THE INCOMBUSTIBLE MAN.

There is so much of philosophy mixed up with common show, in the exhibition of Ivan Iranitz Chabert, that we presume on some account of the phenomena he exibits being acceptable. This person, and a Signora Girardelli, have recently revived the public attention to certain curious powers, either naturally possessed or artificially communicated to the human frame. We have not seen the performances of the lady, but from the report of friends, and a very clever and accurate account of them in Constable's Edinburgh Magazine, and from our own remarks upon those of the male "Fireproof," we shall endeavour to bring the matter sufficiently under the eye of our readers.

The power of resisting the action of heat has been claimed, and to a certain wonderfal degree enjoyed, by persons in all ages. Much of imposture has been founded upon it, and much of injustice perpretrated under its operation. By the ancients, and by the comparatively moderns, by Hindus and by Christians, it has been made the test of truth or the trial of faith. Sophocles mentions it in the Antigone, and Virgil and Varro tell us, that the priests of Apollo on Mount Soracte would walk over burning coals with naked feet. The priests of the temple of Feronia were, according to Strabo, equally incombustible. The Saludadores or Santiguadores, of Spain, pretended to prove their descent from St. Catharine by this ordeal, and one of them carried the jest of imposition so far, that he went into an oven and was literally baked to a cinder. The earliest instance of fire ordeal in Christendom occurred in the fourth century, when Simplicius, Bishop of Autun, and his wife (married before his promotion, and living with him after it,) demonstrated the Platonic purity of their intercourse, by putting burning coals upon their flesh without injury. This miracle was repeated by St. Brice about a century after; and it is generally known to what a monstrous pitch the trial by fire was carried through many succeeding ages, when craft was canonized and innocence martyred upon frauds like these. Pope Etienne 5th condemned all trials of this kind as false and superstitious, and Frederick the 2d prohibited them as absurd and ridiculous.

From being the object of religious belief, and of judicial importance, the fetes of human salamanders descended into itinerant wonders. About 1677, an Englishman, named Richardson, exhibited in Paris; and M. Dodart, an Academician, published in the Journal des Savans, an explanation of his performances on rational principles. They seem to have been of the same nature with those of Madame Girardelli and M. Chabert; chewing and swallowing burning coals, licking a hot iron with his tongue, &c. In 1754, the famous Mr. Powell, the fire cater, distinguished himself in England,

an account of whose exploits is contained in the Gentleman's Magazine for February 1755; and so late as 1803, the incombustible Spaniard, Senor Lionetto, performed in Paris, where he attracted the particular attention of Dr. Sementini, Professor of Chemistry, and other scientific gentlemen of that city. It appears that a considerable vapour and smell rose from the parts of his body to which the fire and heated substances were applied, and in this he differs from both the persons now in this country.

In M. Chabert's bill the following are announced as the "extraordinary proofs of his supernatural power of resisting the most intense heat of every kind; and he pledges himself that no slight of hand, as is usual in these things, will be practised:

1. He will forge with his feet a bar of red hot iron.

2. He will undergo the torture by fire, as used in the Spanish Inquisition.

3. He will drink, positively, boiling oil. 4. He will drop on his tongue a large quantity of burning sealing wax, from which any of the company may take impressions of their seals.

5. He will eat burning charcoal.

6. He will inspirate the flame of a torch. 7. Will bathe his feet in boiling lead, and pour it into his mouth with his hand.

8. Will pour the strongest aqua-fortis on steel filings, and trample on it with his bare

feet.

9. Will rub a red-hot shovel on his arms and legs, and hold it on his head until the hair shall be too warm for any by-stander to hold his hand on it.

10. He will pour vitriol, oil, and arsenic into the fire, and hold his head in the flames and inhale the vapours.

11. He will eat of a lighted torch with a fork, as if it were salad.

12. Will pour aqua-fortis on a piece of copper in the hollow of his hand.

Of these undertakings, what he actually did was as follows:

1. He took a red hot iron, like a spade, and repeatedly struck it or stamped briskly. upon it, with the sole of his bare foot. The foot was quite cool after the experiment.

2. He held his naked foot long over the flame of a candle, which did not seem to affect it in the slightest degree, though in contact with the skin.

3. Gil appeared to boil in a small brazier, and he took nearly two table spoonfuls inte his mouth and swallowed it. In the former experiments there could not, by possibility, be any trick; and, in the latter, if there was any deception, it must have been by having some preparation at the bottom of the bra zier, which a slight beat caused to bubble up through the oil, and give it the semblance without the reality of boiling. The spoon was, however hot; but we think not so much so as if the oil it had lifted had been really at a boiling temperature.

Cabinel of Varieties.

4. The writer of this notice took two impressions of his seal in black sealing wax dropped on Chabert's tongue. It was very thin, but undoubtedly dropt melting from a lighted candle.

5. He put several small pieces of burning charcoal into his mouth.

6. Not done.

7. A quantity of melted lead was poured into a utensil like a washing copper, into which Chabert leapt barefooted. It did appear to us, however, that he stood upon his heels in a part of the vessel, over which the metal did not flow. With regard to pouring the boiling lead into his mouth, he seemed to lift a small quantity of what either was or resembled boiling lead, from the crucible to his mouth, and thence spit it into a plate in a sort of granular state. We could not minutely examine this experiment, but it is possible that mercury might be introduced to give a fluid the resemblance of boiling lead. Nor is it likely that lead could be lifted in this way with the fingers.

8. Done according to the programme, but it cannot be ascertained that the aqua-fortis was "the strongest," and if not, there is little marvellous in the exploit.

9. Nearly correct. He waited some time with a shovel in his hand while explaining what he was about to do; he then scraped up his arm with the edge of it, and subsequently licked it with his tongue, and smoothed his hair with its flat side. The hair felt hot in consequence, but there was no smell, no vapour, nor any appearance of singeing. The tongue looked white and furry-the moisture on it hissed.

10. Not done.

11 and 12 performed as stated. The blazing salad was visible in his open mouth, near the throat, for several seconds, and had an extraordinary effect in lighting this human vault in so unusual a manner.

It is thus evident, that whatever there may be of deception in these performances, there is still enough of the curious to merit attention. M. Chabert asserts, that he is the only naturally incombustible being exhibiting; the others using preparations which he disclaims. He is a dark, stout, not unpleasant looking man, and, as he says, a Russian by birth. His story is, that he fell into the fire when a year old without suffering any injury; and a similar accident when he wss twelve, from which he also escaped unburnt, demonstrated that he possessed the quality of resisting fire.

Of course we cannot determine what may be depended jupon in this statement. How much of the power clearly possessed to resist greater degrees of heat than other men may be a natural gift, how much the result of chemical applications, and how much from having the parts indurated by long practice-probably all three are combined in this phenomena. Of the recipes for rendering the skin and flesh fire-proof, Albertus Magnus, in his work De Mirabilus

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Mundi, writes, "Take juice of marshmal low, and white of egg, and flea-bane seeds, and lime; powder them, and mix juice of radish with the white of egg; mis all anoint your body or hand, and allow it to thoroughly, and with this composition dry, and afterwards anoint again, and iron without hurt." Such a paste would after this you may boldly take up hot be very visible. rubbed on the parts, is said to have been the secret practised by Richardson. "Spirit of "Pare spirit of sulphur," sulphur, sal ammoniac, essence of and onion juice," is another of the recipes. The book of Hocus Pocus prescribes ‍1-2 f rosemary, add 1 oz. quicksilver, 1 oz. liquid storas, oz. camphire dissolved in 2 oz. aqua-vitæ ; which is the droppings of myrrh, and hinders the camphire from firing,-take also 2 oz. hematatis, which is a red stone, to be above composition, anoint well your feet had at the druggists, which being put to the with it, and you may walk over a red hot iron bar, without the least inconvenience."

muriatic acid, or a saturated solution of No doubt but diluted sulphuric, nitric, or burnt alum, being repeatedly rubbed on action of caloric. Hard soap, or a soap the skin, will render it less sensible to the paste rubbed over the tongue, will preserve it from being burnt by a hot iron rapidly passed over it.

cipal agent in the attainment of the very After all, however, habit must be a prinmaking every allowance for dexterity and considerable insensibility to heat, which, deception, this person evidently possesses. His contact with the hottest instruments that blacksmiths, plumbers, glass makers, was but momentary; and it is well known confectioners, and other tradesmen, whose occupations lead them to the endurance of great fires, are capable of sustaining heat far ture too, skilfully employed, will do much beyond the powers of other men. Moisin preserving the flesh from danger. A wet finger may be safely dipt into a pan of boiling sugar, and even without being wet, if instantly withdrawn and plunged in water; danger, obtained. a thin crust of sugar may be thus without

of the notice we have taken of it. As for We have thought this subject deserving the offer to go into an oven with a leg of quack bravadoes thrown out to attract the mutton, &c. we look upon it as one of those multitude; and of a similar cast is M. vitation, "in cases of sudden fire, if called Chaubert's very humane and whimsical inlow-creature," &c. We should be sorry to on, he will be most happy to help any felble gentleman was sent for, express, to remain in the fire till even an incombustirather go to visit him, as we advise those to come to our relief; and, indeed, would do who agree with us in considering these extraordinary performances as very different from mere slight of hand and show.

[London Literary Gazelle.

DESCRIPTION OF EDINBURGH.

Edinburgh, the capital of the county, and of all Scotland, stands upon three ridges of low-lying hills, and on their intermediate vales. It was formerly much confined in its limits, consisting chiefly of what is now termed the Old Town; but its extent has been considerably increased by the buildings on the north, termed the New-Town, and some handsome streets and squares, which have been built on the south. What is called the Old Town covers the middle ridge, with the shelving declivities on each side; and on the south side, with the bottom below, and the rising ascent of the next ridge, about a mile in length. Its principal street extends in a tolerably even line, between east and west, terminated on the west by an abrupt rocky eminence or precipice, on which the castle is built, and descending with a gradual declivity to the east, in the hollow at the foot of the ridge, where the palace of Holyrood House is situated, on a plain called St. Ann's Yards, or the King's Park: from this plain, on both sides of the hill, two vallies extend the whole length of the high street; the southern one occupied by the Cowgate, a narrow mean lane; the other terminating in a marsh, which was lately drained, called the North Loch. The high street, which runs along the side of the hill on the ridge from the castle to the palace, on account of its length, width, and the height of the houses, is remarkably striking. Nearly in the middle of the high street stands the Tolbooth, an ugly and ruinous pile. On the south side of this disfi⚫gured building is situated the fine Gothic Near to this is the church of St. Giles. Parliament House, now occupied by the Court of Sessions, well worth the stranger's attention. In the middle of the close or square, which is before the Parliament House, there is a handsome equestrian statue of Charles the II. in bronze, in which the proportions are admirably observed. On the opposite side of the high street, a little to the east, is the Royal Exchange, founded in the year 1753. It is a handsome building, in the form of a square. At the corner of the high street, formed by the South Bridge, is the Tron Church, founded in 1637, but of late much modernized and improved. Proceeding farther east, the street takes the name of Canongate; on the north side of this street is a handsome church, and the whole is terminated by Holyrood House. This is a large good building, in the form of a square, the greater part being built by James the V. and completed by Charles the II. Adjoining the palace is the small ruinous chapel of the Holycross, or Holyrood, which was set apart for a chapel royal, and for the knights of the order of the This tle; it was founded by David the I. in 1128, and completely destroyed by the Presbyterians, when their reforming zeal laid waste every thing which had the appearance of idolatrous worship. The houses in the Old

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Town are piled to an enormous height, some of them amounting to eight, ten, and even twelve stories; each of these were called lands, and the access to these separate lodgings was by a common stair, exposed to every inconvenience arising from filth, steepness, darkness, and danger from fire. Such, in some measure, is the situation of the Old Town at this day.

The New-Town is situated on an elevated plain, beyond the basin which once contained the North Loch, on the most northern of the three hills, north from the old city, and united to it by the North Bridge, and an eastern mound composed of the earth and rubbish dug from the foundations of the buildings in the New-Town. It was begun to be built in 1767, and the general plan, the streets, the buildings, and the police, can scarcely be too highly praised. The new buildings are of stone, regular, beautiful, and elegant. They consist of three large parallel streets, and two inferior ones, though containing many handsome houses, running east and west nearly a mile in length, intersected with cross streets, at regular and convenient distances. North is Queen's-street, about one hundred feet broad. South is Prince's-street, similar to Queen's street. The middle is George-street, terminated on the east by St. Andrew's square, and on the west by Charlotte's square. York-place is a noble street, connecting Queen's-street with Leith-walk. Duke-street and Albany-row are in the vicinity of York-place.

There are

On the south side of the Old Town, the streets are not near so elegant and regular, but many of the buildings are extensive and The largest square in Edinhandsome. burgh, George's-square, is situated in the south side of the Old Town. besides several other squares in this, as Nicolson's, St. Patrick's, Brown's, Argyle's, Alison's. Besides St. Giles and the Tron Church, already mentioned, there is at the west end of Prince's-strect, a handsome church, called the West Kirk. In Georgestreet, is St. Andrew's Church, a very hand some building, with an elegant spire.

The other principal buildings are, the Register Office, at the north end of the North Bridge, a handsome edifice. Nearly opposite is the theatre, neat but small, by no means so elegant as might be expected in such a On Leith Walk are concert metropolis. rooms, fitted up in an elegant style. The University is at the south end of the South Bridge. Nearly opposite is the Royal Infirmary. Analogous to this house is the Dispensary, a neat plain building in Richmordstreet.

The Lying-in Hospital is in Parkplace. Halls for medical purposes in Surgeon's-square, and in Richirond-street. Opposite St. Andrew's Church, in Georgestreet, is the Physicians' Hall with a portico of eight handsome Corinthian pillars in front. The High School in Edinburgh has long been deservedly noticed for the scho lars it has produced. Besides the High

Cabinet of Varielies

School, there are four established schools in
Edinburgh, under the patronage of the town
council, and numerous private schools,
where every branch of education is taught
at a moderate rate. The other public build-
ings erected for charitable purposes are,
Herriot's Hospital, an elegant Gothic pile,
founded in 1628, finished in 1650, for the
poor and fatherless boys of freemen. Wat-
son's Hospital, a neat modern building,
founded in 1738, for children of decayed
members of the Merchant Company of
Edinburgh. The Orphan Hospital, Trades
Hospital, Trinity Hospital, Gillespie's Hos-
pital, three charity work-houses, an Asylum
for the Blind, and several other charitable
institutions. In philosophy and general lite-
rature, Edinburgh possesses many societies
and institutions: The Royal Society of
Edinburgh, the Antiquarian Society, the
Speculative Society, the Society for the
Propagation of Christian Knowledge, ano-
ther for the Sons and Widows of the Clergy,
and several Societies for the Encourage-
ment of Arts, Manufactures, and Com-
merce. In fact, Edinburgh is the seat of
science, politeness and elegance. The po-
pulation of Edinburgh is above one hun-
dred thousand.

[European Magazine.

ANIMAL REMAINS.-MAMMOTH-CROCODILE.

There have been recently discovered in the parish of Motteston, on the south side of the Isle of Wight, the bones of that stupendous animal supposed to be the Maminoth, or Mastodon. Several of the vertebræ, or joints of the back-bone, measure thirty-six inches in circumference: they correspond exactly in form, colour, and texture, with the bones found in plenty on the banks of the Ohio in North-America, in a vale called by the Indians Big-bone Swamp. Also, in the parish of Northwood, on the north side of the island, the bones of the Crocodile have recently been found by the Rev. Mr. Hughes of Newport. They seem to have belonged to an animal of that -species, whose body did not exceed twelve feet in length. Their calcareous nature is not altered; but the bones of the Mastodon (found on the south side of the island) contain iron.

NATURAL HISTORY: PROPAGATION OF FISH.

The propagation of fish is perhaps one of the most obscure matters in this branch of science. It was formerly a common custom in some of the Scottish rivers, to "fish the waters," as it was called, by torch light during the spawning season, during the latter end of November and beginning of December. On these occasions a boat furnished with a strong light was navigated in quest of salmon, technically denominated Bills (quasi Males, we suppose) which when discovered were immediately speared. A

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witness of one of these expeditions relates the following fact:

about 18 inches long, were squeezed into a "Two fish of a moderate size, perhaps hollow space, resembling the rut of a cartwheel, about 8 or 9 inches wide, and rather more than two feet long, which they had evidently dug in the center of the stream. It was in a shallow, about 20 yards above not even disturbed by the glare of the torcha pool of considerable depth. They were light; and were, for the sake of further investigation, left in the same state in which they were discovered. Next day there was trary, the spot, which had been accurately no appearance of the hollow; on the conmarked, was, if any thing, rather higher than the rest of the gravel. In about three weeks of a month after the spawn had been thus deposited, the spot, and for a considerable distance around it, was covered spawn of frogs, which seemed to bind the sand and gravel together, so as to prevent with a gtairy substance, resembling the their being acted upon or moved by the

current.

this substance seemed to be disappearing, and one day, about the middle of the month About the beginning of February the gravel appeared to be actually heaving up and down. A considerable fall of rain raised the river, and prevented the tumulus being turned over with a spade at this criformer level, no vestige of the fish burrow tical period; and when the water fell to its remained. The pool below was, however, investigated, and found to be swarming with myriads of fish, many of them so small as to be scarcely visible to the naked eye. In derably; in a fortnight the pool was much a week they had increased in size consithinned, and the fry could be traced nearly March some were an inch and a half long, a mile down the river; by the middle of and in May seven dozen were caught with the rod and fly, generally from four to five inches in length. They were moving in shoals, and making their way to the sea. The writer adds, that in the spawning the breeding fish are followed into the small rivers by a species called spawn-suckers, who dig up and feed on the deposit: the young have also many enemies, but still the increase is prodigious.

AN OLD MAN'S ADVICE TO A YOUNG MEM-
BER OF PARLIAMENT.

Temple of Liberty; do not dishonour that
Enter the House of Commons as the
Temple; preserve your freedom as the
pledge of your integrity.
hear, debate, and then determine. Do not
without inquiry approve of, nor without
Read, inquire,
good cause oppose, the measures of the
Court. The true patriot will lend his assis-
tance to enable the King to administer jus-
tice, to protect the subject, and to aggran-
dize the nation..
you meet not to revile, but to reason.
Avoid bitter speeches;

The

ART. 11. REPORT OF DISEASES.