Page images
PDF
EPUB

to the list of your unpublished sonnets, will keep you in tolerable temper with your wife, will make you less an object of detestation to your children, will detach you for a time from the muddy river of ordinary existence; and, in one of your brightest moods, may enable you to send to the Literary Journal an article equally brilliant as the

above.

LITERARY CRITICISM.

The Life of Reginald Heber, D.D. Lord Bishop of Calcutta. By his Widow. With Selections from his Correspondence, unpublished Poems, and Private Papers; together with a Journal of his Tour in Norway, Sweden, Russia, Hungary, and Germany; and a History of the Cossacks. In two volumes, 4to. Pp. 684, and 636. London. John Murray. 1830.

His edu

took up his abode at the Rectory of Hodnet.
cation being thus brought to a close, before following him
to the scene of active life, we stop to take a review of his
character, as displayed during this initiatory stage.

We

His temper we have already described as amiable; his mind, as rather ingenious than powerful or acute. may add, that he early displayed a great degree of pious feeling, but of that sensitively pure and even timid character, which is more in consistence with the female than the masculine constitution. By the system of education pursued with him, his mind was directed towards the pursuit of the elegant and agreeable in the field of literature. The descendant of an old family, and mixing with the aristocracy of the country, his feelings and manners were those of an English gentleman. Educated at first in a clergyman's family, and afterwards in a university the most exclusively clerical in Europe, every mode of thought, every pulse-beat, was trained in accordance to the establishment of the country. The product of such a mind, so manufactured, was exactly what might have been anticipated,—a man calculated to win and retain the love of all who knew him-such a parish priest as every rational being would wish to have in his neighbourhood; but assuredly not one of those gifted minds to whom we look up as the creators and leaders of na.. tional opinion-not a sun-gazing, eagle-pinioned child of genius.

A BIG book is a great evil; more particularly when there is nothing in it. Heber was not a great man, and stuffing him into two measureless quartos, makes him look particularly small. He was a pious, amiable, and accomplished gentleman; but if every man in England, of whom the same may be said, is to have his life published on this extensive scale, where are we to put all the books? His elevation to the Episcopal dignity in India, The portion of Heber's life, between his taking posit is true, by making him a public character, conferred session of the cure at Hodnet in 1807, and his being noa factitious importance upon him. But surely the four minated Bishop of Calcutta in 1823, was spent happily volumes of his own Journal were enough to record a and usefully. In 1809 he took unto himself a wife, and three years' discharge of that office, especially as nothing the rest of the sixteen years (deducting the honeymoon) occurred during that period to call for any display of ta- was employed in a zealous discharge of his clerical duties, lent or character, and more especially still, as the present and in writing for the Quarterly Review. Heber is no volumes add little or nothing to the store of information unapt representative of a numerous class of the contribuwe already possessed respecting this portion of his ca- tors to that work. They are a sort of amiable puritans reer. We esteem as much as any man can the charac--not a little effeminate-delighting in the gossip of liter of Heber-we can sympathise with the sensation ex- terature-fond of spirited and high-sounding poetry, but cited by his sudden death; but we cannot go along with startling at strong thoughts and expressions-extremely his friends, when, with a misjudging zeal, they attempt sentimental in their religion, and genteel in their politics. to pass him off for one of the leading spirits of the age. Compared with their more rough-spun brethren of the We can feel for his disconsolate widow, but we have al-- Edinburgh, these gentlemen look remarkably well in a ways strange suspicions of that grief which vents itself drawing-room, but we doubt whether they are so much in two goodly quartos. adapted for the tear and wear of business life. They are pleasing objects in literature, for they secure, an attention to the amenities, which are too apt to be forgotten in critical discussion ;-they exercise the same bland and soothing influence upon manlier literati, that ladies do over us men creatures in private life. They are an agreeable ingredient in the intellectual beverage, so long as the taste of them does not too much preponderate. "Now mark a spot or two.". They have occasionally lent their aid to hypocrites and reckless partisans, and given a most dangerous countenance to cant. The bold and manly muse of England cannot be softened down to holiday and lady terms. Yet have these mild and gentle beings at times lifted their most sweet voices to swell the cry of malignant and envious gabblers, who sought to represent a venial slip-" the flash and outbreak of a generous nature' as crimes of the deepest dye.

This is the age of puffing. Not a man ("or woman either") ventures into the press, without having his penny trumpet to proclaim, with its tiny flourish, his magnificent approach. We could be contented (for good nature is our foible) to "blow till they burst their wind," if it were not for one small circumstance. There are not in any great number it is true-but still there are one or two great men among us. Now, when the public has got accustomed to the braggadocio style in which the nothings of little men are mouthed, the modest language with which we hail their betters, falls as nothing on its ear. This is not fair, and we are resolved to take every occasion of bringing back the little great to their proper elevation.

Reginald, Heber was born at Malpas, in the county of Chester, in April 1783. He seems to have been from his youth a delicate boy; he was remarkable for the mildness and gentleness of his temper, and for his vora. cious appetite for reading. He had no turn for the exact sciences, and in every department of literature his knowledge was rather extensive, than accurate or profound. Like all English boys, he was early and carefully initiated in classical studies, and his father, who as a clergyman bad enjoyed a university education, encouraged the turn which he showed for composition and making verses. In his twelfth year he was sent to a private academy at Nezadon, and in his seventeenth, he removed to Oxford. He was elected a fellow of All Souls in 1804. About the middle of 1805 he set out on a tour through the north of Europe, from which he returned in October 1806. He resided a short time at Oxford, and in 1807

[ocr errors]

We have now arrived at the last eventful, and, alas! too brief, scene of Heber's life. And here we will join with the warmest of his friends in praise of him. Such a character as his was exactly what India required at that moment-self-devoted, mild, and beneficent. The more energetic mind of Middleton had laid broad and deep the foundations of discipline, and what was required was a gentle spirit to win to it the affections of men. His enlightened tolerance, his unwearied assiduity, and his almost womanly kindness of heart, have done more to promote Christianity in India, than the labours of any man in our day.

This, then, is our estimate of Heber's character-uttered in no unkindly spirit-although elicited by the extravagant panegyrics of his friends. His name will not live

in the literature of England, although it will in the history of the Indian church. In this point of view, his story deserved to be told, but not at such length as we have it here. There was no necessity for the tale of his boyhood, which differed nothing from that of other men; nor for the publication of letters, which are neither characterised by vigour of expression, nor originality or peculiarity of thought. It was a mistake to intrust the task to the widow, to whom every thing that related to the deceased was interesting. We respect her sorrowswe respect those feelings that cling to the slightest remembrance of him--but their proper place was the closet.

Discourses on the Millennium, the Doctrine of Election, Justification by Faith, and on the Historical Evidence for the Apostolical Institution of Episcopacy; together with some Preliminary Remarks on the Principles of Scripture Interpretation. By the Rev. Michael Russell, LL.D. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh. 1830. Pp. 442.

in which the literalists will always have the advantage, it were better to declare at once that the doctrine of the Millennium at no time rested on an authority, or possessed a sanction, to which a Christian divine is bound to pay the smallest regard." (p. 116.)

This, after all, is a very comfortable doctrine for Christian divines, who cannot fully unravel what God has been pleased to wrap up, to a certain extent, in mystery; and who, since they cannot be "wise above what is written," resolve to appear wise in spite of it, and in very contradiction to the express declaration of Scripture. Had Dr Russell contented himself with showing that much nonsense has been spoken and written upon this. subject, and that it is perhaps impossible for us at present to ascertain the exact nature of the Millennium, or the period of its arrival, we should have thanked him Millennarians seem even to abuse the privilege of being for his labour, especially at a time like the present, when absurd; but we are certainly not prepared to go along with him when he affects to show, that upon this subject St Paul is no better authority than Edward Irving

-that the Apostle himself is given to Rabbinical delusions that St Peter was too ignorant a Christian divine to understand his brother Paul's writings-and that St John either did not write the Book of Revelations at all, or that he has given us the idle unauthorized imaginings of a disordered fancy, as glorious visions which he was commanded to write down in a book, that they might be. to the glory of God, and for edification and encouragement to the Christian church. These are dangerous principles, and involve much more than the doctrine of the Millennium. We have no patience with a theological Procrustes, who thus recklessly reduces, or stretches out. revelation, to suit his own particular standard of propriety.

We have a high respect for Dr Russell's talents, and we have already, upon more than one occasion, testified our readiness to do justice to his literary, scholastic, and theological attainments. We are willing that this our general opinion of Dr Russell's merits should be distinctly known, as we intend to remark pretty freely on the faults of his present publication. Of the four Discourses which the volume contains, that on the Historical Evidence for the Apostolical institution of Episcopacy is the best, but it has been already reviewed in our columns on its first publication as a separate pamphlet. Of the two Discourses on Election and Justification by Faith, we propose to say very little, seeing that the difference of opinion between ourselves and Dr Russell upon these important points, extends to the Protestant communities to which we respectively belong; and being thus to a certain extent disqualified for judging impartially, we should probably be doing injustice to the author's merit, while we honestly condemned his opinions, and disallowed the force of his arguments. With respect to the remaining Discourse, however, we are restrained from the legitimate exercise of our critical prerogative by nó such delicacy. The Millennium is a question free for discussion to all sects; and accordingly, the courtesy due to Dr Rus-sand years on the authority of some wrong-headed fathers sell as a member of a respectable dissenting communion is unnecessary, and would be impertinent, upon a subject like this, where the opinions advanced are peculiar to the individual, not to his church.

The first thing that startles us both in the author's preliminary remarks, and in the body of his discourse, and upon which, indeed, his whole theory rests, is the very lax notion which he entertains with regard to inspiration. Upon this very subject of the Millennium, for instance, it seems we ought to pay no regard whatever to the opinion which the Apostles held concerning it, or to the fact that they firmly believed in it, enforced this belief on their followers, and made it the subject of a distinct prophecy. "Respecting the wonders of the latter days," says our author," the sign of the second advent, and the condition of the renovated globe, the Apostles were not better informed than the other descendants of Jacob." (p. 26.) Accordingly, Dr Russell's "object has been to establish the fact, that the impression which prevailed among the primitive believers on that head, (he elsewhere includes the Apostles in the number,) originated in a Jewish tradition, which had no connexion with the Gospel, and ought, therefore, never to have occupied their thoughts as members of the Christian church.” (p. 189.) -Again, "Such considerations ought to induce us to discard the Millennium altogether from the pale of Christian doctrine. It possesses no authority to which a disciple of Christ is bound to pay any respect." (p. 172.) Once more, "Instead of persevering in this unequal war,

Unquestionably, were we to grant Dr Russell his own postulates, and put the doctrine of the Millennium úpon the ground, not of apostolical authority, but simply of abstract probability, he would obtain an easy victory. But that the reader may see distinctly what he is required to concede, let us look to the steps by which Dr Russell would lead us to the conclusion at which he himself has arrived. We are required, in the first place, to abandon our present scripture chronology, on the flimsy plea that it has been falsified by the Jews, and add to it two thou

of the church, whose chronology is at least as questionable as their orthodoxy, and both sufficiently so to make their opinion of very little weight;-in the second place, to regard as Rabbinical fables certain prophecies by which the Apostles enforced their lessons to the church, and which they were pleased to incorporate inseparably with the sacred oracles of God-and more particularly, in the last place, to reject the apocalypse, as not only destitute of authority upon this subject, with regard to which its declarations are so explicit, but as probably of no canonical authority in other matters (vide note to p. 174.) It is in vain that Dr Russell affects to speak with caution upon this last subject. He must, he does, reject the inspiration of the apocalypse. The only instances in which the inspired apostles could be deceived, even according to his own lax views of inspiration, (Prel. Rem. &c.) are in what he calls their literary apparatus, their illustrations, &c. and their own prejudices, private opinions, and delusions, when unconnected with the doctrine which they are enforcing; and he expressly admits that they could not mistake in regard to the truths "which they were specially commissioned and qualified to teach.” (p. 28.) The author of the apocalypse, therefore, could not possibly be deceived-supposing him to have been the inspired Apostle-when he explicitly and positively prophesied of the Millennium as a revelation which had been made to him by God, and sealed the record of his visions with the testimony of the Saviour, that "These sayings are faithful and true," and with this awful warning, which

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

racter. 3 vols. London. Whittaker, Treacher, and Co. 1830.

we transcribe with trembling, "If any man shall take Traits of Scottish Life, and Pictures of Scenes and Chaaway from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev. xxii. 19.)

[ocr errors]

Is it really true then, as Dr Russell states, that "respecting the wonders of the latter days, the Apostles were not better informed than the other descendants of Jacob,' and that the doctrine of a Millennium, whether understood "literally or allegorically," was a relic of "Jewish dotage," and "possesses no authority to which a disciple of Christ is bound to pay any respect ?" Dr Russell rejects the canonical authority of St John's Revelation; and we think it right that the reader should be distinctly aware of the fact, though our author affects to give no decided opinion on the point, but satisfies himself with hints and doubts, and with placing before his readers the most plausible strictures of course, as adminitive to his own argument of those who have rejected its authority. We are astonished to find Dr Russell reviving the attack upon the genuineness of the apocalypse, on the assumption that its style is irreconcilable with John's usual mode of expressing himself in his other writings. Now, this assumption is positively unfounded; the style, in all cases, coincides almost as closely as the necessary difference between prophetical and historical, or epistolary, composition admits; and in common with his gospel and epistles, the apocalypse abounds with constructions and forms of expression peculiar, so far as we know, to this Apostle. We may instance the frequent use of the neuter used for the masculine gender in participles and adjectives. Dr Lardner and Wetstein-no mean authorities upon such a point have collected so many and such striking coincidences of this nature, as must convince every unprejudiced enquirer of the absolute identity of style which pervades all the writings which we ascribe to St John. To a scholar like Dr Russell we may confidently recommend a careful and impartial reperusal of the original text, as a sure means of convincing him that the objections which have been raised on this ground are ill-founded. As to the general evidence in favour of the apocalypse, it may be to the purpose to state, that Sir Isaac Newton, who paid some attention to the subject, declared that no other book of the New Testament is so strongly attested as this; and Dr Priestley-is such an authority sufficiently acute and sceptical to satisfy our author?-has declared his opinion that “it is impossible for any intelligent and candid person to peruse it (the apocalypse) without being struck, in the most forcible manner, with the peculiar dignity and sublimity of its composition, superior to that of any other writings whatever; so as to be convinced, that, considering the age in which it appeared, it could only have been written by a perso divinely inspired,"

Dr Russell has evidently been dipping pretty deeply into the writings of Michaelis, (why does he not once quote him?) and we can trace many of that celebrated critic's peculiar views in the volume before us. May we, without presumption, caution: Dr Russell against too implicit confidence in the views, always ingenious, but not unfrequently untenable and dangerous, of that acute and learned, but daring writer? We conclude our remarks upon this Discourse, and, at the same time, our notice of Dr Russell's volume, with an expression of regret that the ingenious and learned author has not adopted a more defensible view of his subject. He might have found abundant exercise for his polemical talents, in exposing the absurd delusions and petty heresies with which this doctrine has been improperly connected in former times, and which the folly of some restless enthusiasts has revived in our own day, without broaching a new theory of his own, as untenable and more hurtful than the absurdities which he affects to bring into contempt.

WE Owe Mr Bennet an apology for having so long omitted to notice his work, the more especially as, now that we have at length had time to read it, we find it possessed of no inconsiderable merit. Its chief cha racteristics are great amiability of feeling, and an accurate perception of the peculiarities of those classes of Scottish society which he undertakes to describe. There is also a good variety of interest and incident in the different stories, and though none of them are written with intense vigour, or indicate any powerful originality of Mr conception, there is something pleasing in them all. Bennet succeeds best in his delineation of the lower classes, particularly among the peasantry, and he has a happy knack of catching the genuine humour of the Scottish tenantry. His account of the Harvest Home in his first volume, of the Family of Glenhowan in the second, of Glenmannow, Old Dibbin, the Adventure of Saunders Watson, and the Tailor of Craigknee, in the third, are, to our taste, fully equal to any thing that Galt has done in a similar style. The first and longest tale, the "Secret Marriage," is somewhat unnecessarily protracted, but most of the shorter sketches possess more spirit and pith. The following specimens of our author's style will be read with satisfaction, though they are not better than numerous other passages which we might have selected. The first extract is one of the many amusing anecdotes with which we are presented of a remarkable character called

OLD DIBBIN.

"Such was Dibbin, as he stood, bowing most profoundly before his newly-wedded mistress and her wondering friends. On his entering, they had all risen from their seats, and waited his announcement by Sir Robert as the forward to the middle of the room, shifting the chairs, and signal to bid him welcome; but when they beheld him push carefully avoiding the carpet in his way, they did not well know how to behave towards him. Sir Robert imme diately relieved them with a significant smile. Allow me, ladies,' said he, to introduce to you an old and very decent tenant of mine, Mr M Kinna in Dibbin.' Then, turning to his tenant, who was busied in repaying each lady with a bow for the curtsy she had dropped him, And, Mr M Kinna,' continued he, I beg to introduce you to Lady Laurie-this is she; but pray advance on to the carpet, for you must shake hands with her, and welcome her to Maxwellton.'

"I'm hopin' ye're gay weel, my leddy,' replied Dibbin, as he again bowed, until his chin struck upon his breast. Then, taking his bonnet in his left hand, he held out his right over the edge of the carpet, and motioned the lady to approach and receive his welcome. I maunna step on that braw thing,' said he, carefully avoiding it; it wasna made for my dirty shoon to tramp on. The bare wud's ower guid for my feet, let alane claiths o' that kin'.' The ladies laughed, for they were now unable to contain themselves, while Sir Robert insisted that he should advance half-way to meet however, was speedily settled; for the lady having by this Lady Laurie; but Dibbin was inexorable. This affair, time partly discovered his character, approached, and gave him her hand with great good humour. He shook it repeatedly, with an arch leer, muttering, half audibly, A fine saft han', a fine saft han'; an unco odds atween this and my Grizzy's!' then, letting it go, he added, I welcome ve heartily, mem, I welcome ye heartily. Ye'll fin' Sir Robert a kin' man, if ye tak' the richt gait o' him; there's great deal in kennin' the richt gait o' a man, as our Grizzy says.'

a

[ocr errors]

And is Mrs M'Kinna sufficiently versed in your humour to take you always upon the right side you talk of?' asked her ladyship, half laughing, and half confused.

"Atweel, as to that, my leddy,' replied Dibbin, with a significant grin, it's no' very easy to tell about it whiles. Ye'll ken yersell, if ye were married a wee langer, that the best o' friends maun differ at times. But what ser's a cankert word or twa? When there's love i' baith hearts, they're aye sure to grow thegither again.'

[ocr errors]

"A shrewd remark, by the by,' said one of the other ladies. Sir, let me entreat you to leave the wall, and to

take a seat beside us.' This invitation was instantly repeated by every one in the company, and with such effect was it urged, that Dibbin at length was obliged to profane the carpet with his feet, and to plant himself on a chair among the ladies, who now flocked round him with eager curiosity.

[ocr errors]

"And now, Mr M'Kinna, what is your opinion of the taste I have displayed in selecting a partner?' asked Sir Robert, jokingly. O, a braw body, a braw body!' replied Dibbin, scanning the lady from head to foot. I say she's a braw body, and bonny eneuch to him that likes her, nae doot; but weel may she be't, Sir Robert, for ye ken ye hae put imony a ane o' them through ye'r han' now! This raised a hearty laugh among the other ladies, and crimsoned the cheeks of both the baronet and his spouse, who felt equally the keenness of so unexpected a cut. Well,' said the lady in a little, glad to be relieved from her embarrassment, does Mrs M Kinna, or her daughters, spin any upon the little wheel? I have got two stones of fiue lint at present, and if it can be spun in your family, I shall employ you in preference to any other.' This Dibbin assured her his wife and daughters were capable of doing in a very superior manner, as none in the parish could equal them in the art of spinning. The lint was therefore delivered to him, with orders for its being spun by a certain day; and after receiving a glass of wine, and transacting his business with Sir Robert, home went our hero to put her ladyship's orders in execution."

We conceive the annexed observations to be written in the spirit of a just observer and faithful historian:

COUNTRY COURTSHIP IN SCOTLAND.

"In no other country is the great and engrossing business of courtship conducted in so romantic a manner as among the rural swains of Scotland. Excepting among the higher classes, who have time entirely at their own disposal, night is the season in which rural lovers breathe their vows,' and in which their rural sweethearts hear them.' Let the night bene'er sae wild,' and the swain ne'er sae weary,' if he has an engagement upon his hands, he will perform it at all hazards; he will climb mountains, leap burns, or wade rivers, not only with indifference, but enthusiasm; and, wrapped in his plaid, he will set at nought the fury of the elements, the wrath of rivals, and the attacks of the midnight robber.

"I have known several instances of young men, who toiled all day at the plough, the harrows, or the scythe, walking fifteen miles to see their sweethearts, after the hour of nine in the evening, and returning in time for their work on the ensuing morn. And this, be it observed, was not done once or twice, but repeatedly-week after week, for several months. Twenty miles of a journey, upon an errand of such a nature, is regarded as a trifle by many a young farmer who has a spare horse to carry him.

vious or malevolent disposition, and others from a hope of discovering some flaw or failing which may keep their own in countenance, and save them from the appearance of singularity. For this reason, it is always deemed a most fortunate and happy event should two lovers manage to bring matters to a crisis before the public ears have begun to tingle with a report of their intentions. Then it is only a sudden buzz, which gradually dies from the moment of their marriage, after which they are left, with characters unsifted, to pursue their matrimonial course in tranquillity.

"But perhaps the fair one's charms have been so powerful as to draw around her a crowd of admirers; and in that case, neither the courtship nor the marriage can be accoinplished in a corner. The favoured suitor has almost on every occasion to make his way, either by force or stratagem, to the door, the window, or whatever place he and his love may have appointed as the scene of their meeting. She, pestered by crowds of others-who, though void of hope, still continue to prowl about for the purpose of molesting the more fortunate-cau rarely escape from the house, or admit her lover into it, without being seen, and teased with importunities, or taunted with the name of him upon whom she has set her heart. In this way, some of the most wonderful hits and misses, escapes and seizures, take place at times that ever were known in the art of manoeuvring; and the intuitive quickness with which she can distinguish the true from the false voice among many that whisper at her window in the course of an evening, almost exceeds credibility.

"However, if these evils sour the cup of love in some instances, they also sweeten it in others. The maid, whose 'joe' is apt to wander in his fancy, or to be irregular in his attendance, generally takes care to show herself with another at the time when she is certain of his coming; and it seldom happens, if love have taken any root in his heart, that he is not recalled to a sense of his duty by so portento which it must be turned, I have always looked upon a tous a warning. From reflecting upon the good purposes number of suitors as a happy circumstance for a young maiden during her wooing time. A moral lever is thus put into her hands, with which she can sway the hearts of mankind at pleasure. She can fan, by a side-wind, the flame of love in one bosom, while she appears to be blowing directly upon that of another; and, strange as it may seem, by overclouding or turning away her face, she can impart a brightness to those which formerly remained eclipsed, even amid the fullest sunshine of her smiles. Respect is thus created for beauty when it becomes an object of competition, and women are furnished with opportunities of exercising their muchloved caprice, to an extent equally great with those who otherwise might have been their tyrants. Let every woman, therefore, if she will hearken to my counsel, always preserve a number of retainers until the very day on which she is made a bride. This may be effected without the smallest compromise of principle or of good faith towards a favourite; for a smile to the assuming, a shake of the hand at times to such as begin to chirp of love, and Tut, wait a wee,' to the absolutely importunate, will do the whole business; and then, should any murmurings be heard when the magnet is taken away that drew their faces towards it, let a call to the wedding smooth their brows, and reward them for their

services!"

[ocr errors]

We willingly assure Mr Bennet, before parting from him, that his present work has made a favourable impression upon us, and will tend, we doubt not, to give greater weight and extension to the reputation he has already acquired as Editor of the Glasgow Free Press.

[ocr errors]

"During these stolen interviews, if a mutual attachment subsists between the parties, another assignation is always made; and never was oath more religiously kept than is this simple compact, ratified by no other ceremony than a parting kiss, or a tender shake of the hand. Time appears to have leaden wings with both, until the hour of meeting again arrives; and then the swain sets out anew with alacrity, be it rain, sleet, snow, murky, or moonlight. His fair one, true to her trust, has by this time eluded the vigilance of father and mother, of maid or man-servant, and has noiselessly lifted the latch, undrawn the door-bar, or escaped by the window, and awaits him with fond impatience at the favourite spot which they have consecrated to their love. He joyfully beholds her in the distance as he approaches, gliding like an apparition from the house, and sauntering about until his arrival; and she, not less attentive to every thing that is stirring, perceives him like a shadow amid the distant dimness, watches him as his figure becomes more distinct, recognises his gait, his air, his every peculiarity, and at last, on the strength of her conviction, runs to throw herself into his arms, and bid him welcome. "In this way courtships are so secretly conducted, that it is frequently never known, excepting among the nearest friends of the respective parties, that a couple are more than commonly acquainted, until the precentor, from his seat upon Sunday, publishes the bans of their marriage. People are extremely fond of discussing topics of that nature, of scrupulously weighing the merits of each party in the balance, of dropping oblique hints, and sly insinuations,logy, of the relations of heat and moisture to aerial elecand of prying, with impertinent curiosity, into motives tricity, of the identification of lightning with electricity, and conduct some of them for the sake of indulging an en- of vegetable and animal electricity, of the nature and ef

Treatise on Atmospherical Electricity; including Lightning-Rods and Paragrêles. Second edition. By John Murray, F.S. A. &c. &c. London. Whittaker, Treacher, and Arnot. 1830. 12mo. Pp. 141.

WE are not acquainted with any treatise on this interesting subject more distinct and practical than that now before us. After presenting an historical sketch of the gradual developement of the curious facts and phenomena connected with electricity, the most important of which were unquestionably elicited by the celebrated Dr Franklin, the author proceeds to give a general view of meteoro

1

fects of thunder storms, and finally, of the mode of using, and extensive utility of, thunder-rods and paragrêles. From beginning to end the work is full of information, the whole of which is conveyed in a simple and unaffected style. We select a specimen or two, which will go farther to interest our readers in the work than any general commendations could do. The following passage contains an account of the effects of

A REMARKABLE THUNDER STORM.

to the most imminent and immediate danger, and our obvious and best security is to throw ourselves down upon the ground, and maintain a horizontal position: being thoroughly wet will add to our safety, and if we can count from eighteen to twenty between the flash and succeeding peal, we are tolerably secure. It has been calculated that electricity moves with a velocity more retarded than light; and its movement is estimated at 1950 feet in a second of time: this being the case, we must deduct the movement of sound per second, from the sum in question, which is 1142 feet; "The following details of the effects of a thunder storm, the flash and the peal will determine the distance from the the remainder multiplied by the number of seconds between attended by heavy rain, which occurred at Lichfield on the observer:-let us suppose the interval is five seconds; then 8th of May 1825 or 1826, are sufficiently remarkable, and 1950-1142-808 x 5=4040 feet distance: the noise of the exhibit some wonderful phenomena in the history of this thunder is an aunouncement that the danger is over. The formidable power. About three o'clock r.M., as the family umbrella should never be used in a thunder-storm: when of T. W. Greene, Esq. of St John's Street, were at din- in the house we must not approach the fire place, for 1 ner, a vivid and extensive flash of lightning struck the iron cap of one of the chimneys at the south end of the the chimney lined with carbonaceous matter forms a tolerably good conductor. Last season a cottager was reading building; slightly fusing the point of contact, and parting by the fire, the poker was inclined on the grate, and a the brick work to the depth of about a yard, the electric dog was sleeping in contact with it; the dog alone was fluid, taking its course down the chimney, broke through killed by the lightning that descended by the chimney, the ceiling of the drawingroom, where, passing down the and was conducted to the earth by the poker, while the frame of a large glass, it communicated itself to a marble chimney-piece, which it broke to pieces. It then forced a like manner the bell-pull must be avoided if attached by man escaped, having received only an electric shock. In way by the side of the hearthstone into the diningroom metallic wire, for the lightning has frequently entered a below, where it passed down the frame of a picture with house, pervaded the bell wire, and, finding no escape to the out injuring the painting, to the chimney-piece, which it earth, has exploded here, burst through the window, and tore asunder with great violence; projecting some pieces of shattered a tree in the garden. In like manner all metallic mortar against a mirror opposite the fireplace with considerable force. In the progress of the electric fluid down objects whatever are to be diligently and studiously avoided; the sides of the chimneys, several smaller streams were oc- astonished to remark, in an instance where the lightning even gilded mirrors and picture frames. We have lately been casioned by the different bell wires with which it came in contact. One of these ran along a bell wire in the dining-which it seemed to have run about, as it were in quest of entered a building, the very extraordinary avidity with room near the ceiling, and formed, by the fusion of the cop- some medium of escape from the premises; the very nails per wire on the upper part of the wall close to which it in the floor were attacked, as well as those which bad atpassed, beautiful radiated streaks of a green and yellow co-tached the laths to the ceiling and partition, the hinge of lour, exhibiting almost every variety of shade. Another portion of the fluid attracted by the plate passed through the door, and even a nail which fastened the head of a spade a drawer in the sideboard, making a small hole in each side, to its shaft was wrenched out, and imbedded in the wall; continued its progress along the bell wire, and perforated a attacked every thing in the shape of metallic matter, with it appeared, indeed, to have ramified like wild fire,' and nine inch wall into a room containing a considerable number of pictures, along the frames of which it proceeded a fierceness quite surprising." nearly all over the apartment, tearing the paper from the wall in several places, together with that of a small hand-be screen which stood upon the chimney-piece. A third division of the fluid passed through the china closet and forced the door-post from the wall; ran down the bell wire to a bell in the passage below, where, finding no immediate conductor, it again perforated another nine-inch wall a short distance above a small picture frame, down the side of which it proceeded towards the muzzle of a double-barTelled fowling piece which stood in the corner of the room, fan down the barrel, and broke the stock into several pieces. The communication of the electric fluid to the house was accompanied by a tremendous shock and explosion, which shattered the beautiful mirror into a thousand pieces; threw out nearly every pane of glass in the six windows of the dining and drawingrooms; and swept down every article which stood on the table and sideboard. It left behind it a dense smoke and sulphurous smell, which remained for some time. Mr Greene and family were sitting round the table when the explosion took place; and although several of them were thrown instantaneously from their seats by the severity of the shock, little personal injury was sus tained. One of the servants, who was standing behind his master's chair, was struck to the ground with momentary deprivation of sense, and all present were in some degree for a time deprived of their hearing."

[ocr errors]

The man of science no less than the general reader will gratified and instructed by an attentive perusal of this able treatise.

[ocr errors]

Researches in Natural History.
John Murray, F. S. A., &c. &c.
Treacher, and Arnot. 1830.

Second Edition. By London. Whittaker, 12mo. Pp. 146.

THE first edition of this little book is well known to

The "Researches" are

every student of Natural History. So much fresh matter has been added to the present edition, that it may be considered almost a new work. upon a plan somewhat similar to White's "Natural History of Selborne," but, so far as they go, we confess we are inclined to give them the preference even over that popular production. Mr Murray having had the benefit of subsequent researches and more extended experiments, is enabled to go more deeply and systematically into his subjects than White has done; and whilst, by his industry, he has added to science a considerable number of facts and phenomena, he has by his ingenious reasonings cleared away much doubt, and opened up new views. The objects to which he has chiefly directed his attention in his "Researches" are, the Chameleon, and the various opinions entertained concerning it, the habits of the With respect to protection in the storm, it may be re- spider, and particularly its mode of ascent, which Mr marked, that when exposed in the open country, we must Murray has the merit of proving to be an electric pheavoid seeking shelter under a tree, or by the wall of any nomenon, -the phosphorescence of the ocean, as occabuilding, and agreeable to the numerous observations we sioned principally by the luminous properties of various have made, such trees as are isolated, or stand apart for marine animalculæ,-torpidity, and its distinctive feainstance, those in the middle of a field-are more likely to be tures in different animals,-the migration of birds and struck by the lightning than such as form part of the group insects, and the nature of the light emitted from vegeof a clump or forest: streamlets, rivers, ponds, or other col- tation and luminous insects. On each of these interestlections of water, are dangerous, and may determine the lightning, which would find a superior conductor in the vering subjects the volume before us contains many new tical human frame, and its circulating fluids; we must facts and ingenious remarks, expressed in language adapttherefore retire from their banks; if the crash succeed the ed to every capacity, and at the same time sufficiently lightning with no sensible interval of time, we are exposed recondite for all the purposes of science. We observe

To this we shall add Mr Murray's judicious remarks on an important subject:

PERSONAL SECURITY DURING A THUNDER Storm.

« PreviousContinue »