burst of feeling, and the flash of mind that carries conviction. His true characteristic is force, and he delights to exert it. He does not seek to delight his hearers, but to hurry them into action. Doubt and dismay vanish at his look, feebler minds pay homage to the energy of his character, and, clinging to his protection, take their opinions from his eye, and acquire courage in the thunder of his voice. The tragic passions, terror and pity, are the springs of his eloquence, and inaccessible to any but the loftiest impulses of our nature, he ever assumes the noblest sentiments as Among the specimens of incongruous furnishing motives to action." The fore- figures, we notice the following. "The going is more of an abstract than an ex- spirit of the dove," Mr. Sampson says, tract, though it is all in Mr. Sampson's (p. 7.) " descending upon our underlanguage. We have only laid out of standings, brings with it, in its wings, the picture those parts which injured the sublime emotions of a mysterious the likeness and deformed the symme- faith." Now, part of this figure is spi. try, and offer it as an accurate and ritual, and part material, and therefore well drawn miniature, or rather sketch mixed and absurd; and whether the of a great orator. There is, throughout dove be" in the body, or out of the the whole of this composition, a most body, we cannot tell." If "out of the ravening appetite for tropes, and figures, body," if the spirit of the dove, that is, and epithets, and in almost every in- the moral qualities thus frequently destance of metaphor and simile, there is scribed, be intended as the carrier of an incongruity,while his epithets are, too the emotions, then the carrier is identioften, applied without much discrimi- fied with what is carried; and if "in nation, making tautology, or weakening the body," if the dove itself be meant the force of the sentence. A principal to be the carrier, then, we do not think ingredient of strength is simplicity. It she could light upon the understanding, is a great mistake to suppose that an which, moreover, is not the proper reaccumulation of epithets, is an increase cipient of emotions. Besides, we do of energy. They more often encum- not understand how emotions can be carber than invigorate, and when injudi- ried in a pair of wings; if Mr. Sampciously employed, like scaffolding round son had said motions, we should have a tower, they obscure the meaning and understood him. A little lower, on the degrade the majesty of the simple sub- same page, there is a hand grasping at a stantive. thrill, and a dimming eye is affirmed to Nouns of importance, those on which beam with hope; which last clause has the sentence mainly depends, are much another inaccuracy, the use of dimming like genuine female beauty, "when in a neuter sense, when it is always an unadorn'd, adorn'd the most." Mr. active participle. We do not perceive, Sampson, according to his own decision, furthermore, the propriety of raising a would scarcely make an eloquent storm on the mountains and along shore, preacher, for in the pulpit, eloquence in order to exhibit the intrepidity and is seen not in the vain pomp of words;" skill of a helm's-man at sea; nor can we nor would he suit the senate entirely, well imagine how the same individual for there, 66 eloquence assumes a grave can "rise upon the wave, and ride aspect ;" nor does he answer to his own upon the storm," and all the while have description of the true orator, in other instances, whose ،، imagination is not the fancy of the poet, loving to repose among its own visions; who trusts not to the glow of his colours, and does not go in pursuit of tropes and figures." He may, perhaps, resemble the orator, when he " flings his brush at the picture," but, though we well remember the story of the great Italian, we doubt whether a whole picture, attempted in this way, would exhibit much correctness of drawing, or truth of expression. hold of the tiller. We have, also, on dure, that soon follows. There are ma the 8th page, the affections wielded and ny more incongruities, and tautologies; marshalled, at the same time. Inter- and many ill-joined ideas, which we rupted, is a word of stronger import than have not room to notice. In fine, the withstood, and yet, "the triumphs of only good qualities, which belong to eloquence, though interrupted, cannot the style of this Valedictory, are the be withstood." And. then, again, free- structure of the sentences, and the pu om flings her breath upon certain rity of the words. We think the senwords; and people are made delirious tences are well varied, and easy, and by drinking freedom. Now, we should the words good English. But of the not wish, for our country, or for our- metaphors and similies, for which Mr. selves, any freedom that is crazy. Sampson seems to have a most ungo- The whole of the ornamental part of Mr. Sampson's style, we think is radically wrong. He has a great deal too much trope and figure "His mouth he cannot ope Then there is the march of a stream, and eloquence is said to exhibit this march, at one time, and at another, the roar of an impetuous torrent. But, according to Euclid, things equal to the same thing, are equal to one another; ergo, a march and a roar are equal. Mr. Sampson has favoured us, too, with a new kind of revelation: ecce signum! "Truth shall reveal herself to eyes accustomed to radiance." The proBesides, figures should have as much phetic rhapsody, along here, however, truth-as much logical connexion, as will do tolerably well for those who are simple propositions. Fancy should not given to visions, until it comes to where be allowed to cruise, after poor sense our triumphs slumber in the calm, and has become tired.' Errors of this sort lighten in the storm." In the course of are not morally wrong; they neither eight lines, there are four triumphs, the break a man's leg, nor pick his pocket ;' last of which, is to be sounded forth in but when they are found in the printed "strains glorious as a trumpet." What performances of those who claim to be a glorious strain! Such strains are, we scholars and orators, they may, and must believe, rarer than the greener ver- should be exposed. L. 66 · ART. 3. An Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy and Geology, being an Introduction to the study of these Sciences, and designed for the use of Pupils; for persons attending Lectures on these subjects, and as a Companion for travellers in the United States of America. By Parker Cleaveland, Professor, in Bowdoin College, &c. &c. Boston, Cummings & Hilliard. 8vo. pp. 668. 1816. THE work before us is auspicious of and Geology in many of our colleges the advancement of the physical and institutions. Professor Cleaveland sciences in the United States. Mine is Lecturer on mineralogy in Bowdoin ralogy has heretofore been cultivated College, Maine ;-William Dandridge by few in this country; but the vast Peck, Esq. Professor of Natural History field for research in this department of in the University of Cambridge, includes nature lying open, has at length invited mineralogy and geology in his acadeattention; and an increasing taste for mic course;-Benjamin Silliman, Esq. investigation in this science begins to has for a number of years lectured on pervade the community. Public lec- chemistry, and latterly on mineralogy, as tures are annually given on Mineralogy a distinct science, in Yale College, New Haven; and Doctors Mitchill & Bruce Mitchill has been one of the foremost have, annually, for a number of years among those who have laboured to extend past, given separate courses on this sub- a knowledge of mineralogy. We have ject in New-York. These gentlemen attended his lectures, and been delightare among those who have pioneered ed with bis discourses on a subject, the way through the uncultivated forests which, from abstract considerations, of America, and brought to light the might be thought dry and uninterestmineral riches of our country. Their ing. He has collected and preserved, lectures have been thinly attended, un- in the Medical Repository of Newtil of late years the spirit of investiga- York, observations and facts connected tion has spread, and their hearers have with the science, which will descend to become more numerous. Hence has posterity, as specimens of his industry arisen the call for publications on mine- and attention to this department of ralogy, and hence professor Cleaveland scientific information. Dr. Seybert, of has been industriously employed in col- Philadelphia, has paid attention to the lecting information for an elementary mineralogy of the United States, and work on mineralogy and geology, which deserves credit for his publications in the is the subject of our examination. Works Medical Museum, and, though for many of this kind are now read with avidity; years a representative in the congress societies are formed for the cultivation of the United States from Philadelphia, of the natural sciences,-among which, he has not abandoned science for the mineralogy holds a distinguished rank; uncertainty of politics. One of the cabinets are formed by public bodies most zealous cultivators of mineralogy in and individuals, and periodical journals the United States, is Col. George Gibbs, circulate information on this subject. of Rhode Island, now a resident of NewThese gentlemen are not the only per- York. His taste and his fortune have sons who have cultivated this science concurred in making him the proprietor in the United States, or helped to dif- of one of the most extensive and valua fuse a knowledge of the rising impor- ble assortments of minerals that, protance of our country, on account of the bably, exist in America. Col. Gibbs mineral treasures of the soil. They, has offered to deposite in the Cabinet of perhaps, have done more than others the New-York Historical Society, a by their public lectures and publica- part of his minerals,—where preparations to produce a taste for mineralogy, tion is now making to receive them; and diffuse a knowledge of the bles- and it is intended to give public sings arising from its cultivation. lectures in the chambers of this society Professor Silliman has done much at the New-York Institution. Mr. credit to himself, and to science, by his M-Clure has published a geological map lectures and experiments, and particu- of the United States, illustrating the larly by his publications on mineralo- Wernerian arrangement of the magy, in our periodical journals. Dr. terials of the globe, which will afford Bruce returned from Europe with a aid and facility in this science in its aplarge collection of specimens, which plication to this country. Professor form an elegant cabinet of minerals, Cleaveland's work is ornamented with still in his possession, and which he has Mr. M'Clure's map and its explanation. used in illustration of his annual lectures We would gladly name many others of on this subject. He is the editor of the our countrymen, who have not been "Mineralogical Journal," occasionally wanting in zeal for the cultivation of published in New-York, and in which mineralogy, but our limits forbid any are embodied communications on this further enumeration; we must attend subject, and all the recent information to the work before us. and discoveries in this science. Dr. The first 87 pages of Professor Cleave 2. There exists another class of rocks, less distinctly the result of crystallization than the preceding, in part composed of mechanical deposites, and sometimes containing petrifactions. This class, to which belong graywacke, certain varieties of greenstone and limestone, &c. lies over the primitive rocks, when both classes occur together, and is call ed the transition class. 3. The third class is composed of those, which are called secondary rocks. These are always situated over or above the primitive or transition rocks, and often abound with organic remains or petrifactions. They ap pear to be chiefly mechanical deposites from water; in this class we find sandstones, and certain varieties of limestone. land's work, compose his "introduction to the study of mineralogy," in which he enters into the subject of crystallography according to the method of the Abbé Hauy. The introduction consists of four parts, viz. 1. Definitions and preliminary observations. 2. Properties of minerals. 3. Systematic arrangement of minerals. 4. Nomenclature of minerals. The properties of minerals embrace, crystallization, physical or external, and chemical characters. Systematic arrangement comprises observations on the general principles of arrangement; arrangement according to the system of Werner; arrangement according to their chemical composition, and the description of minerals. The nomenclature of minerals, 5. Volcanic productions form the fifth contained in the fourth chapter, exhibits a tabular view of simple minerals, or the method adopted in the succeeding pages of the work. 4. Alluvial substances constitute the fourth class. They consist of clay, sand, pebbles, &c. and are evidently produced in a great degree by the disintegration of the preceding classes. class. This division of the materials of the earth's surface, embraces the system of Werner, the celebrated teacher of mine Mineralogy is said to be the key to ralogy and professor at Freyburg. geology. The first considers the mate- The supporters of the Wernerian arrials of our globe singly, unconnected, rangement are numerous; but notwithand in detail, while the latter, profiting standing able mineralogists have doubtby mineralogical facts, takes up the ed the truth of his system, and opposed whole subject matter, and viewing it with great warmth, and though the things in their proper situation and relation to others, endeavours to form correct opinions on the origin and formation of our planet. Their connexion and relation are, therefore, inseparable. Geology follows, and is the application of mineralogy. Our author says, (page 83.) Those minerals which fall under the cognizance of geology, may be divided into five classes. 1. The first class contains the primitive or primary rocks, such as granite, gneiss, micaceous slate, certain limestones, &c. These rocks are chiefly composed of various simple minerals, irregularly crystalized, and aggregated without the intervention of any cement. They never contain organic remains of animals or vegetables. When connected with rocks, belonging to a different class, they occupy the lowest place, in reference to the centre of the earth. They are there fore supposed to have been first formed, and have accordingly received the name of primitive rock.* *For an explanation of the word formation, as applied to extensive deposites of minerals, see remarks on geology, at the close of the volume German professor was never in America, this application of his theory to the existing state of things in the United States, is so admirably adapted, that it raises a belief in the general applications of his doctrine, and gives a strong proof of the great and discriminating qualities of his mind. We are happy to find Professor Cleaveland espousing the opinions of Werner, but we must give him the credit of stating with impartiality at the same time, (p. 593,) the Huttonian theory of the earth in comparison with that of the German professor. This is done in his introduction to geology, (p. 586,) where he enters into a detail of the opinions and doctrines of the professor of Freyburg, to which we would refer our readers for a full and complete view of the subject. He concludes with an explanation of M-Clure's geological map, which adorns the work, together with five plates illustrative of Haüy's crystallography. The rest of the work, from page 87 to page 586, comprises the mineralogy of our author divided into four classes, viz. Class 1. Substances not metallic, composed entirely or in part of an acid. 2. Earthy compounds or stones. 3. Combustibles. 4. Ores. editions more perfect. There is no account of aerolites, or those substances, whether earthy or metallic, which have so often fallen from the atmosphere, particularly in the United States. The mineral waters of our country, so numerous and important, are unnoticed, With respect to this arrangement, except where (p. 105) it is mentioned, we shall not pretend to say whether it that the waters of Ballston, Saratoga, is the best that could be formed, since and Lebanon Springs, in the state of it is sufficient for the purpose intended, New-York, contain carbonic acid. We and we are satisfied that whoever un- have visited these springs, and can assure dertakes to examine into the subject, Professor C. that he is correct in the two the work before us will give him infor- first, but not so in the last. Lebanon mation if uninformed, or refresh his Spring, in the town of Canaan, Colummemory if a proficient in mineralogy. bia County, issues from the south side of The old division into earths, metals, a bill, through a limestone of secondary salts, and inflammables, was more fami- formation, underlaid by slate. The liar to our mind; but Professor Cleave- water is tepid and pure, without_imland has rendered the subject more pregnation of earth or acid. Bubscientific, by uniting the chemical me- bles of air are constantly extricated, thod with those of Haüy and others. and rise through the water, but do not The progressive improvement of the combine with it; for on collecting and sciences, and the new discoveries in examining a quantity, it was found to mineralogy, will render all systematic be nothing more than atmospheric air. arrangement imperfect and liable to change. We should, therefore, have been satisfied if the method of Cronsted and Kirwan had been adhered to, since the attempt to keep pace with chemical investigation is incomplete, inasmuch as the important discoveries of professor Davy, that barytes, silex, lime, &c. are metallic substances, is not adverted to by our author. As the localities of American minerals are important to our country, and additional information, on this subject, will render Professor C's work inore valuable, we take the liberty of referring him to some localities, not mentioned in his work. There is a nitre cave in Henderson County, Kentucky, which has been discovered and explored for ten miles The descriptive mineralogy of Profes- beneath the surface, having numerous sor Cleaveland is very good. He adheres ramifications. (Med. Repos. vol. xvii. p. to the following method throughout the 391.) There are numerous caves of this whole of his work. The subject is kind in Kentucky, but this exceeds first described, the chemical characters the one described, (p. 108,) and all are given, its uses, the geological situa- others hitherto known. On the subject tion, and its localities. It is on the of the muriate of soda, (p. 115,) our latter point where the importance of author has omitted the incrustations of the subject rests, that the merits of salt on the Arkansas river, and the exour author are conspicuous. The whole istence of a salt mountain, high up the work may be considered as an elabo- Missouri. (Med. Repos. vol. vii. p. rate and well digested compilation, and in collecting the localities of American minerals, the volume is rendered highly valuable, both to ourselves and foreign 408.) Gypsum has been found abundant in Pennsylvania, on the Susquehannah, and in Kentucky, of which we have seen specimens, and it has been brought from 150 leagues up the In this work are some omissions, Missouri. (Med. Repos. vol. viii. p. 80.) which if supplied, may render future Allum is manufactured in New-Jersey, ers. |