on Sunday morning, and enlarged in the evening around the rope, by the exertions of the people, served to accumulate the quantum of water, and to supply the rope more abundantly for his use. Thus we discover a fellow creature liberated from a most deplorable state of fears and sufferings, by a striking combination of natural and providential causes. ANECDOTE OF CURRAN. As Curran and a gentleman passed along the streets in Dublin, they overheard some one exclaiming to another, "He is a great genus," (genius.) "That man has murdered that word," said Curran's companion. "You mistake, was the reply, "for he only knocked an i out of it.' ON THE MEANS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENT, FROM TAKING OXALIC ACID IN MISTAKE FOR EPSOM SALTS. ACCIDENTS have so frequently occurred from the substitution of oxalic acid, either through mistake or negli- | gence, for more innocent preparations, that we presume the remarks we are about to offer require no apology. The daily, and other papers, have so often commented on this subject, and even so lately as since the last melancholy occurrence, that we should have considered any additional remarks superfluous; had any plausible and practicable plan been proposed, to prevent such catastrophes in future. -a It has been proposed to banish this preparation from the shop of the chemist altogether; but by the same rule, every other deleterious agent should be subjected to similar prohibition :proposal too absurd to require refutation. The most plausible and effectual means yet proposed, for preventing accident, appear to be the colouring of the crystals; but we doubt much, if many of the uses to which oxalic acid is applied, would admit of this. An instance, which occurred a short time since, affords sufficient evidence, that the precaution of marking poison on this substance will not always prove a sufficient protection, for if the parties cannot read, as in this case, no advantage can be anticiNo. 43.-VOL. IV. pated from such a precaution. The preparation under consideration is a very deadly poison, proving destructive of animal life very shortly after its introduction into the stomach in sufficient quantity; and unfortunately the quantity sufficient to produce fatal consequences, is less than the ordinary dose of the medicine for which it is so easily mistaken. Arfila ranks this among the irritating poisons, and it certainly produces very severe inflammation, and erosion of the coats of the stomach. But that the remarks we shall offer may be more generally intelligible, we shall make a few observations on the leading characteristic properties of acids. Chemists recognize acids by general phenomena, which they exhibit on the application of tests or re-agents. They have a sharp sour taste; they affect vegetable blue colours, turning them to red, such as infusion of litmus, of red cabbage, syrup of violets, &c. And if these colours should have been previously rendered green by alkalies, a sufficient quantity of acid changes this green to red again, while with a less addition, the peculiar properties of both alkali and acid are neutralized or suspended; the vegetable infusion, under a proper adjustment of these agents, acquiring its natural colour. Now oxalic acid possesses these properties in an eminent degree; and it is upon them we would found the means of preventing accident. Our means rest solely with the person taking the medicine; previously to dissolving the presumed or supposed Epsom salts in water, let one or two of the minute crystals be laid on the tongue, when, if they be oxalic acid, the sour taste will be immediately recognized by any one who has ever tasted a sour liquor, as vinegar or lemon juice, and with which there is no danger of confounding the bitter taste of Epsom salts. To this we know it may be objected, that many persons cannot bear to taste medicine before swallowing it all off; and that should they once attempt this, they could not bring themselves to take the medicine afterwards. To remedy this inconvenience, and guard against mistake, even if a friend cannot be found to taste for them, we would suggest that every apothecary, chemist, and vender of medicine, t ЗА obliged to put a small piece of paper, | ties also ; therefore, when an indivistained blue with litmus, into every dual has taken a dose of oxalic acid, package, or dose, of Epsom salts, neutralizing the acid, presents the which he sells; and that the object for which the morsel of litmus paper is intended, be explained to every person so purchasing, namely, that if | they have the proper medicine (Epsom salts) no effect will ensue on adding water to dissolve the salt; but if the crystals should be oxalic acid, immediately on solution the litmus will be reddened intensely. These means we think would be found fully sufficient to guard against the possibility of accident, and the person about to take Epsom salts, after having waited a minute or two for the solution of the crystals, and finding the litmus paper unaffected, may then remove this lat- | ter, and swallow the mixture, without | any apprehension from the effects of oxalic acid. most probable and effectual means of preventing the consequences to be apprehended. But in resorting to this, it must be recollected, that the acid, and the substance neutralizing it, form a new compound; and therefore care must be taken that the resulting compound be not equally, or even more, deleterious than the origi| nal poison. We would also suggest the propriety of putting a similar bit of litmus paper into every package of oxalic acid, as thus the danger from its being left aside, and being taken by any one who might meet with it accidentally, would be materially lessened; for though, from the great resemblance of its crystals to those of Epsom salts, any one might be mistaken, still we conceive the intensely red colour, which the litmus paper would assume on effecting the solution of the acid, would be sufficient, in most instances, to guard against deception. Indeed, we believe the very first fatal accident occurred from a mistake of the nature we have just been mentioning:-Some person had been carrying home a paper of the acid, but which the owner lost; another met with it, and, on inspecting it, the finder concluded it to be Epsom salts, and drank a quantity of it in solution. It is almost superfluous to state, that the consequences were fatal. Had litmus paper, as proposed, been put into this parcel, and these effects upon it been commonly known, it is manifest that even though it might not have prevented the result in this case, yet, generally speaking, it would have tended considerably to lessen the probability of an accident. In stating the distinguishing characteristics of acids, it was observed, that the acid properties might be neutralized by the addition of alkalies. Alkaline earths neutralize these proper | Arfila, from a number of experiments, concluded that calcined magnesia was the best antidote or counter poison. An ounce of this, he says, should be mixed with a pint of water, and a wine glass full given every two minutes, so as to favour vomiting, and prevent the acid from acting. In administering this remedy, care should be taken to keep the magnesia suspended in the water, as unless it be constantly agitated on giving the dose, the magnesia will fall to the bottom, and the patient get little else than the water. In the event of magnesia not being at hand, or to be immediately obtained, the same author recommends half an ounce of soap to be dissolved in a pint of water;-or even chalk, mixed with water, may be given, with a prospect of advantage. Clysters of the same should likewise be administered. But it would be right in all cases, to have medical advice as soon as possible; and these means should be tried in the interim, that no time may be lost. Mucilaginous drinks should be given during the whole of the time. We shall now conclnde these observations by stating, that we have instituted experiments, and have varied these, in every possible way, with a view to illustrate this matter, and put the correctness of our assertions and opinions beyond the possibility of doubt. It may here be necessary for our own credit, to state, that we were induced to make experiments upon this subject, in consequence of its being suggested by respectable chemical authority, that Epsom salts reddened syrup of violets and infusion of litmus, and that this proceeded from its being a supersalt, (that is, a salt with a very slight excess of acid in this instance.) We can, however, most positively assert, that this is not the case, and that in pure Epsom scend: A stonish'd men these mighty signs shall see, On all the just will ope a better life: strife. Portsea, April 4th, 1822. R. K**TT. salts, the acid and base are perfectly | S trains solemn for a dying world shall sound, neutralized; and even in the speci-Entomb'd to lie in chaos" void profound: mens which led to these experiments, V ast floods of flame from æther shall deRepining kings shall his dread throne attend, the effect on the litmus paper could only be observed by an experienced eye. But although there was in this one specimen, a very faint reddish appearance produced upon the test paper, yet we are inclined to attribute this circumstance to some acid accidentally adhering in very minute quantities as upon washing and recrystalizing the salt, it was found to produce no effect upon the test. We need scarcely remark, that all persons valuing their safety, should not fail to provide themselves with the means of detection we have suggested; and which can be done at a very trifling expense. Should these observations be instrumental, even in a single instance, in preventing an unfortunate occurrence, we shall not consider our time or our pages misapplied in their promulgation. POETRY. Translation of the Latin Acrostic, which appeared in the Imperial Magazine for September, 1821. JUDGMENT appears, earth's face shall sweat bedew, E re men from heav'n a glorious King shall view; S way o'er all worlds, his boundless power Unhappy deists shall with saints behold, Horrid with woody thorns shall earth grow R ejected golden gods shall disappear; THE LOVERS. THE even tide had come,-and near the west The young moon shone in glory, and the sky was clear seen: And blue, and in the distance stars were Young lovers they; they were the children, Of those I long had number'd with my friends. As though a fear of danger they had felt. "I will resign you to him,-have him,—have Heav'n bless you with him :"-he could say Unlock'd, their cavern'd hearts must open('Tis since that evening) that the gold will fly, fly; S peechless themselves, he'll all their thoughts declare, Deep woe their doom; they'll wailing meet despair. E arth, heaven, and the symphonious starry choir, In gloom shall merge, and the bright moon expire. From the shrunk main shall beauteous valleys I n dark oblivion, lofty mounts shall sleep; And bliss is not alone with rich and great. Himself should leave her,-thought so, said And, as he said it, tears stood in his eyes,They told that love, pure love, dwelt in his breast, And that that love would do aught for her Whatever pain or sorrow it might cost;- Endear'd him to her with a stronger tie:- Kissed each others lips, and walk'd along. -I, though an old man, saw and felt the whole; And, melted into tears, I stood, and look'd, Far as my eye could reach; and then I said, "O God of heaven, extend thy friendly arm O'er this young couple; keep them in thy fear; May bliss be theirs, as much as earth can give, And when their days are ended, O wilt thou Receive them to thy dwelling, that their earthly love May be exchanged for a heav'nly state!" AN EPIGRAM. M. M. (The following epigram was addressed by the great Lord Lyttleton to Mr. Gilbert West, who had a beautiful villa near London.) FAIR nature's sweet simplicity, Well in thy seat, my friend, I see, To both, from courts and all their state, Joys far above a courtier's fate,- ON POPE'S DEATH. ARISE, ye glimmering stars of wit! For, lo! the Sun of Verse is set. STANZAS To the memory of Mr. KEATS, the poet, who died at Rome on this day twelvemonth.By H. D. [The concluding line of each verse is the well known words of Keats, on being asked what inscription he would like to have put on his tomb, "Here lies one whose name was writ in water."] ANOTHER knell has rung to-day, And call'd another mortal home; O let my name be writ in water.” Unlike the odes of reeking slaughter, He ask'd a grave, and that was all, That mix their sweetness with the dust. Tho' many keep pursuing Fame, Few, very few have ever caught her, Yet with that few let Keats's name, Be found, at last-not writ in water. Feb. 23d. 1822. THREESCORE and ten revolving years I've been A pilot, faithful, safely lodg'd on board; Nor, since that union, once have left my charge. My bark has borne the tempest's stormy rage, And hurricaneous drenching cataracts, 'Midst tossing rolling billows (awful depths) On ocean bounded by Jehovah's word. My shade beneath the solar orb I've cross'd, Through trackless seas, by Afric's torrid shores, Where vivid lightnings dart their spiral fires, And bursts of thunder shake the concave round. In cruelty and mental darkness dwell The sable sons of Cush, first-born of Ham, In sacred record wrote irreverent. And Ethiop's sons should stretch their hands to God. Indias both, both Capes, Afric, Columbia, Unwrought in mental loom, unseen, unknown, Lets fall cov'ring, from cold and blasting wind, Herbage and roots, with multiform of seed. My optic glass, these wonders have survey'd, My hull has doubly felt each vast extreme. Her timbers now are weak, and much impair'd, And much her beams and bolts are warp'd and strain'd: Her weather-beaten bow deep furrows shew; Frame, rigging, cloth, and tackle, paint her cease: The boundless Pacific, amazing scene! And Christ, my God, by sacred power, live, To regions mild and pure, where scowling clouds And jarring elements, no more oppose; Where shoals, nor shelves, nor warning breakers, roar; Or bidden rocks, or leeward shores alarm, Nor baffling winds, nor adverse currents run, And eddies retrograde no more perplex; Where whirling vortex never cause affright, Or plund'ring pirates plough the deep for My early hopes are fled, My days on earth are past, I look to heav'n, and kneel, I wither as the weed, My spirit doubly bow, To think on what I was, And feel what I am now. No friendly hand appears, No cottage and no home, I die, but shed no tears, The worst, the worst is come. I know and feel my doom, Far from a human race, The desart is my tomb, And heav'n my dwelling place. Away, away, away, Upon an angel's wing;- I see the heav'nly clime, Derby. NIGHT. "TIS night, and all nature has sunk in repose, The din of the village is rising no more, Whilst Eden's lov'd stream that so soothingly flows, Is heard as it murmuring laves on its shore, Now hush'd are the woodlands in silence profound, Which, frowning terrific, arise on the sight; Whilst the notes of the screech-owl extending around, At intervals break on the pause of the night. But see where the moon, from the clouds all emerging, Its lustre refulgent spreads over the sky, Which, swift as its motions, it onwards is urging, The landscape how boundless displays to the eye! |