Lettres sur l'Education des Vers-à-Soie, &c. Letters on the rearing of SilkWorms, and the cultivation of the white Mulberry Tree; in which the author, founding his Opinion on the Experiments of the most successful Breeders, and on a Method practised by himself, demonstrates that both the Insect, and the Tree, may succeed and prosper in Latitudes much further North, than those comprised in the French Empire, and may be a source of Pleasure, and Wealth to Families. By A. R. Angéleny, Professor of Mathematics at Besançon. 12mo. price 2s. 6d. Marchand. Paris. ALTHOUGH We are not without information on the subject of this useful insect, and on the mulberry tree, yet this work contains absolutely new views, as to the possibility of the multiplication of these valuable worms, or rather caterpillars, and of the plants on which they subsist. This information regards principally those climates which hitherto have been considered as too far north, too chilly, for this undertaking. As Bonaparte has lately prohibited the exportation of silk from Piedmont, and other districts under his dominion, we register this little work with some degree of satisfactory opposition to him. We merely remark further, that there are several kinds of silk worms; and that they differ, as in other qualities, so in hardiness, and capability of resisting the effects of temperature. Moisture is injurious to them: wet food is fatal: but the art of hatching them, sooner or later, according to the season, is, of the greatest consequence, in this uncertain climate. As a very few weeks' attendance produces this valuable commodity, and silk never need fear any bazard of not finding a market, we think it pity, but that it should be naturalized among us. The finest and softest piece of silk we ever felt, was made from webs produced in this country. We recommend the prosecution of the experiments connected with this article to the female sex: because we recollect that the Grecian women, (many of whom make a profit of £80 or £100 a year, by their silk) are unanimous in their opinion, that should any man enter the rooms where the worms are kept, the whole brood would die. De l'Influence des Beaux Arts, &c. On THIS work is divided into seven dia- These dialogues are distinguished by a public welfare. Their author is M. de Eloges Historiques, &c. Historical Com- THIS volume contains memoirs of The writer has carefully stated the progressive discoveries of the subjects of his commendations, and has sacrificed to fidelity whatever of oratory or elegant. composition he might have introduced : He has not, therefore, degraded into the notes the main facts which are the most worthy of attention, but has considered them as forming the principal object, when the merit of the person of whom he is giving an account is under discussion. The lives of Spallanzani, and of Galvani, cannot fail of being interest ing but the progressive view taken of the discoveries which they were so fortunate as to make, renders such interest doubly pleasing. : Voyages Agronomiques, &c. Farmer's Travels in the district of Dijon, con taining an explanation of the method successfully employed for more than a century, to correct the abuses arising from the excessive subdivision of land, by the manner of laying down roads for agricultural purposes, &c. Price 5s. Mad. Huzard, Paris. THIS work is interesting to the country to which it refers: but not much of it is applicable to Britain. We should not have noticed it, but for a remark it has drawn from the Editor of a French journal, when reporting it. While we applaud, says he, the enlighted views of the author of these travels on the advantages of uniting lands into extensive premises, we ought to guard against falling into the opposite ex treme. Andalusia, so celebrated in antiquity, under the name of Bætica, on account of its extreme fertility, is for the most part, at present, actually struck with barrenness, occasioned by the excessive extent of its farms. The great proprietors of these farms keep registers, in which undue importance is given to the most productive pieces of land, while they proscribe from cultivation, not only those which their owners judge would yield unprofitable crops, but also those which are in disrepute for being of a secondary fertility, however capable they might be of contributing to the general increase, under proper management. From this abuse, says the writer, hardly the thira part of Andalusia is in full cultivation : so famous as this province was formerly for its abundance! Verbum sat, &c. De la Semiologie buccale, &c. Exposition of the Symtoms which may be discovered in the Mouth, from which Prognostics may be drawn as to the Cachexy, the numerous disorders produced, or augmented, by it, and others with which it may be complicated: as well those affecting the Teeth, as those affecting other Parts of the Body. By L. Laforgue, Dentist. Pamphlet. Price 2s. 6d. WHAT this writer calls Semiology, is the art of detecting cachexy, the diseases dependent on it, and the decisive symptoms which determine the presence of this malady, though hitherto not regarded. Cachexy is taken for that state of the blood, in which the proportion of serum in the blood is superabundant; and this disposition, together, with the prevalence of other watery humors, indicates the approach of the disease, or its neat incipience, even before it can properly be said to be present. ers. This hint may be of use to practition The state of the mouth, and the juices, exhibited by the saliva, may occasionally afford a glimmering light on the nature of a complaint, when other resources have failed. Or, when suspicion arises of some concealed disease, which suspicion has so little apparently to justify it, that it is not thought worthy of being mentioned, a more accurate examination than usual of the teeth, gums, palate, salival glands, &c. may produce useful discoveries. Elizabeth, ou les Exilés de Sibérie, a novel. By Mad. Cottin. 2 vol. 12mo. Giguet et Michaud. Paris. THIS tale is founded on a real occurrence which happened in Russia, some time ago. Deep in the deserts of Siberia, where her father and mother reside as exiles, a young lass of sixteen, meditates the bold attempt of penetrating to Petersburgh, a distance of 800 leagues, to solicit from the Emperor the restoration of her parents. This undertaking she executes, with invincible courage, and overcomes an infinity of obstacles. The circumstance of the coronation of the Emperor Alexander, at Moscow, somewhat shortens her journey. She visits this city, obtains an audience of the Emperor, and succeeds in her object: the well-earned reward of her courage, constancy, and fatigues. either felt, fancied, found, or filched' Mde. Cottin has embellished this anecdote with the charms of style and the beauties of sentiment: forming a striking picture of innocence, frankness, and heroism, combined in a young person, who is, of course, uncommonly beautiful. The temptation to enlarge in descriptions of dreary forests, desolate wastes, interminable wildernesses, and other wonders of nature, has been too strong for the writer to resist. Criticism might perhaps, discover that these incidents sometimes delay the progress of the narrative but those who have no objection to making works of this kind the chan-ed himself in dissertations on gamuts and nels of information will consider this as a trivial blemish. Le Courier Russe. The Russian Courier, &c. By Mad. ***. 2 vols. 12mo. price 4s. 6d. Demonville. Paris. alphabets, pronounces positively that music is the only language spoken by angels; and that, our souls, when delivered from their tabernacles of clay, will rise diatonically from oclave to octave, till they have attained the mansions of the blessed. The attempt, and the success, of Mad Cottin to form an interesting novel, Moliere's Maître de Musique was moon the subject of an extraordinary Rus dest compared with M. Devisme, for he sian incident, has probably had its in-restricted the efficacy of his art to this fluence in inducing this lady to combine an ideal course of events which are un likely to have happened any where, and impossible to have happened in Russia. In the progress of the novel the Emperor of Russia banishes the separated husband of the heroine, into Siberia: where, while in sickness, abandoned by all nature, he is suddenly succoured under his distresses, by a youth, named Subow, who describes himself as a courier of the Spanish Ambassador, who also brings orders for his release: this disguised courier is the forsaken wife of the culprit. This is saying enough, by way of caution, to all who may incline to write Russian novels, with Siberian incidents. At any rate, let not probability be shocked, by the absurdity of Spanish couriers, under Russian names, and females performing offices from which the most ro bust of men shrink,-riding post au fond de la Sibérie.” [For a more correct description of Siberia, see the Life of Prince Menzikoff, Panorama, p. 336.] Pasilogie, or Music considered as an Universal Language. By M. Devisme. Pamphlet. Price 2s. 6d. Paris. THIS work, accompanied with musicplates, presents the system of the author, world; not attempting to pry into futurity-Sans la musique, un Etat ne peut sul sister! but, perhaps, since their public permission for a celestial world to exist, the free people of France are determined to scrape acquaintance with its manners; and why not, also, favour the inhabitants with some valuable improvements, à la Françoise--when they arrive there? Anatomie du Gladiateur combattant, &c. Anatomy of the Fighting Gladiator, &c. By Gilbert Sauvage, MD. Paris. Published in numbers, price about 7s. 6d. each. THIS work is unique in its kind: and consists of anatomical examinations and denudations of capital instances of aft; and of whatever may assist the studies of youth, in this part of the Arts of design. It is recommended as an elementary work by the National Institut of France, in the class of fine arts. Each number contains four plates with their explanations. Whether such an assistance to the students of the fine arts in this country might be acceptable, we recommend to the notice of those who are interested in their culture. A Selection of Portraits of Celebrated Running-Horses, illustrated with their Pedigrees and Performances, from Pictures painted by permission expressly for this work. By J. Whessell. Extra folio. In colours £1. 16s. plain 18s. THIS number (the first) contains portraits of Eleanor, the property Sir Charles Bunbury; and Penelope, the property of his Grace the Duke of Grafton. The nature of this work is sufficiently expressed in its title: it will no doubt, be thought deserving of encouragement, by gentlemen of the turf, and by those who pique themselves on their knowledge in horses. Considering that this artist is, as we presume, of no very long standing in this department of the profession, we think his labours are entitled to considerable applause. The first plate is by no means ill composed, and it comprizes whatever properly belongs to the subject. The second plate has merit: but the eye of this mare appears to us to mark an expression not warranted by her state of tranquillity. It is possible, indeed, that she might thus cast her eye toward the artist; but that was an incident which he ought not to have inserted The landscape of these plates is touched with free dom; and the use of the tool in the skies, is judicious. subjects of some; and more than one tiplicity of guesses, as to the immediate frivolous undertaking which has professed to derive interest from the illustration of his designs. The immortal Dr. Trusler, was, we believe, the first who attempted this: and that his prints might be perfect fac similia of the originals, they were committed to the execution of an artist who faithfully reduced them by the aid of proportional compasses —and these were to copy correctly the spirited touches of the eccentric, the uncopyable Hogarth! Hogarth's composition was, constantly so crouded with thought, that he found great difficulty in maintaining those masses of tender shade, which were necessary to support his lights, to maintain the keeping of his ordonnance, and to preserve any tolerable approach toward repose. This difficulty he did but barely overcome when he himself carefully con ducted his engravings: but in the present case, this difficulty has overcome the engraver, who possessing no feeling, paternal or technical, as to the necessity of this part of the art of composition, has suffered his lights to glare and glitter indiscriminately in every part of his subject; broadly displaying the defects of his author, though unable to display his beauties. That character which we admire in Hogarth, is here the shadow of a shade; and The Genuine Works of William Hogarth, sion does exist, we have not been so happy if any thing worthy of being called expresillustrated with Biographical Anecdotes, as to discover it. Indeed, whatever of ila Chronological Catalogue, and Com-lustration Hogarth imparted by writing, is mentary. By John Nichols, F.S A Edinb. and Perth: and the late Geo. Steevens, Esq. F.R.S. and F.S.A. 4to. Longman and Co. London. 1806. No. I. containing eight plates, 10s. 6d. THIS is the first number of a work intended to comprise reduced engravings from the prints of Hogarth. The extent of the whole is calculated at sixteen numbers, amounting to eight guineas. From this suite is excluded those subjects lately published after this master, and conse quently, under the protection of the act for preserving copy-right in prints. The works of Hogarth were originally published in prints of a proper size for decorating apartments: and they were the first of that description which appeared in Britain. If the artist had printed explanations for the purpose of being pasted on the back of the prints when framed, he would have prevented a mul | excluded from these plates. In the subject of the Enraged Musician, we no longer find our old friend "John Long Pewterer;" nor in that of the Rake's Levee, the des cription of the Bully; nor the satire conveyed in the list of presents, which hangs down from the musician's chair. Wedonot even learn in the first plate of Marriage Alamode, that the writings concern "LordViscount Squanderfield; mass of wit, too, in the portrait-picture the whole of Jupiter is utterly obliterated and unintelligible. In short, those who have never seen Hogarth in his works, elsewhere, will not see him here; and those who have enjoyed his good impressions, at large, will behold him in the present, sadly reduced indeed! in a Court of professional Judicature, an We give it as our opinion, that action of graphical defamation might casily be maintained, against the doer of the job before us. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PERSONS INCLUDED IN THE PROPHECY OF M. DE CAZOTTE. [Continued from page 759.] J. A. ROUCHER, Was author of several fugitive pieces of poetry, but particularly Les Mois. He was born at Montpelier, where he resided for some time, till his poetic genius and the auri sacra fames spurred him on to aspire to shine among the literati of Paris, where he at first lived in great obscurity; but gaining the acquaintance of some of the philosophic sect, who imagined he would be serviceable in spreading their doctrines, they vehemently extolled him on every occasion, and introduced him into all the fashionable circles, where by means of his poem of Les Mois, which he often read to them in manuscript, long before it made its appearance in print, (a long standing and prevalent custom among the authors of France) he gained a reputation which it appears the critics denied him when it was published. However he was as staunch an anti-religionist as Condorcet or any of them, and looked upon the Philosophical Dictionary of Voltaire, and the other writings of his friends, as the precursors of that new system which was to destroy the monster Christianity, and exalt poor frail humanity to the ne plus ultra of perfection-and he fondly hailed the revolution, which has nearly unhinged the world, as the beginning of that exalted state; he therefore decidedly declared himself one of its violent supporters, and vindicated the tenth of August and all its horrors with great warmth. As he and his faction made very little ceremony in preparing and rejoicing over the misfortunes of the Royal Family, and glorying in their fall from the throne, so Robespierre and his satellites when it came to their turn to benefit themselves by the weaker atrocity of these pioneers of murder, regicide, and the guillo tine, and to act the more savage tyrant, paid as little respect to Roucher as he had done to his sovereign and family, and sent him without scruple to the prison of St. Lazare, under pretence of being suspected; not perhaps having any thing to charge him with in reality. However that was not of any great consequence, for they dispatched him by the revolutionary tribunal, guillotining him under pretext of a conspiracy in his prison. During his captivity he constantly corresponded with his daughter; their letters were printed and published some tine after his death. They evince at once the work of a poet and of a woman of the most delicate taste and refined literature. On the day of his death, July 27, 1794, he sent his portrait to his wife and daughter, with the following verses : Ne vous étonnez pas, objets charmans et doux, Si quelque air de tristesse obscurcit mon visage; Lorsqu'un savant crayon dessinoit cette image, On dressoit l'échafaud, et je pensois à vous. Notwithstanding the Parisian critics, we do not think his poetic talents have been justly following extract in appeal from their fiat, appreciated; we shall therefore present the to our reader's judgment. We are inclined to agree with his brother, who has spoken so favourably of his abilities, and given many entitled Mélanges de Physiologie, &c. reextracts from his poems in his whimsical work viewed in Panorama, page 525. Les Glaciers des Alpes. Monts chantés par Haller, recevez un počte. Pendans sur des vallons où le printemps fleurit, D'abîmes ténébreux, de cimes éclairées, he.-He prophecied too, but forgot to foresee, or at least to predict, his own death. He was guillotined on account of being attached to the party of the Gironde, or Brissotins. |