326 Reply to Mr. Taylor on Infinite Series. impression on the whole sheet is produced t once, and with extremely little exertion to the workman. . [May 1, orders might be distributed, exclusive of executing various other necessary regulations that require to be printed, will certainly render them extremely desirable appendages to every regiment, or vessel of war. In public offices and banking houses their utility would soon be discovered. It is also expected that this press, on account of the very large surfaces it is capable of printing, will be found admirably adapted for calico-printers,—for one block of the whole breadth of the cloth may be impressed at once; and thus a multiplicity of operations bè saved, besides the work being performed with greater accuracy and elegance. MR. EDITOR, IT appears that my answer to Mr. Taylor on series is not satisfactory, notwithstanding he says, "I have no doubt his reply to me is exactly such as would have been made by the greatest of mo ther, the advantages resulting from adopting printing presses constructed on these principles, may be briefly stated as follows 1st, The types remain stationary: 20, The platen, or pressing surface, is the size of the whole sheet: 3d, A saving of time is gained by the platen being brought on from the side: 4th, By a regulator attached to the handie, any requisite degree of pressure may be correctly given: 5th, The platen being taken down at each end, and the resistance sustained against the under surface of the tablet, affords the most complete security to all the parts: 6th, The large press will take off an impression from a small piece of work, although placed at one end, and without requiring any block to bear up the other;-of course, it is not necessary, in this press, to place the form of types in the centre of it: 7th, The two surfaces being press-dern mathematicians." Now this seems ed together without any connection with the frame of the press, it requires no levelling, or staying; and a press for a demy or royal sheer, occupies only about four cubic feet! 8th, The accustomed notions of the experienced pressman are so completely retained in this invention, as to enable him, in the course of one or two hour's practice, to work with equal facility as at the common press 9th, The principles and construction are equally applicable for presses not larger than one cubic foot; and which are capable of printing off an octavo or quarto page, with greater celerity than a large press; and may be worked on a table, without being fixed. This not only relieves the large press from doing such work as tends to injure it, but it will also furnish an interesting amusement to such as desire to become acquainted with the useful art of printing. Another important use, for which these presses have been found equally well adapted as the excellent machines of the ingenious Messrs. Watt and Bolton, has been discovered by Mr. D. Bridges, jun. of Edinburgh, who has applied them for copying letters, of which a dozen may be copied at once; so that they serve both as a printingpress and letter-copying machine. Although it cannot be attempted to point out the many useful purposes which this invention embraces, it must appear evident, that the introduction of he portable press into the army or navy orove highly advantageous; the and expedition with which a sort of tacit acknowledgment that he is not to be convinced by the reasonings of eminent mathematicians, though I do not profess to be one of the number.I should, however, have been more explicit when I said, "What is here advanced will apply to the other two series, and indeed to all series of the kind;" because the series I alluded to were those derived from fractions where the two right-hand terms in the denomi nator are alike, but one plus and the other minus, as &c. simi7+1-1 5+-2-2 lar to those proposed by Mr. Taylor in his first paper. 1 1 I have read the disputes between Wallis and Hobbes, and shall decline entering the lists with Mr. T.; for what mathematician would engage in argu ment with a person who maintains that 1-1, 1-1, &c. are infinitely sinall quantities; and that nothing divided by a number, will produce a quotient of PHILOMATH. some value. For the New Monthly Magazine. ILLUSTRATIONS OF AMERICAN MANNERS, LITERATURE, ART, AND POLITICS. THE customs and manners of the inhabitants of the United States of America are as different as the climate which they inhabit, and this climate varies through all the degrees of heat and cold. In the northern States you meet with much that is English; in the souther you are disgusted with all the sloth, and all the degrading cruelty of the least in 1815.] Iliustrations of American Manners. telligent planters of the West Indies. America is certainly not the country, at this time, for the adventurous European, particularly the Englishman, who leaves home and country with the wish and expectation of increasing his fortune. Arrived in the United States, the only thing he finds congenial is the language; in most other respects he is an isolated being. Society, the charm of European life, in the proper sense of the term, does not really exist there. It is true the Americans are fond of balls, of drinking and smoking parties, but they are American entertainments. The company will divide off in pairs, or trios, and in this way, puffing smoke in each other's faces, discussing their every-day affairs, or taking liberties with the concerns and characters of their neighbours, the evening is spent. It is not meant to be as serted here that all of this country are alike, such an assertion would be strange indeed; but that it strikes the observant Englishman as the general cha racter of the people. Boston and New York are preferable to any other towns in the States for an Englishman. Here, during the progress of the war just concluded, the most liberal feelings have been evinced, and it is here that the measures of the government are more particularly scrutinized. In Boston there are several benevolent societies which were instituted, and are supported by humane and public spirited individuals. During the whole of the last winter, in this city, the friends of benevolence have been most active in promoting a Fuel Society, for the purpose of distributing fire-wood to those numerous poor resident there, and whose situation was rendered still more to be pitied, by the heavy pressure of the war-in breaking up commercial establishments, and consequently in throwing men, women, and clntdren, out of their usual employment. This Fuel Society, by public subscription, were enabled to distribute, during the severest winter months, from five to six thousand dollars in wood, and those only who have felt the effects of a North American winter, will be enabled to appreciate the blessings thus conferred. 327 few months since a duel was fought near Norfolk, between Pollard Davis, a midshipman, and Richard C. Gregory, a surgeon's matc, both belonging to the Constellation frigate. They continued to fire with savage insensibility till both fell. One died almost immediately, and the other in six hours. This is only one of a thousand instances, even now that a sort of reform has been brought about, as it respects public sentiment, concerning such combats. As in England Bacchanalian Societies amongst the middle orders are in high repute; they have their "Odd Fellows," their "Free and Easy," and even "True Blooded Yankee" clubs. But at New York there is a species of club, I believe perfectly novel, and that is "The Ugly Club." As may be expected, this club has no lack of members; and to give them their due, they must at least be called merry mortals, for they generally spend the night in drink, noise, and sinoke-this latter is an everlasting accompaniment to a party of Americans met together, whether on business or pleasure. In the out-settlements they go so far as to smoke all the time they are in church, if the place where public worship is performed may be so denomnated. Perhaps the reader will be amused by the following Poetical Advertisement of a meeting of this "Ugly Club," published in the New York Ga zette only in January last "Ugly Brothers, 'tis received "In female circles, there believed, "Nay told, declared, and almost sworn, "That beauty, lovely, bright as morn," "That beauty, miserable cub, "Exists among the Ugly Club! "Now in our turn, we all declare "That nought but ugliness is there; "Such idle tales we laugh to scorn, "Our beauty's like the clouded morn, "Which casts a gloom, but ne'er molests "The peace that reigns within our breast. "But to disprove the vile vexation "We'll undergo examination; "Our censors grave, both good and wise, "Will us inspect with wary eyes, "And each one strictly scrutinize. "Should it appear that foppery, "Or beauty in the least degree, Does there pollute our sacred hail, Suffer immediate diminution, Duelling in America was some time since carried to a very high pitch, and was productive most frequently of scenes savage and disgraceful. But virtuous men have lifted up their voices on this subject, as well as against the great use of spirituous liquors, and in a certain degree" Sacceeded in bringing down a stigma on those who resort to such practices. A There's no such thing as beauty there. " After the work of Censor's past, "HIS UGLINESS, clected last, 328 Literature of the United States. « Will on this testing great occasion "The Poet Laureat, for fame, "By order of HIS UGLINESS," Though there is much of the bluntness of John Bull in America, they still have their beaux and loungers. A Virginian, whose circumstances in life place him above anxiety, will loll for hours on his sofa, or in the arbour, and his look and language bespeak him (in his own opinion) the most agreeable and the most important object of the creation! The American army, though remark able for courage, can boast its Parolles's. One of those gentry (Ross Bird, a captain in the 2nd United States Infantry,) when serving with General Jack son against the Indians, was put under arrest, and not being brought to a court martial for a considerable time, he tendered his resignation to his commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Russell. The following is the concluding passage of his letter:-" In leaving the service I am not abandoning the cause of Republicanism, but yet hope to brandish the glittering steel in the field, and carve my way to a name which shall prove my country's neglect; and when this mortal part shall be closetted in the dust, and the soul shall wing its flight to the regions above, in passing by the pale-faced moon I shall hang my hat on brilliant Mars, and make a report to each superlative star! and arriving at the portal of Ileaven's high chancery, shall demand of the attending angel to be ushered into the presence of Washington !!!” The Americans have a very small walk of literature which can be called their own, but their publishers re-print all English works of note, at a very cheap rate, and they consequently meet with a wide diffusion. Something has been already said (in a former Number of your Magazine) concerning their periodical [May 1, works, which have been meagre indeed during the war, as far as respects literary articles. Bibliography, so much the rage now in this country, does not appear to have made a corresponding progress in America. A book is there valued of course for its antiquity, but most people love their money too well (and perhaps wisely) to give 50, 80, or 100 pounds for a single book. There are very frequently, in the most considerable towns, sales of books in all departments of literature. In one lately at New York, I observed the following, among many other valuable works in al languages:" Matber's Magnalia ;""Glanville on Witches ;"--Ditto's "Naturale and Morale History of the West Indies, &c. 1604;"-" The pleasant His tory of the East and West India, now called New Spayne, London 1578;”— "America painted to the Life, 1659;" "Historie of Travayles in the East and West Indies, 4to. London, 1577," &c. &c. There are at this moment publishing, in various parts of the Union, several new works, new editions of popular works, and many excellent charts of the coasts, harbours, bays, rivers, &c. of the country, which are valuable, and should engage the attention of naval men, and English publishers of works of the like nature. Proposals have just been issued at Boston and New York for a new edition of an American Poem, called "M'Fingal." It is to be comprised in a duodecimo volume of 300 papes, printed on the best paper, and the price to be one dollar. The notice of this work states-"Its reputation is not surpassed by any of a similar kind in the English language. So great has been its celebrity, that since the year 1782 seventeen editions, some of them very large, have been printed. The author, it will be recollected, is the Hon. John Trumbull, at this time one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut, a gentleman well known for his science and genius. Mr. Trumbull, at the time when the opposition of America to the claims of the British Parlia ment was maturing into system, resided in Boston (the cradle of the Revolution) with one of the principal projectors of American independence. He espoused the cause of his country, and became intimately acquainted with the transac tions of the early Revolutionists, and all the measures of the British agents to counteract the opposition. This appears by a number of anecdotes very humorously related in the course of the poem." It 1815.] State of the Arts, Politics, &c. in the United States. is further stated, the high character of the work had caused it to become so scarce, that very few copies remain in the hands of the trade. There is also now publishing an edition of American State Papers, a work of a very voluminous nature and of necessity, confined circulation. In works of art America is very low, but improves. They make a good deal of parade about Mr. West having been born in their country, and feign to consider his productions as American! A Mr. Dearborn is now about to publish a "Picture of Boston and its Vicinity," in a series of designs, engraved on wood, by himself; but his abilities warrant no expectations. Painting in oil and watercolours is in its infancy. There is now at New York a panorama view of the battle of Leipsic. This view engrosses 1000 feet of canvas, and exhibits a most terrific spectacle of fire and sword, but its fidelity is the last thing that should be expected by those who view it. It is truly a fiery daubing, and a scarecrow against war." Rapid improvement," and "infallible methods" of writing are every where to be purchased at a few dollars in America, as in England, and education has as many quacks there as in this country. Architecture surpasses the fine arts, and bridge-building is well executed in general.* In 1813 and 1814, an excellent bridge was erected over the Susquehana, at Columbia, State of Pensylvania. The length is 5696 feet, and breadth 30 feet. The pillars, from centre to centre, are 110 feet; size of the pillars 12 by 40 feet at their base, 23 feet above low water mark, diminishing one inch to the foot in height; the ends of the pillars are semicircles, and are all founded on solid rock. The superstructure is three segments 15 inches arching, and is supported by posts with trusses and braces, and those are connected with girders, at the distance of 8 feet, to receive the flooring. On this bridge 120 men were employed sixteen months, and not a single accident occurred. The building of this bridge is a very important event to the neighbourhood where it stands. In politics the Americans are more at home than in any of the arts or sciences, but their language in discussion very frequently is gross beyond belief. Like those from whom they descended, the Americans must have their parties, and each are enemies of their country if * Of course fine stone bridges are not here meant. NEW MONTHLY MAG,-No. 16. 320 we believe all that both advance; but who pays attention to the assertions of party now-a days?-Each out-Herods Herod, and neither gains credence! During the war just concluded, poor Madison has been sadly belaboured. Every species of abuse and ridicule has been lavished on him by the Federalists, and his supporters in turn have branded the Federalists as traitors to their country, and favourers of the British. With the cause these bickerings have all died away, and each party begins to prepare for that commercial intercourse which is so much the interest of both this country and America. There is in no country in the world to be found that animal, the political preacher (from the pulpit) in such great perfection as in America. In the beginning of the last war it was very common to hear a minister of the Gospel, or he who should have been one, name his text, and throughout his whole sermon touch on little else but politics, and blame Madison by name, or his opposers, just as it suited his opinions or those of his hearers, and call down divine engeance on the heads of the party inimical to his (the preacher's) political creed! So far was this from shocking the auditory that it generally proved most pleasing; for an American is na turally fond of politics and invective, and of whatever class, he will be sure to want from you" all the news," if you appear to have arrived from a distance, or enter into conversation with him. As this is the fact, newspapers are much read, and many an hour is spent at the ale-house, or spirit-shop, by the poor, that should be improved by attention to business. The following is a specimen of what is thought humour in America-it will amuse tle English reader :— "The Cogitations of My Uncle John. ville who had a hen sitting "There was a roguish chap in Thornon five eggs. He thought it not enough, so he put two duck's eges under her. It was the month of May, and the birds were generally laying their eggs, for you know the old song goes "April they build, "Uncle John,' quoth Mrs.Capperton, as she scratched her head with her knitting-needle, though I have heard these lines for forty years, I never saw them in writing before: but go on with your story, for I can't see what it possibly can VOL. III. 2 X 930 Theatrical Scenery-Holly Hedges-Horse Patrole. [May 1, end in. Uncle John. Well, Madam, the boy used to go out a birds' nesting every day, and all the eggs he brought home be put under his hen. There were the eggs of hen-hawks, crows, pheasants, skite-pokes, blue jays, and woodpeckers. At length the hen began to hatch. Day after day presented her with some new and strange-looking child. The chickens would stray from the nest-the ducks ran into the water-hen-hawks, crows, pheasants, skite-pokes, et id omne genus, squalling for food, or having fallen from their overflowing nest, distracted the poor hen with their incessant cries. She called back the chickens, ran after the vagrant ducks, and toiled with all a mother's anxiety and tenderness to quiet their distress, indicated by the thousand voices from her numerous noisy family of torments. All was in vain, the noise every hour increased. The strange face and noise of some new creature that was any thing but a chicken, popt ever and anon from the eggs, with which the nest was still crouded. At length worn down by fatigue, her patience exhausted, and her heart broken by such a complication of wretchedness, the poor hen turned to her brood, more horrible to her distracted bosom than a legion of devils "Gave them one look of love""Twas her fondest-her lastand left them to die or get out of the scrape in the best way they could.' "Reader, do you know of any body in as much trouble as the poor hen? If you don't, why go to Jemmy Madison, and you will find that where the hen hatched one trouble Jemmy has brought forth at least forty! And he may well sing the old song→→ "Oh! mammy, Oh! mammy, pray make my bed soon, "For I'm sick at my heart, and long to lie down." The sentiments of the Americans towards the British are amazingly changed since the conclusion of peace. The officers of our men of war, which blockaded their ports, were invited in and treated in the handsomest manner. The Americans get nothing but privateers by the war. The cause of its declaration was not even mentioned in the treaty, and there is no doubt but the intercourse of the two countries will be greater and more firmly cemented than ever. Selfinterest binds the Americans to us, and there is not one proof against that passion. ROBERTUS Portsmouth, April, 1815. MR. EDITOR, A former correspondent having suggested (in your Number for March last) some useful hints on the improvement of the lighting of the stage, allow me to remark, that there appears an impropriety in the construction, or shifting of some of the scenery: namely, that unless a person is opposite the centre of the stage, his attention is, in some measure, diverted from it, by seeing, at the sides, the different scenes intended to be exhibited in the course of the entertainment. However insignificant this may appear, it certainly diminishes the effect, and, I should think, might be easily remedied. The French theatre (though otherwise thought inferior to our own) is not only perfect in this respect, but also, when they intend to represent a room scene, the ceiling is distinctly shewn, whereas with us, the vacuum is filled up by a sort of blue canvas, which is made to represent indiscriminately either the sky or the ceiling of the drawing-room. London, April, 1815. DRAMATICUS. MISCELLANEOUS INQUIRIES. MR. EDITOR, THROUGH your medium, I beg to inquire how long the younger sons of peers, not being knights of some order, have used supporters to their arms, and whether any authority for the practice is to be met with in printed books on heraldry? In an instance under my own observation of supporters having been so used, the party was at the time filling |