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vanic energy of an animal with warm blood; an experiment never before imagined. He repeated these experiments at Oxford; and has shewn by these and other facts, that galvanism is animal electricity, not merely passive, but performing, probably, the most important functions in the animal economy; and it appears not to be confined in its operation to the motion of the muscles, but to be of importance also in the secretions. The stimulus appears from some experiments made upon the bodies of various criminals, who were beheaded at Bologna, to be the most powerful in nature. By means of the pile, M. Aldini excited the vital forces remaining in these bodies, in a most astonishing manner. The most horrible contortions and grimaces were produced by the motions of the muscles of the head and face; and an hour and a quarter after death, the arm of one of these bodies was elevated eight inches from the table on which it was supported, and this even when a considerable weight was placed in the hand. These are not experiments of mere curiosity, but offer very encouraging prospects in the cure of disorders of the head, apoplexies, recovery of the drowned, &c. The application of galvanism in melancholic insanity is absolutely new and very interesting. Two patients at Bologna have been perfectly cured by it; and this fact is the more important, as the present system of physic has so little to offer in this distressing malady.

Mr. EZEKIEL WALKER, of Lynn, has communicated, in a letter to Mr. Nicholson, a method of increasing the quantity of light afforded by candles, and to obviate the necessity of snuffing them. Common or mould candles, placed in candlesticks made for the purpose, so as to form an angle of thirty degrees with the perpendicular, require no snuffing, and give a steady and uniform light without the least smoke. These effects are thus produced: When a candle burns in an inclined position, most part of the flame rises perpendicularly from the upper side of the wick. As the end of the wick projects beyond the flame, it meets with the air, and is completely burnt to ashes; hence it is rendered incapable of acting as a conductor, to carry off any part of the combustible matter in the form of smoke. By this spontaneous mode of snuffing, that part of the wick which is acted upon by the flame, continues of the same length, and the flame itself very nearly of the same strength and magnitude. The advantages which may be derived from candles that require no snuffing and afford no smoke, may be readily understood; but these candles have another property, which ought to be noticed. A candle snuffed by an instrument, gives a very fluctuating light, which, in viewing near objects, is highly injurious to the eye; and this is an inconvenience which no shade can remove.

But when a candle is snuffed spontaneously it gives a light so perfectly steady and so uniformly bright, that the adjustments of the eye remain at rest, and distinct vision is performed without uneasiness. Any considerable motion of the candle, or agitation of the air, will cause the tallow to run over. See Nich. Journ. 8vo. vol. iii. p. 272–275.

In Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, it is a common custom to allow horses no litter, but to let them stand or lie on a raised floor, composed of boards, the joinings of which are left open. Cows and even pigs are likewise housed on similar platforms. The animals are in this way easily kept clean and dry; and to this practice it is, perhaps, owing, that, in those northern countries, a foundered horse is seldom to be seen. In the mode followed in other places, the warm humid compost of dung and litter, seems to have the effect of making the feet tender and liable to disease. The Duke of York is said to have directed, by way of experiment, some barracks to be constructed upon the northern plan.

The Lapland Travellers, Messrs. CRIPPS and CLARKE, of Jesus College, Cambridge, are at length safely returned to this country. The collection formed by these gentlemen is contained in 183 cases, and is, perhaps, the largest ever sent to England; illustrating the natural and moral history of the various people they visited, in a journey from the 67th degree of north latitude to the territories of Circassia, and the shores of the Nile. The botanic part contains the herbage of the celebrated Pallas, enriched by the contributions of Linnæus, and his numerous literary friends. With the minerals, are several new substances, and the rarest productions of the Siberian mines. Among the antiquities are various inscriptions and bas-reliefs, relative to observations made in the plain of Troy, and which were announced by Monsieur Chevalier in France, in the last edition of his work. The medallic series contains several coins of Greece, and of the kings of Parthia, hitherto unknown. The manuscripts are in Hebrew, Coptic, Arabic, Abyssynian, Persian, Turkish, and the language of Thibet Tartary; and in the Greek and Latin languages are several manuscripts of the classics, of the Gospels, and the writings of the earliest fathers of the Church. In addition to these, the collection contains Greek vases, gems, sculpture, and many remarkable Egyptian monuments from the ruins of the city of Sais, discovered by these travellers in the Delta, after the evacuation of Egypt by the French: Also numerous original drawings,maps, charts, plans, models, and the seeds of many rare and useful plants : the habits, utensils, and idols, of the inhabitants of the Aleutan Isles, brought by Billings to Russia, after his expedition to the countries lying between Kamtschatka and the north-west coast of America.

We are obliged to postpone the Foreign Literary and Philosophical Intelligence, although much of it is highly interesting.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

SERMONS.

A SERMON preached at the Anniversary Meeting of the Clergy, and Sons of the Clergy, in the Cathedral of Bristol, 26th August, 1802 By J. Crofts, A. M.

A Sermon preached in Lambeth Chapel, 27th June, 1802, at the Consecration of the Right Rev. George Isaac Huntingford, D. D. Lord Bishop of Gloucester. By the Rev. Wm. Howley, M A.

Sermons on various Subjects, preached at the Octagon Chapel, Bath. By Rev. J. Gardiner, D. D. 8vo.

THEOLOGY.

No. 1. of Eusebius's Preparation for spread. ing the Gospel. Translated from the Greek. To be completed in 15 numbers.

The Poor Man's Commentary on the Bible. By Dr. Hawker, No. I and II.

The Way to the Sabbath of Rest: or the Soul's Progress in the Work of the New Birth By T. Bromley.

Whitefield's Hymns, with his Life, and a Supplement. By M. Wilks. New and beautiful Edition, with a Portrait.

The Workhouse; or a Religious Life the only happy One. By the Author of Margaret Whyte.

The Beauty and Benefit of early Piety, represented in Several Sermons to Young People. By David Jennings, D. D. New Edition.

The Beauties of Dr. Young ByJ. Evans, A.M. Christian Gentleman and Tradesman's Pocket Diary; with a Portrait of William Cowper, Esq.

Description of England. II. A general View of the Constitution, Laws, Government, Revenue, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Military Establishments of England-Designed as an Introduction to the Knowledge of those important Subjects. By B. Price, 12mo.

Geographia Antiqua: being a complete set of Maps of ancient Geography. Engraved by Cellarius.

Paris Delineated, from the French of Mercier, with a Map of Paris, 2 vols. 8vo.

The Fourth Edition, corrected according to the present Division of the Continent; with an Abstract of Ancient Geography, and the Nature and Use of Maps.-A Short and Easy Introduction to the Science of Geography. By Thomas Keith, 12mo.

The Friendly Adviser, and Juvenile Monitor: being a series of Examples, intended to correct the Failings, and improve the judg ment of Youth To which are added, Thoughts on the First Principles of Religion, and the great Importance of early Piety By Sarah Wheatley, 18mo.

The Second Part of the Third Volume of the Reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor, 12mo.

The Second Part of Vol. V of Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

Histoire de la Revolution de France, Seconde et dernière Parte. Par A. F. Bertrand de Moleville, Ministre d'Etat, 5 vols 8vo.

Brief Memoirs of the Right Hon. Henry Addington's Administration, through the first fifteen Months from its Commencement. The Progress of Jacobinism, proved from

Christian Preacher's Diary; with a Portrait the late General Election. By J. Bowles, Esq. of Mr. Whitefield.

MISCELLANEOUS.

A Bibliographical Dictionary; with Anecdotes, &c 12mo.

An East India Directory, for 1803. By J. Mathison and Alex. Way Mason.

The Stocks examined and compared, or, a Guide to Purchasers in the Public Funds. By W. Fairman, 8vo.

Moral Education; or, the One Thing Needful. By T. Simons.

The Young Englishman's Manual; in Two Parts: I. A Geographical and Topographical

Les cinq Promesses; Tableau de la Conduite du Governement consulaire envers la France, l'Angleterre, l'Italie, & sur tout envers la Suisse. Par Sir Francis D'Ivernois.

A Journal of the Forces which sailed from the Downs in April, 1800, on a Secret Expedition, under the Command of Major General Pigot, till their arrival in Minorca; and continued through the subsequent Operations of the Army under the Command of the Right Hon. Gen. Sir R. Abercrombie, K. B. in the Mediterranean and Egypt, &c, &c. By Eneas Anderson, 4to.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.

We are happy to observe, that in several parts of America, but particularly in the State of Connecticut, it has pleased God to excite a very unusual degree of zeal for the propagation of religious truth. A Missionary Society has been established in that province, consisting chiefly, if not wholly, of Independents,

who form there what is called the standing order. The object at which they have principally aimed, has been to introduce the knowledge of Christianity into those back settlements, where, as yet, no religious institutions have been formed, and where the inhabitants in general are distinguished by their gross ignorance of religion, and their open

profligacy of manners; the few who possess superior information, being for the most part avowed infidels, or professing what may be considered as little less pernicious in its tendency, the doctrine of Universalism.*

In an account of their poceedings, lately published by this Society, we rejoice to find, that very considerable success had attended the labours of their missionaries. The districts in which they had been chiefly employed, were the Western and Northern counties of the State of New York, the Northern part of Vermont, the North West part of Pennsylvania, and the recent settlement called New Connecticut. The readiness and cordiality with which numbers in these regions have embrace ed the great truths of the Gospel, and the happy effects which seem to have been produced thereby, on their lives and conversation, leave little room to doubt that the divine blessing has very signally attended the labours of the missionaries.

"The fruits," it is observed, "as far as we can judge, have been the effect of that wisdom from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." The chief means employed upon the occasion, have been preaching, and conferences. "The preaching," ," it is said, has been plain. Ministers have dwelt much on experimental religion, and on the great doctrines of grace, such as repentance, faith, the necessity of a new birth, the willingness • The distinguishing tenet of the Universalists is, that God has decreed that all men shall infallibly be saved.

of God to shew mercy to sinners, the sufficiency of Christ's righteousness; his calls, invitations, and remonstrances; the arguments drawn from the unreasonableness of sin, the pleasures of piety, the shortness of human life, the certainty of death, the solemnity of the grave, the rewards of righteousness, the everlasting misery of the ungodly, and other plain and leading dectrines of the Gospel. They have, also, equally enforced Christian morals as the only visible evidence of a state of acceptance."

It is from such a mode of preaching as this, indeed, that good may in all cases be expected, because it is that which is sanctioned by the example of our blessed Lord, and of his Apostles. One general effect of it is stated to be, an attention to the important duty of family religion. In many families, where God was wholly disregarded, the morning and evening stcrifice of prayer and praise is now regularly paid; the Bible is carefully studied; and great pains are testowed on the religious instruction of children.

We are particularly pleased to have met, in the account which has reached us, with few or no symptoms of those extravagances which have attended the revival of religion in Kentucky, and which were particularly noticed in our number for October, p. 670.

The annual expense incurred by the Connecticut Missionary Society, is stated to be no more than 1650 dollars, about 3707; and the report adds, that they were only prevented from extending their labours, both in the states and among the Indians, by the scantiness of their funds.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

FRANCE.

THE Military Conscriptions in this country, have given occasion to much dissatisfaction, which broke out in Paris, on one occasion, into open tumult. The consequence was, that a party of Dragoons arriving, ten of the Conscripts were killed, twenty-four wounded, and about as many more sent to gaol. The Conscripts consist of three out of four chosen by lot, of all the young men between twenty and twenty-three years of age, who have not been able to purchase their exemption, by paying about £25 sterling to government. The cirChrist. Observ. No. 12.

cumstance which renders the present levy particularly unpopular, is the Chief Consul's evidently intending it to recruit his wasted army in St. Domingo, a service to which it cannot be expected that there should prevail any! very cordial inclination.

The Helvetic Consulta are assembling at Paris, and are expected to proceed, in no long time, to the fabrication of a New Con-? stitution for Switzerland.

SWITZERLAND.

The unhappy Swiss have at length completely sunk under the Powerful pressure of 5 M

i

their conquerors. Their former leaders have been arrested, carried off from them, and put into close confinement; and heavy contributions have been imposed, for the maintenance of the French troops, who are employed in disarming the inhabitants.

GERMANY.

The Imperial Plenipotentiary has not yet acceded to the Definitive Conclusum of the Deputation.

HOLLAND.

In Holland, where Commerce is better anderstood than in France, a number of Merchants have petitioned for the removal of the Prohibition against the Importation of British Woollen Manufactures, well knowing that such restrictions do more injury to the nation, in whose favour they are made, than to that against which they are directed. Government has not yet answered their petition.

TURKEY.

A violent shock of an Earthquake has been experienced at Constantinople, by which considerable damage was done to the buildings in several parts of the city. It was felt nearly about the same time at Moscow, and in different places in the Russian and Turkish dominions.

EAST INDIES.

Five women were lately tried at Patna, in Hindostan, on charges of Sorcery, and being found guilty, were put to death. The Gover nor General, on being informed of the circumstance, ordered all the principal persons, who composed the tribunals, to be apprehended, and arraigned before the Circuit Court of Patna, on charges of the murder of these women, and the Court adjudged them to suffer death. It appeared, however, that this custom had prevailed time immemorial; several of the witnesses remembered numerous instances of persons having been put to death by the Bramins for sorcery, and one of them in particular proved that his own mother had been tried and executed as a witch-the government, therefore, pardoned the offenders; but to prevent the recurrence of circumstances so disgraceful to humanity, a proclamation has been issued, declaring that any one forming a tribunal for the trial of persons charged with witchcraft, or aiding or encouraging in any act to deprive such persons of life, shall be deemed guilty of murder, and suffer the penalty attached to that offence.

AMERICA.

Tom Payne is said to have arrived at New York, in a ship from Havre, on the 5th of October last.

A Society of Deists, comprizing upwards of one hundred persons, is also said to have been formed at the same place, for the purpose of extending their opinions; but whether its institution is connected with Tom Payne's arrival does not appear. Each member is bound,

by oath, to serve the order, with "his fortune, his honour, and his blood."

FRENCH WEST INDIES.

Martinique and Tobago have been given up to the French.

The accounts from St. Domingo, which have been published in the French Official Journal, are not so disastrous as those which have reached this country from other quarters. They admit, indeed, that there had been some partial disturbances among the Blacks, and that the fever still prevailed at the Cape with unabated malignity: but they assert that the French force on the island amounted to about 15,000 men, and that the prosperity of the colony was progressive. Letters from Jamaica and America, on the other hand, state, that the French were confined almost entirely to the sea ports; that their communication with the interior was suspended, and with the posts on the coast was carried on by sea; that the troops had been withdrawn from several stations, which they were deemed incompetent to defend, in order to reinforce others which were weakened by disease; that the negroes were, in all quarters, in a state of open insurrection, spreading devastation over the plantations in the neighbourhood of the French troops, from whom they experienced nothing like effectual resistance; and that they were actually preparing to attack some of the forts. There was not, it is added, the least prospect of the restoration of tranquility in the colony, and its appearance was still more tumultuous than at the commencement of the troubles at the breaking out of the Revolution. Commerce was completely at a stand, and among the merchants nothing was to be seen heard of but terror and dismay.

GUIANA

or

Letters have been received in town, which represent the negroes in the Dutch colonies as being in such a state of insubordination as greatly to alarm the planters.

GREAT BRITAIN.

THE debates which have taken place in the British Parliament constitute the most interesting branch of the politics of the last month. The sentiments of the several parties in this country, on the great subject of the line of conduct which Great Britain ought to pursue in respect to France, has now been fully developed. It appears that not only

have the members and supporters of the former administration become devided by our new circumstances, into two directly opposite and contending bodies, but that in the party also of Mr. Fox, a material difference of opinion has arisen. Mr. Fox approves the moderate language of the present administration, but dislikes the high peace

establishment which they have proposed he conceives the country to be sufficiently safe without it, and urges the most pacific measures.

Mr. Sheridan justifies the mild tone of ministry, because he deems it consistent with even the highest spirit, and at the same time supports the measure of a large establishment. He has even gone as far as Mr. Windham in asserting that Bonaparte meditates hostility against this country. He has represented his one prayer, morning and night, "whether made to Jupiter, to Christ, or to Mahomet," as being put up for our destruction; and he has endeavoured to rouse the country to a sense of its impending danger. Bonaparte, as he has observed, is a man not sent by Providence to fulfil the purpo. ses which he pretends that he is destined to accomplish, but appointed to teach us the necessity of laying aside our party differences, and of uniting for the preservation of a constitution, which, whatever may be its faults, appears invaluable, when put in competition with the system introduced by the present French despot.

Lord Grenville, and others in the House of Lords, who seem to act in concert with Mr. Windham's party in the Commons, declaim vehemently, both against the language and many of the measures of administration, and call loudly for a change of men, on the ground that the present ministers have already lost the confidence of the nation. Mr. Pitt, whose disposition to support Mr. Addington remains, as we do not doubt, unaltered, has been absent at Bath on account of health.

The conduct of ministry has been of a prudent and moderate kind. Their language has been that of men inclined to maintain, if possible, the peace which they have made. They have carefully avoided that war of words, in which some others have indulged, and which the public prints have so much encouraged; while their measures have shewn them determined to be at all times well prepared to resist aggression. They have adopted, as we conceive, the line which good sense suggests, and have fallen in with the general sentiments of the nation.

Un

This change in the state of parties. may suggest to our readers some matter of reflection. It shews that political men have often had fewer points of agreement, as well as of disagreement, than they appeared to have; and it may, therefore, teach us candour and moderation in our judgment of them. A calm observer is almost disposed to smile at the violence which the new opposition party has begun to manifest. The charges of ignorance and incapacity, mismanagement in respect to foreign politics, and continual breaches of the constitution, which used to be preferred against former administrations, are again repeated in our ears. doubtedly, charges of this kind may be just, but even then they are, for the most part, exaggerated. In general, however, the heat of party, full as much perhaps as the desire of place, gives birth to these vehement accusations. And it is worthy of remark, that even those measures of government are now opposed or cavilled at, respecting which it might be supposed beforehand, that only one opinion could be entertained; we particularly allude to the very laudable exertions which are making to effect a reformation of abuses in the Dock Yards, and other departments of our naval service.

THE CHRISTIAN OBSERVER,we trust, will never be disposed to encourage a state of indifference, respecting the pretensions of different political men; or to recommend a security which may be dangerous to the country. Our readers, however, must not expect that we can adopt all the warmth or jealousy, or all the apprehensions of each successive set of guardians of the country and the constitution. Our attention, indeed, is chiefly turned to the means of moral and religious improvement, and, whoever guides the helm of state, we, as passengers, shall not complain, provided they give us tolerabic security; while, at the same time, as persons interested in the safety of the vessel, we shall be ready to lend our hand, in manner which may seem most expedient, when we hear the cry of danger. We look, in the mean time, to an overruling Providence, who has the hearts of all men under his secret guidance,

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