Fig. 9.

# Peniel.

dry, well seasoned white wood, four feet long, three- Pendulum fourths of an inch broad, and one-fourth of an inch thick, when exposed in an oven to the temperature of 235°, had contracted. Being again put into the oven, where it was permitted to remain for a long time till it became a little discoloured, with a view to dissipate the whole of the moisture, it was placed in the pyrometer, and allowed to remain till it reached the temperature of the room, or 49°, when it was found to have contracted 0.0205 of an inch with 186° of Fahrenheit, from which we obtain by proportion 0.0049 of an inch for the expansion of one foot with 180° difference of temperature. Thus,

Pendulum such a manner as to form the evolute of the given parabola. Hence, let KH (fig. 9.) be an axis perpendicular to the horizon, having a pinion at K moved by the last wheel in the train of the clock; and a hardened steel point at H moving in an agate pivot, to render the motion as free as possible. Now, let it be required that the pendulum shall perform each revolution in a second, then the paraboloid surface it moves in must be such whose latus rectum is double the length of the common half second pendulum. Let O be the focus of the parabola MEC, and MC the latus rectum; and make AE MO={MC : the length of a common half second pendulum. At the point A of the verge, let a thin plate AB be fixed at one end, and at the other end B let it be fastened to a bar or arm BD perpendicular to DH, and to which it is fixed at the point D. The figure of the plate AB is that of the evolute of the given parabola MEC.

The equation of this evolute, being also that of the semicubical parabola, is 27p2-y3.-Let 27p-P; then

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distance of the focus from the vertex A.-By assuming the value of x, the ordinates of the curve may be found; and hence it may be easily drawn.

The string of the pendulum must be of such a length that when one end is fixed at B, it may lie over the plate AB, and then hang perpendicular from it, so that the centre of the bob may be at E when at rest. Now, the verge KH being put into motion, the ball of the pendulum will begin to gyrate, and thereby conceive a centrifugal force which will carry it out from the axis to some point F, where it will circulate seconds or half seconds, according as the line AE is 9.8 inches, or 2 inches, and AB answerable to it.

One advantage possessed by a clock having a pendulum of this construction is, that the second hand moves in a regular and uniform manner, without being subject to those jerks or starts as in common clocks; and the pendulum is entirely silent.

Theory has pointed out several other pendulums, known by the names of Elliptical, Horizontal, Rotulary, &c. pendulums. These, however, have not as yet attained that degree of perfection as to supplant the common pendulum.

Observing that both the gridiron and mercurial pendulums are subject to many inconveniences and errors, Mr Kater has attempted to construct one possessing such properties in respect of cheapness and accuracy as he thinks might justly give it the preference to any other. As wood possesses a less degree of expansibility by means of heat than any other substance; on this occount, if it could be rendered quite impervious to moisture, it would be the best of all substances for the rod of a pendulum; and as it also appears that zinc, above all other metals, possesses the greatest degree of expansibility by means of heat, he considered it the best substance which could be employed for a compensation. His next object was to institute a set of delicate experiments, in order to ascertain the precise degree of the expansibility of wood by the application of heat, and he discovered by the use of a pyrometer, that a rod of very

But for a general description of this pendulum, and a full account of the manner in which it is constructed, we must refer our readers to the inventor's own paper, Nichol. Jour. vol. xx. p. 214.

Besides the use of the pendulum in measuring time, it has also been suggested as a proper standard for measures of length. See MEASURE.

PENEA, a genus of plants belonging to the tetrandria class, and in the natural method ranking with those of which the order is doubtful. See BOTANY Index.

PENELOPE, in fabulous history, the daughter of Icarus, married Ulysses, by whom she had Telemachus. During the absence of Ulysses, who was gone to the siege of Troy, and who staid 20 years from bis dominions, several princes charmed with Penelope's beauty, told her that Ulysses was dead, offered to marry her, and pressed her to declare in their favour. She promised compliance on condition they would give her time to finish a piece of tapestry she was weaving; but at the same time she undid in the night what she had done in the day, and by this artifice eluded their importunity till Ulys

ses's return.

PENELOPE, a genus of birds of the order of gallina. See ORNITHOLOGY Index.

PENESTICA, (Antonine), a town of the Helvetii, situated between the Lacus Lausonius and Salodurum; called Petenisca by Peutinger. Thought now to be Biel (Cluverius); the capital of a small territory in Swisserland.

PENEUS, (Strabo); a river running through the middle of Thessaly, from west to east, into the Sinus Thermaicus, between Olympus and Ossa, near Tempe of Thessaly, rising in Mount Pindus, (Ovid, Val. Flaccus).

PENETRALE, a sacred room or chapel in private houses, which was set apart for the worship of the household gods among the ancient Romans. In temples also there were penetralia, or apartments of distinguished sanctity, where the images of the gods were kept, and certain solemn ceremonies performed.

PENGUIN, or PINGUIN. See PENGUIN, ORNITHOLOGY Index.

PENICILLUS, among surgeons, is used for a tent to be put into wounds or ulcers.

PENIEL, or PENUEL, a city beyond Jordan, near the ford or brook Jabbok. This was the occasion of its name. Jacob, upon his return from Mesopotamia, (Gen. xxxii. 24, &c.) made a stop at the brook Jabbok: and very early the next morning, after he had sent all

P 2

the

Till the beginning of the last century, none but peni- Penitence tents were admitted; but since its reformation by Mary 11 Alvequin, in 1616, none have been admitted but maids, Penitentiary. who, however, still retain the ancient name penitents.

Peniel the people before, he remained alone, and behold an angel came, and wrestled with him till the day began Penitence. to appear. Then the angel said to Jacob, Let me go, for the morning begins to appear. Jacob answered, I shall not let you go from me till you have given me your blessing. The angel blessed him then in the same place, which Jacob thence called Peniel, saying, I have seen God face to face, yet continue alive.

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In following ages the Israelites built a city in this place, which was given to the tribe of Gad. Gideon, returning from the pursuit of the Midianites, overthrew the tower of Peniel, (Judges viii. 17.), and put all the inhabitants of the city to death, for having refused sustenance to him and his people, and having answered him in a very insulting manner. Jeroboam the son of Nebat rebuilt the city of Peniel, (1 Kings xii. 25.). Josephus says, that this prince there built himself a palace.

PENINNAH, the second wife of Elkanah, the father of Samuel. Peninnah had several children, (1 Sam. i. 2, 3, &c.), but Hannah, who afterwards was mother of Samuel, was for a great while barren: Peninnab, instead of giving the glory to God, the author of fruitfulness, was elevated with pride, and insulted her rival Hannah. But the Lord having visited Hannah, Peninnah was thereupon humbled and some interpreters think, that God took away her children from her, or at least that she had no more after this time, according to the words of the song of Hannah, (1 Sam. ii. 5.), "The barren hath born seven, and she that hath many children is waxed feeble."

PENINSULA, in Geography, a portion or extent of land joining to the continent by a narrow neck or isthmus, the rest being encompassed with water.

PENIS, in Anatomy. See ANATOMY Index. PENITENCE, is sometimes used for a state of repentance, and sometimes for the act of repenting. See REPENTANCE. It is also used for a discipline, or punishment atending repentance; more usually called penance. It also gives title to several religious orders, consisting either of converted debauchees, and reformed prostitutes, or of persons who devote themselves to the office of reclaiming them. Of this latter kind is the

Order of PENITENCE of St Magdalen, established about the year 1272 by one Bernard, a citizen of Marseilles, who devoted himself to the work of converting the courtezans of that city. Bernard was seconded by several others; who, forming a kind of society, were at length erected into a religious order by Pope Nicholas III. under the rule of St Augustine. F. Gesnay says, that they also made a religious order of the penitents, or women they converted, giving them the same rules and observances which they themselves kept.

Congregation of PENITENCE of St Magdalen at Paris, owed its rise to the preaching of F. Tisseran a Franciscan, who converted a vast number of courtezans about the year 1492. Louis duke of Orleans gave them his house for a monastery; or rather, as appears by their constitutions, Charles VIII. gave them the hotel called Bochaigne, whence they were removed to St George's chapel, in 1572. By virtue of a brief of Pope Alexander, Simon bishop of Paris, in 1497, drew up for them a body of statutes, and gave them the rule of St Augustine. It was necessary, before a woman could be admitted, that she had first committed the sin of the flesh. None were admitted who were above 35 years of age.

PENITENTS, an appellation given to certain fraternities of penitents distinguished by the different shape and colour of their habits. These are secular societies, who have their rules, statutes, and churches, and make public processions under their particular crosses or banners. Of these there are more than a hundred, the most considerable of which are as follow: the white penitents, of which there are several different sorts at Rome, the most ancient of which was constituted in 1264; the brethren of this fraternity every year give portions to a certain number of young girls, in order to their being married: their habit is a kind of white sackcloth, and on the shoulder is a circle, in the middle of which is a red and white cross. Black penitents, the most considerable of which are the brethren of mercy, instituted in 1488 by some Florentines, in order to assist criminals during their imprisonment, and at the time of their death on the day of execution they walk in procession before them, singing the seven penitential psalms and the litanies; and after they are dead, they take them down from the gibbet and bury them; their habit is black sackcloth. There are others whose business it is to bury such persons as are found dead in the streets: these wear a death's head on one side of their habit. There are also blue, gray, red, green, and violet penitents; all of whom are remarkable for little else besides the different colours of their habits.

Mabillon tells us, that at Turin there are a set of penitents kept in pay to walk through the streets in procession, and cut their shoulders with whips, &c.

PENITENTS, or Converts of the name of Jesus, a congregation of religious at Seville in Spain, consisting of women who had led a licentious life, founded in 1550. This monastery is divided into three quarters: one for professed religious; another for novices; a third for those who are under correction. When these last give signs of a real repentance, they are removed into the quarter of the novices, where, if they do not behave themselves well, they are remanded to their correction. They observe the rule of St Augustine.

PENITENTS of Orvieto, are an order of nuns, instituted by Antony Simoncelli, a gentleman of Orvieto in Italy. The monastery he built was at first designed for the reception of poor girls, abandoned by their parents, and in danger of losing their virtue. In 1662 it was erected into a monastery, for the reception of such as, having abandoned themselves to impurity, were willing to take up, and consecrate themselves to God by solemn vows. Their rule is that of the Carmelites.

These religious have this in peculiar, that they undergo no noviciate. All required is, that they continue a few months in the monastery in a secular habit; after which they are admitted to the vows.

PENITENTIAL, an ecclesiastical book, retained among the Romanists; in which is prescribed what relates to the imposition of penance and the reconciliation of penitents. See PENANCE.

There are various penitentials, as the Roman penitential, that of the venerable Bede, that of Pope Gregory III. &c.

PENITENTIARY, in the ancient Christian church,

A

Penn,

produced. When he returned home he married and had Tennan two children; but he was 37 years of age before he gained possession of the family estate, after which he took up his residence at Downing.

within the rules of the Fleet for several months, till the Pennant. matter in dispute was accommodated. He died in 1718. At one period of his life, Penn lodged in a house in Norfolk-street in the Strand. In the entrance to it he had a peeping-hole, through which he could see any person that came to him. A creditor one day sent in his name, and having been made to wait more than a reasonable time, he knocked for the servant, whom he asked, "Will not thy master see me ?" "Friend (answered the servant) he has seen thee, but he does not like thee.'

Mr Penu's friendly and pacific manner of treating the Indians produced in them an extraordinary love for him and his people; so that they have maintained a perfect amity with the English in Pensylvania ever since. He was the greatest bulwark of the Quakers; in whose defence he wrote numberless pieces. Besides the above works, he wrote a great number of others; the most esteemed of which are, 1. His Primitive Christianity revived. 2. His defence of a paper, intitled Gospel Truths, against the Exceptions of the Bishop of Cork. 3. His Persuasive to Moderation. 4. His Good Advice to the Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Dissenter. 5. The Sandy Foundation shaken. 6. No Cross, no Crown. 7. The great case of Liberty of Conscience debated. 8. The Christian Quaker and his Testimony stated and vindicated. 9. A Discourse of the general Rule of Faith and Practice, and Judge of Controversy. 10. England's Present Interest considered. 11. An Address to Protestants. 12. His Reflections and Maxims. 13. His Advice to his Children. 14. His Rise and Progress of the People called Quakers. 15. A Treatise on Oaths. Most of these have passed several editions, some of them many. The letters between William Penn and Dr Tillotson, and William Penn and William Popple, Esq. together with Penn's letters to the princess Elizabeth of the Rhine, and the countess of Hornes, as also one to his wife on his going to Pensylvania, are inserted in his works, which were first collected and published in 2 vols folio; and the parts since selected and abridged into 1 vol. folio, are very much and deservedly admired for the good sense they contain. PENNANT, THOMAS, Esq. a celebrated naturalist, was born in Flintshire, about the year 1726. His family had their residence in that country for several hundred years; and he informs us himself, that he acquired the rudiments of his education at Wrexham, from whence he was sent to Fulham. Not long after this he went to the university of Oxford, where his progress in classical knowledge was very considerable; after which he turned his attention to the study of jurisprudence; but it is no where said that he ever followed the Jaw as a profession

We are informed that his taste for natural history, for his knowledge of which he afterwards became so conspicuous, was first excited by the perusal of Willoughby's Ornithology, a copy of which had been sent him in a present. He began his travels at home, which was certainly the most proper step, to acquire a knowledge of the manners, curiosities, and productions of his native country, before he attempted to delineate those of any other nation. He then visited the continent, where he acquired additional knowledge respecting his most favourite studies, and became acquainted with some of the most celebrated literary characters which that period

For

On the death of his wife he set out again for the continent, where he became acquainted with Voltaire, Buffon, Pallas, and other eminent characters. Being an author as early as the year 1750 (then only 24 years of age), he had acquired a considerable degree of reputation in that capacity, by the time he became acquainted with the forementioned philosophers. His reputation as a naturalist was established by his British Zoology in four vols. 4to. and still farther increased by his epistolary correspondence with so great a man as Linnæus. He undertook a tour to Cornwall at an early period of life, and also felt an irresistible propensity to survey the works of nature in the northern parts of the kingdom. this purpose he set out for Scotland in 1771, and published an amusing account of his tour in three vols. 4to, which was destined to receive such a share of public favour as to pass through several editions. His Welch tour was published in 1778, and his journey from Chester to London in 1782, in one volume 4to. About 1784 came out his Arctic Zoology, a work which was very much esteemed, both in his own, and in many other countries. He also gave the world a natural history of the parishes of Holywell and Downing, within the latter of which he had resided for more than 50 years. Not long before his death appeared his View of Hindostan, in two vols. 4to, to undertake which it seems he had solicitations from private friends, as well as the wishes of persons entirely unknown to him, which were expressed in the public prints. This was unquestionably a very bold attempt in a man who was turned of 70, a period at which the faculties of the mind must certainly be impaired, especially when exerted with vigour for such a number of years before. Notwithstanding his great age, however, the work is executed in an able manner, bearing a strong resemblance to the introduction of his Arctic Zoology.

He also published a letter on the earthquake which was felt at Downing in Flintshire, in the year 1753; another which was inserted in the Philosophical Transactions in 1756; his Synopsis of Quadrupeds in 1771; a pamphlet on the militia; a paper on the turkey, and a miscellaneous volume.

Almost every species of literary honour was conferred upon him; for he was complimented with the degree of LL. D. by the university in which he was educated; he was also fellow of the Royal Society, and a member of the Society of Antiquaries; a fellow of the Royal Society of Upsal in Sweden; a member of the American Philosophical Society; an honorary member of the Anglo-Linnean Society, &c. &c.

He was enabled to exhibit the greatest hospitality at his table, in consequence of the ample fortune which was left him at his father's decease, and he gave the profits arising from the sale of several publications to charitable endowments. By his generous patronage a number of engravers met with great encouragement, and he contributed not a little to the promotion of the fine arts. About the age of 50 he married for the second time, a Miss Mostyn, sister of his neighbour, the late Sir Roger Mostyn of Flintshire. The concluding part of his life was cheerful, and it may be affirmed that he scarcely