tang. A.

sin. 2 a cosy.

A.

obtained by first finding from the observed deviation the mean ratio or value of A= sin. 2 x cos.., then using it as a constant co-efficient (A) in the expression tan. A=The same may be likewise done by saying. "As the rectangle of sin. 2 a cos., (corresponding to any position of the compass), to sin. 2 à cos., (answering to any other position), so is the tan gent of the deviation in the first in stance to that of the sound."

"For example the latitude and longitude corresponding to 45°, or NE, is latitude 13° 30′, longitude 43° 18'; and the same answering to one point from the east, is 3° 44', and longitude 10° 48' therefore,

"As sin. 27°, cos. 43° 18': sin.

Our author has applied the above rule in the computations of deviations found by Captain Sabine on board the Isabella off Shetland, where the dip was 74° 21', with great success since the greatest error between Cap tain Sabine's observed deviation, and the computations of our author, only amounts to 49'.

From the singular discovery, 66 that the power of attraction resides wholly in the surface of iron bodies, and is independent of the mass," our author, by one of those happy ideas so peculiar to genius, conceived the possibili

ty of ascertaining the correct deviation in all ships, in all positions, and in all places, by simple observation only, and independent of computation. With this view, he ordered a frame-work to be affixed to the gun, which should project beyond the compass, whereby he could suspend a ten inch shell in any required position with respect to the centre of the needle. Having fixed the ball in the required situation, he repeated his first course of experiments, which we have already noticed, with the ball attached, by traversing the gun through the entire circle; and as the results of this experiment are of the utmost importance, in a practical point of view, consequently to navigators, we shall give them entire.

From the results indicated in the

above table, our author assumes, and with some degree of probability, that when the whole quantity of deviation is once ascertained by swinging the vessel, the navigator, by attaching a plate of iron to the binnacle in a plane with the centre of greatest deviation, or local attraction, which, he says, will be found in most vessels at an angle between 20° and 60°, but which in the Isabella he found by computation to amount to 65°, which he considers an extreme case may at all times, and in all places, find, without computation, the exact deviation, by turning round the binnacle, with the plate of iron attached. In like manner our author made his experimental results inserted in the above table: Or, in his own words, "supposing now this first

approximate angle to have been found, then the plate must be fixed, so that its centre of attraction inclines from the pivot of the compass, at about the same angle; then, turning round the binnacle, point by point, observe the deviation caused by the plate; and if these correspond with those given by the vessel, the plate is rightly adjusted; but if not, (as is most likely to happen,) such trifling changes may be made in its position, which will be at tained in a few trials."-P. 87. Our author has given a particular description of this plate, and the most proper method of attaching it permanently to the binnacle; but we had proceeded this far, when our limits admonished us of the necessity of terminating our own remarks; we must, therefore, refer the reader to the work itself on this interesting head of the book. For the same reason we must reluctantly decline entering, as we fully intended, upon our author's beautiful theory, by which he determines the laws producing the diurnal variation of the compass; which, from the analogy of experimental and computed results, appears unquestionable; and which, being bottomed on correct philosophical principles, seems to us the only theory deserving of the least attention.

Should the truth of this remark be admitted, which indeed appears incontrovertible, when clearly and dispassionately understood, what, we should like to know, will the worshippers of M. Biot say to Mr Barlow's able, but modest, exposition of an error of 7° in that theory, regarding the laws regulating the dip, or inclination, of the needle, which the French mathematician has had the address to impose so long on the credulity of his votaries; and which, by our author's theory, a discovery Biot never dreamed of, bears a close affinity with the laws regulating the daily variation and deviation of the compass. After this exposure for though the Frenchman is an able mathematician, yet he is no experimenter-we could fain hope, that the eyes and ears of the venerable chairman, or president, of the Royal Society, that monument of British glory, will now be open to English merit and justice: and, in future, prevent the malignant influence of foreign counsels swaying the important decisions of that illustrious society. We have more reasons than one for making this remark; and we strongly sus

pect, that our author will find the true cause of the apathy and indifference shewn him and his experiments, to which he alludes, p. 12, and to which we have also shortly adverted, to lie within this hitherto mysterious circle.

It would be extremely unjust, however, for us to assert, or even to insinuate, that this censure attaches wholly to the venerable and illustrious president. His liberality and candour are recorded over the earth; and we are ready to acknowledge, that no man, at any one period of our history, has done more for the advancement of science and protection of genius than Sir Joseph Banks. But his infirmities, which, from the natural course of evnts, we are sorry to say, must be many, probably leaves room to suppose, without invidious interpretation, that his confidence is often abused; for experience demonstrates, that in every human institution there are always swarms of unprofitable drones, proportionate to the magnitude and importance of that institution, thrust into place by influence and power, who are ever found to fatten on the credulity, or merits, or genius, of meek, lonely, and unsuspecting minds; and, since this is unavoidably the case, it would be foolish to

suppose, that an hemisphere, so brilliant and extensive as that which surrounds the chair of the Royal Society, can be altogether free of such harpies.

Our love of justice, and respect for the genius and merit displayed in Mr Barlow's valuable book, have impelled us to say this much; for it would be a strange dereliction of our duty, which has hitherto, we trust, been impartially discharged, did we pass over, without animadversion, this glaring instance of ungenerous conduct to a man, evidently of great abilities. What we have said, however, will probably produce little effect towards restoring that Society to its original excellence, or Mr Barlow to its future protection and regard; be it so. But we can assure our author, that if he only continues his studies with the same persevering ardour every where manifested throughout his book, which we earnestly recommend to the serious consideration of the public, his industry and talents will very soon render him altogether independent of that or any other Society whatever.

7

WISDOM has many worshippers, while Chance, pure Chance, has not, as of old, either temple or votaries-this is far from right. The wind-sown seeds of Chance come as yellow and heavy to the harvest sickle as the best drilled and dibbled seeds of reverend Wisdom, and that from her fattest fallow. All my best laid schemes of pleasure, ambition, or happiness, have failed or faded-while Chance, whom I never wooed at all, kept dropping, often showering on me, some of her best and balmiest blessings, and cheered me by her windfalls from the stumblings of wisdom and the counsels of many friends. Two chief blessings I owe to my Goddess-by Chance I learned to distinguish verse from prose-a peerless gift-" See,” said a sage old lady-"what is ragged at the ends, and cannot keep the even margin of the leaf, is poetry-graceless poetry ;-but that which is straight, orderly, and evenly, is prose-precious preaching prose. And, by the merest Chance in the world, I am enabled to write a true and delightful history of mine honest and ancient friend, Mark Macrabin, the Cameronian. How this came to pass must not be revealed like a playhouse landscape-pull the string, and lo and behold! It must be unfolded carefully and ingeniously, like a Herculaneum parchment under the inquisitorial spectacles of six sage members of the Antiquarian Society.

It is now many years since I left my native vale of Nith-and things have come to pass which might well plead my pardon if her landscape and her people were now as dimly remembered as in a dream. Hope was high, and untried life lay before me like a vista in romance, lovely, and bright, and unblemished. The pageant is passed and gone-but the beautiful and beaming faces which thronged the procession, haunt and charm me still. Even so it is-so strongly and durably do all those forms and faces in which my youthful heart claimed an interest live and breathe in my remembrance, that, were I so gifted, I could paint eter

VOL. VI.

nal cartoons full of maiden and matron beauty, and austere manly grace. But to my tale.

In one of December's darkest evenings I was walking homewards through Lyndoch-lane. When I came below one of the patent lamps which diffuses light, pursuant to act of Parliament, I was suddenly accosted by a person of importance, Mr Marmaduke Grunstane, the collector, who, seizing my sleeve, whispered rather audibly, "I beg pardon, sir-I do indeed, sirbut you are as loyal a man as ever paid rates." I gazed at Mr Grunstane-I owed him not a shilling-indeed, I had his receipt in my pocket-and was about to pull it out, when he raised his voice, and said, "May I never finger a rate more, if this same suspicious sort of a man is not become more dangerous than ever. "Be good enough, Sir," said I," to tell me something "to of what you mean.' Mean, sir, said he, "why, I mean, sir, that ever since this same Mark Mack-what d'ye callum-and his shop came among us, evening and morning-he utters the strangest things-sings seditious songs, reads seditious books, and prays treasonable prayers. I have heard him sing cursed strong things, sir—" The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want," which means more, sir, than meets the ear"- "The very song the Miller of Mansfield sung when he helped himself to the bishop's meal," said I.— Why, 'tis treasonable"- "Flat treason, sir," said the collector, as the act hath it, and as Mr Counsel Strapum says. Then, sir, he reads loud and long about a handy sort of a woman, called Jewel, the wife of Hobler of Kent, and her nail hammer, sir.* We all know what that means.'

66

Thus was the collector proceeding, misinterpreting, as a man of obtuse intel

lect may, the impressive domestic devotion of my native land, thus unexpectedly lifting up its voice in a strange country, when his singular commentary was interrupted by a clear, deep, and melodious voice, which, from a house opposite, struck into that divine psalm

3 T

-the eighth-gracing the words of the regal minstrel with the noble and pathetic tune of The Martyrs. To this unwonted greeting, my heart responded with a strong throb; and I was on the point of lifting my voice aloud with the stray worshipper, when Mr Grunstane addressed me: Come with me, sir: this man must cross the herring brook with a tutor chosen by the magistrates, else my name shall be no more Grunstane." So saying, he walked up to the house from whence the sounds came that had dismayed him so deeply, and I accompanied him, for the sake of seeing the end of the strange intrusion. I saw he was meditating. Now, Mr Whatyou know your name, my good sir," said the collector, "let us walk with the law in this matter, sir. First, then, what is the fellow's name-his exact name;-the law, my dear sir, can touch nothing unless it has a name; -but see what does this man call himself? I'll warrant the knave has picked out some good name or other to bring into disgrace ;-an old trick, sir, 'twas but last year a fellow at the Old Bailey had the presumption to call himself Mr Gilbert Grunstane, and was actually hanged with that honourable name in his custody."

66

While this man spoke, I looked above the door, and there, on a board black and broad, was painted an ample book, in the commendable act of disclosing its contents to the passer-by, and underneath stood printed in modest gray letters, "Mark Macrabin, Cameronian, Dealer in Scottish Hose and Cheap Tracts, Religious and Political." But very shrewdly distrusting the information of the multitude, respecting the very ancient name "Hose," or even the letters which composed it, he had added, by way of marginal supplement, a pair of notable parson-gray hose, which, at a reduced angle, formed a respectable St Andrew's cross: nor is it improbable, that the ingenious proprietor of this singular sign-board had introduced the book spread out and displayed from similar motives for it is known that many of our radicals very laudably buy their weekly sixpence worth of sedition and blasphemy, in the hope of bribing, with a pint and pipe, to read and expound it, some more fortunate person, whose learning is not confined to the primitive score and tally.

With this man's name and calling I was busy making very agreeable associations, when I was aroused by a tremendous peal from the knocker of the Cameronian's door, which, in the adroit hand of the collector, raised a din equivalent to the summons of a pyecoated footman at the door of some man who, unluckily for his repose, is acquainted with an earl new come to his coronet, or a confidential clerk in a city banking-house. The patient dealer in hose reflecting, perchance, that the eighth psalm, and the tune of the Martyrs, would endure when all who now wear Scottish hose, or read cheap tracts, or Peden's Prophecies, or Zachary Boyd's last battle-a book I would gladly get-were passed and gone, arose, and began to adventure slowly forth, measuring step by step, balancing the matter between business and devotion. "Mr Marmaduke Grunstane," said I, "this seems an unseasonable time to discuss the merits of Mark Macrabin's political creed. Moreover, I do suspect there is neither sedition in the eighth Psalm, which you have disturbed him in singing, nor treason in worshipping God after a man's own heart, and the manner of his country.""Hark'e, friend," said the collector, 66 d'ye think-Zookers! d'ye think I don't know a psalm from a seditious song?" and as he said this, the door opened, and the dealer in Scottish hose and cheap tracts stood silent before him, but silent only for a moment: "What wantest thou?" he said, in the tone of a man touched at being untimeously disturbed: "Sawest thou not my warehouse of commodities was closed? heardest thou not the ninth hour ring in the chapel clock? and, moreover, didst thou not hear me essaying to sing a psalm ?" Having thus soothed his devotional feelings, he continued in the tone of a man willing to accommodate: "This is doubtless an ill hour to examine the merits of the things of this world, though my hose," and he glanced at the collector's legs, " are such as men may buy blindfold; and my books,' looking at the upper region of his visitant, into which nothing but the gainful golden rule of three had ever been able, under the semblance of learning, to penetrate,-" are such as the wise and well-disposed only purchase, but their contents cannot harm

even ignorance-so thou mayest walk in,"

And in the collector strode, pulled off his hat and laid it on the table plucked forth his rate-book and inkhorn, and looking full in the face of the retailer of warm hose and wise tracts, said, "So your name is Mark Macrabin-an outlandish name and an odd one; but a name good enough for all that and you write after your name, Cameronian,' some radical designation, I presume. And you profess to deal in Caledonian hose and cheap tracts, religious and political." Mark answered, with a glance of inquisitive gravity," Verily, even as thou sayest, with the omission of thy intrusive commentary.' Thou not me, said Mr Marmaduke Grunstane. Thou not me-you shall be taught humility, and that soon, between stone walls, and thy northern hose well gartered with comfortable cold iron.What thinkest thou of that most wise Mark?-Thou indeed!" Mark uttered not one word, but with great calmness lifted an ellwand of oak of three years growth, shod at one end with massy iron, and divided into quarters, the quarters into nails, the nails again into inches, with large nobs of brass. This formidable quarter-staff he laid on the counter, and, with the meekness of a true and well armed Christian, awaited the result.

Mark's martial preparation affected very visibly the collector's handand the redness, natural and acquired, fled from his face, except a double portion of scarlet which sought refuge in the point of his nose. This protuberance at all times deserved attention, and usually attracted it; it was swelled out into whelks and knobs of sundry hues, resembling a half crushed bunch of blue grapes, or a bruised handful of ripe mulberries. And at present its fiery red extremity seemed willing to drop blood, even before the ellwand of the Cameronian had applied for such a proof of its merit as a weapon. The collector gave one glance to the door, in the shadow of which I stood, pleased beyond all remembrance at his consternation, and then glancing sideways at Mark's brazen studded auxiliary, like one who sees an adder ready to leap from its coil, said, "So, sir, the name and vocation, as you have confessed, are safe, are written down: Sir, I shall now content me, as it is

growing late, with being introduced to your book of seditious verses, out of which even now you were singing that treasonable song.' "In the name of water and fire, and the heart of corn, the three ancient gods of Galloway, said Mark Macrabin, what sort of a being art thou?-If I thought thou wert a radical knave, come hither to revile and make mouths at that Book, and him who believes in it, I would assuredly chasten thee with these thirty-seven English inches of oak, called an ellwand, till thou didst become humble and contrite. But as I do in verity believe thou art much more fool than knave, and mayest spread an evil report, I shall show thee that Book; and if I do not make thee learn the first verse of it by heart, a grievous task to thee perchance, but a pleasure to others-may the sound, rational, and wise books which fill my shelves, become as foolish as thou art, and as profane as Carlisle ; and may my warm comfortable hose, framed in a good lowland loom, become as thin as the work of the spider or the spawn of Spittalfields." So saying, he strode, ellwand and all, into an interior recess, out of which he instantly reappeared, bearing a huge folio, covered with rough spotted calf-skin, and clasped with two broad and massy clasps of pure and solid silver; unclasping the volume, he laid it open on the table.

It was a beautiful black print Bible, from the press of the sixth James, adorned with curious woodcuts, forming an illustration of the text equally as obvious as the modern mass of commentaries which encumber the simple original. Fronting the title-page appeared, written in a neat old-fashioned hand, the whole ancestry of Mark Macrabin from the time tradition had first noticed it. Gilboah Macrabin laid the cornerstone of the family fame; he passed the Tweed with David Lesley, and distinguished himself in routing the royalists at Newburn on the Tyne; the first blood drawn in the civil war was drawn by the sword of Gilboah. He marched to the bloody battle of Marston Moor with this very volume bound on his back, and made himself remarkable by his cool and determined bravery. But he owed his life to this singular piece of proof mail, which foiled two desperate thrusts of a cavalier's lance when the Covenanters were