COMMERCIAL REPORT. Sugars. These are in considerable demand, and few remain unsold in the Glasgow or Leith market. Fine Raws, fit for the scale, are much inquired for; and prices have started. Rum. The demand for Jamaica Rum continues pretty regular. No sales of Leeward Island. The former fetches, if good flavoured, from 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. per gallon. Coffee, Cotton, and Ashes.-For these articles the demand still continues very limited, and the prices may be considered as merely nominal. Hemp and Flax. The stock of Hemp is now much reduced, and prices are expected to advance. Considerable sales have taken place of Flax, although at unfavourable prices; to which most of the holders will not submit, in consequence of the late advices from Gottenburg, which gave reason to apprehend that our intercourse with the Baltic will experience many obstructions during the ensuing season. Considerable quantities of Refined, Brown, and Muscovado Sugars, Coffee, Cotton Goods, Pimento, Lignum Vitæ, &c. have been exported to Gottenburg and Heligoland within the current month. And the apprehensions of our trade with Gottenburg, being put a stop to, are done away; the letters by last mail stating that no measures had been resorted to in consequence of the order for closing the Swedish ports on the 24th ultimo. On the contrary, it is stated, that since that period several American vessels have been permitted to enter, and to unload and dispose of their cargoes. From Heligoland our letters are less favourable; they state business to be for the present at a stand, from the strong measures resorted to by the French government to prevent all intercourse with the continent. French and Dutch troops line the whole coast, and, until it can be ascertained what course they mean to pursue, nothing can be done. Several cargoes of Wheat have arrived at this port from Rostock, Dantzick, &c. and more are daily expected. The importation of this first necessary of life from France into the port of London, during the last six months, has been such as to produce to that country a return in specie amounting to L. 1,382,350 sterling. An amicable arrangement with the American government, of all existing differences, is confidently and daily looked for. The consequences will be highly favourable to the Scotish manufacture of coarse linens for the American and West India markets; and the demand for goods of this description, made in the counties of Fife and Angus, has been very considerably increased. The commissioners of his majesty's customs advertise, that from and after the 31st current, all fees and other perquisites now received by officers and other persons in the service of the customs in the several ports in Scotland shall be abolished; a regula tion that has long been anxiously looked for, and which, it is hoped, will be followed up with the adoption of the mode of regulating the collection of this portion of the reve nue, so successfully acted upon in the ports of England.Leith, May 21, 1810. AGRICULTURAL REPORT. East-Lothian. During the first two weeks of April, the weather continuing wet and adverse, seed work was completely at a stand; but, after the 16th, it was resumed, and carried on so briskly as to be considered at this date as nearly concluded in the lower parts of the country. Some fields remain to be sown with barley, chiefly those carrying turnips for the feeding stock; but their extent is not great, as the breadth of barley land in the county is annually decreasing. Markets have remained tolerably steady throughout the month, and prices continue much upon the same scale as formerly reported. The quantity of inferior wheat presented for sale is by no means lessened. Many of the wheat fields, since genial weather set in, have improved considerably. What is singular, at least in this county, wheat, after beans, is in every case thinner planted than after summer fallow. The spring-sown fields have sprouted well. Grass lands have in general fallen in value this season, though not so much as was expected. The young grasses have made a vigorous growth, and, being in almost every case fully planted, may be expected to yield a full crop, if circumstances continue favourable. Mid-Lothian.-The weather from the 14th of April has been dry and seasonable, and has been perhaps the busiest latter part of the month ever remembered. The bulk of the spring seed is now in the ground; there is a strong vegetation; and the young wheat and grass are more forward than could have been expected. Great part of the potatoes is planted. Grain market has been steady, Butcher markets are supplied with high-fed meat; cattle scarce, and more attention paid to feeding. Lambing time dry. [The reports from the other counties in Scotland are generally favourable; May has been cold and dry; since the 18th milder, with moderately refreshing showers of rain.] England. The weather, through nearly the whole of this month, has been favour. able to the farmer; the loams have worked well, and have the appearance which generally precedes a good crop. The wheats in general have greatly improved since the beginning of March. Barleys are coming regularly, and promise well. Oats upon lea are very promising. METEOROLOGICAL REPORT. April. APRIL 1. to 14. gloomy and cold, with frequent heavy showers of sleet and rain; wind aortherly and easterly; barometer rather keeping down. 14. to 22. rather cloudy, with some slight showers; air getting gradually milder; wind W. and SW.; barometer low. 22. to 30. quite clear, (with the exception of a thick fog on the 25, and part of the 26.) some days very warm, little wind, rather easterly; barometer high and steady. The first half of this month was unfavourable both to vegetation and country labour, but the last half was quite the reverse; similar to April 1807. Vegetation upon the whole rather backward. Mean heat of April 45·1-10, rain 1·1-8 inch, evaporation 3·1-8 inch. Coldest day 11th; mean of thermometer 37. Wind NE. Warmest day 29th; mean of thermometer 57, calm. 20 days fair, or nearly so; 10 showery. 5215894 29 9 ...... ...... ...... ...... ....3 clear and sharp ....3 m. clear-cloudy after ..3 clear-wind sharp ....3 same ....4. same ....2 cloudy-e. slight shower ....3 mostly clear and sharp ..........4 same ....3 clear ....4 mostly clear and agreeable ...... 211852 50 47 E 29 4....4....1 rain-mist towards e. f. hail-shower-a. and e. heavy rain LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. Professor STEWART has in the press a quarto volume of Philosophical Essays. Professor PLAYFAIR is preparing an improved edition of his Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory, which will be published in one volume 4to, and will include several engravings. Dr HUNTER of St Andrews has just finished at press a new edition of Virgil, elegantly printed in 2 vols. post 8vo. It will be published at Edinburgh in a few days. An edition for the Use of Schools, in 18mo, will appear at the same time. Lord GLENBERVIE has announced his intention of publishing, in 4 vols. 8vo, an edition of the Works of Gavin Douglas, with Historical and Critical Dissertations on his Life and Writings, Notes and a Glossary. The Rev. Dr Cook of Laurencekirk has prepared a History of the Reformation in Scotland, which will speedily be publish, ed in 3 vols. 8vo. The Rev. ALEXANDER IRVINE of Little Dunkeld will speedily publish, in 2 vols. 8vo, a work to be entitled the Lives of the Caledonian Bards, ancient and modern, with historical, critical, and philosophical Observations upon their principal Compositions; accompanied with several Dissertations on Celtic Literature, and History in general. J. P. Wood, esq. is now employed in preparing a new edition of Douglas's Peerage of Scotland, to be handsomely printed in 2 vols. fol. with the arms of each family beautifully engraven. The Letters of the late ANNE SEWARD will soon appear in 5 vols. post 8vo, with portraits and other plates. Mr JACKSON, Professor of the Arabic and African Languages, and Author of Travels in Africa, &c. is preparing for the press a History of the Empire of Morocco during the last twenty years; its present State, and Commercial Connexions with Tombuctoo,Jinnie, Houssa, Wangara, and other districts of Soudan, with an Account of the Soudannic Empires and States. Dr STOCK's Life of Dr Beddoes is in the press. It will comprise an Analytical Account of the Doctor's numerous Writings, both published and unpublished. Dr JONATHAN SCOTT is preparing a new edition of his Persian Tales, entitled, the Bahar Danush, or Garden of Knowledge; and we are assured that Sir Gore Ouseley, Sir William Ouseley, and other orientalists who have collated the translation with the original, have spoken in the highest terms of the utility of Dr Scott's literal version to those who study the eastern style of composition, and particularly to those who wish to acquire a knowledge of the manners and customs of Hindoostan. Mr GEORGE CUMBERLAND, of Bristol, author of Thoughts on Outline, the Life of Bonafoni, &c. has in the press, and will publish next month, two volumes of Original Tales. He is likewise preparing for publication a work with 60 plates, on the Principles of the Composition of the Ancients. A new volume of Essays, by the London Architectural Society, will be ready for the public in a few days. An Historical and Scientific Disquisition on the Doric Order of Architecture, by Mr E. AIKIN, in folio, with seven plates, in which the examples from antiquity are drawn to one scale, will also appear at the same time, under the auspices of the same society. Miss LUCY AIKIN has in the press Epistles on the Character and Condition of Women, in various Ages and Nations, with other poems. His royal highness the Prince of Wales has addressed a Letter to Lord Grenville, chancellor of the university of Oxford, requesting him to present to the university, in the name of his royal highness, four of the papyri, or rolls from Portici, together with fac-simile copies, plates, and engravings, from other rolls. A Life of the late Mr HOLCROFT is just gone to the press. The earlier part was dictated by himself during his last illness; and it was his intention, had his life been prolonged, to have completed his own biography. The portion which he was unable to finish has been drawn up by a gentleman with whom he was for a considerable time in habits of intimacy. Translations of the Medea and Octavia of Seneca, with other poems, originally translated by a member of Trinity college, Cambridge, may soon be expected to ap be on a large scale, for the admission of youths designed for the church; who will have all the advantages of a university education, free of expense. The Rev. F. A. Cox proposes to publish, by subscription, the Dissertations, Historical, Critical, Theological, and Moral, on the most memorable Events of the Old and New Testaments, of Saurin, Roques, and Beausobre. Mr DONOVAN has been for some time engaged in preparing a comprehensive work on the Natural History of the British Isles, on a popular as well as scientific plan. Mr B. H. SMART, teacher of elocution, will speedily publish a Grammar of English Pronunciation, compiled on a new plan, but on plain and recognised principles; which will supply a practical method for the removal of a foreign or provincial accent, vulgarisms, impediments, and other defects of speech, and furnish pupils of all ages, particularly those destined for public situations, with the means of acquiring that graceful articulation upon which alone a superior delivery can be founded. Constance de Castile, a Poem, from the pen of Mr SOTEHBY, may shortly be expect ed to appear. A General History and Survey of London and Westminster, founded principally on Strype's edition of Stow, with introductions, notes, and supplements, bringing the whole down to the present time, is in the press, in a royal quarto volume, illustrated by numerous engravings. The following details, relative to coal gas light, one of the greatest improvements of which modern times can boast, are taken from an interesting Memoir read before a philosophical society in Glasgow, by Mr RICHARD GILLESPIE; by whose pub lic 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 improvements have been made; and the whole now constitutes a very pleasing exhibition. Two iron retorts, of a semi-cylindrical form, each capable of containing about one cwt. of coal, yield at every charge 750 cubic feet of gas, which, after The being washed, so as to deprive it of any disagreeable smell, is conducted into a large cubical plate-iron gasometer, of a capacity equal to 1120 cubic feet. gas evolved 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 innumerable 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 immediate ly, and no trimming or snuffing is required; neither are any sparks thrown off, as from a burning wick; 1 cubic foot 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 24 hours. The contents of the gasometer are, 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, Is. Hence, for 2s. 6d. a quantity of light is procurable from coal-gas, which obtained from candles would cost £10. But, from the above charge for coa!, we must deduct the whole expense of what goes into the retort; for this acquires additional value by being charred, and is eagerly bought up by the iron-founders. A large quantity of tar is is also obtained in the condensing pit, as well as ammoniacal liquor, from both of which considerable returns may be reasonably expected. The two gold medals, given by the chancellor of the university of Cambridge, 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. BRANDRETH, A. B. of Trinity college, and GEORGE HODSON, A. B. (of Carlisle) fellow and tutor of Magdalen. The parabolic lens of Rospini consists of two pieces of glass, united together by a hoop of iron, so as to form a vessel will will hold about 21 gallons of spirits. Its diameter is about 3 feet 3 inches, and its focal distance about 8 feet 4 inches. The effects of this glass are very great. Mr Jacquin of Vienna, and some other scien tific men, who have witnessed them, say that it burned a diamond in a few seconds, and fused platina in a few minutes. A button made of this metal, which weighed 29 grains, was melted by it, and made in part to boil. Its focus is about 4 French lines in diameter. The lens and necessary apparatus for placing the subject of experiment in a proper situation are mounted on a strong frame, and made to move with the sun by means of machinery, regulated by a second pendulum. Its whole weight is about 550 lb. avoirdupois, and, when caused to incline towards either the east or west, it requires a counterpoise to secure its stability. This lens is said to have been made at Gratz in Styria, for some alchemists, by the celebrated mechanist whose name it bears. It was made by softening the glass by means of heat, and bending it over a parabolic mould; and as several pieces were broken before the method succeeded, the original expense was between 20,000 and 30,000 franks, or between 800 and 1200 guineas. Coutelle purchased it for the French go→ vernment for 2900 florins, or 3381. sterling.-Annales de Chemie, vol. Ixix. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. BIOGRAPHY. Mr don. By Christ. T. Johnson, of Exeter. The Life of Torquato Tasso. By John 8vo. 5s. 6d. boards.. Black. 2 vols. 4to. 31. 3s. The Life of Fenelon, archbishop of Cambray. Compiled from original Manuscripts, by M. L. F. de Bausset, formerly bishop of Alais, &c. Translated from the French, by William Mudford. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. boards. Memoirs of George Barnwell. Derived from the most authentic Source, by a Descendant of the Barnwell Family. Foolscap 8vo. 3s. 6d. BOTANY. An Introduction to the Linnæan Classification of Plants, illustrated by engravings. By Henry Wyburd. 12mo. 5s. boards. HISTORY. The Stream of Time, or Figurative Representation of Universal History, Chronology, and Biography, brought into one Point of View. Translated from the German of Frederick Strass, and continued down to the present year. By W. Bell. 35s. Coloured and varnished on canvas and rollers. A Poetical History of England, for the Use of Young Ladies. Part I. 8vo. 1s. 6d. The County Annual Register for 1809. Royal 8vo. MEDICINE. Observations on some of the principal Diseases of the Rectum and Anus. By Thomas Copland, Fellow of the College of Surgeons, &c. 8vo. 5s. boards. A Practical Essay on Cancer; being the Substance of Observations to which the Annual Prize for 1808 was adjudged by the Royal College of Surgeons, Lon An Attempt to Vindicate the Practice of Vaccination, and to combat the prejudices entertained against that beneficial practice. By O. W. Bartley, surgeon. 1s. 6d. The Annual Medical Review and Register for 1809. By a Society of Physicians. Vol. 2. 8vo. 12s. boards. MISCELLANEOUS. Tables on a New Plan for calculating Interest at 5 per cent. By John Smith. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Miscellanies chiefly designed for the Benefit of Female Readers. By A. S. Hunter. Foolscap 8vo. 5s. boards. Extracts from the Diary of a Lover of Literature. 4to. 21s. boards. Reasons for declining to become a Subscriber to the British and Foreign Bible Society, stated in a Letter to a Clergyman of the Diocese of London. By Christopher Wordsworth, D. D. 1s. A Letter to the Rev. C. Wordsworth, D. D. in Reply to his Strictures on the British and Foreign Bible Society. By Lord Teignmouth. A Letter to Dr Wordsworth on the same subject. By William Dealtry, M. A. 1s. 6d. A Letter to Dr Gaskin on the same subject. 2s. Illustrations of the Lives and Writings of Gower and Chaucer. By the Rev. H. J. Todd, M. A. F. S. A. 8vo. 15s. boards. Two Memoirs upon the Catholic Question. By J. J. Dillon, esq. 4to. 10s. 6d. bds. The |