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MISCELLANEOUS LITERARY NOTICES.

BELGIUM.

SOME time ago the Belgian Chamber of Representatives passed a resolution for forming, as far as possible, a complete collection of the Belgic state papers, many of which are scattered about in different parts of Holland and France. In furtherance of this design, M. Gachard was sent on an official mission to the Hague in October last. He obtained leave to examine the Royal Library, and be there found many interesting documents relating to Belgian history. M. Gachard has described the results of his mission in a detailed report, of which the following are some of the most interesting points. The Royal Library at the Hague was founded on the collection of the old Statholders, and was vastly extended during the time of the union of Holland and Belgium. No state library was then kept in Brussels, and all the purchases of books and manuscripts made by the government were destined for the Hague. Thus the library in the latter city is enriched with the greater portion of the library of Gerard, which, among other things, contained a rare and voluminous collection of manuscripts on the history of Belgium. The Hague library, moreover, obtained numerous and important additions by the sale of the famous collection of Muschenbroeck. The library at present contains upwards of 2000 manuscript volumes, of which many are of infinite value, some by reason of the subjects they treat of, some for their rarity, others for the beauty of their calligraphic execution, or for the finé miniatures and vignettes with which they are ornamented. Sermons, copies of rituals, and theological writings, forming the bulk of the manuscripts in the libraries of Belgium and France, are by no means numerous in the Hague collection, which does not, like most others, owe its existence to the suppression of abbeys and convents. On the other hand, historical writings and works relating to art and science are numerous. Of these 2000 manuscripts, 400 at least relate to the history of Belgium, and for their acquisition proposals will be made to the Dutch government. The archives of the kingdom of Holland form a collection distinct from the Royal Library of the Hague. Among these archives M. Gachard saw two diplomas of the date of the 11th century, supposed to be the oldest in existence, and formerly kept among the registers of the counts of Holland. There is likewise a Golden Bull of the reign of the Emperor Charles V., once belonging to the Cartularies of the Chapter of St. Servais, at Maestricht. M. Gachard describes several curious old treaties, copies of which are preserved in the archives of Holland. Among them is the treaty concluded between the government of the Netherlands and Cromwell. This document is written on a large sheet of parchment, and bears the Protector's signature OLIVER. Appended to it is a wax seal, representing Cromwell, seated on a sort of throne, with the members of the long parliament ranged on either side of him. The correspondence of the famous Pensionary, Count de Witt, is also among the archives of the kingdom of Holland. The letters from the foreign agents of the Republic are exceedingly curious, and form a useful appendix to the history of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The King of the Belgians has lately purchased a small collection of paintings from the eminent picture-dealer, M. Nieuvenhuys. Among the collection is Wilkie's celebrated "Whisky Still."

DENMARK.

Thorwaldsen, who spent the late Christmas holidays with the poet Oehlenschlager at Nysoe, is now engaged on a new bas-relief, which he calls "Christmas Joys in Heaven." The beauty of this work has inspired Oehlenschlager to tune his lyre in its praise. The indefatigable sculptor, old in years but young in spirit, has just completed three bas-reliefs for the pedestal of the statue of Frederick VI. The subjects are:-1. The foundation of representative bodies in Denmark. 2. The extinction of serfdom, and the abolition of the slave-trade. 3. The protection of art. The group of the Three Graces, which by an unfortunate accident was thrown down on being landed from the frigate Thetis, and shattered into more than 200 fragments, is now fully restored. The bas-relief of Faith, Hope, and Love, which was injured on the same occasion, is likewise repaired.

A valuable collection of bronze figures representing Indian deities, the property of the late Major-general Anker, of Christiania, has been purchased by the King of Denmark for a large sum of money. The Norwegian journals express great regret that this rare and valuable collection is lost to Norway. Major-general Anker collected the antiquities whilst he was Governor of Tranquebar, one of the Danish possessions in India.

On the 10th of February, the Royal Archæological Society of Copenhagen held its annual public sitting, on which occasion His Royal Highness the Prince Royal, Honorary President of the society, was present. The most interesting part of the business of the sitting consisted of the presentation and explanation of certain monuments recently discovered in America, which tend to confirm the opinion that that part of the world was known to Europeans long before the time of Columbus. These monuments are:1. A flat stone, bearing an inscription in 24 Runic characters, lately discovered in the valley of the Ohio. 2. A pair of massive silver tongs or pincers, found in the province of Bahia (Brazil), by M. Kroyer, a Danish naturalist. This instrument precisely resembles, in form, those of a similar kind, frequently found in tumulary hills in Scandinavian countries. 3. Some arrows, with rock crystal points, and saws made of sharks' teeth, and fragments of pebbles, discovered in California, and resembling those used by the ancient Greenlanders. 4. Three very ancient Peruvian vases; the form and ornaments similar to those of the Etruscan vases.-It was stated at the sitting of the Copenhagen Society, that the Brazilian government has taken measures for continuing diggings and searches in a part of Brazil where certain ruins recently discovered seem to indicate that a Scandinavian colony anciently existed. This tract of country is situated in the southern part of the province of Bahia, on the left bank of the Braço-doCincora, and to the south of the Sierra-do-Cincora.

EGYPT.

Dr. Lepsius is actively pursuing his interesting labours at the Pyramids. Of the progress of his researches, as far as they have hitherto advanced, he has given a circumstantial report in several letters, recently published officially by the Prussian government. We regret that our limits do not permit us to give a complete translation of these letters, which contain a fund of curious information highly interesting to the antiquarian and the artist. The following is an extract from one of the latest. It is dated from Gizeh, at the foot of the Pyramid of Cheops, Jan. 2d.-"What will you say when you learn that we have advanced no further than this. We arrived here on the 9th of November, and here we have passed the first day of the new year.

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But who can foretel the extent of the rich harvest we may reap on this earliest scene of the history of mankind? It is incredible how little this spot has been explored, though more visited than any other part of Egypt. But it is my task to gather the fruit, and I have no wish to dispute the claim to it with my learned predecessors. The best maps of this site, hitherto produced, represent two tombs, besides the Pyramids, having particular inscriptions and figures. Now we have drawn a minute topographical plan of the whole monumental plain, and on this plan there are marked, independently of the Pyramids, 45 tombs, whose occupants I have ascertained by the inscriptions. There are altogether 82 tombs which, on account of their inscriptions or other peculiarities, demand particular attention. With the exception of about 12 which belong to a later period, all these tombs were erected contemporaneously with, or soon after the building of the Great Pyramid, and consequently their dates throw an invaluable light on the study of human civilization in the most remote period of antiquity. Their structure, respecting which I could speak only from supposition, in my work on Egyptian architecture, is now developed before my eyes; all the architectural parts are perfectly made out; and to my great satisfaction the suppositions I hazarded are fully confirmed. The sculptures in relief are surprisingly numerous, and represent whole figures, some the size of life, and others of various dimensions. Their style of execution is bold and decided, but evidently not restrained by the laws of proportion, which, at a later period, were implicitly observed. The paintings are on back-grounds of the finest chalk. They are numerous and beautiful beyond conception-as fresh and perfect as if finished only yesterday. The pictures and sculptures on the walls of the tombs represent, for the most part, scenes in the lives of the deceased persons, whose wealth in cattle, fish, boats, servants, &c., is ostentatiously displayed before the eye of the spectator. All this gives an insight into the details of private life among the ancient Egyptians. The scenes thus represented are explained by the inscriptions, which sometimes name the numerous members of the family of the deceased, together with all his titles and offices. By the help of these inscriptions I think I could, without much difficulty, make a court calendar of the reign of King Cheops. The most splendid mausoleums are those of the princes, who were either relations of the king, or persons holding high appointments in the royal service. These structures are situated in the proximity of the pyramids. In some instances I have traced the graves of father, son, grandson, and even great grandson,-all that now remain of the distinguished families which 5000 years ago formed the nobility of the land. The post of 'Superintendent of the King's Buildings' must have been, in those days of colossal architecture, an appointment of vast importance, and it was frequently given to princes of the blood-royal. One of the most magnificent tombs I have discovered here, (which, with many others, was completely buried beneath the sand), is that of a prince of the house of Cheops, who held the office of chief superintendent of buildings. It may be presumed the greatest building of the age, the Pyramid of Cheops, was executed under the direction of this personage. I now daily employ fifty or sixty men in digging, and in other kinds of labour, and a large excavation has been made in front of the Great Sphinx."

FRANCE.

The contest between M. Pierre Leroux and M. Cousin, lately engrossed a considerable share of attention in the literary circles of Paris. The circumstances out of which the misunderstanding has arisen appear to be these:-M. Jouffroy, the most distinguished disciple of the principles of M. Cousin, died some little time ago, leaving a number of manuscripts

which he wished should be published after his decease. In his will he made the request that M. Cousin would superintend the publication of the manuscripts, taking care that they should be printed without alteration. It happened that among these manuscripts there was a series of confessions, after the manner of those of Jean Jacques Rousseau. In these confessions M. Jouffroy declared that before he became a follower of the doctrines of M. Cousin he was a good Christian and a firm believer in immortality .A few years' communication with M. Cousin had sufficed to plunge him into the darkest depths of scepticism. A friend of M. Jouffroy, and one who shared his utmost confidence, had seen many fragments of the manuscripts during the life-time of the writer. This gentleman declared that the papers contained an indirect but absolute condemnation of Cousin's philosophy: that Jouffroy had been simply dazzled by the authority and talents of his master, whilst in his inward soul a voice whispered that he was merely rendering homage to the brilliant errors of human reason. Now it is said that M. Cousin, fearing the tendency of Jouffroy's manuscripts, cancelled all those passages likely to injure his character, or that of his school of philosophy, and filled up the chasms by interpolations of his own. Against this treachery, M. Pierre Leroux vehemently protested when the said manuscripts first made their appearance in print. Cousin, on the other hand, denies having made the alterations with which he is charged. M. Leroux published a series of articles in the 'Revue Indépendante,' for the purpose of showing that M. Cousin, from motives of personal interest, had mutilated the manuscripts entrusted to him. These charges were replied to in the columns of the Journal des Débats' by Cousin. Such is the present state of the affair, a more clear elucidation of which is anxiously looked for.

One of the most interesting books of travels that have recently appeared is the Voyage autour du Monde,' by Admiral du Petit-Thouars. The narrative of this voyage exhibits in every page a charm of style in which nautical and scientific details of a practical and instructive kind are frequently deficient. It abounds with interesting facts, related in graceful and elegant language. Among the most novel and striking portions of the book are the chapters devoted to Chile and Peru, countries which are described by Admiral du Petit-Thouars from observations collected during a three years' station on the shores of the Pacific. No previous traveller has given such pleasant pictures of social life in those interesting and rapidly flourishing South American States. Female manners, costume, &c., are pleasantly sketched off by the observing man of the world, whose scrutinizing eye has evidently been well exercised in the salons of Paris. These volumes, moreover, contain a fund of information highly useful to the geographer and the naturalist.

The heads of the romantic schools in literature and music, MM. Victor Hugo and Berlioz, have agreed to unite their talents in the production of a grand opera, for which the author of Notre Dame' will supply the text, and the composer of the Bleeding Nun' will furnish the music. A legend related in Victor Hugo's work on the Rhine, is to be the subject of this new musical drama.

On the 1st of January, the French Academy of Fine Arts elected three corresponding members to fill vacancies occasioned by recent deaths. Donizetti the composer, at present residing in Vienna, was elected in the room of the late M. Mauduit ;-M. Kaulbach, the painter, residing in Munich, was chosen to succeed M. de Lasalle;-and M. Jesi, the engraver of Florence, fills the place of the late M. de Bray.

A history of the campaign of the Duke of Orleans in Algiers, is about to be printed under the sanction and superintendence of the widowed duchess.

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The work will appear under the name of Charles Nodier, but the principal portion of the text is from the pen of the Duke of Orleans himself. The book will be adorned with numerous plates and vignettes. The duchess destines it for distribution in the army of Algiers.

M. Charles Dupin has been elected vice-president of the Academy of Science.

Vicomte d'Arlincourt's new work has just made its appearance. It is entitled the Polar Star,' and contains an account of the author's recent visits to the courts of Russia, Prussia, Saxony, Denmark, and Sweden.

The Marquis de Custine's work on Russia is shortly expected to appear. It is described by those who have read fragments of it, to be most violently hostile to Russia. Some very extraordinary circumstances are assigned as the cause of this tone of hostility.

A subscription has been opened for erecting a monument to the memory of the eminent military surgeon Larrey, whose services were so important to the French army during the long wars of the republic and the empire.

The Academy of Moral and Political Science has elected Mr. M'Culloch to be one of its foreign members, in the room of the late historian, M. Sismondi. The Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres has completed its list of foreign correspondents by filling up the appointments which became vacant during the course of last year. The newly-elected correspondents are M. Egene Borée for Persia, Mr. Thomas Wright for London, Herr Waschmuth for Leipsic, Signor Cavedoni for Modena, and M. de Witte for Antwerp.

M. Von Humboldt has, during the present winter, completed his great work on Upper Asia, which has been so impatiently looked for. It will shortly be published in Paris. The work is dedicated to the Emperor of Russia, who adopted every means of facilitating the labours of the great naturalist during his journey in Siberia in 1829. M. Von Humboldt has lately presented the last volume of the work to the French Academy of Science, and he has now left Paris for Berlin to present a complete copy to his sovereign the King of Prussia.

GERMANY.

Natural History.-(A letter from Bohn, dated Feb. 23, contains the following particulars.) "A few days ago, Professor Goldfuss received a present for our university museum, sent from London by His Royal Highness Prince Albert. The present is in itself an object of considerable scientific interest, and is the more welcome inasmuch as it is accompanied by an assurance that Prince Albert cherishes a pleasing recollection of his studies at Bohn. The letter with which the gift is accompanied says, among other things: the prince wishes hereby to give you a small proof that he still entertains a friendly remembrance of you and the University of Bohn.' The present consists of a well-preserved specimen of the Hepialus Virescens, a curious caterpillar, from the tail of which sprouts a vegetable twig about six or seven inches long. It was recently brought from New Zealand by Captain Siardet. In a description sent along with the caterpillar it is stated to be the larva of a species of Hepialus (called Hepialus Virescens in Dr. Dreffenbach's journey to New Zealand), on which a parasitical Sphæria frequently grows. The plant develops itself in the living body of the animal, and when the latter creeps into the earth prior to its chrysalic transformation, it fructifies. Whilst the vegetable shoot sprouts from the caterpillar, the living animal is gradually converted into a substance resembling fungus, which substance retains the form of the caterpillar. Another species of Sphæria grows in the