1786. Hamilton's Letters concerning the Coast of Antrim. though on a larger scale than had ever been Towards the clofe of the laft century, the Royal Society of London began to inquire and to fpeculate concerning this fingular phenomenon. But, as the information which they received was imperfect, the conclufion which they drew were erroneous. Dr. Mollineux took confiderable pains to illuftrate the fubject, but the neceflary attendance of his profeffion prevented him from making his obfervations in perfon, for which he feems to have been well qualified. By his influence, the Dublin Society employed a painter, of fome eminence, to make a general sketch of the coaft, near the caufeway; but he, indulging his imagination, drew a picturefque view of the fcene, rather than a philofophical landfcape. From that period, this curious work of nature paffed almost unnoticed for half a century; and men of science turned their eyes from an object, which had hitherto baffled the attempts of every theorist. In the year 1740, Mrs. Sufanna Drury made two very beautiful and correct paint ings of the Giant's Causeway, wisch having obtained the premium appointed for the encouragement of arts in Ireland, and being engraved by an eminent artift, directed the attention of the world again to this celebrated fubject. Soon after, Dr. Pocock made a tour through the county of Antrim, and took a general view of the coaft. But, as generally happens in the infancy of science, he was more zealous to affign caufes, than to inveftigate facts; and ftarted a new but crude theory, imputing the regular figures of the bafaltic columns to accidental fits of precipitation, in a watery medium; which is not only hypothetical, but inadequate to the production of the effects. It is to be obferved, that the fpecies of ftone of which the causeway is formed, is to be found throughout the whole extent of the contiguous country: And, within these Hib. Mag. April, 1786. 185 few years, it has been discovered, that the bafaltes is a very common foffil, thro' every part of the world. Hence the obfervations of men of science, in diftant places, have been united on this fubject; different theories have been compared together, and more general analogies fuggefted on which to build fome rational conjectures concerning the cause which produced thefe wonderful columns. The ingenious author of these letters gives us the natural hiftory of thefe columnar bafaltes, previous to the investigation of the caufe to which they owe their origin. The caufeway itself is generally defcribed as a mole or quay, projecting from the bafe of a fleep promontory, fome hundred feet, into the fea, and is formed of perpendicular pillars of bafaltes, which ftand in contact with each other, exhibiting an appearance not much unlike a folid honeycomb. The pillars are irregular prifms, of various denominations, from four to eight fides; but the hexagonal columns are as numerous as all the others together. On a minute infpection, each pillar is found to be feparable into feveral joints, whofe articulation is neat and compact beyond expreffion; the convex termination of one joint always meeting a concave focket in the next; befides which, the angles of one frequently fhoot over thofe of the other, so that they are completely locked together, and can rarely be separated without a fracture of fome of their parts. The fides of each column are unequal among themselves, but the contiguous fides of adjoining columns are always of equal dimenfions, fo as to touch in all their parts. Though the angles be of various magnitudes, yet the fum of the contiguous angles of adjoining pillars always makes up four right ones.-Hence there are no void spaces among the bafaltes, the furface of the caufeway exhibiting to view a regular and compact pavement of polygon ftones. The outfide covering is foft and of a brown colour, being the earthy parts of the ftone nearly deprived of its metallic principle by the action of the air, and of the marine acid which it receives from the fea †. • Thefe N о т E S. Monfieur Faujas de St. Fond took much pains to fearch for pillars of nine fides among the bafaltes of Viverais, in confequence of the account which Mr. Molineux and Monf. de Lifle gave that fuch were to be found; but there is little doubt that both thofe gentlemen were mistaken, as none of that denomination are to be difcovered at the Giant's Causeway, or its neighbourhood. In deed octagonal pillars are very rarely to be met with. This coating contains iron which has A a < These are the obvious external characters of this extraordinary pile of bafaltes, obferved and defcribed with wonder by every one who has feen it. But it is not here that our admiration fhould ceafe;--what ever the process was, by which nature produced that beautiful and curious arrangement fo confpicuous about the Giant's Caufeway; the caufe, far from being limited to that fpot alone, appears to have extended through a large tract of country, in every direction, infomuch that many of the common quarries, for feveral miles around, feem to be only abortive attempts towards the production of a Giant's Causeway. -- tion, and along with it hope to fend a drawing which my draftfman has taken from the beach below, at the rifque of his neck; for the approach from thefe promontories down to the fea is frightful beyond defcription, and requires not only a ftrong head, but very confiderable bodily activity, to accomplish it. The furumit of Pleafkin is covered with a thin grally fod, under which lies the natural rock, having generally an uniform hard furface, fomewhat cracked and hivered. At the depth of ten or twelve feét from the fummit, the rock begins to affume a columnar tendency, and forms a range of mally pillars of bafaites, which stand perpendicular to the horizon, prefenting, in the harp face of the promontory, the appear ance of a magnificent gallery or colonade, upwards of fixty feet in height. From want of attention to this circumftance, a vaft deal of time and labour has been idly spent in minute examinations of the causeway itself;-in tracing its courfe under the ocean-purfuing its columns into This colonade is fupported on a folid the ground determining its length and bafe of coarfe, black, irregular rock, near breadth, and the numbers of its pillars- fixty feet thick, abounding in blebs and with numerous wild conjectures concerning air-holes-but, though comparatively irreits original; all of which ceafe to be of any gular, it may be evidently obferved to affect importance, when this fpot is confidered a peculiar figure, tending in many places to only as a fmall corner of an immenfe bafalt run into regular forms; refembling the footquarry, extending widely over all the neigh-ing of falts and many other fubftances during bouring land. a hafty cryftallization. "The leading features of this whole coaft are the two great promontories of Bengore and Fairhead, which stand at the diftance of eight miles from each other: Both formed on a great and extensive scale, both abrupt towards the fea, and abundantly expofed to obfervation, and each in its kind exhibiting noble arrangements of the different fpecies of colurnar bafaltes. The former of these lies about feven miles weft of Ballycaftle, and is generally defcribed by feamen, who fee it at a diftance and in profile, as an extenfive headJand, running out from the coaft a confiderable length into the fea; but, ftrictly speaking, it is made up of a number of leffer capes and bays, each with its own proper name, the tout enjemble of which forms what the feamen denominate the head-land of Ben gore. Thefe capes are composed of variety of different ranges of pillars, and a great number of flrata; which, from the abruptnefs of the coaft, are extremely confpicuous, and form an unrivalled pile of natural architecture, in which all the neat regularity and elegance of art is united to the wild magnificence of nature. The moft perfect of these capes is called Pleafkin, of which I fhall attempt a defcrip NOTE, loft its phlogifton, and is nearly reduced to a fate of calx; for with a very moderate heat it becomes of a bright red ochre colour, the attendant of an iron earth. Under this great bed of ftone ftands a range of pillars, between forty and fifty feet in height, lets grofs, and more sharply defined than thofe of the upper ftory; many of them, on a clofe view, emulating even the neatnefs of the columns in the Giant's Caufeway. This lower range is borne on a layer of red ochre ftone, which ferves as a relief to fhew it to great advantage *. These two admirable natural galleries, together with the interjacent mafs of irregu lar rock, form a perpendicular height of one hundred and feventy feet; from the bafe of which, the promontory, covered over with rock and grafs, flopes down to the fea for the space of two hundred feet more, making in all a mafs of near four hundred feet in height, which in beauty and variety of its colouring, in elegance and novcity of arrangement, and in the extraor dinary magnitude of its objects, cannot readily be rivalled by any of the kind at prefent known †.' Belides g T :4 | 1786, Hamilton's Letters concerning the Coaft of Antrim. Beides the bafalt pillars of thefe two magnificent promontories, there are many other fimilar arrangements through the country. In the mountain of Dunmull, two different ranges of columns may be difcovered. They are found alfo at Dunluce-hill; in the bed of the river Bufh; on the fummit of the mountain of Croaghmore; in the highland over Ballintoy; in the island of Rhagery; and various other places, through an extent of coaft, about fifteen miles in length and two in breadth. Beyond this tract, which abounds in perfect pillars, an attentive obferver will trace the fame fpecies of foffits in very different parts of the country, fo far as the northern fhore of Loughneagh, and the mountains of Derry; in many places of which imperfect columnar forms may be obferved: So that the great caufe which generated this fpecies of flone has been exerted through a space of more than forty miles in length, and twenty in breadth; that is, thro' above eight hundred fquare miles. In the 9th letter Mr. Hamilton gives an analyfis of the bafaltes, and an explanation of its moft remarkable properties, from the known elements of which it is compofed.Its principal component parts are iron in a metallic ftate, combined chiefly with filicious and argillaceous earth. From a knowledge of thefe elementary parts of the bafaltes, we are furnished with an analogy tending to throw light on the regularity of its form. Silicious earth, which is one of its Component parts, frequently affects a reguhar figure. Thus rock chryftal, which is a pure finty earth, is commonly difpofed in the form of hexagonal prifms, the denomination of fides which chiefly prevails among the bafaltic pillars.- -Thus various crystallizations are found to take place in the metal of glafs-houfes, where the furnace has been fuffered to cool gradually. 187 Thus faline fubftances, that have been diffolved in a watery medium, after the evaporation of the fluid, affect an arrangement peculiar to that fpecies of body. Thus bodies, which have been diffolved by the medium of heat, when fuffered to cool equably, exhibit a peculiar difpofition of parts; of which inftances occur iu every fpecies of me tal, in fulphurs, and in glafs. Though crye ftals have never been produced from any fimple fubftance, precisely anfwering to the articulated bafalt pillars, we know that elements, which feparately form fpecific cryftals, may, when united, form bodies different from either figure. Thus melted glafs, through which fcoria of iron are mixed, are found to affect a columnar fhape. Iron is another of the principles which enter into the bafaltes; and this inetal is found to crystallize in regular figures. This is fometimes difcoverable in the ores of that metal; in our founderies the grain of caftiron prefents a ftriated appearance; by the operations of chymiftry, regular cubical figures are produced, clearly afcertaining this tendency toward a peculiar difpofition of its parts. In the 10th letter Mr. Hamilton endea vours to fupport the volcanic theory of the bafaltes. Mr. Defmareft, Sir W. Hamilton, and Mr. Faujas de St. Fond, have thrown great light on this fubject. We think our author's reafoning, on this fubject, amounts to proof. Indeed, the particles of every fubftance in nature appear to poflefs private laws and affinities, whereby they proceed to unite and to arrange themfelves in regular forms.N O T E. ty-eight feet, contains any object equal to the bold promontories of Bengore. Neither are the best fpecimens of pillars at Staf fa at all comparable to thofe of the Giant's Causeway in neatness of form, or fingularity of articulation. Firft. The bafaltes itfelf is esteemed to be nothing else than the lava; and its varieties are attributed entirely to accidental circumftances attending its course, or the manner of its cooling. In fupport of which opinion, it is affirmed, that the bafaltes agrees almoft accurately with lava in its elementary principles, in its grain, in the fpecies of the foreign bodies which it includes t, and in all the diverfities of its texture 1. • Secondly. N O T E S. This will appear pretty evident from ftating the products of each fubftance, according to the analysis of that able chymift, Sir Torbern Bergman: Bafaltes, 100 parts. Contains Silicious earth Contains Lava, 100 parts. Parts. Silicious earth 49 35 4 12 -- Argillaceous earth Fourthly. The bafaltes is a foreign fubftance, fuperinduced on the original limestone foil of the country, in a ftate of softness capable of allowing the flints to penetrate confiderably within its lower furface. It is hardly neceffary to add, that the laya is an extrane ous mafs, overfpreading the adjoining foil in a fluid ftate; that it is often borne on a limeftone bafe; or that flints, and other hard matters, do frequently penetrate into its fubftance. In short, the circumftances of agreement are fo numerous, and fo clear, as to create a very reasonable prefumption that they are one and the fame fpecies of fubftance.' In the 11th letter our author answers the objections which can be made to his theory, and further illuftrates and confirms it. Upon the whole, thefe letters are the production of an ingenious and philofophic pen, They will entertain the curious reader, and inftruct the learned, Hamilton feems to be an aufpicious name in the ftudy of natural history. Imperial Orders and Regulations concerning the Free Majons.~ I.IN the capital of each province, where no more than one lodge fhall be permited, leaving it entirely at the option of its memhers to affemble and meet as often as they think proper, upon condition, however, that notice of the day and hour of fuch meeting or meetings, fhall be given to the magiftrate, or to the intendant of the police, If, in a large and capital city, one fingle lodge fhould prove infufficient for the geneai accommodation of the brethren, then they may be allowed, on the fame terms of giving notice as above, two, or even three additional lodges, being under the controul of the firit and principal one. II. No Free Mafons Lodges fhall be admiffible in fuch city or town, which is not the feat of the principal government, much leis in the country, or at any private feat. The informers, in fuch a cafe, shall be entitled to the fame reward, as is ufually allow ed to thofe who inform against gambling houies; because affemblies which confift of N 0 TE. place in lava, from the compact, clofe-grained kind, to the fpongy lava, may also be raced among the bafaltes." perfons of different ranks and conditions ought not to be left entirely to themselves, but ever remain under the controul of the magiftracy. The delinquents shall be liable to perfonal punishment. III. The heads or presidents (whatever be the title they are known by among themselves) of fuch lodges as will be tolerated hereafter in each town or province, fhall, on their honour and credit, deliver to the principal man in the country, a lift of all the members of the brotherhood, of whatever rank and condition they may be; which lift fhall be tranfmitted here. Every three months the fame heads or prefidents fhall join thereto a fupplement, by which it may be known whether the number of Free Mafons, has, within that space of time, increased or dimi nifhed. There will be no manner of neceffity to add to the names the appellations by which the brethren are diftinguished among themfelves; yet, whenever a new mafter fhall be appointed, the new elected one fhall give notice thereof to the Regency. IV. Lodges thus managed, hall henceforth be fubject to no other inqueft of any kind and nature whatfoever, and the brethren fhall be at full liberty to affemble without any controul. By this means, it may not be impoffible, that this fraternity, in which are enrolled fo many men of integrity well known to me, may highly diftinguifh itfelf, by becoming ufeful both to the public But in the mean time, fpurious lodges, and in general, and to literature in particular. clandeftine meetings, which I am well informed have been in many inftances difor oufly prohibited, and for ever abolished. I make no doubt but this present refcript will prove acceptable to all honeft and wellmeaning Free Mafons, as it will be their fecurity, whilft it holds out juft and equitable means for preventing all unlawful conventicles, as well as the irregularities arifing therefrom. This ordinance fhall have force of law, and take place on the ift of January, 1786. Whoever is refractory thereto, fhall forfeit for each offence 300 ducats, as is enacted against hazard-players. One third of the above fum fhall be allowed to the informer, had he even been of the party, nor fhall his name be difclofed. Given at Vienna, Dec. 16, 1785. It may not be out of our purpofe to obferve, that the infertion of the above article in the Vienna Gazette, retarded for several hours the publication of that court paper. The cafe was, that the two Gerinan words, which, in the tranflation, have been foftened into thofe of art and myfiery, appeared too fevere, and that great intereft was made by the 1786. Memoirs of Lord Macartney.-The Cat in the Court of Chancery. the Free Masons to have them altered. Thefe words are, in the German original, Gauckelei, juggling tricks; and Geldschneiderei, fwind ling, or extorting money, but the Emperor would hearken to no remonftrance, and the expreffions complained of remain on record. Memoirs of the Right Hon. Lord Macartney, G late Governor of Madrass. of Ireland, EORGE Lord Macartney, baron of is defcended from the ancient and honourable family of Mac Carthy More. His lordship was born in the year 1738, and having paffed the earlier part of his life in ufeful and neceffary ftudies, he completed his education at Trinity College Dublin. On the death of his grandfather, he was entitled to an ef tate of confiderable value; whereupon he refolved to make the tour of Europe, in the courfe of which he formed connections with many diftinguished characters of his own and other countries. In Auguft, 1764, his Lordship was appointed Envoy Extraordinary to the Emprefs of Ruffia, and foon after the honour of knighthood was conferred upon him. The advantages refulting to this country, in confequence of a treaty of commerce brought about by his addrefs, were fuch as reflected great honour on his Lordship's eminent abilities as a politician. In 1766. the King of Poland was pleased to elect him a knight companion of the most ancient and honourable order of the White Eagle; and in 1767, the powers of his embally to the Court of Peterburgh were confiderably enlarged. In 1768, his Lordship married the Right Hon. Lady Jane Stuart, daughter of John Earl of Bute. In 1769, he was appointed principal Secretary to Lord Viscount Townfhend, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and fworn of his Majefty's Privy Council of that kingdom. He conducted himself in that arduous and important office with fo much propriety and moderation of fpirit, that even the violence of party and oppofition was in a great measure allayed, and his own reputation highly advanced. On the oth of July, 1776, his Lordfhip was created a peer of Ireland, under the file and title of Lord Macartney, Baron of Liffa nure, in the county of Antrim. Being appointed to the chief command of Grenada, Tobago, and fome other of the Weft-India islands, his Lordship quickly put an end to the many diffentions that had prevailed there, and eftablished peace and harmony throughout all the legitlative depart ments. In 1779, the ifland of Grenada was taken by Count D'Eftaing, and the Governor, after being plundered of all his effects, was fent a prifoner to France. On 189 the day of his departure, the inhabitants of Grenada waited upon his Lordship to thank him for the wisdom and firmness of his conduct during the time of his government, and to affure him, that the coolnefs and intrepidity which he fhewed in their defence, during the feveral attacks, was highly satis factory to them. In confequence of the reputation that Lord Macartney gained in the feveral emEat-India ployments in which he had been engaged, it were led to make choice of his Lordfbip as a proper perfon to reftore the profperity of their fettlement at Madrafs. He was accordingly appointed Governor and Prefident of Fort St. George, Madrafs, Dec. 14, 1780. He continued in this employment for a time; but fome alterations in the management of the Eat-India affairs having been thought neceffary to adopt by the Legislature of Great Britain, his Lordship thought proper to refign. His Lordfhip's perfon has always been confidered as remarkably handfome, being a little above the common ftature. As a public fpeaker, he is difpaffionate, clear and convincing; and in his manners and addrefs, he is affable and univerfally admired. The Cat in the Court of Chancery. Aay Cook in the City, had a cat which he found very mischievous among his paftry, and being tired with the repeated depredations of her tender foot breaking through the tops of his more tender pattys, his intereft go the better of his affection to pufs, and he ordered his apprentice to tie her in a bag, and carry her half a mile from hoine, and there turn her loofe in the ftreet. This expedient did not fucceed; the cat was at home as foon as the boy, though the experiment was often repeated, and the diftance of her removal greatly extended. One day upon feeing the cat unexpectedly return home, the poor Paftry cook (who had a caufe of twenty years ftanding in the Court of Chancery). exclaimed, "Dn the cat, I with the were in the Court of Chancery; I am fure the would never get out of that place."-The apprentice hearing his mafter's wifh, and being a little out of humour that his former attempts failed, and quite ignorant of the wit of his master, inftantly fet off with the cat into Lincoln's-Inn-Hall, and turned her a drift. The cat, who found the Court as full of Lawyers, as her mafter's fhop was of tarts, ran like a mad thing from fide to fide of the Court, and at length over the Chancellor's lap, threw down his ink, difordered his notes, and created fo much confufion inf the Court, that for a tine it put a stop tod all pleadings; till at length the Chancellor with n Го me by |