glaciers was much expedited by wearing the shoes recommended by Saussure. These have the soles sufficiently thick to allow steel nails, having pyramidal heads, to be screwed into them, the steel being tempered and brought back to a straw colour, which makes it hard, and not liable to break.

ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS.

In October last, Vesuvius presented one of the grandest eruptions which has occurred since that described by Sir W. Hamilton, in 1794. On Sunday evening fire issued from the top of the mountain, and a little lava was thrown out, both of which ceased till Monday, when they again broke out with redoubled fury; the flame rising to a great height, and the lava running in a broad and rapid stream down the hill towards Portici and Resina. On Tuesday morning the mountain was enveloped in smoke, which continued to be discharged during the whole of the day, assuming a variety of colours. Towards evening the lava was discharged in immense quantity, and rolled down the hill in five streams; the electricity communicated from the volcano producing flashes of brilliant lightning, playing down the cone amidst the fire and smoke. At this time the roaring of the mountain was heard at Naples. The following morning the mountain still continued enveloped in smoke, rendering the atmosphere around so obscure that the sun was scarcely visible at Naples during the whole of the day; and on Thursday nearly a similar appearance was presented, accompanied by a heavy fall of dust, so fine that it was with difficulty the eyes were protected from it. At the Torre del Annunziata it is said to have fallen to the depth of four feet, so as completely to prevent the passage of carriages. A large piece of the cone of the mountain was blown off, so that what was formerly the highest has now become the lowest point. On Friday the volumes of smoke still continued to issue, but the lava ceased to be disengaged.

The damage occasioned by this eruption was considerable, though by no means so great as was expected.

WEST GREENLAND.

is so much excited with respect to the fate of the Northern Expedition, our readers will be glad to hear that Captain Scoresby, to whom we are already so much indebted, is about to publish an account of his investigations and adventures on the rediscovered East Coast of West Greenland. This country, it is well known, was lost to the rest of the world by the setting in of the Polar ice, about 1406; since which, it has been generally considered inaccessible. Captain Scoresby, however, again discovered it last summer, and landed on it. He has been enabled to make a survey of nearly the whole line of coast from latitude 75 to 69. He has discovered several islands and inlets, some of the latter of which he thinks form communications with Baffin's Bay. In one of these, the weather was temperate, and the air swarmed with bees, butterflies, and musquitoes. We look forward with anxiety for this work, the perusal of which will, we are assured, afford much gratification.

SOCIETY OF TRAVELLERS.

A society has been established in Liverpool, of those gentlemen who have visited distant countries, with the view of acquiring information, either in general science or natural history, from whom it is hoped much useful information will be given to the world that would otherwise have lain concealed, from the want of some means of making it public.

SOCIETY OF ARTS IN SCOTLAND. Those who are zealous for the encouragement of mechanical genius, will be glad to hear that a Society of Arts has been established in Scotland, on the same footing as that in England; the chief object of which is to afford assistance to those who, from want of proper opportunities, have it not in their power to complete their discoveries.

STEAM ENGINE.

Mr. Perkins, the inventor of the Siderographia, has lately constructed a steam engine, founded on a new property of steam, by which more than seven-eighths of the fuel and weight of engine are saved. A small one, we understand, has been made with a cylinder two inches in diameter, and with a stroke of twelve inches, which has the power of seven

We are happy to understand that "The City of London Amateur Concerts" are not abandoned, but merely suspended for a single year, and we may, therefore, hope that, like other musical suspensions, they will terminate in a more pleasing harmony. That the citizens should be emulous of attracting the fine arts to fix, as it were, amongst them, is not only ho-, nourable but useful. Why is the City less esteemed than the West End? Because its inhabitants are supposed (invidiously in some degree) to lack the taste and the time required for the cultivation of those pursuits that polish ease and affluence. Estimation is, therefore, founded upon and connected with literature and the arts. And in this particular case it is essential that both be brought to the citizens; for if the citizens seek them in their most frequent abodes, a certain quantity of ridicule is sure to light upon the emigrants; whereas, by reversing the proposition, the arts are cherished, and confer, as well as receive, honor, by appearing in new and unaccustomed regions.

The Opera is opened, but with very little of that spirit which ought to recommend an establishment so extensively supported. We shall leave dirty boxes and squalid scenery, however disgraceful, to others to describe and to censure; such proofs of a pinching parsimony lie not within our province: but there is unfortunately the same want of activity and zeal to be traced in the musical department. La Clemenza di Tito has been given; but, with the exception of Madame Camporese, it was wretchedly sustained. La Gazza Ladra has followed; and Signor Porto is the first novelty worth notice that has been produced, the female, a Signora Clarini, being wholly below regard. Signor Porto is a bass, and he has a fine, mellow, and powerful voice. Indeed, as a singer, he is justly equal in his department to any other man we have had for some years. He has scarcely, perhaps, as much volume as either Angrisani (whose tone was like that from a cauldron struck by a sledge hammer), or Zucchelli; but his execution is

more free than that of either. Ros sini's music, and especially in the part (the Podesta) which Signor Porto took, is not calculated for the round heavy staccato execution of a legiti mate bass. The effect of such compositions is subjected to dangers almost inevitable; for if sung by a light voice, they lose the weight and dignity the author intends to bestow, as well as the agitation of the passion he purposes to convey; while, on the other hand, if by a bass of round and full tone, it is next to impossible for such a voice to articulate passages of such difficult construction: it is, however, only just to Signor Porto to say, that he succeeded far better than his predecessors. In the beautiful Canone, " O nume benefico," his tone was well-sustained; and the divisions which constitute, in a great measure, the mannerism, as well as the novelty and beauty of Rossini's style of writing, came upon the ear with a force and effectiveness we have rarely, if ever, heard. The closing passage, which lies at the very bottom of the voice, was at once distinct and rich. Signor Porto appears either to labour under a difficulty of finding breath (common to singers of a certain age

or to struggle with a want of knowledge in this essential particular, and the defect lowers his whole performance. His sostenuto is painfully interrupted by too frequent inspirations. Signor Porto may pos sibly throw it upon the climate, and the " cattivo tempo" he has experienced since his residence amongst us. We wish it may be found so, for, this speck removed, he is the best bass we have had for a long period.

De Begnis took the part which Cartoni performed last year, the father of Nivetta, but he is a comic singer, and nothing else. In rapid notation he is supreme; but the moment he attempts serious music, we perceive all the havoc which comic singing is almost certain to produce. His intonation is intolerably bad, and his pathos has so close a resemblance to his distress in Il Turco, where he does not know his own wife, that the audience are kept in a state of some uncertainty whether they are to weep or to laugh, in which con

test the merriment is sure to predominate. For swift articulation of notes and words, Signor de Begnis may challenge the world, and all the magpies in it; but, though a musician, he cannot sing, in the true sense of the word. For his good-humoured acquiescence, and his praiseworthy attempt to conceal, so far as in him lies, the low state of the company, he is not to blame; the censure ought to light upon those who know no better, or who think to pass such juggling upon the public.

M. Bochsa is about to commence his Oratorios with a vocal orchestra almost wholly English. He is right. There is a good deal said, and with some show of justice, upon the preference which foreign talent has obtained. Genius we consider to belong to no country, and we delight to see that our nation has liberality enough to open the competition fairly and award the prize honourably. This feeling of liberality has, however, been clearly carried to an excess somewhat dangerous to the existence of native ability. M. Bochsa, himself a Frenchman, does wisely, therefore, in reciprocating the compliment, and in yielding to general predilections at this particular point of time. It is also due to him to add that he has collected a great body of talent. A new Oratorio of Rossini's-Cyrus at Babylon, is to be brought out for the second Act on the 30th. Report does not speak very highly of it, and though we have casually looked into the score, we have had no opportunity

to examine it.

The subscription to the British Concerts goes on. We are sorry to understand that some of the female part of the profession have not met this enterprise with a proper spirit, though one of its brightest ornaments (Mrs. Salmon) has consented to a reduction of her terms (as it is reported) that speaks well for her regard to the propagation of native art. Such an enterprise ought to be aided, we have no hesitation in saying, by the most liberal assistance; for honour to the country, not emolument, is the genuine motive of its promoters.

The Royal Academy proceeds, we regret to find, in a course of error that will, if long continued, fix upon its noble conductors the character of

inveterate blundering. Rossini, who speaks no language but Italian, it is publicly stated, is engaged to come and teach the twenty little boys and girls, with whose instruction the Academy is to commence, the art of composition! This savours a little of jobbing, as Rossini's presence may be desirable at the King's Theatre, even more than at the Royal Academy. When will the sub-committee learn that a public institution must have all its principles laid open to the public, if they are expected to support it? If the noble committee do not learn this salutary lesson, the present subscription will soon be exhausted, and then good night to the Royal Academy. The first examinations were fixed for the nights on which the British and the Philharmonic Concerts commence; and to make the matter more convenient to all parties, at half past two, p. m. A second circular, however, is to be issued, to rescind this absurd arrangement. In justice to the Principal and the Board, all is at present under the management of the subcommittee. We have not yet met with a single professor who either knows what he is expected to do, or under what engagement he is to act.

The Opera of Figaro, announced for Friday night, at Covent Garden, was not performed, because Miss M. Tree was indisposed. New diseases are continually creeping into our nosologia, and, for the benefit of medical as well as musical science, we may thus describe this young lady's case. Miss Paton intended to introduce Bid me discourse, which has been sung by Miss Tree, into the part of the Countess. Miss Tree pleaded her right. Miss Paton replied, by claiming the part of Susanna as her own, by a similar right, and then Miss Tree became indisposed-to permit Miss Paton either to sing the song or to change her part.-Mr. Fawcett hit upon this ingenious equivocation, and the public were disappointed. They submitted, however, with most heroic composure.

Sir George Smart and Mr. Loder's Concerts at Bath thrive marvellously. Never were there fuller rooms. They also comprehend Bristol and Cheltenham in their scheme. The support, however, at the last place, has not been great.

A second Toccata, by Charles Neate. A Toccata is rather an obsolete style of composition, and is a species of Fantasia, in which a replication or imitation is kept up between the two hands; it also signifies an organ or harpsichord fugue. Mr. Neate's Toccata is of the former description, and is ingenious in its construction, although neither very intricate nor difficult. The melody is animated and agrecable.

Les petits Delassements, No. 3, by G. Kiallmark, is an Italian air, with

variations of a light and easy description. The second divertimento by the same composer, partly arranged from Naderman, is of a higher order. The opening Andante is elegant and chaste, and the variations, although somewhat common-place, are lively and attractive.

Mr. Bruguier's first divertimento consists of two airs, from Rossini's Barbiere di Siviglia, Ecco ridente il Cielo, and Zitti Zitti, arranged for the pianoforte.

THE results of the Congress of Verona are at length beginning to see the light; but whether so far as regards Spain and Turkey these results will be more than documentary, seems at present very problematical. The first state paper published by authority, after the departure of the sovereigns and plenipotentiaries, was a circular addressed by the various powers of Europe to their ambassadors at the respective courts. This paper begins by stating, that the sole object of the Congress was to determine with the plenipotentiaries of the King of the two Sicilies, and the King of Sardinia, the period at which it might be safe to withdraw from the states of their majesties the Austrian armies that were billeted upon them in the year 1821. They say that the auxiliary troops stationed in the dominions of his Sardinian Majesty will all be removed by the 30th of December; but that of those stationed in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, there cannot be at present spared more than 17,000 men, so that, of course, the rest are to remain for some time longer. The monarchs appear to give themselves great credit for this determination, and, accordingly, after announcing it, the circular emphatically adds, "thus vanish all the false terrors, the inimical representations, and the gloomy prophecies which ignorance or perfidy spread in Europe, to mislead the opinion of the people respecting the pure and generous views of the sovereigns." The circular then goes on to state, that having disposed of this their primary object, nothing

could any longer avert their eyes from other occurrences which had sprung up in Europe; and first as to Turkey, it says that " a satisfactory understanding had long since taken place with respect to the affairs of the East, and that nothing remained to be done at the Congress of Verona, but to confirm the results of that understanding." These results are vaguely stated to be that "the powers allied with Russia may flatter themselves with removing by joint proceedings the obstacles which still impede the entire fulfilment of their wishes." This denouement may certainly be very " satisfactory" to those who understand it, but to us it appears couched in as mysterious a sentence as ever issued from the oracular recesses of diplomacy. This, however, is all the light which the Congress of Verona has deigned to let in upon us, either as to the affairs of Turkey, or the still more interesting position of Greece. The manifesto next proceeds to notice the situation of Spain, which appears to have filled the members of the Holy Alliance with sensations of horror! "Spain," say they, "now endures the fall which awaits all states that are so unfortunate as to seck what is good in a way in which it never can be found. It passes through the fateful circle of its revolution." They then proceed to discuss after their own manner the state of the Peninsula; and at length come to their grand decision, which is neither more nor less than an order to their legations to quit the country; a proceeding which seems but little to

have affected the spirits of the good people of Madrid. After declaring their paternal intentions towards the people in the different states of Europe, the kings conclude their circular instructions in these words: "In announcing to the cabinet to which you are accredited, the facts and declarations which are contained in the present document, you will, at the same time, call to mind what the monarchs consider as the indispensable condition of the fulfilment of their benevolent wishes. To ensure to Europe not only the peace which it enjoys under the protection of treaties, but also the sense of internal repose and durable security, without which no real happiness can exist for nations, they must calculate on the faithful and persevering co-operation of all the governments." Very soon after the promulgation of this circular, the French foreign secretary sent off a dispatch to their ambassador at Madrid, recapitulating the sentiments contained in that document, and also affecting to explain the views of France with respect to the relative situation of the two countries. The French minister declares, that at the Congress of Verona France felt herself called upon to explain to her august allies the nature and object of the armaments to which she had been compelled to have recourse, and the manner in which she might eventually employ them; her explanation had given great satisfaction, and obtained from the allied powers a declaration, that upon occasion they would unite with her in maintaining her dignity and tranquillity. The note then goes on to state, that this was abundantly satisfactory to France, but that three of the powers, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, deemed it necessary to add to the particular act of alliance a further manifestation of their sentiments, and that to that intent diplomatic notes were about to be addressed by these three powers, to their respective ministers at Madrid, with directions to communicate them to the Spanish government, and act as circumstances might require. This note was communicated by M. Lagarde, the French ambassador to the Spanish government; on the 5th and on the 6th the ambassadors of the three above-mentioned powers

also transmitted their respective communications to the same quarter. These dispatches are exceedingly im➡ portant, and are signed respectively by Count Nesselrode for Russia, Prince Metternich for Austria, and Count Bernstorff for Prussia. They all concur in the same views with respect to Spain, but the Russian manifesto is by far the most violent. They enter at large into the progress of the Spanish revolution, beginning with the return of Ferdinand from France, and, indeed, omitting nothing except the provocations received by the people from their monarch. In the next sitting of the Cortes, after the Spanish ministers had received those documents, M. San Miguel, the minister for foreign affairs, ascended the tribune, and informed the assembly of the fact; he said that though these notes did not fall exactly within the cognizance of the Cortes, yet, that still the government, wishing to give a proof of the harmony which existed between the two superior bodies of the state, thought proper to communicate the contents of these notes, and the answers which had been given. This determination, as well as the tone of the answers, excited the liveliest enthusiasm. M. Galliano proposed that a deputation should wait upon the king, informing him of the communication from the foreign powers, and of the sentiments of the Cortes thereon. This was carried unanimously. However, the message was afterwards deferred for forty-eight hours, on the proposition of a distinguished member, M. Arguelles, " in order (said he, most judiciously) to convince all Europe that our conduct has not been the result of a first impression." At the adjourned sitting, the following message to the king was unanimously agreed to: "The Cortes manifest to His Majesty that they have heard with the greatest astonishment the assertions contained in the notes of the cabinets of Paris, Vienna, Berlin, and Petersburgh, because these diplomatic communications, besides being inconsistent with the established practice of civilized nations, are insulting to the Spanish nation, its Cortes, and its government; and that they have at the same time heard with the greatest satisfaction the judicious and decorous answer made