MR. T. FULLER's Patent for an. Improve ment in the Construction of Shafts, and the Mode of attaching them to two-wheeled Carriages. This improvement in the construction of shafts, and the mode of attaching them to two-wheeled carriages, is designed to prevent that unpleasant vibration of the carriage commonly called knee-motion ; which object is effected by rendering the hinder part of the shafts elastic, and affixing them to the drawing-bar, by means of shackles with pivots, upon which, as fulcrums, the shafts vibrate, and thereby communicate the up-and-down motion of the horse to the elastic part of the shaft beyond the drawing-bar; while the body of the carriage, being suspended in front to the fulcrums, and behind to the extremities of the elastic shaft, escapes the vibrating action of the shafts, and is subjected to no other motion but that which is communicated by the elasticity of the springs as the carriage passes over temporary obstructions. By means of a shackle-joint or fulcrum, the vibratory motion of the shaft is dissipated; whereas, in the ordinary construction of two-wheeled carriages, the shafts are constantlyvibrating levers, having their fulcrums at the axle of the wheels, and deriving their action from the up-and-down motion of the horse's back, which the introduction of the improved elongated elastic shafts and shackle-joints entirely prevents. A horse works much easier in the patent shafts, as they accommodate themselves to his action by their flexibility behind the bar: for the same reason they are not so likely to break as other shafts. The simple and secure method of attaching the patent shafts allowing them to be disengaged without difficulty, presents a great convenience in shipping for exportation, as the whole of the body and springs, &c. can be inclosed in a portable packing-case, and the shafts packed together in a way to preserve their shape, and may be disposed of in any convenient part of the vessel. Spare

shafts can also be taken out. If it should be (and it is not unfrequently) the case, that a gentleman has a favourite horse, much below in height the horse he is accustomed to drive, a pair of extra shafts can be made for the small horse, which can easily be substituted for the others.

Safety Lamp.-An important improvement has been made in Sir Humphrey Davy's lamp, by Mr. T. Cox, brassfounder, in Gateshead. In the original, a wire, called the pricker, is introduced into the gauze tube from the bottom, for the purpose of regulating the wick, to increase or diminish the quantity of light, and to extinguish the wick entirely on the approach of danger. Mr. Cox's improvement consists in the addition of a short tube, perforated with a number of small holes, closed at the top, and placed within the tube of the Davy, at the upper part of the lamp, in such a manner as to prevent the elongation of the flame. To this tube a wire is likewise attached from the bottom, by which it is regulated. It differs, however, essentially from the picker; as by being drawn down it not only extinguishes the flame of the wick, but it also completely extinguishes the blue flame of the inflammable gas, which always fills the lamp just before an explosion takes place. It answers, in a moment of great danger, precisely the same purpose as the extinguisher attached to an ordinary chamber-candlestick.

A new Steam-Engine, by M. DE MONTGERY.-In this engine, purified bitumen, after having served in the form of vapour, serves as a combustible. The fire-place, the pipe, and mechanism, are contained in side the boiler, which is itself inclosed in a double case. The vapour may, therefore, be raised to a very high degree of tension, without danger; and this advantage joined to several others, renders the bulk of this new machine from forty to fifty times smaller than that of the present steam-engines of equal power.

T. Greenwood, of Gildersoun, and J. Thackrah, surgical-mechanist, of Leeds; for improvements on, or substitutes for, pattens and clogs. Dec. 27.

J. Vallance, of Brighton; for an improved me. thod of freezing water. Jan. 1, 1824.

F. Devereux, of Cheapside; for improvements on the mill or machine for grinding wheat and other articles, commonly known by the name of the French Military-mill. Jan. 8, 1824.

J. Foot, of Charles-street, Spitalfields; for an improved umbrella. Jan. 15, 1824.

J. White, of the New Road, Mary-le-bone; for a floating break-water. Jan. 15, 1824.

J. Finlayson, of Muirkirk, Airshire; for improvements on ploughs and harrows. Jan. 15, 1824.

J. Le Grand, of Lemon-street, Goodman's-fields; for improvements in fermented liquors, and the va rious products to be obtained therefrom. Partly

communicated to him by a foreigner. Jan. 15, 1824. W. Gutteridge, of Dean-street, Cork; for im. provements on the clarinet. Jan. 19, 1824.

G. Pollard, of Rupert-street, St. James's; for improvements on machines or machinery for levigating or grinding colours used in the various branches of painting; which machinery may be worked by any suitable power, and is applicable to other use. ful purposes. Jan. 19, 1824.

J. Russell, of Wednesbury, Staffordshire; for an improvement in the manufacture of tubes for gas and other purposes. Jan. 19. 1824.

S. Broadmeadow, of Abergavenny: for a new and improved method of manufacturing and purifying infiammable gases, by the admission and admixture of atmospheric air. Jan. 19, 1824.

H. Fletcher, of Walsall; for improvements in tanning hides and other skins. Jan. 19, 1824.

WITH

BELLES LETTRES.

A Philosophical Dictionary. Translated from the French of M. de Voltaire. 12mo. Vol. I. p. 396. 8s.

as

Though we have long had an edition of part of the works of Voltaire, in thirty-six volumes, comprising history, essays, tales, his dramatic and poetical works, and epistles, and also his Henriade the Philosophical Dictionary of that extraordinary writer has never until now made its appearance. The present translation seems well executed as the difference of the languages will admit; but from the peculiar character of the author, and the simplicity of his style, when dealing out the most keen irony, his manner is only to be thoroughly understood by those who read him in the original French. The present version of his dictionary is well calculated for all who may not be acquainted with the French tongue. It contains an abundance of curious and interesting matter, even excluding that portion of it which has been objected to on account of the writer's theological opinions. Pregnant with wit and learning, with the results of much information and research applied to dispel the mass of absurdity and falsehood which the Sorbonne and the ecclesiastics of France supported for their own temporal advantages, the philosophical writings of Voltaire were not without important uses; and it is not wonderful that they have been accused as the cause of the French Revolution, by those who could find in the oid regime of that country the essence of virtue, rational freedom, and the purest supporters of religiou !

Sismondi's History of the Literature of the South of Europe, with Notes by T. Roscoe, esq. Vols. III. and IV. comprising the Spanish and Portuguese writers, and concluding the work.

BIOGRAPHY, MEMOIRS, &c. Memoirs of Rossini. By the author of **The Lives of Haydn and Mozart." 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Although we do not with our lively author feel more respect for Rossini" than for any other man living," we have yet sufficient music in our souls to interest us in the memoirs of the "Illustrissimo maestro." Rossini was born in the year 1792 at Pesaro, in the Papal States. His father was an inferior performer on the French horn, and his mothe a seconda donna of tolerable talents. He did not begin to study music until he was twelve years of age; and having become a tolerable proficient, he made the musical tour of Romagna in 1806. In 1808 his progress had been such as to enable him to compose a cantata, entitled "Il pianto d'Armonia," which was his first attempt in vocal music. "Demetrio e Polibio"

was his first opera. It is said to have been written in 1809, but it was not performed until 1812. When only nineteen, Rossini was chosen director of the orchestra at Bologna. In 1810 he brought out at Venice a little opera which had VOL. XII. NO. XXXIX.

considerable success, and in the following year produced "L'Equivoco Stravagante;" which was succeeded by "L'Inganno Felice." At length, in 1813, he wrote his celebrated opera of "Tancredi," which completely established his reputation. From this period the eyes and ears of all the musical world have been turned to Rossini. Rossini, when writing this opera, had com. posed a grand air for the entrance of Tancred, but it did not please the Signora who was to sing it, and the young composer returned home almost in despair. Suddenly the idea of that divine air, "Di tanti palpiti," seized him, and he is said to have composed it while he was waiting for his dinner.

"At Venice it is called the aria dei rizzi, (riceair); the reason is this.In Lombardy every dinner, from that of the Gran Signore to that of the piccolo maestro, invariably begins with a plate of rice; and as they do not like their rice overdone, it is an indispensable rule for the cook to come a few minutes before dinner is served up with the important question bisogna mettere i rizi? (shall the rice be put down?) At the moment Rossini came home in a state of desperation, his servant put the usual question to him; the rice was put on the fire, and before it was ready Rossini had finished his celebrated ⚫ Di tanti palpiti.!"

The memoirs are written in the author's rambling, but pleasant style; and contain a great deal of musical criticism and anecdote.

Memoirs of Columbus; or a Collection of authentic documents of that celebrated Navigator, with a Memoir of his Life and Discoveries. 8vo. 18s.

Memoirs of Amos Green, esq. By his late Widow. 8vo. 10s. 6d. FINE ARTS.

A Picturesque Tour of the Island of Jamaica, from Drawings made in the years 1820 and 1821. By James Hakewill, aathor of the "Picturesque Tour of Italy," &c. &c. to be completed in twelve

numbers. fol. No. 1. 12s. 6d.

We have seen three numbers of this pleasing work, which is very creditable to the talents of Mr. Hakewill. Few countries afford so ample a field for the pencil of the artist as the beautiful island of Jamaica, more especially in the moun tainous parts. Hitherto Mr. Hakewill's views have been confined to the towns, and the more cultivated portions of the country; but we hope to see him, before the series is concluded, amongst the romantic scenery of the interior.

Twenty-one Engravings of Lions, Tigers, Panthers, and Leopards. By Thomas Landseer, from originals by Rubens, Rembrandt, Reydinger, Stubbs, Spilsbury, and Edwin Landseer; with an Essay on Carnivora. By J. Landseer. Long

4to. ll. 5s.

This is a very delightful work for all who take an interest in perusing the great volume of Na

R

65.

Fatal Errors, and Fundamental Truths; illustrated in a series of narratives and essays. 8vo. 9s.

Treatises on Brewing. By the late J. Baverstock, esq. 8vo. 10s. A Letter to the Right Hon. George Canning on the subject of the Spanish Bonds of 1821. 8vo. 1s.

An Address to the Subscribers to the Privileges of the University of Cambridge. By G. Dyer, formerly of Emmanuel College. 8vo.

A Manual of Pyrotechny, or a complete System of Recreative Fireworks. By G. W. Mortimer. 1 vol. 12mo. 5s,

Rational Stenography; or Short-hand made easy in a few familiar Lessons, founded on the principle of the late John Byron, &c. 2s. 6d.

Numerical Games, consisting of Practical Exercises in Arithmetic, &c. By Thomas Halliday. 1. 4s.

The Life of an Actor. By Pierce Egan, author of "Life in London." Nos. II. and III. 3s.

Graduati Cantabrigienses; or a List of Degrees from 1659 to 1824. 8vo. 128.

A Dictionary of Latin Phrases. By W. Robertson. 15s.

The Encyclopedia Metropolitana. Part II. 1. 1s.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Corallina, or a Classical Arrangement of flexible Coralline Polypidoms. Translated from the French of J. V. F. Lamouroux, D.E.S. 8vo. 14s.

This cannot fail of being an acceptable work to the student of nature, since he will find that all the known polypidoms which have hitherto been drawn from the vast empire of the deep, are arranged after the Linnæan manner of classification, into genera, species, classes, and orders; with notice of the seas and situations in which they abound. The work is embellished with numerous plates.

ing in chasteness and simplicity. It displays an evident attempt at peculiarity, which would be better avoided. We are afraid, also, that certain staid and elderly persons may take offence at some of the very warm descriptions in the tale of Inesilla. However, in spite of these errors, if such they be, Inesilla is powerfully written, and approaches more nearly in merit to the best of La Motte Fouqué's romances than any thing which has lately appeared in our language. Of the other tales-" The Convict," and "The Disinterment," both of them very disagreeable stories, have already appeared in a periodical publication. "The Jilt" is new and not good. It is simply the history of Mr. Edward Fairfax, who went mad and destroyed all his Exchequer bills because he was jilted by Miss Isabella Hickson,

Peter Schlemihl. From the German of La Motte Fouqué; with plates by George Cruikshank. 12mo. 6s. 6d.

Even before the appearance of the present singular little volume the genius of La Motte Fouqué had become known to the English reader. The fanciful tale of "Undine," and the wild story of "Sintram and his Companions," had spread the author's fame amongst all the lovers of the romantic and the marvellous. The present tale, the translation of which is understood to proceed from the pen of a gentleman distinguished by his extensive acquaintance with the modern literature of Europe, is not inferior to either of its predecesIt contains the adventures of a man who was tempted by the offer of inexhaustible wealth to sell his shadow to the powers of darkness, and who finds, by bitter experience, that to tamper with Evil even in trifles may be productive of the deepest misery. Such is the moral of the story, the details of which are highly diverting, and are heightened by the happy graver of Mr. G. Cruikshank, who has exercised all his ability in illustrating the history of the shadowless Peter Schlemihl.

sors.

The Pilot: a Tale of the Sea. By the author of "The Spy," "Pioneers," &c. &c. 3 vols. 12mo.

The very considerable power and ability displayed in "The Spy" and "The Pioneers," the precursors of the present volumes, have rendered the author of those works, who is understood to

NOVELS, TALES, &c.

Inesilla, or The Tempter; a Romance, with other Tales. By Charles Ollier, author of "Altham and his Wife." 12mo. 75.

Mr. Ollier is certainly a man of considerable talents, but he does not, according to our taste, employ them in the most agreeable manner. He is infinitely too fond of horrors; and for the sake of producing an effect upon the imagination of his readers, he does not scruple to overstep the modesty of nature. We do not allude to his strong attachment to the supernatural, which is all tolerable in its way; but to his exaggerated representations of human feelings and passions. The same high and even gaudy co

vourite with all novel-readers on this side of the Atlantic. "The Pilot" will, we feel persuaded, add still more to his reputation. It is a fine seapiece, painted with a bold and vigorous pencil, and does great credit to the writer's powers, both of description and sentiment. Although he has chosen the same element for the subject of his sketches which has furnished Smollet with so many happy delineations, yet there is nothing of the copyist in Mr. Cooper's pages. The seapieces of Smollet are mostly, if not entirely, humorous; but the scenes of "The Pilot" are of a more chivalrous and romantic character. The novel is, however, by no means deficient in that broad comic humour which seems to flow so easily from a seaman's tongue.

The scene, as in "The Spy," is laid during the Revolutionary contest, and the nominal hero is no other than the celebrated Paul Jones, whose