: 1813.] Contributions to English Synonymy.. are propagated from their source in the What a number of difficulties are created, and what complicated agents are required, as postulata in every system of physics and chemistry, for want of the recoguntion of ONE UNIVERSAL MEDIUM or AGENT, whose action would necessarily produce the phenomena of gravitation and attraction, and whose mechanical and substantial vibrations would sérve as the general agent of the chief perceptions of the animal senses! If all the parts of this theory are not sufficiently elaborated; if the principles are not applied to the various phenomena of nature; if objections are not stated and answered; if the differences between this hypothesis and others are not indi. cated: it is because the writer is composing only an essay; because enough is already said to convince and lead genuine disciples of truth; because the general phenomena of light receive the same solation on this hypothesis; and, finally, because the writer is desirous of seeing objections, and receiving animadversions, before he trespasses further on the patience of your intelligent readers. COMMON SENSE. For the Monthly Magazine. S To Insinuate. KINNER is for deriving hint from the French enter, to ingraft, to dovetail: it seems rather to have sprung from the same root as hinder and behind, and to signify a sensation from behind, a word indistinctly heard in the rear, knowledge given the back way, obliquely murmured information. In German, cinem etwas hinterbringen, is to hint a thing to a person, verbally to bring a thing to a man behind. To suggest, (sub and gerere,) is also Pope. 123 We must suggest to the people in what hatred He still hath held them. Shakespeare. To intimate is to give separate secret intelligence. Councils of the church were convoked by private notice, or intimation, in order that they might appear to assemble through an influence of the Holy Ghost: this was called intimer un concile. To suggest apart, is to intimate. To insinuate is to introduce gently into the bosom (sinus) or lap, to wind about the affections. To render a hint or suggestion, or intimation, agreeable by the arts of flattery, or the coaxings of apparent fondness, is to insinuate it. He may have intimated his intentions to the father, but, if he has not insinuated himself into the daughter's favour, his chance is still precarious; two letters spell papa, but two letters do not spell wed. "Suggerer emporte quelquefois dans sa valeur quelque chose de frauduleux : insinuer dit quelque chose de plus delicat; pour insinuer il faut menager le temps, l'occasion, l'air, & la manière de dire les choses."-Girard. Human Humane. Dr. Johnson, with specious inge. nuity, is for deriving human from humain, and humane from humaine, which is the feminine gender of the same French adjective. He would consequently define human having the qualities of a man," and humane having those qualities of the species which are especially remarkable in the female sex.' And certainly the words are applied accordingly. A human creature means any being in the form of man: an humane creature, means a kind-hearted tender being. 'Tis human to be angry; 'tis humane to forgive. The word human is produced with the hard aspirate, the word humane with the soft aspirate, and therefore requires the article an. Humanity serves for a substantive to both adjectives; but it would be more accurate to employ humaneness, where the feminine virtue is to be described. World-Universe. World conveys the idea of a single being: though it, in fact, describes the earth and its inhabitants, or any of those analagous bodies, which astronomers infer to be inhabited earths. Universe conveys the great collective idea of all substance whatever, the entire mass of worlds and suns, and all the other discoverable bo R2 dies dies which intervene between system and system. To the ancients, this world was the universe. To us, the universe consist of more worlds than we can reckon. That world, that collective mass of which we form a portion, that great whole which includes whatever is likely to influence our condition, becomes a natural emblem of whatever at the moment absorbs our entire attention and interest. The man of fashion talks of the fine world, the man of piety talks of the religious world, the man of ambition talks of the great world, the man of letters talks of the reading world. French hyperbole outstrips such modest eloquence, and extravagantly ventures to talk of a poet, a beauty, or a hero, commanding the admiration of the universe. Pied-Dappled-Mottled. These words describe distinct sorts of mixed colouring. Animals whose coating is variegated by large masses of white and black, are called pied, from the French pie, a magpie, which is so coloured. Animals, whose coating is smeared, as it were by Nature, with frequent streaks and stains, are called dappled, from the Hollandish dabbelen, which, being a frequentative of to daub, means to smear repeatedly. Animals whose coating is painted of many hues, are called mottled, and motley, from the moth, or butterfly, which is so coloured. All the yeanlings which were streaked and Shakespeare. The gentle day Ibid. con Dr. Johnson misdefines dapple in sequence of mistaking the derivation. Fleckered-Speckled-Freckled. Having many spots is the idea common to these words; but fleckered describes larger spots than speckled, and speckled describes larger spots than freckled. The word fleck, a spot, is common to most of the Gothic dialects, to the Swedish, the German, and the Icelandish. Hence the verb to fleck, to spot, used by Dryden, hair." "Fleck'd in her face and with disorder'd From to fleck is formed the frequentative to flecker, by the same rule of ana. logy as from to chat, chatter; to beat, batter; to spit, sputter; to flit, flutter: to fly, (Saxon fligan) flicker; to mould, moulder; to gleam, glimmer; to wave, waver. To flecker, therefore, means to spot frequently; and Aeckered is many. spotted. This word is still in vulgar use, though rare in book's: the sign of the fleckered bull represents a white animal with large black spots. Yon fleckered dog is a Pomeranian. A German poet says, "Die bunt-gefleckte haut der schlange." The snake with gaily-flecker'd skin. Speckled is the participle of a frequent. ative verb to speckle, derived from speck, a small spot, and consequently signifies having many small spots-speckled gra nite. Freckled is again the participle of a frequentative verb to freckle, derived from the Cimbric freck, a pimple, a skin, spot: it consequently signifies having many frecks, or skin-spots, The freckled cowslip. Shakespeare, Marriage-Wedding-Nuptials. Marriage (fron maritare to join) brings foremost the idea of union; wedding idea of contract; and nuptials (from (from wed, a pledge) brings foremost the nubere, to cover) brings foremost the idea of intercourse. A treaty of marriage is agreed. The wedding is to take place at St. George's, in Hanover-square. After the matrimonial service, they will get into a chaise and go to celebrate the nuptials at the villa of the uncle. The friendship which results from long marriage. The reciprocal constancy promised at wedding. The august nuptials have not given a male heir to the crown, Ripeness-Muturity. Ripeness is Saxon, and Maturity is Latin, for the same idea; both describe fullness of growth in fruit. But, with the usual fortune of such duplicates in our language, the native word is commonly applied in the proper, and the foreign word in the metaphoric, sense. The ripeness of an orange. The matu. rity of a project. A ripe apricot. A mature judgment. These applicatious could change places; but there would be something of pedantry in saying, "a mature apricot," the derivation would be to recollect; and there would be ripe judgment," the metaphor would be something of eloquence in saying, "a thrust into obscuration. Enmity-Rancour. words; but enmity may be generous and Hostile feelings are described by both open; = 1813.] Interesting Establishments at Methven. open; rancour is malignant and private. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, N compliance with the invitation expressed in your Magazine for August last, I send you the following account of the institutions for the purposes of education, in the village of Methven, not on account of any thing peculiar or very interesting in this communication; but partly because I have seen no similar accounts in your Miscellany; and partly that you may see, that, in this obscure part of North Britain, we are not altogether ignorant of modern science and improvements. Methven is situated about six miles west of the town of Perth, on the turnpike road leading to Crieff, from which it is eleven miles distant. It contains, according to the population-returns of 1811, about 950 souls. Excepting about a dozen families, the inhabitants are all either mechanics or labouring people. The institutions for the purposes of education, and for disseminating knowledge, are as follow. I. The Parochial School. The object of this institution, as of all similar ones in Scotland, is to communicate instruction in the arts of reading, writing, arithmetic, &c. at a small expense to the children belonging to the parish, and to all others who find it convenient to attend. The teacher has an annual salary of 400 merks Scots, or about 221. 4s. sterling, besides the school-fees paid by the heritors of the parish, and several other perquisites arising from the office of precenter or clerk, the proclamation of bans, and granting certificates. For a number of years this institution had fallen into disrepute, on account of the age and infirmities of the teacher, who kept no assistant, and who died above three years ago, at the age of eighty. Soon after his demise, the present teacher, Mr. Richard Wilson, a young man of good character and abilities, was admitted into the office, whose diligence and success in teaching have again raised this seminary to its former importance. Soon after his admission, a very large and elegant school-room was built, at the expense of the parish, which cost between four and five hundred pounds sterling, which forms a 125: most commodious and well-aired apart ment for teaching. A neat dwellinghouse of two stories, formerly built for the accommodation of the teacher's family, also belongs to this institution. At this seminary are taught the following branches of education-English, Latin, writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, practical geometry, drawing of architectural plans, church-music, &c.; and it is but justice to say that, under the superin.. tendence of the present teacher, this. school is in a flourishing state, and education conducted with more improvements than in times past.-Another institution for the same purpose is II. The Seceding or Dissenting School. This school was instituted nearly thirty years ago, but never rose to any great degree of reputation till within these seven or eight years, when it was established on a more liberal and permanent footing than formerly. About that time, (1806,) an ample and commodious building was erected, consisting of a large school-room, and about six apartments, for the accommodation of the teacher. It is built on the property of the seceding congregation, and the expenses were defrayed, partly by subscription and partly from the funds belonging to that society. The teacher has a salary of above thirty pounds sterling, beside the fees paid by the scholars, which is raised partly by subscriptions and public col lections, and partly from the funds of the aforesaid society. This seminary is conducted by Mr. Thomas Dick, who received a liberal education at the University of Edinburgh, and who has a particular taste for scientific pursuits. He has superintended the institution since the time of the new erection above mentioned, under whose care it has always continued in a very flourishing state, he having introduced improved modes of education formerly unpractised in the place. At this seminary are taught the following branches-the English, Latin, and Greek languages, wri ting, arithmetic, book-keeping, churchmusic, the different branches of practical mathematics, &c. The number of scho lars who attend in this and the aforementioned seminary may be, at an average, about eighty in each school. The fees paid by each scholar are, for English reading, 2s.; English grammar, 5s.; writing, 2s. 6d.; arithmetic 3s.; Latin, 5s.; mathematics, 6s., per quarter. Within these three years, Mr. Dick has introduced occasional courses of geography geography and astronomy on a popular plan, and illustrated by a variety of appropriate instruments; a branch of in. struction formerly unknown in this place, which has excited the curiosity of a considerable number of young persons, and has, on different occasions, been well attended. It has already operated in enlargening the minds of many young men, and in directing their speculations and conversation to subjects of a higher order than are generally discussed in the Jower ranks of life. This class meets in the evening, and is generally taught during the winter and spring months. The plan on which the subjects are illustrated is as follows: In the first place, preliminary observations are made on the objects and advantages of the subjects of discussion, which are followed by explanations of the figure, magnitude, motions, and principal divisions of the earth. Every pupil has a copy of Goldsmith's Grammar of Geography, by the help of which he is expected to give an account, in his turn, of the divisions, principal cities, rivers, &c. in the respective countries: after which, the teacher, in a familiar conversational lecture, gives a more particular detail of the country which is the subject of attention for that evening, with respect to its climate, inhabitants, productions, natural curiosities, &c. in. terspersing such reflections and remarks as may occur; the substance of which is required of the pupil at next meeting, in specific questions addressed to him, which induces a habit of attention, and a spirit of emulation. After the geo. graphical department is finished, on each evening, the astronomical part commences, which consists of a successive detail of all the particulars which have been ascertained by astronomers respecting each planet in the solar system. On the whole the great object is, to communicate as great a variety of facts as possible, combined with as much scientific principle as the pupil is capable of receiving. Th The number attending this class has varied from fourteen to twenty-two, of persons from the age of fifteen to the age of twenty-four or thirty. The fee is halt a guinea per quarter. III. The Sabbath-evening Institution. This institution has for its object the instruction of young persons, from the age of ten to the age of twenty, or upwards, in the doctrines contained in the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Cate S chism, in the historical facts of the Oid and New Testaments, and for communicating miscellaneous religious information for the improvement of the minds and morals of the young. It differs con. siderably, both in its object and in the mode of conducting it, from the Sunday schools lately established in England. The principal object in this institution is, to convey ideas to the mind, without imposing many tasks on the memory; and, when such tasks are prescribed, an account of the leading ideas contained in the subject repeated, is always required. The exercises in this institution com. mence with a familiar explanation in the catechetical form, of one or more questions in the Catechism, comprising concise definitions of the terms employed, and an illustration of the doctrines and duties by facts, as far as they can be found to illustrate the subject. A chapter, in regular order, of the history of the Old Testament, is next read, and the pupil desired to point out its leading contents, or the principal incidents contained in it: next, a more particular inquiry is made into the several circumstances connected with the leading facts; and hints respecting Jewish customs, and other particulars, are occasionally thrown our, to elucidate the narration. A chapter in the New Testament is then read, and the same plan adopted; and, lastly, the moral lessons deducible from the history, with the particular incidents on which they are founded, are pointed out. The reading of a religious anecdote, a biographical sketch of some eminent person or other suitable narrative, the hearing of answers to queries previously given out, the communication of a few short moral maxims, a short ad. dress, with prayer and praise, conclude the instructions for the evening, which generally occupy nearly three hours. As exercises, questions respecting Scripture facts are given to some individuals every evening, to be answered at next meeting. Some of Barrow's Scripture Questions are frequently used for this purpose. This institution commenced in 1807, and continues with increasing usefulness. Theological disputes are studi ously avoided, as the attention is chiefly directed to facts, with the inferences naturally deduced from them. Considerably above an hundred persons of differ ent denominations voluntarily attend. No fees are required, except six-pence from each catechumen, to defray the expenso 1813.] Interesting Establishments at Methuen. pense of candle during winter. It has In all the discussions above alluded to, It is worthy of notice, that the teachers alluded to, live in habits of friendly correspondence and social intercourse. The schools are not considered as set in opposition to each other, but as jointly promoting the same great object, which could not have been so well accomplished by one of them alone. Formerly, the children attending the two schools were almost always at variance with each other, and not unfrequently had pitched battles among themselves, not without being encouraged by at least one of the teachers; but such practices are now entirely unknown. Men of liberal and enlightened minds are generally superior to those petty jealousies which too frequently subsist between persons of the same profession, and their example has a benign influence on the rising generation. What has been said respecting the teachers is also applicable to the two clergymen, Messrs. Dow and Jamieson, men of liberal minds, who associate in the most friendly manner in private life. Nor, is there any external cause for invidious distinctions in the two religious bodies in this village, as both congrega. tions are nearly equal in point of respectability and of number. This harmony, which subsists ainong the public characters in this place, is frequently the subject of pleasing remark in the country 127 ring the last five years, when some new regulations were adopted. It now consists of above an hundred members. Its business is conducted by a committee, consisting of a chairman, secretary, librarian, officer, and four other members. Four general meetings of the subscribers are held every year. In selecting books, the general meeting determines by a majority of votes, what subject of reading is most wanted at the time, whether history, philosophy, theology, &c.; after which the particular books on the subject voted are selected by the committee. Of this committee Mr. Thomas Dick is chairman, and Mr. Michael Stirling, secretary. Its funds are but small. Every member pays only 2s. 6d. as entry money, and 3s. per annum for the use of the books. Notwithstanding the smaliness of these sums, the library now contains nearly 400 vo-, lumes of such books as the following:Encyclopædia Perthensis, 23 vols.; Calmet's Dictionary, with Fragments, 4 vols.; Goldsmith's Natural History; Gregory's, Hauy's, and Nicholson's, Philosophy; Smith's Wealth of Nations; most of the works of Addison, Dr. Robertson, Paley, Guthrie, Shakespeare, Simollet, Edgeworth, Wakefield, Hamilton, Blair, Goldsmith, Mavor, &c.; one of the London Reviews; the Monthly Magazine; Farmer's Magazine; and similar publications. Such, sir, are the institutions in Methven for public instruction, and for communicating useful information, which have already produced a happy influence on many individuals, in directing their reflections and enlarging their views. it is to be hoped the adoption of similarly useful plans, in all the towns and villages of the British empire, will soon produce a diffusion of knowledge and useful science, hitherto unexampled in the annals of any country. When our rulers shall have cultivated more pacific dispositions, and be more disposed to promote intellectual improvement; and when the nations of Europe shall have found repose from the horrors of war, much might be done in this way, to enlighten and ameliorate mankind, consummation devoutly to be wished." ΦΙΛΟΣ-ΣΟΦΙΑΣ. Perthshire, Jun. 12, 1313. a -around. As contributing in part to promote the same object, may also here be stated To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, ITH your permission, it is my wish to deposit a few observa IV. The Public Library, or Reading Society. This institution was formed by a few private individuals, above twelve years ago, but has flourished chiefly du- tions in that useful and most respectable of WICH |