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as much the first four years with them as in six without them. It appears," she observes," that the great secret in raising plantations of oaks is, to get them to advance rapidly the first eight years from seed, or the first five years from planting, so as the heads of the trees are completely united, and become a smothering crop: after this is effected, the trees will appear to strive to outgrow each other, and will advance in height rapidly; they will be clean straight trees, to any given height: experiments have proved the fact, which may be verified by viewing Belvoir." It is impossible, in recording these important experiments, to withhold our admiration of the illustrious lady in whom they originated, and by whom they have been successfully directed. Distinguished alike for superior beauty, for every domestic virtue, for high birth and rank, and for personal graces which eclipse the blaze of family jewels she has nevertheless rendered her opportunities subservient to science, and set an example to her sex of pursuits at once useful and innocent.

FRANCE.

At a late meeting of the Royal Academy of Sciences, M. Moreau de Jonnes communicated some particulars respecting the great viper of Martinique, in addition to those formerly given to the public. It is a fact that this serpent grows to the length of seven or eight feet, and to a diameter of four or five inches. M. Desfourneaux, a planter of Martinique, some months since killed one of these reptiles which had attained these dimensions, and which, when erect on its tail, would have considerably exceeded the height of a man. Upon an examination of the membranous sheath with which the mouth is laterally furnished, there were found on both sides sixteen channelled teeth of different sizes, but only two of these having reached their full growth, served as formidable weapons to this enormous reptile. By a singularity worthy of remark, the trigonocephalus possesses the faculty of living alike in the marshes on the same level with the sea, and on the tops of mountains among the clouds, notwithstanding the difference of temperature, which is equal to twelve degrees of the centigrade thermometer, and which, in the torrid zone, produces a very powerful impression on organized bodies. M. Desfourneaux has recently found, on ascending the volcanic peaks of Carbel, four of these vipers inhabiting the lofty forests of those mountains, 1600 yards above the Atlantic.

Memoirs of the History of the Fifty Years from 1760 to 1810, by the late Abbé Georgel, a distinguished member of the order of the Jesuits, and confidential secretary to Cardinal de Rohan, are about to be

published at Paris in 3 volumes. This work is said to excite great interest from the talents and means of information possessed by the author, who died in 1813.

By a royal ordinance of July 9th, several persons have obtained patents for steamengines. Among these are, Mr Isaac Cox Barnet, for a machine producing immediately, according to him, a rotary motion;

Mr Wm. Paxton, for the importation and improvement of a new steam-engine; -M. Honore Dalmas, residing at Castelnaudary, for a machine for applying the action of fire to the rotary motion of fourmills and other purposes;-M. Bagneris for additions and improvements to the steam-engine ;-the Marquis de Jouffroy for the same. Several patents have also been granted by the same ordinance to different persons for extraordinary amusements: as, for example, to Sieur Benoiste, restaurateur on the Boulevard of Mont Parnasse for his Promenade Suisse ; to the Sieurs Beury, Vallede, and Ruggieri, for the Saut de Niàgara; to Sieur Lesigne, for machinery for setting in motion fifteen carriages at once, and which he calls Promenade Dedalienne.-Other patents have been granted to Sieur Allix for the manufacture of wigs that are not affected by perspiration; Briard for a cosmetic, called by him Eau de Rosieres; Fabre for a cosmetic called des Templiers; Darcet for processes for extracting the gelatine contained in bones; Cabany for a copying machine; Gengembre, senior and junior, for apparatus applicable to the system of illumination by inflammable gas; Thilorier for processes for the construction of radeaux plongeurs; Sartoris for a kind of fire-arms which is loaded at the breech; Blanchet and Binet for a hydraulic crane; Marguerite for plating needles with silver; Passe for a lamp which he terms hydrostatique regulateur; Lousteau for making hats of cotton or other fibrous substances; Matthieu de Dombasle for a still called combineur hydropneumatique; Lemire, senior and junior, for making nails cold; and Jomard de Savergue for making a liquor which he calls kitischi.

A Society of German literati at Paris have announced a periodical work, to commence in, the month of October, with the title of Chronique Allemande de Paris, which, to the exclusion of politics, is designed to embrace whatever is calculated to exhibit the character of the Parisians in regard to morals, arts, sciences, and society.

The Abbé de Robineau, to whom physics is indebted for ingenious essays, and new explanations of the wonders of the loadstone, has communicated a new theory, by which he explains, with the greatest facility, the phenomena of vision.

M. de la Salle, amongst other literary

essays of great local importance, has given an interesting sketch of the history of the Troubadours.

The Annales Encyclopédiques of M. Millin add to the reputation of their author : the last number is rich in biography; containing that of P. Lanzi, the celebrated antiquary; M. le Comte de Choiseul Gouffier, ditto; and M. Suard, the perpetual secretary of the French Academy, and translator of Robertson's works.

A French physician has in his cabinet two galvanic piles, sixteen inches high, which alternately attract a pretty heavy beam. The continual oscillation of the beam gives motion to a pendulum, which has never stopped for three years. The physician is now endeavouring to give to this movement an isochronism, which may render it more useful.

Dr Vincent, surgeon of the first class of the port of Brest, has written a letter to the inspector of the service of health of the marine, under date of the 18th June 1817; in which he informs him, that he has verified the experiments of Reaumur, on the reproduction of the members torn from crabs, lobsters, crawfish, &c. The joint of the member torn off at first becomes covered with a horny operculum, which at length exfoliates shoots, and the shoots, rounded and solitary, also possessing a horny exterior, incloses the new member; still membranous, artfully rolled upon itself, and deprived of solidity, it acquires this property only some time after, in unrolling and propelling the shoot, which by this mechanism is driven out by the very part to which it served as a matrix: from which we perceive, that there is a great analogy between this process of animal nature, and the shoots or buds of vegetables.

M. Levrat, a French chemist, has discovered that the seed of the yellow water flag of marshes, known to botanists by the name of Iris pseuduceros, when dried by heat and freed from the friable shell which envelopes it, produces a beverage similar to coffee, but much superior in taste and flavour.

AUSTRIA.

The number of German periodical works published at Vienna is more than a dozen. Two of them deserve to rank among the most celebrated in Germany. The first and most important of these publications is the Archiv für Geographie, Historie, Staatsund Kriegs-kunst, conducted by Baron von Hormayr, which contains not only very excellent historical essays by the best writers of the Austrian monarchy, but also many rare documents of still greater value. The Vaterländischen Blätter, edited by the well known Austrian writer, Dr Sartory, is designed to convey statistical in

formation, and diffuse useful knowledge.
It affords of course not much entertainment,
and its value is therefore not duly appre-
ciated by many. Of the periodical works
for the fashionable world, the principal is
the Weiner Moden Zeitung, und Zeits-
chrift für Kunst schöne Litteratur und
Theater. Under the first title it gives
weekly a good plate with description either
of dresses or furniture; but the most im-
portant part of the work belongs to the
other heads. The theatrical critic, Wil-
liam Hebenstreit, is one of the most dis-
tinguished connoisseurs in Germany, who
unites French severity with German gra-
It is universally acknow-
vity and science.
ledged that no native publication ever pos.
sessed his equal in this line.-Next comes
the Sammler, (the Gleaner,) a work of pure
entertainment, printed with the same ty-
pographical elegance as the preceding,
but chiefly composed of articles from the
latest Almanacs, the Morgenblatt, Erheit-
erungen, &c. This robbery-which ought
perhaps to be forgiven for the sake of the
title, is not even excused by a judicious se-
lection. The notices respecting the theatres
of Vienna and the principal provincial
theatres, are the best part of the work, and
though they do not enter so deeply into the
subject as M. Hebenstreit, they seem in
general just, impartial, and satisfactory.
The Weiner Theater-Zeitung is as far
inferior to the two preceding in intrinsic
merit as in external appearance. In low
and vulgar language it dispenses praise and
censure in a manner not at all calculated to
obtain credit, and takes pleasure in decry-
ing all that is noble and sublime in the art
which it is incapable of attaining. The
Magazin für Zietungs-Leser, (Magazine
for the Readers of Newspapers,) which
ought rather to be called the Magazine for
those who do not read Newspapers, is a
compilation from German newspapers and
journals that might well be dispensed with.
At the head of the political papers is the
Oestreichische Beobachter, perhaps the most
important German journal for the future
historian, on account of the documents con-
nected with the history of the times, which
it gives in a more complete form than any
other similar publication. Nothing can be
more tedious than the Wiener Zeitung,
which is in general so occupied with pro-
motions, honorary distinctions, and cha-
ritable contributions, that very little space
is left for political events; indeed, the con-
ductors seem to care very little whether it
circulates or not. A popular political pub-
lication, the Wanderer, seems designed to
make that part of the public for whom the
newspapers properly so called are too dry,
acquainted with the history of the times in
an entertaining manner: but besides poli-
tical transactions, it contains so many kinds
of essays, and its plan is so comprehensive,
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that it would be difficult to determine its precise limits. Many of the papers in it, however, possess great merit. Die Briefe des Eipeldauers is a satirical work written in the vulgar dialect. In addition to the above, there appear at Vienna one Greek and two Bohemian newspapers, a French and an Italian journal, a Literatur-Zeitang, Kleine Schriften historish-statistischen Inhalts, with plates and maps in monthly numbers, and Abendunterhaltungen. The number of periodical works, and the richness of those which consist of original matter, bespeak the great number of literati resident at Vienna, for it is singular enough, that the writers in the provinces contribute very little to these literary enterprises.

SAXONY.

Dr Eichhoff, of Dresden, is engaged upon a history of all the European sovereigns that have been put to death from the time of Charlemagne to Louis XVI.

Richard Roos (Engelhard) is preparing a life of Böttiger, the inventor of porcelain. Lindau has presented the visitors of Dresden with an estimable and entertaining guide through that city. Fashion has this summer introduced a new application of cork, which is now used for making ladies' hats. They differ from straw hats in this particular, that the material is put together in the manner of fish-scales.

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His first excursion was to Iceland, where, supported by the Danish government, he resided three years. The regions of Caucasus are now the object of his curiosity; patronized on this occasion also by the government, he is going to seek among the Caucasian tribes the origin of the ancient northern language and mythology. The idea of this journey seems to have been excited in M. Rask by his prize essay, not yet printed, "On the Origin of the Icelandic Language.' In this essay he has investigated the original sources, and clearly proved the great similarity of the abovementioned language to the Greek and Roman. The learned Icelander Finn Magnussen, professor at the university of Copenhagen, has expressed the same opinion in his Lectures on the mythic and ethic Poems of the ancient or Sämund Edda.

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The latest work on Icelandic literature, published at Copenhagen, is that of the meritorious professor Nyerup, author of the dictionary of the Scandinavian Mythology, (Copenhagen, 1816;) and contains the introduction to Lectures on the history of the study of the Northern Mythology.

The Royal Economical Society of Copenhagen, founded in 1768, now numbers 300 members, and its annual receipts, including the royal grants, amount to 6000 rix-dollars. Ten volumes of the Transactions of this Society have appeared, and they contain many very important papers. Other useful treatises also are published at the expence of this Society, which moreover possesses a very fine and instructive collection of models. The late Major-General Classen bequeathed to it not only his collections of minerals, models, and mathematical instruments, but also his valuable library, which was particularly rich in mathematical works, and is now open to the public. At the expence of this Society userul instruments for agriculture and other branches of in ustry are distributed, various kinds of fruit-trees out of its nurseries are sold at a low price to the peasants, and an encouragement is afforded to the formation of small libraries of books adapted to the use of the lower classes. Such collections are now to be found in many villages.

RUSSIA.

Count Nicolai Petrowitsch Rumanzow

has recently received from Canova a most beautiful colossal statue of Peace in white marble. In one hand she holds an olivebranch, and supports herself with the other against a pillar on which are these three inscriptions:-Peace of Abo, 1743

Peace of Kainardshi, 174-Peace of Fredericksham, 1809.-The first was concluded by Alexander Iwanowitsch, who was raised on the occasion to the rank of a count; the second, with the Porte, by

his son, Peter Alexandrowitsch; and the third by the present Count, who has caused this statue to be executed as a memorial of the services rendered by his ancestors to their country. Four works by the same artist, which lately adorned the palace of Malmaison, are now at the Hermitage :-a female dancer, Paris, Cupid and Psyche,

and Hebe.

The death of Otto von Richter, the traveller, a man equally distinguished for su perior qualities of the head and heart, has excited universal sympathy in the Russian metropolis. He was the eldest son of a most respectable Livonian family, whose thirst of knowledge impelled him to explore the inhospitable regions of Africa and Asia. In company with Lindman the Swede, he had traversed all Egypt and Nubia, and had discovered in the territory of Meroe very considerable remains of ancient architecture, not observed by any preceding visitor. A firman from the Grand Signior procured the travellers the requisite protection and support to enable them to penetrate to Ibrim, the capital of Nubia. Much as he was pleased with the inhabitants, who are remarkable for personal beauty, and with their way of living, he deemed it advisable to return to Cairo for fear of a civil war, which actually broke out soon after his departure. At Cairo the travellers ran the greatest risk of their lives in August 1815, from the insurrection of the Arnauts, who not only plundered all the magazines and shops in several quarters of the city for two successive days, but for eight nights running attacked the quarter of the Franks, which, however, was saved by the courageous resistance of the Europeans assembled there, From Cairo the travellers proceeded by water to Jaffa. At Acre they parted, and Richter went alone by way of Tyre and Sidon to Balbeck, the ruins of which made a deeper impression upon him than the vast masses of Luxor and Memphis. He then traversed Syria as far as the mountains of Lebanon, and even visited Tadmor in the Desert. In the wild marshy environs of the ancient Ephesus, he contracted the germs of a putrid fever, which carried him off in a few days at Smyrna.

The Emperor has granted a pension of 4000 rubles to the Chevalier Schukovsky, the favourite poet of the Russian nation, "not only," as the ukase issued on the occasion expresses it, "as a token of his favour, but also to secure to him the necessary independence." This grant was accompanied with a diamond ring from the Emperor.-Schukovsky was born in 1783, in the Government of Tula, and educated in the school belonging to the university of Moscow. His poems, which have been published in two volumes, are very highly esteemed. Many of them are

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The Society of the Friends of the National Literature," at Kasan performed a funeral service in honour of Dershawin, the poet, a native of that city, who died last year. Dershawin's Ode on God experienced an extraordinary distinction; for the Emperor of China had it translated into the Chinese language, printed on costly stuff, and hung up in his apartmentan honour which scarcely any other poet of any nation has to boast of.

Among the publications which have lately appeared at Petersburgh, are Ephemerides Russes, politiques, litteraires, historiques et necrologiques, par Spada, and Description des Objets les plus remarquables de la Ville de Petersbourg et de ses Environs, par Paul Swinin, author of Picturesque Travels in North America. The designs are neat and faithful, and the text, in Russian and French, entertaining. An English translation of Atala, by the chaplain of the English factory at Cronstadt, is just published. An Essai critique sur l'Histoire de Livonie, in 3 vols. by Count de Bray, Bavarian Ambassador to the Court of Russia, is in the press. whole edition of this performance is destined as a present to the university of Dorpat, the produce to be laid out on historical works for its library. General Jomini is engaged upon a history of the last two campaigns, for which Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly has, among others, contributed very interesting materials. As the climate of Russia does not agree with him, he has availed himself of the leave of absence granted him for two years, and returned to Switzerland.

The

The Society of Sciences at Warsaw offers a prize of 50 gold ducats for the best directions for the preservation of health. It does not want a scientific treatise, but a popular and useful book.

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EAST INDIES.

The rich, learned brahman of Calcutta, Ramohun-Roy, who is versed in the Sungskrit, Persian, and English languages, has paid a visit to the missionaries at Serampore. He has not renounced his caste, and this enables him to visit the richest families of Hindoos. Since the publication of his translation of the Vedant, several respectable inhabitants of Calcutta have declared themselves Mono-theists, and have united in a society, with a view to mutual

assistance in adopting a system of worship conformable to their faith in one eternal, unchangeable, omnipotent, and omnipresent Deity,-regarding all other gods, pretended gods, or representatives of God as blasphemers and impostors.

The following is the state of the versions of the Scriptures under the care and conduct of the missionaries in the establishment at Serampore :-

1. The whole Old and New Testaments are translated, printed, and extensively circulated, in the languages of Bengal and Orissa.

2. The New Testament is printed and circulated in five other languages-the Sungskrit, Hindee, Mahratta, Punjabee, and Chinese; in the two former, one half of the Old Testament is printed also; and in the remaining three, considerable progress is made.

3. In sixteen languages a commencement has been made in printing the New Testament. In some of them considerable progress has been made, though we are not enabled to state how far each distinct translation is advanced.

4. Preparations for translation and printing, in a greater or less degree of forwardness, are made in fourteen different languages.

5. To these may be added the seven languages in which the New Testament has been printed, or is printing at Serampore, on account of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society; which will make the whole number amount to forty-four.

Dr Marshman has also been enabled to complete the translation of the whole Bible into the Chinese language.

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EDUCATION.

The Dauphin Virgil, with Dr Carey's Clavis Metrico-Virgiliana prefixed.

A Lexicon of the Primitive Words of the Greek Language, inclusive of several leading Derivatives upon a new Plan of Arrangement. For the use of Schools. By the Rev. John Booth, Curate of Kirby Malzeard, near Ripon, Yorkshire. 8vo. 9s. Questions Resolved; containing a plain and concise Explanation of near Four Hun dred Difficult Passages of Scripture, and concise answers to important Questions in

History, Biography, and General Literature. By the Rev. G. G. Scraggs, A. M.

Institutes of Grammar as applicable to the English Language, or as introductory to the Study of other Languages, systematically arranged and briefly explained. To which are added, some Chronological Tables. By James Andrew, LL. D. 8vo.

6s. 6d.

Elements of Latin Hexameters and Pentameters. 2s.

GEOLOGY.

Transactions of the Geological Society. Vol. IV. Part II. 4to. L. 3. 3s.

HISTORY.

The History of the Ancient Noble Family of Marmyun, with their singular Office of King's Champion; collected from the Public Records. By T. C. Banks, Esq. 4to. L. 1, 15s. 8vo. 18s.

LAW.

The whole Proceedings on two Petitions in the Court of Chancery ex parte Crosby in re Crosby, and ex parte Wilkie in re Crosby, heard before the Lord Chancellor in Lincoln's Inn Hall, August 22, 1817.

1s.

A Treatise on the Game Laws, in which it is fully proved that except in particular Cases, Game is now, and has always been, by the Law of England, the property of the Occupier of the Land on which it is found and taken. With Alterations suggested for the Improvement of the System. By Edward Christian, Esq. Professor of the Laws of England, and Chief Justice of Ely. 8vo. 10s.

MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions published by the Medical and Chirurgical So

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