through a process by which it shall be doubled; the silver is furnished, put into a crucible with some lead or copper, and covered with leaves and a powder; it is then placed over a fire in a room and locked up during the night. In the morning the door is opened, and behold a piece of silver, double the weight of that furnished, is found in the bottom of the crucible: the Alchymist a-ks something as a reward for his trouble, and receives the value of the metal he had produced; his employer, however, naturally asking him how it happened, as he

ment of the prosecutor and his servant. The Alchymist was, however, acquitted, in consequence of the prosecutor having communicated with the prisoner through the medium of an interpreter, who was not to be found.

CEYLON.

Present State af Kandy.

The following letter, giving a very interesting description of the beautiful province of Kandy, and a flattering picture of the new government, is written by a Gentleman in the Governor's suite, and appeared in the Madras Gazette of August 30, 1817.

could make silver, that he should continue a Byragee asking alms; to this he readily re plied, he could perform the operation for other people, but was not permitted to do so for himI had scarce entered the Kandyan country self He then went away, and at the end of when my attention and admiration were excited about three weeks returned, asking alms as in viewing the bold and picturesque scenery usual, and saying if he were furnished with a proceeded in the road of Ruanwella, convenience successively presenting itself to notice; as we larger piece of silver than before, he would for travelling was marked by the recent conmake it more productive. The experimentstruction of flat.bridges, formed apparently on was repeated and with the success predicted; he did not make his appearance again till about three weeks afterwards, when he said he could perform the same operations with gold as he had done with the silver; he was furnished with a small piece of gold, which in the morning was found doubled in quantity, as the silver had been; he repeated the opera tion more than once at different intervals, and with the like success. Having by these means got complete possession of the mind of his employer, he brought with him at his last visit, a greater quantity of the powder and leaves used in the process, which he produced, desiring a large sum might be furnished for him to operate with. The master, and all in the house, according to their account, were spell bound by the Alchymist, and they could deny him nothing; about 900 pagodas were furnished him, the melting pot was placed on the fire, and the usual preparatory steps taken; the door was locked and the key given to the servant. In the middle of the night, however, the operator wished to see how the process was going on, and desired the servant to give him the key; the latter, like his master, felt himself, as he said, obliged to comply with every demand of this transmuter of metals, he therefore gave the key. The operator entered the room, and being satisfied that matters were going on exactly as he wished, he locked the door, gave the key to the servant, and again retired to his usual resting place, under the verandah of the house He rose very early in the morning, it appears, and walked quietly away. Before the usual hour, his employer, whose slumbers had doubtless been disturbed by dreams of coming riches, rose also, and repaired with his servant to the room; the crucible, was uncovered, when, lo! instead of the expected golden harvest, a hole was discovered in the bottom of the pot, the gold conveyed away, and a quantity of copper left. After a search of two years, his credulous employer discovered the Alchymist at some distance from Madras, and brought him down to answer at the sessions, for having thus reversed the process of transmutation. Such was the state

an economical plan, to enable the Palankeen bearers with facility to traverse a low tract of country intersected by numerous water courses from the hills on each side. Agreeable was my surprise, on arriving at Ruanwella, to see favourable proofs of the new Government. Instead of an ineffective Kandyan for, I saw a newone in a state of forwardness, having within it comforta ble habitations and convenient store-houses, and the jungle cleared away within a certain dis tance on all sides; and below the fort, near the river, a new street, well inhabited and supplied with articles of provision and merchandize, had succeeded the former waste. On my journey from Ruanwella, I soon began to see marks of ingenious cultivation, and ease and cheerfulness in the countenances of the natives, who in addition testified by every mode in their power, from the chief to the labourer, their respect towards the Governor, which conduct on the part of the natives, continued in full force during our journey to the capital. The stage from Ruanwella to Idalmalpane, presented many beauties; and the repaired and widened road, and bridges newly constructed, gave agreeable facility to our travelling-while at breakfast at the latter place, the natives descended from among the hills in numbers, bringing with them fruits and sweetmeats in testimony of their homage

The striking variety of foliage, and different shapes and heights of hills covered with trees, together with water falls, and grotesque rocks, constantly struck our eyes on the road to the next stage Hittymoelle; and no pains or inge. nuity seem to have been lost in cultivating on each side of the road the smallest and most difpost of Atapitea, fresh wonders presented themficult spots of ground. On our arrival at the selves,-a new fort and town suddenly appearing amongst mountains, which till lately contained nothing but wild animals, and some scattered villages almost inaccessible Here, on the top of a hill of considerable height, but small in circumference, though sufficiently large for the purpose, have the excellent professional judgment and taste of Captain King been put most successfully to the test by the erection of a fortified post, the whole having been conceived by him, and assented to by the Governor. No loftier hill, within distance of danger, commands this envied spot; the necessary buildings are in a state of considerable forwardness, and much

conciliation, honour, and justice, be continued towards the natives, we shall bind them in close attachment to the English character; and in time our example must have its due effect upon their own conduct.

BOMBAY.

Melancholy Circumstance.

has been done with small means and expense. The timber trees which were too near, have been cut down, to the amount, I believe, of 3,000; and this fort which commands the river Maha Oya, and all the paths leading to it, will be a lasting memorial of Captain King's ability and perseverance; and some pillars of earth are reserved to indicate the varieties and inequality of ground which he cut away on the top of the bill. Below this fort, a considerable village seems to have arisen, as if in compliment to the We have already recorded (No. xxxix. p. 490) founder of the fort. Here also I had the satis- lumbo; it is now our painful task to relate an instance of dreadful death by a shark at Cofaction to see some Kandyan head-men assisting an accident of a similar nature which took in the work with indications of cheerful zeal, place in the harbour of Bombay. On the evenand apparently looking with anxious expecta-ing of the 15th June, Mr. Anderson, the fourth tion of the Governor's thanks and approbation; officer of the H. C. ship Charles Grant, was in this they were not disappointed. It is not in my power to give an adequate description of the swimming a short distance from the ship, acbeauties of the scenery at this spot, - hills, companied by a quarter-master and forecastlewood, and water, give a rich grandeur around; and the range of the Balaney hills bound the Mr. Anderson struck out and swam toprospect in one direction. Leaving this place, half a cable's length from him, and he was wards a Portuguese frigate then lying at about we pursued our journey towards the Balaney followed by the two men. As they approached Pass, gratified as we went by magnificent views, the frigate, Mr. Anderson was heard to say, and satisfaction evidenced in the countenances of the natives, who sallied from the villages to "don't drown me." On this exclamation, the sec the travellers. Through the and activity of Major Bayley, who commands speakable horror and alarm, saw an immense quarter-master turned round, and to his unperseverance at Amnapoora, on the top of, or rather beyond, shark darting at Mr. Anderson. He immedithe Balaney Pass, the worst parts of the old ately exerted his whole strength for his own road up the mountains have been avoided, by safety, and fortunately succeeded in getting on turning the course in easier directions, so that board the Portuguese frigate. The alarm was this famous and once difficult pass, is no longer given, and the boats of the frigate and Charles formidable to a burthened passenger. but unfortunately without preventing the fatal Grant were instantly lowered into the water, catastrophe. The shark passed Mr. Anderson,

man.

then turned round and took him under the water, which was immediately discoloured with tacked by five or six more of these voracious his blood. He rose again, but was the atanimals, and he was gone in an instant. One shark was observed to be making after the forecastle man, ou which a sentry on board the frigate, with great presence of mind and cool

On reaching Amnapora, I was again struck with admiration at beholding a new fort, and below it a capacious spot for officers and soldiers, with comfortable accommodations, and also a new street, with a good bazar. The thermome ter in the morning was so low as 64, and we were under the necessity over night to shut doors and windows while sitting at table. The scenery at this place also is beautiful and grand, the troops in good health, and the garden of the commandant supplied with European vegetables in high perfection. Some of the chieftains visited the Governor at this place, and the otherness, levelled his musket and shot the fish, natives crowded with their humble but hearty thereby preserving the life of the sailor. The next day a large shark was caught by the people on board the H. C. ship Vansittart, measuring upwards of 12 feet.

presents.

On our road from Amnapoora to Kandy, we had fresh proofs of our welcome to the inhabitants; cultivation increased to the eye, and population was evidently more numerous. wonder was greatly excited on entering Kandy, My where, instead of a depopulated town I had the pleasure of witnessing numerous long streets fully inhabi ed, and well supplied with provisions and merchandize. The industrious Moormen of Colombo have contributed essentially to the trading part; and I understand that there are now in this town at least 200 Colombo Moor people. There is a regular police here, with patroles and constables.

The beef and veal at these places are remarkably fine and easily procured. The natives bring all their productions willingly for sale, and they now readily take our paper money, preferring our small notes to copper. confidence seems to prevail here, the chiefs and A general the priests seem most harmoniously inclined, and every thing appears as regular and quiet as if it had been an English settlement for a century; the polite courtesy to Lady Brownrigg, exemplified by the chiefs, prove them polished and considerate.

I am convinced, that if the same mode of

Population.

bay, it appears there are 403,786 Hindoos, By a late Census of the Island of Bom27,811 Mahometans, 13,155 Parsces, 11,454 native Christians, 731 Jews. The houses are 20,786. This estimate is exclusive of temporary sojourners, European and native troops, or British subjects. From sixty to seventy thousand persons visit this island periodically.

Dreadful Storm in the Dekan.

A tremendous storm took place at Ahmednagger in the Dekan on the evening of the 9th accompanied with most violent thunder and of May, and continued until near 10 o'clock, lightning, rain and bail, such as in the opinion of many of the oldest inhabitants of the city, had never been witnessed by them before. The was inundated, and a quantity of cattle belongwhole of the country for twenty miles around

ing to Brinjaris swept away, the people being obliged to ascend the hills for safety. In Col. Milnes's Camp, the wind made dreadful havoc among the tents, many being torn to rags, and but few left standing; the officers and men were obliged to leave them for their own safety, as an accident was very near occurring; one gentleman, who was in his tent at the time of its falling, was so entangled in it on the ground, that it was with considerable difficulty he was extricated from his dangerous situation.

The storm appears to have been general throughout the Dekan. At Poona, the same night, though not so violent, yet it was very severe, and a melancholy accident occurred in the eamp: a servant and an orderly boy, sleeping in the rootee of a cavalry officer, were struck by lightning, and together with a pointer dog killed on the spot. The cause of this was attributed to a hog spear found in the tent, which attracted the lightning.

National Register :

FOREIGN.

AFRICA: WEST.

Scientific Expedition.

A letter from Sierra Leone mentions the return to that place of the British scientific expedition for exploring the interior of Africa They were completely unsuccessful, having advanced only about 150 miles into the interior, from Rio Nunez. Their progress was there stopped by a chief of the country, and after unavailing endeavours, for the space of four months, to obtain liberty to proceed, they abandoned the enterprise, and returned. Nearly all the animals died. Several officers died, but, what is remarkable, only one private, besides one drowned, of about 200. Captain Campbell died two days after their return to Rio Nunez, and was buried, with another officer, in the same spot where Major Peddie, and one of his officers, were buried on their advance.

AMERICA: BRITISH. Conflagration at Newfoundland. Letters from Saint John's of the 11th November last, contain some interesting particulars. Numbers of the lower classes who had suffered losses by the conflagration had quitted the island and gone to Canada, to Nova Scotia, to New Brunswick, or to the territories of the United States, to procure employment. The Governor had wisely provided occupation for the able-bodied men who remained on the island, by employing them in felling timber, at the rate of 1s. 6d. per day, for the reconstruction of the buildings, which, it is

highly probable, will be speedily restored. By the liberal contributions of the more wealthy, the necessities of the destitute, aged, and the infirm remaining inhabitants, have been generously relieved. Hopes were entertained that the poor and labour. ng classes will be enabled to support the inclemency of a Newfoundland winter, without being exposed to those severe privations and distresses which were expected, as the sad consequences of the late awful calamity.

AMERICA: UNITED STATES.

Commercial Companies.

A Company has been formed in Baltimore, which includes among its members many men of wealth and respectability, for the purpose of a general importation of foreign goods. It boasts of a capital of three millions of dollars, and its professed object is to draw an increased trade to Baltimore, by the inducements of abundant supplies, extensive assortments, reduced prices, and long credits. Another Company has also been formed at Richmond, in Virginia, under the title of the "Richmond East India Company," for the purpose of trading to ports and places eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, and elsewhere. It disclaims any wish for exclusive rights and privileges, and professes, on the contrary, that its only object is to surmount the obstacles which arise from ignorance of the field of Indian adventure; and by a practical exemplification of the profits and advantages that accrue from the trade, to give to private enterprise and capital that stimulus and direction which may, in a few years, supersede the necessity of continuing to trade in a corporate capa. city. A petition for a charter on these terms has been presented to the General Assembly of the State.

Reading and Writing, criminal.

the purpose of endeavouring to procure | age of music. Beethoven is about 50 years from Congress a tract of land in the Illinois of age, and enjoys excellent health. He is territory, to be settled by emigrants from unfortunately afflicted with deafness, but Ireland; and that a subscription should not to such a degree as former accounts be entered into for carrying the purpose had led us to suppose: he is able to conof the Society into effect. The principal verse readily with the assistance of an car mover in the business was Mr. Emmet, trumpet; and an ingenious artist is conformerly Dr. T. Emmet, of Dublin, exiled triving an apparatus of the same nature to under an act of the Irish Parliament, be fixed to his piano forte, which will facifor the share he took in the conspiracy of litate his musical studies by enabling him 1798. to hear more distinctly the sound of his instrument. He has never been married, An ordinance has been passed in the be somewhat uncouth in his manners; he is of retired habits of life, and is said to city of Savannah, by which any one who is passionately devoted to his art, and is teaches a person of colour, either slave or free, to read or write, or causes such person revered by all who know him as a true man of genius. His mind has a strong to be so taught, is subject to a fine of 30 dollars for each offence; and every person tiucture of independence; though far from of colour who shall keep a school to teach rich, he cannot be induced to compose on reading or writing, is subject to a fine of any other suggestions than those of his own 30 dollars, to be imprisoned ten days, and An English gentleman, a great whipped 39 lashes. Although it may be amateur, lately at Vienna, was anxious to for the interest of slave-holders to keep master, and offered him, through the meobtain some compositions from so great a the unfortunate wretches in as much igdium of his physician and most intimate norance as possible generally, yet we consider the adoption of such a law as the above as revolting to the best feelings of the heart, and a stigma to the city which has cuacted it.-Baltimore Paper.

Cruelty according to Law.

mind.

friend, a carte-blanche as to price for any number of symphonies he chose to write : unfortunately, he ventured to prescribe, as

a model for their construction, the first and second of the author, which are in a plainer style than the rest. Beethoven could with difficulty be brought to the proposal; but when he found the condition that was tacked to it, he said very drily to the physician, "When I am unwell I take your advice; when I compose I take my own;" and would not bestow any farther notice on the proposition. Since the Continent has been in a pacific state, he has been visited by musicians from this country and every part of Europe, led by veneration for the man, and a desire to profit by his 'remarks. The boldness, the fertility of his invention, the splendour of his compositions in general, are well known; but we be

There are occasionally in the American papers advertisements, offering rewards for the apprension of run-away slaves, marked with letters imprinted by a red hot iron ou the shoulders, breasts, or cheeks; but of all the instances of abominable cruelty and injustice, perpetrated “as the law directs," the following is, perhaps, the most striking:-A poor fellow who declares that he is a free-man, is seized and cast into prison by nobody knows who; the owner, "if any," is desired to release him; but if he has no owner, that is, if he be what he declares himself, a free man, he will be sold to defray the expense of his imprison-lieve that it has not before been observed

ment,

AUSTRIA.

The celebrated Beethoven. This great composer, whose original and finished productions are so much admired and sought for by musicians, resides at present in Vienna, the city where Haydn passed the greater part of his life, and where Mozart, under the patronage of the Emperor Joseph II., composed some of his best works. Vieana, therefore, has had the honour of receiving within its walls three musicians the greatest that ever existed; men who have refined and exalted their art in the highest degree, and who will mark out to future times a true Augustan

that his early pieces are scarcely less fiuished than his later ones: by a happiness which is quite uncommon, he seems to have appeared at once in full perfection,

FRANCE.

Preparatory Military School.

A school has lately been established, at the public expense, for the purpose of instructing the sons of officers without property, who are distinguished for their services; and at the expense of their families, such young men as their relations may wish to initiate into the studies and pursuits of the said school. The total number of pupils will be 500; of whom 300 are to be

Distilled Sea-water.

Experiments on sea-water have been tried at Brest, Toulon, and Rochefort, by giving it as drink to the galley-slaves, and using it in cooking their victuals. The result of these experiments is that distilled sea water may be used as a necessary of life for a month, and even for a longer time; and that it may be of great assistauce in long voyages and journies.

educated at the public charge. Those who left Rheims, says he, about noon, directare admitted at the expense of their rela-ing my course towards Chalous sur Marne. On the road I fell in with a person traveltions will pay 1,000 francs per annum. When the pupils have completed their ling the same way as myself. It is custoeducation at the preparatory school, they mary for pedestrians to salute each other, will be admitted into the special military and sometimes to enter into conversation. school. The number in this last school is Having overtaken this man, and asked him 300. The pupils who undergo a satisfac- whither he was going, he told me to Chalons. We agreed, therefore to walk togetory examination here will receive a comther. We had not proceeded far before mission as sub-lieutenant in the army. we saw an object of misery coming towards us, entreating us, in the most humble manner, to take pity on him, as he had not tasted food for 24 hours past. My companion drew a loaf from his pocket, which he presented to the stranger; then taking out his little store of money he counted it over with great attention: it amounted to He gave exactly the half of his 44 sous. wealth to the poor man, with this observation, that he himself had sometimes been in great distress. The name of this humane and honest man was Fleuret Dominique, of the Canton of Gondnercourt, in the Department of the Meuse à Vouthenhaul, He stood about five feet seven inches high, had a fine bold front, a clear open coun tenance, and a blue eye, expressive of the most sympathising humanity. Fleuret Dominique could neither read nor write; but he possessed that which was of more value than either-a noble and a feeling heart." INDIES. WEST.

Meteorology.

The Parisians are engaged in discussions respecting a stone which is said to have fallen in that city. This aĕrolite is described as weighing ten pounds. It fell on the 3d January, early in the morning, in the Rue de Richelieu, with a force which drove some stones it struck several inches into the earth, and emitted a strong sulphureous smell. The chemists of the French capital are busy in preparing an analysis of this phenomenon.

New Definitions.

du

From the Dictionnaire des gens monde (a dictionary for men of the world) we extract the following:

Great Men. Men of low stature, who raise themselves into favour by the aid of shoes with high heels.

Democratic Government.-A government where virtue is the most honoured, and best appreciated.

Republic. A form of government much criticised, because it will not tolerate prejudices, political impostors, privileges, nor hereditary functions.

Fops.-Headstrong young men, whom the women willingly pardon.

Philosopher,-A man who opposes nature to law, reason to custom, conscience to opinion, and judgment to error.

Society-It is composed of two great classes. Those who have more dinners than appetite, and those who have more appetite than dinners,

The Philanthropist.

A recent traveller records the following instance of genuine goodness of heart. "I

Jamaica registered Slaves.

:

In the city and parish of Kingston the total amount of slaves is 17,817, making an excess over the poll tax roll of 9,660. In St. Mary's, the number of returns has been 683, giving 13,555 males, and 13,269 females, and a total of 26,842, making an excess over the same roll of 1,492. In St. Thomas's in the Vale, the numbers are 6,187 males, and 6,054 females, total 12,241, giving an excess of 406.

Martinique-Hurricane.

Extract of a letter dated St. Pierre, November 10.-On the 21st of October, this colony was visited by the most furious hurricane ever witnessed here. The details of this sad disaster would be equally long as painful. The loss of nearly 1,000 lives, 25,000 hogsheads of sugar of the present and next crop, incalculable losses in buildings, animals, and the necessaries of life, have occasioned a general desola · tion, independently of the great anxiety caused by 9-10ths of the shipping which were in the different ports of the island, being either wrecked, damaged, or missing. St. Lucie and Dominica have equally suffered; the tempest reached also St. Vin