1816.] Academical Institutions for the Modern Greeks. a society was formed in 1813 at Athens) with the title of 'Eraigia Tüv OiAquis or Diróμouros "Erzigela, Society of the Friends of the Muses. The object of its members was the instruction and polishing of their country people; and as the first step towards the accomplishment of this purpose a school was established for the education of youth. Their views speedily extended, and they soon conceived the idea of founding another institution besides the school at Athens, for the study of the higher branches of science. To this seminary they gave the appellation of Gymnasium, and chose for its site a spot on Mount Pelion in Thessaly, which the ancient history of Greece represents as the abode of Chiron and his pupil Achilles. In the following year (1814) when many distinguished and enlightened persons were assembled in Congress at Vienna, the Greeks, members of the Society of the Friends of the Muses, resiling there, availed themselves of the opportunity to form a more extensive connexion in Europe, and to obtain a more active co-operation in their plans. Thus a society was formed at Vienna, and united itself with that at Athens, for the purpose of promoting one comnon object-the civilization of Greece. The society at Vienna chose IGNATIUS, the metropolitan, for its president, aud appointed a committee, at the head of which is M. ALEXANDER BASIL, an eminent Greek merchant, to superintend its financial concerns. As their means increase the views of the society become enlarged. The maintenance and improvement of their two institutions in Greece continue to be their primary object. Out of the revenues of the society, teachers are paid, such pupils as distinguish themselves are rewarded, and books, maps, and other requisites, are purchased. Preparations are making for publishing editions of the classic writers, especially of the ancient Greeks, for the use of youth. Hopeful young men are sent at the expense of the society to the German universities, there to qualify themselves to be the future instructors of their native country. This last is a point of peculiar importance, from which note, perhaps, may be expected than from any other. The society is moreover desirous to promote the sciences, and has therefore given directions for the seeking and collecting of antiquities, and for inquiries connected with natural bistory. Some of the members at Athens are likewise charged to accompany travellers who visit Attica, and to facilitate the object of their tours.—In the winter 237 of 1814 Professor FREDERIC THIERSCH, director of the Lyceum of Münich, visited Vienna for the purpose of collating the MSS. of the Odyssey and Hesiod in the library of that city; and as he speaks and writes the modern Greek very fluent ly, he formed an acquaintance with the Greeks resident there, and also with the Russian minister Count CAPO D'ISTRIA, which led to the idea of making the Bavarian capital the seat of a Greek Academy. The intention of educating Greek youths at the German universities has already been mentioned; a certain preparation, however, is absolutely necessary, and in the first place it is requisite that they should understand the German language. Professor THIERSCH, therefore, projected a preparatory seminary: his plan was warmly seconded by M. SCHLICHTEGROLL, Secretary to the Academy of Manich, and it has been actually founded with the approbation and under the patronage of the King and his ministers. It is styled To Ahvalov, The Athenæum. Greek boys above twelve years old are admitted into it, provided they can read and write their native language. The sum of 100 ducats per annum is charged for the instruction, board, and lodging of each, exclusive of clothing and some other expenses. They are taught Gerinan, Latin, and ancient Greek; geography, history, mathematics, natural philosophy, and natural history. Opportunities are also afforded for the acquisition of other modern languages, as English, French, and Italian, likewise music and drawing. From the Athenæum the pupils can proceed to the Lyceum, and thence with advantage to any university. From the program circulared by Professor THIERSCH in the Greek language, and also inserted in the journal for classic literature published by him in Latin under the title of Acta Philologorum Monacensium, it appears, that in addition to philology, the pupils at the Athenæum of Münich will go through a complete course of polytechnic studies; that they will receive religious instruction from a Greek ecclesiastic; and that Münich now affords an excellent school for every art and science. In the celebrated establishment of Messrs. Von UTZSCHNEIDER and REICHENBACH may be obtained a complete knowledge of mathematical and philosophical instruments' and technology. STUNZ is a master in lithography, or the art of printing drawings and writings from stone, which has been brought to the highest perfection in the Bavarian capital. Lectures on archi 238 New Publications, with Critical Remarks, [April 1, tecture and painting are given at the with complete success the MSS. and Academy of Arts by LANGER, the direc-works of art taken from Bavaria in the tor. Civil engineering in all its branches first revolutionary wars, and whence he is taught by the celebrated WIEBEKING. proceeded in the autumn of 1815 to How much then may here be learned London, to view the Elgin and Phigalian out of the Athenæum?-There are al- marbles, he found the institution in the ready six young Greeks in this new best train. It is hoped that he will soon seminary, which for the present derives obtain permission from the King of Baits means of instruction from the Ly- varia to visit Greece, with a view to the coum. When THIERSCH returned from establishment of a beneficial intercourse his mission to Paris, where he claimed with that country. NEW PUBLICATIONS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH, A Scripture Help, designed to assist in reading the Bible profitably. By the Rev. Edward Bickersteth. With maps. 4s. 6d. 12mo. The late excellent and inquiring Bishop Percy compiled a work under the title of " A Key to the New Testament," which has been properly deno minated a little commentary in itself; and the same may be more justly said of the present volume, as applying to the entire body of canonical scriptures, Besides general remarks on the whole Bible, and short observations on each book, the author has judiciously given an account of the Jewish state, including remarks on their feasts, of fices, and sacrifices; an explanation of peculiar seriptural expressions; observations on scripture difficulties; a chronological table; general re marks on the history of the world; and lastly, he has interspersed many practical improvements and useful directions for the profitable reading of the sacred volume. Upon the whole, we have been greatly pleased with the plan and execution of this compendium, which is alike adapted for tha use of families and the instruction of youth in schools. and on the Moral Attributes of the Creator; A Treatise on the Records of the Creation, with particular reference to the Jewish History, and to the Consistency of the Principle of the Deity. By John Bird Sumner, M‚A. of Population with the wisdom and goodness 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s. Twelve Lectures on the Prophecies relating to the Christian Church, and especially to the Apostacy of Papal Rome, preached in the Chapel of Lincoln's Inn, from 1811 to 1815, being the ninth portion Philip Allwood, B.D. Fellow of Magdalen of those founded by Bishop Warburton. By College, Cambridge. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 4s. The Personality and Office of the Christian Comforter Asserted and Explained, in a course of Sermons preached before the University of Oxford, at the Lecture founded by the Rev. J. Bampton. By Reginald Heber, M.A. Rector of Hodnet, Salop. 8vo. 13s. A Sermon, preached at Kew Church on the Thanksgiving Day, dan. 18, 1816. By the Rev. T. T. Haverfield, A. M. Fellow of C. C. Coll. Oxford. 1s. 6d. A Letter to the Unitarian Christians in South Wales, occasioned by the Animadversions of the Bishop of St. David's. By Thomas Belsham. 4s. 6d. 1816.]* New Publications, with Critical Remarks. The Apocalypse; or, Book of Revelations, explained according to its Spiritual Sense. Translated from the Latin of Emanuel Swedenborg. 6 vols. 8vo, 31. The Doctrine of New Jerusalem respecting the Lord. royal svo, 12s. demy 6s. A Seal upon the Lips of Unitarians, Trinitarians, and all others who refuse to acknowledge the sole, supreme, and exclusive Divinity of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. By Robert Hindmarsh. Svo. 12s. EDUCATION. A Compendious and Easy Grammar of the Italian Language: comprising a new and improved classification of the verbs, and explanatory rules, with a Syntax annexed. Second edition, revised and improved, with the addition of a series of idiomatical phrases, and a vocabulary of those words which most frequently occur in conversation. By M. Santagnello, Master of Languages. 12mo. 6s. Practical Exercises in the Italian Language. By M. Santagnello. Second edition, illustrated with English Notes, explazations, and references to the Grammar. 12mo. This Grammar, accompanied by the Practical Exercises, cannot fail, we should think, to supersede every other, that of Veueroni not excepted. It is much more simple in its construction than the work last mentioned, which must of course render it easier for young learners; but another of its excellencies is that of bringing the two languages into a state of mutual illustration, so that it would be no difficult matter for any person who is tolerably acquainted with the gramma. Rical principles of his own tongue, to acquire, by close application to these two volumes, a competent knowledge of the Italian. GARDENING. Hints addressed to Proprieters of Orchards and Growers of Fiuit in general; comprising Observations on the State of the Apple Trees in the Cider Counties, made in a Tour during the last Summer. Also the Natural History of the Aphis Lanata, or American Blight, and other Insects destructive to Fruit Trees. By William Salisbury, 12mo. 6s. HISTORY. The History of the Mahometan Empire in Spain containing a General History of the Arabs, their Institutions, Conquests, Literature, Arts, Sciences, and Manners, to the Expulsion of the Moors. royal 4to. 11. 11s. 6d. This elegant volume, which is intended as an introduction to the splendid work of Mr. James Cavanah Murphy on the Arabian Antiquities of Spain, is the joint production of three very differ. ent writers. The "Review of the early History of the Arabs, their Institutions, Religion. Conquests, &c. previously to their Invasion of Spain," comes from the masterly pen of Dr. Gillies, and much it is to be regretted that his part of the work is so short. This is followed by "The Political and Military History of the Mahometan Empire in Spain, in four' chapters;" the author of which is Mr. Jolm Shakespear, professor oft he Oriental 239 Languages to the Honourable East India Company's Military Seminary. Of this portion we can only say, that though the materials are well seIected, and the facts faithfully given, the style forms a ludicrous contrast to that of the introduc tion. The topographical account of the principal seats of the Mahometan empire in Spain, and the literary and civil history of that empire, under which last head are comprised not only the arts and sciences of the Arabs, but their manners and customs have been furnished by Mr. Thomas Hartwell Horne, of the Surrey Institution. This part of the volume will afford the reader much amusement, and it is certainly creditable to the industry of the compiler, who has gathered from a vast variety of modern authorities the best information on the subject of the Spanish Arabs. To the account of Al Hariri, who has been called the Arabian Demosthenes, it should have been added, for the benefit of the English reader, that six of his Declamations, which have obtained the unqualified praise of Sir William Jones, were translated by the late Professor Chappelow, of Cambridge, and published there in 1767. The Russian Prisoner of War among the French. By Moritz Von Kotzebue, Lieutenant on the General Staff of the Imperial Russian Army, Knight of the Order of St. Wladimir. 8vo. 9s. This authentic and artless relation of a Russian Officer, who belonged to the corps of Wittgenstein, ` in Poland, but was taken prisoner on the 10th of August, 1812, and sent to France, cannot fail to excite interest, when it is known to have been edited by the celebrated dramatist. But inde pendent of the curiosity which that circumstance is calculated to produce, the work itself, as giving a faithful picture of the French character and manners, will be found entitled to attention and respect. Many amusing anecdotes are here related, and a vein of impartiality pervades the whole nar. rative. The author was closely confined at St. Malo when the allies entered France, at which time he and his companions in misfortune expected to be shot, out of revenge, by the infuriated partisans of Napoleon; buc on the 4th of April, an immense number of people entered the prison yard, crying out-" Vive le Roi !" "As the crowd advanced," says Kotzebue, "I heard several persons exclaim" To the Russian! to the Russian !" The commandant advanced towards my door, my room was instantly filled with people, all exclaimiug-You are free! Vive le Roi! Vive l'Empereur Alexandre!'-I could scarcely credit what I heard, when the commandant informed me that the Russians had entered Paris; and congratulated me on my freedom. I remained for some timemotionless; all was silent.-I know not by what im pulse I was led to exclaim- Vive le Roi! These words were rapturously received. Several persons seized my hands, and conducted me from my prison. They then went by turns to the rest of the prisoners, and I soon enjoyed the satisfaction of congratulating them on their freedom, and being a witness of their joyful surprise; many wept aloud, and like me were unable to believe what they heard. They were eleven in namber." In an appendix to this volume, the elder Kotze bue has given a memoir of another of his sons, named William, who distinguished himself with great reputation, first in the Austrian service, and lastly in that of Russia, but at the storming of Po. lotzk, in 1812, he was cut off by the bursting of a grenade, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. 240 New Publications, with Critical Remarks. We should be almost inclined to call in question the truth of what is stated in the title page, and to pronounce as certain that these volumes are not, in whole or in part, except in the work of transla tion, the production of an Englishman. But as unfortunately it cannot be denied, that there are many natives of our country who have imbibed the worst principles of revolutionary France, we are afraid that one of these degenerate beings may have been led by his disappointed feelings to com. mit the outrage upon decency, which is here exhibited in a panegyric on Napoleon, and an abuse of the Bourbons. So much of this utter want of liberality and justice has been manifested by persous calling themselves patriots and lovers of li berty, that we are no longer disposed to wonder at any insult upon virtue, which comes from mes, who while they vilify their own government as op. pressive and corrupt, are themselves the eulogists of the most sanguinary and faithless tyrant that was ever suffered by the inscrutable decrees of Providence to curse the earth. But-in whatever admiration such vitiated minds may affect to hold a perjured usurper and a midnight assassin, it is too much to publish, in the face of the world, an encomium upon him, for his heroic patience and sincerity. Yet these virtues, among others equally credible, are in the present work ascribed to the invader of Spain and the destroyer of Moscow. After this we may expect to see the libidinous and savage founder of Islamistn, represented as a perfect model of chastity and gentleness. We are falien upon marvellous days and one of the urlan. choly proofs of it is the appearance of these letters, which no man of sensibility would have written, and which no person who had the least regard for the honour of his own country and the welfare of mankind, would have published. LAW. Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Vice-Chancellor's Court, 55 Geo. III. 1915. By Henry Maddock, esq. Vol. I. Part I. Reports of Cases upon Appeals and Writs of Error in the House of Lords, during the Session of 1815. By P. Dow, esq. Vol. III. Part II. royal 8vo. 9s. A Treatise on Criminal Pleading, with Precedents of Indictments, &c. By Thomas Starkie, esq. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 4s. MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY. An Elementary Introduction to the Knewledge of Mineralogy. By William Phillips. 8s. 6d. 12mo. Descriptive Catalogue of the British Specimens deposited in the Geological Collection of the Royal Institution. By William Thomas Brande, F.R.S. 8vo. 9s. MISCELLANEOUS, The Philosophy of Nature; or the influence of Scenery on the Mind and Heart. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. These elegant volumes exhibit an uncommon variety of reading turned to the most profitable account in the formation of a correct judgment and the improvement of a fiue taste. The author is' enthusiastic in his admiration of landscape sepery, whether soft or romantic, and his numerous [April 1, sketches of the beauties of nature in different parts of the world are drawn with uncommon neatness and felicity of expression. But the peculiar excellence and indeed originality of the work consists in the striking analogy which it presents between the sublimities of the external creation and the intellectual diguity of man. Every object on the globe, grand or minute, the mountain and the rock, the forest and the flower, become iustrumental to the improvement of moral feeling and the expansion of the understanding. Where so much excellence abounds it would be unreasonable to find fault with any trifling defects; but as we hope to see many successive editions of this valu. able and must instructive performance, we think its utility would be increased by compression. This might be done satisfactorily by condensing several of the characters, particularly of the painters, and by cutting off numerous quotations. some of which are tedious, others irrelevant, and not a few too common for such a book, and the class of readers with whom it cannot fail to be a favourite. By way of conclusion, and to exhibit some specimen of the author's manner, we shall extract his description of a scene in Wales :- roar. "When we arrive at the miserable village of Cerig Druidian, in the county of Denbigh, standing in the midst of naked and barren mountains, without one object of an agreeable character on which the eye may repose, what a shivering idea of poverty and desolation presents itself!-an idea heightened by a recollection of the magnificent scenery of Pont-y-Glyn, where an arch, of considetable span, bestrides a vast and horrific chasm, through which the Glyn rushes with unceasing After taking a survey of the wide heaths on every side, turn to a neighbouring farm, and view with attention the various fragments which lie scattered around.-Vacus and cromlechs are before you! From age to age those sacred relics have remained, in this wretched village, monuments of the superstition of our Druidical ancestors, This spot was once the favourite centre for the rendezvous of the British Druids. Here they sacrificedto this village the sacred misletoe was broughtfrom this mountain the barbarous pontiff delivered his anathemas!-A little way farther on, upon the top of a hill which commands a view of the sur. rounding country, bleak, extensive, and barren, are a few remains of walls and tanparts!-The scene is wild and desolate.-In the midst of sum. mer, the veins of youth are chilled; in the midst of winter, the nerves of age warm with pity and burn with indignation, when it is recollected, that these walls once contained the patriot king Carac tacus; here he made his last stand, after the fatal battle of Caer Caradoc;--from these walls he was betrayed-from this spot, ceasing to be a king, le was conveyed prisoner to Rome!" Postscript to the "Reply Point by Point,' containing an Exposure of the Misrepresentation of the Treatment of the Captured Negroes at Sierra Leone, and other matters arising from the Ninth Report of the African Institution. By Robert Thorpe, esq. L.L.D. 2s. 6d. In a former number we barely rendered justice to the pamphlet of which this may be considered as a vindication; and what we deemed it to be our duty to observe on a serious perusal of that performance, we have now not the smallest hesita. tion in repeating, with this addition, that the author has a strong claim upon the public gratitude. for the service which he has rendered to the cause 1816.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. of honesty and humanity in exposing hypocrisy and oppression. It is impossible, we should think, for any liberal-minded man to read the additional collection of facts and statements in this Postscript, without a feeling of concern and indignation at the gross imposition which has been practised upon the national credulity in the name of religion and piris lanthropy. We have here proofs incontrovertible, that while the civilization of Africa and the benefit of the Negroes constituted the pretext for an Association in England, and the settlement of a colony under its direction, the managers were actuated by an avaricious spirit which made them indifferent to the character and proceedings of their agents. Of this we have many evidences addúced in the present tract, out of which we shall only select one, because it is in itself decisive of the charge, that under the specious plea of promoting moral order, the zealots in question have only had in view their private interest. When I was in Sierra Leone," says Dr. Thorpe, "I reduced the licences for retailing spirituous liquors from forty to four, and placed those few in the hands of the most prudent persons I could find; but immediately on my departure licences were again profusely and indiscriminately distributed by the protected partizans of the Institution; and to supply those venders of poison, I have been informed that Mr. Z. Macaulay has lately shipped from Bristol to Sierra Leone about twenty puncheons of rum and gin, and from London about seventeen ;- which, considering the colony contains only three of four hundred settlers, must be esteemed a tolerable supply. This displays the real object of those who are said to have toiled to im prove the morals of the settlers for above twenty years; this establishes the motive which actuates that persou of whom Mr. Wilberforce is reported to have said in the House of Commons," He never knew a greater public benefactor, a more disin. terested and indefatigable individual! "Next, to diffuse this intoxicating morality, not only by wholesale, but by the glass, I have been assured that Mr. Z. Macaulay's agent has obtained a licence for retailing spirits at Sierra Leone! This associate of the Duke of Gloucester, this athanced friend of Mr. Wilberforce, this great London merchant, this director of directors, this adviser of "statesmen, this evangelical editor, has his agent dispensing this moralizing beverage to the rich and the poor, wholesale and retail!” A Narrative of what is known respecting the Literary Remains of the late John Tweddell, by Philip Hunt, L.L.D. formerly chapJain to his Excellency the Earl of Elgin, &c. &c. To which is added, a Short Answer to certain Allusions made by Dr. E. D. Clarke in the third section of his Travels in Greece, &c. $vo. 2s. 6d. That Dr. Hunt should feel auxious to justify himself from any suspicion of having acted impro. perly with respect to the Tweddell papers, was so very natural that it would have been extraordinary indeed if he had not taken an early opportunity of giving to the public some information on the subject. It was with great pleasure, therefore, that we heard of his intention to favour the literary world with a harrative on this interesting question; but if our expectations were ardent, they have been grievously disappointed, and we are much mistaken if the perusal of this pamphlet will tend to raise the author in the estimation of his friends, or give him credit among those who have not the honour of his acquaintance. After going NEW MONTHLY Mag.—No. 27. 241 over the old story about the care taken of the papers at Constantinople, and describing then as of very little consequence, the doctor makes this strange acknowledgment, that he took such extracts from the journals as he thought might be useful in any excursion which he might take over the same ground. This it must be confessed was a liberty which a sturdy moralist would hardly have taken; but we learn from this narrative that Lord Elgin carried his scraples of conscience so very far as to destroy a parcel of rough draughts of letters addressed by Tweddell to some ladies on the continent, lest they might give pain to his parent or be exposed to public view. The moral delicacy of the ambassador, and the latitude of freedom which his chaplain thought he had a right to take in regard to these papers, may, in the judgment of some persons, be not at all to the disadvantage of either. For our parts, we have no hesitation In saying that both instances evinced such a contempt for the ordinary rules of social obligation and good faith, as to warrant the application of Dr. John son's language to those who could be guilty of the indecorum: "We will not believe what you shall say, but what you can prove." In the postscript to this pamphlet Dr. Hunt expresses himself in very indignant terms on account of an insinuation thrown out by Dr. Clarke con cerning some persons who stole a Greek manuscript from one of the monasteries of Mount Athos. Now, as Dr. Clarke has not mentioned the parties, though he states that one of them is dead, why, it may be asked, did our author take the trouble of vindicating himself and the late Professor Carlyle from a charge which, for aught that appears, was not intended for either of them? Knowledge vindicated from a Charge of InThe Society for Promoting Christian Consistency and Contradiction, in Answer to a Publication entitled "A Respectful Address to the Archbishops, &c." JS. A Letter to Robert Wissett in Answer to Four Letters addressed by him to the Author on the subject of Licensing and Regulations for Public-Houses and Liquor-Shops. By John Bowles, esq. 3s. Treatise on the Diseases of the Foot of the Horse. With Observations on Shoeing. By Rich. Hayward Budd, Veterinary Surgeon. 8vo. 10s. 6d. A Pattern for Parish Clerks, being Letters written by an obscure Member of that Fraternity. 3s. The Fly-Fisher's Guide; illustrated by coloured plates, representing upwards of 40 Geo. C. Bainbridge. of the most useful Flies, from Nature. By 8vo. 16s. |