ing in a chaise-had a delightful ride to Studleythe road from Ripon to Studley is remarkable for its straightness, being edged on both sides with majestic trees, and showing at one end a stone column, and at the opposite, Ripon Cathedral. The grounds are admirably laid out; for artificial beauty they could not be surpassed; the trees are exceeding tall and stately, and what is very curious, they are so cuts that from an observatory one may see many object, In the through them at a considerable distance. gardens are crystal streams, deep waterfalls, islands, statues, subterraneous walks, beautiful flowers, in short, every thing which could delight or charm. But the effect was electric when the gardener opened the door, which gave us the first glimpse of Fountain's Abbey. In order to preserve as much of the scene as we could in our memory, we made a small drawing of the abbey from the seat near the door. We afterwards made several drawings of the interior of the abbey. The guide-man pointed out the part of the stream into which Robin Hood threw the friar; the echoes from the rocks are very distinct. There is also a cold bath, in which we felt a great desire to bathe. Of Studley it might be said that nature and art combined had formed an elysium, equalling the most fanciful descriptions of either ancient or modern poets.

ON "GUANO" IN AGRICULTURE

As a permanent fertalizer, and its general properties on Barren Wastes and Bog land, specially calculated for the Carbonaceous (decayed Vegetable matter) Soils in Ireland—thereby likely to bring forth far more luxuriant Crops, much earlier, in the humid Climate of Great Britain and Ireland.

This article of Commerce has been known for ages in Peru, and fifty vessels employed annually carrying it from the Islands of the Pacific to the main land, along a Coast 2300 miles in extent. Guano is the excrements of innumerable birds, fowls, rabbits, herons, and also all sorts of animals-that burrow and DIE IN the earth, hence, it is also the bones, flesh and blood of living creatures; and being concreted by the Sun, becomes hard as rock; indeed, we are told by Captain Bottomley, recently arrived at this port with 3500 bags of this article, per brig Highlander, that in some parts it requires gunpowder to blast the cemented portions, to raise it, as our quarry-men do slate and rock. It is aromatic, mostly pulverized, ready to put on the land, and possesses a large portion of ammonia-the very life of vegetation. It has the properties also of nitrate of soda; hence it is the most permanent manure yet known; its strength being such that 112lbs. of Guano, which cost 28s., is found to be equal to twenty loads of stable manure, that cost on the average 6s. per load, or £6 in money, according to results made from

actual experiments by Mr. Smith, of Gunton Park, Norfolk. Guano produces fifty per cent. more wheat than by the usual method; we trust, therefore, our corn merchants will recommend this article to their farming friends and We landed proprietors, being worthy their attention. understand that Mr. Halse, chemist, of this town, and Fellow of the Linneal Society, will shortly bring the subject before the Members of the Polytechnic Council now held at the Royal Institution, where samples of the Guano are exhibited. Specimen are also to be seen in the Museums of the Literary, Commercial, and Scientific, as well as the Mechanics' Institutions of this town.

ON WRITING.

"Reading maketh a full man, talking a ready man, and writing a correct man," said Lord Bacon, and the truth of his observation has been affirmed by thousands. Now, it is an undeniable fact, that while very many both read much and talk frequently, very few indeed ever trouble themselves with taking a pen in their hands for the purpose of acquiring a correct and graceful style of composition. He who is able to sit down to a sheet of paper and express his thoughts with as much ease as he could in conversation to an intimate friend, and with grammatical accuracy, has pretty nearly arrived at perfection in the art of graceful composition. To do this seems at first

sight the simplest and easiest thing in the world, and,

The student

every one thinks himself capable of performing it; but it is only on being brought to the trial that he discovers his deficiency, and what to him appeared at first so very easy, will now appear to him equally difficult. will find that it is with composition as it is with every thing else, to become master of it requires much practice and patient perseverance. As he improves in his art, what pleasure he derives from his pursuit! As he acquires a readiness in expressing, so also does he in conceiving; as he acquires the power of writing with perspecuity, in equal ratio does he acquire the ability of thinking clearly. In the sentence which is at the commencement of this essay it is observed that "Writing maketh a correct man ;" how much truth there is in this observation may be readily understood. When we sit down to write the whole energy of the mind is bent upon the subject on which we are going to treat, and we pen with deliberation, because we are aware that what we write, more than what we speak, bears witness to the strength or weakness of our minds, and that what is expressed upon paper is subjected to a much severer judgment than what is hastily spoken. The student of composition should read the works of the best authors, and attempt to imitate their happiest forms of expression. We would by no means recommend him to copy servily the characteristic style of any author, any more than we would recommend a young speaker to imitate the tone of any distinguished orator, but to use that style which nature seems to intend he should adopt, only correcting his judgement by these great models, as Raphael corrected the faults of his style of painting by studying the works of Michael Angelo.

case.

EXPANTION OF WATER IN FREZING.

I perceived in your last number, a letter from a correspondent who signs Nemo, respecting the cause of the expansion of water in freezing, and I now take the liberty of sending you my opinion on the same subject, one which has exercised the ingenuity of philosophers and Chemists to account for, ever since the fact was first discovered by the Florentine Academicians, but respecting the cause of which we are still as much in the dark as ever. Nemo mentions two causes, one or both of which he thinks produce this effect, namely, a change of form in the particles of water, and the production of a chemical agent (nitrogen) in it. As to the first of these causes, it is a well known fact, than immediately on water reaching the temperature of forty degrees, it begins to expand, and continues to do so till it descends to thirty-two degrees, when it freezes-so that were we to admit of this as a cause, we must suppose that the particles of water undergo a change of form long before it congeals, which however cannot be the The second cause appears at first sight, to be more plausible, but will not bear strict investigation, for, admitting for a moment the production of nitrogen in the water, would it not follow the general rule of contracting by cold, and so reduce the bulk of the water, instead of expanding it? Nitrogen however is a simple element, and as water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen, in certain definite proportions, the former could not be produced in it, although water has the power of absorbing a small quantity of nitrogen from the atmosphere, which power is much increased by a great reduction of temperature, and this may probably have given rise to the result of Dr. Priestley's experiments. But whatever may be the cause of this seeming anomaly, it displays in a most wonderful manner, the goodness of our all-bountiful Creator; for had water, instead of expanding as it froze followed the general rule, and by contracting increased its specific gravity, it would of course sink to the bottom, another formation of ice take place, which in turn would also sink, and so on till all our rivers and lakes became solid ice, which the strongest heat of the summer sun would be unable to melt. So that we may see, however unaccountable any of the varied operations of nature appear in our eyes, they are intended to answer a wise and good end, and that God's thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his ways as our ways. Hoping you will excuse this intrusion on your

columns.

JUVENIS.

P. S.-It is not generally known that iron, antimony, bismuth, and some salts expand as they cool, after being melted by heat.

INSTITUTIONS.

MECHANICS', MOUNT STREET.

On Wednesday evening, December 8th, Mr. J. E. McConnell delivered the first of a course of four Lectures on the "Steam Engine," at this Institution. After dwelling for some time on the introduction of steam power, and the advantages arising from it, he proceeded to trace the slow, but steady advancement of that now mighty machine; first observing, that the mechanical force

is occasioned by the production of steam by heat, followed by its condensation by cold. The properties of steam were also briefly noticed-its "Latent heat," 66 Density," "Elastic force," &c Those engines, whose action is caused by the formation of a vacuum, are stiled" Low Pressure Engines," and those worked merely by the action of the steam itself, "High Pressure Engines." Steam in the early ages next occupied our attention; and we find, said the lecturer, on viewing the page of history, that the information of the ancients on this subject was but small: Hero of Alexandria was the first who took notice of it, but all his inventions were but as mere toys; the principles of which, however, soon laid the foundation of one mighty complicated piece of workmanship for the general prosperity of mankind. Philosophical discoveries paved the 17th century, and the Marquis of Worcester's experiments soon showed the importance of the subject in its true light.

On Saturday, Dec. 11th, Mr. McConnell continued his subject, the heads of which, from want of space, we are alone able to give: Papin's Inventions; Savery's Engine; Newcomen's Improvements; Discovery of Condensation by Jet; Method of Working Valves, by Potter; James Watt, principle of his Improvements, Description of Watt's Single Engine.

LECTURE THIRD-Wednesday, 15th Dec.-Boilers-Apparatus connected with Boilers; Steam Gauge; Double-acting Engines; Parallel Motion; Crank; Governor; Valves; Application to Steam Navigation; Marine Engines; Hall's Condenser; Howard's Vapour Engine.

LECTURES FOR THE WEEK.

MECHANICS', MOUNT STREET. This day, Saturday, December 18th, Mr. M'Connell's last Lecture on the "Steam Engine."

The Institution closes until the 5th of January. JUNIOR LITERARY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, 8, TRAFALGAR-STREET. Tuesday, December 21st, RECITATIONS, &c. by the MEMBERS.

LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND COMMERCIAL. Friday December 24th, Charles Mackie, Esq. will deliver his second Lecture on 66 Astronomy."

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We were obliged to entrust the correction of part of the proof of our Journal last week to an unaccustomed hand; the consequence is, that we have had several letters pointing out an unusual number of errors.

ERRATA.

Page 86, line 1, for All reasoning or moral men suppose, read All reasoning on morals pre-supposes. Line 3, for inscribe, read prescribe. Line 25, for degrading, read detracting. Line 49, for bounden, read founded. Line 88, for represses, read refreshes. Line 93, for disolution, read desolation. Line 97, for stinted, read stunted. Page 87, line 32, for Airs and Galaten, read Acis and Galatea. Line 33, for indifferent, read flatly. Line 39, for Valshi, read Vaghi. Line 45, for d'onose, read d'orrore.

J. J. B.'s Life of John Martin will be very acceptable. If after read approved, it shall be inserted.

H. B.'s Question will be answered in our next.

Espy's valuable paper on "Storms" delivered at the Annual Meeting of the British Association, in our next.

Price of this paper, two shillings per quarter in advance. Liverpool:-Printed at HUGH GAWTHROP'S General Printing Office, Clarence Buildings, 34, North John-street. Published by CHARLES DAVIES, 32, North John Street.

No. 13.

TO OUR FRIENDS.

We have now been before the public three months, and the result of our experiment is the conviction that our efforts will ultimately be crowned with success. We have had more enemies than was expected,―have had to contend with serious difficulties, and to overcome many ill-natured prejudices. We were not frightened, however, by these untoward circumstances; we felt sure that our native town did not deserve the stigma under which it has so long lain-that it possesses sufficient talent and good taste to support a periodical devoted to the encouragement of Literature, Science and Art. When the existence of such a work is generally known, and its objects properly understood, we still have no doubt of its meeting with liberal support.

It is our intention, in future, to issue the numbers immediately from the Printing-office, 34, North John-street-to receive advertisements to publish only once a fortnight, instead of every week, and to alter our terms from twopence per number to one shilling per quarter, or three and sixpence per annum, to be paid in advance. We have made this last resolution to avoid confusion in the accounts. We have suffered much loss and much unpleasantness in consequence of the boys not receiving their weekly payments regularly. Subscribers are particularly requested not to pay their subscriptions without a printed receipt being given.

We have occasionally heard complaints of irregularity in the delivery of the numbers of our Journal. This irregularity has, in some instances, been owing to misunderstandings

1841.

between the parties delivering and the parties receiving the Journal. Our arrangement to receive the subscriptions only quarterly, half yearly, or annually, in advance, will obviate all unpleasantnesses of the kind. Others have complained of never receiving the numbers, although they had intended to take them regularly, and, from what they had heard of the merits of the work, were inclined to give it their patronage. How this has happened is easily accounted for. We know for a fact that frequently our boys have taken the Journal to the right name in the right street, and the Journal has been refused on the ground of its never having been ordered, and the message brought back to us has been, that the party refused to take it-the real party who gave the order has felt offended at not having received it, and given himself no further trouble about it. We have afterwards discovered that two of the same name have resided in the same street, and, unfortunately, to the wrong one it has first been taken. mistakes as these are unavoidable.

Such

We

beg our Subscribers to be particular in giving the number of the street as well as the name, and that if they be ever disappointed by not receiving the numbers regularly, they will have the goodness to send word to our Printing-office, 34, North John-street, and we will take care they are properly supplied.

The next number will be published on Saturday, January 15th, 1842. Copies of any of the back numbers may be had from us or from Mr. Charles Davies, Publisher, No. 32, North John-street.

ON THE LAWS OF STORMS,

AND

THE GREAT HURRICANE IN ENGLAND OF 1839.

In presenting the Public with the Report of Professor James Espy, M.A. of Philadelphia, on the Theory of Storms, we congratulate ourselves on being enabled to place on record the Principles of this new Philosophy, brought from the New World. American discoveries are equally a credit to their country and the Human race. We are aware that the Laws of Storms have been ably treated on by our own countrymen, Sir John Hershall, Sir David Brewster, indirectly, and specially by Lieut. Col. W. Reid, C.B., of the Royal Engineers, whose valuable 8vo. vol., with Maps of Hurricanes in the East and West Indies, from 1780 to 1837, adorns both the Libraries of the Ship Masters' Association of Liverpool, the Mechanic's Institution, and the Literary and Commercial Institution. The Laws of Storms is a sublime, as well as an awful subject for contemplation, and that their principles should be revealed to Man by deep research -long study—practical observation-in order to prove their truth, is not to be wondered at. Indeed, when Professor Espy honoured England by his visit, in 1840, to the British Association at Glasgow, he first delivered Lectures in this town, at the Ship Masters' Association, afterwards at the Royal Institution, and subsequently at the Mechanic's Institution. On one of these occasions we were

struck with the force of his observation, that "he considered the Almighty never created Storms without giving man the opportunity of guiding himself from them." During our conversations with various scientific captains, who watch closely the aspect of the Heavens above them, even in the clearest and calmest weather, the waters over which they are glid

ing in apparent security, with their various weather and storm instruments (too expensive for many captains to purchase, and many do not study or pay sufficient attention to them,) we felt satisfied that many lives might be saved by a due and careful study of the laws of Nature regarding Storms.

We feel great pleasure in being the first to publish, in a cheap form, the Map of the Great Storm of January, 1839, on which occasion Liverpool suffered so much, in life and property, both by land and sea—when the river Mersey was quite impassible for three days owing to the waters being so greatly agitated. By the course of the storm, it will be observed, this town was the focus of its violence; by studying the Map of England, it will be observed, the arrows of destruction are flying (to use a scriptural expression) on the wings of the wind, to a common centre; and this is the principle of Espy's theory, and in that common centre (which keeps constantly moving as the storm rolls on) there is a dead calm. The winds then rush violently upwards in a direct line, and not in spherical form as Lieut. Col. Reid and Sir John Herchell contend. On this point the professors are at issue, but that is of little moment, for our present object, and we leave subsequent discoverers to settle this point.

We doubt not that our Underwriters and Mercantile community will take care their captains are supplied with all books and instruments of the best possible description. It would be well if Professor Espy's recommendation was carried into effect, that all captains and mates pass a proper examination, before a competent board, to be appointed by government or the Underwriters of different sea ports, before ships, life, and property are committed to their charge.

We now present our readers with the following Report, taken from the Athenæum.

PROFESSOR

JAMES ESPY'S, M.A.,

OF PHILADELPHIA,

PAPER ON THE PRINCIPLES AND THE LAWS OF STORMS,

AS DELIVERED AT THE

Tenth Meeting of the British Association, held at the University of Glasgow, on Saturday, Sep. 19th, 1840.-SECTION C.

PROFESSOR FORBES, IN THE CHAIR.

Mr. Espy's paper on Storms, which excited much attention, was appointed for half-past twelve o'clock, and that hour having now arrived, the President called on Mr. Espy, who commenced by stating that he had found by examining simultaneous obser

vations in the middle of storms, and all round their borders, that the wind blows inward on all sides of a storm towards its central parts; towards a point, if the storm is round, and towards a line, if the storm is oblong, extending through its longest diameter. Mr. Espy stated that he had been able to investigate within the last five years seventeen storms, without discovering one exception to the general rule. He could now only give a specimen of the manner in which he had proceeded. He presented the accompanying map of Great Britain, on which are drawn arrows representing the course of the wind on the night of the 6th of January, 1839.