so forward whilst using this exertion, it Psittacus also has the pedes scansorii, and With respect to the Pici, rather a clumsy It would be a curious circumstance, and a conclusive argument in my favour, should it ever be ascertained that the three-toed Woodpecker (picus tridactylus), which has only one toe behind, bores trees in the attitude assumed by the Nuthatch when breaking nuts. REVETT SHEPHARD. Illumination of Coal Mines.-The inge nious plan for illuminating cities by the means of an electrifying machine, appears well adapted for the use of coal mines, &c. and bids fair to reduce the number of those terrific explosions of such frequent occurrence in an inflammable atmosphere. The electric fluid, in Professor Meinecke's apparatus, acts on a similar principle to the galvanic column lately applied to the formation of a self-moving machine. New Theory of the Motions of the Planetary System. A curious commentary, or rather an attack upon the received system of the planetary motions, has recently been published, in a smal pamphlet, by Captain Burney, which is likely to excite the attention of the scientific world, and may lead to the discovery of very un 5 583 expected astronomical facts. The author deduces the motion of the whole of our system from the progressive motion of the sun itself; a quality which, he says, must be dies, resulting from the universally acknowequally possessed by all the heavenly boledged laws of gravitation. He argues, a priori, that from progressive motion rotation is produced, and, a posteriori, that a body in free space, having rotation round its own axis, is a clear indication of its being in progressive movement. This he corroborates by the general belief now entertained, that our sun and planets are advancing towards the constellation Hercules. The opinion that the sun has progressive motion, was not entertained till long after its rotastates his conviction, that if, from the discotory motion was discovered. Captain B. ledged universality of gravity, its progresvery of the sun's rotation, and the acknowsion had been inferred, when Kepler first suggested that the planets moved round the sun by means of its atmosphere, the system of this philosopher would have obtained immediate and lasting credit, and that the hypothesis of these bodies being continued in motion by an original projectile impulse, would not have been resorted to in accounting for the phenomena of their motions. this vegetable is indigenous in America, and Potato. The general opinion is, that that it was brought from that Continent to Europe by the Spaniards, soon after the discovery of America by Columbus. A fact mentioned in the Transactions of the Linhaps, be considered as a corroboration of nean Society, vol. xii. p. 585, may, perthis opinion. Don Jose Pavon, of Madrid, states, in a letter to Mr Lambert, that he one of the authors of the Flora Peruviana, had found the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and his companions, Ruiz and Dombey, growing wild in the environs of Lima, and fourteen leagues from thence on the coast of Peru, as well as in Chili; and that it is cultivated very abundantly in those countries by the Indians, who call it papas. Portable Gas Lamp.-The ingenious idea dering it portable, and thus adapting it to of compressing gas for the purpose of renvarious economic purposes, appears to have been suggested by Professor Brande, in a lecture delivered May 1816. But the merit of using condensed gas for economical purposes, is due to Mr Gordon, who lately obtained a patent for gas lamps, &c. ry, in making experiments on pharmaceutiPhosphoric Acid in Vegetables.-Mr Bareal extracts obtained by carrying on the with the singular fact, that phosphoric acid, evaporation in vacuo," became acquainted tracts. On further investigation, it was asin a soluble state, was found in all the excertained that this acid, besides that portion of it which exists as phosphate of lime, is contained in a vast variety of vegetables. All those which are cultivated seem to contain phosphoric salt in great abundance.” WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. LONDON. The Second Part of Mr Galt's Life of B. West, Esq. President of the Royal Academy, will shortly be published, forming the Life and Works of Mr West subsequent to his arrival in England, compiled from materials furnished by himself; with a Portrait, from an original picture painted by Mr West some years since. Mr James Wilson has in the press, a Journal of two successive Tours upon the Continent, performed in the years 1816, 1817, and 1818; containing an account of the principal places in the south of France; of the great road over the Alps, and of the chief cities and most interesting parts of Italy; accompanied with occasional Remarks historical and critical. In a few days will be published, Original Miscellanies, in prose and verse; by John Laurens Bicknell, F. A. S. This volume contains a dedication to the members of a society instituted under the auspices of the author's late lamented friend, the Rev. Dr Burney, and a preface, including strictures upon many of the novel writers of the day. The first subject of the book is a burlesque novel, entitled Sarah Lloyd, in which the heroine and the incidents are placed in a ludicrous point of view, something in the style of the Musical Travels of Joel Collier," written by the author's father. complete analysis of the play of Hamlet follows-a plan which the author proposes to pursue with the rest of the plays of Shakspeare, if he can find leisure for the employment; and the present specimen shall be found useful to the readers of our immortal bard. The burletta of the "Siege of Troy," hitherto published anonymously, and a selection of poems and a drama, form the remainder of the volume. A Should the present volume be favourably received by the public, the author intends to print a small volume of the writings of his late father, the writer of the beautiful poem of the Dying Negro, which was the composition of the late Mr Bicknell, the barrister, and corrected by the late Mr Day. The Rev. John Jebb, author of a volume of Sermons, is preparing for the press, Critical Observations on Select Passages of the New Testament; the style and structure of which are examined and illustrated, according to the principles of poetical and sententious parallelism, established in the prelections of the late Robert Lowth, D. D. Lord Bishop of London. Mr Fuseli, Professor of Painting in the Royal Academy, is about to reprint his three Lectures on Painting formerly published, with three additional ones that have not yet appeared. A manuscript of undoubted authenticity, calculated to excite an extraordinary degree of interest, has just reached this countryit is already in the hands of a translator, and will be published both in English and in the original French during the ensuing month; it is entitled, "DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES ET REFLEXIONS SUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DE LA HOLLANDE PAR LOUIS BONAPARTE EX ROI DE HOLLANDE." This work contains every event relating to the political or financial situation of Holland, from the commencement of the reign of Louis until the close of his government; Sketches of the invasion of Italy and Expedition in Egypt, in both of which the author was present Relations of most of the important events in Spain, and his refusal of the crown of that kingdom on the renunciation of Charles 4th to Ferdinand his son, and the formal cession of the latter to Napoleon-copies of the letters of Charles 4th to Ferdinand, relating to the conspiracy of the latter against his father. The hitherto secret motives of the marriage of the author with the daughter of the Empress Josephine, and their subsequent mutual agreement to a separation. The events which occurred on the separation of the Emperor Napoleon and the Empress Josephine. The various Princesses proposed to Napoleon, and the reason of his selecting the daughter of the Emperor of Austria. Numerous characteristic and highly interesting letters from Napoleon to the author, exposing his views, situation, and purposes. An indisputable genealogical history of the family of Bonaparte, extracted from various histories of Italy and other public documents, all of which prove beyond doubt the illustrious rank they held in Italy even in the 12th Century, and it is somewhat singular that 600 years ago, Androlius Bonaparte was Grand Podesta or Governor of Parma, where is now the wife of Napoleon as Grand Duchess! An important letter from the Duc de Cadore, explaining the intentions of the Emperor relating to Holland, the various united propositions of France and Russia to accommodate with England, and a variety of anecdotes of the author of Napoleon and of his family. Although this work may contain many events already known to the public in a general way, yet coming from the hand of one who was on a throne, and who had an immediate share in all that occurred, joined to his universally acknowledged probity and good faith, form together an unanswerable motive for giving it the preference over every other modern publication, and it is assuredly next in point of interest to a work from the pen of Napoleon himself. It is already inquired after with eagerness upon the continent, in Holland particularly, as it is known to contain an accurate statement of the political and financial situation of that country during a most important period; and as it is written with the utmost candour, and is totally exempt from any expressions which might offend the most partial Bourbonist, it will find a wide circulation in France, where the author, being known to be somewhat opposed to his bro ther's government, it will be read with equal avidity by the most decided ultras. Mr Ormerod's valuable History of the County palatine and city of Chester is now completed. It has been published in ten parts, forming three handsomely printed folio volumes, which are highly embellished by one hundred and ninety four engravings on copper and on wood, inclusive of no less than three hundred and fifty seven armorial subjects which are attached to the pedigrees. The Rev. Philip Bliss has completed his new edition of Anthony or Wood's Athena Oxonienses, in four quarto volumes. This valuable body of English Biography contains upwards of two thousand two hundred lives, and there are very few of that large . number which have not received either corrections or additions from the pen of the present editor. In the press, in two octavo volumes, the Iliad of Homer, literally translated into English Prose, with Explanatory Notes; by a Graduate of the University of Oxford. The Fudge Family in Italy; by the Author of the Fudge Family in Paris. The Faith, Morals, and Discipline of the Church of England defended. On the 1st March next will be published, the Beauties of the River Meuse; to be completed in eight numbers, containing each six plates, from drawings on the spot; by G. Arnald, A. R. A. The Radical Triumvirate; or, Tom Paine, Lord Byron, and Surgeon Lawrence, colleaguing to expel religion from the earth, and emancipate mankind from all laws, human and divine; by an Oxonian. A Catechism of the Evidences of Christianity; by Dr Yates. Memoirs of M. Obelin, Lutheran Pastor of Walsbach; by the Rev. Mark Wilks. Heraldic Visitation of the County of Durham; by William Flower, Esq., in 1755. Edited by R. J. Philipson, Esq. A new periodical work, by Dr John Walker, entitled " The True Monthly Magazine." A second volume of Sermons; by the Rev. Dr Busfield. An elementary work on Astronomy; by Mr James Mitchell. The History of Parga, translated from the Italian MS. of Hugo Foscolo. Mr Gorham's History of St Neot's, in one thick octavo volume. An inquiry into certain errors respecting The Mock Moralist; a Novel; by Mr Wm Gardiner, author of Sultana, a tragedy, &c. Elements of the History of Civil Govern. ment; by James Tyson, Esq., will shortly be published. Nearly ready for publication, Brief Thoughts on the early obstacles to the progress of the Fine Arts in Great Britain and Ireland; by Mr Wm Carey. Hedin, or the Spectre of the Tomb; a Tale; by the Hon. William Herbert. 8vo. 3s. 6d. The Fall of Jerusalem, a Tragedy; by H. H. Millman, M. A. author of Fazio 8vo. The Principles of Political Economy considered with a View to their Practical Ap plication; by T. R. Malthus. 8vo. Travels through Holland, Germany, and part of France in 1819, with reference to their Statistics, Agriculture, and Manufactures; by W. Jacob, Esq. F. R. S. 4to. The Palace of John Bull; a poem, contrasted with the Poor House that Jack Built, illustrated by plates. In a small octavo volume, Taxidermy; or, a complete Treatise on the art of preserving every object of Natural History for Museums. Sunday School Sketches; a memoir, descriptive of these institutions. An Historical and Statistical Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia; by Wn. Wilkinson, Esq. late his Májesty's consul there. Journal of a Tour in Greece, Egypt, and the Holy Land; by W. Turner, Foreign Office, in 3 volumes octavo. A History of Ireland, under the title of "The Chronicles of Ulla'd;" by Roger O'Connor. Tales of the Heart; by Mrs Opie, in 3 volumes. The Poetical Works of Mr James Montgomery, in 3 volumes foolscap Svo. An Expostulary Epistle to Lord Byron ; by Mr Cottle. A small volume of Poems, entitled, "Sacred Lyrics;" by James Edmestone. An Account of the Introduction of Christianity into Great Britain, with the Welsh Nonconformist Memorial; by Dr Richards. The Sketch Book; by Geoffray Crayon, new edition, with alterations and additions. Giovanni Sbogarro; a Venetian Tale, in 2 volumes 12mo. In two handsome octavo volumes, a Voyage to South America, performed by order of the Government of the United States, in the Frigate Congress; by H. M. Brackenridge, Esq. Mr Leigh Hunt has ready for publication, a Translation of Amyntas, a Tale of the Woods, from the Italian of Torquato Tasso; with an Essay on the Pastoral Poetry of Italy. The work will be embellished with a highly engraved portrait of Tasso, by Worthington. 4 E Mr Philip of Liverpool is about to publish a new Life of Whitefield. The materials of this memoir have been collected from various British and American sources. The work will be ornamented by an elegant print, from an original picture, &c. In February will be published, Retrospection, a rural poem; by Tho. Whitby, author of the Priory of Birkenhead, a tale of the 14th century. In the course of a few weeks will be published, Letters from North Wales; to which are added, Memoranda of a Visit to Merionethshire, in 1819; together with several anecdotes and sketches, illustrative of Welsh history and manners. Curious Circumstance. The Duke of Grafton, who was Prime Minister to his late Majesty soon after he came to the throne, and who makes so distinguished a figure in the celebrated Letters of Junius, after retiring from office, employed himself in writ ing" The Memoirs of his own Life,” which, when completed, his Grace carefully sealed up, and, by an injunction in his will, strictly prohibited his heirs, on any account, to open the envelope during the reign of the late king; but after that monarch's demise, to make the memoir known to the world. It is supposed to contain a full developement of all the great political events and private history of the court, at that interesting period, and, in all probability, will, for the first time, divulge to the public the real name of Junius, which, it is understood, had been made known to his Grace, under a pledge of honour not to communicate the secret to any person liv ing, in the lifetime of King George the Third. EDINBURGH. SERMONS on Infidelity, by the Rev. Andrew Thomson, Minister of St George's Church, Edinburgh, will speedily be published. The Rev. Alex. Stewart, author of the Lives of Dr Blair, Dr Robertson, and other Elegant Works, has now in the press a History of Great Britain, from the accession of George III. to the present time. To be published by subscription, in 12mo, at 10s. 6d. Elgiva, an historical poem, in six cantos, with other poems; by John Gordon, surgeon in Keith, who was drowned while bathing with some of his companions in the river Isla, in the summer of 1819. In the press, and speedily will be published, a Visit to the Province of Upper Canada, in 1819; by James Chalmers, bookseller, Aberdeen. The work will contain every kind of information which an emigrant can desire to obtain, derived from the most authentic sources. The civil and religious state of the province, climate, soil, and agriculture, is carefully drawn up from materials furnished by the author's brother, who has been twenty years resident in the country, and a member of the government. Speedily will be published, by subscription, in one volume 12mo, 3s. 6d. common paper, fine paper 5s.; Heath Flowers, or Mountain Melodies; consisting of Poems and Lyrical Pieces; by George Scott. In the press, and immediately to be published, Medical Notes on Climate, Diseases, Hospitals, and Medical Schools, in France, Italy, and Switzerland; comprising an inquiry into the effects of a residence in the south of Europe, in cases of pulmonary consumption, and illustrating the present state of medicine and medical practice in those countries; by James Clark, M.D. Resident Physician at Rome. and Deaths 17. At Rosefield-cottage, Portobello, John Jackson, Esq. of York, to Christian, eldest daughter of the late Mr John Stewart, Pitlochry. 19. At Melville-street, the Rev. Patrick Brewster, one of the ministers of the Abbey Church, Paisley, to Frances Anne, youngest daughter of the late Colonel Edward Stafford of Mayne. 21. At Edinburgh, William Young, Esq. W. S. to Agnes, only daughter of the late James Gerard, Esq. of Whitehaugh. -At Edinburgh, Mr William Christie, writer, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Mr Alexander Archer, of the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh. Lately-At Largo, Mr Andrew Liddell, ironmonger, Glasgow, to Jessie, second daughter of the late Dr Goodsir, Largo. -At St Mary's, Lambeth, Lord Viscount Kingsland, to Julia, daughter of John Willis, Esq. of Walcot-terrace, Lambeth. DEATHS. June 4. At Bombay, Charles Mitchell, Esq. lieutenant in his Majesty's 65th regiment of foot, and son of the late Sir Charles Mitchell. July 15. At Seroor, near Poonah, in command of a cavalry brigade, Lieut.-Colonel Montagu Cosby, an officer of distinguished merit, who fell a victim to the melancholy ravages of the cholera, raging in that country. 27. At Columbo, Ceylon, in the 25th year of his age, Dr Robert Thin, assisiant-surgeon, 2d Ceylon regiment, son of Mr John Thin, architect, Edinburgh. Aug. 25. At Nagpore, Lieut.-Colonel Munt, commanding the 6th regiment of native cavalry. Sept. 17. At Kingston, Jamaica, of the yellow fever, Lieutenant Thomas Gordon, 92d regiment. 18. At Kingston, Jamaica, the lady of Dr Anderson, 92d regiment. Nov. 22. At the island of Madeira, Mr George Bartholomew, midshipman on board his Majesty's ship Leven, youngest son of the late John Bartholomew, Esq. of Walridge. Dec. 3. At Tenby, in South Wales, William Hamilton, Esq. 7. At Selkirk, George Dobson, sen. saddler. -At his estate at Londermühlen, near Osnaburg, Count Frederick Leopold of Holberg, one of the most distinguished characters of Germany. 13. At Dundee, John Guild, Esq. in the 77th year of his age, late provost of that burgh. 15. At Kelso, aged 28, William, youngest son of Mr William Middlemiss. -At Bath, aged 90, Mrs Cradock, relict of Dr Cradock, late archbishop of Dubiin, and mother of Lord Howden. 16. At the manse of Lochgoilhead, of typhus fever, the Rev. Dr M'Dougall, minister of that parish, in the 63d year of his age, and 36th of his ministry. 17. Mr M. Webster, stabler, West Register-street, Edinburgh. At Gatcombe-park, Isle of Wight, Jane Meux Worsley, lady of Alexander Campbell, Esq. 18. Mrs Elizabeth Marshall, wife of Mr James Brown, Union-place, George's-street, Edinburgh. -At Peebles, Mr William Spalding, gardener, aged 60, a very respectable inhabitant of that burgh. 20. At his house, of Downie-park, Lieut.-Col. William Rattray, late of the Honourable East India Company's Bengal artillery. -Mr Charles Bruce, Calton-hill, second son of the late John Bruce, Esq. merchant, Edinburgh. 21. Mr John Rule, farmer, Cyderhall, Sutherlandshire. 22. At Grizzelfield, Mr George Hewat, late tenant there. At her house in Forth-street, Edinburgh, Mrs Anne Dalzel, widow of the late Andrew Dalzel, Esq. professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh. 24. At Portsmouth, Mr David Proctor, son of In Buccleuch-place, Edinburgh, Capt. Thos. At her house in George's-street, Edinburgh, -At Tunbridge-wells, Charlotte Catherine, wife At Thurso, Quarter-Master Mathew Murray, of the 75th regiment of foot. -At Tiverton, William Gammins, aged 102. He reaped several sheaves of corn in a field belonging to George Barne, Esq. when in his 100th year. 26. At London, John Haig, Esq. of Bonnington. Robert Aitken, only son of Mr William Aitken, currier, Portsburgh. 27. At Fisherrow, Miss Helen Heriot, daughter -At Edinburgh, Mr John Bruce, late tenant în - At Mertoun-manse, Sarah Elizabeth, second At her house in Hill-street, Edinburgh, Mrs. Mr John Caldwall, miniature-painter, aged 28. At Edinburgh, Miss Anna Dunbar, late of Durn, aged 82. 29. At Springside, Marianne, youngest daughter of the deceased Robert Hyndman, Esq. of Springside, in Ayrshire. -At Dalkeith, Mrs Katharine Hay, relict of David Chrichton, Esq. late merchant there. 30. At the Vice-Regal-lodge, Dublin, the Right Hon. the Countess Talbot. Her ladyship's very amiable character, her mild and affable manners, and the unaffected goodness of heart, had much endeared her to all classes in this country, which claimed the honour of her birth. Her excellency's complaint, we understand, was one induced in a principal degree by her late accouchment. -At Bathgate, at the early age of 16 years, Miss Marion Jamieson, eldest daughter of Mr John Jamieson, merchant there. -In Lauriston, Robert Forrest, Esq. late surgeon in the royal navy. -At Glasgow, George Forsyth, Esq. writer. |