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Answers to a Query respecting the Wind of a Ball.

[VOL.2

neck were affected for some time." Sir communicated to a ball, can enable these Gilbert remarks, however, that he never agents, in a mechanical manner, to impair knew death the consequence of a wind vision, paralyze the bladder, break of a ball on the head, altho' he narrates the bones, and even to destroy life, an instance of an officer at the battle of without inflicting any visible external inGrenada, who was struck insensible,and jury or breach of the parts." remained so for some time, by a shot passing close to his temple; but Mr. Ellis* mentions the case of a Sepoy who died in forty-eight hours, in consequence of a ball passing near his head. Many other cases are also related by both the preceding gentlemen, and where the bones were fractured without any mark of contusion externally.

With respect to the cause, it was the opinion of Dr. Blane that it proceeded, "perhaps, from compression and tremor of the air, in consequence of its resistance to the motion of the ball;" but from the bones being sometimes broken, he considers that there must be some contact, which he explains as follows:-"It has been ascertained that all balls and bullets, except those from rifled pieces, have a rotary motion in their flight. It is evident, that this motion on one side of the ball will coincide with the direction of its flight, and the other will be in the opposite direction. Now, if the latter part should come in contact with any part of the body, it is conceivable that in place of carrying it away, it would roll over it, as it were, and only make a contusion."

Independent of the improbability that any conductor as a metallic body could be so converted, as to act the part of a non-conductor, and afford electric matter by friction in its passage through the air, the theory of its being produced by compression appears to us to be the most philosophical.

Need we be surprised at the effects above-mentioned, when we turn our eyes to many familiar examples of the exces sive power of compressed air? Atmospheric air, when suddenly condensed, produces such a considerable extrication of caloric, that cotton, and even heated charcoal, have been set on fire by it. The air-gun, and compressing pumps for kindling tinder by means of violent compression of air from a single quick stroke of the piston, are also examples; and many others might also be adduced of the same nature. It appears to us, therefore, that the death of Captain Downie was owing to the wind of a ball, or to the air being so forcibly compressed by the direct and rotary motions of the ball, as to give a shock which the vital powers could not withstand, and without producing any contusion externally. London; July 2, 1817. PHILOS.

SIR,

N

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

your last number I see an at

attempt to account for the death of

Mr. Ellis, however, is of a different opinion, and observes, "that the effects usually ascribed to the wind of a ball may be considered as in their nature truly electrical, and as really caused by the agency of the subtile matter developed by Capt. Downie-an event that has exci the condensation of the air, during the ted the attention of many; but it appears projectile's rapid motion ;" and, in sup- to me, that your correspondent has not port of his opinion, adduces the analogy considered it in the right point of view; between the phenomena observed in in fact, I believe, in all the cases he menthese cases, and death from lightning. tions, the injury was the effect,not of the When we consider, however, the won-condensation of air, but of its expansion. derful effects produced by the compression of air, and the excessive impulse given to the surrounding medium by the centrifugal force of bodies moving with such velocity, we are apt to adopt conclusions diametrically opposite to those of Mr. Ellis, who says, that " no force impressed upon the air, nor any motion

* Edinburgh Med. Journal; vol. viii. p. 3

instance of the power of condensation in He says truly, that we have a striking extricating caloric from air in the experiment of kindling tinder by air suddenly compressed in a syringe; but this very circumstance, if fully considered, would have clearly shown him, that the action was of a different kind; for no appearance of burning or scorching is mention

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In Capt.

ed in any of the cases, and we must pretty violent contusion. therefore infer none was exhibited. Be- Downie's case, 1 suspect, the immediate sides, where was the cavity for com- cause of death was somewhat different: pressing the air? The piston of the he was cheering his men at the moment, condensing syringe acts in an air-tight of course exerting his voice strongly. cylinder, but the ball is in the open atmosphere.

If we suppose the passing ball produced a vacuum before his mouth, at the instant For my part, I have no doubt that, in when he was attempting to fetch his all cases of the kind, the effect is occa- breath, after this forcible expiration, he sioned by the vacuum which the swift vould have been at once suffocated, and passage of the ball through the air pro- dropped down dead from this causeduces behind it. When bones were without any perceptible mark of violence fractured without any external mark of to indicate the occasion of his death, eicontusion, we may ascribe this to the ther external or internal.

sndden expansion of the air within the Such a case may not occur again for part, in consequence of the vacuum with- ages; but, should it happen, might not out but surely, if the external air were the patient be re-animated by restoring compressed with such force as to fracture the function of respiration? This, it is the bone of the scull, the scalp, placed probable, would not be difficult, were no between the fractured bone and the internal part injured. T. NOOT. compressed air, must exhibit marks of

London; Aug. 4, 1817.

LOVE AND MADNESS.

CONTINUED FROM P. 50.

From the European Magazine.

Don Fodeya's mind, and that Godoy THE man was proceeding with much had, by his intervention with the Usurdeliberation to detail the circum- per, strongly recommended him to the stances that led to the event which the favour of the latter.-That Don Fodeya Colonel had witnessed, when Don has been deceived I have not a doubt, Alonzo entered the room.-There ap- and that his daughter was to have been peared much dejection in his counte- the victim of this deception, is as evident: nance, and he replied to the inquiries of and it seems that when deception failed, the Colonel after the condition of Don force was employed with the most diaFodeya's family, by informing him, that bolical subtlety of arrangement. Dona he feared the intellects of his aged re- Miranda was too much indisposed to lative were materially affected. "When enter into any explanation of her you left us, Colonel, my fair cousin alarm; this, she proposes to do to-morgradually recovered, and seeing the row, when you are requested to accomdreadfully agitated state of her father's pany me; by that time her father will, mind, no longer suffered the alarm which I hope, be more tranquil, and it will she had experienced to occupy her doubtless be found, that the honor of thoughts, but applied all her anxieties to our house has not been submitted to soothe his incoherent vehemence-ber the foul stain of voluntary concurrence efforts however only served to increase it, in the hideous projects of a wretch who and the tenderness of her attentions were disgraces the character of man, and has answered by repeated self-reproaches, prostituted power to the vilest enterprizes which left us to form the most distressing of lawless passion-amidst the debauchconjectures that some measures of a eries of the court parallel instances to very flagitious description, had been this, by which our house was doomed to pre-concerted against the honour of suffer, have been publicly talked of, but Dona Miranda with his own concurrence. I am anxious to prevent the like publicity -But so repugnant is the suggestion to from applying to this in which Don the hearts of us all, that we cannot pre- Fodeya's character, and the peace of his vail upon ourselves to admit it. I have family are implicated. Hitherto he had long known the ambitious charac of retained his mistaken attachment to the

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[VOL. 2. Usurper, and from what escaped my captives escaped-I made my report to relation's lips, proposals had been made Don Fodeya, mentioning the circumwhich flattered his ambitious views stance of his daughter's conduct. The misled by the one, and blinded by the fact was mentioned to the council, and other, he had well nigh plunged himself the day before the army's retreat, I was into an abyss of dishonor, which would sent for by the superior officer of my have closed in upon one of the most company, and was ordered to stay beantient houses of Spain, and blotted it hind with him, for the purpose of seizing out of the records of our national great- Dona Miranda and conveying her to the ness for ever. By the confession of the army. For this purpose, we way-laid prisoner we shall obtain uformation her on the night you brought me hither; that will serve to confirm my suspicion she was walking in the garden of her of the deception under which Don father's country house; we lurked Fodeya has been betrayed; and Dona behind a grove of Acacias-she saw us Miranda's narrative will supply the rest. and would have fled; we followed her You, General, will pardon this inter- until we overtook her; the rest you ruption, and permit the prisoner to pro- know-I have nothing more to relate ceed with his confession."-This fellow and as for the officer who accompanied with the utmost concern, then went on me-him, you have effectually prevented with his account of the transaction as far from supplying any information, as he is as he and his comrade were concerned. dead by your hand, Colonel!" "I am a lieutenant in the second From this account, it appeared, that a division of the army of Spain, and ten plot had been formed for bringing Dona days previous to its retreat from Madrid, Miranda by force into the Usurper's was employed by Don Fodeya to guard possession:-but, as they were not able some English prisoners seized as spies to get at any farther particulars from their by the police. Among these was a prisoner, the Colonel and Don Alonzo, merchant who had long resided in after requesting the general to keep him Madrid: when he was seized his son in hold, returned to the City, and the insisted upon accompanying his father next day repaired to Don Fodeya's in his imprisonment: Dona Miranda house, here they found the confusion of interceded with her father in behalf of the former night still more increased by both; and, as I understand, personally the flight of his daughter-she had disapplied at court for their discharge. I appeared on the previous evening, and do not pretend to understand the lady's no tidings could be obtained of the motives for the intercession, but, I be- direction which she had taken. Don lieve, her charms were not beheld by Fodeya had been engaged the whole him to whom she applied, without creat- night in pursuit of her, and had not yet ing an interest of a very different nature returned. The mother appeared less to that which she contemplated; the lady agitated than might have been expected, herself, perhaps, may be better able to but this she accounted for by the folexplain this part of the business; one lowing relation-"I lament this step of action of her's, however, I shall mention, my daughter, because, it appears to be as explaining the observation of having connected with circumstances unfavora saved me from the English:-four days ble to the dignity aud prudence of her after the confinement of the men under sex; but from what has occurred since my care, they rose upon the guard, and your departure, Don Alonzo, I am not at the instant of the conflict when they the least surprised at it-my anxieties are had overpowered us, Dona Miranda great for her safety, and I must again who, accompanied by another female, have recourse to your generous interhad arrived to bring some provisions to position, Colonel, for such measures as the English prisoners according to the may prevent the evils which I dread. custom of the religious order to which Don Fodeya's distraction subsided into her companion belonged, by her entrea- a sullen silence; he seemed to be medities prevented my being killed by the tating upon what had occurred, and at merchant's son, at the moment that his length, as if some new idea had struck pistol was levelled at my head. The hi ked my daughter who that young

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man was that was imprisoned with the late, the servants had heard your shrieks English merchant? Dona Miranda in the direction in which you fled, but

66

hesitated at first to answer, when her their search was fruitless. Distracted at father repeated the question with a the information, I hastened home to arm fierceness which shewed that he was myself and my servants for the pursuit resolved to know. "If I tell you, Sir," of the villains, when I found you rescued she replied, may I hope that his life and safe. Yet, Dona Miranda, much as will be spared?"- "Has he not escaped," I rejoice in this result, if I could suppose he exclaimed," and by your means? I that you have thrown away your affechave been deceived in my hopes of tions upon an Englishman, whose nation raising you to a condition of splendour, I detest, who is besides a heretic and a far above all that I could bave contem- mere trader, I will instantly, by virtue of plated; but, if my suspicions are con- my authority as a magistrate, and my firmed, you have yet to tremble for the claims as a parent, confine you in a issue of this affair-learn then, that he, nunnery for your life.' The poor girl, whom I had acknowledged as my mon- terrified by the speech of her father, arch, (wretch as I know him to be, from which was delivered with all the furious this recent discovery of his base inten- accent of a mind enraged by disappointtions) proposed to marry you to one of ment, fell at his feet, and implored him his Marshals, and offered me a seat in to bear her." What, then, it is as I the council. On the morning of your suspected," cried he, “" you have dared application for the release of the English to love the enemy of your country, and spies, he sent for me; he expressed he the plebeian offspring of a tradesman himself surprised at your intercession-speak, is it not so? Mark me, Dona and informed of the circumstance res- Miranda; if your silence confirms my pecting the merchant's son, he coupled fears, I discard you-I cast you off-I it with a probable attachment on your drive you for ever from my presence-I part for the young man; he urged me to leave you now with your mother-I shall make instant enquiries into the fact, and return in the evening, and I expect that to demand from yourself a positive an- you be ready to give me a satisfactory swer upon that head, and if it was so, explanation of your whole conduct in to send you to my country house. I this hateful affair."-As soon as Don returned home resolved to put this ques- Fodeya was gone, my daughter burst tion to you-but, before I reached my into a flood of tears, and in an agony of house I met a courier who brought tid- grief disclosed to me that she had been ings of the approach of the English and married to the young man three weeks Spanish forces; the press of business previous to the imprisonment of his delayed the execution of my resolve, father. Shocked as I was at these fata! and the retreat of the French army with tidings, a mother's fondness filled my the escape of the spies induced me to heart, and as my father was an Irish defer it. Last night, however, I dis- protestant, holding a commission in the covered by information given to me by English army, I did not feel so much at one of the guard, to whom the villain her union with one of that religion, as I lieutenant de Mougeon had communi- had been prevailed upon by my husband cated his infamous commission, that he to adopt his profession of faith soon after.. was to be employed to seize you at the our marriage, much against the impresfirst opportunity, and to convey you sions of my conscience; and as my consecretly to the army; from this it was victions still preserve my attachment to clear that the tyrant had no other object, my former sentiments, I could not rein his proposal of marrying you to the proach her on this point. She shewed marshal, than that of getting you into me the letters which she had received. his own power. As soon as I heard of from Mr. Mannard, by which it appearthe project, I rushed to the English head ed, that he was of a good family in one quarters and demanded a body of men to of the northern counties of England→ guard my country house, to which you that his father had a large concern in the were that day gone. They arrived too city of York, which is managed by

Love and Madness,

[VOL. 2 his brother-and that she will be joyfully hide our gray hairs in the acknowledged by his family as his wife refuge from disgrace. You, Madam, the only grave, that as soon as the British army reaches were privy to her flight, and thus I Madrid he will apply to the commander- punish the treachery of a wife"-with a in-chief for his intercession with Don plunge of desperate rage he made a Fodeya, by which, joined to his son-in- thrust at the affrighted mother; when law's prospects in life, he hopes he will Don Alonzo caught his arm, seized the be conciliated; but my doubts of this weapon, and wrested it from his hand. are great, knowing, as I do, the strong Overpowered by the violence of his prejudices of religious sentiment which feelings, he sank powerless into a chair. have possession of his mind; although, It was long before he recovered suffifor my own part, the arguments which ciently from the violent effects which the young man has used in the course of his rage had produced upon his frame, his correspondence, may well justify her to listen to the entreaties of the Colonel conversion to a religion, the superior and Don Alonzo, that he would hear purity of which still maintains a powerful the exculpation which Dona Fodeya influence over my own heart. She has was ready to enter into, of her supposed fled to her husband's father, who since cognizance of her daughter's designs. the flight of the tyrant has returned to He heard it with a vacancy of look his home; and as your army, Colonel, is which proved he took no heed of what now in possession of Madrid, I am de- was said; and at length starting from sirous of requesting your intercession in his seat, he burst into a paroxysm of behalf of the young couple, with your grief, in which all the tender recollecbrave and noble-minded chief." Scarcely tions of the father struggled for the had she finished her recital, when Don mastery over his angry passions. “She Fodeya entered. Fury and despair is lost-gone for ever-my child I have were depicted in his countenance. He lost thee, thou hast murdered thy father's entered with a bloody sword in his hand, fondest hope-Was it for this I doated the point of which he dropped on seeing on thy infancy-was it for this I reared Don Alonzo and the Colonel-the thee, as the cherishing delight of my soul former had never been a favourite with O was it for this I marked with transhim, inconsequence of his having married port thy blossoming charms, and wore an Englishwoman; and, besides his thee next my heart, as the fairest flower being strongly suspected by him of having of my house-Now thou art torn from conformed to the Protestant principles the parent tree, and I shall in vain of his wife, he had a commission in the lament thee-perhaps, already thou royal army. "I have heard of her," sinkest beneath the blast-the dews of exclaimed the enraged father" but I night have bent thy fragile stalk, and thy have not found her-could I do so-this fragrance is wasted on the pitiless storm. sword should put an end at once to her O my child, my child, come back to thy dishonour and my family's disgrace. poor aged father-he repents him of his Madam, your daughter is the wife of guilty ambition-he would clasp thee an English heretic-she has fled with her again in his arms-he would be forgiven, paramour-1 traced her to his father's and he would forgive; but blood is Idemanded her at his hands-he upon me-I have shed innocent blood :" denied all knowledge of her-but avow- here a shudder of horror shook his ed her marriage with his son-he pre- frame, and he fell back upon the seat tended he knew nothing of his son's exhausted with sorrow and personal previous acquaintance with her-I fatigue. Colonel V. felt that he was charged him with falsehood-We called upon to visit Mr. Mannard, fought-he fell, and in the blood of the whom the enraged father in his impetu father I have revenged myself for the osity of passion had so unwarrantably villainy of the son. I traced the guilty assailed; he therefore consulted with girl to his house-she has escaped a Don Alonzo, who assured him that he father's vengeance, but my curse pursues would not leave his wretched relations her. Now, Madam, she is lost for ever until he saw Don Fodeya more comto our degraded house; and we must posed. The Colonel found Mr. Man