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fhall clofe the article with noticing fome of the most interesting fubjects in the remaining Chapters. The first is the modern invention of theathing of fhips with copper, the first experiment of which, on a fingle fhip, was made in the year 1758; but it did not become the general practice till about the. year 1776, when it was extended to commercial veffels, as well as ships of war. The detail of the methods made ufe of prior to this invention, to prevent the penetration of worms into fhips' bottoms, is very curious, and will be found in Chapter ix. which alfo contains general reimarks on the im. provement and ftate of marine architecture in Afia and America.

In the next Chapter, we have a comparative view of the conduct and condition of the different naval powers of Europe; an hiftorical relation of the naval tranfactions and marine forces of the Turks, Ruffians, Swedes, and Danes; and of the general events which took place previous to the clofe of the last century.

The names, principal dimenfions, and tonnage, as well of the fhips and veffels purposely built for the Royal navy, from the year 1700 to the end of the year 1800, as thofe which, though not fo built, have at different periods been received into it, on being either captured from the enemy, purchafed from merchants, or hired for a time as chartered vessels, are the most important fubjects of Chapter xi.

A general statement of the marine belonging to the different African powers, with a defcription of the veffels in ufe among the States of Barbary, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Indians; and an account of the canoes and veffels used by the inhabi. tants of the South Sea Ilands, and a comparison between them and the gallies of the ancients, are the chief contents of Chapter xii.

An enquiry into the general principles of marine architecture, the properties and requifites of veffels, reaTons why fhips fo conftructed as to draw but little water fail belt before the wind, with a narrative of the invention of fliding keels, and a differtation on their utility, which can only be understood by profeffional men, appears to be remarkably curious. The navy ftands indebted to Capt. Schank, one of the prefent Commiffioners of the

VOL. XLII. SEPT. 1802.

Tranfport Office, for this confiderable improvement; and all perfons concerned in marine affairs will undoubtedly find their account in perusing the information relative to its fuccessful application to veffels of different denominations, in Chapter xiii.

There are three more Chapters which complete the work, and they are all wholly taken up with scientific difcuffions and obfervations peculiarly adapted to promote a more accurate knowledge of marine architecture, and to convey inftruction to fhip builders, naval furveyors, and all perfons connected with or engaged in the fervice of the Royal navy; and in the foreign Commerce carried on by merchant hips.

Latly, at the conclufion of an abftract account of recent discoveries and improvements in marine architecture, we have a defcription of the Life-boat, fo interefting to the public in general, that we fhail make no apology for inferting it, convinced that our author will not difapprove of the free circulation of this philanthropic invention.

"The Life-boat was built under the inspection, and by the fubfcription of a few private perfons at South Shields, who had been the immediate fpectators of the many dreadful difafters which had overwhelmed fhips driven on the fands, at the South entrance of Tynemouth harbour, for the truly va luable purpose of attempting the prefervation of perfons fo unfortunately circumftanced. A boat was accordingly built about thirty feet in length, and ten feet broad, the fides flamming out for the purposes of preventing the broken waves from running into the boat. It was decked at the floor heads, rowed with twelve oars, and fteered alfo by one: it was covered with cork on the outfide, two or three streaks down from the gunwale, and was found to answer the expected purpose fo fully, that though cork jackets were, for the production of greater fafety, purchafed for all the people, when the boat was firft employed, they were almost immediately difregarded, and after a very thort time, never taken to fea. The fuccefs of this most amiably noble meafure, caufed it to be followed by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, who, at his own expence, caufed a fecond boat to be built on the fame construction; and by the

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Final, benevolent observation: "The Science of Marine Architecture has, for many ages, been fubfervient to the impulfes of ambition, avarice, luxury, or curiofity; it remained for Britain, towards the close of the eighteenth century, to direct it to purposes more truly noble and patriotic, of general benefit, and of univerfal extent; to the prevention of domestic mifery, to the maintenance of national population, and to the prefervation of the human fpecies."

Be it permitted to add, that we indulge the pleafing hope that the ingenious and induttious author of this very useful and curious work, will meet with a fuitable reward for his la bours, in its extenfive fale; the great body of feataring people in Great Bri

The Caledonian Herd boy: A rural Poem. By D. Service, a native of Scotland. Yarmouth. 12mo.

THE notice taken of Stephen Duck, more than half a century ago, was the means of bringing before the public various efforts of the unlettered mufe. In the like manner we expect the fuc cefs of Bloomfield will draw forth more effufions of uneducated genius. The author of the poem before us was a herd boy for five years on the north banks of the Clyde, was afterwards an apprentice at Greenock to a shoemaker, and has followed that employment for fix years in England. His attention to the mufes has not interfered with his trade, as we are told that his poem "was written of mornings before his bufinefs commenced, or of evenings after the labour of the day was finithed. He defcribes fcenes of rural life, which, confidering that he never re ceived. as he fays," a common education," appear to deferve commendation, and will be read with pleasure. The Afiatic Annual Regifler; or, A Vierw of the Hiftory of Hindolan; and of the Politics, Commerce, and Literature of Ajia, for the Year 1801. 8vo.

tain, from the Admiral to the Lieutenant in the Royal navy, and from the great ship-builders and owners down to the matters of commercial veffels, having it in their power to exercife their liberality on this occafion, and at the fame time to confult their own intereft, by purchaling it.

In this volume, as in the preceding ones, the excellence of our British engravers is difplayed to great advan tage; for there are no less than fortyfix illuftrative and explanatory plates, the major part by Newton and Tom. kins, the remainder by Greig, Barlow, and Hall. Amongst other beautiful fubjects we diftinguish the view of the Gloriofo Spanish man of war, of the Invincible French fhip of war, of the Royal George, a British first rate, of the Commerce de Marteilles, of a Venetian gondola, of a modern galley rowing in a calm, of a Chinese veffel, and of a flying proa of the Ladrone Inlands.

M.

This is the third year of a very useful publication, which appears to us well calculated to promote the interests of Afiatic literature and science, and to enable the public to form correct notions on Indian affairs. It contains all the information arifing from Eastern affairs, at home or abroad, during the courfe of the year, and many useful and interesting papers.

The History of the Roman Wall, which croffes the land of Britain from the German Ocean to the Irish Sea. Defcribing its ancient State and its Appearance in the Year 1801. By W. Hutton, F. A. S. S. 8vo.

Mr. Hutton confiders himself as the first man that ever travelled the whole breadth of the Roman Wall, which he has described we doubt not with great accuracy. In the courfe of this journey, which he performed at the age of feventy-eight, he tells us he lot by perfpiration one stone of animal weight, and spent forty guineas in thirty-five days, and in a walk of fix hundred and one miles. We have read fome former works of this author with more enter. tainment.

* This brief abstract may be confidered as a fupplement to Warner's account of the Life-b at in our laft Magazine, for Auguft, page 101.

Confiderations

Confiderations on the late Elections for Westminster and Middlefex, together with fome Facts relating to the House of Correction in Cold Bath Fields. 8vo. The proceedings at thefe Elections, we are forry to fay, reflect no credit on the British character. That a popular clamour, excited by audacity and kept up by confident falfehood, fhould influence an election, is an unfavourable symptom of the times, and threatens a return of the follies and extravagancies of the days in which the cry of Wilkes and Liberty fet the brains a madding of a frantic and unthinking populace. The conduct of Mr. Aris, the Governor of the New Baftile, as it has been invidiously called, is in this pamphlet fatisfactorily defended.

The Domeftic Encyclopædia; or, a Dictionary of Facts and Ufeful Knowledge; comprehending a concife View of the latest Discoveries, Inventions, and Improvements, chiefly applicable to Rural and Domeftic Economy; together with Defcriptions of the most interefting Ob

jets of Nature and Art; the Hiftory of Men and Animals, in a State of Health or Difeafe; and Practical Hints refpeci ing the Arts and Manufactures, both familiar and commercial. By A. F. M. Willich, M. D. Author of the Lectures on Diet and Regimen, &c. &c. vols.

8vo.

The nature of this work is fufficiently explained in the title-page, which fhews it to be intended for domeftic reference. We cannot withhold from its Compiler the praise due to pains and diligence generally well-directed. Much useful every-day information has been drawn together' from the best Authors on different fubjects; and though it may fometimes be thought that Dr. Willich has given rather an undue proportion of his labour to the fubjects of Chemistry, Medicine, Mechanics, and Rural Af fairs, we mult declare his book to be highly deferving of a plate in every family library. It is illuftrated with twenty-eight copper plate, and a hundred wood, engravings; and has copious Indices.

PUBLIC DISPUTATIONS IN THE ORIENTAL LANGUAGES
AT BENGAL.

[From the CALCUTTA GAZETTE, Feb. 11, 1802.]

COLLEGE OF FORT WILLIAM, FEB. 11,

1802.

Saturday lalt, the 6th of February, being the anniversary of the commencement of the First Term of the College of Fort William, and the day appointed for the public Difputations in the Oriental Languages, and for the diftribution of the prizes and honorary rewards adjudged at the late Public Examinations, the Honourable the Acting Vifitor, accompanied by the Members of the Supreme Council, and by the Governors of the College, proceeded to the College.

The Honourable the Acting Visitor was met at the entrance of the College by the Provoft, Vice Provolt, Profelfors, and Officers of the College, who attended him to the Public Examination Room, where the ftudents were affembled.

When the difputations were ended, the following prizes and honorary rewards, adjudged at the fecond examination of 1851, were distributed by the

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Provost, in the presence of the Acting Vifitor:

PERSIAN LANGUAGE. — Mr. J. H. Lovett, Medal, and 1500 Rupees; Mr. R. Jenkins, Medal, and 1000 Rs; Mr. C. Lloyd, 500 Rs.

HINDOSTANEE LANGUAGE.-Mr.W. B. Bayley, Medal, and 1500 Rs; Mr.J. H. Lovett, Medal, and 1000 Rs; Mr. C. Lloyd, 500 Rs.

ARABIC LANGUAGE.-Mr. J. H. Lo vett, Medal, and 1500 Rs.

BENGALEE LANGUAGE.-Mr. W. B. Bayley, Medai, and 1500 Rs; Mr. W. B. Martin, Medal, and 100 Rs.

PERSIAN WRITING-Mr. H. Dumbleton, Medal, and ico Rs.

NAGREE WRITING. - Mr. W. Morton, Medal, and 1000 Rs.

BENGALEE WRITING. - Mr.H. Hodgfon, Medal, and 1000 Rs.

ENGLISH ESSAYS. Second Term; Mr. W. B. Martin, Medal, and 1000 Rs.-Third Term; Mr. T. Hamilton, Medal, and 1000 Rs.-Fouta Term; Mr. E. Wood, Medal, and 1oce Rs. E e 2

After

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"GENTLEMEN,

"The public fervice having demanded the prefence of the Moft Noble the Patron and Founder of the College of Fort William, in a diftant quarter of the British Empire in India, he has been pleased to render it my duty to witnefs this firft diftribution of the prizes and honorary rewards which have been adjudged under the ftatutes of the inftitution.

"The fatisfaction which I have derived from the difcharge of this honourable duty, has been greatly heightened by the additional proofs of the beneficial effects refulting from this Inftitution, afforded by the public exercises of this day.

"Thofe who are yet but imperfectly acquainted with the nature and objects of this Inftitution, will learn with equal furprife and fatisfaction, that ftudents recently arrived in India have this day ably maintained a public difputation in the Oriental Languages.

"The establishment of the College of Fort William has already excited a general attention to Oriental lan. guages, literature, and knowledge, which promifes to be productive of the moft falutary effects in the adminiltration of every branch of the affairs of the Honourable Company in

India.

"The numerous and important be

nefits to be derived from this Inftitu

tion, cannot however be justly estimated from the experience of the short period of one year which has elapfed fince it commenced its operation. But if fucceeding years fhall exhibit advantages proportionate to thofe which have been already manifeited, this Inftitution will realize the inoft fanguine expectations which have been entertained of its fuccefs.

"I am happy to avail myfelf of this occafion to exprefs my fatisfaction at the uniform zeal and attention which have been manifefted by all the Officers and Profeffors of the College in the difcharge of their public duties. I alfo experience great pleasure in expreffing my thanks to thofe Gentlemen who have conducted the public examinujons, and who, by affording the aid of their talents and knowledge,

have rendered an effential service to the Inftitution.

"Of the students now entering on their course of public service, as well as of those who continue attached to that there are many who have not only the College, I am happy to observe, diftinguished themselves by their proficiency in the Oriental languages and literature, but whofe uniform obferyance of the ftatutes and rules of the Inftitution, and whofe general correctness of conduct, have afforded an honourable and useful example to their fellow ftudents. I am perfuaded that further credit on the Inftitution, and thofe deferving characters will reflect that they will continue to exert their endeavours for the attainment of a higher degree of perfection in the different branches of knowledge of which they have fo happily laid the

foundation.

"I entertain a confident hope that all the ftudents who remain attached to the College, will emulate the laudable example furnished by the meritorious characters whom I have described.The Inftitution now affords to thofe felves for the important offices which students the means of qualifying themthey are destined to exercife under the British Government in India. By di

ligently availing themselves of those means, they will proportionally adputation; and they will alfo enjoy the vance their perfonal interefts and regrateful and animating profpect of becoming eminently ufeful to their country by rendering it effential affiftance in realizing the important advantages to be derived from the exten

five and valuable dominions which it

has acquired in India; and by aiding it in fulfilling the high moral obligations attendant on the poffeffion of its Indian Empire, on the discharge of which the profperity and permanency of that Empire equally depend."

In the evening, a dinner was given by the Honourable the Acting Vifitor, at the College, at which were prefent the Honourable the Chief Justice, and the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature, the Members of the Supreme Council, and all the principal Civil and Military Officers at the Prefidency.

Names and proficiency of ftudents who arrived in India within or previous to the year 1798, and who are now

leaving

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