Chapter III: Part 3

The examination of flowers by the microscope opens a new field of wonder to the inquiring naturalist; by which we are enabled to perceive that the minutest works of Nature are adorned with the most consummate elegance and beauty. As one proof, from innumerable others that might be selected, I beg to subjoin Sir John Hill's interesting account of what appeared on examining a carnation;--first published in the Inspector, No. 109. "The principal flower in this _bouquet_, was a _carnation_; the fragrance of this led me to enjoy it frequently and nearly: the sense of smelling was not the only one affected on these occasions; while that was satiated with the powerful sweet, the ear was constantly attacked by an extremely soft but agreeable murmuring sound. It was easy to know that some animal, within the covert, must be the musician, and that the little noise must come from some little body suited to produce it. I instantly distended the lower part of the flower, and, placing it in a full light, could discover troops of little insects frisking and capering with wild jollity among the narrow pedestals that supported its leaves, and the little threads that occupied its centre! I was not cruel enough to pull out any one of them for examination: but adapting a microscope to take in at one view, the whole base of the flower, I gave myself an opportunity of contemplating what they were about, and this for many days together without giving them the least disturbance.--Thus could I discover their economy, their passions and their enjoyments. The microscope, on this occasion, had given what nature seemed to have denied to the objects of contemplation. The base of the flower extended itself under its influence to a vast plain; the slender stems of the leaves became trunks of so many stately cedars; the threads in the middle seemed columns of massy structure, supporting at the top their several ornaments; and the narrow spaces between were enlarged into walls, paterres, and terraces. On the polished bottom of these, brighter than Parian marble, walked in pairs, alone, or in larger companies, the winged inhabitants: these from little dusky flies (for such only the naked eye would have shown them,) were raised to glorious glittering animals, stained with living purple, and with a glossy gold that would have made all the labours of the loom contemptible in the comparison. I could, at leisure as they walked together, admire their elegant limbs, their velvet shoulders, and their silken wings; their backs vieing with the empyrean in its blue; and their eyes, each formed of a thousand others, out-glittering the little planes on a brilliant; above description, and too great almost for admiration. Here were the perfumed groves, the more than myrtle shades, of the poet's fancy, realized; here the little animals spent their days in joyful dalliance; or in the triumph of their little hearts, skipped after one another from stem to stem among the painted trees; or winged their short flight to the close shadow of some broader leaf, to revel undisturbed in the heights of all felicity."

ABSENCE OF MIND.

Among a number of instances of the celebrated Dr. Moncey's absence of mind, is one which he frequently mentioned, and laughed at heartily, when in good humour, at the same time observing that his brother was as bad as himself. The doctor being once on a visit to his brother, in Norfolk, in the beginning of winter, and intending to set off for London the next day, his brother proposed to go and shoot wild ducks early in the morning, that he might carry two or three couple fresh killed to London with him. The servant was ordered to clean the long fowling piece, get plenty of powder and shot, and to goose-grease their boots. Every thing being in readiness according to their desire, about an hour before day-light the doctor and his brother set off for the place where the ducks resort, in order to be there by the break of day, when they generally take wing to go to feed. They had walked nearly three miles, and it having rained in the night, the clay mud wall was very dirty and greasy, when they heard the cry of the ducks. They were now obliged to get over the wall and the gate, across a sluice into the marsh where the ducks were. The rain had raised the water about a foot. It was then proposed that one should go over, and the other remain behind. Says the doctor, "George, do you go over, for I have forgotten my boots." "So have I doctor," says his brother; "but we wont lose our sport, as we have come so far." So both waded through, and got over the gate into the marsh, and advancing along the fleet, they at length perceived the ducks. "You are near enough, George," said the doctor.--"Aye," replied George, "I think we are not above a hundred yards off." "Why then fire," says the doctor.--"Do you fire," returned George. "Why I hav'nt got the gun; do you fire." "I fire! why I have not got the gun," said his brother, "I thought you had it. What a fine opportunity is lost. Here are not less than thirty ducks within shot, and neither of us have got the gun."

LIFE-PRESERVER.

The following simple method of rescuing drowning persons from a watery grave, is contained in a long article on that subject, in a late Liverpool paper, and is deserving of attention. The writer says:

If any one estimate inventions in the inverse ratio of their simplicity, they will smile to hear that the life-preserver which I have so highly extolled, is no more than a _hat_ and _pocket handerchief_;[5] so that every man has, at all times, about his person an apparatus which may be the means of saving the life of his fellow creature.

[5] A large silk handkerchief is the best for the occasion.

With these simple means any man who can swim may safely venture into the water, with the certainty of rescuing a drowning person. All the preparation, which need not occupy ten seconds, is this: Spread the handkerchief out on the ground, and place the hat upon it in the centre, with the crown upwards, in the ordinary position of wearing; then gather up the four corners of the handerchief over the crown of the hat, giving it a few twists for the greater convenience of grasping with the hand. The hat must then be inverted, (the crown downwards.) In this position, it is confidently asserted, any person may safely enter the water, as the cavity of the hat contains, a much greater quantity of air than is requisite to sustain any man. I found that the hat with which I tried the experiment, would almost support me and another person clinging to me, neither of us making the least effort to float by any motion of the hands and feet. The mode I should adopt, however, in using the life-preserver, would be to give up the handkerchief to the person whose life was in danger, and immediately to disengage myself from him. He would soon discover that he was buoyed up, and would recover his presence of mind; but, whether he did or not, it would be of little consequence, as long as he retained his grasp of the handkerchief. Whilst he was thus supported, nothing could be more easy than to push him to the shore with one hand, swimming with the other.

JOHN O'GROAT'S HOUSE.

The place so denominated is still a land-mark, although the house has long fallen to decay; so totally so that not a vestige remains; but the scite is an object of curiosity to travellers, for the singularity of the building, which tradition has preserved the form of, and the motive for its erection. In the reign of James the VIth of Scotland, (James the Ist of England,) two brothers, named Malcomb Gavin, and John O'Groat, arrived in Caithness from Holland, and it is said brought letters from the King. They purchased or possessed themselves of the lands of Warse and Duningsbay, lying near the Portland Hills. They increased in course of time to eight families: here they lived peaceably and comfortably for many years, and held an annual feast to commemorate the landing of their ancestors. Could it be supposed that any petty distinctions should have a tendency to interrupt the family harmony? but so it was. Each head of the families contended for the seniority and chieftainship of the clan. The ingenuity of one (a John O'Groat) settled the dispute for precedency, which arose upon the importance of sitting at the head of the table, and the right of entering first in at the door! John occupied a ferry, and his daily intercourse with strangers had enlarged his ideas: he expostulated with his clan on the folly of their pretensions, and represented, that quarrels amongst themselves would render them obnoxious to the people where they had settled. John's reasoning prevailed, and they agreed to be guided by him: in due time he fulfilled his plan to reconcile their discordant ideas. He built a very large room in an octagon form, with eight doors and eight windows in it; in this room he placed a massy oak table with eight sides. At the next anniversary meeting, he requested each head of the families to enter at the door most convenient to their dwelling at the same moment; he then took the unoccupied seat. The scite, as has been observed, is still celebrated, and will be so, whilst good intentions, and a plain useful understanding, are considered estimable qualities. Fully to appreciate this, we should recollect the deadly feuds which frequently arose in Scotland in former days, even on less grounds than precedency.

HARTFORD FAIR.

From the Connecticut Mirror.

To the Executive Committee of the Hartford County Agricultural
Society. The Committee appointed to examine Domestic
Manufactures, and award premiums to those who in their opinion
are entitled to them, respectfully report:

That notwithstanding the unpleasant weather, the articles they were called to inspect were greater in number, and in general much superior in quality to those exhibited last year.

There were some woollen cloths of a finer texture and finish, than that which obtained the premium, but a part of them were not of the requisite width, and others were dyed in the piece, while your committee felt it their duty to give the preference to cloth dyed in the wool. A piece inferior to the premium cloth sold for $2.50 per yard.

It was with much satisfaction that our committee remarked the improvement in the manufacture of Carpeting; last year but one piece offered for their inspection was filled with wool, while this year most of those exhibited were of that description. They were also gratified to learn that the premium carpets were all spun and dyed in the family.

The committee are of opinion that scarcely any thing submitted to their examination denotes so rapid an improvement in taste and domestic industry, as the hearth rugs--those which were this year exhibited displayed an elegance both in their design and execution, which in articles of that kind is rarely met with.

Many of the flannels were of a quality much superior to those exhibited last year. A large part of them sold at from eighty cents to one dollar; and the premium flannel brought $1.25 by the piece.

The premium blankets excited universal attention, and were equally admired for their beauty and for their more substantial qualities. We have never seen any superior to them imported from England; they measured nearly twelve quarters, and sold for $14.25.

The quantity of hosiery was much greater than at our former exhibition--many pairs of stockings sold at from 80 cents to $1.50.

Premiums were awarded to two very fine elegant finished grass bonnets, made by the Miss Woodhouses of Weathersfield, and which are rarely surpassed in beauty by the most costly Leghorns. One very little inferior was also exhibited, made by Miss Hanmer of the same place. They were made of the Poa Pratensis or spear grass, and those which received the premiums sold one for 27 dollars, the other 30 dollars. Another of a quality almost equal to those just mentioned was made by a young lady of Windsor, of the sweet-scented vernal grass, and one of split straw by Miss Capen of Hartford, was remarkable for its extraordinary delicacy of texture.

The linen diapers were equal to any of English fabric, and the linen shirting which obtained the premium sold for 4_s._ 6_d._ per yard. The committee would suggest to such as may hereafter be candidates for the premium on linen goods, the necessity of bleaching them, since after that process, their comparative merits can be more fairly ascertained.

The butter and cheese were excellent--the former sold for 16 cents, and a large quantity of the latter for 10 cents per pound.

Many articles were also exhibited for which no premiums were offered, yet which attracted the particular attention of the committee and the numerous spectators. Among these were some highly finished treble-gilt buttons, from the manufactory of Mr. Moses Cook. The carpeting ingeniously manufactured from bul-rushes and woollen yarn; white silk hose, white linen hose, white and coloured counterpanes; a vandyke remarkable for its softness and beauty, made from the silk that covers the seed of the milk-weed; an excellent imitation of the Scotch plaid; and some elegant paper-hangings from the manufactory of Mr. George Putnam. While the committee could not but regret that the state of our funds precluded the offering premiums for such meritorious articles, yet they were highly gratified to perceive that it is not the hope of gain alone which produces such a splendid collection of domestic manufactures, but that there exists among all classes of the community a patriotic wish to give interest to our exhibition.

Your committee cannot close their report, without congratulating you, gentlemen, and the public at large, on the brilliant prospects of our infant society.

The general superiority of the articles we this year inspected, to those offered at our former exhibition, together with that lively interest they excited in the candidates for premiums, and the thousands of spectators who assembled to witness the productions of their industry, clearly evince that domestic manufactures are rapidly gaining that importance in public estimation which they so richly deserve.

All which is respectfully submitted.

GEO. COWLES, _Chairman_.

ANECDOTE.

Catherine Shaw, daughter of John Shaw, of Bargarron, having acquired a remarkable degree of dexterity in spinning fine flax, conceived the idea of manufacturing it into thread. Her first attempts were necessarily on a small scale; she executed every part herself, and bleached her materials on a large slate, placed in a window. Succeeding, in her first essays, she engaged her family in the process, and Lady Blentyre carried a parcel of the thread to Bath, where she advantageously disposed of it to the lace manufacturers there. This was the first thread that crossed the Tweed. Subsequently a connection of the family went to Holland, and brought from thence the secret of the twisting and twining machines in use there, then carefully kept from public observation; also the art of numbering the threads, and packing them for distant sale. The young women of the neighbourhood engaged in it also, and it became an object of profit and interest to the place. What, it will be asked, became of the ingenious young woman who turned her talents to so great private advantage, and eventually to such public utility.[6] Surely she lived honoured, and died beloved. No! she was one of the last victims to the imputed crime of witchcraft in the south of Scotland! Amongst many others, she was accused of having evil agency with spirits, and is described, in the records of those unhappy times, as "young, handsome, and well-informed." Can it be possible that the superior activity of her mind, and the industrious efforts of her hands, could have involved her in the disgraceful and frantic measures, which terminated in herself and five others being _burned for witches_ in 1626? This unfortunate female was urged by her friends to put in a plea to delay her execution--she replied, with the dignity of a Roman matron. "No; my honour is already destroyed, and my life is not worth defending!"

[6] A Mr. Pollock, of Paisley, (where this unfortunate suffered
death,) availed himself of the information of assistants in the
business, and established a thread manufactory at that place, which
is yet carried on to great extent.

MISCELLANY.

_Scissors._--A very valuable improvement has been made on Scissors. It is especially so to those employed for delicate operations in surgery. The objection to the common scissors is, that, in the act of cutting, they, to a very considerable extent, compress and bruise the parts. This is owing to the edges being set very strong, and to the particular angle at which they are set, and is sufficient to account for wounds made by scissors refusing to unite by what surgeons call the first intention. To remedy this defect, it was lately suggested to Mr. Stodart, by Dr. Wollastan, to give to scissors the same kind of cutting edge that a knife has. This has been done, and the success has fully justified the experiment. The operation of hair lip has been repeatedly performed with the knife-edged scissors, both on the infant and on the adult, with complete success. The operation is in this way performed with facility to the operator, and in less time than with the knife, and consequently a less degree of pain to the patient. This improvement need not be confined to the science of surgery. A variety of delicate fancy work is performed by scissors, all of which will be much better done by giving them knife-edges. There is a little art in setting the edges, readily acquired by practice; this must be done with a view to the kind of work for which the scissors are intended. This improvement may easily be applied to common scissors, by grinding down the outer sides of the blades.

[_Lon. pap._

_Public Spirit._--It has been my practice for several weeks past, to walk upon one of our turnpike roads, and, for about two weeks, I noticed a very large stone, lying in what is called the "summer road," which I wished to remove, but my strength was not sufficient to do it. It remained there as permanent, to the great annoyance of all who passed that way in carriages. But one day as I was passing it, I saw a stout negro fellow, whose cart was _beyond_ it as to the course which he was going, tugging at it, and he finally succeeded in putting it out of the way, saying to himself loud enough to be heard by me, as he laid it down, "now you can't upset any body!" Pleased with the incident, I asked the man if he often travelled that road. "No, sir," said he. "Why, then, did you take so much trouble to remove that large stone?" "Because, sir," returned he, "it might have upset some one in the night!" I then left him, reflecting that if all our politicians had a full portion of the same public spirit, and all our self-righteous persons as much of a desire to do good to their fellow men as this poor negro exhibited--we should have a very different time of it!

[_Niles's Reg._

_Winter Butter._--An idea prevails very extensively, that _good butter_ cannot be made in the winter. This is a great mistake. Where the process is well understood, as fine butter is made in the depths of winter, as at any season of the year. By pursuing the following course, the matter will be accomplished:--

Let the cows be kept under cover in a warm stable, well fed with the best hay and provender, and milked regularly morning and evening.--Place the milk in pans, in as cold a place as may be found about the dairy house--the sooner it freezes the better. As soon as it is frozen thoroughly, take the cream from the top--the frost will force the cream to the surface--and churn it with no other warmth than the air of the kitchen at the distance of eight or ten feet from the fire-place. It requires more time to fetch the butter than in summer; but when brought it will be of the finest flavour and quality.

_The Diamond._--Dr. Brewster has discovered a curious phenomenon, which appears to elucidate the nature of this substance. Sir Isaac Newton observed, from a comparison of the refractive powers of various bodies, that amber and the diamond had a refractive power three times greater, in respect of their densities, than several other substances, and he conjectured that the diamond was "probably an unctuous substance coagulated." Subsequent discoveries of the properties of sulphur and phosphorous have corroborated this opinion. Dr. Brewster has observed, both in flat diamonds and those of a perfect crystalline form (as well as in amber,) the existence of globules, or small portions of air, the expansive force of which has communicated a polarizing structure to the parts in immediate contact with it. This structure is displayed by four sectors of polarizing light encircling the globule of air, and can be produced artificially in glass and gelatinous masses. It must have been produced by the expansive force of the included air, when the substance was so soft as to be susceptible of comparison from so small a force. Hence we are led to the conclusion that the diamond originates, like amber, from the consolidation of perhaps vegetable matter, gradually acquiring a crystalline form, by the influence of time, and the slow action of corpsular forces.

_White Hills._--The White Hills in New Hampshire, are the highest in the United States, being between 7 and 8000 feet above the level of the ocean. The ascent is both difficult and dangerous, as the sides of the mountains consist of naked, rugged, and precipitous rocks over which the traveller is obliged to climb his slow and toilsome way. The last of July and the first of August is the only time at which they can be ascended at all, as they are the rest of the year covered with snow.

_Sizing._--A French chemist has recently discovered, that from the starch of potatoes quite fresh, and washed but once, a fine _size_, by mixing with chalk, might be made. The stucco plasterers of this country have been benefited by the discovery, and they find that this kind of size is particularly useful for ceilings and for white-washing, being more durable in tenacity and whiteness, and not putrifying like animal size or exhaling any unwholesome odour.

_Arabian Horses._--Three fine Arabian horses have arrived at Boston from Tripoli. They are owned by R. B. Jones, Esq. late American Consul at that place, and a Mr. Morgan.

_Transplanting Wheat._--In the month of August, 1795, a gentleman of Herefordshire, in England, set a single grain of wheat. As soon as it had properly taken root, he dug it up, divided it into several parts, and transplanted them. In August 1796, it was reaped, when it produced 137 ears; the average of which was 80 grains in the ear; the total produce 10,960 grains of wheat, besides the straw, most of which was seven feet high.

_Fall of a Glacier._--On the 27th of December, at six o'clock in the morning, an enormous portion of the glacier of Weisshorn, in the valley of St. Nicholas, or Vispach, fell from its exalted situation into the valley, causing dreadful devastation amongst the cultivated grounds and habitations. At the moment when the ice and snow struck the masses lying beneath, the minister of the place, and many other persons, observed a strong light, which immediately disappeared, and gave place to utter darkness. This phenomenon, from the brightness of the light, and the number of persons who saw it, can scarcely be considered as illusory. It was probably an electrical or phosphorescent effect. The mass of ice and snow covered a space of 2400 feet in length, 1000 feet wide, and at a mean 150 feet in height, and the displacement of the air by it was such as to cause a hurricane, which destroyed houses, mills, and buildings, even to the distance of a quarter of a league from the place of the fall. Extreme fears are entertained for the remains of the village of Ronds, which stands opposite the glacier, for the upper part of the glacier, left unsupported by the part which has given way, threatens to fall and complete the distress which has been brought upon the inhabitants of the valley.

_Evolution of Heat by freezing._--M. de la Becha has devised an ingenious way of shewing the heat evolved by water during congelation. He places a glass vessel, containing in its lower part water, and upon that olive oil, in a temperature below the freezing point of water. In this temperature olive oil alone would freeze and thicken, but, being placed over water, it is retained in the fluid state, in consequence of the heat evolved by the water during its conversion into ice; and it is not until the whole of the water is perfectly frozen that the oil itself will freeze.--_Bibliotheque Universelle_, xiii. 76.

_Printing in Otaheite._--M. Turgenieff, Counsellor of State, has made a report to the Bible Society of Petersburg, in which it is stated that the English missionaries, have established a press at Otaheite, at which 3000 bibles have been printed. They were all sold in the space of three days, for three gallons of cocoa-nut oil each. The books of Moses, translated into the Otaheitean language, have been printed at the same press; also a catechism for the use of the inhabitants. These have been distributed gratuitously.

_Animal Magnetism._--The Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin have proposed animal magnetism as a prize subject, essays on which are to be rewarded in August 1820. It is desired that the phenomena, known by the name of animal magnetism, be described so as to admit of a positive judgment respecting their nature: and it is observed that, though there are many difficulties attached to the subject, still it appears that the number of facts ascertained is such as to admit the hope that, in the present state of the physical sciences, some light may be thrown on animal magnetism, when the probability of these facts has been estimated, and when their analogy with the better understood phenomena of natural sleep, dreams, somnambulism not magnetic, and many nervous affections, has been established.

_Milk._--Professor Schubler has published in the Dictionary of Medical Sciences, a paper entitled, "Researches on Milk and its constituent Principles." The results of his analysis differ greatly from those lately published by Berzelius; and hence, in the author's opinion, prove the great influence of food and climate on the lacteal secretion. 1000 parts of new milk contain 110 of fresh cheese, 50 of fresh _serai_, 24 of butter, 77 of coarse sugar of milk, and 739 water; or, in a dry state, 42.6 cheese, 7.87 _serai_, 24.0 butter, 77.0 sugar of milk, and 848.53 water. 1000 parts of skimmed milk contain 43.64 dry cheese, 8.06 dry _serai_, 78.94 sugar of milk, and 869.34 water. 1000 parts of cream contain 240 butter, 33 cheese, 6 _serai_, and 721 whey. Lastly, 721 parts of whey contain 60 coarse sugar of milk.--These observations were made at Howfyl, which is some distance from the mountains, and where the cows are kept constantly in the stable, so that the milk must be nearly the same as in other flat countries.

_Respiration and Circulation of the Blood._--Dr. Carson has lately made some important experiments on the elasticity of the lungs in different animals, and he has found by the application of a simple apparatus that in oxen, and animals of their size, it is more than equal in power to the weight of a column of water a foot and a half high. In calves, sheep, and large dogs, it is balanced by a column of water varying in height from one foot to a foot and a half; and in rabbits and cats by a column of water varying from six to ten inches. To this elasticity of the lungs alternating with the irritability of the diaphragm, Dr. C. ascribes respiration, or the faculty of breathing; the capacity of the chest being by their means successively enlarged and diminished, and thus air alternately expelled and inhaled. He thinks also with great probability that the movements of the heart and the circulation of the blood are powerfully influenced by the same resilisency.

_Beccaria._--This philosopher of humanity having, in one of the editions of his admirable work on crimes and punishments, in that part which relates to fraudulent bankruptcy, qualified some sentiments which he had originally expressed, but which, on reflection, appeared to himself too severe, he adds in a note, "I am ashamed of what I formerly wrote on this subject. I have been accused of irreligion, without deserving it; I have been accused of disaffection to the government, and deserved it as little; I was guilty of a real attack upon the rights of humanity, and _I have been reproached by nobody_."

_Generosity._--It is an error to imagine that men in the lowest rank of life are unsusceptible of heroic and generous sentiments. All who are susceptible of enthusiasm are capable of being actuated by them. It is the minions of fortune, those who have been pampered from their infancy, by the hands of luxury, and early accustomed to every kind of profusion, whose minds sink into torpor for want of exertion; it is such as those that are more likely to be unsusceptible of generous sentiments.

_Academy of Natural Sciences._--The Academy of Natural Sciences in this city has received from the president, Mr. William Maclure, now in France, a donation of books, amounting in value to about $4000, and have received advice of another valuable shipment from the same munificent hand.

_Method of preserving Vessels._--An American ship now at Cowes, built with spruce and white oak, sixteen years ago, has all her original timbers and planks in the most perfect state of preservation and soundness, owing to her having been, while on the stocks, filled up between the timbers with salt; and whenever she has been opened for examination filled up again.

_General Post-Office._--The number of post-offices in the United States is four thousand eight hundred and thirty, and the length of post-roads is 71,522 miles. The amount of postage for the year 1819, was $1,204,680; the cost of transportation of the mail $717,843; and the compensation to postmasters $375,964.

_Bibliomania._--At no time during the highest age of Bibliomanianism did books of rarity bear higher prices than at the concluding sale of Mr. Bindley's library. The competition for old poetical tracts and ballads was unexampled.

_L._ _s._ _d._
No. 1125 Collection of Poetical Ballads
from 1540 to 1670. 192 0 0
1126 Do. from 1670 to 1680, 133 15 0
1127 Do. from 1679 to 1685, 174 6 0
1128 Do. 5 vols. 231 0 0
1130 Do. 43 1 0

The three first collections of ballads, and of halfpenny and penny songs, were bought by the Marquis of Buckingham. The five volumes of the same kind by Mr. Heber.

[_Lon. pap._

_Precious Stones._--A diamond said to be worth 20,000_l._ and one of the largest in the world, was among the spoils of the Peishwa, and is now in the East India Company's treasury, to be sold for the benefit of the captors. It was brought to England by the ship York. A block of amethyst, or rather a mass of amethysts, has been sent from Brazil to Calcutta. This extraordinary specimen is four feet in circumference, and weighs 98 pounds. It is in its rough state, and consists of more than 50 irregular columns, smooth, transparent, purple and white, shooting up like crystals from a common matrix.

_Nautical Improvement._--We congratulate the public on the application of a simple mechanical apparatus to impel boats, instead of oars. It consists of the machinery of steam-vessels, but the moving power is the hand applied to a windlass. Boats were first used on this principle with success on Whit-Monday, between London and Greenwich. The labour is much less than that of oars, and the impulse of the boat through the water much increased in swiftness.

_Philosophic Girl._--The Italian journals mention that a young lady, only 13 years of age, named Maria Catherina Gherardi, a native of Scrola, has maintained in public a series of philosophic theses, in Latin.

_Ingenious Automaton._--A German journal asserts, that an artist at Cemberg, in Prussia, has constructed a watch which imitates the human voice, and answers questions in German and Polish; besides executing musical airs.

_To destroy Caterpillars._--A gardener at Glasgow practices a mode of destroying caterpillars, which he discovered by accident. A piece of woollen rag had been blown by the wind into a currant bush, and when taken out was found covered with these leaf-devouring insects. He immediately placed pieces of woollen cloth in every bush in his garden, and found next day that the caterpillars had universally taken to them for shelter. In this way he destroys many thousands every morning.

_Vegetation in cold Climates._--The following is a calendar of a Siberian Lapland year:

Snow melts June 22d.
Snow gone July 1st.
Fields quite green do. 6th.
Plants at full growth do. 17th.
Plants in flower do. 25th.
Fruits ripe Aug. 2d.
Plants shed their seed do. 10th.
Snow do. 18th.
From August 18th to June 22d.
snow and ice.

Thus it appears, that from their first emerging from the ground to the ripening of their seeds, the plants take but a month; and spring, summer, and autumn are crowded into the short space of 56 days.

THE FARMER'S CREED.

_By Sir John Sinclair, President of the Board of Agriculture._

Let this be held the Farmer's creed.
For stock, seek out the choicest breed,
In peace and plenty let them feed.
Your land sow with the best of seed,
Let it nor dung, nor dressing need,
Enclose and drain it with all speed,
And you will soon be rich indeed.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

There are other paths to the temple of fame, than those which lead through blood and slaughter. This truth cannot too frequently be inculcated on the minds of the rising generation. Our own country keeps pace with the nations of the old world, in applauding deeds of arms; apparently forgetful of the fact, that there are other incentives to ambition, of a much more useful and honourable character. He who augments the stock of public happiness, by improving the condition of his fellow creatures, or enriches the nation by developing her resources, is entitled to her thanks, and will probably receive them: At all events he will reap with certainty the high reward of self-approbation. The following stanzas to the memory of the late Duke of Bridgewater, were written by one who enjoys the rare distinction of being at once a painter and a poet, of no ordinary pretensions. What ample scope is furnished to Pennsylvania, and what cogent inducements may be found in the example of some of her neighbours, for adopting zealously, without further delay, a great and efficient plan of INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. Should she evince the public spirit of Bridgewater, a Brindley will no doubt be found, to aid her in the important object of uniting the waters of the Ohio and the Delaware. This would add one more to the catalogue of those pacific but glorious triumphs, which have rendered her name celebrated throughout the civilized world. I.

ON THE DUKE OF BRIDGEWATER.

From Shee's "Rhymes on Art."

Shall EGERTON[7] depart without a tear?
And press in silent state a plumeless bier?
No, though his tomb no martial glories grace,
No trophies won in wild Ambition's race;
Though no vain pen on History's pompous page
Paint the deep statesman to th' astonish'd age;
Lay open all the labyrinth of his breast--
What plans he form'd--what factions he suppress'd;
What flames of war broke forth as he desir'd--
Cool'd as he calm'd, or kindled as he fir'd;
Yet life's mild Arts their spotless ensigns wave,
And grateful swains strow garlands on his grave.
Though crown'd with all in rank, or wealth that charms,
And lulls th' enfeebled soul in Pleasure's arms,
Behold him, yet in man's meridian hour,
Fly the false glare of pomp, and pride, and pow'r;
Decline the Court's intrigues, the Senate's, strife,
To serve his country in secluded life;
To ope new arteries of public health,
Promote her pride and circulate her wealth;
Call forth a BRINDLEY'S genius, and command,
To pierce opposing mountains with his wand,
Through wondering vales, in liquid course to lead
Commercial keels, and navigate the mead;
Bid in bright tracks obedient currents glide,
And, like a river-god, direct the tide.

[7] The late Duke of Bridgewater.

THE KITTEN.

By Joanna Baillie.

Wanton drole, whose harmless play
Beguiles the rustic's closing day,
When drawn the evening fire about,
Sit aged Crone and thoughtless Lout,
And child upon his three-foot stool,
Waiting till his supper cool;
And Maid whose cheek outblooms the rose,
As bright the blazing faggot glows,
Who, bending to the friendly light,
Plies her task with busy sleight;
Come, show thy tricks and sportive graces,
Thus circled round with merry faces.
Backward coil'd and couching low,
With glaring eyeballs watch thy foe,
The housewife's spindle whirling round,
Or thread, or straw, that on the ground
Its shadow throws, by urchin sly
Held out to lure thy roving eye;
Then, onward stealing fiercely spring
Upon the futile, faithless thing.
Now, wheeling round with bootless skill,
Thy bo-peep tail provokes thee still,
As oft beyond thy curving side
Its getty tip is seen to glide;
Till from thy centre starting far
Thou sidelong rear'st with rump in air,
Erected stiff, and gait awry,
Like Madam in her tantrums high:
Though ne'er a Madam of them all,
Whose silken kirtle sweeps the hall,
More varied trick and whim displays,
To catch the admiring stranger's gaze.
Doth power in measured verses dwell,
All thy vagaries wild to tell?
Ah no! the start, the jet, the bound,
The giddy scamper round and round,
With leap, and jerk, and high curvet,
And many a whirling somerset,
(Permitted by the modern Muse
Expression technical to use,)
These mock the deftest rhymester's skill,
But poor in art, though rich in will.
The featest tumbler, stage-bedight,
To thee is but a clumsy wight,
Who every limb and sinew strains
To do what costs thee little pains,
For which, I trow, the gaping crowd
Requites him oft with plaudits loud;
But, stopped the while thy wanton play,
Applauses, too, thy feats repay;
For then beneath some urchin's hand,
With modest pride thou tak'st thy stand,
While many a stroke of fondness glides
Along thy back and tabby sides.
Dilated swells thy glossy fur,
And loudly sings thy busy pur;
As timing well the equal sound,
Thy clutching feet bepat the ground,
And all their harmless claws disclose,
Like prickles of an early rose;
While softly from thy whiskered cheek
Thy half-closed eyes peer mild and meek.
But, not alone by cottage fire
Do rustics rude thy feats admire;
The learned sage, whose thoughts explore
The widest range of human lore,
Or, with unfettered fancy, fly
Through airy heights of poesy,
Pausing, smiles with altered air
To see thee climb his elbow chair,
Or, struggling on the mat below,
Hold warfare with his slipper'd toe.
The widow'd dame, or lonely maid,
Who in the still but cheerless shade
Of home unsocial, spends her age,
And rarely turns a lettered page;
Upon her hearth for thee lets fall
The rounded cork, or paper ball,
Nor chides thee on thy wicked watch
The ends of ravelled skein to catch,
Buts lets thee have thy wayward will,
Perplexing oft her sober skill.
Even he, whose mind of gloomy bent,
In lonely tower or prison pent,
Reviews the wit of former days,
And loaths the world and all its ways;
What time the lamps unsteady gleam
Doth rouse him from his moody dream,
Feels as thou gambol'st round his seat,
His heart with pride less fiercely beat,
And smiles, a link in thee to find
That joins him to his living kind.
Whence hast thou then, thou witless puss,
The magic power to charm us thus?
Is it, that in thy glaring eye,
And rapid movements, we descry,
While we at ease, secure from ill,
The chimney corner snugly fill,
A lion, darting on his prey,
A tiger, at his ruthless play?
Or, is it that in thee we trace,
With all thy varied wanton grace,
An emblem view'd with kindred eye,
Of tricksey, restless infancy?
Ah! many a lightly-sportive child,
Who hath, like thee our wits beguil'd,
To dull and sober manhood grown,
With strange recoil our hearts disown.
Even so, poor Kit! must thou endure,
When thou becom'st a cat demure,
Full many a cuff, and angry word,
Chid roughly from the tempting board,
And yet for that, thou hast, I ween,
So oft our favoured playmate been,
Soft be the change which thou shalt prove,
When time hath spoil'd thee of our love;
Still be thou deemed by housewife fat,
A comely, careful, mousing cat;
Whose dish is for the public good,
Replenish'd oft with sav'ry food.
Nor when thy span of life is past,
Be thou to pond or dunghill cast,
But gently borne on good man's spade,
Beneath the decent sod be laid,
And children show with glist'ning eyes,
The place where poor old Pussy lies.

AN AUTUMNAL TALE.

"O Father, dear Father! lament now with me,
This morning I've been at our wood,
And the fine flowing leaves of your favourite tree,
Around on the grass are all strew'd;
And sure 'tis a pity! for lovely and green,
All summer they yielded a shade,
Dear Father, to you, who against it would lean,
While sister and I round it play'd.

Of late they began to change colour indeed,
Like the corn when 'tis ripe in the field;
And the dark glossy green became yellow and red,
As if they ripe berries would yield.
I thought this was pretty, and ne'er heard you say
That the leaves would soon fall from the tree;
And I never was happier than t'other fine day,
When you looked there at sister and me."

"Why, my boy, I am grieved at the tale you have told,
But the leaves every year drop around--
They are green in their youth, and turn red when they're old,
Then the wind blows them down to the ground.
But take comfort, my boy--when the winter is fled,
The leaves will appear on the tree,
And again form a bower thy father to shade,
And the gambols of sister and thee."

"Why, that's good--but, my father, I've sad news to tell;
Old William, who liv'd at Hillside,
And lately came hither so wan and so pale,
Old William this morning hath died."
"Old William hath died! Ah! indeed, I am sad;
But age, when it ripens, must fall,
Though green was his summer, his autumn must fade;
Such, my boy, is the end of us all."

"Then he fell like the leaves of your favourite tree,
But when the long winter is o'er,
Old William again on the hills shall we see
A feeding his flock as before?"
"Ah, no! my sweet boy!--the dead wander no more
In the bounds of this wind-wasted scene;
But to regions immortal all good spirits soar,
More lovely, more lasting, and green."

BANK NOTE EXCHANGE,

AT PHILADELPHIA--_Oct. 28, 1820_.

Per cent Disc't.

VERMONT--generally, 3
MAINE,--generally, 4
NEW HAMPSHIRE--generally, 2
CONNECTICUT--generally, 2-3
NEW YORK,--City Bank, par.
Country generally, 1-5
J. Barker's Ex. Bank--no sales
BANK OF UPPER CANADA, 10
NEW JERSEY notes, par.
PENNSYLVANIA--Farmer's Bank, of }
Lancaster; Easton; Montgomery }
County; Chester } par.
County, at Westchester,
New Hope; Northampton, 1-1½
Lancaster Bank, 1½
Susquehanna Bridge Company, 2
York; Gettysburg; Chambersburg, 2
Northumb.; Union; Centre, 15
Farm, and Mech. Bank of Pittsburgh, 25
DELAWARE--generally, par.
MARYLAND--Baltimore Banks, ½
City Bank, 3
Annapolis; Hagerstown, 2
VIRGINIA--generally, 2
N. W. Bank, at Wheeling, 8
COLUMBIA DISTRICT--generally, 1
NORTH CAROLINA--State Bank at 3-3½
Raleigh, and Branches,
Cape Fear; Newbern, 3½
SOUTH CAROLINA--generally, 1-1½
GEORGIA--State Banks, generally, 2
Augusta Bridge Company, 75
TENNESSEE--Few sales at any price.
KENTUCKY--Kentucky Bank, and Branches, 30
OHIO--Marietta; Steubenville 12½
Bank of Chillicothe, 5
Country generally, 20-50

PRICES CURRENT,

_October 28, 1820._
Per D. C. D. C.
Beef, Philad. Mess, _bbl._ 12.00 to 13.00
Butter, Fresh _lb._ 0.25 " 0.30
Cotton, (Louisiana) " 0.18 " 0.21
Cotton Yarn, No. 10, " 0.36
Flax, Clean, " 0.16 " 0.18
Firewood, Hickory, _cord_, 6.00 " 7.25
Oak, " 4.25 " 5.00
Flour--Wheat, P. S. F. _bbl._ 4.25
Rye, " 2.50
Corn Meal, " 2.75
Grain--Wheat, _bush._ 0.75 " 0.80
Rye, " 0.37 " 0.43
Corn, Pa. " 0.40 " 0.45
Oats, " 0.25 " 0.30
Hams--Jersey, _lb._ 0.13 " 0.15
Leather--Sole, " 0.24 " 0.30
Upper, undrs'd. _side_, 2.75 " 3.00
Plaster of Paris, _ton_, 4.75 " 5.00
Shingles, cedar, 3 feet 1000 20.00 " 23.00
Cypress, " 4.00
Molasses, S. H. _gall._ 0.50 " 0.52
Nails, Cut, all sizes, _lb._ 0.07 " 0.12
Pork, Jersey & Penn. Mess, _bbl_. 15.00
Wool--Merino, Clean, _lb_. 0.75
Do. in Grease, " 0.40
Common, " 0.50
Yarn, Hempen, " 0.10 " 0.11

STATE OF THE THERMOMETER.

9 o'cl. 12 o'cl. 3 o'cl.
Oct. 4, -- -- 68
5, 68 67 64
6, 68 69 64
7, 55 62 60
9, 62 63 66
10, 57 59 61
11, 56 58 56
12, 50 59 57
13, 52 64 63
14, 58 65 67
16, 53 59 56
17, 47 59 56
18, 48 54 52
19, 53 57 51
20, 51 61 59
21, 50 55 54
23, 47 54 54
24, 49 59 58
25, 48 54 52
26, 40 49 47
27, 40 52 49
28, 43 54 50

RAIN GAUGE AT PHILADELPHIA.

In hun.

Oct. 5 to 6, Rain, 1.65
" do. 0.20
9, do. 1.30
10 to 11, do. 0.50
Novem. 2, Shower, 0.14
5, do. 0.07

ERRATUM.--In last November, page 399, first column, for resembled, read _remembered_.

PHILADELPHIA,

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY

RICHARDS & CALEB JOHNSON,

_No. 31, Market Street_,

At $3.00 per annum.

GRIGGS & DICKINSON, _Printers--Whitehall_.