build; provided the whole term should not exceed thirty years; in consequence of which, they have added two boats to the North river boat; (besides those that have been built by others under their license,) the Car of Neptune, which is a beautiful vessel of about three hundred tuns' burden, and the Paragon of three hundred and fifty tuns."

just tribute to our departed friend, and as a memorial of the abilities of his advocate.

"Mr. Emmet, having said that he had concluded the observations which he proposed to make, as well against the petition, as the report of the committee; and that he had submitted their force with respectful confidence to the deliberation of the legislature, turnIt is well known, that this great man, after having ed towards Mr. Fulton, and addressed him as foldevoted his time and genius to the service of his lows:-'I know and feel, and I rejoice in the concountry and of mankind, was harassed by lawsuits viction, that, for the present at least your interests, and controversies with those who were violating his my friend, are perfectly secure; but do not, therepatent rights, or intruding upon his exclusive grants. fore, flatter yourself that you will be involved in no Laws had been passed by the New York legislature, future difficulties on the same account. Those whom for the protection of the right of Livingston and I have just addressed, will certainly decide with enFulton, and for the promotion of their pecuniary re-lightened liberality and a scrupulous regard to pubmuneration, but bold attempts were made for their lick faith; but their power and authority will pass repeal. A petition to that effect was submitted to a away. Your present antagonist, I also hope, will committee, who handed in a report, which conclud- become convinced by this discussion, of the improed by proposing a bill containing such provisions as priety of his application, and refrain from repeating might in their opinion be passed consistently with it; but interest and avarice will still raise up against the faith, honour, and justice of the state. you many enemies. You rely too implicitly on the strength of your rights, and the sanctity of the obligations on which they are founded. You expect too much from your well-earned reputation, and the acknowledged utility to mankind of your life and labours. You permit your mind to be engrossed with vast and noble plans for the publick good. You are inconsiderately sinking your present income, in the extension of publick accommodation, by steam-boats. You are gratuitously giving your time and talents to the construction of that great national object, your "It is to be observed that this provision is a mere stupendous invention for maritime defence, which in nullity; none of the acts referred to by it, did secure, itself is calculated to effect a revolution in naval or even pretend to secure, any invention; so that the warfare. You are profusely lavishing what the inlaw proposed by the committee was in effect an en- tense and unremitted study of years has acquired for tire repeal of the exclusive grants to Livingston you, in investigations and experiments tending to the and Fulton; and Daniel Dod, with his patented ap-same purpose. Your knowledge and your fortune plication of the engine to cranks, or any other pa- are freely bestowed upon every thing that can contentee equally meritorious, might, if the law had tribute to the advancement of science, or of the elepassed, have freely navigated the waters of this stategant and useful arts. I admire and applaud you for by steam.

"The proposed bill declared that nothing in the acts passed in favour of Livingston and Fulton, should be so construed as to affect the right which any persons might have to use the invention of the steam-boat, or any improvement thereon, which had been, or might thereafter be, patented under the laws of the United States; provided, that in such use, they did not interfere with any invention, or improvement, lawfully secured by the prior acts, or any of them.

"When Livingston and Fulton had spent an immense sum of money in the establishment of their magnificent boats-when they had not realized a cent for their enterprise-but, on the contrary, were largely in debt on that account, this law was recommended to the legislature as one that might be passed consistently with good faith, honour, and justice! "Upon this report being made to the house, it was prevailed upon to be less precipitate than the committee had been. It gave time, which the committee would not do, for Mr. Fulton to be sent for from New York. The senate and assembly in joint session examined witnesses, and heard him, and the petitioner, by counsel. The result was, that the legislature refused to repeal the prior law, or to pass any act on the subject.

"It was upon this occasion that his friend, Mr. Emmet, who appeared as his counsel at the bar of he house, at the conclusion of his speech, made that address to Fulton, which has been so much spoken of, and which was at once such an evidence of warmth of heart, rectitude of principle, and of superiour abilities. We do not pretend to give it in the very words he made use of, nor can it now have the effect, which his oratory and circumstances produced when it was delivered; but so far as it is in our power, we will endeavour to preserve it, as a

your readiness to devote to the service of the publick, the opulence you derive from its grateful remuneration. Let me remind you, however, that you have other and closer ties. I know the pain I am about to give, and I see the tears I make you shedbut by that love I speak-by that love, which, like the light of heaven, is refracted in rays of different strength upon your wife and children; which when collected and combined, forms the sunshine of your soul; by that love I do adjure you, provide in time for those dearest objects of your care. Think not I would instil into your generous mind a mean or sordid notion; but now, that wealth is passing through your hands, let me entreat you, hoard it while you have it. Artful speculators will assuredly arise, with patriotism on their tongues, and selfishness in their hearts, who may mislead some future legislature by false and crafty declamations against the prodigality of their predecessors-who, calumniating or concealing your merits, will talk loudly of your monopoly-who will represent it as a grievous burden on the community, and not a compensation for signal benefits; who will exaggerate your fortune, and propose, in the language of Marat to the French convention, "Let the scythe of equality move over the republick." In a moment of delusion, (unless some department of our government shall constitutionally interpose an adamantine barrier against national per

fidy and injustice,) such men may give your property | which would ever have rendered them of any value to the winds, and your person to your creditors. they would now be worth nothing; and although Mr. Then, indeed, those who know your worth and ser- Fulton has not lived to see the fulfilment of the anvices, will speak of your downfall, as of that porten- ticipations of Mr. Emmet, yet, certain it is, that untous omen, which marked a people's degradation, less some stability be given to the exclusive grants and the successful crime of an intruder :from this state, the only patrimony of his children will be, that load of debt which their parent contracted in those pursuits that ought to command the gratitude, as they do the admiration of mankind.

A falcon, towering in his pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.

Yes, my friend! my heart bleeds while I utter it;
but I have fearful forebodings that you may hereafter
find in publick faith a broken staff for your support,
and receive from publick gratitude, a broken heart
for your reward.'

"Mr. Fulton was about six feet high. His person was slender, but finely proportioned, and well formed. Nature had made him a gentleman, and bestowed upon him ease and gracefulness. He had too much good sense for the least affectation; and a "In January, 1815, Mr. John R. Livingston, who modest confidence in his own worth and talents, owned the steam-boat which plied between New gave him an unembarrassed deportment in all comYork and New Jersey, but which was stopped by panies. His features were strong and of a manly the operation of the Jersey laws, petitioned the leg- beauty: he had large dark eyes, and a projecting islature of that state for their repeal. After hearing brow, expressive of intelligence and thought: his witnesses and counsel for several days, the laws temper was mild and his disposition lively: he was were rescinded. On this occasion Mr. Fulton was fond of society, which he always enlivened by examined as a witness. The weather while he was cheerful, cordial manners, and instructed or pleased at Trenton, where he was much exposed in attend- by his sensible conversation. He expressed himself ing the hall of the legislature, was uncommonly cold. with energy, fluency, and correctness, and as he When he was crossing the Hudson to return to his owed more to his own experience and reflections house and family, the river was very full of ice, than to books, his sentiments were often interesting which occasioned his being several hours on the from their originality. water in a very severe day.

Mr. Fulton had not a "In all his domestick and social relations he was constitution to encounter such an exposure, and upon zealous, kind, generous, liberal, and affectionate. his return he found himself much indisposed from He knew of no use for money but as it was subserthe effects of it. He had at that time great anxiety vient to charity, hospitality, and the sciences. But about the steam-frigate, and after confining himself what was most conspicuous in his character, was for a few days, when he was convalescent, he went his calm constancy, his industry, and that indefatigato give his superintendence to the artificers employ-ble patience and perseverance, which always enabled ed about her: he forgot his debilitated state of health him to overcome difficulties.

in the interest he took in what was doing on "He was decidedly a republican. The deterthe frigate, and was a long time, in a bad day, ex-mination which he often avowed, that he would posed to the weather on her decks. He soon found never accept an office, is an evidence of that disinthe effects of this imprudence. His indisposition terestedness of his politicks; but his zeal for his returned upon him with such violence as to confine opinions or party did not extinguish his kindness for him to his bed. His disorder increased, and on the the merits of his opponents. Society will long retwenty-fourth day of February, 1815, terminated his member and regret him; but he will be most lamentvaluable life." ed by those by whom he was best known."

We have already availed ourselves of the work of Mr. Colden. We shall conclude this outline biography by that gentleman's picture of Mr. Fulton's private circumstances, manners, appearance and character.

"Mr. Fulton, in contributing his proportion to the establishment of the magnificent boats on the Hudson, each of which cost from forty to sixty thousand, and the last one which has been built, upwards of a hundred thousand dollars, expended immense sums of money. The experiments he was always making, required very large disbursements, and the lawsuits in which he was incessantly engaged, from the moment his boats were seen in successful operation, were very expensive. From his patents he never derived the advantage of a single cent; but, on the contrary, in consequence of the misconduct or mistake of some of the agents he employed to construct boats to run under his patent right, and which he had contracted to furnish to some steam-boat companies, he was involved in losses to a very great amount. Owing to these circumstances, though he lived without ostentation or extravagance, he left his estate most excessively involved. His patent rights are so far expired, that if the law had afforded a protection

STANZAS.

"Men toil,

And bards burn what they call their midnight taper,
To gain, when the original is dust,
A name."-Byron.

What is it? Fancy's glittering crown,
That lures the young aspirant on,

The laurel chaplet of renown,
That's gained at last when life is gone.

Yes, youth and hope are ever twain,
That spring and bud and die united;
For when the flower of one we gain,
Instead of bloom, we find it blighted.

Life's early dream! 'twas dazzling bright,
Fit for a poet's glowing story;
Fame open'd to my raptured sight

Her portals, honour-fortune-glory!

I toiled for all-still beams the light
That lures me onward, though each flower
Of hope, has felt cold sorrow's blight,
And wither'd lies in study's bower.

Yet so it is to reach the goal

Of bright renown and deathless fame
Still throbs man's ardent, eager soul,
To gain when he is dust-a name

THE FAMILY MAGAZINE.

THE FIVE SENSES.

The organs by which the senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touch, are produced, are the avenues through which alone the soul communicates with the external world. By these the child gradually learns the disregarded fact of its own ex1stence; and when the little one becomes a man, aided by the powers of comparison, combination, and the boundless moral perception, he looks abroad heavens, listens to the mingling melody of woods and fields, inhales the fragrant odours of a wayside flower, tastes the luscious berry or the cooling stream, feels the warm touch of southern winds, and believes what all these things declare,-that " GOD IS ;" and further, that God, as the Author of self-knowing beings, is in himself necessarily self-existent.

upon

Without the external senses, the mind could acquire no knowledge, and in the absence of all perception, would live a kind of living death-an unapprehending darkness-a night that "finds no dawn." But God, when he said unto light-BE"formed the eye;" and when he "made the firmament" as the vehicle of sound, his work was not planted the ear;" and thus complete till he had " with light we kindly have its enjoyment-vision, and with sound we have hearing; and the same also of our other faculties, each one supremely good in itself, and supremely good in its relations; the mind is everywhere addressed by "dim miniatures of greatness ABSOLUTE."

THE SENSE OF SIGHT.

I. THE COATS OF THE EYE.

The eye, considered apart from the humours, may
be regarded as a globular bag, composed of three
coats, with the cornea, and several membranes, which
arise from them. These coats are called, first, the
whole organ; second, the CHOROID COAT, carrying
SCLEROTICK COAT, giving form and strength to the
the principal vessels of the eye; and, third, the RE-
vision, may be considered as the eye itself.
TINA, or expanded nerve, which, being the seat of

Front and Side Views of the Ball of the Eye.

1. THE SCLEROTICK COAT.

The sclerotick coat derives its name from its hardIt is a strong tough, membrane, close in its density of tanned leather." ness. structure, and of the " It is the "outside coat" of the eye, and closely inThe globular figure of the eye vests it on all sides except the front, which is covered by the cornea. is preserved, and the delicate structures of the interiour defended, by its strength and inelasticity; and being of a texture which is seldom diseased, it serves as a barrier against external inflammation,

2. THE CORNEA.

is SO named The cornea, or horny coat of the eye, from its being formed of several firm transparent and functions might be called the window of the plates. It covers the front, and from its structure It is colourless, and composed of the most eye. sparkling transparency; between these a pellucid fluid is exuded, which, in proportion as it abounds or diminishes in quantity, gives to the eye the captiva

The eye being that organ by which, through the medium of light, we become sensible of the forms and colours of objects, may be conveniently divided into two parts, the coats of the eye, including the seat of sight, or that which receives the visual impression, called the retina, or expanded nerve; and the humours of the eye, the apparatus by which the rays of light are made capable of forming an impression on the retina, or proper organ of the sense. We shall explain these in the order best calculating brilliancy of life, or the clammy inexpressiveted for the easy and clear comprehension of our readers, and then proceed to describe the laws of vision, the motions of the eye, and the various contrivances by which it is defended against injury.

ness of death. The cornea is so hard that in operaagainst it, but it nevertheless possesses great sensiting, the point of the needle will sometimes turn bility. Its hardness defends the eye from injury, its sensibility warns the mind of the presence of danger and its colourless transparency permits an undiluted passage of the rays of light to the retina

B.

THE CHOROID COAT.

Muscle.

The choroid is the middle coat of the eye, and lies between the sclerotick coat and the retina. It is composed of two layers of membrane, the outer one thickly covered with bloodvessels, and the surface of the inner one adapted for the secretion of a peculiar mucous matter, called the pigmentum nigrum, or black paint of the eye. This black paint is spread over the whole interiour surface of the eye, and is in immediate contact with the ramifications of the retina. "Its use," as Sir Charles Bell has elegantly explained, " is apparently to stifle the rays of light, after they have struck on the sensible surface of the retina; for we know that blackness is owing to the The Iris is a circular membrane, suspended before absorption of light, as whiteness and colour are to the crystalline lens, for regulating the quantity of the reflection of it from the surface of bodies. The light which it admits by an aperture in its centre dark colour of the secreted pigment of the choroid called the pupil. It is that coloured disk which we coat, is in some measure peculiar to those animals see through the cornea, and which the uninformed The colour of this memwhich see in the brightest light of day; but is want-regard as the eye itself.

66

A. The Iris, magnified, seen from the front, showing the Radiated
B. The same from behind, showing the Orbicular Muscle.
5. THE IRIS.

the light, as it falls upon the velvet-like surface of the membrane, and also upon the degree in which the black paint, which covers its back, is seen through it. In this way the greater or less transparency of the iris causes the numerous varieties of black and hazel-coloured eyes.

ing, or of a bright reflecting green, or silvery white-brane gives what is called the "colour of the eye;" ness, in such as prowl by night. The natural con- and, from its variety and beauty, it has been named clusion is, therefore, that the pigmentum nigrum the iris. The colour depends on the refraction of subdues the intensity of the impression, while the reflecting colours of the surface in animals which see in the night, strengthen the effect of the light on the surface of the retina, by repelling it. As fishes have the other provisions for seeing in an obscure light, they have also this of the reflecting surface of the tapetum; as it is a secretion of the villous (velvety) surface of the choroid, we see why it becomes somewhat deficient in old men, and sometimes wanting in the degenerate varieties of animals; when entirely deficient, the blood circulating in the vessels of the choroid coat, gives a livid redness to the reflections from the bottom of the eye."*

Section of the Eye, magnified, showing the Ciliary Processes, the Pigmentum Nigrum, the Retina, and the Choroid Coat.

4. THE CILIARY PROCESSES.

The enlarging and diminishing of the pupil; according to the weakness of intensity of the rays of light, is one of the most admirable contrivances in the body, and is effected by the contraction or relaxation of the muscles of the iris.

The iris is composed of two sets of muscular fibres, numerous bloodvessels, and a profusion of nerves. The first set of muscular fibres converge from the circumference of the iris to the circular margin of the pupil: these constitute the "radiated muscle." The second is a ring of fibres, which go round, and indeed form the pupil; it is called the "orbicular muscle." When light enters the eye in greater quantities than is necessary for distinct vision, the excited retina gives warning of the danger, and the nerves immediately stimulate the orbicular muscle to contract, and the radiated one to relax, by which means the size of the pupil is instantly lessened, and a smaller quantity of light admitted. But when in twilight, or shady and dark situations, the retina requires more light for the transmission of a welldefined image to the brain, a relaxation of the orbicular, and a contraction of the radiated muscle takes place, and the pupil is thereby enlarged, if necessary, to its full extent.

6. THE RETINA.

The retina which is the immediate seat of vision, Adjoining and within the circle where the sclero- is an expansion of the optick nerve, and forms the tick coat joins the cornea, the choroid coat is folded innermost of the three coats of the eye. It consists backwards and inwards, in the form of a circular of a thin membrane, upon which is spread a vast plaited fringe, the little flat threads of which are number of veins, arteries, and absorbent vessels, and called the ciliary processes. Like the choroid they upon these the filaments of the optick nerve are exare covered with the pigmentum nigrum, or black panded in a network of exquisite delicacy. It does paint. They closely embrace the margin of the not adhere, but lies in close contact with the choroid crystalline lens, and form round it an opaque black-coat, and is of the same extent. The vascular and ened partition which absorbs all the side rays of light which might otherwise have disturbed the clearness of vision.

nervous layers of the retina terminate when they reach the edge of the crystalline lens, but the membrane passes onwards over the surface of the lens, and forms part of its capsule.

THE FAMILY MAGAZINE.

II. THE HUMOURS OF THE EYE.

The humours of the eye may be compared to the glasses of a telescope, and the coats to the tube which keeps them in their places. They are three

in number.

1. THE AQUEOUS OR WATERY

HUMOUR.

The aqueous humour is a clear colourless fluid It occupies the resembling pure spring water. between the cornea and the crystalline lens. spaces Its chief use appears to be, by distending to preserve the proper curvature of the cornea, and to allow the undisturbed motions of the iris which floats in it.

Section of the Eye, magnified, showing the Crystalline Lens, in its proper situation between the Aqueous and Vitreous Humours.

2. THE CRYSTALLINE HUMOUR, OR LENS. The crystalline, is the second humour of the eye, In shape and lies immediately behind the aqueous. it resembles a very powerful magnifying glass, flattish in front, but very convex behind. It is in the highest degree transparent, and of considerable density; the centre harder than the circumference. It is held in its situation by a capsule, assisted also by the ciliary processes, and the membrane of the retina. This structure powerfully adapts it for the discharge of its peculiar and important office, that of accurately conveying the rays of light to the nervous surface of the retina.

chief use of this humour is apparently to keep the
crystalline at the proper distance for causing the
rays of light to strike the retina, and also to keep
the retina spread sinoothly before the light.

(The Laws of Vision, showing the mode in which sight is produced in
our next.)

NAMES OF THE MONTHS EXPLAINED.. JANUARY, the first month of the year was so called by the Romans, from Janus, one of their deities, to whom they gave two faces; because on the one side the first day of this month looked towards the new

year,

The Vitreous Humour and Crystalline Lens, magnified, with
the stains of the Pigmentum Nigrum, left by the Ciliary

Processes.

eye.

3. THE VITREOUS OR GLASSY HUMOUR.

The vitreous humour fills the great cavity of the It is of a thick gummy consistence, and is traversed in every direction by numerous pellucid membranes, which support and strengthen it. The VOL. I.--4

and on the other towards the old.

The rigour of the season in this month, requires the figure to appear as if almost clothed in white; because in this month the earth is frequently covered with snow.

This figure representing January, is blowing his nails, and under his left arm is a billet, for the purpose of denoting the season of the year.

The sign of Aquarius the Water-bearer, is added, to show that rain and snow, during this month, fall in abundance. The sun enters the sign Aquarius on the 21st of this month.

This month was added to the year of Romulus by Numa Pampilius.

FEBRUARY, the second month of the year, was so named by Numa Pampilius, either from the fevers that were so common in Italy about this time, or from the god Frebruus, who presided over the feast held by the Romans to celebrate the obscquies of the dead.

This month is characterized as a young man dressed in cloudy-coloured drapery, from the freOn his left is quency of the rain and gloomy sky. added the sign Pisces, the Fishes, because the sun in passing this celestial sign, denotes the month; and as the fish is an aquatick animal, it alludes to the humidity of the season, from the rain falling about this period in abundance. The sun enters Pisces on the 19th of this month.

MARCH, third month of the year according to our reckoning, but with the Romans the first; which Romulus called Mars, from the name of his supposed father.

This month is characterized by a young man of a sprightly aspect, and in armour, because it was dediThe sign Aries, the cated by Romulus to Mars. Ram, denotes the beginning of the Roman year. The spade alludes to the season, as being necessary to prepare the ground for sowing. The sun enters the sign Aries on the 20th of this month, and makes the vernal equinox.

is year, so named APRIL, the fourth month of the from the Latin word "Aperio," "I open;" because in this month, the earth begins to open and send forth her riches.

This month is represented by the ancients as a young man in green, with a garland of myrtle and hawthorn in buds, in allusion to the fields sending forth their verdure. In one hand he has some primroses and violets, in the other the sign Taurus, the Bull. The sun enters the sign Taurus on the 20th of this month.

MAY, the fifth month of the year, was called by Romulus Maius, out of respect to the senators and nobles of his city, who were called Majores.

Romulus divided his people into two parts. the