heen, at different times, discovered in the mountainous districts of Scotland; but hitherto no accurate account of them has been published. This is owing to a deficiency of mineralogical skill, and the interested motives of the discoverers, who have always endeavoured to conconceal the knowledge of the spots where these stones have been found. According to the jewellers and lapidaries of Edinburgh, the ruby occurs at the Ely in Fifeshire, also near Portsoy in Banffshire, in Inverness-shire, and Aberdeenshire: The emerald at the mountains of Cairngorum in Aberdeenshire: The aqua marine, or precious beryl, at Invercauld, and in the different Orkney Islands: The sapphire in different places of the Highlands, as at Benachie and Invercauld in Aberdeenshire, and Portsoy in Banffshire: The amethyst at Invercauld, and in Strathspey, and other parts of Scotland: The garnet abundantly in Aberdeenshire, and other parts of Scotland: and lastly, the topaz, is said to occur frequently in Strathspey, at Invercauld in Aberdeenshire, Cairngorum, and in the Isle of Arran. But are all these true precious stones? The ruby of the Ely, and the other places already mentioned, cannot be referred either to the spinelle ruby, or the red sapphire, which is the oriental ruby of jewellers. The mineral found at the Ely is not unlike the Cinnamon-stone of Werner, which I consider as a species of the garnet family. The Emerald of Cairngorum and Strathspey, and the aqua marine of Invercauld, are varietes of precious beryl; and the aqua marine of the Orkney islands, if the specimens in the late Dr Walker's cabinet be truly from that quarter, is also precious beryl. The sapphire of the Highlands, from the examination of specimens in the possession of June 1812. Mr Deuchar, is a pale celandinegreen coloured topaz. The Amethyst is the true amethyst of mineralogists. The Topaz of Cairngorum, Isle of Arran, and other places, is rock-crystal of various colours, as yellowish-white, clovebrown, wine-yellow, and orangeyellow. The clove-brown varieties are named smoke topaz; the orange and wine-yellow varieties are sometimes sold as true topaz. The Gar net is the precious garnet of Werner; the Syrian or oriental garnet of many jewellers. It thus appears, that precious beryl, topaz, amethyst, and precious garnet, are the only true gems hitherto discovered in Scotland. But the topaz of Scotland has been considered as a variety of sapphire, and its true nature was not understood until lately, when its characters were fully exhibited in a fine series of topaz-crystals of remarkable size, brought from the upper part of Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh, and now in the possession of Mr White, lapidary. TOPAZ OF ABERDEENSHIRE. Colour greenish white, and intermediate between mountain green and celandine-green. Is slightly opalescent. The form of the largest crystal is an oblique eight-sided prism, deeply bevelled at the extremity; the bevelling plans set on the acute lateral edges; the proper edge of the bevelment truncated, and the angle formed by the meeting of the bevelling plane and the lateral planes bevelled. The surface of the crystal is rough, owing to attrition. Internal lustre splendent and vitreous. Cross fracture distinctly foliated; longitudinal fracture perfect conchoidal. Is semitransparent, inclining to translucent. Harder than precious beryl; but not so hard as spinelle. spinelle. Specific gravity 3,570, (Thomson.) This crystal weighs 7 ounces 3 pennyweights 18 grains Troy; and a fragment of a crystal, from the same tract of country, now in the possession of Mr Farquharson of Invercauld, weighs 1 pound 3 ounces 8 drams, and 8 grains Troy weight. These are the largest topazes hitherto found. In the National Museum at Paris, which is the most extensive in Europe, the largest topaz is one weighing 4 ounces 6 gros*. The discovery of so valuable a gem in this country, naturally leads us to enquire in what situation it is found, and whether or not it is likely to occur in considerable quantity. Unfortunately the data for answering these questions are not complete: we must, therefore, at present rest satisfied, with a short statement of the geognostic relations of the topaz of foreign countries, which, when compared with the accounts given of our topaz, will enable us to guess at its probable geognostic situation. This gem occurs in considerbale quantity in the Electorate of Saxony, in a particular species of mountain-rock, denominated, by Werner, Topaz-rock, because topaz is one of its essential constitueut parts. Besides forming an essential ingredient of topaz-rock, it also occurs in it in drusy cavities, along with quartz crystals and lithomarge. In Bohemia and Saxony, it occurs in veins that traverse gneiss and mica-slate. These veins are generally narrow, intimately connected with the rock they traverse, of very old formation, and contain, besides topaz, also tin-stone, arsenic pyrites, sometimes copper pyrites, apatite, fluor-spar, quartz, and steatite. The Siberian topaz appears to occur in It is said that there is a topaz, in the rich collection of Sir John St Aubyn, the size of a fist. veins in primitive mountains, and probably also in large drusy cavities, in rocks of a very old formation. About 25 leagues north from Catharinenburgh, in the Uralian Mountains, topaz is found in consid erable quantity, in a kind of granite, resembling that variety, known under the name of pierre graphique. There it is said to occur in drusy cavities, along with quartz and precious beryl. It is also found in the opposite extremity of Siberia, in a mountain named Odon-Tschelon, in the province of Dauria, where it occurs in druses, along with preci ous beryl. The topazes of OdonTschelon, and, indeed of Siberia in general, are generally snow white, frequently celandine green, and very rarely of a beautiful blue, resembling the sapphire; and some varieties exhibit a kind of opalescence. The Brazilian, and sometimes also the Saxon topaz, are found in alluvial soil; and the topaz of Pegu, Ceylon, Hawkesbury River in New Holland, and Cape Barren Island in Basses Straits‡, has a similar geognostic situation. Such are the geognostic relations of the topazes of foreign countries. The topaz of Scotland has hitherto been found only in alluvial soil, along with uncommonly large rockcrystals, and middle-sized crystals of precious beryl, and in a tract of +Topaz has lately been found embedded, in small crystals, in transition rocks. Dr Monro junior presented me with a rolled piece of topaz, said to be from Hawkesbury river; and Captain Laskey, with a crystal of the same gem, from Cape Barren Island, in Basses Straits. The topaz of Basses Straits, as iny learned Friend Mr R. Brown informs me, was first discovered by Mr Humphry junior, who was, some years ago, sent out by Gov ernment to examine the mineralogy of New Holland and Van Diemen's Island. In the collection of the Museum of Natural History at Paris, there is a large rock crystal, containing reddish colourod crystals of topaz from Brazil. country, country, as far as we know, entirely composed of primitive rocks; and hence it is highly probable, that its original repository is in a primitive country. But in which of the primitive rocks is it probable that the topaz is contained, and in what kind of repository does it occur? The tract of country where our topaz is found, is said to be principally composed of granite, and to contain, besides, considerable portions of gneiss and mica-slate. This being the case, it is probable the topaz will be found in one, or possibly in all these different rocks. It may, however, be alleged, that, probably the topaz-rock also occurs there, and that the topaz may be derived from it. But the topaz-rock is one of the rarest of the mountain-rocks, and the topaz which it contains has always a yellow colour, and differs somewhat in regular form from the topaz of Scotland; it is also smaller, and is never accompanied with rock crystal or precious beryl. Henceit is not probable, thatthe topaz-rock occurs in the districts of which we are treating. If, then, the topazrock is wanting, it will be inquired in which of the primitive rocks, already mentioned, we are to look for it? Some may be of opinion, that it oc curs in veins, in gneiss, or mica-slate, as is the case with the Bohemi an and certain varieties of the Saxon topaz. The want of all the accompanying minerals, as tinstone, arsenic pyrites, copper pyri tes, fluor-spar, &c. render this supposition improbable. But the topaz of Siberia agrees with that found in Aberdeenshire, in having green and white as its most frequent colour; in opalescence; in figure, being generally bevelled at the extre mity; in size, the largest topazes being found in Siberia; and in accompanying minerals, which are usually rock-crystal and precious beryl. Lastly, the Siberian topaz is said to occur in drusy cavities, or veins in granite, and in considerable quantity. If this account be corfect, we may infer that the Aberdeen topaz will be found in drusy cavities or veins in granite, and in considerable quantity. I trust, the conjecture I have now suggested, will induce mineralogists to examine the tract of country, where this interesting mineral is found.* Letter written by Her Majesty, when Princess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, to the King of Prussia (the Great Fredrick,) on his entering the Territories of her Cousin the Duke of Mecklenburgh Swerin, and which that Monarch sent over to his late Majesty as a Miracle of Patriotism and good sense in so young a Princess, "May it please your Majesty, I AM at a loss whether I shall congratulate or condole with you on your late victory; since the same success that has covered you with laurels, bas overspread the country of Mecklenburgh with desolation. I know, Sire, that it seems unbecoming my sex, in this age of vicious refinement, to feel for one's country, to lament the horrors of war, or wish for the return of peace. I know you may think it more properly my province to study the arts of pleasing, or to turn my thoughts to subjects of a more domestic nature; but, howI cannot resist the desire of inter ever unbecoming it may be in me, * Since this paper was read to the Soci ety, I have been informed, by my friend Colonel Imrie, that the large fragment of topaz, in the possession of Mr Farquharson of Invercauld, was broken from a mass of granite. ceding ceding for this unhappy people. It was but a very few years ago that this territory wore the most pleasing appearance: the country was cultivated, the peasant looked cheerful, and the towns abounded with riches and festivity. What an alteration at present from such a charming scene! I am not expert at description, nor can my fancy add any horrors to the picture; but sure even conquerors themselves would weep at the hideous prospect now before me. The whole country, my dear country, lies one frightful waste, presenting only objects to excite terror, pity, and despair. The business of the husbandman and the shepherd are quite discontinued; the husbandman and the shepherd are become soldiers themselves, and help to ravage the soil they formerly occupied. The towns are only inhabited by old men, women, and children; perhaps here and there a warrior, by wounds or loss of limbs, rendered unfit for service, left at his door; his little children hang round him, ask an history of every wound, and grow themselves soldiers before they find strength for the field. But this were nothing, did we not feel the alternate insolence of either Army, as it happens to advance or retreat. It is impossible to express the confusion even those who call themselves friends create; even those from whom we might expect redress, oppress us with new calamities. From your justice, therefore, it is that we hope relief; to you even children and women may complain, whose humanity stoops to the meanest petition, and whose power is capable of repressing the greatest injustice. "I am, Sire," &c. A short Account of the celebrated Espoz y Mina, and of the brave Division of Volunteers of Navarre, which he commanded; illustrative of the great Qualities that adorn that Spanish Hero, his Manner of carrying on the War against the French, and the severe Military Discipline he is obliged to maintain, to enable him to exist in a Country surrounded on all sides by the Enemy. Written by Colonel Don Lorenzo Ximenez, Captain in the Spanish Guards, and Eyewitness to all that he relates.Translated from the original Spanish, by a British Officer now serving at Cadiz. cuitous march, and all of us NTRODUCTION.-After a cir prisoners worn down with sorrow and fatigue, we approached the French frontier; when it pleased Divine Providence that 21 officers, and 800 Spanish soldiers, prisoners of war, should owe their liberty to that illustrious partizan, Don Francisco Espoz y Mina, and his brave companions in arms. Although I owe to this great man the singular benefit of being saved by him from slavery, and perhaps death, and that I love him, and shall love him to the latest hour of my existence; do not, for this reason, believe that the account I am about to write is exaggerated. I am, on the contrary, afraid that want of talent will prevent my explaining myself with sufficient force and precision; and that the military reputation of this celebrated Guerilla will suffer in this attempt of mine. I have been an eye-witness of most of what I relate; and where I have not been such, I have heard it from Mina himself, of whose veracity no one can ever doubt, particularly when his countrymen, the people of Navarre, men of simple manners, but of unshaken patriotism, affirm the same. I have given myself no trou ble ble to arrange or dress out this account; being contented with relating simply, and with strict truth, what happened; and with placing before the eyes of my companions in arms the faithful pieture of a hero, who perhaps may be destined by the Deity, some day or other, to liberate Spain from its ferocious Enemy; as a small token of my gratitude to that valiant hero, who broke my chains of slavery, as well as those of 800 Spaniards, setting us at liberty to return and fight for our beloved Country. NARRATIVE. Having left Vitoria the 25th of May, 1811, the convoy that went with us consisted of 1600 infantry and 200 cavalry (French). We had hardly marched two leagues, when, between Mondragon and Vitoria, we saw two woods on the right and left of the road; immediately on approaching them, we heard a shot; instantly a most destructive fire assailed us on each flank, in front and in rear; which was so unexpected, that, with the confusion of killed and wounded, such was the panick that seized the Invincibles (the French), that they were unable to form, or to make the least resistance; nor could they even see their enemy, the Guerillas not only being concealed in the bushes, but having also climbed up the trees. In the midst of all this horror and confusion, of killed and wounded, and carriages knocked to pieces, the Invincibles were obliged to beg of us prisoners to assist them. The intrepid Mina, in front of 150 cavalry, charged them at this moment in the rear, and like a lion, cut to pieces and destroyed every thing he met with, spreading terror and dismay in the road, putting to death men, women, and children. At this moment, we ran to our companions and defenders, while the hottest of the fire was going on, and every one tried to save himself from instant death. As soon as this horrible massacre was over, I had the pleasure of seeing and conversing with Mina, who ordered us to be marched in security to Zalduendo, six leagues distant from the point of attack. The whole of the convoy fell into his possession (the value of which was not less than a million of dollars); and between 7 and 800 Invincibles were killed, 150 prisoners, with a Colonel (Lafette), were taken, and eight other officers. I must not pass over in silence the circumstance of Mina's having in his division a countryman who fires four blunderbuss barrels in one stock; they are so made as to rest upon a swivel, which, when he intends making use of it, he chains to the ground; he loads each of these barrels with 32 balls, and he fires the four off with one lock. On this attack, at one discharge, he knocked over four coaches that were in the convoy, killing all the women and officers that were in them. With respect to the spy, who brought him the intelligence that the convoy was going to proceed on its journey to France; of the day it was to start from Vitoria; of the number of prisoners that were with it; and of the French troops who composed the escort; with many other particulars; he ordered him to be lashed to a part of the rock, placing a guard over him, with strict orders to kill him if he offered to try to get away. The instant the attack was over, which lasted five hours without intermission, he sent for him, and said,"You are a good fellow-you have not deceived me-go-here is a thousand pound for you." In a small village that we passed through, about a league and a half from Vitoria, we found all the doors of the houses shut, and there was not a living soul to be seen. The reason |