ECLECTIC SOCIETY. At a general meeting of this Society, the Director in the chair, the silver medals were awarded to Thomas Beale, esq., for his paper on the Physeter macrocephalus, and W. R. Birt, esq., for his paper on the orbit and motion of the .Sun. It was resolved that a botanic garden be established, to be designated the "Botanic Garden of the Eclectic Society;" which garden is to contain all the indigenous plants of Great Britain. Professor Usher gave a lecture on the language and poetry of the Hebrews. Mr. Birt read a paper on the Aurora Borealis. Mr. Samuel, optician, exhibited specimens of the efficacy of his slitting machine in producing crystal lenses for spectacles, &c. Presents were received for the Society's museum and library, and the meeting adjourned for a month. ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. Apartments have been allotted to this Society in that wing of Somerset House occupied by the Royal Society, the Antiquaries, and the Geological Society; in which the first meeting of the session took place, Mr. Baily in the chair. A long paper on Dr. Halley and his observations, by the President, was read. ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE. Nov. 5. At the first meeting of the Season was read a memoir on the Diseases of Literary Men, by W. Newnham, esq., of Farnham. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY. May 28. Sir William Browne's medals were adjudged as follow:-Greek ode -C. Clayton, Caius College-Subject, "Niger navigabilis." Latin ode-Hon. C. S. Savill, Queen's College-Subject, "Australis expeditio Johannis Frederici Gulielmi Herschel, equitis aurati."— Epigrams-J. I. Smith, Trinity College Subject" Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc sciat alter." June 7th.-The Porson prize (for the best translation of a passage from Shakespeare into Greek verse) was adjudged to E. Howes, Trinity college. Subject, King Richard II. act iii. scene 2, beginning, "Let's talk of graves," and ending, "How can you say to me I am a king ?” BOTANIC PRIZES. The two prizes (gold and silver medals) instituted five years ago by the Society of Apothecaries, for their best written and oral examination in medical botany, have been awarded this year to students of the London University; the gold medal to Mr. Edward Edin, and the silver medal to Mr. Arthur Tibson. The prizes in botany, annually given by the Apothecaries' Company to the best informed students in this science have also this year both of them been carried off by students of the above University. NORTHERN PROFESSORSHIPS OF THE Nov. 13. At this meeting two papers were read by the Foreign Sec. Mr. Hamilton. The first of these consisted of remarks by M. Letronne, on Mr. Wilkinson's explanation of the vocal effect of the statue of Memnon, at Thebes. The second paper was "Notes on the Roman Villa near Lo Scoglio di Virgilio, near the hill of Pausilippo :" a complete specimen of an ancient Roman marine villa, of three stories, in what is called " "opus reticulatum," built close to, and partly over, the by the nations of the North. In proof of sea. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. Nov. 24. W. R. Hamilton, esq., in the chair. Part of a Journal was read, kept by Major Felix during an excursion made by him and Lord Prudhoe from Cairo to Mount Sinai. The chief facts of novelty or importance were, the rapid growth of coral in the Red Sea-the height at which marine shells are found along the shores of Arabia-the close resemblance of many of the wild traditions of the Arabs to the historical narratives of Scripture and the security with which this journey, once so hazardous, may, it appears, now be performed. The veteran and respected Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, Nicholas Carlisle, esq. F.R.S. has issued a prospectus which has for its object the establishment of two Professorships of English Literature, one in the University of Vienna, and the other in that of Upsala (Sweden), the object of which plan is the encouragement of the taste for English literature that has already been imbibed this fact, Mr. Carlisle has cited the authority of several of the most intelligent writers who have visited those countries. In Germany, he states that English Professorships have been established not only in all the Universities, but also in many of the Grammar-schools. In Sweden the very idiom of the language is almost exactly English, so that you may take most Swedish sentences, word for word, and they make sense in our language. The inhabitants of Norway learn the English language with facility, many words, and even whole sentences, being the same in both. The principal difference seems to be in the orthography; such a discrepancy as we find in the Paston Letters, written in the 15th century, or in the earlier writings of Chaucer; the words are modernized merely by changing the characters by which identical sounds are expressed. The language of the Finlanders has many words which are common to the Scots and Germans, e. g. Kirk, a Church-Kirn, a Churn-Rig, a Ridge. Mr. Carlisle thinks that, the connection between the English language and that of our northern neighbours being so indisputably evident, the ties of mutual good understanding and sympathy might be extended by promoting the rising taste for English literature among them. We may incidentally observe that the Saxon root of our language clearly points out an identity of origin. The writer concludes his appeal by inviting those generous persons who may be favourable to his design, to communicate their donations to him at Somerset-place. His benevolent object is evidently worthy of attention; a common language is undoubtedly a very influential tie; one, indeed, of the most natural and unobtrusive nature; the cultivation of it must lead to a bond of union of sentiment, and connected with a country so far advanced in the enjoyment of real liberty as ours, may be conducive to the diffusion of the greatest blessings which can descend on the nations of the earth— a contented enjoyment of equal rights-a practical knowledge of the duties of revealed religion. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL. The Play of Terence, performed this year by the scholars of Westminster, has been the Eunuchus, which has been represented with great spirit, and has gone off with more than usual eclat. The third performance was honoured with the presence of his Majesty, attended by Prince George of Cumberland, the Bishops of Hereford and Bristol, Earl Amherst, Lords Byron, &c. The part of Antipho was struck out of the play: and the other characters were filled as follows: Phædria, Fisher; Parmeno, Stedman; Thais, Hotham; Gnatho, Vernon; Chærea, Murray; Thraso, Savile; Pythias, Lennard; Chremes, Drew; Dorias, Tritton; Dorus, Fielde; Sanga, Howard; Sophrona, Smith; Laches, Taunton. Two Prologues were delivered this year, the second being appropriate to the royal visit. The first was as follows: PROLOGUS IN EUNUCHUM. Fas est salutare hospites atque advenas, Agere et habere cuique vestrum, O benevole Nostris salutem impertiamus, etsi atrox Hic velle neminem sesse Roscium sciat: PROLOGUS ALTER IN EUNUCHUM. Possit memoria, cogimur, Rex Angliæ The Epilogue (evidently alluding to the EPILOGUS IN EUNUCHUM. P. Orator noster Gnatho et indefessus amicus Tum, nequid desit summæ, mihi cura legendi est. Mi Thraso; num credis me tibi verba dare? T. Euge! satis laudant.-G. Quid! tua dicta Excidere ex animis nostris? stat gratia vivax, Nam novi meipsum: vix tibi credo satis. Te pudeat nostram, Dux, dubitare, fidem. Aufer, et in tuto pone-abiitne?—T. Abiit- cuiquam, Vult tamen, ut narrant, imperitare mihi. T. Imperitare tibi, patrono -G. Ità in urbe loquuntur. Rumores varios sedula turba serit. Hem redit et currit-salva estne pecunia?-P. Saccos diripiunt Simalio atque Donax. Libertas violenta quidem respexit inerte3 S. quorum [nebulo. est Adsunt.-S. Iste Gnatho maximus Dat verba atque negat victum.-G. Scio acerba coquorum Donax, Circumstare odia-Hem! Sanga, Syrisce, -S. Tace tu Non metuo quin hoc crimen defendere possim. Quicunque inter nos discidium esse volunt. G. Nunc dimitto agmen.-S. Vah, nobiscum ipse redibis, Hunc hilarem sumet natio tota diem. MR. HEBER'S LIBRARY. The Sale of the Fourth Part of Mr. Heber's Library, which has been proceeding during the month of December, at Mr. Evans's, and occupying fourteen days, comprised some very curious books on English, Scotch, and Irish history, and some rare French romances. It also contained the larger portion of the collection of English poetry, and of authors connected with the commencement and progress of the English language and literature. This is the part of his Library of which we are told "Mr. Heber was the most proud, and which he laboured for nearly forty years, with unceasing perseverance, and equally constant pleasure, to enrich and complete." The prices have not, however, been kept up to their former height, and some were knocked down at little more than one-third the price they cost the collector. We have not at present room to notice more than some of the principal rarities. Alioni. "Opera Jocunda, &c." A rare and curious book, consisting of tales, theatrical representations, and poems, in the Macaronick, Piedmontese, and French languages. This unique copy was obtained from Italy, and belonged to Mr. Hanrott Armory of Byrdes. Printed by John Wyght, bl. 1. no date L. s. d. 17 5 0 700 3 15 0 9 16 0 10 0 0 66 Barclay (A.)" Here begynneth the Eglogues of Alexander Barclay, 26 Translated MDXXV. Imprinted by Thomas Purrfoote. Chapman (Geo.) Epicede on the Death of Henry Prince of Wales. 1612." Chapman's "Eugenia, or true Nobilities Trance; for the most memorable death of the thrice Noble and Religious William Lord Russell. Divided into foure vigils of the night." 1614. Steevens's copy; very rare; sold to the Duke of Bedford for Chattertoniana. Works of Chatterton and his Commentators, collected Churchyard A Discourse of Rebellion." 1570. 66 Churchyard. Prayse and Reporte of Maister Martyne Forboisher's Churchyard." Reporte of James Fitz Morrice Death." Six leaves. 66 1560." Churchyard " A Myrrour for Man." Black letter; three leaves Churchyard" The first part of Churchyardes Chippes." 1575 Churchyard's Challenge," black letter, 1593. ("Shore's Wife augmented," appears here. At the close of the list of Churchyard's productions, is a remarkable mention of Spenser as "the spirit of learned speech." Cutwode (T.) «Caltha Poetarum; or, the Bumble Bee." Extraor dinarily rare, 1599. (It was reprinted by Mr. Heber for the Roxburghe Club.) "Cobler of Canterburie; or, an Invective against Tarlton's Newes out Constable (Henry) " Diana, the Praises of his Mistress (sonnets) 1592. Conusaunce d'Amours. Printed by Pynson (unique) 66 £. s. d. 24 10 0 63 0 7 10 0 4 16 O 12 5 0 14 0 O 15 0 0 500 900 310 0 990 5 15 6 8 15 0 12 0 0 3 18 0 12 12 0 CO 9 12 0 15 O Warres, warres, warres," 1628. Believed to be unique. Purchased at Sir M. Sykes's sale for 134. 13s. "Syr Degore;" unique copy, printed by Wynkyn de Worde Douglas. "The Palis of Honoure, compyled by Gawyne Dowglas, Bysshope of Dunkyll (a Poem written in 1501). Imprinted by Wyllyam Copland" Choyce Drollery, Songs and Sonnets, being a Collection of divers excellent Pieces of Poetry of severall eminent Authors, never before printed, 1656. * «England's Helicon, or the Muses' Harmony. 1614." Of great rarity, belonged to Dr. Farmer and to Steevens "Dysputacyon. Here begynneth a Lytel Treatyse, called the Dysputacyon, or complaynt of the Herte thoroughe perced with the lokynge of the eye. Imprynted by Wynkyn de Worde." A quarto, consisting of very few leaves; it had been in the collection of Horne Tooke, and the Duke of Roxburghe, and once sold for 301. (To be continued.) 60 There were more than twenty volumes of this class, uniformly bound. This is one of the most intrinsically valuable, if only for the very interesting poem in which characters are given of all the following poets:-Shakespeare, Jonson, Beaumont, Fletcher, Massinger, Chapman, Daborne, Sylvester, Quarles, May, Sands, Digges, Daniel, Drayton, Withers, Brown, Shirley, Ford, Middleton, Heywood, Churchyard, Dekker, Broome, Chaucer, Spencer, Basse, and finally, John Shank the actor, who is said to have been famous for a jig. ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Nov. 20. The Society held their first meeting for the season, which was numerously attended, Mr. Hudson Gurney in the chair.-The Secretary announced a large number of presents of books, &c. from the Commissioners of Public Records and other learned bodies, and from individuals. Thomas Farmer Dukes, Esq. F.S.A. of Shrewsbury, communicated an account of several ancient weapons of bronze, consisting of swords, spear-heads, and celts, found near the foot of the Wrekin, in Shropshire; the account was accompanied by drawings, and several of the original weapons, and casts in brass from others. Mr. King, of Chichester, communicated, through the hands of the Bishop of Chichester, an account, with drawings, of a colossal head found near the Episcopal Palace at Chichester, supposed to be designed for the head of King Edward I.; it was a large corbel, probably in the interior of the building, having been coloured. Also two Roman inscriptions discovered at Chichester; and drawings and descriptions of some Egyptian remains brought from Thebes, by P. Stewart, Esq. in 1833, and deposited in the museum of the Chichester Philosophical Institution. Mr. Schomberg, of Tortola, presented a collection of Caribean antiquities, consisting of stone-hatchets, &c. with a dissertation on the origin and descent of the Caribs, the reading of which was postponed. Nov. 27.-H. Hallam, Esq. V. P. Edward John Rudge, Esq. M. A. author of Remarks on the Architecture of Evesham Church, was elected Fellow. Mr. Henry Herman Kater presented a sword found in 1812, in a peat-bog at Lyndale, in the Isle of Skye. It is of mixed metal; and in size and shape, nearly similar to one lately found in the Thames, by the ballast-dredgers, off Somerset-house, and now in the possession of a gentleman at the Tower of London. If the swords of this shape are of Roman origin (and it is probable they are), there can be no doubt, judging from their weight and length, that they were used by the cavalry. Thos. Phillips, Esq. R. A. and F. S. A. communicated an account of a British canoe found at North Stoke, in Sussex, in a field where there evidently existed, in early times, a creek from the river Arun. GENT. MAG. VOL. III. It is hollowed out from the half of the trunk of a large oak, first rudely squared at each end. Its length is 35 feet, 4 inches; its depth, in the centre, I foot, 10 inches; its width, 4 feet, 6 inches; its thickness at bottom, 44 inches It was first drawn from its place of deposit on the 25th of July last; but had been seen for many years, and even cut through in the formation of drains, being regarded only as a fallen tree. It is altogether much decayed. It has been presented to the British Museum by the Earl of Egremont, on whose land it was found. In consequence of the death and funeral of the Duke of Gloucester, there were no meetings of the Society on the 4th and 11th of December. Dec. 18. W. R. Hamilton, Esq. V. P. John Young, Esq. of Finsbury-square, was elected a Fellow of the Society. Mr. Diamond exhibited a Roman coin of Commodus, a piece of brass chain, and other fragments of metal, found in one mass of conglomerated gravel in the piles of London-bridge. Sir F. Palgrave, F.S.A. communicated a short account of the relics of the ancient Treasury of the Chamberlains of the Exchequer, remaining under his custody at the Chapter-house, Westminster; they consist principally of several dies for coins, and a bag of 169 groats of Henry VII. Mr. Samuel Woodward communicated a plan and description of the ruins of the Priory Church of Wymondham, in Norfolk, which have been recently explored by the parochial authorities. The most remarkable discovery, was that of two leaden cases, which were opened, and found to contain, one, the body of a young female, and the other, that of a foetus of the fourth month, both carefully embalmed; the lady was undoubtedly some near relation of the founder, William de Albini. Some further particulars of this discovery have already been published in our number for March 1834, p. 317. In the Chapter-house were two other coffins, containing the interments of priors; and under the floor was a mass of melted lead, which had been run into the spot, and being twice marked with the King's stamp, is with the greatest probability supposed to have been part of that seized by Flowerdew, upon the dissolution, at the time when the spoliation of this very monastery conduced to the breaking out of Kett's rebellion. Mr. M |