and facility to the steering of the ship, as to render the short iron tiller perfectly secure in all weathers.

The improvement consists of a flap, or minor rudder, traversing with the principal rudder, and attached to the stern-post; this flap covers the vacancy around the posts behind the rudder, or between the rudder and stern-post. This vacancy or space in a vessel of 1200 tons burthen, is about 23 feet high, and 18 inches by 12 or 14 inches broad, and into this vacuity, when the helm is nearly a-weather, the water rushes with such force in passing off from the ship's bottom, as to impede her progress and to cause her steering difficult. In case of sternway, the flap, or minor-rudder, is turned back against the stern-post out of action. On the under part of the stern-post, a piece of copper is fixed to prevent ropes getting between it and the rudder; and it is recommended that the edges of the rudder be cut off, or rounded, down to light water mark, to break the eddy other wise occasioned by its passage through the water.

It is further stated, that by this improvement the velocity of the ship will be augmented in proportion to her rate of passing through the water, inasmuch as the effect or the action of the counteracting power of the column of water which rushes between the stern-postand rudder (equal in weight to several tons in larger vessels) has a new direction, and is applied to her velocity, increasing her average progress one knot per hour, giving facility to the sailing, safety and comfort of the vessel. To WILLIAM TAYLOR, of Wednesbury, Staffordshire, for an improved Smelting Furnace for Iron and other

Ores.

The improvement projected by the patentee, consists in constructing the hearth of the furnace so that the blast may be conveyed into it through several apertures in the same side of the furnace; that the blast may be distributed more equally through the whole of the fire, and with greater effect, than if conducted through one aperture as heretofore.

The patentee does not confine himself to any given scale of dimensions or proportions, his whole contrivance is to convey the wind by blow-pipes from the bellows through several apertures; or twyer-holes, immediately to the fire, by which he considers the smelting of iron and other ores will be more easily

effected than in furnaces of the old or

common construction.

To WILLIAM BATE, Esq. of Peterborough, Northamptonshire, for improvements in the mode of preparing Hemp, Flax, and other fibrous substances, for spinning.

The patentee's improvement consists in a machine composed of a multiplicity of wheels, pinions, and rollers, turned by one toothed-wheel, receiving its motion from a first mover, as a steam-engine, water-wheel, &c. The hemp, flax, or other fibrous substance intended to be prepared, is passed through this machine once or oftener, in order, in the first instance, to break its hard external coat; and then to snbject it to the operation of raking, by means of scutchers, by which woody parts previously broken are scraped off.

At the top of the machine are two indented rollers working into each other, between which the rough hemp or flax is first introduced, and, passing through, becomes crimped and broken, previous to the scutching process. From these breaking rollers, the filament passes between two conducting rollers down to the first of the presenting rollers, as the patentee terms them, and of which there are several; and between every two of these is a small guide roller, for the purpose of keeping the filament tightly distended. A large and also a small drum-wheel carry a number of scutchers, placed longitudinally, round the drums. The large drum-wheel revolves rapidly, causes the scutchers to scrape the filament on one side, as it comes down ; the lesser drum-wheel, placed lower in the machine, scrapes it on the other side.

and

By these means the broken boom is entirely removed from the fibres, by the time that the flax and hemp have passed through the machine. The presenting rollers are placed one under the other, and increase in diameter as they approach the bottom; by which means the filament is stretched in its descent, and the separation of the fibres promoted.

Beneath the breaking-rollers are two thin plates, forming troughs, which catch the pieces of broken boom, protecting the wheels and machinery at the lower part of the arrangement; the flax passing to the guide-rollers, between the troughs. The broken boom collected by the troughs is conveyed away by giving them a slight motion by means of cranks and connecting rods. VARIETIES,

MR:

R. WALDECK, a German, has recently arrived in England from India, and is preparing an account of his travels through Africa, from Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope. Of the authority of his journey there is no doubt. It appears that at the foot of the mountains of the moon, he found an inscribed pillar, erected by a Roman consul, about the period of the reign of Vespasian. He found a level on the top of those mountains nearly 400 miles broad, on which he discovered a temple of the highest antiquity, and in fine preservation, and still used for religious purposes by the inhabitants. South of the level, he passed a descent of fifty-two day's journey, and when advanced about nine days, he found the skeleton of a man, with a telescope slung on his shoulder, marked with the name of Harris, and also a chronometer made by Marchand. There were also two other skeletons, and it was supposed the owners perished for want of water. The manuscript is preparing, and the work will speedily appear in London, accompanied by engravings. Mr. Waldeck was accompanied by four European companions, only one of whom survived the hardships of the journey, and now resides in Paris.

ARTHUR BROOKE has in the press a new volume entitled, Restrospection, and other Poems; which will appear in a few days, with a portrait of the ingenious author.

PROFESSOR MONK has been occupied for three or four years in preparing a life of Doctor Bentley; a work which it is expected, will be put to press early in the ensuing spring. The biography of this scholar, the most celebrated of all who ever in England established a reputation in the department of classical learning, is intimately connected with the history of the University of Cambidge for above forty years, a period of unusual interest, and with the literary history of this country for a still longer time. It has been frequently remarked, that such a work is a desideratum in En. glish literature, and this it is the author's endeavour to supply. He has industriously sought for documents which may throw light upon the events of those days, or tend to elucidate the character, the conduct, and the writings of Bentley. For this purpose he has

searched the voluminous manuscript collections of Baker, of Cole, and of Hearne, as well as other records preserved in the British Museum, the Bodleian, the Lambeth Library, &c. He has been indulged with an unreserved access to all the registers and other documents belonging to both the University and to Trinity College; which in conjunction with various letters and private papers, and a full assemblage of legal records, have enabled him to unravel and explain the curious conflicts which Bentley went through in the course of his long academical life; and which, no less than his writings, brought him in contact with many of the most illustrious characters who were his contemporaries. Professor Monk has also availed himself of that very important correspondence between Bentley and the first scholars of his age, which has beeh spoken of in p. 403 of the Museum Criticum; as well as of a still more extensive assortment of papers, comprising letters of Bishop Atterbury, Bishop Sherlock, Bishop Greene, Dr. Conyers Middleton, Dr. Andrew Snape, Bishop Ilare, Bishop Zachary Pearce, and many other highly distinguished characters, who were intimately connected with the leading events of Bentley's history; also the whole of the manuscripts left by Dr. Colbatch, his principal opponent in Trinity College.

Speedily will be published in four volumes, Svo. the History of Tuscany, from the most remote and obscure times of Etruscan Antiquity, down to the establishment of the Grand Duchy. It is interspersed with Essays upon the Origin and Progress of the Italian Language; the Commerce of the Tuscans; the Arts, Sciences, and Literature of the lower and middle ages, and with copious notes and illustrations. The whole by Lorenzo Pignotti, Royal and Grand Ducal Historiographer, &c. &c. &c. translated from the Italian, with the addition of the life of the Author, by J. BROWNING, esq.

The second volume of Sir R. K. PORTER'S Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia, &c. &c. is nearly ready for publication, it will be illustrated with numerous engravings of Portraits, Costumes, Antiquities, &c. &c.

In a few days will be published the private and confidential correspondence of Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury, principal minister to King William for a considerable period of his reign, by the Rev. Archdeacon CoXE.

A Translation of Baron Larrey's new work, entitled, a Collection of Surgical Observations, with Notes, is preparing by the Translator for publication, by MR. DUNGLISON, of Prescot

street.

Early in January will be published, the first part of a series of Engraved Portraits of the Deans of Westminster; from drawings by G. P. Harding, to accompany the memoirs of those prelates, in the History and Antiquities of the Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westminster, written by Edward Wedlake Brayley, and graphically illustrated by I. P. NEALE.

An interesting volume of Travels will appear shortly by W. J. BURCHELL, esq. whose Researches in the interior of Southern Africa, during a five year's residence in that country, comprise a variety of discoveries and observations which have never yet been laid before the public. Numerous engravings, from the author's own drawings, and an entirely new map will illustrate the work.

A New Edition (being the 7th) of Conversations on Chemistry, is preparing for the press with considerable additions.

The author of the Bachelor and the Married Man, Hesitation, &c. will shortly publish a new Novel, entitled, the Woman of Genius.

Mr. CHARLES MILLS, author of the History of the Crusades, will shortly lay before the public the first part, comprising Italy, of the Travels of Theodore Ducas, in various countries of Europe, at the period of the revival of Letters and Art.

The Memoirs of the Court of King James the First, by Lucy Aikin, in 2 vols, 8vo. are nearly ready.

Mr. A. T. Thomson, F.L.S. &c. &c. has in the press Lectures on the Elements of Botany. Part I. containing the Anatomy and Physiology of those organs on which the growth and preservation of the plant depend: with explanations of the Terminology connected with these parts: in 8vo. illus trated by marginal cuts and copper plates.

The Sixth Part of Dr. Whitaker's General History of the County of York, is just ready.

The Rev. S. Burder, A.M. is preparing a New Edition of his Oriental Customs, or an Illustration of the Sacred Scriptures, by an explanatory application of the Customs and Manners of the Eastern Nations, and especially of the Jews therein alluded to; this edition will be considerably enlarged.

Two Voyages are preparing for publication, to New South Wales and VanDieman's Land; including a description of the present condition of those interesting colonies; with facts and observations relative to the state and management of convicts of both sexes, under sentence of transportation, with reflections on seduction, and its general consequences, by Thomas Reid, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London, and Surgeon in the Royal Navy.

The Speeches of the late Right Hon. Henry Grattan, edited by his son, will appear shortly in 4 vols. 8vo.

Vol III. of the Dublin Hospital Reports and Communications in Medicine and Surgery, will be published in December.

Shortly will be published, Practical Observations on Paralytic Affections, St. Vitus' Dance, Distortions of the Spine, and. Deformities of the Chest and Limbs, arising from Chronic Rheumatism, Rickets, Gout, &c. illustrative of the beneficial effects of_Muscular Action, with Cases, by W. TILLEARD WARD, F.L.S.

Mr. W. H. WHITE, of Bedford, has a work in the press on the Theory and Practice of Numbers; being a Scientific Introduction to Mercantile Calculations, and the Study of the Mathematics, for the use of schools and private students; with a Key.

We congratulate the Medical Profession on the accession of Dr. GRANVILLE to the Editorship of the London Medical and Physical Journal, lately so ably conducted by Dr. HUTCHINSON.

Mr. ROOTSEY is about to publish a large Map of the world upon an improved projection. It will represent all countries in their respective and relative sizes with the least possible distortion, and in one area; affording the only means of comparing at one view the just proportions of the parts of the earth. The inaccuracy and disproportion of other maps will be immediately evident by contrasting for example the two islands of Ceylon and Ireland upon them, the latter appears to be about three times as large as the

former,

former, whereas the island of Ceylon is the largest of the two. The continents are divided according to their natural geography, which is a permanent division, and not according to their civil geography, which as Mr. Pinkerton has justly observed, becomes antiquated in a very few years. Its breadth will be six feet, and the countries delineated upon it will be four times as large in proportion as those upon an 18 inch globe, by which means it may supersede many particular maps. It will also contain of course all the recent discoveries in Africa, Asia, and America, to the period of its publication. Mr. MILLS' Elements of the Science of Political Economy, will be published early in November.

Miss A. M. PORTER is writing a Romance, to be entitled Roche Blanc, or the Hunters of the Pyrennees.

A new volume by the author of the beautiful Tale of Ellen Fitzarthur, entitled the Widow's Tale, and other Poems, will be published early in December; also a new edition of Ellen Fitzarthur.

The Synopsis of British Mollusca, by WILLIAM ELFORD LEACH, M.D. will be ready for publication on the 10th of November.

Mr. SAMUEL FREDERICK GRAY'S Natural Arrangement of British Plants is very near its completion.

We understand that a splendid exhibition of drawings, principally by Turner and other distinguished artists, is now forming, and will be opened for the inspection of the public at No. 9. Soho-square, about the 1st of January next.

Dr. Watkins, author of the General Biographical Dictionary, will shortly publish a work consisting of Memoirs of Self-educated Persons, who by their own exertions have risen to eminence in literature and science.

Miss PENGER is engaged in Memoirs of the Life of Mary Queen of Scots, which will be published in the course of the winter.

Early in next month will appear the Aid to Memory, being a Common Place Book, arranged upon a new plan, with an alphabetical index, consisting of upwards of one hundred and fifty heads, such as occur in general reading; and suited alike to the student, the scholar, the man of pleasure, and the man of business, by J. A. SARGANT.

A work entitled the Present State of Europe, will shortly appear.

MONTHLY MAG. No. 361.

In a few weeks will be published, an Appendix to Professor ORFILA'S General System of Toxicology, or Treatise on Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Poisons, containing all the additional matter relating to that science published by the author in his last work entitled "Lectures on Medical Jurisprudence," and thus rendering complete the former treatise on poisons; to which will be added twenty-two coloured engravings of poisonous plants, insects, &c.

A new edition is in the press with considerable additions, of Systematic Education, or Elementary Instruction in the various departments of Literature and Science, with Practical Rules for studying each Branch of useful Knowledge, by the Rev. W. SHEPHERD, the Rev. J. JOYCE, and the Rev. LANT CARPENTER, L.L.D.

About the middle of November will be published a new edition of that great guide to the stage in its most interesting time, COLLEY CIBBER'S Apology for his own Life, enlarged by about two hundred notes upon the biography, criticism, narrative, and anecdote of the author. The work will also have an index, (for the first time) and editorial preface and portrait.

Dr. READE, of Cork, has published a variation of the common experiment illustrative of refraction, and by using a glass vessel instead of an opaque one; and he seems to prove beyond the possibility of dispute, that an image is formed at the surface of the water, or transparent medium, which becomes the object of vision, consequently that there is no bending of rays, and no such principle as refraction! Any person may verify this experiment, and by holding the glass in different situations and by shaking the water, satisfy himself that the old doctrine of refraction is an error, and consequently that all our diagrams and illustrations on this subject are so many false analogies. By other equally simple experiments, he shews, that in forming an inverted image there is no crossing of rays, but that the image is the result of reflexion within the lens. Ever principle of the Newtonian philosophy, after flourishing for a century, seems, therefore, likely to be exploded, and nothing remains but diagrams, unconnected with the true operations of nature,

Hints towards the right Improvement of the present Crisis, by Jos. JONES, M.A. are in the press. 3 K

The

The Encyclopædia Metropolitana, which has been suspended in consequence of the failure of its late publisher, has fallen under the management of new proprietors, who will pubHish the fifth part of that work, 1st of January, 1822.

Early in January will appear a small volume by Mrs. DAVIS, of Frome, entitled Helps to Devotion, in the entire language of the Scriptures, ou a plan suggested by the late Mrs. Brunton.

DUDLEY FOSBROKE, M.A. F.A.S., author of "British Monachism," &c. announces Berkeley Anecdotes; consisting of Abstracts and Extracts of Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys, illustrative of Antient Manners and the Constitution, and including all the Pedigrees in that celebrated Manuscript; to which are annexed, a copious History of the Castle and Parish of Berkeley, consisting of matter never before printed; and Biographical anecdotes of Dr. Edward Jenner, &c.

Mr. HONE's Answer to the Quarterly Review, in refutation of the calumnies in the article on the Apocryphal New Testament, and in defence of himself for having published that work, will appear in a few days.

A volume is in the press corresponding in size with the Vocal Library, which will contain nearly 2500 Anecdotes, the best in the language; it will be entitled the Anecdote Library. Mr. Seward's six volumes did not contain above 500 articles; Andrews's not 200; Adams's not 150; the superior pretensions of this volume may therefore be determined numerically, while it will be published at a lower price

than either.

A History of Lady Jane Grey and her Times, by Mr. GEORGE HOWARD, is announced for publication in De

cember. It will illustrate the manners and customs of former days, with numerous Anecdotes of the distinguished Persons and Events of that period, and will embrace the earliest records of the Reformation, drawn from sources hitherto unexplored.

Mr. JAMES TOWNSEND is preparing for publication, a translation of the Bachelor of Salamanca, a novel by Le Sage.

The Rev. Mr. PIGGOT is engaged on a small work entitled the Young Suicide Preserved; a narrative founded on the case of Mr. G. J. Furneaux, who shot himself at White Conduit House, September, 1821.

December the 1st, will be published and continued weekly, price one shilling, the Focus of Philosophy, Science, and Art, concentrating the spirit of the knowledge of the day. Every British journal of scientific character, will be ransacked for useful matter of fact, and selections will be occasionally made from the best foreign authorities.

The Preacher, in 6 vols, 12mo. is preparing for publication, consisting of Sketches of Original Sermons, from the MSS. of two eminent divines of the last century, with a familiar Essay on Pulpit Composition, principally intended for young ministers and lay preachers.

In a few days will be published the following discourses, by S. SLEIGH SALISBURY. Joyful Anticipations; a Sermon occasioned by the death of Mrs. Sloper; Infant Hosannas; a Sermon containing many particulars of the life and death of a child belonging to the Scot's Lane Sunday School.

The Author of the Mystery, or Forty Years Ago; and of Calthorpe, or Fallen Fortunes, is about to come forward with a Tale, entitled Lollardy, founded on the persecutions which marked the opening of the Fifteenth Century.

Mr. HAY has published some observations in the Quarterly Journal, on an ancient Monument of Sculpture in stone, representing the Theban Sphinx, which has recently been discovered at Colchester. This singular figure, which from its beauty, might naturally be expected to be of the finest marble, was sculptured in freestone. Sphinx was found in the midst of a great number of fragments of another species of stone, equally unknown at Colchester as a native product, and vulgarly called Swanage, from the place where it is dug in the Isle of Pur

beck.

This

The general dimensions of the antique are as follows:

Inches. 25

10

25

Medium breadth of the base, Height from base to top of Sphinx's head,

The face of the Sphinx, measuring from under the chin to the crown of the head,

.

5