hot houses at present the Bengal rose grows in the open air without reserve; and the garden of the Luxemburgh is full of them. Many florists have hazarded, without finding any inconvenience, the planting of the Hortensia in open exposure. But, it must be acknowledged, that some uncertainty attends the question whether they are so completely habituated to the climate, as to be able to withstand a winter equally rigorous with that of 1788-9; or even perhaps a winter not quite so penetrating. The further observations of the author will be attended to, as his work proceeds, and they come to hand. GERMANY. Character of Constantine and Helena, ex umined. the Great, is of such prominent importance The reign and character of Constanting in history, that it is rather wonderful, that it is not more familiar among our juvenile studies, than it is. It has lately engaged the pen of Mr. J. C. F. Manso, at Breslau, who, in delineating the characters of Constantine and of his mother Helena, has placed the latter at a sufficient distance from the highest degree of virtue. This he justifies by appealing to the sentiments of contemporary writers; and we cannot help being somewhat mortified at his success; if she is to be ranked among the illustrious natives of our country. End of the World: postponed. To this disquisition the author has added The notion of a speedy end of the world chronological tables of the principal events was not long ago somewhat prevalent on during the reign of this Emperor, with a the Continent, started and supported acmemoir on the Attalus's kings of Pergacording to all appearances, by a certain mus, and another on the thirty tyrants class equally ingenious and active, in Paris. under the Emperor Galerius. Whether The philosophers gave a sort of countethere be any connexion between the nance to the persiflage, by their alarms works, we know not; but it may bear a respecting the decrease of water, and the remark that the Emperor Julian, the neincrease of ice, on the surface of the earth. phew and successor of Constantine, and It is not possible, at present, to determine an apostate from the Christian faith, has the coufidence due to those alarms. It is lately been the subject of something very certain that late intelligence from Swit-like commendation, in Historical Disquizerland, as recorded in our pages, is not sitions which have issued from the French calculated to dissipate them; we rather press. expect that the course of the present volume will adduce additional proofs of the fact. These considerations have influenced a German writer, Mr. D. G. Seel, to endeavour the instruction of his countrymen, in a work published at Frankfort, 1817, under the title of Vom Weltuntergang, &c. -On the End of the World, and the pretended diminution of Water from the face of the earth, pp. 42. 8vo. The author's hypothesis was read at the Frankfort Museum, in January 1817. It is amusing, and requires no very profound acquaint ance with Geology and Natural History. The writer admits that a change, greater or less, or even total, may take place, in time, in the distribution of the carth's sur face; because the superficies of the globe offers incontestible impressions of former revolutions; and because it is probable that the mountains at present covered with nows and glaciers, are not destined to an eternal sterility. Such a change, in the opinion of Mr. Seel, may be produced by a sudden change of the axis of the earth; bat, that it is gradually making progress in different parts, is rather the prevailing idea, among the best informed naturalists. Fragments on Eastern Manners. The first volume of Rosenmuller's MorLeipsic, 1817.-The East, antient and genland, &c. has lately been published at modern, or Illustrations of Holy Scripture, derived from the nature of the country, the conditions, manners, and usages of the East. It appears to be of the same nature as the Fragments, or Continued Appendix to Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible; a work that has obtained a well-deserved co lebrity among us. How far the author designs to extend his work, does not appear. His well-known talents justify the strongest hopes of instruction and delight. a M. Rosenmuller also proposes to publish Course of Essays on the Arabic lan guage; the first volume will contain the grammar, with an explication in Latin; the second will contain a Chrestomathia, composed of pieces little known, and even unedited. To this volume will be added a vocabulary. Astronomy, supporting Christianity. Dr. Chalmers's work on Astronomy considered in connexion with Christianity, which has met with great acceptance in Britain, has been translated intoGerman and is in course of publication. bronze. Among these are some of extreme Works of Art in danger of perishing. The garden of Count Lodrono, in the vicinity of Salzburgh, which had been laid out with the greatest attention, and ornamented with the most excellent works of art, is about to experience the mutability of all sublunary things, and to be returned to arable land, and the labours of the plough. It is to be hoped, that these vaJuable specimens of art, ancient and mo-day may well be congratulated on his good dern, will not be wholly abandoned to fortune. Such an instance is presented in the injuries of the weather, and to the the person of Sig. Philip Pananti, a man more fatal destruction of ignorance, and of letters, native of Tuscany, who after superstition. Those who take an interest having long resided in England, when rein such things, have expressed their desire turning to his native country, by sea, was that some Patron of the Arts would pur- taken by an Algerine and carried into chase them, and by adding them to his slavery; but was liberated the next day. collection, would preserve them for the This incident has given him occasion to inspection and gratification of future ama-publish his Adventures and Observations, Slavery for a single day. It is not likely that slavery, even for a single day, has charms so exquisite as to render it eligible; but, the man who is not called to endure it longer than for a single tears. It may be useful to some of our readers, to be informed, that J. Heinsius has pub. lished the fifth volume of his Bucher Lexicon, &c. a Bibliographical Dictionary of all Books that have appeared from the year 1700 to 1815. This volume contains the catalogue of those published in Germany from 1811 to 1815: but, the work at large, is general; and is arranged in alphabetical order. New Observatory. The building formerly occupied as an Observatory at Ofen, which was founded in 1777, and rendered famous by the observations of Pasquich, has lately received another destination. A new edifice has been constructed on Mount Saint Gothard in the year 1813. The instruments were placed in it during the course of the year 1815; and the whole will speedily be completed. HUNGARY. Extensive Numismatic Collection. About airty years ago Count de Viczy began to form a cabinet of medals at Hedervar, int ne county of Raab. This colection has lately been described by his son, in a work intitled Musei Hedervarii in Hungaria, &e, in two parts. The first volume contains a catalogue and description of 7,568 coins of cities, people, and kings: of these 715 are figured on thirty-one plates; one of which comprises 257 monograms. Several of these coins are of the antient Felzyna (now Bologna) of Populonia, and other Etruscan cities; there are also many of Sicily; with others of the Jewish nation in the time of the Asmoneans. The second volume contains 136 medals of Consuls and families; and 1,429 coins of cities and emperors; of which 1,014 are in gold; 3,002 in silver; and 4,043 in made on the Coast of Barbary, 2 vols. 8vo. Statue improved by Position. A number of English students and sculptors, at Rome, having undertaken, not long ago, to take moulds in plaster from the famous statue of Moses executed by Michael Angelo for the mausoleum of Pope Julius III. and which was placed in the church of St. Peter in chains,-they brought the statue somewhat forwarder in the niche it occupied, than where it formerly stood. This, which was to them a matter of convenience, only, has so greatly improved the general effect and appearance of the performance, that the best judges have agreed to leave it, in this advanced position; and it accordingly so continues. Poet examined: Alfiera. There seems to be a very good basis for doing justice to genius in the following plan adopted by the Italian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, at Leghorn: for this reason we insert it. A similar examination of a British poet, would no doubt discover many beauties as well as defects, in his work; but the public taste could not fail of being equally improved and gratified by the happy execution of such an undertaking. Prize proposed for 1818. The Academy proposes a prize of twenty-five sequins to the author of the best Eulogy on the Sophocles of Italy, the immortal Victor Alfieri. The candidates are engaged to examine, 1. The state of Tragedy, particularly of Italian tragedy, before Alfieri. 2. To ascertain by a critical and acen rate examination the changes introduced by him, in his own works; and to determine the reasons which might have led him, or which really did lead him, to introduce those changes, whether they refer to the conduct or to the style of his picces. 3. To institute a parallel supported by critical reasoning, between the principal beauties of his tragedies, and those which are most admired in the tragic efforts of other nations. 4. To analyse all his other poetical works and productions, with a view to determine, as far as possible, the peculiar modifications and character of his genius. POLAND. New University. The Royal University of Warsaw re ceived its definitive organization by a decree of the Emperor Alexander, dated Nov. 19, 1816. This decree, which is composed in the Latin language, directs, that, The University shall be divided into five Faculties; Theology, Jurisprudence and Political Economy; Medicine, Philosophy, and the Fine Arts with the Belles Lettres. The professors are capable of receiving distinctions of all kinds, with their respective honours. The professors of the superior chairs shall be ennobled, and shall enjoy all the prerogatives at tached to nobility, if they retain their situation ten years: these prerogatives to de scend in their families. The Rector of the University is charged with the examination of all works and writings published by Members of the University. RUSSIA. North America, displayed. M. Paul Swinin, who accompanied General Moreau in America, has lately published in the Russian language, a Voyage Picturesque in North America: it has been translated into German, and published at Riga. This work comprises interesting observations on the Political situation of the United States,-on the Religious Sects of the Quakers and the Methodists; with an article on the dances of the native Indians of North America. Several anecdotes of General Moreau are inserted, with particulars of his death. SAXONY. Literary Journey. Dr. Weigel, of Dresden, has undertaken a journey into Italy for literary purposes. His object is the examination of Greek manuscripts; especially, of those which may be useful in his intended edition of Greek Physicians; on which he has been engaged during many years. At Munich, he was so fortunate as to discover in the royal library a very important copy of Hippocrates, and another of Paul of Egina. The learned cannot but wish him equal success in other repositories, that his work may be rendered complete. SWEDEN. Ancient MSS. sought after. The ancient Gothic languages, as our readers know, have lately very much engaged the attention of the learned in the north; and especially, we ought to add, in The librarian the kingdom of Denmark. of the University of Copenhagen, M. Rask, has been several months in Stockholm, for the purpose of collating and collecting MSS. of the Skalda and of the Edda, which are preserved in that city, and in Upsala; they are intended to assist in a projected edition of those poems. The same professor is employed on a Grammar of the Anglo-Saxon tongue; and on a translation into Swedish of his Grammar of the Icelandic tongue. The former of these works concerns all English antiquaries. TURKEY. Map of the Danube. General Vandoncourt, known by his History of the expedition to Moscow, and his Account of the Ionian Islands, proposes to publish a Map of European Turkey, situated on the right side of the Danube. The author collected the authorities for this map during his residence in Turkey; the stations are taken by trigonometrical observations,-with thirty-three astronomical observations, by which the principal places are determined. The scale is half an inch to seven miles; aud the whole will occupy nine large sheets, accompanied by an appropriate memoir. TRANSYLVANIA. Museum: Roble Donation. M. de Bruckenthal, Chamberlain of the Emperor, and Secretary of the Chancery of Transylvania, has given to the City of Hermenstadt, his Museum, which had been established in that town: it consists of a considerable library, with a collection of pictures, drawings, minerals, medals, antiquities, &c. He has added to this donation a fund of thirty thousand florins, destined to the encouragement of useful knowledge in its various branches. The Museum was opened to the public on the 1st of February, 1817. INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE FROM THE having lost many camels, from the roads having been rendered almost impassable in consequence of the torrents of rain which fell during the march. The Keitah detach BRITISH SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA.ment was joined at Bandah by the 1st CALCUTTA. The following extracts from the Cal culta Papers, relate to the preparations making by our troops against the Pindarrees. Treaty with Scindiah. battalion 14th native infantry, and a battalion of the 7th native infantry, from the same time departed from the centre Delhi. Brigadier General D'Auvergne at division of the army, and General Marshall took command of the left division on the 7th current. On the 8th curt. the above camp left Bandah, and arrived at KalCalcutta, November 1.-Our letters from lingher on the 10th, where they were Dukhin meation, that Sir John Malcolm joined by Captain Cunningham, with 6 was near Husseinabad, and had inti- Russalahs of Rohilla horse; and on the mated that he should arrive there on the 4th, the army concentrated at the bottom morning of the 19th. The Nerbudda conof the Bisram Gungee Ghaut, by the junctinned unusually full, there being on the tion of the train of foot and horse artillery, 15th eighteen feet of water where it was together with the 1st battalion 1st native most shallow. Should this continue, it infantry. The cavalry brigade, including would occasion some difficulty in crossing the horse artillery, ascended the Ghaut, the troops. There was not a sufficient and reached Punnah yesterday; and one number of boats to make bridges, but rafts of the brigades of infantry came up to the were constructing, and it was expected same ground this morning. The remainthey would all be over by the 5th instant. ing brigade under the Brigadier-General They would then proceed by the Chow-is to-day employed in bringing the heavy kee, pass towards Bopal, and leaving it artillery up the Ghaut. The whole can on the left advance to Bhilseah and Bur- scarcely arrive at Punnah before the 19th. seah, the Jaghire of Khurreem Khan: from that to Seronge, which belongs to Wasseel Maliomed. By the time these moveCalcutta, November 19.-A report has reached "Us, ments were executed, it and we have every reason to was expected Major Gen. Marshall would have advanced believe a well-founded report, that Scinthrough Bundlecund, on Sagur and Bas. diah has acceded to all the terms proposed saudah, which last is a Jaghire of Sheik to him by the Most Noble the Marquis of Delloo. The Jaghire of Setoo is to the Hastings. We are not, of course, as yet west of Boopal, and would be occupied acquainted with the terms; but it is said, by the 3d Madras brigade, under Sir J. among others, that Scindiah has agreed to Malcolm. According to the Guallor Uk-fix his future residence at Gwalior, from bars, three durrahs of the Pindarrees, of 10,000 horse each, are now lying between Patgur and Grosseah, and, after the Dussarah, it was expected part of them would start for Surat. A bridge of boats was in preparation for the passage of the Grand Army over the Jumpa: when it might move for Secundra, seemed uncertain. The general opinion is, that no resistance will be attempted on the part of Scindiah. Major-General Donkin arrived at Agra on the 14th. It was expected that that division of the army would march for Dhalpoor, on the Chumbul, immediately after the 20th. Extract of a letter from Bundlecund camp, at Purnah, October 16, 1817:On the 30th ultimo, the fourth company, second battalion 28th, and 1st battalion of the 20th, native_infantry, marched from Keitah towards Bandah, under command of General Auvergne. On the 6th curt. this detachment reached Bandah, after which he is not to depart without permission of the British Government; that he is to aid and assist this Government against their Pindarree enemies; and, as a guarantee of his abiding by the terms of the treaty, he is to deliver over to the Ho ourable Company five of his principal fortresses, among which Nurwar and Asseer Ghur are named. Letters from Husseinabad state, that Sir John Malcolm had concluded treaties of amity and friendship with several chiefs of the Nerbudda. King of Johannah's Ambassadors. Calcutta, Agust 21, 1817.-A letter of this date, gives the following pleasing account of these interesting personages. "Last week we met the ambassadors of the King of Johannah at the house of a common friend, who has been acquainted with them in their own country. They are both civil and easy in their manners, their politeness having no tincture of servility, and their freedom never bordering on indecent familiarity. Both talk broken provided for. It was the express duty of English and French, but do not mix the each individual who received it to write one with the other, and make themselves three copies, and distribute them in three perfectly intelligible in the two languages; different places. A subsidiary expedient which, considering the few and short op- was then resorted to, and a cowrie was left portunities they have had to converse with at the doors of several of the inhabitants occasional visitors of the two nations, gives in different quarters of the town, by some no bad idea of their intellectual powers. unknown agents of the goddess, with writAdmiral Siboo is about forty years of age, ten directions to convey it, with suitable of a middle stature, and of a very dark donations, to the temple at Kali-ghaunt, complexion, with a great deal of fire and and to distribute three other cowries with animation in his eyes. Duke Abdoolah similar instructions. Thus had the Brahlooks ten years younger, is taller and less mins formed a regular combination of dedark, possesses more gravity, and, from a vices to secure the success of their avaricicircumstance which occurred, appears to ous views: and the whole scheme appears be the more learned man of the two. They to have been conducted with admirable had been very inqusitive in the course of a cunning and vigilance. The name which long conversation, and having very politely has been given to the newly-created diasked for pen, ink, and paper, Duke Ab-vinity is Ola Bebee, the account of whose doolah took notes of the information they appearance in a human form we copy from had acquired in a language, which a young The Indian Gazette:-Ola Bebee, and her Orientalist in our company ascertained to priests, have not failed to adopt the boldest be a corrupt Arabic. Their attachment measures to maintain her influence on the to the little island which gave them birth, minds of the terrified and distracted popuagrees with the patriotic feelings of all lation. An actual soi-disant incarnation, natives of poor countries, from King Ulys-or avatar, of Ola Bebee, appeared a few ses of old times to a modern Swiss peasant. days ago at the village of Sulkeah. She sat They had seen and admired this great city; there for two days in all the state of a Hinbut on being questioned whether they would doo goddess, having a young Brahminee be glad to remain in it, they both answered to attend her as priestess; and was reaping immediately in the negative, and expressa rich harvest from the terror she had ed a lively desire to return to their own sown in the minds of the people, when country; and for this a great anxiety for unfortunately her fame reached the ears the quick dispatch of the business they of our indefatigable first Magistrate. Mr. have been sent upon, which is to solicit Elliott gave orders to his native officers the protection and assistance of the British to seize her, and bring her, with her cogovernment against their cruel enemies, adjutor, to his Kuchree; which indeed the barbarians of Madagascar. Besides they did-but not without much fear and the attractions of habits and family con- trembling, and some artifice. They took nections pleaded by both, one of them, Ad- it upon themselves to "present the Mamiral Siboo, most emphatically professed agistrate's respects to her goddess-ship, and longing to rejoin his beloved king, and perceiving that the peculiar fervour of his sentiments excited some surprise, added with an archness, implying that he well knew the practice of the kings of Europe: "what can we do otherwise than cherish a king who requires no taxes from his subjects, and maintains himself by the proper mauagement of his own estate?" Ola Bebee and her Priests. to request the honour of an interview." She had not sufficient confidence in her own power to offer resistance, and therefore affected a ready acquiescence. The moment she got up to depart, the crowd who had assembled to worship, or from curiosity, fled in terror in all directions: \ and not a little astounded were the native officers of the Court, to hear the worthy Magistrate accuse her of imposture--and, after hearing what she had to say for her. From the Bengal Government Gazette.self, commit her to the House of CorrecWe have already described the monstrous stratagem of the Brahmins in Calcutta to impose upon the people a new deity, for the purpose of swelling the coffers of the votaries of Kali; and all who refused to propitiate the offended goddess were threatened to be afflicted with the prevailing disease. The circulation of the proclamation, on the part of Kalima, which enjoined this observance, was ingeniously tion for six months!-Not perceiving, however, any marks of her vengeance for such an indignity, but hearing her, on the contrary, sue for mercy like any common criminal, the peons at length gathered courage to lay hands on her, and convey her to the place of punishment; where she is at present employed in pounding bricks for the benefit of the public, from whom she was lately receiving peace-offerings. |