[ 128 ] LITERARY CABINET. NATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE SPANIARDS. A German officer, who served six years in the Peninsula, has just published at Wisbaden, A View of Spain, in which he gives the following sketch of the character of the people of that country:-- The Spaniard unites oriental phlegm with the vivacity of the inhabitants of the south. He is susceptible of a high degree of enthusiastu, passion, and activity; but the state to which constitution, climate, and babit, incline him is indolent repose. To rouse him from this state he needs external stimulants: this is proved by his whole history: and, on the other hand, the latter is illustrated by the character of the nation. Hence we clearly perceive the reason why it has not been during the last centuries the same that, at an earlier period, and under other circumstances, seemed destined to obtain the empire of the world. The life of the Spaniard resembles clock-work. One day is exactly like another. Every thing has its time. At an appointed hour he rises and retires to bed; at an appointed hour he goes out and returns; and at the very same bour he eats and performs all the offices of life. This is his invariable practice. Sooner would the planets leave their orbits than he deviate from his course, unless he were forcibly thrown out of it. In this way did his forefathers live; and thus will his descendants live also. It is a praiseworthy custom of the Spaniards that they never run in debt. Every one is content with what he has, and contrives to make shift with it. Luxury has taught him no imaginary or artificial wants. For this reason you no where find so few adventurers, swindlers, and spendthrifts by profession, who live at the expense of the community, and who in other countries form a distinct cast. From the disgraceful practices of such characters an innate and peculiar sense of honour and temperance preserve this nation. The events of the extraordinary contest in which the nation has been recently engaged, and in which it has certainly exhibited striking proofs of coolness, courage, and fortitude, are calculated to excite prepossessions too favour able to it in the minds of all those who have not had opportunities for close observation, and to produce exaggerated expectations of future prosperity. The causes of the rather apparent than real [March 1, resistance of the Spaniards, and of the partial success of their efforts the causes which so long delayed the decision of their fate, and rendered it uncertain-were very different from what the distant spectator may imagine. Their prevailing spirit is not an active energy; their contest was not for, but against, innovations; it was a contest for the preservation of their political constitution, religion, and manners, for which long repose and habit had produced an inextinguishable attachment. A contemplative, undisturbed life; the tranquil enjoyment of their existence; a permanent place on that step of civilization and improvement on which they at present stand, seem to be their only wish. The experience of late years may doubtless have given the nation a beneficial shock, and left behind the seeds of much that is good as well as bad; but the ungrateful soil will scarcely suffer them to thrive and produce fruit. The Spaniards in common life frequently make use of the expression-Me alegro que usted esta sin novedad; which is equivalent to-"I am glad that you are well and happy;" but literally signi fies-"I am glad that you are without news." Trifling circumstances in a language sometimes lead to important conclusions. Thus it seems but fair to infer from this expression that the Spaniards, who daily wish to each other that things may go on in their old train, cannot be any great friends to innovation, but rather place their happiness and comfort in the unruffled continuance of their accustomed habits and way of life. The events which have taken place in Spain since the return of King Ferdinand prove the accuracy of these remarks; which afford an adinirable illustration of many circumstances, which persons unacquainted with the national character of the Spaniards would be grievously puzzled to reconcile or explain. GENERAL MINA. A letter from Paris gives the following interesting particulars relative to the Spanish general Mina, who acted so distinguished a part during the late war in Spain, and who gained the esteem of his countrymen not less by his personal qualifications than by his military achievements. When Mina found that the government designed to apprehend him, he, having a moveable press, forged a pass for himself and four aid-de-camps, in 1814.] Anecdotes of the Spanish General Mina. which he described himself and them as He was 129 ascertained the place of abode of his family at Paris. His father was found out, and word was sent to him to come in the afternoon to the adjutant-general's. The subaltern was ushered into a large company of ladies and gentlemen, without knowing why he was sent for. He saw the boy, but did not know him again: the latter, however, exclaimed, "Oh! that's my father!" and threw himself into his arms. The father now became sensible that this was his longlost child; transported with joy, he pressed him closely and repeatedly to his bosom, unable to utter a single word. The whole company was deeply affected by this scene, and testified their sympathy in the raptures of the father and the youth. Mina sat for some time without moving; but when the French officer had somewhat recovered from the first tumult of his joy, he rose, and turning towards him, addressed him in such an impressive manner on the duties of a parent, and at the same time delineated in such glowing colours his misconduct towards his helpless child, that the old soldier testified the sincerest sorrow for his hard-hearted behaviour, and promised with tears to make amends for his cruelty by his future paternal attention, provided his son were given up to him again. "You left him," replied Mina, "in the hands of an enemy; but I brought him up like my own child; I give him back to you; now complete what I have begun.' He thereupon delivered the boy to his father. All present were moved by the dignity and generosity of Mina; " And yet," said they, "such a man as this is obliged to flee like a criminal from his native country, which he so bravely defended, and to seek refuge among his former enemies!" His conduct in Spain since the return of Ferdinand, is explained by the circumstance that he is attached to the party of King Charles, and recognizes no other for his sovereign. ALEXANDER THE FIRST. The following traits in the early career of the present Emperor of Russia bespeak a goodness of heart, and an active philanthropy of character, which, for the happiness of his subjects, and the general interests of humanity, one should hope the sinister influence of political intrigue and courtly adulation may never succeed in blasting. In a letter written with his own hand to a Russian nobleman, on whom he had conferred a patrimonial estate, is this fine conclusion:"The peasants of Russia are, for the 130 Alexander I.-Canova-Countess of Bedford. greater part, slaves; it is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the degradation and misery of such a state. I have sworn, therefore, not to increase the number of these wretched beings; and have laid it down as a principle not to dispose of peasants as a property. This estate is granted to yourself and your posterity as a tenure for life; which is a tenure differing in this point alone from the generality, that the peasants cannot be sold or alienated as a beast of burthen. You now know my motives; and I am convinced you would act in the same manner were you in my place." A nobleman, in the government of Woronesc, had bought 6,000 peasants of Prince Trubeczkoi, and, at the instance of Alexander, offered them their freedom, on condition of their making good the purchase-money. This they gratefully and joyfully accepted; and the first use they made of their liberty was to write a letter of thanks to the Emperor, for his mediation in this affair; to entreat his permission that they might build a church, and give it their benefactor's name; and make a canal at their own expense, fifteen wersts in length, to facilitate the internal intercourse. CANOVA, When Canova was executing the statue of Buonaparte in marble, a friend asked him, whether he did not take particular delight in a work which in future ages was likely to command the admiration of millions. "No, indeed;" peevishly replied the artist. "And why not?" "Because I have before my eyes the first of my works that will be destroyed." This anecdote is related by a German artist who was present during the conversation.--Canova knew the Parisians, and he likewise knew Napoleon. In six days this brazen Colossus was overthrown; for his feet, like the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his vision, were of clay, and the heart of flint. [March 1, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD. The circumstances attending the death of the Countess of Bedford, wife of the fifth earl, who was afterwards advanced to the dukedom, were very remarkable. This lady, equally accomplished in mind and person, was the daughter of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, by the dissolute Countess of Essex: but the guilt of her parents and the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury had been industriously concealed from her, so that all she knew was their conjugal infelicity, and their living latterly in the same house without ever meeting. Having one day entered her lord's study, with a mind oppressed and dejected by the tragical end of Lord Russell, and the carl being suddenly called away; her eye, as it is supposed, was caught by a thin folio, lettered, Trial of the Earl and Countess of Somerset. She took it down and turning over the leaves was struck to the heart by the guilt and conviction of her parents. She fell back, and was found by her husband dead in that posture, with the book lying open before her. EPITAPH IN ST. MARY'S CHURCH, OXFORD CHARLES HENRY JOHNSON, M. A. PROCEEDINGS OF PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETIES. ROYAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE. Analysis of the Labours of the CLASS of THE memorable events of which this capital (Paris) has been the theatre, so far from interrupting scientific researchés, have furnished fresh proofs of the respect which the sciences inspire, and of the happy influence which they have acquired over all nations, and persons of all ranks. Innumerable armies from the farthest extremities of Europe have visited our monuments, surveyed our collections, and examined every object with curiosity. Friends of the sciences embarked in this great crusade, partly undertaken for the purpose of restoring the liberty of thinking and writing, had no sooner laid aside their arms than they came to inquire concerning our labours, to take part in them, and to ac 1815.] Proceedings of the Royal Institute of France. quaint us with what had been done in their respective countries. The foreign sovereigns seemed to dispute who should give the most striking demonstrations of zeal for the progress of knowledge, and exhibit the strongest proofs that theirs was the cause of science and humanity. Our princes have emphatically expressed their satisfaction at the flourishing state of our institutions, and the king has not only granted to them his august protection, but has already shewn by deeds with what noble liberality he purposes to increase their activity and to extend their importance. Under such happy auspices, the efforts of the mind must receive a new impulse; while the re-establishment of the intercourse with other nations, and the emulation which will hence result cannot fail soon to cause the sciences to produce fresh wonders. The researches of this year already display this renewed energy; they do still more: they evidently shew in many points that hesitation, that want of more explicit solutions, which those persons who have studied the progress of the sciences always consider as the necessary forerunners of great discoveries. CHEMISTRY. One of the most curious substances recently discovered is iode, which has so long lain concealed in sea-weed, which appears, on the application of heat, in the form of a beautiful violet coloured vapour, and which acting with other bodies in a similar manner to that of chlore, or to what was lately called oxygenated muriatic gas, has imparted new force to the ideas produced by sulphuretted hydrogen-ideas which tend to introduce into the theory of chemistry this important modification, that oxygen is by no means the only principle capable of effecting acidification. Bertholet, indeed, had shewn, near thirty years ago, that sulphuretted hydrogen, in which there is no oxygen, possesses all the properties of acids, and the German chemists strongly insisted on this fact, to impugn part of the French theory. In 1809, Thenard and Gay Lussac made experiments, the results of which were, that it is impossible to extract oxygen from what is commonly called oxygenated muriatic acid, and that we cannot continue to believe that it exists in it, without supposing that in all those cases in which this acid is converted into ordinary muriatic acid, there is formed water which indissolubly combines with the acid produced, or at least that the elements of water enter as inte 131 gral parts into its composition; whereas, by considering the so-called oxygenated muriatic acid as a simple substance whose combination with hydrogen would produce common muriatic acid, we are relieved from the necessity of adopting this supposition. Our chemists, though they exhibited these two views of the subject, adhered to the former, which had more analogy with what passes in the generality of acidifications. Davy, who had been led to the same conclusions, more boldly adopted the second theory, and in consequence gave to the oxygenated muriatic acid a particular name, that of chlore, from which he derived those of the two other acids into which it enters. The one (the muriatic) in which it is combined with hydrogen, he called hydro-chloric; the other (the super-oxygenated muriatic) which results from its combination with oxygen, received the name of chloric acid. The experiments on the acid hitherto denominated fluoric led to the idea, first started by M. Ampère, that its composition is similar to that of the hydrochloric; that is to say, that it is composed of hydrogen, and of a body of a peculiar nature, which it became necessary to distinguish by the name of fluore. Thus the property of acidifying hydrogen, or of becoming acid by its means, was found to be admissible in three substances, sulphur, chlore, and fluore. To these, iode has now added a fourth. Iode, was discovered by M. Courtois, a manufacturer, who seems to have first obtained it about the end of 1811, but the fact was not communicated by him to his friend Clement, and made public by the latter, till near the end of 1813. This delay was soon compensated for; as in a few days Gay Lussac and Davy had ascertained the principal properties of this substance, and especially the close analogy which it exhibits to chlore, and the two acids which it forms like chlore, with oxygen and hydrogen. Davy brought forward this analogy as an additional support of the theory which he had adopted. Since that time, iode has engaged the attention which it deserves. M. Colin has examined its combinations with mercury and ammonia, and found that iodic acid, or a combination of iode and oxygen, is formed whenever iode is treated with oxyds, or the oxygen is slightly condensed. He has clearly explained the generation of the fulminating powder of iode, also discovered by M. Courtois. The ammoniacal gas is absorbed by the 132 Proceedings of the Royal Institute of France. iode, and forms with it a viscous liquid, which, when put into water, changes its nature the hydrogen of one part of the ammonia forms with part of the iode hydriodic acid, which combines with the rest of the alcali, and the azote of this first portion of ammonia forms fulminating powder with the other part of the iode. M. Colin, in association with M. Claubry, another young chemist, has endeavoured to ascertain the manner in which iode acts with organic substances. They have found that the substances in which the oxygen and hydrogen are in the same proportion as in water, merely mix with iode; that those in which there is more oxygen closely combine with it; that neither of them, however, alter it so much but that a degree of heat may be employed capable of decomposing them: on the contrary, those in which hydrogen abounds convert the iode into hydriodic acid; and the same thing happens to the former on the application of a heat sufficient to disengage their hydrogen. These experiments exhibited several curious phenomena: a mixture of iode and pounded starch, for instance, assumes a red, blue, or black colour, according to the greater abundance of the iode. None, however, has operated upon iode so carefully and so extensively as our colleague Gay Lussac, whose papers were printed in the Annales de Chimie. He there considers iode itself, as well as its combinations, and those of its two acids with the different bodies, or what, according to the received rules of che mical nomenclature, ought to be termed iodures, iodates, and hydriodates. In treating of iode, he reverts to chlore, and gives several new remarks on its combinations which had not all been justly appreciated; then considering Prussic acid as essentially formed of azote, hydrogen, and carbon, he concludes that azote ought to be added to the list of the substances capable of producing acids without oxygen; and this induces him to look upon acidity and alcalinity as intrinsic properties of certain bodies and certain combinations not necessarily connected with their composition; thus he nearly coincides with the ideas of Winter and certain German chemists. This memoir is full of delicate inquiries and ingenious inferences which cannot fail to give a fresh impulse to the most profound and important part of chemistry. Our worthy colleague M. Sage, who, notwithstanding his age and infirmities, [March 1, still takes a lively interest in new chemical facts, has also bestowed attention on iode, and sea-weed from which it is extracted. He remarked the alteration produced by inde in silver vessels in which it is heated. The weed yielded by distillation over the open fire, products similar to those of animals; and by macerating them in diluted nitric acid, he obtained a cartilaginous network, like that left by bones and madrepores when divested of all their earthy parts. From these two facts, M. Sage was of opinion that the fuci are polypi. The same chemist likewise presented a paper on the reduction of galena by fire, in which he maintains that a much greater quantity of lead is obtained in this way than by the ordinary methods. M. Theodore de Saussure, who, in 1807, read to the class a memoir on the composition of alcohol and sulphuric acid, tending to prove that ether is more charged with carbon and hydrogen than alcohol, resumed last year this important subject of inquiry, and by applying to it processes both more simple and more accurate, he has arrived at a more precise result. By causing those two liquids to pass through a heated tube of porcelain, he obtained water and a gas, the analysis of which was not attended with any difficulty; and he thus ascertained that alcohol and ether are each formed of the same proportion of carbon and hydrogen, and in the same relation as they exist in the olefiant gas, but combined with different proportions of water reduced to its elements. In alcohol, the elements of the water form one third of the total, and in ether they form one fifth; so that the action of the sulphuric acid on the alcohol, to produce ether, would only have the effect of taking away a portion of its water, and that this same acid, in greater quantity, would produce the olefiant gas, by taking away the whole of the same water. M. de Saussure's analytical results agree with those obtained by the late Count Rumford on the quantity of heat produced by the combustion of alcohol and ether. One of the chief difficulties in the analysis of organic substances consists in this, that chemistry possesses but a small number of re-agents capable of separating their immediate principles without destroying them. M. Chevreul, assistant chemist to the Museum of Natural History has endeavoured to multiply the uses that may be made of them by em ploying them at very different degrees of heat, and thus varying their dissolving |