ZOOLOGY.

(A Nondescript Animal.)

MR EDITOR,

HAVING had occasion the other day to pass Merchiston Castle, my eyes were directed to a bundle of open papers lying scattered at my feet: these I hastily collected, and continued my walk: but when I reached home, conjecturing that they might have fallen from the pocket of one of the many literati, who, through respect to the memory of the great inventor of logarithms, continue to visit that ever hallowed spot, my curiosity so far prevailed, that I opened one, and understanding sufficient of the Latin language (thanks to my preceptors) to perceive that it must be undoubtedly part of a new general system of natural history, I take the liberty, through the medium of your magazine, to publish what I myself glanced over, that the true author may not be ignorant into whose hands his, I do not doubt most valuable, treatise has fallen. Hoping that in

stant application may be made for them, I remain, Sir, yours, &c.

B. B.

infareti, tumidi. Tibiæ tenellæ, macrescentes. Pedes compressi.

Fulcra et vestitus. Pileus obconicus, truncatus, margine angusto evolato vel papyro, margine variegato, ad luto. Collare interius e linteo amy. malas usque ascendens, exterius amplum, latum, elasticum, sparso rubro aliove colore maculatum, processubus duobus sternum tegentibus, superne sed spuria, semper ab medio nexilis fibula annectis. Interula sæpe nulla, thoracis procedens atlantaden, lateraden, et superne dorsaden. Tunica elongata ad genua usque descendens, corporis partem constrictam nexilem arcte cingens, antice superne et infertibia medium attingentia, granulis ne aperta. Femoralia amplissima, plumbeis marginem inferiorem insertis depressa. Ocres breves, calcibus valde elongatis semiconicis, inferne ferro vel ære, postice calcaribus dissimillimis armatis, plantis arcuatis angustisimis.

OBS. Manus altera chirotheca e breve vibrans.-Altera nuda, minimo pelle preparata hædino tecta, bacillum digito annulo aureo gemmatoque ornato, oculo frequentissime applicans vitrum ocularium tæniola suspensum sericea nigra, aut fortasse variegata, circa collum applicata. Inguine super dextro sigilla varia, annuli aliæque nuga, tænia lata variegata suspensa pendebant.

Fortasse idem in 1. 134-148, et 266-268, Thesmophoriazousarum, etiam 1. 1002-1021, Nubium Aristophanis, nuperiusque a Plauto, &c. descriptus fuerat. Romæ, tempore Scylle dictatoris florebat, remque publicam prodidit, ne pulchritudine faciei spoliatus esset. In Gallia postquam Francis occupata, etiam in hunc diem ita abundavit, ut Gallorum Gens Gynnidon officina ab aliis gentibus semper vocata. In Anglia exstitisse temporibus Henrici IV. memorat Perceius potentissimus Hotspur cognominatus; nee dehine unquam amissus videtur, nisi forsan temporibus Reipublicæ, aut si mavis Rebellii, Cromwellius horridus eum profligavit,— autem vix credibile habeo. Forsan tunc sub fanatici specie latitabat. Certe redeunte regno cum Carolo II. jocosæ memoriæ tam frequens evenit, ut dixeris Britanniâ fere totâ potitus

DESC. Caput retractum, pili erecti unguentis odoriferis obliniti. Oculi nisi armati vix prospicientes. Nares pulveribus odoriferis vel sternutatoriis clause. Os angulis elevatis ; mentum fere imberbe; mystaces nulli. Collum elongatum perrigidum. Humeri elevati retracti, brachiis divergentibus cubitisque inflexis. Manus tenellæ, cute nitida. Ungues elliptici acuminati colore croceo vel gilvo tincti. Mammæ fœmineo more protuberantes. Truncus e medio constricto in utramque partem dilatatus. Lumbi perrigidi. Nates femoresque ram novam.

* Vide Cel. D. Barclaii nomenclatu

gel; and as M. Spazier, at that time editor of the "Journal for the Fashionable World," espoused the cause of the latter, there arose a very violent paper war. A more serious conse

to Paris, and then for a time to Mentz. He then obtained his discharge, and retired, in 1795, to the country, where he built the little country seat of Friedenthal, eight leagues from Nanva, in Esthonia. The "Young-quence of the misunderstandings beest Children of my Humour," and above 20 plays, belong to this period. He was then invited to Vienna, as poet to the Court theatre. Here he published a great part of his "New Plays," which fill above 20 volumes. As various unpleasant circumstances disgusted him with his place at Vienna, he requested his discharge, after an interval of two years, and obtained it, with an annual pension of 1000 florins. He now went to live again at Weimar, but resolved to return to Russia, where his sons were educated in the Academy of Cadets, at St Petersburgh. Baron von Krudener, the Russian Ambassador at Berlin, gave him the necessary passport; but he was arrested on the Russian frontiers, (April 1800,) and, without know ing for what reason, sent to Siberia.

A happy chance delivered him. A young Russian, of the name of Krasnopulski, had translated into the Russian language Kotzebue's little drama, "The Body Coachman of Peter the Third," which is an indirect eulogium of Paul I. The translation was shewn in MS. to the Emperor Paul, who was so delighted with the piece, that he immediately gave orders to fetch back the author from his banishment, and distinguished him on his return with peculiar favour. Among other things he made him a present of the fine domain of the crown, of Worroküll, in Livonia; gave him the direction of the German theatre, and the title of Aulic Councillor. M. von Kotzebue has given a romantic account of his banishment, well known all over Europe under the title of "The most remarkable Year of my Life." After the death of Paul I. Kotzebue requested his discharge, and obtained it, with a higher title. He went to Weimar, where he lived a short time, and then to Jena, Va rious misunderstandings which he had with Goethe vexed him so much, that he went in 1802 to Berlin, where he joined with Merkel to publish the Journal called Der Freymüthige. Kotzebue and Merkel wrote against Goethe and his adherents, Augustus, William Schlegel and Frederick Schle

tween Kotzebue and Goethe was the removal of the Literary Journal of Jena to Halle, and the establishment of a new Literary Journal at Jena. In 1806 he went, for the purpose of writing the history of Prussia, to Königsberg, where he was allowed to make use of the archives. His work on the history of Prussia, published at Riga, 1809, in four volumes, is cer- * tainly not an historical masterpiece, but deserves attention, particularly for the original documents printed in it. The year 1806, so unfortunate for the Prussian monarchy, obliged him to go to Russia, where he never ceased to combat the French and their Emperor with all the arms which a writer possessed of so much wit could command, (particularly in his journal "The Bee.") The public in Ger many were the more eager after his published works, as the French hardly permitted a free or bold expression to be uttered in Germany. As, under these circumstances, his political writings had excited a very high degree of attention, he appeared, on the great change in the political affairs of Europe in 1813, to be peculiarly qualified to maintain among the people their hatred of the French. Raised to the rank of Counsellor of State, he attended the Russian head-quarters, and published at Berlin a Journal, called "The Russian and German Journal for the People." In the year 1814 he went to Königsberg, as Řussian Consul-General in the Prussian dominions, where, besides several political pamphlets, comedies, and little dramas, he wrote a history of the German Empire, which is said to be very partial. In 1816 he was placed as Counsellor of State in the Depart ment of Foreign Affairs in St. Petersburgh, and in 1817 received the commission to go to Germany, in order to send reports directly to the Emperor Alexander, On the State of Literature and Public Opinion in Germany. He settled, for this purpose, at Weimar, where he published at the same time a Literary Journal, in which he con stituted himself judge of all writings in every branch of literature which he

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thought worthy of notice, and at the same time delivered his opinions on politics and on the spirit of the times in a manner which his opponents ac→ cuse of being in the extreme partial and illiberal. His Cossack-like tactics, say they, with which he made war on all liberal ideas, especially the wishes of the people for representative constitutions, freedom of the &c. in the name of sound rea press, son, of which he fancied himself the representative, gained him great applause with a certain class of readers. But it drew upon him the indignation of no inconsiderable part of the nation, particularly the ardent minds of the German youth; and in this tendency of his latest literary labours, we inust doubtless look for the chief cause of his violent and tragical death. In the summer of 1818, M. von Kotzebue left Weimar, with his family, to recover his health in the baths of Pyrmont, passed on this journey through Frankfort on the Maine, and chose afterwards Manheim for his place of residence. There he continued his literary and diplomatic labours, violently attacked in his Literary Journal, the Gymnastic Exercises, The Abuse of the Freedom of the Press, The Assemblies of the States, &c. and incensed in a high degree the German students, by concluding his observations on the well known tumultuous scenes at Gottingen last year, with the following words: " Truly every father who casts an anxious look on his sons, would heartily thank that Government which would set the example of banishing from its Universities the Licence of the Students; for in this academical liberty, as it is called, more good heads and hearts are ruined than formed," &e.

Kotzebue possessed a very distinguished physiognomy. His person was of the middle size, and extremely well proportioned. His eye was sharp and penetrating, his countenance expressive; his whole manner shewed understanding, but also the conscious ness of possessing it. In him has perished a man remarkable for a versatility of talent which few have possessed in an equal degree. Whatever may have been the motives of his assassin, however the ardent mind of the youth may have been worked upon by fanaticisin, the deed he has

committed cannot be contemplated
without the highest detestation.

Farther Particulars, by an intimate
Friend of the Deceased.

Weimar, 29th March 1819.
Augustus Von Kotzebue was mur-
dered with a dagger, on the 23d of
March, at five in the afternoon, at
Manheim, in his study, by a student
of Jena, named Sand; upon which
the assassin stabbed himself ineffec-
tually in several places. The certifi
cate found in his pocket shewed that
he studied in the University of Jena,
upon which an express was immedi
ately dispatched to the Academic Se-
nate of that place. The papers of the
assassin were examined the same even-
ing. Nothing was found which could
throw any light on the affair; only
in a letter to an unnamed friend were'
the words, "I go to meet my fate,
the scaffold." Sand, born of a very
good family at Weinseidel in the
Margraviate of Baireuth, on the fron-
tiers of Bohemia, had previously stu-
died at Tubingen and Erlangen, and
was now studying divinity at Jena.
He is described by all his masters as
a cool, quiet, reflecting, steady, well-
It is known that he
informed man.
lately attended the anatomical lectures
of Mr Fuchs, professor of anatomy at
Jena, and inquired very particularly
about the situation of the heart. In his
political fanaticism he had imagined
that he should do an immortal service
to the country, and to the universities
in all Germany, if, with the sacrifice
of his own life, he killed Kotzebue,
as a supporter of the accusation of the
German universities pronounced by
the Russian counsellor of state Von
Stourdza, in his Etat actuel de l'Alle-
magne, delivered at Aix la Chapelle,
and as a traitor to the cause of Ger-
many. He came on foot from Jena
to Manheim, where he arrived on the'.
20th in the evening, under the as-
sumed name of Heinrichs, and was
twice refused admittance at Kotze-
bue's door, till he insisted that he had
letters from Weimar, which he must
deliver in person. At Weimar lives still
the mother of Kotzebue,82 years of age,
whom her son always most tenderly
loved; nay, had even sometimes tra-
velled the long journey from his estate
of Schwarza, in Esthonia, to Weimar,
to keep her birth-day. When the

dreadful event was communicated to her, with the greatest precaution, she was so affected, that it is feared the shock may be her death. On the same day when the news of Kotzebue's murder arrived at Weimar, his third son, Otto Von Kotzebue, who made the voyage round the world with Krusenstern, set out from Weimar, where he had visited his grandmother, for Manheim, to present to his father his young and amiable wife, a Miss Manteuffel from Livonia. Kotzebue's third wife (a Miss Von Essen of Livonia) was delivered of a son at Manheim only six weeks ago, where three daughters and two sons lived very happily; for even the bitterest enemies of this man, who has been so furiously attacked, were always obliged to confess that he was an exemplary son, a tender husband, and a father indefatigable in the education of his children. He always employed the hours ". of the morning in giving instructions to his younger children. He has left twelve children, of whom one son (Moritz) has just published an account of the Russian Embassy to Persia, to which he was attached; the eldest, who was aid-de-camp to a Russian general, fell in the campaign against Napoleon.

Though no trace of accomplices in this crime are found in Jena, it cannot be denied that it is the result of a spirit of extravagant enthusiasm which has seized many German youths in our universities. The evil is deeply rooted, and began with the arming of many hundred young men in the German schools and universities, in 1813 and 1814. Then was formed a spirit of independence, incompatible with the sedate life of a student, and a dangerous tendency to take part in politics. The Tugenbund, (Union of Virtue,) formed with a noble design in the Prussian States, had many members, who, after the war was ended, became indeed students again, but could not forget the military life. Soon the heads of associations, who all considered themselves as the restorers of German liberty, formed connexions with each other in most of the German universities. The tourneyings, or gymnastic exercises, which began with a Professor Jahn at Berlin, and soon spread, not only through all the Prussian schools and universities, but over all Germany, were every

where extolled, with ridiculous exaggeration, as an institution for the acquisition of German energy, and became a link in these efforts of the young German students to unite for the restoration of German public spirit and German freedom. The princes, assembled at the Congress of Vienna, had promised their people constitu tions, and the abolition of all kinds of abuses, because they at that time wanted the people. Now, when Napoleon no longer alarmed them, they forgot their promises; this especially embittered the young students. Requisitions were sent from Jena to all the German universities, to send deputies to celebrate the anniversary of the deliverance of Germany from the French, to meet at the Castle of Wartburg, on the 18th of October 1817, where it was proposed to celebrate at the same time the third centenary of the Reformation. About 500 students in fact assembled; the festival of the Wartburg was celebrated; a general union of the students in all the universities was then formed under the name of Burchenschaft. They took the sacrament, engaging faithfully to persevere. After this, associations with the general Burchenschaft were organised in almost all the German universities. Even Leipsig did not remain free from them; the tumult in Gottingen, in the summer of 1818, was connected with them. Kotzebue, who at this time lived in Weimar, and as a diplomatic acknowledged agent of the Emperor Alexander, whose counsellor of state he was, sent to St Petersburgh half yearly reports on the state of German literature, and at the same time published at Weimar a weekly literary journal, declared himself decidedly, both in his reports to the Emperor and in his Journal, against this political tendency of the young German students. One of his bulletins to the Emperor was treacherously obtained, and printed at Jena. Henceforth Kotzebue was looked on as a renegade, and a traitor to the German cause; the hot-headed young men not considering that he, as having been for some years in the service of the Emperor, and landholder in Livonia, had ceased to be a German citizen, and had taken upon him duties towards the Emperor of Russia. Professor Oken at Jena, editor of a litera