Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

houn took a wide and an important range. The last publication from the army observations contained a very interesting body of facts collected at the various posts. The compiler of the work referred to, Assistant Surgeon R. H. Coolidge, M. D., of the Army, deserves well of his country. In the circulation. of his Report among the members of the medical profession, its utility will be proved. But the subject demands an extended review. We cannot even trace at this time the topic as treated in this part of the Climatology. The power of the dry and cold Northern climate in resisting the progress of consumption and permanently curing it, deserves considerate attention. The subject of miasma- but here we must forbear, when doctors disagree.

In the examination of this Climatology, we have noticed a few particulars which need not have been introduced, especially in a work so scientific. The reference to magnetism as a possible climatic force, and to electricity as a motive power, will hardly be approved. We have no certain evidence of their action in this case. Even electricity, so common a hobby with theorizers, as the agent in gravitation, light, caloric, and even in chemical affinity, as well as in life, thought, and muscular power, is not known to have any connection with them, except in contiguity of time and place. Mr. Blodget notices electricity only as a "convective" agent in removing heavy bodies in some devastating tornadoes. So terrific is the tornado, that it may itself be the adequate cause. True, it might be heightened by heavy electric discharges. For lightning has been known to dash down a chimney and scatter the materials, and to split or tear out large portions of living trees which were left standing, and scatter them to a considerable distance, a result of which no mere tornado-force is capable. But such evidences of its power show little connection with any climatic agency.

The faults in the composition of this book are occasional forms of expression not the most perspicuous, a somewhat involved construction of sentences, and in some instances a

Statistical Report on the Sickness and Mortality in the Army of the United States, compiled from the Records of the Surgeon-General's Office, from January 1839, to January, 1855. Washington. 1856. 4to. pp. 700.

novel or singular use of words. Of the latter we have climatological instead of a shorter and better word, climatic, a very natural oversight; as, for instance, a "climatological basin constituted by the "plains of the Columbia River," that is, a basin which has strong peculiarities of climate compared with the adjacent districts which are noticed.

"

We find, on the other hand, some instances in which a real advantage has been gained by the change of scientific terms, or the use of new terms. Thus we have thermal, for the condition of temperature, instead of "thermometric"; hyetal, for the rain-condition, in the place of the long and less euphonious "hyetographic " of Berghaus, for the worse "ombrographic" of the French, or in the place of "hyetometric or "ombrometric"; and hygral, for the humid condition, instead of "hygrometric." The obvious analogy of our language is followed in these words.

A generality of statement, which needs some qualification, occasionally appears. It would be easy for a captious reader to offer very severe, yet plausible, criticisms on such assertions.

A due estimate of this work can be formed from the amount of facts, reasonings, and illustrations now presented from it, though but a partial view could be taken in these few pages. For its climatic statistics and illustrations it is invaluable to a great majority of scientific men, to whom they had been inaccessible, and to all general students of physical geography and climatology. That it far surpasses the anticipations of that great body of observers over the country who had begun eagerly to examine this interesting and important subject, may be safely asserted. That the increasing number of observers over the United States and in the regions farther north will, in a few years, enlarge the field of view, and settle some points not yet ascertained, is highly probable.

In conclusion, we would point out some desirable improvements in the observations to be made.

1. We would suggest the adoption of one uniform set of hours for thermal observations, as 7 A. M. and 2 and 9 P. M., as required by the observers for the Smithsonian Institution and at the military posts of the United States. Even the amateur observers will in this way greatly increase the

value of their results. In numerous cases, entire confidence cannot be placed, because the hours selected have not been the same. For a few years other hours of taking the observations were used at the military posts; but four hours happened then to be adopted which are found to give very nearly the same results as are derived from the three mentioned, - only the labor was made one fourth greater with no advantage. But it is to be feared that the results of too many of the early observations in Europe and America are only a very remote approximation to the truth.

2. In all cases observers should adhere to the hours selected, as the difference of half an hour often makes several degrees of difference in the temperature. There are no adequate data on which to make satisfactory reductions. The labor too is great for obtaining only an approximation to an approximation. The observations for the ten years from 1855 ought to exceed in value all those previously made in North America. Attention to these two points will secure this great object. Their importance cannot be over-estimated.

3. Particular attention should be given to the course of winds, especially to the course as shown by the upper clouds. The winds at the surface are often local; the upper must be more general. In valleys between ranges of mountains, only the winds indicated by the clouds can have any general importance. The different currents, when there are two tiers of clouds, should be recorded. The tracing of storms in their progress over the country, and the times of commencement in different latitudes or longitudes, or both, must lead to important conclusions. In determining the course of winds by the clouds, let those passing over the zenith be noticed as unerring guides. It is obvious that clouds in the southern horizon, for example, may appear to move from the west, when they are actually moved by winds from the northwest or southwest.

4. Constant and careful attention should be paid to the thermometer, as heat is the all-important element in climate. Vast has been the labor expended in the observations already made; the great results have begun to appear. The effort must be continued, and it will effect immeasurably

greater results. As was said of the moving power in another case, so will it yet be said in this great interest of science and humanity," Labor omnia vicit improbus."

ART. III.-1. A Chronological History of New England, in the Form of Annals, etc. By THOMAS PRINCE, M. A. Boston, N. E. Printed by Kneeland and Green for S. Gerrish. 1736.

2. Catalogue of the

Library of Rev. Thomas Prince, presented to the Old South Church and Society. Boston. 1847.

3. Proposals of the Prince Publication Society. Boston. 1859.

ONE of the most disinterested pleasures enjoyed by the student of history is the almost personal acquaintance he forms with those celebrities of a former day who are to the multitude but shadowy names. A more selfish but a more bene

ficial result of his study is seen when he is enabled to gain the attention of a public desirous only of entertainment, and, by interesting it, to impress upon its memory the distinct idea which has been depicted gradually upon his mind. If his own image be clear and well-proportioned, whether it be true or false, he will communicate an impression as fresh and interesting as the critic's analysis of the last new author. The public will be zealous to atone for the neglect which has so long attended the subject, will eagerly adopt the judgment of the writer, and permit it to stand as the award of History, until some other ardent advocate arises to repeat the process, and to intensify or contradict the prevalent opinion.

This revival of a defunct reputation is constantly occurring, and it may be one of the necessary results attendant on the easy publication of so many works. We can hardly point to an English author of note whose reputation has not thus waned and been rekindled. In this country, the space covered by our record is so limited, that but few instances can as

yet be enumerated. Already, however, we find the names of Winthrop, Bradford, Morton, and the Mathers made familiar to our ears; their actions scrutinized, their intentions discussed, their productions reprinted and analyzed. The history of the first half-century of our colonial existence will soon be better comprehended than that of the fifty years which witnessed our birth and growth as a nation. To future generations, freer from contemporary prejudices, we must leave the task of tracing the clear course of comparatively recent events; to us belong the duty and the pleasure of investigating that earlier portion of our history which, we are wont to believe, was an essential prelude to the great scene to be enacted.

We shall attempt, in this article, to describe the life and character of a man whose name has become endeared to us for far different reasons from those which called forth the admiration and esteem of our forefathers a century ago. In Thomas Prince they saw the devoted pastor, the sympathizing friend, the eloquent and loyal advocate of the claims of Church and King. We recognize in him to-day the patient gleaner of those particles of history, upon whose collective authority rest the claims of the Pilgrim Puritans to our thanks and veneration.

The recent occurrence of the centennial anniversary of his death, renders the present a fit time to present some faint portrayal of him, as a memento and an incitement to abler hands to continue and perfect the work. If in doing this we descend into details apparently trivial, let us say, in Prince's own words:

.....

"Some may think me rather too critical, others that I relate some circumstances too minute. As to the first, I think a Writer of Facts cannot be too critical: It is Exactness I aim at, and would not have the least mistake, if possible, pass to the World. . . . . . As to the Second, those Things which are too minute with Some, are not so with Others. . . . . . And there's none who attentively reads a History, either ancient or modern, but in a great many Cases, wishes the Writer had mentioned some minute Circumstances, that were then commonly known, and thought too needless or small to be noted."

Thomas Prince was born at Sandwich, Massachusetts, May 15, 1687, and was the son of Samuel Prince by his second

« AnteriorContinuar »