REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

OF QUEBEC,

FOR THE

YEAR ENDING 14TH JANUARY, 1852.

 

QUEBEC:

PRINTED AT THE MORNING CHRONICLE OFFICE, No. 25, Mountain Street, Lower Town.

1852.

 

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

LITERARY & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OF QUEBEC,

FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 14TH JANUARY

1852.

 

The time having now arrived for the members of Your Council to resign into the hands of the Society, the charge entrusted to its care, it becomes their duty to submit for your consideration the account of their proceedings in the execution of the trust rep— in them. Though they regret that it is not in their power to present you with a flattering statement of the present condition of the Society, they have at least the satisfaction of announcing the condition of the Society has on the whole improved since the last Annual Meeting, by the increase that has taken place in the number of new members who have joined us, and also, by the return of some of the old members, who, in consequence of the removal of the Seat of Government from Quebec, had come to be contributors to our funds, and who have again joined the Society. Your Council trust that the Society may look for to fresh accessions of members now that Quebec has once again resumed her ancient metropolitan honors.

 

The Council will now proceed to lay before you an outline of the proceedings of the Society since the date of the last report. In consequence of the reduction of the Quorum required by the Charter for the General Meetings of the Society, we have not to deplore the frequent failure of our meetings as formerly from the want of a quorum, still the Council regret to state that, the measure has not been followed by the good effects which were anticipated in the increased number of papers read before the Society—they have but to note two papers as having been read at the meetings, both of them by gentlemen who have recently joined the Society. One of them "on Steam Navigation between Quebec and Galway," by Captain McDougall—this is a subject of great local interest, and which the nautical experience of Captain McDougall has enabled him to discuss in an elaborate and scientific manner. The other paper is " On Naval Architecture" by Mr. E.W. Sewell, the subject is one of paramount importance to a country situated like Canada, and it is with great satisfaction that the council witness the younger members of the Society turning their attention to subjects of practical importance to the well being of the country, and at the same time willing to lay the results of their studies before the society, they trust that the author of the paper in question may be induced to continue his labor in so important a field.

 

In 1846 the hour of meeting was changed from 7 o'clock P.M., to half-past 3 o'clock P.M., but this alteration does not appear to have been productive of any good effect, and the council throw out the suggestion, whether it would not be advisable to return to the former hour of meeting. A motion to that effect is now before the Society. At the same time it must be borne in mind that the alteration will entail some additional expense in the lighting and warming of the apartment in which the meetings are held.

 

No further steps have been taken during the past year to complete the last part of the 4th volume of the Society's transactions. The unfortunate death of the lamented author of two of the papers intended for that part has caused the printing of it to be stopt, and from the nature of the manuscripts left by that gentleman as well as the want of the notes with which it was intended to elucidate these papers previous to their being got ready for the press renders it doubtful if either of them can be put in a fit state for insertion in the transactions of the Society. The Council deeply regret this from the importance they attach to the publication of papers by the Society, they, however recommend this matter to their successors in office.

 

The Council have again the pleasure to record their sense of the liberality of the Legislature of the Province in the continuance of the annual grant of £50 to the Society, without this seasonable aid it would be almost impossible to carry out the purposes for Society was instituted. The means, afforded to the Society by this Annual Grant bas enabled us to make our Museum a public one, and thereby return in some degree to the public the benefit conferred on us by their representatives.

 

It must be evident to every one acquainted with Colonial Society that it does not afford a class by whom such societies as ours can exist for any length of time from funds contributed exclusively by its members, consequently we have in almost every instance, seen that Societies of purely a Literary or Scientific nature have after a short and fitful existence disappeared altogether when left to their own unaided resources. While the establishment and continuance of such societies confer an honor upon the communities among whom they emanate, they are of themselves calculated to do a large amount of good by the inducements they hold out to the cultivation of those branches of knowledge, which the stern realities of ordinary life are but top apt to indispose the mind to.

 

Your Council conceive that these are conclusive arguments against those who maintain that the Legislature of a state should not interfere by grants to any Literary Societies, which according to these persons, being private undertakings, have no claim on public assistance.

 

During the past year the Society has been augmented by 22 associate members and 6 corresponding members. Though the Council view with pleasure this accession to the number of our associates, they earnestly call upon the members of the Society in general, to use their best endeavours to augment our numbers, upon which the pecuniary resources of the Society, and consequently its usefulness so much depend, the possession of a large and influential body of members would enable the Society to extend its Museum and Library and enable them to make the former what it ought to be, and what it should be the pride of its members to make it, the first Museum of British North America. The Council cannot but feel persuaded that now Quebec has become once more the Seat of the Provincial Government, among the officers of which many gentlemen of Literary and Scientific acquirements are to be found, the claims of the Society to their support have but to be laid before them to induce them to enrol themselves among our members. Since the Annual Meeting the Council has to deplore the loss of one of our members. Mr. Robert Cairns, an old and valued citizen of Quebec.

 

In the early part of the past year, Mr. A. T. Thielcke having resigned the appointment of assistant secretary of your Society, the Council succeeded in securing the services of Mr. H. D. Thielcke for that post, and they congratulate the Society on the acquisition of a gentleman of Mr. Thielcke's attainments to fill the duties of that office, and they lament that the finances of the Society will not allow them to remunerate him as adequately as his talents demand.

 

During the last Session of the Legislature; our President, Mr. Faribault, having been appointed to visit Europe for the purpose of increasing the Library of the Legislature, your Council embraced that opportunity to request that gentleman to bring under the notice of the several learned societies and scientific institutions in England and other parts, the continuous efforts made by this Society in the cause of science in general, and more particularly in the prosecution of its researches respecting the history of the early discovery and settlement of Canada, and to solicit from them such aid as they may be enabled to afford by donations or otherwise. From the zeal and interest which Mr. Faribault has always exhibited in the cause of the Society, your council feel assured that no pains will be spared by that gentleman to lay the claims of the Society Before the kindred institutions in the mother country.

 

On the arrival of His Excellency the Governor General, the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, to reside in "Quebec, the Society waited on His Lordship with an address of welcome and a request that His Lordship would honor the Society by his acceptance of the office of Patron. His Lordship received the Society in the most cordial manner, expressing the interest he took in their pursuit and with much condecension was pleased to accept the offer tendered to him by the Society.

 

Experience having shewn that some of our bye-laws were fitted to answer the purposes for which they were intended, and they have become out of print, it was considered an opportune occasion to make some changes in the laws by which the Society governed, accordingly during the past year a committee appointed to revise them—at the meeting, however, at which the committee reported the alterations they had made, the number present was considered too small to pass such an important measure and it was accordingly deferred and has not since been taken up. Your Council recommend the carrying out of this measure to their successors.

 

The additions to the Library consist of two hundred and books and pamphlets, and two hundred and sixteen charts of which 200 books and pamphlets, are donations, and of the latter number no less than 187 books and pamphlets, and the whole of the charts are from our fellow member Capt. John McDougall. The donation of Capt. McDougall, consisting principally of works on Arts connected with Navigation, is extremely valuable, as filling an hiatus which had previously existed in that department of science in the Society's Library ; it consists of some works extremely valuable from their rarity and cost, among these may be noted a complete series of the Nautical Almanac from its first establishment in 1767 to 1849. The value of this work to those engaged in astronomical observations, or having occasion to make the calculations connected with former observations, the council need to dilate on, this is probably the only complete set existing on continent ; this donation also contains an almost complete series of treaties on Navigation from a very early period, extremely interesting as shewing the improvements which have gradually taken place in that science ; and also comprises a copy of the large tables clearing the apparent distances of the moon and stars from the effect of refraction and parallax, compiled by order of the Commissioners of Longitude, a work of immense labor and becoming scarce. The series of charts presented by the same zealous member, comprise a set of Tofano's Spanish Charts, a superb work, as well as a very large number of the beautiful Charts, prepared by order of our own Admiralty.

 

The Council trust that the example thus munificently set by Capt. McDougall will be followed by other members and that the valuable Library possessed by the society will be enriched by donations from our members. Among the works presented to the Library during the past year is a continuation of the valuable Memoirs on the ancient history of Northern Europe, published by the society of Northern Antiquaries at Copenhagen, sent us by that society through the Colonial Office. These Memoirs have a double value to us, as they tend to throw much light on the pre-Columbite occupation of this continent by Europeans. From Capt. Lefroy, R. A., the officer in charge of the Magnetical Observatory, at Toronto, we have received a continuation of the work published by the British Government, in connection with the observatories established government in the different colonies of the Empire, being a compilation of the observations made at these observatories. In this department the Council recommend to their successors in office, that they should endeavour to procure the continuation of the valuable series of scientific Journals of which the Society already possesses the earlier numbers ; limited, as the funds of the society necessarily are, it is only by receiving regularly the series of the best scientific journals published in Europe that we can keep ourselves up with the rapidly advancing progress of scientific knowledge at a moderate annual outlay. The council have commenced this design by renewing the Society's subscription to Silliman's journal, the best American publication of the sort. In the department of the Museum the Society has become possessed, by purchase, of a valuable case of birds belonging to our Treasurer, which he had placed in the museum a few years ago for safe keeping, the terms on which the society has acquired this addition to its museum, are extremely advantageous, and far below the intrinsic value of the specimens. In numismatics the museum has been enriched by donations of one gold, 15 silver and 44 copper coins, the Society has also become purchasers of three medals granted to Indian Chiefs and others in commemoration of certain events in the history of Canada—in this view the Council deem it compatible with the designs of the Society that it should become the possessor of these medals rather than they should fall into melting pot of the silversmith : the Council considers them valuable records.

 

In the Geological and Mineralogical branch of the museum, the Council regret that with the exception of a few specimens and pyrites from different localities in this neighbourhood, no addition has been made during the last year. In connection with this subject, the Council would strongly urge upon their successors the expediency of their representing to the Executive Government the value of the collections possessed by the Society in this department of science, as a reason for requesting that the superintendent of the Geological survey of this province should be instructed to deposit in the museum of this Society a series of the specimens collected by him during the survey. The Council conceive that in every point of view, this Society, the oldest now existing in British North America and one which has always endeavoured to advance the cause of science in this country, particularly those branches which are the principal object of this survey, to elucidate, and whose museum is always open to the student of Natural History, as well as to the casual visitor, should possess a series of these specimens. To say nothing of the fact that in Quebec should be deposited a duplicate collection of the rocks, minerals, and organic remains collected at the expense of the province, the consideration of the dangers arising from fire to a solitary collection of these specimens, so valuable to the illustration of the Natural History of Canada, should induce the Government to agree to so reasonable a request, and from the well known liberality of the Executive so constantly shewn to us, Your Council feel assured that if the subject were brought under their notice they would without hesitation agree to it.

 

No addition has been made to the Society's apparatus during the past year, our present zealous Curator has taken great trouble in endeavouring to restore the instruments to something like a state of efficiency. In his report, which is now laid on the table, the Curator recommends that a small sum be placed at the disposal of his successor in office for the purpose of completing the repairs absolutely required. He also recommends that as soon as the funds of the Society will admit of it, that a transit clock should be purchased. This instrument, with the transit instrument and the telescope already in the possession of the Society, would form the nucleus of a small observatory, by means of which many observations of the heavenly bodies might be taken, that would be a source of real gratification and profit to not few of the members ; the Council would recommend this important suggestion to their successors.

 

The accounts of the Treasurer, which are laid upon the table for the inspection of the members, shew that a balance remains in that officer's hands of £64 1s 8d, from which, however, must be deducted the sum of £25, being the instalment due during the coming year, on the purchase of the case of specimens already alluded to, leaving the sum of £39 1s 8d available for the purposes of the Society, there is also a considerable amount due from the members for arrears of subscriptions ; the Council would urge upon the members the paramount necessity of punctually paying their annual subscriptions within the year for which they are due—the usefulness of the Society depending so much in the amount of funds available for the increase of the Library and Museum—apart from the sum mentioned above, there remains in the Treasurer's bands a balance of £115 4s 1d, unexpended of the Legislative Grant for the purchase of documents connected with the ancient history of the province, no addition to our collection of documents having been made during the past year—the Council, however, hope that the visit of the President to Europe will enable the society to increase the number already in its possession.

 

The return of the seat of Government to this city will in all probability cause some alteration in our position as respects the Rooms, which by the permission of the Government we have been allowed to occupy in this building since 1841. The Council have as yet received no official intimation on the subject, though the individual members of it have been warned that the exigencies of the public may require the apartments unoccupied by the Society, or at any rate the great part of them. Looking at the disastrous consequences which a removal of the valuable museum possessed by us, without having a proper place to deposit it in, would entail in the well being of the Society, and the utter impossibility that the funds of the Society would allow for our paying rent for the large apartments which we require ; the Council recommend to their successors that immediate steps be taken to bring the matter in the most urgent manner under the notice of the Executive Council, so that if possible the Society may be allowed to retain possession of one, if not two of the rooms at present occupied by us. The Council can hardly allow themselves to doubt that the same liberality which has under every successive Government, been extended to this Institution since its foundation in 1824, in furnishing them with apartments for their museum and library, will not be continued under the present administration.

 

Having thus passed in brief review the events connected with the Society during the passed year, the Council in resigning their offices into the hands of the Society, see no reason to despond for the future, they feel persuaded that the course of the Society, if the Members are but true to its cause, must be onward, it must partake of the progress which now marks the course of this noble Colony, which we are proud to own as our home, and though clouds have at times obscured its path, it is only what had occurred in the case of almost every similar institution, seasons of inactivity and languor have been followed by a revival of energy and exertion, the Council feel assured it will be so with this Society.

 

In conclusion, the Council would recommend to the m the Society, to keep two points of paramount importance to the interest of the Society, constantly in view, viz. to confine the offices of the Society to those only among the members who will undertake to fulfil the duties of them with zeal and attention, and to endeavour by every means to increase the visible property of the institution, even should it be only in a small degree, so that the close of every passing year shall witness the increasing value of the Society's collections.

 

ARCH. CAMPBELL.

Vice-President,

 

Quebec, 11th Jany., 1852.

 

THE CURATOR OF APPARATUS HAS THE HONOR TO REPORT:

 

That there has been no addition to his department, the Oxy-hydrogen Blowpipe, and the case of Magnets have been lent to two different members of the Society for scientific purposes—the case of Magnets has been returned—the Orrery has also been returned in good condition. The instruments which were ordered to be repaired are not fully done, but are expected to be finished in the course of the present month, with the exception of the Transit and Air Pump, the large receiver for the Air Pump having been broken in grinding, and the Spirit Level for the Transit, through some cause, was omitted to be sent to the Optician's order.

 

The Curator would recommend that his successor in. office should have the sum of £4 10s. placed at his disposal, to get the remainder of the Instruments put in order, and immediately after to submit a list of all the Apparatus now in the rooms belonging to the Society, with the view of filling up, so far as the funds of the Society will afford, whatever may be deficient.

 

The Curator would also state, that, along with one or two members, he took a number of observations of the Satellites of Jupiter, for the purpose of testing the correctness of the received longitude of Quebec, but found that from the instability of the building, and having no clock, that there could be no dependence placed on the observations taken, he would therefore strongly recommend, that, as soon as the funds of the Society will admit of the necessary expenditure—that a good Transit Clock be imported—the Clock, together with the Transit and Telescope now in possession of the Society, and a proper place and situation for them, he believes would be a source of real gratification and profit to not a few of the members.

 

The whole humbly submitted.

 

ROBERT NEILL,

Curator of Apparatus

Quebec, January, 1852.

 

THE LIST OF OFFICERS

OF THE

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 1851.

 

PRESIDENT :

G. B. FARIBAULT, Esquire.

 

Vice-Presidents.

THE HONBLE. R. E. CARON,

ARCHD. CAMPBELL, Esq.,

REV. A. W. MOUNTAIN, B.A.

EDWD. BURROUGHS, Esq.

 

Recording Secretary.

C. W. JONES, Esq.

 

Corresponding Secy.

W. H. A. DAVIES, Esq.

 

Treasurer.

ROBERT SYMES, Esq.

 

Librarian.

D. Wilkie, Esq.

 

Curator of Museum. .

W. D. CAMPBELL, Esq.

 

Curator, of Apparatus.

ROBERT NEILL, Esq.

 

Committee on Historical Documents.

THE PRESIDENT

THE CORRES. SECY.

(Ex. officio.)

THE REV. M. CAZEAU,

THE HONBLE. R. E. CARON.

DANIEL WILKIE, Esq.

C W. JONES. Esq.

 

A LIST OF THE DONATIONS

TO THE

LITERARY & HISTORICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY

DURING THE PAST YEAR.

PRESENTED BY JOHN MACDOUGALL, ESQUIRE.

The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory, for the year 1833.

Statutes of the Reign of George the II, of the General Assembly of New York, begun 24^th October, 1752 and continued to 11^th November following.

Laws of New York…1762, Volume II.

Tables for correcting the apparent distances of the Moon and Stars from the effects of refraction and parallax, published by order of the Commissioners of Longitude.

Results of Astronomical Observations, made by Thomas Clanville Taylor, Esq., Astronomer to "The Honorable East India Company," for the years 1831, 1832 and 1833, in 2 vols.

Astronomical Observations, made by John Pond, Astronomer Royal and Fellow of the Royal Society, for the years 1829, 1830, 1831 and 1833.

Sherwin's Mathematical Tables, the fifth edition, and edited Samuel Clark.

A new Epitome of Practical Navigation, or Guide to the Indian Seas, by Samuel Dunn.

The Elements of Navigation and Tables for finding the Latitude and Longitude at Sea, and also a Treatise of Marine Fortification, by J. Robertson.

Wilson's Epitome of Navigation, the tenth edition, by John Adams.

Mathematical Tables of Logarithms, by Charles Hutton, L.L.D. F.R.S.

The New American Practical Navigator, the third edition, New York, by Nathaniel Bowditch, A.M.

A Dictionary in the French language, by P. Leroux, in 2 vols.

Journal of the British Legion in Spain,. by an officer.

Mathematical Tables, by Andrew Mackay, L.L.D. F.R.S.

Treatise on Fluxions, fifth edition, by the Revd. S. Vince, A.M. F.R.S.

Nautical Tables, by J. W. Norie.

Nautical Tables for finding the Latitude and Longitude at Sea, by

the Commissioners of Longitude.

An Essay on Magnetic Attraction and on the Laws of Terrestrial and Electro Magnetism, by Peter Barlow, F.R.S.

Manuel de Matelotage et de Manœuvre, par M. P. J. Dutreuil.

Organisation du personnel d'un vaisseau, par le Contre-Amiral Casy.

Mode de Commandement ou Essaie sur la Théorie générale de la manœuvre des vaisseaux, et autres bâtiments de guerre, par Thomas Marie Letourneur.

Histoire des combats d'Aboukir, de Trafalgar, de Lissa, du Cap Finesterre, et de plusieurs autres batailles navale, depuis 1798 jusqu'à 1813, par un Capitaine de Vaisseau.

Manœuvres et force, et amarrages en usage dans l'artillerie de mer. par M. Malaire

Manuel du Caboteur ou Leçons d'Arithmétique, Pratique de Géométrie, de Trigonométrie, et de Navigation, suivies des Tables de Logarithmes, etc., par C. F. Fournier.

The complete Navigator, or an easy and familiar guide to the theory and practice of navigation, with all the requisite tables &c., &c., by Andrew Mackay, L.L.D. F.R.S.

The American Practical Lunarian and Seaman's Guide, illustrated with plates, by Thomas Arnold.

Traverse Tables, by Garrard.

Epitome of the art of navigation, or a short and easy methodical way to become a complete navigator, by J. Atkinson, senr.

A set of Linear Tables for correcting the apparent distance of the Moon from the Sun, or a fixed Star, by J. W. Norie.

Naval Almanac for the year 1847, by Dietrichsen &. Hannay.

The Nautical Almanac for the year 1767, '68, '69, ‘70, '71, ’74, ‘76, ‘78, '80, '81, '86, '87, '88, '89, ‘90, '91, ‘92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, 1800, 1801, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15, '16, '17, '18, '19, ‘20, '21, '22, '23, '24, ‘25, ‘26, ‘27, '28, ‘29, '39, '40, '41, '42, '43,.'44, '45, '47, '48, '49.

The improved Coasters' Guide and Marine Board Examination, for the East Coast of England, Scotland, and the English Channel ; by Alexr. Baharie.

A Treatise on Practical Navigation and Seamanship, with directions for the management of a Ship in all situations, by Wm. Nichelson, Esq.

A Practical Treatise on finding the Latitude and Longitude at sea, with Tables translated from the French of M. DeRossel, by Thomas Meyers, A. M.

A Catechism of Navigation and Nautical Astronomy, containing a series of comprehensive questions and answers, by Jas Griffin.

The Law relating to Merchant Seamen, arranged chiefly for the use of Masters and Officers in the merchant service, by Ed.Wm. Symons.

The Shipmasters' Guide, containing ample directions for making the returns and otherwise complying with the Provisions of the Merchant Seamen's Act, by the Register of Seamen.

The Freighters' Guide, and Corn Merchants' Assistant, by Geo. Harrison.
Description Sommaire des Phares et Fanneaux allumées sur les Côtes de France le 1er Juillet, 1840.

Practical Rules for determining the course to be steered to escape from a hurricane, deduced from the Rotary Theory, established by Colonel Reid and Commander A. P. Ryder, R.A.

Tables to facilitate the practice of great circle sailing, by J. Ths. Powson.

The Independent Navigator, or Mariners' best companion, by Mulligner.

A brief account of the Chronometers, with remarks on those furnished by Parkinson and Frodsham, to the Arctic expedition.

Practical remarks and Observations on building, rigging, arming and equipping His Majesty's Ships of War, by Alex. Wilmer Schomberg, Rear Admiral.

The Spanish Coasting Pilot, containing directions for navigating the Coasts and Harbours of Spain, on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, by Don Vincenti Tofino, translated by Jno. McDougall.   

A Treatise on the construction of Maps, by Alexr. Jamieson.

The Columbian Navigator, by Jno. Purdy.

A Treatise on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, by Revd. S. Vince, A.M., F.R.S.

A Treatise on Naval Architecture, by Wm. Hutchinson.

A Treatise on the Science of Shipbuilding, by Isaac Blackurn.

A Treatise on Maritime Surveying, by Murdock Mackenzie senior.

A Treatise on Maritime Surveying, by Thomas Charles Robson.

Steam Navigation, by Dionysius Lardner, D.C.L. F.R.S.

The Report and Minutes of evidence on Lighthouses, by order of the House of Commons, 8th August, 1834.

Report on the Port of London, 1836.

Practical Rules on the deviations of the Compass, by the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty.

The Report of a Committee for improving Naval Architecture.

A system of Shipping and Navigation Laws of Great Britain, by Frans. Ludlow Holt, Barrister at Law.

A History of life Steam Engine, by Robt. Stuart, Civil Engineer.

Emigration and Colonization, during the year 1839, 1840, '41 and ‘42, by Thos. Rolph.

Narrative of the Voyages of the Nemesis, from 1840 to 1843, by W. H. Hall, R. N., with personal observations, by W. D. Bernard, A. M.

A Code of Signals for the use of the Mercantile Navy, by B. S. Walker, Lieut. R.N. A Code of Signals for the use of the Merchant Service, by Capt. Marryat, R.N.

Denotero de Las Islas Antillas.

Meteorological and Miscellaneous Tracts, with Calendar of Flora for Greece, France, England and Sweden, by Colonel James Cupper.

The Elements and Practice of Rigging, Seamanship and Naval Tactics, in 4 vols. Regulations for the Royal Mail Steam-packet Company's Service, by the Court of Directors.

Great Circle Sailing, by W. L. Alexander.

A Treatise on Collisions at Sea and the Trinity Rules, by W. J. Lamport.

The French Light-house, corrected to 1843.

The charges on British and Foreign Vessels, by Jas. Daniel.

Navigation improved, by Benj. Workman, A. M.

A Treaty between His Britannic Majesty and the United States, June 24, 1795.

The Army List for the year, 1834.

A Trial between Campbell Craig, Lessee of Jas. Annesley, Esq., plaintiff, and the Right Honble. Richard Earl of Anglesey, defendant.

Character and Anecdotes of the Court of Sweden.

Annuaire de L'Ile Bourbon, for the year 1839, by Théodore Alizart.

On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures, by Chas. Babbage, A. M.

The Van Dieman's Land Annual, for the year 1836.

Steam Communication with India by the Red Sea, by Dionysius Lardner, L.L.D., F.R.S.

An Act to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the Merchant Seamen, and for keeping a Register of Seamen, (5^th Sept., 1844.)

Practical observations on the West India Navigation, by a Commander of one of the Royal Mail Steam Packets.

The Rates of Chronometers on trial for purchase, by the Board of Admiralty, at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1845.

Revival of the British settlement on the Bluefield'» River, is Central America.

West India Mail Contract ; returned to an order of the Honble. the House of Commons, 22nd May, 1840.

Articles of agreement between the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and Peninsular Steam Navigation Company, 22 Aug., 1837.

On the Tides and Currents at the Bermudas.

The Loss of the Great Liverpool, commanded by Capt. McLeod.

Piloting directions for the Windward Islands, by Capt. Andrews.

Tarif pour le tonage et pour le prix à bord des bâtiments au Commerce dans le Port de Bordeaux.

Remarks upon navigating the Gulf of Mexico, by Capt. Allan, of the Teviot.

Report upon the Royal Mail Steamer Isis, by Capt. Liot.

Examen Historico de la Reforma Constitucional que hicieron las Cortes Generales y Extraordinarias desde que se Instalaron en la Isle de Leon, el dia Cel proprio mes de 1813, por Don Don Augustin de Arquelles, in 2 volumes.

Voyage de Guillaume Dampier aux terres Australes, à la Nouvelle Hollande, &c, the 5th vol. only.

The Australian Directory, vol. 1st, containing directions for the southern shores of Australia, from Cape Leenwin to Port Stephen's, including Bass's Strait and Van Dieman's Land, compiled from documents in the Hydrographical Office.

Frederic Le Grand.

Voyage de Paris à Neufchatel, Suisse, fait dans L'Automne de 1812, par G. B. Depping, membre de la Société Philotechnique de Paris, et correspondant de L'Académie Royale de Munich.

L'Histoire de L'Empire de la Russie, sous Pierre-le-Grand, par Voltaire, 2-vols.

Discurs Preliminar Leido en la Cortes al presentar la comision Constitucion el proyecto de Ella.

Prospectus of the Gulf of Darien and Pacific Ocean, Ship, Canal, and Steam Navigation Company, with the purpose of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, through the formation of a Steam Navigation Company, Sept. 1845.

The London Post Office Directory, comprising Commercial, Court, Post Office, Conveyance and Banking Directory, &c., &c. for the year 1841.

The following Nautical Almanacs, for the years 1772,1775, 1777, 1779,1782,1783, 1784, 1785,1830,1831, 1832, 1833 and 1836.

Traité de la construction des Vaisseaux par Frederic Henri de Chapman.

 

PRESENTED BY G. B. FARIBAULT, ESQ., PRESIDENT.

 

The Remembrancer, in four volumes.

 

PRESENTED BY HENRY LELIEVRE, ESQ.

 

The Tables of Logarithmes, by M. Callet.

Un Essai sur Part de la Guerre, par De Crispé.

 

FROM THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ANTIQUARIES, COPENHAGEN.

 

The Guide to Northern Archaeology, by the Earl of Ellesmere.

Mémoires de Société Royale des Antiquaires du Nord, de 1840 jusqu'à 1844. Antiquarisk Tidsskrift Udgivet af det Kongelige Nordiske Oldskrift, Selskab from 1846 to 1848.

 

FROM CAPTAIN J. H. LEFROY,R. A.

 

Three Volumes of Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, published by H. M.'s Government, since 1847.

 

MAPS AND CHARTS.

 

FROM CAPT. M'DOUGALL.

 

The Australian and New Zealand Pilot, containing 50 charts.

The Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, Gulf of Persia, and Red Sea Pilot, containing 63 charts.

Atlas Maratimo de Espana, containing 47 charts and plans.

Chart of the Caribbee or West India Islands from Porto Rico to Trinidad, with the coasts of the Spanish Main.

The River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, by Capt. Bayfield, 4 sheets.

Charts of the Atlantic Ocean, by A. Arrowsmith, 11 sheets.

A Chart of the River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, with the sea adjacent.

Chart shewing the position of all the Lighthouses, &c, in the British Islands.

A Chart of the Magnetic Curves of equal variation on the Northern Regions, collected by Peter Barlow, F.R.S.

The Track of the steamship "Liverpool," from Liverpeol to New York,, by Lieut. Fayrer, R. E

Chart of the dangers in tie Channel between Sardinia, Sicily and Africa, by W. Durban, R. N.

Plan of the Island of Tobago, by John Byrne.

Plan shewing the situation of the leading lights for navigating the Needles Channel. Carte Réduite de la Mer Noire, par M. Gaultier, 1820.

Carte Réduite de la Partie Septentrionale de l'Archipel, par M. Gaultier.

Carte Réduite de la Partie Méridionale de l'Archipel, par M. Gaultier.

Carte Réduite de la Mer Méditerranée et de la Mer Noire, par M. Gaultier.

Carta Esferica de una Parte de la Costa Setentrionel y Meridional de la Isla de Cuba. Carta Esferica de las Costas del Seno Mexicano.

Carta Esferica que comprehende una parte de las Islas Antillas.

Carte du Détroit de Gibraltar, par D. Vincent Tofeno.

Plan du Canal des Dardanelles, par M. le Comte Truquet.

Plan of Gibraltar, by Captain W. H. Smith, R. N.

Chart of Ascension Island, by Ljeut. Robert Cambell, R.N.

Chart of North West side of St. Helena, by Capt. F. W. Austen, R.N.

Chart of Ichaboe, by Capt. M. B. Wade.

Plan of the entrance to the River Tagus and Harbor of Lisbon, by Wm. Chapman, R. N.

Plan of Funchal Bay, Madeira, by Capt. Vidal, R. N.

Plan of Porto Grande, St. Vincent, by Lieuts. Vidal &. Madge.

Plan of Porto Praya, St. Iago, by Lieut. Dickenson, R. E.

Survey of Maya, Cape de Verd Island, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of Fogo and Braon, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of St. Nicholas, by Mr. E.P. Durnford.

Survey of St. Antonio, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of Isle de Sal, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of St. Vincent, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of Bona Vista, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of St. Lucia and Puza, by Lieut. Vidal.

Survey of Tarrafal Bay, by Lieut. Vidal.

Plan of Madeira Bay, Isle de Sal, by Lieut. Vidal.

Plan of English Road, Isle de Bona Vista, by Lieut Vidal.

Plans du Goulet de Brest—Des Roches de Penmarcb,

Plans de l'Entrée de l'Odet—Du Port de Conquet,

Plans du Tevennec—De Laberndut—Des Environs d'Argenton.

Plans du Port de Loctudy —Du Port de Camaret,

Plans du Port de l'Ile de Sein—Des Environs du Cap de la Cherre.

Plans des passages du Joulinguet,

Plans of La Guayra—Mochima-—Cumana—Esmeralda—Barcelona—Puerto Santo—Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes—Rockly  Bay, Tobago—Man of War Bay, Tobago—Port Castries, St. Lucia—Bight of Carupano—Harbors of Porto Rico—Road Harbor, Tortola—Harbors of the Virgin Islands—St. John’s Antiqua—St. Eustatius—The Saintes—Falmouth Antiqua —English Harbour, Antiqua—Bay of Port Royal, Martinique—St. George's, Grenada.

 

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

 

FROM THE REV. A. MOUNTAIN, B.A.

 

1 Thaler, 1 Gulden, Bavarian, 1 Sardinian coin, 2 French Silver coins, 1 quarter-Rupee, 1 French West Indian Silver coin, 1 Italian Silver coin, 1 sixpence, Charles 2nd, 7 copper coin.

 

FROM PETER SINCLAIR, ESQ.

 

1 Gold Seven-shilling piece. 5 Silver Coins.

 

FROM DR. JAMES DOUGLAS.

 

1 Specimen of Copper Ore, from Inverness.

 

FROM MR. GEGGIE.

 

3 Specimens of Iron Pyrites, from Montmorenci.