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magnificent and princely work, of which the author is the sole proprietor. It is published in large folio numbers; the price of each two guineas. About six numbers are already completed; and we rejoice to find that the author has not been destitute of public encouragement. The plates consist of coloured drawings; and, we believe, are unrivalled in excellence. Dr. Savi of Pisa has published a "Treatise on the Trees of Tuscany;" which will be found a useful publication to his own countrymen it is divided into three parts, of which the first enumerates the indigenous trees; the second, those which have been already successfully transplanted in the Tuscan territories; and the third, those which from their nature might most easily be induced to submit to transplantation. M. Mabel of Bassano has compiled a useful "Theory of the Art of Gardening." It is however, as the writer confesses, principally drawn up from Hirschfeld; and consequently partakes of his excellencies and defects. Mr. Wildenow has published at Berlin a third edition of his "Grundiss der Kreuter Kunde, &c.," "Elements of Botany." It has received many important additions, and especially in the terminology and physiology. M. Rozin has published at Paris "Essay on the Study of Mineralogy, with particular Reference to the Soil of France, and especially to that of Belgium." These countries have hitherto been treated with too much contempt by mine. ralogists, as affording nothing to repay their researches. It is a chief object with M. Rozin to prove the contrary; and he has tolerably well succeeded, especially with respect to the Low Countries. His inclination in point of arrangement is

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to the system of M. Hay. M. Brochaut, on the contrary, has pub lished an "Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy;" in the course of which he has adopted the principles of professor Werner, whose theory is by far the most fashionable on the continent. This treatise extends to two volumes octavo, and is the best and clearest elementary publication on the subject which has yet reached us. Upon the same subject, M. Hanbuisson has brought forwards at Paris his "New Theory of the Formation of Veins;" which is professedly a version from the German of M. Werner, but admirably executed; and is a rich treasure to those mineralogists who are not familiar with the German tongue.

As treatises upon natural history in general, we may mention M. Tilesin's "Annals of Natural History," "Jahrbuch der Naturgeschichte," published at Leipsic ; which includes most of the new discoveries in this branch of science: and the "Lehrbuch der Naturgeschichte," "Elements of Natural History," published anonymously at Potsdam; in which a new classification is attempted; the extreme simplicity of which, renders' it inadequate to its object.

M. Schmerdin's "Geognosy explained on Chemical Principles," is a book well entitled to the atten tion of the natural historian. Geognosy is a term lately introduced into the Wernerian system for geology; but, in our opinion, without any sufficient motive for such an innovation. For the same reason we meet with "Geognostic Observations made during Tours in Germany and Italy," by M. de Buch. These geologic observations are printed at Berlin, and evince an accurate eye, and solid judgement.

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From the new term in the title, it is obvious that they are founded on the Wernerian system.

On the subject of natural philosophy, we are happy to announce M. Haüy's "Traité Elémentaire de Physique;" which we shall soca hope to see in our own tongue. It is the most systematic abstract we have yet beheld upon this comprehensive branch of human science, and it extends to the latest discoveries; of course the history of Galvanism is not omitted. The author's immediate object was the instruction of the National Lyceum. We do not find, however, the subject of meteoric stones introduced into it; though, perhaps, M. Haüy has purposely omitted it, on account of the little we are yet acquainted with the laws and origin of these extraordinary phænomena. Upon this topic we must not forget to notice M. Izarn's "Pierres tombées du Ciel," "Stones fallen from the Heavens," a work which not only notices the chief places in which they have fallen, but almost every theory which has been advanced upon this recluse subject: the author himself conceives them to be formed of different gasses in the superior regions of the atmosphere. Mr. Hassenfratz has published at Paris a very useful elementary work, entitled, "Cours de Physique Céleste," which he lately read at the polytechnic school; and which, in its present form, is intended as a gradus to two profounder works of M. La Place; his "Exposition of the System of the World," and his Celestial Mechanics:" the latter of which we noticed in our retrospect for last year.

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In mathematics, the only book we have received from the continent entitled to particular notice is M. Carnot's "Geometry of Po

sition:" the term is strange, and not perfectly correct; and the phra seology is far too redundant for the subject on which the author writes. But the work abounds with just remarks and interesting discussions, and by no means detracts from the exalted fame which M. Carnot has already acquired in this abstruse line.

M. Mentelle has at length completed his very voluminous and extensive "Mathematical, Physical, and Political Geography, of every Part of the World." It was origi nally delivered in fascicules, and now occupies fifteen volumes octavo : it is printed at Paris, and is accompanied by an atlas in folio, introduced by a preliminary discourse. It is a work of great labour and interest: but we would rather have had it divided into several works upon the different subjects of which it treats. M. Volney has published, in two volumes octavo, a "View of the Climate and Soil of North America." His view consists of a variety of detached sketches, rather than of one comprehensive survey; but it is elegantly and pleasantly written. It comprises a course of observations made in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797. M. De Jurberg of Stockholm has brought forth the first volume of his "Un. foerleg Geographie foerfatted, &c." "Complete Geography: with a Supplement and Chart of the West Indies." The author is already well known as an excellent geographer and chartist: and if the present work, when complete, be possessed of the merit contained in the part before us, it cannot fail of success. We have been most pleased with the statistic observations with which it may be said indeed to overflow.

We have also to notice from the same country (Sweden) the vo

lume

lume of "Memoirs of the Military Academy," for the year 1800. This volume we have just received, and it constitutes but the second which the academy has hitherto published. It contains two memoirs

of count Rumford on the force of gun-powder: but the most important article is on the sword exercise of the Swedish army, by the che valier Doebeln.

TH

CHAPTER III.

MORAL AND POLITICAL.

HE late stupendous revolution in France still continues to occupy the historians of that country. They seem yet to be hunting after causes for so marvellous an event, as though every one that has hitherto been brought forwards was inadequate to the birth of such a catastrophe. Among the publications upon this subject which have chiefly excited our attention, we may enumerate M. Soulavie's "History of the Civil War in France," in three volumes 8vo., commencing with the formation of the States-general in 1789, and reaching down to the 18th Brumaire (year 8th) 1799. "Essays, Introductory to a History of the French Revolution, by a Member of the Parliament of Paris," in one volume 8vo; in which the anonymous author maintains, that few or no great men were produced by the revolution; the character of Bonaparte, of whose exploits a glowing picture is presented, not having been formed till after its completion; and "Historical Essays on the Causes and Ef fects of the French Revolution, by M. Beaulieu." These Essays are the most voluminous work on the subject which has yet occurred to us. They have been published in separate volumes, and are now just

concluded, making six octavos in the whole, and bringing down the events of the variable government of France to the close of 1798. The author is often unne cessarily diffuse, and extremely deficient in arrangement and method; but he has collected together a considerable portion of valuable infor mation, and has appreciated the chief characters of the political drama with judgement, ability, and impartiality.

Upon the subject of the French colonies, we have received an extensive and useful work in M. Ma-' louet's "Collection of Memoirs," occupying five volumes octavo. The memoirs consist of an official correspondence relative to the administration of the colonies in general, but particularly of French and Dutch Guiana, and the island of St. Domingo. M. Malouet, from his late situation as minister of the colonies and of the navy, and more especially from his having been an eye-witness to the earlier part of the transactions which he describes, may be regarded as an authentic historian, and his opinions must be entitled to respect even by those who differ from him in system. He is a favourer of the slave-trade; but admits, that, in every place, and especially in St. Domingo, it re

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quired regulations which never have been, and we are afraid will not soon be, carried into effect. He is also for allowing advantages to slaves,by which they may eventually be enabled to purchase their own freedom. In St. Domingo they have not waited for this slow process: they have been precipitated into a state of independence; and differ ing, as we do, from the present author, in the tardy steps he advises, we cannot be blind to the greater mischief which has resulted, and must, in every instance, result from a hasty and general suppression of the yoke. The line of propriety seems to lie between the two schemes. M. Malouet represents the late colonisation of French Guiana as the worst in the world; and he has not unduly depreciated it. That part of Guiana, on the contrary, which appertains to the Dutch, was, in his estimation, at the time of his visiting it, the best regulated, and the happiest of any colony he had ever beheld. The "Voyage à là Louisiane," noticed in our last year's review, as an anonymous production, has since been acknowledged by M. Baudry des Lozieres, who has added a second volume, or, as he entitles it, a "Second Voyage" to the general work. We can no more, however, discover a voyage in this second volume, than we were able to do in the first; it is a book filled up with such reports, anecdotes, and re. marks, as almost any man might amass together, if he were determined to write on the subject, who had never quitted London or Paris; and which most men, in such situations, would have composed in a more methodic and intelligible manner, Yet M. Baudry tells us, that the vast demand for his first volume was the sole motive for his

publishing this second; and he threatens the world-perhaps from the same resources, the books in his library-with new tours or travels through Italy.

This

"Histoire des Swisses ou Helvetiens, &c.;" "History of the Swiss or Helvetians from the most remote Period to the present Time, by H. P. Mallet, Professor in the Universities at Upsal, Cassel, & four volumes Svo. Geneva. is an able, entertaining, and instructive work: the author had nearly finished it when Switzerland was free; and the ardour with which he describes the pa triotic exertions of the ancient heroes of this celebrated country, shows us that his heart is not insensible to the charms of liberty. Towards the close of the history, however, we perceive his pen restrained; he composes with timidity and reserve: he still appears to be warmed with the same enthusiastic fire; but he labours to stifle its flames, as they flow from his heart. The fear of Bonaparte is evidently before his eyes. Yet the work has great merit, and M. Mallet has proved himself an able historian.

"Tableau de la Grand Bretagne, &c.;" "Picture of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Possessions of the English in the four Quarters of the Globe;" four volumes 8vo. Paris. The author of this work, which bears an anony mous title-page, is M. Baert. He represents himself to have been a resident in Great Britain for two or three years, and to have tra velled several thousands of miles over it; and he certainly writes in many places, as though he had been not only an eye-witness, but an attentive spectator, of the scenes he describes. It is, however, a multifarious

multifarious publication, political, statistic, and commercial, as well as geographic. Hence the fourth volume unfolds the subjects of the bank of England, coin, population, character, customs, and manners; together with the state of literature and science. To a foreigner, the work will be found useful; an Englishman cannot avoid discovering a variety of little errors that deteriorate its value.

M. Catteau, in his "Tableau des Etats Danois;" "Picture of the Danish States," in three volumes 8vo, has exhibited much good sense and vigilance. His pen flows rather too cursorily and superficially upon some subjects, concern ing which we wish for more information, and especially of that sort which is communicated in these volumes; but had he written more, his work might have been rendered too bulky for his own purpose; since so authentic, so judicious, so excellent is he in whatever he has advanced, that we could not suffer the excision of a single page. We wish much to see this publication translated into our own tongue.

"Histoire du Bas-Empire," &c. "History of the Lower Empire, from the Reign of Constantine to the Capture of Constantinople, in 1453, by J. C. Royou,", four volumes 8vo. Paris. This is an able abridgement of Le Bean's more voluminous work, which extended to not less than twenty-five volumes upon its conclusion by another hand: the period it comprises, is precisely that which our own Gib. bon has selected to found his immortality upon. Yet a comparison of M. Royou wirh the latter, will by no means be disadvantageous to him. We do not mean that he exhibits the same brilliancy of style or curiosity of philosophic

reflexion; but he has advanced a much larger body of facts: and in point of critical history, is hence more precise and instructive.

"Voyage en Islande, &c." "Travels in Iceland, &c. translated from the Danish, by W. de la Peyronie," five volumes 8vo. The travels here rendered into French, were undertaken by the express order of his Danish majesty, and con tain many curious and important observations on the manners and customs of the inhabitants, the lakes, rivers, glaciers, hot-springs, and volcanoes of the country; together with its stones, fossils, petrifactions, and animals; to which is added a good atlas. The author seems to have observed with judgement, and to have delineated the various appearances with fidelity.

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Voyage en Italie," "Travels in Italy," by F. J. L. Meyer, LL. D." This is a sentimental work; yet much real science, and a spirit of close and curious observation are blended with the pathos at which it perpetually aims. We have hung over it with delight, often with rapture, and we finished it with much regret.

"Briefe über Italien in den Jah

ren," &c., "Letters on Italy, in the Years 1798, 1799," though published anonymously, are agreeably written, and seem to be in general sufficiently authentic. We may pay the same compliment to M. Drysen's "Bemerkungen auf einen Reise," &c., " Observations during a Tour through Holland and a Part of France." But we have been considerably more pleased with the "Bruchstücke einen Reise durch Frankreich,”

Fragments of Travels in France," of M. Arndt; who writes with sweet unaffected simplicity, and

thus

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