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Leader (1850-1860), 13th September 1856, Edition 1 of 2, Page 885, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE ANCIENT SOLAR SYSTEM . The Lost Solar Sy&tsm of ' the Ancients Discovered . By John Wilson . 2 vols . Longman and Co . This book deserves respectful treatment- ^ We cannot read it all , but we could not have written any of it . It is the monument of mathematics—probably the vrork of a life- —and can only have been published in the spirit of a devotee . Such a display of algebra , geometry , and diagrams we have never before seen . All the inscriptions of -Egypt and Assyria would not confer on two volumes an aspect of more abstruse solemnity , than these two volumes of Mr . Wilson ' s calculations . The ' discovery' has not been made very clear , because Mr . Wilson , without an introductory word , begins in his first paragraph to measure velocities , and the proportions of obelisks . At the end of the book he presents no summary of his ideas , but disappears , like a sorcerer in the midst of his incantations , muttering of Ninus , Belus , and the Chinese law of numbers . Therefore , — 9 — g—j ~ ~ j t ^ .. ______ — _ _ _ _ . — _ __ . _ .

      must admit ourselves unable to distinguish more than a faint and irregular outline of his theory . Students of curious hypotheses , possessed , " of the necessary knowledge , will interest themselves in the book , which may , or may not , indicate a real discovery . To us , the views presented are too obscure for precise characterization . :

      ^ ^ we have to filter his theory through dense formations of algebra , overlying as dense amass of history connected withancient architecture , my thology , and science . If , then , we misrepresent Mr . "Wilson , it is unwillingly . He seems to be convinced that every antique monument was typical of a natural law , that pyramids represented the theory of gravity , that the obelisk , dumb to us , indicated to theJSgyptian the laws by which the universe is governed , that the magnitude of the earth was described by a stone in the pyramid of Cheops , the magnitude of the moon by another stone , the magnitude of the sun by the contents of the whole pyramid together . Its terraced gradation , denoted , according to . a principle which Mr . Wilson expounds with scarcely ; human patience , the time of descent from , the sun to the earth . His ideas derive some credit from the remark of Maclaiirin , that the fondness of the Pythagoreans and Platonists misled them , as it probably misled others , by inducing them to derive the mysteries of nature from such , analogies of figures and numbers as are not unintelligible to us , but in some cases seem not capable of any just explication . But might not this observation be applied

      to the book before us ? We dare not argue with Mr . Wilson , because he is no doubt prepared with irrefutable calculations , and could confound us logarithmically . It is impossible to question the accuracy of his cubes , spheres , and pyramids , though it may be suggested that the height of Cheops being uncertain , calculations upon the height must be uncertain also . Herodotus probably measured the slopej Niebuhr the direct altitude . Various other jneasurementshave been taken from the shifting level of the desert , which . at times has hidden a . considerable portion of the base . ! Mr . Wilson seeais to have overlooked Vyse ' s measurement , which was trigonometrical . When , moreover , assuming in behalf of the ancients a perfect knowledge of the laws of light and velocity , he ' proves' that the distance of a star was

      represented by tie length of the walls of Babylon , and affirms that " monumental distances are the roots of celestial distances , " # re are inclined to hand him over to some one who , as enthusiastic as himself , will follow him closely over the same ground , and test his tabular logic . It should be added that the work contains notices of the principal ancient buildings of simple construction , and of the greatest ruins of Asia and America . With all these Mr . Wilson connects his singular theory , which , however , we do not pretend to have explained , for only one or two points are indicated in the foregoing slight exposition . We * find it difficult to do more . Appreciating heartily Mr . Wilson's earnest and erudite labours , vre

      Untitled Article

      THE BEOPENINGS . Sadleh ' s Wells commenced its ' winter season' ( alas ! how chilly and foreboding the words sound , though September yet lies green and golden around us , and the harvest is not yet over , and the leaves are not yet brown ) on Saturday night , with a reproduction of Macbeth . Mr . PiiELrswas enthusiastically hailed , as he deserved to be , by an audience vhich has frequented Ins house now for to him almost

      so many years as greet as a personal friend . His rendering of the character of Macbeth is not one of his happiest achievements , there being , as we conceive , a want in his acting of the highest perception of purely ideal poetry ; but the performance is thoroughly intelligent , painstaking , and unvulgar ; and , recollecting how subtle and fine he is in other parts , we do not wonder at an audience expressing its gratitude to an actor who is not a buffoon , and to a manager -who is something better than a showman . Monday evening saw the commencement of the dramatic season at the Surrev Theatre , and the production of a drama called The Half Caste , in which Mr . Creswick performs the part of a Guadaloupe slave , of semi-negro blood , bearing the romantic name of Maximus 3 farol , who heaas an insurrection of slaves against his master and oppressor , at that time in Paris , and who having afterwards gone to Paris himself , is there discovered , though in disguise , hunted down , and finally driven to poisoning himself at a grand masquerade in his own house , where he dies in much agony , to the infiuite delight of the beholders . The piece is from the Erench , and was received with much approval . The Xycexjm opens under the new management on Monday , with Belpkegor .

      We believe it will not be disputed that the rearing of flowers , ' fruits , and shrubs is an art , though Shaksfeabe says " the art itself is Ifature . " It miglifc , indeed , form a pretty little text for a piece of subtle reasoning , to try and ascertain where art begins and Nature ends in these matters . But , when a single flower is converted into a double flower— when new tints , at the bidding of the gardener , flush the cheeks of unsophisticated wild buds , and when the mystery of grafting produces from the tart aboriginal crab the elegant xibstonepippin , and out of the rustic simplicity of the unadorned plum brings forth the green and golden and purple varieties that go by that name—something must be conceded to art . Therefore ( which , to be candid , is our object in making these discursive remarks ) , we conceive ourselves , justified in notifying , under the general head of ' The Arts , ' that a grand display of flowersfruitsand plants took place at the

      , , Grystax Palace on Wednesday—the last exhibition of the kind this season . It would require the pen of a poet to describe the pomp and splendour of the vision ( whereto the variegated bonnets of the ladies not a little contributed )—the blushing , odorous , etherial beauty of the flowers , the innocent epicurism of the fruits , with cheeks like childhood , and abundantly tempting to childhood , and ¦ the more sober glories of the ferns , heaths , and flowering shrubs . However , not being poets , but only journalists , we can . simply exhort the reader to draw upon his own imagination . On this occasion , prizes , fifty in number , from 1 OL downwards , were for the first time offered to cottagers and amateurs for the best specimens- of the produce of the kitchen garden . Forty-six of the exhibitors were working men .

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      Untitled Article

      September 13 , 1856 . ] THE lEADM ; 885

      Untitled Article

      3 TROM THE LONDON GAZETTE . Tuesday , Scptemhcr 0 . BANKRUPTS . —Davib Uarc&ay , Rlchnrdson-strcot , and Xonp-lano , Bcrmoiidsoy , lcsithcr manufacturer—John Pf . to , and JouNBiiYAN . Dacrc-atroot . WestnQinstcr . andelsowhcro , army contractors—AmusD Boi-ts , LudKftto-hlll , umbrella manufacturer—SamuiiT / <* novi 5 , Bricrly-liill , Staffordshire , corn dealer—Gustavtjb HimitY Adommius Mhrtens , and Thomas Johnson , Bradford , Yorkshiro , dyers—John Andektoit , Halifax , grocer—Jxmkb Hknky Mitchem KhiKston-uiion-Hull , bootmaker — Uiwaud Pimmhosk , Bhollleld , Ivory dealer—J ^ mks Oatteuax Lkacii . Liverpool , provision merchant—William Dksilva . Livornool ,

      chronometer-maker— John M'Cluee , liiverpdol , grocer — Kobebt Bakwick , lato of Sunderland . shipowner . SCOTCH SEQUfcSTHATIONS .-G . BIebbeit / Stirling-, railway contractor— R . Fobbes , Glasgow , ironmonger—A . Christy , Glasgow , manufacturing chemist . Friday , Septembers . BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . — Alexander Exmbzie Thomsok , Cullum-strcot , wine merchant . BANKRUPTS . —Henry Jewell , High-street , Shadwoll , clothier— Edward Fenton , : York , rag-merchant—John Evans , Liverpool , tailor—John Dilxon . LowestofFo , book seller—James Ling , Taunton , Somersotshiro , music seller—Alfred Joir . tr PBANKLiif , Claphain , Surrey , ironmonger—James Taylor , Helmshoro . Lancashire , druggofc manufacturer—James Cattadai . Leach , Liverpool , provision merchant—James Mills , Hcywood , Lancashire cotton-spinner —James Henry Haegkeaveb , Leeds , shareuroker— Johit Scaife Hod&e , Pocklington , Yorkshiro , miller .

      Untitled Article

      BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AHD DEATHS . BIRTHS . CKANLEY .-pn the 6 th inst ., at Asliridgo , Herts , the "Viscountess Craiiloy : a daughter . DOWNE . —On the Cth inst ., at Rookham-grovo , tho Viscountess Downo : a daughter . . ¦\ VJ . GAN . —On tho 6 th inst ., at Under River , near Sovonoaka , tho wife ol tho Rov . AJfred Wigan = a son . MARRIAGESTITZGERALD—TALBOT . —On tlio 10 th inst ., at St . Jolm ' s' wood , Lucius H . PitzQorald , Esq ., barristor-at-law , to Mary Katliarino , youngest daughter of tho lato Admiral tho Hon . Sir John Talbot , G . C . B . LAPSLIE—NORGATK . —On tho 4 th inst ., at tho parish church , Streatham , William Forster , youngest son of fclio lato Licut .-Coloncl Lapslio , H . M . 3 Dth Regiment , to Mnria Katharine , only survivniK daughter of tho ltov . JBurrouKlics Thos . Norgato , M . A ., and . niece of Miss Norgafco , of i ' ark Lodge , S treat num . STEELE — FITZGERALD . — On tho Oth inst ., at St . George ' H , Hanover-square , Colonel Thomas M . Stcule , O . B ., Coldstream Guards , eldest Bon of tho lato Mnjor-Gcnoral and Lady Elizabeth Stcclc , to IsabellaCharlotto , only daughter of Edward FitzGorald , Esq . DEATHS . AUBREY . —At OviiiR House , Bucks , in his 74 th year , Sir Thomas Dlgby Aubroy , Bart . CORNWALL . —On tho Bth inst ., at Iris Grace tho Duko of Bucclouch'a Tilln , Richmond , Surrey . Louisa Grace , rolicfc of Major-General W illia . in , Henry Cornwall , and second dauKhtor of the lato General Lord Kobert Korr , fourth aou of William John , fifth Marquis of Lothian . DENT . —On tho Oth inst ., suddenly , at Reading , Mr . R . E . Dent , chronometer maker , of London , aged 37 . READ . —On tho Oth i \ mt ., after a sovcro illnoss . Mary , tho holovod and . affectionate wifo of Richard Iload , or 25 Rcgont-cirouB , Piccadilly , aged 00 .

      Untitled Article

      The Epidemic at Bodlogne . —Several correspondents of the Times have teen calling attention to the scarlet fever now prevalent at Boulogne , and which has carried off several persons , English and French , among the former of whom was Mr . A'Beckett , the magistrate and author , whose death we chronicled last week . Some of the medical men of the town have contradicted the alleged-unhealthincss ; hut . their testimony seems to be overborne by a weight of evidence on the other side . The Late Mysterious Death at Brighton . —The inquest on . the body of Richard Watts , who died last week under circumstances which , excited considerable suspicion , and which was adjourned in order that an analysis of the contents of the deceased ' s stomach , &c , might be made , was resumed on Thursday week , when Mr . M . Phillips and Mr . Schweitzer , tho gentlemen who made the analysis , were examined , and deposed that neither the stomach , liver , nor intestines , presented any indications of poison having ' been administered to tho deceased . Tho jury accordingly returned an open verdict . American Bookselling Aduxteratiok . —Mr . A . Spiers has written to tho Times complaining that in an American edition of General French and English Dictionary , the name of another gentleman is coupled with his own on tho title-page . This is an example of booksellers' adulteration in America , and Mr . Spiers would be perfectly justified in carrying out his suggestion of " The Life and Exploits of John Sadleir and D . Appleton , " seeing that D . Apploton had as much to do with the Sadleir scheme as Mr . Spiers with tho alluded to . Vacxhali , Gardens . —This once favourite place of amusement , which for the last two hundred years has been tho resort of the gay and tho pleasuro-loving , and where , in the days of Queen Anne , Sir Roger tic Covcrloy walked an ! meditated with ' tho Spectator '—is about to be sold to a gentleman who does not contemplate continuing the old state of things . Vauxhnll Gardens , therefore , will ceaso to bo , after the closo of nine gala nights , tho first of which was on last Monday . Shade of Simpson ! ( not ho of Cremorne , but ho of " tho lioyal Property" ) what doat thou say to this ? Secession pkom the Church of Enolano . The Rev . J . Littloboy , B . A ., curato of Shearsby , near Luttorworth , lias resigned his connexion with tho Church of England , for the purpose of joining the Itomish communion .

      Health of London . —Eleven hundred deaths were registered in London in the week that ended last Saturday . The deaths of males were 552 , those of females 548 . The rate of mortality which now rules approximates to the average rate at this season . As the births registered last week were 1634 , the excess of births over deaths was 534 . Diavjh < ea continuously decreases : the deaths from 5 t in the week were 124 , which is less than half of the number caused hy this complaint about three weeks ago . Four deaths are referred to cholera ; 3 of these occurred to infants . With reference to the house in-which a young man died of diarrhoea , tho medical attendant remarks : —" There is a cesspool apparently under the kitchen , with an untrapped drain in the court , which emit -very offensive effluvia , and the whole of the family , with ono exception , have suffered from the complaint during the pasj ; mouth . " A child died of tetanus , apparently idiopathic . Two women died at the age of 92 years , two at 93 , and a woman of more extraordinary longevity is stated to have attained the age of 106 years . She died in . the Marj'lebone workhouse on the 31 st August , and Mr . Joseph , who registered her death , was informed that she had been there 34 years , and that her son is now living , who 3 s 84 years old . She had been formerly cook in a nobleman ' s family . Last week , tho births of 82 7 boys and 807 girls , in all 1634 children , were registered in Londi > n . In the ten corresponding weeks of tho years 1846—55 , the average number was 1451 . —Fro ?\ i the Registrar General ' s Weekly Return . Quarantine in tuei Black Sea . —Official intelligence has been received , that tho Russian Government has abolished for the time being all the quarantine restrictions now in force in Bessarabia , tho Black Sea , and tho Sea of Azoff . This new regulation is to remain in force until the navigation is closed for tho present year .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 13, 1856, page 885, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2158/page/21/