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interesting Now when it is considered that this instrument has been in constant use for upwards of half a century, and that the center error, from constant friction, would during this time have a regular tendency to increase, it will not appear at all surprising, if the former accuracy of this instrument should be somewhat impaired. With a view, therefore, of ascertaining more correctly the present state of an instrument on which so much depends, I have exhibited in one view the polar distances as determined by circular instruments alone; the respective co-latitudes being previously corrected by the method above mentioned; and I have compared the mean result with the Greenwich Catalogue, that the nature and amount of the deviations may be seen, and if it be judged necessary, corrected. I should add, that by some observations of the sun at the winter solstice in 1800, the difference between the Greenwich quadrant and the circle was 10 or 12", the quadrant still giving the zenith distance too

little.'

Observations and Remarks on the Figure, the Climate, and the Atmosphere of Saturn and its Ring. By William Herschel, LL.D. F. R.S.—We have already noticed, in a preceding Number, the observations made by Dr. H. on the figure of Saturn *. It was the Doctor's opinion, last year, that this planet was flattened both at its poles and at the equator; and the present memoir confirms that idea.

The form of Saturn flattened at the poles, if it be the real form, is not that which, from reasons that obviously suggest themselves, results from the planet's rotation, and from the attraction of the Ring. The figure of Saturn was once differ ently represented by Dr. H.; and this discrepancy of representation having been urged as an objection against the new figure, he thus replies to that remark:

In the year 1789 I ascertained the proportion of the equatorial to the polar diameter of Saturn to be 22.81 to 2c.61, and in this measure was undoubtedly included the effect of the ring on the figure of the planet, though its influence had not been investigated by direct observation. The rotation of the planet was determined afterwards by changes observed in the configuration of the belts, and proper figures to represent the different situation of the spots in these belts were delineated. In drawing them it was understood that the shape of the planet was not the subject of my consideration, and that consequently a circular disk, which may be described without trouble, would be sufficient to show the configurations of the changeable belts.

Those who compare these figures, and others I have occasionally given, in which the particular shape of the body of the planet was not intended to be represented, with the figure which is contained in my last paper, of which the sole purpose was to express that figure,

See M. Rev. N. S. Vol. xlix. p. 382..

and

and wonder at the great difference, have probably not read the measures I have given of the equatorial and polar diameters of this planet; and as it may be some satisfaction to compare the appearance of Saturn in 1789 with the critical examination of it in 1805, I have now drawn them from the two papers which treat of the subject ; Fig. 1, Plate XXI. represents the spheroidical form of the planet as observed in 1789, at which time the singularity of the shape since discovered was unknown; and Fig. 2, represents the same as it appeared the 5th of May, 1805. The equatorial and polar diameters that were established in 1789 are strictly preserved in both figures, and the last differs from the first only in having the flattening at the poles a little more extended on both sides towards the equatorial parts. It is in consequence of the increase of the length of this flattening, or from some other cause, that a somewhat greater curvature in the latitudes of 40 or 45 degrees north and south has taken place; and as these differences are very minute, it will not appear extraordinary that they should have been overlooked in 1789, when my attention was intirely taken up with an examination of the two principal diameters of the planet."

We quote also the subsequent passage, as containing a face which is rather remarkable, and for which we see no good. reason. If it be exact, it ought to satisfy those who have used magnifying powers only moderately high, and have not been able to discern the pro-obhteness of Saturn:

The use of various magnifying powers in observing minute objects is not generally understood. A low power, such as 200 or 160, with which I have seen the figure of Saturn, is not sufficient to show it to one who has not already seen it perfectly well with an adequate high power; an observer, therefore, who has not an instrument that will bear a very distinct magnifying power of 500, ought not to expect to see the outlines of Saturn, so sharp and well defined as to have a right conception of its figure. The quintuple belt is generally a very good criterion; for if that cannot be seen, the telescope is not sufficient for the purpose; but when we have intirely convinced ourselves of the reality of the phenomena I have pointed out, we may then gradually lower the power, in order to be assured that the great curvature of the eye glasses giving these high powers, has not occasioned any deceptions in the figure to be investigated, and this was the only reason why I mentioned that I had also seen the remarkable figure of Saturn with low powers.'

A List of Presents received by the Society, and an Index, according to antient and laudable custom, terminate this vo

lume.

ART.

11. 18.

ART. IX. Recollections of Paris, in the Years 1802-3-4-5. By
J. Pinkerton. 2 Vols. 8vo. pp. about 500 in each.
Boards. Longman and Co.

IF

Fashion presided only over articles of personal decoration, Mr. Pinkerton's idea of representing her as the deified little milliner' would be admissible: but the province of this divinity is of much wider range, extending even to the region of intellect, and influencing men of letters as well as fancy dress-makers. Our thoughts take their hue from those which have been prevalent in the society with which, by choice, we have been most conversant; and in preparing them for the public, we generally fall into the adopted mode of exhibition. Hence arises a fashion in book-making; and authors, even while they seem to study variety, preserve in certain traits a kind of family likeness.

Mr. Pinkerton, in his Recollections of Paris, may urge that he has given accounts of the French capital, of its environs, and its inhabitants, which, from his long residence, may be supposed to possess superior accuracy, and some of which are not to be found in any of the several publications with which we have been lately presented; he may plead, moreover, in excuse for his title, that he took no notes;' and that the greater part of these volumes is the result of a happy memory, combined with such observations as were excited by the state of the country and of the society which he explored. So far we have no objection to his proceedings: but we see no necessity for interweaving Essays with his recollected facts; we find too much of modern authorship in the manufacture and complexion of his work; and his considerations on the writings of Rousseau tend to interrupt the narrative, and needlessly to swell the volume. Some individuals, it is probable, will accuse him of being too frenchified; of discovering too great a partiality for the country and usages of our enemies; of being too forward in their vindication; and of arguing with too much energy on the policy of cultivating their friendship, even in the closest bonds, at the very moment when war is raging with all the malignity of the most inflamed passion. We are not, however, of the number of those who upbraid Mr. P. with being a cosmopolitical traveller; and so far are we from being displeased with his endeavours to impress a conviction on the two countries of the superior advantages which would accrue to each from the strenuous cultivation of the arts of peace, in preference to the favourite though unchristian system of war, that we should derive the most heart-felt pleasure from the practical adoption of this principle: but, unfortunately for

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both parties, mutual resentment and animosity are carried to such a height, that the patriotism of the sagacious and prudent counsellor is suspected; and the still small voice of reason is drowned amid the clangor of arms. Nations, like individuals, are continually blind to their own interests, and are better pleased with those who foster their pride and their passions, than with those who exhort them to be wise. Should Mr. P. fail, from the prejudices of the moment, of subserving the interests of beneficence and humanity to the extent which he desires, it must be allowed that he has added to the mass of our information respecting Paris; and that, by long residence and intimate intercourse with the native inhabitants, he is enabled to exhibit views of manners which occur not to the fugitive rambler.

Many of the objects here noticed are such as have been mentioned in recent accounts of the French capital. We have descriptions of the Boulevards, National Library, Louvre, Garden of Plants, Palace of the Luxembourg, Garden of the Tuileries, Museum of National Monuments, Bridges, Baths, Streets, Taverns, Churches, &c. To these common topics, however, are added several that are new, and which merit particular notice. Mr. Pinkerton presents to us the state of Literature, Medicine, and Education, gives us a view of the Revenue, Taxes, new civil code, of the Police, &c. with distinct chapters intitled Moral Considerations and General Reflections.

Having so repeatedly accompanied the visitors of the Modern French capital to palaces, gardens, statues, pictures, &c. we shall not, on the present occasion, quote the author's remarks on these matters of general observation, though in these he has not always followed the opinions of others: confining our extracts to matters which are less trivial.

In the chapter on Learning and Literary Societies, Mr. P. adverts to the different treatment of the members of the latter on the different sides of the channel :

While in England the members of learned societies pay annual sums towards their expence; in France, on the contrary, these members were, and are, paid by the goverument. The consultation of geographers, chemists, and other scientific characters, on the arrangement of public measures, was also often productive of great and lasting effects; while in some other countries Generals are sent out without maps or plans; and operations depending on chemistry or other sciences, are all projected and arranged by an omniscient minister.

For instance, he does not greatly admire the Venus de Medici; he thinks that it was classed by the antients among the third or fourthrate productions of the art.

The

The astonishing successes that have recently followed the French ams may in a great degree be ascribed to this cause; not to mention that the leaders themselves are often not only deeply versed in their own profession, but considerably tinctured with other sciences.'

To this statement, we subjoin his account of the Institute:

The chief literary society in France is the Institute, which has been recently modelled in imitation of the former academies, one class representing the academy of sciences, another that of inscriptions, a third that of the French language, while a fourth replaces the aca demy of painting and sculpture. In all these classes, as happens in such institutions, men of superior talents are mingled with one half or one third part mere quacks, who have usurped a ridiculous reputation by low intrigues, and by taking advantage of particular times and circumstances. Still the mass of science and the freedom of inquiry are so preponderant, that the Institute may be regarded as a grand focus of illumination, particularly in natural philosophy and chemistry. The members wear a particular dress, black, embroidered with green silk. I know not how it has happened that these distinctive dresses have become in vogue since the revolution, for they are certainly very remote from republican forms or cquality, rarely appearing, on the contrary, except in despotic governments. But this conspires with many other circumstances to evince that the French character can never become truly republican, as these petty distinctions, arising from vanity, form the antipodes of republican modesty. That magistrates, while exercising their functions, should wear a solemn dress, is natural and rational; but that counsellors of state, senators, members of the legislative body, of the tribunate, of the Institute, &c., should be distinguished by their costume, seems a novelty in European history, certainly not indicative of the progress of rational liberty or solid knowledge.

The secretaries of the Institute are now nominated during their lives, but the presidents during a short period. In this plan there is the advantage that the president cannot influence the society in favour of any particular branch of science to which he may chance to give the preference; far less can he arrange it like a machine to serve particular objects of his own ambition. But, on the other hand, he is not so deeply interested in the welfare of the society, nor can he form such durable plans for its progressive advantage.

The secretaries have been nominated during their lives, apparently because the situation demands practical skill. But in general it is a subject of astonishment and regret that many literary situations in France are only held during the good health of the possessor. Thus if any of the masters of the lycées or public schools, should be afflicted with a lasting infirmity, he totally loses his appointments, and is reduced to a state of beggary. A bare recital of such cruelty is sufficient to excite indignation in every beneficent bosom; to superadd poverty to disease being a truly tyrannic refinement.'

Among the exhibitions of the works of living artists in the year 1802, we are informed of a large picture by Gros, (a

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