ALMANACK CLOCK.

Mr. T. Gilpin, a young man of Bridport, has invented an instrument which, in one second of time, gives the day of the month; the moon's age; rising and setting of the sun; time of the moon's shining; time of high water at Bridport harbour; the degree of the sign in which the sun is; the moon's southing; declination of the sun; moveable feasts; circle of the moon; epact, &c. &c. for any number of years.

JOANNA SOUTHCOTE'S DISCIPLES. Several of the besotted followers of Joanna Southcote, in the neighborhood of Ravenglass, are preparing for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which they hope to accomplish without crossing any sea.

STRENGTH OF TIMBER.

Colonel Beaufoy has made nug yous experiments to ascertain the strength of different kinds of timber. From these trials it appears that pitch pine is the strongest wood; next to that the English oak with straight and even fibres; then the English oak irregular and cross-grained; fourthly,the Riga fir; and fifthly the Dantzic oak. If the strength of the pitch pine be called 1000, that of the English oaks will be 980 and 867, Riga fir 782, and Dantzic oak 663. Call the mean strength of the English oak 1000, the strength of the Riga fir will be 846; but the weight of the Riga fir is to that of the English oak as 659 to 1000. Therefore the decrease of weight being in greater proportion than the increase of strength proves that in dry places it is better to use fir beams than oak, independently of the saving of expense.

SELLING A WIFE.

A few days ago that barbarous custom of selling a wife in a halter, was exhibited in the public market place of Kingston-on-Thames : the woman was conducted with a halter round her neck to the town-hall by her husband, who after paying two pence for the right of selling, put her up to auction, when she was knocked down at the sum of one shilling, to a lusty inhabitant of Woking in Surrey, who led his very valuable and baltered bargain off in triumph, amidst the disgust and reproaches of all those witnessing such profligate & indecent conduct.

DEBILITY CURED BY OXYGEN GAS.

The attention of the public has once more been drawn to the effects of the inhalation of vital air, or oxygen gas. This practice is not new, but it has not maintained sufficient reputation to keep up the attention of the profession that it is an agent of great importance, in many cases, is indubitable: hence it would seem unaccountable that it should ever have been abandoned, if the history of our art did not furnish many similar instances. We know that the most valuable remedies of the materia medica have been suffered to lie for a time in obscurity, have been again brought into use, have preserved their credit for a time, aud again been abandoned.

The case that has fallen particularly under my notice, wherein the gas has been useful, was communicated to me by Dr. Thornton, the physician in attendance, in the following words: Miss Austin, the daughter of a gentleman who manages the Irish department in our Post-Office, was seven years ill, and for the last five in so debilitated a state, that she 30 Eng. Mag. Vol. I.

was confined either to her bed or couch, and could not bear the horizontal position. Residing in Mare-street, Hackney, she was attended by a physician and an apothecary of that place; but both these gentlemen assured her parents that her disease baffled all the powers of medicine: Dr. Latham, president of the London College, attended also, and gave the same opinion, as did Dr. Babington, and other physicians. Such was her state of nervous debility, that she was unable to walk across the room, without such a train of nerVous sensations as to threaten the immediate extinction of life. Hackney, and even the lady herself, considered it as a completely lost case; but the doctor assured her that in fourteen days, by the inhalation of vital air, she would not only be down stairs dining with the family, but walking in the garden: such was the fact, and she went to Hackney-church in the course of three weeks, when all the congregation got up from their seats, as if they beheld one risen from the dead. She has now continued in the enjoyment of perfect health, and in the full use of her limbs, for upwards of 8 months." J.WANT.

All the inhabitants of

"SPONGING."

A robbery of a most singular kind was lately committed at Plymouth Dock. A baker having set his sponge over-night and filled his oven with fuel, found the following morning, that some thieves had been adroit enough to enter the premises without creating alarm, knead the dough, make it up into loaves, bake and carry them away with nearly a sack of flour, wholly unmolested. Two labouring men who slept over the bake house, heard people at work, but supposed them only to be the baker and his apprentice.

CURIOUS ANCIENT RELICS. On the 31st of March, 1817, a man setting up hurdles for a sheep inclosure in a field near the discovered at the depth of no more than 6 inchhouse of Gen. Houston at Avisford Hill, Sussex, stone found near Petworth: it measured in es from the surface a stone similar to the grit length four feet,in breadth one foot eight inches, of a solid stone chest or coffer; which being and eight inches thick, forming the covering taken off, the inside proved to be neatly hollowed out in an oblong square nearly four feet in length and eighteen inches deep: the sides of the coffer were four inches in thickness. The objects that presented themselves consisted of pottery of the coarse light red kind, and of the colour of common flower-pots. There were two red earthen basons, of the size of large breakfast cups, placed in saucers; six plates of the same coarse ware of the size of dessert plates; nine other smaller; two earthen jugs of a globular shape, eight inches in diameter, with a teapot-shaped handle attached to them, and a narrow neck that would not admit a finger; another jug of the same size, with a handle and spout like a cream-pot. In a circular saucer engrailed all round the edge, and with a handle, was placed a smooth oval pebble, very hard, of the colour and transparency of a white currant, and of the size and exact shape of a pigeon's egg. In another saucer of the same coarse war, was placed a black hard stone, perfectly round, the size of a nutmeg. Another saucer contained a flat oyster shell: near which was a dish contaiping

a thin glass lacrymatory, of the size and shape of a bergamot pear, with two small glass handles. Io four of the smaller dishes was a fragment of bone, of a chalky calcined white: but the most beautiful object that stood in the centre of this service of ancient crockery consisted of an elegant flat-bottomed square glass bottle, twelve inches high by eight inches broad, of a light transparent sea-green colour, very thick, and nearly full of calcined bones. This bottle had a bandle attached to one of its sides, and fastened to a circular neck, about two inches and a half high, the opening of which neck would scarcely admit of a child's finger into the bottle: this handle was beautifully reeded. At the end of this coffer, in the corpers, were two inverted conic brackets, on the top of each stood an earthen cup, with a spout and handle to each of them, resembling a butter-boat, about the flatness and size of a large round snuff box; at the bottom, at the other end, were a pair of sandals, apparently a small foot, studded all over the heels and soles with hexagonal-headed brass nails, placed similarly to those in countrymen's shoes. The objects, excepting the sandals, are all perfect, and without stain, and appear as fresh as when new; they are all made of the same kind of ware, and are about 28 in number. Being arranged in so trim a way, they present the appearance of a table set out for a dinner or a breakfast party. Neither coins nor inscriptions have been found in or near this extraordinary deposit. A correct drawing of these antiquities, taken in the manner in which they were at first arranged, is in the possession of a gentleman of Chichester.

LONGITUDE.

Mr. David Christieson, of Montrose, states, that he has discovered an easy and accurate method by which the longitude may be ascertained in any part of the world either by land or sea, by means of a meridian altitude of the sun. It is pointed out by a very simple instrument constructed on mathematical principles, and does not require those tedious calculations from solar or lunar tables, by which the ordinary method frequently becomes liable to such uncertainty. Neither does it depend on timekeepers, which, tho' brought to great perfection, cannot be implicitly relied on, especially in long voyages, or where the variations of heat and cold may alter the motion of these delicate instruments.

LIME-WATER AS AN EXTINGUISHER.

At a fire, which consumed the saw-mill adjoining to Elliott's wharf, Bankside, near the Southwark Gas-light premises, a circumstance worthy of notice was observed. Though the mill, which was entirely of wood, speedily became a prey to the flames, yet they were prevented from spreading by the use of lime water, with which the engines were supplied, for want of any other, from the cistern belonging to the Gas-light Company. It was remarked, that wherever this water fell, the flame was not only extinguished, but the burning wood, once wetted with it, would not again take fire.

COLLEGE MINORS.

At Oxford Assizes, an action was brought by a bookseller of Oxford, to recover 361. 12s. for books had by a minor, whilst he was a commoner of Brasennose College. Previous to trial, 81. 4s, was paid into court for such books as were deemed necessary; and it being contended by Mr. Dauncey, that no proof had been adduced that the books were necessary, a verdict was given for the defendant.

CARRIERS ACCOUNTABLE. At the Suffolk assizes a verdict was given against a common carrier for the loss of a parcel containing notes to the amount of 125. sent from Sudbury to London by the Yarmouth coach. By this, and some recent similar decisions of the courts, it is completely established as law, that a carrier is answerable to the full value of all parcels or packages entrusted to him, unless at the time of receiving them be verbally and distinctly informs the party leav ing the same with him, that he (the carrier) will not be answerable to a greater amount than 5£. All merely written or printed notices are of no avail to save the carrier from damages to give him the advantage of any restricted liability, a special contract must be made with every person delivering a parcel to go by a coach or other conveyance.

PROGRESS OF DIVING-BELLS.

Neptune's azure domains invaded.---- The works on the South Jetty of Plymouth Dock-yard lately ordered to be suspended, are about dve resumed in a manner that will place the operations of the diving-bell in a new and most interesting light. The basin, which has proved so expensive, is not to be completed, but filled up. The entrance or opening to it from the sea, after having the mud excavated by dredges, is to receive four rows of piles, driven three feet apart, whose tops will be cut off, by men in the diving-bell, at 30 feet below low water-mark. Sleepers will then be placed on the pileheads, with a platform of six-inch plank, when the masonry will commence, with the aid of the diving-bell, until it reaches low water mark, being a height, thus extraordinarily raised, amid numerous difficulties better to be conceived than described, of 30 feet. The height of the harbour wall, when completed, will be about 50 feet. It is probable that these curious operations, if successful, will give birth to a new era in the construction of buildings under water, by rendering the deep subservient as it were to man, which has hitherto indignantly rejected his influence.

REMEDIES FOR POISONS.

Various fatal accidents have recently occurred from persons having inadvertently taken poisonous substances. The following useful directions for such cases are given by Dr. JOHNSTONE of Birmingham,--

1st. When the preparations of arsenic, mercury, or of any metal, or when any unknown substance or matter has been swallowed, and there have speedily ensued heat of the mouth and throat, violent pain of the stomach, retching and vomiting---immediately drink a plenty of warm water, with common soap scraped or dissolved in it. Two or 3 quarts of warm water, with from three to four ounces to half a pound of soap, will not be too much.

2d. When any of the preparations of opium, henbane, nightshade, hemlock, tobacco, foxglove, or stramonium, or any poisonous fungus mistaken for mushrooms, or spirituous liquors in excess, or any other unknown matters, have been swallowed, exciting sickness without pain of the stomach, or producing giddiness, drowsiness, or sleep---give instantly one table-spoonful of flour of mustard in water, and repeat it in copious draughts of warm water, constantly. until vomiting takes place. If the person becomes so insensible as not to be easily roused, give the mustard in vinegar, instead of water, and rub and shake the body actively and incessantly.

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a drunken man: after the second he could not see to work : after the third was quite delirious, left his house, and wandered over the town for four hours, from nine in the evening till two in the morning, when he had gradually recovered his senses, and was sufficiently well to return bome, though still in a degree delirious; he could see nothing minute at a distance; seemed intoxicated, but told his wife he was not drunk; and used a bath of muriatic acid I had before directed for him. The next day, on enquiry respecting his feelings and ideas during this temporary delirium, he said, he thought he had been smoking all the evening; at one time looked after money he supposed to have lost a fortnight back, at another played with trinkets like a child; when in the streets, thought he saw an infant tied up in a bundle; and fancied he was engaged in a broil, and was conveyed to the watch-house. At the time of giving this account (the day after taking the medicine,) he could not see to work, but was sensible, and complained of pain across the forehead; after this he continued the medicine about three weeks, in smaller doses, without inconvenience, and the pain of the leg gradually disappeared. J. WANT.

ETON MONTEM.

The procession of the triennial Eton Montem on the 3d of June was viewed by her Majesty, the Prince Regent, and the Princesses. The scholars, 450 in number, dined at the Windmill, Salt Hill; and in the evening by invitation of her Majesty, went to Frogmore, partook of refreshments, and returned about nine o'clock to college. The spectators to view the Montem was immense ---the Salt collection amounted to 8211. of which her Majesty gave 507. and the Prince Regent 301.

NEW COMPOSITION FOR GREEN PAINT.

Mr. BARTH, of Osnaburg, gives the following Receipt for preparing a new economical green paint--boil, for half an hour, in a sufficient quantity of water, three ounces of the peel of the quercitron with four ounces of alum, precipitate by alkali, and edulcorate the precipitate properly. Put in a vessel two ounces of Prussian-blue, and pour on it sulphuric acid of the strength of 40°; after some time, when this mixture has digested lightly, it will be perceived that the alumine of the Prussian-blue is dissolved: this precipitate must be well edulcorated. Put in another vessel one pound, at least, of pipe-clay, well tempered, and with this is mixed as much of the yellow and blue precipitates as is necessary to produce the shade desired; by this process is obtained a very beautiful colour, which resists the action of air and light, and is preferable to verdigris, on account of its solidity, beauty, and price. M. Hermbstaedt, who has published the preceding, observes, that this colour merits the more being recommended, as it does not contain any substance injurious to health, like verdigris and Schules green, the use of which, in paper-hangings, is extremely dangerous.

BREAD IMPROVED BY MAGNESIA. Mr. EDMUND DAVY, of the Cork Institution, has communicated the following important facts to the public.---“ The carbonate of magnesia of the shops, when well mixed with the new flour, in the proportion of from twenty to forty grains to a pound of flour, materially improves it for the purpose of making bread. Loaves made with the addition of the carbonate of magnesia rise well in the oven; and, after being baked, the bread is light and spongy has a good taste, and keeps well. In cases when the new flour is of indifferent quality, from twenty to thirty grains of the carbonate of magnesia to a pound of the flour will considerably improve the bread. When the four is of the worst quality, forty grains to a pound of four seem necessary to produce the same effect.---As the improvement in the bread from the new flour depends upon the carbonate of magnesia, it is necessary that care should be taken to mix intimately with the flour, previous to the making of the dough.---A pound of carbonate of magnesia would be sufficient to mix with two hundred and fifty-six pounds of the new flour, at the rate of thirty grains to the pound. And, supposing a pound of carbonate of magnesia to cost half-a crown, the additional expense would be only half a farthing in the pound of flour.

WATERLOO SUBSCRIPTION.

The Waterloo subscription fund now ap proaches very near 500,000l. an evidence of national spirit and gratitude worthy of the occasion. Out of this sum, annuities to the amount of more than 18,000l. have been voted to widows, children, and to privates who have suffered the loss of limbs; and upwards of 140,000l. given in donations, including sums voted to our Allies.

CHOLERA MORBUS.

My attention this month has been frequently arrested by Cholera Morbus--a disease, which is very rarely met with in numbers at this season. It is characterized by violent and continued vomiting and purging of bile and acrimonious humors, accompanied with more more commonly forms a part of the epidemic or less of pain in the stomach and bowels. It constitution of autumn; and, from this circumstance, has been ascribed to the excessive use of fruit. This is clearly a mistaken notion, as a great proportion of the cases of the last epidemic occurred in persons who had not eaten it. It seems to be an effort of Nature to dislodge from the stomach offensive accumulations, from whatever source theymay arise ; hence we find solitary instances do occasionally present themselves without any seening connexion with atmospheric influence.---I am acquainted with a lady who regularly, about once in six weeks, has an attack of this complaint: the matter, which is rejected in considerable quantities, is actually more acid than vinegar: during the interval of the vomiting, the patient labours under symptoms indicating a diseased state of the secretions of the stomach, and especially a degree of giddiness, which renders her incapable of sustaining au erect position. As this disease is really an effort of Nature, its course should be arrested with great circumspection; the safest practice is to administer copious draughts of chamomile-tea, or even warm water, until the offensive matter is freely evacuated, which may be known by the fluid which is taken being rejected unmixed: after which the irritation may be allayed by opium from 20 to 30 drops, which should be