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Proceedings of the National Institute.

minishes the value and importance of the provincial papers.

Mr. NICHOLS has almoft finished the third volume of his large History of Leicestershire.

Mr. MUNGO PARK propofes to publifh, by fubfcription, under the patronage of the African Affociation, Travels in the interior Parts of Africa, by way of the River Gambia, performed in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797, by the direction, and at the expence, of that affociation, to form one volume in 4to, and to be ready for delivery in the month of April

next.

A Hiftory of the Mauritius, or the Isle of France, is announced, to be compofed principally from the papers and memoirs of Baron Grant, who refided twenty years in that island, by CHARLESGRANT,, Viscount de Vaux, fon of the above baron. It is to contain interesting details of its natural and civil hiftory, its maritime and military fituation and establishments, with obfervations on the iflands of Bourbon, Madagascar, &c. The work will be comprised in four vols. 8vo. illustrated with maps, &c.

The laft public fitting of the National Inftitute, in Paris, attracted an amazing concourfe of fpectators, and excited the most lively curiofity. BUONAPARTE, the hero of Italy, having been chofen an affociate of this learned body, and this being the day fixed on for taking his feat in the affembly, the benches, appropriated for the fpectators, were fill-, ed at an early hour with a very brilliant audience. At five o'clock, the members of the Institute entered the hall; BUONAPARTE was among the reft, habited in a grey frock, without any marks of diftinction to announce the hero, who had alternately fubverted, fupported, and created ftates and republics, and whofe protection had been coveted by four momarchs, and a whole tribe of fovereign princes. Neither his figure, his step, nor his equipment, were characterised by any affectation of fingularity, and yet, the moment he made his appearance, the eyes of the whole affembly were eagerly directed towards his perfon, and the hall refounded in every quarter with reiterated plaudits, which were repeated whenever the difcourfes prefented a single idea that might be applied to the valiant chief *.

The Secretaries of each refpective clafs, gave notices of all the memoirs read in the Institute during the last quarter: after

*Decade Philofophique, &c.

which, LANGLES interefted the company with the fragment of a translation of a journey from Perfia to India.

FOURCROY commented on the various proceffes which have hitherto been difcovered for painting on porcelain, and gave an account of the feveral experiments* made to procure colours, which will not change in the furnace. He noticed the fuccefs which had attended the experiments of DILLE in this line.

CHENIER recited a poem, entitled, "Le Vieillard d'Ancenis," (dedicated to the memory of General Hoche) which was received with unbounded applaufe, on account of its animated allufions to the war between the Republic and the Englifh nation, of which the poet predicted the fpeedy downfal, and the deftruction of the empire which they have ufurped. over the fea. The prefence of BUONAPARTE, to whom the accomplishment of this important event is to be entrusted, of course, added uncommon intereft to the piece, and at the following paffage :

La grande nation, à vaincre accoutumée, "Et le grand gesonal, guidant la grande armée."

the whole affembly rofe from their feats, and fixing their eyes on the young conqueror of Italy, made the hall re-echo with thundering peals of acclamation.

DOLOMIEU communicated fome interefting geological obfervations made on the fummit of the mountains, in the departments of Cartal and Puy-de-Dome. MONGEZ imparted a project for enabling the spectators to take a fhare in the dif courfes and musical entertainments of the national feftivals. GARAT concluded the fittings, with an analyfis of the different memoirs tranfmited to the Institute, on the fubject of the influence of figns, in the formation of ideas. But as none of thefe effays appeared to deferve the prize, the fame fubject was announced for the enfuing year.

:

GARAT preceded this Analysis with a very ingenious differtation on metaphyfics, which he concluded with an elegant compliment to the new-elected member (BUONAPARTE), who, he observed, in confideration of his tafte for the tranquil fhades of peace, the extent and multifarioufnefs of his knowledge, and his talent for reflection and inquiry, would, on the confummation of his military duties, be regarded as a philofopher, who, at the call of his country, for a moment, quitted the groves of academies to fhine at the head of armies.

PROGRAMMA of the premium, propofed

French and German Literature, &c.

pofed by the National Inftitute of Sciences and Arts, in their public fitting, Jan. 4, 1798.

GENERAL CONDITIONS, to be obferved by the candidates in all cafes: "Perfons of all countries, the members and aflociates of the inftitute excepted, are at liberty to contend for the prize.

The candidates not to affix their name to their manufcripts, but only a fentence or device: or, they may, if they prefer it, attach a feparaté note, under feal, which, exclufive of the fentence or device, fhall contain the name and addrefs of the writer. This letter the inftitute engages not to open, except the manufcript to which it is affixed fhall obtain the prize.

"The feveral effays, intended for the inftitute, may be fent under cover to the minifter of the interior, or addrefied, poft-free, to one of the fecretaries at Paris, of the clafs which has propofed the prize. In this latter cafe, the fecretary will give a receipt, and minute down the fentence affixed to the works, with its number, in the exact order in which the

feveral works come to hand.

"The commiffion of the funds of the inftitute will deliver the golden medal to the bearer of the receipt; but, in cafes where the author has not obtained a receipt, the medal will not be delivered, except into his own hands, or to his trustee, producing a fatisfactory certificate of his being duly authorized to receive the fame."

CLASS of LITERATURE and FINE ARTS. This class not having received any effay, which appears deferving of the grammatical prize, prorogues the diftribution to the following year. The fubject to remain as before, viz.

To examine the successive changes which the French language has experienced fince Malherbe and Balzac, to the prefent period. The feveral candidates are requested to confider this fubject in its double relation, with respect to the mechanifm of the language, and the character which the most celebrated French writers have fucceffively impreffed upon it.

The prize a gold medal, of the weight of five hectograms; to be prefented in the public fitting of the inftitute to be holden Jan. 4, 1799, being the feventh year of the republic. The memoirs to be written in French, and tranfmitted to the inftitute previous to the 22d of September at the fartheft.

VAUQUELIN has made an analysis of the emerald of Peru, in which he recognifes the new metallic fubftance difcovered by himfelf, in the red lead of Siberia. It is to this metal that the emerald owes its green colour. VAUQUELIN defigns to repeat his analysis, to deter MONTH. MAG. No. XXXII,

447

mine, with greater precifion, the exact proportion of the feveral component parts.

The art of Mofaic Painting being very little understood in France, the govern ment, on learning that an Italian, who poffeffed great fkill and eminence in this Îine, refided at Paris, have employed him to finish feveral pieces of workmanship, and commiffioned him to inftruct a number of pupils; by which means, France will owe the acquifition of a new art to her Italian conquests.

The Citizen CASSEL, one of the di rectors of the national menagerie, who was deputed by the French government to Tunis, to collect animals for the above inftitution, has been prevented, by the plague, which defolated that city, from accomplishing the object of his miffion fo completely as he could have wished. He has only been able to procure the following; viz. a beautiful lion and lionefs, both three years old, another lionefs, eighteen months old, and extremely fierce, prefents from the Dey of Conftantine; two oftriches, a female lionceau (a fpecies of finall lion), two white camels, and two antelopes, prefents from the Dey of Tunis; and three vultures, which he pur

chafed.

A literal translation has been published by DUSAULT, at Paris, of the Anecdotes of the Founders of the French Republic; a work which was published in London laft winter, A German tranflation of the fame work, has appeared at Leiplic. A fecond volume of new characters is in the prefs in London.

The Academy of Sciences, in Goettingen, has advertifed a premium of 50 ducats, for the best effay on the following question ::—" Quaeritur in quibufnam infectorum et vermium ordinibus, refpirationis, feu fpiritum ullo modo ducendi functio et effectus ejus primarius, qui vulgo proceffus phlogistici, combusturae certo refpectu comparandi nemine venit, obfervationibus et experimentis demonftrari poffit."

A very valuable treatife on metallic irritability, involving a discovery which promifes to prove highly beneficial to the interefts of humanity, has been lately published in German, by C. C. CREVE, Profeffor of Medicine at Mayence; M. CREVE maintains, from a number of experiments made on the corpfes of perfons juft deceased, as well as on animal bodies, that the fymptoms of putrefaction do not conftitute an infallible evidence of the actual death of the individual; and that the application of the principle of me3 M

tallic

448

Ruffian, Danish, and German Literature.

tallic irritability will, in all cafes, establish the fact of life or death beyond the poffibility of miftake. By this means, the danger of premature inhumation may be effectually obviated. The work is accompanied with appropriate and illuftrative plates.

Of the ftate and probable progrefs of fcientific information, in Ruffia, we leave our readers to judge, after informing them, that a late and formidable ukafe has, with one blow, annihilated the liberty of the prefs, and taken the bufinefs of printing from private perfons into the hands of government. In the immenfe empire of Ruffia, no printing, in future, will be fuffered to be carried on, except in fome of the chief cities, to which, of courfe, all works intended for publication must be tranfmitted. Offices for li cenfing the printing of books, are established in only five towns, so that authors will be under the neceffity of fending their manufcripts the diftance of three or four hundred miles to be examined. All writings, which appear of a fufpicious character to the commiffioners of the licencing board, are to be burnt upon the fpot; and, if written in a foreign language, they must be tranflated to Ruffian, previous to their being fent to the office. The board, at Riga, has already condemned feveral numbers of the "Gazette de Literature Universelle de Jena," and fimiliar honours have been paid to a variety of other works; among the reft, to Madame MEREAU'S "Bluethenalter der Empfindung," (the Golden Age of Sentiment), which thefe judges have pronounced a moft dangerous and pernicious publication. Without ftopping to animadvert on the impolicy of a meafure, by which thousands of mechanics are. now thrown out of employment,we cannot refrain from commenting on a fingular circumstance, which proves that fimilar effects frequently refult from very oppofite principles. Notwithstanding the amazing difference of political opinion which obtains at Petersburgh and at Paris, the "Spe&ateur du Nord," is alike prohibited by both governments; fo true is it, that extremes meet and touch each other.

The following extract, from M. WIELAND'S Mercury, throws confiderable light upon this fubject. "It is not yet afcertained how far the licenfing board at Riga, will ftretch their authority; but this much is certain, that M. HARTKNOCK, the moft eminent bookfeller in Koeningberg, has no less than feven large packages of books, in fheets, from the last Leipzig fair, waiting, on the frontiers,

for permiffion to pass into Ruffia, His
application having been written in Ger-
man, has been fent back to him to be
tranflated into the Ruffian language. We
do not hear that any public burnings of
books have taken place, but the follow-
ing have been confifcated, and placed on
the condemned lift: "The Livonians,”
(in German), by M. MERKEL. The
"Spectateur du Nord" (in French).
"Voltaire's Correspondence avec l'Impe-
ratrice." "Le Salon de Diderot." The
4th number of M. ARCHENHOLZ'S
"Minerva, for 1797." NICOLAI'S "All
Gemeine Deutfche Bibliothek," (Univer-
fal German Library), which ftands at
the head of all the German literary jour-
nals. The firft number of the "Univer-
fal Literary Gazette," (likewife a Ger-
man publication). The first volume of
the Annales Europeenes,"
by Pro-
feffor POSSELT; and volumes 43 and 60,
of "Krunitz's German Encyclopedia,"
&c. &c. &c.

In Denmark, it should feem, that the liberty of the prefs is likewise much more limited and circumfcribed than we have lately been led to believe, P. COLLET, affeffor of the tribunal of the court and city at Copenhagen, has been difmiffed from his employments for publishing an

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Analysis of BIRCKNER'S Treatife on the Liberty of the Danish Prefs." Among other paragraphs, which have incurred the difpleasure of the monarch, we find the author accufed of atheifin, for main taining, that it is poffible for morality to exift independent of religion. And his loyalty has been impeached, for afferting, that it is lawful to expofe the errors of a corrupt government.

If the illumination of a people depends upon the number of writers and new publications which it produces, Germany certainly ought to claim the first rank among the nations of Europe. The last Leipzig fair was frequented by no lefs than 314 bookfellers of eminence, who have added upwards of 6000 new works to the vaft ftock of German literature. Great part of this acquifition, as may eafily be fuppofed, falls under the defcription of trash and fcribbling; but the fol lowing articles are truly valuable and meritorious:

GOESCHEN, who may juftly be styled one of the best informed and moft liberalminded bookfellers in all Germany, has published a magnificent edition of "Klopstock's Odes," in 2 volumes, large 8vo. edited by the celebrated Dr. AUGUSTBOETTIGER, GOESCHEN is the fame perfon, who fome

German Literature-Hornemann the Traveller.

time fince published a very splendid edition of Wieland's Works; which, however, falls infinitely fhort of the prefent article, in point of grandeur, ornament, and beauty. This edition is enriched with 60 additional odes, which have never appeared in print before. Each volume is decorated with a beautiful engraving, executed by JOHN, of Vienna, and reprefenting the facred and poetical Mufe. There is likewise a smaller and lefs coftly edition. Voss has produced a very elegant and claffical tranflation of " Ovid's Metamorphofes," in German hexameters. This work was undertaken, by way of recreation, after a tedious and painful indifpofition. Voss is now employed upon a tran. flation of Virgil's Æneid.'

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A work highly interefting to the lovers of aftronomy, geography, travels, voyages, &c. has made its appearance with the commencement of the prefent year, under the title of "The Univerfal Geographical Ephemeris," by M. VON ZACH, major and aftronomer in the fervice of the Prince of SAXE GOTHA. This work,. which is published in monthly numbers, forms a complete regifter of all occurrences and transactions that, relate to the above branches of science, giving a regular account of all geographical and aftronomical difcoveries, together with notices of new maps, and recent or intended journies and voyages of difcovery. The epiftolary correfpondence is particularly valuable and inftructive, being enriched with the communications of the literati in every part of Europe. It is publifhed at Weimar; and to every number is prefixed an engraving of fome eminent aftronomer, geographer, tourist, &c. Interesting particulars relating to Mr. Hornemann, the Gentleman lately deputed by the African Affociation, to explore the Interior of Africa.

FREIDRIC HORNEMANN, is the only fon of a respectable deceafed clergyman, whofe widow refides at Hildesheim. Being intended, by his parents, for the church, he ftudied divinity at Goettingen; but his genius, irrefiftibly impelling him to purfuits of a very different nature, he returned in the fummer of 1795 to Goettingen, and waiting upon Dr. BLUMENBACH, profeffor of natural history in that University, informed that gentleman, that it had for years been the moft fanguine wifh of his heart, to explore the interior of Africa. He flattered himself, he added, that he poffeffed, in an eminent degree, all the phyfical and bodily qualifications, indifpenfibly requifite to give a probabili

449.

ty of fuccefs to the undertaking; and ever fince his wifh to engage in the expedition, had affumed the character of a firm, mature, and well deliberated plan; he had devoted his time, to thofe ftudies which bore analogy to his project, and had diligently confulted every authentic fource of information, refpecting this vaft continent hitherto fo little known to Europeans. He concluded with request-ing, that Profeffor BLUMENBACH Would recommend him to the African Affociation in London.

The Profeffor defignedly raised feveral objections, to convince himself whether his defign was the refult of fudden impulfe, or actually founded in mature deliberation. But HORNEMANN gave fuch pertinent replies, and was fo well prepared for every objection, that BLUMENEACH could no longer oppofe his wifhes, efpecially when he found that his mother had acquiefced in the project. The Professor therefore made feveral private enquires into his character, which proved perfectly. fatisfactory. He was informed, that the ufual difeafes of infancy excepted, HORNEMANN knew ficknefs but by name; that nature had affifted him with an excellent conftitution, that he was remarkable temperate and abftemious, ftout, athletic, indefatigably patient of fatigue of great vivacity and a chearful difpofition, and that, in addition to his literary acquiremepts, which were great and truly refpectable, he poffeffed an adequate knowledge, both theoretical and practical of mechanics. BLUMENBACH now no longer hefitated to propofe the young adventurer to the African Affociation, through the medium of Sir JOSEPH BANKS, who wrote word back: "If M. HORNEMAN be really the perfon you defcribe, he is the very identical man whom we are in fearch of."

This favourable reply BLUMENBACH immediately communicated to HORNEMANN, who happened to be at that time in Hanover, and before the profeffor could fuppofe that his letter had reached him, he was furpiifed to fee HORNEMANN enter his apartment (having haftened immediately from Hanover on foot) to make the neceffary enquiries in perfon. In the courfe of one night, he drew up a moft excellent plan in writing, for the infpection of the African Affociation, which BLUMENBACH forwarded to London, and, in a little time, received an anfwer from the committee of the Affocia tion, fignifying their approbation and acceptance of his friend."

HOR

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Hornemann, the African Traveller.

HORNEMANN accordingly repaired once more to Goettingen, in the fummer of 1796, that nothing might be neglected in qualifying himself for his intended expedition. Here he attended the lectures on Natural History, and applied himself to the ftudy of the Arabic and other oriental languages. In February 1797 he repaired to London, and being introduced to the African Affociation, his appointment was fanctioned by the unanimous approbation of the Members.

Sir JOSEPH BANKS next applied to the French government for a paffport for HORNEMANN, which the directory readily granted. In July HORNEMANN left London, and on his arrival in Paris was moft kindly received by the juftly celebrated LALANDE. Here he formed feveral very valuable connexions. Especially ufeful to him was his acquaintance with a Turkish corn-factor from Tripoli, who not only gave him the best counsel and advice refpecting his journey, but recommendedhim likewife in very ftrong terms to one of his friends, a perfon of note at Cairo. From Paris HORNEMANN repaired to Marseilles, where he embarked for Cy. prus, defigning to profecute his journey to Cairo by way of Alexandria. His temporary fojourn in Cairo he intends to employ in collecting as much intelligence as he poffibly can refpecting the interior of Africa, and then to fet out on his expedition with the Negro caravan, that trades annually from Cashna to Cairo. These Negroes are reprefented as a very courteous and humane people, among whom HORNEMANN may confidently look for much better treatment than he has reafon to expect from their neighbours, the Mahometans, or Arabs, who are of a ferocious and treacherous character. Extract of a Letter from Profeffor BLU

MENBACH to Major VON ZACH. "Our friend, Mr. HORNEMANN has arrived in fafety at Cairo, from which place he has favoured me with a letter, dated Oct. 24, 1797. Not meeting with any veffei at Marfeilles bound directly for Alexandria, he engaged a paffage on board a Cyprus trader, and on the 11th of Auguft the fhip got under weigh. They fteered along the weft coaft of Sardinia, paffed between that island and St. Pietro; then approximating towards Cape Bona, our traveller for the first time obtained a glimpse of that continent, the interior of which he is deftined to explore. Then paffing Malta and Candia, after a voyage of zo days, the veffel came to an anchor, August 31ft, in the offing of Lernica in

Cyprus. Here Mr. HORNEMANN waa informed, on landing, that a Venetian veffel would fhortly fet fail for Alexandria, from another bay in the island, called Cape Caroubé. Unwilling to lofe fuch a favourable opportunity, he engaged a boat the third day, and after two days fail arrived at Caroubé. This is a fafe and com: modious anchorage, but has neither town nor village, and takes its name from the vaft quantities of St. John's bread (Ceratonia Siliqua, Linn. Siliqua dulcis, Officin. Arabic Caroube,) which grows in this diftrict, and with which a number of veffels are freighted. Of the incredible plenty of provifions on this ifland fome idea may be formed from the low prices they bear. A pound weight of grapes, peaches, apricots, or figs, cofts one pfenning (not quite a farthing); a pound of fresh meat, fix pfennings. Poultry is the only dear article: a hen fells for, from fix to eight groschen (from one fhiling, to one fhilling and fourpence, English money). But what gave M. HORNEMANN infinitely greater furprize than any other proof of the wonderful fecundity of nature in this ifland, were the early maturity and embonpoint of the females."

After a short stay at Caroube, they proceeded to Limofol, and from thence ftraitway to Alexandria, where the fhip caft anchor on the 10th of September. M. HORNEMANN was lodged in the house of the English Conful, and improved the ten days, which he spent in this city, in mineralogical researches in the neighbourhood, notwithstanding the danger of venturing much without the walls at this feafon, on account of the Arabs, who fally from the deferts, and extend their depredations to the very town.

By an incident of uncommon good fortune, M. HORNEMANN met in one of the Convents, with an aged monk, Father Chriftianus, a native of Germany, but who, from his long refidence in this country, fpeaks Arabic more fluently than his mother tongue, and who was on the eve of fetting out for Cairo, in which city, he propofed to refide tome months. In company with his friendly monk; our traveller left Alexandria, on the 21st of September, and failing by Rofette, on his paffage on the Nile, arrived in Cairo on the 27th at the exact feafon, when this most celebrated of all rivers, had rifen to its utmost height. In Cairo he met with Major Schwarz, who traveiled the Levant with Monfieur Hope, and in his company, made an excurtion to the Pyramids at Gize.

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