ing all intercourse with England; and has burdened trade by an edict forbidding the sailing of all vessels from any port in his dominions without his special license.

In the month of October, a revolution took place in Hayti, (St. Domingo) in which the emperor Dessalines was killed, and Christophe was raised to the supreme power in his stead. The new emperor issued an address to all commercial nations, inviting them to a free trade with his island.

In the United States of America, Col. Burr underwent an accusation of a treasonable attempt to excite a rebellion against the government, in the Western States. He surrendered himself in Kentucky, in November; and a commission since appointed to try him, has been dissolved on pretext of the proofs not being prepared. It was, probably, in connexion with this incident that the President issued a proclamation declaring that he had been informed that some citizens of the United States are preparing an expedition against the Spanish dominions, and calling upon public officers to assist in preventing such unauthorized hostilities.

On Dec. 1st. Congress assembled; and on the 2d. the President, Mr. Jefferson, communicated a message to both houses. In this he expresses hopes of bringing the negotiation with Great Britain to a happy termination, but speaks dubiously concerning that pending with Spain relative to the boundaries of Louisiana. He mentions that a Spanish force had occupied Bayou Pierre, on the Red River, which had once belonged to the French; but that they had quitted it on the approach of an American force. and retired across the Sabine river. He speaks of the necessity of maintaining troops, especially cavalry, in that country: and likewise adverts to the fortification of the American ports, the equipping of gun-boats, &c. He makes a favourable report of the increasing attachment of the Indian tribes to the American government; and notices the expeditions that have taken place for discovery in the interior country. He informs them that the period is at hand, in which they may constitutionally determine on the abolition of the slave trade. Finally, he enters into a statement of the surplus of the revenue beyond the public demands, and throws out various hints for its useful application.

Debates

On December 3d. a message was sent from the President to the House of Representatives, recommending a temporary suspension of the non-importation act respecting British commodities. arose thereupon, and a bill was framed and passed for the suspension till June 30th. It was afterwards introduced to the senate, and passed, with an amendment to give the President the power of suspending it to the end of the year 1807.

The political occurrences at home during the current month have been of little importance. On January 1st, notice was sent by the Minister to the Lord Mayor, that a treaty of amity, navigation and commerce, between his Majesty and the United States, had been signed by the commissioners of each nation, and was transmitted to America for ratification. Its conditions will not be made known till it has been ratified.

On January 5th. an address to the king on the subject of the late negotiation with France, was introduced into Parliament by Ministers. It became a topic of considerable debate, but no division was moved by the opposition.

The public feelings have been agitated by repeated reports of the recapture of Buenos Ayres, and the surrender of General Beresford and all his troops as prisoners of war; but no direct intelligence of such an event has hitherto been received.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

IN the month of February, 1806, a message was read in the Congress of the United States of North America, from the president, communicating an account of the discoveries which had been made by a party sent out in 1804, for the purpose of exploring the great river Missouri. At the time of this message Capt. Lewis, the commander of the party, had sent intelligence of his arriving on November 1st, 1804, in the country of the Mandan Indians, 1609 miles above the mouth of the Missouri, (that is, its entrance into the Mississippi) and of his wintering there, and proceeding on this voyage up the river in April, 1805. By letters since received from Capt. Lewis, it appears that in June, 1805, they reached the great falls of the Missouri; that from thence, by a laborious portage of 18 miles, they again joined that river, and penetrating the Rocky Mountain, arrived on, July 27th, at the point where the Missouri divides into three nearly equal branches. This point they computed to be, by the windings of the stream, 3843 miles from its mouth. They followed the northern branch, which they named Jefferson's river, till it became no longer navigable. There they purchased horses of the natives, and taking a guide, crossed the chain of mountains which separates the eastern and western waters. Of this chain, 60 miles was over eternal snow, and the hardships they underwent from cold and hunger were excessive. They reached the lower country beyond the meuntains in September, and in October they embarked on a river called the Kooskooske, down which, and another to which they gave the name of Lewis's river, they came to the Columbia, and followed its stream to its discharge into the Pacific Ocean, where they arrived in November. At this place they passed the winter in the midst of a numerous, and in general, a friendly tribe of natives, and on March 27th, 1806, they set out on their return. This they effected with much greater ease than their journey outwards, and arrived in safety at St. Louis in September. They calculate the whole distance from the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi to the mouth of the Columbia, at 3555 miles. Of this remarkable expedition a particular account will doubtless be given, which will be impatiently expected by the lovers of geographical information.

The greater part of the communication to Congress above-mentioned (which has been published in a pamphlet) consists of a statistical view of the Indian nations inhabiting the territory of Louisiana, and the countries adjacent to its northern and western boundaries, together with an exploratory voyage up the Red and Washita rivers. It contains many curious particulars, among which is the account of the remarkable hot springs in the vicinity of the latter river. The principal of these are four in number, of the respective temperatures of 132, 136, 150, and 154 degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometor.

The designs of Mr. Flaxman from the Italian poet Dante, which were originally composed in Italy, for Mr. Thomas Hope, are at length preparing for publication, they consist of one hundred and nine subjects, of a smaller size than his compositions from Homer. Mr, Flaxman has also thoughts of pub

lishing

lishing his compositions from the Lord's Prayer and acts of Mercy, the result of many years' study. He also is employed upon compositions from the Greek poet Hesiod. This eminent artist has in hand the following pieces of sculp ture. A great national monument of Earl Howe for St. Paul's Cathedral, and a statue of Sir Joshua Reynolds for the same place; a statue of Mr. Pitt for the city of Glasgow; a public monument to the late Josiah Webb, Esq. for India; with several inferior commissions both public and private. He has just completed a magnificent statue of the Raja of Tanjore, for that Prince, and a monument to the Rev. F. Swartz a missionary, who died in the Raja's dominions.

The language of the Hungarians is little known by other European nations, and on account of its radical difference from the polished tongues of Europe, is little likely to acquire much estimation beyond the limits of the territory where it is spoken. It appears, however, not to be wholly uncultivated, and the attention paid to native literature is said to be increasing. A journal is published at Vienna, of which Dr. Lübeck is the editor, under the title of Ungrische Miscellen, (Hungarian Miscellanies) though the numbers do not succeed each other with as much rapidity as might be wished. Only three have yet appeared. Their contents are not devoid of interest.

Among Hungarian works of recent date, the following may be mentioned. A new edition, with corrections, of the Hungarian grammar of Farkas, published by M. Jos. Martin, secretary of the consistory, at Vienna, printed for Gerold, 1805. Professor Nic. Revaj has published the first part of the second vo lume of his Grammatica Hungarica elaboratior, treating on the inflections of verbs.

M. Jos. Hegyi, has published an Hungarian translation of select epistles of Cicero; and John Tenarki, a translation of the Jerusalem delivered of Tasso, both printed at Pest, for Kis.

M. Francis Toth, professor at Papa, has published a system of doctrine for the use of reformed protestants, Raab. 1804.

Matthias Trattner, a bookseller at Pest, has printed (1805) dialogues for the use of children, already able to read, intended to habituate them to the exercise of reflection, by the Countess Karyoli, who has availed herself of a German work of similar object by G. C. Claudius. Kis, a bookseller at Pest, has printed a "library for the use of children and young persons," consisting of a collection of moral tales.

In 1803, M. Jos. Fabian, minister of the reformed religion at Veres Bereny, published at Veszprim, a popular treatise on medicine. The same writer has also given an Hungarian translation of the useful work of M. Chaptal, on the cultivation of the vine, and the preparation of wine, Veszprim, printed for Sammer, 1805.

Hungarian literature has sustained a considerable loss by the death of Mich. Velez of Csokona-killa, a pleasing poet who published in 1805 a collection of songs, which had a remarkable success. The same author published in 1804, an heroi-comic poem, in four books, entitled Dorothea, or the triumph of the ladies at the Carnival. In the preface, which, as well as the poem, is in the Hungarian language, the author treats on the nature of the heroi-comic poem. This branch of writing has hitherto been scarcely cultivated in Hungarian literature.

Another work of nearly the same kind, was printed at Pest, for Kis, 1804, entitled Matthias Ritoki, in which the author, who describes himself only by the initials F. V. relates the solemn coronation of the celebrated Hungarian poet of that name. The same author published in 1804, and 1805, at Pest, in two volumes, a satirical view of the follies of the city of Pest, under the title of the life of M. Tzarvas of Kolompos.

A new edition of the fragment of Philodemus on music, discovered at Herculaneum, has been published at Berlin, with a translation, a life of the author, and various illustrations.

The Latin society of Jena, which had been suspended, was re-established a few years ago, and M. Eichstadt was appointed its president. Among the honorary members occur several names, eminent in foreign classical literature, VOL. I.

2 A

as

as those of Schäfer, de Bosch, Tzschucke, Mitscherlich, Jacobs, Heyne, Matthæi, Alter, Schnieder, Harles, Wyttenbach, Coray, Spalding, Herman, and others. A volume of their transactions was published during the late year, which contains some interesting pieces, among which may be mentioned Eichstadt's observations on passages borrowed by Plutarch from the poets. He does not, however, appear to have seen the learned and interesting note of Professor Porson on the Medea, v. 139.

Partonepex de Blois, a poem in three books, with notes from the French of M. le Grand, by William Stewart Rose, Esq. will appear very soon from the press of Ballantyne of Edinburgh. This work will be enriched with fine Engravings from Paintings by Smirke, Esq. Jun. in which the costume of the time has been an object of uncommon attention.

The Orchard Pathway, a collection of Poems, with other Miscellaneous Poems, by William Wordsworth, Esq. Author of the Lyrical Ballads, will be published next month.

Mr. Banks has a little volume in the press, entitled a Manual of Nobility. Mr. Southey's specimens of English Poetry in continuation of Mr. Ellis's much admired works, will appear this month.

New and enlarged editions of the Rev. Mr. Daniel's Rural Sports, are in great forwardness.

The second edition of the Rev. Lant Carpenter's, Geography of the New Testament, is in the press.

There is in the press, Some account of a Voyage round the World, performed by order of the East India Company, in the Antelope Packet, (Captain H. Wilson) which was wrecked at the Pelew Islands; with Eugravings of the Landscape Scenery and Natives of Pelew, Patagonia, and Terra del Fuego, from Drawings made on the several spots by A. W. Devis.

The first Number will very shortly be ready, of Illustrations of the most remarkable Scenes in SCOTLAND, from Pictures by William Scrope, Esq. F. L. S. to be published in Numbers at the price of One Guinea each.

Mr. Landseer is engraving an Emblematical Monument in Honour of ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, in which will be introduced the Bust of his Lordship, and Allusions to his most celebrated Victories. This Engraving will be from a Drawing by P. J. de Loutherbourg, R. A.

Mr. Dallas is at present employed upon a new Romance, to be entitled The Knights.

There is a new work nearly ready, by Dr. Barclay, of Edinburgh, on Mus cular Motion.

Dr. Trotter of Newcastle, will publish his Treatise on Nervous disorders in a few days.

The Rev. Mr. Crutwell, of Bath, has for several years past, devoted his whole time in preparing a new Edition of his General Gazetteer, which is now in the press.

The fourth volume of that eccentric work, the Lounger's Common-place Book, is in preparation.

Mr. Parkinson will shortly publish a new and enlarged edition of his Experienced Farmer.

Mr. Cuthbertson, of Poland Street, has in the press, a work on Practical Electricity and Galvanism; being a translation of the greater part of the experiments contained in a treatise published by him, during his residence in Holland, with the addition of all such as have since been invented by himself and others; together; with an Appendix, containing the most interesting experiments on Galvanism.

The celebrated Von Michel, from Basle, but who is at present in Berlin, is occupied, in company with Messrs. Humboldt and De Bach, the travellers, Tralles the Mathematician, and Bode the Astronomer, in preparing for publication a large copperplate, which will exhibit a general picture of the highest mountains of the Globe, under the title, "Tableau general des plus hauts Montagnes du Globe." It will contain about 150 Mountains, with an exact measurement of their several heights above the level of the Sea. These heights are

reckoned

reckoned by the fathom of six feet. The drawing is by M. Von Michel, and the explanatory book from the pen of Baron Humboldt.

Several literary works in the modern Greek language are continually issuing from the press, in various parts of Germany. Among these is a History of Wallachia and Moldavia, and a translation into modern Greek of Goldsmith's History of Greece.

Mr. Semple, author of "Walks and Sketches at the Cape of Good Hope," has in the press, (to be published early in next month) " A Journey from Lisbon, through Spain and Italy to Naples, and thence to Smyrna, and Constantinople," comprising a description of the principal places in that route, and observations on the present Natural and Political state of those Countries.

The period of Mr. Semple's Journey (which was undertaken for purposes of a private Commercial Nature) was highly interesting; he visited Cadiz, immediately after the battle of Trafalgar; and passed through Italy in the winter of 1805, when that country was full of French troops.

A new translation of the Epistles of Ovid, is in the press, from the pen of the late Rev. Mr. Fitzthomas.

Mr. Anderson, a native of Denmark, and author of "A Tour in Zealand," is about to publish in one quarto volume, a work entitled "Great and Good deeds of Danes, Norwegians, and Holstenians." It consists of Anecdotes (selected and translated from the large work of Ore Malling) illustrative of Piety, Patriotism, Learning, Magnanimity, Valour, &c. The volume will be embellished with an excellent Portrait of the Prince Royal of Denmark.

G. Dyer begs leave, through the medium of the Athenæum, to apprize his friends and the public, that he is proceeding with the "Inquiry into the state of the Public Libraries of this Kingdom,” which was announced by him some ́ time ago. He has had free access to various public libraries in different parts of England, and has visited every one of those in Scotland; and he proposes, in proportion to his encouragement and opportunities, to pursue his researches, till he has completed his design. The Inquiry will make three volumes, and is intended to comprehend a short account of every public library of a particular description in the island, together with such biographical sketches and literary observations as will be naturally connected with such a work.

At the opening of the present month will be published a weekly literary and scientific Journal, called, "THE DIRECTOR: the principal object of which, will be the diffusion of such intelligence as may serve to shew the state of literature, science, and the fine arts in the metropolis and the other parts of the empire. Connected with this important object, it will supply a regular account of the Lectures at the Royal Institution, and of the proceedings, not only of that, and the London and British Institutions, but (as far as may be obtained) of the Royal Society, Royal Academy, the British Museum, and of the Societies of Antiquaries and Arts.

This Journal will be published only during the London season from November to July; on account of the different learned bodies breaking up after the lat ter month,

In the Press, a selection of Medical Reports of Cases, Observations, and Experiments, chiefly derived from Hospital Practice, including among others, Clinical Histories of Diabetes, Chronic Rheumatism, and Hydrophobia, by Dr. Bardesley, of Manchester.

The author of Louisa, the Orphan of Lenox Abbey, is at present engaged in preparing for the public a romantic Legend, under the title of Mandeville Castle, and which will shortly appear in 2 vols.

Mr. Northmore has nearly completed an Epic Poem, of ten books, upon which he has been engaged for a considerable time: it is entitled, Washington, or Liberty Restored, and, exclusive of the Imagery, is entirely founded upon historical records.

The Rev. Edward Forster, A. M. F. R. S. and S. A. has published a Prospectus of a British Gallery of Engravings from Pictures of the various schools, in the possession of his Majesty, and the Noblemen and Gentlemen of these kingdoms. The work is proposed to be published in numbers, containing four

in