time of its defcent. When the velocity is only doubled, therefore, four times the force is not neceffary, either to be consumed or expended, to bring up the fallen body to its firft place. On the contrary, a double force is fufficient; nay, we could give Mr. Smeaton pofitive proof, that, under certain circumstances, even a fingle force would do it: the refiftance of elastic bodies, and the impulfe of gravity, being a resource for the generation of mechanic power indefinitely.-Why then, it may be faid, is not the perpetual motion practicable? If a body can be raised to a given height by a lefs power than it acquires from gravity in its defcent, the problem is 1olved.-True; but among the vulgar errors adopted by the Royal Society this is one; viz. that the perpetual motion is impoffible. They pretend even to poffefs mathematical demonftrations of it, though they can produce only the ftatical one of Huygens, which is applicable only to bodies revolving round a common centre; this being all they have to object to it. Indeed, notwithstanding the prevalence of this vulgar error, the adapting of which is an opprobrium to a philofophical fociety, there is nothing more certain than the practicability of fuch motion, or than that it has been actually difcovered. The celebrated wheel of Orffyreus, exhibited at Heffe Caffel, about the year 1720, was most affuredly a real perpetual motion *. We can take upon us, alío, to affure our readers, on the beft authority, that a fimilar, if not the fame, difcovery hath been made by our colleague Dr. K. whofe indefatigable perfeverance in fo arduous a purfuit, for near twenty years together, has by no means been attended with that countenance and encouragement fo interefting a difcovery deferves. It is to be wifhed, for the fake of the public, as well as the inventor, that a parliamentary premiuin were offered for the promulgation of fuch an invention, proportionate to its utility. Such premiums have been frequently proffered, not to fay prostituted, on much lefs important occafions. With refpect to the author of the recovery of this invention (for fo it may be ftiled), it may be declared, that although he cannot complain, with Orffyreus, that he has spent a confiderable patrimony in effecting, he may truly aver, that he has spent the greater part of the earnings of a life of unremitted induftry. Indeed, the money he has expended, and the time he has beftowed, are too confiderable for him to facrifice the fruits of them to unprofitable applaufe, in a country fo much interested in, and fo well able to reward the author of fuch an invention; efpecially as he has declared See 's Gravefande's pofthumous works, published by Professor Allaman of Leyden; alfo the Appendix to the 54th volume of the Monthly Review. himself 3 himself ready to give the moft pofitive proofs of the reality of his difcovery to fuch perfons of fcience and honour, as may have influence enough to procure a compenfation adequate to fuch an invention. W. Rona, a Poem, in feven books, illuftrated with a correct map of the Hebrides, and elegant engravings. By John Ogilvie, D.D. concluded from page 72. We fit down with great pleasure to fulfill the promise made to our readers, of prefenting a fketch of the general heads of this very pleafing and poetical performance. The structure of the ftory is, briefly, this. An old gentleman named Bafilius, unfortunate in his life, but happy in the resource of an only daughter, who is figured under the fignature of Cleora, determines to retire with her to the ifle called Rona, one of the most remote of the Hebrides. Soon after their arrival here, the father recites the hiftory of himfelf and his wife, Cleora's mother; and of a young fhepherd named Philemon, who captivates the heart of Cleora, and is permitted, by Bafilius, to be the companion of their retirement. The nar rative of Bafilius is full of adventure, and well calculated to answer the end with which it was confeffedly recited: namely, to imprefs upon the minds of his young affociates, a fenfe of their felicity in being fecluded from the world; and to prepare them for the refiftance of fimilar trials, fhould fuch happen to themfelves, He clofes his account with a promife to permit speedily the nuptials of his young hearers: appoints a day to folemnize the marriage; and propofes, that the intermediate time should be past in those innocent amufements, which were cuftomary in the island of Rona. But now a cause of distress arifes: the lord of the island (Alcanor) makes his appearance; and, like moft other lords, endeavours to feduce the innocence of poor Cleora. He is, however, repulfed-And here begins the præternatural machinery of the work, by the introduction of a malignant being, called NISROE, whofe affiftance is fummoned against the virtue of Cleora. The power of this malicious agent of Alcanor is related in a chain of incidents, perfectly correfponding with the idea of his character. But take a view of the Demon, as the Poet hath drawn him in all his fpells and terrors. After Alcanor's conjuration, follows this animated and alarming description. "Far on a rock projecting o'er the main Fix'd Fix'd on the worlds above his ardent gaze, Lean, haggard, bent he feem'd, of fallow hue; Few are my friends, nor yet with arms prepar'd, They ceas'd-when gliding like a lambent flame, Some from the froth with poifonous vapours fraught, Or Or on the billows' fwelling bound furvey'd Then NISROE thus." A friend demands thine aid; "Close with th' ethereal race in league combin'd, "Go then fecure, and feize the trembling fair On the other hand, are fummoned, in fupport of that innocence which is by Nifroe fo forely affailed, a new sett of Beings, who under the direction of good angels counteract the evil defigns of the eyil-fpirited Nifroe-The potency of thefe benignant agents is likewife delineated in all the fuitable pomp of language, and with all the decorations of the poet's imagination the grand endeavour of Nifroe, being to promote the bafe defigns of Alcanor, and the conftant effort of the amiable Genii, to refcue his fair from fuch machinations. It would not be doing either poetical, or moral juftice, to refuse our readers the account of these amiable opponents, who, officially, efpoufe the caufe of Cleora, against the wicked wiles of Alcanor, and his minifter Nifroe. The whole introduction of thefe good fpirits is masterly. The Reader fhall judge. Say, Thou whofe dreams this raptur'd thought infpire, Say (for thou know'ft each ardent warrior's name When When firft ('twas hell produc'd the vengeful train) The wreck, the whirlwinds o'er the watry way Still pleas'd to fave, on wandering crews bestow'd O'er all the deeps from clime to clime they pafs'd; Where the wide ANDES fhade th' extended fhore *; Blefs'd hours!-and pleasure crown'd each festive day. "Ye powers of angel race, whofe mighty fway *Of the celebrated tranquillity of this ocean the reader will find a patticular account in Anfon's Voyage round the World, where the neighbourhood of that immenfe track of mountains called the ANDES, is with probability affigned as the cause of it. 66 " Torn |