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540

Cassini's Map of France.

The following return of the quantity of stamps issued to the principal news papers of Dublin within the same period, and during a time of peace, will afford some idea of their relative circulation: Freeman's Journal. Morning. Saunders's News Letter Carrick's Morning Post Correspondent Dublin Evening Post Patriot

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dragging; but as the apparatus was not quite completed, Mr. Richards was requested to finish it, and exhibit a model at the general annual meeting of the society in July.

FRANCE.

352,000 307,000 It was recently stated by Mr. Robert 164,750 Ward, in the British House of Com547,500 mons, that the plates to Cassini's map 337,500 of France were destroyed by Buonaparte do. 170,500 previously to the late invasion of that A comparative experiment has been country, lest they should fall into the made at Dublin with two mail coaches, hands of the Allies. Many of our reaone of which was constructed upon the ders may not be aware that this map principle recommended by Mr. Edgeworth, of carrying the baggage under- of the kind ever attempted. It conwas perhaps the grandest undertaking neath the coach, and having the outside sisted of 183 sheets, covering together passengers accommodated behind. The an area of 785 Paris square feet, each other was of the common construction. sheet being 2 feet 83 inches in length and This trial demonstrated that the former. 1 foot 7 inches in height. The standard had not only the advantage of being free is 3 Paris inches 2 lines, for each geofrom the danger of upsetting, but it car- graphical mile. This prodigious work ried four passengers more than the latter. required 113 years for its completion, An exact statement of these experiments that is, from 1683 to 1796. In 1683 will be laid before the public in a report John Dominic Cassini measured the of the Committee of the Dublin Society. southern part of the meridian of Paris At a late meeting of the Committee of the Wiltshire Agricultural Society, this operation in the years 1700 and as far as below Bourges, and continued held at Lavington, the Rev. W. Richards, 1701, in association with his son James, of Chiverell, exhibited an apparatus, which he has invented for the purpose ter measured the northern part of the as far as the Canigou. In 1718, the latof impeding the force of carriages going meridian, from Montdidier to Dunkirk. down hill, without stopping either wheel. In 1739, Cæsar Francis Cassini de Thury The objects of this invention are, the ob- again measured the same meridian lonviation of the sufferings of the horse, the gitudinally from north to south, and afpreservation of the roads, and the pre- terwards described by means of a chain vention of the great strain on the wheel of nearly 2000 triangles, extending over and carriage in the present mode of the surface of France, the necessary and upon the meridian. This series of parallel and perpendicular lines, with triangles forms the net to the great map of France, the outline of which was submitted by him to the government, which signified its approbation in 1750, and for some years gave its active support to the enterprize. Thus this map required the preliminary labour of half a century before the actual drawing for it could be commenced. In 1756 the expenses attendant on the war obliged the government to withhold its farther assistance; and but for the perseverance of Cassini, all the pains and expense hiwould have been thrown away. Cassim therto bestowed upon the undertaking devised the plan of forming a company of 50 share-holders, whom he partly prevailed upon to embark in it, by repre sentations of the credit which they would derive from enriching their country with so splendid and useful a work, and partly found among his most intimate friends and relations. Each of these share

every possible channel; while no character, public or private, is sacred enough to escape their savage tomahawks, the moment a writer, animated by a love of truth and of his counwry, attempts to unmask their motives and expose their fallacies, he is sure to be met with the objection urged in our case by a Well Wisher. How admirably the individuals composing that faction themselves adhere to the doctrine advanced in their behalf, is demonstrated by the following wanton and diabolical attack on that exalted and revered personage, whose afflicting situation would alone suffice to stifle every sentiment of hostility in a bosom possessing one spark of manly feeling :

"It has been remarked that George III. was the first monarch in whese reign a tax

was ever laid on the light of Heaven; and ⚫ that his Majesty, from the time the tax passed, was affected with bad eyes, till total blindness shut him out from the light which

he denied to others."

This is a literal transcript from the Staf fordshire Mercury of April 1, 1815.

Hic niger est, hunc tu Britanne, caveto.

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 458,000 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 au hori-' zontal 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 same as if he moved for

effect is the

ward. 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 benevolence 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 immoveable 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 pub-, lishing 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

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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 expense of making it shall be less than its present manufacture with pot

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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 to 40; the excess of the former was in the year 1805, 568,469-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; Cron stadt, 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, 1,300,000 rubles of silver, 400,000 rubles of tin, 3,700,000 rubles of copper, and 14,400,000 rubles of iron. The pernicious extent to which the consump tion of brandy is carried, may be esti mated from the following data: there are produced in thirty-nine provinces of the Russian empire, inclusive of the crown distilleries, 18,710,313 wedro of brandy, or nearly sixty millions of gallons! As every wedro of brandy requires 9 poods of corn, it follows that to produce the above quantity 33,678,563 poods, or 2,694,284 quarters of corn will be consumed.

An aërolite or meteoric stone was found on the 26th March, 1814, in the government of Charkow in the Ukraine, which weighed about fifty pounds, and The weather varied extremely soon after, was sent to the university of that place. great heat being succeeded by extreme cold. As late in the year as towards the blossoming season, the snow fell in such quantities, that it lay above half a yard in height, and the farmer as well as the gardener gave up all his hopes in'desnor the plants appeared to have received pair; but eventually, neither the seed the least injury.

By special command of the Emperor, the Bible Society of Petersburg is in future to be called the Russian Bible So ciety, and the distinct branches of it are to be named after the circles or govern ments 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 preser vation. 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.

versity of Upsala, at the end of the The number of students at the UniSpring Term of 1814, amounted to 1109. Of these 269 studied theology, 159 jurisprudence, 123 medicine, 307 philosophy, and 251 were engaged in general pursuits.

1815

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NEW PUBLICATIONS IN MAY AND JUNE,
WITH CRITICAL REMARKS.

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, dwelling. houses, 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 comprehends many useful Tables, and is illustrated by 1 plates.

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The Political Life of William Wildman, Viscount Barrington, compiled from original Papers by his brother Shute, Bishop of Durham. Svo. 10s. 6d.

This

Lord Barrington, who died Feb. 3, 1793, at the age of 76, was for near forty years a leading cha racter 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 present publication, and to the venerable bishop for acceding to the proposition of his friend. 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

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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 translators. Mr. Godwin is extremely minute and

diffuse in his narrative, and of this a more striking proof cannot be given than that of his taking oc casion, from the notice of John Phillips's version of 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 name of Samuel Johnson?

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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 Ecclésiastical History. By John Robinson, D. D. Master of the Grammar School at Ravenstonedale. 8vo. 11. 8s.

Remarks on the Effusion of the Fifth Apo calyptic 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, 2s.

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,

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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,

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[JNv 1, The History of the Small Pox. By James Moore, Director of the National Vaccine Establishment, 8vo, 12s.

The Morbid Anatomy of the Liver. By J. R. Farre, M. D. Part II. 15s.

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. By F. A. de Chateaurica, with Essays on various Subjects in Mobriand, 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 picture 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 Je 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 second 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 bas 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, A. M.; illus trated 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 aformation that might be calculated to bring to light knowledge, would do honour to his memory. Trae those remains, which, by enriching the stock of it is, that the present volume does confirm the as

surance that the literary collections of our accom plished countryman are yet in existence, and these cannot be a shadow of doubt that they are in vaý

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