chiefly directed to their desired object." And in our own country, at the present moment, the encouragement which an author receives from his bookseller is almost wholly proportion ed to the manner in which the work shall be treated in the Reviews. Their verdicts, when favourable, are, accordingly, sometimes, advertised, as the legitimate passport for a book's circulation. On the same ground, are works usually admitted, or rejected, by the members of our numerous Book Societies.

Nor is it of consequence, that a few sturdy doctors affect to despise the decisions of these critics. Our position is, that they influence the public mind on every popular subject; and, as the great author of "Reflections on the French Revolution" has observed, and, as that event has fully proved, in vain will a few individuals of any description attempt long to preserve any public institutions which the public have been taught to despise.

mense.

The importance of the publications in question, is, therefore, we see, imThe grand engine by which the whole system of the government, religion, learning, and manners of a nation is moved, is the press. And yet, as we have shewn, the press is governed to a great degree by these publications. It is then of vast moment to the public happiness, that the principles of these works should be sound. If, with the interests of literature, those of the throne and the altar are properly regarded by the Conductors of such works; if, like the ancient Roman censors, they are indeed careful "ne injuriam capiat respublica;" they occupy a station of the first importance; they class with the greatest benefactors to their country, and are intitled to its warmest gratitude. On the other hand, if, under the mask of literary criticism, they are fostering a spurious philosoChrist. Observ. No. 2.

phy, and an unscriptural religion; if they are openly, or secretly, undermining institutions which time has rendered venerable, and experience has proved invaluable; or, if zealous for out-works, and forms, and externals, they mutilate the doctrines and neglect the spirit of the National Church, their employment and their deserts must be estimated very differently. In this case, it is high time that these guardians of our literature should themselves be guarded, that these controllers of the press should themselves be controlled; it is high time some effort should be made to counteract the operation of principles so defective or per nicious. Whether or not, some, or all, of our monthly publications are reprehensible in some, or all, of these particulars, shall be shewn hereafter. Nor can they who have assumed the office of judging others, reasonably object to be scrutinized themselves. Con. SCIOUS of the merciless amputations they have made, they can only, on losing a few thumbs and great toes of their own, adopt the language of Aconibezek, "As we have done, so it is requited us."

But after all, we too, it will be said, have our prejudices. This will be readily and cheerfully admitted. Our object is to shew, that amidst all the infatuated fondness for innovation which obtains, that after so many unsupported pretensions to the character of friends to our civil and ecclesiastical establishment, there is yet a large body of men who are really prejudiced in favour of their genuine principles. From these principles we shall neither be driven by calumny, nor seduced by favour; persuaded as we are, that they are equally founded in truth, and pregnant with good; and that only in a firm adherence to them can be expected the happiness of individuals, and the pros. perity of our nation.

Ꭱ

1

GREAT BRITAIN.

A NEW edition of the True Churchman Ascertained, by the Rev. JOHN OVERTON, is in the press, and will be ready about the middle of March.

The Rev. JAMES FRANKS, of Halifax, has circulated proposals for publishing by subscription a work intitled SACRED LITERATURE, or Remarks upon the Book of Genesis; collected and arranged, to promote the Knowledge, and evince the Excellence of the Holy Scriptures. It will be printed in one vol. 8vo. price 8s. upon a good paper, and with a good type, and will extend to more than 450 pages. The Author observes in his proposals::-| have been long of opinion, that a person could not be better employed, than in collecting and arranging those excellent scriptural remarks, that are widely scattered in a vast number of books.

"The Historian, the Linguist, the Traveller, the Rhetorician, the Philosopher, the Logician, the Mythologist, the Lawyer, the Physician, the Divine, by bending the force of their attention to some particular object, may either discover, or place in a striking point of view, some parts of Scripture, which have relation to the subjects, with which they are respectively most intimately acquainted. It has been my intention, as far as I have had leisure and opportunities, to collect such scattered passages."

Mr. NICHOLSON, who has for some time conducted, Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and the Arts, in 4to. discontinued the 4to. form on the 1st Dec. and on the 1st Jan. began a new series, in Monthly Numbers, in 8vo at 2s. 6d. each, with a variety of improvements in the plan.

Mr BLAIR, of Great Russell Street, has circulated proposals for publishing an Entire System of Medical and Operative Surgery; comprising the latest Improvements, in Theory and Practice; with upwards of 150 Engravings of Chirurgical Diseases, Operations, and Instruments, executed by Mr. Hery. The work will extend to five vols. in 8vo. at 12s. per vol. to Subscribers, and 15s. to Non-subscribers. few impressions will be taken upon superfine wove paper, with proof plates, at 18s. per volume.

A

Speedily will be published, by James Dillon and Sons, Printers, Edinburgh, and by Ogle, London, The EVANGELICAL PREACHER, a Collection of Doctrinal and Practical Sermons, by Dissenting Ministers of the last century, Bradbury, J & S. Stennett, Gill, Hurri. on, Grosvenor, Brine, &c. chiefly selected from detached pamphlets rarely to be met with.

The periodical work, called The MONTHLY EPITOME, began an enlarged and improved Series on the 1st of Feb. A department for

Original Criticism and Correspondence is added to the former plan, which was confined to an analysis of a few leading or popular works, and extracts from them, together with a List of New Publications, &c. An additional half-sheet is given, though the price is not raised; and if it be found requisite, a Supplementary number will be added to each future Volume. The Proprietors say that their work will be more Impartial, Early, Comprehensive, Interesting, and Select, than other Literary Journals. These are large promises, and we fear will raise expectations, which will be disappointed; we are well informed, however, and this it is with which the CHRISTIAN ÜBSERVER has most concern, that the Work is under the management of persons who will exclude every thing injurious to sound principles and good morals.

A new edition of WHISTON'S JOSEPHUS is publishing at Edinburgh in Numbers. It will be completed in 34 Numbers, at 6d. each, or on fine paper, 73d., making three vols. in 8vo.

A new edition of FENELON'S Treatise on Charity, in 1 vol. 8vo. is gone to press

A volume of Discourses, by the Rev. Mr. DAUBENY, upon the connection between the Old and New Testament, will be speedily published.

A small Annual Volume is announced, entitled The POETICAL REGISTER, AND REPOSITORY OF FUGITIVE POETRY. It is intended to comprise all those pieces of fugitive poetry worthy of preservation, which are to be found in the various periodical publications; original contributions from literary characters; concise criticisms on the principal poetic and dramatic productions, with a complete catalogue; notices of works designed for the press; biographical sketches of celebrated poets who died in the course of the last year; and a selection from scarce ancient English Poets, of such poems as are not generally known, with biographical notices of their authors. The original department of this work will be supported by several writers of poetical eminence.

For the accommodation of those who may wish to travel through France upon the perfect establishment of Peace, there is in the Press A NEW ITINERARY, or Correct Delineation of all the Great and Cross Roads throughout the 103 Departments of the French Republic; translated from a New Work published at Paris by command of the Directors General of the Post Office; to which will be added, The Existing Laws respecting Postage, an Exact List of the places where Post Horses are stationed, the respective Distances of such places, and the Departure and Arrival of the Mails, with copious Indexes, and a Road Map of the 103 Departments.

In the press, and will be published by Chap

man and Co. of Edinburgh, an elegant and uniform edition of the Smaller Practical Works of the late Rev. JOHN BROWN, of Haddington; with a large account of his Life. It is expect ed they will form six vols. in 12mo.

Mr. BEARDMAN, Veterinary Surgeon to the Third Regiment of Dragoons, has in the press A Dictionary of the Veterinary Art, which will be published in two vols. 4to. with anatomical plates.

Mr. PORSON has advertised the Supplementary Preface and Notes to his second edition of the Hecuba, separately, to accommodate the purchasers of the first.

In the course of this year will be published Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, by H. REPTON, Esq. in 4to, with numerous plates, price 41. 4s. to subscribers.

Mr. GIFFORD proposes to publish next winter the first volume of A History of France, from the Accession of Lewis XVI to the Peace of 18**. It will be printed in 4to. and extend to three or four volumes. To each volume will be subjoined an Appendix of State Papers, &c.

A second volume in 4to. with a Map and Engravings, is in the press, of Lieut Col. COLLINS's Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, comprising the Transactions of the Settlement for four years subsequent to the former account, and containing some interesting particulars of the discovery of Bass Strait, and further observations on the Customs and Manners of the Natives of New Holland.

The first volume of a magnificent work in 4to. is announced for the month of March, on the Progress of Maritime Discovery, by Rev J. S. CLARKE, F. R. S. Domestic, Chaplain to the Prince, and Vicar of Preston; patronised and assisted by professional men. This work was undertaken under the immediate sanction of Earl Spencer and the Board of Admiralty; and its object is, to compress and connect the extensive and hitherto detached subject of Discovery. It will be illustrated by Original Views of Coasts and Islands, by Pocock; and intirely New Charts, by Arrowsmith, which will form a complete British Neptune. A volume will be published early in each year till the whole is completed.

For the same month is also announced, in two vols. 4to., Modern Geography: A Description of the Empires, Kingdoms, and States, with the Oceans, Seas, and Isles, in all parts of the world; including the most recent Dis. coveries and Political Alterations: by Mr. JOHN PINKERTON; 'with an Astronomical Introduction, by Professor VINCE. It will be accompanied by between forty and fifty Maps drawn under the direction, and with the last improvements of Arrowsmith; and engraved by Lowry, in a new manner suggested by the Author, and illustrated by him with many important features of the countries, and interesting names, derived from numerous works of Natural and Civil History, which will be in vain sought for even in a large and expensive Atlas. An abridgement of this work is pre

paring.

The Author and Publishers of the last mentioned work will allow us to suggest, that, having seen the drawings of these maps and highly approving them, we think a good opportunity is afforded, which will be highly advantageous to the public and beneficial to the undertakers, of supplying a defect long felt and lamented by those who have the care of the classical education of youth ASCHOOL ATLAS, with the corresponding Ancient and Modern Maps on the same scale and upon opposite pages, is the best possible assistance in teaching youth Comparative Geography. It has been already tried in Stackhouse's Atlas ; and nothing but the excellence of the plan could have given a work, which is at the same time very expensive and very inaccurate, such extensive circulation, nor have induced Dr. Vincent, which we know to be the case, to recommend the use of it at Westminster. Were the same artists as have been employed in the above work, to prepare, under Mr Pinkerton's direction, Ancient Maps to correspond with all the Modern which would require it, and were the whole to be published separately as a School Atlas, without letter-press, or with a short Introduction to Geography, and not to exceed a Guinea in price, it would command a most extensive sale, both in Schools and for Private Use.

In the Press, An Account of a Geographical and Astronomical Expedition to the Northern Parts of Russia, performed by command of Cath. II., by Commodore JOSEPH BILLINGS, from 1785 to 1794. The whole is narrated from the original papers by MARTIN SAUER, Secretary to the Expedition, and will be published in 4to. with a Chart and numerous Engravings.

The first prize of 401 founded by the late Rev. J. Hulse of Cambridge, for the best Dissertation in the English language, on the Evidences of the Christian Religion, is adjudged to Mr. J. B. SUMNER, Assistant-Master at Eton.

Mr. CLARKE, of Jesus College, Cambridge, who has a travelling Fellowship from the University, has sent home very valuable antiquities from Egypt; amongst which is the original MS. of the Arabian Night's Entertainment.

brain may be communicated to the muscles, and the impressions made upon different parts of the body conveyed to the brain. The Author, however, shews that they do possess a power of contraction. He proves it from various experiments made upon horses while they were dying. The phrenic nerve of several was divided after they were knocked down, and the irritation produced by dividing it, caused it to contract in some instances as much as two inches. These experiments, upon so large an animal as the horse, made by a person well qualified for the purpose, and repeated sufficiently often to preclude material fallacy, admit of the following conclusions being drawn from them.-1. That the nerves of an animal in health are capable of retracting themselves when divided, and that this effect is entirely independent of the parts by which they are surrounded. 2 That this contraction takes place in the nervous fibres themselves; and is independent of the brain, from which they originate, and of the muscles and other parts in which they terminate, 3. That the contracted nerve exhibits to the eye an appearance of contraction in its fibres, not to be seen when it is in a relaxed state. This appearance the Author has fully delineated in a plate. These experiments and observations appear to illustrate an action in the nervous chords, capable of producing the symptoms which are met with in many diseases of a spasmodic nature, which have never yet been satisfactorily explained. They shew that inflammation on the cut end of a nerve, while in an irritable state, is capable of producing exactly the same symptoms as the original disease, a very remarkable instance of which is here given. This effect of inflammation upon the end of a nerve, explains also the startings of the limb which occur too frequently after amputation, and illustrates the cause of locked jaw, when it is produced by a wound or bruise upon a nerve in a constitution either naturally irritable, or rendered so by climate.

Art. 2. The Bakerian Lecture. On the Mechanism of the Eye. By THOMAS YOUNG, M.

D. F. R. S.

The method by which the eye accommodates itself to the perception of objects at different distances, has long been a subject of debate. Dr Y., in the year 1793, had laid before the Society some observations,tending to prove that this was effected by the muscularity of the chrystalline lens. Mr. Home, however, in the year 1795, controverted this opinion, and the results of his experiments appeared so satisfactorily to confute this hypothesis, that Dr. Y. thought it incumbent on him to take an opportunity of testifying his persuasion of the justice of Mr. Home's conclusions. Some subsequent observations have, however, induced him to return to his former opinion, and in the paper before us, he states the grounds upon which he supports that opinion, with much ingenuity and learning; but as the subject would be uninteresting to most of our readers, we shall only state the principal objects and results of his investigation. These

are, I. The determination of the refractive power of a variable medium, and its application to the construction of the chrystalline lens. 2. The construction of an instrument for ascertaining, upon inspection, the exact focal distance of every eye, and the remedy for its imperfections. 3. To shew the accurate adjustment of every part of the eye, for seeing with distinctness the greatest possible extent of objects at the same instant. 4. To measure the collective dispersion of coloured rays in the eye. 5. By immerging the eye in water, to demonstrate that its accommodation does not depend on any change in the curvature of the cornea. 6. By confining the eye at the extremities of its axis, to prove that no material alteration of its length can take place. 7. To examine what inference can be drawn from the experiments hitherto made on persons deprived of the lens; to pursue the inquiry on the principles suggested by Dr. Potterfield; and to confirm his opinion of the utter inability of such persons to change the refractive state of the organ. 8. To deduce from the aberration of the lateral rays, a decisive argument in favour of a change in the figure of the chrystalline; to ascertain from the quantity of this aberration, the form into which the lens appeared to be thrown in his own eye, and the mode by which the change must be produced in that of every other per

son.

Art. 3. On the necessary Truth of certain Conclusions obtained by means of imaginary Quantities. By ROBERT WOODHOUSE, A. M. Fellow of Caius College. Communicated by the Rev. S Vince, A M Plumian Professor of Astronomy in the University of Cambridge.

Art. 4. On the Production of Artificial Cold, by means of Muriate of Lime. By Mr. RICHARD WALKER. Communicated by Henry Cavendish, Esq. F. R. S.

Mr Walker has long been known as a successful labourer in that branch of experimental philosophy which is the subject of this article. In the Philosophical Transactions for 1795, he communicated a paper on the best methods of producing artificial cold. Since that time, Mr. Lowitz, Professor of Chemistry, in Petersburgh, has discovered that a neutral salt, but little known or attended to before by chemists, the chrystallized muriate of lime, possesses, when mixed with ice, extraordina ry powers of generating cold; sinking the thermometer no less than 82 degrees at the temperature of 27. Three parts of the muriate of lime powdered were added to two of snow, the latter being previously put into a convenient vessel. The muriate of lime was thus prepared: muriatic acid, one art, and distilled water, three parts, were thoroughly mixed. This liquor was then perfectly saturated with whiting, and when clear poured off. This mixture was afterwards evaporated till it chrystallized in air at + 32o (which happened when the liquor had been evaporated to the consistance of a thin syrup) and then reduced to fine powder. mixture of this kind, Professor Lowitz froze

With a

in one experiment 35 pounds of quicksilver. Mr. W. has repeated the Professor's experi. ments with success, and whereas the muriate of lime, prepared as above, becomes unfit for use by being exposed to a warmer temperature than that of a freezing atmosphere, Mr. W. has shewn a method of preparing the salt so as to endure being kept in a solid state throughout the year. This consists in evaporating the liquor prepared as above to the consistence of a thickish syrup, before it is set by to chrystallize, when the produce will be a semi-transparent, uniform, chrystalline mass, which affords on pulverizing a white pearlcoloured powder, which should be preserved for use in a bottle closed with a ground stopper.

Art 5. Account of a monstrous Lamb. In a Letter from Mr. ANTHONY CARLISLE, to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B. P.

R. S.

This monster, which was not yeaned alive, was deficient in all parts of the head below the

ears

Art 6 An Anotomical Description of a Male Rhinoceros. By Mr H. LEIGH THOMAS, Surgeon. Communicated by George Fordyce, M D. FR S.

The subject of this account was brought from the East Indies to England; where it was intended he should remain, until a favour able opportunity should offer of sending him to Vienna During the passage from India he appeared to enjoy a good state of health, which continued uninterrupted until a few days before his death, at which time he was attacked with difficulty of breathing, and died before he had attained his third year In the course of this time had become perfectly docile and tame; but never by actions or otherwise expressed the smallest regard or affection for his keeper, or for any of the people who occasionally fed him: neither was he easily irritated, but preserved on all occasions the most perfect indifference and stupidity. He was fed chiefly upon hay and oats, also potatoes and other fresh vegetables, his conSumption of which was prodigious, exceeding that of two or three working horses. It would appear that this animal had not arrived to its full growth: he was scarcely so high as a twoyear-old heifer; but the bulk of his body by measurement considerably exceeded the length The horn which is affixed to the up per lip of the adult rhinoceros was here just beginning to sprout. The hoofs were divided into three obtuse parts: the soles of the feet were well defended by a large mass of elastic matter, covered by a strong horn-like sub

stance

It would be uninteresting to our readers to give a detail of the anatomy of this animal. In general the structure appears to have corresponded to that of the horse.

Art. 7. Demonstration of a Theorem, by which such Portions of the Solidity of a Sphere are assigned as admit an Algebraic Expression. By ROBERT WOODHOUES, A. M. Fellow of Caius

College, Cambridge. Communicated by Joseph Planta, Esq. Sec. R. S.

Art. 8. Account of the Discovery of Silver in Herland Copper Mine. By the Rev. MALACHY HITCHINS. Communicated by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B. P. R. Š.

Herland mine is situated in the parish of Gwinear, in Cornwall. At the depth of 115 fathoms, a discovery has been made of a considerable quantity of silver ore in a particular part of the mine. The singularity of the discovery has excited the curiosity of the public in that county. For though the numerous veins of lead in Cornwall are richly impregnated with silver, and occasionally yield small quantities of silver ore, and even specimens of native silver, yet hitherto no instance had been known of their yielding this precious metal in súch abundance, or with such peculiar circumstances. About one hundred and eight tons of this ore have been raised. It does not, however, appear that 'any considerable quantities more are likely to be obtained, on account of the great depth at which it is situated Forty-five fathoms have been sunk since the first discovery of the silver, and twenty or twenty-five fathoms more are as much as can be sunk in this mine with its present mechanical powers of drawing the water, at which level, viz one hundred and eighty fathoms from the surface, it would be somewhat deeper than any mine in Cornwall, and about 130 fathoms below the level of the sea at low water mark.

Art 9. Account of an Elephant's Tusk, in which the Iron Head of a Spear was found imbedded By Mr. CHARLES COMBE, of Exeter College, Oxford. In a Letter to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B. P. R S.

The tusk weighed fifty pounds, and measur ed six feet in length. When it was delivered into the hands of the workmen, they heard, on the tusk being shaken, a rattling noise about 24 feet from the bore, and in consequence made a transverse section, somewhat below the part whence the sound proceeded. Here, upon enlarging the aperture by a chissel, they distinguished a hard extraneous body; and on making other sections, found it to be an iron spear-head, considerably corroded. It is no uncommon circumstance to meet with brass, lead, and iron musket balls in the substance of an elephant's tusk, but a spearhead in a similar situation, it is supposed, has not hitherto been observed. Besides, general appearances seem to indicate that balls are projected through the sides of the tusk, whereas in the instance before us, it is hardly possible that the accident could have taken place in that way. The texture of the surrounding ivory bore no marks of external injury, and the spear head pursued the natural course of the cavity, pointing downwards towards the apex of the tusk-The most probable conjecture is, that the spear entered at the basis of the trunk. Were we aquainted with the rate of progress which a tusk assumes in growth, we might make some estimate of the