For another fine passage on the same inspiri subject, from the pen of the same author, see o last volume, p. 44. 1809.-GAS INTRODUCED FOR LIGHTING The inefficient mode of lighting the streets London in antient times, compared with the brillia method of the present day, is worthy of notice.' 1692, a petition was presented to Parliament by t patentees of convex-lights, for a further extensi of their term; which was opposed by the city a lanthorn-makers, who objected to the company th the necessity of men going about the streets to sn the lamps would endanger the safety of the inhal tants; and their having ladders with them, would gi them an opportunity of committing robbery by g ting into the windows of their houses. By particula incidentally stated it appears that the city was at th time lighted with horn-lanthorns and candles, whic by a statute of Henry IV, every person was co pelled to hang outside of his house. The conve lights were, no doubt, the first step to the globe-lam with oil-burners. But to what an astonishing pit of perfection is the mode of lighting now arrive when a subtle vapour is conveyed from a great di tance in innumerable subterranean tubes, supplyi the fuel of a brilliant illumination, and as if, Pendent by subtle magic, many a row MILTON Astronomical Occurrences In FEBRUARY 1822. SOLAR PHENOMENA. THE Sun enters Pisces at 49m. after 3 in the mor ing of the 19th of this month, and he rises and se during the same eriod as in the following TABLE in's Rising and Setting for every fifth Day. 1st, Sun rises at 27 m. after 7. Sets at 33 m. after 4 42 6th 18 7 Sun will be eclipsed on the 21st, but the vill not be visible in this country, as it will al on the meridian at 8 h. 40 m. in latitude orth, and longitude 120° 59′ west. Equation of Time. - the time is known from a good sun-dial, s required to find what should be indicated Il regulated clock at the same moment, the t time, given by the dial, must be increased ollowing quantities. Moon's Passage over the Meridian. Moon will pass the first meridian of this ry at the following times, when she may be niently observed in that position, if the atmoe be free from clouds in that direction, viz. February 1st, at 57 m. after 7 in the evening 2d, 41 On the 6th the Moon will be visibly eclipsed. T time and other circumstances of the eclipse, as con puted for the first meridian, will be as follow, viz.: Digits eclipsed 4° 34' from the north side of t Earth's shadow, or on the Moon's southern limb. PHENOMENA PLANETARUM. The illuminated and dark parts of this planet be the following proportion at the commencement this month, viz.: In T. T. for 1819, p. 51, we showed that Ven shines with her maximum brightness when the bread of her illuminated part is 3.1908 digits, and which therefore a little more than a fourth part of the di meter. The great variation in the distance of th planet from the Earth causes this proportion to be s small. From the proximity of this number to th which expresses the enlightened part on the 1st this month, it is evident that the greatest brilliand will be about the 2d of February. Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. The following are such of the eclipses of thes small planetary bodies as will be visible at the Roya Observatory this month, viz.:-— Emersions. 1st Satellite. 6th day. at 41 m after 6 in the evening oon will be in conjunction with ß in Taurus fter 2 in the morning of the 2d of this month; Leo, at 13 m. past midnight of the 6th; Scorpio, at 56 m. after 3 in the morning of ; and with Mercury at 46 m. after 3 in the of the 23d. Venus will be stationary on the d Mercury on the 26th; this latter planet attain his greatest elongation on the 19th. Il likewise be in opposition at half past 6 orning of the same day. The Naturalist's Diary For FEBRUARY 1822. Let WINTER come! let polar spirits sweep Blaze on the hearth, and warm the pictured wall! CAMPBELL. s month has frequently a most wintry aspect; ound is covered with snow, the rivers are frond the cold is intense; and now Heaven's chancel yault is blind with sleet. ary is sometimes, however, characterised by veather, as in some recent seasons. The seweather usually experienced in February breaks th a sudden thaw, accompanied by wind and torrents of water pour from the hills, and the is completely dissolved. Rivers swell and in E undate the surrounding country, often carrying awa bridges, cattle, mills, gates, &c. and causing gre injury to the farmer. Ice breaks from the banks pools and streams, and floats; a sign of relentin frost and a milder temperature. See our last v lume, pp. 48-49. In the course of this month all nature begins, as were, to prepare for its revivification. God, as th Psalmist expresses it, 'renews the face of the earth and animate and inanimate nature seem to vie wi each other in opening the way to spring. About th 4th or 5th, the woodlark (alauda arborea), one our earliest and sweetest songsters, renews his not a week after, rooks begin to pair; the thrush sings and the yellow-hammer is heard. The chaffind sings; and the redbreast continues to warble. Turke cocks strut and gobble. Partridges (tetrao perdi: begin to pair; the house-pigeon has young; fiel crickets open their holes; and wood-owls hoo gnats play about, and insects swarm under sunn hedges; the stone-curlew (otis ædicnemus) clamour and frogs (rana temporaria) croak. By the latter end of February, the raven (corv corax) has generally laid its eggs, and begun to si Moles (talpa europaeus) commence their subterran ous operations.-See T. T. for 1814, p. 49, and T.' for 1818, p. 43. About this time, the green-woodpecker (picus vir dis) is heard in the woods, making a loud noise. Bullfinches return to our gardens in February, ar though timid half the year, are now fearless and pe severing. On the mischief effected by these birds this season, see our last volume, p. 50. But few flowers appear in this month: the dwa bay (daphne mezereon) puts forth its beautifully r and copious flowers, often entirely concealing t branches; the laurustinus (viburnum tinus) is flower, and the great henbit (lamium amplexicau bank with its nurple blossoins |