342 



nioistiirr, as sea-salt, which will make 

 a savini:^ of (en per cent. There are 

 four varieties: while, hall-«hile, <;rey, 

 and red. The first is perfectly pure, 

 and fit for the table; the second and 

 third have a miViire of other suh- 

 stances, but less than in marine salt, 

 nor is the fourth so impure as common 

 salt : these three last may be used nitii- 

 out inconvenience or danger. 



In the sitting of the 24th, a new ciiart 

 of Columbia was presented, modelled 

 on the observations of M. de Humboldt 

 and the Spanish navigators. M. de H. 

 has annexed cuts, in three different 

 directions, replete with geographical 

 details. To these profiles are added 

 scales, indicating the mean temperature 

 of the air, from the level of the equinoc- 

 tial seas to 2000 toiscs iu height. 



Proceedings df Public Societies. 



[May 1, 



SOCIETY OF FRENCH INDUSTRY. 



According to (he Report of the So- 

 ciety for Encouraging rronch Industry, 

 their works in cotton have attained 

 such perfection, as not onJy to equal 

 but surpass those of India. Samples 

 of the finest and most beautiful Indian 

 workmanship have been exposed in the 

 Louvre; and, compared with others of 

 modern E(nopean art, are confessedly 

 inferior. The female peasantry, in many 

 provinces, can achieve what (as it is 

 asserted,) none of the most sumptuous 

 shops in Syracuse could have produced 

 for Verres. Cicero reproaches him for 

 appearing in public in the finest linen 

 cloth, bespangled with small points : 

 "Tciiuissimo lino, minutis maculis." 

 For white or printed cottons, Rouen is 

 the Manchester of France. 



According to the same Report, the 

 art of applying brilliant and durable 

 varnish to iron is but in its infancy in 

 France, while it is carried to the higliest 

 degree of perfection by an uncivilized 

 tribe iu the forests of Oural, in Siberia. 

 It forms an extraordinary product of 

 industry, the origin of which is not well 

 known. 



NEAPOLITAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. 



Among the learned Societies of Italy, 

 none are more useful than those which 

 relate to Antiqiiilies. Here they have 

 an Htnestrained liberty (fettered in many 

 other points,) to explore all the circum- 

 stances of archaeology. Imitating the 

 example of Rome, the city of Naples 

 has recently formed an Antiquarian 

 Society; and, from their abundant ma- 

 terials, a first volume of their Memoirs 

 lias appeared. 



Among other notices, is a medal of 

 Crispus Ciesar, the son of Constant ine, 

 found at Capua, with this legend, " Vir- 

 tusexercet." In one Memoir, mention 

 is made of a geographical chart of 1455, 

 in wliich the position of the Caribee or 

 AVest India islands is marked. This 

 specification of those islands at that 

 time is highly deserving of attention, 

 and shoidd be well sifted, as to the me- 

 rits of its authenticity. 



A crown of gold was found, in 1813, 

 in an ancient tomb near Armento, in 

 the Basilicate. It is described here as 

 tressed with oak-leaves, and interlaced 

 with little branches of flowers, — roses, 

 narcissi, ivy, &c. On the flowers and 

 leaves, some bees are represented ; the 

 chisel has also marked four figures of 

 men, and two of women. Among the 

 various purposes for which these crowns 

 were made, was that of consecrating 

 them to the manes of the illustrious 

 dead. This was practised by all the 

 towns of Thessaly, in honour of Pelo- 

 pidas; and 2000 were offered at the 

 funeral of Sylla. 



Anolhcr notice contains a Greek 

 diploma of the Archives of Naples, as 

 existing in 1055: it is addressed to the 

 Abbot of San Nicolo, at INIonopolis. 



NATIVE CALCUTTA SOCIETY. 



A Literary Society has been founded 

 at Calcutta, by native Indians of dis- 

 tinction, the object of which is truly 

 praiseworthy. It is intended to enter 

 into discussions on all subjects connect- 

 ed with the progress of civilization and 

 literature. Works of learning and ge- 

 neral utility are to be jmblished in 

 English ; and little manuals of morals 

 and science, tending to impugn certain 

 inveterate customs, and to lay down 

 rules of reformation conducive to the 

 well-being of individuals in Bengal. 



To promote these ends, mechanical 

 and mathematical instruments, together 

 with a chemical apparatus, are to be 

 procured. A house is to be erected, 

 for the i)urpose of holding their assem- 

 blies, and containing their different col- 

 lections. A college will be annexed, 

 for instruction in the arts and sciences. 

 Those who convened the first assembly 

 have agreed to defray all expenses, till 

 the Society be completely organized. 



BENGAL MISSION SOCIETY. 



The Fifth Report of the Society of 



Missions of Bengal has the following 



j)articulars : — ^Besides the Chapel of 



Union, which belongs to the Society, 



6 chapels 



