nary in England therefore constitutes an additional motive for maintaining the efficiency of the College of Fort William; and for employing every effort of individual zeal, activity, and attention, in promoting the objects of its institution.

I am happy to find, that the result of the public examinations in the present year, has been highly creditable to the character of the College, to the zeal and ability of the professors, and to the diligence and merit of the students.

Five more students who have obtained degrees of honour for their great proficiency in the Oriental Languages, have been added to the public service: Mr. Hugh Geo. Christian, Mr. W. Dorin, Mr. Walter Ewer, Mr. Hen. Newnham, and Mr. Edward Parry, Of these gentlemen, Mr. Christian has merited the peculiar distinction of a degree of honour in three languages. This distinction has not been acquired by any student of the College, since the year 1803.

It will be in the recollection of this assembly, that the late Illustrious Visitor Marquis Wellesley, in his address delivered on the occasion of the public disputations, which took place in the month of Sept. 1804, recommended a more general attention to the Vernacular Language of Bengal. I observe with great satisfaction the effect of this recommendation in the progressive improvement of several of the students who have directed their attention to the acquisition of that useful language, in which Mr. Hugh Geo. Christian, Mr. Henry Newnham, and Mr. Edw. Parry, have obtained degrees of honour.

The exercises of the present year have also been distinguished by the successful study of the laws and regulations enacted for the governiment of the British territories in India.

The students who have been distinguished by their proficiency in this branch of important knowledge, are, Mr. W. Wilberforce Bird, Mr. Walter Ewer, and Mr. Henry Newnham.

Adverting to the degree of proficiency which these students have attained in the acquisition of the Oriental Languages, their successful study of the laws and regulations affords a distinguished proof of meritorious diligence.

In concluding my observations upon the progressive course of study in the College of Fort William during the last year, I deem it proper to state, that in the distribution of appointments to the students now about to engage in the public service, strict attention will be paid to their respective degrees of literary qualification, and to the recommendation of the council of the College.

It must occasionally happen, that situations in the public service, which the students who have obtained degrees of honour are deemed

pe

qualified to fill, may not be vacant at the riod of their quitting the College. In such cases, an order will be recorded on the proceedings of the government, providing for their nomination to suitable offices as vacancies may occur.

But the principles of a just and efficient system of public administration which suggest the expediency of rewarding distinguished merit in the students of the College, by their nomination to offices of trust and emolument, equally impose upon this government the duty of manifesting its disapprobation of those students who shall violate the statutes of the College, or neglect the advantages of study and improvement which the institution af fords.

I trust therefore that a just appreciation of the public honour and reward which awaits the proficiency of the students in the objects of their respective studies, and a due sense of the unfavourable consequences which must attend their misconduct or neglect, will animate the exertions of the students in the acquisition of those branches of knowledge, which are so manifestly requisite for the efficient discharge of the duties of their future situations in the service, and the means of which are so amply afforded by the established system of instruction in the College of Fort William.

Satisfied that the most important interests of the British government in India are connected with the efficiency of this institution, I shall consider a vigilant observation of the conduct of the students, and of the progress of their studies, a due enforcement of the statutes, and an unremitted attention to every department of the College, to constitute a primary obligation of my public duty.

From the experience of the past however, I entertain the most confident expectation, that the general conduct of the students, the assiduous attention of the professors, and the zealous activity of all the officers of the College, will continue to merit every possible demonstration of public approbation and applause.

In reviewing the literary works published under the auspices of the College during the last year, I notice with sentiments of peculiar satisfaction, an Elementary Analysis of the Laws and Regulations for the Government of the British Territories in India.

The facility which this work is calculated to afford to the study of the laws and regulations, and the practical advantage which may be derived from it, in the administration of them, render it peculiarly valuable both to the College and the public. The design and execution of the work are equally creditable to the zeal, industry, and ability of its distinguished author, Mr. John Herbert Harington, the second judge of the court of

Sudder Dewanny and Nizamut Adawluts, and professor of the laws and regulations of the British government in India.

Mr. Harington's application of the inconsiderable portion of leisure time, which the daties of his arduous and important public situation have afforded, to the accomplishment of this laborious undertaking, manifests a degree of public spirit, and individual industry, to which perhaps no other parallel can be found than in the eminent exertions and scientific labours of his colleague, Mr. Henry Thomas Colebrooke, to which the College and the public are indebted for various important additions to the general stock of literary knowledge and instruction.

The assiduous attention of both these able and respectable public officers to the interests of this institution, both as professors and members of the council of the College, reflects the highest credit upon their character and talents, and establishes their claim to public approbation and applause.

Other works of great utility and merit have also distinguished the literary labours of the past year; A Hindostanee dictionary now in the press; a general history of the Hindoos; a review of the manners and customs of the Hindoos.

For the two last-mentioned works we are indebted to the labour and ability of some of the learned natives attached to the College.

It is highly satisfactory to me to observe the native officers of the College, imbibing the spirit of literary industry, and employing their talents and acquirements in the culti vation and diffusion of literature and science.

There are also various other useful and ingenious works, which under the patronage of the College, have engaged the labours of several scientific persons antecedent to the past year, and have either been actually published, or are now in the press.

I deem it an act of justice to the industry and ability of Mr. Matthew Lumsden, the first assistant to the Persian and Arabic professor, to notice in terms of peculiar approbation, the grammar of the Persian language, which has long engaged the labours of that gentleman. The acknowledged defects of every work of that description now extant, have rendered the construction of an accurate grammar of that language peculiarly desirable. Mr. Lumsden's extensive knowledge of Arabic and Persian, has enabled him to discover the true principles of the dialect of Persia as it at present exists in its condition of intimate combination with the language of Arabia; and with singular judgment and discernment, Mr. Lumsden has adapted the construction of the Persian language to the principles of general grammar.

The completion of this valuable work will materially facilitate the acquisition of the

Persian language, will constitute an important addition to the existing stock of philological knowledge, and will reflect distinguished credit on its author, and on the institution which has encouraged and promoted it.

I have received with great satisfaction the information that under the patronage of the Asiatic Society, the Society of Missionaries at the Danish settlement of Serampore, aided and superintended by the ability of Mr. Carey, professor of the Shanscrit and Bengalee languages, has undertaken the translation of some of the most ancient and authentic works of literature in the former of those languages.

The greatest advantages may be expected to the interests of eastern literature from this co-operation of the Asiatic Society with the College of Fort William, in facilitating the acquisition of oriental knowledge and science. I notice also with peculiar satisfaction the extensive and valuable collection of books which now enriches the library of the College of Fort William.

The preservation and augmentation of the collection of eastern manuscripts, afford the only means of arresting the progressive destruction of oriental learning. Since the dismemberment of the Mahomedan empire, those works have been dispersed over India, and have been exposed to the injuries and hazards of time, accident, and neglect. It is worthy of the ambition of this great empire to employ every effort of its influence in preserving from destruction and decay, these valuable records of oriental history, science, and religion; and in encouraging individuals who may be in possession of scarce and valuable literary works, to promote this important object by depositing works of that description in the library of the College.

I am happy to learn that the descriptive catalogue of the books and manuscripts, which constituted the library of Tippoo Sultaun, has been completed by the industrious labours of Captain Charles Stewart, second assistant to the Persian professor. I understand it is the intention of Captain Stewart, who has proceeded to England, to print that useful and interesting document.

I cannot close my view of the literary branch of this institution, without adverting to the advantages which may be expected to be derived both in Europe and in Asia, from this mutual cultivation of Asiatic and European learning.

The numerous works which have been published under the auspices of the College in the course of the last six years, will not only open to the learned in Europe, ample sources of information on all subjects of oriental history and science, but will afford to the various nations and tribes of India, and especially to those which compose the body of our Indian subjects, a more favourable

view, and a more just and accurate conception of the British character, principles, and laws, than they have hitherto been enabled to form; and may be expected gradually to diffuse among them a spirit of civilization, and an improved sense of those genuine principles of morality and virtue, which are equally calculated to promote their happiness, and to contribute to the stability of the British dominion in India.

On the evening of the day on which the disputations were held, a dinner was given to the officers and students of the College, by the honourable the governor general at the government house; at which were present the judges of the supreme court, the members of the supreme council, and all the principal civil and military officers at the presidency.

LETTER FROM CAPTAIN KRUSENSTERN TO MR. SCHUBERT, OF THE IMPERIAL ACADEMY OF PETERSBURGH.

Port St. Peter and St. Paul, 8th Jan. 1805. WE are safely arrived in Japan, and anchored here the day before yesterday.

On the 7th of December, 1804, we sailed from Kamschatka; as the season was rather advanced, I only thought of conducting the ambassador to Nangasaski as soon as I possibly could. During our passage I was desirous of reconnoitring the country where, in of islands are marked some maps, two groupes under the denomination of isles of 1664 and 1714. I steered directly in that situation, but could discover no land. At last we perceived the coasts of Japan, from which we were at first driven by a violent storm; but it having abated, I drew near the coasts again; and again we were overtaken by a most dreadful hurricane; we must unavoidably have perished if the wind had not shifted suddenly, in a truly providential manner. Most beautiful weather succeeding the tempest, we were allowed to survey the south-cast coast of Japan.

I sailed across the Straits of Van Diemen, which is drawn in a quite different manner in the French and English charts: I found that both were incorrect.

We discovered besides, several isles and dangerous banks of rocks; we have determined their position with the strictest accuracy, likewise the latitude and longitude of those of the Gottro islands which are situated at the south-west. The Cape Gottro, which forms the south-west point of all the Japanese possessions, has been fixed with no less precision.

On the 8th of October we anchored at Nangasaski, where we continued to the 18th of April, 1805. For seven months I enjoyed the utmost tranquillity; I made the best of

my time during those leisure hours. I think it incumbent upon me to give you a brief account of my occupations. In concert with Doctor Homer I first studied to determine the longitude of Nangasaski by the distance of the moon. Each of us measured above 500 distances. The middle term of all gives for the longitude of the centre of that city (known for 200 years, but the position of which we are the first who have determined), 230 deg. 8 min. east of the meridian of Grenville, and latitude 32 deg. 44 min. 50 sec.

In the Connoissance des Temps, and almost all charts, we find 228 deg. 18 min. long., and 32 deg. 32 min. lat. The Dutch have published nothing relative to the longitude and latitude of Nangasaski.

age

Our time-pieces or watches were always perfectly right; one alone after so long a voyhad only varied one minute. I have also made, during my stay at this place, meteorological observations, which I will send you as soon as I have written them fair. We have had remarkably fine weather during October, November and December. The winter season first began in January, and frequently the wind was boisterous. The thermometer often was at the freezing point; we had also a few falls of snow, but not in large quantities. In the month of May the wind blew southerly, however the north wind prevailed at last. Very cloudy, frequent showers.

March 26.

A most tremendous storm; and although the interior harbour of Nangasaski be very secure against the wind, we were forced to cast a third anchor. Six times aday I have made my notes respecting the height of the thermometer, barometer, and hygrometer: but the most interesting, in my opinion, is that relative to the tide; which has been measured with the most scrupulous exactness by my pilot, under my own inspec

tion.

During the last six weeks (both by night and by day) I have often made eight or ten observations in an hour. The highest tide, 11 feet 5 inches, was April 2, two days after the new moon; then in her greatest proximity to the earth; a gentle north wind blowing. The lowest tide was only fourteen inches; March 20, four days after the quadrature; three days after the equinox; the moon being then at the equator, and the wind gently blowing north.

At the time of the new, and of the full moon, the tide comes at 7 h. 47 min. I know not of a more favourable place in which correctly to observe the tides, not only on account of their great regularity, but because the sea is almost ever calm, and is swoln only by the most violent storms.

The Japanese have been of great assistance to me for the complete execution of my plan

of the harbour of Nangasaski. Our nav gation from the entrance to the interior part of the harbour, lasted three months; we stopped at five different places, and those five pauses have been of great advantage to us in the attainment of our object.

Lieutenant Lowenstern has collected a valuable quantity of designs of the many vessels we have seen, with their various colours and other decorations. Among the Japanese, every person of rank has his own particular colours and decorations. Baron de Billingshausen has copied several of the country ships, and has a very exact drawing of a Chinese felucca. Counsellor Tilesius has completed a large collection of designs of fishes, birds, plants, and other productions of the sea. Doctor Langdorf has stuffed and embalmed most of those same birds and fishes.

INJECTIONS OF THE NERVES.

M. OSIANDER has lately exhibited to the University of Gottingen, several preparations of the nerves, injected with mercury. It is already known by the interesting work of M. Reil, de structura nervorum, that the optic nerves, after a certain preparation, might be injected with mercury; that is to say, after the expulsion of the softened contents of the smaller tubes, canaliculi, by means of a syringe of a particular construction mercury may be distributed throughout them, because these canaliculi anastomose, or communicate with each other, so that injection is necessary only by one orifice. During many years M. Osiander has practised such injections in a manner peculiar to himself. He has shewn the optic nerves of oxen, and calves, reseinbling threads of silver, interlaced, preserved in spirits of wine. He remarked on this occasion, that Coiter of Nurenberg in his work, now very rare, intituled, " Externarum et in"ternarum principalium humani corporis "partium tabulæ, Norib. 1572, fol." had said, p. 87, “Opticus nervus minime, ut "Galenus aliique ejus asseclaæ voluerunt, ex "solido corpore eoque perforato constat, ve"rum non aliter atque ceteri omnes nervi, "ex multis nervosis fibris sive filamentis sibi "mutuo membranarum beneficio connatis "conflatur. Hoc in bovino optico nervo luce

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clarius est, nam si medullarem frusti cujusdam nervi optici humiditatem digitis ex"presseris, filamenta nervosa conspicies. Idem "attestatur Eustachius in examine ossium “ubi sic inquit: nervus visorius veluti te"nuissimum matronarum linteum, in innu"meras rugas æquales et pari serie distribucomplicatus, tuniculaque illas ambiente "coactus hac eadem incisa evolvi sese per“ mittebat et in amplam membranam totum explicari atque intendi."

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Consequently Coiter was acquainted with the structure and texture of the optic nerves,

and on this acquaintance is founded the possibility, questioned by many, of injecting these nerves with mercury. However, till now no attempt had been made to inject other nerves than the optic, especially in union with various parts of the body, because it was not understood by what means the nerves might be prepared for the reception of the mercury. But M. Osiander took advantage of an opportunity offered by nature, herself, to promote such an undertaking. Some time ago, of twins which were born in the lyingin hospital, one died of a watery head." M. Osiander on examining the brain, found the softer substance extremely shrink, but the cortical, on the contrary, extended by the water, with the fine pellicules of the brain; and presenting that membraneous substance which Dr. Gall is of opinion, may be effected in any brain, by art. This observation led him to conjecture that the marrowy substance of the nerves of this child might be equally shrunk and wasted in the nervous canals, so as to permit the progress of mercury. tried, in consequence, to inject several nerves of the body, and succeeded.

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M. Osiander shewed this preparation, unique in its kind, in which the nervus phrenicus of the left side, the truncus communis pro nervo mediano, culitali et cutaneo, the nervi cubitalis, cutaneus major, palmaris medianus, and the rami digitales ex mediano were partially injected to the ends of the fingers with quicksilver. In the left foot, the nervi lumbalis, cruralis, saphenus, with many of their branches, were clearly shewn, without any varicose extent. M. Osiander infers, that in this way, and after an experiment which has so fully succeeded, art may succeed hereafter in injecting with quicksilver the nerves of those subjects which have been wasted by disease, til at length the nervous system may be lymphatic now is. as completely exhibited and understood as the Certain effects which have been observed, give reason to conclude that similar injections are equally possible in other subjects also.

SPECIFICATIONS OF PATENTS.

Patent granted to Richard Willcox, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, Engineer; for Machinery for the more expeditiously cutting, stripping, or plucking the various Furs, Beavers, Seals, Wool, Hair, &c. from the various Skins now cut, plucked, or stripped by Hand, and for sundry Methods of preparing and cleansing the said Skins.-Dated December 19, 1805.

THIS invention is ingenious, but of limited utility, and not to be understood without the drawings which accompany it.

Patent granted to Messrs. Hobson, Sylvester,

and Moorehouse, of Sheffield, for a new Method of sheathing Ships, roofing Houses

and lining Water-spouts.-Dated May 18, 1805.

THE material used for these purposes is zinc, or spelter, cast into ingots, bars or pieces of any convenient size; then rolled between rollers, into plates of any required thickness. In order to prevent the zinc or spelter from cracking or breaking by the pressure of the rollers, it must be heated by fire to a degree between 200 and 300 of Fahrenheit; and kept at that heat till the metal is reduced to one-fourth of its original thickness; after which it may be rolled to the thickness required without farther heating. These plates. being very hard, and difficult to be bent or worked, they must be annealed, by again heating them to the temperature before mentioned, and will then possess sufficient tenacity and flexibility, to be cut, bored, punched, or perforated like copper; and may be fastened with iron nails to ships or vessels having the usual treenails, bolts, or fastenings, but not of copper; or the nails may be of iron coated with zinc or spelter, or with tin.

The best general rule for applying metals as fastenings for zinc or spelter sheathing, is to take that metal which is nearest in Galvanic power to zinc or spelter itself, and causes the least quantity of oxydation when made with zinc or spelter into a Galvanic pile. Iron and tin are metals of this description, and those among metals in general are to be preferred, of which a piece being laid in salt water, in contact with a piece of zinc or spelter, is found to produce the smallest change in the zinc or spelter in any given time. The sheets of zinc or spelter for roofing of houses or lining of spouts are to be manufactured, annealed, and fastened in the same manner, and with the same materials, or otherwise, when it is thought needful to fasten the plates more closely to each other. The same may be done by a solder composed of tin and zinc or spelter, or a solder of tin and lead, similar to that used by plumbers and other artists, under the name of soft solder. Patent granted to William Sampson, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Wheelwright; for certain Improvements in the Application of Power employed mechanically, especially as adapted to the Use of Cranks and Fly-wheels, or other Contrivances producing equivalent or similar Effects.-Dated February 12, 1806.

THIS invention is distinguished by various advantageous dispositions of mechanic agency. The improvements principally consist in the division of any power which turns a reciprocating axis between two or more arms intersecting that axis, and communicating their motion to corresponding cranks, wheels, or other suitable contrivances, for the purpose of uniting to work one and the same shaft;

the arms by this combined process transmitting to such shaft, with great advantage, the power impressed on them; for the action of each arm assists that of the rest, and, if the power be equally divided between the two arms, the action of the one exactly balances that of the other.

Machinery, generally speaking, cannot be too simple: we are afraid that this invention leads to a complication of parts: possibly, however, experience may prove our fears to be unfounded.

List of Patents for Inventions, &c. Richard Tomkinson, of the town of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, Salt-Merchant; for a machine, engine, or instrument, for making white salt, and preparing brine to make white salt.-Dated August 1, 1806.

Gentleman; for certain improvements on apJames Rawlinson, of the town of Derby, paratus commonly made use of as trusses or bandages for ruptures.-Dated August 1, 1806.

Peter Marsland, of Heaton Norris, in the county of Lancaster, Cotton-spinner; for an improved method of weaving cotton, linen, woollen, worsted, and mohair, and each or any of them by machinery.-Dated August 1, 1806.

Thomas Fricker, of New Bond-street, in the county of Middlesex, Paper-hanger; and Richard Clarke, of Manor-street, Chelsea, in the said county, Paper-hanging Manufac turer; for a new mode of decorating the walls of apartments in imitation of fine cloth, without joint, seam, or shade, by means of cementing of flock on walls of plaster, wood, linen, or paper-Dated August 1, 1806.

Ralph Walker, of Blackwall, in the county of Middlesex, engineer, for an improved mode of making ropes and cordage of every dimension or size, by not only making all the yarns bear equally in the strand, and laying the strands uniformly in the rope, but also by making the rope or cordage from the yarns in the same operation.-Dated August 9, 1806.

Josias Robbins, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, Millwright, and James Curtis, of the city of Bristol, Coppersmith; for certain improvements in boilers for manufacturing sugar, and in the mode of fixing the same, whereby much labour and fuel will be saved.—Dated August 20, 1806.

John Bywater, of the town and county of the town of Nottingham, for an improvement in certain sails of ships, and other navigable vessels, and the mode of working the same.-Dated August 22, 1806.

John Curr, of Belle Vue House, in the county of York, Gentleman; for a method of laying and twisting the yarns that com