CORRESPONDENCE.

[Our European correspondent expects to begin his regular course in a few weeks. We give some notes from him, dated 29 of December.]

HIGHLY interesting experiments on animals with chloroform were detailed at a recent meeting of the Academy of Sciences. An animated feud has arisen in the Academy between the young astronomer, Leverrier, and several of his elder brethren. Arago is opposed to him.

The population of Piedmont (kingdom) is four millions and a half; the military peace establishment, ninety thousand; the war footing is a hundred and forty-two thousand.

Within the last two years past, twelve French vessels of war have been lost. The two last wrecked were the noble frigate and the corvette that slaughtered the Cochin Chinese.

The Council-General of the Department of the Seine have declared, in the name of the capital, The scientific report-after animated discussion, against the doctrines of free trade, and have demanded the maintenance of the tariff in favor of domestic industry.

ers for the Journal des Débats (ministerial) side
with Leverrier; those for the National (republi-
can) against him, as Arago is of the same creed
and party.
Politics intrude into discussions about

comets.

The number of public (government) functionaries in France is estimated at nearly four hundred thousand-almost double that of the legal

voters.

The evident deep understanding of the government of Louis Philippe with the absolute powers All the enemies in Europe of American instituof Germany and the north, is obnoxious to a large tions were grievously disappointed by the order majority of the French people. It may belie the and peaceableness of the last election of Presiconfident prediction of the ministerial journals that dent-three millions giving free suffrage, and Mr. Guizot will retain his majority in both cham- no riots, no bloodshed! We may trust that Conbers throughout the session. Not a word touch-gress will inflict a severer disappointment on all ing the Pope or Italy in Louis Philippe's speech. monarchical Europe by moderation and final conLord Palmerston combats French policy every- cord in the treatment of the Mexican and slavery where; an apparent concord is obtained only by questions. Internal divisions form, now, the sole the yielding of M. Guizot. This, too, greatly hope of the Old World, in regard to the anxiously annoys the French politicians of every denomina- desired dissolution of the American Union, and tion. The royal mouth ventured nothing about miscarriage of the republican system. Spain. A sudden alarm is sounded in Great Britain with regard to French invasion, and very inadequate preparation for the danger. It appears that the government has been roused, and directs new and comprehensive measures of national defence. Austria, Russia and Prussia are increasing their armaments and organizing themselves further with a view to a general strife. Royal speeches, however, announce universal amity.

The conservatives over the whole continent sigh for popular excesses in Italy, and particularly in the Papal dominions, as the liberal cause can in that way only be frustrated. We expect to hear, daily, of a diffusive and obstinate insurrection in the kingdom of Naples and Sicily. The political tumults and sanguinary affrays in the city of Naples, if suppressed for one week, will recur the next, until the struggle between reform and absolutism be decided. The probability is that the court must make large concessions.

Some remarkable documents on the coal-mines of China were lately submitted to the Academy of Sciences. Sir John Davis has failed in his attempt to profit by the French slaughter of the Cochin Chinese; but he will persevere, and may succeed. England is bent on supremacy, of one kind or other, in the whole Asiatic Archipelago. The Annamite empire is as lawful prey as the Celestial. See the Journal des Débats of the 22d December for an instructive article on Cochin China.

The Paris National affirms that in less than ten years, since the revolution of July, fourteen thousand citizens have been imprisoned in France on political charges. At the last anniversary-the seventeenth of Louis Philippe's reign-not a single political prisoner was included in the royal amnesty, which embraced malefactors of all other descriptions. The Paris jail, St. Pélagie, is crowded with gérants-responsible managers of journals. So much rigor in the treatment of domestic radicals and legitimists may be contrasted with the frequent affectation of liberality towards those of other kingdoms who take refuge in France. The number of brigands and patriots incarcerated The number for November of the Compte Rendu, in Naples and Sicily within the few months past or Monthly Report of the transactions of the Paris is stated at eight thousand. In the recent tumults Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, comprises in the capital, the sons of some of the principal a very interesting and instructive Essay on the Intelnoblesse sided with the people. They have been arrested as the worst of offenders. Their conduct is certainly ominous for the absolute throne. According to the British Military Journal, the army in India is of two hundred and fifty thousand men, with eight hundred British officers, and could be doubled in six months.

Four principal somnambulists are now advertising for custom in the Journal des Débats.

lectual and Moral Statistics of France, by M. Fayel. It treats particularly of the crimnal records. These are investigated in all the details of age and sex, and number and nature of public offences. The author takes a period of nineteen years—from 1828 to 1844-and finds that, in France, a million of individuals, of the masculine gender, has furnished 9088 accused, and 1507 suicides, while a million of individuals, of the feminine sex, has

cause of our independence. Baron Humboldt, the lion of the evening, had arrived before us. He stood from nine o'clock until near midnight, talking earnestly with all who approached him—this at the age of nearly eighty, and in a warm atmosphere! As you have seen in your newspapers a description of the person and mien of the celebrated traveller, I need not say more than that they are fitted to beget additional reverence.

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furnished but 1827 accused, and 495 suicides. | Mr. Rush, and witness, for the first time, a social The British criminal reports show, like those of meeting of the Americans. I am told that the France, a relative criminality four or five times Viscountess de Kalb d'Absac expressed admiration greater in man than in woman, and it is earlier in at the aspect and demeanor of the republican the male sex. The records of Belgium, Prussia, belles. She was accompanied by two fine youths, and some states of Germany, are likewise exam-great-grandsons of the illustrious martyr to the ined, and give the same results. With regard to the different periods of life, or age generally, the two sexes seem to be subject to the same influences; the proportion of offences is nearly the same. The writer inquires into the causes of the enormous difference in the total of crimes committed by the two sexes respectively. The discussion is curious and important, especially as to the item of suicide—three to one on the male side. In France, smuggling is the most frequent offence of youth—a fifth of the whole number of culprits being below sixteen years of age; the greater part are mere instruments of parents and masters, whose profession is that of contraband. The entire eastern and northern frontiers of France are to be considered as places of preparation or noviciate for the prisons and galleys. Agriculture and education are neglected for the chance of illicit gain, which is usually spent in taverns and dramshops. During the term of nineteen years, there was very little variation in the particular criminality of the male sex. The maximum for both sexes is between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five. The greater influence of religion over females is deemed the principal cause of the difference in the matter of suicide

In addition to the valuable correspondence, for which our arrangements are now completed, and which will be regularly entered upon very soon, we are offered, from other quarters, an occasional letter which will show us something of fashion and society. Without committing ourselves on the subject, we make an

Extract of a letter, dated 28 December, 1847, from an American gentleman, à New Yorker, in Paris. "We were lucky in reaching the capital on the 18th inst. Our letter of introduction to the American consul was delivered on that day, and obtained for us, immediately, an invitation to an evening party, to be given in his apartment, on the 20th, to Baron Alexander Von Humboldt. We entered the salon between nine and ten o'clock, and found an assemblage of a hundred or more, which was increased by some twenty or thirty in the course of the evening. All the principal American families were present, such as the Corbins, the Van Zandts, the Ridgleys, the Haights, Ridgways, McKims, Greenes, &c. &c., the ladies being, in general, alike remarkable for beauty and toilette.

'Major Poussin, the fast friend of everybody and everything American and republican, had the goodness to name and point out to us a number of other guests. Arago, the astronomer; Baron de Barante, the historian; Madame Ancelot, the famous novelist and dramatist; M. de Tocqueville; Baron Charles Dupin; M. Hottinguer, the banker; Somard, of the Institute; the Italian Abbé Lanci, one of the most renowned and erudite of Oriental scholars; Señor Marliani, the bosom friend of Espartero, and author of the Political History of Spain; Duflot de Mafras, the traveller in Mexico and Oregon; Paganel, secretary general of the minister of commerce, a deputy and an author of repute; M. Franck, an Israelite, professor of philosophy in the College of France, and a profound teacher and writer of metaphysics; some eminent adepts in Chinese literature; several members of the Chamber of Peers and Deputies; the Lafayette family; the Russian Princes Wolkonski; officers of the royal artillery, staff, &c. &c. About eleven o'clock, two Italian ladies sang duets in the highest style of excellence, and they were followed by our young countryman, Mr. Drayton, of Philadelphia, a pupil of the Conservatory of Music, whose voice and method place him in the first class of that great school. Four rooms being open, the younger part of the company danced to a piano, played by a professor, until one in the morning. The soirée was pronounced brilliant and delightful. Such a réunion of French luminaries in science, literature and politics, is said to be extremely rare in the dwelling of any foreigner.

"Mr. Rush, the minister, is handsomely and suitably established in the fashionable Faubourg St. Germain, and near to the palace of the Chamber of Deputies. On Christmas day, he entertained, at dinner, eighteen or twenty American ladies and gentlemen, all of Philadelphia, except two or three. One of these was Mr. Bancroft, our envoy near the court of London, who has escaped from his post, during the recess of parliament, in order to pursue researches here in the libraries and public departments with reference to his history of our revolution.

"I perceived, in the crowd, our minister, Mr. Rush, and his two very interesting daughters, with the secretary of legation and the private secretary. The lineal descendants of Major General Baron de "I learn from a guest that the repast at Mr. Kalb, the German who served and perished so Rush's had every merit, intellectual and gastrogloriously in our revolution, had come from a dis-nomical. This gentleman, perfectly well-bred ance in the country, to form an acquaintance with and well-disposed as he is, and well prepared by

diplomatic experience and repute, cannot fail to give universal satisfaction in the end. Several opulent American families are so domiciled and connected in this capital, that a season of elegant conviviality between them may be confidently predicted. Madame Moulton, formerly of New York, gave a brilliant dance yesterday evening. The company consisted mainly of Americans and the dignitaries of French banking. Her hotel is sumptuously arranged-ù la Thorn of old.

states, the pope, the king of Sardinia, and the Grand Duke of Tuscany and Lucca. The king of the two Sicilies and the Duke of Modena are inbe able to withstand the wishes of their subjects in vited to join this league, and probably will not long favor of such a union. The great ultimate object of this league is evident from the following words in its official announcement; that the states, 66 animated by the desire to contribute by their union to the increase of the dignity and prosperity of Italy, and being persuaded that the true and essential basis of the union of Italy consists in the fusion of the material interests of the population of their respective dominions, have agreed to form an association on the principle of the German Commercial League." It is difficult to estimate the importance of this fact in the influence it may exercise over the future destinies of Italy.

"We witnessed, to-day, the procession of the king to the Chamber of Deputies, for the opening and the royal speech. The weather was exceedingly inclement. We felt it ourselves, severely, on the vast Place de la Concorde, opposite the bridge which the procession was to cross. We might well pity the drenched National Guardscitizens fat and lean-who lined, along with the regular troops, the whole distance from the Tuil-federacy.-Christian Observer. eries to the palace of the deputies. We were not

permitted to approach the royal equipage within two or three hundred yards! Altogether, the presence of the king and the delivery of the speech in the hall did not occupy twenty minutes. The numerous staff and various military corps would have dazzled the host of spectators, but for snow, sleet, and an atmosphere as dark as a Kentucky cave. A glimpse of the sun has been a rare comfort here, I am informed, since the beginning of November. Wish we had our president's message as an immediate contrast with the string of nine barren royal paragraphs which I have bought for two sous, in a handbill. You will note the comments of the Paris and London journals when they reach you. One afternoon paper tells us that Louis Philippe is perfectly well-another that he is wofully broken.

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There is evidently an ardent aspiration in the either into one kingdom, or at least one great conItalian mind for the union of all the Italian states

A GREAT piece of literary news has made all Spain tremble with joy, and has, for the moment, calmed political agitations. Christinos, Progressistes, Moderados, &c., every one is talking, seeking, questioning; revenge, love, everything is forgotten. This is the news: After Don Quixote, or Don Quichotte, as we call him in France, Certhe key of his work, for there he placed all the vantes wrote a volume entitled Buscapie, that is, spirit of his immortal romance. Don Quixote, his friend Sancho, Dulcinea, all the heroes of his book, were personages of that time, and he made them known in the Buscapie. This manuscript was lost at the death of poor Cervantes, who perhaps had pledged it for a bit of bread, and researches for it have been vain, when suddenly, about a month since, a young Castilian scholar, M. de Castro, made the discovery of it. Great, as may be supposed, is the joy of the Spaniards, who at first doubted, and then jeered the fortunate possessor of the precious manuscript. But the Academies of Madrid having assembled and having established the authenticity of the thing, people have been compelled to believe, and now Spain prides herself upon this posthumous glory. We shall soon see this book translated into all languages, and added as a complement to the immortal romance which ornaments every library.-Advertiser.

PARIS newspapers announce the discovery of a vein of platinum in the metamorphic district of the valley of the Drac, department of Isère, which is expected to be worked with advantage. Hitherto this precious metal, which combines with incomparable hardness the lustre of gold and silver, has only been met with in the Ural Mountains, and its scar- INDIAN SUPERSTITION.-In illustration of the becity has always rendered the price very exorbitant. lief of the [Canadian] Indians in a special ProviIN August of the present year, the south-east dence, the following story may be worth telling. coast of England, from Margate to Brighton, was Some three or four years ago, a party of Saulteaux, visited by one of the most numerous flights of insects being much pressed by hunger, were anxious to on record. They consisted," says one observer, cross from the mainland to one of their fishing sta"of at least five species of lady-bird, (coccinella,) tions, an island about twenty miles distant; but it and they came in such dense numbers, as for miles was nearly as dangerous to go as to remain, for the along the coast to resemble a swarm of bees during spring had just reached that critical point when there hiving. The sea destroyed countless myriads of was neither open water nor trustworthy ice. A them; the grass and hedgerows, and every crevice council being held, to weigh the respective chances that afforded shelter from the wind, were colored of drowning and starving, all the speakers opposed with their numbers; and for many miles it was im- the contemplated move, till an old man of considerpossible to walk without crushing hundreds beneathable influence thus spoke :-"You know, my the tread. The insects evidently came from the friends, that the Great Spirit gave one of our east, from the direction of Calais and Ostend." squaws a child yesterday. Now, he cannot have Another observer, in order to give some idea of the sent it into the world to take it away again directly; extent and quantity of these little visitors, mentions and I would therefore recommend our carrying the that five bushels were swept from the Margate pier, child with us, and keeping close to it, as the assurIn full reliance on this and nearly the same from that of Ramsgate harbor. ance of our own safety." reasoning, nearly the whole band immediately comITALY. One of the most important of the politi-mitted themselves to the treacherous ice; and they cal events of the month is the formation of a com- all perished miserably, to the number of eight-andmercial league between three of the principle Italian twenty.-Sir George Simpson's Journey.

SCRAPS-Spain and Mexico; Saw-Dust; Wives, 261. —John O'Connell; Kicking Ladder, 280.-Christmas Boxes; We won't adjourn till Morning; Dramatic Authors, 282. — Parliament and the Prodigies, 283 -Enigma; Duck Shooting; Milton, 284.

PROSPECTUS.-This work is conducted in the spirit of | now becomes every intelligent American to be informed Littell's Museum of Foreign Literature, (which was favor- of the condition and changes of foreign countries. And ably received by the public for twenty years,) but as it is this not only because of their nearer connection with ourtwice as large, and appears so often, we not only give selves, but because the nations seem to be hastening, spirit and freshness to it by many things which were ex- through a rapid process of change, to some new state of cluded by a month's delay, but while thus extending our things, which the merely political prophet cannot compute scope and gathering a greater and more attractive variety, or foresee. are able so to increase the solid and substantial part of our literary, historical, and political harvest, as fully to satisfy the wants of the American reader.

Monthly parts. For such as prefer it in that form, the Living Age is put up in monthly parts, containing four or five weekly numbers. In this shape it shows to great advantage in comparison with other works, containing in Binding. We hind the work in a uniform, strong, and each part double the matter of any of the quarterlies. good style; and where customers bring their numbers in But we recommend the weekly numbers, as fresher and good order, can generally give them bound volumes in ex-fuller of life. Postage on the monthly parts is about 14 change without any delay. The price of the binding is cents. The volumes are published quarterly, each volume 50 cents a volume. As they are always bound to one containing as much matter as a quarterly review gives in pattern, there will be no difficulty in matching the future eighteen months. volumes.

Or all the Periodical Journals devoted to literature and science which abound in Europe and in this country, this has appeared to me to be the most useful. It contains indeed the exposition only of the current literature of the English language, but this by its immense extent and comprehension includes a portraiture of the human mind in the utmost expansion of the present age.

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 196.-12 FEBRUARY, 1848.