When we trace the parts of which this terrestrial system is composed, and when we view the general connection of those several parts, the whole presents a machine of a peculiar construction by which it is adapted to a certain end. We perceive a fabric, erected in wisdom, to obtain a purpose worthy of the power that is apparent in the production of it.

The Binder is defired to observe that the Vol. confifts of Three Sets of Pages, to be arranged in the following order, immediately after the Table of Contents, viz. Part I. containing The History of the Society : Part II.containing, I Papers of the Physical Class; II. Papers of the Literary Class : And to place the two Plates, entitled Theory of the Earth, to front page 304. of Papers of the Phyfical Clafs, and the other Plates (which fold out) according to the references marked upon them.

Few literary exertions put the author's abilities to a severer test than the composition of history. The poet may create a subject for himself, or he may adopt one that is but imperfectly known. In the composition of an epic poem, he instructs and pleases by exhibiting such a train of actions as might have taken place, and, unless he violates probability, his invention may bid defiance to restraint. If his work be imperfect, he has himself to blame, as those very powers which give the form to his subject, gave it first its existence.

At a meeting of the Literary Class of the Royal Society, held on Monday 19th April 1784, the Reverend Dr Carlyle read an ode, written by the late Mr William Collins, and addressed to John Home, Esq; (author of Douglas, &c.) on his return to Scotland in 1749. The committee appointed to superintend the publication of the Society's Transactions, having judged this ode to be extremely deserving of a place in that collection, requested Mr Alex. Fraser Tytler, one of their number, to procure from Dr Carlyle every degree of information which he could give concerning it. This information, which forms a proper introduction to the poem itself, is contained in the two following letters.

By the introduction of letters into algebra, to denote all the quantities, both known and unknown, involved in an equation, this very important advantage was gained, that the final equation exhibited both a general rule for the solution of all similar problems, and also the limitations within which such problems were possible.

The fall of the feudal system was accomplished, in the principal states of Europe, at a period when the revival of learning had diffused in society a spirit of reflection, and communicated, to the better sort, some knowledge of the history of the Greek and Roman republics. As it was, in general, the kings who conducted the attack on the privileges of the feudal nobility, the principal part of the spoils had fallen naturally to their share. But the people were warlike, the nobles were still; animated with the pride of rank, of family, and of their ancient consequence, and men, in general, had begun to speculate on their rights, and were unaccustomed to perceive, with satisfaction, the whole powers of government centred in the crown.

This Abstract contains the medium heat for the half of each month, and is a continuation of that inserted in the last Volume of the Physical and Literary Essays.

Hawkhill is situated 1½ mile N. E. of Edinburgh.

The Observations of the Thermometer were made every day at 8 o'clock A. M.

The custom adopted by several learned Societies or Acadedemies abroad, which requires, that a professed panegyric on every one of the Members, after his death, should first be read before the Academy, and then printed in the history of their transactions, has not met with a general approbation, either in England or in this country. For although characters have frequently appeared in the republic of Letters, whose shining talents have, with sufficient propriety, employed the power of eloquence in their praise, every Member of an Academy cannot be deemed the proper subject of a laboured encomium. The British character, naturally shy and reserved, is apt to look with an eye of suspicion, upon any discourse that comes decorated with the pompous title of Eloge.

In the register from which this abstract is taken, the numbers were marked every day at nine o'clock A. M. The quantity of rain was measured by means of a tin-cylinder, guarded by a wooden box, and sunk in the earth, into which the rain was received through a funnel, whereof the area was quadruple that of the cylinder. A gage, which floated on the surface of the water in the cylinder, had a rod fixed to it, divided into inches and tenths, which passed through the pipe of the funnel. The fourth part of the rise of this index marked the depth of rain which had fallen since the last observation, and these observations were generally made once in twenty-four hours.

In the seventieth and seventy-first volumes of the London Philosophical Transactions, the reader will find an account of some Experiments and Observations made here upon cold in the years 1780 and 1781.

Though, at first, I had no other view but that of keeping a register of the very cold weather which set in on the 13th January 1780, yet I was soon led to extend the plan of my observations, upon meeting with a new phænomenon, which appeared to me to deserve some attention. This phænomenon consisted in a constant difference of temperature of the snow which, at that time, covered the fields, and that of the air at a few feet above: the snow being the coldest.

It is a maxim in physics, that “an effect ought not to be “ ascribed to the joint operation of many causes, if fewer “ are adequate to the production of it.” Frustra fit per plura, quod fieri potest per pauciora. This maxim is no less just when applied to language. It is equally unphilosophical in grammar and in physics, to multiply without necessity the principles from which the phænomena are to be explained.

It cannot well be disputed, that, till the Greeks were possessed of the art of writing, they could have nothing that deserved the name of history. When that art was introduced among them is uncertain; but there is reason to believe, it was not known to them at the time of the Trojan war, as there is no mention of any writing in all the works of Homer; for the tablets, of which he speaks in one passage, did not contain any writing, but only marks or signs. At any rate, it cannot be supposed, that writing was much known or practifed, at that time, or indeed for long after. It appears from many charters, and other deeds, in this country, that men of the first families and fortunes in it could not, a few centuries ago, write their names; yet it is clear, from our having the use of coined money in commerce, and of cavalry in war, as well as from several other circumstances, that we were more civilized in those days than the Greeks could pretend to be when they first invaded Asia.