a religious sect settled at Patna, and so called from a word contained in one of the commandments of their founder, which signifies learn thou. In books giving an account of oriental sects and oriental customs, we find mention made both of Seeks and Seiks; and we are strongly inclined to think that the same tribe is meant to be denominated by both words. If so, different authors write very differently of their principles and manners. We have already related something of the character of the Seiks under the article HINDOOS; but in the Asiatic Researches, Mr Wilkins gives a much more amiable account of the Seeks, which we lay before our reader with pleasure.

The Seeks are a sect distinguished both from the Musulmans and the worshippers of Brahma; and, from our author's account of them, must be an amiable people. He asked leave to enter into their chapel: They said it was a place of worship, open to all men, but intimated that he must take off his shoes. On complying with this ceremony, he was politely conducted into the hall, and seated upon a carpet in the midst of the assembly. The whole building forms a square of about 40 feet. The hall is in the centre, divided from four other apartments by wooden arches, upon pillars of the same materials. The walls above the arches were hung with European looking-glasses in gilt frames, and with pictures. On the left hand, as one enters, is the chancel, which is furnished with an altar covered with cloth of gold, raised a little above the ground in a declining position. About it were several flower-pots and rose-water bottles, and three urns to receive the donations of the charitable. On a low desk, near the altar, stood a great book, of folio size, from which some portions are daily read in the divine service. When notice was given that it was noon, the congregation arranged themselves upon the carpet on each side of the hall. The great book and desk were brought from the altar, and placed at the opposite extremity. An old silver-haired man kneeled down before the desk, with his face towards the altar, and by him sat a man with a drum, and two or three with cymbals. The book was now opened, and the old man began to chant to the time of the instruments, and at the conclusion of every verse most of the congregation joined chorus in a response, with countenances exhibiting great marks of joy. Their tones were not harsh; the time was quick; and Mr Wilkins learned that the subject was a hymn in praise of the unity, omnipresence, and omnipotence of the Deity. The hymn concluded, the whole company got up and presented their faces, with joined hands, towards the altar in the attitude of prayer. The prayer was a sort of litany pronounced by a young man in a loud and distinct voice; the people joining, at certain periods, in a general response. This prayer was followed by a short blessing from the old man, and an invitation to the assembly to partake of a friendly feast. A share was offered to Mr Wilkins, who was too polite to refuse it. It was a kind of sweetmeat composed of sugar and flour mixed up with clarified butter. They were next served with a few sugar plums; and thus ended the feast and ceremony.

In the course of conversation Mr Wilkins learned that the founder of this sect was Naneeck Sah, who lived about 400 years ago; who left behind him a book, composed by himself in verse, containing the doctrines he had established; that this book teaches, that there is but one God, filling all space, and pervading all matter; and that there will be a day of retribution, when virtue will be rewarded, and vice punished. (Our author forgot to ask in what manner.) It forbids murder, theft, and such other deeds as are by the majority of mankind esteemed crimes, and inculcates the practice of all the virtues; but, particularly, a universal philanthropy and hospitality to strangers and travellers. It not only commands universal toleration, but forbids disputes with those of another persuasion. If any one show a sincere inclination to be admitted among them, any five or more Seeks being assembled in any place, even on the highway, they send to the first shop where sweet- Segalien, a large island separated from the coast of Chinese Tartary by a narrow channel. It is called Tehoka by the natives, and Oku-Jessu by the Chinese. It is situated between $46^\circ$ and $54^\circ$ N. Lat.; but its breadth from east to west is unknown. The frigates under the command of Perouse came to anchor in different bays; to the finest of which, in $48^\circ 59'$ N. Lat. and $140^\circ 32'$ E. Long. from Paris, the French commodore gave the name of Baie d'Estaing.

Segalien is well wooded, and mountainous towards the centre, but flat and level along the coast, the soil of which is peculiarly favourable to agriculture; and vegetation is extremely vigorous. The whole surface is almost covered with forests of pine, birch, oak, and willow trees; and the seas, rivers, and brooks, abound with excellent salmon and trout. In general, the weather is mild and foggy; and the inhabitants are healthy and strong, and many of them live to an extreme old age. The presents received by the natives from the French, were only valued in proportion to their utility. They make use of looms, which are complete instruments, though small. The inhabitants in general do not exceed five feet in height, although some of the tallest measure about five feet four inches. Their countenances are animated and agreeable; their cheeks are large, their nose rounded at the extremity; they have strong voices, and rather thick lips, which are of a dull red.

The women are not so tall as the men, but of a more rounded and delicate form, with dresses nearly similar; their upper lip is tattooed all over of a blue colour; the hair of their head is black, smooth, and of a moderate strength, worn about six inches long behind, and they cut it into a brush on the top of their head and over the temples. They wear surtoots of skin or quilted nankeen, which reach to the calf of the legs, and sometimes lower, by which the use of drawers is in a great measure rendered unnecessary. They all wear girdles, like the lower orders among the Chinese, from which a knife is suspended as a defence against the bears, and a number of small pockets for holding their flint and steel, pipe and box of tobacco, for they are very great smokers. Their huts are small in proportion to the number of inhabitants they contain, but sufficient to defend them against the rain and other inclemencies of the atmosphere. The roof consists of two inclined planes, from 10 to 12 feet high at their union, and three or four on the sides; the breadth of the roof is 11, and its length 18 feet. They use iron pots in cooking, also shells, vessels made of wood and birch bark, of different forms and workmanship. They have two meals a-day, the one at noon, and the other in the evening. Each family has its own hunting and fishing implements, and their arms are bows, javelins, and a kind of spoutoon, which last is employed in hunting the bear.

The only domestic animals are dogs, of a middling size, with shaggy hair, pricked ears, and a long sharp muzzle, with a loud but not savage cry.

The people of Segalien are of a mild and unsuspicious disposition, and appear to hold a commercial intercourse with the Chinese through the medium of the Mantschou Tartars, with the Russians to the north of their island, and the Japanese to the south; but the articles of trade consist only of a few furs and whale oil.