The Envestigator. Comprehending Political Economy, Statistics, Jurisprudence, occasional passages from Parliamentary Speeches of a general nature, occasional Parliamentary Documents, and other speculative subjects, excluding Party Politics.]

ON THE MANUFACTURES and MECHANICAL ES-
TABLISHMENTS OF EGYPT.

t has been stated in the public prints, that an Envoy a the Pacha of Egypt has reached England, for the pose of obtaining information relative to our manufacs, which may enable the Pacha to establish cotton mactures in his own dominions. Having been favoured the perusal of letters from Alexandria of a very recent in which the real objects of the mission of Ali Efare detailed, we can assure our readers that he is ided with more extensive powers than it would either The interest or the wishes of his master to make known Te present moment, as the Pacha feels it to be necessary the Grand Sultan should not take alarm at the iming spirit of civilization which is going forward in Trpt, or the natives of Turkey, who are in the service he Pacha, imagine that the Viceroy of their Sovereign king such rapid strides towards a declaration of indeHence. The truth is, that not only has the Pacha of ot opened a correspondence, through his agent, with of the first houses in London and Liverpool, for the of the Macho cotton, the culture of which it is ind by all possible means to promote, and for the es-hment of a few cotton manufactories in Egypt, for habitants' supply; but he has also desired that inforn may be obtained as to the expense of procuring than two hundred first-rate mechanics in the various hes in which the Egyptians are necessarily deficient. is also written for an estimate of the cost and charges etion of two steam-engines, of eighty-horse power, iro and Alexandria, to be employed in the distribuwater to the remotest parts of those cities; and as had been aware of the mining mania which has the English, has instructed one of the first mes of the city to offer for sale the exclusive privilege 4king a mine, at a distance of fifty leagues from dria, in which emeralds, and other precious stones, tive gold, are said to abound. It must not be denied Le grand object of the Pacha is to open a better for the sale of his cotton, of which he has the exmonopoly.

"Of the quality of Macho cotton it may be briefly said, that when it shall become properly assorted, it will be a useful cotton; at present it is so mixed, foul, and tender, no opinion can be formed until the adventures of the Pacha reduce the prices to so low a figure in England that it can be put to general purposes and use; the cotton plant is suffered to grow into a tree of six feet high or more; hence, four qualities: these are indiscriminately mixed, and under the denomination of Macho, this is one and the best quality. The Government takes this from the peasant to export or to sell; whoever buys must take what it chooses to give and to deliver; no examination is permitted, although by bribery, it sometimes is connived at when the last happens to be small. The idea, therefore, of an intelligent person who knows cotton, and understands it, having any advantage, is quite erroneous, not to use terms and draw ridicule on persons who have been resident very long in Egypt, and fully know the nefarious system of the Government having cajoled their friends in England, into very immense transactions, by holding out the lure, that if a person be sent to select the cotton from the Government stores, it would all be of the primest sort; that this is not the fact, nor can, nor will it ever be under the present system, the cotton trade in England must, ere this, be quite aware of; the agents of the Pacha can have no inducement to pay attention to quality, as quantity with them must reasonably be the main and only object.

falling out of the grate; it may be kept in reserve, to be put on afterwards if wanted. Fires lighted at eight o'clock in the morning have been frequently known to continue burning until, eleven at night, without any thing being done to them. When apparently quite out, on being stirred, you have, in a few minutes, a glowing fire. It will sometimes be necessary to loosen or stir slightly the upper part of the fire, if it begins to cake; but the lower part must not be touched, otherwise it will burn away too soon."

Correspondence.

ENGLISH AND SCOTCH EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-As nothing is of more importance to society than education, so in proportion to this importance ought a perfection in the system of conveying it to be cultivated, and the means of attaining it be facilitated. The improvement which has taken place in the former within these twenty years, cannot be surpassed by that of any other art or science; yet it is to be regretted, that the English tradesman has not experienced a proportionate facility in eduIt is true, better packages are now made by the cotton cating his children; the cause whereof we shall endeavour being compressed, but such are only accessible to the agents to illustrate, by a comparison with a Scotch education. of his Highness, who ship them exclusively on his account; Our remarks on this head are intended to apply to comprobably some alteration may be made in the qualities, mercial schools only. These in England are carried on as but a liberal and enlightened mind shrinks from the con- a trade, in Scotland as a profession; merit alone can entemplation, that it would only be possible, in order to enrich the more than illiterate Turk, and the more effec-sure success in the latter; connexion and disingenuous tually to exclude British capital, talent, and industry, from artifice in the former. The Scotch schoolmaster is eduthe participation in a legitimate trade. cated for his profession, and always qualified for it; the "Proposals have already been made to the Pacha, to permit some Levantines to appropriate ground for the cultivation of Macho cotton upon an improved plan-namely, the first year to pick the cotton from newly-planted shrubs, and the gathering being finished, to prune these also, to plant for the second year fresh shrubs, and so to go on; at the end of the third year, whenever a shrub has lasted so long, to eradicate it in toto. From experience it would appear, that in the first year the shrub produces excellent cotton; being pruned, it produces the second year a much finer cotton. Its product, in the third year, is like that of the first, and in quality, if any thing, a shade coarser. If the yearling shrub is suffered to grow into a tree, it runs up to six feet, or rather more, and produces the variety of quality which goes under the name of Macho, without any distinction."

The Housewife.

"Housekeeping and husbandry, if it be good,
Must love one another as cousins in blood:
The wife, too, must husband as well as the man,
Or farewell thy husbandry, do what thou can."

of the letters from Alexandria fixes the number of
nnually produced as follows:-190 to 230,000 of
cotton, and about 20,000 of common short staple; To induce the Government to permit the Levantines'
estimated that by adopting a better mode of cul- scheme, they proposed to pay his Highness the difference
e number of the former may be increased 70 or between his price and their own cost, merely to retain the
Besides cotton, the Pacha monopolizes all the privilege of shipping what they grew under their own
linseed, beans, barley, flax, lentils (a sort of pea) especial inspection; for instance, his is fifteen dollars, cost
saffloren, opium, and buffalo and other hides. The ten dollars; they pay him five dollors. It would be use.
ions which he does not monopolize are Macho cof-less to comment upon such a Government, and tiresome
gums, ostrich feathers, &c. The following obser- to detail the continual, studied, and flagrant impediments,
upon the trade and views of the Pacha are by a co- that business, and especially English business, is subject
ary, who has derived them from Alexandria, and to."
read with interest. We must, however, caution our
against the mere opinions of the writer as to the
r of the Pacha, whom our letters describe to be a
Tightened and liberal man. It will be readily ima-
hat with his best intentions, he dare not, in the
state of the Egyptian population, openly evince
rinciples of free commerce which an Englishman
Considers the foundation of national grandeur.
e important trade of British manufactures is looked The best Mode of Lighting a Fire.-[We believe we
the Pacha as an intrusion. He also manufactures have before quoted a description of this process; but these
and Rosetta, and extensively too, having got hold domestic innovations need repeated recommendations, in
ish machinery, and German, French, Swiss, and order to their general adoption. The following appears in
artisans; his manufactures are linen, silks, and cot- the Medical Adviser of April 16.]—" Fill your grate with
e has printing and dyeing houses, and the notion fresh coals, quite up to the upper bar but one, then lay in
ly pervades, that the time cannot be far distant when your faggot of wood, in the usual manner, rather collected
ngle piece of printed cottons will be wanted in Egypt in a mass than scattered, that a body of concentrated heat
ther England or France. However, as yet, tangibs, may be produced as soon as possible; over the faggot place
nd figured cambrics, imitation India goods, Scotch the cinders of the preceding day, piled up as high as the
muslin, and Turkey-red handkerchiefs, find always grate will admit, and placed loosely, in rather large frag-
and the whole catalogue of British manufactures is ments, in order that the draught may be free: a bit or two
ely to be expelled for consumption in Egypt, al- of fresh coal may be added to the cinders, when once they
this may be the case some time hence, the popu- are lighted, but no small coal must be thrown on at first,
being literally so poor, that they cannot afford to for the reason above stated; and, when all is prepared,
se at even the present low prices: the cause is, the light the wood, when the cinders, becoming thoroughly
's system of monopoly of every commodity of the ignited, the gas rising from the coals below, which will
e mode of paying the peasant for them, in treasury now be affected by the heat, will take fire as it passes
ments, and dealing out to him every article, forcibly
from him, at an immense profit; for even the mats
eral use for household purposes by the natives are
opoly of his Highness.

through them, leaving a very small portion of smoke to go
up the chimney. The advantage of this mode of lighting
a fire is, that small coal is better suited to the purpose than
large, except a few pieces in front, to keep the small from

English schoolmaster is such as generally fails in procuring subsistence by other means, and makes this a dernier resort, though in no respect adequate to it, but, like a shopkeeper, he commits his pupils to the care of assistants, whose competency he is incapable of discerning, and who are, in general, as illiterate as himself.

The Scotchman is acute, intelligent, and pedantic. The Englishman is a nondescript, nay, the most ridiculous nuisance in society; he has not attainments enough to be a pedant, for his knowledge seldoms exceeds vulgar fractions, yet he assumes all the importance of a man of letters, and is despotic and overbearing in proportion to his ignorance. The former studies the improvement of his pupils, as his success depends upon it; the latter feels secure in pleasing them, and flattering their parents. The Scotch school of twenty-five pounds a year, and the English of thirty, are on a par in respectability; but when the bill of the former, including extras, will not exceed thirty pounds, that of the latter will be fifty pounds. It is thus that John Bull is cajoled; but it does not rest here, for the intermission of business in the one is only six weeks in the year; in the other it is five months, viz. two vacations, which are at least two months, a week at Easter and Michaelmas, a month succeeding each vacation, during which nothing is done, and the month preceding the pupils are only hatching up something to impose on their parents: on the whole, we do not over-rate the intermission at five months. Hence a boy will be as advanced in

his education in Scotland, at twelve years old, as he would in England at sixteen, so that we may fairly conclude, that education is 500 per cent more expensive in the latter than in the former.

The cause of this extraordinary difference is, that the Scotch are a shrewd, discerning, penetrating people, who will not be imposed on by professions; they will have their pennyworth out of every person, and will patronise none but the meritorious; whereas the honest, blunt, credulous English tradesman, imagines every person adequate to his professions, and therefore is duped by the mean and deceitful artifice of every humbugging impostor. Unless parents and guardians should form a resolution, of being no longer the victims of this predatory system, we see no remedy short of legislative enactment, establishing a criterion of competency, and rendering it penal for any person, not duly qualified, to practise in the profession. The more deserving class of school assistants have petitioned

Yours, &c.

H.

this worthy personage, but anxious to serve his pat promised to exert himself in procuring every informa respecting him on his return to Ayrshire. In this p he was tolerably successful, and was fortunate enoug

Parliament for this in the last session. It would redeem through the agency of the scholars themselves, which he the profession from its present degration, induce men of designates "mutual tuition;" every subsidiary practice merit to embark in it, none but the competent would be has been in use since the days of Methuselah. Mr. Lanlicensed, and these would be incapable of imposing on caster's inventions are of a particular kind, and, no doubt, the unsuspicious credulity of their benefactors, or of were intended to make the principle of MUTUAL TUITION and interesting particulars. He also stated a fact of abusing the confidence reposed in them. more effective; but I would ask this enlightened citizen Sir Walter was, till then, ignorant; namely, that from t of the New World," what he thinks of boys going up and nature of the old man's employment, he was generaly down in a school" crying matches,"" singing ballads," designated "Old Mortality." A few weeks after ca information had been forwarded to Abbotsford, Mr. Th and bawling " sweep! sweep!" or "hoisted up to the was not a little astonished to receive as a present from Se ceiling in a basket?" and truly these form the principal Walter, a copy of the work to which his researches bat part of Mr. Lancaster's inventions; and barbarous enough furnished the title of Old Mortality, and embodied a they certainly are, though, perhaps, this may be the very which, he discovered several of the anecdotes so rect reason why they are held in such estimation by American. sent by himself to the reputed author. A note to the h If American, or J. J. of Wavertree, trouble you again, be surprised to observe your anecdotes form part of a work lowing effect accompanied the gift-" You will doubles I should feel obliged, and I am sure they will oblige a of which the public say I am the author-I wish I was host of inquirers, if either of them will distinctly state the-Paisley Advertiser. difference between Dr. Bell's system, and what they are pleased to mis-call Lancaster's.

MADRAS SYSTEM of EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-When in agitating any question, personalities and invectives are substituted for argument, it can no longer be considered a matter of public interest, but serves only to gratify the spleen and malignity of the opposing partisans. I cannot deny but that I am fond of a little raillery now and then, when seasoned with good humour, for it gives a zest to metaphysical subjects, which they are otherwise void of; and as it is a game two may play at, I trust I may be excused, if, in noticing the muddled effusions of American, I indulge my propensity a little in this way. I must, however, assure him, that as an invisible antagonist, I bear him no malice; and towards the illustrious individuals, whose names stand so conspicuous in the present question, I entertain the same friendly feeling-they are both worthy members of society, and, to a certain extent (though not both equally so), deserving the gratitude of the public. It is, however, from a sincere conviction of the superior merits of Dr. Bell's discoveries, and the de. cided advantages his system possesses over what is erroneously called Lancaster's, that I am led to favour him, though I neither look forward to "ordination, nor a vicarage ;" and it was with a view of showing to whom the merit of discovery really belonged, that first induced me to trouble you with my observations, and I trust hitherto my letters have contained nothing but facts, which will enable the public to judge to whom they are indebted for so valuable a medium of conveying instruction as the MADRAS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.

As American lays great stress upon Mr. Whitbread's opinion, I should have thought the quotation from his speech, in my last, would have satisfied him; but I find it is not enough for this man of adamant-this mighty "citizen of the New World," who from his infancy has been accustomed to tilt with "thieves, supercargoes, | rogues, and savages." (Do not be alarmed, Mr. Editor, for these are his own words.) Either his cranium must be very thick, or his intellect bordering on idiotism, which makes it impossible for him to comprehend any proposition not self-evident; for although every word in his letter gives Dr. Bell credit for his discoveries, yet he is stupid enough to imagine he meant different.

A parting word to my Yankee friend. Let me seriously advise him, before he attempts again to address you, to remember that he is at present among rational beings, who have not only the power but the privilege of thinking, speaking, and writing (and this privilege they will be as ready to assert as he seems to be), and net among his tattooed brethren in the back settlements of America. Believe me, truly, your obliged

May 11, 1825.

PHILACRIBOIS.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-Allow me a small space in your next for a few
remarks on the letter of your correspondent American, in
this week's Kaleidoscope. I have no knowledge either of
Philacribois or his opponent, but it seems to me that there
was nothing either in the matter or the manner of the
former's letter to call forth the strange language American
has thought proper to use. That American has been ac
customed to consider Mr. Lancaster as the inventor of the
disputed system, is by no means strange, considering the
exertions for its propagation made by that gentleman in
America (for which he is entitled to the warmest thanks
of its citizens) but this by no means weakens the claim of
Dr. Bell to the original invention, or his having exercised
the plan in Madras before Mr. L. did in this or any other
country: this is all Philac. claims for Dr. B. and this
American cannot deny him. American is not to suppose
that the British public are to submit to the dictum of one
who condescends with such an air of authority to enlighten
their understandings on a point of which he is so very un-
likely to be a competent judge; and this consideration I
trust will induce a little more modesty and courtesy in his
future communications. I cannot part with American
without requesting he will inform your readers from which
of the American poets he quotes (for a quotation I pre-
sume it is) the exquisite lines in his last; and also to
which of the States the two latter lines were originally
intended to apply.—Yours, &c.
May 12.

A READER.

Mr. Walter Scott and the Scotch Novels.-The follow.

To Correspondents.

LANCASTER AND BELL SYSTEMS.-We have hitherto made it a rule to insert the various letters which have been offered a us on this subject, in the order in which they were reeve In our publication of this day will be found coDIJ tions in continuation of this controversy; and the re S. is reserved for our next. Perhaps it may be the ge of some (and we may be of the number) that it importance by whom any useful project was i duced: but this kind of indifference is seldom projectors themselves; and their feelings and thera propre ought not to be slighted, when the good they are accomplished is unquestionable. It is for this E TE we have been at some pains to "render unto a things that are Cæsar's."

Mr. M'CULLOCH'S LECTURE ON NATIONAL EDUCATION immediately peruse the report of this dissertatis f which we have been favoured by W. D. G.; and t little doubt that the whole will be admissible and 15 D ceptable. We shall, however, exercise that " which our correspondent alludes; and, if the res it suggests certain omissions, as too political for th of our miscellany, we shall certainly use our discreta || W. D. G. will send any person with a note, on T about noon, we shall readily comply with his rega BATTLE BETWEEN THE SAXONS AND PICTS-Our Cherry respondent would oblige us if he would refer a ticularly to the page of Pennant, where the ma cording the battle between the Picts and S the year 420, is described or alluded to. B. 7. formed us whether the monument is still extant, 1 -we are led to infer that it is, from his letter. Wes glad to hear further from him at his leisure. In t time, we shall take proper care of the docume which he has entrusted us. Our corresponden oblige us if he would furnish the height and other sions of the obelisk, or monument, as any engraved sentation we shall give will be on a very small sca SWIMMING SCHOOL-A Correspondent wishes us t paragraph, announcing the proposed establis swimming school in London, We shall be gla established, as we love the recreation of swinD hearts, and could wish it were considered a distr ignorant of it, as it was amongst the Romans; *** it was a subject of reproach to say of any c HI neither read nor swim." As for swimming sex, to

ever, we confess we have no very high opirit

utility. We do not see how each pupil is to be in attended to, unless there are many masters; who gives the lesson cannot remain himself i beyond a certain length of time.

The best w

There is but one part of American's letter which I shall particularly notice, in order that the public may form some opinion of the correctness of this luminary's other assertions. He says, Mr. Whitbread noticed the subject in 1807,"nine years after Mr. Lancaster's first essay at improvement." I should really like to know what method the "citizens of the New World," that emporium of perfection, use in computing by numbers; for Mr. Lan- ing circumstances which we relate, upon good authority, caster says in his "Instructions," that it was in 1801 he go far to identify Sir Walter Scott with the authorship of first opened his school; so that according to Dr. Bell's those popular Novels and tales generally ascribed to his system of calculating, which, possibly, may surprise Ame- pen. Some years ago, a Mr. Joseph Train, published a rican, the time could only be six years: and again, the considerable antiquarian research on the part of the author. small volume of poems, illustrated by notes, which evinced circumstance of Mr. Whitbread's noticing Dr. Bell's sys- Mr. Train presented Sir (then Mr.) Walter Scott, with a tem in 1807, does not imply that the discovery was only copy of this volume, the annotations of which pleased the then made, though I may remark, that he distinctly ac- Minstrel so much, that he invited the author to Abbotsford, knowledges it to have been made in 1789, and, conse-favourable mention of him in the notes to one of his own procured his advancement in the Excise, and made very quently, twelve years before Mr. Lancaster's first attempt. poems. One of Mr. Train's visits took place a short time American is little acquainted with Dr. Bell, otherwise prior to the publication of Old Mortality; and the History I am inclined to believe he would give him credit for of the Covenanters, during the memorable era to which much more liberality than he has done; for of all men, the tale relates, formed the principal topic of their converDr. Bell is the most willing to allow and encourage merit old man, reported to have been in the habit of perambusation. Sir Walter made particular inquiry respecting an in others for their discoveries. For himself, he only claims lating the West of Scotland, for the purpose of repairing Printed, published, and sold, EVERY TUESD the merit of having first attempted to conduct a school, the martyr's tomb-stones. Mr. T. had not then heard of E. SMITH & CO. 75, Lord-street, Liverpo

school in the world is the shallow end of the L Floating Bath, where boys may duck and dive, and sorts of antics, without the slightest danger. T acquire confidence, which is "half the battle." Th also, at our Floating Bath, in the constant habit good swimmers, which is the best lesson they can t We are of opinion, that there are in Liverpool mare swimmers than can be found in any other test kingdom; and that this circumstance is to be principally to the establishment of the Floating Bath The CABINET-MAKER, an ancient tale from the Ita

appear in our next.

Literary and Scientific Mirror.

Har Miscellany, from whichreligiousand political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original andselected Articles; comprehending Literature, Criticism Men and Manners, ment, Elegant Extracts, Poetry, Anecdotes, Biography, Meteorology, the Drama, Arts and Sciences, Wit and Satire, Fashions, Natural History, &c. &c. forming a handsome Annual -,with an Index and Title-page.—Its circulationrenders it a most eligible medium for Literary and Fashionable Advertisements. Regular supplies are forwarded weekly to the Agents.

tory historical accounts of all that have taken place since | inhabitants in all parts of its mass; but there is every the last mentioned period.

All appearances, similar to that which I have just described in the temple of Serapis, may be accounted for by partial elevations or depressions of the soil, although it is impossible to deduce from them any consequence that may, in all cases, be expected to result from those changes. I must not forget to observe, that, in all turfy valleys, the soil may be slightly raised by humidity, and depressed by dryness.

The opinion of Buffon, and other naturalists, who sup-
pose that the whole mass of the sea is gradually removed
from east to west, is founded upon no positive facts, and,
cannot, therefore, be admitted.

It may be concluded from all these observations, that
there is no proof that the mass of waters was formerly
much more considerable than it now is;-that there is still
less reason to suppose that it is increasing;-finally, that
it is not uniformly moving in the same direction.
There is, however, a cause, Madam, which, although
very gradual in its operation, must, in the course of time,
by its continual action, produce some change in the ap-
pearance of the ocean; I mean the elevation of its bed,
occasioned by the large quantity of matter, of various sorts,
daily deposited there.

It was gratifying to curiosity to calculate the quantity
of this matter, consisting chiefly of the earthy and saline
particles carried along in the streams of rivers, which
form at their mouths the depositions which I mentioned
to you a short time ago. Results have been obtained,
which, though not very accurate, are, in some degree,

pears from these, and several similar observations,
e surface of Italy has been lowered in every part
e middle, and that it has been raised, or has re-
its first position towards the two extremities.
changes in the level of the soil that have taken
in Italy, must also have been experienced in all
ountries of the earth, since there is no reason why
ould be less subject to them. But it is more easy
rtain the revolutions of this nature that have hap-satisfactory.
in Italy, because it abounds, more than any other
, in ancient monuments whose primitive situation

SIR,-Should the accompanying memoirs of that illus-
trious philosopher, Leonard Euler, be deemed worthy of a
place in your valuable miscellany, an insertion would
oblige, Sir,
Yours, &c.

Great George-street, Nov. 1824.

They differ much from each other, in their degree of saltness. The Dead Sea is very remarkable in this respect: QUID. a fourth part of its waters consists of saline matter. These lakes may help us to understand the formation of the saline Leonard Euler (Professor of Mathematics, Member of depositions, found in the interior of the earth. Let us the Imperial Academy of Petersburg, Director of the Royal' suppose so considerable an increase of temperature, in the Academy of Berlin, Fellow of the Royal Society of Lonplaces where they are situated, as to occasion an evapora-don, and Correspondent Member of the Royal Academy tion that would cause them to be entirely dried up: the of Sciences at Paris) was born at the city of Basil, in Switzerland, on the 25th of April, 1707, of reputable parents. saline parts which do not evaporate would then remain The years of his infancy were passed in rural retreat, unmixed at the bottom of their basins. If, at a later pe- where the examples of pious and virtuous parents contri. riod, other waters should deposit, above the basins, new buted much to form in him that uncommon purity of layers, the saline parts left by the former waters would sentiment and manners which were manifested in him form a deposition of rock salt, similar to that found in during the whole course of his long life. several parts of the mineral crust.

maticians.

calculation of sinusses, reduced analytical operations greater simplicity, and thus threw new light on all th parts of mathematical science.

In 1730, he was promoted to the Professorship of Nand Philosophy; and, in 1733, he succeeded his friend D. e. noulli, in the Mathematical Chair. In 1735, a problem was proposed by the academy, for the solution of th several eminent mathematicians had demanded the space of some months. The problem was solved by Euler three days, to the great astonishment of the academy: het the violent and laborious efforts it cost him threw him i a fever, which endangered his life, and deprived him of the use of his right eye.

The Academy of Sciences at Faris, which, in 1735, bad adjudged the prize to his memoir, concerning the "N ture and Properties of Fire," proposed, for the year 1740, the important subject of the Sea-tides, " 4 protiem whose solution required the most arduous clean, and comprehended the theory of the solar te Euler's discourse on this question was judged a t-piece of analysis and geometry; and it was more home or him to share the academical prize with such A competitors as Colin Maclaurin and Daniel Ber than to have carried it away from rivals of less, Rarely, if ever, did such a brilliant competition at the annals of the Academy; and no subject, perhaps, propos d by that learned body, was ever treated with such y of investigation and force of genius, as that what s displayed the philosophical powers of these throt anardinary men.

In 1741, Mr. Euler was invited to Berlin, to

When young Euler was sent to the University of Basil, he attended regularly the different professors. As his It has been said, that the lakes diffused over the globe memory was prodigious, he performed his academical have constituted a very important cause of the great in- tasks with uncommon rapidity; and all the time he gained undations that have covered the different parts of the con- by this was consecrated to geometry, which soon became his favourite study. The early progress he made in this tinents. Let us suppose the mass of waters to be nearly science only added new ardour to his application; and the lustre of the academy, that was then rising int what it now is, with respect to quantity, but disposed in thus he became highly esteemed by Professor John Ber- under the auspicious protection of the late King of Prus a different manuer; that is, let us imagine it, instead of noulli, who was, at that time, one of the first mathema- He enriched the last volume of the Miscellanies of Baj being principally accumulated in the ocean, to be col- ticians in Europe. Euler was his favourite pupil. He with five memoirs, which make an eminent, perhap lected in a number of distinct basins, formed in tracts of was, in a manner, astonished at the genius and rapid pro- cipal, figure in that collection. These were followed, ve gress of our young mathematician; and, as his own occu- an astonishing rapidity, by a great number of inram ground of different degrees of elevation. In the course of pations prevented him devoting to his pupil so much of researches, which are scattered through the Mezine time, one of the upper lakes would break down the bank his time as Euler desired, he appointed one day in the the Prussian Academy, of which a volume has bec inclosing it, and occasion an inundation, which would not week for clearing up the difficulties which his disciple met larly published annually, since its establishment extend beyond the bank forming the boundary of the next with in perusing the works of the most profound mathe- The labours of Euler will appear more especi degree of elevation, until that also should be broken down ; nishing, when it is considered, that, while he wa In 1723, Mr. Euler took the degree of M. A.; and de-ing the academy at Berlin with a prodigions su a second irruption of the water would then take place. livered, on that occasion, a Latin discourse (in which he memoirs on the deepest parts of mathematical scie The water, according to this system, would have con- drew a comparison between the Newtonian and Cariesian taining always some new points of view, often stan tinued to descend in the same manner, from stage to stage, systems of philosophy) which was highly applauded. His truths, and sometimes discoveries of great imporant until the whole mass of liquid was accumulated in the lowest success in the study of theology and the oriental languages did not discontinue his philosophical contributions basin, and formed there the ocean, such as we now behold it. (which he applied himself to, being intended by his father academy of Petersburg, which granted him a pe for the church) was considerable, although they were fo- 1742, and whose memoirs display the fecundity et E The difficulty of supporting this system does not consist reign to the natural bent of his genius. He afterwards, genius. in refuting the arguments of those who doubt, whether or however (with his father's consent) made geometry his chief It was with much difficulty that this great man a not the breaking down of a single bank would occasion pursuit; he continued to avail himself of the advice and in 1766, permission from the King of Prussia to effects so important as the successive deluges appear to instructions of Mr. Bernoulli, and contracted an intimate Petersburg, where he wished to pass the rema have been; since we may suppose the upper lakes to have acquaintance with his two sons, Nicholas and Daniel; and his days. Soon after his return, which was gro". it was in consequence of these connexions that he after- rewarded by the muniticence of Catherine II, been of so great a magnitude as to cause, by their irrup-wards became one of the principal ornaments of the aca- seized with a violent disorder, which termina. tion, the successive demolition of the lower banks, and the demy at Petersburg. a total loss of his sight. It was in this distressing consequent accumulation of the quantity of water neces- The project of erecting this academy had been formed tion, that he dictated to his servant, who had b 'sary to produce the effects that have been experienced. by Peter the Great, and was executed by Catharine I. and tailor's apprentice, and was absolutely devoid of the two young Bernoullis; who, being invited to Peters-matical knowledge, his Elements of Algebra But it is not so easy, by this supposition, to account for burg, in 1725, promised Euler (who was desirous of fol- by their intrinsical merit, in point of persp the very long abode certainly made by the waters, at dif-lowing them) to procure for him an advantageous settle- method, and the unhappy circumstances in ferent times, upon all parts of the globe. This circum- ment in that city. He, in the mean time, by their advice, were composed, have equally excited applause £2 • stance cannot be explained by a mere passage of the waters applied himself with ardour to the study of physiology, tonishment. This work, though purely clemenan (* from the upper lakes, however slow it may have been. to which he made a happy application of his mathematical covers the palpaple characteristics of an inventi Fresh waters, although much less voluminous than salt knowledge; and he attended, for this purpose, the lectures and it is here alone that we meet with a comple of the most eminent professors in Basil. of the analysis of Diophantus." waters, exercise, nevertheless, a very perceptible influence upon the globe. The matter carried along in the streams of rivers is gradually deposited upon their beds, which are thus very considerably raised in the course of a short time. If, therefore, care is not taken to contain rivers by banks, they soon overflow the neighbouring countries, and, at length, completely change their beds. The Po, for instance, would, long ago, have inundated its shores, if the necessary precautions had not been taken to confine it to its old course.

M. Prony, commissioned by the Government to examine the means of preventing the devastations that might be occasioned by the inundations of this river, has asserted, that, since the period when it was inclosed in artificial banks, its bed has been so much raised, that the surface of its waters is now higher than the roofs of the houses of Ferrara. The alluvion collected upon the shores, near its outh, has added to them an extent of more than 6,600 fathoms since the year 1604; that is, 150, 180, and in some places 200 feet annually.

[To be continued.]

This study, however, did not wholly engross his time; for, while he was keenly engaged in physiological researches, he composed A Dissertation on the Nature and Propagation of Sound," and an answer to a prize-question, concerning the masting of ships, to which the Academy of Sciences adjudged the accessit, or prize of second rank, in the year 1727. From this and other circumstances, it appears that Euler had early embarked in the important study of navigation, which he afterwards enriched with so many valuable discoveries.

About this time Mr. Euler was honoured by th of sciences at Paris with the place of one of members of that learned body; and after this the cal prize was adjudged to three of his memoirs, c the Inequalities in the Motions of the Planes"," two prize-questions, proposed by the same a 1770 and 1772, were designed to obtain from the in of astronomers a more perfect theory of the Euler, assisted by his eldest son, was a comp these prizes, and obtained them both. In this Mr. Euler's merit would have given him an easy admis-moir he reserved for further consideration, sion to honourable preferment, either in the magistracy or qualities in the moon's motion, which he could university of his native city, had not both civil and acade- mine in his first theory, on account of the o mical honours been distributed then by lot. The lot being calculations in which the method he then end. against him, in a certain promotion, he left his native involved him. He had the courage afterward country, set out for St. Petersburg, and was made joint his whole theory, with the assistance of his son a professor with his countrymen, Messrs. Hermann and Krafft and Lexell, and to pursue his researches, Daniel Bernoulli, in the university of that city. had constructed the new tables, which appeared. At his first setting out in this new career, he enriched with the great work, in 1772. Instead of cont the academical collection with many " Memoirs," which self as before, to the fruitless integration of thre excited a noble emulation between him and D. Bernoulli; ential equations of the second degree, which are fr and this emulation always continued, without either dege- by mathematical principles, he reduced them t nerating into jealousy or producing the least alteration in ordinates, which determine the places of the their friendship. It was at this time that he carried to new degrees of perfection the integral calculus, invented the

Mr. J. A. Euler, a son worthy of his illustrious

ed into classes all the inequalities of that planet, as they depend upon the mean elongation of the sun moon, or upon the eccentricity or the parallax, or the nation of the lunar orbit. All these means of ingation, employed with such art and dexterity as could be expected from an analytical genius of the first , were attended with the greatest success; and it is ssible to observe, without admiration, and a kind of shment, such immense calculations on the one hand, a the other the ingenious methods employed by this man to abridge them. But this admiration will beastonishment, when we consider at what period, and it circumstances all this was effected by Mr. Euler. when he was totally blind, and consequently obliged inge all his computations by the sole powers of his ry and genius:-it was when he was embarrassed domestic circumstances, by a dreadful fire, that had sed a great part of his substance, and forced him to ruined house, of which every corner was known to habit, which, in some degree, supplied his want of It was in these circumstances that Euler composed , which alone was sufficient to render his name im1. The heroic patience and tranquillity of mind the displayed here, needs no description, and he dethem not only from his love of science, but from the t of religion. Some time after this, the famous zel, by couching the cataract, restored Mr. Euler's but the satisfaction and joy which this successful tion produced, were of short duration. Some nege on the part of his surgeons, and his own impatience e an organ, whose cure was not completely finished, (ved him of his sight a second time, and this relapse He, however, accompanied by tormenting pain. the assistance of his sons, and Messrs. Krafft and E, continued his labours; neither the loss of his nor the infirmities of an advanced age, could damp dour of his genius. He had engaged to furnish the my of Petersburg with as many memoirs as would fficient to complete its acts for twenty years after his In the space of seven years he transmitted to the my above two hundred memoirs, which were revised completed by Mr. Nicholas Fuss, one of his learned Is. Such of these memoirs as were of ancient date, separated from the rest, and form a collection pubin 1783, under the title of "Analytical Works." is not one of these pieces which does not contain new discovery, or some ingenious view, that may to the successful investigation of truths yet unknown. contain the happiest integrations, the most refined dical processes, deep researches containing the naand property of numbers, an ingenious demonstration veral theorems of Fermat, the solution of many difproblems relative to the equilibrium and motion of Alexible, and elastic bodies, and explications of seseeming paradoxes. No part of the theory of the on of the celestial bodies, of their mutual action, and anomalies, however abstract and difficult, was overd, or left unimproved by Mr. Euler. There is not branch of mathematical science that has not been fited by his labours; no geometrician ever before raced so many objects at the same time; none perhaps equalled him, either in the number of his publicaor in the multitude and variety of his discoveries. name will live as long as the sciences subsist, and will own to the latest ages with the immortal names of artes, Newton, Saunderson, and other illustrious men, ese genius and virtues have ennobled human nature. aler's knowledge was more universal than could be exed in one who had pursued with such unremitting ardour hematics and astronomy as his favourite studies. He made considerable progress in medical, botanical, and mical science; and, which is still more extraordinary, was an excellent scholar, and possessed what is geney called erudition, in a very high degree. He had d, with attention and taste, the most eminent writers ancient Rome: he was perfectly acquainted with mamatical literature, and with the ancient history of that ence. The civil and literary history of all ages and intries was familiar to him; and foreigners, who were ly acquainted with his works, were astonished to find the conversation of a man, whose long life seemed to Ive been solely occupied in mathematical and physical searches, such an extensive acquaintance with the most teresting branches of literature. In this respect he was, doubt, much indebted to a very uncommon memory, hich seemed to retain every idea that was conveyed to it ther from reading or meditation. He could repeat the Eneid of Virgil from beginning to end without hesiSeveral attacks of a vertigo, in the beginning of Sept. 1783, which did not, however, prevent his calculating he motions of aërostical globes, were, nevertheless, the

ation.

395

forerunners of his passage from this world to a better. by which the sexes are often congregated together in large
While he was amusing himself at tea with one of his bodies, has done much to injure public morals and impair
grandchildren, he was struck with an apoplexy, which the public health; and it must be confessed that the do-
terminated his illustrious career at the age of seventy-six. mestic system, where the heads of families could watch
His constitution was uncommonly strong and vigorous: over the health and the morals of their youth, was much
his health was good, and the evening of his long life was to be preferred: but from certain circumstances of coun-
calm and serene, sweetened by the fame that follows teraction, the mischief has been less than might have been
genius, the public esteem and respect that are never with-anticipated. Education has been diffused by means of
held from exemplary virtue, and several domestic com- Sunday schools, and the British and Madras systems.
forts. His temper was even, mild, and cheerful, to which Men have run to and fro in the earth disseminating use-
were added a certain roughness, mixed with simplicity ful periodical publications, and knowledge has been in-
and good-humour, and a pleasing knack of telling a story, creased, religious instruction has been widely extended,
As to the public health, it has been
which rendered his conversation agreeable. The great and it is a matter of fair calculation whether these causes
activity of his mind was, indeed, connected with a pro- have not preserved the morals of the people from any
portion of vivacity and quickness, which rendered him material decay.
susceptible of warmth and irritation. His anger, however, already shown, that it is as good here as in other parts of
was never any thing more than a transitory flash, and he the kingdom, or at least, that life is prolonged to an
knew no such thing as permanent ill-will towards any equal duration.-Baines's Directory.
human being. His probity and integrity were pure and
incorruptible, and he inveighed against every kind of in-
justice with singular indignation. His piety was rational
and sincere : his devotion was fervent: he was thoroughly
His
persuaded of the truth of Christianity, and looked upon
its opposers as the most pernicious enemies of man.
philanthropy was great, and, if he ever felt the emotions
of aversion and indignation, it was only when he contem-
plated the malignant frenzy of the professed abettors of
Atheism.

Mr. Euler had thirteen children, of whom eight died in infancy, or early youth. The other five, of whom three were sons, augmented his family with thirty-eight grandchildren.

The eldest of these, every way worthy of the name he labours of his venerable father, was a great ornament to the bore, and who, as we have seen above, took a part in the last University of Petersburg, and obtained several academical prizes there, as also at Paris, Munich, and Gottingen. The second was physician to the Empress of Russia, and enjoyed great reputation in that line. The third was LieutenantColonel of artillery, and was well known to the learned world by his astronomical observations.

Miscellanies.

MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE OF LANCASHIRE.

terms.

In the early part of their history, the manners of the
people of Lancashire were very homely, and Strype, in
A hundred years
his Annals, speaking of the inhabitants, designates them
as "the rude people of Lancashire."
The ayre of Lancashire," says he, is subtle
afterwards, Fuller writes of them in more courteous
and piercing, and the effects thereof are found in the fair
complexions and fine constitutions of the natives therein,
whose bodies are as able as their minds, willing for any
laborious employment. I believe that the God of nature
having given fair complexions to the women in this
John de Brentford, in his
county, art may save her pains (not to say her sins) in
endeavouring to better them."
black-letter book in the Bodleian Library, printed in 1602,
says, "The manners of the inhabitants of Lancashire
are similar to those of the neighbouring counties, except
the men always eat with prong forks. The men are mas-
culine, and in general well made; they ride out, and hunt
as in most southern parts, but not with that grace, owing
to the whip being carried in the left hand. The women
are mostly handsome, their eyes brown, black, hazel,
blue, and grey; their noses, if not inclined to the aqui-
line, are mostly of the Grecian form, which gives a most
beautiful archness to the countenance, such, indeed, as is
not easy to be described. Their fascinating manners have
long procured them the name of the Lancashire Witches."
At present the manners of the gentry of Lancashire very
much resemble those of the neighbouring counties: they
are frank, hospitable, and polite; the mercantile body are
many of them men of comprehensive minds and of ardent
enterprise; the employers in the manufacturing classes
have less enlargement of mind but more circumspection
than the merchants; they are industrious, ingenious, and
prudent: the operatives, as the Scotch designate the work-
people employed in the manufactories, are laborious and
intelligent, but addicted to intemperance, except when
that vice is corrected by religious associations, of which
there is a great deal in this county. In times of distress,
they are great politicians, but in seasons of prosperity they
do not trouble themselves much with state affairs. The
dialect of the vulgar is remarkably broad, and the Lonke-
shire of their Saxon ancestry is still spoken on the south
and south-eastern borders of the county in great per-
fection. It is a prevailing opinion that the factory system,

STRANDED WHALE.
[Continued from our last.]

We are sorry to have to state, that the dissection of this This arose partly satisfactory to the scientific gentlemen who took so much stupendous animal was far from complete, and far from interest in investigating its structure. from the fact, that it had been three or four days on the whereby time was lost; partly from the novelty of the beach before the event was generally known in Hull, event itself, (such an opportunity of examining anatomiand partly from the enormous mass of matter of which it cally one of these monsters of the deep being entirely new was composed, which required to be removed with greater to the whole medical profession in this neighbourhood), care than was used, so that a complete view could not be fact, its dissection was in some respects like opening a taken of its vascular structure and internal economy. In fresh mine in search of ore, and, in the search, several unfortunate disruptures were made, by which it became impossible, afterwards, to trace most important connexions. The weight of the heart, which is of the common shape, In addition to what we stated last week, the following is 171lb. The diameter of the aorta 1 foot 1-6 inch. curious particulars have since been communicated to us. probable contents of the left ventricle, from eight to ten gallons, which quantity of blood would, at each beat, be sent from the heart. No ambergris was found. From the stomach was gathered about a bucket full of the beaks of one of the cattle fishes. Below the gums, on the right side of the lower jaw, two more teeth were discovered, mal was full grown, it was still young.-Hull Rockingham. making in the whole forty-nine for the skeleton. From this last circumstance it is inferred, that though the ani

The

Advertisement Extraordinary.-A German, who lately Rund lost his horse, published the following notice :-" away, or sdolen, or was sdrayed, mine large plack horse, about 13 hands hie. He has four plack legs, two pehind and two pefore; he is plack all over his pody, put he has got some vite spots pon his pack, vhere de skin vas rub off, but I greesed em, and de vite spots is all plack again. he valks, all his legs and feet goes on von after anoder. He trods and kanters, and sometimes he valks; and when He has two ears pon his head, both alike, but von is placker dan toder and a small pit longer. He has two eyes, von is put out, and toder is pon de side of his head; and ven you go toder side, he vont see you. When he eats good deal, he has pig pelly; he has long dail, that hangs pehind; put I cut it short toder day, and now it is He is shoed all rouud, put his not so long vat it vas. pehind shoes comed off, and now he has got on shoes only pefore. He holds up his head and looks gaily; and vhen he has peen frightened he jumps apout like every ting in de vorld. He vill ride mit a saddle, or a chaise, or a kart; pag, and a poy on de top of it. He is not very old; and or he vill go py himself, vidout nopody on his pack put a vhen he valks or runs his head goes first, and his tail stays pehind; only when he gets mad, and turns round, den his dail come first.-Vooever vill pring him fpack shall pay five tollars reward; and if he pring pack de tief dat stole him, he shall pay twenty tollars, and ax no questions." New York paper.

A few days since, a gentleman was walking in the "While examining this object," said he, grounds of a friend, near Basingstoke, when he observed a scare-crow.

I fancied I perceived a bird fly out, which prompted me to examine it more minutely, when, to my astonishment, I found a robin's nest, with five eggs in it, and instinctively, like Dominic Samson, I exclaimed, Prodigious!' to think that this little creature had formed its nest in the centre of that very object which was placed there with the intention of inspiring its species with dread, and to keep them at a distance."