side (to the south) consists of a large pond or lake, formed entirely by the rain-water collected from the sides of the crater—­accordingly its extent is greater or less, as the season is wet or dry; the centre part is covered with small ferns, palms, and shrubs, and some curious species of moss; the upper part, to the north, is that which is called the Soufriere.  The ground here consists of large beds of pipe-clay, in some places perfectly white, in others of a bluish or black colour, from the presence of iron pyrites.  These are intermixed with masses and irregular beds of gray cinders and score, pumice, various kinds of lava, lithomarge, and fuller’s earth.  Amidst these beds of clay there are several hot springs, small, but boiling with much violence, and emitting large quantities of steam.  A rumbling noise is heard under the whole of this part of the crater.  The hot springs are not stationary, but suddenly disappear, and burst up in another place.  The ground in many parts is too hot to be walked upon:  a great quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen gas is likewise emitted, which is exceedingly disagreeable to the smell; and occasionally such a volume of it arises, as is almost suffocating, and resembles much the smell of rotten eggs.  The watches of the writer and his companion during his visit, and every article of gold or silver about their persons, were in a few moments turned perfectly black, from the effect of this gas.

Brande’s Journal.

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MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

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ROYAL LIFE IN PERSIA.

The religious duties of the king of Persia require him to rise early.  As he sleeps in the interior apartments, which no male is allowed to approach, his attendants are either females or eunuchs.  After he is dressed with their aid, he sits for an hour or two in the hall of the haram, where his levees are conducted with the same ceremony as in his outer apartments.  Female officers arrange the crowd of his wives and slaves with the strictest attention to the order of precedency.  After hearing the reports of the persons intrusted with the internal government of the haram, and consulting with his principal wives, who are generally seated, the monarch leaves the interior apartments.  The moment he comes out, he is met by officers in waiting, and proceeds to one of his private halls, where he is immediately joined by some of his principal favourites, and enters into familiar conversation with them:  all the young princes of the blood attend this morning levee, to pay their respects.  After this is over, he calls for breakfast.  The preparing his meals is superintended by the nauzir, or chief steward of the household.  The viands are put into dishes of fine china, with silver covers, and placed in a close tray, which is locked and sealed by the steward.  This tray is covered with a rich shawl, and carried