FOREIGN. ENGLAND.—Mr. D'Israel has in the press a sixth edition of Curiosities of Literature, and at the same time will appear an additional third volume, which will be published separately, for the convenience of those who may be desirous of completing their sets. The same author has also nearly ready for press a History of Men of Genius, being his Essay on the Literary Character, which has been out of print many years, considerably enlarged. The first volume of a new and very splendid musical work has been just published in Edinburgh, entitled 'Albyn's Antiology, or a National Repository of Original Scotch Music and Vocal Poetry, principally compiled by Alexander Campbell, Esq. and who has been ably assisted by some of the most eminent poets of the present day, particularly, Scott, Wilson, Bos'well, Jamieson, Hogg, &c. who have each contributed several original and beautiful songs, adapted to those ancient and truly interesting melodies: price One Guinea in boards. [M. Thomas proposes to republish this work without the music.] On the 1st of January, 1817, will be published, in London, the First Number of a New Magazine (to be continued quarterly) entitled, the British Journal and Quarterly Magazine, embellished with Portraits of Public Charaetcrs, Views, &c. It is reported on the continent-but we have not been able to trace the report to any satisfactory source,-that an Englishman at Smyrna has discovered an ancient Greek manuscript, containing among other things, a new poem of Homer's. That such a thing is not impossible appears from the discovery of Homer's Hymn to Ceres; but who this fortunate individual is, has not yet appeared. One thing, however, we think ourselves warranted in asserting, that there is no Greek poet living, who can pass off a poem of his own for one of Homer's. FRANCE. Finances.-The Budget-a term, by the bye, originally given in derision to lord North's proposals for Ways and Means, in the British parliament, at length naturalized among us, and now currently used among the French, and who have borrowed it from us-the budget continues to occupy the calculators of France;-it has given occasion to 'Moral Considerations on the Finances,' by M. de Levis; and to the Spirit of the Budget, or the Budget of 1816 modified and extended to 1820,' by M. Pellegrini. This is spoken well of; it states the present condition of the finances; and after examining the minister's budget, proposes another, referring to the intervening five years 1816 to 1820. The author is described as a clear headed man. 6 Seclusion of Women.-From the Chinese language has been translated into the Russian, and from the Russian into the French, a treatise on the Advantages resulting from the Seclusion of Women, and the inconveniences inseparable from giving them liberty. It is to be hoped that the Chinese author has adduced good reasons for this custom, which certainly has prevailed in most nations, even the most polished as well as the most barbarous, at different times. On the other hand, good reasons are given for placing the restraints to which the sex ought to submit, rather on their minds than on their persons; and for producing the most powerful effects, rather by the operation of excellent principles implanted, than by the jealousies of perpetual imprisonment. The benefits received by allowing liberty to the female sex, are very reconcileable with the preservation of their own honour and that of their families. Perhaps, however, this treatise may prove extremely a propos at Paris, for certainly the intrigues for which French women are so famous, and which they manage with a dexterity unattainable and incredible, by other nations, could not possibly be conducted, as they conduct them, were the agents and prime movers of them secluded a la Chinoise. New Journal.—A new journal has been started at Paris, under the title of Le Diable Boiteux. It professes to be critical and literary; and if it possesses but half the wit and the spirit of observation which distinguish Le Sage's famous novel of the Devil on Two Sticks, it cannot fail of meeting applause and support. It appeared for the first time on the first day of April, and from that date it appears every fifth day: each number contains a sheet and a half. M. Hacquart has circulated proposals for publishing under the title of Les Fastes des Bourbons, a collection of engravings representing acts of beneficence, virtue, and heroism, of the princes of that house. It will extend to 15 folio numbers to be published monthly. According to a general exposition of the present state of French literature, nearly ready for publication, it appears that the number of authors living at Paris is 4997. The Marquis de Dangeau, who was a distinguished member of the court of Louis XIV. and died in 1720, was accustomed to note down every circumstance as it happened, and left manuscript memoirs commencing with 1684, and terminating with the year of his death. Madame de Genlis is engaged upon a selection of the most interesting parts of these memoirs, which will speedily be published in four 8vo. volumes. GERMANY. Our esteemed correspondent Mr. BoTTIGER of Dresden has furnished us with the following particulars respecting the last book-fair at Leipzig: what must foreigners think of our rage for writing and reading, when they find it stated in the public prints, and correctly too, that the number of new works which appeared at the late Leipzig fair, amounted to 2,523, and which were published by 322 houses! What notions must they entertain of our fondness for music when they learn that 370 new pieces were on the spot, exclusive of many meritorious compositions inserted in the Musikalische Zeitung so admirably conducted by Rochlitz at Leipzig! What attention must be paid by us to the subject of elementary instruction, when without any Pestalozzian or Lancasterian system, this single fair has brought us an addition of 110 spelling-books and other works for children! And what a supply must the book-societies and circulating libraries, the number of which throughout all Germany computed at 2,500, have received in 33 new novels and 57 dramatic pieces for the amusement of their supporters! Scarcely ever indeed was there such a bulky catalogue, but on examination its copiousness will be found rather apparent than real. The practice of publishing the most unimportant works in parts is becoming more and more common, and it may be safely affirmed that one fifth of the books here announced as ready, are yet in the press. Of the new editions one half at least must be struck out as being merely furnished with new title pages. Then again what a number of pamphlets, fugitive pieces, cookery-books, collections of receipts, which are little better than waste paper. It is true on the other hand, that many a work of consequence, especially if printed at the expense of the author, never finds its way into the general catalogue. This complaint more particularly applies to works printed in the south of Germany, and especially in the Austrian dominions. It is a matter of serious regret, that the state of the currency and piracy have as it were cut off this empire from all literary traffic with the rest of Germany, where the productions of Austrian genius and talent, made known only through the medium of the ably conducted Wiener Litteratur Zeitung, are not to be procured without the greatest difficulty.-New Monthly Mag. Ancient Poems published.-The two most ancient German poems-of the eighth century,-have lately been published at Cassel, for the first time, in their original metre: the subjects are, 1. The Song of Hildebrand and Hadubrand. 2. The Prayer near the White Fountain. The general catalogue of new works and new editions prepared for the last Leipzig Easter fair, occupies 304 octavo pages. It comprehends 2,523 articles, including music, which are stated to be ready for delivery, and are the productions of 312 houses. Of these firms, 38 are at Leipzig, 27 at Berlin, 14 at Vienna, 11 at Frankfort, 5 at Nurnberg, and 3 at Gottingen. Among the works, 73 are translations from living and dead languages; 352 new editions, and 370 continuations. SPAIN.-Progress of Science and Education.--The king of Spain, who, not long ago, instituted six chairs of professors of the science of agriculture, has subsequently directed his attention to the promotion of the natural and philosophical sciences, as forming the bases of arts and natural industry. The cabinet of natural history, the botanic garden, the museum, the laboratory of chemistry, with the mineralogical school, have been formed into one single and general institution, under the title of the Museum of Natural Sciences. Several appropriate chairs have been established on this occasion: in particular, one for zoology and icthyology; one for reptiles, insects, shells, &c. one for chemistry, mineralogy and botany. In addition to the established professors, an assistant or deputy has been named for each branch of science, for which a chair has been created. In February last the king of Spain named a junta, charged with the duty of forming a plan for arranging and establishing general education and public instruction. The principal universities of the kingdom, as Salamanca, Valladolid, and Alcale de Henares, have been directed to present, each its own plan, on which, before it is adopted, the junta will take the opinions of the principal universities and literary establishments throughout Europe.-As to elementary books on the subject of theology, canon law, ecclesiastical discipline, the law of nations, and civil law, the junta will be guided by the opinion of certain bishops nominated by the king for this purpose.-All the schools of arts and sciences have been re-established, throughout the kingdom, and those of mineralogy and natural history of Madrid, have resumed their public lectures and course of instruction. The king has farther bestowed donations and endowments on several universities, and is intent on measures calculated to encourage agriculture and commerce in general. ITALY.-At Milan is published, under the title of Lo Spettatore, &c. the Spectator, a work in numbers, containing varieties, historical, literary, critical, political, and moral. It is divided into two parts, an Italian part, and a foreign part. This latter part can hardly fail of introducing into Italy much foreign knowledge, as it consists of analysis of works of value in other countries, with extracts and suitable references. Antiquities.-Messrs. Rosini, Passetti, and Scotti, at Naples, continue their assiduity in unrolling the MSS. of Herculaneum. Several works which have been transcribed are proceeding at the press. The excavations at Pompeii are advancing with great activity. Since 1806, three hundred men have been labouring at removing the earth, &c. in order to get at the ruins: before that time the number employed was scarcely more than à dozen. A portion of the marble ceilings and beams which have been recovered, have been carried to the gallery of the Royal Museum, and others to the academy of arts as objects of study to the young artists. Ancient Chronicle Recovered.-The Armenian academy established at Venice, in the island of St. Lazarus, has had the good fortune to discover a manuscript complete of the Chronicle of Eusebus, of Cesarea. It is translated into the Armenian language, and is of the fifth century. The academy proposes to publish the Armenian text with a Latin translation facing it. RUSSIA. It is thought by M. Wormskiold, in consequence of observations made by himself in Greenland, compared with the reports of voyagers into the higher northern latitudes of North America, that the waters of Baffin's Bay, have a communication with the Northern Pacific Ocean, by means of Bering's Straits. To ascertain this, and, if possible, to terminate all further doubts on the question, it is said, is a principal object of the voyage now in progress under C. M. Kotzebec, son of the wellknown navigator, of that name; and M. Wormskiold, (who is by birth a Dane) is so thoroughly persuaded of his theory, that he accompanies the expedition in character of naturalist. It will be truly honourable to Russia, should this point be determined under the auspices of her flag. By order of the minister for public instruction in Russia, Dr. Merkel has been invited to publish a Journal of Literature and the Arts, at Petersburgh. GREECE.-New work publishing in Numbers.-Two learned Greeks, Messrs. Demeter Schina and Andreas Mustoxydi, propose to publish a periodical Collection of Greek anecdotes, selected from the principal libraries of Europe. They intend to publish every month a number, containing two sheets, to be had of the chaplain Theokletes, at Vienna. The price is one ducat for six sheets. AUSTRIA. The Literary Journal of Vienna, formerly edited by Dr. Sartori, is continued with success under the direction of M. Hartmann, as also are the Patriotic Sheets, and the Conservator.-The Historical Archives, including Geography, &c. by M. de Hormayr, is also continued; but the number of original pieces contained in it is now greatly reduced.The Musical Journal is dropped; but the two Journals of Public Spectacles, the Dramatic Observer, and the Theatrical Gazette are still carried on.-Among the political journals the Austrian Observer, and the Gazette of Vienna, and of Ofen enjoy the most extensive sale.-M. Frint, cure of the chapel in the palace, has begun to publish a Theological Catholic Journal.-M. Andres continues to publish at Bonn, his Hesperus, and his Economic Newspaper, intended to communicate the newest discoveries and all improvements in useful knowledge.-Another journal publishing at Bonn is the Indicator, edited by M. Gurende.-Among the poetical publications, M. Castelli continues his Almanack under the title of Selam; and M. Erickson also continues his Almanack of the Muses. Inese publications, like most others, are compilations of good, bad, and indifferent: the selection is thought to be in favour of the latter. In general, the booksellers of Vienna engage in very few novelties or speculations, because, during some years past, the dearness of paper and of workmanship at the press, has obliged them to put prices on their books which are much beyond those at which they can retail works of the same description from abroad. THE ANALECTIC MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 1817. ART. I.-A System of Universal Science.-Introduction: Considerations on the Divisions of Human Knowledge; and on the Classification and Nomenclature of the Sciences. Philadelphia, 1816. 4to. pp. 371. THE HE author of this work appears to be wholly adverse to system, and, at the same time, more enamoured of system than almost any other writer. In proof of the first part of this paradox, we advert to the fact, that the volume before us contains three hundred and seventy-one pages, which are divided neither into preliminary dissertations, nor essays, nor chapters; so that the reader is denied the privilege of all those resting places which, in large books, have hitherto been systematically afforded him. He gives us, indeed, preliminaries; but they are all mingled, here and there, with the alternations of the analytic and synthetic exhibition of his system. He records nine laws, by which we are to ascertain whether his system is a good one; divides all human knowledge into three provinces; gives us more preliminaries; proceeds to fix a specific termination for the names of his sciences; constructs his nomenclature for the subdivisions of the first province; and then, under the marginal notice of digression, introduces ten more preliminary pages, before he develops the remainder of his catholepistemia.' Besides, men not inimical to system let the public know, from the first page of a book, who its author is; but this child of genius permits us to guess the name of its father until the hour of expiration comes; in which we are informed, by way of climax, or catastrophe, and the learned can scarcely say which, that "The supreme court of the territory of Michigan commences its annual session on the sixteenth day of September; and there remains barely time for the performance of the journey.-A. E. B. WOODWARD.-Philadelphia, August 31st, 1816.' When the magical arts shall be revived, we |