and 28 in breadth, was set on fire in June last, through the negligence of some wood-catters. At the date of the account, the conflagration had continued five weeks, and 50 villages in the vici nity of the forest had been destroyed. Many of the unfortunate and idolatrous natives, believing the calamity to be a direct visitation of some vengeful deity, and not choosing to survive the loss of their property, precipitated themselves into the flames.

An assistant in one of the public offices at the presidency of Calcutta, has lately suggested an improvenient in the construction of orduance for naval service. This improvement is simple, and admits of easy explanation. The gun is formed of three separate cylinders lying parallel to each other, and closely joined in their full extent, each with a separate touchhole. The gun, or rather the three guns, thus formed, is mounted on its carriage in the usual manner, except that, in stead of being placed on trunnions, it rests on a strong projecting ring, which is made to embrace the circumference of the gun, hear its equipoise, and, by a Cogged wheel, it is rendered easily susceptible of being turned vertically on the carriage, so as to bring any of the touch holes to any particular position. By a proposed improvement in the carriage, it is believed that this triple gun may be worked with the same facility as any of the guns that are now in common use. The inventor conceives that the gun inay be cast and bored in one mass of metal,

and it is alleged that a piece of ordnance of this construction, which will carry three 6-pounders, will not exceed the weight of metal necessary for one 12-pounder.

WEST INDIES.

An article has appeared in the Martinico Gazette of June 1810, describing the wonderful effects of the divine Alconorque, a tree growing on the coast of that island, the wood of which is compact and heavy. This wood has acquired the reputation of being a specific in disorders of the liver, and especially in those of the lungs. Should this be justified by European practice, the cure of those almost incurable disorders, by which so many thousands are annually hurried to the grave, will indeed place it at the head of all earthly vegetables, and fairly en title it to the epithet of divine. The outer bark being taken off, it is used in infusion; a glass of the liquor being taken morning and night with two spoonfuls of honey. Milk, acids, spices, and whatever irritates, must be avoided. A cataplasm cures pains in the side occasioned by abscess in the liver. The recipe is said to be derived from the Indians.

SOUTH AMERICA.

An American paper observes, that there is an error in the European Charts. relative to Cape Frio. It is laid down as being in the latitude of 22. 34. but it is in fact in 23. ; this error ought to be rectified; for by those charts most vessels will lie embayed, it being necessary to make Cape Frio before they can get up to Rio de Janeiro.

W of

gant and useful edition of the Vocal Works of Handel, that we have left ourselves little to say. The present Numbers complete the Oratorio of the Messiah, and commence that of Judas Maccabæus. Dr. Clarke continues to prosecute his laborious, but laudable undertaking, with the same sedulous attention to the convenience of that class of the musical pub lic for whose use the publication was undertaken, and appears determined to derive honour as well from the execution as from the design. The frontispiece to Judas Maccabæus, in the twenty-third

Number, is so appropriate in its compo sition, and so expressive in its engraving, as to do much honour to Mr. Burney and Mr. Taylor; and the music and words. continue to be printed with all the neat

in the preceding Numbers.

"The Mountain Daisy;" a favourite Song, written by Robert Burns. Composed by J. Blewn

itt. Is. 6d.

** La Parade;" a Military Divertisement for the Piano-forte Composed by M. P. "King, *.q. 2s. 6d.

This divertisement, which consists of an introductory adagio, a rondo, and the celebrated march given to the song "Let us take the Road," in the Beggar's Opera, is greatly above mediocrity, and caloulated to sustain Mr. King's reputation as a composer. A facility of conception, and considerable knowledge of effect, is Evident throughout the piece, and the movements are judiciously contrasted. While the sweet blushing Spring," a favourite Duett. The Words written by Fielding; the Music composed by Edward Taylor. Is. 6d. This duett is set a la ballata, in two verses. Finding nothing new or tasteful in the melody, we hoped to be able to commend the combination of the parts, but were here again disappointed. The whole construction is so bad as to have

doubly excited our pity: first, for the misfortune of the poet in falling into such miserable hands; and next, for the composer's ignorance of his own inca pacity.

"The Voice of Spring" a favourite Glee for Four Voices. Composed by W. J. Stepens. 13. 64. We should suppose, from the general construction of this glee, that Mr. W. J. Stevens is a young composer. With juvenile efforts we always wish to be tender, but faults exhibit themselves in the pages before us, that force disapprobation. The melody is feeble and un connected, the fabrication of the harmony betrays ignorance of the secrets of good composition, and the general effect is consequently bad.

Obd Care Armonia! Oh! Dolce Piacere!" Song, by Mozart, with twenty-five Variations for the Piano-forte. Composed and dedicated to Angelica Catalani, by F. Fiorillo. 4s.

These variations, all of which, except the twelfth, thirteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-second, are adapted to the harp as well as the piano-forte, are written with much real taste and fancy, and display considerable knowledge of the powers and characters of both instruments. They are all pleasing, progressively difficult in their execution, and admirably calculated for practice.

"Le Reveil des Graces;” a favourite Pastoral Rondo for the Piano-forte. Composed and dedicated to Miss Fichart, by J. S. Peile. 2s. 6d.

This rondo has considerable claims to our commendation. The general turn of the passages is easy and ingenious, their Connection obvious, and their general

result extremely pleasing. We, however, must object to the affected and awkward distent of some bars of the bass, where difficulty of execution is introduced without any compensating effect. "Farewell, Harp!" an original Canzonet, with Variations for the Piano-forte, or Harp; dedicated to Mrs. Tarlton. of Cleverly House, by Thomas Taylor. 15. 6d.

"Farewell, Harp!" is adapted to the popular Welsh air, "Nos Galon," or "New Year's Night." Mr. Taylor, by the use he has made of this pleasing little specimen of Cambrian melody, has imparted to it considerable interest. It speaks the sense of the words, to which it is here united with force and truth; and the variations are fanciful and attractive.

Air, with Variations for the Piano-forte. Composed by W. A. Mozart. 25.

From the perusal of this air and its variations we have received great pleasure. An elegant flow, and easy smoothness, form the chief characteristics of the melody, and the style in which it is worked upon is worthy of the excellent subject. To practitioners on the instru ment for which it is here adapted, this piece cannot fail to be as useful as gratifying.

"The Foresters;" a favourite Rondo. Composed and arranged for the Piano-forte, by M. Holst. 25.

Much spirit and animation pervades this little piece. Mr. Holst's efforts in this species of composition have often received our approbation, but never better deserved it than in the present in stance. All the movements are happily varied, and relieve each other with admirable effect.

The Eclipse Hornpipe;" arranged as a Ronão for the Piano-forte, by S. Hale," Is. 6d.

This little piece, as an exercise for young practitioners, deserves our recommendation. The passages are not only pleasing, but lay well for the hand, and cannot fail to promote its progress in execution

"Why does my Love ber Linnet mourn?" favourite Song, composed and arranged with an Accompaniment foribe Pianoforte, by Sir J. Stevenson, Mus. Dec. 15.

We find in the melody of this song much genuine taste and truth of expression; and cannot but add that it is no small honour to the talents of Sir John Stevenson, that he should be able, by the force of his own fancy and feeling, to impart any thing like interest to such insipid and senseless words.

MONTHLY

The Lady of the Lake; a Poem by Water Scott, Esq illustrated with Engravings from the Designs of R. Westall, Esq. R. A. Publish. ed by Join Sharpe, Piccadilly.

WALTER Scott may justly Se

called the poet of painters, few modern poets abounding more high-wrought descriptions and interest ing situations. Mr. Westall has availed himself of the popularity of the Lady of the Lake, to make a series of designs similar to those from Marinion; but with an inferior degree of success. There is more of the mannerist in this series, than any other of the works of this master, who is so decided a manner ist, that he need not place his name to any of his works, it being written in legible characters, in every nose, mouth, eye, and foot, of his figures. Mr. Westall bas too long given up the study of nature for the ideal world of his own creation; not so furious indeed as that of Mr. Fuseli, but equally monotonous, and that of a worse description cloying or insipid. The designs appear done in much haste, and not in the best manner of the artist; who can, when he will, produce pictorial loveliness and luxuriousness in all its splendor; as some of his best works, particularly bis Marriage Procession, from one of the compartments of the shield of Achilles, exhibited in his gallery last spring, fully evince. The first print (Ellen in her Boat) is decidedly the best: the attitude is appropriate, the figure charming and lovely, and is the very Ellen of the poet. But candour impels us to say, that, comparing the drawing with the print, the draftsman is under infinite obligations to the engraver, (the younger Heath,) who has produced one of the sweetest prints that has emanated from the burin of modern art. It cannot be spoken of too highly, or admired too much. The other prints, are Eilen and Allan Bane, by Englehart; the Elevation of the Fiery Cross, by Raimbach, a print of great excellence Ellen, Allan Bane, and the Knight of "Snowdon, by Anker Smith; Roderick Dhu discovering Himself and his Ambush, by Noble; and Ellen claiming the Promise given with the Ring, from king James, by Golding, Nor should we forget mentioning with much commendation the beautiful vignette by Pye.

The Sixth Exhibition of the Works of British Artists, placed in the Gallery of the British Institution, Pall Mall, for Exhibition and Sale, 1811.

The British Institution has removed que great cause of lamentation, which every admirer and practiser of art in England most feelingly deplored, (the waut of a good school of colouring) by opening their gallery during the sum-, mer and autumn to British students, in which they are permitted to study some of the finest specimens of painting which can be obtained from the most magnificent collections in this country; and their patriotic wishes of seeing a new school of historic painting, rising within the walls of their institute, is certainly fast approaching to a consum mation. Among the advantages arising to the country from proper encourage ment to the arts generally, and from the British Institution particularly, (although they feelingly admit that it is not suitable to the wealth, the power, and the dominion, of the United Kingdom,) may be enunierated, that our artists are not now entirely confined to portraiture that to portraiture is given a poetic cha racter; that they can study the best of the old masters without difficulty; that a good school of colouring, (additional to the one of drawing in the Royal Aca demy,) is annually opened for them; that they are encouraged by premiums to a laudable emulation, and have a constant mart for the sale of works of merit. This society is happily on the advance, although the government, (to its disgrace be it spoken,) have refused the trifling boon solicited by them; and gratified are we in a high degree to see the names of every member of the Royal family, male and female, among the names of the governors of an institution, which, as they inform us in their introduction to the present catalogue, has for its object a just appreciation of the Fine Arts, not merely as sources of revenue, or as means of civil rehnement, but have been revered and ho noured for a nobler and more useful pura pose. When directed to intellectual and national objects, and whilst their character is neither degraded by vulgar subjects, nor sullied by licentious images, they are calculated to raise the standard of morality and patriotism; to attract

the

1st. For the best picture in historical or poetical composition, 300 guineas. 2d. For the next best picture in bistorical or poetical composition, 200 gui, neas, 3d. For the next best picture in historical or poetical composition, 100 guineas. For farther information, the reader is referred to the proposals at full, in the Institution.

On Monday, the 18th, Mr. Flaxman began a course of lectures on Sculpture, in the Royal Academy; and on the Thursday following, Mr. Fuseli began his course on Painting, in the same place, and both will continue them on Mondays and Thursdays, till completed.

They will be noticed more at length in our next; as will the third Number of "The Fine Arts of the English School," which is just published.

The two Hunting Prints, of the Fox. breaking Cover, and the Death of the Fox, from the celebrated original paint, ings by S. Gilpin, R.A. and P. Rein agle, A.R.A.. will speedily make their appearance. They have been six years in the hands of Mr. Scott, the engraver, and are calculated to meet the expec tation of the public, and gratify the taste and judgment of all true sports men, as well as the amateurs of the fine arts in general.

and pre

HEUMATISMS, coughs, and catarrhal fevers, have been so prevalent, that it would seem an oversight not to notice a fact so remarkable. At the same time nothing has occurred relative to these complaints, at least within the experience of the Reporter; which from its novelty, singularity, or importance, could excite interest, or af ford matter of instruction. It may how ever be not unworthy of remark, that in the above-mentioned cases of morbid affection, it is evident that we cannot, like our more robust and plethoric ancestors, bear with impunity, or even without a certain degree of risk, what is called the liberal, but what might more strictly be regarded as the licentious, application of the lancet.

Of the diseases of the desk, which the Reporter has noticed more than once before, he has recently met with several striking instances, in which there was a fixed pain in the chest, arising from the habitually-constrained posture of it. This pain is generally attended with at least an occasional difficulty of breathing, and most frequently with a cough, unaccompanied by expectoration. In countinghouses, those commercial cloisters, the seeds of disease are often sown at a very early age, which seldom fail, in the autumn of life, to produce an abundant harvest. The late Dr. George Fordyce used to say, in his Lectures, that avarice occasioned more disease than all the other vices put together. In this remark the lecturer was certainly seduced, by his hatred to avarice, to advance a doctrine unwarranted by experience. It is

at least as distant from truth as the very different opinion of the celebrated Dr. Johnson, who asserted that a man was seldom so innocently employed, as when occupied in the getting of money. There are certain exceptions; but avarice will perhaps upon the whole be found, in the ordinary career of its gratification, to interfere less essentially with our bodily well-being, than any of the other passions, which are either acquired by habit, or are implanted in our nature.

A passion much more baneful to health is an hypochondriacal excess of solici tude about it. A person who is always feeling his pulse, can never have a good one. In like manner, one who is in constant apprehension of sickness, labours under a heavier malady than any which he fears. A man cannot take too much care of his health, but he may think too much about it. Ile should lay down certain rules of living, which are ascer tained to be generally salutary, or which he has found adapted to his particular constitution, and should never deviate from them, except perhaps upon some extraordinary occasion. But these rales, although they should be the guides of his conduct, need not therefore be the subjects of his perpetual, or even frequent, meditation. Lord Chesterfield somewhere observes, that a gentleman will always make a point of being welldressed, but will never think of his dress after it has been once adjusted. In like manner, a wise man, after having once adjusted his habits of life in a manner best adapted to promote the permanent enjoyment of it, will cease to feel any

other