mediately conceived the idea of attaching a grindstone to some part of the machinery, which should render permanently sharp its perpetual choppers; how amply he succeeded, the grit to be occasionally found in sausages abundantly testifies. He was soon afterwards presented with the freedom of the worshipful company of cerveloi makers, accompanied with a handsome gratuity, which enabled him to bid adieu to knife and cleaver grinding, and plunge at once into the more difficult but more pleasing intricacies of scientific usefulness.

It will be in the recollection of many, of those at least who have been in the habit of indulging in horse flesh, that in consequence of the demand for horses for the army towards the close of the last war, serviceable animals were scarce or at any rate were so high in price that few could obtain them, Walker turned his mighty mind to the consideration of this subject. He at once perceived its immense importance-that unless some substitute conld be found for horses, all classes of society, including rich, poor, lame, blind and weak, must either ride in wheelbarrows or walk! that our Aristocracy must travel like hearthstones, and our country gentlemen become a race of footpads ! Neither of these alternatives harmonized with his patriotic feelings, and concentrating all his energies to avert so dire a calamity, he in a short time astonished his countrymen by the production of that incomparable compound of a horse and carriage, which should have been named, "The Walker" but which he with characteristic humility christened, "The Velocipede", the fame of this invention, travelling even faster than itself, spread far and wide. Every one had the velocipede in his mouth, and the monopolists were dumbfoundered. Horses fell, and Jerusalem apologies were at a discount! But, alas for the mutability of public opinion-at the very moment when Walker was devising means for the employment of the immense capital which his success was bringing to his coffers, an outcry arose against the invention! whence it originated is difficult to say, but the fraternity of coachmen, flymen, horse jobbers, and others of that respectable class, vociferated loudly against any means of transportation-the clamour became irresistible to retiring merit, and all that remains of the velocipede for posterity is its name.

This unexpected disappointment threw a damp upon his spirits, but, fortunately for his species, did not extinguish his genius; and in less time than might have been anticipated he completed another great project for the benefit of mankind-the making of a machine by which persons could travel with the facility of skating. This machine, which was in fact a pair of skates made upon the wheel-carriage instead of the ancient sledge principle, he submitted to the judgment of the St. James's Skating Club, who admired the ingenuity of their construction, but being blessed at the moment with an exceeding hard frost, did not give him that decided encouragement he had been led to expect. This coolness was not relished by Walker; and though his skates were eagerly adopted by the proprietors of Covent Garden Theatre as a striking feature in their Christmas pantomime, and their usefulness thus demonstrated beyond question, be made no further attempt to bring them before the public; in fact, a smooth surface being indispensable, and the idea of macadamizing the streets of London being shortly after blindly rejected, this invention, like its predecessor, was, of necessity, consigned to the tomb of the Capulets.

It is painful to contemplate a man of genius suffering so much from the caprices of the public, and surprising that Walker did not imbibe that spirit of bitterness which so often sways the minds of those whose talents are not duly appreciated, but he bore this second misadventure with the same philosophic calmness that distinguished him on the former occasion: indeed, it would appear that his talents and energies acquired greater strength in the struggles he encountered; and it is doubtless true that these two signal defeats, formed the solid basis of his ultimate triumph, displayed in the magnificent production more immediately under our notice, a faint description of which we proceed to lay before our readers.

The machine consists of an iron ring, about eight feet in diameter, some

WALKER'S PATENT PORTABLE RAILROAD.

151

what resembling the tire of a wheel, but much broader. The outer side is a plane surface, but the inner is lined with two projecting ridges, on which traverse four small wheels with concave felloes supporting a kind of chair, the seat of which is composed of an air cushion, suspended by India-rubber springs, The upper part of the back of the chair is furnished with two small wheels similar to those of the basement, which traverse the projecting ridges before-mentioned, and thus the seat is kept at all times perfectly steady, and the traveller is in no danger of an upset, unless the whole machine topple over, an accident which cannot possibly happen, so long as he uses sufficient caution to preserve its equilibrium by the occasional extension of the guiding rods, of which there are two on either side. These last are an extremely ingenious contrivance; they are attached to the supporters of the seat by means of a ball and socket joint, their other extremities resting in the trough formed by the two ridges on which the wheels traverse; but by the mere turning of a screw, which is placed conveniently to the traveller's right hand. one or more of the rods may be extended in any required direction; or the whole may be instantly transformed into four legs, and the apparatus will stand still and firm as any butcher's block in the metropolis. In addition, the machine is furnished with two projecting_claws or feelers in front, which one might almost imagine to be possessed of an intuitive faculty, so quickly and carefully do they remove everything out of the way which might impede the progress of the railroad, and between these claws is placed the steering wheel, by means of which the traveller may avoid any object, such as a brewer's dray or a loaded coal waggon, which might possibly be too heavy for the feelers to remove without straining them. There are several other little conveniences attached to it, which can only be thoroughly appreciated by actual use; and we must conclude our imperfect sketch by referring our readers to Mr. Walker, or to the apparatus itself, for further information,

It was our intention to describe the method of its propulsion, but as it is constructed on a different principle from any other machine with which we are acquainted we fear that the effort would be more productive of confusion than elucidation, we therefore merely quote a few words from Mr. Walker's prospectus :" This machine, being constructed on the principle of supergravitation, the more heavily it is laden the better. It is equal to the conveyance of any weight that may be placed upon it, and moves at a uniform rate of speed, from one to twenty miles an hour, as the index of the regulator may be turned when it is put in motion."

Mr. Walker has secured to himself the benefit that may and must arise from this important addition to the means of civilization, by taking out a patent; but we believe his charges will be extremely moderate, and we look forward to its being soon in general use; as he informs us, it has for some months been in great requisition. None of the machines, however, will be suffered to quit his repository till the first of April next, on which day any person will be permitted, on depositing ten guineas as security to make trial of them for any distance not exceeding fifty miles from Hyde Park

corner.

We may conclude by adding, that the machine is extremely portable— none that we have seen exceeding five tons weight, and that no lady, invalid, or traveller should be without one.

H. T.

SCIENTIFIC VARIE.

MR. CROSSE'S INSECTS.-At a recent meeting of the Ashmolean Society at Oxford, Dr. Buckland informed the members that he had received a communication from Mr. Crosse, detailing the results of some new experiments, by which he had succeeded in obtaining upwards of one hundred more animals of the same description as those obtained by previous experiments. On a piece of volcanic slag, connected at both ends with the conducting wires of a voltanic trough, a fluid containing silex and muriatic acid was dropped. The animals soon after their formation were washed off the slag into a wooden funnel beneath. On varying the mode of conducting the experiment, the same animals were procured without the muriatic acid, but none appeared when the electric current was diverted. They were supposed at first to be infusoria, similar to those discovered with the microscope by Ghrenberg; but they have been determined by naturalists in London to belong to a much higher order, resembling very closely the well-known acari, which infest cabinets, excepting that they have no hairs on them. Dr. Buckland, however, suggested that the hairs might have adhered to the the gum employed in sticking them on to the card, or might have been rubbed off by friction in their carriage to London. This curious, indeed wonderful, discovery of Mr. Crosse, has been a theme for the most untiring curiosity for the last three months, and could all the many ideas and sugges tions of individuals, learned and unlearned, wise and foolish, on this exciting subject, be collected, they would form a most interesting and amusing volume, in which we should find the deepest learning, and arguing a subject upon the most unfounded premises; the most rancorous envy turning that which it cannot disprove into ridicule and contempt; and ignorant simplicity affecting to deride what it is actually frightened at. Much of the scorn and censure which has been flung at Mr. Crosse is doubtless owing to the crude and unauthorized account of the experiment, which first attracted the public notice. But since the affair has assumed a scientific character, men of science are beginning to be aware of its importance; and amongst those who first bestowed their attention on the subject, Professor Faraday is conspicuous. By his espousing the cause of Mr. Crosse (without, however, hazarding any opinion on the matter), he has secured an impartial hearing, which will doubtless lead to a fair issue. After all, the result obtained is not vastly more wonderful than that which is the effect of planting a seed 3,000 years old in some garden mould; for the principle of life may lie dormant, until called into action by a peculiar process (which is perpetually going on largely in nature), as well as in the invisible embryo of the future insect, as in the larger embryo of the future plant. We shall, perhaps, ever remain as ignorant of the exact action of the stimulants in the one case as in in the other; for if we seek to dive deeper into the remote cause of vitality we must answer the unanswerable question, What is the principle of life?

BURFORD'S PANORAMA.-The present exhibition at this fashionable resort is a view of Mont Blanc and the surrounding valleys and mountains, which has been treated in a manner worthy the reputation of the artist. A very brilliant effect is produced by the radiance of the sun breaking through the pines and other trees which clothe one of the many eminences. The valley of Chamounix is seen below the spectator, and beside him a party of voyageurs enlivens the scene.

COSMORAMA. The exhibition in Regent Street has just re-opened with eight new views, excelling the last series both in interest and execution. They consist of the Palace of Seleucus of Antioch, the Cathedral of Cordova, the Valley of Interlacken, the Bridge of Alcantara, the Gardens and Palace of Versailles, the Arsenal of Lisbon and the river Tagus, the city of Cordova, &c.

EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES.-At the conclusion of the series of lectures which Mr. Pettigrew has been engaged in delivering at Exeter Hall, that gentleman went through the process of unrolling an Egyptian mummy. The mummy produced on the occasion was one purchased by the lecturer at Mr. Salt's sale, and was what is denominated Græco-Egyptian. As usual, it was enclosed in two wooden cases, but Mr. Pettigrew discovered by the characters on them that they differed in their account of the person embalmed. After a recapitulation of the most important parts of his discourse, Mr. Pettigrew proceeded to take off the upper bandage; it was of cloth dyed by carthanno of a yellow colour; beneath this appeared a layer of asphaltum, or other pitchy matter, which could only be removed with the aid of a knife; then another covering of cloth, a second layer of asphaltum, and a third cloth bandage; but the two last having been put on nearly at the same time, having become so incorporated, that it was found impossible to separate them, and owing to the great heat with which the asphaltum had been applied, it adhered to the skin. On the feet were found sandals, painted in white and red; round the ankles and knees there were painted bandages, and around the neck a fillet, with a picture apparently of a vase. The eyes were covered with imitations in gold, and between them a scarabeus was placed. Græco-Egyptian mummies seldom were interred with any thing of importance, but Mr. P. stated he should shortly have the pleasure of unrolling a splendid mummy from Memphis, which was expected to contain some valuable and curious ornaments. The lecture afforded a gratifying spectacle to a numerous audience.

MR. LOVE THE POLYPHONIST.-We have visited the City of London Tavern, and have derived very great entertainment from the extraordinary and amusing performances of Mr. Love. The whole of the characters which he delineates in the first part of his entertainment are true to the life, and we are sure that none of his auditors can fail to allow the correctness with which they are pourtrayed. In addition to this, Mr. Love is a most clever ventriloquist. We most cordially recommend all our readers to hear Mr. Love at the earliest possible opportunity, and judge for themselves.

MR. C. H. ADAMS' LECTURE ON ASTRONOMY.-The lectures which have been delivered by this gentleman at the King's Theatre, are, with a very few exceptions, the same as those of former years, and are characterized by that accuracy and simplicity of explanation for which Mr. Adams has always been distinguished. We, however, sadly missed Mr. Green's Royal Seraphine, which, by the beautiful character of its music, resembling in many respects the most powerful organ, is so particularly adapted to fill up the intervals of a lecture upon astronomy. We wonder that it has been omitted.

REVIEWS OF BOOKS.

"Nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice."

Pocket Edition of Byron. Murray, Albemarle Street. Volumes 1, 2, and 3. It would be rather late in the day for us to attempt to criticise the works of this poet, allowed on all hands to be the greatest of modern days, and we therefore premise that such is far from being our intention. We have only to speak in terms of unqualified praise of this very pretty pocket edition now publishing in monthly volumes. The three which have already appeared contain Childe Harold and the whole of the Tales. They are to be completed in ten volumes. To those of our readers who are not already possessed of a copy of the works of this most charmning poet we heartily recommend the present edition.

VOL. I.-NO. IV.

The Modern Dunciad, Sixth edition. Virgil in London. Third edition. And other Poems. One volume, post 8vo. Pickering.

The Modern Dunciad has now become as standard a work as the Ancient. It originally" had the good fortune," as the author observes in his preface, "to be approved of by many of the best judges, and censured by some of the worst," and the result of such criticism is shewn in its continued popularity. Written throughout in a strain of refined taste, without the least coarseness or indelicacy, and totally divested of rancorous and unnatural censure; it is not deficient in wit, point, or legitimate satire; and whilst the author lashes Ignorance and Presumption with a powerful and well directed arm, he ever honours Virtue and True Genius. Virgil in London, or Town Eclogues, is a series of "little Dunciads"-a brilliant array of minor weapons directed against the follies of the town. Besides these, there are in this edition several smaller poems of exquisite humour, and some very extensive notes, which will be found of great interest to the admirer of Shakspeare and the earlier dramatist, who will find them and their times considered in many new lights, evincing great talent and acquaintance with the subject. In our next number we shall endeavour to present our readers with an extract from this highly entertaining volume, and we regret our inability to give a more worthy notice in the present part of so excellent a performance.

"Cruse's Psalms."

MUSIC.

Second Notice. D'Almaine and Co.

Agreeably to our promise, we return to this interesting work, to offer a few analytical remarks upon its contents, but our limits oblige us to refrain from indulging in a very elaborate notice. We begin with Mr. Cruse's own contributions to this work :

The Morning Hymn, the first piece in the collection, is a happily-conceived melody, and its originality and general harmonization auger well for the continuation of the work. Psalm 1-but we find that we have imposed upon ourselves a tiresome task; in so extensive a publication, it would be too laborious to particularize the whole of its numerous compositions, we shall, therefore, seek for some of the most striking points as deserving of commendation. Psalm 63, the whole of this piece is truly excellent, and savours well of the genuine cathedral style; the third chord, with the F natural, and the minor chord in the fourth strain, in immediate succession with the major third, are evident traits of talent. Psalm 19 is rather peculiar in its composition, the fifth of the key being chanted by the tenor through fourteen consecutive bars, and although this note is repeated no less than twenty-eight times, it is not dissonant, but, in every instance, forms a part of the legitimate harmony. Psalm 25 (as well as many others in the volume), is remarkable for its strict adherence to the olden style, of which its diatonic progressions, and the contrary motion of the extreme parts, are indicative. Psalm 32 is the same as the morning hymn, very ingeniously arranged in the minor mode, the transposition being effected merely by the change of the signature. In Psalm 33, the responses to the melody in the bass are effective. The modulation in Psalm 37 (which Psalm is seldom or ever sung, for want of suitable music to its peculiar metre), though rather recherché, is far from inappropriate to the expressive subject, and to which the music is here particularly adapted. Psalm 47 is evidently a production of some little labour, the third and fourth strains of the melody being note for note of the first strains reversed. In Psalm 65, the ascending and descending scales are taking as themes in the treble and bass alternately, but notwithstanding these shackles, the harmony is not destitute of interest. There are many other compositions of our author, embracing some kind of ingenious device, which afford an exemplification of