J. to be much later than was expected, no deformitie in the time of acting their parts appeared in their faces. P. 124. It is said, in 1625, the number of students, many years, exceeded sixteen score, or 320. 17 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 knowing one hath reported testimonies of all duc. ties, 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 being 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 i in the said kirk., P. 60. } the College. But for this, as well as other interesting matter, our limits make it necessary to refer to the work itself. A pretty long biographical notice is given of Mr Rollock, the first Principal, and shorter notices of several other eminent persons belonging to II. The Grave, a Poem; by Robert Blair: Illustrated by Twelve Engravings, from Original Designs, by William Blake; engraved by Schiavonetti. 4to. 21. 12s. boards. Pa ALTHO' this work, strictly speak ing, belongs rather to the fine 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 of the human form, according to the various postures in which they are 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 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. 暴动 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 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. ME EMOIRS 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 Fragmenta Regalia; being a History of Queen Elizabeth's favourites. By Sir Robert Naunton. With explanatory Annotations. 8vo. 10s. 6d. royal paper 11. 5s. 14. 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 Ex. perienced 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. Svo. 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 Mathematics in the College of Edinburgh in the year 1646. 8vo. 7s. 6d. T Scottish Literary Intelligence. days. Sir John Carr's Tour in Scotland, is announced for publication in November. Mr John Roberton, Surgeon, has in the press a Treatise on Medical Police, and on Diet, Regimen, &c. Mr John Murdoch, the early in structor of Burns, has nearly completed a work which he intends to publish by subscription, to be entitled, the Dictionary of Distinctions, which is to consist of three alphabets, containing, 1. Words the same in sound, but of different spelling and signification; with which are classed, such as have any similarity of sound. 2. Words that vary in pronunciation and mean. ing, as accentuated or connected.— 3. The changes in sound and sense produced by the addition of the letter e. The shades of difference being pointed out and noted as in Mr Walker's dictionary. The utility of such a work, in preventing errors in speaking and writing, is sufficiently evident. Mrs Grant, author of Letters from the Mountains, is preparing for the press, Memoirs of Mrs Cuyler. Literary Intelligence, ENGLISH and IT is well known that Mr Robert Kerr Porter, respected by the pub lic for his superior genius as an histori. cal painter, went to Russia a few years ago with the best introductions. The war compelled him to return, and he has brought to England a collection of drawings representing the costume and manners of Russia and Sweden, end a Journal of his Travels into remote parts Nov. 180S. of the Russian empire. Altogether, the work will form the best modern account of Russia that has been published, and the most interesting and elegant book of travels that has appeared for several years. The Board of Agriculture proceed in their grand design of completing the County Reports, a work which will bespeak the magnificent character of the published, and less than as many more present age. Thirty counties are now will perfect our knowledge of the whole island. Berkshire, Leicestershire, Ox fordshire, and Derbyshire, are all in the press, and will appear before Christmas. We are happy to say that the encouthe importance of the work, and the enragement of the public keeps pace with tire series are now to be found in every public and private library. But what is of more consequence to the agricul tural interests of the empire, the intelligent land owners and practical farmers are every where emulous to possess one gentlemen in general are possessed of or more of these volumes; and country the entire series. The Chevalier de Boisgelin, author of the History of Malta, will speedily North of Europe, or a Journal of a publish, in a quarto volume, embellished with thirteen views, Travels in the Voyage down the Elbe from Dresden to Hamburgh, and Travels through Denmark and Sweden. A Novel, entitled Faulconbridge, or a Devonshire Story, is in the press, from the pen of Mrs Hanway, to whom the world is indebted for Elinor and her knowledge of society and her huAndrew Stuart. Mrs Hanway, brings mourous severity in the proper period to rescue satire from the obloquy which the writers of personal scandal have brought upon it. A periodical republication is announced, of that highly curious work the recollected consists of a collection of Harleian Miscellany; which it will be lets and tracts, as well in manuscript as scarce, curious,and entertaining panphin print, found in the library of the first Earl of Oxford, interspersed with notes, historical, political, and critical ~1 A new edition is in the press of Quarles's Meditations, coded Judgement and Mercy for afflicted Souls.' I will be a reprint of the first edition of 1646, 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 near ly 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 Cassandra, 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 s. chylus'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 Lingua Græcæ, cum Auctoris Vita ab ipso conscripta ; to which is subjoined, Philippi Cattieri Gazophyacium Græcorum, seu Methodus Admirabilis ad insignem brevi comparandam Verborum Copiam, cum Auctario Frid. Ludov. Abresch." Hoogeven was the author of the well-known work, entitled, Doctrina Particulaium Linguæ Græcæ. 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 bis 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 are 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 cha. racteristic pieces. 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 af 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 1000 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 cot'ton; 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 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 sti mulated 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 machinery for carding and spinning silk 1500 francs. For the discovery of a 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 vo lume 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. |