In Switzerland, when the master of the house dies, the Bee-hives are all lifted up, even in the midst of winter."That is to say, they also are exposed to death. An Inquiry into the extent of the De- We have perused this pamphlet with much satisfaction. It contains a more considerate and moderate views of causes and consequences than is usually taken, by those interested. The estimate formed of the extent of the depression approaches more nearly to what we have had occasion to observe; though perhaps, we ought not to lose sight of thedifferences which occur in different places. We shall submit an abstract of Mr. Sellon's arguments and inferences. guess what price may be obtained for the one, or what rent for the other. Men of considerable experience advance opinions most widely different on the subject, some stating that land has not fallen above 101. per cent. and others that it has experienced a depreciation of 701. per cent. The medium is nearer the truth; but, after arguing the question, Mr. Sellon states it, at about 25 per cent: not more; because the Farmer's expences must be calculated on a diminished scale, also. decrease in the farmer's expenses. I am Let us now examine what has been the aware that, there not being any correct date by which they may be guided, the opinions even of experienced men will differ considerably on this subject: none, however, will deny that the expeuses attendant on the cultivation of land have decreased very materially. All the most imPortant may be classed under the four following heads; rent, taxes, labour, and horse keep of these I shall suppose that the first two remain as they originally were, and merely endeavour to estimate the decrease in the last two. The expense of horse-feed has diminished exactly in the same proportion with the value of the produce of land; that therefore has fallen ac cent. Labour has, I understand, in most places been reduced on an average full 20 per cent.; a reduction, which, if we consider the high price at which all foreign produce still remains, may prove by the in crease of poor-rates ultimately more detrimental than beneficial to the landholder. If however labour has fallen 20 per cent, and horse keep 38, (not to mention seeds, the reduced expence of the farmers' living, &c.) we may I think fairly assume that the average fall of the two is about 28 per cent. As when any article is rising in price, more may frequently be obtained for it than the intrinsic value of that article, so when the same thing is falling, it is difficult to obtain for it even its present worth. When lately land and the produce of land was rising considerably, the farmers, encou-cording to the former calculation 38 per raged by the golden prospects which their imagination framed, by the aërial castles | which they had built for themselves, were each vyeing to outbid his neighbour, and conceived that too large a price could scarcely be offered for land: now that the prospect has suddenly changed, they are as much depressed; the same spirit which before actuated them now operates as strongly in the opposite direction; they see nothing but falling prices, bad crops, failures, taxation, and ruin, and are unwilling to give any thing near even the present depressed value for land. This kind of fear or prejudice operates more in my opinion on the present price of land, than all the other causes however powerful and alarming, where they would lower it 25 per cent, the alarm and the prejudice of some farmers, and perhaps the advantage taken of the times by others, would sink it to 50 per cent. It has for some time past been supposed that the present marketable price of land altogether unknown, even amongst those who are and ought to be most conversant with the subject. If a landed estate is to be sold, or a farm let, it is difficult even to Now these two articles form so material a part of the outgoings of farming, that in well-cultivated land, where the expenses as 10, they would amount to at least 74. were The farming interest, it appears, then, has received essential alleviavery and if corn has been depressed below its tion, as well the tenant as the landlord'; true value, it will certainly rise again; and the danger may require to be guarded against of envy at the then effects of what is now thought expedient foregoing examples, prepares the Stu dent for the following, The figures are also divested of those A Familiar Treatise on Perspective; in four Essays:-1. On the Theory of Vision, and the Principles of Per-multiplicities of lines, which in many a spective therewith connected. 2. Elelearned folio are absolutely terrific. Neither are the more complex and emments of the Practice of Perspective. barrassing objects introduced; but, the 3. Perspective of Shadows. 4. On Treatise is, what it professes to be, a Aerial Perspective, or Keeping. By familiar performance. The writer inCharles Taylor. With fifty-one Entroduces a pleasing explanation of the gravings. Price 15s. Taylor, London. natural powers of the eye; and particu larizes some of those delusions to which it is frequently subjected. By thus drawing his instances from nature, he induces the young mind to look abroad for that amusement, as well as in struction, which can never be so well investigated as in the operations of Nature herself. 1815. If it were necessary to single out any particular branch of Art, the principles of which are founded in nature, aud are constantly exercised by us, yet elude the sagacity of those most beholden to them, we should certainly fix or Per spective as that branch. It was not accurately known, so as to be reduced to practice, by any of the great masters of antiquity whom we read of. They had an acquaintance with optics, more or less, sufficient to guide them, and to direct the appearances of the proportions in their works, to a proper correctness, when seen in their intended situations: but, an instance of correct Perspective, shewn in buildings, parts and forms, founded on just principles, is unknown. In this our least practised performers have an inappreciable advantage over Appelles and Zeuxis, with all their brethren; because, this Science is now reduced to maxims so certain, and to pin ciples so facile, that whoever neglects it, has nobody to blame but himself. Indeed we seldom, now, meet with Artists who have not paid attention to it; and the Lectures at the Royal Academy are proofs of the solicitude with which Artists of eminent powers enforce, both the the-even a perusal of them must have a beneory, and the practice. ficial effect on the practice of an artist, But, families, not professedly Artists, The Principles of Keeping, with the do not, and cannot well receive instruc-explanation of the retiring shade-which tions on this subject from the Public is not properly a shadow, affords amusing Professors. It is, therefore, no trifling, views of nature and natural objects: and nor unacceptable service done by this the whole is presented in an easy style, writer, to place this always useful, and and with great attention to propriety now highly fashionable study, within and neatness. reach of private families, and of ordinary understandings. For this purpose, Mr. T. bas studied that orderly kind of arrangement, which, by a proper attention to Vol. IV. LIT. PAN. No. 19. N. S. MAY 1. As Geometry is the foundation of the science, a series of geometrical figures is introduced, comprising polygons of varis ous forms, which not merely instruct the eye, but essentially promote facility of hand, and practice. These contribute assistance also, on the article of proportions, and open the mind to truths, which otherwise would pass unregarded. The Perspective of Shadows has been much neglected by some Artists, espe cially Painters, who being intent on grouping their shadows with all possible speed, in order to obtain what they considered as repose, have violated all the possibilities of the scene, and have literally "put light for darkness, and darkness for light," as the Scripture speaks, on the subject of morals. We have often been vexed with gross errors in this respect, in pictures, otherwise honourable to their authors. This department is here reduced to principles so simple, that The writer censures those immense compositions of ceiling pieces, once so fashionable. Hogarth had not spared the choice of such subjects, when he represented in the Nobleman's Grand K The Saloon "the passage of the Red Sea," nent is now open to British ramblers, painted on the cieling; whence it would they may at once amuse and improve follow that the waters flowing down-themselves by giving this set of Gramwards according to their natural course, mars a place in their baggage. the whole company assembled would humours of a Treckschut are seldom so share the fate of Pharoah and his host, piquant, but what an Englishman would and be thoroughly water-soaked, if not be glad of a pocket companion ;-and if drowned. it be his fate to drawl over the landes of Mr. T. does not confine his attention France, he will do well to become iptito the dry study of lines and figures: his mate with his Spanish Vocabulary durEssays are diversified by remarks arising the drag, were it only pour passer le ing from his subject, and they derive a sprightliness from incidents on which he occasionally dilates pleasingly enough. The plates are neatly executed; but, as we cannot transcribe them, we shall content ourselves with inserting a paragraph, as a specimen of the writer's manner. tems. This set of works is composed with an intention to facilitate the means of comparison between the European tongues: au attempt that requires an arrangement proper for the purpose, throughout the Grammars; while each is equally well We have now arrived at the conclusion fitted to its own peculiar language. The of this Series of Essays on PERSPECTIVE, in choice of Examples is amusing and inwhich, it is hoped, the subject has been structive. They consist of extracts from treated succinctly, clearly, and intelligibly.authors with whose works whoever is The importance, the universality, and the intent on acquiring the Italian language constant recurrence of these principles, lead will not fail to desire a more than superto the wish, that they were generally proficial acquaintance. mulgated, not in the shackles of technical terms, or of abstruse disquisition, but in easy lessons and in colloquial language. It is said among the faculty, that if the simplicity of remedies were known, their efficacy would be denied; but we need not fear that the facility of the rules laid down, should hinder either their application, or their popularity, since, to say of principles that they are correct, and to add to correctness, simplicity and facility, is the highest panegyric of scientific instruction. A Grammar of the Italian Language; 12mo. Moscow: a poem. By Mrs. Hen. Rolls. Svo. pp. 31. Price 2s. 6d. Law and We praised, with pleasure, this Lady's poetical talents, on a former occasion; and the public, we believe, justified our praises, by a general approbation. The present subject affords matter rather for philosophical than for poetical considerination: for, it appears to us, that the magnitude of the events is too enormous, and the impressions they have made on our minds, are as yet, too deep and fresh, while the conviction arising from simple narrative is also too direct though confessedly imperfect,-to allow the efforts or ingenuity of poetry any tolerable chance of success in its attempts to stimu late our imagination. While nothing can exceed the effect already produced on our minds by mere historical relation, verse employs its powers in vain. We know no nerve in the human frame, which, after having been excited by a powerful stimulus, can readily obey the action of a weaker. We know no prit ciple in the mind which, after having suffered from sympathy with realities, with heart-rending sorrows, the conse We cannot say how far M. Laisné might take it as a compliment, were he pronounced well able To have stood Interpreter at Babel; but, the linguist who has already pubJished Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Latin Grammars, and who gives lessons in German, approaches as nearly to that power of interpretation, as any man we know. Surely his scholars must be well furnished in point of languages for making he tour of Europe; and as the Conti quences of facts, can endure the fictitious plaints of art, or give them even a momentary credence. This may be assigned as one reason. why translators have little success to boast of, in their attempts at rendering the Vicar of Wakefield French; they' have, no doubt, translated the original' word for word: but the English reader would be at a loss to recognize the cha racters, in their Parisian attire. Madame Despourrin has taken up her Verse, with its rhymes, bespeaks itself the creature of art and reflection: on themes such as this of Moscow, it can offer nothing so immediately impressive, so home to the heart, as the authorities themselves on which it is founded. It is, therefore, no impeach-residence among us, and this, we believe,' ment of our former judgment on this lady's abilities, if we confess that this poem, however pleasing some of its pas sages, has not called our feelings into action equally with some others from her pen. It could be, from circumstances, no other than a Gazette in verse; and such a Gazette appears to the best advantage in its own native prose. There are many interesting incidents of smaller note to which our turbulent and inconsistent times have given birth, which deserve to be recorded by the poet's pen; and we doubt not of having additional cause for compliment, would Mrs. Rolls direct her attention to a judicious choice from among them. Le Ministre de Wakefield, d'Oliver Goldsmith, &c. Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield, translated into French, (with the original English on the opposite page,) by Madame Despourrin. 2 vols. 12mo. Leigh, London, 1816. Every nation has its own family likeness: but the English nation varies that likeness into almost as many different features, or combinations of features, as it comprises individuals. The liberty of our country allows this to a degree not common elsewhere; and it cannot be said, that whoever has seen one Englishman has seen all his nation. It is therefore peculiarly difficult to exhibit to the minds of foreigners, by means of transla. tion, those pictures of life and manners, which form the charm of our best novels. In proportion as they succeed in correctness, they become perplexing; and when they truly speak, the language of common life, and character, they present obstacles, scarcely to be surmounted by foreigners, whose acquaintance with the originals can be but imperfect. is her first effort to render her talents popular by means of the press. It is certainly creditable to her pen; and though she could not give her language "la richesse. du laconisme" of the English, her work may be read with pleasure. It might prove an exercise not, without its reward, to compare the general extension of the periods of the French language beyond" the English, as shewn in these paragraphs placed opposite each other; in those, which mark character, or contain argument, the difference is striking, while in those which refer to gallantry or describe the ladies, the French is the most concise, the most expressive, and usually the most elegant. We presume that this lady's purpose useful to those young persons who are will be answered, if her book be found cultivating an acquaintance with the French language, and wish to obtainan easy correctness in it: it seems to be sufficiently suitable to such an intention. LITERARY REGISTER. Authors, Editors, and Publishers, are particularly requested to forward to the Literary Panorama Office, post paid, the titles, prices, and other particulars of works in hand, or published, for insertion in this department of the work. WORKS ANNOUNCED FOR PUBLICATION. ARCHITECTURE. Mr. William Wilkins, rchitect, will soon publish in an octavo volume, with plates, Atheniensia; or, Remarks on the Buildings and Topography of Athens. BIOGRAPHY. The Dictionary of Living Painters, Sculp tors, Engravers, &c. forming a companion to the Dictionary of Living Authors, will appear in the course of a few weeks. Dr. Adams is preparing for the press, Memoirs of the Life, Doctrine, and Opinions of the late John Hunter, founder of the Hun terian Museum, at the College of Surgeons in London. Memoirs of Madame la Marquise de la Rochejaquelein. Translated from the second edition printed at Paris. With a Map of La Vendee, will soon appear, in 8vo. FINE ARTS. These valuable documents show the entire composition of the sculpture in the west front. The celebrity of the Elgin Marbles, a considerable number of which are includ ed in this work, adds great interest to the intrinsic value of these volumes. The first three volumes of the Antiquities of Athens may be had, price 171. 17s. The third volume may be had separate, to com GEOGRAPHY. Ancient and Modern History," and other Mr. Bigland, the author of "Letters on excellent and useful books for youth, has just parblished a system of Geography for the use of schools, on a new and perfectly easy plan, in which the European boundaries are stated as settled by the Peace of Paris, NoPrice 2s. 6d. bound. MEDICINE. The Fourth Volume of the Antiquities of Athens, &c. measured and delineated by James Stuart, F.R.S and F.S.A. and N-plete sets, 61. 13s. These volumes contain cholas Revett, painters and architects, edit- 281 plates, engraved by the best artists, of ed by Joseph Woods, architect, is now views, architecture, plans, &c. with letterready for delivery by Mr. Taylor, at the Ar- press historical and descriptive, illustrating, chitectural Library, Holborn. This volume by a research of many years' labour and contains 88 plates, besides 15 vignettes, en-great expense, the purest examples of Gregraved by the best artists, uniformly with cian architecture, many of which no longer the preceding volumes; together with his exist, and the traces of them can be found torical and descriptive accounts of the seve-only in this work. ral subjects; also a portrait of Mr. Revett, from a picture painted by himself, and engraved in the line manner, by Isaac Taylor, and memoirs of the lives of the authors Messrs. Stuart and Revett being detained at Venice, in their way to Athens, made an excursion to Pola, where they passed six months in measuring the subjects, and making the drawings which are now sub-wember, 1815. mitted to the public, and which formed a part of their original scheme of publication. The admiration with which these remains of Dr. Duncan, senior, of Edinburgh, is preantiquity have always been mentioned, no paring for the press, a new edition of his Obless than their intrinsic merits, render it de-servations on the distinguishing Symptoms sirable that they should be offered in complete detail to the public, which has by no means been the case in any of the works in which they have hitherto been noticed. The subjects are an Amphitheatre, the Temple of Rome and Augusius, and the Arch of the Sergii. The sketch-books of Messrs Stuart and Revett have furnished several plates of curious fragments of ancient architecture and sculpture fund in the Greek Islands, with views of Mount Parnassus and the Rock of Delphi. The exquisite sculptures which adorned the Temple of Minerva, at Athens, have ever been objects of the highest admiration, and are now become particularly interesting, from the circumstance of a large portion of them having arrived in this country. Of these beautiful specimens of ancient art, there are thirty-four plates, from drawings by Mr. Pars, representing the entire west frieze the cell,with some parts of the north and south sides, and several of the Metopes of the exterior frieze. These, with those already published in the second volume of this work, exhibit all the sculption, 8vo. ture which remained of the Temple at the time (1751) Stuart and Revett were at Athens. Amongst these are five plates, showing the state of the sculpture in the pediments in the year 1683, when visited by the Marquis de Nontel, from copies of the origual drawings in the King's library, at Paris. of Three different Species of Pulmonary Consumption, the Catarrhal, the Apostematous, and the Tuberculous. The appendix, in which he gave some account of an Opinte Medicine, prepared from common garden lettuce, and which he has denominated Lactucarium, will be considerably enlarged, with observations communicated to him by seve ral of his friends who have employed it in practice. Dr. Adam Dods, of Worcester, has in the press, the Physician's Practical Companion, arranged in alphabetical dissertations, in an octavo volume. MINERALOGY. At press, a System of Mineralogy, by Robert Jameson, Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edin burgh. Second edition, with numerous plates, illustrative of the various crystalliza tions that occur in the mineral kingdom. 3 vols. 8vo. Also, a Treatise on the Character of Minerals. By R. Jameson. The second edi MISCELLANIES. A Genealogical Tree of the Macdonalds or Macdonelis, formerly Lords of the Isles, is now nearly ready for publication. In this work is intended to exhibit the connection of many noble and respectable families with their descendants, and to adjust the claims |