Foreign Literacy Gazette.

BAVARIA,

Beasts of burthen assisted.

In my first journey to Thebes, in 1816, I had succeeded in embarking on the Nile the upper part of the famous statue of Memnon. This grand wreck, which has lain for so many centuries amidst the ruins of the palace destroyed by Cambyses, is now on its way to the British Museum. It is a colossal bust, of a single block of granite, ten feet in height from the breast to the top of the head, and twelve tons in weight. Other travellers before me had conceived the design of transporting it to Europe, and renounced it only from not

Die wagen der Alten, &c. a Treatise on the Wheeled Carriages and Vehicles of the Greeks, the Romans, and other an cient people, and on their manner of harnessing, and preparing beasts of burthen, and of speed, by J. C. Ginzrol, Vol. 1, 4to. pp. 470, plates 58. Munich, 1817. This is certainly an important subject.conceiving the means of effecting it. The The skill of the Ancients has been by great difficulty was in moving such a mass some supposed to have exceeded greatly for the space of two miles, until its arrival that of the Moderns. The author during at the Nile, whereby alone it could be conhis travels in Italy, France, and England, veyed to Alexandria. I succeeded in &c. has collected whatever was in any effecting it, without the aid of any mawise related to his object; by consulting chine, by the sole power of the arms of monuments, libraries, and ancient authors. some Arabs, however ill qualified this Hence his work has acquired a value, people, now sunk into the indolence of that renders it distinguished among simi- savage life, may be for such rude labours. lar articles. From such authorities the As such, it has been the work of six author has selected with judgment, and months.

skill.

The whole work will form two Volumes, perhaps three; but, the third, if published, will comprise the history of similar Vehicles during the lower ages, to our own days. Greater attention can be paid no where to the comfort of valuable animals, than is paid in our own island; and if any improvements can be made in harness and tackle, or in treatment of any kind, or any relief afforded to the labours of domestic quadrupeds, we have that confidence in the humanity of our countrymen to believe, that they will be gratified by such information, come from whence it may; from Greece, or Rome; from ancient ingenuity, or from modern applica

tion.

From Thebes I went up towards Nubia, to examine the Great Temple of Ybsambul, which is buried more than double its height in the sands, near the second Cataract. There I found the inhabitants very ill disposed towards my projects, and from whom I prepared to encounter some difficulties. However, the season being too advanced, was my sole motive in deferring this enterprise to another time.

In the mean time I returned to Thebes, where I occupied myself in new searches at the Temple of Karnack. There I found, several feet under ground, a range of sphinxes, surrounded by a wall. These sphinxes, with heads of lions on the busts of women, are of black granite, of the usual size, aud for the most part of beautiful execution. There was in the same place a statue of Jupiter Ammon, in white marin 1817, that I discovered the head of a ble. It was not until my second journey, Colossus much greater than that of Mem

non.

block, is by itself ten feet from the neck to This head of granite, and of a single the top of the mitre, with which it is crowned. Nothing can be in better preservation. The polish is still as beautiful as if it had but just come from the hands of the statuary.

After this, I again took the road to Nubia, where some severe trials awaited me. The people of this country are quite sava ges, without any idea of hospitality. They refused us things the most necessary; entreaties and promises had no effect on them. We were reduced to live upon Turkish corn soaked in water. At length,

R

FRANCE.

Prize to British Astronomer-Royal.

by dint of patience and courage, after |ed one of the most precious morceaux of our twenty-two days persevering labour, I had European Museums. the joy of finding myself in the Temple of Ybsambul, where no European has ever before entered, and which presents the greatest excavation in Nubia or in Egypt, if we except the tombs which I have since discovered at Thebes.

The Temple of Ybsambul is 152 feet long, and contains fourteen apartments and an immense court, where we discovered eight colossal figures thirty feet high. The columns and the walls are covered with hieroglyphics and figures very well preserved. This temple has then been spared by Cambyses, and the other ravagers who came after him. I brought some antiquilies from thence-two lions with the heads of vultures, and a small statue of Jupiter

Ammon.

Ou returning again to Thebes, I applied myself once more to discover what has been, from time immemorial, the object of discovery for all travellers of every nation -I mean the tombs of the kings of Egypt.

It is known that, independent of those tombs which are open, there existed several under ground, but no person has yet discovered in what place. By means of observations on the situation of Thebes, I at length found the index that should lead me on the way. After various excavations, I succeeded in discovering six of these tombs, one of which is that of Apis, as it seems to be pointed out by the mummy of an ox found there. This mummy is filled with asphaltes. For the rest, nothing that I can say would enable you to conceive the grandeur and magnificence of this tomb.

In a late Sitting of the French Academy of Sciences, the annual prize for the most interesting discovery was awarded to Mr. Pond, Astronomer Royal at Greenwich, on account of his valuable Observations on the paralax of the fixed stars.

Sepulchral Monuments, studied. Among the subjects to which the attention of French artists has lately been directed, is the examination of the sepulchral monuments of the City of Paris, they have been examined, delineated and measured, with the greatest attention, as works of art, their epitaphs and inscriptions copied, and their histories given. This work, of a new species, is conducted by M. Arnaud. It is certain, that we bestow the greatest pains in obtaining representations of antient tombs; and that our artists study them with attention, among other antiquities. There can be no reason why modern structures of the same kind should not be equally regarded; nor any, why the sepulchral monuments of this island should not be deemed worthy of the same consideration as those of Paris. There are four principal cemeteries in Paris: that of Mont Louis, that of Mont-Martre, that of Vaugirard, and that of St. Catherine, Faubourg St. Marcel. That of Mont Louis is also called the cemetery of the House of Pere La Chaise: in this, the plan is regular; and the tombs are placed according to a regular succession of numbers.

This

publication contains also curious remarks on the funerals of the ancients, and on the different rites adopted among the moderns; together with moral and religious reflections, suggested by the subject.

This is undoubtedly the most curious and the most astonishing thing in Egypt, and which gives the highest idea of the labours of its ancient inhabitants. The interior, from one extremity to the other, is S09 feet, and contains a great number of cham- British and French Navies compared. bers and corridors. The walls are entirely The state of the British navy cannot covered with hieroglyphics and bas-reliefs be other than interesting to foreign powers, painted in fresco. The colours are of a and among them to France, our neighbrightness to which nothing within our bour: we do not, therefore, wonder knowledge is to be compared, and are so that the French press should have lately well preserved that they appear to have presented the public with several reports been just laid on. But the most beautiful on the subject; as, for instance, Archives autiquity of this place, in the principal Navales, &c. by G. Laignel, for 1818; chamber, is a sarcophagus of a single piece which has furnished 1. Etat de la Marine of alabaster, nine feet seven inches long by Anglaise, State of the English Navy, as three feet nine inches wide, within and well in its stores and equipment as in its without equally covered with hieroglyphics officers and crews, for the year 1818. This and carved figures. This large vessel has is reprinted from the lists, &c. of the Engthe sound of a silver bell, and the trans-lish Admiralty, and is explained by notes parency of glass. There can be no doubt that when I shall have transported it to England, as I hope to do, it will be esteem

and additions, designed to convey an exact idea of the condition of this branch of our national power, to describe the influence

of naval officers on the general conduct of the service, to afford points of comparison on the different systems adopted in Britain and in France, with the different cousequences which follow each system respectively. 2. Etat du Materiel, &c. State of the equipment of the English navy, at the date of January 1, 1818, and of its diminution between the two periods of 1793 and 1818. (3.) Esquisse, &c. Sketch and consequences of the different systems adopted for the naval service in Britain and in France. In this pamphlet the author comprizes a comparative statement of the two services, the Governors, the Commissioners, the Administrators in various departments, the Naval Hospitals, the Officers afloat, &c. with the officers concerned in making purchases, and those of different establishments, for operations and works; to the influence of these causes he attributes much of the difference between the two services. He observes, that, in England with a force of somewhat above four hundred vessels of war, of which about one fourth part is in active service, the navy ensures the safety of numerous colonies dispersed all over the known parts of the globe: it protects an immense maritime commerce, in every navigable sea, and in short, it maintains the superiority over all maritime powers, except America. Whereas, in France, with a naval force of nearly four hundred vessels of war, of which at least one fourth part is in active service, the marine cannot insure the conservation of two or three small colo

nies, and a few colonial establishments cannot effectually protect its feeble maritime commerce, which shews itself only on two or three of the most frequented seas, and in short, has never to this day, being single and alone, rivalled the power and efforts of the British navy.

This mortifying statement has been met by observations from the Parisian periodicals by a reference to the naval efforts of France in promoting the independence of America: they insist that a French squadron commanded by M. De Guichen, repeatedly engaged an English squadron of equal force with a sort of advantage:-that in the Indian seas M. de Suffrein obtained several victories over the English fleet; and that, had it not been for an injudicious movement of M. de Grasse, a powerful English fleet would infallibly have been beaten; and Jamaica would have been either taken or much endangered.

There is some truth in this; but not all which these gentlemen suppose: for, it cannot be said that the French navy was at that time single handed. The American station demanded a great proportion of the

British force, to meet its privateers, while the under-hand politics of the Dutch, whose navy at length became the open euemy of Britain, and the never-to-beforgotten junction of the fleet of Spain with that of France, did more to establish the proposition of M. Laignel, than all the endeavours of the French writers can effect to overthrow it.

Hudibras in French verse.

If we mistake not we have hinted at the existence of a translation into French verse of that very singular, and, we should have thought, scarcely intelligible poem to foreigners, Butler's Hudibras. It was accomplished by Mr. Townley, an English officer in the service of France; with remarks by L'Archer, the translator of Herodotus. A new edition of this work is now proposed with plates copied after Hogarth, the English text on the opposite page to the translation. The price of the first edition has risen from 12 to 40 francs, notwithstanding numerous defects. If the French should really relish the poignant satire, and recondite witticisms and learning of this eccentric production, it will be a striking proof that the Anglomania has not yet subsided among them. It is certain that Voltaire commended this poem in high terms; to which, no doubt, his enmity against Christianity in all its forms powerfully contributed; but, that he understood it, we no more believe than we believe that he understood Christianity itself.

The

Inscriptions and Belles Lettres, read an M. Abel Remusat, of the Academy of article on the wandering nations of Upper Asia, extracted from a work entitled Remost original observation for which it was cherches sur les Langues Tartares. distinguished is, that the Goths originally issued from Tartary; in proof of which he affirms, that near Mount Altai inscriptions have been found in Runic characters similar to those of Scandinavia.

Tax on periodicals eluded. There seems to be something going on in France, in reference to periodical works, which deserves notice. If we rightly understand the matter, a tax attaches to works published at stated periods, for which reason such works as formerly appeared at certain times now appear at uncertain times, and assume other titles; as for instance, La Minerve Francaise, The French Minerva, replaces the French Mercure, and no longer is published periodically; yet it forms four volumes annually, and each of these volumes comprizes thirteen numbers: which to any common intellect would appear to be weekly; forming fiftytwo numbers in the course of the year.

GERMANY.

same country, because they are of the same nature, and are apparently composed with the same intention.

Gelehrten Lexicon, &c. Dictionary of learned Ecclesiastics (Catholics) of Germany and Switzerland, published by F. C. Felder.

Alphabetische Liste, &c. Alpha betical List of learned Jews and Jewesses, Patriarchs, Rabbins, &c. from the beginning of the world to this day, with biographical notices, by P. Yung.

Ancient Engravings on Wood recovered. A late article in our Journal called the attention of our readers to the history of the art of engraving, and as an eminent and original branch of that art, to the practice of engraving on wood. We then thought Mr. Öttley fortunate in having recovered several of the original wooden plates of Albert Durer. We have now to report a performance that appears to be a very proper sequel to such researches. We hope that some capable person will Holzchnitte Deutscher Meister, &c. En- supply a deficiency by publishing a list of gravings on wood, by ancient German learned Protestant Writers, by way of masters, collected by John Albert de companion to the first of these. And if Derschau; intended to illustrate the history the list of learned Jews may bring us betof the art; published and attached to a ter acquainted with the Rabbins, and their memoir on the progress of wood engrav-sects, we could be glad that their oppoing, by R. Z. Becker. Imperial folio. Go. nents also might meet with equal attentha, 1817. tion.

The first number of this work, it must be observed, preceded Mr. Ottley's volumes by several years; and appeared so far back as 1808. It contained fifty-nine engravings; second, contained seventy engravings; and among them were about twenty examples, which dated from the earliest period of the revival of the arts in Europe, a few of these belonged even to the origin of the practice of multiplying impressions; that is to say, to little short, if at all, of the thirteenth century. Among these ancient examples are several by masters not hitherto known, executed before the invention of printing, and which seem to have been introductory to it. Combined with these are seventy-four by the great masters of the sixteenth century, such as Albert Durer, John Burghmayer, Albert Altdorfer, &c. with thirty plates marked with monograms only, and more than thirty plates by unknown masters without any signature.

The third number includes twelve plates engraved before and during the fifteenth century, the whole forming fifty-eight

plates.

It ought to be remarked that among the series are thirty impressions of extraordinary size; from two to three feet in height,

and from two to five feet in width.

The work is not yet complete; but a fourth number it is expected will conclude it. The price of those hitherto published

is 42 rix dollars. The curious will cer

tainly acknowledge their obligations to the diligent compiler and to the historian, for putting them in possession of documents, so rare, instructive, and interesting.

List of the Learned. We place together the following Articles, though not strictly belonging to the

HUNGARY.

British Travellers distinguished. In a collection of Voyages intended to convey information on an extensive scale, the first two volumes of which are lately published in Hungary, we have the pleasure to see that the first place is allotted to our lamented countryman Mungo Parke's Travels into the interior of Africa. This is followed by Stephen Marchand's Voyage round the World in 1790, 1791, 1792; and that by an extract from the famous expedition of Sir Francis Drake.

ITALY.

Latin Language in Russia.

Observations on the striking resemblance discovered between the language

of the Russians, and that of the Romans. Count de Rechberg sometime ago, in bis great work on the People of Russia, published at Paris (1812) remarked a certain resemblance between the ancient Greek tongue and that of the present Russians. tions has persuaded himself that he dis The anonymous author of these Observa

Covers a resemblance much more evi

dent between the Latin language and the Sclavonian, from which the Rus sian is derived. In support of this asser

tion the author cites numerous instances substantives, also from the adjectives and from among the articles, the verbs, and the adverbs of the two languages. The analogy of these terms is often striking; though sometimes, as might be expected, it appears rather forced or fanciful. The author explains the influence of the ancient Latin tongue on the Russian by recollecting the establishment of Roman Colonies as well beyond the Danube as ou this side of it, from the time of Trajan,

The neighbourhood of these, in all cases, | and the intermixture of them in many cases, with the natives, could not fail of giving a tone to much of the language of the people around them.

A list of words received from foreigners into the Russian language, especially from the Tartars and the Turks, is annexed. Such works serve as valuable historical records; and together with popular customs and manners, many of which are of foreign origin, contribute to trace the connections and associations of tribes and peoples.

around them, unacquainted with the language, the manners and customs, the arts and employments of civilized life, destitute of property and of friends, they often embrace the first opportunity to return to their native country; or, if they remain, it is only to become more wicked, and more miserable, than ever. To provide for the education and maintenance of these youths, as well as to fit them for the office of Missionaries, is the laudable object of this Institution.

Christianity and civilization go hand in hand; and ever have been, and ever will be, mutual helps to each other. This being the case, it is indispensable that many of these youths should be instructed in the arts of mechanism, agriculture, and commerce. It is also highly important, that a considerable number should be edu

Italian Literature.-We learn by letters from Rome, that the splendid edition of the Eneid preparing for publication at the expence of her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire, is in great forwardness, and will probably appear in the month of Sep-cated as physicians. With the healing art, tember next. It is the Italian translation by Annibal Caro, and will be published in two large volumes. Only two hundred and thirty copies are to be printed, of which

the Duchess retains one hundred and fifty for berself, and the other eighty are to belong to the printer (de Romanis, at Rome.) Four-and-twenty views, representing the actual state of places in Italy, mentioned by Virgil, will adorn this edition: they will be engraved by M. Gemelin, from drawings by the first artists in Rome.

most Heathens are unacquainted: those who are instrumental in relieving their bodily sufferings, and prolonging their lives, are regarded by them with peculiar affection and respect. The importance of a knowledge of these and other useful arts to a Missionary, whether native or foreign, cannot be estimated. It is by the help of these that he is to gain access to the people; and acquire influence; and among savages, they are the only means by which he can secure his own safety.

A new edition has been published, at Should they become qualified to preach Rome, of the celebrated Treatise on Paint- the gospel, they will possess many advaning by Leonardo da Vinci. This new editages over Missionaries from America, or tion is made after a manuscript fortunate- any other part of the Christian world. ly discovered, in the Vatican Library: it contains a great many very interesting chapters which have never before been published, and will doubtless be a valuable acquisition to the lovers of the fine arts.

They are acquainted with the manners and customs, the vices and prejudices of their countrymen. From ignorance of these other Missionaries have often failed in their attempts to christianize the Heathen.

They will be free from suspicion. Most Heathen nations, from their intercourse with those who bear the Christian name,

HINTS, PLANS, and PROCEEDINGS but whose conduct is totally inconsistent

OF

Benevolence.

Homo sum:
Humanum nihil a me alienum puto.

AMERICAN FOREIGN MISSION SCHOOL..

From a late report of the Committee of this Institution, which was established in 1816, it appears, that natives of almost every heathen country, influenced by curiosity, and various other motives, are constantly in the habit of visiting the United States. When they arrive, strangers to all

with the precepts of the gospel, have contracted strong prejudices against their more enlightened brethren. To gain their confidence has been as difficult as it is important. By employing natives, this great ob. stacle in the way of propagating the gospel would be removed.

Being united to them by the ties of blood and affection, they must feel peculiarly interested in their countrymen; and, having themselves experienced the evils of Paganism as well as the blessings of Christianity, they will be able to recommend the latter with peculiar force. To see their kindred forsaking the religion of their fathers-the religion with which are inter