OBSERVANDA EXTERNA.

AFRICA.

Change of Governors. Gallows erected till the Guilty be detected. We have but little to announce of events from Sierra Leone since our last communication from thence. It appears, that the Governor, T. Perronet Thompson, Esq. has been superseded by Capt. Columbine of H. M. S. Solebay. And report states, that this measure was become necessary, through the vehemence of Mr. T.'s temper and proceedings. A few days previous to Feb. 25, 1809 a gallows was erected on the wall of Fort Thornton, with the following inscription: "To the memory " of a mulatto male child found murdered " in this colony, Aug. 10, 1807. To remain "till the execution of the guilty." No person was in charge for the murder, at this time: but a young unmarried Nova-Scotia woman had been tried and acquitted on this accusation before the late governor (Ludlam). She had been recently married, and Mr. Ludlam, with other respectable persons, had honoured her wedding-supper. further went to the church the following Mr. T. Sunday, and as the minister declined to read a notice concerning the intention in erecting this gallows, the governor read it himself to the great confusion of the congregation. He also committed the young woman to prison on a statute of 21 J. cap. 27, for concealing the death of her child; alledging that though she was acquitted of the murder, yet this concealment was a different crime. The arrival of a chief Judge from England was daily expected.

Negro King: Tribute for Water.-The governor has also been committed in a dispute with the king of the country, on the subject of paying for water. In our own happy island where springs and wells are frequent at every turn, the idea of paying for the salutary stream appears ridiculous; but it is not so in all parts of the world. though the gift of nature, is there a property; Water, and those violate this property who take it without purchase. The Sierra Leone Company agreed, by means of Capt. Taylor of His Majesty's Navy with King Naimbaira, and renewed this agreement by treaty with king Firama, to make a certain annual acknowledgment for the liberty of using the water. The

governor having refused payment in the name of the King of Great Britain, now proprietor of the district of Sierra Leone, instead of the Company, the negro King withdrew to the woods, and suspended further intercourse: but the governor has since made an attempt at payment in the name of the Sierra Leone Company. That this black sovereign was not the most refined of human beings, VOL. VI. [Lit. Pan, Aug. 1809.]

may be inferred from his behaviour at the governor's table (where formerly he was a frequent guest); when pretty well warmed with liquor, he would rise up, and spreading his arms abroad, as extending them over the whole fort and all the colony, he would vociferate, "I King for all this country!" He was also very proud of that article of dress which modern fasti "of the acquisition diousness has forbidden to be mentioned withthen, we must say in our turn, that modern out a periphrasis," says the governor.-Why fastidiousness is completely ignorant of the etymology of the word breeches:" and notwithstanding its affected refinement, is when drunk. more barbarous than King Firama is, even

AMERICA, NORTH.

Vernix.-A large swarm of bees, having Bees poisoned by the Effluvia of the Rhus settled on a branch of the poison Ash, Rhus vernix, in the county of West Chester in N. America, was taken into a hive of fir at three o'clock in the afternoon, and removed to the place where it was to remain at nine. About five the next morning the bees were found black, except a few, which appeared torpid and dead, swelled to double their natural size, and feeble, and soon died on exposure to the air.

FRANCE.

On Saturday, the 3d instant, a wolf of an Enormous Wolf-Evreux, 9th June, 1809, enormous size came out of a wood, and rushed on some children of the commune of St. Clair d'Arcy, arrondissement de Berney, in the department of the Eure; the ferocious animal seized a little girl of seven years of age, and tore its skull and face very much, when Peter Robert children, armed himself with a pitchfork Felix Cheron, alarmed by the cries of the and advanced towards the wolf, who imme diately left his prey for the purpose of attacking him; the brave fellow, prompted by his humanity, tood undismayed at this critical moment, and steadily awaited the approach of the furious animal, when, by a well-aimed after sustaining a long struggle, during which stroke, he pierced him with his fork, and time the animal lost part of his strength, with a vast deal of blood, he, by a second well timed blow knocked out one of his eyes; his wife luckily arriving at this juncture with a bludgeon, assisted him in killing the wolf. The prefect has ordered a gratuity to be paid to this brave man; and has likewise ordered some pecuniary assistance to be given to the unfor

tunate woman whose child fell a victim to the ferocity of the animal.

Creve of Wisbaden has discovered a method of Sour Wine sweetened by Charcoal.-Mr. recovering wine that has turned sour. For this purpose he employs powdered charcoal. The inhabitants of the banks of the Rhine have bestowed on him a medal, as a reward. 2 L

Table of the Mineral Substances of France, and their Produce.

The produce of the inland fisheries are valued at 10,000,000 of francs, or £416,666. The vineyards produce annually, about 13,687,500 hogsheads of wine, of various qualities and prices. A few vineyards, in the vicinity of Tours, sometimes yield five and twenty casks, of sixty gallons est, The best vineyards at Bouvray, near Tours, are valued at £100 per acre; but there ar some near Bourdeaux, estimated at £500 per acre, in favourable seasons; and during peace.

West Indies. It is our will and pleasure, and we do hereby require and command, that you do not on any pretence whatever give your assent to any laws to be passed concerning religion, until you shall have first transmitted unto us, through one of our principal secretaries of state, the draught of such bill or bills, and shall have received our royal pleasure thereupon; unless you take care, in the passing such bill or bills, that a clause or clauses be inserted therein, suspending and deferring the execution thereof, until our will and pleasure shall be known thereupon."

ITALY.

Meteoric Stones. On the 19th of April, 1808, at one o'clock in the afternoon, a great quantity of meteorolites fell in the commune of Pieve di Casignano, in the department of Taro (formerly the duchies of Parma and Placentia). The air was calm, and the sky serene, but with a few clouds. Two loud explosions were heard, followed by several less violent, after which several stones fell. A farmer who was in the fields, saw one fall about fifty paces from him, and bury itself in the ground. It was burning hot. A fragment of one of these stones is deposited in the museum at Paris.

Juvenile Linguist.-Progress of the English language in allied countries, being a literal copy of an advertisement (published out of compliment to the English garrison) for St. Ferdinand's Theatre at Palermo, on 10th January, 1807-"Gasper Grifoni, a boy six years old, for his benefits night shall expose on the stage four languages in mask, to wit, English, French, Spanish, and Italian, with a hobgoblin lackey, and a Greek Tragic, and Lappanio Spanish, and French servant. One of the most tragical scenes, labour of the said boy who shall expose in the middle of such graceful and ridiculous representation."

was of an oblong shape, blackish like cast iron, very smooth on all parts, and on one side resembling a coffin. On its flat surfaces were very fine radii resembling brass wire, Its fracture was of an ashen grey. Being conveyed to the gymnasium of Smolensko, à professor of natural philosophy there considered it at once as ferruginous, from the simple observation of its being extremely friable, and staining the fingers. The particles of which it is composed contain a great deal of lime, and of sulphuric acid.

SPAIN.

London Subscription in Behalf of the Spa nish Patriots.-Extract of a letter from his Excellency the Marquis of Astorga, President of the Supreme Central Junta of Spain and the Indies, addressed to the Right Honour able the Lord Mayor of London, and the rest of the Committee for the Spanish Sub scription at the City of London Tavern, dated Royal Alcazar of Seville, Feb. 18, 1809Translation." Most Excellent Sirs,-The Supreme Central Junta of Government of the kingdom of Spain, and the Indies, has had communicated to it by me, the interest ing letter which you have had the goodnes to address to my predecessor, under date of the 22d of December last, and has beheld with enthusiatic gratitude, the generous sen timents towards the Spanish nation, which animated your respectable meeting.-The merchants and inhabitants of London have not been satisfied with applauding only the noble and loyal determination of Spain, in its contest against the blackest treachery, and most violent usurpation that any age bos witnessed, but desired also to take an active part in the noble resolution of Spain, by aiding us most efficaciously with all the means at your disposal, in the just defence of our in dependence. Nothing can do more honour to those noble sentiments of generosity and patriotism; nor can a stronger claim be mad Meteoric Stone-The minister for the to the gratitude of the Spanish nation.-la home department has communicated to the its name, and in that of the Supreme Central Imperial Academy of Petersburgh the follow- Junta, I have the honour to assure your Ex ing account of a meteoric stone, weighing cellencies, that both receive with deepfelt 160 lbs, that fell in the circle of Ichnow, in thankfulness your generous gifts, and promise the government of Smolensko. In the after- their sincere and everlasting gratitude.noon of the 13th of March, 1807, a very These patriotic and liberal exertions will violent clap of thunder was heard in that dis-prove as efficacious as they are estimable in trict. Two peasants in the village of Timochim, being in the fields at the time, say, that at the instant of this tremendous report they saw a large black stone fall about forty paces from them. They were stunned for a few minutes, but, as soon as they recovered themselves, they ran toward the place where the stone fell. They could not however discover it had penetrated so deep into the snow. On their report, several persons went to the spot, and got out the stone, which was above two feet beneath the surface of the snow. It

RUSSIA.

the view of the Spanish nation and its go verniment. Two brave and allied nations, sworn on the altar of honour and loyalty, to resist tyranny and oppression, hold out a laudable example by their opposition to the tyrannic invader of Europe; without doubt, their united efforts will finally triumph over all obstacles."-Note of supplies sent by order of the London committee to Spain per his Ma jesty's ship Racoon, per the Mary transport, and per the Fermine merchantman-ship, viz. 30,458 pair of stockings; 50,000 calico shirts;

1,500 flannel shirts; 34,104 foraging caps; 13,896 watering caps; 90,000 pair of long and short gaiters; 30,013 neck-handkerchiefs; 10,000 knapsacks; 30,100 canteens; 5,000 camp kettles; 20 chests and cases of medicine; 1,080 pounds of lint; 39 cases of chirurgical instruments.—

The above letter and statement have been published by the Committee at Lloyd's, for assisting the Spaniards, together with items of expence, amounting to £36,406 gs. 6d.

AGRICULTURAL REPORT,

July 20, 1809.

Essex. Since my last, the wheats have very much improved, and I believe they are thought to be well headed. The late rains have been such an advantage to the barley and oats, particularly those late sown, that they now promise a very fair erop. Pease, as I before observed, are in a flourishing state; and beans are better than we experience in general. The prices of grain at Mark Lane justify this assertion. The harvests of hay and clover are pretty well ended: some of the latter suffered from the wet. How the turnips will take, it is too early to foretel; but few pieces have made their appearance. In this part of the country we know no want of feed for cattle. Potatoes seem to do well; yet at present we cannot say how they will fruit; especially those for winter use. The fallows are in a very fine

stale.

Suffolk.-Wheats look in general well, and there is every appearance of a good crop. Barley, oats, pease, and beans are thin; but look in good health. The late rains have been of great benefit; great quantities of hay have been got up very badly; but the last week has been fine for the latter hay; and much of it is well got up. Turnips are put into the ground late this season, owing to the rain not falling sooner. Coleseed, three parts of a crop.

Warwick. The wheat never looked better, or promised a more productive crop. Barley, crop in general heavy, and very good. Oats sown on the turf very deficient. Hay first mown has been much damaged by wet; though less than could have been expected, owing to the extreme coldness of the season, during the early part of the month. Turnips have been less affected by the fly than usual, and plant remarkably well; the hoeing of them is in general commencing. Wool on

the advance.

Hops (which are not a product of this district, but of which I saw yesterday a Worwestershire account) are not half a crop.

POLITICAL PERISCOPE.

Panorama Office, July 26, 1809. Whatever may be the result of the bloody conflict on the Continent, it is fit that remarkable events should be recorded, and that the merit of every man who distinguishes himself in his profession should be known and applauded. The battle of Aspern, as an instance of hard fighting, has strongly engaged the attention of the public; and many are the comments to which it has given occasion: those we leave to their own effects, and to their own fate, respectively. But, we beg leave to call the attention of our readers to the unusual display of activity on the part of the Austrian-general, by which he was enabled to meet Buonaparte on one bank of the Danube, immediately on We are of his appearance on the other. opinion, that whenever the Austrians can exert activity equal to that of the French, they will beat them: and whenever they can be the assailants, the probability of We consider the victory is in their favour. progress of the Archduke through the mountains of Bohemia, encumbered as he must have been with the armamentalia of his army, and under the necessity of supporting the firmness of his troops by the fortitude of his own mind, as highly distinguishing. shews the able General, and the General beloved and respected by his troops. It acts as a complete disproof to the falsities of Buonaparte, who affirmed, that the Archduke was wandering for safety in the mountains of Bohemia, and it proves that his previous losses, were less, much less, than the Corsican had described them to be.

It

A

The battle of Aspern does not strike us as being any wonderful display of military skill: it proves the most obstinate courage, the most invincible heroism of the assailants: it manifests desperation on both sides; and it is well described, as the bloodiest conflict produced by the French Revolution. conflict no less bloody, has, we understand taken place on the 5th and 6th of July: a few miles distant from the ground on which that action was fought this does not mark equal promptitude on the part of the Austrians: it has therefore proved unfortunate in its results, though extremely destructive to the French: and it has been followed by a cessation of arms.

This armistice is now the principal topic of political conversation, of the day; and but for the sailing of our own expedition, would engross public attention. As we have our intelligence only from French statements, which are in utter disrepute for particulars, we cannot tell what were the Austrian inIt is to last for a ducements to this measure. month :-on this short period what great events may turn !