the other planets revolved round the sun as a

centre.

The system of Copernicus, or the revival of that of Pythagoras, is founded on demonstrative proofs, and accounts for all the phenomena of the heavenly bodies, in a natural manner. According to this system, the sun is placed in the centre, and the planets and comets are supposed to revolve round it, at different periods of time, and in orbits, at different distances from it.

In the church a plain slab, with the figure of a globe on it, marks the spot where the ashes of this celebrated astronomer repose. His observatory forms one of the angles of the wall, which surrounds the church. At present it is occupied by a fat jolly canon, who, instead of imitating the heavenly pursuits of his predecessor, employs his time in a trifling display of shell work.

In our hotel we could not but feel interested in the fate of a young female, the only daughter of our landlord, a man of a surly and morose disposition: she had lately lost her mother, her sister and brother, the icy hand of death seemed to have marked her as its next victim,-she was in a rapid decline, and had even fixed the time of her dissolution.

It was not without feelings of regret that we quitted the scene of Copernicus' discoveries, the

kindness of father Szuyski, and the unhappy state Antoinette!

of

poor

Leaving Frauensberg we travelled along the southern shore of the Frische Haffe, towards Konigsberg. The intermediate country is flat, of a dark rich soil, and remarkably well cultivated. At the different stages, we found triumphal arcles erected in expectation of the emperor Alexander's arrival, on his return to St. Petersburg. At every stage, where it was supposed the emperor might pass, were collected from sixty to one hundred horses, ready harnessed and grazing on the sides of the road. At some of the stages the horses had been in waiting for several days.

Before we entered Konigsberg, our luggage. was carefully inspected by the custom-house officers. This ceremony every traveller must submit to, otherwise he is sent under a military escort to the post-office.

The situation or appearance of Konigsberg is by no means inviting. The scite of the town is somewhat lower than the surrounding country, which is flat and cheerless; it is encompassed by an earthen rampart, possessing neither strength nor beauty. The Pregel divides the town into several parts, and falls into the eastern extremity of the Frische Haffe, whereon is situated Pillau: the harbour of Konigsberg is about thirty miles from the town. It

is evident that the sea has retired from its original station. The former port of the town was only two miles from it. From this spot to the Haffe, a distance of fifteen miles, is now dry land. This change has probably been occasioned by the large quantities of sand and mud brought down by the Pregel at different floods; and, there being no tides in the Frische Haffe to wash it away; it would remain and accumulate.

The streets of the city are irregularly planned and badly paved. The principal buildings are the churches and palace of former kings, in front of which is seen a statue of Frederick William the elector, who crowned himself in 1701 as the first king of Prussia.

The religion of the inhabitants is nearly divided between the Lutherans and Roman Catholics, and the morals of the people are similar to those of other fortified towns which have been a prey to invasion. The theatre had been repeatedly burnt down, and money was immediately subscribed to rebuild it; but if a church were destroyed, it remained in ruins.

On the banks of the river, towards the centre of the city, public gardens are laid out and opened every evening for the amusement of the inhabitants. They are occasionally illuminated; and, with the addition of a concert and fireworks, gambling, and

tobacco-smoking, the company seem to be highly delighted with its recreations.

are

A portion of the French prisoners, from Russia, now passing through this place on their return to France. Nothing can exceed the wretchedness of their appearance both in dress and looks; -many of them have only the covering of a tattered blanket, and scarcely any possess the comforts of either hat, shoe, or stocking. The description of their return, during the winter, from Russia, is a frightful picture of the horrors they suffered from the severity of the climate. Many of these men are without fingers and toes; and many exhibit large blotches on their faces. The king of Naples reached Konigsberg, with a part of his division; but the inhabitants, expressing their dislike to the French interest, he immediately sought his safety in flight, and went to Elbing.

Konigsberg is the capital of Prussia-proper, and was the residence of the sovereigns, until the seat of government was removed to Berlin.

About the thirteenth century a war broke out between the German knights of the Teutonic order and the Prussians. They subdued and peopled the country with Germans. A part of the country

was ceded to Casimir IV. of Poland, for his assistance, and the other part they retained, as vassals to Poland. The sovereignty of the Teutonic

knights continued to the sixteenth century, when Albert, margrave of Brandenburg, was created duke of East Prussia. In the seventeenth century the elector, Frederick William of Brandenburg, released the country from its vassalage to Poland, and crowned himself at Konigsberg. In the succession of the kings, the elector, Frederick William the Great, was father of Frederick I.; who was the father of Frederick William I.; who was the father of Frederick II. (or the Great); who was uncle to Frederick William II. the father of the present king, Frederick William III.

In consequence of the arrival of the emperor's avant courier, we were detained two days at Konigsberg, before horses could be procured. The posting horses in Prussia are under the management of the post-office, and belong to the king. Each postillion receives a hat, jacket, belt, whip, and horn. The livery is dark blue, turned up with orange colour. On the road, private carriages, etc. must give way to the postillion, when he sounds his horn. On entering the towns, they do not fail to announce, by the loudest sounds, the arrival of travellers.

Caimer, the first stage from Konigsberg, is a small picturesque village, embosomed among trees. The post-house is kept by a countess, who gleans a scanty pittance from the hire of her horses.