But soon the storm arose, and high Was in the surges lost. Though we fell in with pleasing passages as we looked through the poems of Mr. Boid, we are afraid that his volume, like his 'Bark of Hope,' will not float long on the sea of time. He is pretty and neat, with a taste for effect, and his feelings are warm and kindly-but more is required to make a lasting poet. We are glad to see that Travels and Researches of Eminent English Missionaries,' by the author of Mary Ogilvie,' and Scripture Natural History,' by William Carpenter, have arrived at second editions. They are good books, and cannot fail to be most welcome to the quiet hearths of the humbler classes. 'The Mother's Medical Guide,' is another useful little work. It contains a great deal of advice and information, that must be invaluable to young mothers. Sir Thomas Browne's 'Religio Medici,' is a work as extensive in its fame among the wellinformed, as it is little known to casual readers. It is a volume abounding in wisdom and beauties, and to him who may not have read it, promising the richest harvest of delight, of any work we could recommend. It appears, from a note prefixed to this edition, that all former editions are full of inaccuracies; this may be, but we are not critical in trifles. The editor of the present shall have our best thanks for every correction; and we can recommend this volume, published by Vincent, Oxford, for taste and elegance in its getting up. Mr. Brandreth has ventured to put forth another number of his Minstrel Melodies.' The songs are unequal, and hardly answer to the promise of the first number. He still perseveres in his modesty, and now offers a bundle of sixty ballads, that would make a creditable octavo volume, for one shilling! We have hardly room for extract, and must therefore content ourselves with an occasional verse : The Sea, the Sea, the Summer Sea! The sunset cloud, the crescent moon, Where the streamlets glide While the distant roar Of its waves on the shore ORIGINAL PAPERS THE SEA-BOY AND HIS SISTER. "WHAT shall I bring thee from the isles May be bought where points our prow, "Fear not the sea, thou timid one, My master and king is he, And I brook not a word of treason heard, Not a word, though it come from thee: Nine weeks and a day have I dwelt on land, Summer sports and labour seen, RECOLLECTIONS OF CRABBE THE POET. WE have much pleasure in laying before our readers a letter which we have received from a gentleman of Bath, but who formerly lived in Trowbridge, and was one of the parishioners of the poet. As all that relates to a man every way so worthy, is valuable, we shall give what we have received without alteration or comment, for we have full confidence in the candour of our correspondent. "Crabbe came to Trowbridge some eighteen years ago: at first he was but lightly looked upon by the Dissenters, a numerous body there; but when they became acquainted with his worth of heart, and vigour of mind, and his unwearied kindness to the poor of all persuasions, he grew a great favourite, and was warmly welcomed to all missionary meetings, Bible societies, and other associations for the benefit of the labouring classes. He mixed but little with the gentry around him; the houses to which he chiefly resorted as a friend, was to that of Mr. Waldron, his colleague in the magistracy, and that of Mr. Norris Clarke, an eminent clothier; with every one else he was friendly, but not intimate. He was fond of the exercise of long walks, and as he studied geology, he seldom went out without a hammer in his pocket, which he applied to all kinds of curious stones; he was sometimes in danger during these examinations, for he would stop readily in the middle of the public road, to pry into the merits of a fractured stone, and did not always hear the warnings of drivers of coaches and carts. On one occasion, he went with his son John to Avon-cliffe, about four miles from Trowbridge, tied the horse to a crag, ascended to the quarry, and commenced hammerSay, what shall I bring thee back, sweet girl? escaped from his hands, rolled down the decliing away. In turning over a stone, however, it I am sick of the flowers, I am tired of the trees, "Let me go, for my heart beats thickly here, And less light shall the dolphin ply: I am weary to death of landsmen's talk, Say, what shall I bring thee back?" Ay, go, my brother; first and last That ever bore such name to me; Go, while the courage, ebbing fast, Remains, to bid farewell to thee. I've watched thy boyish years unfold, I love thee as a mother now, Yet go, for restless dreams have scroll'd The name of rover on thy brow. "Think not I blame thee;-thou art kindHast left me in this cot at easeBut oh, thou canst not make me blind To the deep perils of the seas! Thou speak'st of them with pleasant tongueThou say'st thy heart and home are there; But oft I think, with spirit wrung, Thou wouldst not, if I were not here: "An orphan with a pallid cheek; A frame, too, somewhat overworn; Enough-the heart is slow to break, And sorrow comes but to be borne; The hardest is, to see thee go Thus in thy youth, time after time; To live upon thy toil, and know, For me thou wearest out thy prime! "Yet I must think thou lov'st the sea, 'Twould madden me to doubt it long,""Love I the deep?- -now credit me, I love it with a love as strong, As thou myself;-it is my joy, Has been my home, shall be my grave; I tell thee, tempest scarce alloys The bliss, the triumph of the wave! So what shall I bring thee back, dear friend? So what shall I bring thee back?" "Bring back to me," said the gentle one, "That, which no caves may hide; That, which the deep sea cannot quench; Thy LOVE,-no gift beside!" vity with such a noise, as frightened the horse, and made it run away and smash the gig. He looked after it for a little while, and when he saw it stopped, he smiled and said, 'Well, it might have been worse.' His income amounted to about eight hundred a year, but he was a mild man in the matter of tithes: when told of many defaulters, his usual reply was, 'Let it be -probably they cannot afford to pay so well as I can afford to want it-let it be. His charitable nature was so well known, that he was regularly visited by mendicants of all grades; he listened to their long stories of wants and woes with some impatience, and when they persevered, he would say, 'God save you all, I can do no more for you,' and so shut the door. But the wily wanderers did not on this depart; they knew the nature of the man; he soon sallied out in search of them, and they generally got a more liberal present on the way from his house, than at the door. He has even been known to search obscure lodging-houses in Trowbridge, to relieve the sufferers whom misfortunes had driven to beggary. He was, of course, often imposed upon by fictitious tales of woe, which, when he discovered, he merely said, 'God forgive them; I do.' He was most punctual in all his engagements, and felt much annoyed on being detained in the church waiting for funerals. He once waited a whole hour for one beyond the time appointed, and then went home to dinner; but just as he sat down, the burial train appeared; he rose in no pleasant mood; on which his son said, Father, allow me to bury the corpse.''Well, do so, John,' he answered, 'you are a milder man than your father.' Crabbe was particularly anxious about the education of the humbler classes, and gave much of his time to its furtherance. In his latter days, the sunday school was his favourite place of resort, and there he was commonly to be found in the evenings between seven and eight, listening to the children; 'I love them much,' he once observed, and now old age has made me a fit companion for them.' He was a Thomas Sulley. One of these telescopes is feet focal length, and 4 inches aperture, and the other 42 inches focal length, and 23 inches aperture. The instrument is mounted by Troughton, in the manner of an equatorial, and, although so massive a structure, it can be moved with the greatest facility, both in right ascension and declination, by the observer, without removing his eye from the eye-piece. This is accomplished as usual, by two rods terminating in universal joints, and working small racks, by which the instrument is moved. great favourite with the scholars-on their leav-5 ing school, he gave them Bibles a-piece, and admonished them respecting their future conduct. His health was usually good, though he sometimes suffered from the Tic Doloreux. His sermons were short, but pointed, and to the purpose; but his voice latterly had failed, and he was imperfectly heard. Not long ago, he met a poor old woman in the street, whom he had for some time missed from the church, and asked her if she had been ill. Lord bless you Sir, no,' was the answer; 'but it's of no use going to your church, for I can't hear you.'-' Very well, my good old friend,' said the pastor, you do right in going where you can hear,' and he slipped half-a-crown into her hand, and went away.' He had prepared a selection of his sermons for the press, as well as a new volume of poems, but he delayed their publication, saying, They will do better when I am dead.' He was only one week ill; on the night before he died, he said to a maid-servant who had lived long with him,Now, in the morning, when I am dead, go you to bed, and let others do what must be done-but while I am living, stay you beside me.' He died at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 3rd of February: it is untrue, that the clothiers shut their shops; it was the shopkeepers of Trowbridge: the clothiers keep no shops, and I have not heard that they shut up their factories. He was universally esteemed, and as a proof of it, one hundred of his fellow townsmen requested leave to attend his funeral." KENSINGTON OBSERVATORY. [The following interesting Paper is kindly contributed by one whose name, if we were at liberty to publish it, would be the best security for its accuracy.1 SOME years ago, the distinguished Astronomer who, with a public spirit rarely equalled, established this Observatory at his own expense, purchased on the Continent the finest object lens, for a refracting telescope, ever made. The object glass presented to the University of Dorpat by the late Emperor of Russia, and which, in the hands of Professor Struve, has rendered such important services to Astronomy, is onethird less in superficial magnitude, being only nine inches diameter, while that of Sir James South is eleven inches and eight tenths. Soon after obtaining this valuable piece of glass, Sir James South determined on erecting a telescope to receive it, mounted in the manner of an equatorial, and placed in a building surmounted by a suitable dome. This work is now nearly accomplished, and we have lately had the pleasure of inspecting the building and the instrument. Some account of a piece of work which must be regarded as a national honour, cannot, we trust, be unacceptable to our readers. The object glass above mentioned, is nearly 20 feet focal length. The telescope is therefore above 20 feet long, and is furnished with two smaller telescopes, at either side, and having their axes parallel to the principal one. Such appendages, in large telescopes, are usually ap plied, under the denomination of finders, being intended to facilitate the process by which the observer directs the large instrument to any particular object. In the present case they an swer this purpose, but they are also attended with far more important uses. Being instruments of considerable power, they enable the observer to effect, under similar circumstances of atmosphere and instrumental steadiness, three correspondent observations on the same object; or, as in the case of occultations of stars by the moon, three observers can witness the same phenomenon at the same time. The object glasses of these telescopes are exquisitely perfect, and are the work of Messrs. William and 4 The building in which this splendid instrument is placed, is circular in its plan, being 28 feet 10 inches internal diameter in the clear. The circular wall is one brick and a half in thickness, and 11 feet 3 inches in height, from the floor of the building. On the wall-plate, at the top, is placed a circular iron railway, and on this rests a magnificent hemispherical dome. The dome revolves on the railway with an azimuth motion, that is, with a rotation round its vertical axis. This motion is obtained by six rollers placed on the above-mentioned railway, whereon the dome rests, and the dome is maintained in its position, and guarded against lateral disturbance by twelve guide-wheels, which are inserted on the outside edge in the circular plate which forms the base of the dome, and which press, as the dome revolves, against the upright ledge of the railway. The dome itself is composed of extremely light ribs, which are thinly covered with cedar, protected by an external coating of copper. Its inner surface is lined with battens of pine. In the domes which usually surmount equatorial instruments, it is necessary to place a slit, or opening, extending though a certain space of the dome, in a vertical direction, which opening can be closed by shutters when the instrument is not in use. For the purposes of observation it is not necessary that this opening should be made on more than one side of the dome, nor that it should extend to the crest or vertex on the one hand, nor to the base or horizontal point on the other. Such an opening, therefore, is never inconsistent with that peculiar character of strength and stability, which is not only an actual quality of the domic figure, but so intimately associated with that figure in our minds, as to produce a feeling of pleasure and security in beholding it. We confess it was not without surprise, nor without feelings very different from those of pleasure and security, that we perceived this otherwise magnificent structure, completely divided into two parts by a chasm extending between two points of the base of the dome, diametrically opposite, and carried completely through its vertex. Our surprise was not abated by the consideration that such an opening, while it destroys the most important mechanical and architectural qualities of the structure, is utterly useless for any purpose of astronomical observation. No one could have been better aware of this than the distinguished and munificent person at whose expense this work was erected. This chax or opening, extending thus entirely across the dome, is 3 feet 7 inches in width; and an attempt has been made, by the engineer who conducted the work, to construct shutters of sheet-iron for the purpose of closing it. These shutters, which are now upon the dome, are formed of one connected mass of sheet-iron, and travel, in short railways, outside the dome, and on its base, near the points at which it springs. An apparatus, worked by cranks, is provided, intended to close these shutters; but such is the imperfect manner in which they are designed, that they cannot be made to approach each other at present within several inches. New shutters must be constructed to replace these. The dome is moved round its axis by a system of ropes and pulleys, which are worked by a winch placed within the building. An attendant can thus turn the chax or opening to any part of the heavens to which the observer may desire to direct the instru ment. To prevent the instrument, during observations, from being affected by tremors communicated to the walls of the building, either by moving the dome, or from any other external cause, the piers whereon the instrument is placed are altogether unconnected with the walls of the building. It is not easy to imagine any arrangement more ill-judged than the chax or opening already alluded to, and the shutters by which it is attempted to close it. When the shutters are open, the two halves of the dome present hollow shells, to catch every blast of wind which may occur in either direction. And, in the case of a high wind blowing in a direction at right angles to the chax, it would be altogether unsafe to attempt using the instrument. A hollow segment of a spherical surface, of nearly 30 feet diameter, would be presented to catch the storm; and there can be no doubt that the dome would be liable to be blown off the building. But, independently of this, the absurd construction of the shutters aggravates the evil. They do not move upon the surface of the dome, but when open, rise from it, presenting the appearance, in respect of the dome, not very unlike form sails, spread to catch every blast, and cona starched ruff upon a lady's gown. They thus spire, with the chax, in exposing to destruction, the building, the instrument, and observer. That Sir James South could be a party to such a contrivance, we knew to be impossible; and we have accordingly found, upon inquiry, that the idea of opening the dome, from side to side, through the vertex, was undertaken in direct opposition to Sir James's wishes, and against his opinion. In fact, this absurd project had no other object than the display of a tour de force, and was an effort to produce effect on the part of the architect. Happily this evil is easily remedied, and Sir James South is, we find, about to close the opening in such parts as are not necessary for the purposes of observation. We wish we could say that the wasteful expenditure of money into which this patriotic astronomer has been betrayed could be so easily restored. It would be uninteresting to the public to enter into the details which have come into our possession of the harassing expenses, and the loss of time and anxiety of mind occasioned to the founder of this Observatory by the series of blunders shown in the management of this work. But some notion may be formed of this by the knowledge of the fact, that the original estimate for the dome, including the copper covering and every convenience, and even every luxury which could contribute to the facility of observation, did not exceed 504%, and yet the sum already expended upon it exceeds 17001.! The shutters alonewhich, being utterly ineffective, must be now removed-were undertaken under an assurance that their cost would not exceed 401. Their expense, however, has exceeded 5001.! It is right to state, that none of this increased expense has in a single instance arisen from any change in the intentions or views of Sir James South in the progress of the work. We have considered it right to animadvert severely on these circumstances, because, although the money expended has not been public money, yet it has been part of the resources of a public-spirited individual devoted to public purposes, and should therefore be held still more sacred than public funds. The instrument was first placed on its piers within the building on the 26th of January last. It was elevated by tackle planted in different parts of the surrounding grounds, which, passing through the chax of the dome, grasped the ponderous framing which supported the instrument at several points. When the northern or upper extremity of the instrument had been brought within a few inches of the rollers destined to receive it, being then at the height of twenty-six feet from the floor, the ropes which supported the extremity broke. The lower end fell on the stone pier, while the upper end in its fall fortunately did no other injury to the dome or wall than that of slightly breaking the inner lining of the roof. It happily occurred that, although more than thirty workmen and others were present, no one sustained the slightest injury. Had the accident happened a minute sooner, it is more than probable that several persons, including Sir James South himself, Mr. Troughton, and Captain Beaufort, would have perished. To those who have not had the pleasure of witnessing the powers of this extraordinary instrument, it is not easy to convey an adequate notion of them. Under favourable circumstances it will bear a magnifying power of more than 1000, and even in bad niglits one of above 700. Indeed, in observations on the fixed stars, there seems to be no other limit to the magnifying power which may be used with it, than the state of the atmosphere. The star of the first magnitude called a Lyræ may be viewed with a magnifying power of 5000 without losing in the slightest degree its roundness and distinctness. Those who are conversant with astronomical observations will understand the excellence of the instrument from the following facts:-The close stars of Cygni and Herculis, under favourable circumstances, are easily shown by it. The star & Arietis is resolved into two stars instantly; and as for n Coronæ, Caveria, and the 2nd μ Bootis, they are shown as close double stars with as much facility as Castor is with ordinary telescopes. The division between the two rings of Saturn is still visible by its aid. Stars of the fifth magnitude may be observed with it in the day time. The small star which accompanies the pole-star has been seen with it under strong sunshine. When powers magnifying several thousand times are used, an inconvenience arises from the circumstance, that the diurnal motion of the heavens is also magnified, and the star appears to run out of the field of view before the observer can contemplate it with the requisite attention. To remedy this inconvenience, it is contemplated by Sir James South, to connect the framing of the instrument with clock-work, by which the telescope will be made to move with the star, and thus, notwithstanding the diurnal motion, and high magnifying power, the object may be kept in the field of view for any length of time. | mountain-range, which bounds this valley to After spending seven months in exploring the Kanaor, Jacquemont returned by a different route, and recrossed the Indian Himmalaya by the Bouronn Ghanti, which is one of the deepest gorges of that chain, although it lies at an elevation of more than 16,000 feet above the level of the sea! He came back to Delhi for the purpose of depositing his collections in safety, and making preparations for a visit to that vast por tion of the Kaboul, which goes by the name of the Pendjab, comprises the whole bason of the Indus, and is subject to the sway of RunjitSingh. He would have found this an almost unaccomplishable task, but for the interposition of M. Allard, a fellow-countryman, who has disciplined a portion of the Rajah's forces after the European model, backed by the patronage of Lord William Bentinck. By their means he was enabled to explore a country, which no Englishman had been allowed to investigate; and he reached its capital in the beginning of March 1831. Taking his departure from it on the 26th of that month, he proceeded to Pindadenkhan, where he examined the salt-mines situated in its vicinity, and found them, in every mineralogical feature, to correspond exactly with those of Cardona in Spain. He had hitherto found every facility afforded him in prosecuting his enterprise, but on arriving at Mirpour, he observed, that the Rajah's orders where neglected, and that he would therefore be exposed to all sorts of difficulties in consequence of the state of anarchy, which prevailed throughout the district. Nor were his apprehensions groundless; for, upon approaching the Fortress of Teloutchi, himself and the whole of his escort were made prisoners by a chieftain of the name of N'Heal-Singh, and, after many impediments, released on payment of a heavy AT the meeting of the Paris Academy of Sciences, ransom. Having immediately brought the ocheld on the 26th of last month, extracts from currence to Runjit-Singh's knowledge, the letters, received by the Museum of Natural His- Rajah made good the sum of which he had been tory in that capital, from M. Jacquemont in plundered, and placed the offender's life at his India, were read. It appears, that Jacquemont mercy. Jacquemont, considering it incumbent left Calcutta the 20th of November 1829, upon him not to permit the freebooter to escape reached Benares the 31st of December follow- altogether unscathed, required that he should ing, and arrived at Delhi in the early part of receive corporal punishment, and be kept in March 1830. On the 12th of the ensuing month durance vile until he had completed his pere. he entered the Himmalaya district, in the direc-grinations. The traveller does not confirm the tion of Saharumpore, a town lying to the north of Delhi. After ascending to the sources of the Jumna, he crossed the great chain of the IndianHimmalaya mountains, and descended into the wide and elevated plain, termed "The High Kanaor," which is watered by the Upper Sut ledje. Jacquemont has ascertained, that the TOUR THROUGH UPPER INDIA. eulogies, which have been lavished by eastern the court of India, who made it their summer residence, in exchange for the parching sun and burning surface of Agra and Delhi. Jacquemont has abandoned his intention of visiting Little Thibet, though he has hopes of procuring some animals from that quarter, which are not to be met with in any of the countries which he has hitherto explored. From the information given him, he has every reason to conclude, that there are four species of ruminating animals, which yield a down similar to that of the Cachemire goat, and employed for the same purposes. He writes in expectation of speedily receiving living specimens, to the extent of seve ral pairs, of each of these four species. JOSEPH HAYDN. THE recent celebration of the centenary of the birth of this extraordinary man may make a few particulars of his life and labours acceptable at the present moment. And well may the term "extraordinary" be applied to Joseph Haydna man who shone, if not unmatched for musical genius, at least without an equal for industry and fecundity of imagination. His life was extended to the age of three-score and seventeen, from which the immaturity of childhood and the waning years of his later existence must be thrown off. In fact, the period of his musical career was comprised between the age of eighteen, when he ventured before the public with his first quartett, and of seventy-three, when his powers began to wane under the infirmity of advancing years. He left behind him an autograph, though incomplete, detail of his rare, unwearied, and successful diligence; and by this, it appears, that between the years 1760 and 1805 (for in the former his Symphony in D appeared), he had composed 118 symphonies, 83 quartetts (the last of which came out in an unfinished state in 1806, and was rendered mournfully interesting by the device on its titlepage-"Alas! mine every power is withered!") 24 trios, 19 operas, 5 oratorios, 163 pieces for the tenor, 24 concertos for various instruments, 15 masses, 10 smaller pieces of church music, amongst others, the Stabat Mater' and 'Salve Regina,' 44 sonatas for the piano, 42 German and Italian songs, 39 canons, 13 vocal pieces for more than one voice, 365 Scottish melodies, and a host of miscellaneous compositions. In no one individual were there perhaps ever combined more fertility of invention, more mastery of science, more playfulness of humour, or a greater originality of easy and graceful imagination. After the twelve symphonies, which Haydn wrote for Salomon's Concerts, followed the Creation, that splendid achievement, which encircled the evening of his days with an immortality of glory. He composed it at the advanced age of sixty. five, evidently in the enjoyment of unimpaired freshness and vigour of mind; and it was first performed at Vienna. Even Wieland caught the enthusiasm, which Haydn's master-piece had kindled under every European sky, nor did he rest until he had sung the praises of the Creation. The writer recollects, as it were but yesterday, paying his first visit to Haydn in the year 1799, and finding him busily engaged in composing the part of 'Summer' in his delightful 'Sea sons;' at this time, he bore his years with a racy cheerfulness and vigour of intellect, of which three-score has but rarely the happiness to boast. An isolated act is frequently the index to a whole life. We remember his giving as the theme to a canon, which a young artist was desirous of writing, these few but pithy words"Let thy science be thy God, the world thou inhabitest, and thine own self!" + Hin ist alle meine kraft! S. OUR WEEKLY GOSSIP ON LITERATURE Literature seems more and more to be assuming the hue and livery of these unsettled times. Most of the announcements pursue of new works are of a political complexion; we have just discussed a smart lampoon, called 'England and France;' now, a work called 'The Democrat,' is promised, and lest we should not be aware of it before it breaks in upon our repose, the newspapers in repeated paragraphs prepare us for something too extraordinary to be seen and not felt. We wish that booksellers would the honest old mode of regular advertisements; these preliminary puffs are in the long run injurious, and no author of genius should permit them. The evil, however, seems spreading. All the literary world must have read with pain that Michell, the ingenious author of the Characters of the Poets and Novelists,' is threatened by some sulky writer with prosecution, and that the poet is not afraid: but all pain for such things is a waste of sympathy; the prosecution is imaginary-it is a common mode of advertisement. We hear that an author of reputation has become chief proprietor of the Metropolitan Magazine-we wish him increase of success. The translator of 'The German Prince's Tour,' is now translating the Correspondence of Schiller and Goethe. The collection forms six volumes in the German edition. To fit it for the English market, we believe large omissions will be made. We some time ago mentioned that a series of historical embellishments were in progress, to illustrate the poetry of Lord Byron; we have seen a specimen of the work-a groupe by Richter, engraved by Finden, representing these lines in the Bride of Abydos' : Ah! were I severed from thy side, Where were thy friend, and who my guide? Years have not seen, time shall not see, The hour that tears my soul from thee. There is much beauty both in the conception and the engraving of this specimen, and we shall be glad to see the work continued in the same spirit. The outlay in money on such an undertaking is enormous; many of these embellishments, before they go from the hand of the copper-plate printer, will have cost, we hear, the proprietors (Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.) one hundred guineas each. Among other forthcoming novelties, is a new series of embellishments to Scott's novels, to consist of portraits of the principal female characters; the designs by our most eminent artists. The work is likely, we think, to be attractive to the ladies, and a graceful addition to the numberless illustrations heretofore published. Report speaks favourably of the coming exhibition of the Royal Academy; Hilton has one fine poetic picture, and Jones, in addition to his Opening of London Bridge,' has two noble works-The Death of Sir John Moore,' and the Trial of the three Children, Shadrach, Meschech, and Abednego.' The bronze statue by Westmacott has been kept, we are told, from its pedestal beside Westminster Hall, because the fury of the mob was dreaded, should any disappointment ensue in the matter of Reform. We think, when the statue of Pitt stood through last year's turmoil, that the figure of Can- There is active life inside the Opera House, Lablache, our old inimitable friend, is, we see, announced for a limited period at the French theatre, being still under engage ment with Laporte. SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. April 9.-G. W. Hamilton, Esq. V.P., in the chair.-A letter was read from Mr. Cunningham, containing remarks made by that gentleman on the river reported to have been lately discovered to the north-west of Liverpool Plains, in Australia. Mr. Cunningham seemed to place no great faith in the accounts of the person who reported it, and entertains some doubts of its existence. A communication was afterwards read on New Zealand, followed by a paper from Capt. W. F. W. Owen, on the Maldiva Islands, in the Indian Ocean. Capt. Owen's paper may be considered as a supplement to Capt. Horsburgh's, which was read at the preceding meeting, on the same subject. After adverting to our ignorance of these islands, which, consequently, are much dreaded by navigators, Capt. Owen gives an extensive account of them, taken from a scarce work, published in Paris in 1679. Capt. Owen describes the method of taking the Cowrie shell, which is used as a substitute for money in Africa, and is found plentifully. The process consists in tying the branches and leaves of the cocoa-nut tree in bundles, which are used by the natives as floats. These people provide themselves with small lines baited at every five or six inches with a piece of meat. The shell-fish swallows the bait, and great numbers of them are hauled up at a time. When the natives have taken a sufficient quantity, they proceed to land and bury the shells in the ground, by which means the fish rot out of them. They are then washed and become an article of trade, much esteemed in consequence of their not soiling the hands like metal. Capt. Owen also mentioned in his paper the method adopted by the natives of obtaining the coral from the bottom at great depths. For this purpose a species of wood is The block of coral being selected, a rope is made found on the island, which is lighter than cork. fast to it by the natives, who are expert divers; they then have no difficulty in sinking pieces of this wood and fastening them to the block. When they believe there is sufficient, they loosen the block by means of the rope, and the wood floats it to the surface. In this manner the harbour of St. Mary's, at Madagascar, was much improved by the French. The island of Diego Garcia, which is the southernmost of the Maldivas, was also noticed by Capt. Owen as being the place of banishment used by the French at the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon. The Maldiva islands are gene rally well wooded, and abound with fresh water. The derivation of their name is from two words in the Malabar language, one of which, Mal, signifies a thousand, and the other, Diva, signifies an island. A letter from Dr. Richardson was read, on the subject of Capt. Ross, which we hope to give with our report of the next meeting. LINNEAN SOCIETY. April 17.-A. B. Lambert, Esq., in the chair. -William Gordon, Esq., of Wilton, Hull, was elected a Fellow of the Society, and General of State for the War Department at Rio de JaJoaquim d'Oliveira, last Minister and Secretary neiro, a distinguished patron of the cultivators of Natural History, was proposed for future ballot. Two papers were read by the Secretary, the first, 'On some Peculiarities of the efflorescence in the genus Euphorbia,' by Mr. David Don, Librarian to the Society; the second, 'On the characters which distinguish the Lama, Alpaco, Guanaco, and Vicugna, as animals distinct from each other,' by Mr. William Bollaert, formerly chemical assistant at the Royal Institution, but lately returned from South America. An additional portion of plants, collected by Dr. Wallich in India, was presented by the Directors of the Honourable East India Company; and a collection of Ferns, also formed in India, was presented by Dr. White. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Mr. Knight, on the success which had attended April 17.-A communication was made by his experiments in grafting the walnut-tree, which, to use Mr. Knight's words, "appears hitherto to have effectually baffled, under all ordinary circumstances, the art of the grafter." accompanied with plans, of a double range of A second paper was read, containing an account, forcing pits, which have been erected by Mr. Roundell, at Gledstone, in Yorkshire; the aradmirably suited for the intended purpose, and rangement of their construction seems to be the agent by which the heat is obtained being hot water, the desideratum of a perpetual hotbed is obtained, and the many inconveniences arising from the use of dung completely removed. The exhibition was again very attractive; the beautiful Magnolias Soulangeana, Yulan, and Conspicua; with the Glycine Sinensis, Camellias, Azaleas, Rhododendron arboreum, &c., exciting general admiration. We observed also a new Solanum from Chiloe, and handsome collections of Narcissi and Anemones. Sir Culling Smith, Bart., the Countess Amherst, and the Rev. W. Borradaile, were elected Fellows of this Society. THE new Romeo and new composer have already run their public course, and their success hereafter must depend on the capricious favours of private patronage; the lady-Romeo proved false in intonation, and Vaccai's music did not improve on rehearing. On Saturday last Elisebetta,' one of Rossini's weak and early operas, was attempted to be revived at twenty-four hours notice for the début of Madame Tosi, but it was found impossible, and Giulietta è Romeo' was substituted. That Tosi, Mariani, and Donzelli, should have been a fortnight in London without making their appearance in some effective opera, is the strongest proof yet given of the want of judgment in the new management. However, Mr. Mason has now had an idle week to reflect on the past and to provide for the future; and we do yet hope to hear, at least, one good opera, well cast, and correctly performed. Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable' is to be postponed to a much later period than originally intended; it is full time to commence operations, if the concerted music in this chef-d'œuvre is to be sung with precision and spirit. ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC. THE result of nine years' patronage of this national institution must, we fear, have grievously disappointed the zealous friends by whose active exertions it was first founded. But the mere fact of an Academy for musical education being placed under the entire control of noblemen and gentlemen amateurs, was, in itself, sufficient to create doubts in the minds of more experienced men. Patronage lavished on juvenile talent tends only to stint its growth; the ardent and indiscriminate applause of a friendly audience, and the indulgent commendation of amateur critics, turn out to be widely different from public judgment. The truth, we believe to be, that the whole system is a sort of amateur work, and defective in almost every branch. We never yet heard of one elaborate work, either on the science or practice of music, having been written for the students at the Academy. The changes have been rung on every possible style of singing and playing that happened to be the rage-a snug sinecure is enjoyed by a gentleman in want of a curacy—a governante is kept to look after the female students-patronage has procured appointments for two or three students in the Queen's chamber band-Mr. Seguin is engaged at Drury Lane—and here ends the eventful history. We attended the last Concert on Saturday last; a Miss Dettmer played remarkably well on the pianoforte for a child—but beyond this we have nothing to report. We desired anxiously to hear and to announce who promised to be the successor of Nicholson, or Willman, or Harper, or Platt-but it was an idle dream. NEW PUBLICATIONS. Cathedral Voluntaries from the Works of Orlando Gibbons, Dr. Blow, P. Humphreys, Purcell, Weldon, Battishill, Doctors Croft, Greene, Boyce, Cooke, and other sterling Church Composers of the English School. Arranged for the Organ by V. Novello. No. 24. J. A. Novello. THIS number contains two choruses from Bat two fugues from Dr. Croft's anthem, 'This is the day,' and 'God is gone up;' also a Latin Psalm by Dr. Tyle, with a short biographical notice, in which it is stated that this doctor of music translated the Acts of the Apostles into English, adapted them to music, and published them in 1553, with a dedication to King Edward the Sixth. The least known to us of the above selection is the Psalm; and we were pleased with its plain solid structure in counterpoint. Mr. Novello has condensed with judgment the scoring, and brought all the parts nicely under the hand. This collection, and his 'Select Organ Pieces,' ought to find their way into every organ-loft and the library of every organist. Remembrance: Poetry by C. Roche; the Music by W. Patten. Doubt not, my love: M. S. & V. Novello. Sterne's Maria: V. Novello. J. A. Novello. WE scarcely relish the sudden modulation from minor to major in the first of these three songs; otherwise we think favourably of the melody. The second is a "serenade," composed by Father and Daughter. The title-page presents us with a rather swarthy Romeo, and a Juliet. The music is not sufficiently amoroso for the subject. The third is by Husband and Wife, and requires a low soprano, and a singer of feeling, to do justice to the excellence of the composition. L'Hilarité: a set of Quadrilles. By Francis Hodges. Cocks & Co. THESE quadrilles may pass without comment; the composer himself can attach little consequence to his compositions, who indicates neither the style or time in which they should be played. There is nothing in art undeserving the artist's attention; and a musician has it in his power to write well, even in a quadrille. Hill's Musical Olio: containing a selection of favourite Operatic, National, and Miscellaneous pieces, arranged for the Pianoforte. Hill. HERE, for three shillings, are given twelve short and useful lessons for moderate performers. We must, however, remark, that the popular and elegant "Last Waltz," said to be by Weber, was written some time before the production of 'Oberon,' by a young composer named Reisseger, who, we believe, is now living. The Better Land: a ballad. Words by Mrs. Hemans. Music by P. Knapton. Chappell. It is carefully adapted, with a simple melody; and harmony corresponding to the sentimental character of pathetic poetry. THEATRICALS ADELPHI THEATRE. THIS house closed for the season on Saturday last, and left Messrs. Mathews and Yates a little leisure to count their profits, which we hope are considerable. Mr. Yates delivered a farewell address, which was cordially received. This gentleman and Mrs. Victorine Yates (why not, as well as Diebitsch Zabalkanski?—the physical victory is almost as great, and the moral one greater) have departed on a five months' tour to the provinces, in which we wish them every success. Mr. Mathews's Entertainment, an expression synonymous with the entertainment of the public, will shortly commence. There is no occasion to wish him success, or to say that he will no doubt deserve it, because he can command it. OLYMPIC THEATRE. Pandora's box closed also on Saturday last, on which occasion the burletta of Olympic tishill's anthem, 'Behold, how good and joyful;' | Devils' was represented for the ninetieth time. Madame Vestris spoke a farewell address, which it is not necessary for us to reprint, as it has appeared in all the daily papers. In the course of it she took deserved credit to herself for the rigidness with which she has abstained from play-bill puffing, and raised a fair laugh at the expense of the great advertising practitioners of Drury Lane and Covent Garden. The most interesting announcement in it, however, was the re-engagement of Mr. Liston, which gave universal satisfaction, and was loudly applauded. Madame Vestris was most cordially greeted, and made her curtsies amidst cheers from all parts of one of the most crowded houses of her crowded season. Mrs. Glover will have a benefit at this house on Monday. Madame Vestris, Mr. Liston, and Mr. Dowton, play for her. It will, no doubt, be well attended. MISCELLANEA Forster, the companion of Capt. Cook.-The Correspondence of John George Forster, the German naturalist, who accompanied Capt. Cook in his second voyage, has been recently published in Germany, in seven volumes. Forster was a man of great talent and information, and his connexion with the most celebrated scholars of his country, as well as his extensive travels, and above all, his residence in France and connexion with the government of that country during the reign of terror, impart to this Correspondence a more than common interest. The Apollo, a Greek newspaper, contains a squib against the last regulations of the Greek Cabinet, on the subject of the Press, which may be thus anglicized: All hail the Press!-the Press is free! Only, we'd have you take due care, If ye love number one, to spare The helots of the ministry, And every judge, and favourite, And thing that rules the helm of pow'r. All hail the Press, and this blest hour, When man dares everything-but WRITE! Honorary Degrees.-The practice hitherto pursued at the University of Leipzig, of examining noble candidates for legal honours with closed doors, has been recently abolished by an order of the King of Saxony. Anecdote of General Williams Freeman.-The last number of the United Service Journal contains a memoir of the distinguished naval services, during the American war, of the late venerable Admiral of the Fleet, William Peere him, whilst a youth, is characteristic of the man. Williams Freeman. The following anecdote of When a midshipman, serving on a foreign station, young Williams (for he did not take the name of Freeman until late in life), and a brother Mid, had each a favourite dog on board their vessel: Williams's dog had by some means given offence to the other younker, who threatened to throw the animal overboard. "If you do," rejoined Williams, "then yours shall follow ;" and he accordingly kept his word. Enraged at the loss of his dog, the other Mid came up to Williams and demanded satisfaction, challenging him to fight. "Be calm, Sir," said Williams coolly, "you have acted most brutally towards my poor dog, and I have retaliated on yours, as I mised I would do; you are entitled to no satisfaction from me, but your unoffending dog is: I therefore propose to save the life of yours, you will do so by mine." This proposal being acceded to, young Williams instantly leaped overboard, swam to his opponent's dog, secured him in preference to his own, returned to the vessel, and, with the animal under his arm, was hauled up by a rope which had been thrown over the side for him to hold by. His comrade then took his sousing in turn, to the high delight of young Williams, and was equally successful in saving pro if |