pall being supported by the heads of departments and officers of govern ment. For many years he experienced frequent and severe sickness, and his last illness commenced on the 4th of March last, while attending the funeral of Mr. Baldwin, his former fellow-student, and late colleague in the senate. In his youth he received a liberal education, and the early part of his active life was devoted to the practice of the law. He was ever an able, popular, and pleasing advocate, and rose to eminence, by the strength of his talents and steady devotion to business. His last fourteen years were devoted to the service of his country, in her national councils, where he was long a distinguished member, admired by his political friends, and respected by his opponents. In wit and humour he was unrivalled, in delivery graceful and perspicuous, and in argument acute and lucid. His speeches were sometimes perhaps tinctured with severity; but the ardour of debate, the rapidity of his ideas, and the impetuosity of his eloquence constituted an apology. He was firmly attached to the principles of the late administration, which he ever maintained. For some years past, in consequence, he has been in opposition: yet he possessed a due share of influence in the body to which he belonged. His death will be deeply deplored by his friends, and, from the useful talents he possessed, may justly be considered a national loss. Paswan Oglou. Orma, the grandfather of Paswan Oglou was a common watchman at Widdin; and, it is said, he also swept the streets in the day time. He afterwards served in the war of 1753, against the Russians, and distinguished himself for his bravery. He was rewarded with the fief of Parabin, in Moldavia, where he spent the rest of his life, occupied in the education of his son OrmaAga, who afterwards obtained the rank of bassi aga, or chief of the district. Orma had two sons, Ibrahim Bey, who settled in Constantinople as a merchant, and Osman, surnamed Paswan Oglou. His father, who liv ed at Widdin, had him instructed in the various branches of the political, economical, and military sciences. The young Osman joined to a great activity of mind, a very violent temper. In 1785, being in the country with his father, they quarrelled; and the son put himself at the head of some of his father's vassals, who were attached to him. They attacked and put to flight such as Osman had armed for his own defence. The chief inhabitants of Widdin interfered in this quarrel, which lasted more than two years; and in 1788 the father was reduced to the necessity of suing for peace with his son, when a reconciliation followed. From this period, the troops they had separately enrolled were united into one body, which enabled them to keep themselves masters of Widdin, where their authority increased daily with the number of their partizans. They abused their influence so grossly, that they dictated laws, not only in the city, but in the country round, employing force against such as opposed their plea sure. The porte, alarmed at this usurpation of its sovereignty, sent Mahmed Pacha, in 1788, with 12,000 men, and promised him the pachaship of Widdin, if he expelled Paswan Oglou and his father. The latter were besieged for three months in Widdin, but not being able to resist such considerable forces, the Pacha and his son took refuge, along with 600 men, who still adhered to them, with prince Maurojeni, in Wallachia. The prince gave them protection, nominated both of them BirBasseas (i. e. commanders of 1000 men); and established Orma as the commandant of Czernetz, and Paswan Ogiou as that of Gyurgyero, with orders to defend these posts against the Austrians. Orma was soon dislodged from Czernetz by the imperialists, and saved himself with only seventeen of the garrison, by retiring to the right bank of the Danube; fixing his residence in the castle of Kulla, six leagues from Widdin. For the Literary Magazine. LITERARY, PHILOSOPHICAL, COMMERCIAL, AND AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE. MR BURNET has a new work in considerable forwardness, in London, entitled, "Specimens of English Prose Writers, from the earliest times to the close of the seventeenth century, with sketches biographical and literary, including an account of books, as well as of their authors, with occasional criticisms, &c." This work, it is apprehended, will possess some singular and important recommendations. The primary object of the series of specimens is to illustrate the progress of the English language, from its rise to its complete establishment. The principles by which the author has been generally influenced in his choice of extracts, have been, to select passages curious or remarka ble, as relating directly to the subject of language; as possessing intrinsic value as examples of style; as characteristic of the author; or as distinctive of the manners and sentiments of the age. In writers of continuous reasoning, which abound from the reign of Elizabeth, his aim has commonly been to present as clear a view of the general principles of the author, as his limits would admit, and as could be done in the words of the author himself; which has been attempted not simply by the selection of those parts where they are distinctly stated, but by frequently conjoining passages distant in place, though connected in sense. Moreover, the work will we comprise an account of, and extracts from, most of the ancient chroniclers and historians, who have written in English. Hence it will contribute, together with the interspersed remarks and the occasional sketches of literary history, to elucidate also the progress of manners, of opinion, and of general refinement. There are many obvious advantages in thus exhibiting a view of writers and of their works, in chronological order. It assists the memory, by favouring the most natural and appropriate associations; the celebrated contemporaries are represented, as they ought, in groups; and if the questions arise, Who were the literary worthies that adorned any given reign? and what were their res pective claims to distinction? have only to turn to that reign, in the work which is here announced, to be speedily satisfied. Even the incidental mention, in the biographies, of facts in civil history, will tend to awaken the curiosity to become better acquainted with the chain of transactions, of which they are links; and thus the reader will be insensibly led to the civil, as well as the literary history of the period. Upon the whole, it is hoped, that the work will prove entertaining to many and very different classes of readers, from the variety of its materials; that it will constitute a useful manual to the student of our early literature; and that it will be found convenient, even by persons already informed in this department, as a book of occasional reference. On Thursday, the 23d of July, the trustees, the faculty, the graduates, and the students, of the University of Pennsylvania, met at the university at nine o'clock, A. M., and walked in procession to the Rev. Dr. Hey's church, the Independent Tabernacle, in Fourth-street, where a commencement was held before a numerous, splendid, and respectable audience. After prayer, by the provost, the following exercises were performed: MUSIC. 1. The salutatory oration, by Mr. Joseph Hall. 2. A forensic dispute, on this question, "Whether it is more difficult to arrive at excellence in eloquence at the bar or the pulpit?" For the bar, Mr. David F. Schaeffer for the pulpit, Mr. John Sommer. 3. The provost's decision. MUSIC. 4. An oration on the good effects of education, by Mr. Samuel H. Turner. 5. An oration on the alternation of action and repose, by Mr. Thomas I. Wharton. 6. An oration on classical literature, by Mr. D. Schaeffer. MUSIC. 7. An oration on liberty, by Mr. Joseph Hall. 8. An oration on general Hamil ton, by Mr. Benjamin J. Bostock. 9. History of a graduate, an ironical oration, by Mr. J. Sommer. 10. An oration on patriotism, by Mr. Jacob Gratz. 11. The degree of bachelor of arts was then conferred on Messrs. Benjamin J. Bostock, Jacob Gratz, Jacob Green, Joseph Hall, David F. Schaeffer, John Sommer, Samuel H. Turner, and Thomas I. Wharton. The degree of master of arts was conferred on Messrs. George Andrews, Edward Lowber, John C. Lowber, John Lowber, Matthew Matthews, Robert M. Patterson, and Edward Tilghman, 3d alumni of the university. Mr. James G. Thompson, master of arts at Dickenson College, Carlisle, and professor of humanity in the University of Pennsylvania, was admitted ad eundem. The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on the Rev. Henry Waddel, of Trenton, New Jersey, the Rev. James P. Wilson, and the Rev. Joseph Pilmore, of Philadelphia. The degree of doctor of civil law was conferred on the honourable William Tilghman, Esq., chief justice of the state of Pennsylvania; and on Mr. John M'Dowell, provost of the university. VOL. VIII. NO. XLVI. 12. The valedictory oration, by Mr. Jacob Green. MUSIC. 13. The charge, by the provost. MUSIC. An appropriate prayer, by the Rev. Dr. Rogers, professor in the university, concluded the exercises of the day. A very agreeable concert of sacred music was given in the evening, in the tabernacle, in honour of the commencement. A few years ago, a hydrographical survey was made, at the expence of government, of Long Island Sound. Since that time, captains Fosdick and Cahoone, two of the persons employed, have published their chart. Encouraged by the. success of this first attempt, a survey was ordered to be made, during the session of congress, in 1805-6, of that part of the coast of North Carolina which lies between Cape Hatteras and Cape Fear. Captains Jonathan Price and Thomas Coles performed that service during the last summer. They have made a valuable report of their observations, and accompanied it with a new chart of the coast. The information furnished by this second undertaking has been followed by an ample provision for a maritime survey of the whole coast of the United States. In the beginning of February, 1807, an act of congress was passed, appropriating fifty thousand dollars to enable the president of the United States to cause a survey to be taken of the coasts, and of all the islands, shoals, roads, and places of anchorage, within twenty leagues of any part of the shores of the United States; as also the courses and distances between the principal capes and head-lands, and all such other matters as ought to be contained in an accurate chart. This survey is intended to embrace St. George's Bank, and all other banks, shoals, soundings, currents, and memorable things, quite to the gulf stream. 6 *At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants and proprietors of Charleston Neck, on Saturday, June 27th, Wm. Loughton Smith, esq., in the chair, it was unanimously resolved, that a committee of nine members be appointed to consider on the practicability and probable expence of cutting a navigable canal from Cooper to Ashley river, and to obtain an accurate survey of the most proper place for that purpose, like wise of those parts of the aforesaid rivers where such canal may enter them, and to obtain the requisite cession of land from the proprietors, through whose ground the canal may be carried, sufficient for the width of the canal and a margin on each side, and to report to an adjourned meeting on the first Saturday in August. As nothing contributes so much to the prosperity of a country as inland navigation, we heartily wish the fullest success to the spirited and patriotic undertakers of the new canal, which will diffuse wealth and comfort to a great portion of our fellow-citizens, and enhance considerably the value of lands in the environs of Charleston. No less than twelve bridges across Connecticut River, between New Hampshire and Vermont, and two in Massachusetts, have been erected within a few years. Another is building between Hatfield and Hadley. Messrs. Cohen and Hawkins, of this city, have lately established a manufactory of mineral waters, which has received the sanction of many of the most eminent physicians, as being equal, if not superior, to the waters of the original springs. The proprietors, that the business may be conducted on a scale which would give it a due importance as a public good, propose forming a company, on the following plan: The whole is to be divided into 400 shares, at 50 dollars each, pay able five dollars monthly, one half to be invested in a capital for conducting the business in the most advantageous manner for the benefit of the concern, and which capital is to be the exclusive property of the subscribers. The consequent risque is then but 25 dollars on each share, for which they will be entitled to the privilege of drinking the waters, free of expence, at the place where they may be prepared, a deduction of 10 per cent. on orders put up for their use, and an equal share in all the profits arising from the concern which will be conducted under the direction of officers chosen by themselves. An establishment of this nature would give the company an opportunity of extending itself to every capital city in the United States, and reap all the advatages resulting therefrom, as well as claiming the merit of being the first to bring forward and promote so useful an institution. Mr. Robert Fulton, a celebrated mechanical genius, a native of Pennsylvania, has lately returned to his native country from Europe, where he had invented a machine by which hostile ships of war might be destroyed, which he has communicated to government. The president some time ago desired Mr. Fulton to commence his experiments by the machinery called torpedoes, and other submarine attacks, and to exhibit them at New York. The first experiment was made at that place on Monday, July 20, and with complete success, for, by the application of a machine to the outside of a brig of 200 tons burthen, she was completely blown up and destroyed, in the presence of a great concourse of spectators. This is but one of several methods that his machinery furnishes for attacking and destroying an enemy at anchor, or under easy sail, near the coast. This is for the immediate defence of our own harbours and shores; but we understand also that his machinery are capable of following an enemy to sea and into their own ports, where ships of war may be destroyed with very little danger to the operator. An experiment was lately made in England, of constructing a hollow-framed main-top-mast, for a 74 gun ship, on Mr. George Smart's new principles, which at length is about to be tried in his majesty's navy. About 12 o'clock, sir Roger Curtis, sir Sirrell, admiral Domet, and John Fordyce, esq., four of his majesty's commissioners for revising naval affairs, and their secretary, Mr. John Briggs; earl Stanhope, T. Jolly, esq., and several others, attended at the Ordnance wharf, Lambeth, to witness the final putting together of this hollow mast, the first which has been constructed of so large a size, and particularly a top-mast where a great part of the length is required to be without the hoops, which confer so large a portion of strength on mainmasts, yards, &c., which require so much restriction, and are not obliged to depend solely on the strength of one solid piece of timber, now be come so difficult to procure, or on the stiffness of internal framing, as in the present case. Captain Krusenstern, who commanded the Rusian expedition of discovery in 1805, has sent an ac count home of his having proved, in the most satisfactory manner, the great efficacy which the operation of charring the insides of casks has to preserve water perfectly sweet at sea. He had sixty casks charred more deeply than usual before he sailed, and, during his stay at the Brazils, had the greatest part of his casks burned on the inside; the water in them was constantly found to be good during the whole of his passage to the Isle of Washington; at Japan, he again burned the inside of his casks, which preserved the water quite pure, during a seven weeks' passage from thence to Kamschatka. The cap Charring is much recommended for wine casks also, and all casks which are to contain liquors. The process of charring casks was recommended by Berthollet, in a communication to the National Institute of France, in 1803; but Lowitz had discovered the antiseptic properties of charcoal many years before, as appears in some memoirs in Crell's Journal, the translation of which was published in England by Baldwin, in 1793; an account of the use of charcoal for "Preserving Water Sweet, for Seamen in Sea Voyages," was also published in Dublin, in 1791, in the Hibernian Magazine, extracted from Mr. Lowitz's memoirs on this subject. A farmer in Windham county, Vermont, thus cautions his brother farmers against the prevailing practice of selling to the butchers the earliest, the largest, and most beautiful of their flock. By so doing, says he, their breed has been essentially hurt, and their own interests manifestly injured. As the sheep now kept for breeding by a majority of the farmers are poor, coarse-woolled, stunted things, they produce, in conformity to the established law of nature, that "like produces like," a breed which, though the expence of keeping them is as great as that of keeping the best kind, yields but very little profit to the owner. Whenever a butcher visits my flock, he invariably selects the best lambs, and insists upon my selling |