1831. This circumstance appears to have inspired his muse to the present effort; of which the following extract, describing the knighthood of the hero, will be a fair specimen : "Conducted by her household lords, 'mid forms of regal pride, The poem consists of sixty-two eight-line stanzas ; and therefore vastly exceeds in length at least that which Cowley made on the chair, now preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, which was made out of a portion of Drake's "Great ship, which round the world had run, And match'd in race the chariot of the sun."" Yet, however successfully the author may have courted the muse, we think there are good grounds to suppose that he considers the notes, which give a full and particular account of the aforesaid astrolabe, as forminga portion of the volume of paramount importance. In short, Dr. Bigsby is not willing that the light of his munificence should be hidden under a bushel; and indeed, we think it is very openly published in a place which is weekly visited by hundreds of his grateful countrymen; but, having now given him all credit for his public-spirited liberality, we must not allow him to throw all forbenefactors entirely into the shade. Surely, amidst his ample anno mer tations, he might have found a place for something more than so slight an allusion to "a chair said to have been presented to the University of Oxford, with appropriate verses on the oссаsion, by the celebrated Cowley." Why, the chair is daily seen by the visitors of the University; and all its history, with Cowley's verses, are to be found in various books. It is recorded that the chair was made by John Davies, esq. the Commissioner of Deptford dockyard, at the time of the ship's being broken up, and was presented to the University by Mr. Davies. A lithographic print of it accompanies an octavo tractate of the Life of Sir Francis Drake, (extracted from the Biographia Britannica, &c.) which was privately printed (for whom we know not) in 1828. In p. 70, Dr. Bigsby, quoting Queen Elizabeth's "well known distich" on her four Nottinghamshire Knights, has got a wrong name, "Marchmont the lyon," instead of Markham. Chronicle of the Law Officers of Ireland. By Constantine J. Smyth, B.A. of Lincoln's Inn, 12mo. This is one of those useful books of reference to which we are always happy to give our encouragement and our thanks. It contains lists of all the judges, attorneys and solicitors general, serjeants at law, &c. with dates and abstracts of their patents, from the earliest period; and its value both to history and biography need not be pointed out. It is remarkable that no such materials for the legal history of Ireland have been published before. Down to the accession of George the Third, they had been prepared by Mr. Lodge (Keeper of the Irish Records, and author of the Peerage of Ireland), but hitherto they have been printed only in that mismanaged work, the Liber Hibernia, a work which, though produced at the public cost, is at present confined to the use of the officials in Downing Street. In the arrangement of Mr. Smyth's "Chronological Table," however, we must notice a great oversight: namely, that of attaching to the regnal years those years of our Lord, in which the former merely commenced: thus, throughout the reign of George III. the regnal years are connected with those years of our Lord of which little more than two months (or one sixth of the whole year) really belongs to them; the effect is to make nearly all the dates one year too early: for instance, in p. 261, all the appointments headed " 45 George III. 1804" actually belong to 1805; and the whole of those headed "46 George III.-1805," belong to 1806; and so in many other pages. Appended to the lists is an outline of the Legal History of Ireland, comprising a sketch of the state of the law and its administrators at different periods, and extending to the year 1806; it was written by Mr. Duhigg, for many years librarian to the King's Inns. Inventaire Chronologique des Documents relatifs à l'Histoire d'Ecosse conservés aux Archives du Royaume à Paris: suivi d'une indication sommaire des Manuscrits de la Bibliothèque Royale. 4to. pp. 132.This is one of the valuable works which the gentlemen of the Abbotsford Club are contributing to the history of their country. The catalogue has been prepared at their expense, by Mons. Teulet, junior; and is sufficiently particular to give an adequate idea of the contents of each document: ranging from the year 1263 to 1666. Among many interesting documents relating to Mary Queen of Scots, (and two especially dated 4th April, 1558, by which she made over to the Kings of France the kingdom of Scotland The Example of Christ, a Course of Sermons. By Rev. John Bickersteth. 12mo. The object of the author is to bring the living example of Christ so before his hearers, as that they shall, though "absent in the body," be "present in the spirit;" and thus that the virtues and graces belonging to the Christian character, by being, as it were, embodied and glorified in him, should be the more attractive to his followers. This purpose is attained in some good and forcible discourses. Thoughts on Religion and Philosophy. By B. Pascal, translated, with introduction, by J. S. Taylor. 1838.-We are glad to see this new and improved translation of one of the most pious and profound works which has ever been produced by the genius of man. Pascal has left two great works behind him. His Provincial Letters, and his Thoughts. The first is, we should think, but little read in the present day, except by a few men of literature, whose curiosity tempts them to those unfrequented paths of research, or by those who enjoy the wit and eloquence of a work which inflicted a very severe blow on the power and influence of the Jesuits. Mr. Lectures on the Evidences of Revealed Religion. By Ministers of the Established Church at Glasgow. 1838.-These essays do great credit to the learning and talents of the different writers engaged in them, whose names are given in the contents. The essays treat of the most important subjects connected with Christianity; and the best arguments and most profound reasonings of former writers are here condensed and presented in the strongest light, while the authors themselves may also claim the merit of originality, so far as the subjects will admit of novelty. We think an index of the arguments and authors referred to would form an useful addition to the volume. Taylor has prefixed a very excellent intro- thus brought to a sense and feeling of the duction to the present volume. A Collection of the principal Liturgies (By T. Brett, LL.D. &c.) used in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This book contains the different ancient Liturgies, to the number of nine, translated, and some of the old missals; with dissertations on them, showing considerable learning and acquaintance with the subject. The book itself is of much interest and curiosity, but with parts of the preface we do not agree. Sermons. By Henry Melville, A.M.Those who have been present when Mr. Melville has delivered his discussions from his pulpit, must acknowledge the attention with which they are heard, and the effect which they appear to produce. If something is to be attributed to the affection entertained for the preacher by his audience, and something to the zealous and energetic manner in which the discourses are delivered, yet, undoubtedly, the main cause of Mr. Melville's continued and even growing popularity must be found in the form of argument, the eloquent illustrations, and sound inferences that are to be found in the discourses themselves. Men are to be addressed in any and every way which can hold out an expectation of its being effectual; sometimes by addressing the reason, and convincing the understanding, and sometimes by actingonthe conscienceand awakening the feelings of the heart. Nor does it seem to be of any consequence which way the arrows of argument take their flight; for he whose reason is convinced of the truth of Christianity will soon feel his bosom warmed and softened by its benign influence; and he who has been awaked by the eloquent addresses of the preacher, and alarmed with his threatenings, and merciful dealings of God with man, and the duties consequent on it, will take delight in tracing the ways of the Almighty, solving any difficulties that may arise, and confirming the impression made on his sensibility, by the cooler approbation of his judgment. Mr. Melville, though he excels perhaps in an awakening and forcible address to the mind, yet supports and strengthens that by a very full acquaintance with the subjects under discussion, and by a very able use of the best arguments that can be adduced in their favour; in short, his copious and flowing eloquence is always based on knowledge and argument. There are some excellent discourses and passages of discourses in the volume before us; as "The combined Agency of the Father and Son," and the "Preparation of Grace to Trial;" and some also, the subjects of which enable Mr. Melville to expand the full sails of his glowing and picturesque style, as that on "Protestantism and Popery," and the one called "Heaven." The "Resurrection of the dry Bones" is alsó a discourse in which a forcible appeal is made to our hearts; and the discourse on the "Death of Moses" is one of the finest in the volume. Sermons preached at the Temple Church, &c. By Rev. J. T. Smith. We have read these sermons with attention, and can, without hesitation, pronounce them most worthy of the pulpit where they were preached, and of the well-known preached reputation of the author; indeed some of them, as those on faith and justification, and on the expiatory sacrifice of Christ, may be considered as valuable essays on their respective subjects. These discourses are composed evidently with that care and research which proves the author's respect to the learned congregation to whom they were addressed. There are also in the volume many passages of a masculine and stirring eloquence, as in the conclusion of the sermon on the Love of the World, and in that on Sufferings being a proof of Divine Goodness. To the clergy we should say that they will find some of the most important subjects connected with our religious faith treated of in this volume with such discretion and sobriety and soundness, that it will be hardly a matter of choice whether it would not be advisable to adopt the line of argument pointed out by the author, and accommodate it by more familiar illustration, and more common usage of speech, to their own less enlightened congregations. THE DAGUERROΤΥΡΕ. FINE ARTS. We have given as full an account as our space would allow of the progress of the Photegenic art, both in France and England. In our Feb. number,* p. 185, is an abstract of M. Arago's first memoir, read before the Academy of Sciences at Paris, on the invention of M. Daguerre. Since that period the invention has been purchased by the French Government; a yearly pension of 6000 francs having been settled on M. Daguerre, and another of 4000 francs on M. Niepce, the son of the gentleman (deceased) by whose experiments the invention was originally suggested. On the 19th Aug. M. Arago at length divulged the secret in a very crowded meeting of the Académie des Sciences. The process is as follows: a plate of copper thinly coated with silver is washed with a solution of nitric acid, for the purpose of cleansing its surface, and especially to remove the minute traces of copper, which the layer of silver may contain. This washing must be done with the greatest care, attention, and regularity. M. Daguerre has observed, that better results are obtained from copper plated with silver, than from pure silver; whence it may be surmised, that electricity may be concerned in the action. After this preliminary preparation, the metallic plate is exposed, in a well-closed box, to the action of the vapour of iodine, with certain precautions. A small quantity of iodine is placed at the bottom of the box, with a thin gauze between it and the plate, as it were, to sift the vapour, and to diffuse it equally. It is also necessary to surround the plate with a small metallic frame, to prevent the vapour of iodine from condensing in larger quantities round the margin than in the centre; the whole success of the operation depending on the perfect uniformity of the layer of ioduret of silver thus formed. The exact time to withdraw the sheet of plated copper from the vapour, is indicated by the plate assuming a yellow colour. M. Dumas, who has endeavoured to ascertain the thickness of this deposit, states that it cannot be more than the millionth part of a millimètre. The plate thus prepared is placed in the dark chamber of the camera obscura, and preserved with great care from the faintest action of light. It is, in fact, so sensitive, that exposure for a tenth of a second is more than sufficient to make impression on it. At the bottom of the dark chamber, * In page 185, near the foot of the first column, erase the words, " and will multiply impressions as an engraving." GENT. MAG. VOL. XII. which M. Daguerre has reduced to small dimensions, is a plate of ground glass, which advances or recedes until the image of the object to be represented is perfectly clear and distinct. When this is gained, the prepared plate is substituted for the ground glass, and receives the impression of the object. The effect is produced in a very short time. When the metallic plate is withdrawn, the impression is hardly to be seen, the action of a second vapour being necessary to bring it out distinctly : the vapour of mercury is employed for this purpose. It is remarkable, that the metallic plate, to be properly acted upon by the mercurial vapour, must be placed at a certain angle. To this end, it is enclosed in a third box, at the bottom of which is placed a small dish filled with mercury. If the picture is to be viewed in a vertical position, as is usually the case with engravings, it must receive the vapour of mercury at an angle of about 45°. If, on the contrary, it is to be viewed at that angle, the plate must be arranged in the box in a horizontal position. The volatilization of the mercury must be assisted by a temperature of 60° of Reaumur (or 167° of Fahrenheit). After these three operations, for the completion of the process, the plate must be plunged into a solution of hypo-sulphite of soda. This solution acts most strongly on the parts which have been uninfluenced by light; the reverse of the mercurial vapour, which attacks exclusively that portion which has been acted on by the rays of light. From this it might perhaps be imagined, that the lights are formed by the amalgamation of the silver with mercury, and the shadows by the sulphuret of silver formed by the hypo-sulphite. M. Arago, however, formally declared the positive inability of the combined wisdom of physical, chemical, and optical science, to offer any theory of these delicate and complicated operations, which might be even tolerably rational and satisfactory. The picture now produced is washed in distilled water, to give it that stability which is necessary to its bearing exposure to light without undergoing any further change. The art of fixing the colours of objects has not hitherto been accomplished; and another important desideratum is, the means of rendering the picture unalterable by friction. The substance of the pictures executed by the Daguerrotype is, in fact, so little solid-is so slightly deposited on the surface of the metallic plate, that the least friction destroys it, like a drawing in chalk: and at present, it is necessary to cover it with glass. 2 P THE NELSON MONUMENT. June 22. A very numerous meeting of the general committee appointed to make the necessary arrangements for erecting the Nelson Testimonial, was held at the Thatched House; when the Duke of Wellington was called to the chair. The ballot lasted from a little after one till four, when Mr. Railton was declared to be the successful competitor, there being a majority of votes in his favour. The model selected was No. 65 in the list, and consists of a fluted Corinthian column surmounted by a statue of Nelson, (as before noticed in our April number, p. 409.) It appears by Mr. Railton's estimate that this column will cost 30,000l. He calculates the masonry at 16,000l. and the sculpture at 14,000l. The Lords of the Treasury and the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have assigned Trafalgar-square to the committee as the site, and the place selected is now inclosed on the south boundary of the square, in the centre of the space from the National Gallery to Charing-cross. Mr. Railton has reported favourably of the founda tion. The statue has been assigned to Mr. Baily, and the four lions at the corners of the plinth, to Mr. Lough, but it is feared that the narrow state of the funds will render the postponement of the latter commission necessary. It is intended to give the bas-reliefs on the face of the plinth to other sculptors; but these, like the lions, must depend on the funds. At the meeting of the 22nd June they amounted to about 18,000l. but remittances are still expected from India; and it cannot be supposed that a great work, already so favourably supported, can be allowed to languish for want of money. THE WELLINGTON MONUMENT. It has been decided than this Monument should be an equestrian statue, the execution of which has been confided to Mr. Matthew Wyatt; and it has been determined that it shall be placed on the archway at the entrance of the Green Park. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. NEW PUBLICATIONS. History and Biography. British History, chronologically arranged, &c. By JOHN WADE. 8vo. 308. MARMONT'S (Marshal) Present State of the Turkish Empire. By Sir H.SMITH. 8vo. 128. Historical Records of the British Army, 3d Regiment of Foot. post 8vo. 78. Memoirs of the Life and Correspondence of the Rev. R. Morrison, D.D. F.R.S.: compiled by his Widow; with a critical Essay on his literary labours by the Rev. S. KIDD, Prof. of Chinese in the University College. 8vo. 2 vols. 248. ROSE'S New Biographical Dictionary. 8vo. pt. 1. 4s. 6d. Essay on Anglo-Saxon Literature. By THOMAS WRIGHT, esq. M.A. F.S.A. (Being the introduction to the Literary Biography undertaken by the Royal Society of Literature.) 8vo. 2s. 6d. Narrative of a Visit to the Court of Sinde, at Hyderabad, on the Indus, &c. By J. BURNES, K.H. LL.D. F.R.S. &c. 6s. cloth. RUDGE'S (B.) Illustrations and Account of Buckden Palace. 4to. 21s. The account separate, 18. The Visitor's Guide to Knole, co. Kent. By JOHN H. BRADY, F.R.A.S. fcap. 8vo. 4s. 6d. demy 8vo. 10s. THOMAS'S Tinterne and its Vicinity. 12mo. 38. 6d. Manchester as it is. 18mo. 4s. |