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of him, and in extenuation of the crime.

the servant, to prove the well-known facts of the case, from the time of the girl's leaving her master's house with the two children, to the apprehension of the prisoner and recovery of the boy, in the Duchy of Oldenburgh. The prisoner being called on for his defence, read a long written statement, to shew that he had experienced many wrongs and injuries from the family of Mr. Horsley. He also adverted to promises of mercy by the prosecutor, and to the fact of the child being found in good health, in proof of the care he had taken

ΤΗ

HE following accounts, partly extracted from Foreign Journals, will afford our readers a tolerable idea of the Carbonari and the Calderari, who now cover Italy, and excite the attention of its govarnments. It seems that the revolutionary principle is now pretty universal, for we have Reformers at home. Jacobins in France, Liberales in Spain, Unions of Virtue in Germany, and, lastly, Carbonari in Italy. It is curious to consider this result of the political agitation into which the French revolution, and its consequent wars, plunged Europe; and we think it an interesting moment to present the Italian feature of the scene to our readers.

These societies are at once political and religious: their principles are founded on the purest maxims of the Gospel; their members promise obedience to the law, and respect to those who worthily administer justice; they vow eternal hatred to tyranny, and this hatred is the greater because they consider our Saviour as the most illustrious victim of despotism.

The symbolical words are taken from the coal (or charcoal) trade. The society is called La Carbonaria, and Barrache (market) is the name given to their meetings.

2B ATHENEUM VOL. 6.

This society is composed of persons of all parties, and of all classes of people; the noble and the peasant, the soldier and the priest, the mariner and the citizen, the judge and the lazzaroni, are there united together.

The Carbonari are distinguished by their degrees. The object of the institution is to purge the Appenines of the rapacious wolves which infest them; the wolves signify the oppressors of the people, and all the agents of the government who are guilty of arbitrary acts.

The spirit of liberty and of evangelical equality is observed in the sittings of the Barrache; the purest morality is inculcated in them; and it would be easy to name judges, intendants, commissaries or syndics, who, only since their initiation, have given examples of justice, courage, and beneficence! Abruzzo and Calabria have been witnesses of the most astonishing conversions: the banditti who infested the mountains have quitted the musket for the spade; so greatly had they been edified by the sacred word!

It was in 1812 that some emissaries of Queen Caroline of Austria founded this association, with the secret intention of destroying the government of Joachim. Tired of the domination of the English in Sicily, Caroline with

drew, and carried to Constantinople her regret, which was then useless. The Carbonari were deprived of their support; enlightened men, fearing fresh opposition from these sectaries, some of whom had figured in the troubles of 1799, (when the army of the French Republic under Championnet took possession of Naples,) placed themselves at the head of the Carbonari to direct them; nine of them were appointed Capi di Barrache (directors of markets). Thus the Carbonari counted among its members partisans of the Bourbons, and partisans of the republic, theocrats and constitutionalists. This heteroge neous composition was the principal cause of the divisions which afterwards broke out.

After the battle of Leipsic, Italy desired a deliverer. Murat did not understand its wishes, and treated the new sect with severity. The chiefs, not feeling themselves strong enough to direct the constantly increasing number of the initiated, conceived and executed imme diately a reform (or reduction) of the society. The members who were retain ed still kept the name of Carbonari; the members who were discharged received the name of Calderari (braziers).

After the death of Murat, Ferdinand' having given the ministry of the police to the Prince of Canosa, who had followed him in his exile, the latter thought he ought to check the Carbonari, whom he supposed to be enemies to the king because they had once been protected by Joachim.* For this purpose he instituted a new society of which he became the head; he delivered licences to bear arms to the lowest class of the people; he composed a list of persons who had presided in the Saturnalia of 1799, and made them members of this society, to which he gave the name of Calderari del Contropeso; all the old Calderari were placed in it; he made them swear the most absolute obedience to his orders, and the destruction of the Carbonari and the free-ma sons he distributed among them 20.000 muskets, and great blows were going to be struck, when the king hav

This seems partly to contradict what was said above, that Murat treated the new sect with severity.-Ed.

ing limited the powers of the ministry of police, deprived the minister of his office, and exiled him. It was high time: for Canosa would soon have been more king than Ferdinand.

Mean time the Carbonari, alarmed at the persecution preparing against them, had drawn their bond of union more close, and reserved the oath to defend themselves to the last moment, Never was an oath more respected.

Since then, the Calderari have remained stationary, their number has even diminished; whereas the Carbonari, after having introduced into their society new ameliorations, have increased infinitely. There are now above 300,000 in the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, especially in the Calabrias and the Abruzzos. They have rapidly spread over all Italy; and some are to be found in France, Spain, and Germany.

The King of Naples, and the other Sovereigns of Italy, have taken the most rigorous measures against the members of all secret societies, and principally against the Carbonari: they have been branded with the names of brigands and incendiaries; they have been thrown in a mass, into dungeons, and their property has been confiscated; but the axe, and the fire, (says one of our authorities, and evidently a member of the Carbonaria,) cannot reach the thoughts. Independence has been promised to the Italians, and they have since been told they are not worthy of it. The Emperor of Austria has endeavoured to render himself popular to his new subjects; but time alone can prove whether he has succeeded.

A writer in the Bibliotheque Historique, in an article "On the Moral and Political Situation of Italy," gives information respecting the Carbonari, which fully confirms what is stated above. The author, who seems well acquainted with Italy, adds that these Carbonari insinuate themselves into the departments of the administration, even into that of the police, which is charged to watch over them. He compares them to the Christians of the first centuries,* who said to their executioners,

In this respect he might also compare them with the Jesuits.-Ed.

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"You seek to destroy us, and we people your cities and your fields; we conmand your armies, and we sit in your councils." Our observer even mentions instances of public calamities perfidiously brought on, or not prevented by powerful men belonging to this society, in order, say they, that the idea of the evils suffered by the people may be blended in their minds with the idea of those who govern them. This is a truly characteristic specimen of Italian perfidy. The following are some passages relative to Genoa, now under the dominion of the King of Sardinia.

"In no city in Italy do the Carbonari muster in greater numbers ;-or rather we should say, the whole population is initiated into their secrets. The hatred of a foreign domination is a sentiment common to all; the high and the low, the patrician and the citizen, all partake in it. There is in the character and the manners of the inhabitants of Genoa, a republican austerity which I did not expect to meet with in the effeminate regions of Italy.

"It is by this proud attitude, that the people of Genoa make themselves respected by the masters whom the Congress of Vienna has given them. By showing themselves intractable to the yoke, her citizens hinder it from being made more heavy. Fifteen thousand Piedmontese soldiers are always in garrison in this city. The court of Turin would wish to render its government popular; and in order to attain this object, whenever altercations arise between the garrison and the inhabitants, it always decides in favour of the latter. "On the coast of the other Sea, which bathes the shores of Italy, Venice does herself bonour under her misfortune, by the dignity with which she supports it. Venice is also one of the cities where the Carbonari are the most

numerous.

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"This society has not excited the solicitude of the Italian governments only; those of other countries also feel interested in it. The French government looks upon the Carbonari with anxious attention; its ambassadors, its charges d'affaires, and its councils, have orders to watch their proceedings. A power much more remote has shown a desire to enter into communication with them.

"It is impossible that in Italy religious sentiments should remain wholly foreign to an institution like that of the Carbonari. Elsewhere, incredulity has sometimes associated with the love of liberty and hatred of oppression. The Carbonari, on the contrary, shew a sincere faith in the religion of Christ; but such as it is found in the Gospel, disengaged from all the foreign elements which theologians have introduced in the course of eighteen centuries. They were therefore both political and religious reformers. Among them is a great number of members of the infe rior clergy. This will not seem surprising to those who know the wretched condition of the priests who have not attained the honour of the episcopacy, or at least of the prelacy; they live about the members of the superior clergy, in a state not much above that of domestic servants. The Carbonari have among their members also some bishops and prelates, but in small numbers. In general they recruit among all ranks of society, the people as well as the nobility. Here these two orders are not divided, as in the rest of Europe, by opposite interests. The nobility, formerly invested with great political prerogatives, retain a deep resentment towards those who have successively deprived them of them. proportion as their ancient situation was brilliant,do they feel humiliated by their present condition. It is among this class that we find the most zealousCarbonari."

SCIENCE.

N the public Sitting of the four Acade

Mr. Charles Dupin delivered a discourse, the

subject of which was the influence of the Sciences upon the humanity of nations. In showing how far the Sciences had not only softened the manners of mankind, but

spect to England and France, which claim the admiration of all the friends of civilization.

The following are the examples alluded

to ;--

"For three centuries we have witnessed the Learned Societies of all polished nations united in one fraternal bond; not only the Learned of a single empire, but the most celebrated philosophers of all nations. From every quarter an appeal has been made to every talent, and prizes offered for the research of great truths, or their application to the useful purposes of mankind.

"Crowns of merit have been awarded by the Amphictyons of Science to the superior talent of all, without the invidious distinction of native and foreigner.

"Nor has war restrained the limits of this peaceful concourse. The Society where Newton once presided, has founded a prize for the greatest discovery relative to the laws of light and heat. The theory of Malus, respecting the polarization of light, merited the prize. The judges were English, the author a Frenchman: the war was at its height, and the two countries were exasperated by victory and defeat, by the songs of a Tyrtæus and the barangues of orators, by fallacious pamphlets, and the hirelings of a policy without

shame or remorse.

"But Justice held the balance with one hand, and the prism of Newton with the other;---admitting of no delusion, she gives her reward in silence, uninfluenced by passion

"England presents her with no work equal to that of the learned Malus, and Justice places the crown on the brow of an enemy scarred with wounds, the honourable marks of battle waged between the two nations under the walls of Cairo and Alexan

dria.

"Thus the Institute of France and the Royal Society of London have rivalled each other in generous philanthropy. At their intercession, captives have been liberated, whose learning might be useful to mankind; and, to their praise be it spoken, the Governments on both sides the sea have always yielded with zeal to the solicitations of those scientific Institutions who in gratitude have paid the ransom of the liberated by their pre

sents.

"The Academy of Sciences, by awarding to the celebrated Davy, about the same period, the prize for his Galvanic researches, showed itself equally impartial, and superior to the prejudices of popular hatred."

CARRIER PIGEONS.

A letter from Brussels, dated July 17, says, ---"Thirty-two pigeons, with the word Antwerp, marked on their wings, have been sent to London, where they were let loose on the 11th of this month, at seven o'clock in the morning, after having their wings counter

marked London. The same day, towards noon, one of these faithful animals arrived at home, and obtained the first prize; a quarter of an hour later, a second arrived, and obtained the next prize. The following day, twelve others arrived, making fourteen in all.

EXPLOSION OF A COAL-MINE.

An explosion took place, Aug. 1819, in a coal-mine, at Gateshead, near Newcastle-onTyne, by which nearly 40 persons have lost their lives! Amongst the poor unfortunates been taken there by their mother and obtainwere three boys from Whitehaven, who bad ed work, but were soon after dismissed: subsequently their parent applied to those in ment for her children, just in time to share management and again obtained employthe melancholy fate that has befallen them and their fellow-sufferers. The same pit exploded about four years ago, when considerable damage was done.

SURPRISING FEAT.

A man has ascended the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, and sat astride the cross, a distance of 400 feet from the ground; where he sang a song, and shouted, Astley for ever,' so audibly that he was distinctly heard by the spectators in different parts of the city.

EXTRAORDINARY PRODUCTION OF THE EARTH THE PRESENT SEASON.

weather about the middle of July, Europe By the sudden and timely change of the known. has secured the most productive harvest ever

This

At the very moment when the great burden upon the land, and the precedWheat (being much thrown down by the ing heavy rains), was beginning to mildew--became suddenly clear and dry, and matured at this very important period, the weather the crops of all kinds.which had become truly dented great bulk. The continuance of that hazardous in consequence of their unprece whole of the last month, bas enabled the farclear, dry, and warm weather throughout the ductive crop in the very best manner. mer to harvest this most extraordinary prowonderful season will forman epoch in the historical record of European agricultural remotest period, as one where the timely reports; it will be handed down to the coincidence of favourable seasons has multiplied and matured the fruits of the earth, through a greater variety of climate and extent of surface than can be recollected or found recorded in any preceding year. This of crop, to one district, or one nation, but the great produce is not confined to one species pulse, but of all the fruit-bearing trees Juxuriance of produce of not only corn and throughout the whole districts from Petersburg to Paris, and from Paris to London.

The Wheats are equally abundant, and of the best quality.

Barley by far the most productive crop ever known, of good quality.

Beans, Peas,and all the leguminous species, the same.

Turnips the same; Hops the same.

The weather has continued favourable for ripening the crops which gladden the face of

the country; and in some places the corn has already been cut down; in others, all is in preparation for the commencing of the harvest. Under these circumstances, the first thing to be considered by the farmer, is the state of maturity in which his corn ought to be, when he begins to reap.

Experienced husbandmen think that Wheat should be cut down some days before it is fully or dead ripe. As the grain hardens well in the sheaf, there is nothing lost in meaSure by this management, and the sample is ofen beter. Barley ought likewise to be cut before it is too ripe, otherwise the straw omes brittle, which occasions much loss she needs breaking off; and though oats bandy grain, yet the more early varieGreg liable to damage from high winds, or rom exposure to much wet, ought to be out as soon as they are nearly ripe, inorder to lessen the risks to which they are exposed.

The following is a good rule for all sorts of grain, viz.: That the cutting of grain should be commenced whenever the straw immediately below the ear, is so dry, that on twisting it no juice can be expressed; for then the grain cannot improve, as the circulation of the juices to the ear is stopped. It matters not that the stalk below is green. Every hour that the grain stands uncut after passing this stage, is attended with loss.

There are improved methods of reaping in which the knife-edged hook must be used. One of these is called bagging; it is principally confined to the counties of Middlesex and Surry, where it has been adopted with a view of securing an increased quantity of

straw.

The vineyards are so richly laden with fruit of the finest quality, that it is asserted in France, that wine will be at five sous the bottle.

Apples throughout the cyder counties in England, are so large a crop, that the trees which are not properly propped, are breaking down in all directions. In Kent, some trees are split right down through their buts; one half of the free lying upon the ground maturing its fruit. A second crop of Hay of great bulk is well secured.

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CUSTOM DESERVING IMITATION.

In the duchy of Gotha there are many villages which obtain a rent of 200 or 300 dollars or more for their fruit trees planted on the road side, and on the commons. Every new married couple is bound to plant two young fruit trees. The rent is applied to parochial purposes, (at present to payment of the debts incurred during the late wars.) In order to preserve the plantations from injury, the inhabitants of the parish are all made answerable; each of whom is thus on the watch over the other; and if any one is caught in the act of committing any injury, all the damage done in the same year, the authors of which cannot be discovered, is attributed to him, and he is compelled to atone for it according to its extent, either by fine, or by corporal punisnment.

CANOVA THE SCULPTOR.

Canova is at present building a church at his own expense, to adorn his native city in the state of Venice. It is to be built in the antique style, and it is estimated that the expense will exceed 100,000 piastres.

HYDROPHOBIA.

A fatal instance of this alarming malady occurred lately in the death of J. Newal, a miner at Sheffield. The deceased was 20 years of age, and was bitten by a rabid animal about twelve weeks before; the wound was in the thumb, but since appeared to be well. The first symptoms of hydrophobia were displayed on Wednesday morning early, when his medical attendants were speedily convinced it was a confirmed case. quantity of saliva which flowed from him irrigated every thing contiguous; during his indescribable sufferings, he retained a perfect presence of mind, till within two hours of his death; several times previous to which he barked like a dog.

MERMAIDS.

The

Naturalists have hitherto doubted of the existence of mermaids and mermen; we have it now in our power to set at rest the doubts of sceptics upon this duplex order of animals, one having been lately discovered basking on the rocks of Derrygimia, in Erresbeg, after the ebbing of the tide. It was first discovered by a female of the lower order, who was then about four months pregnant; she was suddenly startled by a kind of scream, which was followed by the plunging of an animal ities having the conformation of a dolphin. half female and half fish, her lower extremThis woman was so terrified as to miscarry, and has not been able to leave her bed since; the tide being out, the animal had some difficulty in reaching the water. Thomas Evans, Esq. of Cleggan, a gentleman well known to many of our readers, just arrived upon the coast in time to witness her last plunges ; having gained the water she disappeared for a few moments, but again appeared perfectly composed. Mr. Evans now had a favourable opportunity of examining this so long doubted genus---it was about the size of a well grown child of ten years of age; a bosom prominent as a girl of sixteen; a profusion