60 New Publications, with Critical Remarks. Observations proving that Dr. Wilson's Tinctur for the Cure of Gout and Rheumatism, is similar in its Nature and Effects to that deleterious Preparation the Eau Medicinale. By W. H. Williams, M. D. F.R.S. 4to. 4s. A Supplement to the Pharmacopoeias, including not only the Drugs and Compounds which are used by professional or private Practitioners of Medicine, but also those which are sold by Chemists, Druggists, and Herbalists, and for other Purposes. By S. F. Gray. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Report of the Committee of the London Infirmary for curing the Discases of the Eye, occasioned by the false and calumnious Statements contained in a Letter written by Sir William Adams to the Right Honourable and Honourable Directors of Greenwich Hospital. 8vo. pp. 107. We should be glad to stimulate some public spirited individual to undertake a history of frauds. Such a work would do more to open the eyes of the world than half the Biblical Commentaries and all the Cyclopædias that are printed. It would appear from a volume of this description, that amidst the great boasting which is continually made about the diffusion of knowledge and the improvement of science, the wise men of this generation have not learned the necessary art of correcting credulity, and thereby repressing the vain pretensions of men who set up claims to which they are not entitled. The pamphlet before us exhibits a curious narrative in confirmation of what we have barely hinted; and the perusal of it, which we earnestly recommend, will perhaps induce the reader, whenever he meets with puffing details about wonderful wonders, marvellous discoveries, and extraordinary inventions, to exclaim, " Tis all my eye." MISCELLANEOUS. The London Guide, and Stranger's Safeguard against the Cheats, Swindlers, and Pickpockets that abound within the Bills of Mortality; forming a Picture of London as regards active Life. 12mo. pp. 240. [Aug. 1, with Memoir. By John Prior Estlin, LL.D. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. On Protestant Non-conformity. By Josiah Conder. 2 vols. 8vo. 14s. The Rhapsodist; or Mes Souvenirs, in an Epistle to Aristus. By R. E. Comeford, Esq. 8vo. 14s. 4to. 21s. Letters from Illinois. By Morris Birkbeck. 8vo. 5s. A Dissertation upon the Distinctions in Society and Ranks of the People under the Anglo-Saxon Government, by Samuel Heywood. 8vo. 18s 10 500 A Series of Essays on several most important New Systems and Inventions, particularly interesting to the Mercantile and Maritime World. By Abraham Bosquet, esq. late one of his Majesty's Commissaries of the Musters. roy. 8vo. 10s. 6d. A concise Description of the Endowed Grammar Schools in England and Wales; ornamented with Engravings. By Nicholas Carlisle, F.R.S. M.R.I.A. Assistant Librarian to his Majesty, and Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of London roy. 8vo. 2 vols. bds. 41. 4s. Also in demy 8vo. 2 vols. bds. 21. 16s. Ford's (of Manchester) Catalogue of a curious and valuable Collection of Books in various Languages, Departments, and Classes of Literature, in 8vò. Is. 6d. A List of the Numbers and Prices of the valuable Library and-Collection of Prints, Drawings, and Pictures of W. Roscoe, esq. which were sold at Liverpool in 1816. NOVELS. Zuma, ou la Decouverte du Quinquina, suivi de la Belle Paule, de Zeneide de Roseaux du Tibre, &c. &c. Par Madame la Comtesse de Genlis. Perhaps morality is little benefited by books of this cast, at least as they have hitherto been compiled. The present affects an air of originality, as being the production of one of the slang babies who, by his own account, has been up to all that he de- The five tales of which this volume is scribes. But if he had been more spar- composed, are written with the usual sprighting of his smart observations, his ele- liness of their accomplished authoress, and gant expletives, and had entered into the are very much superior to the ephemeral prodetail of the knavish tricks practised in this ductions which at present deluge the French great metropolis, he would have been a safer press, under the denomination of " Contes." guide to the unwary than we fear he will be With "Zuma," our readers are no doubt found to those who put themselves un- well acquainted, as it has been dramatized der his protection. The fellow has some for the English stage.. La Belle Paule is humour it is true, but if our authority goes an illustration of the age of chivalry; "Zefor any thing, we would recommend that he neide" an elegant fairy tale, and "Les Roand his book be sent to the House of Cor- seaux du Tibre, one of the most affecting rection. little stories we ever recollect to have met Familiar Lectures on Moral Philosophy, with. Such a tone of deep and wild entha 1818.1 New Publications, with Critical Remarks. siasm pervades the whole book as to render it irresistibly attracting to all who are alive to the better feelings of the heart; and we venture to pronounce that it will become more popular than any of the previous productions which have emanated from the prolific pen of Madame de Genlis. 13 The Question, Who is Anna? a Tale. By Miss M. S. Craker. These volumes will, we have no doubt, be read with interest and pleasure. Many of the characters are pourtrayed with spirit and energy. Those of the elder Mr. Adlam and Ruth are admirably contrasted. The amiable and elegant heroine of the tale, Anna, is also a fascinating personage, and the eye cannot refuse a tear to the heartfelt misery she endures. New Tales. By Mrs. Opie. 4 vols. 12mo. 285. POETRY. Antonia, a Poem, with Notes, descriptive of the Plague in Malta. By Murdo Young. Of this poem it is not in our power to speak in terms of high commendation, for though it occasionally rises above mediocrity, it is more frequently obscure and affected. Mr. Young's aim appears to have been an imitation of Lord Byron, but he seems to think that the condensation and energy, for which that noble bard is so deservedly celebrated, arises solely from the frequent use of the dash, or pause. We are far from insinuating that it does not produce a good effect in poetry, when judiciously applied, but the author of Antonia introduces it on all occasions into his rhyme without reason! A very interesting note, descriptive of the plague at Malta, in 1813, is affixed to the poem, which, to tell the truth, we admired the most of the two. Lines on the Death of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales, to which was adjudged the prize proposed by the Provost and Senior Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, for the best English poem on the subject. By John Anster, A. B. 8vo. 3s. Ballads of Archery, Sonnets, &c. By the Rev. J. W. Dodd, Second Usher in West< minster school, with Notes. cr. 8vo. 10s. The Poetical Gazetteer of the principal Cities, Towns, Boroughs, and Seaports in the United Kingdom. By J. Bissett, of the Museum, Leamington Spa, embellished with upwards of Twenty Views of the Chief Towns, &c. &c. 2s. 6d. The Recluse of the Pyrenees, a Poem, inécribed to H. R. H. Prince Leopold. POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY. An Inquiry concerning the Population of Nations, containing a Refutation of Mr. Malthus's Essay on Population. By G. Ensor, esq. 8vo. 12s. TOPOGRAPHY. 61 York. By Edmund M. Blunt. 12mo. pp. 304. Books of this description multiply from their obvious utility, as they supply generally all the local information that strangers can immediately want on their arrival, and they afford besides much intelligence to the natives themselves. The stock of geographical knowlege, also, derives considerable advantage from works thus drawn up on the spot by settled residents, who have every means of obtaining correct accounts of what they relate, and of delineating accurately what they describe. The present book has been evidently compiled with careful industry, by a person of judgement, and while it cannot fail to prove a most useful companion to those who visit New York, it will yield much entertainment to readers who merely wish to become acquainted with foreign countries through the medium of books. The Hythe, Sandgate, and Folkstone Guide, containing an Account of their ancient and present State, &c. &c. with 6 plates 5s. without plates 38. 6d. The History and Antiquities of the Abbey Church of Westminster, including Notices and Biographical Memoirs of the Abbots and Deans of that foundation. Illustrated by J. P. Neale; the literary department by E. W. Brayley. Vol. I. 4to. 41. 16s. imperial 4to. 71. 4s. crown folio 91, 9s. A Journey round the Coast of Kent, containing Remarks on the principal objects worthy of notice throughout the whole of that interesting border, and the contiguous district, including Penshurst and Tunbridge Wells, with Rye, Winchelsea, Hastings, and Battle, in Sussex, being original Notes made during a summer Excursion. By J. Fussell, esq. Map, 8vo. 9s. The Brighton Ambulator, containing Historical and Topographical Delineations of the Town, from the earliest period to the present time. By E. Wright, 12mo. 5s. VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. Persia, Georgia, Russia, Poland, and Prus- Second Journey through Persia to Constantinople, between the years 1810 and 1816, with a Journal of the Voyage by the Brazils and Bombay to the Persian Gulph, together with an Account of the proceedings of his Majesty's Embassy under his Excellency Sir Gore Ousely, bart. K. S. L. By James Morier, esq. late his Majesty's Secretary of Embassy and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia. royal 4to. with Engravings 31. 13s. 6d. Travels in Canada and the United States of America, in 1816 and 1817. By F. Hall, esq. late Military Secretary to Gen. Wilson, Governor in Canada. 8vo. 14s. A Visit to the Monastery of La Trappe, in 1817, with Notes taken during a Tour The Stranger's Guide to the City of New through Le Perche, Normandy, Bretagne, Captain Bonnycastle is about to publish an historical Description and Geo graphical Account of the Dominions of Spain in the Western Hemisphere, continental and insular, with illustrative Maps, &c. Dr. Halloran has in the press a second edition of his Practical Observations on the Causes and Cure of Insanity. Dr. Spiker's Travels through England and published at Berlin, and an English translation is preparing for the press. Mr. J. W. Whitaker, of St. John's College, Cambridge, has in the press a Critical Examination of Mr. Bellamy's Translation of Genesis, comprising a Refutation of his calumnies against the English Translators of the Bible. Dr. A. B. Granville has in the press Memoirs on the present State of Science and Scientific Institutions in France, interspersed with Anecdotes, and illustrated by numerous Plates and Tables. Dr. Ayre, of Hull, will soon publish in an octavo volume Practical Observations on Marasmus, and those disorders allied to it that may be strictly denominated Bilious. Sir Charles Morgan, already so well known to the literary world by his appendices to Lady Morgan's work on France, has just put to press his Sketches of the Philosophy of Life. The little Treatise lately announced on the Art of preserving the Feet, is nearly ready for publication. Mr.Colburn has just received from the Continent, and is preparing for immediate publication, the Life of Las Casas up to his return from St. Helena, communicated by himself, containing authentic details respecting the voyage to the residence, the manner of living, and the treatment of Buonaparte at St. Helena; also some letters which were not forwarded to their destination by the British Government. M. Kotzebue is preparing for publication his Account of the Russian Embassy to Persia. It will appear at the same time at London and Weimar. The Rev. R. Brooke is preparing for publication The State and Progress of Religious Liberty, from the first Propa [Aug. 1, A Journal of Travels in the United States of North America and Lower Canada, performed in the year 1817. By John Palmer, with Map. 8vo. 128. REPORT. gation of Christianity in Britain to the present Time. Mr. John Nichols is about to publish, in three octavo volumes, the Miscellaneous Works of the late George Hardinge, Esq. Dr. Andrew Duncan will speedily publish an Account of the Life, Writings, and Character of the late Dr. Alexander Munro, delivered as the Harveian Oration, at Edinburgh, for 1818. Mr. Wm. Carey has in the press a Biographical Sketch of B. R. Haydon, Esq. with Critical Observations on his Paintings, and some Notice of his Essays in the Public Journals. Mr. John Galt is preparing the Second Part of the Life of Benjamin West, Esq. Another National Novel, from the pen of Lady Morgan, is now in the press, entitled Florence Macarthy. A correspondent observes, that the style of Romance, of which the author of the Wild Irish Girl was the original inventor, still remains in her exclusive possession: for though Miss Edgeworth has depicted with great fidelity and incomparable humour the manners of the lower classes of the Irish,-and though the author of Waverly has left imperishable monuments of Scottish peculiarities, yet the illustration, by example, of the consequences of great errors in domestic policy, with a view to internal amelioration, has not apparently entered into the plans of those authors. A Series of Essays, exhibiting the most lively pictures of English manners, is now in a course of publication in the Literary Gazette, and promises to become as attractive as the noted papers of the "Olden Time." We have it from good authority, that they are written by a noble author, who has assumed the name of the Hermit in London. Alexander Jamieson, author of a Trea tise on the Construction of Maps, &c. has now in the press a Grammar of Logic and a Grammar of Rhetoric. These works are said to be constructed upon principles not hitherto adopted in didactic books, except in Mr. Jamieson's edition of Adams's Elements of useful Knowledge. The Grammar of Logic 1818.] Proceedings in the Universities. 63 Mr. Chamlent, author of a History of Malvern, is engaged in a History of Worcester, which is now in the press: it will contain the principal matter of Nash and Green, with the addition of much original information, and a copious Index. The Telegraphist's Vade-Mecum, a more simple comprehensive, and methodical Telegraphic Work than any hitherto offered, is announced for publication, by Mr. Joseph Conolly, author of the Telegraphic Dictionary, and Essay on Universal Telegraphic Communication, for which he has received the gold and silver medals from the Society of Arts. VARIETIES. OXFORD, June 20.-With a view to express the sense entertained of the great importance of an ecclesiastical establishment in India, and of the consequences which are likely to result from it, the University of Oxford has thought proper to confer the degree of Doctor of Divinity, by Decree of Convocation, upon the Rev. Henry Lloyd Loring, M.A.; the Rev. J. Mousley, M.A.; and the Rev. George Barnes, B.D.; the three Archdeacons under that establishment, residing at the several Presidencies of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay; but prevented by the duties of their respective stations from proceeding to degrees in the usual manner. CAMBRIDGE, July 3. Sir Wm. Browne's gold medals for the present year are adjudged as follows:-For the Greek Ode, to Mr. H. Hall, of King's; for the Epigrams, to Mr. Thomas William Maltby, of Pembroke Hall. (No prize adjudged for a Latin Ode.) The annual prizes of fifteen guineas each, given by the representatives in Parliament of this University, to two Senior and two Middle Bachelors of Arts, who shall compose the best dissertations in Latin prose, have been adjudged as follows: Senior Bachelor.-John James Blunt, Fellow of St. John's College. (No second prize adjudged.) Middle Bachelors.-Hugh James Rose, and Charles John Heathcote, of Trinity College. The Porson University Prize for the best translation of a passage from Shakspeare's play of Henry VIII. into Greek verse, is adjudged to Mr. Wm. Sydney Walker, of Trinity College. This University has lately suffered some agitation from the appointment and sudden dismissal of Sir James Edward Smith as the locum tenens of Professor Martyn in the Botanical Chair. It seems that when the Vice-Chancellor gave his consent to the proposal, he was not aware that the religious principles of the new lecturer were adverse to those of the Church of England. Eighteen tutors of college, however, being on the alert, protested in form against the innovation, and the intended course was cut short in the bud. The President of the Linnean Society has published a tract on the subject, and a reply, we believe, has also appeared. One magazine, the proprietor and editor of which is never happier than while fishing in troubled waters, pours out a torrent of abuse upon the University on this occasion. For our parts, the case is reduced to a point as circumscribed as that in the first definition of Euclid. The abilities of the lecturer are out of the question. The laws of order must be maintained, otherwise our Universities, like some others, will see Socinians, Deists, and even Infidels, occupying professorial chairs. A most important discovery in optics has been lately made by Mr. Lester, the engineer, who has obtained a patent for the same, the specification of which will be given in a future number. In the mean time, the following account will be interesting to our readers. Mr. Lester being engaged in the application of his new mechanical power to the cranes of the West India Docks, was struck on observing the immense spirit vaults there, with the inefficient mode adopted to light those very extensive depots, which is * One of which is nearly an acre and a half in area, and is supported by 207 groined arches, and 207 stone pillars. by a cast-iron cylinder of about two feet in diameter, and two feet deep, placed in lieu of a key-stone in the centre of each arch. These cylinders are closed at their tops, and each furnished with five planoconvex lenses (Bull's Eyes) of Messrs. Pellatt and Green's patent, which are admirably adapted to the conveying of light in all situations, except down a deep tube or cylinder, where the refraction they produce from their convexity betwixt the angles of incidence and reflection, prevents the rays being projected into the place intended to be lighted. This refraction throws the light upon the concave sides of the cylinder, where it is principally absorbed, instead of keeping the angles of incidence and reflection equal. [Aug. 1, tend, is not ascertained; but it is believed that a zone of light of the same quality and effect may be produced to an inconceivable extent. Some idea may be formed of the important results that may be derived from this discovery, by reasoning philosophically on its principles:-Let a candle or any other light be represented in a mirror at a given distance from the flame, and the eye of the spectator be placed so as to view its reflection nearly in the cathetus of incidence. Let him mark the quantity of light represented in the mirror, and such will be its true quality when forming a zone of represented flame of double the diameter of the distance betwixt the real flame and the mirror. If a candle be placed before a mirror, its flame will be represented; therefore if a thousand mirrors are placed in a given circle round a candle, it will be represented a thousand times, and each representation be equal in brilliancy. From these observations, Mr. Lester concluded, that a lens might be constructed to prevent this refraction, and commencing a course of experiments he succeeded by obtaining the proper angle of the incidental rays with a mirror, and As the light of a small candle is visible finding the scope of the cylinder suffi- at the distance of four miles in a dark ciently copious to admit the reflected night, what must the diameter or cirrays into the vault, provided the refrac- cumference of that zone of flame be that tion of the lens did not intervene. The is produced by this discovery from one same angle produced by the mirror he of the gas lights in the streets of Lonendeavoured to retain upon the sides of don? Thus two lamps or stations would the lens, by giving it a different form, a be sufficient to light the longest street, peculiar part of which he intended to when its position approaches to a right foliate. But having met with insur- line, as the diameter of the zone may be mountable difficulties in this process, made of the same diameter as the street, he concluded, from the striking appear- and as the rays of light that are increasance of silvery light on the interior sur- ed by this invention diverge from the luface of that part he intended to silver, minous body, all parts of the street would that metal would represent the light by be filled with light. Many are the minor retaining that form, and, brought down advantages derived from its application below the edges of the lens, might pro-to domestic purposes, for writing, readduce the desired effect. In his attempt ing, and working by candle or lamp to accomplish this purpose, by holding light. the body in a vertical position between the eye and a candle, a flash of light was instantly produced by representing the flame of the candle magnified to the size of the whole of the inner surface of this piece of the metal, and giving an increased light upon the wall opposite. After this discovery, he had several pieces of metal formed, retaining the same angle, but of various diameters, and found, to his great surprise, that although their areas were greatly increased, the representation of the flame still filled them without the least diminution in the quality of the light, but with an increased light against the wall, in proportion to the increased area of the surface of the metal.* How far this power may ex This invention is not confined solely to light, but the increase of heat keeps pace It appears that the great impediment to improvement in this branch of optics has arisen from the difficulty of foiling glass to the various forms necessary, in lieu of which we have been compelled to use metallic substances. These difficulties once removed, a vast field of important discovery will be opened on the nature of light and its various phenomena in nature. Public curiosity has recently been much excited by the appearance and performances of two human salamanders, who, in the days of superstition, could, by resisting the last act of an Auto da fe, have been considered as saints or demons. We allude to a Spanish female, named with the increase of light, and both in the ratio of the area of the surface. The apparatus is so constructed as to be placed upon a candle, and sinks down with the flame, without either flooding or waste. |