MISCELLANIES. COMPRESSED AIR RAILWAY.-"The medium | at will, to run clear of them. The carriage, with two persons on it, is propelled with great speed the whole length of the gallery; the length of the tube for the inflating moving power being only about twelve feet.—Lit. Gaz. of the motive power is an apparatus of iron, having grooves along the sides, which are formed with extreme accuracy. A section of this apparatus will show a curve on either side, which curves are segments of a circle of like diameter. Along the sides of the grooved iron beam pieces "ON THE NATIVES OF AUSTRALIA," BY MR. of cloth, prepared with gutta percha,' are laid, E. J EYRE.-Mr. Eyre is of opinion that the naand bolted securely down at the top and bottom tives of Australia present a striking resemblance edges. This cloth is not tightly strained across to each other in physical appearance and structhe grooves, but is partially loose, so that it may ture, and general character, habits, and pursuits. be adapted to the curve or hollow, and so that the The man is well built and muscular, and from condensed air may be blown in between the cloth five to six feet in height. His skull is thick and and the iron groove, to inflate the cloth, and cause flattened; his forehead bold; his eyes-which it forcibly to project at the sides of the beam, thus are large, black, and expressive-sunk; his nose converted, as it were, into a flexible or elastic flattened, and his mouth wide; his lips rather tube. Fixed to the carriage, and descending so thick; his teeth perfect and beautiful, though in as to work with exactness on either side of the the dental arrangement in many, a difference exbeam, are two thick wooden wheels, or frictionists between the incisor and canine teeth; his rollers, the peripheries of which are turned exactly to correspond with curves in the sides of the iron beam. These rollers are tightened, laterally, by means of a cross bar and nuts, until they bind tightly against the cloths with grooves. When the condensed air is admitted behind the carriage, it rushes towards these wheels, and inflates the tubes in its progress, and presses forcibly against the wooden wheels, which, binding tightly upon the curves, present a barrier to the passage of the air until its pressure overcomes itsresistance; the wheels, with their carriage, yield to the power, and, with the train, are propelled along the line. It is not intended, in practice, that the whole column of condensed air shall be set in motion, but that the centre beam shall be hollow, and serve as a receptacle or store for condensation, so that the air shall be let out in puffs, as it were (within the cloths), at intervals, in the length of tubing, by means of a system of valves, which may or may not be opened, at the will of the engineer, during the passing of the train." This is effected by an arrangement in the form of a skate, pressing on elastic upright valves at intervals in the beam, but which may be screwed up chest is broad and deep; his carriage erect, and there is considerable natural grace and dignity of demeanor. A single garment only is worn, made in the form of an oblong cloak or coverlet of the skins of the opossum, the kangaroo, or the wallabie, and, where animals are scarce, of an ingeniously manufactured article of seaweed or rushes, and is very becoming. It has the fur outwards, and is thrown over the back and left shoulder, and pinned on in front with a little wooden peg. The open part is opposite the right side, so as to leave, in the man, the right arm and shoulder bare. The character of the Australian is frank, open, and confiding; and when once on terms of friendship, has a freedom and fearlessness that would give little countenance to the impression so generally entertained of his treachery. Having no vessels capable of resisting the action of fire, they are unacquainted with the simple process of boiling; their culinary operations are, therefore, confined to broiling, baking, and steaming. Cannibalism does not appear to prevail extensively through the continent, though it exists in a few tribes. The following account was given to Mr. Eyre, by the natives of the Murray, of their idea of the creation:-That there are four and the other to Mohammed-el-Bacheterzi-an individuals living up among the clouds, called old man respected for his piety and his position Nooreele, consisting of a father and his three as chief of the religious fraternities of the provmale children, but there is no mother. The fa-ince. It was with extreme curiosity that M. Slane ther is all-powerful, and of a benevolent charac- ran through the three following works: the Icd ter. He made the trees, seas, waters, &c.; gave of Ibn-Abd-Rabbih, the Modjem-el-Boldan of Elnames to every thing and place; settled the na- Bekri, and the History of the Beni-Zian, the tives in their different districts, telling each tribe sovereigns of Tilimcen, by Ibn-Abd-el-Djelil, nathey were to inhabit such and such localities, and tive of Tenez. The first Icd (necklace of prewere to speak such and such languages. The cious stones) is only known in Europe by an Nooreele never die, and the souls (ludko, literally extract relating to the wars of the Arab tribes a shadow) of dead natives will go up and join before Islamism. The second disappointed M. them in the skies, and will never die again. Slane; instead of a geographical treatise, he found Other tribes give an account of a serpent of im- it was only a dictionary of the names of places mense size, and inhabiting high rocky mountains, mentioned in old Arabic poems, giving the or which, they say, produced creation by a blow of thography of these names, and the verses in his tail. The Australian believes in sorcery and which they are found. The third was a large witchcraft. The ceremonies and superstitions of folio volume, divided into five sections: 1st, the the natives are numerous, and involved in much genealogy of el-Motewekkil, a Zianite prince, obscurity. The modes of disposing of the dead proclaimed sovereign of Tilimcen in 866 of the vary greatly, according to the usage of the district hejira; 2d, the necessary qualities of a sovereign; and the age of the deceased-simple burial, the 3d, amusing anecdotes; 4th, bons-mots; 5th, adburning of the body, the drying of the body in vice and exhortation. The library of Bacheterzi the sun until it is mummied, are all had recourse contains, besides about five hundred volumes on The lamentations for the dead do not termi-religion and law, two works very rare: the Maarif nate with the burial; frequently they are renewed of Ibn-Coteiba, and the Commentary of Ibn-Noat intervals by the women, during late hours of the night, or some hours before daybreak; and piercingly as these cries strike upon the traveller in the lonely woods, if raised suddenly, or very near him, yet, mellowed by distance, they are-known in Europe as the tomb of Syphax, and soothing and pleasing-Lit. Guz. to. bata on the Epistle of Ibn-Zeidoun. There are other libraries, but in them nothing of interest. Hearing that on the old pyramidal monument about twenty leagues to the south of Constantine to the native Medrhacen as the tomb of the Numidian kings-inscriptions in unknown characters had been lately discovered, M. Slane visited it with a view to copy them. In spite of all his investigations, he has not been able to find any Punic inscription; Roman civilization and rule for seven ages having destroyed all monuments of Carthaginian power. Lit. Gaz. library of Berlin and those of the universities of that city and of Bonn. The remaining portion of his library, consisting of about 1600 volumes chiefly pamphlets, has just been publicly sold at Bonn, producing about 8000 dollars, as all fetched very high prices. A great many of the purchasers were English.—Lit. Gaz. LITERARY ANTIQUITIES OF ALGERIA. The libraries of Algeria have just been the subject of a report to M. le Ministre l'Instruction Publique, by M. Slane, on a scientific mission in Africa. We are indebted to L'Epoque for the following particulars-The library at Algiers contains nearly seven hundred Arabic manuscripts, collected for the most part from the remains of the public li- THE LATE A. W. SCHLFGEL-A letter from braries attached to the mosques at Constantine; Bonn states, that all the manuscripts and the and chiefly, therefore, treatises on the religion and most valuable printed books of the late A. W. laws of the Mussulman. In fact, M. Slane found Schlegel, including his works in Asiatic lanthere the principal commentaries on the Koran, guages, or concerning those tongues, edited for several works on the traditions of Mahomet, one the most part in British India, the rare books, and of the four bases of Mussulman jurisprudence, and those containing his marginal notes, have been many essays on the laws hanefite and malikite. He presented by his heirs to the Prussian governnoticed, above all, several copies of the Mokhtasirment, which has divided them between the royal of Sidi Khalil, an abridgment of the jurisprudence which prevailed in all Southern Africa; the great and little commentary of el-Kharchion, the same compilation; the commentary of Abd-el-Baki, &c. Historical, scientific, and literary works were rare, but they were in general of high importance. Such are the fragment of the Annals of Taberi, the anonymous History of the Abbasides, the Life of the Soufis by el-Menani, the PHOTOGRAPHY AND PAINTING.-Some months three incomplete historical volumes entitled Kit- ago we mentioned the union of photography and ab-el-Aghani. M. Slane mentions further, a col- painting, the production of a finished miniature, lection of treatises on the works of the Greek retaining the accuracy and tint of the Talbotype, mathematicians; the explanation of the terms of the tone and shadows being greatly improved. Mussulmanic law; a dictionary of the meaning of M. Mansion, the artist associated with M. Clauobscure words and expressions met with in trans- det, has recently made farther progress in the lations; another dictionary by the celebrated application of the solar picture to aid the more Zamakhcheri, containing the definition of obso- ancient art. The metallic hue of the Daguerreolete Arabic words; and an excellent work of type, and the not much more agreeable brown Soyouti, in which this polygraphist gives biogra- color of the Talbotype, have been and are the phical notices of the principal Arab philosophers principal objections to these wonderful works of and grammarians. Two beautiful collections of nature. The miniature-painting above referred manuscripts have happily escaped the general to, on the photography itself, was intended to destruction: one belongs to the Cid Hammouda, remove this objection, and with great success; but the color is still brown. By the new method in America-yet more that which the New Couuthe truthfulness of the Talbotype is maintained, try sends out as its own-is worth considerand the color of life given to the portrait. The ing. We are, perhaps, looking on while the founoutlines are most accurately traced on a material dations of a new school of Art are laid-watching, invented by M. Mansion, and upon it he then as some one or other has poetically said, "the propaints a likeness. The specimens shown to us— cess of world-making." Of all the importations copies of landscapes, and of men and horses-from the New World we have yet had, the Hutchwere most minute resemblances. With a similar view, M. Claudet has been experimenting on Fizeau's process of etching Daguerreotypes, and we were greatly pleased with his advancement. Some of the impressions were exceedingly distinct, and the lights and shades as marked as in the ordinary engraving. In the fainter prints, however, and the fainter the better for this purpose, the likeness was sufficiently clear for M. Mansion to paint it to the life. So now any one may have a painted fac-simile of a Talbotype, or a colored impression of a Daguerreotype.-Lit. Gaz. inson Family is the most peculiar. The singers are three brothers and a sister-all young, and with a sort of homely high breeding in appearance and manner which is prepossessing. They belong to New Hampshire, a state, we are told, rich in partsingers, and especially fertile in contralto voices. By part-singers, however, let no one imagine the existence of more schooling than "obtains" among the Tyrolese. The music of this primitive band is instinctive rather than taught. Their songs are airs or scraps of airs from every country -Old World and New World,-so put together, however, and harmonized as to have an individual character. Nor do their serious part-songs fall the MOSCHELES.-The Athenæum remarks that the less pleasantly on the ears for the touch of psalmmusical world is to be deprived of one of its most ody distinguishable in most of them, which carries valued members at the close of the coming season the fancy far away to the rude meeting-house on -Mr. Moscheles having accepted a professorship the edge of some clearing, or to the camp-meeting in the Conservatoire at Leipsic. The association in the open air. There is, in short, a colour of of such artists as M. Moscheles, Dr. Mendelssohn, nationality over the performance; which is gone and Prof. Hauptmann, can hardly fail to render the through with a steady modesty, and withal a conSaxon establishment the most distinguished school scious enjoyment that enhances the hearer's pleaof instrumental music in Europe. It is impossible sure. Their choice of songs, too, is peculiar; for us not to look forward with regret to the loss of Longfellow's Excelsior, Tennyson's May Moscheles; one of the few thoroughly educated Queen,' Hood's 'Bridge of Sighs,'-argue a fine professors (as distinct from executants) remaining taste for poetry anong their audiences. Perhaps in Europe-one, too, in whom a minute and rev-too large a proportion of their programme is devoerential acquaintance with the stores of ancient ted to painful subjects to be acceptable in this caremusic, is united with a cordial readiness to enter- worn land of ours; at least one or two catches tain all that is worthy and new in the modern sung with great neatness and an Ohio boatschools. Then, again, in the present dearth of man's Glee, (a far-off cousin to The Canaoriginal composers, the departure of one so indi-dian Boat Song,') fell upon the ear very cheerily vidual in his own special branch of Art, takes after the graver ditties. The whole is wound away a distinction from the artistic circles of Lon-up by a piece of family history, "embracing don, which will not be readily replaced. Previous the names and general history of the twelve to his departure, M. Moscheles will conduct the sons and daughters composing the Hutchinson Birmingham Festival in c njunction with Dr. Family," to a "never-ending still beginning" Mendelssohn, who is expected over with a new tune, which goes straight from the hearts of the Oratorio. It has been rumored for some time, singers to the hearts of the audience. We cannot that the composer is at work on the story of Eli- believe in the catholicity of any one, whether he jah;'-but we observe, also, in the Belgian papers, be a mere aimless hunter after amusement or a the promise of a 'Lauda Sion,' written by him, for thoughtful musician, who would repent having giv the Church of St. Martin at Liège; and which, we en these interesting persons an evening. But we are now told, he will conduct in person. We hope wish that in their future performances they would the end will be, that we shall find ourselves two dispense with any accompaniment Whenever compositions the richer. The Birmingham Fes-introduced it was detrimental, because decidedly tival will be held on the last days of August, THE HUTCHINSON FAMILY.-What are called national melodies have ever possessed with us an interest and an importance hardly conceded by the generality of critics and historians. Abiding by the theory that there is no disconnecting of Art from social progress, we have found, throughout a range of instances too wide for enumeration here, traces in the early music of every country of primitive manners, modes, attire," peculiarities as clearly referable to the forms of Nature as to the fashions of Man-which Civilization and Science may have systematized, but the presence of which has kept, and will to the end keep the music of Italy as distinct from that of England, France, or Germany, as each is distinct from the others. Viewed in this aspect, the music which is popular 66 inferior; which their singing and delivery are not.-Athenæum. FOREIGN ARTISTS -The following is a list of the names elected by the Fine Art section of the Royal Academy of Brussels, as Foreign Associates, on the first organization of the latter as a Belgian Instistute. In the division of Painting,Landseer, of London; Horace Vernet, Ary Schef. fer and Paul Deloroche, at Paris; Cornelius, at Berlin; and Kaulbach, at Munich. In Sculpture -Macdonald, in London; Schadow and Rauch, at Berlin; Pradier, Rude and Ramey, at Paris. In Architecture,-besides Prof Donaldson, our countryman, whose election we announced last week, Fontaine, at Paris; Von Klentze, at Munich. In Engraving,-Wyon, of London; the Baron Desnoyers, MM. Forster and Barre the elder, in Paris. In Music,-Rossini, at Bologna; Meyerbeer, at Berlin; Auber and Spontini, in Paris; Dausssoigne-Méhul, director of the Conservatory, at Liège. For the departments of the Sciences and Letters in their relation to the Fine Arts,—Bock, at Brussels; Passavant and Dr. David, at Frankfort. Among the recent appointments at Rome, we may mention that of Professor Cav. Giovanni Silvagni as President of the Academy of St. Luke for 1846. The sculptors Tenerani (of European reputation) and Tenioyne have been elected members of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts at St. Petersburgh. The King of Wirtemburg has rewarded Herr Zanth for the design and construction of the Casino called the Wilhelma, by creating him a knight of the Royal Order of the Crown.— Athenaum. Each gown is a per with the utmost good taste. The A NOBLE MISER.-Shortly after the death, a few months ago, of the Marquis de Saint Leger, LADY HOLLAND'S WILL: INTER STING TO LIT. at Limoges, there was found concealed in various ERATURE-We occasionally hear in society of Parts of his house a sum of £120,000 in silver.The heirs, ten in number, resolved therefore not the bequests in the will of the late lady; with to sell the house, but to pull it down, in the expec the monetary parts of which we have no vocation tation of finding more concealed treasure. to meddle. But it is a subject of general literary demolition is now going on, in presence of one interest to learn, that (besides some 1500l. per or more of the heirs. £60,000 in gold have alannum, and a considerable sum in money70004.) she left to Lord John Russel the Memoir ready been found concealed in various parts of the building, under beams, &c.-Galignani. of Mr. Fox, so long in preparation by the late Lord Holland, with the expression of a hope that CURIOUS DISCOVERY.-On Wednesday, as one it should be published as early as possible. Her of the workmen who are engaged in the operaladyship also bequeathed to the British Museum tions connected with the Royal drive in Holyrood the celebrated Tolentino Box, on which, the lovers Park, was removing a portion of the debris from of art are aware, is sculptured the noble antique the cutting of the hill opposite the Windygowl, of the Goat browsing. This precious relic, it may he discovered two sword-blades about four feet be remembered by our readers, was presented by from the surface. The swords are of bronze, and the Pope to Buonaparte after his Italian camare in the highest state of preservation. During paigns, as the richest gift he could offer him. their entombment in the bowels of the earth, the Napoleon sent it to Lady Holland from St. Hele-handles have disappeared, teing of a substance na, with a grateful autograph note, for the attentions paid to him by her ladyship in his captivity. Both box and autograph are now, we believe, in the British Museum Lit. Guz. less able to withstand decomposition than the bronze of the blades. The blades are evidently of Roman origin, and belong to the class known by the name of the short sword, one being tweny-five inches in length, and the other twentyPOPULATION AND NEWSPAPERS OF PARIS. SIX inches, and both having the sharp, lance-like The population of Paris is 912,035 persons; 34, point common to the sword of the Roman soldier. 396,800 square metres are occupied by the capital, On Saturday a pair of large antlers were found imwhich possesses 42,000 houses, 1922 public ways, bedded in the earth at about the same place where 59 barriers, 46 roads called de ronde, 37 quays, the sword-blades were found The largest and 20 boulevards, 37 avenues, 133 places, 37 bridges, most perfect of these was nine inches in circum105 courts or "cities," cloisters, &c., 9 palaces, ference at the root, and two feet from the root 23 remarkable edifices, 6 public gardens, 4 trium-it was seven inches in circumference. From their phal arches, 5 columns, 1 obelisk, 35 libraries, 13 inuseums, 28 monumental fountains, 38 churches, 23 convents, 26 hospitals, 4 equestrian statues, 24 theatres, and 39 barracks. appearance they are supposed to have belonged to the elk, which at some remote period probably ranged over Arthur's Seat, when it was a royal hunting ground. To whatever period these relics There are 26 daily Newspapers published in are to be ascribed, they will afford a fruitful this city, possessing altogether about 140,000 theme of conjecture to the antiquary and the nasubscribers. In this number the Journal des Dé- turalist; and as the operations connected with bats, Le Constitutionnel, La Presse, and Le Siècle, the carriage-drive are prosecuted, we should not figure for 100,000 and L' E, oque for 20,000. Con- be surprised if many other unlooked-for discovesequently the remaining 21 have only 20,000 sub-ries of relics are made. The sword-blades are in scribers among them, or about 950 each.-Lit. the possession of Mr Henderson of the Que n's Gaz. Remembrance Office, and the antlers lie with Mr. Nixon, of the Office of Works, both of whom, we have no doubt, will be happy to show these curiosities to those who may take an interest in such LOUIS PHILIPPE'S PRESENT TO THE PRINCESS ROYAL. Some days since, a chest was dispatched to London, bearing the Royal arms of France.-relics. This chest contained a complete trousseau of toilettes-morning toilette, evening toilette, and two ball toilettes. This present was addressed to the doll of the Princess Royal. King Louis Philippe gave a carte blanche to one of the most eminent modistes of Paris, who executed her commission THE PORTLAND VASE-The repair of the Portland Vase is now completely finished. The work has been so well managed by Mr. Doubleday, that scarcely a blemish can be detected on the closest scrutiny. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Great Britain. Die Verfassang der Kirche der Zukunft. (The The reputation of the writer, and the influence which he is supposed to possess with the King of Prussia in ecclesiastical matters, may probably induce us on a future occasion to give a fuller account of this work. It originates in a correspondence with Mr. Gladstone on certain questions arising from the foundation of the Anglican bishopric at Jerusalem, and suggested by Abeken's semi-official account of the negotiations on the subject between the Prussian Court and the English Church. In this correspondence, which is printed both in the original English and in German, Mr. Gladstone, as m ght be expected, protests against the recognition of a communion between English churchmen and the German Protestants; and incidentally he expresses his conviction that episcopal succession is an essential and indispensable part of the Christian Church The Chevalier Bunsen, on the other hand, while he professes to admit the fitness of an episcopal form of Church government to certain countries, maintains that the adoption or rejection of the system is a matter of mere discretion and convenience; and passing in his book, into wider considerations, he endeavours to show that all reformed churches are bound to maintain the universal priestly character of Christians, and the consequent equality in all spiritual rights of clergy and laity. When Mr. Gladstone argues, that the essential forms of the English Church are universally binding, few foreigners would, perhaps, agree with him. When Mr. Bunsen however, declares, that they are simply national, he forgets, that his opinion, even if true, can never be adopted by his opponents; for no church can be national without claiming to be universal in all its vital principles. certainly we may endeavor to extract the levelling principles always to be found in all pure ductrines.-Lit Gaz. SELECT LIST OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. GREAT BRITAIN. Notes on the Miracles, by Rev. R. C. French, M. A., author of Notes on the Parables. The Sayings of the Great Forty Days, between the Resurrection and the Ascension, regarded as the outlines of the kingdom of God, by Rev. B. Moberly, D. D. A new edition of Jortin's Remarks on Ecclesiastical History, edited by Rev. William Trollope, M. A., 2 vols. Antonio Peres and Philip II. of Spain, by M. Mignet, member of the Institute of France. Translated by C. Cocks, B. L. 1 vol. 8vo. The Oregon Question Examined in respect to Facts and the Law of Nations, by Thomas Twiss, D. C. L., F. R. S., Professor of Political Economy in the University of Oxford. I vol. 8vo. Essays on the Literature, Popular Superstitions and History of England in the Middle Ages, by Thomas Wright, M. A., 2 vols. 8vo. Biographical Recollections of the Rev. Robert Hall, by J. W. Morris. GERMANY. H. Ewald C. C. Tischendorf; Codex H. Ewald: Gerschichte des Volkes Is A NEW COMMENTARY.-There has been recently published at Paris a, Commentary on the Scriptures, by M. F. Lamennais. The celebrated author of Indifference in Matters of Religion, Ephraemi Syri Rescriptus. faithful to the democratic principles of which he has for fifteen years constituted himself the cham-rael bis Christus. Vol. II. pion and the assiduous propagator, translates into lessons of emancipation the principles of evangelic morals. His commentaries, eloquent and passionate paraphrase, and striking expressions to this effect, I will spare nothing and nobody may be thus condensed :-"The people have rights, but those rights will never, if themselves, prevail against the oppression to which they are victims. Let the people, then, prosecute with ardor the attainment of liberty, that first of bl ssings; let them purchase it by assiduous labor; let them deserve it by their exertions, their devotion, and sacrifices. The day must shine, the day already glimmers, when success will crown those efforts.' The text of St. Mark, St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. John is somewhat stubborn against this interpretation: but as it is presented eloquently and cleverly, nobody is tempted to expose the discrepancies. Besides, "is not every thing in every thing?" as Jacotot would say, the famous author here of a new method of teaching. And A. Neander Denkwürdigkeiten aus der E. Zeller: Die Philosophie der Griech- Zenker Bibliotheca Orientalis. Vol. I. 8vo. FRANCE. Capefigue M.: L'Europe depuis l'avènement du Roi Louis Philippe. 10 vols. Niebuhr Geschichte des Zeitalters der Revolution. 2 vols. 8vo. Humboldt A. von: Kosmos. Part I. |