The other modes of firing, is very great. Russia: Petersburg.-De L. Eschscholtz, Pro- made an accurate copy of all the unpublished machine consists of an iron cylinder, within fessor of Anatomy in the University of Dorpat, MSS., collated with care those that have been which there is a ramrod; which being drawn who twice went round the world with Captain printed, and corrected their inaccuracies. This and pressing on a case, or cap, in front, with Kotzebue, as naturalist, died in May last, at collection will be very valuable in the history fulminating powder, recoils with great force, the early age of 37. of the province of Wybourg, as also in that of and thus effects the discharge of the piece. The Allan Cunningham.—The old saying, that a Ingria and Esthonia, particularly from the importance and the ingenuity of the contriv-prophet is never honoured in his own country, period when they fell into the power of Sweden; ance are in the case. The secret is known to has found an exception in the person of Allan the documents presenting highly interesting nobody, and the inventor will not disclose it Cunningham, on a recent visit which he paid illustrations of the ancient state of these last till his improvement is adopted by the artillery to his native county, Dumfriesshire. We ob- provinces, and of their commercial relations. in general. The machine is so light, that one serve, from the Dumfries Courier, so ably man can use it without inconvenience like a edited by a brother author, Mr. Macdiarmid, common ramrod; at the same time it is so dur-that a public welcome dinner was given on the able that 5000 shot may be fired in succession occasion, at which Mr. Macdiarmid presided, without weakening its power. The experiments and which was attended by about sixty of the fully satisfied all those who witnessed them.- neighbouring gentry and principal townspeople Foreign Journal. of Dumfries. The toasts, and compliments paid, must have been very gratifying to the meritorious individual, as a tribute to whose talents and worth the meeting was "convened:" the freedom of Dumfries was presented to him, and the day was spent in much social harmony. Steamers. Captain Basil Hall has published a very sensible letter in the newspapers, in which, by pointing out a way for elevating the steersman, and an improvement in the mode of steering, many of the accidents which constantly occur from the present navigation of steam-boats would easily be avoided. China." The present empress mother is not the parent of the reigning prince, though she has two sons, who at the death of their father were more than twenty years of age. These are superior in personal appearance to the emperor, who is thin and toothless; and the youngest of them is tolerably well educated; but the eldest is a drunkard. The second is also extremely immoral, and fond of plays, for which purpose he entertains a number of young companions. Though the emperor, their father, united in his own person all the vices of these his sons, he preferred his present majesty for a successor, as being the most virtuous. Some, however, attribute this preference to the good conduct evinced by Taou-kwang in the rebellion of 1813, when with an arquebuse he slew two or three of the rebels, and intimidated the remainder, who had already penetrated within the precincts of the palace; for which he obtained due eulogies from his father in the public decrees." Padre Serra's Notices of China, in Trans. of Asiatic Society. Pimlico Palace. Report says that Mr. Blore, the architectural draughtsman and architect, is to have 75,000l. placed at his disposal as the expense of rendering the palace habitable. Hassuna D'Ghies.-This individual, who was suspected by some of our contemporaries of being implicated in the disappearance of Major Laing's papers, has arrived in London, and challenges inquiry. Apologue of Saadi. Two friends went into garden of roses; both enjoyed the fragrance; but one, as he departed, filled his bosom with the leaves, and for days afterwards both he and his family rejoiced in their odour. Which of these two spent the summer-day most wisely? The Reguli, or Nobles of China, are "al-a lowed 100 pieces when they marry, and 120 for a funeral; from which they take occasion to maltreat their wives, because when one dies they receive the allowance for her interment, and the dowry of the second wife, whom they take immediately"!!—Ib. LITERARY NOVELTIES. announcements, are 1. Harald und Elsbeth; or, the LIST OF NEW BOOKS. Neander's Church History, translated by the Rev. H. Rose, Vol. I. 8vo. 10s. 6d. bds.-Dr. Ryan's Manual of Medical Jurisprudence, 8vo. 9s. bds.-Memoirs of Count Lucy Barton's Bible Letters, 12mo. 3. hf.-bd. Scenes in Lavallette, written by Himself, 2 vols. 8vo. 1. 48. bds.Scotland, 12mo. 4s. 6d. bds.; 5s. hf.-bd.-Winckworth on the Teeth and Gums, 4to. 108. bds.-Dr. Thomson's System of Inorganic Chymistry, 2 vols. 8vo. 21. 28. bds.Bernays' Key to the German Exercises, 12mo. 4s. bds. Wind N.E. and N.W., the latter prevailing. the afternoon of the 17th was distinguished by a storm of Generally clear, till the 16th, when a little rain fell; thunder and lightning, which was awfully grand: in the by the electric fluid. immediate neighbourhood no particular damage was done .... 19 Rain fallen, 025 of an inch. Barometer. 29-89 to 29-75 29-66 29-67 48. - 72. 52. 69. 29463 29-82 .. 22 53. 50. 53. 69. 30-02 -- 30-15 69. 30.21 30-16 76. 53. The Lyonese." I do not recollect having seen, in any of the manufacturing towns of Concubines and Servants of the Palace. England, so much to remind one of the fatal Every third year the emperor takes a review vicissitudes of trade, in the spectacles of poverty of such of the daughters of Tartar officers and and wretchedness that every moment presented men of rank as may have reached the age of twelve themselves; and it struck me, that, among the (twenty years ago, the daughters of all the Tar-lower orders of this city, there seemed to exist, tars living about the court were reviewed); and in a remarkable degree, the elements of turbufrom among these, of all whose families he is lence and civil commotion. The look, air, and reputed the common father, he chooses wives expression of the unemployed workman of or concubines. Those who are not chosen at Lyons, has nothing in it of uncomplaining the third review, become exempt. The ser- sufferance. He carries an air of defiance in vants, who amount to about 5000, are chosen his countenance; and solicits alms in the manfrom the three tribes; the girls of fourteen ner of one who thinks he has a right to partake present themselves at a review taken by the the purse of another, who wears a better coat emperor annually; and those who after the than himself. Three years before I visited third review remain unchosen, are exempt. Lyons, 28,000 persons were employed in the Those who have been selected are restored to silk manufactories; and three years later, in liberty when they have reached the twenty- the year 1829, when I again visited it, not fifth year of their age, unless the emperor shall more than one-fourth part of this number was have had children by any of them, in which required.". Conway's Switzerland, France, case he disposes of them as he pleases, making | &c., in 1830. them illegal concubines; the legal, those ac- Archæology: Russia. - Dr. Sjogren, assoknowledged by the observatory, being only ciate of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, seven. Hence the late emperor, when con- announces that he has discovered among the gratulated by his father-in-law on the birth of archives of the municipality of Wybourg an a son (born of a servant), banished him with a extremely interesting collection of very ancient nominal appointment. The present monarch authentic documents, and unknown to most of refused to recall one of these servants who had the authors who have written on the history of been expelled with public disgrace when preg- this province. The oldest of these MSS., bear-periodical. It is far from our wish to impeach the cha nant, through the jealousy of a favourite concubine; but at length, being apprised a second time by the magistrate that she had given birth to a son, he ordered her to be admitted into the palace with her child.”—Ib. TO CORRESPONDENTS. sketch of Mr. P. Nasmyth was communicated to us late The notice of Mr. Scrymgeour's picture of the First also accidentally put under the head of New PublicaSign in Egypt, now exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall, was tions in the Fine Arts." It is well calculated for that place when it shall have been well engraved; and in the meantime the lovers of high efforts in our native school of painting may gratify themselves by visiting the original. The Casket. We acknowledge the Editor's letter, in which he reclaims against the imputation of pirating from the Chronicles of London Bridge the prints to illustrate his ing the date of 1316, is quoted by Northaan, in racter of any of our contemporaries; but it does appear to his Sylloge Monumentorum ad illustrandam referred to, and that only one of these could have a cornus that two of the woodcuts are copied from the volume historiam Finiæ pertinentium, but from inac-mon origin in Scott's old engraving. It is not worth curate copies, which led him to doubt the while to go farther into the matter: we recommend to sil editors the honest practice of quoting their authorities existence of the original. Dr. Sjogren has much more than is generally done. 3d of October Anatomy and Physiology-Dr. Quain; Fee for Session, 71. Morbid Anatomy-Dr. Carswell; Fee for Session, 31. Demonstrations and Dissections-Mr. Richard Quain; Fee for Session, 51. Principles and Practice of Medicine-Dr. Elliotson; Fee for Session, 51. Principles and Practice of Surgery-Professor #S. Cooper; Fee for Session, 31. Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children-Dr. D. D. Davis; Fee for Session, 5l. Materia Medica and Therapeutics-Dr. A. T. Thomson; Fee for Session, 61. Chymistry-Dr. Turner; Fee for Session, 71. Comparative Anatomy and Zoology-Dr. R. E. Grant; for Four Months, 24. Medical Jurisprudence-Dr. A. T. Thomson, Professor Amos, Professor of Law; 41. Botany-Professor Lindley; Fee for Session, 31. Dispensary-John Hogg, M.D., Surgeon; For the Year, 61. 63. Veterinary Medicine and Surgery-Mr. Youatt; Fee for Session, 51. These Fees where they exceed 41. may be paid in two divisions -viz. in October and January. Particulars of these Courses may be had at the University; at Mr. Taylor's, 30, Upper Gower Street; and all Medical Booksel lers. By JOHN LEIGHTON, Esq. Author of Descriptive Illustrations of Views on the Clyde, &c. "In few books of equal size with the present have we found such a mass of interesting information. The writer appears to be perfectly familiar with the scenes, persons, and incidents he undertakes to describe. His style is well adapted to his subject concise yet perspicuous, and brings much matter into small compass. The whole work, embellished with forty-eight beautiful engravings on steel, is got up tastefully, and does great credit to the author, publisher, and printer."-Literary Museum, July London: Published by Bumpus and Griffin, 3, Skinner Street; and R. Griffin and Co. Glasgow. 1831. Books published by Whittaker, Treacher, and Co. In post 8vo. with Twenty Plates, a Map, price 12. in cloth, HE ENGLISHMAN'S MAGAZINE, among other Articles of diversified interest:-Sir Henry Vane's Scheme of Parliamentary Reform. By the Author of "Our A GUIDE to the LAKES in CUMBER-Author of "Atherton"-Peter's Net, No. 1. By Eli-The LAND, WESTMORELAND, and By JOHN ROBINSON, D.D. I. Bhattee Robber. By a Retired Indian Officer-Crosses. By Charles Lamb-African Woodlands. By Thomas Pringle-Old Adventures. By J. S. Knowles-Sir Henry Parnell's Financial Errors-The Last of his Race. By the Hon. Mrs. Norton-Anticipation. By Thomas Hood-True Tales of Poland. By a distinguished Foreigner-Moore's Life of Lord E. Fitzgerald-Walk from Rome to Naples-African Colonisation Society, &c. &c. The August Number completes the First Volume, a Title-page and general Table of Contents for which ment of Plants in Pots. By the same Author, Sylvan Sketches; a Companion to the Park IV. In 18mo. with several Engravings and Maps, price 58. bound Pinnock's Geography of the British Empire. V. In 18mo. with several Engravings, price 68. bound and lettered, "British Naturalist." VI. In 18mo. price 38. 6d. half-bound, French Phraseology; or, Traveller's Manual. Being a Compendium of such Phrases as most frequently occur in Conversation. In French and English. By C. C. Hamilton. 3d. 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In 12mo. price 68. tory Notes in English, from the most eminent Critics and Inter- "After a minute examination, the author of the present manual considers this edition of the Greek Testament as the most valuable of any that has yet been published with critical and philological apparatus, especially for students who wish to purchase only one edition of the Greek Testament."-Horne's Introduction to the Bible. "The young divine will find this work not only a safe guide in his studies, but the best which he can obtain within the compass PLAIN RULES for IMPROVING the of the same price and size."-Classical Journal, PAIN in "The most ample as well as the most correct view of what may A work of sound, original, and valuable information-of Solitary Walks through many Lands. 2d "This Greek Testament is a valuable accession to the aids of the under-graduates, the divinity student, and even the theologian. It is preceded by a very able summary of the important doctrine of the Greek Article, a field on which Socinianism has been so signally foiled. We cordially recommend it to our readers: and those who wish to purchase only one Greek Testament, and that not very expensive, will find in this edition the very object of their search."-Christian Remembrancer. Also, 2d edition, in 1 thick vol. 8vo. 21s. Greek Septuagint, with the Apocrypha, edited by A. J. Valpy, from the Oxford edition of Bos and Holmes. This edition is handsomely printed in 1 vol. 8vo. hotpressed. For use in churches and chapels, as well as the library. "This elegantly executed volume is very correctly printed, and (which cannot but recommend it to students in preference to the incorrect Cambridge and Amsterdam reprints of the Vatican text), its price is so reasonable as to place it within the reach of almost every one."--Horne's Introduction to the Bible. The Septuagint and Testament may be had uniform in four vols. 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The poet was stimulated by the same, or perhaps a superior, enthusiasm in the cause of Poland; but excitement is not always the parent of beauty in poetical progeny. Strong feeling has been awakened in the author's breast on behalf of a struggling people; but the everlasting sea has proved a far higher source of inspiration than the turmoil of human passions-the picture, however vivid, to the imagination of human wrongs and sufferings. We may therefore be excused if we pass over the first of these compositions, intended, as if in mockery, to be "inscribed in the new edition of the Pleasures of Hope;" and confine our attention to the last, which contains, within the compass of from 130 to 140 lines, several passages worthy. of the utmost fame of Thomas Campbell. Our personal pleasure in reading this poem may have been increased by seeing the bard in the full enjoyment of the scenery he describes ; inhaling the refreshing breezes of St. Leonard's, musing along the sounding shore, and almost unconsciously (as it would appear to the common observer) gathering those deep impressions of external objects, which he has combined so finely with poetical images and associations. The verse opens delightfully :"Hail to thy face and odours, glorious Sea! 'Twere thanklessness in me to bless thee not, Great beauteous being! in whose breath and smile My heart beats calmer, and my very mind Inhales salubrious thoughts. How welcomer Thy murmurs than the murmurs of the world! Though, like the world, thou fluctuatest, thy din To me is peace, thy restlessness repose." Her children with Tartarean fires, or shakes way of our vocation: it is far more agreeable "With thee beneath my windows, pleasant Sea! The lightning's wing, too weak to sweep its space, How vividly this moment brightens forth, Mighty Sea! PRICE 8d. A System of Geology, with a Theory of the And brook'st commandment from the heavens alone, striking phenomena, which Cuvier has endea- Yet, potent Sea! voured to enumerate; they are, according to our author, "a thousand fold." "The present duty of a systematical inquiry is to describe objects and actions which cannot all yet be classed under general divisions and laws." The objects, like all natural objects, must be To us these extracts breathe the true spirit capable of classification to a certain extent; of song. Nothing can surpass the magnificence and the laws, if physical, will be appreciated of the general view of Ocean, which the light-the individual. If that individual cannot clasin proportion to the scientific attainments of ning's wing cannot sweep without sinking sify his objects, he must be unacquainted with half-way like a wearied bird: nor is the more them or their relations; if he cannot expound particular glance less beautiful, where we are presented with the meteor-like sea-bird between the laws of their actions, he must be unacquainted with science, and therefore unfit to the varying belts of the ever-changing expanse be a systematist. We do not allude to inof water. The exquisite thought, too, and so exquisitely expressed, of Love's own queen rising from Nature's common, is of the noblest class of poetical conception. But such writing For these wild headlands and the sea-mew's clang," requires no commentit must reach every we disapprove, 1, of the pet-like epithet, "dar-heart worth touching; and we now leave it to that proud effect of genius, quoting only the ling;" 2, of the possessive ending of the line, concluding lines:"nightingale's We will not indulge in hypercritical carping; but merely to shew that our admiration is not indiscriminate, we notice that there are slight points in this poem liable, in our opinion, to censure. For example, in the ensuing five lines "Ev'n gladly I exchange yon spring-green lanes, Long trills;" and, 3, of the final word "clang" applied to the scream of the sea-mew. It does not convey a true idea of the sound; and that it does not, is curiously enough proven by its proper application in another passage, even in this short production :— "True, to the dream of fancy, Ocean has His darker hints; but where's the element With casual terror? - Scathes not Earth sometimes "Old Ocean was, Infinity of ages ere we breathed In thundering concert with the quiring winds: ferences which constitute the results-they are retrospective, and imply a theory of the earth. globe: geologically, this should not be deduced The third chapter embraces the form of the from observations on gravity, which regard an ideal surface, but from the harmony which is offered between the heights of the present continents and mountain chains with the depths of the ocean's waters, and then we are able to appreciate the aid which geology can be made to give to astronomy. Had the author been aware of this fact, he would not have asserted in his chapter on the general disposition of the surface of the globe, that the height of mountains is a mere object of curiosity; and the same remark applies to the well-established fact, of the distinction existing between the equatorial and polar regions in the general height of their mountains; a distinction which our author says quotation. It is extraordinary that an author | founded on the radiation of heat, and differs can lead to no useful geological result. Un-who proposes to write a system, should not very little from that of Professor Cordier. We stratified rocks are not those in which the know what a system is. "Should I," he says, shall here terminate our unpleasant labour of forms are irregular, but rocks which observe" attempt to describe accurately the several geo-pointing out the inadequacy of the present no parallelism in their beds; as changes of the logical connexions in which the rocks of this work to occupy in our literature the important absolute quality of the rock in a stratum are division exist, (alluding to the sandstones), it station of an accredited system of geology. Only not only rare, but we suspect unexampled. would lead to geological histories of the whole last year an anathema of a similar kind was The classification adopted by Dr. Macculloch series of the secondary strata in every part of pronounced within the walls of the Geological is arbitrary and unscientific. Brogniart, like the world." Now, either strata are the repre- Society on a work of similar pretensions, and the first geognosts, has attempted a mineralo-sentatives of one another, or they are not; if gladly shall we avail ourselves of the first gical classification of rocks; but he acknow-not, there has been accident in the formation opportunity of awarding due merit to the author ledged its inadequacy to the purposes of geology. of the earth, and there is no such a science as who may be the first successful representative Dr. Macculloch has pursued a system which is geology; but if, as is the case, there is a simi- of a profound, important, and interesting branch somewhat of a mineralogical character, as he flarity either in superposition in mineralogical of science. puts sandstones and limestones apart; but he characters, or in organic remains in the same does not assist the student by any specific dis-formation all over the globe, is it not the systinctions, nor does he bring the very ground-tematist's duty to ascertain and to describe work of his arrangement to elucidate the me- them accurately? The sandstones of the coal thod adopted, or exhibit that method in its formation have a paragraph occupied in their only favourable light-namely, the advantage description! The red marl comes next in order. of well distinguishing different rocks. In geo- It is divided into three beds, separated by vast logy there should be no arbitrary classification deposits of limestone, themselves distinguished it must be a table of superposition, as far as by important mineralogical characters, and their regards stratified rocks; and with respect to the application to domestic uses. It would hardly unstratified, it must be founded on their minera- be believed, that out of these Dr. Macculloch logical characters, or the period of their appear-describes only the red marl with saliform deance on the surface of the earth; a subject posits. Looking at some of his more miscellaneous remarks, we agree with Dr. Macculloch"That the water in stones is actually satu. rated with earths, and probably with silica or lime, appears to be also proved by certain ap pearances which take place on breaking and drying some of these. In marbles raised very wet from the quarry, a whitish dusty surface soon follows from the deposition of the carbo nate of lime; and a similar deposition of silica will account for that gray tarnish which is produced on pitch-stones within a very few hours after the specimens are broken from the rock, during which process of drying they become far less tender and more compact." This fact is no less interesting in a geologi. cal point of view, than it is important as con nected with the arts; for it shews the propriety of squaring and working stones for the ordi nary purposes of building and ornamental ar chitecture as early as possible after their exca vation from the quarry. Independent of the heavy expense of carriage in transporting large blocks of granite, sandstone, or oolite, in mass, a considerable portion of which is subse quent waste-if such blocks were worked for all the ordinary purposes of building-stone at the quarry before removed, an immense saving would result both in carriage and labour. What, for instance, can be more absurd than the accumulation of a vast mass of freestone, sandstone, and granite, to lie hardening by the sun and air, for several years, on Ramsgate pier, in order to make extra work in finishing that fine structure, which has been already thirty years in progress! which might involve some discussion, but which Not only in the practical part of the science discussion would be attended with benefit to have we to complain of a want of labour and the science. In what concerns the sedimentary method, but in the very essays which comprise deposits or stratified rocks, the work is la-Dr. Macculloch's elementary and theoretical nomentably deficient; and not to enter into par- tions, one would be led to suppose that the ticulars, where the author is unacquainted principles of geological science had never been with the labours of the Germans and the laid down. "Whatever analogies," he says, French, and with the important researches of" may be found all over the world, not only Messrs. Sedgwick and Impey Murchison, among the natures of the strata, but in the which have assisted in throwing so much light relative order of their stratification, there is no on what have been called the secondary and ter- where that resemblance which can authorise tiary rocks, we shall comprise our critique in us in supposing that they have either been stating that the details given do not even make simultaneous, or under the influence of a an approach to what is at present known of the universal law." Again, "The order of sucdifferences which they exhibit in various coun- cession is only general, and very far, indeed, tries, (a fact which is denied by the author in from being so particular as it has been imahis preface), and even in the same country;-gined." Geology, we would answer, is a sciof the variety in organic remains in contempo-ence of observation, not of imagination. Our raneous formations, in various geographical author further remarks, "All successions are situations; of the relation of the secondary analogous, and not identical." Now, positive with the tertiary formations, and of these with geognosy, or the order of succession of the each other;-of the relation of the sedimentary various strata of the earth, and the succession deposits to the rocks of plutonic origin; and of the different terms of the series, has been in fact of that which embraces the most marked established from observations made in the two In the latter sections of the work, “on the features of the science, and constitutes the worlds. If by the term identity the author Theories of the Earth," the Dr. is not over brilliancy and glory which have characterised means identity of composition, his assertion nice in attacking the different views of other the progress of geology when other sciences would be correct; but if he means identity of geologists. But whether the views he puts remained almost stationary. formation, which is the only identity we can re- forth as a "Sketch towards a Theory of the There is no such thing as a primary red cognise in geology, then such is not to be found. Earth" be exempt from the charges he advances sandstone, a sedimentary deposit, alternating The mineralogical characters of the rock may against contemporary geologists, we shall not with primitive crystalline rocks. Why so vary in different countries; even the organic take upon ourselves to offer any opinion. From tenacious in error? We more than doubt the remains may vary in their species or their the very diffuse style of the author, it is by no transition of old red sandstone into granite. genera, but their superposition is supposed means an easy matter to arrive at his concluAt the only place quoted by our author, the never to vary. As mineral masses, they are, sions. So far as we can collect his meaning, Ord of Caithness, we have excellent authority then, either similar or dissimilar; but when we the planet we now inhabit was a mass of that it is not the case: "As the mountain consider them as terms in an ascending or gaseous matter, as it emanated from the fiat of limestone is conspicuously the next stratum in descending series, their identity becomes almost its Almighty architect. That it became sucEngland, while sufficiently constant in Scot- certain. We shall here quote De Humboldt: cessively condensed into the liquid and solid land, and as an analogous one is similarly" When geognosy was raised to the rank of a form now constituting the terrestrial globe, found on the continent, this must be esteemed science, when the art of interrogating nature through the radiation of heat from the surthe natural succession." If it had not been was improved, and when journeys to distant face; while the central portion of the mass proved by the occurrence of mountain limestone countries furnished a more exact comparison still retains its igneous fluidity. But since the between the rock in question and all other between different formations, great and immu- origin of things, the crust of this globe, or secondary rocks, we doubt very much if geo-table laws were recognised in the structure of spheroid, has undergone no fewer than eight diflogists would have admitted its natural succes- the globe, and in the superposition of rocks; ferent eras or "conditions," easily distinguish. sion, from reasoning like that presented in this the most striking analogies in the position, able by geological evidence; such as the intercomposition, and the included organic remains ruptions or change in the chemical nature of "The evidences of geology," Dr. M. ventures to of contemporary beds, were then observed in the rocky series, through the agency of fire, or assert, "have indeed been multiplied, yet through iden- both hemispheres; and in proportion as we water, or both agents combined. "I know of tical facts only; since I do not perceive that a new one has been added to the science. This ought not to have consider formations under a more general point no mode (says the author) in which the surface been." Without appealing to foreign authorities, we shall of view, their identity daily becomes more of a fluid globe could be consolidated but by leave Messrs. Buckland, Conybeare, Sedgwick, Murchison, Scrope, Webster, Lyell, &c, to answer these sweeping probable." The hypothesis advanced as " a the radiation of heat. The immediate result sketch towards a theory of the earth," is of this must have been the formation of rocks charges. |