Star.
London, England, 1824-06-28 00:00:00

An Essay upon the Question," What are the best means
of rendering the National Sources of Wealth possessed
by Irisland eject:id for the Employment of the Popu-
lation," Proposed by the Royal Irish Academy,
1822. By the Rev. It. RY AN, A.R. 12mo. pp. 90.
It might be a sufficient commendation of this very
valuable little volume to say that it gained the Prize
proposed by the Academy ; but the subject to which it
refers is so deeply interesting, and the remedies proposed
by Mr. Ryan so evidently calculated to promote their
object, that we announce the publication principally
with the view of recommending it to the notice of those
whose situation and influence can alone give efficacy
to any plans that may be proposed for ameliorating the
condition of unhappy Ireland.

The last Military Operations of General Biqa; also
the manner in which he was betrayed and treated until
Imprisoned at Madrid : to which is added, a Narrative
of the Sufferings of the Author in Prison. By GEORGIC
MAI-mimes, First Aid-de-(:amp to General Riego.

Bvo. pp. 102.
With the unhappy fate of Riego our Readers are
already well acquainted. A perusal of the work before
us will convince them—if any yet remain unconvinced
—that the Spanish Patriots, or rather the Spanish peo.
plc, were by no means ripe for the enterprize in which
Riego was engaged ; and the sufferings of the author
will probably serve as a warning to Englishmen (but
many can take no warning), not to be so hasty as he
has sliewn himself in embarking personally in the
quarrels of other people.

From the " News of Literature awl.. Fashion."
ANTIQUE BUSTS, &c.—There have just been disco-
vered, within 33 miles of Rome, on the Via Nontentana,
in an estate belonging to the Princes Sciarra, some an-
tiquities of great value. They consist of four statues
of marble, of excellent workmanship ; a Perseus, a
Bacchus, a Satyr, and a Silenus. But that which has
attracted the most marked attention is a female head in
ivory. This morceau is invaluable, not only on account
of its rarity, but also its excellent workmanship.
Another very curious discovery has also been made
near Pesaro, on the banks oldie Correa. It is a bronze
chest five palms long, and wide and deep in propor-
tiON which was closel by iron bars, and contained a
great number of precious effects, and, among others, a
golden crown. The Literati conjecture that this trea-
sure was buried in 963, by Berenger, King of Italy, on
hearing that the Emperor Otho the First had marched
from Germany, at the bead of a powerful army, to get
pos'ession of his estates.
GREEK NIEDALS.—There was found lately in a case-
mate, at the siege of Lepanto, a great number of. medals
bearing the effigy of Alexander and of Pericles. This
is an excellent omen for the Greeks, who, on the reco-
very of their liberty, will perhaps find in it the means of
uniting the age of arms to that of the fine arts.
SYRIAN MEDALS, &c.—According to letters from
Syria, there has been found in the neighbourhood of
Jericho, rear the Convent of the Maronites, a large
quantity of arms, medals, .pieces of money, and imple-
r..mits of war, which are dated from the first and se-
cond Ciusale. -

MILITARY Imrno V E, m-ENTS.

At the Sitting of the French Academy of Sciences,
held on the 11th May, M. Paixhons read a memoir, on
the advantages of employing steam-engines in war, in
lieu of artillery. He compared, with that of howitzers
and mortars, their relative projectile force, which is
greatly superior to them, especially those which have
been lately-tried at Brest, and which propel balls of 80
French pounds weight, 1930 tuises. Paixhons proves
that these steam-engines were first employed, not in the
United States, as is generally believed, but in France,
where experiments were made in 1810, and subse-
quently. The invasion of 1814 interrupted the labours
which Napoleon had caused to be commenced, and the
peace postponed them for an indefinite time. But, has
this steam artillery all the advantages which are ex•
pected from it? M. Paishons does not think so. Too
slow in being brought to bear, it would often be sur-
prised by the enemy, who would almost always be able
to effect their retreat by the time it became useful. Beside,
its chief merit consists in its rapidity, and that is not, in
reality, the chief merit of good artillery. But, if steam
artillery is characterised by doubtful advantages for the
purpose of attack, the objections do not hold in revile
to steam vessels, and the defence of fortified places.--
However, the rendering the steam navigation more
complicated than it is ought rather to be avoided. As
to the defence of fortified places, it would become, in
consequence of this new species of artillery, much more
long and difficult, besides that smaller garrisons would
be required. Carnot has already shewn, in his excellent
treatise " On the attack and defence of fortified towns,"
the advantages, that might be derived from machines,
adapted for the projection of water or small shot, en
the works of the enemy : but this last method would be
very expensive, and there would be too great a disper-
sion of useless balls. Before Calmat, Vauban also re-
commended the employment, in defensive operations,
of machines for throwing stonei; Steam artillery would
be perfectly adapted for overwhelming with stones or
water a besieger's works: it would be easy to inundate
them in this manner, and to render the opening of
trenches almost impossible.—The Academy gave the
greatest attention to the developement of M. Paixhon's
opinion% and instituted a Committee, of which the Duke
of Ragusa is a member, to investigate his labours.

- -
;xtract of a letter from A;hens, dated April 10:
Athens has for me every charm; her recollections, her climate,
her ruins, and her reviving liberties. Her Chief, Odysseus, has
been a mountain robber—has never bowed in bondage to the Turks
—has served AU Paella—has been chosen Governor of Eastern
Greece—has refused to 4ive up Athens to a weak Government—
and has lately sympathized with the People, and taken the liberal
course in politics. He is a brave soldier, has great power, and pro-
motes public liberty. Just such a man Greece wants.
The Congress at Salone will do great good. Eastern and Wes-
tern Greece, and the Islands, will unite to put the Constitution in
force, to get the Revenue placed in the public coffers. and to pro-
mote military (*.operation. Many of the Chiefs in the Noma,
the Legislative Bodykand the mass of the people will approve these
=ensures, and all these combined interests will form such a prepon-
derating power, that all the little factions will be forced to follow
the strong current,'
I rejoice that the Hydriots have established a free press; the
full exercise of truth upon all immoral actions, promotes virtue and
secures the highest measure of happiness. A fine church has been
*teed up here (Athens) for a Lancasterian Schoolroom, and it will
open in a few days.
The Elective Franchise is exercised in its widest range at Athens.
I have attended at the Elections of the Prefects and of the Judges,
and also at Meetings for diciding on some taxes. A tax on those
nib° possessed. Government houses was agreed to; a tax on produce
was rejected, and on cattle, apyruissl.. The mirror la universal; the
deafen le annual.

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