they have ascertained the distance between the north pole and the equator. This distance is divided by ten, 7 times, or by 10,000,000, and the result is taken as the standard for all measures in length *,Measures of like kind, but of different magnitude and denomination, are obtained by a decimal division or multiplication.-Also, from this standard-measure in length are deduced certain measures for the estimation of areas, solid contents, &c. &c. The author of the present plan has conjoined the two expedients (above mentioned) for obtaining an invariable standard. He supposes a clock to be constructed, of which the pendulum shall make an hundred thousand oscillations during one rotation of the earth about its axis: the length of this pendulum (in latitude o°) is 29.133499392 inches: this pendulum he divides into 18392361 parts, so that 1000000 of these parts may make what he calls a chiliostometer; and a chiliostometer is that quantity which results from dividing the equatorial perimeter of the earth by 100,000,000. It is evident that nothing is gained by the junction of these two plans.-The difficulty of measuring the length of the pendulum is neither removed nor relieved † ; and consequently the objections which are valid against the use of the pendulum, as a means of obtaining an invariable standard, exist in their full force against the proposition of Mr. Dawes.--Those parts of the author's plan that point out the methods of finding measures for areas, solid contents, &c. and refer to their increase or decrease according to the powers of ten, are similar to the French method above mentioned. We sincerely wish that the author had not been so great an economist of paper and explanation. Our critique has nearly swelled to the size of his pamphlet, and it has cost us no inconsiderable portion of time to develope his meaning.-Mr. Dawes may agree with Polonius that "brevity is the soul of wit;" yet we wish him to understand that it adds nothing to the spirit and excellence of a scientific treatise. Art. 17. The Mechanic's Guide; or, a Treatise on the Laws of Mechanics as they relate to Wheel Machines. By William Bigland. 8vo. Is. 6d. Johnson. 1797. The author of the present essay thinks that the scheme of Archi medes for moving the earth by means of a lever is not only possible, but practicable. About the same time that the scheme is carried into execution, Mr. Bigland will become an author of repute. This we predict from our Pythian tripod.-Mr. B. commences and ends his work with the following opinion, that the laws of mechanics are the least understood of any useful branch of science whatever;' and really the perusal of his essay inclines us to the same opinion. *Not having the French account, we have depended on our memory. The principle of the plan, we trust, is given accurately, though we may be wrong in the detail. + All that the author has done, by his method, is the having found a common measure to the perimeter of the earth, and to the length of a pendulum that performs 100,000 vibrations in 24 hours. BEV. JUNE, 1798. Art. Wood....e. Do Art. 18. Tables for accurately ascertaining by Weight or Measure the Strength of Spirituous Liquors, from 30° to 85° of Temperature: with an Introduction, describing the Principles of the Tables by a Variety of Examples. By John Wilson. 8vo. pp. 190. 38. bound. Edinburgh, Creech; London, Robinsons. The author of this treatise, after many valuable remarks on the common methods of proving spirits, recommends a new one; which proceeds on the principle of the weight of the spirit, and employs an instrument which the author calls a 'weighing bottle.'-We are sorry that the limits of our work prevent us from giving a description of this instrument: but we think the present treatise, tables, &c. well worthy of the attention of those persons who are in any way connected with the present modes of levying the duties on spirits, &c. Wood.. NATURAL HISTORY. Art. 19. Mr. Arthur Aikin, the ingenious son of a learned and ingenious father, has here made such additions to the Calendar of Nature, as modern discoveries have afforded. By the insertion of some new articles from authors of the best credit, and the occasional enlargement of some of the old ones, it was his intention to compose a History of the Yearly Operations of Nature, if not perfect, yet, at least as far as it went, correct.' Pref. Dr. Aikin's little volume proved very acceptable to the public in its first form; and we have no doubt that his son's improvements, in the present edition, will meet with a reception at least equally favourable. Our opinion of the merit of this pleasing and instructive performance, at the time of its first appearance, was given in our 72d vol. p. 22.-In the various branches of education, the present race of authors must be allowed to excel, very greatly, their predecessors in the same walks of literature. EDUCATION, &c. Art. 20. Geography of History; or, the relative Situation of the The author states this map to be precisely on the same plan as that of Dr. Priestley :-but this is a gross misrepresentation: for it certainly is not on the same plan with that of Dr. P. and is a much inferior performance.-M. Le Sage uses a phrase, perishes assassinated,' which is not agreeable to the idiom of the English language; and the word funest,' we believe, has not hitherto been naturalized. The advertisement to the map contains one very important piece of intelligence, [especially in these times, when we are tempted to exclaim with Solomon, "there is no end of making books, and much reading is weariness of the flesh," that the author undertakes to make his scholars fully acquainted with all the modern history in the space of six months, or in 72 lessons!!! 47 Art. Wood.. Art. 21. Tableau Chronologique de l'Histoire Universelle, à l'Usage de la A neat abridgment of the author's larger work, (his valuable Grammar,) of which we gave an account in our Review for May; see p. 87-89. ASTRONOMY. Art. 23. Practical Astronomy: containing a description of the Solar System: the Doctrine of the Sphere; the principal Problems in Astronomy, illustrated with many Examples. Together with Astronomical Tables of the Sun, Moon, and Primary Planets. By Alexander Ewing, Teacher of Mathematics, Edinburgh. 8vo. pp. 400. 5s. Boards. Edinburgh, Hill; London, Longman. This work is not offered to the public as a complete and scientific treatise its object, according to the author, is to afford easy access to the study of astronomy, and to enable those students to solve its problems, who are acquainted merely with arithmetic, the circles of the sphere, and logarithms. For such a purpose, the publication is well designed and properly executed: but we cannot indulge the same expectations that the author has formed, and look forwards to a time at which astronomy shall be as generally studied as the more common parts of education are at present; and it would not be very difficult to assign admissible and just reasons, why the knowlege of the stars is not likely to become as common as the application of arithmetic to the affairs of life.-The tables annexed to this work [not given as a complete set] are numerous, and properly chosen: -most of them seem to be taken from the tables of Professor Mayer of Gottingen, though they are not so minutely exact *. PREDICTION. Art. 24. A Letter from Mr. Brothers to Miss Cott, the recorded *The computations in the present work differ but little, yet they do differ, from those which are now esteemed most sure and accurate-thus the sun's rotation is stated to be 26 days, 6 hours; whereas, according to M. de la Lande, it is 25 days, 10 hours.Again, the solar year is stated to be 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 55 seconds: but according to De la Lande it is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 48 seconds; &c.-These trivial deviations from correctness are of small consequence, when we consider the design of the publication. Q2 Wood....e. Wood....e. Mr. Brothers, who dates from Islington mad-house, March 18th, 1798,' hereby informs the public, that he is God's anointed King and Shiloh of the Hebrews;' also, that a Miss Cott, being the recorded daughter of both David and Solomon,' is, the young lady espous ed to me' (the said Richard Brothers) by divine ordinance, as recorded by both those monarchs, (God having revealed it so to me,) and likewise, as a matter of fact, of course, the lady recorded to be queen of the Hebrews.' With this young lady, it appears, Mr. B. became acquainted in consequence of her having been an unfor tunate resident in the same receptacle for insane patients; and he describes her amiable person and mental accomplishments with a degree of gallantry not unworthy of a legitimate descendant of king David, or even of his most illustriously amorous son, king Solomon. The young lady, however, appears to be an Englishwoman, and not one of the Hebrews. The numerous pages of this large pamphlet are employed, as usual, by Mr. B. in strong exertions of literary labour to convince the unbelieving world that he is, most assuredly, commissioned by the Almighty to announce himself to all nations, powers, princes, and potentates, in the wonderful manner so repeatedly manifested, both in his former pamphlets and the present extensive letter-still affirming that he certainly shall [and that very soon] take possession of his kingdom, and collect together his numerous people, the Hebrews, from all parts of the earth.-He farther affirms, it is by believing in the testimony of God by me that kings only can reign, governments prosper, and republics flourish; for indeed if they do not, they will all inevitably perish.' No commentary on these passages can possibly be deemed necessary. AFFAIRS OF FRANCE. Art. 25. Address from Camille Jordan, Member for the Department of the Rhone, to his Constituents, on the Revolution of the 4th of September 1797. Translated from the French, with an original Preface and Notes, by John Gifford, Esq. Author of a Letter to the Earl of Lauderdale, &c. 8vo. 3s. Longman. 1798. Camille Jordan, though banished by the Directory and the party which supports them, does not appear half so enraged with French tyranny and French crimes as does Mr. Gifford, his translator. In an original preface, prefixed to the address, Mr. G. gives full vent to his indignation against Jacobins, French and English,-against the British press, which he says is become the vehicle of Gallic sentiments, and against the mongrel opposition of the present day, who are Britons only in name. Of the candor and accuracy of his remarks on the conduct and character of the French government, it is enough to say that he divides the whole of the legislative and executive bodies on the 4th of September into two classes; the one, that which was banished by the revolution of that day, and which contained all that remained of talent and integrity in Republican France; the other, that which triumphed, and which is composed only of public robbers, assassins, and regicides. The Address itself is interesting by the view which it exhibits of French party; though certainly the representations of a man in fluenced, Aaenced, as Camille Jordan must be, by jealousy and hatred of thie "Those that are out will pout, NOVELS. Jack the Giant Queller. Art. 26. Ellinor; or, the World as it is. By Mary Ann Hanway. By Sophia In a modern novel, very few people are allowed to know their parents, till the author finds it convenient to inform them, Q3 tween Wall..e. Smyth. |