brary at Paris contains a great number of Chinese books, respecting the contents of which there existed no information printed or written, appointed M. Abel Remusat to draw up a list of them. The result is, that, exclusively of 329 works comprised in Fourmont's catalogue, made in 1742, the library possesses 175 works, forming about 2000 volumes. Among these are 280 volumes, being a portion of a great collection published by one of the last Mantchon emperors; and consisting of a History of the Chinese Characters and Writing, or rather of the Literature and Rhetoric of that people, in 80 volumes; a History of Music, in 70 volumes; a Description of all the Foreign Countries known to the Chinese, also in 70 volumes; and 60 volumes on the Sects which believe in Spirits and Prodigies. Here, too, is a Description of China, in 260 enormous volumes, with maps and plans, infinitely more complete than any that we possess respecting the most known countries of Europe. Among the historical works are some of considerable importance, such as the Li-taï-ki-sse, an excellent chronological account in the style of Henault's Abridgment, or Lesage's Atlas, but much more erudite and regular, in 100 volumes; a manuscript History of Japan, in 60 volumes; a Chinese and a Japanese Encyclopædia, containing figures of all such objects as can be represented. Of these works, M. Remusat has undertaken the task of drawing up a general Catalogue raisonné, which is to include those comprehended in Fourmont's performance. He will state the titles, translate them, frequently comment upon them, and add such information as can be gleaned concerning their authors or editors, and all other particulars stated in the prefaces. He will carefully mark the divisions and subdivisions, especially of the great collections; and give a succinct but accurate analysis of the contents of each part. A catalogue of this kind is rendered the more desirable, as Fourmont's, which, as we have seen, embraces only a part of the collection, has many inaccuracies and omissions. M. Grosier, to whom Europe is greatly indebted for its knowledge of the Chinese empire, has undertaken a new edition of his General Description of China, which originally appeared in 1785 in a 4to volume. This new edition, which will be the third, will extend to seven 8vo volumes, and comprehend all the information obtained during the last thirty years respecting the country and its inhabitants. Experiments on distilled sea-water have been tried at Brest, Toulon, and Rochefort, by giving it as drink to the galleyslaves, and using it in cooking their victuals. The result of these experiments is, that distilled sea-water may be used as a necessary of life for a month, and even for a longer time; and that it may be of great assistance in long voyages and journeys of discovery. M. Humboldt has lately published, at Paris, a work on the geographical description of plants, according to the temperature, latitude, elevation of the soil, &c. He offers some interesting views with regard to vegetable forms. On comparing, in each country, the number of plants of certain well-determined families with the whole number of vegetables, he discovers numerical ratios of a striking regularity. Certain forms become more common as we advance towards the pole, while others augment towards the equator. Others attain their maximum in the temperate zones, and diminish equally by too much heat and too much cold; and, what is remarkable, this distribution remains the same round the globe, following not the geographical parallels, but those which Humboldt calls isothermic; that is, lines of the same mean temperature. These laws are so constant, that, if we know in a country the number of species of one of the families, we may nearly conclude from it the total number of plants, and that of the species of each of the other families. GERMANY. Baron von Sack, whose voyage to Surinam was printed in London some years since, is about to make a scientific tour in Egypt, accompanied by Mr William Muller, whom the Academy of Berlin has charged with various commissions for that country. The Royal Society of Göttingen has offered a prize of 50 ducats for "An accurate Examination, founded on precise experiments, of Dalton's Theory of the expansion of liquid and elastic fluids, and especially of mercury and atmospheric air by heat." The authors are desired to pay attention to the necessity alleged by Dalton for changing the progressions of the degrees of the present thermometrical scales. Memoirs must be transmitted before the end of September 1819. WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. THE REV. C. J. Latrobe is preparing a Narrative of his late Tour in South Africa, together with some Account of the State of the Missions of the United Brethren in that interesting country. The work will be comprised in one quarto volume, embellished with coloured engravings. Dr Busby has far advanced in the preparation of a New Grammar of Music, divided into two principal sections; the first elucidative of the musical arcana, as regarding Melody; the second explanatory of those of Harmony. The work comprises the whole compass of the science, and is meant to be no less accommodated to the convenience of masters, than to the improvement of pupils. Letters written during a Tour through Ireland, by John Christian Curwen, Esq. are preparing for publication in two 8vo volumes. The learned and Rev. Stephen Weston has in the press an 8vo volume, entitled, La Scava, or some account of an Excavation of a Roman Town on the Hill of Chatele, in Champagne, discovered in 1772; with the addition of a Journey to the Simplon, by Lausanne, and to Mont Blanc through Geneva. Mr Nicholas Carlisle, the laborious author of the Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, is preparing for publication, in two 8vo volumes, a Description of the Endowed Grammar Schools in England and Wales. The third volume of Mr John Nichols' Illustrations of Literary History, including Memoirs of George Hardinge, Esq. will appear in March. M. Semonin, teacher of the French language at Worcester, will shortly commence a quarterly French publication, to be entitled, Le Portefeuille François, ou Melange anecdotique, dramatique, et litteraire. The number printed will be limited to that subscribed for. A periodical paper is about to be commenced with the title of The Anti-Methodist. Mr Prince Hoare is engaged on a life of the late illustrious patriot and philanthropist, Granville Sharpe,-a man whose deeds deserve to be recorded as examples to good men of all ages and countries. A work on Pompeii has been announced, in eight parts, from original drawings taken on the spot in 1817, by George Townley, Esq. accompanied with plans and elevations, and a map of the Campania Felici. The plates of the views to be etched and VOL. II. engraved in the mezzotinto, of the size of Claude's Liber Veritatis. J. W. Lake, Esq. is preparing a volume of poetry. Mr Robert M William, architect, has in the press an Essay on the Origin and Operation of the Dry-Rot; in which the source of the disease is investigated, with a view to establish the modes of prevention and cure on rational principles. It will make a quarto volume, illustrated with plates; and to it will be annexed suggestions on the cultivation of forest trees, with abstracts of the forest laws from the earliest times. Mr Jasper Ricard, surgeon, of Bath, will shortly publish, Commentaries on the Principle of those Affections which produce speedy Death, during or immediately after Child-birth; illustrated by a variety of cases and dissections. Zelix Albarez, or Manners in Spain; interspersed with poetry, by Alex. R. C. Dallas, Esq. is printing in three volumes. Mr C. U. Rördansz is about to publish the Mercantile Guide; being an account of the trade of the principal commercial places on the Continent of Europe; of their monies, exchanges, weights and measures, charges, duties, &c.; in one volume, octavo. The important fact of the practicability of curing cancer seems fully established, by the recent discovery of the treatment by pressure. Further reports (by the author, Mr Samuel Young) are in the press. Vol. II. of the Annual Biography for 1818, will appear in the course of the ensuing month. The biographies of the late Messrs Ponsonby, Horner, Curran, Glenie, Eyles, Irwin, Admiral Duckworth, Sir Herbert Croft, Doctors Disney and Thomson, the Dukes of Marlborough and Northumberland, &c. are detailed at full length, from original sources of information. A Poem, written by the Hon. Henry Erskine, in 1770, is to be now published for the first time; together with many other original documents. In the press, and speedily will appear, Llewellen; or the Vale of Plinlimmon: a novel. In 3 vols. (Edinburgh.) In two volumes foolscap octavo, a new edition of Dr Granger's West Indian Georgic, the Sugar Cane, and an Index of the Linnæan names of Plants, &c. with other Poems, now first printed from the originals, communicated to the Editor by the late Bishop Percy; and an Account of the Author's Life and Writings, by Robert Anderson, M. D. Y MONTHLY LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ANTIQUITIES. A Collection of the several Points of Sessions' Law, alphabetically arranged; contained in the works of Burn and Williams on the Office of a Justice, Blackstone's Commentaries, East and Hawkins on Crown Law, Addington's Penal Statutes, and Const and Nolan on the Poor Laws; designed to assist Magistrates to refer to these several Authorities; to supply the Clergy with Professional Information; and to enable Vestries to transact the business of their respective Parishes. The Statutes continued to 57 of Geo. III. 1817, inclusive; by the Rev. Samuel Clapham, M. A. Vicar of Christchurch, &c. and one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the county of Hants. 2 vols. 8vo. L. 1, 8s. An Argument for construing largely the Right of an Appellee to insist on Trial by Battle; and also for enabling him to plead his former Acquittal in abatement of an Appeal of Felony; by E. A. Kendall, Esq. 8vo. 1s. A Collection of Statutes connected with the general Administration of the Law, ar ranged according to the Order, of the Subjects, with Notes; by William David Evans, Esq. Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster. 8 vols. 8vo. L. 8. MATHEMATICS. The Gentleman's Annual Mathematical Companion. No. XXI. 1818. 2s. 6d. Outlines of a Theory of Algebraical Equations, deduced from the Principles of Harriott, and extended to the Fluxional or Differential Calculus. By William Spence. 8vo. 14s. The Principles of Mechanics; in three Lectures; designed as an Introduction to this Branch of the Mathematics; by William Shires. 8vo. 3s. MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, published by the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London. Vol. VIII. Part II. 10s. 6d. An Essay on the Disorders of Old Age, and on the Means of prolonging Human Life. By Anthony Carlisle, F. R. S. 8vo. Mr Forster on Pestilential Fever. Dr Veitch on the Non-contagious Nature of Yellow Fever. 8vo. An Essay on Scarlet Fever, Measles, and Consumption; by Dr Armstrong. Medical Statement of the case of the late E. Van Embden, No. II. 3s. Gd. MISCELLANEOUS. The Pamphleteer. No. XXI. 6s. 6d. The Clerical Guide, or Ecclesiastical Directory: containing a Complete Register of the Prelates and other Dignitaries of the Church; a List of all the Benefices in England and Wales, arranged alphabetically in their several Counties, Dioceses, Archdeaconries, &c.; the names of their respective incumbents; the Population of the Parishes; Value of the Livings; Names of the Patrons, &c. &c. And an Appendix, containing alphabetical Lists of those Benefices which are in the Patronage of the Crown, the Bishops, Deans, and Chapters, and other public Bodies. royal 8vo. L. 1. A new Translation of the Satires of Persius, with life and notes; by W. Gifford. 2 vols. 8vo. L. 1, Is. Duthnevin, or, the Visit to Paris; by a Lady sometime resident in France. Letters from the Hon. Horace Walpole to George Montagu, Esq. from 1736 to 1770, now first published from originals in possession of the editor. Royal 4to. A Cruise; or, Three Months on the Continent. By a Naval Officer; embellished with coloured engravings. 8vo. 8s. NOVELS, TALES, &c. The History of Julius Fitz-John. 3 vols. L. 1, 1s. The Actress of the Present Day. 3 vols. 18s. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. 3 vols. 16s. 6d. Tales of my Landlady; edited by Peregrine Puzzlebrain, Esq. 3 vols. 12mo. Sir James the Rose: a Border Story. 12mo. Northern Irish Tales, founded on facts. 2 vols. POETRY. The Odes of Anacreon; translated into Latin verse. By the Rev. W. J. Aislabie. The Dragon Knight. By Sir James Bland Burges, Bart. 8vo. The Collected Works of Lord Byron Vol. VI. containing the Prisoner of Chillon, The Dream, Darkness, Manfred, and the Lament of Tasso. sm. 8vo. 7s. Rhododaphne, or, the Thessalian Spell; poem. foolscap 8vo. Pains of Hope; a poem. 8vo. 4s. Foliage, or Poems, original and translated; by Leigh Hunt. Revolt of Islam: a Poem, in twelve cantos; by P. B. Shelley. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Alastor, or, the Spirit of Solitude; by the same. 5s. POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY. Observations on the Impolicy, Abuses, and False Interpretation of the Poor Laws; and on the Reports of the two Houses of Parliament. By John Lord Sheffield. 2s. Gd. Observations on the Impolicy of permitting the Exportation of British Wool, and of preventing the free Importation of Foreign Wool. By John Maitland, Esq. M. P. 8vo. 3s. A Letter to the Common Council and Livery of London, on the Abuses existing in Newgate; by the Hon. H. G. Bennet. TOPOGRAPHY. The History and Antiquities of Croydon, comprising a general and descriptive Account of the Town, its Hamlets, and Manors, from the earliest authentic Records to the present Time. By the Rev. D. W. Garrow. 8vo. 14s. VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. Observations, Moral, Literary, and Antiquarian, made during a Tour through the whole of the Pyrennees, France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands, in 1814 and 1815. By John Milford, jun. 2 vols. 8vo. L. 1, Is. Notes on a Journey from Virginia to the Illinois; by Morris Birkbeck, Esq. 5s. EDINBURGH. An Essay to improve the Method of performing certain Surgical Operations, and provide Instruments for the purpose; particularly the operation of the trepan; of Το tooth-drawing; of extracting foreign substances sticking in the oesophagus; of removing the ends of diseased or fractured bones; and of the fistula in ano. which is added, some Forms of Bandages, chiefly for Fractures. By William Jardine, Surgeon of the Royal Navy. 8vo. Price 8s. An Inquiry into the General State of the Profession of Physic, and of the several Departments of which it is composed; including a brief Review of its Origin, Progress, and Present Condition, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: being an Attempt to develope the Fundamental Principles which should guide the Legislature in regulating the Profession. 8vo, sewed. Is. The Doctrine of Christian Charity applied to the case of Religious Difference: a Sermon preached before the Auxiliary Society, Glasgow, to the Hibernian Society, for establishing Schools, and circulating the Holy Scriptures in Ireland. By Thomas Chalmers, D. D. Price 2s. 6d. The Edinburgh Encyclopædia, or Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature; conducted by David Brewster, LL. D. Vol. XII. Part I. Price L. 1, 1s. bds. The Trial of Andrew M'Kinley before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on the 18th day of July 1817, for administering Unlawful Oaths. Price 2s. 6d. Observations on Phagedæna Gangrae, nosa, in two parts. I. The History and Cure of the Disease, deduced from Observations and Experience, and containing a simple and effectual Mode of Treatment. II. An Investigation into the History of the Disease, as it is to be found in the Writings of various ancient and modern Authors. By H. Home Blackadder, Surgeon. 8vo. 6s. The Farmer's Magazine, No. LXXIII. Price 3s. The Edinburgh Observer, or Town and Country Magazine. Price 1s. 6d. To be continued monthly. The Elements of Singing. Written for the Edinburgh Institution for the Encouragement of Sacred Music, by G. F. Graham, Esq. Price 2s. Albyn's Anthology; or a Select Collection of the Melodies and Vocal Poetry peculiar to Scotland and the Isles, hitherto unpublished. Volume Second. Collected and arranged by Alexander Campbell. The modern Scottish and English Verses adapted to the Highland, Hebridean, and Lowland Melodies; written by Walter Scott, Esq. and other living Poets of the first eminence. L. 1, 1s. Transactions of the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland. Vol. II. Part I. 4to L. 2,2s. MONTHLY REGISTER. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. EUROPE. FRANCE. The only article of political importance, received by the Paris papers, is the account of the fate of the law project regarding the press. After having passed the Chamber of Deputies, and undergone repeated discussion in that of the Peers, it was rejected on the 23d ult. by a majority of 102 to 59. The Peers had, on the preceding day, agreed to an amendment made on the law by the Deputies, to the effect that the deposit of a work should not be considered a publication, so as to subject the author to a prosecution; and it appears from the divisions, that many Peers who actually voted for this amendment, had afterwards determined to reject the law altogether. ITALY.-The Emperor of Austria has taken away the Vice-royalty of the kingdom of Lombardy from his brother, the Archduke Anthony, and given it to another brother, the Archduke Rainier, with out any other explanation, than that particular reasons have lately arisen to make him alter his choice. GERMANY, &c.-The opposition paper of Weimar, which was suspended in November last, on a complaint by the Austrian envoy, has again appeared; but has been compelled, in its first number, to insert a declaration of its offences, and a promise of future good behaviour. The editors have been changed, and the expression formerly printed at the head of the paper, "with Grand Ducal privilege," is to be in future omitted, for fear, it is said, of misunderstanding. Letters from Koningsberg, Dantzic, and Pillau, give terrible accounts of the fury of the late storm, and of the destructive ravages it has caused in the country; tearing up trees by the roots, throwing down buildings, unroofing houses, and particularly damaging all lofty buildings, such as churches. At Dantzic the sea rose to 10 feet above the usual level, and fell again so rapidly, that several vessels of 60 lasts burthen were left on dry ground. The Forest of Julian, near Dantzic, is almost entirely blown down. The greatest danger threatened the town of Pillau; the stone piers of the port were broken through, and the flood threatened the city with destruction; in some places where the pier is wholly rent away, there is only a slip of land, eight feet wide, to keep off the sea. Half of the fine wood of Pilzen, near Pil. lau, is uprooted; the largest oaks and becches yielding to the fury of the storm. Happily there is no account of damage at sea. At Berlin, a trial recently took place for a duel, in which the principal was sentenced to nine, and the seconds to four years' imprisonment. The Flanders papers contain an account of the trial and conviction of two persons there for having fraudulently obtained money from several individuals, under pretence of securing them a passage to America. They were sentenced to five years' imprisonment, besides a heavy fine. This cruel deception is not, we fear confined to Flanders. SWEDEN. The four estates of the kingdom have unanimously conferred on Prince Oscar, in the contingency of the absence or illness of the King and Prince Royal, the exercise of the royal authority, to the exclusion of the Council of State, which must otherwise have succeeded during the Prince's minority. His Royal Highness is already compared to the three renowned minors, Gustavus Adolphus, and Charles XI. and XII.; but prospective reigns are generally glorious, since we are prone to honour the virtues of an untried Prince. ASIA. EAST INDIES.-Private letters from Bombay communicate the following detail of the arrangements made with the Peish wa: He cedes to the British Government territories yielding a clear revenue of 34 lacs of rupees-25 of them fall to the Bombay Presidency, by the occupation of the country by the British from Panwell, or Panwelly, 27 miles east of Bombay, to Demaun, on the coast north of Bombay-a line of territory about 80 miles. The British are to occupy, besides, the Bassein and Jambossin and its dependencies, and also have the Peishwa's share of tribute from Kattywar. The remaining nine lacs of rupees go to the Presidency of Madras. These are provided for by cessions in the Carnatic and the forts of Darwar and Kishelgur. The important fort of Ahmednuggur is also ceded to the British Government, with the land around it to 2000 yards. It was taken by General Wellesley on the 12th of August 1803, and ceded to the British by Dowlut Row Scindia, at the treaty concluded in December 1803, |