PUBLIC LIBRARIES. at Vienna, 300,000; at Gottingen, 200,000; besides these, Stutgard, Milan, Florence, Madrid, and other In the sixty-seventh number of the London Quarterly Review, published in June last, is an interesting article on the sci-cities, possess large collections.— entific institutions of Great Britain, from which the following notice of some of the public libraries in Europe is extracted. The comparative value of libraries, it is true, depends not on the number of volumes which they contain; and the libraries of London (as having been more recently formed) are "The library at this [the British] furnished chiefly with useful works, Museum, claims only, in point of ex- whilst many of the older collections tent, a fifth or sixth rank in Europe, are crowded with ponderous tomes and is not even the principal library on subjects now obsolete, the canon in Great Britain. It contains at law, the ancient medicine, astrology, present only 165,000 printed volumes alchemy, and so forth. But the oband 20,000 volumes of MSS. In the ject of large public libraries is not King's Library, which will be added merely to provide such works as are to the Museum, there are 65,000 most useful, but publications which, volumes; and in that of Sir Joseph from their costliness or scarcity, are Banks, which also eventually be- placed beyond the reach of ordinary comes the property of the Museum students. The activity and perseby bequest, 16,000 volumes, making verance for deep research, are not a total of 246,000 volumes, exclusive least to be expected from those of the MSS. It is computed that whose circumstances render it diffithe Bodleian Library at Oxford concult for them, either by favor or by tains above 200,000 volumes; and purchase, to obtain access to rare besides the occasional additions of and expensive publications. For new libraries by purchase, a much these reasons, extensive libraries larger sum is annually expended ought not to be regarded as objects there on new works than at the Brit- of splendor alone, but as capable of ish Museum, which it also surpasses affecting the literary and scientific in the value of its MSS., particular- character of a whole people. To ly those relating to classical litera- accomplish this end, great facility of ture, and those in the Hebrew and access is indispensable. We reArabic languages, of which an admi-joice, therefore, that a more accomrable catalogue raisone has been nearly completed by the present learned professor, Dr Nicol. The library of the Vatican is the most considerable in the world. The King's Library at Paris, so accessible to the public, and where the attendance of librarians is excellent, contains 350,000 printed volumes, besides an equal number of pamphlets, and fifty thousand manuscripts. In addition to this splendid collections of natural history, amounted tion, the number of printed volumes in the libraries of the Arsenal, of St Genevieve, and of the Mazarine palace, make together a total scarcely, if at all, inferior to that of the Bibliotheque du Roi.' The estimated number of volumes in the library at Munich is nearly 400,000; modating spirit has of late years been shown in affording admission to the reading room of the British Museum, and that the public have not failed to avail themselves of this liberty,the number of admission tickets ordinarily in circulation having increased, since 1816, from 300 to 2000. A new reading room, on a large scale, is now in progress. The number of visitors to the collec in the year 1810 to 15,000. The year following, upon the mode of admission being changed, the number was doubled, and it has since that time constantly increased, amounting in 1818 to above 50,000, and in 1824 considerably exceeded 100,000." MON. CHABERT. This ingenious Frenchman has exhibited himself in London, and astonished every one by his incombustibility, or salamander properties, in swallowing vitriol, melted lead, and the most deadly poisons, without injury; and what is still more wonderful, of entering a heated oven, with rare beef steaks, or a leg of mutton, and remaining there, harmless, until they were fully roasted, returning with them, thus amply cooked, for the gratification of his auditors. To account for this apparent faculty of enduring the most intense heat, the Essex Register gives an extract from an old German publication, which throws some light on the subject: The ex "Berlin, Feb. 1812. periments made on the pretended incombustibility of the human body,, by Mr. Bernard Hey, have been attended with great success. The means employed for the purpose he reduces to six, viz. 1. A liquor, composed of half a pound of alum, four ounces of vitriolic acid, and two pounds of water, with which the hair, the arms, thighs and feet must be impregnated during several days, and which will enable them to support a red hot fire. 2. He takes a mass resembling lead, melts it, pours it into a kettle, and treads it under foot until it becomes cold. This is all a deception; the metal is a composition which melts at the heat of boiling water, and which is therefore not very warm in a state of fusion. 3. He puts Provence oil in a metal vase over a fire, and swallows it at the moment it appears to be boiling. But the fact is, that the oil is mixed with water; the water begins to boil and make a noise, but at the same time separates from the oil, which continues cold enough to be swallowed without danger. 4. The art of putting a lighted torch of pitch into the mouth is explained in this way: The breath is blown strongly, so as to put out the torch, while the saliva, collected in abundance on the lips, prevents the pitch from sticking. 5. To take burning sealing wax on the tongue, a great quantity of saliva is collected on the tongue. When the wax falls it is soon extinguished, and the saliva, thus suddenly dried, presents the appearance of little pimples. 6. Mr. Hey has made the model main alive for a long time, without of an oven, in which a man may reinjury, while the flames are coming out of the top, and when in the inside, a leg of mutton or veal is roasting. The fire and the heat are made to pass on one side by lateral channels. BOSTON. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1826. BOSTON FREE SCHOOLS. The annual visitation of the Public Schools of this city was made on Wednesday last week, by the Mayor and Aldermen,and other Members of the School Committee, accompanied by the PRESIident of the United States, Admiral Sir ISAAC COFFIN, Hon Mr. BIDDLE, President of the Bank of the United States, Hon Mr SALTONSTALL, of Essex, Mr SEATON, editor of the National Intelligencer, the President and Professors of Har vard University, the Clergy of this and neighboring towns, and numerous National, State, and Municipal officers and functionaries. Notwithstanding the time allotted to the exhibitions of some of the Schools was so short as not to admit of full justice being done to the Institution, the Instructors, or the Pupils, the exhibibitions were highly satisfactory to the visiters, and those parents who had an opportunity to witness the progress of their children. After the exercises a procession was made to Faneuil Hall; where the annual dinner was provided. The blessing was craved by the Rev. President KIRKLAND, and thanks returned by The United States-May it long have for its head, a scholar, statesman and patriot. This toast was received with prolonged cheers. When they had sub sided: The following toast was then given by one of the School Committee: Our venerable and respected Guest, Admiral Coffin- A native of our city, and an alumnus of our ancient Latin School-who, though separated from us in times of political dissention, was generous and kind to his countrymen-who, amidst the honours and plaudits of a princely court, remembered with affection the land of his birth, and still bears testimony to the excellence of our civil and literary institutions May honourable fame ever attend him, and may his declining years repose in health and peace. After loud cheers, Sir ISAAC rose, and in a few characteristic remarks, expressed the satisfaction he felt, as a Bostonian, in being present on the occasion; bore testimony to the advantages he had derived through THE PRESIDENT rose, under evi-life, from his education in a Boston dent emotions of sensibility, and in school; and begged leave to give as an eloquent and impressive address, made his acknowledgements for the sentiment which had been pronounced from the chair, and the manner in which it had been received by his fellow-citizens; alluded to the dif ferent scene which the Hall then presented, to that on a recent occasion; appealed to the heart of every parent present to furnish an apology why on this occasion, and under the bereavement he had experienced, he had for once deviated from the seclusion he had prescribed to himself, and his duty to prefer the "house of mourning to that of festivity;" embraced the occasion in that consecrated Hall, to do homage to the memory of JAMES OTIS, JOHN HANCOCK, SAMUEL ADAMS, ROBERT TREAT PALE, ELBRIDGE GERRY, JAMES and JOSEPH WA WARREN, and last, but not least, the Patriot who bore the name of the distinguished citizen who presided over the interesting celebration; and after addressing a few remarks to the Youth (who having received Medals on the day, were guests at the tables) offered the following toast. "The blooming Youth of Boston-May the maturity of the fruit equal the proise of the blossom." a toast: "The City of Boston, and its imperishable institutions." FRANKLIN MEDALS. The following is a list of the Pupils to whom the Franklin Medals were awarded:— Latin School.-John O. Sargeant, Charles Sumner, Theodore W. Snow, Albert C. Patterson, Benjamin H. Andrews, and Edward Cruft. High School.-David Patten, Wm. P. Sanger, John K. Hall, Isaac Scholfield, Jonathan Wright, Charles A. Dean, S. Eliot School.-Wm. Harrison, John N. Wilder, Edward A. Vose, Eleazer F. Pratt, Ephraim Snelling, Jacob H. Hathorne. Hancock.--David Adams, Franklin Boardman, Wm. W. Burgess, Stephen D. Mackintosh, Wm. Hart, Joseph K. Lewis, Adams.-Samuel H. Gibbens, Benjamin B. Appleton, Wm. H. Appleton, James Wakefield, George W. Hunewell, John Kurtz. Bowdoin.-John W. Skelton, Ichabod Howland, George H. Whitney, John K. Greenwood, Thomas J. Homer, Charles Hartshorn. Mayhew.-Henry Woodbury, Charles Mariner, Amory F. Sherman, Alfred B. Hull, Henry G. Capen, James I. Noyes. Boylston-John B. Fitzpatrick, Wm. B. Breed, Alfred Coburn. Franklin.-Tobias L. P. Lamson, Josiah A.Baldwin, Edward Seymour, Charles Paul, Charles T. Perry, Wm. Croome. Hawes.-Daniel L. Hobart, Thomas B. Thayer. COMMENCEMENT. On Wednesday last, the annual Commencement of Harvard University took place at Cambridge, with the customary rules and ceremonies on this popular and interesting anniversary. The exercises of the undergraduates, in all their several parts, were highly respectable, and in some peculiarly excellent, both for strength and perspicuity in their argument, and an apparently improved and chastened eloquence, in their delivery. The weather was uncommonly fine, and the audience numerous and respectable Several distinguished strangers were observed among the invited guests. The following is a list of the young gentlemen who received their degree of BACHELOR OF ARTS. John Emery Abbot, Julius Abbot, Nehemiah Adams, John Howe Boardman, Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, Alanson Brigham, Addison Brown, Joseph Heatly Cheves, Benjamin Cox, Allen Washington Dodge, Henry Dyer, William Holmes Fowle, Hersey Bradford Goodwin, William Alexander Gordon, Alexander James Hamilton, George Foxcroft Haskins, Richard Hildreth, George Washington Hosmer, Edward Jarvis, Adolphus Jouve, Omen Southworth Keith, Charles Rollin Kennedy, Nathaniel Phippen Knapp, Charles Henry Langdon Elwyn, Jacob Ronaldson Leib, Charles Russell Lowell, Edward Carrington Marshall, Cornelius M⭑Lean, Josiah Moore, Edward North, John Ham, Williams Page, Caznean Palfrey, Willard Parker, Andrew Preston Peabody, John Charles Phillips, George Putnam, Robert Rantoul, Richard Robins, William Lambert Russell, Samuel Sawyer, Edward Southworth, Oliver Stearns, Joshua Thomas Stevenson, Thomas Hubbard Sumner, John Holbrook Thayer, George Franklin Turner, Timothy Walker, Samuel Hurd Walley, Edward Warren, Stephen Minot Weld, Increase Sumner Wheeler, Winslow Warren Wright—52. Messrs. George Ripley and Samuel Horatio Stearns, were admitted to the degree of Master of Arts. The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on his Excellency Gov. Lincoln, Hon James Lloyd, Hon William Sullivan, and Hon Mr Gaston, of North Carolina: and of D. D. on Rev. Thomas Gray and Samuel Willard, of Massachusetts, and Rev. Mr Edes, of Providence, R. Island. PHI BETA KAPPA. It is This literary association, which is composed of the ripest scholars of each graduated class, hold their annual festival on the day succeeding that of each commencement. to the public highly interesting; but to the individuals of the society, it is in the truest sense of the words, "A feast of reason, and a flow of soul." Here are mingled the cordial friendships, the social affections, and the warm admiration of friends, whose avocations in life, necessarily separate them from each other in the ordinary pursuits of business, but who never forget their Alma Mater, and when assembled together on these occasions, their happiness is complete in the unbounded exuberance of feelings, which swells the bosom of every member. The literary exercises, for the present year, were assigned to Judge STORY and Rev. W. B. O. PEABODY, who more than answered the most sanguine expectations of their friends. We must needs regret that these effusions of genius are so fastidiously kept from the press. The public are desirous of knowing every thing, and are willing likewise to pay for such of them as come from pure and uncorrupted sources. The Patriot states, that HARVARD COLLEGE is the oldest and may with propriety be styled the parent literary institution of our country. It was founded in 1638, and was endowed with a legacy by Rev. John Harvard, of Charlestown, of 7791 17 2 sterling, being one half of his estate. In acknowledgment of his munificence it bears his name. writing these works, the answer given to the Frenchman, under his proper signature, was a very proper one, being grounded on the principle, admitted by the great moralist (Dr. Johnson) that "you may evade or DENY, in the case of an impertinent inquiry, whenever concealment is your plan, and that concealment injures no one." The second, and more probable, is, that Sir Walter Scott is not, alone, the person who has produced these publications; but composition of four persons, closely that they have arisen from the joint allied by fraternity and affinity. It is a well known fact, that a beloved brother of Sir Walter, well educated, and highly gifted with natural talents, after a course of successful business in Scotland, during which his mansion was the hospitable retreat of the learned, the witty, and the wise, failed, through the mismangrees were first conferred in 1642; agement, or villany of some of his in 1650 it was chartered. The pro- agents, and so deeply, as to preclude fessorships of divinity, and of mathe- the impossibility of re-establishing matics and natural philosophy were himself in his native country. In this founded in 1762 by Mr. Thomas state of affairs he obtained the assisHollis of London. The professor-tance of some friends, and with a ship of Hebrew was established by Thomas Hancock, esq. in 1765.— Other professorships have since been established and generously endowed by individuals. From the founding of the college to the year 1794, three thousand three hundred and ninety-of equal genius and accomplishnine young persons received its honors, of whom 1079 became ministers of the gospel. De SIR WALTER SCOTT. A great deal has been said about the presumed author of the "Waverly Novels," and lately, a French publisher of these works, with much ostentation, has given the fac simile of a letter, wherein Sir Walter Scott, with someambiguity, would appear to deny their claim to their authorship. On this subject, there are only two ways of settling this matter, and these hypothetically. The first is, that if Sir Walter is the only person who has been concerned in fine library, removed to Canada, where he now resides, on a small farm, with the income of some office under the mother country. In this seclusion he has an amiable and highly talented wife, and a daughter ments; and to fill up the measure of their time, from other necessary occupations, it is said, they employ themselves in sketching the "Lights and Shades" of British history, and more particularly the legends and traditions of their beloved Scotland. These pictures of ancient times, and the peculiar characteristics of the dramatis personae, who figured in them (in which the husband, wife and daughter, do their several parts, mutually aiding each other in their object and design) are drawn with a free, excursive and lively spirit, are the joint intellectual stock sent to their kinsman, Sir Walter Scott, who works them up with his addi |