The last six signs relate to the Fall of Man.-Libra, the Ba lance, denotes the Sabbath; and of the rectitude of this inter• pretation, Dr. Barrett gives a very curious proof:

1. From the nature of the symbol. While the effect of all other machines is to produce motion, this alone produces Rest; and as the use of this instrument is to ascertain the exact weight of any body, in such case the body and weight equipoise, and the machine is at rest the natural state therefore of this instrument is a state of Rest. And when all the parts of any body are in equilibrium, we then say, the body is at rest. Since, therefore, Rest is that which puts a distinction between the balance and every other engine, we are justly warranted in considering the balance as symbolical of Rest, and consequently of the Sabbath. And if we consider the state of our first parents in Paradise, we shall be led to perceive a similitude between their condition and this machine. Unacquainted with Sin and Evil, they were strangers to those storms of passion, which af terwards became incorporate in their nature. Scripture represents them the slaves of no shameful passion, Gen. ii. 25. In their happy state, reason was to command, and passion was to obey; and all this within the limits which their Maker had prescribed; we may therefore consider in them reason and passion as keeping an exact equipoise; a state of which the balance would naturally be the sign.'

The Scorpion designates the chief instrument in the fall of man;-Sagittarius is a symbol of the Great Deliverer;—Capricornus (at which sign we have more than once wished the present book) means the Devil!!!-Aqua Aquarius denotes troubles and miseries; and what can be more ingenious or logical than the following passage?

The idea of Water is naturally connected with that of multitude, and consequently with that of immensity; hence the Ocean is the only object to which we attribute immensity. And from its parts being easily divisible, it is connected with the idea of Motion. From these it will follow; First, That waters denote peoples, nations, Rev. xvii. 15. xix. 6. Secondly, That they will denote troubles, sorrows; as a multitude of affairs necessarily implies sorrow; and as a state of trouble is naturally a state opposite to that of rest, i. c. a state of motion.'

Lastly, Pisces, the Fishes - this symbol signifies death. Here the author's proof nearly amounts to this; that, since in Scripture the land of the living is somewhere mentioned, the sea must denote death, and fishes must denote dead men.-We dare not trespass longer on the indulgence of our readers.

Авт.

ART. XI. A Treatise on Astronomy; in which the Elements of the Science are deduced in a natural Order, from the Appearances of the Heavens to an Observer on the Earth; demonstrated on Mathematical Principles, and explained by an Application to the various Phenomena. By Olinthus Gregory, Teacher of Mathematics, Cambridge. 8vo. pp. 550. and 9 Plates. 15s. Boards. Kearsley. 1802.

MAN

ANY astronomers, deeply enamoured of their favourite pursuit, have said that, of all studies, astronomy is the most delightful and enchanting: but, of all occupations into which the discharge of our critical duties forces us, we critics feel the perusal of astronomical treatises to be the most irksome and fatiguing. The subject is indeed full of novelty and variety but, as the writers of these elementary works are to imagine that those whom they purpose to instruct may even be ignorant that the earth is neither stationary nor a flat surface, and that the sun is bigger than the Peloponnesus, they are obliged to introduce old and tedious matter. An author has many motives for submitting to drudgery: but are not we to be pitied, while patiently enduring to be again and again convinced that the planets move in ellipses, that Venus is an inferior star, and that the curve of aberration is a circle?

On

Notwithstanding, however, the great abundance of astronomical treatises, Mr. Gregory thinks (and we do not say without reason) that such a work as the one now before us may not be unacceptable; since, although the performances of Bonnycastle, Ferguson, Long, Lacaille, &c. have great merit, they do not suit the advanced state of astronomical science. The recent publication of Mr. Vince, indeed, contains most of the new discoveries: but then it is too voluminous. these considerations, Mr. G. has endeavoured to lay before the public a treatise on Astronomy, which shall in some measure correspond with the advanced state of the science, and at the same time occupy an intermediate station, between those which give merely a concise view of the elements, and those which by their voluminousness and consequent expensiveness, are prevented from obtaining a general circulation among students of mathematics.'

The nature and distribution of this volume cannot be better understood than from the author's own words:

The work commences with a determination of the figure and dimensions of the earth; which is followed by an explanation of terms relating to some imaginary points, lines, and circles on the earth, and their corresponding ones in the heavens: the apparent diurnal motions of the heavenly bodies are then briefly described, the diuinal and annual apparent motions of the sun are more particularly

pointed

pointed out, and the method of ascertaining the situation of the ecliptic (or circle, in which the sun's annual motion appears to be performed) is explained. This is followed by an clucidation of the seasons, a determination of the length of the year, and an account of the precession of the equinoxes: these are succeeded by a description of the methods by which the relative situations of the fixed stars have been ascertained, the nature and necessity of the artificial distribution of them into constellations is shewn, and an enumeration of the constellations, and the most noted stars in each, is givca. The Author then explains the nature of parallax, refraction, and the equation of time, since the corrections depending upon them are of so much consequence; and exemplifies the use of that part of astronomy which determines the apparent motion of the sun, and the rela tive situation of the fixed stars, by a collection of problems, in which are given the methods of determining the rising, culminating, setting, &c. of both the sun and the stars: this part of the work includes as much of the science as could be known previous to the discovery of the planets, or the determination of the orbit and motions of the moon. After this the astronomy of the planets is commenced: the most striking of their apparent motions are described, and the description is followed by a concise sketch of the most celebrated systems which have been invented, to account for the various pheno mena; and reasons are assigned for assuming the system of Copernicus, as improved by Kepler and Newton. The theory of apparent motions is then laid down, and applied to the phenomens of the planetary motions: the lay is shown by which the planets are retained

basis

their orbits, and its conformity with the law of gravity is rendered obvious. To this succeeds the determination of the orbits of the planets, and the various elements of their theory, from observation: in order to effect this in the most natural way, the situation and magnitude of the earth's orbit are first established, as a proper for those geometrical operations which lead to the determitation of the orbits of the other planets. The apparent and real diameters, the times of rotation of the sun and planets, and the inclinations of their axes, are then ascertained; and the illustration of their phases, stations, and other appearances, is completed. These are followed by the astronomy of the moon and satellites, and the ring of saturnby the doctrine of solar and lunar eclipses, and occultations of fixed stars by the moon-by an explanation of the nature of the transits of Mercury and Venus over the sun's disc, and the method of deducing the sun's parallax from observations on these transits. After these are given three chapters, on the astronomy of comets, the aberration of light, and the determination of terrestrial latitudes and longitudes. In the last chapter, the contemplation of the fixed stars is resumed; an enquiry is made into their distances, magnitudes, nature, number, and motion; and this naturally suggests some reflections on the immensity of the universe, and some arguments to prove the existence and attributes of the great First Cause: with which the treatise concludes. Throughout the whole, it is supposed that the reader has obtained a previous knowledge of the principles of algebra, plane and spherical geometry and trigonometry, conic sections, mechanics,

optics,

optics, and the projections of the sphere: the doctrine of fluxions is only made use of in one or two instances, and those respecting matters of mere curiosity.'

There is undoubtedly much to commend in this plan: but how is it executed? this is the most important question. We may briedy answer,-with ability. Many of the chapters are written with great perspicuity; some subjects of discussion, which are in general loosely treated, are stated with unusual precision; and those truths, which at most are but probable, are not dogmatically maintained as certain. That the book should contain much new matter could not reasonably be expected; nor does the author rest his claim to distinction on this point: but there are few things in astronomical science which it does not notice. The author seems, with great care and diligence, to have consulted all preceding astronomical treatises, and his selections reflect credit on his judgment. Satisfied, therefore, with this result of his researches and this specimen of his talents, we cannot but wish that to the Improvement of Science, he could devote more time than the short intervals of leisure which could be snatched from the employment of a large school; an employment which requires. the author's persevering attention for more than eight hours in the day, and leaves him scarcely leisure sufficient to remove, by exercise, the injury done to his health by such close confine

ment.'

Some inaccuracies have occurred to our observation during the perusal of this work: but they are not sufficiently numerons nor sufficiently momer tous to require particular notice. Of the style, however, something is to be said; and we must confess that we wish it had been more simple :-indeed, some parts deserve to be called inflated; and we were occasionally surprised with the intrusion of a learned quotation. It is to be mentioned to the author's praise, that he appears to be a remarkably pious min: yet, notwithstanding great authorities to the contrary, we think that an astronomical book is not pe culiarly adapted to the introduction of sentiments of piety, and of arguments in favour of religion. Every thing is beautiful in its season. The 47th Proposition of Euclid, however true and elegant, could not with propriety be introduced into a charity sermon.

We cannot conclude without recommending this performance as, on the whole, valuable and useful; nor without hoping that the author's zeal and indefatigable industry may meet with a suitable reward from the favor of the public.

ART.

ART. XII. Recreations in Agriculture, Natural History, Arts, and Miscellaneous Literature. By James Anderson, LL.D. F. R.S. & F. S. A. E. &c. Six Vols. 8vo. pp. about 480 in each Vol. 31. 75. Boards; or 61. 148. Royal Paper, &c. Wallis.

CIENCE affords recreations of the most noble and captivating kind, but they are not to be experienced at the very commencement of the pursuit. A steep ascent must be climbed, before its enchanting prospects can burst on the intellectual eye. Men who, like Dr. Anderson, have devoted their days to experiment and their nights to study, and who have exercised their faculties in the regions of speculative and practical philo sophy, find in truth that "wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness" having conquered every difficulty, literature and science become to them matters of amusement; and they extract a refined species of happiness from the exercise of a culti vated understanding, while they are contributing to the improvement of their fellow-creatures. It requires, however, a portion of their attainments, to participate with them in such recreations; and ignorance must not suppose, from the title of the work before us, that its ingenious author undertakes to convert Agriculture, Natural History, and the Arts, into mere idle playthings. Though he modestly professes to write not se much to convey information to professed readers, as to those in general whose avocations prevent them from perusing many books, yet a degree of previous study is an essential qualification for joining in the amusements here provided.

Agriculture is the first subject on which Dr. A. undertakes to recreate the mind; and, in an introductory essay, he displays the extent and minuteness of his investigations. Of his ability to lecture in this department, few could have entertained a doubt; and from that few all such doubt must be removed, after having read the essays contained in these volumes. A judicious distinction is made, in the prefatory discourse, between the practice and the science of Agricul culture; and a reason is assigned why the practice has been so little benefited by the science, and the science by the practice. Dr. A. laments the prejudices which many practical farmers have conceived against books on Husbandry; and while he admits that they have had too much ground furnished them for these prepossessions, by the erroneous theories and vague statements of speculative writers, yet, perceiving the train of bad consequences to which they have led, he endeavours to remove them. He notices also, on the other hand, the con tempt which the agricultural amateur is apt to entertain for the practical farmer; and he labours to induce all parties to think better of each other.

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