unusually great; the best proof of its mildness; for in very severe weather, there falls but little snow. Population of Moscow. When the French quitted Moscow, there were only 16,000 inhabitants; but in the winter of 18171818, the population amounted to 312,000, including 21,000 military. Method of rendering Glass less Brittle. Let the glass vessel be put into a vessel of cold water, and let this water be heated boiling hot, and then allowed to cool slowly of itself, without taking out the glass. Glasses treated in this way may, while cold, be suddenly filled with boiling hot water without any risk of their cracking. The gentleman who communicates the method, says, that he has often cooled such glasses to the temperature of 10°, and poured boiling water into them without experiencing any inconvenience from the suddenness of the change. If the glasses are to be exposed to a higher temperature than that of boiling water, boil them in oil.-Annales de Chim. et de Phys. ix. Earthquakes. Three dreadful earthquakes took place at Copiapo on the 3d, 4th, and 11th of April. The whole city is said to have been destroyed by these awful visitations. More than three thousand persons were traversing the neighbouring plains, flying from the desolation which had been produced. It appears, according to all the accounts, that the inhabitants had time to save their lives, but only their lives. Copiapo is a sea port of Chili, and stands on the south side of a river of the same name, about 490 miles N. by E. of Valparaiso. Another severe shock of an earthquake was felt in Trinidad on the 12th of August at half past 2 A. M. A rushing noise as of a violent wind was first heard, which was instantly succeeded by an undulatory motion from east to west, very severe, and which lasted four or five seconds. It was a clear moonlight night, and nothing particular was discernible in the state of the atmosphere. On the 15th of August, a shock, accompanied with an explosion as loud as that of a cannon, was felt at the village of St. Andrews, in Lower Canada. Bible Society's Bible's in Iceland-By a traveller just returned from a five months journey through Iceland, we regret to learn that the bibles furnished by the bible society, are in great disrepute throughout Iceland, on account of their uncommon inaccuracy, and wretched paper and printing. Volcanic Theory of Rocks. We cannot help expressing our surprise, that several eminent German and French geologists should assist in propagating the volcanic theory. We have carefully read every thing written on this subject by these distinguished naturalists, and can find only speculations offered to us in place of facts. They are willing to confer the honours of volcanism on the rocks of Hungary, Mexico, and VOL. VI. For Scotland the Hebrides of Scotland. By Chemical Experiment on Mount Vesuvius. A very singular experiment, or rather result, has lately been announced, as obtained by M. Gimbernath, a learned Spaniard, who is now counsellor of the king of Bavaria. Having ascended the summit of Vesuvius, Dec. 4, 1818, he placed on one of the fumarole (clefts or crevices of the crater, whence smoke constantly issues) an apparatus for condensing the vapour. this means he obtained a somewhat considerable quantity of clear distilled water, which tasted of fat or grease, and smelt strongly of burnt animal substances. The chemical tests to which this liquid was subjected, shewed clearly that it contained neither sulphuric acid, nor any free acid. M. Gimbernath is of opinion that it is saturated with a matter partaking of the nature of animal matter. Enormous Bird.-Mr Henderson has discovered, in New Siberia, the claws of a bird measuring each a yard in length; and the Yaknts assured him, they had frequently, in their hunting excursions, met with skeletons, and even feathers, of this bird, the quills of which were large enough to admit a man's arm. This is a fact in support of the tradition, that the earth was formerly inhabited by giants, for men, not exceeding ourselves in stature, would have been helpless against birds of prey of this magnitude. Captain Cook mentions having seen a monstrous bird's nest in New Holland, on a low sandy island, in Endeavour River, with trees upon it, and an incredible number of sea fowl; he found an eagle's nest with young ones, which he killed, and the nest of some other bird, of a most enormous size; it was built with large sticks upon the ground, and was no less than six and twenty feet in circumference, and two feet eight inches high. Worm in a Horse's Eye.Dr William Scott, of Madras, has extracted a worm from the aqueous humour of a horse's eye, to which he gave the name of Ascaris pellucidus. It is reported that the friends of Dr Spiker of Berlin are about to propose him for the office of Chief Librarian to the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh. From the reports we have heard, there can be no doubt Dr S. is eminently qualified for filling such a situation with advantage. We have also heard, that two of our own countrymen-Dr Irving, the learned and excellent author of the Life of George Buchananand Mr David Laing, bookseller-a gentleman much and justly celebrated for his knowledge of bibliography, have been mentioned as willing to accept of the vacant situation. E WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. LONDON. The concluding volume of Dr Clark's northern travels, containing a description of St Petersburgh, during the tyranny of the Emperor Paul. The 7th and 8th volumes of Dr Ranken's History of France. An Historical and Topographical Account of Devonshire; by the Rev. Dan. Lysons, and the late Sam. Lysons, Esq. The splendid work, by Prince Maximilian of Neuwied, consisting of his Travels in Brazil, is in a forward state in Germany. The English translation will appear in the present system, accompanied by a series of characteristic and highly interesting engravings. A new and improved edition of Burns' Works; by his brother, Mr Gilbert Burns. The third volume of Messrs Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology is in considerable forwardness. Dr Gillies's History of Greece, Part I. and II. in eight volumes 8vo. In the press, a series of Anecdotes, collected and arranged under separate heads, by Sholts and Reuben Percy, brothers of the Benedictine Monastery, Mont Benger. The first four parts will consist of Anecdotes of Humanity, Eloquence, Enterprise, and Youth. To be followed by Anecdotes of Science, Genius, Liberty, Heroism, &c. Doctrinal Sermons; by the Rev. Edward Cooper. Preparing for publication, Paris, consisting of sixty engravings, by Mr Charles Heath, and other artists, from views taken in the French capital and its vicinity; by Captain Batty, of the First or Grenadier Guards. This work will be conducted on the same plan as the Italian Scenery, and will consist of twelve numbers, each number containing five plates. The descriptions of the plates will be in English and French. New editions are in the press, of the Plays of Euripides, cum notis variorum, of the Lexicon Ciceronianum; by Facciolati, in three octavo volumes; and of Olivet's Annotations on Cicero, in two vols 8vo. Opuscula Academica; by James Bailey. On the 15th of January 1820, it is proposed to commence, under the general title of the Circulating Library, or Periodical Series of Original Novels, Romances, and Tales; consisting partly of original works by eminent writers, who have promised their co-operation, and partly of translations of new or unknown works, from the French, German, Italian, Spanish, Persian, and Arabic languages. * The originals of Cumberland's translations from the Greek comic writers, inserted in the Observer, now first collected; arranged by J. Bailey, B. A. Speedily will be published, Itineraries to Timbuctoo and Kassina, from the Arabic. Mr John Russel has a volume of Poems in the press. The Rev. J. Todd has in the press, a Vindication of our authorized translation of the Bible, and of preceding English Versions, &c. A volume of Sermons on Practical subjects; by Dr O'Beirne, Lord Bishop of Meath. A new edition of Dr Jeremy Taylor's Guide to Eternal Happiness. A Greek and English Manual Lexicon to the New Testament. น A new edition of Cudworth's Intellectual System, with Life; by Birch. New editions of the works of Archbishop Tillotson, in eight vols 8vo, and of Jeremy Taylor's works, in 14 vols 8vo... Mr J. B. Williams of Shrewsbury, has in the press, and will speedily publish, a Memoir of Mrs Hutton, the youngest daugh ter of the Rev. Philip Henry the life is written by the Rev. Matthew Henry, and has never been printed. A new edition of Dr Samuel Clarke's Ser mons, in six vols 8vo, and of Dr South's Sermons. The scarce Essay on the Dramatic Character of Sir John Falstaff; by the late Maurice Morgan, Esq. formerly under-secretary of state, is reprinting, with a biographical and critical preface. A new edition of Longinus, by Waske; and of Terentianus Maurus de Literis, &c. In the press the complete works (in French) of Mad. de Stael, in 18 volumes 8vo; and her inedited works in 4 vols. A new edition of Foster on Accent and Quantity, with additions. The Six Plays of Terence, after the Text of Zeunius, in 2 vols 8vo. A new edition of the Septuagint, in two vols 18mo.. A Treatise on the English Pronunciation, after Walker's system, for the use of Foreigners, with Rules for the correct pronunciation of the most difficult sounds of the English language, and accompanied with exercises, on an entire new plan; by J. Davenport, Professor of Languages, 12mo. Guilt; or, the Gipsey's Prophecy, a Tragedy, translated from the original German of Adolphus Müllner; by W. E. Frye, followed by the translation in English, of Schiller's Ideal, and the Cranes of Ibycus. Calderon de la Barcer (Drama Sus Escogidosde) con notas criticas y explanatorias, EDINBURGH. New Tales of My Landlord. In our last, we announced Ivan Hoe and the Monastery, by the author of Waverly. A London bookseller, Mr Fearman, has since announced a third work, by the same author, under the title of "Pontefract Castle." This announcement, in which we see nothing remarkable, considering the character of our modern Proteus, has occasioned a literary war, between Mr Fearman and the Regent's bookseller for Scotland. The opening of the campaign, is thus given in the Edinburgh Evening Courant of October 26th. "An Advertisement has appeared in the Morning Chronicle lately, announcing the publication on the 1st of November of a Fourth Series Tales of my Landlord, collected and arranged by Jedediah Cleishbotham, schoolmaster of Glandercleugh, containing Pontefract Castle. Orders received by all the booksellers in London.' That this is either a contemptible hoax, or a dangerous infringement of the property of Messrs. CONSTABLE and Co. which, we trust, will meet its due punishment, the following letter from Mr BALLANTYNE to the editor of the Chronicle will sufficiently show: To the Editor of the Morning Chronicle. SIR, I have observed in the newspapers lately an advertisement of a fourth series of Tales of my Landlord." That the pubc may not be taken in to suppose this work a production of the author of "Tales of my Landlord," in three series; the first, containing the Black Dwarf and Old Mor tality; the second, the Heart of Mid-Lothian; and the third, the Bride of Lammermoor, and a Legend of Montrose; I, who have transacted betwixt the publisher and the author of these books, as his agent, do, on my certain knowledge, assure you and the public, that this author has no concern whatever with the catch-penny publication announced as above; and although I have not his express authority for saying so, I am morally assured he will at no future period send any further work to the public under the title of Tales of my Landlord.' The copy-right of the Tales of my Landlord,' in 12 vols. has been purchased by, and is now the property of, Messrs Constable and Co., who are taking legal measures to interdict the publication of this spurious work under their title, and to punish those concerned in it when they shall be discovered. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JOHN BALLANTYNE. Bookseller in Scotland, to his Royal Highness the Regent. Hanover-Street, Edinburgh, Oct. 22." To the letter thus given by authority, Mr Fearman, the proprietor and publisher of" Pontefract Castle," has circulated the following reply, under the title of VOL, VI. "A letter in reply to the ridiculous threats of Mr John Ballantyne, Bookseller for Scotland, against the publisher of the forthcoming series of Tales of my Landlord, containing Pontefract Castle,' addressed to the editors of the daily papers, but too long for insertion. Tales of my Landlord. "Mr Editor, Observing a letter in your paper of this day, signed by John Ballantyne, Bookseller for Scotland to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, affirming that a fourth series of Tales of my Landlord is a spurious work, and that though he has no EXPRESS authority for saying so, he is morally assured that the author will at no period send any farther work to the public, under the title of Tales of my Landlord,' I think it my duty, as publisher of the • New Tales of my Landlord,' now in the press, to warn the public against being taken in, (as that gentleman elegantly expresses it) by the flagrant sophistry of Mr John Ballantyne. He argues all through ab ig noto. The name of Jedediah Cleishbotham is notoriously a fictitious name, and belongs to no one-to say, that there is any one of that name having property in any thing, is a fraudulent assertion; it is open to any body to assume it, as it is to write a continuation of the Tales of my Landlord.' No damage can result to the publisher of the foregoing series; and if injunctions could be obtained against continued works, the best continuers of history would have been in an awkward predicament. how does Mr John Ballantyne prove his case? By admitting that the New Tales the Third Series, in so many words, assures may be genuine. The author at the end of the public that he has done with them; but shake the only strong point he had, by conthis sagacious advocate comes forward to fessing that he is not morally certain of this! And it was but the other day that one of the partners of Constable's house asserted, in presence of the trade, that the author would appear in several new shapes. Who is to pronounce that the forthcoming edition be not one of them? The public, as well as the trade, have been so used of late to rather ungentleman like trickeries, shifts, and coquetries on the part of publishers, bookmakers, and authors, that it will be difficult for them to decide who is, and who is not the author of a new work, and the greedy motive is thus very likely to produce its But own surfeit to make a rod for its own back. There is one straight forward and manly way of settling the question. Let the author come forward and claim his own not as Jedediah Cleishbotham, not as the dream of a dream, and shadow of a shade; not under the wing of Mr John Ballantyne Bookseller for Scotland, who can only offer the brass of his assertions in lieu of current coin. I shall then be enabled to 2 E decide whether the MS. I hold is or is not by the same person; certainly I cannot, till then, take upon me to pronounce. But my conviction is, that it is, and such is the opinion of others from the internal evidence of the work; nevertheless, if it be not, it is certainly legal for any person that chooses to continue the subject, the more especially if it be true that the original author has dropt it; indeed that author particularly recommends the continuation, and even points out a particular individual for the purpose. What has Mr John Ballantyne to say to that? It would appear that he is not so much behind the curtain as he imagines. Who knows but it may be some known or unknown friend of the author's, who has taken up his hint? It is a great desideratum, that the Tales should be continued by somebody, and particularly to connect the great drama of events therein recorded, with similar scenes and actors in the sister-country. The New Tales embrace this object, and in the opinion of those who have seen them, with a master's grasp. But perhaps Mr John Ballantyne, bookseller for Scotland, wishes to monopolize the scene as well as the author to his own country. The title which he assumes is certainly very magnificent, and very imposing; and the Scotch air of his residence may perhaps sharpen his power of discrimination, endowing him with a kind of second sight, and enabling him to see, what other men cannot see; but it is rather too much to pronounce by his ipse dixit only which is the real Simon Pure, when the means of ending the question are in the hands of the two parties most concerned, the author and the bookseller. There is at all events something suspicious in this unnecessary shuffling out of the direct road. The dictatorial tone he assumes, may suit the zenith of his shop, and the nature of northern criticism; but it is rather too presumptuous-rather too great an insult to English common sense, to pronounce that to be a catch-penny publication which he has never seen. It is for the public to decide, whether the New Tales are worthy of comparison with the old. It remains to be seen whether they are inferior, or equal, or superior; the public also will, no doubt, pronounce whether they are spurious or not; certainly it will not take Mr John Ballantyne's bare word in lieu of proof, on so nice a matter, and will not readily believe that the author is bound up from offering any portion of his mental labours to a London publisher, without making him his counsellor. In the meanwhile, that publisher laughs at the ridiculous threat of punishment, which is another indiscretion of Mr John Ballantyne bookseller for Scotland. There is an old proverb, which he would do well to remember-not to extend the arm further than it can be withdrawn with safety. The work excommunicated by this Scotch bull, ex cathedra is yet in nubibus. Perhaps it may suit Mr John Ballantyne's idea of law, to punish an offence before it is committed; but I rather think, neither his law, nor his reason, will acquire him many converts on this side of the Tweed. When the work appears, it will be time enough to pronounce whether it is legal or illegal; it will not appear without the very best advice, as to its perfect security. I, as publisher, disclaim all ideas, of acting in the least degree dishonourably by the author; whoever he may be, I have no means of judging what is his, or what is not his composition: were I sure that my MS. were not his, and the publication contrary to his wish, I would drop the title, and trust, as I well might, to the intrinsic merit of the work. But the case stands thus:-If it is his, Mr Ballantyne has been talking nonsense without authority, and throwing his brutum fulmen at a shadow; if it is not, then I maintain, that it is not only legal and justifiable for another to continue any suspended work; but in this case, it is at the express recommendation of the author himself. Trinity Grove, 15th Nov. 1819. To the Editor of Blackwood's Magazine. SIR Since I felt it my duty to the public to insert, in the newspapers, a letter stating a "New Series Tales of my Landlord, containing Pontefract Castle," to be spurious; I have had sent me a pamphlet entitled, "A letter in reply to the ridiculous threats of Mr John Ballantyne, &c. &c. ;" signed by a William Fearman. If there exists such a person, a publisher, (for I find in Kent's Directory of last year but one Fearman, a tallow chandler,) I would willingly, through your medium, make to his pamphlet the shortest reply possible. 1st, The poor man sets out in error in his very title page. I did not threaten him; I only advised Constable & Co. to obtain an injunction against this publication under their title, (to which the bookseller was, at that time, either afraid or ashamed to put his name,) and to prosecute the publishers, if it came out in defiance thereof. 2d, The poor man (for his case is pitiable) charges me with sophistry, and clenches this charge with his first bit of Latin: I would ask, is there sophistry in my assertion of the plain fact, that I have express authority from the author of the Tales of my Landlord to say he has nothing to do with "Pontefract Castle;"or is there any sophistry, under this fact, in my continuing to warn the Public against being taken in by this catch-penny imposition, as his work? 3d, The poor man seems bereft of his senses when he asserts, that I "prove my case by admitting that the New Tales may be genuine." The only reason I had for addressing the public at all on the subject, was to prove that they could not be genuine, but were spurious. 4th, The poor mistaken-man! in order to decide whether his MS. is genuine, calls on the author of the actual Tales to avow himself; otherwise he (Fearman) cannot take it upon him to pronounce: Thus, all the authority the Public have for supposing Pontefract Castle to be written by the author of Tales of my Landlord, is his (William's) opinion, and conviction, from "internal evidence," on the subject; in contradiction of the absolute fact, that they are not that author's writing, stated by his agent under his authority. A Catalogue of a Miscellaneous Collection of Books in the Ancient and Modern Languages, and various Classes of Literature, in which will be included numerous articles of great rarity and value, collected during the last few months in various parts of the Continent, and our own country. The whole, in perfect condition, and in the original bindings, are now on sale by John Smith and Son, Booksellers, Hutcheson Street, Glasgow. The Collection contains all the Standard and Modern Works of English. Literature, many of the best editions of the Classics and Foreign Works, the Medical Library of the late Dr Peter Wright of this City, and several recent purchases of books, the finest specimens of typography, and in splendid bindings. Proposals, for publishing by subscription, a Print, to be engraved in the line manner, In conclusion; I leave to Mr Fearman the full credit of his waggery, his sarcasm, and his five bits of Latin, uncontested. The title, he says I assume, I was honoured with by the Prince himself, through the medium of Sir B. Bloomfield and Dr Clarke; and it has been followed by orders, neither few nor small, for which I am grateful as in duty bound. The question of law betwixt Constable & Co. and him, I have no further interest in than the general one, which all must feel, to witness right established, and fraud punished as it deserves: But my second sight enables me to foresee, that Mr William Fearman will sell very few of his books, if he can make out no better case, than that he has done in his pamphlet, to prove that they were written by the Author of the Tales of my Landlord. I am-SIR, Your most obedient servant, JOHN BALLANTYNE. by James Stewart, from the original pic ture of the Circassian Captives, in the Gallery of the Right Honourable the Earl of Wemyss and March. Painted by William Allan. The size of the Engraving will be twenty-four by sixteen inches, nearly the same as that of Wollet's Print of the Death of Wolfe, Price, to subscribers, Two Guineas; Proofs, Four Guineas, which will be strictly delivered in the order of subscribers. An Engraving of Mr Allan's Picture from Burns' Jolly Beggars, is about to be pub lished by Mr Lumsden of Glasgow. Mr Warren is the engraver, and the Print is said to promise additional honour to this excellent artist. In a few days will be published, a Supplement to W. & C. Tait's Catalogue of Law Books. Nicholson's Architectural Dictionary, last part, 4to. £2, 9s. FINE ARTS. The History of the Royal Residences of Windsor, Frogmore, Hampton Court, Kensington, and St James's Palaces, Buckingham House, and Carlton House, illustrated by 100 highly finished and coloured Engraving, 3 vols 4to. 24 guineas. Large paper, 36 guineas. Hakewill's and Turner's Views in Italy, No VIII. 12s. 6d. BIBLIOGRAPHY. T. Key's Catalogue of Old Books, rare, curious and useful, in all languages, including also 700 Articles on England, France, and America. 3s. Foreign part separate, 2s. |
