Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

TABLE,

Shewing how to express the Aliquot Decimal Parts of an Integer.

IN DECIMALS, THE

of any thing (considered as a whole) may be expressed thus

9. The only inconvenience attending this method of numbering is, its requiring a few more places, or a greater number of figures to express or set down very large numbers, than are required to express the same numbers in the old system; but as this is an inconvenience that would be very seldom felt, and but little affect the common concerns of life, it cannot be fairly urged as an objection to its being established: for, such very large numbers as are requisite to express the distance, magnitude, &c. of the heavenly bodies; the number of sands ou the sea shore, &c. but very rarely occur; and if they were, the mind is as capable of conceiving, comprehending, and forming a just idea of their true values (which are almost beyond finite conception), when expressed by the new, as by the old system of numbering.

"10. The advantages belonging to this new system of numbering may, perhaps, on a superficial view, appear very insignificant, and the confusion it would create, if established, as very formidable; but, it is presumed, that after a little consideration, and more so by a little comparative practice, the advantages and disadvantages will appear quite otherwise ;-the one would be lasting-the other temporary. I think, therefore, that the universally establishing such new system of numbering, and adopting the following new division of the year, circle, hour, and compass, system of measures, &c. thereto, would be productive of the greatest and most lasting advantages to mankind in general; and is the best, (all things being considered and compared together,) that can be devised."

Mr. King also proposes a new arrangement in the calendar, according to what he calls the solar style. He then examples the French system of weights and measures, which he in certain respects censures, and, as might

VOL. I.

1, is the

of:

2, is the

of of

for

.4.

4, is the

of 4 of

6, is the

& 4 of

.6

[blocks in formation]

be expected, prefers his own methodical system.

The mariners compass also, instead of 32, he would divide into 60 equal points, preferring the four cardinal ones. The gammut, or scale of music, also undergoes revision, the 1st line in each of the four parts being denominated A. But for the parti culars of these innovations, we refer to the book itself, subjoining the author's statement of the advantages attending them.

"85. Ifthe foregoing new systems and divisions, or others superior to them, were universally established, the young arithmetician, at his entrance upon the study of numbers, would not have his progress impeded, nor his ardour damped and discouraged, by being obliged to learn divers tables of irregular, legal, and customary measures, and weights; but would, at. the same time, be learning the rationale of numbers, and insensibly imbibe true notions of order and regularity. The compound rules of arithmetic might be dispensed with, and every species of mensuration might be performed by the four most common rules in arithmetic; and the present tedious method of reducing quantities from higher to lower denominations, et vice versa, would be effected by the mere movement of a point, or the addition of a few ciphers. The plebeian, trader, and professional man, all using one uniform system of measures and weights, would be better able to understand one another's dealings. Difficulties, disputes, and confusion, would be avoided;-the knave would be less able to cheat, and the honest man less liable to be cheated. Merchants would not be perplexed by the present complex and tedious course of exchange, arising from the use of a particular set of real and imaginary monies, and of different measures and weights in every nation. Philosophers of all na3 X

tions, would avoid the trouble and inconvenience of reducing their experiments and observations in che inistry and meteorology, from one standard and scale to another; and the causes of much useless trouble, and many distracting errors and difficulties, they are now subject to, and Jabour under, in comparing their experiments, would, in a great measure, be thereby removed. And, astronomers would be enabled to make their tedious lunar computations in much less time, and in a more elegant mauner than what they possibly can do now; as the method of expressing quantities of motion and time would be more plain, and most of the equations might be almost instantly proportioned by means of a simple sliding rule. How complete and grand the beauties of the new system of numbering, measures, weights, and coins; new division of the circle, &c.• would appear, when applied to the practical parts of the mathematics, if they were displayed by the masterly and superior genius of Mr. John Bonnycastle.

86. I was not prompted to publish this Essay, by a persuasion, that the improvements it contains would be readily and implicitly established, but that they may become subjects of consideration amongst mathematicians and philosophers; so that the most simple, rational, and convenient systems and divisions, may in time, be found out, and as universally established as possible.-The establishment of the new system of numbering, although the most necessary, yet will be the most unlikely to take place; though the confusion it may be conceived to create, if established, would be but of short duration to - traders and the commonalty of the people; but the advantages it would produce would be for ever felt. After the reduction of the mathematical and astronomical tables from the old to this new system of numbering was effected, (as mentioned in Art. 2), mathematicians and philosophers would not very much feel the inconvenience arising therefrom, as a small volume of tables might be soon and easily constructed, to reduce the old to the new numbers, et vice versa. In fine, it appears very plain to me, that the inconveniences arising from establishing the said new systems and divisions, when compared with the advantages

that would result therefrom, would be very unequal, and inferior. The contemplation of the old systems and divisions is really disgusting to the mind devoted to order and regula rity; but that of the new ones, arising from considering their admirable symmetry and agreement one with another, must be highly gratifying.

"87. I am well aware that to some prejudiced minds, this humble and well-meant attempt of mine to propose and suggest alterations in the principles of things so long established, will appear extremely absurd and chimerical, and expose me to much censure and obloquy; but, conscious of the rectitude of my intentions, I neither court applause, nor fear censure. I humbly request, therefore, that such of my ingenious readers as are unbiassed and free from prejudice, will have the goodness, either in the Mathematical and Philosophi cal Repository, or in the Gentleman's or Monthly Magazine, (which are works always ready to admit a free discussion and investigation of every subject that is useful), candidly to point out the defects and inconveniences, either in the theory or practice of the foregoing new proposed systems and divisions; and the superior excellencies, (if any such can exist), of those now in use over these new ones. If these things can be fairly and truly done, then will I freely acknowledge my errors, and gladly lay down my opinion-That the new systems and divisions (herein proposed and explained) are preferable in almost every respect, and in the greatest degree superior to those of the same kind now used, or even to those too hastily established by the French Republic-otherwise I shali still be inclined to maintain my opinion: yet, nevertheless, I would not by any means wish to be understood, as desiring arbitrarily to lay down what I have done as absolutely unimprovable, and not to be altered: -no, I have no such desire :-My only wish is, that this humble attempt to smoothen the rugged paths to science, may excite the attention, in general, of my superiors in mathematical and philosophical learning · so that these interesting and impor tant matters may become subjects of general consideration amongst the literati, and be by them thoroughly investigated; and that, after receiv

ing every necessary improvement, best suited to civil, commercial, and philosophical purposes, that we, as men, are capable of giving to them, they may, for the universal good, be universally established.

[ocr errors]

"88. I shall not therefore attempt to set up a further or more enlarged defence for the proposed improvements in this Essay, but leave them to defend themselves, being firmly of opinion, that if the principles on which they are founded be false, no * defence from me can make them • right,—if founded on truth, no cen• sure from others can make them wrong.

"89. To conclude, let no one be discouraged by groundless fear from Jaudably attempting to simplify the principles, and enlarge the bounds of learning and science-let every virtuous, aspiring youth, and real friend to improvement, awaken from despair, and rejoice at the pleasing hope, so congenial to his feelings, that if the day be not yet come, the day is very fast approaching, when knowledge shall be justly appreciated; when systematic pedantry shall no longer acquire the reputation of learning; when those literary pursuits, which incumber the memory, without calling forth the exertion ✦ of intellect, or amending the heart, shall be deservedly reprobated; when prejudice shall melt away be'fore the genial beams of investigation and truth; and when learning shall only be esteemed as it becomes subservient to virtue, and, of con• sequence, to the happiness of man'kind'." p. 52-55.

CXXIX. LETTSOM'S HINTS, designed to promote Beneficence, Temperance, and Medical Science.

(Concluded from page 479.)

engraved title page to this volume is decorated with the silhouette of W. Blizard, Esq.

VOLUME II. The

Section I. Hints respecting a Samaritan Society. Such a society is instituted at the London Hospital, and has for its object such patients as are destitute, and may be at a considerable distance from their houses, and a variety of cases are stated, in which, after the cure of their malady, subsequent relief is necessary. The

rules of the society for its manage-
ment are given at length, and the
following circumstance, which con-
tributed very much to the establish-
ment of the society, is related. “One
of the members of this society, pass-
ing along the Uxbridge road, observ.
ed a man of a very decent appear-
ance, reclined on a bank by the way-
side, with a pair of crutches near
His account of himself was,
him.
(and we have no reason whatsoever to
question the truth of it), that he
was a Gloucestershire manufacturer;
that he had been a short time in
'London, where he had the misfor-
'tune to break his leg, and had been
admitted a patient into an hospital;
that his leg had been very well set,
and all proper care had been taken
of him; and, upon his discharge
that morning, some gentleman, he
said, had kindly given him a shil-
ling, on part of which he had sub-
'sisted so far; that he was going to his
parish in Gloucestershire, but had
'hot the means of paying for his car-
riage in the waggon.' This story
was not related in vain. I leave it to
the reader's consideration,what course
of life remained to this poor man, had
he not unexpectedly met with friendly
assistance, but to beg,-to steal,-or
to perish !” p. 12.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Section II. Hints respecting crimes and punishments.

The arguments which are here advanced in support of the author's sentiments, and the interesting circumstances by which they are enforced, will, we hope, justify our occupying so much room on this section. "Many of our legal punishments have long appeared to me more likely to harden, than to reform the offender, not only by the inequality of punishments in proportion to the degrees of vice, but still more by their publicity. By exposure to the general notice, the perpetrator of a crime endea vours to acquire hardiness, that he may destroy shame, and brave disgrace-to retrieve reputation is now almost impracticable-he feels himself disregarded by society, and he disregards it; nor does he longer feel an interest, where he receives no social gratification; and whether it be a public whipping, or the public hulks, he loses shame and remorse, and acquires the passions of revenge and cruelty, and an habitual profligacy of conduct.

"In society in general, mankind are too apt to form their decisions of vice from the vicious act itself, rather than from the motives that lead to it, whilst our decisions and punishments should rather be guided by the latter. We may, perhaps, in general, justly plead our incompetency of ascertaining motives to action; but in certain instances, and under circumstances which precede or attend actions, very different shades of criminality will be discovered, and ought to influence both judgment and chastisement; there are even vices, or supposed vices, which seem to vibrate from a false shame, or mistaken integrity. The impoverished husband, upon whom the sustenance of a family depends, may privately steal, or boldly rob, from the urgency of domestic sensibility, without a malicious design to commit a real or permanent injury against another.

"Persons of superior stations, who, from incidental contingencies, become suddenly destitute of resources for present subsistence, may be urged, by a kind of honest phrenzy, to rob on the highway, to discharge debts of necessity, or to supply calls of hunger, and thus forfeit their lives to the laws of their country from mistaken, rather than vicious motives. Such individuals are not irreclaimable, and at all times demand commiseration. One instance, which lately occurred to my knowledge, among some others equally extraordinary, I shall relate to explain this reasoning-It was my lot, a few years ago, to be attacked on the highway by a genteel looking person, well mounted, who demanded my money, at the same time placing a pistol to my breast. I requested him to remove the pistol, which he instantly did; I saw his agitation, from whence I concluded he had not been habituated to this hazardous practice; and I added, that I had both gold and silver about me, which I freely gave him; but that I was sorry to see a young gentleman risk his life in so unbecoming a manner, which probably would soon terminate at the gallows; that at the best, the casual pittance gained on the highway would afford but a precarious and temporary subsistence, but that if I could serve him by a private assistance more becoming his appearance, he might farther command my

[ocr errors]

purse; and at the same time I desired him to accept a card, containing my address, and to call upon me, as he might trust to my word for his liberty and life. He accepted my address, but I observed his voice faultered. It was late at night; there was, however, sufficient star-light to enable him on the window of my carriage, me to perceive, as I leaned towards that his bosom was overwhelmed with ing forward on his horse, and recoconflicting passions; at length, bend. ingly said; I thank you for your vering the power of speech, he affect'offer-American affairs have ruined 'me-I will, dear Sir, wait upon you.' Two weeks afterwards a person entered my house, whom I instantly recognised to be this highwayman: 'I come,' said he, to communicate 'to you a matter that nearly concerns me, and I trust to your hohim, I recollected him, and I renour to keep it inviolable." I told quested him to relate his history with candour, as the most effectual means of securing my services; and such excited sympathy in every heart. was the narrative, as would have His fortunes had been spoiled on the American continent, and after a long imprisonment, he escaped to this asylum of liberty, where his resources failing, and perhaps with pride above rashly ventured upon the most dreadthe occupation of a sturdy beggar, he ful alternative of the highway, where me. in his second attempt he met with rally true, which induced me to try I found his narrative was litetresses. To the commissioners for various means of obviating his disrelieving the American sufferers application was made, but fruitlessly; at delivered a memorial to the Queen, length he attended at Windsor, and briefly stating his sufferings, and the pearance, and pleased with his adcause of them. Struck with his apdress, she graciously assured him of patronage, provided his pretensions should, on enquiry, be found justified. The result was, that in a few days she gave him a commission ju the army, and by his public services twice has his name appeared in the Gazette among the promotions *.

service of his sovereign, this valuable officer *After some years employment in the fell a victim to the yellow fever, in the West

Indies.

"The following history of a convict was related by Mr. Livius, a native of New Hampshire, in America, and then chief justice of Quebec under General Carleton. He was now in London, and on reading a morning paper, he observed a paragraph to the following import; To-morrow the noted house-breaker, Cox, with, of Piscataway, in 'New Hampshire, for returning from transportation, will be executed at 'Tyburn.' The chief justice had never seen Newgate; and observing that a person from his own native country was condemned to expiate his crimes on the gallows, was induced to visit this prison, and see his countryman. His relation was nearly, as I can recollect, (for the transaction happened about the year 1780,) was, however, too interesting ever to be obliterated from my memory. The convict had been an American sailor, and passing in a boat from the ship lying off Wapping to the shore, the boatman informed him that he could sell him some canvas, sufficient to make him a hammock, very cheap; the price was sixteen shillings; within a short period afterwards, he was arrested for purchasing stolen goods, and proof being adduced to the court that the canvas was worth twentyfour shillings, he was condemned to be transported to America, then under the crown of Great Britain; this, he said, he did not much regard, as he could work his way thither, from his seamanship, and his family lived in New Hampshire.

[ocr errors]

Some time after his arrival in America, as a transport, he hired him. self in a vessel chartered to Lisbon, and which he understood was not to touch in England. The agent at Lisbon, however, received orders, from a merchant in London, to load the vessel for the latter port; this at first alarmed him greatly, but he reconciled himself to the voyage under a resolution never to go on shore whilst on the river Thames: he kept this resolution till the day before the vessel was appointed to sail; upon which occasion the captain had given all his men the privilege of going on shore, and taking leave of their acquaintince; the unfortunate American was the only sailor who did not accept his offer; the captain remained also on board, and recollecting something hat he wanted in the town, requested

the only seaman he had with him to take the small boat, and scull her on shore, to procure what he then wanted; he made some frivolous excuses, till at length, by the persuasion of his captain, he consented to go on his errand; but scarcely had he stept on shore, before he was recognized and arrested. In the presence of the judge he was identified, and the gallows was his sentence. Chief justice Livius observing to him, that he seemed to have some comfortable food in his cell, inquired how he could afford to purchase it; he replied, that a person, he believed a Roman Catholic clergyman, gave him money, in hopes of his dying a Papist; but,' added he, I am no Papist in my heart,' and as to dying, I have hardships enough not to care so much about it as about my wages, which I want my wife and children to receive for me. He was asked if he knew Mr. Livius's family, which he described immediately.

"The whole history appeared to the chief justice to merit further investigation; and instantly he proceeded to enquire respecting the circumstances attending the chartering and sailing of the ship; and also, the particulars of the original trial, and subsequent sentence, which corresponding with the sailor's narration. the worthy magistrate hastened to Lord Weymouth's office, and thence to the King, at Windsor, and returned to London just in time to stay the fatal rope. After the trials and circumstances attending them were revised, the King was pleased to change the sentence to transportation during his natural life, and he was shipped off from London soon after this act of mercy. Livius, however, who felt a lively interest in the fate of his countryman, whom he believed guilty from ignorance, and not from design, renewed his importunities, and at length got an order for pardon; he hurried with the glad tidings down the river, and overtook the convicts at Gravesend, where he found on board the transport ship the poor sailor chained to another convict. The order from the Secretary's office was shewn to the captain, who absolutely refused to resign him agreeable to the pardon, because he had received these convicts from Mr. Akerman, to whom alone he was answerable, and that the prisoners were no longer under

« AnteriorContinuar »