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to dinner, with choice wines, fruit, &c. &c. and a Northern Harper poured forth the fascinating mazes of Hibernian musick, ever and anon recurring to the sweet strains of "Auld Lang Syne."

John Goldsmith, esq. on his health being drank, returned thanks, and detailed some interesting particulars of the

LANGUAGES.

According to a "View of all the known Languages and their Dialects," published by M. Fred. Aderburg, Counsellor of State to the Emperor of Russia, their number amounts to 3,064; viz. in all Asia 937, European 587, African 276, and American 1,264.

ORIENTAL LIterature.

Since the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in the year 1804, the knowledge of the living languages has been cultivated to an extent wholly unprecedented. By the instrumentality of this pious and benevolent Institution, the Holy Scriptures have been translated, printed, and widely circulated, in whole, or in portions of them, in no less than one hundred and thirty dif. ferent languages and dialects: of this number eighty-two of those translations are entirely new. By means of versions newly effected in the Oriental tongues, more than half the present population of the globe have had the pages of Divine inspiration exhibited in a tongue which they can read and understand. The study of those languages has also led to the establishment of literary institutions. Among others, there is one of great promise at Malacca, under the designation of the Anglo-Chinese College. The object of this institution is the cultivation of Chinese and English Literature, and the diffusion of Christianity. It was founded by the Rev. Dr. Morrison; and the Rev. Wm. Milne is appointed Fresident and one of the Tutors. The University of Glasgow, well aware of Mr. Milne's learning and efficacy in this remote but important station, has unanimously conferred on him the degree of Doctor in Divinity. The Rev. Drs. Morrison and Milne have completed an entire translation of the Holy Scriptures in the Chinese language.

ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS.

Some new discoveries of great interest and importance have been made in the Vatican Library by M. Mai, the principal librarian.

In a Greek palimpseste manuscript (where the first writing has been effaced in order to make the parchment serve a second time) containing the Harangues of the orator Aristides, the learned librarian has succeeded in discovering a part of the Extracts of Constantine Porphyro

family. He said he had been educated at Lissoy, by the Rev. Henry Goldsmith, his father's cousin-german, and that the gratification he felt that day was beyond the power of expression.

The Company enjoyed themselves to a late hour, and separated with reluctance from a scene dear to all.

genetus, belonging to the Chapters of Sentences, Harangues, Succession of Kings, Inventors of Things, and Sententious Answers. As the Byzantine Prince had made extracts from a multitude of historical and political works, which have been long lost to the world, this discovery has naturally promised an ample harvest of interesting gleanings. M. Mai announces, that he has discovered parts of the lost books of Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, and Dion Cassius, and fragments of Aristotle of Ephorus, of Timeus, of Hyperides, and of Demetrius Phalereus. The names of some other authors from whom extracts have been made are not given. There are also some fragments of the Byzantine writers, such as Eunapius, Menander of Byzantium, Priscus, and Petrus Protector, historic authors of a very interesting period. Among the fragments of Polybius, there is one of the 39th book, in which he announces that the 40th and last was to treat of Chronology.

In another palimpseste M. Mai has found a political treatise posterior to the time of Cicero, in which that orator is quoted, with many other Greek and Latin authors.

ROYAL ATHENEUM OF PARIS.

It

The programme of the Royal Athenæum of Paris, for 1820, assumes that the Society is now in the 36th year of its establishment, under the successive names of Museum, Lyceum, and Athenæum. has weathered all the storms of the Revolution, having never suspended its labours or ceased to be frequented. From its sittings have issued a number of cele brated works, such as the course of Literature of La Harpe, the system of chemical knowledge of Fourcroy, the history of Italian Literature, by Ginguiné, &c. be. sides daily Lectures on different branches of the Sciences. There are three distinct halls, one for conversation, and society, another for reading, and a third for the ladies. All the journals and principal periodical works are taken in, and there is a well-furnished library. Under the name of Museum, the unfortunate Pilatre de Rosier was its principal support; but in 1785, after his death, Monsieur, the Count de Provence (now Louis XVIII.), assisted by characters of rank and talents, enlarged its plan, &c. appropriated till then only to the Sciences. It then assumed the name of Lyceum.

SELECT

SELECT POETRY.

BALLYMAHON.

A Poem.

By the Rev. J. GRAHAM, M. A. "Monumentum et pignus amoris."-VIRG. "I WOULD wish from my heart, that you

In the

and my sister, and Lissoy, and Ballymahon, and all of you, would fairly make a migration to Middlesex; though, upon second thoughts, this might be attended with a few inconveniences-therefore, as the mountain will not come to Mahomet, why Mahomet shall go to the mountain; or, to speak plain English, as you cannot conveniently pay me a visit, if next summer I can contrive to be absent six weeks from London, I shall spend three of them among my friends in Ireland. meanwhile, such is my maladie du pais (as the French call it), if I go to the opera where signora Columba pours out all her mazes of melody, I sit and sigh for the fire side at Lissoy, and Johnny Armstrong's last good night from l'eggy Golden. If I climb Flamstead hill, than where nature never exhibited a more magnificent prospect, I confess it fine, but then I had rather be placed on the little mount before Lissoy gate, and there take in for me the most pleasing horizon in nature." Oliver Goldsmith to Daniel Hudson, Esq. at Lissoy, near Ballymahon, December 27, 1757.

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*A market and Sessions town, in the county of Longford, 52 miles from Dublin.

On the 21st of May, 1802, ten five years' old bullocks were sold at Ballymahon, for 400 guineas, and ten four-years' old heifers for 300 guineas. These cattle were the property of Lord Oxmantown (afterwards Earl of Ross), and for size, shape, and fat, could not be equalled; they were fed on grass and hay.

The river Inny is celebrated in the ancient history of Ireland, for a battle fought near its confluence with Loughree, in the county of Longford, in the year of our Lord 960, between Mahon, king of Thomond, and Feargal, the son of Ruarc, a circumstance which gave the name of Ballymahon to the market town now standing on the spot where the battle was fought. Mahon, the elder brother, and immediate predecessor of the celebrated Bryan Boru, having made a truce with the Danes, collected at Cin Curtha, and the places adjacent to Killala, a large number of troops and flat-bottomed boats, in which he embarked with a select body of troops; he passed up the river Shannon, making descents on different parts of the Connaught side of the river, raising contributions every where, till he reached Lough Ree. Here he landed his whole force, and marched into the country of Ruarc. Near the banks of the river Inny, not far from its confluence with Lough Ree, Fergal, the son of Ruarc, Prince of Brefny, who had watched the motions of this invading army, made a desperate attack on Mahon; a bloody battle ensued, in which Fergal was defeated. In his flight, he plunged into the river, where he threw away his shield, which fell into the hands of Mahon, and was for ages afterwards preserved as a trophy by his posterity, and used in their wars with the princes of Connaught. An account of this battle is preserved in a poem in the book of Munster, and in O'Halloran's History of Ireland.

The present mansion-house of Tirlicken was built by the last Lord Annaly, whose family inherited the Sankey estate in the county of Longford, but the old house was the residence and property of Sir Connell O'Farrell, knight, who was restored to his estates by the Act of Settlement, in 1662, in consideration of his having (with four other distinguished members of his ancient family, who were restored to their properties in the county of Longford, by the same act) served under King Charles II. during Cromwell's usurpation.

When

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Though far away I am constrained to
My heart, like his, when fancy sets me free,
Turns, Ballymahon, constantly to thee
To thee, when sober Autumn cools the day,
One annual visit I could wish to pay,
And journeying far o'er mountain, moor,
and plain,
[main:-
See the few friends who yet in thee re-
An honour'd sire, for king and country
bold,
[old,
Descended from "a race renowned of
Whose war-cry oft has wak'd the battle
swell,"

When Caledonia's foes before them fell:
A worthy brother, whom wild war's
alarms
{arms,
Called forth, in early youth, to martial

*The residence of a noble branch of the Gore family, now extinct-of which, the most remarkable were George Gore, second Judge of the Common Pleas, and the late Lord Annally, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, whose high classical attainments and princely hospitality, are still remembered in the county of Longford.

+ The late Earl of Ross died in London on the 20th of April, 1807. His death was an irreparable loss to the county of Longford, and is deeply felt there yet.

Oliver Goldsmith was born at Pallas, near Forney hill, on the 29th of November, 1728, See p. 618, and his epitaph, p. 620.

§ The residence of the Rev. Henry Goldsmith, brother of the poet, and Curate of Kilkenny, West, in the county of Westmeath.

The respectable owner of the old established inn, at Ballymahon, now kept by his niece Mrs. Lee. In a letter from Goldsmith to Robert Bryanton, Esq. published in the Anthologia Hibernica, the Poet says, "As Ballymahon may afford you but little news to communicate, pray tell me has George Conway put up his new sign, or Tom Allen got a new wig."

Prais'd

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Prais'd and belov'd, a faithful sword to
wield,
[field;
From Indian climes to Netherlands' proud
One only sister, skill'd, with tender art,
To give sweet comfort to a parent's heart:
A matchless model of true filial love,
Whose worth's recorded in the rolls above:
And at pale eve, from human eye remov'd,
I'd wish to see the tombs of those I lov'd;
Their grass-grown graves-but, here the
scene I close,
[woes.
Nor burst the cerements of sepulchred
In resignation to the will of heaven,
Thankful for countless blessings kindly

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Yet not extinct the vital spark,
Which, given to chase th' unwholesome
Of lone celibacy,

Will sometimes brighten into flame,
And play around this suffering frame,
In cruel mockery.

As, turning to the East, I'd fain
Behold that beauteous sun again,
Which rose upon my view
In other climes; illuming, cheering;
It's bright and glowing rays appearing
Throughout Heaven's circling blue.

To Friendship then I calmly turn;
1 still would feel, yet would not burn
Again with Love's devotion.
Rather than live once more to know
Its vain regrets, its fruitless woe,

I'd seek my M. in ocean.

What need of friends a numerous boast, Whist and, themselves a host,

Still bear me in their hearts ?
Whose smiles each anxious hour will cheer,
And lighten every care, while here

We play our several parts.
GENT. MAG. Suppl. XC. PART II.

G

The following lines are from an unpublished Poem,connected with some of the localities of the village of STAVELEY, CO. DERBY, described in page 577. They refer to the Rev. FRANCIS GISBORNE (see page 579), and are more than poetically true. YOU ask, perhaps, if with becoming [place; The VILLAGE PASTOR fill'd his sacred I knew him well; in dress and manners plain, [train. Read, and approved by all the village A Priest in works, a Patriach in age; His life transcribed from Charity's fair page.

grace

Indeed, his haud dealt largely to the poor, And want and misery hail'd his open door,

Nor e'er return'd unblest, nor unreliev'd, For much he gave, as he had much re

ceiv'd;

[hard,

Not that he tyth'd the village crops too But Providence ordain'd his rich reward. His name was echoed by the poor around, And many a heart grew lighter at the

sound.

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STATISTICAL VIEW OF GREAT BRITAIN.

IN Great Britain, the number of men, capable of rising in arms, en masse, from 15 to 60 years of age, is 2,744,847, or about four in every seventeen males. The total number of inhabited houses in England, in 1801, was 1,474,740. In 1690, they were 1,319,215. In 1759, the surveyors of the house and window duties returned 986,412; and in 1781, 1,005,810.

In 1801, the proportion of persons to a house in England were five and twothirds; in Wales five; in England and Wales, five and three-fifths; in Scotland, five and two-fifths; and in Great Britain, five and five-ninths.

The total of the male population of Great Britain, in 1801, was 5,450,292, and of females, 5,492,354, which is in the proportion of 100 females to 99 males.

There are, in Great Britain, six millions of males, and in Ireland, three millions; of whom, in the year 1812, 807,000 were in arms, that is in the proportion of one to eleven.

In Great Britain there die every year about 332,700; every month, about 25,592; every week, 6,398; every day, 914; and every hour, about 40.

The proportion of the deaths of women to that of men is fifty to fifty-four.

There are about 90,000 marriages yearly; and of sixty-three marriages, three only are observed to be without offspring.

Married women live longer than those who are not married.

In country places there are on an average, four children born of each marriage. In cities and large towns the proportion is seven to every two marriages.

The married women are, to all the female inhabitants of a country, as one to three, and the married men to all the males, as three to five.

The number of widows is to that of widowers as three to one; but that of widows who re-marry to that of widowers as four to five.

The number of old persons who die during the cold weather, is, to those who die during the warm season, as seven to four. More people live to a great age in elevated situations, than in those which are lower.

Half of all that are born, die before they attain seventeen years.

The number of twins is to that of single births, as one to sixty-five.

According to the observations of Boerhaave, the healthiest children are born in January, February, and March.

The greatest number of births is in February and March.

The proportion of males born, to that

of females, is as twenty-six to twenty-five.

From calculations, founded on the bills of mortality, only one out of 3125 reaches one hundred years.

In the sea-ports of Great Britain there are 132 females to 100 males; and, in the manufacturing towns, 113 females to 100 males.

According to the population returns in 1811, the number of males in proportion to that of females, within the walls of the city of London, is as 100 to 138.

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In the city of Westminster, the proportion is 100 males to 117 females. 1801, the proportion was as 100 to 115.

In the borough of Southwark, the number of males to the females is as 100 to 144. In 1801, the proportion of this part of the metropolis was as 100 to 111.

Taking the whole population of the metropolis, according to the last enumeration, at 1,099,104, the proportion of males to females is as 100 to 128.

The small-pox in the natural way, usually carries off eight out of every hundred., By inoculation, one dies out of three hundred; but, according to Dr. Willan, one in two hundred and fifty dies of inoculated small-pox.

During the first thirty years of the eighteenth century, the number of deaths in London, from small-pox, was seventyfour out of every thousand.

In the last thirty years of the same century, the deaths from the same cause were about one-tenth of the whole mortality, or ninety-five out of every thou. sand. Inoculation for the small pox has, therefore, actually multiplied the disease, which it was intended to ameliorate, in the proportion of five to four.

It is estimated that, of the number of persons who are blind, one in four lose their sight by the small-pox.

Out of more than 40,000 cases, which had fallen under the observation of an eminent physician, he never met with one in which a person with red or light flaxen hair had the small pox to confluence.

The clergy of the church of England, including their families, form about one eightieth part of the population of England.

In the county of Somerset, the number of males to that of females, is in the proportion of 87 to 100; and in the four western counties of England, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, the number of males is to that of females, as 88 to 100.

It appears from tables, from 1778 to 1787, that nearly one in eight of all the cases of insanity, are imputable to religious fanaticism.

Accord

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