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motion is connected with that line described in paragraph 3, as above. That that line of direction, or its corresponding curve, is incrementally produced by two equal constant forces acting at right angles. 1. The medium of space acting on the right-hand side of the planet, as seen from the sun, and moved by the sun. And, 2, the sum of the infinite decreasing series of reactions beyond the planet, which infinite series is well known to be always equal to 1, or to the original force, at the place of the planet. These concur on the right-hand off quadrants, carry the planet, at every point, in the line alluded to; and coinciding in that quadrant, turn the planet at the same time on its axis, with the required velocity.

These elements I can expand to a satisfactory and rational system, but, in the mean time, I have said enough to enable any ingenious lover of truth, who has read Euclid, to gratify himself and others.

R. PHILLIPS.
Knightsbridge, August 15th, 1289.

ON THE APHIS LANATA, OR AMERICAN BLIGHT.

OUR apple-trees are greatly injured, and some annually destroyed, by the agency of what seems to be a very feeble insect. We call it, from habit, or from some unassigned cause, the "American blight (Aphis lanata):" this noxious creature being known in some orchards by the more significant name of "white blight." In the spring of the year, a slight hoariness is observed upon the branches of certain species of our orchard fruit. As the season advances, this hoariness increases; it becomes cottony; and towards the middle or end of summer, the under sides of some of the branches are invested with a thick downy substance, so long, as at times to be sensibly agitated by the air. Upon examining the substance, we find that it conceals a multitude of small, wingless creatures, which are busily employed in preying upon the limb of the tree beneath. This they are well enabled to do, by means of a beak terminating in a fine bristle. This being insinuated through the bark and the sappy part of the wood, enables the creature to extract, as with a syringe, the sweet vital liquor that circulates in the plant. This terminating bristle is not observed in every individual: in those that possess it, it is of different lengths, and is usually, when not in use, so closely concealed under the breast of the animal, as to be invisible. In the younger insects it is often manifested by protruding, like a fine ter130.-VOL. XI.

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mination to the anus; but as their bodies become lengthened, the bristle is not in this way observable. The alburnum, or sap wood, being thus wounded, rises up in excrescences and nodes all over the branch, and deforms it; the limb, deprived of its nutriment, grows sickly; the leaves turn yellow, and the part perishes. Branch after branch is thus assailed, until they all become leafless, and the tree dies.

Aphides, in general, attack the young and softer parts of plants; but this insect seems easily to wound the harder bark of the apple, and by no means makes choice of the most tender parts of the branch. The insect is viviparous, or produces its young alive, forming a cradle for them, by discharging, from the extremities of its body, a quantity of long cottony matter, which becoming interwoven and entangled, prevents the young from falling to the earth, and completely envelopes the parent and the offspring. This lanuginous vestiture seems to serve likewise as a vehicle for dispersing the animal; for, though most of our species of aphis are furnished with wings, I have never seen any individual of this American blight so provided; but the winds wafting about small tufts of this downy matter, convey the creature with it from tree to tree throughout the orchard.

In the autumn, when this substance is generally long, the winds and rains of the season effectually disperse these insects, and we observe them endeavouring to secrete themselves in the crannies of any neighbouring substance. Should the savoy cabbage be near the trees whence they have been dislodged, the cavities of the under sides of its leaves are commonly favourite asylums for them. Multitudes perish by these rough removals, but numbers yet remain; and we may find them in the pods and crevices, on the under sides of the branches, at any period of the year, the long cottony vesture being removed, but still they are enveloped in a fine, short, downy clothing, to be seen by a magnifier, proceeding, apparently, from every suture or pore of their bodies, and protecting them, in their dormant state, from the moisture and frosts of our climate. This aphis, in a natural state, usually awakens and commences its labours very early in the month of March; and the hoariness on its body may be observed increasing daily; but if an infected branch be cut in the winter, and kept in water in a warm room, these aphides will awaken speedily, spin their cottony vests, and feed and discharge, as accustomed to do in a genial season. Journal of a Naturalist.

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ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW WORDS INTO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

THE following extract on this curious but interesting subject, is copied from Basil Hall's travels in America, recently published.

"We had a pleasant discussion on the use of what are called Americanisms, during which Mr. Webster gave me some new views on this subject. He contended that his countrymen had not only a right to adopt new words, but were obliged to modify the language to suit the novelty of the circumstances, geographical and political, in which they were placed. He fully agreed with me, however, in saying, that where there was an equally expressive English word, cut and dry, it ought to be used in preference to a new one. 'Nevertheless,' said he, 'it is quite impossible to stop the progress of language-it is like the course of the Mississippi, the motion of which at times is scarcely perceptible, yet even then it possesses a momentum quite irresistible. It is the same with the language we are speaking of. Words and expressions will be forced into use, in spite of all the exertions of all the writers in the world.' 'Yes,' I observed; but surely such innovations are to be deprecated?' 'I don't know that,' he replied. If a word become universally current in America, where English is spoken, why should it not take its station in the language?' 'Because,' I said, 'there are words enough already; and it only confuses matters, and hurts the cause of letters, to introduce such words.' 'But,' said he, reasonably enough, ❝in England such things happen currently, and, in process of time, your new words find their way across the Atlantic, and are incorporated in the spoken language here. In like manner,' he added, "many of our words, heretofore not used in England, have gradually crept in there, and are now an acknowledged part of the language. The interchange, in short, is inevitable; and, whether desirable or not, cannot be stopped, or even essentially modified.' I asked him what he meant to do in this matter in his dictionary. 'I mean,' he said, to give every word at present in general use, and hope thereby to contribute in some degree to fix the language at its present station. This cannot be done completely; but it may be possible to do a great deal.' I begged to know what he proposed to do with those words which were generally pronounced differently in the two countries. 'In that case,' said he, 'I would adopt that which was most con

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sonant to the principles of the English language, as denoted by the analogy of similar words, without regarding which side of the water that analogy favoured. For example, you in England universally say chivalry— we as generally say shivalry; but I should certainly give it according to the first way, as more consistent with the principles of the language. On the other hand, your way is of pronouncing deaf as def-ours as if it were written deef; and as this is the correct mode, from which you have departed, I shall adhere to the American way.' I was at first surprised when Mr. Webster assured me there were not fifty words in all, which were used in America and not in England; but I have certainly not been able to collect nearly that number. He told me, too, what I did not quite agree to at that time, but which subsequent inquiry has confirmed, so far as it has gone, that, with very few objections, all these apparent novelties are merely old English words, brought over to America by the early settlers."

BRIEF REFERENCES TO THE WORKS AND CHARACTER OF ROUBILIAC, THE SCULPTOR.

Ir is somewhat remarkable, that the first work executed in England by this celebrated artist, was a statue of Handel, which, a few years since, was to be seen at Vauxhall, though where it is at present is very uncertain, and that his last employment was on a monument erected to the memory of this distinguished composer. One of his best executed productions, is a full-length figure of Sir Isaac Newton, in the chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge. The statue of Shakspeare, executed for Mr. Garrick, and by him placed in a temple erected for that purpose in his garden at Hampton, was, by his will, dated September 24th, 1778, to remain in the temple at Hampton during the life of Mrs. Garrick, when it was to become the property of the British Museum, in the hall of which, according to Mr. Smith, it may now be seen. For this piece of sculpture he was to receive three hundred guineas, provided he procured the best marble he could afford for the money. Unfortunately, however, the block was found to be so full of veins, that Garrick not only refused to take it, but was induced to ask the artist if the face of Shakspeare was marked with mulberries? To appease his anger, Roubiliac assured him it was the best he could afford for the price, but that he would cut off the head, and replace it

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with another, carved from a fine piece of clear marble, which was done accordingly, to the satisfaction of his employer. The only really public statue of his execution to be seen in London is, a spirited figure of Sir John Cass, in a niche of the schoolhouse endowed by Sir John, at the north end of the Minories.

Of Roubiliac's private monuments, there are several in this country. Westminster Abbey contains seven: viz. Mrs. Nightingale's, Sir Peter Warren's, Hargraves, Fleming's, Argyle's, Handel's, and General Wade's. While Roubiliac was engaged in superintending the fixing of these monuments in their assigned positions, it was his practice to wander away from his workmen, and stand even for hours, fixed in the most enthusiastic admiration, gazing at some of the exquisite specimens of sculpture which adorn that venerable pile. Among these, the monuments of Vere and Lord Norris excited the highest degree of his rapture.

Mr. Smith, the author of "The Ancient Topography of London," relates, that while Roubiliac was giving directions relative to the statue of Sir Peter Warren, he, as usual, slipped away to gaze upon one or other of his favourites. On one of these occasions, Smith's father, then a youth, went to him to deliver a message. He found Roubiliac with his arms folded, standing before the north-west corner figure, viz. the figure of one of the six knights who support the cenotaph of Lord Norris,-absorbed in the deepest admiration, blended apparently with expectation; but of what, the youth could not conjecture. Three times he delivered his message, but in vain. He commenced a fourth repetition, when the enwrapped artist, grasping him by the elbow, exclaimed, in a low and smothered tone-"Hush-hush-hush! He'll speak

presently!"

Another anecdote, related on the same authority, is too characteristic to be omitted. A gentleman, intimate with Roubiliac, having staid one night at Slaughter's Coffeehouse until past 12 o'clock, discovered, as he was about to withdraw, that he had forgotten to take the key of the street-door of the house in which he lodged, and as he had engaged not to disturb the other inmates after this hour, was in some perplexity how to act. The artist, perceiving his embarrassment, told him he had a spare bed, which was much at his service. The gentleman accepted his invitation, and on being shewn to his room, the sculptor wished him a good night. The stranger having, however, nearly undressed himself,

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was horror-stricken on beholding the corpse of a black woman laid out upon the bed. He immediately vociferated the name of Roubiliac, who, on entering the room, made the following apology. "Oh dear! my good friend, I beg your pardon, I did not remember poor Mary vas dere. Poor Mary, she die yesterday vid de small poc. Come, come, and you must take part vid my bed. Come, poor Mary vas my hosmaid for five or six years more.'

THE HEBREW INSTITUTION.

MR. EDITOR,

SIR,-At the conclusion of an illustration of Jotham's fable, inserted in your number for March last, I noted that, for reasons there stated, "The two principal societies in London, which are exclusively employed in diffusing divine truth amongst the seed of Abraham, at home and abroad, are at this moment occupied in raising the means for forming asylums for the protection and instruction of inquiring and believing Hebrews. There all of these may be protected during a limited time, acquire a trade, whereby they may be enabled to obtain in future their own maintenance, and during their abode therein may receive Christian instruction and consolation in the regular means of grace, without becoming proselytes to any sect or party bearing the Christian name; and of these inquirers, there are numbers at this moment. The asylum forming by the London society is at Warsaw, the capital of Poland; and the asylum forming by the Philo-Judæan society is in London."

Subsequent to the above communication, a suggestion was made to the committee of the Philo-Judæan society, by a body of most respectable individuals who had read their prospectus, that a society ought to be formed for the sole purpose of carrying this benevolent scheme into effect. A committee, constituted upon a liberal basis, without reference to any party or society whatever, being formed, the Philo-Judæan society cordially surrendered up to them all the means which their exertions had compassed, and heartily "bade them God speed."

A new society has thus arisen, denominated most fitly, the "Society of Friends of the Hebrew Nation." Their motto is, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." "Freely ye have received, freely give." Under the auspices of Jehovah, the Hebrew institution, (for the original name is retained,) is designed to afford protection, religious instruction, and the means of earning a

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livelihood, to two classes of individuals, viz. Į to such descendants of Abraham as have rendered themselves destitute, by a profession of faith in Jesus Christ; and to those sincere inquirers into the truths of Christianity, who, being Israelites, might otherwise be prevented, by their relative circumstances, from prosecuting such research.

Premises having been engaged, and furnished by the committee of this society, in Randolph-street, Camden Town, immediately on the north of London, Mr. E. H. Simon, a Hebrew convert to the faith of Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the world, has been elected superintendent of the Hebrew institution therein; and he entered upon his office on the first day of the present month. On Tuesday, the fifth of August, the committee assembled upon the premises, in order to open the institution, and personally examine such Hebrew candidates as were duly recommended, and in waiting for admission thereto. The meeting was opened with solemn prayer. Several candidates presented themselves on this occasion, and much of that simplicity of manner peculiar to convicted sinners, in earnest, searching for the Saviour of men, was manifested by these children of faithful Abraham, while, in artless accents, they explained their views of sin, guilt, and salvation by faith, through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, during the strict examination to which they were subjected. Every candidate which the committee, upon mature deliberation, deemed qualified, was admitted, as a probationer, into the institution; and may He, who foretold to all nations by His holy word, Luke 21. the signs of the times, and the time when He would restore to His brethren, the Hebrews, peace and rest, give unto this feeble beginning of good, increase, and His everlasting blessing.

While I witnessed this assembly, and officially engaged in the proceedings, and beheld the children of that potent patriarch Abraham, who exclaimed before a king, "I have lifted up my hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldst say, I have made Abraham rich!" soliciting at the hands of Gentiles a morsel, and a momentary refuge from urgent want and destitution, caused by cruel persecutors, merely because they sought the truth, and from the lips of Gentiles, and from their books, craving instruction in the law of Jehovah, which was ori

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ginally given to themselves, and in that grace of God which bringeth salvation, first proclaimed in Jerusalem by their own brethren, through Jesus Christ, according to the flesh their elder brother, who is Lord of all, and who is now taking possession of His dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth, my soul, bowed even to the ground in commiseration, yearned over these outcasts with feelings inexpressible. Thou, O Jehovah, help; give peace, give salvation, give rest to thy people.

When some spake unto Jesus, in the days of His flesh, of the temple in Jerusalem, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, He said, "As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." The times of the Gentiles are hastening to be fulfilled, the redemption of Israel draweth nigh, the generation of this nation hath not passed away into annihilation, or even into an amalgamation with other nations, they exist unto this day a distinct people, according to the words of our Lord, Luke xxi. 32. a cry is abroad amongst them, that the Lord's time is come to visit His people; may it be ours to fan this spark into a holy flame, as instruments in the hands of the Son of man; that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before Him.

W. COLDWELL. King Square, Aug. 6, 1829.

REMARKS ON COUNTY ASYLUMS.

HEALTH is often spoken of as the greatest blessing of this sublunary state, and it is not unfrequently mentioned without any reference to the condition of the mind. But great as is the blessing of bodily health, it bears no comparison with the value of that which is mental. We can often struggle under the difficulties of physical disease, so as to perform the neces sary duties of life, while a disordered mind unfits it for all that is useful, and tending to social happiness. "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded

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spirit who can bear?" hence there is no earthly concern that is of equal importance to what insanity may prove, in all its direful consequences. It may even be a question, whether this disease alone does not make greater inroads into the circles of domestic happiness, than does the aggregate of all other disorders to which human nature is liable. Even the apprehension of it in many, who are in no immediate danger, is one of the distressing evils of life. Dr. Johnson says, "Of the uncertainties of our present state, the most dreadful and alarming is the uncertain continuance of the powers of reason." And not only does insanity exceed all other diseases in subjecting the friends and relatives of the patient to trouble and anguish, but it also, in the estimation of many, fixes upon them an indelible stain of disgrace. Besides all these, the innumerable acts of violence and murder that are committed under its baneful influences, where it is not visible to common observers, and the dreadful cases of despondency under which many labour, add greatly to the black catalogue of human ills. All who possess the functions of thought, and are subject to human feelings and human passions, must be liable to mental derangement, and though it is a malady which generally falls the heaviest on the lowest classes of society, yet we find that the rich, and the exalted in station and intellectual attainments, are not always exempted from it; so that there are none who read this, or indeed who do not read it, but what may have occasion to wish that a better system of treating it did more generally prevail.

It has frequently been asserted, that mental diseases are very much on the increase in this our land; while my belief is, that they might be very much diminished; for I feel well assured, both from what I conceive to be the true theory of insanity, and what I have seen and known in practice, that there is no serious disease to which human nature is liable, more certainly and perfectly curable; and that patients perfectly recovered, shall be more secure from a second attack, than they were previously from a first; and I go so far as to assert, that where there is a tolerable share of bodily health, perfect restoration from the mental affection may be considered as a moral certainty, the best means of cure too being simple, and easy to be understood. As insanity, no doubt, frequently arises from the feelings of horror and dread of it, and an idea of its being incurable, it is obvious, that, if a better

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treatment of it did more generally prevail, and the horrors of it were diminished, it would occur less frequently. Is it not then greatly to be regretted, that, while those who are well experienced contend that insanity is curable in nine cases out of ten, the legislature, and many of our local authorities, should sanction a system of treatment, under which nine out of ten do not recover, but languish out life in a state of degradation and suffering.

Contending, as I do, that the best treatment of insanity is simple, and easy to be understood, still it assuredly requires a strict adherence to certain particulars and principles. In the first instance, the remedial means must commence while the disease is in its incipient, or at least recent state. In most cases, a removal from home, and all the irritations that arise out of family intercourse, is necessary; next, that the removal shall be to proper medical and moral treatment; the former to abate the previous excitement, while in the lat ter, every thing that is at all calculated to irritate and shock the feelings is to be carefully avoided, and every thing adapted to rouse and strongly excite the ideas, by various pleasing and rational sensations, should be assiduously exhibited. The consolations of religion should be administered at least twice every day, and the cordial of hope unremittingly. All these require exertion; but under a regular system they become practicable and easy, and by abating the violent symptoms of the maniacal excitement, they prevent five times the trouble they occasion. These things I have frequently said before, and in this same publication; but I hope my indulgent readers will excuse the repetition. It is also much to be regretted, that gentlemen of the medical profession have attended so little to mental diseases; but youth is the time of medical education, and to what school or professorship can they apply? Where is the institution for the cure of mental diseases to be found, in which the medical and moral means are so well united and practised, as to give a reasonable chance of superior success and information; and where are the books to be found, upon which the profession can depend with confidence? The regular practitioner can but seldom procure the proper management and moral treatment in these cases, without which medical treatment, however skilful, will often be of no avail; and as many cases require removal from home, the medical attendant is in honour bound to give up his patient, and all his chance of further success and