Even rain-water collected from slated houses, though softer than spring or river water, exhibits by these tests one grain of sulphuric acid in twenty or thirty grains.

5. Oxalic Acid Test. When the object is to obtain the lime, either free or combined, in any water, this is the best test. It may be proper to add a little ammonia in some cases of combined lime. The oxalate of lime slowly precipitates in the state of an insoluble salt. The quantity of lime may be ascertained, either by collecting the precipitate, or by carefully and gradually adding the due quantity of acid, and no more, when the strength of the acid has been previously ascertained.

question. It contains a very little sulphate of
lime, and some carbonate; but only one-half
of the earthy matter that the above-mentioned
pump-water contains. It curdles a little with
soap, but gives no precipitate with lime-water.
It contains about one grain of earthy salts in
4000 of water."

OBSERVATIONS

On the Countries of Congo and Loango, as

in 1790.-(Continued from our last.) Kingdom of Congo.-If the testimony of the natives may be relied on, the countries of Chimfooka, Angoya, Embomma, Loango proper, Solongo, and Sonia, at no great disWhen spring-water contains supercarbonate tance of time, formed part of the kingdom of lime, boiling it precipitates the greater of Congo, the capital of which, from time part of the carbonate, and expels the excess immemorial, has been Banza Congo, (now St. of acid. Hence the furring of pans and tea- Salvador). Upon the seizure of the city by kettles with this kind of water. By boiling the Portuguese, and the consequent paralysathe water it is of course rendered much softer tion of the power that upheld the kingdom, a than before. It may then be used for wash-number of independent states arose from the ing, scarcely curdling soap; but it still con- ruins, and whatever progress civilization might tains about one-third of the earthy, salt, and have made among them before that event, they 6. Nitrates of Silver and Mercury Tests. gives milkiness with acetate of lead. If a have since remained in their present barbarous These are tests of muriatic acid or of muri-water contain only sulphate of lime, boiling condition. It cannot, however, be thought ates; the muriates of silver and mercury are does not, I apprehend, soften it at all. that the great kingdom of Congo, which comformed, both insoluble salts. It does not often When spring-water is used by manufac- prehended, in addition to those already menhappen that spring-waters contain notable turers for washing, &c. it is advantageous to tioned, the very extensive countries of Angola proportions of the muriatic acid, either free have it some time exposed to the atmosphere, and Benguela, was ruled with the mental in a reservoir with a large surface. This expo- weakness and imbecility characteristic of these 7. Sulphuretted Hydrogen-water and Hydro-sition suffers the carbonic acid in part to esgovernments at present. sulphurets. These are excellent tests for lead, cape, and the carbonate of lime to precipitate; mercury, and several metals, giving peculiar and in some degree supersedes the necessity insoluble precipitates of the sulphurets of those of boiling the water. The more any spring metals. One grain of lead precipitated by is drawn from, the softer the water becomes, sulphuretted hydrogen, would be sufficient to it should seem. I have this morning exagive a great many gallons of water a dark mined a spring, which yields many thousand brown tinge. When sulphuretted hydrogen is gallons every-day. The water is compafound in mineral waters, as those of Harrow-ratively soft; it does not curdle scarcely at all gate, it may be known by the smell; but so- with soap; it is very nearly as soft as the lutions of lead are much superior tests, giv-before-mentioned pump-water boiled. The ing a black or brown tinge to such waters hardness in it arises from a little sulphate of immediately.

or combined.

8. Tincture of Galls and Prussiates of Potash and Lime Tests-These are proper for the detection of iron, the former giving a black precipitate, and the latter a blue one; but a portion of the solution of oxymnuriate of lime requires to be added previously to the water, if it contains the green oxide of iron in solution, in order to convert it to the red oxide.

There are many other tests than those I have enumerated, but they are more than can usually be wanted in the analysis of ordinary springs. My object is not to give a catalogue of tests, but to show in what manner their application may be improved, and reduced to a system intelligible to moderate proficients. The improvements I would propose in the use of tests are, that the exact quantities of the ingredients in each test should be previously ascertained and marked on the label of the bottle; this might easily be done in most of them in the present state of chemical science. We should then drop in certain known quantities of each from a dropping tube graduated into grains, till the required effect was produced; then, from the quantity of the test required, the quantity of saline matter in the water might be determined without the trouble of collecting the precipitate; or, if this was done, the one method would be a check upon the other.

I shall now close this imperfect sketch by a few observations and experiments, which I have noticed in the course of the present week, relative to the subject before us.

I assayed the water supplied by the Manchester water-works, and found it nearly as I expected; river-water is most commonly softer than spring-water, and harder than rainwater. This is the case with the water in

lime and a little carbonate.

One of the most striking facts I have observed is, that all spring-water containing carbonate or supercarbonate of lime, is essentially limy or alkaline by the colour tests. And this alkalinity is not destroyed till some more powerful acid, such as the sulphuric or muriatic, is added, sufficient to saturate the whole of the lime. Indeed these acids may be considered as sufficient for tests of the quantity of lime in such waters, and nothing more is required than to mark the quantity of acid necessary to neutralize the lime. It does not signify whether the spring-water is boiled or unboiled, nor whether it contains sulphate of lime along with the carbonate; it is still limy, in proportion to the quantity of carbonate of lime it contains. Agreeably to this idea, too, I find that the metallic oxides, as those of iron or copper, are thrown down by common spring-water, just the same as by free lime. Notwithstanding this, carbonate of lime in solution with water contains twice the acid that chalk or limestone does. I fully expected the supercarbonate of lime in solution to be acid. But it is strongly alkaline, and scarcely any quantity of carbonic acid water put to it will overcome this alkalinity. Pure carbonic acid water is, however, acid to the

I could not be convinced of the remarkable fact stated in this paragraph, till I actually formed supercarbonate of lime, by supersaturating lime-water in the usual way; till the liquid from being milky became clear. It still continued limy, and was even doubtfully so when two or three times the quantity of acid was added. It should seem, then, to be as impossible to obtain a neutral carbonate of lime, as it is to obtain a neutral carbonate of ammo nia in the sense here attached to the word neutral.

Every one speaks in praise and adiniration of the City of Congo,-its situation and extent,the power and grandeur of the King before the arrival of the Portuguese.

Sonia. The people of Sonia, it is said, were obliged to carry burdens of white seasand from the beach to Banza Congo, one hundred and fifty miles distant, to form pleasant walks at the royal residence. This at last so exasperated the Sonia men, whose warlike and independent spirit is feared and respected by all the neighbouring nations, that they concealed their weapons in the burdens of sand, and were, by this contrivance, enabled to avenge themselves of the indignity put upon them, by plundering the city and killing many of the King's people.

Having thus shaken off the yoke, Sonia has since been governed by native princes.

However extravagant the idea of carrying burdens of sand such a distance may appear, yet the history of all barbarous and despotic nations, in some measure warrants the authenticity of the fact; for there, we see slaves subjected to ignominous tasks disproportioned to their strength and means; witness the Israelites, doomed by Pharaoh to make bricks without the necessary materials. Unless founded on fact, it is hard to conceive how the story could have originated among a people who at present know not the luxury of artificial walks.

It is worthy of remark, that the shoulder load is admirably calculated for the artifice of concealing arms, being nearly five feet long, and about eight inches square. It is formed by means of a bamboo or palm branch, which although very light and slender, is strong enough to support and keep the packages extended, whilst they are firmly bound to it by a peculiar sort of long narrow leaves. In this manner, parcels of salt and other small articles, are always brought to the Embomma market.

Many wonderful stories are related of the courage and ferocity of the Sonia men. When one of them is taken prisoner, which, it is, admitted, very seldom happens, he endeavours to exasperate his perhaps already implacable enemy, by requesting that he may be dispatched with his own clean weapon, and not with the captor's dirty one;-a plain insinuation that no quarter is given.

ese

This nation is certainly of very different | in a similar manner, "Keile ma botta moine!" habits from any other upon the coast. It has-Very well, I thank you Sir. had no intercourse with Europeans for fifty years, when, in one night, the inhabitants massacred a colony of Portuguese, (probably their first establishment in 1484,) who had, for a long period, been settled in very considerable numbers in Sonia. They had many churches and seminaries of learning, which have all been demolished, with the exception of one called Ganga Emkisse, preserved as a monument of vengeance, now filled with bells, crucifixes, and other relics, the wreck of the colony.

Upon the whole, the stories of the invincible prowess and martial character of this nation, are entitled to some consideration. If they are somewhat embellished, we need not be surprised, for what else can be expected: yet they ought not to be regarded on that account as altogether fabulous; for, even in polished nations, every thing transmitted by oral tradition, very soon acquires a tinge of the marvellous. What I can say of the Sonia men, from my own personal knowledge, is in perfect unison with their magnanimous character; never having experienced any act of treachery or violence from them, although once completely in their power. I had strayed to some distance from the boat's crew, who were cutting grass for the live stock at sea, when a party of Sonia men travelling that way, and hearing the report of my fowling-piece, came upón me unawares, before I had time to load. I was a little alarmed, but, to put the best face on the matter, I asked the Chief if he would sell his ivory trumpets, to which partly consenting, he agreed to accompany me to the boat, where I purchased two of them, and gave him and his men something to eat and drink. They were going, they said, to Ganga Empeenda, and were quite at their ease whilst they remained in the boat, plainly shewing that they neither intended nor dreaded treachery. Before resuming their journey, they regaled us with a concert on the trumpets, as savage and discordant as the Genius of Africa could wish. The Chief had six ivory trumpets, the largest of which had apparently been a tooth of ninety pounds in weight. He had likewise a drum, and three musical instruments like lyres.

Trumpets.-Tusks of such magnitude can only belong, as may well be supposed to the elephant. They are converted into trumpets by boring out the body of the ivory, and leaving only a thin shell at the root, increasing however in thickness towards the point, within a short space of which, according to the size of the tusk, a hole is made to communicate with the extremity of the cavity; to this, the mouth is applied when blowing. The external surface of the trumpet is highly polished, and is frequently covered with regular devices and hieroglyphics, indented upon it with a hot iron. Upon the small end are carved a few annular knobs. The intrinsic value is small, compared with the value of labour employed in its formation. For this and their gorgeous appearance they are chiefly prized; but to instruments of music, they have not the smallest pretension. Salutations. When two persons of equal rank meet, one of them, kneeling on his left knee, gives the Saccula, (a certain clapping of the hands,) saying, "Katto co keile?"How do you do?-To which the other replies

When an inferior approaches his superior
to ask a favour, he prostrates himself on the
ground, and, throwing dust upon his head,
clapps his hands as a suppliant, and says,
"Betsawae moine, Menou Moontu accu,
Menou Baveeca accu!”—Be merciful, Master,
I am your servant, I am your slave.
Monkeys-The number and variety of the
monkey species in these countries is beyond
conception Myriads of a small black kind
with white breasts, about the size of a Cat,
assemble every morning upon the lofty trees
overhanging the brink of the Congo, in the
neighbourhood of Oyster Haven and Macca-
tala, to drink. At these times it is amusing
enough to observe with what celerity they
make their retreat, causing the woods to re-
sound with their chattering, at the report of a
musket. Upon the highest trees they generally
build their nests, which, in form and construc-
tion resemble those of the magpie, but are
much larger, and made of dry grass. The
entrance is a round hole in the side.
upper part is covered with grass to a consider
able height, to keep out the rains.

The

Poongo.-The most wonderful animal of the genus Ape, is the Poongo. When walking erect, it measures six feet, and is said to have the strength of ten men. In this case, were it equally ferocious, it might reign the undisputed sovereign of the woods. In fact, according to the natives, it is an overmatch for all the beasts of the forest, drives the elephant before it with clubs, and frequently carries off their women, when it meets them at a distance from home.

MATHEMATICS.

Solution of No. 18, by the Editor. Suppose x+y= 28, and a—y = 2d; then, a = 8+ d, and y = s — -d; let also n = = 29, m = 278, and u = 880; then = n 28. Substitute these values of x, y, and z in the given equations, and we shall have, 2ns 3s2 — d2 = m, and ns2 — 283 —nd2 + 28d2 =U. Find the value of d2 in these equations and compare them, and we have the cubic 883 ·8ns + 2ms + 2sn min-u; here s 9, the values of x, y, and z are found therefore, to be 10, 8, and 11.-If we now take 10 the Solar Cycle, 8= the Lunar, and II the a9-10 x + 1—8 Indiction, we shall have.

=

and

=

28

19

and

To proceeed, by Indeterminate Analysis, let

28

tuted in

p, then a = 28p+1, this, substiX- -7

19

will give 28p — 6 .or

a whole number. Hence,

19

19

19p

19

9p 6

19

18p-12

19

19

a whole number. Now let 2 + 12 = P + 12 =r, then p 19-12; but a = 28p + 1, 532+ 335, therefore, by substitution, ☛ = and this substituted for in

13

8

will give

Za whole number. Hence

15r 14-26 r + 26
a whole

15

15

15

15

"+11 number, or a whole number. Consequently r = 4, 19, or 34, &c. Take r = = 4, then will a=1793, this subtracted from 1822, leaves 29 years, the age required.

Chimpanzee. This is known to Europeans
as the Oran Outang, or Wild Man of the Woods.
In point of size, strength, and sagacity, it is
very different from the Poongo. It is of a
more gentle nature, and is easily caught and
tamed. Captain Fairweather brought one from
Old Callabar, but it died on the passage from
the West Indies to Liverpool. I was told by
an eye-witness, that it used to take its bed
upon deck to air,-would tie a handkerchief
about its head, as if sick,-formed a partiality
to some of the officers,-made use of a cup
and saucer when taking tea,-peeled an orange
with a knife, wiped its mouth with a cloth,-*=
all in a very methodical manner. Many at-
tempts have been made to bring them to Eng-
land, but they cannot endure the cold of our
climate. They have never been known to utter
articulate sounds.

(To be continued.)

HOW TO SATISFY ALL ONE'S TEACHERS.

Lord M. bad masters, for dancing, music, Italian, French, and for the civil law; and he made a rapid progress in all his exercises and studies. When he thought himself somewhat accomplished, he began to neglect taking his lessons in their customary order; but when the dancing-master came, he would ask him to hear him play on the harpsichord, and tell him what he thought of his proficiency. He would dance a minuet before the music-master, and request his opinion of his dancing; and each praised that part of his performance, which himself knew nothing about. Thas also he would speak French to his Italian master, aud Italian to his French master; and both assured him that he had done miracles. Hence Lord Mwrote to his father, with perfect truth, that he had made great progress in his education, and that all his masters were highly satisfied with him-Memoirs of a Travelier now in retirement.

J. H. favoured us with a solution.

Neat solutions were received from Mr. Williams, Amicus, Mr. Wilson, Mr. R. Andrew, and Miss Agnes.

Question No. 24, by Mr. J. Wilson.

7 cubic inches of a Gas are confined in a tube by a column of mercury, 6 inches above the level of the mercury on the outside of the tube. The barometer at the time is standing at 29 inches, and the thermometer at 35.-It is required to reduce the quantity of the gas to the real bulk at the standard pressure (20 inches) and temperature (60°).

From the common-place book of a Clergyman who flourished in Lancashire at the beginning of the 18th century.

Divisions ended by this rule :-Sit in necessariis unitas, in non necessariis libertas; in utrisque charitas.

having gone through the first course and Duty's our's, event's God's; ye devil couzens us of all our time, by couzening us of our present time. Durham, Deira, Deirham.

approved, here follows the second.

13. Describe the particular ceremony performed on ship board, upon crossing the Line, and state whether a pound of tar or a pound of feathers possesses the greater portion of electricity?

14. Draw a parallel between the following:-Crib and Penn--Grimaldi and Milton--Homer and Ben Johnson-Quevedo and Baxter.-Furnish a dissertation on Clubs, without borrowing from "A Man U Ensis," Translate the term "one of the fancy" into Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Dutch, French, Scotch, Irish and Welsh?

In some respects La Fontaine was not unlike Oliver Goldsmith; both were forgetful, generous, unaffected. The French poet almost forgot that he had a wife; and when his friends told him that it was a shame to absent himself from so worthy a lady, he set out for her abode. The servant not knowing him, said she was gone to church; upon which he returned to Paris; and when his friends enquired about his proceeding, he answered, that he had been to see his wife, but was told she was at church!-Being one day at a house, his son came in :-not having seen him for a little time, he did not know the youth again, but remarked to some of the company, that he thought him a boy of parts and spirit. He was told that this promising lad was his own son to which he answered, 15. State the difference between Coat and Coatee"Ha! truly I'm glad on't!"-In company he made Surtout (not the heraldic) and Benjamin-Gallowses no figure. He had been invited to the house of " a and Braces-Hessians and Wellingtons, and the person of distinction," for the more elegant enter-height of St. Mary's Spire when it is took down, tainment of the guests; but though he ate very heartily, not a word could be got from him. And when, rising from table soon after dinner, on pretence of going to the academy, he was told he would be too soon, "Oh then," said he, "I'll take the longest way."-Being one day at a tedious church service, Racine, seeing he was weary, put a bible into his hands. Fontaine happening to open it at the prayer of the Jews in Baruch, read it over with much admiration, and observed to Racine, "This Baruch is a fine writer do you know any thing of him?"-In a company of Ecclesiastics, he one day asked whether they thought St. Austin had more wit than Rabelais? -The Reverend Doctor, somewhat amazed at such a question in such a company, observed, "You have put on one of your stockings the wrong side outwards:" which was the fact!-On his death-bed, his old nurse, seeing the priest was much troubled about him, said, "Good Sir, don't disturb him soo-God won't have the heart to condemn him."

SCENERY.

It has been a question of much literary controversy, whether, in our ancient theatres, there were side and other scenes. The question is involved in so much obscurity, that it is difficult to decide upon it. In Shakspeare's time, the want of scenery seems to have been supplied by the simple expedient of writing the names of the different places, where the scene was laid in the progress of the play, upon large scrolls, which were disposed in such a manner as to be visible to the audience. In the year 1605, Inigo Jones exhibited an entertainment at Oxford, in which moveable scenes were used; and he appears to have introduced in the masques at court several pieces of machinery, with which the public theatres were then unacquainted, as the mechanism of our ancient stage seldom went beyond a painted chair or a trap door. When King Henry the Eighth is to be discovered by the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk reading in his study, the scenical direction in the first folio edition of Shakspeare's plays, printed in 1628, apparently from playhouse copies, is the King draws the curtain, and sits reading pensively;" for besides the principal curtains that hung in front of the stage, they used others as substitutes for scenes. If a bedchamber was to be exhibited, no change of scene was mentioned; but the property-man was simply ordered to thrust forth a bed. When the fable required the Roman capitol to be exhibited, two officers entered, "to lay cushions, as it were, in the capitol." On the whole it appears, that our ancient theatres in general were only furnished with curtains, which opened in the middle, and were drawn backwards and forwards on an iron rod, and a single

taking the observation from "George's Bar at mid-
night," and prove the superiority of printing over
engraving?

16. Enumerate the living Artists of the town, with
a comparative scale of merit that each possess, distin-
guishing each class, such as portrait, landscape, histo-
rical, caricature, and mere daubers-who painted the
beauty and the beast, and who destroy'd it.—and give
the best pattern of a ledger, with an opinion, whether
giving or taking-begging or stealing-borrowing or
lending, be the most honourable and profitable?

17. Astronomy being most essential, of all the arts and sciences, state at what time Venus is eclipsed, and where she goes when she is neither a morning nor an evening star. Give an account how many moons have waned since the creation, according to all the different Chronological Writers-and prove the materials Jupiter's belt is composed of, and whether it was wove seamless, or put together in shreds and scraps.

18. Scan Edmund's Poem of the "Curses of Wedlock," and state in what style of poetry it is written, and where its chief beauties lie?

19. Prove that Sheldon did not first find out the mode of precipitating a clear red lake from Madder, it having been found more than 12 years ago, by a living artist, who goes to George's-and make manifest that a coat of arms can be blazoned better in Latin than French, and may be done into king's English if required what is amo in English, and domini in Latin?

20. Give Biographical sketches of Dee and Faustus-Britton and Honeyman-Dancer and Elwes, and all female characters, remarkable for prating, &c. Furnish a criticism on Richard Burlesqued?

21. Mention how long since there was a ducking stool in Manchester, and who was it last that underwent the operation-state the difference between dipping and ducking.

22. Who was Dr. Gall, and what is "the Spirit of the Doctor?" What power has an old horse-shoe against witchcraft-and state whether gas is procured more by the aid of Satan or black diamond Genii?

23. Demonstrate, by example, the most polite method of making a bow to a lady, when you are too tight laced, and shew the best way of winking at things with your eyes wide open?

Lastly. What is the art of pleasing?-What is the greatest recommendation for a villain receiving justice?-Whether fire, water, or the sword is the most pleasant when one is in jeopardy, and what is the reason that all crooked lines are not straight?

These being duly answered without hesitation or evasion, suiting the action to the word, and the word to the action, will entitle the respondent to his diploma.

St. Dunstan's harp fast by a wall
Upon a pin did hang-a:
The harp itself with ly and all
Untoucht by hand did twang-a.
Distentus venter non vult studere libenter.
Desinat Phillipus esse rector mundi.
Direct act of ye understanding is yt whereby we
know a thing, ye reflex yt whereby we know yt
we know it. Isa. 59. 12.

Drexelius says, all yt we can say of Eternity is still

less then it is.

Despair will force restitution, when true repentance
will not do it. Judas's case.

Difficile est orare, quia difficile est desiderare.—
Aquinas.

Death of that person not worth a tear, whose life is
not worth a prayer.

Drones flie about more hastily than bees, but they
make combs only, no honey.
Delay the greatest loss of human life. Seneca.
Dubiis pars tutior.

Difficilia pulchra.-Things hard are excellent.
Dirges and Anthems sung alternatim..
Dubitatio est suspensio rationis, propter equilibrium
contrariarum rationum.

Dives eram dudum, me fecerunt tria nudum.

Alea, Vina, Venus, tribus his sum factus egenus.
Dr. Preston lived much in a little time.
David the chief mourner, and yet ye sweet singer of
Israel.

Dives lived a life of pleasure, his life was a conti-
nual feast but death soon brought ye voider, and
the devil took away! Let me have none of his

roast meat.

Difference in opinion should not divide our affection.
Dry bread at home, better than roast-meat abroad.
Dean and ye Devil begin with one letter

When ye Dean is away, ye kirk will be better.
Scotch Prov.
Day of death ye day of truth-Commune Proverbium.
Dine with Duke Humphrey go without one's dinner.
Devil run through thee booted and spurr'd with
sythe on his back. Sedgely curse.
Dr. Jegon, Benet's-Colledge master
Brake ye schollar's head, & gave ye walls a plaister
Lyming it with there mulets.

Under which wrote ye Dr

If I knew who wrote these verses in a bravery
I would praise him for his witt, & whip him for
his knavery.

Dum alius solvit, alius solvitur.
Devil ye Painter when a man leaves a fair wife for a
foul whore.

Derby ale inferior to none.
Devil's an old knave.
Disces scribere scribendo.

Drunkard's lose reason gain Phancy;- - Judgment
goes down, opinion up.