Star.
London, England, 1823-08-25 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Jouawr PION RICA TO THE CRUIZA, ET WAT OF Ki,o. WITH
lONS ACCOUNT OF THE COLONIZATION, AND THE MAXIMS ANN
COTTONS or New Reasui. To which are added Notes re-
lating to the Crint Tartars. By Mary Holderness. 8,0.
Loudon, 11125.

We have seldom met with a more intelligent or a
more agreeable traveller than Mrs. Holderness, who
narrates, describes, and diisertates with singular fa-
cility and impartiality. Her work, though of a small'
size for so extensive a subject, comprises a variety of
interesting details respecting a country rapidly rising
into importance. She is never tedious, and never de-
tains the reader on a subject unworthy of his atten-
tion. The political state—the topography—the man•
ners and customs of the Crimea, with a very lively.
picture of the Crim Tartars, form the materials of
this very pleasing volume. Among so many inte-
resting articles, we feel almost at a loss which to se-
lect for a brief extract ; we shall however, perhaps,
not be far from gratifying the curiosity of John Bull,
on one of his favourite subjects, if we quote a de-
scription of a Russian dinner.
" At dinner, in Russia, soup is universally the first
dish, and without it they never dine; but it is often
made sour ; and in that case not much relished at
first by an English palate. Fish, if to be had, comes
nest, and then from six to eight or tee dishes follow.
It is impossible to tell of what many of these are
comprised. A ioint of meat is nexer sent to table
whole, but cut into slices, and handed round to each
person, beginning with the Ladies who are visitors.
Poultry and game are also served in the same way :
pastry is sc.ircly seen, except in patties, which are
sent up to cit VI ith the soup, or a tartlet at the con-
clusion of the dinner.
l'ievicnis to the dinner, olives, caviare, or some
sort of pickled fish, with common and bitter brandy,
are sent in on a tray, to whet the appetite for that which
is to follow. The Russians sit long at dinner, and
wine of different sorts is placed on -the table, each
person helping himself: the dessert, which finishes
tie dinner, is eaten without the cloth being removed;
and the whole party then adjourn to the drawing-
room, where coffee is immediately served.
" The Russian salutation is very contrary to our
etiquette. The Ladies, in meeting, kiss each otheren
the lips and cheeks; and a Lady and Gentleman
meeting, the latter kisses the hand of the Lady, and
inclines his cheek towards her, which she kisses: and
omitting to do this is a proof of great distance of
manner, arising from either superiority of rank, slight
acquaintance, or offence."

A Lama to the Earl of Cutonasras, on the Pnacricaluttry of
rendering thow Pooraitetes of Ass, which relate to CALORIC,
applicable to Naw and IMPOST/1W POSTOSST. 8v& pp. 116.
The aim of the author (Mr. Valiance) of this Let-
ter is to demonstrate that, with the capabilities
which science has unfolded, it is in our power to
have within doors, at all seasons and under all cir-
cumstances, any sort of air.---,as cool, as warm, as dry,
or as uniform as we please; that if we are paralysed in
winter, or parboiled during the dog-days, now shiver-
ing, now hot, in the course of the same twenty-four
hours—nigh suffocated in Courts or at Theatres—
catch a Garrick fever, or make one in the catalogue
Of a black Assize, it is all our own fault. Mr. Val•-
lance endeavours to shew how every one of these ca-
sualties may be effectually prevented; and there is no-
body but must be prepared. to allow, that if he has
only done so clearly and satisfactorily, he has con-
ferred an incalculable benefit on his country and
mankind at large.

It is not within the province of a Newspaper to
enter into the scientific details by which Mr. Valiance
supports his general propositions. The ssiljTcient rea-
son, however, appears to be everywhere established ;
and we have in our own minds no great doubt of the
practicability of doing all that Mr. Valiance professes.
Mr. Valiance can scarcely be said to have started any
new principle; his merit consists rather in a vigorous,
adventurous, bold application of known properties to
important practicAl purposes. The only doubt which
exists in the case regards the expense of accomplish-
ment, and, of course, the extent to which Mr. Val-
lance's theory can be beneficially realized. The
blessings tendered are such, however, as would, in
most cases, ten thousand times more than compensate
every expense that could possibly be incurred. Of
many examples offered by the author, we quote the
following, as coming most nearly home to everyone's
feelings

Prodded an immense room, long and large enough to allow
of all respectable persons who chose to pay for the privilege to
take mjercise in it during those cold foggy wet days of winter,
when nose but such as are obliged venture out of doors; and in
which they might aho promenade in an atmosphere equally cool
and fresh during the heat of summer, as it would be dry and
pleasant in winter; provided this wen done un a proper scale,
the additional inducement it would be for such as were anicted
ttadtaaduna and eassamptien to reside in the apartments and
erica which might lie built over it, and constantly (day
and eight) supplied with sir exactly adapted to their respective

states, would got only repay all expenses, but also prove a fei-
tile source of profit.'
It may be asked, whether M. V. has reduced his
theory, to any extent, into practice? No; this he
does not pretend to do: he has the principles of the
thing as clear as day, but to shew how they can be
applied to the purposes he points out, the apparatus
employed must boon a scale of magnitude which, as
a private individual, he ought not to, risk the expense
of. He appeals, therefore, to the Public, to take the
matter up, as being in fact their own affair. We re-
peat the appeal, and happy should we be, if, by thus
directing and soliciting the public attention to his in-
teresting pamphlet, we can, in any deree, promote
the important objects which it has in view.
- -

NAPOLEON s CRADLE.—The Fifth Part of Las
Cases' Jeanie, lately published, contains a view of
the patrimonial house of NAPOLEON, which is at pre-
sent in the possession of M. RoMALINo, a Member of
the Chamber of Deputies, and has been constantly,
as may be supposed, an object of eager curiosity and
great veneration to travellers, especially military
men. 44 I have it from eye-witnesses," says LAS
CASES, " that on the arrival of a Regiment in Cor-
sica, they go repeatedly to view the house. The sol-
diers resort thither in crowds, and compel their own
admittance by authority. One might say that they
look upon this as a right. As soon as an entry is
gained, the behaviour of each man demonstrates his
share of sentiment; one, casting his eyes in every di-
rection, raises his hands towards tizavarr another
throws himself on his knees: here a man is seen kissing
the floor, whilst tears are standing in the eyes of his
neighbour ; some even appear in a state of madness.
Something of this nature is related about the tomb of
FREDERICK the GREAT—such is the empire of heroes!"

THE FIRE OF 11103COIV.
(From Memoirs of General Rapp, First Aide-de-Camp to
• Napoleon. Written by Himself).
" The Russian army retreated towards the capital:
it made some resistance at Mojaisk, and arrived at
Moscow. .We took this city without striking a blow.
Murat entered it in the train of the Cossacks, dis-
coursed with their Chiefs, and even gave a watch to
one of them. They were expressing the admiration
which his courage excited in them, and the dejection
that a series of misfortunes produces, when some dis-
charges of musketry were heard : it was from a feW
hundred citizens who had taken arms. They them-
selves put an end to this useless firing, and continued
their retreat.

" Napoleon entered the next day. Ile fixed his
quarters in the Kremlin, with a part of his guard,
and the persons of his lionsehold ; but we were so
badly accommodated that I was obliged to take ano-
ther lodging. I settled myself at some distance, in a
house which belonged to a member of theNareschkin
family. I arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon.
The town was still complete: the Custom-house alone
was a prey to the flame., which devoured it before
any Frenchman appeared ; but n!ght came on—it
was the signal for the fire. Left and right, every
where there was a blaze; public buildings, temples,
private property, all were in flames. The conflagra-
tion was general—nothing was to escape. The wind
blew with violence; the fire made rapid progress. At
midnight the blaze was so terrific, that my Aides-de-
camp waked me; they supported me; I reached a
window, from which I beheld the spectacle,which was
becoming frightful. The tie was advancing towards
us: at four o cluck I was informed that 1 must re-
move from my quarters. I left them; a few mo-
ments after, the house was reduced to ashes. I or-
dered them to conduct me in the direction of the-
Kremlin ; everything was in confusion. I returned
back, and went to the quarters of the Germans. A
house belonging to a Russian General had been ap-
pointed for me; I hoped to be able to stay there to
recover from my wounds; but when I arrived vo-
lumes of fire and smoke were already issuing from
it. I did not go in; I returned once more to the
Kremlin. On the road I perceived some Russian ar-
tizans and soldiers, who were dispersed about in the
houses, and were employed in setting fire to them :
our patroles killed some of them in my presence, and
arrested a considerable number."

DAVID WILKIE, Esq. R.A. is to have the appoint-
ment of historical painter to his MAJESTY, for Scot-
land, vacant by the death of Sir 11. RAEBURN.
Monday, a Meeting of the Magistrates of,Kerry took
place, to consider of the propriety of relieving that
county from the operatimi of the Insurrection Act. Af-
ter much discussitm on the subject, conducted with the
utmost harmony, it appeared that the variety of opi-
nion on the prudtatze of the measure called fora di-
vision, notwithstanding the unanimous feeling on all
sides that the county at present enjoyed as much
tranquillity as any part of the kingdom. The num-
bers were as follow :
Fur removing the Insurrection Act - IR
For retaining it ti
'Majority . —2
An Address to the Loan LIEUTENANT, in accord-
ance with the sentiments of the majority of the Meet-
ing, was in consequence drawn up.

A SINGULAR EXAMPLE OP LABOUR AND LIBE-
RALITY.—In addition to a handsome and very valu-
able present of Communion Plate made by the Rev'
WILLIAM DAVY, Curate of Lustleigh, Devon, we
have also to state, that he has finished, and is now dis-
tributing for public review, a volume of Discourses
on the Being of GOD—the Divinity of CMRIST—the
Personality of the HOLY Gamer—and on the Sacred
TRlNlTY—being improved extracts from his System
of Divislity (in 26 vols. fivo.) some time since printed
by himself, pro bone publico, 14 copies only, the chief
of which were placed, by their proper directors, in
public repositories of useful learning, in the Cathe-
dral of this diocese, the two Universities, ice. Bcc.
Since writing the above, we have seen the volume
now completed, and which contains-upwards of 5
pages: it was also printed by the venerable Clergy-
man, assisted occasionally by his woman servant
setting the types, as well as in taking off the impres-
sions. It is worthy of remark, that the press kself
was made by the Reverend Gentleman, not after any
existing model, but on a plan of his own. 9ely four-
teen copies were printed, which were all 'lade pre-
sents cif. Mr. DAVY has also given several pounds
to revive the singing in his church, which asfor
many years been discontinued; and has most gene-
rously offered a field of land, exceeding OW to
value, to establish a school for the *domain* 4 the
poor children of the parishe.Pirmosnit Paper.
•