Mouset, and published at London in each box, about a quarter of an inch 164, ebellished with numerous en- deep, and made perf ctly water-tight. gravings in wood, badly executed, Only one caterpillar of a brood is and in some cases accompanied by placed in each of these boxes which superstitious descriptions of the fi- are numbered. A book is kept numgures they represent. Next to Sir Hans Sloane, D. John Hill, who published at Bagish translation of Swammerdam large work on insects, was one of the most eminent Entomologists. In another work, in 1773, which he called "A Decade of Cuious Insects," some of them not described before, he gives the following sketch of the Albicida Pallida, or straw-coloured Chinch, a plant, it would appear, too frequently kept in our bed-rooms and sitting-rooms, on account of its fragrance.

bered, to correspond with the boxes, in which is entered the history of the insect from the day it is placed in its box. A little water is poured into each partition of the wood trough, which serves to keep the food moist, as also the earth which is in the tin boxes, in order that the caterpillar may urflergo its metamorphosis in the most natural manner.

Mr. S. has observed that many of the pupa have died in the earth, which may in a great measure be owing to its binding so hard round them as to prevent perspiration and breathing. He therefore procured a looser kind of earth, from a decayed tree, and mixed it with equal proportions of sand and sawdust.

Dr. Hili observes, "This is a creature very strange in its nature and history. A studious gentleman, very subject to the head-ache, which he and his physician both attributed to great attention, sneezing one day with The third paper, by the Rev. John violence, as he was writing, saw some Burrell, gives an account of a rare and atoms a moment afterwards upon the curious insect, Lygaus Micropterus, writing-paper, and they very plainly hitherto a non-descript; and there is a moved; he doubled up the paper and beautiful plate of it coloured from na- ! brought it to me: a parcel of these ture. Several readers, however, may moving particles being laid before the regret that all these insects are treated lucernal microscope, they appeared of in Latin; as descriptions in English in continual motion, moving their also, would doubtless facilitate the antlers, shaking their wings, and turn- study of this branch of Natural Hising up their tails to their heads in the tory. manner of earwigs, but with incredible

swiftness. It was palpable they had FRENCH NATIONAL INSTITUTE. been discharged from his nose: and itvered at the funeral of the Poet HE following eulogium was deliwas easy to conceive how they might have caused intolerable pain, while they were thus rousing and moving their irritating hairs and feathers upon a part where the very substance of the brain is almost naked.

I had seen the same species inhabiting the flowers of the piant Mignionette, and on enquiring, found he had that plant in his chamber."

Lebrun, by M. Chenier, in presence of the members who attended on that occasion :

Gentlemen, The Institute has lost a poet justly celebrated. Lebrun is no more. Many works have distinguished his long career; but though he has obtained brilliant success in those kinds of writing which appear oppoThe second paper on the method site to each other, lyric poetry, the of rearing insects, by the Rev. Tho- principal object of his studies, will mas Skrimshire, L.L.B. and F.E.S is fix his reputation. The younger Ra extremely curious. Mr. S. has had a cine, of whom he was proud to acnumber of tin boxes made about two knowledge himself the pupil, commu inches square, two sides of which, with nicated to him the art of making his the top and bottom, are perforated beautiful verses, together with the with small holes; the remaining two language of that memorable age, when sides are glazed; one of the ten sides the French possessed both taste and constitutes a door, which slides in a groove. Twelve of these are placed in a wooden trough, portioned off for

genius. It was Lebrun, when young, who interested the glory of Voltaire in favour of the niece of Corneille. The

lyric poet did not think it beneath of light. They have received, within him to become the intermediary be- the prescribed time, six tracts on the tween wo great men. He dared to question, each having a note sealed, put language into the mouth of the and a motto. shade of the classical creator of the

The three first tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3, French theatre, and the author of beside the common fault of wanting Merope listened to the voice of the new experiments, a complete and inauthor of the Cid. As the imitator of structive series of which was required Pin dar, Lebrun chanted with enthusi- in the academical notice, contained as. in inspired verse. When the en- hypotheses and propositions, either vious enemies of Buffon thought of well known, erroneous, or ill-expresstarnishing his glory, Lebrun avenged ed, and advanced without demonstrathe eloquent philosopher by an ode, tion. which remains among our poetry as a Only the pieces Nos. 5 and 6, were monument of superior talent and found worthy of particular attention courageous friendship. Thus the from the report of the committee apname of this able poet will be joined pointed to decide upon the best qualito thoseof his most illustrious contem- fied performance. poraries. Often sublime, and some- The Essays Nos. 5 and 6, containtimes superb, in his stile, he cele- ing a great number of new experibrated every subject that offered ele. ments on the effects and properties of vated conceptions, God, Nature, Li- light, and a judicious application of berty, Genius, and Victory. Those those, which though already known, numerous exploits, which for ten were repeated whenever they appearyears past have commanded the admi- ed to the authors doubtful, are apration of nations, renovated his old proved; in each were found some inage. Near the period of his existence coherent and contradictory concluhis harmonious numbers were not in- sions; as also propositions hazarded ferior to the last, the greatest of the without sufficient proof; besides some prodigies, which he had commemo- eriors and obscure passages. But as rated. Posterity, that impartial judge, these imperfections were overbalanced will acknowledge the qualities he pos- by researches of great merit, the acasessed, while it will not conceal his demy, without acceding to every asfailings. As for us, in view of the sertion of the author's, Lave thought tomb that encloses his frail remains, it their duty to divide the prize bebut which can never effect his glory, tween them, thinking the authors white we pay the funeral honours to worthy of encouragement and honourthe worthy successor of Malherbes and able reward. Rousseau, we have only to testify our regret for his loss, and pronounce the just eulogium due to his talents.

On opening two of the sealed notes, Doctor Henry Frederic Link, Protessor of Physic at the University of Rostock, was found to be the author of No. 5; and Mr. Placidus Heinrick,

THE IMPERIAL ACADEMY OF SCI- Professor of Physic and Mathematics

ENCES AT ST. PETERSBURGH.

TH

to the Abbey de St. Emereau, at Ratisbon, the author of No. 6. The notes of the remaining tracts were barnt without being opened.

HE Imperial Academy of Sciences had, in their last public notice, proposed the prize of five hundred roubles to be given to any pro- As to the prize concerning the refessor of physic, who would establish sistance of fluids, none were found to and communicate to the Academy, a satisfy all the conditions of the proSeries of new and instructive Experi- blem; but as the tract, No. 2, exhiments on Light considered as Matter, bited a new theory, the Marine Dealso on the Properties which may in partment, to recompense the author part be attributed to it; on the Affini- for his trouble and laudable efforts, ties which it may appear to have, have decreed to him the prize of 100 either to organized or unorganized Dutch ducats.

Bodies; and upon the Modifications The opening of the sealed note disand Phenomena of these Substances, covered the author in the person of by their combinations with the matter Mr. Zacarie Nordmark, Professor of

Mathematics in the University of gelica Sylvestris, the Aegepodium PoUpsala. dagraria, plants which thrive in marshes, contain no poison.

The Academy proposes the following question for the present year

1807:

It is plain therefore, that neither the pale colour, disagreeable smell, or Chymistry teaches us the means of growth in marshy places, can furnish discovering the noxious qualities of us with certain and indisputable signs mineral bodies, whereas it is only by of their possessing poisonous qualities. empiricism that we have learned to The pretended repugnance of anidistinguish venomous plants from mals to pernicious plants is evidently those tha are not So. Even the as little infallible. The division of characteristics, by which we think plants made by botanists, into classes, our-elves enabled to determine of the orders, and families, according to presence or absence of venom in ve- their nature, is not more efficient in getables, are not always sufficiently designating those that are venomous. certain and incontestible. To prove this, we have only to obThe livid colour for example, which serve that among the principal genus has rendered many plants suspected, of the Nightshade (Solanum) the Pois a deceiving sign. The bur (Arc- tatoe (Solanum Tuberosum) and also tium Lappa) looks dull, and is of a Capsicum (Laliment des Jardins) are pale colour, yet it is a wholesome reckoned, which possess the virtue of plant; on the contrary, the Laurel exciting and destroying the pernici(Daphne) is remarkable for the beauty ous principles in narcotic piauts. of its flowers and leaves, yet this is venomous. The Families of Ranuuculus and Anemone are as beautiful as they are numerous; they are, however, for the greater part noxious.

In consequence of this want of an external and natural sign, by which venomous plants might be immedi ately detected, it would be desirable to find out some easy method of examinThe same may be said of the disa- ing them; such for instance, as an greeable smell of plants, generally Eudiometer, or any thing that might taken for a diagnostic of their poison- produce changes in them, which (like ous quality, and which sign is equally the black colour assumed by muchuncertain with the preceding. rooms when they are boiling) might The colour of the Laurel is very indicate their Loxious qualities, agreeable, while the Orache (Cheno- though the criterion of the venomous podium Vulvaria) an innocent and mushroom is not yet sufficiently estaeven salutary plant, is of a very dis- blished. agreeable odour.

"The smell of the Coriander is disagreeable to many persons, yet of a very salutary nature.

The umbelliferous plants, which grow in damp and watery situations, have the reputation of being poisonous; notwithstanding this, Sison inundatum et salsum, and all its species, the Phellandrium Aquaticum, the An

66

An easy method is therefore required, by which any individual unacquainted with botany, may detect venomous plants in a short time, at a small expence, and in a manner perfectly decisive."

The prize is one hundred Dutch ducats, and the different memoirs must be transmitted previous to the 1st of July, 1808.

ADDITIONS TO, AND CORRECTIONS IN, FORMER

OBITUARIES.

Mrs. Sumed at de ore, was the Richard the Third, about the year

RS. SUMBELL (whose death was the part of the Duke of York, in

daughter of Mr. Davies, an eminent 1781. She then married Mr. Wells, carver and gilder, at Birmingham, and performed two seasons at Bath, and remarkable for being the person and went from thence to Exeter, when, who made the box from the root of in consequence of a disagreement Shakspeare's mulberry-free, which Mrs. Garrick now has. Her first appearance in the dramatic line was in

with her husband, who there attached himself to a theatrical lady, who had once kept a chandler's shop in Hol

born, and both of them going off to ing her, she went over to Covent、 Ireland, she came to London, was en- Garden, where she flourished in Her. gaged by Mr. Colman, at the Hay- mione, Imogen, &c. but the cup and market theatre. Mrs. Wells was ex- the dagger not predominating at that tremely handsome, and her counte- house, she left it; and in the summer nauce most expressive. She had of 1787, by the entreaties of her played several parts with great suc- friends, and the offer of fifty pounds cess, when a little incident occurred per night, she was induced to come in the course of the season, that prov forward with her imitations, at the ed Mrs. Wells's readiness to oblige the Royalty Theatre. In 1791 she returnmanager in distress. The Beggar's ed to the Hay-market, and brought Opera was this summer performed with her all the fashion that used to with the sex reversed; and owing to resort to it. During several summers, the beautiful and regretted Mrs. Car- since she left the London boards, she gill's sustaining the character of Mac- has exhibited upon many of the pros heath, and Bannister's supporting the vincial theatres, particularly at Brigh part of Polly, Gay's favourite opera ton, Cheltenham, and Weymouth; and had a great run. But this enchanting no longer since than the summer of Syren eloping with a near relation of 1806, was supposed to have attracted the manager, at a time when her name the particular attention of a great per was announced to perform Macheath sonage, while she resided in the vici the ensuing evening, threw him into nity of Richmond and Kew. She was real distress; in the height of which once the chere-amie of the celebrated he applied to Mrs. Wells to perform Captain Topham, and rumour says, the character, which she immediately was afterwards not indifferent to Mr. complied with, and absolutely studied Hewerdine's accomplishments. She it in two days. But as Mrs. Cargill then married Mr. Sumbell, a gentle had gone off in Macheath's clothes, man of the Jewish persuasion, but a Mrs. Wells was therefore obliged to short time dissolved the connection. beg a coat of one, and waistcoat and breeches of another; the public can vouch for the truth of these assertions; but the manner in which she supported so difficult a character, at so short a notice, struck the audience with surprise.

In other respects her bosom was by no means devoid of compassion; besides her care of an aged mother, her benevolence to the unfortunate Mrs. Edwin, while suffering under her hus band's brutality, ought not to be forgotten. That she possessed vanity, Mrs. Wells, at the beginning of the as well as no small share of beauty, ensuing winter, had the good fortune cannot be denied; as for nearly fourto be introduced to Mr. Sheridan, teen years past she has taught the pubwho immediately engaged her for three lic to look for her life and memoirs years. Her first appearance on Drury- from her own hand, a hope she did Lane stage, was in the part of Nancy, not live long enough to realise. A in the musical entertainment of The few evenings previous to her death, Camp. The same success attended she had announced herself to the pubher as at the Haymarket theatre. Mrs. lic to deliver her imitations at the Wells now for the first time, thought to Lyceum in the Strand. live independent of the world; but many unforeseen events tended to remove these pleasing symptoms of future happiness; the incumbrance of a mother and sister in town, and a brother to provide for in the country, distressed her finances, and obliged her to renew ber application to Mr. Colman, Mrs. Wells's forte was not confined to comedy, to Cowslip, Madge, or Maude. She was at home in Jane Shore, and excellent in Isabella. Still as the Drury-Lane manager was not sensible of his own interest in promotUNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VIII.

The MARQUIS of TOWNSHEND (whose death was announced in p. 280 of our last) was in the 84th year of his age; was a field-marshal in the army, Colonel of the 2d Dragoon Guards, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, and Governor of Jersey. His lordship was a godson of his majesty George l. and served under George II. in the battle of Dettingen; also in the battles of Fontenoy, Culloden, and Lafeldt; at the memorable siege of Quebec, which town fell into his hands as commander2U

In 1756, he was appointed to the command of the 64th regiment of foot, and soon after obtained the rank of brigadier-general, in one of the expeditions projected against the French possessions in Canada; and though he distinguished himself at the fall of

in-chief, after the deplored death of the immortal Wolfe; he was also at the battle of Fellinghausen, and served a campaign in Portugal, under Count La Lippe; his lordship served the offices of Lieutenant-General and Master-General of the Ordnance; and filled the station of Viceroy of Ireland Montmorenci, where he prevented for five years, during which he peculiarly conciliated the affections of the people. Being early intended for the profession of arms, he obtained a commission in the Guards when he was about 18, immediately after he had finished his education. Great Britain being then at war with France, and King George II, commanding in person on the continent, his lordship, then the Hon. Mr.Townshend, had an opportunity of making a campaign under the eye of that monarch, and served as a subaltern in the battle of Dettingen; but soon after becoming a captain in the first regiment of Foot Guards, he ranked as lieutenant-colo- ly accepted the command upon the nel in the army; he notwithstanding retired at the close of the campaign; and, as his family possessed large property and considerable influence in Norfolk, he became a candidate for that county, being returned at the general election in 1747.

As soon as he obtained his seat, he began to profess the principles of whiggism he had imbibed in his early youth, and which it had been the pride of his family to support. Nor did he forget to remedy the petty abuses he had witnessed while in the army; and hence, on the third reading of the Mutiny Bill in 1749, he distinguished himself by moving, towards the conclusion of a very able speech, that no non-commissioned officer should be liable to be broken, without the sentence of a court-martial; this clause however was opposed by Mr. Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham.

Colonel Townshend soon after married Charlotte, Baroness de Ferrers, of Chartley, daughter of the Earl of Northampton. At the election in 1754, he was again returned for Norfolk; and in 1756, when the Militia Bill was brought in, with the rest of the Whigs, he was strenuous for a militia levied from among the people, and officered by gentlemen of landed property, in order to counterbalance the influence of the crown over a standing

army.

the French from erecting a battery, which would have annoyed the Bris tish; an attack he made upon them a few days after, proving unsuccessful, and his retreat being in danger of be ing cut off, it preyed upon his mind in such a nanner as to occasion a severe illness, however he recovered soon af ter; and upon the death of General Wolfe in the battle of Abraham, whet the command devolved upon him, and in all the subsequent operations, he acquitted himself as an able officer; but after Quebec, and a great part of the adjacent country had been reduced, returned to England, he having on

express stipulation that he should come home at the end of the cam paign, though during his absence in America he obtained an old regiment, the 28th foot, to which he was appointed in 1759, in the room of his own, the 64th. In 1761, he served in the German campaign, and was raised to the rank of major-general, but came to England soon after its termination, and was returned a third time for the county of Norfolk. He was next employed in the expedition to Portugal; but as no opportunity occurred for distinguishing himself, he again returned home; and at the conclusion of the war, the Marquis of Granby being appointed Master Ge neral of theOrdnance, General Townshend was nominated Lieutenant-General under him. On the death of his father, March 12, 1764, he became Lord Townshend, and succeeded to considerable estates in Norfolk; and in the same year, under the adininistration formed by the Duke of Bedford, Mr. George Grenville, &c. be was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, where the stile in which be lived, joined to his address, gained him the confidence of the nation. One unfortunate event only succeeded his return from Ireland, viz. some umbrage which he had given to Lord Bellamont, occasioned that nobleman