which though greatly commended, are only used in one of the manufactories of the kingdom. The same Society likewise encourages, by means of premiums, the fabrication of Count Rumford's economical stoves, which save three fifths of the fuel consumed by other constructions. Some of these economical stoves have been made at Madrid, by an able artizan, Don Julian Rodriguez, and serve as patterns. Literature. A Plan of the City of Jerusalem, and its Environs, as they were at the time of J. C. is recently published at Madrid. It includes representations of the edifices and places mentioned in Scripture; the walls, gates, and squares of that famous city; particularly the road along which the Saviour of the World was conducted from the Garden of Olives to Mount Calvary. To the above is added, as a supplement, the recent excursion of a Spaniard, who gives an account of the present sanctuaries of Palestine. It would be wrong to imagine, as some do who know but little of the state of Spain, that hardly any works except on religion are printed in that country. The work above mentioned is interesting in many other respects. Another, published at the same time, will find readers in foreign countries; it is an accurate Description of the Islands of St. Domingo, Tortola, Jamaica, their productions, &c. with the history of the wars that have taken place on their account between Spain and the Pirates, &c. &c. We believe Spain is the only European country which of late years has maintained any intercourse with Jerusalem: the Spanish Sovereign, not many years ago, liberated the monastery in this city from a heavy arrear of debt due to the Turks, &c. Great part of the new publications in Spain relate to devotion: one of them cannot but excite attention, were it only on account of its title: "The Excellence of Evangelical Virginity, together with a short apology for Christian philosophy, in reply to the philosophers of the age." Medals, Coins, Monuments, Don Juan de Erro Azspiroz has just published in Madrid an "Alfabeto de la lingua primitiva de Espana," with elucidations from the most ancient medals, coins, and monuments of the Spaniards. Population and Institutions. A Spanish work has been published at Venice, on the increase of population in Spain; wherein are proposed means of preserving the lives of 5000 individuals who die yearly in orphan-hospitals, gaols, &c. The author is Don Alb. de Megnino, Spanish and Etrurian Consul at Venice. The book is very interesting, but the reading of it necessarily proVOL. I. [Lit, Pan. Nov, 1806.1 Burying Grounds. The measure so much recommended by the Spanish government, of placing the bu rying grounds without the towns, continues to be adopted in different parts of Spain. Puebla de Montalvan, an obscure town, has lately displayed distinguished zeal in an instance of this kind. The double inscription which appears at the entrance of its ground, is well calculated to attract observation. It seems to offer a model of laconic expression in the literary style: La piedad y la vigilancia de la Iglesia Auno 1806. Of the Church and of the Government: TARTARY. Discovery of a City. In the island of Taman, in the Black Sea, the foundations of an ancient city, which must have been very large although not mentioned in history, were lately discovered: it is said that a similar discovery has been made in a district of Siberia. TURKEY. Arabian Works printed at Scutari, near The Grand Signior's press established at 2. Commentary on the Book of the Hundred Regents, 88 pages, small 4to. Printed in the year 1220 (1st April, 1805.) 3. An Arabic Grammar, from Yrub Awamel, completed in the month of Rabia, in the year 1144 (July 1731), and printed in the month of Moharrem 1220. 118 pages, in small 4to. TheBooks of Euclid," in the Arabic language, with the Commentaries of Nasireddin, will shortly follow. P AVALANCHE OF A MOUNTAIN-TOP IN SWIT ZERLAND. The following occurrence is, in its nature, so extremely interesting to humanity, and to philosophy also, that we have thought it our duty to give a complete view of the subject, by annexing the latest authentie details from publications sanctioned by the government of Switzerland. Berne, Sept. 7.-We received information, two days since of a dreadful accident which has destroyed several villages in the canton of Schwitz, situate between the lakes of Zug and Lauwertz. M. M. Freudenreich and Schlatter, directors of the mines, set out yesterday evening, by order of government, to give aid. The following are the details of this disaster, the most dreadful recorded in the annals of Switzerland. On Tuesday, the 2d of September, at five in the evening, the Knippenbuhl Rock, which formed the summit of mount Rosemberg, was on a sudden detached from its station, and at the sime time part of the mountain, of several feet in thickness, on the western side, and about 280 feet in thickness on the east-side, gave way and fell into the valley which separates the lake of Zug from that of Lauwertz, overwhelming the whole of the villages of Goldan, Rhothan, Busingen, Huzloch, three parts of that of Lauwertz, and some houses in the village of Stein. The fall of one part of the mountain into the lake of Lauwertz, about a fourth part of which is filled up, caused such an agitation in the waters of the lake, that they overthrew a number of houses, chapels, mills, &c. along the southern shore of the lake; amongst others the mill of Lauwertz, where fifteen persons were killed and buried in the ruins of the buildings, all the parts of which were dispersed with such violence that the foundation only remains. This mill was situated 50 or 60 feet above the level of the lake. The waves also beat against the village of Seeven, situate at the extremity of the lake, and destroyed some houses. Two persons were killed. In the villages which were overwhelmed, not an individual escaped. Upwards of 1,000 persons have been victims of this disaster. A society of travellers, thirteen in number, were on the road from Arth to Schwitz: nine who walked first pe rished; the other tour, who were about forty paces distant, escaped. Those who were killed were, M. M. Rodolph Jenner, of Brestenberg; Colonel Victor Steigner, of Berne; Charles May, of Ruth; Doctor Ludwig, of Arbon, in Thurgovia; Mademoiselle Diesbach, of Berthoud; Madame Diesbach, of Watteville; Madame Frankhauser, of Berthoud; and two Guides, of Arth. Five minutes sufficed to complete this di saster. At Schwitz, some persons heard the noise, and saw at a distance the vapour which covered the place where the accident happened, and which was carried towards Zug, on the opposite side, with a strong sulphureous smell. The falling of the mountain extended from the summit to the opposite side, beyond the Lake, a distance of three leagues from north to south, and a league and a quarter from west to east. There is nothing now to be seen but melancholy ruins, through the whole of that country which presented the richest communes in the canton of Schwitz, inhabited by a brave and faithful people. Only thirty persons remain out of this interesting population. Several circumstances attending this event are very remarkable. Enormous masses of rock were carried through the air to prodigious distances. The rocks, in falling, drew with them immense masses of earth, of from ten to eighty feet in thickness; and numbers of these masses, together with large blocks of flint stone, were thrown on the opposite shore, to the height of from eighty to one hundred feet. One can scarcely believe one's eyes when one sees these phenomena. Every instant one sees houses, some forced on one side, others cut in two and separated at great distances, and others carried more than a quarter of a league from their foundations. The Lake of Lauwertz has lost about a quarter of its extent, but its recovered part is filled at present by the waters of several brooks, which no longer flow. That rich plain, which was so beautiful, now presents a mountain of near 100 feet in height, of a league and a half in length, and as much in breadth. Mount Rosemberg bears E. N. E. from Arth. It is its western part which has fallen down; that which was on the side of Arth, after descending direct towards its base, was suddenly thrown to the east, and thus Arth, Zug, and all that side of the Lake were saved. The thickness of the mass carried down, appeared to be two feet on the western side, and upwards of 150 on the east side. The Knippenbuhl seemed to have announced this misfortune so early as the year 1774 when it detached itself from the mass of the mountain. The Isle of Schwanau, elevated on a rock, in the middle of the Lake, experienced also some damage, particurlaly its church. The good Hermit was fortunately at Ensiddlen. The long road of the Lake is broken in a thousand places. Succours have been sent with the greatest promptitude. Six hundred workmen from Zug and Schwitz have gone to the banks of the Lake of Lauwertz, particularly to the mouth of the Seeven. This small river was so obstructed by ruins of all descriptions, woods, trees, houses, &c. that without prompt assistance, the safety of all the houses below Schwitz to Brunnen, would have been menaced. One man had the good fortune to withdraw in time under ground, with his servant and a child, which he held in his arms. In one house near Arth is still living, a poor man, who had both his thighs broken. During the search which has already been made twenty persons were discovered dead at the entrance of the village of Goldau, men, women and children, some having their arms, others their heads, others their legs separated from their bodies, and the bodies some cut in half. We have coasted along the foot of Riga, where the greatest part of those who survived this catastrophe tock refuge, alas! not more than thirty. An old man whom we met, said "I had sons, daughters, and a great number of grand children. I had a wife and other relations. I alone remain." A little girl said, "I have no longer father or mother, brothers or sisters." A woman had lost her mother, husband, brothers, sisters, and five children. to us, The villages of Goldau and Rothen, consisting of 115 huoses, that of Busingen, of 126, and that of Huzloch, have totally disappeared. Of Lauwertz, which lost 25 houses, there remain ten buildings, all much damaged. Stein has lost two houses and several stables, which were in great numbers in all these villages. P. S. Twenty years since General Pfyffer predicted this catastrophe, from the knowledge which he had of the nature of the mountain. A professor of Schwitz said that above Spietzfluc was a sea of water, which had undermined the rock for several years, and that below there was a cavern of great depth, where the waters were engulphed. The quantity of water which has fallen during the preceding years, has hastened this catastrophe, and the rains of some weeks past have decided it. The losses occasioned by this dreadful avalanche of stone as reported to Government, amounts to 159,705 francs, and is by no means exaggerated. The following is an account of all the communes damaged, with an estimation of their losses.-Daltenwyl 55,333 fr. 3 b. 3 r.; Ober-Rikenhach 18,566 fr 6 b. 6 r.; Welfenchiessen 36,168 fr. 6 b. 6 r.; Oberbween and Zumligen 12,604 fr.; Un-erbween, 6,066 fr. 6 b. 6 r.; Enneumoos 4,200 fr.; Steinz and Stansstad 26,666 fr. 6 b. 6 r. Total 159,705 fr. 9 b. 7 r. Berne, 21 Sept. A small pamphlet has been published which contains; 1st an official report from the senators Frendenreick and Beys, relative to the misfortunes of the Canton of Schwitz: ed. of Mr. Schlatter, director of the mines, on the same subject; 3d an account of the curate of Lauwertz, who saw the fall of Spizenbirel. We shail extract from these different narratives what appears to be the latest information. It is impossible, say Messrs. Frendenreick and Bey, to calculate the extent and consequence of this misfortune; the damage amounts to many millions. The most unfortunate circumstance is the probable extension of the disaster; particularly on the side of Arth. A mass of stones situated on the top of the rock which is removed, and a wood which has already quitted its place, appear ready to fall. Among the fallen ruins is a considerable quantity of water, which at present forms a swamp, but being constantly augmented by the rivulets, will work itself a way, and the dreadful consequences are incalculable. buried as they were, weep and groan. This renders probable the idea of a traveller who visited the place two days after the disaster, that some of the unfortunate sufferers might be extricated alive. It also appears, that the mountain has not fallen vertically, but sliding on an inclined plane, bore away in its prolonged descent, a great many houses, and the earth on which they stood, much below their foundations. Many undoubtedly were crushed by the enormous mass which overwhelmed them; others, which the mountain afterwards reached, would experience less pressure; some, at the outskirts of the villages, were, perhaps, mostly covered, or their upper parts demolished. It is therefore possible, that in some ground floor, there may be found persons surviv ing this disaster. EXTRACT OF LONDON GAZETTE. Admiralty Office, October 4, 1806. Letter from Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Louis to Sir Charles Cotton, Bart., dated Canopus, at Sea, Sept. 29, 1806.-Sir; I have to inform you with my falling in with the French frigate le Président, of 44 guns, 330 men, commanded by Monsieur Gallier Labrosse, on the 27th instant, in lat. 47 deg. 17 min. N. long. 6 deg. 52 min. W. and after a chace of seventeen hours, she struck to his Majesty's squadron under my command. The President is one of the frigates that sailed from France with the Regulus, Sybiile, and Surveillante corvette; separated in a gale of wind on the 20th of August, in lat. 22 deg. 26 min. N and long. 55 deg. W. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) THO. LOUIS. Sir Charles Cottan, Bart. &c. Sc. Letter from Sir Samuel Hood, K. B. to Sir Charles Cotton, Bart. dated Centaur, at Sea, 26th Sept. 1806.-Sir; yesterday morning, about one o'clock, I had the good fortune of falling in with a squadron of the enemy, standing to the Westward; the squadron under my orders being then on the larboard tack, stretching in for Chaffeton Light house, six or seven leagues from us, the Revenge to windward, and the Monarch to lee ward, on the look out, the latter ship first making the signal for an enemy, when I soon discovered seven sail to leeward of me, and considering them, in part, line of battle ships, the signal was made to form the line, and shortly after I observed them bearing up, making all sail, and The unfortunate Canton of Schwitz cannot prevent these disasters; the government and the people anxiously wait the event. The report that several workmen had lost their lives, is unfound-running to the S. S. W. The signal was instantly ed. 250 men are continually engaged in cutting a passage for the water; in cutting a road on the Rigi, to open a communication between Schwitz and Arth; in collecting the ruins of the houses; in searching for the bodies of the sufferers, and burying them; and in general in affording assistance wherever wanted. M. Schlatter observes, that a considerable mass of rock, and part of a forest, which is moved 150 paces from its original situation, still threatens to fall. The first heavy rain will probably bring it down, or perhaps the melting of the snow in the spring. The curate of Lauwertz relates a remarkable incident of a woman and child, found alive and unhurt under the ruins, where they had remained a whole night: they say, they heard other persons, made for a general chase, and the Monarch, from her position and good sailing, was enabled to keep nearly within gunshot, a mi'e and a half, or little more, a head of the Centaur, and the Mars on the starboard bow. At day light we made them out five large French frigates, and two corvettes, one of which bearing a broad pendant; at five the Monarch fired a few chase shot; and at six the weathermost frigate hauled more to the Westward, in pursuit of which I dispatched the Mars; and one frigate, with the two corvettes, edged away to the South East, the remainig three frigates keeping in close order, indicating the intention of supporting each other. At a quarter past ten the Monarch opened her starboard guns on the enemy, when a heavy cannonading commenced, and by the enemy's m ment of a running fight, they suc ́eeded, in some Total-9 killed and 32 wounded. Officers killed and wounded. Centaur.-Captain Sir Samuel Hood, K. B wounded. Monarch—Mr. Bigden, Midshipman, killed; Lieutenant Anderson, Mr. Duffy, Boatswain, and Mr. Geary, Midshipman. wounded. (Signed) SAMUEL HOOD. La Gloire, of 45 Enemy's ships captured. guns, M. Soleil, Capitaine de vaisseau, carrying a broad pendant. L'Indefatigable, of 44 guns, M. Girardiers, Capitaine de vaisseau. La Mi herve. of 44 guns, quite new, M. Colet, Capitaine de frégate. L'Armide, of 44 guns, two years old, M. Langlois, Capitaine de Frégate. Remarkable fine ships, of large dimensions, mounting 28 French 18 pounders on their main decks: 30 pounder carronades on their quarter deck, and forecastles, and about 650 men (including troops) in each ship, full of stores, arms, ammunition, and provisions, &c.-La Themis of 44 guns, old, escaped-Le Sylph, of 18 guns, new, escaped.-La Lynx, of 10 guns, new, escaped. Letter from Capt. Thicknesse, of the Sheldrake Sloop alty, that his Majesty's ship Constance, in Britannia hired cutter, weighed on the 12th instant, at six A. M. from the anchorage at Chansey, with the tide at ebb, and a light breeze at S. E.; on standing in to reconnoitre St. Maloes a sail was discovered off Cape Frehel; to which the squadron gave chace, employing their sweeps nearly the whole way; it was soon discovered by her manœuvres, that the chase was an enemy, who about noon succeeded in getting into Bouche D'Arkie, hauling close in with the rocks, and carrying out bow and quarter springs, and otherwise preparing for an obstinate defence, covered by a strong battery of guns on the hill, as well as field-pieces and musketry employed by the troops brought down for that purpose; in this state they waited to receive us; their determined appearance only increased the ardour of the brave Captain Burrowes (who, I am sorry to add, fel gloriously by a grape shot in the heat of the action). The Sheldrake, by superior sailing, had the good fortune to lead into action, followed by the Strenuous, the squadron being anchored within pistol-shot of the enemy, with springs on their cables; at two P. M. a most spirited fire commenced on both sides, which was supported with great gallantry and obstinacy on the part of the enemy's ship, till four P. M. when it pleased God to give us the victory. I sent my First Lieutenant to take possession of her, and the British colours were immediately hoisted. She proves to be the Salamander, a French frigate-built ship, moun. ted with twenty-six long 12 and 18 pounders, and manned, by their own account, with one hundred and fifty men, and was commanded by a Lieutenant de Vaisseau, who was killed in the action; she was bound from St. Maloes to Brest, with ship timber. His Majesty's ship Constance having taken the ground, and the prize also a-ground, every exertion was used to get both ships off; but I am sorry to add, without success: the fire of the cannon and musketry from the shore becoming now so galling and tremendous, that the people could not shew themselves on deck: the Constance having cut both cables during the action, and the wharps which had been run out to heave her off shot away; at the moment of her floating she drifted with the wind on shore, further on the rocks, which obliged the Officers and crew to abandon her, without firing her, the decks being filled with wounded; observing, however, as the tide rose she began to float, I was induced, great as the risk was, to make another attempt to save her which also proved unsuccessful, those employed on the service being either killed or made prisoners. Night now closing in on us, it became necessary to consult the safety of the Sheldrake and Strenuous (the latter with her foretop-mast shot away), at break of day I stood in to see if any thing further could be done, and was happy to observe the Constance was high and dry on the rocks under the battery, and lying keel up a perfect wreck; the prize which had not drifted so far in, I succeeded in totally destroying by fire at low water. I have saved about 100 of the Offi cers and crew of the Constance, of those missing, I hope most are made prisoners, though I fear some may have fallen in the second attempt to recover His Majesty's ship. The lamented death of my respected friend, Captain Burrowes (who, had be lived, would have given their Lordships a more clear and detailed account than I am able to do of this affair, leaves me the duty of bearing testimony to the determined courage, coolness, and ardour displayed by every Officer and man in the squadron. I must particularly mention the assistance I received from my First Lieutenant Richard Kevern, a most meritorious and old Officer, whom I presume to recommend to their Lordships' favourable notice. I must also bear testimony to the zeal and bravery of Lieutenant Nugent, commanding the Strenuous gun-brig, who on this, as well as former occasions, has ever shewn himself a gal lant and zealous Officer. Lieutenant William Lawrence, my Second Lieutenant, to whom I committed the service of destroying the prize, performed it very much to his own credit and my satisfaction. I am sorry to state that Mr. Henry Fraser, Master of the Sheldrake, who vo lunteered in the most gallant manner to accompany Mr. Richards, First Lieutenant of the Constance, in the second attempt to save the ship, are amongst the missing.-I herewith have the honour to inclose as correct a List of the Kilied and Wounded as, from circumstances, I have been able to obtain; as also a List of Prisoners saved from the prize. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) JOHN THICKNESSE. P. S. As Lieutenant Lawrence saw about thirty killed lying on the Salamander's decks I conceive the slaughter on board her must have been very great. Numbers of her crew escaped in boats, and by swimming to the shore, on her striking. (Signed) JOHN THICKNESSE. List of Killed and Wounded on board His Majesty's Ships Constance, Sheldrake, and Strenuous, in action on the 12th instant. Constance. Killed, Capt. Burrowes; Ben. Leviston, Serjeant of Marines; W. Bunbridge, J. Charlotte, E. Ryan, seamen ; J. M Ireson, Quarter Master; R. Robinson, Boatswain's Mate; J. Gillford, Quarter-Master; J. Wilson (2), Quarter-Master. Since dead of their Wounds.-L. Coglan, Seaman ; T. M'Andrew, Marine; J. Patterson, QuarterMaster; J. Giles, Marine. Slightly wounded.-Mr. Richards, First Lieutenant; J. Navy, J. Clark, T. Howe, T. Little, P Murrow, E. Trout, J. Flynn, S. Breasur, R. Wallas, Seamen. Badly wounded. D. M'Cawley, Boatswain; W. Morton, Marine. His Majesty's Sloop Sheldrake.-Killed, J. Brown, Seaman.-Wounded, E. Hunt and J. Culbett, Seamen. His Majesty's Gun-brig Strenuous.-None killed-Wounded, R Bond, Midshipman, slightly; J. Buttersley, Marine, severely; H. Howard, Seaman, J. Bale, QuarterMaster, and J. Hawkins, Marine, slightly. Killed and Wounded on board the Salamander.-Killed not known.-Wounded (now on board the Sheldrake) nine, two since dead. The London Gazette of Oct. 4, contains two Orders of Council, of the 1st instant :-One, for encouraging the trade to Buenos Ayres, and confirming the Order of Council issued on the 17th ult. The other for adding all sorts of live stock to the articles permitted to be imported into the West India Islands. PROMOTIONS. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE. Sept. 23. The King has been pleased, by warrant, under his Royal Signet and Sign Manual, to give and grant unto Major Gen. Sir John Stuart, Knight (whom his Majesty has nominated to be one of the Knights Companions of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath), his Royal licence and permission to accept the title of Count of Maida, in Calabria, conferred upon him by Ferdinand the Fourth, King of the Two Sicilies. Sept. 27. His Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Right Honourable Charles Grey, commonly called Lord Viscount Howick, to be one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, he was this day, by his Majesty's command, sworn one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State accordingly. Sept. 30. The King has been pleased to constitute and appoint the Right Honourable George Tierney, the Right Honourable George John Earl Spencer, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter; the Right Hon. Wm. Windham ; the Right Hon. Charles Grey, (commonly called Viscount Howick), his Majesty's three Principal Secretaries of State; the Right Hon. William Windham, Baron Grenville, First Commissioner of his Majesty's Treasury; the Right Hon. Henry Petty, (commonly called Lord Henry Petty), Chancellor and Under Treasurer of his Majesty's Exchequer; the Right Hon. George Howard, (commonly called Viscount Morpeth); the Right Hon. John Hiley Addington; the Right Hon. John Sullivan, and the Right Hon. John Joshua Earl of Carysfort, Knight of the Illustrious Order of St. Patrick, to be his Majesty's Commissioners for the Management of the Affairs of India. Oct. 11. His Majesty in Council was this day pleased to declare Henry Viscount Sidmouth, Lord President of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy, Council, and his Lordship took his place at the Board accordingly. Oct. 18. The King has been pleased to order a Congé d'Elire to pass the Great Seal, empowering the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of St. Asaph to elect a Bishop to that See, void by the death of the Right Reverend Father in God Doctor Samuel Horsley, late Bishop thereof; and his Majesty has also been pleased to recommend the Right Reverend Father in God, Doctor William Cleaver, Bishop of Bangor, to be by them elected Bishop of the said See of St. Asaph. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, Oct. 17, 1786. The Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury have been pleased to appoint John Lewis Mallett, Esq. to be Secretary to the Commissioners for Auditing the Public Accounts. |