Another triumph of the young inventor, another wave to the tide now at flood, at last, was his success in draining a swamp belonging to Earl Talbot by several ingenious contrivances, described (not very clearly) in the following article, also from an English paper:

THE DRAINAGE OF TIXALL MEADOWS.-Many of our readers are aware that amongst the great improvements which have been effected by Lord Hatherton on his estate at Teddesley, in this county, not the least is in the important branch of draining, which has been so admirably managed that the water drawn from the higher portions of the estate is used to irrigate the lower lands, and is also made doubly serviceable by being employed to turn a water-wheel, the power thus gained being employed in grinding, threshing, &c. The enemy is by these means converted into a friend. A somewhat similar, though perhaps a more singular and ingenious experiment has just been tried on the meadows at Tixall, near this town, on the estate of Earl Talbot. These meadows are about 70 acres in extent, and are in the occupation of Mr. Warner and Mr. Scott. They lie so low, and are so level, that their surface has been covered with water of late years for almost nine months out of the twelve. The evil has lately been increasing to such a degree that this great extent of land was rapidly becoming little better than a gigantic bed of rushes and a useless swamp. Engineers of celebrity had been consulted on the subject, but the plans they proposed for draining these meadows were so expensive and so doubtful as to their probable issue, that all idea of adopting them had been abandoned.

Some months ago, Mr. Remington, of whose clever inventions we have had occasion repeatedly to speak, inspected the locus in quo, as the lawyers call it, and said he would undertake to drain it. The work was commenced about five months since; and a shallow ditch on the north side of the meadows has been converted, by means of an embankment, into a small canal, about a mile in length, and a vast quantity of surface-water, is by its means diverted from the meadows, and being carried to a point where the principal drain running down the centre of the land terminates, it is used for the purpose of working a most ingenious engine of Mr. Remington's invention, for pumping the water out of the drain. The engine consists of a circular pan, constructed of sheet iron, four feet four inches in diameter, and ten inches deep. At the bottom of the pan is a throttle-valve, so formed as to close when the water rushes into it; but when the weight of water lowers the pan to a certain point, the valve opens to allow the water to escape. A rod from the centre of the pan is connected by means of pullies, and a chain, with a pump working in the adjoining drain; and the chain beam is so regulated as to form a balance between the pan and the pump. A small bolt at the end of the canal, which we have described, is raised by means of an iron arm attached to the rod of the pan, every time the pan ascends, and the bolt is further gradually elevated by means of two weights attached to a lever, by which simple contrivance, when the bolt is lifted to a short distance, the weight carries it to the full height, and ensures a discharge of water sufficient to lower the pan. There are several minute contrivances connected with this simple, but effective machinery, which must be seen to be properly understood and appre

ciated; such, for instance, as the one which opens the valve of the pan on its descent. In order to meet the variable height of the water below, that instrument is made to float. Indeed, one of the great objects accomplished by this method of applying water power is, that no ordinary amount of back water can interrupt the working of the engine. The pump is also of as simple and ingenious construction as the other part of the apparatus. The main cylinder is thirty-two inches in diameter, and the plunger twenty-seven; and, notwithstanding the fact that the plunger does not come in contact, by packing or otherwise, with the sides of the cylinder, the effect of the customary piston of a pump is produced without loss of water. According to Mr. Remington's calculation, twenty-six gallons are raised and discharged by the pump at every stroke. Every one who inspects this beautiful contrivance, must be struck with its admirable adaption to the purpose intended. It has been at work three days. One of its strongest recommendations is, that it is self-acting, and requires no attention. By means of what we have called the canal, a large quantity of water has been removed from the meadows, which are firm and dry compared with their state ten days ago; and the utmost confidence is expressed by both Mr. Warner and Mr. Scott that, by this clever and comparatively inexpensive contrivance, a complete drainage will be effected."

THE PAWNBROKER'S WINDOW.-There is more philosophy of life to be learned at a pawnbroker's window than in all the libraries in the world. The maxims and dogmas which wise men have chronicled disturb the mind for a moment, as the breeze ruffles the surface of the deep, still stream, and passes away; but there is something in the melancholy grouping of a pawnbroker's window which, like a record of ruin, sinks into the heart. The household goods, the cherished relics, the sacred possessions affection bestowed, or eyes now closed in death had once looked upon as their own, are here as it were profaned: the associations of dear old times are here violated; the family hearth is here outraged; the ties of love, kindred, rank, all that the heart clings to, are broken here. It is a sad picture; for, in spite of all the glittering show, its associations are sombre. There hangs the watch, the old chased repeater, that hung above the head of a dying parent when bestowing his trembling blessing on the poor outcast who parted with it for bread; the widow's wedding-ring is there, the last and dearest of all her possessions; the trinket, the pledge of love of one now dead, the only relic of the heart's fondest memories; silver that graced the holiday feast; the gilt-framed miniature that used to hang over the quiet mantel-shelf; the flute, the favorite of a dead son, surrendered by a starving mother to procure food for her remaining offspring; the locket that held a father's hair; or, gloomier still, the dress, the very covering of the poor is there, waving like the flag of wretchedness and misery. It is a strange, sad sight to those who feel aright. There are more touching memorials to be seen at a pawnbroker's window than in all the monuments in Westminster Abbey.-Newspaper paragraph.

FOREIGN PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

From Chambers' Edinburgh Journal, 1848.

In all ages and countries, a public library is an institution most valuable; but it was particularly so before the introduction of printing, when the price of books rendered it impossible for any but the wealthy to possess them. In early times, such collections shared in the casualties that befell all kinds of property. The fate of the early libraries of Egypt is well known; and also that Rome was enriched with the literary spoils of Greece. But to come down to existing stores, we find that in the middle ages every large church had its library. That of the Vatican, founded by Pope Nicholas in 1450, was destroyed by the Constable Bourbon in the sacking of Rome, but was restored by Pope Sixtus V. in 1588, and has been considerably enriched with the spoils of that of Heidelberg, plundered by Count Tilly in 1622. It now comprises 100,000 printed volumes, and 40,000 manuscripts. The Pope has recently issued an order for the public to have access to one department of it, consisting of 35,000 printed volumes, among which are many rare and some unique works, a great number containing marginal notes by celebrated men. The hall of the Great Council at Venice contains the library of St. Mark, comprising 65,000 volumes, and about 5000 manuscripts. Petrarch laid its first foundations,' as he expresses himself in a letter respecting the donation of manuscripts that he sent to Venice, as an acknowledgment for the hospitality he found there during the plague. Only a very small number of his manuscripts are now there; but the learned librarian, Morelli, has shown that the Venitians do not deserve the reproach of having allowed Petrarch's library to remain forgotten in small room where it perished, for he had only given some few books. Twelve years after this donation, Petrarch left at his death a very precious library; but it was dispersed, as is evident from the manuscripts preserved in the Vatican, the Laurentian, the Ambrosian, and the Bibliothèque du Roi; and not one ever reached Venice. About 80,000 volumes and 900 manuscripts are contained in the beautiful library of Ferrara-one of the most illustrious towns that cherished printing in its infancy. Among the manuscripts are fragments of some cantos of the 'Orlando Furioso,' covered with corrections, showing how Ariosto revised and polished his poem. The manuscript of the 'Scholastica,' one of his comedies, is very little corrected; but this piece was incomplete when he died, and his brother Gabriele finished it. The manuscript of his satires is in good preservation, and curious for the different corrections in the poet's own hand. Another valuable manuscript is the 'Gerusalemme,' corrected by Tasso's own hand during his captivity. The words Laus Deo are written by the unfortunate poet at the end of this almost sacred manuscript. There are a great many suppressed passages in it, and several successive pages are sometimes crossed out. The other manuscripts of Tasso include nine letters, dated from the hospital of St. Anne; and

some verses expressive of sorrow, desolation, and anguish, written from his prison to the magnanimous Duke Alfonso. Here is also the manuscript of Guarini's Pastor Fido,' exhibiting some few corrections, chiefly grammatical, by Leonardo Salviati. From Valery's Travels in Italy' we learn that the ancient choir-book of the Carthusians is now in the library, forming eighteen atlas volumes, covered with brilliant miniatures, the work of Cosmè's school. Equally magnificent is an atlas Bible, apparently by the same artists. One of the chief rarities is the 'Musculorum Humani Corporis Pictura Dissectio,' by the great Ferrarese anatomist of the sixteenth century, Giambattista Canani, who had some faint idea of the circulation of the blood—an undated edition, without imprint, but probably of 1541, illustrated with plates engraved by the celebrated Geronimo Carpi.

Cosmo de Medici founded at Florence, in 1560, one of the most complete libraries in Europe. From the intercourse that in his time subsisted between Florence and Constantinople, and the long visits made by the Greek prelates and scholars to Italy, the venerable Cosmo had the best opportunity of obtaining the choicest treasures of ancient learning; and the destruction of Constantinople may be said to have transferred to Italy all that remained of Eastern science. After the death of Cosmo, his son Piero pursued with steady perseverance the same object, and made important additions to the various collections which Cosmo had begun, particularly to that of his own family. But although the ancestors of Lorenzo de Medici laid the foundation of the immense collection of manuscripts, since denominated the Laurentian Library, he may himself claim the honor of having raised the superstructure. If there was any pursuit in which he engaged more ardently, and persevered more diligently than the rest, it was that of enlarging his collection of books and antiquities. "His messengers," writes Niccolo Leoniceno, "are dispersed throughout every part of the earth, for the purpose of collecting books on every science, and he spares no expense in procuring them." He derived great assistance in his efforts from Hieronymo Donato, Ermolao Barbaro, and Paolo Cortesi; but his principal coadjutor was Politiano, to whom he committed the care and arrangement of his collection, and who made excursions at intervals through Italy, to discover and purchase such remains of antiquity as suited the purposes of his patron. Two journeys, undertaken at the instance of Lorenzo, into the east, by Giovanni Lascar, produced a great number of rare and valuable works. On his return from his second expedition, he brought with him about two hundred copies, many of which he had procured from a monastery at Mount Athos; but this treasure did not arrive till after the death of Lorenzo'*

In France, a hundred and ninety-five towns are provided with excellent public libraries, containing altogether about 3,000,000 volumes, arranged in spacious rooms, with salaried librarians, every accommodation for readers, and every disposition to assist them. These libraries are open to the use of all classes, even the most obscure applicants; no introduction, no patronage is required; the most valuable works, the most precious engravings, are confided to the inspection of any visitor.

Roscoe's Life of Lorenzo de Medici.

The five great public libraries of Paris contain altogether about 1,378,000 volumes. The Bibliothèque du Roi, or the King's Library, is the grand national one. It was founded by Francis I. in 1520. Henry II., in 1559, issued an order requiring booksellers to present to the royal library a bound copy of all the works they published. Under the reigns of Francis II., Charles IX., and Henry III., it received but few additions. Henry IV. (1589) caused it to be removed to Paris. In 1595 the collection of Catherine de Medici, consisting of 800 Latin manuscripts, was added; from this time to 1721 the books were removed from one house to another, in Paris, until, in the latter year, they were finally deposited in their present abode, the Hôtel Mazarin, Rue Richelieu. The library consists of upwards of 800,000 printed volumes, 100,000 manuscripts, and 1,000,000 of historical papers. At the public expense it annually receives an addition of about 15,000 volumes and pamphlets. It is calculated that it contains no less than twenty miles of shelf. The public, without distinction of rank or sex, have free access to this extensive library; but it appears that they are privately watched, to detect any who would mutilate or steal the books. M. Van Praet told Sir Henry Ellis that the secret police sit in the rooms; a system of surveillance which would be deemed offensive by the readers in our English libraries.

All the great libraries in Russia originated in the plunder of those of Courland and Poland. In 1704, Peter I. carried off from the town of Mittau 2500 volumes, which were the nucleus of the imperial Library. In 1772, Catherine II. seized the collection of the Princes Radzivel at Nieswiecs, consisting of 17,000 volumes. In 1795, the Zaluski Library, estimated by the Russians themselves at 260,000 printed volumes, and 11,000 manuscripts, was transplanted from Warsaw to St. Petersburg. After the taking of Warsaw in 1831, the university of that city lost 200,000 volumes, the Philomathic Society 20,000, the library of the Council of State 36,000, and that of Prince Czartoryski at Palawy 15,000. If we add to these the treasures of the suppressed convents, we shall find, without exaggeration, a total of 700,000 volumes which have been removed to Russia. The Imperial Library at St. Petersburg is the richest of the Russian libraries, and ranks as third among the collections of Europe. It contains about 442,800 printed volumes, and 14,480 manuscripts. It is very rich in the literature of Central Asia, and contains the works formerly belonging to Baron Schilling; seventy-three manuscripts of Colonel Stuart, relating to all the most important parts of Sanscrit literature; and also forty-three Mongolian and Thibetan works, collected at Pekin; altogether forming the finest collection of Oriental works in the world. This Imperial Library is open to the public three days in the week, but is visited by comparatively few readers, about eight hundred in the course of the year-an extremely small number for a capital whose population is nearly half a million, without counting the garrison or strangers. The cause of the library being so little used by the people is thus explained by Mr. Köhl:-On entering, visitors have to pass a whole cordon of police soldiers, the attendants on the library, who strip them of cloaks, and great-coats, which they return after strictly searching the owners at their