for, a Chinaman. We understand that he represents many parts of the country as extremely beautiful; but others of large extent barren and thinly peopled.-Canton Press, September 16. which obtained in times antecedent to the Protes- 38 days. He was dressed as, and passed of course tant Reformation, such a phenomenon is pregnant with important results. By establishing Christianity upon the great basis of brotherly love and intercommunion of churches, without inculcating indifferentism on the one hand, or suggesting eclectism on the other, it does much towards overthrowing those national and sectarian prejudices, which, springing out of one common faith, present often insuperable difficulties to the statesman, and stand most decidedly in the way of a progressive civilization. The first step taken by the King of Prussia, in manifestation of these high philosophic views, and truly Christian feelings, was the completion of the Cathedral of Cologne, an edifice consecrated to a form of church, different from that followed by the Monarch himself: yet in which great work his Majesty, actuated by the most praiseworthy zeal, got all the potentates of Germany to join. The second was, to obtain from Great Britain, who, from her power in the Mediterranean, was evidently best calculated to meet the responsibility, the appointment of a Bishop to Jerusalem, in order to enter into friendly communication with the Churches of the East. These remarkable proceedings, which have met the approbation of all true philanthropists, have been followed up by a more domestic institution, but one which is strongly marked by the same admirable characteristics. It is, the revival of the ancient religious order of "the Swan," an order founded four hundred years ago, by the King's ancestor, the arch-chamberlain and elector, Frederick II., and never formally abolished. SCIENCE AND ARTS. NATURE OF MATTER.-Mr. Faraday, before the Royal Institution, was led to dissent from the popular notions on this subject, by some phenomena in electricity. He entered on his subject by noticing the prevalent idea of the constitution of matter, i.e. that it consists of innumerable infinitely minute particles, held together in the solid state by the attraction of cohesion, neutral to each other in the liquid, mutually repulsive in gases or vapors. As this change of form in matter is usually referred to the effect of heat, it would seem to follow that this influence of heat is effected by detaching the particles from each other, so that the whole mass is made to occupy a larger space (as when water is converted into steam). Quitting this mechanical theory of the nature of matter, Mr. Faraday, rapidly touched on its modification in the atomic theory of modern chemistry. This theory, as is well known, consists in the assumption that atoms of elementary substances, when brought together by chemical affinity, form one atom of a compound body (as when an atom of hydrogen unites with an atom of oxygen, to form an atom of water). All these accepted notions of matter, Mr. Faraday declared to be mere assumption, involving, in some instances, absolute contradictions. The common physical law of bodies expanding by heat and contracting by cold is contradicted by the fact that water expands, instead of contracting, when below the temperature of 40° Fahr. On the other hand, the chemist is obliged what he defines as indivisible), as in the salts of to have recourse to half atoms (i.e. divisions of phosphorus and the oxides of iron and some other metals. But in the phenomena of electricity, the greatest difficulties to the general views of the nature of matter are presented. It is well known that bodies may be classed as conductors or non-conductors of electricity. Of two equally solid sub stances, copper conducts, shell-lac insulates; and yet if, according to the universally recognized opinion of matter, the particles of each are surrounded by space or ether, why does this theoretical atmosphere exhibit properties so opposite? Why does it conduct in copper and not conduct in shelllac? Again, in general, metals conduct worse when heated, and better when cooled, yet iodide of mercury will not conduct at all till it is fused. But the most striking anomaly in the popular opinion mentioned by Mr. Faraday is, the opposite electrical properties of the metal potassium in its metalHis Majesty proposes to be himself the first lic state, and when it is oxidized. In the former Grand Master of the revived Order; and a princi-condition, it is lighter than water, and conducts elecpal characteristic of the new community is its pro-tricity; in the latter, its specific gravity is doubled, fession of embracing persons of both sexes, without distinction of rank or religious confession. This is as it ought to be; the cause of humanity and benevolence has, in this country peculiarly, been as strikingly upheld by female exertion as by masculine endurance and perseverance.-Court Journal. The Royal Ordinance to this effect bears date last Christmas-eve, and the object of the order, as one of merit, is declared to be proof of Christian truth by deeds; the proof of Christianity not by dissent about creeds and forms, but in its spirit and its truth, by life and deeds. Attendance upon the sick, the criminal, the penitent-the alleviation, in fact, of human suffering, moral or physical, are afterwards pointed out as particularly likely to furnish the means and the material for the accomplishment of these ends. It is sincerely to be hoped that those generous spirits-of which Germany affords a worthy list-who have long labored in their own way, by eloquent and feeling appeals on behalf of the less fortunate members of the human family, will also come under the same category The Order of the Swan could not be rendered more illustrious than by enrolling the names of those distinguished by their philosophic labors for human improvement-the supporters of the oppressed of all ranks, the abolitionists of slavery, the reformers of sanguinary codes, the alleviators of poverty and misfortunes, the opposed to none, but friends to all -the ameliorators of the human race. TRAVELLING IN CHINA.-Several weeks since the Rev. Mr. Milne, of the London Missionary Society, arrived at Canton overland from Ningpo, a distance of 1300 miles, which he accomplished in twice the number of particles of potassium entering into the same space, and yet then it will not conduct at all. Mr. Faraday concluded by avowing that the impression produced on his mind by these difficulties in the received theory of matter was, that matter consists of centres of fires, around which the forces are grouped; that particles do touch, and that the forces round those centres are melted; that wherever this power extends, there matter is; that wherever the atmospheres of force coalesce, there the matter becomes continuous; that chemists need not group atoms together, as in the case [APRIL, of berberine, or other organic substances, to make | milder, and the vine, which was unknown under their composition intelligible, but that particles can penetrate each other.-Ath. Julius Cæsar, was flourishing even in the most northern parts of the country. The ninth century, says M. Fuster, marked the limits of the change, but the climate remained unaltered to the 12th cen tury. At that time the winters consisted chiefly of flourished in all the northern parts of the territory. rainy weather and storms, and vines grew and The harvest in the north commenced at the end of July, and the vintage at the end of September.-Ath. MELTING OF A WATCH IN THE POCKET OF A collection of Coins, &c., made by the late Mr. VALUABLE COINS.-We are informed that the Mr. Christie and Manson, is estimated to be of the Thomas, a London grocer, and about to be sold by value of from £16,000 to £18,000!! THE STATUE OF SIR DAVID WILKIE,-by Mr. S. Joseph, has just been erected at the National Gallery in the umbrella-taker's hall. We particularize the site, to mark our sense of that very prevalent and most irreverent system of placing objects designed for public veneration in such vicinities. Monuments, however secular, let us observe, have a sacredness about them-they are twice consecrated, to personal worth, and to national grati-MAN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, WITHOUT HIS BEING tude-therefore should not be profaned by the vul- INJURED.-During a violent thunder-storm, a fishgar details and littlenesses of common life carried on ing-boat, belonging to Midyell, in the Shetland close beside them. It does much towards destroy-Islands, was struck by lightning. The electric ing their moral effect. But with these few words, fluid came down the mast, which it tore into more as a protest against bad taste than a project of shivers, and melted a watch in the pocket of a man reform, we re-advert to the statue under notice. It who was sitting close by the side of the mast, withrepresents Wilkie in a mood of vivid abstraction, out injuring him. Not only was the man altogether looking, or rather louring, at some vision before unhurt, but his clothes also were uninjured; and his mind's eye, which his spirit would fain wrestle he was not aware of what had taken place, until, with; the sharp-pointed tool he raises, however, on taking out his watch, he found it all fused into leaves it a little dubious whether he is about to one mass.-Jameson's Journal. make a dash at a foe or a canvass,-whether his iron-bent arm wields a poniard or a pencil. The slight ambiguity of attitude we mention, seems countenanced, too, by the rather sullen expression of the features. We have considerable esteem for Mr. Joseph's talents, but imagine them better suited to domestic than public sculpture. His Wilberforce' we recollect admiring at the Royal Academy, as a portrait of the man himself, with all his queer individualism of character expressed in those crisscrossed limbs and serio-comico lineaments-a memorial just suited to a private mansion; at Westminster Abbey it shocked us by those self-same merits, being, as a sepulchral monument, preposterous, as an ecclesiastical decoration, quite repul- "To his father he in many points of his character sive and improper-save that, perhaps, its carica- bore a strong resemblance, and in none more than ture style may be thought to harmonize it with the in his attachment to literary pursuits, which he disgrotesque scroll-work and bizarre images of the played at a very early period of his life, and pregothic edifice around it. We cannot accord the served to its close with undiminished ardor. He Wilkie statue even this modified praise: if it have received the rudiments of his education under Dr. any great beauties they must be very recondite, as Shepherd, of Gateacre, and afterwards passed some our utmost penetration could discover none of time at the University of Cambridge, as a student them. Over his left shoulder Sir David wears an of Peterhouse. At that period of his life he studied immense cloak (the modern sculptor's recipe to with great assiduity the classic writers of Greece make a figure “classical"!), which falls down upon and Rome, of which he continued the perusal till the ground behind him, exhibiting ordinary cos- within a short time of his death. With several of tume beneath its folds. Do painters perform their the modern languages Mr. Roscoe was also familnot very clean work in long cloaks? or would suchiarly conversant, but more particularly with the Italcumbersome paraphernalia facilitate the use of the ian. Of his poetical genius, which was developed in pencil? Again, this statue stands beside the him at an almost precocious age, the fruits have apstump of a tree. Was Sir David a landscape peared in a volume of miscellaneous Poems, publishpainter? Doubtless supports for the marble massed a few years since. In the cultivation of this talent were needful, but it seems maladroit to have he never ceased to find a favorite occupation for his selected as such accessories uncharacteristic of the hours of leisure, and, amongst other less voluminous original-anti-illustrative of his chief pursuits and productions, he has left behind him a translation, in peculiar genius. Nevertheless, we should overlook blank verse, of Klopstock's Messiah, and of the Api these minor blemishes, had the work even one per- of Rucellai. fection.-Ath. OBITUARY. W. S. Roscoe, Esq.-Oct. 31. At Liverpool, aged 61, William Stanley Roscoe, eldest son of the late William Roscoe, Esq. This "Soon after leaving Cambridge, Mr. Roscoe, though his views were originally directed to the THE CLIMATE OF FRANCE.-M. Fuster states profession of the law, was admitted as a partner that Gaul, under Julius Cæsar, had a very rigorous into his father's bank, and continued to be connectclimate. The winters were very severe, and of ed with that concern until its failure in 1816. long duration, and the frost so hard that the navi- and similar disasters, if he was, unhappily, not qualgable rivers, including even the rapid Rhône, were ified to avert, his conscious integrity, his placid temfrozen hard. The winters sometimes lasted from per, and well-regulated mind, enabled him to meet October to April, when heavy rains accompanied with dignity, and to support with fortitude. Durby tempests came on. In the time of Julian, the ing the latter years of his life he held the office climate had undergone an extraordinary change; of Serjeant-at-mace to the Court of Passage at Livand when the Franks became masters of Gaul, in erpool. The health which he had uniformly enjoythe 5th century of our era, the climate was stilled, some months since began to give way. In July he was advised to try the effects of a change of air, | tion of the epithet Romantic. 4. On some of the and for this purpose he visited Germany, and thence causes by which Evangelical Religion has been extended his tour to Switzerland. The hopes which rendered less acceptable to persons of cultivated were reasonably entertained from this source, and taste.' from the anxious application of the most efficient editions. These Essays have passed through several medical treatment, were destined to be disappointed. On his return home he became gradually weaker, and in perfect resignation to the will of his Creator, he sank without a struggle into the arms of death. Under an exterior somewhat reserved, and great sedateness of manners, his affections in every relation of life were warm and enduring, and by the friends who knew him intimately his memory will be long cherished, and his virtues best appreciated." -(Athenæum.) REV. JOHN FOSTER.-Oct. 15. At Stapleton, near Bristol, aged 73, the Rev. John Foster. He was born in Yorkshire, where in early years he attracted the notice of the late Dr. Fawcett, Baptist Minister, of Hebden Bridge. Through his means he entered as a student at the Baptist College in Bristol, where he studied first under the care of Dr. Evans, and afterwards under that of the late Dr. Ryland. After leaving the college he was settled during a period of many years at several places, the last of which was Downend, near Bristol; but the character of his mind not adapting him for the regular exercise of the pastoral office, being such as fitted him rather to a life of meditation, he retired from public engagements, and spent the remainder of his time in literary pursuits in Stapleton, where he resided for the last eighteen or twenty years, only preaching occasionally. His celebrated friend, the late Robert Hall, bestowed upon them the following just and beautiful eulogium :-"He paints metaphysics, and has the happy art of arraying what in other hands would appear cold and comfortless abstractions in the gument in pursuit of ornament or imagery, his imwarmest colors of fancy. Without quitting his aragination becomes the perfect handmaid of his reason, ready, at every moment to spread her canvass, and present her pencil. But what affords us the deepest satisfaction is to find such talents enlisted on the side of true Christianity; nor can we forbear indulging a benevolent triumph on the accession to the cause of Evangelical piety of powers which its most distinguished opponents would be proud to possess.' of deep regret we have to record the death of the THE MARQUESS OF HASTINGS.-With feelings Marquess of Hastings. The melancholy event where the Marquess, accompanied by his amiable took place on Saturday evening, at Southampton, Marchioness, had but lately arrived from Bournemouth, for the advantage of medical advice. In in the past month, was, at the recommendation of consequence of indisposition, the Marquess, early his physicians, advised to leave Dorrington-park for the Hampshire coast, in the anticipation that a Since then his Lordship has continued more or less change of air would prove beneficial to his health. "The well-known character of his various Es- unwell; and increased symptoms of a serious charsays, instinct as they are with an energy of feeling Southampton. The Marchioness, who has conacter induced his removal from Bournemouth to and surpassing vigor of conception, such as at once make the reader feel himself listening to a spirit of stantly attended the noble invalid throughout his pre-eminent powers, makes it unnecessary for us to illness, is overwhelmed by her bereavement, and attempt any lengthened portraiture of his massive it is feared that the shock given to her feelings may intellect. Few writers in the whole range of lite-injure her health. The late George Augustus rature possess in an equal degree the power to Earl of Rawdon, Viscount Loudoun, and Baron BoFrancis Rawdon Hastings, Marquess of Hastings, touch and set in motion the springs of serious reflection. A closer inspection of his mind convinced treaux, Hungerford, Molines, Hastings, Moels of those who were admitted to the rare privilege of Rawdon, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; Cadbury, Newmarch, Peverill, De Hornet, and personal intercourse with him, that those really Earl of Moira, county of Down, and Baron Rawmasterly productions, though much elaborated, don of Moira, in the Irish Peerage, was second son were not exhausting efforts, but rather natural spe- of Francis, first Marquess, the distinguished Govercimens of the thoughts and sentiments which habit- nor-General and Commander-in Chief of India, by ually dwelt within him. They testify that with a Flora-Mure Campbell, in her own right Countess mind profoundly meditative, deeply imbued with of Loudoun, who died in 1841. He was born on the powers of the world to come,' and ardently, the 4th of Feb. 1808, so that the deceased had not even to impatience, desirous of the advancement of attained his 36th year. On the death of his gallant mankind in freedom, truth, and piety, he united vast stores of knowledge on a great variety of sub- father, Nov. 28, 1826, whose elder son died an jects, and an exquisite perception and appreciation of infant, he succeeded to the honors of the family. whatever was sublime or beautiful, whether in bara Yelverton, in her own right Baroness Grey de The late Marquess married, August 1, 1831, Barthought, nature, or art. The same strong principle Ruthyn, by whom his Lordship leaves issue a son, of benevolence which has tinctured his writings Palyn Reginald Serlo, Earl of Rawdon, born June with so vehement a hatred of all that tends to make 2, 1832, who of course becomes Marquess of Hastmen vicious and miserable, communicated to his ings by his father's death, and, we believe, four conversation and demeanor a kindness, and even gentleness, which could not fail to win for him the sisters surviving him, namely, Lady Sophia Fredeyouthful daughters. The late Marquess has three love as well as veneration of all who knew him. rica Christina, born February 1, 1809; Lady Selina His piety towards God, and charity towards men, Constance, born April 15, 1510, and married, June were as deep as they were unostentatious. He was 25, 1838, Captain Charles Henry, 56th Regiment; an unaffectedly great and good man."-(Bristol and Lady Adelaide Augusta Lavinia, born FebruMirror.) George William Russell, Marquis of Salisbury, ary 25, 1812. The families of Lord and Lady Hon. Hamilton Fitzgerald, and many others of distinction, are placed in mourning by the Marquess's demise.-Court Journal. In 1805 he first published his "Essays, in a series of Letters to a Friend, on the following subjects: 1. On a man's writing memoirs of himself. 2. On decision of character. 3. On the applica 971 SELECT LIST OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. GREAT BRITAIN. History of Scotland. By Patrick Fraser Tytler, Esq. Vol. 9 (completion). Edinburgh. Memoir of the Life and Writings of the late William Tayler, of Norwich; containing his correspondence with Robert Southey, Esq., and original Letters from Sir Walter Scott and other Eminent Men. Edited by J. W. Robberds, F. G. S. London. Observations on the Mental State of the Blind, and Deaf and Dumb, suggested by the case of Jane Sullivan, both blind, deaf, dumb, and uneducated. By R. Fowler, M. D. London. THE prolegomena are distinguished by learning and astute criticism, well deserving the attention of every classical reader. Even where the author propounds novel and startling views, his data and reasoning must stir up a useful spirit of inquiry; and where we dissent, we must have examined the grounds both for his propositions and our rejection. Such exercises are the best we can imagine for the revival of our rusted knowledge, and restoring us to the early springs of our almost obliterated instruction. For ourselves we can say, it has been quite a delight to us to be borne back by Mr. Barham to the recollection of times when the toil of conquering rhythms, and metres, and accents, was rewarded by partaking the fruits of ancient wisdom, and tasting the sweets of divine poesy. With Essay on the Physiognomy of Serpents. regard to the treatise of the Alexandrian scholar of By H. Schlegel, Doctor in Philosophy. the second century, we are of opinion that, for the Translated by Thomas Stewart Traill, M. D. higher exercise of college, there is hardly a supe- F. R. S. E. London. rior work. pro The Land of Israel, according to the Covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. By Alexander Keith, D. D. London. GERMANY. Die Schriften des Doctors Joh. von Stau Englische und deutsche Gespräche, nebst And now we have only to mention Mr. Barham's stickling for the olden Greek, instead of transmitted Roman or any other, orthography and orthoepy. He may be perfectly right; but like later pitz. Von der Liebe Gottes u. vom christcorrectness in Arabian and Oriental translations, lichen Glauben, mit einer kurtzen Lebensthe unaccustomed look of the words is so apt to beschreibung desselben versehen von Dr. perplex the eye and mind of the reader, that we G. F. G. Goltz. Berlin. fear an absolute dislike to the entire class of literature has been the consequence. We hope it may not be so with the present attempt to enforce e. vergleich. Uebersicht d. ¡Grammatik u. d. priety and "perispowmens, oxytons, paroxytons, Idioms beider Sprachen. Zum Gebrauch sunekfownehsis, khoriambek, poluskhehmatista, aka- beider Nationen, von J. H. Hedley. Leipzig. talehkt, Aiolik, trokhaik, daktulik, paiowns, hipA Grammar of the Icelandic or old Norse pownakteian, brakhukatalehkt, Anakreown, Kallimakhos, Akhilleus, Sofoklehs, Atreidehs, Kuthereia, Tongue, by Erasmus Rask. Translated from and hadehs." When we have to puzzle, if only the Swedish by Geo. Webbe Dasent. Frankfor a few seconds, to recognize the name of an au- fort o. M. thor, or the meaning of a word, it is a great drawback on the ready and necessary understanding of the subject-matter in hand.-Lit. Gaz. Germany. DENMARK. Evangelisk-christelig Postil eller Samling af Prædiken over Evangelierne paa alle sön-og Helligdage i Kirkeaarit, af E. Mau. Kbhvn. Den Trankebarske Missions Historie, Bd. fortalt af Jo. Ferd. Fenger. Lic. The. Kjöbenh. Theologische Auslegung der Johanneischen Schrif- FRANCE.' The Mélanges philosophiques, littéraires, historiques et religieux par M. P. A. Stapfer, précédés d'une Notice sur l'auteur, par M. A. Vinet. Paris. The first exegetical work of the Author, now, alas, appears as an opus posthumum. The exquisite scholarship, the fine apprehension, the thoroughly independent and peculiar manner of the author, are here clearly evinced, especially in the Introduction. And that a man of so liberal aims, and of so impartial, genuine, historic bearing, places himself decidedly in the ranks of the defenders of the authenticity of the Gospel by John, is certainly a matter of no small consequence. Zeitschrift Lutherischer Theologie, De l'éducation populaire et des écoles primaires, considérées dans leurs rapports avec la philosophie du christianisme, par M. Prosper Dumont, ouvrage couronné par l'Académie des Sciences morales et politiques. Paris. Mon tour du lac Léman, raconté à mes enfans, par M. N. Roussel. Paris. |