sold in London at a lower rate, than if the trade was suffered to find its own level;' and he condemns the measure of an inland supply by the canals, as carrying on the face of it the greatest weakness, rashness, and danger."

We have thus given the outline or substance of this gentleman's pamphlets; being convinced of the great national importance of the subjects to which they relate, and respecting which various prominent facts are here very ably stated. When the writer avows that he is generally interested in the mining trade, it may be also supposed that interest has had its share in the present question: but he solemnly declares the contrary to be the case; for he affirms that, having considerable shares in three collieries near the Severn, had the measure of supplying the metropolis with coal from Staffordshire been practicable, to have embraced it would have been one of the most fortunate circumstances of my life?

We are pursuaded that Dr. Macnab has delivered the honest convictions of his mind; yet it is to be considered that his discussion affords but one view of the subject. If it be impolitic to tax coals, as being a necessary of life, it may not be unwise to extend their use by internal navigation as far as it may be possible. Canals will produce a change in the coal districts, because they must increase the demand for this article: but, if it be so abundant as it is stated to be, and miners increase with the increased demand, the evil may not take place to the extent apprehended by Dr. Macnab.

ART, IX. A New System of Mineralogy, in the Form of Catalogue, after the Manner of Baron Born's Systematic Catalogue of the Collection of Fossils of Mademoiselle Eléonore de Raab. By William Babington, M. D. Assistant Physician, and Lecturer in Chemistry, at Guy's Hospital. 4to. pp. 279. 15s. Boards. W. Phillips, &c. 1799.

T

"HIS volume may be regarded as a continuation of Dr. Babington's Systematic Arrangement of Minerals, published in 1795, which was noticed in the 19th vol. of the M. R. N. S. p. 101. At that time, we expressed a wish that the Doctor would furnish the public with a descriptive catalogue of his valuable collection, and we are now happy in finding that wish completely gratified.

In a prefixed advertisement, the author observes that

The work itself will shew of what assistance he has principally availed himself; that in the distribution of his system into Classes, Orders, Genera, and Species, as founded on chemical and the varieties on external characters, he has nearly adopted the arrangement of Baron Born, in his catalogue of the Collection of Mademoiselle

Eléonore

Eléonore de Raab; that Romé de Lisle has been his guide on the subject of Crystallization; that most of the genuine descriptions correspond with those of Widenmann and Emmerling, disciples of the celebrated Werner; and that he is chiefly indebted to Mr. Kir. wan for what respects the chemical properties and analyses of the different species.'

Salts form the first class in Dr. B.'s new system; and although this arrangement is different from that of Werner, Emmerling, and Widenmann, yet it appears on the whole to be the most eligible; since we are thus led, by natural transitions, from the class of saline bodies into that of earthy substances: at the beginning of which, Dr. B. has judiciously placed lime, strontian, baryt, and magnesia.-These approach the most nearly to the saline character, and are therefore very properly arranged immediately after the Salts.

The second class, or that of Earths, consists (according to Dr. B.) of eight which are considered as primitive earths, viz. lime, strontian, baryt, magnesia, alumine, silex, adamantine earth, and the earth of the jargon: but from these, the adamantine earth must be removed, for the reasons mentioned in p. 113; and it would be proper, in a future edition, to add glucine, agustine, and yttria, which have been lately discovered. The acknowleged primitive earths, at this time, amount therefore to ten; of which seven are mentioned in the present work.

Class III. is that of Metals; and here again Dr. B. differs from other mineralogists. They have commonly placed the inflammable substances before the metals, but he has arranged the bitumens, &c. &c. in the fourth class.-We do not find the cause of this alteration explained; nor can we perceive any important reason for jt. Indeed, it appears to be of little consequence whether the metals precede the inflammables, or the inflammables come before the metals.

The class of Salts is subdivided into two orders, the first of which comprehends the simple saline bodies, viz. acids and alkalies; while the second includes the compound salts formed by the union of the acids with potash, soda, and ammoniac :so that these last-named substances, or bases, constitute the genera of the second order, which (as usual) are subdivided into species and varieties.

The class of Earths consists of three orders; the first is formed of homogeneous stones, &c. or at least of those which are commonly considered as such. The second contains the mixed substances, or compounds of the foregoing earths and stones, having their integrant parts so blended as not to be visibly distinct. The third is composed of aggregated stones,

in which the earths or stones of different kinds are in a state of visible mixture.

The different primitive earths form the genera of these three orders, and these genera are subdivided into species and varieties.

The class of Metals includes two orders; the first comprehending the ductile metals, viz. platina, gold, quicksilver, silver, lead, copper, iron, and tin; and the second consists of the brittle metals, or those which have been frequently and improperly called semi metals; these are bismuth, nickel, arsenic, cobalt, zinc, antimony, manganese, scheelium or tungsten, uranium, molybdena, sylvanite or tellurium, titanium, and chrome. Each of the foregoing metals naturally constitutes a distinct genus; and the combinations or ores form the species and varieties.

The fourth class contains the inflammable substances, which Dr. B. divides into three orders, viz. 1. aeriform, 2. liquid, and 3. solid. The first order includes only two species of hydrogen; namely, common hydrogen gas, and sulphurated hydrogen gas.

The second has three species. 1. Naptha; 2. Petroleum; and, 3. Barbadoes or mineral tar,

The third order, which is by much the most numerous, consists of five genera, viz. 1, solid bitumen, 2. amber, 3. mineral tallow, 4. sulphur, and 5. plumbago; which, like the genera of the other classes, are subdivided into species and varieties.

The volume concludes with the volcanic productions; and these, according to the Appendix to the Systematic Arrangement, are divided into three genera, 1 cinders, 2. lava, and 3. vitreous lavas.

Having stated the general plan of Dr. B.'s new system, we must refer to the work for the description of the species and varieties: but we shall observe that this part appears in genetal to be well executed; and that the specific gravities and analyses, which Dr. B, has selected and added, very much increase the utility and value of his book.

In the event of a future edition, some articles must necessarily be added; and some corrections also should be made. For example, as to the first point; the three newly discovered primitive earths, glucine, agustine, and yttria, should be added; as also the sulphurate of strontian, called celestine, from Pennsylvania; and that which is found near Bristol. The crystallized muriate of copper, from Peru, lately analyzed by Klaproth, may be added as a variety of the 7th species of copper ores. With respect to corrections; we observe, in p. 215, that bismuth is marked genus 9, which is evidently a mistake; since,

according

according to the system, it ought to be genus 1. of the second order; and in page 26, a ludicrous error has occurred, by Appetite being printed for Apatit.

M. Klaproth discovered that the jargon consists principally of a peculiar earth, which he called jargonia, or zirconia; and he has since found that the hyacinth, or jacinth,, is composed of ingredients similar to the jargon, but that the jargonian earth is present in a greater proportion.-Accordingly, in page 114 of Dr. Babington's work, we find that the jargon contains, Jargon earth Silex

Oxide of iron and of nickel

68

31,5

0,05

and in p. 69. we observe that the hyacinth contains

Jargon earth

Silex

Oxide of iron

Loss

70

27

5

4.5.

Why, then, has Dr. B. arranged the latter in page 69 as species 10 of the siliceous genus?

Elastic quartz, (p. 87,) or flexible sandstone, is a primitive quartzose grit, visibly intermixed with mica; we think, therefore, that it more properly belongs to order 3, or that of aggregated earths and stones.

Various stones are known by the name of avanturine : but that which is brought from the Cap de Gute in Spain (p.91) is a ferruginous quartz, and not a chalcedony.

In page 97, crystallized horn-stone, or petro silex, is mentioned: but it is now scarcely doubted that all those, which are called crystallized horn-stones, are only casts formed in cavities left by the decomposition of crystals of other substances; and, if so, the term crystallized horn-stone should not be employed.-For the same reason, we have great doubts in respect to what is called crystallized jasper (p. 99); and we perceive that Dr. B. remarks that these are probably secondary crystals; an expression, apparently taken from the German after kristall:-but both of these terms appear improper, if they be intended to convey an idea of a substance which has been moulded or cast.

The honey-stone, or honingstein (p. 273), is arranged as species 1. of the second genus, or that of amber: but the experiments lately made by Klaproth and Vauquelin prove, in a convincing manner, that this substance is composed principally of alumine; which, together with very minute. portions of lime and silex, is combined with an acid sui generis, somewhat resembling the oxalic acid, and which M. Klaproth

has

has denominated acidum melliticum *. The honey-stone, therefore, must in future be removed from the class of inflammables, and be arranged under the genus alumine.

We have now discharged our duty, in taking notice of those articles which appear to require some future alteration: but we must also remark that, considering the nature of the work, these are much fewer in number, and of less importance, than we might have expected; and we have no doubt that Dr.. Babington's New System of Mineralogy will prove of great utility, and well calculated to promote the advancement of mineralogical knowlege.

ART. X. Old Nick: a Satirical Story. By the Author of A Piece of Family Biography. 12mo. 3 Vols. 10s. 6d. sewed. Murray and Highley. 1801.

IN

the xxxth volume of our Review, (p. 370,) the former work of this author was introduced to the notice of our readers; and as we thought of that publication, so we may say of the present, that it is one of the few which repay the toil of perusal. With us, such performances possess additional recommendations: since, as they demand no violent exertions of our critical energies, we glide easily along their pages, and for a time give to the winds all the cares, the stern virtues, and the severity of our office. Yet, while we may thus seem to be remiss, we are preparing to act with the greatest propriety; for if we plainly state the impression which has been produced on us by a book like the present, a book of entertainment,we probably discharge our duty most fairly towards the author and the public.

On such a production as this, we are not inclined to be sedulously minute in our criticisms; nor are we disposed to give too great a prominence to any objections which may occur in our minds. It was intended to amuse rather than to instruct; it does not claim distinction for accurate narration of facts, nor for long processes of subtle reasonings; it neither aims at the nicety of metaphysical distinction, nor at the splendor of varied amplification; it attempts not the force of argumentative discussion, the pathetic appeals of eloquent morality, nor the luxuriant description of natural scenery. It has different claims; while it makes no appeal to our critical learning and perspicacity, it demands to have its merit decided. on the proper grounds of judgment. "Were you pleased, or

* Annales de Chimie, Tome xxxvi. p. 203. and xxxvii. p. 88.

not,