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An Account of the History and Present This work giving an accurate account GALVANISM is defined to be a series of electrical phenomena, in which the electricity, is developed without the aid of friction, and where we perceive a chemical action to take place between some of the bodies employed. The original discovery of Galvanisin, in 1791, was accidental. The wife of Galvani, Professor of Anatomy at Bologna, being in a declining state of health, employed as a restorative a soup made of frogs. A number of these animals, skinned and ready for cooking, lay on a table in the Professor's laboratory near an electrical machine. While the machine was in action, an attendant happened to touch, with the point of a scalpel, the crural nerve of one of the frogs; not far from the prime conductor, when it was observed that the muscles of the limb were instantly thrown into strong convulsions. The lady was intelligent enough to be struck with this singular effect, which she communicated to her husband; and he, repeating the experiment in various ways, perceived that the convulsions only took PRICE 1s. tricity, but that it depended upon the posi- | effect produced by one pair of plates could Hence the combinations of two metals, generally silver and zinc as the most powerful, and all the increase of chemical knowledge which has flowed from the experiments made through that medium. Galvani himself erroneously supposed that the animal body possesses an inherent electricity connected with the nervous system, which was the cause of the effects he had observed; but subsequent improvements upon his system seem to have overturned that theory. only be comparatively small; but he supposed that by interposing a conductor between several pairs of plates, it might be multiplied and concentrated in an indefinite degree. He accordingly provided a number of silver coins, and pieces of zinc of similar dimensions; these were disposed in pairs, and between each pair was placed a piece of card soaked in water; and thus a pile or column was formed, in which the three substances, silver, zinc, and water, existed in regular rotation. The effect of the combination fully justified the expectations of the discoverer. All the phenomena that had been excited by a single pair of metals were far exceeded by those of the pile, while by touching the two ends of it at the same time, it was found that a distinct shock was felt in the arms. This confirmed the identity of Electricity and Galvanism. Here Volta stopped short; but in England Messrs. Nicholson and Carlisle, arranging the column in the order of silver, zinc, fluid; silver, zinc, fluid, &c. beginning with silver, and ending with zinc, proved tha the silver end was in the negative, and the zinc end in the positive state of electricity. They also discovered the decomposition of water in the pile, and the disengagement of gas, namely, hydrogen on the one (the negative) side, and oxygen on the other, or positive side, in the proportion necessary to produce water; which important experi ments, in connection with those performed by Mr. Cruickshanks of Woolwich, led directly to the wonderful discoveries that have been made by means of the Galvanic apparatus, as well as the theoretical deductions to which it has given rise, and which have produced an almost complete revolution in our ideas of the action of bodies upon each other. Mr. Cruickshanks besides demonstrated, that an acid was formed In 1800, Volta, as has been remarked, alkali in the silver end: and he further in this process in the zinc end, and an adopted the idea, that the action excited by succeeded in decomposing some neutral the two metals, depended upon an altera-salts. This gentleman also invented a new tion in their respective states of electricity, manner of disposing the apparatus with the Fowler, in 1793, examining Galvani's reasoning, maintained that Galvanism and electricity were different; and though wrong in this opinion, he made the curious discovery of the flash of light which is produced by placing the two metals in contact with the ball of the eye, and then causing them to communicate with each other. Sultzer, a German, had before mentioned the effect produced on the taste by putting the two metals, one above and the other below the tongue, and then bringing them into contact; and Professor Robinson's noticing the sensation excited when the tongue is applied to the edges of a number of plates of zinc and silver placed alternately upon each other, was, in effect, a near approach to the celebrated apparatus afterwards invented by Volta, and now so well known by the name of the Voltaic pile. From 1793, the period of Volta's theory that the phenomena depended on the liberation of small portions of electricity by the action of the metals on each other, to 1800, the learned world were divided on the question, whether this was the true solution of the difficulty, or whether the phenomena resulted from chemical affinity, as asserted by Fabroni and others. or in a destruction of its equilibrium. The * Dr. Bostock, complimenting Galvani on his place when a spark was drawn from the and years before 1791, to prove the tenacity of life in metals placed horizontally in a frame or trough containing the fluid intended to act upon them; which has proved scarcely less important to the interests of science than its original discovery by Volta. chemical substances being now established, The power of the pile in decomposing multiplied experiments succeeded, and it was soon applied to the purpose of analysis. he afterwards carried to so brilliant a terSir H. Davy began those observations which mination. By the pile he disengaged the + Volta invented a machine of a different form but similar nature, called the Couronne des tasses. It consists of glasses with water connected by metallic arches of different metals, the legs of which are immersed in the fluid, gases from two portions of water, and he next varied the pile itself, forming it first of only one metal with charcoal, and then with charcoal alone. The combustion of metals by the pile was the next important step; it was discovered, we believe, by Professor Trammsdorff, and the experiments were followed up by Fourcroy, Thenard, and Vauquelin, in France. Iron and platina were fused; and it was ascertained that large rather than multiplied plates were necessary for this purpose. That the action of the pile deoxidated the air, was another of the discoveries of this period; to which may be added, that Galvanism was found to affect warm-blooded animals in the same way as it affected frogs. About 1803 Galvanic electricity began to be extensively employed in medicine; but with the exception of spasmodic asthma, it does not seem to be considered any longer as an efficacious or powerful remedy. In 1804, Hisinger, andBerzelius the famous Swedish chemist, published a valuable memoir, containing the germ of those doctrines, since so admirably developed by Davy. By passing the Galvanic influence through solutions of the different neutral salts, they found that there was a transfer of the acid and alkali to different parts of the apparatus. They formed the general conclusion, that whenever electricity is sent across a fluid, it disposes its constituents to separate, and pass to the two sides respectively; combustible substances, alkalies, and earths, are attracted to the negative; acids, oxides, &c. to the positive extremity of the pile. We now approach the great results of Sir H. Davy's electro-chemical experiments with the Galvanic apparatus in 1806. This able Chemist was led to deny the production of acid and alkali which preceding philosophers had procured, not from Gal vanism, but from some of the materials employed in the process. By the powerful action of the pile he decomposed earthy and neutral salts, and fully established the general principle, that hydrogen, alkalis, and metals, are attracted by the negative and repelled by the positive end of the pile; while acids and oxygen are attracted by the positive and repelled by the negative end. For the production of these effects, it is necessary that there should be a conducting chain of particles through the transmitting fluids used in the experiments. This new principle led again to the examination of the effect of electricity in producing chemical changes; and too many in. teresting discoveries for us to enumerate, were the result. Sir. H. founded on this view of the subject the opinion that all bodies possessing a chemical affinity for each other are naturally in opposite states of electricity; that chemical affinity is therefore destroyed by giving a body an electricity different from its natural one, and increased by giving it a greater share than its natural electricity: upon this hypothesis he explained the action of the Voltaic Phil. Transactions for 1817. column, the primary effects of which he powerful instrument hitherto constructed held to be electrical, and thus producing is that of Mr. Children: The plates 6 feet those chemical changes which would enable long by 2 feet 8 inches, so as to present 32 him to perform those decompositions of square feet of surface. Its effects were prosubstances which had hitherto resisted every digious. Five feet and a half of platinum attempt. wire, 11 inch in diameter, was raised to He thus proceeded to decompose the a red heat visible in daylight. The chemifixed alkalis. Potash and Soda were (won-cal effects were no less remarkable than its derful to relate) demonstrated to be metal-power of extricating caloric. The oxide of lic, their bases (obtained in small globules molybdenum was easily fused and reduced; of a metallic lustre, like quicksilver) hav- the oxide of tungsten was fused and partly ing every quality which is deemed essential reduced; the oxides of uranium, titato characterize that class of substances; and nium, and cerium were fused, but not rethe alkalis to be oxides of these metals. duced; and the oxide of tantalum was parThe truth of this theory was confirmed by tially fused. By heating iron in contact the synthetical process which reproduced with diamond powder, the diamond was the alkalis. The former of the new metal- consumed; and the iron converted into lic bodies (Potassium and Sodium) was converted into potash by exposure to the air, and it was found that this depended on the oxygenous part of it. steel. Dessaignes states, that the Pile ceases to act if the whole of it be heated to 2123; but that, on the contrary, its action is doubled if one half of it be heated while the other is The metallic nature of ammonia has not yet been proved, and this substance is sup-cooled. posed by distinguished Chemists to be a Such is the history of Galvanism. compound of azote and hydrogen alone. Dr. Bostock, in the last pages of his Sir H. Davy next turned his attention to the earths; and, notwithstanding the ob- able work, treats of its theory, which stinacy with which they resisted the inge-depends in great measure upon the phenious efforts to decompose them, he at nomena recorded in its history. length succeeded to a certain degree, and, as it appeared, obtained metallic bases from the four alkaline earths, to which the names of barium, calcium, strontium, and magnium, were respectively given. The remaining earth's silex, alumine, zircon, and glucine, were still more refractory, probably in consequence of their more powerful affinity for oxygen. The electrical and chemical actions of the pile next occupied the attention of the learned, and De Luc, by a separation and analysis of the instrument shewed that the electrical and chemical effects proceeded from different causes ;-his general conclusions were, that when the metal is not oxidated, no chemical effect is produced on the water in the interrupted circle; when the oxidation is produced by means of pure water, there is no shock, although the chemical effect takes place; and lastly, when either of these effects are produced, the current of electricity is retarded in its passage across the water in the interrupted circle.+ In the prosecution of his experiments, De Luc discovered that curious instrument the electric column, which is a pile consisting of several hundred disks of zinc and Dutch gilt paper placed alternately, and included in a glass tube. Great galvanic batteries were now formed, that at the Royal Institution consisting of 200 separate parts, every part containing 10 double plates containing each 32 square inches; being thus 2000 plates, with a surface of 128000 square inches. By this potent machine, platina, quartz, sapphire, magnesia, and lime,were all rapidly fused; while diamond, charcoal, and plumbago, in small portions, disappeared, and seemed completely evaporated. But the most + The interrupted circle is that in which wires are interposed between parts of the apparatus. The essential difference between Galvanism and common electricity, seems to be, that in the production of the former a chemical action first takes place, which is not necessary in the latter, and produces that peculiar modification which we style Galvanism. Experimentalists are generally agreed that this action consists in the oxidation of the metal which possesses the strongest attraction for oxygen, and in the decomposition of the fluid interposed between the metals, the oxygenous part being attracted to the most oxidable metal, and the alkaline to that which is least oxidable. By this process the natural and quiescent electricity of the substances is put in motion, and, gradually accumulating as it flows through the pile (by the repetition of the same cause in every ternary combination of the metals and fluid,) furnishes the great phenomena which we have detailed. Electricity procured by friction from the machine, appears to be in a highly elastic state, its particles strongly repulsive of each other, and at the same time not disposed to enter into a permanent union with other bodies. The Galvanic electricity from the Pile is more readily united with other bodies, and has a tendency to form new combinations with them, which is so powerful as to counteract some of the strongest chemical affinities. At the same time it exhibits less of what may be called mechanical action; its particles are less repulsive of each other; its motions appear less rapid; | it causes less commotion in its passage from one body to another; and although its ultimate effects are more powerful, it seems to act with less violence. The one may be compared to a small quantity of an agent highly concentrated; the other, to a larger quantity, but in a state of greater dilution. The phenomena of electricity as excited by the common machine, depend upon the at must be a matter of regret as well as From this concise enumeration it will What traction and repulsion of the electric fluid, | parated by a porous body, soked in salt- | position, the use of the model, and the and its passage from one body to another; water. To what class of physical phe-exercise of the memory, while the most important actions of galva- nomena can we refer this remarkable nic electricity, result from the chemical experiment, if not to some yet unknown be seen that the author has neglected no changes which it produces in the composition of bodies. The excitation of common property of animal electricity? topic which can be useful to the learner electricity is not necessarily attended with or advantageous to the amateur. any permanent alteration in the state of the Compendium of the Theory and Practice strikes us as the preeminently good feasubstances employed in producing it. It is of Drawing and Painting, &c. &c. &c. ture in his performance, is, that while adusually developed by the mechanical aid of friction; and the same apparatus may conadapted to the earliest state of Instruc-dressed to the least instructed class of tinue to be employed for an indefinite length tion, for the use of Schools, or private aspirants to an acquaintance with the of time. Friction, on the contrary, has no Tuition. To which is added, the Prac- principles of drawing, he conveys the effect in the production of galvanic elec- tice of the Pencil, Chalk, Tinted, and most necessary information to those tricity; it requires a chemical change in Water-colour Drawing. By R. DAGLEY, whose attainments are infinitely higher some part of the apparatus; and the indi- author of "Select Gems from the advanced. It is not alone the teacher vidual parts which have been employed in or the student who will reap these fruits Antique." London 1818. 4to. pp. 80. generating it acquire new properties, and The name of the writer of this excellent equally for the benefit of the man of culof his labours and experience; they are are incapable of any further galvanic action. treatise recalls to our memory a work of tivated taste and elegant mind, who deThis is the English view of the ques- which the first volume only was pub- sires to perpetuate, by an easy and agreetion, which supposes that the two electri- lished by Mr. Murray twelve or fourteen cities differ from each other merely in the years ago, and which from its taste, in- and scenes which have delighted him. able process, the remembrances of things relation of quantity. In France, the opi-terest, beauty, and extreme curiosity, it In an age when the performance of tours nion of Biot is more generally current, and travels are occurrences in almost which is, that in the common machine every life, it is excellent to learn from a we forcibly alter the proportion in which few pages (we really think without furthe vitreous and the resinous electricither direction) how to sketch and preties naturally exist in the different parts of the apparatus, which have a constant of which we have been enamoured, of serve memorials of the finest landscapes tendency to resume their former condiremarkable buildings, and of all such tion; whereas, in the action of the Pile, we alter the capacity of some part of the objects as strike us in our rambles from Mr. Dagley, in the production before instrument for one or other of the elec- us, has turned his attention to a humbler to say that these drawings would be place to place. It would be too much tricities, and produce a state in which task, but one of eminent utility. In otherwise than rough, and perhaps grotheir balance is permanently changed. treating it he has displayed much prac- tesque; but even such would suffice to The author adheres to the chemical tical knowledge, and a justness and ori-revive our sensations, and increase our hypothesis; i. e. that the oxidation of the ginality of thinking which would give a recollected pleasures in future years. It metallic surface is the primary cause of value to the lowest theme, and greatly is indeed astonishing how much insight the evolution of the electricity, which is augments the merit of this Compena few plain rules afford us; so much, evolved in proportion to that oxidation. dium. that for all common purposes it is diffiOn the contrary, the electrical hypothe- The work consists of a dedication, cult to imagine how the time, usually sis, very nearly that of Biot, is main-worthily bestowed upon Sir John Lei- consumed in acquiring what tuition gives tained by many great names, both at cester, as a tribute due to his splendid us, is filled up. With Mr. Dagley's book home and on the Continent. It is not in and beneficial measures for the encou- alone, or with three lessons, if lessons our power to decide where Doctors ragement of our native arts; a general must be superadded, we will engage differ, and the question remains to be de- plan; an introduction containing a clear that any tourist of education and orditermined by future experiments to ascer- and comprehensive view of the import-nary capacity, shall be able to bring tain further the difference between the ance of the fine arts, both as regarding the electricity produced by the machine and culture of individual mind, and as imby the pile; to separate more distinctly proving the national and moral habits the electrical and chemical effects of the of a people; a poetical fragment on the pile from each other, and trace their pleasures of art; and ten chapters decauses; and to examine carefully the voted to the following subjects:-the conducting power of the fluids concerned essential lines on drawing; the forms in the galvanic apparatus, with refer- connected therewith; observation on the ence to its relation to their chemical foregoing, and on early practice, capacity, and disposition of pupils; further Lake scenery, with the contiguity of its progress, the mode of teaching, and mountains, afford us every Form that beexamples of landscape, animals, flowers, longs to the picturesque; and arbitrary as and the human figure; drawing from may appear those Forms, they are still renature; pencil and chalk drawings; ducible to a few simple lines, as to the prinIndian ink, or washed drawings of any cipal features and general character of single colour; drawing in water colours; landscape; and may be found in the peroriginal colours and others, and the latter with all its variations, the other two pendicular, horizontal, and oblique; the mode of compounding them for water- with a picturesque latitude, admitting breakcoloured drawings; explanation of the ing, abruptness and undulation of cha erms in art, remarks on landscape com-racter. action. We may mention, in conclusion, a curious fact established by Humboldt, that contractions can be excited in an animal by placing the nerves and the muscles in certain situations with respect to each other, without employing any metallic substance. Upon this principle Lagrave constructed a pile, producing the usual galvanic effects, of alternate layers of muscular fibre and of brain, se home in his portfolio very accurate memoranda of the most remarkable objects and most picturesque scenery through which he may have passed in his ex cursion. In reducing the principles of landauthor says, and illustrates his position scape composition to simple forms, the in the plates; |