A curious fact in natural history has been observed by Dr. Gabriel Anselmi, professor of anatomy at Turin. A snake, called, in Italy, serpe nero, the coluber natrix of Linnæus, is said to be extremely fond of milk, and the country people even pretend that it makes its way into the dairies to gratify its inclination. They even assert that it is sometimes found entwined round the legs of cows, sucking their teats with such avidity as to draw blood, when their milk is exhausted. Of this fact, which by many had been considered as a popular tale, the doctor had himself an opportunity of being an eye-witness." Walking, according to custom," says he, "one morning, on the road called the Park, bordered by pastures, containing a great number of sheep and horned cattle, I observed an old but vigorous cow separate from the rest, and lowing, with her head raised in the air, her ears erect, and shaking her tail. Surprised at the noise she made, I seated myself on the banks of a stream, and followed her wherever she went with my eyes. After running for some minutes, she suddenly stopped in a sequestered spot, and began to ruminate. Inquisitive to discover the cause, I went to the place. After going into a pond to drink, she came out, and waited on the brink for a black snake, which crept from among the bushes, and approaching her, entwined himself round her legs, and began to suck her milk. I observed this phenomenon two successive days, without informing the herdsman. The third day I acquainted him with it, and he told me, that, for some time, the cow kicked at the approach of her calf, and that she could not without difficulty be compelled to suffer it to suck. We took away the snake, which we killed. On the succeeding days, the cow, after in vain waiting for her suckling, ran about the meadow in such a manner that the herdsman was obliged to shut her up." Dr. Arsimi has discovered that if the

teats of the cows be washed with a decoction of tobacco, the ravages of those extraordinary depredators may be effectually prevented.

The most rigorous measures are adopted, in the Austrian dominions, to suppress all books that have not the sanction of the commissioners appointed to examine them. Almost all French works, written before or since the revolution, and the greater part of the new German literary productions, are proscribed.

A new composition, for preserving inflammable bodies from the effects of fire, has been made known at Hamburgh, by professor Palmer. It is composed of one part of sulphur, one of red ochre, and six of a solution of copperas.

M. Giobert has found that magnesia communicates to all the earths a refractory quality. Glass-makers' crucibles, formed of any clay which is not ferruginous, to which a third or half of magnesia of Bandisaro is added, resist the action of fire in the most perfect manner.

The large hydrographical chart of the White Sea, which has been some time preparing under the direction of lieutenant-general Golenischtscheff-Kutusof, will soon be printed. A trigonometrical survey of this sea, comprehending the bays, and a part of the Northern Ocean, has been made, and the depth and nature of the bottom were ascertained and examined, and sixteen principal points of the coast were determined by astronomical observation; so that this chart has been brought to considerable perfection, and will render the navigation of that sea much safer than it has hitherto been.

M. J. E. Pellizer embraces a system of astronomy different from that which is commonly received. In proof of the truth of it, he appeals to the following test. According to the Nautical Almanac for the present year, there will be a conjunction of the sun and moon on the 30th of March at 10 deg. 53 min., P. M.; but, according to M. Pellizer's calculation, that conjunction

will take place March 29th, 20 min. 2 sec., A. M. M. Pellizer proposes that the distance of these two luminaries should be observed on the 26th of March, at 20 min., A. M., when they will be found, according to his calculation, at 39 deg., 30 min. distance; while, according to the received astronomy, it ought to be 58 deg., 40 min.

Dr. Paulet has made many experiments on the poison of vipers in the forest of Fontainbleau; from which it should seem that the bite of this reptile may be fatal to animals who can obtain no assistance; but the doctor is almost certain that it may be cured, not by volatile alkali, nor by the cautery, but by more simple means, which he proposes to make known.

The learned Zaega is still employed on his catalogue of all the Coptic manuscripts in the library of cardinal Borgia. He has been long engaged in researches with regard to the typography of ancient Rome; and it is supposed that he will throw great light on the subject.

Two Wallachians lately found in the forests of the Bannat, belonging to count Hunyades, two hundred and eighty Greek medals of gold, which they carried to the mint at Carlsburg, whence they were sent to the royal treasury at Hermanstadt, the capital of Transylvania. They are supposed to have been struck in the time of Lysimachus, and their value is about three hun

dred pounds. The treasury of Hermanstadt has received intelligence, also, that evident traces, and the ruins of a town, very considerable in extent, have been discovered in the mountain Gredistye, in the same country.

A new edition of the Roma Antica of Venuti has been just published at Rome, with supplement and notes, by Philip Visconti, brother to the celebrated antiquary of that name settled in France.

were

In the course of the last spring several ancient monuments discovered at Bois-de-Vaux, at a small distance from Lausanne. This discovery was made by accident in working at the mines. According to some authors, it was the site of the supposed city of Carpentras; and, according to others, of the ancient Lausanne.

M. Strauss announces, that a solution of platina, precipitated by ammonia, washed, dried, and exposed to a red heat for half an hour in a covered crucible, may be amalgamated with from five to seven parts of mercury by trituration in a warm mortar. This amalgam may be laid over copper, and the mercury be driven off by heat; a second coating is applied, mixed with chalk, and sprinkled with water, and the plate is again ignited, and afterwards burnished. By this application copper vessels may be defended from the action of acids.

"Oh spare me!" she cried; "sure thou would'st not betray

The child of thy bosom for gold?

The pledge of thy love, I first taught thee to know

A mother's affection and fears: What crime hast deserv'd thou should'st only bestow

Dishonour, and bondage, and tears?

I tenderly soothe every sorrow and care;
To ease thee, unwearied I toil;
The fish of the stream by my wiles I

ensnare;

The meads of their flowers despoil.

From the wintry blast I have shelter'd thy head,

Oft borne thee with zeal to the shade; Thy slumbers have watch'd on the soft leafy bed,

The mosqueto oft chas'd from the glade.

Who'll cherish thy age, when from thee I am torn?

Gold ne'er buys affection like mine! Thou It bow to the earth, while despairing I mourn,

Not my sorrows or hardships, but thine,

Then sell me not; save me from an

guish and shame!

No child thou hast, mother, but me! Oh! do not too rashly abjure the dear claim;

My bosom most trembles for thee!"

In vain she implor'd: wretched maid! she was sold;

To the ship, chain'd and frantic, convey'd;

Her parent and country ne'er more to behold,

By a merciless mother betray'd.

For the Literary Magazine.

MORAL AND NATURAL BEAUTY.

SWEET is the voice that soothes my

care,

The voice of love, the voice of song; The lyre that celebrates the fair,

And animates the warlike throng.

Sweet is the counsel of a friend,

Whose bosom proves a pillow kind, Whose mild persuasion brings an end To all the sorrows of the mind.

Sweet is the breath of balmy spring,

That lingers in the primrose vale; The woodlark sweet, when on the wing His wild notes swell the rising gale.

Sweet is the breeze that curls the lakes, And early wafts the fragrant dew, Through clouds of hovering vapours breaks,

And clears the bright etherial blue.

Sweet is the bean, the blooming pea,

More fragrant than Arabia's gale That sleeps upon the tranquil sea, Or gently swells th' extended sail.

Sweet is the walk where daisies spring,

And cowslips scent the verdant mead; The woodlands sweet where linnets sing, From every bold intruder freed.

But far more sweet the virtuous deed,

The hand that kindly brings relief, The heart that with the widow bleeds, And shares the drooping orphan's grief,

For the Literary Magazine.

CUPID.

By a Successful Lover.

CUPID has an infant's smiles,
Wanton tricks, and artful wiles;
With an air of innocence,
Which enchants our ev'ry sense.
While he gambols, frolics, kisses,
Toys, and loads us with caresses,
Though he aims and throws his dart,
'Tis to captivate the heart.
So the flattery of his tongue
Charms the aged and the young:
Sweet like honey it distils,
And the breast with rapture fills.
See! he comes, with flaxen hair,
Playful, wanton, light as air!
How engaging is his mien!
Pleasure in his looks is seen.
View his opening lips disclose
All the beauties of the rose;
Health and joy his cheeks adorn
With the blushes of the morn.

Let him use his various arts

To engage and win our hearts,
When he flatters, vows, and swears,
Charms with smiles or pleads with tears:
For he is a timid child,

Void of malice, meek, and mild:

Take him to your breasts, ye fair!
You'll not find a tyrant there.
Know! he reigns with gentlest sway;
Cheerful all his will obey.
Ev'n stern reason quits his awe,
And smiles as he receives his law.

THERE has lately been published by T. and J. Swords, of New York, The Life of Samuel Johnson, D. D., the first president of King's College, in New York, containing many interesting anecdotes, a general view of the state of religion and learning in Connecticut, during the former part of the last century, &c., &c. By Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D. D., formerly rector of St. John's church, Elizabethtown, New Jersey. To which is added an appendix, containing many original letters, never before published, from bishop Berkely, archbishop Secker, bishop Lowth, and others, to Dr. Johnson.

Discourses on Davila: a series of papers on political history, written in the year 1790, and then published in the Gazette of the United States, have been re-published by Russel and Cutler, at Boston, in one octavo volume.

Arguments Natural, Moral, and Religious, for the Immortality of the Soul, have issued from the press of Thomas and Andrews, at Boston. Demacracy Unveiled, or Tyranny stripped of the Garb of Patriotism, by Christopher Caustic.

At Utica, a new settlement in the state of New York, where a few years ago, there was nothing to be met with but thickets and wolves, has been published A Concise Extract from the Sea Journal of William Moulton, written on board the Orrico, in a voyage from New London, in Connecticut, to Staten-land, in the South Sea, with remarks on the coast of South America, &c., from 1799 to 1804.

The Homans of Boston have published a new edition of Sermons, by William Jay, preached to the church and congregation at Argyle chapel, Bath, England, 1 vol., 8vo., on fine wove paper, and a large new type.

Such is the American taste for Anacreon, and for convivial and amatory poetry, that a new edition of the Odes of Anacreon, translated by Moore, has appeared at New York.

Warner and Hanna, of Baltimore, have re-published The History of the late Grand Insurrection, or Struggle for Liberty in Ireland, impartially collected from Stephens, Hay, Jones, and many others of the most celebrated veracity. To which is added, a short account of the insurrection by the celebrated Emmet, with his famous speech made to the court before judgment. Also, an inquiry as to the people's sufferings in that unhappy country.

The following works are designed to be shortly published:

Plowden's Historical Review of the State of Ireland, commencing with the invasion of Henry II, in the year 1172, down to a late period in the present reign. Philadelphia.

The Debates and other Proceedings of the Virginian Convention on the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Worldly and Dobson, Norfolk.

A Historical Treatise on the Feudal Law, and Constitution and Laws of England; with a commentary on Magna Charta, and illustrations of many of the English statutes, by the late Francis Stoughton Sullivan, LL. D., royal professor of com

mon law in the University of Dublin, to which authorities are added, and a discourse is prefixed concerning the laws and government of England, by Gilbert Stuart, LL. D., 2 vols., 8vo., 5 dols. Thomas B. Wait & Co., Portland.

Mr. William Dunlap, of New York, proposes to collect and publish, by subscription, his dramatic performances. This publication will probably extend to eight or ten volumes, and will consist of tragedies, comedies, comic operas, and farces; some of which, but not all, have been produced on the stage. These performances will undergo the most accurate revision and correction, some of them, especially the earlier ones, will be wholly rewritten, and all will receive those improvements which may reasonably be hoped for from the extensive experience and mature taste of the author. As this gentleman is almost the only dramatic writer among the natives of America, his friends entertain some confidence that the patronage will not be denied to him by his enlightened countrymen, to which he may justly lay claim on that score alone.

John Conrad and Co. have just published a work, entitled, Catechismus Historicus Minor, by the Abbe Fleury.

Among the numerous and stately monuments of the zeal for the cause of religion of the celebrated abbe Fleury, few do him more honour .than this small tract. In this com

pendious volume, under the dress of a plain, but pure and truly classical, Latinity, the young learners of the Roman language will imbibe the substance of whatever is important to be known in the history and doc. trine of Scripture.

To render this publication more generally acceptable, the editors have struck out from a number of copies the few chapters which contain the peculiar tenets of the Roman catholic church, of which the abbe was one of the brightest ornaments and most judicious supporters.

Dr. Mease has done himself fresh honour, by the manner in which he has prepared an American edition of Dr. Willich's Domestic Encyclopædia, in four volumes, octavo. The work comprehends a concise view of the latest discoveries, inventions, and improvements, chiefly applicable to rural and domestic economy; together with descriptions of the most interesting objects of nature and art; the history of men and animals, in a state of health or disease; and practical hints respecting the arts and manufactures, both familiar and commercial. The work is illustrated with numerous engravings and cuts.

An Essay on the Life of George Washington, commander in chief of the American army, through the revolutionary war, and first president of the United States of America, by the Rev. Aaron Bancroft, of Worcester, Massachusetts, 1 vol, 2 dols. I. Thomas, Worcester.

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