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ing from the combination of various
metallic substances in certain situa-
tions: thus the flavour of porter was
declared to be greatly, improved
when taken from a pewter vessel.
Although pure mercury will long re-
tain its splendour, yet its amalgam
with any other metal is speedily
tarnished. the copper sheathing
of ships, the parts about the iron
nails with which it is fastened, and
the nails themselves, soon become
corroded about the place of contact.
Zinc immersed in water may be
kept for a long period without oxyda-
tion;
but a change is soon observa-
ble, although it continue in water, if
it is brought in contact with a piece
of tin. Works of metal, soldered to-
gether by means of other metals,
speedily tarnish about the places of
contact. The Etruscan inscriptions
are in good preservation, because
engraven on pure lead; while many
medals of lead less pure, of much
more recent date, are corroded.
These, and many other effects, are
now easily accounted for.

any consequence observable, if three conductors were employed belonging to the same class. To ensure successful experiment, it was needful to make use of two conductors of the first or second class, with one of the remaining class. Mr. Volta, who entered into the study with great zeal, found that the slight effects produced by such à combination might be greatly increased, by repeating the combination, and, indeed, that the strength of the effect was proportioned to the multiplication of the arranged conductors. These facts established, led to the invention of piles and batteries, in which the conducting substances are arranged with convenience and elegance. These batteries are denominated of the first or second order, according as the combinations, of which they consist, are of the first or second class. More recently troughs have been invented, which are divided into numerous grooves. Into each of these grooves are introduced a plate of copper and one of zinc, which order must be observed in every groove. The trough is filled with water, which forms the conductor of the second class; and a little acid, salt, or muriate of ammoniac is added to the water to promote the chemical action. A communication being then made by the hands, between the first and last cell of the trough, a shock will be felt, and if the hand should have been lately scratched or wounded, the sensation, at such part, will be painful.

Considering the electric fluid as generally diffused through nature, and galvanism as merely another method of exciting it, it is not surprising that the bodies which conduct it should be numerous. These conductors have been divided into two classes. The bodies of the first class are called dry and perfect conductors, comprehending metallic substances and charcoal. Those of the second class, denominated imperfect conductors, include water, acids, and all substances which con- The shock, however, is far less viotain those fluids; and among them-lent than that received from a Leyselves, the substances of the second class differ much more in conducting power than those of the first class.

den phial, charged by the electrical apparatus; for although the latter contains but a small quantity of the electric fluid, yet it is so much In the application of various bo- condensed, that in passing to an dies in the investigations of this equilibrium, its action is powerful, science, it was soon found that order often forcing its way through an and system were observable, and inch of air: in the former case, a fresh indications were afforded of great quantity of the fluid is excited, the infinite wisdom, power, and good- but it is in so rare a state, that it ness of the great Creator, in kindly cannot force its passage through the controlling the influence of this air, and the conductors must be powerful and widely-diffused fluid, brought into actual contact, or not by the nice arrangements necessary more than the fortieth part of an to its operation. Thus two con-inch apart, to produce the desired ductors were found to produce no effect. The electric fluid from a sensible effect, and seldom was powerful apparatus, that is, where

he estimate that reason which, although when rightly employed, it is so ennobling, has too frequently been the slave of the grossest superstition and the most wanton infidelity.

Let the youth ever bear in mind, that he never manifests more ignorance than when he boasts of wisdom; and that he is never in a more dangerous state, than when pride gains the ascendency in his

several troughs are connected with each other, will inflame gunpowder, ether, spirits of wine, cotton, phosphorus, and similar substances. It will also redden, fuse, and consume slender metallie wires, tinfoil, gold, silver, and copper leaves. It, moreover, may be made to decompose water, where ordinary electricity has failed. Indeed electrical and galvanic experiments are countless, and afford exhaustless sources of enter-mind. tainment, entertainment, at once innocent, rational, and improving, which may be practised amid all the delights of home, and all the endearments of the social circle. It is, however, not merely amusing, it is already employed medically with some success, and it is highly probable, that it may yet please the Almighty to reward future inquirers, by the discovery of its greater

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This excitation of the electric fluid readily accounts for that animal electricity long noticed in the torpedo, the gymnastus electricus, &c. These animals are provided with an electric organ, consisting of laminæ, or pellicles, arranged in coJumns, and separated from each other by moisture; and, therefore, coinciding with the galvanic battery. A person applying one hand to the upper and the other to the

under surface of these fishes will receive a shock. When small fish are put into the water, wherein the gymnastus is kept, they are generally stunned, and often killed by the shock, and afterwards devoured by this peculiar eel.

The recent discovery of this species of electrical excitation is another proof of the ignorance of man, even concerning those objects of nature with which he is perpetually surrounded, and should teach him humility in those loftier investigations to which his attention is occasionally directed. What lively gratitude should fill his mind, that, in the important concerns of eternity, God has pitied his ignorance, and sent him a revelation of his will, accompanied by the promised aid of an unerring teacher, to all that earnestly desire and sincerely seek his influence; and how cautiously should

THE

RIVER NIGER.

N. N.

MANY of our young readers must have heard of the endeavours which have been made to explore the course and termination of this African river. We have collected, for their information, the following particu lars:

Peter Heylin, who lived about 160 years ago, says, that the Niger "has its rise from a great lake, within two degrees of the equinoc tial, whence, running northwards for a time, he hideth himself under ground, for the space of 60 miles together: when, rising up again, and making a great lake, called the lake of Borneo, he bendeth his course directly westward; and taking in many less channels, he teareth the earth into many islauds, and at last falleth into the sea," (meaning the Atlantic Ocean.)-Brookes's Gazetteer, 10th edit. 1797, says, that "Its rise and termination are unknown; but its course is from E. to w. running s. of the empire of Cashna, toward Tombuctoo, on the s. of which country it is supposed to be lost in the sands."* The Encyclopædia Britannica, 3d edit. says, that "after having run from E. to w during a prodigious long course, it turns at last short to the south, at a league and a half distance from the western ocean, into which it opens

As the Niger is now found to run from w. to E. these places, where it is supposed to fall into the ground and to be lost, are probably the place of its origin.

its way in lat. 15° 55′ N."* But it appears, from later researches, that this river runs from w. to E. It was the opinion of the celebrated Mungo Park, that, after passing in this direction the city of Tombuctoo,† it turns to the s. (perhaps 500 miles E. of Tombuctoo,) crosses the line, and runs into the Atlantic Ocean, in about 6 degrees s. lat. by the name of the Congo, or Zaire," which is a magnificent river, several miles broad, above 50 fathoms deep, and running six miles an hour.

who composed the interior part of his map of Africa in 1749, derived almost all his positions from Edrisi, who wrote in the twelfth century. South of Barbary is the desert of Zaara, reaching from Nubia to the Atlantic Ocean. It is upwards of 600 miles in breadth, and 2500 in length. South of this desert are Bornou, Cashna, and Nigritia, through the last of which the Niger is now supposed to run 1700 miles, (the greater part of which course is from w. to E. and the remainder from N. to s.) and after that 700 miles through Guinea, and 400 miles more between the kingdoms of Lo

An expedition lately sailed a considerable way up this river, in order to ascertain the fact; but the difficulties were so great, that the un-ango and Congo, till it reaches the dertaking was relinquished. Another enterprize is now going forward with a view to the accomplishment of the same object. Captain Gray, of the Royal African Corps, when the last intelligence arrived, had commenced a voyage up the Gambia river, which is about 400 miles s. of the Senegal. As soon as a transport which had been dispatched to the Cape de Verd islands, should return with horses and mules, he was to begin his journey into the interior, concerning which but little is at present known. D'Anville,

*This is an error. What is here said of the Niger, is true only of the Senegal,

which rises about 700 miles E. of the Atlantic Ocean, near the place where the Niger is now supposed to rise.

The latitude of Tombuctoo is about 15 degrees N. It is about 1300 miles from the Atlantic.

Its mouth is about 2000 miles from the country of the Hottentots.

Atlantic under the name of the Con-
go, or Zaire. These countries are
inhabited by half-civilized blacks.
Many of them are Mahometans;
and there are some Roman Catho-
lics; but they are principally Pagans.
The whole of Africa was peopled by
the descendants of Ham, who dis-
honoured his parent, and who is, to
this day, dishonoured and disgraced
in this as well as in every other part
of his posterity. Thousands of them
have, however, by the power of so-
vereign grace, been made monu-
ments of mercy; and we look for-
ward with pleasure and confident
expectation to the time when that
prayer shall be fully answered,

"Let the Indian, let the NEGRO,
Let the rude barbarian see,
That divine and glorious conquest,
Once obtain'd on Calvary ;
Let the gospel
Loud resound from pole to pole."

Obituary.

JAMES STEVENS.

JAMES STEVENS was born at Shipham, in the County of Somerset, March 29, 1795. His father and mother kept a public inn in this

dark part of the earth, which was filled from day to day with the spent the first twenty years of his workers of iniquity. Here James wretched existence; and being habituated to swearing, drinking, and idleness; he scarcely ever attended

could not stay away. Many of the discourses which he heard at Rowbrough were greatly blessed to his soul; one from Rev. v. 9, 10, and another from Isaiah xl. 9, led him to such a discovery of the love of God to poor sinners, that the doetrine of free and full redemption by the blood of the cross engaged his attention, won his affection, and greatly endeared the Saviour to him. After obtaining such a discovery of the free and unmerited love of Jesus Christ, in shedding his precious blood for the chief of sinners, he wished always to feel his heart warm with love to his precious Redeemer, and his soul alive both in private and public worship. But he often lamented his coldness and deadness in the service of God, and was sometimes much afraid that he was not the subject of a real work of grace. "I often wonder," said he, "whether any one ever felt so cold and dark as I sometimes do in prayer.” Being asked if he had always been distressed because he could not love the Saviour more, and feel his soul alive in divine worship? he replied, "No, I did not think either about Jesus Christ or my soul; but I have so many wan

at any place of divine worship; and such were his habits, that he knew but little difference between the holy sabbath and other days. His father died while he was young, and his mother was left with four children. James went on in a course of sin, until, by being out in the night, and lying on the damp gr, a disease was brought on which gradually destroyed his poor body: medical assistance was sought, but to no purpose. The disease, which was the king's evil, could not be checked in its progress. The mind of this poor young slave to sin and Satan began to be uneasy, as he reflected upon death and eternity. Whither to go for peace he knew not; to the throne of grace he was an utter stranger; the way of salvation by Jesus Christ he had never seriously thought of; he was an alien from God, and a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel. But God, who is rich in mercy, inclined a neighbour to invite James to go with him to an • adjacent village, to hear the Baptist minister of Wedmore, who had for some time preached there once a week. At first he objected, saying, that if it was not for the thing he wore round his head, to conceal the wound, he would. His friend, how-dering thoughts in prayer, and so ever, persuaded him to go. The first 7 time James attended was on January 2, 1816: the text was from Josh. xxiv. 15. The sermon made a strong impression on his mind, and from that time he began to attend with seriousness to the state of his soul. He scarcely ever after, until his confinement, lost an opportunity of hearing Mr. Chandler, when he preached at Rowbrough; though he said, that when he entered the place of worship he thought the eyes of all t the people were upon him. His character was sometimes so clearly drawn, and his past conduct so much exposed, that he was tempted not to go any more; supposing that some one had informed the minister who he was, and how he had lived, and that he had prepared his sermons on purpose for him. But the good work was begun, and the incorruptible seed had taken root in his heart; for when the opportunity to hear returned, James

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many unholy thoughts, that I fear I do not hate sin as I should." Being asked again, whether he took any delight in those wandering and sinful thoughts? he replied, "No, I hate them, and want to get rid of them, but cannot." These exercises of mind kept him humble, and preserved him from those exalting views of himself, by which many are vainly puffed up.

In his confinement, which took place November 20, 1816, he found great encouragement to look to, and trust alone in, the blood of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of all his sins, by reading Mr. Bunyan's "Grace abounding to the Chief of Sinners." But still his views of the doctrine of free justification, by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, were very imperfect. He thought he must act better, and must feel himself to be more holy, before he could be accepted in the sight of God. Being informed that, as a guilty,

MRS. SARAH FYSON,

polluted, and unworthy sinner, he must rely on the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone, for the IN the year 1797, Mrs. Sarah pardon of all his sins, he was enabled Fyson was baptized, and received from that time to depend more stead-into the church of Christ at Great fastly on the work of Christ for acceptance and eternal life.

nance. Her former misery was succeeded by peace and tranquillity; by a firm and persevering determination to be fully and decidedly on the side of God and religion; and by a cheerful resignation of all her worldly concerns to the divine disposal. Previously to her death she took a deliberate farewell of her husband, and her ten children. She then said, "The great work will soon be over;" and exclaiming," It is finished!" expired.

Gransdon, in Huntingdonshire, where she then resided. Her proBeing visited again, a few days after, by the same friend, who asked fession of faith was very affecting and tisfactory. Some years after him on what his hope of salvation this she fell into a state of declenwas founded? he replied, "I have sion, from which she was delivered nothing to rely upon but the pre- in the beginning of 1815. Whilst cious blood of Jesus Christ." About she was in this state, her horror of this time he enjoyed a pleasing de- mind was inexpressible; but after gree of that peace which accompa- her deliverance from it, she expenies true faith in a precious Re-rienced very great consolation. Her deemer. He was enabled to anti-happiness appeared in her countecipate the period of nature's dissolution with sweet serenity of mind, and to rejoice in hope of being for ever with the Lord. But this blessed state of mind was short. Many carnal persons calling to see him, and in particular on the sabbath-day, he lost that sweet peace by which his immortal soul had been borne up in the prospect of death, and had to lament for many days the polluting nature of carnal conversation. This led him to determine, that no such visitors should again be admitted into his room. While he was thus lamenting the darkness and unhappy state of his mind, it pleased his gracious Redeemer again shine upon him with the light of his countenance. After the family were retired to rest, he expected he should have a distressing night, through the pain of his body, and the uncomfortableness of his mind. "But such light and joy," said he, “broke in upon my mind, accompanied with a delightful view of the glories of hea ven, that I could say, My Redeemer is mine, and I am his."

to

On the day of his departure, he addressed his mother, his sisters, and his brother, in a solemn and affectionate manner, requesting them to attend on the preaching of the gospel, and in particular at Rowbrough. He then breathed out his soul into the arms of his Redeemer, and departed without a sigh or groan, July 17, 1817, in the twentythird year of his age. His funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Chandler, from Isaiah xii. 5.

Should this short account meet the eye of any who have declined from the ways of God, let them not flatter themselves that they shall be restored; but rather let them fear that their declension is that of apostasy, from which they shall never return. Yet let them not despair. Let them seek the Lord while he may be found: let them call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked, (which term includes backsliders who have made a profession of religion, as well as those who have not,)-let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God for he will abundantly pardon. Isai. lv. 7.

GEORGE PALMER.

THE influence of evangelical principles has been remarkably manifested in the conversion of George

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