"He does not ground his claims to public favour on any pretended improvement or novelty of arrangement, but on the circumstance of his professional duties as a Civil Engineer having compelled him, through the greater part of his life, to be constantly making practical application of philosophical principles on a large scale. He trusts, therefore, that if no new light is thrown upon the subjects themselves, still that many more practical examples and hints will be found interspersed in this, than in many other similar or even more extended works on the same subjects. His principal aim has been to produce a book which might be useful both to the gentleman and practical mechanic, by giving a general insight into the laws and operations of nature, without entering into the minutiæ, or the demonstrations by which they are analytically proved, and by offering simple, though in some cases merely approximate rules, by which the powers of machinery, and the operations of some of the agents of nature may be determined." Such being the author's pretensions, he has adopted a judicious plan, and sets out most naturally with the consideration of solid matter, as at rest, and in a primitive and simple state. He then proceeds to examine it "under the influence of attraction and motion, and afterwards in the state of fluidity and vapour. These heads comprehend all that is known of ponderable matter, and with them the present part of the work terminates." The Epitome is divided into Sections: the first treats of the Properties of Matter, i. e. the primitive and uncompounded Materials of which the masses or substances which we commonly meet with in nature are composed in short the Elements of Matter. "The Ancients supposed there were but four Elements or simple substances, viz. Fire, Water, Earth, and Air; "Matter is the general name which has been given to every species of substance or thing which is capable of occupying space, or which has the qualities of length, breadth, and thickness; consequently, every thing which can be seen or felt is said to be Matter." and that out of these, or certain combinations of them, all the substances in nature were formed; they have been handed down as the whole of the elements, but modern chemistry has discovered that these are not all simple, and in lieu of them, has introduced a catalogue of upwards of 40 ingredients, which, from their having resisted every attempt that has been made to decompose, or divide them, seem entitled to be called Elements." For the names and particulars of these we are referred to "any modern chemical work;" but in our judgment it would be more convenient to supply such information by Notes, which would not occupy much room, and would satisfy readers without the trouble and uncertainty of going to other books. But we advance with our synopsis. "Notwithstanding the various substances which nature offers to our observation may differ essentially in touch, weight, and appearance; yet the elements of which they are composed all possess the common mechanical properties of matter, which properties are five in number, namely, 1. The particles of matter are solid, and occupy space. 2. They are infinitely divisible. 3. They are impenetrably hard. 4. They possess mobility, but are inert; and 5. They universally attract and are attracted. The first may be demonstrated even by "thin air, for if a glass tube, open at both ends, have its upper end closed by the finger, while its lower one is immersed in a jar of water, it will be seen that the air is material and occupies its own space in the tube, for it will not permit the water to enter it, until the finger is removed, when the air will escape, and the water rise to the same level in the inside, as on the outside of the tube." The second is thus proved: "If a single grain of copper is dissolved in about fifty drops of nitric acid, and the solution is afterwards diluted with about an ounce of water, it is evident that a single drop of it must contain an almost immeasurably small portion of copper, and yet so soon as this comes in contact with a piece of polished steel or iron, that metal will become covered with a perfect coat of copper, consequently, as much iron may be covered with copper as the solution will wet, which shows how infinitely the copper can be divided without any alteration in its texture." Of the third property, it is said, "although matter, in many instances, seems to disappear, as in the cases of burning and evaporation, yet the Chemist's art distinctly proves, that it is incapable of annihilation, and that the original particles, in all cases, still exist, though by change of arrangement they are made to assume a different appearance. Even substances which appear soft, such as air and water, appear hard when submitted to proper examination, for although the constituent particles cannot be experimented upon, yet the effect of their aggregation may be shown in several ways. Thus, a quantity of water falling in an open tube appears to exert no particular force, on account of the resistance it meets with from the air; but if that air is previously removed by exhaustion there will be no resistance, and the water will sound like the falling of shot or stones instead of water." -- The fourth property is shown by the simple operation of "giving a sudden push to a bowl of water, when the water will flow over on the side on which the impulse is given; but if once the bowl is put into motion, and then suddenly stopped, it will flow over on the opposite side. From this Property of Matter, if a stone, or any inanimate mass, is undisturbed, it will remain for ever motionless; and when once put into motion, would continue in it, and move for ever, were it not for some resistance. A bowl stops on the bowling-green through the resistance and friction of the grass and the air, and there is no doubt, but if it moved on a polished surface it would proceed much further but even in that case, the air, on account of its solidity, would afford some resistance, and in time stop it; while if it moved in a space devoid of air, as in the vacuum of an air pump, and met with no resistance from the plane on which it was moving, it would continue to move for ever, because the only obstacles to its motion are supposed to be removed. Such is the case with the Moon and Planets, for these move in infinite space, unchecked by friction or resistance, and therefore always keep up that native force which was communicated to them by their Great Maker at the creation." The fifth property is of several kinds: Cohesion, Gravitation, Magnetism, Electricity, and Elective Attraction or Affinity. These, in their general effects, with the exception of the last,appear nearly similar,altho’they depend upon different circumstances." These divisions are readily explained and confirmed by easy experiments, but we have not space to detail them. "Notwithstanding the above five properties are those which are generally ascribed to Matter, yet it possesses another of great importance, viz. its power of arrangement, commonly called Polarity. The attraction of cohesion sufficiently accounts for the formation of masses or substances, by drawing the origina! particles of matter together, and then holding them; but it is found that they are not only drawn and held together, but that the same matter always takes the same arrangement or formation. Thus a piece of iron, tin, or any other metal or substance, will, when broken, always exhibit the same arrangement and disposition of parts, or Grain, as it is generally called and so strictly are the laws of combination found to prevail in the union of elements and the formation of substances, that a most valuable, new, and important character is given to modern chemical researches, approaching almost to mathematical precision; it being not only ascertained, that the same materials will in most cases assume the same form, but that the ingredients which enter into the formation of substances, do so in certain definite proportions which cannot be changed without also changing the character of the substance they form." Though we have only gone over twelve pages of Mr. Millington's Epitome, we trust we have done enough to show the ability, clearness, and practical usefulness, which distinguish his labours. THE (Lit. Gaz.) PEAK SCENERY, OR EXCURSIONS IN DERBYSHIRE. BY. E. RHODES. HE engravings which adorn this work are by G. and W. B. Cooke and E. Blore, from drawings by the latter. Hoffland, R.Thompson, and Chantrey, to whom the volume is with great propriety inscribed. Of this esteemed and distinguished sculptor, born at Norton, one of the spots visited by the writer, it also contains a concise and spirited biography; but as various sketches of the same kind have filled almost every periodical paper since he ran up the eminent ground of fame, we shall not risk the dangers of repetition by entering closely upon this memoir, though one or two quotations from it convey information of interest to the arts. M. C., it is stated, travelled to Paris in 1814-15; and Mr. Rhodes says "During the whole of this visit to France he indulged in his favourite amusement of drawing, and his sketchbook presents a faithful history of his journey. The carriage in which he travelled the postillion that drove it --the first bed in which he slept after leaving his native country-the towns through which he successively passed Paris-its public buildings-the garden of the Tuileries-the interior of the Louvre--the picturesque streets and cathedral of Amiens, were amongst the objects that employed his pencil. His drawings are dated; his progress may therefore be traced, and the route of his travels accurately pointed out. I once had the pleasure of looking over his sketches immediately after his first tour into Scotland, and in addition to the history of his journey which they presented, imagination soon converted them into a kind of barometer, by which to ascertain his mode of living: some of them were fixed with tea, a sober beverage--some with milk--some with malt liquor-some with whiskey -and others with port wine, as these various liquids happened to be before him. In another part of the volume, the following mention is made of a monument in Ashbourne Church, from which the idea of the two Children in Litchfield Cathedral was caught : "There is a beautiful little monument in this church, from the chisel of Banks-which for execution, design, and feeling, would do credit to the talents of any artist. It is to the memory of the only child of Sir Brooke Boothby, a daughter, who died at the age of five years and eleven months. On a marble pedestal, a mattress sculptured from the same material is laid; on this the child reposes, but apparently not in quiet; her head reclines on a pillow, but the disposition of the whole figure indicates restlessness, The little sufferer, indeed, appears as if she had just changed her position by one of those frequent turnings to which illness often in vain resorts for relief from pain. The inscription on the tablet below enforces this feeling :"I was not in safety, neither had I rest, and the trouble came." "The pedestal below is inscribedTo PENELOPE, Only child of Sir Brooke Boothby, and Born, April 11th, 1785-Died, March 18th, 1791. She was in form and intellect most exquisite. The unfortunate parents ventured their all on this frail bark, and the wreck was total. sympa "It is impossible to hang over the beautiful image which the artist has here sculptured forth, and peruse the simple but affecting inscriptions that are scattered around it, without thising with the afflicted parents who had ventured their all of happiness on this frail bark,' and found the wreck was total.' This monumental design, which is exquisitely finished, and full of tender feeling, suggested to Chantrey the execution of that master-piece of art the group of the Two Children, which is now the grace and ornament of Litchfield Cathedral, and the boast of modern sculptors. "The river Dove is one of the most beautiful streams that ever gave a charm to landscape; and while passing along the first and least picturesque division of the dale, the ear was soothed with its murmuring, and the eye delighted with the brilliancy of its waters in some places it flows smoothly and solemnly along, but never slowly; in others, its motion is rapid, impetuous, and even turbulent. The ash, the hazle, the slender ozier, and the graceful birch, hung with honeysuckles and wild roses, dip their pensile branches in the stream, and break its surface into beauteous ripples. Huge fragments of stone, toppled from the rocks above, and partly covered with moss and plants that haunt and love the water, divide the stream into many currents; round these it bubbles in limpid rills, that circle into innumerable eddies, which, by their activity, give life and motion to a numerous variety of aquatic plants and flowers that grow in the bed of the river: these wave their slender stems under the surface of the water, which, flowing over them, like the transparent varnish of a picture, brings forth the most vivid colouring. Occasionally large stones are thrown across the stream, which interrupt its progress: over and amongst these it rushes rapidly into the pool below, forming in its frequent falls a series of fairy cascades, about which it foams and sparkles with a beauty and brilliancy peculiar to this lively and romantic river." "An ancient custom still prevails in the village of Tissington, to which, indeed, it appears to be confined-for I have not met with any thing of a similar description in any other part of Derbyshire. It is denominated WELLFLOWERING, and Holy Thursday is devoted to the rites and ceremonies of this elegant custom. The day is regarded as a festival; and all the wells in the place, five in number, are decorated with wreaths and garlands of newly-gathered flowers, disposed in various devices. Sometimes boards are used, which are cut into the figure intended to be represented, and covered with moist clay, into which the stems of the flowers are inserted, to preserve their freshness; and they are so arranged as to form a beautiful mosaic work, often tasteful in design and vivid in colouring: the boards, thus adorned, are so placed in the spring that the water. appears to issue from amongst beds of flowers. On this occasion the villagers put on their best attire, and open their houses to their friends. There is service at the church, where a sermon is preached; afterwards a procession takes place, and the wells are visited in succession: the psalms for the day, the epistle and gospel, are read, one at each well, and the whole concludes with a hymn, which is sung by the church singers, and accompanied by a band of music. This done, they separate, and the remainder of the day is spent in rural sports and holiday pastimes." Equally old customs prevail near Wirksworth, and as they display some of the peculiarities of the ancient mining laws of England, we shall present a few relative passages to our readers: "Wirksworth is the seat of the administration of the Mineral Laws for the Low Peak of Derbyshire, and the Moote Hall is the judicial session house where all complaints are heard, and all suits decided, that belong to this peculiar court. "The Moote Hall is a neat stone building, with the town's arms carved over the door, and on each side are some emblematic devices in bas-relievo. Within, secured by a chain, is the ancient brazen dish which regulates the admeasurement of lead ore throughout the whole district. The following inscription is engraved upon it : "This dishe was made the iiij of October, the iij vere of the reigne of Kyng Henry the VIII. before most Honourable household, and also Steward of all George Erle of Shrewesbury, Steward of the Kyng well of all the Mynours as of all the Brenners within the honour of Tutbury, by the assent and consent as and adjoining the Lordship of Wyrksworth Pervell Monte Hall at Wyrksworth, hanging by a cheyne, so "The lead mines of Derbyshire are of very remote antiquity. The Odin mine at Castleton bears the name of one of the Saxon deities; it may, therefore, be inferred that it was known to, and worked by the Saxons, previous ly to the introduction of christianity. In the wapentake of Wirksworth there were lead mines so early as the year 835; at which time a grant was made by the abbess of Repton, of her estate at Wircesworth, on condition that an annual stipend of lead, of the value of three hundred shillings, should be paid for certain religious uses as she then directed. The laws that now govern the mining interests of this country contain some curious provisions; how they originated it is now difficult to determine, but, from indisputable records, it appears that Edward the First directed the Sheriff of the County to call a meeting at Ashbourne, of such persons as were best acquainted with the rights and custom of the Mines.' On this occasion their privileges were ascertained and confirmed; the two courts of Money-Ash and Wirksworth established; and a code of permanent regulations adopted. These regulations constitute the mineral law of Derbyshire at the present time. The principal officers of these courts are denominated barmasters, and it is their peculiar duty to preside on all cases of trial in which the mining interests of their respective jurisdictions are concerned; and generally to see that justice is fully and fairly administered. It is likewise the duty of the barmaster to put miners in possession of any veins of lead ore which they may discover. The mode of doing this is extremely simple, yet curious. When a man has found, or imagines he has found a vein of ore in any part of the King's field,' which, with very few exceptions, includes the whole of the mineral districts of Derbyshire, he may claim it as his own merely by fixing down a few sticks, put together in a peculiar way, and notifying the same to the barmaster, who immediately gives him complete and exclusive possession of his newly-acquired property in a way as summary as it is decisive. The barmaster, accompanied by two jurymen belonging to the mineral court, enters the place, field, or meadow, where the miner intends to commence his operations, marks out a plot of ground of about fourteen yards square, takes it from the former proprietor, whether it be freehold or not, and gives it to a new possessor. But this is not all; the miner has now only obtained a piece of land in which to sink his shaft. The little insulated spot, which has just been made his own, is surrounded with fields, some covered with grass and some with corn: through these the barmaster and the two jurymen soon mark out a path to the public highway; they arrange themselves on a line with each other, and with their arms wide extended and their fingers' ends just touching, they march abreast from the mine in the most convenient direction to the nearest public carriage road, placing stakes on each side as they proceed, within which they confirm to the miner a carriage way in perpetuity, whereon he may cart his minerals, uninterrupted by any authority whatever. Neither standing corn nor any other description of property, with the exception of dwelling-house, a high road, a garden, or an orchard,' is, or can be, exempt from this fundamental law of the miners. A number of other provisions, equally singular, are included amongst their regulations. If any miner be killed or slain, or damped upon the mine, within any groove,' no king's coroner has power to interfere; the barmaster becomes invested with his authority, and holds an inquest accordingly. In article the thirteenth it is provided, that no person shall sue any miner for debt that doth belong unto the mines in any court, and if any person do the contrary, he shall lose his debt and pay the charges in law. In a subsequent clause it is enacted that no officer, for trespass or debt, shall execute or serve any writ, warrant, or precept, upon any miner, being at work in the mine, nor when the miner comes and go to the Barmote Court, but the barmaster or his deputy only.' These extracts are sufficient to show how extensive and various the authority of the barmaster is ; they likewise exemplify the peculiar nature of those provisions which govern and regulate the practice of the miners of Derbyshire. In a mine near Wirksworth, the author records a remarkable instance of human preservation : |