LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. Highland Society of London.-At a general Court of the Highland Society of London, on the 17th of April, the following Resolutions were passed: 1. That the sum of twenty guineas, and the medal of the society, be presented to the author of the best Essay on the present State, Character, and Manners of the Highlanders; and that such Essay be delivered to one of the secretaries of the said society, on or before the first day of March next. 2. That the sum of twenty guineas, and the medal of the society, be presented to the author of the best Essay on the Remains of Buildings, and such Monuments as may evince the degree of civilization which the ancient Gaelic Scots had attained; and that such Essay be delivered to one of the secretaries of the said society, on or before the first day of March 1821. 3. That the sum of twenty guineas, and the medal of the society, be presented to the author of the best Essay on the Etymology of the Gaelic Language; its connection with other Languages, where it originally existed, and whence derived; and that such Essay be delivered to one of the secretaries of the said society, on or before the first day of March 1822. 4. That the sum of twenty guineas, and the medal of the society, be presented to the author of the best Essay on the Ancient History of the Kingdom of the Gaelic Scots, the extent of the Country, its Laws, Population, Poetry, and Learning; and that such Essay be delivered to one of the secretaries of the said society, on or before the first day of March 1822. 5. That the sum of twenty guineas, and the medal of the society, be presented to the author of the best Essay on the peculiar Character of the Ancient Gael, with their Institutions, Civil, and Warlike Habits; and that such Essay be delivered to one of the secretaries of the said society, on or before the first day of March 1822. Mr Wright, surgeon-aurist to her late Majesty, Henrietta-street, Covent-Garden, has invented a new instrument, very port able and convenient, for assisting hearing, and preventing the injury generally arising from the use of ear-trumpets. Combination of Metals. Mr Fox of Falmouth has made known some remarkable instances of the force with which different metals combine. If about equal bulks of platinum and tin be heated to redness, in contact with each other, they will combine suddenly with great vehemence, and a very considerable extrication VOL. V. of light and heat will continue for some time after their removal from the fire. The experiment is easily made, by enveloping a little bit of tin in platinum foil, and heating it by a blow-pipe on charcoal; sort of explosion takes place at the moment they combine, and the alloy runs about, burning like ignited antimony. The same effects took place with platinum and antimony. This alloy, when highly heated for a length of time, became solid, and very malleable, and contained little else than platinum. Zinc also produced these phenomena in a very brilliant manner, exploding and burning at the moment of combination. Mr Fox attributes the heat produced to the inferior capacity of the alloy, when compared with the metals; but the effect appears principally to be the results of the strong affinities brought into action in these experi ments France. Preservation of Grain.—The following account of some experiments on the above important subject is extracted from a late French Journal. M. Busche, Director of the reserves of provision for the Capital, who has long devoted his attention to the solution of these questions, having examined and ascertained the real causes of the decay of grain, is of opinion, that corn, perfectly dry, if removed from all contact with the atmospheric air, might be kept, for many years, in the most perfect state of preservation. This theory is morcover supported by various examples of antiquity, the customs of different nations, and some accidental cases. M. Busche was induced to take into consideration the ideas of M. Bruyere, and he submitted them to the Council of Administration of the Bakers of Paris. As the object of M. Bruyere's plans is to furnish additional security to the accumulation of stores for the supply of the capital, they were of course deemed worthy of the most serious attention. At the commencement of the present year, four pits were dug under the superintendence of M. Bruyere, in a shady situation at the abattoir of the Roule. The pits were dug in a sandy soil, and were all on a different plan. The first, which was in the form of a well, had a lining of rough stone-work in the inside, covered with a sheet of lead. The second was left without any kind of lining; but in order to dispel all damp from the ground, an active fire was kept up in the pit for some time before the grain was deposited in it. The third, which was dug in a quadrangular form, was lined on the bottom and sides with two brick walls; a I l space being left between them sufficient to remove the inner one from all contact with the damp earth. The fourth was simply a cavity dug in the ground, large enough to receive a vase of freestone for containing the grain. The necessary preparations being complete, the Prefect of Police, the Prefect of the Seine, and several other gentlemen, accompanied by M. Busche, proceeded to weigh and deposit the grain in the pits. This being done, the cavities were covered up to a level with the ground, each with a different substance. The motive for thus varying the mode of depositing the grain, is to ascertain which of the different methods may be most completely successful. The success of either will present the solution of a most interesting problem on the subject of reserves. It will diminish the importance of constructing granaries, as well as the enormous expence and trouble of laying up stores; and by affording security for the protection of superabundant crops against the variation of the atmosphere and seasons, we may perhaps be enabled to defy want. and to establish an equilibrium between produce and consumption. pient corruption by pouring this acid over them. With the oil which is produced from wood by distillation in the dry manner he has moistened pieces of flesh already advanced in decay; and, notwithstanding the heat of the weather, soon made them as dry and firm as flesh can be rendered, by being smoked in the smoking-room. All traces of corruption vanish at once when the vinegar of wood, or the oil of wood, is applied to the meat with a brush. The professor has also begun to prepare mummies of animals, and has no doubt of success. He promises great advantages to anatomy, domestic economy, and even to medicine, from this discovery (for the remedy seems very fit to be applied internally and externally in many disorders,) and intends to publish the results of his further experiments. Crystal Mine in France. -Some time ago, it was announced, that a crystal mine had been discovered in France, near Vie, in Lorraine. The examination, in consequence of some unexpected indications, which led to the discovery of this mine, (the only one of the kind ever known in France,) has been made by a company, with a licence for the purpose, obtained from the Pyroligneous Acid.-Extract of a letter Director-General of Mines. Never was exfrom M G. C. at Paris to Professor Van periment attended with more fortunate cirMons. A discovery of the greatest importance cumstances. The soil of this mine is as engages at this moment the attention of the white as alabaster; its crystals are purer scientific world. A M. Monge has disco- and more brilliant than the specimens which vered that the pyroligneous acid obtained have been procured from the mines of Pofrom the distillation of wood has the pro- land and Austria; its quality is perfect, perty of preventing the decomposition and and every thing indicates that its mass is putrefaction of animal substances. It is enormous. The Director-General of Mines sufficient to plunge meat for a few moments having been informed, by the authors of into this acid, even slightly empyreumatic, this search, that the borer had already peto preserve it as long as you please. Cut- netrated ten feet into the pure crystal, has lets, kidneys, liver, rabbits, which were given orders to the engineer of the departthus prepared as far back as the month of ment of the Meurthe to repair to the spot, July last, are now as fresh as if they had to draw up an authentic account of this imbeen just procured from the market. I portant discovery, and of such facts as may have seen carcases washed three weeks ago relate to it. with pyroligneous acid, in which there is as yet no sign of decomposition. Putrefaction not only stops, but it even retrogrades. Jakes exhaling infection cease to do so as soon as you pour upon them the pyroligneous acid. You may judge how many im. portant applications may be made of this process. Navigation, medicine, unwholesome manufactories, will derive incalculable advantages from it. This explains why meat merely dried in a stove does not keep, while that which is smoaked becomes unalterable. We have here an explanation of the theory of hams, of the beef of Hamburgh, of smoked tongues, sausages, red herrings, of wood smoked to preserve it from worms, &c. &c. Dr Jorg, professor at Leipsic, has since made many successful experiments' of the same nature. He has entirely recovered several anatomical preparations from inci Sweden. According to certain researches just made in Sweden, on the different kinds of wood indigenous to the country, it is ascertained that the birch reaches the farthest north, growing beyond the 70th degree; the pine reaches to the 69th; the firtree to the 68th; the osier, willow, aspen, and quince, to the 66th; the cherry and apple-tree to the 63d; the oak to the 60th; and the beech to the 57th; while the limetree, ash, elm, poplar, and walnut, are only to be found in Scania. Professor Hansteen, of Christiana, in Norway, has, as he supposes, proved that the earth has four magnetic poles as Halley had conjectured. He has shewn that the polar lights, where they first appear, have the form of a luminous cross, elevated between 400 and 500 miles above the earth's surface; and that there are four such luminous crosses, viz. two in the northern, and two in the southern hemisphere, whose middle points correspond with the four magnetic poles already mentioned. This situation of the luminous crosses, and the disturbance they occasion in the magnetic needle, prove that the polar lights are magnetical phenomena, and that they are magnetical currents, which flow from one magnetic pole to that directly opposite. The opinion, namely, that the aurora bo realis is magnetical, was long ago proposed by the late Professor Robison, of the University of Edinburgh, and has since been supported by Ritter, Dalton, Jameson, and other philosophers. Professor Hanstcen is of opinion that the sun and moon, as well as the earth, possess magnetical powers or magnetical axes; and that the different positions of these axes, in regard to the magnetic axes of the earth, occasion several magnetical phenomena enumerated by authors. Germany. The university at Vienna contains 955 students; that of Berlin 942; Leipsic 911; Prague 850; Gottingen 770; Tubingen 698; Landshut 640; Jena 634; Halle 503; Breslaw 366; Heidelberg 363; Giesen 241; Marburg 197; Rostock 180; Kiel 107; and Greifswald 55. Italy. In the course of June the search of the Tiber began. The preparations for this grand undertaking are carrying on with the greatest activity. The excavations of Pompeii are continued with success. They have lately discovered several edifices, in the fine street which leads to the Temple of Isis, to that of Hercules, and to the Theatre. In a house, which doubtless belonged to some man of science, there were found some surgical instruments of excellent workmanship, and some paintings representing fruit and animals, which are worthy of admiration, for the extreme truth of the imitation. The mausoleums of the three last branches of the illustrious and unfortunate House of Stuart, that is, of James III. his son Prince Charles-Edward, and Cardinal York, have been opened in the Vatican at Rome, to the view of the public. All the curious admire these master pieces of the celebrated sculptor Canova, which contain an expression, and evince a taste, that are worthy of the age of Pericles. WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. LONDON. THE seventh Number of the Journal of New Voyages and Travels, to be published on the 15th of September, will contain the Count de Forbin's Travels in Egypt in 1818, illustrated by many curious engravings. An interesting work, by G. A. Robertson, Esq. will shortly appear, entitled Gleanings in Africa, collected during a long residence in, and many trading voyages to, that country; particularly those parts which are situated between Cape Verd and the river Congo, a distance of two thousand miles, during the years 1799 to 1811. Mr John Scott, author of a Visit to Paris, &c. has just returned from the Continent, after an absence of upwards of two years, with abundant stores of information, which he is preparing for publication, under the title of Italy in 1818 and 1819. A volume of Poems, Songs, and Sonnets, by John Clare, a Northamptonshire peasant, will appear in a few days. A political and commercial account of Venezuela, Trinidad, and some of the adjacent Islands, is printing, from the French of M. Lavaysse, with notes and illustrations. Mr R. Ackermann proposes to publish an historical and characteristic Tour of the Rhine, from Mayence to Coblentz and Cologne, in six monthly parts: containing a complete history and picturesque description of a portion of country so full of curious and interesting circumstances, as well as so resplendent for its landscape, grandeur, and beauty. Shortly will be published, in one volume octavo, Letters from Buenos Ayres and Chili; with an original history of the latter country; illustrated with engravings; by the author of Letters from Paraguay. In a few days will be published, Moral Sketches of prevailing Opinions and Manners, Foreign and Domestic, with Reflections on Prayer; by Hannah More. Mr J. N. Brewer is preparing a Historical and Descriptive Account of the most interesting objects of Topography in Ireland, to accompany the Beauties of England and Wales; and a similar work, to be entitled the Beauties of Scotland, is also announced. The Rev. Mark Wilks is preparing for publication, some Account of the present State of France, and of the late Persecutions in the South. Mr James Ilbery is collecting materials, with a view to publish a History of Waltham Abbey, Essex, from the earliest period to the present time; with Biographi cal Notices of the various eminent characters either born there, or that have held high appointments in the Abbey. A Series of Portraits of the British Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper, copied from the most authentic originals, and engraved in the line manner by Englehart, Warren, Wedgwood, &c. and in size and selection peculiarly adapted to the illustration of Mr Campbell's Specimens of British Poets, has been undertaken, and will be completed in about twenty-five parts, each part containing six portraits. Mr John Preston, comptroller of the customs at Great Yarmouth, is preparing for press, in royal octavo, a work entitled A Picture of Yarmouth, with numerous engravings. An elementary work of peculiar interest, on the Construction of the Machines adopted in the Arts and Manufactures, from the French of M. Betancourt, is in preparation. Shortly will be published, in three volumes, Geraldine, or Modes of Faith and Practice; a Tale. By a Lady. The Literary and Ecclesiastical History of Galloway, from the earliest records to the present time; with an appendix, containing copious notices relative to the ancient political state of that district, is in preparation. By T. Murray, preacher of the Gospel. Isabel of the Isles, or the Carr of Uah Viarnag, a metrical romance of the tifteenth century, is about to be published. By Mr John Carter Hay Allen. The Rev. George Croly, A. M. author of the poem entitled Paris, is preparing for the press, Specimens of the Living British Poets, with biographical notices and critical remarks. The Military Strength of Great Britain; containing a description of the Institutions, Establishments, and most remarkable Mi litary Works in the British Empire, in 1 vol. 4to, with 10 plates large atlas paper; by Charles Dupin, Member of the Institute France, will speedily appear. EDINBURGH. Form of Process before the Jury Court. By John Russell, Esq. C. S. one of the Clerks of the Jury Court. Second Edition. Containing the alterations on the former procedure, and the new regulations, in consequence of the late Act of Parliament. Edinburgh Annual Register for 1816. Vol. IX. Edinburgh Gazetteer, or Geographical Dictionary. Vol. III. Part II. Ivanhoe, a romance, in 3 vols. post 8vo., printed by Ballantyne. Supplement to the Fourth and Fifth Editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. IV. Part I. The Reverend Dr Neilson (author of the Greek Exercises) has in the press an improved edition of Moore's Greek Grammar. He has condensed the original work by omitting many superfluous examples; by printing the parts which are not necessary to be committed to memory in a smaller character, and by rendering the table of verbs more compact. He has given a short view of the irregularly formed verbs, indeclinable parts of speech, peculiar rules of syntax, prosody, accents, and dialects in Latin, and very copious notes throughout the work in English. The whole will form a volume not larger than the common editions of Moore, which contain the additions that have been made to it by other Editors. An edition of the collected works of Dr John Moore, with Memoirs of his Life, by Dr John Anderson, is printing in octavo. A Topographical Account of Ayrshire : together with a genealogical history of the principal families in that county. In three parts. Part First will contain the district of Cuninghame. Part Second the district of Kyle. Part Third the district of Carrick. By George Robertson, author of the MidLothian Survey; Survey of Kincardineshire; Editor and Continuator of Crawford's History of Renfrewshire, &c. &c. The Work will be published at three different periods. Part First, containing the district of Cuninghame, is now in great forwardness, forming one large volume 8vo, printed on a fine wove demy paper, with a new and correct map, and embellished with about a dozen vignette views of the most interesting ancient edifices. Each volume price 15s. in boards; or a few copies on fine wove royal paper, with proof impressions of the map, L.1, 2s. 6d. Mr Wishart will publish, in the course of next month, a second edition of his Translation of Scarpa on Aneurism, with additional cases, and a Memoir on the Ligature of the Arteries of the Extremities, by the author. MONTHLY LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. LONDON. ARCHITECTURE. THE Elements of Civil Architecture, according to Vitruvius, and other ancients, and the most approved modern authors, especially Palladio; by H. Aldrich, D.D. translated by the Rev. P. Smyth: with fifty-five engravings, 18s. Designs for Churches and Chapels of various Dimensions and Styles; by W. F. Pocock. 4to. L.1, 11s. 6d. ASTRONOMY. A new and complete Dictionary of Astrology, wherein every technical term is minutely and correctly explained; by Jas. Wilson. 8vo. 12s. BIOGRAPHY. Authentic Memoirs, Biographical, Critical, and Literary,, of the most eminent Physicians and Surgeons of the British Empire. 8vo. 16s. Memoires et Correspondance de Madame d'Epinay. 3 vols. 8vo. 30s. Franklin's Memoirs: the third or concluding volume in 4to, illustrated with plates; by Wm. Temple Franklin. Caulfield's Remarkable Persons. Royal 8vo. L.1, 16s. Royal 4to, L.3, 3s. Proofs on India paper, L.4, 4s. Memoirs of Lucien Bonaparte, Prince of Canino. 2 vols. 8vo, with a fine portrait. 18s. The Life of James the Second, King of England, &c.; by the Rev. J. S. Clarke. 2 vols. 4to. L.6, 6s. LAW. An Essay upon Marine Evidence in the Courts of Law and Equity: with a glossary of sea-terms; by F. M. Van Heythuysen. 8vo. 10s. 6d. The Justice Law for the last Five Years; by W. Dickenson. 8vo. L.1, 5s. Observations on Penal Jurisprudence, and the Reformation of Criminals; by W. Roscoe. 8vo. 9s. The Trial of John Kinnear, Lewis Levy, and Moseley Woolf, indicted with John Meyer and others for a conspiracy; by Mr Fraser. 8vo. 10s. 6d. The several points of Sessions Law, alphabetically arranged, contained in Burn, and the other authorities; by the Rev. S. Clapham. 2 vols. 8vo. L.1, 8s. MEDICINE. Pathological and Surgical Observations on Diseases of the Joints; by C. B. Brodie. 8vo. with plates, 16s. Observations on the Symptoms and Treatment of the Diseased Spine, previous to the period of Incurvation: with some remarks on the consequent palsy; by Thomas Copland. fis. A Treatise on the most approved Modes of Restoring Vision by the Formation of Artificial Pupils; by Sir William Adams, illustrated with coloured engravings. 8vo. Reports on the Diseases of London, and the State of the Weather from 1804 to 1816; by T. Bateman. 8vo. 9s. Clinical and Pathological Reports; by S. Black. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Inquiry into Dr Gall's system concerning Innate Dispositions, the Physiology of the Brain, Materialism, &c.; by J. P. Tupper. 8vo. 6s. 6d. MISCELLANIES. A Complete Set of Tables of Foreign Exchanges; by W. Tate. Royal 8vo. L.2. An Account of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope; with a view to the infor mation of Emigrants. 8vo. 6s. 6d. MUSIC. A General History of Music: comprising the lives of eminent composers and musical writers; by Thos. Busby, Mus. Doc. 2 vols. 8vo. L.1, 10s. NOVELS. Eveleen Mountjoy, or Views of Life; by Mrs Robert Moore. 4 vols. 12mo L.1, 4s. The Hermit in London. 3 vols. 12mo. Cesario Rosalba, or the Oath of Vengeance; by Ann of Swansea. 5 vols. 12mo L.1, 7s. 6d. The Castle of Villa Flora; a Portuguese tale; from a manuscript found by an Officer. 3 vols. 12mo. 16s. 6d. The Black Convent, or a Tale of Feudal Times. 2 vols. 12mo. 11s. The Authoress. 8vo. 5s. |