to be the prevailing opinion of chemists that chemical affinity is identical with electrical attraction. The opinion possesses much plausibility, and even probability; but much remains to be done before it can be considered as established, and made the foundation of accurate chemical reasonings. That substances always enter into chemical combination, in determinate proportions which never vary, has been known ever since chemists acquired the art of analysing bodies. Thus carbouate of lime, wherever, or in whatever state, it occurs, is always a compound of 43.2 carbonic acid and 57·8 lime; and sulphate of barytes, 34.5 sulphuric acid and 655 barytes. Mr. DALTON was the first person who ventured to account for this fixedness in chemical proportions. According to him, it is the atoms of bodies that unite together. One atom of a body, a, unites with one atom of a body, b, or with two atoms of it, or with three, four, &c. atoms of it. The union of one atom of a with one atom of b produces one compound, the union of one atom of a with two atoms of produces another compound, and so on. Each of these compounds, of course, must consist of the same proportions, because the weight of every atom of the same body must of necessity be the same. We have no means of demonstrating the number of atoms which unite together in this manner in every compound; we must, therefore, have recourse to conjecture. If two bodies unite only in one proportion, it is reasonable to conclude that they unite atom to atom. Hence it is most likely that water is composed of one atom of oxygen and one atom of hydrogen; oxide of silver, of one atom silver and one atom oxygen; and oxide of zinc, of one atom zinc and one atom oxygen. BERZELIUS has established two propositions, axioms or chemical first principles: 1. In all compounds of inorganic matter one of the constituents is always in the state of a single atomi. According to this axiom, no inorganic compound is ever composed of two atoms of a united with three atoms of b, or of three atoms of a united with four atoms of b, &c. ; but always of one atom of a united with one, two, three, four, &c. atoms of b. 2. When an acid unites to a base, the oxygen in the acid is always a multiple of the oxygen in the base by a whole number, and generally by the number denoting the atoms of oxygen in the acid. Berzelius conceives all bodies to be in the gaseous state, and embraces the opinion of Gay-Lussac, that gaseous bodies always unite in volumes that are aliquot parts of each other. One volume of one body always unites with one, two, three, &c. volumes of another. MONTHLY REPORT OF DISEASES In N. W. London; from Dec. 24, 1814, to Jun. 24, 1815. The latter part of the preceding month was marked by the prevalence of Catarrh, light sore throats, bowel complaints, and all the variety of disease comprised under the familiar, but indefinite, term of Colds. About the 8th of January the weather set in with unusual severity; since which we have been visited, in addition to the former list, by the usual accompaniment of winter's cold and frost-a long catalogue of inflammatory disease. The Measles, which are less easily traced to particular states of the weather, have been aggravated this season; in some crowded and poor districts they have been very fatal, but less so among the higher classes of society, who have not only the benefit of early advice, but generally the wisdom to profit by it when given. From the preceding list, it will be observed, that by far the greater number of the inflammatory affections are those which attack the respiratory organs; and, with the exception of one case of acute Bronchitis, the symptoms have been more or less speedily relieved by the judicious employment of bleeding. The instance of death from Bronchitis, or inflammation of the air vessels of the lungs, should be noted as a specimen both of the insidious nature of this rapidly fatal disease, aud 1815.] Monthly Commercial Report. 65 and of the hazard of domestic quackery. A poor woman after exposure to cold and moisture, was seized by a sense of tightness and uneasiness in the chest, with hurried and laborious respiration; she had cough, wheezing, and slight febrile symptoms. On the second day finding her distress increase, and knowing her father to have died of asthma, she determined to have recourse to a fine medicine prescribed for him twenty years ago by a physician of celebrity. Most unfortunately it happened, that æther entered into its composition; it was taken with at least no benefit, not to say with certain detriment. A third day was lost in the unavailing efforts of her friends to obtain a letter of recommendation to an hospital; and at length I was called to her as an object of charity. My visit was too late to be of service-the hand of death was upon her, the symptoms had been exchanged for the most complete debility, and her forehead was bathed with cold perspirations. In this state bleeding was out of the question; in the evening delirium supervened, and she died without a struggle. The absence of pain in this complaint has frequently misled the unwary practitioner. How little do we know the things that are really good for us. The man who writhes with the agony of pleuritic pain, little suspects that the intensity of his suffering may be the salvation of his life. It gives a character to the disease intelligible to the most ignorant pretender. One of the cases marked inflammation of the lungs, was an instance of the repulsion of gout to the thoracic viscera, in consequence of local applications improperly made to the feet of the patient while labouring under that disease. But the symptoms disappeared on the return of the gout to the limbs. 11, North Crescent, Bedford Square. JOHN WANT, Late Surgeon to the Northern Dispensary. MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT. PRODIGIOUS Exports have taken place of COLONIAL PRODUCE to all the Conti nential markets, to the great profit of the West India Planters and Merchants; but with little advantage to the revenue or industry of Great Britain. The sudden foreclosing of the bonds of the merchants have also compelled them to ship for foreign markets all colonial produce, for which they were unable to pay the duties for home consumption, and this has added enormously to the recent shipments for all parts of Europe, even without an actual demand. For most of the manufactures and produce of Great Britain, it deeply affects us to say, there is very little, and in many places no demand, the length of the war having compelled all the European nations to encourage their native ingenuity, so that many of the ancient staples of Great Britain are superseded and undersold in the German, French, and other markets. This is a truth, which in spite of peace, is felt in most of our manufacturing districts, and it is to be feared that the same warlike propensity will be found to have produced a similar effect in the best market for our manufactures the United States of America. On the other hand, it appears by the returns that no less than 260,000 quarters of wheat have been landed in the Port of London only, within the last three months, chiefly from France, being the full consumption of the metropolis within that period. For what purpose then need our farmers grow wheat, if this supply is to be continued? What kind of people however shall we be, without employment either for the towns or the country, and how is a revenue of sixty millions to be collected from such a popnlation? These are considerations which call for wise and energetic determinations of Parliament. Such is the extent of our cotton manufactures, that it is said no less than 300,000 bags of cotton wool, each weighing 24 cwt. have been consumed within the last twelve months. Coals were in 1813, at the cheapest time, 64s. per chaldron ; in 1814 at 63s. In Oc» tober 1813 at 72s. in 1814 at 75s. The duties on a CHALDRON at London are To the Duke of Richmond, (purchased by Government,) s. d. Corporation of Newcastle Corporation of London'.. Customs, London ... .... 07 0 2 1 3 12 6 Total 14 6 The Average monthly consumption of the last four years has been 89,251 chaldrons. The winter of 1813-14 required 789,251 chaldrons, to supply which demand, the number of cargoes was 5,280, of chaldrons 62,375, leaving a deficiency of 56,876 chaldrons. MONTHLY MAG. No. 265. K Among Among articles of import from France, their Paper Hangings have excited much notice and admiration. The prevailing taste at Paris seems to be for obtaining upon the walls the effect of hangings, either of silk, satin, velvet, or some other elegant fabric: this is effected by the grounds of the papers, having all the character and expression of the texture designed to be imitated; and the papers being shaded, to represent folds, and the ornaments of the papers are arranged relatively to the supposed shadows, as they would dispose themselves upon a real hanging. The illusion is continued, from the festooning and cordage at the ceiling, to the very flooring of the room; the skirting appearing beneath the bold sweeping fold of the hanging, in a colour elegantly contrasting with it. There are papers of another class, however, which are manufactured in the same manner as the former, that still further merit regard. These are landscapes, and other subjects, executed to produce an effect strictly panoramic. This has not hitherto been obtained in England for the decoration of dwellings, but from the pencil of the artist, upon a comparatively small scale, and at great expence. The French paper-hangings of this species, in design, delicacy of execution, and colouring, rival the magic of the pencil. The Maranham cotton, cultivated so abundantly in the Brazils, has lately been transplanted into the East Indies, and the experiment has been attended with great success. Under the patronage of the Prime Minister Araujo, a number of tea-plants, with Chinese gardeners, have been imported into the Brazils; and plantations formed under their management, afford every prospect of a rich harvest from that important vegetable. The decoction prepared from this exotic is said to be equal to that produced from the commodity on its native soil. Wine, Madeira, old 0 64 90 0 0 120 O 0 110 0 0 5 4 per gallon. 4 0 ditto. 6 9 5 3 0 518 ditto. per cwt. ditto. 5 18 0 ditto. 8 0 ditto. 0 0 ditto. ditto. ditto. 120 Port, old Wine, Sherry 125 O 120 00 per aum. Premiums 1815.] Alphabetical List of Bankruptcies and Dividends. 67 Premiums of Insurance at New Lloyd's Coffee House.-Guernsey or Jersey, 2 gs.-Cork, Dublin, or Belfast, 24 gs.-Hambro', 51.-Madeira, 51. ret. 21. 10s.-Jamaica, 61. ret. 31.-Newfoundland, 121. ret. 61.-Southern Fishery, out and home, 201. Course of Exchange, Jan. 27.—Amsterdam, 34 2 B 2 U.-Hamburgh, 32 1 2 U.Paris, 22 10-Leghorn, 53.-Lisbon, 674.-Dublin, 7. At Messrs. Wolfe and Co.'s Canal Office, No. 9, Change Alley, Cornhill; East-India Dock shares fetch 132l. per share.-West India ditto, 1601.-Grand Junc tion CANAL 2201. per share.-East London WATER-WORKS, 651.—Albion INSURANCE OFFICE 421.-GAS LIGHT, 10l. 10s. premium. Gold in bars 41. 9s. per oz.---New doubloons 41. 6s.--Silver in bars 5s. 101d. The 3 per cent. consols on the 27th were 65, 5 per cent. 94, omnium i§ discount. ALPHABETICAL LIST of BANKRUPTCIES and DIVIDENDS, announced between the 20th of December, 1814, and the 20th of January, 1815, extracted from the London Gazettes. Sharp R. W. Godalmin, dealer and chapman. Son Serie R. C. Saffron Walden, upholsterer. Roffer and Stevenfon 1. Dorfet Areet, St. Mary la Eenne, plumber (Willingham Skelton S. Plymouth, coal factor. (Walker Savage W. Worcester, glover. (Gillam Sturley T. Coopers row, Crutched Friars, beer merchant Stevenson J. West Britton, York, grocer. (Longdill and Smith T. New Mills, Hereford, miller. (P. wtrifs, Tappenden J. and co. Faversham, iron matters. Le Blanc, and Shaw Thompson T. Sandbutton, victualler. London (shaw, (Hartley Firth J. Bolton, Lincoln, merchant. Friend a. Old Windfor, dealer in hay. Flintoft T. York, corn factor. (Hicks Daw fon Greenwood W. Leicester, ironmonger. (Walker Hafted C. Chatham, brewer. I Nelfon hurren J. Cratheid, grocer. (Jackson and Woodbridge King T. Charlotte kreet, sadlers Wells, carpenter. (Tub- Willoughby J. Taunton, shopkeeper. (Pearfon and co. Watfon H. Weymouth Mews, coach maker. (Uphane DIVIDENDS. Barrett J. Lancafter Barker P. and J. Heckmondwick Back W. Battle. Suflex Buraufs D. Eat Smithfield Beaumont C. and co. Sout!.ampton Place, loomsbary Barchard W, Bury freet Edmonton Lane Boulton D. Cuper's Bridge Bouch. C. Walbrook Barton J. West Cowes Bacon J. and W. Spear, Lower Coltart W. Whitehaven Cowen G, Manfel street Champion J. Great St. Helen's Crilly B. Sloane Street Coufins W. Great Aile free: Clate W. F. Holborn K 2 Caldicott Caldicott W. Coventry Dyson S. Soyland, York Davey M. jun. Chefhunt, Hertford Duns ord S. Honiton, Devon Street Do F. York Flace Winchester Jones N. Holborn Bridge Knowles A. Eltham. Surrey Knott J. and co. Duke freet, South. wark Kennett H. Afhford Lande J. Tokenhoufe Yard Rainsford W. High Areet, Southwark Rofe J. Parliament @treet Strube T. Weltminster Simmons J. Lamberhurft Stanton R. Frith street, Soho Stevenfon H. and J. G. Gunning, Mil- Spilling j. Somer ftreet Ee S. Bramhaw. Wilts Edwards S. and W. B. Stamford Elen G. North Shields Elsden 1. Buth Lane Ford W. Beckington Fowler D. and A.Antie, Gracechurch Street Follett and co. Liverpool Glover J. St. Mary at Hill Green R. and co. Lifle street, Leices ter fquare Gardner, &c. Cannon freet Gibfon J. Liverpool Garthorne S. and CO. Hackney Road Gregory G. Chefter Goldfmith G. M. Ipfwich Hatton W. Richmond Buildings Hicklin C. and T. Finsbury square Hayne J. Paternofter Row Hardy W. and R, Gardiner, Cheap. fide Harris, &c. Watling freet/ Hands G. Tottenham Court Road Hagger T. Watling fieet Hamilton R. Old Broad Street Haninett T. Weahan Middleton R. D. Bishopsgate street Niblett J. D. Fleet Street Percival R. Moulton, and P. Fawcett, Manchefer Payne J. Birmingham Petit J. and S. Rout. Southwark Phillips P. St. James's street Philips H, Worthing Poole R. Worcester Pereire2 D. L. Artillery place Riffon W. and J. B. Lomnitz, Fen- Richards J. and J. Matthews, Gofwell Areet Smith G. Newcastle upon Tyne Swain J. Ramsgate Stanes R. Chelmsford Smith R. Rampifham, Dorfet Snuggs S. S. Vizard ftreet Thirskel G. M tre Court Taylor W. Woolwich Tobin D. and co. Limehoufe Teflon: V. Bennett freet Willett M. Cheptow. Monmouth Woodhouse T. Lower Shadwell Wilfon P. Shoreditch White G, Worthing Walters J. Studham Wild J. and T. Brownswood, Stock. port Walmsley and co. Bafinghall Greet Weightman J. Moor freet Wood G. Doncafter, York Worlock J. Chipping Sodbury MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. THE wheats, according to general report, have a healthy and extremely promising appearance, being in most parts a thick and luxuriant plaut. The mildness of the frost will have a favourable effect in checking a too great rankness of growth, and the snow, should it remain a while, will prove a good coat of manure. 2 All the growing crops look well. The frost has necessarily put a stop to field work, but the lands may be thence expected in the finest order for bean planting, and for the succeeding spring crops. Cattle feeding in the home stalls appears generally successful, but hay is scarce and dear; turnips in the same state in various parts. Coarse long wools in considerable demand, which is probable to continne. The price of cattle and butcher's meat declining weekly, as has the corn trade, until within these few days. A general opinion prevails that provisions of all kinds must gradually decline to a peace price. Smithfield: Beef 3s. 4d. to 5s. 4d.--Mutton 3s. 8d. to 4s. 10d.-House Lamb 20s. to 25s. per quarter.--Veal 6s. to 8s.--Pork 5s. to 6s. 8d.-Bacon 6s. 6d. to 78.—Irish ditto 5s. 6d.-Fat 58.-Skins 20s. to 56s.--Potatoes 3l. to 61.-Oil-cake 16l. 168. Corn Exchange: Wheat S3s. to 668.-Barley 23s. to 30s -Oats 18s. to 30s.-The quartern loaf 11d.-Hay 31. 5s. to 51. 8s.-Clover ditto 41. to 71. 7s.-Straw 11. 10s, to 1l. 18s.-Coals in the Pool 42s. to 52s. 6d. per chaldron. Middlesex, Jan. 23, 1815. METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. Barometer. Highest 30.10. Jan. 2 & 3. Wind N. E. Lowest 29.00. Dec. 27. Greatest East. 35-hun-occured between variation indreths of 24 hours, an incl. of December. Thermometer. Highest 48°. Dec. 30. Wind West. Greatest I is not considerable, bas occurred several times in the month. The quantity of rain fallen since our last Report has been but trifling; and the snow in the neighbourhood of the metropolis has come in small quantities only; though, in the West |