174 presence of antimony. The preparation was kept secret for some time. The true formula is the following:-Three pounds of saltpetre, thirteen ounces of sulphur, and seven of sulphuret of antimony. The composition is not used in cases, but is put into earthen vessels, usually shallow, and as broad as they are high. A small quantity of meal-powder is scattered over the surface, and a match is inserted. Pots thus prepared are covered with paper or parchment, to prevent the access of moisture, which is removed before the composition is inflamed. Blue lights, or blue fire, is a preparation in which The zinc and sulphur, or sulphur alone, are used. particular colour is communicated by the zinc and sulphur. the same way as the cases on the wheel; all these Illuminated works are much admired by the Ita.ians, and in a grand exhibition an illuminated piece should be fired after every two or three wheels, or fixed pieces of common and brilliant fires; and likewise illuminated works may be made cheap, quick and easy. To make an illuminated chandelier, the pyrotechnist must first have a frame made of thin wood This being accomplished, bore in the front of the The most perfect blue light is made as follows:-branches, and in the body, and also in the plane at Four parts of meal-powder, two of saltpetre, three of sulphur, and three of zinc filings. The representation of cascades and parasols is made with the above, or similar compositions, but the ordinary blue light used sometimes for signals, and adapted to any caliber of a case, is composed of sixteen parts of meal-powder, two parts of saltpetre, and eight parts of sulphur. Brass is added in the sparkling and green fire, to prepare which about three parts of brass filings are mixed with sixteen parts meal-powder. The amber lights are constituted of amber and meal-powder, in the proportion of three of the former to nine of the latter. Verdigris and antimony are frequently joined to produce a green colour. top, as many holes as can be placed at three inches: distance from each other: in these holes put illuminations filled with white, blue, or brilliant charge. Having fixed in the port-fires, clothe them with leaders, so that the chandelier and crown may light together. To prepare a brilliant branches are fixed, place il- a For the green match for cyphers, devices, and decorations, one pound of sulphur is melted; one ounce of powdered verdigris and half an ounce of crude antimony are then added; cotton loosely twisted is soaked in the mixture when melted. When rections taken by the boughs, produce a very fine used it is fastened to a wire, and the wire is bent effect. Before quitting this part of our subject, it may be into the shape required. It is primed with a mixture of meal-powder and spirits of wine, and a quick-proper to notice those pyrotechnick compositions match is tied along the whole length, so that the fire may communicate to every part at the same time. A strong decoction of jujubes, treated with sulphur, imparts to cotton the property of burning with a violet-coloured flame. Sulphur alone, or zinc and sulphur, give a blue device. If the pyrotechnist wish to prepare a grand volute illuminated with a revolving wheel, the first step is to procure a large circular wheel, and on its rim tie as many four ounce cases as will complete the circle, only allow ing a sufficient distance be tween the cases that the fire may pass freely, which may be done by cutting the upper part of the end of each a little shelving; on each spoke fix a four ounce case about three inches from the rim of the wheel; these cases are to burn one at a time. On the front of the wheel form a spi ral line with strong wire, on which tie port-fires, placing them on a slant, with their mouths to face which are employed for military purposes. The fol lowing compositions are much used in warfare : Fusees for shells.-Three pounds four ounces of saltpetre, one of sulphur, and two pounds twelve ounces of meal-gunpowder, well mixed, and closely rammed in the fusee. Cotton quick-match.-One pound twelve ounces. of cotton, one pound eight ounces of saltpetre, ten of isingglass gelly, ten of meal-powder, two quarts of spirits of wine, and three of water. Worsted quick-match.-Ten ounces of worsted, ten of meal-powder, three pints each of spirits of wine and water, and half a pint of isingglass gelly. "Kitt," to rub over carcases, being a kind of Greek fire.-Nine pounds resin, six each of pitch and beeswax, and one of tallow; or twenty-one pounds of pitch, fourteen each of resin and beeswax, and one of tallow; or four pounds of pitch, two each of tallow, beeswax, and chopped flax. Composition to fill carcases.-Ten pounds five ounces of corned powder, four poundss two ounces of pitch, two pounds one ounce of salpetre, one pound of tallow. Port-fire, to fire great guns.-Six pounds of salt petre, two of sulphur, one of meal-powder, well mixed, and closely rammed in the cases. Stopped port-fire.-Four pounds of saltpetre, one pound eight ounces of sulphur, and two pounds eight ounces of meal-powder, to be moistened with linseed oil, and stopped in the case with a wooden drift. Composition for quick-match.-Six pounds six ounces of saltpetre, eight pounds of meal-powder, one gallon each of vinegar and spirits of wine, and four of water. Trunk fire, for fire-ships. Eight pounds of mealpowder, four of saltpetre, and two of sulphur. Greek fire, for dipping stores in a fire-ship.-Forty pounds of pitch, thirty each of resin and sulphur, ten of tallow, and two gallons of tar. Smoke balls, to drive men from between decks, or hollow casemates.-Melt four pounds of pitch and one of tallow, in a pan set in a copper of boiling water, and add ten pounds of corned powder and one of saltpetre. Fill the shell a quarter full with this composition; then put in a little of a mixture of two pounds of sulphur with three of pit-coal; proceed to fill the shell half full, and then put in more of the sulphur and pit-coal; and the same when the shell is three quarters filled. Dr. Mac Culloch, in an excellent paper on the Greek fire, attempts to show that there were two kinds of it, one of which contained saltpetre, and was analogous to the modern rocket, except that it had no projectile force, and required to be thrown by artillery, either mechanical or chymical, like the modern squibs. The other kind of Greek fire was a resinous composition, in which naphtha formed a principal ingredient. The modern carcase is a combination of the two, the nitrous composition being used to fill the body, while its outside is payed over with the resinous composition or kitt; the approach to the carcase to extinguish it, is rendered dangerous by the loaded pistol-barrels which are inserted in the charge, and directed different ways. in the war of the American revolution, was Col. Isaac Hayne, of South Carolina; a man who, by his amiability of character and high sentiments of honour and uprightness, had secured the good will and affection of all who knew him. He had a wife and six children, the eldest a boy thirteen years of age. His wife, to whom he was tenderly attached fell a victim of disease: an event hastened not improbably by the inconveniences and sufferings incident to a state of war, in which the whole army largely participated. Col. Hayne himself was taken prisoner by the English forces, and in a short time was executed on the gallows under circumstances calculated to excite the deepest commiseration. A great number of persons, both English and Americans, interceded for his life; the ladies of Charleston signed a petition in his behalf; his motherless children were on their bended knees humble suitors for their beloved father, but all in vain. "During the imprisonment of the father, his eldest son was permitted to stay with him in the prison. Beholding his only surviving parent, for whom he felt the deepest affection, loaded with irons and condemned to die, he was overwhelmed with consternation and sorrow. The wretched father endeavoured to console him, by reminding him that the unavailing grief of his son tended only to increase his own misery; that he came into this world merely to prepare for a better; that he himself was prepared to die, and could even rejoice that his troubles were so near ended. To-morrow,' said he, 'I set out for immortality: you will accompany me to the place of my execution, and when I am dead, take my body and bury it by the side of your poor mother.' The youth fell upon his father's neck, crying, 'Oh, my father, my father, I die with you!" Col. Hayne, as he was loaded with irons, could not return the embrace of his son, and merely said, in reply, Live, my son; live, to honour God by a good life, live to take care of your brother and little sisters.' ་ Dr. Mac Culloch seems to think that an oil like naphtha could not be advantageously used in combination with powder or saltpetre. It appears, how- "The next morning, proceeds the narrator of ever, from the Military Discipline of Gerat Barry, an these distressing events, Col. Hayne was conducted Irish captain in the Spanish service that for entering to the place of execution. His son accompanied breaches or ships, or to break into an array of pike- him. Soon as they came in sight of the gallows, men in ships, or to break in a narrow place, they the father strengthened himself and said, Tom, my used fire trunks, for which he gives this receipt :- son, show yourself a man! that tree is the boundary Six parts of musket powder, four of sulphur, three of my life and all my life's sorrow. Beyond that of saltpetre, one each of sal ammoniac, pounded the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are glass, and of camphor, two of resin, and a half part at rest. Don't lay too much at heart our separation, of quicksilver, well mixed together, and then beaten it will be short. "T was but lately your mother died up with oil of juniper-berries, or oil of petroleum-to-day I die. And you, my son, though but young (by which naphtha is no doubt meant) and spirits of wine. The trunks or wooden cases, bound round with marline, were charged in alternate layers with this composition and gunpowder; and the quantity of three musket charges of powder was placed at the bottom of the trunk, which was fastened to a pike-staff. He says that the flame of these trunks reaches full twelve feet. AN ANECDOTE OF WAR. The following thrilling account of the execution of Col. Hayne, of South Carolina, during the war of the American revolution, was related by the Rev. M. Beckwith, in a discourse "On the evils of War." "Among the distinguished men who fell victims must shortly follow.' 'Yes, my father,' replied the broken hearted youth, I shall shortly follow you, for indeed I feel that I cannot live long.' And this melancholy anticipation was fulfilled in a manner more dreadful than is implied in the mere extinction of life. On seeing his father in the hands of the executioner, and then struggling in the halter, he stood like one transfixed and motionless with horrour. Till then, proceeds the narration, he had wept incessantly-but as he saw that-the fountain of his tears was staunched, and he never wept more. He died insane; and in his last moments often called on his father, in terms that brought tears from the hardest heart". We only become moral men when we accustom our affections and talents to be directed by reason. THE above cut represents the Medical Institution of Geneva College; an institution which promises ere long to be one of the most important of which the state of New York can boast. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the Seneca Lake, and we believe. there are few villages in the world which can compare with it, in the picturesque beauty of its surrounding scenery, as well as in the associations which it brings to mind of an interesting race of inhabitants who have disappeared entirely before the march of civilization. The location for a medical college, is admirably adapted to the wants of the great west; and the moral and highly intellectual character of the inhabitants of Geneva, render it peculiarly fitted for elevating the standard of medical education in the western portion of the United States. The respective chairs are all well filled-that of Chymistry, by the venerable and talented Dr. Edward Cutbush; of the Principles and Practice of Medicine, by Thomas Spencer; who is considered by far the strongest man in that particular branch in the state; Materia Medica and Obstetrics, by Dr. C. B. Coventry, of Utica; and Anatomy and Surgery, by Dr. J. Webster, of New York, the favourite pupil and the successor of the late distinguished Dr. God man. ber of its pupils, New York will have reason to be proud of its usefulness, and our western youth to congratulate themselves on the advantages thus offered to them for the acquisition of learning at so pure a fountain. THE HORSE-SWAP. FROM a work entitled "Georgia Scenes, Charac ters, Incidents, &c., in the first half century of the republick," we have selected the following amusing story, which is well told by a native Georgian: "During the session of the Superiour court, in the village of, when a number of people were collected in the principal street of the village, I observed a young man riding up and down the street, as I supposed, in a violent passion. He galloped this way, then that, and then the other. Spurred his horse to one group of citizens, then to another. Then dashed off at half speed, as if fleeing from danger; and suddenly checking his horse, returned first in a pace, then in a trot, and then in a canter. While he was performing these various evolutions, he cursed, swore, whooped, screamed, and tossed himself in every attitude which man could assume The classical department has at its head the Rev. on horseback. In short, he cavorted most magnanBenjamin Hale, D. D., President; and in Mathemat-imously, (a term which, in our tongue, expresses all icks and Natural Philosophy, Horace Webster, A. M.; that I have described, and a little more) and seemed Chymistry, E. Cuthbert, M. D.; Civil Engineering to be setting all creation at defiance. As I like to and Statisticks, Gen. J. G. Swift; Latin and Greek see all that is passing, I determined to take a posiLanguages and Literature, D. Prentice, A. M.; His- tion a little nearer to him, and to ascertain if possitory, Belies Lettres, and Modern Languages, Theo-ble, what it was that affected him so sensibly. Acdore Irving, Esq. cordingly I approached a crowd before which he had We are happy to announce that in all its depart-stopped for a moment, and examined it with the ments, Geneva College is in a highly flattering con- strictest scrutiny. But I could see nothing in it, dition, and that by the continued increase in the num- that seemed to have any thing to do with the ca that 66 Forter. Every man appeared to be in a good hu- first direction; and then mounted suddenly upward mour, and all minding their own business. Not one like a cypress knee to a perpendicular of about two so much as noticed the principal figure. Still he and a half inches. The whole had a careless and went on. After a semicolon pause, which my ap- bewitching inclination to the right. Bullet obviously pearance seemed to produce, (for he eyed me close-knew where his beauty lay, and took all occasions ly as I approached) he fetched a whoop, and swore to display it to the best advantage. If a stick he could out-swap any live man, woman or cracked, or if any one moved suddenly about him, child, that ever walked these hills, or that ever or coughed, or hawked, or spoke a little louder than straddled horse-flesh since the days of old daddy common, up went Bullet's tail like lightning; and if Adam." 66 Stranger," said he to me, "did you ever the going up did not please, the coming down must see the Yallow Blossom from Jasper ?" of necessity, for it was as different from the other movement, as was its direction. The first, was a bold and rapid flight upward; usually to an angle of forty-five degrees. In this position he kept his interesting appendage, until he satisfied himself that nothing in particular was to be done; when he commenced dropping it by half inches, in second beats "No," said I, "but I have often heard of him.” "I'm the boy," continued he; "perhaps a leetlejist a leetle of the best man, at a horse-swap, that ever trod shoe-leather." I began to feel my situation a little awkward, when I was relieved by a man somewhat advanced in years, who stept up and began to survey the "Yallow Blossom's" horse with much apparent interest. This drew the rider's attention, and he turned the conversation from me to the stranger. Well, my old coon," said he, "do you want to swap hosses?" "Why, I dont know," replied the stranger; "I believe I've got a beast I'd trade with you for that one, if you like him." "Well, fetch up your nag, my old cock; you're jist the lark I wanted to get hold of. I am perhaps a leetle, jist a leetle, of the best man at a horse-swap, that ever stole cracklins out of his mammy's fat gourd. Where's your hoss?" "I'll bring him presently; but I want to examine your horse a little." "Oh! look at him," said the Blossom, alighting and hitting him a cut-"look at him. He's the best piece of hoss-flesh in the thirteen united universal worlds. There's no sort o' mistake in little Bullet. He can pick up miles on his feet and fling 'em behind him as fast as the next man's hoss, I don't care where he comes from. And he can keep at it as long as the sun can shine without resting." During this harangue, little Bullet looked as if he understood it all, believed it, and was ready at any moment to verify it. He was a horse of goodly countenance, rather expressive of vigilance than fire; though an unnatural appearance of fierceness was thrown into it, by the loss of his ears, which had been cropt pretty close to his head. Nature had done but little for Bullet's head and neck; but he managed, in a great measure, to hide their defects, by bowing perpetually. He had obviously suffered severely for corn; but if his ribs and hipbones had not disclosed the fact, he never would have done it; for he was in all respects, as cheerful and happy, as if he commanded all the corn-cribs and fodder-stacks in Georgia. His height was about twelve hands; but as his shape partook somewhat of that of the giraffe, his haunches stood much lower. They were short, strait, peaked and conBullet's tail, however, made amends for all his defects. All that the artist could do to beautify it, had been done; and all that horse could do to compliment the artist, Bullet did. His tail was nicked in superiour style, and exhibited the line of beauty in so many directions, that it could not fail to hit the most fastidious taste in some of them. From the root it dropped into a graceful festoon; then rose in a handsome curve; then resumed its VOL. V.-23 cave. then in triple time-then faster and shorter, and faster and shorter still; until it finally died away imperceptibly into its natural position. If I might compare sights to sounds, I should say, its settling, was more like the note of a locust than any thing else in nature. Either from native sprightliness of disposition, from uncontrolable activity, or from an unconquerable habit of removing flies by the stamping of the feet, Bullet never stood still; but always kept up a gentle fly-scaring movement of his limbs, which was peculiarly interesting. "I tell you, man," proceeded the Yellow Blos som, "he's the best live hoss that ever trod the grt of Georgia. Bob Smart knows the hoss. Come here, Bob, and mount this hoss and show Bullet's motions." Here Bullet bristled up, and looked as if he had been hunting for Bob all day long, and had just found him. Bob sprang on his back. "Boo00-00!" said Bob, with a fluttering noise of the lips; and away went Bullet, as if in a quarter race, with all his beauties spread in handsome style. Bullet "Now fetch him back," said Blossom. turned and came in pretty much as he went out. "Now trot him by." Bullet reduced his tail to "customary”—sidled to the right and left airily, and exhibited at least three varieties of trot, in the short space of fifty yards. "Make him pace!" Bob commenced twitching the bridle and kicking at the same time. These inconsistent movements obviously (and most naturally) disconcerted Bullet; for it was impossible for him to learn, from them, whether he was to proceed or stand still. He started to trot and was told that wouldn't do. He attempted a canter-and was checked again. He stopped-and was urged to go on. Bullet now rushed into the wide field of experiment, and struck out a gait of his own, that completely turned the tables upon his rider, and certainly deserved a patent. It seemed to have derived its elements from the jig, the minuet and the cotillion. If it was not a pace, it certainly had pace in it; and no man would venture to call it any thing else; so it passed off to the satisfaction of the owner. "Walk him!" Bullet was now at home again; and he walked as if money was staked on him. The stranger, whose name I afterwards learned was Peter Ketch, having examined Bullet to his heart's content, ordered his son Neddy to go and bring up Kit. Neddy soon appeared upon Kit; a well formed sorrel of the middle size, and in good| order. His tout ensemble threw Bullet entirely in the shade; though a glance was sufficient to satisfy any one, that Bullet had the decided advantage of him in point of intellect. "Why man," said Blossom, "do you bring such a hoss as that to trade for Bullet? Oh, I see you're no notion of trading." "Ride him off, Neddy!" said Peter. Kit put off at a handsome lope. "Oh certainly; say fifty, and my saddle and bridle in. Here, Neddy, my son, take away daddy's horse." "Well," said Blossom, "I've made my pass; now you make yours." "I'm for short talk in a horse-swap; and therefore always tell a gentleman, at once, what I mean to do. You must give me ten dollars." Blossom swore absolutely, roundly and profanely, that he never would give boot. "Well," said Peter, "I didn't care about trading; but you cut such high shines, that I thought I'd like to back you out; and I've done it. Gentlemen, you see I've brought him to a hack." "Trot him back!" Kit came in at a long, sweeping trot, and stopt suddenly at the crowd. "Well," said Blossom, "let me look at him; may be he'll do to plough." "Examine him!" said Peter, taking hold of the "Come, old man," said Blossom, "I've been bridle close to the mouth; "he's nothing but a joking with you. I begin to think you do want to tacky. He an't as pretty a horse as Bullet, I know; trade; therefore, give me five dollars and take Bulbut he'll do. Start 'em together for a hundred and let. I'd rather lose ten dollars, any time, than not fifty mile; and if Kit an't twenty mile ahead of him make a trade; though I hate to fling away a good at the coming out, any man may take Kit for no-hoss." thing. But he's a monstrous mean horse, gentlemen; any man may see that. He's the scariest horse, too, you ever saw. He won't do to hunt on, no how. Stranger, will you let Neddy have your rifle to shoot off him? Lay the rifle between his ears, Neddy, and shoot at the blaze in that stump. Tell me when his head is high enough." Ned fired, and hit the blaze; and Kit did not move a hair's breadth. 66 Well," said Peter, "I'll be as clever as you are. Just put the five dollars on Bullet's back and hand him over, it's a trade. Blossom swore again, as roundly as before, that he would not give boot; "and," said he, "Bullet wouldn't hold five dollars on his back, no how. But as I bantered you, if you say an even swap, here's at you." "I told you," said Peter, "I'd be as clever as you; therefore, here goes two dollars more, just for trade sake. Give me three dollars, and it's a bargain." Ned made a tremendous rattling; at which Bullet took fright, broke his bridle and dashed off in Blossom repeated his former assertion; and here grand style; and would have stopped all farther ne- the parties stood for a long time, and the by-standgotiations, by going home in disgust, had not a travers (for many were now collected.) began to taunt eller arrested him and brought him back; but Kit both parties. After some time, however, it was did not move. pretty unanimously decided that the old man had backed Blossom out. "I tell you, gentlemen," continued Peter, "he's the scariest horse you ever saw. He an't as gentle as Bullet; but he won't do any harm if you watch him. Shall I put him in a cart, gig, or wagon for you, stranger? He'll cut the same capers there he does here. He's a monstrous mean horse." During all this time, Blossom was examining him with the nicest scrutiny. Having examined his frame and limbs, he now looked at his eyes. "He's got a curious look out of his eyes," said Blossom. "Oh yes, sir," said Peter, "just as blind as a bat. Blind horses always have clear eyes. Make a motion at his eyes, if you please, sir." Blossom did so, and Kit threw up his head rather as if something pricked him under the chin, than as if fearing a blow. Blossom repeated the experiment, and Kit jerked back in considerable astonishment. "Stone blind, you see, gentlemen," proceeded Peter; "but he's just as good to travel of a dark night as if he had eyes." "Blame my buttons," said Blossom, "if I like them eyes." No," said Peter, "nor I neither. I'd rather have 'em made of diamonds; but they'll do, if they don't show as much white as Bullet's." "Well," said Blossom, "make a pass at me." "No," said Peter; "you made the banter; make your pass." now "Well I'm never afraid to price my hosses. must give me twenty-five dollars boot." You At length Blossom swore he "never would be backed out, for three dollars, after bantering a man ;" and accordingly they closed the trade. "Now," said Blossom, as he handed Peter the three dollars, "I'm a man, that when he makes a bad trade, makes the most of it until he can make a better. I'm for no rues and after-claps." "That's just my way," said Peter; "I never goes to law to mend my bargains." Ah, you're the kind of boy I love to trade with. Here's your hoss, old man. Take the saddle and bridle off him, and I'll strip yours; but lift up the blanket easy from Bullet's back, for he's a mighty tenderbacked hoss." The old man removed the saddle, but the blanket stuck fast. He attempted to raise it, and Bullet bowed himself, switched his tail, danced a little, and gave signs of biting. "Don't hurt him, old man," said Blossom archly; "take it off easy. I am, perhaps, a leetle of the best man at a horse-swap that ever catched a coon." Peter continued to pull at the blanket more and more roughly; and Bullet became more and more cavortish: insomuch, that when the blanket came off, he had reached the kicking point in good ear nest. The removal of the blanket, disclosed a sore on Bullet's backbone, that seemed to have defied all medical skill. It measured six full inches in length, and four in breadth; and had as many features as |