to be much later than was expected, no deformitie in the time of acting their parts appeared in their faces. P124. It is said, in 1625, the number of students, many y years, exceeded sixteen score, or 320.

Strict examinations appear to have been made at the close of every session, and a curious custom, called cir tulation, early prevailed. Of this, the following account is given:

The Principal, knowing that every one hath reported testimonies of all dueties, he taketh report of the 5 Regents of every ones carriage and abilitie in particular, and according to their deser vings, enrolleth their names, being distinguished in certain ranks accordingly as they are judged of more or lesse worth, some being exortes before all the circles; some in the first circle; some annexed thereto; some in the se. cond circle, the remainder in a line, whose names are thought fittest to be spared in publick calling upon them. The primitive custom was, that imme diately before the act of graduation in the public assembly of the University, the candidates were, by publick name. ing of them, called in according to these distinct ranks, to an eminent place be fore the Principal, from whom they received the degree by solemne ceremonie. Diverse of good note, thereafter, being dissatisfied with so public notice of their childrens weakness, procured the laying

aside of the circulation, from the year

1631 to the year 1643, at which time it was revived in part, the candidates be ing called in according to the ranks a bove named, the night before the solemne disputation, in the higher hall, only in presence of the Town Council, the Ministers and Maisters of the Col ledge. The public disputation wont to be acted in the kirk called the Trinity Colledge. Thereafter in the Grayfriars; and of fate, since the 1633 year of God, in the lower great hall of the Colledge; and anno 1655, in the Lady Yester's Kirk, and always since either in the great hall or in the said kirk. P. 60.

A pretty long biographical notice is given of Mr Rollock, the first Principal, and shorter notices of several other eminent persons belonging to

arts, than to literature, yet as it is employed to illustrate one of the most admired of our Scottish poems, and, from its peculiar nature, has drawn a considerable share of interest, we think a short notice cannot be judged superfluous. We do not recollect to

have

any

where seen so much genius united with so much eccentricity. The author shews throughout a turn of mind altogether his own. A solemn and mystic character, a habit of mind continually dwelling upon the abodes of death and the invisible world, an intimate familiarity with those ideas, which, to common minds, appear the most distant and visionary appear to fit him peculiarly for the singular task he has here undertaken; and have enabled him to produce a work, altogether unique, and possessing high claims to admiration. The strength of the expression, and the lively representation of the different attitudes, have perhaps seldom been equalled. The accuracy of the design, the faithful representation of the different parts various postures in which they are of the human form, according to the placed, are also, we understand, highly admired by connoisseurs. The subject is awful, yet attractive; it is one in which all must feel a deep interest; and though and though man be a being naturally so bent on pleasure, there is yet a region of mystic gloom, thro' which, in other moments he delights to expatiate.

Therg

There is just one circumstance, which runs through many of these pieces, and which we cannot quite go along with; this is the representation of the soul in a bodily form. Such an idea we think is greatly too bold; nor is there any thing in the manner which can atone for the defect in the original conception. We could conceive that by representing only those parts of the body in which the soul speaks, as it were, and by giving to these a certain degree of faintness and exility, something might be produced, approaching to our idea of an incorporeal substance. But nothing can But nothing can be more remote from such an idea, than the round, entire, and thriving figures, by which it is here represented. It would even have been tolerable had the soul been introduced by itself, without its bodily companion, for this the mind might have conceived by a single effort; instead of which they are invariably introduced together; and the body being generally worn down by disease, the soul exhibits often a much more bulky and corpulent appearance.

The following are those which appear to us peculiarly striking and beautiful: "The meeting of a family in heaven-the death of the strong wicked man-the descent of man into the vale of death-the soul exploring the recesses of the grave the death of the good old man." The day of judgment" displays great powers, but the multitude and variety of figures on so small a space produce a degree of confusion. The "reunion of the soul and body;" and "the soul hovering over the body reluctantly parting with life," do not, for a reason above illustrated, please in proportion to the genius displayed in them. There are also-Christ descending into the Grave-The Counsellor, King, Warrior, Mother, and Child, in the tomb,-and death's door.

Upon the whole, we think this a work which can be contemplated by

no artist, or man of taste, without ex treme interest. We are glad to see that the list of subscribers is numerous and respectable, tho' we observe with mortification that, of these, Edinburgh has furnished a very small proportion indeed.

New Works published in Edinburgh.

MEMOIRS of Robert Cary, Earl of

Monmouth, written by himself. Published from an original MS. in the custody of the Earl of Corke_and Orrery. To which are added Frag menta Regalia; being a History of Queen Elizabeth's favourites. By Sir Robert Naunton. With explanatory Annotations. 8vo. 10s. 6d. royal paper 17. 5s.

The Plough Wright's Assistant: or a Practical Treatise on various implements employed in Agriculture. Illustrated by Sixteen Engravings. By Andrew Gray, Author of the Experienced Millwright. 8vo. 16s.

Cases of Diabetes, Consumption, &c. With Observations on the History and Treatment of Disease in general. By Robert Watt, Member of the Faculty of Physicians, and Surgeons, Glasgow. 8vo.

Practical and descriptive Essays on the Art of Weaving. By John Duncan, Inventor of the Patent Tambour Machinery; Part. II. illustrated by seven elegant engravings. 8vo.

A Treatise on Scrofula. By James Russel, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Professor of Clinical Surgery in the University of Edinburgh. 8vo. 5s.

A Sermon preached in the Episcopal Chapel, Cowgate, November 16, 1806, the day after the funeral of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart. By Archibald Alison L.L.B. F.R.S. 8vo. 1s. 4to. 2s. 6d.

The History of the University of Edinburgh, from 1580 to 1646. By Thomas Craufurd, A.M. Professor of

Ma

with the errors of the press corrected. The introductory part will contain a Life of Quarles, by his widow Ursula; testimonies of his character and talents, with specimens of his poetry and prose. The whole will form a handsome crown octavo volume; to which will be affixed a beautiful engraving of the author's head, from the original by Marshal.

The Rev. Stephen Weston has nearly prepared for publication the Morning and Evening Lessons, appointed for all the Sundays throughout the year for Christmas and Good Friday; the whole illustrated by Commentaries and short notes, with an Index, in which what ever may stop a learned or unlearned reader, is explained. To each of the books of the Old and New Testament, an historical introduction is prefixed, and analytical contents to the chapters, -The work intended as a Companion to the Common Prayer-book of the church of England, will be neatly printed in a size adapted to the pocket."

The following books were published at Cambridge in 1807 and 1908.-Euripides Troades, corrected partly from manuscripts, and partly by conjectural criticism, by Mr Burges, of Trinity college; a third volume of a System of Astronomy, by Mr Vince, Plumian professor of astronomy and experimental philosophy; the fifth edition of an Analysis of the Greek Metres, by Dr Seale: a Confutation of Atheism, from the Laws and Constitution of the Heavenly Bodies, by Professor Vince: a splendid volume of Travels in Magna Græcia, with engravings, by Mr Wilkins, relating principally to architecture: a translation into blank verse of Lycophron's Cas. sandra, by the late Lord Royston : a Treatise on an Error in Euclid, by Mr Sax, of Trinity college: besides a few prize-essays and single sermons. There are several learned works, classical, etymological, and mathematical, now in the press; some in great forwardness. The following will be published early in the winter: A Descriptive Catalogue of the Oriental Library of the late Tippoo Sultan, of Mysore, with an Appendix, containing specimens of the most interesting works, by Major Stewart, Persian professor at the East India college, Hertford: the Choruses of Eschylus's Plays, intended to be explanatory of the Greek Metres, by Dr Charles

Burney: and an Etymological work, by the Rev. Walter Whiter, late fellow of Clare Hall, The University has purchased of the son of Hoogeven the following work, which, though printed, is not yet published:" Henrici Hoogeven Opus Posthumum, exhibens Dictionarium analogicum Linguæ Græca, cum Auctoris Vita ab ipso conscripta; to which is subjoined, Philippi Cattien Gazophyacium Græcorum, seu Methadus Admirabilis ad insignem brevi comparandam Verborum Copiam, cum Auctario Frid. Ludov. Abresch." Hoogeven was the author of the well-known work, entitled, Doctrina Particularum Lingua Grace. It is also understood that Dr Clarke, late fellow of Jesus college, who has already favoured the public with an account of the colossal statue of Ceres, has in the press a description of the other marbles, which he brought into this country, together with his travels. The plan of printing by stereotype plates was adopted by this University as early as 1805, Many beautiful editions of Bibles and Prayerbooks have accordingly been published, in English and Welch, the plates both having been cast in a foundry erected by the University for the purpose.

The Editor of Letters of a General Officer to his Son, on entering the Army, published under the title of the Military Mentor, is preparing for publication three volumes of Essays on the Art of War, and on Modern Military Tactics.

Dr Carey is preparing to publish, for the use of his private pupils, and of schools, a Familiar English Grammar, intended as an easy introduction to the more difficult grammars, and calculated to facilitate the business of English prosody and versification.

A new edition, with additions, of the Dialogues on Chemistry, by the Rev. J. Joyce, is neatly ready for publica. tion.

Mr Alexander Walker, lecturer on physiology, &c. has issued a prospectus of a new quarterly work, to be called the Archives of Universal Science. Of Mr Walker's qualifications there can be no doubt. The grand object of his work will be, by giving in detail all those subjects which other journals embrace, and by involving also all those other subjects of science which they do

not

not embrace; to exhibit, either in valuable original communications, or in critical analyses of every work containing new and important observations, the progress which all the sciences and arts ate every day making throughout the world; and further, also, by assigning, to each discovery, its place in a natural arrangement, to appreciate its value, and point out its influence upon the sciences, and its application to the arts.

A new Novel, the scene of which is laid in Greece, will shortly appear from the pen of Miss Owenson.

The author of the Age of Frivolity, has in the press a small volume of Poems, consisting of Sonnets, Tales, and characteristic pieces.

A general meeting of the Society for the Encouragement of national Industry, at which M. Chaptal presided, was held on the 24th of August, for the purpose of adjudging the prizes offered for the present year, and determining the subjects to be proposed for the ensuing. A prize of 3,000 francs for a loom for weaving all kinds of gold and silver stuffs, was adjudged to M. Jaquard, an artist of Lyons; to whom the Emperor has also granted a premium of 50 francs for each of these looms, with which he shall supply manufacturers. He has already received fifty-one of these premiums. Among the other prizes, were: one of 600 francs for improvements in combs for wool, and another of 500 for an improved method of constructing brick tile, and lime-kilns. The society voted its thanks to M. Gille, type- founder and printer at Paris, for having stimulated the industry of several engravers on wood, who had executed under his direction, a great number of works of that kind; to M. Reynouard, printer and bookseller; and M. Peyrard, professor of astronomy and mathematics, at the Bonaparte Lyceum, for having seconded the views of the society, by placing wood cuts, the one in his edition of Morceaux choisis de Buffon,' and the other in his translation of the Works of Archimedes. The prizes proposed for the year 1809, are as follow:-For machinery for combing wool, 1500 francs. -For machinery for carding and spinning thread, 1500 francs.-For machi nery for carding and spinning silk 1500 francs. For the discovery of a

method of printing copperplate engravings, in a permanent manner on stuffs, 1200 francs.-For the manufacture of cinnabar, 1200 francs.-For the encou ragement of stroke engraving, 2000 francs.-For the manufacture of utensils of metal, covered with a cheap enamel, 1000 francs. For the sizing of paper, 6000 francs.-The prizes, the decision of which is deferred to the year 1810, are:-1. The prize of 3000 francs for the manufacture of iron and steel wire, fit for making needles, and cards for cotton and wool. 2. That of rooo for determining the produce of the distillation of wood. 3. That of 3000 for the best mode of constructing lime, tile, and brick-kilns, besides two inferior premiums of 500 and 300 francs for the same purpose. Two new prizes were proposed, namely, one of 6000 francs for the discovery of a process, for communicating with madder to wool the beautiful red colour of Adrianople cotton; and the other of 1200 for the person who shall exhibit a bureau made entirely of the wood of trees indigenous or naturalized in France.

A translation of the Rev. J. Gordon's History of Ireland, has just appeared at Paris in 3 vols. 8vo.

M. Gregoire, formerly bishop of Blois, has recently published a work entitled 'De la Litterature des Negres,' being an examination of the intellectual faculties, moral qualities, and literature of the Negroes; to which are annexed notices, relative to the lives and works of such negroes as have distinguished themselves in the sciences, literature, and the arts.

Mr E. A. Kendal has in the press, Travels in Lower and Upper Canada. The work, which will be illustrated with plates, is expected to form one volume quarto, and will be published in England about the time of its appearance in America.

There is also in the press at New York, the Natural, Civil, and Political History of Chili, translated from the Italian of Abbe Molina, with notes from the Spanish and French versions, and a copious appendix, consisting of a translation into English heroic verse, of the most striking and interesting passages in the celebrated Spanish epic poem "The Araucano," by Don Alonzo Ercilla.