28 The Tranfactions of the Royal Irish Academy. The Tranfactions of the Royal Irife WE E mean not to infinuate any invidious or disrespectful comparifon between the productions of this, and thofe of other literary focieties. When we affirm, however, that among the annual communications which we have an opportunity of perufing, the contributions of the Irish academy towards the improvement of the arts and fciences are eminently excellent,--when we af firm this, we only discharge our duty to the public, and prefent the juft tribute of praife to genius and industry usefully directed. The memoirs in this volume are arranged, as ufual, under these three heads Science, which fill 327 pages; Polite Literature, 92 pages; and Antiquities, 63 pages. SCIENCE. Art. 1. A comparative view of meteorological obfervations made in Ireland fince the year 1788, with fome hints towards forming prognoftics of the weather, by Richard Kirwan, Efq. F. R. S. M. R. I. A.- The viciffitudes of the weather, like every other change in nature, are doubtlefs governed by phyfical principles, and refult neceffarily from the operation of previous circumftances. Of thefe viciffitudes various phenomena have been accounted prognoftics, and to prefage them with fome degree of probability feveral expedients have been adopted. The phafes of the celeftial bodies, and certain affections of the animal creation, have frequently been reforted to as grounds of conjecture on this fubject. One of the moft celebrated of the Roman poets, viewing the matter as intimately connected with the arts of hufbandry, has specified feveral fuch prognoftics of the weather. All inquiries, however, into this fubject have been circumfcribed, with refpect to their object, within the narrow limits of a few days, or at most of a lunar month, and if extended farther, have never, till of late, been conducted on any juft or philofophical principles. The connection of the feafons was indeed easily, and therefore early afcertained; but to prefage their different modifications and Jan. characters, in a scientific manner, and to infiitute any theory of the principles ed, is a new attempt in the researches of by which their temperament is regulat philofophy. In fhort, meteorology as a fcience, is yet in it's infancy. The Irish academy has paid confiderable at tention to this fubject; and has provid ed and diftributed, at it's own coft, fe veral well conftructed meteorological inftruments, for the purpose of obferv. ing, with accuracy, the various changes of the weather. A fummary view of fome of thefe obfervations, Dr. K. has, through the medium of the fociety, prefented to the public in this, and the two following memoirs.-The firft contains an account of the weather at Dublin for the years 1789, and 1790; at Belfast for the firit fx months of 1789; at Galway for the firft eight months of that year; and at London for the whole cluded with Dr. Rutty's table of the of the fame year. The memoir is conate of fpring, fummer, and autumn, from 1725 to 1765 inclufively, whence our author calculates the probability at the commencement of the year, of wet, dry, or variable seasons. ufed by Dr. Rutty, being vague and inThe terms wet, dry, and variable, as definite, Dr. K. in the 2d memoir, affixes to them a precife meaning, and' determines the feafons to be wet, variable, and dry, according as the quantity of rain, falling on a square foot during these feafons, exceeds, equals, or falls fhort of a definite weight. the weather in Dublin, from the 1ft June The 3d memoir contains a ftate of 1791, to the 1ft January 1793. 9 ignesus origin of fony Jubftances, by Art. 4. Examination of the fuppofed Richard Kirwan, Eg. F. R. S. and M. R. I. A.-It has been generally fuppofed by naturalifts, that ftones were originally foft, and even liquid ; and their fluidity was occafioned by their diffolution or their diffufion in water, and that they were afterwards cryftallized, precipitated, or otherwife feparated from it. In oppofition to this opinion, Dr. Hutton has endeavoured to prove, that any cedently to the prefent ftate of ed of folidity, and have fince acquired our globe," ftores were utterly depriv it by fufion and fubfequent congela- dicinal water, Mr. K. informs us, has, tion." This theory of Dr. Hutton's is in every cafe of worms, in which he controverted in this memoir, in which has tried it, proved a very efficacious the author affirms, Ift,' that the fuppo- remedy, and completely deftroyed them. fition of a degree of heat fufficient for One ounce of the impregnated liquor the fufion of ftony fubftances in gene- fhould be mixed with twelve ounces of ral, without calcination or change, is cold water, two ounces of which mixnot only gratuitous, but alfo contrary ture may be taken as a dɔfe. to all, that we at prefent know, of the agency of heat:' and 2dly, that all the appearances of nature depofe in favour of an aqueous folution or diffufion, and a cryftallization, concretion, or fubfidence therefrom, and against an igneous fufion or folution.'-Dr. Hutton's theory is certainly ingenious, while it removes feveral difficulties, which accompany the generally received hypothefis. The objections, however, which are here urged against it, are very forcible; and if not fufficient to overturn it, render it's truth highly problematical. Art. 5. A method of preparing a sul phureous medicinal water, by the Rev. Edward Kenney.-It has been the opition of feveral chemifts, that fulphureous waters are impregnated with the fumes of fulphur only; while others have afferted, that they contain fulphur combined with magnefia. The latter of the fe hypothefes is adopted by Mr. K. and his method of preparing fulphurous water he explains thus: p. 85. 'Flowers of fulphur and magnefia are to be mixed with water in the proportion of four drachms of each to a quart of water. They fhould previously be ground together in a glafs mortar, for the purpofe of breaking all the fmall lumps of fulphur which would other wife float on the water. They fhould then be gradually wetted with the water, and worked up with it by the hard. When fo mixed, as that none of the fulphur floats, the whole is to be poured into a clofe veffel, in which it may conveniently be fhaken two or three times every day for three weeks. After that time it is to fettle for two days, and then the liquid to be racked off fine. The fame ingredients will impregnate the like quantity of water two or three times, to an equal degree of ftrength, in a fpace of time fomewhat fhorter than the firft.' This me Art. 6. On the folution of lead by lime, by Robert Perceval, M. D. M. R. I. A. In this memoir is contained an account of feveral experiments, which the author made, in order to afcertain ia what manner lead is corroded by lime, and how far this corrofion may be promoted by the action of atmospheric air. Art. 7. On a new kind of portable barometer, for measuring heights, by the Rev. James Archibald Hamilton, D. D. M. R. I. A.-The barometer here recommended is conftructed on this principle, that cork is a fubftance which is impermeable to mercury, but fufficiently porous for the free and eafy tranfmiffion of air. The inftrument is thus delcribed by the author: p. 97. The barometer confifts of a tube not much more than thirty inches long, an ivory cylinder about two inches in length, and upwards of one inch in diameter, open at one end, clofed at the other by a cover that is to be fitted on with a fcrew, fo fine and true as to prevent the efcape of any quickfilver when the inftrument is put together. A found, clean and porous cork, of about three fourths of an inch in length, and one in diameter, fhould be very nicely fitted to enter with a moderate preffure at the bottom of the ivory cylinder, which fhould be turned fo truly throughout, that the cork may be pushed up to the extremity of the open, where there fhould be left a small ihoulder to ftop the farther progrefs of the cork, and to retain it in its proper place. When the cork is in this fituation it fhould be carefully bored with a circular file to receive the end of the glass tube tightly through its axis, fo that the end of the tube may rife beyond it, and project about half an inch into the empty part of the cylinder, and that the axis of the tube, and of the cylinder, may be exactly in the fame right line. The tube fhould be then carefully filled filled in the usual manner, and the mercury poured over the end into the ivory cylinder, till fuch a quantity is admitted as may be fufficient, when the lid is fcrewed down tight, to cover the end of the glafs tube in any poffible pofition of the inftrument: to wit, when held either parallel, oblique, or perpendicular to the horizon, a bored mahogany ftaff with a brafs fcale and vernier, a thermometer cafe, and caps of brass to flide or screw on each end, is to be prepared to receive the barometer and its attached thermometer, which being firmly and carefully introduced and fit ted to their places, the whole is completed and fit for ufe.'-This defcription of the inftrument is accompanied with a plate, and followed by fome remarks on the conftruction, adjustment, and manner of ufing it. The diameter of the tube, recommended by Dr. H. is one-tenth of an inch, and that of the ciftern 1.2. Art. 8. A letter to the author of the preceding paper, with remarks and bints for the further improvement of barometers, by H. Hamilton, D. D. Dean of Armagh, F.R. S. & M. R. I. A.-The author of this memoir approves of the form and ftructure of Dr. A. H.'s barometer, but fufpects, that the clofenefs of the cork, which is fufficient to prevent the mercury from efcaping, will alfo prevent the free communication that ought to fubfift between the outward air, and that in the box.' He obferves likewife, that the pores of the cork may in time be obftructed by duft, or ftopped by the abforption of moifture; and that as there is no hole wherein a floating gage may be dropped, the height of the mercury can never be accurately measured. He therefore recommends, that instead of cork, the top of the box fhould be ivory, with a hole for a floating gage. To correct that error, by which the variations in the height of the mercury always appear less than they are, he propofes, inftead of tables, which Dr. A. H. had recommended, fhowing what addition fhould be made to every variation, that a fcale fhould be made at once, which would require no correction. The method he recommends of forming this fcale is fimple, and we doubt not will prove fufficiently accurate. We tranfcribe his words, p. 122. The cafieft, and, I believe, the moft accurate method of forming a correct fcale for a portable barometer, is this: put it up by a fixed barometer, whofe veffel, for the ftagnant mercury, is fo large that you may be fure the furface of the mercury in it will not rife or fall perceptibly on its rifing or falling in the tube; fo that the common fcale, annexed to this large barometer, will always point out the true variations and altitudes of the mercury in the tube. Mark, at the fame time, the points at which the mercury ftands in the tube of each barometer. When you find that the mercury in the fixed barometer has varied through any given space, fuppofe one inch, then take accurately the length of the space through which it has varied at that time in the portable barometer; this will be the length of a line which is to reprefent one inch in the correct scale for that portable barometer. That this obfervation may be accurate it thould be repeated often. In this way of making a fcale we avoid the trouble of meafuring exactly the diameters of the box and of the tube, and of its orifice or bore, and of finding out from thence what is to be the length of our correct scale. Inflead of this, we have only the length of one fpace or line to measure, and this gives the length of our fcale without any calculation.' (To be continued.) Some Account of a New Work intitled Thoughts on the English Government. Addreed to the quiet god Senje of the People of England: in a Series of Letters. Letter the First. "TH HIS letter, which has excited much attention, feems, from the concluding paragraph, to be addreffed to fome perfon of importance; it was intended to form part of a preface to a work now in hand,' and if the prefent theets be approved, they will be followed by more." Good fenfe, we are here told, is the characteristic of Enghien: this we have heard before, but it is the first time we ever knew their love of quiet' fo warmly panegyrited. Mo defty, an unaffuming pride, generofity, a jealousy of power, rather than ambitien to partake of it: thefe are the praifes with which the English reader, who thinks more of his civil, than his political liberty, is bribed in the outfet to iwallow certain doctrines refpecting 'the nature of our government, which is nox fafhionably calle the confiitutiThe following flight of loyalty is a novelty, even in the prefent day, and muft aftonish thofe who have not read Filmer. P. 8. But above all things, an Englishman loves quiet.-Give us peace in our time, is the language of his prayers, and the filent with of his heart. How many virtues does this fingle difpofition oblige him to practife! it is from hence that he is patient and forbearing towards his governors; not captious and wilful, but feeking the faireft conftruction of what they do; afcribing to them the fame honefty of intention which he feels in his own mind. And fhould his jealoufy once be excited, he will bear and for bear for a time, ftill hoping that things may mend. He knows the value of hat he poffeffes better than lightly or harily to with for a change, and he dreads every change may be for the worfe. What forms and convulfions have been escaped by the prevalence of this love for peace and quiet! but the more immediate confequence of it is th's, that it's kindred quality GOOD SENSE has thus an interval left, to interpofe it's protecting influence, and confider of fuch remedies as may feem fuited to the nature of the exifting evil. The English government is an organ of public union and activity, which is adapted to the humour and mode of thinking of thofe who were witneffes to the formation of it, and who live under it. It appears to me, we may difcern in the whole compofition of it, the refult of that conflitution of mind which I bave juft afcribed to our countrymen. Vaambitious, and preferring the quiet and peace, which enables them to purfe their own affairs, to the power and Splendour of managing thofe of the public, the English yield a willing obedence to a government not of their own fing it is an hereditary king, who bears all the burthen of government, who is endued with all the power neceffary to carry it on, and who enjoys all the honour and preeminence neceffary to give fplendour to fo high a ftation. It is the king's peace, under which we enjoy the freedom of our perfons, and the fecurity of our property he makes and he executes the laws, which contain the rules by which that peace. is kept; and for this purpose, all officers, civil and military, derive their authority from him. Still further to ftrengthen this all-powerful fway, two qualities are added that feem to bring this royal fovereignty, as far as mortal inftitutions can be, ftill nearer to the government of heaven. First, this power is to have perpetual continuancethe king never dies:-Seondly, such unbounded power fhall be prefumed to be exercifed with as eminent goodness; and it is accordingly held that the king can do no wrong-meaning that his perfon is fo facred that wrong fhall never be imputed to him.' After obferving, that with the exception of the two adjuncts, government, and the adminiftration of it, may be faid to reft wholly and folely on the king, and thofe appointed by him," the author proceeds as follows: The fubject feels this, and acknowledges with thankfulness a fuperintending fovereignty, which alone is congenial with the fentiments and temper of Englishmen. In fine, the government of England is a monarchy: the monarch is the antient flock from which have fprung these goodly branches of the legiflature, the lords and commons, that at the fame time give ornament to the tree, and afford fhelter to thofe who feek protection under it. But these are ftill only branches, and derive their origin and their nutriment from their common parent; they may be lopped off, and the tree is a tree ftill; thorn indeed of its honours, but not, like them, caft into the fire. The kingly government may go on, in all its functions, without lords or commons; it has heretofore done fo for years together, and in our time it does fo during very recefs of parliament; but with the king, his parliament is no more. king, therefore, alone it is who neceffarily The fubfifts, fubfifts, without change or diminution and from him alone we unceasingly derive the protection of law and govern ment. Such are the principles and conftitution of the English government delivered down to us from our ancestors, fuch they can be demonftrated to be from the inconteftible evidence of hiftory and records; and fuch it is wifhed they fhould continue by nine tenths of the nation.' The reformation, fo far at leaft as the opinions and difcipline of Geneva conftitute a part of it, is confidered as an innovation, and on this occafion all Frenchmen, from Calvin down to Condorcet, from Beza to Briffot,' are condemned in the lump. We were at firft at a lofs to know the reafon of the bitterness displayed against the church of Scotland, but we foon difcovered it to be, 1. Becaufe Calvin came into power on no authority but that of the people, and could form his church government upon no other than popular principles;' and. 2 the French reformers' undertook to fearch into the title of the civil magiftrate, and examined by what authority and upon what truft he exercifed his power,' notions that are to be found in the writings of Calvin and Biza, and in those of Buchanan, John Knox, Cartwright, and others of the Geneva difcipline, who chofe to make this island the theatre for acting fome of their tragedies. ་ 6 As to what has been vulgarly called the revolution,' it is confidered as a farce, and hinted to be little better than a fuccefsful rebellion, the mention of which is fuppofed to be difagrecable to the king. The term 'confitution has nothin in itself objectionable, more efecially as a hort way of fpeaking of the conftitution of the government; but it appears to be an bnoxious word, and notwithstanding it is to be found in lord Grenville's bill, it is confidered as vigue and nugatory-in fhort-the government we know-and the laws we know-but the conftitution we know not. It is an unknown region, that has never been vifited but by dreamers, and men who fee vifions; and the reports they make are fo contradictory that no one relies upon them. Yet we can manage to fpell out of them, that there is refident there a great deal of faction and fedition; envy and ambition; and fomething that looks like eternal warfare of party.' It is afferted, that the whig party has contained in it fome of the moft dangerous men, and produced fome of the moft peftilent writings that have appeared;' and it is contended with fome juftice, that the whigs in place always acted like tories.' Thofe lately acquitted by juries for high treafon have fince been found guilty by their country; the new democrats who at prefent infeft the country' are termed a fet, that are not a party but a confpiracy; a band of Catilinarians that look only for plunder and bloodthed, general confufion and anarchy.' With thefe the refuse of the whig club have fraternized to make a common caufe! the dregs of the upper claffes of fociety, mingled with the dregs of the lower! · Mr. Reeves, chief juftice of New.foundland, fteward of the duchy of Lancafter, commiffioner of bankrupt cies, law clerk in lord Hawkefbury's office, treafurer to the Weftminfter police, chairman of an affociation againft republicans and levellers, &c., is reported to be the author of this very extraordinary pamphlet, which may be properly enough bound up with the Example of France a Warning to Great Britain,' written by Mr. Arthur Young, Secretary to the Board of Agriculture. |