posite, destroy each other; therefore, there remains only twenty pounds perpendicular pressure, which cannot move the plane. Now, let us suppose the weight to remain in the same state of rest, but instead of the weight of suspension, acting in the direction A W, let it be in the line A E, parallel, or in the same direction with W C, then A E being resolved into A F and FE, will give ten pounds for perpendicular, and ten for onward pressure in the same direction with W D; the whole amount of force on the plane will stand thus: twenty for perpendicular pressure in the lines A F and D C, and twenty for onward pressure in the lines W D and F E, but where the friction is diminished, as in this case, by wheels, twenty pounds lateral pressure will overcome twenty pounds perpendicular pressure; therefore, the plane will move. Hence it appears, that though a weight remain at rest on an inclined plane, yet it may propel that plane in a horizontal direction by its gravity, if the mechanism can be so contrived as to alter the direction of the force, by which the weight endeavours to descend. In the creation of a perpetual motion by an inclined plane, the problem will be to form a machine that will destroy this reaction, or change it so that it may act in conjunction with the action.

Now, the advocates of Mr. Readhefer's machine, say, that by these crooked irons the reaction is not only destroyed, but is made to act in the same direction with the force given by the inclined plane to the lever to which it is attached; they point it out in this way; let A C be the upper lever, to which is fixed N BR

T

the crooked

iron ABE

of motion with C A; now, the weight on the inclined plane, pressing

on the lever C K, propels it in the arc K N, and the weight of the descent of the body on the plane, being upheld by a point on the arm E D of the crooked iron, causes the lever A C to move in the arc A I, that is, in the same direction with K N. How the advocates contrive to get this motion by the construction, I cannot tell. The whole operation of the crooked irons is this: if a force be applied at Q, to act on the point M, in the direction M Q, 'tis certain that the point A will move in the arc A I, since C, M, and Q, must form into a right line by proposition second, and this cannot take place except the point D move in the arc DO, but the point D and A have the same centre of motion C; hence, if D form the arc DO, A, at the same time, must form the arc A I; and the same is true of a force taken at any point on the same side with Q, of a line R S passing through the point of suspension M, and the centre of motion C. In like manner, it may be proved, that if any point L be taken on the opposite side to Q of the line R S, a force from this point L, on the point M, must cause the point A, of the lever A C, to move in the arc AT. If, then, the force be on the Q side of RS, A must move through A I, if on the L side, A must move through A T. Now, in order that any body may be supported on an inclined plane, it is necessary that the point of suspension be before that body, or higher up that plane, and conversely, the body must be behind the point of suspension. If, then, M be taken as the point of suspension of a body on an inclined plane, whose perpendicular elevation is applied to the lever C K, it is evident that the body must be behind that point, or on the L side of R S, but it has been shown, that a force on the L side of R S causes A to move in the arc A T. Therefore, the effect of the pressure on the plane, causing the lever C K, to form the arc K N, is opposed by the force of the descent of that body, acting from the L side of R S, and causing the point A to form the arc A T; therefore, the crooked iron A B E D, has no effect to destroy or alter the reaction on the extremity of the lever A C.

I have thus endeavoured to point out all the visible parts of this machine, that can possibly be efficient in the production of a perpetual motion; and I have shown that none of those parts, or

their connexions, can produce the least effect. It has not been my object to show that perpetual motion is an impossible action, even through human invention, as no objection stronger than analogical argument, can be urged against it.

AMERICAN GALLANTRY-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

THE annexed engraving represents the action between the United States sloop of war Wasp, captain Jones, of 18 guns, and the British sloop of war Frolic, captain Whinyates, of 24 guns; in which the latter surrendered after 43 minutes close engagement. The time chosen by the artist is the moment at which the Wasp ran down across the bow of the Frolic, whose bowsprit entered between the main and mizen rigging of the Wasp when she was boarded by lieutenant Biddle and carried.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

Vos exemplaria Græca

Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna.

OF THE GREEK COMEDY.

(Continued from p. 376, vol. viii.)

The subject of the Festival of Ceres is a conspiracy of women who are assembled at this solemnity, to be revenged upon Euripides for all the sarcasms which he had uttered against the sex, in his writings. All the forms of a deliberative assembly are observed. Timoclea is the President, Sysilla acts as Secretary, and Sostrata performs the part of orator: it is, in fact, a burlesque of the Areopagus. It is asked if any one wishes to speak. An orator rises and repeats all the insults which the poet has lavished on the sex. Another female takes the floor; she

says that she sells crowns for the gods, and that Euripides, by his impieties, had injured her trade, by persuading men that there were no gods. If it be recollected that Eschylus was on the point of suffering a capital condemnation on an accusation of impiety, that Anaxagoras was in the same danger, and that Socrates fell a victim to such a charge, we may believe that this was an attrocious calumny and admit that Aristophanes exercised a vile trade.

Another instance of impudence consists in the introduction of a man in female attire, who undertakes the defence of Euripides, and asserts that he has not said a hundredth part of what might be said, and that women should congratulate themselves that every thing had not been revealed. "We are alone: no one hears us. Why shall we make such an uproar about a few strokes which he has aimed at us, while he is silent as to the innumerable foibles of which we are guilty?" Here follows a frightful portrait which it is impossible to copy. "He is reproached," says the orator, "with having depicted many Phædras and only one Penelope. It is because we can boast but one Penelope, and we are all Phædras.

Can any one imagine that such language could be heard on an Athenian stage? But we must at least do them the credit of believing that it was not approved, for this piece had no success. From these specimens and a multitude of others, particularly the frequent obscenities which occur, we may conclude that the stage kept full pace with the corruption of manners.

If the reader is curious about the denoument of this farce, he may be informed that the man in disguise being detected, is about to be taken before a magistrate; but Euripides, who is his friend, interferes and threatens to reveal all their secrets to their husbands, if they detain him prisoner. On the contrary if they release him, he promised to say nothing ill of them in future. Their agreement terminates the piece.

The Frogs is not less aimed at Eschylus than at Euripides. The one was recently dead; the other was about to quit the world. We may feel astonished that the Athenians would tolerate such a satire against two illustrious writers, whom they admired, and

whose loss they were deploring; but this peopie had no more delicacy than Aristophanes. Bacchus goes down to the infernal regions to seek for a good tragic poet, because he is not satisfied with those who contend for the prize at his festivals. He passes the Styx, and Charon amuses him with a chorus of Frogs -a droll notion, worthy of this author, which gives the name to his piece. The subject is a dispute between Eschylus and Euripides for the pre-eminence, which is claimed by each, in consequence of a law, providing that he who excels in poetry should have a seat near to Pluto, and be supported in the Prytanea of hell, as those men were at Athens, who had rendered any signal service to the republic. The servant of Pluto informs the servant of Bacchus, that Eschylus had long occupied the first rank, but that Euripides, since his arrival, had given lessons to the cutpurses, the robbers, and the murderers of which the number is infinite: that, by this means, he had formed a large party and would soon supplant Eschylus. Such are the jokes of Aristophanes; from which we may learn that the Athenians, at the same time that they revered the memory of Eschylus, gave the preference, with justice to Euripides. In the following manner, has the satirist, in more than one instance, inadvertently rendered due homage to the claims of merit. "But," cries the servánt of Bacchus, "will they not stone the usurper?" The other answers, "No-the quarrel should be decided by the plurality of suffrages.-Euripides is very cunning-but what then-has not Eschylus likewise his party? No-for there are scarcely more honest men in these regions, than there are at Athens.

It is very evident that the dispute between the two poets, which continues during two acts, and is carried on by means of criticisms on each other's writings, contains a great deal of falsehood and more of ridicule than just remark. Euripides reproaches Eschylus with his bombast, his extravagant fictions, his unnatural portraits, and his outrageous expressions-and, in return, he is ridiculed for the feebleness of his style and the subtlety of his arguments. But Euripides is so unfortunate in his censures, that he not only condemns where there is no fault, but even where there is real merit-such as the circumstance of His depicting monarchs and heroes in misfortune and indigence