374 Philosophihal Intelligence, ^c, 



common method. — Agreeably to a report of M. Sr/lves^ 

 tre a silver medal was granted to Mad. Reine forher Tjeghorn 

 hats and the cultivation of the straw of which they are 

 wiade. — M. De Gerando reminded the society that M. Prw 

 dier last year obtained the gold medal for his excellent 

 manufactory of Razors and of mother of pearl. An hon- 

 ourable mention was now again made to reward the suc- 

 cess of this fine enterprize, which now produces 9000 ra- 

 zors per month, and to which M. Pradier has added the fabri- 

 cation of table knives, penknives, metallic pens and seals with 

 changeable figures. If this artist had not received the gold 

 medal last year, he would have been rewarded with it at 

 the present time. — Another honourable mention was made 

 in favour of M Vauchelet fo his painting on velvet 



Francoedr. 



4. Philosophical Instruments. — In a report made by 

 Francceur to the societe d'^ encouragement at Paris, on a new 

 theodolite made by Gambey, a distinguished artist, after 

 speaking in the most favorable terms of the instruments, 

 adds, "M. Gambey is not only an estimable artist, — his 

 Inventive powers place him in the list of Savans : he is the 

 author of a heliostat, conceived upon a new plan, and very 

 superior to that in common use ; and also of a new com- 

 pass of declination, the precision of which is incredible. 

 These two instruments have been presented by the invent- 

 or to the academy of Sciences, and M. Arago, who will 

 shortly report upon them, has spoken of them in terms of 

 great approbation, an opinion the more flattering, as it 

 comes from a philosopher who is known to be sparing of 

 his praises. Baron de Zach, also, who seems to have 

 adopted the method of praising all foreign inventions at the 

 expense of our own, cannot refuse to acknowledge the dis- 

 tinguished merit of M. Gambey, and has ordered one of 

 his theodolites. This is a mark of respect which could 

 have been forced only by the belief that M. Gambey is the 

 ablest artist in Europe. 



5. Astronomtcal observatory. — A new observatory has 

 just been established at Bern in Switzerland, greatly to the 

 honor of the government, and of enlightened individuals in 

 fhat canton. It is erected upon the elevated plain of a 



