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degrees, that is, at a right angle with respect to each other. The experiment succeeds better, if the top of the box is covered in. The effect of this arrangement is singular; if a person looks in at that side of the box which is open, the two mirrors, if neatly joined, will appear as one, and the spectator will be surprised to find, that if he raises his right hand to his head, his reflected image will appear to raise the left hand in the same manner; this is caused by the image which is received by the right hand mirror, being reflected in the first instance to that on the left, which, by a second reflection, conveys it to the eye of the spectator. Three plane mirrors arranged in the following manner form a very amusing optical puzzle. Make a triangular box, each side of which shall be eightteen inches wide, and seven or eight in height, having a small hole in

the centre of each side; place in the interior three pieces of looking-glass so as to fill the box com

pletely, but let the silvering be scraped away where the openings in the sides occur. Prepare now three pieces of card-board, of the same height as the box, and six inches wide; paint different subjects upon each, such, for instance, as the front of a building, cutting away the board where the gateway occurs, and painting on the back of the same board a picture, representing an interior view of a building of the same description; these three paintings on cardboard are then to be placed as seen in the engraving, and the top of the box covered with ground glass. The effect of this arrangement of the three mirrors, is, that each opening will present a different view, and all the views will appear as if formed on an hexagonal base, that is, the box will seem to have six sides. To render the illusion more perfect, considerable pains must be taken in arranging the subjects, and several trials must be made; a small object, also, having some relation to the subject, may be placed at

each of the angles so as to hide the place where the

glasses join.

That beautiful instrument, the kaleidescope, is formed by a peculiar arrangement of two oblong plane mirrors, in a metal or paste-board tube. In forming one of these amusing instruments, it is necessary that the two mirrors should be so placed, that the distance between the edges A and B should be an even or an odd part of the circumference of the tube in which they are placed, and the plates of glass must be about six times as long as they

are wide. In using the instrument, it is necessary that the eye should be placed exactly in the centre of the circle at one end of the tube, and the object that is to form the picture, close to the mirrors at the other end.

The effect produced by the reflecting powers of concave mirrors, is, under certain circumstances, ex- C tremely curious, and at first sight inexplicable. If

a number of parallel rays

of light reach a concave

mirror A, B, they will be

A

B

reflected from that mirror, and meet in a point at F

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this point is called the focus of the mirror, and is always at the distance of one-half the radius of the circle, of which the mirror forms a part, from the face of the mirror. If a glass bottle, half full of water, is held before a concave mirror, at a greater distance

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from it than its focus, and the spectator retires to a short distance, the image of the bottle will appear reversed, and seem to be in front of the mirror. But the most singular thing is, that the water will appear, in the image, not to occupy its usual place, but to fill that end of the bottle nearest the neck, while the bottle is reversed, of course well corked, the water part it really does occupy will appear empty. If the namely, the neck; but in the reflected image it will will naturally run to that part which is lowest, appear to occupy the bottom of the bottle. cork is now taken out, and the water allowed to empty, and becoming more so, will, on the contrary, escape, that part of the bottle which is in reality seem as if it were filling; but as soon as all the appears to be empty. The effect produced by this liquid has run out, the illusion ceases, and the bottle experiment, is simply an illusion of the mind, arising from the knowledge we possess of the properties of liquids to remain at the lowest part of any vessel which may contain them, assisted also by the colourless nature of water, for if a coloured liquid is em ployed, this illusion does not take place.

the concave mirror is shown at most of our optical A very beautiful illustration of the properties of exhibitions, which, when well done, produces a most

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perfect illusion. A concave mirror A B, is placed behind a black screen, in which a moderately sized hole is cut; below this hole, on the same side as the mirror, an artificial flower is fixed in a reversed position, and strongly illuminated; on the other side of the screen a small bracket is placed, supporting a flower-pot filled with earth or moss: if an observer stands at some distance from the screen, with his eye on a level with the hole, a beautiful image of the flower will appear, as if springing from the flowerpot, and so distinct, that you might almost suppose you could touch it.

LONDON:

JOHN WILLIAM PARKER, WEST STRAND. PUBLISHED IN WEEKLY NUMBERS, PRICE ONE PENNY, AND IN MONTHLY PARTI PRICE SIXPENCE.

Sold by all Booksellers and Newsvenders in the Kingdom.

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ONE PENNY.

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329

REFECTORY AND CHURCH OF ST. SERGE, IN THE MONASTERY OF THE TROITZA, (THE HOLY TRINITY), NEAR MOSCOW

SKETCHES OF RUSSIA.

No. VII.

INTERIOR OF THE MONASTERY OF TROITZA (THE
HOLY TRINITY).

HAVING in a former paper given a general account
of this remarkable place, we now proceed with
descriptions of some of the most famous of the
buildings within its precincts.

On entering, an avenue of linden-trees conducts to the most stately of the buildings, the Cathedral of the Assumption (Oospensky Sabor), a construction of the sixteenth century, under the reign of the manmonster, Ivan the Terrible. The vaulted interior roof springs from four massive pillars, which, placed at equal distances from each other, and from the sides, divide the building, as it were, into nine compartments; the walls, to the very summit, are covered with fresco paintings, designed to illustrate some story of holy writ, most wretchedly executed, but gaudy as glaring colours, aided by a profusion of tinselly gilding, can make them. The iconastas, or screen, separating the holy place of the chancel from the body of the church, consists of rows of pictures of saints, in squares, not unlike those of a chessboard, and divided by small gilt pillars supporting a cornice of gilding which separates each row. Several individuals of distinction are here interred, and their tombs are shown, but no monuments. Near the Cathedral is a church dedicated to St. Nicon, where his relics repose.

to the threshold of his cell, was blinded by a splendour infinitely more dazzling than the blaze of the full noontide sun, in the midst of which, he discerned the "Holy Mother of God," accompanied by the apostles John and Peter: he threw himself at her feet, but the blessed Virgin bidding him to rise, addressed to him these encouraging words, Fear not, fear not, thy prayers have risen up on high, and thy disciples shall be protected during thy life and after thy death, for I will be ever present in this place, and it shall henceforth flourish beneath the shadow of my wing.

The sunny vision faded away, and the awe-struck worshipper rising, tremblingly called his brethren, to impart to them, the glad tidings. They hastened to offer up their thanksgivings, and the day of the Vision of the Virgin, is now held in holy veneration.

It may, perhaps, be necessary to remind the reader, that these are the words, not of an ignorant besotted monk of the dark ages, but of a high dignitary now living, a man of good sense, learning, and piety. What an inexplicable anomaly is the mind of man!

The belfry tower, upwards of 260 feet in height, is an elegant structure of modern date; its five square stories, adorned with columns and statues, contract as they rise one above the other, and are surmounted by a rich mass of gilding intended to represent the irregular form of a rock, upon the summit of which is a gilt ball, and a large and highly decorated cross of gilded copper. Thirty-five pounds' weight of ducat-gold was employed in the decoration of the roof and ball. This building contains a fine set of bells, thirty-eight in number, of which fourteen chime the quarters. One of the largest, presented by the Empress Anne, weighs 140,000 lbs. The portraits of Peter the Great, and several others of the imperial family, figure upon it in basso-relievo. The view from the summit, towards the south, is extensive, and presents a pleasing diversity of wood and water, over a tolerably well-cultivated country; a description of scenery very far from common in Russia.

Beyond is the Cathedral of Troitza, (the Trinity,) which is built over the tomb of St. Serge. It forms, although small, the principal sanctuary within the (claustral) walls. The roof of the church, and that of the chancel, are, together with the ball and cupola and crosses, richly gilt with ducat-gold. The shrine of the saint, in which his relics are preserved, is of solid silver, elaborately chased and thickly gilt; it is covered by a massy canopy, and supported by columns of the same metal, and in the same style. It was presented by the Empress Anne in 1737, and weighs more than 1000 lbs. An image of Saint Serge, which is placed in a panel of the shrine, and regarded by the common people as possessed of miraculous virtues, is an object almost of their adoration. It is of this, that Peter the Great made use as a palladium, in his wars with Charles the Twelfth. The iconastas of solid silver, slightly black-connected with the convent; it is now surrounded ened by time, is adorned with two immensely rich by the cannons that once thundered from the battleimages of the Trinity, given by one of the tzars of ments. the sixteenth century.

To this shrine, glittering with gold, and silver, and precious stones, the votive offerings of wealthy devotees and princely penitents, pilgrims of every rank and age,-forgetful for the moment of the artificial distinctions of real life,-flock indiscriminately to kiss the forehead and the hand of the relics, and to obtain the benediction of the monkish priest. Near this spot is the cell of St. Serge, called the Seraphion chamber, where also several canonized worthies are buried. In this room, legends say, he had frequent intercourse with heavenly visitants. The present metropolitan, Philarete, gives the following account of one of these revelations :

At midnight, Serge, having been on his knees before the image of the Virgin, ehanting hymns in her praise, and imploring her intercession to bring down the blessing of the Highest upon the community, rose for an instant's repose; then suddenly grasping the arm of his disciple Michael, and gazing fixedly on the door, he exclaimed, Watch, watch, my son! we are about to have a heavenly visitant." A clear celestial voice then broke upon their ears, saying, "Behold the ever pure Virgin!" Serge, advancing

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A small building in front of the Cathedral of the Assumption, covers a well of remarkably pure water, the spring of which is under the altar of the Cathedral itself. No peculiar powers are attributed to it, nor is it considered sacred. A lay monk is stationed to supply the water to pilgrims, and to sell images painted by the brethren, which do no very great honour to their pictorial talents. A small obelisk, near the well, serves as a sun-dial; on its marble sides are inscribed the most remarkable events

The refectory and church of St. Serge, shown in the accompanying Engraving, form a large, and not inelegant building: the exterior is remarkable chiefly for the strange variety of colours with which it is painted; the solid masonry between the pillars is hewn in small squares, precisely in form like the rind of a pine-apple, every angular side of which is of a different shade. The roof, 210 feet in length, and 63 in breadth, is remarkable for the ingenuity of its mechanical contrivance, being supported only on the external walls.

The treasury (riznitza,) consits of ten halls filled with the most costly objects, such as the sacerdotal vestments, panagions, mitres, palls for shrines, and coverings for altars; bibles, missals, chalices, and crosses, all blazing with an inconceivable profusion of pearls, diamonds, and precious stones of every kind; the books themselves are bound in gold and silver, and studded with gems. One altar-piece is estimated at a million and a half of roubles, about 36,000l., and the dress worn by the abbot on festivals, is estimated at 18,000l. There are a vast number of

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smaller altar-pieces covered with pearls and gems; these were made up from the loose jewels of the treasury, (of which there were at one time nearly two bushels,) in order to prevent their appropriation to meet the exigences of the state, during the long war, as after having been consecrated, they are no longer available to secular purposes. The tattered saccos of St. Serge is shown, as well as the shoes that were taken from his feet on the discovery of his remains, and several utensils of wood rudely fashioned by his own hands. "These," said the monk who pointed them out to the writer of this article, "these are our real riches; we prize them above gold or jewels." The greatest curiosity is an agate of pale gray colour, on which nature has traced, in a shade of rich purplish black, the image of a crucifix upon a rock, with a monk at his devotions before it. Utterly discarding, of course, the idea of anything miraculous, we should not be inclined to dispute its genuineness, since, far from being a solitary instance, it is well known, that in the British Museum, there is still preserved a dark stone on which nature has distinctly traced the portrait of Chaucer; Pliny also mentions an agate on which appeared Apollo holding a harp, and surrounded by the Nine; and at Venice, Ravenna, at Pisa, others of similar kind are exhibited, some, perhaps, a little indebted to human ingenuity. If we are not mistaken, there was, not long since, a remarkable stone of this kind, in the possession of a lapidary at Edinburgh, representing a clearly-defined portrait of George the Fourth.

Among other curiosities, abundance of relics are shown, including, of course, a morsel of the true cross, and a piece of the rod with which Moses smote the rock of the Wilderness, but they are by no means kept as objects of adoration, nor are they ever viewed as such by the most ignorant, but simply as curiosities. The bodies of the saints (moshtschi) are the only objects of veneration; these, closely enveloped in a cement, into the composition of which enter some odoriferous gums, a portion of the face alone left visible, are enclosed in a silver or plated shrine, the cover of which is removed on solemn festivals, and a rich pall of embroidery thrown over; the public are then admitted, and throng in crowds to see and kiss them. In appearance they much resemble the Egyptian mummies, the head being bound up in the same way; the features are scarcely distinguishable, while the white teeth, in contrast with the dark ebony hue of the shrunk and shrivelled features, give a ghastly appearance, that creates a feeling of loathing which a stranger has some difficulty to overcome. There is a department in connexion with the Synod, expressly for the preservation of the bones of saints,a certain number of which is deposited on its consecration, in every church throughout the empire. Although this is the case, the rubric of the church strictly enjoins upon all priests, "most diligently to watch, lest the ignorant be tempted to render them a superstitious worship."

The monuments of the tzars, in remote ages, were regarded with a veneration almost approaching that paid to the relics of saints and martyrs. Petitions addressed to the monarch were deposited upon one of the tombs of the tzars, whence none but the sovereign in person had the right to remove them, making death, the leveller of all distinctions, the mediator between the suppliant and his sovereign. This singular and impressive custom ceased on the removal of the seat of government to St. Petersburgh. The library contains about 6000 volumes of theology, history, antiquities and science, well classified and arranged, together with 200 manuscripts, some of

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which, relative to the history of Russia, are of high antiquity; others are very curiously illuminated, and adorned with miniatures of the saints. A very curious book on astrology is also shown. There is a missal, written, if we mistake not, in letters of gold on bladder, and most exquisitely illuminated. The monastery, once peopled by 300 monks, is now occupied by only 100, who are divided into ten bodies, lodging in as many separate buildings; but a seminary has been added, which receives 300 students, of which one-half are educated at the expense of the Crown; the others are on the foundation. None but the children of the secular clergy are admitted. Their course of study embraces theology, Greek, Latin, and one or two modern languages; after having passed through which, they are at liberty either to enter into the world, or to embrace the ecclesiastical profession.

It would render this article unnecessarily tedious, were we to prolong our description by a detail of the six other churches, the buildings within the walls for the accommodation of the monks, the schools, the hospital, and the imperial palace, the latter scarcely deserving the name, and completely unfurnished, with a desolate, shrubless, weedy garden in front.

FAMILIAR ILLUSTRATIONS OF GEOLOGY.

No. I.

COMMON SOILS,-LOAM, CLAY, SAND,-FLINT, CHALK, MAGNESIA,-ROCKS.

I SEE you turning up the earth with your plough. and this you have done for many years. Has it ever occurred to you to inquire, what this earth, which you have had to deal with for so long a time, really is You tell me that the soil of this field is a sandy-loam, that of the one below a clayey-loam, that others have a fine rich soil, and the one by the side of the common a hungry soil.

When I ask you what is loam? you tell me that it is a mixture of clay and sand; that when the clay is very abundant, it forms clayey loam; when much less in quantity, sandy loam; whilst the rich soil is chiefly composed of the same materials, varying in proportions, and usually containing in addition much vegetable and animal matter in a state of decay. You further inform me, that a hungry soil consists chiefly of sand and gravel, with very little clay.

Very good; as far as it goes, this is all very well But suppose we carry the inquiry a little further, and inquire what are meant by the terms clay and sand: You at once reply that clay is clay, sand is sand, and gravel is gravel. Well then, let us look more closely into the origin and construction of the soil, which is perhaps, the best general term we can use for the ground, or earth, of the fields and gardens. Such in quiries well become all intelligent minds, but to the farmer in particular, the subject possesses very con siderable interest, for on the proper culture of the soi the success of the agriculturist must chiefly depend.

Soil, as we have already settled, may be loamy sandy, clayey, gravelly, or of other denominations according to the proportions in which the material: that compose it are brought together.

Now there are in nature certain substances, per haps seven or eight in number, which are properly called PURE EARTHS, because chemistry has not ye discovered in them a composition of two or more materials. Consequently, they are pure, simple mineral substances, and are designated EARTHS in th scientific meaning of the term. Of these simple sub stances, or pure earths, it might be sufficient for ou

present purpose to notice three, namely, those very well-known substances, Flint, Clay, and Lime; for of these three, in various combinations, by far the greatest part of the mountains of the globe, the plains at their feet, and the whole of what we commonly understand by land, soil, mould, earth, &c., are composed.

You must not, however, imagine that all the world is composed of these three substances, but merely that they form by far the largest proportion of the solid portions of our globe. They are constantly intermixed with foreign matters, for instance, metals, (particularly iron,) and acids, (as carbonic acid,) in immense quantities. It is this acid combined with lime, that forms carbonate of lime, which is the true limestone rock, and also chalk. Limestone and chalk require to be burnt in kilns of intense heat, in order to drive off the carbonic acid, by which the pure lime is set free, or, as it were, released from its bondage.

Alkalies also occur, such as soda and potassa, giving variety to rocks composed of the above materials.

As I am talking to an agriculturist, I will just mention a fourth pure earth,-MAGNESIA, which is found in some places in considerable quantities, and existing occasionally mixed with limestone. Magnesia is the farmer's enemy, on account of its pernicious influence on vegetables. Some years ago, before knowledge became so general as it now is, a young farmer took possession of a farm in a part of the country, where the limestone rock abounds. Having the means of obtaining an abundance of lime at a cheap rate, he manured his land with it unsparingly, in the full expectation of a grateful return in abundant crops. He was, however, doomed to disappointment. In every direction stunted and blighted plants met his eye, and it was evident that the means he had used to improve his land, had had a directly contrary effect, and that the soil was injured. In his perplexity he mentioned the circumstance to a chemist, who was visiting in the neighbourhood, and from him he learned, that the limestone-rock which had afforded him the lime with which he manured his fields, contained a portion of magnesia, and that magnesia was baneful to vegetable life, and had caused the failure of his crops.

Flint, the pure earth of which I first spoke, is found in its greatest purity in rock-crystal. It forms a large proportion of granite, in which it occurs in bright, and often colourless crystals. These crystals are detached in immense quantities by the decay of the felspar and mica, two other substances which enter into the composition of granite.

sphere and other chemical causes. Thus, the sand and clay which compose a loamy soil, is produced by the decay of the hardest rocks, and by the friction of the fragments in running waters. When the decomposition of limestone-rocks takes place in a similar manner, the lime so brought down, and becoming mixed with the sand or clay, forms what is called a Marl, or marlaceous loam, well known to the agriculturist as a most valuable soil.

THE HURRICANE IN BARBADOS

IN 1831.

THE only thing remarkable in the weather for Ju.y, 1831, in Barbados, was the unusual quantity of rain; it, indeed, is said to have rained almost incessantly. The trade-winds, however, blew moderately and steadily from the proper quarter, and the atmospheric temperature was uncommonly uniform; the maximum is noted at 86°, and the minimum at 79°.

Towards the end of the month thunder and lightning were of frequent occurrence, and electric clouds hung over the island. In Bridgetown, the 1st of August commenced fine, with light breezes from the north-east, but by nine A.M. the weather had changed, the wind blew strongly, and the remainder of the day was wet and cloudy, and in some parts of the island the thunder was very severe, particularly in the neighbourhood of Chalky Mount, in the district of Scotland, where the lightning shattered a small house, killed a white child, and wounded the mother.

On the tenth morning of the month, it was remarked that the sun rose without a cloud, and shone resplendently through an atmosphere of the most translucent brightness; at six A.M. the thermometer stood at 80°, at eight it rose to 85°, and at ten, to 86°; at which hour the gentle morning-breeze, which had, up to that moment, fanned the country, died away; occasionally, after this, high winds sprang up from the east-north-east, but soon subsided. Calms generally prevailed with puffs from between the north and northeast points of the compass. At noon the mercury stood at 87°, and at two P.M. 88°; at four it had sunk to 86°. At five, the writer from whom this account is taken was in the country, about a mile and a half to the northward of Bridgetown. He remarked that the clouds were gathering very fast from the north, and the wind commenced blowing strong from the same point. A shower of rain fell at this time, after which there was a remarkable stillness, which was made more impressive by the dismal darkness of the clouds on the horizon all around. This dark impenetrable body of cloud extended up towards the zenith, leaving there an obscure circle of light ap

The decomposition of granite is effected by the agency of the atmosphere and by water. The crys-parently about 35° or 40° of the celestial concave in tals are washed from the hills by the rains, and are rolled, rubbed, and ground, against each other, and against larger fragments. The finer portions rubbed off form sand, coarse or fine according to circumstances, and the larger portions left are rounded into gravel.

It will, perhaps, surprise you, when I tell you how much of a good soil consists of absolute flint; that is, sand formed of ground flint. It is said, that in loam, eighty-seven parts in a hundred are fine sand, and the remaining thirteen clay. When soil has a reddish or yellowish colour, it indicates the presence of iron. Decayed animal and vegetable matter, as is well known, gives great additional richness to the soil. Clay is the chief material of which slate-rocks are composed; it also enters largely into the composition of other rocks, and is released or disengaged from its combination with them by the action of the atmo

diameter. This dismal circle remained at rest a few seconds only, when the scud of it was seen to be in a state of ebullition. The dense mass of cloud all around, was also agitated and separating; bodies of it were dispersed to all points of the compass. From six to seven P.M. the weather was fair and the wind moderate, with only occasional slight puffs from the north; the lower and principal stratum of clouds passing fleetly to the south, while the higher strata and scud seemed driven with almost equal rapidity to every point of the compass.

After seven o'clock the sky was clear, and the air calm, and this continued till after nine, when the wind began again to blow from the north. At half-past nine it freshened, and showers of rain fell at intervals, up to half-past ten o'clock. About this period distant lightning was observed in the north-east and northwest, and squalls of wind, with rain, came from

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