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useful to the general study of languages :-
a series of Hebrew roots, considered under
new references, and intended to facilitate
correct understanding of the language,
and the science of Etymology, at large.
A translation into French of the first ten
chapters of the Sepher; containing the
Cosmology of Moses: this translation, in-
tended to serve as a proof of the truth of

in his youth; after the usual manner; that is to say, very imperfectly. This language, highly valuable on many accounts, now occupied him closely, and the more so as he did not arrive at it, as heretofore, by means of the Latin or the Greek, but by means of languages much more analogous to itself, and much nearer to its origin. This difference in the quarter from which he approached it, gave him an entirely dis-principles adopted in the grammar and dic tinct view of the structure; and he was tionary, is preceded by a literal version bow able to do, what no linguist had before into French and English, formed on the done;-without labour he penetrated into Hebrew text, as it originally stood, with the principles of the Hebrew, and readily a transcription into modern characters, ac ascertained the meaning of its terms.companied by notes grammatical and criLooking at the Sepher of Moses, commonly called the Genesis, with the accuracy of scrutinizing inquiry, he discovered many things, which considered only as moral or philosophical propositions, are highly interesting to mankind; and his opinion is, that in this book, derived from the sanctuaries of Thebes and of Memphis, we possess, without any reasonable doubt, the whole antient science of Egypt.

tical, in which the interpretation given to each word, is determined by the analysis of its roots, and comparison with the analogous term in Samaritan, Syriac, Arabic, or Greek.

We have not ourselves seen this work; but, presuming that it is the result of re. search, by an unusual course, we have given the earliest notice of it that has reached us; and shall have occasion, B doubt, to resume the subject.

GERMANY.

Exertions in Arts, &c. &c.

It is proper that our countrymen should be reminded at this time, in strong terms, of the exertious made on the Continent, to circulate information of every nature, by which industry, and the arts of life and labour, may be facilitated. A new work, of which this is the object, has recently been instituted at Halle, under the title of Der Deutsche Gewerbfround, &c. The Friend of Industry. It is destined to contain accounts of all discoveries, and inventions, in mechanic proceedings, in ma

This discovery became a powerful motive to induce the Author to endeavour to restore the Hebrew, which might greatly But, this facilitate this knowledge, to us. was not his only motive; for being of the same mind as most who have studied the aubject, that the Hebrew is the same as the ancient Phenecian, as to its radical form, he could not help reflecting how greatly the possession of this language right contribute to elucidate the history of Europe, and the idioms which have been successively formed in this quarter of the globe. Every body knows that the Phenecians were formerly to Europe, what Europe has been lately to America; that is to say, that it colonized the whole coast,nufactures, in rural and domestic economy, that it civilized the people which it found avages, gave them laws, religion, arts, architecture, and organized society, by which means it laid the foundations of whatever was illustrious in Greece and Rome. The languages of those countries supply the means of public education to this day; and they even compose a part of it it will not therefore be a matter of indifference to become acquainted with the root of these languages; and the motives by which M. Fabre d'Olivet has been influenced cannot but be applauded by the Scholar.

The first volume, which is now before the Public, contains, an introductory dissertation on the origin of speech, on the study of languages which may afford assistance in this enquiry, and on the purposes of the author. A Hebrew Grammar, founded on new principles, and rendered

whether originating in Germany, or in foreign parts: in short, selections from foreign journals, with additions and improvements, as well as original pieces, by the Editor.

By way of rendering this more impressive, we add one quarter's Contenta of the Museum des Neuestren, &c. Museum of Inventions and Discoveries made in Natural History, the Arts, Manufactures, Manual Operations, Trades, and Rural and Domestic Economy. Published at Berlin,

1815.

February-Medical and Chemical Observations, by Professor Driessen.-Memoir on Toxicology, by Leitner.-On_the Graphite of Bohemia, by Schmiz.-The actual State of the Fisheries on the Caspian Sea,-Thomson on Dew.-On_the Growth and Maturity of Leaves, by Blesson-on the Perfection of Printing Presses, by Konig,

MSS. of Herculaneum.-On the Composition of Iron, by Blesson.-Method of obtaining Sulphuric Acid, by Bart.-New Composition for Coating Copper, Iron, Arms, &c. as security against Rust, by Richardais.

March.-Method employed to unroll the | 490. Works of this description are useful or otherwise, according to their correctness and veracity, which usually depend on the opportunities of the writer to know the facts he relates. We have seen some in our own country which, by collecting re ports, have furnished no real assistance to history-while, at the same time, it must be confessed, that private transactions of courts and high personages, are often revealed by means of reports, only, at least in the first instance, which may be founded on truth, as time afterwards proves.

April.-A stove for Drying Fruits, by Graschopt.-On employing Oxen to move Cylindrical Machines -The method of proceeding for the purpose of Carbonizing Peat, perfected.-Method of Tanning, practised at Pondicherry.-Paul's Apparatus for Filtering Water.-On the Use of Potatoes in the Distillation of Brandy, in Sweden and Denmark.-On Wind-Mills, having Sails, instead of those commonly employed; which are called Wings.

This work is described as important, and a translation of it into French is preparing for the press, under the author's inspection. The pieces it contains refer to the history of the last years of Frederic II. of Prussia; and to the intention of the Em press Catherine II. of Russia to establish a new Empire in Greece, or in Western Asia, by driving the Turks out of Europe.

instigation of England.-The pretentions of Joseph II. and the opposition of Holland, which ended in the alliance between Holland and France, in 1785.-The inte rior troubles of Holland, the part taken in them by Frederic II. to which is added a sketch of the reign of Jeseph II. with remarks on his system of Toleration.

Archiv Patriotischer Wunsche, &c.-Archives of Patriotic Wishes and Projects, suggested on occasion of the revision and renovation of the Constitution of Hamburgh, by Ph. A. Nehmnich. This work The squabbles of Frederic with the city opens with an historic notice of the events of Dautzic, which did not become Prussian which took place at Ilamburgh, while that till the reign of his successor. The protown was occupied by the French. The ject of the Armed Neutrality, the work of Author directs his attention to the be-Count Panin, opposed by Potemkin, at the nevolent establishments of the town, especially to the Orphan-House, to the direct taxes, to the bearing arms by the citizens in a free and commercial state, and to patriotic opinions. As a citizen of Hamburgh, he complains of the rivalship of the town of Altona, the commerce of which injures that of Hamburgh. The author insists, that a merchant of Hamburgh is the only The reader perceives that these are person authorized to transact the com- leading articles to the history of subsemerce of that city. He enlarges also on quent events. The French Revolution, ameliorations demanded by the present with the eventual punishments of Russia, state of things; in particular, he com- Prussia, Austria, Holland, and other plains of the clandestine traffic carried on countries, were little more than natural by the Jews-of the sale of manufactured consequences, in a political sense, of these articles in small quantities around the Ex-plans and proceedings. The work cannot change, and in private houses-which, if but be interesting. we rightly understand, is principally supported by the Jewish smugglers, and private accommodations of entry, from Altona. As to other matters, such as the vices introduced by the French, from which the city was previously free, we believe that in this respect Hamburgh is a sufferer in common with almost all Europe; but, it gives us pleasure to find that they are acknowledged, censured, and condemned in their true character, as Vices.

Denkwurdigkeiten, &c. Memoirs of my own time, intended to promote an acquaintance with the history of the last quarter of the eighteenth century, and the beginning of the nineteenth,-from 1778 to 1806 By C. G. de Dohm. Vol. II. pp.

The opportunity afforded by the late changes in the Political World, gave occasion to a number of works, treating our the most desirable Constitution for Germany; among others was Deutchlands Zukunst, &c. The Future of Germany, in six discourses, by Dr. Kohlrausch, of Elberfeld. The author enquires whe ther Germany would obtain by means of this great crisis, a stronger political unity, if it were formed into three or four great states. From this subject may easily be inferred what were the ideas afloat if Germany, at the time. After discussing the question, not without much hesitation the writer decides in the negative. The fourth discourse seems to deserve attention: the question is, whether a whole nation should

not be trained to arms under the direction of its Government. It should seem that, in such a case, neighbouring countries would have little inducement to attack one the other under an expectation of conquest, or even of decisive advantages.

New Journal.

In January 1816, was published at Stuttgard, the first part of an Astronomical and Mathematical Journal, intended to promote the study of the higher branches

of science. It bears the title of "Commentarii in quibus de rebus ad Astronomiam et cognatas cum ea literas spectantibus exponitur;" and seeks to compensate for the discontinuance of a former work on the same plan, designated "Mutua Literæ ad accuratiorem terræ et coli cognitionem evulgatæ, &c."

It will receive the contributions of many distinguished students, in the different countries of Europe, who have pledged their support to the work.

PRUSSIA.

The Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin, from the year 1804 to 1811, accompanied by the History of the Academy, during the same period, was published at Berlin, from the Library of the Schools, in 1815. The history includes the Eulogia of eminent men, M.M. Zoellner, de Burgsdorff, Teller, and Merian, and the work itself is divided into classes, as usual. The re-appearance of this learned work induces us to trust, that the distresses of Prussia, in consequence of the war, are rapidly vanishing, while the blessings of peace are diffusing themselves throughout the nation.

RUSSIA.

Professor Graefe has published at Petersburgh, the Hymns of Nonnus and Nicaia, in Greek, pp. 50. Quarto. This fragment is accompanied by observations, critical, philological, &c. The Author is already known by the publication of two other Greek poems, and by an Edition of the Fragments of Meleager.

SAXONY.

House of Cobourg.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE
ELGIN MARBLES.

[Second Part.]

The Report of the Committee on the question of purchasing the ancient Sculptures, brought from Athens, by the Earl of Elgin, may be considered as being divided into two parts: the first referring to the acquisition and the value of these remains of Ancient Art, the second to their history. As it is not convenient for us, yet, to allot to this Report its due place, we anticipate that duty by giving this division separately, and the rather, as it has not appeared in the public prints; which have contented themselves with publishing the former, or first Part.

Ir may not be deemed foreign to this subject, if Your Committee venture to extend their observations somewhat beyond the strict limit of their immediate inquiry, and lay before the House what occurs to them as not unimportant with regard to the age and authenticity of these Sculptures. The great works with which Pericles adorned, and strengthened Athens, were all carried on under the direction and superintendance of Phidias; for this, there is the authority of various ancient writers, and particularly of Plutarch; but he distinctly asserts in the same passage, that Callicrates and Ictinus executed the work of the Parthenon; which is confirmed also by Pausanias, so far as relates to Ictinus, who likewise ornamented and constructed the temple of Apollo at Phigalia"; from whence, by a singular coincidence, the Sculptures in high relief lately purchased for the British Museum, and frequently referred to in the evidence were transported.

The style of this work, in the opinion of Artists, indicates, that it belongs to the same period, though the execution is rated M. Schulles has just published "A Hisas inferior to that of the Elgin Marbles. tory of Coburg in the Middle Ages," and In the fabulous stories which are representhas added to it several charters; among ed upon both, there is a very striking sithem is one of the Emperor Henry VII.milarity; and it may be remarked in pasdated Worms, 1231. The Emperor replies in it to the questions that had been put to him concerning the rights of subjects. According to his decision-" No Prince or Lord can establish new laws or new constitutions without the consent of his principal vassals."-The rights of the people were, therefore, not every where disregarded in the middle ages, as has often been affirmed.

sing, that the subjects† of the Metopes, and of the smaller Frize, which is sculptured with the battle of the Amazons, correspond

The penultimate syllable should be pronounced long: Phigalia closes two hexameter verses, one of which is quoted by Pausanias, and the other by Stephanus Byzantinus, from Rhianus a poet of Crete. Compare LIT. PAN. N. S.Vol. III. p. 794.

Paros; the latter of whom was his favourite; and it was reported, that out of affection to him, Phidias put his scholar's name upon several of his own works: among which the statue of Rhamnusian Nemesis is particularized by Pliny, and Suidas.

with two out of the four subjects mentioned | nian of noble birth, and Agoracritus of by Pliny, as adorning the shield and dress of the Minerva; so that there was a general uniformity of design in the stories which were selected for the internal, and external decoration of the Parthenon. The taste of the same artist, Ictinus, probably led him to repeat the same ideas, which abound in graceful forms, and variety of composition, when he was employed upon the temple of another divinity, at a distance from Athens.

The statue of Minerva within the temple, was the work of Phidias himself, and, with the exception of the Jupiter which be made at Elis, the most celebrated of his productions. It was composed of ivory, and gold; with regard to which, some very curious anecdotes relating to the political history of that time, are to be found in the same writers: the earliest of which, from a passage in a contemporary poet, Aristophanes, proves that the value of these materials involved both Pericles and the director of his works in great trouble, and jeopardy; upon which account the latter is said to have withdrawn to Elis, and to have ended his days there, leaving it doubtful whether his death was natural, or in consequence of a judicial sentence; but Plutarch places his death at Athens, and in prison, either by disease, or by poison.

It has been doubted whether Phidias himself ever wrought in Marble; but, although, when he did not use ivory, his chief material was unquestionably bronze; there are authorities sufficient to establish, beyond all controversy, that he sometimes applied his hand to Marble. Pliny, for instance, asserts that he did so, and mentions a Venus ascribed to him, existing in his own time in the collection (or in the portico) of Octavia. Phidias is called by Aristotle a skilful worker in stone; and

Pausanias enumerates a Celestial Venus of Parian Marble, undoubtedly of his hand; and the Rhamnusian Nemesis, also of the same material. Some of his statues in bronze, were brought to Rome by Paulus Emilius, and by Catulus.

His great reputation, however, was founded upon his representations of the Gods, in which he was supposed more excellent than in human forms, and especially upon his works in ivory, in which he stood unrivalled.*

In another passage of Pliny, Alcamenes is classed with Critias, Nestocles, and | Hegias, who are called the rivals of Phidias, The name of Colotes is preserved as another of his scholars.

The other great Sculptors, who were living at the same time with Phidias, and flourished very soon after him, were Agelades, Callon, Polycletus, Phragmon, Gorgias, Lacon, Myron, Pythagoras, Scopas, and Perelius.

tions the Sculptures on the pediments is The passage in which Pausanias menextremely short, and to this effect; " As you enter the temple, which they call Parthenon, the (Eagles) Pediments, relates in every the opposite or back front is the contest of particular to the birth of Minerva; but on Minerva and Neptune for the land;-but the statue itself is formed of ivory and which this temple was fallen, when Stuart gold." The state of dilapidation into visited it in 1751, and made most correct drawings for his valuable work, left little Opportunity of examining and comparing what remained upon that part of the temaccount is preserved by travellers, who ple with the passage referred to: but an about 80 years earlier found one of these the war between the Turks and Venetiaus, pediments in tolerable preservation, before admirable structure. The observation of in 1687, had done so much damage to this one of these (Dr. Spon, a French physician) may be literally translated thus:

all that is contained in what is termed

"The highest part of the front which the Greeks called "the Eagle," and our architects "the Fronton," is enriched with a groupe of beautiful figures in marble, which appear from below as large as life. They are of entire relief, and wonderfully well worked. Pausanias says nothing more, than that this Sculpture related to the birth of Minerva. The general design is this:

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Jupiter, who is under the highest angle of the pediment (fronton) has the Elidas the Argive is mentioned as the right arm broken, in which, probably, he master of Phidias; which honour is also held his thunderbolt; his legs are thrown shared by Hippias. His two most cele- wide from each other, without doubt to brated scholars were Alcamenes an Athe-make room for his eagle. Although these

Quintillian 12, c. 10.

two characteristics are wanting, one caunot avoid recognizing him by his beard,

and by the majesty with which the sculptor has invested him. He is naked, as they usually represented him, and particularly the Greeks, who for the most part made their figures naked; on his right is a statue which has its head and arms mutilated, draped to about half the leg, which one may judge to be a Victory, which precedes the car of Minerva, whose horses she leads. They are the work of some hand as bold as it was delicate, which would not perhaps have yielded to Phidias, or Praxiteles, so renowned for (representing) horses. Minerva is sitting upon the car, rather in the habit of goddess of the sciences, than of war; for she is not dressed as a warrior, having neither helmet, nor shield, nor head of Medusa upon her breast she has the air of youth, and her head dress is not different from that of Venus. Another female figure without a head is sitting behind her with a child, which she holds upon her knees, I cannot say who she is; but I had no trouble in making out or recognising the two next, which are the last on that side; it is the

emperor Hadrian sitting, and half naked,

sitting in the corner to be of the emperor Hadrian and his empress Sabina, whom I easily knew to be so, by the many medals, and statues I have seen of them." And again, "But the emperor Hadrian most probably repaired it, and adorned it with those figures at each front. For the whiteness of the Marble, and his own statue joined with them, apparently show them to be of a later age than the first, and done by that Emperor's command.Within the portico on high, and on the outside of the cella of the temple itself, is another border of basso relievo round about it, or at least on the North and South sides, which, without doubt, is as ancient as the temple, and of admirable work, but not so high a relievo as the other. Thereon are represented sacrifices, processions, and other ceremonies of the heathens' worship; most of them were designed by the M. de Nointel, who employed a painter to do it two months together, and showed them to us when we waited on him at Constantinople."

three years earlier than Spon, a work called Another French author, who published "Athenes Ancienne & Nouvelle, par le Sr. de la Guilletiere: a Paris, 1675"-says, the celebrated architects Callicrates and "Pericles employed upon the Parthenon

Ictinus.

and, next to him, his wife Sabina. It seems that they are both looking on with pleasure at the triumph of the goddess. I do not believe that before me, any person observed this particularity, which deserves to be remarked. "On the left of Jupiter are The last, who had more reputafive or six figures, of which some have lost it in a book, which he composed on purtion than the former, wrote a description of the head; it is, probably, the circle of the gods, where Jupiter is about to introduce pose, and which has been lost; and we Minerva, and to make her be acknowtunity of admiring the building itself, if should probably not now have the opporledged for his daughter. The pediment the emperor Hadrian had not preserved it behind, represented, according to the same author, the dispute which Minerva and done. It is to his care that we owe the to us, by the repairs which he caused to be Neptune had for naming the city, but all few remains of antiquity which are still the figures are fallen from them, except entire at Athens." one head of a sea-horse, which was the usual accompaniment of this god; these figures of the two pediments were not so ancient as the body of the temple built by Pericles, for which there wants no other argument than that of the statue of Hadrian, which is to be seen there, and the Marble which is whiter than the rest. All the rest has not been touched. The Marquis de Nointel had designs made of the whole, when he went to Athens; his painter worked there for two months, and almost lost his eyes, because he was obliged to draw every thing from below, without a scaffold."-(Voyage par Jacob Spon; Lyons, 1678; 2 tom, p. 144).

Wheler, who travelled with Spon, and published his work at London (four years later) in 1682, says, "But my companion made me observe the two next figures

In the Antiquities of Athens by Stuart, vol. ii. p. 4, it is said, "Pausanias gives but a transient account of this Temple, nor does he say whether Hadrian repaired it, though his statue, and that of his Empress Sabina in the western pediment, have occasioned a doubt whether the sculptures, in both, were not put up by him. Whefer and Spon were of this opinion, and say they were whiter than the rest of the building. The statue of Antinous, now remaining at Rome, may be thought a proof that there were Artists in bis time capable of executing them, but this whiteness is no proof that they were more modern than the Temple, for they

*Ictinus and Carpion were jointly concerned in this work, for which we have the authority of Vitruvius, lib. 7. præfat.

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