The invasion of Gaul by the Franks, | Hoek, under the title of Veteris Mediæ et was no injury to the importance of Paris; Persia Monumenta. 4to. pp. 198. with eight on the contrary, it became the residence plates. of most of the kings of the family of Clovis, under whom it extended its suburbs, principally to the north; where they were begun under the Romans; and successively, also, to the south. The most decided piece of antiquity in Paris is the vaulted construction in the rue de la Harpe and (which when we were in Paris, served as a Magazine of Hay, and Straw) it is now a Cooper's workshop, -it was probably, part of the baths of Julian; whence it has received the name of Thermes. It is constructed so solidly, and with such excellent mortar, so impermeable to rain, that although the garden of the Hotel de Cluny is upon it, yet it has sustained no injury. It is not open to the street, or to general inspection. The plates to this work, give a plan, elevation, section, and perspective view of these Thermes; also, figures of Druids, &c. and views of other articles connected with the history. Translations from the English. It is proper that our readers should be informed of the additions made to French literature from the stores of British industry, and observation. This work was composed in consequence of a Prize Question, proposed by the Royal Society of Sciences; and was crowned in 1816. It comprizes a description of the still existing monuments of Architecture in Media and Persia ; not, however, including their details or ornaments; those minor parts being excepted by the Society's programma. The author has preferred the Geographical order; but he annexes an Index, in which the monuments he describes are placed Chronologically :-it is divided into 1. Monuments of the highest antiquity; before Cyrus; 2. Persian Monuments of the times of the Achmenides, the Arsacides, and the Sassanides. S. Monuments of uncertain dates. At the head of the work is placed a notice of the authors consulted: Greek, Latin, or Oriental; also of Travellers, from Garcia de Silva y Figueroa, 1617, and Pietro della Valle, to our countryman Pottinger. Persian Poetry. Mr. Hammer has lately published at Vienna, Geschichte der Schoenen Klinste, &c. History of the Fine Arts in Persia, with a selection of two hundred of the best pieces of the Persian Poets. 4to. pp. 432. This Such, for instance, are the Life of work has long been expected; and comFranklin-Koster's Travels in Brazil-the prizes a collection of materials for the hisShipwreck of the brig Commerce-the History of Persian Poetry, and that of the East tory of the Tonga islands-Captain Max-in general. Prefixed is a portrait of the well's Voyage to China; with others of author; and a genera! table of Contents. the like description. In fact, there is Observations on the Catalogue of Books scarcely any valuable work published here, that is not immediately naturalized in offered for sale at the last France; and it must be acknowledged, that so far as Geography and Navigation are concerned, it is to Britain the world must look for information, and discovery, at present. GERMANY. LEIPSIC FAIR. It is known to our readers, that much of the business connected with Literature in Germany, is transacted at certain fairs which are held in principal cities; where the Booksellers meet and exchange the productions of their presses against those of distant parts. The most distinguished of these, is the Easter fair at Leipsic; which usually furnishes a kind of scale, by which the state of the Arts, of the Sciences, of Literature, and of Public feeling, may be estimated with considerable accuracy. The last Easter fair has given rise to the following observations. Persian and Median Antiquities. We have lately called the attention of our readers to the Persian power, more than once; and we find, that the present state and the past history of that country have excited the notice of our contempo raries on the Continent, no less than our own. Sir John Malcolm's work on this subject, was deemed a valuable accession to our literature:* and the journies of our Ambassadors and public agents brought The general Catalogue of works anus acquainted with many articles of intellinounced for sale is, as usual, very bulky, and would give a most favourable idea of gence equally curious and interesting. A work on Persian Antiquities, with descrip- the state and labours of literature in Gertions and illustrations of them, has lately many, if it were reported on the mass and the titles of the performances offered. been published at Gottingen, by C. F. * See LIT. PAN, Vol. III. N. S. p.p. 718, 918. The number of works executed in Latin and in German, is, 2,230; to these must be added Novels 104; Theatrical pieces 60; books in foreign languages 246; Atlas's and Collectious of Maps 45; Musical Compositions 416;-in the whole 3,101. From the number 2,230 of works in German or Latin, must be deducted a great number which are merely re-prints without improvements; including also works formerly published, but now made as new as new titles can make them!!-au advantage enjoyed in Germany, perhaps more efficiently than any where else, from the number of different states into which it is divided; insomuch, that when a large stock of a book is transferred from one bookseller to another residing in a foreign, or distant part, nothing prevents the new owner from annexing a new title, according to his heart's desire. From this number, 2,230, must also be deducted translations from the French, the English, the Italian, &c., which caunot strictly speaking be attributed to the literary labours of the Germans, themselves. When these deductions have been made, the number of original Gerinan works, may be taken at about 1,500 to 1,800. The quantity of pamphlets, sermons, essays, and other articles of information or exhortation, which have appeared on occasion of the festival of the Reformation, and on Luther, is surprising to the German critics themselves; and the more, as many of them are entirely void of novelty, whether of matter or manner. Some go so far as to say, that every country parson has thought it his duty to publish the discourse he addressed to his Block, on this occasion, thereby commemorating himself, fully as much as he commemorated Luther. The invidious advance a step further; and affirm that the booksellers have instigated many of these publications: presuming that they should subscribe a sufficient number among the pious, or the fashionable, on an occasion so singular; and where they found a personal reluctance in the clergyman to appear from the press, they have shewn that no such reluctance actuated themselves, but they composed tracts, treatises and dissertations, er mero motu; or as they say, on Religion and Reformation, Luther and Literature-pro bono publico. | | But, this is not a just description of the contents of this Catalogue: it comprizes works which do honour to literature, and to the literary talents and spirit of their authors: among these must be placed many works of Philology, and Classical learning, by Schow, Bothe, Sneider, Beck, &c. the Zootomia of Carus, the Laws of Polarization, with the Scientific Physiology of Walter, the Treatise on Disorders of the Heart, by Kreyssig; also, {many Historical Works by Voigt, and others. Among the works in foreign languages are distinguished, the Iconography of Visconti, the Collection of Ancient Monuments in the countries inhabited by the Gauls;--with many works transferred from the Danish language. The number of works announced as being at present at press, amounts to 300; some of which are extremely interesting to the learned; such are, an Aristophanes, a Pindar, and an Ovid, by Aalwardt; an edition of Plato, complete, by Ast; an Iliad, with all the ancient Scholia, by Bekker. Several performances of learned strangers contribute to enrich this catalogue,-such as Norberg's Lexicon codicis Nasaraei; Boissonade's Herodian, De Candolle's Systema Regni Vegetabilis; the Etymologicum Gudianum, and the Miscellanea Doctrina, of Wyttenbach. The best Musical compositions are derived from Vienna, or from Bohemia, and are works of Beethoven, Kozeluch, Neukomm, Call, the Chevalier Seyfried, and others, pupils from the school of Haydu. Music, certainly, is a very popular study in Germany; but, at present, it flourishes as a science, principally in the South. Want of Character in the Devil and a work consisting of engravings is outline, At Tubingen has lately been published, representing scenes froni Faustus, a tragedy of Goethe: they are designed by Retsch, being in general well executed; but, the on 26 plates. They are reported of as connoisseurs observe, that the physiognomy of Faustus, the magician, is not always sufficiently marked, neither are those of Margaret, and of the Devil, always touched with that natural truth and accuracy of ITALY. Life of Corregio. It should seem that the literati of Ger-likeness and expression which are demanded many have lost nothing of their fecundity. by verisimility and energy of character. Draeseke has furnished eight sermons; Hoch has furnished an equal number of works on Jurisprudence; Wilmsen edifies youth by nine tracts for younger life; and Voss, much as he satirizes the follies of the times, contributes to encrease them, by no less than eight novels and romances. Owing to untoward circumstances, the life of one of the greatest painters Italy can boast, has been involved in obscurity, extremely mortifying to amateurs, and even the particulars of his death have, only to report, that the principal contents been either misunderstood or perverted. of this volume date from the years 1813 and The Abbate Louis Pungileoni has directed 1814; and that we learn from the Report of his attention to this subject; and has com- the President of the Society, the Counsellor posed Memorie istoriche, &c. Historical Stanislaus Stassic, that no satisfactory anMemoirs of Antonio Allegri, called Cor- swers have been received to the prize quesregio; derived from the manuscripts left tions proposed in 1812 and 1815. The first by Ansonioli da Corregio. The first vo- of these demanded a tragedy founded on lume of this work, only, has yet appeared, some event of Polish history: the second containing 280 pages, in 4to. From the desired the history of the introduction into Grand Ducal press, at Parma, 1817. Poland of the art of tanning leather, after the manner of Seguin. The third wished for an instructive comparison of the auThat a great continent including a new world, should derive its name from a navi-thority of the Grand Marshall with that of the Great Treasurer of the Crown; a question, that, we presume, has been deprived of its former interest by recent events. The other contents of the volume refer rather to subjects more properly appertaining to Poland than to Science at large. Life of Americo Vespucci. gator not the first to discover it, has always appeared an injustice to the man who originally undertook the enterprize. Ame rica should be called after Columbus: such is the general feeling of the ingenuous mind. It is, nevertheless, no more than justice to become acquainted with what may be said in favour of Americo Vespucci; and we therefore give a place to the Viaggi di Americo Vespucci, &c. Voyages of Americo Vespucci, with his life, his eulogy, and the justificatory memoir of that famous navigator: by Stanislao Canovai. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 592. Florence. 1817. This work has been published after the decease of the author, by one of his colleagues. It begins with an examination of the life and correspondence of Americo, published by Bandini. Canovai has afresh compared this correspondence with the originals, by which he has been enabled to rectify several errors, and to arrange the whole in a better order. After this corres- RUSSIA. Charity exercises benevolence amid the than in more favoured climates; and it is snows and the ice of the North, no less greatly to the honour of whoever reduces that excellent virtue to practice; that it knows neither latitude nor longitude, in the administration of its bounties. Great cities need great charities and among many evils they produce this good. A considerable Institution at Petersburgh is, the Imperial Hospital for treating the sick poor: concerning which a Memoir has lately been published, describing its present state, with details respecting the new Institution of Charitable Widows. By M. de Gouroff, 8vo. pp. 44. with nine tables. This hospital was founded by the Empress-Mother, at St. Petersburgh; and was completed in 1808. It receives sick persons of both sexes. To assist in the care of the afflicted there is associated with the establishment a society of widows, denominated "Charitable Widows," the number of which is fixed at twenty-four. M. de Gouroff describes the interior organization of these two establishments: and the tables annexed shew the number of patients received from 1803 to 1816-the operations performed from the same time to March 1817-the diseases during 1816-the present number of patients cures and deaths during 1816-Form of the Reports The Royal Society of Sciences at War-made by the Physician, every day.—Donasaw continues to publish its Transactions; tions to each patient-List of the persons of which the tenth volume has appeared; employed in the Hospital-List of the Wiembellished with a Geognostic Map of Po- dows now forming the Charitable Society. land. How far the late political changes which have taken place in that kingdom may contribute to animate the liberal arts and studies, it is not easy to say. Much may be hoped for from a judicious and fostering government. At present, we have POLAND. Transactions of the Royal Society. TURKEY. Great Loss to the Arts and Virtu. Sept. 20.-The collection of Antiquities belonging to the Swedish chaplain fell a prey to the flames, which, in the conflagra in a few years a population of 50,000 souls. But not only in such towns as were eminently aided by their local position, but every where in Great Britain, immense establishments and magnificent constructions displayed the national wealth and the improvement of the arts, One might there observe stupendous maritime works, superior to all the constructions which a government with the disposal of all the treasures of Europe had raised on the banks of the Seine, achieved in three years on the banks of the Thames, by a single so tion of the month of March last, consumed, Since peace has re-established an intercourse between two nations worthy of contending in other arts than war, various French travellers have presented their countrymen with pictures of the manners of Great Britain, with descriptions more or less witty, but often tainted by illiberal reflections, the consequence of long feuds. It was quite a new, and by far more in The following article contains so much frankness combined with judicious remark, on the subject of British ingenuity, that we are tempted to do the author justice, by re-teresting point of view, to consider all the printing it from the Philosophical Magazine. We are glad to see that not all our visitors from France indulge their talent for ridicule at our expense, when returned home. The candour of M. Dupin and of his reporter, M. Bosquillon de Jenlie, does them distinguished honour. Mémoires sur la Marine et les Ponts et During the fourth part of a century, war, and still more a suspicious policy, had kept France in total ignorance respecting the internal condition of Great Britain. Thus far, at least, the pretended blockade of the United Kingdoms had been realized. But in the very time (especially from 1812 to 1814) that it was attempted by documents and accounts, ex officio, to represent England as in the last stage of exhaustion, the nation was, in truth, rising to an unparallelled state of splendour and wealth. This wonderful effect was more particularly exemplified in the sea-port towns; some of which, as Liverpool, were doubling during the course of twenty-five years, by changes wrought, the wonders performed the efforts of industry, the improvement of the arts, the concurrence and activity of a whole nation animated by the same spirit. Such is the true aspect under which the author of the book before us has viewed Great Britain in his journeys during the years 1816, 1817 and 1818. In this extensive display of the results of English industry, the author was of course obliged to limit his views; and he particularly confined himself to exhibiting the industry of the nation in the applications to three branches of public service; viz. hydraulic works, and military and naval constructions. In this field, though thus limited, there was still a rich harvest to gather; but the 'task was not without its difficulties. It re quired a varied knowledge in the arts of construction and other public services; an eagerness and perseverance that should overcome all the obstacles which, in a foveller; a great talent of observation; and reign country, incessantly impede the trafinally, such introductions and connexions as might shield him from the consequences lifications requisite to bring the undertaking of national jealousy. Such were the qua before us shews that in none of them bas to a successful completion: and the book the author been deficient. Bred in a school out of which no sound mind can come without being imbued with valuable information respecting the various public cieties, which he has enriched with his services; a fellow of several learned so *The Polytechnick school. memoirs; and favoured by a happy com- | superintends the most part of the maritime bination of circumstances,-the laboratory of the artist, the port-folio of the engineer, and the closet of the learned, have all laid open their treasures to his inspection. Such advantages lead us to place much confidence upon the results which he has offered to the learned world. works in England, and the building of the finest bridges in London, Mr. Rennie, whose name is so often mentioned in these Memoirs. From him, as well as Mr. Telford*, the author has particularly received much valuable information, and the most kind reception. After describing a great and curious shed 1,800 feet long, entirely of iron, from the pillars that prop it, to the very roof, and built by the same gentleman, the author The memoirs now published comprehend but a succinct account, divested of all scientific and abstracted particulars, of one of the three subjects of his journey; that which treats of the public works in Eng-shews us several engines not less eminent land. The one which relates to artillery and military engineering has been appreciated in a way highly honourable for the author, in a Report made to the Academy of Sciences, by a judge, whose opinion in | all that regards military science, must al-nel. ways command respect-the Marshal Duke de Ragusa. -as for ingenuity than for their extensive application. One feels a satisfaction mixed with regret in remarking, in a foreign country, as the inventor of many ingenious machines, the name of a Frenchman, M. Bru As appendages to London, looked upon as the centre of the great operations of the navy, one may consider the fine docks and establishments of Deptford, Greenwich, Woolwich, which the traveller describes, in going down the river to Sheerness; a port created anew, the works of which give occasion to some most interesting remarks. One of them deserves a particular notice, as offering one of the finest conquests of art over nature. In the memoirs which are a compendium of both his journeys in Great Britam, the author first treats of that city which the national partiality has distinguished (as Rome anciently was) by the emphatic appellation of the town. He takes a view of London under three different aspects:the largest trading port of England; as the chief focus of industry in the mechanical arts; lastly, as the centre of the This military port, founded on a marshy operations of the navy. After having de-island at the confluence of the Channel cribed the extensive bed of the Thames covered with innumerable ships, which scarcely leave 100m for sailing; after having described those numerous and maguificent basins for trade, newly coastructed and distinguished by the name of Docks, the author enters into some interesting particulars about systems of construction which essentially differ from ours, the internal sections and external figure of their wharfs, as well as of their large sluicegates, their cast-irou swing bridges; also respecting the use of the iron rail-roads for all sorts of conveyances by means of hand or horse carts. He describes the process of dredging, which is advantageously employed in cleansing docks and deepen ing rivers. It consists in boots or vessels equipped with buckets put in motion by the machine generally used in Great Britain, and become in that country, for the mechanical arts, what the plough is for husbandry the Steam-engine. Another not less ingenious and remarkable process is that of the Diving-bell, which enables the workinen to work as on dry land at a great depth under water. This apparatus, in which nothing conducive to the safety and accommodation of the workman has been omitted, is used with the utmost success by the engineer who and Medway, was, notwithstanding all the advantages of its position, deprived of one of the chief requisites in a naval establishment,-it had no fresh water, and it was necessary to bring it at a great expence from a neighbouring port. The bold idea was conceived of seeking for some spring far below the bottom of the chanuel and sea. They were enabled by art to dig and sink to a depth of 350 feet: there they found a spring of fresh water, which spouting with impetuosity filled the well to with two yards of the top, and then sunk again to forty. Ever since it has afforded a plentiful supply of good water. We cannot follow the author through ail the places which he has successively visited in both his journeys, and which compre bend nearly all the ports of the United Kingdom. From the most powerful recommendation's he got admittance into both the great arsenals of the English navy, Portsmouth and Plymouth. He also visited Bristol and Liverpool, the two chief trading ports next to London; Birmingham, noted * M. Dupin in his Memoirs pays every gratitude for the benevolence and liberality of where with the greatest pleasure his debt of these two gentlemen, as well as of their friends and brother-engineers MM. Nimmo, Jardine, &c. &c. |