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seal of the Mings, it is ordered that it may circulate as well as the copper-money; those who forge it shall be decapitated; and those who will denounce and bring to conviction persons so offending, shall receive 250 taels, together with all the lands and goods of the offender. Made in the and day of the reign of Houg-Vou." M. LANGLÈS does not assert that the paper-money of the West was derived from that of the East, but properly admits that similar wants in each case may have suggested similar remedies for them. The circulation of the Eastern paper-money appears to have been compulsory, while that of the Western has been for the most part purely voluntary; which difference may explain why in the one region it has died away, while in the other it has wonderfully thriven, and produced the most beneficial effects. M. LANGLÈS recommends it to antiquaries to investigate the origin of the European paper-circulating-medium.

The memoir contains a chapter from Myrkhond, an Arabic historian, giving an account of the suppression of paper-money in the kingdom of the Western Mongols, whose capital was Tauryz; and of whose monarch, Kai-Khâtan-Khou, who reigned in 1294, the author promises to present the public with a history.

An Epistle in Verse to the Artist Vien. By M. Ducis.—A tribute to the merits of the artist to whom it is addressed, and in which those of some of his brethren are noticed. The poem flows in easy numbers, displays sensibility, is marked by discrimination, and has not the faults chargeable on the author's dramatic works.

On the Relations which existed in the 12th Century between Denmark and France; intended as an Introduction to the History of the Marriage of Phillip Augustus with Ingulburge, and of their Divorce. By M. F. J.C. LA PORTE DU THEIL. We agree with this writer that history scarcely contains any thing more calculated to rouse curiosity, to fix attention, or to awaken sensibility, than the account of the above marriage, and its consequences. He professes to have examined original documents with the utmost care, and to have had the good fortune of discovering materials which never fell into the hands of former historians; these materials are a volume of letters written by William, a canon of St. Genevieve, who settled in Denmark about this period, and who carried on a correspondence with his friends in France; and also certain Letters of Pope Innocent III. relating to this subject, brought by him from the Vatican.

The University of Paris, the boast of the Cistertian Monks rendered at this time so illustrious by the piety and zeal of St

Bernard

Bernard, principally induced that intercourse between the two countries, which is the subject of the present inquiry. Esckill, a relation of the royal family of Denmark, Archbishop of Lunden, and Primate of the kingdom, not only maintained an active correspondence with France, but frequently visited it, and ended his days at the celebrated monastery of Clairvaux; and his successor Absalom, a model for prelates, kept up a similar connection, and sent his nephews to be educated by the celebrated Stephen, Abbot of St. Genevieve, and afterward Bishop of Tournai. This worthy and learned person, wishing to repair the churth of St. Genevieve, assiduously cultivated the acquaintance of the prelites and great men of Denmark, and was a very principal cause of that connection between the two kingdoms which ended in the marriage in question. The Danes are said to have had a college for their youth opened at Paris about this time, or soon afterward.

This paper does credit to the diligence and spirit of research of the author, and it throws light on the state of society in a country little known at the period to which it refers. We have no doubt that the history, to which it professes to be an introduction, will be well received.

In an appendix-memoir, an expression which occurs in a letter of the learned Stephen of Tournai, describing the Bishop of Messina as the suffragan of the Patriarch of Antioch, calls forth a profusion of learned discussion, which must prove a rich teast to the ecclesiastical antiquary.-The worthy Stephen, writing to his friend Absalom the Archbishop of Lunden, observes: "Ampullam tyriacá (sic) probatissima plenam, ab archiepiscopo Mamertino, Antiocheni patriarchæ suffraganeo, concanonico et amico nostro, mihi datam," &c. M. LA PORTE justly remarks that the see of Messina was never subject to that of Antioch, though it had been so for a time to that of Constantinople; nor does it appear that any of its Archbishops ever retired to St. Genevieve: but it is known that, about this period, an Archbishop of Mamistra in Cilicia, flying from the Saracens, who had over-run his country, took refuge in France, and probably accepted of a canonry in the church of St. Genevieve. Putting these circumstances together, the author infers that, through the carelessness of some transcriber, Mamertino was written instead of Mamistrano; and that Stephen referred to the Archbishop of Mamistra, not the Archbishop of Messina. That there is a mistake, no one can doubt; and we think that it is here not less ably than satisfactorily explained.

The Despair of Achilles on learning the Death of Patroclus. Translated into French Verse, by M. VILLAR.With the French

it is still a desideratum to naturalize among them the Prince of Poets. The present attempt is not without claims to praise: but we do not think that we should be justified in encouraging this neat versifier, to undertake the gigantic task of exhibiting the matchless bard in a French dress.

Report made to the Class of Literature and the Fine Arts, and to that of the Physical and Mathematical Sciences, of the National Institute. By M. A. G. CAMUS, in the name of a Commission composed of MM. Chaptal, Darcet, Duhamel, Vincent, and Camus.-This report relates to some attempts made by M. Boudier, to substitute glass plates, in engraving, for those of copper. The art appears to be yet in its infancy: but the Commission entertain sanguine hopes of its being speedily brought to maturity. The superiority of the one substance over the other, if it can be made to resist the requisite pressure, is too obvious to need being stated ;-the plate would not wear out, and it would pass to posterity unaffected by rust, while each impression would be equally good.

Reflections on Pindar, with a Translation of his first Olympic. By M. BITAUBÉ.-The veneration of the antients for Pindar appears, says this writer, from the order issued by the oracle of Delphi, that part of the offerings presented to Apollo at the Pythic games should be given to the poet, and that a seat should be allowed for him in the temple while he recited his verses; which seat was shewn as late as the time of Pausanias: one of his odes, also, was inscribed in golden characters on a temple of Minerva.

Some persons have imagined that the praises bestowed on Pindar by the antients attached rather to his lost works, than to those which have reached us: but Horace regards those which celebrate the victories at the public games, as equal to any of his other productions. The poet styles his own odes the wings of victory; and Horace represents them as crowns of more value than a hundred statues.

In order to relish this renowned writer, says M. BITAUBÉ, the reader must be master of the language; must be acquainted with the spirit, character, and manners of the Greeks; must imbibe their sentiments, make their ruling passions his own, and transport himself in imagination to their times. Those who do not perceive the excellencies, which produce in others an admiration of Pindar, should recollect the esteem in which his countrymen held the prizes at their public games; and that scarcely did the Romans set a higher value on their triumphs and orations. These exhibitions had the effect of arresting for a time the rage of war, and of producing temporary armistices;

they

they marked important epochs in history; they had originated with august founders; and they were connected with the worship of the gods. Before the days of this poet, an antient hymn of Archilochus was chanted on the course in honour of the victor, and the city and the parents which gave him birth were proclaimed;-the native place is often the theme of Pindar's celebration.

The translation (in prose) of M. BITAURÉ is in general executed with fidelity; in many instances, with felicity; and the spirit of the original is perceptible in it throughout. We cordially thank this respectable literary veteran, for the honourable zeal and sound judgment with which he has asserted the lofty pre-eminence of a favourite author.

The Olive, the Fig, the Vine, and the Bramble, a Fable; extracted from the Bible, Judges ix. 8.—Socrates and Glaucon, a dialogue from Xenophon, Memor. III. 8. A Dialogue be By tween two Journalists, on the words Monsieur and Citoyen. M. ANDRIEUX.-These poems contain much happy ridicule directed against the follies and extravagancies of exaggerated liberty: but why were not these weapons more timely exerted; and why are they now not directed against the crying evil of the day, the grievous yoke of military despotism?

Melpomene and Thalia, an allegorical Poem, in two Cantos. By M. COLLIN-HARLEVILLE.-The author here sketches, with considerable success, the distinguishing traits of the professors of the drama, both antient and modern.

Memoir on the Statue called the Borghese Gladiator. By E. A. GIBELIN.-That this fine antique does not represent a gladiator has been long admitted, and various conjectures have been hazarded on the subject. The idea of this writer is that it is the statue of a papins, or what we call a Tennis-player; and he supports this opinion with a great abundance of learning: adducing instances of statues being erected in Greece to the masters of this art. Indeed, in that country, athletic preeminence seems to have been honoured beyond that of any other

kind.

The Pharsalia, Book I., a free and abridged Translation. By M. LE GOUVÉ.-This translator seems to be in a high degree animated with the sentiments of his author. His version appears to have been presented in the year V.; and we rather wonder that the courtly Institute, in the present state of things, and under the present government, selected it for publication. This volume is concluded by a brief poetical Dialogue on Comedy, by M, COLLIN-HARLEVILLE; in which a critic points

out

out to a young poet the difficulties attending the courtship of Thalia, and advises him studiously to consult that great favourite of the Muse, and that boast of the French stage, Moliere.

ART. XV. Caractère Militaire des Armées Européennes, &c.; i. c. The Military Character of the European Armies; with a Parallel between the Politics, Power, and Resources of the Romans and the French. 8vo. pp. 147. Egerton, London. 1802. Price 4s. Boards.

T HE armies which here pass under review, and the characteristics of which are discussed in a very intelligent manner, are the French, the Austrian, the Prussian, the Spanish, the English, the Piedmontese, the Neapolitan, and the RusWhoever the author may be, his remarks are worthy of attention, and we regret that they have hitherto escaped our notice. He commences with the army of France, because it has acted the most remarkable part on the late theatre of war; and here, we have no doubt, our readers will share in the surprize which we ourselves felt, when we found it asserted that, since the Revolution, the Artillery and Engineers of France, excepting only the Horse Artillery, have been absolutely despicable. In confirmation of this extraordinary position, he refers to the siege of Mantua, which place detained General Kray, at the head of the Austrian and Russian Artillery, fewer days than it cost Bonaparte months;and it is to be remarked that the latter General at last succeeded more through the operation of famine, than by force. Williamstadt also opposed, and put a period to the successful career of Dumouricz; the little fortress of Philipsburg repeatedly baffled the efforts of the Republicans; the siege of Luxemburg engaged them during the whole campaign of 1795; and Ehrenbretstein gave them employ for a still longer period. In short, except Toulon, which was retaken more by a coup-de-main than by regular approaches, the writer does not recollect a single place, of any importance, which the Republicans have gained otherwise than by blockade, or as the price of an armistice; while, besides many more, the celebrated Citadel of Turin, and the almost impregnable Coni, were unable to withstand the artillery of the allies.

Another assertion hazarded by the author is, that the French army is, without any exception, the most disorderly in all Europé.

To what, then, does he ascribe the astonishing success of the Republican arms? To the immense superiority of numbers, in consequence of the levy en masse, under Robespierre, which

enabled