the New Society, we profess to know nothing of its views, or its means of furthering those views, but what its own announcements develope; but when its pretensions and results come more immediately before the public, we shall take care to give them the consideration which they may seem to deserve. The gallery intended for the proposed exhibition, &c. of the Society is said to be nearly in a state of completion, and is situated in Pall-Mall East.

Mr. Haydon. We would willingly have better news to communicate to the lover of Art, respecting this distinguished artist, than we are at present in possession of. The unhappy circumstances which have lately come forward,* relative to his ill success as an historical painter, and the inefficient patronage which his efforts have met with, may, as we conceive, be in a great degree attributed to the injudicious mode in which he has hitherto thought proper to employ his great abilities. The event, in any case, may be taken as a pretty fair criterion of the means employed to bring any end about, when those means have had a fair trial; as in his case they have. Will he not be wise, then, seriously and determinately to turn his thoughts and his deeds to some other mode of achieving his high views with regard to art? We are induced to throw out this hint, from hearing it whispered among his friends, (for we have not the honour of ranking among that number,) that, in fact, he has already turned his attention to a new line of study and practice; and we would willingly lend our aid in encouraging and fixing him in it, being deeply and sincerely convinced that he has not hitherto chosen the right. -We understand that he is at present employed on a small picture, (small in comparison with most of his other works,) the subject of which is Silenus lecturing Bacchus and Ariadne on the immoral nature of the life they are leading together! -This is as it should be. Let him try such subjects as these, and we are greatly mistaken if his success will not be more commensurate with his natural qualifications than it has hitherto been. We shrewdly suspect that, if Mr. Haydon were to make his works less of works,

We allude to the occasion of presenting Mr. Haydon's petition to the House of Commons.

and more of plays, they would turn out more worthy of his abilities than any thing he has hitherto produced, and consequently more certain of obtaining the end he has in view.

New French Peristrephic Panorama.— We have here another "ten thousand square feet of canvass," on which are depicted twelve views of the great Battle of Waterloo: that is to say, the great wooden rollers on which all these acres of canvass are twisted, are made to stop twelve times in the course of their hourly unwinding; while a gentleman, who is seated in the dark among the spectators for that purpose, explains the result of each stoppage, after the most approved manner of the halfpenny showmen. We notice this picture, as we did its predecessor of the same kind, not because it actually belongs to the department of which we are treating-for it has no pretensions whatever to the title of a work of art, properly so called-but because it professes to be such; and professes in such very large and striking characters, that many persons are likely to be beguiled of their time and shillings before they are aware. If we did not pretty well know that the curiosity as well as the, so called, good-nature of our countrymen somewhat exceedeth-to say nothing of their occasional want of tastewe should wonder how any set of persons could have the face to place before them such exhibitions as these two which we have noticed in this and our last number; and at this time, too, when they cannot fail to come in competition with our own delightful Panoramas, in which the illusion is almost complete, and the exquisite views of the Diorama, in which it is quite so. In fact, these wretched daubs of some discarded French scene-painter would be the death of any English pantomime in which they were to appear as portions of the scenery; and they are adapted to amuse and satisfy the tastes of that class of persons alone who frequent the aforenamed halfpenny exhibitions; a class of persons, however, towards whom we feel the most unfeigned good-will, and whose amusements we would promote by every possible means-among others, by doing what we can towards banishing these "French Peristrephic Panoramas" to the fairs, to which by right of demerit they belong.

Cambridge, Dec. 4.-The Norrisian prize (the subject of the essay being The Office and Mission of John the Baptist) is decided in favour of James Amiraux Jeremic, Scholar of Trinity College.

The following are the improvements now in progress in this University:-Benet's College, King's College, Trinity College, Trinity Hall, part of Jesus College, part of Christ College, Addingbrooke Hall,

and the Town Bridge; and it is expected that the new Courts at St. John's College will be entered upon in the course of another year. The additions to Sydney College are, we believe, completed under the direction of Mr. J. Wyatt. Increased accommodations have been afforded to undergraduates at Downing College, and every exertion is made to give effect to that establishment.

Oxford, Dec. 6.-The following subjects are proposed for the Chancellor's prizes for the ensuing year, viz.-For Latin Verses-Babylon. For an English Essay Athens in the time of Pericles, and Rome in the time of Augustus. For a Latin Essay-Coloniarum apud Græcos et Romanos inter se Comparatio.

Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize.-For the best composition in English Verse, not containing either more or fewer than fifty lines, by any Undergraduate who has not exceeded four years from the time of his matriculation-The Arch of Titus,

New Society.-A Meteorological Society has just been instituted in London; and, from the nature of its subjects, which require simultaneous distant observations, it is likely to render itself most useful in promoting the study of nature. Its constitution is of a liberal character; and, till after the 12th of November, all friends of such pursuits will be admitted members, on paying their two guineas to Mr. Wilford, the secretary, at the London Coffee-house. Among the gentlemen present at its institution were Drs. T. Forster, Clutterbuck, Shearman, Mr. Luke Howard, &c.

Royal Academy.-The Royal Academy honours to Students, this year, have been awarded as follows:-Gold Medal, &c. for the best Historical painting, "The contention between the Archangel Michael and Satan, for the body of Moses," to Mr. F. Y. Hurlstone.-Gold Medals, Sculpture, to Mr. R. B. Hughes; and Architecture," Hospital for Invalid Sailors," to Mr. F. Bradbury.-Silver Medals. School of Painting. Best copy, Mr. Corbet; second, Mr. Marks: best drawing from the life, Mr. Cahusac; second, Mr. Howe: best model from the life, Mr. R. Williams; second, Mr. Collingwood: best drawing from the antique, 1st, Mr. G. R. Ward; 2d, Mr. F. Ross; 3d, Mr. Cicell; best model from the antique, 1st, Mr. Dear; 2d, Mr. Stothard; 3d, Mr. Behnes; best architectural drawing, 1st, Mr. Richley; 2d, Mr. Jenkins. The President delivered an admirable discourse on the occasion.

Sir Anthony Carlisle, the Professor of Anatomy, lately finished an interesting Course of Lectures at Somerset House to

the Members and Students of that esta blishment.

New Literary Society.-A public meeting of the Directors and Proprietors of the Auction Mart was held at their establishment last month, for the purpose of forming a Literary Society therein. Mr. Shuttleworth was voted into the chair. He observed, that the establishment had not realised all the expectations which had been formed at the time of its erection. There were several rooms unoccupied or only occasionally used, and by the proposed arrangements the value of the concern would be increased. He was confident of the success of the undertaking; an Institution of the nature intended was much wanted in that part of the Metropolis, and he hoped the propositions which had been printed and circulated would be favourably received. He then read the propositions, which recommended various alterations in the building; such as throwing open several offices on the ground-floor, and forming coffee and reading-rooms, and that the large room should be fitted up and arranged so as to answer the double purpose of a sale-room and lecture-room. That the library should be limited to modern original publications of the current year, periodical works of established reputation, and a judicious selection of standard national works, except on the subject of British topography, a more extensive collection of that class being desirable with reference to the peculiar transactions conducted at the Mart. That courses of lectures on literature, the arts, sciences, manufactures, and commerce, be delivered at the customary seasons; the admission for the public to be regulated according to established precedent. That the proprietors of Mart shares be entitled to gratuitous admissions to the library and lectures; and that, to avoid the inconvenience occasioned by carrying packages, &c. through the present saloon, the present access to the coffee-room from Throgmorton-street be shut up, and a staircase or crane erected at the space now occupied by the exterior colonnade. That the admission to the library and lectures should be 31. 3s. per annum, or to the library only 21. 2s. The resolutions in the affirmative were carried by a large majority.

Royal Society.-St. Andrew's Day falling this year on a Sunday, the Royal Society held their anuual meeting on Monday the 1st of December, at their apartments in Somerset-place; when the President, Sir Humphrey Davy, Bart. addressed the Members present in a speech of considerable length; in which, after

adverting to the numerous deaths which had occurred among the Fellows during the last year, and paying a suitable tribute of respect to the memory of those who had most distinguished themselves by their communications to the Society, or by their philosophical labours, he announced the award of the Gold Copley Medal to John Pond, Esq. the present Astronomer Royal, for his various observations and communications published by the Royal Society; and expatiated on the benefits which had been derived to astronomy, navigation, and the commerce of this country, from the establishment of the Royal Observatory by Charles II.: from the liberal manner in which it had been supported by its present munificent Patron, and from the meritorious labours of the eminent astronomers to whose care it had been from time to time intrusted. The Society then proceeded to the choice of a Council and Officers for the ensuing year; when, on examining the lists, it appeared that the following Gentlemen were elected :—Of the Old Council-Sir H. Davy, Bart.: W. T. Brande, Esq.; S. Goodenough, Lord Bishop of Carlisle ; T. Combe, Esq.; J. W. Croker, Esq.; D. Gilbert, Esq.; C. Hatchett, Esq.; Sir E. Home, Bart.; J. Pond, Esq. Astronomer Royal; W. H. Wollaston, M. D.; T. Young, M. D.-Of the New Council-W. Allen, Esq.; Major T. Colby; J. Ivory, Esq.; Sir J. MacGrigor, Knt.; W. Marsden, Esq.; W. G. Maton, M. D.; the Duke of Norfolk; E. Rudge, Esq.; W. Sotheby, Esq.; H. Warburton, Esq.Officers-President, Sir H. Davy, Bart.; Treasurer, D. Gilbert, Esq.; Secretaries, W. T. Brande and T. Combe, Esqrs.

Royal Society of Literature. - At the second ordinary meeting of this Society, was read the conclusion of the MS report relative to the survey of the coasts of Syria and Egypt, ordered by Henry V. preparatory, as that monarch declared on his death-bed, to his attempting an expedition for the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Infidels. Several new candidates were proposed as members. At the third meeting the Duke of Newcastle was elected a Fellow of the Society: besides whom various noblemen and gentlemen were added to the list of candidates. Among them were, Lord John Townsend, the Right Hon. Charles Yorke, the Dean of Ely, &c. &c. The paper read was communicated by Mr. Sharon Turner; and was an attempt to exemplify the affinity of languages, by a comparison and classification of the various terms, both simple and compounded, made use of by ancient and modern nations, to express the numeral ONE. At the fourth meeting

another paper, communicated by Mr. S. Turner, was read, on the Affinity of Languages. The number Two, as expressed in many ancient and modern tongues, was taken for the illustrations of this interesting philological inquiry; and remarkable analogies and coincidences were pointed out.

Winchester College, Dec. 13.-Dr. Gabell, head master of Winchester College, has relinquished the arduous duties of that situation, which he has held for fourteen years. A valuable present of plate has been presented to him by his pupils. Dr. Williams, the present second master, will, it is expected, succeed him; and the Rev. C. Redding will be appointed second master. The election will take place on the 15th inst.

Electricity elicited from the Domestic Cat. In addition to the notice in the Philosophical Journal, of eliciting sensible shocks of electricity from the body of a cat, I beg to mention, that very distinct discharges may be obtained by touching the tips of the ears, after applying friction to the back. It is very long since I made the experiment, and at the same time I remarked the same from the foot. Placing the cat on my knee, I applied the right hand to the back; the left fore-paw resting on the palm of my left hand, I applied the thumb to the upper side of the paw, so as to extend the claws, and by this means brought my fore-finger into contact with one of the bones of the leg, where it joins the paw; from the knob or end of this bone, the finger slightly pressing on it, I felt distinctly successive shocks, similar to what were obtained from the ears. It is perhaps unnecessary to say, that in order to this experiment being conveniently performed, the cat must be on good terms with the experimenter.-Ed. Phil. Journal.

Mineralogy. A few days ago there was taken up at Browne's Hill, Carlow, (the estate of Wm. Browne, esq.) part of a stone, in which was found the following combination :-siliceous limestone, pearl spar, carbonate of lime, quartz crystal, and hepatic iron pyrites; forming one of the most curious specimens we have seen, in the compass of less than three inches square. The quartz crystals are common at Browne's Hill, but not in company with the pearl spar, or iron pyrites; they are, we believe, generally found distinct in the carbonate of lime, and are of a very superior quality of the Irish diamond.

Ornithology.-A fine specimen of that rare British bird, the rough-legged falcon (falco lagopus, L.) was lately shot near Westoe, by Mr. Wm. Marshall, of that place, and is now in the possession of

the managing committee of the museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society

of Newcastle.

Mr. Belzoni.-The Cambridge Chronicle has communicated another extract of a letter from this noble, spirited, and indefatigable traveller, of which the following is a part. The passage in italics contains a charge, we fear too true, against persons who are a disgrace to the agency of the British nation. It is to be hoped their names will be laid before the Government and the public, when we are certain that Mr. Canning will not suffer the honourable devotion of a man like Belzoni to have been thwarted by them with impunity. Men who pursue great and scientific objects in pestilent climates, have evils enough to encounter without the insolence of servile trafficking agents being added to them.

"It would be difficult for you, my dear friend, to believe to what an excess the revenge of petty men is carried. You will have seen by my letters from Fez and Gibraltar how far I had advanced in the good will of the Moorish people, and what were my hopes of success, when I was so cruelly disappointed. I must now tell you that my progress in that quarter was stopped, not by the Moors, but by the intrigues of some persons in office, who avail themselves of the occasional authority given to them by their superiors to vent their spleen on an unprotected individual who refuses to stoop and pay court to them. Not satisfied with the disappointment they occasioned, I find (if the information which I received by the last packet to the Brazils, that touched at Teneriffe, be correct,) that they have accused me of making an improper use of some letters of introduction which had been given to me, and of endeavouring to pass myself off as an agent of the British Government. You well know that I distinctly stated to you, in my letter from Tangier, that I had nothing to do with the English Government, and that I rested entirely on my own resources. This letter, I am happy to see by an English paper now before me, you made public; and in further confirmation I shall enclose to you the copy of a letter I received from the Moorish minister at Fez. I request of you to do me the favour, if you have seen or heard of any erroneous statements, to give publicity to this letter, and also to give a copy of the receipt, in payment of 180 dollars, which I gave to Mr. Douglas, the English Consul at Tangier, for some fine white cloth, to make presents of at Fez. I mention these things to shew you how little pretext there was for their accusations; but they are woefully mistaken if

they think to hinder me by such meansnothing but death itself shall hinder me from pursuing my intentions. Mrs. Belzoni will furnish you with a copy of the receipt I allude to. I trust to your kindness and friendship to refute the calumnies against me. Be assured that all is going on well-but it is hard to consider, that, instead of being supported, I am persecuted; but I must have patience; and if I succeed, why the mortification will be with my adversaries. I am now in the latitude of 21 degrees North; that is all I can tell you for the present, from fear my enemies should come to the knowledge of where I am. Excuse my hasty scrawl."

The following is a copy of the letter to which Mr. Belzoni refers, and the original of which in Arabic is in his possession:"Know, that his Imperial Majesty has ordered this communication from me, Sidi Benzelul, to his friend and gentleman Belzoni. We have received your letter, by which we observe your arrival at Tangier, and that you wish to come to the Royal presence. You will come, and every thing you want shall be granted agreeable to your wish, with the help of God. Judah Benalish, our agent at Gibraltar, has written to us on the subject, and he requested us to pay you every attention, and to facilitate every thing you wish; there was no occasion for it, as I am well aware of your situation more than what he has explained-it is quite sufficient what you say, that you are the man I

knew at Egypt. My master, whom God preserve, has already ordered that you proceed to Fez with due honour and attention, and you shall come before his High Majesty. I will get you the order to pass and repass to the cities you may please, with respect and honour."

From Mr. Belzoni's own statement it appears, that the expenses of his journey to and from Fez, and residence there, with the necessary presents and other articles, amounted to the sum of 10007. defrayed by himself. Through the interest of the Moorish minister at Fez, an express dromedary has been sent from Fez to Timbuctoo, with money and letters for Belzoni, in case the caravan should already have departed for Timbuctoo.

Action of Steam on Solutions of Silver and Gold.-The following observations on the action of steam on solutions of silver and gold, were made by Professor Pfaff, whilst investigating the volatility of muriates contained in boiling water. When the vapour of pure distilled water is made to pass through a solution of nitrate of silver, the solution assumes all the shades between yellow and dark brown, accord