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379

Review. Popular Lectures on Natural History, &c.

"Le Cat relates another instance, which occurred in 1749. Madame de Boiseon, 80 years of age, exceedingly meagre, who had drank nothing but spirits for several years, was sitting in her elbow-chair before the fire, while her waitingmaid went out of the room for a few minutes. On her return, seeing her mistress on fire, she immediately gave an alarm, and some people having come to her assistance, one of them endeavoured to extinguish the flames with his hand, but they adhered to it, as if it had been dipped in brandy. Water was thrown on the lady in abundance, yet the fire appeared more violent, and was not extinguished till the whole flesh had been consumed. Her skeleton, exceedingly black, remained entire in the chair, which was only a little scorched.

"The combustion is almost always general, but sometimes it is partial: the feet, hands, and top of the head are the only parts that have been preserved. Although a very large quantity of wood is necessary for burning a corpse, this kind of burning occurs without inflaming the most combustible substances. The presence of air is shown not to be necessary; and it is found that water, instead of extinguishing the fire, only gives it more activity. When the flame has disappeared, the combustion continues within the body."-Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia, Vol. 111. ; being a Treatise on Domestic Economy, Vol. 1.pp. 46–49.

From the extracts thus given, it will be seen, that Dr.Lardner's Cyclopædia is a work of no common character. This volume on

Domestic Economy is particularly fraught with utility in family concerns. It abounds with philosophical reflections, and imbodies. on various subjects the opinions of scientific men. In numerous places, theory is illustrated by an appeal to fact, so that no one can read it without being both benefited and entertained.

REVIEW.-Popular Lectures on the Study of Natural History, and the Sciences, Vegetable Physiology, Zoology, the Animal and Vegetable Poisons, and on the Human Faculties, Mental and Corporeal, as delivered before the Isle of Wight Philosophical Society. By W. Lempriere, M. D. 8vo. pp. 414. Whittaker. London. 1830.

THIS interesting volume, which in the course of a few months has arrived at a second edition, comprehends, in its wide survey, the vast circle of natural and intellectual science. Judging from the diminutive bulk of the work, it might be deemed insufficient to contain even the outlines of a single art; but if examined with deserved attention, it will be found to include nearly all that is essential to be known, in the works of nature, and the operations of the human mind. Beauty and brevity-compression of matter, and perspicuity in language and arrangementare the leading characteristics of these "Lectures."

The reading world need not be told, that it is a difficult and arduous undertaking to discourse familiarly on the

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various branches of physics, and the intricate operations of nature. Most sciences, from the classification of their parts, become entrenched so deeply in technicalities and severity of method, as to present little that is attractive to the general student; and in avoiding a learned nomenclature, and a studied system, an author is liable to neglect order altogether, and to present his readers with "a chaos of disjointed things." To explain the grand features of every science, in language that shall delight the hearer with its simplicity, rather than astonish him by its awful mysticism;-to speak of the structure, powers and instincts of animals, of the wonders of the vegetable and mineral kingdoms, and of the physical and intellectual faculties of man, in a manner that would not cause the lecturer to be voted a bore in the drawing-room, is perhaps the ne plus ultra of authorship; which includes an envied distinction, that no one can hope perfectly to attain. How far Mr. Williams has approximated towards it, the following analysis and extracts will determine.

The first edition included only six lectures; but in the impression under review, the number has been increased to eight.

The first lecture, "On the Study of Natural History and the Sciences," sets out with recommending an observance of physical phenomena, and an inquiry into nomy claims for it a precedency in order; cause and effect. The sublimity of Astroand the successive transitions from this branch of knowledge, to Pneumatics, Hylogy, Botany, and Zoology, are easy and drography, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Geoperspicuous. A few observations on the importance of natural science conclude

the lectures.

In reference to physics, the lecturer says:

"But it was not until mankind had considerably advanced in civilization, and had recorded a vast collection of facts from the experience of many ages, that any thing like system was even contemplated; much less a knowledge of the structure and economy of the different animate and inanimate substances, which constitute the most important and most interesting part of modern natural history; and which, considered as the pillar stone of all human knowledge, and as affording the most rational sources of instruction and amusement, of any perhaps that can be brought under contemplation, is a study to which I now most particularly wish to invite your attention.

"For the sake of illustration, let us picture to ourselves the effect upon our minds, had we, upon the earliest dawn of reason, possessed the instinctive faculty of comprehending, at one view, the existing order of things,-of explaining to ourselves the laws by which they are governedand of classing and arranging the different objects, so as to admit of easy reference, whenever it suited our want, or awakened our curiosity. We should be immediately struck with the grandeur, order, and contrivance of the objects which

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......

Review. A Compendium of Astronomy.

surrounded us, and with the benevolence and
omnipotence of Him by whom they were created.
"Commencing our observations at the silent
hour of night, when all terrestrial objects are
obscured under the veil of darkness, and animate
nature is sunk into repose, our eyes would be
Insensibly directed upwards. And there, the vast
expanse of heaven, studded and adorned with
innumerable luminaries of various magnitudes
and at indefinite distances, each subservient to
fixed laws, and formed for purposes beyond all
human comprehension, would at once awaken
our curiosity, and prepare us for those still no
less wonderful attributes, which the Divine hand
has so liberally and so benevolently bestowed on
the universe.

"As these heavenly objects disappeared from
our astonished vision, our attention would be
instinctively directed to the eastern horizon, now
gradually enlightened by the approach of a new
luminary, of far greater magnitude and power
than any we had yet contemplated;-too vivid,
indeed, to be examined by our weaker sight, but
whose influence is at once brought home to our
senses and conviction,-bestowing light, life, and
activity upon all nature, and at once displaying a
scene of unparalleled grandeur and compre-
hensiveness—such a variety and order of things
so many causes and effects-so much contrivance,
with useful results,-and such a subservience to
one grand system, as at once, with language irre
sistible, to bespeak the omnipotence of the
Creator, and to sink all human attributes into
comparative nothingness and insignificance."--p. 7.

In his concluding observations on the study of natural history, Dr. Lempriere thus beautifully remarks, in reference to its tendency:

It

"In its religious operation, it affords us proofs the most convincing, of the omnipotence of the Creator, and of our own divine origin. teaches us, by admonitions we cannot mistake, the important duties we have to perform, and, by examples daily before our eyes, the mortality to which we are liable. While, from analogy, as well as from our own internal conviction, it holds out to us a reasonable hope, that as by the unering law of nature, all organized bodies are doomed to decay; so we shall in due time be restored, and, in the full comprehensiveness of the Deity, partake of those divine attributes, of which, in the limited sphere we now move, we at present possess little more than the shadow." -p. 50.

The second Lecture refers to Vegetable Physiology. Here the structure of vegetables, the process of their reproduction, their varieties and uses, are detailed without laboured intricacy, or formality of arrangement, in language which all readers may comprehend.

The third Lecture is on Zoology, and determines with much simplicity, the line of demarcation between vegetable and animal being; it considers the powers and instincts of animated existences, and exposes the several methods of classifying, which have been employed by celebrated naturalists.

Lectures four and five, treat very luminously on Animal and Vegetable Poisons. These, perhaps, form the most interesting portion of the volume; since the professional knowledge and experience of the author have enabled him to blend with

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the natural history of each particular, the peculiar character of its destructive powers, to state the symptoms in every case, and, where an antidote is known, to describe the mode of application, and the means by which it produces effect.

The sixth Lecture considers the Human Faculties, mental and corporeal, and shows how they are excited and called into action by the varied phenomena of nature. In speaking of the "religious attributes of man," the author is led, from the nature of his treatise, to confine his observations to that instinctive notion of Deity which is common to the whole human race, how much soever it may be obscured by ignorance, or misapplied in its operation.

The

The seventh and eighth Lectures are supplemental, and enter minutely into that department of Zoology which refers to Mammiferous Animals. Allowing these two discourses to be little more than judicious compilations, we are not on that account to deem them less valuable. author has occasionally blended with his own observations, facts and reasonings deduced from the writings of the first naturalists; and has succeeded in concentrating, within a comparatively small space, a mass of important and well-arranged information on the subject he has introduced.

Many inviting passages presented themselves, as we passed through this volume, but our limits preclude their admission; and perhaps it would have been more unjust than complimentary towards Dr. Lempriere, to have culled every interesting paragraph from his work, though, since to have done this, we must have transcribed a considerable portion of his lectures.

REVIEW A Compendium of Astronomy; comprising a complete Treatise, adjusted to the improved State of the Science, and an Astronomical Dictionary; designed for the Youth of both Sexes. By R. T. Linnington. 12mo. pp. 359. Whittaker. London. 1830. CICERO, when speaking of the advantages enjoyed by philosophers, adverts most strongly to the means which they possessed of comprehending "the beautiful order of celestial things." If, therefore, astronomy presented so many attractive features in the earlier ages, when the knowledge of its principles was much confused, and but imperfectly understood, it may reasonably urge stronger claims on our notice, in the

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Review.-Family Classical Library.

present day, observation and experience having, during the last century, sufficiently established the truth of the generally received system :-a system no less simple than it is sublime.

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Nearly every thing necessary to a complete and popular system of Astronomy, will be found in this work; though want of room will not permit us further to analyze its contents. It would, however, be injustice to the author, to omit mentioning the "Astronomical Dictionary" affixed to his Compendium. This portion alone stamps a high value on the book: it is the compilation of a scientific and methodic mind, and condenses within a few pages, more information on the tech

The author of this compendium asks, in his preface,-"What other science is there, that so forcibly proves, not only the existence of a GREAT FIRST CAUSE, but also his wisdom and power, as Astronomy?" Without presuming to question the divine truth, that "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shew-nical language and general features of eth his handy-work," we are led to adopt the opinion of Dr. Paley, who remarks, (Nat. Theo. chap. xxii., Astronomy,) "that Astronomy is NOT the best medium through which to prove the agency of an intelligent Creator; but that, this being proved, it shews, beyond all other sciences, the magnificence of his operations."

It may be thought that the elaborate works, and popular treatises, in reference to Astronomy, already extant, are sufficient for the student's assistance, and that any new compendium is gratuitous and unnecessary. We admit that its general principles are firmly established; yet discoveries of considerable importance are constantly being developed, which render fresh compilations as needful in astronomical as in geographical science. To the learned and valuable labours of professor Vince, Lalande, Gregory, and Woodhouse, the present work is therefore a desirable supplement; while simplicity of argument, elegance of style, and perspicuity of arrangement, invest it with peculiar fitness for the use of schools, and of general readers, who have neither leisure nor inclination to engage in abstruse calculations.

In the section which refers to the "history of astronomy," the author briefly surveys the science from its rise in Chaldea, to its present state of development; and imbodies in a few pages, the_notions of the Syrians, Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Greeks, Arabians, and Europeans.

The several systems of the universe being first explained, the figure, magnitude, and wonderful phenomena of the terrestrial sphere, are in the next place pleasingly exemplified. The order of the seasons, and the laws of planetary motion, are then treated of with much simplicity, and mechanically illustrated.

A considerable portion of the volume is occupied by an intelligent survey of the Sun, Moon, and planets of our system, the harmony of motion subsisting between them, and the beautiful diversity of their appearances and phenomena.

astronomy, than could be found perhaps in many a quarto volume.

Appended to this treatise, are six neatly engraved plates of diagrams, which offer such needful illustrations as the text requires. They differ little in their general character, from those commonly employed; much judgment has, however, been exercised in the selection of them, and in the simplicity of their construction. Mr. Linnington's volume has our decided approbation. We admire his design, and the talent he has brought to its execution.

REVIEW.

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Family Classical Library. Vol. I. The Orations of Demosthenes, Translated by Thomas Leland, D.D. 12mo. pp. 360. Valpy. London. 1830. THE plan and execution of this work must, if preserved with spirit, ensure it a very extensive patronage. No argument is necessary to prove the utility of a literary undertaking, the professed object of which is, to introduce to the notice of students generally, the most approved translations of classic authors, in a cheap and portable form. Hitherto the writings of the ancients have either been inaccessible to the great mass of readers, owing to their expensive mode of publication; or uninteresting to the mere English scholar, from the exuberance of critical commentaries and variorum readings.

The present work will not be deficient in whatever is necessary to a perfect elucidation of an author; but learned disquisitions, interesting to literati exclusively, will be, as much as possible, avoided. This series of Family Classics will therefore furnish the profound scholar with delightful reminiscences of the originals, and afford him a pleasing relaxation from severe study. In the boudoir of every well-educated female, they will be entitled to a distinguished place; and to all those who are incapable of drawing the golden stream of ancient lore from its fountain-head, they will be invaluable.

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Review.-Weeds and Wild Flowers.

The plan of publication adopted by the learned publisher is masterly and unique. "The selection is intended to include those individuals whose works may with propriety be read by the youth of both sexes." "A Biographical Sketch will be prefixed to each author; and Notes will be added, when necessary, for the purpose of illustration." "The Series will, it is expected, make about forty monthly volumes." It may be proper to state, that persons wishing to purchase detached portions of the work, can have any author separately; yet, perhaps, there are few who will not avail themselves of the present opportunity of forming a correct, elegant, and cheap Classical Library.

It is unnecessary to say more of this publication. Mr. Valpy has deserved well of the learned world, by his erudite labours amongst the literary treasures of Greece and Rome; and his name will, in the present instance, recommend him more powerfully to the aura popularis, and furnish a stronger testimony to the worth of his new undertaking, than any thing which might be said by the Reviewer.

REVIEW.-Weeds and Wild Flowers. By the late Alexander Balfour, Author of Campbell's Scottish Probationer, &c. &c. with a Memoir of the Author. 8vo. pp. 374. Whittaker London, 1830. MR. BALFOUR, who died in 1829, was well known in the literary world. To many of the more respectable periodicals he was long a contributor, and several of the annuals have been enriched by the productions of his pen. In addition to these, he was the avowed author of several distinct publications, both in prose and verse, which bear his name, and of which the titles are given in the memoir, that occupies nearly one hundred pages of this volume. These are chiefly works of genius, imagination, and delineation of character, occasionally associated with criticism and antiquarian research.

The memoir runs through the leading particulars of Mr. Balfour's life, without descending to any thing like tedious detail. His progress through this probationary state appears to be traced with fidelity and care; the writer neither exalting nor depressing his character beyond the common range of reasonable expectation. In this memoir several of the author's letters are inserted; some of which were addressed to wellknown literary characters of the present day, and others to persons, who, like the writer, have paid the debt of nature. These

136.-VOL. XII.

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letters contain many shrewd remarks on books and authors; and some nice discrimi. nations on the subjects under examination. Their style is vivacious, and full of vigour; and the author appears to have had the happy art of introducing appropriate allusions to illustrate what he intended to express.

The "Weeds and Wild Flowers," to which the preceding memoir is prefixed, form, what may perhaps be called, a medley of unconnected things, in which prose and poetry entering into partnership, have agreed to divide the spoil. The portion falling to the share of Master Prose, consists chiefly of tales, narratives, dialogues, and presumed occurrences; while Miss Poetry is content with the flowers which, gathered around the mount of Aonia, disseminate the fragrance of Parnassian air.

The tales which form the prose department, the author has contrived to render very interesting, by dropping incidents in the reader's path as he passes along, and exposing others to his view, to facilitate his progress. Thus fascinated and allured, he advances with the writer, picking up, at every step, the harbingers of a catastrophe, which never rewards him with disappointment. Over most of these, a romantic spidelirium is pleasing, even though, while rit may be seen to preside; yet the exacting admiration, it is known to be the effect of enchantment, to which imagination has given

"A local habitation and a name."

The poetry is a fair counterpart of the prose, partaking in no small degree its common character, and, with the exception of narrative, several remarks applied to the former may be transferred to the latter, without committing any act of violence on either. Its subjects indeed, are less tangible; and at times the pinions of fancy bear them almost beyond the sphere of critical vision. To us, the village tales are far more interesting than either the sonnets, or the stanzas to particular individuals, characters, or things. They walk on the surface of the earth, and enable common mortals like ourselves, to survey their countenances, limbs, and features, as they pass along. Yet even in these, the sentiments of the narrative creates perhaps more interest than the versification. The following passage, which will furnish a specimen of the author's talents, and illustrate our observations, may perhaps prove serviceable to all our fair readers whom it may concern.

The tale itself is entitled "The Parson's Daughter." With this Lady, George, a wealthy industrious young farmer, falls in

2 B

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Review.-Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia, Vol. II. 388

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some little while affairs go on tolerably well, but, absorbed in her studies, she neglects every branch of the household concerns which she ought to mind, and thus furnishes Mr. Balfour with the original, of which he has drawn the picture.

"But now the farm required his constant care,
And he at early morn would leave the fair,
Who, while her husband toiled among the hay,
Would reading in the parlour pass the day.
In short, the library was her delight,

And she would sit and read from morn to night.
From philosophic systems could she turn,
To curdle milk, or mind the rumbling churn?
How could she after hens or chickens look,
When sailing round the world with Captain Cook?
Why should domestic cares her mind annoy,
With Homer roving round the walls of Troy?
Engrossed with Pompey on Pharsalia's plain,
George hardly could a languid smile obtain.
Could she his linen stitch, or darn his hose,
When weeping o'er Queen Mary's countless woes?
She history, fiction, tales, and poems read,
A mass of lumber jumbled in her head;
Tansillo's Nurse so much her mind possessed
That she forgot the infant on her breast;
And when it cried, she peevishly would say,
Come, Betty, take that squalling brat away!'
"With hair uncombed, and cap not over clean,
In dishabille George often found his Jane;
And when a friend or passing stranger came,
He blushed, so slatternly appeared his dame.
Yet still he loved-his heart so kind and warm,
He could not chide, and counsel could not charm
Her heedless ear; but, with a languid smile,
She'd raise her eyes and say, "Hush, love, awhile,
Just now you see my thoughts are all engrossed-
To break the chain, my study would be lost."
Good-natured still, she did not scold nor frown;
But with dishevelled locks and rumpled gown,
With eager eyes would sit and read at ease,
From careless indolence unskilled to please;
And though she never wished to give offence,
Displeasing still from want of common sense,
Progressively awaking from his dream,
In spite of love she sunk in his esteem;
Civility took place of kind respect,
Succeeded by indifference or neglect;
George sighed to find that he was linked for life,
Companion of a learned, but lazy, thriftless wife."
p. 198.

REVIEW.-The Cabinet Cyclopædia, conducted by the Rev. Dionysius Lardner, LL. D., &c. &c. &c. Assisted by eminent literary and scientific men. History of Scotland. By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. Vol. II. pp. 450. Longman. London. 1830.

WHEN reviewing the first part of this valuable Scottish History, in our Number for January last, the accidental omission of some words in the concluding paragraph, inserted in col. 99, must have led the reader to suppose, that its pages comprised the whole history. We only meant to assert, that "within the compass of one volume, so far as it had proceeded, Sir Walter Scott had embodied all the occurrences of Scottish history, that could be The necessary for common purposes." second volume, which now presents itself

to our notice, brings down the train of events to the period of the union, in 1603, since which time, Scotland has been considered as a part of England, and their histories have been blended together accordingly.

Prior to this union, the records of both kingdoms are thickly strewn with incidents, many of which arose from the jealousies of independence, and the pride of national rights. On nearly the whole of these, intrigues, quarrels, commotions, and battles, have left an indelible impression. Fierce, warlike, and more attached to conquest than to honour, these hostile nations paid but little regard to the dictates of justice, in the incursions which they made on each other's territories; and the conflicts which ensued, furnish us with no contemptible picture of what have been strangely called the heroic ages. Hence, in those days, the history of Scotland abounds with chivalrous exploits, and deeds of daring enterprise, scattered with such wild exuberance over all its pages, that scarcely a paragraph can be found, which, in some connexion or other, is not deeply interesting to every patriotic reader.

Into this ample field, Sir Walter Scott has entered, and from the varied profusion culled the choicest flowers. His aim being not to dilate, but to compress, he has seized the essence of the historical harvest, and formed a work pregnant with diversified intelligence, and enriched with beauties that are almost inimitable. This, however, will best appear from a perusal of the work, of which the following extracts afford some specimens.

"Encounter of the Douglases and Hamiltons in the City of Edinburgh.-There were now no more thoughts of peace, and the Hamiltons, with their western friends and allies, rushed in fury up the lanes which lead from the Cowgate, where the bishop's palace was situated, intending to take possession of the High-street; but the Douglases had been beforehand with them, and already occupied the principal street, with the advantage of attacking their enemies as they issued in disorder from the narrow closes or lanes. Such of Angus's followers also as had not lances, were furnished with them by the favour of the citizens of Edinburgh, who handed them over their windows. These long weapons gave the Douglases great advantage over their enemies, and rendered it easy to bear them down, as they struggled breathless and disordered out of the heads of the lanes. Nor was this Angus's only piece of fortune : Home of Wedderburn, also a great adherent of the Douglases, arrived while the battle was yet raging, and, bursting his way through the Nether bow gate at the head of his formidable borderers, appeared in the street in a decisive moment. The Hamiltons were driven out of the city, leaving upwards of seventy men dead, one of whom was Sir Patrick Hamilton, the advocate for peace. The Earl of Arran and his natural so far endangered, that, meeting a collier's horse, they were fain to throw off its burden, and, both mounting the same miserable

son were

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