The witty observation of a writer that, "the emperor's horses are better lodged than their master," may be true in regard to the external appearance of the palace, but the interior is worthy of a great monarch. In the first class of magnificent buildings may be enumerated the Imperial Chancery; the Imperial Library; the Belvedere; the Schwarzenberg Palace; the Bohemian Chancery; the palaces of Prince Lichtenstein; the Hungarian Chancery; the Church of St. Charles; the Imperial Stables; the Lobkowiz Palace, &c. The second class includes about two hundred, containing every thing that elegance and voluptuousness can require. The estimate for building Count Fries's new `palace was £40,000: the Emperor's cabinetmaker made furniture to the amount of £6,000, and the pier glasses cost £1500. The house of Count Trattner is worthy of note. The establishment consists of about 600 persons; the possessor came originally from Hungary as an insignificant painter, and is now said to expend £30,000 per ann. Among the public establishments we shall just mention the six great barracks for infantry, cavalry, and artillery; and the immense hospital that contains 3000 patients; also doctors, surgeons, attendants, cooks, midwives, lying-in women, foundlings, and lunatics.

The mixture of national costume is an interesting sight to a stranger, on his first arriv lin Vienna. The erect and stiff walking Hungarian wrapt up in his pelisse, with an immense long tail; the round-head Pole with his hair cut à la Brutus; the Armenians, Wallachians and Moldavians, in their half oriental dress; the Greeks in their white habits, and with long pipes; the bearded Mussulman with his broad dagger and yellow slippers; the scarecrow Polish Jews with their swollen cheeks, and filthy uncombed hair; and the Hungarian and Transylvanian boors with their greasy sheep-skins in the form of cloaks. To this we may add the confusion of at least sixteen different languages constantly clattering in his ears.

In Vienna, as in every other capital, many sacrifices are made to procure an equipage or a saddle-horse. They reckon 3000 gentlemen's carriages, 636 hackney coaches, 300 glass coaches, and about an equal number of public vehicles. The amount of draught and riding horses, within the lines, may be taken at 10,000. Many a noble horse has been sold for £400, and some of the princes keep t0 or 100 of them. The number of dogs, of all kinds, is estimated at 24,000.

The national Blood has been so blended and intermixed with that of other nations, that the only characteristic feature now remaining to a real Vienna man, is the long

sharp chin; he is of a middle size, slim, and long-linbed. The females are well grown, fresh-coloured, lively, and fine skinned. Their beauty fades rather early. But who can paint their vivacity'; what pen is swift enough to catch all that thousand variations," to trace on paper all those little nothings that constitute the essentiality of female attraction, and are continually fluttering on the wings of frivolity?

The citizens are courteous, open-hearted, ready to oblige, docile, ingenuous, and good patriots. In their transactions they are upright and conscientious, condescending to their neighbours, and generous towards their friends. Their fundamental maxim is, "live and let live" They are very fond of feasting, dancing, and of the theatres; but, as they seldom become bankrupts, on the contrary are in easy circumstances, we may conclude that their pleasures do not exceed their economical means. "There is only one Vienna," they exclaim in the fullness of joy. Were they singular in this delusion, there might be some reason for rallying them on the subject but what nation do we hear of, whose capital is not the best? The Parisian says the same; the Portuguese exclaims, ** He who has not seen Lisbon, has seen nothing." A Spaniard on his death-bed, begged his son for once.in his life to see Madrid. The Neapolitan, in his horrible jargon, calls out, see Naples, and then die." And what says John Bull? Have not the Viennese then as much right as others, to consider their capital as a paradise.

Who can reckon up the number of Prin ces, Barons and Counts, in Vienna, who constitute the three classes of high nobility? It is very natural that a great nobility should be collected in such a capital. The throne, public affairs, the great world, ambition, family connections, pleasure, &c. are the grand attractions. Old parchments and fine clothes no longer procure the favor of the monarch, the esteem of the public, or honorable posts. A dashing young man may spend his income as he pleases, may drive six horses, keep open house, and boast of his pedigree; but if he considers these only as sufficient to render him a person of consequence, he will never acquire it. The most ancient families have long been distinguished for their public services, their wealth, and. their personal qualifications.

The society of the female nobility, alco, is as instructive as it is delightful. In their circles time is not wasted at the card table. Musical parties, friendly converse, literary information, observations on books, travels, works of art, the theatre, &c. beguile the hours of a long winter's evening.

When the poor man has been working for days together, in a garret, to muster up a few pence, he comes down in the evening, stands

a few minutes at the house-door to consider the passing multitude, and then descends thirty steps under ground into a wine-cellar. The atmosphere of these places is saturated with vinous exhalations, to such a degree that in toxication soon takes place. Here the workman takes his evening's meal; the vintners sell wine from two pence to sixpence the measure; they furnish also cheese, cold fish, sausages, &c. The most noted wine cellar of the common sort, formerly belonged to a convent, and is filled with immense butts of red, and white wine. The cellar-men very seldom see the sun; and in this one cellar they are said to burn 18,000 wax lights annually. The fashionable ones, particularly the Hungarian cellar, are fitted up with a display of taste; and in that, you may order wine from one shilling a bottle, up to imperial Tokay at half a guinea a pint.

Institution of the Deaf and Dumb. Joseph II. who observed every thing in his travels that merited the attention of a thinking mind, having visited the school of the Abbé 'Epée at Paris, determined on erecting a similar one in his own capital. The number to be maintained gratis was fixed by his Majesty at thirty, but not exactly confined to it. Whoever wishes to introduce a deaf and dumb person,above that number, pays the moderate annual sum of £10 for board, cloathing, instruction, &c. They are taught language, religion,. physics, and arithmetic. A printing office has also been erected, the operation of which appears to be well adapted to their capacities. The girls learn common household affairs; there is also a ribband manufactory to employ other girls, as well as those boys who cannot be engaged in printing. At seven in the morning they have prayers, and then proceed to church to hear mass. According to the first regulations, they were allowed to walk out every day, but now they are confined to three times a week. Every Sunday evening the Institution is open to the public.

The Oriental Academy

is of great importance. If the deceased died of any suspicious disorder, the bed is carried away and burnt, or else thoroughly cleansed. Persons who die suddenly are examined whe ther they have been poisoned, or been killed by any violent means. In short, it is similar to our Coroner's inquest. A daily list is published, specifying the name, age, condition, quarter of the city, and even the number of the house, and the disorder of the deceased." The smallest number of deaths per day is seven, the greatest thirty-six.

As wood is very dear, and an immense quantity is consumed in coffins, Joseph 11. issued an edict in 1784, that for the future all bodies should be merely sewed up in a sack, and put into the ground. This created general disgust. The Greeks first began by representing the edict as contrary to their ritual; those provincial families who had relations in Vienna were greatly alarmed. At last the Emperor was obliged to issue a contra-edict stating that

as the living set such a value on their carca-. ses, and wished them to be longer in rotting, he did not care how they were buried; and that in regard to the coffins every man might do what he chose with his own corpse."

I close these sketches for the present, Mr Editor, and shall consider myself at liberty to renew the subject, on a future occasion. I am, &c VIVUS.

ENGLISH BENEFICENT GOVERNMENT OF

INDIA.

The Panorama in Vol. II. p. 1070 stated the alarms of the Carnatic, on the subject of a dreaded famine; with the measures taken to avert that calainity: we have infinite pleasure in recording the happy issue of those measutes, and in preserving to posterity the grati tude of those who were immediately benefited by it, in the address of the town of Madras, to its governor, Lord William Bentinck. We think too, that his Lordship's communication of the "orders of his superiors," cannot be read without interest; and ought to serve as a memento to all his stressors in that

No person can be buried at Vienna without having been previously inspected by the Visitation Office. Every physician, on the death of a patient, must draw up in writing the cause of his death, which is delivered to the above office. The object of this regulation

To the Right Honourable Lord William'

Cavendish Bentinck, &c. &c. &c. My Lord. We the undersigned inhabitants, such as cultivators, merchants, traders, artificers, manufacturers, mechanics, &c. residing at this presidency of Fort St. George and its environs, beg leave to express the regret we feel at the sudden departure of your Lordship from the government of Madras, as well as the loss of those blessings derived from the

protection, security and tranquillity we have so long enjoyed through the medium of your kind patronage, and beyond measure, your Lordship's government and administration of justice has been ever mild, wise and regular, in that you have been pleased to adopt every measure for our security and welfare in every. instance, and particularly in your having pur *chased and laid up in store a large stock of grain for our subsistence, and likewise your having liberally and charitably extended relief! to the poor inhabitants of this country, in the time of calamity and famine, by taking such timely precautions and effective steps, as agreatly alleviated the distress and saved us from the horror of a most grievous famine, both here as well as the interior country--which would otherwise have destroyed many thou-, sands of the inhabitants for want of this most necessary article of life, we therefore humbly consider your Lordship as an instrument under God ordained for the protection of us, at this part and other places in the peninsula, and are deeply, concerned and are impressed with the utmost sorrow at your Lordship's premature departure for Europe.

And therefore we humbly, request your Lordship will be pleased to accept our warmTest thanks expressive of the gratitude we owe for such your Lordship's munificence, charity and benevolence, during your Lordship's recent government, earnestly wishing that the almighty God may render you a prosperous voyage and safe return to your native country, whose arms will be extended to receive you with every mark of joy, and may He also bestow upon you all manner of happiness hoth in this and the world to come, is the humble prayer of, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient humble servants, &c.[This address was signed by about three thousand principal native Inhabitants.T

Medras, 28th September, 1807.1 Lord William Bentinck's Answer to the Address of the principal native Inhabitants of Madras.

Your address is highly gratifying to my feelings. It convirces me that the govern ment over which I have had the honor to preside, has not entirely failed in the discharge of the important duties entrusted to them. Let me not however assume more merit thah inay be duc-It is not any particular disposition of my own to humane and charitable actions which entitles me to your good will. It is the occasion of a great scarcity which has enabled me to manifest the real principles and intentions of the British government. The orders of my superior authority are,

First: To protect the free exercise of all religions, and to support Pagodas and Mosquees with the establishments belonging to them.

Secondly-To protect all the subjects of the provinces from the incursions of plunder

Sixthly. To treat the Princes allies of the Company with good faith, kindness and respect.

Seventhly. To maintain obedience among the European and native troops-To behave to them and to all other servants of the Company with justice, to recompense extraordinary services, and to support them in infirmity and old age.

Eighthly. In cases of public distress either from famine, or any other cause, to cherish and feed the poor and hungry.

These are my orders; you seem to think that I have executed theni.-Though imperfectly, I have done so with my best endeavours, and I leave this government contented and happy.

I will now earnestly recommend, that whatever changes take place you will never cease to confide in the goodness of the ho norable Company, and in the disposition of the local government, chearfully to execute their benevolent intentions-and I leave you with a sincere belief that you will not have less reason to be pleased with my successor than with myself.

I have now only to bid you farewell, I am and ever shall be deeply interested in your welfare, and I trust the Almighty Power will bless you with plenty and happiness. Monday, 18th September, 1807.

COINS OF THE REALM.

The relative value of English money at different periods of our history is not only a fit subject of enquiry in itself, as a part of our national concerns, but is indispensable to whoever desires to form just estimates of the relative prices of articles at distant times. If, for instance, one penny piece antiently, contained as much value as is now allotted to three penny pieces, we can form no fair con clusion of the change of value in a penny worth of bread, till we have made a just allowance for this alteration in the coin with which it is purchased. For if the weight of three penny pieces (of silver) will pay for the same loaf as fortnerly was paid for by one

penny piece it is clear, that there is no alteration in the price of bread, but merely a change in the tale of the coin employed în the purchase: which no more affects the relative value of commodities than a change in the denomination of the coin would do. We are happy, therefore, in taking advantage of a work lately published by the Earl of Liverpool, in which this subject is treated with great- attention, and which offers information drawn from the best authorities. As many considerations allied to it will come under our future investigation, we shall present a few EXCERPTA from his lordship's "Treatise on the Coins of the Realm; in "a Letter to the King," Oxford, 1805,

The true English standard of the silver, of which our coins were made, was 11 oz. 2 dwts. fiue, and 18 dwts. alloy. This is called the old standard of the standard of the old sterling. It is the more general opinion, that this was the standard of the silver coins made in the reign of William I. The principal English writers on coins, who must be supposed to have assayed the coins made in those ancient times, and still preserved in the cabinets of those who have collected them, are of this opinion: and it is certain, that in the 28th year of the reign of Edward I. an indented trial piece, of the fineness of 11 oz. 2 dwts. fine, and 18 dwts. alloy, was lodged in the Exchequer. This indented trial piece was at that time said to be of the old standard, which clearly proves, that such must have been considered as the standard of our silver coins, for a long time before.

The pound weight, which was marle use of in the mints of this realm, till the 18th Henry VIII. for weighing gold and silver, was the Tower pound; or what is called the moneyers pound; it was lighter than the pound troy, by three quarters of an ounce

troy.

At the accession of William I. to the throne of England, the pound in tale of the silver coins current in this kingdom was equal to the pound weight of standard silver, that is, the Tower pound before mentioned. The pound in tale was divided into twenty shillings, and each shilling into twelve pence or sterlings. The pound weight was divided into twelve ounces, and each ounce into twenty pennyweights; so that each pemy or sterling weighed one pennyweight or twenty-four grains. The only coins made in this early period were pennies or sterlings.

The system of coinage, thus described, continued without any alteration in the weight of our silver monies till the 28th of Edward

It is true, that half pennies, then frequently called mailles, as well as farthings,

This King first coined silver groats of the value of four pennies, which took the name of groats from their being larger coins, than any that had yet been made. The groats coined by this Prince were but few; and this denomination of money did not become ge nerally current till, the reign of Edward III.

The second debasement of our silver coin's was in the 18th Edward III. who then coined the Tower pound of sterling silver into twen ty-two shillings and two pence in tale; and the pound sterling in tale was thereby further debased 8 per cent.

The third debasement of our silver coins was in the 20th year of the same King, who then coined the Tower pound of sterling silver into twenty-two shillings and six pence in tale; and the pound sterling in tale was there. by further debased 14 per cent.

The fourth debusement of our silver coins was in the 27th year of this King, who then coined the Tower pound of sterling silver into twenty-fire shillings in tale; and the pound sterling in tale was thereby further debased 8 8-9 per cent.

The fifth debasement of our silver coim was in the 13th. Henry IV, who then coined the Tower pound of sterling silver into thirty shillings in tele; and the pound sterling in tale was thereby further debased 13 per cent.

The sixth debaseinent of our silver coins was in the 4th of Edward IV. who theri coined the Tower pound of sterling silver into thirty-seven shillings and six pence in tale; and the pound sterling in tale was thereby further debased 133 per cent.

Henry VII. who made no change in the weight of his silver coins, first coined shil lings, which had before been only a money of accounts, Shillings however did not be conie generally current till the reign of his successor Henry VIII. and they were ther commonly called testons.

The seventh debasement of our silver coins was in the 18 h year of Henry VIII, who then coined the pound Troy of sterling silver into forty-five shillings, or according to the Tower pound into 498, 24; and the pound sterling in tale was thereby further debased 6 per cent.

This King first coined crown pieces of silver of the nominal value of five shillings; but it is supposed that he made but few of