1816.] Answer to a Query suggested by the Mosaic History of Joseph. 407 human nature as affected by external circumstances, it might be shewn that this apology for his apparent indifference about his absent relatives is far from satisfactory. It might be fairly urged that, whatever apprehensions of danger from his brethren he might have entertained while he was the bond-slave of Potiphar or the tenant of a prison, the motive of fear could hardly have operated to prevent him, after his advancement to the highest honours Pharoah could bestow, when every knee in Egypt bent at his approach, from at least communicating to his father the welcome tidings of his safety and prosperity. To return home, it might be said, would certainly have been hazardous; for the partial caresses of his doting father would have awakened the hatred of his brethren, and would have excited them to conspire again to compass his destruction: but, that it is not perceivable why he might not, whether as the prisoner of Potiphar or as the powerful minister of Pharoah, have made known his situation without anticipating any fatal consequences. For if in one condition he was beneath, in the other he was out of the reach of, their resentment. For the conjecture which he had opposed the objector might substitute another: he might argue, that as we find Jacob, before he dispatched his son to inquire of the welfare of his brethren, rebuking him for presuming to foretel the future homage of his parents, Joseph probably connected his father's anger with the errand on which he was sent; that, believing his parents were not ignorant of the machinations of his brethren, and that the whole family were engaged in the conspiracy, he probably endeavoured to banish from his mind the remembrace of all who participated in his persecution. / Speculations like these are very proper when their subjects are appropriate; but they are here, in my humble opinion, entirely out of place. The case of Joseph is a very peculiar one, and is not to be determined by its consonance to our general notions of the ordinary operation of events upon the actions of men. The incidents which happened to him had an extraordinary character; they formed a part of that wonderful series of events in which the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of God were to be so forcibly displayed to mankind. The patriarch himself was the chosen agent of God's will; he was the instrument appointed to carry into effect the gracious intentions of Providence. The house of Israel were to be delivered! by him (under God) from the horrors of famine, and preserved as a people: "And God (says he) sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." The mercy of the Almighty was to be at once exhibited to Jacob in the two-fold blessing of the preservation of a beloved son, and of the salvation of himself and his family, in Egypt, from that calamity which was so grievously felt in the neighbouring nations. It was to be shewn to him that the privation of his child, which seemed to him a misfortune too severe to admit of consolation, was pregnant with the happiest consequences to him and to the whole world. This story is full of instruction. The prophecy, too, which it pleased God to put into the mouth of Joseph, predicting his future elevation above his brethren, and which so highly incensed them against him, was to be fulfilled. But as their pride would not have permitted them to bend with prostrate reverence to him as their brother, they were to appear before him humble suitors for the immediate means of subsistence, and to make their lowly obeisance to him as the potent governor of Egypt. The whole of this statement, particularly the last mentioned occurrence, plainly shews that the continuance of Joseph in Egypt, his concealment there, and the ignorance of his family concerning his fate, were obviously conducive to the completion of the divine purposes, and that they originated in the will of God. This conclusion I think so evident, that to him who would deny its truth I should be almost inclined to exclaim "Nil intra est oleam, nil extra est in nuce duri." We must not, therefore, form our notions of the conduct of Joseph without any reference to his instrumentality in the accomplishment of these great plans. On the contrary, if the dispositions of men can, whenever it pleases the Supreme Lord of all, be moulded to his wit; if it be admitted that Joseph's conduct certainly contributed to the advancement of God's purposes concerning his chosen people; and if it was in a very peculiar and striking manner adapted to verify the assurance conveyed in his dream; any disputation about his reasons for not acquainting his parents with his preservation and honours, is, I believe, fitted to minister questions rather than godly editying." Every circumstance of his behaviour on record prove, ancontestably that he possessed the most ex quisite sensibility, the warmest benevolence, and the most exalted and incor 408 Particulars concerning R. Suiset. ruptible virtue. We find, too, that he enjoyed, uninterruptedly, in a very high degree, the favour of the Almighty. We certainly learn from the Sacred History that the favourites of Heaven have been led astray by the violence of passion and the strength of temptation: but the want of filial affection is not an exception to general excellence, but a principle indicative of a depraved disposition, which neither consists with the fact that he was especially beloved of God, nor with what we know of his character. Your correspondent may still find himself puzzled; if so, I trust that most of the readers of the New Monthly Magazine will accompany me in the opinion, that his perplexity is that of a man who would be wise beyond what is written. When we are once thoroughly convinced of the authenticity of the sacred volume, when we are fully satisfied of the truth of every part of the inspired writings, should any little apparent anomaly occur to our notice, we may very safely pass it by, under the persuasion, not that we have discovered something inconsistent, but that it appears so because our comprehension is feeble. The divine origin of a system being indisputable, that criticism is very shallow which searches for disagreements in its subordinate parts, which may be above, but most assuredly are not contrary to, Reason. Such minuteness has a close analogy to that of the ancient sculptor: "ungues Exprimet, ut molles imitabitur ære capillos Infelix operis summa." This artist took great pains about the nails and the hair of his figures, but of an expressive whole, it seems, he had no notion. Of that industry which resolutely presses forward to the attainment of some rational and accessible object too much cannot be said in praise. But it is too often counterfeited by a restless anxiety to acquire a knowledge of that which surpasses man's understanding. Considerable honours have been paid to the professors of craniology; but I do not know whether their productions ought not to yield the palm of glory to the learned cotemporary quarto which gravely setteth forth the hypothesis, that the mind is a "flexible spherule," that its shape is that of an inflated bladder! It is amusing to see such frivolities pompously blazoned forth to the world, claiming the merit of grand discoveries, and dignified with the name of philosophy. We may rest assured, however, that when we endeavour to search with [June 1, an impertinent and morbid curiosity into the hidden works of God, the more laboriously we investigate, the more deeply shall we involve ourselves in the darknes of error. Having with great industry framed some novelty, the very labour which it has cost us serves to create an affection for it; we insensibly acquire an attachment to our own offspring, however deformed and unsightly. Thus we may become, from the want of a little reflection, at the outset, upon the limits of our intelligence, the furious propagators of theories teeming with danger to the future welfare of our disciples and to the order and happiness of society. Pentonville, April 8, 1816. R. P.S. In No. 27 of the N. M. M. p. 204, col. 2, last line but one, for a diction," read" and is a diction." MR. EDITOR, YOUR correspondent Philomath (in your number for last Dec., p. 396) is not the only person who has made inquiry concerning SUISET. In Burrow's Diary for 1780, (published by the late Mr. Carnan,) is the following query: 66 Cardan, in his book De Subtilitate, gives a short eulogium on Archimedes, Euclid, Apollonius, Aristotle, and some few others of the most learned philosophers and mathematicians of antiquity; and among the rest be speaks of one Suisseth, or Swissett, an Englishman, as a person of the most extraordinary learning and abilities: the eldest Scali ger, also, in his book written against the above treatise of Cardan, Exercit. 314, p. 982, mentions him in the following terms: Calculatori Suiset qui pene modus excessit ingenii humani. Scaliger also speaks of him in another place with equal respect and Bishop Wilkins does the same in one of his sermons: he is also several times mentioned with the highest approbation by Mons. Leibnitz, who represents him as the first person that applied mathematics to philosophy, and expresses a desire that his works were published.-Quere, When did this extraordinary person live, and what were the subjects he wrote upon?" And in the Diary for 1781 we have the following answer: "What the real name of the learned person here spoken of might be, is not very easy to determine with certainty, since in his own book he is called both Richard and Raymond: Vossius and Cardan call him John, and Bishop Tanner calls him Roger: there is the same uncertainty with respect to his country, 1816.] Defence of the Punishment of Flogging. for Vossius and Cardan make him a Scotchman; but Brucker, who seems to have spared no pains for information, positively asserts him to have been an Englishman. The different surnames of Suiseth, Swissett, Swincetus, Suicetus, and Suineshevedus, by which different authors distinguish him, seem all to owe their rise to his having been a monk, in the Abbey of Swineshead, in Hoyland, Lincolnshire; especially as he lived at a time when few names were patronymical, but mostly derived from circumstances of locality. He was fellow of Merton College in 1319; and became a monk the following year at Swineshead, The appellation of Calculator, by which he is often mentioned, arose from his writing a book called "Introductorum ad calculationem," or perhaps from his "Calculationes Astronomicas," according to Brucker, in whose work a list of his treatises may be seen, with some account of their contents." Some years ago I had occasion to consult the work alluded to (Bruckeri Ilist. Critice Philosophia); but the only particular I remember concerning Suiset is, that his book, the Calculator, is said to be as rare as a white racen. May 9, 1816. MR. EDITOR, SENEX. THOUGH I conceive, with your correspondent, Dr. Roors, "the English nation to be in a continual state of advancement towards perfection, not only in its arts and sciences, but in every department that calls forth and requires the intellect of man ;" yet I am induced to offer for your consideration a few remarks relative to that part of our jurisprudence, against which Dr. Roois seems so severely to inveigh. I am particularly happy to find that your correspondent, as a medical man, possesses a great share of feeling for his fellow-creatures; and it follows, particularly for those who may be so unfortunate as to need his (I doubt not) able assistance, and to be placed under his care. But with respect to the public punishment which has excited his attention and abhorrence; permit me to express my humble opinion, that rather than it should be dispensed with as a punishment to be inflicted on those who infringe on the laws of their country, and on the rights of their fellow countrymen, I conceive it to be one productive of much general, and not only public but private good. The instance to NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 29. 409 which your correspondent was an eyewitness, certainly carries with it the appearance of undue severity. That "the severity or mildness of this punishment depends in a great measure on the will and pleasure of the person who inflicts it," I trust I may be permitted generally to deny; and in doing this I would state, and rightly state, that on most of the occasions, if not on every one, that this public chastisement is inflicted, a medical gentleman under the appointment of the district in which it takes place is in attendance to witness the flagellation, and to judge of its force and doration. If this pract ce be not acted upon in every instance, I can only add that I conceive it ought to be. Under this consideration, therefore, the punishment is a fit and necessary one, as the shame and disgrace attending a public exposure and whipping is in general productive of good alike to the sufferer and to the spectators. I have known frequent instances of its having been inflicted, and indeed was myself an eyewitness to one, but a very short time since, at which there was the attendance of a medical man, and salutary measures succeeded the flagellation; and I can state of my own knowledge, in more instances than one, if it were necessary, that the person suffering this public correction has wholly reformed his conduct, and has become a good and useful member of society. I cannot omit to refer Dr. Roots to the communication of VERITAS, in page 206 of your magazine for April, wherein, amongst his proposed amendments of the laws for the protection of property in game, we find public whipping mentioned as a fit and necessary punishment: I heartily concur with VERITAS in every point of his communication, and I think his proposed amendments would be productive of general benefit. I trust, therefore, Dr. Roots will be in some measure convinced, that it is not so reprehensible as he seems to think it. But if he were disposed to vent his displeasure against any particular mode of public exposure and punishment, I would heartily join him in banishing "altoge ther from the very code of our laws" one against which there seems to be an almost general abhorrence, the abolition of which has so often occupied the attention and endeavours of the Houses of Parliament, but which, though I believe it has not hitherto, yet I trust ere long will be accomplished. Inced hardly say VOL. V. 3 G 410 On the most effectual Remedy for Poaching. that I allude to the pillory, in which (quite the contrary to that of public whipping) "the severity or mildness depends on the will and pleasure" of the populace. A person may leave the pilJory in as sound and perfect a state as when he entered it, and on the contrary, he may leave it in a state verging on eternity. With every respect for the feelings, good intentions, and (I doubt not) abilities of your correspondent Dr. Roors; and a sincere wish for the success of your ably conducted and entertaining miscellany, I am April 11, 1816. MR. EDITOR, O. P. Q. POACHING has of late assumed, to so great an extent, the appearance of a combined and daring system, that it must appear to every one who has given the slightest attention to the subject, that it is very universally encouraged and supported. Permit an unbiassed and unprejudiced person to state the view which be has taken of the causes to which the prevalence of this lawless system may best be traced. When men expose themselves to the utmost rigour of the laws; when they forsake their ordinary occupations; when they do not scruple to proceed to any extremity, even to the commission of murder itself, in pursuit of an object of luxury, we must conclude that the object of their pursuit is in great demand; a demand sufficient to recompense them for their labour, and to requite them for the dangers they undergo in the pursuit of it. The greater, or at least a very great part of the rich, and most of the middling classes of society in this country, have no means of furnishing their tables with game, unless they be in possession of land themselves, or in the habit of receiving it from others as a favour. This restriction appears to them so far invidious and unjust, that persons, who, in all other respects would shrink from the slightest violation of justice, make no scruple of supplying their tables by means of the poacher. Hence they inconsiderately sanction in the lower classes, disregard for the laws, insubordination, general habits of pilfering, and, in many cases, they may charge themselves with being the indirect cause of the death of a fellow-creature. To this source, especially at a time when the lower classes are in many parts of the kingdom out of employ, may the great prevalence of poaching be attributed. [June 1, Add to this, that the present arbitrary and totally inefficient system of qualifi cations for the killing of game, suppresses, in innumerable cases, all interest for its preservation: and the petty landholder, restricted by this regulation from the use of what is fed on the produce of his own soil, will buy from the poacher that with which he may not supply himself, or wantonly and prematurely destroy every head of game rather than see them feed on his grain to his own preju dice, without being allowed to convert them either to his own use, or that of the public. To these sources I would trace the present scarcity of game, and the daily increasing system of poaching. Without pretending to enter more deeply into the subject, I shall propose a few alterations to your attention. 1. That the sale of game be permitted. 2. That qualifications be abolished, and that every person receiving from government an annual license, at the rate of 51. or more, as may seem expedient, be considered qualified to kill game.-Hence an efficient source of revenue. 3. Every person using this certificate, shall have the undisputed right of sporting on land his own, or in his own occupation; (unless reserved by the landlord ;) or by permission, on the land of another." 4. All persons sporting without leave on land belonging to another, shall, after one notice, on conviction before two magistrates, pay the sum of 51. for the first, 10%. for the second offence, and so in proportion; and if without certificate, 51. more for each offence. 5. All persons sporting with certificate at night, or unfair hours, shall be fined, on conviction before two magistrates, 51.; without certificate, 10l. 6. All persons selling game without certificate, shall forfeit, on conviction, sl. Game According to this outline, for I mean it as no more, I think the present evils might be obviated: as, by these means, infinitely more real security would be givep to the landholder, and much satisfaction to the public; as the markets would be fairly supplied, and the poacher's trade fall to the ground. would probably at first be much thinned, but I question whether the present sweeping system will leave, in a short time, game enough to stock the country. If any thing is to increase game, surely it must be effected by increasing the interest in its preservation; which, in my humble opinion, the proposed alterations are best calculated to promote. AN UNPREJUDICED OBSERVER. April 11, 1816. 1816.] Rev. Mr. Cormouls on Gravity. ON GRAVITY. By the Rev. T. CORMOULS. (Continued from No. xxvii. p. 225.) Evidence of Projected Bodies against received Gravity. atmo ON the best authority, as well as personal experiment, it may be laid down as fact, that perfectly round balls tight fitted to the bores of guns, and sent with a fair charge from any piece of ordnance always rise in the first portion of their flight, and for about two seconds of time. The whole of this effect is in direct contradiction to the projectiles of present science. They rise also necessarily and naturally, and by means of an sphere of lifting fluid principle, collected by them as they fly. This is evidenced by a certain effect of a large cannon ball in its flight; viz. a cannon-ball may fly equally near to a file of a thousand men, and give to every one it passes, a sensation of the wind and noise of its passage, yet without the least injury to any, till it arrive at a certain distance. There it may kill or injure by what is called its wind-stroke, one or two persons, who may, nevertheless, stand a foot or more distant, on one side of its passage. This point is just at its apex of flight. The injury clearly happens from a fluid principle collected from the air, which, from its quantity, and the overcharged state of the shot by it, becomes re-attractible by the deprived air; which, in this case, by a common mode of electric and chemical attraction, makes use of the nearest mediating attrahent or conductor. That conductor here being a human body, the rush of the dense fluid swiftly through its vessels and over its nerves is fatal or highly injurious. The ball now losing its sustaining fluid, and its organism being too weak again to act upon the air, it recovers its usual affection of gravity to the earth and begins to fall. Here the principle sought is brought into cognizance. But there is another projectile experiment with arrows of proper form and substance, which, at times, will exhibit this principle of lifting for a considerable height and space of time. The arrow should be formed of light dry wood without feathers, and the foreend cut thickest, that it may fly without turning back. It may be of an ounce, or more or less weight. It should be discharged from a weak bow, made of a rod not above the third of an inch in diameter, and the arrow should be directed parallelly, and drawn to produce a flight of about thirty yards or more. 411 Then, according to circumstances, the arrow exhibits three different kinds of flight. One is regular and common, which contains the true projectilism of light bodies; the other two are the opposite, circumstantial varieties of their flights. The regular one flies about twenty-two yards, rising in an angle of from 10 to 15 degrees above the parallel, then turns upward in a greater angle of from 25 to 40 degrees, from the height of which it comes, with a quick curvature to the ground. Here a lift is evident all the way of the flight of the first angle, and more so in the second. The first shews that there is some acquired cause of repulsion to the earth; but the second shews that cause to be specifically a volume of elastic fluid derived from the air. For when the body is at a point where the flight is relaxed and slow, and where, if there was not a sustaining principle, it should sink, it rises;—and why? simply because a volume of the same clastic fluid, which the cannon-ball discharges, is held more tenaciously by the shaft; and as its speed is now lessened, the vo lume expands upon the air and earth, which having been but little exhausted, do not readily receive it; and consequently, it remains and expauds, and the shaft is carried upward upon it till expended. This appears more evidently in one of the circumstantial varieties, in which the volume is so large, retained so strongly and received so difficultly by the air and earth, that the arrow is carried sometimes fourteen feet or more straight up from the second rise, vibrating like a balloon, which rise is sometimes for two or more seconds. The second circumstantial variety is mostly in squally weather, when the arrow is suddenly deprived of its collected volume at the point of the second rise, and snatched to the ground. On the principle apparent in these projectiles the direct and inverted phenomena of gravity will be found to depend universally. It is neither of the two electrics, but their neutral, which is analizable by due means. N. B. The feathered seeds of thistles, &c. collect this same fluid spontaneously from the air, and perform their elevations and repeated flights by its agency. Birds' Flight and Flatus. The cases of projectiles and birds' powers afford such plain proof of the suspension of gravity in projected and flying bodies by an atmosphere of flaid principle, which they attract from the |