1815.] Foreign Intelligence-Denmark-Germany. holders contributed 2,400 livres, for which they never received any interest. After the decease of Cæsar Francis Cassini, in 1784, his son, John Dominic, was appointed one of the Directors of the undertaking, and in 1790 made a report to the share-holders of the then state of the concern. Out of the 180 sections (by right 183, but upon three of them there is very little of France) 165 were published, 11 of the other 15 were ready for press. On the 21st of September, 1793, a decree was issued by the National Convention, that this map of France, upon which Cassini's ancestors had laboured 110 years, and the sums for the prosecution of which had been for 37 years advanced by a private company, should within 24 hours become national property. The plates were first deposited in the Depot de la Guerre, and afterwards in the Depot du Cadastre (consequently transferred from the war department to that of the interior); and in vain did M. Capitaine, one of the directors of the work, endeavour for the next seven years to obtain their restitution. At length, upon his urgent solicitation, the Committee of Public Welfare came to a resolution, by which, after calculating the sums advanced, and the value of the property, the indemnification for each-share-holder was fixed at 9060 livres, amounting for all the 50 to 453,000 livres. Thus for this sum the nation obtained possession of a work which had cost the labour of 50 years, exclusively of the preliminary operations, and an expense of more than 770,000 livres. DENMARK. Mr. Nathan, sen. a wealthy inhabitant of Copenhagen, has undertaken the execution of a Holberg Gallery, on the plan of the Shakspeare Gallery by Boydell. Two subjects for the pencil will be selected from each of the comedies of that favourite Danish dramatic author, and are to be engraved by the first artists in the Danish capital. Lorensen, professor of painting, and Eckersberg, an artist of eminence, have already finished several of these pictures, which have been exhibited at the Academy of Painting, and Professor Clemans is proceeding with the engraving of them. The choice of the scenes has been committed to Schwartz, the actor. Counsellor Marstrand has discovered a new Kneading Machine, by which the dough may be made in a much cleanlier and more perfect manner than the bakers NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 18. 541 now make it by means of their hands or feet. Of this invention a horse is the impelling agent; he is blinded and kept in one position; without moving backward or forward, he treads upon an horizontal plane, which is easily actuated, and as he moves his legs the horizontal piece slides back, and sets the machine in motion. Although he stands still, the effect is the same as if he moved forward. The Danish Royal Society has pronounced this machine extremely well adapted to its purpose. A Bible Society, connected with that of London, was established in May, 1814, at the instance of Bishop Munter. It is exactly a century since Danish benevo lence exerted itself most beneficially in providing Germany with Bibles at the lowest possible price: for at that time Charles, Prince of Denmark, transmitted a donation of 1270 ducats to Baron Canstein, with a view to its forming an endowment for the institution established at Halle, to print the Bible with im moveable types. In 1714 also, the College of Missionaries at Copenhagen was founded; its labours were not confined to the conversion of Pagans, but embraced at the same time the supply of the Danish States with cheap Bibles. From 1716 to 1722, its press yielded no less than 22,580 copies of the New Testament, and 13,784 copies of the whole Bible. The first book, printed in Denmark, was Mag. C. Petersen's Danish Chroni cle, in rhyme, which was from the press of G. von Dehmen, anno 1495. Behrman, of Roeskilde, having been allowed access to all the Royal Archives, and especially those of a secret nature, proposes to publish a "History of Christian the Second," which will be the first correct biography of this calumniated sovereign. GERMANY. Professor Rosenmuller, of Leipzic, has announced, that he receives subscriptions for a new edition of the Koran, as well as an Elementary Treatise of the Tartarian Language, which are to be printed in the university press of Kasan. The nephew of the celebrated Wieland has signified his intention of publishing this year a collection of his uncle's letters to some of the most distinguished characters and literati of his time, as well as his epistolary correspondence, of a confidential nature and late date, with a German princess, on the subject of the most important events and VOL. III. 4 B 542 Foreign Intelligence-Hungary-Russia-Sweden. most celebrated personages of modern times. This collection will take in nearly the whole space of Wieland's literary career, beginning with the year 1763 and ending in 1812. It will include few letters which have been before in print. The Emperor of Austria has, by a recent decree, offered a premium of two thousand florins to any person who shall discover and communicate to his chamberlain, within the space of two years, (dated from April, 1814), the art of making perfectly white glass (particularly of the sort used for mirrors) from glauber salts or soda, without the addition of potash, in such a manner, that the expense of making it shall be less than its present manufacture with potash. HUNGARY. Frantz Schams, an apothecary at Peterwardin, has discovered that the root of the Nymphaa Alba, which grows in large quantities in stagnant waters, is an efficacious substitute for gall-nuts, Campeachy wood, and other black dyes. It also affords a permanent and very reasonable species of ink. RUSSIA. The extent of the Russian dominions, at the death of Iwan Wassiljewitsch, in 1505, was 30,566 square miles; its present compass, exclusive of the protectorate of Caucasus, Russian America, and the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, is 340,892 square miles; so that, in an interval of rather more than three centuries, it has extended itself in the proportion of more than ten to one. Its present population, agreeably to a recent census, amounts to 42,265,000 of both sexes, and the proportion of births to deaths averages about 1 to 40; the excess of the former was in the year 1805, 568,169-in 1806, 500,662-in 1807, 468,508-- and in 1808, 462,478 persons. The following is the population of the chief cities: Moscow (before its conflagration) 420,000 inhabitants; Petersburg, 271,137; Kiew, 40,000; Cronstadt, 40,000; Riga, 30,000; Astrachan, 30,000; Orenburg, 21,000; Cherson, 22,000; Wilna, 20,000; Tiflis, 20,000; Kasan, 18,626. The establishment of the Russian Court consists of 3,750 officers and servants, whose yearly pay amounts to 3,228,497 rubles. The produce of the imperial mines yield a handsome revenue: Sjablowsky computes the yearly value of the pure metal, which [July 1, they yield, at 600,000 rubles of gold, An aerolite or meteoric stone was By special command of the Emperor, the Bible Society of Petersburg is in future to be called the Russian Bible Society, and the distinct branches of it are to be named after the circles or governments in which they are established. SWEDEN. Sjoborg, professor of history at the university of Lund, has received leave of absence for two years, which he is to employ in exploring the whole kingdom, in search of whatever monuments of antiquity are still in existence, and with a view to provide for their future preservation. By a circular of the 20th of April, his Majesty has enjoined the bishops and clergy, throughout his dominions, to afford every possible assistance to the professor, and put him in possession of all the information they can communicate on the subjects connected with his researches. The number of students at the University of Upsala, at the end of the Spring Term of 1814, amounted to 1109. Of these 269 studied theology, 159 jurisprudence, 123 medicine, 507 philosophy, and 251 were engaged in general pur suits. 15 1815.] [ 543 ] NEW PUBLICATIONS IN MAY AND JUNE, AGRICULTURE. Recent and important National Discoveries of a new System of Farming, Feeding Cattle, &c. at half the usual Expense. By Mr. Drury. 8vo. 10s. 6d. A Treatise on the Economy of Fuel and Management of Heat, especially as it relates to Heating and Drying, by means of Steam. Illustrated by Plates. By Robertson Buchanan, Civil Engineer. 8vo. 18s. In this work the author treats of the effects of heat, the means of measuring it, the comparative quantity of heat produced by different kinds of fuel, gas lights, &c. of heating mills, dwellinghouses, baths, and public buildings; of drying and heating by steam, with miscellaneous observations. There is also an Appendix, which contains, Obser. vations on Chimney Fire places, particularly those used in Ireland-Stoves-Gas Lights-Lime Kilns -Furnaces and Chimneys used for rapid Distillation in the Distilleries in Scotland-improved Boilers for evaporating Liquids. The work compreliends many useful Tables, and is illustrated by plates. have been now able to wish you a good morning;" This is a curious specimen of the art of book. making, for of the two nephews of Milton nothing more can be learnt from the present volume than what might be found in very common biographical collections. But the truth is, that Mr. Godwin wanted to display his talents as the delineator of political and literary character, and his ambition led him to try his skill upon Milton. The memoirs of this illustrious writer, however, were already so numerous, that no hopes could be entertained of attracting the public attention to a new life of the author of Paradise Lost. Very ingeniously, there fore, this object is now aimed at by an elaborate disquisition on the lives of Edward and John Phillips, or rather a detailed account of all the books, some good and more bad, of which these literary manufacturers were the compilers and Bibliotheca Anglo-poetica, or a Descrip- diffuse in his narrative, and of this a more striking translators. Mr. Godwin is extremely minute and tive Catalogue of a rare Collection of early proof cannot be given than that of his taking oc English Poetry, in the possession of Long-casion, from the notice of John Phillips's version of man and Co. Illustrated by occasional Extracts and Remarks. Royal 8vo. 11. 14s. BIBLIOGRAPHY. The Political Life of William Wildman, Viscount Barrington, compiled from original Papers by his brother Shute, Bishop of Durham. Svo. 1os. 6d. Lord Barrington, who died Feb. 3, 1793, at the age of 76, was for near forty years a leading character in the political circle, and filled, under different administrations, some important employ. ments, particularly that of secretary at war. The memoirs of such a man, therefore, drawn up from his own papers, cannot fail to be highly interesting; and in fact the world is under great obligations to Sir Thomas Bernard for advising the pre sent publication, and to the venerable bishop for acceding to the proposition of his friend. This work throws great light upon the history of the present reign, and gives a considerable insight into the characters of those who have figured most eminently in the management of public affairs. The following anecdote is amusing:-" A young officer, who had not been included in a recent promotion, waited on Lord Barrington, and in a very decided and unequivocal manner, demanded satisfaction for the affront. His Lordship replied, "Young gentleman, if I had made it a rule to fight every officer, who was disappointed on every general promotion which took place, I should not Don Quixote, to enter into a long criticism on the principles of translation, and exhibiting, as in. stances of the author's learning and taste, copious extracts from George Chapman's Homer! After this ought we to wonder at the abuse which Mr. Godwin has poured out upon the venerated ame of Samuel Johnson? CLASSICS. Cicero de Officiis,with English Notes, Critical and Explanatory. The text taken from the best editions.-For students at college, and schools. 6s. 6d. bound, 12mo. DIVINITY: Sacred Sketches from Scripture History, containing Belshazzar's impious Feast, Jephtha, the Translation of Elijah, and other Poems. By Mrs. Henry Rolls, elegantly printed in crown octavo, price 6s. boards. Ten Plain Parochial Sermons on the Doctrines and Dispositions of Christians. By the Rev. W. L. Bowles. -The Theological, Biblical, and Ecclesiastical Dictionary, serving as a general Notebook to all Passages, Names, and Facts connected with the Old and New Testament, and with Ecclesiastical History. By John Robinson, D. D. Master of the Grammar School at Ravenstonedale. 8vo. 11. 8s. Remarks on the Effusion of the Fifth Apocalyptic Vial, and the late Restoration of the Imperial Government in France. By G. S. Faber, D. D. 2s. 6d. The Doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration contrasted with the Tenets of Calvin, in a Sermon preached before the University of Oxford, Jan. 29, 1815. By Rich. Laurence, 544 New Publications, with Critical Remarks. LL. D. Regius Professor of Hebrew, and Canon of Christ Church, 25. A Protestant and Papist's Manual, 1s. A Letter to the Bishop of St. David's, containing Remarks on his Introduction to the Doctrine of the Trinity, and to the Athenasian Creed, 3s. A Manual of Instruction and Devotion on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. By the Rev. John Hewlett, B. D. fc. 8vo. 5s. Sermons on the most important Doctrines of the Gospel. By the Rev. John Thornton, Ina, a Tragedy, in five Acts. By Mrs. Wilmot, 8vo. 3s. The failure of this piece does at least, in some degree, redeem the public taste from the general charge of being more gratified by extravagance than nature. This tragedy, as it is called, has so little art in its construction, and is so very feeble in its language, that, independent of the poverty of its sentiments, and the wildness of the characters, we cannot at all wonder at the indifferent reception which it met with from the audience, when it afferds so little pleasure in the perusal, [July 1, The History of the Small Pox. By James Moore, Director of the National Vaccine Establishment, 8vo. 12, The Morbid Anatomy of the Liver. By J. R. Farre, M. D. Part II. 158. The Hunterian Oration delivered at the Theatre of the Royal College of Surgeons, Feb. 14, 1815. By Sir Wm. Blizard, F.R.S. 4to. 6s. Reflections on Fever. By Robt. Calvert, M. D. 8vo. 4s. A View of the Relations of the Nervous System in Health and Disease. By Daniel Pring, Surgeon, at Bath, 8vo. 7s. MISCELLANEOUS. Recollections of Italy, England, and Amerals and Literature. rica, with Essays on various Subjects in MoBy F. A. de Chateaubriand, 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s. We have placed this article under the miscellaneous department on account of the variety of its contents, though a prominent part of the collection would rather belong to the class of voyages. M. de Chateaubriand is an acute observer of nature and of manners, and he describes both in a rich and vigorous style peculiar to himself. His pic. ture of Italy is the most beautiful part of the work, and that on which the reader will dwell with greatest pleasure. Of England and its literature this elegant writer has said much; but we are compelled to observe, that his acquaintance with the national character and the literature of our country is very contracted. He has attempted to analyse the genius of Shakspeare; but though he does more justice to the subject than Voltaire, it is evident that he ineddles with what he does not fully understand. Among the essays in the se cond volume, we were particularly gratified with the examination of Madame de Stael's System of Morals, which this excellent writer has censured with great judgment and liberality. Upon the whole, the admirers of M. de Chateaubriand-and where has he not admirers?-will derive great satis. faction from this publication. Remains of the late John Tweddell, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; being a Selection of his Letters, written from various Parts of the Continent, together with a republication of his Prolusiones Juveniles. To which is adjoined, an Appendix, containing some Account of the Author's Journals, MSS., Collections of Drawings, &c. and of their extraordinary Disappearance. Prefixed is a brief Biographical Memoir, by the Editor, the Rev. Robert Tweddell, 4. M.; illustrated with Portraits, picturesque Views, and Maps, 4to. 31. 3s. So lively an interest has been excited by the sin gular fate of Mr. Tweddell's manuscripts and draw ings, that this volume was looked for with great eagerness, in the hopes that, besides meeting with an enlarged memoir of that extraordinary young man, we should be put in possession of much in formation that might be calculated to bring to light those remains, which, by enriching the stock of knowledge, would do honour to his memory. True it is, that the present volume does confirm the assurance that the literary collections of our accomplished countryman are yet in existence, and there cannot be a shadow of doubt that they are in very 1815.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. safe custody, where their inestimable value is duly appreciated; but we very much fear whether either the family of Mr. Tweddell or the British nation will derive any real pleasure or benefit from that circumstance. It is possible that, in some form, and under some name or other, a part or the whole of these precious relics may be coinmunicated to the world; but in that case, they must inevitably be disguised, garbled, and mixed with inferior materials, which will of course be equally injurious to the originals and the public. The Letters of Mr. Tweddell here printed will be sufficient to rouse the general indignation against those mercenary or careless persons who have deprived the lovers of elegant and classical literature of the last productions of such a scholar. The appended correspondence exhibits so much curious matter, and affords room for so large a disquisi. tion, that we entreat the patience of our readers to grant us some indulgence till our next number, when we intend to give in the prominent part of our Magazine a full memoir on the subject. The Rejected Pictures, &c. with Descriptive Sketches of the several Compositions by some ci-devant and other Cognoscenti (being a Supplement to the Royal Academy Catalogue of 1815). To which are added a few of the secret Reasons for their Rejection. By a distinguished Member of the Hanging Committee. 8vo. 5s. 6d. The ingenious author of this performance has found means, chiefly by apt quotations, to illus. trate many prominent characters in politics, literature, art, and science. Most of these articles are truly striking and piquant. We select one or two at random: 18. Portrait of Sir J. M-r—y. Poet. "Arma virumque cano," S-r J. M. "I am no fighter." VIRGIL. SHAKSPEARE. 38. Portrait of Mr. Js, Editor of the F-h Review. "To the gates of Tartar, thou most excellent devil of wit." "Let there be gall enough in thy ink though thou write with a goose-pen, no matter." "I warrant there's vinegar and pepper in't." SHAKSPEARE. Kirby's Wonderful and Eccentric Museum, or Magazine of Remarkable Characters, including all the Curiosities of Nature and Art from the remotest Period to the present time; illustrated with 19 elegant engravings. Vol. V. 8vo. 12s. To the lovers of light reading we can confi. dently recommend this volume; in truth, a more amusing one has seldom fallen under our inspection. The amateur of curiosities will here find a rich cabinet collected for his entertainment; and even the man of science and the philosophic observer will perceive that their interest has by no incans been forgotten. A progressive improve. ment both in the graphic embellishments and in the literary execution of this popular work, cannot fail to be properly appreciated by the public. Sir Wm. Russell's Advice to his Son, written in 1689, and now first published. Foolscap 8vo. 2s. Essais sur la Litterature Francaise. Par M. Craufurd. 3 vol. 8vo. 11. 4s. An Account of the Names, Trades, and 545 We have taken the liberty of classing this book under the head of romance, though an attempt has been made on the part of the editor to pass it off as an authentic narrative; and what is still more extraordinary, the respectable president of the Royal Academy is brought in for the purpose of making the world believe that Llewellin Penrose was a real personage. But in fact, ingenious as the narrative undoubtedly is, the whole is a pure fiction, and a palpable imitation of two works in the English language, the well known Robinson Crusoe being the one, and the very scarce piece intituled "The Isle of Pines, or a late Discovery of a fourth Island in Terra Anstralis incognita," being the other. This last romance, which first appeared in a thin quarto in 1668, was the original in this line of invention, from whence the author of "The History of the Severambians," Daniel De Foe, and other writers, took the plan of their re. spective performances. The Journal of Penrose has a very close resemblance to the pretended narative of the discovery of the Isle of Pines: but though we have been much amused in the perusal of it, we cannot help expressing our surprise that the author should have been so inconsistent as to pher, and reasoning upon the perceptions and represent an illiterate sailor writing like a philoso operations of the human mind with all the subtlety of a metaphysician of the modern school, |