Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

MISCELLANEOUS LITERARY NOTICES.

FRANCE.

torical information relative to France at various epochs, and those who have signalized themselves in its annals. In this last point of view, the portraits and statues of eminent individuals, well entitle both the museum itself, and this work, to the epithet of historical. There are three editions published simultaneously, the largest of which is further enriched with numerous wood-cuts representing the principal ornaments and pieces of furniture in the palace.

theless, although the engravings themselves are but moderate productions of art, in that THE restoration of the palace of Versailles, class of it to which they belong, and although and the appropriating it to the purposes of a many of the subjects are not of a kind which national historical museum, will confer a retain much interest when reduced to outfresh species of interest on the building it- line, especially from pictures upon a large self, an eclat on the reign of Louis Philippe. scale-such as many of the battle piecesOf the immense collection of both paintings the work itself will, when completed, be a and sculptures already brought together valuable one, if only as bringing together in within its walls, a series of outline engrav- an agreeable and popular form a mass of hisings, with explanatory letter-press by Jules Jonin, has been commenced under the title of "Galleries Historiques de Versailles." Although the plates are merely in outline, the time requisite for making drawings of so great a number of subjects according to the usual mode, would have rendered the publication a tedious one, had not the employment of the Diagraph very materially abridged the process of copying. Upon what principle this instrument (invented by M. Gavard, the editor of the work) is constructed, or how it is used, we have not been able to ascer- In the year 1833, Fournier, of Paris, pubtain; yet, unless its merits are greatly exag-lished the first livraison, consisting of two gerated, it appears capable of rendering ex- volumes, of the "Mémoires du Marechal tensive benefit. One thing wherein its ser- Ney;" the second, likewise two volumes, viceableness appears unquestionable is, that was, according to an announcement on the by means of it an exact copy may be taken cover, then in the press, and shortly to apof the minutest details of a ceiling, cornice, pear. The Paris booksellers, Belliard, Du &c., however elaborate and complex, al. four and Co., took one hundred copies of the though too remote to be distinctly viewed by first livraison, for which they paid 1600 the naked eye. So far, this instrument must francs. In consequence of differences which be an exceedingly valuable one indeed to the arose between the publisher and the mararchitectural draftsman. Still, judging from shal's family, but which, as it appears, were some of the interiors-that view, for in- settled by arbitration, the two latter volumes stance, of the "Escalier des Ambassadeurs" of the Memoirs in question have not yet been -we should say that it rather distorts the published, nor are they likely to be very perspective; unless the incorrectness in that soon, if ever. To a requisition of the aboverespect, here observable, arises merely from mentioned booksellers for the delivery of the casual inadvertency. It must further be ac- conclusion of the work, Fournier replied that knowledged, that the general execution of it was not in his power. As he refused to the plates is rather tame and spiritless, with- take back 43 copies which, as the work was out any of that richness and souplesse which left incomplete, Belliard and Co. could not distinguish the outlines of London. Never- sell, and to return the six hundred and eigh

[blocks in formation]

ty-eight francs which they had paid for them, portrait of Milton, engraved on steel by the they were obliged to bring the publisher be- first artists, French and foreign. The work fore the Paris Tribunal of Commerce. After will be completed in 28 livraisons at 10 hearing the advocates on both sides, that francs cach. court, on the 28th of September, adjudged that Fournier should deliver to the plaintiffs, within fourteen days, one hundred copies of the two deficient volumes, in default of which the defendant should return the amount of the forty-three unsold copies, together with the interest from the day of sale, and also decreed that he should pay the costs of the proceedings.

It is reported to be the intention of the French government to send a proper qualified person to Spain to make purchases of valuable manuscripts and editions, which, owing to the shutting up of the convents and the dispersion of many libraries, may now be casily procured. They are known to contain many very important works, and especially Arabic manuscripts of the times of the Moors.

M. Hingray, of Paris, has undertaken to produce an illustrated edition of M. de Chateaubriand, with four hundred wood-cuts by Fragonard, fifty vignettes on steel, and two maps. The work will form 150 weekly numbers.

In our last number we recorded the death of Carlo Botta, the Italian historian; we were not then aware that this event occurred in the month of August last, in Paris, where he had lived for many years in close retirement on account of ill health.

Botta was born in 1768, at the little village of San Giorgio di Canavase, in Piedmont, studied medicine in Turin, and directed his attention in particular to anatomy and botany. He had already taken his degree as doctor of medicine, when the breaking out of the French revolution gave another direction to his pursuits, and caused the study of

A work, illustrative of the arts in the mid-politics and history to engross his mind. He dle ages in France, has been commenced in Paris, with the title of "Les Arts au moyen Age, en ce qui concerne principalement le Palais Romain de Paris, l'Hôtel de Cluny, issu de ces Ruines," &c. It is to be completed in twenty-five livraisons, forming 4 volumes, 8vo. with an atlas of copper-plates and lithographs, in small folio.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

was one of the first and most strenuous cham. pions of the new ideas of liberty; which, in the very first period of their development, found their way across the Alps. This zeal drew upon him, 1792, a confinement, to him doubly mortifying, in the state-prison at Turin. His first act, nevertheless, on recovering his liberty, was a new homage to the ideas to which he had sworn allegiance, and for which he had suffered. He went in 1794, to France, entered into the medical service of the French armies, and soon afterwards returned with them to his native country, which thenceforth became the sphere of his extended political activity. He then turned his serious attention to a plan of government for Lombardy, which he submitted, but without farther results, to General Buonaparte; then accompanied, in the year 6, the division sent to the Ionian Islands, and after his return was nominat. ed by General Joubert a member, together with Carlo Bossi, and Carlo Julio, of that provisional government to which was given in the country itself the name, since become historical, of Il triumvirato de tre Carli. When, in 1799, the Russians entered Italy, Botta again fled to France, returned once more after Buonaparte's victory at Marengo, and became a member of the Consulta of Piedmont. In 1803 Piedmont was again incorporated with France, and Botta was again sent to Paris as a member of the legislative body by the department of the Dora. Since that time Botta rarely left France, and only for short intervals. Though he continued to be a member of the legislative body till the year 1814, yet his sentiments, which were sufficiently known, were little calculated to procure him the favor of Napoleon. He spoke several times in the most decisive manner against the arbitrary measures of the imperial government, and was rewarded for it by the honor of having his name

NETHERLANDS.

when proposed for quæstor, struck out of Jesuits of Turin, if he would re-write & the list by the hand of Napoleon himself. portion of it containing some expressions In 1814 he was entirely excluded from the against the disciples of Loyola, or alter it legislative body, because he had voted for in such a manner as the interest of the Jethe deposition of the emperor. He was the suits should require. Such offers Botta only one of his countrymen who was ex- of course rejected with indignation. cepted from the amnesty proclaimed in Piedmont after the fall of Napoleon; and he was therefore compelled to remain in France. During the hundred days he was appointed Rector of the Academy at Nancy, and in the first year after the restoration held the like situation at Rouen; but he was at length pensioned off, and thenceforward resided continually at Paris. It was not till 1830 that he obtained permission to re-visit his native country; and an annuity was settled upon him by the Sardinian government, in acknowledgment of his literary merits.

66

Wherein these merits chiely consisted is sufficiently known. Botta, at an early pe. riod, devoted his leisure to literary occupations, in which he particularly aspired to that peculiar elegance of style which so advantageously distinguishes his later works. To the early period of his literary activity belong a Description of the Island of Corfu," which appeared in two volumes in 1799, and which was translated into French; also "Recollections of a Journey to Dalmatia," 1802; some Disquisitions on Browne's Doctrine, and the Nature of Sounds (1803);' a "Review of the History of the House of Savoy," (1503), &c. But he founded his reputation as an historian by the publication of his " History of the War of Independence in North America," in 1809. Though distinguished by superior excellence of description and style, it was far surpassed by his two later works, "The History of Italy from 1789 to 1814," and the "Continuation of Guicciardini's History to 1789;" which were completed but a few years since, and were not long ago reviewed in this Journal. Botta made one poetical attempt; this is an heroic poem, entitled Il Camillo, o Vejo conquistata, which appeared in 1816, and is highly praised for the purity of the versification and the energy of the style. During the latter years of his life he had been collecting materials for a biography of taolo Sarpi; but the state of his health had prevented him from making any pro gress in that work. One of his younger friends is at present engaged in collecting from his papers particulars of his life. He has left three sons; one of whom is captain in the foreign legion; the second, a distinguished naturalist, is at present engaged, at the expense of the Jardin des Plantes, in scientific travels in Arabia; and the third is a clever engraver at Turin.

Professor L. G. Vischer, of the University of Utrecht, is preparing for the press, "Fergunt," a popular novel of the 14th century, with an introduction relative to the fabulous history of the Knights of the Round Table.

Natan, bookseller to the University of Utrecht, announces the early appearance of "Proben philosophischer Forschungen," by Professor Ph. W. Van Heugde. These inquiries are undertaken for the purpose of answering the questions: How does man arrive at truth? How does he attain virtue? How is he some time to attain wisdom?

BELGIUM.

Professor Hoffman von Fallersleben has made an important discovery among the MSS. of the public library at Valenciennes. He has there found the hymn composed about the year 883, in the ancient German language, on occasion of the victory of Louis over the Normans. This literary curiosity, which Mabillon copied from a MS. belonging to the abbey of St. Amand, but which has been sought in vain ever since the year 1692, is of the greatest importance to the history of literature. Professor Hoffmann means to publish in Belgium the original text of the poem, with a fac-simile of the MS. conjointly with M. Willems, who is known as the editor of several ancient works in the Flemish dialect.

GERMANY.

The catalogue of books of the Leipzig Michaelmas fair, comprehends 3538 partly new works, partly new editions, produced by 551 publishers. That of the Easter fair contained 4353, so that both comprehend 7891 articles, being 362 more than the two catalogues for 1836. In the above number are, books and pamphlets on scientific and Botta has left little or no property. He miscellaneous subjects, 3261; novels, 171; never made his talents a stepping-stone to plays, 48; maps, either collections or sepawealth and honors, still less could he con- rate, 58. Of these 86 appeared in foreign descend to traffic with his opinions. Short- countries; there remain therefore, for Gerly after the appearance of his "History of many, including Switzerland, Hungary, Italy from 1789 to 1814," 109,000 francs and that part of Prussia not belonging to were offered him by an emissary of the the German Confederation, 3452. Austria

furnished 265; Prussia, 1018; Bavaria, commenced the publication of a series of 420, Saxony, 673, Hanover, 69, Würtem- sketches of the later works of Thorwaldburg, 278, Baden, 108, the two Hesses, 122, sen in numbers, the drawings for which and the four Saxon duchies, 149. The have been made under that great artist's firms which produced the greatest number own inspection. The first number conof articles are: Basse of Quedlinburg, 62; tains Nemesis and the Seasons; the seCotta, of Stuttgart, and Reimer, of Berlin, cond, Schiller's monument for Stuttgart, 49; Manz, of Ratisbon, and Metzler, of and Guttenberg's for Mentz. The older Stuttgart, 46; Brockhaus, of Leipzig, 44; well-known works of Thorwaldsen are inSchubothe, of Copenhagen, 35; Franz, of tended to follow. Münich 32; Max and Co., of Breslau, 30.

The first volume has just been published by the title of "Sächsische NationalEncyclopædie," of a work intended to em brace in the dictionary form every thing relative to Saxony, with reference to nature, life, history, geography, statistics, legislation, constitution, arts, sciences, industry, commerce and civilization. It is dedicated by permission to the King of Saxony. We are not told what is to be the extent of this Encyclopædie, but the first volume, containing 88 sheets, 8vo.,

Cotta, of Munich, has announced an illusMr. J. II. Minner, teacher at the Gymna- trated work, entitled "Erinnerungen aus sium at Frankfort on the Mayn, who has Spanien," by W. Gail, containing lithofor many years been engaged in a com- graphic plates drawn from life, in the proprehensive investigation of the Germanic vinces of Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia, languages, has in the course of these in- Granada, and Castile, and fragments of quiries arrived at conclusions directly Moorish and ancient Spanish architecture, contrary to the general notions concerning with explanatory text from the journal of the essence of human language, and espe- the editor. The work will be completed cially concerning the requisites of good in six folio parts. dictionaries and grammars. To verify these views, he has formed the plan of a Society to be entitled "Verein für gemeinnützige,insbesondere vergleichende Kunde der Hauptsprachen Europa's." It is proposed that this society, established, or to be established, at Frankfort, shall use its its influence with learned foreigners, for the purpose of inducing them to form similar associations in France, England, Spain, and even in Greece, Russia, and Poland, which are to be in close communication with that at Frankfort, and to co-operate with it in the improvement of comprehends A. to D. inclusive. the dictionaries, grammars, &c., of the various languages. Thus the attention of the society will not be devoted solely to the Germanic and the Romanic languages, but also to the Slavonian and the modern Greek though at first it is intended that the society shall consist of a FrancoGerman, Anglo-German, Italiano-German, and a purely German class. The first three are to proceed immediately to the minute investigation of the present state of the dictionaries and grammars, each in its own language, and to the modification and completion of them on a particular plan. As a channel for communicating to the world the inquiries of this association, it will publish a periodical work, by the title of Jahrbücher des Vereines," &c., to be edited by Mr. J. M. Minner, and Professor Dr. Possart, for which they solicit communications, from the literati, as well of other countries as of Germany.

The Bibliographic Institute at Hildburghausen has announced the publication of the supplement left by Brulliot to Bartsch's "Peintre Graveur," in the French language, in 12 volumes, 8vo. It is to be accompanied with an atlas of 240 plates, con taining fac-similes of the rarest and most interesting subjects. The first volume was to appear in the present month of De cember.

A work of similar nature is announced by F. Fleischer, of Leipzig, entitled "Vollständiges Handbuch der Geographie, Statistik, und Topographie des Königreichs Sachsen," by Albert Schiffner, in 5 volumes, 8vo. the printing will commence with the year 1838, and the whole is promised in the course of two years.

Dr. Pfeilschifter has commenced a periodical work, tending to throw light on the present state of Spain, consisting chiefly of extracts from Spanish periodical works of all classes, with the title of "Mittheilun gen aus Spanien über Land und Volk, Wissenschaft und Kunst, die jetzige politische Umwälzung, und den Krieg."

On the 1st of October, Brockhaus of Leipzig, commenced the publication of a new political journal, entitled "Leipziger allgemeine Zeitung," to appear every eve ning, Sundays and holidays not excepted.

Reclam, of Leipzig, announces a history of the German War of Liberation, from 1813 to 1815, by J. Sporschil. The first part will contain from 40 to 50 engravings on steel.

A work which promises to be of great utility and value to the classical student, is announced by the firm of J. B. Metzler, of The house of Fleming, of Glogau, has Stuttgart. This is "Real-Encyclopædie

der classischen Alterthumswissenchaft in of the English Quarterly Review, to be inalphabetischer Ordnung." The editor is tituled "Deutsche Viertel-Jahrsschrift," or Professor Pauly, of Stuttgart; and among German Quarterly Review. the contributors are some of the most distinguished scholars of Germany, for example, Freidrich Creuzer, of Heidelberg, and the two Doctors Grotefend, of Hanover. It will be published in numbers, and be completed in 4 volumes.

By the death of Hofrath Dr. Aloysius Hirt which happened at Berlin on the 29th of last June both literature and the fine arts have sustained the loss of an able archeologist. One of his chief works is that on the architecture of the ancients, The Hebrew and Chaldean Concord-"Die Baukunst nach den Grundsätzen der ance to the books of the Old Testament, Alten," folio, 1809, illustrated with 50 plates. by Dr. Julius Fürst, has advanced to the He also contributed many essays and third part. The fourth is expected to be dissertations on subjects of art and antiready for publication in the month of Janu-quity to Schiller's "Horen," and other liteary, 1838. rary journals. His lectures, moreover, obtained for him deserved celebrity, and

The first volume of "Histoire ancienne contributed to the diffusion of sound prinet moderne de la Moldavie, de la Valachie, ciples of taste among both artists and the et des Etats independans des Transylvains public. He was born at Donaueschingen, et de Velaques transdanubiens," by Mi- in Swabia, in 1759, and was, therefore, chael de Kogalnitchan, a Moldavian offi- about 78 years of age. cer, has just appeared at Berlin. To this work the same writer appends as a supplement, which however may be had separately, "Esquisse sur l'Histoire, les Mœurs, et la Langue des Cigains, connus en France sous le nom de Bohemiens." To this latter is added a glossary, containing 700 Cigain words.

Gödsche, of Meissen, has announced the appearance at the end of the present year, of the first volume of a collection destined as a companion work to the Arabian Nights, by the title of "Abenländische Tausend und eine Nacht," containing the most interesting tales and legends of all the European nations, by J. P. Lyser. A volume of this collection is intended to appear monthly. The first is illustrated with 30 plates from original drawings, by the author.

Rudolph and Dieterici, of Annaberg, have commenced the publication of a collection of popular tales, ballads, romances, and legends of Saxony, by W. Ziehnert. The first number contains 6 sheets of letter-press.

Mr. Tauchnitz, junior, of Leipzig, has published the first volume of "Bibliotheca Patrum ecclesiasticorum Latinorum selecta," edited by E. G. Gensdorf. It contains St. Clement's "Recognitiones," and will be followed by the works of Cyprian, Lactantius, several of Tertullian's, Augustin's, &c.

DENMARK.

In Denmark there appear 54 daily and weekly publications, more than half of them in Copenhagen; and there are 30 monthly and other periodical works, the greater part of which are published in the capital. Thus in this little kingdom more than 80 periodical publications make their appearance, all in their native language. It may be computed, that there are in Denmark full as many printing-offices as periodicals; for, in the provincial towns each publication has its separate printing! office, and in the capital there are at least 23, with from 60 to 70 presses.

RUSSIA.

A chair for the Chinese language has recently been instituted at Casan. The archimandrite, Danijel, who has been appointed to fill it, acquired the language in Pekin itself.

The Imperial Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburg has undertaken the publication of the ancient Slavonian Ostromir Gospels; and has appointed M. Wastokoff, a correspondent of the Academy, and who possesses a thorough knowledge of the Slavonian, to edit the work. This codex is considered by him as the third, or at most the fourth, copy of Cyril's translation. He will add to it a glosThe fourth portion of the Sketches to sary of all the words and phrases in the GosShakspeare's Dramatic Works by Retzsch, pels. The codex itself is in the public licontaining 12 subjects to King Lear, with brary at Petersburg, and was written in 1057 explanatory Text by C. B. von Miltitz, in for Ostromir, posadnik (stadtholder) of NowGerman and English, is announced to ap-gorod, a near relative of the grand-prince pear early in 1838. Isjaslaw Jaroslawitsch. The late Count Rumjanzov had conceived the intention of printThe house of Cotta, of Stuttgart, has ing a fac-simile of it; he had gone so far as announced the speedy publication of the to have 70 punches cut of characters no longfirst number of a periodical upon the plan'er used in modern Slavonian; these have

« AnteriorContinuar »