Free Commercial School, Paris. 171 
raised by the pumps, and half the weight of the great lever 
beam, we have a weight of nearly 220,000 lbs. on one side 
of the axis. This is balanced by counterpoises on the other 
side, making upon the pivot of the machine, a weight of 
440,000 Ibs. 
The piston moves through 262 feet per minute, carrying 
this enormous mass with an astonishing regularity. These 
machines do honour to the geniusand talents of Wolf; and the 
county of Cornwall is indebted to him for many improve- 
ments in steam-engines which have rendered the most im- 
portant services to the country. 
Bib. Univ. Feb. 1823. 
2. Large mass of Amber found in the Island of New-Prov- 
idence. —About the middle of last year a_ sailor being fa- 
tigued, sat down near the sea, on a block, which he supposed 
to be a stone. After having slept some time, in attempting | 
to rise, he found himself glued to his seat. When he reach- 
ed the vessel, one of his comrades remarked that he appeared 
to be scented with a very strong odour ; and when he learn- 
ed how it had happened, he invited him to return, and en- 
deavour to bring away the stone. The former had at first 
no inclination to comply in consequence of its being too heavy; 
so much the better replies the other, you will make your for- 
tune the sooner, for | believe it to be a large piece of Amber 
which will sell for a large sum. He immediately mounted 
a horse, crossed the Island, and brought away the stone. He | 
showed it at first to a Jew, who offered him only the tenth 
part of its value. The circumstance soon spread, and the 
Captain of a merchant vessel, then in port, purchased it of 
the sailor ; .and after passing through several hands, it was 
finally sold in England for £2300 sterling, at the rate of 86 
shillings per ounce.— /dem. 
3. Free Commercial School, Paris. —The course, which 
requires two years for its completion, will continue this year. 
It comprehends the studies which prepare young men for 
commercial knowledge, and the theory of commerce, in its 
strictest sense. The preparatory studies are, Ist. The art 
of commercial writing, that is to say, the art of collecting, 
connecting, and expressing one’s ideas upon all subjects re- 
lating to commerce ; 2d. commercial chronology, including 
the grand epochs of commerce, and details relative to the 
