TABLE-MOVING,— BY MUSCULAR FORCE. THERE HAS APPEARED in the Times newspaper, a Letter from DR. FARADAY respecting this absurd mania, which-imported, it would seem, like Mormonism, spirit-rappings, and other monstrous delusions, originally from the United States-has spread over the so-called enlightened and educated countries of continental Europe, and also infected this kingdom, with a rapidity and universality unequalled by any mere physical epidemic. In that Letter, the Professor intimated his intention of placing (which he has done) the details of some experiments he has instituted, and the conclusions inevitably resulting from these experiments, before the public in the pages of the Athenæum. Let us endeavor to condense this, so far as it can be effected without rendering the explanation obscure. It is only right to quote Faraday's own words, giving his reasons for devoting himself to this investigation-doubtless to his own vexation and annoyance at having his attention occupied by such trivialities; but by so doing he has acted the part of a good citizen, and stood in the breach; for his lucid explanation of the causes, on the one hand, and the weight of his authority on the other, will not only arrest the onward march of this latest folly, but it is to be hoped, prevent the further spread of still greater and more mischievous delusions. "I should,' says Dr. Faraday (in the Times), "be sorry that you should suppose I thought this investigation necessary ON MY OWN ACCOUNT; for my conclusion respecting its nature was soon arrived at, and is not changed. But I have been so often misquoted, and applications to me for an opinion are so numerous, that I hoped, if I enabled myself to give a strong one, you would consent to convey it to all persons interested in the matter.' Let us now turn to the Athenæum. The nature of the proof required, and the methods of inquiry followed, were of the same nature as are ordinarily demanded in any physical investigation. In the first place the tablemovers, whose services were employed, were not merely persons successful in producing this movement; but are vouched for by the Professor, as persons of honor and candor, yet at the same time influenced by a wish to establish the existence of a peculiar motive power. Faraday has satisfied himself that a table moves, when the parties, although strongly wishing it, neither intend to nor believe that they do move it by the exertion of ordinary mechanical (muscular) force. All these persons agreed in the belief that the table moves the hands, not the hands the table, which appears to be the popular creed; so it was Dr. Faraday's object to prove to them and to the rest of the world that the truth lies in the exact converse of this proposition. The first thing done, was to convince the movers that none of the materials employed in constructing the apparatus would in any way interfere with the results; to do this a bundle of plates was made up consisting of the most incongruous materials, whether electrically or ordinarily speaking,-such as glass, sandpaper, glue, moist-clay, tinfoil, wood, guttapercha, &c., and this bundle, when affixed to a table, was placed under the hands of a turner; the table turned. The experiment, varied in many ways, was repeated with many persons (movers) with one uniform result, viz., the motion of the tables; so that no objection can be raised to the use of any or all of these materials as impeding or obstructing the presumed new force. The next step was, to ascertain the development of electrical, magnetic, attractive, tangential, or repulsive forces, but in vain; no indication of these or any peculiar natural force could be detected, nor aught observed referable to other than mere mechanical power exerted by the turner. The next thing was to determine the nature of this pressure, or at any rate so much of it as was exerted in a horizontal direction; and this, in the first instance, was done unawares to the mover. A soft cement of wax and wax turpentine, or and pomatum, was prepared; and four or five pieces of smooth slippery cardboard were fixed, one above the other, by pellets of this cement; the lowest of these cards was covered with sand-paper and rested on the table; the edges of the succeeding ones gradually overlapped each other-the exact position of each being indicated by a pencil-line drawn on the under surface of each overlapping piece of than the rest, so as to hide all beneath it from cardboard. The uppermost sheet was larger sight. This was then placed on a table, and the services of a turner called into play, who placed his hands on the large uppermost card. The use of the apparatus is due to the nature of the cement, which is strong enough to offer considerable resistance to mechanical motion, and also to retain the cards in any new position they might acquire; yet it gives way slowly on the continued application of mechanical force. After some little time had elapsed, hands, cards, and table, all moved to the left together, and a true result was obtained. On examination of the pack of cardboard, the displacement of the pencil-lines showed that the hands had moved further than the table, which, in fact, had lagged behind; the uppermost card had been pushed to the left, dragging first the under cards, and lastly the table, along with it. In other instances, when KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. the table remained immoveable, the upper card was found to have moved,-proving the hands to have carried it in the direction expected. Here, then, is one experimental proof that the table did not draw the hands and the experimenter after it, nor even simultaneously with it. On the contrary, the hands dragged along with them all things beneath them both cardboard and table; the hands travelling further than anything below them, and in truth, being retarded by the cards and table, which tended continually to keep the hands back. To show whether the table or the hands moved first, or both moved, or remained at rest together, an index was constructed by fixing an upright pin in a leaden foot, which stood upon the table, and using this as the fulcrum of a light lever, twelve inches long, made of foolscap paper. The short arm of this lever, about half an inch long, was at tached to a pin inserted in the edge of a piece of cardboard, placed on the table ready for the hands of the table-turner; the long arm serving for the index of motion. The positions of both card and index were marked, the cardboard being in the first instance fixed to the table by the cement before mentioned, whilst the index was hidden from the turner, or he looked away; when, before the table began to move, the deflection of the index in the expected direction showed the hands were already in motion and pressing that way. Under these circumstances the experiment was not pushed to the moving of the table; since the table-turner was made aware that he had inadvertently exerted a lateral force. The cement fixing the card to the table was now removed; this, however, could not have interfered with the anticipated results of the experiments, since the bundle of plates before described, and single pieces of cardboard, had been easily moved on this table; but now that the index was there, betraying to the eye and thence to the mind the pressure inadvertently exercised, the judgment was corrected, and not the least tendency to motion was manifested either by cardboard or table. It made no difference whether the card was attached to the table, or merely laid upon it; with the index in sight, all motion and even tendency to motion had vanished! Dr. Faraday then describes a more complete apparatus, which is thus made :-Two thin boards, nine and a half inches by seven inches, were provided, to the under side of one of which another board, nine inches by five inches, was glued, so as to raise its edges above the table, and which was called the .table-board. This being put on the table, near and parallel to its side, an upright pin was fixed close to the further edge of the board, and equi-distant from its ends, to serve as the fulcrum for the index lever. Four pieces of glass rod, seven inches long and a quarter of an inch in diameter, were placed as rollers on this table-board, and the upper board placed upon them: it is obvious that this arrangement will sustain any amount of pressure desired, with a perfectly free lateral motion of the upper on the lower board. A piece was cut out of the upper board, just opposite to the fulcrum-pin in the lower, and a pin, bent downwards at right angles, was driven in where this notch was made-the the short arm of the index-lever, made of downward arm of the pin piercing the end of cardboard; the longer indicator being a haystalk of some fifteen inches long. the upper on the lower board, two vulcanised To somewhat restrain the facile motion of rubber rings were passed around them at the places where the lower board did not rest on the table; these rings not only tied the boards together, but acted as springs, so that whilst they permitted the feeblest tendency they nevertheless exerted sufficient resistance to motion to be made evident by the index, before the upper board had moved a quarter of an inch on either side, to resist even a strong lateral force exerted by the hand. All being thus arranged, excepting that the lever was removed, the boards were tied together tightly, by strings running parallel to the india-rubber springs, to as to prevent their moving one upon the other. The apparatus was now placed on the table, and a table-turner sat down to it. table moved in due order; proving the nature of the apparatus offered no impediment to Shortly, the the motion. stituted for glass ones, the same result was When metal rollers were subproduced. The index was now put in its place and the strings taken away, so as to allow the springs to come into play; it was soon seen, in the case of a party of tablemovers, which could will the motion in either direction but from whom the index was purposely hidden, that the hands were slowly creeping in the direction previously agreed upon, although the party certainly thought they were pressing downwards only. On being shown the true state of the case, they were greatly surprised; but when, on lifting their hands, they saw the index immediately vinced. return to its original position, they were con hidden from them, and they could see for When the index was no longer themselves whether they were pressing directly downwards, or obliquely, so as to produce motion either to the right or the left, no movement was ever effected. Several persons tried for a long while together, and with the best will in the world; but no motion right or left of the table, the bands, or anything else, ever occurred. The value of these results is the conviction thus brought home to the table-turner, that it is by his own muscular action, apparently of an involuntary kind, that the table, &c., is set in motion; and not that electricity, magnetism, attraction, a new force, supernatural or diabolical agency, is communicated through him—notions, it would seem, entertained by many, "termed by courtesy" educated men, but who, as a class, are ignorant of the first principles even of natural science -regarding its pursuit with an indifference approaching to contempt, and hearing of and witnessing its most striking and obvious applications with the stupid wonder of the savage at the appliances of civilised man. We have seen that when the turners looked at the index it remained motionless; when it was hidden from them, or they looked away, it wavered about, in spite of their belief that they were only pressing directly downwards. Thus, a corrective mental influence is exerted by the apparatus; and when the most earnest and successful turners attempt to operate with this index before them, telling truly whether they are pressing downwards only, or obliquely to right or left, their power is gone; so that, when they become conscious of what they are really doing mechanically, they remain no longer the victims of a self-delusion. It is unnecessary to pursue this subject further, or to describe other modifications of this apparatus instanced by Dr. Faraday. For the curious and the candid, sufficient has been said to enable them to construct the requisite apparatus, and to convince themselves if still desirous of personal proof; for others, it is simply useless to multiply either experimental or deductive proofs. We cannot, however, quit this subject without quoting, word for word, the stern and well-merited reproof addressed to the nation by this eminent man. "Permit me to say, before concluding," writes Dr.Faraday, "that I have been greatly startled by the revela tion which this purely physical subject has made of the condition of the public mind. No doubt there are many persons who have formed a right judgment, or used a cautious reserve, for I know several such, and public communications have shown it to be so; but their number is almost as nothing to the great body who have believed and borne testimony, as I think, in the cause of error. I do not here refer to the distinction of those who agree, with me and those who differ. By the great body, I mean such as reject all consideration of the equality of cause and effect, who refer the results to electricity and magnetism-yet know nothing of the laws of these forces; or to attraction-yet show no phenomena of pure attractive power; or to the rotation of the earth, as if the earth revolved round the leg of a table; or to some unrecognised physical force, without inquiring whether the known forces are not sufficient; or who even refer them to diabolical or supernatural agency, rather than suspend their judgment, or acknowledge to themselves that they are not learned enough in these matters to decide on the nature of the action. I think the system of education that could leave the mental condition of the public body in the state in which this subject has found it, must have been greatly deficient in some very important principle." WE have ever said and proved it, that the world is mad; and Faraday has said and fools. We have then, as a nation, not much proved it, that the world is also made up of to boast of! OH! SING AGAIN THAT TOUCHING SONG. Oh! sing again that touching song, I love its low and broken tone; It may not sound so sweet to you; The valleys where your childhood grew, I heard it at the evening's close, How many worldly thoughts and cares COMPANIONS. L. E. L. A COMPANION that is cheerful, and free from swearing and scurrilous discourse, is worth gold. I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon one another next morning; nor men, that cannot well bear it, to repeat the money they spend when they be warmed with drink. And take this for a rule: you may pick out such times and such companions, that you may make yourselves merrier for a little than a great deal of money; for, "'tis the company and not the charge that makes the feast."—IZAAK WALTON. HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. THE CALENDAR FOR AUGUST. THE INSTRUCTIONS for the present month will necessarily be light. And first let us speak of FRUIT. New plantations of Strawberries may still be made, and all the runners cut off from the old plants. Protect your Plums or other ripe fruit on walls from flies and wasps. Some bottles hung up in the trees, partly filled with beer dregs, sweetened with treacle, will decoy them. Examine vines regularly, and remove all useless growths, particularly any formed above the fruit, which should be exposed to the sun. The smaller berries may still be thinned out. Keep all the branches neatly nailed in. Raspberry canes which have ripened off their fruit, should be cut down; by so doing, those intended to bear next season will be strengthened. FLOWERS. ANNUALS should be removed as soon as their flowers decay; unless seed from them is required, when a portion may remain. But, in the majority of cases, the earliest flowers will have perfected their seeds before the plant becomes unsightly. AURICULAS. Many growers prefer the first week in this month to pot their plants, alleging as a reason that when they are potted in May, they are more liable to throw up weak flower-stems in autumn; but this will only occur in wet seasons, and then partially; however, many successful growers have adopted both seasons. If they were potted as soon as their flowers were over, a top dressing of the same soil will benefit them now, removing any decayed leaves, and taking off-sets from them for increase. BULBS.-Continue to take up any whose leaves are decayed. CARNATIONS may be layered in the beginning of the month; and as soon as the plants have rooted, which will be in five or six weeks, they must be taken off and potted, (two or three in a small pot,) and placed in a shaded situation to get established before winter. They may then be placed in the pit, or be hooped over and protected during severe weather. Drain the pots well, as too great abundance of wet is more to be feared than frost. The commoner kinds may be planted out without potting. CHRYSANTHEMUMS should now be shifted into their flowering-pots, using strong rich soil. It will be found a good plan to save watering, (of which they require a great deal,) to cover the surface-soil in the pots with moss, to prevent it from drying so quick. When they get established in these pots, they may receive waterings of liquid manure twice a week. DAHLIAS.-Gather seeds of any choice kinds. Keep them neatly tied, and examine the early ties that they do not pinch. Loosen them if they do, or the wind will easily break them at that point. Remove decaying flowers, and watch for caterpillars. To entrap ear-wigs, place a small flower-pot inverted upon the stake, with a little hay in the bottom; or put some short lengths of HEARTSEASE.-Cuttings of any choice kinds for the principal spring bloom should now be put in, in They may for security receive a shaded situation. a slight protection during winter. PELARGONIUMS. Any that were cut down after flowering, and have begun to sprout again, may have the soil carefully shaken from their roots, and be repotted in as small pots as possible; using poor soil. This is to allow of their being successively potted in spring, which if left in their flowering-pots could not take place; set them in the pit at once, or in a shaded situation, until they re-root. PINKS. The pipings should be pricked out immediately they are rooted, to strengthen before they are finally planted at the end of next month. PROPAGATE, by cuttings, such plants as Petunias, Verbenas, Calceolarias, scarlet Pelargoniums, and Mesembryanthemums, for next year. Prepare pots filled with light soil and well-drained; then plant thickly round their sides the cuttings, which will readily root if placed in a shaded situation, or in the turf-pit or house-window, where they may remain all the winter. STOCKS.-Biennial kinds (as Giant or Brompton) should now be planted out where it is intended they should flower. Seeds of Calceolarias and Pelargoniums should be sown now in pots. If deferred until spring, Gather any they do not flower the same season. that are ripe. Keep all plants in flower neatly tied up, and remove their flowering stems as soon as they cease to be interesting. Evergreen hedges or shrubs may be cut in, and keep every part of the garden in as perfect order as possible. DURING this month, the hues of autumn will begin to make their appearance; but its approaches in the flower borders may be deferred by regularly removing decayed flowers of such plants as throw up a succession. Chrysanthemums should have their tops taken off now at different heights, so that the flowers may range above each other, and the plants become furnished with numerous flowering branches, instead of one. Some of the strongest of the top-shoots removed, may be immediately planted into small pots as cuttings. They will soon root and make dwarf flowering plants. The bandages round buds or late grafts will by this time require loosening and re-tying, if they are not firmly united. Plants intended for late flowering in the window, as Calceolarias or Fuchsias, should be kept free from flowers now; and, for the same purpose, a few of the best late situation. Examine bulbs that they are not annuals may be potted and placed in a shady damp, or they will soon become mouldy and injured. Destroy weeds and insects whenever detected. Gather herbs in flower for drying, and articles for pickling. Keep the soil about winter crops regularly loosened. PRACTICAL JOKES. JOKING, when not used upon improper matter, in an unfit manner, with excessive measure, at undue season, or to e il purpose-may be allowed. But all practical jokes, as they are called, should be studiously avoided, as they too often leave cause for lasting regret. T BARROW. HERE ARE SO MANY ACTS OF FOLLY COMMITTED at this season, in the form of "practical jokes," that we feel it an act of duty to impress something on the memory connected therewith, that will not soon be forgotten. Many a person has, by one act of inconsiderate rashness, done that which a whole lifetime could not afterwards atone for. Let the subjoined, taken from the Memoirs of Cassanova de Steingalt, operate as a warning to all intending offenders. Towards the end of autumn, Fabrius introduced me to a very amiable and wellinformed family, whose residence was in the country at a place called Zero. Our amusements here were playing billiards, talking to the ladies, and mystifying each other. This last amusement was sometimes carried a little too far; but it was considered a want of heroism to evince any ill-humor, however severe the ordeal might be. You were ex by far too severe a one. Some of the neighboring peasantry were sent for, who drew me out of the mire in a most deplorable state; frills and ruffles, and silk stockings, were commy summer suit, embroidered in gold, lace pletely spoiled. I pretended to make light of all this, laughing at the adventure, but determined in my own mind to take vengeance, if possible, for so unworthy a jest. In order to discover the author, it became necessary to affect the most complete indifference. On being taken back to the house, I was kindly accommodated with linen and clothes. I had brought no supply with me, as I had intended to remain only twenty-four hours. The next morning I went to town, but returned in the evening, and joined the company as if nothing had happened. Fabrius, who viewed the thing in the same light as I do, told me it would be impossible to discover the author of this trick. But by promising a ducat to a peasant girl, if she would tell me who sawed the plank, I succeeded. She pointed me out a young man, whose tongue I untied with another ducat, accompanied by menaces. He confessed to me that he acted under the direction of a Mr. Demetrius, a Greek merchant, a man between forty-five and fifty years of age, of an agreeable and jovial disposition, on whom the only mysti fication I had ever played off was outrivalpected to take the thing in good part, or sub-ling him in the good graces of Madame de mit to be looked upon as a dolt. Sometimes K-'s femme-de-chambre, to whom he had on getting into bed, it gave way beneath you, taken a liking. or your slumbers were disturbed by some sheeted ghost gliding into your apartment; at other times, the ladies were presented with comfits or sweetmeats, the inevitable effects of which may be more easily imagined than told. As for me, I was not only rich in inventions of this nature, but showed myself possessed of the most inexhaustible patience under the tricks played off upon me, until I became a victim of one which inspired me with the most ardent desire for vengeance. We often directed our walks towards a farm which was about half a league distant. The way to this farm was crossed by a wide ditch, over which was thrown a strong plank that served as a bridge. I generally passed first over this narrow bridge, to encourage the ladies and engage them to follow me. One fine day I took the lead of the company as usual, when, on reaching the middle of the plank, it suddenly gave way, and fell with me into the ditch. There was not, it must be confessed, a drop of water in it; but, what was worse, there was a considerable depth of black fetid mud. Although embalmed in this up to the ears, I put on a good countenance and joined in the general laugh that accompanied my fall. But this was not to be of long duration, for all the company agreed that the trick was VOL. IV.-4. In the whole course of my life I never fatigued my brain so much as on this occasion, in endeavoring to invent some trick with which to plague this much-hated Greek. I was desirous that it should be at least as extraordinary and disagreeable as the one he had served me. The more I thought on the subject, the less likely I seemed to be to obtain the object of my wishes; till a passing funeral suggested an idea to me that I lost no time in executing. Towards midnight I paired alone, armed with a cutlass, to the churchyard. I re Here I disinterred a newly-buried body, and with some difficulty, cut off the arm at the shoulder-joint. After replacing the body in the earth, I returned with the dead man's arm, and got unperceived to my room. The next night I quitted the company after supper; and taking with me the dead arm, I stole into the Greek's room, and concealed myself under his bed. A quarter of an hour afterwards, my Greek entered his room, undressed himself, put out the light, and got into bed. When I supposed he was asleep, I gently drew the quilt half off. He awoke and said, laughing, "Get away with you, whoever you may be, for I do not believe in ghosts." He then drew up the quilt, and turned again to sleep. E |