The History of the countries and people in the West, which forms the second section, contains that of the Germans, and of those States formed by them before the time of Charlemagne, in Gaul, in Spain, in Italy; then follow the history of the French Monarchy, of Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, and the northern countries. The History of the people which derive origin from the antient Slaves includes that of Prussia, Poland, Russia, Servia, Bosnia, Dalmatia, Ragusa, Croatia, Moldavia, Walachia, Hungary, &c. Chronicle in Rhime, written by Robert Vaçe, canon of Caen, and poet in the court of Henry II. in the twelfth century. This chronicle describes the exploits of Hastings, of Rollo, and of others, the first Normans, in Bretagne, and in France. It would be by no means wonderful if this chronicle also touched on some points of English History; as the countries, by means of the provinces on the continent which belonged to the English crown, were strongly connected in weal and in woe: and by their manners, also, which, no doubt, are described in it. EUROPE: Maps, a good omen. Among the favourable omens of the pro We are not aware that works of this nature are so common in our schools and among our writers as they ought to be: the example set on the Continent might be fol-longation of peace in Europe, ought, no lowed in England to advantage. BELGIUM. Laudable attempt to improve Brick-making It is impossible but what every reader must have observed the extremely bad manufacture of bricks, which disgrace the builders, and endanger the lives of residents in the houses built with them, in the vicinity of London. It is impossible that worse can be made in any country. We cannot, however, but applaud the spirit of the natives of the Low Countries, who by means of one of their public societies have proposed as a prize question- "What are the faults with which certain kinds of doubt, to be reckoned that general disposition for publishing Maps of the different kingdoms and states, as they now stand, various instances have been made to their and especially of such acquisitions, as in, territories. This not only shews the opinions of those who undertake and execute such maps, and descriptions, but also that of the provinces themselves, thus transferred to new masters; and in some degree that of the Sovereigns and of the neighbouring Princes, who are parties concerned in their change of duty and loyalty. FRANCE. History of Distillation; new processes. bricks made in this country are chargeable? ticed with as much skill in Britain, as any The Art of Distilling is, probably, pracBy what means may they be rendered more perfect? What are the materials and the where; nevertheless, there are processes processes used in Holland, for the fabrica-employed in foreign parts, which are not tion of certain kinds of bricks, in which our makers are deficient?" It were to be wished that some effective power would take order, that our London brick making should be better conducted than it is. Vegetable Rheumatism The Society of Emulation, of Liege, has proposed among other prize questions, one at which perhaps our readers may smile, at first sight; "To determine better than has hitherto been done, and by correct observations, the nature and existence of the Rheumatism of the Muscles; a disease which does not attach to animal life exclusively, but to plants and trees also:-to which must be added, the best means known of curing this affection." This question, surely assimilates animal and vegetable life, very closely. DENMARK. Poetical Historical Documents. Professor Bronstett lately read in a sitting of the Literary Scandinavian Society, at Copenhagen, a Memoir on an Ancient familiarly known among us, if at all; al- The A slight sketch of the History of the Art occupies the first place in these volumes. The distillation of wine took its rise in France. The most distinguished chemist of the thirteenth century, Arnaud de Villeneuve, created this Art. It was perfected in the first year of the nineteenth century by Edward Adam, a man in an obscure situation of life, profoundly ignorant of the Art, and not even acquainted with the science which he undertook to reform: yet did this man arrive at that end which the most profound genius's had laboured in vain to attain during several centuries. His success surpassed all expectation. Not R 2 are divided into three orders; 1. those which the pagans consecrated to their gods and heroes; 2. those which are mentioned in the Bible; and 9. those which since the Christian era have been placed under the protection, or used in the invocation of Saints. To these distinctions are added Reflexions on the new denominations given to plants by modern authors. It is certain, that we still retain in common speech allusions to the laurel of victory; to the myrtle of Venus: we adopt the maxin and the motto Palmam qui meruit ferat; and on less favourable subjects we allude to the custom of hanging out the broom; aud of wearing the willow. The subject is curious; if treated curiously, only he obtained from wine, by the first distillation, brandy, Dutch proof; but also, much higher numbers above proof. Scarcely acquainted with the principles on which the Physico-economical sciences are founded, Adam repeated his experiments several times. He entrusted the author with the secret of his practice; and the partnership took out brevets d'invention, analogous to English patents. The fame of this discovery agitated the whole south of France; but the secret was kept. Four years afterwards, a distiller, named Isaac Berard, a man of simple manuers, and in appearance a mere peasant, but concealing under these rude externals an extraordinary genius, constructed a plant, very simple in its parts, which yielded excellent and Lately has been published in Paris, a abundant products and by no other acwork somewhat in the manner of Swift, tion than that of turning a cock, he obtain called Mons. Terme, or the Art of preserved at pleasure an extract from wine, of ing Places, by one who has held his emwhatever degree of strength he pleased.ployments under all the Regimes, from 1788 His method was different from that of Adam; who quickly found that he had a most powerful rival; and the more formidable, because his implements were less expensive; fearing the consequences, he entered an action against Berard. The suit lasted several years, and cost Adam his life. His heirs pushed the matter with all possible eagerness: an infinity of memorials were circulated on both sides; and thus these two concurrent inventors, who had the greatest interest in keeping every thing secret, divulged the whole to all the world. Various hints were taken by various other distillers, each of whom called himself, and perhaps thought himself, the inventor. The first part of this work describes the old processes; the second part describes the new processes, which are now general in France. The contents, however important, are not susceptible of abridgment, nor would our readers be greatly edified by a list of French terms, or the rules of the business, as conducted in France. The author concludes by warning those distillers, his countrymen, who might intend to take advantage of his labours, against in fringing his patents, the time of which is not expired;-But, the same warning is not available against English distillers; who may adopt whatever parts of his inventions and processes they please. Plants: religious, consecrated. A subject not less curious than instructive has lately been started from the press at Paris. Dissertation Philologique sur les Plantes Religieuses, &c. A Philological dissertation on those plants which have been objects of religious consideration. They to 1817. The principal contents of this work, after the Biography of the author, are-On reducing the Theory to practiceOn the talent of being excessively disconuseful-All things to all men; or the way tented-On the folly of rendering one's self to succeed-On keeping good company, and proper conversation-On Backbiting -On personal appearance and connexions -On Luxury, on treats, and good dinother games-Chrysologus, or the clever ners-On playing a good hand at Cards, or fellow at every thing-On the courage of cowardice, and the heroism of abandoning friends-On Women and intrigue-The theory of Selfishness. Whether this book would bear being trauslated into English, we do not know: it is morally certain, that such rules for obobtaining success could never succeed in Britain. French Goodwill, to British prosperity. The British nation is under particular obligations to a certain Mons C. A. Scheffer, who in his Essay on the Politics of the English Nation and the British Government, lately published at Paris, after treating on various topics of English Politics, and notably, on the distinction between the exterior and the interior politics of the country; or the inclination of the people, as distinct from, and opposed to, the proceedings of government, takes occasion to annex a postscript, in these words-" As to the insurrections which have taken place in many provinces in England, they demonstrate that the people are reduced to the last degree of misery, and are ready to attempt any thing, or every thing, to put an end to their sufferings: they prove, above ail, that if England be arrived at the high-¡ est pinnacle of glory, as the Ministers take upon themselves to affirm, this glory is by no means inseparable from internal misery, distress, and convulsions. 66 May the enlightened nations of the Continent, take warning from so striking an example! May they effectually convince themselves that every war of ambition, how happy so ever it may prove eventually, how important so ever the conquests made may appear to be,-that such a war costs nothing less to the people which have supported it, than their prosperity, their tranquillity, and very often, in addition, their liberty, also." Query 1. What is Mons. Scheffer's opinion now, when every man who is willing and able to work may find employment, and wages are rising? Query 2. What remonstrances did Mons. Scheffer present to Napoleon against Wars of Ambition, when said Napoleon was Empereur et Roi, &c. &c. &c.? GERMANY. New Holland Topazes. M. Blumenbach presented to the Royal Society of Sciences of Gottingen, at the sitting in May last, several topazes, from New Holland, forwarded by Dr. Noehden at Loudon. These topazes were found in the vicinity of Bathurst, beyond the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney Cove. They are of considerable size, and present the two principal colours of the true topaz, sea-green, and orange-coloured yellow. Dangerous Invention for Belles and Beaux, M. Theodore Gremes, of Geneva, who has GREECE. Progress of Literature and Knowledge, promoted in a manner truly patriotic. We read in the "Mercury" of Vienna, that the civilization of Greece is making a regular progress. The municipal authorities of many Grecian cities have established, for the instruction of youth, lyceums, or gym asia, where they teach ancient Greek, Latin, modern languages, rhetoric, mathematics, &c. The pupils, when completed in their education, proceed to finish their studies in different capitals of Europe, unat home. There they connect themselves less prevented by filling some chair or office tants, especially in superintending editions with learned men, and become their assisof the Greek classics. Often they find in their countrymen who are scattered over different countries, enlightened patrons; among whom may be named the brothers Zosimades, in Russia, who distinguish themselves by defraying the expense of many fine editions of the ancient Greek authors. who exhibit themselves en spectacle. M. de Drais, Grand Master of the Waters and Forests at Friburg, sent a description of a new opera glass, of his invention, by means of which a spectator may view the scene that is passing on the theatre, The following circumstance, found in though placed behind others who inter- the same paper, deserves to be mentioned: rupt his vision. This is accomplished by -A Grecian lady, named Basiliki, has dislooking over the heads of those who sit be-posed of her fortune (about 100,000 francs) fore him. in favour of Siatiste, her native city, to establish there a school for the sciences and polite literature, under the protection of Cyrilly, the Patriarch of Constantinople, a prelate of great acquirements, and distinguished by his love for Greece, his native country. chants established at Leghorn, founded a During the last year, the Greek mersociety in that town for aiding the poor students of their nation. Those of Vienna erected a similar establishment at the com mencement of the present year, under the presidency of M. Maurogini, a relation of the Hospodar of that name. The special purpose of those establishments is to support in Europe several young Greeks, destined afterwards to diffuse the light of science over their native land. toises of the summit. However the incident has furnished the Count with an opportunity of narrating his journey, in a small octavo of 54 pages, published at Vienna; which may be useful to others who make the same attempt, as it contains cor rect instructions for the undertaking, states the indispensable precautions previously necessary, the ways of ascent to be preferred, the guides, the views to be seen in ascend SILESIA: AUSTRIAN. Museum rapidly formed. Science certainly spreads in Germany and its connexions. A museum has been formed at Troppau, in Austrian Silesia, which owes its origin to the Voluntarying, &c. &c. gifts of a number of individuals, friends to the arts and sciences, in the year 1914. The first work, which of course, became HINTS, PLANS, and PROCEEDINGS the foundation of the library, was presented May 1, 1814, by M. de Buchberg, captain of the circle. It was the German Encyclopedia, in one hundred and seven volumes, 8vo. The number of volumes had encreased to above five thousand, at the close of the year 1816. OF Benevolence. Homo sum; Humanum nihil a me alienum puto. The collection of Ornithology includes the birds of the province, and about thirty THIRD kinds of birds' nests. The shells are rapidly augmenting, aud contains several fine specimens. A collection of Amphibia and Insects is begun, and getting forwards. The Botanical Collection arranged on the principles of Linnæus, enumerates about 1200 species of indigenous plants, with the wild plants of the north and south of Germany, collected by Sieber. REPORT OF THE BOMBAY AUXI- September, 1816. In our fourth volume, p. 980, our readers have seen the promising commencement of an institution, that it is to be hoped, will contribute essentially to the benefit of mankind: we are happy, in an opportunity of communicating the further progress of this undertaking, which by gradually en The collection of the Minerals of the country is reckoned complete: that which comprises foreign minerals, classed according to the system of Werner, is greatly ad-arging its views, is proportionately extend vanced. ing its importance. The reader will peruse REPORT.-SEPTEMEER 1816. The Committee have determined to meet the Subscribers at an earlier period than the termination of the present year, in consequence of a suggestion that it is highly desirable their Annual Report should be so arranged as to reach the Parent Society previous to the general meeting in May. The account therefore they have now to present comprehends their proceedings for the last eight months only. For the purpose of encouraging such a spirit, and in order to give facility to the means of reading the Scripture among all classes, the Committee have opened a depository for the sale at reduced prices of the old and new Testaments in several European and native languages: in this depository they either now have, or shortly will have, Bibles and Testaments in English,Gaelic, Portuguese, French, Dutch, the pretensions of the Archbishop having been satisfactorily proved not to have been founded on any legitimate basis, the Bombay Government determined in 1813 to enforce the orders of the Flonourable Court re German, Spanish, Danish, and Italian; I serted in a manner that created consideraHebrew, Greek, and Latin; Arabic, ble agitation among the Parishioners, comSyriac, Ethiopic, Armenian, Persian, Hin-plaints were made to the Government, and dostanee, Malay and Chinese. Such a depository should contain not only translations of the Scriptures into the languages chiefly prevalent among the the natives and visitors of India, but should be furnished also with such Polyglotts, Lexicons, Gram-ceived in 1793, founded on similar_commars, and Commentaries as will best assist the further translation into the Asiatic dialects; particularly on this coast. The population of Bombay is supposed by Mr. Hamilton in the East India Gazetteer from such imperfect sources as he was able to obtain "to be above 220,000, of this "number there are supposed to be 8,000 | "Parsees, and nearly as many Mahom"medans, and three or 4,000 Jews, the "remainder are Portuguese and Hindoos, "the latter composing more than three "fourths of the whole population," by a more correct census, however, lately made by the direction of the Government, it would appear that the whole number of native inhabitants on Bombay, not including persons who periodically visit this Presidency, as the emporium for the commerce of the western side of India, does not exceed 161,550 which may be divided as follows: 1 British not military, 2 Do. Military and Marine,............. 4 Jews,........ 5 Mahommedans, 6 Hindoos, 7 Parsees, 1,840 ..2,460 plaints made at that period by the Portuguese inhabitants, in which such jurisdiction was virtually disallowed, and the Parishioners left to the choice of their own Pastors. The other three are under the titular Bishop of Antiphilæ, who is the Apostolic Vicar of the Pope; he derives his mission. from the congregation "de Propaganda, Fide," and is attended by four Italian Carmelite Friars. The Armenians form a part of those Eastern Societies of Christians who differ in points of faith, discipline and worship, both from the Greek and Latin Churches, and have shewn an inviolable attachment to the opinions and institutions of their ancestors, under the severest trials of oppression from their Mahommedan Rulers, They are not numerous in Bombay, but form a very respectable class of Christians, and have one church within the Fort; they are occasionally visited by one of the forty-two Archbishops who are subject to the Patriarch of Echmiazin; the far greater 11,500 part of these Archbishops are only titular 800 Prelates, each of whom may claim the 28,000 obedience of four or five suffragans, and 103,800 whose chief duty is, the visiting of their 13,150 numerous Churches dispersed over the eastern world. Besides the Church at Bombay, they have within the limits of this Society, Churches at Surat, Bussora, Bagdad and Bushire. The Armenian Archbishop Emmanuel, now in Bombay, has heard with great satisfaction the exertions making in London and St. Petersburgh to reprint editions of the Armenian Bible, and there is every reason to believe, they will prove most acceptable to the priests and to every member of that Church. The Bible lately printed in Bengal is so edited as not to be intelligible to them.* Of the Native Christians in Bombay, the far greater part are what are usually termed Portuguese, chiefly from their frequenting the Portuguese Chapels, for excepting a few, constituting the higher and more respectable classes, the great mass of Portuguese population throughout India forming the lower orders of Christians, are in general the spurious descendants of the several European settlers by native women, and the numerous converts which have united with them;-these from neglect and the want of a decent education are but little acquainted with the holy religion they profess; and through ignorance and a blind attachment to prevailing usages, retain many pagan customs, which are a source of regret to their spiritual guides. Of the five Romish Churches on the Is. land of Bombay, the Archbishop of Goa for many years claimed and exercised an ecclesiastical jurisdiction over two; in con sequence, however, of it shaving been as Next to the Native Christians at the Presidency, the Society are anxious to afford their assistance to the Native Christians on the neighbouring Islands of Salsette and Caranjah. On the former of these the Population is supposed to be about *For a circumstantial account of the religion and history of the Armenians, see Clement Galani Conciliatio Eccl. Ann. see Crooze Hist. du Christ; des Indes. and Currir [Q Carriero?] Voyage autour du Moude. |