"My days amongst the dead are past; Around me I behold, Where'er these casual eyes are cast, The mighty minds of old; My never-failing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day. "With them I take delight in weal, And seek relief in woe; And while I understand and feel How much to them I owe, My cheeks have often been bedewed With tears of thoughtful gratitude. "My thoughts are with the dead-with them I live in long-past years, Their virtues love, their faults condemn, And from their treasures seek and find And such pleasure and instruction are open to all men who have eyes to read, and hearts to feel, the contents of books. It is one of the cheapest and purest gratifications within the reach of men. It soothes the perturbed spirits, buries for a time the pressing cares of life, and fits the learner for the daily conflict with the world.—[These valuable remarks, and those contained in our number for February, under the head of " Books and Reading," have been extracted from a very interesting lecture delivered by the Rev. George Smith before the Devonport Young Men's Association, and published by Snow, London.] The Juquirer. 175. Will any of your philosophical correspondents be kind enough to give me a clear, accurate, and concise statement of" Spinoza's Philosophical System," and why it was designated as Atheism? J.J. 176. 1st. Will any of the readers of the British Controversialist be so kind as to inform " Solon" in what language the Vedas, Shasters, and Pourannas, or the religious books of the Hindoos, are written? 2nd. What works would be the best to acquire a thorough knowledge of that language, where may they be purchased, and what is the publishing price? 3rd. What was the language of ancient Egypt; can it be acquired now; if so, by what means; also what works are necessary in order to obtain a profound knowledge of the religion, philosophy, &c., of old Egypt"? 4th. Which country is considered by competent judges to have been the seat of civilization, Egypt or India? 5th. In what language are the inscriptions of the Nineveh sculptures written, and is it possible for any one to acquire the ability to decipher them; if so, by what means? 177. 1. What is the force of the interrogative Hév in vytaniers pér? and give some illustration of this use of the particle. 2. In Heb. xi 35, why does the apostle Paul use the subjunctive mood τύχωσιν, and not the optative τύχοιεν ? If any of your talented correspondents would answer me the above questions, I should feel greatly indebted to them.-J. B. M'C. 178. Being desirous of gaining such information as will enable me to understand and classify the various species of grass and botanical specimens, I shall be greatly obliged if any friend would inform me what is the best course I can adopt to obtain the necessary information. I should also be very glad to obtain similar information with regard to shells, insects, &c. I sincerely thank you for the great assistance I have derived from your valuable publication, for which I most heartily wish all possible success.PHONOG. 179. Will any of the readers of this periodical inform me of the best method of studying mathematics? I wish to become acquainted with the science in all its various branches of algebra, Euclid, plane and spherical trigonometry, differential and integral calculus, &c. &c. I should like to know the order in which I should commence each particular division, and the best work or works on each of such divisions. Should physics be studied in connexion with mathematics? if so, advice on this head will be required. To what extent should mathematical study be pursued, by one whose sole object is the discipline of the mind? A reply to all these queries will be thankfully received by-AN EARNEST STUDENT. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 135 and 136. A Student's Library.-If I may offer any suggestions upon this subject, I would recommend to "Edward' and "A Law Student" the following works, in the place of and in addition to some of those recommended by L. on page 75-5, Kennedy's "Greek Verses of Shrewsbury School" (8s.); 9 and 10, Bohn's Edition of Butler's "Analogy" and "Sermons" (together, | con," published by Longmans, seems to me to combine greater cheapness and goodness than any other. Bloomfield's is cheaper, but not nearly si good: it is published by Longmans. A very excellent Greek Testament is "The Cambridge Greek and English Testament," published by Parker. It has the great advantage of having the English version and the Greek in parallel to lumns. If "An Itinerant" requires a cheap one, with notes, there is none I can recommend strongly; Bloomfield's or Burton's (each 10s.6d.) may suffice. N.B. If" An Itinerant" be entirely ignorant of Greek, he should learn the rudiments in some small Greek grammar (such as Anthons), and then get Bagster's "Lexicon," published by Bag ster. But this is not so good as Robinsons, "An Itinerant" possess a knowledge of the Greek letters and language J. B. M'C. To these I would add-66, History of Greck Literature" (7s. 6d.), and "History of Roman Literature" (10s. 6d.), in the " Encyclopedia Metropolitana"; 67, Cox's "Biblical Antiquities" (7s. 6d.), in the "Encyclopaedia Metropolitana"; 68, Prideaux's "Connexion of the Old and New Testaments" (19s.); 69, Wheatley "On the Common Prayer" (3s. 6d.), in Bohn's "Standard Library"; 70, D'Aubigné's "History of the Re-Grammar," and Colenzo's “ Arithmetic," a key% formation"; 71, Pearson "On the Creed," edited by Dr. Burton (10s.); 72, Robinson's "Greek Lexicon to the New Testament" (18s.); 73, Eadie's "Biblical Cyclopedia" (10s. 6d.); 74, Kitto's "Bible Lands and Atlas" (7s. 6d.), in Bohn's "Illustrated Library"; 75, Barnes' " Notes on the New and Old Testaments"; 76, Maunder's "Treasuries"; 77, Blackie's" Imperial Dictionary"; 78, Latham's "English Language: 79, Johnston's "Gazetteer" (36s.), or the "Cabinet Gazetteer" (10s. 6d.); 80, Russell's "History of Modern Europe"; 81, "The Cabinet Lawyer" (10s. 6d.) Of these, the most necessary for " Edward" are Nos. 67 to 75, and for "A Law Student" Nos. 77 to 81.-J. B. M'C. 155. The Order of Studying the SciencesZ. A. will derive much advantage from the remarks of F. J. L., on page 237; but a few words may perhaps be allowed, grace F. J. L. et Z.A. Let Z. A. first take up Sullivan's "English which can be procured. When pretty well a vanced in these, let him study carefully the first part of Sullivan's "Geography," and then unz the latter part with the study of the History to a small degree, at any rate) of the several natio", as they come before him in the "Geography. I would recommend Milner's "History of Eas land," White's "History of France;" and, for the other countries, Keightley's Outlines of His tory." Let him take up (Cassell's) Euclid," ani along with it Lund's "Elementary Algebra When he has studied these well, he cannot fail with due attention, to make rapid progress in the higher Mathematics. To Z. A., I would strongly recommend Colenzo's "Trigonometry, Part I. Phear's "Mechanics," and Phear's "Hydrosta and, as a mathematical companion, Goo win's" Mathematical Problems" and "key. The above works are, I believe, the very best for Z. A., and are mostly very cheap; and the order will, in my opinion, greatly assist him.-J. B. M'C. 162. Two American Orators.-Chief Justice Marshall was born in Virginia, in 1755. At an early age he engaged in the war of independent, and became captain in 1777. Having, howeve, resigned his commission, and devoted himsel to the study of the law, he was admitted to the bar in 1780, and rose rapidly to great distinction: and in 1801 was appointed Chief Justice of the United States of America, the duties of which office he discharged with great ability and integrity 139. Arabic Orthography and Pronunciation. -In that amusing storehouse of literary curiosities; ties, "The Doctor," by the poet Southey, the following passage occurs at page 170 (edition of 1848): Let me here, on the competent authority of Major Edward Moore, inform the European reader who may be ignorant of Arabic, that the name of the Arabian false prophet is, in the language of his own country, written with four letters -M.H.M.D. a character called teshdid over the medial M. denoting that sound to be prolonged, or doubled; so that Mahammad would better than any other spelling represent the current vernacular pronunciation." In an interesting work (published in the "Library of Entertaining Know. ledge," and subsequently in Knight's "Shilling Volumes for all Readers"), written, during a lengthened residence in Egypt, by a Mr. Lane, Alexander Hamilton was a distinguished A the name (if I recollect aright) is given as Mo- rican officer and statesman, born in 1757. H hammad, thus agreeing very nearly with the entered the American army in 1776, and was maz orthography of Major Moore. I have seen it a lieutenant-colonel in the following year, irm stated (I think in Mr. Lane's work) that the which time he was the constant attendant of word Mamalukes is derived from an Arabic Washington. At the close of the war he resolve word signifying slaves, and should be written to qualify himself for the bar. In 1789, he was and pronounced in the form--Memlooks. "Ho-made secretary to the treasury; but was nai mo" will find in Mr. Lane's book, "The Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians," several hints as to the orthography and pronunciation of Egyptian and Arabic words.-B. S. commander-in-chief of the American forces in 1799, when a French invasion was expected When the army was disbauded, be returned to t bar; and five years subsequently fell in a duel 143. Greek Lexicons and Testaments. - An which he had been challenged by Colonel Barr "Itinerant" must remember that the cheapest is I am not aware that their speeches can be prenot always the best. Robinson's "Greek Lexi-cured at any library in England.-J. B. M°C. The Young Student and Writer's Assistant. GRAMMAR CLASS. Exercises in Grammar. No. XVII. Junior Division. Perform Exercise No. VIII., Vol. III. p. 359. Senior Division. Prepare a form like the one given, and arrange the nominatives, objectives, and verbs under their proper heads, after the plan of the example given. A good boy, who learns his lesson, deserves commendation. Fortune favours industrious men. Every person has just as much pride as he wants sense. We should never despise people for the want of natural powers, but for the abuse of them. A good conscience, and a contented mind, make a man happy. Philosophy teaches us to endure afflictions: Christianity converts them into blessings. Dissimulation degrades parts and learning, obscures the lustre of every accomplishment, and sinks us into universal contempt. Self-conceit, presumption, and obstinacy, blast the prospects of many a youth. Old friends are preserved, and new ones procured, by a grateful disposition. That friend is to be highly respected whose friendship is chiefly distinguished in adversity. Greater virtue is required to bear good fortune than bad. Among the great blessings and wonders of creation may be classed the regularity of the seasons. There sat in a window a young man named Eutychus. Where is George? Is he at home? The man who retires to meditate mischief, and to exasperate his own rage-whose thoughts are employed only on means of distress, and contrivances of ruin-whose mind never passes from the remembrance of his own sufferings, but to indulge some hope of enjoying the calamities of others, may justly be numbered among the most miserable of mankind. He who does the most good has the most pleasure. Prudence, moderation, and religion, produce true peace and comfort. Gratitude and thanks are the least returns which children can make to their parents. SYNTAX. RULE I-A verb must agree with its nominative in number and person; as, I command; thou readest; he writes. RULE II.-Active or transitive verbs govern the objective case; as, I command you; he writes a letter. How 7 y2+1=64, .. z=8, or 29, or 64, or 113, &c. right fulfilment of these requirements? should we proceed when desirous of elucidating The lowest square is 64. Substituting this value the truth regarding any series of phenomena? in equation (b), we have, After having prepared a natural history, how should we proceed? What is the meaning of latent process, and what of latent schematism? Explain the doctrine of instantiæ. Describe the inductive laws of J. S. Mill. What is Herschell's opinion on this subject? How are syllogism and induction reconcilable? Provection.-Vide Exercise No. VIII., Vol. II. Senior.-Consciousness, imagination, memory and association, in their relation to an explanation of monomania, insanity, and idiocy. MATHEMATICAL CLASS. =9 and x=2 y±√7 y2+1=6±8=14 or-2. The lowest numbers answering the conditions of the question are 14 and 3. W. C. D. Question 45. Let a, b, c, be the sides of the triangle; A, B, C, the angles subtending them; and d the perpendicular. Since the sides of a triangle are proportional to the sines of the angles which they respectively subtend, sin. B: sin. C c sin. B ..d= sin C e sin. B sin. A sin. C = sin. A .. d=b, sin. A= 48×8 768 Question 38. Number of pairs= = d 851.-Ans. Question 39. Length of ladder=/372+202= 1769-42-05940 feet. Question 40. By the common rule for discount we have, As 112: 12: £37 15s. 9d. : £4 3s. 113d.-Ans. J. M. Question 41. First, 124-25625 acres=12425625 3quare links; then, √12125625=3525 links, the length required. Question 42. Since the depth of each tank is the same, the content of the two must be proportioned to the squares of their diameters. Hence, 1:3: 122: 12 x3, the square of the diameter of the new tank. ..√12×3=12× √3=20·784, &c. feet, the an- Question 43. Area of triangle= c sin. B. siu. A 2. sin. C whence, area=c } d= .. log. of area, 5-487445-307217 links= 3 a. Or. 11 p. R. T. Question 46. Let r=the length of the cord: then (2x) x 7856=4 of an acre=1210 yards /385 15406=19-625 yards. J. F. L. QUESTIONS FOR SOLUTION.-VII. 56. A gentleman, dying, left property of the annual value of £2,044 12s. 6d. for the support of forty men, thirty women, and seventy orphan children, to be divided in the following manner, viz., for every 4s. applied to the support of each man 2s. 6d. is to be applied for the support of each woman, and 1s. 3d. for the support of each child. The trustees desire to know what sum of money will be available for the support of each establishment, provided hospitals be erected £4 each, without entrenching upon this part of the property. 57. A gentleman left £20,000 to be divided Question 44. Let x=the greater number; and y among his children inversely as their ages. Now, their ages were, in arithmetical progression, 18, 16, &c., and 2. Required each child's share. 58. Extract the square root of 831744. 59. Two spouts running at the same time. which convey 12 and 14 gallons per minute respectively, till a vessel in ten minutes. In what time will each spout fill it by itself? 60. There are three whole numbers, which, if the first be taken with half the second and onefourth of the third, = 50; the second, with had the third and one-fifth of the first, = 64; and the third, with one-half of the first and one-sixth of the second, = 75. What are those numbers? 61. Given two sides (674 and 1,298 links), and the included angle (60° 20′) of a triangle, to and the other sides and angles. 62. Divide 17 into two such numbers that the sum of their squares shall equal 175-5. 63. How many cubic feet of cork, at a specific gravity of 240, would be required to float a ton of iron at a specific gravity of 7788, in water? 64. How many butts will a cistern contain whose height is 8 feet 10 inches; length, 12 week 6 inches; and breadth, 9 feet 11 inches? Lotices of Books. Poems. By Alexander Smith. London: Bogue, Fleet-street. No one has more need than the aspirant to poetic honours to say sincerely, "Save me from my friends." The injudicious praise of friends is frequently as harmful as the open censure of the critic. We cannot too much deprecate the habit of scattering profuse and indiscriminating encomiums upon those who humbly accept him as their literary patron, which the Rev. George Gilfillan, of Dundee, has lately so glaringly introduced into our critical literature. In no case can we suppose this itching after the gratification of a vanity-which is ludicrous in a gentleman so well entitled in many points to praise as the author of "The Bards of the Bible"-to have been more prejudicial than in that of the author of the poems before us. He has been held up to the public view in such terms as are seldom, by other critics, showered on poets who have earned a name; expectation has been piqued, and desire been set on tiptoe, to welcome the advent of him whom Gilfillan had announced as "the coming man," "who was to sit in the temple of Fame in a niche beside Bailey and Sidney Yendys. This was too bad. Mr. Smith had not the opportunities of self-culture which these men possessed; neither did his position afford him the same excitement to poetic feeling as theirs. His young years, we understand, were spent in toil. The advantages of an early and thorough education were not his. To bring him into comparison with such men was obviously unfair; and, even although apparently generous, was ungenerous in the extreme. That Mr. Smith is potentially a poet we unequivocally assert; this book will amply prove that; but that he is in very actuality so is doubtful. It seems to us that he has spent more time in the study of Bailey, Shelley, Keats, and Longfellow-assigning them in importance the order herein given-than in the study of the human heart. Such studies, as models, may and must aid poetic development; but they must not be "all in all his study." He must, to use his own words, "Strive for the poet's crown, but ne'er forget How poor are fancy's blooms to thoughtful fruits." There is too much of Gilfillan's own style-wild metaphors, strained similes, huge hyperboles, and vain attempts at wit and humour-observable in the work. We would advise a course of careful mental training-a series of critical readings of the classic poets, a closer and more minute study of the feelings and passions of men-to the author, as well as keen, clear-eyed criticism, and extensive pruning of his efforts, before he next ventures to solicit public favour. There is a luxuriance of weeds as well as flowers: he must not mistake the one for the other. The true poetic instinct dwells within him; let him engage in intellectual and æsthetic culture, and the world may look for much from him. We hope for much. When we consider his youth, his opportunities, his culture, what he has done is excellent; but the injudicious "heralding" to which he was subjected has raised an idea regarding him in the public mind which these poems will not wholly substantiate. We know, of course, that " The Life-Drama" appeared in "The Critic;" but then it was in snatches; and consecutive reading is the test of a poem's power. Recurrence of figures of speech, sameness of idea, barrenness of incident, is not so vividly felt in the one case as in the other. It has all these faults; atoned for, we must say, however, by far greater beauties-beauties which should recommend it to every young man desirous of encouraging youthful genius. We shall not here dwell on the faults of the poem farther than to point out to the author the sameness of idea running through the passages under the word shore, in the following pages, viz., 25, 38, 62, 73, 90, 111, 115, 120, 128, 161, 187, 231, &c. Under the words ship and Anthony other instances of similarity may be found. We shall now proceed to indicate some of the beauties:"Here is a portrait in the style of the old dramatists. I'll show you one who might have been an abbot In the old time; a large and portly man, No thin-smiled April he, bedript with tears, Who can fail to admire this? "Yet more I love Than this; the shrinking day, that sometimes comes In Winter's front, so fair 'mong its dark peers, And so the frail thing comes, and greets the world With a thin, crazy smile, then bursts in tears, Here, too, are strong words, fittingly bodying forth a mighty moral truth: "My soul breeds sins as a dead body worms. They swarm and feed upon me. Hear me, God! Sin met me and embraced ine on my way; Methought her cheeks were red, her lips had bloom: I kissed her bold lips-dallied with her hair;- It was a putrid corse that clung to me, I soon will grow as corrupt as itself."-P. 170. |