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VARIETIES.

143

Barometer from 29, 47 to 29, 19.
Wind S. E. and E. 4.-Quite overcast till
became sleet, and by twelve it snowed.
about ten, when it began to rain, which soon
full an inch deep by the evening.*

in broad day-light, the sun shining at the | Sunday, 22—Thermometer from 34 to 39. time in great splendour, in a cloudless sky. Both the form of the meteor, and its verA new Comet was discovered at Marseilles tical course, seemed to indicate a fall of on the 26th of January last, in the constel-matter from the atmosphere. The same lation Cygnus. The astronomers of Paris meteor was seen at Swaffham in Norfolk, received notice of it on the 21st of January, at the same hour.-Cambridge Chronicle. but they have not yet been able to see it. The presence of the Moon in the horizon, clouds, and rainy weather, have rendered their attempts fruitless. The weather is rather more favourable at Marseilles.

M.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Snow

Rain fallen, 125 of an inch. Monday, 23-Thermometer from 30 to 42. Barometer from 29, 90 to 30, 0. Wind S. W. and S. 4.-Snow this morning full two inches deep every tree and hedge covered with it. Sun shone very warm till about three in the afternoon, when it became overcast, me revert to the Original Poetry of The Storm,

Barometer from 29, 92 to 30, 05. Wind W. and W. by S.-Generally clear till came over, and the evennoon, when much

ing became wet and boisterous.

We understand that a Life of the late Right Blanpain has addressed to the Bureau of Honorable John Philpot Curran, Master of and blew a hurricane in the evening, which made Longitude an account of several observa- the Rolls in Ireland, is about to be pubtions of this comet, which he made between lished by his son, W. H. Curran, Esq. of in No. 47 of this work. the Irish bar. The large quantity of valua-Tuesday, 24-Thermometer from 30 to 42. ble materials which have been found among the papers of this celebrated man, his corcations with friends from his commencerespondence with public leaders, communiment in life, and original papers, the prominent objects of a genius of singular variousness, activity and splendour, protribution to the literature of the age, as mise to make this work an admirable conthey make it the only sanctioned and auand gifted minds of his country. thentic record of one of the most eminent

the 4th and 18th of January inclusive. The
observations of M. Blanpain embrace only
a very small are of its course. In the mean
time, M. Nichollet has deduced from it a
parabolic orbit, which is only a first and
very imperfect approximation, but which
may serve to find the position of the comet,
for some time, to within a few minutes.
The result of his calculations is, that it will
pass its point of nearest approach to the
Sun on the 3d of March, at 11 hours 15
minutes mean time, computed from mid-
night, at the Observatory of Paris. This
CAPTAIN BLAQUIRE, author of Letters
comet presents nothing interesting in its
physical phænomena. On the first days of
January it resembled a little nebulous from the Mediterranean, has in the press,
speck, without any determinate form, and and will speedily publish, A Narrative of a
emitting a very feeble light. On the 18th Voyage to Algiers, and Residence in that
it appeared sensibly to augment in apparent Capital, by SIGNOR PANANTI, a distin-
size and brilliancy, shewing the commence-guished Italian poet, who resided several
ment of a body, but without any trace of a years in England, and who was made pri-
soner by the Algerines, on his return to his
tail.-French Paper.
native country, but shortly after released,
through the intercession of the Consuls.

A MIRACULOUS cure, which can aloue

be attributed to nature, has recently been witnessed in the Hotel-des-Invalides. An artilleryman, 52 years of age, having become blind, was received into the Hospital about seven months ago. This man has most unexpectedly recovered his sight, without the assistance of medicine, after a

which he was afflicted for the space of three days. This fact is authenticated by witnesses of the highest respectability.

violent head-ache with

PROFESSOR Carradori has published in the Giornalle di Pavia, the result of his experiments and observations on transplantation. He contends, First, That it is a bad method to prune, from the roots upwards, those vegetables which are to be transplanted, and that it is best not to cut off the branches; Second, That transplanted vegetables at first require no other aliment than pure water, and that manure frequently proves injurious to them; Third, That light may destroy them merely by its stimulus, and that consequently they cannot be too carefully protected against the rays of the sun.

ON Friday the 6th inst. at two o'clock p. m. a large and luminous Meteor was seen descending vertically from the zenith towards the horizon, in the Northern part of the hemisphere, by persons in the neighbourhood of this University. The most remarkable circumstance attending this phenomenon is, that it was thus visible

The Literary world will be highly grati-
fied in hearing that the Memoirs of the cele-
brated JOHN EVELYN, Esq. Author of
"SYLVA" and various other Works, have
been for a long time preparing for publica-
tion, by WILLIAM BRAY, Esq. Fellow and
Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries, &c.
The VOYAGE TO SENEGAL, undertaken

by order of the French Government, the
Shipwreck of the Medusa Frigate, &c. will
be published, we understand, in a few days.

METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL.

FEBRUARY.

Thursday, 19—Thermometer from 34 to 48.

Barometer from 30, 18 to 30, 0.

Wind S. and 9. by E.-In the early part of the morning fog, or rather like an evaporation, (on a hot Summer's day) from the rain of yesterday: the morning clear, and in the afternoon a steady fall of rain: the evening clear, and calm from 5 to 6, and then began blowing fresh from

the S. W.

Rain fallen, 1 of an inch.
Friday, 20-Thermometer from 29 to 46.

Barometer from 30, 23 to 30, 20.
Wind S. W. 2.-Ice on puddles. White frost.
Fog in the morning, which dispersed about ten.
Generally fine, with some showers.

Rain fallen, 2 of an inch.

Saturday, 21-Thermometer from 30 to 6.

Barometer from 29, 94 to 29, 54.
Wind S. 4. in heavy Squalls. Generally wet.
Showers heavy, and remarkably large drops of
rain.-Rain fallen, 15 of an inch,

Rain fallen, with melted snow, 975 of an inch. Waters ran rapidly. Marshes overflowed. Wednesday, 25-Thermometer from 34 to 54.

Barometer from 29, 76 to 29, 66. Wind S. W. 3 and 4 in gusts.-Generally fine with heavy clouds of The Thermometer was nearly as high on the 26th of January, and gone this morning. as high on the 15th. The snow of Sunday quite

Rain fallen, 075 of an inch.

Edmonton, Middlesex.

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Latitude 51. 37. 32 N.
Longitude

3.51 W. JOHN ADAMS.

The bleating kind

Eye the bleak heaven, and next the glistening

earth,

THOMSON. B. 4. 1. 322. Now, shepherds, to your helpless charge be kind.

With looks of dumb despair;

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The hint respecting our visiting the minor Theatres is well taken. We have occasionally noticed some of them, and entertained the design of a regular review, which we will forthwith carry into effect, though we have no reason to think that the Managers are ambitious of our criticisms. We desire it to be observed that our Adverand the Arts, but to at most two pages of our tisements are not only confined to Literature Impression; when we cannot conveniently insert two, we for the sake of uniformity and beauty employ only one, rather than four or five columns.

We will most cheerfully print a Title Page for the Literary Gazette, to be used in binding up the yearly Volume. Our only difficuity is to convey it to our Friends in the Country.

Bensley and Sons, Bolt Court, Fleet Strect.

AND

Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Politics, etc.

No. 59.

REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1818.

Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, &c. &c. Written by himself, to a late period; and continued to the time of his Death, by his Grandson, W. Temple Franklin. 4to. pp. 449.

THE Works of this eminent man are being published in a regular form. The publication before us is the first volume of the three which the plan comprehends; the second, consisting of original correspondence, preceded the first above a year ago, (see the Literary Gazette, No. 1,) and is now universally known; and the third and last, being a selection of Dr. Franklin's political, philosophical, and miscellaneous writings, is announced as being in the press.

A sensible preface relates the causes which have delayed the appearance of the present volume; which consists of five parts, with an appendix.

PRICE 1s.

on the 17th of April 1790, when the ness of a man's estate presents no in-
bursting of an imposthume on the surmountable barrier to the persever-
lungs closed the career of this distin- ing efforts of integrity and diligence.
guished man, at the venerable age of Yet it must not be kept out of sight,
84. His grandson, the editor of the that to these good qualities Dr. F.
present work, to whom the papers of superadded a strength of mind and
his ancestor were bequeathed, seems to energy of character, a soundness of in-
us to have worthily discharged the duty tellect and acuteness of perception,
which such a legacy implied. From which even under more unfavourable
them he has completed the Memoirs; circumstances must have raised him
and, to judge from the two-thirds of in the scale of life. As it was, he acted
his labours, which have come under a leading part in those deplorable
our cognizance, will, when the third struggles between Great Britain and
volume appears, have produced one of her Colonies, which terminated in the
the most useful, instructive, and enter-erection of the latter into a separate
taining publications, that the world has nation; and the intelligence on this
received within our memory.
subject, with which his Memoirs abound,
must be as valuable to history, as his
personal biography is calculated to be
eminently influential as a moral lesson
with all who will reflect on the natural
inferences to which it so obviously
conducts. We now quote:—

With the religion or the politics of Dr. Franklin, we shall little concern ourselves. In the former he was a Theist, in the latter a Republican. In morals he was a theorist; but a theorist of the most virtuous kind, for his aim was at a noble height, beyond the reach of human infirmity; but still a good object to attempt, for even in the endeavour to attain PERFECTION, a comparative degree of improvement and virtue will be the consequence.

As Dr. Franklin has only mentioned his electrical discoveries in a very transient and as they are of a most important and way, in the former part of these Memoirs, interesting nature, it has been thought a short digression on the subject would be excusable, and not void of entertainment. For this purpose the following account of the same, including the first experiment of the Lightning Kite, as given by Dr. Stuber, is confidently submitted.

The first fasciculus of these memoirs, constituting the first part of the volume, was some years ago translated into French, and printed in that tongue. Thence it was retranslated into English, The point of view in which we shall and published in this country and principally consider the work as best America; in both of which it excited a suited to our Journal, is that which very considerable sensation. This por-embraces its literary and philosophical tion was written by Dr. Franklin in character. To periodical publications the year 1771, when on a visit to Dr. of a polemical cast, we leave the curious Shipley, the Bishop of St. Asaph; and accounts of the author's religious prinwhen the author embarked for France ciples; to political Reviews we abandon in 1777, was left, together with other his speculations on the difficult art of papers, in the charge of a friend near governing; and to scientific Magazines Philadelphia. The events of the war, we even yield a share of his electrical however, were fatal to these MSS. The and magnetic experiments, in which, trunk in which they were deposited, great as he was when these inquiries fell into the hands of the British troops, were yet young, an advance so proand the papers were dispersed, and digious has since been made, that Tyros many of them entirely lost. This par- speak familiarly of all the knowledge ticular document was nevertheless re- of fifty years ago. covered, and sent to the Doctor in Not however to detain our readers France. At the solicitation of many with the details of what we are, and friends, the author, in 1784, set to what we are not to do with this truly work upon this foundation, to com-important book, we shall proceed to plete the account of his life, especially make some extracts, only prefacing of its earlier years; and in 1788, re- generally, that the example set by Dr. sumed the task at Philadelphia. But Franklin before the eyes of young men is severe illness, from a large calculus in worthy of their most earnest attention. the bladder, and the occupation of his From his Memoirs they may learn, that time in the social intercourse which temperance, industry, and morality, courted his retirement, retarded the may raise them from obscurity to the undertaking, and it was left unfinished | highest distinction; and that the low-cated from one body to another, even with

VOL. II.

"Dr. Franklin engaged in a course of electrical experiments, with all the ardor and thirst for discovery which characterized the philosophers of that day. Of all the branches of experimental philosophy, Electricity had been least explored. The attractive power of amber is mentioned by by later naturalists. In the year 1600, Theophrastus and Pliny, and, from them, Gilbert, an English physician, enlarged considerably the catalogue of substances which have the property of attracting light bodies. Boyle, Otto Guericke, a burgomaster of Magdeburg, (celebrated as the inventor of the air pump,) Dr. Wall, and Guericke first observed the repulsive power Sir Isaac Newton," added some facts. of electricity, and the light and noise produced by it. In 1709, Hawkesbec communicated some important observations and experiments to the world. For several years electricity was entirely neglected, until Mr. Grey applied himself to it, in friend Mr. Wheeler, made a great variety 1728, with great assiduity. He and his of experiments; in which they demonstrated, that electricity may be communi

out being in contact, and in this way may be restored, and that then no signs of ridicule which, too generally for the inbe conducted to a great distance. Mr. electricity would remain. He afterwards terest of science, awaits unsuccessful exGrey afterwards found, that by suspending demonstrated by experiments, that the periments in philosophy. He placed himrods of iron by silk or hair lines, and bring-electricity did not reside in the coating, as self under a shed, to avoid the rain. His ing an excited tube under them, sparks had been supposed, but in the pores of the kite was raised. A thunder-cloud passed might be drawn, and a light perceived at glass itself. After a phial was charged, he over it. No sign of electricity appeared. the extremities in the dark. M. Du Faye, removed the coating, and found that upon He almost despaired of success; when sudintendant of the French king's gardens, applying a new coating, the shock might denly he observed the loose fibres of his made a number of experiments, which still be received. In the year 1749, he first string to move towards an erect position. added not a little to the science. He made suggested his idea of explaining the phe- He now presented his knuckle to the key, the discovery of two kinds of electricity, nomena of thunder-gusts, and of the aurora and received a strong spark. How exquiwhich he called vitreous and resinous; the borealis, upon electrical principles. He site must his sensations have been at this former produced by rubbing glass, the points out many particulars in which light- moment! On this experiment depended latter from excited sulphur, sealing-wax,ning and electricity agree; and he adduces the fate of his theory. If he succeeded, his &c. But this idea he afterwards gave up many facts, and reasoning from facts, in name would rank high amongst those who as erroneous. Between the years 1739 and support of his positions. In the same year have improved science; if he failed, he 1742, Desaguliers made a number of he conceived the astonishingly bold and must inevitably be subjected to the derision experiments, but added little of import- grand idea of ascertaining the truth of his of mankind; or what is worse, their pity, ance. He first used the terms conductors doctrine, by actually drawing down the as a well-meaning man, but a weak, silly and electrics, per se. In 1742, several in- forked lightning, by means of sharp-pointed projector. The anxiety with which he genious Germans engaged in this subject. iron rods raised into the region of the looked for the result of his experiment, Of these the principal were, professor Boze clouds. Even in this uncertain state, his may easily be conceived. Doubts and of Wittemberg, professor Winkler of Leip- passion to be useful to mankind displays despair had begun to prevail, when the fact sic, Gordon, a Scotch Benedictine monk, itself in a powerful manner. Admitting was ascertained in so clear a manner, that professor of philosophy at Erfurt, and Dr. the identity of electricity and lightning, and even the most incredulous could no longer Ludof of Berlin. The result of their re- knowing the power of points in repelling withhold their assent. Repeated sparks searches astonished the philosophers of bodies charged with electricity, and in con- were drawn from the key, a phial was Europe. Their apparatus was large, and ducting their fire silently and imperceptibly, charged, a shock given, and all the exby means of it they were enabled to collect he suggests the idea of securing houses, periments made, which are usually perlarge quantities of electricity, and thus to ships, &c. from being damaged by light-formed with electricity, produce phenomena which had been hitherto ning, by erecting pointed iron rods, which unobserved. They killed small birds, and should rise some feet above the most eleset spirits on fire. Their experiments ex-vated part, and descend some feet into the cited the curiosity of other philosophers. Collinson, about the year 1745, sent to the library company of Philadelphia an account of these experiments, together with a tube, and directions how to use it. Franklin, with some of his friends, immediately engaged in a course of experiments, the result of which is well known. He was enabled to make a number of important discoveries, and to propose theories to account for various phenomena; which have been universally adopted, and which bid fair to endure for ages. His observations he communicated in a series of letters to his friend Collinson: the first of which is dated March 28, 1747. In these he makes known the power of points in drawing and throwing off the electrical matter, which hath hitherto escaped the notice of electricians. He also made the grand discovery of a plus and minus, or of a positive and negative state of electricity. We give him the honour of this without hesitation; although the English have claimed it for their countryman Dr. Watson. Watson's paper is dated January 21, 1748; Franklin's, July 11, 1747 several months prior. Shortly after, Franklin, from his principles of plus and minus state, explained, in a satisfactory manner, the phenomena of the Leyden phial, first observed by Mr. Cuneus, or by professor Muschenbroeck of Leyden, which had much perplexed philosophers. He shewed clearly that the bottle, when charged, contained no more electricity than before, but that as much was taken from one side, as was thrown on the other; and that to discharge it, nothing was necessary but to make a communica fon between the two sides, by which the equilibrium might

ground or the water. The effect of these,
lie concluded, would be either to prevent a
stroke, by repelling the cloud beyond the
striking distance, or by drawing off the
electrical fire which it contained; or, if
they could not effect this, they would at
least conduct the stroke to the earth, with-
out any injury to the building.

"About a month before this period, some ingenious Frenchmen had completed the discovery in the manner originally proposed by Dr. Franklin. The letters which he sent to Mr. Collinson, it ís said, were refused a place amongst the papers of the Royal Society of London. However this may be, Collinson published them in a separate volume, under the title of, New Experiments and Observations on Electricity, made at Philadelphia, in America. They "It was not until the summer of 1752, were read with avidity, and soon translated that he was enabled to complete his grand into different languages. A very incorrect and unparalleled discovery by experiment. French translation fell into the hands of The plan which he had originally proposed, the celebrated Buffon, who, notwithstandwas, to erect on some high tower, or other ing the disadvantages under which the elevated place, a sentry-box, from which work laboured, was much pleased with it, should rise a pointed iron rod, insulated by and repeated the experiments with saccess. being fixed in a cake of resin. Electrified He prevailed upon his friend, M. D'Alibard, clouds passing over this, would, he con- to give to his countrymen a more correct ceived, impart to it a portion of their elec- translation of the work of the American tricity, which would be rendered evident to electrician. This contributed much tothe senses by sparks being emitted, when a wards spreading a knowledge of Franklin's key, a knickle, or other conductor was principles in France. The King, Louis XVI. presented to it. Philadelphia at this time hearing of these experiments, expressed a afforded no opportunity of trying an ex- wish to be a spectator of them. A course periment of this kind. Whilst Franklin was of experiments was given at the seat of the waiting for the erection of a spire, it oc- Duc D'Ayen, at St. Germain's, by M. De curred to him, that he might have more Lor. The applauses which the King beready access to the region of clouds by stowed upon Franklin, excited in Batlon, means of a common kite. He prepared D'Alibard, and De Lor, an earnest desire of one by attaching two cross sticks to a silk ascertaining the truth of his theory of handkerchief, which would not suffer so thunder-gusts. Buffon erected his appamuch from the rain as paper. To his up-ratus on the tower of Montbar, M. D'Aliright stick was affixed an iron point. The string was, as usual, of hemp, except the lower end, which was silk. Where the hempen string terminated, a key was fastened. With this apparatus, on the appearance of a thunder-gust approaching, he went out into the commons, accompanied by his son, to whom alone he cominunicated his intentions, well knowing the

bard at Marly-la-ville, and De Lor at his house in the Estrapade at Paris, some of the highest ground in that capital. D'Alihard's machine first showed signs of electricity. On the 10th of May 1752, a thunder-cloud passed over it, in the absence of M. D'Alibard, and a number of sparks were drawn from it by Coiffier, a joiner, with whom D'Alibard had left directions

How to proceed, and by M. Raulet, the prior of Marly-la-ville. An account of this experiment was given to the Royal Academy of Sciences, in a memoir by M. D'Alibard, dated May 13, 1752. On the 18th of May, M. De Lor proved equally Buccessful with the apparatus erected at his own house. These discoveries soon excited the philosophers of other parts of Europe to repeat the experiment. Amongst these, none signalized themselves more than Father Beccaria of Turin, to whose observations science is much indebted. Even the cold regions of Russia were penetrated by the ardor for discovery. Professor Richman bade fair to add much to the

stock of knowledge on this subject, when an unfortunate flash from his rod put a period to his existence. The friends of science will long remember with regret the amiable martyr to electricity.

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By these experiments Franklin's theory was established in the most firm manner."

On Animal Magnetism, which is now perhaps more in vogue than ever, we have the following notice.

In the year 1784, when Animal Magnetism made considerable noise in the world, particularly at Paris, it was thought a matter of such importance, that the King appointed commissioners to examine into the foundation of this pretended science. Dr. Franklin, at the particular request of his Majesty, signified to him by a letter from the minister, consented to be one of the number.

upon

After a fair and diligent examination, in the course of which Doctor Delon, a pupil and partner of Mesmer, repeated a number of experiments in the presence of the Cammissioners, some of which were tried themselves, they determined that it was a mere trick, intended to impose on the ignorant and credulous; and gave in their report accordingly to his Majesty, which was afterwards published for the information of the public.

Mesmer, and his associate Delon, were thus interrupted in their career to wealth and fame; and a most insolent attempt to impose upon the human understanding baffled.

Some time after, Dr. Franklin, in a letter to his friend Dr. Ingenhausz, thus notices the subject: "Mesmer continues here, and has still some adherents, and some practice. It is surprising how much credulity still subsists in the world.

I suppose all the physicians in France put together, have not made so much money, during the time he has been here, as he alone has done.

Among Dr. Franklin's papers were also found the following lines, written by himself six years previous to his decease, and entitled

B. F's ADIEU.

If Life's compared to a feast,
Near fourscore years I've been a guest :
I've been regaled with the best,

"Dr. Franklin when a child found the
long graces used by his father before and
after meals very tedious. One day after
the winter's provisions had been salted,
I think, father," said Benjamin,
you were to say Grace over the whole cask,
once for all, it would be a vast saving of

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added he, "those people have to my certain knowledge been praying constantly these twenty years past, that God would give to the King and his counsel wisdom :' we all know that not the least notice has ever heen taken of that prayer; so that it is plain they have no interest in the Court of Heaven." The House smiled, and the motion was dropped.

Dr. Franklin was so immoderately fond of chess, that one evening at Passy, he sat at that amusement from six in the after

And feel quite satisfied. 'Tis time that I retire to rest; Landlord, I thank you! Friends, good night. April 22, 1784. The Memoir concludes with the follow-noon till sun-rise. On the point of losing one of his games, his king being attacked lowing anecdotes : by what is called a check, but an opportunity offering at the same time of giving a fatal blow to his adversary, provided he might neglect the defence of his king, he chose to do so, though contrary to the rules, and made his move. Sir," said the French gentleman, his antagonist, 66 you cannot do that and leave your king in check." I see he is in check,' said the Doctor, but I shall not defend him. If he was a good king, like yours, he would deserve the protection of his subjects; but he is a tyrant, and has cost them already more than he is worth-Take him, if you please, I can do without him, and will fight out the rest of the battle en Republicain as a Commonwealth's man.'

time."

"In his travels through New England, Franklin had observed, that when he went into an inn, every individual of the family had a question or two to propose. to him, relative to his history; and that till each was satisfied, and they had conferred and compared together their information, there was no possibility of procuring any refreshment. Therefore the moment he went into any of these places, he inquired for the master, the mistress, the sons, the daughters, the men servants, and the maid servants; and having assembled them all together, he began in this manner: "Good people, I am Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, by trade a printer; and a bachelor. I have some relations at Boston, to whom I am going to make a visit, my stay will be short; and I shall then return and follow my business, as a prudent man ought to do. This is all I know of myself, and all I can possibly inform you of; I beg, therefore, that you will have pity upon me and my horse, and give us both some refreshment."

When Franklin came to England previous
to the breaking out of the American war, he

went to Mr. Hett's printing office in Wild
Court, Wild Street, Lincoln's-Inn Fields,
and entering the press-room, he went p to
a particular press, and thus addressed the
two men who were working: "Come, my
friends, we will drink together; it is now
forty years since I worked like you at this
press as journeyman printer :" on this he
sent for a gallon of porter, and they drank

Success to Printing.”

In one of the assemblies in America wherein there was a majority of Presbyterians, a law was proposed to forbid the praying for the king by the Episcopalians; And we have now a fresh folly. A mag-who, however, could not conveniently omit netizer pretends, that he can, by establishing what is called a rapport between any person and a somnambule, put it in the power of that person to direct the actions of the somnambule by a simple strong volition only, without speaking or making any signs; and many people daily flock to see this strange operation."

that prayer, it being prescribed in their
Liturgy. Dr. Franklin, one of the mem-
bers, seeing that such a law would occasion
more disturbance than it was worth, said
that he thought it quite unnecessary, for,

This press is now in the possession of
Messrs. Cox and Baylis, Great Queen Street.

We shall probably recur to this Work again.

VOYAGE TO THE CONGO.

Narrative of an Expedition to explore the River Zaire, usually called the Congo, in South Africa, in 1816, under the direction of Captain J. K. TUCKEY, R. N. 4to. pp. 498.

The earlier friends of the Literary Gazette are aware, that in our publications of August, September, and October last, it was our good fortune to lay before them a very considerable portion of this interesting Narrative, of

which no other account has been ob

taised till the appearance of the present excellent Work, which is sanctioned by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and, according to the advertisement, indebted to their distin guished secretary, Mr. Barrow, for the able arrangement of its parts, and the great mass of scientific information which has been, we might say, extorted from very crude materials.

It will be found on reference to our numbers, from No. 30 to 40 inclusive, that we not only fully and particularly brought down Captain Tuckey's narrative, to the period when he left the Congo for his expedition inland, but noticed many curious facts which do not appear in the work before us. Had we employed all the information in our pos

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