Foreign Literary Gazette.

AMERICA: UNITED STATES.

The Transactions of the Historical Society of Massachusetts continue to be pub lished, with much attention. These Volumes contain several interesting documents relating to the early times of the Confederation of the United States.

commenced his botanical researches, and intends to follow the course of the Red River, as far as possible, to its head. He has already sent specimens of his collection; among which are various plants discovered by Captains Lewis and Clarke, and described by Dr. Parish. To these must be added, in reference to England, the plants lately obtained by means of their seeds from Chili, in South America; and those from the interior of Africa, brought by Mr. Burchell, who has spent five years on that continent ;-in order to obtain a just idea of late acquisitions by the science of botany, among us. Mr. Burchell's collection comprises, in the whole, 130 species of animals; 600 species of birds; several thousands of insects, and 70,000 species of plants, in good condition. This gentleman has made on the spot, upwards The Society for the encouragement of tends to communicate to the public, togeof eight hundred drawings, which he inuseful Arts at New York, has also pub-ther with an account of his travels, &c. lished an additional Volume of its Transac tions, in which a paper by Dr. Beck, on the Mineral Waters of the United States, is particularly distinguished.

The Historical Society of New York, also has published a Second Volume of Memoirs, containing, among other things, very curious details respecting the Confederation of the Five Nations, an Association of Indians known under this appellation; and who are frequently alluded to as " the Romans of the New World."

In imitation of the State of New York, the State of Pensylvania has taken measures to institute and establish a Botanic Garden, in its own demesues.

The Agricultural Society of Philadelphia has published another Volume of its Trans

actions.

We have already noticed the opening of an Exhibition for the works of a young Painter (who had taken his education in Londou) at Boston in Massachusetts. From the whole we infer that America is intent on naturalizing Science; and will foster the useful Arts and Belles Lettres to the utmost of her power.

The first number of a new periodical work entitled "Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia," has just reached this country from America. It contains, 1st, Descriptions of six new species of the genus Firola from the Mediterrauean, by MM. de Sueur and Peron, with a plate. 2d. An account of the new mountain sheep, Ovis montana, by Mr. G. Ord; with a wood engraving of the horn of the animal. 3d, A description of seven American water and land shells, by Mr. Thomas Say.

Accessions to Scientific Botany.

Mr. Nuthall, a well-known botanist, who adventured nearly 11600 miles up the river Missouri, and brought into England a considerable collection of plants and seeds, since his return to America has reVOL. VII. No. 38, Lit. Pan, N. S. Nov. 1

AUSTRIA.

Messrs. Vincent d'Arnaut, and de Mansegg, both Chaplains of the court at Vienna, with M. A. de Bergenstamm, Secretary to the province of Austria, have associated for the purpose of collecting materials for an Ecclesiastical Topography of Austria. They have already sent circular letters to all clergymen in the various parishes, requesting them to forward the necessary information.

Hogarth's Caricatures revived.

The booksellers Armbruster and Kaulfus, at Vienna, announce a new edition of Hogarth's Caricatures, with an explanatory text accompanying them, composed by Professor Lichtenberg. The plates will be executed in outlines, by M. Rahl, one of the most celebrated engravers of that city; and the whole will be performed in the handsomest manner.

If it had been possible that out countryman, Hogarth, could have foreseen such a compliment paid to his genius, as a repe tition of his works in foreign parts, his sensations would have been beyond expression. It must, in fact, be supposed, from this undertaking that foreigners find a pleasure in contemplating the satirical effusions of our caricaturist, notwithstanding change of times and manners have rendered them in some degree obsolete at home. The follies and vices of mankind continue the same, however their fashions may vary.

Anatomische Tabellen, &c.

Anatomical Engravings representing the Models in wax preserved in the Imperial Academy of Joseph at Vienna; and de

L

scribed by the Chevalier Joseph de Scherer, spots on the sun, which are easily examined Professor of Anatomy. &c. Vienna, 1817. in the middle of summer, in the same way This is an important work, in large folio. as we foretell for the coming day or night, It deserves remark, that these models in by the rising or setting sun. A great numwax are the closest imitation possible of the ber of the latest observations confirm Hersreal objects in nature. There is in many chel's opinion, that like the planets (veran. persous a fixed reluctance to the handling der lichen sternen) one half of the sun is aud examining of parts of dead bodies, al- | less favourable to an abundaut discharge though scarcely any advances can be made of rays than the other, and that many spots in anatomical knowledge without such ex- on the sun make the year warmer and amination. To obviate these scruples, and more fruitful. So much is certain, that in at the same time to impart instruction, is defect of spots on the sun, the atmosphere the intent of these wax models. is more serene, as happened in the year 1811, in which none appeared during the whole summer; but it showed likewise that such a year must not of necessity be unfruitful, as was the case in the years 1795 and 1799. It is yet more certain that very warm and very cold weather can alone depend on the periodical abundance or scarcity of combustible matter (brennstoff) in the sun, since the moon and the planets can neither cause heat nor cold. In the year 541, which was one of famine and pestilence, the rays of the sun, according to Cedrenus, were as feeble as those of the moon, and yet the weather was so clear that in Italy they observed the comets of that time; the chronicle writers remark, that excessively dry summers (as the year 763, and the year 1800, remarkable for spots on the sun, and woods taking fire,) follow a very copious appearance of meteors (sternschnuppen.) In nature great matters more constantly depend upon each other than minute, and it becomes us to observe and take advantage of that dependance: it is to be wished therefore, that meteorologists may apply themselves to a diligent observation of the spots on the sun."

They are executed with the most serupulous precision; and are beheld and examined by the most timid without disgust They have at length formed a body of anatomical instruction, which it is the purpose of this work to communicate to the public. The first volume appeared some years ago; but, owing to that inveterate enemy of sci- | ence, war, with its numerous and extensive distresses, the undertaking was suspended. The first Editor, Professor Weinell, died, before it was greatly advanced. Subsequently, M. de Scherer, has taken on himself the conduct and continuation of the work. The first volume contains the Osteology and Syndesmology; the second contains the introductory part of the Myology. There are four volumes yet remaining. | The whole is executed with the greatest care, is coloured with every attention to accuracy, and will form a lasting monument of the skill and liberality of the age. The explanatory text is in Latin and Ger

man.

Perpetual Motion: Galvanic Pile.

The celebrated Zamboni of Verona, has arrived at Vienna, where he has obtained permission to exhibit his Electrical Pendulum, in one of the apartments of the Imperial palace. The extremely simple mechanism of this pendulum is founded on the theory of the dry Galvanic pile, of this phi-Changes of Weather, by Anselm Ellinger. losopher.

BAVARIA.

Sun's Atmosphere.

[From the Political Zeitung of Munich, of the 10th August.] "The great and remarkable opening in the Sun's Atmosphere of clouds (wolkigen Sonnenatmosphare), of which notice has been lately taken, was visible only a little before it vanished at the western edge on on the 5th of August, at which period a number of little openings began to unite themselves into two spots. Storms and much rain followed. It must be of great utility to farmers to be able to foretel fair or stormy weather, from observatious of the

Atmospherical Changes: predictions. Some time ago was published at Munich an Historical Memoir on the Experiments hitherto made to determine beforehand the

This memoir was read in the Academy of Sciences of Munich, in 1815. Mr. E. refersto former attempts made to foretell approaching weather, by philosophers in France, Italy and Germany. After having considered these, the author declares his opinion to be in favour of the influences of the heavenly bodies on the atmosphere; in which he coincides with many observers of nature, both ancient and modern.

This subject has been continued by G. A. Lampedius, in his Memoirs of Atmospherology, published at Freyberg, 1817. This writer extends his considerations to the influence of the mirage, of shooting stars, and other atmospheric phenomena,

on the weather: to the absorption of water by different species of trees, to the influence of light, to earthquakes, and to fiery meteors, especially to that of a meteor seen in Thuringia, in September, 18 15.

EGYPT.

Travellers; Antiquities. M. de Richter, a Livonian, and M. Lied. man, a Swede, during the course of the year 1815, visited the whole of Egypt and Nubia; and are now inteat on publishing the result of their researches, which will contribute to complete those of Bruce, of Lord Valentia, and of Mr. Salt. They returned by way of Syria, whence Mr. Liedman took the direction of Constantinople. M. de Richter has determined on another excursion, and has taken his Journey North East, with the intention to penetrate into Bactria.

We hope that these travellers and all others, will take warning from the death of poor Seetzen, who certainly was murdered for the sake of the wealth supposed to be contained in his convoy of seventeen camels! -and will preserve a moderation, not to say, a privacy, that prudence will ever hold to be indispensable.

FRANCE.

Works in demand; for Honour. The French Academy, prior to the last Elections, adopted a singular rule with respect to the candidates for the vacant seats among that distinguished Body. They made them produce all the literary works of which they had been the authors. This

what you are selling, friend." Pardon me, Sir, I know very well that it is not over and above clever, but then the paper is worth four pence." "Hold, blockhead replied the indignant poet, "here are fifteen-pence for it.-You deserve that in order to teach you your trade, I should give you thirty.”

Mud of the Nile: Analysis of.

M. Girard, of the Institute, has published in a treatise on the Valley of Egypt, an analysis of the mud of the Nile, so celebrated for the fertility it communicates to the soil of that country. It appears from chymical experiments made by M. Regnault, that in 100 parts of the mud, there are 11 of water, 9 of carbon, 6 of oxyde of iron, 4 of silex, 4 of carbonate of magnesia, 18 of carbonate of lime, and 48 of alumen. The quantities of silex and alumen vary according to the places whence the mud is taken: that on the banks of the river contains a great deal of sand, while in that at a distance the argil is almost pure. The abundance of this earth in the mud renders it proper for the purposes of the arts. They make excellent bricks of it, and vases of different forms; it enters into the fabrication of pipes: the glassmakers employ it in the construction of their furnaces; the inhabitants of the

country parts cover their houses with it,

and consider it a sufficient manure for their lands.

New Journal: Philological Researches.

M. Gail announces the continuation of

was in fact to call for a number of publi- his Historical, Military, Geographical, and cations that had long sunk in obscurity, Philological Researches, under the general and many of which indeed were totally title of the Philologue. The second volume destroyed; for the confounded grocers contains many grammatical and lexicoloand trunk-makers have no compassion.gical contributions towards the improveThe malicious have given this affair a certain political character, which may be play to them, but is death to the subjects of it. They go so far as to say that the following story, has at least its foundation in truth: if it were less caustic it would more readily command credence.

ment of the new edition of H. Stephens' Thesaurus Linguæ Græcæ, now in the press at London. M. Gail intends likewise to establish a new monthly Journal at Paris, to be entitled le Philologue, the first number of which, containing 240 8vo. pages, will appear on the 1st of January, One day, one of the most forgotten of the 1818, if a sufficient number of subscribers can be obtained before that time. As in living French poets, was, in consequence of this rule, walking on the quay of the the second volume of his Researches, the Louvre, and narrowly spying into every disquisitions in the Journal noticed above, second-hand bookseller's shop. Suddenly, will relate principally to Grammar and oh, mortifying spectacle! he observes on Lexicology, but without neglecting ancient the pavement, huddled among other Literature, History, Tactics, and Geograthings, one of his fugitive pieces; and phy, with reference to Herodotus, Thucydianxious to relieve it from its state of de- des, Xenophon, and the Thesaurus Linguæ gradation, he asks the price of it. "That, Græcæ. M. Gail has proved, that he is Sir, replies the bookseller, "that is six-well qualified for conducting such a Jourpence." "What do you mean by six-nal, by several erudite Articles in the Lonpence exclaims the author, piqued to don Classical Journal, by his excellent find the productions of his genius esti- Editions of Xenophon and Thucydides, in mated at so low a rate, "you do not know Greek, Latin, and French, with elucidatory

Maps and Plates; and by his Atlas to faci- | being collected or offered to the admiration litate the Study of Ancient History: which of artists or enlightened amateurs. Monuhave met with the approbation of all Greek ments have a marked destination, from scholars in Europe. which they are never diverted without prejudice to art. They lose by their removal that harmonic virtue, that charm for which they were made, and from the which they derive both from the situation objects by which they are surrounded. Who doubts but that the Apollo awakened enthusiasms in the temple consecrated for more lively sentiments and excited greater its reception than in the most honourable the Gymnasium, where he stood as an place in our museums? The Gladiator in offering to bravery; the Rotator in the portico, where the gratitude of his country had raised bim, must have seized the imagination more powerfully in their original situations than when exhibited in admire nothing in them but the labour of our galleries, where study and reflection ments to the places where they formerly the statuary. The restoring of the monuwere situate is, therefore, as imperiously required by taste as by religious respect for the memory of the princes or illustrious men in whose honour they are raised.

MUSEUM OF FRENCH MONUMENTS. The Royal tombs which had been col. lected in the Museum of the Petits Augustins have already been in part restored to the church of Saint Denis. The remainder will soon be replaced there. The religious monuments are about to be restored, under the superintendence of the Prefect of the Seine, to the churches whence they were taken. The statues, busts, and other objects of art which cannot recover their former destination will be employed to form a hall of sculpture at the Louvre. Nothing at once more becoming or more wise could have been done than to follow such an arrangement. At the same time, owing to the interest which is attached to this collection, the dispersion of the monuments is viewed with some regret. Those who decide on the feeling of the moment, and without examination, appear to discover in such a measure nothing but expensive displacements without object, and injurous to the arts; but enlightened men and true artists judge differently. It is well known what they have always thought of this collection, called the Museum of French Monuments, formed in the most melancholy circumstances, and necessarily impressed with the taste and spirit of the times. In its modern acceptation, a Museum is an assemblage of chefs d'œuvre fitted to be models for artists, or of esteemed productions which offer some attraction to interest and curiosity. Such are the mitseums of the Vatican and of the Capitol at Rome, that d'egli studi at Naples, that of Medicis at Florence, the Grand Museum at Paris, and some galleries in England and Germany. The museum of French monuments cannot rank among such establishments. A collection formed of fragments rescued from the fury of Vandalism, a medley of sacred and profane objects, it resembled not a little that bizarre composition say they now? which the sportive muse of Horace presents to the Pisos, as an example of monstrous combination, and a proof of a disordered fancy. A wise foresight has always viewed this collection as a transitory establishment, and in this way it has done important service. As a permanent establishment, it would have been too defective to be useful. It presented, indeed, some pieces of the first order, but these morceaux were too limited in number to form a collection. It was therefore necessary to introduce many works of mediocrity unworthy of

Our readers will, probably, recollect the arguments used by the mortified French connoisseurs, when the Parisian Museum was about to be removed: what lamentations and execrations were vented against the barbares whose sacrilegious hands lifted a tool, or nailed a box, or displaced one of its nationalized situation a picture or a statue! The tone, the argument of the foregoing paper is precisely that of those very barbares, who assured the complaining Frenchmen that these pictures, &c. having been composed for certain situations, the aspect, the light, the whole ordonnance was intimately connected with their original destination;-that, removed from their places, they were deprived of grace, and could not appear to equal advantage, any

where else.-What said the dissatisfied French artists and amateurs then? What

GERMANY.

Planets Mercury and Vesta.

From the Second Volume of Hermographic Fragments, published by D. J. J. Schroeter, at Gottingen, we learn that he watched the planet Mercury every day for a considerable time, in September 1800, and again continued with the same attention from April 25 to Sept. I, 1801. The same astronomer has collected also, a number of Observations on Vesta; chiefly relating to the dimensions of that Orb. The true diameter of the Planet does not

exceed seventy-four German miles. The apparent diameter is half a second at most. Notwithstanding this diminutive size, the planet has a very lively light, like that of a fixed star; and is not surrounded by a nebulous atmosphere, like the planets Ceres, Pallas, and Juno. The author concludes that this planet has a luminous principle belonging to itself, and does not derive the whole of its light exclusively from the sun. Wetteravia: Statistics.

We learn from a Geographical and Sta tistical Essay on Wetteravia, by G. Leo. pard, published at Giessen, that the territory which extends from Frankfort to Hungen and Nidda, comprises a space of nearly fifteen geographical miles, in which are 209,025 fields cultivated for the production of corn; which yield about 170,200 eighths, each weighing 200lbs. As agriculture is the chief source of wealth, the author points out by what further means this may be encreased, and how the trade in the productions of the soil may be much augmented.

long for that paper, they will be printed separately.

We could heartily wish that the same question were proposed among other nations of Europe, not omitting our own;

whoever has noticed the perpetual blunders, for which the French are distinguished above all others, which frequently alter the sense of passages and sentiments, must have often felt the necessity for reformation in this particular. It is, in fact, a duty due to the nation whose original appellations, &c. are in question; and would, were it correctly attended to, gradually form one of the connecting links in the chain of General History.

ITALY.

Italians forbid Foreign Schools. The Journals of the South of Germany state, that by an order of the Court of Vienna, published in Lombardy, the young frequent establishments for instruction in men of that country, cannot, for the future, foreign countries, such as schools, academies, universities, &c. but by the special permission of the Government. It is remarked that no similar prohibition exists

in the Austrian States.

Index Expurgatorius.

German Prince explores Brazil. Prince Maximilian of Neuwied undertook in April 1815, a journey into the interior of Brazil, accompaued by two learned Germans, an Indian interpreter, and ten other persons. The Prince Regent, A Decree of the Congregation of Index, now King of Portugal and the Brazils, on the 23d of last June, since approved by gave him letters of introduction to all the the Pope, places the following among the governors in the interior, with authority to number of interdicted books—1. Lessons demand military escorts, mules, and other of Commerce and Civil Economy, by the means of conveyance, for all packages he Abbé Genovesi; 2. Fraternal Advice to might have occasion to make up for Europe. the Ultramontane Concordatists, publishPrince Maximilian, it is understood, hased at London, by Juigne; 3. Abstract of already sent several such packages containing curiosities of different kinds, to Germany.

HUNGARY.

1757.

Literary Judgment and Taste.

a Discourse pronounced at Bologna, in the chair of Physiology and Anatomy; 4. Succinct History of the English and Foreign Bible Society. At the same time, all translations of the Bible, in whatever Foreign appellations: how to write? M. Stephen de Kultsar, editor of the unless approved by the Holy See, or pubvulgar tongue they may be, are forbidden, Hungarian Gazette, at Pesth, has lately lished with Notes taken from the Holy proposed for the consideration of the intel-Fathers, and the Catholic authors; purligent among his countrymen, the follow-suant to the Decree of the 13th June, ing question. What is the best method of writing and spelling in the Hungarian language, the names of foreign persons, countries and cities? This question is of the greater importance, as for some years past the Hungarians have directed their labours almost exclusively to the scientific literature of France, Italy and England; whence has arisen, not only in publications, but also in the geographical department, maps, &c. a strange and heterogeneous manner of writing and spelling proper names. The answers to this question, if not too long, will be inserted in the Pesth Gazette, for the consideration of the public; but if too

The Italians continue to translate and publish the best works which appear in France, England, &c. on jurisprudence, medicine, the sciences of natural philosophy and chemistry, rural economy, &c. Certain works of German physicians have also been translated; principally those of Franck. Animal magnetism has also its votaries. Generally speaking, however, the Italians devote themselves to the exact sciences, and to observations, rather than to the amusing departments of literature,