Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-03-19

surrounded by deserts; however on the southern
extremity of the isthmus, which separates the Ara
from the Cas- pian 1t is bounded by the territory be-
longing to the khirgis tribes, some of which ac-
knowledge its sovereignty. On the east ii is sepa-
rated BY deserts from Bokhara; the south runs
the chain Of the Attock mountains, the inhabitants
of which in fact independent, and partly subject
to khiva and Persia. On the west is the Caspian
which is the most distinct boundary OF this Asiatic
state. This country consists principally Of sand
mpregnated with salt, and bears evident traces of
having been covered by the sea. The few shrubs IT
produces bitter that camels are the only ami
mails that will eat Them the very springs are brack-
ish.
The country is so fiat that the Khirgis call il the
low plain in order 10 distinguish it from the Gust
curt, high spot hieh divides the Aral from the
Caspian. The suthern extremity of the Gust CURT,
which the natives call Tchink, presents most ex-
traordinary aspect, bearing singular resemblance
to terrace of steep rocks, 500 feet above the plain
and difficult of in most parts, that il would
be extremely dangerous 10 attempt descent.
The Khirgis affirm that the heat southwark of
Tchink is intolerable during the summer moa.hs
and yet in their own district the thermometer OF
Reaumur, in the sun, frequently marks 90 and ~ in
the shade The cold in khva, during the winter
months, can be judged but by analogy. The Aral
during the cold season is generally frozen and the
thermometer of Reaumur the Gust CURT fire.
guently marks 30 below the freezing point In
short. khiya would be without towns and cultiva-
ted lands were crossed on its southern extre-
nifty by the Anon Deria 1.-THE Oxus) which has been
separated by some convulsion Of nature from the
Caspian. into winch AZ emptIcd itself formerly, and
rendered tributary to the Aral. The banks Of this
river which very fertile, are cultivated by
subjugated tribe (the Tadjiks) and by those who
have been reduced To slavery by the tribes and sup
ply with necessaries several al towns situ
ated Of the main roads from Bokhara to Eu-
rope. Erqhcni the largest OF these towns, is said
To contain 1900 inhabitants, consisting Of Bokhari-
ans, Ahghans, Indians, and Armenians. Therefore,
were the Russians to take possession OF the Oxus,
and the in its vicinity, IL would produce but
little effect upon the warlike inhabitants Of the de-
sert, whom Alexander Burnes estimates at about
2O,OOO, scattered over territory of at least 1900
square leagues. The numerous tribes into which
the inhabitants are divided, live generally on the
produce Of their iocks, and by pillage.
The Russians have taken the fortress Of Ati Jach-
sa, in Khiva, and passed on to another. The In
vali2, St Petersburg journal, continues {. give
counts of the Khva expedition. General Pcrowski,
il says, writes on the 18th Of January that after lea
wing his sick and garrison in the fertilization of
Ati Jacbsha, on the Emar, he continued his march,
in four columns, to the second fortfcation, at Ak
Bulak.
PERsIa.-Letters from Bagdad assert that the Shah
Of Persia is dangerously i'll, that a serious revolt
has broken out in the province Of shraz and Ispa-
ham, and than a large body Of troops had been sent
thither to restore tranquility. II was also stated
that this expedition was intended to resist the en-
croae hments OF England on the Persian Gulf The
Shah is stated to be as much ever under the nu-
ence Of Russia.
shave received the following letter, accompa-
MED by the original copy Of Chinese novel, entitled
g Wang Keaou Ivan Pin Neen Chang Ham," or the
Lasting Resentment OF Miss Keaou Ivan Wang,
a Chinese Tale, founded on fact; translated BY
the Rev. Mr.. Thorn" This is probably the
first specimen Of Chinese literature ever rcceiv-
ed in the United States. IL is extracted from the
Ilth volume Of kin koo Ne kwan," or, ere
markable Observations Of Ancient and Modern
Times"
Mn Bennett:
DEAR srR:-Thc Rev. David Thorn, Of Liver
pool England, has requested me TO furnish you the
following copy Of an extract Of a letter he had re-
ceived from Ais brother Roberts, dated at Macao,
18th June, 1899, after he had left Canton by the
press commands Of Captain Elliot.
While at Canton, l carried on the correspon-
dence between the Chinese government and the
Amer can, in behalf of the latter, they not having
there any else qualified To do so for tAem They
were as a matter Of course most unwilling to part
with me, hut my orders were imperative TO leave
Canton. told them, however, 60 let the High Com
missioner know, that ifhe would give a safe con-
duet, under his own seal and that Of the Niceroy,
warranting me that in the event ofhostilics taking
place between Britain and China, he would not de-
tain annoy me in any shape way, might return
10 Canton. II is not impossible tina; this may be
done. In the mean time, the Americans must be
badly off for "a translator and interpreter"
The above extract evinces the kindly feeling MIR.
Thorn cherishcs towards the Americans at Canton,
and the United States, by the services he has rem.
dcTed them.
Mr.. Thorn has acquired knowledge Of the Chi
nese language very rapidly for il is not more than
FIVE six years since he went to Canton. from la
Guira. lie has translated considerable number Of
Hsops fables into Chinese, and Chinese tale int'
English. lie is also held in great estimation by the
officers Of the Chinese officers government at Tan
ton, IN consequence in part, Of never having any
thRg TO DO in the opium trade, notwithstanding nc