classes, which are nearly as numerous here still as before the revolution; its pestilential breath having chiefly destroyed the great and the wealthy.

Christianity in France approaches every day nearer to its extinction. Buonaparté and Talleyrand are too politic to knock on the head, at once, a religion of eighteen centuries. But the degradation of Christianity in the person of its ostensible chief, has produced the same revolution in religious sentiments, as the humiliation and murder of the head of the kingdom of France, had already done in political ones; and most Frenchinen are therefore religious as well as political freethinkers. But, if I am not misinformed, Talleyrand said, even when the Pope still fraternised with Buonaparté to the Thuilleries, "Christianity in France will descend into the tomb, without giving cither alarm, or making any noise, because the present generation of the French clergy will leave no posterity behind them. Their faith is buried with them, and no resurrection of either is to be apprehended by the friends of philosophy." Indeed, when one remembers, that all the present French priests must be now either old, or above the middle age, as since 1790, hardly any young Frenclinen have entered into orders, it is not improbable that within twenty or thirty years, the present altars of Christ here will be deserted for want of servants to officiate.

Avignon, June, 1805-My Lord, I intended to have taken a trip to the fountain of Vaucluse, had I not, upon enquiry, heard that every thing around it still bespeaks the horrors of which its vicinity has been the theatre within these fourteen years. Even the inn at Lille, where visitors were formerly accommodated with fish from the fountain that Petrarch eternised, has been demolished, and there is no accommodation for them in any other house.

In fact, the people of this country suffer in every manner from its incorporation with France; they pay now more taxes in twelve months, than comparatively they paid to the Pope during twenty-four years. When they remained subjects of his holiness, their country was respected as neutral during all former wars between England and France, and British travellers whom an impaired constitution, necessity, or pleasure, sent abroad, expended here immense sums, and found both an hospitable reception, a healthy climate, cheap living, and agreeable society. Now, seldom any foreigners pass through, on account of the insults and impediments they encounter, every step from police agents, prefects, governors, gens d'armes, and other spies, who hand them over to each other like convicted

criminals; and for the same causes no fo reigner has settled here, or resided here, for any length of time ever since 1792.

Should, however, order and tranquillity be once more restored to France, and a general and stable peace bless Europe, this country offers many incitements to strangers. A good house built of stone, with prospects over the walks and the river Rhone, may be had here for three hundred livres, (twelve pounds,) a year. Bread, meat, and wine, are from twenty to forty per cent cheaper than in other parts of France; and every thing that the affluent can purchase, and the voluptuous or sensualist desire, the climate produces. Though sometimes it does not rain here from May to September, the country is not exhausted by droughts, being surrounded or crossed by numerous rivers, and fountains, that give the same abundance of waters as rivers. Like all other countries not distant from the Mediterranean, it suffers sometimes from high winds, but their duration is never above three days. Winters are seldom felt here, but when the rough autumn makes its retreat the mild spring makes its appearance. The people are lively and sociable and the women are beautiful and uncommonly fair for such a warm climate.

At dinner to day I happened to mention the tomb of Petrarch's Laura, which I often visited formerly in the convent where she was buried; and of which I this morning, in vain, inquired the place. "There is nothing singular in your disappointment," said one of the party," the convent in which her ashes reposed, is sold and demolished, and the chapel, in which a tomb-stone indicated her rest, is now transformed into a stable of mules and of jackasses. If you will take a walk after dinner, you shall have an opportunity to deplore this shocking outrage offered to beauty and genius." I accompanied him; the chapel was inhabited by six mules and their drivers, as civilized and sensible as themselves, and by two jackasses, laying down on the tomb-stone of Laura. It was not without some difficulty, that we could remove them so far as to see that of the inscription, nothing remained but “ LAURA,"

and "requiescat in pace." No! not even her remains have been left unpolluted by the abominable monsters, that revered nothing, either sacred, respectable, or admirable,

EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOM FORMERLY PRACTISED BY THE MONKS OF BURY ST. EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK.

The religious fathers of this monastery had propagated an opinion, that if any married woman that had no children, and wished' to become a mother, would but come with a

white bull to the shrine of St. Edmund, and make her offerings and vows, she would presently after obtain her desire; and as it was usual for processions to give great dignity and solemnity to any ceremony, therefore it was thought necessary to have a very public one on this important occasion, and for this purpose a white bull was provided, elegantly adorned with garlands of flowers, ribbons, &c. which being led by one of the monks, the petitioning lady at the same time following him, and often stroking his milk-white side, the procession thus proceeded through Church-gate and Guild-hall Streets, and along the Cook-row, down to the great West gate of the Abbey, attended by the monks singing, accompanied with a prodigious concourse of people, forming a very numerous cavalcade; the bull being dismissed, the lady entered the church, advanced to St. Edmund's shrine, said her prayers, made her offerings at his altar, kissing the stone, and intreating with tears, the blessing of a child, she then returned from the Abbey with full assurance of speedy success.'

This custom had obtained so much credit in many parts of the world, that not only many eminent women of this country had recourse to it, but even several ladies belonging to foreign parts. But as it would be very inconvenient for those distant ladies to conie in person to perform these ceremonies, it was pronounced to be equally efficacious for them, if they caused to be offered by any other means, one of these wonder-working animals, at St. Edmund's shrine. We have a copy of a deed which was formerly, and probably now is, preserved in the auginentaThat tion office, to the following effect. John Swaffham, sacrist of the monastery of St. Edmund's Bury, certifies to all christian people, that on the 2d of June, 1474, three religious persons (whom he names) of the city of Ghent, came and offered as had been accustomed of old time, in the presence of several reputable people, at the shrine of the blessed king, virgin, and martyr St. Edmund, to the honour of God, and of the said glorious martyr, one white bull for the accomplishment of the longing of a certain noble lady."

The sentiments of the present times on the subject of elections to Parliament, are so different from those formerly entertained, that we have thought proper to shew, by an instance, what were the ideas of our ancestors on this matter: an impartial history of the causes of the difference between 1646 and 1806 would be both entertaining and useful.

A SPECIMEN OF THE MODE OF ELECTING MEMBERS FOR PARLIAMENT IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Taken from a Memorandum MSS of J. Harrington, Esq. of Kelston, in Somersetshire. Dated 1646.

To our muche honoured and worthie Friend J. H. Esq., at his House at Kelston, near Bathe.

Worthie Sir,-Out of the long experience we have had of your approved worth and sincerity, our Cittie of Bathe have determined and settled their resolutions to elect you for Burgess of the House of Commons in this present parliament, for our said Cittie, and do hope you will accept the trouble thereof; which if you do, our desires is, you will not fail to be with us at Bathe, on Monday next, the eighth of this instant, by eight of the morning, at the furthest, for then we proceed to our election. And of your deter-" mination we intreat you to certifie us by a word or two in writing, and send it by the bearer to Your assured loving Friends,

John Bigg, the Maior.
William Chapman.

Bathe, December 6, 1645.
A Note of my Bathe Businesse aboute the.
Parliament.

Saturday, December 26th, 1646, went to Bathe, and dined withe the Maior and Citizens; conferred about my election to serve in Parliament, às my father was helpless and ill able to go any more;-went to the George Inn at night, met the Bailifs, and desired to be dismissed from serving; drank strong beer and metheglin; expended about. iijs. went home late, but could not get excused, as they entertained a good opinion of my father.

Monday, Dec. 28th, went to Bathe; met Sir John Horner; we were chosen by the Citizens to serve for the City. The Maior and Citizens conferred about Parliament business. The Maior promised Sir John Horner and myself a horse apiece, when we went to London to Parliament, which we

134

161

102

63

19

28

Arequipa and Caylloma,

Huantajaya and Taena, .

Huancavelica, Castrovirreyna, and
Lircay, .

At the most moderate calculation, it is computed that nine thousand millions of ounces have been exported to Spain in 248 years, from the discovery of the mines of Peru to the year 1740. Those of Potosi alone produced, in the first ninety years they were worked, 395,619 ounces.

A Spanish author has calculated all the gold and silver in Spain, in church plate, private plate, and in currency, at 100,000 millions of ounces.

Look to the thin and scanty remains of the populous and prosperous nations of the southern hemisphere, and to a land whose veins are gold and its mountains silver, of which Spanish cruelty and avarice have been constrained to make a desert, in order to secure the possession of it. Behold the sullen, dejected native, trampling under his feet gold and diamonds, which he dare not put forth his hand to touch; and reproaching Heaven with heaping upon him, in its anger, treasures which have attracted, not the pious zeal and attention, but the infernal rage, of men who nevertheless dare to call themselves Christians!"-Hunter's Lectures,

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN.

If our information be correct, Bonaparte has treated the University of Göttingen with a kind of distinction or deference, which has relieved it from the extreme sufferings to which the cities of Germany in general have been subjected: an account of this Institution may be agreeable to our readers. THE city of Göttingen, in the territories of Hanover, has been lately rebuilt; the streets are all in straight lines, wide, and have a convenient pavement for foot passengers. The population is reckoned at about 10,000 souls, including seven or eight hundred students from all parts of Europe. Göttingen has neither playhouses, commerce, or places of public amusement; of course none but men who have a taste for study will settle here.

Among the chief public establishments are distinguished the lying-in hospital, a beauti- ful piece of architecture, wherein are com- · bined a salubrious air and internal neats ness, with every convenience that the condition of the patient may require: the botani cal garden, which is remarkably well kept, and always open to the pupils: the public library, which is composed of nearly 200,000 volumes, in all languages; it contains also a rich collection of engravings, and of ancient as well as modern monuments. It is intended a for the use especially of the professors and students. The cabinet of mineralogy is one of the most complete in Europe. Lastly, the hospital, which contains only forty beds, but is kept very clean and comfortable.

The University of Göttingen is composed of a pro-rector, a council, twenty-four esta-blished professors, and an equal number of supernumeraries, or substitutes.

The pro-rector holds his office for only six months. He represents the King, who is perpetual rector; he inscribes the names of the new pupils, is president of the council, issues his orders to the police guard, and, if requisite, can call out the military. He is the chief civil magistrate of the city. The professors of each faculty successively fill this eminent situation.

The council is composed of the pro-rector, two professors, and two supplementaries. They decide, Imo, on the offences of the students, who are amenable only to their fa➡ therly tribunal. 2do, On the differences between the inhabitants, the military, and the students. In this latter case, if of a serious nature, two judges of the civil tribunal are called to sit with the council.

The students take the oath of submission to the academic code, from the day their names are inscribed till they have gone through. the whole course of lectures. The punishments inflicted on them consists in fines, confinement, exile, and disgraceful banishment, Such students as have incurred this last punishment are excluded: for ever from all the universities of Germany, and all public si◄. tuations.

There are four faculties, viz. 1st, the Faculty of Theology, which comprehends the history of the church, morality and divinity, properly so called. 2d, The Faculty of Law, which comprehends the law of nature, the law of nations, universal history, the history of Germany, and of its different constitutions, Justinian's Institutes, the pandects, canon, civil and criminal law. 3d, The Faculty of Physic, which comprehends anatomy, physiology, the materia-medica, natural history, botany, chemistry, mineralogy, the healing art, pathology, therapeutics, surgery, and chemistry. 4th, The Faculty of Philosophy, which comprehends metaphysics,, natural history, mathematics, astronomy, geography, diplomacy, politics, statistics, archæology,

&c.

The professors have from four to six thousand livres salary, exclusive of perquisites, such as the payments made by the students who follow the different courses. The lectures are divided into two sessions, and last five months, at the rate of five lessons a week: the lessons occupy at least an hour.

The first lectures begin at the latter end of October, and end a fortnight before Easter. After one month's vacation they are resumed, and last till the latter end of September. The complete academical course of lectures requires at least three years; and yet in order to go through the whole in that interval, a pupil must follow at least four during the half year. He then may be examined, and take his degrees. It is required of the professors, besides the science which they teach, to be versed in the ancient and some of the living languages. They are nominated by the Regency, which never fails of making a proper choice; the public opinion having been previously consulted on the question.

HISTORY AND PRESENT STATE OF THE IMPERIAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AT MOSCOW.

The following information is chiefly derived from a late publication printed at Moscow, by M. G. Fischer, containing a narrative of his labours, and of the principles he has adopted, in arranging this Museum. It is the first number of a series, 'intended to comprise descriptions of the most rare and valuable articles extant in this institution. From the character of this work given by a foreign journalist, whose report we have adopted, we doubt not but it will add considerably to the general stores of scientific information.

Prior to the foundation of the museum of natural history, by Alexander I., a small col

lection of this kind, chiefly formed by the care of Count de Strogonoff, and of the ancestors of Mr. Demidoff, already existed at Moscow. This collection contained several curious objects, both in zoology and mineralogy; a herbal hy Rudiger, and above twenty volumes of plants, given by Mr. Prowser and Mr. Demidoff. This latter gentleman, whose discoveries in natural history have been preserved by Linnæus himself, has parted with the valuable collection he possessed; he sacrifices it entirely to the improvement of the science. Moreover, to this donation he has added a considerable sum for the encouragement of the professors and students. Prince d'Ouroussoff, animated with equal patriotism, has sent his beautiful collection of minerals to the Imperial Museum, besides some most curious and rare encaustic and mosaic paintings.

Another object which adds additional lustré to this museum, is a geographical collection, divided into governments, of all the productions of nature and of art.

All these valuable objects have been restored to their original destination, by the care and assiduity of Mr. Fischer. In the space of eight months he has completed, without any assistance, the task which he had undertaken. He has arranged likewise, in systematical order, the Demidoff Museum, which had formerly been open to public use, as well as the Imperial Museum. The order which Mr. Fischer has adopted in the distribution of the different objects, is derived from those methods which are in the highest

esteem.

The ideas of M. de Lacépède have guided him in classing the birds: the arrangement of the shells is on Lamark's system.

In the distribution of insects he has retained the principles of Linnæus, as strictly as the discoveries of Messrs. Latreille, Olivier, Lamark, and others, would allow.

In classing the amphibia, the author has consulted the discoveries of Messrs. Lacépède, Al. Brongmard, Dandin, &c. The fishes have been placed according to the system of Linnæus, and the discoveries of Messrs. Cuvier, Lacépède, Bosc, &c.

With regard to the minerals, as the knowledge of objects instructs more than the best definitions, this collection is classed agreeably to the exterior characters; the method of the celebrated Werner has been adhered to, without, however, losing sight of the essen tial connection with the principles of chemistry.

One particular room has been allotted to the encaustic and mosaic paintings, given by Prince d'Ouroussoff; with the collection of medals and antiquities.

The Demidoff Museum occupies three rooms. The first contains his geognostic col