periority and to receive a Venetian governor. In the 16th century, the power of Ragusa was at its height; she had an army of 6000 men, and about four hundred sail of merchant ships; her manufactures of cloth and silk were in full activity, and in great demand: the produce of her silver mines afforded her also a considerable profit, by being coined in viscelins, which were received as currency in Turkey. She enjoyed, besides, almost the whole coasting trade of that great empire. yet persevering industry has clothed them with vineyards and gardens: the whole of the country is studded with villas, pleasantly situated in groves of laurel, orange and lemon trees, particularly in the neighbourhood of Gravosa, and in the island of Malada. In this island is a large lake, communicating with the sea, and overhung by forests of oaks and firs; the branches of these trees, hanging down into the waters of the lake, are soon loaded with oysters and mussels; the inhabitants have taken the hint from this extraordinary circumstance, and they use no other method to catch the shell fish which abounds in this lake. The government of Ragusa was a mixture of aristocracy and democracy, not unlike that of Venice, but more favorable to the liberties of the lower classes; it afforded encouragement to commerce and literature, and Ragusa than Ragusa, blinded by her prosperity, unboasts of more justly famed writers, fortunately took a part in the wars between could be possibly expected from such a feeble France and Spain as an ally of the latter population. Among them we reckon Bospower: between the years 1584 and 1654 she covich, one of the greatest geometers of Eu lost upwards of 178 vesels, many of them of rope; Anselme Banduri, author of the Imlarge burthen, and of great value; the anni-perium Orientale; Zamagna, who translated hilation of her marine was followed by the ruin of the city, which was completely de'stroyed by an earthquake in 1667. The the Odyssey into Latin verse; and Raimond The war which raged in Europe during the eighteenth century, afforded the Ragusans an opportunity of retrieving their affairs: in 1700 they had only about twenty small coasting vessels, but in 1779 they had 162 vessels, mostly armed, and carrying from 10 to 40 guns. But the war which soon after broke out between the Russians and the Turks, proved fatal to Ragusa. Count Orlof appeared before the city with a considerable fleet. He vainly employed promises and threats, to induce the Ragusans to admit him into their ports, and to join the insurrection of the Greek provinces. Notwithstanding contagion of example andthe disparity of forces Ragusa remained faithful Description of the late Republic of the Seven to the Porte; her harbour was bombarded, and her commerce annihilated; the late events in Dalmatia have, it is to be feared, completed the ruin of that industrious commonwealth. The territory of Ragusa is composed of a narrow strip of coast bordering on Turkish Dalmatia; its length is about 45 miles, and its breadth from three to nine; of the Peninsula of Sabioncello, whose extent is nearly the same; of the isle of Malada, and of several smaller islands, too insignificant to be named. The population is calculated at about 60,000 souls, 10,000 of whom dwell in Ragusa. This we think under-rated, like the revenue of the state, valued only at £40,000; but the statistics of that country have always been kept a profound secret, from motives of political jealousy. The four principal ports are, those of Ragusa, Gravoso, Stagno, and Malada. The steep and rocky hills produce but little corn; The Italian has been the prevailing language in Ragusa since the middle of the eighteenth century; the Illyrian dialect of the Sclavonian was before in general use, and is still retained by many. Islands. The celebrated islands which had been formed into a republic under the name of the "Seven Islands;" and had enjoyed the patronage of Russia, which power had procured their acknowledgement as a state by other powers, are, 1. Corfou and its dependencies, Paxos and Anti-Paxos, 2. St. Maur and Ithaca, 3. Cephalonia, 4. Zante, 5. The two little islands of Strivoli, 6. The three little islands of Sapienza, 7. Cerigo. These islands formerly belonged to the republic of Venice; but were ceded to France by the treaty of Campo Formio. They were retaken by the Russians and Turks in 1794, and subsequently formed into a republic under Russian protection. Corfou, the principal, is about 40 leagues in circumference; has 50,000 inhabitants, a city of the same name, well fortified, and an excellent port. This island yields wine, oil, lemons, and great quantities of salt. St. Maur, on the coast of Livadia, was separated from the continent by human labour. It was formerly famous for the Leap of Leu cadia, and the tomb of Artemisia. It is fertile in corn, wine, oil, almonds, and oranges. The city has a good port, high walls, and 6,000 inhabitants. Ithaca, which was formerly a part of the kingdom of Ulysses, is no more than a rock, the inhabitants, to the number of 5000, are poor, and employ themselves in fishing: they also cultivate a few olives. Cephalonia may be in extent about 47 square leagues. It has about 60,000 inhabitants, is fertile in wines (muscats), currants (black), cotton, oranges and pomegranates of extraordinary magnitude. The climate is very sultry winter is unknown. Zante is about 35 miles in length, by 18 in width. The inhabitants are reckoned at from 55 to 60,000: almost all Greeks, or Roman Catholics. It is equally agreeable, and equally fertile as Cephalonia. Its chief riches arises from its wines, oils, figs, oranges, and lemons. Bitumen springs, which produce abundantly, are also found in it. The two islands of Strivoli, anciently called the Strophads, are two rocks, inhabited by Greek monks, whose convent has the appearance of a fortress. The three islands of Sapienza, anciently denominated Insula Sphagia, are inhabited by a few fishermen only. Cerigo, formerly Cytherea, famous for the worship of Venus, is now a mere mass of rocks and flints, instead of abounding in roses and myrtles, as described by the poets of antiquity; and by modern poets also. It contains mines, olive trees, partridges,silk-worms, and a few inhabitants. The principal city has a port, which is defended by an old castle. It appears that on the 8th and 9th of August the French commissaries and a Russian colonel had an official meeting at Corfou. In presence of the senate, the Russian officer read dispatches from the Emperor Alexander, announcing his renunciation of any further protection of the Seven Islands, è diritti suoi, and of their rights, to the Emperor of the French, and directing all to conform to this notice. The commissaries immediately accepted and registered this act of renunciation, 3000 French troops took possession of the gates of the city, and the Russians embarked to quit it. The city and forts of Cattaro, Castel Nuovo, c. were delivered over to the French about the same time. HINTS ON THE CHARACTER OF BISCAY, AND ITS INHABITANTS. [Abstracted from Apperçus sur la Biscaye, &c. by M. Louis de Marcillac.] Spain is not less insulated from Europe by her customs and manners, than by nature. Most of the provinces of the Spanish monarchy have characteristic forms of government. In Biscay each town and village constitutes a small republic, distinct from others and subject to its own laws. Great activity reigns throughout the country, and industry is constantly enlivened by commerce. Gurpuscoa, one of the subdivisions of Biscay, abounds with iron mines; the metal is the most malleable known, and was highly prized by the Romans. The inhabitants of this happy province do not conduct strangers to the venerable ruins of cities, but they shew them with pride the tree of Guernica, which has been witness to the public spirit of the Biscayans. At its foot lies a stone, whereon the kings of Castile were accustomed to sit to receive homage from those simple republicans; and to swear to maintain their glorious privileges. Queen Isabella was the last sovereign who performed that ceremony. The Biscayans, worthy imitators of the virtues of their ancestors, the Cantabrians, are reckoned among the bravest people in the world. When the Angelus bell rings in the towns, and in the country, every person uncovers his head, stops and prays. A vessel never sails without the captain's turning towards the nearest steeple, and addressing fervent prayers to its patron saint. The Asturias, the cradle of the Spanish monarchy, offer a spectacle not less curious than Biscay. The mountains are rugged and picturesque; the noise of torrents dashing from rock to rock stuns the ear; and the only passes are narrow paths that winde up to but warlike. "In Egypt," says Rollin, the the highest craggs. The population is poor, whole nation was esteemed noble." It is the same with the Biscayans, Asturians, and Gallicians; all are acknowledged noble in the public acts. The itch unfortunately is a distinctive trait in the Asturias, and becomes subject of vanity. M. Marcillac visited Ferrol, and describes Corunna and the town of St. Jacques de Compostella. To the patron saint of this town pilgrimages have been undertaken from all parts of Europe, during eight centuries. From Corunna the traveller is led to suppose that he is entering the Deserts of Arabia: all signs of industry disappear; it is necessary to carry provisions, and to eat them, in the patriarchal style, under the shade of some venerable tree. On approaching Madrid the villages are more frequent, and better built; the inns are on a better establishment, and more cleanly; and travellers are charmed with the comforts of hospitality. The pride, of which these people are accused, says M. de M. is only an exaggerated greatness, a noble species of selflove, attached to the remembrance of the glory of their ancient monarchs, who included the whole world in their political arrangements. The heroic attachment of those intrepid Castilians, who fixed on the head of Philip V. a crown which the powers of EuTope leagued to bestow on the Arch-duke Charles, is not yet forgotten. PRESENT STATE OF THE ARTS OF ACCOMMO- The list of patents from the Revolution to January 31, 1806, includes of agricultural machines only five articles. The Fine Arts have received three patents, of which the most remarkable is, Nov. 29, 1798. Pictures in oil, executed by a mechanical process.-By J. G. Bonninger of Paris. Term 15 years. What is the nature of this process? and whether, and in what, different from the Polygraphic attempt in England? Music has received sir patents: four of them for improvements or variations on the harp: the fifth for a harmonized piano: the sixth, dated 25th Jan. 1804, for an organ, whose tone, may be strengthened or weakened at pleasure. By Girard, of Paris. Term 5 years. The Mechanical Arts have received nine patents: the most remarkable are, July 12, 1799: Mechanical means for employing the rising and falling of the waves of the sea, as moving powers. By P. H. 1. Girard, Paris. Term 15 years. Jan 23, 1801. Machine for diminishing to half the efforts hitherto employed in raising weights to any height whatever. By J. F. Charpentier, Paris. Term 5 years. It is not because we are of opinion that French ingenuity has excelled that of our own country, that we have paid attention to the Patents taken out for inventions in France, but partly because some idea may be formed of the state of accommodations in that country by its patents, many of which are mere copies of English inventions; and partly because we would direct the attention of some of our friends, to whom it may be profitable, to what improvements have been made by our ingenious neighbours on sug-years. gestions which originated in Britain. As we Clock-work has received three patents. cannot give either figures or specifications of Carriages appear to have been studied with the articles, we shall only insert a selection great partiality: not less than eleven patents having been obtained for them, or for imof those which appear to be most notice-provements in their construction. We can able. Patents are taken out in France-for 5 years: this costs... 300 fr.₤12 12 0 10 0 0 0 1 0 Feb. 22, 1805. The invention of a new mechanical principle intended to supersede the use of labour in joining the sides of the pieces of any flexible substance, and particu farly applicable to the clothing of soldiers and seamen. By J. Stone, Paris. Term 15 only notice those of April 23, 1802. To prevent the oversetting of carriages, whether by the breaking of the axletree, or the drawing of the screws. By Amavet, Paris. Term 5 years. July 16, 1802. A carriage for conveying loads without an axletree, by L. Weber, at Mulhausen on the Rhine. Term 10 years. Oct. 14, 1803. A new manner of suspend00 ing carriages: called Velocifères. By J. F. Chabaisner, Paris. Term 15 years. April 27, 1805. A new system of light vehicles, called Telegraphs. By J. Desrooches, Paris. Term 15 years. or completion ...... 24 1 Every prolongation... 600 25 Registry of prolonga tion 12 0 10 6 Registry of a cessa tion of patent...... 18 0 15 Examination, and Jan. 31, 1806. Invention for doubling the power of horses, carts, and chariots, by 0 10 6 adopting pullies. By H. Cortier, Paris. Term 5 years. A new manner of hanging carriages, 0 10 6 By A. P. Garros, Paris. Term 10 years. For spinning of linen thread, three patents: for spinning of cotton thread, two patents for spinning of wcollen thread, fire patents. 0 10 6 26 : For weaving of stockings, seven patents. Several of these are for procedures and imitations façon Anglaise: the following may deserve attention: For finishing, shearing, &c. of woollen | such, that without employing the abilities of cloths, five patents. a workman in the art of casting, those obstacles which are rendered insurmountable by the presence of air in the ordinary mode of casting, are effectually overcome, and types of any size are procured instantly and with the utinost precision; whatever can be engraved, however delicate, is cast in perfection. July 28, 1791. Fabrication of stockings woven, brilliant as satin: with lace knittings, which may be cut without unravelling. By Golivet and Cochet, Lyons. Term 15 years: renewed July 2, 1804. Under the article TECHNOLOGIE are introduced, miscellaneous inventions, such as plating of metals; endless saws for cutting wood of whatever size: hats made of silk iron beds: new manuer of building houses: door-plates locks that cannot be picked, &c. The fabrication of divers kinds of stuffs, have received nine patents: some of these are for mixtures: others for ornaments, woven in the piece. Shawls have received three patents those made of Vigogna wool appear to be the only novelty. Weaving machines, five: preparation of silk, three for papers of different descriptions, five patents. The most remarkable are, Jan. 28, 1799. Machine for making, without workmen, paper of any dimensions whatever. By L. Robert, at Essonnes. Term 15 years. Compare Panorama, Vol. I., p. 1275. July 2, 1801. For making of paper from straw and other vegetables. By Sequin, Paris. Term 15 years. Has this succeeded in France? The Typographic art has received ten patents. Several are for Stereotypical fabrications. Among others we find, Jan. 28, 1798. Solid forms for printing by new modes chemical and economical. By Herhan, at Paris. Term 15 years: addition, Jan. 29, 1801. Feb. 17, 1798. For a manner of multiplying plates of moveable characters rendered solid, under the name of monotypage, or struck characters. By H. M. Gatteaux, Paris. Term 5 years. Jan. 23, 1801. New methods applicable to the formation of plates for printing music, figured cottons, furniture papers, and other works in which printing is used, in moveable characters and plates of a single type, the whole in copper or bronze. By A. Bouvier, Paris. Term 15 years. April 23, 1802. Method of engraving and printing, by the means and employment of matters not hitherto employed. By F. André, Paris. Term 20 years. April 27, 1805. New manner of casting printers' types. By J. B. Didot. Term 20 years. The machine invented by H. Didot, is The art of wig-making has received three patents that of the dentist, an equal number. The chemical arts have received no less than nineteen patents: whence we may infer, that these have been studied with great diligence, and skill too, even during the most calamitous periods of the Revolution. In this department we may enumerate those for July 30, 1791. Fabrication of white lead. By Chaillot de Prusse, Paris. Terms 10 years. Whether this is performed by any means, less injurious than the common mode to the workmen employed? Sept. 25, 1791. Extracting of Soda from sea-salt. By Leblanc, Paris. Term 15 years. Sept. 26, 1791. A metallic varnish, which preserves copper, iron, &c. from rust. Mde. Leroi de Jaucourt. Term 15 years. March 8, 1797. Artificial chalks, by Conté. Paris. Term 10 years. These we presume are for drawing with: they have been made many years at Paris; and are now made in England, but we believe have not been thought of much importance. Nov. 1, 1805. Indestructible ink. By M. J. B. Cellier. Term 5 years. Sugar refinery, two patents. Metallurgy, two patents. The principal, for the conversion of cast iron into malleable iron, by means of pit coal: 25th Feb, 1805. Pottery has seven patents. Among which are two for new furnaces: also, &c. Jan. 14, 1803. Manner of printing on glass, porcelain, pottery, varnished wood, Whatever is incapable of being subjected to the power of the press. By Potter, Paris. Term 10 years. The glass manufacture has two patents: we shall only notice, Feb. 22, 1805. Composition of a red paste for making all kinds of vases. By Utzcineider, Sarguemines. Term 5 years. The washing of linen has received four patents: two for mechanical processes; and one for the employment of the oxygenated muriatic acid :—which method of bleaching seems to be more popular in France than in Britain. Aug. 7, 1803. Composition of a gam for whitening linen. By C. D. P. Brilhac, Paris. Term 15 years. Different kinds of lamps, have received fourteen patents. We presume that a great scarcity of oil has been experienced at Paris. We may instance, Sept. 28, 1799. The Docimastic lamp. By Bertin, Paris. Term 5 years. Nov. 4, 1801. Thermo-lamp. By Lebon. There are several reverberators, and street lamps. Candles and bougies have three patents. Fire-places, stoves, chimnies incapable of smoking, &c. have required twelve patents: whence we are led to conclude that wood is dear at Paris, as most of these recommend themselves by the character of economical. The conversion of turf into charcoal has produced seven patents: which strengthens our inference of the scarcity of wood. An apparatus to retard fermentation, has received one patent: Distillation has received cleven patents. Tanning has received three patents: of which Nov. 17, 1798. Preparation of morocco leathers, and chamois of all colours, in imitation of silk stuffs and velvets. By P. Dollfers, of Bonnelles. Term 10 years. Oct. 15, 1804. For a fluid capable of rendering all kinds of leather, old or new, impermeable and elastic. By J. H. Henory, Paris. Term 5 years. The preparation of matières fécales has five patents: among which, one for their conversion into a vegetative inodorous powder, proper for manure. Hydraulic machines have received eight patents. March 8, 1779. Syphon for raising water to any height required, by M. Arnaud, of Grenoble. Term 15 years. What was the principle and action of this Syphon? Jan. 8, 1798. Montgolfier's Hydraulic ram. Oct. 14, 1803. Mill without wheels. By F. Bossu, Paris. Term 15 years. Note. The large model of this machine, was purchased by the Minister Chaptal: and is placed in the Conservatory of arts and manufactures.. Feb. 22, 1805, Hydraulic machine capable of receiving a moving power in a quantity of stagnant water. By Thuez, at Paris. Term 5 years. Steam engines, three patents. Marine, three patents, for cordage, for boats for the whale fishery, for a perpetual lock. July 16, 1802. By G. Odiore. Frames for weaving fishing nets, one pa tent. Inland navigation has required six patents. -The general remarks derivable from the list of patents are: 1. That almost every invention that is found to answer in England, and becomes, in any degree, popular, is speedily imitated in France; 2. That during the last five years, double the number of patents has been taken out, than was taken out in the preceding ten years. This may be because the recommendation of a patent is now greater than it was formerly, so that dealers find their account in acquiring the privilege but it still more probably is, because trade and arts have lately met with more encouragement than heretofore: and are somewhat reviving from their languor. We think our own manufacturers may derive useful lessons from this circumstance, and suffer it to impress their minds with a sense of the necessity for their preserving their superiority by every care, attention, and dili gence. If they steadily exert their abilities, and make a point of producing good work, the world will yield them not only the palm of honour, but the reward of merit; and we shall continue to stand, as we confessedly have done, at the head of all nations, which by their skill and ingenuity propose to supply the wants of mankind, and to administer to the conveniencies and comforts of human life. ANTIQUITY OF THE WORD PARLIAMENT, We are desirous of calling the attention of "This Record is not addressed to Cities or Boroughs; therefore it is no summons to Parliament in the modern acceptation of the term; but iv discreti milites were appointed to deliberate on the King's and Kingdom's July 16, 1802. Moved by a steam engine. business without arms, for xv days; and the |