The English Tragic Drama is chiefly known in France through the translation of M. Le Tourneur. We understand that M. de Châteauneuf is about to publish a selection of English comedies. To judge of it by the fragments which the author has given in the French journals, published in London, his translation will be faithful as well as elegant. In his prefatory remarks, he says, I have studied the English drama for three years, and whenever I may venture to criticise it, I shall, perhaps, do so with the prejudices of a Frenchman. I conceive, the reading of twenty comedies gives me a better idea of a people than a hundred volumes of travels. In comparing the comic drama of the two countries, some idea may be formed of the astonishing contrast which exists between two such near neighbours. The English language possesses a certain superiority with which no modern tongue can vie; it is that lofty energy which belongs to the genius of liberty. Should the freedom of the press not be established among us, (as our good ministers have promised,) the English language, which every one wishes to learn, on account of that liberty, will become universal on the continent, and France will thus lose the only pre-eminence which remains to her."

It is proposed to build an observatory within the precincts of Cambridge University, the expence of which is estimated at about L.10,000. A grace will be proposed to the senate for a donation of L.5000 from the University chest, and a subscription opened for raising the remainder of the sum. Application is to be made to government to appoint (an observer and an assistant with adequate salaries.

The fatal accidents which occurred in consequence of the late destructive fire in the Strand, has led Mr Robinson of Nottingham to suggest that a large feather bed or hair mattress should accompany every fire engine; or two or more mattresses might be so contrived as to be made into one in the space of a minute by two expert persons. Hair deserves a preference for this purpose to other materials, both on account of its elasticity and durability; for such a mattress, if provided with a stout linen cover, and kept dry, would last for fifty years.

Mr Macwilliam states, in his Essay on Dry Rot, just published, that this disease, however injurious to others, is of great advantage to wine merchants, as it soon covers the bottles with its mouldy appear ance, and consumes the external parts of the corks; so that, with a trifling operation on the bottles after they are filled, and then deposited in cellars pretty strongly affected with the dry rot, they can send out wine, as having been bottled for seven or

eight years, before it has in fact been there for so many months.

As every fact relative to the state of the Arctic regions is now of more than usual interest, we transcribe the following postscript to the journal of the brig Jemima, which sailed last summer from London to the Moravian Missions in Labrador."The captain and mate report, that, though for these three years past they have met with an unusual quantity of ice on the coast of Labrador, yet in no year since the commencement of the mission in 1769, has it appeared so dreadfully on the increase. The colour likewise of this year's ice was different from that usually seen, and the size of the ice mountains and thickness of the fields immense, with sandstone imbedded in them." As a great part of the coast of Greenland, which for centuries has been choaked up with ice, apparently immoveable, has by some revolution been cleared, perhaps this may account for the great quantity alluded to.

FRANCE. Nicholas Kephala, who commands a Greek vessel, has had engraved here three charts of various parts of the Mediterranean, which he has frequently traversed, and himself sounded. The first represents the Greek Archipelago and the whole Strait of the Dardanelles. The second exhibits a considerable portion of the Adriatic, particularly the Ionian Islands and the coast of Albania; and the third contains that part of the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to Malta. This work is not only remarkable as being well executed, but as being one of the first enterprises of the kind undertaken by Greeks. Captain Kephala has dedicated his performance to the Government of the Ionian Islands, of which he is a native. He has published it, at his own expence, for the instruction of his countrymen, and causes the copies to be circulated in Greece. He had previously published a Chart of the Black Sea, a Treatise on the Maritime Laws, and a Guide to Seamen, both in Greek; and is now engaged in a Nautical Geography, and a Treatise on Ship-building.

From the report read at the late public meeting of the Society for the Improvement of Elementary Instruction, it appears, that the number of Schools established on the new plan in France now amounts to 369, of which 339 are for boys and 30 for girls. The reason of this great disproportion is, that the principal Institution for girls was not opened till fifteen months after the Elementary School for boys. Of the 361 new schools, there are 219 in towns, and 150 in the villages. Upon the whole, the rural schools have not hitherto multiplied so rapidly as those in the towns, as it is but natural that improvements should be longer in penetrating to country places, which, moreover, pos

sess fewer resources for defraying the first establishment. Of all the schools founded on the new system, that at Nantes is upon the largest scale. In general, those in the towus number from 150 to 400 pupils, and the village schools from 60 to 125. Thus it is computed that these institutions afford instruction to 60,000 children, that is, one-sixtieth of the total number of children in the kingdom of proper age for attending them. The Society continues to publish monthly a number of its Journal d'Education, in which it gives an account of its proceedings, and of the progress of elementary instruction.

GERMANY.-M. Dietz, counsellor of legation, who died in April 1817, has bequeathed his collection of books and MSS. to the Royal Library of Berlin, upon condition that they shall form a separate collection, to be named after the legatce. The MSS., which amount to about 1000, comprehend the valuable materials collected by Laurent de Santen for editions of Ovid, Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius; several MSS. of Virgil's works; a great number of pieces of considerable importance to future editors of Horace, Sallust, Cicero, Suetonius, and other ancient writers; many oriental MSS. as a Coran in Cufic characters; the Biographical Dictionary of Ibn Chalikan, in three volumes; a very fine MS. of the Shah Nameh of Ferdusi, and the History of the Tartars, written in the Mongol lari guage, by Abulgasi. Among the printed works, which consist of 16,260 volumes, those on oriental literature, and also the editions of ancient authors, with MS. notes, are very numerous. The copy of the second edition of Meninski's Persian, Turkish, and Arabic Dictionary, is like wise enriched with many MS. observations, and M. Dietz has expressed a wish that it should be published with his name in two folio volumes. His collection of medals, comprehending all the coins of the Ottoman Sultans, has also been added to the royal cabinet, agreeably to his intentions. ITALY.-M. Leoni, who lately died at Lucca, was the author of a translation of Milton's Paradise Lost, printed at Pisa in 1817, in three 8vo volumes. It is accompanied with a Life of Milton, from the London edition of 1730; Hayley's conjectures respecting the origin of Paradise Lost, and Dr Johnson's observations on that poem. About the same time, M. Lazzaro Papi put to press a second edition of his translation of Milton, in two 12mo volumes. He has enriched this work with a Life of Milton, compiled from the various biographical accounts of the poet published in England, numerous observations, and the remarks of Addison on the Merits of the Paradise Lost. The latter is the most faithful to the original.

The Italian journals speak in high terms

of a Translation of Lord Byron's Giaour into Italian verse by M. Rossi.

Dr Zohrab, an Armenian, of the college of Venice, and M. Angelo Mai, Keeper of the Ambrosian Library, published in 1816, in Latin, a considerable fragment of the celebrated Chronicles of Cæsarea, which are of such high importance to history. They encouraged the learned to hope that they should soon possess a complete edition of that work, which was totally lost to the Greeks, of which the Latins possessed but a part, and that containing spurious passages, but which has been preserved by the Armenians in a valuable manuscript. Desirous of gratifying the impatience of the literary world, they have determined to publish the work in Latin, with brief notes, and an introduction; leaving the Armenian text, with more elaborate comments, for a future edition. It will form one volume 4to.

RUSSIA. A poet has appeared in Russia, to whom the emperor has granted a pension of 4000 roubles, (about L. 700 ayear.) His name is Schakowsky, and his work is upon the Ruins of the Kremlin of Moscow.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.—A correspondent of the Savannah Republican has given a description of what he terms an ancient Indian fortification, situated on an eminence on the right bank of the river Dover, a branch of the Great Satilla in Camden county, and admitted by all who have seen it to be one of the most magnificent specimens of this kind of works yet discovered in the United States. From its decayed state, it must doubtless have stood for centuries; but it is obvious, from the regularity and strength of the works, that the people by whom they were constructed must have been a much more ingenious race than the present tribe, or those found here at the time of the first settlement of the Europeans. Each of the sides of the fortification is about 300 feet in length; they run almost parallel with each other; and the walls, formed of oyster shells and hard mould, are still upwards of ten feet high: the top being very even, and so broad as to admit of heavy cannon being placed upon it. The site is selected with great judgment, being beside a beautiful spring rivulet, and yet in a very commanding position. At the north-east corner, there is a small circular outwork, the walls of which are as strong as in any other part, and through which there is a narrow passage into the main fortification. It is conjectured, that on the same eminence was seated a considerable town, from several large mounds of earth in which the dead are laid in regular strata, one above the other, and from the large pieces of earthen pots and other implements for domestic use.

LONDON.

MR JAMES WALKER, late of Berbice, will soon publish Letters on the West Indies. Mr Thomas, of Falmouth, has nearly finished upon a large scale for publication, a Survey of the Mining District of Cornwall, extending from Camborne to Chacewater, of which Redruth will be nearly the centre. It will have all the principal lodes and cross courses laid down at a certain level, showing the nature and elevations of the ground, courses of adits, and all particulars relative to the mines.

Sir Richard Colt Hoare has prepared a third and supplemental volume to the Rev. Mr Eustace's Classical Tour through Italy. It is intended to complete the labours, and supply the omissions of that traveller, and to describe such parts of Italy as he had not visited, and others have rarely explored. The author has enlarged its contents by a Tour round the whole island of Sicily, an Account of Malta, an Excursion to Pola, in Istria, and a Description of the celebrated monasteries of Montserrat in Spain, and the Grande Chartreuse in France.

Speedily will be published a translation of Extracts from a Journal kept in Greenland in the years 1770 to 1778, by Hans Egede Saabye, formerly missionary there; with an Introduction respecting the Way of Life of the Greenlanders, the Mission in Greenland, and other subjects connected with it, by Mr G. Fries.

A Life of John Howard the Philanthropist, by Mr Brown, in one volume, 4to, will speedily make its appearance.

Mr D'Israeli has nearly ready for publication a volume on the Literary Character, illustrated by the History of Men of Genius, drawn from their own Feelings and Confessions.

A General Description and Directions for the Coasts of Brazil, from Maranham in the north to Rio de Janeiro and Santos in the south, is at press. It will be accompanied with three large charts from the Surveys of Lieut. Hewett, R. N. and others; in which, from original observations, the numerous errors of all preceding charts and directions for these coasts have been obviated.

Mr Richard Lawrence is preparing for publication forty etchings, selected from the most beautiful and least mutilated specimens in the Elgin collection; together with critical remarks on the style, composition, and peculiar excellence of these relics of Grecian sculpture.

Mr Samuel Young has in the press, Mi

nutes of Cases of Cancer, part the second; being further reports of Cases of Cancer successfully treated by the new method of pressure, with some observations on the nature of the disease, as well as on the method of practice.

The author of Headlong Hall has in the press, a new novel, called Night Mare Abbey.

A very curious and interesting manuscript of the celebrated Dr King, of St Mary's, Oxford, has lately been discovered, containing anecdotes and reminiscences of his own times, and will be published forthwith.

A Life of the Emperor Napoleon, from the pen of the well known M. Gacon-Dufour, author of the "Correspondence des plusieurs Personnes illustres de la Cour de Louis XV." being the sequel to the Correspondence of Madame de Chateauroux, is expected to make its appearance shortly in London, in a series of letters, designed as materials for the future historian.

The Travels in Egypt, Nubia, Holyland, Mount Libanon, and Cyprus, by Captain Light, are nearly ready for publication, in one volume quarto, with plates, including a view of Jerusalem.

T. Cobbell, Esq. is preparing for publication, a Treatise on the Law of Corporations, and on the proceedings relative to their ordinary rights and parliamentary privileges.

Mr F. L. Holt has in the press a Treatise on the Law of Merchant Ships and Shipping, on the Navigation Laws, and on Maritime Contracts.

The works of Charles Lamb, in verse and prose, now first collected, will soon appear in two foolscap octavo volumes.

Barron Field, Esq. is printing in two octavo volumes, a Treatise on the Commercial Law of England.

EDINBURGH.

A Statistical and Historical Account of the United States of America, from the period of the first establishments to the present day. On a new plan. By W. D. Warden, formerly Consul-General of the United States at Paris. 3 vols. 8vo. With maps.

Saint Patrick; a National Tale of the Fifth century. By an Antiquary. In 3 vols. 12mo.

Reports of Cases tried in the Jury Court, from the institution of the Court in 1815, to the Sittings at Edinburgh ending in March 1818. By Jos. Murray, Esq. Advocate. One volume octavo.

The Angler's Vade Mecum; a Descriptive Account of the Water Flies, their Seasons, and the kind of Weather that impels them most on the water: the whole represented in twelve Coloured Plates. To which is added, a Description of the different Baits used in Angling, and where found. By W. Carroll.. Foolscap octavo.

A Memoir on the Congenital Club Feet of Children, and the Mode of correcting

this Deformity. By Antonio Scarpa, Emeritus Professor and Director of the Medical Faculty of the Imperial and Royal University of Pavia, &c. With five original Engravings by Anderloni. Translated from the Italian. By J. H. Wishart, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and one of the Surgeons of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

LONDON.

AGRICULTURE.

AN Essay on Agriculture, containing an introduction, in which the science of Agriculture is pointed out, by a careful attention to the works of Nature; also the means of rendering barren soils luxuriantly productive; to which is added a Memoir, drawn up at the express desire of his Imperial Highness the Archduke John of Austria, on the Nature and Nutritive Qualities of Fiorin Grass, &c.; by W. Richardson, D.D.

BIOGRAPHY.

A Critical Examination of the Bishop of Llandaff's posthumous volume, entitled, "Anecdotes of his Life." 8vo. 3s.

CHRONOLOGY.

Tables of Comparative Chronology, exhibiting the dates of the principal events which took place from the Flood to the Fall of the Empire; designed to give young persons correct information respecting the progress of Human Society. 10s. 6d.

DIVINITY.

The Testimony of Natural Theology to Christianity; by Thomas Gisborne, M. A. 12mo. 5s.

Discourses on Various Points of Christian Faith and Practice, most of which were delivered in the Chapel of the Oratoire, in Paris, in 1816; by Thomas H. Gallaudet. 8vo 7s.

The works of the Rev. H. Scougal, containing the Life of God in the Soul of Man; with nine other Discourses. To which is added, a Sermon preached at the Author's Funeral; by George Gairden, D. D.; and a Preface by Bishop Burnet. 5s.

A Familiar Review of the Life of David, King of Israel. By Henry Lacy, Morning Preacher of Salters' Hall.

Church of Englandism and its Catechism Examined; preceded by Strictures on the Exclusionary System, as pursued in the National Society's Schools; by Jeremy Bentham, Esq.

The Conduct of the Clergy in supporting the Bible Society, vindicated from the Charges brought against them by the Rev.

Richard Lloyd, in a Letter to that Gentleman; by the Rev. Edward Cooper. Is Three Sermons on particular Occasions; by the Bishop of Gloucester. 2s.

A Letter on Certain Errors of the Antinomian kind, which have lately sprung up in the West of England, and are now making an alarming Progress throughout the Kingdom; by the Rev. John Simons. 45.

The Necessity of Maintaining Scripture Doctrine, and endeavouring by every Means to promote Union in the Church of Christ, considered in two Act Sermons; by the Rev. Hans Hamilton, D. D. 3s.

The Polemical Contest betwixt the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, and the Rev. Thomas Scott. 5s.

History of the Fairchild Family; or, the Child's Manual: being a collection of Stories, calculated to show the Importance and Effects of a Religious Education; by Mrs Sherwood. 12mo. 5s.

French Idioms, adapted to the Use of those who have made some Progress in the French Language. By Victor L. du Noyer. 5s.

Geographical Questions and Exercises, blended with Historical and Biographical Information; by Richard Chambers, Author of an Introduction to Arithmetic. 2s.

A Visit to the Bazaar; illustrated with 32 Engravings, exhibiting the different Trades carried on there, with Explanations. 12mo. 3s.

Scenes in Europe, illustrated by 84 Engravings; by the Rev. I. Taylor. 12mo. 4s.

The Pleasures of Life; written in the manner of Mrs Barbauld's hymns, in prose; by the author of many approved little works. 12mo. 2s. 6d.

FINE ARTS.

New Churches Considered, with respect to the Opportunities they offer for the encouragement of Painting; by B. R. Haydon. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

A Critical Description and Analytical Review of Death on the Pale Horse; painted by Ben. West: by William Carey.

HISTORY.

The Civil and Constitutional History of Rome, from the foundation to the age of Augustus; by Henry Bankes, Esq. M. P. 2 vols. 8vo. 24s.

Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth, with a portrait from the rare print by Crispin de Passe; by Lucy Aikin. 2 vols. 8vo. L. 1, 5s.

HORTICULTURE.

The Science of Horticulture, including a Practical System of the Management of Fruit-trees; arranged on demonstrative physiological principles. Illustrated by sketches, in twelve plates, with a commentary on the works of Bradley, Hitt, Miller, Forsyth, Knight, Kirwan, Sir Humphry Davy, and Mrs Ibbottson; by Joseph Hayward. 1 vol. 8vo. 12s.

LAW.

An Essay on Abstracts of Title, to facilitate the Study and Application of the first Principles and General Rules of the Laws of Property; by Richard Preston, Esq. Barrister at Law. Part III. royal 8vo. 12s.

The Justice Law for the last Five Years, being Supplementary to the several Treatises on the Office and Duties of a Justice of the Peace, by Burn, Williams, and Dickenson, comprehending the Statutes and Cases relating thereto, to the conclusion of the Session of 57 Geo. III., with additional Precedents; by William Dickenson, Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo. L. 1, 5s.

A Treatise on the Poor Laws; by Thomas Peregrine Courtenay, Esq. M. P. 8vo.

5s.

Remarks on the Recent State Trials, and the Rise and Progress of Disaffection in the Country. To which are annexed, Letters to and from the Lord Bishop of Norwich, on the Tendency of his public Opinions; by William Firth, Esq. serjeant

at law. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Considerations on the Origin, Progress, and present state of the English Bankrupt Laws, with reference to their existing defects, humbly submitted to the select committee of the House of Commons, appointed to consider of the Bankrupt Laws. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c. An Introductory Lecture delivered at the Royal Dispensary for the Diseases of the Ear, to a Course on the Anatomy, Physiology, and Diseases of that Organ; by John H. Curtis, Esq. 2s. 6d.

Practical Illustrations of the Scarlet Fe

11

ver, Measles, Pulmonary Consumption, and Chronic Diseases, termed Nervous, Bilious, Stomachic, and the like. With Observations on the Efficacy of Sulphureous Waters in various Complaints; by John Armstrong, M. D. 8vo. 14s.

A Letter to the Commissioners for Transports and Sick and Wounded Seamen, on the Non-contagious Nature of Yellow Fever; containing Hints to Officers for the Prevention of this Disease a❤ mong Seamen; by James Veitch, M. D. 8vo. 7s.

Facts and Observations on Liver Com

plaints, and those various and extensive derangements of, the Constitution, arising from Hepatic Obstruction; with Practical Remarks on the Biliary and Gastric Secretions, and upon other important Points essential to Health; pointing out a new and successful Mode of Treatment, illustrated by numerous Cases. The third edition, very considerably enlarged; by John Faithhorn, formerly Surgeon in the East India Company's Service.

A Practical Enquiry into the Causes of the Frequent Failure of the Operation of Depression, and of the Extraction of the Cataract, as usually performed; with a Description of a Series of new and improved Operations; by Sir Wm. Adams. 8vo. 16s.

Observations on some important Points in the Practice of Military Surgery, and in the Arrangement and Police of Hospitals. Illustrated by cases and dissections; by John Hennen, deputy inspector of military hospitals. 8vo. 12s.

Modern Maladies and the Present State of Medicine: the anniversary oration delivered March 9, 1818, before the Medical Society of London; by D. Uwins, M.D.

28.

Results of an Investigation respecting Epidemic and Pestilential Diseases, including researches in the Levant; by Dr Maclean.

MISCELLANIES.

Experimental Researches concerning the Philosophy of Permanent Colours, and the best means of producing them, by Dyeing, Calico-Printing, &c.; by Edward Bancroft, M. D. 2 vols. 8vo. L. 1, 16s.

La Prima Musa Clio, or the Divine Traveller; exhibiting a Series of Writings obtained in the ecstacy of Magnetic Sleep. Translated from the Italian of C. A. de Valdiere; by George Baldwin. 8vo. L. 1, Is.

The Music, or Melody and Rythmus of Language. By James Chapman. 8vo.

Epistolary Curiosities Series the first, consisting of unpublished letters of the seventeenth century, illustrative of the Herbert family; of the reigns of James I.

-Charles I.-Charles II.-Janies 11.-and William III. &c. &c. with notes and an