Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Time's Telescope Time's Telescope (1814–34) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Natural History, Acclimatization, Ancient Authorities

Genre:

Extract, Drollery

Publications extracted:

Repository of Arts Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashion, and Politics (1809–28) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Microscopy, Disease, Steamships, Aeronautics

    The author claims to have 'clearly discerned all the primary causes of the rise and fall of empires in apparently the most trivial circumstances'. The 'signs of the times' which accompany these causes are 'not of such a magnitude as to be visible to the common eye, nor even to that of the philosopher, unless through the medium of a microscope'; for as in human disease, 'so in the body politic the germs of ruin may exist' and be invisible to all but those with 'minute sagacity'. (11) The writer reports that he has observed these signs of the times in the habits and manners of British sailors, who may now, for instance, be seen 'steering up the street, like a steam-vessel in the wind's eye, without making a single tack [...]. In short, Jack[-tar] has now become an amphibious animal'. In consequence of these habits, 'Men-of-war have made way for steam-vessels, with a chimney for a mast, and a column of smoke for a pendant. Naval officers command them, with a thermometer for a speaking-trumpet'. The author fears that balloons will be adopted next: 'Then adieu to the greatness of Old England! [....] We shall have too many and too powerful competitors on that element, which is alike open for all'. (12)

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Mineralogy, Commerce

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Cabinet of Foreign Voyages and Travels Cabinet of Foreign Voyages and Travels (1825) Annual Cabinet of Modern Foreign Voyages and Travels (1826) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Geology, Supernaturalism, Religion, Ethnography

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

New Monthly Magazine New Monthly Magazine (1814–81) New Monthly (1882–84) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Nutrition, Radicalism, Adulteration, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Treatment, Hydropathy, Natural History, Engineering

People mentioned:

John Abernethy, Abernethy, John (1764–1831) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Alexander P W Philip, Philip, Alexander Philip Wilson (formerly Wilson, Alexander Philip) (1770?–1851?) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John L McAdam McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Publications cited:

Kitchiner 1817, Kitchiner, William 1817. Apicius Redivivus; or, The Cook's Oracle: Wherein Especially the Art of Composing Soups, Sauces, and Flavouring Essences is Made so Clear and Easy, by the Quantity of Each Article Being Accurately Stated by Weight and Measure, that Every One May Soon Learn to Dress a Dinner, as Well as the Most Experienced Cook; Being Six Hundred Receipts, the Result of Actual Experiments Instituted in the Kitchen of a Physician, for the Purpose of Composing a Culinary Code for the Rational Epicure [etc.], London: Samuel Bagster
Close   View the register entry >> Kitchiner 1821, Kitchiner, William 1821. Peptic Precepts: Pointing out Agreeable and Effectual Methods to Prevent and Relieve Indigestion, and to Regulate and Invigorate the Action of the Stomach and Bowels, London: Bagster
Close   View the register entry >> Accum 1820, Accum, Friedrich Christian 1820. A Treatise on Adulterations of Food, and Culinary Poisons: Exhibiting the Fraudulent Sophistications of Bread, Beer, Wine, Spirituous Liquors, Tea, Coffee, Cream, Confectionery, Vinegar, Mustard, Pepper, Cheese, Olive Oil, Pickles, and Other Articles Employed in Domestic Economy. And Methods of Detecting Them, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
Close   View the register entry >> Philip 1821 Philip, Alexander Philip Wilson 1821. A Treatise on Indigestion and its Consequences, Called Nervous and Bilious Complaints: With Observations on the Organic Diseases in which they Sometimes Terminate, London: Thomas and George Underwood
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Genre:

Instructions

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Disease

Genre:

Extract, Instructions

Publications extracted:

Astley P Cooper Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, 1st Baronet (1768–1841) ODNB
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Subjects:

Medical Treatment

Genre:

Instructions

Subjects:

Accidents, Physics

People mentioned:

William Nicholson Nicholson, William (1753–1815) DSB
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Genre:

Miscellanous

Subjects:

Machinery, Manufactories, Progress, Steam-power

People mentioned:

Richard Arkwright Arkwright, Sir Richard (1732–92) ODNB
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Genre:

Extract, Travelogue

Subjects:

Travel, Botany, Wonder

Genre:

Extract

Publications extracted:

Aspin 1825 Aspin, Jehoshaphat 1825. A Familiar Treatise on Astronomy, Explaining the General Phenomena of the Celestial Bodies, Written Expressly to Accompany Urania's Mirror; or, A View of the Heavens; Consisting of Thirty-two Cards on which are Represented All the Constellations Visible in Great Britain; on a Plan Perfectly Original, Designed by a Lady, London: Samuel Leigh
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Subjects:

Astronomy, Theology of Nature, Physics, Light, Heat

People mentioned:

William Herschel Herschel, Sir William (1738–1822) DSB ODNB
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Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Monthly Magazine Monthly Magazine (1796–1843) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Ethnography, Gender, Race

Genre:

Extract, Travelogue

Publications extracted:

Lyon 1825 Lyon, George Francis 1825. A Brief Narrative of an Unsuccessful Attempt to Reach Repulse Bay: Through Sir Thomas Rowe's "Welcome," in His Majesty's Ship Griper, in the Year MDCCCXXIV, London: John Murray
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Subjects:

Exploration, Ethnography, Heroism

Institutions mentioned:

HMS Griper HMS Griper
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Genre:

Extract, Letter, Drollery

Publications extracted:

Birmingham Gazette Birmingham Gazette (1741–1888) Birmingham Daily Gazette (1888–1900+) BUCOP
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Subjects:

Technology, Commerce, Railways, Steam-power, Pollution, Accidents

People mentioned:

John L McAdam McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) ODNB
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    The writer of the letter describes him or herself as 'an admirer of improvement, and consequently an impartial spectator of the Joint Stock system'. He or she declares: 'I mean to bathe with the "London Sea Water Company," London Sea Water Company
Close   View the register entry >>—I send my clothes to the "Steam Washing Company" Steam Washing Company, Isle of Dogs
Close   View the register entry >>. The writer considers, however, that some are too anxious to change things for no good reason, and regrets those whose 'wits are at work to overthrow the reigning Golden age, and to substitute an Iron one' (60). The rural tranquility of English roads and canals is contrasted with the pollution attendant on steam-power. The writer states: 'I will not ask room to enumerate all the miseries attendant on the proposed reign of darkness, soot, and terror. I must, however, take leave to remind passengers by Steam Coaches of the certainty of their suffering from vapours [...]' (61).

Genre:

Extract, Poetry, Drollery

Publications extracted:

New Monthly Magazine New Monthly Magazine (1814–81) New Monthly (1882–84) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Steam-power, Progress, Physics, Infidelity, Mining, Commerce, Transport, Engineering, Military Technology, Manufactories, Horticulture, Domestic Economy, Railways, Agriculture, Medical Treatment, Political Economy

People mentioned:

James Watt, Watt, James (1736–1819) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Archimedes, Archimedes (c. 287–212 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Alfonso el Sabio, Alfonso el Sabio (1221–84) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Marc I Brunel, Brunel, Sir Marc Isambard (1769–1849) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Jacob Perkins, Perkins, Jacob (1766–1849) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> John L McAdam, McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Sake D Mahomed Mahomed, Sake Deen (1759–1851) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Institutions mentioned:

[Steam Washing Company] Steam Washing Company, Isle of Dogs
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Genre:

Extract, Poetry, Obituary; Postscript

Publications extracted:

Literary Chronicle Literary Chronicle (1819–28) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Morality | Authorship, Periodicals

Publications cited:

Philosophical Magazine Philosophical Magazine (1798–1832) London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine (1832–40) London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine (1840–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Extract, Biography

Publications extracted:

Wadd 1824 [Wadd, William] 1824. Nugæ Chirurgicæ; or, A Biographical Miscellany, Illustrative of a Collection of Professional Portraits, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green
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Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Magic, Expertise, Imposture, Disability

People mentioned:

Robert Boyle, Boyle, Hon Robert (1627–91) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Ralph Cudworth, Cudworth, Ralph (1617–88) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> John Wilkins, Wilkins, John (1614–72) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Richard Wiseman, Wiseman, Richard (1620?–76) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Charles Bernard Bernard, Charles (1652–1710) ODNB
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    After discussing the history of touching for scrofula, the writer notes that, 'The obsolete practice of Greatrakes has in a degree appeared again in the shape of friction, and has revived in full force in the process of thumbing and rubbing, as applied by certain adepts to distortions' (126).

Genre:

Extract, Epigram

Publications extracted:

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Edinburgh Monthly Magazine (1817) Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1817–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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[2] On a Petit-Maitre Physician

Genre:

Miscellaneous, Reportage

Subjects:

Botany, Physiology, Experiment

People mentioned:

Johannes B van Helmont Helmont, Johannes (Joan) Baptista van (1579–1644) DSB
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Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Wadd 1824 [Wadd, William] 1824. Nugæ Chirurgicæ; or, A Biographical Miscellany, Illustrative of a Collection of Professional Portraits, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Institutions, Dissection

Institutions mentioned:

Worshipful Company of Barber Surgeons Worshipful Company of Barber Surgeons
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Rhodes 1824 Rhodes, Ebenezer 1824. Peak Scenery; or, Excursions in Derbyshire, made Chiefly for the Purpose of Picturesque Observation, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, and John Murray
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Subjects:

Mining, Mineralogy

Publications cited:

Whitehurst 1778 Whitehurst, John 1778. An Inquiry into the Original State and Formation of the Earth: Deduced from Facts and the Laws of Nature. To which is Added an Appendix, Containing some General Observations on the Strata in Derbyshire. With Sections of them, Representing their Arrangement, Affinities, and the Mutations they Have Suffered at Different Periods of Time. Intended to Illustrate the Preceding Inquiries, and as a Specimen of Subterraneous Geography, London: W. Bent
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Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

New Monthly Magazine New Monthly Magazine (1814–81) New Monthly (1882–84) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Creativity, Genius, Endeavour, Vulcanology, Speculation

People mentioned:

Isaac Newton, Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> William Harvey, Harvey, William (1578–1657) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> George Berkeley, Berkeley, George (1685–1753) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> David Hartley, Hartley, David (1705–57) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> David Hume, Hume, David (1711–76) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Galileo Galilei, Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Gottfried W Leibniz, Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm (1646–1716) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Leonhard Euler Euler, Leonhard (1707–83) DSB
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    The author contrasts favourably the immediacy and unexpectedness of genius with the slow advance of endeavour. 'A volcano does not give warning when it will break out, nor a thunderbolt send word of its approach' (154). 'Even in science the greatest discoveries have been made at an early age', before the mind becomes 'set in its own opinions or the dogmas of others'.

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Asiatic Journal Asiatic Journal (1816–45) Asiatic and Colonial Quarterly Journal (1846–49) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Ethnography, Religion

Genre:

Introduction; Extract, Instructions

Publications extracted:

Manning [1825?] Manning, James [1825?]. Observations on the Shameful Adulteration of Bread; Explaining the Nature of that Universal Food, etc., (a reprint of an article in the "Universal Magazine" for December 1757), London: G. Smeeton
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Subjects:

Adulteration, Pharmaceuticals, Chemistry

Genre:

Extract, Anecdote

Publications extracted:

Asiatic Journal Asiatic Journal (1816–45) Asiatic and Colonial Quarterly Journal (1846–49) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Natural History, Animal Behaviour

Genre:

Instructions

Subjects:

Chemistry

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Invention

People mentioned:

M. Taillefer Taillefer, M (of Geneva) (fl. 1825) ML1/5/131b/4
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Extract, Poetry, Drollery

Publications extracted:

[Hood and Reynolds] 1825 [Hood, Thomas] and [Reynolds, John H.] 1825. Odes and Addresses to Great People, London: Baldwin, Cradock, & Joy
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Subjects:

Monstrosities

    The poem laments the retirement of Joseph Grimaldi Grimaldi, Joseph (1778–1837) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. One stanza observes: 'For who like thee could ever stride! / Some dozen paces to the mile!— / The motley, medley coach provide— / Or like Joe Frankenstein compile / The vegetable man complete!— / A proper Covent Garden feat!' (171).

Genre:

Extract

Publications extracted:

Smedley, Rose, and Rose [1817–]1845 Smedley, Edward, Rose, Hugh James, and Rose, Henry John, eds. [1817–]45. Encyclopædia Metropolitana; or, Universal Dictionary of Knowledge, on an Original Plan, Comprising the Twofold Advantage of a Philosophical and an Alphabetical Arrangement, with Appropriate Engravings, 26 vols, 59 parts, London, B. Fellowes
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Subjects:

Religious Authority, Medical Treatment

    Describing the religious objections of one Mufti to the introduction of coffee, the writer observes: 'But another Mufti arose, of a less antiphlogistic turn' (187).

Genre:

Extract, Serial

Publications extracted:

London Magazine London Magazine (1820–29) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Time, Naturalists

    The article begins with a lengthy extract from 'the Arabian Naturalist' Zakariyā ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmūd al-Qazwīnī al-Qazwīnī, Zakariyā ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmūd abu yahya (c. 1203–1283) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, reflecting on the passage of time in relation to human civilizations.

Genre:

Instructions

Subjects:

Domestic Economy, Chemistry

Genre:

Instructions

Subjects:

Horticulture

Genre:

Anecdote

Subjects:

Human Species, Gender

    Gives an account of Acidalius Valens Valens, Acidalius (fl. 16th century) ML1/5/132d/7
Close   View the register entry >>, 'an eminent critic and writer of Germany, of the sixteenth century', who translated, and was falsely accused of writing, a work attempting to prove 'that women were not of the human species'.

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Natural History, Instruments

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Invertebrate Zoology

Genre:

Anecdote, Extract

Subjects:

Instruments, Magic, Superstition

    The anecdote describes the superstitious reaction of the Disdar of Athens to a camera obscura used by a traveller.

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Amusement, Instruments

People mentioned:

Tycho Brahe, Brahe, Tycho (1546–1601) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Jacques Rohault, Rohault, Jacques (1620–75) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Extract, Travelogue

Publications extracted:

Laing 1825 Laing, Alexander Gordon 1825. Travels in the Timannee, Kooranko, and Soolima Countries, in Western Africa, London: J. Murray
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Subjects:

Ethnography, Exploration

Genre:

Extract, Poetry

Publications extracted:

Literary Gazette Literary Gazette (1817–62) Parthenon (1863) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Mathematics, Mental illness

    One couplet reads: 'In figures, unable with Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to dare, / Yet found in the circle attempting to square.' A note includes the explanation: 'the quadrature of the circle is one of the baits that science holds out to lure mathematicians on towards insanity—it has triumphed as much over heads, as love has over hearts.'

Genre:

Extract, Poetry

Publications extracted:

New Monthly Magazine New Monthly Magazine (1814–81) New Monthly (1882–84) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Pharmaceuticals

    A love-sick physician, 'Doctor Snake', tries all remedies for his condition. He tells a friend 'That the symptom Brunonian he'd ventured, / And stimulants push'd to extremes, / And his hope of recovery now centred / On feeding and nursing his flames' (240). His friend gives the prescription: 'You may take quantum suff. of the lady, / Add a drachm of gold ring and a prayer, / In dispensary canonical ready, / Commingle and swallow with care'.

Genre:

Extract, Short Fiction

Publications extracted:

New Monthly Magazine New Monthly Magazine (1814–81) New Monthly (1882–84) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Dissection, Crime

    The narrator finds the conversation at a dinner party revolves around the condemnation of the criminal exhumation of corpses for dissection. He rises to the defence of the practice, as necessary in the training of medical practitioners, and is condemned as a man of 'libertine principles' (252).

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Industrial Chemistry, Nationalism, Invention, Internationalism

    The article briefly describes various means used by the Parisians to black boots, before the importation of British blacking. After using British blacking for some years, the narrator reports, '[t]he spirit of nationality at length exerted itself, and the Parisians [...] began to analyse and compose and decompose, until they produced something which the Academy of Sciences Académie des Sciences, Paris
Close   View the register entry >> pronounced worthy of adoption. With all the pomp of French philanthropy this great discovery is now given to the world for its benefit and instruction' (256).

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ethnography

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

London Magazine London Magazine (1820–29) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Health, Education, Medical Treatment

People mentioned:

Frederick L Jahn Jahn, Frederick Ludwig (1778–1852) CBD
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Publications cited:

Voelker [1825?] Voelker, Karl [1825?]. Professor Voelker's Gymnasium, London: W. Glindon
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Nutrition, Temperance

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Horticulture, Acclimatization

People mentioned:

John Hawkins Hawkins (or Hawkyns), John (1532–95) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Commerce, Engineering, Invention

    A brief account of the employment of James Brindley Brindley, James (1716–72) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> by the Francis Egerton (3rd Duke of Bridgewater) Egerton, Francis, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater (1736–1803) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> in the building of the Bridgewater Canal Bridgewater Canal
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous, Serial

Publications extracted:

Gentleman's Magazine Gentleman's Magazine (1731–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Epidemiology, Disease

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Asiatic Journal Asiatic Journal (1816–45) Asiatic and Colonial Quarterly Journal (1846–49) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Ethnography

Genre:

Extract, Essay, Serial

Publications extracted:

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Edinburgh Monthly Magazine (1817) Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1817–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Cruelty, Class, Vivisection

People mentioned:

François Magendie Magendie, François (1783–1855) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous, Serial

Publications extracted:

Gentleman's Magazine Gentleman's Magazine (1731–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Epidemiology

Genre:

Extract, Essay

Publications extracted:

Penny 1820 Penny, Josiah 1820. Scripture Philosophy; Part First. Bath: [n. pub.?]
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Biblical Authority, Creation, Light, Hypothesis, Ether, Controversy, Chemistry, Electricity, Physiology

People mentioned:

Pierre Bouguer, Bouguer, Pierre (1698–1758) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Francis Hauksbee, Hauksbee, Francis (1666–1713) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Daniel Bernoulli, Bernoulli, Daniel (1700–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Leonhard Euler Euler, Leonhard (1707–83) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Publications cited:

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (1665–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> Franklin 1806, Franklin, Benjamin 1806. The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics, and Morals, of the Late Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Now First Collected and Arranged; with Memoirs of his Early Life, Written by Himself, 3 vols, London: J. Johnson, and Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme
Close   View the register entry >> Taylor 1762, Taylor, John 1762. A Scheme of Scripture-Divinity, Formed upon the Plan of the Divine Dispensations: With a Vindication of the Sacred Writings, London: J. Waugh, and W. Fenner
Close   View the register entry >> Pluche1732–51, Pluche, Noël Antoine 1732–51. Le spectacle de la nature; ou, entretiens sur les particularités de l'histoire naturelle, qui ont paru les plus propres à rendre les jeunes-gens curieux, et à leur former l'esprit, 8 vols, Paris: La veuve Estienne, and Jean Desaint
Close   View the register entry >> Young 1807 Young, Thomas 1807. A Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy and the Mechanical Arts, 2 vols, London: J. Johnson
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    The extract discusses the Biblical statement: 'Let there be light: and there was light' (Gen. 1: 3) in the light of 'modern philosophy'. The writer notes that a 'difficulty has arisen [...] in the minds of some persons, to account for the production of light before the creation of the sun', observing, however, that it has only arisen 'from adopting, with implicit confidence, a mere hypothesis of modern philosophy, an hypothesis which the recent improvements of science seems to render every day more questionable', namely the corpuscular theory (360–61). The ether theory is introduced in relation to 'late experiments in chemistry and galvanism', which have 'served to render such a fluid or elementary principle more familiar to us', and recent researches on phosphorescence. The writer quotes from several authors in support of the ether, and argues its consistency with the Mosaic account of the creation.

Genre:

Extract, Drollery

Publications extracted:

Monthly Magazine Monthly Magazine (1796–1843) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Invention, Human Species, Progress, Steam-power, Transport, Accidents, Aerostatics, Agriculture, Adulteration, Cruelty

    The narrator reports having come into possession of the papers of a recently deceased friend, who left behind a 'digest of wonderful discoveries, phenomena, and projects [...] in order to establish, beyond dispute, his favourite theory of the Perfectibility of Man'. One of his 'most sanguine speculations' was based on 'the indefinite application of steam': he proposed the use of steam-power to propel all wheeled vehicles (394). The narrator reflects on the consequences of such a scheme. He considers the possibility of making steam-driven horses. Among the advantages would be the reduction in demand for oats, and the consequent cheapening of wheat and barley, which would lead to a reduction in adulteration. Cruelty to animals would be reduced with the 'invention of steam jack-asses, which may be thumped and bruised ad libitum' (396).