covery." In a letter, however, to John of Paris, Bacon is more explicit: he says, "In omnem distantiam quam volumus, possumus artificialiter componere ignem comburentem ex sale petræ et aliis, viz. sulphure et carbonum pulvere. Præter hanc (scilicet combustionem) sunt alia stupenda, nam soni velut tonitrus et coruscationes fieri possunt in aere, immo majore horrore quam illa quæ fiant per naturam."

Statue of Memnon.-This grand wreck which has lain for so many centuries amidst the ruins of the palace destroyed by Cambyses, is about to be deposited in the British Museum. It is a colossal bust, of a single block of granite, ten feet in height from the breast to the top of the head, and twelve tons in weight. Various travellers had adopted the design of transporting it to Europe, and renounced it only from not conceiving the means of effecting it. The great difficulty was in moving such a mass for the space of two miles, until its arrival at the Nile, whereby alone it could be conveyed to Alexandria. M. Belzoni, who was charged by the British Government to make collections in Egypt, has succeeded in effecting it, without the aid of any machine, simply by the manual assistance of a number of Arabs. It was the work of six months. He has also obtained numerous other relics, and made various discoveries of great interest to classical and antiquarian literature.

Character of England.-M. de Beroldingen, of Hanover, who proposed in 1814 a prize of twelve golden Fredericks for the best Latin Ode on the "Generosity of the English Nation," and on "England under the Character of the tutelary Genius of Germany," has received forty-three odes, of which two have been judged worthy of the prize. One of them is by Professor Messerschmid of Altenburg; the other is by Professor Wagner of Lunenburgh. The prize has, therefore, been divided be

tween them, and each professor has received six golden Fredericks. These two odes, with seven others declared worthy of the accessit, will be printed under the direction of M.de Beroldingen, at London.

Temperature of the Ocean, &c.-A number of experiments have been lately made by Mr. John Davy, during a voyage to Ceylon, which appear to lead to the conclusions that the ocean, like the atmosphere, is nearly of the same specific gravity throughout; that the slight variations in this respect do not regularly conform to the difference of temperature; that the maximum of the temperature of the air at sea is precisely at noon, and its minimum at sun-rise; and that the variation of the temperature of the air on any given day, is perfectly regular, corresponding with the altitude of the sun, except as far as interrupted by partial causes;-that the diurnal change of the temperature of the sea is very nearly as great as that of the incumbent atmosphere; and, lastly, that the temperature of the sea uniformly decreases, as has been often observed, in shallows, thus furnishing a useful indication to the mariner of his approach towards land.

Asiatic Musical Journal.-The Musical Journal of Leipsic announces, what may be considered a literary curiosity—“An Asiatic Musical Journal,” published at Astrakan!-The work will contain, according to the prospectus; a collection of romances, songs, airs, and national dances, Armenian, Persian, Indian, Kirguise,Tartarian, Georgian, Calmuck, Chinese, Bukharian, Circassian, Kabardian, Cossack, Nogai, Lesguise, &c. &c.; all which will be published in full score, and at the same time accommodated to the piano forte. It is intended to appear in monthly numbers, which will be regularly sent to St. Petersburgh. Twenty rubles is the yearly sub. scription.

THEOLOGY.

Sermons and Lectures; by Alexander Brunton, D.D. of Edinburgh. 8vo. 12s. Twenty-five Sermons, in which the Doctrines and Duties of Christianity are illustrated, by References or Allusions to recent Characters and Transactions. 2 vols. 8vo. 15s.

Sermons on the Nature, Offices, and Character of Jesus Christ; by the Rev. J. Bowdler. 8vo. 14s.

Principles of Christian Evidence illustrated by an Examination of Arguments subversive of Natural Theology, and the Internal Evidence of Christianity, advanced by Dr. T. Chalmers, in his Evi

dence and Authority of the Christian Revelation; by Duncan Mearnes, D.D. 12mo. 5s.

The Plain Bible, and the Protestant Church in England: with Reflections on some important Subjects of existing Religious Controversy; by the. Rev W. L. Bowles. 8vo. 4s. 6d.

An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures; by Thomas Hartwell Horne, A.M., illus. trated with Maps and Fac-similes of Biblical Manuscripts. 3 vols. 8vo. 21. 2s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Nuga Modernæ: Morning Thoughts and Midnight Musings; in Prose and Verse; by T. Park. 7s.

Journey through Asia Minor, Armenia, and Koordistan, in the Years 1813 and 1814; by John Macdonald Kenneir. 8vo. 18s.

Letters of a Prussian Traveller, descriptive of a Tour through Austria, Sweden, &c. &c.; by John Bransen. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s.

Observations made during a Tour in the Netherlands in 1915 and 1817; by H. Smithers. 8vo. 7s.

La Scava, or some Account of an Excavation of a Roman Town on the Hill of Chatale, in Champagne, between St. Dinier and Joinville, discovered in the Year 1772: to which is added, a Journey to the Simplon, by Lausanne; and to Mont Blanc, through Geneva; by the Author of " Letters from Paris, in 1791, 1792," &c. 8vo. 6s.

A Catalogue of Books and Tracts, printed at the private Press of George Allan, Esq. F.S.A. royal 8vo. 5s.

Memoirs of Richard Morris, late Pastor of the Baptist Church, Amersham, Bucks; compiled by B. Godwin, Great Missenden. 12mo. 2s. 6d.

Authentic Memoirs of Lucien Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, in French and English; embellished with a Likeness. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s.

Recollections of Curran and some of his Contemporaries; by Charles Phillips, Esq. 8vo. 12s. with a Portrait.

An Account of the Life, Writings, and Character of the late Dr. Alexander Monro. 1s. 6d.

A Picturesque Tour of Italy; by James Hakewell, Architect. Engraved by G. Cooke, J. Pye, Landseer, Middiman, Fittler, Scott, Milton, &c. Small paper, 12s. 6d.; large paper, 18s.; proofs on India paper, 30s.

The History and Antiquities of the Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westmin. ster; by Edward Wedlake Brayley.

The History of Greece, vol. 5; by Wm. Mitford, Esq. 4to. 21. 28.

A Practical Treatise on the Law of Tithes; by John Mirehouse, Esq. Barrister at Law. 10s. 6d.

A Review of the Poor Laws. 2s. A Letter to the Hon. and Right Rev. Henry Ryder, D.D., Lord Bishop of Gloucester; by the Rev. Richard Warner, of Bath. To which is added, a Biographical Sketch of the late Archibald Maclaine, D.D, with Notes and Anecdotes. The second edition. 38.

Strictures on the Uses and Defects of Parish Registers and Bills of Mortality; by G. M. Burrows, M.D. F.L.S. 8vo. 3s.

On conducting Air by forced Ventilation, and regulating the Temperature in Dwellings; by the Marquis de Cha

bannes. 8vo. 6s.

Letters of William Thompson, lately deceased (a Member of the Society of Friends), with a Sketch of his Life. 1s. 6d.

An Essay on Spanish Literature; containing its History, from the Commencement, in the Twelfth Century, to the present Time. 12mo. 5s.

Select Letters, Literary and Moral, from the Correspondence of the late Thomas Eagles, Esq of Bristol, with a Preface. 4s.

An Answer to the Charge against the English Universities, contained in the Supplement to the Edinburgh Encyclopedia; by J. Kidd, M.D. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

A View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages; by Henry Hallam, Esq. 2 vols. 4to. 31. 3s.

Collectanea Cliffordiana. 8vo. 8s.

Is it possible to Free the Atmosphere of London, in a very considerable Degree, from the Smoke and Deleterious Vapours with which it is hourly impregnated? 6d.

Poems, Latin, Greek, and English; to which are added, an Historical Enquiry and Essay upon the Administration and Government in England during the King's Minority; by N. Hardinge, Esq. M.A. Collected and revised, by George Hardinge, M.A. &c. 8vo. 14s.

SOCIETY FOR THE IMPROVE MENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF FEMALE SERVANTS. Ir appears, from the fourth Report of this Society, that during the past year the receipts amounted to 6717. 19s. 1d.; and that 1391 servants have been registered as wanting situations, and 597 situations requiring servants have been entered on the books, 433 of which have been supplied. Eighty-four Bibles and two Testaments have been distributed as gratuities to servants who have completed one year's service with subscribers; as also 5852 copies of two useful tracts, entitled, "Friendly Hints," and "Maxims of Prudence." The Committee relate several pleasing instances of the beneficial influence of the society. The exertions of such an institution appear particularly valuable, on account of the attempts made in London, by interested and artful persons, to corrupt, in every possible way, even servants of unblemished character. Facilities for the disposal of stolen property are every where accessible; and not a few of the ordinary registry-offices themselves are employed for the most nefarious purposes, particularly that of recommending young women to services in which their morals and happiness must almost inevitably be ruined. Under these circumstances, the Committee greatly lament the very short warnings with which, from momentary irritation, even servants of respectable character are too often dismissed;—a procedure which, however merited, is usually attended with great injury to the party concerned, and may open a door to all the temptations to which we have alluded, and which are ever ready to lay hold upon the defenceless and unemployed. We were pleased to perceive, that a good copy of the sacred Scriptures is always the primary reward of the society for acceptable service.

LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS.

The Annual Report of this society will speedily enable us to lay before our readers its operations during the last year. In the mean time, we feel much

pleasure in communicating a few facts, which have been just presented to the public in a pamphlet entitled "A Letter addressed to the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St. David's, Joint Patron of the Society; by the Rev. Lewis Way, M. A. of Stanstead Park, Sussex, late Fellow of Merton College, Oxford." After alluding to some of the difficulties with which the society has had to contend, and pointing out the greatly improved—indeed, we may say the newly organised-constitution and regulations under which it at present exists; Mr. Way proceeds to the immediate narrative of his journey. The following remarks on the British Episcopal chapels on the continent contain both painful and pleasing intelligence.

"These sanctuaries, which have been formed from time to time by the cir cumstances of our alliance with foreign powers, the extension of our commerce, or the zeal of our countrymen, are in some places in a state of decay or neglect which calls loudly for some new regulation and inquiry. Some are destroyed by the ravages of war, or oc cupied as depositories for its implements; others are deserted by their ministers; and all, if re-established and duly regulated, would become a blessing of no common magnitude, not only to their immediate objects, but to the general purpose of advancing the kingdom of the Redeemer*. While our excellent Establishment and scriptural formularies are neglected, and even censured, by many who ought from every tie of duty and gratitude to uphold and defend them, at home; they are honoured and respected abroad to an extent which none but eye and ear witnesses can conceive. As far as my observation has extended, from Holland to Russia, I am sure the successors of Wickliffe will lose nothing by comparison with the

"The chapel at Hamburgh is filled with military stores, &c,; that at Amsterdam has been without service for six or seven years; (there is no service at Berlin, but a private one in the house of the Envoy); that of Memel is deserted; that of Moscow is burnt, and one is much wanted at Riga, &c. &c."

modern disciples of Witsius, or Luther, or of the patriarchs of the Eastern Church; and in the present form of the Jewish Society these places open a wide door for the exercise of a ministry among the continental Israelites, without interfering with obligations of a local nature, without any infringement of the regular discipline of the church, or the expense of exclusive establishments." After visiting all the synagogues and conversing with most of the chief Rabbi, from Rotterdam to Moscow, Mr. Way is deliberately of opinion that there is "a great commotion among the descendants of Abraham," and that a more general wish is prevalent than ever before existed, to inquire into the nature and evidences of Christianity. The attempt made to revive the Jewish sanhedrim in France, for secular purposes; the almost simultaneous efforts of a more religious kind in England, Hol. land, and Russia; the increased privileges of the Jews in Prussia and other states; their advances in morals, literature, and the arts, in Germany and elsewhere; with the fact that many of them have been baptized into the Christian faith from real conviction, and still more from worldly motives; and the scarcely less important circumstance that an attention to the education of their youth, and a rejection of Talmudical fables for more manly and philosophical researches, have become much more general than formerly among the Jewish nation; are adduced by Mr. Way among the favourable auspices for promoting their spiritual improvement.

The state of the Jews is not wholly disregarded in Holland. At Rotter dam, there is a Missionary Society, which had appointed a special commission to inquire into the state of the Jews in Holland ; and a voluminous report was in consequence drawn up on the subject some time since, by Dr. Scharpe, a respectable senior of the Dutch Church, and a relation of the late venerable Granville Sharpe. A hundred Israelitish families at Amsterdam are predisposed to make a profession of Christianity, which they teach secretly in their families. At the University of Deventer, Mr. Way had an opportunity of ascertaining, by means of an amicable intercourse with the Professor of Hebrew, who had advertised a course of lectures, that Hebrew literature is not wholly neglected in the Dutch Universities.

At Hanover, a number of Jews in the higher classes have lately been baptized, but, it is feared, solely with a view to obtain civil privileges and admission into Christian society. Mr. Way, here, as in most other places, obtained introductions, which promise to be of service to the future efforts of the Society.

In Prussia, the state of Jewish society exhibits an appearance altoge ther dissimilar to that in any other country. The Rabbinical system bas almost disappeared, and the commercial body is composed of men of more education and liberality of sentiment than the ordinary class of Jewish traders. The origin of this distinction is traced to the writings of Moses Mendelsohn, who passed his life at Berlin, and rose to a higher degree of literary fame and personal distinction than any of his countrymen since Abarbanel and Maimon.

His numerous followers acknowledge Jesus Christ as a prophet, and even a greater than Moses. They are evidently sceptics, and have raised a considerable party under the name of "Reformed Jews." In their synagogue, which is very splendid, parts only of the service are read in Hebrew, the singing and preaching being in German. This innovating sect is said to be attempting to make proselytes in other countries. "I conversed," observes Mr. Way, "in one day with four Jews of this description: one was a student of theology in the university; the second, a magnetizing physician; the third, a student in philosophy, moral and natural; and the fourth, a merchant, who had more sense than the other three. Their opinions taken together might build a little Babel, but would not square with one stone of the true Jerusalem. Not one had any knowledge of sin or its imputation: all conceived religion to lie within the compass of reason and human power, and justification to be by works of man alone. The philosopher quoted from Hesiod, 'Les dieux ont mis aux portis de la Sagesse la Sueur,'-and he thought to climb heaven by labour, and that Pelion well placed on Ossa would give him sufficient elevation. The physician thought he could bring down the heavenly spark of faith by the friction and vibration of his wand of steel, and impregnate the waters of a tumbler with the powers of life. The merchant thought himself the only righteous man in Berlin, because he never asked more for his

goods than he intended to take. His words and motto were, Gardez ce qui est droit, faites ce qui est juste, aimez les hommes-c'est la religion.' The theologian seemed never to have heard of Adam or the Fall, nor had he any notion of the necessity of an atonement. He considered sacrifice, not as typical, but as temporary, and salvation wholly within the powers of man in his present state. How would the great Apostle have exhorted them all, that with one accord they should turn from these lying vanities to the service of the living God!"

Many young Jewish students in the university came to Mr. Way, acknowledging that they were not satisfied with the religious instruction of the schools; and some of them, young men of real talent and research, appear capable of being rescued from the errors of their system, provided judicious means could be adopted for the purpose. The Hebrew Testaments and Tracts distributed by Mr. Way were received with thankfulness; and both from his own personal interviews, and from a subsequent communication received from the Hon. George Rose, his Britannic Majesty's Envoy at Berlin, our author had reason to suppose that considerable and permanent impression had been made upon several members of the families which he visited in that place. Among other benevolent attentions, Mr. Way left several copies of the Hebrew New Testament to the care of the Rev. Mr. Cassius, a Lutheran minister, whom he had met at the palace of the Princess Louisa, sister to the Duchess of York. The Princess informed him that these Testaments, notwithstanding the opposition of the Rabbi, had made great impression; that Jews were constantly going in and out from the house of Mr. Cassius to obtain copies, and were seen in the streets in groups perusing them with much apparent devotion and interest. Mr. Way afterwards received a communication from John Parkinson, Esq. his Majesty's Consulat Konigsberg, stating that at that place also the Jews were much struck with the object of the mission, and that some of the leaders among them wanted but a slight impulse to propel them in the path of truth.

In Russia, especially from his Imperial Majesty and Prince Galitzin, we need hardly say, that Mr. Way and his fellow-travellers received not only the most favourable reception, but the

most cordial concurrence. The importance of this circumstance, in an empire containing not less than two millions of Jews, who are thus rendered accessible to the operations of the Society, can scarcely be too highly estimated. Mr. Way not unjustly observes, "I need not remind your Lordship how often it has pleased the Almighty to make an imperial decree the turning point of several past dispensations towards his church and people. The days of Cyrus, Artaxerxes, Augustus, Justinian, and Constantine, will arise in successive recollection; and as we are instructed to seek for the future things in the former, by Him who is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever,' it is surely no presumption to hope that the heart of Alexander has not been stirred up in vain to make this 'proclamation throughout all his kingdom.""

The principal part of the remainder of Mr. Way's letter relates to the imperial edicts for establishing a colony of converted Jews in the Russian dominions. (Vid. Christ. Observ. for 1817, p. 342). The importance of this object, both as bestowing on the converted Jew a peaceful asylum from the persecution of his brethren, and affording him the means of honest employment in his new character, seems very considerable; and every arrangement appears to have been made for rendering the enlightened design of the Emperor as useful and feasible as it is doubtless humane and munificent.

NATIONAL EDUCATION

SOCIETY.