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matter. It must excite great interest in all reflecting minds, to see an indissoluble, tasteless substance, like the filaments of wood, converted, by chemical re-action, into two new bodies, and chemistry thus exercise a power, which, but lately, appeared to belong to nature alone, and in particular to vegetation. For this artificial formation of sugar and gum, now discovered, must not be confounded with the extraction of these two substances from bodies in which they already existed, a process which has been known from time immemorial. What has now been discovered, is a transformation, a metamorphosis, of which the most ingenious chemist had previously no idea; and it affords a new proof of the boundless extent of the domain of practical chemistry. A paper upon Dr Vogel's repetition and investigation of Mr Braconnot's experiments, and those added by himself, is promised in one of the next numbers of the Journal of Arts and Manufactures, published by the Bavarian Polytechnic Society.

Dry Rot. This destructive enemy of buildings, which generally commences its ravages in the cellars, may be prevented, or its progress checked, by white-washing them yearly, mixing with the wash as much copperas as will give it a clear yellow hue.

New Rockets.--Capt. Schumacher, brother of Professor Schumacher, astronomer royal at Copenhagen, has invented a new kind of rocket, which is said greatly to surpass the Congreve rockets, both in their force and in the accuracy with which they may be thrown. The king of Denmark has established a new corps of artillery (Roketer corps), commanded by Captain Schumacher, whose business is to throw these rockets. They ascend to a very great height in the air, and when they have reached the highest point, a globe of fire makes its appearance, which is so vivid, that it may be seen at the distance of 70 miles. From an experiment made with them in the island of Hjelm, they were seen dis tinctly by his brother at Copenhagen, a distance of 17 German miles.

Ancient Copy of Homer.-There has recently been discovered in the Ambrosian Library at Milan, a manuscript copy of the Iliad of Homer, of the fourth century, with sixty pictures, equally ancient. The characters are square capitals, according to the usage of the best ages, without distinction of words, without accents or the aspirates; that is to say, without any sign of the modern Greek orthography. The pictures are upon vellum, and represent the principal circumstances mentioned in the Iliad. M. ANGELO MAIO, professor at the Ambrosian College, has caused the manuscript to be printed in one volume, with the engravings from the pictures, and the numerous scholia attached to the manuscript. These new scholia fill more than thirty-six pages in large folio; they are all of a very ancient period, and the greater part of them are by

authors anterior to the Christian era, and to the school of Alexandria. The authors quoted, are one hundred and forty in number, whose writings have been lost, or are entirely unknown. The manuscript, however, does not contain the Iliad entire, but only the fragments which relate to the pictures.

Death of Ritchie the African Traveller. We lament to state, that Ritchie, the English gentleman employed by the African Association, has fallen a sacrifice to the climate of Africa a few weeks after his departure from the coast. We trust the African Society will henceforth abandon all future attempts in this quarter, and employ those willing to embark in their desperate although highly meritorious undertakings in some other part of Africa, where the climate is less fatal, and the chance of success greater.

New kind of Bank Note which cannot be Forged. Among the improvements of the day, not one appears to attract more notice than the Siderographic Art, which has been introduced into this country, by Messrs Perkins and Fairman.

The principal object to which this invention has been applied, is to secure paper currencies from forgery; and, we believe, the most sanguine expectations of the inventors have been realized, as in no one instance has a successful attempt been made to counterfeit their most simple notes.

A short account of the invention will illustrate the value which is attached to it, and the advantages that will result from its introduction into this country.

The chief merit of this invention consists in its power to multiply engravings of the most exquisite, as well as those of inferior kinds, and substituting steel in place of copperplates in certain cases.

This process of stereotyping the fine arts, is simple, and easily understood, and is effected in the following manner :- -Steel blocks or plates are prepared in a peculiar way, of sufficient softness to receive the tool of the engraver, who is able to produce upon them even better and sharper work than upon copper. This block or plate is then hardened by a new process, without injury to the most delicate lines. A cylinder of steel, of proper diameter and width, is then prepared to receive the impression on its periphery in relief. This is effected by being applied to a singularly constructed press, invented expressly for the purpose. cylinder is then hardened, and fac-similes may be produced upon steel or copper-plates ad infinitum; and in this way, bank note plates may have the talents of the most eminent artists in England transferred to them. The great advantage of this invention, as applied to secure bank notes from forgery, is, that it produces perfect identity in all the notes, and admits of a test, whereby each note may be identified, as all the notes may be perfectly alike, except the de

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nomination; and every individual who will take the trouble to furnish himself with an original impression from any one of the test dies, may, by comparison, determine whether the note is genuine or not.

This invention appears capable of putting an entire stop to the forgery of all paper securities, of whatever description.

We understand with pleasure, that the proprietors of this patent have formed a connexion with Mr Charles Heath, an eminent engraver of this metropolis, and intend to have an extensive and permanent establishment in London, for the purpose of executing work for public or private Banking Institutions, and also all engravings of which a great number of impressions are required, which will enable them to furnish the work of the best artists at the price paid for that of a very inferior kind.

Messrs Perkins and Fairman, it was generally expected, would have had the contract with the Bank of England for furnishing their new notes. Their plan has received the approbation of the most eminent artists of this country, who have signed a testimonial of its excellence and its capability of answering the end proposed.

The report, however, from the Commis sioners appointed by his Majesty, precludes that hope for the present.

Iron Bridges. A memorial of some interest has been presented to the French Chamber of Deputies, on the subject of wrought-iron bridges, by M. Poyett, architect to the Minister of the Interior, and to the Chamber, and a member of the Institute. "I propose," says he, "to

substitute for stone bridges, (the enormous expense of which renders the construction of an adequate number impracticable,) bridges of wrought iron, which are as strong as stone bridges, and may be built at onefifth of the expense. If, instead of constructing these iron bridges on stone piles, wood were substituted for the stone, the expense would be diminished one-half; and thus we might have ten wooden bridges for one of stone. The principal advantages of the bridges are: 1. Great strength; each arch bearing the weight of a million of killogrammes, (984 tons, 7 cwt.), without the necessity of con structing abutments for the support of the last arch. 2. The piles may be raised at the distance of thirty or forty metres, (98 to 130 feet,) from each other, which must of course diminish expense, and facilitate navigation. 3. The bridge may be constructed with great expedition, because the iron is wrought in the usual way, and only a slight scaffold is requisite for raising it. 4. It may be repaired without obstructing the foot-path or carriage-way. 5. It may be raised or lowered at pleasure, leaving only the piles standing, which must prove a vast advantage on frontier rivers in time of war. 6. A portion of the bridge may be raised between two piles, sufficient for the passage of ships."

Shower of Black Dust.-During the night of Tuesday, 16th November, there fell, in the township of Broughton, North America, on the south shore, so great a quantity of a black powder, as completely to cover the snow which was then on the ground.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

LONDON.

THE Memoirs of the late Richard Lovell Edgeworth, which will soon appear, are by himself, and continued by Miss Edgeworth. In a former Number it was erroneously stated, that they were written entirely by that distinguished Female.

The Third and Fourth Cantos of Don Juan are advertised by Mr Murray as in the press.

Picturesque Illustrations of Buenos Ayres and Monte Video, with twenty-four coloured views; by E.-E. Vidal, Esq.

Two additional Books of the Historical Memoirs of Napoleon, by himself, may be soon expected.

Coronalia; or an Historical Account of Crowns and Coronations; by Mr Scott, author of the Digest of Military Law, &c.

A new and uniform edition of the Works of Dr Jeremy Taylor, in fourteen octavo volumes, with a life; by the Rev. Reginald Heber, A. M.

An Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance; by Mr Forster, author of Essays on the Decision of Character, &c.

A new edition of Bisset's Reign of George III. in seven octavo volumes.

In great forwardness, at the Lithographic Press, a series of characteristic Portraits of the Cossacks attached to the Russian army in 1815 and 1816, with ample details of the history, manners, and customs of the different tribes to which they belonged, in one volume, imperial octavo.

Mr Sharon Turner's third edition of the History of the Anglo-Saxons, in three volumes octavo, is nearly ready. It will contain an addition of several observations and dialogues of our King Alfred on the subjects discussed by Boethius-a fuller analysis of the heroic poem on Beowulf-a larger view of the Witena-gemot or Anglo-Saxon Parliament-and a detail of the population of the Anglo-Saxons.

A Picturesque Tour over Mount Semplon, from Geneva to Milan, in one volume royal octavo, with thirty six coloured engravings.

Cromwell; or the Adventurer; by Mr Corry.

Sketches from St George's Fields; by Giorgioni di Castel Chiuso, with twenty vig

nettes.

. Remarks on the Church and Clergy; by Mr J. E. Shuttleworth.

The Christian Family Assistant; by H. L. Popplewell; with An Historical Essay on Prayer, by Ingram Cobbin.

A second edition of Dr Aikin's Annals of George III. brought down to the present time.

The third and fourth volumes of the Rev. Robert Stevenson's Scripture Portraits, will appear in the Course of the spring.

A new edition of Mr Jolliffe's Letters from Palestine, will soon be ready.

The final volume of Mr Morell's Studies in History, will be published in April.

The Rev. J. Gibbart of Dublin, will shortly publish a series of connected Lectures on the Holy Bible.

An edition of Cicero's Works, complete in 11 volumes; by Dr Carey, Editor of the Regent's Pocket Classics.

The History of the Zodians; a fictitious narrative, designed to illustrate the natural origin of public institutions; by the Rev. J. Clark, author of the Wandering Jew.

A Series of Portraits of the most eminent Foreign Musical Composers, with a short Biography, No I. 7s. Proof impressions of the plates, 9s. each.

The personal history of King George III. undertaken with the assistance of persons officially connected with the late King; and dedicated, by permission, to his present Majesty; by Edward Hawke Locker, Esq. P. R. S., handsomely printed, with portraits, fac-similes, &c. in 4to.

The Fall of Jerusalem, a Dramatic Poem; by H. H. Milman, M. A. author of Fazio, 8vo.

An account of the Abipones, an equestrian people in the interior of South America, translated from the original Latin of Martin Dobrishoffer, one of the Ex-Jesuits, twenty-five years a Missionary in Paraguay,

2 vols 8vo.

"The Abipones have been in one thing fortunate above all other savages; for the

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history of their manners and fortunes, by Martin Dobrishoffer, a German Jesuit, who devoted the prime of his years to the task of converting them, and in old age, after the extinction of his order, found consolation in recording the knowledge which he had so painfully acquired, and the labours which had been so miserably frustrated, is, of all books relating to savage life, the most curious, and, in every respect, the most interesting."-SOUTHEY's History of the Brazils.

Royal Military Calendar, Army Service Book, and Military History of the Last Century. Containing the Services of all the General and Field Officers of the Army, Narratives of all the Battles and Sieges of the last Century, Biographies of deceased and retired Officers, &c. &c. By Sir John Philippart, Librarian to H.R.H. the Duke of Kent. Third Edition. 5 vols 8vo.

In the press, Memoirs of his late Majesty George III.; by John Brown, Esq. author of the Northern Courts.

The Orientalist; or, Electioneering in Ireland; a Novel; in two volumes.

A Treatise on the Nature of Scrofula, in which an attempt is made to account for the Origin of that Disease, on new principles, illustrated by various Facts and Observations, explanatory of a method for its complete Eradication, &c.; by William Farr, (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London) Half Moon Street, Piccadilly.

Early in the month will be published, Chevy Chace, the second edition, with other

Poems.

In the press, and speedily will be published, a Visit to the Province of Upper Canada, in 1819; by James Strachan, bookseller, Aberdeen.

Dr Charles Hastings, physician to the Worcester Infirmary, has in the press, in 1 vol. 8vo, a Treatise on Inflammation of the Mucous Membrane of the Lungs, to which is prefixed, an Experimental Inquiry into the General Nature of Inflammation, and the Contractable Power of the Blood Vessels.

In the course of the month will be published, the First Part of a History of England, during the reign of George III. The work will be written with the strictest impartiality, and embellished with numerous Portraits and other Engravings.

EDINBURGH.

THE Abbot, by the Author of the Monastery, we understand, is already in the press.

An Account of the Fishes found in the River Ganges and its Branches, with Engravings, executed in the best manner, from original Drawings; by Francis Hamilton, M.D. F.R.S. Lon. and Edin. 4to.

Dr Cook, Laurence Kirk, has for several years been preparing, and has now nearly ready for the press, "A General and Historical View of Christianity," comprehend VOL. VI.

ing its origin and progress the leading Doctrines and forms of Ecclesiastical Polity that have been founded on it, and the effect which it has produced upon the moral and political state of Europe. The work will be comprised in 3 vols 8vo.

The History of the Indian Archipelago. By John Crawfurd, Esq. F.R.S. Late British Resident at the Court of the Sultan of Java. 3 vols 8vo. With illustrative Map and Engravings.

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Tales of the Sempstresses. 2 vols post Svo.

The Poems of Alexander Montgomerie, Author of The Cherrie and the Slae.

An Account of the Arctic Regions, including the Natural History of Spitzbergen and the adjacent Islands, the Polar Ice, and the Greenland Seas; with a History and Description of the Northern Whale Fishery. Chiefly derived from Researches made during Seventeen Voyages to the Polar Seas. By William Scoresby, Jun. F.R.S. E. 2 vols 8vo. With numerous Engravings.

A Journey in Carniola and Italy, in the Years 1817-1818. By W. A. Cadell, Esq. F.R.S. 2 vols 8vo. With numerous Engravings.

Preparing for publication, the Theological Lectures of the late Rev. Principal Hill of St Andrew's.

Dr Cook also intends to submit to the public, a Biographical Memoir of the late Venerable Principal Hill.

The Poetical Decameron; or Conversations on English Poets and Poetry, particularly of the Reigns of Elizabeth and James I. By J. Payne Collier, of the Middle Temple. 2 vols post 8vo. (Nearly ready.) In the press, and shortly will be published, Sermons, by Ministers of the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod, in 2 vols

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These Poems will be accurately printed from a MS. presented by the celebrated Drummond of Hawthornden, to the Li. brary of the University of Edinburgh. As the impression is to be very limited, gentlemen wishing to secure copies are requested to send their names to the publishers, without delay. The price will not exceed 12s.

The Rev. William Taylor, Jun. D. D. of St Enoch's Church, Glasgow, has in the press a Sermon, occasioned by the death of his Majesty, King George the III.

Mr G. A. F. Jehring, a native of Germany, residing in Glasgow, has now in the press a German Grammar, on an entirely new plan. This work presents, in a tabular arrangement, at one view, the declensions and conjugations-the governing and compounding prepositions the transpositive conjunctions, and various orders of constructions.

The whole is illustrated under appropriate divisions, by copious examples printed in italic characters, and with the pronunciation marked in a way so simple, as to be easily understood even by the youngest pupils, and thereby rendering it peculiarly adapted for private as well as for public study. Several literary persons who have seen the MS. are of opinion, that it is superior to any existing grammar; and that it will effectually remove the difficulties which the English student has had to encounter, in acquiring a perfect knowledge of that language.

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of the Work, and insuring its completion within narrower limits.

The copies which belonged to deceased subscribers may be had at L.1, 5s. small, and L.2, 12s. 6d. large paper. The price will be soon raised to L.1, 7s. and L.2, 15s. Subscribers, of course, remain at the price at which they originally enter. Each part will contain 200 pages on an average, after this. Nos I. to IX. contain about 9000 words omitted by Stephens. The copies printed are strictly limited to the number of subscriptions. Total subscribers, large and small, 1085.

The Delphini and Variorum Classics, Nos XI. and XII. Containing the conclusion of Cæsar, and the commencement of Juvenal. The present price is L.1, 1s. small, and L.2, 2s. large paper. The prices will be shortly increased, as very few copies remain unsold.

Nos. XIII. and XIV. will appear at the end of March.

Cornelius Nepos, with English Notes, and Historical and Geographical Questions. For Schools. By the Rev. C. Bradley. Second Edition, 12mo. 3s. 6d. bd.

Cæsar's Commentaries, from Oberlin's Text; with all the Delphin Notes, but without the Interpretation. Many plates.

Octavo. 10s. 6d.

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History of the Jews, from the Destruc tion of Jerusalem to the Present Time; by H. Adams. 12s.

HORTICULTURE.

Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London, vol. iii. part iv. £1:6:6.

LAW.

Statutes of the United Kingdom, 59. Geo. III. 8vo. £1:4:6.

Proceedings in the House of Commons, and in the Court of King's Bench, in the case of Mr Hobhouse. 4s. 6d.

A Letter to Sir John Newport, Bart. on the Commission appointed to inquire into the Duties, Salaries, &c. of Officers of the Courts of Justice in England; with Observations on the office of Master in Chancery; by F. P. Stratford, Esq. a Master in Chan cery. 3s. 6d.

Letters addressed to the Master of the King's Bench, on the Practice of the Office of Pleas in the Exchequer; by Paul DickenLetter I. 2s. 6d.

son.

A Treatise on the Law of the Prerogative of the Crown, and the Relative Duties and Rights of the Subject; by J. Chitty, royal 8vo. £1, 1s.

Report of Trials in the Courts of Canada, relative to the Destruction of the Earl of Selkirk's Settlement in the Red River, with Observations; by A. Amos, 8vo. 7s. 6d.

The Student's Guide to the Inner Temple, pointing out the Regulations, &c.; by J. Gardner. 1s.

MEDICINE.

The Mother's Medical Assistant; by Sir Arthur Clarke, M. D. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

MISCELLANIES.

by R. Torrens, 8vo. An Essay on the External Corn Trade; 12s. Address to those who may be moving to the United States; by G. Courtauld.

The Oxford University Calendar for 1820. 5s. 6d.

Williams' History of Inventions, 8vo. 2 vols. £1, 48.

Character Essential to Success in Life; 5s. by Isaac Taylor, 8vo.

The Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, Part VI. 5s.

British Review, No XXIX. 6s. The Londsdale Magazine, or Beauties of the North of England; being a Description of Gentlemen's Seats.

The Pamphleteer, No XXX. 6s. 6d.

This Work comprises the best entire Pamphlets of the day, on Literary, Political, Religious, and Miscellaneous Subjects, on both sides of every question. It is published occasionally, at an average of four Numbers annually. This number contains the celebrated Pamphlet on Germany and the Revolution, by Professor Goerres, late Editor of the Rhenish Mercury, is just published, translated liberally from the German Pamphlet, lately suppressed by the Prussian government.

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