ourselves individually; but our mental sympathies, it is well known, extend to, and influence those around us. These, which originate primarily, we are disposed to think, from our corporeal sympathies, have aptly enough been termed the GRAND SYMPATHIES of our nature. On these grand sympathies, and their due regulation and employment, does our happiness or misery, very materially depend. Independent of all education, or, at least, of any particular education, these sympathies belong to us as animated beings. It is the particular province of the understanding, to give them a proper direction, in order that they may be productive to ourselves, as well as to society, of the greatest possible quantity of good. It is in the misdirection, or in the abuse of our sympathies, that the crafty and designing have been engaged, in all ages, to mislead and deceive us. It is by artfully engaging our sympathies, that the interested or the weak advocates for superstition, have involved mankind in the grossest errors and absurdities; and it is only by a resolute determination to preserve intellectual freedom and independence, that our sympathies can be rendered subservient to the greatest and noblest purposes. SEB AFFECTION, MIND, &c.

Upon our mental sympathies depend also the impositions and frauds which have been from time to time practised by the professors of animal magnetism; but it is now well known, that such frauds can only be successfully played off upon the weakest, and most credulous of mankind. SEE FASCINATION.

Linnean Society.

SOME further particulars have been communicated to this Society, respecting the new and extraordinary genus Rafflesia, lately received from Sumatra. Part of a descriptive catalogue, by Sir T. S. Raffles, has been also read, of a zoological collection made for the East India Company in Sumatra and its vicinity, by his direction, with many interesting notices, illustrative of the natural history of those countries. The animals described in the part of the paper which has been read, are the following apes: Simia Satyrus, called in Sumatra Oran Pandak; Simia Siamang; Simia Lar, or Oongka Etam: of the sensibility of this last, it is said, that one being turned out of the house in consequence of some offence, twice hung itself on a tree; the first time it was discovered and cut down, but succeeded in its second attempt in destroying itself; another Simia, called Bruh by the natives, is employed near Bencoolen, to gather cocoanuts, the ripest of which he selects, and pulls no more than he is ordered. Other species are named Chingkau, Simpai, Kra, and Lotong. Lemur tardigradus, Galeopithecus volans Vespertilio Vampyrus, manis pentaductyla and canis familiaris; this last is said to be a variety resembling the Australasian, which abound in the forests, and are said to hunt in packs.

Cambridge Philosophical Society.

A paper has been read at this Society by Dr. Clarke, upon a remarkable formation of native natron in Devon

shire. Dr. C. has discovered, that the supposed alabaster, Soros, brought by Mr. Belzoni from Upper Egypt, consists of one integral mass of Arragonite. The Rev. Mr. Cecil read a very important paper on the application of hydrogen gas, to produce moving force in machinery; and gave, at the same time, a description of an engine for that purpose, which was exhibited to the Society.

Andersonian Institution at Glasgow.

WE call our readers attention to this Institution with great pleasure.

We are indebted to Dr. Ure, in the preface to his Dictionary of Chemistry lately published, for the following particulars: To the practical applications of science his attention has been particularly directed in conducting that department of the Andersonian Institution destined to diffuse, among the manufacturers and mechanics of Glasgow and its neighbourhood, a knowledge of the scientific principles of their respective arts. Europe affords no similar example of a class composed of several hundred artisans, mechanicians, and engineers, assembling every Saturday evening at eight o'clock, with exemplary decorum to study the scientific principles of the useful arts; to learn the great practical truths of philosophy first revealed by Newton and Lavoisier, made level to their various capacities by familiar descriptions, models, and experiments. By a steady prosecution of this expanded system of instruction, the auditors have progressively increased in numbers and importance, so that within the last

twelve years Dr. Ure has delivered twenty-one courses of lectures to upwards of six thousand students in this department alone.

"The department of the mechanic's class, amounting occasionally to five hundred members, might serve as a pattern to more dignified assemblies. I have never seen any university class so silent and attentive. Though the evening on which the workmen meet be that in which they receive their wages, and when, therefore, they may be expected to indulge themselves in drinking, yet no instance of intemperance has ever occurred to annoy the audience. And even during the alarms of insurrection with which our city was disturbed last winter, the artisans continued, with unaltered docility and punctuality, to frequent the lectures. These courses are especially designed for young artisans, who have only to pay about five shillings in the season, three months. This trifling fee is exacted, in order that the class may include only students actuated by the love of instruction, and willing to make some small sacrifice for it.

"The whole experimental means at present employed in carrying on this Polytechnic School, have been derived from the exertions and sacrifices of the professor, and the generous aid and contributions of his pupils. They have supplied him with much valuable practical information on their respective arts, with many curious models and subsidiary instruments for illustration; while he, in return, has expended large sums of money in framing popular representations of the scientific discoveries, and in improvements in which the present age is so prolific. To the mechanics' class a library is attached, consisting of the best treatises on the sciences and arts, with some valuable works on general literature; such as history,

geography, travels, &c. of which they have the exclusive management and perusal."

It is much to be desired that such a society, with similar courses of lectures, were instituted in all the large towns of the British Empire. Of its good political

and moral effects, as well as scientific importance, there can be no doubt.

The British Merchants' Seamen's Institution.

MR. JEFFREY DENNIS has published, A Systematic Plan for bettering the Condition of Owners, Commanders, Officers, Seamen, &c. in the Merchant Service, which appears to be well deserving the attention of those persons whose interest it professes to consult. It is not consistent with our work to notice this plan more at large; but we cannot doubt that those who are immediately interested in it will pay all necessary attention to the subject.

On the Inflammability of fixed Oils.

WHEN we reported the chemical particulars of the trial Severn, King, and Co. versus the Imperial Insurance Office, we could not have anticipated that another, yet more arduous and long contested one, would have taken place in the month of December last; and in which, as well as in the former trial, Messrs. Severn and Co. obtained a verdict; so that the pecuniary claims arising