The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-30


order ts obtain exactly the ratio of this pendulum
with the metre. About the same time, ne%
branch of physics sprung from an experiment Of
Cayani. which all natural philosophers fastened
TO repeat 4 diversity. N Humboldt had the coa-
rage to undergo it himself, by submitting to the
most acute pains, i'm order the better to ascer-
tain effects. from which very important know.
ledge was expected, respecting animal economy,
and. perhaps, the principle of lie itself lfthese
brilliant expectations have not yet been realised,
Calvansrn has, at least. given birth to the Vol
taic pile, which soon disclosed TO us real won
ders, which, at this moment, excite the most
| lively interest. M. Blot has given very elegant
theory of this apparatus, but which supposes two
lprincipies one of them, though a very ap-
proximatiou, ard the most supple that can be
imagined. has not, however, been placed, by ex-
pertinent. totally beyond the reach Of doubt.
] GEOGRAPHY. VOYAGES, ANo TRAVELS,
| At the epoch of 1889, all nations seemed to
vie with ch other in improving the descriptions
of their states. and of the seas which surround
Their coasts. The taste, excited by the fortunate
and brilliant VOYAGES of Bouganvi'le snd Cook,
was not diminished by the disastrous, though
not altogether uaelses. expeditions of La Pcy.
| rouse and Entrecasteux. The English have a.
vailed Themselves of the advantages of their 81
tuaton While their African Society directed
its aten ion to countries totally unknown while
their HorncRan met with the most distinguish
ed reception from the Cpreuerdr of Egypt
while Mungo Park braved the greatest dangers
| to open new channels to the commerce of his
country while Flinders encountered dangers
still more terrible on the coasts OF Van Demen's
| Land and New Holland their ships explored
the lndisn Archipelago, their ambassadors recon.
noitred the Thibet. visited the kingdos of Ava,
and penetrated into China, Vancouver described
| the coasts which he was charged 70 inspect with
care and accuracy worthy of serving rs ms.
| del to all those who may have to execute similar
missions The French, SO gloriousiy engaged
| IN different line, had not. however, abandoned
geographical researches; ifthe English made us
better acquainted with the southern point OF a.
irica, the French found in Egypt subjects of more
| interesting descriptions. Marchand per
! formed round the world successful VOYAGE
which to be properly appreciated, awaited the
pen OF distinguished navigator. NJ, Fl.urieu
has rendered it more valuable, by giving to sea
men such instructions, may render their cours-
! es less perilous and more useful, by preparing
them to receive the benefit of the new measures,
| and by proposing more methodical division of
the seas-a division already adopted in Spain hy
learned man, who thought, however, that he
had reason tn complain of the manner in which
| M. Fieurieu had spoken of his co,lntrymen =
| Butifthe Spsniards really merited such reproach
es formerly, by reservirg for themselves their
discoveries it i. but Justice say, that they have
now adopted system quite opposite the n.y.
| typographical depot at Madrid, alter the example
OF that Of France, has literally published charts
and works, which reflect the greatest honour on
*
| NJ Buache has prepared for our navigators all
the instructions necessary for directing their
courses he has collected in the depot of the
navy all the Information that could be useful to
them; he has discussed every essential point
winch vast erudition enabled him to discover
IN me ancient seogrsphers, to whom he thinks
the interior OF Africa, and even New Holland
were pretty well known-Cspt.in Baudin, pro-
vided with these instructions, west tn reconnoi-
tire the coasts of New Holland an expedition
particularly commcndsbie for the service. rem
dcred by If to natural history. Finally TO conclude
tn. account. by travels which Combine eyery
species OF merit, NJ. Humboldt performed at his
own expense, an undertaking which would honor
2 state; with his friend Bomplan alone he pene
tratcd into the dcssrts of America from which
ne brought home 6oQO plants, with their descr;;n
tlons the positions of 400 points and UPWARDS.
determined sstronomically he assembled to the
sunmi. oi the Cmboraco, aud measured its ele.
'auo"' he created the geography OF plants !;
assigned the boundaries betwe vegetation and
eternal snow; observed the phenomena of the
magnet, and or electrical fishes; and furnished
the amateurs OF antiquity with prscious iDiorma
/ ton relative to the Mex;cans. their language.
their history, and their monuments.
4 Sre-We have obeyed (very imperfect,y. no
/ doubt, but - well as our means would allow the
orders OF your Msiesy, by offering to You this
incomplete view, which we have the honor to
present to you, in the name of the class for Ma
thematlcal and Physical Sciences Of the Institute
! Your Majesty has heard the names of al,
those WHO have contributed 70 the progress Of
| mathematics. AL these learned men ' Ill fad
the most Hattering OF all recoB'p noes, IN the as
surance that their efforts are knswn tn the augus,
protector, whose coun'ensnce is sufficient TO en-
courage the sciences, letters and the arts
| There still remains for US to fulfil a very ea,y
and very honorable duty Your m: jesty condo :
sccnds to consult the Institute. respecting tie
| meals of securing Interior progress: the pro
sress OF mathematics is not in the least doubtful /;
| the primary instruction finds abu1dsnt source s
IN The Lyces; the Polytechnic school is nurse
ry OF distinguished subjects for all the different
branohef OF the public service. We have lrca.
| dy seen to proceed from that school more than
one young man OF learning, who, ike NM. Ri.
o., POISSON, Maius, marching in the traces of the
great geometricians, promise them worthy sue
cessors others, such MN Puissant, Fran
| cGur, have seen their works adopted for the in
structon and services of the public. The benc.
violent law which regenerated instruction, pro.
missed an especial school for mathematics this
school existed. Geometry and algebra, sstrono-
my and physics, are taught at the Imperial Col.
! lcge OF France. course of transc endept.J
analysis there would complete the system of in
| structon IN the acc crate sciences An op ration
! OF Importance was commenced in order To pro
cure to France perpendicular worthy of its me
ridlln-but we express no wish we wait with
respectful confidence, whatever your majesty NAV
! be pleased TO order III favour Of a science the
! boundaries of which you would Yourself have
extended, had not higher destinies called upon
youto afford equal protection to all and TO make
them contribute to the splendor and prodigies of