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ca, coupled with the birth of an heir to the Throne, must be considered as indications that Divine wrath was removed, and that Providence would bless the arms of the Faithful against Infidels, and restore the Empire to its former splendour. So anxious were all classes for advices of the re-occupation of Mecca, and so certain of its taking place, that thousands had made vows of abstaining from all animal food, &c. until they were received.

A monstrous long Ibernian Play.-The Spanish theatre did not begin to refine till the commencement of the fifteenth century. Rodri guez de Cota then gave his Calixtús and Melibeus; it was one of the first pieces in which the rules of the dramatic art appear to be at all understood, and abounds with very lively but often licentious descriptions. Celestina appeared a short time after; it consists of twenty-one acts by different authors; the earlier ones are attributed by some to Rodriguez de Cota, by others to Juan de Mena; the latter ones are by Fernando Roxas de Montalvano, known also by another dramatic piece, Progne and Philomela. Celestina was begun before the middle of the fifteenth century, but was not finished till fifty or sixty years after. Though it may be regarded as a monster, the piece has its beauties. The plot is clearly unfolded, the action well sustained, the incidents are well introduced; its episodes are probable; its delineations of manners and characters just. It made a great noise in the literary world. It went through fifteen Spanish editions, a Latin translation and edition, and two French translations and editions. It pleased very much in Italy, where translations were multiplied, and went through ten editions in that language.

Secret Intelligence of the Order of Jesuits.-The late Duke of Chaiseul (says Mr. Seward in his Biographiana), having no employ in the government of France, happened one evening at supper to say something very strong against the Jesuits. Some years afterwards he was sent Ambassador to Rome, where, in the usual routine of his visits in that situation, he called upon the general of the Jesuits, for whose Order he professed the highest veneration. "Your Excellence did not always, I fear, think so well of Us," replied the General. The Duke, much surprized at this observation, begged to know "What reasons he had for thinking so? as he was conscious that he had never mentioned the Order but in terms of the highest respect.” The General, to convince him of the contrary, shewed him an Extract from a large Register-book belonging to the Society, in which the particular conversation alluded to, and the day and the year in which it happened, were minuted down. The Ambassador blushed, and excused himself as well as he could, and soon went away, resolving within himself, whenever he should become Prime Minister, to destroy a Society that kept up such particular and detailed correspondences, of which it might make use to the detriment of Administration and Go

vernment.

Devil's Tree. There is a tree, called the Devil's Tree, which grows in America, its fruit, in a state of maturity, is elastic; and when dried

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by the heat of the sun, noisily splits, and bursts forth its grains. To this sport of nature the tree owes its name, for at the moment of bursting, the effect of a small artillery is produced, the noise of which succeeds rapidly, and is heard tolerably far off. If this fruit be transported before it is ripe to a dry place, or exposed on a chimney-piece to a gentle heat, it will have the same effect, and produce the same phenome

non.

Hesentrum's travels.-Mr. Hesentrum is now in St. Petersburgh, having travelled through Siberia as far as the Frozen Ocean, from whence he visited two islands, now called the Holy Islands; he there found a vast number of skeletons of the mammoth, rhinoceros, elephant, and whale fish, and thencefrom considers those uninhabited islands as the burial place of unknown generations. He has also found the pi nions and claws of a bird which must have been at least three times the size of the condor, in South America, which is the largest of all the known feathered creation, and the wings of which, when extended, measured from 15 to 16 feet. In both the islands path-ways were discernible, which must have been made by wild beasts. From all these circumstances, it is supposed that there must be a continent of land, extending from the 80th degree of the pole, and which must be chiefly inhabited by white bears and black ravens, who are particularly fond of the climate.

Genuine Account of the Upas Tree.-After all the romantic nonsense which has been circulated through the English press, particularly the newspapers, it seems we are indebted to the Annales du Museum de l'Histoire Naturelle, written by M. Leichenault, for the rational information on this doubtful aubject: "It was," says he, "at Sumanap, on the Island of Madura, contiguous to Java, that I procur ed intelligence respecting the famous poison called Upas, or Ipo.-A bark from the neighbouring island had just arrived, having on board a Javanese, from the mountains of the interior, a preparer and vender of this poison. On conversation with him, by means of an interpreter, I found him full of exaggerations and fabulous stories about the danger of and preparing this poison; but when I proposed a proper reward to him to accompany me to the mountains, and dazzled his eyes with a handful of sequins, he consented to be my guide, and to shew me the upas tree, and to prepare some of the poison before my eyes. On our arrival at the mountains in a very woody district of a fertile soil, he pointed out to me this magnificent tree, growing to the height of an hundred feet, with a straight upright stem of nearly eighteen feet girth at the bottom, a smooth light-coloured bark, and a bushy head, not in the least incommoding the surrounding trees. As it was necessary, from the smoothness of the bark, to make some incision in order to climb the tree, my guide, in executing this service, was incommoded either by the effluvia or the contract of the poisonous gum; he was attacked by a nausea, a vertigo, and a slight swelling, but they soon disappeared. He procured, as I desired, some flowering branches, from whence I deduced its botanical character. The Javanese proceeded to prepare the poison, which after expressing the gum, was by steeping in a cop

per vessel close stopped, stirring and mixing separately with a dry wooden stick the juice of capsicum, powdered ginger, juice of garlic, powdered root of kæmpfera, galenga, marantha, mallacensis, and costus arabicus. It was necessary to prove the effect of this poison after it was prepared; and having put some on a sharp instrument, I slightly pricked the thigh muscle of a full-grown fowl, which expired in the course of two minutes; but, cutting out the wounded part, the flesh is no ways injured for eating."-Besides a Dane, named Foerch, our countryman Dr. Darwin, has been the most prominent in his marvellous account of the upas tree.

National library. A grand national library has been completed and opened at Petersburgh, comprising 250,000 printed volumes, 80,000 of which relate to theology, and 40,000 duplicates. There are 12,000 manuscripts, many of them exceedingly curious. Among them are some Epistles of Paul, written during the fourth century, with marginal notes, and a book of Mahomedan prayers in Cufic characters.

New South Wales.-A New South Wales Almanack, for the year 1811, has been published in that settlement, containing among other matters, lists of the civil and military estabishments; the list of colonial shipping, consisting of 29 small vessels, from 14 to 186 tons, 49 vessels of from 58 to 627 tons, from British, American, and other foreign ports, had entered Port Jackson, between the 1st of Nov. 1808, and the 31st of December, 1810.

Valuable discovery.-A valuable discovery has been made by some German travellers in the Isle of Egina, under the ruins of the temple of Jupiter Pauhellenius. They have found 18 marble statues, nearly as large as life, and in the most antique Greek style. They had been placed on the pediment of the temple, and may be easily restored. Several interesting fragments have also been found, by digging in the same place; and on clearing away the rubbish, the pavement of the temple was discovered in perfect preservation. The French consul at Athens, M. Fauvel, having been informed of this discovery, immediately repaired to the place. He is in possession of a truly valuable collection of antiques, which is every day augmented by new researches. Among these are a great number of cinerary urns, in each of which was found an obolus. On one of them is the boat of Charon. The statues above mentioned represent different heroes of the Trojan

war.

Hornemann.-Authentic advices have lately been received at Frankfort, announcing, that the celebrated German traveller, Hornemann, who, about ten years ago, set out from Cairo, to discover antiquities, and explore the exterior of Africa, was at Murzouk, in the kingdom of Fezzan where he enjoyed the confidence of the sultan, and acted as his minister. From the long period which had elapsed since any intelligence was heard of him, it was generally concluded by the literati in Europe, that he had perished. The foreign journals, in slightly noticing

the above intelligence, add, that like our lamented countryman, Mungo Parke, he had been carried into slavery, and endured the most incredible hardships. Hornemann will be the first European who ever penetrated to Fezzan, the existence of such a kingdom hitherto resting on the credit of the Moors.-Fezzan is a small circular domain, placed in the midst of vast deserts, and is south of Tripoli, near five hundred miles.

Extract from the Calcutta Monthly Journal for June, 1811.-" No certain intelligence has hitherto been received of the fate of Mr. Mungo Parke; but it appears by the English papers, that the accounts of his safety are again doubted. We know not whether the following circumstances, as communicated by Mr. Pearce, in Abyssinia, to Captain Rudland, at Mocha, in a letter, dated Autalou, the 29th of December, 1810, are calculated to lessen those doubts or not. The person alluded to is either Mr. Mungo Parke or Mr. Hornemann, who has been sent by the Diletanti Society on a similar mission. A friend of Mr. Pearce's who has a relation, a merchant, in the Shoa, Cofla, and who left Efat three months ago, said, that some strange white man had arrived in the country of Shoa, and was expected at Efat, with an intention to proceed thence to Tigri. Since this information, Mr. Pearce heard that a white man was seen beyond Shoa. Mr. Pearce had obtained leave from the Ras to proceed to Shoa. In consequence of a letter addressed by Captain Rudland to the Ras Welleta Selasse, orders had been given, that in case Mr. Pearce entered the territories of the Ras, every attention was to be shewn him, and every assistance afforded him to reach Massowa."

Birth Day of Frederic II.-Berlin, Jan. 24. This day has been commemorated as the hundredth anniversary of the birth day of the Great Frederic. It was distinguished by numerous assemblies public and private. The members of the Exchange met at a grand dinner. This society also gave a plentiful repast, previous to its own, to all the veterans in the hotel of the invalids, of this city, who had served under Frederic in the seven years war. The whole number remaining is 121, of which 13 could not attend at the repast, being indisposed. Their dinner was therefore sent to them.

Longevity. A silk-weaver, named John Urssulark, died lately at Lemburgh, in Prussia, at the age of 116 years. He had six wives. The last, who survives him, brought him a son 12 months ago. He was extremely healthy and active, and walked six miles the day before his death.

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who died in child-bed, leaving an infant son,

THE tear of grief had not been shed, nor sighs
Of heartfelt wo been breath'd, if virtue, love
And piety and meekness could detain
The disembodied spirit in its flight

To brightest realms of everlasting peace.

She, from whose voice inspired, has often flow'd
In tones of sweetest harmony, the song
Ascending high, of thanks and gratitude
To Heav'ns eternal Sovereign and King;
She whose tongue oft was eloquent in praise;
Whose lips have softly breath'd the fervent pray'r
Kneeling at Mercy's throne, has wing'd her flight
And left a world of sorrow and of care.

Mother! grieve not thy daughter-soon wilt thou
Tread the bright way of glory she has mark'd,
And join with her the choir of Seraphim.

Brother! sister! hear ye the warning voice!
On youth and virtue, and on her ye lov'd
The dark, cold grave is now forever clos'd.

Husband! repress the troubled sigh of wo!
The eye which sweetly beam'd with love and joy
When thou wast near, has lost its cheering ray;
The lip which breath'd affection, and on which
A smile of fondest love was used to dwell;
Where thou hast oft impressed the rapt'rous kiss,
Is cold and bloodless; and the heart which throbb'd
For thee alone, alas! will throb no more.

Weep not mourner, but so kiss the rod

That chast'neth thee-adore th' Eternal God
Whose grace and love have spar'd to thee thy son.
And thou sweet smiling cherub too! whose eye
Scarce saw the light ere thou wast motherless;
Who ne'er shall lisp a mother's much lov'd name;
Whose infant cries a mother's soothing voice
Shall never hush; whose piteous tears shall ne'er
Bedew a mother's bosom; whose sweet smile
Shall ne'er give rapture to a mother's heart;
Whose eye-lids drooping when thou seek'st to sleep,
A mother's hand shall ne'er close, tenderly;
May'st thou, unconscious babe! ne'er know the grief,
The keen, the poignant anguish of bereavement!
May gentle gales from Heav'n waft thy frail bark
Unhurt, uninjur'd, o'er life's stormy sea!
Let virtue guide thy steps; be truth thy star!
Be it thy brightest star which leads to Heav'n !
Pursue God's righteous law, the road to bliss,
The way to pure and everlasting joys.

EUGENIUS.

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