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A pound of sugar-candy dissolved by heat, in a quantity of white-wine vinegar, and evaporated to the measure of one pint, during which operation as much garlic as possible is dissolved with it, answers all the purposes of Godbold's vegetable balsam, and is probably the same medicine.

therefore equal to 900 such candles. To fill it requires three cwt. of coals, value at 6d, each cwt., 1s. 6d.; coal for heating the retorts during the composition, 15.-Hence, for 2s. 6d. a quantity of light is procurable from coal gas, which obtain ed from candles would cost about 107. But from the above charge for coal, we must deduct the whole expence of what goes into the retort, for this acquires additional value by being charred, and is cagerly bought up by the iron-founders. A large quantity of tar is also obtained in the condensing pit, as well as ammoniacal liquor, from both of which considerable returns may be reasonably expected.

A new species of fiorin grass has been discovered at Llarfain, in North Wales, by Dr. PRING, which promises the most important advantages to the agriculturist. It is of the most luxuriant growth, and calculated to produce green food during the four winter months. One of the roots, transplanted by Dr. Pring, contained 27 stalks, six feet in height, and bearing 277 ramifications.

patriaque amore, M.T. Cicero an Comes Clarendonianus, temporibus gravissimis, Rempublicam administrarit?" Middle bachelors, "Utram in optima Reipublicæ forma instituenda, plus valeat inge niun an experientia."

The following details, relative to the coal-gas light, one of the greatest improvements of which modern times can boast, are taken from an interesting Memoir read before the Philosophical Society of Glasgow, by Mr. RICHARD GIL LESPIE, by whose public spirit, and at whose works, this great experiment of permanently lighting an extensive manufactory by gas, was first undertaken in Scotland. The apparatus, made by Bolton and Watt, was fitted up at Anderston the latter end of last summer, and Mr. Gillespie's works were illuminated in this manner at the beginning of November, Since that time some great improve ments have been made; and the whole now constitutes a very pleasing exhibition. -Two iron retorts, of a semi-cylindrical The subjects for the prizes given by the form, each capable of containing about one cwt. of coal, yield at every charge representatives of the university of 750 cubic feet of gas, which, after being Cambridge for the present year, are→→→ wa hed, so as to deprive it of any disagree- For the senior bachelors, "Utrum ma able smell, is conducted into a large cajori prudentia, eloquentia, fortitudine, bical plate-iron gasometer, of a capacity equal to 1120 cubic fect. The gas evol ved by the regular process of carbonization, during the day, is here stored up for use. From this magazine, which floats in a water cistern, a main pipe issues, which afterwards branches into innumera ble ramifications, some of them extending several hundred feet under ground; thence to emerge, diffusing over a multitude of apartments, a kind of artificial day; so vivid is the illumination. The flame, however, though exceedingly bright, is very soft and steady, and free from that dazzling glare which has been so greatly complained of in the otherwise beautiful light of the Argand lamps. No trouble attends this mode of illumination; the occasional attendance of one man in the gas-house, to charge the retorts, and mend the fire, being all that is necessary. On turning a stop-cock, any particular flame may be kindled immediately, and no trimming or snuffing is required; neither are any sparks thrown off, as from a burning wiek: 14 cubic feet of gas yield the same quantity of light as a moulded candle of six in the pound, which is found, on the average, to last 2 hours. The contents of the gasometer are

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The two gold medals, given by the chancellor of the university of Cam bridge, to two commencing bachelors of arts who acquit themselves the best in classical learning, are this year adjudged to the second and seventh wranglers, viz. T. BRANDRETU, A. B. of Trinity college, and GEORGE HODSON A. B. (of Carlisle) fellow and tutor of Magdalen.

A new method of ornamenting all kinds of glass in imitation of engraving, &c. has recently been discovered. By this invention, the tedious and expensive process of grinding by means of a machine with wheels is exploded, and in lieu of it, an additional surface or coating of glass, prepared for the purpose, is substituted; which, when subjected to a proper degree of heat, will incorporate with the glass to be operated upon, so as to produce an effect similar to that which has hitherto been obtained by means of grinding. The inventor has taken out a patent for the claim.

In

In one of the late numbers of the Monthly Magazine, was inserted a brief notice respecting the Irish fiorin grass, so highly recommended by the Rev. Dr. RICHARDSON, and which, from the description given, is generally supposed to be the agrostis stolonifera of Linnæus. To this subject Mr. W. SALISBURY, of the botanic garden, Sloane-street, invites the attention of agriculturists:-"I take this opportunity, says he, of stating, for the information of all who feel interested in this plant, that I have grown the fiorin grass last summer, as a specimen, among our collection of British gramina, and find the two are very different from each other; but as all plants differ in cultivation from what they are in their wild state, and having never seen the Irish plant in its native place, I shall not at present pronounce if it is a different species or not; but certainly the agrostis stolonifera is a smaller-growing plant in all respects, which is evident on comparing the foliage, flowers, and secds; and although it is not generally known by the above Linnaan name, it will no doubt be recognised by many farmers under the appellation of common couch, scutch, quitch, or sticth grass, who well know it does not possess the many good qualities as cribed to the fiorin grass. Whether all the merits ascribed to the latter will be found on its culture in this country, I do not know, or pretend to prediet; but I au desirous the public should be convinced by actual experiment, and ccular demonstration, which they may have by applying here during the spring and summer; as I have now planted a considerable quantity of the roots in different ways, of each kind, and also sown seeds of each; which has been done, in great measure, at the desire of the board of agriculture, from whom I received the seeds and plants. To these will be given a fair and equal chance, and any person

I wish to observe, there are two kinds of grass that are known by the names of Couch, &c., which, although they are well known to the botanist, are not so generally understood by the farmer. The grass in question may be distinguished by its shoots running on the surface of the soil, and rooting at every joint; from which circumstance there is great difficulty in extirpating it. The other kind of couch is the triticum repens, which forms its long roots below the soil, and is, in all respects, equally noxious to the Jand,"

shall be at liberty to view the same by obtaining an introduction from any subscriber to the botanic garden.”

FRANCE.

M. DESCROIZILLES, sen. has described a method of making pickle of violets, instead of syrup of violets, for a chemical test, the latter being apt to spoil. It is as follows:-On the petals of the violet, slightly pressed into a small pewter mea sure, pour double their weight of boiling water, and stir them together. Cover the measure and expose it for a few hours to a heat somewhat greater than that of a water-bath; after which, let the liquor be strongly pressed out through a very clean linen cloth. Weigh the infusion accurately, and add to it one-third of its weight of common salt, stirring it till dissolved. Very fine white salt should be chosen for this purpose. In a small phial corked, this liquor will keep without alteration, even when exposed to the rays of the sun. He presumes that several other blue flowers, as those of the iris, larkspur, &c. would afford a pickle of sufficient sensibility. The latter, indeed, he has tried with success.

The same chemist has also published some observations on the preservation of vegetables for distillation by salting. To preserve rose-leaves, for example, he gives the following directions: Take 4lbs. troy of rose-leaves, and pound them two or three minutes with of their weight of common salt. The flowers bruised with the salt will soon give out their juice, and produce a paste of little bulk, which must be put into an earthen vessel, or small cask, and proceed in the same manner till you have filled it the vessel close, and keep it in a cool place till wanted. This fragrant paste you may distil at leisure, in a common still, diluting it with about double its weight of pure water. This process is particularly applicable to those herbs, the water of which, distilled by the common method, will not keep.

GERMANY.

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splendid prospectus (in German and in
French) of the work which they intend to
publish, (in quarterly numbers) and
which, at the end of the year, will form
a folio volume of about three hundred
pages. In the prospectus they make
very honourable mention of sir William
Jones and Sir William Ouseley, whose
oriental collections appear to be in some
measure the model of their intended
publication, which is to embrace every
thing that can tend to illustrate eastern
literatura; such as, 1. Languages.
2. Eloquence and poetry.-3. History,
palæography, and numismaticks.-4.Geo-
graphy, topography, and statisticks.
5. Philosophy, and the laws of jurispru-
dence and theology.-6. Mathematics,
physics, natural history, and medicine.
7. Bibliography and miscellaneous ar
ticles. Particularly an account of what
ever works shall have been published
during the preceding quarter, relative to
oriental literature. The editors of this
publication have the advantage of free
access to some of the public libraries at
Constantinople-the imperial collection
at Vienna-the admirable manuscripts
of Count Wenceslaus Rzewuski, and
other treasures of inestimable value.
The German title of the intended work
is Fundgruben des Orients, or Eastern
Mines; and communications are solicited
in the principal languages of Europe,
French, English, Italian, &c. as well as
German and Latin. Schaumbourg, at
Vienna, is the bookseller employed.

ITALY.

PIRANESI, the antiquary, lately presented to the viceroy of Italy an eagle, formerly belonging to one of the Roman legions, dug up some time since at Rome. MOROSI, the mechanician, of Milan, has invented an hydraulic machine, by means of which, the workmen employed in coining, to give motion to the striking engine, are dispensed with; and this operation, which formerly required eight men, is now performed by a boy.

PRUSSIA.

M. VON HUMBOLDT has recently presented to the king of Prussia's cabinet of minerals, the only lump of native platina that is known. He found it in 1800, in the soap-manufactories of the town of Taddo, in the province of Choco, in South America. This ingot is of the size of a pigeon's egg; its absolute weight is 10,886 grains, and its specific weight 16,037 grains.

ASIA.

Syria, has discovered in the neighbour hood of the Red Sea, the ruins of the ancient city of Dscherrasch, probably the Gerasa of antiquity. He found remains of several public edifices, two amphitheatres, several palaces, a temple, &c.

AFRICA.

In a late number we noticed the recent disappearance of an island situated near the Cape of Good Hope, in conscquence of an earthquake. The effects of this phenomenon at Cape Town, are detailed in the following letter from that place, begun to be written on December 6, 1809, and continued at different times :-On the 30th November, the weather was unusually warm for so early a period of the season, the thermometer varying in the shade from 86° to 92° with a sky perfectly clear and but little wind. Thus it continued till the evening of the 3d, when a cool westerly breeze, attended with a slight fog, came in from the sea. On the 4th, at nine A. M. the fog still continued; thermometer 740, barometer 29° 80'. In the middle of the day, the mountains of Hottentot Holland, in the south-east, were covered with fleecy electric clouds, which are often observed at this time of the year. Several violent gusts of wind, which raised the dust to a considerable height in the air, were experienced in Cape Town, the intervals between them being perfectly calm. The sky for the whole day, after twelve at noon, except at Hottentot Holland, thirty miles from Cape Town, was perfectly clear. At five P.M. a strong south-east wind came on, unattended with the usual cloud over Table Mountain, which lasted three or four hours. At ten minutes past ten, P.M. a very violent shock of an earthquake was felt through the whole town, which was succeeded by two others equally tremendous; they couti nued about twelve or fourteen seconds, and followed each other at intervals of about half a minute, attended with a noise very different from thunder, but much louder. The shocks proceeded in the direction from south-east to northwest, Between the hours of ten at night of the 4th, and six in the morning of the 5th, about fourteen shocks were experienced; and two or three more in the course of the day. Excepting the first three, they were very slight; producing no perceptible motion of the earth, but resembling distant thunder. The last shock was at six A.M. this day (6th), but When the

M, SEETZEN, in his travels through not stronger than the others.

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first shock was felt, the thermometer was at 77° in the house, probably at 74° out of doors. At two A M. of the 5th, thermometer 680 in the open air; barometer at five P.M. on the same day 290 8' wind west with rain; the night very dark. Next morning there was a very strong wind from the westward and some rain. Several meteors or failing stars were observed during the night of the 4th, with a very luminous aurora australis. The ships in the bay, although the water was not apparently agitated, were so strongly affected by the shocks, that several inen on board them were thrown out of their hammocks. I ap. prehend that nearly one-fourth of the houses in Cape Town are more or less dainaged. Several pillars, urus, and other ornaments, have been destroyed. As yet I have heard of only one house that was entirely thrown down; but a great many have lost portions of their walls, and are cracked from top to bottom. The house which was demolished, was at some little distance from the town. The inhabitants in general forsook their houses during the whole night of the 4th, and so great was their consternation, that implicit credit was given to a very absurd prognostication, that similarshocks would be felt the next night. Of the Dutch inhabitants, I believe, not one Tents went to bed before day-light. were pitched in the parade, in the market, and in all the open places, and those who could not procure tents bad their waggons brought out and sat up in them. We have as yet received no particular ac counts from the country; but innume. rable vague reports are in circulation; and the inhabitants of the town, who are extremely susceptible of alarm, give credit to them all. One child of eight years old dropped down in the street, and instantly expired through terror. Two of three persons have been deprived of speech, and several others are suffering

extremely in various ways, from the effect of extreme fear. Some are so much mtimidated by this unexpected visitation, as seriously to talk of selling their houses and property here, and removing to Batavia. This powerful operation of terror on their minds, may probably appear as tonishing to Europeans; but it is to be considered, that the inhabitants of this climate have been hitherto totally exempted from the tremendous convulsions of nature, which are frequently experienced in other quarters of the globe.

December 7. We now find that the shocks, violent as they were, have not been felt at the hot baths, about eighty miles to the eastward, nor at sea, as we learn by the Camel, which ship arrived yesterday. It has been generally remarked that a great many watches stopped, and several lost from two to ten, and even twelve and fifteen, hours. Within the last half-hour, we have had another slight shock. The inhabitants still continue in a considerable degree of alarm, and every unusual noise is dreads & as the forerunner of an earthquake. The following has been the state of the weather since the above-mentioned shock occurred:-

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described and represented in the specification. The cutter may be made of a single piece; though, in the figures attached to the legal instrument, it is represented as being composed of several pieces or plates of steel, held together and fastened by means of screws. These pieces or plates of steel can be pushed out in proportion as they are worn down. The frame forms a slider which moves along two strong rails, extended by means of brackets along each side of a pipe, with which they form a solid body. This pipe, having a flanch at each extremity, is fastened to two standards, which are strongly bolted through their base to a platform. The frame or slider is connected by means of a rod to the machinery, by which it is to be put and kept in motion. The part of the engine which carries the wood, is composed, (1) of a cast-iron bed bolted to the platform; the upper edge of each side of this bed terminates into a project ing angular rail; (2) a cast-iron frame, or carriage, intended to slide on the hed by the assistance of a screw and rack, This sliding motion of the carriage, guided by two clamps, is to propel the wood towards the cutter. When the veneer or thin board has been separated from the piece of wood, by the operation of the cutter, the carriage is removed back, in order to clear the wood from under the cutter. The piece of wood is then to be elevated, proportionally to the thickness of the veneer which is next to be cut, by means of a parallel motion. The patentee gives a description of the structure of the table, and observes, it is obvious that the cutter, whether long or short, requires to be kept perfectly flat and true, with respect to the propelling motion of the carriage, and the parallel motion of the slider, and also very sharp. To obtain these points a lap is added to the engine, upon which the cutter is to be ground when requisite. The frame of the lap is supported by means of two steady pins let into uprights: it is elevated or lowered at pleasure, by the assistance of screws: the lap is brought under the cutter by sliding back the carriage as much as is necessary. The engine is thus managed :-The pieces of wood to be cut into veneers are placed or fastened on the table by means of cement or glue. The slider being supposed in motion, the workman attending the en, gine, adjusts at first the table to a proper degree of elevation, and propels the carriage by the assistance of a wheel: guided by the apparent effect of the custer, he

continues to force the carriage until the veneer is entirely separated; he then moves back the carriage with the assistance of the same wheel, and prepares for another cut by elevating the table as much as possible. This is accomplished by turning a spindle with the requisite handles.

MR. D. M. RANDOLPH'S (FEATHERSTONEBUILDINGS, HOLBORN), for Improvements in the Construction of WheelCarriages of all kinds.

We

The specification explanatory of this invention, is exceedingly minute and long; drawings are given to facilitate the understanding of the objects which the patentee means to accomplish, and which are applicable to the construction of wheel-carriages of every description,/ from the mail-coach to the waggon have also a description of a “ road-scraper and earth-porter," for the purposes of scraping loose matter, and removing the loose earth after having been prepared for the purpose by ploughing or digging, in both cases made to collect and carry off the same. The edge of the scraper is connected with a lever behind, which serves to prevent it from being stopped or obstructed in its progress. That end of the lever projected behind the front axle, is furnished with a hook, and is otherwise so contrived, that when the pole is pulled back to its proper level, the scraper is lifted up and contains the earth and other matter to be removed. To make the edge pass more freely over stubborn unevennesses in the road, when scraping up any liquid or semi-liquid matter, there are friction rollers on which the instrument moves. The upper and back part of the scraper is firmly attached to the bind axle-tree, upon which as a fulcrum the lever rests; this aids the operation of lifting up the load, which is kept lifted up by simply resting a common hand-spike upon the tongue lever across the union angle, and laying the clins passing near the points over each end of it: thus the load will have been simply collected by one person em ployed at the lever, and another driving the cattle, and is preserved sufficiently elevated, and ready to be rolled away and discharged. The floor of the scraper is of cast iron, leaving channels and holes in the same for the passage of water or other liquid matter. The wheels and axles of this machine are to be of certain proportions as described in the specifi cation. The sides of the seper are of wood, raised in like manner as any other

sides,

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