THE LITERARY GAZETTE, AND

that if, as many writers have advanced, the Russian language has a great and striking resemblance to the sacred language of India, and to the Greek, it has no less to the Latin. He even goes so far as positively to state, that has a common origin with the language the Russian of the Romans, or seems be in a measure derived from it. Nay, at least to in the concluding chapter of the work, he declares himself wholly in favour of this last part of the alternative. Without detaining our readers on so dry a subject, we merely observe, that the reviewer, Baron Silvestre de Sacy, whose very learned opinion on this subject is itself a host, not contesting the evident points of resemblance, declares for the first part of the alternative, and thinks that we should ascend to a much more remote point, to account for the unquestionable and numerous analogies between the Sanscrit, the Persian, the Greek, the Sclavonian, and the Teutonic languages.

III. 1. Itinerarium Alexandri; ad Constantinum Augustum, Constantini Magni filium edente nunc primum, cum notis Angelo Maio, &c.

whence it results, that he drew it up on the
occasion of an expedition of Constantine
against the Persians; that, namely, in the
year 345. It appears, too, that the anony-
mous author had also composed an Itine-
valuable to us, as we possess hardly any
rary of Trajan, which would be the more
sia. Let us hope that it may be one day
data of that Emperor's expedition into Per-
discovered.

he has consulted those writers who are the
most worthy of credit; and it appears, in
The author states, in general terms, that
lowed Arrian, though it is also evident
that he had other data before him, since
comparison, that he has particularly fol-
he introduces

circumstances not men

the writers worthy of credit whom he says he consulted.

sages of this little work which are relative to We have thus stated the most striking pashistory. The MS. from which M. Maio has rius, appears to be of the 9th century. We taken it, as well as the work of Julius Valeevery kind; the learned editor has not need hardly add that it is full of errata of text which he publishes is restored; but the readings of the MS. faithfully noted at faults of orthography and language; the thought himself bound to retain all these the bottom of the pages.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

ROYAL EVENING CONVERSATIONS,

OR
LESSONS ON THE ART OF GOVERNMENT.

(Attributed to Frederic III. of Prussia, as
addressed to his Nephew and Heir ap-
parent, afterward Frederic IV.)

SIR,
To the Editor of the Literary Gazette.

tioned by that historian. Thus Arrian does not mention that Olympias, the mother of Alexander, accompanied her son to the deductus, accitur ad gloriam, (§ 18.) Neither does he say, nor do we find it elseMouth of the Strymon. Eo usque à matre to the throne, had the three sons of Pausawhere, that Alexander, on his accession nias, the assassin of his father, put to death. Without speaking of other differences of 2. Julii Valerii, Res gestæ Alexandri Mace- mous author makes Alexander, in his exless importance, we remark that the anonydonis, translatæ ex Æsopo Græco, pro-pedition in Thrace, carry his arms as far as deunt nunc primum, edente notisque the Palus Meotis. This, it must be owned, R. E. C., I beg leave to premise a few words illustrante Angelo Maio, &c. What hopes do such titles excite! Will these nately it has no feature of probability. Ar-dressed me on the subject, in your last In sending to you this continuation of the would be a remarkable fact, but unfortu- to the Gentleman who has anonymously adnew discoveries of the indefatigable and learn- rian, who is so precise and exact, says, in- Number; and to assure him that I feel not ed M. Maio supply the desiderata which are still left by the accounts of Justin, Diodo- the Illyrians beyond the Ister; but it was him any deed, that Alexander pursued the Gete and the slightest inclination to excite against rus, Plutarch, Arrian, and Quintus Curtius? only a short excursion; and in the same day tives or views-to criticise his extracts-or Will they give the ensemble of the measures taken with so much exactness, and colsuspicion"-to question his mothe conqueror returned to his camp. lected with so much care by Diognetes and the many romances about Alexander, since not exist in my printed French original.—I The story indeed seems copied from one of than that they contain matter which does to say of them any thing better or worse, Béton, in the whole extent of Western Asia, we find it again in the work of Julius Vale- have no interest at stake, which could and throw a new light on the geography rius, a translation of the work of the false possibly tempt me to transgress the line of of these celebrated countries, with which Callisthenes. It is the same with a pre-neutrality with respect to him. My contrithe precious fragments of Patroclus, of Era-tended visit to the pillars of Hercules, which butions to the Literary Gazette, or to any tosthenes, and of Hipparchus, have made is mentioned in the two last paragraphs of other periodic publication, are all purely us but imperfectly acquainted? endeavours to render this journey less im- any emolument or advantage whatever. the Itinerary. Though the learned editor gratuitous,* and not productive to me of probable, by shewing that the pillars of Hercules on the coast of the Euxine may be meant, it is nevertheless a fable, which Juthe romancers have transformed into a real lius Valerius has again brought forward; expedition, one that was merely projected.

It must be confessed that the reading of these works almost destroys the brilliant hopes which the title naturally excited. We even know some very well informed persons, who go SO that M. Maio would have done as well far as to think not to draw these works from the obscurity in which they have remained till this time. We are far from being of this opinion, at least with respect to the Itinenerary of Alexander; and in fact it would be very strange, if an historical work composed in the 4th century, a little before the works of Eutropius, Sextus Rufus, and Aurelius Victor, and after narratives, some of which are no longer in existence, were

wholly useless and contained nothing interesting.

The author of the Itinerary is unknown, but the time of his writing is clearly shewn, by the first phrases of the preamble,

66

differences between his publication and mine, had I not apprehended that my siIndeed, I never should have noticed any posed to the charge of suppression or mislence, in such cases, might have left me exinterpretation.

I am, Sir,

Yours, &c.

of geography, is mentioned in a short
phrase, which is lost in the midst of a very West Square, October 5.
But a fact, which is curious in the history
confused description of India: it results
We know very well, by the united testi-
from this phrase, that the Erythrean Sea
was called Hippalum (or Hippalicum) mare.
mony of Pliny and the author of the Periplus,
that the Monsoon, which set directly from

JOHN CAREY.

Private Policy-continued from No. 88.
In the Belles Lettres.

Cape Syagrus to Patala, was called Hippa-have been more fortunate in that respect
I have exerted my utmost efforts to acquire
first discovered it; but nobody has before
lus, the name of the intrepid navigator who than the Cardinal de Richelieu; since
a reputation in the literary sphere; and I
told us, that gratitude for this happy disco-thank God!) I pass for an author. But be
very had gone so far as to give the name of

By reference to our review of Mr. Thom-Hippalus to the Erythraean Sea itself. As far as we are concerned, and acknowledge our

son's publication, in this Gazette, our readers will find ample cause to agree with M. Silvestre de Sacy, whose opinion goes forcibly to corroborate Mr. T's. statements.-ED.

this fact, which is in itself very probable, is
not one of those which compilers or abbre-
viators invent, it cannot be doubted but the
anonymous author met with it in some of

obligations to the Writer. These Conversations * We are happy to vouch for this fact, in so and interest, for which we are entirely indebted are a contribution of very considerable curiosity to his liberality.—ED.

the severest strokes of his satiric pen.
Besides, after having duly weighed every
circumstance, and taken the opinions of
my whole Academy, it was set down as a
decided point, that two geniuses can never
breathe the same air together.

I had almost forgotten to observe to you,
that, under the pressure of my heaviest
calamities, I have ever been careful that my
literati should have their pensions punc-
tually paid to them: for those philosophers
never fail to represent war as the most
dreadful instance of madness, the moment
it affects their own purses.

When people are not rich, they should forbear to indulge in lace and embroidery.‡ In Pleasures.

it observed, between you and me, that those literary gentry are a cursed race: their vanity is intolerable;+ insomuch that it were not difficult to find a poet, who would refuse to give me up one of his fine Cupid is a Deity who suffers none to couplets at the price of my whole kingdom. escape his dominion. If we resist his shafts, -As scribbling is an avocation which when levelled || in a fair and honorable way, diverts us from those employments that are he renews his attacks in another direction. alone worthy of a prince, I never write, Be therefore advised by me: let not inconexcept when I have nothing better to engage siderate presumption tempt you to make my attention: and, in order to render the head against him: for, in spite of all your task of composition less irksome and laefforts, you would, sooner or later, be comborious, I entertain at my court some men pelled to bow beneath his yoke. Although of genius, who have the charge of || revising I have no reason to complain of the trick and correcting what I have written. You which I have experienced from him, I nevertheless recommend to you not to follow my saw, with what flattering marks of distinction I treated Monsieur D'Alembert, when with little trouble on your own part? here mately productive of very serious conseWould you learn to keep people quiet, example. Such conduct might be ultilast he visited my court: I had him constantly at my table, and never spoke to him Let every one of your sub-quences: for, by degrees, all your goor of him but in the language of encomium.jects be allowed to write directly to your-vernors, all your officers, would become Even you appeared surprised at the extra-self, and to speak to you in person; and, more intent on pursuing their own pleasures ordinary attentions which I paid to that whenever any one of them does so, you than promoting your glory, and would philosopher but are you not aware that his must answer his letter, or listen to his dis- finally be found to resemble your uncle words are received at Paris with as great course. But, in your written answers on Henry's regiment. deference as the responses of an oracle? such occasions, the style which you must that he makes my talents and my virtues use, is this

the constant theme of his discourse; and

every-where maintains that I possess all the genuine characteristics of a great prince, and a perfect hero? Besides, 'tis a gratifi

is the secret.

In little Minutiæ.

"If what you represent to me be true, I shall do you justice: but, on the other hand, you may be assured of that zeal which I have ever shown, to punish calumny and

cation to me to hear myself commended falsehood. I am
with ingenious delicacy: for, to confess the
truth, I am very far from being insensible
to the charms of praise.-I am, indeed,
feelingly conscious, that it is not every

action of mine which entitles me to com

Your King,
FREDERIC."

If any person approach you for the purpose of preferring a complaint, listen to him mendation: but D'Alembert is so complai- and imposing countenance: and, in partiwith attention, or, at least, with a grave sant, when seated in company with me, that cular, let your answer be firm and laconic. he never opens his lips, but to sooth my-A couple of letters in this style, and as ears with the sweetest language imaginable. many verbal answers given in this way, will Voltaire was a man of different character; effectually prevent your being importuned for which reason I discarded him. I made with complaints, and will gain for you, in a merit of his dismission in the eyes of Maupertuis: but the truth is, that I dreaded your own dominions, and still more at Voltaire, because I was not sure of being dealing and minute attention, as † proves a foreign courts, such a reputation for plainalways able to continue heaping favors on fortune to a king.-I well remember, my him with undiminished liberality, and was convinced that the defalcation of a single circulated through the different countries dear Nephew, that, for two such letters, half-crown § would have subjected ine to which the French wrested from me in 1757, I was regarded by the inhabitants as the most popular and the most equitable of kings.

"A cursed race”—“ une maudite race."

+ The anonymous extracts contain some additional remarks upon authors, which do not appear in my French original.

"Avocation."--I am here induced (partly in self-defence) to stigmatise the too prevalent abuse of this term, which every scholar knows to signify, not our regular business or profession, but any subordinate or incidental pursuit or oc

....

currence, which Avokes, or Calls us away, from
our chief or regular employment, or location.
"Revising and correcting". "De redi-
ger mes idées ;"--the verb Rediger expressing the
performance of an Editor (Rédacteur) who revises
the MSS. of others, and prepares them for pub-

lication.

§ "Half-crown" —“ Un écu”—commonly

In Dress.

I should have liked to indulge in the pleasures of the chase: but an inspection of the accounts of your great grandfather's chief ranger effectually cured me of that inclination. My father has a hundred times told me, that there are only two kings in Europe who can afford to chase the deer; since it would be indecorous for a crowned head to hunt in the humble style of a private gentleman.

tolerably pleasurable kind: I am fond of Nature has given me propensities of a liqueurs: yet my subjects think me the most good eating, generous wine, coffee, and temperate and abstemious of all the princes of the North.-When I eat in public, my German cook prepares my dinner; I drink beer, and take two or three moderate glasses of wine: but, when I eat in my private apartments, my French cook exerts all his culinary is no easy task-There I am near my bed; abilities to please my palate; which, I own, so that I need not be under any apprehendisposed to drink.-Philosophers may say sion, whatever the quantity that I may be what they please: but, after all, the bodily appetites are well entitled to claim the indulgence of two hours out of the twentyfour; for, in short, without their gratification, what would life be worth?

I am fond of play: but I never could patiently reconcile myself to the loss of my money. Besides, the gaming-table is the the eye of curiosity should have an oppormirror of the soul; and I don't like that tunity of prying into mine. As to you, my dear Nephew, first carefully examine your own bosom: and, if you find that the lust of gain has not taken deep root in your heart, you may then venture to play.

Had my grandfather lived twenty years longer, our family would have been ruined: for his birth-day parade would have exhausted all the resources of the kingdom. For my part, I never wear any other dress than the military uniform. My army consider this peculiarity as a proof of my esteem and regard for their body: and I suffer them to cherish the flattering idea; though, in fact, my only motive for this I have a passion for theatric entertainobservance is that of setting the example.ments, and particularly for music: but I introduce the blue coat for gala days. the pleasure which I derive from a fine find that the Opera is very expensive; and

"Severest strokes'

"M'auroit attiré

translated, a crown; though never used to It was an excellent idea of my father to
express more than three livres, or half a crown
sterling, except when there is question of indi-
cating a single six-livre piece; and, even then,
not without the distinctive addition of the sum,
viz." un écu de six francs."-The English reader
would do well to recollect this, when he meets
with sums of French money in "crowns"-and
to understand just so many half-crowns.

deux cents coups de patte"-drawn upon me two
hundred strokes of his paw-or, in quaint familiar
language, an unmerciful clawing.

rois."

"Proves a fortune"-" fait la fortune des

"Forbear to indulge," &c.-" éviter même le demi-galon"—" avoid even the demy-laced costume," or half-dress suit.

"In a fair and h ̧norable way”—“ de bonrguerre."

THE LITERARY GAZETTE, AND

voice or a well-touched violin, would be much more exquisite, if it were less costly. Meantime, as the public cannot be deceived with respect to the amount of this expenditure, I have used my utmost endeavours to persuade them that it is both useful and necessary. But, after all my arguments, my veteran generals have never yet been willing to believe, that a songstress or a virtuoso was entitled to enjoy an annual income equal to theirs.

I shall now, my dear Nephew, give you an epitome of the human heart, though I do it at my own expense. Be assured, then, that man is ever under the dominion of his passions; that self-love [§ is his grand principle of action]; and that the foundation of all his virtues is his interest and his ambition.-Would you pass for a hero? shrink not from crime.-Would you be deemed a sage? disguise your real character under the mask of deep dissimulation.

(To be continued in our next.)

§" Is his grand principle of action."-These words I have substituted in lieu of "l'amour

propre fait sa gloire"--" self-love is [or constitutes] his glory"-of which the meaning, in this place, is not very obvious.

་ Shrink not from crime”. approchez hardiment du crime"-" boldly approach crime.”

RUSSIAN SCIENCE, LITERATURE, &c. (Letter from Riga.)

M. Keuszler, a man of letters, Chief Master in the High School, has for eleven years given private lessons during his leisure hours, and put the money aside to buy Astronomical Instruments. He has an excellent apparatus; among other things, Dollond's Transit Telescope, which formerly used to stand in the Observatory at Seeberg. A convenient place for his observations was only wanting. His Excellency, our Governor-General, Marquis Paulucci, had heard of M. Keuszler's embarrassment, and he immediately assigned him one of the Round Towers of the Castle, to arrange it according to his wishes. M. Keuszler had a proper room constructed for his observations in the Winter nights, and the roof of the tower made flat for the same purpose in the open air. Thus Riga has an excellent Observatory, with a very extensive and perfectly open horizon.

The Bavarian ambassador, Count de Bray, has written a very interesting work upon Livonia: "Essay historique sur les Livonie," in three volumes, printed in Dorpat, and has made a present of it to the University. The materials for the history of the ancient state of the Province are collected with infinite diligence, and employed with great ability. His Majesty the Em

peror has rewarded him with the Order of | sembles that of all bow instruments com-
St. Andrew.
The inventor refuses to shew the inside of
resemble the Flageolet and the Organ.
bined. A change of the stops causes it to
his instrument.

to Germany, would be the most convincing
The Livonian Mercury, if it find its way
refutation of the absurd opinions which are
spread there, about the restrictions on the
press in Russia. It is written, both in po-
litical and other respects, with a freedom
stopped. In the three first numbers there
which in Germany would soon get its mouth
Berlin, and the heroine is a new fashioned
is a little tale, the scene of which is laid in
Quackeress. The fourth Number contains
the continuation of Voltaire's Candide, in
which the "
sur une fesse," is turned a devotee; and Cu-
negonde's brother, Baron Meppen, of the
Vieille, qui ne se tenoit que
mediatized house of Tunder ten Tronkh,
has returned, now that all has returned to
has escaped from the Turkish galleys, and
its ancient order, "to govern his portion of
Germans."

Dr. Merkel is said to be employed upon
"Contributions to his History of his own
Times,"
," which will, among other things,
General d'Yorck, from an official corres-
contain a true detail of the capitulation of
pondence.

the Chamber of Justice at Berlin had con-
The account, given in some paper, that
demned him, for his sallies against M. Nie-
buhr, to three months imprisonment, is not
quite correct. Many months after Merkel
had returned home, and the Chamber of
condemned him to six months imprison-
Justice had lost all jurisdiction over him, it
ment, or a fine of 500 dollars. It sent this
sentence to the Senate at Riga, to be pub-
lished; but the Senate sent it back unpub-
lished by the first post, and called upon the
Prussian consul to pay, on account of the
Chamber, 10 dollars for the postage. This
happened in November 1817. Merkel, who
very seldom leaves his country residence
in the Winter, did not hear any thing of the
affair till a good while after, and is said
not to be at all affected by it.

instrument-maker Hausen, in Tukum,
which has been exhibited and played here,
An instrument, lately invented by the
is worthy the attention of the connoisseurs
and lovers of music. The inventor has
given it the singular name of Olimphikon
perhaps it should be Olympikon.) It is
played like a harpsichord, which it also re-
in
sembles in the form; but the lid is arched
and by this means a handle is put in mo-
a semicircle, and perforated with
many round holes.
tion, which probably turns a wheel co-
Below is a pedal,
vered either with leather or horse-hair. By
the pressure of the keys, the strings are
brought in contact with the wheel; and ac-
cordingly as the keys are touched with more
or less force, a music is produced which re-

ARTS AND SCIENCES.

Letter to Professor Pictet upon the Greek EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES. Inscription at Koum-Ombos, and the facility with which it is at present possible to travel in Egypt.

SR,

Journal the Bibliotheque Universelle, an
Leghorn, March 10, 1818.
I have just read, in the interesting
Egypt. This traveller observes, that he
extract from Mr. T. Legh's Travels in
sought in vain at Koum-Ombos for the
the gates of the great temple, quoted by
Greek inscription on the cornice of one of
Mr. William Hamilton.

nine

the veracity of the Editor of the Egyptiaca ness of the researches of Mr. Legh, or of Nobody will doubt, either the fruitlessmony.) I visited (which I can confirm by my feeble testiscription in question. On comparing it Koum-Ombos months ago; and there I copied the innow with that which Mr. Hamilton has published(Egyptiaca, p.75,) I find that there are in his divers additions. I do not know vouch that the inscription exists, and that what may have occasioned them, but I can my copy, which you will find below, is most scrupulously correct. I always took the precaution, when I copied inscriptions, to count the number of letters in each line. I add that in question as I saw it at KoumOmbos.*

a few words of the great facility with which we can now traverse the plains of Egypt, formerly so celebrated, and I earnestly desire I take at the same time the liberty to say inclination to visit this interesting country. Not only is there not the least danger in of your friends as might perhaps have an that you would communicate them to such travelling at this moment, even to the second cataract of the Nile, but this excursion is attended with ten months absent; I proceeded, without a travelling companion, beyond the first catavery little expense. I was ract, having always a handsome cangia Arabic, Turkish and Italian. I traversed (bark) for myself alone; a Turkish soldier as a safeguard, and a dragoman who spoke every where distributed pretty liberal preArabia Petræa as far as Mount Sinai; I and for all this, including the two voyages by sea, to go and return, I spent no more sents in return for the services done me; than three hundred Louis'd'or!

* ΥΠΕΡΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥΚΛΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣΓΗΕΑΔΕΛΦΗΣ

ΘΕΩΝΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΩΝ ΚΑΙΤΩΝΤΟΥΤΩΝΤΕΚΝΩΝ ΑΡΟΗΡΕΙΘΕΩΙΜΕΤΑΛΩΙ

ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙΚΑΙΤΟΙΣΣΥΝΝΑΟΙΣΘΕΟΙΣΤΟΝΕΗΚΟΝΟΙΕΝΤΩΙΟΜBITHIΤΑΣΣΟΜΕΝΟΙΠΕΤΟΙ

ΚΑΙ ΙΠΠΕΙΣΚΑΙΟΙ ΑΛΛΟΙ ΕΥΝΟΙΑΣΕΝΕΚΕΝΙΤΖΑΥΤΟΥΣ

to determine a certain basis to be adopteding animals have a tendency to putridity, / Hath heard them plead for, when the heart was