Science in the 19th Century Periodical

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction [1st]

Introductory Essay
Volume 7  (January to June 1826)
Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), [iii]–iv.

Preface

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Anon

Genre:

Preface

Subjects:

History of Science


    The editor identifies some new 'improvements' in this volume of the Mirror of Literature Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction (1822–47) Mirror Monthly Magazine (1847–49) Waterloo Directory
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, namely 'the Encyclopædist or the Circle of the Sciences, and the Waverley Novels', noting that 'in the former it is not the object of the Editor to give formal treatises, but a history of each peculiar science, showing its origin and progress to its present state'. (iii)



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 1–2.

House in Which Sir Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
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was born

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[Thomas Byerley] Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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/ P T W, pseud.  [Peter T Westcott] Westcott, Peter Thomas (1782/3–1845) Gentleman's Magazine, n.s. 23 (1845), 328
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Timbs, John 1871.'My Autobiography: Incidental Notes and Personal Recollections', Leisure Hour (1871), 20–23, 85–88, 181–84, 212–15, 266–69, 293–95, 347–51, 394–98, 420–24, 469–72, 500–03, 596–600, 612–15, 644–48, 685–88, 692–96, 730–33, and 794–99
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Genre:

Biography

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [2]

Subjects:

Popularization, Genius


    An engraving of Newton's birthplace is considered particularly appropriate at the present time, 'when the diffusion of science is becoming so general'.


See also:

Anon, 'Sir Isaac Newton's House', Mirror of Literature, 6 (1825), 193–94


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 4–6.

Leaves from a Journal. No. VI

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Everard Endless Endless, Everard
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Anecdote



[5] Ne Plus Ultra of Dandyism

Subjects:

Medical Treatment


    A dandy recently advised by 'a popular doctor' to 'take a bottle of port per diem', replied, 'Port! what's that?' (5).




Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 8.

Subterranean Garden and Natural Hot Bed

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Horticulture, Heat


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 10.

The Climates

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C R, Phipp's Bridge, Mitcham R, C (of Phipp's Bridge, Mitcham)
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Genre:

Letter, Reportage; Table

Subjects:

Meteorology, Heat


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 18–19.

Aches and Pains. Translated from the French, by Miss K. Thompson

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Miss K Thompson Thompson, Miss K (fl. 1825-26) ML1/6/172/2, ML1/7/178/1
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Genre:

Reminiscences, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Gender


    The narrator recounts his own experiences of married life as a warning to others. He found that his wife's aches and pains were all occasioned by the want of expensive items, such as diamond ear-rings, which she considered the 'infallible specific' for her ear-ache. He warns his readers: 'never let your purses pay for the aches and pains of your cara sposa [...] open them but for the payment of Æsculapius' (18).



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 20–21.

Visit to a Coal-Pit

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Amicus Mirror Amicus Mirror
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Mining


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 21–23.

On the Colours Used in Painting

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Clavis Clavis
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Industrial Chemistry


Section: The Selector; or, Choice Extracts from New Works

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 25–27.

Medals; or, Obverses and Reverses

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Essay

Publications extracted:

Janus; or, The Edinburgh Literary Almanack Janus; or, The Edinburgh Literary Almanack (1815–26) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners


    The article considers the Janus-faced character which 'almost every thing' in the world presents. The writer compares various aspects of life to two-sided medals, noting of one: 'Of this medal one side bears for its motto—"The god-like Healing Art," while the other shows Dr. Eady Eady, Dr (fl. 1825) ML1/7/178a/4
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and a death-head' (27).



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 37–39.

A New Year's Ode. A Dialogue Between the Years 1825, and 1826

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G S S, G
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Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Species, Aeronautics, Creativity


    The old year warns the new to 'mind' humankind, and offers to demonstrate how to distinguish humans from 'other brutes'. After misidentifying various species as human, the new year sees what appears to be a moon, but which proves to be an 'air balloon'. The balloon rips, 'It falls down and the man's dashed to pieces'. The old year observes that these events are distinguishing 'symptoms' of the human species. He relates: 'man has got most kindly given by fate, / A little nob he calls his pate, / And in that nob such whimseys and such schemes, / Such wild ideas and visionary dreams' as will make the new year laugh. (38)



Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 43–45.

Opinions for 1826

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous, Drollery

Publications extracted:

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

Education, Class, Steam-power, Political Economy


    The writer presents miscellaneous 'opinions' on a range of subjects. He or she writes: 'As for Mechanics' Institutions, I am afraid you have not quite made up your mind, my readers, whether they are, or are not, a conspiracy against social order; but I don't think you will chip off a man's nose for advocating them, provided it be moderately and with good discretion'. Another passage reflects the opinion that Walter Scott Scott, Sir Walter, 1st Baronet (1771–1832) ODNB
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is, and then that he is not, the 'great unknown', concluding: 'it is beginning to pass current that the great unknown is—a steam engine'. (44) Reflecting on comments made in the Court of Common Pleas by William D Best Best, William Draper, 1st Baron Wynford (1767–1845) ODNB
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respecting the fashionable and licentious Harriette Wilson Wilson, Harriette (1786–1845?) ODNB
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, the opinion is given that 'a seat on the bench is an indisputable title to an intuitive knowledge of political economy and the nature of things' (45).



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 48.

To Correspondents

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[Thomas Byerley] Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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Genre:

Editorial Reply

Subjects:

Education


    The author observes: 'We stumble at the threshold in the Ode to the Birth of Birkbeck Birkbeck, George (1776–1841) ODNB
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, when we find "gripe" made to rhyme with "might" in the first two lines'.



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1827), 50–51.

Manners and Customs of All Nations. No. I. The Hindoos

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W C—Y C—y, W
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ethnography, Religion

Publications cited:

Anon 1822 Anon. 1822. Hindoostan: Containing a Description of the Religion, Manners, Customs, Trades, Arts, Sciences, Literature, Diversions, &c. of the Hindoos. Illustrated with Upwards of One Hundred Coloured Engravings, London: R. Ackermann
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 53–54.

Spartan Laws

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P T W, pseud.  [Peter T Westcott] Westcott, Peter Thomas (1782/3–1845) Gentleman's Magazine, n.s. 23 (1845), 328
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Timbs, John 1871.'My Autobiography: Incidental Notes and Personal Recollections', Leisure Hour (1871), 20–23, 85–88, 181–84, 212–15, 266–69, 293–95, 347–51, 394–98, 420–24, 469–72, 500–03, 596–600, 612–15, 644–48, 685–88, 692–96, 730–33, and 794–99
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Population, Political Economy, Physiognomy


    Reporting the Spartan punishment of celibacy, and encouragement of procreation by tax incentives, the author notes: 'This last law would [...] in modern days be a death blow to the Malthus Malthus, Thomas Robert (1766–1834) DSB
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system.' Referring to the Spartan prohibition of travel so as to avoid the infection of 'the licentious customs of other countries', the author drolly regrets that there is not a system for discriminating between the good and bad arriving at the port of Dover, using 'Lavater's Physiognomy' Lavater, Johann Kaspar 1775–78. Physiognomische Fragmente, zur Beförderung der Menschenkenntinis und Menschenliebe, 4 vols, Leipzig; Weidmanns Erben und Reich; Winterthur: Heinrich Steiner und Compagnie
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. (53)



Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 56.

New Weights and Measures

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Metrology, Government


    The article briefly outlines the object of the 'late bill'.



Section: The Selector; or, Choice Extracts from New Works

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 58–60.

Assassination of Miss Ray Ray, Martha (1742?–1779) ODNB
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Anon

Genre:

Introduction; Extract

Publications extracted:

Cradock 1826 Cradock, Joseph 1826. Literary and Miscellaneous Memoirs, London: privately printed
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Subjects:

Patronage, Instruments, Astronomy


    The narrative begins with Joseph Cradock's Cradock, Joseph (1742–1826) ODNB
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support having been solicted by John Montagu (4th Earl of Sandwich)
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in the election of a new chemistry professor at the University of Cambridge University of Cambridge
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. Cradock also describes putting together the 'lunar telescope' Sandwich had received from 'Dollond's' Dollond, Peter (1731–1820) ODNB
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Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 60–62.

Travels of a Pound of Cotton. By A Moreau de Jonnes Moreau de Jonnès, Alexandre (1778–1870) WBI
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Anon

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:

Statistics, Agriculture, Steam-power, Machinery, Manufactories, Industrial Chemistry, Transport, Industry


    The writer narrates the journey of a pound of cotton to Manchester for spinning, and to Paisley for weaving. In conclusion, he reflects that for the process to occur 'it was necessary that industry, availing itself of the prodigies of philosophy, should satisfy its wants by the agency of fire, and render docile the most intractable and most destructive element; that navigation should bring closer to each other the banks of the Ganges and the Thames; that the Mogul empire should become the inheritance of a company of merchants East India Company
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; and that its provinces should be restored to fertility, and its people to civilization, by conquerors, who were but barbarians twenty centuries after the countries of Asia, which they now teach, possessed all the advantages of science, arts, and industry!'



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 66.

Hints on Education and Habit

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Scriptor Scriptor
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Genre:

Letter

Subjects:

Education, Progress, Reading, Class, Theory, Practice, Utility


    The writer considers that the present age is more committed to human progress than previous ones, and that education and a free press are critical to this. The importance of reading is stressed, as is the role of Sunday schools in spreading literacy. In addition, the potential dangers of this new found literacy are considered, and the author observes that reading 'without the habitual exercise of thought, judgement, and recollection, is a puerile and evidently a profitless employment'. The 'speculative sciences' are 'very attractive', but when these form the 'principal study', such reading is of no utility. The author pleads against the separation of science from art, arguing: 'Practice is the legitimate end of all knowledge, which, however vaunted for its "power", is, I conceive, but perfect weakness without practical application'.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 72–73.

Origins and Inventions. No. XII

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F R Y Y, F R
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Miscellaneous



[6] Tobacco and Snuff

Subjects:

Exploration, Discovery, Acclimatization

People mentioned:

Walter Ralegh Ralegh (or Raleigh), Sir Walter (1554–1618) ODNB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 82–85.

The Encyclopedist; or, Circle of the Sciences. No. I. Architecture  [1/3]

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Ed. Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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Genre:

Regular Feature—Introduction; Essay, Serial

Subjects:

Encyclopaedias, History of Science, Theory, Practice, Education, Amusement


    A parenthetical introduction to the new feature explains the editor's objects. He intends to 'give in almost every number an account of some branch of science or art', but not to teach it in detail, as this would be beyond the limits of the publication and its 'great diversity of readers'. The object is to 'trace the history of a science, and explain or develope the theory of it', rather than to 'teach its practice'. This approach, it is hoped, will excite interest 'not only in the artisan, who may be more immediately concerned with the particular branch of science or art treated of, but in the general reader'. The editor notes that the order of subjects is not going to be systematic, since it is hoped that correspondents will contribute to 'this department'.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 85–86.

Manners and Customs of All Nations. No. II. The Abyssinians

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W C—Y C—y, W
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ethnography

People mentioned:

James Bruce, Bruce, James (1730–94) ODNB
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King Takla Haymanot II Takla Haymanot II, King of Abyssinia (fl. 1769–77) CBE
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Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 87.

England Fifty Years Ago

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Progress, Transport, Steam-power, Industry


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 88.

Avalanches

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Glaciology


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 88.

[Apothecary Turned Builder]

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Anon

Genre:

Anecdote, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Pharmaceuticals


    'A certain wealthy apothecary being engaged in some of the building speculations in Mary-le-bone, it was well observed of him, that he had run away from the pestle and was got into the mortar'.



Section: The Selector; or, Choice Extracts from New Works

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 89–90.

Power of Insects

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Anon

Genre:

Extract

Publications extracted:

Kirby and Spence 1815–26 Kirby, William and Spence, William 1815–26. An Introduction to Entomology; or, Elements of the Natural History of Insects, 4 vols, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown
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Subjects:

Entomology, Anatomy, Physiology, Design


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Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 104–06.

The Nagahs, a Wild Tribe in the Burmese Empire

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Anon

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

Publications cited:

Calcutta Government Gazette Calcutta Gazette (1784–1815) Calcutta Government Gazette (1815–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 108.

Stanzas for the Serpentine. A New Song to an Old Tune

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Song, Drollery

Publications extracted:

Literary Gazette Literary Gazette (1817–62) Parthenon (1863) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Phrenology


    The song relates to ice-skating on the Serpentine, in Hyde Park, London. One stanza includes the lines: 'Phrenologists shine forth in their wittiest array; / Sims, for instance, cracks his joke on Tims, who cracks his cranium; / It gets a bump at every fall, like buds on a jeranium; / Which proves, by phrenologic laws, that Tims, (but sure you know it, sir,) / Though he tumbles down a proser, may jump up again a poet, sir'.



Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 110.

Anagrams

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—? —?
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Genre:

Anagrams, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy


    Includes two anagrams for 'Astronomers': 'Moonstarers' and 'No more stars'.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 110–11.

New Weights and Measures

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Metrology, Government


    Presents a 'Synoptical View of the New Weights and Measures according to Act of Parliament, 1824, showing how to reduce the Old into the New, et vice versa, as calculated by Professor Wallace Wallace, William (1768–1843) DSB
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' (110).



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 114.

Richmond

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G W N N, G W
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Observatories, Instruments, Museums

People mentioned:

William Herschel Herschel, Sir William (1738–1822) DSB ODNB
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    The article includes a paragraph describing the contents of the Royal Observatory, Kew Royal Observatory, Kew
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, including its natural history collections and 'apparatus for philosophical experiments'.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 119–20.

Select Biography. No. XXXIX

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G B*****e B*****e, G
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Biography



[3] Daniel Gum Gum, Daniel (fl. early 18th century) ML1/7/184/2
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Subjects:

Mathematics, Astronomy, Endeavour


    A brief biography of an eighteenth-century Cornish stone-cutter of great mathematical learning, who became a recluse, studying mathematics and astronomy in a hermitage he constructed for himself.




Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 123–26.

An Evening Party

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Short Fiction, Drollery

Publications extracted:

European Magazine European Magazine (1782–1826) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Steamships


    The story relates how the new wife of Mr Mactwigit, tallow chandler of St Mary Axe, decided to have an evening party, to which various odd characters were invited. While the tea was poured, 'the conversation turned upon the arts and sciences; and the subject was warmly disputed between a Captain Fume, who commanded one of the Gravesend steam-boats, and a junior clerk of the Post-office General Post Office
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, as to whether the steam-boat, the Scud, would make the passage from Falmouth to Lisbon in as short a time as the "Francis Freeling" Freeling, Sir Francis, 1st Baronet (1764–1836) ODNB
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sailing-packet'. (125)



Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 126–27.

Treatment of the Insane in the Netherlands

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Anon

Genre:

Extract

Publications extracted:

'Journal of Agriculture of the kingdom of the Netherlands'

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Medical Treatment, Hospitals


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 129–32.

View of Roslyn Chapel, at the Diorama Diorama, Regent's Park
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Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Invention, Light, Wonder

People mentioned:

Louis J M Daguerre, Daguerre, Louis Jacques Mandé (1789–1851) CBD
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Charles M Bouton


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 137–39.

History of the Rise and Progress of the Silk Trade

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Ed. Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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/ P T W, pseud.  [Peter T Westcott] Westcott, Peter Thomas (1782/3–1845) Gentleman's Magazine, n.s. 23 (1845), 328
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Timbs, John 1871.'My Autobiography: Incidental Notes and Personal Recollections', Leisure Hour (1871), 20–23, 85–88, 181–84, 212–15, 266–69, 293–95, 347–51, 394–98, 420–24, 469–72, 500–03, 596–600, 612–15, 644–48, 685–88, 692–96, 730–33, and 794–99
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Genre:

Introduction / Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Politics, Industry | Entomology, Industry, Machinery

Publications cited:

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (1665–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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    The editorial introduction makes an appeal to the government and the public on behalf of the unemployed and starving silk-weavers.



Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 143.

Canine Affection

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Anon

Genre:

Anecdote

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 143–44.

The Turks and the Greeks in Smyrna

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ethnography, Disability


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 145–47.

Destruction of the Elephant at Exeter 'Change Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Menageries, Animal Behaviour, Veterinary Science, Pharmaceuticals, Anatomy, Cruelty, Illustration

People mentioned:

Joshua Brookes, Brookes, Joshua (1761–1833) ODNB
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William Clift Clift, William (1775–1849) DSB
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    The article gives a detailed account of the history and the shooting of the celebrated elephant at Edward Cross's Cross, Edward (1774?–1854) ODNB
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menagerie. A footnote observes: 'As a proof of the celerity with which works of art are now executed, we may state, that Mr. Limbird Limbird, John (1796–1883) DNBS
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published a coloured print of the destruction of the elephant, from an actual drawing, in less than forty hours after the death of the animal' (147).



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 147–48.

Dissection of the Elephant

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Dissection, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology, Phrenology, Museums

People mentioned:

Joshua Brookes, Brookes, Joshua (1761–1833) ODNB
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Edward Cross, Cross, Edward (1774?–1854) ODNB
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Johann C Spurzheim Spurzheim, Johann Christoph (1776–1832) DSB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 148.

Elephant Steaks and Stew

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Menageries, Hunting


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 148–49.

Anecdotes of the Exeter 'Change Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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Elephant

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Anon

Genre:

Menageries, Animal Behaviour

Subjects:

Miscellaneous

People mentioned:

Edward Cross, Cross, Edward (1774?–1854) ODNB
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Alfred Cops Cops, Alfred (d. 1825) ML1/7/186/4
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 150.

Natural History of the Elephant

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Zoology

People mentioned:

Johann F Blumenbach Blumenbach, Johann Friedrich (1752–1840) DSB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 150–52.

Anecdotes of Elephants

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P T W, pseud.  [Peter T Westcott] Westcott, Peter Thomas (1782/3–1845) Gentleman's Magazine, n.s. 23 (1845), 328
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Timbs, John 1871.'My Autobiography: Incidental Notes and Personal Recollections', Leisure Hour (1871), 20–23, 85–88, 181–84, 212–15, 266–69, 293–95, 347–51, 394–98, 420–24, 469–72, 500–03, 596–600, 612–15, 644–48, 685–88, 692–96, 730–33, and 794–99
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Zoology, Animal Behaviour

Publications cited:

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (1665–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 152.

Velocity of the Wind—Ballooning

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Anon

Genre:

Letter

Subjects:

Meteorology, Aeronautics

People mentioned:

André J Garnerin Garnerin, André Jacques (1769–1823) CBD
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See also:

F R—y, 'The Power of Water and Progressive Rate of Wind', Mirror of Literature, 4 (1824), 372


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 154–56.

Charitable Institutions in London. No. IV. The Welsh School

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Ed. Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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Genre:

Regular Feature—Introduction; Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Natural History, Publishing


    The writer notes: 'Mr. Pennant Pennant, Thomas (1726–98) DSB
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had intended the profit of his great work on British Zoology Pennant, Thomas 1766. The British Zoology: Class I. Quadrupeds II. Birds. Published Under the Inspection of the Cymmrodorion Society, Instituted for the Promoting Useful Charities, and the Knowledge of Nature, Among the Descendants of the Ancient Britons [...], London: printed for the Society
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for the benefit of this school, but the great expenses attendant on the undertaking frustrated that design, and he afterwards gave £100 which he had received from Mr. White White, Benjamin (c.1725–94) ODNB
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, the bookseller for the octavo edition Pennant, Thomas 1768–70. British Zoology, 4 vols, London: Benjamin White
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' (155).



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 162–66.

Mr. Mathews Mathews, Charles (1776–1835) ODNB
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'At Home'

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous, Reportage

Subjects:

Steam-power, Engineering, Discovery


    The writer reflects of this comic actor: 'To use a simile from modern mechanics, we may term Mr. Mathews the Steam-engine of the Stage; he draws with an eighty-horse power, and by himself does more than the force of all the rest put together could accomplish'. The article includes a report of Mathews's latest entertainment, called 'Invitations'. Mathews reportedly stated a hope to his audience 'that if ever he had succeeded in Macadam McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) ODNB
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izing the road to mirth, or in throwing a bridge over the gulf of sorrow, he might still continue to experience their patronage'. He also told his audience, that in thinking of a subject for his new entertainment, he had been assisted by chance, 'which afforded an answer to the inquiries of Sir Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
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, by the fall of an apple'. (163)



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 166.

Mr. Mathews' Mathews, Charles (1776–1835) ODNB
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Song. 'The Money Bill'

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Anon

Genre:

Introduction; Song

Subjects:

Railways, Steam-power


    The song, which was sung at the last anniversary of the Covent Garden Theatrical Fund, concerns the dramatic craft. One stanza reads: 'Recollect, though from merit I'd not be detracting, / That as yet we've discover'd no railway for acting; / Recollect that no steam can aid our manufacture / And no gas can swell a man into an actor.'



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 166–68.

The Elephant

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Menageries, Hunting

People mentioned:

Charles Hulbert, Hulbert, Charles (1778–1857) ODNB
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John Bigland Bigland, John (1750–1832) ODNB
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Institutions mentioned:

Exeter Exchange, London—Royal Menagerie Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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Publications cited:

Smith [1807] Smith, Thomas [1806–07]. The Naturalist's Cabinet: Containing Interesting Sketches of Natural History; Illustrative of the Natures, Dispositions, Manners, and Habits of all the Most Remarkable Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Amphibia, Reptiles, &c. in the Known World, 6 vols, [London]: J. Cundee
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See also:

Anon, 'Destruction of the Elephant at Exeter 'Change', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 145–47, Anon, 'Dissection of the Elephant', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 147–48, Anon, 'Elephant Steaks and Stew', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 148, Anon, 'Anecdotes of the Exeter 'Change Elephant', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 148–49, Anon, 'Natural History of the Elephant', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 150, Peter T Westcott, 'Anecdotes of Elephants', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 150–52


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 168–69.

Capturing Elephants

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Hunting, Ethnography, Animal Behaviour

Publications cited:

Thunberg [1793]–1795 Thunberg, Charles Peter [1793]–1795. Travels in Europe, Africa, and Asia Performed Between the Years 1770 and 1779, 4 vols, London: W. Richardson and J. Egerton
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Section: The Gatherer

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 176.

Ingenious Invention

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Invention, Machinery

People mentioned:

George Prior Prior, George (fl. 1809) ML1/7/187a/5
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 176.

Adam and MacAdam McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) ODNB
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View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Epigram

Subjects:

Engineering


    'Adam was made of borrowed dust; / So says the Bible; and, 'tis plain, / Macadam to discharge the trust, / To dust turns all the ways of men'.



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 178–79.

Contrasts and Comparisons; or, The Contrast Between Man and Man, and the Similitude Between the Two Most Lordly Animals in the Creation—the Lion and the Elephant

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Philocosmos Philocosmos
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Menageries, Cruelty


    The writer contrasts the behaviour of Edward Cross Cross, Edward (1774?–1854) ODNB
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, who reluctantly had his elephant Chuny shot for reasons of safety at his Exeter Exchange menagerie Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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, with that of George Wombwell Wombwell, George (1777–1850) ODNB
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, who exhibited his lion Nero in a fight at Warwick, as part of his travelling menagerie Wombwell's Menagerie
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.


See also:

Anon, 'Destruction of the Elephant at Exeter 'Change', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 145–47


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 184–85.

Funeral Obsequies of the King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands, in Their Own Country

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Ethnography, Imperialism

People mentioned:

King Kamehameha II, Kamehameha II, King of the Sandwich Islands (1797–1824) WBI
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King Kamehameha I, Kamehameha I, King of the Sandwich Islands (1737?–1819) WBI
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George A Byron (7th Baron Byron) Byron, George Anson, 7th Baron (1789–1868) WBI
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Institutions mentioned:

HMS Blonde HMS Blonde
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 185–86.

Lord Byron's Byron, George Anson, 7th Baron (1789–1868) WBI
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Visit to the Sandwich Islands.—Monument to Captain Cook Cook, James (1728–79) DSB
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View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Exploration, Heroism, Ethnography, Collecting


    The article reports the raising of a monument to Cook in the Sandwich Islands by George A Byron. It is also reported that, the 'natives of the islands having embraced Christianity, the Regent gave permission to Lord Byron to visit the sacred sepulchre, and take therefrom whatever relics of their former religion he wished to posses'.



Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 189–91.

Refinements

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Drollery

Publications extracted:

European Magazine European Magazine (1782–1826) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Nomenclature


    Among the refinements complained of is the fact that 'Everything has a new name, which few can understand, and none pronounce without breaking their teeth', including 'aurists, ophthalmists, and chiropedists' (190).



Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 191–92.

Curiosities in Entomology

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Entomology


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 194–96.

Select Biography. No. XLII. John Howard Howard, John (1726?–90) ODNB
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View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Regular Feature, Biography

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Hospitals, Disease, Epidemiology, Heroism

Publications cited:

Howard 1780, Howard, John 1780. Appendix to The State of the Prisons in England and Wales, &c.: Containing a Farther Account of Foreign Prisons and Hospitals, with Additional Remarks on the Prisons of this Country, London: T. Cadell and N. Conant
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Howard 1789 Howard, John 1789. An Account of the Principal Lazarettos in Europe: With Various Papers Relative to the Plague, Together with Further Observations on Some Foreign Prisons and Hospitals; and Additional Remarks on the Present State of Those in Great Britain and Ireland, London: Cadell, Johnson, Dilly and Taylor
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    The biographer reports of Howard: 'He was fond of philosophical experiments and observations, and communicated to the Royal Society Royal Society of London
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, of which he was a member, some papers in this class' (194). The account discusses Howard's philanthropic interest in hospitals, and his work on the 'progress of contagion' in hospitals and prisons.



Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 206–07.

The Snakes of Singapore

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Anon

Genre:

Extract

Publications extracted:

Singapore Chronicle, 23 June 1826 Singapore Chronicle (182?–33) BUCOP
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Subjects:

Natural History, Collecting, Animal Behaviour


Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 207.

Henry the Third's Henry III, King of England and Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine (1207–72) ODNB
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Elephant

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Menageries


    The author reflects on the size of building used to accommodate King Henry III's elephant, observing: 'we may be permitted to doubt the modern wisdom of keeping a male elephant, of more than common size and strength, in a wooden cage, scarcely admitting him to turn himself'. The reference is to Chuny, the elephant recently shot at the Royal Menagerie Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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at Exeter Exchange.



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Mirror of Literature,  7  (1826), 210–13.

Manners and Customs of All Nations. No. III. The Persians

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W C—Y C—y, W
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ethnography, Religion


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 215–17.

My Common-Place Book, No. XII. Shelley Shelley, Percy Bysshe (1792–1822) ODNB
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and his Poetry

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Edgar Edgar
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Biography

Subjects:

Unbelief, Education, Reading, Piety


    Shelley enjoyed the 'education of a poet', amidst 'mountains and lakes, the magnificent ocean, the stillness of the forest'. However, he 'never read with a humble and subdued mind, amid all his various reading, one book, the most interesting and important, and splendid that was ever given to man—THE BIBLE', and in consequence 'To him the glorious and tremendous, and beautiful works of nature, brought no reminiscences' of God. Shelley's experience is contrasted with that of noted Christians, who in the 'magnificence of nature [...] heard the voice of God' and 'communed with him with their own hearts'.



Section: The Selector; or, Choice Extracts from New Works

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 217–18.

Elephant Hunt

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Extract, Travelogue

Publications extracted:

Denham and Clapperton 1826 Denham, Dixon and Clapperton, Hugh 1826. Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the Years 1822, 1823 and 1824, by Major Denham, Captain Clapperton, and the late Doctor Oudney: Extending Across the Great Desert to the Tenth Degree of Northern Latitude, and from Kouka in Bornou, to Sackatoo, the Capital of the Fellatah Empire, 2 vols, London: John Murray
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Subjects:

Natural History, Hunting, Dissection, Anatomy


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 218–19.

The Battas of Sumatra

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Travelogue

Publications extracted:

Anderson 1826 Anderson, John 1826. Mission to the East Coast of Sumatra, in M.DCCC.XXIII, Under the Direction of the Government of Prince of Wales Island: Including Historical and Descriptive Sketches of the Country, an Account of the Commerce, Population, and the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants, and a Visit to the Batta Cannibal States in the Interior, Edinburgh: W. Blackwood
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Subjects:

Ethnography


Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 220.

Ancient Longevity

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Abstract

Publications extracted:

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

Statistics, Death

People mentioned:

Adolphe J C A Dureau de la Malle Dureau de la Malle, Adolphe Jules César Auguste (1777–1857) WBI
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 221–24.

Destruction of an Elephant at Geneva, in May, 1820

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Reportage

Publications extracted:

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

Natural History, Menageries, Pharmaceuticals, Dissection, Museums

People mentioned:

Matthias L Mayor Mayor, Matthias Louis (1775–1847) WBI
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Institutions mentioned:

Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Genève Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Genève
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 224.

To Correspondents

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[Thomas Byerley] Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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Genre:

Editorial Reply

Subjects:

Periodicals, Reading


    Replies, in answer to several correspondents, that former subjects have not been 'lost sight of', and promises to 'move gradually, but more rapidly than hitherto, in the "Circle of the Sciences"'.



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 226–28.

On Female Conversation

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B— B—
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Genre:

Letter

Subjects:

Gender, Societies, Education


    The writer defends the value of 'common easy chit-chat'. Noting that she has 'heard something of a Female Literary and Scientific Institution', she declares: 'heaven forefend us from such things as these, we already know enough, and more than some of you would wish us to know, and unless you would have us sit round your fires with the gravity of owls, and silent as our vis-a-vis companions, your chimney ornaments, do not attempt to philosophize us' (227–28).



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 229–30.

My Native Land

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W C—R C—r, W
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Nationalism, Scientific Practitioners, Piety


    The writer discourses on true patriotism. It is observed that England has blended 'literary greatness with private excellence' and has produced 'geniuses in every department of art and science [...] whose lives and deaths have been strictly in conformity to the principles they have inculcated', including notably Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
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and Robert Boyle Boyle, Hon Robert (1627–91) DSB ODNB
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(230).



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 233–34.

Mr. Hayter's Plan for a Maze

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Charles Hayter, 16 Buckingham-street, Fitzroy-square Hayter, Charles (1761–1835) ODNB
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Genre:

Letter

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Light, Invention, Intellectual Property


    The plan for a maze is based on Hayter's 'diagram explanatory of the natural consequences of equilateral union of the three pristine colours'. He observes: 'As the figure is entirely new to geometry and perfectly adapted to the purpose for which I designed it, I trust I shall not be considered too vain in endeavouring to render my claim to the invention as public as possible, real novelty and utility combined being very rare' (233).



Section: The Selector; or, Choice Extracts from New Works

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 234–37.

Denham and Clapperton's Travels in Africa

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Introduction; Extract

Publications extracted:

Denham and Clapperton 1826 Denham, Dixon and Clapperton, Hugh 1826. Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the Years 1822, 1823 and 1824, by Major Denham, Captain Clapperton, and the late Doctor Oudney: Extending Across the Great Desert to the Tenth Degree of Northern Latitude, and from Kouka in Bornou, to Sackatoo, the Capital of the Fellatah Empire, 2 vols, London: John Murray
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Subjects:

Exploration, Ethnography, Religion, Superstition

People mentioned:

Sheikh Muhammed el-A al-H Kanami Kanemi, Muhammed el-Amin al-Haji, Sheikh of Bornu (1779–1835) WBI
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Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 238–39.

Address to Mr. Cross Cross, Edward (1774?–1854) ODNB
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, of Exeter 'Change Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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on the Death of the Elephant

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Poetry

Publications extracted:

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

Menageries, Periodicals


    The poem descants on the universal grief at the death of the elephant: 'Reporter's eyes / Were of an egg-like size, / Men that had never wept for murder'd Mars! / Hard-hearted editors with iron faces / Their sluices all unclosed,— / And discomposed / Compositors went fretting to their cases!' (238).


See also:

Anon, 'Destruction of the Elephant at Exeter 'Change', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 145–47, Anon, 'Dissection of the Elephant', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 147–48, Anon, 'Elephant Steaks and Stew', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 148, Anon, 'Anecdotes of the Exeter 'Change Elephant', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 148–49, Anon, 'Natural History of the Elephant', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 150, Peter T Westcott, 'Anecdotes of Elephants', Mirror of Literature, 7 (1826), 150–52


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 239–40.

Oysters

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Natural History, Nutrition


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 242–46.

The Encyclopedist; or, Circle of the Sciences. No. IV

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Timotheus U Timotheus
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Essay



[2] Electricity

Subjects:

Electricity, Amusement, Wonder, History of Science, Instruments

People mentioned:

Thales, Thales (625BC–547BC) DSB
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William Gilbert, Gilbert, William (1544–1603) DSB
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Robert Boyle, Boyle, Hon Robert (1627–91) DSB ODNB
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Isaac Newton, Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
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Petrus van Musschenbroek, Musschenbroek, Petrus van (1692–1761) DSB
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Joseph Priestley, Priestley, Joseph (1733–1804) DSB
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Benjamin Franklin, Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) DSB
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Humphry Davy Davy, Sir Humphry, Baronet (1778–1829) DSB ODNB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 247–48.

Peruvian Adoration

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G W N N, G W
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ethnography, Religion


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 249.

Chuny, the Elephant

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Utopia Utopia
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Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Menageries, Feeling


Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 254–55.

The Religion of Actors

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Drollery

Publications extracted:

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

Religion, Disease, Medical Treatment


    The author discusses the religious sects to which various actors are supposed to belong. It is suggested that Joseph Grimaldi Grimaldi, Joseph (1778–1837) ODNB
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, 'after being long a Jumper, has lately fallen into some whimsical theories respecting the Fall of Man; which he understands, not of an allegorical, but a real tumble, by which the whole body of humanity became, as it were, lame to the performance of good works'. He uses various medical tropes to describe the different aspects of religion; these, the author notes, are 'a fanciful mode of illustration derived from the accidents and habits of his past calling spiritualized, rather than from any accurate acquaintance with the Hebrew text'. (255)



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Section: The Gatherer

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 272.

African Ants

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Entomology, Wonder


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 272.

Sublime Dedication

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P T W, pseud.  [Peter T Westcott] Westcott, Peter Thomas (1782/3–1845) Gentleman's Magazine, n.s. 23 (1845), 328
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Timbs, John 1871.'My Autobiography: Incidental Notes and Personal Recollections', Leisure Hour (1871), 20–23, 85–88, 181–84, 212–15, 266–69, 293–95, 347–51, 394–98, 420–24, 469–72, 500–03, 596–600, 612–15, 644–48, 685–88, 692–96, 730–33, and 794–99
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Ornithology, Piety


    The article quotes the dedication to God of George Edwards's Edwards, George (1694–1773) ODNB
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History of Birds Edwards, George 1743–51. A Natural History of Birds: The Most of Which Have not Been Figured or Described, and the Rest, by Reason of Obscure or too Brief Descriptions, Without Figures, or from Figures Very Ill Design'd, are Hitherto but Little Known, 4 vols, London: privately printed
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.



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 275–76.

The Old Wine and Beer Gallon, &c.

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Jacobus Jacobus
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Metrology, Experiment, Government

People mentioned:

John Wyberd, Wyberd (also Wybard), John (1614?–) WBI
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John Flamsteed, Flamsteed, John (1646–1719) DSB
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Edmond Halley Halley, Edmond (1656?–1743) DSB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 276.

The New Steam-Packet

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Steamships, Pollution


Section: The Selector; or, Choice Extracts from New Works

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 286–88.

The Kirghises in Central Asia

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Travelogue

Publications extracted:

Fillipp Nazarov Nazarov, Fillipp (fl. 1800–14) WBI
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Anon 1823c Anon. 1823c. Russian Missions into the Interior of Asia, Translated from the German, New Voyages and Travels, 9, no.5, London: Sir Richard Phillips
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Subjects:

Ethnography


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 305–06.

Gymnastics.—The Climbing Stand

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

Sears Sc Sears, Matthew Urlwin (fl. 1826–59) Engen 1985
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Subjects:

Health, Medical Treatment, Ancient Authorities

People mentioned:

Hippocrates of Cos Hippocrates of Cos (460–370 BC) DSB
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    The writer welcomes the introduction of a systematized form of gymnastics in Britain, and briefly reviews the history of gymnastics. It is observed that gymnastics 'is founded on principles of medical science, and thus, what in itself may be found a source of recreation, is rendered advantageous to health' (306).



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 307.

George Bidder Bidder, George Parker (1806–78) ODNB
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, the Calculating Boy

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J S S, J
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Genre:

Letter

Subjects:

Mathematics, Wonder


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 309–10.

Origins and Inventions. No. XV

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F R Y Y, F R
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Miscellaneous



[2] Royal Society Royal Society of London
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Subjects:

Societies, Religion, Patronage

People mentioned:

John Wilkins, Wilkins, John (1614–72) DSB
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Robert Peel Peel, Sir Robert, 2nd Baronet (1788–1850) ODNB
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    The author notes that while King Charles II Charles II, King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1630–85) ODNB
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granted the society its charter, and was a 'lover of the sciences', he did not grant any monies for its use. It is reported that, by contrast, King George IV George IV, King of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover (1762–1830) ODNB
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had placed two annual medals at the disposal of the society. The author opines that England 'never possessed a more munificent patron of the Arts and Sciences' than the present king.




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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 322–25.

The Waverley Novels. No. III. Illustrations of Woodstock

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Ed. Byerley, Thomas (1789–1826) ODNB
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Genre:

Regular Feature—Introduction; Extract

Publications extracted:

John Dunkin Dunkin, John (1782–1846) ODNB
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Subjects:

Menageries, Superstition, Natural History


    The article describes King Henry I's Henry I, King of England and Lord of Normandy (1068/9–1135) ODNB
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'collection of wild beasts [...] procured from foreign princes', which was housed in an enclosure at Woodstock, Oxfordshire. It also includes details of some 'strange events'—the contrivances of a 'humorous royalist'—which took place during the Parliamentarian survey of the royal property there in 1649, taken from Robert Plot's Plot, Robert (1640–96) DSB
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Natural History of Oxford-shire P[lot], R[obert] 1677. The Natural History of Oxford-shire: Being an Essay Toward the Natural History of England, Oxford: at the Theatre; London: Mr. S. Millers
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.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 332.

Desiderata

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Jacobus Jacobus
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Genre:

Miscellaneous, Drollery

Subjects:

Machinery, Technology, Accidents, Invention


    Among the desiderata are included: 'a new machine to abridge the necessities of existence', 'an entire abolition of the effluvium and danger from adopting gas', and 'less rage for capricious innovation—to wit [...] that for Macadam McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) ODNB
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izing our streets'.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 332–33.

Agriculture

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Agriculture, Progress, Religion, Government, Animal Breeding, Societies

People mentioned:

John Gerard Gerard, John (1545–1612) DSB
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    The article surveys the progress of agriculture in Britain, where in a 'state of nature our apples are crabs and our plumbs sloes'. It points particularly to the Reformation, to agricultural legislation in the sixteenth century, and to the more recent formation of agricultural societies, as causes of the progress of British agriculture.



Section: Miscellanies

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 335.

The Apothecary's Boy

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Pharmaceuticals


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 343–44.

Tulips

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P T W, pseud.  [Peter T Westcott] Westcott, Peter Thomas (1782/3–1845) Gentleman's Magazine, n.s. 23 (1845), 328
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Timbs, John 1871.'My Autobiography: Incidental Notes and Personal Recollections', Leisure Hour (1871), 20–23, 85–88, 181–84, 212–15, 266–69, 293–95, 347–51, 394–98, 420–24, 469–72, 500–03, 596–600, 612–15, 644–48, 685–88, 692–96, 730–33, and 794–99
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Horticulture, Botany

People mentioned:

Philip Miller, Miller, Philip (1691–1771) DSB
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Carl Linnaeus, Linnaeus (or von Linné), Carl (1707–78) DSB
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Erasmus Darwin Darwin, Erasmus (1731–1802) DSB
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Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 350–52.

Vulgarisms on Gin-Punch, by a Practical Philosopher

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Poetry, Drollery

Publications extracted:

Monthly Magazine Monthly Magazine (1796–1843) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Mathematics, Physics, Genius, Creativity, Vaccination, Steamships


    The poet discourses on the benefits of gin. It has 'scientific qualities; / For if by algebraic laws, your two and two make four, sir, / Drink gin in punch, and when you're drunk you'll make a couple more, sir [...] For tipplers all see duplicates—Quod erat demonstrandum'. Another stanza reads: 'Sir Humphry Davy
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tells us that boon nature knows no place, sir, / Of vacuum (aye, that's the word), for matter fills all space, sir / Oh, monstrous bounce! You'll surely find, though nature is so full, ma'am, / A vacuum in an empty-headed water-drinker's skull, ma'am'. The poet claims: ''Twas I who proved, an age ago, by genius rare and mighty, / Gin, philosophic gin, to be the grand ELIXIR VITæ; / 'Twas I who found out vaccination (sure you need not grin, sir), / And first invented steam-boats, all which comes of drinking gin, sir'. (351)



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 358–60.

Origins and Inventions. No. XVI

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F R Y Y, F R
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Miscellaneous



[7] Tunbridge Wells

Subjects:

Disease, Hydropathy, Chemistry

People mentioned:

Dudley North North, Dudley, 3rd Baron North (1582–1666) ODNB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 360.

Portuguese Barbers

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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

G 1826 G, A. P. D. 1826. Sketches of Portugese Life, Manners, Costume, and Character, London: Geo. B. Whittaker
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Subjects:

Medical Practitioners


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 361–63.

The London University University College London
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Anon

Genre:

Reportage

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Education, Mathematics, Reasoning


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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 370.

Multum in Parvo

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N W F F, W N
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Cosmology, Mineralogy


    Includes brief notes on the cosmologies of Leucippus Leucippus (fl. 5th century BC) DSB
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and Anaximander Anaximander (610–546/5 BC) DSB
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, and on the natural state and refining of quicksilver.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 376.

Scientific Amusements. No. XII

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T L L, T
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Genre:

Regular Feature, Instructions

Subjects:

Amusement, Horticulture, Chemistry


Section: Spirit of the Public Journals

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 379.

Foresight

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Anon

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:

Light


    The article quotes a letter which reports on the ability of some in the 'Isle of France' to 'discover ships some days before they appear above the horizon'. It is reported that this is made possible by the same process of reflection that occurred when William Scoresby Scoresby, William, Jr. (1789–1857) ODNB
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some years previously observed a ship 'in the air inverted' in the 'Northern Ocean'. The phenomenon has been investigated by the Institut de France Institut de France, Paris
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.



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 381.

The Menai Bridge Britannia Bridge, Menai Straits
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Anon

Genre:

Extract, Miscellaneous

Publications extracted:

Literary Chronicle Literary Chronicle (1819–28) Waterloo Directory
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Subjects:

Engineering, Wonder

People mentioned:

Thomas Telford Telford, Thomas (1757–1834) ODNB
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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 386–88.

Death and Funeral of Bonaparte Napoleon I, Emperor of France (1769–1821) CBD
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  [1/2]

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[D C D] U D, D C
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Genre:

Serial—Introduction / Letter

Subjects:

Death, Dissection, Putrefaction


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 389–90.

Dolphins

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G W N N, G W
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Vertebrate Zoology


Section: The Gatherer

Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 400.

Earthquakes

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Anon

Genre:

Miscellaneous, Drollery

Subjects:

Vulcanology, Prognostication, Medical Practitioners


    It is reported that François de La Mothe Le Vayer La Mothe Le Vayer, François de (1588–1672) WBI
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, observing that Anaximander Anaximander (610–546/5 BC) DSB
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and others foretold earthquakes, asked the 'humorous question:—"If we consider the earth as a huge animal, had not these the art of feeling its pulse, and thereby of foreseeing the convulsions it would be troubled with?"



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Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 405–07.

Mons. Chabert Chabert, Julien Xavier ('The Fire King') (1792–1859) WBI
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.—Ordeals by Fire

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F R Y Y, F R
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Genre:

Letter

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Heat, Physiology, Miracle, Chemistry, Imposture

People mentioned:

Denis Dodart, Dodart, Denis (1634–1707) DSB
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St Albertus Magnus Albertus Magnus, Saint (c. 1200–80) DSB
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Publications cited:

St Albertus MagnusDe Mirabilus Mundi


    Chabert having recently 'received public attention to certain curious powers', the author thinks some account of those phenomena will be interesting to readers, especially as 'there appears so much philosophy mixed up with common show in the exhibition of this professor of the pyrotechnic art' (406). The article reviews the history of the 'power of resisting the action of heat', before describing Chabert's recent exhibitions. The writer observes: 'Much of the power possessed to resist greater degrees of heat than other men may be a natural gift, much the result of chemical applications, and much from having the parts indurated by long practice; probably all three are combined in this phenomenon with some portion of artifice'. Some of the 'recipes for rendering the skin and flesh fire-proof' are detailed. Habit is considered most likely to be the 'principal agent in the attainment of the very considerable insensibility to heat'. (407)



Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 409.

Pig Pointer.—Animal Instinct

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W H S S, W H
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour


Mirror of Literature,  7 (1826), 412–13.

The Wonderful Effects of Music

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P P
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Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Music, Medical Treatment, Feeling, Sound, Animal Behaviour, Menageries, Comparative Anatomy

People mentioned:

Robert Boyle, Boyle, Hon Robert (1627–91) DSB ODNB
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Athanasius Kircher, Kircher, Athanasius (1601/2–80) DSB
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Everard Home Home, Sir Everard, 1st Baronet (1756–1832) DSB ODNB
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Institutions mentioned:

Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
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