to

attempted one without success, but the of the satellites ; nine-tenths of a second high estimation and popularity which M. for the second, and a second and a half for DE ZACH enjoyed have given sufficient the third. reputation to his work, to insure its M. BODE, at Berlin, has published ą fale, and consequently the continuation of new volume of ephemerides for 1801, and that useful undertaking.

a third volume of supplements for the M. MARTONFI; has published, in preceding volumes, which contain many Transylvania, the description of the astronomical observations and memoirs, observatory

which the count-bishop by the astronomers of Gerniany, France, Batthiani had erected at Carlsburg, Alba and England. This work is like that of Julia, called also Weissemburg, and Alba M. de ZACH; it is a repertory which Carolina.

astronomers will find indispensible. M. TRIESNECKER, at Vienna, has We have received also a volume in published a considerable work on the folio of tables of logarithms, published ecliples of the sun and stars ; he has cal. in 1794, by M. VEGA, officer of artillery culated more than 150 observations, which in the service of the emperor. The table's must necessarily be a voluminous work ; of Wlacq, both for the hundred thou. (carcely any were made before 1760, the sands, and for the fines from ten time when I began to give the example of ten feconds, with eleven cyphers, pubthese fort of calculations.

lished in 1628, and 1633, had become We learn that a volume has been pub- very scarce; they had never been reprintlished at London, of “ Observations,” by ed, and yet were frequently wanted. M. Dr. BRADLEY, a work which has been Vega has therefore rendered a service to long expected.

the public, by proçuring this valuable M. DE MENDOZA, has published at edition. London, in 1797, “ Confiderations on the M. SCHUBERT has published at Pe. Solutions of the frincipal Problems of Nauti- tersburg, in German, a large treatise on cal Affronomy, with tables of verled lines aftronomy, in 3 volumes quarto, making from 10 to 10 seconds, and an auxiliary in all near 900 pages. table which reduces the investigation of In the Geneve "Bil liothèque Britannique," the true distance to an addition of five vessed for the months of March and April, wę fines.

find interesting details on the method em. We have received the ephemerides of ployed by M. BLAIR to correct the difBologna, for 12 years, from 1799 to terence of refrangibility in prospective1810, by citizen MATEUCCI, assisted by glasses. Esential oils, solution of corcitizens' ALAMANNI, GUGLIELMINI, rosive fublimate in fpirits of wine, with SACCHETTI, and CANTERZANI the fon. the addition of a little fal-ammoniac; but: Since the commencement of the century, ter (muriate) of antimony diluted in a the academy of sciences had published little ether, or alcohol, mixed with some ephemerides 10 years before. The last drops of marine acid, have succeeded pervolumes are by DesPLACE, LACAILLE, featly well, by putting thele substances and me. I had finished at 1800, old Ityle; between two lenses of crown-glass (Edinthe embarrassments of commerce had pre- burgh Transactions, vol. 11.). He has made vented me from finding a bookletler to a very good object-glass with Colution of enable me to proceed with the series, and' fal-ammoniac and ot tublimated mercury, I defifted from the calculations, The (muriate of ammonjac and of mercury.) astronomers of Bologna, more fortunate He has ascertained that the different fub than I, have fupplied this defect, and we stances have not a similar disposition to fhall have an ephemerides 12 years in ad-colours, which Boscowich had already vance, for the use of such as shall make noticed in 1965. Laftli, he has calcualmanacks for a number of years to come. lated the curvatures of glasses, so as to

The ephemerides of Milan, for 1798, correct also the aberration of sphericity. contain the continuation of a great work This curious memoir has heen translated of citizen ORIANI, on the method of cor- into French; but citizen LEROY has res recting the elements of the tables of Mer- tained the manuscript for three years paft. çury, by observations; as also many in- We are indebted to citizen Pictet for teresting observations by citizens Reggio having given it in detail in his excellent and de CESARIS.

collection of "La Bibliothèque Britannique;" M. SCHROETER, at Lilienthal, has the author calls these glailes aplanatic, (or published the second volume of his “ Afro- without error.) mische Beytrage,” in which, among other I have published a new edition of the trings, we find the apparent diameters fphere and of the calendar of Rivard, an

excellent

1799.]

Lalande's History of Astronomy, for 1798. 435 excellent elementary work, which has been to astronomical studies, the effects of useful for 50 years past. I have added which are now beginning to be felt. to it the Republican Calendar, protesting Citizen Henry, who went from Managainst the defects of intercalation; the heim to Petersburg, has been enabled to decree of Oct. 3, 1793, not having been re-establish in freih vigour the observain this respect conformable to what I had tory of that capitol; he has caused a transmitted to citizen Romme.

large mural of Bird to be placed, which Citizen FRANÇOIS DE NEUFCHATEAU lay a long time in the chest, and which distinguished his first entrance into the RUMOUSKI never made use of. ministry by giving an order for the im- M. Piazzi, astronomer at Palermo, is pression of an altronomical bibliography. preparing to meature a degree. I have I have collected, during my tour into sent him an exact metre, and they are Germany, a great number of notices for working at an entire circle. this work, and it appears to me, that no The minister PLEVILLE-PELEY has kind of bibliography can be complete augmented the stipend of the astronomers unless by the union of a number of per- of marine at Marteilles, where THULIS fons in different countries. The date of is making connected and important obthe death of the great Copernicus was servations. till lately a problem. I resolved it in my The territorial'admeasurement of Cortour. Copernicus died on June 11, 1543, fica, or the description of that island, bealthough Gassendi and WEIDLER date gun thirty years ago, has been lately this circumstance on the 24th of May, terminated. The great triangles were and PLANCHE on the uth of July. In set up by citizen TRANCHOT; the dethe interesting collection of ephemerides, tails have been made by a multitude of in which we find the memorable events of co-operators. The minister of finances every day, I have caused an examination having appointed me to examine it, I to be made of more than 60 manuscripts have had reason to acknowledge that this in the “ Bibliothèque Nationale.” Citizen labour has been completed with an acLEGRAND, one of the conservators of curacy worthy to be exhibited for a mothat famous depot, has given me a notice del, if as many luch were to be underof many other manuscripts ;« so that we taken for all the departments of France ; are at length making advances towards which would indeed be rendering the this part of astronomical erudition. public a useful service.

We have received some observations Citizen PERNEY, who had been sent from citizen De BATTE, at Montpellier; into Belgium, and who, since 1795, had from citizen THULIS, at Marseilles; and formed forty triangles at Bruges, Ghent, from citizen VIDAL, at Mirepoix : these Ostend, Antwerp, Middleburg, &c. has last are of a very extraordinary kind.- fet out for the Batavian republic,, where VIDAL law Mercury at three-quarters of they have engaged to furnish him with a degree from the Sun. The beauty of the means necessary for the continuation the climate, the perfection of his initru. of this labour. ment, and the excellence of his right, On the 5th Pluviose, (Jan. 24th,) the have enabled him to produce observations institute proposed to the Directory to deas valuable as extraordinary. Of this I mand of foreign powers learned men, who have spoken before.

should come to assist and take part in the The observatory at Amsterdain, be establishment of the new measures, and longing to the fociety of Felix Meritis, sanction their establishment. Twelve have has been put under the care of M. CAL- come from Spain, from Italy, and from COEN; he has been repeating his astro- Holland. nomical exercises at Gotha, jointly with From Denmark, M. BUGGES, director of M. de Zach, and he is commencing a the observatory at Copenhagen, celebrated course of observations which will be very for some important works.

From Spain, useful in a country where none have ever Meffis. GABRIEL CISCAR, and AUGUSTIN

From the Batavian Republic, been made, although the wants of the PEDRAGES. marine should lang ago have opened the citizen VAN SWINDEN and Æne, the

former well known for some excellent works eyes of government to an ohjeet lo necessary to navigators. It was in vain in physics, From Tuscany, M. FABRONI. that I went in 1774 to Amsterdam : the minister at Paris.

From Sardinia, M. LE COMTE BALBO,

From Helvetia, citizen Stadtholder, and the Grand Pensionary, TraLLES. From the Ligurian Republic, promised. me every thing. I could defire, citizen Molteno. From the Cisalpine Res but performed nothing. M. VAN SWIN. public, citizen MASCHEVONI, from whoin DEN has, since then, given an impulsion General BUONAPARTE brought us what

SIR,

a

might furnish a lesion to our most able geo- To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. meters. From the Roman Republic, citizen FRANCHINI.

Oma the sth Mellidor; (Jumei23y) the Asiane object of your valuable miscel. legislative body made a law, which gives lany is information, to the Bureau des Longitudes the keeping and unveil the merit of the modest and negof the original standard of the metre, or lected, I take the liberty to communicate of the new measure, destined to be in fu- the following article, requesting, that if ture the type of all measures, and to pre- you find it worth your notice, you will vent for ever the confusion which has give it early a place in your magazine. hitherto prevailed in the measures of all When I consider the great usefulness of countries.

the mathematics, in the arts of both neAstronomy has so few profelytes, that cessity and accommodation, especially in a it is a satisfaction to me to be able to say country, that gradually assumes a characthat M. the Dr. BURCKHARDT, who ter wholly military, I am sorry to find, came from Gotha last year, continues still that, on one side of the Tweed, so little to labour at Paris with us, and that he attention is bettowed on them. Although is already one of our best astronomers. there are several academies, and some uni

DELAMBRE has liad for co-operator versities in Scotland, yet the mathematical in his immense Jabour, citizen TRAN- knowledge, which students there learn, is chot, already celebrated for the great in general extremely superficial ; and, in works he has completed in Corsica; and course, the number of mathematicians young citirea POMARD, who is devoting which Scotland produces, very small in. himself to astronomy, and who cannot deed. In these circumstances, we may, fail to make rapid progress therein under no doubt, find something valuable more such a master. Astronomy has certainly widely diffused; but it is to be feared, need of fresh recruits, and I neglect no there is no stimulus to more vigorous exmeans to procure them; but the career is ertions in this science. painful and not lucrative; this will suffice My attention has lately been directed to to explain the penury we labour under. this subject, in the course of my enquiries

BLANPAIN, born in 1779, who first after the best mathematical seminary in faw the comet of 1797 at Marseilles, this part of the island; the result of whichi, evinces at the age of nineteen as much as nearly as I recollect it, I Mall concitely zeal as knowledge ; he possefles a rich lay before you. fund of literature, and is also distinguish- At the university of Edinburgh, all the ed by his moral qualities. Under. the branches of the mathematics are well necessity of applying himself to cominerce, taught, by the very able professor Playhe cannot as yet give full scope to his fair, in the space of two lessions, of fix passion for aftronomy; he nevertheless months each, the class meeting one hour calculates observations, and even makes every day to hear the prælicteons. This fome himself.

excellent mathematician has adorned his Young Bernier, of Montauban, is chair by several valuable papers in the Phi.. also applying himself to these studie's losophical Transactions of the island, and with success. I wished him to embark likewise by his new" Elements of Geometry, in the expedition under General BUONA. according to the Method of Euclid,” with PARTE, but my measures for that pur- a simple treatise of trigonometry annexed. pose were taken to late.

At Glasgow, the mathematics are taught Citizen CATILON, although occupied in a very distinct and popular manner by in the management of the domains, is the professor JAMES MILLAR, son of the come to lodge in the College of France, ingenious and celebrated professor of law to labour with us. His intelligence and in that university. At St. Andrews they his zeal are often useful to us.

are accurately and fully taught both in The 21st Brumaire, the year 7, (Nov. theory and practice, by Mr. Duncan, an 11,) citizen LEFRANCois caused the first able alfiftant, employed by the learned observation to be made in the observa- professor VILANT, a man of great talents, tory of the College of France, by citizen who, although the state of his health has CASSINI V, aged 16 years, who is come obliged him to retire from his public to inhabit the observatory, following the functions, continues indefatigable in Iteps of his illustrious ancestors, and an- secuting his ftudies, and has, inter alia nouncing a zeal worthy of his name. He ready for the press a complete and valuable will replace MARALDÍ IV. who has de- System of Mathematical Analysis deinonlerted us,

strated, the outlines of which are lately

published

pro

1799.]
Teachers of Mathematics in Scotland.

437 published by Mr. WINGRAVE, as adver- tor, possesses many advantages; and, in tifed in your magazine for December laft. this respect, Mr. West follows the exAt Aberdeen, where, by the way, the ample of his judicious constitnent in his mathematics, owing to a fortunate concur- Elements of Matheniatical Analysis, as rence of circumstances, still maintain their well as that of other public lecturers of reputation as an essential branch of philojo- the first reputation. By way of appen phy, they are taught in an able and popu- dixes to the different parts of the work, he lar manner by the profefors of the King's has fubjoined a variety of userul exercises College, and by Dr. HAMILTON of the in theory and practice, extremely conveMareschall, a man of great ability, and nient for the teacher, and weli adapted to author of a very excellent treatise on ariih- measure the pronciency, and whet the inmetic and merchandize. In the different genuity of the scholar.' Dr. Hutton of public schools and academies, I am in- Woolwich, and other writers observe the formed, the mathematics are taught in fame plan, with distinguished success. Bean easy and popular manner, adapted to fide new demonstrations, bis Elements of the object of these institutions, excepting, Geometry contain several useful propoliperhaps, in the mathematical school of tions, that are not found in the common Dumtries, where they are treated more books on the fubject, except the excellent profoundly, under the direction of the in- geometry of Mr. THOMAS SIMPSON, genious and diligent Mr. WHITE. which has guided his views in some parts

When I am on the subject of the public of the work. The conics, in which he teachers of the mathematics this country has rejected the too frequent use of the cirhas lately produced, in justice to nerit cle, are a great improvement on the melong neglected, I cannot overlook one of thod of Dr. ROBERT SIMPSON, and alprofessor VILANT's'affiftants, Mr. JOHN though definitions of these conics, which West, now Rector of St. Thomas's in

are independent of the cone, do not present the East, Jamaica, a man of great worth the shortest and most pleasant road to many and ingenuity, and author of " Elements of their most useful properties, nor open, of Mathematics," published at Edinburgh, so easily as could be withed, the mott genefourteen or fifteen years ago, comprehend- ral views of the subject; yet, the eleing new elements of geometry, conics, ments, as laid down by Mr. West, are mensuration, and spherics. Whether from exceedingly neat and perfpicuous. A few the puerile jealousy which sublifts among of the demonstrations, as far as known to literary men, or another cause, I will not

me, are new and ingenious, particularly pronounce, but this work (which has his demonstration of this property, “that sately fallen into my hands) has attracted the parallel to a tangent, is an ordinate to little attention in this part of the illand ; the diameter at the point of contact." In and, in the other, it seems to have been his plane trigonometry, likewise, he has buried as soon as it appeared; being sup- given, as it appears to ine, a new and pretposed, by a strange mistake, only a re-pub- iy demonstration of the compound analolication of another work, written 30 or 40 gy, for finding an angle of a triangle when years ago, by a gentleman of the same the three sides are given. The Neperian

The work, to which I would at rules, also, in spherical trigonometry are present direct the public attention, is the well exhibited, after the manner of Mr. fruit of Mr. West's labours at St. An- MAUDUIT. It is needless to multiply indrews, under his constituent Mr. VILANT, Itances of his judgment and ingenuity, as and certainly does much credit, both to the author himself, and to him by whom furnish them in abundance. Upon the

a flight perutal of the work itself will he was employed as a substitute. Though whole, I cannot hesitate to recommend it only a pretty large 8vo. it comprizes every as one of the ablest elementary works in thing that is most valuable in various pro- geonetry this island has produced ; and if ductions, that can be procured only at the above very general notice contribute great expence. The arrangement is clear

to make it better known, my principal and judicious, and the language displays object in troubling you with this letter more correctness and taste than we ulually will be fully attained. I am, Sir, find in works of that kind. The demon

Your very humble Servant, ftrations are geometrical ; many of them Edinburgh, And constant Reader, new, and all concise and elegant. They March, 15, 1799.

INDAGATOR. have indeed been censured as too concife; --but it cannot be doubted, that a concise P.S. I am informed by one of his particular text book (and such only it was designed friends, that he is preparing for the press an io be), in the bands of an able commenta important work on nautical ahronomy..

TO

name.

a

F any,

I .

יי!.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. removed ; and The Country*, distributing

civic crowns to Virtue and Genius, is the SIR,

subject of the new basso-rilievo by MOITE, of your chemical correspondents which is in unison with the import of the of your useful magazine) of the best method

Under the magnificent peristyle of the of taking grease ipots ont of leather bree- noble parvis, two lateral doors have been ches, they would render a service to the walled up. I'wo great tablets, destined to public, and to your constant reader,

bear inscriptions derived from legendary Piccadilly.

T. T. lore, have been pulled down, together

with the analogous basfo-rilievos; and For the Monthly Magazine. their places have been supplied by two DESCRIPTION OF THE FRENCH PAN- groups and two ftatues of colossal size,

with fine baffo-rilievos suited to the new THEON, BY DR. MEYER. 66 To great men,

plan. The inscription - French Pantheon, «« Their grateful country!

third l year of Liberty,” will be canceled

when the public ear is sufficiently familiTH HIS dedicatory inscription, which an- arised to the new name of this monument;

nounces the exalted destination of and the date of its foundation will alone bé that magnificent temple, is in the highest suffered to remain, as on the ancient temdegree impressive, and speaks in forcible ples. The four statues, which are at preaccents to the soul of every man of fenfi- fent but of plaster, but which will be fucbility. But alas ! the pleating impresfion ceeded by marble ones, are, as well as the we feel on reading it, is weakened and baílo-rilievos and inscriptions, too intealmost obliterated by the galling remem- resting to be passed over unnoticed, brance that we have seen the confecration

Ballo-silievos over the grand gate of the of that temple profaned by the corple of temple, by Baichot :- The Declaration the infamous varat reposing near the ho- of the Rights of Man : Nature, holding noured remains of Rousseau. May the the table of the law exposed to view; near guardian genius of France for ever bence, her, Liberty and Equality. torth avert a funilar instance of national

Group, by Chaudet: Public instruction blindness! May the republican senate, in

-Minerva, arrayed in the long robe of awarding the honours of the Pantheon, peace, with her right hand extended prenever lole fight of the genuine idea of true ients a crown to a young man, who clings greatness, of real civic merit, to which

to the goddess. alone that monument is appropriated, and Basfo-rilievos above the group, by of which the memory is so deeply graven Lesueur : To a crowd of parents, accommo its inscription

panied by their children, the country pre“To great men,

sents the Institutress diftributing public 66 Their grateful country!” inttruction. Inscription over this group : That gigantic edifice, begun about for- “ Instruction is necessary for all : Society ty years ago, on the plans of Soufflot, for owes it alike to all her members.” This a destination widely different from that group is perfectly conceived, and well exwhich the revolution has assigned to it, ecuted. The drapery of Minerva is beauwas a church dedicated to St. Geneviève, tiful. the patroncis of Paris. It is nut yet fi- Group on the opposite side of the parvis, nished : and the works undertaken under by Maison :-Dying for one's country. A the direction of Antony Quatremere, in female figure, representing The Country, order to accommodate it to its new destina- tipports a naked and wounded warrior, tion, proceed lowly, and will yet require who dying leans on his buckler, covered keveral

years before it is fully completed. with a lion's skin. Her looks, attentively In letting alle the plan of the original fixed on him, are expressive of maternal architect, pains are taken to make the re- tenderness. cent alterations accord, as far as is prac

Baflo-rilievos, hy Chaudet :- The Gecicable, with what he had already built. nius of Glory fuftains a soldier whò falls The molt material of those alterations are expiring at the altar of The Country, on as follow :

which he deposits his sword. Infcription : The Attic, fupported by twenty-two I wish that some good writer would furnih Auted columns of the Corinthian order, the English language with an expresfion equal above the portico, was filled with a mysti- to LA patrie -- patria-'H mampos - which cal ballo-rilievo, by Coultou, representing we might use absolutely, as in French, Latin, the triumph of Faith. This has been and Greek.