Circe frigate. About 11, a gun-brig stood in towards the shore, and received some shots from a battery, several of which passed over her. Some shells also were discharged, but they all burst in the air. About 12, we cast anchor. We could see no signs of any steps being taken to land the sixth brigade; orders were, however, given to dine at one, lest we should still land. We spent a long, listless, and dreary afternoon. Every thing had been packed up, and our usual occupations laid aside. Our minds had been bent for entering immediately into action, and the whole day had passed as inactively as if we had been lying off a friendly coast. We lay stretched upon the deck in perfect apathy.

The morning of the 1st of August broke beautifully wind and tide were in our favour and yet there was not the smallest preparation for landing. We had now been three days in full view of the enemy's coast, and apparently no nearer our object than the moment we sailed from England. The contrast between this morning and that of the preceding day was very striking. The former was all bustle and activity-every man in busy preparation-officers and men adjusting their accoutrements with a degree of care almost approaching to coxcombry-all eager for the fight. The latter was dull and inactive—all of us as devoid of interest in what might be going on as if we but watched for a breeze to carry us back to Deal.

We now learned the reason of all this delay. The Marquis of Huntly had addressed a requisition to the commanders of the men-of-war for a sufficient number of boats to land at one time 2000 men. He was told that they could only give boats for 600. The Marquis refused to land his men in such numbers as must have rendered them inevitably a sacrifice to the enemy. This want of concert and right understanding between the commanders of the land and sea forces, was the first symptom of that wretched want of due organization in the expedition, which must have rendered fruitless a more rational undertaking.

About 11 A. M., we were roused from our apathy by the sound of firing, which was heard very distinctly, and which seemed to come from the direction in which we knew Flushing to be situated. It gradually became louder and more frequent, leading us to infer that some part of our troops had invested Flushing. About half past three, a dense black smoke was observed to arise in the same direction. At six in the evening, a burst of flame was discovered, which continued visible for nearly half an hour. These indications that our companions were engaged, while we fretted in inactivity like hounds in the leash, occupied a good deal of our attention during the day; not so much, however, as to prevent our observing that the battery which on the day appointed for our landing was mounted with only two guns, had now double the number; and that small parties of the enemy showed themselves at different points of the coast. The general in command of our brigade, informed our colonel, that he believed the intention to land where we now lay had been abandoned. We continued, however, at anchor till the morning of the 4th.

I was that day roused from my hard couch by the report of several guns. On looking out, I saw the sun rising with a splendour that gave a charm even to the sterile coast before me. A frigate and gun-brig were approaching the shore, upon the wonted duties of reconnoitring and sounding, and the guns I had heard were discharged at them from the batteries. At 9 A. M., we weighed anchor, and crept along at some distance from the shore, in the wake of Commodore Owen. The gun-brigs, which from time to time stood in for the purpose of sounding, were repeatedly fired at by the batteries as we sailed along. We came again to an anchor off Catsand, about five or six miles from Flushing. The roar of artillery came loud and frequent from that quarter. We could even see a frigate and gun-brig very near

the batteries before the town, keeping up a smart fire. We continued gazing at this interesting spectacle till about seven, when the increasing haziness of the weather, and finally a torrent of rain, effectually shut it out from our view. Shortly before we turned in, an extensive flame was discovered apparently in the neighbourhood of Flushing. It burst forth suddenly, as if produced by the explosion of some combustible matter. We retired to rest, hoping that this event, the precise nature of which we knew not, might be such as to facilitate the reduction of Flushing.

On the morning of the 5th, we again got under weigh. A great quantity of smoke continued to rise from the spot whence we judged the flame of last night to proceed. We were under the necessity of tacking repeatedly in the narrow channel off Catsand, and made but little way. At last, the wind continuing to increase, and the frigate observing that our transport, in common with many others, was unable to make head against it, gave the signal to come to anchor, which we did, not far from the place whence we sailed in the morning. Just before this, we bad nearly run foul of one of the transports. To add to our annoyances, our store of fresh provisions was nearly exhausted, and we had every prospect of being confined to G. R., or King's Own-which seemed to us a most inadequate representative of royalty. We were, however, spared this addition to our miseries. A deputation from our mess, having waited upon the captain to bargain for the purchase of a sheep, his private property, was most graciously received, and the treaty ratified. At the moment when our ambassadors returned, most of us were journalising, and it was agreed to enter the event upon record, as the most important which had occurred during our voyage.

The trials of the day were, however, not yet at an end. The wind continued to increase, and the skies to assume a lowering aspect. The rain fell in torrents, without abating the force of the gale. For the first time in my life I witnessed a storm at sea. The ship lay among sand-banks, off an enemy's coast, and one with which the whole crew seemed unacquainted; the waves tossing in wild commotion, and every cloud which the fierce wind drove heavily across the sky, looking as if charged with a second deluge. The decks, usually so crowded, were deserted by all but the captain and seamen. The waves, breaking over our bows, fell upon deck like the fall of a cataract. A vessel near us parted with two anchors— we had given her up for lost, but fortunately she had another on board.

Amid all the terrors of the scene, there was something ludicrous in our situation in the cabin. The wind blew right ahead, and the vessel, instead of pitching, kept rolling most abominably. Sea-sickness, the seldom-failing companion of landsmen on such occasions, visited most of my messmates. Every motion of the vessel brought another crash, and the human contents of the cabin were rolled to and fro among the portmanteaus and chairs, without any ceremony. Those who slept on the floor were puzzled to find where they had shifted to. the misfortune to be near a cupboard, where some pease had been carelessly stowed away. On the occasion of one most tremendous jolt, they escaped from their confinement, and rolling round where I lay, a large detachment insinuated themselves under my cot, and till daybreak I kept driving about with every lurch of the ship, like a chair upon castors.

I had

Towards four in the morning, the storm began to abate, and by ten all was again tranquil. A great many of the vessels around us had hoisted signals of distress, the Argus, our head-quarter ship, among the rest. When the rest of the fleet were getting under weigh, she made no preparations to depart. During the night she had lost two cables, and just as she had parted with the last, was run foul of by another ship, during a heavy sea. We were hailed by a transport, and learned that the whole of

gory, of the proceedings of the University Commission in 1690, relative to the learned David Gregorie, the friend of Newton and colleague of Halley, who was at that time Professor of Mathematics in Edinburgh.

This Commission was appointed soon after the Revolutiou to visit the universities, not to determine the relative merits of the professors as men of science and learning, nor with any view to the real interests of these seminaries, but to ascertain the fitness of certain individuals to hold their offices from their political creeds, from the church they attended, or from their readiness to take certain tests proposed by the commissioners, and authorized by Parliament. The proceedings of the commission, at least of the more violent party in it, which consisted chiefly of Presbyterian divines, headed by the Rev. David Williamson, showed that regard for civil and religious liberty which might have been expected from the avowed objects of the visitation. Many of the professors were arraigned upon charges which could never have been credited for an instant, except at a time of great political excitement; and, to crown all, the Commission requested informers to come forward against the obnoxious individuals, who were thus required to plead to anonymous charges. Several of the professors were expelled; but the subject of this notice was more fortunate. He was not, indeed, spared the annoyance of grossly scandalous and calumnious, even puerile, charges, tending to ruin his character in every point-charges which he refuted in so triumphant a manner, as (in his own words) to put "the very ministers out of countenance;" but his character stood so high as a teacher of mathematical science, and as the first public teacher who had introduced the Newtonian philosophy into the schools, that the Town Council, although sufficiently well inclined to do so, durst not press his deprivation. For the short time which he remained in Edinburgh after this period, he was continually harassed and importuned to take the oaths, which he as constantly and steadily refused to do. Hearing, in 1691, of a vacancy at Oxford, he declared himself a candidate, and was, almost without opposition, elected Savilian Professor of Astronomy there, in place of Dr Bernard. The Town Council of Edinburgh, and the reverend divines in the Commission, may share the merit of depriving our University of one of its brightest ornaments. Several extracts from a journal kept by this gentleman during the period abovementioned were also read, from which we select the following anecdotes:

"It was," says Gregorie, "hotly disputed in the Commission, whether tendency to Cartesianism be such an error as to infer deprivation against the suspected person;* and only by one vote, Sir W. Hamilton's, was it decided that it is not.

"One day, while the examination of witnesses against some of the professors was proceeding before the Commission, the divines were turning over the different classbooks, and according to Mr Gregorie, they complained horribly on [against] buying the Tacitus and Livy of the Delphin classics; but when they came to Calderwood's History of the Church of Scotland, they said, that indeed was a book for a bibliotheque, and preferred it to the other two." We would prolong our extracts from this interesting paper, did our space permit; but we hope that Mr Gre gory will allow it to be printed in the Transactions of the Society.

A paper announced for this evening, by Mr D. Laing, on the state of the Fine Arts in Scotland during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, was necessarily deferred to the next meeting, and we have no doubt that it will prove highly interesting.

ANDERSONIAN UNIVERSITY, GLASGOW.

THE fifth soirée of this Institution, during the present season, was held on Monday, when Dr Scouler read a sketch of the progress of Natural History during the last year. He commenced by stating, that from the increasing number of cultivators of the natural sciences, the accumulation of new facts was advancing in a corresponding ratio, and that it was therefore necessary to restrict the attention of the meeting to a few of the more important discoveries. In the department of geology, he gave an account of the interesting views of M. Elie de Beaumont, on the relative ages of mountains. As all the strata which contain animal or vegetable remains, must have been deposited originally in This was Mr Cunningham, Professor of Logic.

horizontal layers, and as many of them are now found to rest in very highly inclined planes, it is obvious that they must have been elevated at a later period than that of their deposit. Had it been otherwise, organic remains would now be found in greatest abundance at the least inclined part, or, in other words, at the base of the mountains. Reflecting on this circumstance, it occurred to M. Elie de Beaumont, that a careful study of the diferent strata thrown around mountains, would afford valuable data for ascertaining the relative ages of the different hills; and, prosecuting his researches, he arrived at the unexpected conclusion, that the loftiest mountains are often those which have been the most recently elevated; that Ben Nevis, for example, and Mount Jura, on the continent, are of much earlier origin than the Andes, or the Himalaya Mountains. We find that the oolitic strata, which in England are nearly horizontal, are in Mount Jura highly inclined, and, in fact, nearly perpendicular. This mountain must, therefore, have been elevated after the deposition of the politic, but before the formation of the tertiary strata, which has not been disturbed by its rise. On the other hand, as the tertiary strata are of a more recent origin than the oolitic, and have been elevated in like manner around Mont Perdu, it is obvious that this mountain is of later origin than Mount Jura. By an induction of the same kind, we ascertain that the Andes are of more recent elevation than any European or Asiatic mountains. As this immense chain of mountains is studded with volcanoes yet in full activity, and as it is the general opinion that volcanic agency has been the power which elevated mountains, the abundance of unextinguished fires in the Andes is another presumption in favour of the views of M. de Beaumont. These opinions, said Dr Scouler, are bold and magnificent; and coming from an eminent geologist, who has made an extensive series of observations, to confirm his views by the only evidence the subject admits of, cannot fail to attract the attention of geologists.

The rest of Dr Scouler's discourse was occupied by an exposition of the anatomical views of M. Geoffroy St Hilaire, for whose talents and ingenuity the speaker expressed the highest admiration, although he could not adopt his opinions to their full extent.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

TO AURA.

By Thomas Tod Stoddart.

THEIR music started never

A tender, trembling tear, But died away for ever, and for ever, On the cold, careless ear.

Thy music storm'd the soul of love
Over his hallow'd home,
Gave passion, like a bird, to roam

In tempest, whirling to the heaven above.

Strange were the thoughts that came
Under its peerless spell,
When frenzy-fired in flame
Thy music-witchery fell:

Thoughts of the spirit-girl,

That bade the quivering chord Ring to the silver anthem, pour'd Through rows of living pearl.

Thou must have done; the dream Ends with one more-one strain Of tearless mirth-one soften'd gleam Of music on the brain!

For some unbodied image still

Haunts my mad heart, more pale than thee: Break the wild vision with a thrill Of mirth and mockery!

ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. DR THOMSON.

By W. M. Hetherington.
"How are the mighty fallen !"

WHERE is the arm that wont to wield
In Zion's cause the two-edged sword?
That bore aloft Faith's blazing shield,
That fought the battles of the Lord,
That waved the Red-cross armies on,
And shook the Dragon-foe's dark throne?
"How are the mighty fallen !"

The eye that never knew to quail

Beneath the glance of proudest foe;
The breast that bade the contest hail,
Untaught the pulse of fear to know,-
That dreadless eye lies quench'd in death,
That breast has heaved its latest breath.
"How are the mighty fallen!"

The voice that woke the cry of war
Against Sin's black embattled line,

As if tongued thunders peal'd afar,
Denouncements of dread wrath divine,-
Yet joy'd to tell, in milder tone,
Of peace and love-that voice is gone.

"How are the mighty fallen!"

O! ye on whom that eagle-eye

Dwelt with the fondness of a dove!
O! ye for whom that heart beat high,
With the strong throbs of manly love!
To whom that voice was ever kind,
May God your broken hearts upbind!

"How are the mighty fallen!"

And thou, my Country! where is he
Whose bosom glow'd with all the fires
Of civil, sacred Liberty,

That burn'd within our martyr-sires,
When they steel, rack, and flames defied,
And, glorying in their tortures, died!

"How are the mighty fallen!"

Fallen though our Champion, dry the tear!
His mighty name can never die ;
While freedom to man's soul is dear,

While error shrinks from truth's clear eye,
While God's pure Word speaks peace to earth,
So long shall live his thrice great worth!
Go, Great One, to thy rest!

LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES.

THE Literary Gazette announces that the Quarterly Reviewers mean to put forth another number of their journal this month. We learn from another quarter, that they have it in contemplation to publish an extra number as often as the interest of the materials they have on hand warrants such a step.

A new religious periodical is announced; the first number to appear on the 26th of this month. It is to be published weekly, and also in monthly parts. The title is, The Christian's Magazine, or Weekly Miscellany of Religious Essays, Anecdotes, Literature, &c. An interesting Memoir of Bradbury, author of the Mystery of Godliness, &c., by the Rev. John Brown, Whitburn, is on the eve of publication at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Part VII. of Sir William Gell's Pompeiana will be published on the first of March.

Mr Power, author of the "Lost Heir," is about to publish a novel under the singular title of "The King's Secret."

Lord Mahon has nearly ready his "War of the Spanish Succession (1702-14.)" This work will derive much new information from the MS. papers and correspondence of General Stanhope, at one period Commander-in-chief of the British army in Spain, and afterwards (as Earl Stanhope) First Lord of the Treasury in England. Lord Nugent announces "Some Memorials of John Hampden, his Party, and Times," with Portrait, Autograph Letters, &c.

Colonel Bouchette will publish, during the present month, a Topo graphical and Statistical Description of the British Dominions in North America; including Observations on Land-Granting and Emigration.

MEETINGS OF LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES DURING THE WEEK COMMENCING SATURDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY.-Wernerian Society, this day at Two P. M.-Royal Society, Monday, 21st February, at Eight P. M.

We learn from Elgin, that Mr Calvert, Lecturer on Belles Lettres and Teacher of Elocution at King's College, Old Aberdeen, has announced his intention of delivering a course of lectures in the former city during the months of May and April.

We

PERIODICALS AND PAMPHLETS.-This department of literature is far too extensive to admit of our bestowing more than occasional rapid glances upon it. Owing to the late snow, some of our periodicals have this month been rather late of coming to hand. The Monthly Magazine contains a happy imitation of L. E. L.'s poetry. The Lady's Magazine might, for any thing we can see about it but the fashions for the month, be called the Gentleman's-Our Scots Law Chronicle goes on improving in spirit and talent. It has lately added Reports of the Appeal Cases decided in the House of Lords, an important accession. As a collection of Scotch Law Reports, it is now almost every thing that could be wished.-The first Number of a periodical, entitled "Library of the Fine Arts," has just come to hand. Its professed object is to afford the artist and amateur information respecting the Fine Arts, both of past and present times, in a cheap and accessible form. The first number promises well. intend to keep an eye upon this work, and give our opinion of it as soon as two or three months have confirmed or destroyed our favourable auguries. We are not quite certain whether the Gazetteer of Scotland, by the brothers Chambers, ought to be considered a periodical, and will therefore place it between works of that class and the pamphlets. The third part, which has just come to hand, is worthy of its predecessors. With several blunders, which have been most relentlessly pointed out to the public, this work is better calculated than any we have yet seen to diffuse through every class of Scottish society, information respecting our native country.-We noticed cursorily last week a letter to the Lord Advocate, by the author of certain political letters published at Glasgow, with the signature of Lucius Verus. These letters we had not then seen, but we have since glanced over a copy forwarded to us by the author, and find them composed in a manly and sensible spirit, expressed in an energetic and polished style.-The Rev. R. Wainer has published a pamphlet, exhorting the nation to confidence in the present ministry. We have nothing to object to his arguments, and certainly have no intention to discuss the question, but feel much inclined to sing, "Be sure whatever king shall reign,

I'll be the Vicar of Bray, Sir !"

ASSOCIATION FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE.-The rules submitted to a general meeting of this body by their provisional committee, and unanimously approved of, are in the course of circulation. The Association is not to consist of less than 200 members, each to be responsible for L.50, forming in all a capital of L.10,000. A deposit of L.10 is to be paid by each member on entry, and the committee of management are authorized to commence operations as soon as 100 shares have been subscribed. The Association proposes to encourage literature, by bearing the expense of publishing works of merit in every branch of literature, whose authors may be unable to do so themselves. Their only objects are, to benefit the author, and secure the members against loss. The account of every work published shall be made up within six months from the time of publication, or as soon after as possible-the actual expenses discharged, and the author remunerated in the following ratio: out of the first L.100, at 50 per cent; out of the second, at 65 per cent; out of the third, at 75 per cent; out of all sums exceeding L.300, at 90 per cent. The remainder will be carried to the account of the Association. In the event of a second edition being called for, the author shall have the privilege of purchasing back the copyright, at a price to be fixed by the committee, with reference to the avowed principles of the Association. No publisher or bookseller is eligible as a member of the committee of general management. In the event of a dissolution of the Association, it stands pledged to appropriate any balance standing at its credit to the benefit of distressed authors and their families. The laws of the Association are drawn up in a spirit of just jealousy of undue influence. Thomas Campbell has been appointed honorary secretary.

LETTER FROM THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.-Cape Town, 25th Oct. 1830.-Our College, I am happy to say, promises well, two permanent professors having been found in the colony, both Scotchien,-the Rev. Mr Pears, a gentleman who, about eighteen months ago, came out to assume the pastoral charge of our countrymen at Glen-Lynden, but who, in consequence of disappointments experienced, was obliged to resign his situation there; and a Mr Innes, formerly government teacher for the district of Hitenhage. Another professor is daily expected from Holland, whose place is filled, pro tempore, by the Rev. Mr Fairre, one of the ministers of the Dutch church. The ultimate object of this foundation is to afford the inhabitants of the

colony the means of acquiring instruction in the higher branches of science and literature; but at present the directors confine their efforts towards affording them a liberal elementary education, being anxious to ascertain whether the subscriptions will enable them to support more than the number of professors now engaged. The last public examination, in August, afforded the utmost satisfaction, and the number of pupils is at present upwards of 130.-Amongst the literary characters at the Cape, Old Scotland can boast of a fair pro

[No, 119, February 19, 1831.] ADVERTISEMENTS,

Connected with Literature, Science, and the Arts.

ASSEMBLY ROOMS, GEORGE STREET.

commenced, and of average talent,) are each conducted by Scotchmen. The two secretaries of the South African Institution for the promotion of Science and Literature, are likewise Scotchmen. One of the secretaries of the Literary Society, and several of our best writers and speakers, claim their origin from the Land of Cakes.Dr Phillip, since his return, has met with most unkind treatment. His work has been criticised in the most severe manner, and he himself, in a weekly paper called the South African, held up to public scorn and contempt. The prosecution for libel, I regret to say, has gone against him, and he has been cast in damages to the amount of £200, which, together with the expenses, will make his loss about £1100 No favour was shown the good cause he was engaged in, and the veracity of the friend. Thomas Pringle, from whom he had the information respecting Mackay, was entirely kept out of view. Of this, however, you will perhaps hear more, as Lushington and some others of the ablest lawyers, have agreed to take up the case

Nobility, Gentry, and the Public in general, that her CONCERT will take place in the ASSEMBLY ROOMS, George Street, on Friday Evening, the 4th March, when she will be supported by all the talent, Vocal and Instrumental, which can possibly be obtained in this City.

Particulars in future Advertisements and Bills.-Tickets, 5s. each, to be had at the Music Shops, and at STEELE'S Lodgings, 65, Frederick Street.

good of the colony. He is likely to immortalize himself by roadmaking. In November last, a very excellent one, over the Hottentot Holland Mountains, was opened. It is called Sir Lowry's Pass. He is busy with others of equal importance.

Theatrical Gossip.-The King's Theatre has opened with Il Barbiere di Seviglia, in which Madame Vespermann has made her debut as Rosina. The lady was labouring under a severe cold, and therefore scarcely a fair subject for criticism; but the majority of the

full Practical Display of MANUFACTURING CHEMISTRY, and of its detailed applications to every branch of Manufactures. By SAMUEL F. GRAY, Esq.

Author of "The Supplement to the Pharmacopæia," &c. &c.
London: HURST, CHANCE, and Co., 65, St Paul's Churchyard.
This day is published, in One thick Volume, crown 8vo,
A New Edition of

operatic performer.-Miss Sidney has appeared at the Olympic, in the character of Leontine, in Ainsworth's burletta, "The Lost Son;" the part previously sustained by Miss Foote. She has been favourably received.-The interior of the Queen's Theatre is nearly an exact copy of the late English Opera House.-A Monsieur Bouffé has appeared in the French company now performing at the Haymarket. His engagement is understood to be only for twelve nights. He is described to us as a man of great talent and modesty.-A meeting of seventy dramatic authors lately took place at Paris, for the purpose of appointing a special committee, consisting of six literary men, and three theatrical managers, to offer their remarks to the Committee of Deputies charged with the consideration of the proposed law regarding the theatres.-A new afterpiece has been produced upon our own boards, smart and clever, and what is, perhaps, as much to the purpose, well acted, but of that light character which scarcely demands, or indeed admits, of a regular criticism. It is called "Love in Wrinkles;" and the chief parts are sustained by Miss Jarman, and by Mason, Hooper, and Brindal. "Fazio" is still kept back by the attractions of " Cinderella." Two new pieces are announced," Reparation Separation," and "The Romance of a Day." The manager is exerting himself, and will, we trust, find that it is his interest to do so.

Our readers will observe with pleasure, that Miss Eliza Paton gives a Concert on the evening of the 4th proximo, on which occasion, we understand, she will be powerfully supported.

WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES.

FEBRUARY 12-18.

Cinderella, & The Child of Nature.

SAT.

MON.

Do. & Perfection.

TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

A NUMBER of reviews are deferred for want of room.

Our Correspondent, W. J. M. B. will observe, upon re-perusing the two passages he has submitted for our judgment, that the ideas sought to be expressed by the two poets are diametrically opposite. When Burns says

"The speedy gleams the darkness swallowed,"

he wishes to paint the complete, though momentary, annihilation of darkness by the vivid bursts of light. When Shakspeare says-"And ere a man can say-Behold! The jaws of darkness do devour it up,"

he seeks to paint the complete disappearance of the light. The word "swallow" is a bold figurative substitute for "absorb." Burns tells us that the light for a moment absorbed the darkness: Shakspeare, that the darkness permanently absorbed the light. Both were

correct.

Our other Correspondents will excuse us for a week.

TION OF A MANLY CHARACTER, on the Several Grounds of PRUDENCE, MORALITY, and RELIGION.

By S. T. COLERIDGE, Esq. R.A., R.S.L.
"This makes, that whatsoever here befalls,
You in the region of yourself remain,
Neighb'ring on Heaven; and that no foreign land."

DANIEL. London: HURST, CHANCE, & Co., 65, St Paul's Churchyard. Where may be had, by the same Author,

An ESSAY on the CONSTITUTION of the CHURCH and STATE, according to the Idea of Each. Second Edition, price 10s. 6d.

In one Volume Quarto, Price L 3, 3s.