ought to be corrected by art, as they would otherwise resemble those of dogs, monkeys, and elephants. All these nations therefore dye their teeth a shining black with the oil extracted from the husk of the cocoa nut, in order to render them of a hue superior to that of the contemptible animals; and this colouring of the teeth is performed on boys and girls at the commencement of their puberty, with great solemnities. Only some inhabitants of Amboyna and Ternate, and the Formosans, leave their teeth just as nature formed them, and deride the Dutch and other Europeans as unclean creatures, because their teeth are yellow, or blackish, or at least not of so glossy a white as theirs.

The humour of the above-mentioned nations to stain their teeth of a glossy black is the more striking, as nature has given them, in commen with all the other nations of Mongolian origin, teeth of as shining a white as those of the brute creation; and as these very nations strive all they can to increase and magnify all their native deformities and defects, among which they also reckon shining white teeth, as it were by a natural instinct. All these nations endeavour to render their pointed or round heads still more pointed or round; their flat foreheads, faces, and noses, still flatter; their large cars still larger, their little eyes and feet still less, their sleek beard and body still sleeker; and, in pursuance of this rule, they should therefore be supposed to make their white teeth as much as possible still whiter and more shining than they are by nature. We may then justly presume that some powerful influence is the cause that the impulse of these nations to increase all their natural defects, has here taken a different direction.

This cause has never been explained by any of the authors who speak of the blackening of the teeth practised by the nations of South America, and the inhabitants of the East India islands, in so satisfactory a manner as by Loubere. The Sia

mese, says this acute observer, constantly chew betel, like all the other nations of southern Asia, and the neighbouring islands. This betel consists of the fourth part of an areca nut, which they wrap up in a betel-leaf, and then sprinkle it over with a fine red-coloured musselkalk. The mastication of this substance tinges their teeth and lips of a red hue, and at length put a blackish crust upon the teeth, which forms a very ugly contrast with the shining white of them. In order then to hide this foulness of the teeth, the Siamese and their brethren attend to the above-mentioned law of their nature, and, instead of diligently cleaning their teeth, and thereby keeping them white, they increase the blackness of their teeth, now become natural to them, by an artificial varnish, which they cause to penetrate their very substance. This operation commonly lasts three days, during which they keep a very strict fast, in order either to render the deities propitious, or not to disturb the effects of the oil with which the teeth are smeared.

With some of these people it is not enough to heighten the beauty of their teeth by a glossy black varnish; but they do over the teeth, or the lower gums, or a part of all the teeth, with leaf gold. This is chiefly practised by the wealthy among the Macassars, and the Malayans of Sumatra. We are told by Marsden, that this gilding of the teeth has a pretty effect by candle-light. It is no uncommon thing for girls to have four of their front teeth pulled out, and as many golden enes set in their place. A Dutch captain, whom Tavernier saw at Java, found this fashion so elegant, that he had four diamonds inserted in his gums, instead of four of his teeth.

After perusing these accounts, what we find related of the Gagians, a people on the eastern coast of Africa, is not so very surprising, that their girls extract four of their front teeth, in order to render themselves more agreeable to their lovers. These Gagians are sprung,

like all the other black or tawny tribes of Africa, from the southern Asia, and preserved the custom of extracting the teeth, even when they were no longer able to supply their place by the nobler metals..... Perhaps likewise the desire of embellishment may be the reason that the New Hollanders break out several of their teeth: or, probably, like some of the handsome inhabitants of the South Sea islands, in order to appease incensed or malignant deities.

Several authors relate, that many of the negro tribes in Africa file their teeth quite sharp, which custom was for a long time thought to be peculiar to the men-eating negroes, from the opinion that they sharpened their bite, to enable them the sooner to devour their foes, like the beasts of prey. But Oldendorp, in his time, found that the practice of filing the teeth was common to many negroes, who had never, or at least for ages past, had not preyed upon human flesh. This practice is the remains of a custom, still existing among the aboriginal tribes of the inhabitants of southern Asia........ The teeth of the betel-chewers in Asia will not take the intended black till they have filed off the enamel.... Some of the Malayans are satisfied with filing away the surface and points of the teeth; whereas others leave them quite piqued, or even entirely flat, and file them away close to the gums. The African negroes, therefore, preserved the practice of filing the teeth, when they were come into parts where they could no longer chew betel, nor blacken their teeth as their forefathers had done.

The notion that black teeth are beautiful, and that only negroes and monkeys should have white teeth, was formerly prevalent even among the Russians; at least Weber met with several ladies of quality who were proud to display their black teeth on the grand festival of Peter and Paul*.

* Every person acquainted with Russia knows that the practice of blacken

DESCRIPTION OF DRESDEN AND ITS ENVIRONS, FROM AN ACCURATE AND EXTENSIVE WORK, WHICH HAS LATELY APPEARED IN THE FORM OF LETTERS, AT BERLIN.

THE large and superb avenues, which lead to the elegant residence of the electors of Saxony, announce, at the first view, the centre of Germanic urbanity, the amiable asylum of the graces and of the arts in the north. We enter, almost on all sides, by a causeway, more or less shaded, across smiling plains, where the beauties of art dispute the palm of precedence with the charms of

nature.

On your arrival, by way of the new city, an extensive alley, in perfect repair, conducts you to a vast square or place, wherein is erected a beautiful equestrian gilt statue, of graceful proportions. In an instant you find yourself in front of the finest bridge in Germany, raised over the Elbe.

From thence, extending your view to the right or left, you are struck with the richness of the country, watered by this fine river, and with the beauty of the horizon, terminated by mountains of a moderate elevation, which present a happy mixture of cultivated lands and of forests, garnished with the most beautifuĺ

verdure.

From the middle of the bridge, there appears, in perspective, to the right, a modern church, of an clegant architecture; to the left, in a retired situation, is seen the sombrous majestic dome of an ancient temple; in front is the electoral chateau, to which you go through a vast but irregular place. And, lastly, you arrive between two public buildings of considerable extent, at the entrance of a beautiful street, which leads across a place still more vast, to the Hotel de Saxe, one of the

ing the teeth is still very prevalent there; and that on all holidays numbers of the merchants' wives are still proud to display them.

grandest inns of the empire, and the situation of which is one of the most agreeable.

Would you enjoy the most magnificent view that the Florence of Germany affords, you must ascend, on some fine evening, the bastion which overlooks what is called the Italian village. It is there that every sensible heart palpitates with-pleasure, that the soul expands and enlarges at the view of a basin much more extensive than that of Florence; it is there that the eye embraces and investigates all the beauties which the southern side of the mountain exhibits, as well as the long terrace belonging to the palace and the garden of Bruhl (one of the principal ornaments of Dresden), the active multitude of individuals passing and repassing from the new to the old town, the noise of the carriages and horses, incessantly in motion from one bank to the other, over the bold yet delicate arches of a long and broad bridge. On another side the curious spectator will admire the superb Palais de Japon (Japanese palace), the most beautiful, perhaps, in the two cities, which raises its majestic domes in the midst of surrounding groves, and receives the light of the last rays of the setting sun. After having enjoyed the reflection of its beams on the tranquil surface of the river, the admirer agreeably reposes his dazzled sight on the verdant extremity of that superb alley, which, in its almost interminable course, stretches out as far as to Ubigau, parallel with the bed of the Elbe, and whose vigorous trees have braved, for a century past, the fury of the ice, and of inundations.

If you walk on a fine day on the pavements of the bridge, you are tempted to sit down on the elegant balconies, with iron ballustrades, which seem to invite the friends of embellished nature to come and contemplate the rich vineyards that rise, like an amphitheatre, bespangled with magnificent villas, and which sometimes ornament even the summits of the hills, and sometimes

are crowned, in a picturesque manner, with groves of tufted trees.

Comparing the German Florence with that of Italy, you will be delighted with the activity of the watermen, who seem to glide over the surface of the water; for the navigation of the Elbe has a character of animation very different from that of the Arno. And, lastly, your enchantment will not cease until you shall have enjoyed the picturesque scenes which await you in the environs at twenty different points of the circumference of Dresden.

Returning into the city, you will be charmed with the beautiful simplicity of the houses; for palaces are rare, and even the electoral chateau has but an insignificant exterior, although, from the richness and taste of the furniture, it is superior to many other residences.

The two palaces of the princes Anthony and Maximilian, situated, one in the suburb Frederickstadt, and the other out of the Seethor, deserve to be noticed. They are in the modern taste, of an agreeable architecture, with gardens half English, half French, which exhibit a handsome scenery. The promenade in them is free for the public.

Among the gardens to be met with out of the city, the most extensive is the electoral garden, two thousand five hundred paces in length, by a considerable width, but it is not the more frequented on that account. The grove, which makes part of it, is shut up from the public, and reserved for pheasants. This garden contains some large alleys, but has little variety; it is adorned, however, with some beautiful statues; from time to time concerts are given there, which attract a great concourse of auditors, the most valuable pieces of the best composers, the Naumanns, the Schusters, being executed here in the most correct style.

The garden of Richter seems to be the most popular; a concert is held there regularly every week, besides particular fetes, illuminations, &c.

There are so many other beauti

ful promenades, that it may be said, within due bounds, no other residence displays so many, and no other place is so rich in, natural and artificial beauties of this kind.

Without the gate of Blasewitz, on the banks of the Elbe, lies a meadow appropriated to an annual popular feast, viz. that of La Cible; a spectacle truly curious, and which cannot be beheld without a tender emotion, excited by the appearance of a multitude of all ages, and all conditions, indulging the impressions of joy, without tumult, and without any of the disorders commonly inseparable from similar assemblies. It is, at the same time, a sort of fair: the villager, the artizan, the modest bourgoise, find wherewith to satisfy their taste and the inclinations of their children at a trifling expence. On the first and following days of this popular festival, the work-shops are deserted; men, women, children, old men, all wish to enjoy the divertisements of the place; and, when the weather is fine, from five to six thousand persons may be reckoned there. Dancing, music, fireworks, illuminations, refreshments of all kinds, are to be found here in profusion.

We may further notice certain bathing-houses, near the city, which a beautiful alley leads up to; there you are entertained with comedies and ballets exhibited by children, as are likewise the concerts. Women, who desire to see and to be seen, men of a gallanting turn, never fail to make their appearance there, and often return highly satisfied with the shape, the delicacy, the forms, the vivacity, the manners, and the good taste, which so eminently distinguish the Saxon women; qualities which set off to advantage the charms of their figure, and the beauty of their features.

To such as covet a landscape perfectly rural and romantic, a picturesque delightful situation, Terni and Tivoli would lose half their reputation, says the author, should some beneficent enchanter ever arise to

produce a single cascade from one of the rocks of Tharaud*.

There are, besides, a number of particular walks, which contribute to the amusement of the inhabitants of Dresden; but here we would speak of those which are to be found in the vine grounds. There are few individuals in easy circumstances, who have not their vineyard, or portion of a vineyard, which they frequently visit, with their family and friends, and even strangers that are recommended to them; here the Saxon appears in all the amiableness of his character, and displays a gaiety of temper, which, however, rarely passes beyond certain limits.

The vineyards of Dresden stretch

*This is the name of an agreeable little district, which wants only the afore-mentioned single attraction. Figure to yourself a village, the main street of which winds irregularly, for a quarter of a league, among rocks, ruins, eminences, and small handsome groves; a limpid stream serpentines with murmurs over a rocky bed, sometimes over or across this street, and sometimes alongside of it. Little mansions, generally handsome, are scattered over the unequal heights which ingulph the village. The truly picturesque ruins of an ancient chateau in the centre of these villagehabitations overlook the whole inclosed valley; paths ascend and descend in every direction, piercing through the woods which overshadow the different hills. Resting-places, tastefully and judiciously situated on the most attractive points of view, serve to recreate the wanderer, and render him attentive to the fine scenes which spread before his eyes. There you behold a lake, whose pure and transparent water reflects the with a handsome building, and a small surrounding trees; here a bowling-green, alley winding round it; further off is the torrent, whose waves bellow and foam, indignant at the obstacles, which the rocks oppose in their way; yet it is the same mass of water which runs gently through a meadow of a dazzling green colour. "For green," says the writer, "is greener here than in any other place."

over a tract about three leagues in length; that is to say, one league above the city, and nearly two leagues below it, next to the electoral chateau of Pilnitz. The whole of this space is sprinkled with little mansions, more or less ornamented, that may be called so many Belvideres, from the immense and variegated views to be enjoyed there. The river rolls its majestic waves at the foot of those rich hills, and adds to the movement, to the interest of the picture. Some of these vineyards are, in a manner, public, as they are open, at all times, to the curiosity of strangers. The taste and opulence of the proprietors have lavished embellishments upon them.

Leaving the friend of nature here, we return to the city, to admire the master-pieces of art, the sanctuary of which seems to be in the gallery of Dresden. If the coup-d'ail is one of the most striking, it is no less curious to find there artists of different countries, employed in their several occupations. The Polander is working close by the Fleming; the Italian near the Russian or Swede; the Englishman is distinguished by the number of his pupils, and by an animated conversation, sometimes approaching to the boisterous. We cannot better compare these different artists, scattered or grouped in those vast saloons, than to a swarm of becs fluttering over the flowers of a garden, to come at the honey which is to enrich their hives.

The Zwinger exhibits a depot perhaps unique, from its large collection of engravings and designs.

We should see the beauty, the neatness, the decorations of the saloons of the library, as likewise the order and arrangement which reigns there, to form an idea of them.

Dresden must have lost one-fifth of its population since the epoch of the war of 1756, but it has gained in its buildings; a number of its edifices are of a later date. The city and suburbs are calculated to contain 60,000 souls, 4 or 5,000 of whom profess the catholic religion, and there are about 800 Jews.

Although this city has no very considerable commerce, it contains, nevertheless, a number of manufactures. A great exportation is made to foreigners of gold and silver lace, as likewise of the beautiful manufacture of paper-hangings, one of those branches of industry, wherein the German genius has the ascendant over the English. The works of jewellery which are made at Dresden are known through all Europe, as likewise the instruments of music, organs, hautbois, French horns, hunting horns, and, above all, German flutes. The manufacture of macaroni justly enjoys a reputation, which scarcely yields to that of Italy; but the most considerable manufacture of the environs by far, and the most celebrated, is, unquestionably, that of porcelain, at Meissen, a little town on the Elbe, about half a day's journey from the capital; its works, however, are too well known to speak of them here. We shall only remark, that there is to be seen, in the Palais de Japon, a collection of pieces of the most ancient porcelain of Meissen, and a quantity of the porcelain of Japan and of China, valued altogether at more than a million sterling.

It is time to repair to this last palace. What an immense collection of statues, of busts, real antique master-pieces, not to be matched in Germany, and most of them equal, and sometimes superior, to those of Italy and of Paris. Here you will find two restored Venuses, the style of which, in the opinion of some great connoisseurs, bears away the palin even from that of the Venus de Medicis at Florence. Here is an Esculapius, which is esteemed preferable to all the statues of that divinity to be found at Rome, or in any other city of Italy; it is of the best Greek style. Here is likewise an athletic figure, whose body and left arm are antique, a master-piece truly incomparable. Among the most valuable rarities of this collection, we should, doubtless, place the three celebrated statues disinterred from among the ruins of Herculane