1 enabled to return to their habitations, and continue their barter with the ma ritinie towns. "As the Turks, on this occafion, had not been able to take with them horfes, and to cause themselves to be followed by beafts of burden, they had thought of loading three or four thoufand-Greeks with their baggage; and in the different battles which they had to fight, they placed thefe Greeks in front of them, in order to make themfelves a rampart of their bodies. "This trait of barbarity and cowardice, which was related to us by a great number of Sphachiots, was what moft affected thefe brave mountaineers, and what most contributed to reduce them to a deplorable condition. Frequently they durft not fire on their enemies, for fear of hitting thofe whom they confidered as their brothers, ftill more unfortunate than themselves." Vol. ii. p. 209. CXIV. Philofophical Tranfactions of the Royal Society of London, for the Year 1801. 4to. Part II. pp. 213. With 17 Plates. 175. 6d. Elmfly.. CONTENTS. I. HISTORICAL and anatomical Defcription of a doubtful amphibious Animal of Germany, called by Laurenti Proteus Anguines. By Charles Schreibers, M. D. of Vienna. -II. Obfervations tending to invef tigate the Nature of the Sun, in Order to find the Caufes or Symptoms of its variable Emiflion of Light and Heat, &c. &c. By William Herfchel, L.L.D. F.R.S.-III. Obfervations on the Structure, &c. of the grinding Teeth of the wild Boar, and animal Incognitum. By Everard Home, &c. F.R.S.-IV. Account of some Experiments on the Afcent of the Sap in Trees. By T. A. Knight, Efq.V. Additional Obfervations on the Nature of the Sun. By William Herfchel, L. L. D. F. R. S.--VI. On an improved reflecting Circle. By Jofeph de Mendoza Rios, Efq. F.R.S. VII. Obfervations and Experiments on Dr. James's Powders. By Richard Chenevix, Efq. F. R. S. &c.' VIII. Cafe of a young Gentleman who recovered his Sight when feven Years of Age. By Mr. James Ware, Surgeon.-IX. Account of fome Galvanic Combinations formed by fingle metallic Plates and Fluids. By Mr. Humphry Davy, Lecturer on Chemiftry in the Royal Inftitution.-X. Experiments and Obfervations on the Light emitted from various Bodies. By Nathaniel Hulme, M. D. &c.— XI. Experiments on the chemical Production and Agency of Electricity, By William Hyde Wollafton, M.D. &c.-XII. Obfervations on the Deftruction of the Membrana Tympani; with an Account of an Operation for the Removal of a particular Species of Deafness. By Mr. Aftley Cooper. EXTRACTS. ON THE NATURE OF THE SUN-ON body on the globe we inhabit is fo great and fo widely diffufed, that it becomes almost a duty for us to study the operations which are carried on upon the folar furface. Since light and heat are fo effential to our well-being it muft certainly be right for us to look into the fource from whence they are derived, in order to fee whether fome material advantage may not be drawn from a thorough acquaintance with the caufes from which they originate. "A fimilar motive engaged the Egyptians formerly to ftudy and watch fruct inftruments for meafuring its the motions of the Nile; and to conrife with accuracy. They knew very well, that it was not in their power to add a fingle inch to the flowing waters of that wonderful river; and fo, in the cafe of the fun's influence, we are likewife fully aware, that we fhall never be able to occafion the leaft alteration in the operations which are carried on in the folar atmosphere. But, if the Egyptians could avail themselves of the indications of a good nilometer, what fhould hinder us from drawing as profitable confequences from folar obfervations? We are not only in po fellion of photometers and thermome ters, by which we can meafure from time to time the light and heat actually received from the fun, but have more efpecially telefcopes, that may lead us to a difcovery of the caufes which difpose the fun to emit more or lefs copiously the rays which occafion either of them. And, if we fhould even fail in this refpect, we may at least fucceed in becoming acquainted with certain fymptoms or indications, from which fome judgment might be formed of the temperature of the seasons we are likely to have. "Perhaps our confidence in folar obfervations made with this view, might not exceed that which we now place on the indications of a good barometer, with regard to rain or fair weather; but, even then, a probability of a hot fummer, or its contrary, would always be of greater confequence than the expectation of a few fair or rainy days.' P. 265. "With regard to the effects of the influence of the fun, we know already, that in the fame latitudes the feafons differ widely in temperature: that it is not hottest at noon, or coldest at midnight; that the fhorteft day is neither attended with the fevereft frofts, nor the longest day with the moft oppreffing heats; that large forefts, lakes, morafles, and fwamps, affe&t the temperature one way; and rocky, fandy, gravelly, and barren fituations, in a contrary manner; that the feafons of islands are confiderably different from thofe of large continents, and fo forth." P. 312. "Refpecting the contemporary feverity and mildnefs of the feafons, it will hardly be neceffary to remark, that nothing decifive can be obtained. But, if we are deficient here, an indirect fource of information is opened to us, by applying to the influence of the fun-beams on the vegetation of wheat in this country. I do not mean to fay, that this is a real criterion of the quantity of light and heat emanated from the fun; much lefs will the price of this article completely reprefent the fcarcity or abundance of the abfolute produce of the country. For the price of commodities will certainly be regulated by the demand for them; and this we know is liable to be affected by many fortuitous circumstances. However, although an argument drawn from a well afcertained price of wheat, may not apply directly to our prefent purpofe, yet, admitting the fun to be the ultimate fountain of fertility, this fubje&t may deferve a fhort inveftigation, especially as, for want of proper thermometrical obfervations, no other method is left for our choice. "Our hiftorical account of the dif appearance of the fpots in the fun, contains five very irregular and very unequal periods. The first takes in a feries of twenty-one years, from 1650 to 1670, both included. But it is fo imperfectly recorded, that it is hardly fafe to draw any conclufions from it; for we have only a few obfervations of one or two fpots that were feen in all that time, and thofe were only obferved for a fhort continuance. However, on examining the table of the prices of the quarter of nine bushels of the beft or highest priced wheat at Windfor, marked in Dr. Adam Smith's valuable Inquiry into the Nature and Caules of the Wealth of Nations †, we find that wheat, during the time of the twenty-one years above mentioned, bore a very high price; the average of the quarter being 2. 10s. 5d. This period is much too long to fuppofe that we might fafely compare it with a preceding or following one of equal duration. Befides, no particulars having been given of the time preceding, except that fpots in the fun, a good while before, began to grow very fearce, there might even be fewer of them than from the year 1650 to 1670. Of the twentyone years immediately following, we know that they certainly comprehend two fhort periods, in which there were no fpots on the fun; of these more will be faid hereafter; but, including even them, we have the average price of wheat, from 1671 to 1691, only 21. 45. 4 d. the quarter. The difference, which is a little more than as nine to eight, is therefore ftill a proof of a temporary scarcity. "Our next period is much better afcertained. It begins in December «See Aftronomie par M. De la Lande, § 3235.” VOL. V-No. LIV. 1676, 1676, which year therefore we should not take in, and goes to April 1684; in all which time, Flamfteed, who was then obferving, faw no fpot in the fun. The average price of wheat, during thefe eight years, was 21. 75. 7d. the quarter. We cannot justly compare this price with that of the preceding eight years, as fome of the former years of fcarcity would come into that period; but the eight years immediately following, that is, from 1685 to 1691, both included, give an average price of no more than 1. 175. 1d. The difference, which is as full five to four, is well deferving our notice. "A third, but very short period, is from the year 1686 to 1688, in which time Caffini could find no spot in the fun. If both years be included, we have the average price of wheat, for thofe three years, 1. 15. o3d. the quarter. We ought not to compare this price with that of the three preceding years, as two of them belong to the preceding period of fcarcity; but the three following years give the average price for the quarter of wheat 11. 125. 103d. or, as nearly eleven to ten. "The fourth period on record, is from the year 1695 to 1750, in which time no fpot could be found in the fun. This makes a period of five years; for, in 1700 the pots were feen again. The average price of wheat, in the fe 31. 33. 34d. the was ter. The five preceding years, from 1690 to 1694, give 21. 98. 44d. and the five following years, from 1700 to 1704, give 1/. 175. 1d. Theie differences are both very confiderable; 3 cars, quar the laft is not lefs than five to three. "The fifth period extends from 1710 to 1713; but here there was one fpot feen in 1710, none in 1711 and 1712, and again one spot only in 1713. The account of the average price of wheat, for thefe four years, is 2l. 175. 4d. the quarter. The preceding four years, from 1796 to 1709, give the price al. 35. 74. and the following years, from 1714 to 1717, it was al. 65. g. When the aftronomical account of the fun for this period, which has been fated above, is confidered, thefe two differences will be found very confiderable; the first of them being nearly as four to three. "The refult of this review of the foregoing five periods is, that, from the price of wheat, it seems probable that fome temporary fcarcity or defect of vegetation has generally taken place, when the fun has been without thofe appearances which we furmife to be fymptoms of a copious emiffion of light and heat. In order, however, to make this an argument in favour of our hypothefis, even if the reality of a defective vegétation of grain were fufficiently established by its enhanced price, it would fill be neceffary to how that a deficiency of the folar beams had been the occafion of it. Now, thofe who are acquainted with agriculture may remark, that wheat is well known to grow in climates much colder than ours; and that a proper diftribution of rain and dry weather, with many other circumftances which it will not be neceflary to mention, are probably of much greater confequence than the abfolute quantity of light and heat derived from the fun. To this I hall only fuggeft, by way of anfwer, that thofe very circumstances of proper alterations of rain, dry weather, winds, or whatever elfe may contribute to favour vegetation in this climate, may poffibly depend on a certain quantity of fun-beams, tranfmitted to us at proper times: but, this being a point which can only be ascertained by future obfervations, I forbear entesing farther into a difcuffion of it. "It will be thought remarkable. that no later periods of the disappearance of the folar spots can be found. The reafon, however, is obvious. The creafed number of obfervers, have properfection of inftruments, and the induced an account of folar fpots, which, from their fmallness, or their fhort appearance, would probably have been overlooked in former times. If we thould in future only reckon the years of the total,abfence of folar Ipots, even that remarkable period of fcarcity which has fallen under my own obfervation, in which, nevertheless, I have now and then feen a few fpots of fhort duration and of no great magnitude, could not be admitted. "For this reason, we ought now to diftinguish our folar obfervations, by reducing them to short periods of fymptoms Tymptoms for or against à copious emiffion of the folar beams, in which all the phenomena we have pointed out fhould be noticed. The moft ftriking of them are certainly the number, magnitude, and duration of the openings. The increase and decrease of the luminous appearance of the corrugations is perhaps full as effential; but, as it is probable that their brilliancy may be a confequence of the abundance of the former phenomena, an attention to the latter, which is fubject to great difficulties, and requires the very beft of telescopes, may not be fo neceffary. "What remains to be added is but fhort. In the first of my two series of obfervations, I have pointed out a deficiency in what appears to be the fymptomatic difpofition of the fun for emitting light and heat: it has lafted from the year 1795 to 1800. That we have had a confiderable deficiency in the vegetation of grain, will hardly require any proof. The fecond feries, er rather the commencement of it, for I hope it will last long, has pointed out a favourable return of the rich appearance of the fun. This, if I may venture to judge, will probably occafion a return of fuch feafons as, in the end, will be attended by all their ufus "BORN at Dunkenhalgh, now very aged man, and abbot of the Eng lish Benedictine Monaftery of Lambfpring, to which an independent principality is annexed. Having been dif appointed in the neceffary information with refpect to the life of this digni "The fubject, however, being fo tary, I have to regret the barrenness new, it will be proper to conclude, by of the prefent article; yet am unwil adding, that this prediction ought nothing to lofe an opportunity of record to be relied on by any one, with fertility. more confidence than the arguments which have been brought forwards in this Paper may appear to deferve." P. 313 CXV. An Hiftory of the original Parish of Whalley and Honor of Clitheroe, in the Counties of Lancaster and York. By THOMAS DUNHAM WHITAKER, LL. D. Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. 4to. pp. 483. 31. 3s. Blackbura printed; Hatchard, Loudon. ing, among the living natives of the parifh of Whalley, a fmall eccle fiaftical fovereign. For while the great fpiritual electors of Germany have been borne down by the tempeft which now rages over Europe, it is the privilege of the abbot of Lambfpring, infulated by the barren plains of Weftphalia, to have little but the primitive wealth of maft and hogs to attract the plunderers of mankind; and while the fertile banks of the Rhine continue from year to year a field of blood, this diminutive prince remains undisturbed, and may end his days in the peaceful retirement of his own cloifters." P. 460. "This period fhould properly have been divided into two fmall ones; but, for want of intermediate solar obfervations, I have joined the vifible deficiencies in the illuminating and heating powers of the fun, from the year 1795 to 1796, and again from 1798 to 1800, into one.” 4 P & JOHN JOHN TOWNLEY, "GRANDSON of Richard Townley, Efq. and younger fon of Charles Townley, Efq. by Urfula Fermor, was born at Townley, 1697, and having been originally intended for the law, was placed in the office of the famous Salkeld. But his inclination leading him to prefer a military life, he entered into the French fervice, and was prefent at the fiege of Philipsburgh, where the Marshal Duc de Berwick was killed. He was afterwards honoured with the Crofs of St. Louis. "Having fpoken, in company with Voltaire, and other wits of the time, at Paris, of the English Poem of Hudibras, and tranflated some small portions of that inimitable work almoft extempore, he was induced to attempt a verfion of the whole, which he published with the following title: "Hudibras Poëme, Efcrit dans le Tems des Troubles d'Angleterre; et ་ Traduit en Vers François, avec des Remarques et des Figures.-A Lon• dres, 1757.' "With what fuccefs he achieved a tafk of fuch extreme difficulty, may be conjectured from the following extract, notwithftanding its brevity. • An old dull fot, who told the clock For many years at Bridwell Dock, At Westminster, and Hicks's Hall, And Hiccius Doctius play'd in all; Wherein all governments and times H' had been both friend and foe to crimes, And us'd two equal ways of gaining, ♦ By hind'ring Justice, or maintaining: Un vieux Sot, qui comploit les heures 'Conftamment près de ces demeures Où font logés fripons et gueux. A Westminster et d'autres Lieux, Ou la juftice fe debite, Il etoit partout émérite, Là, fous chaque Gouvernement I'l alloit indifferemment Pourfuivre, ou defendre le crime, Et par cette double maxime, I'l gagnoit a Solliciter ⚫ Justice, comme a l'empecher.' "The following infeription, under an engraving from a miniature portrait, in the poffeffion of his nephew, will fupply the dates wanted to complete this fhort account. "Ad impertiendum amicis inter " A GENERAL hiftory of English economics, if executed with tafte and fpirit, would be an amusing and interefting work. The following obfervations embrace only the fubject of a fingle, though important chapter in fuch a volume, extend merely over a remote provincial diftrict, and are animated by little more than an ardent defire of inveftigating every appearance which can illuftrate the manners of our ancestors. "Into what recesses of their native woods, the inclemency of this climate drove the Setantii, what caves they fcooped out of the earth, or what cas bins they framed for fhelter, it were now as idle to inquire, as it would be to investigate where the foxes of those days burrowed, or the ravens built their nefts. Their attempts to lodge or fecure themselves were flight and of felf-accommodation, and at a time indolent; in fact, they were careless when whole tribes must have been convoked to rear the maffy columns of a temple, they feem to have had no conception of the ufe of ftone in the construction of dwellings, or even for the purposes of fortification, Superftition is evidently the firft and moft active principle in the mind of a savage. "What was the general style and disposition of Roman villas we know, and thofe which had been extended round the common centre of Coccium, if any fuch there were, would only differ from thofe of Italy, as the first erections of a planter in America vary from the house and offices of an Englith gentleman at home. "The Saxons, among us, without even the exception of churches, built univerfally with wood: it is therefore no wonder that after the lapfe of eight centuries, every memorial of fuch ftructures |