave up all hopes of reaching home that season, and resigned themselves to the terrible prospect of wintering in Nova Zembla. The ice soon heaved up the vessel, sometimes so much on one side' as to threaten to overturn it; but the balance was restored by a similar rise on the other side. At the same time, there was the most frightful cracking both without and within the vessel, which they were constantly

3 U

afraid would go to pieces, but only some beams started. They found it necessary, however, both for warmth and safety, to think of forming some kind of habitation. Materials were fortunately afforded by those woods of mysterious origin, which float over all the polar seas. The coast presented a number of large trees with their roots, which had been cast ashore; but the forming these into a house was attended with immense hardship. It was impossible to make a foundation, as the largest fire which could be kindled had no effect in softening the ground. A sailor having put a nail into his mouth, it froze to the lips, and when it came away brought blood along with it. Meantime, they were obliged to carry all their provisions and cooking utensils to the lowest part of the hold, to escape the effect of the frost. A barrel of strong Dantzick beer, having been exposed to the cold, burst; but its frozen contents were found adhering to the sides of the vessel like strong glue. When melted, the liquor tasted like pure water, and the whole strength was found concentrated in the heart, in a small portion which still remained liquid. About this time their hut was completed, and they began to move their stores thither. A west wind now blew, and they were tantalized by discovering the sea on all sides, as far as the eye could reach, entirely open, and only the spot on which their bark was moored, surrounded by the ice as by a wall. The sun, their last comfort, was rapidly disappearing. On the 1st of November he could still be perceived; next day only one-half his disk; on the 4th, merely the top of it; and on the following day there was no sun at all. They were now at a loss to count the time, and sometimes lay till midday, not knowing whether it was day or night. The snow fell in such quantities as made it impossible to stir out for days together; it also shut up their chimney, and exposed them to the alternative of perishing with cold, or being suffocated by smoke. The only remedy was to lie all day in bed, the cook only rising to prepare the victuals; they afterwards contrived to get stones heated and placed around their beds. On the 1st of December, they heard a crash, as if all the mountains that were piled

around them had burst, and fallen in fragments over each other. Accordingly, when they could get out, they saw the sea open to a great extent; but the cold became more and more intense. They had ice two inches thick on the floor and walls, and even in the beds. The leather of their shoes froze like horn, and they were obliged to throw it off and cover their feet with sheep skins. At length the fire seemed to cease to afford heat; their stockings were burning before any warmth was felt, and even then they were advertised of the fact by no sense but that of smell. The pimples froze on their faces, and they became all white with frost and snow. Their alarm now was deep and serious; for it appeared certain, that if the cold became at all more intense, it must certainly kill them. The light, however, began to increase a little; and one day on walking out, they descried a faint blush tinge the southern horizon. This first dawn of the polar morning revived in their hearts the hope that was almost extinguished. They felt also some mitigation of the cold; and this became evident, when a larger fire than usual being kindled, several of the icicles which hung from the boards and ceilings, broke off and fell to the ground; an effect which no fire had before produced. On the 24th, three of the sailors walking out believed they saw the edge of the sun's disk on the horizon. They ran in overjoyed with the intelligence; but Barentz declared it impossible that it could appear for fifteen days longer. They went out, however, on the 25th and 26th, but could discover nothing for mist, till, on the 27th, the mist dispers ing, they saw, standing on the verge of the horizon, the full orb of that great luminary. Their scepticism had been owing to their ignorance of the effect of refraction. Their situation now improved, though they had returns of as intense cold as ever, yet hope always supported them. They now, however, recommenced their warfare against the fierce tyrant of the northern wilds. In building the hut and removing to it, they experienced almost daily attacks from the polar bear; but during the extreme cold, that animal disappeared, and was succeeded by the white fox, an innocuous visitant, In February, the fox again gave place to the bear. On the 6th