the mean density of the earth, and the force of attraction being inversely as the square of the distances, comes out about double this. Whence it should follow, that the density of the hill is about half the mean density of the earth. But this point cannot be properly settled till the figure and dimensions of the hill have been calculated from the survey, and theuce the attraction of the hill, found from the calculation of several separate parts of it, into which it is to be divided, which will be a work of much time and labour." After this, Dr. Maskelyne presents a few general corollaries; but leaves the main difficulty to be surmounted, and the grand and much-lookedfor result to be presented, either by him. self or some other person, at a future time. The person who first effected this, then, is clearly entitled to the principal honour arising from the solution of this intricate and interesting problem. And that this honour is due to Dr. Hutton, and to him alone, is evident from his elaborate paper published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1778. Such of your readers as have not an opportunity of consulting the Transactions, will not be displeased to see the Doctor's own account of his labours, as given in the 88th volume of the Philosophical Magazine. "The next consideration was, whether and how these observations and measurements could be employed, in comparison with the magnitude and effects of the whole globe of the earth, to determine its mean density, in comparison with that of the mountain. This indeed was the grand question, a point of the highest importance to natural philosophy, of novel and of the most delicate and intricate consideration, as well as a work of immense labour. Here were to be calculated, mathematically, the exact magnitude of the hill, its shape and form, in every respect, the position and situation of all its parts, the various elevations and depressions, and the attraction on the plummets, by every point and particle in the hill, as well as of the neighbouring mountains on every side of it. Then there was to be calculated, in like manner, the attraction of the whole magnitude and mass of the earth, on the same plununets. Lastly, the proportion of these two computed attractions was to be compared with that of the observed effects on the plummets, viz, the lateral deviation by the hill in comparison with the perpendicular direction of gravity, which comparison of the computed and observed effects, would give the ratio of the densities, namely, of the hill and the earth. "The magnitude and novelty of these nice calculations, the requisite portion of science and ingenuity for making them with effect, were such as appalled every mind, and every one shrank from the task; when, at the request of the President and Council of the Society, I undertook the performance; and after in cessant labour, during the course of a year, produced the result of the whole, to the entire satisfaction of all the Society. The account of these calculations was published in the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1778, and in volume xiv. of my Abridgment of these Transactions; and, though in a very densed m, occupied no less than a hundrer abarto pages in that work, containing as the results of many thousands of intric asd alculations." Indee con ingenuity called into exercise urse of those computations al is 511 bour requisite to carry ther rough, are greater than have been manifested by any one man, since the invention of logarithms, and the computations that were required to ensure the utility of that admirable invention. The conclusion inferred by Dr. Hut. ton from the complete investigation, was, that the mean density of the whole mass of the earth is to that of the mountain as 9 to 5. Assuming this as the correct ratio, and at the same time assuming the mean density of the hill as agreeing with that of common stone, or being about 24, the doctor by compounding the two ratio's, obtained 44 to 1, for the ratio of the densities of the earth and of rain water; and from the whole made this deduction: "Since then the mean density of the whole earth is about double that of the general matter near the surface, and within our reach, it follows, that there must be somewhere within the earth, towards the more central ports, great quantities of metals, or such like dense matter, to counterbalance the lighter materials, and produce such a considerable mean density." -Phil. Trans. 1778. This notion, then, of the much greater density about the central regions of the earth, or indeed to nearly twothirds of the earth's diameter, was originally the suggestion of Dr. Hutton; M. Cuvier, 1813.] Mr. Lucas, in reply to an Anonymous Critic. Cuvier, and many other persons, err in ascribing it to Dr. Maskelyne or to Mr. Cavendish. I cannot conclude without remarking that, though Dr. Hutton had no reason to doubt the accuracy of his computations, he expressed in the paper, from which I have last quoted, some doubts as to the correctness of the assumption of the density of the hill, and pointed out methods by which that assumption might be corrected. He went farther. Feeling constantly a desire to give the finishing and correcting stroke to these computations, I very well remember hearing him, about nine or ten years ago, urge the learned Mr. Professor Playfair, of Edinburgh, either to make, or to procure and communicate to him, such more accurate observations upon the geological structure of the hill, as would enable him to give the utmost precision to his results, of which they were suscepxible. From the information transmitted by Mr. Playfair, the doctor infered that the mean specific gravity of Schehallien is about 2.7 or 2.8, its constituent varieties being reduced to three kinds, the specific gravity of one heing 2.4, of ano ther about 2.75, and some parts as high as 3, and even 3.2. Thus, then, taking 2.75 as the mean, he obtains X2 or almost 5, for the mean density of the whole mass of the earth; a result which was first given, I believe, by the doctor himself in part 55 of the New Abridgment of the Philosophical Transactions, published in 1808, and repeated in the re-publication of the whole paper, in the second volume of his 8vo. Tracts. Professor Playfair has recently gone over all the computations necessary to determine this point, de novo, making use of his own observations as to the mineralogical constitution of the hill; and his results confirm, in a remarkable manner (see Phil. Transac. for 1811) the accuracy of the calculations and deductions made by Dr. Hutton. I have dwelt longer upon this subject than might otherwise have been necessary, in order that here, as well as upon other topics, "Honour should be given where honour is due." One of the strongest incitements to men of science is, "the quiet and peaceable possession" of the fame accruing from their inventions and discoveries; and one of the greatest mortifications to which a man of virtue and ingenuity can be subjected, must be to see the result of his learning, MONTHLY MAG. No. 237. 9 his science, his labours, and investigations, ascribed, however unintentionally, to another. OLINTHUS GREGORY. Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, AM induced, by that liberality which has often afforded to an author assail ed by some bandit of literature, a small space for defence and triumph, to ask the like favour for one, who knows not (exclusive of the advantageous respectability, independence, and great circulation, of the Monthly Magazine) where else to apply. I will strictly confine myself to this wretch's discomfiture, and my charge shall be single, clear, and con cise-that, the British Critic's Review (in February 1812, which by chance I heard of) of JOSEPH, a religious Poem, is FALSE. The work is of considerable extent, and aims to embrace the whole of the Jewish dispensation; the Preface clearly defines the plan; yet the Reviewer, (what an incongruous name, and yet it is the only one he ever dare own,) after a few desultory remarks, quotes part of a short speech, so as to destroy both sense and grammar, and then cries,"Here certainly is no rival to Moses." -Rival to Moses! I suppose then he reckons Milton a successful rival-and Louth likewise of Isaiah-and Klopstock and Cumberland victorious over Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! But, in my case, sir, it happens that his quotation is not even the paraphrase of a Mosean passage: it is Joseph's supposed introductory account of himself to Potiphar. Was the critic only ignorant that there is no such scene in the Bible? I know not: the false view of the work, which he immediately adds, cannot so easily be excused. "Afterwards (continues this critic) we find him writing what Moses, without a very extraordi nary gift of prophecy, could not have written; and, it may reasonably be doubted, whether he would if he could." He then quotes three lines, chiefly names of modern missionaries. Now, sir, I beg leave to ask, does not this critique (without further troubling you or your readers) draw the direct inference that I speak in the name of Moses, or of some person of that period, or that I have made a prophetical attempt, or, at least, been guilty of an anachronism? C It is neither neither of the cases, sir, but a plain apostrophe in my own character to the missionaries; and, out of my respect for their labours, I introduce their names, though of different churches, and "not formed for inetre." It is remarked in the Preface, " critics not only condeinn an author for what he has and has not done, but for what he does not profess or wish to do." These reviewers, I trust I have shown, go beyond this strong accusation, and falsely insinuate that I do that, which I neither directly nor indirectly have done, If it were to be asked, what could posibly induce any writers so to commit themselves? I answer, that they are anonymous, that they have no idea I can rep'y to them, and that their narrow and bigotted notions are doubly of fended; first, that in my Preface I should treut reviewers lightly-and, secondly, that I, a clergyman of the Church of England, should write a work profes sedly religious, upon the broad basis of Catholic Christianity, and not to the inclusive honour and praise of our own establishment, and to the anathema of all other. To expose these malaperts will aid, I hope, the cause of every independent author, and gratify every render, who has a mind of his own; and, still further to show their worthlessness, I could refer to half a dozen other articles in the same Review, which (I know not of all are alike false, but one concerning Henry Kirk White is,) are yet more illiberal, trifling, and erroneous, than that which thas required an exposition from Avebury, Wills, CHARLES LUCAS. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, N looking over the works of Bernardin de St. Pierre, the other day, my attention was arrested by his Voeux d'un Solitaire; and partichlarly by those cutitled, Voeux pour une Education Nationale. Among some pertinent observations are the following, to which I am not disposed to assent; be previously observes, that emulation should be banished from our schools. "L' Emulation, (says he) est la cause de la plupart des mans au genre humain. Elle est la racine de Cambition; car l'emulation produit le Cesir d'etre le premier; et le desir d'etre le premier, emier, n'est autre chose que l'amItion, qui se partage, suivant les posi, tions et les characteres, en ambitions po sitive et negative d'où coulent presque tous les maux de la vie socialc." Before I offer any remarks on these sentiments, I would premise that, in all probability, and from what we have lately seen and heard, the science of education is yet in its infancy; and that the way in which it has been conducted in Europe for many centuries, is not that which is calculated to produce the best and most permanent impression upon the human mind. I am the inore willing to enter into a disquisition concerning the propriety of the stimulus of emulation in our schools, from having observed, that a worthy friend of mine, whose writings are well known and esteemed by the public, has hinted, that such a feeling ought to be discouraged; now, although I may be disposed to allow a due weight to his opinion, yet we are not, I think, called upon to sacrifice our judgment against the evidence of facts: it will be well therefore to examine a little into the nature of the case. If there be any truth in the doctrine of motives, of cause and effect, of praise and blame; and, if the human mind be governed by motives; if, from one end of the earth to the other, we constantly see the same causes producing the same effects; and that, consequently, without motives, man cannot act at all; so, we must admit, that the minds of children, which are simply full-grown minds in miniature, must have some motive presented to them to stimulate them to exertion. I say stimulate them to exertion: now, if emulation be taken away, what stimulus are we to apply in its place? "Attach pleasure to their learning," says St. Pierre: and so, manibus pedibusque, say I: and where will you be able to find any motive to apply to the human mind with more pleasure and force than emulation? The pleasure of excelling, in schools, does most assuredly lead to excellence; and I am of opinion that, as long as that feeling is not prossed to the injury or retardacion of other boys, (and here only lies the difficulty,) such aspirations to tame and to excellence ought to he encouraged but I am ready to admit, that if, instead of producing its proper object, Emulation become a mean of introducing envy, bickerings, and strife, its proper object is lost, and it becomes, of course, a mischier. Hence, it is evi, dent, that the weilding of this powerful auxiliary requires much skill, and the hand of an able master: and here it will be necessary that the master should take mto 1813.] true Impulses of Emulation. into the account the capacity of his pupil-his disposition for this or that par. ticular study-the length of time it is intended he should pursue it; and, indeed, a variety of et cetera to be known only by application in individual cases, without all which, much valuable time will be irrecoverably lost. But, says St. Pierre, "Emulation is the root of Ambition," and therefore it must be torn up! It is an unfortunate circumstance for mankind, that Ambition is so often used in a bad sense, and in a bad cause; and to a benevolent mind, such as St. Pierre's appears to have been, it is no wonder that the only method which struck him as desireable, was to eradicate so base a passion as, in its worldly exemplification it is, I am sorry to say, too commonly found to be. However, we must not despair: St. Pierre might be mistaken; and so have been myriads of minds as benevolent as his. It is the province of true philosophy not to atteinpt to overturn, but to direct aright the powers of the human mind: if, upon investigation, it should be found that Emulation, or, if you please, Ambition, be a part of our nature, as I am inclined to think it is, the question will then he, not whether it should be eradicated or no, because if it be a part of our nature, that cannot be done; but, in what way may it be best directed? and that it may be directed both in youth and, manhood, to the happiness and well-being of man, I entertain no shadow of doubt. If we could see this moral quality of the human mind, this scarecrow for the benevolent, the timid, and the well-meaning; this powerful steamengine of intellect-employed only for the welfare, the good, and the happiness, of mankind, how different would it then appear! Instead of carrying fire and sword into the dwellings of our neigh. hours-instead of laying waste a country, and rioting in the blood of our fellow creatures, let us imagine Ambition prompting mankind in the glorious career of truth, justice, and benevolence: instead of our exclaiming "Behold an Alexander, a Cæsar, a Charles the Twelfth, or a Bonaparte;" imagine such characters held up to our execration, or at least to our pity, and the heroes of mercy, of peace, and of benevolencesach men as Milton, as Locke, or as Howard, crowned with the laurels of Wisdom and of Peace, then may we hail Ambation with delight, as its deeds should shine forth as the morning! Instead 11 of men's being ambitious to outrie each other in deeds of prowess, and, what is falsely termed, military glory, let us imagine men only ambitious to do goodambitious to excel one another in deeds of charity, benevolence, and love-ambitious to listen to that still small voice of wisdom, which at times is heard, even by our heroes of blood-ambitious to assist in the progression of intellect and the diffusion of truth; let us imagine, I say, such ambition, and I am very much deceived if it would not be accounted vir tuous, praiseworthy, and sublime. If there be any truth in these remarks, I think it will follow, that emulation and ambition, when applied to the progression of intellect, and the happiness and well-being of men, are qualities of the human mind by no means to be do spised or superseded:-that our rules for judging of the propriety of their ap plication are to be formed by the effects which the use of them produces, as in other moral qualities; that, where the effects are bad, it is to be presumed that the use of them is bad, as in war, conquest, and desolation: that, where the effects are good, as in instruction, bes nevolence, and happiness, their assist ance is sanctified, and their influence use incontrovertibly good. and JAMES JENNING. Huntspill, Dec. 22, 1812. P.S. Your readers will oblige me by correcting the following errors in my paper of your Magazine, for September last, page 101, column 2, line 11, for quere read are-line 23, for propitious read monstrous-column 1, line 38, for referred read deferred. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, T is not difficult to analyse the causes of the ascendency of Error among societies of Men; but to expose errors is dangerous, because, being engendered by deep-rooted prejudices of education, and forstered by self-interest, they are maintained by active and vindictive Passions. An experienced Philosopher expressed his apprehension of those passions and prejudices when he declared, that, if his hand were full of Truths, he would not open it! Such an imperfect being is man-that Truth must always be exhibited in a way calculated to humour, and not to oppose, his prejudices-or those who are hardy enough to maintain it, must run the chance of being sacrificed to their temerity! "Is there in Sodom five righteous men? -Is there in Israel fifty who are worthy to be saved?"- Lives there in Britain one in twelve whom it is useful to address in the language of Truth? In other words, can a votary of Truth, with no other protection than the native fascinations of the goddess, make an appeal, at present, to any tribunal in England, and escape the vindictive accusations of venality and prejudice? Is there, at this day, to be found in England, among twelve men indifferently taken, more than one or two who wilt uphold Truth against the blandishments of sophistry, falsehood, and corruption? In fine, are not many great Truths as obnoxious at this day, in England, as truth ever was, at any time, in any country in the world?-Might not any obstinate stiekler for Truth meet with martyrdom in England, as certainly as did the prophets and Jesus Christ among the Jews, as the Apostles among the Gentiles, or as the great Protestant reformers among the Catholics? Yet England, with almost the single exception of the United States of America, is the freest and most enlightened country in the world! In England there yet remains some scope for Truth! In an unrestrained, though terrified, press, she has here a stage on which to play a part; and she is not wholly fettered, banished, or strangled, as in many countries. Truth may still, therefore, solicit votaries in these islands, provided she deport herself with sufficient prudence and modesty! TRUTH then, O Britons! presents her self before you! She invites you to dismiss passion; and to discharge yourselves from the slavery of self-interest! She desires, in a choice of public difficulties, and at a crisis when your eternal fate, as a people, depends on your active intelligence and virtue, to point out your duties to yourselves and your neighbours! Will you listen to her, and give her countenance? Will you respect or despise her warnings? Will you create a new era in your submission to her reign; or will you reject her till the ascendency of wisdom becomes useless to your prosperity? Listen then to the voice of Truthand, let her declarations, principles, and counsels, sink deep into your hearts! TRUTH then, without adulation, admits that you are a great people; but that you have risen to greatness by means of comerce, like the Torians, the Carthaganians, the Venetians, the Genoese, and the Dutch; that those nations have fallen one after another, and that you are in danger of falling also, from the operation of similar causes. TRUTH tells you that all those fallen people were corrupted by the influx of foreign wealth; were intoxicated by fo reign power; and were, finally, ambitious of universal dominion. TRUTH informs you that their wealth enabled them to intrigue in the councils of foreign princes; that they sought to direct the governments of the whole world; and that they were constantly meddling in the quarrels of their neighbours. TRUTH declares that, to serve the sinister purposes of their commerce, they stirred up wars among other nations; and considered that their welfare was best promoted by the strifes and calamities of all other people. TRUTH informs you that they were jealous of all competition; that they aimed at universal monopoly; and that they thought the only means of perpetuating their prosperity, was to allow n, rivalry in matters of trade. TRUTH tells you that, in consequence of their overgrown wealth, inordinate ambition, and jealous policy, they were first envied, then feared, and, finally, hated and opposed, by the whole world. TRUTH records, that, to maintain their ascendency and pretensions, it became necessary to augment their fleets and armies; and to carry on wars against the nations which previously had been their customers, and the means of their aggrandizement. TRUTH warns you that their acquired wealth was soon dissipated in the maintenance of fleets and armies in foreign countries; that such drains were not resupplied by balances of trade as formerly; that credit was soon substituted for wealth; that paper, or alloyed money, took the place of the precious metals; and that the solid basis of public prosperity, founded on industry and balances of trade, gave way to temporizing projects and artifices. TRUTH records, that in those countries, as the Pride of the government increased, the miseries and oppressions of the people accumulated; and that, as the exigencies of the state augmented, pretexts became necessary for diminishing the liberties of the people. TRUTH tells you that, as the necessities of the people accumulated with the public distresses, so individuals became more |