of mountains, of plains and of elevated plateaux, | opinion, that they contain also a less quantity of are alike obnoxious to this affliction. Place geo-iodine than other waters. It results, from the graphical and geological maps side by side, and labors of M. Grange, that France is ascertained the fact just stated will become in a most striking to possess about four hundred aud fifty thousaud manner visible to the eye. The goitre will be goitrous subjects, and from thirty-five to forty shown to be endemic upon all maguesian soils. thousand cretins. These cases are found in the The truth of this observation is distinctly recog- departments bordering on the Pyrenees, but prinnized by the most distinguished geologists-by cipally in the eastern departments, in the vicinity M. Elie de Beaumont in France-M. Studer in of the Alps and the Jura, upon the formations of Switzerland-M. Sismonda in Piedmont. There lias, trias, and molasse. The disease attacks was invariably found salts of magnesia in the children from six to eight years of age. Among waters commonly drank, and in the ashes of the adults it is found that women are more subject grains commonly used for food in those coun- to it than men. In the Alpine regions the protries where this disease prevails. And always portion is as five to three. In England and the where it was remarked as endemic, in particular north of France, the proportion is still greater. localities, or in districts which could not be con- Cases are adduced in which entire communities sidered as of magnesian soil, the waters used have been relieved from goitrous affections by were found to contain magnesia in notable quan- the substitution, for culinary purposes, of spring tities: as, for example, the well water of Neris. water in the place of well water. The diswhere the granite formation prevails; and at ease has very sensibly diminished in GeneLandisay, near Sains, upon a chalk stratum. va, since the waters of the Rhone have been These facts. says the reporter, show that mag-received into general use in that city. M. nesian salts play an important part in the devel- Grange is of opinion that to secure relief and opment of goitre, and, taken in connection with exemption from goitre in a given community, it others which he declares to be well authenticated, is only necessary to make a change of water by compel him to announce the presence of these the general adoption of cisterns. But," says salts as its immediate cause. For instance-in he, "the plainest facts submitted to the personal most of the districts subject to this affliction, observation of the peasants, has no where sufficed young men liable to be taken for service in the to induce them to incur the expense of construcarmy, are accustomed to give themselves the goi- tion. They continue subject to the goitre, refutre by drinking daily several quarts of water, sing to have recourse to well known preservaknown by experiment to be favorable to the de- tives, or remedies, until the disease attains a development of the disease. These waters are gree of gravity which incapacitates them for shown by analysis to be strongly impregnated work. To effect a cure in rural populations, it is with magnesia. An engineer of the navy saw absolutely necessary to place within their reach, himself attacked with a perfectly characterized gratuitously, a remedy of simple application. and quite voluminous goitre, after having taken No expense, no careful attention to prescriptions calcined magnesia daily for the space of fourteen must be exacted from them: otherwise their apamonths, in doses of half a gramme. In some thy will render of no avail the best intentions places, where goitre prevails, certain rich fami- with regard to them. Marine salt, iodurated by lies are accustomed to collect rain water in cis- a portion of from one-tenth to five-tenths of a terns, and use it for their domestic purposes. gramme of iodure of potassium to 1,000 grammes These families are invariably exempt from the of salt, admirably comes up to these conditions. disease. It may be afforded at the same price with common salt, and is to be employed exactly in the same manner as common salt for all domestic purposes. In Savoy, where government holds the monopoly of salt, it would be easy, without the people having reason ever to suspect what had been done, to mingle with the common salt intended for popular consumption, the proper Snow water and water coming direct from the glaciers, unmingled with other waters, never are known to cause the goitre. In a former memoir, M. Grange had signalised the absence of goitre upon all sea coasts, and had attributed the fact to the presence of iodure of potassium in the articles of food drawn from the sea, and in the alimentary salts which always contain a larger proportion of iodine. He states quantity of iodure of potassium. Savoy counts that the researches of M. Chatin upon iodine about one hundred thousand goitrous subjects. have furnished many facts confirmatory of his In France, where the monopoly of salt no longer theory. The gentleman last named has recently exists, other means must be resorted to for supanalysed, in a great number of instances, the plying suffering populations with iodurated salt. waters in general use for domestic purposes, in These means should be promptly sought, for the regious affected, and he asserts that they all con-cost to the State of thus extending relief to the tain salts of magnesia, and he is inclined to the whole of our afflicted population, would only VOL. XVI-95 reach the trifling sum of 8,000 francs, ($1,600.) | the silver plate into a bath composed of chlorure I am thoroughly persuaded, that with the goitre, of sodium, of sulphate of copper, of iron and would disappear cretinism; for this appears to be the end to which generations afflicted with the former disease are tending: and my coufidence in the efficacy of iodurated salt is so strong that I venture to prediet, that though much depreciated now, it will ere long command higher prices than ordinary salt. During the last eighteen months, I have employed this remedy for the cure of entire families. It has in no instance failed, and its use has never been attended or followed by any deplorable consequences. After a treatment of a few months families have become entirely rid of this disease which had attacked all members from six years of age up. It disappears in the case of children much more rapidly than with persous of adult age. Old persons are of very difficult cure." M. Grange, in conclusion, declares that his proposition of attempting, by government interference, the cure of the goitrous population of France, is based upon such precise and satisfactory chemical data, that he is sure a special committee, nominated for its examination, would report without hesitation in favor of its being fully and fairly tested. zinc, (these two last are not indispensable.) It is left in the bath during several seconds; it is then washed in distilled water and dried by an alcohol lamp. Upon this plate is applied the recto of an engraving. This is then covered with a glass and exposed to the sun for half an hour, or to diffused light for two hours; after which the engraving is removed. The traces then are not always visible: but upon dipping the plate in liquid ammoniac slightly diluted with water, the image always appears in a distinct manner. The same effect is produced by the cyanure of potassium and the byposulphite of soda. The ammoniac, while removing all the parts of the chlorure of silver which were preserved from the action of the light, leaves untouched all those parts which were exposed to that action. It is then freely washed in water. In order for the experiment to be completely successful, contact with the ammoniac should not be prolonged beyond the time necessary for the removal of the chlorure of silver, which has not been affected by the light. M. Niepce has thus proved the possibility of fixing the images upon the silver plate by means of ammoniac, without having Two communications were made to the Acad-recourse either to mercurial vapours or to the emy of Sciences on the 30th ult., upou the sub- hyposulphite of soda. ject of photography; one by M. Gatel, describing an improved mode of preparing photographic paper, by which it is rendered more sensible to the action of light: the other, from M. Niepce, a nephew of the associate of Daguerre, relative to experiments made to obtain Daguerrian images without the use either of iodine or mercury. M. Gatel's improvement is exclusively to the preparation of the paper destined to obtain negative images. He employs a bath composed as follows: Iodure of potassium, Distilled water, White vinegar, very strong, 8 grammes. The solution thus made, assumes immediately a reddish tinge, like the bromure of iodine. It is applied to one of the sides of the paper destined to receive the image. The paper is allowed to imbibe this liquid for half a minute and is then dried. This operation may be performed in the full light of day, but it is better that it should be done in obscurity, and that the paper should be dried in that condition, for it will thus become more sensitive when it is desired to obtain an image in the dark chamber. The paper submitted to this operation, assumes a deep violet color, and is ready for use as it is perfectly dry. In the subsequent operations, there is no departure from the ordinary processes. W. W. M. FAREWELL TO SUMMER. Bright Summer, fare thee well! Go, with thy balmy breath and jocund smile Go wreathe above the clustering curls of joyous youth And o'er the smooth, unclouded brow, Breathe with thy fragrant sweetness. And lead beside the verdant banks Of all thy gurgling streams, the heart The sable garments and the flowing tears Yet press one foot celestial ere thou spread'st thy wings M. Niepce's experiment consists in plunging Thine own green mantle for the early dead. LETTERS FROM NEW YORK. NEW-YORK, Nov. 19, 1850. to enjoy the "luxury of doing good." That this trait in her character is a great element in the unbounded popularity which has been showered upon her is quite certain,- —a pleasant chink by the way, through which the bright side of human nature shines forth. was that of intense wonder; it seemed as if a new revelation was made to their inmost being; you could have thought they were trying to catch the echoes of seraphic harps; until as a clear sense of the divine harmonies of her song gradually opened upon their minds, their faces melA striking feature of the present month has lowed, and glistened and glowed, and finally been the influx of visitors, by steam-boat and melted in a tumult of heart-felt ecstasy. Jenny rail-road, from the interior, for the purpose of re- certainly has often had more critical audiences, galing their musical faculties with the celestial but never one more impressible, more cordial, strains of glorious Jenuy Lind. As the time more sincerely and profoundly appreciative. She draws near for her departure, which is announ- herself sung with as much power, and far more eed for this week, the popular enthusiasm has pathos, than if she had been singing to a distinreceived a new impulse. It was before raised guished audience. Before the close of her perto a white heat, but now it may be said to be formance, her blind admirers could not restrain fairly boiling over. Still the furor has not been their delight. When she ceased singing, they so prevalent among the regular population of the were anxious even but to touch her hand, that city, as you might be led to suppose, from the they might have some direct communication with accounts of the crowds that throng the concerts. the invisible benefactor, who had literally "lapThere are too many fresh sources of excitement ped their senses in Elysium." Jenny seemed no every day to allow of any great constancy to one less gratified than themselves. Whatever you object. With us, the last thing is always the may think of the artistic merits of her singing, best, and Jenny Lind might sing till the crack of you cannot doubt that she has preserved her nadoom to empty seats, if she was to depend ex-ture so pure and unworldly, that she knows how clusively on the pleasure-loving old stagers here for an audience. But her fame continues to vibrate among the mountains and valleys of the country, and every arrival brings a new convoy of its blooming beauty to listen to the enchantments of the magic songstress. I would not attempt to tell the number of those, who are thus tempted to the city, for the first time, from every part of the interior of New-England, but the registers of the hotels and the aspect of the streets in the vicinity, would make you think that the quietest village which nestles by the river side at the foot of the mountain, in the most distant corner of the land, had been touched with the prevailing mania, and had sent forth its troops of young men and maidens to join the triumphal procession, in honor of the all-conquering artist. The enthusiastic admiration which Jenny Lind invariably excites in these amateur guests, is one of the most beautiful tributes to her peculiar gifts. It shows that her music, like one of our wild mountain torrents, gushes from the heart of nature, and needs only the pure instinct of feeling for its true appreciations. This was striking-able connoisseurship. ly exemplified the other day in her visit to the Blind Asylum. The poor young pupils were Boker's new play of the "Betrothal," was pertaken quite by surprise. No previous announce-formed last night, for the first time in New York, ment had been made of her visit. She wished at the Broadway Theatre, with very considerato keep this a secret, in order to prevent being ble success. In many respects, the play is finely annoyed by a throng. So no one knew of her adapted for representation, though it demands a intentions, except one or two particular friends, highly intelligent company to do justice to its inby whom she was accompanied. When she first tellectual character and classical beauties. Its took her seat at the piano, and quietly commen-merit consists not so much in the originality of ced one of her entrancing melodies, a perfect the plot, as in the artistic grace of the language, hush came over every listener; the first emotion and the admirable poetic sentiment of many pas Your supplications to Barnum and to "Jenny Lind herself," are not likely to prove to be in vain. We lose her this week, it is pretty certain, and one of the first perches on which the sweet bird will alight, I suppose, will be in your hospitable Richmond. I confess, I anticipate for her a more than queen-like progress through the whole South. The noble appreciation of Biscaccianti and Madame Bishop will be repeated with ten-fold fervor. You see in our daily papers the brilliant successes of Parodi, who gains fresh laurels with every new appearance, though she has failed to establish her claims as a high priestess of Art, among those critics whose severe ideal standard cannot be warped by the pretensions of fashion sages. The author's mind seems to be imbued | good deal of prestige, and bids fair to be as popuwith the spirit of the elder English literature, lar, if not as brilliant, as it was last winter. The especially of the great dramatists of the sixteenth Mercantile Library led off the procession with century, though he can by no means be charged one of E. P. Whipple's characteristic discourses, with the vice of imitation. He has the natural "keen as a briar," in Yankee parlance, cutting, gift of working in language, like the sculptor in sarcastic, humorous, and quite suggestive, built marble, and forcing its most obdurate forms into on a fair substratum of common sense, and the smoothly undulating moulds for the most smacking more of the world around us thau subtle and spiritual expression. The plot of would be expected from one whose name is so "The Betrothal" is easily understood, and on identified with books. I am sorry to say that the that account, held the audience in pleased atten- Managers of the Mercantile Library have thought tion. It may be told in a few words. An Italian their pecuniary interests would be promoted by gentleman falls into the "sere and yellow leaf" of changing the place of their lectures from Clinton poverty, and becomes indebted to a lean and Hall to the Broadway Tabernacle. The former withered old miser, who at length is induced to lecture room indeed, made no pretensions to aspire to the hand of a beautiful daughter of the Sybaritic luxury. But when well lighted and house in payment of his claims. The father filled with the intelligent and good looking auconsents to the betrothal, the good will of the diences that congregated there last winter to daughter having first been secured by the man- listen to Giles, Emerson, R. H. Dana, and agement of the lady mother. Meantime, the fair William Ware, the tout ensemble was quite atmaiden, who of course agrees to the loathed al-tractive, and indeed rather imposing. At any liance, merely from an impulse of filial duty, rate, people could see each other if they chose, loses her heart to a handsome cavalier who comes in her way just at the nick of time, and after a series of cabals, poisonings, and hair-breadth escapes, they knock the infernal old miser and his money-bags into a "cocked hat," the rich lover comes to the aid of the falling house, the couple are happily married, and "alls well that ends well." and watch the effect of the discourse in their neighbor's faces, which in popular speaking to a mixed assembly, is half the battle. All this is lost in the old "tub" of a Tabernacle, which though somewhat improved this season, always has a dark, dreary look, besides being associated with all sorts of thin-visaged, shrill, vocal, wobegone fanatics. The part of the desiccated miser was played The selection of Rev. Dr. Ryder and G. H. by Couldock, who did ample justice to its con- Miles, Esq., as lecturers has caused some exciteception, and displayed a greater power of dra-ment on account of their being Catholics, conmatic effect, than I have ever seen in his person- uected with the fact that Dr. Ryder took advanation, while acting as second to Charlotte Cush-tage of the occasion to enter upon an elaborate man. Couldock is said to be a man of good defence of the Jesuits, (an order of which he is education and cultivated taste, but there was a himself a member), presenting the highest Cathmannerism in his former playing in New-York, olic views of the subject to an audience whose which by no means impressed you with the idea sympathies might be presumed to be all the other of remarkable histrionic genius. The "Betrothal" way. If this was a violation of modesty or good is to be repeated to night, and I dare say, will taste, Dr. Ryder should clearly bear the responimprove on acquaintance. There was a little sibility. The Directors of the Library could never friction in the machinery on the first performance, have anticipated that a Catholic priest must newhich prevented the play from receiving entire cessarily discuss a disputed point in theology or justice, but I doubt not, in the end, it will meet ecclesiastical history. Least of all, could they with the same flattering success that has attend-have expected this, from a scholar of various ed its representation in the native city of Mr learning and accomplishments, like the gentleBoker. man in question. It is usually understood to be I hear that a new play, called "The Roman a part of the comity of such occasions to abstain Tribute," by Mrs. Oakes Smith, was produced from the discussion of topics, which may be prelast week, in Philadelphia, for several successive sumed would anuoy a considerable portion of the nights, with distinguished success. Her remark-audience. If this rule is transgressed, it is no able versatility of talent. and singular creative fault of the Directors. Still, on a purely theopower, eminently qualify her for the production retical subject. as in fact, the character of the of a good tragedy, and I should not be surprised Jesuits may be said to be, I know not why one if she were to add the fame of a gifted dramatic should be so thin-skinned as not to be willing to writer to the beautiful reputation she has wou in hear a debate. And perhaps the course of the so many other walks of literary Art. worthy Father admits of vindication. I have no The lecturing season has been opened with a doubt he acted up to the light of his conscience. He probably felt like the distinguished man, the past month. Among these, I observe, are who, on receiving an invitation to lecture before several works of standard merit, Bryant's Letters a village Lyceum, was informed that he would of a Traveller, Miss Cooper's Rural Hours, and be expected to make no allusions to politics or Young's Translation of Beranger, besides the religion. "Gentlemen," said he, "I cannot con- elegant religious Annuals, published by the Apsent to place myself in a situation where I am pletons. Mr. Young, the accomplished Editor bound to be silent concerning both my country of the Albion newspaper, has acquitted himself and my God." very creditably of the difficult task of doing two Prof. Mitchell is lecturing on Astronomy to hundred of Beranger's lyrics into English verse. large audiences in Brooklyn. His command of He has preserved the form, rhythm, and verbal familiar language ou scientific subjects is won- felicities of the original with remarkable success, derful. He speaks entirely without notes, not but the pungent raciness of Beranger must lose even a scrap of paper to refresh his memory. in the best translation, as much as the volatile His mind seeins crowded with facts in the geogra- aroma of flowers in being transferred to an herbaphy of the Heavens (if the expression be not a rium. bull), and he describes the labyrinthine paths of the planets as familiarly as he would the walks in a favorite flower-garden. There is still a strong desire to establish an Observatory in Brooklyn, of which Prof. Mitchell should be put in charge. The cash, however, is not forthcoming with any great rapidity, and the project for the present seems to be at a stand-still. A good deal of interest has been called forth by the recent lecture of Archbishop Hughes on the Decline of Protestantism. This was delivered on Sunday night at the Cathedral, as the commencement of a course before the Catholic InstiThat large edifice was crowded to suffocation, a great portion of the audience, it is said, were Protestant, though I know of no mark to tute. detect a man's religion at sight; at any rate, they all seemed to admire the ingenuity displayed by the Archbishop in the defence of his thesis. I was present during a part of the discourse, but will own that I was not greatly edified. He did not come up to his reputation either for logic or eloquence. I have often heard him extolled for his controversial adroitness, but if this was a specimen of his ability in that line, I should not reckon him a formidable antagonist. For instance, he dwelt with great emphasis on the progress of Rationalism in Germany, and of Socinianism in New-England as a proof that the Protestant Among the novelties in preparation is "The Vala, or Nightingale," a tribute to Jenny Lind, founded on the legends of Northern mythology, by Parke Godwin. A portion of it has appeared by piece-meal in one of our daily journals. and has attracted much attention. It is highly imagiuative in its character, and the details of the tradition are made use of with great skill. It will form one of the most intellectual offerings that have yet been laid at the feet of Jenny Lind. Another work, which will make a sensation, is a volume of travels in Egypt, called "NileNotes by a Ilowadji." The name of the author is not given, but I may say that he is a young man of this city of the rarest accomplishments, and commanding a style of provoking piquaney, which will give a rich zest to his description of facts. From some specimens which I have read, think the work will not be surpassed by any of the amusing volumes of Oriental travels, of which we had such a plenty within a few years. TO G. W. PECK, SONNETTEER. Church had already one foot in the grave. This THE BOWLES OF THE WHIG REVIEW. was such transparent sophistry, that I could not but wonder to hear it advanced. He might as well have argued that the Sun was about to be quenched from the spots on his disk. The same evening one of our leading Baptist preachers, Rev. Dr. Dowling, was holding forth to another immeuse audience on the Downfall of Popery, and is said to have made out as strong a case as the Archbishop. With the exception of every variety of giftbooks, radiant with gold and purple for the approaching holidays, we have had nothing of very special interest from the New-York press during A Sonnet wanted for a vacant place! I've heard of writing frequently "'gainst time," No matter for the thoughts, how grave or solemn, Σ. |