1818.] ITALY. Persecution in China.-Locusts. Lord BYRON'S Manfred and the Lament of Tasso have lately been translated into Italian; bu nei her of these pieces has been reli hed by the Italians, which has induced M. CALLEONI to recompose the last mentioned work in the Italian style. This attempt has just made its appearance at Milan. Letters from Naples state that they have had an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which caused some alarm, but it was of no long continuance. The thermometer in the shade was at 88, which, after what we have experienced this summer in England, we should not consider as extraordinary; but it is mentioned as being unu ually high. A letter from Florence, of the 15th Julv, mentions, that in return for casts of the Elgin marbles, presented by the Prince Regent, casts of several of the finest statues of the celebrated Gallery of that place, including the group of Niobe and her children, are to be modelled and sent as an acknowledgment to our liberal Prince. Lord Burghersh has done himself honour by conducting this interchange, so valuable to the arts both of England and Italy. AFRICA. A plan is now in agitation for establishing a colony at the back of the Cape of Good Hope, and for civilizing the native Hottentots, in a similar way with that which has been so successfully carried into effect by the Moravian missionaries. A discovery was recently made in the environs of the Cape, which must be interesting to the historian. Whilst digging a cave, the workmen found the hull of a vessel, constructed of cedar, which is said to be the remains of a Phoenician galley. If this conjecture be just, there is no longer room to doubt that the bold adventurers of Tyre had reached the south point of Africa. CHINA. News from Pekin, of the 7th of November, 1817, announce that the missions to China had been recently exposed to a furious persecution. About 400 Christians of the capital had been arrested and tortured in a cruel manner; many had not been able to support the persecution, and abandoned the faith. The richest Christian in the city, and even in the province, had courageously 173 renounced his property and his family, and had delivered himself up as a slave to a Mahometan, rather than renounce his religion. The persecution seems to have ceased all ou a sudden, and the persecutors to have rcturued to milder sentiments. This trial has only served to fortify the faith of the believers. NORTH AMERICA. Swarms of locusts have recently appeared in Massachusetts, extending upon the right bank of Connecticut river twenty or thirty miles south of Northampton. Is is impossible to measure the extent of the injury they are doing to the timber. Many trees are now apparently dead. The female locusts are armed with a sting of nearly the third of an inch in length, and of the stiffness and point of a wire sharpened. They attach themselves to the under side of the small limbs, and commence the process of stinging, Their progress is to the extremity of the limb, which is as distinctly marked as it could be by obliquely puno turing the limb with an awl, and so raising the same at each puncture as to crack the bark in a regularly continued, and, unless impeded by some obstruction, in nearly a right line. There are about three incisions to an inch, each penetrating to the heart of the limb, which is filled with small worms or eggs, of the colour or appearance of very small kernels of rice, but distinctly visible to the naked eye. We are not able to state farther particulars in relation to these ruinous insects, nor when or where they first appeared, nor precisely how far they have extended themselves their progress is marked as the progress of fire. but It is stated in an American paper, that a ship of about 375 tons was ready to be launched from one of their ship yards, and which is actually to be fitted up with a steam-engine and apparatus, as a steampacket for crossing the Atlantic. A periodical journal, call The Black Minerva, has been commenced at Cape Français, in St. Domingo, under the sanction of Christophe. The first num ber says, that "Hayti is truly free, because the people wish every thing that the Emperor wills, and he desires nothing but what is for their good." This would reconcile one to despotism if the rule were tenable. [ 174 ] LITERARY REPORT. A new translation of the Four Gospels into Weich, by Dr. JONES, is in the press, and shortly will be published. Dr. JAMES JOHNSON, author of the Influence of Tropical Climates on European Constitutions, &c. will publish, in the course of the present month, a small volume, entitled, The Influence of Civic Life, sedentary habits, and intellectual refinement on human health and human happiness; including an estimate of the balance of enjoyment and suffering in the various gradations of society." We understand that a small work on the Gout, from the pen of Doctor JAMES JOHNSON, author of the "Influence of Tropical Climates on European Constitutions," is in the press, and purposes to contain a condensed and popular view of all that is now known on the Nature, Cure, and Prevention of this formidable Disease, as collected from the sentiments of the best writers on the subject, both British and Continental, interwoven with practical Observations, and Strictures on certain fashionable remedies. Mr. CHAMBERS, author of a History of Malvern, is engaged on a History of Worcester which is now in the press. It will contain matter abridged from the histories of Dr. Nash and Mr. Green, with the addition of much original information, and a copious index. In the course of September will be published the Fables of Asop and others, with designs on wood, by THOMAS BEWICK (dedicated to the youth of the British Isles). In a few days will be published in 8vo. An Inquiry into the influence of situations on Pulmonary Consumption, and on the duration of Life. Illustrated by Statistical Reports. By JOHN G. MANSFORD. The tenth number of the Annals of the Fine Arts will be published on the 1st of September. The Rev. THOMAS SMITH, of St. John's College, Cambridge, and Master of Gordon House Academy, Kentish Town, is preparing for publication, More Work for Doctor Hawker, in a reply to his misrepresentations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. JOHN PAPWORTH, esq author of an Essay on the Dry-rot, &c. is about to publish a work, entitled, ROYAL RESIDENCES, CONsisting of a series of designs in twenty-seven coloured Engravings for Cottages, decorated Cottages, small Villas, and other ornamental Buildings, accompanied by hints on situation, construction, arrangement, &c. with some observations on Landscape Gardening. Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL, of his Majesty's Office of Works, has in the press a Tour through Sicily in the year 1815. Tour was performed in company with Fre This [Sept. 1, deric Wilhelm Fromm, one of the Judges in the Duchy of Mecklenburgh; August Wilhelm Forster, Doctor of Laws, of Berlin; and August Wilhelm Kephalides, Doctor of Philosophy, and a Professor in the University of Breslau, Silesia: German gentlemen, possessing considera' le literary attainments, with whom the author became acquainted during the preceding winter. Mr. JAMES, French Teacher, of Derby, has in the press, and intends publishing by subscription, a Diagram of the French Language, to be printed in the form of a Map, so as to hang up for occasional reference in schools or families where French is taught. It will contain an improved arrangement of the Verbs, with original remarks and suggestions, calculated to be highly useful in facilitating the acquirement of that Language. Dr. SPIKER, one of the Librarians of his Majesty the King of Prussia, who recently visited this country for literary and scientific objects, has published in German, the first volume of his Tour through England, Wales and Scotland. The work will extend to three volumes, a translation of which will be published in London, under the autho rity, and with some additional remarks by the author. Memoirs, biographical, critical and lite rary, of the most Eminent Physicians and Surgeons of the present time in the United Kingdom, with a choice collection of their Prescriptions, and a specification of the Diseases for which they were given, forming a complete modern extemporaneous Phar macopoeia, to which is added an Appendix, containing an account of the different Medical Institutions in the Metropolis, scientific and charitable. Messrs. Longman and Co. have lately received from America, an interesting MS. containing a narrative of the wreck of the ship Oswego, on the coast of South Barbary, and of the sufferings of the master and the crew, while in bondage among the Arabs, interspersed with numerous remarks upon the country and its inhabitants, and concerning the peculiar perils of that coast.— By JUDAH PADDOCK, her late master. The work is now in the press, and will be pub lished in the course of the present month. In a few days will be published, a Translation of M. P. ORFILLAS Directions for the Treatment of Persons who have taken Poison, and those in a state of suspended animation; together with the means of de tecting poisons and adulterations in wine, also of distinguishing real from apparent death. The Rev. W. GILLY has nearly ready for publication, The Spirit of the Gospels, or the Four Evangelists elucidated by Explanatory Observations, Historical References, &c. 1818.] Medical Report. Mr. THOMAS HEMING, of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, will speedily publish a Complete Survey of Scripture Geography: containing an historical account of Primitive Nations, and of all Countries and People mentioned in Sacred History. To which is prefixed an Introductory Essay concerning the origin, occasion, character, and meaning of each book or writing in the Holy Bible; wherein also the most difficult subjects of the Mosaic history are clearly and fully confirmed by physical reasons and proofs, deduced from the present improved state of science: with a list of texts, versions, paraphrases, and targums, in all languages into which the Holy Writings have been translated or converted. Mr. J. WILLIAMS is preparing for publication, Class Readings in Universal History. Mr. CLAUDIUS JAMES RICH is preparing a second Memoir of Babylon, containing an Enquiry into the correspondence between the ancient descriptions of Babylon, and the remains still visible on the site suggested by the remarks of Major Rennel, published in the Archæologia. Doctor THOMAS BATEMAN will shortly publish a Succinct Account of the Contagious Fevers of this Country, as exemplified in the Epidemic now prevailing in London, with the appropriate method of Treatment as practised in the House of Recovery. To which are added Observations on the Nature and Properties of Contagion, ter ding to correct the popular notions on this subject, and pointing out the means of prevention. Mr. BIGLAND has in the press, Letters on French History, for the use of Schools. In the course of the present month will be published, Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay, 4to. with numerous Engravings. The Rev. FRED. NOLAN, author of an "Inquiry into the Integrity of the Greek Vulgate," &c. has in the press, a Grammatical Analysis (on a plan perfectly simple and entirely new) of the French, Italian 175 Spanish, German, the Ancient and Modern Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Syriac Languages, with a Classed Vocabulary; wheres by those Lar guages may be respectively ac quired with facility. The Mode a Greek the Ionian Republic, and Fubl: Lecturer will be furnished by Mr. Calbo, a native of handsomely printed in one volume, 12mo. on Greek Literature. This work will be and be so constructed as to form a Grammatical Apparatus to Mr. Bagster's Polyglott Bible now in course of publication. the remaining portion of his Colored FiDAWSON TURNER, esq. will soon publish gures and Descriptions of the Plants referred by Botanists to the genus of Fucus. work on Original Sin, Freewili, Grace, Re- publish a General View of the Structure, Algebra, is printing a Treatise on the Latin wardness a Sequel to Mrs. Trimmer's In- Irn, has in the press, a Digest of the Law of Mr. SOANE is translating from the Ger- In a few days will be published, The Elements of Conchology according to the Lindrawn from nature, by the Rev. E. J. næan System; ustrated by 28 Plates Geo. Soc. BURROW, A. J 1. F. R. S. F. L. S. Mem. MEDICAL REPORT. OBSERVATIONS ON THE PREVALENT DISEASES OF THE SEASON. By JAMES JOHNSON, Surgeon to his R. H. the Duke of Clarence. Author of the Influence of Tropical Climates on European Constitution" and of the “ Influence of the British Atmosphere on the Health and Functions of the Human Trame.” The races of men in the various cli- cause, and treatment, of the prevalent mates of the globe we inhabit, are not epidemic oft he day. more different than the characters of those diseases with which they are casually, or periodically afflicted. In each climate, too, we observe a particular class of disorders attend each season of the year; and as the seasons vary, so do their correspondent maladies, so that the medical practitioner must be constantly on the alert, to discover the nature, For some weeks past the temperature. that of a tropical climate, and the conseof our atmosphere has verged close to quence is, that the binary system has been inordinately excited by the stimu lus of heat acting on the surface of the body, and sympathetically on the liver. that a high range of temperature, as in It is ascertained, beyond a question, 170 Agricultural Report. the East or West Indies, Mediterranean, &c. increases the secretion of bile, and, what is of greater consequence, renders it of a more irritating quality, than when in a moderate quantity. The bile thus poured into the intestines, keeps up an iritation there- more blood is directed to the digestive organs-other secretions are poured forth in greater abundance on their internal surface, and bowet complaints are the natural result. Now a most erroneous mode of treatment obtains very generally in this country, on the present point. The increased quantity of bile, and the griping in the bowels lead those, who look no further than the surface of things, to give purgative medicines as the principal remedy, with a view of carrying off this redundancy of bile. But it is an undoubted fact that almost all purgative medicines increase the secretion of bile, and therefore they are by no means properly indicated in this disease. The best method is to exhibit such remedies as lessen the irritability of the intestinal canal, and also lessen the secretion of bile. The following medicine will very effectually check the griping and purging attending this complaint:--Chalk mixture four ounces, tincture of opium sixty minims, aromatic confection two drachms; two table spoonfuls to be taken after each liquid stool. Where there is no fever or fixed pain, the above will generally remove the complaint in a day or two. Should the bowels become all at once confined, a dose of castor oil or senna may be taken. The patient should keep quiet, avoid the night air, and abstain from fruit. By this simple mode of treatment, a complaint which is often kept up for weeks by purgatives, or by alternate purgatives and opiates, may in general be removed in one, two, or three days. [Sept. 1, When the disease assumes a dysenteric form, evinced by blood in the stools, some fever, and much pain in the lower belly, it will be necessary to modify the treatment. The patient should be bledtake a dose of castor oil and, after its operation, take three grains of calomel, two of antimonial powder, and half a grain of opium every six hours, till a brassy taste is perceived in the mouth, when the complaint will, in general, subside. A dose of castor oil may be taken every day during the administration of this medicine. Cholera Morbus is a disease of this season, but particularly in September and October, when the evenings get cool after great heat in the day, and when the dews become copious. In tropical climates, more especially in the East Indies, this disease is often so fatal as to carry off the patient in a few hours, and is there called the "mort de clien." It is a dangerous disease in all climates, and its true nature, I fear, is much misunderstood. It is generally attributed to a superabundant secretion of bile; but, from many observations in hot climates, I am disposed to attribute it to checked perspirotion, or drinking cold liquids while warm or after the body is heated. It requires the most prompt and judicious treatment; otherwise the powers of life are soon exhausted, and death ensues. Large doses of opium and calomelthe warm bath-laudanum by injection, in large quantities, arenecessary; and if any internal organ is in danger of being overpowered with blood, a vein ought to be opened. The practice of giving warm water to dilute the bile, is far from being judicious, as it increases the vomiting, and irritability of the stomach and bowels. JAMES JOHNSON. No. 1, Albany Court-Yard, Aug. 1818. AGRICULTURAL REPORT. THE continuance of the dry warm weather through the last month, with the early state the harvest was in, has enabled the Farmer to secure one of the most productive Wheat crops we have had for many years; the quantity is not only greatly abundant, but the quality is superlatively fine. The Straw is not long generally, but strong and clean; and will for all its uses be more serviceable than the produce of a larger crop. Barley in the Southern Counties very short, and on some breadths very thin, but in the North a very fine and full crop. Oats short on the straw, but greatly productive, and of the finest quality.Beans and Peas remarkably short on the halm, and upon the whole a very poor crop; but the Northern Counties will be much more productive in the whole of the leguminous species than the South, having received more moisture through the summer. from the very same cause are the finest crop in the North, but are very rough on the coat from being randed. Turnips considering the dryness of the season are a very large crop, and on some soils will be extremely productive. Apples a very large crop. Hops very fine. Summer fallows more forward in culture than for many years past. Hay and Latermath Grass extremely short, and the pastures shorn to the bare roots, Potatoes 1818.] Commercial Report. Average Prices of Corn, 177 By the Quarter of Eight Winchester Bushels, from Returns in the Week ending Aug. 16. FOR some months past the revenue of the Country has had indeed a gradually increasing consumption of all those commodities, both domestic and foreign, that constitute the materials of Commerce; and the manifest activity that pervades the manufacturing districts, and all the Sea Ports of Great Britain, strongly indicate that expansion of commercial intercourse, alike calculated to advance the interests of the parties engaged in it, as well as to promote the happiness, and encrease the comforts of Society, in every part of the world. The most prominent and important feature of our foreign Commerce, is the rapidly increasing supply of Grain; the importation of which, in the year 1816, amounted only to about 310,000 quarters; and 26,000 cwt. of Flour extended in 1817 to about 1,500,000 quarters; and 1,125,000 cwt. of Flour, which considerable foreign supply is still exceeded in the first seven months of the present year, producing an aggregate value of about 12,000,0001. since the 1st of January, 1817. Our Colonial possessions, both in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, continue to supply us with about their usual quantities of produce; Cotton and Rice from the East being more extensive, and the latter article commanding a high price, say from 26s. to 32s. p. cwt.; all other articles, with the exception of Coffee, have maintained that equilibrium value for several months past, best calculated to promote consumption; whilst Coffee, from its increasing consumption and diminished supply of the old stock, is commanding a price more than double since this period of the year 1816; since when it has been gradually and progressively advancing;-good middling descriptions now commanding from 155s. to 165s. p. cwt.; and fine qualities up to 91. p. cwt. The great staple productions of Russia continue to command unusually high prices. Tallows, from 751. to 761.; Hemp, 451. to 461.; Flax, from 671. to 80l. p. ton. The produce of the Oil Fisheries is also obtaining very liberal prices, and also nearly all the minor articles of foreign production. Cotton Wool likewise continues to maintain the high price of last year, notwithstanding the progressively increasing supply. Foreign Sheeps' Wool, as well as that of our own NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 56. VOL. X. -2 A |