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unications.

SPITAL.

more remarkable with their early town of Coventry. is perhaps most story of Lady Goher riding naked st improbable no ny incidents not nced we know to ugh Dr Pegge and ion as a mere fice all that is recordPeeping Tom, and of the former has ted down to the do not know that scontinued.

Le was the incident iginally establish, e and continues to institution repreh appears in our

ys Briton, "foundear 1506, by Tho

was enlarged to accommodate a number of boys in 1560. The buildings bound three sides of a quadrangle, and were formerly occupied by the priests of the Trinity Guild. The rooms appropriated to the old men are on the north side of the area, and the enriched gable at the end of that range, with its corresponding bay window beneath, are shown in the engraving. The entrance gateway to the hospital connects one side of the area with the boys' apartments and schoolroom. In the distance, opposite the tower of Bablake, and to the left of St John's church, is seen the spire to the church of the Grey Friars' Monastery.

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Bond, the founder of the establishment, placed six poor men, a woman, and a priest in the hospital, the revenues of which were vested in the city after its suppression in the reign of Edward VI. It now receives eighteen old men and a nurse."

The incident to which we have adverted, and which largely increased its utility, was connected with the extension of Bond's plan, mentioned above to have occurred about the year 1560, and led to its giving education to a number of boys, who are clothed in blue This is ascribed to the

"justice and benevolence" of Thomas Wheatley, who was mayor of Coventry in 1556. He had sent persons in his service to Spain to purchase several barrels of "steel gads," who brought home, through some unaccountable mistake, a number of casks filled with cochineal and ingots of silver, which were offered for sale in the open market as the articles before mentioned, and bought as such. This worthy, who was an ironmonger and card-maker, used every possible exertion to discover the owner of the property which had thus strangely come into his possession, but to no purpose. Such being the case, since he could not return the amount to the party to whom it rightfully belonged, he resolved to devote it to charity. He accordingly provided for the education of a number of poor boys, and in doing this not only appropriated all he had gained through the strange accident just described, but added to it considerable sums from his own funds.

ON METALLO-CHROMES AND ANION
DEPOSITS GENERALLY.
No. IV.

(Continued from page 410 of vol. 43.) AFTER a long interval we return to our subject. On reaching the conductors, which are essential to the formation of a voltaic pair, we found that an efficient arrangement might be constructed of a slip of zinc, a slip of platinum, and a solution of diluted sulphuric acid; and the indication that such a combination gave us, of the existence of something more than mere chemical action in the exciting liquid, was the ignition of the fine connecting wire.

It remains now to point out the phenomena which are produced, when some chemical compound is made to form part of the circuit, in the place of the fine wire. If, for instance, a glass be filled with a solution of sulphate of copper, and two copper wires, one coming from the zinc, and the other from the platinum, be made to dip into this solution, the wire attached to the platinum will soon be seen to dissolve away, and that connected with the zinc will increase in size by the acquisition of new copper. However this experiment be varied, the same order of change will prevail. Now, it is thus rendered evident, that the certain something which is called into play by the above combination, and the presence of which was detected by its action on the fine wire, possesses also certain powers over chemical compounds, and that these powers are very definite in their character. When we come to investigate the changes that take place, both in the apparatus which generates the power, and in the solution where the

effects are allowed to be called into play, a very notable analogy is found to exist. But, before this need be further detailed, it will be necessary to describe more fully others of the class of instruments termed voltaic batteries, of which the combination hitherto mentioned is but the elementary type.

We have said that, in a voltaic pair, of zinc and platinum immersed in dilute sulphuric acid, the hydrogen is liberated at the platinum ;-an equivalent of oxygen is, in like manner, determined to the zinc; but then in its nascent state it combines with the metal to form an oxide, or does not appear. From this it appears that the source of voltaic action must be eminently due to that body which furnishes these two gases, and that body is the water. But now comes the principle on which all exalted voltaic actions are based. As the resultant oxide is not soluble in water, but is soluble in sulphuric acid, a quantity of the latter is added to the water; and thus the oxide is removed, as fast as it is formed, and an accelerated renewal of the action, by the successive contact of fresh particles of water is thus encouraged.

The intensity of the action is represented by the affinity between zine and oxygen, under such circumstances; and the perfection of an arrangement consists in the facilities which are given for allowing the utmost development of this action. There are metals having a still higher affinity for oxygen than zinc has, as, for instance, sodium and potassium. Could the nature of these metals allow of their being substituted for zinc, a proportionate increase would occur in the electro-motive force. As they will ignite of themselves when in contact with water, it is obviously impossible to employ them; but they may be used amalgamated, or rather in the form of amalgam, and then the very maximum of power is obtained. Thus much in reference to the metal at which oxygen is determined.

We have used platinum as the metal, at which hydrogen shall be liberated; and for this reason: platinum has no affinity for oxygen If a metal having an affinity for oxygen were employed, it is manifest that the amount of the force would depend on the difference between the affinity here and that at the zinc plate; whereas with such a metal as platinum there is nothing to deduct from the general effect. Practically, it is often convenient to use copper in this place: it has objections, not on the score of the comparative affinities merely, but for other reasons, which will be apparent hereafter. Like as we desired to get rid of the oxide of zinc as fast as it was formed, so do we esteem it an advantage to provide every means within our power to facilitate the escape of the hy

drogen. Mr Smee was the first philosopher who made any important improvements in this. He had seen, in comnion with other philosophers, that more hydrogen escapes from the edges and corners than elsewhere; and it occurred to him that if the metal were all edges and corners, much advantage would arise. This idea led to the construction of his "Chemico-mechanical battery," in which the chemical action is allowed its utmost freedom, by means of the mechanical arrangement of the surfaces. He prepares his plates by depositing on their surfaces the finely-divided powder of platinum, so that the whole presents a mass of minute, indeed microscopical points, from which the hydrogen comes off, as he has aptly described it, in floods. His mode of throwing down the platinum in powder will be understood better as we proceed.

A further accession is made to the electro-motive force by preventing the liberation of the hydrogen, and causing a chemical affinity to occur at the platinum, which may be added to that occurring at (To be continued.)

the zinc.

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THE PILGRIM'S REMONSTRANCE. (With an Illustration by Mrs Gent.) SORROW not thus for the dead, lady, Sorrow not thus for the dead;

He is gone to his rest,

To the home of the blest,
To the Saviour who for him bled, lady,
To the Saviour who for him bled.

Remember those happy days, lady,
Remember those happy days,

When ye laugh'd and ye sang,
And the echoes rang,
As ye rivall'd the wild birds' lays, lady,
As ye rivall'd the wild birds' lays.

Ay, remember! but not to repine, lady, Remember, but not to repine,

For tho' heav'n gave An early grave, Heav'n's bounty made him thine, lady, Heav'n's bounty made him thine.

THE PARRICIDE.

THE following, very singular adventure is related as a fact; it is said to have happened in one of the provinces of France, half a century ago. It appeared in 'La Nouvelle Bibliothêque de Société ;' related in a letter to a friend.

"The adventure which I am going to relate to you, my dear friend, is of so strange and dreadful a nature, that you are the only person to whom I must ever disclose the secret.

"The nuptials of Mademoiselle de Vildac were celebrated yesterday, at which, as a neighbour, custom and good manners required my attendance. You are acquainted with M. de Vildac; he has a countenance which never pleased me; his eyes have often a wild and suspicious glare, a something which has always given me disagreeable sensations for which I could no way account. I could not help observing yesterday that in the midst of joy and revelry he partook not of pleasure; far from being penetrated with the happiness of his new son and daughter, the delight of others seemed to him a secret torment.

"The feast was held at his ancient castle; and, when the hour of rest arrived, I was conducted to a chamber immediately under the Old Tower at the north end. I had just fallen into my first sleep, when I was awa

, and he who bore them he chimney. There were If extinguished; these he and said in a sepulchral ow long it is since I have seized my sword, looked rtains, and saw by the mbers a withered old man, a bald head and a white his trembling hands to the an to blaze, and soon afterwards the door by which I his eyes with horror upon e beheld something most claimed with agony,' God!

patrimony. I observed at his return a
degree of thoughtfulness and gloom about
him that was unusual. Five days after-
wards I was seized during the night, car-
ried off naked by three men masked, and
lodged in this tower. I know not by what
means Vildac spread the report of my
death; but I guessed by the tolling of the
bells and funeral dirges, more solemn than
for inferior persons, they were performed
for my interment. The idea was horrid;
and I entreated most earnestly to be per-
mitted to speak, but for a moment, to my
son, but in vain; those who brought me
my food no doubt supposed me a criminal,
condemned to perish in prison. It is

to the governor of the provinc
ho you are, and return armed
thority to wrest you from the
of an inhuman child.'

eware what you do! abuse no
ence. Leave me to perish.
me not. I am a monster!
the blessed sun would sicken a
Infamous I am, and covered
uilt most horrible! Turn
pon that wall; behold these bo
ed with blood, a father's bloo
ed by his son; by me!-Ha! 1
do you not see him! he stret
bleeding arms! he begs for
stream flows out! he falls

a caused my curtains to twenty years since I was first confined: 0, horror! madness! despa

and he turned affrighted. said he. 'Is there any one Yes,' I replied; and who answered, I am the most en. This perhaps is more say; but it is so long, so ce I have seen or spoken ing, that I cannot resist. the fire; listen to my sormoment soften my suffer

e place to pity; I sat down ondescension moved him; d, bathed it with his tears,

here. I perceived this morning that my
door was not secured, and I waited till
night to profit by the accident; yet I do
not wish to escape; but the liberty of a
few yards more is much to a prisoner.'

666

'No,' cried I, 'you shall quit that dishonourable habitation, Heaven has des tined me to be your deliverer, defender, support, and guide. Everybody sleeps; now is the time; let us begone.'

"It must not be!' said he after a moment's silence. 'Solitude has changed my ideas, and my principles. Happiness is but opinion. Now that I am inured to

The miserable wretch fell convu
error to the floor; and when
on in part subsided, he durst
guilty eyes towards me, whe
ransfixed with horror. As soo
the power, he approached the d
well,' said he, be innocent, if
be happy! The wretch who
moved your pity is now become
to you as well as to himself
lamented to the dungeon, who
e never shall return!'

nd neither the power to speak
The castle was become a p

rous man! let me desire suffer, why should I fly from my fate?bominable; and I departed in

sfy my curiosity. Tell me In this chamber, where no before for so many years; n the rejoicings I have

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What is there for me to wish for in this
world? The die is thrown, and this tower
must be my tomb!'

"Surely you dream!' answered I. 'Let
us not lose time; the night is advanced.
Come.'

"I am affected,' replied he; 'but cannot profit by your kindness. Liberty has no charms for my small remains of life. Shall I dishonour my son; or which way has his daughter given me offence, to whom I was never known, by whom I was never seen? The sweet innocent sleeps happily in the arms of her husband, and shall I overwhelm her with infamy? Yet might I but behold her! might I but lock her in these feeble arms, and bedew her bosom with my tears!-'Tis in vain! It cannot be! I never must look upon her! Adieu! Day begins to break, and we shall be surprised. I will return to my prison.'

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666

'No,' said I, stopping him; 'I will
not suffer that. Slavery has enfeebled
your soul; I must inspire you with cou-
rage. Let us be gone; we will afterwards
examine whether it be proper to make the
matter public. My house, my friends, my
fortune, are at your service.
No one shall

Now, my friend, is it poss manity can produce wickednes able and unnatural?"

ISH LIFE IN THE EIGHTEEN
CENTURY.

CHAPTER V.-BIRTHDAY ODES.
(Continued from page 217.)

three verses of the most fuls
in and abominable flattery wh
sible to conceive, formed what

Ode for his Majesty's Bir
ritten by the poet laureate, a
tane by the doctor of music v
for the court. On Colley Cib
iam Whitehead in succession
some task devolve, and each p
his duty to the very letter; e
d and flattered, comparing the rei

Search to the most noble heroes

ever saw, and doubting whether a

emperors of ancient Rome co
have equalled him: lauding
which had never been pro
tried, and praising thi
" of whin

from the bar- the general run of birthday odes :

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EIGHTEENTH
DAY ODES.
ge 217.)

e most fulsome - flattery which ormed what was Majesty's Birthet laureate, and of music who n Colley Cibber succession did

, and each perery letter; each paring the reignnoble heroes the ing whether any nt Rome could m: lauding his ver been proved the "extensive could only pressor. "Cæsar."

"When Cæsar's natal day
Demands our annual lay,

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What empire of the earth explored
Can hope to raise

A pyramid of praise

Superior to Britannia's lord?"

And here is the "air" of an other of
Cibber's odes:-

"In Rome, when fam'd Augustus lived,
Had then the lyrist of his praise
To this more godlike reign survived,

What glories now had graced his lays!" These extravagant and sickening effusions could produce no beneficial effects. So far from enhancing the monarch in the respect of his people, they tended, by their ludicrous and absurd flattery, to bring royalty itself into ridicule; they were degrading to the sovereign by the adulation which was showered upon him, and they at the same time degraded the poet who submitted to a perversion of his talents to such base purposes.

George II has been spoken of as deficient in taste. But the very speech quoted in support of that opinion, bearing in mind the nonsense annually, and more than annually, poured into his ears by his laureates, many will think tends to prove the contrary, when he exclaimed in his imperfect English, "D-n the bainters and the boets too!"

The grand jury of one of the West In-
dia islands, a few years ago, actually pre-
sented the governor as a nuisance! Had
the Middlesex jury done as much for Col-
ley Cibber and some of his tuneful breth-
ren of the court, their presentment would
have been justifiable. The evil was
gradually abated. Pye did not deal so
largely in heroics as some of his predeces-
sors. His ode for the king's birthday in
1789, composed immediately after the re-
covery of George III from that indisposi-
tion which threatened the nation with the
regency which twenty years afterwards
became necessary, was most exulting, but
That
we had nothing about Cæsar in it.
he over-rated the public sympathy from
the estimate now formed of that monarch,
many will think more than probable, when
the poet thus delivered himself :-

"In the royal sufferer's smart
Each beholder bore a part;
Rumour gave th' afflicting tale,
In sighings to the passing gale,
That bosoms, never wont to sigh,

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