1830.] Literary and Scientific Intelligence. Ireland and its Economy; being the result of Observations made on a Tour through the Country in the Autumn of 1829. By J. E. BICHENO, Esq. F. R. S. Sec. of the Linn. Society. The Life of Sir Isaac Newton. By DAVID BREWSTER, LL.D. The Life of General Wolfe. By ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq. Rise and Progress of the English Commonwealth, from the first Settlement of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain. By FRANCIS PALGRAVE, Esq. of the Inuer Temple. The Life of Cervantes. By J. G. LockHART, LL.B. My Native Village; and other Pieces. By N. T. CARRINGTON, author of "Dart moor. The Lives of British Worthies. By RoBERT SOUTHEY, Esq. ROYAL SOCIETY. April 29. A paper was read, "On the Variations of the Elliptic Constants," by J. W. Lubbock, Esq. F. R. S. May 6. A paper was read, "On the occurrence of Bromine and Iodine in certain Mineral Waters of South Britain," by Charles Daubeny, M. D. F. R. S. Professor of Chemistry in the University of Oxford. Major-Gen. Joseph Stratton, and Captain James Vetch, were elected fellows. May 13. The first part of a paper was read, entitled, “An Essay on the preserved bodies of aboriginal Peruvian Indians," by W. T. Carter, M. D. Surgeon R. N. May 20. The time of the meeting was consumed by debates, in which Mr. South took a very prominent part,) relative to 1. Matters long since past connected with the Astronomer Royal; 2. Mr. Babbage's recent work, containing an attack on the Society; and 3. The omission of acknowledgment to Sir James Brisbane of some astronomical observations of his, attached to the last volume of Philosophical Transactions. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. April 29. in the chair. W. R. Hamilton, Esq. V. P. Four gentlemen were elected Fellows of the Society: Thomas Clarke, Esq. of Craven-street; James W. Lyon, Esq. of South Audley-street; John Edward Vaughan, Esq. of Regent-street, and Rhoda, Glamorganshire; and Charles-Baring Wall, Esq. F.R.S. of Berkeley-square, and M. P. for Wareham. Mr. Secretary Ellis communicated a copy of a MS. tract on the Political State of Ireland, written by Barnaby Rich, in 1615, in order to present to King James the First. The author, who published some tracts on Irish affairs, describes himself as a soldier and a gentleman, and for fifty two years resident in Ireland. He writes with very zealous Protestant bias; and advocates & GENT. MAG. May, 1830. 449 John Bruce, Esq. of Francis-st. Goldensquare, and William Knight, Esq. Architect of the London Bridge Works, were elected Fellows of the Society. The Rev. Thomas Rackett, F. S. A. exhibited to the Society some relics of antiquity, lately exhumed in the premises of James Farquharson, at Littleton-house, near Blandford, on the banks of the river Stour. The remains discovered were a skeleton in a cist, the bones of a horse, an iron stirrup, various pieces of pottery, some of Sainian ware, glass, &c. The reading of Barnaby Rich's treatise was continued. May 13. H. Gurney, Esq. V. P. in the chair. Charles Octavius Swinnerton Morgon, Esq. of Pall Mall, B. A. Oxford, was elected Fellow. A notice was communicated of a Fibula, found near Newmarket, on levelling some uneven ground on the race-course, and not less remarkable for its excellent preservation than the beauties of its execution; and also of a coin, supposed to be one of Carausius, discovered soine years since in a barrow. They are in the possession of Lord Lowther. Mr. Ellis continued the reading of Barnaby Rich's diatribe. May 20. Mr. Hamilton in the chair. Sir Stephen Glynne, Bart. William Tyson, Esq. of Bristol, and the Hon. Arthur Hill Trevor, son of Lord Viscount Dungannon, were elected Fellows of the Society. Davies Gilbert, Esq. Pr. R. S. communicated two plaster casts of the inscriptions (yet undeciphered) on a cross at Penzance; also the impression of a small circular brass seal found under Beachey Head. It represents a skinmark interlaced with the letters G. and S. and surrounded by the inscription, s' GILLES SALMOR. Samuel Rush Meyrick, LL. D. F. S. A. exhibited two beautifully enamelled candlesticks, of similar pattern and devices, which, it is presumed from the figures represented on their triangular bases, are of as early date as the beginning of the 12th century. Also a pix of correspondent workmanship. They were illustrated by an ingenious essay on the artificial lights of the ancients, and the utensils necessary for their consumption. The Rev. Chas, Townsend communicated, through Mr. Hallam, a description of some fresco paintings of the time of Edward the First, disclosed on the walls of Preston church near Brighton, accompanied by a 450 Literary and Scientific Intelligence. drawing by Mr. William Twopenny. They represent two larger subjects, the murder of Beckett, and St. Michael weighing souls; and six smaller-the unbelief of St. Tho mas; Christ appearing in the garden to Mary Magdalen; St. Catherine treading on the Emperor Maximinus; St. Michael; a saint with a crosier; and St. James the pilgrim. ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE. April 29. The general annual meeting this day was numerously attended; the rooms being filled by eminent and literary men. The Lord Bishop of Salisbury, the President, read a learned and interesting address, and afterwards presented the two royal medals of the year to Mr. Washington Irving and Mr. Hallam. After Mr. Cattermole, the secretary, had read the proceedings of the society during the year, the meeting proceeded to the election of president, counsel, &c. for the ensuing year. May 19.-A Paper, by Mr. Millingen, was read, on the subject of the splendid Tyrrhenian vases lately discovered in ancient Etruria. Lord Prudhoe was elected a member. MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY. April 27. The President, Earl Stanhope, in the chair. The Archduke Francis-Charles of Austria, Prince William of Prussia, and Prince Charles of Prussia, were elected Honorary Fellows of the Society. Dr. Clendenning was also elected Professor of Toxicology. A paper, by J. P. Yosy, esq. on the medical properties of the plants belonging to the natural order Gentianex; a letter on the claim of Dr. Coxe of Philadelphia to the discovery of the true Jalap plant, by the same author; also a communication on the "Fenillea Cordifolia," from Dr. William Hamilton of Plymouth, were read. The Professor of Botany delivered some observations on the botanical character of many of the plants on the table. Notice was given that a paper was preparing by Dr. John Hancock, on the use of opium in colds. May 11. A communication "On the use of the Secale Cornutum, or Ergot of Rye in Midwifery," by Dr. Ryan, was read, in which the author stated that he had used it in upwards of a hundred cases with the greatest success, and that he considered it, under certain circumstances, a most valuable medicine. A variety of medical and other plants were on the table; among which were some fine specimens of Rheum Undulatum (in full flower); Menyanthes Trifoliata, Ranunculus Acris, Polyganum Bistorta, Spartium Scoparium; Maranta Zebrina, Caladium Odoratum, Azalea Coccinea, Delphinum Elatior, &c. They were presented to the Society by Mr. Gibbs of Brompton, Mr. Campbell, and Mr. Houlton the Professor of Botany; the latter [May, gentleman delivered some botanical observations on several sorts selected by him for that purpose. Some resolutions were also passed relative to the appointment of a Professor of Chemistry. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. May 3. This society held its anniversary meeting at the house of the Horticul tural Society in Regent street. In the absence of the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Duke of Somerset presided. Among the other distinguished individuals present were, the Earls of Essex and Carnarvon, Lord Auckland, Lord Stanley, Sir G. Staunton, Bart. &c. From the report of the auditors, it appeared that the receipts for the past year were 16,3471. 12s., arising from the subscriptions of members, admission fees of visitors to the museum, &c. The amount in the bankers' hands in February was 2001. The supposed value of the society's assets was 6000/. inclusive of the farm at Kingston, which had cost about 11,000. The report of the council stated, that an arrangement had been made with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for the ground which the society required, viz. 1,200 feet frontage, at a rent of 400l. per annum. The expenses of the farm at Kingston are to be greatly reduced, and it is intended to breed and rear rare and new species of birds, quadrupeds, and fishes, at that establishment. It was also stated that 200,000 persons had visited the gardens in the Regent's Park last year, and that upwards of 3000l. had been invested in the funds. May 6. The ballot for the officers and council took place. The Marquis of Lansdowne was elected president; James Morrison, esq. treasurer; and N. A. Vigors, esq. secretary; Joshua Brooks, esq., G. B. Greenough, esq., Sir Robert Heron, Bart., James Morrison, esq., and the Earl of Winchelsea, were elected into the council. LONDON UNIVERSITY. May 15. This day the second annual distribution of prizes to the students of the medical classes in this University took place Ameng the persons present were-The Earl of Darnley, Lord Auckland, Lord John Russell, Sir James Graham, Mr. James Brougham, Dr. Birkbeck, Mr. W. Touke, Mr.J. L. Goldsmid, and many other members, of the council. Sir J. Graham was in the chair. The warden read an explanation as to the prizes: a gold medal and two silver ones were to be given to each class, and, certificates of honour to all students who had attained a certain amount of excellence in their answers to questions previously fixed by the professors. He then read a report of the proceedings of the second session, which was of a favourable nature. 1828 and 1829, there had been 198 students in the medical classes, but in the present In 1830.] Literary and Scientific Intelligence. session they had increased to 288; in each class there were double the number of last year. One gold and two silver medals were then delivered to the successful candidates in the classes of the practice of medicine, anatomy, materia medica, physiology, surgery, midwifery, chemistry, comparative anatomy, and demonstrative anatomy; and honorary certificates to a great many other students. Several of the students received prizes in more than one class. In the medicine class, there were last session 161 students: in anatomy, 175; in chemistry, 181; in demonstrative anatomy, 117; in physiology, 148; in midwifery, 83; and in materia medica, 138. After the prizes had been delivered, the Chairman and Dr. Birkbeck addressed the meeting on the advantages held out by the University, and the success which attended its progress. COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. May 5. A Paper by Dr. Stevens, on the changes which the blood undergoes in the malignant fevers of the West Indies, was read. During; the existence of the disease, the blood exhibits a greater fluidity than is natural, its colour is highly darkened, and the saline matter greatly lessened in quantity. These observations induced Dr. S. to perform certain chemical experiments upon the blood of those infected, or who had died of the fever, and he deduced this resultthat the loss of the saline matter being the chief cause of the changes before described, they may be prevented by giving saline medicines. May 12. A Paper by Dr. Barry, on the epidemic fever of Gibraltar, was read it stated, that about the middle of August two young persons died in one of the highest districts with yellow skins and dark-coloured vomitings. A boy, who presented the same symptoms, recovered. In 5,543 cases, from August to Christmas, of which 1,631 were fatal, Dr. Barry declares that the disease consisted of a single paroxysm of fever, terminating, from the second to the sixth day, either in a rapid return to health, or in the almost certain precursors of death. May 19. A Paper by Dr. Burne was read, on a peculiar disorder in the throat, consisting of a severe attack of inflammation confined to the epiglottis. This complaint should be treated in a way calculated to reduce the strength of the patient, as great exhaustion is produced by the inability to swallow. A paper, communicated by Dr. Calvert, was afterwards read, on the chemical and medical properties of the Sandrock spring in the Isle of Wight. This water contains a larger portion of iron than any other chalybeate water, and has been ascertained to operate remedially in complaints arising from relaxation and debility. ROYAL INSTITUTION. 451 April 80. There was a very numerous attendance of members, to hear Dr. Clarke's interesting narrative of his ascent to the summit of Mont Blanc in August 1825 Its height, according to his calculation (and to ascertain this, he observed, it was neces-, sary to have a barometer graduated to at least sixteen inches) is 15,742 feet above the level of the sea; and it might give a more forcible idea of the elevation, to say, it was 78 times as high as the monument, or 39 times that of St. Paul's. On the table were a number of mineralogical specimens, brought from the mountain; as also, a variety of botanical specimens. The summit of each of the peaks appeared to be a cone of snow, resting on rocks, formed of granite, or granite and mica. May 7. Mr. Faraday gave a history of the manner in which the trigonometrical survey of Ireland, by the Board of Ordnance, is carried on by Colonel Colby and his assistants. Surveys of from seven to ten miles in length have been taken at once, by an intion of the metal it contains is so effectually strument, in which the expansion and contracprovided against, that the observation is obtained with the nicest mathematical accuracy. As an instance of this, in two measurements taken of Lough Loyle, under rather unfavourable circumstances, the variation was only 1.76th part of an inch. Two millions of acres were surveyed in the course of the past year. The apparatus consists of two distinct systems of clothing; the one near the body being composed of a badly conducting substance, as the amianthus ; and the other, or external envelope, of a metallic tissue. The pieces of clothing for the body, arms, and legs, are made of strong cloth, which has been soaked in a solution of alum; those of the head, the hands, and the feet, of cloth of asbestos. That for the head is a large cap, which entirely covers the whole to the neck, and has apertures in it for the eyes, nose, and mouth, these being guarded by a very fine copper wire-gauze. The stockings and cap are single, but the gloves are double, for the purpose of giving power of handling inflamed or incumbent bodies. The metallic defence consists of five principal pieces; a casque, or cap complete, with a mask; a cuirass, with its brassets; a piece of armour for the waist and thighs; a pair of boots of double wire-gauze; and an oval shield, five feet long, and two and a half wide, formed by extending gauze over a thin plate of iron. Enveloped in this apparatus, firemen have! traversed houses in flames, and have remained in the midst of this destructive ele ment for ten minutes without suffering the slightest injury. The following are some of the public trials that have been under his superintendance. A fireman having his hand inclosed in a double asbestos glove, and guarded in the palm by a piece of ashestos cloth, laid hold of a large piece of red-hot iron, carried it slowly to the distance of 150 feet, then set straw on fire by it, and immediately brought it back to the furnace. The hand was not at all injured in the experiment. The second experiment related to the defence of the head, the eyes, and the lungs. The fireman put on only the asbestos and wire-gauze cap and the cuirass, and held the shield before his breast. A fire of shavings was then lighted, and sustained in a very Jarge raised chafing dish, and the fireman approaching it, plunged his head into the middle of the flames, with his face towards the fuel, and in that way went several times round the chafing dish, and for a period of above a minute in duration. The experi SELECT Tributary Lines to the memory of the late WILLIAM THOMAS FITZGERALD, Esq. Written for the Anniversary of the Literary Fund (see p. 458.) By JOHN TAYLOR, Esq. FITZGERALD then is gone, whose gen'rous zeal For suffering talents could so warmly feel; Oft has his manly voice that cause impress'd, own Zeal for the state, and honour to the throne. When NELSON, glorious on Nile's ancient shore, On gallic foes bade British vengeance pour; [May, ment was made several times, and those who made it, said they suffered no oppression or inconvenience in the act of respiration. The third experiment was with the complete apparatus. Two rows of faggots, mingled with straw, were arranged vertically against bars of iron, so as to form a passage between thirty feet long and six feet wide. Four such arrangements were made, differing in the proportion of wood and straw, and one was with straw alone. Fire was then applied to one of these double piles; and a fireman, invested in the defensive clothing, and guarded by the shield, entered between the double hedge of flames, and traversed the alley several times. The flames rose ten feet in height, and joined over his head. Each passage was made slowly, and occupied from twelve to fifteen seconds; they were repeated six or eight times, and even oftener, in succession, and the firemen were exposed to the almost constant action of the flames for the period of a minute and a half, or two minutes, or even more. 1830.] [ 453 ] HISTORICAL CHRONICLE PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 26. Mr. Slaney moved the committal of his bill for the amendment of the POOR LAWS. A debate of some length arose upon a clause empowering two justices of the peace to separate the children of paupers from their parents, if such a measure should seem advisable. The clause was rejected by a majority of 91 to 9. Mr. Paulet Thompson moved the second reading of the USURY BILL, the object of which is to enable individuals to contract for what rate of interest they please, but to prevent the lenders of money from recovering more than five per cent. in a court of justice. After some discussion, the House divided, when there appeared-For the second reading, 54; against it, 21. April 27. Mr. O'Connell moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the act of the 7th George IV. which regulated Vestries in Ireland. The object of the bill was to give to Roman Catholics the power of voting in Vestries on Church Rates, &c.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer opposed the motion. -Mr. Spring Rice supported it.-Mr. Peel said, that he was not to be deceived by pal try arguments about any defects that might exist in the Vestry Act. He looked to the maiu principle of the measure, and found that the great object of the honourable and learned gentleman was to make catholics and other dissenters eligible to vote in the assessment of the church rates in Ireland. To this proposition he (Mr. Peel) could never accede, believing that, if it were once adopted, it would be productive of endless confusion in Ireland. The house then dividedFor the motion, 47; against it, 177. On the motion of the Attorney-general, the Administration of Justice Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed. April 29. Mr. Brougham brought forward a motion for establishing Local Jurisdictions in certain districts in England. The hon. Member took a very comprehensive review of the expenses attendant upon legal process. What he intended to propose was, to appoint a person of legal experience in every county, before whom any person might cite another who owed him to the amount of ten pounds or less, and that this judge should decide on the merits of the claim on hearing the parties, and appoint payment by instalments, if he should think proper. If the debt should exceed ten pounds, but not one hundred pounds, the parties should be allowed to employ a legal advocate to plead their cause. But this judge should in no instance decide in cases of freehold, copyhold, or leasehold. From his decision, an appeal should be either made to the Judges of the Assize, or to the Courts of Westminster, as the party should think proper. Mr. Peel said that he was favourable to the principle of the learned, gentleman's proposition, and he should certainly vote for its introduction. After some observations from Lord Althorp and Mr. O'Connell, leave was given to bring in the bill. HOUSE OF LORDS, April 30. The Marquess of Londonderry rose for the purpose of putting two questions to the noble Earl, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; the first was, whether Prince Leopold was appointed King of Greece? And the second was, whether a proposition had been made to his Royal Highness to give up his right of naturalization ?—The Earl of Aberdeen did not feel it incumbent on him to answer these questions. He would, however, inform the noble Marquess, that Prince Leopold was the individual to throne of Greece. There were some minor whom the allied powers had offered the circumstances still to be settled, and when they were arranged, the papers would be laid before their Lordships. The Marquess of Salisbury moved the order of the day for the continuation of the hearing of counsel and evidence on the East Retford Disfranchisement Bill. Coun sel were then called in, when several witnesses underwent a long examination: each deposed to having received a sum of 20 or 40 guineas for their vote. In the COMMONS, the same day, the House' resolved itself into a Committee of Supply. On the proposition to vote 3,4021. for the expenses of the Military College at Woolwich, Mr. Hume said, that the establishment was kept up for purposes of patronage, and he considered those who were brought up in this way as no better than paupers supported at the public expense. After a long and desultory discussion, the question was put, and the House divided, when there appeared-For the vote 131; against it, 52. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 3. In a Committee of Supply Mr. Dawson moved, that the sum of 32,500l. should be granted for the repairs of public buildings, &c. on which Mr. Hobhouse and several other Members expressed their dissatisfaction on finding that the public were not to |