ELECTRICAL SOCIETY. 56° F. 212 Deviation of Gal- Same arrangement in rain-water: Temperature.... 55° F. 210 Temperatare.... 56° F. 10° Deviation.... 23 30° 65 and last portion is the abdomen, divided into nomena, it does not appear defective in itself, and this lasts until an accident separates them, its dorsal and ventral surfaces. The posterior or physically incorrect. The principles of that when they continue to live independently of portion of the abdomen terminates in various doctrine are as decidedly in operation, and as each other. To this family belongs Amathia forms, sometimes a sting, at others a pair of conspicuously, as in any other class; and by biseriata, Krauss. Stire ramosissima, dichotojointed organs, common to the Blattaria, or annexing the principles of electro-magnetism ma; ramis falcatis; cellulis unilateralibus, cocockroaches, called cerci; the use of which, and magnetic electricity to those which Franklin alescentibus, biseriate alternantibus-Tribus 2. however, is not known. The organisation of had previously embraced in his theory, it is Cellulosa; Familia 1. Cellularia. The Celthese three portions, the head, the thoracida, possible that we should be in possession of a lulariæ are distinguished from the Sertulariæ, and the abdominal segments, were ably and code of laws to the operation of which every though as nicely and thinly branched as the minutely described, and shewn by a beautifully known electrical phenomenon may be traced. latter, by the want of the inner union of the dissected skeleton of the water-beetle, Dyticus The theoretical views of Mr. Sturgeon are, as more numerous, and densely connected Polypi. marginalis, succeeded by the skeletons of Halys he states, not very different from those embraced Upon the flatter trunks and branches, which mucorea, a tree-bug, Mantis religiosa, Litellula, by the Franklinean doctrine. He acknowledges contain a large portion of lime, and are there&c., and a beautiful bone, as Mr. Goadby in the existence of one electric fluid, whose particles fore more fragile, the cells are placed, densely his enthusiasm called it, the mesosternum of mutually repel each other, but which are attrac- fixed, separated by divisions, each division conthe ichneumon fly, which was compared to a tive of all other kinds of matter. By virtue of taining an independent individual within it. To vertebra of mammalia. its repulsive quality the electric fluid becomes the Cellularia belongs Acamarchis tridentata, highly elastic, and has a tendency to spring Krauss. Cellulis tridentatis, ore integris. Famiwith an equable force in every direction. The lia 2. Flustræ. The Flustre are distinguished SATURDAY evening.-A communication from atmosphere is continually charged with the from the Cellularia, although of analogous Martyn Roberts, Esq. was read, detailing phe-electric fluid, and in a greater degree as we structure, by the leaflike expansion of the whole nomena, new to him, and seemingly of great in-ascend from the earth's surface. All bodies on skeleton, which is covered, sometimes on both terest, observed in the course of experiments on the earth's surface are subjected to an electric sides, more frequently only on one, with a web the application of galvanism to manufactures. A pressure, by which the fluid forces itself into of numberless cells, arranged like honeycombs. copper tube, three inches long, one inch diameter, the pores; and, as different bodies offer dif- In well-preserved cells, there is distinctly, beimmersed in sea-water, was connected with one ferent degrees of facility of admission, they sides the mouth, as in the Ascidiæ, a lateral end of a galvanometer; in the tube was placed necessarily become charged to different degrees aperture, or anus, to be seen. After death, the a rod of zinc three inches long, half an inch of extent. Moreover, bodies generally, in their delicate exterior fragile structure of the cells is diameter, in connexion with the other end of natural condition, are compounds, and, however lost, and only the parchment-like skeleton, with the galvanometer. compact they may appear, are not equally the posterior parietes of the cells, remains. This Temperature of Soelectrised, every particle of one of the consti- is the state in which most of the Flustraceæ are lution of Salt. tuents being in a different electrical condition to be found in our museums, or described and from every particle of every constituent element represented in our works on natural history. in the compound. The difference of natural Flustra marginata, Krauss. Fronde dichotoma, electrisation does not rest here. A variation marginata; lobis cuneatis, rotundato-truncatis; in the mechanical character of the surface of cellulis rhomboideis. Each of the new species Rod of iron substituted for, and same size as even the same kind of matter confers a dif- were minutely described. The details were exzinc rod : ferent capacity for the reception of the electric ceedingly interesting, and excited much attenfluid. Hence it becomes obvious that, unless a tion. It was announced that the curator would body be homogeneous, and of equable polish, it deliver a course of lectures on practical botany cannot be equably electrised throughout, or in the early part of March, commencing one even of uniform electric tension over every part hour previous to the ordinary meetings. Adof its surface. Hence Mr. Sturgeon follows the Franlinean theory, excepting in this particular: Franklin's difference of natural elecThese facts Mr. Roberts presumed had not trisation is confined to masses; his extends to WE resume the Report, in order to give Dr. been before noticed, and he hoped they pos- the ultimate particles of matter. Mr. Sturgeon's Lindley's observation, postponed from our Gasessed some claims to the attention of the Elec- series of papers, supported as they have been zette of Jan. 27 :—“ I have great satisfaction trical Society. Read, also, the second of a series by explicit illustrations, and based as they will in stating to the Royal Geographical Society, of papers, by Mr. Sturgeon, on the various classes be by careful and close tests, promise to be of that some specimens of the flowers of this exof electrical phenomena and their laws. Before traordinary plant, which have lately been reinvestigating the laws, Mr. Sturgeon consiceived from Mr. Schomburgk, completely condered it necessary to answer to himself the firm the statement of that traveller in all following enunciation. Are electrical phenoessential particulars, and at the same time mena traceable to the operations of a material FRIDAY 2d. W. H. White, Esq. read a paper establish the new genus Victoria upon the elementary agent, peculiar in its character, and On some New Species of Zoophytes and Coral- most complete evidence. The most startling distinct from every other species of matter; or, lines, described by Ferdinand Krauss, D. Ph. circumstance named by Mr. Schomburgk, was, can the phenomena be more easily accounted translated from the German, by D. Cooper, Esq. that the flowers measured fifteen inches in for independently of the operation of such an curator.' Baron Von Ludwig, native of Wur- diameter. One of the specimens now received agent? From a close and strict examination temburg, a nobleman much addicted to the measures fourteen inches in diameter, although of the various classes of electrical phenomena, science of botany and natural history, pre- its petals have rotted off, in consequence of the mechanical, physiological, magnetic, thermo- sented, some months since, to the museums of bad manner in which they have been prepared. metric, and chemical, and from a rigid compari- his country, a large collection of objects of With respect to the genus, it has been already son of the various ways by which these pheno- natural history, from the Cape of Good Hope; mentioned in the Journal of the Geographical mena have been attempted to be explained, Mr. amongst which Dr. Krauss discovered three Society (vol. vii. p. 350), at my request, that, Sturgeon could discover none so free from am- new species of Amathia, Achamarchis, and although Victoria is, possibly, the same as the biguity, none so truly specific, none so simple, Flustra-Animalia zoophyta ; Ordo II. Cor- Euryale amazonica of Pappig, yet it is, in my distinct, and comprehensive--in short, none so ticata; Tribus 1. Tubulosa; Familia 5, Ser- opinion, quite distinct from the latter genus. rational, as that which admits of the agency of tularineæ. The Sertularia are a family of I am not aware that any one in the country, a purely electric matter. Dr. Franklin's theory the Polypes, the nearest allied to the Tubulariæ. of any botanical reputation, has called this also rests on the supposition of one electric The tubuliform, multifariously ramified trunk opinion in question, and therefore it may apfluid, and, as far as it extends, appears to is hornlike, tenacious, flexible, and often of a pear unnecessary to notice it any further. But require but very little modification to become dark colour. The soft part of the animal fills Professor Pæppig is so good a naturalist, that applicable to every fact that has been developed the tube like marrow, and sends out the it is due to him to state upon what grounds I in this branch of physics, prior to the discovery Polypes, which are surrounded by feelers at consider him to be wrong in the genus to which of electro-magnetism. Perhaps it is in this their summit, through bell-shaped lateral open- he referred the plant. Euryale is an East department of electricity alone where the ings. These animals form a continuous body, Indian water-plant, with very long floating Franklinean doctrine will be found materially which is connected with the functions of life leaves, sometimes as much as four feet in deficient; but even here, notwithstanding its in such a manner, that food being given to one diameter, light purple underneath, and these inadequacy to account for this class of phe- of them, serves as nourishment for the rest; articulated with numerous very large promi 115 120 170 175 180 200 205 Deviation.... 15° 41 infinite service to the present state of electrical BOTANICAL SOCIETY. journed. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. Bachelor in Civil Law.-Rev. G. K. Morrell, Fellow of St. John's College. Masters of Arts.-C. Cobbe, Exeter College; H. B. Mayne, Student of Christ Church; Rev. F. J. Kitson, Fellow of St. John's College; Rev. T. W. Mason, Queen's College, incorporated from Trinity College, Dublin, grand compounder. Bachelors of Arts.-G. Butt, Christ Church; T. L. Iremonger, Balliol College: G. M. Fort, 1. H. Gosset, Exeter College; G. A. Blakely, S. J. Jerram, T. C. Briggs, Worcester College. CAMBRIDGE, 31st January. The following degrees were conferred : Masters of Arts. Rev. R. W. Dibdin, St. John's College; Rev. W. Dakins, Corpus Christi College; Rev. J. Foster, Emmanuel College; R. A. Johnstone, Trinity College. College. M. Butt, Corpus Christi College; J. Watson, St. John's College. ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE. nent veins. It is, moreover, covered with regions where they pass the winter. Several sharp prickles on the under-side of the leaves, very interesting deductions were drawn from the leaf-stalks, flower-stalks, and calyx. In this fact. The leading characters of the ornithese particulars it agrees with Victoria, but in thology of different regions were then dislittle else. Victoria has the inner petals rigid, cussed; and, generalising upon these characand curved inwards over the stamens, into ters, and the facts already stated, Mr. Blyth which they gradually pass; in Euryale there indicated some of the laws which might be is no transition of this kind. In Victoria there supposed to regulate and circumscribe the disis a double row of horn-like, sterile stamens, persion of particular species. We greatly recurving over the stigmas, and adhering firmly gret that the limits of our report render it imto their back; Euryale has no such structure. possible for us to do justice to this highly In Victoria there are thirty-six large, reniform, interesting portion of Mr. Blyth's observations. compressed, fleshy stigmas; in lieu of this very He was heard throughout with the greatest singular character, Euryale has only the margin attention, and received considerable applause Honorary Masters of Arts.-Hon. S. Hay, Hon. H. G. of a cup, with six, seven, or eight crenatures. at the termination of his discourse. Mr. Vigors Howard, Trinity College; Hon. H. C. Knight, Queen's Victoria has thirty-six cells to the ovary; followed; and, having stated that he hoped Euryale only from six to eight. And, finally, this highly interesting and important subject to say nothing of minor distinctions, the ripe would be pursued into its subdivisions at some fruit of Victoria lies at the bottom of a regularly of the ensuing meetings of the Society, protruncated cup, which stands high above the ceeded to make a few remarks upon some of JANUARY 11th. David Pollock, Esq. in the water, while the flower of Euryale sinks into its most striking points; such as the corre- chair. The foreign secretary commenced the the water after flowering, and the fruit when spondency, or geographical representation, of reading of a communication from Mr. George ripe is invested with the decayed remains of groups and species inhabiting different locali- Finlay, addressed to the Society through Col. the calyx and corolla. These facts will, I ties: the ostrich, for instance, of the African Leake, on the Battle of Marathon. Mr. Finthink, confirm my original statement that, desert, represented in Asia and its islands by lay's essay commenced with an exact and minotwithstanding the prickles of the leaves and the cassowary; in Australia, by the emeu; in nute description of the plain, with its sepulstalks, the genus Victoria is more closely allied the Pampas of South America, by the rhæa; chral " heap of gathered ground," which was to Nymphæa than to Euryale, and will, I hope, and in Europe (as he conceived), by the great the scene of that event so important to the set at rest all future ingenious speculations bustard. It was his opinion that every promi- freedom and civilisation of Greece and the upon the first of these genera being untenable."nent group had thus an analogue, or represent- whole western world. Guided by the facts ative, in each of the principal divisions of the stated by Herodotus, and by the profound exworld; and that, in every case where such amination of this subject by Col. Leake, the THE monthly general meeting of this Society representation was wanting, the deficiency was results of which were published in the first was held yesterday week, J. R. Gowen, Esq. occasioned by some sufficient and harmonious volume of the Society's Transactions, he estiin the chair. The attendance, notwithstand- cause. As an example: the starlings were re-mated the numbers of the entire armament of ing the severity of the weather, was more presented as inhabiting all parts of the world Persia, when it left the Asiatic coasts, at numerous than on any former occasion; and a except Australia; the explanation of which 121,000 men; and this number, already so great number of ladies occupied the front seats. exception is, that they seek much of their sub-much below the exaggerated estimate of many Several members were elected. The report of sistence on the backs of cattle, and in Aus- writers, must have been reduced one sixth the council stated that Mr. Blyth had been tralia there are no indigenous ruminant quad- before the expedition reached Marathon. The appointed assistant-secretary and curator of rupeds. It was thus that, in many other in-numbers actually present at the battle could the museum; the latter office being rendered stances, the diffusion of animals is regulated by not have been more than 46,000 men ; of whom necessary by the munificent loan of the Hon. that of their prey; this, again, by that of par- only 20,000 were regular infantry, the only W. F. Fiennes. Several donations were an- ticular vegetables, which, in its turn, is de- force that appears to have been engaged. The nounced; among which was a collection of pendent on the soil. Before Mr. Vigors con- choice of Marathon by Datis and Artaphernes, auatomical preparations, presented by Mr. cluded, he expressed a hope that at the next the leaders of the expedition, seems to have Bartlett. It was stated, that the collection of meeting there would be laid on the table a been determined by the advantages afforded living birds had sustained very little injury greater number of specimens to illustrate the there for the shelter of the fleet and the immefrom the extreme severity of the winter; and subject of discussion. Mr. Chester stated that diate employment of the cavalry, as well as by that arrangements had been made for pro- if the gentlemen who proposed to favour the the facilities it presented for an attack on curing a great number of rare and beautiful Society with any scientific observations at Athens. species in the course of the ensuing spring. The future meetings, would apprise the council of January 25th. The Duke of Sutherland in report having been approved, the chairman call- the specimens which would be desirable for ed upon Mr. Blyth to open the discussion of illustration, every possible exertion should be the subject of the day, viz. The Geographical used to obtain them. 'The Geographical DisDistribution of Birds.' Mr. Blyth commenced tribution of the Rasores, or Poultry Birds, a very elaborate and interesting discourse by was announced as the subject for the next enumerating, 1st, a variety of groups and meeting. species which are confined to particular regions; and, 2dly, others, and some of com ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. the chair.-Mr. Finlay's paper was concluded. Col. Leake thought, that the enclosure sacred to Hercules, where the Athenian army encamped on their arrival upon the plain of Marathon, was in the valley of Vrana; but Mr. Finlay assigned several reasons for the opinion, that it was somewhere near the pass under mount Argaliki; which he also thinks was paratively trivial value, which are diffused MR. MACLEAY in the chair. Eight fellows the spot, mentioned by C. Nepos, where the over the greater portion of the world. He were elected into the Society at the meeting on Athenians constructed field-works of felled illustrated the subject by adducing various Thursday afternoon. Balance carried to ac- trees: it could have been by this road alone, phenomena of geology and botany; enumer- count in favour of Society, to February 1st, the regular road from Athens to Marathon, ated and explained some of the more interest-8791. 12s. 8d. Visitors to gardens and mu- that they advanced with so much celerity, on ing analogous adaptations of different types of seum in January (cold weather), about 3000. being informed that their enemies had disform, geographically separated-such, for in- The stock at the gardens comprises 287 quad- embarked upon the plain. In the absence of stance, as the humming-birds of America, and rupeds, 773 birds, and 17 reptiles; being a contemporary or authentic accounts of the the nectar-feeders of India and its islands, decrease of 31 since December last.-A number numbers of the Athenian, as well as of the Africa, and Australia; took a rapid survey of of salutary resolutions for preventing the abuse Persian army, all writers appear to have the modern theories of zoological provinces, of the ivory admission-tickets were read and agreed with tradition in fixing the amount of particularly commenting on Dr. Richardson's approved. The little ourang-outang, at the gar- the former at 10,000 men; various circumand called attention to the following curious dens, is going on well-full of fun, and per- stances adduced by Mr. Finlay seem to warrant fact, which he was not aware had been pre-nounced was a dwarf variety of the common these he adds the thousand Plateans who joined fectly at home. Amongst the presents an- this being received as a fair statement. viously announced,-viz., that those North American birds which have no generic reprepig, very curious. the army after its arrival at the Heracleion, sentative in Europe, and those European gethough some writers include them in the nera which have no species proper to America, 10,000. On adding to these 11,000 hoplites, are, almost without exception, migratory, be- OXFORD, February 1.-The following degrees were conthe usual proportion of attendant light-armed longing to types of forms characteristic of those ferred: troops, it will be found that the camp of the ; LITERARY AND LEARNED. Το "In vain Art's toiling sons their stores unfold, Each eye is vacant, and each heart is cold." and we have not been disappointed. The picturesque character of the apartment, with its antique furniture and decorations, is finely set off by the singularly skilful management of the light. In the foreground an aged pair are engaged at a game of chess. The old gentleman is evidently puzzled; and his successful antagonist, while she quietly takes a pinch of snuff to fill up the pause of his consideration and difficulty, regards him with a sly look of conscious triumph that is exceedingly provoking. A beautiful girl, standing at the table, has her attention attracted by two youthful lovers in the back-ground, who seem to be playing at another description of game, in which, we dare say, neither of them feels indisposed to "mate" the other. Greeks contained not less than 22,000 men. performances which have already appeared at-In his picture of The Rent Day at Haddon The method of attack proposed by Miltiades, the Exhibitions of the Royal Academy and Hall, exhibited in the Gallery last year, Mr. and adopted, shews that he must have been elsewhere. The reproach many years ago cast Horsley tasked his powers to no ordinary deable to draw out his forces before the camp in upon our men of rank and opulence by the pre-gree. We were prepared to expect this year line of battle, where it must have been difficult sent highly gifted President of the Academy, another specimen of his talents in a similar way, for the Persians to attack him, and impossible still continues to be but too just : for them to turn his wings with their cavalry, or in any way to render their superiority of numbers available; circumstances which apply How is it, for instance, that such admirable to no other spot but the lower slopes of Arga- works as No. 53, The Death of Douglas at the liki. Some probable reasons for the extra- Battle of Langside, C. Landseer, A.R.A.; No. ordinary rapidity of the attack, drawn from 61, The Mendicants, R. Rothwell; No. 98, the peculiarity of the ground, were stated. The Lucky Escape, W. F. Witherington, The space (about eight stades) over which the A.R.A.; No. 154, The Chamber of Death, T. Athenians advanced, coincides with the inter- Uwins, A.R.A.; No. 284, The Feast of the val between the foot of Argaliki and the spot Gipsies, D. Maclise, A.R.A., &c., remain on where the battle must have commenced. Mr. the hands of the able artists by whom they were Finlay's remarks on the arrangements of Mil-produced? What can tend more effectually to tiades in drawing up his army in order of damp the ardour of the youthful student? battle, and his narrative of the immortal con- But, although there is much in this Exhibiflict itself, derived, as did every part of this tion which has been seen before, there is also essay, great interest and apparent exactness much of novel excellence. One of its principal from his perfect acquaintance with the locality features consists of what may be called sporting which its occurrence has endeared to every subjects. The modern Nimrod, or Isaak Walbosom that can sympathise in the noblest and ton, will be delighted with the spirited and most eventful deeds recorded in the history of faithful representations of the four-footed, the our race. The local knowledge which had en- feathered, and the finny tribes, which meet abled him to throw additional light upon the his eye in every direction. We will begin our field of Marathon, also drew from him a fresh notice by particularising a few of them. testimony to the accuracy of the venerable No. 361, The Pointer; No. 366, Fallow No. 52. Una Masthera. Mrs. J. Robertson. historian of Greece. "After a careful compari- Deer: No. 372, The Two Dogs. Edwin -Are we mistaken in fancying this to be a son of the ground upon which this battle was Landseer, R.A.—Of the first of these fine per-portrait of the charming daughter of one of our fought with the assertions of ancient writers, formances we cannot sufficiently express our ablest landscape and architectural draftsmen nothing," says Mr. Finlay, "can be discovered at admiration. The head is absolutely alive; the and painters? However that may be, we never variance with a single fact recorded by Hero- manner in which, with its various accessories, saw a countenance which, if we were to write dotus; but there is much which confirms and it is executed, affords one of the best specimens a novel or romance, we should be more disposed explains his account." To Mr. Finlay's essay of harmonious colouring and fluent pencilling, to prefix to our volumes as a representation of were subjoined two notes; 1. concerning the that we remember to have seen. The businesspieces of flint called Persian arrow-heads, like manner in which the animal pursues his found in the tumulus at Marathon; 2. ob- vocation is delightful. The Fallow Deer are servations on the road from Athens to the Plain equally excellent. The noble bearing, and the of Marathon by Mesogaia. bounding freedom, of these beautiful tenants of the forest were never more truly depicted. So delusively is this picture painted, and so skilfully is it handled, that it reminds us of some lines attached to a head of Shakspeare, prefixed to an old edition of his plays: SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. "the graver had a strife With nature to out-do the life." MR. AMYOT in the chair.- Mr. Holmes com- Thursday.-Royal Society, 8 r. M.; Antiquaries, 8 P.M. FINE ARTS. No. 449, Green Plover; No. 450, Wild No. 134, Fishing Boats, with Hucksters No. 358. The Avenue. T. Creswick. - The composition is grand, the foliage is exquisitely executed, and the whole has an air of truth and nature which cannot be surpassed. Mr. Creswick has embellished his scene by the introduction of several figures in a costume that reminds us of Watteau. their heroine. Intelligence, grace, and idealism, are united in it. No. 242. A View from Richmond Hill Spring. T. C. Hofland. -- On casting our eyes round the Gallery this year, we were induced to exclaim with Richard, "I think there be six Richmonds in the field." Without meaning to depreciate the other representations of this enchanting scene (several of which are full of beauty), we may be allowed to remark, that the morning freshness which pervades Mr. Hofland's performance, combined with the gaiety and animation of the figures by which it is peopled, communicate to it great interest. No. 164. A Looking-glass Reflection. H. P. Parker. We have never failed to find both matter and manner to admire in this artist's works. We are glad, on this occasion, to repeat our former commendations; and we especially congratulate him on the novelty of his subject, as well as on the happy way in which he has treated it. [To be continued.] BIOGRAPHY. EDWARD WILLIAMS, ESQ. IT is with severe sorrow, we add the death of Mr. Williams to the portentous list of publishers and booksellers who have died within a short period of time. Mr. Williams was the publisher for Eton School (where, a few years since, his son was captain), and in Eton and London there was no man more esteemed and respected. In business his character was of the highest class; and in the intercourse of instance. The grateful tenderness and repose society he was greatly prized for his kind and of this beautiful view of an Italian port, charm- amiable manners. He was one of the Literary ing in themselves, are enhanced in value by Fund committee, and a constant friend to that their contrast with the turbulence of the last-admirable institution. His death was occasioned by an accident: he slipped and fell on No. 174, Winning the Game, J. C. Horsley. a slide in the street, which led to the illness No. 14, Murano. Sir A. W. Callcott, R.A. -After a storm, it is said, comes a calm. In our various pictorial surveys, we often find an BRITISH INSTITUTION, PALL MALL. opportunity of bringing the one and the other In our last Number we adverted to the ap-into juxtaposition. We do so in the present proaching opening of the annual Exhibition of the works of living artists, at the British Gallery in Pall Mall. Wednesday was the day of the private view, and on Thursday the public were admitted. It is painful to see on the walls so many fine mentioned work. that terminated so fatally. Mr. Williams has rain and wind; 13th, fair; 14th, rain and left a numerous family, as well as many sin-wind; 15th, changeable; 16th, rain.". cere friends, to lament his loss. Sir Daniel Sandford, who represented Glasgow for a short time in parliament, but soon retired from the drudgery of the House to his more congenial books and studies, died at Glasgow, of typhus fever, on the 4th. He was one of the most accomplished scholars of Scotland, and the author of several learned works. SKETCHES. WEATHER WISDOM. Murphy. favour the world with his annual (as I sincerely hope he A SEASONABLE SONG. HAIL! month of love, when little birds comparing -- He laughs in storms to see the wreck he makes. To the Editor of the Literary Gazette. Cheltenham, Feb. 6, 1838. Sir,-Will you permit me to trouble you with a few words on the severe and continued frost? My predictions of the weather for some days have been erroneous, owing, I believe, to the season being extraordinary; and which I attribute to the reaction in the atmosphere occasioned by the great comet leaving our system. In my pamphlet Their little notes, do choose their little mates; on that comet's history, &c. (a copy of which I enclose), At least they used to, ere the season, wearing printed originally in 1834, I foretold that "the winters of A snow-pelisse, forbade their wedding fêtes. 1836 or 1837 will bring a frost such as has not been equalled for at least twenty years." But, owing to the extreme Reign, month of valentines! effusions tender, length and severity of last winter, all over the world, snow having fallen even in Canton, Africa, &c., I conLike Etna glowing amid frost and snow; THE Correspondence of both the Weather Pro-ceived that the comet's effects had then ceased, and did Rain has no damper for each nameless sender, phets of the day, which we subjoin, leads us to not, therefore, expect the present severe frost. This pheWhether or not the postman's sure to go. offer one or two brief remarks on the subject. inference drawn from former observations, during eight Tis said that comets make the seasons vary nomenon has justified my prediction, and confirmed the When we began to notice these predictions-previous returns of Halley's comet to the sun. In 1834 now about eighteen months ago-we observed, I observed that, "the singular fact of such extraordinary I wish they'd take a turn 'mid other spheres ; that whatever ridicule had been thrown upon cinity of the earth, must, at least, attract attention. We frosts at the precise period of the comet "leaving the vi-Oh! why has Winter seized thee, February? such prognostications as those in Moore's Al- find a frost which bound up the Mediterranean Sea, though The months are all "together by the cars." manack, yet that the science of Meteorology situated so far south, after the comet's appearance of Winter, the nut-brown smile of Autumn steal1231; again, after its next return in 1306, we read of the had been in so uncertain a state, and was Baltic Sea being frozen over for fourteen weeks; again, ing, [awakes, so capable of great improvement, that we were after its visit of 1456, we learn that the ice extended from Creeps upon Spring, and, when each bud not at all disposed to treat every attempt at Mecklenburg to Denmark; again, after its return in Tears off the mask, the sap of earth congealing, 1607, we are told that a winter of uncommon severity predicting the probable nature of the weather followed all over the world; then came the return as idle and preposterous. We supposed it pos- of 1682, followed by that frost, of thirteen weeks' duration, which was predicted to King Charles II.; lastly, sible that long observation might lead to the the latest return of the comet, which is still rememapproximation of data which might be of con-bered by some very old people, from the circumstance siderable importance; and when we found such of that notable frost, long spoken of as the black frost, which endured no less than ninety-four days, philosophers as M. Arago entering into similar or over three months! Hence, we have records of views, we were satisfied with the propriety of severe frosts immediately succeeding the appearance of The appearances folthese opinions. The explanations of Messrs. the comet, six times out of eight. lowed by these phenomena have been those of 1231, 1306, Morrison and Murphy are given below; and, 1456, 1607, 1682, and 1759; and the other two instances on whatever grounds they calculate, there is, may have been similar in nature, though, perhaps, not at least, the test occurring daily by which to in extent; and so may not have been entered on the Of records to which we have had access." We may now say try their accuracy. It would be absurd to that, out of nine returns of the comet, we have seven expect the precise results which they (we think, instances recorded of severe and extraordinary frosts Twisting the year's four quarters out of joint. occurring upon its leaving the vicinity of the earth. I rather too boldly) pretend to fix almost to an submit, therefore, that this cannot be the result of Ye moon-struck months! the good old plan hour, and, certainly, to a day; but if either of chance, and that, whatever be the cause, and whether them, or any one else, could establish a system true or not, I may repeat, that "there follow intolerably my hypothesis of a derangement of the ethereal fluid be upon which we could foretell that such a month cold and such memorable frosts as we have seen do Ye or such a season would be wet or dry-whether always succeed the visitations of this large comet." If called on for an opinion, I should say (judging from the prevalence of weather would be stormy or former instances), that the frost will not quit us till the settled whether there would be nipping frosts sun be past the conjunction of Herschel, which will be at or warm and temperate nights-it is quite ob- the end of this month. Such aspects as tend to abate the cold pass by, with hardly a perceptible effect, owing to vious that the farmer, gardener, manufacturer, the comet's contrary and powerful action. I must repeat, seaman, as well as other classes, might reap that I do not pretend to a knowledge of more than the mere elements of astral influence on the atmosphere; much benefit from the foreknowledge. and, though there be many cases in which I can be Having said this much, we now cast a retro- certain as to the effects which will occur, there are also spect on the past week: many on which I am equally uncertain. Perhaps fifty years' further observation will still leave much to be ascertained.-Yours, &c. Morrison. 3d.......... Murphy. 6th. Close: misty air: mild.... Fair 7th. Mild tem-1 perature...... Changeable 8th. Change.............. Rain 9th. Fall of 8° or 1 in thermoineter...... .... Rain and Wind. { Actual Facts. Frost and clear, Thick weather, To the Editor of the Literary Gazette. London, February 7th, 1838, 4th. Rain and Fog. Changeable .... The same: no snow. SIR,-Your being in the habit, weekly, of introducing in The same, with a 5th. Change...... Changeable your columns a parallel, or comparison between the preslight snow. dictions of the weather in my Weather Almanac," and Frost clear. At those of Lieut. Morrison, in that published by him, inmidnight a fall duces me to trouble you with the following short observaof snow, and hard frost. tions,-viz.: you are probably aware, that as early as the 19th of October last my Almanac had already passed Morning, great thaw; and rain through the press (as, if I mistake not, a copy of it was towards evening. forwarded to you on that day ;) whereas, Mr. Morrison's Almanac did not appear till about the beginning of JaFine morning. Afternoon, rain,nuary; and, that thus, from the interval which elapsed between the publication of the two, it was fully in his with stormy power (if so disposed) to transfer to his pages, and give to wind. the world as his own, such part of the property of another as he might have thought convenient. And, consequently, as the facts are as stated, however I may feel disposed to exonerate him from having had recourse to so unworthy a means, it is not so easy for him to free him- The wintry glaring of his eye; the touch of his self from the imputation with the public: and thus, under these circumstances, it is hardly fair to admit We see him come; we seek our homes; we of comparisons of the kind. For, though I acquit him of heap coals on the grate; "The 10th threatens snow, cold and gloomy the order of the day, an instance of which, and connected the charge-as piracy of the kind, as would appear, is air. Changes on the 12th night; and again with the same subject, appears in the last Number of the on the 13th, more temperate, yet there are Cheltenham Looker-on (which I the more freely notice tokens of S.W. gales; the weather being very as Francis Moore, physician, or any other who thought as I perceive your are in the habit of taking it in), and What, though he ride the storm without! we reck not of the blast, [and fast. unsettled, as Mars and the Sun approach the it for his advantage to dabble in predictions of the But only send the wine-cup round more cheerily square of Saturn. The 15th and 17th very similar species of traffic, were the circumstance allowed to He knocketh vainly at our gate; he may not weather, might by such a course, palm on the world a stormy, with frequent snow-showers; the latter pass over unnoticed-this it is which chiefly induces me day gloomy and very cold the night frost or to address you on this subject, and to request (with your snow: severe gales about this date."Morrison. accustomed politeness) that you will be so good as to notice **Saturday, 10th, fair; 11th, changeable; 12th, my wish, that, in the event of Mr. Morrison continuing to Our readers will make their own of these hits and misses, while we add the prophecies for the week to come : it in the columns of the Gazette; and further to express And cowering o'er the blaze we sit, and of his doings prate. come within; [his chin. Our fire would thaw the icicles which hang upon * St. Valentine's day falls on Wednesday next.-Ed. Le Go And though through crack or cranny-hole, he chance to make his way, None bid him welcome to our feast, no voice doth urge his stay. old man's feet: He makes the pavement slippery beneath the And though the houseless mother weeps, and though her children moan, He thrusts his hand beneath their rags, and nips them to the bone. without saying a few words to direct the citement which generally tends to the producpublic attention to so truly philanthropic tion of an excellent work. We look for no less and admirable an association. Thousands when such an artist as C. Turner is employed and tens of thousands of the gay and wealthy, on the portrait of such a genius as Mr. Faraday. He wanders forth, he is not proud, he seeketh as well as of the laborious and less favoured Expeditious Travelling.--Mr. Waghorn has out the poor; [across his floor. classes, who pass to and fro on that mighty arrived in London, in eleven days, from Malta, He takes the beggar by the hand, and walks highway, the Thames, see the old Dread- via Paris. We look soon to take a trip to He sits him down beside his hearth, an unnought lying at Greenwich, grand and im- Jerusalem and back, between the publication invited guest, [his place of rest. Posing even in her dismantled state, and little of two of our sequent Gazettes. And lays him down at night, to sleep within which her floating leviathan bulk is now de-"The Royal Cosset," is a capital group, or know or think of the beneficent purposes to Caricatures. - H. B. encore ! No. 516, Cold comfort hath King Frost for those who voted. No more bearing the British thunder rather, we might say, flock of lambs, with our venture through the street; to quell proud foes wherever ocean rolls, she fair young queen, as a farmer's daughter, feedis given to a yet higher and holier British ing the foremost with ears of corn. The Cosset object. She is a Hospital! sustained by vo- Lamb (Lord Melbourne) is looking up very luntary bounty, for the relief of seamen of fondly, as any pet would; for Cosset, according all nations. She is no longer the appalling to Ash, means, "a lamb brought up by hand, a adversary, but she is the friend and benefactor tidling." whilst Lord J. Russell, Mr. Spring of mankind. Ever open to the voice of misery, Rice, Sir John Hobhouse, &c. are pressing on the distressed have but to approach her side in the hope of obtaining a snatch. Lord and utter their complaint, when, without ex- Glenelg is lying down dreamily; and Lord traneous recommendation or introduction, they Brougham is retreating like a black sheep, are immediately received on board, their wants with a label from his mouth, "My tongue is cared for, and their ailments ministered to, not hung to courtly airs; I can't gloze." Altoby every means which humanity and skill can gether, this is about one of the very best of the supply. This is a noble Charity, and worthy long series. 517, "The Lion's share " of Irish of England. The good it does surpasses de- patronage, has O'Connell as a lion cajoling a scription; need we add a syllable more? No. fox, and an ass in the distance. The fox is Exeter Hall.-On Wednesday, Mr. Perry's been tried, on a rather extended scale, by the likeness is not a striking one. Galvanic Telegraph. This invention has presumed to be the Lord Lieutenant, but the oratorio, "The Fall of Jerusalem," per- King of Bavaria, at Munich, and is stated to formed by the Sacred Harmonic Society, at- have perfectly succeeded. tracted an immense crowd, and seemed to conducted over houses and churches, &c.; but The experiment was give much pleasure. Some good choruses, well wires are now to be laid down in tubes, and sung, and some sweet and more ballad-like the whole apparatus under ground. How than sacred solos, tempted the audience to stand our able countryman, Mr. Wheatstone's, encore. We think several parts of this per-grand experiments? formance likely to become favourites as selections in miscellaneous oratorios. Alas! he is a mighty King, and cruel in his MUSIC. H. J. M. French Notions of Machinery! A very Hanover Square Rooms.--Classical concerts, Havre, to which port an iron garden - roller droll instance of this kind recently occurred at by wind instruments.--The first of three of was sent from England; but the gentleman, these concerts took place too late last week for for whom it was imported, has been obliged to our notice. In our opinion, a more agreeable write to the maker for a certificate of its uses, evening could not be passed than in listening in consequence, says his letter, of its having to the exquisite sounds of these voicelike in- been seized by the Custom House officers, as struments, played as they are to almost per- une machine sans vapeur pour la fabrication fection, by Puzzi, Sedlatzek, Barret, &c. &c., des aiguilles et des épingles. We believe it and enlivened by the sweet tones of F. La- would puzzle even French ingenuity to make blache, Catone, and the ever-musical Fanny needles and pins with a garden-roller! Wyndham, who, on this occasion, sang Mozart's “L'Addio” in the purest style. The room was well filled. The second concert will take place on the 23d instant. DRAMA. Lord Farnborough's Pictures.-Though we mentioned in the papers, relative to the bestated, that there was no such agreement as quest of Lord Farnborough's collection of pictures to the National Gallery, we may now say, that, with his well-known and patriotic love of the fine arts, his lordship has bequeathed his celebrated Canaletti (one of the finest in to adorn this national institution. existence), and other two of his best paintings, of the season on Monday, which was splendidly College of Physicians.-At the first meeting attended, Sir H. Halford read a very interesting lecture, in which he insisted on the expediency of religious missionaries among uncivilised people being instructed in the elements of medical knowledge. Nothing could render their labours more acceptable, nor more facilitate the attainment of their benevolent objects. Tablet of Abydos. - We congratulate our country on the safe arrival and deposit of this most important document of antiquity; a record of the utmost consequence to Egyptian history, and the early history of mankind, in the British Museum. Such things truly belong to the wealth of nations; and justice to the present government demands a public testimony and acknowledgment of their liberality in all such matters which come within their ministerial powers. The Sunbeam, No. I. Vol. I.-A new peri in Cases of Fire. — The heavy losses recently Preservation of Important Papers, Cash, &c. sustained in this way, have given rise to many ingenious suggestions for the preservation of property of this sort; and we hear of bankers, and others, who sink their iron chests in deep Drury Lane. On Monday, Mr. Kean, after pits or wells, every evening, and have them playing Hamlet successfully for twelve or thir-drawn up for daily use every morning. Under teen nights, made an equally successful début such circumstances, it has occurred to us, that in Richard the Third. The house was crowded; a very simple remedy might be applied to save the queen was there; and the applause was all this trouble. It should consist of a common continued throughout every part of the play. small crane, sufficiently strong to sustain the Covent Garden.-Lear, on Wednesday, was weight of the chest; which, being hung to it odical companion is before us. It is bold to zepeated with, if possible, increased effect. It by cords, and suspended over the pit or well anticipate a volume; but this is a pretty, is a glorious performance. (which might be covered with a thin boarding musical, and royal, as well as literary, medley. St. James's.-'Tis She, a new burletta, has so as to resemble the rest of the floor), would With its shining name, it promises much atbeen very attractive during the week. It is yield its burden to the effects of the first ap- tention to the court and its fair head; and its full of drollery, and Mrs. Stirling, with a cha-proach of the fire, and the chest, undamaged, first Number is a very fair specimen, finishing racter (or rather three characters, of maid, wife, would fall and sink, by its own gravity, into with a sweet ballad composed by John Barnett. and widow) well suited to her talents, performs the cavity below, where it would be perfectly Child's own Bible, Part I. (Longman and it admirably. The other parts are also ably safe. The ease of moving it about during the Co.) -Drawings by Brooke familiarly illussustained by Wright, Gardner, J. Webster, day by merely pulling the crane to and from trate this selection of sacred history and Bible &c. and constant laughter rewards their efforts the wall, need hardly be pointed out as an stories for the young. It is a cheap, and prothroughout. Braham, too, has been singing additional recommendation of such a plan.-mises to be a most useful and popular publihis old popular songs nightly; and the theatre Ed. L. G. has, in consequence, been always well filled. cation. Mr. Faraday.We are glad to see, by an Mr. Blagrove.-The Leipzig "Allgemeine advertisement in another page, that a portrait Zeitung" contains the following paragraph, of this distinguished and most estimable indi- under Correspondence from Vienna: "Vienna, vidual is forthcoming, from the burin of Charles Jan. 7. Our ever-musical town revels at this Turner. It is pretty certain that, when talent moment with more vivacity than ever in the is employed on talent, there is a degree of ex- enjoyment of sweet sounds, the carnival being |