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GLEANINGS.

Diorama in Regent's Park. In this exhibition there are two views, one displaying the interior of the Cloister of St. Wandrille in Normandy, and the other, the village of Unterseen in Switzerland. The venerable ruins of the cloister are marked with all the corrosions which time, neglect, and an exposure to the action of the elements, may be expected to occasion. Where the roof has fallen in, the clouds move in the spectator's sight, and the leaves of the shrubs, with which some parts are overgrown, appear to be agitated with the wind, and to throw their shadows on the adjoining columns. At times, the sun shines upon the pillars and mouldering fragments, and this is again succeeded by an uncomfortable gloom. The village has all the appearance of a reality. Its rugged street, partially obstructed passages, rough and unornamented buildings, adjacent hills, with mountains of different elevations, in different degrees of proximity, and either clothed with verdure, or covered with snow, have a most magical effect. It is scarcely possible for a spectator, when viewing the varied scenery, to persuade himself that he is looking at a flat surface.

Charity Children at St. Paul's Cathedral.The anniversary of this institution is one of the most imposing sights that London can at any time afford. During the present year it was held on the fifth of June; and, as usual, in the body of the cathedral, immediately under the dome. For the accommodation of the children, seats were erected in the form of an amphitheatre, filling up the extended area in this stupendous building. On the present occasion it is supposed that from ten to twelve thousand were present, collected from the various charity schools throughout the metropolis. These were distributed with much tasteful order, according to their respective liveries, the little tribes being distinguished by their garb of blue, russet, green, or drab. The spectators were very numerous, far more so than the accommodations. A sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop of St. David's, but few, comparatively, had an opportunity of hearing the discourse. A kind of demi-tax was levied on every one that entered, but the utmost order prevailed, and the gratification which the sight afforded was great and universal.

Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce.-On June 2d, the prizes awarded by the Society were distributed to the successful candidates, at the King's Theatre, in the Haymarket, by Earl Radnor, vice-president, his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex being unwell. The concourse of spectators was very great, and the personal delivery of the prizes to the meritorious individuals, rendered the transactions of the day particularly interesting. The prizes were awarded to ninety-six, to receive which, by far the greater number of claimants was present. These were divided into six classes, as the talents of the individual happened to fall under agriculture, chemistry, mechanics, the polite arts, manufactures, or colonies and trade. The methods adopted by the Society in awarding its prizes, cannot fail to ensure the strictest impartiality. In fostering genius, rewarding the exercise of talent, giving a new stimulus to invention, and promoting the arts and sciences with which England is enriched, the exertions of this Society have been productive of the happiest effects, and are entitled to the support of every one who has the welfare of his country at heart.

A Welsh Enigma.-Singular lines over the ten commandments, in a place of worship in North Wales, the meaning of which was totally unknown for upwards of a century:

P.R.S.V.R.Y.P.R.F.C.T.M.N.V.R.
K.P.T.H.S.P.R.C.P.T.S.

Τ.Ν.

By adding the vowel (E) between almost every letter, the solution runs thus:

Persevere, ye perfect men,

Ever keep these precepts ten.

Margaret Nicholson. In the year 1786 this woman, under the pretext of presenting a petition to his late majesty, attempted to assassinate him with a knife, which she had concealed in her sleeve. Being found on examination in a state of insanity, she was consigned to Bethlehem Hospital, in which place she died, on the 14th ult. after a confinement of forty-two years, and at the supposed age of nearly one hundred. During her long incarceration, she continued in a state of derangement, unable to connect her imprisonment with her crime, or her crime with his late majesty. She was, however, always pleased to learn, that any of the royal family had visited the institution, and on the late king's death she requested to be allowed to wear a black ribbon.

Earthquake. On the 4th of February last, a severe shock of an earthquake was felt at Tobasco, by which the roof of the church and of the gaol fell in, and about thirty feet of the bank of the river were swallowed up. A small town about thirty miles distant, containing about 800 inhabitants, was nearly destroyed. In the city of Zeppa several buildings were demolished, and a number of persons killed.

Longevity. In the village of Pomfret, in Yorkshire, there is now residing a man name Rhodes, who has attained the extraordinary age of 124. His hair is quite white, but he is upright in stature, enjoys good health, and is in the full possession of all his faculties.

Fight between a Tiger and an Alligator. By a part of Sunderbunds, called Athara Baki, of a very thick jungle, but through which a creek runs, a boat was lately passing, when the crew observed a large tiger come to the water's edge to drink. While in this position, he was seized by an alligator that was on a contiguous bank. The tiger resisted, and a dreadful conflict ensued, which lasted about two hours, each seizing and grappling the other with the utmost fury, the tiger alarming the surrounding forest with his tremendous roar. The alligator at last succeeded in dragging the tiger into the water, when be became alarmed for his safety, and instantly let go this hold of the alligator. The latter seemed glad to be disengaged, and each retreated to its congenial element.

Death of Dugald Stewart, Esq. On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18th, departed this life, aged 76, at Ainslie Place, in Scotland, this prince of modern philosophers, after a short but painful illness, which he bore with a degree of patience and resignation every way worthy of his principles and character. As a metaphysician, Dugald Stewart has long sustained the most exalted rank, and as such his name was well known in all the learned circles throughout Europe and the United States. His works, which are numerous, are deemed of the highest authority, and from their decision on doubtful questions, few are disposed to make an appeal. He was intimately acquainted with Dr. Reid, whose principles, in a great measure, he may be said to have adopted.

Melancholy Disaster at Kirkcaldy, near Edinburgh. On the evening of Sunday, June 15th, 1828, the celebrated Mr. Irving, of London, being about to preach in the above place, it was excessively crowded at an early hour. A few moments before the rev. gentleman was expected to enter the chapel, a cracking of beams in one of the galleries was heard. This excited considerable alarm and commotion. The gallery gave way and fell, with all its occupants, on those below. The rush to the doors which instantly followed, was even more tremendous in its consequences than the former disaster. Twenty-nine persons are stated to have perished from pressure and suffocation, and many others have been severely wounded.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

The Danger of resting in inadequate Views of Christianity. Addressed particularly to Christian Parents. By Patrick Falconer, Esq. 12mo.

A second edition of Stewart's Journal of a Residence in the Sandwich Islands, during the years 1823, 1824, and 1825.

The Second Volume of the Modern Voyager and Traveller, comprehending Asia; with a Map, and coloured plates of Costume.

An Exposure of Civil and Religious Despotism, in explaining parts of the Prophecies of Daniel, Paul, and John; with an Answer to Mr. Irving's Letter to the King. By T. Perkin.

A New Patent Mechanical Sketching Instrument. This novel and simple instrument is manufactured under the immediate direction of the inventor and patentee, Mr. F. Ronalds, only, and may be seen at Mr. Britton's, 17, Burton-street, in four varieties of form and price.

On Saturday, June 14, was published, The British Political Gazette.

The Catholic Journal, a weekly paper, printed in a quarto form, containing thirty-two closely printed columns.

Publishing in weekly numbers, containing eight pages in 8vo. and in monthly parts, with a wrapper, Scripture Illustrations: Scripture difficulties examined, with a view to their solution.

Proposals for the Formation of a Biblical Institute.

Exercises for the Young, on important subjects in Religion. By the Rev. John Brown, D.D. The Life of Robert Leighton, D.D. archbishop of Glasgow. By Thomas Murray, F.A.S.

The Englishman's Polar Star, &c. being a preface to a New Interpretation of the Apocalypse of St. John. By the Rev. G. Croly, A.M.

Elements of Geography on a new plan; illustrated with maps and cuts. By Ingram Cobbin, M.A. History of the Inquisition, from its establishment till the present time.

Flora Maitland. By the Author of Harriet and her Cousin.

My Early Days. Second Edition, improved. Fourteenth Annual Report of the Baptist Society for promoting the Gospel in Ireland.

A Discourse on the Repeal of the Test Act. By Wm. Orme.

The Puffiad; a satire.

Memoirs of Mary Ann Ely. By her brother, John Ely, minister, Rochdale.

A Disquisition on the Nature and Properties of Living Animals-an Inquiry respecting a Soul and a Future Life-and on the Intellectual Difference between Man and Brutes. By G. Warren.

The Christian Sketch Book, in three parts. By J. Burns.

The Missionary Gazetteer; comprising a geographical account of the Church, London, Moravian, Wesleyan, Baptist, and American Missionary Societies. By Charles Williams.

Papers on the Question recently agitated in the Baptist Missionary Society, relative to Serampore. Narrative of a Journey from Constantinople to England. By the Rev. R. Walsh, LL.D. &c.

Sermons preached before a Village Congregation. By the Rev. Joseph Jowett, M.A. 2 vols.

Sermons principally designed to strengthen the faith and increase the devotedness of Christians. By the Rev. James Haldane Stewart, M A. Specimens of the Lyrical, Descriptive, and Narrative Poets of Great Britain, from Chaucer to the present day. By John Johnstone.

Discourses on various subjects relative to the Being and Attributes of God, and his work in Creation, Providence, and Grace. By Adam Clarke, LL.D. F.A.S. Vol. 1.

The Chronological Guide; part I. comprehending the Chronology of the World, from its Creation to the Destruction of the Western Empire of Rome, A.D. 476.

Easy Greek Exercises; with a Greek and English Lexicon of every word.

Richard Baynes's General Catalogue of Books in Theology, and all other departments of Literature, containing near 6000 articles.

In the Press.

680

In the press, and will speedily be published, A Series of Letters, addressed to the President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference; in which the true cause of the unhappy dissensions existing in that body, in reference to the person and character of the Son of God, is pointed out, -the absurdity of the unscriptural doctrines of "the Eternal Sonship" clearly displayed, and the advocates of the latter principle convicted of spiritual idolatry: with a development of the true scriptural doctrine on those contested subjects. By Samuel Tucker, V.D.M.

Architectural Antiquities of Normandy. - J. Britton informs the subscribers to this work, that the letter-press descriptions of the eighty engravings already published, will be ready for delivery on or before the 1st of July: he deeply regrets the delay that has occurred. Persons possessing the prints, and the cheque delivered with the last number, are requested to forward the cheques to the parties from whom they received the work, and the letter-press will be sent to them, gratis. This contains historical and descriptive accounts of the churches of Caen, Rouen, Bayeux, &c. with an introductory essay on the characteristics of Norman Architecture, &c.

Robson's Views of English Cities.-J. Britton acquaints the patrons of this work and the public, that he intends to destroy most of the copperplates, after 250 large-paper and 800 small-paper impressions are worked; whereby the original subscribers will have a guarantee that the publication will never appear with worn-out impressions; and that it will not be depreciated and degraded in public estimation, as has been the case with some other books of prints.

History, &c. of Peterborough Cathedral.-The historical and descriptive letter-press in the last No. of this work, will be ready with the letter. press of Normandy. Both are far advanced in printing.

Mr. Planche, the author of "Lays and Legends of the Rhine," has in the press his "Descent of the Danube from Ratisbon to Vienna, during the. autumn of 1827; with Recollections, Historical and Legendary, of the Towns, Castles, Monasteries, &c. on the banks of that river," in 1 vol. 8vo.

Forty Views on the Danube, in illustration of this volume, will also speedily appear, lithographed by L. Haghe, from sketches made on the spot by Mr. Planche.

The catholic Doctrine of a Trinity. By the late Wm. Jones, M.A. F.R.S.

Preparing for Publication.

Preparing for the press, in two volumes, 8vo. price one guinea, Roman Catholicism displayed, in its doctrines, spirit, ceremonies, and polity; to which is prefixed an Historical View of the Rise, Establishment, and Decline of the Papal Supre. macy. By the Rev. H. C. O'Donnoghue, A.M. of St. John's College, Cambridge.

By different Editors from those of the volume for 1828, in royal eighteens, price 12s. elegantly bound in silk, with a case, the Winter's Wreath for 1829; a collection of original pieces in prose and verse. Embellished with twelve highly-finished line engravings on steel.;

The proprietors of "The Juvenile Forget-meNot," and of "The Evergreen," two newly announced annuals for young persons, have united their interests in one very superior publication, entitled, The Juvenile Forget-me-Not; a Christ. mas and New Year's Gift, or birth-day present for 1829. The work will be beautifully illustrated, and will contain contributions from many distinguished authors, particularly those who have written most successfully for the young.

The Abomination of Desolation; or, Proofs that the Destruction of Jerusalem was not foretold in the 24th of Matthew, 13th of Mark, and 21st of Luke. By T. Parkin.