Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

together in ten volumes; besides these, there are about 2,000 other engraved Portraits, principally of Authors, Commentators, and other learned persons.

With respect to the value of the Manuscripts, the Homer is rated by the different witnesses at from 600l. to 8001, and one of them supposed it might even reach so high a price as 1,000l.; the Greek Rhetoricians are estimated at from 340l. to 500.; the larger copy of the Greek Gospels at 2007.; the Geography of Ptolomy at 657., and the copy of Plautus at 501. One witness estimates the whole of the ancient Manuscripts at upwards of 2,5007.; and an eminent Bookseller at 3,0007. The set of Newspapers, from the year 1603 to the present time, is valued at from 900 guineas to 1,000.

The books with manuscript notes, together with Dr. Burney's Variorum Compilation, including the Fragmenta Scenica Græca, are estimated by one at 1,000l., and by another as high as 1,340.; who likewise computes the Materials for the History of the Stage at 1401.

The Prints are judged to be worth the sum of 4501.; and the Bookseller above referred to, who has examined the whole (except the engravings) for the purpose of enabling the present proprietor to set a value upon them, estimates the printed books in the Library at 9,000l., some other books in his study adjoining and a great number of tracts at 5007.; and the whole, exclusive of the prints, at 14,500.

A considerable expence would necessarily attend the selling of this, or any other library, by public auction, which usually amounts either to 15 or 17 per cent, upon the gross produce of the sale; but your Committee having questioned the last witness alluded to, Mr. Payne, found it to be his opinion that the net money price of the Library in question, after deducting all expences, might amount to 14,500.

The persons examined by your Committee, as being particularly competent to assist them in forming their judgment, have been, Henry Ellis, esq. the Rev. Henry H. Baber, and Mr. Smith, from the British Museum; Richard Heber, esq. the Rev. T. F. Dibdin, the Rev. J. Cleaver Banks, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Evans; the substance of whose testimony, your Committee have endeavoured to put the House in possession of.

The importance of acquiring for the British Museum, a Library stored with such literary treasures as have been enumerated, is sufficiently apparent from what has been already stated; but it is

obvious, that in purchasing the entire Collection much more will be bought than it will be necessary to retain; and that a considerable number of the printed books, being duplicates of those already in the British Museum, must be sold again; and that this cannot be done otherwise than at the expence of 17 per cent. upon the produce of such sales, whatever the amount may be. It is also to be borne in mind, that even if the purchase should be completed without delay, these duplicates could not be sorted and examined, so as to bring them to sale in the course of the present Session.

Your Committee therefore suggest, that, for the ensuing year, the net amount of such Sale (which may be estimated at from 3,000l. to 4,0007.) should so far be refunded to the Publick, as to go in diminution of the annual grant to the British Museum; and also, that, in consideration of so ample and costly an accession being made to the existing stock of Books, it may be proper to suspend or reduce, for a time, the annual grant of 1,000l. to the Book Fund, with the exception of such parts of that annual sum as are applied in subscriptions to Works now in the progress of publication.

Upon the whole matter, your Committee venture to recommend as the result of the best consideration which they have bestowed both upon the importance and just value of the entire Collection, that the Proprietor, being ready to dispose of it for the sum of 13,500l. it will be a very material addition to the public stock of Literature, and purchased at a price which cannot be deemed unreasonable.

'I

April 17, 1818.

Memoir on the Geography of the NorthEastern Part of Asia, and on the Question whether Asia and America are contiguous, or are separated by the Sea. By Capt. James Burney, F.R.S. [Concluded from p. 304.] COME now to speak of what was observed in the voyage of Captain Cook. The first extraordinary cir cumstance noticed on arriving in Bering's Strait, was a sudden disappearance of the tides. To the South of Bering's Strait, both on the Asiatic and on the American side, we had experienced strong tides. Near one of the Aleutian islands, where the ships had anchored, a tide was found running at the rate of seven miles per hour (as measured by the log) smooth and unruffled; at the same time, in the middle of the channel between this island and the next, the rapidity of the

stream

stream kept the waters in a foam during four hours of the tide.

"Bering's Strait is formed at the narrowest part by two points, one named Cape Prince of Wales, which is the Westernmost land known of America; and the other named Cape East, being the most Eastern known land of Asia. Whilst we were to the South, and within sight of the Cape Prince of Wales, the wind and current, being in contrary directions, raised a sea that frequently broke over the ships. On arriving within Cape Prince of Wales, the ships anchored, the East cape of Asia then bearing due West; and it is remarked by Captain Cook, that whilst the ships lay there at anchor, which was from six to nine in the evening, there was found little or no current; nor could it be perceived that the water either rose or fell. Afterwards, whilst to the North ward of Bering's Strait, we always had soundings of moderate depth, which enabled us to measure the stream with great exactness; and we seldom found one running at the rate of more than half a mile per hour: at no time at the rate of a mile.

"It is doubtless possible, that large bodies of ice taking the ground may choak up a channel between two seas, so as wholly to obstruct the tides; but it is not probable, that such should have been the case between this sea and the Icy sea, through the whole month of August and the beginning of September, to which time Captain Cook remained in the sea North of Bering's Strait. And the same stillness of the waters was observed there in the ensuing summer. The bottom also, not being swept by streams, was of soft ooze, so tenacious that the sounding line in common use was not strong enough to disengage the lead, and it became necessary to sound with a smaller lead and stronger line.

"From Bering's Strait, Captain Cook coasted the land of America, to the North and North-eastward, as near as weather and other circumstances would admit, till, in latitude 70° 40′ N. his farther advance was stopped by a close body of ice to the N. and N. E. ice, though compact, was not fixed, and was found to be approaching the American coast. Captain Cook remarks,

6

The

as the ice was driving down upon us, it was evident, that if we remained longer between it and the land, it would drive us ashore, unless it should hap'pen to take the ground before us.' Captain Cook on this, as on many other occasions, accommodated his views to the circumstances present, that there might be no unprofitable expenditure of time; and it may be said that in all his

changes of plan, his measures were so directly adapted to his purpose, that without other communication his intentions were immediately comprehended. The month of August was at this time far advanced; and to make the most of the short remainder of the season, Captain Cook stood on Westward for the coast of Asia, keeping in as high a latitude as the ice would permit. On the North side of his track were extensive bodies of ice, such as we call field ice. These generally are accumulations of loose floating pieces, which have been brought together by the wind blowing a length of time in one direction towards a coast. When the ice is so driven to land, it is evident that the inner pieces only take the ground; the rest are confined by the wind, and when a change in the wind afterwards sets the ice from the land, it will preserve a position parallel to that which the coast gave it, until the strength and variety of winds have time to disperse it.

"The deepest soundings we had in all this sea did not exceed thirty fathoms; and this depth was found in latitude 68° 45', midway between the coast of Asia and the coast of America. Northward, beyond that latitude, the soundings were observed to decrease: and in our run from the coast of America Westward, we did not find the depth to increase, as is usual in running from land. Which peculiarities made us conclude, that there was land at no great distance from us to the North, and that we were sailing on a line parallel with its coast. Northward of our track also, as we ran towards the Asiatic coast, was a continuity of ice which seemed as if formed into a closer barrier by a long extent of coast.

"The nature of the soundings, with the absence of tide, gave to this sea so much the character of a mediterranean sea, that some on board, in particular Mr. Bailey the astronomer, and myself, who being in the same ship communed on the subject, were strongly of opinion that we were inclosed by land to the North, and that Asia and America were there joined; but we dared not venture to call in question the authority of Muller.

"If it is asked, whence then can come the great quantity of ice which is found in this sea? an answer readily presents itself. It is known that the Icy Sea is frozen over every winter; and the Northern part of this sea also has been known to be frozen over early in the winter. When the return of summer breaks up the ice, it will of course fill the sea with broken pieces. "Since the voyage of Captain Cook,

little has been done towards ascertaining the termination of Asia. Commodore Billings, an Englishman in the service of Russia, was employed to command an expedition for this express purpose, furnished with every assistance that could be devised towards ensuring success. His instructions directed him to make his departure from the river Kolyma, and to endeavour to follow the coast thence Eastward by sea; with this additional instruction,' that if coasting by sea should be found impracticable, and the information obtained on the spot should give hopes of effecting the purpose by land, he was then to endeavour to trace the coast by going in the winter in sledges over the ice.' Kossaks who had before been in the Tschuktzki country were selected to accompany Commodore Billings, and among them was one who was the son of a Tschuktzki woman. 'Make agreement with them,' said the Instructions, or without agreement pay them the double of what is allowed to people who serve at sea. And whereas on a chart transmitted to us in the year 1764, a coast is marked opposite to the Kolyma, which stretches as a continuation of the continent of America, it will be of use if you can survey and describe the circumstances of that land.'

"The History of Commodore Billings's expedition may be told in few words. He sailed with two light vessels out of the Kolyma, on the 24th of June, 1787. He met with much ice, and on the 20th of July, without having reached so far Eastward as the island Sabedei, he relinquished the farther prosecution of the attempt by sea; at the very season, in fact, which was the most proper that could have been chosen for his outset from the Kolyma*. In this short attempt, Commodore Billings did not even get sight of the North land; but an approach to it was to be inferred from the soundings. The snow and ice were at this time rapidly dissolving, so as to cause currents to set for several days continuance in one direction; and during that time, the water on the surface of the sea was so fresh as to be used for cooking, and sometimes for drinking. "Afterwards, Commodore Billings, with the consent of the Tschuktzki people, made a progress by land along a part of the Tschuktzki coast. Most unaccountably, he chose for his point of outset for this journey, the Bay of St. Lawrence, which is on the South side of

"His lieutenant (the present Admiral Saretcheff) proposed and offered to proceed North-eastward in a light boat; but his offer was not accepted.

Bering's Strait. He landed in the month of August with a party consisting of twelve persons, and travelled Northward, keeping near the coast as far as to a bay called Klutchenie, which is at the extreme part of the Asiatic coast seen in Captain Cook's voyage. By this time, winter had set in, and the sea was frozen over. The season proved a severe one; the cold was extreme, and the whole party had already been so much fatigued and harassed with their journey from the Bay of St. Lawrence, that they were unable to pursue the coast farther Northward. They afterwards, in their route Westward towards the Kolyma, crossed a river, which, according to information from the Tschuktzki people, discharged itself into the sea seventy versts more North than the bay of Klutchenie.

"In all this uncertainty respecting the North-east termination of Asia, the particular most worthy notice is, that the Tschuktzki people themselves do not appear, from any of the accounts which have been published, to know the extent of their country to the North, or to be able to give any satisfactory information concerning it, though it is known that some of their nation have travelled from the continent to islands in the Icy Sea. The charts of the present century, which have assumed to give a limitation to Asia, differ a degree in the latitude of their Northernmost Cape.

"It does not in the smallest degree detract from the merit or fame of the first discoverers, to question their having navigated round the North-east of Asia. Whether they sailed round a premontory, or crossed an isthmus, they are equally entitled to the honour of having first discovered for their countrymen the sea East of Kamtschatka. The most probable chance of completing the discovery, or of arriving at any certainty concerning a North-eastern boundary of Asia, is doubtless that which was recommended by the Russian admiralty to Commodore Billings; i. e. to trace the coast in sledges when the sea is frozen,

"The principal argument, and it is not a weak one, against the probability of Asia and America being joined, is, that Northern land in the Icy sea has repeatedly been supposed, and reported, to be an extension of the American continent; and it does not appear in any of the accounts to have been reported, or supposed, to join the Tschuktzki country. In Captain Krusenstern's memoir on the lands in the Icy sea, it is related, that very lately was explored an extent of 250 versts of coast of a Northern land, which has been named the New Siberia.

At

At the Easternmost part which was seen of this land, the coast was observed to take a direction' to the North-west. This direction of the coast might keep at a distance the supposition that it joined the Tschuktzki land: nevertheless, the coast may, and is supposed by the Russian discoverer, M. Hederstroom, to turn afterwards to the East; for he gives it

as his opinion that the New Siberia is a

prolongation of America.

"The Tschuktzki people would not explore farther North than afforded a prospect of reward for their pains. This, it is seen, has led them to some of the islands in the Icy sea; but no marks are noticed of their having been to the New Siberia.

"The times for making expeditions of discovery in the Icy sea has generally been predetermined; but it would be more conducive to success to watch for favourable seasons. The state of the surface of the sea, when frozen, has also been found subject to much variation, depending upon the strength of the wind when the sea begins to be frozen. If in a calm, the surface will be smooth; if in boisterous weather, it will be rug ged, and bad for travelling."

Mr. URBAN,

IN

London, April 12.

N addition to the observations on Bakers' bread, given in p. 255, I beg leave to add the following, which is the result of an investigation into the nature of the substances by which the Bakers adulterate their bread, instituted by several Chemists and other scientific persons in London.

1. The greatest number of Baker's loaves examined, contained alum mixed with a little potass. The potass is merely added as an alkali to prevent, in some measure, the detection of the alum.

2. The home-made loaves examined did not contain these substances. 3. There is more adulteration and less nutritive substance in the bread of London than in that of Edinburgh, Dublin, or any of the other large towns of the United Kingdom in which bread had been examined.

4. The majority of Bakers who were questioned on the subject, denied the using alum; though this substance was uniformly detected by chemical analysis in their bread.

5. An easy mode of analysis, to those who are accustomed to chemical experiments, consists in making a filtered solution of bread in distilled water, and pouring into it a solution of barytes. If a thick cloud

4

or dingy precipitate appears in the mixture, it indicates adulterated bread.

6. On enquiry among medical persons of eminence, it appeared that Bakers' bread frequently produced considerable disorder of the stomach, and hence produced irritability of the nervous system, in weak and unheal

thy people; and that in strong and healthy persons it caused often constipation of the bowels, so as to render opening medicines habitually necessary.

Numerous cases occurred of persons who had found their stomach and digestion considerably improved from changing Bakers' bread for that which is baked at home at the country chandlers' shops. The peculiar whiteness, lightness, and smell of the Bakers' bread distinguishes it from other compositions of flour and yeast.

When we consider the number of persons who suffer from nervous complaints in consequence of disordered stomachs, we must be impressed with the importance of preserving pure and unadulterated the principal article of our daily food; and though the quantity of alum in bread is small, yet by its contant operation it slowly hurts the digestive powers. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

CHEMICUS.

May F S. H. C. page 194. b. had read the inscription on Leith Hill tower with a little more attention than he appears to have done, he would have known that Mr. Hull, the erector thereof, was a native of Bristol, a Bencher of the Inner Temple, and a Member (not of the British, but) of the Irish House of Commons; that he was the owner of Leith Hill Place, died 18 January 1772, æt. 83, and was buried under the tower he had erected. I suspect that he represented the city of Tuam, but of that fact I am not certain. He (Mr. Hull) was only son of Sir Richard Hull, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in Ireland, and Frances Pooley his second wife: he died unmarried, and left his estates to his great nephew Richard Supple, of Ahadoe, in co. Cork, esq. father of the present Sir Richard Brooke De Capell Brooke, bart. More particulars may be learnt respecting him in Manning and Bray's History of Surrey, II. 146. and in Betham's Baronetage, V. 530.

E. REVIEW

REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

82. Introduction to the original Delineations, Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive, intituled The Beauties of England and Wales. Comprising Observations on the History and Antiquities of the Britons; the Romans in Britain; the Anglo-Saxons; the AngloDanes; and the Anglo-Normans. Together with Remarks on the Progress of Ecclesiastical, Military, and Domestic Architecture in succeeding Ages. By J. Norris Brewer. 8vo, pp. 676. Harris.

"T Wales," after a period of sixHE Beauties of England and

teen years, is at length finished, by the publication of this introductory volume, which will be found an essential portion of the Work, as containing a general review of the Topography, Geography, Antiquities, &c. of Eng land. And it is but justice to say, that Mr. Brewer has acquitted himself in this (certainly not the least difficult) part of an extensive undertaking with much propriety, and with uncommon diligence.

In a well-written Preface, the rise of this Work, its procedure through the first nine volumes, and its known influence on the Topographical Literature of the age, are satisfactorily explained, in a letter from Mr. Britton; who, in another Work of his own, thus resumes the subject:

"Having commenced the Beauties of England and Wales' in conjunction with Mr. Brayley, I have been induced, at the request of Mr. Brewer, to give him a full and unreserved explanation of the origin, progress, and execution of the first nine volumes, the eleventh, and the fifteenth. This statement was made for, and is inserted in the introductory volume, as a record of facts, to justify my own conduct and labours in that workto show what has been done by myself and my early coadjutor-what we are responsible for and why we ought not to be amenable for the neglects or defects of others. As the Work has formed a sort of epoch in Topography, I felt the more anxious to explain its origin and pretensions. In a publication of twentyfive volumes, during the progress of which so many persons have been concerned and interested, and in which the Author-the main-spring of the machine ➡has so little control, it is not surpris GENT. MAG. May, 1818.

[ocr errors]

ing that many things should be done at variance with his wishes and interests. Had I, or any other individual, been the chief proprietor and sole manager of the work, either would have become responsible for its execution-for its whole form and tenor. But in the Beauties,' as in a Magazine or Cyclopædia, the Publisher is the chief ostensible personage.'

"

Work is then briefly detailed.
The subsequent procedure of the

"On the decease of Mr. Hood, which occurred in the year 1811, when_not more than ten Volumes and a few Numbers had appeared, his successor declined the future management of the Work; and that difficult task was undertaken by Mr. Harris, the present Publisher, in attention to the general wish of the remaining Proprietors. In the performance of a duty implicating so many objects, and depending on so great a variety with many circumstances productive of of co-adjutors, he has not failed to meet delay and perplexity. But, conscious of using indefatigable exertions to hasten, ing, the completion; and equally conas much as was possible, without hurryscious of adopting every measure which appeared to promise benefit to the publication; he relies on the candid approvance of the Subscribers, and trusts that the Work, in its general character, is executed consistently with their wishes.

"His exertions would have been unaother Proprietors. He feels it vailing without the co-operation of the and desirable to observe, that one sentinecessary ment alone has prevailed among the whole of those concerned in the property of this publication. Viewing it as a Work calculated to meet with national encouragement, and to form a legitimate source of topographical informapearance, they determined on considertion in ages subsequent to its first apon procuring the best local intelligence ing expence as a secondary object, and which pecuniary liberality could command.

"That very arduous part of the promised contents, an INTRODUCTION, comprising a Review of British, Roman, and Saxon History,' has been performed, at an expence of time and labour to which the size of the Volume is by no means correspondent.

the Introductory Essay was originally "The Subscribers will recollect that intended to form part of the first volume,

but

« ПредишнаНапред »