taken from the original collection now in the eminent station in the cultivation of this depossession of Sir James Edward Smith, by partment of Natural History: looking too, to whom they were presented to the Chairman our climate and the advantages of our local of this Committee. Others again, were col situation as peculiarly favourable to the lected and preserved by the late celebrated cultivation of this branch of knowledge, Professor Vahl, of Copenhagen, and are they have most liberally sent us large colnamed by the hand of that Prince of Bota- lections of seeds, particularly of such plants as nists.' Some of his original letters accom- they conceived would be most useful, either pany the plants, which he from time to time as articles employed in the healing art, which transmitted. Since his death, his successor, enter into the diet of mankind, are cultivated Professor Hornemann, and Mr Hoffman as food for cattle, or are made use of in agriBang, of that city, have kindly continued culture, or in the various arts and manufactheir correspondence and contributions of tures which contribute to the comfort of man. dried plants. The Committee acknowledge, with great Another valuable part of this Herbarium, pleasure, the reception of a large collection more especially consisting of the gramineous of seeds from Monsieur Thouin, the Proand herbaceous plants growing in the neigh- fessor of Agriculture and Botany at the Jarbourhood of London, has been communica- din des Plantes, of Paris, and another from ted by the late Mr. William Curtis, the au- our learned countryman, Mr. Jefferson, as thor of the Flora Londinensis. lately received by him from his European correspondents. Those seeds have all been conveyed to the Botanic Garden, where, in the hands of the present curator, Mr. Andrew Gentle, they will doubtless be cultivated with great care and fidelity. Mr. James Dickson, the celebrated British Cryptogamist, has also enriched this collection by a most valuable assemblage of the Musci, and some of the other orders of the Cryptogamous class. The collection of the plants of Scotland, made by the President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of this city, Doctor Samuel Bard, when a student at the University of Edinburgh, and for which he received the honorary medal conferred by Professor Hope*, constitutes a part of our cabinet. Many of the plants of this and the neigh bouring states, preserved and arranged by Cadwallader Colden, formerly Lieutenant Governor of New-York, have also been recently added by his grandson, Cadwallader D. Colden, Esq. of this city. Much also has been done in collecting the vegetable products of this island, more particularly those plants which grow in the vicinity of this city. The names of our learned coadjutor, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, the Professor of Natural History, Frederick Pursh, the author of the North American Flora, lately published, Mr. Andrew Michaux, the historian of the American woods, Caspar Wistar Eddy, M. D. John Le Conte, Esq. Dr. Rafineau Alire Delile, the learned editor of the Flora of Egypt, and who, while finishing his course of education at the Medical School of this city, industriously collected the native plants of our island, frequently appear as the contributors to this collection. The Committee also take this occasion to observe, that since the purchase made of the Elgin Botanic Garden has become extensively known, many persons distinguished for their knowledge and love of botanical science, have directed their attention to the State of New-York, as taking a decided and pre *See Life of Mr. William Smellie, by Robert Kerr, F.R.S. Ed. vol. I. p. 94. The Committee cannot conclude this report without earnestly expressing the hope, that the Legislature may extend to this infant establishment a portion of that unexampled munificence and liberality with which they have fostered most of the literary institutions of this State. A small annual appropriation added to the present proceeds of the Garden, and judiciously expended under the direction of the Historical Society or of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, it is confidently believed would, in a few years, render the Botanic Garden one of the most useful establishments, at the same time that it would prove one of the most distinguished ornaments of our State and country: for, in the language of a late British writer*,-“No region of the earth seems more appropriate to the improvement of botany, by the collecting and cultivating of plants, than that where the Elgin Botanic Garden is seated. Nearly midway between the northern and southern extremities of the vast American continent, and not more than forty degrees to the north of the equator, it commands resources of incalculable extent; and the European botanist will look to it for additions to his catalogue of the highest in terest. "The indigenous botany of America possess most important qualities, and to that we trust the cultivators of this science will particularly turn their attention. It can bardly be considered as an act of the imagination, (so far does what has already been discovered countenance the most sanguine expectations,} * See the London Medical and Physical Journal. to conjecture, that in the unexplored wilder- They beg leave also to state, that it would ness of mountain, forest, and marsh, which be extremely useful to the Society to have composes so much of the Western World, lie the exact localities of the minerals determined, hidden plants of extraordinary forms and and such further information of the neighpotent qualities. bouring country, as the donor can procure. By order of the Mineralogical Committee, GEORGE GIBBS, Chairman. All which is respectfully submitted. FOREIGN LITERATURE. A SELECTION of Biblical Criticisms on REPORT ON MINERALOGY, THE Mineralogical Committee of the New-York Historical Society, having by their order prepared an apartment for the the Books of the Old Testament, Translapurpose of receiving and displaying a collection of the minerals and fossils of the United States, beg leave to communicate to the public the arrangements that have been made, and the further claims of the Society to the patronage of the friends of science. The progress of the science of mineralogy in the United States has been very satisfactory to its friends in this country, and the labours of American mineralogists have met with great applause in Europe. Several new species, and many varieties of minerals, have been discovered here, and the increasing attention to this science promises many interesting and valuable discoveries. But in a country so vast and so recently settled as the United States, we can hardly expect to find many who have visited, for mineralogical objects, any very large portion of its territory. The researches of most of them have been limited to their own state or the district in which they live. A great number of valuable specimens remain in the hands of persons who, either ignorant of their value, preserve them only for temporary gratification, or, who having no object in making a collection, would be very happy to place them where they would become useful, in a public Institution. To collect these scattered materials of our natural history, to display the riches of the mineral kingdom of each of our states; to inform the scientific traveller and citizen; to encourage the growing taste of this science in our country; to communicate discoveries and invite researches; are objects so useful, so important, that it would be impossible to doubt of the public favour being shown to this undertaking. tions from the Sacred Songs, with notes, from the papers of the late Bishop HORSLEY, is preparing for publication. Corrections and Additions to Rees' CyclopeMR CHURCHILL is preparing for the press, dia, which will extend to the whole of that size and type, so as to form a proper and nevoluminous work, and be printed in the same cessary companion to it. The Memoirs of the Life and Writings of DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Comprising his priprinted from the original manuscripts bevate and familiar correspondence, now first queathed to his grandson Wm. Temple Franklin, Esq. have been issued from the press. We understand that a series of letters is celebrated Earl of Chesterfield to Mr. Arthur preparing for publication, written by the Stanhope, relative to the education of his son Philip, the late Earl. this country, has published a new work, entitled, A Plea for Catholic Communion, in one vol. 8vo. This has already reached a Dr. Mason, of New York, who is now in second edition. Walter Scott, Esq. has announced a new History of Scotland, from the earliest records to the year 1745, in 3 vols. 8vo. A new novel may soon be expected from the pen of Mr. Godwin, under the title of Mandeville, a domestic story of the seventeenth century. A History of the late war in Spain and FRANCE. The Corporation of the city of New-York having, with characteristic liberality, ac- Literary and Philosophical Institution. commodated the Historical Society with a suite of apartments for this purpose, they et á Genes, which Mr. Millen, Keeper of the The Voyage en Savoie, en Piemont, à Nice have now been fitted up with cases with glass doors, one case being devoted to each Royal Cabinet of Medals and Antiques, has state, after the manner adopted in the nation- just published, in 2 vols. 8vo. forming the first al collection at the Ecole des Mines at Paris. part of his Tour in Italy, contains many parThe Committee beg leave, therefore, to visited by the Author. ticulars respecting the antiquities of the cities request donations of minerals and fossils for their collection, from the scientific and patriotic in every part of the Union. They The King of Bavaria has, in a rescript to will be received with grateful acknowledg- the academy of sciences, ordered the erecments, and displayed to the best advantage. tion of a new observatory, for which he has, GERMANY. for the present, assigned the annual sum of 12,000 florins. The Catalogue of Easter Fair, at Leipsic, contained upwards of 1700 new works, and 800 translations, works in continuation, and improved editions. ITALY. means of perfecting the mariner's compass. His discovery has been submitted to the investigation of the Italian Institute, which has approved of the invention. DENMARK. A clergyman of Iceland, named Johnston, has recently translated the Paradise Lost of A Venetian engineer has discovered a Milton, into Icelandic verse. ART. 9. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES TO CHINA. Rome, Oct. 1. HE Jesuit Missionaries in China have un than 4000 parishes in France destitute of ministers. The consequences of such a want of religious instruction may be easily con Tdergone Missionaries in China have un-ceived. three Christian converts were put to death, at one time, by cruel tortures. Before this persecution, 60,000 Christians were under the care of this mission. Nov. 8th. The infant son of the Count de Blacas, French Ambassador at Rome, was baptized on the 16th inst. The Cardinal Gonsalvi, who stood proxy for the Pope, as godfather, after the ceremony, put round the neck of the infant a collar of lapis lazuli, to which was attached a medal, set in bril liants, and enclosing a relic of the real cross. Father G., a Jesuit, expresses himself as follows, respecting the treasures of art, &c. which have been brought back from Paris to the monastery of St. Peter, at Erfurt:"Among the relics are many highly valuable, which may be regarded as diamonds of the finest water; as, for example, nine of the sculls of the 11,000 virgins, a piece of a gown of the Virgin Mary, the tuning-hammer belonging to David's harp, and many other similar treasures, in comparison with which the French contributions appear as nothing!" [We have heard of a devotee who pretend. ed to be possessed of the identical sword that Balaam wish'd for, to smite his ass withal. It would have assorted admirably with most of the articles in the above collection.] Baptism of Bells. On last, the principal bell in the Church of Notre Dame, at Versailles, was baptized according to ancient usage; it received the names of the Duke and Dutchess of Angouleme, who were represented by the Prince de Poix, Governor of the Palace of Versailles, and the Dutchess de Damas. GREAT BRITAIN. Tract Societies on the plan of the Religious Tract Society of London, are extensively organized, not only throughout this Kingdom, but over the Continent of Europe. The same system has, likewise, been adopted with success in the United States of America. Mr. Morrison writes from China, that having finished the translation of the book of Genesis, which he has sent to England, he is occupied in translating the Psalms. He is also about to print an edition of the New Testament, 8000 copies duodecimo, and 1500 octavo. The 73d annual conference of the preachers in the connexion of the late Rev. John Wesley, was lately held in London: the following is a recapitulation of the number of members in the Society, and of regular travelling preachers : In Great Britain, In France, 191,680 28,542 35 G ORIGINAL. TO SOLITUDE. ART. 10. POETRY. On the dark-brow'd hill, at early dawn, By sultry day, in woody dell, At shadowy eve, on the moon light lawn, The soul is then in unison, Whilst silence reigns o'er the sylvan scene, And sadness smiles, with the dew-eyed morn, Or fondly weeps, by the pale moon's sheen. But when in pleasure's gayest mart, 'Mid gairisli fashion's giddy crowd, Thou broodest in the lonely heart, How frightful art thou, Solitude! E. JEU D'ESPRIT. On receiving, from a young lady of singular beauty and accomplishments, a blossom of the hop-vine. In eastern climes, I've heard it said, Love's vows are, oft. in flowers convey'd, And that the lover's fate is read, In nosegay cull'd by gentle maid. "Twould make me hop, indeed, for joy. CHARADE. My first can ne'er forsake the good, My fourth and fifth, you scarce can miss,- THE nec fato, merita nec morte peribat," Sed misera ante diem.' Seduxit miles virginem, receptus in hybernis, Præcipitem quæ laqueo se transtulit avernis Impransus ille restitit, sed acrius potabat : Et conscius facinoris,-per vina clamitabat,'Miseram Baliam! infortunatam Baliam, 'Proditam, traditam, miserrimam-que Baliam.' Ardente demum sanguine, dum repsit ad cubile, Ah, belle proditorcule, patrasti fectum vile !' Nocturne candent lampades.-Quid Multa? Imago dira Ante ora stabat militis, dixitque fumans ira, Abito!-cur me corporis pallore exanimasti? 'Perfidius munusculum mi vir administrasti, 'Pererro ripas Stygias, recusat justa Pontifex, 'Suicidam Quæstor nuncupat, sed tua culpa carnifex. Tua culpa carnifex, qui violasti Baliam 'Proditam, &c.' 'Sunt mi bis deni Solidi, quam nitidi, quam pulchri ! Hos accipe et honores cauponabere sepulchri.' Tum lemuris non facies, ut antea, iracundior Argentum videns numerat fit ipsa vox jucundior Salve mihi corculum, lusisti satis Baliam, 'Vale mihi Corculum.-Nunc lude si vis aliam.' ART. 11. THESPIAN REGISTER. HERE is no species of entertainment so universally enjoyed as theatrical exhibitions. The drama is among the proudest efforts of genius in every language; and one which is eminently calculated, when the moral of the piece is in accordance with the moral sense of mankind, to produce salutary impressions on the heart. Scenic representation is, in fact, embodying sentiment, and personifying precept. Such is the obvious dignity and utility of composition of this cast, that the most disanguished writers and moralists, have been content to inculcate lessons of wisdom through this medium. There have not been wanting commentators who have fancied that they found, in the sacred eclogue of Job, the rudiments of a drama. In Greece and Rome, at the periods of their greatest refinement, the theatre was the pride and the ornament of the republic; it was supported, as a common benefit, at the public expense; it was resorted to by the old for amusement, and by the young for instruction; in short, it formed a part of the system of national education, and was close- moral, or rather its want of it, may be ly allied to the national religion. In more modern times, a Shakspeare, a Milton, an Addison, a Young, a Thomson, a Johnson, and a Goldsmith, have not thought it unworthy either of their talents, or their virtues, to contribute to the fascinations of the stage. learned from the review of it on our 16th judiciously, curtailed in the representation. page. It was very much, and not always Mr. Cooper, in the character of Bertram, played some scenes with spirit, but on the whole fell below himself. Mrs. Barnes, in qual in her performance. She has many of Imogine, was touching in passages, but unethe requisites of an actress, but fails to proNor need the profession of an actor stamp duce all the effect that she is calculated a stigma on the character; though, unfortu- which seems to be affected; but which, if it to give, from an intonation of her voice, nately, the characters of actors have, too be natural, is still unpleasant. Mrs. Grooften, brought disgrace upon the profession. shon's voice is evidently a forced one; but The death of Roscius was deplored by Ci- like. one which we can never be forced to cero, and lamented as a calamity to Rome; In the afterpiece, Mr. Hilson made some and Moliere and Garrick, in later days, en- fun in Numpo, which admits of nothing betjoyed the intimacy and possessed the esteem ter; and Messrs. Jones & Pritchard did jusof the most illustrious of their cotemporaries. tice to their parts. We have thought it necessary to say thus much in vindication of theatrical entertainWednesday Evening, April 2. Richard III-Paul and Virginia. ments, because we are aware that many Mr. Cooper, in Richard, exhibited a fine good people indulge a prejudice against specimen of able acting his suit to lady them. We areinduced to notice the performan- his interview with his mother and Elizabeth, Ann, his subsequent cruelty towards her, ces on the New-York boards, in the hope of his dream and dread, and his dying scene, purging our stage from those impurities which whilst they gave scope to his powers, were have given too strong grounds for that preju- their extent and variety. If we saw any executed in a manner, that evinced at once dice. Our remarks, except in reference to thing to reprehend, it was his giving at those indelicacies and improprieties which times, to the cold, heartless sarcasms of the are generally offensive, are seldom tinctured hypocritical tyrant, too much the semblance with severity. We have observed many Lady Ann. Mr. Pritchard acquitted himself of waggery. Mrs. Barnes was interesting in inaccuracies, particularly in pronunciation, handsomely in Buckingham, as did Mr. Simpof which we have, here, taken no note. We son in Richmond. In fact, the performance have not wished to appear hypercritical in the outset, but we shall be more strict, hereafter, in marking transgressions, especially against orthoëpy. It is but fair, however, to acknowledge that our theatre possesses many attractions. The company is respectable, the scenery well executed, and the dresses remarkably rich and appropriate. Mr. Hilson is, perhaps, the first comedian on the continent; Mr. Robertson and Mr. Pritchard are able actors; Mr. Simpson has talents for light comedy; Mr. Barnes personates old men wonderfully well. Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Darley are deservedly favourites, and Mrs. Baldwin is a capital duenna. Monday Evening, March 31. of the piece was generally creditable to the ticularly clever in the Duke of York. company. Little Miss Brundige was par There was some good singing in the afterpiece, and as much good acting as the nature of it would allow. But we experienced more grief, in seeing the pathetic story of Paul and Virginia turned into a farce, than we derived mirth from its merriment. Friday Evening, April 4. King Lear.-Lock and Key. arduous in the whole range of the drama. The character of Lear is, perhaps, the most. It requires the utmost exertions of the most consummate actor to come up to the expectation of the part; to say that Mr. Cooper did We were, on the whole, not dissatisfied with not fall below it, would be his highest praise. his performance; and this is no negative encomium. Mr. Simpson conceived Edgar justly, and played it with effect. Mr. Hilson, in Kent, acquitted himself well. Mr. Darley over-did Oswald. Mrs. Barnes, in the interesting character of |