1818.] Memoir of the Life and Writings of Lady Morgan. him that patronage, which, but for the 66 66 Lady Morgan commenced her public career very early in life: notwithstanding therefore that she is still the youngest successful candidate for literary honors, of her own sex, her published works are already numerous. They are a volume of poetry, written before she was fourteen, and dedicated to that patroness of Irish talent, the late Countess of Moira: "St. Clair," 2 vols.; "Novice of St. Dominick," 4 vols.; Wild Irish Girl," 3 vols. ; Patriotic Sketches," 2 vols.; "Ida," 4 vols.; "The Missionary," 3 vols.; O'Donnel," 3 vols. ; France," 2 vols. 8vo.; "The Lay of the Irish Harp," 1 vol.; and a volume of twelve Irish Melodies. She has now in the press another national novel, to be called "Florence Macarthy," which will appear in the coming season. In her later publications she has taken a higher flight, and has exhibited a profounder acquaintance with the human heart, and perhaps a more caustic and philosophical view of life, than is to be found in her earlier productions. Her reputation consequently has rapidly increased; and public expectation looks forward to further and still more successful efforts of her pen. It is a singular fact, that on the Continent, the works of this Lady rank still higher than they do at home; and it affords a decided testimony of their intrinsic eloquence of thought and sentiment, that they should have been rendered so popular under the disfiguring garb of foreign translation. "The Wild Irish Girl,' St. Clair," and "The Missionary," are, however, well translated, and retain their situation among the popular and classical productions of the French press. "O'Donnel," from the Hibernicisms with which it abounds, 143 was less likely to succeed abroad, and the French translation is both coarse and unfaithful. It was however read with great eagerness in Paris, and has, as we are informed, obtained likewise the honors of a Dutch and Spanish costume. The work however which has made Lady Morgan most generally known, is her " France;" having passed through three editions at home, three in America, and as many in France. An abridgment also has been formed, including those passages which fell under the censure of the French police, and published, we believe, in Geneva, under the title of "L'Esprit de Lady Morgan." Lady Morgan is in person petite, feminine, graceful and animated; uniting in her gay conciliating appearance, the ease of fashionable life, with the naiveté of strong and original talent, and that even flow of spirits which springs from constitutional benevolence, and an active and occupied mind. We have heard the conversational abilities of this Lady highly extolled, and her success in the great world attributed to that cause, and to what the French call l'art de raconter bien. If we may trust to our own powers of observation, great humour, pleasantry, and the absence of all affectation, and pretension, constitute no small part of its merits. Lady Morgan is, however, accused of being what is called uncertain, of only coming out in particular sets and circles; and we have heard that when called on to shew off, she has, like her own Duchess of Belmont, quoted the well known parlez nous la philosophie et puis la theologie, and then remained buried in impenetrable reserve and silence. One feature in her character it would be wrong to pass by, although we do not always approve its results, we mean her enthusiastic love of her native country. The situation of Ireland naturally begets strong party feelings; and to remain neuter in times of civil dissention was by a great Law-giver denounced as treason. Though Lady Morgan was bred a protestant in the bosom of the established church, she has from conscientious motives strenuously advocated the emancipation of the Catholics. This vein of political sentiment has drawn down upon her a heavy measure of critical vituperation. But those who stem the stream of opinion, (especially when strengthened by authority,) must expect occasionally to be dashed by its current against rocks and shallows. ( 144 ) NEW INVENTIONS AND PATENTS. [Sept. 1, 1. HISTORY OF DR. BREWSTER'S KA- flectors, pieces of coloured glass and other LEIDOSCOPE. AS this instrument has excited universal attention, we have no doubt that our readers will take some interest in a short history of the invention, referring for the specification of its principles of construction to vol. viii. p. 444. In 1814, when Dr. B.was engaged in experiments on the polarisation of light by successive reflections between plates of glass, which were honoured by the Royal Society with the Copleyan Medal, the reflectors were in some cases inclined to each other, and he had occasion to remark the circular arrangement of the images of a candle round à centre, or the multiplication of the sectors formed by the extremities of the glass plates. In repeating afterwards the experiments of M. Biot on the action of fluids upon light, Dr. B. placed the fluids in a trough formed by two plates of glass cemented at an angle. The eye being necessarily placed at one end, some of the cement which had been pressed through between the plates appeared arranged into a regular figure; the symmetry of which induced Dr. B. to investigate the cause of the phenomenon, and in doing this he discovered the leading principles of the Kaleidoscope. He found that in order to produce perfectly beautiful and sym metrical forms three conditions were necessary: 1. That the reflectors should be placed at an angle, which was an even or an odd aliquot part of a circle, when the object was regular, and similarly situated with respect to both the reflectors; or the even aliquot part of a circle when the object was irregular. 2. That out of an infinite number of positions for the object within and without the reflectors, there was only one where perfect symmetry could be obtained, viz. by placing the object in contact with the ends of the reflectors. 3. That out of an infinite number of positions for the eye, there was only one where the symmetry was perfect, viz. as near as possible to the angular point, so that the circular field could be distinctly seen; and that this point was the only one out of an infinite number at which the uniformity of the light of the circular field was a maximum. Upon these principles Dr. B. constructed an instrument, in which he fixed permanently across the ends of re irregular objects. The great step, however, towards the completion of the instrument remained yet to be made, and it was not till some time afterwards that the idea occurred to Dr. B. of giving motion to objects, either fixed or placed loosely in a cell at the end of the instrument. When this idea was carried into execution, the Kaleidoscope, in its simple form, was completed. The next, and by far the most important step of the invention, was to employ a draw tube and lens, by means of which beautiful forms could be created from objects of all magnitudes, and placed at all distances from the observer. In this way the power of the Kaleidoscope was indefinitely extended, and every object in nature could be introduced into the picture, in the same manner as if these objects had been reduced in size, and actually placed at the end of the reflectors. When the instrument was brought to this state, Dr. Brewster was urged by his friends to secure the property of it, and he accordingly took out a patent for "a New Optical Instrument for creating and exhibiting beautiful forms." In the specification of his patent he describes the Kaleidoscope in two different forms. The first consists of two reflecting planes, put together according to the principles already described, and placed in a tube, with an eye-hole in the particular position which gives symmetry and a maximum uniformity of light, and with objects such as coloured glass, placed in the position of symmetry, and put in motion, either by a rotatory movement, or by their own gravity, or by both combined. The second form described in the specification, is, when the tube containing the reflectors is placed in another at the end, having a convex lens which introduces into the picture objects of all magnitudes, and at every distance. After the patent was signed, and the instruments in a state of forwardness, the person employed to manufacture them carried one to show to the principal London Opticians for the purpose of taking orders. These gentlemen naturally made one for their own use; and the character of the instrument being thus made public, the tinmen and glaziers began to manufacture the detached parts of it, in order to evade the patent; while others sold the instrument com 1818.] New Inventions and Patents. plete, without being aware that the property of it had been secured by a patent. In order to justify these proceedings, it became necessary to search for some combinations of plain mirrors, which might be supposed to have a resemblance to Dr. Brewster's instrument. The first supposed anticipation of the Kaleidoscope was found in Prop. XIII. and XIV. of Professor Wood's Optics, where that learned author gives a mathematical investigation of the number and arrangement of the images formed by two reflectors, either inclined or parallel to each other. These theorems assign no position either to the eye or to the object, and do not even include the principle of inversion, which is absolutely necessary to the production of symmetrical forms. The theorems indeed are true, whatever be the position of the object or of the eye. In order to put this matter to rest, Dr. Brewster wrote to Professor Wood, who in his answer observed, that the propositions he had given, relating to the number of images formed by plane reflectors inclined to each other, contain merely the mathematical calculation of their number and arrangement; and that the effects produced by the Kaleidoscope were never in his contemplation. The next supposed anticipation of the Kaleidoscope was an instrument proposed by Bradley, in his book on gardening, first published in 1717. This instrument consists of two large pieces of silvered looking-glass, five inches wide and four inches high, jointed together with hinges, and opening like a book. These plates being set upon a geometrical drawing, and the eye being placed in front of the mirrors, the lines of the drawing were seen multiplied by repeated reflections. This instrument was described long before by Kircher, and did not receive a single improvement from Bradley. It has been often made by opticians, and was principally used for multiplying the human face, when placed between the mirrors; but no person ever thought of applying it to any purpose of utility, or of using it as an instrument of rational amusement, by the creation of beautiful forms. To those, however, who may be incapable of instituting a comparison of the instruments, the following opinions of two learned professors must be decisive. Dr. Playfair, of Edinburgh, writes thus: NEW MONTHLY MAG-No. 56. 145 Edinburgh, 11th May, 1818. "I have examined the kaleidoscope invented by Dr. Brewster, and compared it with the description of an instrument which it has been said to resemble, constructed by Bradley in 1717. I have also compared its effect with an experiment to which it may be thought to have some analogy, described by Mr. Wood in his optics, Prop. 13 and 14. "From both these contrivances, and am acquainted, the kaleidoscope appears to from every optical instrument with which I differ essentially, both in its effect and in the principles of its construction. "As to the effect, the thing produced by the kaleidoscope is a series of figures presented with the most perfect symmetry, so as always to compose a whole, in which nothing is wanting and nothing redundant. It instrument is directed, if it only be in its matters not what the object be to which the proper place, the effect just described is riety. In this respect, the kaleidoscope apsure to take place, and with an endless vapears to be quite singular among other optical instruments. Neither the instrument of Bradley, nor the experiment or theorem in Wood's book, have any resemblance to this; they go no further than the multiplication of the figure. Dr. Brewster's instrument requires a parti"Next, as to the principle of construction, and of the object looked at, in order to its cular position of the eye of the observer, effect. If either of these is wanting, the regular and disunited. In the other two symmetry vanishes, and the figures are ircases, no particular position, either for the eye or the object, is required. "For these reasons, Dr. Brewster's invention seems to me quite unlike the other two. Indeed, as far as I know, it is quite will be matter of sincere regret, if any imasingular among optical instruments; and it ginary or vague analogy, between it and other optical instruments, should be the of the reward to which his skill, ingenuity, means of depriving the Doctor of any part and perseverance, entitle him so well. JOHN PLAYFAIR. "P. S.-Granting that there were a resemblance between the kaleidoscope and Bradley's instrument, in any of the particulars mentioned above, the introduction of the reflectors, is quite peculiar to Dr. Brewscoloured and moveable objects, at the end of ter's instrument. Besides this, a circumstance highly deserving of attention, is the the action of the kaleidoscope is extended to use of two lenses and a draw tube, so that objects of all sizes, and at all distances from the observer, and united, by that means, to the advantages of the telescope. J. P." Professor Pictet's, of Geneva, opinion is stated in the following letter to Dr.` Brewster : VOL. X. U 146 SIR, New Inventions and Patents. Among your friends I have not been one of the least painfully affected by the shame ful invasion of your rights as an inventor, which I have been a witness of lately in London. Not only none of the allegations of the invaders of your patent, grounded on a pretended similarity between your kaleidoscope and Bradley's instrument, or such as Wood's or Harris's theories might have suggested, appear to me to have any real foundation; but, I can affirm that, neither in any of the French, German, or Italian authors, who, to my knowledge, have treated of optics, nor in Professor Charles's justly celebrated and most complete collection of optical instruments at Paris, have I read or seen any thing resembling your ingenious apparatus, which, from its numberless applications, and the pleasure it affords, and will continue to afford, to millions of beholders of its matchless effects, may be ranked among the most happy inventions science ever presented to the lovers of rational enoyment. M. A. PICTET. [Sept. 1, to science. One publication, the editor of which takes great credit to himself for having been the means of enlarging the bounds of knowledge, affects to throw contempt upon this optical instrument, by referring for the principle of it to Kircher's "Great art of Light and Shadow," when it is plain enough that the learned Jesuit, in the book alluded to, had not the smallest conception of an instrument capable of producing an endless variety of symmetrical combinations in one position of the eye. The reference, however, was sufficient to display the editor's vanity, while the point of it was calculated also to gratify his malignity. While these attempts are making to undervalue the merit of Dr. Brewster as an original inventor in this country, still bolder attacks are levelled at him in Germany, where it is positively averred by one Winkler, a mathematical instrument maker at Berlin, that he sold a Kaleidoscope to a foreigner as early as last March, on condition that he should taken out a patent for his instrument in keep it a secret. Winkler, who has nuates that the instrument which he the Prussian dominions, modestly insisold became the pattern of what has Prussian, however, has met with an opbeen so successful in England. This The propositions in Harris's Optics relate, like Professor Wood's, merely to the multiplication and circular arrange ment of the apertures or sectors formed by the inclined mirrors, and to the progress of a ray of light reflected between two inclined or parallel mirrors; and no allusion whatever is made, in the propositions themselves, to any instrument. In the proposition respecting the multi-ponent in his turn, who roundly asserts plication of the sectors, the eye of the observer is never once mentioned, and the proposition is true if the eye has an infinite number of positions; whereas, in the kaleidoscope, the eye can only have one position. In the other proposition, respecting the progress of the rays, the eye and the object are actually stated to be placed between the reflectors; and even if the eye had been placed without the reflectors, as in the kaleidoscope, the position assigned it, at kaleidoscope, the position assigned it, at a great distance from the angular point, is a demonstration that Harris was entirely ignorant of the positions of symmetry, either for the object or the eye, and could not have combined two reflectors so as to form a kaleidoscope for producing beautiful or symmetrical forms. Such is the account of Dr. Brewster's ingenious discovery, than which hardly any thing of late years has excited so general a sensation, both at home and abroad. It is provoking, however, to observe the zeal which has been on the alert to rob the inventor even of the honour of having added something new published half a century ago, and that that the principle of the instrument was he has himself manufactured the same John Bernard Bauer, mathematical inabove twenty years. This claimant is strument maker of Nuremburg, whose letter in the Commercial Chronicle of that city is really a curiosity, and deserving of notice. In support of his pretentelmeir's Magazine of Art; and for the sions he refers to the catalogue of Besdiscovery of the principle to Lampert's German Correspondence, published by Bernouilli. Lampert, writing from BerAugsburg, says, lin, Sept. 2, 1769, to Mr. Brander at "soon after I sent away my last, I had a mirror cut with four pyramidical faces, to shew the effect to amateurs. These pyramids may be considered as an optical amusement ; whatever is laid at the narrow opening, manner, according to the surface of the becomes multiplied in a symmetrical sphere: a three-sided pyramid divides the sphere like an Icosaedron; a fivesided one forms a Dodecaedron, &c. board, a spherical lattice, a ball regularly You may represent with it a chessilluminated in various ways." Thus far 1 1818.] New Inventions and Putents. M. Lampert. M. Brander's answer from Augsburg, Sept. 21, 1769, says, merely, "I am going to have such a pyramidical mirror made in order to try the effect." This is what first led to the manufacturing of this instrument. "I have not found," says Mr. Bauer, "either in Wiegleb or Halle, or other books, which have very industriously copied each other, any mention of Lampert's pyramidical mirror, which is certainly one of the most agreeable optical amusements. Within these last twenty years I have made some hundreds; and I have also put together three mirrors, so as to form a prism, which is exactly the modern Kaleidoscope, and what is called the improved one; but it did not please so much, because it did not present so beautiful a globe as a shortened pyramid. Painted and cut out triangles were put before it, and the transparent colours produced a very pleasing effect. In order to conceal the contrivance, I enclosed the pyramid or prism in a little square box, and called it an Optical Image-box. Transparent wheels, cut out in various ways, were placed before the narrow opening, which produced a very agreeable play of colours. As such optical instruments are susceptible of great diversity, this idea was varied in many ways, till at last somebody took it into his head to put what I had enclosed in a square box, into a round tube, and this is a Kaleidoscope. I think I have proved that the honour of the first execution belongs to me, but the first idea undoubtedly belongs to Lampert." M. Bauer having thus established, as he thinks, a full right to the construction of the Kaleidoscope, demands a third part of the profits, or at least the privilege of making one third of the instruments used in Europe. This looks very much like a hoax, and we are not quite certain that we have not been bantered all this while by a sly German humourist. II. MR. LESTER'S NEW DISCOVERY IN OPTICS. We understand that this patent LightProjector, as it is called, is exceedingly recommended by its excellence in an economical view. The small one, when applied to a candle, produces so great a degree of heat, as to render it extremely useful in cold weather; and it not only increases the heat to a high degree, but produces light driven forward into a large deep space, so as to illuminate more powerfully than can be conceived with 147 out ocular demonstration. The apparatus is now getting up in an article that will possess all the beautiful effects of the most finished mirror, without the liability to tarnish, and it is supposed to be capable of producing many more important advantages than have yet been de veloped. III. CRYSTALLIZATION OF TIN. M. ALLARD, of Paris, has obtained a patent from the Minister of the Interior, for his new method of ornamenting japanned metal work by efflorescence resembling the appearance produced by frost upon glass windows, called moire metallique. The Society of Arts and Sciences at Paris, have also presented him with a gold medal for this discovery. seven In addition to what we have already stated on this subject, we thall observe that the moire metallique is produced by sulphuric acid, diluted in from to nine parts of water, and then laid on the sheet of metal with a sponge or rag. The tin must be heated, so as to form an incipient fusion on the surface, when the acid is applied; after which the crystallization ensues. The phrase moire is borrowed from the word used to designate watered silk, (soie moirée.) The citric acid, it is said, answers better than any other. By employing the blow pipe before the acid, small and beautiful spots are formed on the tin. IV. LITHOGRAPHY. The French Academy of Fine Arts, having appointed a Committee to examine the lithographical drawings of M. Engelmann, of Mulhouse, in the Upper Rhine, have reported, that the stone must be rendered capable of imbibing water, and also of receiving all greasy or resinous substances. The first object can be effected by an acid, which will corrode the stone, take off its fine polish, and thus make it susceptible of water. Any greasy substance is capable of giving an impression upon stone, whether the lines be made with a pencil, or with ink; or otherwise, the ground of a drawing may be covered with a black greasy mixture, leaving the lines in white. Hence result two distinct processes: first, the engraving, by tracing, produced by the line of the pencil, or brush dipped in the greasy ink. Secondly, the engraving by dots or lines, as is done on wood or copper. Impressions of prints may be easily obtained without any reversing by trans |