in order to obtain a pittance wherewith to put himself to school. Pope Adrian VI., one of the most eminent scholars of his time, began life in great poverty; and as he could not afford candles, often read by the light of street-lamps, or in churchporches where lights are kept burning: his eminent acquirements and unimpeachable character led him successively through different preferments in the Church till he was elected Pope. Claude Lorraine is said to have been originally apprenticed to a pastrycook.

Dr. Isaac Maddox, Bishop of Worcester, and known for his writings in defense of the Church, was the son of a pastrycook. The late Dr. Isaac Milner, Dean of Carlisle, and Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, was at first a weaver. Dr. White, Professor of Arabic at Oxford, was also a weaver in his youth. Thedem, the chief surgeon of Frederick the Great, had in his youth been apprenticed to a tailor. The celebrated John Hunter, the anatomist, was originally apprentice to a cabinet-maker. William Kent and Francis Towne, landscape painters of eminence, began as apprentices to coach-painters. The famous Hogarth raised himself from the condition of a working-engraver on silver. Edmund Stone, the eminent mathematician, was originally a boy who wrought in the garden of the Duke of Argyle at Inverary, and who taught himself to read. Buchanan, the Scottish historian, was born of poor parents, and being sent by an uncle to Paris for his education, he was there so neglected that, in order to get back to his own country, he enlisted as a private soldier in a corps leaving France for Scotland: Buchanan had to undergo many difficulties before his learning was appreciated. Cervantes, the author of "Don Quixote," commenced life as a soldier, lost his left hand in battle, and was a captive in Algiers for five years, during which period he wrote part of his celebrated work. Giordani, an Italian engineer and mathematician of the seventeenth century, was originally a common soldier on board one of the Pope's galleys. William Hutton, the eminent historian of Birmingham, and the author of some miscellaneous pieces, was the son of a poor woolcomber, and suffered the severest pangs of poverty in his early years. Joly, the French dramatist, was the son of the keeper of a coffee-house. Erasmus

endured great poverty while a student. Blacklock, a Scottish poet, was blind from his infancy, and in early life was in a distressing state of poverty; yet he rose to a respectable station in society, and acquired considerable learning in scientific and theological branches of education.

Bunyan, the author of the "Pilgrim's Progress," was the son of a tinker, and followed that profession himself for some time. Having been imprisoned for preaching, he supported himself and his family by togging laces, and in his leisure hours in his dungeon he composed the work which has immortalized his name. The Scottish poet Burns, as is well known, was born a peasant, and his early life was spent as a plowman; yet what fame did he not acquire? Cæcilius Statius, a celebrated dramatic writer in ancient Rome,, was originally a slave, but was emancipated in consequence of his talents. Caslon, an eminent typefounder in London, was originally an engraver of ornaments on gun-barrels, but being noticed by some printers for the elegance of his lettering, he was induced to become a cutter of types, in which he acquired a handsome fortune. Cavalier, the famous leader and protector of the Camisards or Protestants of Languedoc, when an attempt was made to exterminate them by Louis XIV., was the son of a peasant, and was bred a journeyman baker: he afterward distinguished himself in the English service, in which he died, 1740.

Ephraim Chambers, the compiler of a well-known dictionary of arts and sciences, was the apprentice of a mathematicalinstrument maker, and it was while in this occupation he projected his dictionary, some of the articles of which he wrote behind the counter. Captain Cook, the eminent circumnavigator, was born of humble parents in Yorkshire, and began his career as cabin-boy in the merchantservice. Cullen, who rose to such eminence as a physician, was originally apprentice to a surgeon and apothecary in Glasgow, and supported himself in early life by making several voyages, as surgeon, to the West Indies. Curran, the eminent Irish barrister, was born of humble parents, and had to struggle with want of practice and consequent penury, before he became known and rose to such splendid forensic fame. Sir William Davenant, an eminent

dramatic writer, and partisan of Charles I., was the son of an innkeeper at Oxford. Daniel Defoe, the author of "Robinson Crusoe," and other works, was the son of a London butcher, and had to struggle with many misfortunes. Demosthenes, one of the greatest orators of antiquity, was the son of a sword-blade manufacturer at Athens, and was left an orphan at seven years of age; and it was with incredible perseverance and labor that he brought himself into notice. James Dickson, the author of some eminent works on Botany, and one of the founders of the Linnæan Society in London, was originally a working gardener, and rose by his own exertions.

Dodsley, the publisher of the "Annual Register," and the author of the " Economy of Human Life," and other pieces, was originally a stocking-weaver, and afterwards a footman. Having, while in this situation, published a poem entitled the "Muse in Livery," he came into notice, was patronized by Pope, and enabled to commence as a bookseller in London, where he rose to fortune by his industry and merit. Falconer, the author of "The Shipwreck," was the son of a barber in Edinburgh-by others he is said to have been a native of Fife-and entered the merchant-service when young; he underwent many difficulties, and was at last drowned in a voyage to India. James Ferguson, the astronomer and experimental philosopher, was the son of a poor laborer in Banffshire, served at first as a shepherd, and rose to eminence entirely by his force of genius and application. George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, was the son of a weaver, and he himself served an apprenticeship to a grazier, and was employed in keeping sheep; the silence and solitude of which occupation produced a zealous religious feeling, which led to the propagation of his new scheme of human society. Benjamin Franklin, who rose to eminence as a philosopher and statesman, was originally, as is well known, a journeyman printer; and it was only by unremitting industry and the exercise of his genius that he rose to the enviable situation in which he closed his career.

Andrew Fuller, a celebrated Baptist minister, and author of some works of merit, in the last century, wrought as a peasant till he was twenty years of age.

Madam de Genlis, whose maiden name was Ducrest de St. Aubin, felt the stings of adversity and poverty in her youth, and depended on her musical abilities for support, till married to the Count de Genlis. Gifford, the late distinguished editor of the "Quarterly Review," was left an orphan at thirteen; was put to sea as a cabin-boy; was afterward bound to be a shoemaker, and was rescued from his humble fate at twenty years of age by the kindness of Mr. Cooksley, a surgeon: Gifford was so utterly poor while a shoemaker, that he could not buy paper, and used to work algebraical questions with a blunted awl on fragments of leather. His ingenuity procured him friends, and by these he was assisted to advance himself in life for let it be observed, the well-behaved are never utterly friendless. Gray the poet, like Gifford, was brought up in great poverty, and supported in his education entirely through the extraordinary exertions of his mother. John Harrison, who received the reward of $100,000 from Parliament for his famous time-keeper to determine the longitude at sea, was the son of a carpenter, and instructed himself in mechanics.

Hawkesworth, the author of the " Adventurer," was the son of a watchmaker, and was at first brought up to that profession. He afterward became a clerk to a stationer, and then rose to distinction as a literary character. Sir John Hawkwood, a distinguished military commander of the fourteenth century, was originally an apprentice to a tailor, but entering as a private soldier he rose to eminence. Haydn, one of the most celebrated musiccomposers, was the son of a poor cartwright. Herder, a German philosopher and writer, and who has been called the Fenelon of his country, was born of poor parents, and nurtured in adversity. William Herschel, one of the greatest astronomers of modern times, was originally a player in the band of a Hanoverian regiment. General Hoche, who commanded an expedition against Ireland in 1796, began life as a stable-boy. The Joan of Arc, who by her heroism delivered France from the English, was born of poor parents, and supported herself in early life by keeping sheep, and taking care of horses at a country inn. Samuel Johnson was the son of a bookseller at Litchfield, and attempted to support himself by keep

Sir

ing a school: before he became known and was patronized by the crown, he had to endure severe pecuniary difficulties. Henry Jones, a poet and dramatist of last century, was born of poor parents at Drogheda, and was bred a bricklayer. La Harpe, a French dramatist, poet, critic, and miscellaneous writer, was the son of a Swiss officer, who died in poverty, and left him an orphan in such destitute circumstances that he was supported by the Sisters of Charity, and it was by their recommendations that he was gratuitously educated.

The illustrious Shakspeare was the son of a dealer in wool; and such was the poverty of the young dramatist, that he employed himself first as a prompter's call-boy other accounts represent him as holding gentlemen's horses at the door of the playhouse. Shield, the famous English violinist and musician, was the son of a singing-master, who, in his ninth year, left him fatherless: his early years were spent as an apprentice to a boatbuilder, but his genius led him from this occupation to that of music, in which he was eminently successful. Jeremy Taylor, an eminent theologian and prelate of the seventeenth century, was the son of a barber. Toussaint L'Ouverture, who was appointed Governor and President of the free black Republic of St. Domingo, was born a slave, in which condition he remained till the revolution in the island brought forward his abilities and courage. Wallenstein, a celebrated German general, began life as a page ot the Margrave of Burgau-a situation almost equivalent to that of a foot-boy to an English country gentleman. Webbe, who has been so celebrated for his musical compositions, especially his glees, was originally a poor destitute boy, who gained a meagre subsistence by copying music; but by dint of incessant study, he became an excellent composer. West, the American painter, had many difficulties to contend with at his outset; but like many eminent artists, he overcame them all by his perseverance. With him skill truly led to fortune.

After perusing this long catalogue, who would despair? With trust in God, and with diligence in his calling, let the young aspirant shun mean indulgences, and aim at success. Then, if he reach not fortune, he will at least have the blessed consciousness of having deserved it. VOL. I, No. 2.-K

THE

THE SENSE OF TOUCH.

THE sense of feeling differs from all the other senses, in belonging to every part of the body, external and internal, where nerves are distributed.

The nerves proceeding from the brain and spinal marrow to the skin are the source of its sensibility. The degree of this offers great and remarkable varieties as regards age, sex, temperament, and state of health. A degree of action on the skin, which to some amounts to absolute torture, to others is almost a matter of indifference. To a certain extent this is doubtless influenced by the moral state. The "white man," says Flint, "shivers, and scarcely credits his senses, as he sees the young Indian warrior smoking his pipe, singing his songs, boasting of his victories, and uttering his menaces, when enveloped in a slow fire; apparently as unmoved, as reckless and unconscious of pain, as if sitting at ease in his own cabin. All that has been found necessary.... to procure this heroism, is, that the children from boyhood should be constantly under a discipline.... which tends directly to shame and contempt at the least manifestation of cowardice, on view of any danger, or of a shrinking consciousness of pain in the endurance of any suffering. The males so trained never fail to evidence the fruit of their discipline. Nothing is more common than for a friend to propose to suffer for his friend, a parent for a child, or a child for a parent. Such persons endure vastly less physical pain than those who suffer in paroxysms of terror and self-abandonment.

A German writer affirms that "terrestrial magnetism" exerts in some sensitive persons a peculiar influence, whether they are in a state of health or otherwise, affecting both body and mind.

The pleasures of touch are few beyond the variations of warmth and coolness, and even these are limited in their degree. Suffering is a warning voice, intimating that something has been left undone which ought to have been done; or that we have done, or are doing, something we ought not to do. The pains of this sense are therefore more numerous and vivid than those arising from any other sense. Our capacity of physical endurance may, however, be increased to a wonderful extent by practice, and that even at a comparatively advanced age.

In animals there is one characteristic which has a great influence on the ability of those possessed of it. It is the faculty of opposing a thumb to the other fingers: this constitutes the hand; and it is found in the highest degree of perfection in man. He being formed to stand on and walk with his feet, in an erect posture, his hands are left at liberty. All the fingers, except the wedding-ring finger, have separate movements, which is not the case with any other animal: the nails, placed on one side only, form a support, without injuring the delicacy of the touch. From the mandibles of insects to the human hand, all is seen to be in the most harmonious relation, evincing throughout the whole creation the adaptation of means to ends. Galen denominated the hand as "the instrument of instruments," as it imparts incomparable skill. It is wonderfully adapted to the purposes for which it was designed, and thus illustrates the divine wisdom. The hand is remarkable for the flexibility of its parts, and the ease with which the whole is moved: this is owing to the complexity of its structure, consisting of no fewer than twenty-seven separate bones, put in motion by nineteen muscles. No animal has any member comparable with the human hand. The right hand has a preference from natural endowment. (See Sir C. Bell, on the Hand.) The hand is divided into many parts, to enable it to apply itself to objects of various shapes, and to obtain a firm hold on those that are both greater and less than itself; and for bodies of unusual bulk, nature has made each hand assistant to his fellow.

The touch is perhaps the least liable to err of any of the senses; accordingly we rely on its testimony with confidence. Females have a finer skin and more delicate perception of feeling than men. Scarcely anything is more elegant than the management of the hands of a woman of education. The hand is not the principal object of touch solely because the extremities of the fingers are furnished with a great quantity of nervous papillæ, but because it is also divided into several parts. The surface of the hand and fingers is greater in proportion than any other part of the body. The information obtained by the touch is acquired slowly, and the sensations must be frequently repeated. Much depends on the education given to the ends of the fingers; and the left hand is

capable of being more serviceable than is usual.

"The South Australian aborigines," says a recent traveler, “have a power of manipulating with their toes, so as to do many things surprising to men who wear shoes .... their mode of climbing [trees] depending as much on the toes as the fingers. With the toes they gather freshwater muscles..... In their attempts to steal.... their feet were much employed: they would tread softly on any article, seize it with the toes, pass it up the back, or between the arm and side, and so conceal it in the arm-pit, or between the beard and throat."

By the touch we originally perceive the temperature of bodies; with the assistance of the eye, their length, breadth, depth, figure and position; also their roughness or smoothness, hardness, softness, or fluidity. Experience teaches us to perceive most of these qualities by the sight. The blind, as they walk about, frequently estimate their approach to large and heavy bodies, by the increasing resistance of the atmosphere.

We have observed that loss or diminution of one sense is followed by increased attention to the indications of other senses. The blind acquire a wonderful delicacy of touch. Saunderson, the blind mathematician, could distinguish true medals from counterfeit ones. A blind organist distinguished different kinds of money. He was a first-rate card-player, and in dealing knew the cards he dealt to others as well as those he kept for himself. When a blind person first commences learning to read elevated characters by the touch it is necessary to use a large type, and every letter must often be felt. Afterward, the combinations of letters into words are recognized without the necessity of forming a separate idea of each letter: line after line may soon be read very rapidly, and the size of the types be gradually diminished. A blind Scotch tailor had the faculty of tracing the stripes, squares, and angles, of tartan cloth by the touch. In making a coat, he could cause the different squares to coalesce, diagonally at the back, and meet angularly with great exactness; a difficult thing even to those that can see. A Scotch lad was blind, deaf, and dumb, from his birth: as he grew up he discovered extraordinary acuteness in the senses of touch and smell. By these, he was enabled

to distinguish his relatives from strangers, and any little article of his own from things that belonged to others. His taste seemed also to be exquisite.

Some animals are destitute of the sense of smell and hearing: others are destitute of eyes. The sense of feeling is never wanting; probably not often something resembling the sense of taste. In the touch man is in some respects greatly superior to the lower world. Animals which have this sense in the greatest perfection are the most knowing; as an example may be mentioned the elephant with its trunk. Those animals which are furnished with hands appear to have much sagacity. Apes imitate the mechanical actions of man. Naturalists tell us that bats, if blinded, will guide themselves through the most winding and complicated passages, without striking the walls or anything which may seem to obstruct their progress. Spermaceti whales are said to "have the power of communicating with each other at great distances..... When a straggler is attacked at the distance of several miles from a shoal, a number of its fellows bear down to its assistance in an almost incredibly short space of time."-Carpenter's Physiology.

In some insects the antennæ are the organs of touch. Naturalists suppose these to be the chief instruments which enable these insects to communicate intelligence to one another. Huber gives the name of language antennal to this species of intercourse. Thus the signal of danger is propagated throughout the society of ants with astonishing quickness. The sense of touch is peculiarly acute also in other insects. An instance of this is seen in spiders, from the nicety with which they fabricate their webs. The whiskers of animals are subservient to the sense of touch, as in the cat. Even by the hoofs of animals sensations are received. Thus a highland pony ascertains the soundness of a moorland path. The presentiment of a change of weather is common to many, possibly to all, kinds of birds, arising probably from sensibility of touch. The woodpecker, the snow-birds, the swallow, are all busy before a storm, searching eagerly for food. Ducks and geese are tumultuous before falling weather: they wash and arrange their plumage with uncommon activity. The observing farmer remarks these things: he looks on birds as

JAME

eter; and was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy when he lost his sight, at the age of twenty-five years, while on service on the coast of Africa, in the year 1811, and was subsequently appointed one of the naval knights of Windsor. In 1820 he traveled through France, Italy, &c., and in 1822 published an account of his journey. In the preface to this work he states that, after his affliction, he in time began to acquire greater facility of locomotion than he could have anticipated; and this was succeeded by an almost irresistible inclination to visit different parts of his native country in quest of knowledge and amusement. Notwithstanding the limited information which it may be supposed he would thus obtain, he assures us that he found the impressions produced afforded him not only present but permanent gratification. "To some," he adds, "this may appear incredible. It must, however, not be forgotten, that the loss of one sense is compensated by superior powers in those that remain unimpaired, in consequence of their being called more frequently into action: and it is well known that the sense of touch, in particular, acquires so great a delicacy as to afford degrees of information which under ordinary states it is incapable of. Besides this advantage, he acquired an indefinite power, almost resembling instinct, which he believes in like manner gives him ideas of whatever may be going forward externally."

Encouraged by the attention which was excited by this work, and stimulated by the craving for change and adventure, he undertook another journey, and traveled through Russia into Siberia. He had formed the extraordinary design of travel