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We have little doubt but many of our readers will [Comprehending Notices of new Discoveries or Improve-be amused with the following elegant experiment ments in Science or Art; including, occasionally, singular Medical Cases Astronomical, Mechanical, Philosophical, Botanical, Meteorological, and Mineralogical Phenomena, or singular Facts in Natural History; to be continued in a Series through the Volume.]

"M. Goldsmith places a few filings of copper and iron on a glass plate, at a certain distance one from another. He then drops a little nitrate of silver on whislt the iron and the copper oxidize, and become each parcel; the silver soon begius to precipitate, coloured; then, by a small wooden point, the ramications are arranged at will, whilst the flame of a taper being placed under a plate, increases the evaPRESERVING POWER OF THE PYROLIGNEOUS poration, facilitates the re-action of the substances, blackens the lower side of the plate, and thus forms as it were a design.”—Annales de Chim. 14. p 84.

ACID.

In the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, some curious experiments relative to the antiseptic power of pyroligneous acid are detailed by Mr. Ramsey. The following are some of the principal results :

A number of haddocks were cleaned, split, and slightly sprinkled with salt, for six hours; then being drained, they were dipped for about three seconds in pyroligneous acid, and hung in the shade for eight days. Ou being broiled, they were of an aucommonly fine flavour, deliciously white, and equal to the bighly-esteemed Finnan haddock.

Herrings were cured in the same way as the had docks. After being dried in the shade for two months, they were equal in quality and flavour to the best red herrings. The fish retained the shining and and fresh appearance they had when taken from the

sea

A piece of fresh beef was dipped for one minute in pyroligneous acid of specific gravity 1012, in July 1819. On March 4, 1820, it was as free from taint

MR. KEAN'S FAREWELL ADDRESS.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-I am much surprised that you have not inserted in your agreeable miscellany of this day, Mr. Kean's Farewell Address to the Audience, who witnessed his performance of Othello at our Theatre, on Friday evening last. As all lovers of the Drama in Liverpool now look to the Kaleidoscope, as a publication wherein they may hope to find something relative to the Theatre that may interest them, may I express a wish, that, if you are in possession of a copy of Mr. Kean's address, you will gratify the curiosity of those who had not the pleasure of hear

animadvert, has led us somewhat further than we intended, on a subject to which we shall probably be obliged to return; as the liberty we have taken with the modern Magnus Apollo may draw dost upon us the vengeance of some of his votaries, to whom it may be imperative upon us to reply.

To Correspondents.

ORIGINALS OR COPIES. The correspondent from
whom we received EDWIN and MARIA has omitted
to state whether it is original or not. It is our custom
to class the Poetry in the Kaleidoscope, under t
distinct heads "Original" and "Selections;"
if our correspondents, by subjoining their initials to
transcribed communications, or by any other means,
however unintentionally, make us accessaries to lite
rary imposition, they do us an injury with the public.
We cannot suspect the individual to whom we now
address ourselves of this species of disingenuousness;
as he or she has neither affixed any signature, nor
intimation as to the originality of Edvin and
Maria. Whilst we are upon this theme, we take
occasion to repeat, for the information of R.D. that
we do not estimate a composition the less (but fr
quently the more) because it is not original; and
beg to assure him, that we are not conscious of ent
having been in one instance actuated by personal par
tiality in the adoption or rejection of any proferred
communication. Such conduct on our parts would
betray an equal absence of candour, and want of a
sense of our own real interests, as identified with
the character of our journal.

LEONORA is reserved for our next, and the copy's
carefully preserved.

as when first immersed. No salt was used in this ing it delivered, by giving it a place in your next | If the transcriber from an old journal of a tour through

experiment. A piece of beef was dipped at the same time in pure vinegar, of specific gravity 1009. It was perfectly free from taint on the 18th of November. This experiment indicates antiseptic powers in pure vinegar; some haddocks were cured with it, which remained free from taint, but when cooked had an insipid taste.

When beef is partially salted, and then steeped for a short time in the pyroligneous acid, after being drained and cooked, it has the same flavour as Hamburgh beef. Mr. Ramsey has no doubt, that with proper modifications, the use of the a acid may be extended to the preservation of every species of animal food.

The Journal of Science and the Arts states, that the experiments relating to the_haddocks had been repeated with eutire success in London, by Mr. Stodart.

RESTORATION OF THE WHITE IN PAINTING.

week's publication.—Yours, &c.

some of the northern counties, will oblige us with the promised continuation, we shall be better enabled to decide upon its merits. A CONSTANT READER.

Liverpool, 10th October, 1820.

Our correspondent is probably now aware, that a report of what Mr. Kean said, on taking his leave of the Liverpool audience, was inserted in the Mercury of last Friday; which may supersede the necessity of its appearance in the Kaleidoscope. We cannot dismiss the subject without expressing our opinion, that the style adopted by Mr. Kean, in the farewell address, was somewhat too cavalier. Had the managers, at the close of a season, in which their spirited and judicious exertions had been wholly unproductive; bad they, under such circumstances, ventured to address the audience in the style adopted by Mr. Kean, there can be no doubt as to the mode in "M. Thenard has lately applied his oxigenated which so indecent a liberty would have been resented. water with great success to the arts. It is constantly With what propriety, therefore, Mr. Kean, in the happening in paintings where the white used is pre-presence of a most numerous and respectable pared from lead, tnat sulphurous vapours change the tint, and render it brown or black. Paintings of the first masters are frequently injured in consequence of this effect, being blotted, as it were, with spots of colour, which spoil the effect. An artist at Paris, who possessed a design of Raphael's thus disfigured, and was too careful of the original work to re-paint the places, applied to M. Thenard for chemical assistance. That chemist, during his attempts, remembering the effect of oxygenated water in converting the black sulphuret of lead into a white sulphate, sent some water, very slighty ogygenated, to the artist, who, by applying it with a pencil, instantly removed the spots, and restored the white. The fluid was so weak as to contain not more than five or six times its volume of oxygen, and had no taste. Paper coloured by a slight tint of bister was not at all altered by it.—Annales de Chim, xiv, p. 221.

auditory, assembled too as a personal compliment

We have already replied to A. L. to whom we shallonly
further observe, that he must permit us to use our ov
discretion as to the time or manner of introducing
any subject.

We have just received, but not yet perused the Indian
Speech, with which we have been favoured by A
CONSTANT READER.

The following (amongst others which we shall probably
notice next week) are still in our port folio, to be i
troduced at convenience into our columns-York
READER-A. A.-CORNELIUS'S D. & F.-Criti
-R. J.-JULIUS-CON.-W. R.-J. F.-J.
A. J.-XVII.-T. Q. TO THE OCEAN-GIL
VIEVE.-K.-W. T.-MARY.-TOL.-RISIBLE-
VIATOR. XVI.-J.S.-J.L.-S. D.-T.R.-F.S.G.
-H. B.-R. N.-SUBSCRIBER-1. B.-CONSTANT
READER-R. P. D.-H. N.-J.T.-P. B.-10. 21.-
R.H.-W.R.--BUCKS HAVE AT YE ALL.--W.E.S-
M. R.-LUCINDA.-T. R.-AN INHABITANT-
TRAGIC.-T. P.-V. SPINSOMPONI.-D.D.-M.C.
M. P.-OMEGA.-J. P. S.-J. T.-E.W.-CATO
P. PITIFUL. ANGELA JACOBUS.-CIVITAS.-W.
-A FRIEND TO ORDER J. S.-J. H.-PICTA
MOR-Z.-R. D.-The foregoing, which are only
a portion of the contents of our
portfolio, have co
sumed three full hours in the revision, which was in
dispensible, before we could make any pledges for
their future insertion. We shall take another spell,
if possible, before the appearance of our next.

to himself, could indulge in such a vein, we must
leave it to others to determine. Whatever may be
the ordinary temperature of a Liverpool audience,
they have exhibited no coldness to Mr. Kean.
On the contrary, we think they have been prodi-
gally indulgent even to his faults; for though it
may be heresy or "flat burglary" to say so, he has
some faults; although, like those of Shakspeare they Sold
are obliterated by his beauties. He may be called
John Bull's enfant gaté, who may play all sorts of
pranks with forgiveness, on the score of his being
so fine a child.

The palpable indecorum of the recent address
of Mr. Kean, of which alone it was our design to

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Printed, published, and sold
BY EGERTON SMITH AND CO.
Liverpool Mercury Office.
also by John Bywater and Co. Pool-lane; Mears.
Evans, Chegwin and Hall, Castle-street; Mr. Thos
Smith, Paradise-street; Mr. Warbrick, Public
Library, Lime-street; Mr. G. P. Day, Newsman,
Dale-street; Mr. Lamb, Hanover-street; and Mr.
John Smith, St. James's-road, for ready money only.
Messrs. J. K. Johnson & Co. No. 1, Eden Quay, Lower
AGENTS FOR DUBLIN:

Sackville street.

OR,

Literary and Scientific Mirror.

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No. 17.-NEW SERIES.

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. &c.; to be continued in a Series through the Volume.]

PIGMY SKELETONS.

ANTIQUITIES OF TENNESSEE.

(From the Nashville Whig,—American Paper.)

"UTILE DULCI.”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1820.

is covered with as large timber as any in
the neighbourhood. The sutures of the
heads of these skeletons are closed, and as
sound and solid as the other parts of the
sculls.

At Mr. Anderson's, two miles and a half
in a south-westwardly direction from the
farm of Mr. Lane, were found other skele-
tons of the same dimensions, in tombs con-
structed
upon the same plan, and of similar
materials. One at least, it is said, was
observed to have teeth, and all the bones
belonging to the human body.

PRICE 3 d.

The conch shells, it would seem, must have been brought from the borders of the ocean; as there are none such to be found either in the rivers of Kentucky or those of this state and it would also seem, that they must have been brought hither immediately before their deposition in these vessels. In a few years, they probably would have been lost or broken to pieces, had they remained unburied. That the animals the skeletons belonged to, drank water, and were not sucklings, is intimated by the water vessel at the head of each skeleton. The rocks which enclose them, are thin blue limestone, and not of that neighbour

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hood originally, all the limestone in the vicinity being of a grey colour. Here is a mystery that baffles conjecture, and puts all experience at defiance. The stories of the pigmies of Herodotus, on the borders of Ethiopia and the Red Sea, and those of Homer in India, have always been treated as fables, which, in the days of those men, entered into most of their written compositions. At this day, we must outstrip credulity itself, to believe in the real existence of pigmy men. How could a nation of pigmy men, not exceeding eighteen inches in stature, build habitations, clear the forest, cultivate

On the farm of Turner Lane, Esq. five The facts above stated are attested by miles south-east of Sparta on the waters of Mr. Lane, of White county, who has seen the Caney Fork of Cumberland, and on the skeletons very often: by his son, Jacob other farms adjacent, have lately been found A. Lane, Esq. of Sparta, in the same counsmall graves, sunk into the earth from one ty; and by another son, Alexander Lane, foot to eighteen inches below the surface. Esq. a student at law, who all say they can They are about ten inches broad and eigh-be verified by all the inhabitants in the viteen inches long, having a flag limestone cinity of the farm of Mr. Lane. Mr. Lane rock at each of the ends and sides, and co- the father, who is a man of observation, wered with the same species of rock. In these gives it as his decided opinion, that these graves are found scull bones, about three are the skeletons of adult persons.-He inches in diameter, nearly sound: the other founds his opinion upon the solidity of the bones being proportionally small. Between bones of the heads, and also upon the fact, two and three hundred of these graves have of the sutures of the sculls being entirely been discovered. In every tomb, yet opened, closed and solid. was found a small black earthen pot, about The trees growing where they were found, one pint in capacity, containing a small are of as great size and age as any in the the soil, defend themselves against the raconch-shell, undecayed, of a grey colour surrounding forest. Both at Mr. Ander-vages of the hawk and eagle, the wolf and on the exterior and red within, and as son's and Mr. Lane's are many the panther? extensive transparent as this species of shell is usually circular elevations of earth, raised two or found. The pot, when broken, exhibits three feet above the common surface, arnumerous white specks of round shining ranged in order, having the very appearance of once populous towns, upon which are It is a matter of striking curiosity, that standing large trees: on one of them, a popthere is not to be found in the neighbour-lar of five feet diameter at least. The small hood of this place, any limestone of the graves at Mr. Lane's are arranged, but at same species with that of which these Mr. Anderson's there is a large burying tombs are constructed.

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ground full of them, without any order as
to position. That the bones are human,
Mr. Lane thinks there can be no doubt, and
that they are not the bones of children, he
thinks unquestionable.

How live in a world of giants, such as are mentioned by ancient writers, when the size and age of men, bearing a just proportion to each other, far exceeded those of the present day? The remains of a gigantic race are not more than seven miles from the burying ground of these pigmies. Their skeletons are not shorter than seven feet; frequently above it. Figure, in imagination, one of these skeletons covered with muscles, &c. and distended by ordinary repletion; place him

Holy writ attests the existence of giants.

REMARKS ON THE STEAM BOAT;

ADDRESSED TO

by the side of the largest man of the present | others, the Ibis, the Hawk, the Cat, the ther ape or monkey, and the conch-shell, day, and what would be his comparative Dog. In whatever family a cat died, every may have come from the Gulf of Mexico, appearance? The place where the larger individual of that family cut off his or her Cumana, or the waters of the Oronoko and skeletons were buried, is covered with trees eyebrows; but, if a dog died, the whole the adjacent countries, whither it is probable of no less magnitude and age than is that family shaved their heads, and, in fact, they came, from the old world, with the where the smaller ones are found. They every part of their bodies. The cats, when superstition which deified them. The seduare, therefore, brought to a simultaneous dèad, were carried to sacred buildings, and lous anxiety manifested for their preserva existence; or, at all events, to periods not after being salted, were buried in the city tion; the care taken, in their burial, to very distant from each other. Was the Buhastes. Of the canine species, the fe- provide a certain species of stone for the smallest child of a giant of a size as dimi-males were buried in consecrated chests, coffin, and, for their future accommodation, nutive as that of the smallest skeletons? which ceremony was also observed with a water vessel and a dipper, are circumDid the Samoiede of America, whose com-respect to the Johncumen."-Herod : Eu. stances which must have proceeded from mon stature does not exceed four feet, and 65, 66, &c. some inviolable and indispensible religious whose female, it may be supposed, is still The Hindoos, says the Abbe Dubois, pay injunction; the very same, perhaps, which of inferior size, come hither from the north honour and worship, less or more solemn, governed the conduct of the ancient Egyp eastern coast of America, in company with to almost every living creature, whether tians, and of the ancient, intermediate, and the people of Scythia, remarked by all the quadruped, bird, or reptile. He then gives present Hindoos. writers of antiquity for their monstrous a long list of the worshipped animals, besize? Is it possible that, in their passage ginning with the Ape, and including the through the neck of land which it is dog and other animals. The Ape is the class supposed connects the two continents to- of animals which receives the highest ho- Ship-owners, Manufacturers, and Canal and Insurans gether, those Scythians dragged with them nours. The striking resemblance which some of the dwarfish nations of north-eastern the Hindoos remark, between this animal America, whose descendants are now found and man, in exterior appearance and phyliving within the arctic circles? and that sical relations, was the first cause of the In offering the following remarks to the public, on these small skeletons are the relics of the great reverence in which they held him.—the use of the steam-boat, it will not be necessary to pigmy race, whose posterity, by the genial 2d Dubois, 216. The worship of the great go into the history of the engine that gives it motion, warmth of a milder climate, and the plenti- Ape Hanumen extends over all the territory planation: yet the author will feel himself excused, if ful diet which it affords, have returned to of India, and especially among the followers he takes this opportunity of paying a tribute tothe me the stature which their immediate ancestors of Vishnu. His idol is every where seen mory of one of his own town, by mentioning, the to lost, by the migrations of their ancestors in the temples and other places frequented NEWCOMEN, of DARTMOUTH, are we indebted for into the inhospitable climates of the north? by the people. And it is also frequently undergone a variety of improvements, has given u which, chilling the blood, diminishing the found in the woods and under thick trees in the power of surpassing the whole world in the splet force of its circulation, and rendering their desert places. But particularly where the dour of our mechanical establishments on land, and supply of food precarious and unwholesome, Vishnuvites abound, the favourite idol of will, at no distant period, give us equal celebrity f the water, if full encouragement be afforded to those in the lapse of a long series of ages reduced Hanumen is found almost every where. persons who will direct, their attention to the be their primitive bulk? If this be so, the The sacrifices offered to it usually consist plication of its powers affoat, whether employe women, and the ungrown children of the of the simplest productions of nature; and, forward our commercial adventures in time of pract, first emigrants, although beyond the age of in parts frequented by Apes, devotees are infancy, and not yet arrived at maturity, often seen who give them part of their food, might not have been of larger dimensions and consider it a meritorious deed. when clothed with flesh than is indicated by these skeletons.

The sculls and other bones described by
Mr. Lane may be the bones of sacred ani-

Companies,

BY ARTHUR HOWE HOLDSWORTH, ESQ.
Of Dartmouth.

as its power is now too well known to require any ex

the first idea of that steam engine, which having since

or to defend them in war,

The steam-boat has been hitherto used as a vesselto

carry passengers; in a few instances as a pilot-boat, towing ships into and out of harbour, when the wi is too strong against them; and the engine has bee lately made use of in a very ingenious way, to take

Let us look for conch-shells on the shores mals, buried by a superstition not dissimilar up gravel from the beds of rivers, procuring, in

of north-eastern America, and look there also for the stature of those who inhabit the most northwardly regions of these countries, and we shall perceive whether this conjecture has the countenance of probability, and if not, then let it be owned with candour that many are the unsearchable ways of

some cases, a fine material for making roads, and deepening the water at the same time. There aft however, a variety of other purposes to which cap sterns, and force pumps, to be driven by her engine, boat may be applied, if fitted with a windlass ine, making her a useful labourer afloat, and a fire-engine of the most powerful description.

to that of the Hindoo and Egyptian: and, being not more than twenty miles from the place where the three-faced image was found, both may have been deposited by the same religious notions. The conch-shell, left in the small water vessel, indicates an intent As a Pilot-boat, she should have a windlass imme to provide for the accommodation of some diately behind the engine, with a warp coiled oport animal who could use the conch for dipping require to be more strong enough to drag such ships as frequent the port But, indeed, a conjecture may be offered, water out of the larger vessel. Should this If the harbour has buoys to which she can make fai before we leave this subject, which, to some, conjecture be found worthy of adoption, the she will give the end of the warp to the ship sering bet may possibly seem worthy of attention. evidence of Hindoo ancestry will have at-charge, and pass “The Egyptians, in ancient times, worship-tained a degree of strength almost too sta-vessel to each in succession, leaving her charge but then fixing herself, and drawing the ped a great number of animals, and, among ble to suffer resistance. The animal, whe-fast to one buoy whilst she passes to the next: but

Providence.

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as she

goes,

to swing over a ship's deck, or a quay, when taking
any thing from either. When not thus occupied, it
might, by setting the slings tight, be brought upright,
and lashed to the head of the mast, when its guys
might be made into two back-stays and a fore-stay,
and its hoisting-geer a haulyard, with which it would
raise any sail it might be found convenient to set; and
thus coals may be saved whenever the wind is fair, or it
may be struck down on the deck, whilst the mast
would serve as a good support to the chimney, parti-
cularly in a sea.

She may be used also as a floating crane, to move
heavy bodies from one ship to another, placing herself
between them, or to or from the land.

She may be brought alongside a carpenter's yard, when a ship is to be drawn up to be repaired, and work with her capstern the falls of the tackles, whilst the standing parts are secured on shore.

long as coals and water can be found to supply it, by an arrangement only between the Insurance Companies and the owners of the Steam Packets. The moment the vessel arrives at the place on fire, the wheels, which move her through the water, would be detached from the engine, and its whole power to be given to the pumps, throwing a body of water, which would exceed, in force and quantity, all common conception.

Liverpool, Glasgow, &c. where steam-boats are now in use, may, at a small expense, obtain the same security. In towns on low situations, where the country around is flat, tanks may be built to contain water, which may command all the houses, and by laying iron pipes from these to any spot by the river or canal side, where the steam-boat can be brought, she would fill the tanks whenever it would be required, either by attaching her pumps so the pipes, or working others on shore, as described in a former part of these remarks. A very large supply of water may thus be obtained in the night, leaving the engine at liberty for any other purpose during the day, when, if her time is not filled up, as before proposed, she may give motion to mills and manufactories, as the nature of their business may require; and thus, by dividing the expense amongst many, afford facilities to trades of various sorts, which could not in

where there are not buoys, she must work by ber own | The sheer might be a strong single spar, supported | and which will continue to act with equal force, as anchor, (which may be of any weight, proportioned, from a short mast, (like a sheer hulk) sufficiently long not to her size, but to the object to be accomplished, + Draw as she will always be able to weigh it with ease, workritsing her own windlass or capstern by the engine) runpridning a-head as far as she can before she lets it go, when, veering far enough to enable it to hold, she will 1. Î. beave on the warp the moment the vessel attached to erit has her own anchor clear of the ground, to which, ir under these circumstances, she must trust, whilst the steam-boat is moving a-head to lay down hers for the next warp. The vessel may be thus taken far enough to windward to get to sea from most harbours, at any time. It must not, however, be conceived that warping will only be an advantage as an entire operation, for, the more intricate the passage, the less will it be necessary; because, where the wind is fair, or not ha entirely opposed to the ship, the warp may not be recquired. It will happen also, that the steam-boat may be able to tow the whole way, except at a particular point of land, round which a strong tide may set against her, accompanied with squalls of wind and a head sea =Such a situation would prevent the steam-boat from E passing with the ship, and a space of a few hundred yards may, in consequence of it, spoil the voyage: for it must be borne in mind, that in the same proportion as the obstacle which the tide thus presents is increased, is the power to overcome it diminished, as the water, under these circumstances, runs from the wheels, rendering them less efficient than in any other situation; whilst, if the steam-boat, by running a-head of her to charge, has the power of getting hold of a buoy, or the drops her own anchor when fitted for a warp, she will girst bring the vessel through the difficul: part, and thus have the power of accomplishing her ultimate object. Many other situations may be found, where the same trow power may prove equally useful, but which can only develope themselves, as the practice of towing by steamEats shall increase.

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She may afford relief to vessels likely to drive in a gale of wind, by laying down anchors, and carrying cables to them; or circumstances may arise, where, by striking their yards and topmasts, she may warp them out of dangerous situations, when no other power could move them a-head; for the engine may be made zo do the work of any number of men, and strength there may thus be embodied on board a pilot-vessel equal to the crew of a first-rate man of war, even if the whole could man the capstern at one time, whilst she may herself be secured either for her own retreat, or for purposes above-mentioned, by anchors of any weight and power that may be thought necessary. And if, in warping large ships, any fear should arise that the warp might break, one of the ship's cables may be secured to the steam-boat, or, by her aid, to the buoy to which she attaches herself, which the ship would veer out as the steam-boat leaves her, and heave as they approach each other, so that the ship would hang on her own cable, until the warp, if it should give way, could be replaced; and, by workng with two cables in this way, she would never Cast off from the one buoy until she was secured to the

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But her labours must not end here; she is a beast of burthen, of the best sort, because she can take in and put out her load without men's labour, and will hoist, by a crane or sheers fixed on her deck, what cannot be trusted to any thing on board merchant-ships, as they usually fitted. The part occupied now by passengers would afford much room for stowing goods; and might tow lighters with her, from which she would out every thing as well as from her own hold.

are

she hoist

She may be employed in the same manner to weigh
a sunken ship, the suspending power over the wreck,
being on board other vessels at her side.

Where there are docks, or other places that require
to be drained, she may lay near, and work the pumps
on shore by communicating rods brought to her en-
gine; and she may thus raise water from the lower to|dividually maintain such an engine.
the upper level of a canal, replacing more than can be
expended in her passing through a lock; or she may
may draw herself up a well-adjusted inclined plane,
saving the locks altogether.

Here, however, the coldest calculator need not be alarmed. Steam-boats are in use in many parts of the country; and to add the machinery necessary to prove the truth of these remarks, would require a snm too insignificant to make any man doubt the propriety of suggesting them to the public.

It may be probably considered by some, that ideas have been suggested which can never be accomplished, and therefore, by attempting too much, that the whole may be doubted; but this is a remark applicable to As a Fire-Engine, she may be found peculiarly useful, every proposal that carries any novelty with it; and if not only for the protection of those persons who may nothing had been undertaken in this country that was be on board, but for every description of property that not considered by every one certain to succeed before may stand within her reach; and that is as far as hoses it was begun, we would bear amongst nations a very can carry the water, which will include every ship-different rank in science from that which we now so wrights yard, timber wharf, and warehouse, in a sea-prolly sustain. port, and probably the whole town as well. The mode in which the force-pumps should be attached to the engine, would depend on the fancy of the maker. It is only necessary here to say, that they should be so placed, as to have the greatest command of the vessel herself, and to be readily set in action; aud, judging from the misfortune that happened to one of the Margate packets, and which first suggested this idea, if placed at the head and stern, it would be best, as those are the parts least liable to fire, and one of them must be the most secure station from whence to command the flames; for, as in the case of that packet, if the fire is near the engine, it will only cause it to work the more rapidly, and as the communicating rods to the pumps would be of iron, and, for security, might be placed on rollers within an iron pipe, which would prevent any thing from interrupting their action, no fire, however great, could render them unfit for work before it would be subdued. The rods would be always attached to the engine, when the connection with the pumps might be made in a few moments, on the first appearance of danger.

If every Steam-Boat, for whatever purpose she might be used, was thus fitted, the quantity of property that might be saved, when a fire breaks out near any of their stations, is scarcely to be calculated; and it need not be suggested to the Insurance Companies, that there is scarcely any time when one of these vessels is not within the reach of any fire, that can take place on the Thames, even as high as Richmond. One is every night off the Tower, and another above London Bridge. Hence the great bulk of property in the docks, wharfs, and warehouses, and even the greatest part of London itself, might easily have a protector against fire, more powerful in its operation than any thing yet employed,

P.S. It may be thought strange that in the foregoing remarks, there is not any notice taken of our naval stations. The fact is, at the time these were printed I was in communication with the Admiralty on the subject, and did not therefore think it right to make any such allusion to those places.

OLIVES: CURIOUS FACT IN BOTANY.

Letters from Provence mention the total failure of

the olive plantations in that part of France. It has, indeed, been remarked, that for upwards of half a century, the olives have shown a tendency to emigrate. The soil of Provence now appears to be entirely ruined, and no hope is entertained there of the future cultivation of olives. For the last fifty years, none of the young shoots have risen to above five or six feet high. It is the same in the adjacent countries, which have all suffered these plants have been cut down to the very roots; and more or less from the cold of late years. Two-fifths of three years will scarcely suffice to enable them to attain maturity. The olives of Marseilles and Var were some time ago in excellent condition, but all have perished.

Mr. N. Mill is said to have discovered a new metal resembling gold, and possessing some of its best quali bles 60s. gold, and is, in specific gravity, nearly equal ties, which he calls aurum millium. In colour it resemto jeweller's gold, It is malleable, and has the property of not easily tarnishing. It is hard and sonorous, and requires care in the working.

A block of amethysts has been sent from Brazil to Calcutta, four feet in circumference, and weighing 98lbs,

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT

FOR SEPTEMBER.

We have frequently been solicited to add to the other features of our Work, a Journal of the Weather, to be continued in a regular monthly series; and we are at length enabled to accomplish the object, by the politeness of a professional gentleman at Manchester, who has long been in the habit of registering Meteorological Phenomena; and whom we take this opportunity of thanking for his liberal offer, of which we shall with pleasure avail ourselves.

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REPORT

Barometrical Pressure. Temperature | Rain, &c.

Deducted from Diurnal Observations made at Manchester, in the month of September, 1820.
BY THOMAS HANSON, Surgeon.
OF THE ATMOSPHERICAL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE, RAIN, WIND, &c.
METEOROLOGICAL

Wind.

NEW INVENTION OF LE BATEAU ROULANT.

Poetry.

LEONORA.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF GOTTFRIED
AUGUSTUS BURGHER.

By W. R. SPENCER, Esq.

[Inserted at the particular desire of a correspondent.]

The works of Mr. Burgher, the author of this and many other poems of the ballad kind, are universally esteemed, wherever the German language prevails as a national idiom, or is cultivated as a branch of education. Simplicity is the characteristic of his compositions; and of all literary beauties, simplicity must be the most generally attractive. It is no common merit to excel in a style which all understand, many admire, and but few can attain. To this merit Mr. Burgher has an undoubted claim; a claim our countrymen would be the first to allow, could they enjoy his expressions in their original purity, or his ideas in a faithful translation. No writer perhaps has ever obtained a more decided popularity. To this his subjects and his language equally contribute; for the former he has mostly chosen local traditions, or legendary anecdotes; and in the latter he is generally elegant, often sublime, and never unintelligible. Such qualifications ensure him the suffrage of every class of readers. The scholar and the moralist cannot refuse praise where they have found entertainment without disgust to their taste or danger to their principles; and the mechanic peruses with delight, sentiments suited to his feelings, imagery familiar to his mind, and precepts adapted to his practice.

One of the most powerful causes of Mr. Burgher's literary popularity, is the deep tinge of superstition that shades almost all his compositions. Supernatural incidents are the darling subjects of his countrymen. Their minds vigorously conceive, and their language nobly expresses, the terrible and majestic and it must be allowed, that in this species of writing they would force from our nation the palm of excellence, were it not secured by the impregnable towers of Otranto. Of all their productions of this kind, Leonora is perhaps the most perfect. The story in a narrow compass unites tragic event, poetical surprise, and epic regularity. The admonitions of the Mother are just, although ill-timed. The despair of the Daughter at once natural, and criminal; her punishment dreadful, but equitable. Few objections can be made to a subject, new, simple, and striking; and none to a moral, which cannot be too frequently nor too awfully enforced.

Some trials of a boat on a new construction have lately been made at Paris. In the second trial, the inventor placed himself with his apparatus below the platform of the Pont Neuf. He set out from this point at ten minutes before ten, having on board Mr. Dacheux, an experienced mariner, who took charge of the helm. Messrs. Marlet and Thibault, inspectors of the navigation, followed in another boat, to observe the operations. In twenty minutes at the utmost, he proceeded beyond the Pont Royal, after having passed and repassed under the arches, and landed opposite the Quay d'Orsay.There he made his land apparatus act, and roll the boat to the School of Natation, which was the end of his expedition. The author of this ingenious discovery wished to prove, that by the aid of his machine, we may with equal ease roll on land and navigate on water, without the aid of the wind, or even of ordinary oars; and that he motions on both elements are neither interrupted, nor the velocity impeded. The whole secret lies in the The translator must apologise to those who are "docti moving power which makes it act, and remains con- sermones utriusque linguæ," for some deviations from stantly the same, except that the hinder wheel becomes the original text. Mr. Burgher has repeatedly used the rudder when the boat is in the water. You may go words merely for sound, as "trap, trap, trap," for the with the wind favourable or against you; tack, ascend, or descend a river, at pleasure. The author asserts, that trotting of a horse; and "cling, cling, cling," for the with a small-decked vessel of this kind, it would be pos-ringing of a door bell. These echoes to the sense, which sible in calm weather to cross the channel rapidly, without fear of being overtaken by any boat.-Foreign cile to a German taste; but, literally adopted in an vox et preterea nihil," custom may reconare strictly English version, they would appear more ridiculous than descriptive. In general it is hoped, that, although many beauties may have been obscured, no essential meaning has been omitted or adulterated.

Journal.

A pineapple of the black Antigua kind, which weighed five pounds fourteen ounces, was cut a few days ago. in the pinery of Lord Palmerston, at his Lordship's seat of Broadlands, near Romsey.

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Between the completion of this Poem and its publi. cation, which has been unavoidably delayed, as much time was required by the artists to do justice to those exquisite designs, which are its brightest ornament; an elegant version of the same ballad has been published by Mr. Pye. Had the author of this translation fortseen the intentions of the laureat, he would not probably have risked a contest with such a distinguished competitor; but, as he had long entered the field be. fore Mr. Pye appeared as his adversary, he will not now shrink from a combat where doubtful victory mus ensure applause, and even complete failure allow the consolation of "Eneæ magni dextra cadit."

LEONORA.

From visions of disastrous love
Leonora starts at dawn of day;

"How long, my Wilhelm, wilt thou rove?
Does death or falsehood cause thy stay?"
Since he with godlike Frederick's pow'rs
At Prague had foremost dared the foe,
No tidings cheer'd her lonely hours,"
No rumour told his weal or woe.

Empress, and King, alike fatigued,
Now bade the storm of battle cease;
Their arms relenting friendship leagued,
And heal'd the bleeding world with Peace.
They sing, they shout, their cymbals clang;
Their green wreaths wave, they come, they come;
Each war-worn Hero comes to hang
With trophies his long wept for home.
While from each bastion, tower, and shed,
Their country's general blessing showers;
Love twines for every laurel'd head,
His garland of domestic flowers.
How welcome husbands, sons, return'd!
What tears, what kisses greet the brave!"
Alone poor Leonora mourn'd,
Nor tear, nor kiss, nor welcome gave.

From rank to rank, from name to name,
The fond inquirer trembling flew ;
But none by person or by fame,
Aught of her gallant Wilhelm knew.
When all the joyous bands were gone,
Aghast! she tore her raven hair;
On the cold earth she cast her down,
Convuls'd with frenzy and despair.

In haste th' affrighted mother flew,
And round her clasp'd her aged arms:

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Oh, God! her griefs with mercy view, "Oh! calm her constant heart's alarms!" "Oh, mother! past is past; 'tis o'er; "Nor joy, nor world, nor hope I see;

66

Thy God my anguish hears no more. "Alas, alas! Oh, woe is me !"

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"Oh, hear, great God! with pity hear!
"My child, thy prayer to Heaven address;
"God does all well; 'tis ours to bear;
"God gives, but God relieves distress.
"All trust in Heaven is weak and frail;
"God ill, not well, by me has done;
"I pray'd, while prayers could yet avail;
"Now prayers are vain, for Wilhelm's gone."

"Oh, ever in affliction's hour
"The Father hears his children cry;
"His blessed sacraments shall pour
"True comfort o'er thy misery."
"Oh, mother, pangs like mine that burn,
"What sacrament can e'er allay?
"What sacrament can bid return

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