Several writers have undertaken to write the History of Arts and of Artists, especially that of Musicians; but few of their productions have so much merit as the History of Painting in Italy, by Ripenhausen; and the Almanack of the Fine Arts, which contains letters and memoirs of artists residing in Rome, and edited by M. Sickler, a learned antiquarian.
NEW SPAIN.
A translation of Humboldt's Account of New Spain, has been announced as in the press, and nearly ready for publication. This valuable work comprises,—researches into the geography of Mexico; the extent of its surface and its political division into intendancies; the physical aspect of the soil; the actual population; state of agriculture; manufacturing industry, and commerce; the canals which might be carried from the Atlantick to the Pacifick ocean; the revenues of the crown; the quantity of metals which has flowed from Mexico into Europe and Asia, since the discovery of the new continent; and the military defence of New Spain: and will be accompanied by physical and geographical maps, founded on astronomical observations, and trigonometrical and barometrical measurements.
LOCUSTS.
For several days towards the end of May, prodigious crowds of people thronged the banks of the Tiber at Rome, to witness a singular phenomenon. A wind from Africa had brought thither an immense swarm of Locusts. These insects, having laid waste the country, began to make war upon and devour one another. The weaker party betook themselves to flight, and being pursued by the conquerors, threw themselves in myriads into the Tiber, which, at times, was quite covered with them.
Mr. William Gifford is engaged on a new edition of Ben Johnson's works, with additional notes and illustrations.
