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-in so sweet and touching a manner, that aye when she came to the last line o' the verse, I'll lay my banes far frae the Tweed,' the hale company shed tears; and indeed naebody could bear to hear her sing it, for they were sae sure of making fools of themselves before it was done, She was certainly a sweet creature, Lady Murray, and could write fine sangs hersell ; we were always on good terms, and used to criticise each other's verses with great good-humour. She was ill-set wi' Sir Alexander, who was quite mad. She once told me, that the first of their unhappy quarrels took place three or four days after they were married—it was i' the year ten, and that maks me an auld woman. They came to live in the Parliament Square, which was not then altogether rebuilt, after the great fire of the year naething; and upon Lady Murray expressing some uneasiness at the disturbance occasioned by the sound o' the mason's hammers i' the morning before rising, Sir Alexander told her that it was a very pleasant sound, and that she must just endeavour to think it so, else there would be nae peace between them. Was na that fine treatment for a young wife i' the hinneymoon ? But I'm wanderin', as usual, frae the point. Ay, ay, I was describing the entertainments gien at balls in thae days. However, I see we're just disturbing this good woman, and it is time we were hame at Teviot Row, to prepare for the ladies I expect to-night to tea and cards."

She rose, and moved into the centre of the apartment, when, as she stood a few moments in conversation with the old woman of the house, I could not help contrasting in idea her tall, antique, faded figure, half stooping over her black square-headed cane, and surrounded by the humble furniture of a poor dwelling, with the bewitching loveliness and stately graces which were ascribed to her person in youth, when she moved here, the centre of a whole system of animated beauties, now long forgotten in the dust, and giving additional charms to a scene of magnificent festivity. „.......

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The old woman soon getting into the full tide of gossip with my venerable relation, we were detained a few minutes, during which it turned out, that this aged person had been head-servant to the noble family who formerly possessed this mansion, and now lived retired in one of its garrets, upon a small pension allowed to her by one of its members, who had survived with life and fortune the wrecking period of the Forty-five. She seemed a complete specimen of the old Scottish domestic-attached, garrulous, and polite. She had a formality in her manner, which went far beyond the utmost limits of modern good-breeding, and, though miserably infirm, was not without a certain degree of stateliness in her personal appearance. She was dressed with remarkable neatness, and wore a necklace of lammer beads, to which a small crucifix of gold was attached. What rendered her at once interesting in my romantic eyes, she had been wounded, in the year 1745, by a shot from the Castle, directed at the coach of her rebellious master, in which she was, when it entered the city, in broad day, by the West Port, then in possession of a Highland guard; and she could tell many anecdotes of that year, so remarkable for having heard the last faint trumpet-note of aspiring chivalry. She had entered the service of thefamily when she was a girl; had lived many happy years with them in this then splendid house, previous to that unhappy occasion; after which, she accompanied them abroad, saw them all die out, one by one, with broken hearts and ruined fortunes, and then returned to end her own days amidst the ruins of their former abode. My great-grandmother asked many questions respecting the family, which the old woman could not answer, except at great length and with tears. There was only one anec

dote of a ludicrous nature, and that respected the preservation of her present supporter, who was a nephew of the last lord, and now enjoyed part of his estates. Lady was very averse to her husband's design of joining the Rebels, and 'when his nephew came to Edinburgh to accompany him away, ordered her maid to put boiling water into his lordship's boots, so, that, when he came to draw them on, he might incapacitate at least one foot for the expedition. By mistake, the maid bestowed the boiling water upon the nephew's boots, which stood in the kitchen beside her master's; and the consequence was, that, while his lordship went away laughing at his nephew's misfortune, the young gentleman remained at home,, escaped the perils of the rebellion, and afterwards inherited some of the possessions which his brave uncle forfeited. Many other anecdotes we heard; but my greatgrandmother at last took her leave, promising that I should call some future day, with a token of her regard, and in order that I might hear out the rest of her interesting stories.

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THE first paper read at this meeting was a communication from Dr Greville, On the various economical uses of Seasayist, though they hold a low place in the vegetable kingplants." The Marine Algae, it was remarked by the esdom, are entitled to the attention of the naturalist on account of their beauty, their adaptation to the place they occupy in creation, and their economical use. Viewed merely in a picturesque light, there is something charming in the contemplation of the submarine groves and meadows which they form, diversified and enlivened by countless hosts of animated creatures, to whom they afford nourishment and shelter. Some of the algae are not to be recognised by the naked eye, except from the appearance they give to larger species, on which they are parasitical; others attain an enormous size. The more gigantic algae are enabled to buoy themselves up in the waves by means of various peculiarities of structure; thus some of them are furnished with hollow stems, others have vesicles filled with air imbedded or attached to their leaves. The larger alge, at least such as are the rocks by means of tough and thick fibres; others, which destined to buffet with stormy seas, have roots which grapple are, by the nature of their abodes or of their figure, less exposed, are attached by a simple shield-like base. It was, however, chiefly upon the economical uses of the algae that the remarks of the essayist turned. Some of them are useful as articles of food or medicine, others are of importance in the arts. As food, several kinds are greedily sought after the fucus serratus and the chorda filum are stored up for by cattle, especially in the north of Europe. In Norway, winter fodder. Man, too, makes extensive use of the algæ in this way. The lower classes inhabiting the coasts of our own country, the poor on the coast of South America, and the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands, employ various species of sea-weeds as esculents; and the richer classes throughout the world seek after some of them to heighten the attractions of their luxurious tables. The gracilaria com pressa of our own shores has been discovered, by a lady of the author's acquaintance, to form an excellent pickle; the chondrus crispus entered, on the southern and western coasts of Ireland, into the composition of blanc-mange; and an undetermined species of gelidium furnished the materials of the celebrated edible swallows' nests. In a medical point of view, the algae are important chiefly as the source whence iodine is derived. This gas is known to be a powerful renistered as a remedy for this disease; and in South Amemedy in cases of goitre. Burnt sponge used to be admirica the stems of a sea-weed are chewed by the inhabitants whenever goitre is prevalent. Probably both plants owed

*The paper, of which we present an abstract, is intended to form a part of the introduction to Dr Greville's forthcoming work on the Algæ.

their efficacy to the presence of iodine. It was worthy of
remark, that French kelp yielded more iodine than British;
and that manufactured at the Cape of Good Hope more
than the French. It is, however, in the arts that the uti-
lity of the marine algae is most conspicuous. The gracilaria
tenar furnishes the Chinese with an invaluable glue and
varnish. It is also probable that this plant is the principal
ingredient in the gummy matter called chin-chou or hai-tsai
in China and Japan, the transparent gluten of which is used
by the natives to fill the lozenge-shaped interstices of their | Dr Brunton resumed the reading of Colonel Millar's
bamboo window-frames. About 27,000 pounds of the gra- Essay On the site of the battle of Mons Grampius," an
cilaria tenar is imported annually from the province of Fo- abstract of the first part of which is contained in our 58th
kien and Tchekian, at Canton, where it sells for 6d, or Number. From Dunearn Hill, which Colonel Millar as-
8d. per pound. The chondrus crispus (already mentioned) signed in the first part of his Essay as the winter quarters
is converted in Ireland into size for the use of house-paint- of Agricola, he supposes him to have marched at the open-
ers. An immeuse variety of alga are employed in making ing of the seventh campaign to Markinch, then due north
kelp, and it is in this manufacture that their utility is most towards Falklanda little beyond which he took up his
conspicuous. The number of people employed bysit, dis station at the base of the Lomond hill, which the author
rectly or indirectly, in the Orkney Islands, amounts, ac assumes to have been the Mons Grampius of Tacitus. Sub-
cording to Mr Peterkin, to 20,000. According to Dr Barry, sequently he thinks the Roman General intrenched him-
1790 to 1800, self Pitfour hill, the eastern termination of the Ochill
the quantity made in these islands, from 1790,
mounted, in more than one year, to 300 tons, and as the range, four miles to the north. The Eden Hows midway
price was then from £9 to £10 per ton, the manufacture between the hills of Pitfour and Lomond; and its valley,
Colonel, Millar undertakes to demonstrate, was the scene of
sometimes brought nearly £30,000 into the place in one sea-
son. Dr E. D Clarke observes, in 1797, that cattle and hostile operations between the Romans and Caledonians.
kelp form the chief objects of commerce. At Canna, the He rests his opinion upon various grounds. Firstly, the
Doctor was informed, that if kelp kept its price, one pro- tradition of the country, that a great battle was fought
prietor would clear £6000, and another £10,000, by that there; secondly, the accordance of the terrain with the de-
article of produce alone, Kelp has sunk in value since the scription of Tacitus; thirdly, the numerous places of se-
to the
nish barilla for the use of superior quality of Spa-pulture, povely Roman, partly Caledonian, and the arms
boiling and glass-ma- found all over the field; fourthly, the strong intrenchments
purposes
king. It is, however, still an important object of domestic upon the Pitfour and Lomond hills; lastly, the isolated
commerce. The importance of sea-weed as a manure for character of the latter eminence more consonant than a
land has long been recognised. The produce of the algae range of mountains with the singular, word Mons.
The conclusion of the Essay was deferred till the next
is far less exposed to the casualties arising from our préca-
rious climate than the crops of the agricaturist. In some meeting of the Society.
parts, the sea weed is cut only every third year-where
there are strong currents, an annual harvest may be ob-
tained without injury. Attempts have been made, not
without success, to cultivate seaweed where it did not
grow naturally. By covering sandy bays with large stones,
crops of fuci have been obtained in about three years, the
sea appearing to abound everywhere with their seedsThe
rapidity of developement in the larger algie is striking. Mr
Stevenson, the engineer, while engaged in erecting a stone
beacon on a low rock, called the Carry situated near the en
trance into the Brith of Forth, found a portion of its sur-
face thickly covered with large sea-reeds in May 1814,

of old English, and a few Grecian and Roman coins; a
great number of books, among which were the Transactions
of several Parisian Societies. A letter was likewise read
from General Ainslie, giving an account of his exertions to
extend the Society's correspondence among the French An-
'Society were unanimously
tiquaries. The thanks of the
voted to General Ainslie. There was also exhibited a beau-
tiful intaglio of Hercules strangling the Nemean Lion, worn
as a seal by John Duke of Lauderdale.

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METROPOLITAN THEATRICALS.

10 9032 4, of zur London, January 11, 1830. In accordance with all those laws for this season" made

and provided, the Genius of Pantomime now rules lord of the ascendant over the dramatic dynasty of London; for, with the exception of one house, whose treasury and whose stage are both much too limited in their resources we have a Harlequinade at every for

an

which he had left completely bare in the preceding Novem that in this. Whilst Covent Garden re

ber, the seaweeds having been cut away, and their bases trampled down by the workmen, and part of the rock even chiselled. The common tangle fucus digitatus, was already two feet long-the fucus esculentus measured six feet, and the small appendages which, at maturity, contain the seeds of the plants, were already visible.

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The Rev. Dr Scots of Corstorphine, next read a learned and interesting paper On the rams and badgers, with the skins of which the Israelites covered the outside of their enand decide to dis

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‚» and Drury Lane is exultant joices in Cock Robin," with Jack-in-the-Box;" the Cobourg attracts with the "Hara Enchanted Harp," the Surrey is eloquent with " lequin's Alphabet,” and the Adelphi exhibits the Dwarf and the Magic Needle." Sadler's Wells boasts of the

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Hag of the Forest Raven;" the Olympic shines resplendent with the Polar Star" and the Pavilionwhich the Tinies, in its fervour for early intelligence, burned down in a mistake, about a fortnight ago, with Sommer, of Altona) of the Saturnia luna, a rare North Mother Cafey's Chickens. Specimens (bred in Europe, from imported eggs, by M. three adjoining houses! the ill-used Pavilion glories in "Not having met with any American moth, as also of the cocon and eggs of the animal, were exhibited. Some notes on its natural history, by praiseworthy individual, who has deserved well of his 'seeing them all, I cannot, like some critics, Mr James Wilson, were read by the Secretary, Mr Wilson country that of which I know nothing, and must, thereintimated an intention of submitting some remarks on the describe geographical distribution of animals to the Society at an early fore, limit my observations to those few to which my opportunity. observation has been limited. Mr F Farley's authorship at The Secretary reported to the Society the reception of a new volume of Transactions from the Royal Scientific So Covent Garden is this year a comparative failure; for, ciety of Berlin; and the business of the meeting being con- though Cock Robin's Funeral-procession, the Star of Venus, the gigantic Watch-house Spider, and one or two cluded, the Society adjourned, due to no do 300 s sod 7 other points, are excellent, yet in whim, splendour, scenery, and general effect, it is decidedly inferior to Mr BarSOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND,uefort to rymore's rival exhibition at Drury Lane; which, allowing for the general absence of the ancient wit and humour from all modern Pantomimes, is very good indeed; while Stanfield's moving Diorama of the Royal Domains of Windsor, and Virginia Waters, with a real cascade, can be exceeded by the reality only, and must draw crowds, independent of any auxiliary. The exhibitions of the minor Such donations received during the recess, as had not houses are, doubtless, all admirable in their way, though been exhibited at the previous meeting, were presented by not in mine; and if only half of their play-bill announcethe Curator of the Museum. The most interesting were -the original letter of the Edinburgh Volunteers offering ments of "overflowing audiences," "tumultuous aptheir services against Prince Charles Edward; a collection | plause," and "every evening till farther notice," may

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Monday, 11th January 11 SIR HENRY JARDINE in the Chair.*** • ¥t - 『b, Present,-Professor Brunton; Drs Carson, Hibbert, Borthwick; James Skene, Thomas Allan, Donald Gregory, Esquires, &c.

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be believed correct, both the managers and the public are completely satisfied. Under the misnomer of the "Husband's Mistake, or the Corporal's Wedding"-for the Corporal does not get married-Covent Garden has produced a new petit-comedy, "done into English" from the same French original of Scribe's" Fiancée," as that which Planché has re-manufactured into an opera, with Auber's music, for Drury Lane, and in which Madame Vestris, who is engaged there, and to appear for the first time to-morrow evening, is to play the principal character. The Covent Garden version is full of bustle, and has some excellent situations, to which Keeley, as Fritz, the Corporal, and Mrs Gibbs, Ellen Tree, and Bartley, in the other leading parts, did ample justice; though from Planche's tact at these things, I very contidently anticipate that his will far surpass it. The ap pearance of the Drury Lane Elephant is adjourned sine die; and the new tragedy, so long underlined in the bills, is not yet quite finished! The Adelphi Dwarf, aged 40, and actually 24 inches high only, with a name much longer than himself, is a truly surprising little man, and Messieurs Mathews and Yates may, therefore, now boast of possessing the largest and smallest performers in the world! The Cobourg Elephant is, compared with its rival sister in the Strand, a very diminutive animal, being little more than 6 feet high; but as Ramkondra is but rising 5, and Miss D'jeck is 25, her present girth and docility give every promise of both size and science some years hence. She appears in a very clever burlesque parody of Beazeley's Adelphi drama; both have a rightful prince and a wrongful prince, and in both there is a rebellion, which, like crows' nests, ought to be pulled down, because, as the author says, both are high trees on !-Such is the present condition of our London drama; and the only additional announcements I have now to trouble you with, are, that Mr Wade's new farce of the "Phrenologists" is to be produced at Covent Garden to-morrow; and the real Siamese Twins are to visit Drury Lane, and sit in the Earl of Chesterfield's private proscenium box, on the same evening; for which piece of truly valuable information, Mr Charles Wright, of Champagne notoriety, is my most excellent authority. Can it be necessary for me to say, that every word respecting Quick and Munden's reappearance is entirely fiction?

ORIGINAL POETRY.

LINES ON MUSIC.

INSCRIBED TO MISS ISABELLA PATON.

By John Malcolm.

THE feelings stirr'd by Music's breath,
Half joy-half sorrow all divine—
Blend, like the wreath of love and death,
Where roses with the cypress twine,

When, melting into grief, appears
The joy that seeks relief in tears,
And sorrow sweetens into joy-
As each of each required alloy.
And evanescent gleams of thought,
With wild unearthly beauty fraught-
And memories dim, that seem to date
Their sources from a former state,
Awaked by Music's hymned spell,
Float round us-faint, as the farewell
Of long-lost love-o'er slumber's bed,
In angel-visits from the dead,
That in the dreary distance seems
To swoon upon our nightly dreams.

And oft such sweet emotions rise In Albyn's earlier melodies.

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Her simple songs of other years

Can bless the heart they balm in tears,
And kindle long-forgotten smiles
In desert lands, and distant isles-
Recalling unto them that roam,
The quenchless longing for their home,
And wafting vernal sweetness o'er
The waters, from their native shore.

Oh! beautiful at fall of day
Such music floats from far away,
When sighs, at summer's lingering close,
The parting spirit of the rose.
And lovelier still, when soft it breaks
The
silence of the moonlight lakes
Or, dying on the midnight airs,
A dear and dreamy beauty wears,
Like that of pensive songs, that plain
Beneath the latticed bowers of Spain,
And gently woo the dark-eyed maid
To list the lonely serenade, iu od ne
That o'er the summer night afar,
Seems melting from a distant star.-

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THE LAST SONG.

WHY should I linger here,

When flowers are faded? Quench'd is thy light, my heart, Thy skies are shaded;

Gone are thy friends! like leaves Upon the river;

They stemm'd life's tide awhile,

Then pass'd forever!

Cease, captive spirit! cease

Thy restless beating! The welcome hour is nigh

For thy glad fleeting!

Why should I linger here,
With strangers round me?
Loosed is affection's chain

To life that bound me;
Nor pleasure now nor pain
The world can bring me ;-
Earth has no joys to charm,
Nor griefs to sting me!
Cease, captive spirit! cease
Thy restless beating!
The welcome hour is nigh
For thy glad fleeting!

Why should I linger here?

The spell is broken! Look on my wasted cheek,

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The heart's true token!
Look on my faint dim eyes,

Their lone watch keeping,
Sad silent types of woe,
Too full for weeping!

Cease, captive spirit! cease

Thy last wild beating!

Hush the wish'd hour is come

For thy glad fleeting!

GERTRUDE

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It is among the reports of the day, that Sir Walter Scott is again engaged on a romance, of which the hero is Sir James Douglas, who bore the Bruce's heart to Spain, We have the best means of knowing that there is no truth in it whatever.

Allan Cunningham is busy with his second volume of the Lives of the Painters. It will contain Memoirs of West, Opie, Barry, Blake, Bird, Fuseli, Raeburn, and others.

The Rev. Mr Parry is preparing the Poetical Beauties of the 16th and 17th centuries, from Surrey to Dryden. "

The Dominie's Legacy, by the author of the Sectarian, is announced.

There has just appeared, at St Petersburg, a collection of the original letters of Peter the Great, in two volumes. Two additional volumes are to be published very shortly. Dood

A new volume of Dublin Hospital Reports is now in course of publication, under the superintendence of Dr Graves.

Mr M'Gregor is engaged upon a third series of Stories from the History of Ireland, comprising the period from the accession of James I. to the Legislative Union in 1801.

A volume of poems, entitled Leisure Hours, by James Moore Shelley, is in the press.

The Portfolio of the Martyr Student, by a Country Curate, is on the eve of publication.

There is at present publishing in Paris an edition of Sir Walter Scott's works, and Cooper's novels, uniform in 12mo. The tities of several of Sir Walter's well-known productions sound rather oddly in French. Thus we have-Le Lai du Dernier Menestrel-Le Lord des isles-La Prison D'Edinbourg-Les Eaux de Saint Ronan---Les Chroniques de la Canongate La Jolie Fille de Perth, &c. We also observe a novel of Cooper's advertised, not generally known in this country;-the French title is-Precaution, ou le Choix d'un Mari. Among other new works, Mr Murray announces a Life of Sir Stamford Raffles, by his Widow,-Essay on Financial Reform, by Sir Henry Parnell,-Principles of Geology, by C. Lyell, Foreign Secretary of the Geological Society,-Travels in the Morea, by William Martin Leake,-The Life and Reign of George III.,-The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, by J. A. Paris, M.D.,-and a History of France, by Mrs Markham.

We understand that a new work, in three volumes, entitled Pictures of Scottish Scenes and Character, will shortly make its appearance, from the pen of Mr Bennet, Editor of the Glasgow Free Press. The work is just now in course of publication, under the auspices of

the London house of Whittaker & Co., and is expected to be issued about the end of the present, or beginning of the next month.

NEW PERIODICALS.-We have received the first two numbers of the Dublin Literary Gazette, and are happy to perceive that they promise well. Number II. is a decided improvement upon No. I., and we hope the succeeding numbers will continue to increase in excellence. The articles we like most are " Kate Connor," a Tale by Mrs S. C. Hall," One of us in London,"-" Personal Sketches--No. I. The Duke of Wellington, "--and Dublin versus London." The reviews of books are also judicious, though we think a little deficient in what we Scotch call spunk. On the whole, under the able editorship of Mr Johnstone, we have little doubt of the success of the Dublin Literary Gazette. We have received the first number of the Perth Miscellany of Literature, Agriculture, Gardening, and Local Intelli gence. In external appearance, it a good deal resembles the Literary Journal; but it is to be published only once a-month, and contains half a sheet of additional matter. Judging from the first number, we augur well of this publication; the contents are highly respectable and well varied; and it appears to be an addition of some consequence to the literature of Perthshire-Mr Jerdan, of the London Literary Gazette, with the assistance of his son-in-law, Don Trueba y Cosio, author of the Life of Hernan Cortes, has set on foot a Foreign Literary Gazette, of which two numbers have appeared. It is respectably conducted, and will interfere, we should think, not a little with the profits of the Foreign Quarterly Reviews. We have received from Glasgow several numbers of a periódical work going on there called The Thistle. They have been sent to us as a token of the satisfaction felt by the conductor at the view which the Literary Journal took of iss Smithson, and particularly at the fearless and honest manner in which the opinion was expressed;" and also that we might not be misled regarding the estimation in which Miss Smithson is there held, from the dishonest puffs that have appeared of her in some of the Glasgow newspapers." In return for these compliments, we are glad to be able to state, that we have read with great satisfaction the article on Miss Smithson in The Thistle. It is one of the best pieces of dramatic criticism we have seen for a long while, and has our entire concurrence, SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE.-The sudden death of this great artist, in the 59th year of his age, cannot be too deeply regretted by the friends of art in this country. One consolation remains, that he has left a name immortalized by his works, and that though he had lived to the age of a hundred, it would have been difficult for him to have increased his fame. Wilkie is talked of as his successor in the Presidency of the Royal Academy.

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THE BIRTH-DAY OF BURNS-Many Clubs all over Scotland are looking anxiously forward to Monday, the 25th instant. The Leith Burns' Club intend holding their fourth anniversary dinner on that day, in the Exchange Hotel, and the meeting is expected to be more numerously attended than on any former occasion., BIRTH-PLACE OF THE POET HOME.-In that respectable work, Lives of Eminent Scotsmen," it is stated that "John Home was born in the parish of Ancrum, in Roxburghshire, in 1724; studied at Edinburgh, and was licensed to preach the Gospel in 1747.” This is entirely incorrect. Henry Mackenzie, in his Life of Home, mentions truly, that he "was born in Leith, on the 22d day of Sep. tember, 1722, (O.S.) and that he was the son of Mr Alexander Home, town-clerk of Leith, and Mrs Christian Hay, daughter of Mr John Hay, writer in Edinburgh; that he received the rudiments of his education at the Grammar-school of Leith, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Edinburgh, on the 4th August, 1715.” In corroboration of this statement, we are able to mention, that the author of "Douglas" was born in a house which stood, but is now taken down, at the corner of Quality-street, Leith, leading into Bernard-street. His remains are in the cemetery of South Leith, where, a few days ago, another member of the family of Home was buried.

FOREIGN LITERATURE-In France, Cuvier and St Hilaire are busily prosecuting the study of Zoology; De Candolle continues his researches into the Vegetable Kingdom; and Malte Brun is still actively engaged in extending the science of Geography. The three most popular of the French poets, Beranger, Méry, and Barthélémy, have all involved themselves in trouble, by the political bias they have given to their writings. The heroes of the republican and imperial Governments are still pouring forth innumerable Memoirs ;those of Bourrienne and of the Duc de St Simon are among the most important. Translations into French have lately appeared of the works of Macculloch and Jeremy Bentham.-In Germany, Goethe, whose eightieth birth-day has been celebrated by his enthu siastic countrymen, has lately published a volume of Letters, addressed to him by Schiller, during the years 1806, 7. Caroline Pichler has written a new Romance on the subject of the retaking of Buda. She and Tieck are among the principal contributors to the German Annuals, which are as numerous as ever. Niebuhr is still busy with his publication of the Byzantine Classics. Dietrich Hüllman has published a work on the Statistical Condition of Cities in the Middle Ages: in this department of literature he treads successfully on the footsteps of Hallam and Sismondi.-In Italy, Manzoni seems to rank among the first living authors, and, as a novel-writer, is con

sidered by his countrymen very little inferior to Sir Walter Scott.In Russia, the rigid censorship is a severe drag upon literature; yet, notwithstanding, both poets and political writers are on the increase

there.

NEWS FROM ROME.-From peculiar sources of information, we are enabled to state some interesting facts regarding the recent progress of the fine arts in Rome. Thorwaldsen, who is now generally al lowed to be the first sculptor living, is going on with his great work of Christ and the twelve Apostles, for the Cathedral in Berlin. The figure of Christ has seldom or never been equalled; the attitude is simple, but impressive, and the expression of the whole is full of deity, and of beauty finely mixed with sublimity. The chief difference between the mind of Canova and Thorwaldsen seems to be, that the former was so deeply imbued with the feeling of beau`y, that he was apt to lose himself when he attempted to be sublime : whereas the latter is so devoted to sublimity, that his feelings of beauty, especially of female beauty, are less intense. Thorwaldsen's mind is probably the higher of the two; and it may be mentioned, that the chief fault found by the artists in Rome to Dr Memes's late History of the Fine Arts-a book they hold in much esteem-is, that it scarcely bestows sufficient praise on Thorwaldsen. It should be recollected, however, that Dr Memes visited Rome before this sculptor had risen to the eminence he has now attained; and, besides, there can be no doubt that Canova did more for art than Thorwaldsen has done, because he was mainly instrumental in restoring it to its ancient purity, and redeeming it from the spurious style of Bernini. In this respect, Flaxman and Canova stand together unrivalled. A fine statue of the late Pope is among Thorwaldsen's latest works.-The English sculptor, Mr Gibson, ranks next in reputation. A Narcissus, which he has just finished, is considered worthy of Canova. The figure is recum. bent, in the attitude of looking at his shadow, and is sweet, simple, and beautiful in a most surpassing degree. A Nymph sitting is Gibson's last work, and is scarcely, if at all, inferior to his Narcissus. This artist is only about two or three-and-thirty.-Wyeght, an English, and Scoular, a Scotch sculptor, are also much esteemed. Scoular's chief work is the Deluge-a group of three figures. His Adam and Eve are also considered excellent.-The Italian sculptor who has succeeded Canova in his studio is very favourably spoken of; and there are some exceedingly clever German sculptors now studying in Rome. -Among the English painters resident there, Geddes and Eastley may be mentioned as having particularly distinguished themselves, the former chiefly as a portrait-painter.-A few weeks ago, upwards of thirty young German sculptors, painters, architects, and poets, came to Rome in a body, having, in the delightful enthusiasm of their nature, performed the whole of their pilgrimage on foot, from their native country to the "eternal city."

THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY AND ITS PROfessors.

To the Editor of the Edinburgh Literary Journal. Sir,-As all information upon this subject must be interesting to your readers, I am happy to have it in my power to inform you, that in the prosecution of its arduous duties, the Royal Commission has seen proper to propose the following important questions to the different Professors in this University, to which I understand the subjoined answers have been returned:

1. Why is the Professor of Moral Philosophy like a person who sells scented soap? Because he has a great deal to do with the oil of palms.-2. Why is the Professor of Logic like a legal document? Because he is an awfu' David.-3. Why are the students who attend the lectures on Agriculture the most disreputable set in the University? Because they have all been sent to Coventry.-4. Why is the Professor of Military Surgery like a dance in France? Because he is a Ball-in-Gall.-5. Why is Professor Hope like a locksmith? Because he is acquainted with every kind of key-mystery.-6. What is the difference between the former and the present Professor of Universal History? The one was Tytle-r, and the other is title-d.— 7. Why is it much to be regretted that Dr Chalmers ever left Fife? Because he is now out of Kirk-a'-day.-8. Why ought Professor Leslie to keep a journal? Because it would be an excellent specimen of a dye-hairy-9. Why should the Professor of Civil Law never remain long in the same place? Because every body likes to see Cheap travelling.-10. Why does the Professor of Public Law, who never lectures, pay more attention to his pupils than any other? Because he has only two, and these are the pupils of his eye.-11. Why is the Professor of Mathematics like the Edinburgh Literary Journal? Because he is much read in numbers, and in all circles.-12. Why is Professor Pillans like the Member for Galway? Because he is much interested in the cause of Humanity -13. Why does Professor Bell publish so many editions of his Commentaries? Because he is fond of ringing the change, and of making the change ring.-14. Why should Professor Napier's legs disqualify him for his Professorship? Because they do not seem well adapted for Conveyancing, nor, as a Cockney friend remarks, are they well adapted to Mac-vey.-15. Why is the Professor of Natural History like Charles I.? Because he is

Jamie's-son. 16. Why is the Principal's chin like the chin of an ried man? Because it is that of a Husband Baird.-17. Why is Professor of Church History not the least like Sir Walter Sc grandson? Because the one is Hugh Littlejohn, and the othe Hugh Meiklejohn.

Should I hear of any further proceedings on the part of the Ro Commission, I shall be glad to let you know; and I am, sir, y obedient servant, A. RIDDLE

Theatrical Gossip-The letter from London, on a previous p contains a variety of information upon this subject.-Miss Paton Sapio have been attending the Manchester and Liverpool Conce Miss Paton is now at Bath, and in excellent voice. She will b her engagement at Covent Garden early in February.-Pasta is to be engaged at Copenhagen for the winter season.-The perfo ance of Miss Mitford's new tragedy of " Otho" is postponed; the cent death of the amiable authoress's mother is assigned as a caus Sontag is still performing at Paris; but her marriage with the Cour Rossi (who is he?) is said to be no longer a secret. She has la been playing the part of Lucy Ashton, in an Italian version of " Bride of Lammermoor," called "Le Nozze di Lammermoor," music by Caraffa.-One hundred and seventy-five new pieces h been produced in Paris during the year 1829. Of these not al twenty can be said to have succeeded. The most successful bore following titles:-William Tell-Henry III.-Christina at Font bleau-An Election Day-Elizabeth of England-The Betroth The Two Nights-The Family of the Baron-Cricri-Marino liero-and Nero's Festival.-Liston and Miss F. H. Kelly are pla at Liverpool.-Braham and Fanny Ayton are still in Dublin, w "Masaniello" has been exceedingly successful.-It is almost u cessary to remind our readers that Miss Jarman takes her benefit

evening, because we perceive by the box plan that the house is t

as full as it can hold. This is as it should be. When we said Braham and Mathews were to succeed Miss Jarman, we ough have said Mathews and Braham. The former makes his appear on Monday. We are to lose Miss Jarman for little more than t weeks. She has accepted of several provincial engagements in I dee, Perth, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and elsewhere, and is then to re to perform here with Young and Vandenhoff. This is also should be.-We are informed that a melo-drama, entitled "A Le of the Hartz, or the Magic Rifle," written by a youth of 15 year age, will be performed at the Caledonian Theatre, soon after th turn of the company in March.-The two rival Theatres in Glas under Seymour and Alexander, seem to be starving each other. WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES. Jan. 9-15.

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TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

"ACCOUNT of a Grand Aerial Voyage," by the Ettrick Shep which reached us too late for this week, will appear next S day.

On Saturday sc'ennight, THE EDITOR IN HIS SLIPPERS, N when we hope to make up our lee-way with many of our po Correspondents and others.

Several reviews of new books are unavoidably postponed, among these a notice of the last No. of the Westminster Re with a particular reference to its article on the Provincial Perio Press.

It will give us pleasure to receive a notice of Flaxman's Lec from the able quarter from which it is promised, the more esp ly considering the feeble and erroneous manner in which the su is treated in the last number of the Edinburgh Review-We d think "A Recollection of India" of sufficiently strong or g interest to warrant its insertion.-We should like to see a co Mr Dunlop's Pamphlet: can "Proteus" favour us with it?t-each Cogadh, or the War Horse," is well written, but wants | and ends rather lamely.-Our fair Correspondent in Duke S will find a note addressed to her as directed.

The "Sonnet" by " V. D." shail have a place. We have not looked the "Stanzas to Miranda," and shall be glad to hear from their author.-The following Poems will not suit us :-Pedestrian's Farewell to one of his compagnons de voyage, Lament of De Lacy's Bride," by 66 Alcinoe,"-" Stanzas" by " ginus Shanks Fitzwhisker,"-Lines by "N. N." of Glasgow "Lines on the Bygone Year," by "H. M. G." of Glasgow.

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