Varieties consists. The undeterminable forms are distinguished by characters drawn from the most remarkably obvious properties; and the accidents of light, which constitute the last shade of the picture, are described in general terms, chiefly drawn from familiar language. Each variety of form, whether regular or undeterminable, has its particular appellation; and, by joining this expression with its colour and transparency, the denomi nation is complete. We regret only that the essential discriminating characters are not retained in a separate section and a more concise appearance.

The analyses are those of Klaproth and Vauquelin; and from these the genera and orders are deduced. Thus each science contributes to the formation of the present system; and to each substance is subjoined its history, the different opinions of mineralogists, the foundation of their mistakes, and the means by which the truth was ascertained. To this the author adds an account of the strata, though by no means so full and complete as in the work of his successor Brochant, lately alluded to, as well as the use of each mineral in the arts, in domestic œconomy, and in medicine. Lapidaries, and those who are fond of the precious stones as ornamental decorations, will in this publication find methods of correcting the ideas usually derived from their colour. He gives an explanation of the different phenomena which depend on philosophical principles; as, the transparency of hydrophanous stones, in consequence of their absorbing water; the beautiful reflected irises of the opal, owing to slight fissures, which interrupt its continuity. The double refraction of the Iceland crystal claims his particular attention, as well as what relates to the electricity of minerals. On the latter subject, the most remarkable circumstances are-1. the different nature of the two electricities, usually situate near the opposite points of the crystal; 2. the constant relation which exists between the position of these two electricities, and the forms of the body, when regularly crystallised, which derogate from the symmetry so common in the crystals of other substances; from which a method of determining the positions of the two electricities, on inspection of the crystal, will follow. Our author adopts the system of M. Coulumb respecting two fluids of this kind, which he thinks will connect all the facts relating to the clectricity of minerals. In this point, however, he is not always successful. On magnetisin the author offers some new observations, and has shown that a much greater number of bodies possess polar magnetism than has hitherto been supposed.

The style of this work is peculiarly clear and philosophical: it sometimes rises to a polished elegance, without any affectation of ornament. We mean to return to it, if our other claims will allow but, lest we should be prevented, or the work be

1

brought more directly within the reader's view by an English translation, we shall subjoin our author's arrangement; adding only that his index is tolerably full, which-as we still want a dictionary of mineralogy, a work we have anxiously wished for, and often recommended-is an object of no little conséquence. Should M. Brochant's treatise have this valuable addition, it will be a publication of the highest importance, as he has annexed the synonyms of various modern authors, scarcely heard of but in Germany. M. Hauy's synonyms are not numerous, but they are select; and he particularly refers to Bergman, to Kirwan, Romé de l'Isle, and M. Brochant, whose first volume he had seen, while M. Brochant was perusing the present treatise in manuscript; so that the references to each are constant and exact.

Minerals are divided into four classes; earthy and neutral salts, earths, inflammables, and metals. The orders of the first class are,-1. earthy acidiferous substances; 2. terreous; 3. alkalino-terreous. Of the second class there are no orders or genera. The species follow each other. The reason for the neglect of divisions subordinate to the classes we cannot easily perceive but it may be owing to the obvious nature of many earths which are very different from what they would appear from analysis. Thus some apparently pure clays contain a much larger proportion of silex than of alumine. The third class is divided into simple and compound inflammables. Among the former are sulphur, the diamond, and anthracite; among the latter amber, jet, and the different coals. The first order of the metallic bodies contains those not immediately oxydable, except with a violent heat, and immediately reducible; the second, those which are more easily oxydable, but immediately reducible; the third, those which are oxydable, and not immediately reducible.

The first appendix contains the substances, whose nature is not sufficiently ascertained to admit of their arrangement; but among these there are some sufficiently known to be introduced into the former classes, though not yet accurately analysed. The second appendix contains the different aggregates. The first order comprises the rocks' of primitive formation; the second, the clays and lime-stones of secondary formation, more evidently from alluvion; the third, the aggregates composed of fragments, as the pudding-stone, &c. The third appendix contains the volcanic products. These are divided into six classes,-1. the lavas; 2. the thermantides, which have the marks of a less intense fire; 3. the products of sublimation; 4. the decomposed lavas; 5. the tufas; 6. the substances formed subsequent to the melting and cooling. To these are added substances modified by the heat of subterraneous fires, not volcanic. The first class is divided into the stony, the

scorified, and the vitreous lavas, The others admit of no subdivision.

A volume of plates is added, containing the representation of the primitive crystals, with the laws of decrease; to which is prefixed a system of the characters relating to minerals. This may be styled a delineation of a mineral, resembling Linnæus's Delineatio Plantæ, exhibiting a description of the various charac ters of minerals under distinct heads, with the most striking examples in the mineral kingdom.

ART. II.-Mémoires Secrets sur la Russie, c.

Secret Memoirs concerning Russia, and particularly towards the End of the Reign of Catharine II. and the Beginning of that of Paul I.: forming a Picture of the Manners of Petersburg at the Termination of the Eighteenth Century; and containing a Number of Anecdotes, collected during a Residence of ten Years, Sf. Ti, 3 Vols. 8vo. Amsterdam (probably Paris). Imported by De Boffe. 1802.

WE are sufficiently on our guard with respect, to the nu, merous pretended memoirs that are printed in the French lan, guage. Of late years, Soulavie and others have published many fictitious pieces, sometimes too largely dilated, and at others even artfully forged. In the publication of memoirs, the production of the original manuscript ought to be insisted on; for any man of moderate talents, and a general knowledge of some events and intrigues, might easily contrive what are called memoirs, and give such a colour to his style as to make them pass for genuine.

Impressed with this consideration, we took up the present work with no small degree of distrust, which vanished, after a time, on perceiving the exuberance of singular anecdotes, and the knowledge, spirit, and character of the present narrative, which is deeply tinged with an intimate acquaintance with Russia and the events that have recently happened in that extraordinary empire: yet the style is too satirical; and the author, who seems to have been dismissed from the Russian service by Paul, exceeds the severity of Suetonius or Tacitus. His production may indeed be termed historical satire, though he sometimes labours to impart an appearance of candour by inserting a sentence or two of praise. His anecdotes would have borne more weight, if he had dedicated some chapters to an account of the splendid actions of Catharine, and a favorable representation of many events, instead of viewing only their shady side: yet the work has great merit, as forming a striking contrast to those

which our own countryman, Mr. Tooke, has compiled principally from the German concerning Russia, and which are too much impressed with that tame and servile character which our present author justly imputes to the German productions concerning that potent empire. In Mr. Tooke's work the greatest crimes of the rulers are passed in silence, and every thing is painted in the most favorable colours. The slavish appellation of the residence is applied to Petersburg, &c. because the emperor resides there; and the whole history partakes too much of eulogy or panegyric to satisfy an unbiased inquirer. Here, on the contrary, and in the travels of Chappe, there is too much of satire and detraction; but they balance the account, and leave a just general impression concerning Russia.

In the preface the author apologises for his style, as that of a Frenchman who left his country in his infancy. He says that the proscription of which he was a victim in Russia did not inspire him with the design of these memoirs, though his indignation had imparted courage enough to publish them. He adds, that they were begun long since in the palace of the tzars, but that many of the materials were lost on his leaving the country. He mentions the German writings concerning Russia, as the works of fawning and interested adulators, with the exception of those of count Sternberg, and some other late productions, which seem to have opened the eyes of the Germans with regard to the usurping and domineering character of their powerful neighbour. An advertisement is prefixed by the editor, from which we learn that the author quitted Russia in 1797.

The work is divided into chapters of considerable length; those in the first volume relate to the king of Sweden's visit to Petersburg; the last illness and death of Catharine II.; her favorites and debaucheries; the accession of Paul; with an inquiry, not a little curious for the period, whether he had reason to fear the fate of Peter the Third.

Such is the exuberance of anecdotes and interesting matter, that there is a difficulty in forming a choice of some extracts for the entertainment of our readers: we shall therefore take a few here and there, without further premeditation, after having premised that some of the most curious are to be found in the

notes.

Of all the embassadors employed by Catharine, the count Stackelberg displayed the most wit and pride, particularly in Poland. Thugut having been sent thither by the emperor of Germany, was, on the day of being admitted to an audience by the Polish monarch, introduced into a saloon, where, seeing a man gravely scated, and surrounded by Polish lords who were standing respectfully before him, Thugut took him for the king,

and began his compliment. Stackelberg did not hasten to undeceive him; and when the Austrian envoy discovered the mistake, he was greatly piqued and ashamed. That evening, playing at cards with the king and Stackelberg, he threw down a card, saying "the king of clubs." "A mistake," said the monarch," it is the knave." The Austrian, pretending no design, struck his forehead, and exclained, “Ah, sire! pardon me-this is the second time to-day that I have taken a knave for a king!" Stackelberg, though very prompt at repartee, could only bite his lips.'

The interruption of the marriage between the king of Sweden and the grand-daughter of Catharine forms a curious circumstance in this narrative. The transition of the young lady from the Greek faith to the Protestant having been fanatically opposed by the Russian clergy, Catharine, in the plenitude of female will, resolved to make a queen of Sweden of the Greek religion, with a chapel, and numerous priests devoted to the Russian interests. A clause to this effect was introduced into the contract, which was to have been signed on the tenth of September O. S.

On that day the happy, the imperious Catharine, underwent the greatest chagrin, and even humiliation, that she had ever encountered. All the court was ordered to assemble in gala, in the chamber of the throne: the young princess, dressed as a bride, and accompanied by her sisters, the grand dukes and their wives, all the ladies, all the gentlemen,-and the grand duke Paul, father of the bride, with the grand duchess, having come from Gatschina to witness the espousals of their daughter, assembled at seven o'clock in the evening: the empress arrived in all her pomp, and none was absent except the future husband, whose want of punctuality surprised every body. Frequent entrances and departures of the prince Zoubof, who was to arrange the affair of the contract and procure the final signature of the Swedish monarch, and the visible impatience which the empress displayed, soon excited the curiosity and the whispers of the ladies. What has happened? Is the king ill? He is at least not very gallant! How dares he make the sovereign wait so in the chamber of her throne, and her whole court assembled? Meanwhile this king, who was waited for with as much impatience as the husband of the eleven thousand virgins, did not appear.

This strange delay was occasioned by the following circumstances. The king of Sweden was to have gone to court at Beven o'clock in the evening: at six o'clock the diplomatic Markof brought him the contract and the articles of the alliance, which he had drawn up in conjunction with Zoubof. Gustavus having carefully perused them, appeared much astonished at