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tal of Haine. Of his particular observations on Maniacs nothing has transpired. Dr. Gall went from Marburg to Heidelburgh, to confute his opponent Acherman viva voce; but he was not so happy as to procure even a sinall number of auditors.

HOLLAND.

Decline of Commerce. Amsterdam, Jan. 24.-The intire suspension of trade with England presses very heavily already on our merchants, it is to be hoped that a speedy peace may put an end to these rigorous measures; for it is feared that our commerce may not only receive a shock for the present, but that it may even never recover from its losses; especially, if, as is said, the seat of commerce should be removed from this city to another situation. (Compare Panorama, p. 683-916.)

ITALY.

Theatre.

Milan. The troop of French actors, under the direction of Mademoiselle Raucour, began its representations October 10, with the tragedy of Iphigenia in Aulis, and the False Infidelities.

Forced Vaccination.

INDIES (WEST).
Character of Dessalines.

St. Domingo.-Contracted as our means of information are with regard to what has passed, or is passing in this island, we take advantage of a letter which has appeared in a foreign journal of November 26, 1806, to throw some light on the character of the late emperor of Hayti Dessalines, whose fate we have noticed elsewhere. M. Roulet, a French physician, who had lived many years at St. Jago, in the Spanish part of St. Domingo, was taken prisoner in the last expedition of the Negroes against the city of St. Domingo. As his ta

lents were esteemed, he was soon named first physician to the black army, and in this character he visited all the posts of this people in the Mornes. He afterwards escaped, and arrived safely at St. Domingo; he says the blacks were busy in strongly fortifying all their positions in the mountains; that Dessalines was extremely anxious about European events, that his troops were riotous, his finances disordered, and his subjects discontented.

M. Roulet asserts that the massacre of a great number of Spaniards in the church of St. Jago, at the first expedition, and of which he was an eye witness, was ordered by the mulatto Clervaux; who also was the man that shot Father Vasquez, priest of that town. At the fatal moment, this priest suminoned his executioner to appear in two months time at the bar of God; Clervaux derided this summons, but at the time prefixed he died, learing a strong sensation on the minds of the Negroes. At that time also, Dessalines carried off to the French side of the island, about 2,000 Spaniards of all ages, and both sexes; of these he directed the massacre; not one escaped.

Lucca, January 7.-An edict dated December 25, directs that in order to extirpate intirely from these states, that cruel pestilence the Small Pox, three days after this publication, every father of a family shall be bound to report every one of his household who may be taken with the Small Pox, under penalty of 100 livres. Reward for detecting a concealed case of Small Pox, 50 livres; every house in which the Small Pox shall occur, shall be surrounded with soldiers, and all communication with the citizens cut off; whoever attempts to escape, shall be confined forty days; fifteen days after publication of Dessalines had appointed Negro priests in this edict, all children, and other persons who all the parishes, who performed the sacred have not had the Small Pox,shall be vaccinat- offices according to their abilities. To put an ed; all children hereafter born, shall be vac-end to the dispute which existed in the parish cinated within two months from the birth; parents or guardians disobeying this order, to be fined 100 livres, or imprisoned fifteen days, the vaccination to be performed gratis ; a gold medal to those members of the faculty who promote this object with most zeal; a case of Small Pox after vaccination will receive 100 livres.

Penny Post. Reduction of Priests. Naples, December 30.-The Penny Post is lately established here; it carries letters and parcels three times a day. Report expects a regulation of the Lazaroni; lights in the streets, passages, and stair cases; and porters to the palaces and great houses of the city. The number of Priests is to be reduced to five for each thousand souls. Only sons are to be forbidden from embracing the ecclesiastical life.

of Port Margot, between Father Sibot and a mulatto priest newly appointed to the same church, he caused that apostolic prefect to be hanged, which struck all the negroes with great horror.

M. Roulet adds, that Dessalines was suspected of intending the same fate for the other catholic priests under his dominion.

This relation gives some colour to the assertions of those who deprived Dessalines of his life and emperorship. It marks his character as equally impolitic and cruel.

NORWAY.

Discovery of English Coins

About a year ago were discovered at Drone theim, thirty-two pieces of silver coin, strack by Eric, king of Pomerania. Since that time, in the district of Meldalen, near Drontheim, have been found in a bank of sand, between

seventy and eighty silver coins, and four or five vases of a beautiful metallic composition, which contained only cendres blue. The coins were of Etherald, king of England. On one of them the device was a cross, and the frontispiece of a temple. They are thought to have been struck about the eleventh century.

Ethereld the second was king from 978 to 1016; but if the cross and temple be supposed to allude to the croisades, these coins must be referred to some later monarch. The publication of these coins might be useful to English Antiquaries.

RUSSIA.

Voyage Round the World

[Vide Panorama, p. 167-207. The Petersburgh Gazette of September 25, gives the particulars of the voyage round the world, which has lately been performed by the captains Krusensteru, and Lissanski.

The ships the Hadesha and the Neva, left Cronstadt July 26, 1803, under the command of Captain Krusenstern. M. Resanow, chamberlain of the emperor, was charged by government with the commercial conduct of the enterprise. Many other men of learning were on board; also professors of Astronomy and of Natural History.

December 21.-The two ships arrived at Brasil, near the Isle of St. Catharine; they sailed February 4, doubled Cape Horn; and in the beginning of June reached Owaiga, one of the Sandwich Islands. From this group the Neva, under the orders of Captain Lissanski, proceeded on its voyage with the cargo intended for the Russian settlements in America, steering for the island of Kadjak, at which she arrived in June. The Nadesha commanded by Captain Krusenstern, in the begining of July entered the port of St. Peter and St. Paul, whence she visited the coasts of Japan; and at her return to Kamschatka, July 26, 1805, M. Resanow took his departure in a vessel belonging to the company, in order to examine and improve the state of the American settlements, especially in respect to their civilization and commerce.

The two vessels joined company, December 2, 1805, arrived the 27th at Canton, where they bartered without difficulty the goods they had on board in exchange for Chinese produc tions, and were treated in the most friendly manner by the Chinese governors. They weighed anchor February 10, and passed the straits of Sunda. In their return, the Nadesha put in at St. Helena; the Neva did not touch any where till she came to Portsmouth;. she arrived at Cronstadt August 4, and her consort August 19. The Nadesha has not lost a man of her company in the whole voyage; the Neva has lost only two men by

death.

VOL. I. [Lit. Pan. March, 1807.]

SWEDEN.

Mild Season.

Stockholm. The winter is so mild, that the lakes and rivers are not frozen over suffici ently to admit of being passed over; so that there has hitherto been no opportunity of employing sledges.

SPAIN.

Vaccination.

The Madrid Gazette of October, 1806, gives an account of the return of Dr. Francis Xavier Balmes, surgeon extraordinary to the king of Spain, from a voyage round the world, taken for the sole purpose of conveying the benefits of Vaccination to all the transmarine possessions of the crown of Spain, and other countries in the vicinity.

This expedition set out from Corunna in 1803, carrying out twenty-three children who never had the Small Pox, as the means of preserving in due efficacy the Vaccine matter, by successively transmitting it from one to another during the voyage.

It stopped at the Canaries, at Porto Rico, and at the Caraccas. In that province it was divided into two branches, one destined for South America, the other for the Havannah and Yucatan.

The latter by a sub-division spread Vaccination through New Spain; and uniting again at Vera Cruz, proceeded with twentysix fresh children across the Pacific Ocean to the Philippine Isles, where this salutary dis ease was propagated through all the Islands subject to Spain, and among the natives of the Visayan Archipelago. It thence reached Macao and Canton, where it was successful in bringing the matter in an active state, in which the English practitioners had hitherto failed. Dr. Balmis proceeded to Europe in a Portuguese vessel, and touched at St. Helena, where he prevailed upon the English settlers to adopt. Vaccination, which they had before neglected, though communicated to them by Dr. Jenner. The branch of the expedition sent to South America, though it underwent shipwreck, was successful in saving the children and the inatter in an active state; and spread Vaccination in New Granada, from whence, in March, 1805, it proceeded to Peru.

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Observanda interna.-Melancholy Disaster.-Astronomy.

OBSERVANDA INTERNA.

London, Feb. 23.

Melancholy Disaster.

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It is many years since this city has been thrown into such anxiety, as agitates it this day. That kind of inexplicable spirit of curiosity which possesses a certain class of people, and those of the youthful period of life, principally, and impels them to witness the execution of the law upon criminals, was excited in the highest degree, by the knowledge that two malefactors, condemned for the robbery and murder of Mr. Steele in 1802, and a woman, condemned for the murder of a man in a fit of jealousy, would suffer, according to their sentence, at the door of Newgate. Some persons took their stations very early in the morning, in order to witness this execution and the throng of people proceeding to the fatal spot was observed by the residents in the streets leading to it, to be uncommonly great. This observation was repeatedly made in Holborn, about half an hour before eight o'clock in the morning. As the criminals were to be executed at eight o'clock, the pressure of the crowd became more violent, and about that time the influx from Skinner Street (the avenue from Holborn) was so overpowering as to bear a number of these spectators off their feet. Some of them falling, soon afterwards, a scene of confusion ensued, in which many others also fell, and those who were down, being trampled on by the immense waves of people, a number were killed; and a much greater number have sustained injuries of which they will feel the effects all their

lives.

The proximity of St. Bartholomew's Hospital to the scene of calamity, was favourable to the immediate assistance of those to whom medical aid could be of any avail. The report from thence is twenty nine men dead; somewhat more than half that number dreadfully bruised and wounded; hopes of recovery, various, of course: three women dead, several others injured. [On these deaths, the coroner's inquest has reported, accidental death.] What other instances of suffering may have occurred, we cannot tell; as sundry individuals were removed by friends: but we have reason to believe, from cases that have come to our knowledge, that many persons have received injuries externally, or internally, (the most to be dreaded of the two) the effect of which they may feel, when little suspected, in future years.

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The Court of Common Council has ordered an enquiry to be made into the causes and circumstances of this melancholy event: and we hope those who have the charge of investigating it, will also direct their attention to

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the prevention of similar misfortunes in fu ture. The last public fireworks that were exhibited on Tower-hill, according to then annual custom, now nearly forty years ago, were the occasion of a calamity of the like nature, by means of a bar, which giving way, all who had trusted to it for safety, were thrown down, and killed, or maimed. Something of the same nature proved fatal to eleven persons in the entrance to the Haymarket Theatre, on the evening when the Duchess of York, then lately arrived in England, was expected to be present.

These events should induce caution-on individuals, who, in a crowd, ever risque their persons and lives:-and they call imperiously on magistrates to foresee incidents which may happen; and by their foresight to prevent them. It ought to be recollected that on various occasions, when great crowds have been expected, precautionary orders have actually been issued by government, and sometimes served on individuals; whereby many lives have unquestionably been saved, which otherwise must have been lost, by the failure of weak scaffolding, old houses, dangerous situations, and other hazards which curiosity will run, though danger stares it, evidently, full in the face.

Astronomy.

It has been suspected by several astronomers that the sun is not absolutely fixed as to the station which he occupies in general space. M. Lalande after the rotatory motion of the sun was demonstrated, suspected another motion, viz. a change of place. Herschell undertook to determine this question by observation; he even thought it might be ascertained toward what point in the heavens this motion of the sun, with all his planetary train, was directed. M. Prevost, Academician at Petersburgh, was led to the same result. But, M. du Sejour having examined this question analytically, considers it as incapable of solution, when viewed on more extensive and general principles. Herschell has resumed his enquiries into this subject in the Philosophical Transactions for 1800. If the motion which have been observed in certain stars are only apparent, being produced by a real motion of the sun, which advances toward some, but, consequently, recedes from those in the opposite part of the heavens, then all these apparent motions will be parallel among themselves, and the motion of the sun also. These motions are very slow, and what por tion of them has hitherto been observed, forms very small arcs but if these are prolonged by supposition, they would form great circles, all of which would cut each other in the same point of the heavens, and this point would be that toward which the whole solar system was advancing. The

well ascertained motions of two stars, are sufficient to determine this point, if the observations are exact, and if the principle be true. The same examination of two other stars should lead to the same conclusion as the two first, and the same result would be established by the other stars also, any two of which may be combined in the calculation. This investigation Mr. Herschell undertook in reference to some of the brighter stars. But it still remains dubious whether the sun alone moves, while the stars are perfectly at rest, or whether the stars also move, and if the whole visible heaven moves, then the problem is pronounced by M. du Sejour to be incapable of solution. Notwithstanding this opinion M. Burckhardt has lately renewed the analytical examination of this question. His forms are more convenient, and facile of application than those of M. du Sejour; and much less laborious than the trigonometrical calculations of Herschell. He has very dextrously approximated the distances of the stars which we behold, and which form one of the necessary elements of this calculation, but which probably we shall never be accurately acquainted with. If the sun only moves, we may attain in time, and after careful observations, to the knowledge of this fact, and to some information as to the quantity of his motion; but if the stars possess their motion, also, the separation of the unknown elements of the calculation will be impossible. Hence would result a degree of embarrassment to future astronomers, if similar observations should be interrupted during several ages, and if after a period of unlearned ages, when science should again revive, the astronomers should endeavour to calculate anew the celestial motions, by comparing their own, observations with those now made. Nevertheless, if such an event should happen, though the observations of the eighteenth century might in that case, be thought rather inaccurate, yet they would furnish much superior assistance to what science in these later ages derived from the few and rude observations which have been transinitted to us from the Greeks and Romans.

Medical Notices.

The London Medical Society proposes to confer the Fothergelian gold medal upon the authors of the best essays on the following subjects:

For the year 1807. The best account of the epidemic diseases which have prevailed at several times in North America, Spain, and Gibraltar, since the year 1793, and whether they are the same, or different diseases.

For the year 1808. What are the best methods of preventing and of curing epidemic dysentery.

For the year 1809. What are the criteria by which epidemic disorders that are not in

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The average prices of navigable Canal shares, and Dock stock for January 1807, were: The Coventry Canal £420 to £433 per share; the last half-yearly dividend was

12 per share nett. Ashton and Oldham £100 per share. Grand Junction £86 to £87 ex dividend. Rochdale £451 including the last call of £5 per share. Worcester and Birmingham at £39 per share all calls paid. Lancaster £191. Monmouthshire Navigation at £97 ex dividend. West India Dock Stock £144 ex dividend of £5 per cent. for the half year to Christmas. East India Dock £120 to £122 per cent. London Dock £100 to £105 ex dividend of £2. 15. per cent. nett half yearly dividend to Christmas. Globe Insurance £102 per cent. ex dividend of 31. 10s. per cent. half yearly to Christ

mas.

HEREFORDSHIRE.

Cider. The result of a course of experiments was laid before the Hereford Agricultu ral Society a few days since, by T. A. Knight, Esq. by which it appeared that the strength of the juice of any cider apple was in exact proportion to its weight. Thus, the juices of the inferior apples were light when compared with the juices of the old and approved sorts. The forest Styre outweighed every other until it was put in competition with the new variety produced by Mr. Knight, from the Siberian crab and the Lulham pearmain; nor could any other juice be found equal in weight to the latter.

LANCASHIRE.

Natural Curiosity.-On Monday the 9th Feb. as the men belonging to Messrs. Bradshaws, of Lancaster, were sawing an Ametican Maple Log in two, they were much surprized at finding a cavity in the centre of it containing about five, or six, quarts of wheat, which must have remained there for many years, as there was no hole on the outside of the log, which was about 25 feet in length, and 13 inches square. The cavity was about the centre of the log, 6 feet in length and about 3 inches in diameter.

NORFOLK.

Improvements of Norwich.-His Majesty having granted the castle of Norwich, with the gaol, hill, and land adjacent thereto, and vested the same by an Act of Parliament in the Justices of the Peace for the said county, it has been by them ordered, that the same should be improved on an extensive scale. In the first place, both courts in the Shire-hall are to be inmediately altered

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IRELAND.

Catholic Meeting.

The following is an account of the proceedings at the Catholic Meeting in Dublin, January 24, 1807.-Lord French in the Chair.

nd enlarged, and galleries erected therein, when finished they will possess the four grand requisites for such public places, viz. accommodation, ventilation, adaptation for hearing, and exclusion from external noise. The bridge is to be repaired and palisaded on cach side, and except towards the north-west, the hill is to be inclosed at its base, with a wai and palisaded, river water is to be conducted to the county gaol from the main pipes in the Golden Ball Lane, and other improve-pointed as a Committee, to prepare such Pements effected on an improved plan of that able architect, Mr. F. Stone, under whose direction the whole will be completed.

STAFFORDSHIRE.

Wednesbury Church. A correspondent requests us to notice a circumstance highly interesting to antiquaries. In repairing the roof of Wednesbury Church, the workmen found, very carefully wrapped up in lead, a piece of oak, on which was engraved the date of the crection of the church, 711. With a view to preserve this curious relic it is now placed over the vestry door. The discovery proves beyond doubt, that the church of Wednesbury is the most ancient in the county of Stafford-In what characters was this · date?

SUSSEX.

New Road. To aid the convenience of travelling, a new road it is said will soon be formed between Brighton and Steyning, which will completely avoid the dangerous hills of Beeden, and Steyning, and increase the distance not more than a mile. The new road we understand is to branch off by Beeding-bridge along the east side of the river, nearly to Shoreham Bridge, and from thence passing by Adur Lodge, the Villa of General Porter, it will run through part of Mr. Bridger's land, and part of Mr. Goringe's, and join the present road to Shoreham from Brighton. Such an alteration, we conceive will be much approved of by the public.

WALES.

New Road and Dock.-A plan has been again revived and sanctioned by some of the principal gentlemen of the counties, to improve the great turnpike road between Carmarthen and Milford. It is intended, not only to lower such of the smaller hills as are found in that part of the road meant to be preserved, but to give a new direction in part to avoid the larger eminences; with this view it is proposed to make a new road between Haverfordwest and St. Clere, commencing near Canston bridge, and by that route, avoiding the hilly stage between the two towns. The estimate of the expense is upwards of 40.000. A plan for a graving dock, on a large scale, at Milford, is likewise under consideration.

Resolved, That a Petition to Parliament, on behalf of the Catholics of Dublin, be prepared, and laid before our next Meeting; to be held on Saturday, 7th February next. Resolved, That twenty-one persons be ap

tition.

Resolved, That our Secretary be instructed to give immediate notice of our next Meeting on the 7th of February, to the absent Noblemen and Country Gentlemen; and to assure them, that their attendance will give general satisfaction.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed, in pursuance of the foregoing Resolution, be also empowered to communicate to the principal Roman Catholic Gentlemen, of the different counties of Ireland, the proceedings of this Meeting on the subject of a Petition

EDWARD HAY, Secretary.

SIR, I am directed by the Committee of the Catholics of Dublin, to transmit to you the above Resolutions, which were unanimously agreed upon, at a very numerous and highly respectable Meeting, on Saturday, the

24th inst.

I am further directed to state, for your information, that those Resolutions were adopted, as the Result of much consideration, and many previous Meetings; and after having made a respectful communication of the expectations and the claims of the Catholics of Dublin, to the persons entrusted by his Most Gracious Majesty with the Government of Ireland. It is at the same time necessary that you should be apprized, that sufficient time has not as yet elapsed to enable those persons to make any decisive reply.―This interval occasioned by the distance from the seat of Government, will be employed by us, in preparing the Form of a Petition to Parliament; upon the adoption or postponement of which, the Catholics of Dublin are likely to determine at their next Meeting.

It is the anxious desire, as well as the confident hope of the Catholics of Dublin, that the line of conduct they have pursued will meet with, not only the sanction of your ap probation, but also the support of your active and zealous co-operation.

I have the honour to be
Your obedient Servant,
EDWARD HAY.
Dublin, No. 4, Capel-street, 26th Jan. 1807.

[We understand that Lord Grenville has advised the postponement of this measure for the present.]

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