from our own observation. The music did not create a great sensation among the amateurs, and our brother critics, as usual, were amusingly discordant in their reports, but, upon the whole, sparing in their praise. One of them, however, pointed out the overture as a masterpiece of dramatic composition, inasmuch as the different ideas in succession depicted forcibly, not only the general character of the drama, but even the main incidents of the story, thus proving at the outset the genius and judgment of Rossini !

This praise must be infinitely flattering to Cherubini, who wrote the overture before either Aureliano or Rossini was ever thought of. Mr. Spagnoletti, our worthy leader, is likewise not a little proud of his idea of substituting, in lieu of the authentic introduction of Rossini, Cherubini's overture to "Les deux Journées ;" and the coincidence of this latter affording precisely the musical portraiture of the features in Aureliano, is either a marvellous phenomenon in the history of the art, or a discouraging consideration to the advocates for the universal power of expression in music. For the credit of our calling, however, we wish our imaginative fellow-labourer had kept his encomiums to himself: musical critics, it will no doubt be said after this, like persons looking into summer evening clouds, can manage to see any thing which their luxuriant fancy suggests.

So much for this overture, which is a sore subject to us all. Besides "Medea," which has been repeated several times, "Otello," "Pietro l'Eremita," "Nina," as well as moieties of the "Barbiere di Siviglia," and of "Romeo e Giulietta," had their turn during the month, and brought good houses, considering the elections, the heat of the weather, and the lateness of the season. This is to be attributed both to the interest the public take in Madame Pasta's performances, and to the aggregate of superior talents in the company, which enabled the manager to cast the characters more strongly, upon the whole, than on most former occasions. Rossini's opera of "Zelmira" was revived for the benefit of Signor Curioui, (11th July,) and has been repeated since. It was with this opera the Rossinean sea

son commenced two years ago, and Mademoiselle Colbran Rossini made her debut in the principal female part, Zelmira. With the exception of Signor Curioni, who maintained the part of Antenore, the principal parts have been assigned to new bands, more or less superior to the former representatives of them, excepting the case of Signor Torri, whose Ilo, of course, did not equal that of Garcia.

Our report on the plot and music of this drama (for which we beg to refer to No. XXXIX. of the N. M. M.) renders it unnecessary to say more on the present occasion, than that the performance gave infinitely more satisfaction this time. The character of Zelmira is not of sutficient strength, in the poem, to allow full scope to powers like those of Madame Fasta, and the same is nearly the case with the musical part, which was carefully adapted by Rossini to the quantum of qualifications still in existence with his lady. But Madame Pasta gave the best proof of the extent of her genius, by imparting a preponderating interest to a part which had before appeared comparatively feeble and unimpressive, and to which Rossini himself has since made a very effective addition, purposely for Madame Pasta. In a scene with her father, Polidoro, the justness and deep feeling of her dramatic conception were Єminently conspicuous. The latter character is in the hands of Signor Pellegrini, whose musical talents and voice certainly furnish no cause for regretting his predecessor, poor Placci; but, after all, Pellegrini is not the man for the serious drama, and it is really a pity his services have not been oftener called into action in the line in which he excels. The charming and exhilarating comic operas of the Italian school are shelved apace every where, for what reason we know not. They never failed in attraction abroad, and in England, where the drawback of a foreign language is materially lessened by the greater degree of intelligibility naturally attending humorous situations and acting, the comic opera has at all times been preferably welcome. As the case stands, good buffos and prime donne buffe are becoming more and more scarce, for want of encouragement in the comic line.

The New Courts at Westminster.-That all public works and public men are amenable to public criticism, must be admitted; but the liberal-minded critic will, at once, exercise candour and discrimination in animadverting on the merits or demerits of either, and take every contingent circumstance into candid consideration. He knows that it is very easy to deal out wholesale censure; to reprobate with pointed severity; but he also knows from experience, that it is not difficult to award fair and honest praise, where impartial feeling and refined judgment direct the pen on praiseworthy subjects. The new Law Courts of Westminster have been stigmatized as tasteless, replete with frippery, and contemptible. We are disposed to deny this position, and to inquire what more could have been done, than has been effected by Mr. Soane, under the shackles in which he was bound by the locality and the control exercised over him. Had we the full "privilege of speech," and the advantage of members of parliament, of being enabled to transmit phrases and opinions throughout the country, and even to distant nations; by their mode we might inflict a wound on the self-love of a certain honourable gentleman, and awaken the honest pride of himself and his friends.

Of the Courts, which have been much censured, and not described or characterized, it may not be uninteresting to detail a few particulars; for whatever is publicly vilified, naturally excites public curiosity. The remarks that follow may serve to show how far the language and strictures of disappointed ignorance and indiscriminate condemnation are to be respected or credited. Parallel with, and extending nearly the whole length of, the west side of Westminster Hall, have recently been erected a series of courts, passages, staircases, and private apart ments. These are wholly appropriated to the various law-offices belonging to the public business of equity and common law. Without the aid of plans, sections, or views, it will be impracticable to convey any thing like satisfactory ideas of the forms, arrangement, style of design, and general characteristics of the whole, or of the subordinate parts. It would, how ever, be very easy to find fault with the architect; to impugn his judgment; to impeach his taste; and it would also be equally easy to level a few invidious sneers at ministers; but both these courses, if adopted, would neither be just nor candid. The various apartments in question are respectively appropriated to the Courts of King's Bench, Common

The

Pleas, Exchequer, and Chancery. There are seven public courts, to each of which are attached commodious and convenient apartments, for the judges and counsel belonging to each court, and for subordinate offices. Of the adaptation of these different offices to their respective destinations, we endeavoured to ascertain the opinions of persons who appeared to be familiar with them, and with former courts. They relate that the architect took measurements of all the public courts of London, and consulted the judges, chief council, and officers of the courts ;that models were exhibited, and temporary fittings-up provided ;—that, after the whole had been far advanced, some gentlemen from the House of Commons ordered a large portion of the building to be taken down, whereby new arrangements and new designs were to be made. They stated that each is, and all of the present courts are, larger, every waymuch more lofty-better lighted-provided with better comforts in warming and ventilation, than the old. Each court has various accommodations for the respective judges, counsels, and officers. After carefully examining these different rooms their combination, and separate appropriation-we saw little to censure. architect appears to have converted every inch of space, stinted as he was, to an useful purpose, and even to have sported with obstacles. The immense buttresses of Westminster Hall, which are fortunately remaining on the west side, are now incorporated in the main walls of the courts, whereby they are preserved from further mutilation, and constitute substantial portions of the new erections. The ingenious manner in which the courts, with the connecting passages and galleries, are lighted, manifests much architectural knowledge, as well as taste: for almost every lantern light and aperture is rendered ornamental. The designs, proportions, and general features of each court vary from the others, and offer novel forms and novel effects to the eye. That of the King's Bench, in particular, as well as the Lord Chancellor's court, is particularly beautiful. With domed ceilings, and rich lantern lights, galleries for the accommodation of visitors, a pleasing wainscot colour over the whole, the eye is particularly gratified. Had the stained glass been preserved, the effects would have been improved: but, unfortunately, such ornaments were not appreciated, and were sacrificed to prejudice. On the whole, we must pronounce the law-courts of Westminster among the best, and cer

tainly the most tasteful, specimens of modern architectural design in the metropolis; and so far from deserving the censures cast upon them, we only marvel how so much room has been gained, and so much done in a manner conso

nant with the rules of taste and of architectural propriety, in such a space. Mr. Soane has, in every unprejudiced eye, added fresh credit by them, to his already high reputation.

Society of Antiquaries.-June 1. Hudson Gurney, Esq. V. P. in the chair. A paper was read, On the Origin of the Pointed Arch in Architecture, as indicated by certain buildings erected in Sicily by the Saracens; by Sidney Smirke, Esq. in a letter to Mr. Ellis. In this paper Mr. Smirke describes the Cooba and the Ziza, two palaces of the Saracen Emirs, near Palermo, erected in the eleventh century.

June 8. Henry Hailam, Esq. V. P. in the chair. A letter from Dr. Meyrick, F.S.A. to Mr. Ellis, was read, On the Cognizance of the Feather.

June 15. Hudson Gurney, Esq. V. P. in the chair. N. H. Nicolas, Esq. communicated several transcripts of ancient manuscripts in the Harleian and other collections, relating to various portions of our national history.

Linnean Society -May 2. A paper was read on the locusts (Grylleus migratorins, Linn.) which devastated the Crimea and the southern provinces of Russia, in 1824, by J. Smirnove, Esq. F.L.S. Secretary to the Russian embassy. Also a paper on Indian arronace, by H. S. Colebrooke, Esq. F.R. and L.S.

May 25. This day, being the birthday of Linnæus, the anniversary was held as usual, Sir J. E. Smith, president, in the chair, when the following were chosen officers for the ensuing year. President, Sir James Edward Smith, M.D. F.R.S. Vice presidents, Samuel, Lord Bishop of Carlisle, LL.D. V.P.R.S. F.A.S.; A. B. Lambert, Esq. F.R.S. A.S. and H.S.; W. G. Maton, M.D. F.R.S. and A.S.: and Edward, Lord Stanley, M.B. F.H.S.

Medico-Botanical Society of London.— Friday, April 14. Sir James M'Grigor delivered an address to the members of the Society on being elected President. A communication was read on the different species of hellebore used in medicine, and on its use in maniacal cases.

Friday, May 12. A paper, entitled Remarks on the bitter principle existing in the fruit of Laurus Persia, and its use as a tonic medicine by the natives of Demerara, by J. Frost, Esq. F.S.A. and L.S. Director, was read.-Specimens of several medicinal plants in flower were exhibited by Mr. Gibbs.

Friday, June 9. A collection of speci mens of the plants, enumerated in the Pharmacopeia List, was presented by W. Anderson, Esq. F.L.S. Mr. Frost delivered a lecture on the properties of Aconitum Napellus and Conium Maculatum, and their narcotic principles. Cesar Moreau, Esq. His Most Christian Majesty's vice-consul for France, was elected a corresponding member of the Society.

Friday, July 14. This being the last meeting of the Society during the present session, was very numerously attended, and after the ordinary business had been gone through, a paper, entitled a Catalogue of the Plants indigenous to Switzerland, by John P. Yrsy, Esq. was read. Notice was given from the chair, that communications for the gold and silver medals should be sent in before the 1st of December. The Society then adjourn ed to the 13th of October.

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Royal Institution. — Friday, April 7. Mr. Faraday advanced various experiments and arguments from the lecturetable, in opposition to a generally-received opinion, that all solid and fluid bodies in vacuo, or surrounded by gaseous or vaporous media, give off, or are surrounded by a vapour of their own, whatever be their temperature. Cuthbert exhibited in the library his beau tiful Amician Microscope, in which concave mirrors of 0.6 and 0.3 of an inch focus being used, astonishing magnifying power was obtained with extreme distinctness and absence of all colour. Mr. Parker laid various fine castings of the new alloy, called Mosaic Gold, upon the table. The beautiful specimen of penmanship, executed as a tribute to the memory of the late Princess Charlotte, by Mr. Walter Paton, of Devonshirestrect, was laid upon the library-table, and also an engraving made from it.

Friday, April 14. This evening Dr. Granville exhibited his numerous fine specimens of Mummies, and particularly that presented to him by Sir Archibald Edmonston, before the members in the Lecture-room. Dr. Granville entered into a particular description of the latter, and detailed the course of investigations by which he was enabled to arrive at the

This

novel and important conclusions contained in bis Essay read to the Royal Society. Friday, April 21. Dr. Harwood read the first part of an Essay on the Natural History of the Elephant genus. communication related chiefly to the Asiatic, or present domesticated species, including an account of the individual lately destroyed at Exeter Change. A fine specimen of modern Illuminated Writing, being a fac-simile of a page of an ancient Flemish Missal, was laid upon the table.

Friday, April 28. Mr. S. Solly came forward at the Lecture-room table with a series of Geological Specimens and Drawings, and made observations on them. In the library, Mr. Joplin produced several of his instruments intended to illustrate and apply the Septenary System of Generating Lines by simple continuous Motion. Several specimens of type-music printing, by Mr. Clowes, were also laid upon the table. They were beautifully executed, and presented a perfectly clear and correct page.

Friday, May 5. Mr. Faraday gave a joint view of the researches of Mr. Hennel and himself, in illustration of the singular power possessed by hydro-carbon, of entering into union with sulphuric acid, and neutralizing it. The subjects of Mr. Hennel's investigations were oil of wine, and the sulphovinates. Mr. Perkins's book of Patterns for Calico Printing, produced by Eccentric Lathe Turning, was laid upon the library table, and contained many hundred patterns resulting from the varied associations of similar lines. There was also upon the table one of Mr. Perkins's engraved steel plates; and a steel roller, with the engraving upon it, taken by pressure from the plate, and consequently in relief; and now fitted, by having been hardened, to convey the engraving to other steel or copper-plates, by pressure alone. A volume of Mr. Upcott's Autographs was also laid upon

the table.

Friday, May 12. The subject of this evening was the improvements made by Lieutenant Drummond in geodesical and other similar operations, by the introduction of an object to be seen at one station from another with a facility and at distances much greater than had heretofore been attained.

Friday, May 19. Mr. Turrell resumed the subject of Engraving, principally with reference to the execution of works of art upon steel, for the purpose of procuring a very large number of impressions. Mr. Ritchie produced two or three forms of his very convenient new photometer, founded on the principles of Bouguer. August-VOL. XVIII. NO. LXVIII.

Mr. Howship laid on the table a beautiful specimen of Burmese art, consisting of a leaf of plantain, on which was written an edict, or law. The leaf was varnished over; the letters were bold and beautiful in form, and the whole was handsomely gilt in various parts.

Friday, May 26. Dr. Harwood read the second part of his paper on the Elephant Genus. Mr. West produced several models of ancient buildings, as the arch of Constantine, Croyland Abbey, &c. in which not merely were the forms accurately given, but the general aspect and appearance of decay perfectly imitated.

June 2. Mr. Solly completed his paper on the Porphyry of Christiania. Master Noakes, so remarkable for his vivid perception of, and retentive power over, numbers, was present in the library, and Mr. performed many calculations. Leigh sent a rifle, of a peculiar construction, which was laid upon the table. Mr. Frost sent a numerous selection of botanical specimens.

Friday, June 9. The subject in the Lecture room this evening, was the Tunnel at Rotherhithe, now constructing under the Thames by Mr. Brunel. The evening meetings of the Royal Institution were then adjourned, as had previously been announced, until the ensuing season.

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Royal Asiatic Society.-Donations were presented:-from Sir G. Staunton, thirty volumes of official reports on subjects connected with Asia. Capt. P. P. King, R.N., three models of cannons used by the natives of Australia. Dr. R. Lyall, medical evidence on the duration of hu man pregnancy. Major E. Moor, six volumes of his own publications. Baxter, Esq., fifty-two Hindoo drawings. Dr. R. Tytler, four volumes of his own works. J. J. Ayton, Esq. his Nepalese grammar. H. Hobhouse, Esq. was elected a member of the Society. A description of the ruins of Buddha Gaya in Behar, by Dr. Buchanan Hamilton, was read. Three valuable Persian MSS. were presented by Capt. J. Grant Duff; and the second set of his "Mélanges Asiatiques," from M. J. Klaproth. Sir Wm. Betham, Kt. and Lieut.-col. Martin White were elected members. Two papers were read, viz. the first, an authentic account of two females who destroyed themselves on the funeral pile of the Rajah of Tanjore, extract of an official despatch from the British Resident at Tanjore to the Chief Secretary at Fort St. George, dated 24th April, 1802. The other paper is an account of the different festivals observed by the Mahometans in India, drawn u by a Moonshee of the Circuit Court

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Chittore, and translated from the Persian by Mr. J. Stokes of Madras.

Royal Society of Literature.-The meetings of the Society ended, for the season, on Wednesday the 21st of June.

May 17. A MS. was read by Col. Leake, containing remarks, descriptive and historical, on an inscription brought from the neighbourhood of Priene. In characters of the common form, the inscription is,

ΤΩΙ ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙ ΤΩΙ ΠΡΙΗΛΗΙ Μ'ΑΝΕΘΗΚΕΝ ΗΦΑΙΣΤΙΩΝ.

These letters written from right to left, upon a small bronze figure of a hare, represented as wounded with an arrow, and throwing back its head in the agony of death. Some ingenious historical observations were offered by Col. Leake, respecting the word ПPIHAHI; which he regards as the Ionic dative of ПРIHNET; and he endeavours to reconcile the use of that form with the existence of some inscriptions of Priene, of the time of Alexander, in which the name is written ПPIANIEZ, by showing the probability, that, at the liberation of the Greek cities by that monarch, in compliment to the Argive origin of the Macedonians, the Prienenses renewed, for a time, the memory of their Beotian descent, by adopting some of the Æolic terminations in their public acts.

June 7. The Society was this day indebted to the same member, in conjunction with the Right Hon. C. Yorke, for the presentation of drawings of some of the most remarkable Egyptian monuments in the British Museum, and other collections: their number was twenty; each comprising a variety of figures: Nos. 1 to 11 chiefly from Mr. Salt's collection in the British Museum; 12, 13, and 14, from the collection at Cambridge, the two former presented by Dr. Clarke, the latter by Belzoni; 17, 18, and 19, selected from a great number of shields copied by Lieut. Lewis of the royal navy, lately returned from Egypt. To the above some other valuable communications were appended, viz. No. I. Extracts of a Letter from M. de Champollion to the Rev. G. A. Browne, of Trin. Coll. Cambridge, on the subject of the name (Rameses) inscribed on the lid of the sarcophagus (drawing 14), brought by Belzoni from one of the sepulchres at Thebes, and presented by him to that University. No. II. Several inedited Greek Inscriptions, lately brought from Egypt, and considered to be of importance as guides to the further elucidation of Egyptian Letters. No. III. Catalogue of the 18th Dynasty of the Kings of Egypt, as ar

ranged by M. de Champollion: together with Manetho's Catalogue of the same Dynasty, from Josephus, lib. 1. cont. Appian.

June 21. A collection of inscriptions copied in Egypt, by Mr. Salt, His Majesty's Consul General, was presented to the Society by Lord Mountuorris. This valuable collection contains-1st. Inscriptions from the statue of Amenophis-Memnon, at Thebes, testifying that the inscribers heard the sound uttered by the statue. This collection of the inscriptions of the vocal Memnon is more complete and accurate than any yet published.2dly. Some Greek inscriptions from the tombs of the kings of Thebes.-3dly. Copies of some Greek iuscriptions upon frag ments of pottery found in the island of Elephantina.-4thly. Copies of three papyri in Greek, found at Thebes. These appear to be the astrological nativities of the persons in whose sepulchres they were found. An ingenious paper, by Mr. Granville Penn, was read, on the metre of the first line of the Iliad. The secretary also read the first part of a communication from the author of the "Celtic Researches," on the authenticity of the Romance of " Brut," ascribed to the British Prince, Tysilio.

Double Stars.-Professor Stune of Derfat, to whose hands Frauenhofer's large refracting telescope has been intrusted, has determined on a review of all the double stars already observed, as well as on a minute examination of the heavens from the north pole to fifteen degrees of south declination, with respect to these objects. He has now accomplished onethird of the labour, and has found 1000 double stars of the first four classes; among which 800 are new, and of these nearly 300 are of the first class. He extends the examination to all stars of the 8th and (8-9) magnitudes.

London University.-The following persons compose the Council of the University of London: -The Hon. James Abercrombie, M. P. Right Hon. Lord Auckland, Alexander Baring, Esq. M.P. George Birkbeck, M.D. Henry Brougham, Esq. M.P. F.R.S. Thomas Campbell, Esq. Right Hon. Viscount Dudley and Ward, Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, Esq. Olinthus_G. Gregory, LL.D. George Grote, jun. Esq. Joseph Hume, Esq. M.P. F.R.S. Most Noble the Marquis of Lansdowne, F.R.S. Zachary Macaulay, Esq. F.R.S. Sir James Mackintosh, M.P. F.R.S. James Mill, Esq. His Grace The Duke of Norfolk, Lord John Russell, M.P. Benjamin Shaw, Esq. John Smith, Esq. M.P. William Tooke, Esq. F.R.S. Henry Warburton, Esq. F.R.S. Henry Waymouth, Esq. John