middle exhibits the opposite polarity. Mr. Barlow's discovery, as to magnetism affecting or residing only in the superficial parts of masses of iron or steel, has been experimentally proved, by means of magnetized flat bars, one-tenth of an inch thick, which are found equally powerful with bars of considerable dimensions and weight, under the same extent of surface.

Sir E. Home has discovered that the membrane called the tympanum or drum of the ear is muscular in its structure, and composed of a series of muscular radii, all of equal length, in consequence of the exactly circular form of this membrane, and meeting in its centre. To this exact equality in the lengths of the muscular fibres in the human ear, Sir Everard attributes its great capability of appreeiating musical sounds. He states, that the ear of the elephant has an oval membrane, with fibres of very unequal length; and to this circumstance he attributes the alleged insensibility of that animal to any but low or grave sounds.

FRANCE.

The following facts shew the great utility and cheapness of gratuitous medical dispensatories. A late report of one of these institutions in Paris states, that, in 1821, 3428 patients had been prescribed for, of whom not more than 101 had died: the whole expense amounted to only about thirteen francs for each patient. The total number of persons assisted during eighteen years by this institution had been 28,582, of whom only 994 had died. Dispensatories are beginning to be formed in most of the principal towns of France. A French journal recapitulates as follows the advantages derived to science by the late British voyages of discovery in the Arctic Seas:

1. That the continent of America is not so extensive as has been commonly supposed towards the North Pole. 2. That its northern coasts, though at present inaccessible, lie under parallels less elevated than those of the Asiatic coasts in general, and exceed only by a few degrees the latitudes in the north of Europe. 3. That Baffin's Bay, as it is called, is not properly a bay, but forms a part of the Arctic Ocean, communicating with it by Lancaster Streight. 4. That Greenland is not conjoined with the Arctic countries of North America, but forms an immense island, or rather a sixth continent (Australasia being the fifth) from the extremity of the great headland which it projects, between Europe and America, to New Siberia, which appears to be its furthest

limits. 5. That admitting this, it must be frozen land, and not the Hyperborean Ocean, which fills the space between the 80th degree of latitude and the North Pole. 6. That, combining the results of the Polar expeditions with Russian discoveries, there is reason to conclude that this Arctic continent has been originally subject to the same geological laws as the other great divisions of the globe: its configuration, it would appear, is similar; its greatest breadth being in the northern part, as in the five other continents. One advantage to navigation has already resulted from certain passages discovered by Captain Parry; the whalefishers that have ventured as far as Lancaster Streights having returned with rich cargoes.

M. Flourens has, by a course of experiments on various animals, accumulated a variety of facts in order to ascertain that precise part of the brain in which the impressions made by external objects on the senses centre, and produce sensations; and from which other nerves, under the controul of the will, conduct irritation to the muscles, and cause them to perform the movements of the body which have been willed. This sentient point is placed by M. Flourens in the superior portion of the medulla oblongata, at the part where the tubercula quadragemina adhere to it. M. Flourens also states, that the cerebellum is the essential organ of locomotion: and that, on this part of the brain being compressed or mutilated, the animal is no longer able to preserve its position according to the dictates of the will, but appears to be under a state of intoxication or vertigo. When the cerebellum was removed altogether, the faculty of performing regulated motions entirely ceased. It nevertheless perceived if menaced with a blow; it heard cries, and endeavoured to avoid danger by a thousand fruitless efforts: in a word, it retained its faculties of sensation and volition, but lost the power of producing voluntary muscular contractions. The integrity of the cerebrum appears to be indispensable for the exercise of sight and hearing: when they are destroyed, the will is no longer manifested by acts of spontaneous volition.

It is not without pain that we record experiments of this nature on sensitive, though irrational, beings, however curious or important the results. But we feel far more pain of another kind, at the wretched spirit of Materialism with which facts of this nature are often descanted upon by some modern physiologists, both

continental and British. To us it appears demonstrably certain that the nicest discoveries relative to the structure and use of every part of organized nature, when rightly considered, cannot but lead the mind to the contemplation of an all-wise and infinitely powerful Creator; who has endued the inferior animals with their appropriate functions, and has superadded to man a soul, clearly distinct from all its material envelopments or instruments, even when apparently most chained and impeded in its operations by their imperfections or irregularities.

ITALY.

Mr. Fosbroke, in the second Number of his Encyclopedia of Antiquites, gives the following curious description of the ancient taverns of Italy.

"Nothing is a stronger proof of the size and populousness of Herculaneum, than its nine hundred public-houses. These houses, as appears by the Herculanean placard, contained not only baths, but pergula-galleries at the top of the houses, or balconies, but more commonly green arbours, and canacula, dining-rooms in the upper story of the house. A kind of counter appears at Pompeii, because the Romans did not recline, but sat, when they refreshed themselves at these places. The flaggons were chained to posts. The landlord and landlady had a particular costume. Vendors of unguents and perfumes also attended, and addressed the guest with Dominus and Rer, if he hoped for custom. In the inns on the roads there were both hot and colds meats; but Plutarch mentions a Spartan who brought his own meat, and gave it to the host to dress. Tiberius prohibited their selling any baker's goods. Nero permitted only boiled vegetables, though every kind of delicacy was common before. Juvenal describes the company as usually consisting of thieves, sailors, artificers, drunken Galli, &c.; and these places then, as now, were considered as permitting freer behaviour than elsewhere."

ST. MICHAEL'S.

Dr. Webster, in his account of the island of St. Michael's, states, that in the orange groves every tree yields annually 6000 or 8000 oranges or lemons; and that 26,000 are known to have been gathered from a single tree. The proprietors, to

whom speculation would be a fatigue, sell the produce to English or American merchants, whose agents travel about the country, purchasing all the fruits, even before they are ripe. Dr. Webster calculates the annual exports of fruit at nearly 60,000 chests : what remain in the island he rates at 40,000.

UNITED STATES.

An American engraving of Barley Wood the residence of Mrs. Hannah More, is on sale at New York, the profits of which are to be devoted towards establishing a missionary school for females in Ceylon, to be called Barley Wood. "Such a compliment from a far country," remarks the friend who communicates to us the circumstance, “must be acceptable even to the Christian humility of the illustrious female to whom it is paid; especially if she is aware of the degree in which her writings have operated for the improvement of the female character on the distant shores of the western world."

INDIA.

A Bengalee version of Todd's enlarged edition of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary, is in a course of publication in India. The public is indebted for this laborious and useful work to the conjoint labours of Baboo Ram Comul Sen and Mr. Felix Carey.

At a late meeting of the Calcutta Asiatic Society, Major Harriot presented a memoir respecting the Gypsey tribe, the supposed migrations of which he traces through various countries. In the province of Khorasaun the Gypsies are said to be numerous, and are called Karashmar. Four thousand of the Kaultee or Loolee class were brought into Persia fourteen hundred years ago, by Bairam Ghor, as musicians, from Kaubul, and thence were subsequently scattered over Iran, Syria, and Egypt. The Nuth in India, the Kaulee in Persia, and the Gypsey in Europe, lead the same wandering life; and practise the same feats of dexterity, music, and palmistry. Major Harriot remarks, that whether in England, Russia, Sweden, Spain, Bohemia, Turkey, Persia, Syria, or Egypt, we may, through language alone, still trace, with general accuracy, the oriental feature and descent of this singular fraternity, although every vestige of tradition respecting their history is lost.

THEOLOGY.

A Selection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, for Public Worship. By the Rev. John Foster, A.M. 2s. 6d. sheep.

The principal Characters in Law's Serious Call, abridged. 3d. or 2s. 6d. per dozen.

Lectures on the Pleasures of Religion;

by the Rev. H. F. Burder, M.A. 1 vol. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

A Treatise on the Genius and Object of the Patriarchal, Levitical, and Christian Dispensations; by the Rev. G. S. Faber. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s.

Lectures on Scripture Comparison; by the Rev. W. B. Collyer, D.D. 8vo. 14s. Sermons by the late Rev. W. Hawkes. Edited by the Rev. W. Shepherd. 2 vol. 8vo. 24s.

Devotional Exercises extracted from Bishop Patrick; by Miss Hawkins, 18mo. 3s.

Horæ Romanæ, or an Attempt to elucidate St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by an original Translation, explanatory Notes and new Divisions. By Clericus. 8vo. 3s. Discourses on the King's Proclamation, by the Rev. H. Atkins. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Hora Theologica; or a Series of Essays on Physics, Morals, and Theology; by the Rev. D. Lloyd. 10s. 6d.

The Words of the Lord Jesus; by J. Read. 12mo. 4s.

Discourses on Passages in the Acts of the Apostles; by H. Thomson, D.D. 8vo. ASabbath among the Mountains. 8vo.2s.

Hieroglyphical Literature, and Egyptian Antiquities; by T. Young, M.D. 8vo. 7s. 6d. Life and Works of Sir Christopher Wren; by J. Elmes. 4to. 31. 3s.

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Sophocles, in English Prose, with Notes. Vol. I. 8vo. 8s. 6d.

Paris and its Environs; by F. Nash. 2 vols. 4to. 81.

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Specimen's of the Russian Poets; by J. Bowring. Vol. II. 12mo. 8s.

Universal Stenography, upon the general Principles of the late Mr. Sam. Taylor, with Improvements; by W. Harding, 12mo. with several plates. 3s.

PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY
SOCIETY.

In our Number for May, 1822, we presented our readers with a concise outline of some principal facts contained in the Society's last Report, as read at the general meeting. The subsequent publication of that Report enables us to add a few additional particulars. The Report is more favourable, in almost every respect, than the generality of those which have preceded it. The number of bound books issued from the Society's depository, had been larger by 800 volumes than that last reported; the sum total of receipts had rather increased: little less than 30,000 Homily-tracts, beyond the number distributed in the foregoing year, had been put into circulation: the cause of the institution had been far more warmly espoused by many of the clergy and others, than in former years; and, above all, the prospects of usefulness which opened before it, had been considerably enlarged. Since the formation of the Society little less than 3000 copies of the Book of Homilies had been issued from its depository, besides editions printed and issued elsewhere. Several hundred copies of the folio edition of the Homilies, published by this institu

tion, had been placed in parish churches, and considerably more than half a million of Homily-tracts had been circulated. The number of Prayer-books and Psalters circulated during the year amounted to 9433; making the total of Prayer-books issued by the Society 83,730; Psalters 10,044. The Homilies, Articles, and Ordination Services as tracts, disposed of during the year, were 58,648; besides 5000 Homilies printed at this Society's expense at Amsterdam; 5000 at Bremen ; and 2000 at Malacca; and 8000 reprinted under the direction of a friend at Toulouse, Montpelier, and Monaco.-A friend travelling on the continent observes, "I have scattered French and some English Homilies all the way from Toulouse to Nice, and now looking back to Calais through France. The Homilies thus distributed have been universally well received." The same correspondent mentions having printed 1000 copies of the First Homily in Italian, through the agency of a zealous priest; and having left 900 copies with him for distribution, principally among his brethren. He says that there is a wide field for diffusing the Homilies through many parts of the continent. Similar reports have reached the Commit

tee from other quarters. "You have been informed," writes a pious Protestant minister in the south of France," that the First Homily, translated into French, was lately reprinted here, and that 3000 copies have been distributed. I am happy to inform you, that they were as much favoured by Roman Catholics as by Pro testants. Permit me, in the name of the Churches of my country, to thank your Society for their good will, and the measures they are taking for the promotion of so much good."

In consequence of these favourable inlets, the Committee had caused measures to be taken for the translation of several of the Homilies into French; to be printed and distributed under the care of able and zealous pastors in the south of that country. They also expected that the transla tion of Homilies into Italian and Portuguese would be greatly facilitated by the connexion thus formed; so that nothing but enlarged funds would be necessary to the dissemination of these sound, simple, and truly scriptural compositions of our Reformers, over extensive portions of the Continent. A clergyman in Holland urges the Committee to proceed in translating the Homilies into Dutch. When his last communication was received, 5000 copies of the First Homily in Dutch had been already circulated; and the same number of the Second were in a course of distribution by means of Protestant Ministers at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Ostend, and the members of a Tract Society in the Netherlands: some also having been sent to Surinam and the Cape. The translation of others was in progress. Five thousand copies of the Burial Service in Dutch were in the press at Amsterdam.

The Society has reprinted the German translation of the First Homily at Bremen; and a clergyman in that neighbourhood was translating the Second and Third. The First Homily in Arabic is in the course of distribution on the coast of Africa and elsewhere.

Among the most gratifying occurrences of the year was the receipt, from Dr. Morrison, of a manuscript copy of the First Homily translated into Chinese; and an intimation from the late Dr. Milne at Malacca, that 2000 copies had been printed. Of these, 200 had been sent to the late Bishop of Calcutta for circulation in Thibet; others had been forwarded to the chaplain and others at Pulo-Penang; to the chaplain at Bencoolen; also to Batavia, Sincapore, and other places. "It CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 256.

affords us great encouragement," observes Dr. Milne, speaking of himself and Dr. Morrison, "to find your worthy Society, among others, coming forward to assist in the great work of evangelizing China. Your resources in England are great: among the Chinese there is a vast field to employ them. Here most of the Christian societies in existence might advantageously expend part of their talent, wealth, and zeal, and for the first hundred years hardly come in contact with each other. The sober and weighty truths contained in the Homilies of the Anglican Church will be found of excellent service in all Chinese missions, especially among those who may renounce idolatry and embrace the Christian faith. To co-operate with you in effecting the objects of your Society as far as practicable, will always afford me pleasure." Dr. Milne adds; "The Psalter, with the morning and evening prayers, will be reprinted as soon as practicable." In China itself there are great difficulties to be encountered in circulating Christian publications; but among the several colonies of Chinese, the governments present no obstacles to the propa gation of the Gospel by means of books, or indeed by any other means. Some of the Prayers and Psalters have been sent to Kamschatska, in hopes that they may fall into the hands of Japanese, who occasionally visit that place, and who understand the Chinese character. Copies also both of these and of the Homily will probably find their way by junks and other conveyances into China itself.

The distribution of our formularies in foreign lands seems eminently calculated to increase respect towards the English Church in those who already think favourably of her, to dissipate prejudice where it exists, and to promote union among Christians in every part of the world. The Committee pleasingly illustrate these points by extracts from their correspondence. Thus a French Protestant divine writes: "I have long been acquainted with the Prayer-book, as well as with the Homilies of your church; and I have always regarded both the one and the other as most valuable monuments of the wisdom and piety of your Reformers. Suffice it to tell you, that I shall regard the printing and publication of any fragments whatever of these books as an important step towards the advancement of Christian knowledge in France; and I shall feel great pleasure in charging myself with the execution of any measure of this kind, if you should think it expedient to give me 2 M

Such a commission." One of the most active distributors of the Homilies in Dutch has been a Presbyterian minister at Rotterdam, who professes himself to be "a great admirer of the writings of our church." A Dutch gentleman, a Presbyterian, who has himself translated parts of the Prayer-book into the language of his country, lately sent a donation of 51. to the Society. A grant of some Latin Prayer-books for distribution to Dr. Naudi, at Malta, occasioned the following communication: "A copy of the Liturgia Anglicana, which I placed in the hands of a liberally-minded Franciscan friar some time ago, had a good effect. It was read by his monks with much pleasure, and, as he assured me, with much Christian edification. Another gentleman, an aged man of good character, to whom also I entrusted a copy, admired the good order of your church in general, and said that he felt disposed to think a great deal better of the Church of England than he had been used to do. In the Præfatio, in the article de Cæremoniis, and in that of Ordo Prælegendi Scripturas, he perceived, he said, great wisdom in the establishment of that Christian church, and sound judgment in the manner in which she had carried on her reformation. Another copy was sent to a friend in Sicily, at the university of Catany, where they have long desired something of this kind, that they might be better acquainted with the English Church." He then adds," It is amazing how calls for religious things are now daily increasing in these parts since the spreading among us of the holy Scriptures. Be so good as not to forget these our countries."

The circulation of our formularies in foreign lands may also, indirectly at least, contribute to the ultimate reformation of Christian churches. "It is very fitting," writes a well-informed correspondent, "that the Church of England, little known in foreign parts, should be introduced gradually to the acquaintance of the various Christian churches of Europe and the East. In proportion as they emerge from darkness and superstition, our national Reformation may serve them as a model, and our church documents as specimens of what we have done; and they will avail themselves of such an example as our church presents, in some way doubtless, for their own benefit and God's glory." The Committee further suggest, that the circulation of our formularies is calculated to promote a spirit of devotion, and to render essential service both to

families and individuals. A friend of the Society, writing in Piedmont, observes; "I found a pastor in these valleys employed in compiling a family prayer-book, and I lent him my Italian version of the English Liturgy to assist him."

The Society proposed, as soon as means could be found, to procure and print-in union with the London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews-a version of the Liturgy in pure Biblical Hebrew, for the use of such converts as may arise from among the children of Israel.

The Committee have received very pleas ing testimonies to the usefulness of Homilies distributed as tracts. A gentleman

in the Isle of Man writes: "The Manks Homilies have been very acceptable to the people. The teachers at a Sunday-school in Kirk Michael, having seen a copy of one of them, were so much pleased, that they applied to a person in the neighbouring parish, who had some of them on sale, and bought several, which they bestowed as rewards on the children. A quantity of them, including copies of the First Homily, on Reading Holy Scripture, were given to a person, with the request that he would leave one in every house in the village of Balla Salla, which contains about sixty houses. The request was carefully complied with, and the result was most pleasing. A few of the inhabitants collected themselves together, resolved to form themselves into a Bible Association, and are now going on steadily in this important work."

Another clergyman writes: "The benefit which I always anticipated from the circulation of the Homilies, in the form of cheap tracts, has been realized among my parishioners. A young married woman, who died about six weeks since, gave me frequent proofs of the advantages which she had for several years past derived from hearing and reading the Homilies. She has for sixteen years been a pattern of truly Christian, humble, active, and useful piety. Not many weeks before she closed her valuable life, she observed to me, that of the many books 1 had recommended to her at different times, she valued none more than the Homilies; which, she said, next to the Bible, had been the means of establishing her faith and guiding her principles. The Homily against the Fear of Death evidently contributed to the calm serenity and happy composure with which she long contemplated her approaching end."

Through the publication of a new and