say a few words respecting the fireball in 1758, concerning which Sir John Pringle has assembled much accidental evidence; being such indeed as sudden and brief appearances like these, commonly alone admit. This meteor became first illuminated over Cambridge in England, and then directed its course over Scotland; and the history of it sufficiently corresponds with what we have just been reading from Musschenbroek, with the exception of such variations as we find are to be expected on these occasions. Some irregularities, for example, disturbed the shape and constitution of the tail; the light of the body also fluctuated; the course taken also experienced changes both as to direction and as to speed; and the meteor seems even to have received a new direction and a new illumination, after it had appeared to suffer a final explosion and extinction. The meteor is computed to have sunk at one time from the height of 100 miles, (the elevation ascribed to it at Cambridge,) down to 32 miles; and it is afterwards thought to have had a considerable new rise, though this perhaps will be found to be an unnecessary supposition. Its motion is judged by Sir John Pringle to have been at the average rate of 25 miles in a second of time. Lastly, in different parts of its progress, it seems to have made small explosions, ending only in sparks or flashes of light previous to the greater explosions. But we shall again have occasion to speak of this

meteor.

We shall now then close this section with our proposed parallel between atmospherick stones on the one hand, and a certain species of fire balls on the other; referring to the Monthly Anthology, Sir John

*

Pringle's papers, and other similar relations, for farther elucidation and confirmation of its particulars.

1. The apparent diameters of atmospherick stones and a certain description of fire-balls, while in the upper regions of the air, seldom exceed (and more commonly do not equal) those of the sun and moon. 2. Sparks or flashes of light may ac company each. 3. Each may have a luminous tail; of which the brilliancy is commonly less than that of the body to which it belongs. 4. Each may move with great rapidity; for however extensive may be the length of the course taken, the whole appearance in the case of those which move rapidly, seldom lasts a minute. 5. The course of each may be waving and irregular, whether viewed horizontally or vertically. 6. Each may have explosions, or a rumbling from the continuation or echo of smaller or greater explosions.† 7. Each commonly seems to have a globular form, while viewed in the air, apart from the tail. 8. The direct light of each is generally white; but its brilliancy may fluctuate, and towards the close of its career, it usually fades or inclines to a red colour. 9. The smell of sulphureous or other fumes is by no means constant in these meteors, as may be previously conjectured from their general distance.

The two sets of meteors here in question, after all, may be real varieties ranging under one common species; and if this be true, what

* See Phil. Trans. for 1759, for two papers (and no more) by Sir J. Pringle on this subject.

The whizzing like that of cannonshot, from fragments, and the stroke of these fragments on the ground, can only be heard when atmospherick stones explode near the observer.

remains for us will be to find out the character of these varieties. In the mean time, when we see an elevated luminous meteor, of a globular appearance, with a diameter equalling one quarter of that of the moon or upwards, having a rapid course, a motion not perfectly regular, a fluctuating light, and a tail, with occasional flashes or sparks, the whole being followed probably by one or more sorts of noises, we may suspect it to be a stony mass, containing native iron and nickel; and having in it pyrites, globules, and a cement, each of a peculiar kind, with a crust to surround the whole. If the meteor bursts in an open level country, free from water and over a firm soil, it is probable that a diligent and skilful search may discover some of its fragments; which will perhaps at first be found to be not only warm, but also soft, or at

least capable of being easily brok

en.

Should it be urged against this conjecture, that the size usually ascribed to fire-balls, when seen in the air, is immensely greater than that known to belong to atmospherick stones when fallen to the ground, it may serve as a present reply, that atmospherick stones themselves offer a similar difficulty; their computed size on the ground, being no less disproportionate. This is a subject therefore reserved for our miscellaneous observations.

Should it be farther objected, that there are some species of fire-balls which do not correspond with those referred to in the above comparison, it is answered, that in our comparison, a certain species of fire-balls alone is noticed; as the other species will be touched upon in the appendix. [To be continued.]

LORD KAMES TO MRS. MONTAGU.

Edinburgh, March 6, 1767.

"I LOVE to converse with Mrs. Montagu: I love to write to her Sorry I am that the latter only is in my power. In gratifying my own inclination, however, I shall be so much upon my guard as to avoid persecution; and the plan I propose to follow, is not to write merely from inclination, without having at the same time some good pretext. My pretext at present is to recommend to you a book lately published here, and which probably has reached the shop of Andrew Millar, entitled, An Essay on the History of Vol. V. No. VI.

20

Civil Society. This subject, not less beautiful than interesting, employs some vigour in writing, and much original thought. Besides tracing minutely the history of society from its dawn in the savage state to its meridian lustre of civilization, sciences and arts, it has a further aim, which is, to wean us from selfishness and luxury, the reigning characteristicks at present of all commercial nations, and to restore the manly passions of heroism, generosity, and love of our species. The aim is

noble; but the disease, I doubt, is too far advanced to be cured by any characters that can be formed with ink.

The book will amuse you,

and you will be obliged to me for putting it into your hands. At the same time, I don't say it is without faults but these I reserve as a pretext for another letter, when you have perused the book. Let me presume to give you only one advice, which is to reserve the book till your hours of perfect health. It requires too much attention even for Mrs. M. when in any degree indisposed. Your hints, though very slight of want of health, alarm me. You ought to be immortal; because there are some persons, rare indeed, who cannot be replaced; but that soul of yours, active and vigourous, is enough to wear out any body, not to talk of a delicate female constitution.

"Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than a prospect of many subjects for correspondence; and that of recommending books may be both pleasant and profitable; and I am certain it would give me double pleasure to peruse any book recommended by you. It is a great waste of time to read every book at random; and both of us know the valvalue of our time too well to be spendthrifts of it. You have inflamed the curiosity of my spouse, by mentioning the taste of Mr. Adam in ornamenting one of your rooms. You can make her happy in the description, and I know you love to make your friends happy. Yours, with zeal and affection.

HENRY HOME."

MRS. MONTAGU TO LORD KAMES.

March 17th, 1767. "I AM vain that your Lordship thought me worthy of Mr. Fergus. son's work. I had indeed got it from Lord Shelburne, before it was to be sold at the bookseller's, so had

read it before I had your letter. The character of the author, and the subject of the book, made me very impatient for it. I approve extremely of Mr. Fergusson in the preference he gives to the magnanimous virtues, above the effeminate and luxurious arts of modern life; and wish he could infuse into us some of that Spartan spirit he admires so justly. At the same time, if he learnt the practice of virtue at Sparta, it was at Athens he was taught to make it doctrine. A Lacedomonian might have said, when he swallowed his black broth, as Alexander did in his ambitious enterprize, What do I suffer that the Athenians may praise me! Had not the latter perpetuated its memory, the temperance of the former, like their broth, had diffused its salubrious effects only through a few individuals, and a few centuries. What had remained of Spartan patriotism for an example to other countries, and other ages, if the same system had prevailed all over Greece? It was happy for them that Xenophon and Plato were not their fellow-citizens; it was happy for the world they were not so.

Now, is that

state upon a perfectly right foundation where wisdom and virtue are mortal? However, as we Britons are in much more danger of becoming Sybarites than Lacedomonians, it is very meritorious in Mr. Fergusson to endeavour to preserve the Iative fire of courage and magnanimity in the human breast; for in these piping times of peace, like gunpowder at the conclusion of a war, being no longer necessary to combat our enemies, it is wasted in idle fireworks and childish festivity. I cannot express to your Lordship the pleasure and delight with which I read this elegant work of Mr. Fergusson; but as my admiration can

do him little honour, I will give you, who are his friend, the pleasure of knowing it is admired and approved by all persons of judgment in literature, or who have that nobler taste, the love of virtue.

"Your lordship is very good to feel any solicitude about my health. It is far from perfect, but it is better than it used to be. I had for ten years the most terrible state of health imaginable; it has been mending gradually and gently these ten years last past, and is now such as one inured to suffering and sickness thinks delightful, one unused to illness might think miserable. The constant cheerfulness of my spirits has put me on a level, in point of happiness, with the most healthy and robust, so that I think of my lot with thankfulness. I am, my Lord, &c. &c.

E. MONTAGU."

LORD KAMES TO MRS. MONTAGU.

Blair-Drummond, April 16,1767. "MY DEAR MADAM,

"I have endeavoured to do Mr. Fergusson a pleasure by your elegant epistle, which is upon the road to him with my compliments, and he will make it most hospitably welcome. I wish I had as good reason to be pleased; but you behave to me like a buskin'd queen acting a capital part in a capital play, without once admitting me behind the scenes into any degree of ease or familiarity. The Professor is the only subject; not a word of my concerns; not a word even of your own, (I suppose because they are mine likewise,) your health, your amusements, the company you keep, the books you read, or whether you be as much regarded in your

I

own country as you are here. I think I perceive you smiling; and you have some reason: you have discovered the cloven foot, a rivalship between the two authors. confess the fact; but being too lazy to burn and begin again, I proceed in the same tone. When I had the happiness of seeing you in Scotland, I ventured one day to suggest to you a short performance of mine, an Essay on the Principles of Morality. ty. But I suddenly dropt the subject, being afraid it was too abstruse and dry for my lively friend. Of late I have taken up a fond conceit, that no subject is above or beyond her comprehension, and therefore I, renew my hint; and I have at present an additional incitement, which is, that my friend F. if he has failed any where, is most deficient in that part of his work where he handles the Principles of Morality. My Essay was too small to be printed by itself it is prefixed to the second edition of a law-book, termed Principles of Equity, to be found at Millar's shop; but which you may borrow from any of your acquaintance learned in the law; for a fine lady would blush to have a law-book make part of her library. I know not whether the principles of this Essay may turn the balance on my side; but in one way I hope always to deserve your favour, which is, by imitating you in every good and so cial principle, to the best of my power. Yours, &c.

HENRY HOME." "P. S. The Epar ne is arrived, and it is charming. I never saw a

The Essay on the Principles of Morality, which was prefixed to the second edition of Principles of Equity, was left that work, the author having republishout in the third subsequent editions of ed it in a more complete form, in his Sketches of the History of Mah.

piece of workmanship to which the term elegant can be more properly applied. Mrs. Drummond is delighted with it. Now that I have got your letter upon ornaments, I think I have a pretty good stock of

materials for an episode upon that subject in the next edition of the Elements, in which I shall most impudently borrow from your Ladyship. But hark, the cock does crow me hence. The coach is waiting."

JAMES I.

IT is surprising, how many different titles of accession to the crown of Great Britain concurred in the person of this pedantick monarch. By right of his mother, Mary, queen of Scots, grand daughter of Margaret, daughter of Henry VII. (and his heir after the extinction of the direct line,) he possessed the throne of England, and by direct lineal descent from the same queen, that of Scotland. The right of the house of Suffolk, which was doubtless inferiour to that of Mary, but which had a shadow of title by its preference in the will of Henry VIII. likewise centered in him by his father Henry Lord Darnley, heir to that house. He possessed the true right to the throne of England derived through a succession of Scottish kings from Malcolm, who married Margaret, daughter and heir of Edmund Ironside, the last of the Saxon kings; which right had been set aside by the violent usurpation of William the Conquerour. The dominion of Wales had been usurped by Edward I. and from his time united to the English crown; but to this also James possessed the true hereditary title by direct descent from Elizabeth of York, wife of

Henry VII. heiress of the house of Mortimer, which house, “by virtue of descent from Gladys, only sister to Llewellyn the Great, the last king of Wales, had the true right to that principality. That nothing may be wanting to complete this multifarious title, it has lately been. asserted in a popular work, that by the intermarriage in ancient times of the royal families of Ireland and Scotland, James possessed a legal title to the throne of that dependant kingdom. So numerous were the tributary streams that swelled the title of royal blood in the veins of James I. Strange that a monarch, so rich in nobility, instead of ennobling his rank by the defence of invaded rights and the punishment of audacious foreigners, should have distinguished himself only as the assertor of witchcraft, and the enemy of tobacco.

FLORIAN.

THIS writer has been called the Goldsmith of France. He resembles him in a beauty of style, calculated for extensive popularity, though not in similitude of manner. Goldsmith pleases by an unaffected simplicity, which touches on common scenes and objects, heightening