and will be gratified by the vindication of the memory of their friend. The latter, then Sir Heary Hardinge, in writing from Liege, April 22, 1815, says, in the course of a letter:

but he was full of kindness, liberality, and con-
sideration for the feelings of others.
And again :-

I was honored with the friendly notice of Sir Hudson Lowe, and enjoyed much of his confidence, during the course of thirty years. I knew him when his military reputation marked him as an officer of the highest promise. I witnessed his able conduct as governor of St. Helena; I saw him when the malice of his one

with unmerited opprobrium; I beheld him on his death-bed; and throughout these various phases in his career I admired and respected his character, while I truly loved the man.

I should fail in doing your friends here justice were I to deny myself the pleasure of assuring you of their esteem and attachment, which they profess too earnestly and frankly not to make it very acceptable for its sincerity. The Dutch insinuation that our eyes were directed to our shipping was distinctly denied in Lord Welling-mies had gained the ascendant, and covered him ton's letter to General Gneisenau, in which he said that the present position of the Prussians on the Meuse and Sambre would induce him in any operations to make commmon cause. Among other officers who hear reports without having access to official information I have used your hint usefully; and I beg as the greatest favor you can confer on me that at any leisure you can spare you will do me the kindness to continue these advices, which, in a new situation which you know so well, are very valuable.

From the Athenreum.

PROFESSOR FARADAY ON TABLE-MOVING. THE following account of the methods pursued and the results obtained by Prof. Faraday in the investigation of a subject which In May, 1815, while acting as quarter-mas- has taken such strange occupation of the ter-general of the Duke of Wellington's army, public mind, both here and abroad, has been Sir Hudson Lowe was sent to take command communicated to our columns by that high of the British troops at Genoa, intended to scientific authority. The subject was genercooperate with the Austro-Sardinian army in ally opened by Mr. Faraday in the Times of the south of France. At Heidelberg he had an Thursday; it being therein intimated that the interview with the Emperor Alexander, which details were to be reserved for our this day's he describes in a letter to Sir Henry Bunbury. publication. The communication is of great He was with Lord Exmouth at the submission importance in the present morbid condition of of Toulon, and while commandant at Mar-public thought-when, as Professor Faraday seilles, on the 1st of August, he received intelligence of his appointment to have the custody of Napolcon. He left, carrying with him the cordial esteem of Lord Exmouth, and the authorities of Marseilles presented him with a silver urn in consideration of his conduite personelle.

Such is the British officer, in his previous history, whom we are in his new and responsible office as governor of St. Helena usually taught to regard as the impersonation of everything base and dishonorable. A crowd of testimonies are given in these volumes, from civil as well as military authorities, as to the admirable conduct of Sir Hudson Lowe in his painful and difficult office. We give two brief passages as specimens of many similar

statements.

66

says, the effect produced by table-turners has, without due inquiry, been referred to electricity, to magnetism, to attraction, to some unknown or hitherto unrecognized physical power able to affect inanimate bodies, to the revolution of the earth, and even to diabolical or supernatural agency;—and we are tempted to extract a passage from Mr. Faraday's letter to the Times which we think well worth adding to the experimental particulars and the commentaries with which he has favored ourselves. "I have been," says the professor, greatly startled by the revelation which this purely physical subject has made of the condition of the public mind. No doubt there are many persons who have formed a right judgment or used a cautious reserve for I know several such, and public communications have shown it to be so; but their number is almost as nothing to the great body who have believed and borne testimony, as I think, in the cause of error. I do not here refer to the distinction of those who agree with me and those who differ. By the great body, I mean such as reject all consideration of the equality of cause and effectwho refer the results to electricity and magnetism, yet know nothing of the laws of these forces or to attraction, yet show no phenomena of pure attractive power or to the rotation of the earth, as if the earth revolved

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF TABLE-MOVING. The object which I had in view in this inquiry was not to satisfy myself, for my conclusion had been formed already on the evidence of those who had turned tables

round the leg of a table- or to some unrec- est trace of electrical or magnetic effects bo ognized physical force, without inquiring obtained. At the same trials it was readily whether the known forces are not sufficient ascertained that one person could produce the or who even refer them to diabolical or super-effect; and that the motion was not necessanatural agency, rather than suspend their rily circular, but might be in a straight line. judgment, or acknowledge to themselves that No form of experiment or mode of observation they are not learned enough in these matters that I could devise gave me the slightest into decide on the nature of the action. I think dication of any peculiar natural force. No the system of education that could leave the attractions, or repulsions, or signs of tangenmental condition of the public body in the tial power, appeared, nor anything which state in which this subject has found it must could be referred to other than the mere mehave been greatly deficient in some very im-chanical pressure exerted inadvertently by the portant principle." turner. I therefore proceeded to analyze this pressure, or that part of it exerted in a horizontal direction :-doing so, in the first instance, unawares to the party. A soft cement, consisting of wax and turpentine, or wax and pomatum, was prepared. Four or five pieces of smooth, slippery cardboard were attached one over the other by little pellets of the cement, and the lower of these to a piece of sand-paper resting on the table; the edges of these sheets overlapped slightly, and on the under surface a pencil line was drawn over the laps so as to indicate position. The upper cardboard was larger than the rest, so as to cover the whole from sight. Then, the table-turner placed the hands upon the upper card, and we waited for the result. Now, the cement was strong enough to offer considerable resistance to mechanical motion, and also to retain the cards in any new position which they might acquire, and yet weak enough to give way slowly to a continued force. When at last the tables, cards and hands, all moved to the left together, and so a true result was obtained, I took up the pack. On examination, it was easy to see, by the displacement of the parts of the line, that the hand had moved further than the table, and that the latter had lagged behind; — that the hand, in fact, had pushed the upper card to the left, and that the under cards and the table had followed and been dragged by it. In other similar cases when the table had not moved, still the upper card was found to have moved, showing that the hand had carried it in the expected direction. It was evident, therefore, that the table had not drawn the hand and person round, nor had it moved simultaneously with the hand. The hand had left all things under it behind, and the table evidently tended continually to keep the hand back.

but that I might be enabled to give a strong opinion, founded on facts, to the many who applied to me for it. Yet, the proof which I sought for, and the method followed in the inquiry, were precisely of the same nature as those which I should adopt in any other physical investigation. The parties with whom I have worked were very honorable, very clear in their intentions, successful table-movers, very desirous of succeeding in establishing the existence of a peculiar power, thoroughly candid, and very effectual. It is with me a clear point that the table moves when the parties, though they strongly wish it, do not intend, and do not believe that they move it by ordinary mechanical power. They say, the table draws their hands; that it moves first, and they have to follow it that sometimes it even moves from under their .hands. With some the table will move to the right or left according as they wish or will it-with others the direction of the first motion is uncertain; — but all agree that the table moves the hands, and not the hands the table. Though I believe the parties do not intend to move the table, but obtain the result by a quasi involuntary action, still I had no doubt of the influence of expectation upon their minds, and through that upon the success or failure of their efforts. The first point, therefore, was, to remove all objections due to expectation, having relation to the substances which I might desire to use: plates of the most different bodies, electrically speaking-namely, sand-paper, millboard, glue, glass, moist clay, tinfoil, cardboard, The next step was, to arrange an index, gutta percha, vulcanized rubber, wood, &c., which should show whether the table moved were made into a bundle and placed on a first, or the hand moved before the table, or table under the hands of a turner. The both moved or remained at rest together. table turned. Other bundles of other plates At first this was done by placing an upright were submitted to different persons at other pin fixed on a leaden foot upon the table, and times and the tables turned. Henceforth, using that as the fulcrum of a light lever. therefore, these substances may be used in the The latter was made of a slip of foolscap construction of apparatus. Neither during paper, and the short arm, about of an inch their use nor at other times could the slight-in length, was attached to a pin proceeding

80,

table) is the corrective power it possesses continued pressure. If a finger be pressed over the mind of the table-turner. As soon constantly into the corner of a window frame as the index is placed before the most earnest, for ten minutes or more, and then, continuing and they perceive -as in my presence they the pressure, the mind be directed to judge have always done—that it tells truly whether whether the force at a given moment is all they are pressing downwards only, or oblique-horizontal, or all downward, or how much is ly, then all effects of table-turning cease, even though the parties persevere, earnestly desiring motion, till they become weary and worn out. No prompting or checking of the hands is needed- the power is gone; and this only because the parties are made conscious of what they are really doing mechanically, and so are unable unwittingly to deceive themselves. I know that some may say that it is the cardboard next the fingers which moves first, and that it both drags the table and also the table-turner with it. All I have to reply is, that the cardboard may in practice be reduced to a thin sheet of paper weighing only a few grains, or to a piece of goldbeaters' skin, or even the end of the lever, and (in principle) to the very cuticle of the fingers itself. Then the results that follow are too absurd to be admitted: the table becomes an incumbrance, and a person holding out the fingers in the air, either naked or tipped with goldbeaters' skin or cardboard, ought to be drawn about the room, &c. ; but I refrain from considering imaginary yet consequent results which have nothing philosophical or real in them."]

Another form of index was applied thus: a circular hole was cut in the middle of the upper board, and a piece of cartridge paper pasted under it on the lower surface of the board; a thin slice of cork was fixed on the upper surface of the lower board corresponding to the cartridge paper; the interval between them might be a quarter of an inch or less. A needle was fixed into the end of one of the index hay-stalks, and when all was in place the needle-point was passed through the cartridge paper and pressed slightly into the cork beneath, so as to stand upright; then any motion of the hand, or hand-board, was instantly rendered evident by the deflection of the perpendicular haystalk to the right or left.

in one direction and how much in the other,
it will find great difficulty in deciding, and
will at last become altogether uncertain; at
least, such is my case. I know that a sim-
ilar result occurs with others; for I have had
two boards arranged, separated, not by rollers,
but by plugs of vulcanized rubber, and with
the vertical index; when a person with his
hands on the upper board is requested to
press only downwards, and the index is hid-
den from his sight, it moves to the right, to
the left, to him and from him, and in all hor-
izontal directions; so utterly unable is he
strictly to fulfil his intention without a visible
and correcting indicator. Now, such is the
use of the instrument with the horizontal
index and rollers; the mind is instructed,
and the involuntary or quasi involuntary mo-
tion is checked in the commencement, and
therefore never rises up to the degree needful
to move the table, or even permanently the
index itself. No one can suppose that look-
ing at the index can in any way interfere
with the transfer of electricity or any other
power from the hand to the board under it or
to the table. If the board tends to move, it
the index does not confine it; and
may do so
if the table tends to move, there is no reason
why it should not. If both were influenced by
any power to move together, they may do so
-as they did indeed when the apparatus was
tied, and the mind and muscles left unwatched
and unchecked.

I must bring this long description to a close. I am a little ashamed of it, for I think, in the present age, and in this part of the world, it ought not to have been required. Nevertheless, I hope it may be useful. There are many whom I do not expect to convince; but I may be allowed to say that I cannot undertake to answer such objections as may be made. I state my own convictions as an experimental philosopher, and find it no more I think the apparatus I have described may necessary to enter into controversy on this be useful to many who really wish to know point than on any other in science, as the the truth of nature, and would prefer that nature of matter, or inertia, or the magnetitruth to a mistaken conclusion; desired, zation of light, on which I may differ from perhaps, only because it seems to be new or others. The world will decide sooner or later strange. Persons do not know how difficult in all such cases, and I have no doubt very it is to press directly downward, or in any soon and correctly in the present instance. given direction, against a fixed obstacle; or Those who may wish to see the particular even to know only whether they are doing construction of the test-apparatus which I so or not; unless they have some indica- have employed, may have the opportunity at tor, which, by visible motion or otherwise, Mr. Newman's, 122 Regent Street. Further, shall instruct them; and this is more espec- I may say, I have sought earnestly for cases ially the case when the muscles of the fingers of lifting by attraction, and indications of and hand have been cramped and rendered attraction in any form, but have gained no éither tingling, or insensible, or cold, by long- traces of such effects. Finally, I beg to di

rect attention to the discourse delivered by habit of drawing upon his memory, or some Dr. Carpenter at the Royal Institution on the compendium, for the history of the places he 12th of March, 1852, entitled, "On the in- sees. fluence of Suggestion in modifying and directing Muscular Movement, independently of Volition"-which, especially in the latter part, should be considered in reference to tablemoving by all who are interested in the subject. M. FARADAY.

Royal Institution, June 27.

The principal feature of the volume is the ascent of Mount Etna. The voyage was made in one of her majesty's steamers; and, on arriving at Catania, the captain, the surgeon, and the guest, resolved to do the mountain in four-and-twenty-hours, or one half the usual time. This was accomplished by two of the By these simple but conclusive experiments party, but by exertions which produced re(says the Literary Gazette), Professor Fara-sults that rendered the enterprise anything day has unmasked the fallacy which has been but desirable to imitate. The captain, who turning the heads, hats and tables, of all Eu- only attained the English cottage, never was rope; and with the aid of glass, resin and his own man again, and he died in three other non-conducting materials, has, we hope, satisfied the electrical public that tables will not turn unless they are pushed. "I should be sorry," says Professor Faraday, who has been, doubtless, laughing in his sleeve while making these experiments, "if I thought this necessary on my own part;" and it seems to us rather hard that a great philosophic mind should have to go through all this tomfoolery for the sake of disproving what no really scientific man, as we stated two months ago, has yet ventured to assert. It is an act ct of condescension, on the part of the learned professor, for which he is to be honored. He has shown himself, in this instance, to be a watchful guardian, as well as an eloquent ex-veloped in the clouds of suffocating smoke, or positor, of popular science.

WATSON'S CRUISE IN THE ÆGEAN.*

THIS volume contains something more than a cruise in the Egean. In addition to a steam-voyage from Constantinople to Sicily, Mr. Watson ascended Mount Etna, and visited several of the island cities, crossed over to Naples, spent about a week at Rome, and finally travelled through Savoy, Lombardy, and a portion of the Alps. He also increases the matter of his tour by reminiscences of

travel on other occasions.

Neither the voyage nor the land travel was remarkable for incidents. The scenery and the cities Mr. Watson saw were beautiful in themselves or interesting for their association. For the most part, however, they have often been described already; and if the author does not make too much of his description, he does not stick to his text. One thing in one place suggests something else like it which he has seen in another place, and the reader is favored with both at full length. He also falls into the too common

* A Cruise in the Egean. The Retrospect of a Summer Journey Westward" from the Great City by Propontic Sea." Including an Ascent of Mount Etna. By Walter Watson. Published by Har

rison.

years after. Mr. Watson and the doctor were obliged to lie down and rest or sleep at considerable risk from the cold; on their return in mid-day they suffered terribly from the heat. After all, they could not manage sunrise from the summit, which embraces the whole circuit; though what they saw was magnificent. They did reach the crater at last, at separate intervals; and then Mr. Watson was repaid.

In the immediate neighborhood of the crater the internal heat suffices to keep the ground dry and hard, so that the remaining portion of the ascent was accomplished without difficulty or danger; though we were from time to time en

vapor, which incessantly burst forth from the crater. Our path now lay along the edge of a vast hollow, perfectly round and smooth, and lined with a thick crust of crystallized sulphur, into which I rather hesitatingly followed the guide; but seeing that he plodded on comme si ne rien était, I felt I could not do better than tread in his footsteps over the treacherous ground. After descending a little way, we again climbed the steep side, and, emerging from this preparatory wonder, stood upon the crater's burning lips." I did not burst forth into exclamations of wonder and delight, but probably my countenance expressed the inward feelings of the moment; for the guide looked at me, and said, in a quiet, significant manner, "Now, are you satisfied?". as much as to say, "It is worth the trouble, is it not?" I was riveted to the spot, literally in breathless admiration. Never before had I felt such a deep, such an awful sense of the power of the Almighty.

We stood on the edge of a precipitous chasm, sharp and rugged as if the mountain had just been rent asunder. The internal surface, as far as the eye could penetrate, consisted of a coating of sulphureous earth, which seemed to be continually burning without being consumed; whilst through innumerable fissures jets of flame darted up, and played over the glowing mass, dazzling the eye by the intense brightness and variety of their coloring. The jagged, irregular outline of the whole crater is divided by a vast projecting wall of rock, of most singular appearance, coated with the deposit of the fumes