may be easily removed. It is obvious that its cleanliness is the chiefadvantage of the invention, which will commend itself accordingly to the drawing-room, boudoir and library.-Athenæum. BUDDHIST BOOKS -Particulars relative to a great collection of Buddhist Books, preserved at Thibet, have been furnished by a Mongolian priest to some French Missionaries; and are made the subject of an appeal by the Journal des Débats to the government on behalf of the Bibliothèque Royale,-to which such a collection would form a valuable addition. It is known to many Orientalists that the universal collection of Buddhist volumes, kept in that city, forms two vast compilations, called the Gandjour (108 folio volumes), and the Danjour (240 folio volumes), but it has been generally unknown in Europe, that these two encyclopaedic collections have been published at Pekin, by the Emperors of the reigning dynasty, in the Chinese, Mandchou, Mogul and Thibetan tongues, and that the 1392 volumes composing these four translations, may be there purchased for about £1560.-Athenæum. of King's College, in 1831, he was appointed professor of chemistry, and found himself at length in the position he was so well suited to occupy. His inaugural lecture, eminently characteristic of the Christian philosopher, gave a good earnest of the spirit in which his instructions would be conveyed. Of the extent of Professor Daniell's scientific labors some idea may be formed from the fact that, independent of his Meteorological Essays' and Introduction to the Study of Chemical Philosophy,' he communicated to various scientific periodicals upwards of forty original papers; of these thirteen relate to meteorological subjects, nine to electricity, and the remainder to chemistry and other branches of physical science. Of their instrinsic importance some notion may be obtained from the circumstance that he received all three of the medals in the gift of the Royal Society. In 1820 he published an account of his new hygrometer-an instrument which, for the first time, rendered regular and accurate observations on the dryness and moisture of the air practicable It has since been extensively employed in all climates, and has enabled hygrometry to take an exact and definite form. It still remains the only accurate instrument for making such observations. In 1823 appeared the first edition of his Meteorological Essays,' of which he was engaged in revising proofs of the third edition at the time of his death. This work was the first synthetic attempt to account for meteorological phenomena as a whole, the known laws of which regulate the constitution of gases and vapors. In the following year (1824) appeared his essay on artificial climate in the Hor "GUTTA PERCHA."-It is the juice of a large indigenous forest tree in Singapore; and is obtained by cutting notches through the bark, when it exudes in the form of a milky juice which soon curdles. In its chemical properties it somewhat resembles Caoutchouc, but is much less elastic; it however possesses qualities, which that substance does not, which will render it of considerable value as a substitute for medical instruments in hot climates. The Gutta Percha, when dip-ticultural transactions,' the practical bearing of ped in water nearly at the boiling point, can readily be united, and becomes quite plastic, so as to be formed (before it cools below 130 to 140 Fahrenheit,) into any required shape, and which it retains at any temperature below 110°; in this state it is very rigid and tough, and is used in Singapore for chopper handles, &c., in preference to buffalo horn, and does not appear to undergo any change in the hot damp climate of the Straits of Malacca.-Athenæum. THE LATE PROFESSOR DANIELL-The late John Frederic Daniell, professor of chemistry in King's College, London, lecturer on chemistry and geology at the Hon. East India Company's Seminary at Addiscombe, one of the examiners in the University of London, foreign secretary of the Royal Society, D. C. L. (Oxon.), &c., was born in Essex-street, Strand, March, 12, 1790. At an early age he became a pupil of Professor Brande, in whose society he made several tours, and of whom he spoke as one endeared to him by kindred pursuits and early recollections the day before his death. In 1816, associated with this gentleman, he started the Journal of the Royal Institution, the first twenty volumes of which were published under their joint superintendence. He married, in the following year (September 4), Charlotte, youngest daughter of the late Sir W Rule, surveyor of the navy, and subsequently became managing director of the Continental Gas Company, to forward the interests of which he visited the principal cities of France and Germany with Sir W. Congreve and Col. Landmann, making those arrangements by which many of them have since been lighted. On the formation which on culture in general, and particularly of M. THIERS'S STUDY.-A French paper describes M. Thiers's study at his residence in the Place St. Georges. "Let the reader imagine a large square apartment, with a richly ornamented It is ceiling, and the floor covered with one of those | busts are said to be so superior to anything hithsplendid thick carpets such as they make at Gob-erto discovered on the banks of the Rhine, that it elins or at Aubusson. Two windows light the is conjectured that some rich family, the tenants room, and two doors, on opposite sides, lead to it. of this sepulchre, may have brought them from In the middle of the room stands an immense Italy, or commissioned some Italian sculptor. desk, carved in the fashion de la Renaissance. Among the jewels found in the tomb, is a small Around, and breast-high, there are book-cases, female figure, 3 inches in height, of a light-blue laden with books: standing on the top of these opal, the perfection of whose chiselling, with the cases, there are numerous beautiful little statues, style of its drapery, have caused it to be assigned busts, Japan vases, globes, &c. A lovely Venus to the third century of the Christian era. is in front of the desk, and on the right is the said that several Belgian virtuosi are in treaty for statue of Mercury. An arm-chair, a la Voltaire, this monument for which they have offered a is placed before the desk: it is that belonging to large sum, with the view of taking it to pieces the master of the house. Twelve beautiful but and transporting it into Belgium. We quite smaller chairs stand round the room, near the agree with the letter-writer, that the removal of book-cases; and lastly, valuable and costly pic- such monuments from the localities to which they tures literally cover the walls "-Spectator. belong, is justifiable only for the preservation of the monuments themselves-as in the case of the Elgin Marbles-and always disturbs a portion of the interest attaching to them. In such a case as this, he says, very sensibly, the thread of local tradition is broken by removal; and a work of art or of antiquity is preserved to the future-valuable, no doubt, in any keeping-but whose history and origin become, in the lapse of time, an enigma.-Athenæum. FRENCH ANTIQUARIAN INTELLIGENCE.-A curious document has been lately published by the Comité Historique, concerning the completion of the Louvre and the Tuileries. It belongs to M. A. Lenoir, and was once in the office of the Grand Provost of France. It appears from this paper that all masons and other handicraft men could be forced to work upon the king's buildings, by order of the provost, to the exclusion of all other buildings, which they were obliged to abandon for the time being. The king (Louis XIV.), after ordering all due preparations to be made for the collecting of stone, &c., commands that, while these palaces shall require the aid of a considerable number of hands, no workman in Paris shall be allowed to work on any other edifices whatever; and further, that no persons shall presume to erect any building in Paris and within ten leagues round, under penalty of 10,000 livres fine for the first offence, and the galleys for the second.-Lit. Gazette. AUGUSTUS WILLIAM SCHLEGEL.-Letters from Bonn mention the alarming illness of Augustus William Schlegel,-said to be from aneurism of the heart, and threatening the worst results to a subject of seventy-eight years old. The King of Prussia had sent his physician to tend the sick philosopher; each day a deputation from the professors, and another from the students, of the university, presented themselves at his door for a bulletin; and the inhabitants of Bonn, of their own free suggestion, would suffer no carriage to pass through the street in which he lives.-Athe næum. SHAKSPEARE'S TAMING OF THE SHREW.-A discovery has lately been made of a rarity of some value-a quarto edition of Shakspeare's Taming of the Shrew,' of a date prior to the folio of 1623, in which year it has hitherto been thought to have been first printed. This adds another quarto to the twenty printed by Steevens. The titlepage is unfortunately wanting; but on the first leaf is written, in a hand of the time, "1607, stayed by the aucthors;" meaning, we suppose, stayed the printing,-a not uncommon occurrence at that time. This mention of "authors" is confirmatory of the view maintained by many, that more than one person was concerned in writing that play. The volume is in Mr. Collier's hands, and will be printed forthwith, as a supplement to Steevens' Twenty and Mr. Amyot's Taming of a Shrew,' recently issued by the Shakspeare Society, from the Duke of Devonshire's unique edition of 1594. BEETHOVEN MONUMENT.-The monument of Beethoven is finished; and a grand musical festival is to be held at Bonn, on the occasion of its inauguration, in July next. The festival is to be of several days' duration; and the leading musicians of France and Germany are expected to take a part in its celebration Athenæum. ed, he estimates, to a length of from seven and a half to ten leagues. They were in nearly a starved state, and devoured with rapidity all the vegetation that fell in their way.-Athenæum. SUBTERRANEAN TOMB ON THE RHINE.-A letter from Hanover speaks of an interesting archæLOCUSTS.-A letter was received from M. Leological discovery which has been made in the vaillant, the commandant of the garrison of Philipvillage of Weyden, lying on the road from Co- peville, in Algeria, stating that on the 18th ult. that logne to Aix-la-Chapelle. This object of anti- province was visited, notwithstanding the season quarian curiosity-the burial-place of a family-of the year, with a swarm of locusts, which extendis reached by a staircase of eleven steps, and is a sepulchral cave, surrounded by lateral niches and covered by a vaulted roof. According to all appear ance, the tomb has always been subterranean, and indicated externally only by a tumulus or a simple stone. From this cavern have been exhumed, besides a number of vases, and instruments of vulgar use, a sarcophagus ornamented with figures, representing the Genii of the Four Seasons, and three busts in marble, one male, the others female, and all of the life size. These INUNDATIONS.-The Continental papers teem with accounts of inundations in Germany,-exceeding, it is said, in extent and amount of diaster, the most terrible calamities of a similar kind in that country (those of 1655 and 1784) recorded for the last two centuries.-Athenæum. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Great Britain. Practical Observations on the efficacy of Medical Inhalations in the treatment of Pulmonary Consumption, Asthma, Bronchitis, Chronic Cough, and other Diseases of the Respiratory Organs, and in Affections of the Heart. By Alfred B. Maddock, M. D. 2d Edition. 8vo, pp. 137. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. containing in fact little more than the opening and the scenes relating to the King's death. A MS. formed under such circumstances can, of course, have no authority; and besides, there are occasional references in the handwriting of Sir Edward Dering to a published edition"Vide book." Still it is a curiosity; and we agree with Mr. Halliwell and the Society that it was worth publication, verbatim et literatim. Nor is it altogether without use for its various readings; some few of which seem worthy of adoption in the same way as a lucky emendation Some, by an editor, not an authorized text. however, are mere blunders or injudicious attempts at improvement. There are also some obvious interpolations. The book has been well edited by Mr. Halliwell, in his account of the MS., his view of its value, and the notes by means of which he supplies for all useful purposes a fac-simile of the original. It has perhaps a further value than Stripped of the this; at least it has so struck us. SECOND Edition saves us from an elaborate analysis of Dr. Maddock's treatment of diseases of the lungs and respiratory organs by medicated inhalations. It is impossible not to believe that, combined with other professional means, such a modus medendi is particularly applicable to the treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs, although very generally neglected by physicians. The introduction of tar by Sir A. Crichton in 1817 created at first a great sensation; but the anticipations held out by its use were not corroborated by experience. Creosote, introduced by Dr. El-large Spirit of Shakspeare, as it often is by the liotson, was still more speedily discontinued. Dr. Hastings next introduced the pyro-acetic spirit, but with an equal want of success. Iodine was introduced in 1829, by Sir James Murray and Dr. Scudamore, and this powerful substance, combined with sedatives, is what Dr. Maddock uses; as also chlorine, which he speaks of as very nearly approaching a specific in pulmonary consumption. This is, strictly speaking, a professional question, and can only be decided by experience; but it is one which involves so many interests, dear to us all, that we have deemed it a duty to notice and second any endeavors to extend our knowledge of the efficacy of medicated inhalations.-Lit. Gaz. Shakspeare's Play of King Henry the Fourth, printed from a contemporary Manuscript. Edited by James Orchard Halliwell, Esq. F. R. S., &c. Printed for the Shakspeare Society. * necessity of reducing two dramas into one acting play, the wonderful universality of his characters becomes still more remarkable. Falstaff, cut down and sometimes prosified as he is here, does not so much look like "the unimitated the inimitable" as the counterpart of hundreds of good fellows, who in every age have haunted good houses of ready entertainment, "living men know not how, and dying men know not where.' -Spectator. A New Mode or Method of more Speedily and Effectually Tanning Hides and Skins. By Alexander Turnbull, M. D. DR. TURNBULL, of Russell Square, has long and deservedly enjoyed the reputation of being one of the first physicians of the day. In diseases of the eye and ear, he has no superior-a fact which has been abundantly attested by many of "On the 23d October 1844, the Reverend Lam- the most popular periodicals and journals of the bert B. Larking, then on a visit to Sir day. To him humanity is indebted for the disEdward Dering, Bart., of Surrenden, was occu- covery of aconitina, and various other powerful pied in making some researches among the valu-agents now in general and successful use among able charters and manuscripts preserved in the the medical profession. The genius which has muniment-room of that ancient seat," for objects raised Dr. Turnbull to distinction in the medical connected with a forthcoming history of Kent.world, has lately led to an important discovery in In one of the chests Mr. Larking discovered an ancient MS. of Henry the Fourth; which is here printed by the Shakspeare Society, with notes and an introduction by Mr. Halliwell. It the art of tanning leather. Dr. Turnbull has taken out a patent for his discovery; and its nature and advantages are described in detail in the pamphlet before us. A good deal of the pamAccording to such evidence as is convincing to phlet is necessarily occupied with technical matpalæographists, the manuscript was most proba-ter, and consequently is not suited for transfer inbly written about the reign of James the First; to our pages. Among the recommendations of but as there are various corrections of the text, this new discovery, are these: the process of tanheld to be in the handwriting of Sir Edward De- ning will be performed in a fourth-part of the ring, the first Baronet, who died in 1644, the con-time required by the mode at present in use. clusion drawn is, that it must be earlier than that date. The apparent use of this manuscript was for getting up" private theatricals" at Surrenden; and it is inferred that it was altered by some playwright or player for that purpose (though possibly not for this particular occasion); the two plays being compressed into one, on the evident principle of embracing the whole history. With this object, the First Part has been operated upon; but the Second is very greatly curtailed, will also be done at considerably less expense, while the leather will be very greatly superior to any which can be prepared by the present process. Another and very great benefit which will be derived from Dr. Turnbull's mode of tanning, will be, that it gives a greatly increased weight to the leather. But perhaps it will give a better idea of the advantages of Dr. Turnbull's process, if we quote his own words from the pamphlet before us : GREAT BRITAIN. "My method," says he, "of extracting lime SELECT LIST OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. from hides or skins, when the hair has been removed by lime, and my method of removing the hair without the use of lime by the means before described, are such decided improvements, that hides and skins when so prepared may be tanned in the common or ordinary manner by terra japonica purified as above, and by other ordinary tanning matter, with much greater facility than heretofore; and the leather thus produced is of far greater weight, and much better quality than any heretofore produced." Dr. Turnbull then proceeds to specify some of the peculiarities of the process. His statement on this point will be read with interest by scientific men, as well as by those more immediately concerned. "Having thus stated the nature of my improved methods of tanning hides, and the plan of sep: arating or extracting the japonic or catechuic acid or catechiu, or other extractive and deleterious matter from the tannic acid, and preventing the formation of gallic or ellagic acid in the tanning liquor, and the manner of carrying them into effect, I think it essential to state, that I do not claim the principle of tanning hides or skins by sewing them into bags, nor by simply filling them with liquor; but I do claim, and my invention consists in, the following improvements in the tanning of hides and skins. First-I claim the discovery of the means of extracting the lime with which hides and skins are impregnated in removing the hair, by the application of sugar or other saccharine matter, whether obtained from honey, sawdust, turnips, potatoes, or other substances. Second-I claim the discovery of the means of removing the hair or epidermis from hides or skins without the use of lime, by the application of sugar or other saccharine matter, whether obtained from potatoes, sawdust, beetThird-I root, turnips, or other substances. claim the discovery of the means of removing the hair or epidermis from hides and skins without the use of lime, by the application of muriate of soda or common salt. Fourth-I claim the discovery of the means of separating the japonic or catechuic acid, or other extractive or deleterious matter, from the tannic acid in terra japonica. Fifth-I claim the discovery of the means of obtaining tannic acid from the refuse deposit of the terra japonica, in purifying terra japonica. Sixth-I claim the discovery of the means of preventing the formation or generation of gallic and ellagic acid, when oak bark, sumach, divi divi, valonia, and other materials are used. Seventh-I claim the discovery of an improved means of tanning leather by means of endosmosis or Dissenter's Plea for his Nonconformity, exhibited in a Course of Lectures, by the Rev. W. Jones, M. A. Ecclesiastical Architecture of Ireland, comprising an Essay on the Round Towers of Ireland. By G. Petrie, R. H. A. Grammar of the Latin Language. By C. G. Zumpt, Ph. D., translated from the 9th German edit., by L. Schmitz. "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation,' its Argument Examined and Exposed. By S. R. Bosanquet. 2d edit. Illustrations to Adventure in New Zealand. By Edward Jerningham Wakefield. Esq. Practical Guide to the Study of German. By C. A. Feiling. GERMANY. Geschichte von Port-Royal. Der Kampf des Reformirten und des jesuitischen Katholizismus unter Louis XIII. u. XIV. Von Dr. H. Reuchlin. Hamb. Corpus inscriptionum Græcarum. Edid. A. Boeckh et J. Franz. Vol. III. Fasc I. Berlin. Ueber die Minervenidole Athens. Von E. Gerhard. Die Ethische Bedeuting der Geschichte für die Gegenwart. Von H. Gelzer. Berlin. Beiträge zur Charakteristik der Vereinig ten Staaten Von Nord-Amerika. Von W. Grisson. Hamb. FRANCE. Etudes historiques, politique et morales, sur l'état de la société Européenne, vers le Par le milieu du dix-neuvième siècle. Prince de Polignac. Paris. Français I. et la Renaissance 1515 and exosmosis with the materials and in the man- Euvres de St. Denys l'Aréopagiste, manner before described." Les Manuscrits Français de la Bibliothèque du Roi, leur histoire et celle des textes Allemands, Anglais, Hollandais, Italiens, et Espagnols de la même collection. Par A. Paulin. Paris. Histoire de l'Armée de Condé. Par T. Muret. Paris. |