We abridge the following new version of this "romance of history," from a brilliant paper on the life and works of Raleigh, in the _Edinburgh Review_. The term _El Dorado_ was not originally used to designate any particular place; it signified generally 'the gilded,' or 'golden,' and was variously applied. According to some, it was first used to denote a religious ceremony of the natives, in covering the anointed body with gold-dust. The whole of Guiana was, on account of the above usages, sometimes designated _El Dorado_; but the locality of the fable varied. The question, however, to be solved is, whence arose the belief that a district so marvellously abundant with the precious metals existed in the interior of Guiana; and the solution appears to have been left to Humboldt. While exploring the countries upon the Upper Orinoco, he was informed that the portion of Eastern Guiana, lying between the rivers Essequibo and Branca is 'the classical soil of the Dorado of Parima.' In the islets and rocks of mica, slate, and talc, which rise up within and around a lake adjoining the Parima river, reflecting from their shining surfaces the rays of an ardent sun, we have materials out of which to form that gorgeous capital, the temples and houses of which were overlaid with plates of beaten gold. With such elements to work upon, heated fancies, aided by the imperfect vision of distant and dubious objects, might easily create that fabulous superstructure. We may judge of the brilliancy of these deceptive appearances, from learning that the natives ascribed the lustre of the Magellanic clouds, or nebula of the southern hemisphere, to the bright reflections produced by them. There could not well be a more poetical exaggeration of the lustrous effects produced by the metallic hues of rocks of talc. These details, in which M. de Pons, a somewhat later traveller, who long resided in an official capacity in the neighbouring countries, fully concurs, in all probability point to the true origin of this remarkable fable. The well-known failure of Raleigh did not discourage other adventurers, who were found in quick succession; the last always flattering themselves with the hope that the discovery of _El Dorado_ would ultimately be realized. ------------------ AMBER, A SOURCE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE.