the ill fortune to be treated very frequently with much incredulity. It will be interesting for the reader of the following remarks, to recur to Rev. Mr. Clarke's notice, since what in the one case is a matter of conjecture as to the origin of the cylinders, will be found in the other, to be a subject of direct observation. C. U. SHEPARD.

"A curious phenomenon in this parish has astonished and perplexed all, and filled the superstitious with no small degree of consternation. Since the 6th inst., we have had hail or snow-showers, on the 9th snow. drift, and yesterday a slight thaw with frost again in the evening.

"During the night a heavy fall of snow took place, which covered the plain to the depth of several inches. Upon this pure carpet there rest thousands of large masses of snow which contrast strangely with its smooth surface. A solitary mass may be seen in a field, but in general they occur in patches from one acre to a hundred in extent, while the clusters may be half a mile asunder, and not one mass to be seen in the interval. These fields appear at a distance as if cart-loads of manure had been scattered over them and covered with snow, but on examination the masses are all found to be cylindrical, like hollow fluted rollers or ladies' swan-down muffs, of which the smaller ones remind me, from their lightness and purity, but most of them are of much greater dimensions and weight than any lady would wish to carry, the largest that I measured being three and a half feet long and seven feet in circumference. The weight however is not so great as might be expected from the bulk; so loose is the texture, that one near this house which was brought in and weighed, was found to be only sixtyfour lbs., though it measured three feet long and six and a half feet in circumference. The centre is not quite hollow, but in all there is a deep conical cavity at each end, and in many there is a small opening through which one can see, and by placing the head in this cavity in the bright sun, the concentric structure of the cylinder is quite apparent. So far as I am yet informed, they do not occur in any of the adjoining parishes, and they are limited to a space of about five miles long and one broad. They may occupy about 400 acres of this, and I counted 133 cylinders in one acre, but an average of a hundred would, at a rough computation, yield a total of about 40,000.

"Now the question naturally arises, what is the origin of these bodies? I believe the first idea was that they had fallen from the clouds, and portended some direful calamity, and I hear an opinion that one had fallen on a corn-stack and been broken to pieces. It is a pity to bring down such lofty imaginations, and to deprive these cylinders of their high descent, but I prefer truth, when it can be discovered, to the loftiest theory. I must at once, then, set aside the idea that they fell from the atmosphere in their cylindrical form, as the first one I examined satisfied me that its symmetry and loose texture must have been immediately destroyed in coming in rude contact with this earth.

"Farther observation has convinced me that they have been formed by the wind rolling up the snow, as boys form large snow-balls. This is proved by examination of the bodies themselves; their round form, concentric structure, and fluted surface all show this mode of formation. Again, it is proved by their position: none are found on the weather side of hills or steep eminences, where the wind could not drive them

up, nor close to leeward of any wall or perpendicular bank from which they seem to have originated-the nearest well-formed small ones being sixty yards to leeward, and the large ones one hundred yards. All nearer than this are fragments that have not gone on to completion, but broken down in their passage, and the different portions of the wreck form the nuclei of others. Many however are found blown to the windward side of walls or over the lee side of banks. Indeed, they are found almost exclusively on the leeward side of hills and eminences, where both the wind and declivity assisted in rolling them along, or on plains so exposed that the wind alone operated without the declivity.

"I shall only add, that this mode of formation is proved by the direction in which these cylinders lie. The wind has been from the north for four days, and I believe that it was so all night, when I am told it blew strong. Now they are all lying with their ends east and west, and their side to the wind; and farther, in some cases, their tracks are still visible in the snow for twenty or thirty yards on the north side, from which they have gathered up their concentric coats; and I understand these were still more evident at an early hour before a snow-shower obliterated them in many places."

5. Arts and Sciences at Harvard.—In our last number mention was made of the munificent donation of Mr. Abbott Lawrence of Boston, towards establishing a school of Practical Science at Harvard. On account of the great importance of the plan proposed, and the able manner in which the subject is presented, we republish from the Boston Courier, the letter of Mr. Lawrence accompanying his donation, addressed to the Hon. Samuel A. Eliot, Treasurer of Harvard College.

"Dear Sir,-I have more than once conversed with you upon the subject of establishing a school for the purpose of teaching the practical sciences, in this city or neighborhood; and was gratified when I learned from you that the government of Harvard University had determined to establish such a school in Cambridge, and that a Professor had been appointed who is eminent in the science of Chemistry, and who is to be supported on the foundation created by the munificence of the late Count Rumford.

"For several years I have seen and felt the pressing want in our community, (and in fact in the whole country,) of an increased number of men educated in the practical sciences. Elementary education appears to be well provided for in Massachusetts. There is, however, a deficiency in the means for higher education in certain branches of knowledge. For an early classical education we have our schools and colleges. From thence the special schools of Theology, Law, Medicine and Surgery, receive the young men destined to those professions; and those who look to commerce as their employment, pass to the counting house or the ocean. But where can we send those who intend to devote themselves to the practical applications of science? How educate our engineers, our miners, machinists and mechanics? Our country abounds in men of action. Hard hands are ready to work upon hard materials; and where shall sagacious heads be taught to direct those hands?

"Inventive men laboriously reinvent what has been produced before. Ignorant men fight against the laws of nature with a vain energy, and

purchase their experience at great cost. Why should not all these start where their predecessors ended, and not where they began? Education can enable them to do so. The application of science to the useful arts has changed, in the last half century, the condition and relations of the world. It seems to me that we have been somewhat neglectful in the cultivation and encouragement of the scientific portion of our national economy.

"Our country is rapidly increasing in population and wealth, and is probably destined in another quarter of a century to contain nearly as many inhabitants as now exist in France and England together.

"We have already in the United States a large body of young men who have received a classical education, many of whom find it difficult to obtain a livelihood in what are termed the learned professions. I believe the time has arrived when we should make an effort to diversify the occupations of our people, and develop more fully their strong mental and physical resources, throughout the Union. We have, perhaps, stronger motives in New England than in any other part of our country, to encourage scientific pursuits, from the fact that we must hereafter look for our main support to the pursuit of commerce, manufactures, and the mechanic arts; to which it becomes our duty, in my humble judgment, to make all the appliances of science within our power. We inherit, and are forced to cultivate a sterile soil; and what nature has denied, should be as far as possible supplied by art. We must make better farmers, through the application of chemical and agricultural science.

"We need, then, a school, not for boys, but for young men whose early education is completed, either in college or elsewhere, and who intend to enter upon an active life as engineers or chemists, or in general, as men of science, applying their attainments to practical purposes; where they may learn what has been done at other times and in other countries; and may acquire habits of investigation and reflection, with an aptitude for observing and describing.

"I have thought that the three great practical branches to which a scientific education is to be applied amongst us, are, 1st, Engineering; 2d, Mining, in its extended sense, including meteorology; 3d, the invention and manufacture of machinery. These must be deemed kindred branches, starting from the same point, depending in many respects on the same principles, and gradually diverging to their more special applications. Mathematics, especially in their application to the construction and combination of machinery, and chemistry, the foundation of knowledge and an all-important study for the mining engineer, and the key to the processes by which the rude ore becomes the tenacious and ductile metal. Geology, mineralogy, and the other sciences, investigating the properties and uses of materials employed in the arts, carpentry, masonry, architecture and drawing, are all studies which should be pursued to a greater or less extent in one or all of these principal divisions.

"To establish such a school as I have endeavored to describe in connection with the University, and under the care and general guidance of its government, requires buildings with suitable lecture-rooms and philosophical apparatus, with models and plans, and a place for their deposit and safe keeping, together with a Cabinet, where every de

scription of wood, ores, metals, &c. &c., may be deposited for the use of the students. Without the above appliances the professors would be workmen without tools. The University has already appointed Mr. Horsford, Rumford Professor, who proposes to give instruction upon an enlarged plan in the science of chemistry. I have often heard Professor Horsford spoken of in terms of high commendation, and as in all respects competent to take charge of this important department of science, and to bring out the most favorable results. The testimony rendered at home to Mr. Horsford's capacity has been very agreeable to me, and had satisfied me that the selection made by the government of the college was fortunate; but I have lately learned in addition to the high character given him by his friends here, that the great practical chemist of the age, (Liebig,) has given his most unqualified testimony to the ability and fidelity of Professor Horsford, who was the pupil of Baron Liebig for two years.

"I deem it of the highest importance, and in fact essential, that none but first rate men should occupy the Professors' Chairs in this School. Its success depends upon the characters of the instructors. They should be men of comprehensive views, and acknowledged talents, possessing industry and integrity, with an enthusiastic devotion to the great interests of science. They should love their profession, and work in it day by day. Such teachers will soon gather around them a large number of pupils.

"To carry out this course of education in its practical branches, there should be the most thorough instruction in engineering, geology, chemistry, mineralogy, natural philosophy, and natural history. Chemistry is provided for, and in the last two branches, instruction might perhaps be given by the present College Professors. In addition to these, it would be necessary to obtain the services at stated periods of eminent men from the practical walks of life. The law school is taught by distinguished lawyers of the highest reputation. The medical school by distinguished physicians. In like manner, this school of science should number among its teachers men who have practiced, and are practicing the arts they are called to teach. Let theory be proved by practical results.

"To defray the expenditures, means must be procured for the erection of suitable buildings, (not including dwelling houses) the purchase of apparatus, furniture, &c. &c., and provision must be made for the comfortable support of the professors and other teachers employed. For this purpose, let the students be invited freely from all quarters, at a moderate charge for tuition. Let the numbers be only limited by the size of the lecture-rooms, and I cannot entertain a doubt that a large revenue would be derived from tuition fees. I would suggest three permanent professors, viz: one of chemistry (already appointed), one of engineering in its various branches, and one of geology. The support of the first is for the present provided for. For the other two a moderate fund must be obtained, as a nucleus of a farther sum which should be added to it, to make the capital equal to that of the Rumford Professorship. The professors in this school should depend, to a considerable extent, upon fees: it is the best guaranty to exertion and fidelity, and the permanent prosperity of the institution. I will, therefore, further suggest, that each of the above professors shall receive, after

all ordinary expenses shall have been paid, one half of the tuition fees till they amount to a sum annually not exceeding three thousand dollars, including their stated salaries; and that the government of the college pay such sums to other teachers, whether temporary or permanent, as they may deem expedient, and that the other half of the said tuition fees be reserved and added to any fund that may be hereafter contributed to establish and found the two professorships before mentioned.

"I have now, my dear sir, given you a brief and very imperfect sketch of such a school of science as I believe the condition of our extensive and growing country requires, and you will ask how the means are to be obtained to carry out the plan, when we shall soon have an appeal made to our liberality, as well as to the sense of our best interests, to contribute a large sum of money for the purpose of finishing the astronomical department so auspiciously commenced in Cambridge. This department of science has already engaged the public sympathy, and will, I doubt not, be taken up at an early day, and placed in an independent and useful position. I cherish a wish to see the observatory, the telescope, and every instrument required to prosecute the heavenly science, ready for use, and do not intend to interfere with the claims the world has upon our community to accomplish this great and important object. Nor do I mean to occupy the ground of another branch of science that will, I suppose, at a future time, present strong claims upon the public bounty. I allude to natural history now in charge of that accomplished naturalist, Dr. Gray. I wish to see all these branches of science prosecuted with vigor, and moving forward in perfect harmony at Cambridge.

"I therefore propose to offer, through you, for the acceptance of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, the sum of fifty thousand dollars, to be appropriated as I have indicated in the foregoing remarks. The buildings, I have supposed, without having made estimates, could be erected, including an extensive laboratory, for about thirty thousand dollars. If so, there will remain the sum of twenty thousand dollars; and I suggest, that whatever sum may remain, after the erection and furnishing of the buildings, should form the basis of a fund, which, together with one-half of the tuition fees, till the amount shall yield the sum of three thousand dollars annually, shall be equally divided be tween the professor of engineering and the professor of geology, and be made a permanent foundation for these professorships. The object is, to place the three professors in this school in the same pecuniary situations. I beg to suggest further, that the whole income of this school be devoted to the acquisition, illustration, and dissemination of the practical sciences forever.

"The details, however, and conditions of this donation, may be here. after arranged between the Corporation and myself. I now leave the whole subject in the hands of the gentlemen composing the Corporation, in the hope and faith that the plan may be adopted, and executed with as much expedition as may be consistent with economy; and that it may prove to be honorable to the University, and useful to the country. "I pray you, dear sir, to believe I remain, most faithfully, your friend, ABBOTT LAWRENCE."

Boston, June 7, 1847.

SECOND SERIES, Vol. IV, No. 11.-Sept., 1847.

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