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APPLICATION OF IRON TO RAILWAY STRUCTURES., -It was to investigate the subject of the application of iron to railway structures that a Com mission was appointed, consisting of Lord Wrottesly, Professors Willis and Hodgkinson, Captain James, and Messrs. George Rennie and William Cubitt, with Lieut. Galton as secretary. At starting, the Commission endeavored to make them selves acquainted with all the experiments which had been already made on iron by engineers; and on this point they state (London Athenæum) :"From the information supplied to us, it appears that the proportions and forms at present employed for iron structures have been generally derived from numerous and careful experiments, made by subjecting bars of wrought or cast iron of different forms to the action of weights, and thence determining, by theory and calculation, such principles and rules as would enable these results to be extended and applied to such larger structures and loads as are required in practice. But the experiments were made by dead pressure, and only apply therefore to the action of weights at rest. As it soon appeared, in the course of our inquiry, that the effects of heavy bodies moving with great velocity upon structures had never been made the subject of direct scientific investigation, and as it also appeared that in the opinion of practical and scientific engineers such an inquiry was highly desirable, our attention was early directed to the devising of experiments for the purpose of elucidating this

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mouth Dockyard, and a very extensive series of experiments made by Captain James and Lieut. Galton. The results which they obtained were equally new and important, developing for the first time the fact, that a given weight, passing rap idly along a bar, produces a 'greater deflection in that bar, during its passage, than it would have done had it been suspended at rest from the centre of the bar." Thus, for example, when the carriage loaded to 1,120 lbs. was placed at rest upon a pair of cast iron bars nine feet long, four inches broad, and one and a half inches deep, it produced a deflection of six tenths of an inch; but when the carriage was caused to pass over the bars at the rate of ten miles an hour, the deflection was increased to eight tenths, and went on increasing as the velocity was increased, so that at thirty miles per hour the deflection became one and a half inches, that is, more than double the statical deflection. Since the velocity so greatly increases the effect of a given load in deflecting the bars, it follows that a much less load will break the bar when it passes over it than when it is placed at rest upon it; and accordingly in the example above selected, a weight of 4,150 lbs. is required to break the bars if applied at rest upon their centres; but a weight of 1,778 lbs. is sufficient to produce fracture if passed over them at the rate of thirty miles an hour.

The Commissioners properly insist, therefore, on the importance of giving to all railway structures an amount of solidity far superior to that which is found by experiment or calculation sufTo ascertain the effects of moving weights, a ficient to support as a dead weight the heaviest well-devised apparatus was constructed in Ports-loads that can ever travel over them.

matter."

CRITICAL NOTICES.

The Jesuit; or the Amours of Captain Effingham | take his conceit by the forelock, and wake him up and the Lady Zarifa: A Drama, in Three Acts. By THOMAS W. WHITLEY. New-York. 1851.

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This is, really and truly, a goose of a book; or, if any body wishes the idiom to be changed, a book of a goose." So wrote the celebrated and classic wit, Dr. Maginn, on one of the books of a certain Nathaniel Parker Willis. We thank the Doctor for the sentence quoted, for it expresses our idea exactly of the so-called drama before us. To follow up his opinion, he says, "There is not a single idea in it, from the first page to the last, beyond what might germinate in the brain of a washerwoman.' Our sentiments exactly on the "Jesuit." It is a strange fact that small minds are celebrated for "nothing in particular," save the great amount of vanity they are able to contain; and lest Mr. Whitley (by any of those self-conceiting and self-pacifying arguments which vanity takes refuge in) might for a moment imagine he is as tall (in a literary point of view) as Mr. Willis, because we have without any trouble placed the same cap on both their heads, we at once beg to

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to the fact that he is not. He must stand alone. He is unapproachable in his way. Stupidity at times is so ridiculous as to be laughable; but this pamphlet has not even that doubtful recommendation. It is so stupidly stupid as to be tiresome. Well it is for the author of the "Jesuit" that the ancient practice of the gods wreaking their vengeance on offending mortals has fallen into disuse; else would the goddess of the dramatic art have given him (without much difficulty) the fate of Midas, or drowned him-not in the classic Styx, anticipative Mr. W., there are too many poetic reminiscences thereabouts-but in a butt of congenial ass's milk. The ablest physicians recommend it for consumption.

In plot, dialogue, character and action, this drama has the distinctive marks of being meagre, commonplace, unnatural and stupid. Even the title is excessively stupid. Any thing so ultra smacks of illiberality, bigotry to say the least; and for a drama such a title was ridiculous, for persons who do not agree with the sect “Jesuitical" would derive no pleasure from seeing what

reading these letters, would see to what society he aspires who apes English manners; and if his manhood has no higher ambition, then truly, him we wish not to enlist.

The Annual of Scientific Discovery. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1851.

they dislike taking up the two or three hours they wish to devote for instruction or amusement in the theatre. It was evidently written and called so for claptrap, but unfortunately, or fortunately, it has fallen into the pit its writer so untheatrically left too open. The author cannot be an American, or he would have liberality. He is not an Irishman, or he would have wit. He is not a Scotchman, or he would have common sense. He is not a Frenchman, or he would have vivacity. Not a German, or he would have solidity. Not an Italian, or he would have ease. But he is, we think, an Englishman, from the caricature he attempts to draw of an Irishman, and from the ran-plete Year Book of Facts in Science and Art; corous feelings which must have prompted him to waste otherwise valuable time on such an unworthy production.

We are aware that wholesome chastisement, coming from a respectable quarter, often confers temporary notoriety, or even consideration, on worthless and insignificant things. We know this; and if we shall be instrumental, by the advantageous position we hereby give him, in changing Mr. Whitley's false taste and unsound feelings for the future, we shall in no wise object to all the benefit this criticism may confer on him.

Letters from the Continent. By M., the Arkansas Correspondent of the Louisville Journal. NewYork: D. Appleton. 1851.

This admirable volume might have been titled, with great propriety, the "Exodus of Cant." Of all books of travel we have for a long time (perhaps ever) read, it is the only one which has dared to go out of the beaten track of sketchers, tourists, and health-seekers. This is not so evident in regard to places, as to the descriptions of places. In this book you will not find a fulsome echo of the latest work on the same route, made up from foreign guide-books, or the opinions of titled English aristocrats whose thoughts have no weight save dulness, and who annually follow the steps of Childe Harold, aping the "gloomy," and fancying they are, each and all of them, either a Byron or a Byronic hero. You will not find such in this book, but you will find straight-forward and candid opinions and descriptions of the lands and people through which our author passed, written in a racy, piquant, and truly American vein. The letters from Paris, Constantinople, Cologne, Liverpool, and London, are remarkable for their truth, wit, and the national, the true republican, eye through which our author views what passes around him. Those from London are especially true, and ought to be welcomed by every American as the first truthful picture that has been given to them by an observant countryman-one who writes candidly, not drawing on his imagination or the imagination of English writers on their own country, but noting down his experience of John Bull and the people who do homage to that "almighty" personage. Americans who look around them and on the world through English spectacles, would do well to look into this book, and we think they would soon come to our conclusion that their glasses have been green. And by Americans of the flunkey class,

This very useful repository, edited by David A. Wells, A. M., and Geo. Bliss, Jr., ought to obtain a place in the collection of every student, literary man, and those who are anywise interested in the march of science of the present time. It is a com

exhibiting the most important discoveries and improvements in mechanics, useful arts, natural philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, botany, mineralogy, geology, antiquities, and zoology, (we must not leave that out in this age of animals,) with a list of recent scientific publications, patents, important papers, reports, and obituaries of eminent scientific men. The book is handsomely printed, with a portrait frontispiece of Professor Benj. Silliman.

Protestantism and Catholicity Compared, in their Effects on the Civilization of Europe. Written in Spanish, by the Rev. J. BALMES. Translated from the French. Second Edition. Baltimore: Murphy. 1851.

This is a fair translation of Balmes' celebrated work, which engrossed so much attention in Europe. That it will command consideration on this continent, is evident from the fact of its already having attained a second edition. Balmes' style is forcible, eloquent, and comprehensive. In his preface he says: "Among the many and important evils which have been the necessary result of the profound revolutions of modern times, there appears a good extremely valuable to science, and which will probably have a beneficial influence on the human race,-I mean the love of studies having for their object man and society. The shocks have been so rude, that the earth has, as it were, opened under our feet; and the human mind, which, full of pride and haughtiness, but lately advanced on a triumphal car amid acclamations and cries of victory, has been alarmed and stopped in its career. Absorbed by an important thought, overcome by a profound reflection, it has asked itself, What am I? Whence do I come? What is my destination?"

"What am I? The European Democrat would answer: I am the likeness of God, kept in perpetual childhood by the social ban of kings and princes who, shrouding society with the remnant of feudal usage, present me for every modern Herod to deal promiscuous slaughter upon. Whence do I come? From the region of darkness and imbecility. What is my destination?' Light and freedom and manhood."

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This is the true view of "the revolutions." It is needless to say that Balmes argues, and it is thought profoundly, for the spread of civilization by Catholicity. We could not, in a short notice, enter into an argument with his elaborate work, and therefore shall leave it with the remark that it

possesses a very remarkable interest for both the Protestant and Catholic student of the progress of civilization in Europe, and the effects of these religious principles thereon. The work is well and cheaply gotten out in a good octavo form, by the well-known Baltimore publishers.

Classical Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology, and Geography. By WM. SMITH, LL.D. Revised by CHARLES ANTHON, L.L.D. New-York: Harper & Brothers.

Dr. Anthon's classical reputation is a sufficient guarantee that this work will be found all that the student and general reader can require.

History of the United States of America. By RICHARD HILDRETH. Second Series, Volume I. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1851.

The first volume of the second series of Mr. Hildreth's continuous History of America, has been issued as above in a neat library shape.

It is the object of this work to give a complete and detailed account of the United States in their social, political, intellectual and economical aspects, during the exceedingly agitated and interesting period of the first generation succeeding the adoption of the Federal Constitution.

The three volumes, by the same author, on our colonial and revolutionary history, must be considered as merely an introduction to these.

This period of thirty-two years not only possesses a great deal of dramatic unity, but also admits of a division into three acts, each a sort of whole by itself, and each embraced in a separate volume.

The first volume, now presented, opens with a full account of the state of feeling and prevailing views in the different States at the moment of the organization of the new national government, showing the origin of that division of parties by which the country ever since has been more or less agi. tated, and the echo at least of which still resounds in our ears.

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Because, otherwise, it would be impossible to recognize them."

Now, this doctrine is by no means a new one. We remember when a boy, in the city of Charleston, to have heard of a negro woman who had been in a trance for several days, and when she came to she was asked by an old aunty, "Way you been?"

She replied, "In Hebben."

"Well, tell me, den, who you see dare?"

Why, ah!-I see old massa; he was dress up in he soger cloes, hab a cock-hat on he bed, an a bran new sord by he side. Kye! I tell you wat, he look smart as ebber I see um on gen'ral review day. I see old missus too: he dress up in a elegant dress, wid spangle all ober he dress, and a splendid torta-shell comb in he head. I tell you wat, old missus look quite smart: he look jist like he look when young missus gin dat weddin' party.”

"Well now, Mom Susey, look yar: old aunt Peggy he bin ded sence you bin in de trance. You see eny ting ob him?"

Nor is less attention paid to the exterior relations of the United States with the neighboring Indian tribes, with Britain, Spain, and France; relations which, after the breaking out of the French revolutionary war, came to furnish the great turn-in ing points of American politics.

The doubtful relations with the various Indian tribes, especially the war with the Northwestern Indians, the Whisky Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania, the gradual distinct formation of parties, and the personal character and individual aims of the principal leaders, together with the most remarkable transactions in the particular States, furnish interesting episodes to this narrative.

The Manhattaner in New Orleans; or, Phases of "Crescent City" Life. By A. OAKEY HALL New-York: J. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall. 1851. For a gloomy noon in December or a heavy afternoon in June, we could desire no better companion than Mr. Oakey Hall and his Crescent City life

"Oh, git out, nigger!-dont bodder me! I bin dare sich a leetle time, I haint hab a chance to go de kitchin !"

Picturesque Sketches of Greece and Turkey. By AUBREY DE VERE, Esq. Philadelphia: A. Hart.

These few chapters of travel are finely contemand intelligent. There is also an air of honesty plative and philosophical, as well as picturesque and earnestness that, combined with the unpretending yet finished style of the author, give a charm to the work that is as rare as it is fascinating. If we add to these peculiarities a mind well stored with the glorious classic times of which the scenes described are the monuments, a fine taste for art, and an imagination peculiarly susceptive of poetical influences-what better guide would one want for an intellectual excursion into the

wonderful land of ancient art and eloquence and undying song?

Other peculiarities of the book than those mentioned, we may convey the best idea of by two quotations. We give them also for their intrinsic interest.

THE TEMPLE OF THE WINDS.

"It is a fortunate circumstance that among the monuments of antiquity which have escaped the spoiler's hand at Athens, are some of a character so singular that if they had perished (and a touch might have destroyed them) nothing would have remained to give us an idea of what they had been. One of these is the Lantern of Demosthenes,' another is the well-known Temple of the Winds'-a small octagon tower of exquisite proportions, the alternate sides of which are graced with projecting porches supported by pillars, while aloft the eight Winds expand their wings, floating forward with refluent hair, and holding in their hands the urns of benignant dews and showery influences, by which the seasons are tempered to the use of man. This building, which contained a water-clock in communication with the fountain Clepsydra, was originally surmounted by a Triton revolving on an axis, and sustaining in his hand a wand, the point of which drooped over the emblem of whatever wind was blowing at the time. On the side of the building still remain the lines which, like those traced on our dials, marked the hour by the shadow cast from the styles above. This building is a beautiful instance of that architectural tact which turns every practical need to account. It would be a dangerous model in the hands of a copyist, for the least alteration in its proportions would probably spoil its effect, and the slightest misapplication would make it ridiculous. One can hardly hope that it has hitherto escaped being travestied: if, indeed, it has ever been made to surmount a Greek portico, and do service as the spire of a meeting-house, there has at least been a moral significance in this application of the Temple of the Winds.'"

The following, touching Lord Byron, is very interesting:

"Mr. F. * * * * joined the Greek cause, to which he continued faithful during the whole of the war. In our discussion on that subject, he told me many interesting anecdotes of Lord Byron, with whom he was intimately acquainted. What he may think of him as a poet, I do not know; but he entertains the highest respect for the powers which Lord Byron exhibited as a man of action and of business. His temper and his shrewdness (as he assures me) were equally admirable; and whenever a quarrel arose between the native chiefs, the matter was referred to him as an arbitrator. He had always tact enough to allay heart-burnings, and his energy was of a nature so eminently practical that not a few of the vaporers around him found themselves hard at work when they had only thought of a little agreeable excitement. What a pity that he was so prematurely cut off! Who knows but that he might have displayed a high military genius-an attribute which includes so much of imagination as well as of intuition, that it must be in some

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measure allied with the poetic faculty. Whether, however, he had failed or succeeded, how much might not the severities of a few campaigns have done to re-invigorate his enervated system, purge away his vanity, and shake him out of the selflove which imprisoned him! Byron has never been done justice to, and perhaps never will be. In his day he was extravagantly over-praised; and after he had become the spoiled child of the public, whom he had spoiled,' his errors were with as little discrimination exaggerated; a violent access of virtuous indignation, with which the public is periodically visited, concurring with its natural inconstancy. His works were, one and all, premature-forced in the hot-bed of a too fervid popularity. His severer critics forgot how adverse his fortunes were to his true greatness. They ask, 'Had he not rank, wealth, fashion, fame, beauty,' &c. &c. No doubt he had; but these are only the elaborate nothings that cheat a great design-the petty entanglements that check free movements. Genius, like virtue, wears its leathern girdle, and feeds on scanty fare; is flung upon faith for support, and follows the guidance of a remote hope; in other words, has not its portion in the present, that it may lay up store for a remoter day. Those who run in flowing attire, not succinct, and on the soft field, not the racecourse, cannot put out their full speed. Considering the eminently practical nature of Byron's intellect, as well as the rhetorical character that pervades much of his poetry, and which so singularly combines the impassioned eloquence of Rousseau with the declamation of Pope, it is likely that if he had steadily devoted himself to public life, he might even have become a parliamentary leader. His temperament, however, would not have allowed of such a devotion."

Wallace: A Franconian Story. By the Author of the "Rollo Books." New-York: Harper & Brothers.

Jacob Abbott's works are always welcome visitors to the young folks around the hearth. The series of which the present volume is the second, partakes of the usual interest which a domestic tale, neatly written, and with a good purpose, presents.

The Moorland Cottage. By the Author of " Mary Barton." New-York: Harpers. 1851.

We just read enough of this book to say, that it is a plainly but pleasingly-written story of domestic Life in England. We most likely would have read it through, but fortunately a friend informed us that it was "touched not a little with the spirit that is manifesting itself of late in the social condition of the English people." We immediately put the book down, after thanking our friend, and affirming our conviction that it was worse than folly to busy ourselves with the reprint of a social and political tale of English life, not spirited enough to be amusing as a tale, nor reliant enough for a political tract, while the gouty

state of our own government demanded all our
political attention. We should look at home.

Land of our fathers, in thine hour of need,
God help thee, guarded by the passive creed!

As the poor pheasant, with his peaceful mien,
Trusts to his feathers, shining golden-green,
When the dark plumage with the crimson beak
Has rustled shadowy from its splintered peak;

So trust thy friends, whose idle tongues would charm
The lifted sabre from thy foeman's arm,
Thy torches ready for the answering peal,
From bellowing fort and thunder-freighted keel!-HOLMES.

By

care and peculiar critical acumen the tendencies of the new Democracy, and candidly gives his approval of the new-born giant, or points out and warns him of dangers which his faithful and independent philosophy foresees. We believe the perusal of his observations will have the effect of enhancing still more to his American readers the structure of their Government by the clear and profound style in which he presents it. This edition is suitable for the library as well as general reading.

Foreign Reminiscences. BY HENRY RICHARD LORD
HOLLAND. Edited by his Son. New-York:
Harper & Brothers.

These reminiscences will be found very interest

anecdotes; accounts of political intrigues and general observations of the persons and events that signalized the mighty drama with which the present century was opened.

Associating intimately with many of the principal personages of the times, he draws characters from his own observation; and notwithstanding all that has been written on those times, this is a contribution that must command attention.

American Institutions and their Influence. ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE. With Notes by the Hon. JOHN C. SPENCER. New-York: A. S. Barnes & Co. This is the first volume of De Tocqueville's cel-ing, as they consist of personal recollections and ebrated "Democracy in America." This portion of the work was originally published as it is now presented, and is a complete and succinct essay on the institutions of our country. On its appearance it was universally welcomed, and admitted to be the best, "if not the first systematic and philosophic view of the great principles of our Constitution which has been presented to the world." It was the intention of the publishers to present De Tocqueville's entire work in a condensed, abridged, and cheap form to the American public; but finding that to condense would be to destroy, inasmuch as our author's opinions and illustrations are so admirable on every branch of the subject he touches, they determined to issue the volume before us (as it originally stood) complete, in a commodious and cheap form, awaiting the public will to guide them in the publication of the succeeding volume. It is unnecessary to state that the second volume will be in anxious demand by all readers of the first.

The editor is more than usually well qualified for the task intrusted to him. "Having had the honor of a personal acquaintance with M. De Tocueville while he was in this country; having discussed with him many of the topics treated of du this book; having entered deeply into the feelings and sentiments which guided and impelled ihim in his task, and having formed a high admiration of his character and of this production, the editor felt under some obligation to aid in procuring for one whom he ventures to call his friend, a hearing from those who were the objects of his observations." The notes of Mr. Spencer will be found to elucidate occasional misconceptions of the translator. It is a most judicious text-book, and ought to be read carefully by all who wish to know this country, and to trace its power, position, and ultimate destiny from the true source of philosophic government, Republicanism-the people. De Tocqueville, believing the destinies of civilization to depend on the power of the people and on the principle which so grandly founded an exponent on this continent, analyzes with jealous

Lavengro: The Scholar-The Gipsy-The Priest By GEORGE BORROW, Author of "The Bible in Spain," &c. New-York: Geo. P. Putnam,

The author of this book has made himself so famous by his previous publications, that we need not dwell upon his genius or his style. His books are of that adventurous personal and graphic character that are most fascinating to the general mind. The one before us is full of strange adventure, wild and picturesque scenery, both of places and people. Has there ever been a man of literature, that so entered into the spirit of, and identified himself so completely with vagrancy? If Mr. Borrow has done with the Gipsy tribes of Europe, we invite him to those of America. What a field there is for him among our western wilds and along the Oregon and California trails, marking the habits and manners of that strange nomadic race "the pioneers," for ever "moving" westward, westward, half their lives living in their wagons in the wilds. And varying these by excursions among the Indians on the way, he might make one of "the books"-such an one as our friend Putnam delights to put on his best Kingsland paper, secured as it would be by copyright from all dishonorable or envious interference.

By the way Tom Hyer has offered, we see, to any Englishman that will fight him, $3,000. We wonder if Tom's martial ardor has not been aroused by reading this book, (so full of the ring,) and if he does not mean the challenge for our author?

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