should be disposed of in reduction of the expense of new ones; that the cost will be but trifling, not exceeding £6 or £7; and they request that the sum may be placed, at their disposal, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements. "The Committee beg to direct the attention of the Society to a report of theirs, presented on the 6th of April last, relative to the keeping a Meteorological Register at the Botanic Garden, which seemed to be an object of very general interest; that the want of funds at that time prevented the carrying into effect the recommendation of the Committee; but, as they have reason to believe that there are at present sufficient funds applicable to this purpose, they submit that a reference should now be made to the Committee of Economy, to ascertain and report whether the sum of £30 can be placed at the disposal of this Committee, to defray the expense thereof, the particulars of which are detailed, as far as practicable, in their report of April last. "CHARLES PUTLAND, "Chairman,"

There was a meeting of the Royal Dublin Society, on Thursday, February 14, 1833,

R. B. BRYAN, Esq. in the chair.

The report of the committee of Natural Philosophy, presented on Thursday last; and a report from the committee of economy thereon, were read.

NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

Mr. Weld presented the following report from the committee of economy :

The committee of economy have to report, in answer to Society's reference of Thursday last, that the funds of the society will admit of the expenditure recommended by the committee of Natural Philosophy.

articles of native production and manufactures.

The committee recommend that they be empowered to make the necessary arrangements for the exhibition, stating (when practicable) the number of medals which they recommend to the society to allocate for the purposes of the exhibition.

ISAAC D'OLIER, Chairman.

Mr. Boyd, V.P. having laid before the society two letters received by him, one from John Fenton, Esq., and another enclosed in it from Colonel Stannus, announcing the arrival in London of the Persepolitan casts, proposed to be presented to the society some time back by Colonel Stannus.

Resolved That the best thanks of the society be given, and communicated by Mr. Weld, Hon. Sec., to these gentlemen for their letters, and particularly to Colonel Stannus, for the valuable gift of which his letter announces the safe arrival in England; and that Mr. Weld do also communicate with Messrs. Inglis, Forbes, and Co., of London, respecting the landing and transmission of the cases to Dublin, requesting them to take the necessary steps for that purpose.

Daniel Simmons, Esq., took his seat as a member of the society.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

We regret being obliged to notice this Society in any terms but those of praise; it would be our ultimate wish with respect to any institution calculated to raise the character, or advance the real interests of our country to give every assistance which lay in our power, and to devote a portion of our Magazine to discussing their merits or extending their utility by diffusing interesting information

TURES AND PRODUCTIONS.

Dr. D'Olier presented the following report from the committee of manufac

tures:

The committee appointed on the 31st ult., to consider the practicability of establishing an annual exhibition of specimens of the manufactures and productions of Ireland, are of opinion, that the establishment of such an exhibition is not only practicable, but would be attended with considerable advantage to the country, by creating an honourable emulation among the artisans. to improve their several manufactures, and by exciting in the nobility and gentry a desire to patronize

purpose are amply sufficient, so we hope our remonstrances on their mismanagement will be proportionably effective.

When the Zoological Society was first established the enthusiasm of its supporters knew no bounds, there were no sacrifices too great to make for it, no exertions to be spared in raising it to the highest rank as a national school of natural history; and we are ready to grant that great exertions were at first made; but like all Irish undertakings the violence of zeal quickly cooled when the first impulse ceased to act, and when popularity was acquired, the means by which it was obtained were neglected; and though by a

report which appeared in our first number it is fully ascertained that the interest in the Society is increasing, yet will it be believed that this valuable garden is almost totally left to the care and superintendance of the menials of the institution; consequently the most casual visitor is struck by the air of desolation which is presented by the gardens, and the appearance of total neglect which reigns throughout the whole establishment; and in corroboration of what is here asserted hardly a month elapses without the death of some valuable animal; this shameful conduct on the part of the Committee should at once be seen to by the proprietors, and we would suggest the expediency of appointing some one accountable person to have the superintendance of the garden; their present secretary we believe to be most fully competent to the task, as the garden was in a most flourishing condition during the period he gave his valuable time to the superintendence of them.

We regret to be obliged to speak thus of a Society which has received such ample encouragement from the public, and which we formerly regarded as calculated to advance our country in useful knowledge; but we must say that unless the present Committee are willing to perform their duty to the public, the sooner they resign the idle honour of figuring in the printed reports of the Society, the better. We shall in our next number, if possible, give a fuller statement of our views on this subject by exposing the evils under which the society labours and proposing some practical mode of obviating them.

FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

A paper, by M. Hachette, was read on the 8th of October last, in which he explained the construction of an apparatus, invented by M. Hippolyte Pixii, for the exhibition of magneto-electric induction, by which, not only was the electro-magnetic spark brilliantly exhibited, but water was decomposed in considerable quantity. The apparatus consists of an horse-shoe magnet, which is made to revolve opposite a piece of soft iron, bent into a similar shape, around which is coiled a quantity of copper wire, covered with silk, the extremities of which are placed in a vessel of water. When the magnet is made to revolve, it induces magnetism in the piece of soft iron, which produces the electric current ia the copper wire by which it is enveloped. M. Ampère mentions in a note on the experiments of Pixii, that, by means of a magnet, which raised 100 killogrammes, (322lbs.) and around which the envelope of wire was coiled 400 times, and was 1,000 metres in length, (3808 feet), he obtained 1o, vivid sparks; 2o, pretty strong shocks, (des commotions assez fortes); 3°, when the hands were placed in acidulous water, involuntary motion of the fingers; 4°, great separation of the gold leaves of the electrometer; 5°, rapid decomposition of water.

The writer of an anonymous note, addressed to M. Faraday, which appeared in the number of the Philosophical Magazine for August, therein stated, that he had effected the decomposition of water by magneto-electric induction, which was the first notice given to the scientific world of the successful performance of this interesting experiment.-ED.

During the last month we were much gratified by a course of Lectures which Herr Zander of Berlin, delivered on the Belles Lettres of Germany. The history of the intellectual developement of a nation-incontestibly the most literary in existence and an account of the principal authors, and the peculiarities of their VOL. L.

style and mode of thinking, could not fail to be highly interesting, especially, as these subjects were to be illustrated by a native who is so much better qualified to enter into the peculiar spirit of the writers of every age, than any foreigner. We, therefore, had raised our expectations rather high, yet find great pleasure in

2 Y

saying, that Herr Zander has not only justified, but far surpassed them. The manner in which he connected the rise and decline of literature with political events, and the critical views he took of the authors were highly interesting, and, to a great extent, entirely novel.

The following is an abstract of these Lectures :

LECTURE I.-German Language, its origin and various dialects-The age before Charlemagne-Ulphilas-Charlemagne and his merits about German literature-Influence of the intermarriages between the Imperial Houses of Germany and Constantinople-During the Crusades, German Poetry rises to its greatest height; Minnesingers; their Lyrics.

LECTURE II.-Epic Romances of the Minnesingers; their subjects derived partly from foreign, partly from native Legends: Developement of the origin and history of the four principal Legends and their branches; Poems formed upon them-Foundation of the first German Universities-The political state of Germany causes the decline of national Poetry-Master Singers; the rules and regulations of their poetical trade-Wars of the Swiss against the Austrians and Burgundians call forth a number of patriotic bards, amongst whom Veit Weber, the Swiss Tyrtaeus-Prevailing taste for Satire; several great Satirical Poems-The new-invented Letter-press early gains vast influence-Luther's literary merits, resting not only on his numerous writings, but also on his vast influence upon all Germany-The exasperated spirit between Protestants and Catholics, injurious to Poetry, more beneficial to Prose-Intense Classical studies-With the beginning of the 17th Century dawn of a better age of Literature: Opitz fixes German Prosody: First Silesian School-Abraham a Sancta Clara's Sermons Second Silesian School-Sad influence of French taste and French literature-18th Century, new Schools founded by Bodmer and Godsched.

LECTURE III-Modern German Literature-Influence of the seven year's warHagedorn-Haller's Odes and Elegiac Poems-Gellert's Fables and Narratives Influence of Young's Night-thoughts: Klopstock, his life;—religion, friendship, and love to his country form the threefold impulse of his genius; several characters of his Messiah reviewed; his Odes rank far above the Messiah-Herder's life, character, genius, and works, illustrated: Jean Paul's opinion of him.

LECTURE IV.-Lessing, an universal

Scholar tears the French tragedians fromthe throne they had usurped, which he claims for Shakspeare; his merits about the Drama and his influence upon all modern German Dramatists: his Plays; Analysis of Emilia Galotti, a tragedy; his Laocoon; his Polemical writings-Winkelmann has entered more profoundly into the arts of antiquity than any modern inquirer— Wieland, his philosophy, his taste, and tact; his humour; Goethe's opinion of him; analysis of Oberon interwoven with specimens-Account of the Poetical Society of the Grove, formed at Göttingen in 1772: Amiable character of Hölty and extracts from some of his letters. Great merits of the Counts Stolberg Bürger's Genius Jung Stilling's writings of an original mystic character, directed against Atheism-Short review of the writings of Tiedge, Matthison, and Salis (living Poets.)

LECTURE V.-Jean Paul Friedrich Richter, the most original of German writers; his genius and style, combining the pathetic with the humorous; extracts from his work; his celebrated Dream in Siebenkäs-Schiller, the most beloved author of the Germans; his Lyrics and Ballads; his Dramatic Genius, more of an epic-romantic, than purely tragic character: analysis of Wallenstein, a tragic trilogy, and the characters of Wallenstein and Piccolomini: Kotzebue's talents, his merits and demerits——— Goethe's original views of nature and philosophy; his humour.

LECTURE VI.—State of Weimar before and after the year 1800-General character of Goethe's Works; his Götz von Berlichingen and its influence upon Sir Walter Scott. Real tendency of Werther's Sorrows. Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, a manual of experience of the world, and knowledge of man, of philosophy and critics, not written for a superficial reader; original views of the character of Hamlet; Mignon's character. Faust, very little understood, vindicated against the charges of blasphemy, deism and unchristian tendency; the proprologue in heaven not understood by the English translators; examination of the characters of Faust, Mephistopheles, and Margaret.

The Destiny-Tragedians; Müllner, his views of the tragedy; the lay of his Guilt.

LECTURE VII.-Destiny-tragedians continued; Grillparzer, the lay of his Ahnfrau-Merits of Raupach's Dramatic compositions; Schulze's Caecilia and the Enchanted Rose, two of the best epic

romances of the Germans-Körner, the German Tyrtaeus; his life and death; his unequalled war-songs; his tragedies; Zriny analyzed; his Rosamunde-Observations on the study of the German language. From the foregoing brief sketch, to which the Lecturer did most ample justice in detail, by imparting to every portion of his subject, the greatest possible interest, a fair estimate may readily be made of his capabilities which we have no hesitation in pronouncing to be of the highest order. A German Professorship has been established in their Institution by the enterprising inhabitants of Belfast, whose exertions in the advancement of literature in all its branches have been, we are happy to say, as successful in their result as they were

eminently laudable in their design. We should lose no opportunity of entering the lists of noble emulation with their spirited societies, but encourage as far as it is possible such able Professors of Continental literature as come to sojourn amongst us. The Works of German authors have been but little understood here as yet, and of course but imperfectly appreciated. We trust sincerely that the public lectures, which we understand it is Herr Zander's intention to deliver from time to time, so admirably adapted to remedy the deficiencies of a mere superficial knowledge upon a subject so important, may meet with such a reception as from the talent and industry displayed in their style and arrangement we firmly believe them entitled to.

The British Cyclopædia-edited by C. F. Partington, Esq. London: W. S. Orr, PaterDoster Row.

The Penny Cyclopædia-published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. London: Charles Knight, Pall Mall. Chambers's Edinburgh Journal-republished in Dublin, by W. Curry and Co. The Saturday Magazine-published by the Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge. London: J. W. Parker. The Dublin Penny Journal. Dublin: J. S. Folds.

It has been well remarked by one of the ablest philosophers of our time, (Sir D. Brewster,) that, "To remain willingly ignorant of the revelations of the divine power, afforded by scientific inves tigation, is a crime next to that of rejecting the revelation of the Divine will. Knowledge is at once the handmaid and the companion of true religion. They mutually adorn and support each other; and beyond the immediate circle of our secular duties, they are the only objects of rational ambition. While the calm deductions of reason regulate the ardour of christian zeal, the warmth of a holier enthusiasm gives a fixed brightness to the glimmering lights of knowledge."

With the principle laid down in this extract we most readily concur, convinced as we are of the vast importance to be attached to the unlimited extension of suitable knowledge among all classes of society and fully sensible of the numerous

advantages attendant on education judiciously imparted: and this avowal we are the more anxious to make, as it has almost become an axiom amongst Whigs and Radicals, that the party opposed to the spread of infidelity and republicanism are also united against the dissemination of knowledge. The falsehood and malignity of this opinion, which has only gained ground by the impudent perseverance of its promulgators, we might easy refute by an appeal to facts, if it served any purpose, and we could most easily prove from the declared opinions and consistent actions of many of the leaders of our party and the readiness they have always shewn, to co-operate in any rational system of national education, the utter groundlessness of the assertion: but we freely acknowledge that they have at the same time shewn a just degree of hesitation in wildly joining in the cry of the cockney cognoscenti, who wished to make all classes of his Majesty's liege subjects walking Encyclopædias of what they termed useful knowledge, and held back from the more than absurd scheme of imparting by means of sixpenny tracts a mere verbal knowledge of the most abstruse branches of natural philosophy; witness the library of useful knowledge, which is written in such a style, that we unhesitatingly assert, that not one in ten

thousand of that class for whom they are nominally intended, would be able to read them; and yet the dispensers of this useful knowledge pretend to be the only friends of Education, who would give to the mechanic after his daily toil, works for his amusement and instruction, as intelligible to him as Laplace or Newton-we appeal for example to their treatises on Optics, Electro-Magnetism, or Heat; and will ask any competent judge, do these not require, almost as much preparatory reading to understand them as any physical elementary works in existence? To these friends of the people, we yield not in anxiety for popular education, but we would wish to have them instructed, not merely in the very elements of all knowledge, reading and writing, but also in such branches of science, as will either advance them in their several occupations, or serve to shew them the extent, variety and wisdom of the works of the Supreme and teach them to look for another revelation of his will, than that afforded by the works of nature; which will lead them from beholding him as the Omniscient and Allwise, to studying his will as the Merciful and Just. Such is the education we would advocate, such the course of instruction we should wish to see adopted without separating either revelation, one of which is but the handmaid or companion of the other, and either of which alone loses half its excellence and beauty. As the advocates of such a system, we heartily rejoice at the appearance of any cheap scientific and literary periodicals, suitably adapted to the wants of those for whom they are intended; if the former have elementary information conveyed in a clear and lucid style, with such demonstrations as are adapted to the capacities of those whose numerous occupations, prevent their acquiring such elementary instruction, as is required for the more abstruse branches of natural science. We have before us two new cheap periodicals, the British Cyclopædia, edited by Mr. Partington, the author of some excellent popular scientific works, and the Penny Cyclopædia published by the Society for the diffusion of useful knowledge. In price they are nearly equal, the former giving sixteen pages for two pence and the latter eight pages for one penny so far are their merits equal; but in every other respect the British Cyclopædia is far superior to the Penny one, in typographical execution, in possessing steel engravings, and in the far greater excellence of its wood cuts. The arrangement of its matter is also better, as it is

Of the Penny Cyclopædia there is too little published to enable us to give a final opinion on its merits, what has been published certainly gives us no favorable idea respecting it; the wood-cuts are very bad, and it appears to us, that too much of its space is occupied by subjects of little interest, and of very little utility; the editors seeming to suppose, that the appearance of research will compensate for deficiency of USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

Of the other works at the head of this article we must speak in terms of the highest commendation, literature is sending forth her light troops as well as science; Chambers' Edinburgh Journal, which is republishing in Dublin by Messrs. Curry, and Co. is one of the best of the cheap periodicals, the Saturday Magazine and the Dublin Penny Journal, are both very attractive from being ornamented with beautiful wood engravings. We trust sincerely that the foregoing may receive such ample encouragement and support as from their various and wellgrounded claims they cannot but be admitted to be well deserving of.

A Compendium of Modern Geography. By the Rev. Alexander Stewart, Author of the His. tory of Scotland. &c. Oliver and Boyd, Tweed. dale court, Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1833.

Among the numerous works which have been published for the facilitating the acquirement of Geographical Knowledge in our schools, we have no hesitation in pronouncing the one whose titlepage we have just quoted as claiming a very high place. The nature of such a publication precludes of course the introduction of original matter which would generally speaking only serve to display the ingenuity of the author, withoutˇadding proportionably to the real value of the book as estimated by the purposes it was intended to serve. The author however has evidently had recourse to the very best and approved sources of information as will appear evident to any one conversant in matters of Geographical research. The Introductory remarks are written with a great degree of judgement and the lively style in which they are ge