a representation of that of the Colossus; and the conjecture is reasonable.

The seventh wonder was the TOMB OF MAUSOLUS, king of Caria, which was built by his queen, Artemisia, in Halicarnassus, 351 B.C.; and whence a superb tomb is to this day called a Mausoleum. The principal architects of Greece laboured on this magnificent structure. It was an oblong square, 411 feet in compass, and 130 feet high. The principal side was adorned with 36 columns, and 24 steps led to the entrance. The top was conical, and surmounted with a chariot drawn by 4 horses, sculptured by Pythes. Bryaxes, Scopas, Leochares, and Timotheus made the decorations on the four sides; and Vitruvius thought that it was enriched by the sculptures of Praxiteles. Artemisia died before the completion of the monument, but the artists finished it without compensation, that they might not be deprived of the honour of their labour. The expenses of the building were so immense, as to have occasioned the philosopher Anaxagoras to exclaim, when he saw it, "How much money changed into stones!"

THE CHINESE FEAST OF THE LANTERNS. THE commencement of the year in China is observed as the greatest festival in the empire, and the whole of the first month is a season of continued rejoicings. Of these the most splendid is the Feast of the Lanterns, which is held on the fifteenth day, when there is such a profusion of lanterns hung out of the houses that, to a stranger, the whole empire has the appearance of fairy land. All ranks contribute to this national festival. The grandees retrench daily, and reduce the expenses of their table, equipage, and dress, in order that they may expend more on their lanterns, some of which are said to cost two thousand crowns. The middle classes will expend fifty or sixty crowns on the occasion, and even the poorest will exert themselves to join the illumination. In short, in city and country,-on the coast and on the rivers, every person lights up his painted lanterns.

These lanterns are of various forms and sizes. Some of them are so capacious as to resemble mansions, wherein the Chinese eat, lodge, receive visits, have balls, and act plays. Those which are hung from the houses are framed of wood, richly gilt, japanned, and carved and decorated with streamers of silk or satin. Over these frames is stretched fine transparent silk, on which are painted various devices, as human figures, quadrupeds, birds, trees, flowers, &c., the colours of which are very brilliant, when the lantern is lit by lamps or wax candles. The largest lanterns frequently exhibit figures which are set in motion by hidden threads. In this manner the spectators outside the lanterns are often amused by the spectacle of horses galloping, ships sailing, and armies in full march. Some lanterns are lit by serpents, illuminated within from the head to the tail, and contrived to writhe about as if they were alive.

MANY persons pass much of their time in a state of inquietude and constant irritation, although they are in health, and have the means of satisfying the common wants of life, and even abundantly. As to the present, they have some unreasonable desire, which cannot be satisfied, or which cannot be, without causing a suffering more intolerable than the unsatisfied desire. As to the past, they dwell on the memory of some good which they think might have been obtained, or on some wrong or blunder by which some good was lost. As to the future, they dread some possible evil, and the more because of the uncertainty of its nature, and of the time and manner of its coming, and which may There are many persons who are habitually discontented. They find everything goes wrong. The weather is bad; their food is not as they would have it; no one does anything in the right time, or in the right manner; or that is done which should not be, or that is omitted which should be done. Such persons are always groaning, sighing, or grumbling. They dislike everybody, and everybody dislikes them; and particularly, their abundant advice is disliked, and their manner of giving it.-S.

never come.

THE FETISH.

THE term Fetish is derived either from the word fetisse, a block adored as an idol; or from feticzeira, an enchantress. The Portuguese first gave this name to the idols of the negroes on the Senegal; and afterwards the word received a more extensive meaning. The general application of fetish now seems to be to an object worshipped, not representing a living figure. Such a figure is more properly speaking, an idol. Hence, stones, arms, vessels, plants, &c., which are objects of worship, are fetishes.

Among the natives of the Gold Coast of Africa, the superstition of the fetish prevails to a baneful extent. The supernatural powers, infuse into the minds of the people fetishmen, so called from their being supposed to possess the belief of its influence, with the view of being consulted on every occasion of trouble. An individual who has been robbed, or has experienced some other calamity, immediately consults a fetishman to discover the thief, or cause of the evil; who, after making use of some pretended magic art, and having obtained answers to questions put by him to being as the robber or witch. The fetishmen are without the applicant, unhesitatingly denounces some unfortunate difficulty bribed, and they accept the bribe under the cloak of having first consulted the deity, who had agreed to receive a certain sum. They will afterwards demand more money in the name of the fetish, whom they will state as not being satisfied. So great is the dread of the natives to offend the fetish, that they even pawn their own children to raise the means of appeasing his wrath. When a person is afflicted with any alarming disease, application for relief is made to the fetishman, who, perhaps, will order an egg near hatching, or a chicken, to be laid on a certain spot in some highway, in order to transfer the complaint to the person who might unthinkingly tread upon it. Passengers noticing any of these charins lying in their way, carefully avoid them, and no one will dare to remove them out of their path.

At Cape Coast, the women, who are generally employed in celebrating the yam harvest, make public offerings in a body to the great fetish; which is a large rock lying close to the walls of the castle. It breaks the great waves of the sea that incessantly dash against it, and thus preserves the fortification from injury by the surge. Another great fetish which they have is a salt pond, in which large and delicious mullets are taken.

Previous to the offering to the fetish, consisting, generally, of yams, eggs, palm oil, and the blood of some animal, being made, the women with their faces and limbs chalked, parade the town in a body, each carrying her own portion in a calabash, or earthen vessel. They then visit the rock, on which they deposit their oblations; and, no sooner do they depart than the turkey buzzards, apparently aware of what is going on, approach and devour the offer ings; and it is considered a great offence to the fetish to destroy any of these birds.

All families of consequence have also their own private fetish, which they keep concealed in their houses, but denote its presence there by signs hung outside on the doors. This has a great effect in deterring thieves from the premises*.

booma, on the River Congo. It was about the size of a Captain Tuckey describes a fetish which he saw at Emlarge doll, and the most grotesque figure imaginable. These fetishes are indifferently carved out of wood, or made of rags, the eyes and teeth are of shells, and the whole appearance as hideous as the workmanship is clumsy. They are such things as children would contrive in sport. Nevertheless, they are unceasingly worshipped and prayed to, though with no great ceremony or devotion. When a glass of raises his fetish, into whose face he puffs his breath once or brandy is given to an African, he puts it to his lips, then twice, with a blowing whistling noise; and then he swallows the dram. A similar action, or a whisper in the ear, takes place whenever the fetish is consulted.

Communicated by Major Ricketts to the Literary Gazette.

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went to the University of Leipsic, afterwards to that of Jena, and again to Leipsic. Here he studied philosophy and mathematics, and also became so familiar with the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and other Greek philosophers, that he used to ramble about the woods for a whole day at a time, pondering on what he had read, and endeavouring to reconcile the discordant doctrines of his favourite writers.

His advancement in the study of law was as rapid as that in classical learning, insomuch that at the age of twenty he was made Doctor of Laws in the University of Altorf, and was offered the Professorship of Law in the same university. Leibnitz declined the latter office,

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and went to Nuremburg, where he became secretary to a society of alchemists. The reader is aware that the chemistry of those days consisted principally in attempts to discover the means of converting baser metals into gold, and of effecting other wonders which are now known to be unattainable. Leibnitz, however, did not remain long in this capacity; for having gained the favour of an influential man at Mayence, he was advised to apply himself to the study of history and jurisprudence, with a view to qualify himself for some creditable office at Frankfort. Here he soon gave another instance of the versatility of his talents, by writing an admirable treatise on the best method of teaching and learning jurisprudence. This work, and another, written about the same time, caused him to be appointed Councillor of the Chamber of Revision, in the chancery of the electorate of Mayence.

learned French Catholic prelate, entered into a correspondence, with a view of trying whether the differences between the two forms of faith might not be reconciled. In this correspondence Leibnitz displayed as extensive a knowledge of theology as he had previously shown of other subjects: but the attempt failed in its object.

Leibnitz having been chosen a fellow of the Royal Society of London, and seeing how much such a society tended to the advancement of science, he recommended the king of Prussia to found a similar society at Berlin, which was accordingly done in 1701, Leibnitz himself to reside either being appointed president, with liberty there or elsewhere. The Czar of Russia and the Emperor of Germany also consulted him on subjects which related to the progress of science, and he became looked upon as one of the most distinguished men in Europe. In his correspondence and literary productions he emthose were the two which were most likely to be understood by the learned men to whom his writings were addressed: the consequence was that his mother tongue, the German, became so much neglected by him, that the few pieces which he wrote therein were in very inferior style.

At this time the military successes of Louis the Fourteenth had made his capital the centre to which distinguished men from various countries resorted; and Leibnitz, who had a strong desire to visit Paris, was enabled to do so as a companion to the son of his patron. Here his genius took a new turn, by being applied to the study of mathematics, a science to which he had hitherto paid but a small share of attention. Huyghens, who had written a valuable treatise on the oscillation of pendulums, was then at Paris, and an intimacy arose between him and Leibnitz, which led the latter to attend to numerous questions in natural philosophy. At this time also he gave an honourable proof of the steadiness with which he adhered to protestant religious principles; for the Academy of Sciences at Paris, appreciating his distinguished talents, offered him a seat in their body, provided he would profess the Roman Catholic religion: this he declined to do.

His patron dying in 1673, Leibnitz came to England, where he was received with much distinction by the philosophers, who corresponded and conversed with him on many subjects of science. But his prospects received a sudden check by the death of the elector of Mayence, and the consequent discontinuance of the pension which Leibnitz had received. The Duke of Brunswick now testified his respect for the philosopher, by granting him an office and a pension, with liberty to devote as much of his time as he pleased to study. Leibnitz then devoted upwards of a year to the unremitting study of mathematics, and then proceeded to take his residence at Hanover, the capital of 'the Duke of Brunswick's territory, where he wrote a treatise on the national law of the Germanic empire. When the duke died, his successor (afterwards King George the First of England) continued to Leibnitz the favours which had already been awarded him, and also directed him to write a history of the house of Brunswick. This work he commenced on such an immense scale that the main body of the history has never been published: he spent three years in traversing Germany and Italy, for the collection of materials, and the published portions throw great light on the early history of the Germanic tribes in general, though circumstances prevented himn from completing that portion which related to Brunswick.

Leibnitz was a man of am able mind; and being distressed at the sufferings which the Huguenots, or French protestants, experienced, he and Bossuet, a

A very profound and difficult branch of the mathematics, called the differential calculus, the nature of which can hardly be explained to general readers, was invented both by Sir Isaac Newton and by Leibnitz, each one proceeding in a path different from the other. Long controversies were carried on between the philosophers of England and France, as to which of the inventors deserved most honour; but in modern times the acrimony which distinguished this controversy has died away, and men now know how to do honour to both those great mathematicians, without striving to place one on a higher level than the other.

The personal or domestic character of Leibnitz does not yield those points of interest which so frequently arise from the contemplation of a distinguished man in the bosom of his family. Leibnitz was never married. One of his biographers says:-" At the age of fifty he had some thoughts of forming a matrimonial connexion; but as the lady he wished to espouse desired time to consider his proposal, Leibnitz also made his own reflections on the subject, and unluckily came to the conclusion that, though marriage is a good thing, a wise man ought to consider of it all his life." Leibnitz, although of a strong constitution, gradually sank under the immense mental exertions to which he subjected himself. He died on the 14th of November, 1716, at the age of seventy, In person he was of a middle stature, and had a sweet expression of countenance, blended with a studious air. He was short-sighted, but his vision continued excellent, even to his last moments, enabling him to read the smallest print, and to write in a small fine character. He was of a thin habit, but of a vigorous temperament; drank little, supped plentifully, and retired to rest immediately afterwards, a plan which, in most cases, would be evidently detrimental to health. He remained in bed only a few hours, and sometimes he would even sleep in his chair, and on awaking would proceed to his studies, whatever hour it might be. When deeply immersed in study, he was known to have scarcely left his chair for days together.

There have been few men who have approached so near as Leibnitz to the rank of a universal genius Theology, classical learning, jurisprudence, history, mathematics, natural philosophy, all occupied his attention in turn, and all received the stamp of his powerful mind, and made him the wonder of his age. But the reader must not infer that the possession of universal genius is necessary to advance a man to an eminent position among his fellow-men. A clear and steady mind, devoted assiduously to one subject, will often produce results more valuable to society than if it were directed to.

several; and the reason why such is the case will readily be understood. An attention to one subject concentrates and systemizes the knowledge which we possess on that subject, and renders it more available and valuable. It has been observed of Leibnitz, that though it is difficult to name any department of human knowledge which has not profited by his labours, or received fresh illustration from his genius, yet his reputation would perhaps have been more solid and permanent had he less ambitiously grasped the whole circle of human science. He has been excelled in theology, in classical learning, in jurisprudence, in history, in mathematics, and in natural philosophy, by others who have devoted their whole attention to one or other of these subjects; whereas he might probably have placed himself on a pre-eminent position in some one of them, had he more especially devoted himself to it. While, therefore, we admire the wonderful range of his genius, and respect his memory for the large accession which he made to the sum of human knowledge, we must not think any the more meanly of those members of society,-whether in past or present ages, in our own or any other country,— who, with a less gigantic grasp of intellect, have devoted their powers to one particular department of study, making others subordinate to it

THE world around us, with all its changes-the shortness of our stay here--the uncertainty of all things with which we are conversant in this transitory life, from the seed that falleth into the ground to die and burst into new life with the return of spring, to the varied scenes of that busy theatre on which man himself, lord of created nature, acts his little day—all these things teach us plainly that this is but a life of trial,-that this vain earth is not our rest.---DAUBANEY.

1

CURIOUS anecdotes are related of the effect of music upon animals. Thorville has given the following amusing account of his experiments. "While a man was playing on a trumpmarine, I made my observations on a cat, a dog, a horse, an ass, a hind, some cows, small birds, and a cock and hens, who were in a yard under the window. The cat was not the least affected; the horse stopped short from time to time, raising his head up now and then, as if he were feeding on grass; the dog continued for above an hour seated on his hind-legs, looking stedfastly at the player; the ass did not discover the least indication of his being touched, eating his thistles peaceably; the hind lifted up her large wide ears, and seemed very attentive; the cows stopt a little, and, after gazing at us, went forward; some little birds that were in an aviary, and others on trees and bushes, almost tore their little throats with singing; but the cock who minded only his hens, and the hens who were solely employed in scraping a neighbouring dunghill, did not show in any manner, that the trump-marine afforded them pleasure."

That dogs have an ear for music cannot be doubted: Steibelt had one which evidently knew one piece of music from the other; and a modern composer had a pug dog that frisked merrily about the room, when a lively piece was played; but when a slow melody was performed, particularly Dussek's Opera, 15, he would seat himself down by the piano and prick up his ears with intense attention, until the player came to the forty-eighth bar; but as the discord was struck he would yell most piteously, and with drooping tail seek refuge from the unpleasant sound under the chairs or tables.

Eastcot relates that a hare left her retreat to listen to some choristers, who were singing on the banks of the Mersey, retiring when they ceased singing, and reappear ing as they recommenced their strains. Bossuet asserts, that an officer, confined in the Bastille, drew forth mice and spiders to beguile his solitude with his flute; and a mountebank in Paris, had taught rats to dance on the rope in perfect time. Chateaubriand states as a positive fact, that he has seen the rattle-snake, in Upper Canada, appeased by a musician; and the concert given in Paris to two elephants in the Jardin des Plantes, leaves no doubt in regard to the effect of harmony on the brute creation. Every instrument seemed to operate distinctly as the several modes of pieces were slow or lively, until the excitement of these intelligent creatures had been carried to such an extent that further experiments were deemed dangerous.-MILLINGEN.

SILK FROM SPIDERS. THE extensive use which is made of silk goods, and the value they have acquired in all civilized countries, have led to various experiments amongst ingenious persons, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a substance or substances might not be obtained from other sources, which should answer the same purpose as that to which the production of the silk caterpillar is at present so widely applied.

At the beginning of the last century a method was discovered in France of obtaining silk from the nests of some species of spiders. It is well known that besides the ordinary web of spiders, there is a small silky bag spun by particular species, for the protection of their eggs. These bags may often be found in the corners of windows, under the eaves of houses, in cellars and vaults, in hollow trees, and in similar protected situations, where neither wind nor rain can reach them, They are much stronger and more durable in their texture than the webs formed to entrap the spider's prey, and in shape they resemble the silkworm's cocoon when it is prepared for the distaff. When first formed, these spiders' bags are of a gray colour, but by exposure to the air and dust they soon acquire a blackish hue.

It was from the bags thus formed by spiders around their eggs that silk was procured, at the time above stated, by a M. Bon, whose dissertation on the mode of obtaining and preparing the silk is extremely interesting. An abstract from this dissertation, together with the observations made by M. Reaumur, and other celebrated naturalists, on the means which the spider possesses of furnishing the material in question, may not be unacCeptable to our readers.

The method of classing spiders is usually according to their different colours, whether black, brown, yellow, &c., or sometimes by the number and arrangement of their eyes, some spiders possessing as many as ten of these organs, others eight, and others again six. M. Bon notices only two kinds as silk-producing spiders, and distinguishes then from each other, as having either long or short legs, the latter producing the finest quality of raw silk,

silk.

The spider is provided with fine papillæ, or small nipples, placed in the hinder part of its body, which are like so many wire-dravving irons, to form and mould a glutinous liquor, with which the insect is provided, and which, on being drawn out through these papillæ, and exposed to the air, immediately dries, and forms Each of these papillæ consists of a number of smaller ones, so minute as not to be discernible, and only made evident by the effects produced. Several distinct threads issue from each, the number of which, on account of their extreme finenes, cannot be counted with any accuracy. The principal papillæ are five in number; but these being made up of innumerable smaller ones, and each of these smaller ones emitting a beautifully fine thread, the total number of threads uniting to form the filament used by the spider is astonishingly great. By this beautiful arrangement the threads can be applied in a greater or less number, according to the strength required in the spider's work; and when all these threads unite and form one, as they do of the insect, the tenacity of the principa. thread is inat the distance of about the tenth of an incl. from the body creased, and its strength is greater than it were not thus composed of many individual filaments.

In proceeding to notice M. Bon's atter npt, and in giving his opinions on the subject, it is neces: ary to premise that that gentleman, delighted with his discovery, and determined to pursue it under all difficulties, was unconsciously led to exaggerate the advantages connected with it, and to make comparisons between the s ilkworm and the spider, as silk-producing animals, which were not wholly founded on fact.

A quantity of the spiders' bags were first colected