graph, "Den tyd sal leeren." It contained articles upon politics, commercial and literary announcements, and shipping arrivals.

The seventeenth century has justly been considered the golden age of Flemish literature; and from a host of distinguished characters, who have shed lustre upon her pages, we will select one whose universal learning, whose knowledge of jurisprudence, philosophy, history, Greek and Latin, modern languages, a poetical imagination, and an universal fertility of genius, would enable him to rank with the most distinguished scholars of any nation, namely, M. Cats.

The name of Daniel Heinsius of Gand is fresh in the memory of all scholars, as a man of the most masculine research and powerful genius; few men have more generally devoted themselves to pursuits, whose intention was mainly directed to remove difficulties, and place genuine learning upon its proper basis; he was at one and the same time an archæologist, philologist, and poet.

Jacques van Sevecote wrote several poems, distinguished by their sweetness and grace, and their close imitation of those of the ancients. Gaspard van Baerle of Anvers, more generally known under the Latin name of Barloêus, was eminent as a national poet. The compositions of Juste Harduyn, or Harduinus, have great purity, harmony, and grace.

Lambert d'Voss, or Vossius, of Bruges, wrote upon a variety of subjects in a grave and nervous style.

We will now close our brief article, by referring to one more name of great eminence, namely, Borghgrave, as a poet. His poem on the Belgians, merits as much distinction in this country, as does that of Helmers, on "De Hollandsche natie," in his own.

We have now concluded a brief sketch of the literature and the learned men of a nation, whose claims upon the admiration of the learned have not been sufficiently allowed. In glancing over

the brief relation, the reader could not have failed to observe names of individuals who have given their time and learning to all gradations and every species of human knowledge, from the simplicity of early education, by degrees reaching the highest ascent to which genius can aspire. We have been compelled to omit many names of equal distinction with those above enumerated; but our limits have not allowed us to enlarge to a greater extent.*

THE HISTORY OF ALMANACS.

(Concluded from p. 43.)

IN addition to the Almanacs before noticed, the following were published in the years 1688, 1689, and 1690."The City and Country Chapman's Almanack:" this differs somewhat from most other Almanacs, and contains much useful information to travellers, traders, &c. such as lists of all the marts and fairs in England, with the post roads, names of market towns, tables of accounts, &c. "The Weaver's Almanack," by Thomas Strut; but why so entitled does not appear, as it contains no extra information for that class of persons in particular. "News out of the West from the stars; or, a new Ephemeris made in Wiltshire, after the old Fashion, by William Davis, Student in the Mathematicks, of Ludgershall, in Wiltshire. Dedicated to Thomas Neale of London, esq. one of the Burgesses for that Burough.' "Angelus Britannicus," an Ephe'meris, by John Tanner, Student in Physic and Astrology. The two-andthirtieth impression; dated from Amersham, Bucks, July 23, 1687. "Vox Uraniæ; an Almanack by Daniel Woodward, Student in Physic and Astrology, living at the sign of the Globe in Arundel Buildings, by St. Clement's Church in the Strand, London. It has been observed, that astrologers are empirics in astral science as quacks are in physic; but Mr. D. Woodward lays claim to both; it appears from the few last pages of his

"

**

Almanac, where he gives examples of his skill in foretelling future events by two astrological experiments; and in conclusion observes, “As I am a Professor of Astrology, so I am of Physick, and have always medicaments prepared and fitted for the cure of most diseases curable, incident to the bodies of men, women, and children, proceeding from what cause, nature, or quality soever. The virtues of some of his medicines follow in several advertisements. Bravo! Mr. Woodward, thou art verily one of the boldest of these bold impostors.

"A New Almanack," made and set forth by F. Perkins, Student in the Mathematics: this is a very brief concern, and makes no pretensions to judicial astrology. "Calendarium Catholicum," is another, and a very neatly printed work. "Syderum Secreta," by John Harrison, with others by Pond, Dove, Andrews, Parker, Trigge, and our old and knowing friend Daniel Woodward, who exhibits again in "Ephemeris Absolutor," in 1690. We will now proceed to notice some of the most popular Almanacs of the present day. The Lady's Diary" claims precedence from its title and age; it made its first appearance in 1705, and in addition to the usual Calendar and astronomical obervations, it contains enigmas, queries, and mathematical questions; the answers to the principal of which, of each class, are rewarded with a certain number of copies of the work.

"The Gentleman's Diary, or the Mathematical Repository," differs but little from that of the "Lady's," except that the questions are more purely scientific. It has been published about ninety-eight years. That celebrated mathematician Dr. Charles Hutton was for many years the editor of one or both of these Diaries, which are said to have been a greater stimulus to the study of the mathematics than all the other periodicals in existence.

"Speculum Anni," or "Season on the Seasons," by Henry Season, licensed Physician and Student in the Celestial Sciences, near Devizes. This Almanac has reached its one hundred and fifth edition. We have a "Speculum Anni" for the year 1690, published by Dove, and printed by John

Hayes, printer to the University of Cambridge. The present worthy author of this work not only gives his predictions as to war and weather, but he is also very liberal of his moral advice. The "Coelestial Atlas," by Robert White, teacher of the Mathematics, consists of little more than a series of astronomical tables; it has been printed about ninety years.

Goldsmith's Almanac, in addition to the diary, contains a list of the peers of the realm, members of the House of Commons, bankers, &c. "The Imperial Almanack,” is of still more miscellaneous character; it of course contains a calendar, astronomical observations; besides there are the Jewish and Mahomedan Calendars, nomenclature of the months of various nations, origin of different festivals and saint's days, chronological tables of remarkable events in the history of Greece and Rome, with a variety of useful tables. "Rider's British Merlin," compiled for his country's benefit by Cardanus Rider, contains the calendar, university terms, and a hundred good things besides; many people travel, but how few write, for their country's benefit like Cardanus Rider. "The Clergyman's Almanack," "Wills's Complete Clerical Almanack," "The Evangelical Diary," a religious, historical, and literary Almanac, with many others, might be described, were it necessary; but we pass over many of a similar character, to notice others of still more recent date. There is, however, one work of this kind, "The Clerical Almanac," published by the Company of Stationers, and compiled from its commencement by Mr. Richard Gilbert, the editor of the Clerical Guide, that, from its very complete imformation on all subjects connected with the Church of England, is deserving of special commendation. "The Prophetic Almanack, or Annual Abstract of Celestial Lore," from the MSS. of Sir Willon Brachm, made its first appearance in 1820, and it differs materially from any of the foregoing. In 1825, it commences with a "Descant upon the lament of Ezekiel over Tyrus, conceived to typify the doom of England;" and contains much that is to be found

in most other Almanacs : it has merit, however, on the score of originality, not only in the ingenious descant to which we have alluded, but in several other respects, particularly its moral character. In one place he tells us, that " a great miser, unable to convey his hoards to the next world, to which he is about to take his departure, will enrich some needy relations." This prophecy is a very safe one, for there is no doubt that at least one miser dies every month; and that he cannot convey his wealth to another world, is a truism which we need not consult the stars or Sir Willon Brachm to prove.

"The British Almanac" was first published in 1828, by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and the public are indebted to its exertions for a new species of Almanac, abounding with useful information. Its conductors pretend not to foretel the weather, nor do they profess a knowledge of future political events; but the place of such misleading speculations is supplied by pure and interesting matter; the subjects selected are valuable, either for present information, or future reference ; and the knowledge conveyed is given in the most condensed and explicit manner, so as to be valuable to every class of readers; and in order to afford room for conveying more full information upon many of the matters handled in the "British Almanac," the Society has published a "Companion; or Year Book of General Information," and by annually varying the contents of that work, the conductors have already collected a body of most important imformation.

This Almanac had a very large sale for 1828, and its success induced the Stationers' Company to believe that the public would no longer refuse a good Almanac, because it only predicted purely astronomical phenomena, and they accordingly published the Englishman's Almanack; or Daily Calendar of general information for the United Kingdom," in 1829; which is unexceptionable. It has been constructed with the most elaborate care, and is highly deserving the patronage of an enlightened public; everything which has been justly censured as reprehensible in the old Al

manacs, has been excluded in this, and the space filled up with lists of the Government and Houses of Parliament, of important establishments, and other details, historic and illustrative, the whole superseding, in a great measure, the necessity of the Court Kalendar.

"The Tradesman's and Mechanic's Almanack, or, Annual Repository of Useful Information," made its first appearance also about this time. The immense numbers of the trading and working population, which have started into readers within these few years, are here supplied with a work exactly suited to their wants; in short, we think that the Company of Stationers have amply proved that they "are only acting upon the principle which has uniformly guided them in the construction of their Almanacs; namely, that of adapting these publications to the changes of times, tastes, and circumstances." We may also add that since the appearance of the above, other Almanacs have diminished the quantity and tone of their objectionable parts; so that before long it may be hoped that the latter will disappear entirely.

Of the professedly astronomical Almanacs, the most important in England is the "Nautical Almanack," published by the Admiralty for the use both of astronomers and seamen ; the principal objects of which are to enable the mariner to find the place of a ship at sea, and to assist the practical astronomer in the daily routine of his observatory. This work was projected by Dr. Maskelyne, A.R. and first appeared in 1767; it continued under his superintendance for fortyeight years, during which time, he devoted the most sedulous attention to the undertaking, availing himself of every discovery or correction, the truth of which could be depended upon. On the death of Dr. Maskelyne it did not continue to improve, and, without absolutely falling off, was inadequate to the wants either of seamen or astronomers, and from the year 1820 various complaints were made of it in print. In consequence of these complaints, the Government in 1830 requested the opinion of the Astronomical Society upon the subject, and certain alterations proposed

by the Society were entirely adopted by the Government; and the first Almanac containing them appeared in 1834. The contents of the old Nautical Almanac may be found in the Companion to the British Almanac for 1829; and a list of the principal alterations and additions which appear in the new work, in the Penny Cyclopedia, article, Almanac. That the maritime wealth and strength of this country have derived much advantage from this work cannot be doubted; nor is its value confined to this kingdom, for it is republished in the United States. It was exempted from that heavy stamp duty to which all other Almanacs, published in this country, were formerly subjected.

By a Parliamentary return of the year 1828, we find, that the Stamp Duty paid upon the Almanacs of England, amounted to 30,136l. 38. 9d.; which, the duty being fifteen-pence per copy, exhibited a circulation of 451,593 Almanacs annually. The average number of stamps issued for this purpose between the years 1821 and 1830 inclusive, was about 499,000, producing an average revenue of about 31,000l. When these publications were almost wholly devoted to purposes of imposture, this heavy duty might be defended upon the ground that it obstructed the diffusion of a pernicious commodity; but after the publication of those many improved editions already pointed out, this tax was found to prevent the free competition of respectable publishers in Almanacs; and moreover, being so enor. mous, that many individuals were tempted to evade the law, and unstamped Almanacs were circulated in almost as large numbers as those which paid the tax; the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was in July 1834, induced to concede the total repeal of the Stamp Duties upon Almanacs.

The circumstance forms a new era in the history of Almanacs; for in the following year the country became inundated with them in every variety of form and size, both from the London and provincial press; and as cheap as could reasonably be expected, from one penny each and upwards. An attempt to enumerate, much less to describe, the infinite variety that ap

peared, would be quite impossible: 1 may, however, refer your readers to some brief observations given in your Magazine for 1834, pt. ii. p. 629. Ampton. A. P.

MR. URBAN,

IN the Review of the 4th and 5th Volumes of State Papers published under authority of the Royal Commission, which is inserted in your Magazine (Jan. p. 31), an opinion is expressed that the publication should be strictly confined to documents solely derived from the stores in the State Paper Office, according to the letter of the authority of the Commission for publishing State Papers. On a fair revision of the matter, few competent judges will, I believe, subscribe to this opinion; for the true position of the case is not, whether certain original documents, as published, are to be found within the walls of her Majesty's depository for State Papers in St. James's Park, but whether those documents may, or may not, be ranged under the denomination of State Papers; many of which, before any regular system was adopted for their collection, were retained by individuals who had borne public offices, as connected with the duties which they had executed, or had been preserved by them as authentic materials for history after their temporary use and value had passed away. If, on the printing of the Domesday Book, it had been discovered that the missing portion of the survey, that relating to Cornwall and Devon, was extant in the archives of the See of Exeter, would the Editors have rejected so obvious a member of the record because it was not to be found in the Chapter-House at Westminster? If special pleading, on so confined a principle, should be entertained, it may be urged that, as soon as transcripts from State Papers, which have strayed to foreign quarters, have been made and brought to the Office of State Papers, they become legitimate materials for the publications emanating from that department. Nor is it any objection to inserting particular papers in an official collection, that they have been previously printed elsewhere, accuracy of the copies being of the greatest importance; and when

we find former publications abounding in errors, we naturally desire to find the true readings restored in some publication of an official character.

To return. The gravamen of your Reviewer's charge is, that, of 597 papers contained in the 4th and 5th Volumes of State Papers, lately published, 195 are derived from the British Museum, 123 from the ChapterHouse, 2 from the Vatican Library, and that only 277 are from original documents in the State Paper Office. I attach no particular importance to the erroneous assertion that the proportion of extraneous papers, so to call them, in the above volumes, is as two to one, whereas it is evidently as seven to six, and I proceed to observe, that the printing of certain State Papers transferred from the Chapter-House to the State Paper Office as their more appropriate locality, can be no serious offence against the letter of the Commission; and this your Reviewer himself seems half disposed to admit; the two from the Vatican Library are from a volume of transcripts of documents relating to English history, made under the direction of the late Sir William Hamilton when in Italy, and deposited in the State Paper Office. Of the 195 papers from the British Museum, the majority are from volumes in the Cottonian Library, which it has been supposed originally belonged to the State Paper Office. Sir Robert Cotton was himself a confidential servant of the State, and, I need not add, an eminent preserver of State Papers as historical evidences. When he fell into unmerited disgrace, through the usual instability of court favour, a commission was issued against him under the authority of James I. dated Oct. 26, 1615, for his examination on a charge of having communicated valuable State Papers in his library to the Spanish ambassador; and a correspondent of your long-established Miscellany, in the year 1767, refers to his having found in the Paper Office (for so that depository for State documents was originally called), a warrant for Sir Robert Cotton's commitment on the above charge.* These facts are sufficient proof, supported by the tenor

* Gent. Mag. for 1767, p. 388.

of the manuscripts, that a great portion of Sir Robert Cotton's collection was considered to be State Papers. So far, therefore, from recommending that the publication of materials which your Reviewer has designated as of "unquestionable value," being circumscribed within the narrow limits he points out, it were perhaps to be desired that transcripts of State Papers, important to the illustration of English history, wherever found, should be made for the State Paper Office, and inserted in due course of time in the series of its publications :-the consideration of a small increase of expense in printing could surely be of no account weighed against the utility of a complete and authentic collection.

I owe it, Mr. Urban, to your known candour, to request the insertion in your pages of these observations, hastily drawn up, but correct, I trust, as to the principle which they advocate; and I willingly pay my individual tribute to the ability of your Reviewer, though I cannot but dissent from him in the particular point to which I refer. A. J. K.

[We cheerfully insert this letter from a respected and much valued correspondent. If the authority given to the Commissioners were "to publish whatever comes under the denomination of State Papers" it would be quite right for them "to range the fields," and pick up State Papers wherever they could find them. But is that so? Our readers may judge for themselves from the following abstract of the Commission. "George

the Fourth, &c. to Charles Manners Sutton and others, Greeting: Whereas it hath been represented to us that the Papers and Documents deposited in the Office of our Keeper and Register of our Papers and Records, [i. e. The State Paper Office,] since 1800, have been in great measure arranged and indexed; and many of them are found to be of great value and importance, and to throw great History of our Realm, and it would be light upon various obscure parts of the a public benefit that the same should be printed and published; Now we do authorize and empower you to examine the several papers now deposited and arranged in our said Office, and to consider which of them may be fitly printed and published, and to cause such of them to be printed and published in such manner as shall be approved by the Treasury. Dated 10th June 1825."-EDIT.]