counted for as follows:-The engine-man said, As there are several owners and viewers here, I will make her (the engine) go in grand style;" and he had scarcely got upon the boiler to loose the screw of the safety valve, but, being overheated, it exploded.-Monthly Magazine, vol.40, p. 181.

From what is here stated, it appears, that this tragical accident was occasioned by a combination of vanity, ignorance, and imprudence in the person to whom the direction of the engine was committed. The following accident which happened to the Washington steam-boat, belonging to Wheeling, N. America, is attributed to a somewhat similar cause.

"This boat started from Wheeling on Monday, June 10th, 1816, and arrived at Marietta on Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock, and came safely to anchor, where she remained till Wednesday morning. The fires had been kindled and the boilers sufficiently hot, preparatory to her departure, when the anchor was weighed and the helm put to larboard, in order to wear her in a position to start her machinery; but only having one of her rudders shipped at the time, its influence was not sufficient to have the desired effect, and she immediately shot over under the Virginia shore, where it was found expedient to throw over the kedge at the stern to effect it. This being accomplished, the crew were then required to haul it on board, and were nearly all collected in the quarter for that purpose. At this unhappy fatal moment, the end of the cylinder towards the stern exploded, and threw the whole contents of hot water among them, and spread death and torture in every direction. The captain, mate, and several seamen were knocked overboard, but were saved, with the exception of one man, by boats from the town, and by swimming to the shore. The whole town was alarmed by the explosion, and all the physicians, with a number of citizens, went immediately to their relief. On going on board, a melancholy and truly horrible scene was presented to view. Six or eight persons were nearly skinned from head to foot, and others scalded, making in the whole, seventeen. In stripping off their clothes the skin pealed off with them to a considerable depth. Added to this melancholy sight, the ears of the pitying spectators were pierced by the screams and groans of the agonizing sufferers, rendering the se ne horrible beyond description.

"The cause of this melancholy catastrophe may be accounted for by the cylinder not having vent through the safety valve, which was firmly stopped by the weight which hung on the lever, having been unfortunately slipped to its extreme, without its being noticed, and the length of time occupied in wearing before her machinery could be set in motion, whereby the force of the steam would have been expended; these two causes united, confined the steam till the strength of the

cylinders could no longer contain it, and gave way with great violence. Six of the unfortunate sufferers d.ed on Wednesday night, and one or two others are not expected to survive."-Louisiana Gazette and New Orleans Mercantile Advertiser, July 8th, 1816.

Since the above accidents happened, many others of a similar nature have occurred, which have ultimately been ascertained to have been owing either to ignorance, or to carelessness and inattention, which are the natural results of ignorance. As steam-boats are now navigat ing all our Friths and rivers, and even ploughing the ocean itself; and as steam carriages, are likely soon to come into general use for the conveyance of passengers and goods, it is of the utmost importance to their success, and to the safety of the public, that every precaution bo adopted to prevent those explosions, and disarrangements of the machinery, which might be attended with fatal effects. But, although scienco and art may accomplish all that seeris requisite for the prevention of danger, unless persons of prudence and intelligence be obtained for the superintendence and direction of such machines, the efforts of their projectors to prevent accidents may prove abortive. And until the tone of intellect, among the middling and lower orders, be somewhat more elevated than it is at present, it may be difficult to obtain persons for this purpose of the requisite qualifications.

The following recent accidents from steamboat explosions, in all probability originated from causes similar to those to which I have now alltided.

The boiler of the steam-boat Caledonia, plying on the Mississipi, exploded on the 11th April 1830. killing and wounding about fifteen of the passengers and seven of the crew,-seven or eight of whom were blown overboard and lost. It was expected that some of the wounded would recover, although badly scalded. The boiler burst in the side while the boat was under weigh, and about two hours after being wooded. There were on board about 400 deck, and sixty cabin passengers, besides the crew, being altogether about 500 souls. The hull of the boat was uninjured.

It is said that the accident arose from the passengers crowding to one side of the boat, by which one side of the boiler was exposed to the direct action of the fire, and when the boat righted, a quantity of steam was suddenly generated greater than the safety valve could carry off-The number of persons who have lost their lives by explosions in America, since the commencement of the season (1830,) is not muck short of one hundred,-sixty in the Helen Macr gregor, four in the Huntress, nine in the Justice Marshall, and fourteen in the Caledonia, besides those of the latter, who, it was feared would not recover from Le injuries they had sustained.

In these and other instances, it is more than probaole, that a want of attention to the natural laws of the universe, and to the obvious effects which an enlightened mind should foresee they would produce, was the chief cause of the destruction of so many human beings, and of the sufferings of those whose lives were preserved, The same remark may be applied to the circumstances connected with a late fatal accident which happened on the Liverpool and Manchester rail-road.

On Friday afternoon, February 1, 1833, as the secon l-class train, which leaves Liverpool at three o'clock, was proceeding over Parr Moss, a little on the other side of Newton, one of the tubes which passes longitudinally through the boiler, burst The consequence was, that a quantity of water fell into the fire, steam was generate in abundance, and the engine stopped. Several of the passengers alighted to see what was the matter, and they incautiously got upon the line of rail-way taken by the trains in going to Liverpool, the contrary to that on which the disabled engine stood. While they were in this situation, a train of wagons from Bolton, proceeding to Liverpool, came up. The persons who had alighted did not see the advancing train, being enveloped in a dense cloud of vapour; and, from the same cause, they were by the conductor also unseen. They accordingly came upon them with fearful violence; several were knocked down, and the wheels of the train passed over four of them. Three of the unfortunate party were killed upon the spot; their bodies being dreadfully crushed; the fourth survived, and was taken forward to the infirmary, but his recovery was considered hopeless. Two of the three killed were elderly persons, whose names were known; the third, an interesting young man, who had formerly been in the employ of the Company as a fireman, and who was married only three weeks before. The survivor was a boy about sixteen years of age, who was proceeding from Belfast to Halifax, where his parents reside.The casualty, which was the occasion of this serious result, was itself but trifling, as the train went forward to Manchester after a short delav.

un

This shocking catastrophe was evidently caused by rashness and imprudence-by not foreseeing what might probably arise from a certain combination of circumstances-or, in other words, by inattention to certain natural laws, both on the part of those who were connected with the Liverpool train of wagons, and of those who conducted the Bolton train. In regard to the passengers in the Liverpool train, it was highly improper that they should have left their seats on the carriage. The accident which befel the unfortunate Mr. Huskisson. at the opening of the rail-way, should have operated as an impressive warning against such a practice. In

the next place, it was most imprudent to venture upon the other line of rail-way, more especially when a cloud of steam prevented them from seeing what was passing around them.—In regard to the person who had the command of the Bolton train, it was incautious and imprudent in the highest degree, to urge his machinery forward, when he beheld a volume of smoke immediately before him; the least consideration must have convinced him, that some accident must have happened, and that the cloud of steam would prevent those enveloped in it from perceiving the approach of his vehicle; and, therefore, he ought immediately to have abated his speed, so as to have acquired a complete command of the engine by the time it arrived at the spot where the steam was floating. Hence the importance-in conducting steam-engines and other departments of machinery-of having as superintendents, men of prudence and of enlightened minds, capable of foreseeing the probable effects of every combination of circumstances that may happen to occur. For Ignorance is generally proud, obstinate, incautious, precipitate in its movements, and regardless of consequences; so that, through its heedlessness and folly, the most splendid inventions are often impeded in their progress, and their value and utility called in question.

The Liverpool and Manchester Rail-way, and the locomotive powers of the machinery and engines which move along it, constitute one of the most splendid and useful improvements o modern times. From the last half-yearly Re port of the Directors, from June 30 to December 31, 1832, it it satisfactorily proved, that this railway is completely efficient and applicable to all the great objects for which it was designed. During the period now specified, there were carried along the rail-wav 86,842 tons goods, 39,940 tons coals, and 182,823 passengers, which is 73,498 fewer than in the corresponding six months of 1831, owing to the prevalence of cholera in Dub lin, and in the towns of Manchester and Liverpool. Were this rail-way continued to London, it is calculated, that the journey from Liverpool to the Metropolis, a distance of more than 200 miles, might be performed in eight or ten hours.

No. IX.-Circumstances which led to the invention of the Safety Lamp. Pp. 27, 81.

by an

This lamp, by means of which hundreds of lives have been preserved, was invented in the autumn of 1815. Sir Humphry Davy, the inven tor, was led to the consideration of this subject, application from Dr. Gray, now Bishop of Bristol, the chairman of a society established in 1813, at Bishop-Wearmouth, to consider and promote the means of preventing accidents by fire in coal-pits. Being then in Scotland, he visited the mines on his return southward, and was supplied with specimens of fire-damp, which,

on reaching London, he proceeded to examine and analyze. He soon discovered that the carburretted hydrogen gas, called fire-damp by the miners, would not explode when mixed with less than six, or more than fourteen times its volume of air; and, further, that the explosive mixture could not be fired in tubes of small diameters and proportionate lengths. Gradually diminishing these, he arrived at the conclusion, that a tissue of wire in which the meshes do not exceed a certain small diameter, which may be considered as the ultimate limit of a series of such tubes, is impervious to the inflamed air; and that a lamp covered with such tissue may be used with perfect safety, even in an explosive mixture, which takes fire and burns within the cage, securely cut off from the power of doing harm. Thus, when the atmosphere is so impure that the flame of a lamp itself cannot be maintained, the Davy still supplies light to the miner, and turns his worst enemy into an obedient servant. This invention, the certain source of large profit, he presented with characteristic liberality to the public. The words are preserved in which, when pressed to secure to himself the benefit of a patent, he declined to do so, in conformity with the high-minded resolution which he formed, upon acquiring independent wealth, of never making his scientific eminence subservient to gain. "I have enough for all my views and purposes, more wealth might be troublesome, and distract my attention from those pursuits in which I delight. More wealth could not increase my fame or happiness. It might undoubtedly enable me to put four horses to my carriage, but what would it avail me to have it said, that Sir Humphry drives his carriage and four ?" Gallery of Portraits.

No. X.-On the Utility of the Remarks and Observations of Mechanics and Manufacturers. P. 81.

That the remarks of experienced artists and labourers, may frequently lead to useful discoveries, may be illustrated by the following facts:-" A soap manufacturer rema ked that the residuum of his ley, when exhausted of the alkali for which he employed it, produced a corrosion of his copper boiler for which he could not account. He put it into the hands of a scientific chemist for analysis, and the result was the discovery of one of the most singular and important chemical elements, iodine. The properties of this, being studied, were found to occur most appositely in illustration and support of a variety of new, curi ous, and instructive views, then gaining ground in chemistry, and thus exercised a marked influence over the whole body of that science. Curiosity was excited; the origin of the new substance was traced to the sea-plants from whose ashes the Drincipal ingredient of soap is obtained, and ulti

mately to the sea-water itself. It was thence hunted through nature, discovered in salt mines and springs, and pursued into all bodies whier. have a marine origin; among the rest, into sponge. A medical practitioner then called to mind a reputed remedy for the cure of one of the most grievous and unsightly disorders to which the human species is subject-the goitre-which infests the inhabitants of mountainous districts to an extent which in this favoured land we have happily no experience of, and which was said to have been originally cured by the ashes of burnt sponge. Led by this indication, he tried the effect of iodine on that complaint, and the result established the extraordinary fact, that this singular substance, taken as a medicine, acts with the utmost promptitude and energy on goitre, dissipating the largest and most inveterate in a short time, and acting (of course with occasional failures, like all other medicines) as a specific or natural antagonist, against that odious deformity. It is thus that any accession to our knowledge of nature is sure, sooner or later, to make itself felt in some practical application, and that a benefit conferred on science, by the casual observation or shrewd remark of even an unscientific or illiterate person, infallibly repays itself with interest, though often in a way that could never have been at first contemplated."*

Iodine was accidentally discovered (as above stated) in 1812, by M. De Courtois, a manuface turer of saltpetre at Paris, and derived its first illustrations from M. Clement and M. Desor mes. Its name literally signifies a violet colour. Its specific gravity about 4. It becomes a violetcoloured gas at a temperature below that of boiling water; it combines with the metals, with phosphorus and sulphur, with the alkalis and metallic oxides, and forms a detonating compound with ammonia. Dr. Coindet of Geneva first recommended the use of it, in the form of tincture, for the cure of goitres. Some readers may perhaps require to be informed that the goitre is a large fleshy excrescence that grows from the throat, and sometimes increases to an enormous size. The inhabitants of certain parts of Switzerland, especially those in the republic of Valais, are particularly subject to this shocking deformity.

No. XI-Liberality of Religious Sectaries in America, contrasted with British bigotry. P. 149.

The following sketches are taken from Stuart's "Three Years in North America." When at Avon, a village in the north-west part of the State of New York, Mr. Stuart went to attend a church about a mile distant, of which he gives the following description." The horses and carriages were tied up in great sheds near the church-doors, dur

• Herschel's Prelim. Discourse to Nat. Phil.

Ing the time of service. The day was hot, and the precentor, as usual, in the centre of th front gallery, opposite to the minister, officiated, not only without a gown, but without a coat upon his back. There was some sort of instrumental music-hautboys and bassoons, I think, against which there are no prejudices in this country. The clergyman, a very unaffected, sincere-looking person, delivered a plain sensible discourse, in which he introduced the names of Dr. Erskine and Dr. Chalmers, which sounded strange to us, considering where we were, on the western side of the Atlantic, not very far from the falls of Niagara. At the close of his sermon, he addressed his hearers in some such terms as these, My friends, the sacrament of the Lord's supper is to be dispensed here this evening. This is a free church, open to all-Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and all other denominations of Christians. This is according to our belief. All are invited; the risk is theirs.' Such liberality is, we find on inquiry, not unusual among the clergymen and congregations of different sects, with the exception in general of Unitarians. I observe an example recorded in Hosack's Life of Clinton; and as it relates to the great Father of the United States, and is of unquestionable authority. I think it of sufficient interest for insertion. While the American army, under the command of Washington. lay encamped in the vicinity of Morristown, New-Jersey it occurred that the service of the communion (then observed semi-annually only) was to be administered to the Presbyterian church in that village. In a morning of the previous week, the General, after his accustomed inspection of the camp, visited the house of the Rev. Dr. Jones, then pastor of that church, and, after the usual preliminaries, thus accosted him: Doctor, I understand that the Lord's supper is to be celebrated with you next Sunday. I would learn, if it accords with the canons of your church to admit communicants of another denomination.' The Doctor rejoined, Most certainly. Ours is not the Presbyterian table, General, but the Lord's table, and we hence give the Lord's invitation to all his followers, of whatever name.' The General replied, 'I am glad of it; that is as it ought to be, but as I was not quite sure of the fact, I thought I would ascertain it from yourself, as I propose to join with you on that occasion. Though a member of the church of England, I have no exclusive partialities.' The Doctor reassured him of a cordial welcome, and the General was found seated with the communicants the nexi Sabbath.

"During my residence in the United States, subsequent to this period, I was frequently witness to the good understanding which generally prevails among clergymen professing different opinions on church forms and doctrinal points, in this country; and I occasionally observed nctices in the newspapers to the same purport.

The two following I have preserved -- Tho corner-stone of a new Baptist church was laid at Savannah in Georgia, and the ceremonial services were performed by clergymen of the Methodist, German, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopai. and Baptist churches.' The sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered in the Rev. Mr. Post's church (Presbyterian church at Washington) and, as usual, all members of other churches in regular standing were invited to unite with the members of that church, in testifying their faith in, and love to, their Lord and Saviour. The invited guests assembled around the table; and it so happened that Mr. Grundy, a senator from Tennessee, and two Cherokee Indians, were seated side by side.' Nothing is more astounding in the stage-coach intercourse with the people of this country, as well as in the bar-rooms where travellers meet, than the freedom and apparent sincerity of their remarks, and the perfect feeling of equality with which the conversation is maintained, especially on religious matters. I have heard the most opposite creeds maintained, without any thing like acrimonious discussion or sarcastic remark, by persons in the same stage, professing themselves undisguisedly, Calvinists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Unitarians," &c.

and

If such are the liberal views entertained in America on religious subjects, and if such dispositions are more congenial to the spirit of the Christian system, than the fiery and uuhallowed zeal and unholy jealousies which many religionists display-why are they uot more frequently manifested in our own country? For, the difference of localities and customs cannot alter the nature and obligation of moral principles and actions. What a striking contrast to the scenes now exhibited are such facts as the following;"The Rev. J. T. Campbell, rector of Tilston, in the diocese of Chester, has been suspended from his clerical function, for twelve months, with a sequestration of his benefice, for that time, for preaching in a methodist meeting-house in Nantwich, and in other similar places within the diocese." "The Rev. Dr. Rice, curate of St. Lukes, London, who made himself conspicuous the other day, at Mr. Wakely's dinner, and who, in consequence of the liberal sentiments he then expressed on the subject of Church Reform, has fallen under the censure of his diocesan." Both these notices appeared in most of the newspapers in January 1833, and were never contradicted! If such conduct in the rulers of the church were warranted by the doctrines or precepts of the New Testament, Christianity would be unworthy of any man's attention or support. If the principles and persecuting spirit involved in such decisions, were countenanced and supported by the laws of the staté, we should soon be subjected to all the burnings, hangings, maimings, tortures, a .d horrid cruel

ties. which distinguished the dark ages of Popery, and the proceedings of the Star Chamber. How long will it be ere professed Christians display a Christian spirit! and what is the utility of Christianity to the world, unless candour, forbearance, love, meekness, and other Christian virtues, be the characteristics of its professed votaries! We dare any person to bring forward a single instance of a man's being converted to the faith of our holy religion, by the display of unhallowed zeal, furious bigotry, sectarian contentions, or the manifestation of a domineering and persecuting spirit. But, thousands of instances could be produced of such dispositions being the means of recruiting the ranks of infidelity and licentiousness. The following statement, sent to the Editor of the Liverpool Mercury, Feb. 14th, 1833, displays the liberality of certain British clergymen, in the thirty-third year of the nineteenth century. "I have been recently called on by death to part with one of my children. I waited upon the Rev.

of

church (where I buried a child a short time ago,) to arrange with him about its interment near the other. But, to what place of worship do you go?' inquired most seriously the Reverend divine. The Methodists, Sir, of the New Connexion,' I replied. As you do not attend my church, I cannot, therefore, bury your child.Where was your child baptized?' was his second inquiry. At the church of which I am a member,' I answered. How can you think,' exclaimed the liberal and pious, but indignant minister, that I shall bury your child, which has been baptized by a Dissenter? Take your child to be buried where it was baptized.'But, Sir, we have no burial-ground connected with our chapel.' 'No matter; the churchwardens of my church have determined not to bury any that do not belong to the church. Go,' said the minister, to , and arrange with him.'-So saying, he turned his back and left me. R. Emery."

The Duke of Newcastle-so notorious for doing what he pleases with his own-has the following clause introduced into certain leases in the neighbourhood of Nottingham:-" That in none of the houses to be built shall be held prayer-meetings, or any conventicles for the diffusion of sentiments contrary to the doctrines of the Church of England." A fine specimen, truly, of Christian liberality in the nineteenth century! If his Grace the Duke of Newcastle attended to his prayers as frequently and fervently as the Liturgy enjoins, he would be disposed to display a little more candour in reference to the "prayer-meetings" of his dissenting brethren. With regard to the leading doctrines of the Church of England, there are few dissenters disposed to find much fault with them. But what will his Grace say of the indolence and avaricious conduct of many of the ministers of that church, which have been

the cause of the rapid increase of Dissenters? The Vicar of Pevensey in Sussex (as appears from a petition of the parishioners, dated February 1, 1833) derives an income from the parish of about 12001. a-year, and yet has never once perforined divine service, since his induction, about seventeen years ago, He has another living at Guestling, about fifteen miles distant, from which he derives a revenue of 400l. per annum. Whether he does duty there is not known; but it is not absurd to suppose, that a parson who will not so much as read prayers for 1200l. is not very likely to preach for 4.01.-R. Hodgson, Dean of Carlisle, is also Vicar of Burg-on-Sands, Rector of St. Georges in Hanover Square, Vicar of Hellington, and yet at none of these places is he found officiating. The tithes received by the Dean and Chapter for Heshet, amount to 10007. or 1500l. a-year; they pay the curate that does the duty 181. 58., or at the rate of one shilling a-day-the wages of a bricklayer's labourer. In Wetheral and Warwick, the Dean and Chapter draw about 1000l. a-year for tithes, and 10002. a-year from the church lands, and they pay the working minister the sum of 50l. a-year. The tithes of the parish of St. Cuthberts and St. Mary amount to about 15031. a-year; and the two curates, who do the duty, receive each the sum of 21. 138. 4d. a-year!! Three brothers of the name of Goodenough, monopolize thirteen pieces of church preferment. One of them is Prebend of Carlisle, Westminister and York, Vicar of Wath All-Saints on Dearn. chaplain of Adwick, and chaplain of Brampton Bierlow. Those prefermen's produce, of course, several thousands, for which the incumbents perform absolutely nothing. And yet, one of the persons above alluded to, had lately the effrontery to come to Carlisle and preach up "the Church is in danger," because these shocking enormities are now exposed to public reprobation. See Times newspaper for March 7, 8, 1833. It would be no great breach of charity to suppose, that it is such doctrines and practices as those now stated, that the Duke of Newcastle is determined to support with such a degree of persecuting zeal-and that pure Christianity, detached from its connexions with the state, is the object of his hatred and contempt.

As a corroboration of Mr. Stuart's statements respecting the liberality of Religious Sectaries in America, the following extract of a letter, dated 18h February 1833, which the author received from the Rev. Dr. S, a learned and pious Presbyterian minister in the State of New York, may be here inserted

"I deeply regret to hear that so much of the spirit of sectarianism prevails among the different religious denominations of your country. We, too, have enough of it; but it is here manifestly on the decline. You may possibly think it an unreasonable stretch of liberality when I tel!