collect any change in the variation at the time? this has been observed in Europe. 18th. What do you suppose may be the average elevation of the hills in your neighbourhood above their base? 19th. Send me a description, and (if convenient) a drawing of any singular and unaccountable natural feature in the country, or of any extraordinary phenomena. 20th. How far can the great step, which occasions the falls of Niagara; be traced into Canada, and in what direction-the same of the ledge which occasions the rapids at Black Rock. 21st. Latitudes and longitudes of any part of the country will be very important in constructing a correct map of the state, and if you can furnish me with any useful observations, they will be highly acceptable, please to describe the observation, and the instruments used. at The Columbian Printing-Press. While the United States are not inferior to any other nation in original inventions, they undoubtedly far surpass many of them in those improvements which are calculated to become truly useful. Our pin and card factories, which heretofore in Europe required the labour of so many workmen, in this country, under the guidance of genius, not only tract the man of business, but have become the resort of the inquisitive and the curious. The use of steam, as applied to vessels, and the great number of patents annually issued, speak so loudly in proof of the assertion, that it would be superfluous to enlarge on this subject. These remarks were intended to introduce an eulogium, which it seems experienced printers have seen fit to pronounce on the Columbian printing press; and it is sincerely hoped it may prove a benefit to all concerned. It may not be amiss, previous to giving this article, to take a comparative view of those now in use. Many new models of printing presses have been produced in this country-but most of them have failed: and some may have been condemned prematurely. In England, the Stanhope press has generally been preferred, and the profession, in this country, duly appreciate its merits. In Scotland, what is called the Ruthven press is in considerable use, and some have been imported, one of which is in operation in Philadelphia. The power is given by a compound lever; and instead of acting above the platen, it is fixed beneath the bed. An objection to this is, that the platen traverses, instead of what in other presses is called the carriage; by which means the workman has to go through a movement to which he is entirely unaccustomed; the platen having to be pulled over, and pushed from the form, with an exertion, each of which would give the Columbian press sufficient force to make the impression. The pull is made by a bar fixed where the rounce of the common press is situated, and requires power equal to the running in one on the old plan. Even if it would work with the same facility as those now in use, we think insurmountable objections would be raised to the manner of its movements. The difficulty of drilling men from old and approved customs into new, and, at most, doubtful systems, is sure to prove a present detriment, without the certainty even of a future benefit. In England there has been a steam press introduced, on which principle two newspapers in London are now printed; but from the enormous expense, and the inutility of them in America, it must be a long time before it will be advantageous or necessary to use them here. The following cut exhibits an accurate view of Mr. Clymer's press. Of the Columbian press, the following from the profession, will give the most correct idea: New-York, June 17, 1818. The undersigned, who have actually used, or witnessed the operations of the Columbian printing press, invented by Mr. Clymer of Philadelphia, most cheerfully embrace an opportunity to speak of it to their brethren in the profession, who, from their local situations, have not yet experienced the advantages resulting from it. Setting aside the benefit arising from the ease and facility of working this press, the obtaining two parallel and accurate surfaces, is particularly worthy of consideration; for, by this, an even impression is acquired with the assitsance of but one press-blanket; the type is not subject to wear uneven, and the elasticity that two, and sometimes more press-blankets give, by indenting deeper into the hair strokes of the letter than the bolder parts (which are more capable of resisting, on account of having a broader surface) and destroying, in a short time, the beauty of the type with the common press, is, in a great degree, prevented in this. The durability of this press, from being wholly made of cast and wrought iron, we presume, cannot for a moment be doubted. We also would express a pleasing disappointment at its so seldom becoming out of order, in consequence of the strength so properly given to those parts most requiring it. The Columbian press, for power, facility, even impression, and beauty of mechanical construction, we cannot hesitate to say, we think, excels any thing of the kind now in use, and apprehend the day is yet distant, when it will be surpassed in either of those particulars. As we feel it a duty to encourage new inventions in our own country, more especially when we can serve our brethren, and advance the welfare of the profession by it, we seriously beg leave particularly to recommend the Columbian press to consideration, and general adoption. COLLINS & Co. MICH. BURNHAM & Co. SAMUEL WOODWORTH, GEO. LONG, ABM. PAUL, JONA. SEYMOUR, ΕΡΗΜ. CONRAD, ORAM & MOTT, In the Crawford Weekly Messenger, published at Meadville, Pennsylvania, may be found a series of valuable articles, under the signature of Agricola; to one number of that series, is appended the following note. We publish it, not only because the information it conveys is highly interesting, but also because, knowing the author, we can vouch for its authenticity. Speaking of the indigenous productions of Western Pennsylvania, and more particularly of the unoccupied forests of Venango county, he remarks: "A botanist, would be charmed with the bounties of Flora, in these woods, so open that they might seem pasture-fields, with here and there a tree. Of the indigenous grasses alone, there is an endless variety, and of flowering plants, which clothe the ground with rich and blooming verdure. I mention as a fact deserving notice and consideration, that these supplies nourish wild bees in incredible profusion: ten bee-trees having been found, in less than four months past, within one mile of my cabin, and not a rod of land had been cleared, within that distance, prior to twelve months last! It should be noticed that these grasses, which flourish in wild luxuriance, supplying a rich pasturage in the partial shade of open woodlands, will probably soon disappear whenever the lands are opened to the full influence of the solar rays. Will no Pennsylvanian seek to preserve them to posterity, and to enrich our agriculture by new varieties? If the seeds were preserved from the wild plant, cultivated with care, and by degrees, inured to the culture of open fields, it can hardly be doubted they would prove highly useful; and the more especially, as, having originated in it, they must be perfectly adapted to this soil and climate. Among all the grasses I ever saw, cultivated for hay or pasturage, I have seen none presenting so large a proportion of leaves, compared with the weight and bulk of the whole stock, as do some of these, one in particular. New and useful varieties of grain might very possibly be obtained also for all our grain is of the family of grasses. There is a tall grass, four or five feet high, which grows much like our cultivated rye, except that every stock is crowned with three heads instead of one: the seed is small, and darker coloured; but who can tell what might be the effect of cultivation upon it, through several years, or vegetable generations? Of medicinal roots, and such as seem to promise new varieties of edibles, I have noticed a great many: and though my object is only to awaken public attention, I cannot omit to mention a wild potato, that grows every where around my cabin. I bave found two to three, and six of them, in succession, on a lateral root, from one to six inches apart, from the size of a nutmeg to that of a common hen's egg. They are nearly round, and when cut, exude a milky juice, (a cir cumstance indicating the necessity of caution in tasting or eating them) but this only from the skin, while all the rest looks dry, brittle like an artichoke, and mealy. On being roasted, its taste is a compound of the common cultivated potato, and the sweet potato of the south. It is as mealy as either, and cooks with as little heat, though the skin is considerably thicker. It may be proper to observe that the land about me is wooded with chesnut, four or five kinds of oak, the red and white hickory, &c. where these vegetables are found; and that people should be cautious of eating new and untried roots, however specious their appearance." For the American Monthly Magazine. GENTLEMEN, ERRORS, all which I have corrected with the pen, in the copies on hand, and beg him to accept my thanks for the information, whatever may be his motive. Candour dictates he should say where the errors originated; and I still challenge him to point out one instance where I have deviated in publishing nine editions of the Nautical Almanac, except in the instances named by me, where errors were previously discovered. I have the English Nautical Almanac for 1820, now in the hands of two gentlemen, celebrated for their mathematical science, and when finished by them, will thank Mr. H. to amuse himself in going over the pages; after which, I will publish the work, and if a deviation is made from copy, of one figure, then I will acknowledge the confidence so liberally experienced by me, to be misplaced, and at once resign the pleasure I have twenty years experienced, of publishing nautical works (which of all others, should he entirely free from error) to other hands. Till then, Mr. H. will be pleased to continue his labours, and contribute all in his power to that perfection which guides the mariner through the pathless ocean, and relieves the solicitude of a respectable class of society, which it is a duty incumbent on every man to aid. With great respect, The communication from the pen of Mr. Hitchcock, relative to errors in my edition of the Nautical Almanac, deserves notice, and he is entitled to much credit for his perseverance. The ground on which I defended my editions, was the presumption, that the English edition, published at the expense of government, was correct, and I still assert no deviations were made till the Almanac for 1819 went to press, which I had recalculated, and corrected ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN ERRORS. Since this, Mr. H. has examined my edition for 1819, and discovered THIRTY-FIVE New-York, July, 1818. The public's obedient servant, T ART. 8. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. DOMESTIC. THE Lyceum of Natural History, in this city, will shortly publish : A Catalogue of the indigenous plants grow ing in the vicinity of the city of New-York. CHARLES GALLAUDET, New-York, proposes to publish The Miscellaneous Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. SCHAEFFER & MAUND, Baltimore, propose to publish a weekly paper, entitled Journal of the Times; to be edited by PAUL ALLEN, Esq. ISAAC PEIRCE, Philadelphia, has published "A brief Memoir of the Life of William Penn, compiled for the use of young persons, by Priscilla Wakefield." TANNER, VALLANCE, KEARNEY & Co. Philadelphia, have published a two sheet Map of South-America, including the West-Indies. EDDY & KEMMEL, Shawanee Town, Illinois, have commenced issuing a newspaper. Mr. J. JOHNSON, Wilmington, Del. has constructed an improved Diving Drum, which affords the diver considerable scope and light for working under water. He enjoys a constant renewal of respirable air, and is supplied with the means of conversation with those persons who may be at the surface of the water. Arrangements are making to establish an Agricultural Society in Gennesee, N. Y. An Agricultural Society has been organized in the district of Maine. The Hon. Judge Wilde is President. The Oneida Indians, in this state, have formed amongst themselves an AGRICUL TURAL SOCIETY. Gen. WILSON has sent to the President of the Lyceum, a curious specimen of Amber, which occurred at Crosswicks, not far from Trenton, New Jersey. It is figured by the mineralized wood, and filled by the marine shells of the stratum in which it was found. Manganese has been recently discovered on Big Sandy River, in the vicinity of Greensburg, Ky. where it occurs in great abundance. Professor MITCHILL, the Rev. F. C. SCHAEFFER, Mr. PIERCE and Dr. TownSEND have lately laid a geological report before the Lyceum, relative to the interesting region of Kingsbridge, near this city. Kingsbridge is memorable for its strata of primitive limestone. These, it is understood, extend in a northerly direction, to Missisqui-bay, in the extremity of Vermont, bordering on lower Canada. It is crystallized and granular. The layers are nearly vertical; and in some places, as lately observed by the above named gentlemen, the calcarious rock contains veins of granite, several inches wide. Quartz, amorphous and crystallized; Mica amorphous and crystallized; Rubellite; Adularia; Pyroxene; brilliant Pyrites; and Titanium, &c. impart a peculiar interest to this formation. Frequent applications have been made to us for information respecting the present condition of Harvard University, and the requisites for admission into that seminary. For the sake of fully satisfying such inquiries, we publish the following circular of President Kirkland, on the present state of the University, which conveys all the information sought: it is copied from the North-American Review. Circular Letter relating to Harvard University. The following is a circular letter, containing facts in the present state of the seminary, designed to be sent to candidates for admission, their instructers and friends, to parents and guardians of students admitted, and to other persons who have an immediate interest in the University, or apply for information respecting it. ADMISSION.-Candidates for admission are examined by the president, professors, and tutors. No one is admitted to ex amination, unless he have a good moral character, certified in writing by his preceptor, or some other suitable person. To be received to the freshmen class, the candidate must be thoroughly acquainted with the grammar of the Latin and Greek languages, including prosody; be able properly to construe and parse any por tion of the following books, viz. Dalzel's Collectanea Græca Minora, the Greek Testament, Virgil, Sallust, and Cicero's Select Orations, and to translate English into Latin correctly; - he must be well versed in ancient and modern geography; Vor. um-No. IV. 38 the fundamental rules of arithmetic, vulgar and decimal fractions, proportion, simple and compound, single and double fellowship, alligation medial and alternate, and algebra, to the end of simple equations, comprehending also the doctrine of roots and powers, arithmetical and geometrical progression.* Adam's Latin Grammar, the Gloucester Greek Grammar, and Cummings' Geography, are used in the examination for admission. The usual time of examination for the freshmen class is the Friday next after Commencement. Those, who are necessarily prevented from offering themselves at that time, may be examined at the beginning of the first term. If any one be admitted after the first Friday of October, he will be charged for advanced standing. Persons may be admitted to advanced standing at any part of the College course, except that no one can be admitted to the senior class after the first Wednesday of December. Every one admitted to advanced standing, in addition to the requisites for the freshmen class, must appear on examination to be well versed in the studies pursued by the class into which the candidate desires to enter. He must also pay into the college treasury a sum not under sixty dollars, nor exceeding one hundred, for each year's advancement, and a proportional sum for any part of a year. Any scholar, however, who has a regular dismission from another college, may be admitted to the standing, for which, on examination, he is found qualified, without any pecuniary consideration. Before the matriculation of any one accepted on examination, a bond is to be given in his behalf in the sum of four hundred dollars, for the payment of college dues, with two satisfactory sureties, one to be an inhabitant of the state. COMMENCEMENT, when the degrees are given, is on the last Wednesday of August. There are three TERMS, during which the members of the University must be present. The first or Fall term, from the first to the second vacation; the second or Spring term, from the second * An Introduction to the Elements of Algebra has been published at Cambridge, adapted to beginners, which contains those parts of algebra above enumerated, together with several chapters upon quadratic equations, intended for those who may have leisure and inclination to extend their inquiries on this subject. An Elementary Treatise of Arithmetic, soon to be published at the same place, comprehends those parts of arithmetic, which are required for admission, and will be used in examinations after 1818. 6. Algebra and Geometry. 7. Ancient History and Chronology. 8. Walker's Rhetorical Grammar. 9. English Grammar. 10. Adam's Roman Antiquities. 21. No. 1 and 2 of Whiting & Watson's Hebrew Bible, or Psalter. 22. Greek Testament, critically. Griesbach's ed. Cambridge, 1809. 23. Natural Philosophy and Astronomy. Enfield. 4to. 24. Stewart's Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind. Z vols. 8vo. 25. Paley's Moral Philosophy. 8vo. 26. Mensuration of Superficies and Solids, and Surveying. Public declamations, forensic disputes once a month-themes once a fortnight. N. B. Instead of 20, 21, those above twenty-one years of age, and others, on the written request of their parent or guardian, may attend to Mathematics with the private Instructer, or Greek and Latin, or French. 30. Paley's Moral and Political Philosophy. Political Economy. 31. Butler's Analogy of Religion to the constitution and course of Nature. 8vo. Declamations, forensics, and themes, Exercises in reading, translation, and the two first terms as in the junior year. declamation. 8vo. 20. Willard's Hebrew Grammar. Cambridge, 1817. 8го. Table of Private Exercises. FRESHMEN. Morning exercise. Monday to Saturday, inclusive. Greek and Latin. Through the year. Forenoon. Monday to Friday. -Algebra and Geometry; 1st and 2d terms, and 8 weeks of 3d term. English Grammar; 4 weeks of 3d term. Forenoon. Saturday. - Declamation, History, and Antiquities. Through the year. Afternoon.-Monday to Friday. -Greek and Latin. Through the year. SOPHOMORES. Morning. Monday to Saturday. Greek and Latin Through the year. Forenoon. Monday to Friday.--Greek and Latin; 1st term. Rhetoric; 2d term. Mathematics; 3d term. Forenoon.-Saturday. --History, and Declamation or English composition. Through the year. Afternoon. Monday to Friday.-Geometry; 1st and 2d terms. Logarithms and Intellectual Philosophy; 3d term. JUNIORS. Morning. Monday to Saturday.-Me |