teen musket-shots, two nails, and the button of a soldier's coat. It is supposed the animal must have licked them up while grazing. A Blind Traveller.-Mr. James Hoffman, a man who has been blind since he was twelve years of age, arrived at Irkutz in Siberia, on September 16th, 1823. He set out from England without any companions, and accomplished the almost, for him, inconceivable task of travelfing to Siberia quite alone. What is more extraordinary, is, that he speaks hardly any other language than English. He takes a guide from one town to another, and writes down every thing that he can learn with a machine invented in England, and adopted in many schools. At Irkutz be expressed great pleasure at finding some of his countrymen, with whom he could converse familiarly about the place and the animals. He is said to be about 30 years of age, with an agreeable and intelligent countenance. Gastric Juices.-Dr. Pearson, of Georgestreet, Hanover-square, London, in lecturing a few days ago on the stomach, observed that this organ had no power over substances endued with vitality; and that this circumstance accounted for the fact of the prophet Jonah baving remained undigested in the stomach of the whale for the space of three days and three nights. Seidlitz Powders.-From the testimony of a medical gentleman on a late trial, it appeared, that two scruples of supercarbonate of soda, two scruples of Rochelle salts, and two scruples of tartaric acid, dissolved in half-a-pint of spring water, possess in a high degree the medicinal properties of the celebrated Seidlitz spring in Germany. Great Wall of China.-The great wall of China is so enormous, that, admitting what bas hitherto passed uncontradicted, that its length is 1500 miles, and the dimensions throughout pretty much the same as where it was crossed by the British embassy, the materials of all the dwelling-houses of England and Scotland, (supposing them to amount to 1,800,000, and to average on the whole 2000 cubic feet of masonry and brickwork,) are barely equivalent to the bulk or solid contents of the great wall of China. Nor are the projecting massy towers of stone and brick incladed in this calculation; these alone, supposing them to continue throughout at bowshot distance, were calculated to contain as much masonry and brickwork as all London! To give another idea of the mass of matter in this stupendous fabric, it may be observed, that it is more than sufficient to surround the circumference of the earth on two of its great circles, with two walls, each six feet high, and two feet thick! Gas Apparatus.-The town of Abergavenny was lately lighted with gas upon an improved principle, discovered by Mr. Simeon Broadmeadow, which promises considerable advantage to gas-works, by superseding the use of the retort and purifier, as the common coke or coal-tar answers the purpose of the retort, and the purifier is rendered altogether useless. By this method, the quantity of inflammable gas is increased full one-third, and, by the action of atmospheric air, rendered perfectly pure. This improvement is equally applicable to gas manufactured from oil. Huge Block of Granite.-A solid block of granite, of a beautiful gray colour, was lately detached from a quarry in Aberdeenshire, of the extraordinary dimensions of 22 feet long, 16 feet high, and ten feet wide. It was separated from the rock by a bore of ten feet deep and two and a half inches diameter, charged with 20lbs. of gunpowder. The weight of this tremendous stone is 270 tons. Fire-damps.-A miner of Stafford, of the name of Lovat, has, it is stated, devised means for avoiding the danger of fire-damps in mines, by the introduction of currents of air, and their circulation by bellows worked by steam. On Time and Pulsation. "Place a rummer on the table, and suspend from a piece of thread, carried over the pulse of the thumb, a shilling into the centre of the circumference of the glass, about half an inch below the brim, resting the elbow on the table, so that the arm may be perfectly steady. Place the thread, which may be about seven or eight inches long, over the pulse of the thumb, (the nail of course turned towards the rummer,) securing the end of the thread by the first finger about half way down the thumb, so as not to interfere with the action of the pulse. It will then be seen, after a moment or two, that the shilling will move like the pendulum of a clock, till eventually it will strike distinctly against the rummer the last hour, be it twelve or one, or what it may, and no more-sometimes pausing half a minute or so before completing the bour, when more than one-after which the motion of the shilling gradually decreasing, it will remain still. I should be glad if any correspondent would favour you with a few lines on the probable cause of this curious operation. I bave tried it myself, and found it exactly to answer the particulars given. Literary Motices. Just Published. T. G." Scurry's Captivity under Hyder Ali and Tippoo Saib. With a portrait. This little volume contains a simple unadorned statement of the horrid cruelties and insults exercised on the Author, and his companions in misfortune, by these two eastern despots. The Exempla Minora, or Eton English Examples, rendered into familiar Latin. By the Rev. Thomas Smith, of Cambridge. Literally translated from the Greek, by T. W. C. Edwards, M.A. The King (Edipus of Sophocles, beautifully printed in 8vo, and hotpressed. In this edition will be found the Text of Brunck, correctly edited, the Metres or Scanning, the Greek Order, Verbal Translation, and Notes, Historical, Critical, and Explanatory. The Anti-Swedenborg. In one vol. 12mo. Price 2s. boards. A Course of Lectures, illustrative of the Pilgrim's Progress. By the Rev. Daniel Warr, Haverfordwest One vol. 8vo. 88. The Doctrines of General Redemption, as held by the Church of England and by the early Dutch Arminians, exhibited in their Scriptural Evidence, and in their Connexion with the civil and religious Liberties of Mankind. By James Nichols. In one vol. 8vo. Price 16s. boards. Price 10s. 6d. boards, A Dictionary of All Religions, and Religious Denominations, Ancient and Modern. Jewish, Pagan, Mahometan, or Christian: also of Ecclesiastical History. An Essay on Truth, the Causes of Error, &c. By the late Rev. Andrew Fuller. The State of the World at Christ's Appearance. By Mrs. Hannah Adams, Original Editor of the Work. To which are appended, A Sketch of Missionary Geography; with Practical Reflections on the whole. By T. Williams. Mr. Richard Baynes, of Paternoster-row, has just published a new edition of the Sermons of the late Rev. James Saurin, French Church at the Hague. Translated by the Rev. Robert Robinson, Henry Hunter, D.D., and the Rev. Joseph Sutcliffe, A.M. with additional Sermons, now first translated. The whole corrected and revised, By the Rev. Samuel Burder, A.M. Author of Oriental Customs, &c. &c. Beautifully printed in 6 vols. 8vo. With a superior engraved Portrait of the Author. Price £3. 88. boards. The Seventh and Eighth Volumes of a new and uniform edition of the whole Works of John Owen, D.D. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Dean of Christ Church. To be completed in 16 handsome vols. 8vo. Price 12s. each. For the present month, price 1s. Critica Biblica, or Magazine of Sacred Literature. The object of this work is to excite an increasing attention among the middle classes of society to the study of the Holy Scriptures; by furnishing, in the most interesting shape, information upon every topic of Biblical Criticism and Illustration. Sermons preached in St. John's Church, Glasgow. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D. 8vo. 10s. 6d. boards. The Oratorical Class Book; with the Principles of Elocution Simplified and Illustrated by Suitable Examples. Intended for the use of Public and Private Seminaries. By A. M. Hartley, Teacher of Elocution, Glasgow. 12mo. 4s. boards. A new and greatly improved edition of Dr. Brown's History of Missions. In two thick vols. 8vo. 26s. boards. Sacred Dissertations on the Apostles' Creed. By Herman Witsius, D.D. Translated from the Latin, and followed with Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Donald Frazer, Minister of the Gospel, Kennoway. In two thick vols. 8vo. 22s. boards. In the Press. Julius Klaproth's Description of the Empire of China is preparing for publication, in two quarto volumes. It will embrace a general historical sketch; and a statistical, commercial, &c. account of the various provinces. We look for a work of labour, research, and interest. The Rev. Thomas Smith, editor of the accented Eton Grammar with notes, has in the press a new edition of Phædrus with the Scanning from the text of Sterling, whose Persius is also undergoing a new edition. Mr. Wight, a reporter to the Morning Herald, has in the press a selection of one hundred of the most humorous and entertaining of his Reports during the last three years, illustrated with numerous wood cuts by George Cruikshank. T. W. C. Edwards, M.A. has in the press, An Epitome of Greek Prosody, being a brief exposition of the Quantity, Accentuation, and Ver. sification of the Greek Language. The East-India Vade-Mecum, being a complete Guide to Gentlemen proceeding to the East Indies in either the Civil, Military, or Naval Service, or on other Pursuits; much im. proved from the work of the late Captain Wil fiamson, being a condensed compilation of his and various other publications, and the result of personal observation. By Dr. J. B. Gilchrist. In one large vol. 8vo. an improved edition of Milburn's Oriental Commerce, or the EastIndia Trader's Complete Guide. Originally compiled by the late William Milburn, Esq. of the Hon. East-India Company's Service. Abridged, improved, and brought down to the present time. By Thomas Thornton. A Bibliographical and Descriptive Tour from Scarborough to the Library of a Philo biblist, in its neighbourhood; intended to form a brochure of the interesting and rare productions contained in that rich repository. By John Cole, Bookseller, Scarborough. Mr. Blaquier has in the press a volume on the Origin and Progress of the Greek Revolu. tion, together with some account of the Manners and Customs of Greece, Anecdotes of the Military Chiefs, &c. being the result of materials collected during his recent visit to the Morea and Ionian Islands. Harding's Short Hand. Second edition, with corrections and improvements. 3s. Sermons and Plans of Sermons on important Texts of Holy Scripture, (never before pub lished.) By the late Rev. Joseph Benson. Part 1. 8vo. 5s. boards. Aureus, or the Adventures of a Sovereign. Written by Himself. In two vols. 12mo. The Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures Asserted, and Infidel Objections shewn to be unfounded, by new and conclusive evidence. In Six Lectures, now delivering at Albion Hall, London Wall. By the Rev. S. Noble. 8vo. boards. A new periodical work, to be entitled La Bilancia, or a Journal of Theatrical Music. Mr. M. Plum, of Glasgow, has announced that ley's Economy of Human Life, rendered into he is printing an Italian Translation of DodsTuscany. that language by Signor Aloisi, a native of Also, that immediately he will publish a Vol. entitled "Recollections of an Eventful Life chiefly passed in the Army. By a Soldier." Containing, Sketches of a Sailor's Life-The Army-Operations at Cadiz by the Troops an der Gen. Graham--Grand Army in PortugalGen. Picton's division, with stations of the va rious engagements where that division fought -amongst others, Fuento de Orno, Roderigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Toulouse, &c. up to the year 1814. Preparing for the Press. A Practical Guide to English Composition; or, a comprehensive System of English Grammar, Criticism, and Logic, arranged and illus. trated upon a new and improved Plan; containing apposite Principles, Rules, and Examples, for writing correctly and elegantly upon every subject. Adapted to the use of Schools and of Private Students. By the Rev. Peter Smith, A.M. Ludolph, or the Light of Nature, a Poem. By Charlotte Caroline Richardson. Brief Memoir of Krishna Pal, the first Hindoo in Bengal who broke the chain of the Cast by embracing the Gospel. By the late Rev. Wm. Ward, of Serampore. 19mo. Is. True Happiness only found in the Christian Life. By the Author of Israel's Shepherd. In two vols. post Svo. with a fine portrait, by Warren, from an original picture, The Life of Jeremy Taylor, and a Critical Examination of his Writings. By Dr. Heber, Bishop of Cal cutta. Theology explained and defended, in a series of Sermons. By Timothy Dwight, S.T.D. LL.D. With the Life of the Author. In six vols. 1. 45. boards. Joseph and his Brethren, a Scriptural Drama, By H. L. Howard. 8vo. 7s. 6d. boards. An Appeal to the British Nation on the Humanity and Policy of forming a National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck. By Sir W. Hillary, Bart. Dissenting Registers of Births, Marriages, and Burials examined as Documents of Evidence. By a Barister. Leisure Hours. 12mo. 4s. A Tribute of parental affection to the Memory of a beloved and only Daughter. By the Rev. Charles Jerram, Cobham, Surrey. 12mo. Price 4s. 6d. COMMERCIAL RETROSPECT, 27th DECEMBER, 1823. THE year which is about to close, has been productive of considerable fluctuations in the mercantile world, chiefly arising from an apprehension of a change in political circumstances. The probability that the invasion of Spain by France would involve this country in war, occasioned a great advance in the prices of goods, without reference to stocks, production, or probable supplies. Our government, however, having declared its intention to preserve a strict neatrality, the prices of goods declined, and the reaction in a short space of time threw them back, even below the point from whence they rose. The determination of Ministers not to intermeddle with other powers, enabled them to pursue a measure of great good to the country, in the reduction of some taxes peculiarly pressing, such as the diminishing the duties on salt, leather, and the assessed taxes. An abundant harvest, though not favoured by congenial weather, has kept the price of grain at moderate rates, yet sufficiently remunerating to the grower. The legislative enactments completed in the present year, with reference to our navigation and warehousing system, have been made to meet the antisocial measures of other powers against our commerce-and will tend, in our opinion, to exalt the commercial superiority of Great Britain. In the Western World, the British flag has waved in every accessible port of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. English establishments have been formed in places known formerly only to the readers of the voyages of circumnavigators, and the recent appointments. Demi-diplomatic agents from this country to the different states of South America, evince pretty clearly the determination of our government to protect British interests, so deeply concerned in that traffic. Should remonstrances be made against these measures by other powers, a formal recognition of the independence of the Southern American states must be the consequence; and from whence would result doubtless many privileges to British goods, ships, and ports. Political differences, either on this or any subject likely to involve us in a war, would tend to depress the value of the state papers of the powers of Europe, and could not fail to throw the monopoly of the products of the two Arctics into our ports, as well as to encourage exclusive deposits of continental goods in our landing warehouses. Anticipating, and sincerely wishing as we do, that the good understanding with other powers will not be disturbed, and looking to the recent changes of affairs in Spain and Portugal, it follows, that the South American States will be left to work out and consolidate their independence, and that British commerce will be placed on an equality with that of other nations; the consequence will be, (as the manufacturers of Great Britain have nothing to fear from the competition of those of other countries, if placed on equal terms) that the growing stability and population of the Western World, and the increasing consumption of the East Indies, will considerably augment the demand and vent for the manufactures of this country, and, in process of time, more than compensate the deficiency occasioned by the restrictive measures adopted by the European powers against those branches of our industry. From a review of the preceding, it may be fairly inferred, that a year seldom or ever closed upon Great Britain with more causes of satisfaction and of thankfulness to the Almighty Disposer of events. Peace at home and abroad-the commerce and manufactures of the country in a state of considerable welfare-a contented population—an equilibrium of prices in the necessaries of life, which amply reward the agriculturist, and do not distress the consumer. We proceed now to present our readers with a statement of the currencies in several artieles-adding a few remarks applicable to each. Sugar-must always occupy a prominent place. The imports into London are This Year. 1822. The Price of Sugar—having reached so low a point as to be ruinous to planters, has lately attracted very general attention; it appears susceptible of further improvement in price, as the consumption gradually increases. Coffee-coming from a plant of slow growth, has maintained its value better than any other colonial product; the cultivation, however, has rapidly extended, and it is contemplated that the present rates will not be supported. 1823. The imports into London ......Tons, 17,600 1822. 16,510 In Liverpool, the importation has been less than in the preceding yearRum-The imports into London, 28,100 puncheons-last year, 26,000ps. the low prices bave tended to increase the home consumption demand: the export has been trivial, in consequence of the prohibitory restrictions abroad. Dye Woods have been rather neglected of late. The imports of logwood have been only 7600 tons, against 9400 tons last year-the stocks on hand are not large; an improvement may be expected. Of Fustic, the importation and stock on hand are larger than in 1822. Of Nicaragua Wood the consumption has increased. The stock in London does not exceed 50 tons in Liverpool, 200 tons. Cottons. The imports into the kingdom are, 1823. Bags, Of which, North American, East India,.. 1822. 1821. An extensive speculation in this article was entered into during the course of the year, founded principally on advices from America, that the crops in Louisiana had been seriously injured; also upon the state of Bahia-and the increasing consumption at home, large sums being invested, the prices advanced rapidly 30 per cent. But although the consumption of the country exceeds 10,000 bags per week, yet so abundant and regular have been the supplies, that the trade were enabled to supply their wants, without falling into the hands of speculators, who were thus unable to hold up prices, and they gradually declined, until the last two weeks, when a considerable demand has arisen. A new species of cotton has been introduced this week into Liverpool, consisting of 900 bags of Egyptian cotton, which have sold at 11d, and 114d. per lb.-the quality is said to resemble that from Pernambucco. Many cargoes of this cotton are on the road from Alexandria in Egypt, from whence this cotton is shipped, and it bids fair to compete with the finer American sorts, and thus opens a new and vast field for British industry. Rice—has offered but little interest this year. The imports of Carolina are 5000 casks—our stock is about 800 casks: in Liverpool it exceeds 4000 casks. Tobacco-upon reports of injured crops, has had some demand; but the exclusive stock has checked any general advance in price. Our stock amounts to 17,000 hhds: in Liverpool 11,000 hhds. Hides. The imports into London have been more extensive. The total supplies have been 800,000 cow and ox hides, to 700,000 last year. The present stock in London is 90,000; in Liverpool 110,000; being rather less than last year, in the two ports. Indigo. The supplies of East India have exceeded expectation, in addition to larger arrivals of Spanish. Prices have declined from these circumstances; and, in consequence of the failure of extensive speculators in France, many holders were endeavouring to put off the January sale. The favourable accounts from India of this year's crops have probably aided to repress this opposition, and 1900 chests are declared for the 20th January. Advices, however, arrived last week, announce great damage done to the crops by inundations. The imports into London are, 1823. 20,100 East India chests,.... The stocks are, of East India, about, chests, 12,000 Spanish serons, ..... 900 1822. 11,700 2000 8000 350 The exports have been more: the consumption about equal to last year. Whale Oil.-The fisheries this year, particularly that of Davis' Straits, bave been abandant. The largest produce since the year 1814 was 1820; when 100 ships brought from Greenland, "He who finds his way to reputation through all obstructions, must acknowledge that he is indebted to other causes besides his learning or his wit." RAMBLER, No. 2. PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY HENRY FISHER, Published at 38, Newgate Street; and Sold by all Booksellers, |