appears to have gradually descended to a lower class of projectors, many of whom perished in their unskilful attempts.

We need not, however, remark on the extravagant projectors of former times, since, so late as the year 1755, and not long before the invention of balloons, a very fanciful scheme, for navigating the atmosphere, yet on the grandest scale, was made public by Joseph Galien, a Dominican friar, and professor of philosophy and theology at Avignon. This visionary proposed to collect the fine, diffuse air of the higher regions where hail is formed, above the summit of the loftiest mountains, and to enclose it in a bag of a cubical shape, and of the most enormous dimensions, extending a mile every way, and composed of the thickest sail cloth. With such a vast machine, far outrivalling in boldness and magnitude the ark of Noah, it would be possible he thought to transport a whole army, and all their munitions of war!

The principles on which a balloon could be constructed had long been known to men of science; but to reduce these principles to complete effect, was still an enterprise of the most dazzling kind. This triumph over matter was at length achieved by the skill and perseverance of Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier, sons of the proprietor of an extensive paper manufactory at Annonay. The two brothers had long contemplated the project, and after some experiments, the first public ascent of a balloon was exhibited at their native town, on the 5th of June, 1783, amidst a very large concourse of spectators. They afterwards constructed a balloon on a larger scale at Paris. It reached the height of one thousand five hundred feet, where it appeared for a while suspended; but in eight minutes dropped to the ground, two miles from Paris. A sheep, a cock, and a duck, which had been put into the basket, the first animals ever carried up into the air, were found perfectly safe and unhurt by the journey: the sheep was even feeding at perfect ease.

The first aërial voyage ever made by man, was on the 21st of November, 1783, when Pilatre de Rozier, a young naturalist of great promise, and full of ardour and courage, accompanied by the Marquess d'Arlandes, a major of infantry, who volunteered to accompany him, ascended from the Chateau de Muette, belonging to the Court of the Dauphin. About two o'clock the machine was launched, and it mounted with a steady and majestic pace. Wonder, mingled with anxiety, was depicted in every countenance; but, when from their lofty station in the sky the na

vigators calmly waved their hats, and saluted the spectators below, a general shout of acclamation burst forth on all sides. As they rose much higher, however, they were no longer discernible by the naked eye; they

in the surging smoke Uplifted spurn the ground; thence many a league, As in a cloudy chair ascending, ride, Audacious.

This balloon soared to an elevation of more than three thousand feet, and traversed by a circuitous route the whole of Paris, whose gay inhabitants were all absorbed in admiration and amazement.— The daring aëronauts, after a journey of twenty-four or twenty-five minutes, in which they described a track of six miles, safely alighted beyond the Boulevards.

Such was the prosperous issue of the first aerial navigation ever performed by mortals. It was a conquest of science which all the world could understand; and it flattered extremely the national vanity of the French, who hailed its splendid progress. and enjoyed the honour of their triumph

Other experiments were now made in rapid succession, in which Messrs. Chas. and Robert Montgolfier, Andreani, Blanchard, Rozier, Proust, the Duke of Orleans, (Egalité), and Guyton Morveau, were the adventurers; some of whom soared to the immense height of thirteen thousand feet.

He

But the aërial voyage the most remarkable for its duration and adventures, was performed on the 18th of June, 1786, by M. Testu, in a balloon constructed by himself, furnished with auxiliary wings, filled as usual with hydrogen gas. ascended at four o'clock P.M. and after reaching the height of three thousand feet, he softly alighted on a corn-field, in the plain of Montmorency; and without leaving the car, began to collect a few stones for ballast, when he was surrounded by the proprietor of the field and a troop of peasants, who insisted on being indemnified for the damage he had occasioned. Anxious now to disengage himself, and persuading them that his wings being broken, he was wholly at their mercy; they seized the stay of the balloon, which floated at some height, and dragged their prisoner through the air in a sort of triumph to the village; but M. Testu suddenly cut the cord, and took an abrupt leave of the clamorous and mortified peasants, and rose to the height of two thousand four hundred feet. He now heard the blast of a horn, and descried huntsmen below in full chase. Curious to witness the sport, he pulled the valve and de

scended at eight o'clock between Etouen and Varville, when he set himself to gather some ballast. While he was thus occupied, the hunters galloped up to him. He mounted a third time, and passed through a dense body of clouds, in which thunder followed lightning in quick succession but he

With fresh alacrity and force renewed,
Springs upward, like a pyramid of fire,
Into the wild expanse; and through the shock
Of fighting elements, on all sides round
Environ'd, wings his way.

At half-past nine o'clock, when the sun had finally set, M. Testu was traversing the air at an altitude of three thousand feet. He was now quickly involved in darkness, and in the thickest mass of thunder clouds. The lightnings flashed on all sides, the cloud claps were incessant, and snow and sleet fell all around him. In this tremendous situation, the intrepid adventurer remained the space of three hours, the time during which the storm lasted. A calm at last succeeding, he had the pleasure to see the stars, and embraced this opportunity to take some refreshment. At half-past two o'clock the day broke in ; but his ballast being nearly gone, and the balloon again dry and much elevated, he resolved to descend to the earth, and ascertain to

what period he had been carried. At a quarter before four o'clock, having already seen the sun rise, he safely alighted near the village of Campreni, about sixty-three

miles from Paris.

Almost the only useful purpose to which balloons have hitherto been applied with success, had for its object that of military reconnoissance; and in the early period of the French revolution, they were frequently used for that purpose with considerable advantage.

Select Biography.

No. X.

THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. IN the 49th Number of the MIRROR, there is an interesting account of the discovery of the steam-engine, illustrated with a curious engraving, and necessarily connecting the Marquis of Worcester with the invention, as the individual to whom "this wonderful machine has generally been ascribed." The following article, devoted to that celebrated man, may not, therefore, be uninteresting.

Collins traces this ancient house to Geoffrey Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, son of Foulk, king of Jerusalem, by Maud, the empress, his wife, daughter of Henry I.

Edmonds says, "This illustrious family, whose blood has flown through the veins of kings, dukes, marquises, and earls, for more than 700 years, is lineally descended from John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, who gave the surname of Beaufort to all his children, by Catharine Swinford, (whom he afterwards married, and legitimated her children,) from the Castle of Beaufort, in Anjou, the place of their nativity. The present surname of Beaufort was assumed by Charles, natural son whose brother Edmund, his successor, of Henry Beaufort, duke of Somerset, in beheaded May 7, 1741, terminated the legitimate issue of John of Gaunt. This Charles Somerset was created Earl of Charles I. created Henry, the fifth earl, Worcester by Henry VIII. in 1514. Marquis of Worcester, in 1642; and Henry, the third marquis, was created Duke of Beaufort by Charles II., in 1682.”

Edward Somerset, marquis of Worcester, but better known under the title of the earl of Glamorgan, enjoyed the confidence of Charles I., by whom he was important state matters. But this nobleemployed on several very delicate and man is still more celebrated as a philosopher than a statesman, he having, in 1663, published a pamphlet, entitled, "A Century of the Names and Scantlings of Inventions, &c." To this work, which contains evident marks of the most extensive genius, or at least to the hints contained in it, we are thought to be indebted for the steam-engine, &c. of the work to the members of both houses of present day. In the dedication of this parliament, he informs them, that he had already sacrificed ten thousand pounds in his experiment, a sum so large as to astonish all readers, who are acquainted with the poverty to which he was reduced by the profuse assistance he (and his father before him) had rendered to the royal cause. This account, however, is cleared up by the following letter, from which we may conclude that he raised a considerable sum from his friends and others, by dividing his project into joint shares. It is addressed to Christopher Copley, Esq., a colonel in the army of the north, under General Fairfax. On the back is written, in Col. Copley's hand, "My Lord of Worcester's letter about my share in his engine."

"DEAR FRIEND,-I knowe not with what face to desire a curtesie from you, since I have not yet payed you the five powndes, and the mayne businesse soe long protracted, whereby my reality and kindnesse should with thankfullnesse appeare; for though the least I intende you

is to make up the somme already promised to a thousand pownds yearly, or a share ammounting to four more, which, to nominate before the perfection of the woorke, were but an individuum vagum; and, therefore, I deferre it, and upon noe other score. Yet in this interim, my disappointments are soe great, as that I am forced to begge, if you could possible, eyther to helpe me with tenne pownds to this bearer, or to make use of the coache, and to go to Mr. Clerke, and if he could this day helpe me to fifty pownds, then to paye your selfe the five pownds I owe you out of them. Eyther of these will infinitely oblige me. The alderman has taken three days' time to consider of it. Pardon the great trouble I give you, which I doubt not but in time to deserve, by really appearing

"Your most thankfull friend,

"WORCESTER.

"28th of March, 1656. "To my honoured friend, Collonel Christopher Coppley, these."

Such was the pecuniary distress of the ancestor of one of the wealthiest and most noble families in the kingdom. But it is well known that projectors of public works, seldom receive from them that remuneration to which they are most justly entitled. Sir Hugh Middleton was ruined by the New River, wonderfully beneficial as that undertaking has since proved; and, if any one invention were to be pointed out, as that to which Britain is most deeply indebted, it would be the steam-engine. What was the fate of its almost generally allowed inventor, the above letter declares.

F. RY.

mouth, and breathe the gas from, and into, the bladder as long as possible, which, perhaps, will be about two or three minutes. What effects will be produced? Why, it is impossible to say; for they differ greatly according to the constitutions of the persons by whom the gas is respired. In general, however, they are highly pleasurable, and resemble those attendant on the agreeable part of intoxication. "Exquisite sensations of pleasure-an irresistible propensity to laughter a rapid flow of vivid ideas— singular thrilling in the toes, fingers, and ears a strong incitement to muscular motion"—are the ordinary feelings produced by it. The celebrated Mr. Wedgewood "after breathing the gas some time, threw the bag from him, and kept breathing on laboriously with an open mouth, holding his nose with his fingers, without power to remove them, though aware of the ludicrousness of his situation; he had a violent inclination to jump over the chairs and tables, and seemed so light, that he thought he was going to fly." What is exceedingly remarkable, is, that the intoxication thus produced, instead of being succeeded by the debility subsequent to intoxication by fermented liquors, does, on the contrary, generally render the person who takes it cheerful and high-spirited for the remainder of the day.

To cause Water to boil on the surface of Ice.

No. V.

nia and water. Then cover the cake of ice by a quantity of water, and hold the tube (without handling the part of it

Gas.

THOUGH this gas is not fitted to support life, yet it may be respired for a short time, and the effects produced by it upon the animal frame, are its most extraordinary properties. The manner of breathing it is this: put nitrous oxide gas that has been purified by standing over water, into a large bladder, or varnished silk bag, having a wide glass tube, or a stop-cock with a large bore, affixed to its neck. Then, hold the bladder by the tube (closing the mouth of the tube by applying the thumb) in the right hand; close the nostrils with the left hand; expel the air contained in the lungs by a long expiration; and instantly apply the tube of the bladder to the

a lamp, that the surface of the water may this, the tube requires to be placed in a be heated to the point of boiling: for lows the water at the top of it to be heated, diagonal direction, which is such as alwhile the ice remains unheated below.

A Metal which bursts into flame when thrown upon cold water.

PLACE a piece of potassium of about two grains' weight, upon cold water in a basin, when it will inflame.

To make Waves of Fire on the surface of Water.

ON a lump of loaf sugar, let fall a few drops of phosphorized ether, and place

To make Faces and Hands Luminous; so that, in the Dark, they appear as if on Fire. THOUGH the phosphorized oil and ether are luminous in the dark, yet they have not the power to burn any thing; so that either of them may be rubbed on the face and hands without danger; and the appearance thereby produced is most hideously frightful. All the parts of the face that have been rubbed, appear to be covered with a luminous, bluish flame, and the mouth and eyes appear as black spots. When the bottles containing phosphorized oil and ether are opened in the dark, light enough to tell the hour on a watch is evolved.-Chemical Recreations.

The Selector ;

OR,

CHOICE EXTRACTS FROM NEW WORKS.

THE LEE PENNY.

A NEW Romance, called "The WitchFinder," from the pen of the author of "The Lollards," "Other Times," and "Calthorpe," has just issued from the press. It contains many singular pictures of the state of the Drama, from the time of Queen Elizabeth to that of Charles the Second; and Lowen, one of the original actors in some of Shakspeare's plays, is a principal character. The veteran is here brought forward as landlord of the sign of The Three Pigeons, at Brentford, which house he actually kept during the Protectorate. It, besides, contains some very minute accounts of the proceedings then had recourse to for the purpose of detecting Witches, with a variety of occult information, brought together from different sources. Many romantic facts con nected with the history are here in a manner dramatised-such as the compelling a suspected murderer to take the murdered person by the hand-the binding of an association of villains by a bond signed with their own blood-and the horrid mercy of sparing a person condemned, on condition of his becoming the executioner of his friend and brother offender. Among other things, "The Lee Penny" is de

scribed, and the following facts are stated respecting it, which are really true,-at least those which go to prove the high estimation in which its virtues were held, and which once the people of Newcastle believed could save them from the plague: "And what," demanded Challoner, "is the Lee Penny ?"

"It is this which you see," replied Thorpe, exultingly displaying a small, dark, red stone, of a triangular shape, rudely set in a piece of silver, which had once been in circulation as a coin, and which, from the cross and the letters still visible, appeared to have been a shilling

of the time of Edward the First.

Challoner examined the Lee Penny with some attention, but soon returned

it, with a look of surprise and expression of countenance which spoke him reluctant to indulge in any comment on this subject.

"Have you seen it before ?" Thorpe inquired.

"I do not know. This is one of those objects which, without any great effort of forgetfulness, might be speedily dismissed from memory."

"Then know, Sir, that this stone has been in the same family for nearly three hundred and forty years."

Sir, I am too vulgar in my ideas to esteem a worthless man on account of his being of an old family, and I am not more disposed to attach importance to a paltry stone for its antiquity, than to a fellow creature who can boast of nothing but his genealogy."

"But this stone's least claim to notice is that which rests on its age. When Sir Simon Locard, of Lee, carried the heart of King Robert Bruce to the Holy Land, it was his fortune to make a Saracen prisoner on his way. The wife of the prisoner came to ransom him, and while telling over the sum to be paid, this stone fell from a purse of jewels which she carried. The impatient eagerness with which the lady sought to recover it attracted the notice of Sir Simon, who, being a man of great discernment

"Perceived all its wonderful virtues at once," said Challoner, sarcastically anticipating the sequel of a narrative which almost provoked, from its extravagance, a mirthful smile even from him.

"I do not state that," said Thorpe, "but Sir Simon saw that great importance was attached to it, and he, therefore, refused to liberate the Saracen unless that stone were handed over to him. The lady expostulated, but in vain, and at length she gave it to the knight, first instructing him in the many virtues which belonged to it."

"Indeed! and what were they?" "By dipping this stone into the water from which cattle are permitted to drink, all disease among them will be prevented. It thus most effectually counteracts some of the charms of those who have commerce with the devil, for the purpose of harming their neighbours' property.— Used in the same way, it is, moreover, a sovereign cure for the bite of a mad dog. No words are to be uttered when the stone is dipped, and therefore no mistake can be made."

"I dare say not. And can you really have faith in this nonsense ?"

"Nay, if I am imposed upon, it is in very good company. Many have gone wearisome journeys to seek relief from the wonder-working powers of this same stone; nor is the period remote when the inhabitants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, finding the plague very prevalent in their town, applied to the Laird for the loan of the Lee Penny. Their prayer was granted, a large sum of money being deposited in trust for the same, and its powerful effects were soon so visible, that the borrowers would gladly have given a great price for it, if the Laird had been disposed to sell it."

SPIRIT OF THE

Public Journals,

SECRETS OF THE MODERN

SPANISH INQUISITION. FERDINAND VII. in his re-appearance on the summit of the Pyrenees, after his exile, might well be compared to a disastrous comet, boding every species of plague to the unhappy Spaniards. He destroyed, in his ingratitude, the constitutional system, to which he was indebted for his personal liberty. Ignorance, superstition, and every kind of feudal abuse, were fostered by him into poisonous vigour. He re-established with alacrity the tribunal of the Holy Office, for no purpose of religion (his character is destitute of it), but, as an instrument of terror and vengeance-as a means of subduing, by the horrors of incarceration, all that was virtuous, liberal, and enlightened. From that fatal moment, not a day passed but some unfortunates were torn from the bosom of their families, to be plunged into the vaults of the Inquisition; and, in some instances, to undergo every refinement in the art of torture. Such was the rage for the finding or making the victims, that the dungeons were speedily crowded. A single accusation at Valencia sufficed for the com

mittal to the Inquisition, of twenty-five individuals, together with the accusing party. At Murcia, the arrest of at least two hundred persons was occasioned by a single charge. At Madrid, at Granada, at St. Jacques, every where, in short, were victims seized upon, without regard to age, sex, condition, or services rendered. A Spanish nobleman (the Count de Montigo) who was immured in the cells of the Holy Office, recovered his liberty only through the Revolution of 1820, the interests of which, however, he subsequently betrayed. Two generals, MM. Torrigo and Almedovar, who had received many wounds during the war for independence-various superior officers, persons belonging to the finance department, priests and monks, women and children, all were hurried away into the same dreadful confinement.

Out of a number of facts which we could cite, the following anecdote, to the authenticity of which we pledge ourselves, may suffice for an example :Mr. E

distinguished as a man of letters, and attached to an important branch of the state administration, was arrested and conducted to the Inquisition at Madrid, for having expressed, as was alleged, irreligious opinions; but, in reality, liberal opinions. Moreover, as it was expected to be shewn that these expressions had been uttered in presence of his wife, who had not denounced him to the Holy Office, she was likewise committed to the same dungeon. This unfortunate couple had a young and only child, whom Madame E- - brought with her, and who died in the Inquisition through cold and improper food. The king, who from a dearth of occupation, sometimes took a fancy to prison-sights, chanced to present himself at the door of the cell where the scarcely cold corpse of the child was lying. Madame Ethrew herself at his feet, and with tears implored release from a place, where every thing would inflict on her memory the last agonies of her child. Her youth, beauty, and virtue, the eloquence of her grief, and the force of her despair, moved to pity all who heard her except Ferdinand, who brutally turned away!

"His

We cannot refrain from noting down here the famous mandate of M. Miery Campillo, the Inquisitor-general, which was read in every church in Spain, on the first Sunday in Lent, 1815:Excellency, the Grand Inquisitor, enjoins all Confessors, under pain of excommunication, to denounce to the Holy Office such persons as may have confessed themselves to belong to the order of Freemasonry!" Is it possible for baseness