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pursuance of this outline of the plan, the first lecture was delivered on the 13th of last month, by Professor Grant, of the London University, on the nature, growth, and history of corals. Previously to the commencement of the lecture, which was fully attended, Mr. Hesketh Fleetwood, one of the vice-presidents, addressed the audience on the advantages to be derived from such societies, and placed their intellectual and social benefits in a true and interesting light. Dr. Grant then delivered his lecture, and explained, with great animation and clearness, the 'treasures of the deep,' as far as they are developed in the structure and organization of zoophites. It is, indeed, an object of surprise and admi. ration, to find that substances so much like plants are indeed only parts of animals, and that, by their astonishing multiplicity, even large islands in the Pacific are gradually formed. This lecture was illustrated by valuable specimens, and a rich succession of drawings. Professor Lindley, Dr. Lardner, and Dr. A. T. Thompson, here promised theirv aluable assistance; which is the more meritorious, as their services, as well as those of Dr. Grant, are entirely gratuitous. This institution has commenced its career under favourable auspices, and we hope ere long that it will take its place amongst the most useful literary establishments, so peculiarly the feature of the present age, and the ornaments of the metropolis.

ON THE VARIABLE STAR ẞ LYRÆ, SIR JOHN HERSCHEL, in his Treatise on Astronomy, has, I believe, an observation to this effect:-"that the phenomena of the variable stars are interesting, inasmuch as they inforin us that in those far distant regions, where all appears still and quiet, action is continually going on; and that many an individual, even in the humbler walks of life, may render some service to the sublime science of astronomy, by watching the periods of these bodies, which the more active astronomer has not the opportunity of doing amidst the numerous and more highly interesting objects that daily claim his attention in the observatory. Among the myriads of suns that meet our view, when night spreads her sable curtain over the world, fifteen have been determined to vary in magnitude: the principal of these is Algol or ẞ Persii; the period of this star is 2 days, 20 hours, 48 minutes, 58 seconds, and 7 tenths of a second, but on account of its long continuance at its

maximum brightness, its variations are not readily seen. One of the most interesting of these bodies is ẞ Lyræ, on account of its alternations of magnitude being readily observed; as the constellation in which it is situated is now becoming a conspicuous object in the eastern hemisphere during the evenings; a short account of the period and variations of magnitude of this star, may probably be interesting to the readers of the Imperial Magazine. It was first remarked to vary from the third to the fifth magnitude in the year 1784, by Mr. Goodricke, of York, who considered that the period was 6 days 9 hours. In the monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society for November 12, 1830, we find that Mr. Birt commenced a series of observations on this star: on the 22d of May, in that year, and at 11 o'clock in the evening, he found it of the fifth magnitude, and equal to ε and Lyræ; these observations were continued until September 2d, of the same year, when, at 11 o'clock in the evening, he again saw the star of the fifth magnitude, and exactly equal to & and Lyra, as on the 22d of May, thus giving 103 days for sixteen revolutions, instead of 102 days, which would have been required, if the period was 6 days 9 hours; he, therefore, concluded that it was nearly 6 days 10 hours and 40 minutes. Since this date, he has continued his observations until the present time, and he finds the period still longer; his latest observations appear to indicate a period of 6 days, 10 hours, and 55 minutes nearly; and he conceives that it is not so long as 6 days, 10 hours, and 57 minutes. The star is generally seen of the third magnitude during three successive evenings, then of the fourth during the two following, and occasionally of the fifth, it is then seen approaching the third. For the determination of the period the observations of the minimum appear to be the most useful, as the star continues but a short time at this stage. In making observations of this kind, it is well to compare the star with as many others that are situated near it as possible. The following are well adapted for comparing with Lyra. y, ε, and Lyæ, and μ, %, o, and Hercules. The latest observations of Mr. Birt were on the 15th of May, at 11 in the evening, when the star appeared less than

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METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL at WALSALL, from Feb. 26. to Mar. 25, 1834, inclusive.

The situation of Walsall is so near the Centre of England, that its Temperature may be taken as the Average of the whole Kingdom.Latitude 52°, 34', 30′′ N.; Longitude 1o, 57', 0" W.-Thermometer in the shade N.W. aspect.

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GLEANINGS.

Natives of King George's Sound.-Two of the chiefs received an invitation from the captain to take breakfast on board the ship. He, having previously observed that his guests were remarkably fond of fried fish, had plenty of this prepared, together with a suitable quantity of coffee, bread, &c. for their own particular gratification. The invited guests were placed at the after end of the cabin table, himself and officers seating themselves around; before each of the former, the steward, according to directions, had placed a goodly quantity of the fish. Knives and spoons, conveying too dainty a morsel for their liking, were left unemployed, hands the while performing the duty, and stuffing as much into their mouths as could there be crammed; as if fearful there was no more for them, another lot was thrust in by way of filling up; the whole being then twisted and turned about, so that the bones might work or be picked out at the corner of the mouth. In the effort to swallow such a tremendous portion, it was necessary to stretch the neck a little, and bring the head forward, a performance somewhat like that of our domestic fowls, when almost choked with meal. When this was achieved, another mouthful was made to follow as soon as possible. One of the chiefs having his mouth thus comfortably filled, pointed to a dish of brown sugar. A little was put into his already replenished mouth, when, with one puff, he very unceremoniously blew fish and sugar over the dishes and table.Fanning's Voyages.

Chinese anxiety for Christianity.-We had visited a temple upon a high hill. The temples might be called elegant by the Chinese, if the abominations of idolatry did not render such an epithet inapplicable. When I took the books out of the boat, and handed a copy to a man of respectable appearance, he read aloud the title, and, all at once, the crowd rushed upon me, hundreds stretching out their hands to receive the same gift. Within a few minutes the store was exhausted, but the news spread with great rapidity. We saw the people sitting for six hours together on the brow of a hill opposite to which our vessel was lying at anchor. As soon as they saw us approaching near the shores, they ran down the hill with great velocity, grasping the books from my hands, and sped towards their friends in the surrounding villages. If ever our Christian books have been read with attention, it was here, at this time.- Voyages along the Coast of China.

Rowland Hill.-When notices were given to him, he used to read them generally aloud; and once an impudent fellow placed a piece of paper on the reading-desk, just before he was going to read prayers. He took it, and began-" The prayers of this congregation are desired-umph-for-umph- well, I suppose I must finish what I have begun'-for the Rev. Rowland Hill, that he will not go riding about in his carriage on a Sunday!" This would have disconcerted almost any other man; but he took it up as coolly as possible, and said-" If the writer of this piece of folly and impertinence is in the congregation, and will go into the vestry after service, and let me put a saddle on his back, I will ride him home instead of going in my carriage." He then went on with the service.-Life of the Rev. Rowland Hill.

Simple Expedient. In the granite quarries near Seringapatam, the most enormous blocks are separated from the solid rock by the following neat and simple process. The workman having found a portion of the rock sufficiently extensive, and situated near the edge of the part already quarried, lays bare the upper surface, and marks on it a line in the direction of the intended separation, along which a groove is cut with a chisel about a couple of inches in depth. Above this groove a narrow line of fire is then kindled, and maintained till the rock below is thoroughly heated, immediately on which a line of men and women, each provided with a pot full of cold water, suddenly sweep off the ashes, and pour the water into the heated groove, when the rock at once splits with a clean fracture. Square blocks of six feet in the side, and upwards of eighty feet in length, are sometimes detached by this method, or by another equally simple and efficacious, but not easily explained without entering into particulars of mineralogical detail.Herschel's Natural Philosophy.

Wonders of Nature.-There is a very curious plant, termed dionaa muscipula, or fly-trap, that secretes á sweetish fluid in its leaves, not unlike houey, by which flies are attracted; immediately on being touched, the leaf contracts, and being of a thorny, prickly nature, the animal is crushed to death, as if for its temerity.

Ruling Passion.-When Malherbe was dying, he reprimanded his nurse for making use of a solecism in her language! and when his confessor represented to him the felicities of a future state in low and trite expressions, the dying critic interrupted him :"Hold your tongue," he said; your wretched style only makes me out of conceit with them!"

The favourite studies and amusements of the learned La Mothe le Vayer consisted in accounts of the most distant countries. He gave a striking proof of the influence of this master-passion, when death hung upon his lips. Bernier, the celebrated traveller, entering and drawing the curtains of his bed to take his eternal farewell, the dying man turning to him, with a faint voice inquired, "Well, my friend, what news from the Great Mogul?"

Jewish Tracts.-The Jewish authors were fond of allegorical titles, which always indicates the most puerile age of taste. The titles were usually adapted to their obscure works. It would exercise an able enigmatist to explain their allusions; for we must understand by "The Heart of Aaron," that it is a commentary on several of the prophets. "The Bones of Joseph" is an introduction to the Talmud. "The Garden of Nuts," and "The Golden Apples," are Theological questions; and The Pomegranate with its Flower," is a treatise of ceremonies not any more practised. Jortin gives a title, which he says of all the fantastical titles he can recollect, is one of the prettiest. A rabbin published a catalogue of rabbinical writers, and calledit Labia Dormientium, from Cantic. vii. v. 9. "Like the best wine of my beloved that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak." It hath a double meaning, of which he was not aware, for most of his rabbinical brethren talk very much like men in their sleep.-D'Israeli.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

The Improved Version, truly designated a Creed. By Robert Halley.

Part III. of the Architectural Director. By John
Billington, Architect.
Instructive Fables. By the Author of "The Last
Day of the Week."

Miscellaneous Poems. By T. W. Aveling.
Baines's History of Lancashire. Part 40.

Part 13 of a New Edition of the National Portrait Gallery, with Memoirs of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Adelaide; the Princess Victoria; Lord Brougham; and Sir David Brewster.

Part 5 of Fisher's Views in India, China, and the Shores of the Red Sea. From Original Sketches by Commander Robert Elliot, R.N.

Memoir of the Rev. C. Neale. By the Rev. Wm. Jowett.

Memoirs of the Rev. Basil Woodd, A. M. The Pulpit, Vol. XXIII. containing Sixty Sermons and Lectures.

England; an Historical Poem. By J. W. Ord. Vol. I.

Memoirs of the Rev. Dr. Buchanan. By the Rev. Hugh Patterson, D.D.

Sermons. By the Rev. H. Fell.

Private Devotions. By Bishop Andrews.
Last Words of the Martyrs.

Remains of Dr. Payson.

A Treatise on Doubt on Religious Questions. The Gradations of Sin; a Sermon occasioned by the Execution of T. Gee for Incendiarism, at Northampton. By the Rev. J. Clark, of Guilsboro.

In the Press.

An Essay on the Deaf and Dumb. By J. H. Curtis Esgre.

The Lays and Legends of Spain; to form the Fourth Monthly Part of Mr. W. J. Thom's National Lays and Legends.

The Duty of a Christian State to Support a National Church Establishment; the Scriptural character and peculiar claims of the Church of England; five Sermons preached by the Rev. Joseph Holmes, M. A. A Treatise on the System of Intercourse and Communication in Civilized States. By T. Grahame. Sylloge Theologica; a Systematic Collection of Tracts for the Use of Students in the University, and of the Younger Clergy. By the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, of Cambridge.

LONDON PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER, SON, AND CO.

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THE RT REVP BEILBY PORTEUS, D.D BISHOP OF LONDON.

Balondon

FISHER SON & CO LONDON, 1834

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