Genre:

Introduction; Illustration, Extract

Publications extracted:

Geographical Annual Geographical Annual; or, Family Cabinet Atlas (1832–33) Waterloo Directory
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Relevant illustrations:

eng. [2]

Illustrators:

Thomas Starling Starling, Thomas (fl. 1820–40) Bénézit 1999
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Subjects:

Physical Geography, Theology of Nature

    'These depositories of water are scattered through the world by our bountiful Benefactor, and are reservoirs for watering the earth, and for replenishing the clouds, as well as for affording the means of communication with the various places that surround them' (12).

Genre:

Essay, Abridgement

Publications abstracted:

Cumberland 1801 Cumberland, Richard 1801. A Few Plain Reasons Why we Should Believe in Christ and Adhere to His Religion: Addrest to the Patrons and Professors of the New Philosophy, London: Messrs. Lackington, Allen and Co.
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Subjects:

Reason, Religion, Epistemology, Christianity, Natural Theology, Infidelity

People mentioned:

Pythagoras of Samos, Pythagoras of Samos (c. 560–c. 480 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Plato Plato (428–348/7 BC) DSB
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    Attempts to confute deism by arguing that, without the Christian revelation, little can be known of God. Points to the lack of a rational monotheism in the Augustan age, and argues that the moderns are no better placed to develop a religion of reason independent of revelation.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Genius, Alchemy, Travel, Exploration

    The article represents life as a journey marked by the passing years as mile stones. Begins by reflecting that genius and piety alike involve 'a kind of peculiar mental alchymy, by which the possessor of either, if he transmute not all things to gold, transforms them all to good or fair' (38). Considers the history of travel, concluding with 'the scientific traveller' of the modern day, 'who scales mountains, dips into mines, fords rivers, crosses seas, measures Alps, and if he any where meet with a mile-stone, is sure to tell you in learned phrase whether it be granite, schistus or pudding stone', and the 'geographical traveller' who 'wanders among hordes of savages, sleeps in huts filled with mosquitoes, dines on bananas and hippopotami steaks, in a land where there are no mill-stones' (39).

Genre:

Short Fiction, Serial

Subjects:

Amusement, Natural History, Taxonomy, Botany, Collecting, Piety

    As a boy, the narrator made a redundant summer-house on his father's estate into his special retreat, where he amused himself with reading, drawing, and writing. At the age of seventeen he was introduced to natural history by a 'celebrated naturalist' who visited his father, and who initiated him 'into some of the wonderful mysteries of natural philosophy', instructing him 'how to class and arrange the various animals' with which he was surrounded and encouraging him to study botany (53). He soon covered the shelves in the summer-house with 'dried specimens of plants, carefully arranged within sheets of blotting paper'. He sought to explain some of the 'natural wonders' which he observed to his former nurse. She was profoundly ignorant of science, but her remarks on such occasions 'were of infinitely more importance' to him 'as an immortal creature' than all the lessons he received from his 'learned classical tutor' or the visiting naturalist, for she led his thoughts to his creator. (54)

Genre:

Introduction; Extract; Afterword

Publications extracted:

Tatler Tatler (1830–32) London Journal (1833+) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Human Species, Natural History, Reason

    An extract presents a meditation on 'the distinction between a life which is merely animal, and that which deserves the name of rational'. A merely existing person is the animal which most closely resembles the human species. Unlike 'all those creatures which have only a partial resemblance to man, such as the Ape, the Ouran-outang, the Parrot, &c.', which can only 'mimic the actions of man' or 'imitate his words', the merely existing person has 'every faculty of the human soul' and is 'capable of entertaining similar thoughts to his prototype', but yet 'appears as if he had no mind or understanding'. (60)

Genre:

Miscellaneous, Serial

Subjects:

Heat, Causation, Engineering

    Begins by quoting the definition of 'fire' as synonymous with 'the matter of heat, now generally termed CALORIC', from 'Nicholson's Nicholson, William (1753–1815) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Chemical Dictionary Nicholson, William 1795. A Dictionary of Chemistry: Exhibiting the Present State of the Theory and Practice of that Science, its Application to Natural Philosophy, the Processes of Manufactures, Metallurgy, and Numerous other Arts Dependant on the Properties and Habitudes of Bodies, in the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms, 2 vols, London: G. G. and J. Robinson
Close   View the register entry >>'. The writer's object is to discuss the properties of caloric and the 'general effects it produces'. Discusses how it 'expands bodies', giving examples and experiments, and stressing the relation of cause and effect. Describes the use of heated iron rods to prevent the walls of buildings from buckling outwards. (84)

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Superstition, Associationism, Meteorology, Animal Behaviour, Prognostication, Magic

People mentioned:

Pliny Pliny (Gaius Plinius Secundus) (c. 23–79) DSB
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    Attributes the origin of many superstitious opinions to 'the mutual influence of the different organs of the brain, and the consequent association of ideas', resulting in 'a disposition to attach notions of good or of evil to those objects which have been observed to precede, or to accompany pleasurable or painful occurrences' (86). Gives examples of animal behaviour under meteorological peculiarities resulting initially in their use in prognostication, and later spreading to a more generalized superstition concerning particular animals. Describes the rise of magic from such superstitions, and describes it as becoming 'a fatal impediment to the progress of science throughout succeeding ages'. Describes various superstitions relating to animals. Cites the tenth chapter of Forster 1813 Forster, Thomas Ignatius Maria 1813. Researches About Atmospheric Phaenomena: Together with Meteorological Journals, etc., London: T. Underwood
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Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Design, Theology of Nature, Providence, Anthropocentrism

    Observes rhetorically: 'surely when we pause and reflect on all the works of creation, and the inexhaustible variety of nature, we shall be constrained to avow that "it is the finger of God"' (89). Argues that, while all of creation attests to the greatness and power of the creator, 'it is in connexion with ourselves that we must seek for instances of his love. He has not only framed the stupendous orbs which glitter in the firmament, but he has regulated their motions, and appointed them to be the dwellings of beings, whom he has endued with all that constitutes man; whose peculiar stations he has determined, and has placed each in the situation which is most suited to him: who causes the whole economy of nature to contribute and be subservient to their comforts, and has himself afforded them a way to everlasting happiness' (90). The remainder of the article focuses on the character of God as saviour of the world.

Genre:

Extract, Discourse

Publications extracted:

Everett 1832 Everett, Edward 1832. An Address Delivered as the Introduction to the Franklin Lectures, in Boston, November 14, 1831, Boston: Gray and Bowen
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Subjects:

Progress, Invention, Education, Reading, Class

    Observes that the 'progress of invention and improvement has been, especially of late years, prodigiously rapid'. Argues that such knowledge dwells in 'the minds of the present generation of men', and that although it is 'recorded in books, or embodied in the various works and structures of man', these are nothing unless they are read and understood. Urges that the present generation will soon pass, and that it is therefore necessary that its knowledge should be acquired by the next generation unless it is to be 'lost for ever'. (94) Argues that 'it depends mainly on each individual, what part he will bear in the accomplishment of this great work'. Asserts the progressive tendency of knowledge, and argues that knowledge is a 'patrimony' that is 'shared out anew' in each generation, referring approvingly of the 'system of free schools'. (95)

Genre:

Short Fiction, Reminiscences

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Human Development, Miracle, Morality, Faith

    Recalling her childhood, the narrator observes: 'It is certain that parents can no more give a new nature to a child than a physician can give a new constitution to a patient. No mere man can say to the leper, Be thou cleansed, but he may use the means supplied by nature for relieving the sufferer, and consequently may withhold swine's flesh from the infected person; and so far would parents do well to imitate the wise physician: whilst humbly and piously awaiting from above the descent of the regenerating spirit on the children whom God has given them, they may use the appointed means for their conversion' (148).

Genre:

Miscellaneous, Serial

Subjects:

Heat, Chemistry

Publications cited:

Berthollet 1804, 1: 163, Berthollet, Claude Louis 1804. An Essay on Chemical Statics: With Copious Explanatory Notes, and an Appendix on Vegetable and Animal Substances, trans. by B. Lambert, London: J. Mawman
Close   View the register entry >> Parkes 1806, 39 Parkes, Samuel 1806. A Chemical Catechism for the Use of Young People, with Copious Notes for the Assistance of the Teacher [...], London: privately printed
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    Concerns the 'peculiar effects' of heat on combustible bodies and fluids. From the effect of heat on fluids, concludes that 'heat or caloric is a solid body, composed of particles which visibly act in the medium of water' (166).

Genre:

Short Fiction

Subjects:

Extra-Terrestrial Life, Christianity

    In a reverie, the narrator imagines himself carried to a distant planet. It is another terraqueous globe with vegetation which is similar, if grander, to that on earth. There are, however, 'neither thorns, nor thistles, nor noxious weeds' (169). The narrator encounters humans, living in tents, who live perfectly in accordance with divine law, and explains to one the fallen state of humankind on earth and the Christian plan of salvation. In turn he learns about the pristine state of the extra-terrestrial humans. The whole narrative is replete with biblical quotations and allusions.

Genre:

Short Fiction—Introduction; Dialogue

Subjects:

Reading, Instinct, Reason, Progress, Religion, Superstition, Natural Theology, Biblical Authority, Ancient Authorities

    Charles, having 'read a small volume of natural history, in which the author had treated of the nature of instinct', seeks clarification of the distinction between reason and instinct from his father (237). His father explains that, unlike instinct, reason is progressive and enables its possessor to learn from experience. Charles is surprised that people should not therefore have all learned to be religious and virtuous. His father tells him that 'Reason here has become blinded, either through ignorance or superstition', making a revelation necessary. Charles whether 'the philosophers of old' had 'some just notions of a Divine Being, of the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body, although they were without the revelation contained in the sacred scriptures'. His father asserts that their notions 'were very incorrect and debasing to the Divine Character', and that they needed 'something beyond what nature testified of the existence of a supreme Being'. (238)

Genre:

Dialogue

Subjects:

Utility, Commerce, Navigation, Industry, Machinery

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Disease, Epidemiology, Infidelity, Faith

    The narrator recounts his conversion of a dying deist, whom he encountered on one of his 'walks to examine into the state of the poor' (262). In conclusion, he summarises his experience: 'A visit from one of the committee of the board of health, deputed to examine the state of the town and its inhabitants, with a view to provide against the direful effects of cholera, discovers an infidel languishing under disease, and dying in his sin', and converts him to Christianity (264).

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Astronomy, Amusement, Piety, Wonder, Theology of Nature

    'It is a delightful and instructive employment for the christian to trace the exhaustless displays of divine power and wisdom in the works of creation' (265). The scientific study of astronomy gives the Christian a more 'sublime and wonderful' conception of the exercise of divine power and intelligence. Provides a brief survey of astronomical objects, starting with the earth as a planet. Acknowledges that the 'man of science' derives 'high pleasure' from observing their movements, but contrasts the view which the 'humble and sincere christian' takes of 'these great displays of the wisdom and power of God' with the 'mean' view of the 'mere philosopher' (266). Asserts that the Christian can view the heavens 'in relation to God as his Redeemer' (267).

Genre:

Short Fiction, Serial

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education

    Alfred, 'the eldest child of respectable parents' has long shown a taste for the study of physic, and at the age of sixteen is removed from school 'under the idea of his being speedily placed with a country surgeon' (298). He spends six weeks on a summer tour around England with his uncle and cousins, and travels to his grandfather's on his way home. He is attentive to his pious grandfather, but announces that his six-week tour has put 'great doubts' in his mind about entering the 'profession of physic' (301) He thinks that there is 'a great deal very disagreeable in the life of a surgeon', and that he would like other professions better. He does not fear the study, but opines that 'the compounding of medicine is very dull, and very inglorious too; only consider, for a young man of a fine mind to be occupied in pounding with a pestle and mortar, and weighing grains of magnesia'. He adds that 'a surgeon has not his time at his command' and suffers constant demands, without gaining glory. (302) These thoughts have been prompted by his encounters during his tour with the Army Army
Close   View the register entry >> and Navy Royal Navy
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Genre:

Homily

Subjects:

Piety, Meteorology

    'Natural objects, properly improved and skilfully applied, present a fine subject to a spiritual contemplative mind'. Quotes from an unknown source the 'account given by naturalists' of the production of rain: 'Vapours rising from the earth, exhaled by the sun and intermixed with air, form clouds, which being increased by the addition of other vapours, and driven together by the force of winds, run into drops and fall upon the earth as rain'. (307) The remainder of the article develops analogies between rain and 'the word of God' (308).

Genre:

Miscellaneous; Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

eng., map (col.)

Illustrators:

T Starling Starling, Thomas (fl. 1820–40) Bénézit 1999
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Subjects:

Physical Geography, Biblical Authority, Geographical Distribution, Human Species, Race

    'We purpose, during this and succeeding volume, presenting our readers with a series of Scripture Maps'. Observes that the 'situation in which Noah and his children were placed was very central, and there was ample scope, as their descendents multiplied, to extend their settlements on every side'. The map depicts Europe, Asia, and north Africa, and relates these areas to the descendents of Ham, Shem, and Japheth.

Genre:

Extract, Travelogue, Illustration; Afterword, Abstract

Publications extracted:

[Henderson 1818] Henderson, Ebenezer 1818. Iceland; or, The Journal of a Residence in that Island, During the Years 1814 and 1815. Containing Observations on the Natural Phenomena, History, Literature, and Antiquities of the Island; and the Religion, Character, Manners, and Customs of its Inhabitants. With an Introduction and Appendix, 2 vols, Edinburgh: Oliphant, Waugh and Innes; London: T. Hamilton [and 2 others]
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Publications abstracted:

Lyell 1830–33 Lyell, Charles 1830–33. Principles of Geology: Being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes in the Earth's Surface, by References to Causes Now in Operation, 3 vols, London: John Murray
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Relevant illustrations:

eng., wdct.

Subjects:

Geology, Wonder, Heat, Vulcanology

    The article presents a lengthy extract from Henderson 1818 Henderson, Ebenezer 1818. Iceland; or, The Journal of a Residence in that Island, During the Years 1814 and 1815. Containing Observations on the Natural Phenomena, History, Literature, and Antiquities of the Island; and the Religion, Character, Manners, and Customs of its Inhabitants. With an Introduction and Appendix, 2 vols, Edinburgh: Oliphant, Waugh and Innes; London: T. Hamilton [and 2 others]
Close   View the register entry >>, describing geysers in Iceland. An afterword details 'the simple and ingenious way by which Mr. Lyell Lyell, Sir Charles, 1st Baronet (1797–1875) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, in his "Principles of Geology" Lyell, Charles 1830–33. Principles of Geology: Being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes in the Earth's Surface, by References to Causes Now in Operation, 3 vols, London: John Murray
Close   View the register entry >>, accounts for these grand operations of nature', with an extracted diagram (328). A final note records that Lyell 'applies the same principle,—the agency of steam upon melted lava accumulated in cavities in the bowels of the earth—to account for the eruptions of volcanoes, and, though not absolutely demonstrated, there is every presumption in favor of its probability' (329).

Genre:

Short Fiction

Subjects:

Entomology, Collecting, Piety, Feeling, Wonder, Superstition, Medical Practitioners, Education, Infidelity, Societies, Natural History, Materialism

    The narrator describes a rural walk on a 'sultry afternoon in August'. He wearies himself 'in the fruitless chase of a brilliant dragon-fly' which proves 'too nimble to allow himself to be placed in [his] cabinet'. He enters a wood by the bank of the Thames, and encounters 'a gentleman reaching forwards, supporting himself by an overhanging branch of a tree, to secure a small plant' blooming on the surface of a 'deep and shaded spring' (336). The branch breaks, and the narrator rescues the gentleman, who proves also to be 'an enthusiastic admirer of the works of nature'. They compare specimens, and the narrator observes that he has been reflecting on how delightful it is to 'look through nature up to nature's God'. His companion agrees, but contrasts those who in quoting that sentiment 'feel not its force', and are actuated merely by the 'same emotions' as the superstitious heathen, with those who view such scenes as the creation of their 'reconciled God in Christ Jesus' and can say 'My Father made them all'. (337) After further conversation, the gentleman gives the narrator an account of his early life. The son of pious parents, he used often to walk with them in the fields, 'where every plant, every flower, that attracted [his] attention, gave them an occasion of reminding [him] of Him who is the "Rose of Sharon", and the "Lily of the Valley"' (338). Going to London to train as a surgeon, he was surrounded by infidel fellow students, and himself became impious. The students formed themselves into a 'select literary society', and he was 'giving a course of lectures on the different departments of Natural History, with the expressed intention of proving from them the awful doctrines of materialism', when news came that his father was dying (339). Through his father's death and his own subsequent illness he was brought back to his former faith. Twenty years later he still steals an hour 'to enjoy the contemplation of nature's beauties', and it reminds him that he once used the 'works of creation as an argument for the non-existence of the Great Creator', as well as of the love of the saviour who subsequently redeemed him (340).

Genre:

Short Fiction, Serial

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Piety, Endeavour

    Alfred's grandfather contends that the clerical profession is often harder work and less glorious in temporal terms than even the medical profession. He observes that Alfred might as easily rise in the medical as in any other profession: 'Many a man who now rides in a chariot to visit his patients, has once compounded medicine as an apprentice; but his mind is probably more full of care, under present circumstances, than when he sang over his work as a young man in a surgery' (351). He urges the vanity of earthly glory, and the importance of heavenly glory. A few days afterwards the grandfather dies. Alfred sees the error of his ways and resolves to follow his grandfather's advice.

Genre:

Abstract, Miscellaneous

Publications abstracted:

Humboldt 1814–29 Humboldt, Alexander von 1814–29. Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent During the Years 1799–1804. By Alexander de Humboldt, and Aimé Bonpland, trans. by Helen Maria Williams, 7 vols, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
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Subjects:

Botany

People mentioned:

Alexander von Humboldt Humboldt, Alexander von (Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von) (1769–1859) DSB
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Genre:

Short Fiction

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Physical Geography, Amusement, Education, Reading, Piety

    Nine-year-old Lucy Ridsdale goes to stay with her cousins, the children of Mr Burman, 'a surgeon in full practice' who 'consequently possessed very little leisure'. The Saturday before her return home, Mr Burman buys Lucy 'a very beautiful geographical game' which the children are loath to put away. Mr Burman urges them to do so, and to look out their 'books and pictures' for Sunday. To Lucy's question whether geography is wicked, he answers 'quite the reverse'. 'That, and every other study which shews us the extent and wonders of creation', he continues, 'may be very profitable, if engaged in aright'. (374) In response to Lucy's enquiry why it might not be studied on a Sunday he observes: 'we have better studies and sweeter pleasures on the Sabbath, than those which relate only to mental improvement. To inform the mind is good, but to benefit the soul is far more important; and that is the especial design of the Sabbath'. (375)

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Reading, Instinct, Human Species, Progress

    The fictional narrator, 'A Country Correspondent', relates some of his reflections arising from the family reading in which his circle engaged on winter's evenings. In one of these he observes: 'The inferior animals, being possessed of instinct, come to maturity at once, and remain for ever stationary, so that an ant or beaver to-day is not one degree more industrious, and more ingenious, than an ant or beaver was in Eden. The bee does not build her cell more mathematically exact in the garden of Huber Huber, François (1750–1831) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>, in the 19th century, than she did on the way to Timnath, two thousand years before. But it is not so with man, he profits by the accumulated knowledge of the past' (403).

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Vertebrate Zoology

Publications cited:

MacGregor 1832 MacGregor, John 1832. British America, 2 vols, Edinburgh: William Blackwood; London: T. Cadell
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