E

Fig. 43.

B

struction. Suppose that the swing or pendulum A B be raised to c, it will, in effect, be raised the perpendicular height B C, and in falling will describe the arc c B; and, in the point B, it will have that velocity which is acquired by descending through C B, or by a body falling freely through the perpendicular c E. This velocity will be sufficient to cause it to ascend through an equal arc B D, to the same height from whence it fell at c; and since the times of ascent and descent are equal, it will describe both these arcs in exactly the same space of time. Having lost all its motion at D, it will again begin to descend by its own gravity; and in the lowest point B it will acquire the same velocity as before, which will cause it to re-ascend to c; and thus, by ascending and descending, it will perform continual vibrations in the circumference C B D; and, were it not for the resistance of the air, and the friction at the centre of motion A, the vibrations would never cease: but from these obstructions, though small, it happens, that the velocity of the mass of matter at в is a little diminished in every vibration and consequently it does not return precisely to the same points c or D, but the arcs described continually become shorter and shorter, till at length they grow insensible; and yet the very same time is required for the performance of the shorter as the longer arcs; for, although in the one case the body passes over less space, still its velocity is proportionally decreased. You perceive, then, that in an attempt to ascertain the height of a ceiling by the vibrations of a chandelier, the extent of its swing cannot alter the time which may be required for its completion. And, if you will place your little brother in the swing, you will perceive that he will return to your hand in nearly the same space of time, whether he describes a large or small arc; although this experiment must be considered as extremely rude, since there are many disturbing causes for which the theory cannot possibly make any allowance. I must, moreover, warn you that where the arc described is very considerable, the difference in the time will be greater; for in order to ensure this property of vibrating through unequal arcs in equal times, it is necessary that

the path of the body should describe a peculiar curve, called a cycloid, (25) and not the segment of a circle; at present, however, it is not possible for us to enter into this difficult branch of science, although I trust that at some future period I shall be justified in an attempt to explain it."

Mr. Seymour having concluded his lecture, was about to return to the Lodge, when Mrs. Seymour approached the party, carrying in her hands a letter, which the smile on her countenance announced to contain agreeable intelligence.

"I have just received," said Mrs. Seymour, "a letter from Miss Villers, whom you must all remember as a most delightful person. I am informed that she is about to be married to the nephew of a gentleman who is at present in our neighbourhood in search of a country residence."

"Does she mention the gentleman's name?" inquired

the vicar.

"Mr. Henry Beacham,” said Mrs. Seymour.

"The nephew of Major Snapwell, I declare," exclaimed the delighted vicar.

The whole party participated in the pleasure which their excellent friend expressed at this discovery, and Mr. Seymour immediately accompanied Mr. Twaddleton to Ivy Lodge, to congratulate the major, and to make such arrangements as might expedite the purchase of Osterly Park, and the consequent introduction of a family into the neighbourhood of Overton, from whose society the Seymours anticipated the highest satisfaction.

At the same time Mrs. Seymour hastened to despatch a letter to Miss Villers, in order to solicit her immediate presence at Overton Lodge.

MARBLES.- ANTIQUITY OF THE GAME.-METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEM. -RING-TAW.-MR. SEYMOUR, THE VICAR, AND TOM, ENTER THE LISTS.-THE DEFEAT OF THE TWO FORMER COMBATANTS; THE TRIUMPH OF THE LATTER.-A PHILOSOPHICAL EXPLANATION OF THE SEVERAL MOVEMENTS. THE SUBJECT OF REFLECTED MOTION ILLUSTRATED. THE VICAR'S APOLOGY, OF WHICH MANY GRAVE PERSONAGES WILL APPROVE.

IN our last chapter we left Mr. Seymour and his reverend friend on their way to Ivy Cottage; it is only necessary to state that the major received them with that satisfaction and gratitude which the nature of their visit could not fail to produce. Plans were proposed, and arrangements concluded for the furtherance of the object we have announced; in short, in the brief space of an hour, the major had determined the course of his future life, and had framed schemes

of happiness, and visions of domestic peace, which he impatiently sought to realize. The vicar was detained by the major, but Mr. Seymour quitted Ivy Lodge and returned to his family. He found the children engaged in playing at marbles. Tom was displaying to his sisters many instances of his adroitness and skill in shooting at and hitting marbles.

"Why, Tom!" exclaimed Mr. Seymour, "how came you possessed of such a multitude of marbles?"

"By good luck; good luck, papa; I won them all before the holidays; and I can assure you that my school-fellows acknowledge me as one of the best players at ring-taw in the school."

"Justly, then, has your merit been rewarded," said the father. Have you not read of the skilful Roman, who could blow peas through a quill, and deposit them with such nicety on the point of a pin, placed at some distance, as rarely to miss his aim?"

"And what was his reward?" asked Tom.

"A bushel of peas, my boy, which the emperor commanded to be presented to him. But do not misunderstand me, far be it from my wish to disparage your skill; whatever we undertake, we should endeavour to accomplish; I am, therefore, well-pleased to find that you can play at marbles with so much success."

"I wonder who invented marbles?" said Tom.

"That question, my dear, must be addressed to Mr. Twaddleton, who, I have no doubt, will immediately answer it."

Scarcely had these words been spoken, when the vicar appeared on the lawn. Mr. Seymour informed him of the subject of their conversation, and added, that he had just told the children he was sure he would readily answer their question.

6

"Not so readily as you may imagine,” replied the vicar; "but I will tell you all I know upon the subject. It appears to be a very ancient game; for it is stated by Suetonius, that Augustus, when a youth, spent many hours in the day in playing with little Moorish boys cum nucibus,' that is, with nuts, which appear to have been then used in the very way in which you now play with your marbles. In later times, round stones picked out of gravel, were introduced for this purpose. The marbles which you now hold in your hand are substitutes of still more modern invention. The

best of them are imported from Holland, where, as I have been informed, they are manufactured by grinding fragments of alabaster and of other stones, in an iron mill of a peculiar construction, in which there are several partitions furnished with rasps, which turn with great velocity, by means of a stream of water; and thus, having rounded the stones, project them out of different holes for which their size may adapt them. Thus manufactured, they are brought down the Rhine, and from thence dispersed throughout Europe; immense quantities are also exported to India and China. There are, however, as you well know, inferior kinds, which are of home manufacture, and consist of potter's clay covered with a glaze, and burnt in a furnace."

"I have often wondered what is the meaning of the words taw and ally," observed Tom.

"Why, your taw is a brown marble, and your ally if I remember rightly, a very white one; is it not so?" asked the vicar.

"To be sure," said Tom.

"Very well, then," said the vicar, "the words are clearly abbreviations of tawny and alabaster."

"Now then," said Mr. Seymour, "for a game; what is it to be, Tom?"

"Ring-taw for ever!" cried Tom; "it is the only game of marbles worthy of being played."

"It is really so long since I left school," observed his father, "that I must beg you to refresh my memory, and give me some instructions about this favourite game of yours."

"I will tell you all about it. We must first draw a circle, on which each player is to put a certain number of marbles to be previously agreed upon; we then make a mark at some distance, which is called the offing, and from which we are to shoot at the marbles in the ring."

"That is all very intelligible," observed his father; and I suppose the object of the player is to shoot a marble out of the ring, which not only gives him that marble, but entitles him to shoot again at another, and so on, until he misses, or all the marbles are won."

"That is right, papa."

"And a good marksman," observed the vicar, "who has the first shot, may easily win the game, before any other player can gain the opportunity of shooting at a single marble."