demic and epizootic distempers. 12. The fall of stones or other bodies from the atmosphere. METEORS, their direction, apparent velocity, &c.—and, particularly, the interval between their apparent explosion and the hearing of the report. 13. Discoveries relative to the antiquities of the country. A notice of every, or all, of the above articles will be highly acceptable. I wish you to transmit your observations monthly, with your monthly official returns. Whatever information may be thus obtained will be public property. My only object being the increase of our physical knowledge of our own country, I flatter myself you will not think my request unreasonable. I have the honour to be, &c. The Historical Society are fitting up a suit of Rooms, in the New-York Institution, for their Mineralogical, Zoological and Botanical collections. We understand a catalogue of the valuable articles they comprise will be published, when the arrangement is completed. A cabinet of coins and medals is, also, forming under the auspices of this Society. J. G. Bogart, Esq. is Chairman of the Committee who have this in charge.Many very ancient and valuable specimens have already been obtained, and it is confidently hoped, that the treasures of this kind in the hands of the curious, will be liberally contributed to an Institution sufficiently interested in their preservation. Proposals have been issued for publishing, by Subscription, the late President DWIGHT's SYSTEM OF DIVINITY, contained in a series of Discourses. J. HORWITZ, M. D. is about publishing a Western Tour performed in the years 181516, through the States of Ohio. Indiana, Kentucky, Tennesee, and the Illinois and Missouri Territories, with remarks statistical, topographical, botanical, mineralogical, medical, &c. WELLS & LILLY, of Boston, are engaged in publishing a uniform edition of the whole of the Latin Classics. The complete works of CICERO have already appeared from their press, in 20 vols. in an elegant style of typography, the text carefully collated with the best editions. The execution of this laudable undertaking thus far, fully answers the high expectations which had been form ed from Mr. Well's general literary attainments and his critical acquaintance with the Latin language. His edition of Grotius de Veritate was a sufficient evidence of his qualifications for this task. Subscriptions to the above publication are received by Van Winkle and Wiley, and Kirk and Mercein, in New-York. JAMES EASTBURN and Co. of New-York, have recently made a very valuable importation of rare standard works in Theology, Biblical Criticism and Philosophy, and of rare and ancient editions of the Classics,many of these would form important additions to the libraries of learned societies; and are, in fact, such as we have seldom met with elsewhere. A. T. GOODRICH and Co. have published ART. 8. REVIEW AND REGISTER OF THE FINE ARTS. ROYAL ACADEMY. created Marquis of Ischia, by the Pope. He has, with great liberality, disposed of the 3000 Tied prize, pa nis copy from ties, for the benefit of decayed artists, &c. crowns allowed him by his Holiness, in chari HE principal prize in painting was allot Rembrandt; the second to Mr. CARRUTHERS, for his copy from Titian. The prize in the Life Academy, for a drawing, was obtained by Mr. LESLIE,-that in the Antique Academy, by Mr. SHEPPERTON. In Sculpture, by Mr. BEHNES,-In Architecture, by Mr. DONALDSON. The Phigalian Marbles, (so called from being discovered in the vicinity of Phigalia, in the Poloponnesus,) now exhibiting in the BRITISH MUSEUM, were purchased for that Institution for 15,000 and the price increased by the unfavourable state of exchange to 19,000-a cost much above their value. They are decidedly inferior to the Elgin collection. R UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Our distinguished countryman, Col. John Trumbull, is preparing his grand paintings for the decoration of the capitol, towards the purchase of which Congress have liberally appropriated 32,000 dols. When these pieces shall be completed and displayed in the halls of our legislative assemblies, we are confident, they will exhibit, alike, an evidence of native genius and national munificence. The American Academy of the Fine Arts (New-York) have purchased a collection of original paintings of Col. Trumbull, for 13,000 dollars. Second Exhibition of the American Academy of the Fine Arts. We shall endeavour, as far as our humble means will enable us, to give a view of the second Exhibition of the American Academy of the Fine Arts, with an opinion on the merits of the pictures, taking the order of the Catalogue. Fully impressed with the belief that the purer pleasures of which our nature is susceptible, are all heightened and refined by a knowledge of the Fine Arts, and that the cultivation of a taste for them, is a barrier against the ignoble and degrading propensities which beset us, we recommend to the public generally, and to the public authorities of our country, that they use every means in their power to encourage that attention to the art of Design which begins to show itself in our country, and to support the efforts of those individuals who have made the laudable attempt to raise the minds of their fellow-citizens, by a study of the beauties of nature. No. 1. Portrait of a Gentleman.-ROMNEY. The first picture which presents itself is a fine specimen of portrait painting by Romney, at one time the rival of Sir Joshua Reynolds. This head, painted about fifty years ago, is a study for colouring and effect, and though there is not that magic sweetness which pervades some of the portraits of G. Stewart, yet, with perfect simplicity, all seems to have been done which the subject required. No. 2. Portrait of Snellinks. VAN Dyke. It is very seldom that we can see, on this side of the Atlantic, a picture by Sir Anthony Van Dyke. This is an undoubted original. Snellinks was himself a painter and a friend of Van Dyke's. There is an etching in this city by Van Dyke himself, of this head, but the person is continued to a half length, and the hands are very differently disposed of. The hands in the picture under consideration, do not appear to be of the same artist as the head. This invaluable head is much injured; apparently from bad varnish. It is in blisters, and the colour begins to peel off. No. 3. The Virgin and St. Jerome.-Copied from CORREGIO's celebrated picture, by our celebrated countryman WEST, when a youth, studying in Italy. The original of this picture is considered as one of the most perfect in the world. It is unrivalled for the charms of grace, colouring and just disposition of light and shadow. Antonio Allegri, called Corregio from the place of his birth, composed it in 1253 for Briseis, the widow of Ottaviano Bergonzi, a Parmesan gentleman, Briseis presented it to the monastery of St. Anthony of Parma. In 1749, the king of Portugal offered the monastery 460.000 livres, French, for the picture, and the bargain was likely to be concluded, when the magistrates of Parma, considering that the loss would be irreparable to their ci ty, applied to the infant Don Phillip, who by an arbitrary decree, removed it to the Cathedral. In 1756, in consequence of a complaint made to the Infant, by an artist who had been refused the privilege of copying this great work, the prince sent his guard to remove it to his own palace, and next year, having founded an academy, he deposited it with the academicians. Parma possessed this treasure until the French conquests removed it to Paris. We presume that the conquest of France has removed it to Italy. Mr West made more than one copy of this picture, which is, in the original, of sufficient dimensions to give the figures as large as life; he has in his house at Newman-street, London, a more perfect copy than the one under consideration. No. 4. Portraits of a Lady and Child. WATSON. A picture of merit. The child is peculiarly beautiful. No. 5. A ship at sea, in a Gale of Wind. MORSE. The young gentleman who composed this picture, is the son of the Rev. Jedediah Morse, the geographer. Mr. Morse has recently returned from England, where he has studied his art. This picture is striking in its effect, and boldly conceived and executed. The sky is beautiful; perhaps the water is too blue. No. 6. Portrait of a Gentleman. RAEBURN. Mr. Raeburn is an English R. A. though a Scotchman, and resident in Edinburgh. He is sometimes called the Scotch Reynolds, but from this specimen, we should not think him deserving the title, unless Scotland is very barren of portrait painters, and the title is conferred by comparison. No. 7. Catile Piece. No. 8. Cattle passing over a bridge. No. 9. The Virgin and Child. CORREGIO. Here is a picture professing to be an original, by the great Antonio Allegri; parts of it are so fine as to incline us to admit the claim; particularly the angel, in the upper part of the composition, us. No. 10. A loaded Horse, and Cattle. No. 11. Cattle and Figures. No 12. Landscape and Sheep. OMEGANK. This is one of the most precious pictures of the exhibition. The finish is exquisite, yet the touch is free. The colouring is the warm tints of nature. The drawing is faultless, and the aerial perspective enchanting. The eye proceeds with unceasing delight, from the sheep and herbage of the foreground, to the cow, the goat, the sheep, and the shepherd, of the middle distance; and rests, with unabating pleasure on the water, the trees, and the sky. Hours must be spent Burnet has succeeded in imitating the manner of Wilkie, and the expressions of nature. We have seen a print, engraved by Burnet himself from his painting. No. 15. Inside of a Gothic Cathedral. PETER NEEF. The museum of France possesses several of the pictures of this celebrated master, the subjects similar to this, but no one superior to the painting under consideration. It is an inestimable treasure for any collection, and will delight the connoisseur, while it surprises the common observer. The effect both of linear and aerial perspective, are bere perfect. The figures are equally beautiful. It was not unusual for Teniers to paint the figures for Neef. This eminent artist was born at Anvels in 1570. No. 16. The jews' harp. Copy after Wilkie, by KREMMEL. Lo A very beautiful companion to Burnet's young bird. No. 17. Cottage scene by candle-light. No. 18. Sheep. OMEGANK. So says the catalogue. The difference between this and No. 12, is too apparent to need particular notice: yet it is a beautiful picture. W. [To be continued.] Phillip Trajetta, Esq. is preparing for the press, Solos, Duettos, Terzettos, and Chorussus, sung at the sacred exercises of the Conservatorio, some of which are to have an Italian translation of the English words to which they are set. In preparation, an Introduction to Singing, by Uri K. Hill, in which a parallel between the prevalent solmization of this country and the Italian solfeggi, will be exemplified so as to render the superiority of the Italian system easily understood by those who have learnt to sing in the common way. E. ART. 9. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. FOREIGN. GREAT-BRITAIN. British and Foreign Bible Society. Mr. Pinkerton has already discovered some of the books of the Holy Scriptures in manuscript, in the Turkish language, written with Greek characters. Auxiliary Societies are extensively forming under the patronage of the Parent Society at St. Petersburg. Count Rosenblad, President of the Swedish Bible Society, in their behalf, has gratefully acknowledged the receipt of 5001. from the British Bible Society. His Lordship has also received, from the Crown Prince of Denmark, a very flattering expression of the interest he personally feels in the welfare of the Society, and of his thanks for the present of some editions of the Holy Scriptures printed under its auspices. The following estimate of the numbers of the Jews in the towns and countries of Europe and Asia, where they are most numerous, is collected from the documents lately published. In six districts of Poland, 20,000, in Germany, 200,000, in Konigsburgh and Dentziel, in Prussia, 1,600, in Hungary, 75,500, Gal licia, 80,000, in Constantinople, 80 or 90,000, in Salonica, 12,000, in Aleppo, 5,000, Rome, 1000, Leghorn, 15,000, Bohemia, 46,000, Moravia, 27,000. WEST INDIES. Hayti. A Sunday school has been established at Cape Henry, by a Mr. Gulliver, under the patronage of his Majesty. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. American Bible Society. The first Anniversary meeting of the American Bible Society was held at WashingtonHall, in the City of New-York, on Thursday the 8th of May. General Matthew Clarkson, the Senior Vice-President, present, presided. Letters were received, apologizing for nonattendance, from the Hon. Elias Boudinot, the venerable President of the Society, from the Hon. John Jay. His Excellency Governor Smith, of Connecticut, Judge Washington, of the Supreme Court of the United States. Judge Tillghman, of Pennsylvania, Judge Thompson of New-York, and the Vice President of the United States, the Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins. The first annual report of the Society was read by the Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Romeyn. We have no room for an outline of this interesting paper, which was ordered to be printed. It presents on the whole a very encouraging picture of the progress and prospects of the Institution. The Managers acknowledge, among other liberal aids, a donation of five hundred pounds sterling from the British and Foreign Bible Society, together with their various translations of the Bible, and the offer of the loan of their stereotype plates. Some very interesting and eloquent addresses were delivered on this occasion; and a very salutary impression was produced on the minds of a numerous and respectable auditory, by the exercises and performances of the day. The following societies have become auxiliaries to the American Bible Society; viz. The Hampden, B. S. (Mass.) The Lynchburg, B. S. (Va.) The Auxiliary Female Bible Society of the County of St. Lawrence, (N. Y.) The Seneca County B. S. (N. Y.) The B. S. of Cumberland County, (Pa.) The Bible Society of Berkely County, (Va.) SONNET. ART 10. Oh hide thy beams, thou radiant source of light, Pour not on me the dazzling flood of day; Dart not thy splendours on my wilder'd sight,. My early hopes were, as thy dawning, bright, No lingering moment mark'd time's rapid flight, The Female Bible Society of Geneva, (N. Y.); A Society has been organized in the State The first annual report of the N. Y. Female Union Society for the promotion of Sabbath Schools, affords gratifying evidence of their attention to the improvement of the condition of the poor, as well in the economy of life as the concerns of religion. From the annual report of the Female Association of the City of New-York, it ap-. pears that the number of Scholars admitted during the year was 249, and 108 were discharged. There are at present under the care of the Association 508. The N. Y. Female Auxiliary Bible Society held its Anniversary meeting on the 25th of April. It appears from the statement of the Treasurer that the receipts for the last year amounted to $1561. The Society has paid over to the American Bible Society, $1350. The Auxiliary Female Bible Society in the County of St. Lawrence, N. Y. has published an address to the inhabitants of that County. From the Report of the Committee of the Synod of Geneva, N. Y. it appears there is an increased attention to religion in that vicinity. Three Sunday Schools have been simultaneously established in Richmond, (Va.) by the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians. A Sunday school has been lately established at North Hampton, (Mass.) with about 100 pupils. The General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America assembled in the City of New-York' on the 21st of May. It is said to have been more generally attended than any other convocation, of the same denomination, in this country. A sermon was preached before them at Trinity Church, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, of the Eastern diocess. POETRY. E. WE ART. 11. THESPIAN REGISTER. Monday Evening, April 21. Belle Stratagem.-Tekeli. E enjoyed a rich treat in the performances of this evening. The Belle Stratagem is legitimate comedy; such as we should be glad to see reinstated in possession of the stage. The managers are mistaken if they think that melo dramas, and horsemanship, and rope-dancing, have more charms for a New-York audience than real, old-fashioned, racy humour. If they would oftener bring up the genuine comedy of better days, we believe there is still taste enough extant to relish its wit, though not wit enough left to imitate its style. The play was admirably supported. Mr. Simpson's Doricourt was very spirited--Mr. Robertson was true to Sir George Touchwood; and Flutter lost none of his levity or noncha lence in the hands of Mr. Hilson. Mr. Carpender played unusually well in Saville, as did Mr. Darley in Courtall. Mr. Barnes was excellent in Hardy, and even Mr. Anderson unbent in Villiers. Miss Johnson's Letitia Hardy was superior to any performance of hers we have yet witnessed. In her affected rusticity she was irresistibly ludicrous. The other female parts were extremely well sustained. In short we have not often seen a more unique representation than was given of this piece. The only thing we regretted was the tedious interlocutions among the dramatis persona, after the denouement of the plot; these should be omitted. Wednesday Evening, April 23. To Marry or Not to Marry.-My Grand mother. We were very well pleased on the whole, this evening. Mr. Pritchard's Sir Oliver Mortland was coldly correct. Mr. Simpson's Willowear was truly diverting. Mr. Robertson did very well in Lavensforth, where the incident of the scene happened to justify his tragic tone; but there were occasions when his dignified drawl became absolute burlesque. Miss Johnson was fascinating in Hester. ELLA. It is a character remarkably adapted to her. Mrs. Baldwin in the Maiden Miss Mortland, showed her usual discernment. The amusing afterpiece of My Grandmo ther, gave to Miss Johnson, as the heroine, a scope to her vivacity. Mr. Hilson's Dickey Gossip was no unimportant character. He was, deservedly, encored in his song. We like to see an audience occasionally give some indication of the relish with which they take what is set before them. It is a pity that they do not sometimes give more audible intimations of their dissatisfaction. The glorious privilege of hissing should never be resigned by an enlightened auditory, and this testimony of disapprobation should be extended to the scene and sentiment where they deserve it, as well as to the acting. We wish we could hear it oftener exercised in the New-York theatre. A decided expression of public opinion always produces salutary effects. Friday Evening, April 25. Castle Spectre.-The Weathercock. This absurd play is one of Monk Ghost Lewis's extravagant conceits. The introduction of a sheeted spectre, though bad enough in all conscience, is not, however, the most disgusting feature in the piece. The impertinences of Father Philip are tedious and provoking, beyond measure; and the German sentimentality of Hassan and his African comrades, is equally preposterous and detestable. In England, where they have little intercourse with blacks, such stuff may pass for genuine; but it will not go down moral and intellectual character, to recogin this country. We know too well their nize any resemblance, either in the language or the principles imputed to them in this drama. We do not think so well of them in one respect, nor so ill in another, as Mr. Lewis appears to do. Indeed, there seems to be a general ignorance in Great Britain of the real character of negroes., We have no objection to the Prince Regent's closetting Prince Saunders, if he have a mind to it; on the contrary we shall rejoice, should any benefit accrue to his oppress |