669 On" Witchcraft."-Gleanings. These coincidences cannot be accidental, and they prove that the recession of nodes is simply and solely caused by one rotation on the axis, while one revolution is performed around an orbit. OBSERVATIONS ON AN ARTICLE ENTITLED 66 WITCHCRAFT." (Inserted col. 510.) MR. EDITOR, SIR, No one of your readers could derive more satisfaction from the article on the Witch of Endor, (col. 307,) than myself; but I was certainly much disappointed in a more recent one on Witchcraft. The description of the evil eye seems to have been taken out of some old author, and, to me at least, it appears at variance with anatomy and physiology, since, though I am willing to allow noxious effluvia to exude from diseased bodies, and to be communicable by the circumambient air, I cannot discover how this theory can possibly apply to the eye, and my objections are founded on the following reasons: The eye is a peculiar organ adapted to the reception and conveyance of the rays of light through its various coats and lenses to the retina, and thence to the common sensorium in the brain. It is also calculated, by its power of variation of form, position, and brightness, which, though minute, are easily distinguishable, to aid the other features in the expression of the several passions, as rage, envy, hatred, &c. This it does by the energy of nervous action communicated to its coats from the optic nerve, which nerve receives its impression from the brain, in common with the other involuntary nerves of the body, being acted upon by the ideas, in consequence of the mysterious effect of unison between the mental and bodily energies; and thus, by either a quick glance or steady gaze, it produces, perhaps by sympathy, the influence of fear in the person against whom it is directed. Thus the imagination of impending evil is generated, and we know many instances of looks of this kind, by mere mental association, producing death in the individuals against whom they were directed. But the article in question goes further, and supposes a malignant epidemic effluvium to be conveyed by the look, capable of generating pestilence in man and beast. Now, sir, the eye consists of a number of very sensible and tender coats, which inclose fluids of various densities, whose healthy state can alone insure that fluidity and transparency, which will enable them 670 to receive and transmit the rays of light, and consequently the images of objects, distinctly to the retina. We find inflammation in the eye, which, by increased heat, thickening those fluids, will render the vision indistinct; and the passage of the rays of light occasions violent pain in the optic never with which they communicate. If we suppose a pestilential humour capable of conveying infection to man and beast, the inflammation occasioned by such a humour passing through the optic nerve and fluids of the eye, (by which alone it could pass,) would be so instantaneous and acrimonious, that the instant loss of sight would be the consequence; and the power of injuring in this manner again would be effectually prevented, as "the hand to fling the dart" would be paralyzed. GLEANINGS. E. G. B. Cost of a Waterloo Medal.-A Frenchman, meeting an English soldier with a Waterloo medal, began sneeringly to animadvert on our government for bestowing such a trifle, which did not cost them three francs. "That is true, to be sure," replied the hero, "it did not cost the English government three franks, but it cost the French a Napoleon. Black Fly in Turnips.-The following method is said to be effective against the ravages of the black fly: let the turnip seed lie a short time among flowered sulphur, and then sow the seed and sulphur together. Caution to Landlords.-In a trial at York Assizes Mr. Justice Bayley took occasion to remark, that "it recent act of Parliament it was enacted, that if any alehouse-keeper was convicted of being drunk, he should not be capable of being licensed for a publichouse for three years. "" might be useful for landlords to know, that by a Indigo. The culture of the indigo plant has been introduced into the French colony of Senegal, in Africa, with complete success. Letters thence state, that the produce of their crops rivals the indigo of Bengal; and the establishment of a national company for the cultivation of it is agitated in France. "Sir, Made Dishes.-Instead of" Do let me send you some more of this mock turtle" "Another patty" some of this trifle," "-"I must insist upon your trying this nice melon" the language of hospitality should rather run thus: Shall I send you a fit of the colic, Sir?" "Pray let me have the pleasure of giving you a pain in your stomach." Sir, let me help you surely cannot refuse a touch of inflammation in you to a little gentle bilious head-ache. "Ma'am, the bowels." If you feed on rich sauces, drink deep of strong wine, than two tea-spoonsful of made mustard mixed in warm water. It acts as an instantaneous emetic. Making this simple antidote known, may be the means of saving many a fellow-creature from an untimely death.-Mechanic's Magazine. Opinion of the Press, on Catholic Emancipation.-An estimate has been given of the opinions of the public press of England, Scotland, and Ireland, upon the the number in favour of the late measure is 107; subject of concessions, from which it appears that against it, 87 and neutral 44. The majority is principally found in the metropolis and the leading manufacturing and commercial towns, while the minority is scattered over distant districts, and through the lesser. Beggar Society.-The beggars of Canton, in China, are united in one great confraternity under the sublime appellation of the Heavenly Flower Society, for admission into which eight dollars are required. Streets and Roads, by a Machine-Some time in May, a number of gentlemen assembled to witness a novel experiment of sweeping the public streets and roads by a newly-invented machine, which was tried in the Regent's Park. It is the invention of Col. Boaze, of Albany-street. The machine is, in appearance, a covered cart, with thick oil-cloth extending nearly to the ground, to prevent the dirt from splashing: it is drawn by two horses. In the front is placed an iron scraper, of a circular form, which drives the dirt on one side as the machine advances; under the centre is a wheel similar to a water-wheel, to which are affixed six rows of heath brooms, each row containing six brooms, which, from a constant revolution of the wheel, sweeps the road extremely clean. This novel system of sweeping, will cleanse a street or road of one hundred yards in length in ten minutes, in a manner far superior to the present. Popes According to the usual mode of reckoning Popes, his holiness, the lately deceased Pope Leo XII., is the two hundred and fifty-second since Peter the Apostle of these, 208 were natives of Italy, 14 were Frenchmen, 11 Greeks, 8 Syrians and Dalmatians, 5 Germans, 3 Spaniards, 2 North Africans, and 1 Englishman. fengsler Chancery. There is now no less than 40 millions of money locked up in chancery. The Lion This animal has been painted as possessed of the most magnanimous affections. "The king of the beasts" is a name applied to him, with which every one is familiar. But he has received credit to which he has no good title. In physical strength he is, indeed, unequalled. Ordained by nature to live on animal food, and fitted for the dedestruction of animal life hy the most tremendous machinery that could be organized for such a purpose, he is regulated by a cunning peculiar to his species. But, in investigating the modes in which he employs these powers, the stories of his generosity will appear to be little better than the invention of poets and romance writers, "At the time," says Mr. Burchall, who had an opportunity of making himself acquainted with his nature, in Africa, "when men first adopted the lion as the emblem of courage, it would seem that they regarded great strength as indicating it; but they were greatly mistaken in the character they have given to this indolent, skulking animal, and have overlooked a much better example of true courage, and of other virtues also, in the bold and faithful dog." close a bush; and thus, in conjunction with the soft cushions of his feet, and the fur upon which he treads, (the retractile claws never coming in contact with the ground,) they enable him to move towards his victim with a stillness greater even than that of the snake, who creeps along the grass, and is not perceived till he has coiled round his prey."-Library of Useful Knowledge. Important to Persecutors.-A gentleman who was Bailey Sessions, applied a few days since to Sir bound over to prosecute a pickpocket at the Old Richard Birnie to have his recognizancés dis charged, stating, that a friend had informed him, the proceedings would cost him £20 or £30. Sir Richard replied, that he was glad the application had been made, as an erroneous opinion had gone forth to the public. He then said that the prosecutor would only have to pay 3s, 6d. out of his pocket, which would be returned to him with an allowance for his loss of time; and he hoped the gentlemen of the press would publish this information generally, as, if prosecutions were more frequent, the increase of crime would not be so great. To make Kitchen Vegetables tender.-When peas, French beans, and similar productions, do not boil easily, it has usually been imputed to the coolness of the season, or to the rains. This popular notion is erroneous. The difficulty of boiling them soft arises from a superabundant quantity of gypsum imbibed during their growth. To correct this, throw a small quantity of subcarbonate of soda into the pot along with the vegetables, the carbonic acid of which will seize upon the lime in the gypsum, and free the le gumes from its influence.-Bulletin des Sciences.of id Women Literary Notices. sosial 1899 Just Publishedog to notterier Polynesian Researches, during a residence of nearly six years in the South Sea Islands, by W. Ellis, Author of the "Tour to Hawii, 2 vols. 8vo. Maps and Engravings. Roman History for Youth, illustrated by seventy20 six spirited engravings, by H, White, Esq, from origi nal designs, by W. H. Brooke, Esq., with a series of Questions, and References for their Solution, by Thos. Rose. A Comprehensive Guide to Heaven, and Compa rative Phrenology, &c. with engravings, by H. W. Dewhurst, Surgeon, Professor of Anatomy, &c. On the Signs of the Times: an Address to Chris tians, by J. M. Cramp. An Esaay on Moral Freedom, &e, by the Rev. Thos. Tully Crybrace, A.M. Poems, by Mrs. G. G. Richardson, Dumfries. The Newtonian System of Philosophy explained, by Tom Telescope. 2d edition, Essays and Fragments on various subjects, by Jacob Stanley. The Cook and Housewife's Manuel, by Mrs. Margaret Dods. 4th edition. DILS Memoirs of John Frederic Oberlin in the ban de la Roche. Threatenings, by the Rev. John Young. A Defence of the Truth, as set forth in the History and Mystery Alexander MC of Methodist Episcopacy, &c,, by Use of Cat's Whiskers. Every one has observed the whiskers of a cat, but few, perhaps, dream that they serve any valuable end. The following passage will prove the contrary: Every one must have observed what are usually called the whiskers on a cat's upper lip. The use of these in a state of nature is very important. They are organs of touch. They are attached to a bed of close glands under the skin; and each of these long and stiff hairs is connected with the nerves of the lip. The slightest contact of these whiskers with any surrounding object is thus felt most distinctly by the animal, although the hairs are themselves insensible. They stand out on each side, in the lion, as well as in the common cat, so that, from point to point, they are equal to the width of the animal's body. If we imagine, therefore, a lion stealing through a covert of wood in an imperfect light, we shall at once see the use of these long hairs. They indicate to him, through the nicest feeling, any obstacle which may present itself to the A revised Edition of the Life and Works of Richard passage of his body: they prevent the rustle of boughs and leaves, which would give warning to Hooker. With an Introduction, additional Notes, his prey, if he were to attempt to pass through too and characteristic Portrait finely engraved by F Finden, after Hollar. ai ensle aldeuonod an old niol scent of redwyr HARTOGNE bough the mit AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER, SON, AND CO. 6 heupe hes boo LONDON PRINTED A Memoir of JOHN MASON GOOD, M.D. F.R.S. ETC. (With a Portrait.) "Vir bonus, omne forum quem spectat et omne tribunal."-Hor. Epis. 16. lib. 1. GREAT talents command the respect of mankind; and when their possessor is removed from scenes of earthly turbulence, his loss is sincerely deplored, and his memory transmitted to future times; but great talents alone, will not secure the admiration of posterity, or procure its favourable judgment, if they were unaccompanied with religious and moral worth. Strength of mind, unrestricted by the obligations of morality and religion, is like the chaotic deep, over whose face darkness brooded, till the Spirit of the Lord had rested upon it, and given life to its waters. The devotion of transcendent genius to the cause of piety and virtue alone, ought to excite our veneration and regard, as this, and nothing less than this, can enable a man to pass triumphantly the ordeal of future ages: for he only is truly great and good, on whom all sects and parties look with reverence, and whose character will bear the scrutiny of every tribunal, JOHN MASON GOOD, the distinguished subject of the present memoir, is a gratifying example of superlative talents properly restrained, and honourably and usefully employed. Engaged in a profession that rendered him peculiarly serviceable to his fellow men, he laboured assiduously to improve those branches of science on which, as a means, their lives in a great measure depend. His researches into the arcana of medical knowledge were extensive, and the curative art is deeply indebted to his labours. But the reputation of Dr. Good rests not entirely on his professional zeal and ability. He cultivated elegant literature with a success that is enjoyed by few, and his lightest compositions only, would entitle him to an honourable place in the annals of literary fame. When to these we add his firm and devoted attachment to the Christian faith, his character is reflected with a 128.-VOL. XI. " [1829. lustre that can never fade. We turn from the contemplation of it with reverence, and congratulate mankind that "The muse forbids the virtuous man to die." The family of Dr. Good possessed considerable property at Romsey in Hampshire, and in the neighbouring parish of Lockerley. His grandfather, who was employed in shalloon manufacture, had three sons, William, Edward, and Peter. The eldest took up the profession of arms, and died young; the second son succeeded his father in the manufactory, and inherited the family estates; and Peter, the youngest, devoted to the ministry of the gospel among the Independents, was placed under the care of the Rev. W. Johnson of Romsey. He was afterwards removed to the congregational academy at Ottery St. Mary, in Devonshire, then under the superintendence of Dr. Lavender. At this place he made considerable progress in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, and acquired a taste for biblical criticism. Having finished his academical studies, he was invested with the care of a congregation at Epping, in Essex. His ordination took place on Thursday, 23d September, 1760, when an impressive charge was delivered by the celebrated John Mason, author of the treatise on "Self-Knowledge." Not long after his establishment at Epping, Mr. Good united himself in marriage with Miss Sarah Peyto, daughter of the Rev. H. Peyto, of Great Coggeshall, Essex, and niece of John Mason. This lady died Feb. 17th, 1766, after the birth of her youngest child, leaving three children, William, John Mason, and Peter. Within two years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Good entered into a second marriage with the daughter of Mr. John Baker, of Cannon-street, London. He then took charge of a congregation at Wellingborough, in Northamptonshire, but afterwards, succeeding to the family estate in Hampshire, he retired thither, and devoted his time and talents to the instruction of his children. John Mason Good early acquired, under the immediate eye of his father, an intimate acquaintance with the Latin, Greek, 2 x |