grow in small bunches like the lilac, of a vermilion colour within, and silvery white on the outside It blossoms in June, and therefore exhales its potent fragrance rather later than the other flowering shrubs. At this season the Persian ladies are particularly induced to seek the refreshing shade of the garden trees, where they freely indulge their taste for ripe fruits, which no doubt tend to give a livelier circulation to the blood, and a more joyous flow to the spirits. Hence, and in consequence of the state of luxurious seclusion and tranquillity in which they live, they may become more than usually susceptible of the tender passion; and as summer has ever been hailed as the peculiar season of love, they may have ascribed to this blossom, which blooms when other flowers have faded, an exclu sive and fanciful charm. An extraordinary phenomenon, better attested than the effects of the Zenzeed odours, was witnessed by the travellers a little more towards the northern border of Persia. It is so curious that we cannot resist its claim to transcription. Towards six in the morning, a very cold wind had set in from the NW. occasioning fogs in particular places along the valleys, rising only a few yards above the wet ground, on account of the cold air, which condensed them. On coming to a height which overlooked those vapours, we saw one of them in what appeared a deep chasm or valley before us, into which the road led. Beyond the valley we observed above the fog the tops of high mountains, crowned with rocky precipices, which seemed at no great distance, and therefore proportionably steep. We were aware that we had a kotul or pass to go over, and had been told that Aukhund was at the top of it, on the other side. As we were still, by our reckoning, ten miles from that place, we dreaded the labour of crossing from the chasm below such a precipitous and extensive chain of mountains. On descending slowly toit which resembled a distant village; but wards the fog, I perceived a dark object in as we advanced, it soon changed its aspect, and assumed that of a long avenue of trees, which seemed to open out as we approached. My friend and I were both expressing our surprise at finding an avenue of fine trees on a desert where we did not expect to see a village, and on which we had hitherto proceeded for miles without observing any trees, when in a few minutes we found that the view had been illusory, and that the nearest objects, in what had seemed the avenue, had the appearance of camels with light burdens, on one of which we remarked 8 man mounted. Afterwards, as they cleared the fog, they proved, as we now thought, to be mules laden with bags of grain, and men and boys walking with them. We passed on through the fog, which was very thick, and for a time lost the high road. The wind soon blew off the vapour, and the sun shone very bright, when to our astonishment this fancied range of mountains was found to be only bank | sidence of the late gallant Platoff (which before us of forty or fifty feet high, over we must reserve for a concluding article which the road proceeded. We at first of this review) we may state that Persia, concluded that the lofty ridge of mountains like Turkey, seems full of disunion. Its we had observed from the eminence was intercepted from view; but no such population is rapidly declining, as the range existed within twenty miles of us. The deserted villages and faded splendour of bank was crowned with rocky masses, which, towns and cities too plainly indicate. seen through the fog, had occasioned these But this declension is rather visible in successive illusions. This series of falla- the Persian inhabitants, meaning thereby cious appearances produced an indescri- those who dwell in such places. The bable effect on the mind, and might, to an wandering, or nomade tribes, of Tartar oriental fancy, have suggested the idea of origin, and speaking Turkish, known magic under the appellations of Illyauts, Maumeksunies, Loors, Bukliaries, &c. &c. do not seem to be in the same state of decay. Round most of the borders of the empire, and in all the extensive mountainous regions, the allegiance of the people is scarcely more than nominal. The perfect reality of these delusions, like calenture or mirage, is indeed incomprehensible. They might furnish argument for a Berkeleian controversy, or teach us to exclaim with Banquo, The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, Or rather diving into the deeper philosophy of his compeer Macbeth, And nothing is but is not. Travelling is liable to many inconveniences, from the endless subterfuges of the mule-owners, &c.; but few countries are free from impositions of this kind, and it is but justice to the Persians of rank, power, and wealth, to say that they take a pride in being kind and hospitable to those who pass through the country. Dictionnaire Infernal. Par J. A. S. Collin de Plancy. M. Collin informs us, that before he began to compile his Infernal Dictionary, he attentively read fifteen thousand volumes, the authors of which have exercised their getoms, spectres, ghosts, demoniacs, maginius in writing on demons, spirits, phancians, sylphs, gnomes, &c. Near Shaingulabad, our countrymen met the Russian Embassy, respecting which the only particulars which have yet been published in England have appeared in the Literary Gazette. The reception and entertainment they met with was of the warmest and most hospitable kind. General Yermeloff treated them like dear friends, and on the night previous to their departure devoted the greater part of the night to the kind business of writing, while they supposed it was for his personal concerns, a large bundle of recommendatory letters, addressed to those in command of all the principal places and towns in Russia We cannot blame him for having devoted through which they were to pass, from one article to Love, of all demons the the first post on the frontier of Persia, most subtle, perfidious, and cruel. Two or to Warsaw in Poland. Such generous three thousand poets have endeavoured, and noble behaviour is above praise, and since the creation, to unfold his artifices which, though performed by and for in- for a very different purpose. On this subit is delightful to record such actions, but none of them, we believe, mention the use of certain flies which apothecaries vend dividuals, are of inestimable value inject, M. Collin relates the following anecthe light of reciprocal international dote:benefits. As we go on we shall have to shew how invariable the subjects of Russia evinced the utmost kindness to Britons: we trust that such of the former as visit this country, from the Prince to the private traveller, will have similar traits of regard to tell of us when they return to their native homes. We shall not detain our readers longer on the Persian territory, where we intend immediately to take up Mr. Morier, but, passing through Tabriz, and thence through a part of the inhospitable Khordistan, enter the Caucasian border of Russia at Kara Klissia, the first Cossack station. Before proceeding in Georgia, however, and copying the very interesting details of a visit to the country re A gentleman of Lyons had the misfortune to marry a lady by whom he was not beloved. After having vainly endeavoured to win her affections by all the fine phrases and little attentions recommended by Ovid and Gentil Bernard, he had recourse to a sorcerer, who assured him that if he could prevail on his cruel wife to swallow a dozen cantharides in a glass of Spanish wine, he would be perfectly happy. The lady swal lowed the potion, and died on the following day. "Well," said the Sorcerer, "did I not promise that you should be happy? You are a widower!" We doubt whether the Free-masons will feel much obliged to M. Collin for having tionary. It is true he attributes to them the very best motives, of reminding man of his duty towards God, his sovereign, and introduced them into his Infernal Die the laws of his country. But then, it will be asked, Is there any thing infernal in that? The following little history will certainly prove a warning to all profane jesters :Guymond de la Touche, the author of Iphygenie en Tauride, visited a Necromancer, merely with the intention of turning him into ridicule. He accompanied a distinguished Princess, whom he undertook to cure of all faith in magic, both black and white. But the imposing ceremony of the operations, the silence of the spectators, the awe and terror with which some were seized, at length began to make an impression on him. At that moment his attention was riveted by observing the Conjuror run several pins into the bosom of a young girl." You seem very anxious," said the girl, "to know what we are about here. Well! since you are so curious, know that you shall die in three days." These words produced such an effect on the ex-jesuit, that he was seized with a fit of melancholy, and actually died at the expiration of the three days. ANALYSIS OF THE JOURNAL DES SAVANS I. Sibyllæ liber XIV. editore et interprete II. Libri Sibyllistarum veteris Ecclesiæ crisi, quatenus monumenta Christiana sunt, subjecti; disquisitio auctore Birgero Thorlacio. This article of the Journal des Savans inspires a kind of melancholy interest, from its being probably the last thing written by the learned and much lamented Visconti. Before giving an account of the 14th Sibylline Book, lately discovered by the indefatigable M. Maio, whose name is familiar to the readers of the Literary Gazette, M. Visconti has judged it advisable first to notice the pamphlet of M. Thorlacius, Professor at Copenhagen, who is honourably known by many writings distinguished by erudition and elegant Latinity. Though the researches of J. A. Fabricius, augmented by the notes and additions of Wolfgang lugen, and the late M. Harles, have nearly determined, by sound criticism, what we ought to think of this compilation, M. Thorlacius has thought it still susceptible of farther discussion. He seems to have been induced to it by the small value set upon the Sibylline verses by some late German writers, who have studied the history of the doctrines and opinions of the Christians during the first centuries of the vulgar era. The author considers the Sibylfine Books only as a respectable monument of these opinions and doctrines, and examining them in this light, he divides his dissertation into three parts: the first, treating on the occasion of these writings, and their authors; the second contains a minute examination of the eight Sibylline books, the only ones published till this latter period; the third ascends to the M. Visconti promises to review the publication of M. Maio in a second article, but it has not been found among his papers. (To be continued.) ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. SECRET LETTERS. (Supposed to be written by Madame Bertrand.) [Translation.] taken to shew the importance of this collection, which has been despised without being well known. Authors who predicted events after they had happened, may, says M. T. very justly, sometimes replace the historian, The opinion proposed by the author in or supply his deficiencies. The history of the first part is very singular; it might the doctrines of the church, and of the seem to be a discovery, if he had suc-usages of the various sects, may be illusceeded in rendering it in some measure trated by this collection, and it may serve probable. According to him, the Sibylline to explain some monuments of art conbooks in this collection are not, as Fabri- nected with the Christian worship, which cius and most of the critics believe, forge- are the work of the three first centuries. ries, for the purpose of imposture, or a pious fraud to facilitate the conversion of the heathens, but merely religious Poems, in which the ancient believers, making use, not of an imposture, but of a mere poetical fiction or prosopopeia, for their mutual edification, expressed in elevated and prophetic verse, sometimes their profession of faith, sometimes the praises of the Lord, and of the Incarnate Word, at other times their fears and their hopes. It were to be wished that M. Thorlacius had supported his opinion by some arguments, or alleged some facts or appearances which might render it probable. Far from this, he has not even attempted to weaken the grounds of probability in favour of the contrary and generally received opinion, which is very far from being a gratuitous conjecture without any foundation. On the contrary, numerous proofs, which are collected in Fabricius, seem to demonstrate, that in the very times which witnessed the origin of these pretended predictions, there were Christians who possessed sufficient good faith to condemn the authors, whom they contemptuously called Sibyllists, and who had sufficient judgment to suspect the imposture. In short, notwithstanding the specious conjecture of M. Thorlacius, it is to be apprehended that most readers will abide by the old opinion, which regards the authors of these writings as real impostors. M. Thorlacius, excepting some of the predictions of the ancient Sibyls, which were inserted in the new poems, to give them a greater air of probability, thinks that the date of almost the whole of these poems may be fixed between the latters years of the first century and the year 170. But he has himself proved that the collection is by twenty different authors; some of them may therefore have lived at a later epoch: M. T. recognizes some belonging to the end of the third century, but he thinks them to be very few in number. M. Visconti, however, thinks that some of the authors, unless they were real prophets, must have composed their poems at the end of the fourth century; and alleges as an example, which seems to him incontestible, the prediction of the destruction of the Temple of Serapis at Alexandria, under the reign of Theodosius, A D.389. Though M. Visconti does not countenance the opinion announced by the author in the first part of his work, he highly commends the acuteness, the perspicuity, the judgment, and the learning, which he has shewn in the two last parts. The learned world are indebted to M. T. for the pains he has LETTER III. St. Helena,-Jaunary 1816. We have now made excursions to various parts of the Island, though always attended by a strong escort. The horses most in use at St. Helena are brought from the Cape of Good Hope. They are small in size, but possess the advantage of being excellent climbers. The Island is not quite so frightful a place as at first sight it appears to be. It is indeed almost entirely covered with huge fragments of rock, but the neighbourhood of the Sand Bay is extremely beautiful, and the surrounding hills are overspread with luxuriant verdure. The exotic trees and plants which I had hitherto seen only in prints and drawings, were to me objects of singular curiosity. The cabbage-tree is extremely abundant; it bears a resemblance to the European Fern, except that its leaves are about five feet in length. The aloe is every where to be seen, as well as a certain shrub (I do not know its name) the leaves of which have a spicy fragrance when rubbed between the fingers. Gum-trees are by no means uncommon. I have always been accustomed to see the myrtle a small and delicate shrub here, however, it grows to a tree of considerable size, and thus, in my eyes, loses some portion of its poetic beauty. The soil is rich, and favourable for vegetation of every kind. In the Governor's garden we saw trees and plants belonging to all parts of the world. Oaks and bamboos, English weeping-willows and palm-trees, Scotch firs, orange and banana trees, strawberries, vines, and coffee. Napoleon's quickness of observation never so much excited my astonishment as during these rides and promenades. He climbs up the hills with such rapidity, that we can scarcely keep pace with him. He comprehends every thing at a single glance; and when in the evening we return from our rambles, and begin to discourse on what we have seen, he is sure to know more than all the rest of us together. He then walks up and down with his hands behind him, meditating on plans of improvement. He lately took a singular fancy into his head. He expressed a wish to employ himself in the whale-fishery. You will smile at this-but I assure you it is true. Vast numbers of whales frequently shew themselves round the Island. He asked how it happened that no whale-fisheries had been established here, as the sea in these parts is seldom troubled by violent storms, or rendered unnavigable by the accumulation of ice. Indeed it was difficult to answer this question, for it must be confessed that the whale-fishery might become a great source of trade and wealth to the Island. His eyes sparkled, as they always do when he forms some grand idea: "Let them," said he, "make me Sovereign of St. Helena, and they shall see what wonders I will work in twenty years." But in this he was mistaken. His wandering spirit could never be confined within the boundaries of St. Helena. The whole Universe would be too small to contain him. We lately asked him, what he intended to have done, had he been victorious in Spain and Russia? "I should," said he, "have proceeded through Persia to India, and have overthrown the dominion of the English there. That being done, their power in Europe would soon have fallen to nothing." And what if you had succeeded? we again inquired. I should then have invaded Egypt a second time; and next have proceeded to Asia." In short, we may ask as many questions as we please, his final answer invariably is, "I should then have enjoyed my Universal Empire in tranquillity, and have blessed the world with peace. I often think he is like a raven, which steals all kinds of valuables, not to enjoy them, but to secrete them on the top of some turret or tree-Conquest is his sole delight. He certainly is a most incomprehensible being; and yet, who can help admiring him. But to return to our Island, which we are now exploring as eagerly as a prisoner does every corner of his dungeon. You, I suppose, have not yet laid aside your furred pelisse; and, I dare say, sit wrapped up in your cachemire even at the Opera; but here we experience the scorching heat of summer, with the sun darting its rays vertically on our heads. This happens twice during the year, and is the only period when the SE. winds are suspended. The heat is very great, but by no means insupportable, except in the valleys. I have not seen a single drop since I have has been looking over the plan of his intended residence, and has given directions for several alterations. He takes as great an interest in superintending the arrangement of this building, as though he never had thoughts of quitting the Island. But this he probably does only for the sake of appearances, as we have known him to act in the same way at the Isle of Elba. It may And yet this singular climate is genial to be easily accounted for; when he has any the human constitution. The inhabitants object in view, he devotes his whole attenlive to a very old age, and seldom suffer tion to it: he cannot do things by halves. from illness; for the temperature of the And now, my dearest Caroline, I bid atmosphere never changes suddenly, and you farewell for a time. I must immethe extremes either of heat or cold are sel-diately go and dress for a Ball to which I dom insupportable. During the rainy sea- am invited this evening.-Now I think son, indeed, the damp air is somewhat in- see you smile-A Ball! you repeat.-But jurious, and it is then necessary to guard you must not imagine, my dear, that we against colds and rheumatisms; but malig- are entirely banished from the polite world. nant, infectious fevers, and all the innume- I assure you our ball will be no contemptirable diseases of other countries, are un- ble affair; nay, I expect it will be rather known to the inhabitants of St. Helena. brilliant than otherwise. The vessel is The invalids of Indian regiments, sent to sail to-morrow morning, and the Goverhome as incurable and unfit for service, nor gives this fête in honour of the officers. have frequently recovered so speedily during their stay at St. Helena, that they have been able to re-enlist. If we had made up our minds to remain here, we might calculate on living to be a hundred years old; that is to say, if we did not fall victims to the worst of all diseases, ennui. But you may rely on it we shall not be very long here; and even during the few days we have devoted to inspecting our prison, we have devised a thousand stratagems to escape from this mass of rock, in spite With this prophecy I must close my letof guards, telegraphs, and the Commis- ter. Let me once more entreat that you sioners of the Allied Powers. Even will attentively observe my instructions, as yesterday a trifling but singular circum-well as every thing that is passing in stance revived our spirits and hopes. We France. Napoleon places the utmost re were walking on the Sand Bay which com-liance on you! That thought will inspire you municates with the principal landing-place with courage and perseverance. Adieu! on the Island-there we observed on the shore some beans of extraordinary size; we gathered them up, and asked the persons who were escorting us, how they had come there? They have been washed up by the sea," said an old Officer; "it is a thing which frequently happens; they most likely come from the African coast." 'Ha!' exclaimed Napoleon. Then seizing my hand, and leading me a few paces aside, he whispered, These beans have floated on the water for the space of a thousand English miles, and are at length washed ashore. Shall we despair, then? I confess I did not rightly understand his conclusion respecting the beans: but Napoleon frequently alludes to this circumstance. " Nature," he says, "every where requires connection and communication; mankind have only to assist each other, and they will succeed in all they undertake." You know, Caroline, how terrified I am at thunder and lightning; but, fortunately for me, St. Helena is seldom visited by Yes, thought I, but the English will thunder-storms. This is not much to Na- never afford us assistance. We have hitherto poleon's taste. He would like a violent been watched with as much vigilance as storm of thunder and lightning every day of though they suspected we might suddenly his life; he says it is absolutely necessary, vanish into some cleft among the rocks, to rouse the mind from its stupor. But and by a stroke of magic make our appearI constantly pray that we may have no thunder and lightning, unless indeed it laughs and says, ance in London. Napoleon sometimes should be accompanied by a torrent of rain. happen." He is in excellent spirits. He "Such a miracle may I have brought with me all the newest Paris fashions, you may easily imagine what an important person I am among the ladies here. The Governor's daughters have already had their dresses made from my patterns, and will doubtless excite the envy of all their female acquaintance. Napoleon will be there, and has promised to dance with me. " when I "A time will come," he says, shall make all the world dance." P.S. I have hitherto forgotten to inform you that St. Helena is absolutely overrun with rats; and now, unfortunately, a most vexatious circumstance brings it to my recollection. Only imagine my horror when on unpacking one of my trunks, I found a beautiful face cap literally gnawed in pieces. My husband is so provoking as to laugh at my misfortune, and consoles me by observing that Napoleon has still more reason to complain. The rats have penetrated into one of his boxes of papers, and actually devoured one half of the plan of the Berlin and Milan decrees! CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. To the Editor of the Literary Gazette. MR. EDITOR, Seeing it stated in the Morning Post of the 23d of July, that the late T. Ingram, Esq. of Tickwell, Worcestershire, has bequeathed 6007. the interest of which is to be paid to a Clergyman in Birmingham, for an annual sermon to encourage and enforce humane treatment towards all dumb animals; I beg leave to recal to your recollection, that in the Literary Gazette (No. 33, Sept. 6, 1817) there is an essay creation, in which your correspondent most on the subject of Cruelty to the Brute emphatically recommends this very course. His arguments made a strong impression on my mind at the time, as perhaps they did on the congenial mind of Mr. Ingram; and as the repetition of a very small portion of them will not occupy much of your inestimable paper, and may advance the cause of humanity, to which you are a friend, with living Ingrams, I trust you will oblige me, by re-inserting the passage to which I have alluded. It is as follows, after denouncing the permitted cruelty to insects in children, and other practices initiatory to barbarity: "If people do these things in ignorance, it is quite time they should be set right. The relative duty we owe to God's creatures might well become a part of education, and it would greatly credit the humanity of any individual who would bequeath a sum for an annual sermon or sermons on the subject of the duty of mercy, and the sin of cruelty to animals."—Literary Gazette, vol. I. part 3, page 151. THE GREAT SEA SERPENT. In the 47th Number of the Literary Gazette, we inserted two letters sent to M. Cornelissen, of the Academy at Ghent, by Mr. John Quincey Adams, respecting the great Sea Serpent. Captain Woodward met, in the beginning of May, this year, with an enormous serpent, which seems to be different from that seen last year near Cape Anne. The following is the declaration of Captain Woodward, and it seems to us to be worthy of the attention of naturalists. "I, the undersigned Joseph Woodward, Captain of the Adamant Schooner of Hingham, being on my route from Penobscot to Hingham, steering WNW. and being about ten leagues from the coast, perceived last Saturday, at two P. M. something on the surface of the water, which seemed to me to be of the size of a large boat. Supposing that it might be part of the wreck of a ship, I approached it; but when I was within a few fathoms of it, it appeared to my great surprise, and that of my whole crew, that it was a monstrous serpent. When I approached nearer, it coiled itself up, instantly uncoiled itself again, and withdrew with extreme rapidity. On my approaching again, it coiled itself up a second time, and placed itself at the distance of sixty feet at most from the bow of the ship. I had one of my guns loaded with a cannon-ball and musket-bullets; I fired it at the head of the monster; my crew and myself distinctly heard the ball and the bullets strike against his body, from which they rebounded as if they had struck against a rock. The serpent shook his head and his tail in an extraordinary manner, and advanced towards the ship with open jaws; I had caused the cannon to be reloaded, and pointed it at his throat; but he had come so near that all the crew were seized with terror, and we thought only of getting out of his way. He almost touched the vessel, and had I not tacked as I did, he would certainly have come on board. He dived; but in a moment we saw him appear again, with his head on one side of the vessel, and his tail on the other, as if he was going to lift us up and to upset us. However, we did not feel any shock. He remained five hours near us, only going backward and forward. "The fears with which he at first inspired us having subsided, we were able to examine him attentively. I estimate that his length is at least twice that of my schooner; that is to say, a hundred and thirty feet: his head is full twelve or fourteen; the diameter of his body, below the neck, is not less than six feet: the size of the head is in proportion to that of his body. He is of a blackish colour; his ear-holes (ouies) are about twelve feet from the extremity of his head. In short, the whole has a terrible look. "When he coils himself up he places his tail in such a manner that it aids him in darting forward with great force: he moves in all directions with the greatest facility, and astonishing rapidity. 66 (Signed) JOSEPH WOODWARD." Hingham, May 12, 1818." This declaration is attested by Peter Holmes and John Mayo, who made affidavit of the truth of it before a justice of peace. ARTS AND SCIENCES. Claims of the Germans to the invention of the Kaleidoscope. The Berlin Gazette assures us that the Kaleidoscope was invented in March this year by M. Winkler, instrument-maker in Berlin, and that he sold one of these instruments to a foreigner travelling through that city, on the condition only to keep it in his own cabinet. This was probably imitated in London. M. Winkler kas, however, obtained a patent for his invention in the Prussian states. The invention of the Kaleidoscope furnishes a new proof how near one often may be to a thing, and have but a step to make to discover it. In the system of optics of C. L. D. (Dangel) Altona 1657, in 4to. the following passage is quoted from the fifth volume of the Theatre of Nature. "If some lines and figures are drawn upon a paper, and this held against two mirrors, the surfaces of which are placed at an angle, this affords an opportunity to find the prettiest borders, foliage, and the like, for the use of workers in ornamental stucco, gardeners, and embroiderers." This invention wanted nothing more than to put the mirrors, placed at a proper angle with the image, in a portable tube, and the Kaleidoscope would have been complete. The Nuremberg Commercial Journal contains the following letter: "On the invention of the fashionable optical instrument known by the Greek name of Kaleidoscope," by J. B. Bauer, instrument-maker of that city. "As an Englishman and a German now dispute the honour of the first invention, or rather of the first manufactory of this pretty instrument, I think it right to come forward and prove that the idea is above half a century old, and that this instrument, only in a more simple or more compound form, has been manufactured by me in Nuremberg for these twenty years and upwards, which may be proved by all the dealers in articles of this description, and by the catalogue of M. Bestelmeier's Magazine of Art. In Lampert's learned German Correspondence, published by M. Bernouilli, in Letter 42, vol. iii. Lampert writes from Berlin, Sept. 2, 1769, to M. Brander at Augsburg, Soon after I sent away my last, I had a mirror cut with four pyramidal faces, to shew the effect to amateurs. These pyramids may be considered as an optical amusement; whatever is laid at the narrow opening, becomes multiplied in a symmetrical manner, according to the surface of the sphere: a three-sided pyramid divides the sphere like an Icosaedron; a five-sided one forms a Dodecaedron, &c. You may represent with it a chess-board, a spherical lattice, a ball regularly illuminated in various ways.' Thus far M. Lampert. M. Brander's answer from Ausburg, Sept. 21, 1769, says merely, I am going to have such a pyramidical mirror made, in order to try the effect. This is what first led to the manufacturing of this instrument. I have not found, either in Wiegleb or Halle, or other books treating of optical amusements, which have very industriously copied each other, any mention of Lampert's pyramidical mirror, which is certainly one of the most agreeable optical amusements. Within these last twenty years I have made some hundreds of them. This instrument is represented in the above mentioned Catalogue, No. 800, in its simple form, for the German must not make his production dear by a fine covering. I have also put together three mirrors, so as to form a prism: this is exactly the modern Kaleidoscope, and what is called the improved one; but it did not please so much, because it does not present so beautiful a globe as a shortened pyramid. Painted and cut out triangles were put before it, and the transparent colours produced a very pleasing effect. In order to conceal the contrivance, I enclosed the pyramid or prism in a little square box, and called it an Optical Imagebox (Optisches Strahlen-Kästchen.) It is mentioned in the Catalogue under No. 1069. Transparent wheels, cut out in various ways, were placed before the narrow opening, which produced a very agreeable play of colours. As such optical instruments are susceptible of great diversity, this idea was varied in many ways, till at last somebody took it into his head to put what I had enclosed in a square box, into a round tube, and this is a Kaleidoscope. I think I have proved that the honour of the first execution belongs to me, but the first idea, undoubtedly belongs to Lampert. Artists seldom write books; I beg the learned, if the Englishman and the German who respectively claim the honour of the invention, are to obtain immortality for it, at least to secure to me, as the first maker, the third part of it, or, what I should like better, to contrive, that the third part of THE NEW DISCOVERY IN OPTICS. Respecting this discovery, the following notice has been sent to us: The patent Light-Projector is exceedingly recommended by its excellence in an economical view. The small one, when applied to a candle, produces so great a degree of heat, as to render it extremely useful in cold weather; and it not only increases the heat to a high degree, but produces light driven forward into a large deep space, so as to illuminate more powerfully than can be conceived without ocular demonstration. The apparatus is now getting up in an article that will possess all the beautiful effects of the most finished mirror, without the liability to tarnish, and is supposed to be capable of producing many more important advantages than have been developed." SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANIES, yet scum Recipe for making TAR-WATER.*-In a well glazed, wide-mouthed, large earthen jar, holding five or six quarts, you must put one quart of the best Norway tar, and one gallon of clear spring-water. With a flat stick you must beat and mix this well together, constantly stirring it for five minutes, by your watch. Take out the stick, cover over the top, and let the jar remain 48 hours; then clear away some which will appear on the surface, with a piece of cotton, and pour off the liquor into four quarts, which, well bottled, will keep for weeks and months. It should not look so high coloured as the generality of Madeira, but of a straw colour, and should have a lively and rather acid taste, not vapid. It may be drank either cold or warm; and it is advisable to begin with a gill at a time, two or three times a day, when the stomach is most clear and empty, fasting, an hour or two before eating, and never under two hours after eating. A pint a day proves an alterative. If the Tar is liquid, strong and good, the liquor will drink a little strong and acrid, and a fourth part, or third, of water, may in that case be added at first; but when the patient is a little used to it, it will be drank with more advantage as it is originally inade. For the medicinal uses of this specific we may refer to the Bishop of Cloyne's treatise; bat we are induced to insert the recipe, from having heard many strong testimonies in favour of its efficacy in nervous disorders. THE FINE ARTS. BRITISH GALLERY. This exquisite gallery is advertised to close at the end of next week, and we cannot No. 13, The Sibylla Lybica, by L. Caracci, and belonging to Mr. Beckford, may justly be held up as an example of historical art. The severity and grandeur of its style, the bold massing of its lights and shades, and the ample folds and castings of its draperies, are all characteristic of the sublime. Nothing short of the Cartoons could be pointed out to the student as more eminently entitled to his attention, if he aims at the highest walk in his profession. No. 5. The Magdalen of Domeni chino belongs to the same order of grand design. suffer its treasures to be withdrawn from | ture, &c. are painted with truth and fide- Among the Pictures to which we have not had an opportunity of directing particular attention, are the following. British amateurs. 79. The Young Gamblers, by Le Nuin. The style and colouring are grave, yet in force and vigour of pencil somewhat resembling Jan Steen, whose numerous pieces in this gallery must raise him even higher than he ever stood before in the opinion of Le Nain's masses of light, and folds of drapery are here broad and distinct; but his character and expression are beyond all praise, nor have we ever seen features more profoundly marked with thought and the settled gloom of deep anxiety. The villany of the young gambler standing up on the right, and indeed all the darker passions, are pourtrayed with wonderfull skill. Of the Jan Steens to which we have already alluded, it might be added, that this collection, containing a greater number and variety of his works than have before been seen together, has brought us acquainted with the full extent of his merits. His treatment of domestic and familiar subjects is in certain respects unrivalled. For character, he is infinitely superior to Teniers, Brawer, or even Ostade. He has more of Hogarth than any other artist that ever lived. His Cock-fighting (82, the Marquis of Bute's) is inimitable, and the exultation of success was never better expressed. His style is generally broad, and his pencilling firm, though his choice of form and composition are not regular nor much studied. The deceptive in art has not escaped him, and some of his efforts in this repect are equal to Netscher or Metzu: the carpets, furni Bowles, add to our admiration of the painter. No. 43. A dead Christ, Virgin, and Angels; the design by Michel Angelo, and painted by Venusti, is a picture of extraordinary interest. The composition is grand, the outline fine, and the colour perfect truth. The expression of the Virgin is ineffable, and inspires religious veneration in no common degree. Nos. 58 and 60. Two masterpieces of Watteau. Their gaiety and finish must be seen, to be understood. We could, we find, with great pleasure proceed with our catalogue, but we must conclude by earnestly exhorting all lovers of the art not to let slip the opportunity of witnessing in this Gallery such an exhibition as they may not readily, if ever, see again. |