the appearance of invasion. The legislative body of the Italian republic has been required to take measures for contributing to the expedition against England, and has consented to grant an aid of land and sea forces. Five millions and a half of Milanese livres are to be raised by a land-tax, payable at a very short period; to be employed in the construction of two frigates and twelve gun boats and the equipment of troops.

The sittings of the legislative body, which has been new modelled by a late act of the Senate, were to be opened on the 6th, by Bonaparte with great pomp by a speech from a seat, which great pains have been taken to decorate, and which is intended very nearly to resemble a royal throne. Previous to this the First Consul was to be absent for some days, on a visit to the military preparations on the coast.

alliance with the Company of a very advantageous nature. But the article of chief importance is, that the trade between Persia and the Company has been opened in its full extent, according to the treaty concluded with the Persiau Ambassador; and the imports during the first three months have exceeded all expectation. This will probably constitute one of the most important eras in the history of the European settlements in the East. Such trade must soon become very great, and contribute prodigiously to the improve◄ ment both of the Peninsula, and of the Persian empire. It will speedily encrease the power, and consequence of the Company many fold; but it will too, in all probability, greatly accelerate the rupture of the connection of that wonderful colony with the mother country.

It is worthy of record that in spite of the late storms the British fleet maintained its station off the harbours of the enemy, and that Admiral Cornwallis, though obliged to bear away for Torbay, with two ships, on account of the damage sustained in their rigging, sailed again in 36 hours for his station, without having once gone on shore. The inimitable perseverance of this admirable commander, is beyond all praise, and is more glorious than any victory.

Dissentions of rather a serious nature exist in the German empire. The unfortunate constitution of that Body contains in itself sufficient seeds of Discord; and the late settlement of indemnities has added greatly to the ancient stock. The interests of Prussia, in that settlement were manifestly favoured || more than those of Austria. And violent remonstrances have been lately made by the Emperor, on that subject. He has chosen to put his complaints on the footing of religion; and has represented the injustice As a convoy of the French flotilla was endeavouring of reducing the number of Catholic voices in the on the 3d inst. to make its way along the coast from Diet, below that of the Protestant voices. The last one harbour to another, it was attacked by the Imaccounts received from Germany state that the Prus-mortalité, an English frigate of 36 guns, and the Arsian and Austrian interest contend with great violence for the superiority. Bavaria is the next in authority; but her weakness, and the opposition of her interests to those of Austria render her dependent upon France.

The disorders in the Ottoman empire appear to have nearly come to a crisis. Rebellion is no longer confined to the distant provinces, but has penetrated to the very seat of government. Two rebel Pachas marched into the streets of Constantinople, carrying terror and destruction along with them; while the Sultan was unable to oppose any effectual resistance. They at last retired. But their forbearance is suspected to have been purchased by the gold of the seraglio.

cher gun-brig, with signal effect. Five of the vessels have been sent into port, and a very considerable number must have been destroyed.

The scarcity of silver has at last produced a resolution for the emission of dollars, at the Bank. They are to be stamped and to pass for 3s. which is something more than they are worth; but the Bank continues bound to receive them again at that price. The only inconvenience apprehended from this measure is the danger of counterfeiting the coin, and this it will not be easy to prevent.

NOTICES.

LITERARY.

ROYAL SOCIETY.At the meeting on Thursday, January 12th, was read a paper of Count de Bournon, on chrystallization; and if calcedony be ever found chrystallized?

A capitulation has been formed between the Turkish commanders and the Beys in Egypt. The conditions are that the same government shall be restored in Egypt, as existed previous to the French invasion. Delay is made to the final settlement only till the terms shall be confirmed by the Turkish government. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.On the same evening was Arangements have at last been made between read a letter of Mr. Jackson on the ancient Utica, which France and Spain, for the surrender of Louisiana to was next in extent and magnitude to Carthage, and in the the United States. It is first to be formally ceded by same gulph. Here Mr. J. visited the subterraneous vaults, Spain to France and by France given to the Ameri-in which the ceilings were covered with bats of enormous cans. A bill for extending the laws of the United size, called by Virgil harpies, which being disturbed, left States to the newly acquired territories, has gone their places, and nearly extinguished the flambeaux, and through some stages. The misunderstanding between but for a lanthorn, the curious visitors might have been lost the Emperor of Morocco, and the United States has in the dark. In the same place Mr. J. found foxes, burbeen adjusted, and peace concluded. rowing in the underground ruins. The air in these caverns was oppressive, but by firing pistols was much cleared, and became more respirable.

Several peices of intelligence have lately been received from India. The Peishwa has been enthroned at Poonah, with great pomp, and amid the congraulations of a vast multitude of people: Scindea is expected to besiege Indoor, the capital of Holkar, who is reduced to extremity. Madagee Boonslah, the chief of the eastern Mahrattas, has formed an

ROYAL INSTITUTION. The following account of the improvements which have lately taken place in this excellent establishment will, we doubt not, be acceptable to our readers:

The apparatus for the lectures, and the collection of models have been increased, improved, and arranged in the

In the last Number of the Literary Journal, "a System volume of this interesting work is entirely devoted to the of Mineralogy," on the Wernerian plan, by Mr. Robert works of Domeniching, whose portrait, engraved after an Jamieson of Leith, a pupil of the celebrated Werner, was original picture found in Florence, and the life of that celeannounced as in the press. This system will comprehend brated painter are prefixed to this volume. The plates are Oryctognosy, Geognosy, Mineralogical Geography, Chemi- finely executed by Le Fevre, Madame le Fevre, Fortier, cal Mineralogy, and Economical Mineralogy. The magis- Besq, Boutrois, Gadefroi, Mad. Coiny, Devilliers, trates and town council of Edinburgh, we understand, || Dufresne and Gautier, but it must be a matter of sincere have unanimously resolved to recommend the above gentle-regret to every friend of the fine arts, that while Mr. Lanman to his Majesty as a proper person to be appointed pro- don has admitted into his valuable collection, paintings fessor of Natural History in the University of that city, in generally known and represented in the " Manual du Musée" the room of the deceased Doctor Walker. and "Annales du Musée" he should have excluded some of the most eminent works of Domenichino, for instance, the four Evangelists on the cupola of the church of St. Andrew della Valle in Rome, and other admirable productions of the same painter.

M. Pierre Custodi an Italian of distinguished literary character, is engaged in publishing at Milan, a collection of the works of all the authors who have written in the ItaLian language upon political economy. This valuable collection, of which four volumes executed in a superb style are already printed, will comprehend the works of Borghini, Scaruffi, Davanzati, Lerra Turbulo, Montanari, Bandini, Broggia, Maffei, Belloni, Pagnini, Neri, Galiani, Carli, Algarotti, Beccaria, Genovesi, Zanon, Verri, Paoletti, Briganti, d'Arco, Filangieri, Vasco, Mengotti, Palmieri, Gennaro di Cantalupo, Dellico, Corniani and Gianna. At the end of the collection M. Custodi will publish researches upon the industry and commerce of Italy from the most remote antiquity till the revival of letters, and give a view of the present state of Economical Science in Italy and of the other nations of Europe. A sketch of the author's life will be prefixed to each work. The whole collection will space of be comprized in 30 volumes, and published in the a year.

J. Izarn, Professor of Chemistry and Physics in the Society of Sciences, Belles Lettres, and Arts, at Paris, has published a volume in o, containing an explanation of the new chemical terms; designed for the use of those who without having turned their attention to the Science, wish to profit by its discoveries.

Nouveau Dictionaire d'Histoire Naturelle, or a New Dictionary of Natural History, applied to the Arts, and principally to Agriculture, and to rural and domestic Economy, is publishing at Paris, by a Society of naturalists and agriculturists, whose names are as follow:-Sonnini, Virey, Parmentier, Huzard, Bose, Chaptal, Olivier, Latreille, Gels, Thouin, Dutour and Patrin, almost all of them members of the National Institute. The work will form 24 large volumes 8vo. It is adorned with copper-plate figures taken from the three kingdoms of nature. A Paris, chez Deterville, rue du Battoir.

This grand undertaking is prosecuted with activity and now approaches to its termination. A more full account of the work will be given when the whole is completed, but it may be observed at present from the specimens that have already appeared, that it contains many interesting and important facts, and will be an useful acquisition to the scientific world.

The class of French literature of the National Institute, has resolved to publish a critical essay on two writers of the eighteenth century, namely on Gresset the poet, and Vauvenarques, a prose writer. Two committees have been appointed to prepare this essay. Andrieux, Boufflers, Collin d'Harleville, Fontanes and Ségur, form the committee charged with the critical examination of Gresset's works, and Garat, Morellet, Roederer, Sieyes and Sicurd, compose the other.

Citizen Landon has lately edited in Paris, "Vies et œuvres des Peintres les plus célèbres de toutes les écoles ; recueil classique contenant l'œuvre complétte du premier rang et leurs portraits, les principales productions des Artistes de la seconde et troisième classe; un abrégé de la vie des peintres Grecs et un choix des plus belles peintures antiques: reduit et gravé au trait, &c. &c. The first

"Nonnulla de Doctor Senf, in Halle, has published incremento ossium embryonum in primis gravditatis temporibus," with 2 plates. This instructive performance contains a very interesting account of the successive progress of ossification in embryo from the seventh to the fourteenth week of pregnancy.

A superb and magnificent Cabinet of Natural History, is to be sold at Leyden during the ensuing spring; the day of sale and conditions to be previously specified. It is said to contain specimens of whatever is precious and rare in the mineral and fossil kingdoms, such as ores of gold and silver, metals and precious stones, among which are several diamonds, sapphires, &c. &c. a unique jasper, all sorts of marble, with a great many other curiosities whose value and rarity serve to render this collection of the first importance: There is besides, a collection of shells, among which are the most admired species; the whole collected during a space of forty years, without pains or expence being spared, and arranged in order according to the systems of the most celebrated natural historians, Linnæus, Waller, &c. &c. Letters from probable purchasers may be addressed, Mrs. P. Den Hengst, et fils, Libraires dans Le Kalverstraat a Amsterdam.

Doctor Mitchel has discovered and published in the transactions of the American Society a process by which Sea Water may be rendered fit for scouring foul linen without the assistance of soap. Considering the pestilential diseases that are occasioned by a neglect of cleanliness on board ships during long voyages, this discovery may be regarded as of the greatest importance.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have to return our thanks for several valuable Communications whose insertion would not have been delayed but for the length of our General Views, which have also excluded other interesting Articles. The hing of H. shall not be entirely neglected.

VOLUME III.]

THE LITERARY JOURNAL.

LITERATURE.

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

exalted personage who was chosen to preside over the revels of Easter, Whitsuntide, and Christmas. The nature of the feudal establishment led to a very expensive style of living among the monarchs and great Godwin's Life of Chaucer.-(Concluded from our last.) lords of these times, who kept open tables for all their FROM ROM the religion of Chaucer's early days, our au- vassals. Public shews, exhibited in the open air thor turns to the amusements in which he probably were extremely popular among the ancient English; shared. As the minstrels were the principal ministers the most remarkable of which were, that at the inauof pleasure in those times, occasion is taken to intro-guration of the Lord Mayor, the ceremonial of Mayduce their progressive history. The serious compo-day, of setting the midsummer watch, and the shows sitions of the primitive bards and scalds were in pro- exhibited at the coronation of the king or some other cess of time intermingled with gay and jocular strains remarkable incident in the family of the sovereign. by the glee-men. While these musicians were held | The other diversions of our ancestors were hunting, in the highest respect they went about individually, hawking, archery, wrestling, prize-fighting, cockbut afterwards in companies; and their degenerating fighting and throwing at cocks, with bear and bullstate was farther marked by their songs, which they baiting-that humane and manly diversion, which, as originally composed themselves, being now furnished Mr. G. observes, some of our modern politicians have them by others. It was after the Norman conquest accounted "a becoming school for courage, gene that the name of minstrel was introduced; and the rosity and benevolence, and a pledge of our retaining part he had to perform was infinitely more complicated among us the virtues of our ancient character." than that of his predecessors of former times: he at Robbery, which we may expect some day to hear once required the accomplishments of a vocal and panegyrised in the same manner, is pointed out as instrumental performer, a dancer, a posture-master, becoming extremely general in consequence of the a jester, a professor of legerdemain, and a sorcerer. nation being familiarized to such diversions. The The detailed account of these qualifications is very account of tournaments, and of the orders of the amusing. The minstrels having become extremely Round Table and the Garter, which follow, are an numerous, were at length formed into a sort of cor- easy compilation of a few well-known facts. poration.

The

That the minstrels were our first dramatists is attempted to be proved from the writings of John of Salisbury, who lived in the twelfth century, in which they are styled histriones and mimi. The origin of the miracle-plays and mysteries, Mr. G. attributes to the jealousy of the monks, who could not endure that any but themselves should possess influence over the minds of the people, and who consequently looked with an evil eye on the extreme fondness prevailing for the profane plays of the minstrels. The pageants are the only profane plays in the twelfth and thirteenth || centuries, particularly mentioned in history. miracle plays represented the miracles of the confessors, and the sufferings of the martyrs. The actors consisted at various periods, of the clergy, of boys, of the parish-clerks. The mysteries, which represented the actions of Scriptural personages, were of a later date and a more select nature. By the close of the fourteenth century profane plays were common. The conjecture of Roscoe that the miracle-plays were at first represented in dumb shew is combated from the early history of other nations, and from a mixture of dialogue being more naturally suggested by what is observed in real life.

The Feasts of Fools, of the Ass, and of Innocents, these Fescennines of the middle ages in which the populace burlesqued the rites of the church which they at other seasons adored, are pleasantly described; as well as the Lord of misrule, a very

VOL. III.

The description which is given of the ancient style of architecture contains only facts generally known. Massive pillars, and circular arches formed the characteristics of the more ancient Gothic style; the latter Gothic is known by its pointed arches, its slender pillars, the vaultings of its roofs formed by successive curves, and the prominent buttresses on the outside of the walls. In a comparison of the Gothic and Grecian styles we are told, that the former “is more religious," entirely according to Mr. G's ideas of religion which we remarked above. A tediously minute description of the ancient castles succeeds, not on account of the things themselves, but because such a description gives us the deepest insight into the mind of Chaucer. When the ferocity of the times began to relax, and society to acquire a more settled form, it became customary for men of rank to have a manor-house for their usual residence, while the castle was only used as a place of resort in the hour of danger.

The use of paintings and sculpture in the Roman Catholic worship, caused these arts to be early cultivated in every popish country. In the tenth century, St. Dunstan, and many other natives of this island, were celebrated for their skill in painting; as well as for their curious works in gold and silver. As a specimen of the embroidery of the eleventh century, our author quotes that celebrated tapestry, representing the atchievements of William the Conqueror, which has lately been exhibited at Paris, by order of E

another intended conqueror. Mr. G. supposes it to have been executed by the hands of English women. The paintings lately discovered in St. Stephen's chapel form an instance of the state of that art in the reign of Henry III.; and we are told that a full account of them is preparing for the public by Mr. Smith, of Newman-street.

vast popularity from the licentiousness of the monks rendering them improper instructors of youth; while, in their turn, the universities were thinned by the fears of parents, lest their children should be seduced to join the orders of the mendicant friars, who began to bear the sway in these seats of learning. The logic of the school-men was now in its zenith; and other sciences, as formerly mentioned, had been imported from the Saracens. One of those numerous recapitulations of the few facts and the many conjectures about Chaucer's life is here introduced.

The great object of our author in all these descriptions seems to be to prove that an age, commonly accounted barbarous, was much less so than we are apt to imagine; and that the state of the arts at that period was sufficient to communicate to the mind of The mention of the poem of the Court of Love, Chaucer, the most refined ideas. "The sun of sci- supposed to be written by Chaucer at the University ence had risen, and the dews which welcome its of Cambridge, gives occasion to introduce a descrip beams were not yet dissipated; he smelled the fresh- tion of the state of the English language of that ness of the morning, and his heart dilated at the sight period. Many fanciful motives are brought forward of its soft and unsullied hues." Music, both profane to account for his composing in his vernacular tongue; and sacred, was passionately cultivated during the but whether our author has hit by accident on the true whole Saxon dynasty. In the eleventh century, ones or not, he seems in his ardour to carry to excess counter-point, or the method of singing in parts was his eulogium of the poet. Whether Gower or he introduced; Guido Aretino invented his scale of first wrote in English verse is not sufficiently clear; music; and Franco of Cologne, the time-table, or that both might not have been preceded by another in the method of notation by which the length to be this path is not established by any very direct evidence; given to each musical sound was determined. The but be this as it may, composition in the vernacular refinements resulting from these discoveries were tongues of Europe had already become common, the however but slowly adopted. The following just ob- English language had risen into reputation so as to be servations are made on this subject. "In the ancient shortly after established in all judicial proceedings, music the sounds produced by the singer or the instru- and the merit of Chaucer therefore, however great, ment were subordinate to the words; and every man || does not amount to that of a man who has far not infatuated with a passion for music, will admit outrun the progress of the times in which he lived. that, however rapturous or impressive may be the An account of the state of poetry at that period in accord of sounds, yet the language of music, taken Europe is here introduced; in which the writers of separately from words, is loose, obscure, and enig- the Norman or Romance tongue are decidedly prematical, susceptible of various interpretations, and ferred to the Provençal troubadours. The institution guiding us with no sufficient decision to any: When of the Parliaments or Courts of love, in which the we hear a tune unaccompanied by words (unless that nicest questions of love and gallantry were determined, tune by past association is enabled to raise up in our comes in as an episode intimately connected with the minds the image or general purpose of certain words,) poetry of this period. An account is given of Wilor when we hear a tune in which the luxuriance and liam de Lorris's Roman de la Rose who flourished in multiplicity of musical sounds, obscures and tramples the time of Henry III; and a very warm eulogium with disdain upon the majestic simplicity of words, of his cotemporary Dante. Some well known inciour attention will almost universally be fixed less upon dents of Petrarch's life are recounted; and his coronathe passion which ought to be communicated, than tion at Rome described, as it is concluded it must upon the skill of the artist; we shall admire much, I have produced a very powerful effect on the mind of and feel comparatively little. In a tune in which the Chaucer, who was then thirteen years of age. number and time of the musical sounds are regulated by the syllabic measure of the verse, there will be an awful or a fascinating simplicity, which is capable of powerfully moving the heart. Refined and scientifical music can delight no man, but from affectation, unless it be aided by previous habits or education. The taste for it is consequently an artificial taste; and when most perseveringly and successfully cultivated, yet its power over the mind will never rise to so great a degree of strength, as the pleasures of natural taste."

Instrumental music was introduced into the European churches in the eighth century, and the first organ erected in an English church by St. Dunstan in the tenth. That Chaucer was a great lover of music appears from various passages in his writings.

The appearance of Chaucer at the university of Cambridge gives occasion for a description of the universities in his times, which we are told acquired their

The evidence that Chaucer wrote the poem of the Court of Love at the age of eighteen, rests upon the same vague and fanciful evidence with most of the other incidents of his life. It suits his biographer's purpose, and therefore it must be so. An analysis is given of this poem; and the idea deprecated, that the Canterbury tales are the only works of Chaucer worthy of attention.

A comparison which is here introduced between the ancient and modern English poetry is written in a temper, of which an opinion may be formed from the commencing sentence:-" Nothing can be more pernicious than the opinion, which idleness and an incurious temper alone have hitherto sufficed to maintain, that the modern writers of verse in any country are to be styled the poets of that country. This absurdity was never carried to a greater extreme than in the book entitled, Johnson's Lives of the most eminent English Poets. The first Poet in his Series is