Then bring him back to his father's room, And she be sick, and her milk be sour." From among the "Distichs" we select a various few of the most pointed, to conclude this notice; and surely we need hardly repeat, considering the object of the book and its own merits, that it deserves to be universally circulated. We cannot do better than finish this review with a few particulars touching the Music of the Modern Greeks, with which we recently met in a splendid and very expensive work, under the title, Le costume ancien et moderne, par Iules Ferrario," which was lately published at Milan. It contains a variety of interesting subjects relating to music, particularly many beautiful plates of the musical instruments of the ancients, of their musicians in the act of performance, &c. In a parallel, which the author draws between the music of the ancient and that of the modern Greeks, he says-"The latter are so fond of music, that almost VOL. VI. No. 35.-Museum. 30 every festivity is accompanied by songs on the lyra and the lute, their two favourite instruments. If several singers and players join, being ignorant of harmony, they perform all unisono. They confess to have lost the rhythm and metre of the ancient Greeks; and as they neither know the use of notes, nor of the letters, by means of which their ancestors represented musical sound, the inventor of a new melody has no other expedient of communicating his composition to others but constant repetition, till it is retained." E. Dodwell, in his Classical and Topographical Tour through Greece, 1819, gives an equally unfavourable opinion of the state of music in that country. Literary Intelligence. THE venerable author of the Man of Feeling, Henry Mackenzie, is at present engaged in an autobiographical work, which cannot fail to be eminently interesting to the literary world. Except Bentham, Mr. Mackenzie is, we believe, the oldest living author in Great Britain. Johnson, Goldsmith, Gibbon, Reynolds, are all within his recollection; and in his own country, the great names of the Gregories, Beattie, Cullen, Reid, the Monroes, David Hume, Robertson, Adam Smith, Blair, Kames, Tytler, Monboddo, Black, Logan, and many others, must all be familiar to him as household words. Mr. Mackenzie, notwithstanding his great age, is as fully in possession of all his faculties, as he was at five-and-twenty: and as his latter years have been passed among the highest literary characters of our own day, such a work as his cannot fail to be one of the most interesting ever pub lished. The Quarterly Review is no longer under the superintendence of Mr. Gifford. The new Editor is Mr. John Coleridge, the Barrister. The next number will give us "a taste of his quality" as Editor of the Quarterly: an office of which those only who know how many persons and parties the gentleman who occupies that office has to please and conciliate, can appreciate the difficulties. The Memoirs of Madame de Genlis, which are shortly to appear, both in French and English, are among the most amusing works belonging to that interesting por tion of French literature. The two volumes now in the press, consist of a vast number of anecdotes relative to the persons and events among which the early life of the authoress was passed. The brilliant society of Paris during the latter part of the reign of Louis XV. is admirably characterized, and illustrated with spirited and amusing anecdotes of its splendid farmers-general, its Bourets and its de la Popelinieres; its men of letters, Marmontel, the Abbé d'Olivet, D'Alembert, Sainte Foix, Sauvigny, Colardeau, Voltaire, &c. &c. The interiors of convents, and of lordly mansions, are exhibited with the same fidelity and spirit: the Maréchale de Luxembourg and Madame de Boufflers, the arbitresses of fashion in their day-all the beauties and beaux esprits, and courtiers of the time, come out distinctly in their habits as they lived." The coteries of Versailles, the Isle Adam, Villers Coterets, and the Palais Royal, are all described with a brilliancy and animation which could only have been caught from long and constant observation: the intrigues of cour tiers, the manners of princes, and the secret springs of many curious events, arc all laid open to the view. It would be wrong to omit noticing the beautiful and interesting account given by the authoress, of her childhood; or not to allude to the many striking and well-told anecdotes which, in the hands of an able author, would furnish the theme of many a novel. To those who love reading for the solid information they receive from it, the Memoirs of Madame de Genlis will come recommended by the judicious observations on life, manners and morals, and by the ingenious and excellent remarks upon literature which are interspersed through them. Though those acquainted with Parisian society know that Madame de Genlis is, even at this advanced stage of her life, as well qualified to write the Memoirs of her Times, as at any former period, it may be satisfactory to know that the work now publishing, was written long since, and that, as she herself states, she has only had to put together and arrange all the fragments of it. Madame de Genlis did not intend that her work should have been given to the world till after her death; but the large sum proffered by her booksellers (upwards of 50,000 fr.), induced her to change her resolution. The great fire in Edinburgh, it is stated, has retarded the publication of the Tales of the Crusaders. This we think not likely to be the true cause; for every body knows how easily three, or even thirty, volumes might have been printed since the period when the fire took place. Another reason, and a more probable one is, that the author himself is not satisfied with his undertaking: and intends making considerable alterations. Shortly will be published Triumphs of Genius and Perseverance, by the Author of "Self-Advancement," "Practical Wisdom," &c. being the lives of men of science and literature, who have risen to eminence amidst extraordinary difficulties. Mr. BLAQUIERE has in the press, a Narrative of his Second Visit to Greece, including facts and anecdotes relative to the last days of Lord Byron, with extracts from his correspondence with the Provisional Government, official documents, &c. Also, a Second Edition of "The Greek Revolution." A work is now in the press from the pen of the late John Bell, Esq. of Edinburgh, containing Observations upon Italy, chiefly made during a residence at Florence. Mr. Bell's skill as an anatomist is well known, and as an artist he possessed no ordinary talents. We believe that many of the finest anatomical drawings that adorn his works, were drawn and engraved by himself. His criticisms, therefore, upon those works of art which have arrested the attention of all travellers, will be highly interesting. Mr. Bell had been in the habit of immediately noting down his impressions while examining any fine statue or painting, and he subsequently formed the intention of writing a detailed work upon Italy. He did not live, however, to complete this, and the present volume consists chiefly of selections from his Notes, which are edited by his widow. Captain (de Fragata) W. B. Stevenson, formerly Secretary to Count Ruis de Castilla, President of Quito, &c. has announced the publication of a "Historical and Descriptive Narrative of Twenty Years' Residence in South America," in 3 octavo volumes. There are nearly ready for publication in three volumes, with about twenty Portraits; "Westminster Hall: or, Anecdotes and Reminiscences of the Bar, Bench, and Woolsack; with the various relics and curiosities of Legal History, Biography, and Literature." Also, in one large volume, octavo, illustrated with copper-plate engravings of several hundred subjects; "The Operative Mechanic and Mechanist," by John Nicholson, Esq. civil engineer. This volume purports to display the actual state of our scientific improvements in all the branches of productive industry, as they are at present practised in workshops and manufactories. In five vols. with engravings, "Remarkable Trials and Celebrated Criminals,” during the last 400 years. "Catholic Miracles," illustrated with seven designs, including a characteristie portrait of Prince Hoenlohe, by George Cruikshank. The Journal of an Exile, descriptive of the Scenery and Manners of some intevesting parts of France, especially among the Peasantry, in two volumes, is preparing for publication, and expected to appear in the early part of this month. A gentleman of distinguished talent, long resident in that country, is about to publish the result of his observations among the higher orders there, under the title of "The English in Italy:" the work is to extend to three volumes, and to be ready in April. The Historical and Literary Tour of a Foreigner, in England and Scotland, with Anecdotes of celebrated Persons, visited by the Author, including most of the Literati of both Countries, in 2 vols. 8vo., is expected to appear speedily. A Peep at the Pilgrims, in 1636, in 3 vols., is nearly ready for republication, Horace Walpole's Letters to the Earl of Hertford, during his Lordship's embassy to Paris, are announced for publication, in 1 vol. 8vo. The History of the Dominion of the Arabs, in Spain, founded upon a Comparison of the Arabic MSS. in the Escurial, with the Spanish Chronicles, translated from the French, is in the press. Robert Emmett, or the Resources of Ireland, is in the press. Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Lord Byron, by George Clinton, esq., will be published in a few days. An Account of the Two Minas, and the Spanish Guerillas, is announced. Dr. Luden, of Jena, announces his intention of publishing a History of Germany, by subscription, in 10 vols., and printed in four different sizes. Mr. Nichols' Collection of the Progresses, Processions, and Public Entertainments of King James the First, will be printed uniformly with the Progresses of Queen Elizabeth, and will form three handsome volumes, to be published periodi cally, in separate portions, to commence on the first of June. The Rev. Dr. Nares, Regius Professor of Modern History, in the University of Oxford, is preparing for publication, Memoirs of the Life and Administration of the Right Honourable William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, Lord High Treasurer of England, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; with Extracts from his Private and Official Cor respondence, and other papers not previously investigated. When the share taken by statesmen in so many important transactions, is remembered, there can be little doubt but that his history, when fully developed, (a task which has never before been attempted) by the aid of his exceedingly numerous and valuable manuscripts, will be found to possess great interest. The work is intended to form two volumes in quarto, and to be accompanied by Portraits and Engravings. Mr. Parry, who is mentioned by Count Gamba and others, as having been intimate with Lord Byron during the latter period of his residence in Greece, is about to publish his account of this event. It is said to differ considerably from every other account. A volume, containing many Letters to and from Pope, Steele, Gay, Bolingbroke, with some Poetical Fragments, by Pope, will shortly be published. They are from original MSS. and will be printed uniformly with Roscoe's edition to which the work will form a supplement. A complete Treatise on Rail Roads, &c. by Nicholas Wood, Esq. of Killingsworth Colliery, Newcastle-on-Tyne, is announced for next month. We understand the author of "Smiles and Tears" is preparing a New Series for the press. Scientific Notices. Influence of Temperature on Stone Bridges.-M. Vicat has had occasion to observe a striking instance of the effect of change of temperature on a bridge constructed over the Dordogne at Souillac. The bridge was of stone, had seven arches, each of above twenty-four feet span. It was expected that, as the masonry settled, the parapet stones would separate slightly from each other; and, in fact, this took place, but it occurred suddenly and precisely during the very cold weather of February, 1824. Continuing the observation of what took place at the separation thus formed, it was found that cement, with which portions of the cracks had been filled, remained undisturbed during the cold weather; but that as the warm weather came on, it was pressed out, and the joints were closed: and it was ultimately ascertained, that much of the expansion and contraction of the bridge was entirely thermometrical, depending upon the changes of temperature communicated to it from the atmosphere. One of the most important and evident consequences of this action is, that large arches exposed to the variations of natural temperature are never in equilibrium; and M. Vicat remarks, that these effects are equally produced, and have been observed in arches constructed more than a year previous, and in those which have not been built more than two months; so that the thermometrical expansion and contraction of the stones does not appear to change by time.-Aun. de Chim. xxvii. 70. Vibration of Wires in the Air.—A gentleman of Burkil, near Basle, in Switzerland, is said to have observed, some years since, that a long iron wire stretched in the air gave musical tones in certain states of the weather. In consequence of this, and other observations, a kind of musical barometer is described as having been constructed by Captain Hans, of Basle, in 1787. Thirteen pieces of iron wire, each 320 feet long, were extended from his summer-house to the outer court, crossing a garden; they were placed about two inches apart; the largest were two lines in diameter, the sinallest only one, and the others about one and a half. They were on the side of the house, and made an angle of twenty or thirty degrees with the horizon. They were stretched and preserved tight by wheels for the purpose. During certain changes of the weather, these wires make a considerable noise, resembling that of a simmering tea-urn, an harmonicon, a distant bell, or an organ. It seems to be supposed, that wires placed east and west yield no sound, and that to produce the effect they must be in the direction of the meridian. In the opinion of M. Dobereiner, as stated in the Bulletin Technologique, this is an electro-magnetical phenomenon.-N. M. Mag. xii, 446. Preservation of fish during Carriage. For ensuring the sweetness of fish conveyed by land carriage, it is proposed, that the belly of the fish should be opened, and the internal parts sprinkled with powdered charcoal.—N. M. Mag. On a Mode of Planting through Trees.-A memoir, by M. A. Thouin, on the mode of planting through trees has been published in the Mém. du Muséum, ii. 161. Reference is first made to the statement of Pliny, that he had seen in the grounds of Tullius, at Tibur, a tree grafted in all possible methods, and bearing all kinds of fruit: one branch was covered with nuts, another with berries, (cherries, prunes, &c.) another with grapes, another with figs, another with pears, another with pomegranates, and finally others with all sorts of apples; the life of this tree was of but short duration. M. Thouin, after remarking on the impossibility of the effect described by Pliny, as produced by grafting, describes other processes by which it may perhaps have been obtained. He notices the singular results produced by the growth of parasitic plants on others, or of certain plants, in the decomposed and decomposing wood of trees; also the effects produced by the association of twining, trailing, and creeping plants, either together or around forest trees, where, after many years, the fasciculus of many trunks appears so much like one trunk as to deceive even persons of some experience. He then proceeds to remark on an effect sometimes produced in Italy, and still more deceptive than any of the above. The gardeners of Genoa, Florence, Venice, &c., clioose an orange-tree, which they deprive of its branches; the trunk is then perforated through its whole length, and through the roots to the ground beneath. They then select young plants of the jasmine, the dwarf almond with double flowers, fig trees, rose-trees, myrtles, and other ornamental plants, and these being arranged in twos, or threes, according to fancy and the size of the aperture in the orange-tree, are planted either in the ground or in a tub, according to the climate, passing them through the orange-tree, so that the plants may reach a short distance above the upper end of the trunk; the roots of the tree are then covered with earth, watered, and cultivated, as if it were a tree just planted. The tree and the young plants all grow together, and will live for ten or fifteen years. This experiment was repeated by M. Thouin, at the agricultural school. A tilleul (linden tree,) 11.8 inches in diameter, was taken up with parts of its roots, and cut horizontally about the height of forty inches; the roots were shortened to |