objects whose images are formed in an inverted position at the open end of the reflectors, may be introduced into the symmetrical picture in the very same manner as if they were brought close to the instrument. Thus trees, flowers, statues, and living animals, may be introduced; and an object too large to be comprehended by the aperture, may be removed to such a distance that its image is sufficiently reduced. The Kaleidoscope is also constructed with three or more reflecting planes, which may be arranged in various ways.

The tints placed before the aperture may be the complementary colours produced by transmitting polarised light through regularly crystallized bodies, or pieces of glass that have received the polarising structure. The partial polarisation of the light by successive reflections, occasions a partial analysis of the transmitted light; but in order to develop the tints with brilliancy, the analysis of the light must procede its admission into the aperture. Instead of looking through the extremity of the tube to which the eye-glass is fitted, the effects which have been described may be exhibited to many persons at once, upon the principles of a solar microscope or magic lanthorn; and in this way, or by the application of the camera lucida, the figures may be accurately delineated. It would be an endless task to point out the various purposes in the ornamental arts to which the Kaleidoscope is applicable. It may be sufficient to state, that it will be of great use to architects, ornamental painters, plasterers, jewellers, carvers and gilders, cabinet makers, wire workers, book binders, calico printers, carpet manufacturers, manufacturers of pottery, and every other profession in which ornamental patterns are required. The painter may introduce the very colours which he is to use, the jeweller the jewels which he is to arrange; and, in general, the artist may apply to the instrument the materials which he is to embody, and thus form the most correct opinion of their effect when combined into an ornamental pattern. When the instrument is thus applied, an infinity of patterns are created, and the artist can select such as he considers most suitable to his work. When a knowledge of the nature and powers of the instrument

have been acquired by a little practice, he will be able to give any character to the pattern that he chuses; and he may ever create a series of different patterns all rising out of one another, and returning by similar gradations to the first pattern of the series. In all these cases the pattern is perfectly symmetrical round the centre; but this symmetry is altered; for after the pattern is drawn, it may be reduced into a square, triangular, elliptical, or any other form. This instrument will give annular patterns by keeping the reflectors separate, and rectilinear ones by placing them parallel to one another.

The Kaleidoscope is also proposed as an instrument to please the eye by the creation and exhibition of beautiful forms, in the same manner as the ear is delighted by the combination of musical sounds. When Costillon proposed the construction of an ocular harpsichord, (observes Dr. Brewster) he was mistaken in supposing that any combination of harmonic colours could afford pleasure to the person who viewed them; for it is only when these colours are connected with regular and beautiful forms, that the eye is gratified by the combination. The Kaleidoscope therefore seems to realize the idea of an ocular harpsichord.

LEIPSIC FAIR. Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in

Dresden, dated May 27, 1818.

I have returned from Leipsic.-It was not business that led me there-I had heard so much of the Fair, that I could not restrain my wish to see it; so I got into the wagen, and travelling in the German style, in due time reached the destined spot; safely it is true, but not very expeditiously. I was, however, amused on my way by a series of arguments carried on between two of my fellow travellers, one of whom was for excluding all foreign goods from the German markets, while the other contended stoutly for the freedom of trade. I soon discovered that the former was a manufacturer from Silesia, who had business to transact at Leipsic, and the latter an author, who was going to the fair to meet his bookseller.

We alighted at Leipsic in the heat of the fair. It was to me interesting to find only the bustle of peaceful

commerce in a place which, when I passed hastily through it a few years ago, I had seen surrounded with all the alarm and all the misery of war. On our arrival we proceeded straight to the great square, in which the sovereigns of Europe met at the head of their troops, after that decisive victory which finally delivered Germany from foreign domination. What a contrast

between the unostentatious movement of industry, and the desolating shock of contending armies!

These associations were calculated to make their impression, otherwise, I should not perhaps have found much difference between this and other great fairs. I saw every where bustle and activity-here the mountebank, there the man of business: in short, that melange of occupation and amusement which is every where exhibited in scenes of the same sort. The greatest order is however preserved, and a stranger is not, as at an English fair, constantly running the risk of having his head broken or his pocket picked.

I found every department of industry briskly prosecuted here, but none more than the business of booksellers, to which my inquiries were chiefly directed. Leipsic is indeed the central mart of this daily increasing tradethe grand entrepot in which all the productions of the press are regularly collected, to be afterwards distributed through numerous prepared channels, over Germany and the rest of Europe. Thus periodical overflowings of literature take place, and though these inundations always bring along with them a quantity of rubbish and noxious weeds, yet the balance is greatly in favour of the rich and fertilizing materials they leave behind.

Of the last mentioned work only, what the booksellers call the Probe Heft, or Specimen, was got ready for the Fair, and that I read over. It consists of about 100 pages of the commencement of these travels of M. Hammer, and I found it full of new and interesting information. I understand that translations of this work are going on both in French and Eng lish, so that the complete publication will take place in the three languages much about the same time.

An Account of Young Kotzebue's Travels in Persia is also in the press.

Among the Classics, I admired much some beautiful small pocket editions, published by Tauchnitz, of this place.

Booksellers come to Leipsic from every quarter of Europe. The number from France and Italy at this Fair was very considerable. One from Petersburgh made purchases of so extensive a nature, that it must be inferred the Russians have recently made a very rapid progress in every branch of literature. The French booksellers have also carried back with them a much greater quantity than usual of German works. But by far the greatest purchases have been made by a London bookseller, who is himse if a native of Germany. This gentleman was not contented with a few copies, but carried off whole editions of Classical and German works. Among many others, he has bought up all the impressions of Professors Buck and Bauer's Thucydidis de Bello Peloponnesiaco, in 2 vols. 4to.; and Schleusner's Novum Lexicon Greco-Latinum in Novum Testamentum, &c. so that not a copy of these celebrated works is now to be had on the continent, the whole being removed to England.

The great influx of English merchandise at this Fair has been made a subject of complaint by a certain class of persons, but with very little effect. The advocates of exclusion will never gain their object, as all sensible people are convinced that it must ever be the interest of the great mass of the German population to purchase the articles they want at the cheapest rate, without regard to the country of the manufacturer.

EFFICACY OF SILK.

We transcribe from Dr. Neale's

earthenware, and two bed rooms with boarded floors, the walls of which are white washed, and the doors secured with locks. If he be a Jew, the house is still larger, the roof better, and covered with shingles instead of thatch. The windows are a degree wider, and if he be an innkeeper, there is a long stable with a coach entrance at each end, which serves as in Holstein, for barn, stable, cowhouse, and a "lodging and entertainment both for man and beast," as the old signposts of our country express it. The gentry give to their wooden houses a greater extent, and a form a little more symmetrical. The walls within may be stuccoed and Iwashed with distemper colours, and the walls externally plastered and whitewashed. The door of the entrance occupies the centre, and is covered with a rude porch raised on four posts, and the front may perhaps boast three or four windows. Such are the elemental parts and composing of a Polish village, and nothing under heaven can be more miserable, dirty, or wretched, than the whole assemblage, externally as well as internally.

A VISIT TO LONGWOOD.

ibid.

[From the Rev. Mr. Latrobe's South Africa.]

We now turned towards Longwood, which after a ride of a few miles, presents itself over a deep, barren glen, called the " Devil's Punch Bowl." General Bonaparte's premises appear, at first sight, to be placed near its ruin. After rounding the edge of the Punch Bowl, we reached the outer gate and guard-house. Sir Hudson

pointed out to us the situation of Longwood, as peculiarly calculated to prevent unobserved escape. The grounds which occupy a space of about twelve miles in circumference, lie upon a kind of inland peninsula, the only practicable access to which is between the Devil's Punch Bowl, and a deep glen to the right, descending towards the sea, or between the flagstaff-hill, and the other end of the Punch Bowl. Both these roads are sufficiently defended by troops. As far as the guard house, and within the twelve miles, General Bonaparte may ride and amuse himself as he pleases; but if he wishes to exceed those limits, an officer must accompany him. He finds

this extremely unpleasant, and requested the officer to dress like a common gentleman, which however, being on duty, the latter was obliged to refuse.

After entering the gate, we rode up to another inclosure, where Sir Hudson desired us to wait, until he had obtained information respecting the general's actual situation. The interior of the premises is well stocked with ornamental and other trees, forming a pleasant shrubbery, the rest of the domain being principally covered with gum trees standing singly.

In a short time Sir Hudson returned from the house with an account that General Bonaparte was very ill with a swelled face and gums, and could not leave his room. This answer we had expected, and contented ourselves with riding about the park, if I may so call it, and obtaining a good idea of the situation of the dwelling of this remarkable man. He and his friends complain of it, but I can only declare that in the whole island of St. Helena I have not seen a spot, more convenient and airy, and where there is so much opportunity for taking a ride in a carriage or on horseback without interruption. The park is even and grassy, and General Bonaparte frequently rides out in a cabriolet and six, generally at full gallop. In the shrubbery, near the house, stands a large marquee, in which be commonly breakfasts, and spends a good deal of time. Bertrand has a separate house, a little lower down the declivity, at a small distance from his master's. We saw him and Montholon with their ladies, walking in the park. The mansion itself is rather an assemblage of buildings, than one whole house. The dining room, with its viranda, is the principal feature, and has three large windows. Connected with it are General Bonaparte's own apartments, the principal one turning its gable end towards the entrance. Behind that, if I am correct, follow those of the captain on guard, Las Casas, Gourgeon and Montholon. The latter has four windows. They are all one story high, whitened, with grey roofs.

To the northeast, is a remarkable rock, from its shape called the Barn, rising perpendicular from the sea to a great height, black, rugged, and without any trees. Farther inland lies a peaked hill called the Flagstaff. Towards the Barn descends a narrow