with respect to animals; as some species of lizards and other reptiles were observed on the trunk, and numerous birds frequented the branches. The Javanese proceeded to prepare the poison, which, after expressing the gum, was by steeping in a copper vessel close stopped, stirring and mixing separately,with a dry wooden stick, the juice of capsicum, powdered ginger, juice of garlick, powdered root of Kaempfera, Galenga, Marantha Malaccensis, and Costus Arabicus. It was necessary to prove the effect of this poison after it was prepared; and, having put some on a sharp instrument, I slightly pricked the thigh muscle of a full-grown fowl, which expired in the course of two minutes. It is well known

that the inhabitants of the Molucca islands make use of small arrows of split bamboo, dipped in this poison for the killing small birds, which they blow through a tube. The flesh is in no wise injured for eating, cutting out only the wounded part.

The following is a statement of the contract price of the various lotteries during the last ten years, and of the selling price of the tickets to the public:

Letters from New South Wales of the 20th of May, 1811, state, that great improvements had taken place in that colony since the accession of Colonel Macquarrie to the government. Butch er's meat was from one shilling to one shilling and three-pence per pound; and the supply of the colony equal to its consumption, without assistance from the mother country. Wool was likely to he their first staple of commerce. Settlers of good character were furnished with live stock from the government stores, on consideration of paying the value, in money or grain in eighteen months. The population of Sydney is estimated at 10,000 souls, of which number 8,000 have been sent from England as convicts. Pommarree, king of Otaheite, has offered to cede that island to Governor Macquarrie, on account of the British government. It appears by the Sydney papers, that several boats' crews, and of skin collectors, have been gangs lately overpowered and murdered upon the coast of New Zealand, by the natives, who afterwards devoured the bodies. The drought was so great at Sydney, in February, 1811, that the tanks were all empty, and water, collected from small cavities in the spring course, sold at from four-pence to six-pence per pail. An academy has been opened at Sydney, upon the Lancastrian plan. Each pupil was to pay one shilling per week.

IN

7. B. Cramer's Instructions for the Piano-forte; composed and fingered by the Author. 10s. 6d. N this work, to speak in the language of the justly celebrated and very ingenious author, "the first rudiments of music are clearly explained, and the principal rules on the art of fingering illustrated, with numerous and appropriate examples: to which are added, lessons in the principal major and minor keys, with a prelude to each key."

Much is here announced, and we only render Mr. Cramer justice, when we say that much, very much, has been performed. The didactic part of the work is laid down in the clearest manner, and the examples and exercises are selected with a judgment that accords with the high character Mr. C. so justly holds with all admirers of fine talents and profound science.

Twelve Voluntaries for the Organ, or Pianoforte; composed by William Russell, Mus. Bac. Oxon. 10s. 6d.

We find in this collection of church instrumental music, many movements of distinguished excellence. In saying that they are all peculiarly adapted for the purpose for which they are intended, we give them but a very small portion of praise to which they are entitled. The adjustment and combinations of the laboured and massy parts of the harmonies, rank them with the best compositions of our times, in the church style; and the melodies of the lighter parts of the work are appropriate and interesting. We venture nothing in saying, that, were the immortal Haydn living, he would receive no small grati fication from witnessing the skilful and very masterly manner in which Mr. Rus sel has treated one of his most celebrated subjects, as a Fugue alla capella. A Set of Hymn Tunes and an Anthem; composed, and dedicated to William Wilberforce, esq. M.P., by C. Lockhart. 10s. 6d.

We find in this collection twenty-six pieces; that is, twenty-five hymns and one anthem. Most of the hymn tunes are of a description to claim our appro bation. The melodies are pleasing, simple, and easy of execution. They are set for three voices, and are accompanied by an adaptation for the organ and piano-forte. The second treble is placed on the upper stave; and the first, or principal part, on the stave next the Lass. The composer's motive for this

is obvious, but we do not think the proposed convenience a sufficient excuse for so unnatural a disposition; such a forced inversion of all order and propriety.

The celebrated Irish Melody of Rubin Adair; arranged for the Piano-forte as a Rondo, and dedicated to Miss S. Martin, by T. Howell. 2s. 6d.

We cannot but profess ourselves much pleased with this production; Mr. Howell's introductory movement is florid and imperious, and forms a natural and obvious prelude to the main subject of the piece. The various returns of the theme are ably managed, the new ideas correspond with the original matter, and the effect of the whole is highly creditable to Mr. Howell's talents as a piano-forte composer.

Advice to a Young Composer, or a Short Essay on Vocal Harmony, in which the Rudiments of Musical Composition are intended to be explained in a familiar manner. By James Peck. 2s. 6d.

This little Essay, the rudiments of which are elucidated by examples from Dr. Greene, Dr. Haydn, and Brassetti, will be found very useful to juvenile students in composition. They are laid down with plainness and precision, and are well calculated to effect the author's useful object; which, to use his own words, is "to enable those who have not time to devote to the practice of the organ, or piano-forte, to set two or three parts to any simple air, with correctness and effect.

"Come Holy Spirit from on High," an Hymn with Symphonies; by Philomousos.

15.

This hymn, which is embellished with symphonies, is intended for charitable occasions, and is well calculated for such purposes. The public will judge of our opinion of the composition, when we say that we wish every Charity Sermon was preceded, or succeeded, by as good and as proper an adjunct to the interesting occasion.

The Parting Hymn, written by the late Rev. Charles Wesley, A.M. student of Christchurch College, Oxford, and set to Music by Joseph Prendergast. s.

The music of this hymn would not justify our warmest praise. The melody is not without merit, but the accent is frequently false, and the bass is not always the best that might have been chosen.

X 2

A Set

from being paid or accepted for a greater value than the current value of such coin; for preventing any note or bill of the governor and company of the Bank of England from being received for any smaller sum than the sum therein specifed; and for staying proceedings upon any distress by tender of such notes; and an extend the same to Ireland."–5th May, 1812.

The statute 51 G. iii. c. 127, is recited, and it is therefore enacted, that, after this Act, no person shall receive or pay for any gold coin lawfully current within the United Kingdom, any more in value, benefit, profit, or advantage, than the true lawful value

which such gold coin doth or shall by its denomination import, whether such value or advantage taken in lawful money, notes of the Bank of England, or silver tokens by the said company, or if in Ireland in notes of the Bank of Ireland, or silver tokens issued by them, er by any or all of the said means, wholly or partly, or by any other means, devise, shift, or contrivance whatsoever; and every offender herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and Buffer six months' imprisonment, and find sureties for his or her good behaviour for one year more, and on a second offence shall suffer one year's imprisonment, and find sureties for one year more, to be computed from the end of the said last-mentioned year; and if afterwards convicted be imprisoned for two years for every such subsequent offence. When persons who have been convicted shall be again guilty, the Clerk of the Peace shall certity former conviction-Indictments not to be traversed.-On prosecution it shall not be necessary to prove the money, notes, or coin, good and lawful, but the contrary must be shewn by the offender.-No person shall, by any means, devise, shift, or contrivance whatsoever, receive or pay in Great Britain any notes of the Bank of England, or in Ireland any notes of the Bank of Ireland, for less than the amount of lawful money expressed therein, and to be thereby made payable, except lawful discount for time; and every such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and pay a fine of double the amount of the note, and suffer imprisonment, not exceeding two months. Proceedings for distress, &c. to be stayed in case full payment is tendered in Bank notes, in Great Britain and Ireland.Bank of England notes in Great Britain, and Bank of Ireland notes in Ireland, to be good payment to officers of any court, or by off cers out of any court on any process.-Bank of England notes in Great Britain, and Bank of Ireland notes in Ireland, to be taken by officers of courts levying money under process of any court of law or equity, or other court in the United Kingdom.-All notes so paid shall, if required, be indorsed by the person paying them, and to be verified by affidavit to be Bank notes.-Offences committed in Scot

land shall be punished as in England.-Cons

tinuance of Act until three months after the next session of parliament.

The writer of this, Mr. I. P. Smith, has paid great attention to the subject of money, and the laws of England with respect to coin and currency, upon which he is now printing a work, which he hopes will supply the defect of an elaborate treatise upon this, perhaps the most important and most intricate subject in political economy. He is not prepared to say, that this bill, so far as it tends to support the paper system of England, and to prevent the confusion

which must arise from the immediate con

flict of paper and coin, is not a measure absolutely necessary to the preservation of the paper and the funding system, which are linked together so strictly that the one cannot subsist without the other, but both must fall together. If it be understood as a temporary measure, as it is expressed to be, until the legislature can provide for the regular destruction of the funding system, the satisfaction of the public creditor, and the return of the true system of metallic currency in coin, with out which it is impossible to carry on equitably the fair exchanges of society, this may not only be considered as a necessary, but a salutary, measure. But, if it be expected that paper can eternally supply the place of coin, the views of the legislature must be defeated by the silent but sure operation of the counteracting influence of the law of nature. The writer will prove that all paper currency operates by a principle which is equivalent to the successive debasement of coin, adopted by our kings who preceded the reign of the great Elizabeth, and must necessarily produce the most dreadfui confusion in all payments of wages, annuities, pensions, rents, and all stated income; and that, unless the effect is counteracted by the adoption of a mode of payment in coin, as hath been adopted in all college leases since the reign of Elibeth, or some commodity whose value must intrinsically remain the same, the confusion of all contracts must ultimately produce the greatest distress and calamity, accompanied with all those moral and political evils to which general calamity inevitably lead.

As to the avowed object of the bill, which is to prevent the exportation of the gold coin of this realm, it has come too late; for the coin is already gone, except such as is locked up in the coffers of the Bank of England. The few that remain