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been preserved to a certain time under the Romans.

In some recent excavations, by the Arabs, at Thebes, a tomb was opened, wherein were ten or twelve cases of mummies, three of which had Greek inscriptions by the side of hieroglyphics!

The annexed is a translation of one of them:-Tomb of Typhon, son of Heraclius Soter and of Seraposis. He was born on the second day of Athur, in the 5th year of our Lord Adrian. He died on the 20th of the month Mechéir, in the 11th year of the same Lord, at the age of six years, two months, and twenty days. He was buried on the 12th of Athur, in the 12th year of Adrian.

This inscription must have lasted 1631 years, Adrian having commenced his reign in the year 117 of the Christian Era,

M. Caillaud has moreover found in the catacombs of Thebes, a number of different objects that shed a new light on the manners and customs of the Egyptians, such as furniture, apparel for the legs and feet, ornaments for the

toilet, and even ancient bread in good preservation.

In concert with M. Letorzee, M. Caillaud has been engaged in geographical investigations. All the points which they visited have been determined in longitude and latitude, by a number of celestial observations which do not differ above a second from each other. They have taken the longitudes by the distances, and not with the chronometer; an instrument not so well adapted to an elevated and variable temperature.

On the 25th of September, M. Caillaud obtained from the Pasha of Egypt, new firmauns, assuring him of escorts and such labourers as he might have occasion for, in visiting the countries situated between the upper Nile and the Red Sea; authorising him also to explore the mines which, according to the testimony of ancient authors, existed formerly in the Isle of Meroe.

A detailed account of these travels is preparing for the Journal of Voyages and Travels.

REPORT OF CHEMISTRY AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY.

A DISCOVERY has been recently made

of a new application of the air-pump by Mr. JOHN OLDHAM, of the Bank of Ireland, that promises to lead to some useful advantages. The sizing of paper in large quantities, as now usually practised by the manufacturer, is a process tedious, uncertain in its effects, and destructive to its original texture. By the improved method the difficulties and mischiefs proceeding from the causes stated, are effectually obviated: thus, let paper of equal dimensions, to any amount from the coarsest to the finest substance, be piled as evenly as pos sible, and placed within an air-tight vessel, in such a manner as to be prevented from floating upon any of the fluids to be used, that is then to be poured in, until the pile is covered to the depth the paper occupies, but which should not entirely fill this vessel, when the lid is closely fitted and fastened thereon, proceed to exhaust the space over the fluid with a suitable air-pump, the air within, on becoming rarified, will cause what is contained within the paper to rush out on all sides to the top, which will consequently escape with the rest through the vallies of the pump by its continued action. On re-admitting the atmosphere, the fluid prevents the ingress of the air again into the paper or substance to be saturated, and can only serve by the pressure natural to it to force the denser element into the possession of every minute receptacle it previously so tenaciously MONTHLY MAG. No. 357.

held. By this means every sheet becomes equally impregnated, without loss or injury to the fabric paper; when made, can be uniformly dyed any colour by the same process. Also silk, flax, cotton, and woollen staples, either raw, spun, or when woven, and in the most superior manner. All kinds of animal and vegetable substances can be much better preserved, than by the usual tedious and uncertain method commonly resorted to of boiling, soaking, and pickling, air being the great enemy to all such preparations. The air being discharged in the first instance, as mentioned, the briny fluid will immediately strike into the most intricate interstitial joints of every kind of meat, and by pricking the outsides of the larger vegetables with any sharp instrument, the acids, in the same way, will instantaneously enter into every pore. The outside of meat intended to be preserved fresh by pyrolignous acid, can be much better impregnated to the depth of the meat's surface that is required, than by the method proposed, of dipping, soaking, or painting the joints with this acid and a brush. In short, every thing that requires to be partially or wholly impregnated with the fluids to be appropriated to their respective uses, must always be ef fected infinitely better by this plan than any other at present known. A complete apparatus of this kind is now erected in the printing-office of the Bank of Ireland, for wetting bank-note paper preparatory to

I

its

its being printed on, that fully answers in practice the end proposed. Ten thousand sheets of the thinnest description of banknote paper, perhaps ever made, is wet at once with scarcely any delay, and no lossor injury whatever is now sustained, as formerly.

M. HEMPTINNE, of Brussels, has shewn, that ice for summer use should be taken from the river on a very cold day, and be exposed on the following night to the open air, till its temperature is in equilibrio with the cold of the atmosphere. It should be then placed in the ice-house, about six o'clock in the morning, when the air becomes warmer. In order to prove the advantages of that method he supposes that two ice-houses have been filled with ice, one with ice at 32°, and the other with ice at 14°. When a sixth part of the ice at 32 is melted, the ice at 14° will be untouched, but its temperature will have risen to 32°. One-sixth part of the whole, therefore, has been saved by laying it up at a low tempe

rature.

It is pretended that Capt. Kater, Dr. Olbers, and others, lately saw a Volcano in the Moon. But we doubt the fact, as it would indicate more activity in the component parts of that satellite than has yet been suspected to exist. It would, however, indicate an atmosphere, or that the medium of space were a supporter of combustion, a notion which the phenomena of comets confirm.

The value of the vinegar of wood, lately successfully used for the purpose of preserving meat for a great length of time, even in warm climates, has been proved by M. J. STANLEY, M.D. as follows:

"Having previously made several experiments with the acid, which were favourable, on the 6th of October, 1819, I prepared two pieces of fresh meat (beef) with the purified acid, applying it lightly over their surfaces by means of a small brush. After hanging up in my kitchen till the 12th of November following, I gave one of the specimens to the captain of a vessel bound for the West Indies, with directions to observe and note any change that might take place

during his voyage. In the month of Oct. 1820, he restored me the specimen. On comparing it with that left at home I could perceive no sensible difference. On the 21st of December following, I caused both to be thoroughly boiled, and when served up, they were declared by several gentlemen who tasted them with me, to be perfectly fresh and sweet, and, with the addition of salt and vegetables, a palatable and wholesome dish."

Results of experiments on the stiffness and strengths of various specimens of Wood, by JOHN WHITE, Esq. The trials were made upon pieces carefully selected as to quality and grain, and were, in substance, two feet long, one inch square; they were all from split portions of timber. The order of stiffness was, avoirdupois. No. 1. Long Sound timber, beut

half an inch in the middle by 2. Christiana white spruce fir 3. English oak, young wood, suppose 60 years; from King's Langley, Herts

4. American pine, yellow or soft; from Quebec

5. Riga oak (commonly called
wainscot)

6. White spruce, from Québec
7. English oak, from Godalmin,
suppose 200 years; old tim-
ber

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BRITISH LEGISLATION.

ACTS PASSED in the FIRST YEAR of the REIGN of GEORGE THE FOURTH, or in the SECOND SESSION of the SEVENTH PARLIAMENT of the UNITED KINGDOM.

XXVI. making further

CAP. XXVII. For making further

C Provision for the gradual Resume Provision for the gradual Resumption

tion of Payments in Cash by the Bank of England.-May 7th, 1821.

I. and II. Bank of England may pay Notes in Coin, and Persons offered to be paid in Coin, not allowed to demand Payment in Ingots.

V. Bank may pay in One Pound Notes or in Gold.

of Payments in Cash by the Bank of Ireland-May 7th, 1821.

CAP. XXVIII. For abolishing the African Company, and transferring to, and vesting in, his Majesty all the Forts, Possessions, and Property now belonging to or held by them.-May 7th, 1821.

1. The

I. The African Company shall be abolished, and the Possessions shall vest in his Majesty.

II. His Majesty may grant Allowance to Officers of the Company who may not be continued in Employment, and charge the same upon the Consolidated Fund.

III. The Possessions held by the African Company, and also the Territories belonging to his Majesty on the West Coast of Africa, between the 20th Degrees of North and South Latitude, shall be annexed to Sierra Leone.

CAP. XXIX. To remove Doubts on the Allowances of the Duty paid on Irish Starch imported into Great Britain, payable on such Starch consumed in preparing Manufactures of Flaa or Cotton in Great Britain, and for regulating the Importation thereof.-May 7th, 1821.

1. Starch made in Great Britain used in the Manufacture of Flax or Cotton, or in finishing Linen, shall be allowed for Starch made in Ireland, and imported into Great Britain.

II. Notice to be given of Intention to export Starch from Ireland, specifying Number of Packages and Weight, &c.— Package not to be less then 224lbs. and the Starch to be in Parcels, tied up in the manner herein mentioned. Officers to take an Account of such Starch.

CAP. XXX. For further improving the Roads between London and Holyhead, by Coventry, Birmingham, and Shrewsbury.-May 28th, 1821.

II. Exchequer Bill Commissioners to issue to the Commissioners under 55 G. 3. c. 152. the Sum of 31,0001. Description of Improvements or Alterations.

For making an Improvement at Lit-
tle Brickhill, and for lowering the
Hills and improving the Road be-
tween Hockliffe and Little Brick-
hill
For lowering Meriden Hill, and for
improving the Road from Meriden
to Pickford Brook
For making a new Road from the
Coventry Road near Small Leath,
passing over the River Rea, and
by Bordsley Street and Carr's
Lane in the Town of Birmingham,
to Bull Street in the same Town
For making about Three Miles of
new Road opposite Wednesbury,
according to the Plan described

in Plate 4. No. 12. annexed to the
Report of Mr. Telford, which was
presented to the House of Com-
mons on the 5th of June, 1820
For cutting and embanking at Gos-
ford Brook, and for cutting the
Top of the Hill on the present

£7,000

5,500

4,000

8,000

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Towards making a Variation between Knowles Bank and Mumporn Hill, from Knowles Bank to the Toll Bar, according to the Plan in Plate 3. No. 8. annexed to the said Report of Mr. Telford; and from the Toll Bar to Mumporn Hill, according to a Plan made by Mr. Henry Williams, and approved by the Trustees of this district, at a Meeting held at Shiffual, on the 23d of Oct. 1820. 2,000 Towards making a Variation at Overley Hill, and an Improvemeut adjacent to Ketley Works, according to the Plan in Plate 2. Nos. 6 and 7. annexed to the Report of Mr. Telford, which was presented to the House of Commous on the 5th of June, 1820

2,000

£31,000

CAP. XXXI. For removing Doubts as to the Continuance of the Hereditary Revenue in Scotland.-May 28th, 1821.

CAP. XXXII. For declaring valid certain Indentures of Apprenticeship, and Certificates of Settlements of poor Persons, in England.-May 28th, 1821.

CAP. XXXIII. To make more effectual Provision for the Establishment of Asylums for the Lunatic Poor, and for the Custody of Insane Persons charged with Offences in Ireland.-May 28th, 1821.

CAP. XXXIV. To repeal so much of Two Acts, made in the Parliament of Ireland, in the Ninth Year of Queen Anne, and in the Seventeenth Year of King George the Second, as inflicts Capital Punishment on Persons guilty of Stealing to the Amount of Five Shillings out of or from Shops, Warehouses, and other Outbuildings and Places, and to provide more suitable and effectual Punishment for such Offences.-May 28th, 1821.

I. 9 Anne, c. 6. (I.) taking away Benefit of Clergy from stealing Goods value 5s. out of any Shop, Stable, Coach-house, or Booth. 17 G. 2. c. 6. (I) taking away Bene fit of Clergy from privately stealing Goods value 5s. from any Shop, Tan-yard, Dryinghouse, Warehouse, Cellar, Coach-house, Stable, or Outhouse, not adjoining to Dwelling Houses, &c. or off any Quay, &c.-Recited Provisions repealed as to privately stealing under a certain Value from the Places herein mentioned.

II. Persons

II. Persons privately stealing Goods from Shops, Tan-yards, Booths, Outhouses, &c. value 5s. and under 151. or from Quays under 40s. may be transported, &c.

CAP. XXXV. For applying a certain Sum of Money out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the Purpose of Building a Bridge over the River Con

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NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED IN JULY,
With an HISTORICAL and CRITICAL PROEMIUM.

•・ Authors or Publishers desirous of seeing an early notice of their Works, are requested to transmit copies before the 18th of the Month.

A

MONG the excellent books which

have lately appeared, we may place in the foreground Dr. DAVY's Travels in the Interior of Ceylon—a very interesting subject treated by a very able and respectable writer. The narrow policy of the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Dutch, led them to conceal the knowledge of their colonies from the world; but the more liberal character of the British Government, the spirit of inquiry among our public officers, and the unrestricted liberty of publication, develope all affected mysteries on those subjects. Through Dr. Davy, therefore, in his connection with the medical staff of the army, we are presented with a luminous account of Ceylon, and we regret that our limits are unequal to do it justice. He treats in order of the physical state and natural history of the island; next of its political condition and ancient government; then of the religion, literature, and manners of the people; and finally, of their past history;-under each head developing facts interesting to the politician, philosopher, and cosmopolite. His qualifications for these tasks are of the highest order, and his style is clear and polished. A very fine map, several elegant engravings, and a good index, render the work as complete, as, in its general features, it is interesting. As we propose, in our next Supplement, to introduce some extracts from this important work, we shall forbear to say more of it at present, than to recommend it to general perusal, and to a place in the libraries of the opulent.

Lady MORGAN's Italy, published in two volumes, though in truth but one, and printed in a tasteless manner, is, nevertheless, one of the most elegantly written and spirited performances of the season. She treats of old subjects in a new manner, and proves that the commonest things may be rendered interesting by the eye and pen of genius. We need not state that Lady M. is a consistent friend of liberal

opinions, and she consequently has plenty of occasions to weep over the misfortunes of Italy, and the insolent spirit of legitimacy which riots in that country, and affords an example to the world of the effects of its accursed influence. The extensive perusal of her work cannot fail to serve as a useful re-action to the anti-British opinions which of late years have been so sedulously circulated, and we hope to hear of its translation and re-publication in all countries where the people are allowed to receive light through the liberty of the press. But it is not merely a work of opinions expressed in the ornamental style of the writer-it is a substantial account of Italy, and may be consulted for its facts by the historian, the traveller, and topographer. We lament that it is not recommended by some maps and engravings, that it might supply all that could be desired in regard to this ever-interesting peninsula. We hope to enrich our next Supplement with specimens of its anecdotes, descriptions, and opinions.

Mr. MACKENZIE's Thousand Experiments in Chemistry and the Useful Arts, bring all the discoveries of the English, French, and Germans, before the artist and manufacturer in a practical shape. It is classed under 1000 heads; but its notes and observations contain at least ten times that number of useful hints and suggestions, and render it a species of chemical and experimental library, such as has not previously existed in any language. Most of the experiments, also, are illustrated by engravings in wood, and many of them by line-engravings in the best style of modern art. Such a work is, of course, not a book of the day, but, by being improved as science advances, will live as long as the arts of life and the pursuits of experimental philosophy are cultivated. As the labour of many years, and as a textbook on its subjects, it has been executed with care; and there are few of the experiments and processes which, the ingenious

and

and laborious author says, he has not verified by his own observation.

The Annals of the Parish; or the Chronicle of Dalmailing during the Ministry of the Rev. Micah Balwhidder, is an amusing and well-supported quiz on the errors, follies, and delusions of the last half century, and on the manners, practices, and opinions of the starch Pastors of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. It will be read with amusement by the public, and with edification by those whom it happily satirizes.

The third part of Mr. BELLAMY's new Translation of the Bible has just appeared, and concludes the translation of the Pentateuch. We have already noticed the preceding parts; and the whole must, otherwise, be well known to many of our readers. The work has not been allowed to steal, in silence, into the world. It has been accompanied with the thundering anathemas of the ultra-religionists of our Church. Those passages in our Translation which Mr. Bellamy agrees with the Deist in denouncing as absurd, blasphemous, and obscene, have, according to him, no existence in the Hebrew text, (which, he says, has been transmitted to the present age without the slightest error,) but are owing either to the corruptions introduced into the Latin Vulgate, or to the ignorance of the translators, who have, uniformly, fol lowed, or added to, the mistakes of St. Jerome. Those of our readers who have seen the two preceding parts of Mr. Bel. lamy's work, will have marked the astonishing difference between his and the common translation. The part before us presents discrepancies equally numerous and equally extraordinary. The sedition of Korab, Dathan and Abiram [Num. c. 16.] is recorded differently from the account in the received version. "Their wives, sons, and little children," Mr. B. says, not guilty, and, therefore, were not destroyed." In the same manner, "the massacre and butchery of the women and innocent children of the conquered Canaanitish nations,""the order to butcher the boys, massacre the mothers, and ruin the daughters," "the command of God utterly to destroy them to shew no mercy unto them to save nothing alive that breathed -to slay both man and woman, infant and suckling," &c.-All these, (as they appear in Numb. c. 21; Deut. chaps. 3, 7, and 20, and 1 Sam. c. 15,) are reprobated by our benevolent author with pious indignation. Having vindicated the Hebrew legislator from the charge of cruelty, Mr. Bellamy (in his Notes on Num. c. 24, and Deut. c. 18,) is equally anxious to clear him from the charge of superstition. "How long," says he, "the vestiges of the profound ignorance of those days, when the Bible was revised, are to remain in the

"were

versions, to insult the understandings of enlightened Europe, is an important subject of inquiry. One thing, however, is certain, viz., that the absurd notion of witches, wizards, conjurers, sorcerers, necromancers, and dealers with familiar spirits, never had any existence but in the weak imaginations of ignorant fanatics and bigots; and as such notions are properly and universally exploded in all Christian nations, the time is come to give the true translation of the original Hebrew, in which there is nothing of that nature recorded." It would be unpardonable in us to pass lightly over the story of Balaam and his Ass; for we suspect that it will raise an outcry, almost as loud and discordant as that of the animal to which it relates. With regard to the speech of the Ass, the following are the verses in the new translation :

"Num. XXII. v. 28. Then JEHOVAH explained the sound of the Ass, as if she said to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times ?

29. (For Balaam said to the Ass, Surely thou hast exalted thyself against me: O that a sword were in my band, for now I would slay thee.) 30. As if the Ass said to Balaam, Am I not thine Ass, for thou hast ridden upon me ever since I was thine to this day; towards support have I been profitable for labor to thee? then he said nothing." We would refer those who are curious on this subject, to the translator's notes : -one more remark from us, and we have done. Mr. Bellamy complains of the violent opposition which bigots have raised against his work; but, with the slightest reflection, he might have foreseen that his translation would not be palatable, either to the scoffers among the Deists, or to the proud among the Christians. If his emendations be true, they put to silence the objections of the former; but they, also, demonstrate of the latter, that they have been, hitherto, as ignorant of the Hebrew language as their hearers, and that they and their predecessors have preached for ages upon texts which they did not understand.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S Essay on the History of the English Government and Constitution, is an admirable manual, which cannot be too extensively read, the spirit of which ought to be introduced in all our national histories. It is one of those efforts which tend to check that career of despotism to which every form of government tends. To render it effectual, the volume ought to be printed in a cheaper form, and given gratis to village and popular libraries. The author has done his duty, in writing a work which cannot be too highly praised, and it remains for the friends of civil liberty to do theirs, by giving active circulation to his book. We cannot omit quoting the noble author's just opinion on the subject of trying libels by special juries :-"I cannot leave this subject of Libel, without men

tioning

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