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Art. XXX. Melanges de Physiologie, de Physique, et de Chimie,

c. St. Miscellanies of Physiology, Physics, Chemistry, &c. By Claude Roucher de Ratte. 2 vols. 8vo. Paris. 1806.

THIS is one of the most absurd books that even the French press ever emitted. The philosophical and chemical part of it, we shall throw aside with contempt, because it is old as well as ridiculous; but the dis coveries in physiology and the faculties of human nature, may be amusing and novel enough to atone for their folly.

M. Roucher, then, has discovered that any person capable of exerting intensity of thought, and sufficient faith, may sympathetically possess the sensations of another person, at any distance from 30 to 300 feet, and enjoy all the satisfactions of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, &c. by proxy. But this is not all; M. Roucher is not satisfied with sensual gratifica. tions; he has also announced an intellectual sympathy, by which he can enter into the thoughts of another, infuse all manner of ideas, ask all manner of questions, &c. &c. A secret so important to statesmen, lovers, nay, to the whole world, and which must render M. Roucher the most formidable of human beings, is thus developed:

"I have discovered that we may know the thoughts of another person, and transmit our own, without the assistance of words, without any motion of the lips, without any signs, and without seeing one another. When we

want to know a truth, which we suspect is carefully concealed from us, we have only to press with our fingers the cartilaginous part of the first false ribs, near the heart, towards the sternum, and then, put a categorical question to the person from whom we expect information, at the distance requisite in all sympathetic phenomena (from 30 to 300 feet). It is not necessary that the question should be expressed by word of mouth; the thought alone mentally uttered is sufficient. Nor is it necessary that the two persons should see each other. If the requisite conditions have been fulfilled, the person who is thus interpelled, will, if the conjecture be right, experience in the region of the heart, a kind of pricking, like the stinging of ants, which, by a sympathetic affection, will be transmitted to the other. In the contrary case neither will feel any thing!"

The only defence against this marvellous inquisition, which realizes the suggestion of Momus, and renders " a naked human heart" open to all spectators within the distance of 300 feet, is the application of the hand upon the occiput !

We do not pretend to doubt that M. Roucher can do all this; we should like exceedingly to subject such an animal to a course of experiments, as a most extraordinary help in solving many physiological questions of extreme difficulty in regard to matter and mind. We should probably begin by trying whether he could "hold a fire in his hand, by thinking on the frosty Caucasus," but the theory has wisely guarded against such experiments, by a limitation of the distance. Yet there are many other unexceptionable ordeals to which he might with great propriety be submitted; and after we had gained all the information which the living fibre could furnish, we might take him to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and trace the course of his nerves, and investigate the nature of his brain. However, like his illustrious master, Napoleon, as long as he preserves his due distance on the other side of the channel, he is safe; and we warn both the one and the other that if they come within the sympathetic distance of Englishmen, "they will experience in the region of the heart, a kind of pricking," from which no application on the occiput, will avail to protect them.

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ART. XXXI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend on being communicated to the public, if consistent with its plan.

GREAT BRITAIN.

The late Mr. Russell, celebrated amongst men of science for the production of the lunar globe, left, at his death, two Lunar Planispheric Drawings, the result of num berless telescopic observations scrupulously measured by a micrometer: one of which Drawings exhibits the lunar disk in a state of direct opposition to the sun, when the eminences and depressions are undetermined, and every intricate part, aris ing from colour, form, or inexplicable causes, is surprizingly developed and exquisitely delineated; the other, of precisely the same proportion, represents the eminences and depressions of the moon, determined, as to their form, with the utmost accuracy, producing their shadows when the sun is only a few degrees above the horizon of each part. The former of these was beautifully and most correctly engraved by Mr. Russell, who had likewise very considerably advanced in the engraving of the latter, when death. terminated his labours: it is, however, left in such a forward state, that it will be finished with the greatest exactness, and all possible dispatch. Mr. William Russell, son of the late Mr. Russell, proposes to publish by subscription these Lunar Plates, which have been long promised to the scientific world: the whole will be incomparably the most complete Lunar Work ever offered to any age, effected indeed by extreme labour during twenty-one years. The price of subscription will be five guineas, part to be paid at the time of subscribing: an advance will be made to non-subscribers. The diameter of each planisphere will be fifteen inches: the description of both Plates will be given when the second is paid for and delivered.

Mr. Fortescue, of Gray's-Inn, is said to be engaged in a Topographical Diction

ary.

Mr. Blore has made considerable progress in a Topographical Account of Rutlandshire.

Mr. Thomas Burnet will publish by subscription, in one small octavo volume, illustrated with an elegant frontispiece, the Sweets of Solitude, and other Poems.

In a few days will be published, in six large volumes octavo, the Speeches made

in Parliament by the Right Hon, Charles James Fox, and the Right Hon. William Pitt, in the order in which they were de~ livered, from the commencement of the public life to the decease of these orators. The object of this work is to display, in their true colours, the splendid talents of these great men; with this view their Speeches will be printed as they were actually delivered in the House of Commons, and opposed to each other in regular order.-Prefixed to the first volume will be given, Memoirs, drawn from authentic. sources, of the Gentlemen whose characters the work is intended to illustrate; and the whole will be accompanied with such notes and introductory observations as shall render it a brief history of the times in which these celebrated statesmen flourished.

J. Gifford and H. R. Yorke, Esqrs. have in great forwardness the History of the Administration of the late William Pitt, which will be comprized in four octavo volumes.

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It may gratify the curious in oriental literature, to be informed, that a number of publications, principally in the Bengalee language, sent by the Baptist Missionaries in Bengal, are now on sale at Mr. J. Burditt's, Paternoster row.

The first part of Dr. Clutterbuck's "Inquiry into the Seat and Nature of Fever," is expected to make its appearance in the course of the ensuing month..

Mr. Samuel Young is preparing for the press a Dissertation on the Advantages of the Adhesive Strap, shewing the Abuses of the Ligature in the Stitching of Wounds.

Mr. Bolingbroke, of Norwich, who has recently returned from Demerara, after a residence of five years in that and the adjoining colonies, intends to publish an Ac count of his Voyage, including new and interesting particulars of the present con dition of the various European settlements on that coast of South America.

The publication of a new and improved edition of the Encyclopædia Perthensis commences with this year: it will be comprized in 45 parts of half a volume each, containing 360 pages, super-royal octavo; they will be published monthly.

The fifth edition of Parkinson's Medical

Admonitions to Families is now in the press. To this edition has been added, several important instructions respecting the treatment of diseases, by an early attention to which the progress of diseases may be stopped, and further aid rendered unnecessary. Such observations are also introduced as will mark the degrees of danger in the sick, shew the difference between one disease and another, point out the du ties of those who attend on the sick, and teach the proper management of complaints incident to children.

Dr. Herdman has in the press his Second Discourse on the interesting subject of the Management of Infants, and the Treatment of their Diseases. It is written in a plain and familiar style, to render it intelligible and useful to mothers, and all those who have the management of infants.

Dr. Davis is preparing for the press an Abridgement of that Part of Professor Pinel's celebrated Work on Philosophical Nosography, which treats of Febrile Disorders.

In the course of this year, M. C. Malorti de Martemont, Master of Fortification and Artillery at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, will publish by subscription, (to be paid on delivery,) an Essay on Military Reconnoitring; with the Method of Surveying in the Field, either with or without Instruments, by Pacing, on Horseback, and by the Eye.

The same author intends to publish in succession,

1. An Essay on Permanent Fortification.

2. An Essay on the Attack and Defence of Places.

3. An Essay on Castrametation.

Mr. Pratt has in preparation a long promised work of the novel kind, called Great and Little Folks, which will make its appearance in the course of the present winter.

An Abridgement of Search's Light of Nature pursued is in the press.

The fifth edition of Curiosities of Literature is now in the press: the work is entirely recast: the most interesting topics are more completely and curiously investigated, and it has been the study of the writer to class and to compress as many events of Literary History as the limits of the work allowed.

Mr. William Ticken, of the Royal Military College, will shortly publish a Treafise on the Principles of Geography, statistical, political, astronomical, historical, and mathematical, in a quarto volume,with plates.

The Rev. Edward Patteson, M. A. author of a General and Classical Atlas, will speedily publish an Introduction to Ancient and Modern Geography, in one small octavo volume, in the preface to which Mr. P. will particularly describe a method of applying the Atlas to purposes of geographical instruction.

A new edition of Clavigero's History of Mexico is in preparation.

The Rev. Rogers Ruding, B. D. vicar of Maldon, in Surrey, proposes to publish, by subscription, an Historical Account of the Coinage of Britain and its Dependencies, from the earliest Periods of authentic History to the present Time. A large Introtuctory Discourse will contain various matters relative to the subject, which are necessary to be previously known. In the body of the work will be found all the facts relating to the subject, which the author has been able to collect, from Cæsar's discovery of Britain to this time, in chronological order. These facts have been ga→ thered from Records in the Tower, Roll's Chapel, Exchequer, and other public of fices; from the Rolls and Journals of Par liament; from Statutes, Proclamations, Chronicles, and Histories. A considerable Appendix of curious original Documents will be added. The work will be printed in quarto, and will be comprized in two volumes. A few copies will be printed on large paper. The work will be put to press as soon as a sufficient sum shall have been subscribed to defray the expence.

In the course of next month will be commenced, the Political Review, and Monthly Register, by B. Flower, of Harlow, containing Remarks on the State Public Affairs, a Record of the most Important Events, foreign and domestic, State Papers, Parliamentary Proceedings, a Review of the principal Publications relating to General Politics and Civil and Religious Liberty, Original Correspondence, &c. &c.

In conducting this publication, the editor invites the assistance of the liberal and enlightened of all parties. A supplement will be published every six months, which, with the preceding numbers, will make one large volume in octavo.

The late Mrs. Charlotte Smith having drawn up Memoirs of part of her Literary Life, they will shortly be published by oné of the members of her family, accompanied by a Collection of her Letters.

Mr. Reid, of Berwick-upon-Tweed, designs immediately to print a new edition (the 4th) of The Select Remains of the Rev, J. Brown, late of Haddington. They contain Memoirs of his Life, Letters to his

Friends, Religious Tracts, Addresses to his Children, an Account of his Dying Sayings, and his Dying Advice to his Congregation.

Considerably advanced at the press, and soon will be published, Anti-Miseria, the Pleasures of Human Life investigated, elucidated, and promulgated, philosophically, satyrically, and luminously, consisting of a dozen dissertations on male, female, and neuter pleasurés, by Hilaris BenevoJus and Co. members of the Literarium Lusorium Londinense.

New editions in octavo and duodecimo of the Works of the Rev. John, Newton, rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London, are in preparation.

The Rev. John Brown, of Whitburn, is about to publish a second edition of the Memoirs of the Rev. James Hervey. He would feel himself particularly obliged to any person who could communicate unpublished letters, or authentic anecdotes of Mr. Hervey.

Mr. Weber has in the press the second volume of his interesting Memoirs of the late Queen of France; it will appear in the course of January.

Dr. Callcott announces, in the preface to his Musical Grammar lately published, that he has not abandoned the design formed some years since of compiling a Musical Dictionary. His original plan merely professed to comprehend an abridgement of Walther, Rousseau, &c.; but when the friendship of Mr. Kollman (organist of the chapel at St. James's) had assisted him with some valuable treatises, he found it necessary to relinquish the idea of immediate publication: but unwilling that many more years should elapse without shewing the world in what manner his researches had been conducted, he has published his Musical Grammar.

AMERICA.

Messrs. Poyntell and Co. have just issued from their Classical Press in Philadelphia, in a neat and correct style, the first American edition of Xenophon's Cyropedia in eight books. The American editors have copied from Hutchinson's London edition, and announce, that under the critical inspection of Mr. John Watts, they have corrected many errors of that edi

tion.

CHINA.

The Directors of the East-India Company, some time since, sent orders to their supercargoes to procure, if possible, some elementary books of the Chinese language, for the use of their college at Hertford. Mr. L'Amiah has been particularly zeal.

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ous in his endeavours to obtain some booka of this description from Pekin, but without effect, for the government, whose suspicions are excited on the slightest occasion, has prohibited their exportation under the severest penalties.

FRANCE.

On account of the late changes in fo reign relations, as well as the internal affairs of various countries, many alterations, both, with regard to authorized codes of law and national catechisms, which deserve notice, will soon take place. Among these, the New French Civil Codex will be introduced without exception into the kingdom of Italy, as soon as the Italian translation thereof shall have been completed, and will also probably be extended to the kingdom of Naples. Some advices seem to lead to a supposition that this Code will also be introduced into the States of the Rhenish Confederacy. Whether the New French Catechism will be introduced into the other Catholic Confederate States: is not yet so certain. So great a demand for the Catechism was expected, that it is printed in stereotype. A bookseller has given 25,000 dollars for the copy right.

At Strasbourg, M. J. P. Graffenauer, has published an Economico-technical ac count of the Mineralogy of ci-devant Alsace; his plan is, 1. To notice the essential, natural and chemical characters 2. To present an acof each substance, count of the veins and strata of the minerals. 3. To detail the labours of the workmen, the mode of operation, and produce.

4. To specify the different uses to which those articles are applied. (Essai d'une mineralogie alsacienne économicotechnique des départmens du Haut et Bas-Rhin, formant la ci-devant Alsace. 1 Vol. 8vo. with a mineralogical map of Alsace, 6 fr.)

M. D has published a work on History, entitled Le Guide de l'Histoire, it is adopted in the Libraries of the Lyceums,in France; it consists of a selection of treatises on this science, and on subjects connected with it, by authors of acknowledged merit..

Mons. de Labouliniere, General Secretary of the Prefecture of the department of the Upper Pyrenees, at Jarbes, has received from the Academy of Sciences and Arts at Lyons, a Prize for his answer to the question, "What means can a government employ to make the extension which a great revolution gives to the ideas, and the strength which it infuses into the character, useful for the improvement of agriculture, commerce, and the arts?"

Among the questions relating to various

sciences, the following is proposed by the M. Vallkampf, Prothonotary of the ImClass of Literature of the Society of perial Chamber of Wetzlar, has commenSciences and Arts at Montauban: Toced a periodical publication, entitled, Poliwhat degree is severe criticism hurtful to the progress of talents?"

Extract from the 265th Number of the Mer cure de France.

"The Holy Crown of Thorns, given by Baldwin, Emperor of Constantinople, to St. Lewis, in 1238, and which was preserve ed untouched through the revolutionary fury of 1793, will be solemnly transferred to the metropolitan church of Paris, on Sunday, Aug. 10. This relic will be exhibited, for the adoration of the devout, in a gilt frame, representing the terrestrial globe surmounted by a cross, at the foot of which was sculptured the lion of the tribe of Judah, with this inscription:Vicit leo de tribu Juda.”*

A colossal statue of General Dessaix will be erected in the course of this year in the Place de Victoire.

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A historical column is to be erected in the Place Vendôme: it is to be one hundred and twenty feet high, and entirely covered with bronze: it will display the most memorable events of the campaign of 1805, in basso relievo. The subjects intended to be represented will be distributed to different artists, who will furnish designs. The pedestal of this column is already commenced. It will be entitled, The Column of Austerlitz.

GERMANY.

M. Bernard Korner announces, that a learned academician, whose name will stamp a value on his work, is engaged by him to compose a Statistical Account of the States of the Rhenish Confederacy, which will be published as soon as the political relations are sufficiently arranged: it will be accompanied by a neat and correct Map.

PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS.

Of the literary journals published in Germany, that of Halle is the most read; after this, that of Jena.

Of other periodical works, the Freethinker (Das Freymuthige) is most in request, and after that the Gazette for the elegant world (Zeitung für die elegant welt.)

The Minerva of the lively and industrious Archenholtz, which, since the breaking out of the last war, contains many pertinent remarks and sentiments of serious import relative to Austria, is read with much approbation.

The Gazette of Neuwied retains its former estimation, and notwithstanding much superficial reasoning, enjoys a great reputation among the higher ranks.

tical and Historical Views, occasioned by the Changes in the Constitution of the German Empire. The first number has just appeared, consisting of five sheets, pr. 36 kr. 1s. 4d. English.

The Gazette of and for Hungary, edited by Schedius, appears in the present state of the commerce in books, not likely to be soon resumed.

Bredelyky's Contributions to the topogra phy of Hungary, which contain many excellent things, is not relinquished, but will be concluded with the fourth volume.

The industrious Kovachich continues very active in the history and literature of his country; he is now occupied with the : idea of a new edition of the Corpus juris Hungarici, much augmented by many happily discovered old imperial statutes.

The historian, Vou Eugel, appears to have relinquished his historical charac-> ter.

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Schwartner is silent; and if the times do not soon improve, by-and-by every thing will be silent, but it will be the si-i lence of the tomb.

The patriotic journal of M. André, counsellor of education, at Brunn, ceased r with the month of June 1805, M. André › having been invited into Bavaria. A com petent successor to continue this useful and much read journal has not been found.

A Journal, which M. Von Hanke, in Ol→ mutz, intended to have published, under the title of Slawenka, and of which one num➡ ̈ ber appeared in 4to. in 1804, from the Univessity Press, at Buda, is interrupted by his death. This number contained a critical account of a copy of an old Sclavonian Bible, in possession of the editor's family, which is by no means a masterpiece of criticism; and evinces no fundamental knowledge of the Sclavonian language.

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A Journal is published at Prague, en- titled Slawin, a Message from Bohemia to all Sclavonian Nations," by Joseph Dobrowski, member of the Royal Bohemian Society of Sciences at Prague, and of the learned Society at Warsaw. In 8vo. 2 numbers cost 1 florin.

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Another Journal is likewise published at Prague quarterly, under the title Hlasatel Cesky, "the Bohemian Prophet," by Mr. John Negedly, Doctor of Laws, and Professor of the Bohemian Language and Literature in the University there. The intention of this publication is to combinę entertainment with information, but espe cially to promote and perfect the Boke

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