the subject, he took occasion to consider the approaching obscuration of the great Luminary of Day, which was then shining with unclouded brightness, in a religious point of view, as a striking emblem or type of that tremendous period, when "the Sun shall be finally darkened, and the Moon shall not give her light; when the Stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken; when all the tribes of the Earth shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory."

How few in the course of nature are now surviving who heard on that occasion these awful words applied! To those who are departed to eternity, how momentous is the alternative, whether they observed or disregarded the important application, and availed themselves or not of the accepted time, on which their everlasting welfare was suspended. W. B.

Mr. URBAN,

Oct. 10, 1816.

THE Spots observable on the Sun's disk, in conjunction with the wet summer, have been the subject of much speculation, and have excited considerable alarm. They have been dreaded even more than the appearance of the most portentous Comet, about which, as supposed to influence our globe, only vague and undefined notions can be formed, while the baleful effects of the Spots in question teem more direct, and can, it is imagined, be more distinctly ascertained; for it is very natural to infer that any opake substance interposed between is and a luminous body must deprive us of a certain portion of its light and heat. Allow me, therefore, to submit, through the medium of your Miscellany, a few observations, calcu lated, it is hoped, to dispel any gloomy apprehensions which may have been indulged on the subject, by convincing the reflecting mind that there is no cause for alarm.

In the first place it is worthy of remark, that similar Spots have been observed in the Sun for upwards of two centuries; and it is not improbable that they may be coeval even with the Suo himself. For, as they were first discovered by Galileo, soon after the invention of his telescope, and have been observed at different periods ever since, it is a fair pre

sumptive argument that such Spots may have always existed. Who can doubt that the planet Herschell and the other lately-discovered planets have existed for ages, though they were unknown prior to our own times? It is true these planets have a more definite and permanent character than the solar macula; but this is no proof that the latter have not always existed, any more than the variety in number and form of the clouds occasionally passing over our earth, is a proof that such exhalations are not coeval with the earth itself.

Galileo observed a Spot, which is computed to have been three times the extent of the surface of the earth, that is, to have obscured about 600,000,000 of square miles of the Sun's disk: this continued between two and three months. But Gassendus saw one still larger, namely, onetwentieth of the diameter of the Sun, and visible to the naked eye. This Spot consequently occupied an extent of above 1,500,000,000 of square

miles; yet the solar light was not perceptibly diminished, and therefore not the heat, as will more evidently appear in the course of these observations. The same Astronomer likewise observed above 40 Spots of different sizes at once.

Of the nature of these Spots nothing certain or satisfactory appears to be yet known; they have been. supposed by some to be a kind of nebulous exhalation in the solar atmosphere. Dr. Wilson, of Edinburgh, thought they were caverns; and French Astronomer fancied they were mountains. The Writer of these remarks does not pretend to determine which hypothesis is most probable; nor, indeed, is this at all necessary to his purpose, as it would make little or no difference in the conclusion he wishes to draw. If, however, he were to give his opinion in so dubious a case, it would, perhaps, be in favour of those who imagine the Spots to be a kind of excavation of the luminous fluid supposed to envelope the opake and solid body of the Sun. This hypothesis seems to be countenanced by the nuclei of the Spots, and the different phases they assume in their rotation. Yet it is difficult to conceive how a vacuum should be produced and continued so long in the fluid, for all fluids, whe

ther

ther elastic or non-elastic, have a strong tendency to find their level, and to fill up immediately any chasm made in them. It would be difficult to conceive how the atmosphere of our globe could be removed from any particular place, and the surrounding Aluid prevented, for some weeks, from rushing in to supply the deficiency. It would be no less a miracle than the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea, where "the waters were a wall to them on the right hand and on the left." The solar fluid, however, may be of such a volatile and expansive nature, that a small force may be sufficient to overcome its gravitation towards the

centre.

But, leaving the solution of this difficult question to others who are better qualified for the task, let us proceed to consider, whether these Spots, of what nature soever they may be, can have any influence on our globe.

Now, whether we regard the Sun as an igneous body, or only the grand focus of the light and heat created at the beginning, which appears more probable, any partial obstructing substance, though of the extent above mentioned, would not at all diminish the heat upon our globe, supposing the absolute solar heat to remain the same. For that obstruct ing body would not absorb and consume the heat it received, but would radiate it in every direction; so that there would be no absolute loss of heat. The only effect would be, an increase in its immediate vicinity, by the union of its rays with those which did not fall upon it; and a proportionate diminution as far as its shadow extended. This shadow would be a kind of cone of a certain length, according to the diameter of the obstructing body, and its distance from the luminary. The heat beyond, that is, towards the earth, would be as great as if there had been no impediment, for it would have recovered its equability. A Spot, one twentieth of the Sun's diameter, or about 44,000 miles diameter, if not rising higher than the Sun's surface, would have no shadow at all. If this Spot were in the form of a cube, and wholly above the Sun's surface, and resting as it were upon it, the shadow, in this case, would only extend about 8000 miles; but, if in the shape of a globe,

not half so far. This point, however, may perhaps be better illustrated by a more familiar example. Let us then imagine ourselves in a room where there is a fire 20 inches wide, and as many deep, and let us suppose a cu bic inch of any opake substance placed close to it, about the centre; this would bear nearly the same propor tion to the fire that the Spot observed by Gassendus did to the Sun. Now can any one believe that the heat in the middle, or farthest part of the room, would be diminished after this substance was placed in that situation, especially after it had ceased to become hotter, and was of an equal temperature with the heat immedi ately surrounding it? There would; indeed, be rather less heat on the side of the obstructing substance farthest from the fire, though not extending the tenth of an inch; whilst the rest of the room would not be the least affected by it in any part. It is appa rent then that the Spots observed in the Sun can have no influence on the heat of our globe, unless they could be supposed to diminish the absolute heat in the system. This, however, cannot be admitted. It is highly pro bable that the solar heat is a substance sui generis, unlike any heat produced on our globe by chemical agency; and that a certain quantity of it was at first created, which has continued ever since without either diminution or increase. This substance may concentrate about the Sun more than about any of the other bodies in the system, not only on ac count of his superior bulk, but by reason of some peculiar attraction.

Having thus shewn, to the satisfac tion, it is hoped, of every unpre judiced mind, that the unfavourable season we have witnessed cannot have been occasioned by any diminution of solar heat, though we have certainly had less heat in this country than usual, let us inquire whether this di minution of heat be general on our globe; for, if not, that circumstance would of itself be sufficient to refute any argument drawn from the sup posed influence of the Spots in the Sun. Now the fact appears to be, that while we have been complaining in this country of wet and cold, in Rus sia there has been a drought, which is enough to prove that this wet and cold season has been only partial. It

is needless to inquire whether in the East Indies or Mexico there has been less heat than usual, or whether there has been a more severe winter towards the Antarctic Pole. Even here, this present month has been hitherto several degrees warmer than the corresponding part of the year 1813, a year not selected as being colder than others before or after it, but merely because the Writer of these remarks happens to have in his possession a correct diary of the thermometer during that year alone.

We must look then for the causes of this wet and cold season, not to the Sun, but to the Earth itself. The removal of a considerable number of icy mountains, by tempestuous winds, from the neighbourhood of the Arctic Pole into more Southerly latitudes in the Atlantic might occasion it. And it may have been observed, that the rain has generally come from the West; and that we have had dry and warm weather as soon as the wind has shifted to the East or North East; that is, when the wind has blown from Russia, where there has been a drought, it has been fine; but when from the Atlantic, it has been wet and cold. And this wet seems to have

been expended in passing over England, France, Germany, &c. and not to have travelled so far East as Russia. Yours, &c. METEOROLOGUS.

it altogether a natural production? or was it a composition, the materials or component parts of which are lost in the lapse of ages? Is it improbable to suppose that it might have been a transparent kind of horn, or talc, the peculiar mode of manufacturing which was kept a secret?— It is not many years since transparent cylinders were made of tale for Argand lamps, which did not break when thrown down. Could such a substance as Glesum be procured now, it would be not only elegant but highly economical. G.

HAVE no doubt that the picture, by Hogarth, mentioned in your last vol. p. 421, represents the Mock Election of a Mayor of Garrat*, at Wandsworth in Surrey, on which Mr. Foote founded his Farce of that name, which so well amused the town.

There are, I believe, three Prints of that ceremony; I have one of them, which is intitled, "The Election of the Mayor of Garratt. The first plate, published according to Act of Parliament, April 16, 1782. James Pollard delin. A. Bannerman sculp.”

It represents the procession of Sir John Harper by the Leather-bottle, a public-house (now remaining), in Garrat-lane, to the place of election at Garrat-green. It is led by four men on horseback, one of whom has a feather in his hat, and a bag-wig. They are followed by two on horse

with a mop, both erect. Then comes the candidate in an open-chaise, drawn by six horses, without a hat, his hair dressed, having ruffles, and appearing to address the spectators. On the side of his carriage is inscribed, "Sir John Harper. No Wigs." The surrounding mob appear to be in his favour, as a man who has hoisted a Boot at the end of a pole has had his hat and wig beat off, and his head broken, and several are reaching to pull down the Boot. By the opposite side of the horses which draw Sir John, a coach is placed; on the box is a man holding in his arms a figure in a plaid waistcoat, the door marked 45. This, and the Boot, are suffi

cient indications to those who remember the famous story of Wilkes's North Briton, No. 45, and that of

* In our Vol. LI. p. 304. is an account of this farcical ceremony. EDIT.

Lord

Lord Bute, that these are friends of the Whig candidate, who perhaps is introduced in one of the other plates. The attending group is in the Hogarthian style, huzzaing, fighting, a better-dressed man and woman tumbled down into the dirt, the seizure of a pickpocket, chimney-sweepers on jack-asses, two boys stealing cakes out of a Jew's basket, &c. &c. A. B.

Hotel, Covent-Garden,
Jan. 3.

Mr.URBAN, BSERVING in your Magazine for November, p. 421, an Account of a Painting by Hogarth, I send you a description of another Picture by the same celebrated Painter, in my possession.

The subject is A View of Covent Garden Market'*. It is 4 feet 9 inches by 3 feet; and embraces nearly the whole of what is called Covent Garden. In front, somewhat to the right, is an old man soliciting charity, who constantly took that station, close to, or just under, the Piazza. By his quiet and inoffensive conduct he was so generally noticed, that he made a considerable sum of money, being occasionally employed in cleaning of shoes, going of errands, &c. The · Clergyman near him is thought to be Dr. Craddock, then Rector of Covent Garden parish; who in 1757 was made Bishop of Kilmore in Ireland, and in 1772 Archbishop of Dublin.

In the centre, seated by the column, with vegetables before her, is the figure of a very handsome woman, well known by the name of The Duchess. She appears to be extravagantly dressed, which was her gemeral custom. Her second husband's name was Wharton; and among her numerous admirers was the eccentric and profligate Duke of that name. She died in 1778, at the great age of 89, in the neighbourhood; and persons now living about the Market relate various anecdotes of her strange conduct. Near her are three female figures; the one in front is Lady Arcber, in the act of directing her servant, who is represented with a basket in one hand, and with the other holding her apron, which

The Marquis of Bute has, in his magnificent collection at Luton House, a fine Painting of Covent Garden, by Vanaken, with its companion, a View of Stocks Market, EDIT,

appears to be filled. The other fe male is supposed to be one of the daughters of Lord Archer, who lived at the large house on the right, lately the Grand Hotel. Just by Lady Archer is her footboy. Immediately behind these, at the base of the column, is a figure (one of the porters of the garden) seated and smoking. On the steps of the column are two figures, an old man and a woman, singing ballads. Near them is a man in a red waistcoat, serving out rice milk. This portrait is also represented in the Morning of this Artist, and was remembered by many long after. On the left corner of the pieture is a very old couple, whose names were Blake; Mrs. Blake is in the act of frying sausages, and smoking. They also sold fruit and vegetables. At a small distance from these is a very conspicuous figure, standing fronting the Church, with a number of empty cherry-sieves on his head. This was George Carpenter, who, when a boy, obtained his living by carrying empty fruit-baskets to the waterside for the market-gardeners. By constant practice he bad acquired such dexterity, that he could take up from the ground 24 half-sieves, place the same on his head, and shake off any given number. Carpenter married, and became master of the house known by the name of The Finish, of nightly celebrity. Here he acquired considerable property, and after the death of Mr. Gyfford, the brewer, be came lessee to the Duke of Bedford for Covent Garden Market, at 1400. per annum. The man in the Quakerlike dress, on Carpenter's left, who, with the lusty figure on the right, appear to be attentively watching his motions, was one Crow, who had in his younger days been coachman to the celebrated Duchess of Marlborough, but was then Collector of the Tolls of the Market for Mr. Gyfford.

There are several more figures which, from their features and attitudes, appear to have been well known at that period. Two of them, a Lady and a Gentleman, are conjectured to be Mr. and Mrs. Rich.