supported by many eminent characters. It appeared from the report, that during the last year, 149 applications had been made by the unhappy objects for whose sake the charity was instituted. Fourteen young females had also been placed in situations; 39 had been restored to their friends; 21 had either been discharged or had quitted the penitentiary on their own account; one had been sent to her parish; and one had died. From some of those placed in service, letters had been received, expressing their gratitude, and requesting to become subscribers towards the support of an institution by which they had been recalled to the paths of virtue. The subscriptions amounted to £4075. 19s. which was £123 more than the disbursements; but still there was a debt of £500 on the society. A similar institution has lately been established at Brighton.

Sunday School Union.

The anniversary of this association was held on the morning of Tuesday, May 7th, at the City of London Tavern, Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M.P. in the chair. A large company assembled to take breakfast between 5 and 6 o'clock; about 1000 persons were present. The report stated, that in London and its vicinity, the total number of Sunday scholars was 52,549 children, and 478 adults, which were instructed by 4870 gratuitous teachers. The increase of scholars during the past year was 3687. In three counties in Wales, the aggregate of Sunday scholars, including children and adults, amounted to one-fifth of the whole population. Great Britain and Ireland contain upward of 600,000 Sunday scholars, according to the accounts received, but from many places there have been no returns. New-York and Philadelphia contain an aggregate of 33,000 Sunday scholars. Such is the progress, and such the extent, of Sunday schools. Their extensive effects stand as a monument of what united energy, dictated by benevolence, can accomplish.

(As it will be impossible for us to do justice in this number to the interesting branches of these benevolent anniversaries which remain, the conclusion of this subject is unavoidably carried to our next.)

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.

NOTWITHSTANDING the sums which have been contributed by the benevolent in this country, for the relief of Ireland, the sufferings of the inhabitants appear undiminished. The sums thus far advanced, amount to nearly £100,000; but so numerous are the individuals that stand in need of assistance, that scarcely a week's subsistence can be expected for each, from this vast contribution: From Cork, from Clifden, from Galway, from Killarney, and from Bantry, accounts have recently been received, stating, on the most unquestionable authorities, the severe distress which almost every where prevails.

A letter from Bantry states, that one woman with three children died of actual starvation. They were nearly a week without sustenance. The woman was ashamed to make her case known; and before assistance could be administered, they were all found lifeless together. Many are seen to faint through mere exhaustion during the necessary delay that occurs in administering food; and it is probable, that without British liberality, the local subscriptions would hardly be sufficient to purchase coffins for those who would die of mere want.

GLEANINGS FROM LITERATURE, SCIENCE, &c.

Rust.-Greasy and oily, or resinous substanMethod of preserving Iron and Steel from ces, have hitherto formed the basis of the different preparations proposed and employed for this purpose; but in the former, when rancidity comes on, an acid is produced, which corrodes the iron; and the latter, when dry, are apt to crack, and thus afford an inlet to moisture. But melted caoutchouc, or India rubber, is found to possess peculiar advantages in preserving the surface of iron from being acted on by the atmosphere; arising from its little susceptibility of chemical change when exposed to the air; from its treacly consistence, under all ordinary temperatures; from its strong adhesion to the surface of iron or steel; and at the same time from the facility with which it is removed by a soft brush charged with warm oil of turpentine. The finger or a soft brush are the most convenient implements for applying the caoutchouc; and, as soon as the article has been covered, it ought to be set up on end, in order that the place in a day or two. The temperature for excess may drain from it, which will take melting caoutchouc is nearly equal to that required for the fusion of lead; but if this is at

tempted to be performed in a pipkin, or any other open vessel, a copious emission of vapour will take place, the mass will become more or less charged, and be very likely to take fire. A close vessel, or a kind of copper flask, can be employed, containing a horizontal stirrer or agitator, which being kept in motion by means of a handle rising above the flask, prevents the caoutchouc from burning to the bottom.

Method of rendering Cloth incombustible.--M. Gay Lussac has found, that the most effectual solations for rendering cloths incombustible, are, solutions of muriate, sulphate, phosphate and borate of ammonia, with borax, and also some mixtures of these salts. M. Merat Guillot of Auxerres has shewn, that the acidulous phosphate of lime possesses the same property. When linen, muslin, wood, or paper, are dipped in a solution of that salt, of the specific gravity of from 1-26 or 1030, they become completely incombustible. They may be charred by an intense heat, but they will

not burn.

Singular Heat developed in the Fusion of Tin and Platinum.--If a small piece of tin-foil is wrapped in a piece of platinum-foil, of the same size, and exposed on charcoal to the action of the blow-pipe, the union of the two metals is indicated by a rapid whirling, and by an intense brilliancy in the light which is emitted. If the globule thus melted is allowed to drop into a basin of water, it remains for some time red hot at the bottom; and such is the intensity of the heat, that it melts and carries off the glaze of the basin from the part on which it happens to fall.

Aid in case of Shipwreck.-Several experiments have recently been made before the Trinity Board, and a Board of General Officers, at Woolwich, on a new plan, for affording speedy and effectual aid in case of shipwreck. It differs from Captain Manby's plan, inasmuch as the line of communication can be made by means of a rocket instead of a mortar. A roller is also added, and so admirably constructed, as to render considerable facility and safety in reaching the shore. The advantage that must be derived in the night-time from the rocket is obvious, as it is so constructed that it will burn in the water. The precision by which the line of communication is formed is also considerably augmented, and the safety of life and property consequent upon having the apparatus ready on board, in case of accident, is paramountly enhanced. The two Boards have spoken in appropriate terms of the new plan, and have made their report accordingly.

Preservation of Anatomical Specimens.-Dr. Macartney, of the Dublin University, has for some time employed a solution of alum and nitre, for the purpose of preserving anatomical preparations. He finds that it preserves the natural appearances of most parts of the body more completely than spirits or any other fluid heretofore used. The proportions of the alum and the nitre, and the strength of the solution, require to be varied according to circumstances; and, in order thoroughly to impregnate the anatomical preparation, the liquor must for some time be occasionally renewed. The solution possesses such antiseptic powers, that the most putrid and offensive animal substan

......

ces are rendered perfectly free from fœtor by it in a few days.

Use of Phosphoric Acid in Jaundice.-Dr. Caleb Miller has, in Silliman's Journal, stated the success he obtained in cases of jaundice, by the use of phosphoric acid. His practice is to give a cathartic of calomel and julep, or some of the neutral salts, and then balm tea, moderately acidulated with the phosphoric acid, which is to be continued till it operates as a diuretic, and until the urine becomes clear or nearly so. One patient had taken eight pints in twenty-four hours. In general, the yellowness disappears in three or four days from the urine, and in a few more from the skin. Dr. Miller has met with but one case (a person 80 years of age) that had not yielded to this

treatment.

Use of Sub-nitrate of Bismuth in Intermittent Fever.-Dr. Henkesew, a physician at Hildesheim, has been in the habit of prescribing this remedy in agues, for several years. He considers it to be a powerful febrifuge and antispasmodic. He exhibits this salt in the dose of four grains, with a few grains of sugar every

two hours.

Oil for Watch-work, &c.-Oil used for diminishing friction in delicate machinery, should be free from all acid and mucilage. The following is the process (M. Chevreul's) recommended as the most convenient for procuring it in the most favourable state. Put into a matrass or glass flask, a portion of any fine oil, with seven or eight times its weight of alcohol, and beat the mixture almost to boiling; decant the clear upper stratum of fluid, and suffer it to cool; a solid portion of fatty matter separates, which is to be removed, and then the alcoholic solution evaporated in a retort or basin, until reduced to one-fifth its bulk. The elaine or fluid part of the oil will be deposited. It should be colourless and tasteless, almost free from smell, without action or infusion of litmus, having the consistence of white olive oil, and not easily congealable.

Hydraulic Orrery.-Mr. Busby, an engineer and architect, has obtained the gold Vulcan medal of the Society of Arts, &c. for this machine; the peculiarity of which is, that the apparatus floats upon an unruffled expanse of water, and that the circuits, obliquities, pa rallelisms, and rotations, of the planetary bodies, are not effected in the ordinary manner, but by certain hydraulic combinations, producing movements which admirably imitate the grand and harmonious order which reigns throughout the mightiest works of the Creator. We believe an exhibition of this interesting machine is now open in the Strand.

Improved Window Sashes.-These improvements consist in making them to turn round, so that their outsides may be brought inside the room: this is done by fixing hanging styles to the sides of the sashes; the hanging-styles and sash-styles being so rebated, as to render them weather-tight; and they are connected by hinges, so boxed in, each way, to the styles, as to make them very strong and durable. Neither bolts nor any other fastenings are requisite to prevent their turning, when closed. (For an invention somewhat similar, see Imp. Mag. vol. I. col. 249.)

The Plough.--An experiment was lately tried, in order to ascertain the difference be

tween the working of the long mould-boarded plough (used within 25 miles of London) with four horses, a man, and driver, and a common light Scotch plough, with a pair of carriage horses and reins. The result turned out, that the pair of horses ploughed, in six hours, one acre, nine inches deep by twelve, walking at the rate of three miles an hour; the four horses ploughed half an acre, seven inches deep by nine, stepping two miles an hour. This may be relied on as a fact, and it is hoped it will open the eyes of every farmer.

Growth of Wood.-It has been ascertained that wood increases in the following proportion: The first year 1, the second as 4, the third as 9, the fourth as 15, the fifth as 22, the sixth as 30, the seventh as 40, the eighth as 54, the ninth as 70, and the tenth as 92. From this it is concluded, that wood ought never to be cut till it is in the tenth year of its growth.

Cleansing Raw Silks.-Mr. Brierley, of Salford, Lancashire, has contrived a plan, the object of which is to cleanse raw rilks from gum and other impurities with which they are invariably found intermixed, when imported into this country. Previous to dyeing or manufacturing the raw silk, it has been usual to prepare it by washing the hanks in boiling water, when by the necessary agitation of the material during this process, frequent injury has been done to the silk by its entangling. The intention of Mr. B. is to avoid this inconvenience, by employing steam instead of boiling water, during the operation of which, the silk is to be suspended within a close steam closet or chamber, where, by the action of the steam, the fibres will become separated, and the gummy matter discharged.

The mode of operating proposed is, first, to soak the raw silk in a strong solution of soap and water for a sufficient space of time to soften the gum; after this, the silk is to be taken in hanks (while wet) and hung on poles within a chest or closet, heated by a pipe leading from a boiler, the apparatus being furnished with safety valves, stop cock, and a cock for drawing off the condensed steam. Here the

silk is allowed to remain a sufficient time to dissolve the gum. After this, it is to be washed in a weaker solution of soap and water, and ultimately in clear water only, until the impure parts are entirely removed.

QUERIES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

On Astronomical Books and Calculations.

MR. EDITOR. Sir,-As a lover of Astronomical Science, and occasionally an instructor in that interesting and sublime branch of study, I request the favour of knowing, through some of your literary correspondents, what author may be the most accurately depended upon for the numbers which express the diameters, distances, and periodical revolutions, of the primary and secondary planets. The various elementary and other books with which I have met, so

MR. EDITOR. SIR,-The following problem, requiring for its solution the use of both globes, I believe has never appeared in print. It is certainly not to be found either in the popular treatise of Butler, or in the more scientific production of Keith. If you deem it' worthy insertion it is quite at your service.

I am, Sir, Your's respectfully,
Norwich.
J. W. P.

A problem in the use of the globes, which requires both the terrestrial and celestial globe.

To find that place which has a proposed star in its zenith, at a certain hour, under a given meridian. For example, Capella, when at London it is ten o'clock in the evening of the second of March.

First. With the celestial globe, find the hour that the star passes the meridian, on the given day, which in the case before us will be found to be six o'clock in the evening.

Secondly. Find the meridian of the earth, where they reckon this time, when, at the given place, (London,) it will have the star (Capella) upon the meredian.

Thirdly. Seek upon this meridian, that place which has its latitude of the same number of degrees as the declination of the star (either in north or south) which, in the present example, being 45 north, it will be found to be Louisbourg, in North America, where the star, Capella, passing the meridian, will be in the zenith at the time assigned.

Average Price of Grain per Quarter, for the 12 Districts, from the Gazette.

Wheat. Barley. Oats. Rye. Beans. Peas. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. May 18.47 0 16 11 17 422 0 22 8 24 6

25.46 4 16 7 17 520 10 22 4 25 3

June 1. 45 1 16 017 020 5 22 10 24 8

8.44 7 15 10 17 5 16 0 22 8 24 3 15.43 10 16 2 17 10 17 422 424 0 Price of Irish Stocks, June 19. Gov. Deb. 31 per Cent. 91 Do. 5 per Cent. 3 Do. Stock, 5 per Cent. 3 § Exch. Bank Notes 91 9 per Cent. Bills in Course 8 per Cent.

THE PHYSICAL AND MORAL WORLD.

No. 8.-Examination of the chief Phenomena of the Right or Spiritual Side of the Scale, continued. And 2d. Of Animated Being in general, and the Internal Sensations or Instincts, Appetites or Pussions.

IN our last paper we treated of the phenomena of the animal faculties considered in relation to external objects. And at the conclusion, hinted that there was another class of animal sensations, which are connected with internal objects, and involved in more obscurity still. These are what have been called appetites, desires, instincts, antipathies, feelings of pleasure and pain, and the like.

Their explanation has been attempted, by the hypothetical doctrine of two different kinds of nerves originating in the brain and spinal marrow; and two different kinds of sensations arising from such a distribution of the nerves, the one connected with the brain and external objects, the other with the spinal marrow and internal feelings.*

But this whole hypothesis seems to be merely a jingle of words. In the first place, what feelings can a living animal experience, which are not internal? that is to say, not in its own body? All feelings must be internal in this sense; for no creature can have feelings distinct from, or external to itself.

All feelings, therefore, being thus considered as in the body, it is admitted, that in relation to one another, there are some feelings more superficial, and others more deeply seated; some affecting the very external surface of the skin, and others the most internal parts of the system; but though these be facts, they do not prove the point in question.

Still the doctrine is hypothetical, unless it can be proved, that all the

* Richerard's
's Physiology.

No. 43.-VOL. IV.

sensations arising from the action of external objects on the sentient extremities of nerves, are positively those nerves which arise from the brain; and that all the sensations of internal feelings, arise in consequence of some exciting cause applied to the sentient parts of those nerves which have their origin in the spinal marrow.

To say nothing of the anatomical distribution of the nerves, which of itself proves the hypothesis to be unfounded; how often do we perceive in others, and even experience in ourselves, the most violent internal feelings, produced by some sudden and unexpected external occurrence? How often also are desires, and antipathies, and sensations of pleasure and pain, excited in the sentient parts of those nerves, which we are certain arise not from the spinal marrow, but from the brain? Though it is but an inferior example, what a pleasurable sensation does even sneezing sometimes occasion on the filaments of the olfactory nerves, which are the first branch of the cerebral set? The internal desires for, or antipathies at, particular kinds of food, occasioned by a morbid state of the digestive organs, which are supplied by the stomachic plexus of the eighth pair, go also to disprove the distinction on which the doctrine rests.

But it is one thing to disprove a doctrine, and another to establish its opposite; this, accordingly, still remains to be done in the present case, which we shall attempt in the following manner.

Though the nerves be of two kinds, as to their origin, it does not appear, however, that the function they perform is more than one, though greatly diversified in operation. To communicate feeling or sensibility, is the function in which they all agree; though this function be infinitely diversified, according to the circumstances of the different creatures, and of the different parts of the same creatures. The feeling of desire, for 2 Y