It is now several years since a society of learned
and scientific men was formed in Germany, consisting principally of natural philosophers, who meet once a year in some city celebrated for its academy or university'. This year the meeting is held at Berlin, where four hundred personages, the most distinguished for their learning and talents, from different parts of the world, are at this moment assembled. A spacious building has been assigned them by the king for their general assembly, as well as private apartments for their partial meetings. Their repasts, provided by the first restaurateur in the Prussian capital are served in the great hall of the new edifice for military exercise, where they all dine together. Baron Alexander de Humboldt, who is the President, opened the meeting a few days 'since by a brilliant speech in the presence of the King of Prussia, the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke of Mecklenburg, and several other princes.—Galignani's Messenger. A special commission, appointed by the royal society of medicine at Marseilles, made a report to this society on the 22d July, upon the epidemic which has prevailed, and still does prevail, at Marseilles. The conclusion come to is, that this epidemic was confined to a single eruptive disease, which was that formerly called small pox, but which is now designated variola; that at the first and second periods this pest announced itself with some symptoms to persons who never had the small-pox, to those who had had it, and to those who had been vaccinated ; and at the third and fourth periods the symptoms were by no means of the same description, and that the chance was entirely in favour of those who had been vaccinated; that of 30,000
persons who had been vaccinated 2,000 were attacked with this eruptive disorder, of whom 20 died ; that out of 8.000 individuals who had not been vaccinated 4,000 were attacked by it and 1,000 died ; and that of 2,000 who had had the natural small-pox 20 were attacked, of whom 4 died.— Constitutionnel.
The company charged with the opening of a canal from Toulouse to Bayonne are at this moment taking measures for its execution. This canal will be about 50 leagues in length, and one-third wider and deeper than the Canal du Midi. The works are to be commenced in January next, and are expected to be finished in 1833.—Galignani's Messenger.
On Saturday evening, a trial was to have been made at the theatre of the Porte St. Martin, at Paris, of a new and magnificent lustre which cost more than 20,000fr. When raised to about half its height, the rope broke, and the lustre was dashed to pieces.
The Harmonicon announces, that the heart of Gretry, concerning whose perturbations we copied an account about four weeks ago, is now at rest.
GOLD-sernso.--A barber of Modena had for a considerable time evinced at intervals symptoms of monomania. He was thought quite cured, when a short time ago, after showing signs of melancholy for a few days, he cut his throat with his razor. Surgical assistance was immediately procured, but at the end of four days he died. Front some particular appearances, he was opened, and to the astonishment of the operators, they discovered in his stomach 59 Venetian sequins, 72 Imperial ducats, Roman and Dutch, 18 half doubles of Parma, 2 Louis, 3 half sovereigns, and a quarter double. It appeared that the unfortunate man had swallowed the whole some few moments before he had cut his throat ; that they had produced inflammation, and would have caused his death; and that he could not have recovered, even if he had not committed suicide.— French Paper.
The Russian Count Demidoff died lately at Florence, leaving behind him a forrune equal to about three millions sterling.
Baerism.—In Madrid, and the principal cities of Spain, it is the duty of the sacristan during winter to provide warm water for those who wish to spare their children the shock to which they would be subjected by the use of cold in sacramental ablution. This usage is sanctioned by the bishops, and recommended by the learned faculty of the medical college of St. Charles, who have given it as their opinion that ophthalmia, and the other diseases to which infants are more especially liable, have their origin in the impression made on the brain by the sudden application of cold water to the head of the infant in baptism.
A WEIMITY Pneacnee.—The most extraordinary instance of long and laborious service in the clerical office ever under our notice, is the case of the Rev. John Charleston, a coloured preacher of the Methodist connexion in Virginia. The Rev. Stith Mead, who was familiarly acquainted with him, describes this son of another race even to the peculiarity of height, weight, colour, dress, and age, in a late number of the Zion's Herald He is now near sixty-one. very tall, and weighing 230 pounds. He has preached eighteen years, and during that time, he would walk thirty miles in a day, and preach three times. Neither storm nor flood were to him an obstacle ; he would ford or swim large streams, and had his dog so tutored as to carry his Bible and hymn book across in his mouth, without suffering them to get wet. He had the reputation of being a correct speaker and a good orator. The effeminate and luxurious labourers in the spiritual vineyard may take a profitable lesson from this humble African .—New Harmony Gazette.
The people of Otaheite, are alleged to pay so little attention to the example and instruction of the missionaries, that the person who assumes the office of consul, had recently sent to the commanding officer of the British ships in the Pacific, entreating that a ship of war might occasionally appear there, as apprehensions were entertained that the natives would massacre them. This information was brought by the Blossom, which touched at the island ; but a letter from the secretary of the Missionary Society throws a doubt on the correctness of the reporter. Major George W. Collamer, of Barre, on the 14th instant, shot an apple from the bare head of Mr. Henry Ingram, at the distance of twenty-seven yards, with a rifle. Mr. Collamer then took his turn, and Ingram, at the dis tance, shot an apple from his head. It was done in the presence of a number of respectable gentlemen, who, after fruitless attempts to stop the parties,
had the satisfaction to see them come off in safety. The apples were so handsomely cut by the ball, that the juice and pomace remained in considerable quantities on the hair of their heads.— United Slates' Gazette.
A short time since a little child, between one and two years of age, at Elmira, crept out of the house unnoticed by its parents, and sat down upon Am ground a short distance from it, and while playing with a pair of shears, the little speechless innocent had its attention arrested by the appearance of a rattlesnake. Not aware of any danger, the child struck the reptile with the shears. He coiled and sprung by the infant's side. The child gazed with the greatest intensity upon the beautiful though venomous reptile, and
for a long time, as the child repeated the strokes, the serpent would hiss and rattle without attempting in the least to injure the child. The snake was between four and five feet in length.—Tioga Paper.
Last year the Pacha of Egypt offered a reward for all the grasshoppers' eggs that should be delivered to him, of seventeen piastres per measure. By
a letter from Acre, it appeared that in October last 40 gamvas of 72 measures each had been sent in. The total quantity of eggs, estimated as above, would be worth 46,000 piastres to those who collected them, or about 40,0004— Asiatic Journal, 1827.
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