Versailles, at the time of the grand fête given by Louis XVI and his consort to the ambassadors of Tippoo Saib, with the present race of upstarts who were then in their native nothingness, we shudder! What ideas does it present of the transitory nature of human grandeur: regicide assassins seated on their inurdered sovereigns' throne! and this not a poetic fiction, not an incident in an epic poem, but what we have seen, and live to feel the baneful effects of. If such ideas never occurred to the Queen of Westphalia, we envy not her feelings We at least recollect, that the late sovereigns of France lost their throne by affability and goodness of heart, whilst the present obtained and preserved it by blood and midnight assas sination! Curious Aloe.-There is now in the Jardin des Plantes an aloe ready to blossom. This is a most rare and curious event, as last century one only has blossomed. Its stalk which rises in the centre of the plant and which is to be crowned with flowers, is remarkable for its height and the rapidity of its growth. It requires fifty or sixty years in our climate to render one stem capable of bearing flowers. False Expression of an Allegory in the Tomb of Rousseau, at Paris. -The sepulchre of Rousseau, whose remains were deposited in the French Pantheon (formerly the church of St. Genevieve), are enclosed in a sarcophagus made of boards and plaster. It has the form of a long trunk or coffer; at each end are folding doors, apparently capable of being opened. One of these flaps is partly open, and out of it projects a naked arm, the hand grasping a torch, the flame of which spreads all over the monument. On considering the time and circumstances when this monument was constructed, we may safely guess, that the artist intended to represent this philosopher as enlightening the world from the very depth of his tomb: but the mere aspect of this extended arm, and this furiously flaming brand, rather suggests the idea of an attempt to set the world on fire. In short, it appears to be an emblem much more proper to preserve the memory of Herostratus, than that of the author of the "Social Contract,” · understood as his partizans understand it though perhaps some of our readers may think it equally apt for both. This sarcophagus is further distinguished by being adorned with rough trunks of trees, billets of wood, and branches with leaves, instead of pilasters and other ornaments. The artist, we may suppose, had in his mind the idea of floreat semper, eternal verdure; but this is no less impossible to be executed expressively in sculpture, than to be ensured to the productions of a writer of the character of J. J. Rousseau. : Imperfection in the Construction of the Church of St. Genevieve at Paris.—The church of St. Genevieve, the boast of Paris, and of its architect, Soufflot, in point of construction, has not justified that opinion which the Parisian public had formed of it. The pillars beneath the dome have given way; and the French architects have been at a loss by what means to restore them to their perpendicular state. M. Rondelet, who had the charge of constructing parts of this building under Soufflot, proposes to convert the pillars into pilasters, by absorbing the greater part of them into the mass of wall adjacent. This is thought to be the least expensive mode of accomplishing the purpose, and it departs least from Soufflot's design but it infers the loss of twelve columns of the peristyle, and pilasters are utterly incapable of supplying their intention. Recourse, therefore, must be had to painting and gilding. Large pictures must be placed before the pillars, in order to conceal from a spectator what otherwise would appear displeasing,-viz. the inclination of the columns, as they now stand, or the want of correspondence between, the proposed pilasters, and the parts of the arcades above them, which they ought to sup port.-Those who were acquainted with M. Soufflot know, that he proposed to himself to emulate and surpass Sir Christopher Wren's construction of St. Paul's at London. He has not been so happy : neither has he been so happy in other respects. He did not live, as the English artist did, to see his work finished: nor was his monument erected, as was intended, amid his construction. The sum of 40,000 francs, which had been allotted by M. Bertraud de Moleville, while Minister, for that purpose, was dissipated in the Revǝlution. He therefore could not adopt the happy allusion of Sir Christopher's inscription : Si monumentum quæris,-circumspice. Parisian Bougie, ex voto.—— After the French had lost the battle of Poictiers, in which their King, John, was made prisoner, Sept. 19, 1356, Paris, being divided by factions, became a prey to troubles and anarchy. To interest heaven in their favour, the citizens made a vow which was singular enough. It was, to offer to the Virgin a wax candle long enough to surround the whole city. In conformity to this engagement, on Aug. 14, 1357, the vigil of the Assumption, the municipal corps, in full ceremony, presented to the bishop and chapter, in full assembly, this new offering for the first time. This custom continued nearly 250 years to 1605, when Paris being considerably enlarged, the vow becane annually of greater difficulty to fulfil. At length, this offering of a wax candle was changed to that of a large silver lamp, which was given by the city, and hung up in the Query. The length, weight, cathedral. and value, of a wax candle, capable of surrounding the city of London at the present time? sed, how they suffer their heads to come under the hands of the Doctor; and indeed, if Mercier should come with him, how they suffer him to obtain the length of their foot ! GERMANY. Trade and Commerce. Banks of the Tocsin. It is probable, that not many readers are acquainted with the derivation of the word tocsin, which imports a peculiar manner of striking the bells, for the informa- Mayne, Nov. 21. In the month of October tion of those who hear it we may call it in last, trading caravans arrived again at Breslau English to clank the bells. It seems that from Russia and Moldavia. They were twenbells being anciently called saints, from the ty-two in number, one of which, from Molname they bore, the custom of striking them davia, consisted of 14 waggons: the others with a hammer received the appellation of were from Russia, consisting of 240 waggons. Toque Saint, whence, by corruption, is de- They brought tale, potash, cavear, soap, and rived Tucsin. The office and charge of strik- hemp-seed oil. These goods were exchanged ing bells belonged to the Cheveciers of the for cloth and linen. church; called in Latin Copicerii, or otherwise Primicerii, because they were first written in the list of officers who were on the establishment. This list is called Cara, by Pliny, Suetonius, and Juvenal. 66 Mercier and Dr. Gall.-The wits of Paris have begun their pleasantry upon the high German Doctor, and amongst the rest Mr. Mercier, the author of le Tableau de Paris, has entered the list with his podology against craniology. He humourosly pretends that it is not in the Head that ideas reside, nor by the Head that man differs from other animals; that a man withouta Head would not, on that account, be less reflecting; in short, that the Head says nothing, does nothing, and contributes nothing to the observation of man. It is his Foor which does every thing:-It is in the Foot that we inust seek and find the stamp of man's original diguity. In the Foot? Yes, Sir, in the Foot!-Look at the Foot of man, who smiles at your surprize, is it not the Foot which supports the Head? Does not the Foot express anger and indignation? In Spain all matters of love and gallantry begin with the Foot. The Foot in China plays the first part. There is nothing more rude, than to tread upon another's Foot: when a man gets duruk, his Foot refuses to carry him in that state of debasement, in fine the Foot cannot lie like the mouth and eves. You must perceive then that the Foot has all those qualities which prove a man to be a thinking being, or in other words the Foot is the seat of the soul. If you would know, therefore, whether a woman is tender or faithless, if a man has the understanding of Montesquieu, or the folly of, instead of looking at his skull, you must see his Foot. Yes, good Doctor Gall, you shall see my Head, and I will go and examine your Foot."-Thus far Mercier's wit. We have not yet heard whether Dr. Gall has expressed any design of visiting Britain; but, from the tenor of a letter, received from our correspondant Ingeniosus (vide | p. 806), we are inclined to believe that he intends us that favour: we have therefore given these communications a place in our work, that the public may be forewarned, and well advi State of the Jews in Frankfort on the Maine.We are unable to report the actual state of the Jews in this city, since the calamities which have attended the north of Ger many, and the changes that have been projected there; but the following description of their condition not long ago has been communicated to us by a respected correspondent.— "Will it be believed, that in the 19th centry there exists a republic, where public opinion has so stigmatized the Jews, that they dare not, under pain of being insulted, enter the wide alleys which serve as a promenade to the Christians? And yet Frankfort on the Maine is known to possess citizens, estimable in every respect, and who, no doubt, will raise their voice, for the purpose of putting an end to this injustice, less dishonourable to those who staller it than those who tolerate it. -But, let us hope, that the epoch approaches, when all the separate Jewish comunities will be abolished; when civil toleration, expiating the crimes of preceding generations, will call mankind without distinc tion to fulfil all the duties and enjoy all the rights of citizens. HOLLAND. Passports and Liberty! The King of Holland has issued very strict regulations respecting persons passing to the islands on the whole coast of Frizeland, and East Frizeland. They must have a passport; which passport Just have the visa of the minister of justice and police, and the military commander if any on the spot: these are to make faithful abstracts of such passports. The route by which all persons must pass, is marked with great precision, nor can any person be put ashore, except at certain villages, which are named: The absence of a passport subjects the defaulter to imprisonment. New Zealand; from Port Jackson she pro- | ceeded to England, and from thence came out to Bombay, touching at the Cape of Good Hope. Throughout so many climes and seasons, with a humane and meritorious degree of attention on the part of Capt. Mac-Askill and his Officers, the health of the crew, consisting of upwards of fifty natives of India, was so well preserved, that only two casualties occurred during their protracted voyage, which occupied more than three years. This among many other instances, demonstrates that the native seamen, when attended with proper care and treatment, are not more liable to diseases, in any climate, than sailors of other countries. The valuable Work published in Bengal, by Dr. Wm. Hunter, and entitled, "An Essay on the Diseases incident to Indian Seamen, on long Voyages," has, it is very evident, tended successfully to the establishment of the material decrease now observable in the number of casualties, amongst the native crews of ships navigating from India to Europe, in contrast with the great mortality which, a few years since, generally prevailed on similar voyages. a pended throughout, with large reflecting convex mirrors, or rather balls, distributed in every part of the ceiling.-After supper a display of fire-works took place on the opposite side of the water, partly native and partly European; the former commenced by a signal gun fired from the crescent of boats illuminated and moored in the river, and opened with an effect which we do not recollect to have seen equalled; the various coloured lights produced; the almost infinite variety of fantastic contrivances in different coloured fire, evinced a knowledge of pyrotechny in the natives of this country, not surpassed by Europeans, and in some particular instances not equalled; they were novel and striking.-A boat traversed the river in front of the pandal, dropping at intervals into the water a species of rocket, which tumbled about, and spouted fire in a humourous and whimsical manner, affording apparently much diversion to the brilliant as semblage of rank and beauty, collected on the terrace of the pandal. After the native fireworks, two signal guns were fired from the crescent; which, with the surrounding country, appeared instantly in a blaze of artificial Oriental Fétes.--We learn from Madras, that day. The house, octagons, and garden of on 16th Feb. a most splendid entertainment Colonel Munro, were illuminated in a stile of was given at Brodie Castle, by the Rt. Hon. inconceivable brilliancy and splendour, for aLady Theodosia Cradock, intended as bout two minutes. When all again became farewell party to the numerous friends of the dark, on a small island opposite the castle, the Commander in Chief, and his Lady; but word "Farewell" appeared in radiant fire, whose departure for Europe is postponed. for the space of about a minute, and was On the road for more than a mile distant from then blown into the air with a violent explothe house, peons were stationed with flam- sion. The effect of this device afforded a scene beaux, and troopers paraded, at different in- of sublime, and almost terrific grandeur. tervals.-On a nearer approach, the road was Immediately after the explosion, a flight of lined with lamps, placed at about 3 feet dis- European rockets, announced the conclusion tance, which had an appearance of gaiety of a scene which in splendour and magnificence and splendour, difficult to be imagined. of effect we believe as yet stands unrivalled.— The coup-d'œil of the house itself appeared A full band of music was stationed in a boar like one of those palaces of enchantment, on the water, and at intervals played appropri that eastern writers have so largely expatiated ate tunes with great effect.-After the fireon-it was one blaze of light-pyramids of co-works, the company returned to the ballloured lamps, decorated the top; and at the entrance on the sides of the large flight of steps, similar pyramids were placed, and the grenadiers of H. M. 94th regiment were stationed on either side of the flight of steps, which lead up to the veranda of the castle. The interior decorations of this splendid mansion, were as usual,-and the rooms were filled with a numerous and brilliant assemblage, comprizing nearly the whole settlement. The dancing was admirable. A pandal was erected for a supper room, and which from the acknowledged taste of the noble hostess, was as might have been expected, truly elegant; the building was a square, with a dome in the centre-the whole was lined with red, interspersed with rich gold ornaments, and carpeted with a rich scarlet cloth. Numerous large and brilliant lustres, with chandeliers, colored and plain, were sus room, where the festive dance recommenced, and was kept up with unabated spirit until a very late hour in the morning. Fumine at Madras.-A dreadful famine prevails here, and throughout the peninsula, in consequence of the late N. E. Monsoon having totally failed. The poor natives are dying in every part of the country-not a tree, near the sides of the road leading to Madras but has dead bodies of the famished natives lying beneath it. Such as can reach the presidency are fed, and their lives are saved by the charitable contributions of the European inhabitants, and by certain portions of rice daily issued by government. Lord Bentinck has done, and is doing every thing in his power to alleviate the miseries of the wretched sufferers-We hope that the measures adop ted by the governments in India will considerably lessen the evils to be apprehended from the scarcity of grain occasioned by the late failure of the periodical rains on the Eastern coast of India. The honorable the governor in council at Fort St. George has issued orders to licence all neutral vessels and particularly American vessels to import grain at that presidency till the 31st December, 1807. provided the cargoes of such vessels consist exclusively of grain.-The above is dated July 20, and is the latest account received in Europe.-Lord Minto arrived at Madras June 20, and departed for Calcutta in the Modeste the day the letter was dated. Postmaster-General.-April 28, died, after an illness of a few hours, Richard Comyns Birch, Esq. Purveyor-General of Hospitals, Postmaster-General, and Commissioner of Chinsurah and Chandernagore; a man whose virtues shone too conspicuously in an active and useful life to need the aid of posthumous panegyric. At once a man of letters and the polished gentleman, blessed by nature with genius and talents, which he had sedulously and successfully improved by observation and reflection; possessed of feelings tremblingly alive to the calls of henerolence, a heart ever prone to indulge in the tenderest sympathies of distress, his virtues assumed a scope, an activity and direction that gave dignity and practical utility to every period of his life. In the death of such a man, society has to mourn no ordinary loss; his bereaved family and relations have to deplore a most afflicting calamity, under which no consolation can arise but in pious resignation to the will of that unerring Providence, before whom he has been hence called to receive in a better life the reward of virtue. Lapland Particularities.-Cape North is part of an Island named Magerö; but the Island is so near to the Continent that it may be said to be one with it. This is the most Bortherly point of the continent of Europe. ---The heat on the confines of Lapland, was, at 9 o'clock in the morning in summer in the sun, 36° Reaumur: 145. Fahrenheit: in the shade 23 1-5 R. 116 1-6 F. in the water 14 R. 96 F. p. 85.-The sun shines without interniission during 49 days in summer, and is not seen during an equal space of time in winter: however there is at that season a twilight of three or four hours, at least. These long nights are frequently enlightened by the Aurora Borealis, which is seen sometimes in the Zenith. The ice assumes its fixedness in October, and does not disappear till the end of May, or early in June; the ordinary thickness to which it attains is three feet on the rivers. The frost on the surface of the earth reaches about three feet and half in depth; and the height of the snow on the ground is commonly three or four feet. The number of days of rain or snow is to those of the year as 2 to 5, and cloudy days to clear as 2 to 3. The North East wind blows with most force in AutumD; the East wind usually brings continued rain. Gusts of wind are very common; but during eleven years no hurricane, properly speaking, has happened. Thunder is frequent in summer, and indifferently from all points of the compass.-At Alten, the most northern town on the coast, which has a good port, and does a good deal of business, the course of life during the summer half of the year, especially while the sun is constantly above the horizon, is, to rise at ten o'clock in the morning, dine at 5 or 6 in the evening, sup at one hour after midnight; and go to bed at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. In winter, and during the long night, which lasts from the beginning of December to the end of January; a kind of apathy which well suits the season, prevails, and sleep engrosses more than half of the twenty-four hours: when awake, the chief occupation is that of keeping up sufficient warmth, and business of most kinds is suspended. Deer. It is necessary that travellers should carefully distinguish the domesticated Reindeer from those which are wild for nothing could expiate in the eyes of the Laplanders the crime of having killed one of those animals on which their subsistence depends: they would persuade themselves, after such an accident that misfortune would immediately attach itself to thein, and that their whole herds would perish. Nevertheless, they kill many then they practise certain ceremonies which of these deer, themselves, every year; but they consider as indispensable to avert misfortune. The only difference between the wild deer and the tame, is that the former are fatter, more plump, and of a deeper colour than the others. Population. The parish of Enontekis, contains 120 square miles, and consists of 820 persons: 409 males 411 females, 258 settlers, 562 native Laplanders, including 295 chil dren: of 20 or 30 born annually about 10 or 15 die. One Laplander had reached the age of 80 years. The illage of Kantokenio, situated on the brink of the river of Alten, 59 swedish miles from Tornea, is one of the most considerable in this part of Lapland. A fair is held here which is very numerously attended, and the church is in great venera RUSSIA. State of the Navy. In addition to Panorama, Vol. III. p. 627, we have to mention: The flotilla of Ochozk, 11 vessels carrying 36 guns. At sea, 11 ships of the line, carrying 760 guns, the precise stations of which are not mentioned, neither are the smaller vessels particularised.-Building, 10 sail of the line.Total, 53 sail of the line; 34 frigates; 59 cutters, brigs, &c.; smaller vessels, 226; carrying, in all, 4,428 pieces of cannon. Conspiracy against His Majesty.-(Compare Panorama, Vol. III. p. 651.)-Madrid, Nov. 5.-This day the King has addressed the following decree to the President of the Council of Castile:-" The voice of nature unnerves the arm of vengeance; and, since inconsideration calls for pity, a tender father cannot refuse it. My son has already reveal ed the authors of the horrible plan, which miscreants had induced him to meditate. His repentance and remorse have dictated the following appeals, which he has addressed to me:- Sir and my Father-I have rendered myself culpable in being wanting to your Majesty. I have failed in my duty to my King and my Father; but I repent, and 1 promise your Majesty the most humble obedience. I ought to have done nothing without the consent of your Majesty, but I have been surprised in an unguarded moment, I have denounced the guilty, and I pray your Majesty to pardon me, and to permit your grateful son to kiss your feet. FERDINAND. San Lorenso, Nov. 5. To the Queen beloved spouse, I pardon my son, and he shall return to my favour, when his demeanour shall give me proofs of true amendinent in his conduct. I also order that the same judges who have investigated this matter since its coinmencement continue their inquiries, and to add other colleagues, if they think it neces sary. I also enjoin, that when the inquiry shall be terminated, they submit to me the sentence, which must be conformable to law, to the importance of the crimes, and to the quality of those who have committed them. They must take for their basis, in drawing up the Prince in the examination he has underthe heads of accusations, the answers given by gone, and which are signed by his own hand, as well as the papers written with his own Their decision shall be communicated to my hand, which were seized in his cabinet. Councils and my Tribunals, and shall be circulated among my people, that they may acsuage the affliction into which they were knowledge my pity and my justice, and to asthe danger of their Sovereign and their Father, thrown by my first decree, for they saw in it who loves them as his own children, and is beloved in return. (Signed) DON BARTOLOMEO MUNOZ." 30th October last, His Majesty deigned to Thanksgiving. By his Royal decree of the make known to the Council, that his Royal Person was, thanks to the assistance of God, delivered from the catastrophe which threatened it. On this subject, the Council proposed to His Majesty to grant permission, that all ranks in the kingdom give thanks for this goodness to the Most High, by a solemn festival. His Majesty having consented to the wish of his Council, has appointed this day for its execution, and has decreed that you give the necessary orders that similar festivals take place in your chief city and its dependencies. I now communicate to you the Order in Council for its regular execution; and in order that you may make it known to the Archbishops, Bishops, Seculars, and Regulars of the Holy Church, desiring you to acknowledge the receipt of the present decree. (Signed) DON BARTOLOMEO MUNOZ. Madrid, Nov. 3, 1807. Madame and Mother, I deeply repent of the great fault I have committed against the King and the Queen, my father and mother. With the greatest submission I also ask your pardon, for my great obstinacy in denying the truth to you the other evening. On this account I beg your Majesty, from the bottom of my heart, to deign to interpose your mediation with my father, that he would grant permission to his grateful son to kiss the feet of His Majesty. FERDINAND. San Lorenso, Nov. 5. 1807. In consequence of these let-ers. ters, and at the prayer of the Queen, my well TURKEY. Unfortunate Selim, and Printing Presses. If ever the constitution of the state was capable of a reformation internally, it certainly would have taken place under the reign of the unfortunate Selim. It is well known how great a favourer this enlightened sultan was of European cultivation and science. He was himself a good poet, and after his deposition wrote a poem on his abdication of the throne, which was much praised by the commissionUnderhin likewise flourished the Turkish printing presses, which were first in |