and are more destructive, than those breaking out in a volcanic eruption, &c. &c.

But it is high time to close this article, not because the subject is exhausted, for it seems to extend in proportion as we proceed, but because the limits granted to a publication are perhaps already outreached. We will hereafter present our readers with some new considerations derived from the same principle.

JOSEPH DU COMMUN.

West Point, April, 16th, 1828.

THE POLAR OCEAN.

THE American Quarterly Review, in concluding a very excellent article on Captain Franklin's Expedition to the Polar Sea, makes the following observations :

"We cannot avoid recording two circumstances, which appear to possess some interest, the result of the perusal of the volume before us, and some reflections on the subjects of which it treats. So far as we can perceive, they have not occurred to the intelligent travellers themselves, nor do we recollect to have seen them noticed in any work of science that has fallen under our

observation.

"The first of these relates to the shallowness of the ocean around the pole. The truth of this fact, as we have already mentioned, has been pretty fully ascertained in * Professor Silliman objects to the above theory, principally on account of the experiments made by Perkins, and Faraday, which prove that air and many gases, under extreme compression, especially

when aided by cold, lose their elastic form, and become fluid.

To this, and all the other objections, our writer cites the following extract from the Philosophical Transactions, for 1826 "On Compression of Atmospheric Air," by Perkins, in support of his hypothesis:-"In the course of my experiments on the 'Compression of Atmospheric Air,' I observed a curious fact, which induced me to extend the experiment; viz. that of the air beginning to disappear, at a pressure of five hundred atmospheres, evidently by a partial liquefaction, which is indicated by the quicksilver not settling down to a level with its surface. At an increased pressure of six hundred atmospheres, the quicksilver was suspended about one-eighth of the volume up the tube or gasometer. At eight hundred atmospheres it remained about one-third up the tube, and small globules of liquid began to form about the top of it, at twelve hundred atmospheres, the quicksilver remained three quarters up the tube, and a beautiful transparent liquid was seen on the surface of the quicksilver, in quantity about one-2000th part of the column of air."

"From these experiments," says M. Du Commun," it follows as a fact, that under the pressure of eight hundied atmospheres, two-thirds of the air is still under an aerial form, although its density is then equal to that of water; and even at twelve hundred, when it is much denser, one-third of it is not liquefied. This is sufficient for me to maintain, that under the pressure of these a layer may produce the effects I have endeavoured to describe."-Ed.

the previous voyages to the northern seas. The observations of Captain Franklin and Dr. Richardson confirm it, as far as they went, and it is understood that Captain Beechey noticed it, to the same extent that Cooke and Kotzebue had done before him. Now it appears to us, that this is a phenomenon, not confined merely to the shores and outlets, but one that will be found to pervade the whole polar basin, to a greater or less degree, and that it is evidently deducible from a great general cause. This cause we take to be the spheroidal figure of our globe; its increased velocity at the equator having had a greater influence on the fluid than the solid portion of the earth, and having thus deprived those regions of their proportion of water, and accumulated it upon the equatorial diameter; and in consequence, the polar regions, in very high latitudes, will probably be found, at all times, in some degree, unfavourable to navigation.

"The other observation which has occurred to us, is one connected with the astronomical situation of the planet we inhabit. A very extraordinary fact will be observed, in referring to a geographical view of the earth-that the discoveries of navigators have reached to latitudes so much higher in the northern than in the southern regions, while in both they have been only bounded by the same perpetual obstructions of polar ice. Thus, in the former, they have extended to 83 deg. N., while in the latter they have been limited by about 72 deg. S., leaving a difference between them of eleven degrees, or nearly eight hundred miles; within the arctic zone, extensive countries have been explored, but beyond the antarctic circle lies a vast and unknown space. The cause of this is unquestionably to be found in the astronomical fact, that in the annual revolution of the earth round the sun, its

northern surface is turned towards him during one hundred and eighty-seven days, out of three hundred and sixty-five; for the sun enters Aries on the 20th of March, and Libra, not until the 22d of September. The consequence is, that the northern regions enjoy the influence of the solar heat, eight days in every year, longer than those south of the equator. It is hardly necessary to say, that this is accounted for in the elliptical form of the earth's orbit, and that its effect is to render the northern latitudes of the globe, warmer and more habitable than the same southern parallels.

"We are not disposed to draw hasty inferences with regard to the designs of Providence, from partial and limited facts, but when we observe the much larger portion of the terrestrial surface, included within the northern hemisphere, this difference of warmth cannot but seem to be a provision, in favour of that part of the globe which is

destined for the habitation of mankind, and on which fertility is in consequence more widely diffused; while over those latitudes where earth is wanting, heat is less necessary, and a broad ocean is left open to answer for the purposes of commerce, and as the means of communication between the various collections of the human race. Had this channel been closed to the south, as to the north, by the extension of the continent to the ices which surrounded the poles, how changed would have been the situation of men! how different the intercourse which now exists, and which is destined so much more widely to spread from east to west! how barren and deserted those regions of inhospitable land, that must have occupied the scene of active navigation and profitable enterprise!

"It is thus in all the investigations of science, that we are able to trace, not merely in the vast theories resulting from long observation and study, but in the accidental development of facts apparently trifling, the hand of infinite wisdom: to learn, indeed, that all chance is direction which we cannot see; to feel that we are deriving benefits, of which we are ignorant, from causes that are yet unknown; to perceive that discoveries, which we hail with rapture, are only some further views of the great provisions upon which the mighty systems of the universe have been conducted from all previous creation; to expect in this and future states of being, knowledge still more various and extended, powers of acquisition and perception still more vast, and sources of pleasure still more unalloyed; and to indulge not merely from enthusiasm, but from the full conviction of reason, those feelings of gratitude and devotion which are apt, so often, to spring uncalled for from the heart."

THE Duke of Saxe Weimar's visit to Mr. Owen's settlement at New Harmony, in the state of Indiana, and to that of Mr. Rapp, at Economy, near Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania, appeared to us deserving of particular attention; but they are long, especially the former, and cannot be given here at large; we must therefore abridge them as well as we can, and try to give some idea of their results.

It is well known that the place where Mr. Owen's society is now established, or rather encamped (for it does not appear to us that this unnatural association can have a long existence), was purchased by that adven

turous theorist of Mr. Rapp, when the latter thought proper to remove with his industrious Germans into their present settlement. It was bought for the sum of 120.000 dollars, which is not yet paid.* When Mr. Rapp removed to that place, about fourteen years ago, from his first settlement of Harmony, it was, as our author describes it, the abode of wolves, Indians, bears, and rattlesnakes. When he transferred it to Mr. Owen, in 1825 (the year when the duke came to this country), it had become a kind of earthly paradise. A town had been laid out which already contained several good brick and some log houses, the streets of which were well distributed, and intersected each other at right angles; there was a church, a tavern, several public buildings, and round the whole were fine meadows and well cultivated fields, gardens full of the choicest fruits and vegetables, in short every thing that human industry could produce in so short a time. This was the state in which Mr. Owen found the settlement, and the first thing that he did, was to convert the church into workshops; a step towards the abolition of religion, which appears to be repugnant to his system.

The prin

The duke arrived there in the first year of Mr. Owen's settlement, and already it gave strong indications of an approaching dissolution. The society consisted of two very distinct classes; of men and women of liberal education, who, from various motives, had followed Mr. Owen's fortunes, and of a band of desperate vagabonds, whom hunger had driven to a place, where they could at least get physical sustenance. ciple of equality, however, required that these various descriptions of people should eat, work, live, and associate together, which was felt as a great hardship by the better educated class, and probably also by the others, who must have felt themselves under some restraint, however disposed they might be to assert their social rights. The duke relates an anecdote which will place this state of things in its proper point of view. He was listening to a piece of music, performed by a handsome and well educated young lady, whom he calls Miss Virginia D-, of Philadelphia, when she was told her turn was come to milk the cows. She went out, as may be supposed, most unwillingly, and some time afterwards returned, having been severely kicked by one of the animals, and very ill disposed towards the new Social System.

It appears from the duke's relation that the members of this association were in general individually disgusted with their situation, though they had tried it but a very little time, and wished for a change. He

the whole amount was paid on the day of purchase. On the authority of Mr. Owen, we state, that

-Ed.

heard several of their complaints, which he calls their doléances, and from the whole, did not augur well of the success or long continuance of the establishment. Indeed, we should be astonished if a society so organised could maintain itself any length of time, without the strong cement of religion, and with such a lax system of morality as is avowed by the founders. One of the members, says the duke, acknowledges himself an atheist. The marriage bond is considered as a temporary partnership. With such principles, or rather absence of principles, no society can endure. We are not sorry, however, to see the experiment made, being in strong hopes that the result will add new strength to the ancient props and buttresses of social order.

While the duke was there, he heard atrocious stories propagated against Mr. Rapp, and his establishment. They are of such a nature that we forbear detailing them to our readers. It seems the jealousy of trade has found its way even among those who profess to associate in order to promote the improvement and happiness of mankind.

Although our judicious traveller was far from approving the system which he found established at New Harmony, yet it does not appear that he spent his time disagreeably there. He derived much pleasure from the conversation of Mr. M'Clure, Mr. Say, Mr. Le Sueur, Dr. Troost, Madame Fretageot, and other men and women of talents and education, whom Mr. Owen has contrived to gather around him. A great part of his time was taken up with music and dancing, which it seems makes a part of the employment of their time. The band of music, though not numerous, was good, and several of the ladies were proficients in the art. They were also very fond of dancing. They had introduced a figure into one of their cotillions, which they called the new Social System. It has not yet found its way, as we believe, into our dancing assemblies. Some of the ladies felt scruples against dancing on a Sunday, but our traveller observing to them that these prejudices should not be indulged in the Sanctuary of Philosophy, his argument easily prevailed, and the dance went on.

It was reported at New Harmony, while the prince was there, that Mr. Owen intended to add two branches to his establishment, one of which was to be located in the state of New York, and the other at Valley Forge, in Pennsylvania. We think he will hardly find a comfortable footing in the midst of the descendants of the companions of William Penn. Valley Forge is a consecrated place; its inhabitants will not suffer

it to be thus desecrated.

We must now relieve the reader from the

contemplation of these scenes, by giving the prince's own description of another esta

blishment, which although, like that of Mr. Owen, founded on the system of general cooperation, yet may be considered as its very opposite, as it has religion and morality for its basis. It is, indeed, mixed with no small degree of enthusiasm; but without this ingredient it seems impossible to keep men together under a system of community of property, while there are numerous examples of such associations being maintained for a long time by means of a strong religious feeling. The monastic institutions of Europe, some of which have resisted the efforts made by the most powerful governments for their destruction, are a strong confirmation of this truth; but it does not appear that cold abstract principles have yet been able to produce any similar effects. As a counterpart to what precedes, we shall give an extract from the duke's description of Mr. Rapp's new settlement at Economy, in his own language.

"As we approached the place, we passed by two smoking brick-kilns, and came to a newly erected house. On the top of it stood three woodland horn-blowers, who, on our approach, began to blow their horns. At the tavern, a handsome large frame house, we were received by old Mr. Rapp, at the head of the superintendents of his community. They were all gray-headed, venerable old men. Most of them had emigrated with Mr. Rapp, twenty-one years ago, from Wurtemberg. After the first salutations, they led us into a plainly but tastefully furnished apartment. There we conversed for a short time, and then sat down to dinner. The table was covered with dishes in the German style of cookery, and cordial gaiety presided over the repast.

"From what I had read about Mr. Rapp and his society, and what I had lately heard at New Harmony, I must own that I was strongly prejudiced against him and his people, and I rejoiced that I had come to see with my own eyes, another and a better establishment. I never saw a society governed in a manner so truly patriarchal as this is, and what these men have performed is the best evidence of the wisdom of their institutions, and of the harmony that prevails among them

"The elder Rapp is a large man, seventy years old; his years do not appear to have diminished his strength; his hair, indeed, is gray; but his blue eyes, shaded by thick eye-brows, are full of life and fire; his voice is strong and impressive, and by a peculiar mode of gesticulation, he knows how to give a great deal of expression to what he says. He speaks a kind of Swabian dialect, somewhat mixed with English;* a language to

We have seen a curious piece of poetry, written in that Germano-American dialect, of which we have since endeavoured in vain to obtain a copy. It was

which the ear of a German must become accustomed in the United States. What he said, however, was well conceived, and clearly expressed.

"Rapp's object is nearly the same with that which Mr. Owen professes to have in view; a community of property, and the cooperation of all the members of the society to the general good, by the means of which, the welfare of every individual is to be seeured. Mr. Rapp's society, however, is not kept together by this hope alone; but also by the bond of religion, which, in Mr. Owen's institution, is entirely wanting. The results are in favour of Rapp's system. By that of Mr. Owen, not only no great effects have yet been produced, but the prospects are very unfavourable. It is, indeed, surprising, and much to be wondered at, that a plain man, like Mr. Rapp, should have succeeded in knitting so fast together a society of nearly seven hundred persons, and persuaded them in a manner to honour him as a prophet. He has done this by means of his ascendancy over the minds of his associates, even so far as to suspend the connexion between the sexes. It was found that the society was likely to become too numerous, and therefore the members of the community agreed with each other to live with their wives like brothers and sisters. A nearer connexion is not forbidden, any more than marriage; both are only advised against. Therefore some marriages continue to take place; some children are born every year, and for these children there is a school, with a teacher at the head of it. The community entertain the highest veneration for old Mr. Rapp; they call him father, and treat him as such."

We have not room to insert the remainder of the very interesting and copious description which our author gives of this remarkable settlement, of its agriculture and horticulture, of its cotton and woollen manufactories, its mills, its machines, and its various sources of prosperity. The comparison of his long and detailed accounts of Mr. Rapp's and Mr. Owen's establishments, will furnish matter for much serious and important reflection, to the statesman as well as to the philosopher. In the one we see a blooming and rapid creation, rising as it were by enchantment; in the other we think we see a cold hand employed in the work of destruction. New Harmony is no more what it was when Mr. Rapp and his followers left it. While Mr. Owen's abstract doctrines confuse the head, Mr. Rapp's enthusiastic system warms the heart, and by that means commands and puts in action all the powers of the body and the faculties of the mind. Common opinions will never unite men in printed in a country newspaper, about forty years ago, and began thus:

"Gut morgen, Hans! hast du schon gebreakfast!"

COMPARATIVE HAPPINESS OF THE SEXES.

(From the Oriental Herald, for November.)

No. II.

ARE MEN GENERALLY MORE HAPPY THAN

WOMEN?

It has not been without great astonishment that, in the year 1828, I have seen, in a new publication, such an opinion as that which is put forth in the Second Number of "The Gymnase." I know not if indignation can make up for want of talent, but I shall combat erroneous opinions, which have long ceased to be generally entertained. On me, then, devolves the task of defending the female sex. To pity them, has been, until now, a kind of religious compassion, which was as disagreeable on the part of the male sex as their own. We are now in the age of innovations; and one voice will raise itself in the cause of a sex, whom it is wrong to look on as oppressed. The author of the article in question has considered the situation of women, such as it was formerly, such as it now is, without seeking to discover what it ought, in justice and equity, to be. If, as I imagine, from bis prejudices and mode of arguing, this author is a man, I, who belong to the unhappy half of the human race, do not, for my own part, thank him for the melancholy lot which he assigns me in the domain of the creation; and since he cites the code, let me hasten to recal to his recollection, that modern legislators, understanding at length the rights of woman, have made the shares in the inheritance of our parents equal for the sons and for the daughters. This is one step made towards a more just order of things; and the future will, I hope, avenge us for the past.

I will begin by saying, that I thank this writer for not having employed the language of gallantry: I am one of those who despise it; and esteem my cause so much the better, that a system so unworthy of us is no longer had recourse to. Silly and unmean

ing verses are no longer lavished on our sex; incense is no longer burnt on our altars; we have ceased to be divinities. So much the better: it is a proof that the world begins to recognise our right of belonging to human nature. In descending from the pedestal on which we had, for our misfortune, been placed, we had made one step towards happiness-we have raised ourselves so high, as to be considered something here on earth.

If, in reasoning, it is not absolutely necessary to be polite-if it is impossible to be both gallant and true, it is at least requisite to adhere to truth. The comparison of women to ciphers, whose only value is derived from those to which they are united, is more witty than just: that it is not a very flattering one, is, I admit, of very little importance. "Made for the use of another," as our author says, "nature has placed her on the second line:" be it so; but, as in arithmetic, it is the cipher, added to the unit, that makes 10. Our destiny is indeed to multiply; and if we can do nothing without him who considers himself our master, I doubt if, in his turn, he can do much without his slave, 66 as creation clearly indicates her to be." I delight in quoting my author.

In the age of chivalry, which is looked on as the period of our glory, we reigned over man by usurpation, as before that epoch, man reigned over us by the absurd right of being the strongest. If I properly understand the intention of the Creator, the two sexes appear to me to have been made for one another, with different qualities, and a distinct destination, but not certainly for one to be subservient to the other. I reject, with equal disdain, the glory of making slaves wear my colours, and the shame of serving masters who would shut us up in a harem as objects of luxury or pleasure. There can, in my opinion, be no happiness either in inflicting chains, or wearing them. The existence of our sex is, from the material organization of the universe, an absolute necessity, which ought to be less frequently forgotten. Because there are errors which have existed from the commencement of the world, it does not therefore follow that we must always submit to them, and that mankind should not become enlightened by truth. The time is arrived for woman to reject the condition of inferiority in which she has until now been kept; neither Genesis, nor Delphine, nor Latin quotations can arrest the progressive march of humanity, or be set up as laws for future ages.

The author of the article which I have undertaken to refute, informs us that there are three principal elements of happiness. His definition does not appear to me complete. I know not, on a close inspection, to which of the two sexes the preference can justly be

given, in the art of creating within ourselves the power of being completely individual—of freeing ourselves from all social chains, and following the laws of nature. I think that, were all the reasons for and against placed in a balance, they would incline the scale neither to the one side nor the other. Little as I am habituated to discuss such subjects, there will probably be neither order nor method in my arguments. What does it signity? we are in close field; let the reader be judge of the combat.

In the first place, let us say a word on happiness. To define it is impossible, because it depends entirely on our natural and accidental dispositions. Nothing is more relative than happiness. Instinctive tastes and social positions are the sources of the pleasures and disappointments which attend us through life. Beati pauperes spiritu, is the only Latin phrase I can quote, and that because it has been translated to me. There can be no happiness in an association of individuals born with totally different dispositions, but subjected indiscriminately to the same law. Society constrains the will, stifles the seeds of intelligence, and soon puts a check on every thing like natural impulse; it moulds us according to its pleasure; it has certain casts and classes; there is an inequality of material advantages in these different classes. Moral advantages, such as those of education, are most unequally divided; the sexes believe themselves dependent on one another, and they talk of happiness! The existence of such an anomaly is astonishing. Happiness cannot be the object of a rational definition; to feel it, as well as to paint it, requires that we should create around us an ideal world.

It is to you, anonymous author, that I now address myself you who are so happy in your lot-you who have traced our condemnation in your little chef d'œuvre. To believe oneself unhappy is to be so in reality, you say-the reasoning will be the same if I substitute the opposite word-to believe oneself happy is to be so. I congratulate you, then, on the singular faculty you seem to possess of forgetting the responsibility which devolves on you. I admire in man—

"Cette intrepidité de bon opinion,
Cet indolent état de confiance extrême,
Qui le rend, en tout temps, si content de lui-même;
Qui fait qu'à son mérite incessamment il rit,
Qu'il se sait si bon gré de tout ce qu'il écrit."

You reign, but how many good kings do you count amongst you? You make peace or war-are the people more tranquil? You command armies-do you never suffer defeats? You are at the helm of public affairs do you never experience remorse? You make laws-are they always just? No, for you call marriage an oppressive institution. I will return again to this passage of your