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Correspondence.

"THE LIVERPOOL HAMILTONIAN SCHOOL," OR MR. HAMILTON'S LIBEL AGAINST TEACHERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, Had Mr. Hamilton contented himself with modestly recommending his system; had he abstained from "insidious and deceptive" statements, and from bringing unjust accusations against the teachers of "all the schools of the civilized world; and had he not boasted of "the silence of the host of enemies which his success has created," I should certainly never have set myself “in array against him," but should have rejoiced in his success. For, that his system is a good one for the first three, six, or twelve months (according to the ability of the pupil) after commencing the study of a language, I know from my own experience. Before I knew

of the existence of Mr. Hamilton, I had published Latin, French, and English books, adapted to a system differing from his in nothing except this, that I always translated into good English, and he often translates into bad. I said, "In, or at the beginning, God created the heavens;" he says, "To the beginning," &c.

On the 1st of October, 1809, I began to teach two pupils, a boy and a girl, Latin by this system, and their progress I thought so great as to be worth noting. In three years, studying from two hours and a half to three hours a day, and being perfect in each book before going to another, they read the whole of the following books:-Corderius, Phædrus, Valpy's Delectus, Nepos, Turner's Exercises, Mair's Introduction, Cæsar's seven books of Gallic Wars, and the Decerpta from Ovid's Metamorphoses. At this time, the boy joined a class at the High School of Edinburgh, in which the pupils had studied Latin from four to five hours a day in school, for three years, besides preparing the lessons at home, some with and some without the assistance of a private tutor. This boy remained at the High School for three years, and was always high in his class; but, though his capacity was one of the best in the class, which consisted of about one hundred boys, there were at least twenty who were as good Latin scholars as he. This fact convinced me, that no advantage had been obtained by continuing Mr. Hamilton's plan for three years; and I never afterwards used it longer than one

year, for either Latin or French.

That there are many bad schools (some perhaps as bad as Mr.

Hamilton pronounces all to be) is but too true; but, I maintain, that there also many good ones, and I offer to prove my as sertion, by bringing forward, from various schools, boys who shall evidently have the advantage, in a comparative trial, în Latin and French, over Mr. Hamilton's adult pupils, who received fifty lessons from him or his partners in London.

I begin with my own school, and I will consent to have some of my pupils, of eleven years of age, as well as some who are older, publicly examined along with Mr. Hamilton's London adults, both in Latin and French. If Mr. Hamilton should decline the expense of bringing men from London, or if he think they may have forgot their lessons, I am willing to wait till those whom he is now teaching in Liverpool have got their fiftieth lesson, when every thing will be fresh in their memories.

If Mr. Hamilton's adults shall be found to surpass my boys of eleven years of age, he will have gained an important step towards establishing, to the satisfaction of the public, his opi

nion, that the pupil ought to be "always taught and never or dered to learn." And also, towards proving his assertion, which, till then, I shall consider a most unwarrantable one, that there is not in existence an honest teacher but himself and his partners; or, in his own words, that "what is done in all the schools of the civilized world" is "receiving money for the

communication of instruction and not communicating it."

I conclude with requesting the attention of your readers to the following specimens of Mr. Hamilton's "MORE HONEST system of instruction," as he calls it. Mr. Hamilton's expression respecting the grammatical knowledge which his pupils were to acquire in ten lessons, was, that it should be such as to "defy competition with adepts in the language." But I engage to show, if his pupils will allow me to ask them a few questions, that, though they have now had fourteen or fifteen lessons, not one of them can yet parse the Gospel of St. John. Mr. Hamilton also professed to teach his pupils, "in ten easy and pleasant lessons, the meanings of ten thousand words." He has, it is true, taught them to read St. John, but do his pupils believe that they know the meanings of 10,000

French words? Do they think there are 10,000 words in the Gospel of St. John? If they do, I am sorry to inform them, that, "they have been, till this moment, the victims and the dupes" of Mr. Hamilton's "professions and assertions," for there are, in the whole New Testament, in the original Greek, only FOUR THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX WORDS.-I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant,

Hope-street, August 3, 1824.

JAMES MACGOWAN.

Gymnasia.

NO. VI.

TO THE EDITOR.

TO THE EDITOR..

SIR,-This feat must be performed with a much longer backed chair than those now in fashion. The back ought to be about a yard high from the seat. Place the chair on the floor, in the position indicated by the figure: place the knees on the extremity of the feet of the chair, and place your two hands on or about the seat rail, and bring your face down to touch the back of the chair, upon which, at the extremity, or as near it as you can come, without falling forwards, or suffering the top of the chair to touch the floor, a piece of money, &c. is placed, which is to be removed with the mouth.

of blue-and-white Arche net, tied at the throat with blu ribbon, and each end of the scarf finished by a rosette the same. Blue half-boots, of corded or spotted silk, com plete this unobtrusive and truly elegant costume.

EVENING DRESS.-Dress of white gauze lisse, wit superb border en treillage, of light shade of rose colou each reseau edged with narrow cordon. The corsage mad plain, beautifully marking out the contour, with a trim ming round the bust to correspond with that of the skirt Mancherons of treillage work, uniting with the ornamen round the bust. Rich ceinture of a delicate pink silve gauze, placed on the left side. Sicilian hat of rose tran parent net edged with silver. Feathers shaded with pin The hair arranged in full curls, on each side of the fac on which are seen a few white roses slightly intermingle with blond. Ear-rings, necklace and armlets of pearls.

To Correspondents.

SINKING BOTTLES IN THE SEA.-A correspondent has submitte a query in the following terms:-Query-"Suppose a bott considered empty, except the air which it contains, an sunk down in the ocean to the depth of 80 to 100 fathoms will it come up full or empty, and if full, or nearly ful will the cork and seal be undisturbed?" Any nautical ma who has tried the experiment is requested to answer th query.

B. The following experiment, copied from Barrow's Cochin

China, may enlighten and amuse our correspondent:voyage gave us an opportunity of ascertaining a fact "The fine weather and smooth water in this part of the which, though well known to philosophers and to mos seamen, and satisfactorily explained on natural principles is not by any means in general belief. I allude to th experiment of sinking, to a certain depth, an empty bottl corked as tightly as possible; when the cork, on drawing up the bottle, will invariably be found to have been force into the inside. We let down, to the depth of forty fathom or 240 feet, a large earthen bottle, firmly stopped with tapering cork, so that the diameter of that part of it out the bottle greatly exceeded the widest part of the neck whole covered with canvas. On drawing up the bottle the round this was laid a coating of melted pitch, and the cork was in the inside. In tropical climates the diminu tion of temperature, at so considerable a depth below the surface, condensing the inclosed air, takes off all reaction against the weight of the superincumbent column of water pressing on the cork, and thus aids the experiment; but in high latitudes, where the air, when corked up, is proba bly at the freezing temperature, whilst that below the As some of our fair readers have ventured to attempt surface of the sea is warmer by eight, ten, or twelve de some of the feats we intended solely for young men, wegrees, the increased elasticity, acting against the co will propose an exploit for their express amusement. It within, must require the bottle to be sunk to a greate may be performed with perfect propriety, and it will be depth than in the former case, before the experiment can the source of considerable amusement :

You may, instead of money, place an upright pin into the chair back, at any distance, changing its position until you have ascertained the furthest point at which you can take it back with your mouth, without yourself or the chair falling forwards. Although the situation of the hands is indicated in the figure, you may shift them to any other position which enables you to reach the furthest with safety. Much of the management in this trick depends upon properly regulating the position of the hands.-Yours, &c

LADIES' GYMNASIA.

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Move the right arm and hand in a circle horizontally from left to right, and at the same time move the right foot in a circle in the opposite direction, or from right to left.

Fashions for August.

etherial blue gros de Naples; the body of etherial blue BALL DRESS.-A white tulle petticoat over another of satin, with stripes let in of fine blond. Round the border of the petticoat are two rows of trimming, en tirebouchons of blue crape lisse, entwined with a rich guimp of floize silk; this crape trimming, which is set on in festoons, is caught up, on the right side, with bouquets of full-blown red roses, or with bunches of the pink convolvolus. The hair is arranged in the new Parisian fashion, short at the ears, and elevated on the summit of the head, so that the bows of the long hair behind may be brought forward and seen en face. These bows are separated from the curls in front by a gold comb, of beautiful workmanship; blue gauze is entwined among the ringlets, in the most tasteful and elegant manner, and interspersed with full-blown roses. The necklace and ear-rings are of the finest oriental pearl; the necklace consists of one row of very large pearls. Over this truly attractive dress is disposed, in graceful drapery, a scarf of white lace, with tassels.

WALKING DRESS.-Round dress of fine Indian muslin, with four rows of triple folds, in bias, round the border. The sleeves made en blous, and confined by three rows of bracelets at the lower part of the arm next the wrist; but this confining rises nearly as high as the elbow. A Valois hat, of fine Leghorn, lined with pink, and simply trimmed with a ribbon of celestial blue, over which waves a plumage of white feathers. Under the hat is worn a small village. cap of fine lace. The dress being made partially high, no other out-door covering is adopted than an elastic scarf,

succeed."

's second communication is reserved for insertion next week In the mean time, if the writer deem it necessary, be ma have a proof slip, by sending to the office any day sfi Wednesday, between the hours of twelve and twe in any future communication we may be favoured with from the same correspondent, we are of opinion that there c be no necessity to trouble him to revise his proofs, partic larly if Z. will write as distinctly as he evidently is cap ble of doing.

"TIS FORTY YEARS SINCE," by L. Man, shall appear in

next.

Tobias No gull is informed that we are as little disposed to gulled as himself. He appears to be one who would "bres a fly on the wheel." If that very singular work, the Ma quis of Worcester's Century of Inventions, is not to his tar let his consolation be that it is not very long; and, if deems its insertion an intrusion on our columas, he w find himself compensated by occasional supplemental sheet containing matter more to his mind. By-the-bye it appe that every body does not form the same estimate of th Marquis's Scantlings as No gull, as it has lately been deem of sufficient interest, as a literary curiosity, to call for a se and splendid edition. For our own parts we took it hands at the earnest recommendation of a scientific gent man of taste and discernment.

Reader's letter is too flattering for publication in our on Journal. We shall, however, profit by the suggestion veyed in the postscript. THE HOT DAY. We have repeatedly published the late Lar Erskine's jeu d'esprit on this subject. It will bear rep tition, however, and shall have an early place. Our Rochdale friends are informed that the Kaleidoscope pare of this day fortnight was regularly forwarded from of

office.

Printed, published, and sold, EVERY TUESDAY, by SMITHand Co. 75, Lord-street, Liverpool.

OR,

Literary and Scientific Mirror.

“UTILE DULCI.”

This familiar Miscellany, from which religiousand political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original and selected Articles; comprehending Literature, Criticism, Men and Manners, Amusement, Elegant Extracts, Poetry, Anecdotes, Biography, Meteorology, the Drama, Arts and Sciences, Wit and Satire, Fashions, Natural History, &c. &c. forming a handsome Annual Volume, with an index and Title-page.—Its circulation renders it a most eligible medium for Literary and Fashionable Advertisements.-Regular supplies are forwarded weekly to the Agents,

No. 216.-VOL. V.

Literature, Criticism, &c.

NO. II.

ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND.

Ubi quid datur otî,

Eludo chartis.

Hor.

TO THE EDITOR SIR,-I was conversing, the other day, with Clitus, an acquaintance of mine, in whom I discern some new point of ridicule, or some theme for reflection or animadversion, every time I see him.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1824.

What follows from this? 1st,-That the number of the reading public has, in the same time, infinitely in creased. 2dly,-That its character has been, in a good measure, essentially altered.

We are become a nation of readers. Let us now reflect on the cause of this increase in the number and change in the character of the reading world. Among the most powerful engines of this increase and change, and the most active stimuli to publication in general, may be enumerated book societies, which not only multiply, in more than a tenfold proportion, the readers of each copy, but ensures, for nearly every work that is published, a profitable sale. It has been calculated that the number of book societies in England would, without the aid of private purchasers, take from the printer a sufficient edition of any modern work to defray the expense of publication. These societies buy every thing: they read every thing. Works on subjects of science, which were heretofore confined to the library of the man of letters, are pored over with contracted brows and pouting lips, by ladies fair: they lie on the desk of the man of business, to be perused in every interval of leisure he can command: they may be seen on the toilette of the man of fashion, to refresh him after the labour of putting on his stays, or to prepare his mind to conceive a more sublime tie for his neckcloth. All are alike happy, if they can glean a few long words, or a few fugitive remarks, to adorn their evening's conversation. Men of research and learning are now seen perusing works of fiction or imagination, which would have been, a hundred years ago, thought beneath the notice of any one who pretended to the gravity of wisdom. Are mankind, generally, improved by so much reading ? I fear not.

He is one of those little minds, who, with a small stock ef information, and scarcely sufficient energy to acquire more, set up for learned men, and endeavour to keep up their reputation by attempts at literary criticism, and by reading, not to acquire new ideas, but to enable themselves to decide with more dogmatical impertinence concerning the merits of authors whom they scarcely understand. He had perused all the literature of the day, and was conversant with all the works which are incessantly issued from the press: he discoursed freely about their merits; but not one new view of any subject had he gained from them. All his powers of mind seemed concentrated in little grammatical remarks on pretended inaccuracies of style, or in strictures on detached passages. The scope and design of the author, the justice of his opinions, the accuracy of his statements, in matters of science and history; in short, the general character of the work, in the mean time, passed wholly unnoticed. These were things with which he meddled not. They were above his powers; and, as he read solely to find materials for conversation, Quam scit quisque suam libens exerceat artem. as he conversed merely to show what he fancied was criti- But we are likewise become a nation of critics: and this cal acumen, the improvement of his mind, from any of reflection brings me back to my acquaintance Clitus. Poor his studies, seemed an object wholly beneath his notice. man! What advantage does he derive from the huge Before he left me, he had made so many ill-natured re- tomes which he peruses "with labour sore ?" How many marks on works which it was evident he had not under- are there, who, like him, " read and study, and nobody is stood, that his singular and pedantic vanity, while it di- a bit the wiser ?" How many seem to think that reading verted, so far irritated me as to prevent me from resuming, is acquiring knowledge; that, whilst they are perusing with sufficient mental abstraction, the pursuit which his books, they must necessarily, and almost, as it were, inevivisit had interrupted. During a short walk, which I took tably be informing their minds? They need not use their recover my thoughts and temper, the following reflec-judgment, to weigh the author's meaning; their reason, tions occupied me; and I pursued, with pleasure, the train of thought into which they lead. We are become a nation of writers; work after work nishes from the press with awful celerity, "occupet cxbremum scabies;” authors seem engaged in a race, which, to judge from the speed with which they run, promises tne most brilliant rewards to all who arrive at the goal. | And this is not a race in which they endeavour to outstrip each other; in which each author, “ hunc atque hunc suPerare laborat" in the excellence of his work: no, publica, ton is the sole end of their labours; of the value of what They write they are utterly careless. The evident deduc

sons from this fact seengs,

1st-That the remuneration which authors obtain is greater than it was in the last century, in nearly the same proportion in which our books exceed the number of those which were published at that time.

dly, That, to 'secure this remuneration, less pains are Decessary on the part of the authors.

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to determine his truth; their memory, to enrich their minds with new ideas, and to make his knowledge their own. No; according to their principles of action, "read and be wise," seems a precept as firmly grounded in their minds, and, quoad the first part, as tenaciously followed in their practice, as if reading and wisdom were inseparably connected, and as if they were certain to arrive, o insu dando libris," at the summit of hunian learning.

Let us not be like them; let us "noble ends by noble means pursue;" let us not underrate the value of intellectual improvement, and the cultivation of our mental powers, so far as to suppose that information can be gained, or the mind improved, by the mere exercise of the eyes unaided by reason. Let us read and be wise;" not by reading only, but by reflection on what we read. To effect this, we must read with selection. We must not read, indiscriminately, all the works which issue, pell, mell, from the press. We must not peruse the ancient authors alone. By a judicious choice of the best, amongst

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PRICE 3d.

books ancient and modern, and reading those written on the same subject, in proper order, much useful knowledge may be acquired and retained: but, amidst such an abun-: dance, choice becomes difficult.

Let the general principles inculcated in Dr. Watt's excellent work on the improvement of the mind be followed, in the selection of such branches of literature as are most useful, both generally and in the particular course of life we mean to adopt. Let us add to these such other subjects as may coincide with our taste and genius, and the previous character of our studies. No man ever became wise by attempting to attain eminence in every science. For lighter reading, we should choose such books as, while they relieve the sameness of severer studies and charm the imagination, improve the style and raise our taste; let them be the works of authors renowned for a classic pen and correct judgment.

But we may do all this, and not "grow wiser as we read," if to this selection be not added moderation in the quantity, and meditation on the subject of what we read. To fix our attention more particularly, it is an excellent plan, either to mark in the perusal, or copy into a blank book, such passages as may contain matter for reflection, and to make these the subject of future thought; and, either to expand the idea contained in them, or investigate their merits. So shall we improve our style and enlarge our minds at the same time.

Such were my reflections, which were terminated by the conclusion of my walk, and which had recalled my scattered thoughts so far as to enable me to resume my occupation with pleasure.

I intend to follow the plan of animadverting upon such passages of ancient and modern works as may seem suitable in my course of reading; and, should I make any meditations which appear worthy notice, I shall, with deference, submit them to the reader's better judgment, at a future period. Z.

LORD BYRON'S CHARACTER DENOUNCED FROM THE

PULPIT.

The popular preacher of Holland chapel has, among others, considered it within the scope of his duty to denounce from the pulpit the character and writings of the late Lord Byron. Dr. Styles had previously intimated, that he purposed calling the attention of his auditors to this subject, and consequently a considerable degree of expectation was excited. On Sunday evening, the 11th ultimo, he fulfilled his promise, in the presence of an unusually numerous congregation. He took his text from the 4th chapter of Genesis, 9th verse, “ Am I my brother's keeper?" He commenced his discourse by noticing the attempts which had been recently made to propagate the doctrines of infidelity and scepticism. In lamenting the prevalence of this evil, he observed, that infidelity was a crime which had been early engendered among the poshad committed murder and fratricide was an infidel. The terity of Adam. It was remarkable that the first who reference to this circumstance naturally introduced the character of Cain, the worst that had been sketched in the sacred page-not only the first murderer and infidel, his Maker by offering a sacrifice that was not required. but one who had rejected divine revelation, and insulted When surprised by the appalling question-"Where is thy brother a he replied, in the language of defiance, "Am I my brother's keeper ?" Having thus introduced

the latter period of his life, had occurred, which justifie a hope, that, had Heaven been pleased to have protracte his days, he might have made an atonement for his un redeemed errors. His exertions in the sacred cause o liberty and the independence of nations showed that ther was a spark within his bosom which a ray from Heave might have kindled; but, viewing him as he appeare through his writings, he could only be considered as the corrupter of the public morals, and, therefore, concluded the preacher, it was his painful duty to denounce splendid genius as the greatest enemy of mankind.

Men and Manners.

"TIS FORTY YEARS SINCE.

FROM THE GERMAN OF CRANZ, BY L. MAN, OF LIVERPOOL

[Translated expressly for the Kaleidoscope.]

he subject, he proceeded to trace the progress of the uniformly in vain; that the cause of human felicity had crime of infidelity. He remarked, that, under the pre- languished; that every means of applying a moral power sumed guidance of genius and philosophy, men had had been found utterly inadequate, and that no lasting sought to introduce what they considered the golden age- impression had ever been effected till man's best benefactor the triumph of reason over superstition; for such was the brought into action a system of religion as simple as it cant of the Satannic school. It was by assuming the was purifying; that system of Christianity, the glorious garb of reason and philosophy that principles of the most evidence of which was, that it universally prompted and demoralizing tendency had, from time to time, been in- promoted the love of God, and good-will to mankind. It culcated by those whom he could not otherwise designate was an attachment to, or a variation from, its doctrines that than as the enemies of God and the adversaries of man- stamped the character of a good or bad man. He who kind; they exclaimed in the language of the blasphemer, would blot the Sun of Righteousness from our vision was "Who is the Almighty that we should seek him?" It was worse than he who, having seen the sun, exclaimedthe duty, he said, of all good men to summon their whole O, how I hate thy beams." In Lord Byron this dispowers for the purpose of checking the advance of in- position was to be found, not only as it regarded Chrisfidelity. It were easy to prove the inconsistency of this tianity and revealed religion, but all natural religion; he crime with truth and reason: the misery and despair it had touched the boundaries of heaven, losing himself in occasioned among those who were under its contagious the infinity of his rash speculations; but he had drawn no influence were sufficient to carry conviction to every empyreal air. His muse had not wet his brows with reflecting mind. The preacher then remarked, that a the holy afflatus. His poetry evinced that he was as mournful event had recently occurred to which he con- far from God as he was from every other kind of reliceived it was a necessary obligation imposed on him to gion. In his works he had made frequent reference to advert-he alluded to the death of Lord Byron; mournful Christianity. In the production he had left unfinished, it was in one sense-we regarded with sorrow the sudden he had protested that he had no where arraigned A prince, whose dominions were not very extensive, bu extinction of genius, for it was the brightest glory of the Christ, or introduced any allusion to the holy incarnation; who was determined to enjoy his power to the utmost, hat intellectual world. We followed rank and greatness to but there was not a solitary idea throughout his writings reserved to himself the exclusive privilege of hunting the grave with emotions of regret, but if genius was that could associate his speculations or ethics with our and he watched with much greater care and anxiety ove deadened, or shone with a disastrous lustre, and rank and religion. In vain would you look for meekness and chagreatness debased that order of society of which it ought rity. Whatever promises Christianity held out, he re- the welfare of his dogs, than over that of any of his other to have been the Corinthian capital and ornament, our viled and denied: if its ministers sinned, he never con- subjects. To the former he was a kind and benevolent sorrow was converted into speculations on the designs of descended to mark the difference between the crime and master; but woe to the human beings who had the mia Providence in removing the possessor and abuser of such the creed. Was it a matter to excite surprise, that, when fortune of incurring his displeasure. The best employment pre-eminent gifts. There was a generosity which inclined infidelity received the encouragement of such a man as us to bury all faults in the tomb; it was a feeling that Lord Byron, every warehouse of inpiety should be con- in the state were given to those who displayed most skill a ought to be indulged, if the mischief arising out of those stantly pouring forth its blasphemies? The second proof the chace, whatever might be their other good or ba faults did not survive; but if an individual had lived only of his assumption, with regard to his Lordship's character, qualities; and the predilections of his Highness were s to scatter the seeds of moral pestilence, and died in the was the identity of his philosophy with that of the modern well known, that even young men of respectability sub midst of his unholy exertions, it became those who were infidel school: it was the nature of that school to be dis-mitted to the drudgery of forest service, in order to ob acquainted with the extent of the subtle poison he had satisfied with the existing state of things, and to promote circulated, to guard others against its demoralizing effects. innovation; under the mark of philanthropy it aimed at tain advancement in other branches. Those who wished to counteract the pernicious system he the destruction of all the charities of human life; the Had sought to establish or confirm, ought not to be de- serpent's splendid garb concealed the serpent's venom. terred by the name or character of the individual-more It was the character of true wisdom to be cautious, but was due to the living than the dead, and, although no the infidel was bold and presumptuous. It was fabled of man of good feelings would insult the dead, yet when it Truth, that, at her birth, she had been hewn to pieces; appeared that the deceased, while living, had associated his the true philosopher endeavoured to collect them; the name with those of Bolingbroke, Hume, Gibbon, and Vol- infidel would destroy every vestige of her existence. He taire, as their memory had been attacked, nothing ought was at variance with every thing in the shape of religion. to protect him, who had made a mockery and a scorn of The triumph of the Epicureans had been the presage of the most sacred feelings that could warm the human the degradation and ruin of the Roman State. The same breast; and more particularly when his death appeared principles in another form had excited that Revolution in to have given a new impetus to the purchase and perusal a neighbouring country, which, after shaking Europe to of his works, and his mysterious productions were at- her foundation, had produced only anarchy and disaptempted to be made the standard of taste. Upon such an pointment. How much was it to be deplored, that so occasion, the public ought to be guarded against the moral bright a genius as Heaven had bestowed on the Noble evil that might be thrown into circulation. No truth was Poet should have been tarnished by principles of so demore evident than that great writers promoted the ruin or moralizing a tendency; he whose name might have gone happiness of the people to whom their writings were down to posterity associated with those of Shakspeare and addressed. If they strengthened the social principles Milton. The third and less equivocal evidence of his The Sovereign himself led his favourite Diana by if, on a solid foundation, they reared a beautiful super- character was his having endeavoured to remove all in silken string to the meeting place, and he charged Adolph structure, their works should be placed in every library, centives to virtue, and all obstructions to vice. His earand the embellishments of sculpture and painting should liest works had betrayed his impiety. Hopes had still on his life, not to let her go before the proper time. Sh assist in conveying their fame to future generations; but been entertained that this erratic star would have returned had to perform a most conspicuous part in the prepare if, like Lucifer, a son of light fell from his sphere, and to a more benign sphere. Alas! the illusion soon va- drama; and as no doubt of her abilities could possibl carried ruin and desolation in his course, what ought to nished. It had been the undeviating object of his exist-exist, it was the intention of the Prince to bestow upo be our emotions when the career of such a being was ence to give a popular form to Atheism, and to specula- her the honours of the golden collar before the close arrested by the arm of Omnipotence? He pitied those tions which threatened to dethrone the Almighty; throwwho could be actuated by any sensations than such as ing his impious volumes, like grenades, into the heart of the day. The peasants of a whole county had been p would succeed the removal of a scourge and calamity. his native city, regardless of the devastation they com- in requisition to assemble the inhabitants of the fores Thus far he had assumed the infidelity of the Noble Poet. mitted.-The preacher then more pointedly adverted to and to drive them into the hands of the expecting hunter -True it was, he had not, like the blasphemer, avowed The Mystery of Cain, which, he said, he had attentively who were armed for the attack with every species of mi in so many words the necessity of atheism; but, as far as perused, in hopes of finding some one isolated passage sile weapons, and supported by all the experienced dog it was to be inferred from the spirit and character of his which might extenuate the guilt of its author; but, after whilst promising candidates were placed near the scene writings, so far, it was manifest, he had endeavoured to conceding every license to which poets were entitled, he diffuse the baneful and anti-social principle through the considered it throughout as a work holding forth en-action, to profit by the example. Diana was among t medium of his most exquisite and unrivalled poetry, couragement to the infidel. In this dramatic perform- latter, and Adolph's duty consisted in showing to h and so far he was to be contemplated as one of the most ance the head and the heart of every Christian were what was going on, without suffering her to take a sha decided and avowed enemies of social happiness. This assailed; the delusions its perusal were calculated to in the sport, until he should receive positive orders fro was what he should proceed to establish; first, by that create were of the most pernicious kind. Having dwelt total alienation from the spirit and influence of all reli- upon this part of the subject, he expressed his hope that the father of the country. The young man did his u gion, which pervaded the whole of his productions. It every exertion would be made to check the growth of most to comply with the request, but, unfortunately was extraordinary that a man, possessed of his unrivalled infidelity; it was the germ of every vice; it armed the wounded boar rushed upon him, at a moment when t talents, and splendid mental endowments, should so stu- passions; to its influence was to be attributed the evils general attention was directed to another quarter, and diously have separated himself from every thing that was which embittered social life-adultery, seduction, the utcalculated to promote human happiness, and have adopted ter destitution of honour and integrity, the friend betrayed, cries for assistance proved unavailing: he defended hi a discordant system of ethics, which, he must have been the tradesmen defrauded, and the various other crimes of self in the best manner he could; but it was impossib sensible, had uniformly and invariably been productive which it was parent. Poetry, he observed, was a fruitful to do this, and to watch Diana at the same time: the la of crime and calamity. He must have been aware, that, source of amusement and instruction; by the combination ter no sooner felt herself at liberty than she displayed for the purpose of opposing an antidote to so destructive of impressions it conveyed, the character of our youth courage, by attacking the infuriated wild animal with a a system, many things had been resorted to in the ancient was formed: it was our delight in early life, and our her might, and the relief came very seasonably for he world long before the introduction of the Gospel; that solace at a more advanced period.-No man was ever bettiquity had devoted themselves to this great object, but and future generations its advantages. Circumstances, in with his spear, and to bury it deep in the flanks of t Socrates, Plato, and the most enlightened sages of an- ter qualified than Lord Byron to confer on the present age keeper: he was thereby enabled to make a vigorous pu

Such was the case with Adolph, the only son of a wor thy officer, and the betrothed lover of an amiable woman he felt no inclination for the rough and cruel sports of the field; but the favourite pointer of the Prince had bee placed under his particular care, and the dawn of the morning found him prepared to join his rude compations. He cast a parting glance at fair Eliza's window, and be was delighted on seeing it open, but still more so on hear ing himself addressed by his beloved. Her anxiety had not allowed her to sleep, and she could not think of les ting him set off without a farewell. The conversation was short, but delicious, and it increased the young man reluctance for the chace: the approaching chorus of hem admonished him, however, of his task, and he hastened i reach his post.

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enemy. This was hardly accomplished before the other hunters returned towards Adolph; they complimented him on his achievement; but, alas! their congratulations were soon changed into pity, when they perceived that the push had not been quick enough to prevent the boar from exerting his tusks at the expense of Diana, and that both the animals were expiring at the same time.

wood, which is itself a bad conductor of heat, and, therefore, prevents the possibility of small degrees of radiated heat from affecting this part of the instrument. The above circumstance also induced Mr. G. to construct another form of the instrument, in which this bulb is entirely removed. This form of the thermometer is represented in figure 2, above. The fluid, it will be observed, rests on the commencement of the capillary opening in the tube at Adolph's intended bride was waiting for him in the the bottom of the bulb, over which the gas is contained. An expansion of the gas, in this case, will displace a porgarden, and she had already been visiting all the favourite tion of the fluid and drive it up the tube, as in the other places at which he used to meet her; she had wandered form of the instrument: and for some experiments perfrom arbor to arbor, and from the grove to the water-haps this will be a better construction; but when it is fall, until she thought it high time to expect him at the considered that the inside of this bulb will be occasionally wet by the fluid moving about within it, on a change of door: there she had stood for a good while, listening to every position of the instrument, &c. &c. the first will be resound, and hoping every moment to hear the well-known garded as the most valuable, and least likely to occasion beloved foot-steps, when suddenly an uncommon noise inaccurate results, when provided with the guard above attracted her attention; it seemed to be in the direction of stated. It may be worthy of remark here, that this latter kind Adolph's dwelling; but Eliza could only hear cries, ex- may be made still more simply than the one represented, clamations, and broken words: she hastended to learn the by introducing a straight capillary tube into a bulb, flask, cause, and entered the house of mourning. God! what a or small matrass, of thin glass, to within a line of its botsight! her own dear Adolph lay stretched on a bier, pale, tom, and fixing it in this situation, by sealing or cementdisfigured, and bleeding; his mother kneeling motionlessing the neck of the matrass to the tube at that part where at his side, and not daring to cast another glance at her it enters. A little fluid at the bottom of the flask, so as to reach a little above the level of the lower opening of this expiring son; whilst the father tore his venerable grey tube, will be pressed up through its bore by the expansion hair, and uttered maledictions against the tyrant who had of the air or gas in the bulb, analogous to that in the thus dared to outrage humanity. The physician alone others already described; because, after the neck has been seemed to be collected; and, after having admonished sealed to the tube, its capillary bore will be the only openEliza to be collected too, he very quietly pronounced that ing from which it can escape from the bulb when the gas is expanded. the young man was dead. The frantic father caught the The delicacy of the instrument, in either of the forms fainting maiden in his arms, and bid her to weep; but previously described, will depend on the respective diamenot for love, no! for humanity's sake. "Your Adolph is ters of the bores of the tubes, when compared to the diis gone," he said, "but what of that? he might have ameters of the bulbs. It may be made sensible to almost perished by a shot or by a fall with his horse, and I should any change of temperature: in fact, as before stated, the thousandth part of a degree of Farenheit may be accuhave borne it like a nian and like a Christian; but he is rately read off, provided the principal bulb be painted murdered, basely, cruelly murdered; not by the hand of black and filled with pure gas; its size, at the same time, an assassin; no, by the command of a monster in human being one inch and a half in diameter, and that of the shape; he fell under ignominious blows like a slave; he, when thus constructed, will indicate a change of tembore of the tube being about a line. The instrument, the pride of my manhood, and the hope of my old age, perature immediately on the opening or shutting of a pays with his own life for the life of a dog which he door, in an apartment when the temperature differs but was unable to save. In vain we fell at the feet of the little from that without. If taken from an apartment in barbarian, and entreated for mercy, if not for justice: which there has been no fire for several days, it will show a difference of temperature on being taken into another strike on! was the reply; and the minions of the villain under similar circumstances. In the open air it is strongly were base enough to obey." Thus the father; but the affected by currents; a fact which proves that the atmos physicians of the residence declared unanimously, that the phere is not of the same temperature throughout. This young man had died of an apoplectic fit. effect is produced when there is no sunshine; but in a day when the sun-beams occasionally break through the clouds, the effect on the Thermometer in a current is very interesting, arising from those portions of air, which, at a distance, have been partially warmed by the transitory rays of the sun strongly affecting the instrument when they impinge on its bulb. In fact, in the open air, on such a day, the fluid in the instrument is never at rest. In experiments on the temperature of liquid bodies, the results are still more interesting. For instance; expose different quantities of water separately in four or five glass jars to the open air, and at the same time it will be found, in a very short period, that the water in each vessels will indicate a different temperature-a circumstance connected with radiation-a fact hitherto only suspected.

Scientific Records.

[Comprehending Notices of new Discoveries or Improvements in Science or Art; including, occasionally, singular Medical Cases; Astronomical, Mechanical, Philosophical, Botanical, Meteorological, and Mineralogical Phenomena, or singular Facts in Natural History; Vegetation, &c.; Antiquities, &c.; List of Patents; to be contnued in a series through the Volume.] A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF TWO THERMO. MICROMETERS,

Invented by Goldsworthy Gurney, Esq.

[FROM NO. 1. OF THE METROPOLITAN LITERARY JOURNAL.]

[Concluded from our last.]

The delicacy of the instrument is such, that if the hand be brought within a short distance of the bulb, the fluid will rise in the graduated tube several degrees. Mr. G. Found an inaccuracy in one or two experiments arising From this cause. In one experiment he observed, that the pirit rose in the tube when the instrument was taken out a fluid whose temperature he knew was higher than hat of the atmosphere. On inquiring into the cause of this ror, he observed that he had unconsciously placed his nger in contact with the middle bulb of the thermometer, the act of removing it from the liquid; consequently he small portion of gas contained above the surface of he fluid in this bulb, was expanded by the heat from the e, and pressed the fluid up the tube, as just noticed. This circumstance shows the care necessary to be observed an experiments with this instrument; and as it is possible hat adventitious causes may act on the middle tube under Some circumstances in experiments, however carefully nducted, Mr. G. covers this bulb with a thick piece of

out by the expansion. The required situation of the fluid in the graduated leg of the instrument may be easily fixed by this means; for should it not fall sufficiently low, all that is necessary to be done is to warm the principal bulb a second time, so as first to drive all the fluid into the upper bulb of the instrument. The expansion is now to be increased a little more, so as to expel a small bubble or two of gas through this fluid. The hand must now be removed, and as a condensation of the gas takes place in the bulb, the fluid will again return and fall lower in the scale. This may be repeated a second or a third time, until the fluid stands at the point desired. If, by accident or intention, an excess of the gas has been driven out by expansion, the whole of the fluid will be drawn into the middle bulb, and any air (or gas, if a bladder of it be tied on the end of the tube) which may be necessary to balance the external atmospheric pressure, will bubble through the fluid in this bulb and pass into the lower one. The scientific man will observe, that any change of temperature in experiment, however low, may be measured by this instrument. To fit it for measuring small changes of heat, at a very low temperature, the bulb must be placed in a freezing mixture, the temperature of which is previously ascertained; in that case a proportionate condensation would be effected, and the air or gas find its way through the liquid into the bulb, to preserve a ba lance of atmospheric pressure as previously described; and the coloured fluid would always rest on a point at the commencement of the capillary tube where it opens into the bulb, until any increase of temperature, from that in which the bulb has been introduced, is applied; in that case it would act by driving a portion up the scale as previously stated. As the gas never freezes, the instrument may be employed in the lowest possible temperature that art is capable of producing.

It is absolutely necessary, in the construction of this instrument, that the upper end of the capillary tube should be open to the atmosphere, otherwise no free action of the fluid can possibly take place; for if a large bulb be blown on the top, and hermetically sealed, it would not only prevent the free motion of the fluid in the tube by its elasticity, but being itself liable to be affected by accidental to that action, small as it might be, and therefore be the temperatures, would constantly oppose different resistance cause of constant error.

The various degrees of pressure of the atmosphere at certain times, on the other hand, may be opposed to the accuracy of the instrument, when it has its end open; this pressure, however, can always be known by the barometer, and may easily be rectified by calculation.

The evaporation of the coloured spirit may be adduced as an objection to the instrument. This inconvenience has been most happily removed by sir A. Carlisle, to whom the scientific world is already so much indebted; he proposes that a solution of sulphuric acid shall be exposed to the open air, until it has received or lost sufficient moisture to be in a state liable neither to evaporate nor to absorb humidity. In this state it is to be coloured and introduced into the instrument, as the fluid for indicating the degree of expansion. A solution of caustic potash, muriate of lime, &c. treated in the same way may be employed, but the former he considers the best fluid for the purpose.

POLAR SEA3.

The theory that there are open seas round both the Earth's Poles, has received strong corroboration within the last The almost inconceiveable delicacy of this instrument, few months. We have now on our table a letter from a when added to the capability it furnishes of being em- naval officer at Drontheim who notices the fact that Capt. ployed in detecting the temperature of fluids, renders it Sabine had good weather, and reached 80° 81' north latione of apparently great value in scientific investigation; tude without obstruction from the ice, so that the expediand particularly at this time, when so much is accomplished tion might easily have proceeded farther had its object so by the agency of heat, and when so much of our national required. And we have also had the pleasure to meet reprosperity depends on the success of our various manu-cently with a British officer, who, with two vessels under factures. his command, last season, penetrated to 74° 25′ south latitude in the Antarctic circle, which is above three degrees beyond Cook's utmost limit. Here he found the sea perfectly clear of ice, and might have prosecuted his voyage towards the Pole, if other considerations had permitted. There was no field ice in sight towards the South; and the water was inhabited by many finned and humpbacked whales. The longitude was between the South Shetland Islands, lately discovered, and Sandwich land : this proves the former to be an archipelago (as was supposed) and not a continent. The voyage is remarkable as being the utmost South upon record, and we hope to be favoured with other particulars of it. At present we have only to add, that the variations of the needle were extraordinary, and the more important as they could not readily be explained by the philosophical principles at present maintained on the subject-Literary Gazette,

It may be useful to state the manner in which the thermometer is filled with hydrogen or any other gas. All the atmospheric air is first driven out of the tubes, bulbs, &c. by giving them a heat nearly of redness; at this moment the open end of the tube is to be introduced into a jar (or, what is better, a bottle with a small neck) of hydrogen gas. The bulbs, &c. are now to be cooled as quickly as possible, so that the sudden condensation may draw up and fill them with the gas before it has had time to escape from the jar or bottle in which it is contained. The coloured spirit is introduced by first pouring a few drops into the open bulb on the top of the instrument, and then displacing a few bubbles of the gas through it, by slightly warming the principal tube with the hand. As condensation takes place, the fluid will descend through the capillary tube, and ultimately into the middle bulb, to supply the place of the gas which has just been driven

Poetry.

TO THE WINDS.

What moaning spirit of the viewless air
Sweeps by with melancholy wailing,
Telling a witch-like story of despair

To night's lone echoes, o'er the hill-top stealing?
Hark how it swells upon the rising gale,

In plaintive cadence wild; now dies away Like Love's last whisper, or the stifled wail Of weeping orphan, on the hapless day That saw it homeless, parentless, forlorn; Bereft, alas! of hope, and all that binds

The pining exile to his prison lorn!

And now, careering on the mighty winds, Hark the full chorus of the lofty hymn,

Pealing harmonious an angelic strain, Such as might well befit bright seraphim,

Or soul redeemed, to higher regions ta'en,

With saints for aye to dwell. Tell me, ye mystic sounds,
From whence proceed ye? say, from earth or heaven?
And where your limits, your allotted bounds?----
By what unseen magician hither driven,
Viewless as awful spirit of the deep,

That o'er the unburied corse in coral cave,
Chaunting the seaman's dirge, does vigil keep,
His palace built upon the briny wave
Tell me, what are ye, that above, around,

Unseen, while felt, breathe such mysterious awe,
As if the solid earth were fairy ground,

And ye the genii eye of man ne'er saw?
Tell me--but vain I ask ye of your birth,

Known but to God! and whence or where ye go,
Shall never creature of this lower earth,
Child of mortality, be given to know!

And all I ask is this; that still ye bid

Your harps' wild melody around me swell,

Till, the green sod my last and tranquil bed,
Ye sound, ye moaning winds, my funeral knell!
Liverpool.

G.

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That we do think it were not wrong if we
Did name it-Manchester epitome.

Now is the month when cits incline to roam,
Grown quite uneasy, think of quitting home.
No sooner thought, than quickly they decide,
To throw their books, pro tempore, aside;
A sacrifice requiring all their force,

And straight to Southport steer their steady course.
Observe, we speak as suiting to the theme,
Though steering on the land most odd may seem:
But while the Pilot runs there thrice a week,
On such anomalies we need not speak.
And true it is, on board the Wigan boat
Their wives and families are soon afloat;
Along the smooth canal they sluggish sail,
Without one stitch of canvas 'fore the gale;
The hardy cockswain at the helm you view,
Sternly resolv'd to steer the vessel true,
Though lock and turn-bridge often cross his way,
And in his "north-west voyage" cause delay;
If not a "steamer," yet of two horse power,・
Its passage speedy-just three knots an hour
From morn to eve; all dread of danger past,
At Scarisbrick bridge they safe arrive at last,
Where, like to claiming customs on the coast,
The hulk is boarded by a clamorous host
Of boys and Jarvies, lords of caravans,
Carts, coaches, jaunting-cars and shandry-dans.
Like hookers-in soliciting pell mell

To drive to Barlow's or to Clare's Hotel.

Thus far the journey.-How shall we pourtray
The end of travelling forty miles per day?
The sweet approach, say how shall we report
To this "most fashionable gay resort?"†
Uneven pavement shaking out one's breath,
Dismal and rough as Bunyan's Vale of Death,
And strangers for a time express surprise

When naught but sand-hills meet their wond'ring eyes;
Anon the church the carriage heaves in sight,
The Hesketh Arms, and Playhouse to the right;
At further end of what is term'd "the town,"
The castellated towers of
-frown.

On what, or whom? the thrifty sons of trade
Who hold abode in Wellington Parade,
And here, just by, on Coronation Walk
An odd divan of "new arrivals," talk,
Curious to know your quality or name,
What your profession and from whence you came,
Nay, absolutely stare at all they meet,
New faces pass and old ones faintly greet;
Though strange to all, still there's a busy few

Will ask "How's trade?" and "Pray what have you new?"
The night pass'd o'er, at morn behold a band

Of lovely damsels troop along the sand,
Yclad in flannel dress of blue or red,
And oil-case cap, as covering for the bead;
With joy they hasten to the blue marine,
And patient wait their turn for a machine;
And, it is said, those they prefer to call

Of "handsome John," and eke "sweet William" Ball!
Like to the Naiads, as we read at school,
They quick descend, and trouble well the pool;
Heedless of being seen by vulgar men,
They dash and splash, and splash and dash again;
And though these feats the grinning beaux discern,
They scorn to show a symptom of concern.

No further we pursue this luscious strain,

Lest we at least by some be deemed profane;

Though true it is, as almost all agree,
The men in sailing-boats are worse than we-
These navigators bold are most to blame
Who tack, and re-tack, without sense of shame;
"Keep within compass" not their maxim here,
The ladies' eyes the stars by which they steer!
Yet why condemn these innocent delights?
Who could help sailing by such floating lights?
Or while such fair Marinæ‡ held their stations,
Who'd think of taking lunar observations?

Now, as retires the health-conducing wave,
The beaux depart to breakfast or to shave;
Meanwhile these sea-nymphs, or the glowing fair,
Haste to the toilet to arrange their hair;
Après déjeuner, early yet the day,
Only appear in simple negligé,

And as it is the custom'd "turn of tide,”
Engage the ponies for a morning ride,

(Alas! poor brutes, they're almost ridden to death,)
Or ramble up the sand-hills, out of breath,

+ See Wheeler's Chronicle, for its occasional panegyric on this place and Lytham.

Marina, a surname of Venus; would not Anadyomene | be better?

And then run down without the least alarm,
Or walk to Churchtown, or to find "Lost Farm;"
Some to old Harry Rimmer's pleased will go,
And to his fiddle point the pliant toe;
Some look for shells, which here are very rare,
And gain th' advantage of the sea-side air.
The morning gone, they hasten home to dress
For early dinner (militaire the mess ;)
Prepared at two at cottage or hotel,
Made known to all by ringing of a bell,
With whetted appetites-by man and maid
The welcome summons gladly is obey'd.
On this corporeal feast we will not treat,
But leave them for an hour or two to eat,
Pass onward, and decline the task to tell,
The joy of taking wine with every belle,
Or while old topers pass the bottle round,
Or some preferring billiards are found,
Straight to Miss Whiteley's magasin repair,
And chatter scandal with a host of fair,
To lounge or read, to ruffle or to view
The shells and kickshaws, (more polite bijoux,)
And while below the young ones lisp soft love,
Old dad is poring over news above;
Sometimes a few choice spirits here we find
Nobly dispos'd to please the public mind;
Raise a subscription for a pony race,

A sailing match, or treacle-dip the face;
Running in sacks-a crown for him who'll try
To steer a soap-tail'd pig into his sty;
An awkward helm all freely must confess
To prove the natives' nautical address.
Many have witness'd this superior sport,
And seen the porker piloted to port!§

But lo! the evening comes, and now begin
The sports and pastimes of the world within,
And from these out-door games must now desist
As the old folks retire for rubs at whist,
While youth and beauty dress'd in flounce and frill
Haste to the ball, as they prefer quadrille ;
Some to the play, which should not be despised,
Where th' School for Scandal is most scandaliz'd
With scenes like these diurnally they close,
At length out-wearied, cheerful seek repose.
Each day with like pursuits is occupied,
Thus to pourtray them I have humbly tried,
And hasten now to lay the pencil down,
And, via Lytham, to return to town;
But such a rage for Meols the ladies take,
That Blackpool, Lytham, toute-le-monde forsake,
For such a name hath this said sandy spot,
That both, alas! are now well-nigh forgot,
And nought is left, a stanza to inspire,
Save Ellen Gillet and her red attire,
Her hat, her lappets, oh! the jolly dame,
She ranks the first and best of bathing fame!
Farewell, farewell! ye healthy sea-girt lands

Of star-hills, sea-gulls, sea-shells, shrimps and sands:
Thanks for our renovated health we pour,
May muscles, cockles, crowd upon your shore;
Turbot and cod and perriwinkle be
Procur'd in plenty from the Irish Sea;

To every cottage and to every inn

May strangers swarm, and all be taken in;
Thus adding yearly to your wealth's increase,
And to your hearth's true happiness and peace.
Manchester, Aug. 5th, 1824.

GEOFFREY GIMCRACK

§ Some of the pastimes, I imagine, are not to be found Strutt; such as the elegant amusement termed treacle ping, which, I believe, found its way here from some p in the neighbourhood of Bolton. For those to whom it m not be familiar, I add a short description. A large dish placed on an exalted station, and into it is poured a quanti of treacle till about 3 or 4 inches in depth; a few shillings sixpences are then thrown in. Needy adventurers then esse to dive into this silver mine and bring up the metal with their teeth; upon which, their faces are wiped with feathers thus forming altogether a most delicious spectacle.

In the last case the tail of the poor animal is shaved, and well rubbed with soft soap, so as to render it difficult of de tention. Probably the arts and mysteries of these sport are so well known, that our notes may be unnecessary; s fice it, such are the intellectual entertainments provided to the recreation of idle tradesmen at Southport! They wou we think, be more in their place at a village wake, or eve at Little London fair.

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