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by shrinking should make the coate yield. I know not whether you would have ye succus nutricius run along y marrow. If you would, 'tis an opinion not yet proved, and so not fit to ground an argument: if you say yt in ye camelion and fishes ye nerves only touch one another without mixture, and sometimes do not so much as touch ;'Tis true, but makes altogether against you: Fishes looke one way with one eye, ye other way with ye other; the Chamelion looks up with one eye, down with t'other, to ye right hand with this, to the left with yt, twisting his eyes severally this way or that way as he pleases. And in those animals which do not look the same way wth both eyes, what wonder if the nerves do not joyne. To make them joyn would have been to no purpose, and nature does nothing in vain. But then whilst in these animals, where 'tis not necessary, they are joyned in ye one and not in ye other. For God in the frame of animals has done nothing without reason.

A

D

G

B F C

I

H

There is one thing more comes into my mind to object. Let the circle DI represent the retina; or if you will the end of ye optick nerve cut across; A the end of a fibre, above of most tension. C the end E of one below of least tension. D and G the ends of fibres above on either hand almost of as much tension as A. F and I the ends of others below, almost of as little tension as CE, the end of a fibre of less tension than A G, and of more than C or I. And between A and C, G and I, there will be fibres of equal tension with E, because between them there are in a continual series fibres of all degrees of tension, between ye most tender at A and G, and least tender at C and I. And by the same argument that three fibres, C, B, and H, of like tension are noted, let ye whole line of fibres of some degree of tension running from E to H, be noted. Do you now say yt ye reason

why an object seen wth two eyes appears but one is that ye fibres in ye two eyes by which 'tis seen are unisons? then all objects seen by unison fibres must for ye same reason appear in one and ye same place, that is, all the objects seen by ye line of fibres E BH, running from one side of ye eye to ye other. For instance, two stars, one to ye right hand, seen by ye fibres about H, the other to the left, seen by the fibres about E, ought to appear but one star, and so of other objects. For if consonance unite objects seen with the fibres of two eyes, much more will it unite those seen with those of ye same eye. And yet we find it much otherwise. Whatsoever it is that causes the two images of an object seen with both eyes to appear in ye same place, so as to seem but one, can make them upon distorting ye eyes separate one from ye other and go as readily, and as far asunder, to ye right hand and to ye left as upwards and downwards.

You have now the sum of what I can think of worth objecting, set down in a tumultuary way as I could get time from my Sturbridge fair friends. If I have any where exprest myself in a more peremptory way than becomes ye weakness of ye argument, pray look on that as done not in earnestness, but for ye mode of discoursing. Whether any thing be so material as that it may prove any way useful to you I cannot tell. But pray accept of it as written for that end. For having laid philosophical speculations aside, nothing but ye gratification of a friend would easily invite me to so large a scribble about things of this nature.

Sir, I am yr humble servant, Trin. Col. Camb. IS. NEWTON. Sept. 12, 1682. Bibl. Birch. 4237.

Verses written by Dr. Stukeley, under a Picture of Sir Isaac Newton.

Ora viri, Knellere, tua bene picta Tabella est;

At mens sola suis cognita Principiis. COLE'S MSS. 31.

CORNUCOPIA

Of Literary Curiosities and Remarkable Facts.

THE CALEDONIAN CANAL.

(From the French.) HE Caledonian Canal now carrying into execution in Scotland, will

TH

constitute an undertaking truly gigantic. The depth to be 20 feet; width at the bottom, 50, and at the surface of the line of water, 110. The dams or sluices

from

from 162 to 172 feet in length, and from 38 to 40 in width. Dimensions of this magnitude will cease to excite wonder, when it is known that one main object of this canal is to be serviceable to the Royal Navy, so that frigates of 22 guns may be enabled to navigate it; in other respects, to furnish shipping with the means of avoiding a tedious and dangerous navigation round the northern and western coasts of Scotland. The whole expence about 20 millions of franks, of which 14 have been already laid out. One part of the navigation will be supplied by the means of lakes. These labours commenced in 1814, and are to terminate in 1821.

THE IRON BRIDGE AT SUNDERLAND.

measure the whole extent of the work. Vessels of from two to three hundred tons can pass underneath.

RECOVERY OF THE EXECUTED.

"SIR William Petty," says Evelyn, "was the sonn of a mean man, somewhere in Sussex, and sent from schoole to Oxon where he studied philosophy, but was most eminent in mathematics and mechanics proceeded Dr. of Physic, and was grown famous, as for his learning, so for his recovering a poor wench that had been hanged for felony; and her body having ben begged, (as the custome is) for the anatomic lecture, he bled her, put her to bed to a warm woman, and with spirits and other meanes restored her to life. The young scholars

(From the Journal of a Tour, by a joined and made her a little portion,

Frenchman.)

On the tenth of December, we could not proceed in our visitation of the manufactories, it being Sunday, and we repaired in the afternoon to Sunderland. This town stands on the right bank of the river, which passes on to the sea, between heights closely bordering. Near the town, perpendicular rocks create a sort of walls, and here it is that the iron bridge, so justly celebrated, has been constructed. It was erected in 1794, by the subscriptions of a Company. To avoid an arch of too great width, two piles of masonry were raised to the height of the rocks: these piles have a visible exterior; they consist of several stories, and serve in part to support the bridge. The chord of the arch is 236 feet 8 inches, and the height above the river is 100 feet, at low water. The total weight of the bridge is 900 tons, on which are 260 of iron, whereof 46 are forged, and 214 cast. The breadth of the passage for carriages is 32 feet, and on both sides are flagged pavements and neat ballustrades of cast iron. On the middle of the bridge appears the following inscription: Nil desperandum, auspice Deo. Carriages pass over, on a round trot, without occasioning any sort of shaking. The whole construction is truly beautiful, uniting solidity with lightness and simplicity. An individual of the name of Burdock, contributed, on his own account, towards the erection of this bridge, the sum of 23,0001. sterling. A toll is paid on it which now brings in 5 per cent. of the capital expended. The prospect from it over the left bank of the river, is highly agreeable, and there the eye can best

and married her to a man who had several children by her, she living fifteen yeares after, as I have been assured."

The editor of Evelyn's Memoirs adds in a note," For a full account of ys remarkable event, see a pamphlet, entitled,

Newes from the Dead, or a true and exact Narration of the Miraculous Deliverance of Anne Greene, who, being executed at Oxford, December 14, 1650, afterwards revived; and by the care of certain phisicians there, is now perfectly recovered. Oxford, the second impression, with additions 4to, 1651.' Added to the narrative are several copies of verses in Latin, English, and French, by a gentleman of the University, commemorative of the story; amongst others, one by Joseph Williamson, afterwards Secretary of State; another by Christopher Wren, the famous architect, then of Wadham College; Walter Pope; Dr. Ralph Bathurst, (the last under other names;) and many more. This was reprinted, but very negligently, from the first and worst edition, in Morgan's Phoenix Britannicus', 4to."

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examined, with reference to his own interest, and with an impartiality too akin to indifference, what was practicable, and what ought to be preferred. The nation,' said he to me, has reposed twelve years from all political agitation: during one year it has rested also from war: this double quiet has given it a need for fresh activity. It accordingly demands a tribune, and popular assemblies. It has not always wished for these. Did it not throw itself at my feet when I first came to the government? You ought to recollect this, for you are one who then attempted opposition. Where was your support, where your strength? No where. I took less authority than I was invited to take: but to-day all is changed in this respect. A feeble government, at variance with the national interests, has given to these interests the habit of holding themselves on the defensive, and has permitted the questioning and teazing of authority. The taste for constitutions, debates, and harangues, appears to be revived:-and yet, don't deceive yourself,-it is only the minority that has this taste. The people,or, if you like it better, the multitude, has no wish but for me. You were not there to see the croud pressing around my steps, precipitating itself from the tops of mountains, calling to me, seeking me, saluting me! In my journey from Cannes, here, I had no need to conquer I reigned.—I am not the Emperor of the soldiers only, as has been said of me, but of the peasants, the plebeians of France. You accordingly see, in spite of all the past, that the people return to me. There is a sympathy between us. It is not the same thing with the privileged orders. The nobles have served me, it is true; they poured by crowds into my antichambers. There was not a place at my disposal, which they did not accept, solicit, demand! I have had the Montmorencis, the Noailles, the Rohans, the Beauvais, the Mortemarts; but there never was a fellow feeling between us: the steed pranced gallantly, he was well broken-in, but I felt him tremble under me! With the people it was another thing: the popular fibre corresponded with mine, for I came myself from the popular ranks, and my voice acted on the popular feeling. Look at these conscripts, these sons of peasants! I never flattered them; I have been accustomed to treat them even harshly;-but they MONTHLY Mag. No. 339.

did not surround me the less;-they did not the less cry Vive l'Empereur! The reason is, that we are of the same nature. They regard me as their support and salvation against the nobles. I have only to make a sign,-or rather to turn away my head, and the nobility are massacred in all the provinces: and this is what they have brought themselves to, by their pretty management during the last ten months. But, however, I do not wish to be the mere king of a Jacquerie. If there are means of governing constitutionally, with all my heart-let them be tried, and welcome. I certainly did covet the empire of the world, and to secure it, unlimited power was necessary. It is very possible that to govern France alone, a constitution may be better. My wish was to hold the sceptre of the world! Who would not have wished it it in my place! The world invited me to take charge of it. Sovereigns and subjects rushed, faster than my desires, to obey me! I have but rarely met with resistance in France; yet I will say, that I have experienced more serious opposition from a few disarmed and obscure Frenchmen, than from all these kings, now so proud that they have no longer a man of the people as their equal! Let us see, then, what it may be possible to do. Bring me your ideas. Public discussion, you say,-free elections,-responsible ministers, the liberty of the press:-Well, I have no objection to any of these things. A free press, above all, seems to me absolutely necessary: to think of stifling it now would be absurd. I am quite convinced on that point. In fact, I am the man of the people, and if the people really wish liberty, I owe it to them. I have recognised their sovereignty, and it is my duty to listen to their will,—I may say even caprices. I have never found a pleasure in oppressing. I entertained great designs,—and fortune has settled them to my disappointment:-I am no longer a conqueror; and can never be one again I see clearly what can be, and what cannot. One mission only now remains to me; that of raising France from its present position, and giving it a suitable government. It is a mistake to think that I hate liberty: I have, to be sure, removed it when I found it in my way; but I comprehend it perfectly, for I was brought up in that school, you know. Besides, I have no alternative: the work of fifteen years is de2 X

stroyed,

stroyed, and it can't be begun over again. For this purpose twenty years, and two millions of men, would be wanted. But my wish is peace, which at present cannot be obtained but by victories. It is not to you that I would give false hopes:-I let people say that there are negotiations on foot, but the plain truth is that there are none. I foresee a difficult struggle, and a long war. To sustain it the nation must support me; and, in return, I suppose it will exact liberty. Very well-it shall be given. Circumstances are all new: I wish nothing better than to be put right if I have been wrong. In fact, feel myself getting older; we are not the same persons at forty-five as at thirty. The quiet of a constitutional monarch might suit me very well now; and it would be still better for my son.'

Mr. Constant tells us in a note, that Napoleon, at this interview, entrusted him with six pages of manuscript, which he had himself either written or dictated, and which, at all events, he had most carefully corrected with his own

hand. This was a reply to an assertion made by Lord Castlereagh in parliament, that the success of the expedition from Elba was entirely owing to the French military. Napoleon wished to prove to Europe, that the soldiers were by no means his sole, or even principal supporters. The style of this piece, Mr. Constant says, "was distinguished by warmth, by expressions irregular but strong, by much rapidity of thought, and some touches of true eloquence."

PRICE OF A BIBLE IN 1274.

In the year 1274 the price of a small Bible neatly written was 301.; which sum, no doubt, was equal to 2001. of our money. A good Bible may now be had for two or three shillings! It is said that the building of two arches of London Bridge cost only 251.; which is 51. less than a copy of the Bible many years afterwards. Of what incalculable value is the art of printing? We see its beneficial effects more widely extended than ever, by means of Sunday Schools, Bible Societies, and Christian Missionaries.

NOVELTIES OF FOREIGN LITERATURE.

CHOROGRAPHIE Brasiliense, &c. or a Translation of descriptive notices relative to the kingdom of Brazil, from a work presented to his most Faithful Majesty, &c. has been printed at the royal press, Rio Janeiro, and therefore merits European notice, as a literary curiosity.

This production, though incomplete in its materials, is the most pregnant with information that has hitherto appeared on the subject. The author, Don Manuel Ayres de Cazal, is a secular priest of the priory of Crato. The introduction contains a summary of the discovery, and aboriginal population of America, to which is added a synopsis of the history of Brazil, particularly interesting from a report of Pedro Vaz de Caminha, one of the companions of Cabral, in the first discovery of the country. This has been taken from the archives of the marine, at Rio Janeiro, and it certainly serves to rectify a number of errors in the ordinary relations.

In treating of particular provinces, the author begins with that of San Pedro, describing its limits, position, history, climate, soil, productions, mountains, rivers, lakes, harbours and islands; with some account of the mineralogy, botany and zoology, as also of

the primitive inhabitants, whom he handles, in a manner not very consistent with charity. The vegetables of Europe are found to thrive very well in Brazil, especially the peach tree and the vine, but the wine made from the latter, not being prepared, as it should be, is of an inferior sort. All the kinds of cattle, including horses and mules, are in prodigious numbers, although the rearing of the woollen tribes is but negligently attended to.

The author amplifies on the capital cities of Portalegre, San Pedro, and Monte Video, and particularly on the different ecclesiastical or religious establishments to be found therein.

In his notice of the province Parana, he` highly extols the meritorious exertions of the Jesuits, to convert and civilize the Guaramins. The tea of Paraguay or Matte constitutes the most important production of the country; the inhabitants have made use of it from time immemorial. To the principal towns, are assigned the names of Assumpcao, Correntes, Corugunty, and Villa Ricca.

The province Uragua, properly speaking, is a colony of the Jesuits, that was wrested from the Spaniards in 1801. The matte is the only article exported.

The

.

The province of St. Catharine comprehends, besides the island of that name, about sixty leagues of the neighbouring continent. It has been peopled in a great measure, by emigrants from the Azore islands. The principal towns are Nuestra Senhora de Desteno, in the island of St. Catharine, Laguna on the continent, and S. Francisco, in an island that bears the same name.

The province of St. Paul is very fertile in timber; it is here that the Brazilian Plu is found in the greatest abundance. All the western district still remains in the occupation of the ferocious tribe called Bugros. On the whole, the author speaks well of the present Paulists; he denies that they ever constituted an independent republic, and contends that they have always been submissive to the Portuguese Government. As to the Spaniards and Jesuits, their incroachments have been successfully opposed; but in general, the natives value themselves too highly on their noblesse. They are scattered through a great number of small towns, and are easy to be distinguished by a particular kind of bonnet which they wear.

The author gives a detail of the conquest of the province of Mato Grosso. Gold was in such abundance, and was so little valued by the Indians, that ore of them exchanged six pounds weight of it for a pewter plate. As the rats made great havock both in the houses and fields, a pound of gold was paid for the first couple of cats to destroy them. The province is divided into three districts: the Northern; the Southern, or Camapuania; and the Eastern. The aboriginal tribe of Guaycuras are ex-, cellent horsemen, of a very warlike character, and haughty in their demeanour. They have a custom of turning to yellow the green colours of a certain kind of parrot; this is done, by plucking off all the feathers, and rubbing the naked skin with the juice of the plant prucu.

been taken. Villa Ricca, formerly known by the name of Oiro Preto, is the capital.

The Districto Diamantina, or Diamond District, still contributes to furnish different kinds of precious stones. In the centre of the country is a large and flourishing town, St. Antonio de Tijuco, the residence of the public Agents or Authorities, and especially of the Diamond Junta. The exploitation, as the French term it, or the working of the mines, employs 6000 negroes, under the inspection of 200 whites.

Amongst the productions of the province of Rio Janeiro, one is thought to be the same species of argile or earth that the Chinese use in their manufacture of porcelain.

Further on to the west, and in the centre of the province Espirito Santo, the Puris, a warlike, but crafty and perfidious tribe, seem to have the ascendant. The capital is named Nuestra Senhora da Vittoria.

The province of Porto Seguro, although the first wherein the Portuguese formed an establishment, is still, in a manner, in a state of nature, presenting every where a degree of rusticity in one almost continued forest.

The province of Bahia contains three territories that of the Islands, and those of Bahia and Jacobina. The Mougogos, or original natives, were only entirely reduced, in 1806. In the capital, St. Salvador, there is a printingoffice and a manufactory of glass.

The original inhabitants of the province Segeripe del Rey, so named from the river Segeripe, are characterized as very ferocious.

The province of Pernambuco is particularly noticeable for a number of excellent harbours. Recife, the capital, is large and populous, and is laid out

in three sections or divisions.

The Cahetes and the Potyguaras, aboriginals of the province of Parahyba, have long since made profession The province of Goyas, at present of the Christian religion. The culture very abundant in cattle, was formerly of the sugar-cane has declined consivaluable for its gold mines, which are derably, which is imputed to the want now exhausted. It is given out, how-of moisture, but that of the cotton-tree ever, that the richest veins in the mountains have not yet been assayed.

The province of Minas Geraes owes its name to the gold which it affords, with a number of other metals. Every where, says the author, we find a multitude of deep caverns and ditches, from which immense quantities of gold have

is augmenting in a like proportion. Parahyba is a pretty large town, tolerably populous and agreeable.

In the province of Rio Grande de Norte, the principal object is Natal, the capital, situated on the right bank of the Rio Grande.

Cattle, cotton, and salt form the

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