least in ushering into the world many hitherto inedited pieces, and likewise new editions of the most popular authors, both the earlier classic ones, and those of later date, such as Parini, Denina, Gozzi, Alfieri, &c. &c. There are also two extensive collections of the best modern Italian writers, which deserve to be noticed here that by Silvestri now extended to 79 vols. in 16mo., (this, however, contains some of the early authors),—and another collection by Fusi, which is confined to the writers of the 18th century, has now reached its 19th volume. Many also are the editions published of the Greek and Latin classics during that year-nor was there any want of translations. Among those most deserving of being specified, are Mancini's Version of the Iliad into octave rhime; Manzi's Translation of Lucian; and Nibby's of Pausanias. But it is their Translations from Modern Languages which will tend to excite the emulation of the Italians; at the same time that they present to them new models of composition. Sismondi's History of the Republics, by Ticozzi, is, by this time, completed in 16 vols. 8vo. Rassi has translated two historical works from the French; viz. Michaud's History of the Crusades, and Segur's Universal History. A new edition of Rollin, in Italian, appeared at Venice, besides many other translations from the French Language; among the rest of some of Madame Genlis' Novels; not to mention many medical, botanical, and other scientific works. England has contributed some of its most popular writers of the present day of these, Byron and Moore are the most conspicuous. Leoni, who is known by his numerous translations from the best English Poets, has given his countrymen a Version of the 4th Canto of Childe Harold, under the title of l'Italia. The Corsair of the same noble author has also been translated, as has Moore's Lalla Rookh, (written Lala Rook) the latter by Gatti, of Turin. The celebrated English historian, Hume, has received two different Italian garbs, the first from the pen of Antoniotti, a second from that of the indefatigable Leoni. Among the other translations from the English, we meet with the names of Locke, Goldsmith, and Accum, besides some poems from Pope, and Darwin's Loves of the Plants. The German language is every day more cultivated in Italy, and a number of elementary works are produced, for the purpose of facilitating its study and acquisition, in addition to new editions of former ones. Nor is the number of the works translated from this idiom, by any means inconsiderable, while the names of Lichtenstern, Hormayr, Engel, Schiller, Meiners, &c. &c. are a pledge for the importance of the works themselves. Italy

itself has produced no very eminent poetry, with the exception of the Satires of Pindemonti, and De Luca. The dramatic muse, however, has been rather unusually prolific, yet many of these productions are little more than servile imitations of Alfieri; exact, indeed, as far as regards diction, and sententiousness, but destitute of the genius, the energy, and the interest of that truly great writer; among the exceptions to this poverty of intellectual merit may be placed Manzoni's Tragedy of Carmagnola. No comedies of particular merit appeared during 1819: neither can it be said that Italy possesses at present many good actors, or a company capable of any tolerable delineation of character, and in addition to this want of talent, there is such a gross want of industry, or even decency prevailing among performers, that they rely almost entirely on the prompter; even the Comedies of Nota which charm so much in the perusal by their fidelity to nature, their delineation of manner, the force of their satire, and the purity of their style-even these lose considerably of their effect in representation, owing to the wretched manner in which they are performed.

Northern Expedition. The Gazette has announced the division of the parliamentary reward of 5000l., viz. 1000l. to the commander, Captain Parry; 500l. to the commander of the Griper, Lieut. Liddon; 2007. to the other officers of the rank of lieutenants, including Captain Sabine of the artillery; about 551. to the officers classed with midshipmen; and 10% each to the seamen. Some promotions have also taken place. The new expedition, consisting of the Hecla, and (instead of the miserable little Griper) the Fury bomb, of nearly the same tonnage, will sail about the end of May. Its immediate object is not Lancaster's Sound, but Hudson's Bay, which it is appointed to explore to the north and north-west; to ascertain if any channel leads to Prince Regent's Inlet, or other part of the seas traversed last year. Should nothing of this kind be discovered, we presume that the first season will be spent; and the vessels will, in the second, again attempt to reach the Pacific Ocean by the northwest passage. That this passage exists from the longitude attained by Captain Parry, we have no doubt. The flowing of tides from the west, is a sufficient evidence that there is a passage to the Ocean in that direction. Whether or not the ice renders it eternally unnavigable, remains to be investigated. The Hecla is to be again commanded by Captain Parry; the Fury, by Lieut. Lyon, the African companion of Ritchie, who has recently returned from that quarter of the globe, and announced his journal for publication.

The king of Naples, it appears, has accepted the invitation of the Allied Powers, to meet them at the Congress of Laybach. German Papers contain the following declaration, addressed to the different governments of Europe by the Allied Sovereigns at Troppau, relatively to the affairs of Naples. It was delivered to the Senate at Hamburgh, by the Austrian Resident Minister Baron HADEL:

"The overthrow of the order of things in Spain, Portugal, and Naples, has necessarily excited the cares and the uneasiness of the powers who combated the Revolution, and convinced them of the necessity of putting a check on the new calamities with which Europe is threatened. The same principles, which united the great Powers of the Continent to deliver the world from the military despotism of an individual issuing from the Revolution, ought to set against the revolutionary power which has just developed itself.

"The Sovereigns assembled at Troppau with this intention, venture to hope that they shall attain this object. They will take for their guides, in this great enterprise, the treaties which restored peace to Europe, and have united its nations together.

"Without doubt, the powers have the right to take, in common, general measures of precaution against those States, whose Reforms, engendered by rebellion, are openly opposed to legitimate government, as example has already demonstrated; and, especially, when this spirit of rebellion is propagated, in the neighbour ing States, by secret agents. In consequence, the Monarchs assembled at Troppau have concerted together the measures required by circumstances, and have communicated to the Courts of London and Paris their intention of attaining the end desired, either by mediation or by force. With this view they have invited the King of the Two Sicilies to repair to Laybach, to appear there as Conciliator between his misguided people and the States whose tranquillity is endangered by this state of things; and as they have resolved not to recognise any authority established by the seditious, it is only with the king that they can confer.

"As the system to be followed has no other foundation than treaties already existing, they have no doubt of the assent of the Courts of Paris and London. The only object of this system is to consolidate the alliance between the Sovereigns; it has no view to conquest, or to violations of the

Volun

independence of other Powers. tary ameliorations in the government will not be impeded. They desire only to maintain tranquillity, and protect Europe from the scourge of new revolutions, and to prevent them as far as possible."

The Prince Vicar-General, now Regen of the kingdom of Naples, issued a pro clamation to the people, dated the 15th of December, on assuming his new functions, of which we transcribe the concluding passages: after some remarks on the departure and the mission of his father, he proceeds thus:

"I remain among you Regent of the kingdom; and be assured I will do every thing in my power to return the new mark of confidence reposed in me by the nation and the king. I shall redouble my anxiety and my labours for your welfare, always pursuing exactly the career pointed out by the Constitution to which we have sworn.

"I feel secure, however, that you will always listen to my voice when in concord with that Constitution. This is the more necessary, since it is by the prudence of your conduct, at once firm and moderate, you will give force to the arguments which the king, my august parent, will offer to the Congress at Laybach in support of our national independence, and enable him to prove, by an appeal to facts, that the li berty established by the generous free-will of the Sovereign, is not a dangerous predicament, but that our true social contract has consolidated the throne by founding it on the love of the people.

"Let all, then, be of one accord, not less to sustain the rights of the nation, than to obey the appointed Constitutional Authorities, and to banish from among you all spirit of discord, which can only tend to weaken us. Let us, finally, form a solid and respected body, which may place us in the most imposing rank of nations.

Prince Cimitelli, Ambassador from the Constitutional Government of Naples at the British Court, but who has not had an audience of his Majesty, received a letter from the King of Naples, written by his own hand, requiring his immediate attendance at Laybach, to assist him in the conferences he has to endure with the Sove reigns there assembled.

An Academy for the teaching of Shorthand has been opened in Lisbon for the purpose of training up reporters of public

debates, &c. A literary and political society has also been established, and orders sent to this country for a regular supply of journals, pamphlets, &c. The nomination of Deputies has already had the influence in Lisbon of raising the value of

the Government Paper. The public receipts and expenditure are now regularly published, a thing totally unknown under the ancien regime, and exhibit a great improvement in the finances.

On Tuesday the 23d. His Majesty proceeded in state to open both Houses of Parliament, which he did by the following speech:

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "I have the satisfaction of acquainting you, that I continue to receive from Foreign Powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country.

"It will be a matter of deep regret to me, if the occurrences which have lately taken place in Italy should eventually lead to any interruption of tranquillity in that quarter; but it will, in such case, be my great object to secure to my people the continuance of peace.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "The measures by which, in the last Session of Parliament, you made provision for the expences of my Civil Government, and for the honour and dignity of the Crown, demand my warmest acknowledg

ments.

"I have directed that the Estimates for the current year shall be laid before you, and it is a satisfaction to me to have been enabled to make some reduction in our Military Establishments.

"You will observe from the Accounts of the Public Revenue, that notwithstanding the Receipts in Ireland have proved materially deficient, in consequence of the unfortunate circumstances which have affected the Commercial Credit of that part of the United Kingdom, and although our Foreign Trade, during the early part of this time, was in a state of depression, the total Revenue has nevertheless exceeded that of the preceding year.

"A considerable part of this increase must be ascribed to the new Taxes; but in some of those branches which are the surest indications of internal wealth, the angmentation has fully realized any expectation which could have been reasonably formed of it.

"The separate provision which was made for the Queen, as Princess of Wales, in the year 1814, terminated with the demise of his late Majesty.

"I have, in the mean time, directed advances, as authorised by Law; and it will, under present circumstances, be for you to consider what new arrangements should be made on this subject.

"My Lords and Gentlemen, "I have great pleasure in being able to acquaint you, that a considerable im

provement has taken place within the last half year in several of the most important branches of our commerce and manufactures; and that in many of the manufac turing districts the distresses which prevailed at the commencement of the last Session of Parliament have greatly abated.

"It will be my most anxious desire to concur in every measure which may be considered as calculated to advance our internal prosperity.

"I well know that, notwithstanding the agitations produced by temporary circumstances, and amidst the distress which still presses upon a large portion of my subjects, the firmest reliance may be placed on that affectionate and loyal attachment to my Person and Government, of which I have recently received so many testimonies from all parts of my kingdom; and which, whilst it is most grateful to the strongest feelings of my heart, I shall ever consider as the best and surest safeguard of my Throne.

"In the discharge of the important duties imposed upon you, you will, I am confident, be sensible of the indispensible necessity of promoting and maintaining, to the utmost of your power, a due obedience to the laws, and of instilling into all classes of my subjects, a respect for lawful authority, and for those established Institutions, under which the country has been enabled to overcome so many difficulties, and to which, under Providence, may be ascribed our happiness and renown as a nation."

His Majesty quitted the House with the same state as on entering it, and the Commons retired from the Bar.

The addresses in reply to this moderate speech, passed unanimously in both Houses; ministers stating that they contemplated no further proceedings against the Queen, and the opposition intimating that they would soon regularly bring for ward the question in regard to the exclusion of her Majesty's name from the Liturgy.

An Inquest has been held on the body of Elizabeth Thomas, an interesting female, twenty years of age. It appeared from the evidence, that the deceased was on a visit at her mother's residence in the New-road for some time past, during which she became acquainted with a young gentleman, who paid his addresses to the deceased, and an intimacy subsisted between them, but, in consequence of a frivolous

dispute, the young man quarrelled with the deceased, and ultimately quitted her in a passion, vowing that he never more would notice her. The deceased, up to this time, was observed to be very cheerful, but a sudden change took place in her, and she be came very dejected shortly after the quarrel. She purchased some deadly poison, and took a large dose. The deceased's mother was not at home at the time, but on her coming home the fatal medicine began to operate. The deceased became very ill, and her mother immediately sent for medical aid; but the deceased had taken a sufficiency of the poison to have destroyed the lives of ten people. She became delirious, and as she lay in the bed she frequently repeated the words "Oh, Robert! Dear Robert!" the Christian name of the young man who had forsaken her; and with these expressions she died a few hours afterwards in great agony.-The Jury returned a verdict "That the deceased died in consequence of taking a quantity of poison, being at the time in a state of temporary derangement."

State of his Majesty's Gaol of Newgate up to the 4th Jan. 1821.

A dreadful catastrophe has taken place at the house of Doctor Uwin, of No. 13, Bedford-row: - Mrs. Leese, an elderly lady, in consequence of indisposition, was lately sent up to London from the country, and placed in the house of Dr. Uwin, where she occupied apartments, together with her daughter, Miss Leese, in order that she might be under the immediate attention of the Doctor. Whilst Mrs. Leese was lying sick in bed, and her daughter reading by the bedside, the female servant entered the apartment with some medicine, and having placed the candle in an awk. ward situation, the bed curtains caught

fire, which was not perceived till the blaze spread over the apartment. Miss Leese was so much alarmed, that she immediately rose, and in great agitation opening the back window, she precipitated herself to the pavement of the area, and pitching upon her head, fractured her skull in dreadful manner. The servant followed the example of her mistress by throwing herself from the same window which be longs to the second floor back room apart. ment; she broke both her legs and her back in the fall. By this time the flames in the apartment were increasing, which, together with the groans of the unfortunate females in the yard, attracted the attention of the persons adjacent to the spot, and assistance was immediately procured. Mrs. Leese did not meet with any injury save the excessive fright she underwent, and the effect produced by the melancholy catastrophe of her daughter. Both the young women died in consequence of their hurts.

Loss of the Abeona Transport. - The Abeona transport, of 328 tons, under the charge of Lieut. Mudge, of the Royal Navy, sailed from Greenock, in October last, with settlers for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 25th November, about noon, in lat. 4 deg. North, and long. 25 deg. West, the vessel caught fire, and was burnt. Out of a crew of 21 persons, and 140 emigrants, men, women, and children, making a total of 161 persons, only 49 are saved. These are all safely landed at Lisbon, and have subsequently sailed for Greenock. The fire broke out in the after store-room, whilst the chief-mate was occupied in some necessary business there; and such was the progress of the flames, that only three small boats could be got overboard, before the flames consumed the tackle, &c. necessary for hoisting out the long-boat. In these three small boats 49 persons were received on board, with so scanty a supply of provisions, that the consequences must have been almost equally dreadful with the fate of those left on board, had not a Portuguese ship fallen in with them at day-light next morning.

London Workhouse. This asylum for the wretched was opened for their reception on New Year's day. The committee had met early in the day for the purpose of superintending some necessary alterations in the Workhouse for the accommodation of the houseless. The object the committee profess is the saving from starvation, or the fatal effects of exposure to the cold, those who have no cognizable claim upon parish relief. Members are to be appoint. ed from the Committee to go through the markets and search the penthouses of the metropolis nightly in search of fit objects for the notice of the Committee. During the period when shelter was afforded last winter to the poor in Mr. Hick's warehouse, 1522 persons were relieved.

A very singular and affecting case has occurred, which deserves to be recorded. The dead body of Charles Taylor was found in Hoxton-fields, and an investigation was instituted into the causes of his death. It was found out that he had lived at the Rose and Crown public house, Bunhill row, with a young woman who was supposed to be his wife. On the morning of the fatal day Taylor left the house soon after ten o'clock in the morning, with the view of looking for work. It was his custom to return at an early hour after a disappointment. Mrs. Taylor was not alarmed at his absence until that absence far exceeded the usual hours of labour.Her distress at his stay then became very great; and all the efforts of the landlady, who humanely represented the various circumstances which, at Christmas, were likely to keep a man from home, were ineffectual in giving consolation. The night

passed over, but the terrors of "the unfortunate young woman increased with the appearance of day. On the next morning she was discovered to have committed suicide! It turned out that she was the niece of the man, and had eloped with him when he left his wife and family. The Coroner's Inquest having assembled on Taylor's body, Mr. Stirling said, he had received an anonymous letter, which was without a signature; at the same time stating, that it could not be received as evidence.-The purport of the letter was, that its author had killed Taylor in selfdefence, having been attacked by him with a view to robbery.-The Jury returned the following verdict:-That Charles Taylor was killed by a pistol shot on the 22d instant; but by whom, or under what circumstances, the said pistol was fired, there was no evidence adduced to the Jury.

There has been so little to call for any general observation since the date of our last month's report, that we shall not detain our readers by any preliminary observations, but refer them to the details, requesting, however, their attention to some points of comparison which we shall have occasion to notice, in the state of the commerce in certain articles of colonial produce in the last and some preceding years.

Coffee. For a considerable time after our last report the market remained languid; and so little, in fact, doing, that the prices were almost considered as nominal till about the 11th, when there was a public sale of 282 casks, and 49 bags, the whole of which went off freely, fully supporting the previous prices by private contract, and in some instances rather higher prices were obtained. The holders by private contract were very firm; for St. Domingo 118s. were refused. In the ensuing week the demand gradually became more general, and the prices improved, 121s. being paid by private contract for St. Domingo. Public sales on the 16th, 18th, and 19th, went off with spirit; on the latter day good and fine ordinary Jamaica sold at 118s. 6d. to 122s, middling 128s. 6d. middling Demerara 132s. to 133s. The markets looked firm, with appearance of a further advance.

The high rate at which coffee has continued for several years, in comparison with any other article of colonial produce, has occasioned, as might have been anticipated, an increased importation in 1820. Yet the supply still seems inadequate to the increased consumption, as the stock in hand is now smaller than in any preceding year. The quantity in Great Britain has partially decreased for a series of years:

.16,850..

Bags. ..74,700

1819.........10,940........47,200

1820........ 9,220...39,760 Sugar.-During the Christmas week there was of course very little doing, but in the first week of the present month the demand for Moscovades was brisk and extensive, the purchases exceeding 7,000 hds. and the prices 28. higher. The immediate cause of the improvement appeared to be a great increase in the demand, and consequent advance in the prices of refined. Some reports had been spread of the probability of a favourable alteration in the Russian Tariff, but it afterwards appeared that the proposal to admit refined sugar on more favourable terms had been rejected by the Russian government; yet, though this expected change certainly had caused the rise in the prices, the buyers have still remained confident that there will be little if any depression, as the prices have been lately very low, and they look to a general revival of trade. There has been nothing doing in foreign and East India sugars. 500 chests Havannah put up to sale on the 12th were all taken in, as were 372 boxes Havannah on the 19th. Some East India of inferior