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of the hide or skin from putrefaction. **When i which usually lay in the roadstead. Accordingthe hair is removed by either of the means above ly the Emperor Claudius determined to construct mentioned, or when the lime has been extracted a new harbor, entirely independent of the river, by the process before alluded to, the skins and but at the same time having a connexion with it. hides will be found to be in a state to receive and The general plan of this work, as described by imbibe the tannic acid much more rapidly and Suetonius, and as given in Cannia's great work effectually than by any other means. Having on the architecture of the ancients, is shown to thus removed one of the obstructions to tanning, have consisted of an extensive outer harbor, the Dr. proposes to get rid of the other difficulties, formed by two artificial moles, each projecting by separating the japonic or catechuic acid, and about 1900 feet into the sea, enclosing a space of other deleterious matter to be found in terra about 130 acres. Between the extremities of the japonica, from the tannic acid, and also to pre-moles was situated another detached mole, which vent the formation or generation of gallic and el-formed a breakwater, supported a lighthouse, lagic acids, when oak-bark, divi divi, valonin, and gave two entrances to the harbour, across and other tanning materials are used. The first which chains could be drawn to form a closed port is accomplished by grinding catechues into fine in time of war. A small inner harbor was also powder, and then mixing the powder with either constructed, in which vessels could always remain warm or cold water in the proportion of two afloat. This covered about 7 acres, and commupounds of terra japonica to one gallon of water, nicated with the Tiber by means of two parallel until it is thoroughly dissolved, and when cold, canals furnished with stop-gates, in order that the pouring the liquid into a large cylinder or tank water of the river might be turned through the made of any material not injuriously acted upon harbor for scouring away the muds, or for other by acids, with a bottom made of fine wire-gauze, purposes. There is no evidence to show that calico, linen or ther porous material. By this the pound-lock was known or used. The wall's means the catechuic acid, extractive, and other of the moles were constructed upon arches, so as deleterious matter to be found in the catechues, to give free access to the current; but at the same are retained by reason of their being insoluble in time they were sufficiently solid to break the sea, cold water, and a pure tanning liquid, freed from and to produce tranquillity within. This was these injurious ingredients, is obtained. The pu- very necessary; for from the geological condition rified liquor thus obtained from terra japonica and the geographical position of Ostia, the coast will be found much more effectual in preserving was subject to constant advance from the alluvial sails of vessels, and linen cloth exposed to the deposit brought down by the Tiber. By this weather, than the terra japonica as now used. means a delta has constantly been in progress of To prevent the formation of gallic and ellagic formation, and in the course of 2480 years, the acids, which are generated in the tanning liquor line of shore has advanced about 3 miles 600 when it is composed of oak-bark, divi divi, valo- yards. All the attempts to improve the entrance nia, and other tanning materials, by the operation of the Tiber were, by this deposit, rendered comof the atmospheric air, it is proposed to grind the pletely abortive. Eventually the ports of Claudi materials into fine powder, and to exclude the us and of Trajan suffered the same fate and alatmospheric air from operating upon it during the though the works at Ostia were considered by time the process of tanning is going on. The the Romans as their greatest labor, they were of hides or skins being thus prepared, and being necessity abandoned, and the harbor of Centum well washed and cleansed, they are to be tanned Cellæ, or Civita Vecchia, was constructed as a by two different modes. First, by the application substitute. In the works of Ostia there was visiof a new physical force, different from ordinary ble much novelty and ingenuity in design and in capillary attraction or hydrostatic pressure: and construction; indeed it must be observed, that secondly, in pits or tanks so constructed, by com- almost every principle adopted by the improved municating with each other, as to keep up a gen- skill and science of modern times appears to have eral and constant agitation and circulation of the been there carried into effect with singular persetanning liquid until the hides or skins are verance and ability. By a careful study of the tanned." original plans of these ancient works, and the results, engineers might read useful lessons for the treatment of many of the harbors of England, particularly those on the south-eastern coast, where, as at Dover, great difficulties are to be contended with from the motion of the shingle and silt. The position of English harbors differs in some degree from that of Ostia, on account of the former being subject to the action of a great rise of tide and strong literal currents; while the latter was situated in the Mediterranean, where there is scarcely any rise of tide, and of which the shore-currents are sluggish. The deposits of silt would be in the latter case very rapid, as the water of the Tiber, entering nearly at right angles with the shore, would arrest the current, and the whole speedily would become comparatively stagnant. In the discussion which ensued upon this interesting paper, the cases of Dover, Rye, Ramsgate, and many other harbors, were explained, and the probable result of the present works commented upon.-Lit. Gaz.

These two modes are described at length; but we can only state here that the "physical force" applied is the law of currents known as endosmosis and exosmosis. The advantages to be derived from Dr. Turnbull's improvements are stated to be," 1st, A great additional weight of leather, especially in calf-skins. 2d, Leather of a much better quality, soft, and not liable to crack or stain. 3d, A considerable diminution in the expense. And, 4th, The tanning is effected in one quarter of the time consumed in the present mode of tanning."-Lit. Gaz.

CIVIL ENGINEERS.-From the concurrent testmonies of the classic writers, Ostia was originally founded anno 634 B. c. by Ancus Martius. It was situated at the mouth of the Tiber, about fourteen miles below Rome; and as the supplies for the capital arrived by the river, it was of importance to improve the navigation, and at the same time to provide for the shelter of the fleet,

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Great Britain.

The Power of the Soul over the Body, considered in relation to Health and Morals. By George Moore, M. D, &c.

tagonism. Mr. Newnham belongs to a certain extent to this class of inquirers, although he does not advance beyond the mere threshold of the inquiry. He began, like most others, in being opposed to so-called mesmerism, and was asked by some friends to write a paper against it, in which a priori proceeding he was assisted by a person THE first apparent purpose of Dr. Moore is who furnished him with materials which proved to prove that the soul is immaterial, and has an incontestably, that under some circumstances the existence separate from the body, with an action operator might be duped,-that hundreds of enapart from the brain, and depending as a medium lightened persons might equally be deceived: rather upon the nervous system. With this ob- and certainly went far to show that the pretendject he goes over a large extent of ground, physi-ed science was wholly a delusion; but the intelological, metaphysical, and physical-in the sense lect of the author of the " Reciprocal Influence of the disease or ill effects induced by disordered of Body and Mind" was so tempered by the inaction or disordered emotions. During this long vestigation of abstract truths, that he felt at once survey, he brings together a great number of cu- that the facts so placed before him only led to the rious facts relative to the operations of the mind direct proof that certain phenomena might be in health, in disease, and in the abnormal states counterfeited-and the existence of counterfeit of insanity, mesmerism, and somnambulism; but coin is rather a proof that there is somewhere the without inducing conviction in his main object; genuine standard gold to be imitated. It is needsince, if thought, or rather mental volition, is im-less to say, that when he investigated the facts possible to matter, then is the mind of brutes im- with such absence of all prejudice, he soon found material. We are not sure that Dr. Moore amidst much fraud and jugglery, also many valumight deny this conclusion; but if it be admitted, able truths; to expound which, and the causes no religious results can he deduced from immate- why the subject has not been fairly investigated, riality. Something of the same logical defect and the reasons of the opposition and contempt may be visible in the practical conclusions aimed which it has generally to put up with, is the ob at. We all know the power of the mind; how ject of the present work.-Lit. Gaz. the health and the functions of the body are controlled by it; how one passion or emotion is subdued by another more powerful. The difficulties lie in the discovery and application of the proper stimuli, so as to act not at random but by rule, and safely as well as regularly for intense emotion may not only injure health but destroy life, as some of Dr. Moore's instances show. Proper nutriment and proper exercise are the true principles for a healthy human being, if we could but apply them; though, perhaps, the mens sana in corpore sano requires a good basis to proceed upon. If, however, Dr. Moore's conclusions are not altogether convincing, his book is curious, and attractive from the number of curious facts he has collected together.-Spectator.

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Description and Uses of the Improved Moveable Planisphere, exemplified in a Series of Problems, showing its utility as a cheap and portable Substitute for the Celestial Globe. By Jehoshaphat Aspin.

THIS is a singularly ingenious contrivance, and must prove exceedingly useful to those who are anxious to acquire a knowledge of what has been not inaptly called "celestial geography." In order that our readers may be able to form some idea of the meritorious contrivance, we shall give Mr. Aspin's account of the objects and uses of the Improved Moveable Planisphere. On this head Mr. Aspin makes the following observations:

simple in its construction, affords the means of The Improved Moveable Planisphere, though solving most of the problems usually worked upon the celestial globe, with considerably less labor and nore perspicuity in regard to the divisions of hours than can be effected by the ordinary twelve-inch globe: and, to say nothing of its comparatively low price, its portableness will procure it a decided preference in situations where the globe might prove an incumbrance.

MR. NEWNHAM is a new advocate for the existence of human magnetism, and a volunteer to the ranks of expounders of a subject of inquiry which has hitherto been lessened in estimation chiefly by its own followers. Contemned by men of science, phenomena of high interest have The Improved Planisphere, consisting of only been handed over by tacit consent to ignorant two cards, affords by a single movement of one empirics and traders in the mysterious-and the of them, the times of the star's rising throughout demand for such appears at the present moment the year; by a second motion, its times of culmito have grown up in an inverse ratio to the atten- nation; and by a third, its times of setting for the tion given to the subject by persons of philosoph-like period. By means of a moveable index, corical habits. This state of things cannot last long, the time will come when the most skilful and intellectual research will be centered in eliminating the true from the false, and establishing, on the incontrovertible basis of observation and experience, the principles of those physiological phenomena, in which the relations of the senses, of the mind and body, and of one human being to another, are brought into such wonderful an

responding to the brass quadrant of the artificial globe, most questions relative to the apparent movements of the sun, moon, planets, and fixed stars, or their positions at particular moments, may be correctly answered. This index forms an entirely new feature in the construction of planispheres, and renders the Improved Moveable Planisphere peculiarly useful and amusing to young persons who may not have the advan

tage of an astronomical preceptor. A very few exercises upon it will lead to a knowledge of the places of the constellations, and the names of the principal stars when viewed in the heavens; with their periodical seasons of rising, culminating, and setting; in addition to numerous useful deductions, to which the study will naturally

lead.

sides, where truth found its home in evil times, in language which places them vividly before us. We have read many books on this subject, but no one with greater interest than the present.

GREAT BRITAIN.

For the use of schools this Planisphere possess- SELECT LIST OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS. es the decided advantage that each pupil may have one, either for the purpose of following the verbal instructions of the teacher in the hour of study, or for self-improvement in leisure moments; a benefit not to be derived from a globe, which pertains to the whole school.

We would wilingly quote Mr. Aspin's description of his ingenious and useful invention, but have not the requsite space. It cannot fail to find its way into general use when its merits become known.

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THE author of this voluminous correspondence was for nine years Paymaster of the Forces in Flanders under King William III., subsequently a Lord of the Admiralty, and in the following reign Envoy Extraordinary from the British court to the Duke of Savoy. It is only recently that the valuable papers here printed were discovered. They embrace a period of great interest, from 1703 to 1706, and are illustrative of the secret policy of some of the most distinguished sovereigns and statesmen of Europe as regards the Spanish succession, of the rights and liberties of the Vaudois, guaranteed by England, and of the wars of that period in the Cevennes, Piedmont, and Lombardy. Among the letters, there are several from Queen Anne, the King of Spain, the Princes Eugene, D'Armstadt, and Leichtenstein; the Dukes of Savoy, Marlborough, and Shrewsbury; Earls Peterborough and Nottingham; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Godolphin, and Sir George Rooke. As materials of history, they are of vast importance, but we are inclined to consider them more fitted for future reference than for present reading. It is the pains-taking scholar only who can be got to peruse nine hundred pages of matter-of-fact correspondence.

The Vaudois: Comprising Observations made during a Tour to the Valleys of Piedmont, in the Summer of 1844. By E. Henderson, D. D. 12 mo. pp. 262. Snow, London.

Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Dieman's land, by P. E. De Strzelecki.

The Pencil of Nature, by H. Fox Talbot, F.R.S.

Eight Lectures on the Scriptural Truths most opposed by Puseyism, by J. E. Howard. The Unity of History outlines of Lectures, by the Rev. C. J. Abraham.

Saxon Kings, from the German of LappenHistory of England under the Angloburg, by B. Thorpe.

Illustrations of the Rock-Cut Temples of India, by J. Fergusson; Text to accompany ditto.

Prayers for Persons in Private, by the Rev. P. Wilson.

Oxford University Statutes, translated by G. R. M. Ward.

The Books of Common Prayer, reprinted in black letter, 6 vols. folio, bound in parch

ment.

GERMANY.

Biblische Real und Verbal-Hand-Concordanz. Von G. Büchner. Halle.

Der Prophet Jesaja; übersetzt und erklärt. Von M. Drechsler. Stuttg. Aristophanes, Lustspiele. Ubers. und erlaüt. Von H. Müller. Leipsic.

Geschichte der letzten 25 Jahre. Von C. H. Hermes. Brauns.

Karte des Türkischen Reichs in KleinAsien. Von H. Kiepert. Berlin.

FRANCE.

Thesaurus Græcæ Linguæ, ab H. Ste-
phano constructus. Edider. C. B. Hase,
G. et L. Dindorfius. Vol. IV. Fasc, IV.
Paris.

des Schismes.
Dictionnaire des Hérésies, des Erreurs et

Histoire de l'Armée de Condé. Par T.
Paris.

THE design of this publication is to excite a more general attention and sympathy in behalf of the people of whom it treats. The introduction to the work extends to somewhat more than forty pages, and presents a careful and authentic sketch of the history of the Vaudois-those ancient witnesses to the vitality of scriptural Chris-Muret. tianity. In the chapters which follow, the reader Jacqueline Pascal. Par V. Cousin. -assisted by a convenient map-accompanies Paris. our traveller from point to point of his journeyings through the Valleys. These chapters supply much deeply interesting information concerning the people, and describe those glens and hill

Erpétologie générale, au Histoire naturelle et complète des Reptiles. Tom. IV. Paris.

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