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stitute the principal part of their commerce. Whoever chuses to take one or more parcels of the heath, must apply to the Bailiffs. Each piece of ground contains 2,000 square rods. After four free years, during which the colonist digs half the canal that belongs to his allotment of ground (the other half must be dug by the opposite colonist), he pays the following duties to the proprietors: for each day's work, that is to say, for every twelve loads of white peat, 16 Dutch sti

vers.

For each day's work of black peat 32 Dutch stivers. But he is allowed a piece of 10 rods in breadth, near the canal, for a road, garden, and court; for the peat dug out of which, he pays no duty.

When the peat is dug out, the land levelled, and rendered capable of cultivation, for the pasturage of each cow 24 stivers is annually paid. But if the soil is more adapted for corn, each virdup sown pays the value of a virdup of corn; this is about 2 or 2 guilders.

For a piece of ground, for a house or r garden, containing 2000 square rods; 48 stivers. For a half, 24 stivers. For a quarter, 12 sti

vers.

Besides these private grounds, Papenburg has likewise a common field; for every horse here pastured the owner pays 3 guilders 4 stivers; for a foal 12 stivers; for a cow 48 stivers; and for a heifer, 24 stivers.

Each piece pays a dollar to the priest, and must do two days' manual labour, or one day's horse labour for him.

Besides 160 merchant ships, of which the largest are 130 lasts burden, there are about 70 peat vessels, which carry that commodity to East Friesland, Yeverland, Bremen, Hamburg, the Northern coasts of the Batavian republic, &c. Wherever there is an opportunity, they bring back road-stuff, clay, and manure. A piece of ground thus prepared, whether the stratum of peat is taken off it or not, is capable of bearing corn, vegetables, fruit-trees, &c. Rye, Barley, Buck-wheat, and potatoes, are extensively cultivated. The soil is also well adapted for pasturage; and beautiful fields and meadows of red and white clover, and other good feed for cattle are every where met with. The milk is only used for butter, as cheese, which is much esteemed, is imported from East Friesland.

Papenburg reckons nineteen ship-yards; in which about 60 ships are annually built, most of which are from the Dutch. All new ships, the largest carrying from 120 to 130 lasts, are constructed on the banks of the canals. The oakwood for building comes from the diocese of Minster; the deals are imported from Norway, and the East sea. Foreign captains who wish to build a vessel,

agree for the price according to the cubic measure of the ship, which amounts to 9 or 9 Dutch stivers. The cubic foot of oak, costs from 18 to 20 stivers; masts, &c. are not included. If the vessel is not finished at the time appointed, the builder is bound to pay the captain a ducat for every day over.

Each yard employs from 12 to 15 carpenters, who are chiefly East Frieslanders. Their pay is a Dutch guilder per diem, and three rations of gin. The saw-mills, erected in 1791, are particularly convenient. There are a great many rope-makers, and one sail-maker; the canvas which he uses is Dutch.

Papenburg contains two distilleries, and numerous ale-houses; these brew their own beer. There are four lime-kilns. The turf ships, bring back lime from the islands of East Friesland. There are also two windmills for the use of the colony.

One great advantage attending this place, is, that no handicraft is subject to the least controul. All kinds of industry are protected; and the merchant, mechanic, and manufacturer have no duties to pay.

There are three schools containing nearly 450 scholars, who are educated in the catholic religion, which is the established one.

Information among the common people is not to be expected in Papenburg; and the physiognomy of its inhabitants often betrays their ignorance. The female countenance is coarse and inanimate, and the figure of the women is short and thick. Their dress is frightful; high caps in the shape of an egg, jackets of coarse dark red baize, black stockings, stump shoes, with small buckles; old fashioned car-rings of any metal, a cross on the breast, with a thick coral necklace, constitute their costume the smoke, that constantly fills the houses, and want of cleanliness give them the appearance of gip

sies.

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The Papenburgers are much attached to their native place. The annual extension of agriculture, the constant increase of houses, and of inhabitants, with a flourishing commerce, engage the attention of the colonists, and every period of absence presents them with something new on their return. Each shrub, bush, and tree, planted by himself, or by his ancestors, becomes interesting. For nothing engages us more than the work of our own hands; nothing flatters us more than to be creators. We never hear a colonise mention his residence without enthusiasm.

There are no poisonous serpents here, norin the neighbourhood, except the coluber berus;

but in the distant high woodlands we meet with the coluber natrix, and the anguis fragilis. The lacerta agilis, and vulgaris, are very common. Among the birds we see the caprimulgus Europeus. Besides the erica vulgaris, and tetralis, the common heath plants grow there; such as the drosera rotundifolia and longifolia, some vaccinia, &c. The soil of the heath is sandy. The trees, branches, and roots found in and under the strata of peat, are very remarkable. They are of different qualities, and have been buried earlier or later. As many of the roots still remain in their natural positions in the compact sand-stratum, it is a proof that the spot contained trees, and some of them very large, before the formation of peat; and we perceive by many of the roots, that the stems had shot above ground. Violent storms blew them down; as is generally the case in large forests. But as they remained in their places, it is a proof that the neighbourhood at that time was very thinly populated, or that there was a superabundance of wood. The trees are mostly oaks and nadel holz; the alders and birches are of later origin; they have grown on the moor, and afterwards sunk into

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Trees in peat and in coal-pits, prove a similar origin. Have not coals frequently a stratum of sandstone under them? Perhaps some centuries hence excellent coals may be found where we now dig peat; and loaded ships now sail over coal-pits in the N. sea, on the N. side of the German islands. Thus mountains change into water, and the sea changes into mountains; perpetual vicissitude vet continued existence appears to operate in the heart of the earth, as among plants and animals; but certainly to a much greater

extent.

From the journal of Messrs. Seetzen and Heinemeyer.

PRESENT STATE OF COMMERCE IN BOOKS, WITH REMARKS ON THE LOVE OF READING, IN THE INTERIOR OF RUSSIA.

TWENTY years ago, there were but two booksellers shops in Moscow: whose returns did not amount to ten thousand roubles a year. At present, the number of shops is augmentel to twenty, and their yearly return, altogether, is about 200,000 roubles. This striking increase of readers, in Russia, cannot fail of gratifying all who value the progress of human understanding; and, who know that adisposition for terary research is re-eminent ly efficacious in facilitating that progress.

Mr. Novikow has been the principal pro moter of the trade and circulation of books in Moscow. Having rented the printing oflice of the University of that city, he augmented the mechanical means of printing, procured translations of foreign books, established li

braries in other towns, and endeavoured, to the utmost of his power to make reading an object of desire to the public, by studying and anticipating the general, as well as the individual taste. He traded in books, as a rich English or Dutch merchant does, in the produce of all countries: with intelligence, speculation, and foresight. Formerly, not above 600 copies of Moscow newspapers were sold: Mr. Novikow enriched their contents; to their political information, he added several other departments, and, at length, accompanied them gratis, with a work, which he denominated, the Juvenile Seminary (Dietskoe Utchilishtze) the novelty of subjects, and variety of matters comprised in this appendage, notwithstanding the boyish translation of some pieces, greatly pleased the public. The pumber of subscribers increased yearly, and in ten years, amounted to 4000. Since the year 1797, the gazettes became important to Rus sia, by containing the imperial decrees and political intelligence; at present, the sale of Moscow papers amounts to 8000 copies, which though inconsiderable for so extensive a metropolis, is ample, when compared to what it was formerly. In fact, there is scarcely any country, where the number of the inquisitive has increased with such rapidity. It is true, that there are still many gentlemen, in good circumstances, who do not take in the newspapers; but, then a number of merchants and tradesmen delight in perusing them. The poorest among the people subscribe to a reading; and, even those who can neither read nor write, are desirous of knowing how malters go in foreign countries. An acquamtance of mine, seeing several pastry-cooks assembled together, and histering with great attention to the description of an engagement between the French and the Austrians, found, on inquiry, that five of the joined in subscribing for the paper, and that, four not being able to read, the remaining one made out the intelligence as well as he could, and the rest listened to him.

The Russian trade in books, is certainly not equal to that of Germany, France, or England; but what may not time produce, if its progressive increase continues unimpeded? In most provincial towns there are now libraries established: every fair exhibits with other goods, the riches of literature, and on the e occasions the Russian women generally farnish themselves with a good stock of books.. Traders, or pedlars, formerly yelled from place to place with rings, and ribbons; now they take an assortment of literature; and, though few of them can read, they relate, by way of recommendation, the contents of their romances and comedies, in a manner peculiar to themselves; simple, eccentric and amusing. I know several country gentlemen whose incomes may not exceed 500 roubles per annum;

who collect their little libraries, as they call them; and, while the luxurious carelessly throw aside, at random, the costly editions of Voltaire, or Buffon, they suffer not the least particle of dust, to rest on the adventures of Miramond: they peruse their collections with avidity, and reperuse them with new satisfaction.

The reader may wish to know what sort of books are in the greatest demand? I put this question to many of the booksellers, and they replied without hesitation: "romances,” this, however, need not excite our wonder. Romance is a species of composition, that is commonly interesting to the greater part of the public; it occupies the mind, and engages the heart, by exhibiting a picture of the world, and of men, like ourselves, in critical and interesting situations, and by describing the most common, but the most powerful passion of love, in its various effects. Not every one can fancy himself the hero of history; but every one has loved, or wishes to loye, and, therefore, in the hero of a romance, speaking the language of his own heart, he traces himself. One tale possesses something to direct a reader's hope; another excites pleasing recollection. In this species of literature, we have more translations than original productions; consequently, foreign authors engross all the glory. Kotzebue is in great vogue; and, as the booksellers of Paris demanded, at one time, Persian letters from all writers, so the Russians, from every translator, and even authors, demand Kotzebue ! nothing but Kotzebue! Romance, fable, tale, good or bad, it matters not, provided the title bears the name of the great Kotzebue.

I do not know what others think, but, as for myself, I am glad, if the people do but read. Romances above mediocrity, or below it, even if destitute of talent, tend, in some measure, to promote civilization. He, who is charmed with Nicanor, the unfortunate gentleman, is one degree lower than the author, on the scale of liberal and mental improvement, and, whatever may be the ideas and expressions of such a work, he will, undoubtedly, learn something from them.

Every pleasing lecture has, more or less, influence on the understanding, because without this, the heart could not feel, nor imagination conceive. In the very worst romances, or novels, (morals apart) there is a certain degree of logic and rhetoric: he, who has read them, will be able to speak better, and with more connection, than an illiterate boor who never opened a book in his life. Besides, modern romances abound in various kinds of

A romance by Emon, in the Grecian hero style, which, notwithstanding the slight manner in which it is mentioned here, as a romance, does considerable credit to the Russian literature. A Russian original romance of no great merit.

knowledge. An author, to fill up several volumes, is obliged to have recourse to all methods and almost all sciences: now he de scribes some American island, exhausting Busching; now he explains the nature of plants, and vegetables, consulting Bomare; so that a reader forms some acquaintance not only with geography, but with natural history. I am persuaded that in certain German novels, the new planet, Piazzi, will be more circumstantially described, than in the Petersburgh news-paper. They do not altogether judge rightly, who think romances have a natural tendency to corrupt morals: many of them lead to some moral result. True, the characters are often vicious, even while attrac tive; but, in what consists that attraction? in some good qualities, with which the author endeavours to colour or abate the blackness of others. What is the kind of romance that pleases most? not excess of guilt, or outrageous violation of moral feeling; but in general affecting appeals to sensibility: tears shed by readers usually flow from sympathy with the good, and tend to nourish that sympathy, The rugged and stubborn soul receives not the gentle impression of affection; nor can it feel interested in the fate of tenderness. Bad men will not read romances. Can an egotist, or the base slave of avarice, fancy himself to be the generous captivating hero of romance? No; he cares not for others. Undoubtedly, romances tend to render the heart and imagination, romantic; but what harm ensues? so much the better for the inhabitants of the icy iron-north. The causes of those evils, of which we hear general complaints, certainly, are not romantic hearts; but those hardened ones which are directly opposite. A romantic heart afflicts itself more than others; doats on its own afflictions, and will not abandon them for all the sottish enjoyments of an egotist. On the whole, it is well that our public reads; although the subjects which it prefers be romances.

[From the "Messenger of Europe:" published at Moscow.]

We shall add a remark or two on the foregoing article. First, the interest attendant on the revolution now spreading' in Europe, by exciting universal curiosity, has directed the attention of even the unlearned to the means of gratifying that passion; for such we may safely call it. In consequence, literature has been eagerly sought after, where formerly its attrac tions were unknown; and this must eventually contribute to diffuse a knowledge and love of letters throughout no inconsiderable part of the world.

Secondly, the perusal of fictitious narrations, not infrequently issues in a taste for superior productions of litera

ture. They excite an emotion in the mind, which induces it to require performances of a more elevated description. The conviction, that what has affected it, has no real existence, nor ever had, prompts, in a person of any reflection, a wish for opportunities of perusing accounts on which he may rely with confidence: hence he desires genuine history; authentic descriptions of foreign productions and distant countries:-The interesting pleasures of general literature, follow in their station with almost infallible certainty.

LIFE OF LOMONOSSOVE, THE CELEBRATED POET OF RUSSIA.

MICHAEL LOMONOSSOVE was born in the year 1711. The village of Denisow, situated on an island not far from Chelmnohor, in the circle of Dwintzk of the government of Archangel, had the honor of his birth. Basil, his father, a peasant of the crown, was a fisherman by trade. Every summer and autumn, from ten years old to sixteen, his father used to take him to the fisheries on the white and north seas. They often visited Kola, and sometimes advanced to the latitude of 70°, on the northern ocean; as LomonosSove himself used to affirm to his friends. Winter they chiefly spent at home.

The son learned to read and write from the parson of the village; but his instructions were confined to the ritual, and other books of the Russian church. When he requested to be supplied with works that might give him some knowledge of the world, he was answered, that such knowledge could not be effectually acquired, whithout the aid of Latin; but this language was taught only at St. Petersburgh, Moscow, and Kiow, which cities abounded in useful Latin books. For his proficiency in arithmetic, he was indebted to his own exertions.

To escape, therefore, into one of the above-mentioned cities, and devote himself to study, was an object which he long cherished in his bosom. The opportunity so anxiously awaited, at length, presented itself, in the 17th year of his age. A caravan with fish was going to Moscow; the departure of which he observed as a matter of curiosity, not exciting the least suspicion of his real design. On the following night, when his family were all asleep, he put on two shirts, and protected from the weather only by a loose dress made of undressed skin, he began his pursuit of the caravan, and overtook it at the distance of seventy versts. The director of the caravan refused, at first, to take him; but, moved by his tears and entreaties, at length, he consented to gratify his wishes of seeing Mos

cow.

In three weeks they arrived at the place of their destination, where Lomonos sove passed the first night in the fish market. The following morning he awoke first, and, while his companions were asleep, reflected with pain, that in Moscow, he had neither friend nor acquaintance; that he could expect no assistance from those he came with: well knowing, that they being wholly occupied with their own business, would not even think of him. Irresistible grief took possession of him; falling on his knees, he with tears intreated Heaven not to forsake him.

At the break of day, a gentleman's steward came to order some fish; having caught sight of Lomonossove, he earnestly fixed his eye on him, and presently recognized in the youth, a countryman, of his own, whose face was once familiar to him. Bisny, apprised of young Lonionossove's intentions, took him to his master's house, and gave him a corner among the servants.

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The director of the caravan was acquainted with a monk who lived at Moscow, and often visited him; on the present occasion he did not fail to see him the second day after his arrival. To this monk he introduced Lomonossove, expatiated on his ardent desire of learning, and entreated that he might be placed at the seminary of the convent of Zaikonospask, to which the monk belonged. The good father readily undertook the business, and soon accomplished it. As none but gentlemen's sons were admitted into this seminary, Lomonossove did not scruple to assume the title of one. The late Archbishop of Kiow, then at Moscow, Theophanes Prokopovitch, to whom Lomonossove soon after endeared himself by his diligence and rapid progress in his studies, being apprised of this circumstance, sent for him, and thus addressed him: "Fear nothing, my young

friend, were all the bells of Moscow to "proclaim you an impostor, I would be your "defender."

Thus the young fugitive became one of the students in this convent, while his relations gave him up for lost; nor did they know where, or what he was, till the return of the

caravan.

He devoted himself to study with all the ardour of a young enthusiastic mind, and his success was such as could only be expected under similar circumstances. At the end of the first half year he was promoted to the se cond class, and a year after he was such a proficient, that he composed small pieces of poetry in Latin. He then commenced the study of the Greek language, and the leisure hours spent by his schoolfellows in play, he employed chiefly in exploring the stores of the convent library. Many of the books, which he found there, strengthened his know ledge of Slavonic, and, besides the various

theological works of the fathers, he found physical, philosophical and mathematical treatises. The convent library, however, was too confined to satisfy his thirst of knowledge: he earnestly besought the Archimandrite to send him to Kiow, to study philosophy, physics, and mathematics; but, even there, he found to his great disappointment nothing but the mere sophistry and frivolous disputes of Aristotelian philosophy: having failed in his object, he remained at Kiow not quite a year, most of which time he spent in perusing ancient records, manuscript and other books written in Slavonic, Greek and Latin.

Soon after his return to the convent of Zaiconospask, an order came from the academy of sciences at St. Petersburgh, for transferring those students who were sufficiently versed in Latin to enter on the study of physics and mathematics. Lomonossove was overjoyed at the long wished for opportunity, and the satisfaction of being included, at his own desire, in the number of students sent thither.

He arrived with the rest at St. Petersburgh, and was placed in a seminary depending on the academy, where he acquired the principles of philosophy and mathematics. His ardour continued unabated, and he, occasionally, indulged his genius in poetry; but of his productions at this time, none ever came before the public. He took particular delight in natural philosophy, chemistry and mineralogy, and at the expiration of two years, he was sent to Marburgh in Germany, with another student, Vinsk radove, to the then famous philosopher and mathematician Christian Wolf.

Three years afterwards by the advice of this celebrated man, he was sent to the mines of Saxony, to study mineralogy under M. Henkel, an able and practical metallist. At the end of one year he returned to the university of Marburgh to attain the theory of that science. He did not fail of acquiring the German language, in which, while yet at Petersburgh, he was initiated. From his conversation with the German students, and from the style of their songs, he became passionately fond of German poetry. He learned by heart almost the whole works of many of the most celebrated poets; but Hinter was his favorite. He endeavoured to adapt Russian versification to German measure, and, by introducing their tambs, chorusses, and dactlys, he imparted to his native poetry, a harmony, ease and smoothness, altogether new, and, till then, unknown. The first essay of this kind, appeared in his ode compos

ed on the memorable victory of the Russians over the Turks and Tartars at Chotzin; sent from Marburgh to the president of the academy at St. Petersburgh, Mr. Corf. It

was written in the style of Hinter, in imitation of his best odes, and, when submitted to the inspection of some of the academicians, the novelty of its construction forcibly struck them, and excited their pleasure as well as applause.

The president, Corf, had it printed, and presented to the Empress Ann, on her anniversary day; it was circulated among all the courtiers, and was read by every one with delight and admiration.

About this time, in the year 1790, Lomonossove married privately, at Marburgh, a daughter of his host, a taylor by trade, who, previously to his departure from that city for the Saxon mines, had made him a father.

During his residence at Marburgh, small as was his salary, he maintained his family tolerably well, till from the unavoidable increase of expense, he was reduced to the bitterest poverty, contracted debts, and was daily threatened with imprisonment. He, therefore, found it necessary to abscond. From a part of one quarter's salary, which went to defray his secret expenses, for his wife and family, he had not one penny left ; he resolved, therefore, to beg his way to Lubec, or Holland, in order to find a passage from thence to St. Petersburgh.

Unknown to every one, even to his wife, he set off one evening direct for Holland, travelled all night, and on the third day, having passed Disselfold, he put up at the public house of a small village, where he met with a Prussian officer and soldiers on a recruiting party. Here a strange event befell him. The officer, thinking to have found a proper fish for his bait, politely invited Lomonossove, to sit by his side, take a supper with his comrades, and drink a bumper round. At the table many praises were bestowed on the Prussian service; and our traveller was so liberally treated, that he scarcely knew what was passing. When somewhat come to himself, he found his coat decorated with a red collar, and his pockets furnished with several pieces of Prussian coin. The officer congratulated him on his entering the service, and foretold to a certainty the making of his fortune; while the rest of the soldiers emphatically saluted him as a brother.

Resistance was useless. The corporal's stick compleated the argument, and Lomonossove was suddenly transformed into a Prussian soldier. Two days after, he was conducted to the fortress of Wesel, with other recruits from the neighbourhood, firmly determined to seize the first opportunity of escaping, at all hazards, from his uncomfortable situation. He perceived he was particularly watched; he, therefore, strove to appear cheerful, and gratified with a soldier's life. Fortunately, he was stationed out of town;

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