cate allusions which form an essential feature in the dances of nations more civilized. It consisted of extraordinary postures and attitudes, accompa nied by the most hideous distortions of countenance. They inquired of Captain Ross, if his na-, tion consisted wholly of men, as they saw no women with his ships. The numeration table of these Arctic Highlanders did not extend beyond ten, and such was their ignorance, that they believed themselves to be the only inhabitants of the universe, and all the rest was a mass of ice. Their dress consists of seal and bears skins. Their complexion was of a dirty copper colour. est number of natives seen were 18, ལ The greatbut, pointing to the north, they said there was "plenty plenty of peo ple." They had a knowledge of a supreme Being. Six feet is the height of their houses, built partly underground, of stone, and mudded to keep the air out. The floor is covered with skins, and several families live in one house; each family burns a lamp, which is never suffered to go out, and serves them for cooking, which is the woman's business. Each man takes a wife when he is able to maintain a family; if she had children, he took no other, nor could she have another husband ; but, if otherwise, the man may take another wife, and a third; the woman has the same privilege.. These ignorant heathens may give a lesson to many Christian husbands, for they spoke affec --- tionately of their mates, and when they took or begged any article, such as a picture or a looking glass, they all said it was for their wives. Their mothers also were held in much esteem, and they would have parted with several articles, but for the fear of displeasing their mothers. None of these natives could on any account be induced to part with a child, nor would they be tempted to leave their country. Captain Ross could not obtain a sight of any of the women, but he was assured there were no deformed persons among the tribe. Their king, they said, lived at Petowack, in Wolstenholme island. FEROE ISLANDS.These are subject to Denmark, and lie in lat. 61. West of the Norway coast, and south of Iceland. The women of these islands are fair, pretty, and well proportioned. They are amiable in their characters, simple in their dress, and honest in their dealings. If no objections are raised to the young lover's proposals, he repairs in a week after to the house of the young woman with a high hat on his head, and a wooing staff in his hand, as the emblem of his errand. The common people marry only in autumn, which is the slaughtering time. The bridegroom first repairs to the church, with his male attendants walking in pairs; then the bride, preceded by a company of bride-girls, who arrange themselves in rows leading to the pew, to which the bride and bride maids are to pass. During the ceremony a great many candles are placed on the altar, and when the business is ended, which is generally in the afternoon, the company return. A substantial dinner follows, in which brandy and ale are plentifully handed about by the cup-bearers. Dancing ensues, which is done in a ring, and a nuptial song is sung at the same time in full chorus. When the evening dancing is over, the cup-bearers enter and give three successive knocks, which is a signal for the bride to go to bed, who at first lies down half undressed, and sheds a few tears: the bridegroom undergoes the same summons, and when both are in bed, in most places a couple of psalms are sung, and the company retire to dance. The next morning the pair receive small presents of money in bed from the guests, and the day is spent in feasting and dancing, and a merry dinner concludes the wedding. The bridal dress is a fine blue or red jacket, sleeves to the wrist, a silver plate at the breast, from which rings, hooks, and silver spangles, glitter and gingle; a red velvet girdle; the hair filleted, from which four ribbands, 18 inches in length, hang, two on the back and two on the breast. If she be a widow or with child before marriage, she wears a cap of red velvet or cloth, and the long ribbands are omitted; nor do any bride-girls attend her wedding. ASIA. TURKEY IN ASIA embraces a considerable extent of territory, but, generally, all countries under the Mahometan religion are subject to the same permissions and restrictions which have been detailed under the head Turkey in Europe. At Cairo, in Egypt, (which bounds Asia at the Nile,) contracts are made for the young men by their relations, as they meet most of the young women of the city at the baths, whom they perfectly describe, and the choice being made, the alliance is mentioned to the father of the female, the portion specified, and if he consent, they make him presents. The following day the same persons go to the house of the bride, and tear her, as it were, violently away from the arms of her mother; she is then triumphantly conveyed to the house of the bridegroom. The procession usually begins in the evening; dancers go before, and (if a person of rank) numerous slaves display the effects destined to the bride's use; numbers of dancing girls keep time with their instruments, and the young bride appears under a magnificent canopy, borne by four slaves, and entirely covered by a veil, embrodered with gold, pearls, and diamonds. A long file of flambeaux illuminates the procession, and the Almés, in chorus, occasionally sing verses in praise of the bride and bridegroom. On their arrival at the house of the bridegroom, the men and women repair to separate apartments, those of the women being so constructed that they can see what is performing in the men's. The Almés descend and display their ability and address, in dances and pantomimical representations suitable to the occasion; this ended, they chaunt, in chorus, the epithalamium, extolling the allurements of the bride, and the bliss of that mortal who shall enjoy so many charms. During the ceremony, she passes several times before the bridegroom to display her wealth and elegance. The guests having retired, the husband enters the nuptial chamber, the veil is removed, and, for the first time, he beholds his wife. The inferior classes observe the same ceremonies, except that the procession is not so pomp, ous. THE COPTS have a custom of betrothing girls at six or seven years of age, which is done by putting a ring on their finger; but permission is after obtained for her friends to educate her till she arrive at years of discretion. The Mahometans consider marriage as a civil institution, entirely detached from religion. Among the ancient Egyptians, parents who kill |