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precipitously to leave the bank for the want of it. Any account of the manner in which this inconvenience is remedied in other places, either by the preservation of bait, collected previously to the fishing season, or by any mode of fishing for the bait, which consists of shell-fish, on the bank itself, will be most acceptable information to the vessels employed in the pursuit.

DOCTOR Spicker of Berlin, who last year performed what our neighbours call a Voyage litteraire" to England, Scotland and Wales, has just published the first volume of his journey. We shall gladly receive an account of ourselves, after so many which we have had lately of other people; but we hope the doctor has not changed his horses too quickly-three kingdoms in three months! may spread an alarm through them all, how they are to appear in the postchaise observations of a summer philosopher.

We feel a real pleasure in recording one of those events in the history of men of genius, which is so honourable to a nation. It is a tribute now offering by the inhabitants of Cambray, and all France, to the memory of Fenelon. Fenelon lived twenty years at Cambray-It was there he composed his Telemachus; and it is there his bones rest.

The municipality of Cambray, who declare themselves to be only the interpret ers of the wishes of the inhabitants of that city, have opened a subscription to raise a monument to his virtues and his genius. The spot chosen for this monument is that where the voice of the archbishop was often heard with all its eloquence and piety, before the altar, and underneath which his remains are laid. The subscription is to close in April; and it is proposed, that the list of the subscribers shall be published, and afterwards deposited in the monument.

THE EDINBURGH HORTICULTURAL AND

BOTANICAL INSTITUTION.

The want of an extensive garden, in which the study of Botany, as applicable to the purposes of rural economy, might be prosecuted by those who cannot attend the lectures of the Professor in the University, has long been felt. But now, when vegetable physiology, and its application to horticulture, and to the treatment of woods and plantations, has rapidly advanced, it has become of importance that this society should take the lead in forming an institution, without which its efforts for improving that art, the name of which it bears, certainly cannot have their full effect. Although, therefore, the propriety of the Caledonian Horticultural Society patronizing and sharing in the proposed establishment cannot be questioned, yet it appears most advisable that, as a body, it should be connected with it, only as holding shares in an heritable property, sufficient to entitle it to have a certain proportion of the garden allotted for experiments most immediately connected with its proper objects; and leaving it in the power of the society, as well as of individual proprietors, to sell or transfer their shares at pleasure.

I.-Objects of the Institution.-1. The collection of curious and rare exotic plants, such as are not commonly met with in the greenhouses of nurserymen.

2. The collection of ornamental and rare plants, natives of Britain.

3. The collection of ornamental, rare, and useful exotic plants that have been naturalized in Britain, or which may be naturalized in this country.

Such plants to be propagated as extensively as possible, and their seeds to be preserved, for the purpose of being distributed among the subscribers, according to such rules as may be afterwards agreed upon.

4. Two acres to be set apart for the purpose of experiments in horticulture and vegetable physiology, and for attempts to naturalize exotics; to which none but subscribers (accompanied by the chief gardener) can be admitted.

5. The rest of the garden to be devoted to the culture of such new or foreign sorts of culinary vegetables, fruit, and forest trees, as may be recommended for trial; seeds, grafts, or plants of which, if found worthy of cultivation, to be distributed among the subscribers.

In this part of the garden, experiments will be made with the view of raising varieties from seed, in order to procure fruits that may be better adapted for the climate of Scotland.

II.-Property. The property of the garden to be held in shares of £20 each; and it is proposed that the society shall immediately subscribe for twenty-five shares; exclusive of the subscriptions of individual members.

The number of shares to be limited to

500; and no individual to be allowed to hold a greater number than two, on the first subscription, although, afterwards, shares may be purchased or acquired to any a

mount.

As soon as 250 shares, exclusive of those taken by the society, are subscribed for, application to be made for a royal charter; and, as soon as that is obtained, measures to be taken for the purchase of ground.

Subscribers to be furnished with tickets, which will admit them, and friends accompanying them; and with transferable tickets for the use of their families.

An interim committee to be appointed to collect subscriptions, and to prepare a set of regulations, to be submitted to a meeting to be called as soon as 250 subscriptions shall have been obtained, preparatory to the application for a charter.

As every plant in the garden, of every description, will have its name attached to it, and its time of flowering and ripening its seed or fruit in the garden, together with its various properties and qualities, carefully recorded, this establishment will form the means both of instruction and recreation, while it will largely contribute to improve. the art of horticulture in all its branches.

It is proposed to have a complete range of houses, viz, stoves, green-house, vinery,

peach-house, and a house for experiments. Also a sufficient number of hot-bed frames, and hand-glasses; together with every article necessary for carrying on the establishment in a style creditable to the capital of Scotland.

If it shall afterwards be deemed advisable to increase the number of shares, the addition will, in the first place, be put in the power of subscribers who may wish to take them.

The superfluous produce of the garden, in fruit-trees, grafts, flowers, &c. to be sold, in order to assist in defraying the annual expenses.

The garden to be within two miles of Edinburgh, or as near as possible, without the risk of being injured by smoke.

Deaths in Paris during 1817.—The following tables are so curious and so instructive, that I have copied them from the annual report published in the Journal de Pharmacie.

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Excess in 18171,581 These deaths consist of 13,555 who died in their own houses. viz.:

Males.6,599
Females-0,999 13,555

The remainder consist of 276 dead bodies deposited in the Morgue, and 7,827 who died in the hospitals, viz.

Males.3,898
Females....~3,929

acid makers, who are the manufacturers that chiefly employ platinum upon a great scale.

Ridolfi separates mechanically such foreign bodies as can be detected by the eye in crude platinum. He then washes it in dilute muriatic acid. The next step of the process is to fuse the crude metal with four times its weight of lead, and to throw the melted alloy into cold water. It is then pulverized, mixed with its own weight of sulphur, and thrown into a hessian crucible previously heated to whiteness. A cover is placed on the crucible, aud it is kept at a red heat for 10 minutes. When allowed to cool, a brilliant metallic button is found under the scoriæ, composed of platinum, lead, and sulphur. A little more lead is added, and the alloy is fused a second time. The sulphur separates with the new scoriæ, and there remains an alloy of platinum and lead. This alloy is heated to whiteness, and while in this state, hammered upon an anvil with a hot hammer. The lead is squeezed out, and the platinum remains.

Platinum obtained in this way is as malleable and ductile as the finest platinum. Its specific gravity is said to be 22-630. If so, it must be alloyed with lead; for pure platinum is not so heavy.

Perchloric Acid.-Sir Humphry Davy has verified the curious discovery made some years ago, by Count von Stadion, of a combination of chlorine and oxygen, containing more oxygen than chloric acid, and which, therefore, may be distinguished by

The number of persons who died of the the name of perchloric acid. A particular small-pox in 1817 was 486, viz.

Males

Females..............

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7,827

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The number in 1816 was

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In 1808, 1809, 1810, the annual number of suicides was from 50 to 55. This number has increased progressively since 1812.

Purification of Platinum.—The Marquis of Ridolfi has proposed a method of purifying platinum, which seems worth the attention of those who have occasion for platinum vessels for the purposes of manufacture, as it would materially diminish the price of that expensive metal. It is obvious that the platinum will not be obtained quite free from lead; but it is not probable that the small portion of that metal still left in it would render it injurious to the sulphuric

account of the experiments of Count von Stadion will be found in the Annals of Philosophy, ix. 22.

Sea Snake of America.-Extracted from a letter from T. Say, Esq. of Philadelphia, to Dr Leach:

"I have to regret that many of the scientific journals of Europe have taken serious notice of the absurd story which has originated to the eastward about the sea serpent; a story attributed here to a defective observation, connected with an extraordinary degree of fear. You have probably been informed that Capt. Rich has explained the whole business; he fitted out an expedition purposely to take this leviathan; he was successful in fastening his harpoon in what was acknowledged by all his crew to be the veritable sea serpent (and which several of them had previously seen and made oath to); but when drawn from the water, and full within the sphere of their vision, it proved to their perfect conviction, that the sea serpent which fear had loomed to the gigantic length of 100 feet, was no other than a harmless Tunny (Schomber Thynnus) nine or ten feet long. Thus natural history is probably indebted to Capt. Rich for keeping from its pages an account of a second Kraken; and a memorable instance is added to the catalogue of credulity already pregnant with warning to naturalists.”

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

LONDON.

The title of Mr Rogers' poem is Human Life-it is completely ready for publication. John Nichols, Esq. is preparing for the press, An Account of the Guildhall of the City of London, including a description of the Monuments and Pictures contained

therein.

Mr Rose's Letters from the North of Italy, will appear in the first week of February.

Views of the Architectural Antiquities of Sicily, in a Series of finished Etchings by Pinelli of Rome, with a Descriptive Account, from drawings by John Goldicutt, architect, member of the Academy of St Luke, Rome, to consist of 30 plates, folio.

A new edition of Dr King's Anecdotes of his own Times, is on the point of publication.

Mr Montgomery is preparing a new volume for the press, under the title of Greenland and other Poems.

Ίρις, ἢ τὰ νῦν Ἑλληικὰ. A Periodical Work, written in ancient or modern Greek only, and by Natives of Greece; the principal object of which is to make the Friends of the Greek Nation acquainted with the present state of Knowledge amongst them, and with their endeavours for their regeneration. The Fublication of the Work will be by Subscription. A number a Month, of Four Sheets in quarto, will be published. Three Shillings and Sixpence will be the Price of each Number. Subscribers' Names will be received by Mr MURRAY, Albemarle-street.

A work of Biblical Criticism on the Books of the Old Testament, and translations of sacred songs, with notes critical and explanatory; by Samuel Horsley, L.L. D. F.R.S. F.A.S. late Bishop of St Asaph, is in the press.

Lord John Russell has nearly completed a Biographical Account of his Illustrious Ancestor.

The First Part of Mr Crabbe's new poem, will be published in February; it is entitled, Forty Days, a Series of Tales related at Binning-Hall.

The Miss Berrys, the friends of the late Lord Orford, are preparing an Account of their Travels and Residence in Italy.

The Rev. M. D. Duffield has for some time been making collections for a History of the Town and County of Cambridge, and intends shortly to prepare them for the press,

Mr Boileau is preparing for publication, An Essay on the Nature and Genius of the German Language: also, The Art of French Conyersation, exemplified on a new plan.

The Rev. James Townley is preparing for publication, Illustrations of Biblical Literature, exhibiting the History and Fate of the Sacred Writings from the earliest time, including Biographical notices of eminent Translators of the Bible, and other Biblical scholars.

The Entomologist's Pocket Compendium: containing, an Introduction to the Knowledge of British Insects; the Apparatus used, and the best means of obtaining and preserving them; the Genera of Linnè; together with the modern Method of arranging the Classes Crustacea, Myriapoda, Spiders, Mites, and Insects, according to their Affinities and Structure, after the System of Dr Leach. Also, an Explanation of the Terms used in Entomology: a Kalendar of the Time and Situation where usually found, of nearly 3000 Species; and Instructions for collecting and fitting up Objects for the Microscope. Illustrated with Twelve Plates; by George Samouelle, Associate of the Linnean Society of London.

Early in the Spring, Miss Smith will publish her work on the Costumes of various Nations.

C. F. Wieles, Esq. has in the press Lamioli, a novel, in three volumes. A New Monthly Dramatic Journal called the Inspector, will appear in a few days.

Mr Rennel, Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge, and Vicar of Kensington, has in the press, Remarks on Scepticism, especially as it is connected with the Subject of Organization and Life, being an answer to some recent works both of French and English Physiologists.

A volume of Familiar Dissertations on Theological and Moral Subjects; by the Rev. Dr William Barrow, Prebendary of Southwell, will shortly be published.

Mr Hazlitt's Lectures on the Comic Genius and Writers of Great Britain, now delivering at the Surrey Institution, will be published in a few days.

The Poetical Remains, accompanied by Memoirs, of the late John Leyden, M.D. author of Historical Account of Discoveries in Africa," will appear this month.

The continuation of Sir Richard Hoare's History of Ancient Wiltshire will be pub. lished in the spring; the plates will be very numerous, and their execution surpasses those already given.

Dr Edward Percival is preparing for publication a series of Practical Observations on the Pathology, Treatment, and preven tion of Typhus Fever.

The Rev. P. Bliss will complete the old work of the Athena Oxonienses, by the publication of a fourth volume, which is very nearly ready; he will then proceed upon the continuation.

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The first number of a General History of the County of York, by Thomas Durham Whittaker, L.L. D. F.S. A. illustrated by engravings, from drawings by J. M. W. Turner, Esq. R.A., and M. Buckler, will appear in a few days.

The fourth volume is nearly ready for publication of the Personal Narratives of M. D. Humboldt's Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent, during the years 1799 and 1804: translated by Miss Williams, at Paris.

A new novel, by the author of the Physiognomist and the Bachelor and Married Man, will appear shortly, entitled, "Hesitation, or To Marry or not to Marry." A novel will appear in a few days, entitled, Mondouro; by a lady of high rank. The Authoress, a tale, by the author of "Rachel," will be published this month.

A novel will appear in a few days, entitled Oakwood Hall, by Miss Hutton, of Birmingham, authoress of the Miser Married," &c.

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A new novel is preparing for the press by the author of "Correction."

Another novel is announced, called, the Intriguing Beauty, and the Beauty without Intrigue.

An interesting work is preparing for the press, and in great forwardness, entitled, a Biographical Dictionary of the Worthies of Ireland; to comprise succinct and impartial sketches of the lives and characters of eminent natives of Ireland, of every rank and station, at any time celebrated, in their own or other countries, for their genius, ta lents, or public virtues, in the various departments of arms, politics, literature, sciences, and arts.

Mr Martin of Liverpool has in the press, a Discourse, read in the Literary and Philosophical Society of that town, entitled, ZHTHMATA AIANOHTIKA, or a View of the Intellectual Powers of Man, with observations on their cultivation.

Shakh Mansur will soon publish, in octavo, a History of Seyd Said, Sultan of Muscat, with an account of the countries and people on the shores of the Persian gulf, particularly of the Wahabees.

Mr Teissier has in the press, a Narrative of the Operations of the Royalist Armies in the Interior of France, in 1815; translated from the Panache d'Henri IV. ou les Phalanges Royales," a work prohibited by the French police.

The following will appear this winter :→→→ The Black Robber, a romance, 3 vol.Emily, or the Wife's First Error, by Eliza beth Bennett, 4 vol.-The Express, a novel, by Frances D'Aubigne, 3 vol.

A new Part of Lackington & Co.'s Catalogue will be published in a few days, containing a very large collection of Grammars, Dictionaries, and Lexicons-Critical and Bibliographical works-Greek and Latin Classics their Translations and Books in the French, Italian, Spanish, and other Foreign Languages.

Mr Wilkinson, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is about to publish a work on the Locked Jaw and Tetanus in Horses, and likewise on the epidemical disease or catarrhal affection that sometimes prevails amongst those animals.

The Annals of Coinage of the United Kingdom, from the earliest record to the present time, by the Rev. Roger Ruding, has been delayed, in consequence of the accession of much additional and valuable information: it will however be published in the month of February, and be comprised in five octavo volumes, and a quarto of plates, bringing the engraved series down to the recent issue of sovereigns and crown pieces.

EDINBURGH.

We have much pleasure in announcing to our readers, that on the first of April will appear, the first number of The Edinburgh Philosophical Journal; or, Quarterly Register of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Natural History, Practical Mechanics, and the Fine and Useful Arts.

The Life of the late Right Honourable John Philpot Curran, Master of the Rolls in Ireland; by his son, William Henry Curran, Esq. Barrister-at-law, 2 vols 8vo. with Portraits and Fac-similes.

An Account of the Arctic Regions, including the Natural History of Spitzbergen and the adjacent Islands; the Polar Ice; and the Greenland Seas; with a History and Description of the Northern Whale Fisheries, illustrated with many Anecdotes of the Dangers of that Occupation. Chiefly derived from Researches made during Seventeen Voyages to the Polar Seas; by William Scoresby, jun. Member of the Wernerian Society, 2 vols 8vo, with numerous Engravings.

Speedily will be published, First Latin Lessons, selected from the Classics, (with the authorities subjoined,) arranged under the respective rules of Syntax, beginning with exercises on the first declension, and advanced by gentle gradations; to which will be added, English Exercises under each rule, with notes, and a complete vocabulary; by Thomas Macgowan, one of the masters of the academy, 25, Sect Street, Liverpool, 18mo.

Illustrations of the Power of Compression and Percussion in the Cure of Rheumatism, Gout, and Debility of the Extremities; and in Promoting General Health and Longevity; by William Balfour, M.D. author of a Treatise on Emetic Tartar, &c.

Illustrations of the Power of Emetic Tartar in the Cure of Fever, Inflammation, and Asthma; and in Preventing Phthisis and Apoplexy; by William Balfour, M.D. author of a Treatise on Rheumatism, &e.

The Autumnal Excursion, or Sketches in Tiviotdale, with other Poems; by Thomas Pringle.

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MONTHLY LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

LONDON.

BIOGRAPHY.

Queen, the Life of Her Most Excellent Majesty; by Dr Watkins, Part I. 8vo. 6s. Memoirs of John Evelyn, Esq. author of the Sylva, &c.; second edition, 2 vols 4to. £5 15: 6.

CLASSICS.

Sophoclis quæ exstant omnia, cum Veterum Grammaticorum Scholiis, Superstites Tragoedias VII. ad optimorum exemplarium fidem recensuit, Versione et Notis illustravit, Deperditarum Fragmenta, collegit R. F. B. Brunck. Accedunt Excerpta ex Varietate Lectionum, quam continet Editio C. G. A. Erfurdt, Demetrii Triclinii Scholia Metrica, & Notæ inedita C. Burneii, 3 vols 8vo. 1, 16s.

HISTORY.

Hora Britannica; or Studies in Ancient British History; by John Hughes, 2 vols Svo. 18s.

The second volume comprises the History of the British Churches.

An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul, and its Dependencies in Persia, Tartary, and India; comprising a View of the Afghaun Nation, and a History of the Dooraunee Monarchy; by the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone, 2 vols 8vo. £2, 2s.

Burnett's History of his Own Times; a new edition; 4 vols 8vo. £2, 2s.

A Genealogical History of the English Sovereigns, from William I. to George III. by W. Toplis, 4to. 16s.

Historical, Military, and Picturesque Observations on Portugal; illustrated by numerous Views, and Plans of Sieges and Battles fought during the War in the Peninsula, 2 vols, imperial 4to. £15, 15s.

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A Grammar of the English Language; by W. Cobbett, 12mo. 2s. 6d.

Letters on the Importance, Duty, and Advantages of Early Rising; addressed to Heads of Families, the Man of Business, the Lover of Nature, the Student, and the Christian; foolscap 8vo.

6s.

The Life and Adventures of Antar, a celebrated Bedoueen Chief, Warrior, and Poet, who flourished a few Years prior to the Mahommedan Era. Now first translated from the original Arabic, by Terrick Hamilton, Esq. Oriental Secretary to the British Embassy to Constantinople, 8vo. 9s. 6d.

Hakewill's Views in Italy, illustrative of Addison, Eustace, Forsyth, &c. the Fourth Number: containing 1. Cascade of Terni. -2. Tomb of Cecilia Metella.-3. Arch of Trajan, at Ancona-4. Stanza degli Animali.-5. Galleria delle Mescellanee. Imperial 4to, Proofs India £1, 10s, Proofs 18s, royal 4to, Prints 12s. 6d.

Memoirs of the First Thirty.two Years of the Life of James Hardy Vaux, now transported, for the second Time, and for Life, to New South Wales; written by Himself; 2 vols 12mo. 12s.

The Journal of Science and the Arts, edited at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. No XII. With Three Large Plates of the Ægina Marbles, drawn and engraved by C. R. Cockerell, Esq. 7s. 6d.

Annals of Philosophy; or, Magazine of Chemistry, Mineralogy, Mechanics, Natural History, Agriculture, and the Arts; by Thomas Thomson, M.D. F.R.S.L. & E. Regius Professor of Chemistry, Glasgow. No LXXIII. 2s. 6d.

The New Cyclopedia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature; by Abraham Rees, D.D. F.R.S. &c. Vol. 49. Part 1.

Nautical Almanack for the year 1819.

The Fourth Part of the Encyclopedia Metropolitana: or Universal Dictionary of Knowledge; on an original plan. £1, 1s.

The Progress of Human Life, or Shak speare's Seven Ages of Man; illustrated by Extracts in Prose and Poetry, for schools and families; by John Evans, A.M. 6s.

The Literary Gazette, or Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Politics, &c. for the year 1818, 4to. £272s.

Regales Ceremoniæ; or an Account of the Ceremonies observed at the Interment of Queen Caroline and King George IL with an Account of the Processions at the Accession, Marriage, and Coronation of their Majesties George the Third and Queen Charlotte, 8vo. 6s.

Four numbers have appeared of a new cheap periodical work, entitled the British Magazine; chiefly devoted to the interests of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline the Society for the Promo

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