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distance of the fixed Stars, from the changed their places, and had a slow orbit of Saturn." motion of their own from west to east.

We learn from Hipparchus, that | he made astronomical observations; Geometry having by this time been and, in particular, that he observed greatly improved, and called to the the time of a solstice; and it appears assistance of Astronomy, Hipparchus from a Latin epigram of the poct Clau- was enabled to attempt the determidian, that he invented a kind of pla- | nation of the Sun's distance from the netarium, or orrery, to represent the Earth in a more correct manner than phenomena and motions of the pla- had hitherto been done; and a noble netary system. When Syracuse was attempt it was! But although it distaken by Marcellus, in the year before covers a vast comprehension of thought Christ 211, he gave particular orders in the contriver, it is found totally useto all his officers, to treat Archimedes less when applied to practice, because with respect and tenderness; but his it requires a much greater accuracy in kind intentions were frustrated by the the observations, than can be attained brutality of a soldier, who slew him, by the method which he proposes. because he was so intent upon the problem he was then investigating, as not to answer the questions proposed to him.

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Hipparchus seems to have been the first who applied himself to the cultivation of every part of Astronomy. Ptolemy informs us, that Hipparchus had such an accurate knowledge of the planetary motions, as first to discover that their orbits are eccentric, and that | upon this hypothesis he wrote a book against Eudoxus and Calippus. He gives us many of his observations, made between the years 160 and 125 before Christ; and tells us, that by comparing a summer solstice served by himself, with one observed by Aristarchus 145 years before, he determined the length of the year with great exactness, and wrote a treatise on the subject. From the same source of information we learn, that it was Hipparchus who first found out the anticipation of the Moon's nodes, the eccentricity of her orbit, and that she moved slower in her apogee, and faster in her perigee; that he collected accounts of such ancient eclipses of the Sun and Moon as were observed by the Chaldeans; that he formed hypotheses, and constructed tables, of the motions of the Sun and Moon; and would have done the same for the other planets, if he could have found ancient observations sufficient for the purpose; but not finding such, he contented himself with collecting proper observations for that purpose, and in endeavouring to form theories of the five planets. Hipparchus, by comparing his own observations of Spica Virginis, with those made by Timocharis, at Alexandria, 100 years before, first of all found that the fixed Stars

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But the greatest work of this excellent Astronomer, is his catalogue of the fixed Stars, which he was first induced to begin, by the appearance of a new star. This catalogue, which is happily preserved to us by Ptolemy, is the oldest we have, and contains the longitudes and latitudes of 1022 Stars, with their apparent magnitudes. Besides the works above-mentioned, he wrote a book concerning the intervals between eclipses, both solar and lunar; and, he is said to have calculated all that were to happen for 600 years from his time.

[To be continued.]

On the Conduct of Bonaparte.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMPERIAL
MAGAZINE.

SIR,

THE Baroness de Staël is one of the most distinguished and interesting females which ever adorned the history of polite and elegant learning. As the daughter of Necker, who was, in the early stages of the French revolution, one of the most popular men in Europe, her writings have been read with eagerness; and, in England, from their native worth, admired and criticised to an extent not generally indulged, in relation to publications of a foreign origin. But her last, which is to be regretted as an unfinished work, "Considerations on the principal Events of the French Revolution," has attracted so much attention, as to give force to what conjectural opinion had assumed as true, that the policy it suggests is influencing the present measures of the Court of France, which may produce the most salutary effects on the future

repose and happiness of a people who have but just escaped from the frenzy of an unequalled political convulsion. In these "Considerations," &c. we meet with a just and finished character of that unrivalled phenomenon, who has contributed to awaken and arrest the notice of nations, beyond the experience of ages. The transit of his history, from a military cadet through the almost substraction of all other authority on earth but his own, to the desolate rock of St. Helena, is a subject which confounds all reasonings; and if, before the fact, it had been told as possible, would have consigned the visionary theorist to a suspicion of the integrity of his intellect. These "Events," surely, can have left no doubt with the untainted inquirer-in the unfettered mind of him, who only seeks for conclusions from evidence which cannot justly admit of disputethat there is a moral Governor in heaven, and that Divine Providence is not the dream of the fanatic, nor the imposition of Christianity; but a rational belief, without which man can draw no truth from inference, and derive no certainty from knowledge.

for its doubts; and the real Christian
cannot hesitate to suspect the motives
of avowed opinions, which are so hos-
tile to its own character, and more
than fears that they are

"Of outward shew
"Elaborate; of inward, less exact."

J. C.

"BONAPARTE," says Madame de Staël,
"has often expressed his regret that
he did not reign in a country where
the monarch was also head of the
church, as in England and Russia:
but as he found the French clergy still
devoted to the court of Rome, he
chose to negociate with it.
One day
he assured the prelates, that, in his
opinion, there was no religion but the
Catholic, which was truly founded on
ancient tradition; and, on this subject,
he usually displayed to them some
erudition acquired the day before:
then, when he was with the philoso-
sophers, he said to Cabanis, Do you
know what this Concordat is which I have
just signed? It is the vaccination of re-
ligion, and in fifty years there will be
none in France. It was neither reli-
gion nor philosophy which he cared
for, in the existence of a clergy en-
tirely submissive to his will; but as he
had heard mention made of the alli-
ance between the altar and the throne,
he began by raising up the altar. The
celebration of the Concordat was,
therefore, if we may use the expres-
sion, a full-dressed rehearsal of his
coronation.

In this valuable issue of the press, there is one topic of much serious improvement to the ministers of the Christian faith, and a strong case made out of the unnatural association of secular influence acquired by religion, and applied to political passions and interests. If there be any authority in the Supreme Author of our religion, and his instruction be of importance in the "In the month of April, 1802, he affairs of his church, then, however ordered a grand ceremony at Notrethe principle of human polity is taught | Dame. He was present with regal in the general morals of the Christian pomp; and named for orator at this system, no active nor personal agency, inauguration,- Whom? The Archin the name or through the influence of bishop of Aix,* the same who had dereligion can be exerted, in which re-livered the coronation sermon in the ligion is not implicated, without a vio-cathedral of Rheims, on the day when lation of that sentence of our Lord's, Louis XVI. was crowned. Two mo--a sentence which has been the glory of Christianity,- My kingdom is not of this world." No wonder, when men of holy professions become secular, that all the variety of criminal selfishness, which unhappily appears in most of those who have actively united such extremes as human and divine engagements, should be exhibited to the world as a lesson of moral depravity which would sanctify contempt, and justify abhorrence; for in the union of such repulsive opposites, infidelity itself has almost, in this conduct, an apology

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tives determined him to this choice: the ingenious hope, that the more he imitated the monarchy, the more he suggested the idea of himself being invested with it; and the perfidious design of so degrading the Archbishop of Aix, as to render him wholly dependent, and give the world the measure of his own ascendancy.

The strange mutability of opinion in this revered cleric of the church of France, is seen in vol. iii. p. 273, &c. of these "Considerations."

"He has always wished, when the to direct religion to a political end; thing was possible, that a man of note, and nothing is less favourable to piety, in adhering to him, should do some than to employ it with any other views action blameable enough to ruin him in than those which belong to itself. The the esteem of every other party. To nobler its sentiments are in their own burn one's ship, was to make a sacri- nature, the more repugnance they infice of reputation to him : he wished to spire when hypocrisy and ambition convert men into a sort of coin, which | take advantage of them. derives its value only from the impress of the master. Subsequent events have proved, that this coin could return into circulation with a fresh image.

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On the day of the Concordat, Bonaparte repaired to the church of Notre-Dame in the old royal carriages, with the same coachmen, the same footmen walking by the side of the door; he had the whole etiquette of the court most minutely detailed to him; and, though First Consul of a republic, applied to himself all this pomp of royalty. Nothing, I allow, ever excited in me so strong a feeling of resentment. I had shut myself up in my house, that I might not behold the odious spectacle: but I heard the discharge of cannon which were celebrating the servitude of the French people. For was there not something peculiarly disgraceful in having overturned the ancient regal institutions, surrounded at least with noble recollections, to take back the same institutions, in the forms of upstarts, and with the chains of despotism? On that day we might have addressed to the French the beautiful words of Milton to his countrymen: We shall become the shame of free nations, and the plaything of those which are not free: Is this, strangers will say, the edifice of Liberty which the English boasted of building? They have done nothing, but precisely what was requisite to render them for ever ridiculous in the eyes of Europe. The English, at least, have not fulfilled this prediction.

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"In returning from Notre-Dame, the First Consul said, in the midst of his generals, Is it not true, that to-day every thing appeared restored to the ancient order? 66 Yes," was the noble reply of one of them, except two millions of Frenchmen, who have died for liberty, and who cannot be brought | to life." Millions more have perished since; but, for despotism.-The French are bitterly accused of irreligion. One of the principal causes of this unhappy result is, that the various factions for twenty-five years have always wished

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After Bonaparte was Emperor, he appointed the same Archbishop of Aix, of whom we have been speaking, to the Archbishopric of Tours: the Archbishop in turn, in one of his pastoral charges, exhorted the nation to acknowledge Napoleon as legitimate sovereign of France. The minister who had the superintendence of religious affairs, while he was walking with a friend of mine, shewed him this charge, and said, See, he calls the Emperor great, generous, illustrious; all that is very well: but legitimate, is the important word in the mouth of a priest.' During twelve years from the date of the Concordat, the ecclesiastics of every rank have never let an opportunity pass, of praising Bonaparte in their way; that is, by calling him the envoy of God, the instrument of his decrees, the representative of Providence upon earth. The same priests have since, doubtless, preached another doctrine; but how can it be supposed that a clergy, always at the orders of the existing authority, whatever that may be, should bend to the ascendency of religion over the soul?

·

"The Catechism which was received in every church during the reign of Bonaparte, threatened with eternal punishment whoever should not love and defend the dynasty of Napoleon. 'If you do not love Napoleon and his family,' said the Catechism, (which, with this exception, was the Catechism of Bossuet,) ' what will happen to you?' Answer, Then we shall incur everlasting damnation.'(p) Was it to be believed, however, that Bonaparte would dispose of hell in the next world, because he gave the idea of it in the present? The truth is, that nations have no sincere piety, (q) except in countries where the doctrine of the church is unconnected with political dogmas; in countries where priests exercise no power over the state; in countries, in short, where a man may love God and Christianity with all his soul, without losing, and, still more, without obtaining any worldly advan

tage by the manifestation of this sentiment."-Vol. ii. p. 275.

Notes.

(p) "Q. What are the duties of Christians towards the princes who govern them? and what are our duties in particular towards Napoleon I. our Emperor?

"A. Christians owe to princes who govern them, and we owe in particular to Napoleon I. our Emperor, love, respect, obedience, fidelity, military service, the taxes which are imposed for the preservation and defence of the empire and his throne: to honour and serve the Emperor, therefore, is to honour and serve God himself.

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Q. Are there not particular motives which ought to attach us more strongly to Napoleon I. our Emperor? "A. Yes; for it is he whom God has raised up in difficult times to re-establish the public worship of the holy religion of our ancestors, and to be its protector. He has restored and preserved public order by his profound and active wisdom; he defends the state by his powerful arm; he is become the anointed of the Lord, by the consecration which he hath received from the sovereign Pontiff, the head of

the Catholic church.

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'Q. What ought we to think of those who should fail in their duty towards the Emperor?

"A. According to the Apostle Paul, they would resist the established order of God himself, and would render themselves worthy of everlasting damnation." p. 55.

SAGACITY OF A DOG.

[From Milford's Tour.]

"I will here mention a sagacious dog which I frequently saw at the Piazza de Spagna, at Rome, where he took his station; and, on perceiving any one stand still, used to look him full in the face, and begin to bark. In this formidable manner he accosted me one day, as I was conversing with an old priest, who had long been resident at Rome, and was well acquainted with the dog's sagacity. He informed me, that the only way to get rid of him was, to give him a piece of money called a biocco, equal to an English penny. This I did, by throwing it on the ground, as the most prudent method; the animal's countenance denoting rather fierceness than good-nature. He immediately took it into his mouth, and turning the corner of an adjacent street, entered a baker's shop, where he stood on his hinder legs, and, depositing the money on the counter, received a small loaf in return, with which he walked off, to my great amusement and admiration. The dog was in excellent case; and, on inquiry, I found he came on a similar expediton almost every day in the week to this baker's shop." pp. 37, 38.

EXTRACTS FROM ARNOT'S TRUE
CHRISTIANITY.

On Humility.

PRIDE aims at the utmost pitch of honour; yet undermines what it would advance. Humility, on the contrary, leads us to the bottom of our condition, and gives us the true sight of our own vileness; yet raises hereupon a most magnificent structure, like to the creation of the world, out of emptiness and darkness. Humility is solid and real, is just and reasonable, is wise and holy, is beautiful and amiable, is peaceable and righteous, is good and profitable; and there is no end of counting its excellencies. Hu

(q) Whatever truth there is in the general danger of mixing human and divine authorities, this opinion of M. de Staël will be considered as carried beyond the limits which experience and facts will sustain. What is present with us, and obvious to our understanding, should be respected; but it is an insufficient ground, from which we may with certainty draw general conclusions. In a country truly protestant, when moral excellency and vital religion are found to an extent un-mility is suitable to all objects, is known to countries, under either the partial or real yoke of an oppressive and antichristian hierarchy; it will be contended, that piety and an ecclesiastical establishment, interwoven with the state, are not at such fatal variance, as stated by this excellent and learned

lady.

agreeable to all the ends and causes of human life, is fitted to all the circumstances of our present state and condition. Humility is full of grace and truth; it is the ground of all the divine works; it is the footstool of God's throne; it is the mirror of his greatness; it is the magnet of all his glo

ries and beauties. In a word, it is the most agreeable to all the principles of nature and grace; to all the desires of angels and men; and to all the designs of God himself. So that nothing is more true, than that, "before honour is humility."-Book 11. part ii. ch. 1.

On Idolatry.

Wooden idols are easily avoided; but take heed of the idols of gold. It is no hard matter to keep from dead idols; but take heed thou worship not the living ones, and especially thyself. For as soon as thou challengest to thyself either honour, or praise, or knowledge, or power, or might, thou settest up thyself in the place of God: which most pestilent idolatry is struck at by God, when he declares that he will not give his glory to another. His honour and glory are due to none but himself. He is the Most High, and the Most Holy One, and is the sovereign and everlasting God.-Ibid.

Z.

MEANS ADOPTED IN IRELAND FOR THE
EDUCATION OF THE POOR.

of the desks and forms are cast metal,
screwed to the floor; under the former,
three wires, extended tight by nuts
and screws, hold the hats. A bell
gives the signal to the monitors to
attend to the telegraph, which, by two
arms and a code of explanation, gives
all the directions necessary, without
noise. The principle of the Lancaster
in concentrated attention, and simulta-
system, which is adopted here, consists
neous obedience. The Committee have
already printed a set of spelling les-
sons, another of reading, one of arith-
metic, a set of dictating lessons for the
writers on slates, the letters of the
alphabet, (six inches long,) for placing
in a box, one to be drawn out at a time,
and placed in a groove in view of the
sand: this abolishes the wheel of the
alphabet, which was found not to pre-
sent the letter sufficiently in view of the
whole sand class.
class list, by which the attendance,
A copper-plate
punctuality, progress, and payment
of a penny a week by each pupil, are
noted in appropriate columns, by the
puncture of an iron pin made for that
purpose for each monitor. A copper-
plate of the classes of arithmetic they
have also; printed merit-tickets, hav-
ing each a moral motto, and these
half-yearly produce a premium in
clothing, according to the number of
tickets, at about a penny value each,
given for remarkable cleanliness, good
conduct, attention, improvement, and
advance in each of the classes.

The printing department has already produced twenty volumes of storybooks, the commencement of an extensive series, calculated to replace the vicious or false information contained in the books heretofore prepared for the children of the lower rank in Ireland. On the opening of the boys' school, 250 presented themselves for admission.

THE Society for Educating the Poor in Ireland held their seventh annual meeting in January, 1819, in the Model School-house, Kildare Place, Dublin. The meeting lasted five hours, in which an interesting question was debated, in consequence of a long speech and motion of Counsellor O'Connell, tending to subvert the fundamental principle on which the Society is founded; namely, that the Bible, without note or comment, shall be the only religious instruction admitted in the schools. This principle was maintained by several eloquent speeches, proving, that it was not a proselyting system; and the motion was lost by a large majority against it, leaving the Society on its original basis of a Bible education. There is no religious prejudice The new building has this month re- against the efforts of this Society, as ceived pupils. The boys' school, 86 the governors and committee, teachers feet long, 56 feet broad, and 20 feet and children, are indiscriminately of high, can hold 500. Six iron pillars all Christian denominations, and the support the cieling, over which there course of education excludes religious is a school for 500 girls. Four common controversy. Dr. Troy, the Roman fire-places in each school, are found to Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, has give a purer heat, and ventilation, sanctioned Mrs. Trimmer's extract than any other of the various modes from the Gospels, of which 20,000 are of heating large buildings, which were published, for the use of schools, examined for that purpose in England where the New Testament may be too and Scotland, previous to the deter-expensive; and the plan of the Society mination of the Committee. The legs altogether appears unobjectionably

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