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embraces the whole province of natural history, which alone comprehends three distinguished sciences, under the names of Zoology, Botany, and Mineralogy. "But, in reality," adds he, "all the sciences dependent on or connected with nature, compose only one and the sane science, which we have merely subdivided in such a manner, that different persons may attach themselves to different branches of it, and thus apply themselves specifically to those in which they may happen to take most delight. The experiments made in our modern cabinets and laboratories, tend only to make the works of nature familiar to us, and are but so many imitators of her phenomena. The pneumatic machine instructs us concerning the properties of the fluid which we breathe; while the electrical machine serves to assist us in determining the laws which govern the accumulated fluid often contained in a stormy cloud. The coloured image of the sun, presented by the light which passes through a prism, affords us an idea of the decomposition of this fluid, which, at some particular periods, displays the magnificent spectacle of the rainbow. All these different instruments, however diversified, are but so many interpreters of the visible language in which nature unceasingly speaks to us." Vol. I. contains:

1. A Dissertation on the general properties of Bodies;

2. On Attraction; 3. On Caloric; 4. On Water;

5. On Air;

And 6. On Electricity.

We perceive but little that is new: the abbé, however, does not confine his compilation to the works of his own countrymen, but borrows freely from foreigners. He expects great future advantages from the discovery of the balloon. On this occasion it is remarked, that Gay Lussac, in the course of his last voyage, attained a greater degree of clevation than any of his predecessors, having actually ascended 6977 metres, or 3579 toises above Paris, and 7016 metres, or 3600 toises above the level of the sea. At 6636 metres he opened a glass globe, and having emptied it, he filled it with air, and shut it close up again. On his return to the capital, an analysis took place, and on comparing it with the air at the entrance to the Polytechnical school, he found both to be

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"Naturwunder des österreichiscken, &c." The Wonders of Nature in the Austrian States: by Doctor Francis Sarton, 4 vols. 8vo. Vienna. The same anthor is about to give a continuation of the present work, by means of a supplement, containing observations on the country and the people, throughout the Austrian monarchy. In the mean time, he presents us with a statement of whatever is wonderful, and accordingly we here have, 1. A description of the mountain Octscher, in Lower Austria.

2. A description of the Lake of Tram, or der Gemund.

3. An account of a Glaciers on Mount Brandstein.

4. A description of the Carinthian Alps.

5. An account of a singular anitnal in Carniola, called Proteus Anguineus. 6. On Mount Bienneberg, and the wine of Oedenburg.

7. The Sulphur cavern in Mount Bondaesch, in Transylvania.

8. The Wild Goats of the country of Salzburg.

9. The Lake Barthelemi, in the country of Berchtesgaden;

10. The Valley of Buchberg, in the Lower Austria;

11. The Hole of Hell, on the Ens, in Austria;

12. The Mountain of Herisson, is Styria;

13. The Saline of Sovar in Hungary; 14. The Royal Mountain in Hungary, 15. The Sources of the Lebelang is Transylvania;

16. The tame bears in Poland;

17. The River of St. John, in Styria; 18. The Cataract of Mina, in Lower Austria;

19. The Mines of Quicksilver at Idris, in Cariola;

20. The Ice-cavern in the country of Berchtesgaden;

21. The industry and sociability of the mountain-rats of Styria and Cante thia, of Salzburg, and in the Carpathian Mountains.

"Almanach für Scheidekünstler, &c."

* Journal de Physique, Frimaire, An XIII. p. 454, et suiv.

Almanack

Almanack for Chymists and Apothe

caries.

This, among other matters, contains an essay calculated to determine the connexion between the acetic acid and minium; another on the solubility of minium in the acetic acid; several remarks on the discoloration and whitening of yellow wax, as also on the prepaTo ration of distilled oils, &c. &c. the memoir is joined, An Account of the Discoveries in Chemistry and Pharmacy, from 1807 to 1808, to which is added, an analysis of the principal new works.

Luftschwimm"Die Elemente der kunst, &c." Elements of Ærostastics, by A. G. Zachariæ, 280 pages 8vo. with a = plate, Wirtemberg, 1807-8.

The author commences his undertaking by laying down certain hydrostatical principles, as necessary preliminaries. He afterwards treats of the natation of fishes, and the mechanism by which this object is attained. The flight of birds furnishes him with a new object of comparison, whence he proceeds to the art of elevating a man above the earth. It is his opinion, that the round form of the balloon will always oppose itself to the possibility of directing the machine, and that the eliptical shape is not much better. To remedy this inconvenience, he proposes to adopt the form of a fish; and this species of balloon being filled with gas, will, he thinks, be much more manageable.

"Tables Barometriques, pour faciliter le calcul des nivellemens, et des mesures des hauteurs, par le Baromètre, &c." Barometrical tables to facilitate the Calculation of Levels, and also the measurement of Heights, by the Barometer; by Bernard de Lindenau.

This work, which consists of fifteen tables, is preceded by an explanatory preface and introduction. The tables, themselves present the following objects:

1. Logarithms of heights, corrected so as to find the true elevation of mountains;

2. Proportional parts, to prevent interpolations;

3 and 4. Corrections, so as to estimate the difference of temperature at two separate stations;

5. Corrections for the latitude;

6. Corrections for the diminution of eight in respect to the vertical height; 7. Correction of heights, so as

to

make an allowance for the effects of the capillary tubes;

8. Comparative temperature between the sea-shore and the top of a mountain; 9. Estimate of horizontal distances;

10. Table for reducing the results to the formulæ of Laplace, Ramond Trembley, de Luc, Roy, and Shuckburgh; 11. Conversion of English into French measures;

13. Comparison between the thermometer of Fahrenheit and that of Reaumur; and,

14. Comparison between the thermometer of Wodegrus and that of Reaumur. "Les Amours Epiques;" Epic Loves, a poem, in six cantos, containing a translation of episodes, composed by the best epic poets: by Perseval Grandmaison, Paris, 1 vol. 12mo. with a plate.

The editor tells us, that the present work is composed "of a union of episodes, by the most famous poets, which have been connected by him in such a manner as to constitute a regular work."

The poem opens with a description of Elysium:

"Il est dans les enfers des champs delicieux,

Ou l'ame des mortels favorisés des cieux

S'envole, & va goûter la paix inaltérable!
Que n'a point cette vie, helas! si peu du-
L'Elyse est le nom de ce charmant sejour,

rable!

Là s'offrent éclairés d'un tendre demijour, &c."

While all are enjoying themselves in different manners, in these happy abodes, six poets recite their productions by turns; these are Homer, Tasso, Ariosto, Milton, Virgil, and Camoens. The first of these commences with the death of Patroclus, the victory of Hector, and the rage of Achilles; the next makes his appearance in Canto II.

"I chantoit de Renaud les amoureux transports.

"Bouillon, dit il, en vain vouloit prendre Solyme,

"Ayant perdu l'appui de ce heros sublime Qui d'Armide amoureux, au bont de l'univers;

"Dans une isle enchantée idolatroit ses fers." Ariosto begins as follows:

"Charles par sa valeur, "De Leutece ayant su delivrer les mu railles

"Vouloit deja tenter le destin des batailles,

"Et detruire Agramant, ce monarque in

domté, 4Q 2

"Qui

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presse;

"Il exhale en ce mots sa poétique ivresse. "Le mont d'Eden s'éleve en des champs fortunés,

"Ses pieds sont de buissons partout environnés,

"Et, partout l'entourant, d'inaccessibles roches

"De ses flares escarpés defendent les approches:

❤Sur ses flancs s'elevoient de longs & noirs sapins,

"De cedres, des palmiers, de venerables pins,

<6 Qui montant par degrés formoient de verds etages, "Levoient pompeusement ombrages, sur ombrages, &c.

“Lettres écrites de l'Italie, pendant les années 1801 el 1805." Letters from Italy, written between the years 1801 and 1805. By P. F. Rehfues, Zurich, 1809. The author is already known in the literary world, by his work, "Sur l'etat actuel de la Sicile," published in 1807. Several of the letters in the present voJume, have already appeared in the two German Journals edited by M. Rehfues, under the separate titles of "De l'Italie, & Melanges Italiens." They now re-appear, with many emendations, and are at the same time considerably enlarged,

We are here presented with accurate descriptions of the cities of Leghorn, Florence, and Genoa. The first letter contains a general description of the Italian ladies; the second gives an account of the carnival at Leghorn; and in the third, the author has treated "Sur l'art d'improziser," which he considers as a simple mechanical habit, that presupposes no talent whatsoever for poetry. The next letter is dedicated to a description of the ancient pictures of Campo Santo, and the Baths of Pisa;

next follows an account of the quarries of marble at Massa, where there is at this very time an academy of sculpture.

A

From Lerici, on the gulph of Spezzia, the author repaired to Genoa; and his remarks on the characters of the Genocse, are extremely interesting. journey to Rome furnishes him with an opportunity of detailing a variety of reremarks relative to the spirit which prevailed in the various religious orders, as well as of the rivalship which subsisted among them. The want of cultivation in the Campagna di Roma, is attributed partly to the siege of that city in 1527, and partly to the residence of the Popes at Avignon.

Our traveller next visits Florence, which he considers as a city better calwhile the latter is a superior abode for culated for social intercourse than Rome,, such as are attached to the study of the fine arts. The gallery of the pictures appertaining to the marchioness of Gerini, is described with great minuteness, as is also that of Cambrucchini at Leghorn. The appendix contains dissertations on the social state in Italy, and on the Jews of Leghorn.

"Tableau de Naples, & des ses Evirons, &c." A Description of Naples and its Environs, by P. J. Relifues, 3 vols. 8vo. 1803. This work has been already alluded to in the preceding article. The author, after a variety of particulars relative to the situation, climate, and history of Naples, estimates the population of that city, in 1805, at 443,421 inhabitants, without reckoning foreign ers. Those resident in the country are calculated at 123,730, among whom are included 2000 secular ecclesiastics, more than 3000 monks, and upwards of 4500

nuns.

After this the author gives an account of provisioning the city; the feast of St. of the various public places; the means Januarius, and the Neapolitan women. These appear to him to be less comely than the men: they are represented as little, and brown-complexioned, but very lively and very spirited. The Neapoli tans in general are described as superstitious, high-polished, much addicted to litigation, and often cruel and deceitful. They pretend that their dialect is far superior to the Tuscan, and possess a natural talent for the language of gesticulation. In their songs they celebrate their horses, their limpid fountains, and their mistresses. The article respecting

public shows is treated of at great length.

In the second volume, we have an account of the bank, denominated the Monte de Piete; observations on public instruction; the manner in which the convents were governed, the ceremonies of marriage, burials, the carnivals, the lazzaroni, &c. The third commences with a portrait of father Rocco, a dominican friar, who died a little before the revolution. His eloquence had an astonishing effect on the lazzarones, and he sometimes obliged even the king himself to listen to the voice of truth. The mention of the church of the Annunciation, serves to introduce a few remarks relative to two celebrated queens, Joan I. and II. We have also an account of the grotto of Pausilippo, the tomb of Virgil, the Campo Santo, &c. "Nouveau Dictionnaire Portatif de Bibliographique, &c." A new and portable Biographical Dictionary, containing more than 23,000 articles of rare, curious, and esteemed Books, with remarks to distinguish the different Editions, so as to be able to know the original from the spurious ones. Second edition, revised and augmented, by Fr. Ign. Fournier, 1 vol. 8vo. Paris.

The first edition of this work, we are told, experienced an unexampled degrce of success, having been entirely sold off within the space of three years. This is partly owing to the increase of amateurs, or book-fanciers, and partly to the prodigious number of booksellers with which Paris at this moment abounds, for the bibliomania was never so prevalent there as now. Never did France, it is said, possess so few Greek and Latin scholars, and yet, strange to be told! never were the editions printed by the Elzivirs and the Alduses sought after with such delight. Cailleau in 1791, published a dictionary of the same kind as the present in 3 vols. with the prices annexed, at which period the sums given for similar articles were far inferior to what is now readily obtained.

This work is preceded by a dissertation written by M. Jardé, who appears to be an antiquary as well as a bookseller, for he alludes to patriarchal traditions, and antediluvian memoirs which Noah carried with him into the ark, and which served Moses as materials for the composition of his Genesis! facts curious and singular indeed of themselves, and which only want something in the shape of proof. He also hazards a few question

able assertions at a latter period, having attributed the preservation of Greek books to the schism which divided the Greek and Latin churches. It is his opinion, that the latter language would have absorbed the former, if the Roman church had triumphed; and he boldly maintains, that if the protestant religion had extended itself throughout all Europe; the Latin language would have been entirely forgotten, as then the vulgar tongue only would have been used in divine worship.

While treating of a more recent period, Mr. Jardé details a variety of interesting facts. He observes, that at the disastrous epoch of the revolution, when the people of France were obliged to sell their moveables in order to procure bread, the English, Germans, and Russians obtained an immense number of valuable books and manuscripts. Even at the present moment, according to him, the capital does not contain twelve libraries worthy of being compared with the ancient ones of the second order; while all the booksellers of Paris would not be able to furnish three fit to be compared with that of the Duke de Vallière.

He complains greatly of certain specu lators, the intervention of whom between the real purchasers and the booksellers, occasions a great loss to the latter, These persons calculating on the prevailing mania, make extraordinarycharges for large margins, yellow or flesh-coloured paper, useless dates, and even faults in printing. On the other hand, a number of amateurs do not purchase a book because it is good, but because it is scarce; and both these classes have put it entirely out of the power of many men of letters to obtain the works of which they stand really in need.

"We pray heartily," says a French critic," that it may one day he with books as with other commodities, which are purchased for the sake of utility only. There would then undoubtedly be fewer booksellers, but they would be both richer and more respectable; there would also be fewer libraries, but there would be no useless ones, and thousands of volumes heaped up without discernment and without choice, by the rich and ignorant, would no longer be exposed to be devoured by worms.'

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"Description Statistique des Frontieres Militaires de l'Autriche, &c." A Statistical Description of the military frontiers of Austria, by J. A. Demian, an officer in the Austrian army, 1807. This is a con

firmation

firmation of the general statistical account of the Austrian monarchy, comprehended in four volumes; and such changes have since taken place, that this work may be already considered in some measure obsolete. The military frontier commences, or rather did lately commence, at the Adriatic sea, and extended along the boundary of Croatia, Sclavonia, the Bannat, and Transylvania, to the county of Maramorosch, in Hungary. This line of 230 miles was defended by a cordon of 4380 men, formed out of the inhabitants of the country, who are at once soldiers and cultivators.

"Pantheon der Russischen Literatur, &c. Pantheon of Russian Literature, by Jean de la Croix, 1 vol. 8vo. Riga, 18061809. This is the first volume of a work in which the author undertakes to refute the opinion commonly spread abroad, that Russia is entirely destitute of literature. To controvert this, he has collected and inserted a variety of memoirs that have appeared in the various public journals of that immense empire.

The first of these is entitled, “Observations on the Sciences, the Arts, and the Progress of Knowledge, originally inserted in the Journal of the Aglaia, published by Karamsin.

2. Letters extracted from Ismailoff's Journeys through Southern Russia.

3. The Sierra Morena, a novel, extracted from the Aglaia.

4. The Chimney, a tale, written by a Russian lady.

5. The Isle of Bornholm, a story, by Karamsin.

6. Observations on Solitude, by the

same.

7. The Mode of living at Athens, by the same.

8. My Confession, by the same. "Von Herders Samtliche Worke Zur Philosophie, &c." The complete Works of the late M. Herder, philosophical and historical, 8 vols. large 8vo. Tubingen, 1808. This editor has been at great pains to complete the collection of M. de Herder's works.

Vol. 1, The Ancient World, with 5 plates, and 3 vignettes.

Vol. 2, A Preface to the Philosophy of History, so far as it respects the hu

man race.

Vols. 3, 4, 5, and 6, contain ideas relating to the history of mankind.

Vol. 8, of God and the Soul. The first portion of this last volume is devoted to the consideration of what is termed the

perception, and the sentiment of the mind; the second, entitled " God,” contains dissertations relative to the system of Spinoza, with a hymn to Nature; the third is occupied with reflections on love and egotism; and there is also, a supplement to the letter of Hemsterhuis on Desire; the fourth is entitled "The Voice of Prometheus chained to Mount Caucasus. To complete this, which is the best edition, M. de Müller intends to add several more volumes.

"Dresden's Verstorbene und Lebende, &c." Notices relative to the Authors and Artists of Dresden, both dead and liv ing, classed methodically, with a triple table of contents, 8vo. Dresden, 1808. The authors here mentioned are classed in the following order:

1. Theologians.
2. Pedagogues.
3. Philosophers.
4. Juris-consults.
5. Physicians.
6. Naturalists.
7. Economists.
8. Financiers.
9. Historians.
10. Geographers.
11. Men of Letters.
12. Mathematicians.
13. Tacticians.

14. Philologists.

15. Those attached to the Belles Lettres.

16. Grammarians.

17. Translators. 18. Journalists. 19. Composers. 20. Artists.

The last of these classes is subdivided into painters, engravers, sculptors, architects, mechanicians, and makers of instruments. The three tables contain the names of the authors of all these classes; those of the living authors, with the epochs of their birth, as well as those of the artists.

"Mes Ecarts, &c." My Wanderings, or the Fool who sells Wisdom, a manuscript published by M. Coffin-Rony, formerly an Advocate of the Parliament of Paris, &c. 3 vols. 12mo.

Dormenil, who is the chief personage in this romance, is the son of a respectable magistrate. His mother dies in consequence of his birth, and his father determines never to marry again, in order that he might consecrate all his affections, and dedicate all his time, to rear and educate his only son.

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