These observations, however, we have thrown into the more striking form of geometrical curves, to which we request the attention of the reader. (See Plate.)

The dark waving line which occupies nearly the whole compass of the plate, represents the gradation of the thermometer which was planted one foot deep, and the other lines as expressed in the plate itself. The distance of any point on any of the lines from the bottom of the plate, where the corresponding month is marked, indicates the temperature of the ground at that time, which is measured by the degrees marked in the sides. Thus, for example, in the middle of May 1816, and it is a very remarkable point, the temperatures at all the different depths were the same, and nearly 44°. These curves present a view of the progress of heat, which is not a little curious and interesting; the dark line rises nearly to the top, and falls nearly to the bottom of the plate each year, thus indicating the great range of the thermometer one foot deep. The others present a smaller and smaller range, in proportion to the depth, and the line which would represent the gradation of the thermometer at a still greater depth, would gradually merge into the straight line of the mean temperature. The different points of the plate also, where the lines are highest and lowest, shew the different times at which the several thermometers arrived at the marima and minimu,the deep

44.9 45.9 46.2 46.6

est always attaining their limits latest; and, in the case of the 8 foot one, the midsummer's heat was not felt till the middle of September, nor the winter's cold till the middle of March. But the most remarkable circumstance, and that which, if future observations confirm it, will afford the most important results in finding the mean temperatures of places, is that about the iniddle of May 1816, and of April 1817, also in October of both years, the various lines, at least the three deepest, cross each other; indicating that at these times the thermometers marked all nearly the same temperature, in May somewhat below the mean, and in October about as much above it. Hence we may derive the maxim, that if, by measuring the temperature of the ground two or three feet deep, we seek an approximation to the mean temperature of any placean element of such importance in physical geo raphy, and the theory of climate, and rendered still more so, since we can now find, by its means, the elevation above the level of the sea-*

The very simple rule for this purpose, given by Professor Leslie, is to allow 100 yards of elevation for every degree that the mean temperature of the place decreases below that of the level of the sea, in the

same latitude, found from a table which thing," says he, "could tend more to corwe shall give in our next Number. "Norect our ideas of physical geography, than to have the principal heights in all countries measured with some tolerable degree

these observations should be made about the end of May, when the result will be a little too small, or still better about the end of October, when, if any thing, it will be too great.

Such are some of the results dedueible from even this single register. Of what importance, then, is it to multiply observations of this kind, of so easy execution, in different parts of the country? We would recommend this to all who are interested in the progress of science. Numerous registers of the temperature of the air are kept in different places, but, though these observations may one day prove of the highest consequence, we still think that, in the mean time, it would be more important to observe the temperature of the earth, which, retaining and accumulating the solar impressions, gives us more expeditiously the mean of the whole. We may also observe, that the observations of a few thermometers at different depths, by shewing the law of the progression, enables us to see a good deal deeper, without actually making the observations. The gradations of thermometers, for example, at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 feet, would enable us to fix the gradation of one at 20 feet, without actually descending to that depth. Hence, in the above observations, the deepest thermometer might almost have been dispensed with, for we have calculated its indication by means of the first three, and the results agree most remarkably with observation.

That the above circumstance of the lines crossing each other at stated in

of precision. In this way is traced a profile, or vertical section, which exhibits at one glance the great features of a country." In a former Number, we pointed out the importance of extending this principle even to the making of models of elevated tracts of country, and mentioned that we had recommended this to the attention of an artist in this city. We are now happy to be able to state, that this gentleman, who is also in the practice of constructing profiles and sections on the most scientific principles, is proceeding with a model of Salisbury Craigs, a spot so remarkable in the history of geology.-Ed.

To the agriculturist these observations would prove amusing, instructive, and perhaps not devoid of practical utility, to whom, at least, it is always of consequence to know his elevation above the leval of the sea.

tervals, is the effect of a general principle, and will be renewed with the seasons, there can be no doubt, and the following seems to be the process by which this is effected. About the middle of winter, or somewhat later, when the surface of the earth has attained its greatest degree of cold, the increasing influence of the sun begins to pour in a continued stream of heat, increasing in intensity, till somewhat beyond the middle of summer, when the ground will have attained its greatest heat, and when the first and feebler impressions of the annual supply, only beginning to be felt at the depth of 15 feet, the intermediate portions of this stratum of the earth will be warmer and warmer towards the top. The influence of the sun, however, being now on the decline, and the impression of his extreme heat moving downwards, the surface will begin to get colder than the stratum immediately below it, which will become the hottest part of the mass; and, the fluid of heat continually endeavouring to recover its equilibrium, while this focus will still keep up the flow towards the centre, it will likewise send off an ascending current, to supply the deficiency from above. The accumulation, therefore, at length entirely dispersing, will diffuse pretty uniform temperature throughout the whole stratum of 30 feet. All the thermometers to this great depth will be nearly alike-the curves which represent their gradations, will all meet together, and this happened, according to the above observation, in the month of October.

But the influence of the sun still

decreasing, the ascending current will still continue flowing from a greater and greater depth, even to 30 feet, where the heat of the mass will at length become the greatest, and where, as from a new focus, the remains of the supply of the year will still send down likewise a current below. This will happen about the middle of winter, just as the effects of the succeeding year are beginning to penetrate the surface; and as it is clear, therefore, that this second annual supply, which begins to flow downwards a

* Estimating the degree of penetration at the rate of one inch every day, and excluding, at present, the effect of preceding impressions.

bout the beginning of the succeeding winter, will meet the current, which begins at the same time to set upwards from the depth of 30 feet, their joint influence will produce a second equilibrium of teinperature throughout the mass, such as we have observed in the month of May.

This singular progress of heat may perhaps be illustrated by introducing the idea of undulations. We may conceive the annual supply of heat as arriving at the earth under the form of a great annual descending wave, whose extremity enters the surface after the middle of winter, and its centre about the middle of summer, when, having attained its greatest height, though still moving onwards, it begins gradually to subside, and at length spreads its influence equally over a stratum of 30 feet. Another, however, immediately begins to rise, having its centre at the depth of 30 feet, its lower extremity still deeper, and its upper boundary at the surface. This wave having attained its maximum, begins likewise to subside, and to spread at length a uniform temperature through a stratum still deeper than at first; the great wave of the succeeding year beginning at the same time to reach the surface, gives rise to a series of similar undulations, decreasing in strength and in rapidity, and thus the great tide of heat rolls onwards toward the centre.

It would be easy to show, from these principles, that the equilibria should happen at the times which have been observed, and even that the one should be about as much below the mean temperature of the place as the other exceeds it. But we must defer this to a future opportunity. We shall only remark, in conclusion, that, in this country at least, during the whole of the autumn and winter, the heat of the sun seems to be almost wholly carried off by the atmosphere, and the surface of the earth to be heated principally from below; and hence the maxim of agriculturists, that the snow warms the ground, or rather keeps it warm, which it undoubtedly does, by keeping in the internal supply. In spring and summer, again, the surface is heated so entirely by the sun, as to afford likewise a supply to the internal fountain below. Here, therefore, and it is eon

ON LUTHER'S MERITS IN KEGARD TO
PSALMODY AND CHURCH MUSIC.

OUR clerical biographers of Luther take little notice of his merits in re gard to Psalmody, although the refor mation of the Liturgy, and the improvement of church music, engaged much of his attention. His love of music, in general, even constituted a strong feature of his character, and had considerable influence on the form of worship which he finally introduced.

Accidental circumstances induced me to make some inquiry after the psalm tunes said to be composed by Luther; and, in the course of my in vestigation, I met with several anecdotes of the reformer, which, I be lieve, are little known in this country, although they seem to me possessed of considerable interest. My chief authority is a publication by the Rev. A. J. Rambach, one of the parochial clergymen of Hamburgh, upon Luther's merits in regard to psalmody and church music, compared with his Table Talk, a volume in which many anecdotes are preserved by the Boswell of our ardent reformer, which throw great light upon his private character, and give a singular picture of the ignorance and prejudices of the age. The full title of the former work is, "Upon D. Martin Luther's merits in regard to Psalmody, or Exposition of what he has done for the reformation of public worship, as a liturgist, a poet, and a musical composer; with a reprint, from the original, of all Luther's Hymns and Melodies, and also of the Prefaces to his Hymn Books."*'

Ueber D. Martin Luther's Verdienst um den Kirchengesang.

Von August Jakob Rambach, Prediger

The latter has been translated into English.

His reformation of the Liturgy is well known, and the history of its progress I leave to theologians. Any examination of his merits as a poet in composing hymns, or in versifying portions of the Scriptures, would be interesting only to those conversant with the German language. I shall therefore confine myself chiefly to an account of Luther as a musician.

Luther was a perfect enthusiast in music. By nature he was endowed with what may be called the musical sense, in the most extensive meaning of the term. He was strongly affected both by good and bad music; his taste was just, and his judgment, in regard to it, correct and cultivated. He had a clear pure voice, which, though not remarkable for strength, was not deficient in flexibility and sweetness. He sang the counter-tenor scientifically, and not only in plain psalmody, although he was remarkably fond of such melodies, but also in florid hymns and responses for several voices. He likewise played the German flute, and the lute; and the latter with a dexterity that attracted the attention and admiration of strangers, upon one occasion, as he was setting out on his journey to Worms. For the cultivation of this talent, he had opportunities, as a boy, in the school at Mansfield, where Mathesius says he learned spiritual songs very assiduously and quickly; and still greater after his fourteenth year at Magdeburgh and Eisenach, where he was not only instructed according to the manner of the times, in the art of singing, but was received as one of

bey St Jakob in Hamburg, S. xvi. 256 and 92.

8vo. Hamburgh, 1813. *Dris. Martini Lutheri Colloquia Mensalia; or Dr Martin Luther's Divine Discourses at his Table, &c. which in his lifetime he held with divers learned men, containing questions and answers touching religion, and other main points of doctrine; as also, many notable histories, and all sorts of learning. comforts, advices, prophecies, admonitions, directions, and instructions; collected first together by D. Antonius Lauterbach, and afterwards disposed in certain common places, by John Aurifaber, Doctor in Divinity. Translated out of the High Germane into the English tongue by Capt. Horne Bell. pp. 541, folio. London,

1652.

the choir and singing scholars, who, as is still customary in most towns of Germany, sung spiritual songs before the houses of the citizens at certain times. At Magdeburgh, Mathesius tells us, that, as a boy, like many an honest and comfortable man's child, he went about for his bread, and bawled out his panem propter Deum. Next year he went, with the consent, and by desire, of his parents, to Eisenach, where he also, for a time, sung before the doors for his bread. We have even Luther's own authority for this: "As we, I and my companions, with whom I gathered the means (Partecken) with which we might support ourselves in our studies, at the time when the church was celebrating the festival of the birth of Christ, went about the villages singing from house to house, and in four parts, the usual psalms of the infant Jesus born in Bethlehem," &c. In this practice he must have distinguished himself among his comrades, for a respectable matron, Conrad Cotta's spouse, became strongly attached to him on account of his singing and fervent prayer, and gave him a place at her table.

Luther's attachment to music seems to have increased as he advanced in life. It not only constituted his chief recreation, but he had the highest opinion of its influence, in a moral point of view, and even judged of the characters of men by their like or dislike to music.

As often as he had leisure from his other duties, or had, from any circumstances, occasion for recreation, he used to occupy himself with music, especially with singing, and was delighted when he met with persons who had the same sensibility and love for music with himself. He is described to have spent a pleasant evening in the company of the Abbot of Nuremburg, who was a good singer, and a cheerful man. He writes to Jöppel, organist to Duke George of Saxony, that he had found his son a pleasant, cheerful guest, and received much friendly amusement from his music; and, in a letter of condolence to the father of John Zink, who died in Wittenberg, he says, was a favourite with almost all of us, and especially with me, so that I had him many an evening in my house to sing the descant."

"He