Mr. DYMOCK, of the grammar-school of Glasgow, has in the press a new edition of Decerpta ex P. Ovidii Nasonis Metamorphoseon Libris," with notes at the foot of the page, and a copious index of the proper names at the end of the volume, for the use of schools. Mr. GEORGE SINGER'S lectures on Electro-Chemical Science, commence on Thursday the 10th of May, at the Scientific Institution, No. 3, Prince's-street, Cavendish-square, and will continue on Monday and Thursday evenings, at eight o'clock. Mr. GEORGE CHALMERS has in the press, a new edition of his Estimate of the Comparative Strength of Great Britain, and of the Losses of her Trade, from every war since the Revolution; corrected and continued to 1810. The same gentleman is superintending a new edition of Natural and Political Observations and Conclusions upon the State and Condition of England, 1696, by Gregory King, esq. Lancaster-Herald, to which he has annexed a life of the author. Mr. CHALMERS is also preparing for publication, a Chronological Account of the Commerce of England from the Restoration to 1810, distinguishing the years of war; on a board to hang up, or in a case for the pocket, Early in May will be published, in one volume, octavo, the State of the Established Church, in Ten Letters to the Right Honourable Spencer Perceval, with an appendix of official documents relative thereto. Mr. DONOVAN has been for some time engaged in preparing a comprehensive work ou 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 recognized principles, which will supply a practical inethod for the removal of a foreign or provincial accent, vulgarisms, impedi. ments, 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. SOTHEBY, may shortly be expected to appear. MONTHLY MAG. No. 198. Mr. EDWARD DRIVER is preparing a complete map on six large sheets, of the manor of Lainbeth, from actual admeasurement, made by order of the commissioners, under an act of inclosure passed in 1806, comprising a district seven miles in length, from Westminster-bridge to Norwood Common. It will contain a complete delineation of every person's estate within the manor, distinguishing the freehold from the copyhold, also every house, yard, building, and inclosure, of each person's property, and their exact quantity, together with all the allotments, and also the several parcels of land which have been sold under the act. A General History and Survey of London and Westminster, founded prin cipally 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 engra vings. The Rev. RALPH CHURTON is superintending the publication of the works of the Rev. Dr. TowNSON, late archdeacon of Richmond, to which will be prefixed an account of the author, an introduction to the discourses on the gospels, and a sermon on the quotations in the Old Testament. They will form two octavo volumes. A work will shortly appear in one volume quarto, under the title of Extracts from the Diary of a Lover of Literature. It will comprise a series of critical observations on eminent works, literary anecdotes and conversations, remarks on distinguished characters, discussions of various metaphysical, political, and religious topics, and notes on different excursions through picturesque parts of this Island. In order to confute the idea that the silk-weavers of this country cannot produce manufactures equal to the French, a society was formed some time ago, called the Flag Association, with a view to the production of such a specimen of double brocade weaving as had never before been attempted. In consequence, there is now in the room a flag two yards wide, the ground a rich crim son satin on both sides, and brocaded on each side alike with appropriate colours tastefully and elegantly shaded by the artist. Upon its surface will appear within an oval, a female figure, embleЗА matic matic of the art of weaving, reclining with pensive aspect on a remnant of brocade, lamenting the neglected state of this manufacture. Enterprise is represented raising her up and cheering her drooping spirits, by shewing her a cornucopiæ, pouring forth its treasure, a symbol of the resources of Britain, and indicating that the wealth and liberality of this nation are ever ready to support laudable undertakings. Close to Enter prise, and beneath a representation of the all-seeing eye of Divine Providence, Genius appears erect, pointing to a flag displaying the weavers' arms, placed upon the temple of Fame. The corners of the flag will be adorned with emblems of peace, industry, and commerce; and an edging with a curious Egyptian border, will exhibit a combination of figures and devices, indicative of the design for which it was formed. Mr. LUKE HOWARD, of Plaistow, has detected a criminal imposition, the knowledge of which cannot be too widely circulated, or its effects too carefully guarded against. A very large quantity of glass of lead, has, by some means, found its way into the London market, as glass of antimony. This imposition is sure to be discovered in the operation to which the latter is chiefly applied, the making of emetic tartar; but it is highly necessary for the consumers of smaller quantities, as in the vitrum ceratum, and vinum antimonii, to be acquainted with the following distinctive characters of The separately dropped into water. A medicinal spring has lately been Carbonate of iron Cub. Inch the two; that those who have bought the The solid contents in 100 parts are: 16.50 4.50 21. Graina 5.25 6:00 475 8.25 2.00 21.25 Mr. G. CUMBERLAND, having found the wear of steel files rather expensive, has been induced to seek a substitute. for abrading hard bodies, and has discovered that clay may be employed for this purpose. Wet pieces of this substance, folded up in muslin, cambric, or Irish linen, forced by the pressure of the hand into the interstices of the threads so as to receive a correct mould, and then well baked, form a new species of file, capable even of destroying steel, and very useful in cutting glass, polishing and rasping wood, ivory, and all sorts of metals. A pound A pound of sugar-candy dissolved by therefore equal to 900 such candles. To heat, in a quantity of white-wine fill it requires three cwt. of coals, vavinegar, and evaporated to the measure lue at 6d. each cwt., 1s. 6d. ; coal for heatof one pint, during which operation as ing the retorts during the composition, much garlic as possible is dissolved with 15.-Hence, for 2s. 6d. a quantity of light it, answers all the purposes of Godbold's is procurable from coal gas, which obtainvegetable balsam, and is probably the ed from candles would cost about 10l. same medicine. But from the above charge for coal, we must deduct the whole expence of what goes into the retort, for this acquires additional value by being charred, and is eager ly bought up by the iron-founders. A large quantity of tar is also obtained in the condensing pit, as well as ammoniacal liquor, from both of which considerable returns may be reasonably expected. The following details, relative to the enal-gas light, one of the greatest improve ments of which modern times can boast, are taken from an interesting Memoir read before the Philosophical Society of Glasgow, by Mr. RICHARD GILLESPIE, by whose public 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 improve ments 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 being wu hed, so as to deprive it of any disagree. able smell, is conducted into a large cubical plate-iron gasometer, of a capacity equal to 1120 cubic feet. The 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 innumera. ble 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 dzzling glare which has been so greatly complained of in the otherwise beautiful light of the Argand lam,. 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 immediately, and no trimming or snuffing is required; neither are any sparks thrown off, as from a burning wick: 14 cubic feet 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 A new species of fiorin grass has been discovered at Llarfain, in North Wales, by Dr. PRING, which promises the most important advantages to the agriculturist. It is of the most luxuriant growth, and calculated to produce green food during the four winter months. One of the roots, transplanted by Dr. Pring, contained 27 stalks, six feet in height, and bearing 277 ramifications. The subjects for the prizes given by the representatives of the university of Cambridge for the present year, are→→→ For the senior bachelors, "Utrum majori prudentia, eloquentia, fortitudine, patriæque amore, M. T. Cicero an Comes Clarendonianus, temporibus gravissimis, Rempublicam administrarit?" Middlebachelors, Utrum in optima Reipublice forma instituenda, plus valeat ingenium an experientia." 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. A new method of ornamenting all kinds of glass in imitation of engraving, &c. has recently been discovered. By this invention, the tedious and expensive process of grinding by means of a machine with wheel, is exploded, and in lieu of it, an additional surface or coating of glass, prepared for the purpose, is substituted; which, when subjected to a proper degree of heat, will incorporate with the glass to be operated upon, so as to produce an effect similar to that which has hitherto been obtained by means of grinding. The inventor has taken out a patent for the claim. In one of the late numbers of the Monthly Magazine, was inserted a brief notice respecting the Irish fiorin grass, so highly recommended by the Rev. Dr. RICHARDSON, and which, from the description given, is generally supposed to be the agrostis stolonifera of Linnæus. To this subject Mr. W. SALISBURY, of the botanic garden, Sloane-street, invites the attention of agriculturists:-"I take this opportunity, says he, of stating, for the information of all who feel interested in this plant, that I have grown the fiorin grass last summer, as a specimen, among our collection of British gramina, and find the two are very different from each other; but as all plants differ in cultivation from what they are in their wild state, and having never seen the Irish plant in its native place, I shall not at present pronounce if it is a different species or not; but certainly the agrostis stolonifera is a smaller-growing plant in all respects, which is evident on comparing the foliage, flowers, and seeds; and although it is not generally known by the above Linnæan name, it will no doubt be recognised by many farmers under the appellation of common couch, scutch, quitch, or sticth grass, who well know it does not possess the many good qualities as cribed to the fiorin grass. Whether all the merits ascribed to the latter will be found on its culture in this country, I do not know, or pretend to predict; but I am desirous the public should be convinced by actual experiment, and ocular demonstration, which they may have by applying here during the spring and summer; as I have now planted a considerable quantity of the roots in different ways, of each kind, and also sown seeds of each; which has been done, in great measure, at the desire of the board of agriculture, from whom I received the seeds and plants. To these will be given a fair and equal chance, and any person * "I wish to observe, there are two kinds of grass that are known by the names of Couch, &c.; which, although they are well known to the botanist, are not generally understood by the farmer. The grass in question may be distinguished by its shoots running on the surface of the soil, and rooting at every joint; from which circumstance there is great difficulty in extirpating it. The other kind of couch is the triticum repens, which forms its long roots below the soil, and is, in all respects, equally noxious to the Jand."! M. DESCROIZILLES, sen. has described a method of making pickle of violets, instead of syrup of violets, for a chemical test, the latter being apt to spoil. It is as follows:-On the petals of the violet, slightly pressed into a small pewter measure, pour double their weight of boiling water, and stir them together. Cover the measure and expose it for a few hours to a heat somewhat greater than that of a water-bath; after which, let the liquor be strongly pressed out through a very clean linen cloth. Weigh the infusion accurately, and add to it one-third of its weight of common salt, stirring it till dissolved. Very time white salt should be chosen for this purpose. In a small phial corked, this liquor will keep without alteration, even when exposed to the rays of the sun. He presumes that several other blue flowers, as those of the iris, larkspur, &c. would afford a pickle of sufficient sensibility. The latter, indeed, he has tried with success. of The same chemist has also published some observations on the preservation of vegetables for distillation by salting. To preserve rose-leaves, for example, he gives the following directions: Take 4lbs. troy of rose-leaves, and pound them two or three minutes with their weight of common salt. The flowers bruised with the salt will soon give out their juice, and produce a paste of little bulk, which must be put into an earthen vessel, or small cask, and proceed in the same manner till you have filled it Stop the vessel close, and keep it in a cool place till wanted. This fragrant paste you may distil at leisure, in a common still, diluting it with about double its weight of pure water. This process is particularly applicable to those herbs, the water of which, distilled by the common method, will not keep. splendid prospectus (in German and in Syria, has discovered in the neighbourhood of the Red Sea, the ruins of the ancient city of Dscherrasch, probably the Gerasa of antiquity. He found remains of several public edifices, two amphitheatres, several palaces, a temple, &c. AFRICA. In a late number we noticed the recent disappearance of an island situated near the Cape of Good Hope, in conse qrence of an earthquake. The effects' of this phenomenon at Cape Town, are detailed in the following letter from that place, begun to be written on December 6, 1809, and continued at different times :-On the 30th November, the weather was unusually warm for so early a period of the season, the thermometer varying in the shade from 86° to 92° with a sky perfectly clear and but little wind. Thus it continued till the evening of the 3d, when a cool westerly breeze, attend ed with a slight fog, came in from the sea. On the 4th, at nine A. M. the fog still continued; thermometer 740, barometer 29° 80'. In the middle of the day, the mountains of Hottentot Holland, "in the south-east, were covered with fleecy electric clouds, which are often observed at this time of the year. Several violent gusts of wind, which raised the dust to a considerable height in the air, were experienced in Cape Town, the intervals between them being perfectly calin. The sky for the whole day, after twelve at noon, except at Hottentot Holland, thirty miles from Cape Town, was perfectly clear. At five P.M. a strong south-east wind came on, unattended with the usual cloud over Table Mountain, which lasted three or four hours. At ten minutes past ten, P. M. a very violent shock of an earthquake was felt through the whole town, which was succeeded by two others equally tremendous; they conti nued about twelve or fourteen seconds, and followed each other at intervals of about half a minute, attended with a noise very different from thunder, but much louder. The shocks proceeded in the direction from south-east to northwest. Between the hours of ten at night of the 4th, and six in the morning of the 5th, about fourteen shocks were experienced; and two or three more in the course of the day. Excepting the first three, they were very slight; producing no perceptible motion of the earth, but resembling distant thunder. The last shock was at six A.M. this day (6th), but M. SEETZEN, in his travels through not stronger than the others. When the ITALY. PIRANESI, the antiquary, lately presented to the viceroy of Italy an eagle, formerly belonging to one of the Roman legions, dug up some time since at Rome. MOROST, the mechanician, of Milan, has invented an hydraulic machine, by means of which, the workinen employed ia coining, to give notion to the striking engine, are dispensed with; and this operation, which formerly required eight men, is now performed by a boy. PRUSSIA. M. VON HUMBOLDT has recently presented to the king of Prussia's cabinet of minerals, the only lump of native platina that is known. He found it in 1800, in the soap-manufactories of the town of Taddo, in the province of Choco, in South America. This ingot is of the size of a pigeon's egg; its absolute weight is 10,886 grains, and its specific weight 16,037 grains. ASIA. |